May 24 2025

Selects: How Publicists Work

Selects 51 min 6 movies discussed
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Some people call them flacks. Other people call them liars. But if you're in the public eye and suddenly have an image problem, you'll call them your best friend. Learn all about them in this classic episode.

AI Summary

# Stuff You Should Know: Publicists

Josh and Chuck dive into the fascinating and morally complicated world of publicists—the professional spin doctors who manage celebrity images and craft media narratives. They explore how publicists operate as the crucial middlemen between celebrities and journalists, discussing the sometimes necessary white lies, strategic relationship-building, and high-pressure crisis management that comes with the job. The guys also break down what it actually takes to become a publicist, surprising anyone who thinks you need a fancy degree, and reveal some wild historical publicity stunts that show just how far people have gone to grab attention.


Movies Discussed

America's Sweethearts
America's Sweethearts
2001 1h 42m
★ 5.7
"That movie, America's Sweethearts. Did you ever see that with John Cusack? — Referenced as a film featuring Billy Crystal playing a publicist character in a Hollywood couple's story." — Chuck
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
1964 1h 35m
★ 8.1
"I finally saw Dr. Strangelove. Oh, really? Great movie. One of the best. — Josh discusses watching this classic satire film and praises it as one of the best movies." — Josh
Friends
Friends
1994
★ 8.4
"Who's also on Friends? Louis Stamford. She played Phoebe's half-brother Giovanni Robisi, played his girlfriend or wife. — Referenced to discuss the actress who played Jerry's publicist appearing on Friends as well." — Josh
Seinfeld
Seinfeld
1989
★ 8.3
"the best portrayal of a publicist is on Seinfeld. The mom from that 70s show, remember she played Seinfeld's publicist? — Referenced for having a memorable portrayal of a publicist character played by an actress from That 70s Show." — Chuck
That '70s Show
That '70s Show
1998
★ 7.9
"The mom from that 70s show, remember she played Seinfeld's publicist? — Referenced as the show where the actress (Kitty) who played Jerry's publicist on Seinfeld came from." — Chuck
The Mouse That Roared
The Mouse That Roared
1959 1h 23m
★ 6.3
"for the premiere of The Mouse That Roared, the great Peter Sellers movie, he opened an embassy — Referenced as an example of Jim Moran's publicity stunts, where he opened an embassy for a mythical country." — Chuck

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