Characters

We have a new Housewives franchise! I am reflecting on the first episode of Real Housewives of Rhode Island - meeting the cast, group dynamics, and what I am most intrigued to learn the rest of the season. Overall, pleasantly surprised - speaking on what the speculation beforehand and what I think will be the magic of the show.

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Time stamps:

00:00 Speculations + initial thoughts

01:14 Alicia

02:43 Rosie

04:02 Jo-Ellen

05:54 Kelsey

07:31 Liz and Dolores

08:21 Ashley I

10:06 Rulla

10:46 Group dynamics, intrigue for the rest of the season

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We're joined in conversation today by Laura Arden, a creature actor and intimacy coordinator. We speak about developing specialties on film sets, self-advocacy, neurodivergence, and the value in being a multifaceted talent. Spoiler: Laura is also one of my dearest friends, so the conversation is both tender and giggly and so fun.

Time stamps:

1:26 Becoming an actor

3:53 Creature acting

12:58 Confidence and self-expression

18:40 Intimacy coordination

24:02 Multifaceted talent

29:30 How Hollywood is changing, consumption habits + AI

33:37 Intimacy coordinator tips for every day relationships

37:25 Self advocacy

42:56 Dream roles, favorite creatures in film

44:52 Specializing vs generalizing in Hollywood

46:31 Fashion modeling

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Our first Friday content roundup!! We have a lot to discuss about this week on television. We will of course overview Alex Cooper's new reality dating show on Hulu, Love Overboard (actually wild). Also: this season so far on Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, including my thoughts on Amanda Frances; and the new series (reboot) Ladies of London: The New Reign and their forced trauma bonding activity. We'll close discussing this season of Ryan Murphy's FX show, Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette - I am getting into *all* my thoughts on the season and today's finale episode.

Timestamps:

1:31 Love Overboard

6:54 Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

9:45 Ladies of London: The New Reign

14:38 Love Story: JFK Jr. & Carolyn Bessette

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We're diving into the career, personal life, and lasting legacy of icon Farrah Fawcett. From her early career, to *that* poster, and from her professional pivot after one impatful season on Charlie's Angels. Plus, her relationships with Lee Majors, Ryan O'Neil, and the college boyfriend that reveal their rekindled romance after her passing.

PLUS! Exciting news - Characters will now be coming out twice per week, Tuesdays and Fridays!!

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Timestamps:

01:57 Early life

3:19 The iconic poster

4:27 Charlie's Angels

5:46 Career pivot: Extremities, grittier roles

8:21 Cancer diagnosis + documentary

9:35 Romantic relationships

13:25 Greg Lott vs Ryan O'Neil

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Holly Madison joins us for a candid conversation about life during and post her seven-year residency at the Playboy Mansion. From the complicated reality of the relationship she was in, to the impact of Girls Next Door on her life (despite not being paid for the show until season five)! Holly opens up about rebuilding her life in Las Vegas, as shared on her spin-off show, Holly's World. She looks back on the backlash to her opening up about the abusive nature of her relationship with Hugh Hefner, initially with her book, Down the Rabbit Hole, and later in the wake of his passing and the Me Too Movement. We reflect on friendships and other iconic women throughout Playboy history, and what it's meant to revisit these GND years through her own podcast, Girls Next Level.

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We're joined today by content creator and screenwriter Tess Higgins! We're talking all things dating shows: from Bachelor/Bachelorette, the Goldens, to Love is Blind, Love Island, and even more. We're sharing our predictions for Taylor Frankie Paul's upcoming Bachelorette season, plus what we think drove Bachelor Nation to this point of "desperation."

You can find Tess Higgins on socials at @tessdhiggins

If you're in Denver - I will be hosting watch parties for The Bachelorette! Details to come on social media asap.

Find me on socials! The video version of this show is available on Youtube - https://linktr.ee/literallylaurad

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We're joined today by legendary costume designer Mona May! She'a reflecting on the fashion of the iconic film Clueless - we're talking about sourcing and designing the outfits for Cher, Dionne, Tai and Amber; telling stories through costumes; and the impact of the film's fashion thirty years later. We're also speaking about her fabulous work in cult classic films like The House Bunny and Romy and Michele's High School Reunion (among so many)!

You can find Mona May online everywhere at @itsmonamay and her book The Fashion of Clueless is out now.

Find me on socials! The video version of this show is only available on Youtube - https://linktr.ee/literallylaurad

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We're joined by content creator Kate Riccio for a friendly conversation all about reality television: the evolution from shows like Jersey Shore to Real Housewives, the landscape of performance on reality tv today, and cities we'd love to see on our screens. Plus, our takes on Real Housewives of Rhode Island, the "Housewives to prison" pipeline, the inclusion of bloggers in storylines, and more.

You can find Kate at @ricciorecaps

Find me on socials! The video version of this show is only available on Youtube - https://linktr.ee/literallylaurad

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Welcome to Characters!! We are joined on our first episode by Pamela Des Barres, "the world's most famous groupie," for a conversation about her legendary rock and roll memoir, I'm With The Band.

Originally published in 1987, I'm With The Band chronicles Pamela's time in the 1960s as a member of the GTOs; friendships and romantic relationships with rockstars like Mick Jagger, Jimmy Page, Gram Parsons, Frank Zappa, Robert Plant, and more; and firsthand experience of music history being created.

Find me on socials! The video version of this show is only available on Youtube - https://linktr.ee/literallylaurad

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A new show by Laura Diez, on the characters we love to consume. Exploring the portrayals of real people on reality tv, fictionalized women that stay in our memories, and pop culture legends. Characters premieres February 17, 2026.

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