Writer & Exec Producer Michael Ausiello (Spoiler Alert): “TV Guide Was Like My Hustler”

Show Notes

Dennis is joined via Zoom by writer Michael Ausiello to discuss the new film Spoiler Alert, which stars Jim Parsons, Ben Aldridge and Sally Field, and is based on Michael’s 2017 memoir Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies. The book and movie depicts the journey Michael and his photographer partner of thirteen years Kit go on after Kit gets diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. In the interview, Michael talks what it was like to be on the set everyday and also explains how the movie came to be; how the book got optioned by Jim Parsons’ production company, how Michael Showalter (The Big Sick, I Love That For You) came on board to direct and how it ended up being distributed by Focus Features, the same company behind Brokeback Mountain. Michael and Dennis also bond over their magazine background and their childhood obsession with TV Guide and Michael talks about how when he was working there, every day was a ‘pinch me’ moment. Other topics include: Sally Field’s adorable dog, breaking a bombshell story about frostiness on the set of The Good Wife, using Kit’s original photographs in the film, the importance of the small, quiet moments in the film and what his journey has taught him about life, perseverance and himself.