Hot Takes & Deep Dives
Film, TV & Pop Culture
About
Podcast serving quick hits & deep cuts on LGBT pop iconography & NYC culture. Recent guests include Rosie O'Donnell, Sandra Bernhard, Fortune Feimster, Roxane Gay, Fran Drescher, Isaac Mizrahi, Lea DeLaria, Melissa Etheridge, Rachel Dratch, Gina Gershon, Margaret Cho, L Word creator Ilene Chaiken, Jenifer Lewis, Judy Gold, Mario Cantone, Michael Musto & more!
Episodes
- Charles Busch on Liza & Judy, Rosie O'Donnell, Joan Rivers & more
Jess is joined by playwright and "male actress" CHARLES BUSCH! Topics include: ROSIE O'DONNELL producing the disastrous Boy George musical 'Taboo,' performing at The Duplex in the late 70s, becoming close with JOAN RIVERS, the chaos of int…
- Is West Wilson The Talented Mr. Ripley of Summer House? (w/ Jamie Stein)
Jess interviews Jamie Stein to discuss the subconscious dynamics of the Summer House cast, focusing on West Wilson's behavior and comparing him to characters like Tom Sandoval. They also touch on relationship dynamics and potential spin-of…
- Rachel Dratch on SNL, 30 Rock & Countess Luann Cabaret
Rachel Dratch joins Jess to discuss her SNL tenure, friendship with Tina Fey, experiences on 30 Rock, and becoming pregnant at 43. The conversation also touches on her show Wine Country and performing in Countess Luann's cabaret.
- Ballroom Culture, POSE & How a Ryan Murphy Show Gets Made (w/ POSE's Steven Canals)
Steven Canals, co-creator of the FX series POSE, discusses the show's inspiration from PARIS IS BURNING, ballroom culture, and working with Ryan Murphy.
- Amber Martin on Bette Midler at The Baths, Touring w/ Scissor Sisters & more
Amber Martin joins Jess on Hot Takes & Deep Dives to discuss her Bette Midler show "Bette, Bathhouse & Beyond," winning an artist housing lottery, touring with the Scissor Sisters, and experiences in New Orleans and as a flight attendant.
- Hedda Lettuce on Madonna, Kim Cattrall & Surviving Drag
Drag legend Hedda Lettuce joins Jess to discuss her experiences performing with Madonna at the 1999 MTV VMAs, playing Kim Cattrall's ex-boyfriend, and her journey through drag and life in Puerto Vallarta.
- Jonah Wheeler on Quitting Broadway to Become a S*x Work Sensation
Jess is joined by Broadway composer / orchestrator / adult star JONAH WEELER! ( @showoffjonah ). Topics — blind items about this worst Broadway experiences, music directing Sweeney Todd Off Broadway and the final straw that pushed him towa…
- Culture Catch-Up: Jill Zarin, Twinless, Pillion & Heated Rivalry vs. Queer as Folk
Jess is joined by DAMIAN BELLINO & ANNE RODEMAN (co-hosts of "You Might Know Her From") for a wintertime culture catch-up! Topics — Jill Zarin fired (again), Sandra Bernhard cast in The White Lotus S4, The L Word corner, and why is Heated…
- Daniel Nardicio Returns! Sandra Bernhard, John Waters, Zipolite & Patti LuPone's Rider
Jess welcomes back nightlife impresario DANIEL NARDICIO to talk about his latest venture in Zipolite, Mexico and the runaway success of running The Ice Palace in Cherry Grove. Topics — legalities of throwing s*x parties, surviving Patti Lu…
- Lola Rocknrolla on Dean Johnson: '80s Genderf*ck Icon, Mysterious Death
Jess welcomes LOLA ROCKNROLLA, filmmaker of the brand-new documentary THE BIG JOHNSON, exploring the life and eerie death of DEAN JOHNSON: the 6'6", genderf*cky, rollicking rock-star frontman who helped define 1980s–90s East Village nightl…
- How Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" Was Really Made — Co-writer Walter Afanasieff
Jess is joined by WALTER AFANASIEFF, the Grammy-winning songwriter and producer behind MARIAH CAREY's biggest '90s hits — including "Hero," "My All," "One Sweet Day," and "All I Want for Christmas Is You." Topics — how the modern Christmas…
- Inside Celebrity Home Tours: Bethenny, Andy Cohen, Madonna, Amy Sedaris & more (w/ Dale Saylor)
Jess is joined by interior designer Dale Saylor ( Hollymount Design ) to react to some of our favorite Architectural Digest home tours. Topics — BETHENNY FRANKEL's Florida move, ANDY COHEN's West Village duplex, AMY SEDARIS' Greenwich Vill…
- Culture Debate: 2025 Theater, Film, Concert Revue (w/ Mark Snyder)
Jess is joined by All I Want to Do Is Talk About Madonna co-host Mark Snyder for a 2025 revue of our favorite theater, films, and concerts. Topics— Wicked ambivalence, Kristin Chenoweth's rough year, a Chess revival, Oh Mary predictions, t…
- Producing Jeff Lewis Flipping Out, MTV Diary, Selling Sunset (w/ EP Billy Taylor)
Jess sits down with powerhouse docu-series Executive Producer Billy Taylor! Topics — Billy's jump from MTV News to producing MTV Diary, then showrunning the Bravo glory days of Jeff Lewis Flipping Out, Work Out w/ Jackie Warner, and Kell o…
- Guinevere Turner on Writing The L Word & American Psycho, Taxicab Confessions & more!
