Paid in Puke Podcast!

On Season 9, Episode 9 of Paid in Puke, we're slurping up Emerald Fennell's 2023 gothic drama, Saltburn, starring Rosamund Pike, Alison Oliver, Carey Mulligan, Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Archie Madekwe, and Richard E. Grant. Fennell wrote her original screenplay during lockdown, and filled it to the brim with foreshadowing, symbolism, entendre, and myriad literary references. We're here to celebrate this carefully-constructed masterpiece, dive to the deepest of the layers, and, of course, appreciate the visual splendor. It's Keggers with Kids all this episode, with Logan Green, who has answers to your burning questions, and a tub full of fun facts.   On the Lunchtime Poll, we reveal which songs people MIGHT think were written about us ("She came from Greece! She had a thirst for knowledge!"). We ate this movie up and licked the f*cking plate. Come to Saltburn and get lost with us!  

It's the Paid in Puke 2024 Oscars Special! Join us and special guest Denise Rodriguez (our Resident Oscar Specialist) as we run through the major categories (all the actors, director, and picture) with our Misses, Wishes, and Predic-shes. We dive deep into the enigma that is the career of B-Coop, and why Oppenheimer has so many more noms, even though Barbie clearly won in terms of money and popularity. We fawn over Poor Things, and we agree that a Greta was snubbed, but it might not be the one you think. We give Past Lives, Saltburn, and All of Us Strangers the recognition that the Academy failed to bestow. And we puzzle over why Willem Defoe is one of the best actors to never win an Oscar. As a bonus, we each chose a technical category to discuss, and what we're most looking forward to on Oscar Night.     

On season 9, episode 8 of Paid in Puke Podcast, we're sorting through Kitty Green's 2019 drama, "The Assistant". It stars Julia Garner, as the titular assistant at a high-powered New York film production office, who navigates a particularly trying day at work. While this is a "me too" movie, and the nameless boss in question bares some resemblance, The Assistant is not about Weinstein. Instead, it captures an all-too pervasive systematic conspiracy to allow powerful men to assault women without repercussions.  The Assistant is also relatable anyone who has ever had a job description vague enough to become the office task dumpster. We love this movie, Kitty Green's unique ability to capture the sinister tone of misogynist micro-aggressions, and Julia Garner's nuanced frown.  On the Lunchtime Poll, we reveal the dumbest thing a boss has ever asked of us. 

On Season 9, Episode 7 of Paid in Puke Podcast, we're celebrating Emma Seligman's 2023 high school sex comedy, "Bottoms", written by Seligman and Rachel Sennott. "Bottoms" stars Sennott, Ayo Edebiri, Ruby Cruz, Havana Rose Liu, Kaia Gerber, and Marshawn Lynch.  Like "Barb and Star" before her, this movie is an instant classic for the Pukettes. We extoll the myriad virtues of the Dream Team that is Sennott, Seligman, & Edebiri. It's a smart comedy disguised as a stupid one, with a thousand jokes landing per minute and some of the *tightest* mise en scène we've ever scène. But even if it were just a stupid comedy, guys make those all the time. That's the point of feminism.  Our super fun Lunchtime Poll question: What fake club would you start to entice your crush? 

On Season 9, Episode 6 of Paid in Puke, we're dissecting Todd Haynes' 2023 drama, May December, starring Natalie Portman, Julianne Moore, and Charles Melton. Team May December is claiming that the film is only "loosely based" on Mary Kay Letourneau and Vili Fualaau. We discuss the difference between "inspired" and "ripped off", and why Fualaau is not happy about this film.  Trigger Warnings for child abuse, child rape, and childhood trauma. This movie is serving THEMES. Why does Hollywood love to look for the humanity in bad people? Can a person truly live a life without regret? Can you really love your abuser? Is there a responsible way to make a film about a living victim without their consent? BUTTERFLIES.  We do a fun Lunchtime Poll to counteract all the darkness. What is your biggest anxiety when throwing a party? Don't forget the hot dogs!  

On Season 9, Episode 5 of Paid in Puke, we're getting friendly with Colin Higgins' ("9 to 5") 1982 musical, "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas", based on the Broadway show by Larry L. King and Peter Masterson, which was in turn based on a real story published in Playboy! It stars Dolly Parton, Theresa Merritt, Dom DeLuise, Burt Reynolds, and a host of talented triple threats credited as "Chicken Ranch Girl".  There are, of course, some Hot Probs, but Dolly ain't one. Our National Treasure holds the floor, and even sneaks in her own song to round out the catchy soundtrack. Did you have a brain tumor for breakfast? You'll never guess which problematic film critic had some truly revealing criticisms about this film upon release (JK, it's always the same guy). Come on down and hang out with us as we sing the praises of the singular talent that is Dolly Parton.   

