Episode 166 – Desperately Celebrating Director Susan Seidelman & Her Iconic Career – Part 2

In Part Two of Tony Miros’ fascinating conversation with trailblazing director, producer, and writer Susan Seidelman, the story behind “Desperately Seeking Susan” takes center stage. Susan reveals how Madonna first entered her orbit as an unknown downtown artist—and how, during filming, she transformed into an international superstar almost overnight. From a casual screen test on the streets of New York to the sudden frenzy surrounding the production just weeks later, Susan shares surprising behind-the-scenes moments that helped turn the film into a cultural phenomenon. Along the way, she reflects on casting decisions, iconic fashion choices drawn from Madonna’s own closet, and the unpredictable twists that shaped the movie’s legacy.

Susan also offers entertaining stories about working with extraordinary talent across her career, including John Malkovich, Meryl Streep, and Jerry Lewis, revealing why comedy can be even more challenging than drama. She discusses her passion for casting actors in unexpected ways and recalls unforgettable “pinch-me” moments on set. The conversation also touches on the changing nature of fame, the complexities of revisiting beloved characters years later, and her role in shaping key casting and creative decisions during the early days of “Sex and the City”.

The episode concludes with insights into Susan’s later films, including “Boynton Beach Club” and “The Hot Flashes,” and how personal experiences influenced her storytelling. With candid reflections on creative risk-taking, evolving industry trends, and the serendipity that often shapes great careers, this episode delivers an entertaining look at the stories behind some of her most memorable work.

SUSAN SEIDELMAN

Susan Seidelman is an acclaimed filmmaker whose work helped define the spirit of independent cinema in the 1980s and beyond. A graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts Graduate Film Program, she first gained international recognition when her debut feature “Smithereens” became the first American independent film accepted into the Official Competition at the Cannes Film Festival. The film went on to win major festival honors and is now preserved in the prestigious Criterion Collection.

Her breakthrough hit “Desperately Seeking Susan” (1985), starring Madonna & Rosanna Arquette, was both a critical and commercial success, premiering at Cannes, earning a César nomination for Best Foreign Film, and later being named among the BBC’s 100 greatest films of all time. The movie also helped launch the careers of Aidan Quinn, Laurie Metcalf, and John Turturro. Siedelman went on to direct a wide range of notable projects including “Making Mr. Right” starring John Malkovich; “Cookie,” written by Nora Ephron; “She-Devil,” featuring Meryl Streep in her first comedic screen role; “Gaudi Afternoon;” and “The Dutch Master,” which earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Live Action Short Film.

Seidelman also directed the pilot & early episodes of HBO’s groundbreaking series “Sex and the City,” helping shape the look and tone of the cultural phenomenon, and earned two Emmy nominations for the Showtime film “A Cooler Climate” starring Sally Field and Judy Davis. Her later films include “Boynton Beach Club,” “Musical Chairs,” and “The Hot Flashes,” starring Brooke Shields, Daryl Hannah, Wanda Sykes, and Eric Roberts. She recently published her memoir, “Desperately Seeking Something: A Memoir About Movies, Mothers, and Material Girls,” a candid and engaging reflection on her trailblazing four-decade career.

To Purchase Susan’s Book - https://tinyurl.com/bde58bj8

The Official Hollywood Obsessed Website - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.hollywoodobsessedthepodcast.com/ ⁠⁠ ⁠

Follow the Official Hollywood Obsessed Facebook Page – ⁠⁠⁠HOLLYWOOD OBSESSED PODCAST⁠⁠⁠

Follow our Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hollywoodobsessedpodcast/⁠

Titles VO Talent – Cam Frierson - ⁠⁠http://camfrierson.com/voice

Music by⁠⁠ ⁠QubeSounds⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