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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
Film ReviewsTV & FilmComedy

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Artwork for Blank Check with Griffin & David

Latest Episodes

Good morning! And in case we don't see ya, good afternoon, good evening, and good night! JD Amato - often the Christof of Blank Check - joins us for a super-sized episode about Peter Weir's The Truman Show. We're getting into the history of reality e... more

Peter Weir's Fearless is about a man who survives a plane crash and finds that he is no longer allergic to strawberries. It's also a deeply affecting, soulful exploration on what it means to be alive. And, as David Sims says - it's the "final boss" o... more

Most filmmakers dream of making ambitious, big-budget epics once they're able to cash in their "blank check." Peter Weir wanted to make Green Card. Writer and romcom expert Esther Zuckerman joins us to talk about this 1990 oddity, released the same ... more

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

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.

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Recent Guests

Esther Zuckerman
Author and romcom expert
New York Times / Los Angeles Times contributor
Episode: Green Card with Esther Zuckerman
Nia DaCosta
Returning guest director
Director (Hedda, Bone Temple)
Episode: Dead Poets Society with Nia DaCosta
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
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
Joe Reid
Guest, aka Reading Rain Joe
None specified
Episode: The Eleventh Annual Blank Check Awards with Joe Reid

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
  • The Best

    My Favorite Podcast for about 5 years now.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NinrBean
    United States14 days ago
  • Green Card Episode

    Griffin and David let Esther finish a sentence challenge.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    OhBro1985
    United States17 days ago
  • Such a good podcast with great behind

    -the-scenes stories of the industry

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Go_dig_a_hole
    20 days ago
  • Meh

    Listening to these people talk about Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom is worse than getting your heart ripped out by Mola Ram.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Booby Tuesdayyy
    United Statesa month ago
  • Waffle and meandering content

    I have an interest in learning some background about directors of films or the movies that they made. Unfortunately I don’t have the time to listen to 15, 20, 30 or more minutes of unrelated preamble before the hosts settle down to discuss the topic which the podcast Ep is titled as. If you’re able to give them the two or more hours that they take to stumble through the process (as other reviewers seem to love!) then this is for you. If you prefer your film history delivered concise and on-topic... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    BookieWookiie
    Australiaa month 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.

Fearless with Timothy Simons
Q: What makes Fearless stand out as an adaptation and a film experience?
The hosts suggest its strength lies in a non-traditional structure for a plane-crash movie, using restrained but precise emotional storytelling, a formidable centerpiece performance by Jeff Bridges, and a haunting score that elevates the trauma into a spiritual rebirth.
Green Card with Esther Zuckerman
Q: Why was Green Card greenlit as a US-French co-production and how did that affect its reception?
It was financed through a mix of Australian-French cooperation and Disney-distributed backing, with final cut granted to Weir. This arrangement allowed a relatively modest budget and a more auteur-driven approach, but also tied it to the era's cross-border incentives and promotional strategies that shaped how audiences perceived the film.
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.

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. Unspooled
4. The Big Picture
5. With Gourley And Rust

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. Esther Zuckerman
2. Nia DaCosta
3. Tracy Letts
4. Jennifer Kent
5. Ben David Grabinski
6. Timothy Chalamet
7. David Sims
8. Sam Sanders

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