Hot Takes & Deep Dives

By Jess Rothschild

What's Hot Takes & Deep Dives about?

Podcast serving quick hits & deep cuts on LGBT pop iconography & NYC culture. Recent guests include Rosie O'Donnell, Sandra Bernhard, Fortune Feimster, Roxane Gay, Fran Drescher, Isaac Mizrahi, Lea DeLaria, Melissa Etheridge, Rachel Dratch, Gina Gershon, Margaret Cho, L Word creator Ilene Chaiken, Jenifer Lewis, Judy Gold, Mario Cantone, Michael Musto & more!

4.6

415415 ratings

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Hot Takes & Deep Dives episodes:

04.15.2024
The L Word Writer/Director Rose Troche — Guinevere Turner, Go Fish, Jennifer Beals
Jess is joined by ROSE TROCHE — co-writer & director of the seminal indie film GO FISH — as well as writer, director & exec. producer of THE L WORD. L WORD topics: directing the Pilot, Dinah Shore & Pride...
04.08.2024
T. KYLE — Behind the Scenes of WWHL, Wendy Williams, Jimmy Fallon
Jess is joined by digital producer, remixer and co-host of Legends Only | It’s Britney, Bitch! — T. KYLE! Topics include T. Kyle’s work on DRAG RACE, his career at WWHL and the difficult environment at THE TONIGHT SHOW. Plus,...
04.01.2024
Queer as Folk w/ Peter Paige (Emmett) & Scott Lowell (Ted)!
Jess welcomes TWO of the stars of the groundbreaking Showtime series QUEER AS FOLK -- PETER PAIGE (Emmett Honeycutt) & SCOTT LOWELL (Ted Schmidt)! Topics include: the infamous Larry King interview, how QAF changed the way sex & sexuality was...
03.21.2024
Kim Stolz — America’s Next Top Model, NYC Gay Bar Owner & MTV VJ
Jess catches up with the first openly gay contestant on AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL, fellow New Yorker KIM STOLZ. Kim Stolz was one of the most recognizable faces in the NYC gay scene in the mid-‘00s after starring in Cycle...
03.04.2024
Madonna Truth or Dare w/ Reality Producers Chris DeRosa & Dominick Pupa
Jess is joined by reality TV producers and co-hosts of “Fixing Famous People” — Chris DeRosa and Dominick Pupa! Together, we analyze the seminal documentary MADONNA: TRUTH OR DARE through the lens of our three generations and reality TV production....
02.26.2024
Ryan Raftery IS Anna Wintour, Martha Stewart, Andy Cohen, Kris Jenner & more
Jess is joined by the “Shakespeare of pop culture satire” per the New York Times - RYAN RAFTERY! We discuss his upcoming run at Joe’s Pub in which he does his one-man twisted musical embodiments of MARTHA STEWART, ANNA WINTOUR...
02.19.2024
Drag Race’s Peppermint — Traitors Reunion, NYC 90s Nightlife
Jess is joined by DRAG RACE & TRAITORS star PEPPERMINT! Peppermint discusses fond memories of THE REAL WORLD (which don’t include Vegas or Trishelle), the production behind The Traitors and what she’s planning for The Reunion. Plus, Alan Cumming’s comment...
02.12.2024
Bianca Del Rio on Fire Island, Madonna, Joan Rivers & more
Jess is joined by drag legend BIANCA DEL RIO! Bianca discuss her early days of drag in New Orleans, New York City, Provincetown and on Fire Island prior to winning season 6 of DRAG RACE. Topics include: Going on tour...
02.06.2024
Golden Girls, Gilmore Girls, Roseanne & Brady Bunch Movie Writer — Stan Zimmerman
Jess is joined by TV & film screenwriter, Stan Zimmerman! Zimmerman chats about his career writing on THE GOLDEN GIRLS, ROSEANNE, GILMORE GIRLS, THE BRADY BUNCH MOVIE (and its Sequel!). Topics: staying closeted while writing The Golden Girls, RuPaul, Estelle...
