Barbenheimer has conquered the world, inspiring film lovers to return to the cinema. But is it enough to save moviegoing after the pandemic drop-off?And, are Barbie and Oppenheimer actually any good? We talk to Barbie stars America Ferrera and Issa Rae about what it's like to live in Greta Gerwig's Barbieland, and their journey from indifference to love.Actor Zoe Chao pops in for a chat about The Afterparty and her murder mystery solving skills. And we delve into who the real Hollywood villains are in the pitched battle between the studios and the actors and writers.

Barbenheimer has conquered the world, inspiring film lovers to return to the cinema. But is it enough to save moviegoing after the pandemic drop-off? And, are Barbie and Oppenheimer actually any good? We talk to Barbie stars America Ferrera and Issa Rae about what it's like to live in Greta Gerwig's Barbieland, and their journey from indifference to love. Actor Zoe Chao pops in for a chat about The Afterparty and her murder mystery solving skills. And we delve into who the real Hollywood villains are in the pitched battle between the studios and the actors and writers.

Barbenheimer explodes, but are you ready for The Afterparty?

Jenny Kee's designs have travelled from Bondi beach to the catwalks in France to Princess Diana, who famously wore Jenny's Blinky koala knit at a polo match in the 80'sThe self-dubbed 'glamorous granny' was a proponent of slow fashion before fast fashion was exposed for its environmental and humanitarian harm.Jenny Kee sat down with BL + BW to share her early memories of growing up in Bondi, her move to London in the sixties and her 1am exercise routine in Sydney's Blue Mountains.

Jenny Kee's designs have travelled from Bondi beach to the catwalks in France to Princess Diana, who famously wore Jenny's Blinky koala knit at a polo match in the 80's The self-dubbed 'glamorous granny' was a proponent of slow fashion before fast fashion was exposed for its environmental and humanitarian harm. Jenny Kee sat down with BL + BW to share her early memories of growing up in Bondi, her move to London in the sixties and her 1am exercise routine in Sydney's Blue Mountains.

Getting cosy with Australia's most iconic knitwear legend

Fenton Bailey was a queer kid coming of age in the UK in the seventies. Television changed his life, inspiring him to move to New York and start a production company with co-founder Randy Barbato: World of Wonder.From there, World of Wonder worked with Britney Spears, Carrie Fisher and Tammy Faye Bakker but their most enduring collaboration is of course with RuPaul Charles. In 1993 they shot the film clip for RuPaul's 1993 hit, Supermodel (you better work) which became a staple on MTV, and in 2008 they produced season one of RuPaul's Drag Race.Fenton Bailey spoke to BL + BW from New Zealand while they were filming season three of Drag Race Down Under

Fenton Bailey was a queer kid coming of age in the UK in the seventies. Television changed his life, inspiring him to move to New York and start a production company with co-founder Randy Barbato: World of Wonder. From there, World of Wonder worked with Britney Spears, Carrie Fisher and Tammy Faye Bakker but their most enduring collaboration is of course with RuPaul Charles. In 1993 they shot the film clip for RuPaul's 1993 hit, Supermodel (you better work) which became a staple on MTV, and in 2008 they produced season one of RuPaul's Drag Race. Fenton Bailey spoke to BL + BW from New Zealand while they were filming season three of Drag Race Down Under

The World of Wonder brain behind RuPaul's Drag Race

Casey Donovan

When 16-year-old Casey Donovan won season two of Australian Idol, she was thrown into the spotlight.Almost twenty years on, Casey reflects on her steps from Idol to stage shows, and finding her way back home with guest host Jack EvansMeanwhile, rapper Barkaa's been touring her debut EP Blak Matriarchy since 2021, and she told guest host Rudi Bremer about her ideas behind Blak Matriarchy, the Elders she's learnt from, and getting back into the studio.

When 16-year-old Casey Donovan won season two of Australian Idol, she was thrown into the spotlight. Almost twenty years on, Casey reflects on her steps from Idol to stage shows, and finding her way back home with guest host Jack Evans Meanwhile, rapper Barkaa's been touring her debut EP Blak Matriarchy since 2021, and she told guest host Rudi Bremer about her ideas behind Blak Matriarchy, the Elders she's learnt from, and getting back into the studio.

