Hot Takes & Deep Dives

Latest Episodes:

Rachel Dratch on SNL, 30 Rock, Countess Luann Cabaret & more May 01, 2023

Show notes

Jess is joined by RACHEL DRATCH, known for seven (7) seasons on SNL, beloved for the Boston Teens (w/ Jimmy Fallon) and bringing the name "Debbie Downer" into the cultural lexicon. We go deep on Rachel's long-standing friendship with TINA FEY, her SNL audition, getting cast and replaced by JANE KRAKOWSKI on 30 ROCK and discovering she was pregnant at 43 years old. We also discuss WINE COUNTRY, the movie based on her real-life 50th birthday trip and her experience performing in Countess Luann's cabaret show.

IG: @jessxnyc | @raedratch

Kara DioGuardi (American Idol): Songwriter - Kelly Clarkson, XTina, Pink, Britney & Ashlee Apr 17, 2023

Show notes

Jess is joined by American Idol judge and prolific songwriter KARA DioGUARDI to reflect on her incredible contributions to pop music throughout the 2000s. We go deep behind the music of her iconic songs, including... KYLIE MINOGUE "Spinning Around," PINK "Sober," CHRISTINA AGUILERA "Ain't No Other Man," KELLY CLARKSON "Walk Away," BRITNEY's Blackout album, and co-writing the bulk of the ASHLEE SIMPSON and LINDSAY LOHAN albums. Kara also reflects on helping secure ADAM LAMBERT's spot on American Idol, and her experience on Bravo's songwriting competition show Platinum Hit.

IG: @jessxnyc

Lady Bunny on 'Drag Race' vs Drag, RuPaul, Wigstock Apr 03, 2023

Show notes

Jess is joined by drag legend LADY BUNNY! Lady Bunny discusses Drag Race's impact on modern day queens vs. experimental avant-garde style, questionable music choices on RPDR, gender & identity politics, organizing Wigstock in Tompkins Square Park & Pier 17, creating culture vs. mimicking reality TV, being held at gunpoint in the East Village and her rise alongside RuPaul at The Pyramid Club.

See Lady Bunny at The Green Room 42 in May & June!

IG: @jessxnyc

Nightlife Impresario Daniel Nardicio — The Ice Palace, Club Cumming, Liza Minnelli, Bianca del Rio Mar 21, 2023

Show notes

Jess is joined by the king of New York City nightlife, Daniel Nardicio. Throughout his career, Nardicio has produced events for Liza Minnelli, Alan Cumming, Chita Rivera, Carol Channing, Margaret Cho, Sandra Bernhard, Bianca del Rio and more. He chats about creating The Underwear Party on Fire Island, opening Club Cumming and his latest endeavor, now owning The Ice Palace in Cherry Grove. We also discuss Adele & Jennifer Lawrence at Club Cumming and Liza Minnelli's infamous stay in the Fire Island Pines.

IG: @jessxnyc

Ariana Madix on Tom Sandoval Romance, Kristen Doute + Astrology of Tom & Ariana Mar 13, 2023

Show notes

Jess chats with VANDERPUMP RULES' ARIANA MADIX about her pre-SUR life in NYC, her friendship > relationship with TOM SANDOVAL and becoming friends with KRISTEN DOUTE behind the scenes. Ariana also reacts to JAX TAYLOR's "glorified roommates" claim, her sexuality and buying their home. Original air date: Apr 2020

[ 36:00 ] At 36 minutes in, Jess is joined by Andy Bellatti (@astrologywithandy), astrologer to the Housewives, pop queens and Vanderpump kids for a deep dive on the astrology of the Tom & Ariana relationship. Original air date: May 2020

IG: @jessxnyc | @astrologywithandy

Queer Eye's Jai Rodriguez on RENT, Bros, Fire Island & more Feb 27, 2023

Show notes

Jess welcomes actor/singer JAI RODRIGUEZ — known as the OG Culture Guy on QUEER EYE. Jess fell in love with Jai as a teen, starring on Broadway as the beloved HIV+ drag queen Angel in RENT. We discuss his reign in NYC nightlife as a cabaret performer and his eventual big break on Queer Eye. We chat about his recent roles in BROS and Netflix's UNCOUPLED, and the irony of Jai relating more to Joel Kim Booster's FIRE ISLAND than the film he appeared in (BROS).

* Catch Jai's cabaret show LIVE at Oscar's Palm Springs on March 4th - oscarspalmsprings.com for tix! *

IG: @jessxnyc | @jairodriguez

Jill Kargman on Cult of SoulCycle, UES Mom Scene, Drew Barrymore Feb 20, 2023

Show notes

Jess welcomes back writer/actress Jill Kargman! Jill was born and raised on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, creating the perfect setting and inspiration for her novel Momzillas, adapted into the Bravo scripted series "Odd Mom Out" (streaming on Peacock!). We discuss: the cult of SoulCycle, her father's role as the President of Chanel, attending high school with Gwyneth Paltrow, Andy Cohen's pivotal role in her career in TV & SiriusXM + her gig on sister-in-law Drew Barrymore's talk show.

IG: @jessxnyc | @jillkargman

Bravo Casting Producer — Below Deck, Tabatha's Takeover, Millionaire Matchmaker Feb 06, 2023

Show notes

Jess is joined by reality TV casting producer Frank Garrity, who has worked on Below Deck, The People's Couch, Millionaire Matchmaker and Tabatha's Takeover. We discuss how to break into reality TV casting & production, background checks (ie: Jen Shah; unearthing racist tweets), getting yelled at by Patti Stanger on set of Millionaire Matchmaker, MTV's Real Friends of WeHo and a lot more.

IG: @jessxnyc

Jamie Babbit on Directing But I'm A Cheerleader, Natasha Lyonne, Clea DuVall, The L Word Jan 30, 2023

Show notes

Jess is joined by prolific film & TV director JAMIE BABBIT! Jamie is best known for writing/directing the cult classic BUT I'M A CHEERLEADER w/ Natasha Lyonne and Clea DuVall. Over the past two decades she has directed HBO's GIRLS, THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL, GILMORE GIRLS, THE L WORD, A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN, ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING and more. We discuss all of those experiences, plus! shooting around different actors' nudity clauses, how to fix bad acting & bad dialogue in post-production and a lot more!

IG: @jessxnyc

Inside The L Word Scripts, Set Visits, Contracts, Behind the Scenes Jan 19, 2023

Show notes

In the final installment of our L Word trilogy, Jess is joined by L Word historians Ash Silver (renowned YouTuber) and Chris Lintner (@thelwordonline). Chris shares her story of getting confronted by Ilene Chaiken in Vancouver for putting pieces of the scripts online in 2006 and Ash reveals how she ingratiated herself to Showtime in present day, with an invitation to the Gen Q set several months ago. Together, we discuss actor contracts, why Sepideh Moafi (Gigi) left, the alledged truth behind Erin Daniels (Dana) exiting the show, where are Rachel Shelley (Helena) and Sarah Shahi (Carmen)... and more behind the scenes sapphic chaos than you asked for.

IG: @jessxnyc | @theashsilver | @thelwordonline

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