20 MAY 2024 · It is a privilege to welcome actress, singer-songwriter, and model Nina Bergman to The Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast.  Born in Denmark, Nina is the granddaughter of Russia’s most outstanding actor, Pavel Kadochnikov. She spent her early childhood traveling around Europe with her Russian Gypsy grandparents. At 14, she received a scholarship to the musical theatre Urdang Academy in London. A year later, Nina was in Moscow attending the world-famous Bolshoi Theatre. From there, she moved to New York City and was accepted at NYU Tisch School of the Arts. At that time, Nina got her first agent and began booking various jobs in commercials, films, modeling, and plays. She also started singing in underground bands.  Being an adrenaline junkie, she found herself making extra money as an amateur boxer, which later helped her book films, including Universal Pictures’ The Car and the DOOM movie franchise. Her other work includes the starring role of Marie in Hell Hath No Fury, a Jesse V Johnson movie, playing a French resistance fighter, and she played the lead role of GG, who was based on a 90s goth singer in the film Carpe Noctem, which Gene Blalock directed.  Nina Bergman’s performance in Assassin X earned her Honorable Mention Award for Best Actress from the AOF International Film Festival for her role as the notorious Trinidad. She starred as Wonder Woman, directed by Jesse V Johnson, which stars Timothy V Murphy and Marina Sirtis. She also played a cold-hearted killer in The Wayshower with Peter Stormare and Eric Roberts and starred in Know New Art, a Newport Beach Film Festival project by the Freise Brothers and Biscuit Filmworks.  Nina also starred alongside David Arquette, Jesse Metcalfe, John Malkovich, and Vivica A. Fox. She has also been featured in numerous skits on late-night shows, including The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and The Late Late Show with James Corden. Nina also hosted various E! Entertainment and Fuse shows and was a Trophy Presenter at The Grammy Awards.  She also worked on soundtracks for Lionsgate Films, singing the theme songs for Catacombs, Repo the Genetic Opera, and Sharknado. She sang the end title song in Black Limousine and the voice on the soundtrack for All About Her. Additionally, she performed live for the World Series and the NCAA College Football Season.  On this episode of The Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast, Nina Bergman discussed working on three late-night talk shows: The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and The Late Late Show with James Corden. She also discussed her latest film, Cold Meat. 

13 MAY 2024 · The Canada’s Got Talent (CGT) finale is tomorrow!   Eight acts will compete for the $1 million prize. Singer Natalie Morris is one of the acts competing for the $1 million prize. The Toronto Maple Leafs anthem singer blew the audience and the CGT judges (Howie Mandel, Trish Stratus, Kardinal Offishall, and Lilly Singh) away with her powerful cover of Brandi Carlilie’s “The Joke.”  Her performance received four yeses.  Natalie was one of 14 performers invited back to compete for a spot in the show’s first elimination round. She delivered a poignant cover of Beyonce’s “I Was Here” that resonated with the Canadian audience. Her performance was not just a success but a life-changing moment when the judges awarded her the Group Golden Buzzer. This Golden Buzzer secured her a spot in the million-dollar season finale and a generous $25,000, courtesy of CIBC.  In this special CGT edition of The Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast, Natalie Morris discussed her journey through the Canadian talent competition and previews her finale performance.  Canada’s Got Talent airs on CityTV. 

11 MAY 2024 · It is a pleasure to welcome singer-songwriter Jeffrey James to The Jake's Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast.  Jeffrey is a Nashville-based musician known for his captivating style and unique sound.  He released several singles, including the UK Top 5 dance track "Breakout" with Dave Audé.  His music has been featured in popular TV shows and films such as All-American, Criminal Minds, iZombie, Jack Ryan, Marry Me, and Shameless.   James has also contributed his songwriting talents to other artists, DJs, and films.   Jeffrey's talent extends beyond performing. As a composer, he has earned acclaim for his work on musicals such as "Chaining Zero" (awarded Best New Musical by Broadway World) and "A Song for What Could Be" (Rhinebeck Writer's Grant recipient). Collaborating with Justin Halpin as Halpin & James, they created the 10-minute musical Graduation Day. Since his debut in 2016, Jeffrey has garnered millions of streams across his repertoire and received praise from industry tastemakers like Billboard and 1883 Magazine.  In this episode of The Jake's Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast, Jeffrey James delved into the process of his music being incorporated into shows like All-American, iZombie, and Shameless. He also shared the inspiration behind several songs, including "With You" (his collaboration with AUGUSTKID), "Love You Need You" (his collaboration with Matstubs), and "Day by Day." 

