Hand Me the Mike #09: Cecil B. Demented w/ 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.
Listen directly through Pinecast, or subscribe below via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocketcasts, and more:
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 as part of Genre: A 33 1/3 Series.
Follow Natalie on Bluesky.
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/.
Hand Me the Mike cover art features an illustration from Daniella and fonts designed by Steve Shanabruch as part of The Chicago Neighborhoods.
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
Michael Shannon interviews from...
John Waters Interviews from...
Order The Extended Universe by Vicky Osterweil
Read the first part of Daniella's write up on public funding in the film industry.
Read Daniella's 2023 reporting on why certain movies aren't always available to audiences.
Watch the "White Lie" music video from Foreigner featuring Michael Shannon and Nick Offerman.
Get tickets to the Pink Flamingos screening at The Heights Theater in Minneapolis (introduced by Natalie!)