The C-Word

Latest Episodes:

The Han Twins (with Margaret Cho) Aug 28, 2025

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Margaret Cho joins Lena and Alissa to discuss The Han Twins. Sunny and Gina Han were twin sisters and best friends. They were even joint valedictorians at their high school graduation. But only a few years later, Gina plotted to murder her sister and steal her identity. The tabloids dubbed it the case of “good twin versus bad twin” but the real story is much more complicated.

This episode was first published on 06/22/2019.

Lizzie Siddal Aug 21, 2025

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Lizzie Siddal was an iconic Victorian-era model, muse, and poet. Lena and Alissa discuss her tumultuous relationship with painter Dante Gabriel Rossetti, her addiction to laudanum, her reputation as a ill-tempered redhead, and the appeal of sickness.

This episode was first published on 06/15/2019.

Tania Head Aug 14, 2025

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Tania Head’s 9/11 survival story was one of the most tragic accounts of the attack. She became the face of 9/11 and the President of the Survivors’ Network support group, but it was all a lie.

This episode was first published on 06/08/2019.

Mariah Carey Aug 07, 2025

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In 2000, Mariah Carey was the world’s biggest pop star. By the end of 2001, she was a national joke. Why? A little movie called Glitter. Lena and Alissa dig into the famous flop, Mariah’s divorce from Tommy Mottola, her comeback, and why we’re so eager to destroy our idols.

This episode was first published on 06/01/2019.

Lisa Nowak Jul 31, 2025

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In 2007, astronaut Lisa Nowak became a national punchline after (maybe) donning adult diapers to facilitate her violent pursuit of a romantic rival. Lena and Alissa discuss ambition, break-ups, and the cruelty of late-night TV jokes as they unpack the “diaper astronaut.”

This episode was first published on 05/25/2019.

Robin Givens Jul 31, 2025

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Actress and model Robin Givens was called “the most hated woman in America” during her 1989 divorce proceedings from Mike Tyson. America called her a home-wrecker and a gold digger—but Robin claimed she was fleeing Mike’s violence and temper.

This episode was first published on 05/18/2019.

Casey Johnson Jul 31, 2025

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Heiress to the Johnson & Johnson fortune, Casey was a 2000s tabloid staple known for her wild partying, badly-behaved pets, and tumultuous relationships, before her untimely death at age 30. Lena & Alissa discuss wealth, fame, and growing up in the public eye.

This episode was first published on 05/11/2019. It has been slightly edited from the original version.

Re-Introducing The C-Word Jul 28, 2025

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After years behind a paywall, Lena Dunham and historian of bad behavior Alissa Bennett are breaking The C-Word out of the vault and into your hearts. With every episode, Lena and Alissa take you on a historical deep dive into the life of a woman society dismissed by calling her mad, sad, or just plain bad: Lindsay Lohan, Judy Garland, Winona Ryder, Mariah Carey, Lil Kim and many more. Join them for a rich, hilarious, and heartbreaking look into exactly what it means when we call a woman “crazy.” The first three episodes drop on July 31st and then weekly after that.

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