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#TOP15 celebrity chats of 2015

Jason Fraley | jfraley@wtop.com

December 30, 2015, 2:00 AM

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Introduction New Year’s Eve brings the “Auld Lang Syne” lyrics, “Should old acquaintance be forgot,” but 2015 was a huge year for new acquaintances on the WTOP Entertainment Page! WTOP picked the brains of Aretha Franklin, William Shatner, Drew Barrymore, Spike Lee and many others about mastering their crafts of movies, music, television and theatre. Some entered the Glass Enclosed Nerve Center in person. Others made time to call in from around the world. Click through the gallery to hear the #TOP15 Celebrity Chats of 2015.
Jon Stewart poses for a portrait in promotion of his forthcoming directorial and screenwriting feature debut "Rosewater" on Friday, Nov. 7, 2014 in New York. (Photo by Victoria Will/Invision/AP)
ICYMI from 2014 Before we get to this year’s celebrity slate, here are a few highlights from last year: — Jon Stewart
— Dick Cavett
— Kevin Spacey
— Lucie Arnaz
— Michelle Monaghan
— Bennett Miller
— Richard Linklater
— Tom Hanks, Al Green, Lily Tomlin, Sting, Patricia McBride Now, on with the 2015 list … (Kennedy Center Honors)
Kennedy Center Honors
Actress/model Brooke Shields and her mother Teri are shown at Grantley Adams International Airport about to board a Pan Am plane after a week's business visit in Barbados, Nov. 3, 1984. (AP Photo/Willie Alleyne)
Honorable Mentions 2015 Not every celebrity interview made the cut this year. It almost seemed unfair to put a brief red carpet encounter over a full-fledged Q&A. So, here’s a list of other memorable celebrity encounters from 2015:
— Alex Garland
— Anderson Cooper & Andy Cohen
— André De Shields & Timothy Douglas
— Bad Company (Simon Kirke), Blackhearts (Ricky Byrd), Southside Johnny (Jeff Kazee)
— Better Than Ezra (Tom Drummond)
— Berry Gordy & Charles Randolph-Wright
— Billy Bob Thornton
— Biz Markie
— Boyz II Men, Joss Stone, Tommy Tune
— Bradley Cooper
— ‘Breaking Bad’ Cast
— Brian Grazer
— Brooke Shields
— Chaka Khan
— Cheap Trick (Tom Petersson)
— Crosby, Still & Nash
— David Simon & Tom McCarthy
— Davis Guggenheim
— Dolph Lundgren
— Eddie Murphy (ft. Kathy Griffin, Trevor Noah)
— Ellen Page
— Gabe Polsky
— George Clinton
— George Lucas, Carole King, Rita Moreno, Seiji Ozawa, Cicely Tyson (Kennedy Center Honors)
— Hal Ketchum
— Jacques Cousteau Jr.
— James Vanderbilt
(AP/Willie Alleyne)
AP/Willie Alleyne
US actor Richard Gere talks during the Italian State RAI TV program "Che Tempo che Fa", in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
15. Richard Gere Richard Gere joined WTOP’s Jason Fraley at the Jefferson Hotel to discuss playing a homeless man in the new movie “Time Out of Mind.” He also shared memories of his most famous roles from “Days of Heaven” to “Pretty Woman.” Listen to the full interview here. (AP/Antonio Calanni)
AP/Antonio Calanni
14. Sean Astin Sean Astin entered the Glass Enclosed Nerve Center with WTOP’s Jason Fraley to preview Awesome Con. He also dished on his biggest fan-favorite flicks from “The Goonies” to “Rudy” to “The Lord of the Rings.” Listen to the full interview here. ((Courtesy Awesome Con))
(Courtesy Awesome Con)
13. Freida Pinto Freida Pinto joined WTOP’s Jason Fraley at George Washington University to promote her “Girl Rising” campaign and share memories of how “Slumdog Millionaire” changed her life. Listen to the full interview here.
In this Aug. 19, 2015 photo David Oyelowo poses for a portrait in New York. Oyelowo plays an emotionally damaged man losing himself further after a spasm of off-camera violence in HBO's "Nightingale," a role which garnered him an Emmy nomination on July 16. The 67th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards will take place on Sept. 20.(Photo by Dan Hallman/Invision/AP)
12. David Oyelowo Actor David Oyelowo joined WTOP’s Jason Fraley at the Georgetown Ritz Carlton to discuss his new movie “Captive,” as well as his important roles in “Lincoln,” “The Butler” and “Selma,” whose director Ava DuVernay tweeted her approval. Listen to the full interview here. (Dan Hallman/Invision/AP/Dan Hallman)
Dan Hallman/Invision/AP/Dan Hallman
Actors Jean Stapleton, seated, left, and Carroll O'Connor, seated, right, hold their Emmys after receiving them in Hollywood, Calif., Sept. 18, 1978. At rear, from left to right are Rob Reiner, who won an Emmy for supporting actor in the same series; Norman Lear, producer of the show; and executive producer Mort Lachman. (AP Photo)
11. Norman Lear TV sitcom master Norman Lear joined WTOP’s Jason Fraley via phone to discuss his new book “Even This I Get to Experience” and share his memories of creating hits like “All in the Family,” “The Jeffersons” and “Good Times.” Listen to the full interview here. (AP/YARNOLD)
AP/YARNOLD
