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Actress Brandy Burkhart shares her journey from pageantry to acting, discussing how playing various characters ultimately led her to discover her authentic self. She reflects on her education at NYU's Strasberg program, her television roles including Heart of Dixie, and exciting projects like her upcoming music EP.

• Started as a shy child who entered pageants to fulfill her princess dreams
• Studied method acting at NYU's Tisch School where she had to overcome her polite upbringing
• Played Cricket on Heart of Dixie, filming on Warner Brothers' famous backlot
• Performed motion capture for Red Dead Redemption as a "zombie prostitute"
• Flew as Mary Poppins for Julie Andrews' lifetime achievement ceremony
• Stars alongside Paul Rudd in the upcoming buddy comedy "Friendship" (releasing May 9th)
• Features in "Rosemary Street," a web series highlighting Baltimore's art and music scene
• Releasing her EP "Just Like This" with the first single dropping June 1st

Check out Brandy's new EP "Just Like This" on all streaming platforms starting this summer!

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Have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight? Tim Burton's 1989 Batman transformed not just how we see the Dark Knight, but how Hollywood approaches superhero films entirely.

When Michael Keaton was announced as Batman, fans were outraged. A petition with 50,000 signatures protested the decision. Even Batman creator Bob Kane expressed doubt. Fast forward to today, and many consider Keaton the definitive live-action Batman, perfectly balancing Bruce Wayne's sophistication with Batman's brooding intensity.

Jack Nicholson's Joker performance remains legendary. After negotiating a percentage of box office and merchandise sales (earning him between $50-90 million), Nicholson delivered a villain for the ages - theatrical, unpredictable, and genuinely menacing. His iconic line about dancing with the devil still sends chills down spines decades later.

What makes this film special is how it broke from convention. Rather than beginning with Batman's origin story, Burton introduces him as an established vigilante, gradually revealing his past through carefully placed flashbacks. The film's gothic visual style, Danny Elfman's unforgettable score, and practical effects created a Gotham City that feels tangible and timeless.

Batman grossed $411 million worldwide, holding the record for highest-grossing superhero film until 2002's Spider-Man. More importantly, it proved comic book adaptations could be serious artistic and commercial ventures, paving the way for everything from Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy to today's superhero renaissance.

What's your favorite Batman film? Does Keaton still hold the crown as the best Batman, or has another actor claimed the cowl? Share your thoughts and join the conversation!

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From accidentally stealing the spotlight on David Letterman's show as a teenager to voicing beloved animated characters for two decades, James Urbaniak's acting journey reads like a masterclass in versatility and perseverance.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Urbaniak reveals the unexpected path that took him from New Jersey community theater to New York's experimental off-off-Broadway scene in the late 1980s. With remarkable candor, he shares how challenging theatrical experiences—like performing a 75-minute solo monologue in "Tom Paine"—helped develop his craft before independent filmmaker Hal Hartley introduced him to the different demands of screen acting.

Fans of Adult Swim's cult classic "The Venture Bros." will delight in Urbaniak's behind-the-scenes stories from his 20-year tenure voicing Dr. Rusty Venture and other characters. He recounts the surreal experience of having a makeup artist on the set of an HBO film tell him she was more excited to meet the voice of Dr. Venture than Al Pacino himself—a testament to the profound connection voice actors can forge with audiences.

Urbaniak's philosophy of acting—describing himself as "a skeptic who likes to be surprised"—offers valuable insight into navigating the entertainment industry's inherent uncertainty. Whether discussing his brief but memorable appearance in Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer," his experience playing Robert Crumb in "American Splendor," or his current work on Apple TV+'s "Palm Royale," Urbaniak demonstrates why character actors are often the secret ingredient that elevates productions across all media.

For aspiring actors, film buffs, animation fans, or anyone fascinated by the creative process, this conversation provides a rare glimpse into the life of a working actor who has successfully built a diverse career by embracing opportunities across multiple entertainment platforms.

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Wrestling's greatest legends have captivated audiences for decades with their larger-than-life personas, incredible athleticism, and unforgettable storylines. As WrestleMania approaches, we're diving into our Mount Rushmore of professional wrestling – the superstars who've defined and transformed this unique form of entertainment.

Our discussion spans multiple eras, from Andre the Giant's pioneering presence that changed what was possible in professional wrestling to modern-day stars like Roman Reigns, whose record-breaking championship reign has made him today's biggest attraction.

Beyond ranking our favorites, we share fascinating behind-the-scenes stories about these legends – from Andre the Giant's interactions on The Princess Bride set to the dangerous Hell in a Cell match where Mick Foley was thrown from the top of the cage. We also touch on wrestling's evolution from the unregulated days of unprotected chair shots to today's more safety-conscious product.

