Best Actress Podcast (2024)

21/12/2023

That's all folks…for now! ✌️After almost 4
years I've decided it's time to hang up my hat with Best Actress Podcast. Thank you to everyone who has listened to and supported the show over the years, especially my Patrons! This podcast was a labor of love and I am so proud of what we accomplished with my many wonderful co-hosts. This podcast was listened to across the globe and I'm happy it brought joy and entertainment to so many people. Stay tuned for future projects and I will see you all at Howard's End 🖤

19/10/2023

My new comedy album ‘A Lylebility’ is now available on iTunes and all streaming platforms.

Could not be happier with how this turned out so I just want to say a big thank you to everyone who came to the recordings and supported the shows. Especially to the people I make fun of on this album. Your presence gives validity to my stories.

Go listen now!

Credits:
Recording 🎤: Dean Watson
Sound Production 🎛️ : Dean Watson
Photography 📸 : Ryan Dillon
Design 🧑‍🎨 : Kyle Brownrigg
Artwork 🎨 : Kyle Brownrigg

Finally a BIG thank you to everyone at

22/12/2022

[ For full episode catalogue please subscribe to our Patreon at Patreon.com/BestActress ]

NEW EPISODE ALERT
The year is 1975 and the nominees are:
1. Valerie Perrine - Lenny 2. Faye Dunaway - Chinatown 3. Gena Rowlands - A Woman Under the Influence 4. Ellen Burstyn - Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore 5. Diahann Carroll - Claudine

In 1975 Ellen Burstyn won the Best Actress Oscar for Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore. This was arguably one of the most competitive years in Best Actress history. Each one of these nominees could have easily walked away with the award. In fact, they each won other ‘Best Actress’ awards for their respected roles leading up to the Oscars. I think for me personally it just comes down to personal taste. One of the best years to discuss!
Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Josh Murray as they discuss.
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08/12/2022

NEW EPISODE ALERT

The year is 2012 and the nominees are:
1. Michelle Williams - My Week with Marilyn
2. Viola Davis - The Help
3. Rooney Mara - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
4. Meryl Streep - The Iron Lady
5. Glenn Close - Albert Nobbs
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In 2012 Meryl Streep won her third Oscar (second for Lead Actress) playing Margaret Thatcher in The Iron lady. She swept award season with this performance. Weinstein’s angle during the campaign season was that Meryl hadn’t won since Sophie’s Choice- she was over due. This award seemed to be in the bag for Streep until Viola Davis showed up to the table with her incredible performance as Aibileen in The Help. A role she would later express regret toward due to the film’s white saviour narrative. White saviour narrative aside - it’s a heartbreaking performance and a real contender for this Oscar. Rooney Mara made her Oscar debut in the Hollywood version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. The original role was played by Noomi Rapace. Michelle Williams played Marilyn Monroe in My Week with Marilyn; which she won the Golden Globe for. Glenn Close received her 6th Oscar nomination for playing Albert Nobbs, a woman disguised as a man trying to survive in 19th century Ireland. Very strong year!
Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Fiona O’Brien as they discuss.
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28/11/2022

Hey Best Actress listeners! We’re officially on Patreon at patreon.com/BestActress. Here’s how it works! New episodes will always be free with a total of 10 episodes available at all times. When a new episode is released, the oldest will go to Patreon where you can access the entire catalogue of episodes ad-free at any time with your subscription. Patrons will also get access to new episodes 1 day earlier than everyone else. Visit patreon.com/bestactress to become a patron today! Come on ladies! It’s a Fritz Bernaise! It’s no question!

