Hand Me the Mike

About Hand Me the Mike

Michael Shannon: A true Midwesterner with over 100 acting credits to his name; a fan of The Smiths and REM; a man who remains dedicated to the stage; General Zod. Shannon may be remembered as a character actor to many, but there’s no doubt that the gravity of a scene shifts in his direction whenever he is on screen or the stage. While his roles range in size and screen time, genre, legacy, collaborators, and quality, a look through Shannon’s filmography reveals a fascinatingly comprehensive snapshot of America. The country’s paranoia and crookedness... its diseased capitalism... the American nuclear family... the U.S.’s possibility of resilience and community... our worst superhero movie impulses... our valiant depictions of war... our adoration of Rock n’ Roll... it all exists within the Mike Shannon Canon. Host Daniella Mazzio will be joined by a rotation of Michael Shannon fans, film critics, and Chicagoans, to discuss how Shannon’s filmography and what makes him such an illuminating performer, with special reported episodes that look at his work across other mediums, including music and theatre.

Publisher

Daniella Mazzio

Category

tv & film

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

7 Aug 2025

Latest episode

10 Apr 2026

Latest episodes

9 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   10 Apr 2026

   S1E9 - 9. Cecil B. Demented with Natalie Marlin

   Did you ever f*** Mel Gibson? After a hiatus, Hand Me the Mike is back with one of our most fun episodes yet! Host Daniella Mazzio is joined by Minneapolis-based writer Natalie Marlin to talk about John Waters' irreverent Hollywood satire Cecil B. Demented (2000). Listen as Daniella and Natalie discuss the different eras of John Waters' career, his prescience regarding the future of filmmaking, and how Michael Shannon's small but pivotal role within the ensemble utilizes his signature intensity. Natalie Marlin is a writer, art and culture journalist, and essayist based near Minneapolis, MN. Her writing has been featured in publications such as Stereogum, The Quietus, Bright Wall/Dark Room, and Pitchfork. Her book Noise Music is forthcoming from Bloomsbury (https://333sound.com/new-and-forthcoming-in-genre-a-33-1-3-series/) as part of Genre: A 33 1/3 Series. Follow Natalie on Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/nataliesnotinit.bsky.social). This is a completely free, DIY project; support is optional, but greatly appreciated. Follow Daniella on Twitter and Instagram at @DaniellaMazzio and on Bluesky at @daniellamazzio.bsky.social‬. The Hand Me the Mike theme song samples R.E.M.'s "Nightswimming." Additional music includes Hallelujah the Hills' very generous public domain track "01 Untitled, Actual Title (Joker 1)" from the album DECK: JOKERS. Check out the band's playing card-inspired releases at: https://hallelujahthehills.bandcamp.com/ (https://hallelujahthehills.bandcamp.com/). Hand Me the Mike cover art features an illustration from Daniella and fonts designed by Steve Shanabruch as part of The Chicago Neighborhoods (https://www.thechicagoneighborhoods.com/fonts). Additional audio snippets are from Cecil B. Demented, The Simpsons, and They Came Together. This episode of Hand Me the Mike was produced by Joe Engleman and Daniella Mazzio, and edited by Daniella Mazzio. Reviews, profiles, and interviews featured in the episode: Natalie's interview with Michael Shannon for Stereogum: https://stereogum.com/2249662/weve-got-a-file-on-you-michael-shannon/interviews (https://stereogum.com/2249662/weve-got-a-file-on-you-michael-shannon/interviews) Michael Shannon interviews from... Dread Central (2020) (https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/353678/exclusive-interview-john-waters-talks-20th-anniversary-of-cecil-b-demented-at-salem-horror-fest/) Mandatory (2015) (https://www.mandatory.com/culture/916351-interview-michael-shannon-sticky-morals-99-homes) Fangoria (2011) (https://www.fangoria.com/shelter-michael-shannon-interview/) Nashville Scene (2010) (https://www.nashvillescene.com/arts_culture/film_tv/actor-michael-shannon-discusses-working-with-werner-herzog-and-the-diva-trips-of-flightless-birdsson/article_2a9b6179-34c0-520f-a2cb-16956ad8df74.html) John Waters Interviews from... Boston Globe (2024) (https://room-tone.ghost.io/cut-the-history-of-federal-funding-the-future-of-film/) Nitrate Online (2000) (https://nitrateonline.com/2000/fcecil.html) Filmmaker Magazine (2000) (https://filmmakermagazine.com/archives/issues/summer2000/features/what_price.php) Windy City Times (2000) (https://windycitytimes.com/2000/07/26/ready-for-his-close-up-john-waters/) Indiewire (2000) (https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/interview-john-waters-demented-forever-81477/) Order 'The Extended Universe' by Vicky Osterweil (https://www.haymarketbooks.org/books/2525-the-extended-universe) Read the first part of Daniella's write up (https://room-tone.ghost.io/cut-the-history-of-federal-funding-the-future-of-film/) on public funding in the film industry. Read Daniella's 2023 reporting on why certain movies aren't always available to audiences (https://chicagoreader.com/film-tv/chicago-movie-theater-accessibility/). Watch the "White Lie" music video (https://youtu.be/SANpmd7V6jU?si=kEiVQ5hxgLYAoGWw) from Foreigner featuring Michael Shannon and Nick Offerman. Get tickets to the Pink Flamingos screening at The Heights Theater (https://heightstheater.com/lnh/) in Minneapolis (introduced by Natalie!)

