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TV & Film
Jackson Murphy
Film Critic/Entertainment Reporter Lights Camera Jackson interviews the biggest live-action and animation content creators and performers from movies, TV and streaming.
Guests: ‘Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home Franklin’ Co-writer Robb Armstrong, director Raymond S. Persi and EP Craig Schulz
Sweet new special Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home, Franklin premieres this Friday February 16th on AppleTV+. Co-writer Robb Armstrong, director Raymond S. Persi and executive producer Craig Schulz reflect on their — and the entire world’s — longtime affection for the Peanuts crew.
14:1112/02/2024
Guests: ‘Rock Paper Scissors’ Creators Kyle Stegina and Josh Lehrman
The legendary game becomes a new animated comedy series. Rock Paper Scissors stars anthropomorphic versions of the title three items. A sneak preview episode airs on Nickelodeon this Sunday Feb. 11 immediately following the channel’s highly-anticipated Super Bowl telecast, with the official premiere set for Monday Feb. 12 at 5:30pm. Creators Kyle Stegina and Josh Lehrman join me for this lively LCJ Q&A Podcast episode.
07:3705/02/2024
Guest: ‘The Tiger's Apprentice’ Director Raman Hui
Two-time Annie Awards nominee Raman Hui (co-director of Shrek the Third) directs the new Paramount+ animated feature The Tiger’s Apprentice, which is now streaming. It’s based on a popular book about 15-year-old Tom, who teams-up with the animals of the Zodiac to prevent the evil Loo (voiced by Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh) from destroying all that matters.
13:5502/02/2024
Guests: ‘Orion and the Dark’ Director Sean Charmatz and Producer Peter McCown
Director Sean Charmatz and Producer Peter McCown present the ambitious and memorable new DreamWorks animated feature Orion and the Dark. The fearless family adventure about overcoming your fears was written by Charlie Kaufman, who adapts from Emma Yarlett’s book. It debuts Feb. 2 on Netflix.
12:1701/02/2024
Guests: ‘Lyla in the Loop’ Creator Dave Peth and Head Writer Fracaswell Hyman
One of the best in the business when it comes to animation and family programming is PBS KIDS. Lyla in the Loop, a great new series, joins the lineup this Monday February 5th (check your local listings). Emmy-winning creator and executive producer Dave Peth and EP and head writer Fracaswell Hyman loop me in on this LCJ Q&A Podcast episode.
12:1231/01/2024
Guest: ‘The Price is Right LIVE’ Host Todd Newton
Emmy-winner Todd Newton (of "Family Game Night" and "Hollywood Showdown") returns as host of "The Price is Right LIVE" stage show, which kicks-off its 2024 North America tour on Feb. 27. Newton talks about the magic of "Price" and his friendship with the late Bob Barker. He also shares stories from his time hosting "Whammy!" and covering the Oscars red carpet for E!
28:5729/01/2024
Guest: ‘Masters of the Universe: Revolution’ EP Rob David
Rob David is the executive producer of Netflix’s Masters of the Universe: Revolution. All five episodes are now streaming. David, who’s also Mattel’s Vice President, Content Creative, joins me for this Non-Spoiler interview to talk about what continues to make MOTU an animation event.
17:4225/01/2024
Guest: ‘In the Know’ Creator and actor Zach Woods
Peacock's new series In the Know has a lot of things I love: comedy, stop-motion animation, and interviewing. All six episodes debut Thursday January 25th. The show's creator, EP, showrunner and star is The Office and Silicon Valley actor Zach Woods, who joins me for a fun and revealing LCJ Q&A Podcast episode.
15:3622/01/2024
Guests: ‘Ted’ Writers & EPs Paul Corrigan and Brad Walsh
Five-time Emmy-winners Paul Corrigan and Brad Walsh ("Modern Family") are now the writers and executive producers of Seth MacFarlane's new seven-episode "Ted" prequel event series, premiering this Thursday Jan. 11 on Peacock. Corrigan and Walsh discuss the show's '90s setting and stories, working with MacFarlane, and how the foul-mouthed bear comes to life thanks to a talented VFX team.
