From left - Producer Ben Hosley, host Griffin Newman, (departed) social producer Angela Ferraguto and host David Sims in 2019. (Via Instagram)
I love Blank Check with Griffin & David. It’s a wonderful film podcast hosted by an actor/comedian and the film critic for The Atlantic. I’ve been a loyal listener since 2017 for almost all their nearly 10-year run.
Picking an episode can be difficult with so large a back catalog. I would recommend any episode about a movie you’ve seen. Otherwise, please use this list I recently made for a friend getting into the show.
A Master Builder with John Hodgman: Perhaps their silliest and finest episode yet. A wall-to-wall riot about a film that does not exist.
Speed Racer with J.D. Amato and Emily Yoshida: A phenomenal defense of the Wachowski sisters’ underrated, bizarre live-action Speed Racer. J.D.’s story about seeing it in theaters is so good it has its own YouTube video.
The Matrix Reloaded: No one has ever given a defense of the Matrix sequels as well as David Sims. Seraph is a login screen.
Spirited Away with David Rees: A serious episode about one of the ten greatest films ever made. I would never have believed a story involving The Financial Times could be so moving.
Paprika with Emily Yoshida: A wonderful, deep conversation about the nature of dreams and film.
Big Trouble in Little China with Jason Mantzoukas and Paul Scheer: Come for the great comedian guests, stay for the in-depth analysis of Hollywood leading men.
Don Jon with Hollywood Handbook: A funny episode trying to make sense of an incomprehensible passion project.
Treasure Planet with Emma Stefansky: At one point, Stefansky claims to know the movie word-for-word. When challenged, she immediately recites the first 10 lines or so of Treasure Planet. That’s how much love this episode has for a great film.
Welcome to Marwen with Emily Yoshida: A hilarious exploration of a bizarre movie.
The Holiday with Fran Hoepfner: Nancy Meyers is a genius and unsung auteur. Unfortunately, she also made The Holiday.
Assassin’s Creed: Blank Check has a producer, Ben Hosley. He really loves the 2016 Assassin’s Creed movie.
Aquaman: A long and humorous exploration of the DC Extended Universe. Also, sea crime.
Home Again with Richard Lawson: A classic episode covering what the show terms “gas leak cinema” - movies that only make sense if there has been a gas leak.
Robocop: If you want to listen to two and a half hours of Griffin Newman explaining why Robocop is the American Jesus, this is it!
Inception: An extremely silly episode in which they must enter “a podcast within a podcast” multiple times.
Clifford: Another Producer Ben’s Choice about a disconcerting Martin Short comedy.
Aloha with Ester Zuckerman: Cameron Crowe used to be a great director of rom-coms and dramas. But what if he made a movie about the sky?!
War Horse with Pilot Viruet: The phrase “Steven Spielburg’s War Goose” will live rent-free in my head forever.
Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk with J.D. Amato: This episode contains the comedy equivalent of a basketball player draining a shot from across the court. An all-time bit.