Recode Decode: 'Mr. Robot' creator Sam Esmail

Decoder with Nilay Patel

Vox Media Podcast Network

Technology, Business

4.3 • 3.2K Ratings

🗓️ 24 October 2016

⏱️ 50 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

"Mr. Robot" creator Sam Esmail talks with Recode's Kara Swisher about his hit TV show, whose star Rami Malek recently won an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a drama. Esmail says he grew up loving both movies and technology, and was disappointed by Hollywood's seeming inability to portray hackers in TV shows and movies authentically. The secret to the success of 'Mr. Robot,' he says, is that he's more interested in the complex humanity of both the characters and the people who make technology, rather than the tech itself. He also discusses how platforms like Netflix and Amazon have shaped his line of work and explains why he's interested in working in several mediums, such as video games and virtual reality, simultaneously. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Today's sponsor is Audible with an unmatched selection of audiobooks, original audio shows, news, comedy, and more.
0:06.5	Get a free audiobook with a 30-day trial at audible.com slash decode.
0:13.0	Recode Radio presents Recode Decode, hosted by Cara Swisher, powered by digital media.
0:20.0	Hi, I'm Cara Swisher, executive editor of Recode.
0:22.5	You may know me as a diehard fan of the 100% accurate 1995 movie hackers,
0:28.0	but in my spare time, I talk tech and you're listening to Recode Decode, a podcast about tech and media's key players, big ideas, and how they're changing the world we live in.
0:37.0	You can subscribe to Recode Decode at iTunes.com slash Recode Decode, and while you're there, leave us a review.
0:43.0	Today in the Red Chair is Sam Ismail, the screenwriter, producer, and director best known for creating the USA Network's TV show and hit Mr. Robot.
0:53.0	The show stars Rami Malik as a hacker and cyber vigilante who is recruited by the mysterious anarchist to take down the company known as E-Corp.
1:02.0	Mr. Robot was nominated for six Emmys in 2016 and in September it won two of them, outstanding music composition for a series and outstanding lead actor for Rami Malik.
1:13.0	Sam, welcome to Recode Decode.
1:15.0	Thank you Cara.
1:16.0	So you're the brains behind this fantastic show.
1:19.0	And the beauty.
1:21.0	That's amazing. You're not in front of the...
1:23.0	Yeah, I know, I'm shocked.
1:24.0	So, you know, I've been told about it, I guess, from NBC People.
1:27.0	So you're going to love this show when it comes out. This was way before it was happening.
1:31.0	And they were getting ready to put it out there.
1:34.0	Let me talk a little bit about the show first about what its implications and why you decided to do it.
1:39.0	But first I kind of want to talk about your background because you're a geek.
1:42.0	Total geek.
	...

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