2. 

   6 Dec 2025

   S1E8 - 8. Eric LaRue with Whitney Wasson

   We don't want these wounds to get infected. As we near the end of 2025, host Daniella Mazzio is joined by cartoonist Whitney Wasson (Sober Rabbit) to discuss Michael Shannon's directorial debut Eric LaRue. Though the film (written by Brett Neveu, adapted from his play) hasn't made it into awards conversations, Daniella and Whitney discuss the 2025 release and how it encapsulates many of the feelings from the past year—particularly how Americans handle discomfort around tragedy and fear. Whitney Wasson is a Chicago-based cartoonist, theater person, and comedian originally from Arkansas. They draw Sober Rabbit, an ongoing comic series about addiction recovery, disability and mental health. You can learn more at soberrabbit.com (https://soberrabbit.com/). Follow Whitney on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/soberrabbit/), Twitter (https://x.com/soberrabbit), and Facebook (https://facebook.com/soberrabbitcomic). Subscribe to the Sober Rabbit Patreon (https://patreon.com/soberrabbit). This is a completely free, DIY project; support is optional, but greatly appreciated. Follow Daniella on Twitter and Instagram at @DaniellaMazzio and on Bluesky at @daniellamazzio.bsky.social‬. The Hand Me the Mike theme song samples R.E.M.'s "Nightswimming." Additional music includes Hallelujah the Hills' very generous public domain track "01 Untitled, Actual Title (Joker 1)" from the album DECK: JOKERS. Check out the band's playing card-inspired releases at: https://hallelujahthehills.bandcamp.com/ (https://hallelujahthehills.bandcamp.com/). Hand Me the Mike cover art features an illustration from Daniella and fonts designed by Steve Shanabruch as part of The Chicago Neighborhoods (https://www.thechicagoneighborhoods.com/fonts). Additional audio snippets are from Eric LaRue and Arrested Development. This episode of Hand Me the Mike was produced by Joe Engleman and Daniella Mazzio, and edited by Daniella Mazzio. Shout out to the Chicago International Film Festival. 😊 Reviews, profiles, and interviews featured in the episode: Everytown Research and Policy's Gunfire on School Grounds data: https://everytownresearch.org/maps/gunfire-on-school-grounds/ (https://everytownresearch.org/maps/gunfire-on-school-grounds/) (Additional sources for each incident named in the episode are cited in Everytown's data). Isaac Feldberg (https://room-tone.ghost.io/hand-me-the-mike-02-take-shelter-with-isaac-feldberg/)'s interview with Michael Shannon: https://www.rogerebert.com/interviews/michael-shannon-eric-larue-interview (https://www.rogerebert.com/interviews/michael-shannon-eric-larue-interview) Variety interview with Michael Shannon and Judy Greer: https://variety.com/2025/film/features/eric-larue-michael-shannon-judy-greer-1236359453/ (https://variety.com/2025/film/features/eric-larue-michael-shannon-judy-greer-1236359453/) Chicago Reader interview with Michael Shannon and Brett Neveu: https://chicagoreader.com/film-tv/movie-feature/eric-larue-film-brett-neveu-michael-shannon/ (https://chicagoreader.com/film-tv/movie-feature/eric-larue-film-brett-neveu-michael-shannon/) Al-Jazeera explainer – U.S. school shootings in 2025: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/28/how-many-school-shootings-have-there-been-in-the-us-in-2025 (https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/28/how-many-school-shootings-have-there-been-in-the-us-in-2025)

3. 