01.29.2024
The L Word Writer, Theme Song & BETTY Rocker — Elizabeth Ziff
Jess is joined by ELIZABETH ZIFF — writer, producer and BETTY musician behind THE L WORD theme song. We discuss: dating L Word creator Ilene Chaiken, writing for Bette Porter (Jennifer Beals) and Jenny Schecter (Mia Kirshner) and specific episodes...
01.22.2024
Casting The Traitors & Inside Real World Edit Bay (w/ Jamie Stein)
Jess is joined by empath Jamie Stein to critique the cast of THE TRAITORS season two and discuss his career working on four (4) seasons of THE REAL WORLD — VEGAS, PARIS, SAN DIEGO and PHILLY — where he...
01.15.2024
Jackie Warner (Work Out) Returns! Ozempic, Taylor Swift, Kyle Richards, Jeff Lewis
Jess is joined by Jackie Warner (Work Out, Thintervention) in her fourth appearance! We discuss Jackie’s use of Ozempic, pitches her TV comeback, the fall-out of her TMZ splashed DUI ambien arrest, Kyle Richards and Morgan Wade, the New York...
01.08.2024
John Cameron Mitchell on Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Shortbus & more
Jess is joined by writer, actor and director JOHN CAMERON MITCHELL to discuss everything HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH and SHORTBUS. Plus: Julius’ bar, New Orleans, RENT, promoting Hedwig on THE ROSIE O’DONNELL SHOW vs. LETTERMAN and entering his villain...
12.26.2023
Madonna Culture Debate (w/ Tony Trius, Mark Snyder, Kenny Finkle)
This concludes our Madonna trilogy with Jess joined by Mark Snyder & Kenny Finkle (All I Want To Do Is Talk About Madonna) and Tony Trius (MLVC) for a culture debate/roundtable — MADONNA EDITION! Topics include: our unpopular opinions, best...
12.15.2023
Review of Madonna Celebration Tour - Brooklyn (w/ Ben Rimalower)
Jess is joined by Ben Rimalower to review Madonna's Celebration Tour in Brooklyn, NY. We discuss our thrills, Madonna's "strategy" behind late start times, the set list and provide constructive critique. Later, Ben recalls how Madonna's health scare this summer...
12.11.2023
Madonna Backup Singers & Dancers — Niki Haris & Donna De Lory
Jess is joined by “Madonna’s Secret Weapons” (per Rolling Stone) — longtime Madonna back-up singers and dancers, NIKI HARIS & DONNA DE LORY! Niki and Donna performed on four (4) of Madonna’s world tours, including The Who’s That Girl Tour,...
12.04.2023
Pat Regan on Seek Treatment, Writing "Hacks," Survivor
Jess is joined by writer, standup and co-host of “Seek Treatment” — PAT REGAN! We discuss: the HACKS writer’s room, DAWSON'S CREEK series finale, FELICITY, why LA should be part of NY, Seek Treatment’s Las Culturistas origin story, bombing at...
11.27.2023
Inside the Cult of Group Fitness — SoulCycle, Peloton
Jess is a joined by a career fitness professional to go inside the culture of their former cycling employer, while Jess shares her personal experience with SoulCycle. We go deep on: lack of certifications required to teach spin, the “training...
11.20.2023
Julie Goldman & Brandy Howard on Jeff Lewis, Kyle Richards Gay Baiting
Jess is joined by JULIE GOLDMAN & BRANDY HOWARD (Dumb Gay Podcast, The People’s Couch)! We discuss: Brandy & Julie’s origin story, Jeff Lewis stealing guests from Heather McDonald, Howard Stern, Kate McKinnon, butch lesbian erasure, Logo’s Big Gay Sketch...
11.13.2023