Whether you're a lifelong wrestling fan or just curious about these cultural icons, join us for this nostalgic celebration of professional wrestling's greatest characters. Check out entertainthispodcast.com to discover more episodes and connect with us on social media to share your own wrestling Mount Rushmore!

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Do our wives really know us? In this friendship-testing experiment, we discover which fictional characters from famous movie and TV trios our spouses think we resemble—and the results are both hilarious and revealing.

From the moment our wives labeled us all as "Chandler" from Friends (despite being married to three different men), we realized this would expose more than just pop culture preferences. The Ghostbusters comparison achieved rare unanimous agreement, with everyone seeing Hayden as the sarcastic Peter Venkman, Tom as the technical genius Egon, and Mitch as the childlike enthusiast Ray. Meanwhile, Lord of the Rings sparked heated debate, with each wife suspiciously casting her husband as the heroic Aragorn while assigning the Gimli role elsewhere.

What makes this episode particularly fascinating is seeing how differently we view ourselves compared to how our closest companions perceive us. When our wives assigned characters from The Office, Star Wars, and even the Three Stooges, their choices revealed personality traits we either embrace or deny. The Batman and Walter White comparisons proved especially contentious, exposing our secret desire to be seen as the hero—or at least the most compelling character.

Beyond character comparisons, we dive into passionate discussions about Yellowstone (it's basically a Montana soap opera), Severance's divisive second season, and various anime recommendations. The episode concludes with an epic TV and video game theme song competition.

Join us for this deep dive into personality, perception, and the unspoken dynamics of friendship and marriage. Which character would YOUR significant other think you are? Listen and find out if you'd face the same surprising revelations we did.

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The power of a perfectly delivered line can transcend the film itself, becoming part of our shared cultural language. In this deep-dive episode, we explore cinema's most memorable quotes and why they continue to give us goosebumps decades later. From Quint's chilling warning aboard the Orca to HAL 9000's haunting final song, we dissect the context, delivery, and lasting impact of film's greatest utterances.

Spielberg's masterful editing of "You're going to need a bigger boat" in Jaws demonstrates how timing transforms a simple line into cinematic history. We uncover surprising production secrets, like how the Empire Strikes Back's famous paternity reveal was kept secret even from most cast members until premiere night. The philosophical weight of Roy Batty's "tears in rain" monologue from Blade Runner leads us into a fascinating discussion about consciousness, memory, and what truly defines humanity.

Beyond the quotes themselves, we explore why certain lines resonate across generations. Is it their philosophical depth? Their perfect encapsulation of a character? Or perhaps their ability to distill complex emotions into just a few words? Whether it's Rocky Balboa's wisdom about perseverance or Michael Caine's perfectly delivered "You're only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!" these lines have become shorthand for entire philosophies and attitudes.

What's your favorite movie quote? Share it with us and tell us why it resonates with you. And don't forget to tune in next week when we'll tackle cinema's worst lines – the cringe-worthy dialogue that somehow made it past countless script readings and into film history for all the wrong reasons.

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Dive into the thrilling world of first-person shooters (FPS) with our latest episode, where we unravel the captivating history of these iconic games that have shaped the gaming landscape. From the groundbreaking releases of **Doom** and **Wolfenstein**, we explore how these early titles not only defined a genre but also laid the foundational stones for multiplayer gaming. Through our enlightening discussion, we examine how FPS games evolved to include intricate storytelling elements, innovative gameplay mechanics, and community-driven multiplayer experiences, with key milestones highlighted by beloved classics like **Counter-Strike** and **Halo**.

As we journey through the evolution of the FPS genre, we also spotlight the rise of looter shooters—games that masterfully blend FPS mechanics with RPG elements, captivating players with their expansive worlds and character progression systems. Titles such as **Borderlands** and **Destiny** illustrate the growing complexity of FPS games, engaging players in immersive narratives that invite deeper connection and long-term play.

To enhance listener engagement, we present an entertaining trivia segment, challenging you to test your knowledge on FPS games. Reflect on your favorite titles and moments while joining us in this lively conversation that keeps the spirit of gaming alive, inviting you to share your own FPS experiences.

Don’t forget, exciting discussions on upcoming game releases and industry trends await, ensuring that you’re always on the pulse of the gaming world. Join us for a fun-filled episode that combines nostalgia, community interaction, and a glimpse into the gaming industry's future—subscribe now and immerse yourself in the world of FPS gaming!

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