Stay ConnectedComedian & pop culture critic Jolenta Greenberg has a theory: reality TV isn’t ruining culture – it is culture. Join her and a cast of sharp, funny guests as they dig into the details behind the drama and unpack why we can’t get enough of those iconic scenes and unforgettable characters. This is the place for highbrow conversations about “lowbrow” TV
All seasons By the Book & How to Be Fine are also in this feed. To hear back episodes, just scroll down!
Jolenta does a deep dive on The Recluse archetype and her evil twin, The Warlock. Turns out Kathy Hilton from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills has a lot of reclusive tendencies, but watch yourself because you don’t want her warlock side to rear its ugly head.
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Jolenta is joined by Travis Rhoden from Bestie Approved for a crossover episode! In honor of Jen Shah being released from prison, the two recap the infamous sprinter van raid from season 2 of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. Travis used to be a finance bro, so he has some interesting takes on money laundering. And many iconic moments are covered: Mary calling Whitney “little girl,” the beginning of Meredith branding herself as a lady who loves baths, and Whitney Rose thinking Homeland Security is a pranking her.
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Jolenta is joined by the wonderful Gibson Johns (Gabbing with Gib) to talk about Aviva Drescher’s infamous leg toss from The Real Housewives of New York. They get into the backstory, dish on ghost writing rumors, and wax poetic about obviously self produced moments.
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For a Thanksgiving Day treat, Jolenta is doing a roundup of some of the latest reality TV hot topics and giving her hot takes. She covers everything from Kandi Burruss’s divorce to Kody Brown’s multiple divorces. Please note: Topics other than divorce will be discussed, such as The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, The Real Housewives of Orange County, and more.
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The Mystic is a fun woo-woo archetype, but do not piss her off or else you’ll meet her evil side: the Betrayer. How do each of these beauties show up in reality TV? Jolenta thinks Dorinda Medley from the Real Housewives of New York is the perfect example of the Mystic/Betrayer dichotomy.
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The wonderful Mary Payne Gilbert (Pink Shade) joins Jolenta to do a deep dive on the infamous Vanderpump Rules “slap” scene between Stassi Schroeder and Kristin Douse. And the two discuss why we’re so drawn to reality TV that showcases anti-aspirational living.
Hot Mess-terpiece Theatre Insta
Sources:
Vanderpump Rules - Peacock
Hera episode of Hot Mess-Terpiece Theatre
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She’s intense, she’s driven, and she might be here to save us all… or burn it all down. This week Jolenta draws parallels between the Savior/Destroyer archetype and Heather Gay’s journey on The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City.
Hot Mess-Terpiece Theatre Instagram
*This episode mentions the struggles faced by LGBTQIA+ youth - if you or anyone you know is struggling text ‘START’ to 678-678 to reach The Trevor Project
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Comedian Anna Roisman (Big Wigs) joins the show to talk about her favorite moments from Love is Blind season six: when Chelsea told Jimmy she gets told she looks like Megan Fox & when Jimmy realizes that may not be true. Anna and Jolenta breakdown the scenes and discuss why you shouldn’t try to break the unspoken rules of a reality show.
Anna's Insta - where all her great impressions are
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Jolenta looks into the Maiden and Troubled Teen archetypes. And she does a deep dive on a Real Housewife that seems to embody this angsty ingénue: Bronwyn from the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City.
Hot Mess-Terpiece Theatre Insta
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Jolenta is joined by Nicole Spiezio (How Were U Brainwashed?) to discuss a pivotal RHONY Legacy scene - the scene where Bethenny tells Luann her fiancé cheated on her "at the Regency, in front of everybody.”
Housewife Sonata w/ Nicole Spiezio
Hot Mess-terpiece Theatre Insta
SOURCES
- Real Housewives of New York City, Peacock
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