Justin Vivian Bond on Kiki & Herb, NYC 90s Nightlife
Jess is joined by downtown performance legend MX. JUSTIN VIVIAN BOND! We discuss their origins of as one half of the subversive musical act Kiki and Herb, 90z gigs at Squeezebox and Cowgirl, officiating Rufus Wainwright’s wedding and performing on Fire...
11.06.2023
RHONY Producer on Vanity Fair Reckoning, Bethenny, The View, A List NY, Joan Rivers (w/ Dominick Pupa)
Jess is joined by reality producer, comedian and co-host of “Fixing Famous People,” DOMINICK PUPA, for a whirlwind convo about his career producing RHONY Season 2, RHOA Season 4, THE A-LIST NY and his warm up comedian days at THE...
10.30.2023
POSE & Ballroom Culture (w/ POSE creator/ writer Steven Canals)
Jess is joined by the co-creator / writer / director of the FX series POSE — STEVEN CANALS! Canals discusses the series’ inspiration via the landmark documentary PARIS IS BURNING and getting his script into the hands of RYAN MURPHY....
10.23.2023
Britney Memoir - Astrology of Britney Life & Career (w/ Andy Bellatti)
In honor of BRITNEY's memoir release, ANDY BELLATTI (@astrologywithandy) joins to guide us through Britney's life and career through her astrological birth chart. Britney is a Sagittarius Sun, Aquarius Moon and Libra Rising. We cover the major transits during...
10.09.2023
Culture Debate: Come Thru Queen (w/ Brendan Davis & Dan Calabrese)
Jess is joined by the boys of COME THRU QUEEN, Brendan Davis & Dan Calabrese, for the official HOT TAKES COME THRU CULTURE DEBATE! We start with local categories including: Best Brooklyn Neighborhood, Best Gay Bar (Brooklyn, Manhattan) before diving...
10.02.2023
Melissa Etheridge on Sex, Love & Behind the Music
Jess is joined by bonafide rock icon MELISSA ETHERIDGE! Melissa discusses all the dyke drama in her early Hollywood friendships with ROSIE O'DONNELL, ELLEN, KD LANG and BRAD PITT and nearly being outed when her first record was released. We...
09.18.2023
Ira Madison III on Ranking Madonna Albums, Fire Island & Keep It
Jess is joined by IRA MADISON III to discuss staying “too long” on Fire Island, his definitive ranking of MADONNA albums, interviewing PATTI LUPONE and BETHENNY on his podcast “Keep It,” NENE LEAKES inspiring the title of his upcoming memoir,...
09.11.2023
And Just Like That Postmortem w/ Every Outfit on SATC (Chelsea Fairless & Lauren Garroni)
Jess is joined by the queens of "Every Outfit on Sex and the City" (@everyoutfitonSATC)— Chelsea Fairless and Lauren Garroni. We discuss which show has more severely tarnished its legacy: SATC with AJLT vs. The L Word with Gen Q,...
09.05.2023
Empath Jamie Stein Channels Jenna Lyons, Bethenny's Summer of Chaos, Kim Cattrall
Empath and intuitive Jamie Stein (@jamiestein) returns to burn through a plethora of hot topics. We discuss: Kim Cattrall’s relationship to Sex and the City, Jenna Lyons’ r-ship to her inner diva and Jamie’s intuitive take on RHONY reboot’s Jessel...
08.28.2023
Provincetown Deep Dive (w/ Brandon Ward)
Jess is joined by Boston native Brandon Ward (@the.bottoms) for the Provincetown deep dive of our dreams. We break down the theme weeks (Bear Week, July 4th, Girlsplash, Carnival, Spooky Bear, Holly Folly). Plus, Tea at the Boatslip vs. Tea...
08.16.2023
Madonna Birthday: Astrology of Our Leo Queen (w/ Andy Bellatti)