Rapper Barkaa and singer Casey Donovan on music, family and Blak Matriarchy

We're sharpening our knives with the crew of the Revenge and discovering how Brian Cox is able to empathise with unsympathetic characters.Actor and trained fencer, Vico Ortiz tells BW + BL how tending bar helped them master knife spinning in two weeks in order to play Jim, a non-binary, knife throwing pirate in Our Flag Means Death, a queer normative rom com based on the real life pirates Blackbeard and the Gentleman Pirate.And Brian Cox shares how he finds his motivation to play unsympathetic (terrible) characters on stage and screen. Brian spoke to BW in 2022 ahead of an Australian book tour.

We're sharpening our knives with the crew of the Revenge and discovering how Brian Cox is able to empathise with unsympathetic characters. Actor and trained fencer, Vico Ortiz tells BW + BL how tending bar helped them master knife spinning in two weeks in order to play Jim, a non-binary, knife throwing pirate in Our Flag Means Death, a queer normative rom com based on the real life pirates Blackbeard and the Gentleman Pirate. And Brian Cox shares how he finds his motivation to play unsympathetic (terrible) characters on stage and screen. Brian spoke to BW in 2022 ahead of an Australian book tour.

Our Flag Means Death, Logan Roy is dead

We're gasping at the end of Harry and Meghan's Spotify deal, checking in on the Hollywood writers strike and worried about Miranda on And Just Like That.Following news that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's $20 million content deal with Spotify has ended after just one season of a podcast, senior executive and podcaster Bill Simmons lashed the couple as "f**king grifters." Is this fair?Screenwriter and playwright Anchuli Felicia King gives an update on the WGA writers strike, which has brought US television production to a standstill for nearly two months. AFK is a writer on HBO's adaptation of Viet Thanh Nguyen's Pulitzer-prize winning novel, The Sympathiser starring Robert Downey Jr and Sandra Oh.And — it's another chaotic week for TV reviews as (spoiler alert) BW and BL take apart the first two episodes of season two of And Just Like That.

We're gasping at the end of Harry and Meghan's Spotify deal, checking in on the Hollywood writers strike and worried about Miranda on And Just Like That. Following news that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's $20 million content deal with Spotify has ended after just one season of a podcast, senior executive and podcaster Bill Simmons lashed the couple as "f**king grifters." Is this fair? Screenwriter and playwright Anchuli Felicia King gives an update on the WGA writers strike, which has brought US television production to a standstill for nearly two months. AFK is a writer on HBO's adaptation of Viet Thanh Nguyen's Pulitzer-prize winning novel, The Sympathiser starring Robert Downey Jr and Sandra Oh. And — it's another chaotic week for TV reviews as (spoiler alert) BW and BL take apart the first two episodes of season two of And Just Like That.

And Just Like That … Harry & Meghan leave Spotify

We're spending time with disability inclusion advocate Sinéad Burke and trying to forget the first two episodes of HBO's The Idol.How did Sinéad Burke go from teen fashion blogger to two-time British Vogue cover model with over 200,000 instagram followers? Sinéad shares her story with Stop Everything! and talks about why inclusive design is important to everyone.And why is HBO's The Idol, starring Lily-Rose Depp, co-created by The Weeknd and Euphoria's Sam Levinson, making us want to claw our faces? BW and BL discuss the punishing first two episodes of the much-discussed series.

We're spending time with disability inclusion advocate Sinéad Burke and trying to forget the first two episodes of HBO's The Idol. How did Sinéad Burke go from teen fashion blogger to two-time British Vogue cover model with over 200,000 instagram followers? Sinéad shares her story with Stop Everything! and talks about why inclusive design is important to everyone. And why is HBO's The Idol, starring Lily-Rose Depp, co-created by The Weeknd and Euphoria's Sam Levinson, making us want to claw our faces? BW and BL discuss the punishing first two episodes of the much-discussed series.

What the hell is happening with HBO's The Idol?

We're doling out advice in the Stop Everything x Big Mood Little Mood live show with Danny Lavery!Danny Lavery is host of advice podcast Big Mood Little Mood, a New York Times bestselling author, Substack superstar, and former Dear Prudence advice columnist. He jumps on stage at the Sydney Writers Festival with Ben and Bev to talk through letters from listeners looking for help.Then, a couple of podcast recommendations and some thoughts on Channel 4's long-running dinner party competition show, Come Dine With Me.

