DirtCast

It’s been 11 years since the premiere of controversial reality show Kid Nation, in which 40 children lived in a New Mexico “ghost town” in a society built and run by kids. But what was it really like participating in this wacky social experiment? How much were the kids directed, manipulated... and exploited? We talk to former citizens and leaders of Kid Nation, Mike Klinge and Michael Thot, about their experience.

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Ryan Murphy just picked up two Emmys for American Crime Story, launched a new season of American Horror Story, and signed a multi-year, multi-hundred million dollar deal with Netflix. How is he this good? Is he this good, or does his impressive stable of actors deserve all the credit? We're joined by Jaye Hunt and Robert Ackerman of the podcast One More Thing to discuss the Ryan Murphy canon.

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The hosts are joined by Jezebel culture writer Hazel Cills to talk about the death of rapper Mac Miller and the blame being placed at ex-girlfriend Ariana Grande’s feet. It’s far from the first time a woman has been attacked over the death of a “troubled” male artist: from Asia Argento to Courtney Love to Michelle Williams, why is it always the woman’s fault?

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This week, we got Sallyann Salsano, creator of Jersey Shore and the upcoming Hunter Mountain and Jersey Shore: Vacation to talk about the making of a successful reality show empire.

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Bobby and Madeleine are joined in the studio by Watch What Happens Live's Mariah Smith for a lengthy discussion about all things Bravo. From our favorite Real Housewives taglines to the enthralling antiheroes of Vanderpump Rules to the (often scary) Bravo fandom, no subject was too lowbrow to go unexplored.

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Vulture’s E. Alex Jung joins us to talk about Crazy Rich Asians, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, and what (if anything) this resurgence in Asian American stories means for representation, the cultcha, or progress in general!!

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To her chagrin, Irene McGee is best known for getting slapped in the face 20 years ago on The Real World: Seattle. This week on DirtCast, Irene joins us to discuss the aftershocks of being on one of the most iconic reality TV shows of our time and how she eventually accepted and found humor in her less-than-ideal path to notoriety. 

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In the early 2000s, reality TV experienced a boom in shows focused of surgery, both plastic and beyond. What lead to this spike in popularity? The success of ER? The death rattle of a Clinton economy?  Or maybe our cultural fascinations with gore and, conversely, physical perfection? With the help of reality TV expert Rich Juzwiak, we try to figure out the answer, while also discussing (and not showing!!!) the latest in the genre, like Botched and the strangely charming Dr. Pimple Popper.

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The U.K.’s Love Island is many things: A reality TV series that’s captivated the hearts of several nations, a horrifying (yet occasionally sweet?) display of heterosexuality at its most revolting, and the undoing of any stereotypes you might have about British superiority and fanciness. Joining us to discuss our new favorite show is Richard Lawson, Vanity Fair writer and one of the wittiest voices on the internet (and off).

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In 2010, Alexis Haines (formerly Alexis Neiers) made reality TV history when she, facing prison time for her involvement in the infamous bling ring, screamed and sobbed on a reporter’s voicemail, saying the now iconic line, “Nancy Jo? This is Alexis Neiers calling.” Since her time on Pretty Wild, Alexis has opened up about the serious drug addiction that controlled her life for her tween and teen years and now seven years sober, she is a certified addiction counselor and doula. She joins us on this week’s episode to discuss the opioid crisis, her path to sobriety, and the challenges of staying clean while also being followed by TMZ.

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