Jess is joined by indie cinema queen GUINEVERE TURNER ( @guinevereturner )! Topics — writing & appearing in THE L WORD, being caught on HBO's TAXICAB CONFESSIONS in 1994 right as her debut film (GO FISH) was in theaters, inspiring Kevin Sm…
- Stories from a 73-Year-Old Queer Collector (w/ Mike Balaban)
Jess is joined by "the accidental gay historian" Mike Balaban ( @bammer47 ) — a man who's photographed faces, places & ephemera that defined gay life in the early 1970s-1990s. Topics — gay life in the '50s & '60, Mike's 44 years in NYC, th…
- Zach Noe Towers on Cruising, 12 Step, Horror Screenplays
Jess is joined by comedian ZACH NOE TOWERS ( @zachnoetowers )! Topics — roommates with Bob the Drag Queen, friendship with Leslie Jordan, 10 years of sobriety, AOL chat rooms, Jeff Lewis Live, 'movies' vs. 'films,' his TWO horror movie scr…
- Bob the Drag Queen on Swearing Off Watch What Happens Live, Barracuda Nights
Jess is joined by comedian & Drag Race winner BOB THE DRAG QUEEN! Topics — RuPaul discovering Bob at The Monster in the West Village (via Kathy Najimy), a weekend with Whoopi Goldberg, getting lost in Brooklyn & Long Island, ruling Barracu…
- How The Saint Defined NYC's '80s DJ Scene (w/ Susan Morabito)
Jess welcomes legendary Manhattan and Fire Island DJ Susan Morabito (aka Morabito ). Topics — her dream of spinning at The Saint and working at Vinylmania, why The Saint remains the greatest NYC nightclub, and how she cemented her legacy a…
- Natalie Joy Johnson on Patti LuPone, Atlantis Cruises, Craigslist Sl*ts
Jess is joined by Broadway & cabaret star NATALIE JOY JOHNSON (Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde, Lempicka)! Topics — performing on an Atlantis Cruise to Tahiti with Patti LuPone, her many, MANY lesbian theater roles, winning the Tony for playin…
- Will & Grace Writer & Producer — Jon Kinnally on ACT UP, The Cut Gay Sex / Drugs Exposé & more
Jess is joined by TV writer & producer (Will & Grace, Ugly Betty) — JON KINNALLY! Topics — living in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn in 1988, working in ACT UP, The Cut article "We've Reached Peak Gay Sluttiness," his writing partner Tracy Poust wa…
- Ryan Raftery on Barbra Streisand, Glenn Close, Patricia Field, JonBenét Ramsey & more!
