The Woody Allen Retrospective Podcast

Woody Adjacent - Bill Murray, Richard Dreyfuss & Frank Oz - What About Bob (1991)

Welcome back to another episode of Woody Allen Adjacent, right here on the Woody Allen Retrospective Podcast.
 
This time around, we kick things off with a bit of Oscar 2026 talk - because, of course, we couldn’t resist. Our good old boy Timmy C finds himself in a little bit of trouble, which we have some fun unpacking before getting into the main feature...
 
For this month’s Adjacent pick, James brings us a very special one: the 1991 comedy What About Bob? starring Bill Murray - an actor we wished had crossed paths with Woody Allen on screen.
 
Admittedly,  in the editing process for this episode, i (Don) wondered if we might’ve leaned into the nitpicking just a little bit too much :P … but honestly, that’s part of the fun of doing a movie podcast no?
 
All in all, it’s a lively episode, and a good one to revisit or discover for the first time!
 
Next month, we’ve got a special follow up - something we promised last year for a beloved actor
 
Thanks as always for listening and supporting the show - we know y'all are just as excited as we are to tackle Woodys filmography again - remember, that starts this October 2026!
 
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For full cast details, user reviews, and more background on the film, check out:
 
📌 Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What_About_Bob%3F
 
📌 IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103241/
 
📌 Rotten Tomatoes: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/what_about_bob
 
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Hats Off Ent. WAB Video - https://youtu.be/hqvQwgGf0Gs?si=vhzk3S4WzoqBPotv
 
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A VERY Special Thanks to The Woody Allen Pages Website & The Woody Allen Subreddit for their continued support and info - check them out for the latest from the Woody Allen Fan Community!
 
https://www.woodyallenpages.com & https://www.reddit.com/r/woodyallen
 
PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT on this or any other episode using our comment section video link here >>> https://bit.ly/warpcom
 
If you like the show, please consider buying us a coffee / giving us a tip via our Patreon campaign >>> https://www.patreon.com/woodyretro
 
Thanks for listening as always! We would also LOVE a review on iTunes or a 5-star rating via Spotify or whichever podcast platform you are listening on. Please find all our connected links below: https://linktr.ee/woodyretro

Woody Adjacent - Zoey Deutch, Jonah Hauer-King & Ruby Cruz -The Threesome (2025)

Welcome back everybody, to the Woody Allen Retrospective Podcast for another episode of ADJACENT!
 
Today’s episode came together in a really interesting way. It was sparked by an email we received from one of our listeners nearly a year ago...
 
An email Donald has actually been holding onto for quite some time, waiting for the right film to land in his lap so we could properly unpack it... That moment has now arrived!
 
This week, we’re diving into a movie that opens up a broader conversation - not just about the film itself, but about this particular sub-genre, that being.. the way pregnancy is handled as a devloping narrative on TV and Film
 
and sometimes.. when researching an episode, we stumble across some wild real-life events that later became movies in their own right - Yup.. its all related and brings things full circle
 
Thank you as always for listening - a special thank you to all of our patrons and community supporters.
 
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For full cast details, user reviews, and more background on the film, check out:
 
📌 Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Threesome
 
📌 IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21187592/?ref_=ttnw_ov_i
 
📌 Rotten Tomatoes: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_threesome
 
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The Pregnancy Pact News Story: Pact - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fvcJ0cnCV8&pp=ygUXdGhlIHByZWduYW5jeSBwYWN0IG5ld3M%3D
 
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A VERY Special Thanks to The Woody Allen Pages Website & The Woody Allen Subreddit for their continued support and info - check them out for the latest from the Woody Allen Fan Community!
 
https://www.woodyallenpages.com & https://www.reddit.com/r/woodyallen
 
PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT on this or any other episode using our comment section video link here >>> https://bit.ly/warpcom
 
If you like the show, please consider buying us a coffee / giving us a tip via our Patreon campaign >>> https://www.patreon.com/woodyretro
 
Thanks for listening as always! We would also LOVE a review on iTunes or a 5-star rating via Spotify or whichever podcast platform you are listening on. Please find all our connected links below: https://linktr.ee/woodyretro

Woody Adjacent - Jim Carrey, Ed Harris & Peter Weir - The Truman Show (1998)

Welcome everybody, to 2026, here at the Woody Allen Retrospective Podcast we are very excited to start the year off with a HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT!
 
