Rephonic
Artwork for Unspooled
Comedy
Tom Cruise
Love
Hollywood
Quentin Tarantino
Feminism
Romantic Comedy
Winona Ryder
The Wizard Of Oz
Nostalgia
Film Criticism
Star Wars
Rob Reiner
Steven Spielberg
Tim Burton
Academy Awards
Disney
Bullying
John Hughes
Spinal Tap

Each week actor & comedian Paul Scheer (Black Monday, The League) and film critic Amy Nicholson (LA Times Chief Film Critic ) watch and discuss the best movies out there. From the classics to new releases and every indie film in-between. Along the way, they’ll dissect iconic scenes, spotlight their favorite characters, and decide if these movies still stand the test of time.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes466Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Film ReviewsTV & Film

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Artwork for Unspooled

Latest Episodes

Director, screenwriter, and producer Josh Greenbaum enters the Reel Confessions booth to spill his movie hot takes (and a few opinions that might get him kicked out of the theater).

You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https:... more

Paul and Amy head down to the Mississippi Delta with O Brother, Where Art Thou?, the Coen Brothers’ Depression-era odyssey that transformed Homer’s epic into a bluegrass-fueled American fable. They unpack George Clooney’s career-defining comedic turn... more

David Wain steps into the confession booth to talk cult classics, cinematic blind spots, and the movies that shaped his comedy. Paul and Amy chat with the Wet Hot American Summer creator about his new film Gail Doughtry and the Celebrity Sex Tape, fa... more

To celebrate the 25th anniversary theatrical re-release of Wet Hot American Summer, we're revisiting Paul and Amy’s deep dive into the beloved cult comedy. They trace the film’s scrappy journey from The State to Camp Towanda, unpack its stacked cast ... more

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How Did This Get Made?
How Did This Get Made?Earwolf and Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, Jason Mantzoukas
Blank Check with Griffin & David
Blank Check with Griffin & DavidBlank Check Productions
WHAT WENT WRONG
WHAT WENT WRONGSad Boom Media
With Gourley And Rust
With Gourley And RustMatt Gourley and Paul Rust
The Big Picture
The Big PictureThe Ringer

Recent Guests

David Wain
Filmmaker and comedian known for Stella, The State, Wet Hot American Summer, etc.
David Wain (Filmmaker)
Episode: Reel Confessions: David Wain
Janine Garafalo
Actress in Wet Hot American Summer
Wet Hot American Summer cast
Episode: Rerun: Wet Hot American Summer
Gloria Lake
Screen star
Wet Hot American Summer interview segment
Episode: Rerun: Wet Hot American Summer
John Stewart
Former MTV host, referenced via clip
MTV era
Episode: Rerun: Wet Hot American Summer
Lucas Herrenroeder
Associate professor in classics at USC
University of Southern California
Episode: The Odyssey (with Lucas Matthew Herchenroeder)
BenDavid Grabinski
Writer/Director (Happily, Scott Pilgrim Take Off collaborator)
Independent/Film Creator
Episode: The Muppet Movie (with BenDavid Grabinski)
Jorma Taccone
Member of the Lonely Island, director of MacGruber and Over Your Dead Body
Lonely Island / feature filmmaker
Episode: Die Hard 2 (with Jorma Taccone)
Joanna Robinson
Podcaster and cultural critic for The Ringer, known for The Prestige TV Podcast and House of R
The Ringer
Episode: Josie and the Pussycats (with Joanna Robinson)
Rob Anderson
Internet personality, comedian, author of Gay Science
Independent/Self-promotions
Episode: The Baby-Sitters Club (with Rob Anderson)

Hosts

Paul Scheer
Actor, comedian; hosts Unspooled; affiliations include Unspooled podcast and Realm/The Ringer network references.
Amy Nicholson
Film critic; co-host; affiliated with Los Angeles Times and Unspooled; known for chief film critic role.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 7.5k ratings
  • The Odyssey

    I’m not enrolled in USC or interested in hearing one of their antiquities professors stumble his way through a podcast about film !

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    lovepods25
    United Statesa month ago
  • More episodes without Amy, please!

    Amy is so performative and it’s insufferable. The most recent episode without her the Muppets Movies was easily the best episode ever of this show.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Dustin5422
    United Statesa month ago
  • It ruuuuuuuulezzz

    I have my own strong and informed opinions on movies. Often Amy and Paul find some of my favorite facts about a movie, and a lot of the time, I learn something new. Do I always agree with their takes? No, but Amy and Paul don’t always agree with each other. I’ve always liked both of them. And I often do agree too. But neither is an exact barometer of my taste. That’s 100% ok because I’m open to hearing different takes, and they have a fair perspective; they seem to share my philosophy of positiv... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    trwesterman
    United States2 months ago
  • Think before you speak, Paul!

    I think these two make a charming pair of hosts, and Amy Nicholson is absolutely brilliant in her insights and analysis. But oh my God, I routinely have a breaking point where I shut this podcast off because of Paul Scheer. The amount of time it takes his brain to catch up to his mouth (not always, but often) is aggravating as a listener. Either this guy doesn't get enough sleep or he's simply a slower thinker than Amy, but it is incredibly difficult to hear her brilliant commentary, only to hav... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Travis in MN
    United States2 months ago
  • Please fix Amy’s mic

    It’s been muffled for weeks!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    StephC123
    Canada2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Feedback often notes episodes feel informative and entertaining even when opinions diverge.
Listeners praise the hosts' fair, well-researched perspectives and the engaging host dynamic.
Criticism tends to focus on ad length or pacing but not on the core analysis.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Rerun: Wet Hot American Summer
Q: Why does Wet Hot American Summer feel timeless in its humor?
Because it builds real, heartfelt connections among a large cast while following absurd, rules-driven parody that still respects the characters, which keeps the jokes grounded and emotionally resonant.
Reel Confessions: David Wain
Q: If you could make one quote disappear, one line people quote back to you, would there be one you would remove?
He suggests that there isn't a line he would outright remove, but acknowledges some lines from Role Models haven't aged well and that context sometimes helps them land today.
Reel Confessions: David Wain
Q: Did you ever, have you ever made out in a movie, and if so, what was the first movie that you made out in?
Wain confirms he has on-screen kissing in various projects, with personal context about early experiences and how such scenes felt at the time.
Top Secret! (with Ed Helms)
Q: Why do you think Top Secret doesn't get the same love as Airplane! or Naked Gun?
Because it opened in the shadow of Ghostbusters and Gremlins, with marketing and release timing limiting its exposure, even though it pushed the joke density and spoof variety to new heights.
Reel Confessions: Lauren Lapkus
Q: Should actors read reviews?
Lauren says she reads reviews but finds they rarely change how she feels about a film, and negative reviews can sting even when she knows the work, so she tends to rely on her own perspective and the collaborative voice she brings to projects.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Unspooled

What is Unspooled about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A sharp, cinephile-friendly conversation that blends deep analysis with playful banter. Hosts discuss a wide range of films—from cult classics to contemporary releases—often bringing in expert guests to unpack production, performance, and cultural impact while also sharing behind-the-scenes anecdotes and personal theater experiences. The show frequently ties discussions to broader industry trends, branding moments, and audience reception, resulting in discussions that are academically informed yet accessible to general movie fans. A notable strength is the host dynamic: fast-paced, humor-forward, and willing to challenge conventional takes, which keeps even familiar titles feeling fresh. The format's confessional and cross-promotional segme... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Unspooled?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Unspooled:

1. How Did This Get Made?
2. Blank Check with Griffin & David
3. WHAT WENT WRONG
4. With Gourley And Rust
5. The Big Picture

How many episodes of Unspooled are there?

Unspooled launched 8 years ago and published 466 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Unspooled?

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What guests have appeared on Unspooled?

Recent guests on Unspooled include:

1. David Wain
2. Janine Garafalo
3. Gloria Lake
4. John Stewart
5. Lucas Herrenroeder
6. BenDavid Grabinski
7. Jorma Taccone
8. Joanna Robinson

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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