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Welcome to Kicking the Seat!

Ian Simmons launched Kicking the Seat in 2009, one week after seeing Nora Ephron’s Julie & Julia. His wife proposed blogging as a healthier outlet for his anger than red-faced, twenty-minute tirades (Ian is no longer allowed to drive home from the movies).

The Kicking the Seat Podcast followed three years later and, despite its “undiscovered gem” status, Ian thoroughly enjoys hosting film critic discussions, creating themed shows, and interviewing such luminaries as Gaspar NoéRachel BrosnahanAmy Seimetz, and Richard Dreyfuss.

Ian is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association. He also has a family, a day job, and conflicted feelings about referring to himself in the third person.

Ep450: Phantoms and Fragility

Today, the Kicking the Seat Podcast celebrates 450 episodes with two eye-opening interviews! Last week, Ian sat down with director Brian Rose, following the Siskel Center premiere of his astonishing documentary, When I Last Saw Jesse. The guys talked about the inspiration for the film; getting to know the family of a missing person; and what it takes to get a grass-roots indie seen in the ultra-competitive film festival landscape.

But first, comedian Jim Gaffigan returns to talk about his revelatory dark-side turn in Derrick Borte's thriller, American Dreamer. What happens when a rideshare driver decides to rip off the drug dealer who's hired him for the evening? Find out when the film hits VOD this Friday. In the meantime, enjoy a quick chat in which Mr. Gaffigan talks about auditioning, playing against type, and what keeps him motivated through his crazy showbiz life!

Episode 450 is just getting started!

Show Guide:

Intro Music: 0:00 - 0:14

Intro: 0:14 - 3:26

Jim Gaffigan Interview (American Dreamer): 3:26 - 18:43

Intro Ct'd: 18:43 - 20:42

Transition Music: 20:42 - 21:40

Brian Rose Interview: 21:40 - 1:26:36

Outro Music: 1:26:36 - 1:26:52

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Ep451: BLOOD Drive

Ep449: Nothing Gold Can Stay