We're doling out advice in the Stop Everything x Big Mood Little Mood live show with Danny Lavery! Danny Lavery is host of advice podcast Big Mood Little Mood, a New York Times bestselling author, Substack superstar, and former Dear Prudence advice columnist. He jumps on stage at the Sydney Writers Festival with Ben and Bev to talk through letters from listeners looking for help. Then, a couple of podcast recommendations and some thoughts on Channel 4's long-running dinner party competition show, Come Dine With Me.

Stop Everything! x Big Mood Little Mood

We're talking to Gina Chick, the winner of Alone Australia and [spoiler alert]blitzing through the finales of Succession and Ted Lasso.After 67 days surviving solo in the harsh winter conditions of West Coast lutruwita/Tasmania, Gina became the first winner of SBS' Alone Australia. Gina tells all about how she packed on the kilos to prepare for the show and why she kept the camera rolling as she grieved her late daughter Blaise.Stan Grant, one of the ABC's most senior and respected broadcasters, has stepped back from his work after sustained and violent racist attacks online and threats to himself and his family. In doing so, Stan wrote about 'institutional failures" that left him feeling unsupported. What's the impact of his words?And you've been warned: Ben and Bev dissect the finales of HBO's Succession and Apple TV+'s Ted Lasso.

We're talking to Gina Chick, the winner of Alone Australia and [spoiler alert] blitzing through the finales of Succession and Ted Lasso. After 67 days surviving solo in the harsh winter conditions of West Coast lutruwita/Tasmania, Gina became the first winner of SBS' Alone Australia. Gina tells all about how she packed on the kilos to prepare for the show and why she kept the camera rolling as she grieved her late daughter Blaise. Stan Grant, one of the ABC's most senior and respected broadcasters, has stepped back from his work after sustained and violent racist attacks online and threats to himself and his family. In doing so, Stan wrote about 'institutional failures" that left him feeling unsupported. What's the impact of his words? And you've been warned: Ben and Bev dissect the finales of HBO's Succession and Apple TV+'s Ted Lasso.

Finale fest: Succession! Alone Australia! Ted Lasso!

We're talking happily-ever-after stories with Halle Bailey and Melissa McCarthy, stars of Disney's The Little Mermaid, and Julia Quinn, author of the Bridgerton romance novels.Disney's live action remake of its animated classic The Little Mermaid is campy and entertaining, but why this story again, and why now? Ben puts the question to Halle, who plays Ariel, and Melissa, who plays Ursula.With its multiracial (and hot) casting and steamy sex scenes, Julia Quinn's Bridgerton series found new and enthusiastic audiences via Shondalands's hit screen adaptations for Netflix. BW and Rudi Bremer talk to Julia about collaborating with Shonda Rhimes on the new Queen Charlotte series and novels, and what she's learned about writing non white and queer characters.

We're talking happily-ever-after stories with Halle Bailey and Melissa McCarthy, stars of Disney's The Little Mermaid, and Julia Quinn, author of the Bridgerton romance novels. Disney's live action remake of its animated classic The Little Mermaid is campy and entertaining, but why this story again, and why now? Ben puts the question to Halle, who plays Ariel, and Melissa, who plays Ursula. With its multiracial (and hot) casting and steamy sex scenes, Julia Quinn's Bridgerton series found new and enthusiastic audiences via Shondalands's hit screen adaptations for Netflix. BW and Rudi Bremer talk to Julia about collaborating with Shonda Rhimes on the new Queen Charlotte series and novels, and what she's learned about writing non white and queer characters.

The Little Mermaid and Bridgerton

Benjamin Law and Beverley Wang host your end-of-week blitz on what everyone's watching and listening to right now. Featuring big-name interviews that go deep, and big thoughts on pop culture with your two smart friends — this is the show about how everything in your feed reflects – and affects – the world. Culture moves fast — so Stop Everything! and listen in.

