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Ben Mankiewicz

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Ben Mankiewicz
Mankiewicz in 2012
Born
Benjamin Frederick Mankiewicz

(1967-03-25) March 25, 1967 (age 57)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
EducationTufts University (BA)
Columbia University (MS)
Occupations
  • Television host
  • podcast host
  • film critic
  • journalist
Political partyDemocratic[1]
Spouses
Contessa Kellogg
​
​
(m. 2005; div. 2009)​
Lee Russo
​
(m. 2013)​
Parent(s)Frank Mankiewicz
Holly Mankiewicz
FamilyMankiewicz

Benjamin Frederick Mankiewicz[2] (born March 25, 1967) is an American television journalist and host for Turner Classic Movies. He is a progressive political commentator for The Young Turks. He has served as a film critic for the 2008–2009 season for the TV program At the Movies and the web series What the Flick?![3]

Early life

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Mankiewicz was born in Washington, D.C., to press secretary Frank Mankiewicz and Holly Mankiewicz (née Jolley).[4] His father was of German Jewish descent.[5] He is the cousin of screenwriter Tom Mankiewicz and filmmaker/television producer Nick Davis,[6] the grandson of screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz, the grand-nephew of screenwriter, producer, and director Joseph L. Mankiewicz,[6][7] and the brother of NBC News reporter Josh Mankiewicz.

He attended Georgetown Day School for his primary and secondary education and received his undergraduate degree from Tufts University. In 1992, he received a Master of Science degree from Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism with an emphasis in broadcast journalism.[3]

Career

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1998–2003: News anchoring

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Mankiewicz began his career as a reporter and an anchor for WCSC-TV (a CBS affiliate) in Charleston, South Carolina. He joined WAMI in Miami, Florida, in 1998, where he served as anchor of The Times, a daily news magazine show and the station's highlight program.[8] He left WAMI not wanting to work in television news any longer, and was in search for another television job. "I auditioned for every show on television: reality shows, game shows," Mankiewicz stated. "I must have auditioned for 120 shows, including, I'm ashamed to say, Are You Hot? — and not as one of the judges."[9]

2003–present: Turner Classic Movies

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By the early 2000s, network executives at Turner Classic Movies (TCM) began noticing high viewership numbers during the afternoon weekend hours. In early 2003, they held auditions in Century City, Los Angeles for an on-air host to serve the time slot. Mankiewicz was given his first audition, which was to compare Seven Samurai (1954) and The Magnificent Seven (1960) following a screening with two other filmmakers. He passed, and his second audition was reading an introduction to The Bishop's Wife (1947) from a teleprompter.[10] He returned home, where he asked his then-girlfriend to watch TCM, which was airing The Barefoot Contessa (1954), directed by his grand-uncle Joseph L. Mankiewicz.[11]

In 2003, Mankiewicz was hired as a host for Turner Classic Movies, making his debut appearance on September 6.[12][13] At the time, he was the network's second host with Robert Osborne being the first. To avoid imitating Osborne's style, Mankiewicz chose a loose, more casual demeanor, including sporting a goatee.[14] According to Charles Tabesh, TCM's senior vice president of programming, this was encouraged. He reflected: "we really emphasized the differences [between them]. We asked him to have a goatee. We had him in a set that was a downtown loft, and his scripts were much less reverential."[15] Furthermore, Mankiewicz frequently uses sardonic humor in his on-air introductions; before a broadcast of Gigi (1958), he once joked the film was not to be confused with "Gigli, the 'Bennifer' disaster that won't get anywhere near the Oscars."[16] According to Vanity Fair, Mankiewicz's early appearances were disliked among older network audiences. Years since, he has started wearing more formal attire and adopted a clean-shaven image.[14]

In 2012, Osborne began delegating weekday primetime hosting appearances over to Mankiewicz.[17] Additionally, Mankiewicz hosted the network's late-night weekend programming blocks: Silent Sunday Nights and TCM Imports. In 2019, he transferred these duties to his colleagues Jacqueline Stewart and Alicia Malone, respectively.[18][19] As of 2024, Mankiewicz hosts the primetime lineup from Wednesdays to Sundays (his colleagues Dave Karger and Alicia Malone host the primetime lineup on Mondays and Tuesdays, respectively).[20]

In 2020, TCM and Mankiewicz launched an original podcast titled The Plot Thickens, with the first season chronicling Peter Bogdanovich's filmmaking career.[21] A year later, the first season was named a Webby Honoree for Television & Film Podcasts,[22] and again in 2022 and 2023. The Plot Thickens was also awarded the Best Branded Podcast at the 2021 Adweek Podcast Awards.[23] The second season chronicled the tumultuous production of The Bonfire of the Vanities (1990), the third profiled Lucille Ball, and the fourth season profiled Pam Grier.[24] On June 6, 2024, the series' fifth season, which chronicles film director John Ford's life and career, began streaming.[25]

In 2023, Mankiewicz began hosting a second podcast series Talking Pictures, in which he interviewed Mel Brooks, Nancy Meyers, and Patty Jenkins among others.[26] A second season has since been renewed.[27]

Other ventures

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In 2008, Mankiewicz was hired to co-host the nationally syndicated television series At the Movies, alongside Ben Lyons.[28] While Lyons's credentials as a film critic were criticized, Mankiewicz received a favorable reception among television viewers.[29] Regardless, this incarnation was cancelled after one season, and they were replaced by A. O. Scott and Michael Phillips. In response, Mankiewicz stated: "I loved working on this show, every moment of it ... It was an honor to continue a broadcast legacy not merely started by Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel, but created by them. No doubt the show is in good hands."[30]

Mankiewicz co-hosted the online film review series What the Flick?! on The Young Turks Network, alongside fellow critics Christy Lemire, Matt Atchity, and Alonso Duralde.[31] In August 2018, Lemire posted on her website What the Flick?! had officially ended.[32] The series was reformatted into the web series and podcast Breakfast All Day hosted by Lemire and Duralde.[33]

Mankiewicz has made cameo appearances in the Lifetime television movie The Bling Ring (2011) and the action film White House Down (2013). He also appears regularly on other shows as a political and media commentator, including The Michael Brooks Show in 2017.[34] In 2019, he became a news contributor for CBS News Sunday Morning.[3] He was among the people interviewed for the documentary film Memory: The Origins of Alien (2019).

Personal life

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Mankiewicz married his second wife, Lee Russo, aboard the Disney Magic during the 2013 TCM Classic Cruise.[15] They live in Santa Monica, California with their daughter.[3][16]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2011 The Bling Ring Host TV movie
2012 Ten Years of the Young Turks Himself
2013 White House Down Reporter
The Screenwriters: The Stars Behind the Camera Himself
2014 TCM: Twenty Classic Moments Host TV movie
Mad as Hell Himself
I Am Steve McQueen Film critic
Hannibal: This Is My Design Himself
2015 Robert Osborne's 20th Anniversary Tribute Himself
2017 Faye Dunaway: Live from the TCM Classic Film Festival Host
2018 Michael Douglas: Live from the TCM Classic Film Festival Host
The Great Buster Himself
The Producers: Q&A with Mel Brooks from the TCM Classic Film Festival Moderator/Interviewer
2019 Memory: The Origins of Alien Host, Turner Classic Movies
2020 Mank Broadcaster, Academy Awards Voice role
Stuntwoman: The Untold Hollywood Story Himself
2021 I Am Alfred Hitchcock Himself Voice role
Film, the Living Record of our Memory Himself
2023 Dick Tracy Zooms In Himself TV movie
TBA Untitled Mad As Hell Anthology Film Himself Post-production

