"Is This Thing On?"

The Next Best Picture Podcast

Tv & Film

4.2 • 542 Ratings

🗓️ 24 December 2025

⏱️ 20 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

THIS IS A PREVIEW PODCAST. NOT THE FULL REVIEW. Please check out the full podcast review on our Patreon Page by subscribing over at - https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture For this week's second podcast review, Ema Sasic, Josh Parham, and Dan Bayer join me to discuss the latest film from Academy Award-nominee Bradley Cooper, "Is This Thing On?" starring Will Arnett, Laura Dern, Andra Day, Amy Sedaris, Sean Hayes, Christine Ebersole, Ciarán Hinds, and Cooper. Loosely inspired by the life of British comedian John Bishop, the film had its world premiere as the closing-night film at the New York Film Festival, receiving positive reviews for Cooper's restrained direction, the writing alongside co-writers Arnett and Mark Chappell, and the performances from Arnett and Dern. What did we think of it? Please tune in as we discuss these elements: the cinematography by Matthew Libatique, the stand-up comedy, Cooper's career trajectory as a director, its awards season chances, and more in our SPOILER-FILLED review. Thank you for listening, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	You were listening to The Next Best Picture Podcast, and this is our review of this single. Fifteen-buck cover. To get a drink? Hey. Yeah. How come she didn't have to pay $15? She signed up for the open mic. Look at me. I kind of look like the guy who tells you the Ferris wheel doesn't work at the amusement part. I got a date better man. My ex wouldn't let me touch his magic, the gathering cards.
0:23.6	I'm gonna shake it up tonight.
0:24.6	So let's put your hands together for Alex Novak.
0:27.6	I think I'm getting a divorce.
0:42.3	What did me off was that I'm living in an apartment on my own.
0:48.6	And my wife and kids don't live there.
0:51.7	That was probably the biggest clue.
0:53.4	All right, everybody, you were just listening to the trailer for Is This Thing On,
0:57.0	and the story is as follows.
0:59.0	As their marriage unravels, Alex faces middle age and divorce, seeking new purpose in the
1:05.0	New York comedy scene.
1:07.0	Meanwhile, his wife Tess confronts sacrifices made for their family, forcing them to navigate
1:12.1	co-parenting and identities.
1:15.2	The film is starring.
1:17.2	Will Arnette, Laura Dern, Bradley Cooper, Antra Day, Christine Ebersol, and Kieran Hines.
1:25.9	It is written and directed by Bradley Cooper,
1:30.6	and it is co-written by Will Arnette and Mark Chappell.
1:32.3	Or is it Chappelle?
1:33.3	I don't know.
1:34.4	I'm going to go with Chappell.
1:37.7	Here to join me today for this podcast review.
1:40.1	I have, Emma Sassick.
	...

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