09:1705/01/2024
Guest: ‘Grimsburg’ Showrunner Chadd Gindin
Murder mystery detective comedy Grimsburg joins FOX's Animation Domination lineup this Sunday January 7th at 8pm. Showrunner Chadd Gindin clues me in on all facets of the entertaining series, including working with star and EP Jon Hamm.
19:4502/01/2024
Guest: ‘Migration’ Director Benjamin Renner
The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales director Benjamin Renner takes to the sky with Illumination's new animated comedy Migration. It opens in theaters next Friday December 22nd. Renner talks about his love of hand-drawn and CG animation, ducky research, working with a star-studded voice acting ensemble and collaborating with writer and "Survivor" contestant Mike White.
09:4114/12/2023
Guests: ‘Merry Little Batman’ Writers Morgan Evans and Jase Ricci
The Caped Crusader’s eight year old son Damian is on a Christmas Eve mission to save Gotham City in the heartwarming and hilarious new animated comedy feature Merry Little Batman. You can watch it starting this Friday December 8th on Prime Video. Writers Morgan Evans and Jase Ricci describe the fa-la-la-la-fun of crafting an entertaining and exciting Batman story.
21:3307/12/2023
Guests: ‘Baby Shark’s Big Movie’ Director Alan Foreman and Writer Whitney Ralls
Nickelodeon's popular Baby Shark's Big Show expands to feature-length format for the hilarious and heartwarming Baby Shark's Big Movie. It premieres this Friday December 8th on Paramount+. Writer Whitney Ralls and director Alan Foreman join me to talk about the film they hope earns wave reviews from families this holiday season.
13:2804/12/2023
Guests: ‘The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday’ Director Bret Haaland and EP Katherine Nolfi
DreamWorks presents a feisty, heisty new prequel special to one of their most recent hit movies. The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday premieres Thursday November 30th on Netflix. Director (and seven-time Emmy-winner) Bret Haaland and Executive Producer Katherine Nolfi bring good tidings on this episode of the LCJ Q&A.
11:3820/11/2023
Guests: ‘Leo’ Directors Robert Marianetti and David Wachtenheim
Robert Marianetti and David Wachtenheim direct the new Netflix animated family feature Leo, starring the voice of Adam Sandler in the title role of a 74 year old Mary Poppins-like lizard in a 5th Grade Florida classroom. Learn what makes Leo (debuting this Tuesday Nov. 21) one of the holiday season's must-see comedies.
14:1816/11/2023
Guests: ‘They Shot the Piano Player’ Directors Fernando Trueba and Javier Mariscal
Academy Award nominated Chico & Rita directors Fernando Trueba and Javier Mariscal have made a new animated feature for grown-ups — a unique, moving investigation documentary drama. They Shot the Piano Player, starring Jeff Goldblum as the narrator and voice of journalist / author Jeff Harris, opens in New York City and Los Angeles for an awards qualifying run on November 24th. Sony Pictures Classics will then release it nationwide in early 2024. Trueba and Mariscal joined me from Spain on Zoom for this 300th Episode of the LCJ Q&A Podcast.
20:2113/11/2023
Guest: ‘Trolls Band Together’ Director Walt Dohrn
DreamWorks is bringing Poppy and Branch back to the big screen with the new third feature in their popular pop music franchise. Trolls Band Together is already a hit overseas, and held preview screenings nationwide in North America this past weekend, with an official release date of November 17th. Director Walt Dohrn shares info on the *NSYNC reunion, the visual splendor and if the "Trolls" brand will keep on rolling.
13:1906/11/2023
Guest: ‘The Simpsons’ Writer and Co-EP Brian Kelley
Fox's Animation Domination is giving us a post-Halloween treat with the latest "Treehouse of Horror" episode of The Simpsons airing this Sunday November 5th at 8pm. Writer and Co-EP Brian Kelley, who's been with the iconic series for nearly two and a half decades, shares insights on this year's stories, some Simpsons secrets, and how a movie sequel will be decided.