It's the big Season 8 Finale! We are thrilled and honored to bring you our first (and probably only) cis male guest: Daniel Waters! He gets a P*ssy Pass for writing the film that inspired our podcast theme (Heathers) and another feminist classic: Batman Returns. This 1992 comic book sequel was directed by Tim Burton, and stars Michelle Pfeiffer in an absolutely iconic role that launched one million sexual awakenings. It was written by Waters, from a script by Sam Hamm, and then unsatisfactorily finished off by a real Normie named Wesley Strick. We consider it a Catwoman movie with 3 male villains hellbent on stopping Selina Kyle from embracing her true nature. Join us as we pester Daniel Waters with questions about Heathers, and discuss what went wrong as well as what went SO. VERY. RIGHT. with Batman Returns. And because it's a Christmas Movie, our Lunchtime Poll is about worst and best Christmases. 

On this episode of Paid in Puke, we get lost in Maggie Gyllenhaal's 2022 directorial debut. The Lost Daughter stars Olivia Coleman, Jessie Buckley, Dakota Johnson, and Dagmara Dominczyk. The film tackles biological motherhood in a way that is so candid, the author of the source material used a pseudonym to avoid backlash. Among the Pukettes, two mothers and one childfree woman all saw completely different things in the intentionally ambiguous narrative. The Lost Daughter is a mirror that reflects our own experiences. One thing we agree on is that it's a staggering debut from Gyllenhaal and, to quote Leda, "motherhood is a crushing responsibility".   

It's the Paid in Puke 2023 Oscars Special! We were lucky enough to get Denise Rodriguez back to round out the panel. Between the 4 of us, we've seen almost everything (except The Whale, for reasons we GET. IN. TO.) We go full At the Movies, with wildly different opinions on MANY of the films. The hot takes are flying. But we all agree that the Everything Everywhere leads and Angela Bassett deserve Legacy awards and that Colin Farrell is a lovely man.   

Welcome to our bonus interview with Ann Magnuson. In addition to behind-the-scenes look at filming “Making Mr. Right” in Miami in 1986, Ann discusses her early influences and media consumption, coming up in the 70’s NYC and London punk scenes, why her appearances in Hollywood films were rare, a juicy tidbit about the casting process of “Fatal Attraction”, the roles on her resume that are closer to her real persona, and auditioning for SNL. She’s living the true Art Life. We could have listened to her for hours. We hope this interview inspires you to dive deep into Ann’s staggering back catalog and then make some art of your own. As Ann says, “There’s no time to waste!”   Ann Magnuson Instagram Ann Magnuson website Buy a signed copy of new Blu-Ray of Making Mr. Right! Ann’s You Tube channel

On series 8, episode 7 of Paid in Puke, we’re thrilled to bring you this deep cut gem from 1987: “Making Mr. Right”. Susan Seidelman’s retro-futurism genre bender stars the incomparable Ann Magnuson, as well as Glenne Headly, and Laurie Melcalf. We were lucky enough to snag Ann for an interview!   We discuss pop culture’s timeless obsession with A.I.. This movie presents so many themes that were later explored in more serious properties like “Her”, “Ex Machina”, and “Westworld”. It also depicts a rare character in cinema (especially in 1987): a nuanced working woman who isn’t driven by her need to find and keep a man. The film is also stylish, hilarious, and truly unique!   Throughout our discussion, we include clips from our interview with Ann, who discusses working in Miami, bringing her prodigious London and NYC underground experience to a Hollywood rom com, and why the time is right for a film that celebrates good will and charm.   Listen to the entire interview in our bonus episode and buy the special edition blu-ray of Making Mr. Right - out now, including commentary from Seidelman and Magnuson!   Ann Magnuson on instragram Ann Magnuson’s website/store (including SIGNED Making Mr. Right blu-rays)! Clips from Ann’s incredible interpretation of David Bowie’s “Moonage Daydream” peppered throughout

On Series 8, Episode 6 of Paid in Puke, we're plumbing the depths of James Cameron's 1997 hit disaster epic, Titanic, starring Kate Winslet, Frances Fisher, and Kathy Bates. Joining us is Titanic super-fan, and one half of The Bechdel Cast, Caitlin Durante, who is always ready to talk about what makes Rose a feminist, how Fabrizio was robbed, what James Cameron got right, and why they never again want to hear someone say there was room on that door.  On the Lunchtime Poll, we reveal the titanic disasters in our lives that yielded unexpectedly positive experiences.  Show Notes: The podcast Caitlin mentions in the Lunchtime Poll is Sludge: An American Health Care Story. The Billy Zane interview referenced is from Vulture.

In Series 8, Episode 5 of Paid in Puke Podcast, we're revisiting the 1997 hit comedy, Romy and Michele's High School Reunion, starring Mira Sorvino and Lisa Kudrow. It was directed by David Mirkin (Get a Life, Heartbreakers), and written by Robin Schiff, based on her play "The Ladies Room". We discuss what doesn't hold up (some problematic body image messages, casual cruelty as comedy) and what does (pretty much everything else)!  Baxter's 12-year-old, Lula, joins us to give her tween perspective on this sweet tale of enduring friendship, standing up to bullies, and being true to yourself. On the Lunchtime Poll, we reveal the songs to which we'd choreograph a little dance.

