Hot Takes & Deep Dives

Latest Episodes:

Kim Stolz — America's Next Top Model, NYC Gay Bar Owner & MTV VJ Mar 21, 2024

Show notes

Jess catches up with the first openly gay contestant on AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL, fellow New Yorker KIM STOLZ. Kim Stolz was one of the most recognizable faces in the NYC gay scene in the mid-'00s after starring in Cycle 5 of the Tyra Banks series. Kim then became an MTV News host alongside JOHN NORRIS & KURT LODER where she interviewed an unknown TAYLOR SWIFT. Kim Stolz later opened the lesbian bar "The Dalloway" w/ reality star Amanda Leigh Dunn (THE REAL L WORD, HIGH SOCIETY) and shares some Vanderpump Rules-esque stories about running The Dalloway.

IG @jessxnyc | @kimmystolz

Check out Jess' docu-pod series FINDING FIRE ISLAND about the history, mystique and lore of Cherry Grove & The Pines

Madonna Truth or Dare w/ Reality Producers Chris DeRosa & Dominick Pupa Mar 04, 2024

Show notes

Jess is joined by reality TV producers and co-hosts of "Fixing Famous People" — Chris DeRosa and Dominick Pupa! Together, we analyze the seminal documentary MADONNA: TRUTH OR DARE through the lens of our three generations and reality TV production. Topics: The follow-up film feat. the Blond Ambition dancers STRIKE A POSE, 1998 VH1 special MADONNA RISING, BRITNEY "Me Against the Music" and the return of the Like a Virgin red bed. Plus, Chris & Dominick take on Madonna as a Fixing Famous People client and more!

IG: @jessxnyc | @thechrisderosa | @dominickpupa

Check out Jess' docu-pod series FINDING FIRE ISLAND about the history, mystique and lore of Cherry Grove & The Pines

Ryan Raftery IS Anna Wintour, Martha Stewart, Andy Cohen, Kris Jenner & more Feb 26, 2024

Show notes

Jess is joined by the "Shakespeare of pop culture satire" per the New York Times - RYAN RAFTERY! We discuss his upcoming run at Joe's Pub in which he does his one-man twisted musical embodiments of MARTHA STEWART, ANNA WINTOUR & KRIS JENNER. We discuss the psychological through-line between all three women (relevancy) as well as his darker material focused on men - ANDY COHEN, CALVIN KLEIN and ANDY WARHOL. Plus, musings on SANDRA BERNHARD, FEUD: TRUMAN CAPOTE / THE SWANS and more!

IG: @jessxnyc | @ryanraftery

Check out Jess' docu-pod series FINDING FIRE ISLAND about the history, mystique and lore of Cherry Grove & The Pines

Drag Race's Peppermint — Traitors Reunion, NYC 90s Nightlife Feb 19, 2024

Show notes

Jess is joined by DRAG RACE & TRAITORS star PEPPERMINT! Peppermint discusses fond memories of THE REAL WORLD (which don't include Vegas or Trishelle), the production behind The Traitors and what she's planning for The Reunion. Plus, Alan Cumming's comment that "gays" are loving Phaedra while "queer" ppl are loving Parvati. Peppermint also discusses working the NYC clubs before launching onto Drag Race, Janet Jackson deep cuts & more!

IG: @jessxnyc | @peppermint247

Check out Jess' docu-pod series FINDING FIRE ISLAND about the history, mystique and lore of Cherry Grove & The Pines

Bianca Del Rio on Fire Island, Madonna, Joan Rivers & more Feb 12, 2024

Show notes

Jess is joined by drag legend BIANCA DEL RIO! Bianca discuss her early days of drag in New Orleans, New York City, Provincetown and on Fire Island prior to winning season 6 of DRAG RACE. Topics include: Going on tour with Madonna, joining The Traitors, Joan Rivers, Kathy Griffin, Chita Rivera, a "Golden Drag Race" feat. Lady Bunny & Varla Jean Merman and more!

