Celebrity Journalism and the Truth About Leading Men with Benjamin Svetkey

Episode 124 : Media Mayhem

Episode Synopsis

Entertainment journalism and the truth about Hollywood stars is discussed by “Leading Man, author Benjamin Svetkey. We talk about his experience talking to Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, and what not to bring up to Jamie Lee Curtis. Plus, the true difference between New York and Los Angeles, and get the stories behind his new novel about fame and tabloids on this Media Mayhem with Allison Hope Weiner.

Guest Bio

Benjamin Svetkey is Editor at Large for Entertainment Weekly. He has covered TV, books, movies and music since EW’s launch in 1990. His articles have also appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Rolling Stone, and Time International, among other publications. He recently published the novel, Leading Man.

Episode Breakdown

00:01 Welcome to Media Mayhem.

00:25 Introducing Benjamin Svetkey.

01:12 Deciding to write Leading Man and anecdotes from the world of celebrity.

04:45 The difference between New York and LA culture.

07:13 Inside Jack Nicholson’s house.

09:06 The proximity to fame and wealth by struggling journalists.

11:04 Going too far with Jamie Lee Curtis.

15:35 The fascination with fame explained by stars and scientists.

17:43 Getting over fame and celebrity.

19:19 Interviewing Tom Cruise and being objective with a “nice guy.”

23:35 Prying vs. letting people open up.

24:05 Difficulty interviewing unwilling stars (Tommy Lee Jones).

26:34 Drugs in Hollywood and stories filtered through a publicist.

33:48 Not being able to get away from famous ex-lovers.

39:21 Can the media invent stars?

43:01 Covering the Oscars.

46:31 Reading Benjamin Svetkey.

Additional Links

Media Mayhem Full Episodes Playlist:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN5F2raGVH4&list=PLC937B599FD2B8241

Media Mayhem Short Clips Playlist:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYkPtKgDrdc&list=PLjk3H0GXhhGcz4un-zws5sMlCLk3NNjDP

https://www.facebook.com/MediaMayhem?directed_target_id=0

https://www.facebook.com/thelip.tv

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Hosted By

Allison Hope Weiner

Allison Hope Weiner was a Century City entertainment litigator before she began writing about Hollywood as a journalist. A graduate of Columbia University and the University of Southern California Law Center, she joined the legendary firm of Wyman, Bautzer—where she represented entertainers and corporate media clients.