February 4, 2004. A young genius hits the final key to take the Facebook live, forever changing the fabric of how everyday people interact with each other. In 2010, director David Fincher and writer Aaron Sorkin delivered the definitive story on how Facebook came to be, and Jesse Eisenberg's enigmatic performance captivated the world.

But how true was it?

Even coding can be fascinating, especially when liberties are taken. Be careful who you partner with, because The Social Network was indeed inspired by a true story.

Welcome to Inspired By A True Story, a podcast where every two weeks, our award-winning hosts and film critics discuss the genuine details that have inspired some of the most memorable true crime movies around. Each episode will break down the crime or crimes that inspired a specific film, and then discuss how factual that film is, versus how much is simply Hollywood magic.

Media inquiries, direct thoughts on this episode, and/or suggestions of films to cover for future episodes of Inspired By A True Story can be sent to Aaron@TheHollywoodOutsider.com or Inspired@TheHollywoodOutsider.com

Listen to all episodes of Inspired By A True Story at https://www.thehollywoodoutsider.com/inspired-by-a-true-story/

Support the podcast and gain early access to episodes of Inspired By A True Story at https://www.patreon.com/thehollywoodoutsider

"Southern Gothic" and other music provided by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

On this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast, Tom Cruise is out here promoting the heck out of Digger, his return to dramatic movies after years of action film after action film. This leads to our topic this week: actors taking big swings. Think about established actors who went far outside their comfort zones: Heath Ledger, Bryan Cranston, Matthew McConaughey, and the list goes on and on. We dive into the topic and debate which swings where the biggest, and especially which ones changed our opinion on an actor.

Also, we have pepper spray in movie theaters, Star Wars changes course, Don't Breathe 3 is in the works, reviews of Brothers, The Unabomber, and much more.

We hope you enjoy this entertaining and packed episode of The Hollywood Outsider!

Discussed on this episode

(0:00 – 27:21) Opening | Pepper spray in movie theaters, Star Wars charts a new course, Don't Breathe 3, and more

(27:22 – 57:46) From the Outside In: Actors Taking Big Swings

(57:47 – 1:15:24) Recommendations: Brothers, The Unabomber, Resident Evil, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

Time stamps may be affected by ad breaks

Please support The Hollywood Outsider and gain immediate access to bonus content, including Patreon exclusive podcast content like our Bad Movie Night by visiting Patreon.com/ TheHollywoodOutsider

On this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast, we're all a bit peopled out these days, so it's time to talk about our furry friends. With Brad Pitt's Heart of the Beast hitting theaters, what better time than to have a lengthy discussion on dogs in movies and TV?! Benji, Lassie, Old Yeller, Cujo, Scooby-Doo, Snoopy - we have decades of wonderful pups in entertainment. So, why do we love them so much? We can literally justify John Wick taking out hundreds of people over a puppy, does that even make sense? We dive into all of your favorite canines for a variety of topics. This is a fun one.

Also, Jensen Ackles gets yet another series, Paramount and Warner Brothers are finally merging (we think), The Beast in Me gets a Season 2 while Ride or Die does not, and Amanda reviews the latest season of Netflix's Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story.

We hope you enjoy this entertaining and packed episode of The Hollywood Outsider!

• (0:00 – 19:41) Opening | Jensen Ackles lands Rules of Prey, Paramount and Warner Brothers moves forward, Beast in Me Season 2, Ride or Die cancelled
• (19:42 – 1:11:05) From the Outside In: Dogs, Puppies, and the Bestest Boys and Girls in Movies and TV
• (1:11:06 – 1:25:00) Review: Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story
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On this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast, it's time for our Fall TV preview 2025, including our most anticipated new and returning shows on the Fall television schedule. TV has evolved so much, and there are so many options, it becomes overwhelming every year to know what we should be spending our time on. Therefore we rolled up our sleeves, jumped in the water, and pulled out some of the best that television has to offer this season. Harry Potter, Neagley, Crystal Lake, Nocturne, Carrie, Blade Runner 2099, VisionQuest, NCIS: New York, Brothers, The Good Daughter, Line of Fire, Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story, Below, The Altruists, and so many more shows are discussed and dissected on our annual plunge into the biggest season for television.

• Please support The Hollywood Outsider and gain immediate access to bonus content, including Patreon exclusive podcast content like our Bad Movie Night by visiting Patreon.com/ TheHollywoodOutsider
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On this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast, we are taking a look back at the past few months and presenting our Summer Entertainment Awards for 2026 and each category is for EITHER movies or TV! What was the best of all of it? Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Obsession, Widow's Bay, The Odyssey, The Sheep Detectives, Cape Fear, House of the Dragon, Lanterns, Ride or Die, Reacher, Masters of the Universe, Sterling Point, Ted Lasso, and so many more. So, what's it going to be??