10. William Shatner William Shatner joined WTOP’s Jason Fraley via phone to preview Awesome Con. He also discussed his memories of playing Captain Kirk in “Star Trek” and working with the late Leonard Nimoy as Spock. Listen to the full interview here.
9. George Stevens Jr. George Stevens Jr. invited WTOP’s Jason Fraley for a chat in his office at the Kennedy Center to discuss his founding of the American Film Institute and his father’s greatest films from “Shane” to “Giant” to “A Place in the Sun.” Listen to the full interview here.
Paul Dano, Brian Wilson, and John Cusack pose for a portrait during press day for "Love & Mercy" at The Four Seasons on Tuesday, June 2, 2015 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Casey Curry/Invision/AP)
8. Paul Dano & Brian Wilson (Beach Boys) Beach Boys genius Brian Wilson joined WTOP’s Jason Fraley at the National Press Club to discuss the inspiration behind so many of the band’s biggest hits, while Paul Dano discussed what it was like playing Wilson in the new biopic “Love & Mercy.” Listen to the full interview here. (Casey Curry/Invision/AP/Casey Curry)
Casey Curry/Invision/AP/Casey Curry
Singer Glenn Frey, left, and musician Joe Walsh of The Eagles perform at the Stagecoach Music Festival in Indio, Calif. on Friday, May 2, 2008. (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg)
7. Joe Walsh (The Eagles) Rock legend Joe Walsh joined WTOP’s Jason Fraley via phone to discuss both his solo career and his time with The Eagles, where he taught bandmates Glenn Frey and Don Henley how to rock with “Hotel California.” The interview ended with a rapid-fire Q&A of Eagles lyrics, as Walsh gave his responses in a way that only he could. Listen to the full interview here. (ASSOCIATED PRESS/Dan Steinberg)
ASSOCIATED PRESS/Dan Steinberg
In this Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2015 photo, filmmaker Spike Lee poses for a portrait in Beverly Hills, Calif. Reflecting on his career as he prepares to accept an honorary Oscar, the 58-year-old suddenly stands up and bounds around as he considers various ideas, at times bellowing so exuberantly, it echoes. Lee laughs as easily as he gets serious, and says he’s profoundly touched by the film academy honor he’ll receive Saturday, Nov. 14, at the seventh annual Governors Awards. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
6. Spike Lee Spike Lee joined WTOP’s Jason Fraley at the Jefferson Hotel — along with actress Teyonnah Parris — to discuss their new movie “Chi-Raq.” He also shared rapid-fire memories of his most acclaimed work from “Do the Right Thing” to “Malcom X.” Listen to the full interview here. (Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP/Chris Pizzello)
Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP/Chris Pizzello
Larry King
5. Larry King Broadcast legend Larry King entered the Glass Enclosed Nerve Center with WTOP’s Jason Fraley to discuss his iconic career in suspenders, including his favorite guests, his interview philosophy and his ideal obituary. Listen to the full interview here. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
WTOP/Jason Fraley
Aretha Franklin performs in front of Pope Francis during the World Meeting of Families in the Benjamin Franklin Parkway Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
4. Aretha Franklin Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin joined WTOP’s Jason Fraley via phone to preview her show at Strathmore. She also dished on her career and told W-T-O-P to give her some R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Listen to the full interview here. (AP/Alessandra Tarantino)
AP/Alessandra Tarantino
Musician Roger Waters performs with a band of wounded veterans during the Stand Up for Heroes event at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 6, 2013, in New York. Waters will play a similar event at the Music Heals concert Friday at D.A.R. Constitution Hall in Washington D.C. (John Minchillo/Invision/AP)
3. Roger Waters (Pink Floyd) Pink Floyd frontman Roger Waters joined WTOP’s Jason Fraley by phone to preview his show at DAR Constitution Hall, where he played with wounded military veterans. He also shared the inspiration behind Pink Floyd’s biggest songs from “Comfortably Numb” to “Wish You Were Here” to “Another Brick in the Wall.” Listen to the full interview here. (John Minchillo)
John Minchillo
In this Oct. 20, 2015 photo, Drew Barrymore poses for a portrait to promote her new book "Wildflower," in New York. Barrymore has a new movie, "Miss You Already," with Tony Collette opening Nov. 6, a beauty line called Flower and runs a production company called Flower Films. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Invision/AP)
2. Drew Barrymore Actress Drew Barrymore joined WTOP’s Jason Fraley via phone to discuss her new memoir “Wildflower.” She also shared her experience growing up in a famous Hollywood family and working with titans like Steven Spielberg in “E.T.” and Wes Craven in “Scream.” Listen to the full interview here. (Amy Sussman/Invision/AP/Amy Sussman)
