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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.

Ep502: Points of Privilege

Today, The Kicking the Seat Podcast welcomes back actor/writer/filmmaker/podcaster* Art Shrian Tiwari for a post-Oscars look at the state of race and social justice on the Hollywood awards scene. In this no-holds-barred discussion, the guys scratch the surface of what's really driving Tinseltown's obsession with identity politics, and the impact of greater Academy inclusion in the post-"Oscars So White" era.

This eye-opening and sometimes uncomfortable conversation is one of the richest in KtS Podcast history, and opens the door to future explorations of the culture dynamics that shape our entertainment.

Also, Ian reminds listeners to check out tonight's special 30th anniversary Critics Classics screening of The Silence of the Lambs at Classic Cinemas Elk Grove, hosted by F! This Movie's Patrick Bromley (who also just revealed the date for this year's F This Movie Fest)!

Episode 502 is taking cancel culture for a test drive!

*If you can't get enough of Art on this episode, check out his podcasts "ArtApproved" and "Chocolate & Chai"!

Show Guide:

Intro Music: 0:00 - 0:14

Intro: 0:14 - 4:22

Transition Music ("Say Goodbye Hollywood" by Eminem): 4:22 - 4:46

Oscars/Diversity chat w/ Art Shrian Tiwari: 4:46 - 1:21:43

Outro Music: 1:21:43 - 1:21:58

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Ep503: Lovesick

Ep501: The Slowdown: MAN in the Mirror