It's our pick for the BEST in entertainment for the categories from May 1st through Labor Day weekend. The winners can be from any TV series (regardless of season) or movie, but had to be a new movie or aired new episodes between those dates. What did YOU love in movies and TV this Summer?

• The Best in Movies and TV for Summer 2026
• Find NoReruns.net
• Please support The Hollywood Outsider and gain immediate access to bonus content, including Patreon exclusive podcast content like our Bad Movie Night by visiting Patreon.com/ TheHollywoodOutsider
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On this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast, Aaron finally met his hero, KURT RUSSELL! We discuss what it was like meeting his movie daddy, as well as how the photo op worked at Fan Expo Chicago, Kurt Russell's panel with surprise guests John Carpenter and Keith David, and more.

Also this week, Disney held their own mega-event with D23, so we review all of the news from this huge event including X-Men casting, Pixar and Disney Animation releases, Star Wars: Starfighter, and a whole lot more. Plus we remember Hayden Lesley Panettiere, and recommendations for The End of Oak Street, Lanterns, Six, and About Time.

We hope you enjoy this entertaining and packed episode of The Hollywood Outsider!

• (0:00 – 38:49) Opening | DC Studio Struggles, Harry Potter casts Nicholas Hoult, Apple TV and Ascension
• (38:50 – 47:13) Hayden Panettiere
• (47:14 – 1:06:17) From the Outside In: Meeting Kurt Russell | Clip from Kurt Russell Panel
• (1:06:18 – 1:17:36) Recommendations - The End of Oak Street, Lanterns, Six, About Time
• Time stamps may be affected by ad breaks
• Please support The Hollywood Outsider and gain immediate access to bonus content, including Patreon exclusive podcast content like our Bad Movie Night by visiting Patreon.com/ TheHollywoodOutsider
• Be sure to join our Facebook Group
• Subscribe on Apple
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On this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast, AI is all the rage... literally. Fans, creators, and everyone with a voice on social media is revolting online against AI. While also, using AI every day. Where is the fine line? What are the pros and cons of AI in entertainment? We dive into this topic this week with limited assistance from ChatGPT. Maybe.

Also this week, Ted Lasso returns! But is he still funny? Also, Reacher returns! But is he still brutal? DC returns as well, but mostly to being a studio that still has no idea what they're even doing anymore. Plus a review of Tony and recommendations for Furious, House of the Dragon S3, Nimrods, Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed.

We hope you enjoy this entertaining and packed episode of The Hollywood Outsider!

• (0:00 – 18:38) Opening | DC Studio Struggles, Harry Potter casts Nicholas Hoult, Apple TV and Ascension
• (18:39 – 50:41) From the Outside In: AI is causing a revolt
• (50:42 – 55:34) Review: Tony
• (55:35 – 1:02:19) Review: Reacher - Season 4
• (1:02:20 – 1:07:54) Review: Ted Lasso
• (1:07:55 – 1:21:35) Recommendations - Furious, House of the Dragon S3, Nimrods, Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed
• Time stamps may be affected by ad breaks
• Please support The Hollywood Outsider and gain immediate access to bonus content, including Patreon exclusive podcast content like our Bad Movie Night by visiting Patreon.com/ TheHollywoodOutsider
• Be sure to join our Facebook Group
• Subscribe on Apple
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On this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast, we finally get to jump on the hype train and talk a little Spider-Man: Brand New Day! But not before we dive into TV and how streamers keep screwing us over. Are we the problem?

Also this week, Stephen King finally gets a Desperation adaptation worth talking about, Talladega Nights turns 20, reviews of Ice Cream Man and Spidey, and much more.

We hope you enjoy this entertaining and packed episode of The Hollywood Outsider!

• (0:00 – 25:30) Opening | Talladega Nights turns 20, Spider-Man's box office bonanza, Desperation
• (25:31 – 39:11) From the Outside In: Trusting TV and Streamers
• (39:12 – 45:55) Review: Ice Cream Man
• (45:56 – 1:01:38) Review: Spider-Man: Brand New Day
• (1:01:39 – 1:14:12) Recommendations
• Time stamps may be affected by ad breaks
• Please support The Hollywood Outsider and gain immediate access to bonus content, including Patreon exclusive podcast content like our Bad Movie Night by visiting Patreon.com/ TheHollywoodOutsider
• Be sure to join our Facebook Group
• Subscribe on Apple
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• Subscribe via RSS