IG: @jessxnyc | @thebiancadelrio

Check out Jess' docu-pod series FINDING FIRE ISLAND about the history, mystique and lore of Cherry Grove & The Pines

Golden Girls, Gilmore Girls, Roseanne & Brady Bunch Movie Writer — Stan Zimmerman Feb 06, 2024

Show notes

Jess is joined by TV & film screenwriter, Stan Zimmerman! Zimmerman chats about his career writing on THE GOLDEN GIRLS, ROSEANNE, GILMORE GIRLS, THE BRADY BUNCH MOVIE (and its Sequel!). Topics: staying closeted while writing The Golden Girls, RuPaul, Estelle Getty, Madonna's voicemails for Sandra Bernhard, Roseanne & Tom Arnold, loving THE L WORD & more!

Stan's book: The Girls: From Golden to Gilmore

IG: @jessxnyc

The L Word Writer, Theme Song & BETTY Rocker — Elizabeth Ziff Jan 29, 2024

Show notes

Jess is joined by ELIZABETH ZIFF — writer, producer and BETTY musician behind THE L WORD theme song. We discuss: dating L Word creator Ilene Chaiken, writing for Bette Porter (Jennifer Beals) and Jenny Schecter (Mia Kirshner) and specific episodes & storylines she wrote. Plus — early BETTY gigs in the 80s/90s, the nexus of "lesbian chic" at East Village's Café Tabac, why Beyoncé songs have 10 writers and more!

IG: @jessxnyc | @bettyrules

Check out Jess' docu-pod series FINDING FIRE ISLAND about the history, mystique and lore of Cherry Grove & The Pines

Casting The Traitors & Inside Real World Edit Bay (w/ Jamie Stein) Jan 22, 2024

Show notes

Jess is joined by empath Jamie Stein to critique the cast of THE TRAITORS season two and discuss his career working on four (4) seasons of THE REAL WORLD — VEGAS, PARIS, SAN DIEGO and PHILLY — where he had an unedited look at Trishelle, CT, Karamo etc. Jamie discusses watching endless unedited footage, the San Diego sexual assault scandal and more. Finally, we discuss if Housewives Girls Trip is a collective pass or failed experiment and where the genre goes post-Reality von Tease.

IG: @jessxnyc & @jamiestein

Check out Jess' docu-pod series FINDING FIRE ISLAND about the history, mystique and lore of Cherry Grove & The Pines.

Jackie Warner (Work Out) Returns! Ozempic, Taylor Swift, Kyle Richards, Jeff Lewis Jan 15, 2024

Show notes

Jess is joined by Jackie Warner (Work Out, Thintervention) in her fourth appearance! We discuss Jackie's use of Ozempic, pitches her TV comeback, the fall-out of her TMZ splashed DUI ambien arrest, Kyle Richards and Morgan Wade, the New York Times Op-Ed on Taylor Swift, Jeff Lewis in the Flipping Out / Work Out era, Jared Leto's God complex and more!

Text or call 323-301-3522 to train with Jackie over FaceTime and get a free consult!

IG: @jessxnyc | @jackiewarner10

Check out Jess' docu-pod series FINDING FIRE ISLAND about the history, mystique and lore of Cherry Grove & The Pines

John Cameron Mitchell on Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Shortbus & more Jan 08, 2024

Show notes

Jess is joined by writer, actor and director JOHN CAMERON MITCHELL to discuss everything HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH and SHORTBUS. Plus: Julius' bar, New Orleans, RENT, promoting Hedwig on THE ROSIE O'DONNELL SHOW vs. LETTERMAN and entering his villain era via GIRLS, JOE EXOTIC and SHRILL.

IG: @jessxnyc

Check out Jess' docu-pod series FINDING FIRE ISLAND about the history, mystique and lore of Cherry Grove & The Pines

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