The Exorcist & French Connection Dir. William Friedkin on Religion, Crime and Film

Episode 101 : Media Mayhem

Episode Synopsis

William Friedkin sits down to have a wide-reaching interview about Hollywood, his crazy career, and even his politics and spirituality. The Oscar-winner opens up on everything from the ratings board to the death penalty, and shares stories from his new autobiography The Friedkin Connection, about The French Connection, Cruising and much more.

Anyone interested in movies and culture will find Friedkin’s perspective fascinating, and he continues to surprise even the most jaded onlooker.

Guest Bio

William Friedkin is an Academy Award winning director, producer and screenwriter. With a career spanning almost 50 years, Friedkin has directed for both television and feature projects. Some of his work includes, The French Connection (won Academy Award for Best Director), The Exorcist, Cruising, Sorcerer, To Live and Die in L.A., Jade, Bug and most recently, Killer Joe. Mr. Friedkin’s memoir, The Friedkin Connection was released on April 16, 2013.

Episode Breakdown

00:01 Coming up on Media Mayhem.

01:08 Welcoming William Friedkin.

02:16 His autobiography, The Friedkin Connection.

07:02 The film with Sonny and Cher.

10:47 The People vs. Paul Crump, Casey Anthony and the death penalty.

23:10 The Exorcist-not a horror movie.

27:50 Faith and religion.

32:38 Dark and violent films vs the old studio system.

39:08 Making “Good Times,” with Sonny and Cher.

42:46 “Jade,” and Joe Esterhasz.

45:47 Cruising and the MPAA.

54:45 Casting the French Connection with Fernando Rey and Gene Hackman.

59:59 His dangerous reputation in Hollywood.

Additional Links

http://www.amazon.com/The-Friedkin-Connection-A-Memoir/dp/0061775126

https://twitter.com/WilliamFriedkin

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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.