Well.. this announcement is actually something our listeners have been asking for pretty vocally in recent years.. and after much dilberation and calculation.. it actually makes a crazy kind of sense
 
WHAT THE HELL ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?!?!.. lol
 
Well… I am happy and a bit overwhelmed to let you all know that Myself (Don) and James Daniel Walsh are planning a RE-RETROSPECTIVE look at Woody Allens entire Filmography… yup it’s hapeening!
 
Well… its happening in October 2026 to be precise… why such a long wait.. well, there is a bit of prep work that is involved this time around, including creating a new YouTube channel and maybe even getting a fellow collaborator involved – its exciting on one hand and a bit stressful on the other.
 
Let’s leave it at that for now.. more updates will follow as things develop  we do hope you are happy with this announcement though!
 
Anyhow… putting that aside FOR NOW.. another year.. another adjacent episode ahoy!
 
 
Todays adjacent pick is from James and it is one we have put off for a few months due to one thing or another.. well, todays the day for us to talk about: The Truman Show (1998)
 
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For full cast details, user reviews, and more background on the film, check out:
 
📌 Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Truman_Show
 
📌 IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120382/
 
📌 Rotten Tomatoes: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/truman_show
 
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A VERY Special Thanks to The Woody Allen Pages Website & The Woody Allen Subreddit for their continued support and info - check them out for the latest from the Woody Allen Fan Community!
 
https://www.woodyallenpages.com & https://www.reddit.com/r/woodyallen
 
PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT on this or any other episode using our comment section video link here >>> https://bit.ly/warpcom
 
If you like the show, please consider buying us a coffee / giving us a tip via our Patreon campaign >>> https://www.patreon.com/woodyretro
 
Thanks for listening as always! We would also LOVE a review on iTunes or a 5-star rating via Spotify or whichever podcast platform you are listening on. Please find all our connected links below: https://linktr.ee/woodyretro

Not Woody Actually 06: Diane Keaton - The World Without Annie Hall - A Tribute

In this special episode, Don and James take a heartfelt pause to honour the life and legacy of the incomparable legend that is… was… Diane Keaton (1946–2025).
 
This outstanding actress, creative force, and undeniable muse to Woody Allen was one of the most charming and lovable souls ever to grace the world of acting - let alone walk the halls of Hollywood with her unmistakable wit, presence, style and charisma.
 
Her passing was truly shocking and deeply sad… and even though a few weeks have now gone by, we still feel the void left by her absence.
 
It was fascinating revisiting all the projects Diane created outside of her work with Woody.. and in this episode, our trusty AI Assistant also jumps in to deliver a thoughtful tribute, spotlighting her lesser-known pursuits as a photographer, director, author, and style icon.
 
Honestly, we could have spoken about her for hours… but we tried to keep this episode concise, knowing we’ll certainly be returning for future Diane-focused discussions. Stay tuned for that!
 
For now, we simply say: Rest in peace, Diane Keaton. You will be sorely missed. XXX
 
Please check out the related links below for everything we discussed on this episode, as well as additional materials we think you’ll enjoy.
 
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This Cool Ai Time Lapse of Diane Keatons life!
 