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2003 The Practice News Anchor Episode: "Les Is More"
Summer Under the Stars Host
2004 Cartoon Alley Host
2006–2020 The Young Turks Host/Himself/Guest 18 episodes
2007–2008 TMZ on TV Himself 3 episodes
2007 Big Love News presenter Episode: "Good Guys and Bad Guys"
2008–2009 At the Movies Co-Host 25 episodes
2009 Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Guest Expert 3 episodes
The Bonnie Hunt Show Himself 1 episode
2010–2015 TYT Sports Host/Anchor 21 episodes
2010–2017 What the Flick?! Host 154 episodes
2010 Party Down Sportscaster Episode: "Cole Landry's Draft Day Party"
The Rotten Tomatoes Show Himself 4 episodes
2011; 2014 The Point Himself 2 episodes
2012 TYT Arm Wrestling Tournament Competitor Episode: "Michael vs. Ben"
AM Northwest Himself Episode: "Ernest Borgnine"
Hot Set Host Episode: "Alien Queen"
SAG Foundation Conversations Host Episode: "Illeana Douglas"
2013 The War Room with Michael Shure Guest 1 episode
2014–2019 Jeopardy! Clue Giver/Video Clue Presenter 4 episodes
2015 Mad as Hell: The Series Himself 4 episodes
AFI Life Achievement Award Himself Episode: "AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Steve Martin"
2016–2019 TCM Guest Programmer 21 episodes
2016 The Cowboy Himself 2 episodes
2017 TCM Spotlight: 50 Years of Hitchcock Host 10 episodes
TCM Co-Host Himself Episode: "George Pal Tribute"
The Michael Brooks Show Himself 1 episode
2018 Good Day L.A. Himself 1 episode
2019–2020 The Very Very Best of the 70s Himself/Commentator 2 episodes
2019–present CBS News Sunday Morning Himself/CBS News Correspondent 17 episodes
2019 Private Screenings Host Episode: "The Best of Private Screenings"
TCM Presents: Never Surrender - WWII in the Movies Host 27 episodes
TCM Presents: Out of This World Host 3 episodes
The Movies Himself 6 episodes
TCM Spotlight: Gridiron Glory - College Football in the Movies Host 13 episodes
TCM Spotlight: Pets on Sets Host 12 episodes
2020 The Simpsons Himself Episode: "Treehouse of Horror XXXI"[35]
Now Showing Host 48 episodes
AFI Movie Club Himself Episode: "Ben Mankiewicz announces Ben Hur"
Well, This Isn't Normal Himself Episode: "Ben Mankiewicz Has a Voice for Storytelling"
The Essentials Host 20 episodes
2021 Cartoon Network's Cartoonito Himself
2022 The Big Lie Narrator Podcast series
2023 AEW Dynamite Presenter Introduced 'Timeless' Toni Storm to the ring in a pre-taped video
2024 Himself Appearanced in a pre-taped promo with 'Timeless' Toni Storm