8 MAY 2024 · It is a pleasure to welcome actor Russ Russo to The Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast.  Russ stands as a luminary in New York City’s vibrant film and television landscape, having cultivated his craft at T Schreiber under the mentorship of the same guiding hand that shaped the talents of Edward Norton. His career is a testament to his versatility and dedication, marked by a rich tapestry of roles that span genres and narratives. From his riveting turn as John, a rebel hostage in NBC’s Revolution, to his portrayal of an enigmatic Eastern European director in Ryan Phillippe’s directorial debut, Catch Hell, Russ’s performances resonate with depth and authenticity.   In the acclaimed 2015 film Act of War by Revolver Entertainment, Russ Russo brought to life the harrowing journey of an Iraq war veteran grappling in the aftermath of PTSD, which earned widespread acclaim and the coveted Best Actor award at New York City’s Take Two Film Festival. His talent shines brightly alongside an ensemble cast of Book of Love, a film that opened the prestigious Tribeca Film Festival in 2016. With each role, Russ delves deep into the psyche of his characters, infusing them with nuance and humanity. In 2022, Russ starred in the short film Victim No. 6, which garnered him numerous Best Actor nominations from esteemed film festivals worldwide.  In this episode of The Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast, he discussed working with Mark Pellegrino on NBC’s Revolution and appearing in Catch Hell. He also discussed portraying Eddi Sebastian, a video editor who discovers he has the power to re-edit the last 24 hours of his life, in Prime Video’s Chaser. 

6 MAY 2024 · It is a privilege to welcome Todd Tucker to The Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast.  Todd Tucker, a former rocker in the 1980s, has since established himself as a leading special effects and make-up artist. His impressive portfolio includes contributions to popular TV shows such as The Flash (1990), Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers, Any Day Now, Charmed, Phil of the Future, That’s So Raven, and Hannah Montana. He has also left his mark on the big screen with his work in films like Hook, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Big Momma’s House, Ali, A Beautiful Mind, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and the first two live-action Smurfs films.  Recently, Todd Tucker released ROCKBOTTOM. The film is a rollicking family comedy that chronicles the hilarious misadventures of a failed 1980s hair metal band as they attempt to reunite in the present day for one final electrifying performance. Joining Todd in the cast are Mckaley Miller (The CW’s Hart of Dixie and FOX’s Scream Queens), Toshi Yanagi (Jimmy Kimmel Live), social media sensation Teala Dunn, Jake Bongiovi (in his film debut), and Tom Everett Scott (That Thing You Do!).  In this episode of The Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast, Todd Tucker delves into his fascinating journey from rock music to special effects, shares anecdotes from his work on iconic films and TV shows of the 1990s and 2000s, and provides insights into his latest film, ROCKBOTTOM. 

2 MAY 2024 · It is a privilege to welcome Emmy, Grammy, and Tony-nominated recording artist and actress N’Kenge to The Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast.  The New York Times praised her as “a classically trained diva that can stretch from Broadway to Pop, Soul and Opera.” N’Kenge trained at the Julliard School and the Manhattan School of Music, has five octave vocal range and can sing in 11 different languages. She made her Broadway debut in Sondheim on Sondheim. She slayed the game on Broadway, originating the role of Mary Wells in Motown: The Musical, which garnered a Grammy nomination for Best Musical Theater Album. Motown founder Berry Gordy described N’Kenge as “the most versatile artist I know.” The New York Post called her performance of Mary Wells “Electrifying.” N’Kenge was also a cast member on Broadway in the revival of the Tony Award-nominated and Olivier Award-winning musical Caroline, Or Change. She portrayed “The Moon,” her first aerial role. The show ran from October 27, 2021, to January 9, 2022, at the legendary Studio 54. As a vocal soloist, N’Kenge performed at world-renowned venues, including Carnegie Hall, the Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, and Madison Square Garden. She headlined pop and opera concerts with the Cincinnati Symphony, the Cleveland Orchestra, and the Seattle Symphony. She also sang for many Presidents and foreign dignitaries, including former US Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. Currently, N’Kenge is immersed in a variety of projects. She is spearheading the Broadway-bound DANDRIDGE, a production that pays tribute to the life and legacy of Dorothy Dandridge. Additionally, she has created and written Forever Summer – a Tribute to Donna Summer. On top of that, she is in the process of developing a new TV musical series called BLACK BUTTERFLY, a project she co-wrote with award-winning writer Mary McCallum and TV producer Gina Goff.   In this edition of The Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast, N’Kenge spoke about being mentored by Berry Gordy and receiving high praise from the late Aretha Franklin. She also talked about bringing DANDRIDGE to life.

29 APR 2024 · I am privileged to welcome one of my favorite media colleagues, Andrew Freund, to The Jake's Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast.  Andrew is a television host and media personality known for his work in the entertainment industry. He can be seen traveling around the world, interviewing actors and show business legends while exploring new destinations. Over his 17+ year career, Andrew has covered every major award show and entertainment news story related to movies, television, and pop culture. Andrew's versatility is evident in his current roles. He graces the nationally syndicated FOX entertainment news program Dish Nation, shares his insights on The Today Show on NBC, and contributes to various NBC News programs, catering to a wide range of industry enthusiasts. His presence is also felt on Scripps News, This Morning on iTV, and his own travel series, Next Stop, on BEONDTV. In this edition of The Jake's Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast, Andrew Freund revealed his most memorable interviews, including his first time meeting Oprah, chatting with Josh Gad on the Orient Express and Jennifer Coolidge at the Sydney Opera House. He also revealed his favorite travel locations and discussed working on Dish Nation and NBC News Now. 