Jess is joined by Andy Bellatti (@astrologywithandy) to celebrate Madonna’s 65th birthday — our Leo Queen. Madonna is a Leo Sun, Virgo Moon, Aquarius Rising and we examine her life & career milestones through the lens of her birth chart. ...
08.08.2023
Bethenny & Jill Zarin’s Reunion Producer, Chris DeRosa (RHONY & RHONJ)
Jess is joined by Chris DeRosa, veteran reality TV producer with credits including five (5) seasons of RHONY, last season’s (and newly in production) RHONJ, The Big Shot with Bethenny, various food competition series (ie: Chopped), Summer House, plus Tony...
07.24.2023
DJ Lina Bradford on Barbie, Candis Cayne, Fire Island & more
Jess is joined by New York icon LINA BRADFORD to discuss her Barbie ~ pop culture doll collection, being raised as a girl since age four, growing up in New York nightlife, best friend CANDIS CAYNE — the Linda Evangelista...
07.10.2023
Sex and the City Exec. Producer & Writer — Jenny Bicks
Jess is joined by Emmy-winning exec. producer and writer on ALL SIX SEASONS of SEX AND THE CITY, Jenny Bicks! Jenny reveals how Samantha’s cancer storyline was based on her own experience beating breast cancer and how Steve is based...
06.14.2023
Finding Fire Island TRAILER! Premieres July 6th!
ANNOUNCEMENT!!! PREMIERING JULY 6th! “Finding Fire Island” is a docu-podcast series which brings to life how a sleepy, 19th century beach town became a modern day queer mecca for artists and the New York City theater community. Queer history has...
06.12.2023
Madonna Tell-All by Brother Christopher Ciccone (w/ Tony Trius)
Jess is joined by MLVC Madonna podcast co-host Tony Trius to deconstruct the 2008 tell-all “Life With My Sister Madonna,” written by her brother Christopher Ciccone. We go deep on Christopher’s ever-evolving role in M's life and career,...
06.05.2023
Survivor’s Jerri Manthey: OG Villainess of Reality TV
Jess is joined by iconic Survivor castaway Jerri Manthey, known for her three season arc (spanning 15 years) appearing on The Australian Outback (season 2), All Stars and Heroes vs. Villains. Dubbed “The Black Widow” due to her...
05.22.2023
MTV’s Dave Holmes on Britney, The Real World, TRL, Jesse Camp
Jess is joined by iconic MTV VJ DAVE HOLMES! Dave was the “runner-up” in the infamous Wanna Be a VJ contest who turned his “loss” to Jesse Camp into a 5-year career at MTV. Dave chats about being gay in...
05.01.2023
Rachel Dratch on SNL, 30 Rock, Countess Luann Cabaret & more
Jess is joined by RACHEL DRATCH, known for seven (7) seasons on SNL, beloved for the Boston Teens (w/ Jimmy Fallon) and bringing the name “Debbie Downer” into the cultural lexicon. We go deep on Rachel’s long-standing friendship with TINA...
04.17.2023
Kara DioGuardi (American Idol): Songwriter - Kelly Clarkson, XTina, Pink, Britney & Ashlee
Jess is joined by American Idol judge and prolific songwriter KARA DioGUARDI to reflect on her incredible contributions to pop music throughout the 2000s. We go deep behind the music of her iconic songs, including... KYLIE MINOGUE "Spinning Around," PINK...
04.03.2023
Lady Bunny on ‘Drag Race’ vs Drag, RuPaul, Wigstock
Jess is joined by drag legend LADY BUNNY! Lady Bunny discusses Drag Race's impact on modern day queens vs. experimental avant-garde style, questionable music choices on RPDR, gender & identity politics, organizing Wigstock in Tompkins Square Park & Pier 17,...
03.21.2023
