Eating For Free

As Kim Petras and Sam Smith don 'devilish' attire for their Grammy performance of 'Unholy', right-wring pundits claim Satanic panic, echoing outrage seen in American politics since the 1830s. Our new series charts 200 years in American moral panics about music, race, sexuality, and the conservative religious zealot's war for control of America's heart and mind.

Links:

• Kim Petras Defends Sam Smith Against 'I'm Not Here to Make Friends' Music Video Backlash (Exclusive) [ET]
• The Christian Right Is Having a Meltdown Over the 'Satanic' Grammys [Vice]
• Did We Really Need a Satan Bondage Show at the Grammys? [TheDailyBeast]
• Link to Smokestack Lightning by Howlin Wolf, Life (1964)
• The Black Musician and the White City: Race and Music in Chicago, 1900-1967, Amy Absher [PDF]
• Why they tried to censor the blues [Louder Sound]
• SEX AND THE FIRST AMENDMENT: THE LONG AND WINDING HISTORY OF OBSCENITY LAW Geoffrey R. Stone, First Amendment Law Review (2019) [WordPress]
• The Pop Life; IS PRINCE LEADING MUSIC TO A TRUE BIRACISM? (Dec 2, 1981) [NYT]
• WHY THESE POP SINGERS HAVE RISEN TO SUPERSTARDOM (Sep 2, 1984) [NYT]
• Birth of the PMRC, Claude Chastanger [HAL Science PDF]
• Notes from: Record Labeling: Hearing Before the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, United States Senate, Ninety-Ninth Congress, First Session, on Contents of Music and the Lyrics of Records, September 19, 1985[University of California Riverside]
• Zappa Defends Obscene Lyrics (Nov 6, 1985) [The Harvard Crimson]
• Discord on Record Warning (August 29, 1985) [Washington Post]
• UNREST IN THE PURPLE KINGDOM (April 12, 1987) [Washington Post]
• Bloom and Doom: 'The Closing of the American Mind' [Oct 8, 1987) [Rolling Stone]
• [Prager U Video] (Start at 1:05)

About:

Hosted by journalists Joan Summers and Matthew Lawson, Eating For Free is a weekly podcast that explores gossip and power in the pop culture landscape: Where it comes from, who wields it, and who suffers at the hands of it. Find out the stories behind the stories, as together they look beyond the headlines of troublesome YouTubers or scandal-ridden A-Listers, and delve deep into the inner workings of Hollywood's favorite pastime. The truth, they've found, is definitely stranger than any gossip.

You can also find us on our website, Twitter, and Instagram. Or buy our merch! Any personal, business, or general inquires can be sent to [email protected]

• Joan Summers: Twitter: @laracroftbarbie
• Matthew Lawson: Twitter: @_matthewlawson

While the nepo baby panic rages on with no end in sight, everyone tip-toes around that rather obvious pile of class anxieties 🤔 So join us and special guest Emily Alford this week in search of an answer to the ancient question: What's up with rich and famous people?! Featuring cameous from our favorite friends and enemies, like Allison Williams, Lena Dunham, Anderson Cooper Vanderbilt, Edith Wharton, and so much more.

Links:

• We're Making Nepo-Baby Merch for Actual Babies, Jan. 18 2023 [The Strategist]
• All the Nepo Babies Who Are Melting Down Over That New York Mag Exposé [Daily Beast]
• Lottie Moss Tweets [Twitter]
• Eve Hewson, the daughter of U2 frontman Bono [Twitter]
• Jamie Lee Curtis [Instagram]
• O'Shea Jackson Jr., son of Ice Cube [Twitter]
• Lily Allen, daughter of Keith Allen: [Twitter]
• Hailey Bieber pap shot [Instagram]
• What Is a 'Nepotism Baby'? [New York Times]
• Ben Stiller Asserts Hollywood Is Meritocratic, Rejects Claims Of Hollywood Nepotism In Twitter Debate With Black List Founder Franklin Leonard [Deadline]
• Billie Eilish brother Finneas Assures Critics That His Parents 'Knew No One In The Record Industry' [MTV]
• Elizabeth Olsen said that she is 'very aware' of nepotism and its impact on her career [Grazia]
• 17 Nepotism Babies from Least to Most Popular Based on Instagram Followers [Gizmodo]
• Lily-Rose Depp Is An Idol Rising [Talks of nepotism in the article) [Elle]
• 'Nepo babies' in Hollywood: What do famous families say about industry equity? [USA Today]
• Nepo Babies know what you think of them. They have some thoughts. [The Washington Post]
• Stop Blaming Lena Dunham's Success On "Nepotism", Oct 4, 2012 [Buzzfeed]
• The Big Upside of Hollywood Nepotism, JUNE 26, 2013 [The Atlantic]
• Emma Roberts: Talk of Nepotism Is "So Ridiculous", June 16, 2011 [Us Weekly]
• 'We have to work twice as hard': Robin Williams's actress daughter Zelda hits back at claims of nepotism in blog post, 7th March 2012 [Daily Mail]

