Explore every episode of the podcast Supporting Actresses
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drop Dead Gorgeous | 10 Jun 2025 | 01:25:59 | |
Amy Adams made her cinematic debut with the 1999 cult classic mockumentary Drop Dead Gorgeous, where she plays American Teen Princess Pageant contestant Leslie Miller, a cheerleader with a voracious sexual appetite and a heart of gold. We talk about Amy's transition from dinner theater to the big screen, and the way Drop Dead Gorgeous failed to find an audience—at least not for several years. Plus: our Amy Adams origin stories, being a pro-slut podcast, and the inherent queerness of bad pacing. | |||
| Psycho Beach Party (with John Hill) | 18 Jun 2025 | 01:20:20 | |
Amy Adams' second film was the 2000 comedy-horror satire Psycho Beach Party, adapted from Charles Busch's play of the same name, where she plays maneater and ice cream sandwich enthusiast Marvel Ann. We're joined by radio and podcast host John Hill to talk about Amy's early embrace of queer roles, and the importance of understanding the assignment. Plus: the actresses we'd most want to have a sleepover with, the difference between bad acting and intentionally bad acting, and the way we get Cole Escola to hand Amy her Oscar. Follow Chasing Amy Adams on social: @chasingamyadams | |||
| Cruel Intentions 2 (with Clay Keller) | 25 Jun 2025 | 01:22:42 | |
Amy Adams had only just moved to Los Angeles when she booked the starring role of Kathryn Merteuil on the Fox series Manchester Prep. The show was canceled before it ever aired, but two episodes and some raunchier additional scenes were Frankensteined into the 2000 direct-to-video prequel Cruel Intentions 2. We're joined by Screen Drafts host Clay Keller to talk about Amy's villain era, and the incoherent plot of this sloppily assembled "movie." Plus: the scene Rupert Murdoch could not abide, Robin Dunne's very Canadian filmography, and the thrill of great sunglasses acting. Follow Chasing Amy Adams on social: @chasingamyadams | |||
| The Slaughter Rule (with Roxana Hadadi) | 02 Jul 2025 | 01:28:29 | |
After a few more substantial supporting roles, Amy Adams took on a glorified cameo as cheerleader Doreen in the 2002 coming-of-age sports drama The Slaughter Rule. We're joined by Vulture critic Roxana Hadadi to talk about Amy using her dance background to its full potential, and how this movie fumbles its football metaphors. Plus: our Ryan Gosling origin stories, the distinct vibe of early aughts Sundance, and whether or not Amy would put a deer out of its misery. Follow Chasing Amy Adams on social: @chasingamyadams | |||
| Pumpkin (with BJ Colangelo) | 09 Jul 2025 | 01:18:40 | |
Amy Adams continued her run of glorified cameo roles with her bit part as sorority mean girl Alex in the 2002 dark comedy romance Pumpkin. We're joined by This Ends at Prom co-host BJ Colangelo to talk about Amy's incredible calves, and what we mean when we call a movie a "problematic fave." Plus: the thrill of blonde Christina Ricci, unpacking societal discomfort with disability and sex, and the worst pumpkin pie recipe of all time. Follow Chasing Amy Adams on social: @chasingamyadams | |||
| Catch Me If You Can (with Adam B. Vary) | 23 Jul 2025 | 01:33:02 | |
Working with Steven Spielberg and Leonardo DiCaprio on the 2002 crime dramedy Catch Me If You Can could have been Amy Adams' breakthrough, but that's not what ended up happening. We're joined by Variety senior entertainment writer Adam B. Vary to talk about Amy's transition from mean girl roles to tender vulnerability, and the somewhat muted reception to Spielberg's then-most personal film. Plus: the deleted scene that may or may not exist, the actor's code of not using tongue, and what Amy and Chloe Sevigny have in common. Follow Chasing Amy Adams on social: @chasingamyadams | |||
| Serving Sara (with Ira Madison III) | 16 Jul 2025 | 01:12:20 | |
Amy Adams got a slightly larger part in the 2002 romantic comedy Serving Sara, but her role as deceptively crafty mistress Kate wasn't enough to save the film from disaster. We're joined by Pure Innocent Fun author and Keep It! co-host Ira Madison III to talk about Amy being a bright spot in a bad movie, and how Matthew Perry's struggles nearly derailed this production. Plus: movies that only exist as posters, checking in with Tinsley Mortimer, and why crushing on Elizabeth Hurley is one of the gayest things a man can do. Follow Chasing Amy Adams on social: @chasingamyadams | |||
| The Wedding Date (with Wynter Mitchell) | 06 Aug 2025 | 01:29:58 | |
In the no man's land between Catch Me If You Can and Junebug, Amy Adams did make one studio film: the 2005 romantic comedy The Wedding Date, in which she plays Amy, the bride whose titular wedding inspires her half-sister to hire a sex worker. We're joined by podcaster and digital strategist Wynter Mitchell to talk about Amy's fixation on English breakfast, and why Debra Messing's movie star era was over before it began. Plus: Richard Curtis ruining British romcoms for the rest of us, Dermot Mulroney's cello career, and the pleasure of schadenfreude. Follow Chasing Amy Adams on social: @chasingamyadams | |||
