Hot Takes & Deep Dives
Subscribed: 261Played: 15,733
Subscribe
© Jess Rothschild
Description
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!
249 Episodes
Reverse
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 Craiglist internet wh*re, selling weed & sex toys in between starring on Broadway, bonding with Countess Luann... and why showbiz is ruthless, relentless and absolute trash. ⭐ IG: @jessxnyc | @njjisrelentless ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island — Finding Fire Island
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 Streisand DVD commentary on A Star Is Born & more! ⭐ IG: @jessxnyc ⭐ Jon Kinnally’s memoir: I’m Prancing as Fast as I Can ⭐ Jess' SoulCycle docu series Cult of Body & Soul on all podcast platforms & YouTube
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, possibly writing the Patricia Field musical with Hedwig’s Stephen Trask, Barbra Streisand’s disdain for Sunset Boulevard starring Glenn Close—and more! Catch Ryan Raftery at Joe’s Pub in The Ballad of JonBenét Ramsey Sep 12-17! IG: @jessxnyc | @ryanraftery
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 winter, July 4th, Bear Week and Carnival, Dominick losing his phone & wallet, Crew's Quarters, Ptown Stop & Shop, The Pines Pantry & more! ⭐ IG: @jessxnyc | @dominickpupa ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island — Finding Fire Island
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 — Bloodroot (Bridgeport, CT), The Torch Club (Ohio), Gallus (Atlanta), Annie’s Steakhouse (DC), and 3-course meals at the Continental Baths in NYC. ⭐ IG: @jessxnyc | @erikp57 ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the rise & fall of SoulCycle — Cult of Body & Soul ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island — Finding Fire Island
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 $$ from her pre-fame bartending job, how she set Jillian up for a career in fitness and The Biggest Loser, why Jackie paid thousands of dollars to end their relationship, Bob Harper and a true window in the psychology of Jillian Michaels. Follow @jessxnyc on Instagram Jess' SoulCycle documentary Cult of Body & Soul on all podcast platforms & YouTube
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 Patrick King, how much background actors are paid, production’s deal w/ paparazzi & more. PLUS, how his And Just Like That experience compared to filming the upcoming season of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel! ⭐ IG: @jessxnyc ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the rise & fall of SoulCycle — Cult of Body & Soul ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island — Finding Fire Island
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 Black person on "Friends", living with Shangela (Drag Race) for a decade, working with MOLLY SHANNON and MATT ROGERS on "I Love That For You" & more! ⭐ IG: @jessxnyc ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the rise & fall of SoulCycle — Cult of Body & Soul ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island — Finding Fire Island
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” (Miranda discovers she is pregnant) + key episodes around the Big / Carrie / Aiden affair. Finally, parallels between SATC & RHONY and her work on DAWSON’S CREEK. Jess' SoulCycle documentary Cult of Body & Soul on all podcast platforms & YouTube IG: @jessxnyc
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 meditation, 12 step programs & more! Cult of Body & Soul on all podcast platforms & YouTube Watch Liz’ special on YouTube IG: @jessxnyc | @lizglazer
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 hilarious/scathing The Cut profile, the SJP-ification of Carrie, Candace Bushnell’s original column & more! IG: @jessxnyc | @everyoutfitonsatc
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 personality. Cast info & production notes: cultbodysoul.com 🙏🏼 Woud love you forever if you rate, review, subscribe on Apple Podcasts & Spotify 🎥 Watch trailer on YouTube Instagram @jessxnyc
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, John Waters and the live immersive experience of JOHN CAMERON MITCHELL’s film Shortbus. IG: @jessxnyc Night of A Thousand Judys — June 2nd @ Joe's Pub
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, crippling anxiety of opening night reviews, renovating his dream Upper West Side townhouse & more! Jeffrey Seller's memoir THEATER KID is available now! Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island: Finding Fire Island IG: @jessxnyc
1Jess 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 off-Broadway play “Becoming Eve,” Quentin Crisp, the camera work on Queer as Folk, Janeane Garofalo, Daria, the Hudson Valley & more! IG: @jessxnyc | @dan_allegretto | #DialDan Finding Fire Island — Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island
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 Ambition Tour, “Express Yourself" video, Madonna’s 1990 MTV VMA Marie Antoinette “Vogue” performance, EVITA, BJORK’s DANCER IN THE DARK & more! IG: @jessxnyc Vincent Paterson's memoir: Icons and Instincts
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 on Fire Island, finding her sexual revolution on FI + a lot more! Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island: Finding Fire Island IG: @jessxnyc | @thelinabradford
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 spreadsheet nightmares, Queer as Folk, Rocky Horror, his upcoming memoir ACTRESS OF A CERTAIN AGE & more! IG: @jessxnyc | @boomboomhiller Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island: Finding Fire Island
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 medleys), starring in "Hairspray" on Broadway & more! IG: @jessxnyc Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island: Finding Fire Island
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 with LADY GAGA, the 1990 MTV “Rock the Vote” campaign, NIKI HARIS & DONNA DE LORY, Carlton as the "pillar of strength," Luis & Kevin appearing in “The Birdcage,” Kevin’s “Showgirls” experience and a lot more! IG: @jessxnyc Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island: Finding Fire Island
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States