   15 Oct 2025

   S1E7 - 7. The End with Ross W. Berman IV

   Hey, you. Host Daniella Mazzio has finally emerged from the bunker (aka a month of depression) to bring you the latest Hand Me the Mike! Writer and musician Ross W. Berman IV joins to talk about Joshua Oppenheimer's first narrative feature (and a musical, too!) The End. We discuss how Oppenheimer's film is in conversation with his seminal documentary The Act of Killing, varied perspective on the filmmaker's humanistic lens, and Michael Shannon's work playing a character that challenges what we expect from his performances. Ross W. Berman IV is a Chicago-based folksinger and comedian, as well as a writer/editor at Wrestling Inc (https://www.wrestlinginc.com/author/rossberman/). His music is available at rossberman.bandcamp.com (https://rossberman.bandcamp.com). Follow Ross on Twitter (https://x.com/RossWBermanIV), Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/rosswbermaniv.bsky.social), Letterboxd (https://letterboxd.com/rosswbermaniv/), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/rossbermaniv/), and Substack (https://rosswbermaniv.substack.com/). This is a completely free, DIY project; support is optional, but greatly appreciated. Follow Daniella on Twitter and Instagram at @DaniellaMazzio and on Bluesky at @daniellamazzio.bsky.social‬. The Hand Me the Mike theme song samples R.E.M.'s "Nightswimming." This episode also includes an introductory song based on "Big Blue Sky," originally sung by Michael Shannon for The End; alternative lyrics sung (unfortunately) by Daniella; music composed by Joshua Schmidt with lyrics by director Joshua Oppenheimer. This episode's closing song is Ross W. Berman IV's "In the Way" from the 2021 album Where the Light Don't Reach (https://rossberman.bandcamp.com/album/where-the-light-dont-reach). Hand Me the Mike cover art features an illustration from Daniella and fonts designed by Steve Shanabruch as part of The Chicago Neighborhoods (https://www.thechicagoneighborhoods.com/fonts). Additional audio snippets are from The End and (unfortunately) Hamilton. This episode of Hand Me the Mike was produced by Joe Engleman and Daniella Mazzio, and edited by Daniella Mazzio. Reviews, profiles, and interviews featured in the episode: Michael Shannon interview for Vanity Fair: https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/story/michael-shannon-interview-the-end (https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/story/michael-shannon-interview-the-end) For further reading: Daniella's coverage on NEA/NEH funding cuts: https://chicagoreader.com/music/music-feature/neh-nea-imls-arts-grant-clawback-funding-nonprofit/ (https://chicagoreader.com/music/music-feature/neh-nea-imls-arts-grant-clawback-funding-nonprofit/)

4. 

   15 Sept 2025

   S1E6 - 6. The 2009 Herzogs with Peter Raleigh

   Razzle them... dazzle them... Last week was a wild one, to say the least. We took a week off, but we're back and boy do we have a doozy! On the latest Hand Me the Mike, host Daniella Mazzio is joined by Chicago-based writer Peter Raleigh to talk about two 2009 Werner Herzog movies—both featuring Michael Shannon—My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done? and Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans. Listen for a discussion that spans big performances, Greek myths, David Lynch, man vs. nature narratives, the duality of crime, and Jessie Ventura. PLUS: Daniella and Joe discuss season two of Boardwalk Empire in a new installment of "Under the Boardwalk." Peter Raleigh is Chicago-based writer whose work can be found on his newsletter Long Library (https://peterraleigh.substack.com/). Follow Peter on Twitter (https://x.com/PetreRaleigh) and Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/petreraleigh.bsky.social). Subscribe to his Substack (https://peterraleigh.substack.com/) and read his piece on Lost Highway and Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me (https://peterraleigh.substack.com/p/the-evil-that-men-do)(mentioned in the episode). This is a completely free, DIY project; support is optional, but greatly appreciated. Follow Daniella on Twitter and Instagram at @DaniellaMazzio and on Bluesky at @daniellamazzio.bsky.social‬. The Hand Me the Mike theme song samples R.E.M.'s "Nightswimming." Additional music includes Hallelujah the Hills' very generous public domain track "01 Untitled, Actual Title (Joker 1)" from the album DECK: JOKERS. Check out the band's playing card-inspired releases at: https://hallelujahthehills.bandcamp.com/ (https://hallelujahthehills.bandcamp.com/). Hand Me the Mike cover art features an illustration from Daniella and fonts designed by Steve Shanabruch as part of The Chicago Neighborhoods (https://www.thechicagoneighborhoods.com/fonts). Additional audio snippets are from My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done? and Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans. This episode of Hand Me the Mike was produced by Joe Engleman and Daniella Mazzio, and edited by Daniella Mazzio. The song "I Was Born to Preach the Gospel," featured in My Son, My Son, is written and performed by Washington Phillips (as Rev. George Washington Philips). Reviews, profiles, and interviews featured in the episode: Herzog's Minnesota Declaration: https://www.rogerebert.com/rogers-journal/herzogs-minnesota-declaration-defining-ecstatic-truth (https://www.rogerebert.com/rogers-journal/herzogs-minnesota-declaration-defining-ecstatic-truth) 2017 Addendum: https://walkerart.org/magazine/werner-herzog-minnesota-declaration-2017-addendum (https://walkerart.org/magazine/werner-herzog-minnesota-declaration-2017-addendum) Werner Herzog's Rogue Film School: http://www.roguefilmschool.com/default.asp (http://www.roguefilmschool.com/default.asp) Herzog on Los Angeles/California: https://laist.com/news/entertainment/werner-herzogs-take-on-los-angeles (https://laist.com/news/entertainment/werner-herzogs-take-on-los-angeles) The Making of My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMFne3Kcp1Q&t=340s&pp=ygUfbXkgc29uIG15IHNvbiB3aGF0IGhhdmUgeWUgZG9uZQ%3D%3D (https://youtu.be/TMFne3Kcp1Q?si=Zts_aDh-iRmy76hu) Background on the Story My Son, My Son is inspired by: https://web.archive.org/web/20100922043815/http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/apr/05/lz1c05grant20233-inspired-tragedy/ (https://web.archive.org/web/20100922043815/http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/apr/05/lz1c05grant20233-inspired-tragedy/)

