Hot Takes & Deep Dives

Latest Episodes:

L Word Gen Q Showrunner Marja Lewis Ryan Answers Each Storyline Jan 16, 2023

Show notes

Jess is joined by The L Word Generation Q showrunner, Marja Lewis Ryan! We discuss how Marja got the job, her connection to Abbi Jacobson coming out, if the writers have seen The L Word (OG), Jennifer Beals' influence on Bette Porter and Marja's very first meeting with JB, Leisha Hailey and Kate Moennig. We probe for answers to fan frustrations around the loss of Gigi (Sepideh Moafi), Gigi & Dani's romance and the Jenny vs. Dana of it all. Plus, Marja's thinking around Angie dating her male professor, the choice to make Jamie Clayton's Tess cis vs. trans, Shane's direction, Joey Lauren Adams, if we will ever meet queen Bette Porter's mysterious mom and A LOT more!

IG: @jessxnyc | Watch video on YouTube!

Ilene Chaiken on Creating The L Word, Bette & Tina, Jennifer Beals, Kate Moennig Jan 09, 2023

Show notes

Jess is joined by THE L WORD creator and show-runner Ilene Chaiken! Ilene discusses running Aaron Spelling's production company, her real-life version of The Planet, the head of Showtime wanting to cast Leisha Hailey as Shane, Jennifer Beals choosing Laurel Holloman as Tina, and Mia Kirshner's brilliant improv as Jenny. Also discussed: Ilene's original plan for Bette & Tina, contributions to Gen Q, is Gen Q canon, Sepideh Moafi as Gigi, the mistreatment of Daniel Sea (Max) on set, Holland Taylor as Peggy Peabody and a LOT more!

IG: @jessxnyc

Comedian Jared Freid on Late Night Eating, Headshots, Instagram Relationships, Deuxmoi Jan 02, 2023

Show notes

Jess is joined by comedian Jared Freid (co-host of Betches' modern dating pod U Up?) to discuss relationship "soft launches" and breakups on Instagram, dating app profile makeovers, Jared's journey with late night eating addiction, being heckled over his headshot and being spotted in Deuxmoi. Plus, why fast-moving celebrity r-ships like Pete Davidson / Ariana Grande / Kim Kardashian / Ben Affleck / JLo make sense mathematically, and dating app convos in the hetero vs. gay universe.

IG: @jessxnyc | @jaredfreid

Interview w/ Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You" co-writer Walter Afanasieff — Celine Dion, Beyonce, Titanic Dec 22, 2022

Show notes

Jess is joined by WALTER AFANASIEFF, the Grammy-winning songwriter and producer responsible for co-writing and producing the majority of MARIAH CAREY's '90s hits, including "Anytime You Need a Friend," "My All," "Hero," "One Sweet Day," and of course "All I Want For Christmas Is You." Afanasieff walks us through the creation of the modern Christmas classic and his professional fall-out with Mariah. We also discuss how the music and songwriting industry has changed since the '90s, producing CELINE DION's "My Heart Will Go On" from TITANIC, writing with BEYONCÉ, BARBRA STREISAND and the story of how a record company sabotaged the career of a singer destined to win American Idol.

IG: @jessxnyc & @hottakesdeepdives

Real World Seattle's Irene McGee on The Slap, Stephen, Homecoming Dec 12, 2022

Show notes

Jess is joined by The Real World Seattle's IRENE MCGEE, infamous for the season which she battled Lyme disease and was slapped in the face by cast member Stephen Williams. Irene discusses cast member David Burns' relationship with the show's casting director Kira and everything surrounding Stephen chucking her childhood teddy bear in the cold Seattle water, calling him a "homosexual" and Stephen slapping her across the face. Plus, Irene's reaction to Stephen's eventual coming out and arrest, the idea of RW Seattle "Homecoming," Irene's present life as a mom and Real Housewife of New York City, her comedy career and a lot more!