24/11/2022

NEW EPISODE ALERT

The year is 1970 and the nominees are:

1. Maggie Smith - The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
2. Genevieve Bujold - Anne of the Thousand Days
3. Jane Fonda - They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?
4. Liza Minnelli - The Sterile Cuckoo
5. Jean Simmons - The Happy Ending
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In 1970 Maggie Smith won her first of two Oscars for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. Smith plays an eccentric schoolteacher in a conservative school during the 1930’s in Edinburgh, Scotland. She had won the BAFTA for Best Lead Actress but odds on favourite at the Oscars was Jane Fonda in They Shoot Horses, Don’t They. Many speculated she (Fonda) lost this Oscar due to an arrest on Fort Hood military reservation as well as rumours of drug use and adultery had cost her the award. Remember! It was the late 1960’s/70’s. However Smith delivers an amazing performance in TPOMJB. Liza Minnelli became a first time nominee in The Sterile Cuckoo. A role Judy Garland urged her not to play worried it would make her seem unattractive. I don’t agree! Pookie (the character Minnelli plays) is obnoxiously charming! Genevieve Bujold plays Anne Boleyn in Anne of the Thousand Days. A fantastic performance and I would recommend if you enjoy period pieces. Finally, Jean Simmons was nominated for The Happy Ending - a hilarious camp film about a woman who walks out on her family (inexplicably) and struggles with drug and alcohol addiction.
Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Luke McFarlane as they discuss.

28/10/2022

NEW EPISODE ALERT

The year is 1972 and the nominees are:

1. Glenda Jackson - Sunday Bloody Sunday
2. Jane Fonda - Klute
3. Janet Suzman - Nicholas and Alexandra
4. Vanessa Redgrave - Mary, Queen of Scots
5. Julie Christie - McCabe & Mrs. Miller

In 1972 Jane Fonda won her first Oscar for playing Bree Daniels, a New York pr******te, in the iconic thriller Klute (still don’t understand why it’s called Klute). This was a very interesting year in that there was a very clear winner. I generally find doing this podcast each batch of nominees has strong competition but, sadly, I didn’t feel that this episode. Glenda Jackson was likely her biggest competition but having won Best Actress the year prior, it was unlikely. Also I feel her performance as Queen Elizabeth in Mary, Queen of Scots was more interesting and more deserving of a nomination. Venessa Redgrave as Mary was a wonderful performance but I felt Jackson stole the show. Julie Christie in McCabe & Mrs. Miller had such presence but it left me wanting more. Finally, Janet Suzman in her screen debut portrayed Alexandra of the Romanov dynasty gave a fine performance but the historical inaccuracies and confusing plot points distracted from the performance. Listen to the episode for all of our thoughts!

Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Cathryn Naiker as they discuss.
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13/10/2022

NEW EPISODE ALERT

The year is 2014 and the nominees are:

1. Lupita Nyong’o - 12 Years a Slave
2. June Squibb - Nebraska
3. Sally Hawkins - Blue Jasmine
4. Julia Roberts - August Osage County
5. Jennifer Lawrence - American Hustle

In 2014 Lupita Nyong’o walked away with an Oscar for her debut film role playing Patsy in Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave. It was a bit of a nail biter that evening as Lawrence had won almost every supporting trophy leading up to that night. Jennifer Lawrence had previously won for lead actress the previous year so it would make her win unlikely. Still! She had a solid shot at this award. Julia Roberts was also a strong competitor in this category for her iconic screaming-at-Meryl-Streep-scenes in August Osage County. Sally Hawkins and June Squibb became first time nominees for their respective work in Blue Jasmine and Nebraska. Amazing performances by all however I personally believe the top three to be Nyong’o, Lawrence, and Roberts. Who do you think should have won?
Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Rob Browne as they discuss.
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04/08/2022

NEW EPISODE ALERT

The year is 1982 and the nominees are:

1. Katharine Hepburn - On Golden Pond
2. Susan Sarandon - Atlantic City
3. Marsha Mason - Only When I Laugh
4. Diane Keaton - Reds
5. Meryl Streep - The French Lieutenant’s Woman