E! Hollywood DK Tribute Video
 
The 'Heaven' Documentary (1987)
 
David Letterman Heaven / Hell Interview
 
A Charmingly Chaotic Interview On "The Colbert Report"
 
Keanu Reeves Recalls Diane Keaton's "Extraordinary, Unique" Acting Style
 
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A VERY Special Thanks to The Woody Allen Pages Website & The Woody Allen Subreddit for their continued support and info - check them out for the latest from the Woody Allen Fan Community!
 
https://www.woodyallenpages.com & https://www.reddit.com/r/woodyallen
 
PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT on this or any other episode using our comment section video link here >>> https://bit.ly/warpcom
 
If you like the show, please consider buying us a coffee / giving us a tip via our Patreon campaign >>> https://www.patreon.com/woodyretro
 
Thanks for listening as always! We would also LOVE a review on iTunes or a 5-star rating via Spotify or whichever podcast platform you are listening on. Please find all our connected links below: https://linktr.ee/woodyretro

Woody Adjacent - Zach Braff, Evelyne Brochu & Vanessa Hudgens — French Girl (2024)

We begin this episode by acknowledging the passing of a truly incredible actress — one who played a pivotal role in the life and legacy of Woody Allen, among many others in Hollywood and beyond. Diane Keaton (1946–2025) will be deeply missed.
 
 
She passed away the very next day after we recorded this episode, and I (Don) actually found out during the editing phase. Soon after, James and I spoke about it briefly, and we’ll be dedicating a few special episodes to Diane — the next one after this, for sure.
 
 
Until then, we send our warmest thoughts to the Keaton family as we remember and celebrate a wholly original, endlessly inspiring woman — an actress, mother, friend, and creative spirit unlike any other.
 
 
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On this episode of Woody Adjacent, we’re taking on another Reddit request — and likely the last for a while since we’ve got a long list of adjacent films ahead!
 
 
French Girl (2024), starring Zach Braff, Evelyne Brochu, and Vanessa Hudgens, directed by James A. Woods and Nicolas Wright is our focus today.
 
 
It’s a film that’s divided audiences but also carved out an interesting little niche fanbase... it certainly gave us plenty to talk about!
 
 
James and I dig into whether it’s a modern Meet the Parents, a Canadian Two Days in Paris, or something else entirely — and how its blend of sincerity and slapstick comedy tries to makes a case that love really is the most confusing language of all.
 
Was this case made for the film.... well... let's discuss!
 
Links Mentioned In This Episode__________________
 
Woody Allen Free Press Interview
 
https://youtu.be/xc9tEipzWUk?si=zFlYjWKnnfL3wExb
 
 
Diane Keaton - Remembering Diane Keaton By ET
 
https://youtu.be/n9M6Z8Xnmus?si=kwox6GVaTK6KM785
 
 
For full cast details, user reviews, and more background on the film, check out:
 
📌 Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Girl
 
📌 IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt23319892/
 
📌 Rotten Tomatoes: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/french_girl
 
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A VERY Special Thanks to The Woody Allen Pages Website & The Woody Allen Subreddit for their continued support and info - check them out for the latest from the Woody Allen Fan Community!
 
https://www.woodyallenpages.com & https://www.reddit.com/r/woodyallen
 
PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT on this or any other episode using our comment section video link here >>> https://bit.ly/warpcom
 
If you like the show, please consider buying us a coffee / giving us a tip via our Patreon campaign >>> https://www.patreon.com/woodyretro
 
Thanks for listening as always! We would also LOVE a review on iTunes or a 5-star rating via Spotify or whichever podcast platform you are listening on. Please find all our connected links below: https://linktr.ee/woodyretro
 

Woody Adjacent – Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal & Chris Evans – Materialists (2025)

We’re back again — fresh off our little Not Woody Actually detour — with another thoughtful instillment of Woody Allen Adjacent!
 
This time, Donald and James turn their attention to Celine Song’s The Materialists. Marketed like a conventional romantic comedy, the film instead plays out as a melancholic character study about love, ambition, and the ways relationships risk becoming transactional rather than organic.
 
