The C-Word

Latest Episodes:

Judy Garland, Part 2 Nov 06, 2025

Show notes

“If I am a legend, then why am I so lonely?” When we last left Judy Garland in part one of this deep dive into her rise and fall, she’d just had a big hit with the film Meet Me In St. Louis, she was married to Vincent Minnelli, and she had baby Liza in her arms. But things go downhill from there, as her addiction, health, debt, and “unpredictable” behavior worsens through the 1950s and 60s. Lena and Alissa continue to follow Garland’s career through her next three marriages, A Star Is Born, and those final, heartbreaking concerts that the world will never forget.

This episode was first published on 02/06/2020.

Judy Garland, Part 1 (with Andrew Rannells) Oct 30, 2025

Show notes

Legend Judy Garland has been called a Hollywood icon and the greatest entertainer of all time. She’s also been called “crazy” for behind-the-scenes bad behavior, nervous breakdowns, suicide attempts, and several marriages to gay men. In this episode, Lena and Alissa talk about Judy’s early years — her vaudevillian roots, her stage mom who introduced her to the pills she’d rely on for the rest of her life, her studio-sanctioned starvation, and of course, The Wizard of Oz. Then, Lena talks to Andrew Rannells about his love for Judy.

This episode was first published on 01/23/2020.

Jocelyn Wildenstein Oct 23, 2025

Show notes

You may know Jocelyn Wildenstein from those clickbait “PLASTIC SURGERY GONE WRONG” articles, but her story is deeper—and weirder—than you can even imagine. The wife of art-dealing royalty with a flair for acquiring wild animals as pets, Jocelyn made headlines as “Catwoman” for her plastic surgery obsession and her dishy, expensive divorce. But in the end, Jocelyn prevailed and walked away with a payout of 2.5 billion. Lena and Alyssa celebrate the money moves of a woman who truly follows her own script.

This episode was first published on 01/09/2020.

Kiersten Rickenbach Cerveny Oct 16, 2025

Show notes

The world learned about Kiersten Rickenbach Cerveny in October 2015 when she was found dead in an East Village apartment. A wealthy Long Island dermatologist and mother of three kids, Kiersten’s life looked flawless from the outside. Lena and Alissa discuss Kiersten’s life and death, the disconnect between private vs. public life, and what it means to party when you’re in your 40s.

This episode was first published on 12/26/2019.

Lady Rosemary Aberdour Oct 09, 2025

Show notes

Rosemary Aberdour seemed to most like a shy, awkward wallflower, but underneath her drab exterior lurked an appetite for jewels, parties, and larceny. Born into an unassuming middle-class English home, Rosemary secretly stole thousands of pounds to fund her new glamorous identity as titled aristocracy—that’s “Lady Aberdour” to you! Lena and Alissa cover Rosemary’s wild parties, outrageous schemes, her ultimate downfall and discuss what it’s like to feel unseen and unappreciated.

This episode was first published on 12/12/2019.

Barbara Hutton Oct 02, 2025

Show notes

Barbara Hutton, the "quintessential poor little rich girl,” was an American socialite and heiress to the Woolworth dime-store fortune. Tabloids ridiculed her for her seven divorces (including to Cary Grant) as she suffered from anorexia and alcoholism. She threw money at everyone around her, but never got the one thing she wanted: love.

This episode was first published on 11/29/2019.

Sean Young Sep 25, 2025

Show notes

Sean Young got her big break when she was cast in Blade Runner at 22-years old. But after rumblings that she was “difficult to work with,” and troubling romantic rumors, her reputation plummeted. Lena and Alissa trace Sean’s career through her plea to play Catwoman to some ill-fated talk show appearances to Hollywood outcast.

This episode was first published on 11/14/2019.

Maryam Haley Sep 18, 2025

Show notes

Maryam Irene Haley was known as adult actress Haley Paige. She engaged with intense online scrutiny before her death at age 25. Lena and Alissa discuss 2000s internet forum culture, why people consume the downfall of women and then forget about them, and what Maryam means to Alissa.

This episode was first published on 7/20/2019. It has been slightly edited from the original version.

Miranda Grosnevor (with Sia) Sep 11, 2025

Show notes

Lena and Alissa dive into the story of legendary love-scammer Miranda Grosvenor, a woman who anonymously enchanted Hollywood’s most famous men over the phone. Some of her confirmed callers include Warren Beatty, Robert DeNiro, and Billy Joel. Lena and Alissa discuss the isolation of fame, the long-lost magic of landlines, and then talk to Sia about the intentions behind hiding one’s face.

This episode was first published on 7/13/2019.

Jean Seberg Sep 04, 2025

Show notes

Jean Seberg was a French New Wave actress and pixie cut icon. She was also an active supporter of the Black Panthers Party. As her career floundered and rumors hurt her reputation with the public, Jean became convinced the FBI was surveilling and sabotaging her because of her political activity. At the time everyone thought she was paranoid, but the truth is much darker.

This episode was first published on 06/29/2019. It has been slightly edited from the original version.

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