"Cars are Done" with Adam McKay

The War on Cars

Adam McKay is the Academy Award–winning screenwriter, director, and producer behind such movies as Don’t Look Up, The Big Short, Vice, Anchorman, Talladega Nights, and more. He is also the founder of Yellow Dot Studios, a nonprofit production studio that raises awareness and mobilizes action on the climate emergency. Adam joins us to discuss his career and the existential anxiety that led him to write and direct the star-studded Don’t Look Up, one of the most successful Netflix movies of all time. We also hear about the books, films, and music that inspired him, and why humor is a useful tool for tackling serious subjects. Plus: Adam's relationship with driving, the power of visual storytelling, and why he thinks the age of the car is already over… even if most people don’t know it yet. Thank you to and for their support. For the latest discount codes, listen to the episode. *** and receive access to ad-free versions of all our episodes, special bonus content, stickers, merch discounts, and more *** SHOW NOTES: Check out and all the excellent work from . () Books, movies, and music mentioned in this episode: by Britt Wray; by Neal Postman; by Rebecca Solnit; and by Scott Carney & Jason Miklian (1957); (1964); and (2009) ; ; ; ; and ***** Pick up . Purchase books from podcast guests at . This episode was edited by Ali Lemer. It was recorded by Kaden Pryor at in Los Angeles. Transcriptions are by Russell Gragg. Our theme music is by Nathaniel Goodyear. Sound effects from the © 2024 BBC.