Sun, sand, and a perfectly constructed murder.

This week on Within the Donut Hole, we break down Evil Under the Sun, one of Agatha Christie’s most elegant films. With Hercule Poirot at the center, we explore how a seemingly simple timeline becomes a masterclass in direction, score, script, casting, cinematography, editing, costume design, and locations.

From airtight alibis to carefully hidden truths, this is classic cinematic detective storytelling at its finest and a fascinating blueprint for our modern-day sleuth Benoit Blanc.

And yes, the tray of unidentifiable cocktails and the mysterious cheese with cherries will be discussed.

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In this chapter of Within the Donut Hole: a Benoit Blanc podcast, we step just outside the crime scene and into the casting office. We each draft five actors we believe would be perfect additions to the next Knives Out ensemble. Casting not by rumor or reporting, but by instinct for the unmistakable Rian Johnson vibe. From quiet intensity to legacy gravitas, we debate who belongs in Benoit Blanc’s next case. Before the speculation begins, I share the surreal real-world moment of meeting Rian Johnson and Nathan Johnson at Amoeba Records. Step within the donut hole.

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What happens when a song is designed not to be solved? In this episode of Within the Donut Hole, we turn our attention to “Glass Onion,” the Beatles’ sly, self-referential puzzle box of a song. One that invites interpretation while quietly reminding us that the center may be an illusion. We’re joined by renowned Beatles expert Chris Wood, whose lifelong devotion to the band includes a full-on Beatles wedding, performing in a string-backed cover band, and dressing as Sgt. Pepper–era Paul McCartney at an actual Paul McCartney concert. Together, we explore “Glass Onion” as both a commentary on Beatles mythology and a playful warning against over-analysis, peeling back layers that may, or may not, exist at all. Is “Glass Onion” a riddle…or a joke on all of us?

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