5. 

   1 Sept 2025

   S1E5 - 5. Groundhog Day with Caitlin Durante

   ...Wrestlemania! In the latest Hand Me the Mike, host Daniella Mazzio is joined by Caitlin Durante, comedian, writer, educator, and co-host of the Bechdel Cast podcast (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/105-the-bechdel-cast-30089535/). Together, they talk about Groundhog Day (1993), media conglomerates, the five stages of grief, the dissolution of Harold Ramis and Bill Murray's friendship, Groundhog Day's romance, Caitlin's memories of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, Daniella's bad experience working a Bill Murray show at the Chicago Theatre, and of course, the scene-stealing film debut of Michael Shannon. Caitlin Durante is a comedian, writer, educator, and co-host of the Bechdel Cast podcast. Follow Caitlin on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/caitlindurante/) and learn about upcoming shows and screenwriting classes at https://www.caitlindurante.com/ (https://www.caitlindurante.com/). Listen to the Bechdel Cast wherever you get your podcasts, stay up to date with the podcast on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/bechdelcast), and subscribe to the Patreon ("aka Matreon") for bonus episodes at https://www.patreon.com/bechdelcast (https://www.patreon.com/bechdelcast). This is a completely free, DIY project; support is optional, but greatly appreciated. Follow Daniella on Twitter and Instagram at @DaniellaMazzio and on Bluesky at @daniellamazzio.bsky.social‬. The Hand Me the Mike theme song samples R.E.M.'s "Nightswimming." Additional music includes Hallelujah the Hills' very generous public domain track "01 Untitled, Actual Title (Joker 1)" from the album DECK: JOKERS. Check out the band's playing card-inspired releases at: https://hallelujahthehills.bandcamp.com/ (https://hallelujahthehills.bandcamp.com/). Hand Me the Mike cover art features an illustration from Daniella and fonts designed by Steve Shanabruch as part of The Chicago Neighborhoods (https://www.thechicagoneighborhoods.com/fonts). Additional audio snippets are from Groundhog Day. This episode of Hand Me the Mike was produced by Joe Engleman and Daniella Mazzio, and edited by Daniella Mazzio. Reviews, profiles, and interviews featured in the episode: Harold Ramis on Fresh Air with Terry Gross: https://www.npr.org/2014/02/25/282485864/harold-ramis-on-working-at-playboy-and-writing-animal-house (https://www.npr.org/2014/02/25/282485864/harold-ramis-on-working-at-playboy-and-writing-animal-house) Stephen Tobolowsky on Groundhog Day: https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/movies/actor-stephen-tobolowsky-recalls-how-lsquogroundhog-dayrsquo-went-from-good-to-great/ (https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/movies/actor-stephen-tobolowsky-recalls-how-lsquogroundhog-dayrsquo-went-from-good-to-great/) Tom Hanks was almost in Groundhog Day: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/happy-groundhog-day-heres-5-769137/ (https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/happy-groundhog-day-heres-5-769137/) Michael Shannon's interview with The A.V. Club: https://www.avclub.com/michael-shannon-1798218507 (https://www.avclub.com/michael-shannon-1798218507) Further reading on _Groundhog Day'_s production and the tense relationship between Ramis and Murray: Harold Ramis in The LA Times (1993): https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-02-12-ca-1377-story.html (https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-02-12-ca-1377-story.html) Danny Rubin on writing Groundhog Day: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2016/08/07/how-i-wrote-the-script-for-groundhog-day-in-less-than-a-week/ (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2016/08/07/how-i-wrote-the-script-for-groundhog-day-in-less-than-a-week/) and https://bigthink.com/videos/big-think-interview-with-danny-rubin/ (https://bigthink.com/videos/big-think-interview-with-danny-rubin/) Additional history on _Groundhog Day'_s development: https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/how-groundhog-day-changed-dramatically-during-development/ (https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/how-groundhog-day-changed-dramatically-during-development/), https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2004/04/19/comedy-first?currentPage=all (https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2004/04/19/comedy-first?currentPage=all), and https://variety.com/2018/film/news/groundhog-day-at-25-bill-murray-1202691391/ (https://variety.com/2018/film/news/groundhog-day-at-25-bill-murray-1202691391/) Uproxx on the Ramis/Murray relationship: https://uproxx.com/movies/the-story-behind-bill-murray-and-harold-ramis-21-year-rift/ (https://uproxx.com/movies/the-story-behind-bill-murray-and-harold-ramis-21-year-rift/) Ryan Gilbey's book on Groundhog Day: https://archive.org/details/groundhogday0000gilb/mode/2up (https://archive.org/details/groundhogday0000gilb/mode/2up) Bill Murray and Groundhog Day: https://www.rd.com/article/why-bill-murray-hated-groundhog-day/ (https://www.rd.com/article/why-bill-murray-hated-groundhog-day/) A comprehensive guide to Bill Murray's alleged misconduct throughout his career: https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/10/everyone-who-has-publicly-accused-bill-murray-of-misconduct (https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/10/everyone-who-has-publicly-accused-bill-murray-of-misconduct) Last, an unearthed short review (https://theatre1234.com/?p=3312) of the Chicago Theatre show Daniella ushered (Bill Murray, Jan Vogler, and Friends): > Bill Murray proves to an audience of beaming superfans that he has no idea what goes into curating an evening of music and selections read from a slate of his favorite literary heavyweights. Seriously, what would prompt Murray to read passages from Hemingway and Twain that feature prominent misogyny and racial slurs? Laziness? Bad shrimp? We may never know the inner workings of this self-proclaimed folk hero’s mind, but what is clear is that “New Worlds” suffers from a lack of outside perspective. It’s easy to read a loaded piece of literature when you’re a wealthy, white, beloved character actor, and there are very few pieces of literature that would ever have the power to make you feel unwelcome in a space. So, he proceeds to make us all unwelcome; he reads choice selections from Hemingway that reduce women to breast size, and the most offensively broad, imbecilic interpretations of Black characters from “Huckleberry Finn.” Murray asks us to find poignance buried somewhere in his mountain of white male gaze. The most that I, and my fellow patrons who left long before the show was over, could muster was: LOL NO. -Maggie Wagner

