We explore the extremes of the media landscape in this week's podcast.

On the Trail of Nikki Finke:  Gawker's John Cook  a veteran Nikki hunter joins us to talk about his time on the trail of Hollywood's most bizarre and elusive journalist and how his digging this week ignited to feud between Finke and author Bret Easton Ellis.

The we discuss the career of director Christopher Nolan: inspired visionary or self-serious hack?  We debate all sides of the issue with our panel of entertainment intellectuals Jim Gibson, Kathy Charles and Geoff Berkshire.

Plus thoughts on the end of truth! 

With intro and interstitial music by Kevin MacLeod!

NOTE: This podcast was recorded before the horrifying events at the Dark Knight screening in Colorado and Nikki Finke's comments on such.  Our prayers are with the family and friends of the victims.

We are back from hiatus with a very special conversation with Lauren Greenfield, photographer, filmmaker and director of the new documentary The Queen of Versailles, the incredible tale of one couple's attempts to build the largest house in America, before falling prey to the crashing fortunes of America's financial meltdown.   I talk with Lauren whom over the years has depicted America's monied elites and their mores on how growing up on the cusps of Hollywood shaped her vision and how the culture of our nation's wealthy has evolved over the decades that she has chronicled them.  And much more!

Plus: Thoughts on Comicon!

With intro and interstitial music by Kevin MacLeod.