25 APR 2024 · It is a pleasure to welcome singer-songwriter Max Rae to The Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast.    Max Rae has gone from an undiscovered singer-songwriter to explosively bursting on the scene! The Las Vegas-based Pop/R&B recording artist has been toiling away and releasing music to an undiscovered music world with just 15 songs that have accompanying visuals. She was introduced to Grammy Award-winning producer Keith Thomas, who helped her create her song: “Tattoo.” The track was leaked to US Rhythmic Radio programmers, spreading across the country like wildfire thanks to early airplay at KLZY, KRYC, WCKX, WCPY, WRVZ, and more stations.   Max’s current single, “Metamorphosis,” was released on April 12, and a remix package surrounding her second single: “Keep You Waiting.” CAHILL & DTAG, Tony Moran, and Moto Blanco are the DJs and producers who contributed to the album. After making rounds at London and New York Fashion Weeks, Max Rae will support pop music group Blue on their Greatest Hits Tour. She will perform across the United Kingdom, stopping in Liverpool, London, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Nottingham, Portsmouth, and Manchester. Max Rae will also be supporting Aston Merrygold on his Houseparty Tour. Fans can expect Max to support the “Precious” performer when his tour stops in Glasgow, Birmingham, London, Manchester, and Belfast, Ireland.   In this edition of The Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast, Max Rae spoke about the stories behind her songs and previewed both tours.

21 APR 2024 · It is a privilege to welcome actor and filmmaker Matt Cohen to The Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast.    Matt grew up in South Florida, where he played high school football, ran track, competed in auto racing and motocross, and graduated with honors and perfect attendance throughout all his school years. He went to study business and architecture at Florida State University, where he enrolled in theater classes and discovered his passion for all things entertainment.   After graduating from college, Matt Cohen traveled to Los Angeles to pursue his dreams. Within ten months of being on the West Coast, he booked the lead role of sensitive jock Aiden Dennison in The N’s teen drama South of Nowhere. He also starred as young John Winchester, Michael, and Lucifer on Supernatural, Jeremy on 90210, Levi Sutter on How to Get Away with Murder, and Dr. Griffin Munroe on General Hospital. Matt also guest starred on several TV shows, including Criminal Minds, Guidance, Medium, Melissa & Joey, and The O.C.    From 2019 to 2023, Matt was Entertainment Tonight's weekend anchor and correspondent. During his time on the entertainment news show, Matt interviewed Benedict Cumberbatch, Dwayne Johnson, Katy Perry, Ryan Reynolds, Ryan Seacrest, and music legend Sir Rod Stewart. He also helped the show win three Daytime Emmy Awards during his tenure. When Matt is not in front of the camera, he is behind it as a producer and DGA director. He executive produced and directed the intense short film Mama Bear and an episode of Supernatural in 2020.   In this edition of The Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast, Matt Cohen reflected on his time on the South of Nowhere, Supernatural, and General Hospital sets. He also spoke about his podcasts – MC on the Mic and CoBros. 

19 APR 2024 · It is a privilege to welcome singer-songwriter Dean Lewis as a guest on this special edition of The Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast.  In March 2016, Dean signed a recording contract with Island Records and Universal Music Australia. He released his debut single, “Waves,” on September 30, 2016, which peaked at number 12 on the Australian ARIA Charts. “Waves” was featured on numerous TV shows such as All America, Grey’s Anatomy, Riverdale, Suits, and Valor. He followed it up with “Need You Know” in April 2017 and his debut extended play Same Kind of Difference, on May 12, 2017, which peaked at number 27 on the ARIA Album Charts and earned five nominations at the 2017 ARIA Music Awards. On June 29, 2018, Dean Lewis released “Be Alright,” the first single off his debut album, A Place We Knew. “Be Alright” reached number one in Australia for five consecutive weeks. It also reached number one in Belgium, the top five in Ireland, Sweden, and New Zealand, the Top 20 in Scotland and the United Kingdom, and the Top 30 in the United States.   In 2022, Dean’s sophomore studio album, The Hardest Love, featured singles such as “Looks Like Me,” “Hurtless,” and “How Do I Say Goodbye.” Last year, Dean’s His Future is Bright World Tour saw him play close to 100 headline shows and music festivals worldwide, including a headline show in China. His music accumulated over 2.3 billion streams, while he ended 2023 on some of the world’s top lists. He placed number five on TikTok’s The Hitmakers/Most Viewed Artists and number nine on Spotify’s Top Australia Artists. In this exclusive edition of The Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast, Dean Lewis shared the stories behind some of his top streamed hits such as “Memories,” “Trust Me Mate,” and “Be Alright” and what fans can expect from the Maybe This Man Tour.