6. 

   26 Aug 2025

   S1E4 - 4. Before the Devil Knows You're Dead with Vincent Mollica

   'Sorry' ain't gonna pay the bills, Chico! In the latest Hand Me the Mike, host Daniella Mazzio is joined by illustrator and Sidney Lumet evangelist Vincent Mollica to talk about Lumet's final film Before the Devil Knows You're Dead. Topics of conversation include Lumet's actor-first process, the movie's layers of visual metaphor, the southern gothic pulse throughout the film, and how Michael Shannon's brief role is nonetheless a crucial foil to Philip Seymour Hoffman's performance and character. Vincent Mollica is a Student Processing Specialist who lives in Madison, WI although he considers Chicago home. He is also a cartoonist, illustrator, and animator who uses the Instagram handle Movie Theater Stories. He is currently packing many stacks of DVDs he purchased at thrift stores around the Midwest. Follow Vincent on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/movietheaterstories) and check out his recent work in Lumpen Comics Issue #143 (https://www.lumpenmagazine.org/blog/lumpen-comics-issue-143) (the first issue since 2022)! This is a completely free, DIY project; support is optional, but greatly appreciated. Follow Daniella on Twitter and Instagram at @DaniellaMazzio and on Bluesky at @daniellamazzio.bsky.social‬. The Hand Me the Mike theme song samples R.E.M.'s "Nightswimming." Additional music includes Hallelujah the Hills' very generous public domain track "01 Untitled, Actual Title (Joker 1)" from the album DECK: JOKERS. Check out the band's playing card-inspired releases at: https://hallelujahthehills.bandcamp.com/ (https://hallelujahthehills.bandcamp.com/). Hand Me the Mike cover art features an illustration from Daniella and fonts designed by Steve Shanabruch as part of The Chicago Neighborhoods (https://www.thechicagoneighborhoods.com/fonts). Additional audio snippets are from Before the Devil Knows You're Dead. This episode of Hand Me the Mike was produced by Joe Engleman and Daniella Mazzio, and edited by Daniella Mazzio. Reviews, profiles, and interviews featured in the episode: Michael Shannon's interview with The Film Stage: https://thefilmstage.com/michael-shannon-on-kubrickian-inspiration-sex-as-storytelling-and-sidney-lumet/ (https://thefilmstage.com/michael-shannon-on-kubrickian-inspiration-sex-as-storytelling-and-sidney-lumet/) Martha Pinson's Notes on the "Lumet Method": https://marthapinson.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/THE-LUMET-METHOD-1.pdf (https://marthapinson.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/THE-LUMET-METHOD-1.pdf) Sidney Lumet interview with BFI: https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/interviews/sidney-lumet-before-devil-knows-youre-dead (https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/interviews/sidney-lumet-before-devil-knows-youre-dead) Carter Burwell on the score: https://www.carterburwell.com/projects/Before_The_Devil.html (https://www.carterburwell.com/projects/Before_The_Devil.html)