About:

Hosted by journalists Joan Summers and Matthew Lawson, Eating For Free is a weekly podcast that explores gossip and power in the pop culture landscape: Where it comes from, who wields it, and who suffers at the hands of it. Find out the stories behind the stories, as together they look beyond the headlines of troublesome YouTubers or scandal-ridden A-Listers, and delve deep into the inner workings of Hollywood's favorite pastime. The truth, they've found, is definitely stranger than any gossip.

You can also find us on our website, Twitter, and Instagram. Or buy our merch! Any personal, business, or general inquires can be sent to [email protected]

• Joan Summers: Twitter: @laracroftbarbie
• Matthew Lawson: Twitter: @_matthewlawson

Jen Shah has faced many accusations for many crimes. But what of the cast members and producers in her orbit, who've hung around her like carrion vultures desperate for every last scrap of rotted flesh? This week, we look into all the ways people like Heather Gay, Meredith Marks, and Andy Cohen have desperately clung to her rapidly ascending public profile, ensuring screentime and enriching the network they both work for.

Links:

• Reality Show Cast Members Charged With Running Nationwide Telemarketing Fraud Scheme [Justice.gov]
• 'Real Housewives of Salt Lake City' star Jen Shah pleads guilty in wire fraud case [NBC]
• Chris Wallace Grills Andy Cohen On 'The Real Housewives' & Hoping 'RHOSLC' Star Jen Shah Got No Jail Time Despite Guilty Plea In Fraud Case [Deadline]
• Andy Cohen clarifies controversial Jen Shah 'no jail time' comment [Page Six]
• Andy Cohen Doesn't Think Jen Shah Will Be Back for 'RHOSLC' Season 4: 'Talk to the Judge' [Us Weekly]
• Sentencing [Inner City Press]
• RHOSLC's Jen Shah Reacts to Suspicions She Gave Heather Gay a Black Eye as She Slams Made for TV Narrative [Reality Blurb]
• Andy Cohen Addresses Jen Shah's Sentencing [Youtube]
• Jen Shah Rejects Bravo's Invite To 'The Real Housewives Of Salt Lake City' Reunion Ahead Of Fraud Case Sentencing [Deadline]
• Heather Gay, Meredith Marks React to Claims Jen Shah Crashed BravoCon, Discuss Lisa Barlow's Emotions Over Plea [Us Weekly]
• 'RHOSLC' star Heather Gay knew Jen Shah's business was 'unsavory' [Page Six]
• 'RHOSLC's' Heather Gay Finally Admits to Thinking Jen Shah Is Guilty: 'I Am Overwhelmed with Grief' [People]
• Leaked messages about Coach [Twitter]

About:

Hosted by journalists Joan Summers and Matthew Lawson, Eating For Free is a weekly podcast that explores gossip and power in the pop culture landscape: Where it comes from, who wields it, and who suffers at the hands of it. Find out the stories behind the stories, as together they look beyond the headlines of troublesome YouTubers or scandal-ridden A-Listers, and delve deep into the inner workings of Hollywood's favorite pastime. The truth, they've found, is definitely stranger than any gossip.

You can also find us on our website, Twitter, and Instagram. Or buy our merch! Any personal, business, or general inquires can be sent to [email protected]

• Joan Summers: Twitter: @laracroftbarbie
• Matthew Lawson: Twitter: @_matthewlawson

In the final episode of our series on James Cameron's latest aesthetic monstrosity, Avatar 2, we talk about the impact on the film industry of shooting four "billion dollar movie sequels" at once, the terrifying prospects of Weta's 3D technologies, and more!

Links:

• James Cameron Praises 'Avatar 2' Nearing $2 Billion: 'Enough With Streaming Already! I'm Tired of Sitting on My A–' [Variety]
• Will 'Avatar' Sequels Get Less Expensive as the Franchise Continues? [Variety]
• 'Avatar 2' soars past 'Top Gun' with $1.5 billion to become highest-grossing film of 2022, and it's already the 10th biggest movie ever [CNBC]
• Avatar 2 took forever because James Cameron had to make sure Avatar 4 was ready to shoot [Polygon]
• Sam Worthington, Stephen Lang, & Jon Landau Talk 'Avatar: The Way of Water,' IMAX, 3D, and Future Sequels [Collider]
• Edie Falco Shot 'Avatar 2' So Long Ago That She Thought It Had Already Been Released and "Didn't Do Very Well" [THR]
• Sigourney Weaver, 73, talks teen character in 'Avatar 2': Older actors are 'extraordinary' [USA Today]
• James Cameron's old comments prompt Native American boycott of new 'Avatar' sequel [LA Times]

About:

Hosted by journalists Joan Summers and Matthew Lawson, Eating For Free is a weekly podcast that explores gossip and power in the pop culture landscape: Where it comes from, who wields it, and who suffers at the hands of it. Find out the stories behind the stories, as together they look beyond the headlines of troublesome YouTubers or scandal-ridden A-Listers, and delve deep into the inner workings of Hollywood's favorite pastime. The truth, they've found, is definitely stranger than any gossip.

You can also find us on our website, Twitter, and Instagram. Or buy our merch! Any personal, business, or general inquires can be sent to [email protected]

• Joan Summers: Twitter: @laracroftbarbie
• Matthew Lawson: Twitter: @_matthewlawson

James Cameron's Avatar series promises to haunt us for another decade, after disappearing into the jungles of Pandora since 2009. In our first series of the year, we look at the making of James Cameron's $2 billion sex dream phantasmagoria nightmare horror fest featuring suburban heterosexual Americans cosplaying as blue people!

Links:

• 'Avatar 2' Needs $2 Billion to Turn a Profit. James Cameron Says [Variety]
• 'Avatar: The Way of Water' Rules Over New Year's, Global Gross Hits $1.38 Billion [Variety]
• 'Minds Will Be Blown': James Cameron Tells Robert Rodriguez Why 'Avatar 2' Is 'Dangerous' and the Key Advice Guillermo Del Toro Gave Him [Variety]
• James Cameron opens up about his long-awaited (and awaited) Avatar sequel [EW]
• Avatar 2 took forever because James Cameron had to make sure Avatar 4 was ready to shoot [Polygon]
• Avatar 3 Will Feature A Villainous Na'vi Fire Nation Called The 'Ash People' [20 Minutes]
• James Cameron Reveals the Low Point of the 13-Year Journey to Finish 'Avatar: The Way of Water' [Collider]
• Sam Worthington, Stephen Lang, & Jon Landau Talk 'Avatar: The Way of Water,' IMAX, 3D, and Future Sequels [Collider]
• Edie Falco Shot 'Avatar 2' So Long Ago That She Thought It Had Already Been Released and "Didn't Do Very Well" [THR]
• Sigourney Weaver, 73, talks teen character in 'Avatar 2': Older actors are 'extraordinary' [USA Today]
• James Cameron's old comments prompt Native American boycott of new 'Avatar' sequel [LA Times]

About:

Hosted by journalists Joan Summers and Matthew Lawson, Eating For Free is a weekly podcast that explores gossip and power in the pop culture landscape: Where it comes from, who wields it, and who suffers at the hands of it. Find out the stories behind the stories, as together they look beyond the headlines of troublesome YouTubers or scandal-ridden A-Listers, and delve deep into the inner workings of Hollywood's favorite pastime. The truth, they've found, is definitely stranger than any gossip.

You can also find us on our website, Twitter, and Instagram. Or buy our merch! Any personal, business, or general inquires can be sent to [email protected]

• Joan Summers: Twitter: @laracroftbarbie
• Matthew Lawson: Twitter: @_matthewlawson

2022 was a monumentally horrible, terrible, no good, evil, despicable, heinous, apocalyptic year in pop culture history. Everything happening everywhere all at once all the time!

Links:

• Jimmy Fallon, Justin Bieber, Serena Williams, and her Reddit cofounder husband among the celebs being sued over Bored Ape NFT promotions [Fortune]
• MrBeast is inspiration of soon-to-open Airbnb [Reflector]
• MrBeast Scores Hans Zimmer to Soundtrack Latest YouTube Video [THR]
• Chip and Joanna Gaines Sued by Literary Agent for Breach of Contract [WSJ]
• Harry Styles and Olivia Wilde Are 'Taking a Break' After Nearly 2 Years Together: Sources [People]
• Olivia Wilde Is Getting Backlash After People Actually Watched "Don't Worry Darling" And Learned The Truth About Those "Female Pleasure" Sex Scenes [Buzzfeed News]
• Olivia Wilde 'Still Pretty Hurt' Over Harry Styles Split -- But He 'Isn't Too Broken Up' About It, Source Says [ET]
• How Harry Styles became an even bigger star – and the one we needed the most – in 2022 - Music, empathy, live shows, acting – it all added up to a banner year when our world felt unaccepting [Salon]
• The Try Guys Are Ready to Put Scandal Behind Them With Live Fan Event (Exclusive) [THR]
• People Think The Try Guys Editors Deserve A Raise After Expertly Removing Ned Fulmer From Their Pre-Recorded Videos [Buzzfeed News]
• Lea Michele might be latest 'it' girl to get controversial cosmetic surgery [NYP]
• Lea Michele and Darren Criss Break Out Their Christmas Hits on "Carpool Karaoke" [PopSugar]
• 'Funny Girl' With Lea Michele Breaks a Broadway Box Office Record [Variety]
• Jimmy Fallon, Justin Bieber, Serena Williams, and her Reddit cofounder husband among the celebs being sued over Bored Ape NFT promotions [Fortune]

About:

Hosted by journalists Joan Summers and Matthew Lawson, Eating For Free is a weekly podcast that explores gossip and power in the pop culture landscape: Where it comes from, who wields it, and who suffers at the hands of it. Find out the stories behind the stories, as together they look beyond the headlines of troublesome YouTubers or scandal-ridden A-Listers, and delve deep into the inner workings of Hollywood's favorite pastime. The truth, they've found, is definitely stranger than any gossip.

You can also find us on our website, Twitter, and Instagram. Or buy our merch! Any personal, business, or general inquires can be sent to [email protected]

• Joan Summers: Twitter: @laracroftbarbie
• Matthew Lawson: Twitter: @_matthewlawson

Once upon a time, a Hallmark CEO scandalously quit his job after pulling a wedding ad for a gay couple. Now he's back (alongside Candace Cameron Bure) with a mission to save America...one Lori Loughlin Christian Christmas movie at a time! Over the last two weeks, we dove deep into Great American Family, former Hallmark CEO's new Christian family network that streams almost exclusively Christmas movies!

Link:

• Hallmark Exec Bill Abbott Out [Hollywood Reporter] [Jan 22, 2020]
• Preview: Great American Family CEO Wants Post-Jail Lori Loughlin to Be a Face of the Network: 'She's America's Sweetheart' [Variety]
• Bill Abbott Renames GAC Family as Great American Family [Next TV] July 19, 2022
• BILL ABBOTT WANTS GAC FAMILY TO BE A PLACE SAFE FROM 'DARK SITUATIONS, VIOLENCE, SEXUAL SITUATIONS' [Movie Guide]
• Hallmark vs. Great American Family: Who's Winning the Holiday Movie War? [Decider]

About:

Hosted by journalists Joan Summers and Matthew Lawson, Eating For Free is a weekly podcast that explores gossip and power in the pop culture landscape: Where it comes from, who wields it, and who suffers at the hands of it. Find out the stories behind the stories, as together they look beyond the headlines of troublesome YouTubers or scandal-ridden A-Listers, and delve deep into the inner workings of Hollywood's favorite pastime. The truth, they've found, is definitely stranger than any gossip.

You can also find us on our website, Twitter, and Instagram. Or buy our merch! Any personal, business, or general inquires can be sent to [email protected]

• Joan Summers: Twitter: @laracroftbarbie
• Matthew Lawson: Twitter: @_matthewlawson

Once upon a time, a Hallmark CEO scandalously quit his job after pulling a wedding ad for a gay couple. Now he's back (alongside Candace Cameron Bure) with a mission to save America...one Lori Loughlin Christian Christmas movie at a time! Over the next two weeks, we'll dive deep into Great American Family, former Hallmark CEO's new Christian family network that streams almost exclusively Christmas movies! Links:

• How Great American Family and Candace Cameron Bure are angling for Hallmark's holiday movie crown [USA Today, Oct 31]
• Hallmark Channel Chief Bill Abbott Stepping Down In Wake Of Ad Controversy [Deadline]
• Candace Cameron Bure Says Great American Family Projects Will Focus on 'Traditional Marriage' [People, November 15]
• Neal Bledsoe Exits Great American Family in Support of LGBTQ Community After Candace Cameron Bure Drama [Variety, December 5]
• Danica McKellar weighs in on co-star's exit after Candace Cameron Bure's comments on 'traditional marriage' [Fox News]
• What Is Great American Family? Everything to Know About Hallmark and Lifetime's Holiday Movie Competitor [Variety]
• From [Parade]