Jess is joined by "The Shakespeare of Pop Culture" (per NYT ), writer-performer Ryan Raftery ( @ryanraftery ), to debut his new show exploring society's obsession with true crime. Topics — Stephen Sondheim summoning Ryan to his townhouse,…
- Provincetown Deep Dive (w/ Dominick Pupa)
Jess is joined by TV producer, comedian & co-host of Fixing Famous People, Dominick Pupa to wax poetic about why and how we adore Provincetown. Topics — John Waters, Divine & Cape Cod Vampire lore, Aubrey Plaza at Ryan Landry's Showgirls,…
- History of Gay Restaurants (Florent, Julius, Diners) (w/ Erik Piepenburg)
Jess is joined by DINING OUT author & NYT writer Erik Piepenburg to explore the role of gay restaurants & diners in America. Topics — first restaurant to welcome trans patrons in 1950s Green Bay, WI, The Melrose (Chicago), NYC's Florent, C…
- Jillian Michaels Through the Eyes of Jackie Warner (Bravo's Work Out)
As "The Biggest Loser" Netflix documentary dominates the cultural conversation, Jess has compiled her many interviews with Jillian Michaels' ex-girlfriend of 7 years, Jackie Warner, known for Bravo's reality show Work Out. Topics -- Jackie…
- Behind the Scenes of And Just Like That - Filming Insider Tells All
Jess is joined by MLVC Madonna podcast co-host Stefan ( @mlvcpodcast ) to SPILL on his summer filming season 1 of AND JUST LIKE THAT as a background actor! Topics: Che Diaz in the wild, Cynthia Nixon's wig, erasure of Chris Noth/Big's flas…
- Jenifer Lewis on Bette Midler, Whitney Houston & Mother of Black Hollywood
Jess is joined by the powerhouse Mother of Black Hollywood — JENIFER LEWIS! Topics: working with BETTE MIDLER as a Harlette, becoming "the entertainer" to Barbra Streisand and Madonna, her one-woman show "The Diva is Dismissed" and putting…
- Sex and the City Exec. Producer & Writer — Jenny Bicks
Jess is joined by Emmy-winning exec. producer & writer on ALL SIX SEASONS of SEX AND THE CITY — JENNY BICKS! Topics: Samantha's cancer storyline based on her life, Steve is based on her husband, specific episodes written by Jenny — "Splat,…
- Liz Glazer — Quitting Law to Become a Comedian & Marry a Gay Rabbi
Jess is joined by standup comedian LIZ GLAZER, days after making her Tonight Show debut! Topics — Liz quitting her law career to pursue comedy, her failed SoulCycle instructor audition, being married to a (lesbian) rabbi, the ghost of Joan…
- And Just Like That (w/ Every Outfit's Chelsea Fairless & Lauren Garroni)
Jess is joined by the queens of "Every Outfit on Sex and the City" ( @everyoutfitonSATC )— Chelsea Fairless and Lauren Garroni. We discuss which show has more severely tarnished its legacy: SATC via AJLT OR The L Word via Gen Q. Plus -- Th…
- Cult of Body & Soul - My new docuseries drops May 27!
A quickie 1:1 to talk about CULT OF BODY & SOUL - my brand new docu-series which premieres Tuesday May 27 on all podcast platforms & YouTube. The 7-episode series explores how SOULCYCLE transcended fitness as it captured the New York City…
- Judy Garland, Radical Faeries & more (w/ Justin Elizabeth Sayre)
Jess is joined by writer/performer Justin Elizabeth Sayre on the eve of the 13th Annual Night of a Thousand Judys, celebrating JUDY GARLAND at Joe's Pub! Topics — what is the best Judy entry point, working for MICHAEL PATRICK KING, Radical…
- "Rent" & "Hamilton" Power Producer is a Theater Kid (w/ Jeffrey Seller)
Jess is joined by 4x TONY Award winning Broadway producer JEFFREY SELLER, best known for "Hamilton," "Rent," "In the Heights" & "Avenue Q." Topics — his review of "Sunset Blvd," being the creative nurturer and critic to Jonathan Larson & L…
- Culture Catch-up: How to Fix Bravo & Summer House (w/ Dan Allegretto)
Jess is joined by friend of the pod Dan Allegretto! Topics: why do bald men wear hats, becoming friends w/ Lena Dunham, boots on the ground w/ Bethenny, how to fix Bravo & Summer House, Carl Radke, Lindsay Hubbard, how The Real L Word & Va…
- Madonna & Michael Jackson Choreographer / Director — Vincent Paterson
Jess is joined by legendary director & choreographer VINCENT PATERSON — the man behind MICHAEL JACKSON & MADONNA's most iconic movements. Topics — videos for "Beat It," "Thriller," "Smooth Criminal" and defining the Superbowl Halftime Show…
- DJ Lina Bradford on Candis Cayne, Club Kids, Fire Island Reign & more
Jess is joined by New York icon DJ LINA BRADFORD! Topics: living in same building as Olivia Newton-John, soulmate Candis Cayne... the Linda Evangelista to her Naomi Campbell and how the trans label is limiting. Plus — evolution from dancer…
- Jeff Hiller on HBO's Somebody Somewhere, Fire Island & Actress of a Certain Age
Jess is joined by actor/comedian JEFF HILLER, best known for HBO's SOMEBODY SOMEWHERE opposite BRIDGET EVERETT! Topics: missing the Fire Island ferry, lesbian Hollywood gossip, Rosie's memoir "Find Me," his impression of Daphne Rubin-Vega,…
- Bruce Vilanch on Bette Midler, Writing The Oscars & more!