IG: @jessxnyc | @hottakesdeepdives

* uncommongoods.com/hottakes *

Flipping Out's Megan Weaver on Jeff Lewis, Teddi Mellencamp's All In, Interior Design Advice Dec 05, 2022

Show notes

Jess is joined by Flipping Out interior designer Megan Weaver! Megan chats about her fateful meet-cute with Jeff Lewis in a restaurant bathroom which led to filming 7 seasons of Bravo's Flipping Out and her current gig as co-host on RadioAndy SiriusXM's Jeff Lewis Live. We discuss her experience on Teddi Mellencamp's "All In" weight loss program, working on Lala Kent & Randall Emmett's house and Jeff's falling out with Jenni Poulos. Megan also discusses her former career as a production assistant for Steven Spielberg, working on '90s classics Twister & Forces of Nature and gives her interior design style advice.

IG: @jessxnyc | @hottakesdeepdives

* uncommongoods.com code hottakes *

Bethenny Ever After (w/ Ryan Bailey) + Interview w/ Bethenny's Therapist Dr. Amador on Jason Hoppy & more Nov 21, 2022

Show notes

Wow Bethenny, Wow. Jess is joined by Ryan Bailey, (So Bad It's Good), for an epic deep dive on Bethenny Ever After (avail on Peacock). We review episodes including Bethenny's 40th Birthday Breakdown, Lost at Sea with Dr. Amador and the series finale. Plus, observations of her #2 Julie, food blogger Nick & try to psychoanalyze what exactly was going on with Jason Hoppy behind the scenes.

[39:00] THEN, Jess welcomes Dr. Amador, Bethenny Frankel's therapist on her spinoffs + RHONY season 7. We go deep on the infamous "Lost at Sea" episode in which Dr. Amador took Bethenny & Jason on a sailing trip to Nantucket in which he lost GPS signal and they were stranded at sea for 30 hours. Dr. Amador shares his observations of Jason Hoppy and why he was not surprised at his behavior during the divorce. We also chat about the authenticity of "reality TV therapy" and Dr. Amador sheds light on Bethenny's addiction (or habit) to being seen.

IG: @jessxnyc | @sobaditsgoodwithryanbailey

Lesbian Bar Project & Celesbian Hot Goss (w/ Erica Rose & Elina Street) Nov 14, 2022

Show notes

Jess is joined by the filmmakers behind The Lesbian Bar Project (Erica Rose & Elina Street), a new TV docu-series inspired by the decline in women's queer spaces in the US (from 200 in the 1980s to under 25 today). The Lesbian Bar Project has evolved from a short film into a full-fledged TV series exec. produced by Lea DeLaria -- now airing on the Roku channel! -- showcasing the stories of queer bar owners and the spaces they have created. We go deep on how "gay bars" aren't just "bars" - but performance spaces and restaurants, discuss iconic NYC establishments (Cubbyhole, Henrietta Hudson & Stonewall), as well as gay bar culture of the '70s & '80s. We then move on to fave celesbian sightings around town, including some L Word gossip, Sarah Paulson, Cherry Jones and...Ricki Lake?

Find The Lesbian Bar Project series on the Roku Channel!

IG: @jessxnyc | @lesbianbarproject

Sudi Green on Surviving SNL, Bowen Yang & Matt Rogers, NYU Culture Nov 07, 2022

Show notes

Jess is joined by 5x Emmy-nominee SUDI GREEN for her work on SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE! Sudi joined the writing staff of SNL at age 24, after becoming best friends with fellow NYU & UCB alumni Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers. Sudi discusses getting the SNL call, the highs and lows, her biggest f-up's on the job and the cultural shift of openly gay cast members. We also discuss NYU culture, writing the second season of I LOVE THAT FOR YOU, how 30 min comedies are actually dramas & a lot more!

IG: @jessxnyc | @hottakesdeepdives

* uncommongoods.com/hottakes *

Showgirls, Midnight Movies & Camp Classics (w/ Peaches Christ) Oct 31, 2022

Show notes

Jess is joined by legendary drag performer Peaches Christ to analyze the legacy of the cult classic SHOWGIRLS and to answer the questions of why and how did this "masterpiece of sh*t" get made. Peaches Christ has been producing full-blown Showgirls drag theatrical extravaganzas in San Francisco for 20 years. Peaches also sheds insider light on Elizabeth Berkley's Showgirls journey herself and also discusses camp classics DEATH BECOMES HER & HOCUS POCUS.

IG @jessxnyc | @peacheschrist

* uncommongoods.com/hottakes *

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