In 1982 Katharine Hepburn became the first (and still only) actor to have 4 Academy Awards for a performance by an actor in a lead role. As Ethel in On Golden Pond she plays the wife/mother of the Fondas (Henry and Jane) in an emotional driven story about family and relationships, new and old. Hepburn was not present for the ceremony to receive her Oscar (as was her style) though neither was Henry Fonda or Sir John Gielgud (who won Supporting for Arthur). Susan Sarandon became a first time nominee in Atlantic City in a gritty gangster drama playing opposite Burt Lancaster. Marsha Mason became a four time nominee (still no wins) for Only When I Laugh playing a Broadway actress returning home from rehab. Meryl Streep received her first Best Actress in a leading role nomination for The French Lieutenant’s Woman, a role which she describes as her least favourite (but it’s still pretty impressive). Finally Diane Keaton plays Louise Bryant in Reds demonstrating her range and proving she can handle a historic drama. Very interesting year! Who do you think should have won?
Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Glenn Sumi as they discuss.
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21/07/2022

NEW EPISODE ALERT

The year is 1986 and the nominees are:

1. Whoopi Goldberg - The Color Purple
2. Meryl Streep - Out of Africa
3. Jessica Lange - Sweet Dreams
4. Geraldine Page - The Trip to Bountiful
5. Anne Bancroft - Agnes of God

In 1986 Geraldine Page finally won her Oscar after being nominated 8 times over the course of 3 decades (similar to Glenn Close - 8 nominations over the course of 4 decades). When she won she was met with thunderous applause and a standing ovation. The industry felt she was overdue and wanted to celebrate her big moment, which is great, but was she the best actress that year? The Color Purple was nominated for 11 Oscars and won 0 and Steven Spielberg was even snubbed as Best Director. Many people thought Whoopi should have won for playing Celie -a black southern woman who struggles to find her identity after suffering abuse from her father and others over four decades. You also have Meryl Streep at her finest in the cinematic epic (and best Picture Winner) Out of Africa. This is a very stacked year. Jessica Lange gave an amazing performance as country singer Patsy Cline. Anne Bancroft played Mother Miriam Ruth in Agnes of God defending the possibility of an immaculate conception of one of her nuns (a role which Geraldine Page originated on Broadway and was nominated for a Tony). Much to discuss on this episode!

Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Mayce Galoni as they discuss.

07/07/2022

NEW EPISODE ALERT

The year is 2004 and the nominees are:
1. Keisha Castle-Hughes - Whale Rider
2. Naomi Watts - 21 Grams
3. Diane Keaton - Something’s Gotta Give
4. Charlize Theron - Monster
5. Samantha Morton - In America

In 2004 Charlize Theron received her first Oscar nomination and win for playing Aileen Wuornos who was a pr******te and serial killer. This haunting performance remains one of the best in Oscar history (IMO). This was a very strong year with very diverse performances each brilliant in their own way. Naomi Watts gave a devastating performance in the movie 21 Grams playing a woman who loses her children and husband in a hit and run accident. Samantha Morton plays an Irish immigrant trying to make it in America while trying to overcome the loss of her son. Diane Keaton plays in a much more light hearted rom-com defying age in a brave (and funny) performance in Something’s Gotta Give. Finally Keisha Castle-Hughes gives a captivating performance in Whale Rider becoming (at the time) the youngest Best Actress nominee at 13. The current record is held by Quvenzhané Wallis who was nominated at 9.

Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Jesse Reynolds as they discuss.
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16/06/2022

The year is 2009 and the nominees are:

1. Melissa Leo - Frozen River
2. Anne Hathaway - Rachel Getting Married
3. Angelina Jolie - Changeling
4. Meryl Streep - Doubt
5. Kate Winslet - The Reader

In 2009 Kate Winslet FINALLY won her Oscar for The Reader (I say FINALLY because by the time she won she should have already had at least 1 Oscar (probably for Sense & Sensibility or The Tanic’)). Originally Winslet wanted to go supporting for The Reader and lead for Revolutionary Road but the Academy insisted on doubling down (no nomination for Revolutionary Road) on The Reader in a lead category. This was one of my favourite years to discuss for this podcast, each performance was incredible in its own way. Anne Hathaway became a first time nominee in Rachel Getting Married playing a manic narcissist who insists on always being the centre of attention. Melissa Leo in Frozen River delivers a gritty performance of a woman who smuggles people across the Canadian border in order to make ends meat. Meryl Streep gives another knockout performance in Doubt as the head nun/principal of a catholic school who suspects the priest (Philip Seymour Hoffman) of molesting a student. Angelina Jolie received her first lead nomination in Changeling playing the real life Christine Collins whose child went missing and is replaced by an imposter child by the LAPD.

Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Fiona O’Brien (Saint*) as they discuss.

26/05/2022

NEW EPISODE ALERT
The year is 2015 and the nominees are:

1. Emma Stone - Birdman
2. Patricia Arquette - Boyhood
3. Meryl Streep - Into the Woods
4. Laura Dern - Wild
5. Keira Knightley - The Imitation Game

In 2015 Patricia Arquette won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for Boyhood, a coming-of-age drama that the director spent twelve years making. Arquette plays Olivia the mother of Mason (the character whom the story is about) who struggles at various times financially and as a single parent. Arquette won all the major awards for this performance. It’s hard to say who her biggest competition would have been this season. Many fantastic but very different performances. Meryl Streep was offered 3 witch roles after turning 40 and had a rule of ‘no witches’ because she viewed it as ageist. She made an acceptation for Into the Woods after meeting composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim and Rob Marshall. Emma Stone received her first nomination for Birdman playing the daughter of washed up action star Riggan Thomson. Laura Dern received her second nomination since 1991’s Rambling Rose, this time in a supporting role, for Wild playing the mother of Cheryl. Dern receives a terminal diagnosis and Cheryl’s life spins out of control and she eventually embarks on a thousand mile hike of the Pacific Crest Trail. Finally, Keira Knightley was nominated for one of my favourite films The Imitation Game playing Joan Clarke an English cryptanalyst and numismatist known for her code breaking during the Second World War and supporting character to Alan Turing.
Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Adrian Cronk as they discuss.
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13/05/2022

NEW EPISODE ALERT

The year is 1994 and the nominees are:

1. Angela Bassett - What’s Love Got to Do with It
2. Holly Hunter - The Piano
3. Emma Thompson - The Remains of the Day
4. Debra Winger - Shadowlands
5. Stockard Channing - Six Degrees of Separation

In 1994 Holly Hunter won the Best Actress Oscar for The Piano directed by Jane Campion. This was the first time a female director was nominated for Best Director for directing a Best Picture nominee. Hunter plays a mute Scottish woman who uses her piano to express herself. Hunter actually played all the piano scenes herself. Angela Bassett gave a career best portraying Tina Turner in What’s Love Got to Do with It. Emma Thompson gave a familiar performance in The Remains of the Day playing opposite Anthony Hopkins in a story of unrequited love. Debra Winger was nominated for a similar film to Thompson in Shadowlands playing Joy Gresham wife of emotionally distant CS Lewis (Anthony Hopkins). Stockard Channing reprised her Tony nominated role in Six Degrees of Separation for the big screen.
Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Fiona O’Brien as they discuss.
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28/04/2022

NEW EPISODE ALERT

The year is 1960 and the nominees are:

1. Katherine Hepburn - Suddenly, Last Summer
2. Elizabeth Taylor - Suddenly, Last Summer
3. Doris Day - Pillow Talk
4. Audrey Hepburn - The Nun’s Story
5. Simone Signoret - Room at the Top

In 1960 Simone Signoret became the second French actress (the first was Claudette Colbert) to win the Academy Award for Best Actress for a British film, Room at the Top. This was one of the first British films to openly depict adultery and suggest s*x was enjoyable. It received an ‘X’ rating and, naturally, was a huge box office success. Signoret won best actress at the National Board of Review, Cannes, and BAFTAs. Her competition was absolutely star studded! Katherine Hepburn & Elizabeth Taylor were both nominated for ‘Suddenly, Last Summer’ - an INSANE movie with homophobic undertones and hilarious mental health tropes with amazing performances from both Taylor and Hepburn. Although they had extremely repetitive dialogue, I would recommend giving it a watch if only for it’s campy value and Hepburn’s fabulous elevator entrance(s). Doris Day was nominated for her ‘risqué’ work in Pillow Talk - playing an interior decorator being deceived and manipulated by Rock Hudson for romantic purposes (lol @ the 50’s). Audrey Hepburn was nominated for The Nun’s Story portraying the real life story of Marie-Louise Habets who struggles with her devotion to her vows during crisis, disappointment, and WW2.

Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Dan Dillabough as they discuss.
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14/04/2022

🚨 NEW EPISODE ALERT 🚨

The year is 1995 and the nominees are:

1. Jodie Foster - Nell
2. Miranda Richardson - Tom & Viv
3. Susan Sarandon - The Client
4. Winona Ryder - Little Women
5. Jessica Lange - Blue Sky

In 1995 Jessica Lange won her second Oscar for Blue Sky playing the wife of a nuclear engineer living on a military base who eventually becomes part of a cover-up. This year is regarded as one of the most “meh” years in Oscar history for Best Actress - mostly due to the fact that the roles for women at this time weren’t great. It was said by critics that these nominees were great actresses nominated for their careers or body of work rather than an individual performance on screen that year (yikes). I have to admit, I agree. This was a bit of a painful episode but one of my favourites to discuss. Other nominees included Miranda Richardson for Tom & Viv playing the wife of T.S. Eliot and is described as “morally insane” (same girl). Susan Sarandon was nominated for The Client playing a lawyer defending a child who witnesses the su***de of a mafia lawyer. Jodie Foster was nominated for Nell playing a feral woman found in the woods (many argued she should have been supporting, at best). Finally, Winona Ryder plays Jo in Little Women (fantastically so!).

Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Bryan Hatt as they discuss.
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31/03/2022

🚨 NEW EPISODE ALERT 🚨The year is 1983 and the nominees are:

1. Julie Andrews - Victor/Victoria
2. Jessica Lange - Frances
3. Meryl Streep - Sophie’s Choice
4. Sissy Spacek - Missing
5. Debra Winger - An Officer and a Gentleman

In 1983 Meryl Streep won her second Oscar for a performance that is regarded as one of the greatest of all time in Sophie’s Choice. Streep plays a Polish woman who survives the holocaust because she speaks German, French, English, and becomes an asset to the Nazi’s. Her biggest competition this evening was Jessica Lange for the movie Frances playing the late Frances Farmer. For the record, the real Frances Farmer never had a lobotomy. Julie Andrews was nominated for a gender bending role in the very gay friendly musical, Victor/Victoria. Sissy Spacek received her third Oscar notation for ‘Missing’ playing the wife of an idealistic American writer during the Chilean coup d’état in 1973. Debra Winger was nominated for her iconic role in An Officer and a Gentleman. Winger despises this movie and likes to deny she ever had any involvement (fair).

Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Cathryn Naiker as they discuss.
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17/03/2022

🚨 NEW EPISODE ALERT 🚨The year is 1981 and the nominees are:.
1. Gena Rowlands - Gloria 2. Goldie Hawn - Private Benjamin 3. Mary Tyler Moore - Ordinary People 4. Ellen Burstyn - Resurrection 5. Sissy Spacek - Coal Miner’s Daughter
In 1981 Sissy Spacek won the Best Actress Academy Award for Coal Miner’s Daughter playing country music legend, Loretta Lynn. This was one of the 4 roles that Meryl Streep was turned down for. Up until this point, it wasn’t common for actors to win Oscars playing real people (as it is today). This win is sort of the gold standard of how an actress should approach playing a real person. Mary Tyler Moore was likely her biggest competition this evening playing an emotionally distant mother mourning the loss of her eldest son. It was a big departure from how the world knew her up until that point because of The Mary Tyler Moore show. Goldie Hawn received her first lead actress nomination for Private Benjamin, an absolute gem. Gena Rowlands was nominated for another film directed by husband John Cassavetes, Gloria. Ellen Burstyn was nominated for Resurrection playing a woman with super natural healing powers. An odd film but worth the watch (if not only for the campy value).
Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Christophe Davidson as they discuss.
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03/03/2022

