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Artwork for Blank Check with Griffin & David

Blank Check with Griffin & David

Blank Check Productions
David Lynch
Coen Brothers
Steven Spielberg
Hollywood
Twin Peaks
Martin Brest
Laura Palmer
Lynne Ramsay
Satoshi Kon
Jaws
Amy Heckerling
Twin Peaks the Return
Comedy
Kevin Costner
Western Genre
Beverly Hills Cop
Academy Awards
Anthony Hopkins
Joel and Ethan Coen
Identity

Not just another bad movie podcast, Blank Check reviews directors' complete filmographies episode to episode. Specifically, the auteurs whose early successes afforded them the rare ‘blank check’ from Hollywood to produce passion projects. Each new miniseries, hosts Griffin Newman and David Sims delve into the works of film’s most outsized personalities in painstakingly hilarious detail. Produced b... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes587Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
TV & FilmComedyFilm Reviews

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Blank Check with Griffin & David

Latest Episodes

Boys and girls, please open your textbooks. Rip out the pages. Carpe Diem.

We're seizing the day and talking about 1989's Dead Poets Society with filmmaker Nia DaCosta in this episode, but don't get too wild and change your name to Nuwanda or anythi... more

We all have those moments where we just want to disengage from conventional society. We often yearn to go "off the grid." But, would we ever want to go to the Mosquito Coast? HELL NO. Sean Fennessey joins us to chat about Peter Weir's 1986 film tha... more

Strap in, DobMob...we're going to Amish Country! The Big Picture's Amanda Dobbins joins us to talk about Peter Weir's Witness, perhaps the zenith of Harrison Ford's hotness, and the film that garnered him his sole Oscar nomination. We're talking Rums... more

Tracy Letts - Pulitzer and Tony winner, but most importantly The King of Physical Media - makes his much-anticipated Blank Check debut on an episode about a film that has no legitimate BluRay release. The irony! This week, we're discussing Peter Weir... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Doughboys
DoughboysHeadgum / Doughboys Media
Critical Darlings
Critical DarlingsBlank Check Productions
The Big Picture
The Big PictureThe Ringer
Unspooled
UnspooledPaul Scheer & Amy Nicholson | Realm
How Did This Get Made?
How Did This Get Made?Earwolf and Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, Jason Mantzoukas

Recent Guests

Nia DaCosta
Returning guest director
Director (Hedda, Bone Temple)
Episode: Dead Poets Society with Nia DaCosta
Amanda Dobbins
Guest on episode, associated with The Big Picture
The Big Picture
Episode: Witness with Amanda Dobbins
Tracy Letts
Actor and playwright, guest on the episode
Episode: The Year of Living Dangerously with Tracy Letts
Jennifer Kent
Australian filmmaker behind The Babadook and The Nightingale
Episode: Gallipoli with Jennifer Kent
Ben David Grabinski
Writer/Director and guest on this episode
(guest on episode)
Episode: The Last Wave with BenDavid Grabinski
Timothy Chalamet
Mentioned as future potential host for a spin-off or future coverage
Actor
Episode: Critical Darlings: The 2026 Oscars Ceremony with Griffin Newman
Jane Schoenbrun
Director of I Saw the TV Glow
Self
Episode: Picnic at Hanging Rock with Jane Schoenbrun
David Sims
Returning guest, film critic
New York, on-air partner on Blank Check
Episode: Critical Darlings: One Battle After Another And Oscar Predictions with David Sims
Sam Sanders
Host of The Sam Sanders Show on KCRW
The Sam Sanders Show, KCRW
Episode: Critical Darlings: Sinners And The Academy’s Growing Genre Acceptance with Sam Sanders

Hosts

Griffin Newman
Host of Blank Check Podcast, media/entertainment writer and performer with deep industry insight
David Sims
Co-host on the main show, known for sharp, detail-oriented film analysis and banter

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 12.2k ratings
  • Much enjoy!

    Great rec I got from a guy on a dating app...probably the biggest get from my efforts on the app so far. Lol'd at the comment "you should be ashamed to be introducing us to the blue ranger" from the IP movie bit..love all the bits and guests!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jayannc
    United Statesa month ago
  • great show, title says it all. but I'll add the longform episodes are fantastic for road trips.

    Audible
    5
    AEB
    United States2 months ago
  • Love for Critical Darlings

    Since we’re nearing the end of this prolonged awards season, I want to say how much I’ve loved critical darlings and hope it can become a constant in my feed!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KylieG
    United States2 months ago
  • They should

    Have Jordan Hoffman on again. He seems like a really cool guy!

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    My Dooood
    United States2 months ago
  • Critical Darlings is wonderful

    Parent podcast just OK. Just kidding y’all are both gems!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mooch OG
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise the show's deep cinephilia and thoughtful guests, but some dislike the hosts' banter or pacing and note that length can be off-putting to casual listeners.
The host duo's chemistry and guest selections are often highlighted as a strong point, with many praising insightful industry takes.
Some reviews call out interruptive or repetitive moments, though fans tend to overlook these in light of strong film discussion and humor.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Dead Poets Society with Nia DaCosta
Q: What makes Dead Poets Society work as a drama rather than just a coming-of-age film?
The hosts argue that it's not simply about the poetry but about how the teacher's influence unlocks the students' inner lives, turning a claustrophobic boarding-school setting into a catalyst for authenticity, risk, and communal imagination.
Gallipoli with Jennifer Kent
Q: What do you think makes Gallipoli stand out in the Australian film landscape of its time?
Its intimate focus on two boys and the coming-of-age arc set against a monumental historical event, which reframes war as a personal tragedy rather than a traditional battle epic.
Critical Darlings: The Oscar Nominations Recap (And Also Some Talk About F1)
Q: How do the actual nominations happen?
The nominations process involves individual branches voting for specific categories, while everyone votes for Best Picture.
Raising Arizona with John Hodgman
Q: Do you like the film Raising Arizona?
I love it so much.
Look Who's Talking Too with Max Minghella
Q: What is your view on the character development of Mikey in this sequel?
Mikey's character seems to be trapped between toddler antics and the bizarre adult themes that parents constantly debate, creating a confusing narrative.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Blank Check with Griffin & David

What is Blank Check with Griffin & David about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show focuses on in-depth, episode-by-episode explorations of a director-driven filmography, often swinging into miniseries that unpack how auteurs earned a “blank check” status in Hollywood. Across episodes, conversations blend rigorous film analysis with playful banter, guest experts, and industry insight—covering Oscar campaigns, awards-season dynamics, adaptations, and the broader landscape of cinema. Notable strengths include thoughtful deconstruction of auteurs' body of work, accessible yet sharp commentary on trends in filmmaking, and a knack for inviting well-informed guests who illuminate both craft and context. A few recurring themes stand out: the evolution of careers over time, how films navigate recognition and controversy,... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Blank Check with Griffin & David?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Blank Check with Griffin & David:

1. Doughboys
2. Critical Darlings
3. The Big Picture
4. Unspooled
5. How Did This Get Made?

How many episodes of Blank Check with Griffin & David are there?

Blank Check with Griffin & David launched 11 years ago and published 587 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Blank Check with Griffin & David?

Recent guests on Blank Check with Griffin & David include:

1. Nia DaCosta
2. Amanda Dobbins
3. Tracy Letts
4. Jennifer Kent
5. Ben David Grabinski
6. Timothy Chalamet
7. Jane Schoenbrun
8. David Sims

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