We're escaping to Hyrule in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, shutting down the Metaverse and talking to Jury Duty hero Ronald Gladden.Why has Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg quietly shelved Metaverse, his multi-billion dollar attempt to build an immersive virtual reality world? Well, it turns out the Metaverse had no legs!Fans of Amazon's Jury Duty rejoice! Series star Ronald answers all our burning questions about his experience on the mockumentary series and how his life has changed since its release.Ben reviews Nintendo's blockbuster new Zelda release and finds it to be a healing balm for our busy, modern world; and Beverley wishes she was Martha Stewart.

We're escaping to Hyrule in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, shutting down the Metaverse and talking to Jury Duty hero Ronald Gladden. Why has Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg quietly shelved Metaverse, his multi-billion dollar attempt to build an immersive virtual reality world? Well, it turns out the Metaverse had no legs! Fans of Amazon's Jury Duty rejoice! Series star Ronald answers all our burning questions about his experience on the mockumentary series and how his life has changed since its release. Ben reviews Nintendo's blockbuster new Zelda release and finds it to be a healing balm for our busy, modern world; and Beverley wishes she was Martha Stewart.

Zelda vs Zuckerberg's Metaverse

We're watching Netflix's Queen Charlotte, singing the praises of reginas and waiting for our invitations to join Bluesky.Shonda Rhimes' Queen Charlotte fills in the blanks of Julia Quinn's Bridgerton adaptations, telling us how 'The Great Experiment' resulted in the multiracial aristocracy we see on screen. While we're talking about the royal family, what was the choir singing at the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla?And Aisha Dee, best known for starring in the cult hit The Bold Type, talks about her role in the new SBS drama Safe Home, along with series creator Anna Barnes.

We're watching Netflix's Queen Charlotte, singing the praises of reginas and waiting for our invitations to join Bluesky. Shonda Rhimes' Queen Charlotte fills in the blanks of Julia Quinn's Bridgerton adaptations, telling us how 'The Great Experiment' resulted in the multiracial aristocracy we see on screen. While we're talking about the royal family, what was the choir singing at the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla? And Aisha Dee, best known for starring in the cult hit The Bold Type, talks about her role in the new SBS drama Safe Home, along with series creator Anna Barnes.

Queen Charlotte's Regina is Vivat in Bridgerton

Alison Roman

We're talking to Alison Roman and pondering the future of MasterChef, the Met Gala, and the monarchy.Celebrity chef, cookbook author and millennial influencer Alison Roman gets real about being Internet famous and making mistakes. She takes us behind the scenes of her YouTube Home Movies and shares her biggest regret of 2020.For years MasterChef has been the warm hug TV show that gets Australians through winter. But how do we feel about watching in the wake of the shocking death of judge Jock Zonfrillo?Also: is Ben king now? Salty feelings about the Karl Lagerfeld Met Gala and the Hollywood writers' strike.

We're talking to Alison Roman and pondering the future of MasterChef, the Met Gala, and the monarchy. Celebrity chef, cookbook author and millennial influencer Alison Roman gets real about being Internet famous and making mistakes. She takes us behind the scenes of her YouTube Home Movies and shares her biggest regret of 2020. For years MasterChef has been the warm hug TV show that gets Australians through winter. But how do we feel about watching in the wake of the shocking death of judge Jock Zonfrillo? Also: is Ben king now? Salty feelings about the Karl Lagerfeld Met Gala and the Hollywood writers' strike.

Alison Roman regrets the error

We're reporting for Jury Duty, trashing our Twitter blue ticks and getting violently local with Aunty Donna.Bev and Ben debrief on Jury Duty, Amazon's wild twist on reality TV that's Truman Show meets The Office meets The Rehearsal, starring jury foreperson and real life nice guy, Ronald Gladden.Meanwhile, Twitter's blue tick has gone from verified status symbol to absolute embarrassment, thanks to Elon Musk.Aunty Donna's Zach and Broden stop by with freshly brewed Morning Brown from their Coffee Cafe.

We're reporting for Jury Duty, trashing our Twitter blue ticks and getting violently local with Aunty Donna. Bev and Ben debrief on Jury Duty, Amazon's wild twist on reality TV that's Truman Show meets The Office meets The Rehearsal, starring jury foreperson and real life nice guy, Ronald Gladden. Meanwhile, Twitter's blue tick has gone from verified status symbol to absolute embarrassment, thanks to Elon Musk. Aunty Donna's Zach and Broden stop by with freshly brewed Morning Brown from their Coffee Cafe.

