Here Comes The Cheapest Man in America: “Dollar” Bill Stearn in Billions

We first meet “Dollar” Bill Stearn  in Billions Pilot where he tells Bobby Axelrod he is not uncertain that Axe Capital has to short Superior Auto. His boss agrees with his assessment while he calls him the cheapest man in America! And as we find out over time that Bill is a very colorful character from his two families to his love/hate relationship with Spyros, as well as a very loyal Axe Capital employee from his fake fight with Axe to him dropping his pants in front of Axe to prove his loyalty – Bill’s signature personality trait stands out as, well, cheapness! And the thing is the man has no problem with that. On the contrary, from his lucky dollar bill that he won in a poker game from Carl Icahn to the giant dollar sign in his garage, Dollar Bill OWNS his cheapness! Continue reading “Here Comes The Cheapest Man in America: “Dollar” Bill Stearn in Billions”

Take the M Train to Billions: A Visit to Bobby Axelrod’s Favorite Pizzeria *UPDATED*

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We published Billions Season 1 Dining Guide,  Season 2 Dining Guide, Season 3 Dining Guide, Season 4 Dining GuideSeason 5 Dining Guide and Season 7 Dining Guide but Bruno and his Capparello’s Pizzeria or real life Rosa’s Pizza have become such a staple in the show that the pizzeria absolutely deserves its special tribute!

Bobby Axelrod, as much as he is a man of confidence, seems to feel most comfortable in his skin at Capparello’s echoing that Yonkers boy who wants to “get rich and get even” when he grows up. Every scene at this corner pizza joint reveals a thing or two about Bobby and THIS alone makes a trip to Rosa’s a MUST for me and my partner-in-crime Lewisto. And a comment on the blog from a reader, Alaston, saying “If you DO go to Rosa’s, get the Grandma slice” triggers it that we find ourselves on the M train heading to Rosa’s in August 2016.

So who folds it better? Bobby or Me?

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We start with a virtual trip, revisiting the four scenes we saw at Capparello’s in Season 1 before our real trip, and highlight what we learn about Bobby in each one. Then we follow up with our real trip to Rosa’s Pizza and discuss the use of the pizzeria in the following seasons of the show.

Bon Appetite! Continue reading “Take the M Train to Billions: A Visit to Bobby Axelrod’s Favorite Pizzeria *UPDATED*”

How Keane gave us Brody and How Brody gave us Axe *UPDATED*

Lodge Kerrigan’s beautiful film ‘Keane’ starring Damian Lewis received a 4K restoration thanks to Grasshopper Films and had special screenings at several movie theaters in the U.S in summer – fall 2022. I was very lucky to be at the Film at Lincoln Center’s screening in August 2022 followed by a a Q&A with Lodge Kerrigan and Damian himself. The 4K restored ‘Keane’ is available for streaming on AppleTV. So… why don’t we talk today about how this critically acclaimed movie caused a chain reaction in Damian’s career? 

Join me!

Continue reading “How Keane gave us Brody and How Brody gave us Axe *UPDATED*”

The Day Damian Lewis Found Out About Fan Fun with Damian Lewis :)

This blog and Billions have had an interesting relationship. I launched the blog only two weeks before they started shooting Billions pilot in New York City in 2015. And since then we made 450+ posts on Billions varying from weekly reviews to analysis of characters and relationships to the music, books as well as locations and restaurants that appeared on the show!

And, to top it all, it was on Billions Pilot set in NYC that Damian found out about Fan Fun with Damian Lewis! So how about we go back to 02/03/2015, exactly ten years ago, to a very cold day in NYC for a heartwarming story?

Join me! Continue reading “The Day Damian Lewis Found Out About Fan Fun with Damian Lewis :)”

Happy Birthday, Billions!

Billions premiered on Showtime nine years ago today.

Happy Birthday!

Fan Fun with Damian Lewis has had an organic relationship with Billions. I launched the blog at the same time they started filming the series pilot and Damian found out about the blog the day they filmed the iconic ‘Fuck You Money’ scene.  Continue reading “Happy Birthday, Billions!”