12:4202/11/2023
Guest: ‘Glisten and the Merry Mission’ Director Cory Morrison
Build-A-Bear Entertainment is bringing popular Glisten and the Merry Mission to the big screen with a new animated feature for the whole family to kick-off the holiday season. It opens exclusively in Cinemark theaters nationwide this Friday November 3rd. Director Cory Morrison explains the magic of the movie and what Clark Griswold and Jolly Ol’ Saint Nick have in common.
11:4631/10/2023
Guests: ‘Blue Eye Samurai’ Creators Amber Noizumi and Michael Green
Let’s go to Japan in the 1600’s and meet an incredibly skilled swordmaster who’s hiding her true identity while also being a badass. It’s the new adult animated series Blue Eye Samurai, premiering this Friday November 3rd on Netflix. Creators, writers and EPs Amber Noizumi and "Logan" Oscar nominee Michael Green (who are also wife and husband) join me for this LCJ Q&A Podcast episode.
12:0230/10/2023
Guests: ‘Curses!’ Creators Jim Cooper & Jeff Dixon and Director Leo Riley
New DreamWorks Animation family adventure series "Curses!" premieres this Friday October 27th on AppleTV+. Creators Jim Cooper & Jeff Dixon and director Leo Riley share visual and storytelling inspirations and insights on working with some classic and modern-day horror icons.
16:1225/10/2023
Guests: The Wiggles Original Members Greg Page, Murray Cook and Jeff Fatt
The Wiggles are the subjects of "Hot Potato", a fantastic new documentary now streaming on Prime Video. Three of the original members of one of the most popular and successful bands of all-time join me to talk about their careers and the emotional, revealing doc. I grew-up with The Wiggles, so having this fun chat with Greg Page (the Yellow Wiggle), Murray Cook (the Red Wiggle) and Jeff Fatt (the Purple Wiggle) was thrilling. Check it out!
16:0624/10/2023
Guest: ‘Inspector Sun’ Director Julio Soto Gurpide
Julio Soto Gurpide has directed Viva Kids' latest theatrical animated feature release "Inspector Sun", opening this Friday October 27th. It's about a detective spider in the mid-1930s trying to solve a murder mystery on a flight. Gurpide unravels the web of intricacies that went into making this comedy adventure.
12:2223/10/2023
Guest: ‘The Canterville Ghost’ Co-Director Robert Chandler
A new CG animated feature adaptation of Oscar Wilde's classic short story "The Canterville Ghost" is in theaters this Friday October 20th. Co-Director Robert Chandler joins me to discuss working with star and producer Stephen Fry, the new third act and the lasting impact of Wilde's work.
12:4816/10/2023
Guest: ‘Mickey and Friends: Trick or Treats’ Director David Brooks
David Brooks and Stoopid Buddy Stoodios follow-up their hit special "Mickey Saves Christmas" with Halloween-themed "Mickey and Friends: Trick or Treats". It airs Sunday Oct. 1 at 7pm on Disney Channel, Disney Junior and Disney XD and is available on Disney+ starting Monday Oct. 2. Brooks gives me the inside scoop on this LCJ Q&A episode.
09:2429/09/2023
Guest: ‘PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie’ Writer Bob Barlen
"PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie" opens nationwide on September 29th. Writer Bob Barlen returns to the LCJ Q&A to talk about the bigger, bolder sequel — from focusing on Skye to working with Taraji P. Henson to being inspired by "Top Gun: Maverick" and more!
11:4028/09/2023
Guest: ‘Young Love’ Creator Matthew A. Cherry
Academy Award winner Matthew A. Cherry continues the Hair Love story as creator and executive producer of the new animated series Young Love. The first four episodes debut this Thursday September 21st on Max. Cherry talks about what these characters have meant to him and what he hopes they mean to millions of families.
