Hollywood's Nepo Babies & The Real A-Listers

Donald Trump says that George Clooney is a third-rate actor - is he right? Does Hollywood have a nepo-baby problem? Should we actually judge a book by its (dust) cover?

Richard Osman and Marina Hyde answer questions on A-Listers, sports scoring and if they should lead an anti-capitalist coup.

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00:00 Intro
00:28 Do you think that Hollywood is run by nepotism, especially in acting?
06:56 Why do books have dust covers?
15:34 What’s the secret behind a good scoring system for sports?
21:50 What makes a celebrity an A-Lister?
28:05 Do you get paid a lot if your house is used on TV?
33:38 Outro

[jankelly]

Marina is the daughter of Sir Alastair Edgcumbe James Dudley-Williams, 2nd Baronet, and granddaughter of Conservative politician Sir Rolf Dudley-Williams, 1st Baronet. So, as the daughter of a Baronet, educated privately then at Oxford and the grand-daughter of the former Tory MP for Exeter, when talking of the leg ups, connections or wealth of others born into wealthy and well connected families, it seems strange Marina didn't mention her own.

[Tyrconnell]

Here in Japan if you buy a book they will ask if you want a cover. If so then they will make one out of paper, either plain or patterned. This is even if the book you are buying has a dust jacket. I had always assumed this was some sort of additional protection, but I have been informed (perhaps erroneously) that it is because the majority of books sold in Japan are pocket-sized volumes which people read on the train (or did before phone zombies became the norm) and it protected your privacy from other train riders, in that they would not know what you were reading. Sounds like Marina would hate it.

[GazGaryGazza]

I'm a working class nepo baby. I worked in the pits (coal mines in the UK) and I and everyone else got jobs there because family already worked there. I still had to attend an interview although getting an interview was a job offer. Attending the interview was talking about my Dad, sport and signing some paperwork so I could start the following Monday

[JoeBleasdaleReal]

Honestly, I’m with Graham. From a sensory standpoint, dust covers make absolutely no sense. They’re bulky, they feel odd to the touch especially when there’s embossed writing on them, they’re sharp and give you paper cuts, they rip easily in your bag, when you open the book they fold out slightly past all the pages so you have that weird air pocket and have to do the “push in the edges but fold the spine” routine or just end up fiddling with the edges which distracts you from reading. I always remove them when I read.

[Cchogan]

Why is Marina in focus, nicely lit, good contrast, and Richard looks like he was video's through a 1990's webcam?

[Claudia]

I think one of the most significant findings of Mel B's daughter's documentary on Nepotism is that her art sold for £2000 (she had no experience), whereas someone who had an art degree would get £1000 for the same piece. That's clearly incredibly unfair

[KipHakes]

"The flaps are important" Marina Hyde - 2025

[carolinaingizza]

I could watch Marina listing Hollywood A-listers for hours

[mephistoXFCV]

"It's clearly not fair, it's clearly not an even playing field." So, life then.

[chrisc_]

Jason Statham opens non-IP action films in cinemas, not many people can do that these days

[JScottGaribay]

You guys are so funny! Always a delightful thought provoking journey with each episode. Thank you!

[maldaror]

Sometimes nepotism doesn't work, Will Smith can't seem to make his babies a cultural phenomena no matter how hard he tries.

[hayden_duvall]

I could watch 8 hrs a day of Marina and Richard talking about anything. I'm sure the two of you have other things to do, but if I pay a hefty subscription, could you quadruple your output :)

[anarey-oktay]

Having been born and raised in Los Angeles, you have to understand that it’s an industry town. Like beer is to Milwaukee. I’ve grown up and have worked with a lot of show biz progeny. A minority of them reach the level of success of those you mentioned. What I have learned after a lifetime is that if you are successful in Hollywood, no matter what your last name is - it’s like winning a lottery. Being at the right place, at the right time, with the right people saying yes.

[WesternOutpostDonVonFilms]

Many people who knew no-one in the film industry have broken in: George Lucas, Spielberg, Coppola, John Milius, Stallone, etc. Schwarzenegger is perhaps the most unlikely guy to break in. He was a bodybuilder with a strong Austrian accent. Many people in Hollywood make it on merit.

[TSINIproductions]

I enjoyed the chat about using your home as a filming location. I once met Mark Benton on the staircase of my block of flats while they were filming Shakespeare and Hathaway: Private Investigators in one of the lower flats. Very nice man, he was very apologetic for the disruption, I wish I’d been able to get a photo.

[handfulofbutterflies]

I'm really excited for the new show The Rest is Dismantling Capitalism, and I think Richard & Marina would be the perfect hosts. I'm in regardless guys.

[tjchill]

TV Sports formats - Didn’t Channel 4 do Sumo Wrestling?! What format change would be needed to bring that back to Channel 4 prime time?!

[cwbrooks]

FWIW, our home was used (decades ago) for a Ford commercial, and the crew tore the lawn up, drove away and never looked back. It was fun seeing our house on tv though.

[krisinsaigon]

i've just returned from a long day at work, i'm slumped in front of my laptop watching this, and i suddenly a get a lovely warm feeling inside, because i know what symony is - the selling of offices- and Marina doesn't. Knowing that makes me feel smart.