The shortlist of reasons to have cable should include Iconoclasts on the Sundance Channel. The show, now in its sixth season, is a series of conversations between some of the world’s most inspiring minds. Past pairings have included Desmond Tutu and Richard Branson (with a great hot tub scene), Bill Maher and Clive Davis, Mario Batali and Michael Stipe, and Dave Chapelle and Maya Angelou.

The new season includes Lena Dunham (“Girls”) and Judd Apatow (every funny movie of the last decade), and James Franco and Marina Abramovic. In the clip above, performance artist Abramovic demonstrates her passion for art philosophy while coating Franco in gold leaf. It’s not as weird as it sounds.

Iconoclasts is a fantastic glimpse into the things that connect dissimilar minds, and the value of passion, hard work, and consistency. The two-way interview format inspired Block Club’s 2009 Arts Issue, and January 2010 Conversationalists issue.

-Ben