Nightlife Impresario Daniel Nardicio — The Ice Palace, Club Cumming, Liza Minnelli, Bianca del Rio
Jess is joined by the king of New York City nightlife, Daniel Nardicio. Throughout his career, Nardicio has produced events for Liza Minnelli, Alan Cumming, Chita Rivera, Carol Channing, Margaret Cho, Sandra Bernhard, Bianca del Rio and more. He chats...
03.13.2023
Ariana Madix on Tom Sandoval Romance, Kristen Doute + Astrology of Tom & Ariana
Jess chats with VANDERPUMP RULES' ARIANA MADIX about her pre-SUR life in NYC, her friendship > relationship with TOM SANDOVAL and becoming friends with KRISTEN DOUTE behind the scenes. Ariana also reacts to JAX TAYLOR’s “glorified roommates” claim, her sexuality...
02.27.2023
Queer Eye’s Jai Rodriguez on RENT, Bros, Fire Island & more
Jess welcomes actor/singer JAI RODRIGUEZ — known as the OG Culture Guy on QUEER EYE. Jess fell in love with Jai as a teen, starring on Broadway as the beloved HIV+ drag queen Angel in RENT. We discuss his reign...
02.20.2023
Jill Kargman on Cult of SoulCycle, UES Mom Scene, Drew Barrymore
Jess welcomes back writer/actress Jill Kargman! Jill was born and raised on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, creating the perfect setting and inspiration for her novel Momzillas, adapted into the Bravo scripted series “Odd Mom Out" (streaming on Peacock!)....
02.06.2023
Bravo Casting Producer — Below Deck, Tabatha’s Takeover, Millionaire Matchmaker
Jess is joined by reality TV casting producer Frank Garrity, who has worked on Below Deck, The People's Couch, Millionaire Matchmaker and Tabatha's Takeover. We discuss how to break into reality TV casting & production, background checks (ie: Jen Shah;...
01.30.2023
Jamie Babbit on Directing But I'm A Cheerleader, Natasha Lyonne, Clea DuVall, The L Word
Jess is joined by prolific film & TV director JAMIE BABBIT! Jamie is best known for writing/directing the cult classic BUT I'M A CHEERLEADER w/ Natasha Lyonne and Clea DuVall. Over the past two decades she has directed HBO's GIRLS,...
01.19.2023
Inside The L Word Scripts, Set Visits, Contracts, Behind the Scenes
In the final installment of our L Word trilogy, Jess is joined by L Word historians Ash Silver (renowned YouTuber) and Chris Lintner (@thelwordonline). Chris shares her story of getting confronted by Ilene Chaiken in Vancouver for putting pieces of...
01.16.2023
L Word Gen Q Showrunner Marja Lewis Ryan Answers Each Storyline
Jess is joined by The L Word Generation Q showrunner, Marja Lewis Ryan! We discuss how Marja got the job, her connection to Abbi Jacobson coming out, if the writers have seen The L Word (OG), Jennifer Beals' influence on...
01.09.2023
Ilene Chaiken on Creating The L Word, Bette & Tina, Jennifer Beals, Kate Moennig
Jess is joined by THE L WORD creator and show-runner Ilene Chaiken! Ilene discusses running Aaron Spelling's production company, her real-life version of The Planet, the head of Showtime wanting to cast Leisha Hailey as Shane, Jennifer Beals choosing Laurel...
01.02.2023
Comedian Jared Freid on Late Night Eating, Headshots, Instagram Relationships, Deuxmoi
Jess is joined by comedian Jared Freid (co-host of Betches' modern dating pod U Up?) to discuss relationship "soft launches" and breakups on Instagram, dating app profile makeovers, Jared's journey with late night eating addiction, being heckled over his headshot...

