306:"In addition to career failure, at the age of 30, I had sort of failed in every box you could check. I don’t have any prospects, I don’t have a career, I don’t have any of the things that any of my friends had. I was working at a bookstore and living in an apartment that was difficult to afford month to month. I didn’t have anywhere to go. I didn’t know what to do" stated Ratliff.
321:, the Stepfathers." For years, Ratliff had been "too ashamed to even tell the Hanks story", but at the UCB Theatre he "realized it was a good ice-breaker, in part because every actor has experienced professional rejection and disappointment." He started to explore the idea of turning his experiences into a podcast, "applying the investigative format of a show like
474:
called "thrilling". "I was fully prepared for this to never happen, but I am thrilled that it has," said
Ratliff. "I think for listeners who have been following along, it will be a very satisfying experience. And for new listeners, it's a Tom Hanks episode, so what's not to like? We want
196:
believed
Ratliff had "dead eyes." In 2020, Ratliff set out to "solve the very stupid mystery" of why he was fired, and to more generally explore the concept of rejection in the entertainment industry. The podcast gained significant media attention in March 2022 when, for its season 3 finale, Ratliff
371:
podcasting network. They were immediately receptive to
Ratliff's vision, though they were wary of the potential longevity of the series. Ratliff responded, saying "I have a long list of goals I want to do, including interviewing Tom Hanks, but you have to plan your escape routes correctly; you want
261:
After reading in-person for Hanks, Ratliff was told that they had decided to recast the role, leading
Ratliff to think: "I'm never going to forget this. I'm going to be constantly reminded of this experience. A lot of bad experiences in life, you can get away from. But when an aspect of that
350:
Initially, Ratliff was having a hard time finding a serious distributor for the show, though he was not deterred: "I was going to continue doing this podcast no matter what, but I wanted to do it well because I knew it was a good idea. I couldn't get anyone to email me back, and then I
579:, and send the footage to Comite and Nelson. Said Comite: "There’s stuff sonically that I'm super proud of, but the stuff that's janky is almost more fun to me because initially I was like, 'We can't do it this way. It has to sound professional.' you wouldn't have
698:'s Emma Carey says: "Ratliff explores not just the ups and downs of show business, but the more deeply human experience of dealing with personal and professional failure. And more importantly, how we move on, learn, and grow from it", Miranda Sawyer from
282:
After being rejected by Hanks, Ratliff stated "the experience of being hired and fired so abruptly left him broken." Further setbacks solidified his discouragement in his acting career: an indie film he wrote and acted in was supposed to be screened the
641:"Best Podcasts of 2020" says: "as Ratliff gathers thread on this low-stakes mystery, the podcast turns into an insightful and sometimes juicy series about the world of acting, the trials of growing in a career, and the slipperiness of memory". For
34:
257:
the episode, and that Hanks was having second thoughts, requesting
Ratliff to immediately come in to reaudition for the part and saying that Hanks had looked at his audition tape and felt Ratliff had "dead eyes".
246:. Upon being cast in the role, Ratliff said, "I told everyone; this was the greatest thing that had ever happened to anybody... I really felt like this would be the thing that would jump-start my acting career."
470:. The 90-minute interview between Ratliff and Hanks was hailed as a momentous achievement in podcasting, a "rare show that gives you a perfect conclusion", "surprisingly funny and empathetic", and an event
408:, and Adam Sims, the actor to whom the Zielinksi role was given. Many others from the entertainment industry appeared on the show up to and throughout its third season, such as
1148:
1124:
628:
is a funny podcast grounded in pettiness that somehow manages to be relatable rather than obnoxious... Where similar conversations devolve into 'man shouting at cloud' status,
690:"Best Podcasts of 2020", Steve Greene wrote: "Ratliff takes a self-aware search for a likely impossible answer and uses it to show how hard it can be to cope with rejection."
617:
said that
Ratliff's podcast presents "hilarious and often poignant soul-searching through the acting industry, which he now unpacks in this entertaining podcast", and for
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to know that if you can't leave the way you came in, there's another way for you to go. I'm in it for the long haul. Tom Hanks firing me is kind of like the 'Who killed
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303:, he attempted to put on his own plays that did not gain an audience. "Whatever contacts and career momentum I'd made in England simply didn't translate."
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it to feel as if you're just there in the room with me and Tom. I have been a fan ever since I heard him scream the line 'I am not a fish' in
448:
on
January 20, 2022. It was revealed that Colin and sister Elizabeth had made their father aware of Ratliff's story and podcast: upon learning of
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quickly found critical acclaim and a wide audience as
Ratliff gained momentum through its first three seasons, holding interviews with
452:, Hanks said, "I was aghast. I was — I actually got chilled. My heart rate skyrocketed and I said, I did — I did what? I did what?"