Jess is joined by beloved go-to comedy writer BRUCE VILANCH! Topics: Bette Midler at the Continental Baths, Barbra Streisand being too cheap to pay him, writing punch-ups for Cher in "Burlesque," writing The Oscars (Ellen difficulty, Anne…
- Madonna Blond Ambition Reunion w/ Luis Xtravaganza, Carlton Wilborn & Kevin Stea
Jess is joined by THREE of the iconic dancers from Madonna's Blond Ambition Tour: Luis Xtravaganza, Carlton Wilborn + Kevin Stea! Topics: TRUTH OR DARE follow-up doc STRIKE A POSE, Luis attending high school with Jose Xtravaganza, Christop…
- Liz Feldman — Dead to Me & No Good Deed Writer/Creator, Kate Moennig, The L Word
Jess is joined by LIZ FELDMAN — writer/creator of Netflix's DEAD TO ME & NO GOOD DEED! Topics: Liz's seminal lezzie YouTube show "This Just Out," becoming friends with THE L WORD cast, harassment from TV mega producer Dan Schneider while w…
- Julie Klausner on Madonna "I'm Breathless," Difficult People, Death Becomes Her & more
Jess is joined by DIFFICULT PEOPLE creator/star & BILLY ON THE STREET producer JULIE KLAUSNER! Topics: Madonna x Sondheim "I'm Breathless" collab, Death Becomes Her vs. She-Devil, John Waters Quote Tournament, the Liza documentary, writing…
- SNL's Cheri Oteri on The View, Barbara Walters, Jennifer Coolidge & more
Jess is joined by SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE character queen CHERI OTERI! Cheri recounts being discovered at The Groundlings alongside Lisa Kudrow, Kathy Griffin and fellow SNL hopefuls Will Ferrell, Chris Kattan and Jennifer Coolidge. Topics: or…
- Jonathan Larson Project, RENT, Untold Broadway Stories (w/ Jennifer Tepper)
Jess is joined by theater historian and conceiver of THE JONATHAN LARSON PROJECT Jennifer Tepper to discuss unearthing 20+ unheard songs of the RENT & TICK, TICK... BOOM! composer. Topics: getting access to hundreds of cassette tapes, scri…
- Kyle Richards, Kathy Hilton, Kim Richards — House of Hilton Tell All (w/ Jamie Stein)
Jess is joined by Jamie Stein for a deep dive on HOUSE OF HILTON, the 2006 tell-all about the Hilton dynasty, heavily featuring the backstories of Kathy Hilton, Kyle Richards, Kim Richards and their mother, Big Kathy. We explore Big Kathy'…
- Art of Hollywood & Reality Scandal Monetizing on TikTok & YouTube (w/ Zack Peter)
Jess is joined by full-time YouTuber/Podcaster Zack Peter (No Filter w/ Zack Peter)! Topics: How much money Zack personally made off Scandoval and now the Blake Lively / Justin Baldoni lawsuit, how many views = how much money across TikTok…
- Jackie Warner (Work Out) Returns! Sex, Love & LA Fires
Jess is joined by JACKIE WARNER (Work Out, Thintervention) in her fifth appearance! Topics: The Los Angeles fires, RIP Moonshadows & The Reel Inn, update on her TV comeback, her 6 year relationship with Jillian Michaels, run-ins with The L…
- Business of Broadway — Financials, $$, Flops (w/ Katharine Quinn)
Jess is joined by Katharine Quinn, owner of the Broadway media and marketing agency And That's Showbiz, currently representing The Great Gatsby, Maybe Happy Ending, The Roommate and more. Topics: the business (financials) of Broadway: how…
- Culture Debate: 2024 Theater, Film, Concert Revue (w/ Mark Snyder)
Jess is joined by "All I Want to Do Is Talk About Madonna" co-host Mark Snyder for a 2024 revue of our fave theater, films, concerts and cabaret. Topics: Broadway vs. Off / fringe, film adaptations of Wicked vs. Chicago, Cats: The Jellicle…
- Danny Pellegrino on Wicked Press Tour, Fixing RHONY, Hallmark Christmas & more!
Jess is joined by author & screenwriter DANNY PELLEGRINO! Topics: Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo musical theater-ing the WICKED press tour, how to fix RHONY, "two different gay men" calling BETHENNY re: RHONY, what should ROSIE O'DONNELL do…
- Jamie Babbit on Directing But I'm A Cheerleader, Natasha Lyonne, Clea DuVall, The L Word
Jess is joined by prolific TV & film director JAMIE BABBIT! Jamie is best known for writing/directing the cult classic BUT I'M A CHEERLEADER w/ Natasha Lyonne & Clea DuVall. Over the past two decades she has directed HBO's GIRLS, THE MARVE…