When I'm not looking for videos of Danzig or pro-wrestling, watching Slavoj Žižek is how I spend a good deal of my internet time. He recently appeared on The Charlie Rose Show. Turns out, the two share an interest in Josef Stalin. But that discussion gets interrupted with topics like the philosopher's speech at the Occupy Wall Street rally, the Egyptian uprising -- both of which are the focus of his latest LRB essay -- Chinese capitalism and the ideology in Kung Fu Panda and Titanic. The Titanic analysis is a taste of what's to come in his and Sophie Fiennes' sequel to The Pervert's Guide to Cinema:

Sure, he interrupts too much to reiterate points that are already clear, but Charlie Rose has a solid track record for getting some pretty good interviews on the tube. All of his shows are archived online and can be watched for free. Here's what's been accompanying my suppers [click pic for the show]:


Guillermo del Toro talks about pain, being fat, vampires, The Hobbit, and what makes for good fantasy.

Rose is at his best when he's talking architecture. Here he talks to Philip Johnson about the architect's early days as a fascist and his homosexuality.

One of Rose's favorite guests is Quentin Tarantino who's appeared at least 9 times on the show. If there's a guy who likes to hear himself talk more than Rose, it's Tarantino. Thus, much boisterous conversation about film ensues. Also, it's interesting to compare the above interview with the director at the beginning of his superstardom to the way he sees himself now.

Along with the Johnson interview, this one with writer David Foster Wallace is a favorite of mine. The man is just so genuine in his answers. He critiques the television interview while giving one and has a lot to say about film, particularly David Lynch. Speaking of whom:

Here's Lynch being Lynch.

Rose doesn't have philosophers on too much, but here's a recent interview with Peter Singer on moral obligation and poverty.