cover of episode On with Kara Swisher: Why Ben Stiller Made Severance

On with Kara Swisher: Why Ben Stiller Made Severance

2025/2/18
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Pivot

AI Chapters Transcript
Chapters
This chapter introduces the podcast and its guest, Ben Stiller, executive producer and director of the Apple TV+ series Severance. It highlights the show's success and explores its unique premise of work-life separation.
  • Ben Stiller's involvement in Severance
  • Severance's success on Apple TV+
  • The show's premise of 'innies' and 'outies'

Shownotes Transcript

Ben Stiller knew he needed to make Severance the moment he read an early version of the show in a writing sample its creator, Dan Erickson, submitted to his production company. Now, years later, Severance is a hit, reportedly generating $200 million for Apple TV, and Stiller is the series’ executive producer and go-to director responsible for some of its most pivotal episodes.

Kara talks to Stiller about the most poignant themes of the show, from its commentary on surveillance and technology to its meditations on trauma and identity. Plus, they chat politics — including Stiller’s reaction to an angry post about him by Elon Musk and his view on making political art now. 

Listen to more from On with Kara Swisher here).

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