A twisted new horror film is being described as a mix between 'The Substance' and 'Mean Girls.' Sam can’t stop thinking about it.

'Slanted' follows an insecure Chinese American teenager who desperately wants to fit in, but faces constant bullying and discrimination. Then she finds a drastic solution — ethnic modification — surgery that makes her appear white. Pale skin, blue eyes and blonde hair included.

Amy Wang wrote and directed the wildly brutal movie. She tells Sam how the script was inspired by her own experiences living in Australia with her Chinese immigrant family. She also explains why satire and body horror were the perfect combo to tell this story.

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The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.

It’s almost Oscars weekend, so we’re hanging out with the man behind some of the wildest moments in the ceremony’s history.

Comedian Bruce Vilanch spent 25 years writing for the Oscars. He crafted jokes for legendary hosts like Whoopi Goldberg, Steve Martin, Billy Crystal and more. He spoke with Sam last year about his experiences in the job and his advice for aspiring comedy writers.

Bruce Vilanch’s book is called: It Seemed Like a Bad Idea at the Time: The Worst TV Shows in History and Other Things I Wrote

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Awards season in Hollywood is in its final stretch. The suspense is rising. The Oscars are imminent.

The ceremony is always full of glitz and glamour, but for years it’s been plagued by disappointments. Long and boring broadcasts. Unjustified snubs. Clunky skits and speeches. Despite it all, Sam loves to watch, but he has some ideas to fix Hollywood’s biggest night.

Joining the show are two entertainment journalism heavyweights:

Jacqueline Coley is awards editor at Rotten Tomatoes and host of Seen on the Screen with Jacqueline Coley.

Clayton Davis is chief awards editor at Variety where he also hosts the Awards Circuit Podcast.

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The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.