The verdict's in for Jury Duty

We're catching up on Succession drama, Netflix's Beef troubles and getting the inside story on a new documentary about legendary YA author Judy Blume.Now that (spoiler alert) Logan Roy is dead, what's at stake for Kendall, Shiv, Roman (and Connor) Roy? And what nostril-flaring details are revealed in a Vanity Fair article about the real life family that inspired HBO's Succession — the Murdochs?At 85, global bestselling author Judy Blume is a living legend who's long overdue for celebration. Filmmakers Davina Pardo and Leah Wolchok are directors of the feature documentary 'Judy Blume Forever' (Amazon Prime) that takes stock of the life and legacy of the beloved groundbreaking author.Also, where is Pity City and why can't we live there? Find out how a clip from a staff meeting at a fancy office furniture company gifted us with this instantly iconic line.

We're catching up on Succession drama, Netflix's Beef troubles and getting the inside story on a new documentary about legendary YA author Judy Blume. Now that (spoiler alert) Logan Roy is dead, what's at stake for Kendall, Shiv, Roman (and Connor) Roy? And what nostril-flaring details are revealed in a Vanity Fair article about the real life family that inspired HBO's Succession — the Murdochs? At 85, global bestselling author Judy Blume is a living legend who's long overdue for celebration. Filmmakers Davina Pardo and Leah Wolchok are directors of the feature documentary 'Judy Blume Forever' (Amazon Prime) that takes stock of the life and legacy of the beloved groundbreaking author. Also, where is Pity City and why can't we live there? Find out how a clip from a staff meeting at a fancy office furniture company gifted us with this instantly iconic line.

The Succession drama we can't get enough of

Jen Cloher

We're stopping everything to talk to two trail blazers in the Australian music industry, Jen Cloher and Jaguar Jonze.Jen Cloher's new album, I Am The River, The River Is Me is a powerful collection of songs inspired by Jen's matrilineal line of wāhine Māori. Jen told BW and BL in 2022 that the lead single, Mana Takatāpui is a loving tribute to queer Maori identity.Jaguar Jonze is creating major change after a series of post it notes shared on social media sparked a nationwide review into bullying and sexual assault in the Australian music industry. BW spoke to Jaguar in February 2022 about songwriting, advocacy and performing during the pandemic.

We're stopping everything to talk to two trail blazers in the Australian music industry, Jen Cloher and Jaguar Jonze. Jen Cloher's new album, I Am The River, The River Is Me is a powerful collection of songs inspired by Jen's matrilineal line of wāhine Māori. Jen told BW and BL in 2022 that the lead single, Mana Takatāpui is a loving tribute to queer Maori identity. Jaguar Jonze is creating major change after a series of post it notes shared on social media sparked a nationwide review into bullying and sexual assault in the Australian music industry. BW spoke to Jaguar in February 2022 about songwriting, advocacy and performing during the pandemic.

Jen Cloher and Jaguar Jonze, rock on!

Trump's been indicted but still campaigning, Elon Musk changed the twitter logo to the dogecoin dog — honestly what the hell is happening, we need to figure things out.BW and BL talk through the OTT news of the week, Ben's Trump impression returns and we're trading reviews of the Super Mario Bros. Movie and Yellowjackets season two.Also hear from the director and cast of Rye Lane, a British rom-com that sends its leads on a colour-saturated caper through the landmarks of South London.

Trump's been indicted but still campaigning, Elon Musk changed the twitter logo to the dogecoin dog — honestly what the hell is happening, we need to figure things out. BW and BL talk through the OTT news of the week, Ben's Trump impression returns and we're trading reviews of the Super Mario Bros. Movie and Yellowjackets season two. Also hear from the director and cast of Rye Lane, a British rom-com that sends its leads on a colour-saturated caper through the landmarks of South London.

Trump indicted! Twitter goes doge!