823:
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Sarah Larson wrote: "In probing themes of opportunity, rejection, and turning failure into art, Ratliff and his guests (including
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writes "If you like
Ratliff – and he is immensely likable – you will find yourself enjoying this show." Anthony Breznican from
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persistently explores are rich and endless, and its tenor captures the feeling of navigating life’s greatest anxieties."
532:
done by Comite, Harry Nelson, and associate producer Jordan Allyn in season three. Initially, episodes were recorded at
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is its relatability. Almost everybody has a tale of rejection that they can never quite shake." and
Nicolas Quah from
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Watch Late Night with Seth Meyers Highlight: Connor Ratliff Confronted Tom Hanks About Firing Him for His 'Dead Eyes'
1199:
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Other times, Ratliff would record field audio on his phone from various locations, such as a busy street corner in
824:"'Tom Hanks would be boring if he was just nice': the podcaster interviewing the star – after being fired by him"
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where he revealed that for the season three finale on March 10, 2022, Tom Hanks would at last be interviewed on
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With producers Mike Comite and Harry Nelson working with Ratliff (as well as Jordan Allyn joining in season 3),
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The day before Ratliff was supposed to begin filming, he was notified by his agent's assistant that
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and was set to begin filming when he was subsequently fired, allegedly because series co-creator
481:, and doing this podcast has only made me a bigger fan, even before he agreed to be a guest."
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has been overwhelmingly positive, with season one making numerous "Best Podcasts of 2020
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something miserable like 'anyone know how to keep a podcast going?'". Ratliff's friend
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950:"Tom Hanks finally apologizes to Connor Ratliff for firing him for having 'dead eyes'"
681:) manage a level of entertainment and tonal nuance that is, frankly, surprising." For
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to something incredibly minor and low stakes." He began by enlisting friends, such as
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1149:"This week's best home entertainment: from Better Call Saul to The Twilight Zone"
877:"Tom Hanks Nearly Destroyed Connor Ratliff's Life. So He Made a Podcast About It"
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festival while working at a friend's day care center; and then, after moving to
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In New York, he was encouraged to take improvisational comedy classes at the
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guests recording their audio at local traditional podcast studios, such as
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Theatre, where he began "advancing rapidly through the UCB hierarchy until
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pursuing a career in acting, when he auditioned for and landed the role of
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632:’s knack for self-parody saves, and elevates, his show". Andrea Marks on
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182:. In 2000, Ratliff was cast in the role of Private John Zielinski on the
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said: "Fascinating and excellent... Part interview show, part memoir,
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Marks, Andrea; Garber-Paul, Elisabeth; Ehrlich, Brenna (2020-12-18).
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struck, Ratliff had to make do and began recording his audio in a "
772:"Connor Ratliff on turning rejection from Tom Hanks into success"
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266:, that was when I realized this thing I thought was going to be
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responded, asking Ratliff if he would like Schwartz to contact
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1327:"The week in radio and podcasts: Vent; Dead Eyes – review"
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Dead Eyes Conner Ratliff on Thursday's with Rob & Paul
587:. just the raw talent of Zach and Connor, being amazing
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remarking on people walking by him on the streets in a
624:"10 Best Podcasts of 2020", Elaina Dockterman writes "
1125:"'Dead Eyes' Podcast Team Focuses on the 'X' Factor"
901:"If I Were You - 424: Dead Eyes (w/Connor Ratliff!)"
1098:"'Dead Eyes' Podcast Finally Tracks Down Tom Hanks"
656:is an innovative take on a familiar genre", and on
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24:
1278:"The Podcasts of 2020: A Tribute — Year in Review"
556:), but when the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing
1003:"Dead Eyes Should Interview Tom Hanks Every Week"
455:On March 2, 2022, Ratliff appeared as a guest on
849:"Dead Eyes - 1 - He's Having Second Thoughts"
466:, 22 years after Ratliff had been fired from
8:
520:between Ratliff and various guests from the
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548:recording his interview remotely from
497:is presented as a serialized personal
444:, who appeared on the 27th episode of
219:Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts
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217:, and after high school attended the
178:series created by actor and comedian
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386:Critical acclaim and "The Interview"
505:. Each episode features voice over
295:, where he was rejected by a local
1352:"Why Did Tom Hanks Fire This Man?"
1027:"The Best Podcasts of 2022 So Far"
799:"Why Did Tom Hanks Fire This Man?"
262:experience is so ingrained in the
67:Interview/ Monologue/ Storytelling
14:
225:. After graduating, he stayed in
59:Personal Nonfiction Investigation
32:
1174:"The 10 Best Podcasts of 2020"
875:Sepinwall, Alan (2021-10-27).