References

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  1. ^ Hond, Paul (Fall 2022). "How the Mankiewicz Family Got Their Hollywood Ending". Columbia Magazine. Archived from the original on September 8, 2022.
  2. ^ Broadcasting – Google Books. 1957. Retrieved July 11, 2013 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ a b c d "Ben Mankiewicz". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on April 28, 2024. Retrieved September 30, 2016.
  4. ^ Mankiewicz, Josh. "What Mom taught me... – Inside Dateline". MSNBC. Archived from the original on April 1, 2012. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  5. ^ Friedman, Gabe (December 4, 2020). "The real story behind 'Mank,' the new movie about the Jewish screenwriter who brought us 'Citizen Kane'". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Archived from the original on July 5, 2024. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
  6. ^ a b Bonnett, Margie (May 24, 1982). "Frank Mankiewicz". People. ISSN 0093-7673. Archived from the original on June 4, 2009. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  7. ^ "Ben's Top Pick for October 2015". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on September 15, 2012. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  8. ^ "Ben Mankiewicz profile". Tv.com. Archived from the original on September 17, 2011. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  9. ^ Sanford, James (October 18, 2003). "Mankiewicz hosts TCM on weekends". Star Tribune. p. E8. Archived from the original on May 19, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  10. ^ Goetz, Kevin (host) (February 7, 2024). "Ben Mankiewicz (Host of Turner Classic Movies) on Cinema Classics & Growing Up in a Legendary Family". Don't Kill the Messenger (Podcast). No. 36. Event occurs at 12:08. Archived from the original on May 19, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  11. ^ Turner Classic Movies (July 18, 2017). Ben Mankiewicz talks about his TCM Audition. Archived from the original on May 19, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2024 – via YouTube.
  12. ^ "Interview With Ben Mankiewicz, TCM's Daytime Weekend Host". Turner Classic Movies (Interview). Archived from the original on December 14, 2003. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  13. ^ Littleton, Cynthia (April 9, 2019). "TCM at 25: Ben Mankiewicz on How to Make the Perfect Introduction". Variety. Archived from the original on April 9, 2019. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  14. ^ a b Keegan, Rebecca (April 6, 2017). "How TCM Is Navigating a Post–Robert Osborne World". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on April 9, 2017. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  15. ^ a b King, Susan (August 1, 2015). "Classic Hollywood: TCM host Ben Mankiewicz's path from snarky newbie to a classic in his own right". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 3, 2015. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  16. ^ a b Bernstein, Adam (June 14, 2013). "Grandson of 'Citizen Kane' co-writer continues a family tradition as a TCM host". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  17. ^ Osborne, Robert (October 1, 2012). "A Note from Robert Osborne to his fans". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on October 4, 2012. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  18. ^ "TCM Imports with Host Alicia Malone". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on February 27, 2019. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  19. ^ Bitran, Tara (September 9, 2019). "Jacqueline Stewart Becomes First African American Host at Turner Classic Movies". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on July 8, 2022. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  20. ^ Littleton, Cynthia (April 9, 2019). "How Turner Classic Movies Built a Marquee Brand by Catering to Film Fans". Variety. Archived from the original on April 9, 2019. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  21. ^ "TCM Launches Podcast 'The Plot Thickens' in April" (Press release). WarnerMedia Podcast Network. March 30, 2020. Archived from the original on April 28, 2024. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  22. ^ "Television & Film Podcasts—2021". Webby Awards. Archived from the original on July 5, 2024. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  23. ^ Collins, Kennyatta (December 13, 2021). "Here Are 2021's Adweek Podcast of the Year Winners". Adweek. Archived from the original on December 13, 2021. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  24. ^ Barnes, Mike (April 20, 2022). "TCM's Next 'Plot Thickens' Podcast: Pam Grier". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 21, 2022. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  25. ^ "TCM's Acclaimed Podcast The Plot Thickens Returns for Season Five Focusing on John Ford" (Press release). Warner Bros. Discovery. April 17, 2024. Archived from the original on April 28, 2024. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  26. ^ Spangler, Todd (November 16, 2023). "TCM's Ben Mankiewicz Sets New Podcast Series Interviewing Filmmakers Including Mel Brooks, Nancy Meyers, Patty Jenkins (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on November 16, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  27. ^ Spangler, Todd (March 19, 2024). "Ben Mankiewicz's 'Talking Pictures' Movie Interview Podcast Renewed for Season 2 at TCM and Max". Variety. Archived from the original on March 19, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  28. ^ Thompson, Anne (July 22, 2008). "Lyons, Mankiewicz to host 'Movies'". Variety. Archived from the original on July 3, 2017. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  29. ^ Lee, Chris (December 28, 2008). "Dumbing Down the Film Critic". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on April 6, 2019. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  30. ^ Rosenthal, Phil (August 5, 2009). "Chicago Tribune's Michael Phillips, N.Y. Times' A.O. Scott take over 'At the Movies'". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on January 23, 2011. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  31. ^ "Home Page - TYT Network". TYT Network. Retrieved September 30, 2016.
  32. ^ Lemire, Christy (August 30, 2018). "What the Flick?! Podcast 8/30/18". Archived from the original on July 5, 2024. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  33. ^ "Breakfast All Day movie reviews" (Podcast). Archived from the original on November 7, 2024. Retrieved November 6, 2024 – via Apple Podcasts.
  34. ^ The Majority Report with Sam Seder (November 14, 2017), TMBS - Ep. 15 – Why Evangelicals Can't Quit Roy Moore ft. Ben Mankiewicz & Sarah Jones, archived from the original on December 19, 2021, retrieved January 9, 2018
  35. ^ "(SI-3117) "Treehouse of Horror XXXI"". The Futon Critic. October 20, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
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