10:0718/09/2023
Guest: ‘From the Shadows’ Director Mike Sargent
Film critic, radio host and podcast aficionado Mike Sargent has directed his first feature film in more than 20 years. It's the supernatural horror thriller "From the Shadows", starring Bruce Davison, Selena Anduze and Keith David. "FTS" opens in select theaters on Sept. 22 and is available on Vudu Sept. 29. Sargent (who co-hosts the weekly "2 Fast 2 Films" Podcast with me) is my guest on this LCJ Q&A episode to discuss his return to the director's chair.
20:0316/09/2023
Guests: ‘The Peasants’ Directors DK and Hugh Welchman
Six years after DK and Hugh Welchman changed animation and cinema forever with their Oscar-nominated, fully painted feature film Loving Vincent, about the life of iconic artist Vincent Van Gogh, the directors have created another incredible, entirely painted animated feature. The Peasants, based on the classic story, just premiered at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival. I had the chance to screen the film and speak with the Welchmans about advancing the art form with a completely different story… and how you can own a piece of it.
16:0315/09/2023
Guests: ‘Krapopolis’ EP Steve Levy and Supervising Director Pete Michels
It's the most anticipated new show of the Network TV fall season. Dan Harmon's FOX animated series "Krapopolis" premieres Sunday Sept. 24 at 8pm. Executive Producer Steve Levy and Supervising Director Pete Michels join me to discuss this Ancient Greece comedy.
23:5813/09/2023
Guest: ‘The Inventor’ Director Jim Capobianco
Academy Award nominated writer Jim Capobianco ("Ratatouille") presents his wonderful new animated feature about Leonardo da Vinci. "The Inventor", in theaters September 15th, is a celebration of storytelling and animation, with a terrific cast led by Stephen Fry, Daisy Ridley and Marion Cotillard. Capobianco joins me to discuss the charm and beauty of "The Inventor".
15:1411/09/2023
Guests: ‘Tiny Toons Looniversity’ Co-EP Nate Cash and actors David Errigo Jr., Eric Bauza & Tessa Netting
Back to School season is the perfect time to unveil the highly anticipated new Tiny Toons Looniversity series. Class is in session this Friday September 8th on Max and Saturday September 9th at 9am on Cartoon Network. Co-Showrunner and Co-EP Nate Cash and three of the talented voice actors, David Errigo Jr., Eric Bauza and Tessa Netting, discuss being star pupils in this cartoon Looniverse and what fans and newbies to the franchise can expect.
17:4507/09/2023
Guest: ‘The Good Mother’ Director Miles Joris-Peyrafitte
Miles Joris-Peyrafitte ("As You Are", "Dreamland") is the co-writer and director of the new murder mystery investigation drama "The Good Mother", which opens in theaters nationwide this Friday September 1st. Albany, NY native Joris-Peyrafitte discusses filming the movie in the Capital Region, working with stars Hilary Swank, Jack Reynor and Olivia Cooke, and how Swank found an Albany woman's missing dog.
16:3429/08/2023
Guests: ‘Ernest & Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia’ Directors Jean-Christophe Roger & Julien Chheng
10 years ago, hand-drawn film Ernest & Celestine, about the unlikely pairing of a bear and a mouse, charmed moviegoers and Academy members. It earned a Best Animated Feature Oscar nomination alongside Hayao Miyazaki's final film at the time, The Wind Rises, and CG blockbusters Frozen, The Croods and Despicable Me 2. This Friday September 1st, GKIDS will release a sequel feature in theaters, with the title characters on their biggest and most meaningful journey yet. Here's my conversation with the directors of Ernest & Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia, Jean-Christophe Roger and Julien Chheng.