What's Hot Takes & Deep Dives about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Hot Takes & Deep Dives episodes:

The L Word Writer/Director Rose Troche — Guinevere Turner, Go Fish, Jennifer Beals

T. KYLE — Behind the Scenes of WWHL, Wendy Williams, Jimmy Fallon

Queer as Folk w/ Peter Paige (Emmett) & Scott Lowell (Ted)!

Kim Stolz — America’s Next Top Model, NYC Gay Bar Owner & MTV VJ

Madonna Truth or Dare w/ Reality Producers Chris DeRosa & Dominick Pupa

Ryan Raftery IS Anna Wintour, Martha Stewart, Andy Cohen, Kris Jenner & more

Drag Race’s Peppermint — Traitors Reunion, NYC 90s Nightlife

Bianca Del Rio on Fire Island, Madonna, Joan Rivers & more

Golden Girls, Gilmore Girls, Roseanne & Brady Bunch Movie Writer — Stan Zimmerman

The L Word Writer, Theme Song & BETTY Rocker — Elizabeth Ziff

Casting The Traitors & Inside Real World Edit Bay (w/ Jamie Stein)

Jackie Warner (Work Out) Returns! Ozempic, Taylor Swift, Kyle Richards, Jeff Lewis

John Cameron Mitchell on Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Shortbus & more

Madonna Culture Debate (w/ Tony Trius, Mark Snyder, Kenny Finkle)

Review of Madonna Celebration Tour - Brooklyn (w/ Ben Rimalower)

Madonna Backup Singers & Dancers — Niki Haris & Donna De Lory

Pat Regan on Seek Treatment, Writing "Hacks," Survivor

Inside the Cult of Group Fitness — SoulCycle, Peloton

Julie Goldman & Brandy Howard on Jeff Lewis, Kyle Richards Gay Baiting

Justin Vivian Bond on Kiki & Herb, NYC 90s Nightlife

RHONY Producer on Vanity Fair Reckoning, Bethenny, The View, A List NY, Joan Rivers (w/ Dominick Pupa)

POSE & Ballroom Culture (w/ POSE creator/ writer Steven Canals)

Britney Memoir - Astrology of Britney Life & Career (w/ Andy Bellatti)

Culture Debate: Come Thru Queen (w/ Brendan Davis & Dan Calabrese)

Melissa Etheridge on Sex, Love & Behind the Music

Ira Madison III on Ranking Madonna Albums, Fire Island & Keep It

And Just Like That Postmortem w/ Every Outfit on SATC (Chelsea Fairless & Lauren Garroni)

Empath Jamie Stein Channels Jenna Lyons, Bethenny's Summer of Chaos, Kim Cattrall

Provincetown Deep Dive (w/ Brandon Ward)

Madonna Birthday: Astrology of Our Leo Queen (w/ Andy Bellatti)

Bethenny & Jill Zarin’s Reunion Producer, Chris DeRosa (RHONY & RHONJ)

DJ Lina Bradford on Barbie, Candis Cayne, Fire Island & more

Sex and the City Exec. Producer & Writer — Jenny Bicks

Finding Fire Island TRAILER! Premieres July 6th!

Madonna Tell-All by Brother Christopher Ciccone (w/ Tony Trius)

Survivor’s Jerri Manthey: OG Villainess of Reality TV

MTV’s Dave Holmes on Britney, The Real World, TRL, Jesse Camp

Rachel Dratch on SNL, 30 Rock, Countess Luann Cabaret & more

Kara DioGuardi (American Idol): Songwriter - Kelly Clarkson, XTina, Pink, Britney & Ashlee

Lady Bunny on ‘Drag Race’ vs Drag, RuPaul, Wigstock

Nightlife Impresario Daniel Nardicio — The Ice Palace, Club Cumming, Liza Minnelli, Bianca del Rio

Ariana Madix on Tom Sandoval Romance, Kristen Doute + Astrology of Tom & Ariana

Queer Eye’s Jai Rodriguez on RENT, Bros, Fire Island & more

Jill Kargman on Cult of SoulCycle, UES Mom Scene, Drew Barrymore

Bravo Casting Producer — Below Deck, Tabatha’s Takeover, Millionaire Matchmaker

Jamie Babbit on Directing But I'm A Cheerleader, Natasha Lyonne, Clea DuVall, The L Word

Inside The L Word Scripts, Set Visits, Contracts, Behind the Scenes

L Word Gen Q Showrunner Marja Lewis Ryan Answers Each Storyline

Ilene Chaiken on Creating The L Word, Bette & Tina, Jennifer Beals, Kate Moennig

Comedian Jared Freid on Late Night Eating, Headshots, Instagram Relationships, Deuxmoi