The Sam Sanders Show

A great piece of pop culture often includes cheating scandals, obsessed fans and some serious competition. We’re not talking about 'The Real Housewives'… But the NYT Games app!

Everdeen Mason leads the Games Team at 'The New York Times.' She tells Sam about what goes into making Wordle, Connections, The Crossword and so much more. She also breaks down the challenge of keeping millions of players satisfied. Plus, Everdeen shares what she really thinks about cheating at Wordle.

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The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.

It’s been a bad week for ‘The Bachelorette’ franchise.

For the first time in the show’s history, ABC pulled the plug on its new season just days before it was set to air. The move came after a 2023 video surfaced of the show’s star — Taylor Frankie Paul of ‘Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ fame — physically assaulting her then boyfriend.

Could this scandal mark the end of the already struggling franchise? And what does it say about the future of the reality genre? Sam talks it out with Vulture’s TV critic Kathryn VanArendonk.

Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.

The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.

Chris Fleming’s comedy is unlike anyone else working right now. His act is equal parts stand-up and interpretative dance. He's constantly moving, grooving and writhing all over the stage.

It’s all on full display in his new HBO special ‘Chris Fleming: Live at the Palace’. He spoke with Sam about embracing imperfection on stage, and how he uses movement to become a ‘spectacle.’ Chris also shares how his supportive family helped him find his purpose — creating joy through stand-up.

Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.

The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.

'KPop Demon Hunters' is officially an Oscar-winner. The beloved movie took home the trophy for Best Animated Feature at Sunday’s ceremony. The film's popular anthem 'Golden' won Best Original Song, the first K-pop song to ever win an academy award.

Songwriter Mark Sonnenblick helped write 'Golden' and many other songs in the film. He spoke with Sam last fall all about bringing them all to life and why music is so vital to great storytelling.

Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.

The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.

A twisted new horror film is being described as a mix between 'The Substance' and 'Mean Girls.' Sam can’t stop thinking about it.

'Slanted' follows an insecure Chinese American teenager who desperately wants to fit in, but faces constant bullying and discrimination. Then she finds a drastic solution — ethnic modification — surgery that makes her appear white. Pale skin, blue eyes and blonde hair included.

Amy Wang wrote and directed the wildly brutal movie. She tells Sam how the script was inspired by her own experiences living in Australia with her Chinese immigrant family. She also explains why satire and body horror were the perfect combo to tell this story.

Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.

The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.