13:2928/08/2023
Guests: ‘Snoopy Presents: One-of-a-Kind Marcie’ EP Craig Schulz and Director Raymond S. Persi
The Peanuts/Apple relationship continues to flourish. New 40-minute special "Snoopy Presents: One-of-a-Kind Marcie" premieres this Friday August 18th on AppleTV+. Executive Producer Craig Schulz (son of "Peanuts" creator Charles Schulz) and Director Raymond S. Persi (who also voiced Flash the Sloth in "Zootopia") discuss the impact of Marcie, her new special and the entire "Peanuts" brand.
12:1214/08/2023
Guest: ‘Strays’ Director Josh Greenbaum
Josh Greenbaum, who grew-up near me in Saratoga Springs, NY, directs Will Ferrell, Jamie Foxx and some real, fun-loving dogs in Universal's new R-rated comedy "Strays", which opens in theaters on August 18th. Greenbaum shares memories of going to the movies in the Capital Region, as well as details on the voice acting, animation, story and casting aspects of the summer's wildest movie.
17:4009/08/2023
Guest: ‘The Monkey King’ Director Anthony Stacchi
Anthony Stacchi co-directed Sony Pictures Animation's first feature, 2006's "Open Season". He then co-directed Laika's 2014 Best Animated Feature Oscar nominee "The Boxtrolls". Stacchi's latest animated film is "The Monkey King", debuting August 18th on Netflix. He joins me to talk about this action-packed adventure and his animation heroes.
16:5607/08/2023
Guest: ‘Praise Petey’ Actress Annie Murphy
This interview with actress Annie Murphy was conducted over Zoom on Monday June 26th, 2023 (prior to the SAG-AFTRA Strike) as part of a virtual press junket organized and provided by Freeform. Emmy-winner Annie Murphy ("Schitt's Creek", "Kevin Can F--- Himself") lends her voice to the title character of the new Freeform animated comedy series "Praise Petey". The one-hour series premiere is this Friday July 21st at 10pm. I join this fellow Murphy for a fun chat about "Petey", her voice work in this summer's "Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken" and more.
12:5817/07/2023
Guests: ‘Nimona’ Directors Nick Bruno and Troy Quane
N.D. Stevenson's popular graphic novel finally comes to life with the long-awaited animated feature Nimona, about a girl in a futuristic/medieval society who joins forces with a knight to clear his name after he's accused of murder. Directors Nick Bruno and Troy Quane (Spies in Disguise) are excited for audiences to experience this action, humor and emotion packed adventure, which premieres this Friday June 30th on Netflix.
09:1928/06/2023
Guests: ‘Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken’ Director Kirk DeMicco and Producer Kelly Cooney Cilella
DreamWorks Animation's new family action/adventure comedy Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken opens this Friday June 30th. It's already made a big splash this summer at Annecy and through early preview showings at Regal Cinemas locations nationwide. Oscar nominated director Kirk DeMicco (The Croods) and producer Kelly Cooney Cilella (Trolls World Tour) join me to discuss making studio history with the story of a teen who seeks to finally embrace her whole self.
13:5326/06/2023
Guests: ‘Pupstruction’ Creator Travis Braun, EP Victor Cook & Supervising Director Abigail Nesbitt
Raise The Woof! New animated family series Pupstruction premieres Wednesday June 14th at 8am on Disney Channel, Disney Junior and Disney+. Creator Travis Braun, Executive Producer Victor Cook and Supervising Director Abigail Nesbitt tell me how they built this show (through story, characters, education and entertainment).
16:5007/06/2023
Guests: ‘Hailey’s On It!’ Creators Devin Bunje & Nick Stanton
Television duo Nick Stanton and Devin Bunje (writers on Disney live-action series Zeke and Luther) now team-up as creators and executive producers of a new animated comedy for The Mouse House. Hailey’s On It!, starring Auli’i Cravalho (Moana) as the title character, premieres Thursday June 8th at 8pm on Disney Channel and Disney XD. Episodes begin streaming June 9th on Disney+. Stanton and Bunje can’t wait for audiences to embrace Hailey and join her on quite the rollercoaster ride.