7. 

   18 Aug 2025

   S1E3 - 3. Man of Steel with Jack McCoy

   You are not alone... In the latest Hand Me the Mike, host Daniella Mazzio is joined by Jack McCoy, owner and founder of Sweet Void Cinema in Chicago, to discuss Zack Snyder's Man of Steel. Yes, we talk about James Gunn's take on Superman, but we unpack so much more, including philosophy and politics at the heart of Man of Steel, Snyder's vulgar auteurism, and why Michael Shannon brings an appropriate amount of intensity to his take on General Zod. A note: This episode was recorded prior to the loss of Terence Stamp on August 17th. While Stamp is an actor worthy of celebration for much more than his take on Zod in Superman II, we'd be remiss to not acknowledge Stamp's passing and to recognize the gravitas he originally brought to the role. Jack McCoy is the owner and founder of Sweet Void Cinema (https://www.sweetvoidcinema.com/), a production company and microtheater in Humboldt Park. He writes, directs and produces local Chicago movies, including the most recent Michael Glover Smith feature film Hekla (https://screenmag.com/hekla-exclusive/) and José Pérez's What Rhymes With Magdalena (https://www.sweetvoidcinema.com/features/whatrhymeswithmagdalena), which premiered at the Chicago Latino Film Festival (https://chicagolatinofilmfestival.org/project/what-rhymes-with-magdalena). His second feature, Step Six (https://www.sweetvoidcinema.com/features/step6), will premiere alongside Harvey Pullings' short "Thanks for the Ride, Aileen," at Facets in December. Follow Sweet Void Cinema on Twitter (https://x.com/sweetvoidcinema) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/sweetvoidcinema/). Follow Jack on Letterboxd (https://letterboxd.com/gregdinskisk/) and read his review of The Love Guru (https://letterboxd.com/gregdinskisk/film/the-love-guru/) (gotta listen to the episode to learn what that's all about!) This is a completely free, DIY project; support is optional, but greatly appreciated. Follow Daniella on Twitter and Instagram at @DaniellaMazzio and on Bluesky at @daniellamazzio.bsky.social‬. The Hand Me the Mike theme song samples R.E.M.'s "Nightswimming." Additional music includes Hallelujah the Hills' very generous public domain track "01 Untitled, Actual Title (Joker 1)" from the album DECK: JOKERS. Check out the band's playing card-inspired releases at: https://hallelujahthehills.bandcamp.com/ (https://hallelujahthehills.bandcamp.com/). Hand Me the Mike cover art features an illustration from Daniella and fonts designed by Steve Shanabruch as part of The Chicago Neighborhoods (https://www.thechicagoneighborhoods.com/fonts). Additional audio snippets are from Man of Steel and Justice League. This episode of Hand Me the Mike was produced by Joe Engleman and Daniella Mazzio, and edited by Daniella Mazzio. Reviews, profiles, and interviews featured in the episode: Port Magazine (https://www.port-magazine.com/film/outside-looking-in-michael-shannon/) interview with Michael Shannon.

8. 