Stop everything for: Celeste Barber on her new show, Wellmania, the latest in nepo baby news, and reviews of Succession season 4 and John Wick 4!Celeste Barber of #celestechallengeaccepted talks about body acceptance, Instagram comedy and what she has in common with her Wellmania TV character, Liv Healy.We're figuring out the week in nepo baby news after Gwyneth Paltrow appeared in a Utah courtroom to testify in a ski crash trial and Romy Mars, Sofia Coppola's daughter (and Francis Ford Coppola's granddaughter) made a viral TikTok about vodka pasta that was definitely not about vodka pasta.And find out what BL thinks about the premiere of Succession season 4, and what BW thinks about John Wick 4.

Stop everything for: Celeste Barber on her new show, Wellmania, the latest in nepo baby news, and reviews of Succession season 4 and John Wick 4! Celeste Barber of #celestechallengeaccepted talks about body acceptance, Instagram comedy and what she has in common with her Wellmania TV character, Liv Healy. We're figuring out the week in nepo baby news after Gwyneth Paltrow appeared in a Utah courtroom to testify in a ski crash trial and Romy Mars, Sofia Coppola's daughter (and Francis Ford Coppola's granddaughter) made a viral TikTok about vodka pasta that was definitely not about vodka pasta. And find out what BL thinks about the premiere of Succession season 4, and what BW thinks about John Wick 4.

Gwyneth on trial, Celeste on Wellmania

Find out what went down behind the scenes of Australian Survivor with fan favourites Nina Twine, Simon Mee, and Stop Everything's own Benjamin Law!The Tribe has spoken and the winner of Australian Survivor: Heroes V Villains has been crowned. Nina and Simon dish on their jury votes, gameplay and drama that didn't make it to air. Nina, Simon and Ben share their favourite moments, highs, lows and unforgettable stories of trying to outwit, outplay and outlast each other in Samoa.

Find out what went down behind the scenes of Australian Survivor with fan favourites Nina Twine, Simon Mee, and Stop Everything's own Benjamin Law! The Tribe has spoken and the winner of Australian Survivor: Heroes V Villains has been crowned. Nina and Simon dish on their jury votes, gameplay and drama that didn't make it to air. Nina, Simon and Ben share their favourite moments, highs, lows and unforgettable stories of trying to outwit, outplay and outlast each other in Samoa.

Survivor special with Simon and Nina!

Season 3 of Ted Lasso is underway, we're eating up Ali Wong and Steven Yeun's raging Beef and going behind the scenes of Alone Australia.Did BL abandon Ted Lasso because it's straight culture? Is that the exact reason why it's a healing balm for BW? And how will Ted and Nate's breakup play out in the final series of the beloved Apple TV+ show?Comedian Ali Wong and Oscar nominated Steven Yeun face off in The A24/Netflix series Beef, which features Wong and Yeun as strangers who become obsessed with making each others' lives hell after a road rage incident.Alone Australia is SBS' upcoming version of the international hit documentary series. Executive Producer Riima Daher talks about everything from training participants how to use camera gear in the wilderness to where they poop.

Season 3 of Ted Lasso is underway, we're eating up Ali Wong and Steven Yeun's raging Beef and going behind the scenes of Alone Australia. Did BL abandon Ted Lasso because it's straight culture? Is that the exact reason why it's a healing balm for BW? And how will Ted and Nate's breakup play out in the final series of the beloved Apple TV+ show? Comedian Ali Wong and Oscar nominated Steven Yeun face off in The A24/Netflix series Beef, which features Wong and Yeun as strangers who become obsessed with making each others' lives hell after a road rage incident. Alone Australia is SBS' upcoming version of the international hit documentary series. Executive Producer Riima Daher talks about everything from training participants how to use camera gear in the wilderness to where they poop.

We believe in Ted Lasso!

I just discovered this program. I&#39;ll be back

Fred Armisen So good Down under

Stop Everything!

The best podcast episodes of the most interesting stories and things. From skyping someone while they're in space, to tracking down and meeting a telephone scammer in person, to the story of a Galapagos. These episodes will keep you and all your friends entertained and captivated for hours. Learn something new in every episode! Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best Episodes: Interesting Stories & Things

The Best Multi-Part Documentaries, with documentaries on Obama, Federer vs Nadal, the making of Star Wars, Netflix vs Blockbuster and more. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!