Maybe you love Adaptation, or Synechdoche, or Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.The prolific screenwriter Charlie Kaufman discusses some of the diverse and notable projects of his career, starting with his early days as a staff writer for shows like Get A Life, and The Dana Carvey Show. He also recounts the unbelievable, and ultimately life-changing story of his screenplay for Being John Malkovich, a film that nobody initially wanted to make. Franklin and Kate dive with Charlie into the continued fan love for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (for which Kaufman won a writing Oscar), the reactions they all have to Adaptation, and wrap up with a discussion of the Jessie Buckley/Jesse Plemons film I'm Thinking of Ending Things, and so much more.

Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.

This conversation took place during 2020. To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com.

Mentions:

• I’m Thinking of Ending Things: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/im_thinking_of_ending_things
• Get A Life: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/get_a_life
• Being John Malkovich: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/being_john_malkovich
• Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/eternal_sunshine_of_the_spotless_mind
• Antkind: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/546823/antkind-by-charlie-kaufman/

When cultural tastemakers get stuck inside what do they watch, read, or play? In this throwback episode that has since become a classic, Franklin and Kate talk to each other about the things they discovered or rediscovered during lockdown. From Animal Crossing and Sarah Cooper, to Ted Lasso and Michaela Coel's I May Destroy You, you'll have some new gems to add to your list. See the show notes for more details!

Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.

This convo took place in 2020. Learn more about The Black List, visit ⁠www.blcklst.com.⁠

Mentions:

• Animal Crossing: ⁠https://animal-crossing.com⁠
• 40-Year-Old Version: ⁠https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_forty_year_old_version⁠
• Radha Blank on The Black List Podcast: ⁠https://luminarypodcasts.com/listen/ninth-planet-audio-&-the-black-list/the-black-list-podcast/radha-blank/d6c5b3d7-5e87-4aa1-92d1-aabacbe918b8⁠
• Inside Out by Demi Moore: ⁠https://www.harpercollins.com/products/inside-out-demi-moore?variant=32131129442338⁠
• It by Stephen King: ⁠https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/830502.It⁠
• Caste by Isabel Wilkerson: ⁠https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/653196/caste-oprahs-book-club-by-isabel-wilkerson/⁠
• Sarah Cooper: ⁠https://sarahcpr.com⁠
• Ted Lasso: ⁠https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/ted_lasso⁠
• I May Destroy You: ⁠https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/i_may_destroy_you⁠
• You Must Remember This Podcast: ⁠http://www.youmustrememberthispodcast.com⁠
• Karina Longworth on The Black List Podcast: ⁠https://luminarypodcasts.com/listen/ninth-planet-audio-&-the-black-list/the-black-list-podcast/karina-longworth/ccc9d152-7947-48dc-bab8-871300e0c72a⁠ .

Actor and director Jay Ellis joins Kate and Franklin for some real talk. Jay opens up about starring in Top Gun: Maverick and how becoming a father has shifted his perspective on life and work. He also reflects on his iconic role as Lawrence in Insecure—including some truly wild fan encounters—and takes us behind the scenes of his directorial debut on the show. The trio covers career milestones, Mel Brooks, and the magic of storytelling. Plus, in one of the most unexpected turns, Jay shares how Spaceballs (yes, Spaceballs) first made him fall in love with acting.

Questions? Comments? Criticism? Hit us up on social media at @theblcklst.

This episode was originally published in 2020, behind a paywall. To learn more about The Black List, visit www.blcklst.com.

Mentions:

+Insecure: https://www.hbo.com/insecure

+Top Gun: https://shadowandact.com/new-top-gun-maverick-trailer-shows-at-jay-ellis-in-tom-cruise-sequel