| The Last Run (with Gwynedd Stuart) | 30 Jul 2025 | 01:34:21 | |
It's not entirely clear when Amy Adams filmed the 2004 romantic dramedy The Last Run, where she takes on the thankless role of shrewish fiancée Alexis. By the time it was released, however, she got top billing to capitalize on her recent success. We're joined by Sporked writer and taste tester Gwynedd Stuart to talk about Amy phoning it in for a paycheck, and how a misogynistic sex comedy can also be a harrowing drama about addiction. Plus: why Fred Savage's cancellation has been memory holed, the best flavors of Olipop, and all the things you can learn from Lifetime movies. Follow Chasing Amy Adams on social: @chasingamyadams | |||
| Standing Still (with Phil Iscove) | 13 Aug 2025 | 01:50:27 | |
As we approach Amy Adams' first Oscar nomination, we're forced to endure one more misguided indie. In the 2005 comedy Standing Still, she plays another bride-to-be, Elise, who is celebrating her upcoming nuptials with her friends, the worst people you've ever met. We're joined by writer and Podcast Like It's... co-host Phil Iscove to talk about Amy standing out in an ensemble, and how this movie defied our low expectations—in a bad way. Plus: the impact of the Crying Dawson meme, the most nonsensical way to prepare salad, and how Hollywood did Mena Suvari dirty. Follow Chasing Amy Adams on social: @chasingamyadams | |||
| Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (with Ash Crossan) | 27 Aug 2025 | 01:29:38 | |
Instead of following up Junebug with Oscar bait, Amy Adams returned to studio comedy in 2006's Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, where she plays Ricky's assistant-turned-love interest, Susan. We're joined by Emmy-winning reporter and Screen Rant host Ash Crossan to talk about Amy's iconic monologue, and whether or not this movie is funnier than Anchorman. Plus: Will Ferrell's kissing skills, the charm of aughts homophobia, and how the Netflix sheen is ruining comedies. | |||
| Junebug (with Chris Feil) | 20 Aug 2025 | 01:42:53 | |
Amy Adams received her first of six Academy Award nominations for the 2005 dramedy Junebug, where she plays the very sweet (and very chatty) Ashley. We're joined by writer and This Had Oscar Buzz co-host Chris Feil to talk about how close Amy came to taking home the gold, and why movies like this don't get made anymore. Plus: running away from Mike Nichols, Ben McKenzie's second act as an anti-crypto crusader, and getting death threats over Letterboxd reviews. | |||
| Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny (with Brett Arnold) | 03 Sep 2025 | 01:21:57 | |
Given Amy Adams' low level of fame at the time, it's hard to even call her brief, wordless appearance in the 2006 musical comedy Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny a cameo—but that won't stop us from covering it. We're joined by Roger & Me and New Flesh host Brett Arnold to talk about how Amy ended up playing Gorgeous Woman, and why this movie had to bomb for the sake of the bit. Plus: the prank call soundboards that raised us, trying to make sense of straight culture, and Meat Loaf's thoughts on climate change. Follow Chasing Amy Adams on social: @chasingamyadams | |||
| The Ex (with Patrick Cotnoir) | 10 Sep 2025 | 01:24:49 | |
Amy Adams has a slightly bigger part (emphasis on slightly) in the 2006 comedy The Ex, where she plays crunchy granola mom Abby. We're joined by Hey, That's Me! And The George Lucas Talk Show co-host Patrick Cotnoir to talk about the star power that convinced Amy to take this role, and why the more offensive unrated cut might be a better movie. Plus: the dying art of commentary tracks, men who quote The Office on dating apps, and the homophobia of underutilizing Mia Farrow. Follow Chasing Amy Adams on social: @chasingamyadams | |||
| Charlie Wilson's War (with Oriana Nudo) | 01 Oct 2025 | 01:56:06 | |
Amy Adams wasn't going to turn down the opportunity to work with Mike Nichols, who cast her as executive administrative assistant Bonnie Bach (not a real person) in the 2007 biographical dramedy Charlie Wilson's War. We're joined by Hollywood-ography co-host Oriana Nudo to talk about Amy's mastery of the Aaron Sorkin walk-and-talk, and why this movie is overly generous to its central figure. Plus: how streaming ruined sleepover culture, nature documentaries lying to you, and the thrill of great ponytail acting. Follow Chasing Amy Adams on social: @chasingamyadams | |||
| Enchanted (with Brooke Solomon and Jordan Gustafson) | 24 Sep 2025 | 02:21:42 | |
