Emmy-nominated actress and singer Lea Michele has spent more than 30 years performing, from her Broadway debut in Les Misérables at the Imperial Theatre when she was just 8-years-old to starring in hits like Spring Awakening, Glee, Funny Girl and Scream Queens. Michele sits down with Willie Geist backstage at the Imperial Theatre to discuss her full-circle return to the theater where it all began, how Chess has brought joy and creative spark back to her life, and why feeling fulfilled as a mother and wife has made this chapter feel especially meaningful. Plus, she steps back into the dressing room she used during Les Misérables and reflects on the confidence that first led her from an open call in Englewood, New Jersey, to the Broadway stage.

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Sunday is Hollywood’s biggest night: the 98th Academy Awards. “Sinners” may have broken a record with 16 nominations, but many of the top categories still seem to be wide open. Senior Hollywood Reporter Rebecca Keegan and Entertainment Correspondent Chloe Melas give their Oscar predictions, discuss what to expect from Conan O’Brien’s monologue, explain how the Academy Awards are evolving in the age of AI and industry consolidation, and share their own behind-the scenes experiences covering the event over the years.

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Comedian Leanne Morgan spent more than 25 years building a loyal stand-up audience before breaking through with viral clips, Netflix comedy specials I’m Every Woman and Unspeakable Things, and her hit sitcom Leanne. In this conversation from November 2025, Morgan sits down with Willie Geist to discuss her long road in stand-up, the family stories and Southern humor that shape her comedy, and the whirlwind of starring in a Netflix sitcom after decades on the road. Plus, she reflects on the breakthrough that changed her career, balancing newfound success with motherhood and grandmotherhood, and why the timing of her rise makes it even more meaningful.

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Michael B. Jordan is an actor, producer, and director who is nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in Sinners at this year’s Oscars. In this conversation from May 2021, Jordan sits down with Willie Geist to discuss starring in Tom Clancy’s Without Remorse, why he prefers doing his own stunts, and stepping into a major action franchise. Plus, he reflects on his friendship with the late Chadwick Boseman and navigating fame.

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Paul Mescal has quickly become one of the most compelling actors of his generation and stars in Hamnet, which is nominated for Best Picture at this year's Oscars. In this conversation from November 2025, Mescal joins Willie Geist to discuss playing young William Shakespeare in Hamnet, working alongside industry legends on Gladiator II, and how he approaches crafting complex characters. Plus, the Normal People and Aftersun star reflects on his journey from school musicals to Hollywood.

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Kate Hudson is a Golden Globe-winning actress who is nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in Song Sung Blue at this year’s Oscars. In this conversation from December 2022, Hudson sits down with Willie Geist to discuss her role in Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, overcoming her fear of singing in public, and balancing her creative career with running Fabletics and raising a family.

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Benicio Del Toro is an Academy Award-winning actor and current nominee for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance in One Battle After Another. In this conversation from June 2025, Del Toro joins Willie Geist to discuss leading director Wes Anderson’s film The Phoenician Scheme and how winning his first Oscar reshaped his life and career. Plus, he reflects on growing up in Puerto Rico and the first role that made him feel he had truly arrived in Hollywood.

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As a bonus for Sunday Sitdown fans, we’re sharing the trailer for Trace of Suspicion, an all-new original podcast series from Dateline and Josh Mankiewicz.

After seemingly healthy 23-year-old Marine Todd Sommer dies unexpectedly, his widow Cindy’s lavish spending, cosmetic surgery, and wild partying raise investigators’ suspicions. They accuse her of poisoning him with arsenic for his life insurance, setting off a criminal case that takes a stunning turn... Josh Mankiewicz sits down with the woman at the center of it all in Dateline’s newest podcast.

If you like what you hear, just search Trace of Suspicion to listen to the first two episodes now, completely free. Or subscribe to Dateline Premium on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or DatelinePremium.com. Subscribers get early access to new episodes and can listen to all Dateline podcasts ad-free.

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