The World According to Glenn – Details, episodes & analysis

Cruella de Vil. Alex Forrest. Norma Desmond. The Marquise de Merteuil. Patty Hewes. She's inhabited some of the most iconic characters in film, TV, and theater, won three Emmys, three Tonys, earned eight Oscar nominations, and been named by Time Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. She's worked actively as an actor since 1974, with no sign of slowing down soon. But what is it that makes Glenn Close such a fascinating presence to watch?

It's time to explore the World According to Glenn. I'm Kevin Jacobsen, Glenn Close is my favorite actress, and this show is all about exploring the career of one of the finest actors of her generation. Each episode, I'm joined by a guest as we dive into one of Glenn's movies, TV shows, or stage productions, going chronologically through her career, discussing her performance and assessing the project itself.

This week, we're starting at the very beginning, her film debut, The World According to Garp! Cody Dericks from Next Best Picture and AwardsWatch joins me to discuss how Glenn emerged with such force from her first film role, the film's treatment of various hot-button issues, how her character is often more compelling than Garp himself, and our take on the 1982 Best Supporting Actress race!

Support Kevin Jacobsen on Patreon!

Follow The World According to Glenn on Twitter, Instagram, and Bluesky

Theme Music: “Orchestral Podcast Intro" by DTChords

Artwork: Faisal R.

It's time to explore the World According to Glenn. I'm Kevin Jacobsen, Glenn Close is my favorite actress, and this show is all about exploring the career of one of the finest actors of her generation. Each episode, I'm joined by a guest as we dive into one of Glenn's movies, TV shows, or stage productions, going chronologically through her career, discussing her performance and assessing the project itself.

This week, we're covering Glenn's second film, The Big Chill! Amy Thomasson from InSession Film joins me to discuss how the film defines the baby boomer generation, which of the eight cast members we find hot, whether we'd hang out with this friend group, and why Glenn was singled out for her performance and earned her second Oscar nomination!

Support Kevin Jacobsen on Patreon!

Follow The World According to Glenn on Twitter, Instagram, and Bluesky

Theme Music: “Orchestral Podcast Intro" by DTChords

Artwork: Faisal R.

It's time to explore the World According to Glenn. I'm Kevin Jacobsen, Glenn Close is my favorite actress, and this show is all about exploring the career of one of the finest actors of her generation. Each episode, I'm joined by a guest as we dive into one of Glenn's movies, TV shows, or stage productions, going chronologically through her career, discussing her performance and assessing the project itself.

This week, we're covering two of Glenn's films from 1984, the TV movie Something About Amelia and the family drama The Stone Boy! Gordon McNulty from The Lone Acting Nominees Podcast and Televised: The TV Movie Story joins me to discuss the rather dated messaging in Something About Amelia, whether Glenn is the right fit for her role, and why it was such a hit at the Emmys. Then, we break down The Stone Boy and its depiction of grief through the eyes of a seemingly emotionless child, how Glenn fares as a farm gal, and why you must always #ConsiderTheStoneBoy. 

Support Kevin Jacobsen on Patreon!

Follow The World According to Glenn on Twitter, Instagram, and Bluesky

Theme Music: “Orchestral Podcast Intro" by DTChords

Artwork: Faisal R.

It's time to explore the World According to Glenn. I'm Kevin Jacobsen, Glenn Close is my favorite actress, and this show is all about exploring the career of one of the finest actors of her generation. Each episode, I'm joined by a guest as we dive into one of Glenn's movies, TV shows, or stage productions, going chronologically through her career, discussing her performance and assessing the project itself.

This week, we're covering the Barry Levinson sports drama The Natural! Ben Miller from the blog IceCream4Freaks joins me to discuss the film's mythical approach to baseball, the immaculate cinematography, Kim Basinger playing a character named "Memo Paris," and why Glenn was singled out for her performance and earned her third consecutive Oscar nomination!

Support Kevin Jacobsen on Patreon!

Follow The World According to Glenn on Twitter, Instagram, and Bluesky

Theme Music: “Orchestral Podcast Intro" by DTChords

Artwork: Faisal R.

It's time to explore the World According to Glenn. I'm Kevin Jacobsen, Glenn Close is my favorite actress, and this show is all about exploring the career of one of the finest actors of her generation. Each episode, I'm joined by a guest as we dive into one of Glenn's movies, TV shows, or stage productions, going chronologically through her career, discussing her performance and assessing the project itself.

This week, we're covering the 1985 fantasy comedy Maxie! Actor, screenwriter, and host of the Murphy Brown Podcast Lauren Milberger joins me to discuss Glenn's first leading role in a feature film, her playing both grounded and heightened in the same movie, and why we think it was a failure with critics and at the box office.

Support Kevin Jacobsen on Patreon!

Follow The World According to Glenn on Twitter, Instagram, and Bluesky

Theme Music: “Orchestral Podcast Intro" by DTChords

Artwork: Faisal R.

It's time to explore the World According to Glenn. I'm Kevin Jacobsen, Glenn Close is my favorite actress, and this show is all about exploring the career of one of the finest actors of her generation. Each episode, I'm joined by a guest as we dive into one of Glenn's movies, TV shows, or stage productions, going chronologically through her career, discussing her performance, and assessing the project itself.

This week, we're covering the 1985 courtroom thriller Jagged Edge! Pop culture writer Eddie Mouradian joins me to discuss Glenn's issues behind the scenes with a gross producer, this being Glenn's first "movie star" performance, Robert Loggia's somewhat baffling Oscar nomination, and why the film isn't great but strangely watchable.

Support Kevin Jacobsen on Patreon!

Follow The World According to Glenn on Twitter, Instagram, and Bluesky

Theme Music: “Orchestral Podcast Intro" by DTChords

Artwork: Faisal R.

It's time to explore the World According to Glenn. I'm Kevin Jacobsen, Glenn Close is my favorite actress, and this show is all about exploring the career of one of the finest actors of her generation. Each episode, I'm joined by a guest as we dive into one of Glenn's movies, TV shows, or stage productions, going chronologically through her career, discussing her performance, and assessing the project itself.

This week, we're covering the 1987 erotic thriller Fatal Attraction! Critic and programmer Murtada Elfadl joins me to discuss the film's seismic impact on pop culture, Glenn's sensitive approach to playing Alex Forrest, how test audiences hated the original ending which led to a major rewrite, and how the film holds up nearly 40 years later.

Support Kevin Jacobsen on Patreon!

Follow The World According to Glenn on Twitter, Instagram, and Bluesky

Theme Music: “Orchestral Podcast Intro" by DTChords

Artwork: Faisal R.

It's time to explore the World According to Glenn. I'm Kevin Jacobsen, Glenn Close is my favorite actress, and this show is all about exploring the career of one of the finest actors of her generation. Each episode, I'm joined by a guest as we dive into one of Glenn's movies, TV shows, or stage productions, going chronologically through her career, discussing her performance, and assessing the project itself.

This week, we're covering the 1988 animated sci-fi fantasy Light Years! Sporcle curator Christof joins me to discuss Glenn's first-ever voice performance in an animated film, how the movie transformed from its origins as Gandahar in France, whether the plot is meant to be incomprehensible, and why the poster is false advertising.

Support Kevin Jacobsen on Patreon!

Follow The World According to Glenn on Twitter, Instagram, and Bluesky

Theme Music: “Orchestral Podcast Intro" by DTChords

Artwork: Faisal R.