1:
948:Towers, Andrea (2022-03-10).
528:is done by Mike Comite, with
440:, and eventually, Hanks' son
158:https://headgum.com/dead-eyes
1388:Film and television podcasts
1276:Greene, Steve (2020-12-17).
376:' of it, but the podcast is
1303:"The Best Podcasts of 2021"
1252:"The Best Podcasts of 2020"
1228:"The Best Podcasts of 2020"
1200:"The Best Podcasts of 2020"
1096:White, Peter (2022-03-03).
648:s "Best Podcasts of 2020",
611:lists. Gwilym Mumford from
458:Late Night with Seth Meyers
197:finally interviewed Hanks.
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1301:Carey, Emma (2021-12-22).
278:Conception and development
568:at his parents' house in
513:from Ratliff, as well as
170:is a serialized personal
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925:"Dead Eyes - 27 - Colin"
317:invited him to join his
311:Upright Citizens Brigade
665:"Best Podcasts of 2020"
287:festival shortly after
745:"Headgum // Dead Eyes"
603:Critical reception of
522:entertainment industry
291:; he briefly moved to
233:John Zielinski in the
485:Format and production
954:Entertainment Weekly
710:says: "The charm of
1063:– via YouTube
1180:. 22 November 2020
720:says "The themes
289:September 11, 2001
285:South by Southwest
223:Liverpool, England
186:television series
16:Nonfiction podcast
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1360:. Retrieved
1358:. 2022-03-03
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1333:. 2020-05-23
1331:The Guardian
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1258:. 2020-12-09
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1155:. 2020-02-21
1153:The Guardian
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830:. 2022-03-10
828:The Guardian
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807:. Retrieved
805:. 2022-03-03
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701:The Observer
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414:Rian Johnson
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361:Jake Hurwitz
357:Ben Schwartz
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116:Ending theme
106:Jordan Allyn
103:Harry Nelson
41:Presentation
25:
1356:Vanity Fair
1081:12 December
803:Vanity Fair
749:headgum.com
707:Vanity Fair
589:improvisers
554:Los Angeles
472:Paul Scheer
430:Judd Apatow
426:Tami Sagher
410:Nicole Byer
297:Shakespeare
272:huge bummer
213:grew up in
126:Publication
100:Mike Comite
1377:Categories
1362:2022-06-13
1337:2022-06-13
1312:2022-06-13
1287:2022-06-13
1262:2022-06-13
1237:2022-06-13
1209:2022-06-13
1184:2022-06-13
1159:2022-06-13
1134:2022-06-14
1107:2022-06-14
1060:2022-06-14
1037:2022-06-14
1012:2022-06-14
982:2022-06-14
959:2022-06-14
934:2022-06-14
910:2022-06-14
886:2022-06-12
858:2022-06-06
834:2022-06-06
809:2022-06-06
781:2022-06-06
754:2022-06-06
728:References
679:Aimee Mann
518:interviews
511:exposition
507:monologues
499:nonfiction
422:Seth Rogan
379:Twin Peaks
345:Zach Woods
270:was now a
206:Background
172:nonfiction
120:Aimee Mann
95:Production
90:Production
72:Created by
1383:Tom Hanks
1282:IndieWire
776:TODAY.com
722:Dead Eyes
712:Dead Eyes
684:IndieWire
654:Dead Eyes
626:Dead Eyes
605:Dead Eyes
599:Reception
495:Dead Eyes
464:Dead Eyes
450:Dead Eyes
446:Dead Eyes
392:Dead Eyes
274:for me."
255:directing
253:would be
251:Tom Hanks
194:Tom Hanks
167:Dead Eyes
134:7/23/2019
46:Hosted by
26:Dead Eyes
1102:Deadline
671:Jon Hamm
570:Missouri
546:Jon Hamm
538:New York
329:Jon Hamm
301:New York
268:so great
215:Missouri
139:Provider
1307:Esquire
1232:Vulture
1007:Vulture
929:Headgum
905:Headgum
853:Headgum
717:Vulture
695:Esquire
644:Vulture
630:Ratliff
503:podcast
369:Headgum
367:of the
353:tweeted
231:Private
201:History
176:podcast
154:Website
149:Related
143:Headgum
19:Podcast
677:, and
542:remote
540:(with
478:Splash
343:, and
324:Serial
319:troupe
293:Oregon
240:epic,
227:London
82:Length
64:Format
581:Zach
564:on a
442:Colin
56:Genre
1178:Time
1083:2021
1031:Time
620:Time
509:and
363:and
595:."
572:."
552:in
536:in
382:."
235:HBO
221:in
184:HBO
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