12:1305/06/2023
Guests: ‘Mulligan’ Co-Creators Robert Carlock & Sam Means and Supervising Director Colin Heck
Washington DC survives a global disaster — an alien attack. Society must start over. What will go right, and what will go terribly wrong? Robert Carlock and Sam Means (of 30 Rock and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) team-up once again, this time as co-creators of the new adult animated comedy series Mulligan. It premieres this Friday May 12th on Netflix. They, and supervising director Colin Heck (The Simpsons Movie), share what makes the show unique, relevant and quite funny.
12:5511/05/2023
Guests: ‘BlackBerry’ Actors Jay Baruchel and Glenn Howerton
Jay Baruchel ("How to Train Your Dragon") and Glenn Howerton ("A.P. Bio") star in the thrilling new true story drama "BlackBerry", which IFC Films is releasing in theaters nationwide this Friday May 12th. Baruchel plays BlackBerry co-founder Mike Lazaridis, and Howerton plays Research in Motion co-CEO Jim Balsille, in this entertaining and fascinating depiction of the rise and fall of the cell phone giant. On this LCJ Q&A Podcast episode, Baruchel and Howerton discuss BlackBerry devices and their dynamic roles. Baruchel also shares what the "Dragon" saga has meant to him. (Interview Contains Adult Language.)
06:0310/05/2023
Guest: ‘Rally Road Racers’ Director Ross Venokur
The Summer Movie Season heats up with a terrific new animated feature the entire family will enjoy. It's Rally Road Racers — in theaters nationwide this Friday May 12th. Director Ross Venokur presents an entertaining and moving underdog story with cool visuals and a talented voice cast. Buckle up as we explore this sweet ride.
16:3708/05/2023
Guests: ‘Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures’ EP James Waugh and Showrunner Michael Olson
Looking for the perfect introduction for your kids or grandkids into the Star Wars universe? LucasFilm has you covered with the brand new family friendly animated series Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures. It premieres May the 4th at 9am on Disney Junior, with episodes also available to stream on Disney+. Joining me are show masters James Waugh (executive producer) and Michael Olson (EP and showrunner).
16:3403/05/2023
Guest: ‘Frog and Toad’ Showrunner Rob Hoegee
Arnold Lobel's beloved Frog and Toad books leap off the page and onto the screen with the delightful new AppleTV+ animated series, premiering this Friday April 28th. Executive Producer and Showrunner Rob Hoegee guides me through what went into making the show — from adapting the look of the books to collaborating with two other dynamic duos, Lobel's children and stars Nat Faxon and Kevin Michael Richardson.
10:1624/04/2023
Guests: ‘Digman!’ Creators Andy Samberg and Neil Campbell
Emmy and Critics Choice winner Andy Samberg and his Brooklyn Nine-Nine writer/producer pal Neil Campbell are the creators of new adult comedy series Digman! It premieres this Wednesday March 22nd at 10:30pm (right after South Park) on Comedy Central. Digman! is about an archaeologist on a mission to make a comeback. Samberg and Campbell discuss the show’s humor, visual and story influences and more.
12:5120/03/2023
Guests: ‘Agent Elvis’ EPs Mike Arnold and John Eddie
After years in development, Sony Pictures Animation and Titmouse's new adult action comedy series Agent Elvis finally debuts this Friday March 17th on Netflix. Matthew McConaughey voices secret agent Elvis Presley in a fun, high-energy, unpredictable show that celebrates The King... and has Presley family approval. Showrunner, head writer and EP Mike Arnold and co-showrunner, EP and writer John Eddie share how fans will fall in love with Agent Elvis.
15:4914/03/2023
99.5 The River: ‘Celebrity Birthday Game’ — March 2023
I face-off against Tracy Villaume on 99.5 The River's "Celebrity Birthday Game", hosted by Kevin Rush, for the week of March 6-10. Over five rounds, find out how I do trying to guess celebrities and their ages in this really fun and highly competitive event.
35:5610/03/2023