About:

Hosted by journalists Joan Summers and Matthew Lawson, Eating For Free is a weekly podcast that explores gossip and power in the pop culture landscape: Where it comes from, who wields it, and who suffers at the hands of it. Find out the stories behind the stories, as together they look beyond the headlines of troublesome YouTubers or scandal-ridden A-Listers, and delve deep into the inner workings of Hollywood's favorite pastime. The truth, they've found, is definitely stranger than any gossip.

You can also find us on our website, Twitter, and Instagram. Or buy our merch! Any personal, business, or general inquires can be sent to [email protected]

• Joan Summers: Twitter: @laracroftbarbie
• Matthew Lawson: Twitter: @_matthewlawson

In the final installment of our series on Balenciaga, we look past the right wing fundamentalist conspiracy theories and instead explore the haunting images of photographer Gabriele Galimberti. Through our investigation into his work and legacy, we ask: Where will all the good art go when Christian nationalists tighten their grip on the media and artistic reproduction?

We also would like to preface that this episode concerns frank and serious discussions about sexual assault and gun violence.

Links:

• 'Pedophiles' banner hung in front of Texas Balenciaga store after controversial ad campaign [CHRON]
• Balenciaga drops $25M suit against producers of controversial campaign [Page Six]
• As Balenciaga faces backlash over its bondage-themed campaign featuring children, FEMAIL reveals its controversial history - from fetish masks to bizarre horror-themed ads [Daily Mail]
• Where's Kering As Apologies From Balenciaga And Demna Fall Flat? [Forbes]
• No, This Is Not a 'Human Skin Jacket' from Balenciaga [Snopes]
• No, This Isn't a Real Photo of Balenciaga Stylist Lotta Volkova [Snopes]
• Gabriele Galimberti Website

About:

Hosted by journalists Joan Summers and Matthew Lawson, Eating For Free is a weekly podcast that explores gossip and power in the pop culture landscape: Where it comes from, who wields it, and who suffers at the hands of it. Find out the stories behind the stories, as together they look beyond the headlines of troublesome YouTubers or scandal-ridden A-Listers, and delve deep into the inner workings of Hollywood's favorite pastime. The truth, they've found, is definitely stranger than any gossip.

You can also find us on our website, Twitter, and Instagram. Or buy our merch! Any personal, business, or general inquires can be sent to [email protected]

• Joan Summers: Twitter: @laracroftbarbie
• Matthew Lawson: Twitter: @_matthewlawson

In our new two part series, we seek to unpack the controversy around Balenciaga, and the malicious fascist forces whipping up a 24/7 moral panic news cycle concerning the brand's latest campaign photos. Who stands to benefit from the outrage, and who might lose everything?

We also would like to preface that this episode concerns frank and serious discussions about sexual assault, trafficking, and the like. We do not take these discussions lightly, nor do we wish to downplay the legitimacy or importance of these discussions.

Links:

• Balenciaga says it's sorry for holiday ads depicting children holding teddy bears in bondage gear [Fortune]
• Balenciaga 'BDSM teddy bear' photographer speaks out amid backlash [NY Post]
• After teddy bear backlash, Balenciaga announces lawsuit for separate ad [Washington Post]
• Kim Kardashian 're-evaluating' Balenciaga relationship over child images [Washington Post]
• When High Fashion and QAnon Collide [NYT]
• Kanye West on Balenciaga campaign scandal: 'All celebrities are controlled' [Page Six]

About:

Hosted by journalists Joan Summers and Matthew Lawson, Eating For Free is a weekly podcast that explores gossip and power in the pop culture landscape: Where it comes from, who wields it, and who suffers at the hands of it. Find out the stories behind the stories, as together they look beyond the headlines of troublesome YouTubers or scandal-ridden A-Listers, and delve deep into the inner workings of Hollywood's favorite pastime. The truth, they've found, is definitely stranger than any gossip.

You can also find us on our website, Twitter, and Instagram. Or buy our merch! Any personal, business, or general inquires can be sent to [email protected]

• Joan Summers: Twitter: @laracroftbarbie
• Matthew Lawson: Twitter: @_matthewlawson