   11 Aug 2025

   S1E2 - 2. Take Shelter with Isaac Feldberg

   There is a storm coming... In the first full episode of Hand Me the Mike, host Daniella Mazzio is joined by critic Isaac Feldberg to discuss the 2011 Jeff Nichols film Take Shelter. Listen as we discuss why Michael Shannon is "the meltdown maestro," how Take Shelter predicts the social anxieties dominating our lives today, and what makes the movie secretly a love story. Plus: A discussion of Boardwalk Empire, including the first installment of the segment "Under the Boardwalk," featuring producer Joe Engleman. Isaac Feldberg is a Chicago-based entertainment journalist, critic, and Michael Shannon super-fan with bylines in RogerEbert.com (https://www.rogerebert.com/contributors/isaac-feldberg), Letterboxd (https://letterboxd.com/journal/archive/author/isaac-feldberg/), Filmmaker Magazine (https://filmmakermagazine.com/author/isaac-feldberg/), Men’s Health (https://www.menshealth.com/author/402740/isaac-feldberg/), Paste (https://www.pastemagazine.com/author/isaac-feldberg), and more. Follow Isaac on Twitter (https://x.com/isaacfeldberg), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ijfeldberg/), and Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/isaacfeldberg.bsky.social). Read Isaac's interview with Taron Egerton on She Rides Shotgun (https://www.rogerebert.com/interviews/taron-egerton-interview). Preorder The Films of Larry Fessenden: Volume 1 from Vinegar Syndrome (https://vinegarsyndrome.com/collections/frontpage/products/the-films-of-larry-fessenden-volume-1-habit-no-telling), featuring a booklet essay from Isaac. Sign up for the latest updates sent directly to your inbox at room-tone.ghost.io/#/portal/signup (http://room-tone.ghost.io/#/portal/signup). This is a completely free, DIY project; support is optional, but greatly appreciated. Follow Daniella on Twitter and Instagram at @DaniellaMazzio and on Bluesky at @daniellamazzio.bsky.social‬. The Hand Me the Mike theme song samples R.E.M.'s "Nightswimming." Additional music includes Hallelujah the Hills' very generous public domain track "01 Untitled, Actual Title (Joker 1)" from the album DECK: JOKERS. Check out the band's playing card-inspired releases at: https://hallelujahthehills.bandcamp.com/ (https://hallelujahthehills.bandcamp.com/). Additional royalty free music included for the "Under the Boardwalk" theme: https://pixabay.com/music/traditional-jazz-joyful-carnival-trumpet-232017/ (https://pixabay.com/music/traditional-jazz-joyful-carnival-trumpet-232017/) Additional audio snippets from Take Shelter. Reviews, profiles, and interviews featured in the episode: Isaac's interviews with Jeff Nichols (https://www.rogerebert.com/interviews/jeff-nichols-interview) and Michael Shannon (https://www.rogerebert.com/interviews/michael-shannon-eric-larue-interview). NME's look at Take Shelter at 10 (https://www.nme.com/features/film-features/take-shelter-at-10-michael-shannon-jessica-chastain-3104871). Read J.B. : a play in verse by Archibald Macleish (https://archive.org/details/jb0000unse_p7x5) via the Internet Archive.

9. 

   7 Aug 2025

   S1E1 - 1. What is it about Michael Shannon?

