PODCAST · tv
Hot Takes & Deep Dives
by Jess Rothschild
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
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Stonewall Myths, Larry Kramer & Inside 1980s Queer NYC (w/ James Tavs)
Jess is joined by longtime activist James Tavs for inside stories of building queer NYC -- from working with ACT UP founder Larry Kramer and helping open the LGBT Center in 1983 to putting queer news on cable-access TV with "Out in the 80s" and working gay phone line switchboards. Plus -- James...
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Culture Catch-Up: Troye Sivan's Madonna 'Party,' The Miley Cyrus Problem & RHONY (w/ Jacques Peterson)
Jess is joined by Daily Mail writer Jacques Peterson for a culture catch-up! Topics include: Why are all the news and gossip sites suddenly subscription-based? Troye Sivan's "Party," which samples Madonna's "Music"; what is wrong with Miley Cyrus?; the RHONY reboot(s); and Howard Stern's HBO…
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Stories of 1960s NYC, Provincetown & Fire Island (w/ Gene Fedorko, age 83)
Jess is joined by downtown New York fixture Gene Fedorko, age 83, for a trip through more than six decades of queer history. Gene recalls escaping to New York City in 1960, discovering Fire Island in 1961, attending the March on Washington in 1963 and moving to Provincetown in 1970. Plus…
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Rosie O'Donnell on Madonna, The View, Britney, The L Word & more!
Jess is joined by fellow Long Islander ROSIE O'DONNELL! Topics: the inception of The Rosie O'Donnell Show, the infamous episode where Whitney Houston no-showed, her experiences with Britney Spears, being in the studio as Madonna recorded "This Used to Be My Playground" for A League of Their Own,...
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Scissor Sisters' Ana Matronic — Behind the Music, History of Tea Dance & more!
Jess is joined by Scissor Sisters frontwoman Ana Matronic (@msanamatronic)! Topics— first meeting JAKE SHEARS at The Slipper Room, STUART PRICE producing their "Night Work" album, the highs (and frustrations) of scoring a massive hit with "Let's Have a Kiki" while still failing to satisfy their...
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Madonna Confessions II Review (w/ Ben Rimalower & Mike Fernandez)
Jess is joined by Ben Rimalower and Boy Toy Mike Fernandez to review Madonna's Confessions II! Topics: Sean Penn lore, could "Danceteria" have been the "Abracadabra" of the album, Ben & Mike's first listen midnight journey, each of our Top 3, songwriting camps & more! IG: @jessxnyc |…
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Madonna Culture Debate (w/ Tony Trius, Mark Snyder, Kenny Finkle)
We will have our comprehensive review of CONFESSIONS II next week! But first, Jess joined by Mark Snyder & Kenny Finkle (All I Want To Do Is Talk About Madonna) and Tony Trius (MLVC) for a culture debate — MADONNA EDITION! Topics: our unpopular opinions, best live performance, best Truth or Dare...
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Stories from Limelight, The Roxy, The Saint & '90s NYC Club Flyers (w/ David Kennerley)
Jess is joined by David Kennerley to pour over his coffee-table book (Getting In) showcasing more than 200 flyers he collected from NYC queer bars & clubs of the 1990s (ie: Limelight, Splash, The Saint, Pyramid, The Roxy), with commentary from Michael Musto, Linda Simpson, Lady Bunny, Chip…
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BIG NEWS! Finding Fire Island Returns June 11!🌲🍒
ANNOUNCEMENT! 🌲🍒 Finding Fire Island returns for Season 2 on June 11, with two episodes premiering on launch day. This season features interviews with Billy Porter, John Waters, Julio Torres, DJ Lina Bradford, Broadway Bares creator Jerry Mitchell, Fire Island icon Bob "Rose" Levine, and dozens...
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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 interviewing LIZA, working with NATASHA LYONNE, and how...
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Is West Wilson The Talented Mr. Ripley of Summer House? (w/ Jamie Stein)
Jess is joined by empath & intuitive JAMIE STEIN (@jamiestein) for a SUMMER HOUSE psychological deep dive. We unpack the subconscious dynamics behind West Wilson, Amanda Batula, Ciara Miller, Kyle Cooke, Lindsay Hubbard and Carl Radke. Topics— Kyle & Amanda's codependency, West's "Talented Mr....