It’s a distinctly modern take on dating and connection — one that’s clearly split audiences, even as the critics seem to adore this one. (Critics vs. audiences… go figure. :P)
 
We ended up pretty mixed ourselves, but between the strong craft, the solid performances, and the themes at play, The Materialists made for another fascinating Woody Adjacent discussion.!
 
 
 
For full cast details, user reviews, and more background on the film, check out:
 
📌 Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Materialists_(film)
 
📌 IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30253473/
 
📌 Rotten Tomatoes: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30253473/
 
___________________________________________
 
A VERY Special Thanks to The Woody Allen Pages Website & The Woody Allen Subreddit for their continued support and info - check them out for the latest from the Woody Allen Fan Community!
 
https://www.woodyallenpages.com & https://www.reddit.com/r/woodyallen
 
PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT on this or any other episode using our comment section video link here >>> https://bit.ly/warpcom
 
If you like the show, please consider buying us a coffee / giving us a tip via our Patreon campaign >>> https://www.patreon.com/woodyretro
 
Thanks for listening as always! We would also LOVE a review on iTunes or a 5-star rating via Spotify or whichever podcast platform you are listening on. Please find all our connected links below: https://linktr.ee/woodyretro
 

Not Woody Actually #05: What's With Bill?

Well.. it seems Woody Allen just recently had a podcast 'interview' with Bill Maher which you should check out here if you have not already....
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaNryNkjPm0
 
Erm... this interview was a pretty big missed opportunity that the fans are quite frustrated with.. and for good reason.. i mean, you can just read the youtube comments.. anyhow.. here's our take on things before our next adjacent episode currently in the editing phase :)
 
 

Woody Adjacent – Steven Weber, Patrick Stewart & Michael T. Weiss – Jeffrey (1995)

Welcome back to the Woody Allen Retrospective Podcast for another episode of Woody Allen Adjacent!
 
This time around, Donald and James are diving into Jeffrey (1995), Paul Rudnick’s adaptation of his own stage play — a gay romantic comedy that mixes humour, fear, and tenderness against the backdrop of the AIDS crisis. 
 
It was another thoughtful conversation where we went a bit off script and had a mini extended chat on our first expereinces with queer cinema - as such we wanted to highlight and also recommend:
 
Chuck & Buck
Philadelphia
I Love You Phillip Morris
But I'm A Cheerleader
Brokeback Mountain
Shortbus
Dallas Buyers Club
DICKS: THE MUSICAL 
 
*We will update the list above as we remember more we wanted to spotlight!
 
Suffice to say we would love for you guys to jump in and leave a comment in our 'comment section video' >>> https://bit.ly/warpcom
 
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For full cast details, user reviews, and more background on the film, check out:
 
📌 Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeffrey_(1995_film)
 
📌 IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113464/
 
📌 Rotten Tomatoes: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/jeffrey
 
 
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A VERY Special Thanks to The Woody Allen Pages Website & The Woody Allen Subreddit for their continued support and info - check them out for the latest from the Woody Allen Fan Community!
 
https://www.woodyallenpages.com & https://www.reddit.com/r/woodyallen
 
PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT on this or any other episode using our comment section video link here >>> https://bit.ly/warpcom
 
If you like the show, please consider buying us a coffee / giving us a tip via our Patreon campaign >>> https://www.patreon.com/woodyretro
 
Thanks for listening as always! We would also LOVE a review on iTunes or a 5-star rating via Spotify or whichever podcast platform you are listening on. Please find all our connected links below: https://linktr.ee/woodyretro
 
 

Not Woody Actually #04: A Travesty of a Mockery of a Sham *Book Discussion*

Welcome back to another episode of Not Woody Actually — where we go somewhat off the rails and discuss things even more loosely related to Woody Allen than our Adjacent series.
 
In this episode, Don takes a solo deep-dive into a long-overdue topic: Patrick McGilligan’s 2025 biography of Woody Allen, A Travesty of a Mockery of a Sham.
 