   What is it about Michael Shannon? In the introductory episode of Hand Me the Mike, host Daniella Mazzio walks through the actor's career and explores what makes him so compelling as a performer. On the next episode of Hand Me the Mike, Daniella will be joined by Chicago-based entertainment journalist, critic, and Michael Shannon super-fan Isaac Feldberg to discuss the 2011 film Take Shelter. Sign up for the latest updates sent directly to your inbox at room-tone.ghost.io/#/portal/signup (http://room-tone.ghost.io/#/portal/signup). This is a completely free, DIY project; support is optional, but greatly appreciated. Follow Daniella on Twitter and Instagram at @DaniellaMazzio and on Bluesky at @daniellamazzio.bsky.social‬. The Hand Me the Mike theme song samples R.E.M.'s "Nightswimming." Additional music includes Hallelujah the Hills' very generous public domain track "01 Untitled, Actual Title (Joker 1)" from the album DECK: JOKERS. Check out the band's playing card-inspired releases at: https://hallelujahthehills.bandcamp.com/ (https://hallelujahthehills.bandcamp.com/). Additional audio snippets from They Came Together, Groundhog Day, Pearl Harbor, Revolutionary Road, and Michael Shannon's Criterion Closet video. This episode of Hand Me the Mike was produced by Joe Engleman and Daniella Mazzio, and edited by Daniella Mazzio. Reviews, profiles, and interviews featured in the episode: The Blue Hour City Sketches/The Vermont Sketches/Sexual Perversity in Chicago by Mary Shen Barnidge (Chicago Reader, December 1992): https://chicagoreader.com/arts-culture/the-blue-hour-city-sketches-the-vermont-sketches-sexual-perversity-in-chicago/ (https://chicagoreader.com/arts-culture/the-blue-hour-city-sketches-the-vermont-sketches-sexual-perversity-in-chicago/) Chi Lives: Michael Shannon’s creep shows by Susan DuGrane (Chicago Reader, August 2001): https://chicagoreader.com/arts-culture/chi-lives-michael-shannons-creep-shows/ (https://chicagoreader.com/arts-culture/chi-lives-michael-shannons-creep-shows/) Bug Review by Hedy Weiss (Chicago Sun-Times, August 2001) was found through newspaper archives. Without a net by Roger Ebert (Originally published by Chicago Sun-Times, May 2007): https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/bug-2007 (https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/bug-2007) Killer Instincts by David Edelstein (NY Mag, December 2008): https://web.archive.org/web/20090111212546/http://nymag.com/movies/profiles/53156/ (https://web.archive.org/web/20090111212546/http://nymag.com/movies/profiles/53156/) Michael Shannon by Scott Tobias (AV Club, December 2009): https://www.avclub.com/michael-shannon-1798218507 (https://www.avclub.com/michael-shannon-1798218507) The super summer of Michael Shannon by Christopher Borrelli (Chicago Tribune, June 2013): https://web.archive.org/web/20210305082527/https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ct-xpm-2013-06-28-ct-ae-0630-michael-shannon-20130628-story.html (https://web.archive.org/web/20210305082527/https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/ct-xpm-2013-06-28-ct-ae-0630-michael-shannon-20130628-story.html) Outside Looking In: Michael Shannon by Tom Jenkins (Port Magazine, November 2013): https://www.port-magazine.com/film/outside-looking-in-michael-shannon/ (https://www.port-magazine.com/film/outside-looking-in-michael-shannon/) So Michael Shannon Walks into a Diner … by Tom Chiarella (Chicago Magazine, September 2015): https://www.chicagomag.com/chicago-magazine/october-2015/michael-shannon/ (https://www.chicagomag.com/chicago-magazine/october-2015/michael-shannon/) Stage Role Call: Michael Shannon on the theater parts that shaped his career by Joe McGovern (Entertainment Weekly, April 2016): https://ew.com/article/2016/04/29/michael-shannon-role-call/ (https://ew.com/article/2016/04/29/michael-shannon-role-call/) Michael Shannon Won’t Tone It Down by Eric Sullivan (Esquire, October 2017): https://www.esquire.com/style/big-black-book/a12189188/michael-shannon-big-black-book/ (https://www.esquire.com/style/big-black-book/a12189188/michael-shannon-big-black-book/) Further Reading that Supported this Episode: Capitalism Kills by Anthony Adler (Chicago Reader, May 1991): https://chicagoreader.com/arts-culture/capitalism-kills/ (https://chicagoreader.com/arts-culture/capitalism-kills/) Perfectly Puzzling by Nick Green (Chicago Reader, February 1998): https://chicagoreader.com/arts-culture/perfectly-puzzling/ (https://chicagoreader.com/arts-culture/perfectly-puzzling/) Michael Shannon by Paul Rudd (Interview Magazine, January 2013): https://www.interviewmagazine.com/film/michael-shannon (https://www.interviewmagazine.com/film/michael-shannon) Michael Shannon: “There’s no reward other than knowledge” by Patrick Heidman (The Talks, February 2021): https://the-talks.com/interview/michael-shannon/ (https://the-talks.com/interview/michael-shannon/) For Michael Shannon, Waiting for Godot Is the Ultimate Opportunity by Jake Nevins (Interview Magazine, November 2023): https://www.interviewmagazine.com/theater/for-michael-shannon-waiting-for-godot-is-the-ultimate-opportunity (https://www.interviewmagazine.com/theater/for-michael-shannon-waiting-for-godot-is-the-ultimate-opportunity) Michael Shannon is trying to cultivate detachment by Rachel Martin (NPR Wild Card, January 2025): https://www.npr.org/2025/01/26/g-s1-44759/wild-card-michael-shannon (https://www.npr.org/2025/01/26/g-s1-44759/wild-card-michael-shannon) Michael Shannon by Mike Thomas (Chicago Magazine, March 2025): https://www.chicagomag.com/chicago-magazine/march-2025/stop-giving-michael-shannon-your-perplexed-looks/ (https://www.chicagomag.com/chicago-magazine/march-2025/stop-giving-michael-shannon-your-perplexed-looks/) This podcast is powered by Pinecast (https://pinecast.com).

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