Why Ben Stiller Made 'Severance' (and Doesn’t Care About What Elon Says About Him)

2025-02-03 · 57 min · 8 entities

episode page audio

Asserted relationships

→ references Severance book

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evidence rules-v5
Why Ben Stiller Made 'Severance' (and Doesn’t Care About What Elon Says About Him) Ben Stiller knew he needed t
→ discusses Society & Culture concept

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Feed category: Society & Culture
→ hosted by New York Magazine company

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Feed author/publisher: New York Magazine
→ hosted by Vox Media company

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evidence rules-v5
Feed author/publisher: Vox Media

Entities found in this episode

companys 4

mentioned New York Magazine company

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Feed author/publisher: New York Magazine
mentioned Vox Media company

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evidence rules-v5
Feed author/publisher: Vox Media
hosted by New York Magazine company

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evidence rules-v5
Feed author/publisher: New York Magazine
hosted by Vox Media company

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evidence rules-v5
Feed author/publisher: Vox Media

books 2

mentioned Severance book

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evidence rules-v5
Why Ben Stiller Made 'Severance' (and Doesn’t Care About What Elon Says About Him) Ben Stiller knew he needed t
references Severance book

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evidence rules-v5
Why Ben Stiller Made 'Severance' (and Doesn’t Care About What Elon Says About Him) Ben Stiller knew he needed t

concepts 2

mentioned Society & Culture concept

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evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Society & Culture
discusses Society & Culture concept

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evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Society & Culture

Episode description as stored

Ben Stiller knew he needed to make Severance the moment he read an early version of the show in a writing sample its creator, Dan Erickson, submitted to his production company. Now, years later, Severance is a hit, reportedly generating $200 million for Apple TV, and Stiller is the series’ executive producer and go-to director responsible for some of its most pivotal episodes. Kara talks to Stiller about the most poignant themes of the show, from its commentary on surveillance and technology to its meditations on trauma and identity. Plus, they chat politics — including Stiller’s reaction to an angry post about him by Elon Musk and his view on making political art now. Questions? Comments? Email us at on@voxmedia.com or find us on Instagram and TikTok @onwithkaraswisher Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices