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In this episode of Blank Check with Griffin and David, the hosts are joined by podcast host Libby Watson to discuss Martin Scorsese's 1993 period drama The Age of Innocence. The conversation begins with an extensive, highly specific detour through nineties television programming and sitcom time slots before transitioning into the Gilded Age etiquette, food, and class structures depicted in Scorsese's film. The discussion centers on Daniel Day-Lewis's meticulous preparation and performance as Newland Archer, Winona Ryder's deceptively powerful role as May, and the suffocating psychological weight of high-society conformity.
David and Griffin review their recent live episode, discuss the Dynasty livestream, and tease future content.
The hosts debate the authenticity of Daniel Day‑Lewis’s portrayal of a 19th‑century character, referencing Frasier’s style.
Discussion of NBC’s Thursday night lineup, Frasier’s time‑slot changes, and the concept of “must‑see TV.”
Hosts recount the evolution of the Thursday night lineup from Friends to Frasier, including other sitcoms and their fates.
The episode officially introduces guest Libby Watson and outlines the focus on the Pulitzer‑winning novel and podcast.
David and Griffin showcase their ad spots for mattresses, shopping sites, and Audible, blending promotion with conversation.
A lighthearted segment where the hosts share their experiences with zombie movies and video games, revealing personal fears.
The hosts swap stories about Frasier, British TV, and the nuances of UK slang, highlighting cultural differences.
Hosts riff on family resemblance and set the stage for discussing the film adaptation of Edith Wharton's novel.
Conversation dives into the historical accuracy of Fifth Avenue and the film’s depiction of 1870s Manhattan.
Discussion turns to the film’s faithfulness to the novel, its portrayal of class, and the characters’ inner lives.
Hosts share personal anecdotes about their great‑aunt’s creation of the Wombles and its cultural impact in Britain.
The episode concludes with sponsor plugs, a brief recap, and a teaser for future content.
Talk shifts to casting decisions, character relationships, and the film’s narrative structure and voice‑over use.
Hosts recount the behind‑the‑scenes journey of getting Scorsese on board and the script’s development challenges.
The conversation focuses on Day‑Lewis’s preparation, his relationship with Scorsese, and his approach to the role of Newland Archer.
The hosts recount a story about Jared Harris’s intense commitment to playing Ulysses S. Grant and how Daniel Day‑Lewis’s own performance style influenced the set.
Exploration of the film’s plot, character dynamics, and thematic elements such as infidelity, power, and societal expectations.
Hosts compare the film’s depiction of 19th‑century New York with Victorian British customs, touching on class, opera wars, and social rituals.
The episode wraps up with final thoughts, a nod to upcoming topics, and a playful sign‑off.
Must See TV Historyinsight
The hosts spend the beginning of the episode deep-diving into the complicated scheduling history and ratings of NBC's iconic Must See TV Thursday lineup, specifically focusing on Frasier.
Scorsese's Most Violent Filminsight
The hosts argue that The Age of Innocence is secretly Martin Scorsese's most violent film because the upper-class characters destroy each other with polite words rather than guns.
Family Resemblancesstory
The guest and hosts share funny and devastating anecdotes about looking like their parents and grandparents as they age.
Jay Cox gave Scorsese the book in 1980, but years passed through various studio switches and heavy hitters before Columbia finally picked it up.
A fascinating detail about Day-Lewis's acting process is revealed: he develops a unique fragrance or essential oil for every character he plays.
A historical food stylist's notes reveal the bizarre progression of a high-society Gilded Age dinner, featuring turtle soup, fish, Roman punch, and multiple meat courses.
The hosts look at the box office charts for September 1993, where The Age of Innocence opened at number six behind Bruce Willis's Striking Distance and The Fugitive.
“Incredible that the backbone of must see TV, they would cycle in other shows for a couple of seasons”
“where it was weird to push a pre-existing show that hard”
“This is a podcast about filmography, as directors who have massive success early on in their careers, and are given a series of blank checks to make whatever crazy passion projects they want”
“And I've been working for years on a master document of every game based on a movie we've covered”
“I mean, anyone can make a fucking Yorkshire pudding. We make them here. They're just called popovers here”
“I found it really unseemly. I found the arrogance and the elitism of it very upsetting to me.”
“I think it's like the Richard E. Grant character in this movie is quietly one of the most fascinating characters.”
“I'll be drunk as fuck the whole time.”
“I'm sitting there watching this performance and going like, is this what I would call a passive aggressive Oscar nomination?”
“And then I got to the twist and I was like, I 100% get this. She fucking nailed this.”
Join us this week as we step into the Gilded Age with 1993's The Age of Innocence, an unexpected swerve from the guy who just directed Goodfellas and Cape Fear. But, as many film bros on Letterboxd will say - hot take, this is actually Scorsese's "most violent" movie! Libby Watson of the What's All This Then? podcast graces us with her presence, encouraging much discussion of British things, including Griffin's ancestral connection to the Wobbles and Miriam Margoyles' many appearances on Graham Norton. And, of course, there's much Dan Lewis discussion. Sign up for Check Book https://blankcheckpod.substack.com/welcome, the Blank Check newsletter featuring even more “real nerdy shit” to feed your pop culture obsession. Dossier excerpts, film biz AND burger reports, and even more exclusive content you won’t want to miss out on. Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes. http://www.patreon.com/blankcheck Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter https://x.com/blankcheckpod?lang=en, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/blankcheckpod/?hl=en, Threads https://www.threads.net/@blankcheckpod?xmt=AQGzctAh4mbWTwYzCV1pzNT6AMV9o99EOfymi8TLR5mTde0 and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/blankcheckpodcast/! Buy some real nerdy merch https://kinshipgoods.com/blankcheck Connect with other Blankies on our Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/blankies/s/gpcOkQr8Sv or Discord https://discord.gg/Q6YGSR3JrA For anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com https://www.blankcheckpod.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.
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