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Rachel Dratch on SNL, 30 Rock & Countess Luann Cabaret
Jess is joined by RACHEL DRATCH — beloved for her seven-season run on Saturday Night Live. Topics: Rachel's decades-long friendship with TINA FEY, her SNL casting story, being replaced by JANE KRAKOWSKI on 30 ROCK, and the surprise of discovering she was pregnant at 43. Plus: WINE COUNTRY…
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Ballroom Culture, POSE & How a Ryan Murphy Show Gets Made (w/ POSE's Steven Canals)
Jess is joined by the co-creator / writer / director of the FX series POSE — STEVEN CANALS! Canals discusses the series' inspiration via the landmark documentary PARIS IS BURNING and getting the script into RYAN MURPHY's hands. We discuss ballroom culture, Houses, "Vogue," and the series' music...
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Amber Martin on Bette Midler at The Baths, Touring w/ Scissor Sisters & more
Jess is joined by performance artist and rocker AMBER MARTIN (@msambermartin)! Topics — the origins of her Bette Midler at the Continental Baths show "Bette, Bathhouse & Beyond," winning the NYC artist housing lottery at Manhattan Plaza, touring with the Scissor Sisters, the Allways Cabaret in…
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Hedda Lettuce on Madonna, Kim Cattrall & Surviving Drag
Jess welcomes beloved NYC drag legend HEDDA LETTUCE, boots on the ground in Puerto Vallarta after the recent cartel attack. Topics — Playing Kim Cattrall's ex-boyfriend on Sex and the City on stage with Madonna at the 1999 MTV VMAs, neighbors with Quentin Crisp, and cult movies at Chelsea…
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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 toward a full-on career pivot to OnlyFans. Plus: beating…
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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 Rivalry accepted by gay men while Queer as Folk was not?...
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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 LuPone's rider and stories from working with Sandra…
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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 nightlife. Topics — the still-unsettled details around Dean's…
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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 classic was written, his professional fallout with Mariah...
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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 Village funhouse, SARAH PAULSON's Malibu studio, RUPAUL in LA,...
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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, the Plainclothes film, the Lilith Fair documentary, Mike...
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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 on Earth w/ Kelly Cutrone. Plus — trailing Kanye West with…
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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 Smith's CHASING AMY, the iconic East Village lesbian / rock…
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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, the use of personal ads, hanky codes, 1-900 phone lines, and…
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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 screenplays, Kiss of the Spiderwoman, Jennifer Lopez & more! ⭐...
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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 Barracuda after Candis Cayne & Peppermint, his first drag name,...
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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 at The Pavilion in The Fire Island Pines. Plus — why she...
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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 playing Jackie Warner in Work Out: The Musical, being a…
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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 was one of the original NYC spinning instructors, Barbra...
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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, a Kabbalah circle with Madonna & Christopher Ciccone…
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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, the season of American Horror Story set in Provincetown...
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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, Cafeteria, Cowgirl Hall of Fame and Julius'. Plus —…
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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's first date with Jillian in 1997, Jillian stealing $$…
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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 flashback scenes, 14-hour days, being directed by Michael…
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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 a con artist behind bars. Plus — appearing as the first...
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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," "A Woman's Right to Shoes," "Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda"...
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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 Rivers uniting her with Judy Gold, transcendental...
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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 -- The Writer's Room podcast, Sara Ramirez's response to the...
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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 zeitgeist with ritual, candlelight and cult of…
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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 Faeries gatherings, learning the NYC subway via hookups,...
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"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 & Lin Manuel Miranda, inventing the Broadway lotto system,...
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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 & Vanderpump Rules lift the veneer off Los Angeles, the...
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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 w/ MJ's 1993 performance. Plus — choreographing The Blond...
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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 > nightclub host > DJ as performance art, 10-year reign…
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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, forgetting his transcendental meditation mantra, Excel...
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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 Hathaway & James Franco hosting, Billy Crystal's opening...
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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, Christopher Ciccone's impact on "The Girlie Show," Kevin's work…
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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 writing Nickelodeon's ALL THAT, manifesting writing for...
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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 for Joan Rivers, preceding Brian Moylan as Vulture...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
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!
HOSTED BY
Jess Rothschild
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Hot Takes & Deep Dives have?
Hot Takes & Deep Dives currently has 276 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Hot Takes & Deep Dives 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,...
How often does Hot Takes & Deep Dives release new episodes?
Hot Takes & Deep Dives publishes regularly with 276 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Hot Takes & Deep Dives?
You can listen to Hot Takes & Deep Dives on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Hot Takes & Deep Dives?
Hot Takes & Deep Dives is created and hosted by Jess Rothschild.
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