This is no light read — we’re talking 848 pages or 34 hours on Audible of dense, detailed Woody Allen history. But it might just be the most comprehensive biography of Allen ever written not by the man himself. Don lightly unpacks the book’s tone, structure, strengths, and shortcomings — and shares a few surprising insights along the way.
 
With help from our trusty AI Assistant, we introduce the author, explore the book’s critical reception, and — as a bonus — Don reveals how reading Sham led him to a rare, long-forgotten Woody Allen biography… which in turn became a side project that true fans will definitely appreciate.
 
We also want to apologize to those of you who’ve been waiting a while for this discussion. As mentioned in the intro, James and Don have been deep in conversation about the podcast’s future — and that made this the perfect moment to release this solo recording instead of another Adjacent episode.
 
We hope you enjoy this shorter-than-usual but long-awaited episode — and if you’ve read Sham or have thoughts of your own, we’d love to hear from you. Drop your comments in our special tracked comment section linked below.
 
Thanks, as always, for your continued support and patience. 😊
 
 
 
🔗 Links Mentioned In this Episode:
 
Full Interview with Patrick McGilligan on the Kingdom of Dreams Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnwW6GhLy9g
 
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For full cast details, user reviews, and more background on the film, check out:
 
📌 Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_McGilligan_(biographer)
 
📌 Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Woody-Allen-Legacy-Travesty-Mockery/dp/B0BSVR9C7W
 
📌 Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/134283650-woody-allen
 
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A VERY Special Thanks to The Woody Allen Pages Website & The Woody Allen Subreddit for their continued support and info - check them out for the latest from the Woody Allen Fan Community!
 
https://www.woodyallenpages.com & https://www.reddit.com/r/woodyallen
 
PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT on this or any other episode using our comment section video link here >>> https://bit.ly/warpcom
 
If you like the show, please consider buying us a coffee / giving us a tip via our Patreon campaign >>> https://www.patreon.com/woodyretro
 
Thanks for listening as always! We would also LOVE a review on iTunes or a 5-star rating via Spotify or whichever podcast platform you are listening on. Please find all our connected links below: https://linktr.ee/woodyretro

Woody Adjacent – Jeff Daniels, Jesse Eisenberg, Laura Linney & Noah Baumbach – The Squid and the Whale (2005)

Welcome back everybody to another instillment of Woody Adjacent!
 
this time we are switching things up a little and taking a Reddit Recommendation - particularly from the Woody Allen Subreddit, an awesome community if we do say so ourselves :)
 
As such, we’re diving into 2005’s The Squid and the Whale – a semi-autobiographical indie from writer-director Noah Baumbach - this movie explores the painful unraveling of a marriage and the lasting emotional effects on the two teenage sons caught up in the fallout.
 
With some really great performances across the board, this episode clearly contains two previous Woody Alumni in a film that blends dark humour with brutal honesty that definitely echoes some Woody Allen DNA - Let’s get into it!
 
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Director Interview Mentioned / Played in Podcast:
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubckvIqxBW0
 
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For full cast details, user reviews, and more background on the film, check out:
 
📌 Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Squid_and_the_Whale
 
📌 IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0367089/
 
📌 Rotten Tomatoes: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/squid_and_the_whale
 
___________________________________________
 
A VERY Special Thanks to The Woody Allen Pages Website & The Woody Allen Subreddit for their continued support and info - check them out for the latest from the Woody Allen Fan Community!
 
https://www.woodyallenpages.com & https://www.reddit.com/r/woodyallen
 
PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT on this or any other episode using our comment section video link here >>> https://bit.ly/warpcom
 
If you like the show, please consider buying us a coffee / giving us a tip via our Patreon campaign >>> https://www.patreon.com/woodyretro
 
Thanks for listening as always! We would also LOVE a review on iTunes or a 5-star rating via Spotify or whichever podcast platform you are listening on. Please find all our connected links below: https://linktr.ee/woodyretro