On Series 8, Episode 4 of Paid in Puke, we're changing the narrative on Karyn Kusama's 2009 horror comedy, Jennifer's Body, written by Diablo Cody and starring Amanda Seyfried and Megan Fox.  This movie was criminally mis-marketed by male executives at the time, to teenage boys, when it's actually a sapphic supernatural doomed high school romance. Even Cody might not have known just how Sapphic at this time... 15-year-old Logan joins us for an episode-long Keggers with Kids to discuss one of their very favorite movies, the dialogue (both clever and cringe), and the myriad Heathers parallels! 

Denise Rodriguez came on Paid in Puke to discuss "Desperately Seeking Susan" on the day that Angela Lansbury died. After we finished discussing the film, she enlightened us with encyclopedic knowledge of Lansbury's career and, in particular, Murder She Wrote. It was too good to leave on the proverbial cutting room floor.  So please enjoy our little tribute to Dame Angela Lansbury. October 16th, 1925 to October 11th, 2022. 

On Series 8, Episode 3 of Paid in Puke, we have a blast discussing Susan Seidelman’s 1985 genre-bender, Desperately Seeking Susan, starring Rosanna Arquette, Laurie Metcalf, and friggin’ MADONNA, as well as a bevy of 1980s NYC character actors and hipsters. Baxter falls in love with Ann Magnuson from her 15 seconds of screen time alone. A movie this punk, ACAB, and sex positive is light on the Hot Probs. Apart from having to explain land lines and newspaper personal ads to younger viewers, this movie holds the hell up. Special guest, Denise Rodriguez joins us to gush about this diamond in the rough and do a live deep dive into Seidelman’s criminally underrated career.

On episode 2 of Paid in Puke Series 8, we're sitting and talking (sorry/notsorry) about Nicole Holofcener's 1996 debut feature, Walking and Talking, starring Katherine Keener, Anne Heche, and Allison Janney for two scenes.  Full disclosure, this was the first episode we'd recorded after our long hiatus, so there are some recording hiccups. Some of us forget our own name and mispronounce the director's surname. Fortunately, the animated series "The Great North" helps us out with the latter issue, as they recently dropped an episode centered around Holofcener's most recent film, "Enough Said".  Join us to discuss Big Jeans (both the cat and the fashion trend), consequences for casual cruelty, and the nature of phones in the 90s. 

On our Series 8 opener, we're Paid in Pugh'k! It's a drama-o-rama, spoiler-filler Don't Worry Darling Extravaganzah! If you've been living under a Hollywood-free rock, that's Olivia Wilde's genre hopper staring Florence Pugh, Gemma Chan, Kiki Layne, Kate Berlant, and Wilde herself. The script was heavily re-worked by Wilde's Booksmart scribe, Katie Silberman.  What IS DWD? Horror? Sci-Fi? A Thriller made by someone who doesn't understand the genre? We find Hot Probs galore, but also gush over the lewks, Pugh's star power, and Kate Berlant's ability to find the funniest possible delivery in every line.  If you want details, we have them, complete with a timeline and the scoop on the Kiki Layne cut. (RELEASE THE KIKI LAYNE CUT!) Grab a cocktail, put off that housework, and pleasure yourself. 

On Series 7 of Paid in Puke, we're discussing every episode of Ryan Murphy's American Crime Story mini-series, Impeachment, starring Beanie Feldstein, Sarah Paulson, Cobie Smulders, Judith Light, Mira Sorvino, Edie Falco, Annaleigh Ashford, and Character Actress Margot Martindale. Episode 10 is "The Wilderness", written by show runner Sarah Burgess, and directed by Michael Uppendahl. This series finale drives home all the themes from the season including the raw deal for sexual assault survivors and women who receive any sort of media attention. We also discuss the problematic nature of "redemption stories" told without the input of the victims, and the way society expects people to accept their trauma after they're tired of hearing about it.  We end it all with a fun Lunchtime Poll about which writer we would choose to tell our story.  Paid in Puke returns late summer 2022 with Series 8 and a return to our film format! 

On Series 7 of Paid in Puke, we're discussing every episode of Ryan Murphy's American Crime Story mini-series, Impeachment, starring Beanie Feldstein, Sarah Paulson, and Annaleigh Ashford. Episode 9 is "The Grand Jury", written by show runner Sarah Burgess, and directed by Rachel Morrison. It's the penultimate episode in the series. This is the best of the worst of times for Monica. She actually experiences a smidge of vindication when she tells her story to 22 sympathetic (and one incredulous) members of the Grand Jury. On the other hand, Linda is taken aback at how much people don't like people who tape their friends.  On the Lunchtime Poll, we talk about some famous people we would love to grill, Grand Jury-style.