This week, we are truly, madly, deeply excited to have pop music legend Darren Hayes in the house to talk Madonna at the Forum, U2 at the Sphere, and Beyonce on a horse. Also: life one year after divorce, his relationship with his partner in Savage Garden, hiding a wife during his pop peak, marketing a record from the closet, and what happens when you go to a dinner party, Madonna is there, and she demands that you tell a joke. 

Who says you can’t be smart and joyful? Certainly not Ben V. Greene, the author of My Child Is Trans, Now What: A Joy-Centered Approach to Support. Ben joins us from St. Louis to cruelly bad-mouth Imo’s Pizza, and also talk about the significance of science fiction, the work of Becky Chambers, the brilliance of Our Flag Means Death, The Fosters and Dispatches From Elsewhere, the conundrum of Dave Chappelle and Pretty Little Liars, the underground Facebook group that was his lifeline, the farce-fueled courtship that led to marriage, and the importance of a good squirt bottle in the home.

Fitness titan, trailblazer, and icon Kathy Smith (who is also Matt's former boss) joins Matt for a very special 1-on-1 conversation on aging, mindfulness, her multi-step morning routine, the latest groundbreaking research on exercise, her legendary career, and SO much more. Don't miss this intimate chat on all things wellness with a true media maverick. Learn more about Ms. Kathy at www.kathysmith.com.

When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary to bring back a very recent guest, we will not hesitate. And to discuss Madonna at the Forum AND the Kate Middleton Mystery, there is simply nobody we would rather hear from than the great Pete Zias. Hear the heartbreaking story of a bottle uncaught, enjoy some royal theories, know that Luther Vandross is involved. And see Pete in Drew Droege’s Messy White Gays, in New York City April 7-9 at the Soho Playhouse!

The legendary author of the essential Tales of the City series joins us from London, where a pot roast awaits him, to talk about whether the magic of ‘70s San Francisco can ever exist again, why Breaking Bad and Six Feet Under are his current comforts, the PBS gay kiss that rocked the world, the Early Frost/Our Sons/Consenting Adults TV movie moment that examined gay life strictly in terms of how hard it is on your mom, and whether his character Brian’s 1976 prediction that he and his friends would be 50-year-old libertines in a world full of 20-year-old Calvinists has actually come to pass.

The producer and director of My So Called Life, Six Feet Under and Tales of the City joins us to talk about the devastation of All of Us Strangers, the importance of Juliette Binoche, the drama of the Barbra memoir audiobook, growing up with Maude and Mary Tyler Moore, how WandaVision brought the MCU into his little gay boy heart, the gay bar scene in Japan, the role they wanted Laura Linney for on Tales, the polarizing episodes of Six Feet Under, what it’s like to show up halfway through My So Called Life, and whether Tino ever did show up. 

Comedian, baker, painter, pet portraiteur, Taylor Swift-recognized Taylor Swift song intro re-enactor, One Directioner, runner and satchel-wearer Victor Carlesi to talk unseasonable Chicago temps, the meaning of Madison Beer, the secret of a Nick Jonas voice, Zayn as bias-wrecker, the importance of a comment by the world’s most powerful and Celine Dion-resistant entertainer and the crucial behind-the-scenes role Selena Gomez may have played in the affair, his unconventional journey in stand-up comedy, his potential future as a registered nurse, and why it’s so important to him that he remember to send biscotti to Dave, Matt, and Producer Renee. These are his words and not ours! Follow him on Instagram at @victorcarlesi. 

The genius comedian Brent Sullivan joins us from DTLA to talk travel, traditional family atheism, Hinge, Air Disasters, and Christian rock.

It’s a family affair, as Matt & Dave finally reconnect in a fresh new year that’s already 10% over. And what a year it’s been: new dogs, old Swans, hometowns, Ordinary Joes, Mean Girls, Los Angeles driving challenges, movie theater bag crinkulations, 8th grade financial literacy courses, We Are The World, and a full hailstorm of names to drop. 

Drag Race All Star Ginger Minj is here to share her Ursula origin story, her hot takes on the current Drag Race cast, and her efforts to connect with Ron DeSantis. Don't miss her show "The Broads Way" at Green Room 42 in NYC February 10-12, and grab your copy of her memoir "Southern Fried Sass" now!