Amy Sussman/Invision/AP/Amy Sussman
In this photo released by Starpix, Linda Blair, who in 1973 starred in the original version of "The Exorcist," joins the film's director, William Friedkin, for a photo at a screening of the remastered film, Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2010, at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. (AP Photo/Starpix, Dave Allocca)
1. William Friedkin Pushing this celebrity interview to our No. 1 spot is the fact that Oscar-winning director William Friedkin joined WTOP’s Jason Fraley via Skype for an entire hour. Friedkin not only previewed a historic Exorcist Steps commemoration in Georgetown, he also discussed his favorite scenes from the horror classic, discussed his all-time favorite flicks, and explored his favorite Hollywood memories from working with Alfred Hitchcock to directing “The French Connection.” Listen to the full interview here. (ASSOCIATED PRESS/Dave Allocca)
ASSOCIATED PRESS/Dave Allocca
(1/18)
Jon Stewart poses for a portrait in promotion of his forthcoming directorial and screenwriting feature debut "Rosewater" on Friday, Nov. 7, 2014 in New York. (Photo by Victoria Will/Invision/AP)
Actress/model Brooke Shields and her mother Teri are shown at Grantley Adams International Airport about to board a Pan Am plane after a week's business visit in Barbados, Nov. 3, 1984. (AP Photo/Willie Alleyne)
US actor Richard Gere talks during the Italian State RAI TV program "Che Tempo che Fa", in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
In this Aug. 19, 2015 photo David Oyelowo poses for a portrait in New York. Oyelowo plays an emotionally damaged man losing himself further after a spasm of off-camera violence in HBO's "Nightingale," a role which garnered him an Emmy nomination on July 16. The 67th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards will take place on Sept. 20.(Photo by Dan Hallman/Invision/AP)
Actors Jean Stapleton, seated, left, and Carroll O'Connor, seated, right, hold their Emmys after receiving them in Hollywood, Calif., Sept. 18, 1978. At rear, from left to right are Rob Reiner, who won an Emmy for supporting actor in the same series; Norman Lear, producer of the show; and executive producer Mort Lachman. (AP Photo)
Paul Dano, Brian Wilson, and John Cusack pose for a portrait during press day for "Love & Mercy" at The Four Seasons on Tuesday, June 2, 2015 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Casey Curry/Invision/AP)
Singer Glenn Frey, left, and musician Joe Walsh of The Eagles perform at the Stagecoach Music Festival in Indio, Calif. on Friday, May 2, 2008. (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg)
In this Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2015 photo, filmmaker Spike Lee poses for a portrait in Beverly Hills, Calif. Reflecting on his career as he prepares to accept an honorary Oscar, the 58-year-old suddenly stands up and bounds around as he considers various ideas, at times bellowing so exuberantly, it echoes. Lee laughs as easily as he gets serious, and says he’s profoundly touched by the film academy honor he’ll receive Saturday, Nov. 14, at the seventh annual Governors Awards. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Larry King
Aretha Franklin performs in front of Pope Francis during the World Meeting of Families in the Benjamin Franklin Parkway Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Musician Roger Waters performs with a band of wounded veterans during the Stand Up for Heroes event at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 6, 2013, in New York. Waters will play a similar event at the Music Heals concert Friday at D.A.R. Constitution Hall in Washington D.C. (John Minchillo/Invision/AP)
In this Oct. 20, 2015 photo, Drew Barrymore poses for a portrait to promote her new book "Wildflower," in New York. Barrymore has a new movie, "Miss You Already," with Tony Collette opening Nov. 6, a beauty line called Flower and runs a production company called Flower Films. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Invision/AP)
In this photo released by Starpix, Linda Blair, who in 1973 starred in the original version of "The Exorcist," joins the film's director, William Friedkin, for a photo at a screening of the remastered film, Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2010, at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. (AP Photo/Starpix, Dave Allocca)
Jason Fraley

Hailed by The Washington Post for “his savantlike ability to name every Best Picture winner in history," Jason Fraley began at WTOP as Morning Drive Writer in 2008, film critic in 2011 and Entertainment Editor in 2014, providing daily arts coverage on-air and online.

jfraley@wtop.com

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