EP 501: Jeff Daniels and Billy Ray on Capturing the Real James Comey

Based on James Comey's memoir A Higher Loyalty, The Comey Rule is a two night television event that is written/directed by Oscar-nominee Billy Ray and stars Emmy-winner Jeff Daniels as the embattled FBI Director. They join me on the podcast to open up about their own initial anger at James Comey over the 2016 Hillary Clinton probe and why they want to set the record straight about the man behind the two most controversial investigations of the 21st Century. Jeff reveals what attracts him to roles that define what it means to be an American, why he’s not afraid of projects that take a political stand, and what it was like to sit across the table from actor Brendan Gleeson as President Donald Trump. Billy recalls his extensive conversations with the real James Comey, the rule that governed every single decision that Comey made, and what Billy learned from his additional year’s worth of interviews (including one with a powerful Trump ally). They also discuss their race to finish The Comey Rule in time for the 2020 Presidential race and how they convinced Showtime to move up the premiere date to just 5 weeks before the election. Plus Jeff and Billy say they hope Donald Trump’s supporters will at least hate-watch The Comey Rule and they're totally prepared for inevitable angry tweet from President Trump himself.

The Comey Rule airs Sunday, September 27 and Monday, September 28 at 9 PM ET/PT on Showtime. Today's podcast was sponsored by the new series Kal Penn Approves This Message now streaming on Hulu.