In 2007, Amy Adams took on her first starring role as Disney Princess Giselle in the musical comedy Enchanted, and nothing was ever the same. We're joined by The Queer Quadrant hosts Brooke Solomon and Jordan Gustafson to talk about Amy beating out 300 other actresses for this role, and how sexism might have kept Enchanted from the awards recognition it deserved. Plus: defending the honor of New York City rats, Disney's exclusively gay moments, and why James Marsden is always getting cucked. Follow Chasing Amy Adams on social: @chasingamyadams | |||
| Underdog (with Ben Mekler) | 17 Sep 2025 | 01:40:34 | |
Years before she played Lois Lane, Amy Adams took on the role of a different superhero love interest in the 2007 comedy Underdog, where she voices a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Polly Purebred. We're joined by writer and director Ben Mekler to talk about Amy delivering the filthiest line of her career in a Disney movie, and why Underdog's missteps are Christopher Nolan's fault. Plus: the dauntingly expansive Air Bud universe, Jim Belushi's dog-centric career, and being the Amy Adams of the furry awards. Follow Chasing Amy Adams on social: @chasingamyadams | |||
| Sunshine Cleaning (with George Civeris) | 08 Oct 2025 | 01:41:49 | |
Amy Adams and Emily Blunt appeared in one more movie together after Charlie Wilson's War. In the 2008 dramedy Sunshine Cleaning, Amy plays Rose Lorkowski, a single mom who decides to start a crime scene cleanup business. We're joined by comedian and StraightioLab co-host George Civeris to talk about Amy and Emily's sisterly bond, and how badly Sunshine Cleaning wants to be Little Miss Sunshine. Plus: Jennifer Aniston's depressing indies, gay dates at the Cheesecake Factory, and what we really mean when we talk about "Sundance slop." Follow Chasing Amy Adams on social: @chasingamyadams | |||
| Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (with Cody Dericks) | 15 Oct 2025 | 01:52:23 | |
Amy Adams is something of a co-lead alongside Frances McDormand in the 2008 romantic comedy Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, where she plays flighty American actress Delysia Lafosse. We're joined by writer and podcaster Cody Dericks to talk about Amy juggling three very handsome men, and why British critics were so sour on this London-set period piece. Plus: our Lee Pace crush origin stories, accidentally buying straight guy sheets, and the most heartbreaking moment in the Katy Perry documentary. Follow Chasing Amy Adams on social: @chasingamyadams | |||
| Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (with Demi Adejuyigbe) | 29 Oct 2025 | 01:30:04 | |
Amy Adams was one of two actresses to play Amelia Earhart onscreen in 2009, but the fantasy comedy Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian is almost certainly the better remembered film. We're joined by writer and comedian Demi Adejuyigbe to talk about Amy donning tight jodhpurs to play a screwball heroine, and this movie's tortured internal logic. Plus: questioning the integrity of the Teen Choice Awards, Crystal the Monkey's impressive filmography, and imagining the Katharine Hepburn action movie era we were denied. Follow Chasing Amy Adams on social: @chasingamyadams | |||
| Doubt (with Drea Clark) | 22 Oct 2025 | 02:18:32 | |
Amy Adams earned her second Academy Award nomination for the 2008 drama Doubt, where she plays kindhearted nun Sister James in John Patrick Shanley's adaptation of his Pulitzer Prize-winning play. We're joined by producer and Maximum Film co-host Drea Clark to talk about Amy and Viola Davis going head-to-head in the same category, and how this movie embraces the horror of Dutch angles. Plus: spicing up communion wafers, the moment Amy became offer-only, and Kirk Douglas shilling for Casa Zeta-Jones. Follow Chasing Amy Adams on social: @chasingamyadams | |||
| Julie & Julia (with Joe Reid) | 05 Nov 2025 | 02:30:09 | |
Just one year after Doubt, Amy Adams reunited with Meryl Streep in the 2009 dramedy Julie & Julia—though the two actresses never share the screen. We're joined by Vulture writer and This Had Oscar Buzz co-host Joe Reid to talk about Amy fat-shaming Chris Messina, and why this movie provoked a stunning amount of vitriol toward its central character. Plus: how to poach an egg the easy way, Stanley Tucci being our gayest straight man, and the role Amy could have stolen from Jason Derulo. Follow Chasing Amy Adams on social: @chasingamyadams | |||
| Moonlight Serenade (with Jesse Knight) | 12 Nov 2025 | 01:34:22 | |
Before La La Land, there was the 2009 musical romance Moonlight Serenade—completed in 2005 and shelved for four years—in which Amy Adams stars as coat check girl and aspiring singer Chloe. We're joined by ShortFest Director of Programming Jesse Knight to talk about the problem with Amy's crisp enunciation, and why this movie's bad lighting is Lynchian. Plus: spoiling the plot of True Blood Season 1, the Harriet Sansom Harris fan club, and the worst time to bring up your mommy issues. Follow Chasing Amy Adams on social: @chasingamyadams | |||