🚨 NEW EPISODE ALERT 🚨The year is 2019 and the nominees are:.
1. Lady Gaga - A Star is Born 2. Melissa McCarthy - Can You Ever Forgive Me? 3. Olivia Colman - The Favourite 4. Yalitza Aparicio 5. Glenn Close - The Wife
In 2019 Olivia Coleman won the Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role for The Favourite. Glenn-always-so-Close was the favourite to win for The Wife and her campaign narrative was basically, ‘it’s about time we give her her Oscar.’ She was visibly disappointed by Coleman’s win in the telecast (frankly, give her an Oscar just for that reaction) and rightfully so. Coleman even mentioned it in her speech. Very interesting year! Lady Gaga’s star was BORN (this way) with the 4th remake of ASIB. She may not have won for acting but she at least walked away with a statue for the film (Best Original Song). Yalitza Aparicio was nominated for her very first film (the dream) for Roma playing Alfonso Cuarón’s childhood nanny, Cleo. Melissa McCarthy redeemed her career (frankly) with Can You Ever Forgive Me? I feel like the title is asking for forgiveness for her string of terrible films directed by her husband Ben Falcone (Tammy, The Boss, Life of the Party). She even won worst actress at the Razzies for Life of the Party while simultaneously winning the ‘Redeemer Award’ for Can You Ever Forgive Me. As a comedian, I think that’s hilarious. Very interesting year!
Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Robert Watson as they discuss.
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17/02/2022

🚨 NEW EPISODE ALERT 🚨The year is 1989 and the nominees are:.
1. Sigourney Weaver- Working Girl 2. Joan Cusack - Working Girl 3. Frances McDormand - Mississippi Burning 4. Michelle Pfeiffer - Dangerous Liaisons 5. Geena Davis - The Accidental Tourist
In 1989 Geena Davis won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for The Accidental Tourist. This film is not as well known as the rest of her work (comparatively speaking). Leading up to the Oscars Davis did not receive nominations from any other award circuit. If you watch the telecast of the win Davis looked visibly shocked when she won (as did some of the other nominees). I love Geena Davis but I find it interesting how she has an Oscar for her least known role (to the average movie goer). Working Girl received two nominations respectively for Weaver and Cusack (and for Cusack’s hair). Michelle Pfeiffer was nominated for Dangerous Liaisons (the original Cruel Intentions) and probably expected to win this award (she won the BAFTA leading up to it). Finally, Frances McDormand received her first nomination for Mississippi Burning playing the wife of a Klan member in the south.
Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Ted Morris as they discuss.
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03/02/2022

🚨 NEW EPISODE ALERT 🚨The year is 2018 and the nominees are:.
1. Sally Hawkins - The Shape of Water 2. Meryl Streep - The Post 3. Frances McDormand - Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri 4. Margot Robbie - I, Tonya 5. Saoirse Ronan - Lady Bird
In 2018 Frances McDormand won her second of three Academy Awards for Best Actress for the film Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. It was her husband Joel Coen who convinced her to take the role. She protested the gig because she felt her character from this socio-economic strata would not wait until 38 to have her first child. Honestly, fair, but I bet she’s glad she accepted the role now! Her fellow nominees included Meryl Streep for The Post - the first time Streep and Spielberg worked together. Sally Hawkins in the Best Picturing winning film, The Shape of Water where she plays a mute woman who falls in love with ‘swamp thing.’ Saoirse Ronan in one of her most critically acclaimed role (oddly not one of my fav films of her’s (though I LOVE Ronan)) in Lady Bird. Finally, Margot Robbie in I, Tonya portraying her version of Tonya Harding’s controversial global figuring skating scandal.
Join host Kyle Brownrigg with guest host Rob Browne as they discuss.
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Best Actress Podcast