July 09, 2025

King of Bugs

1 hour 25 minutes

EPISODE 49: King of Bugs

This week’s prompts: Ivory, Pen, Radio, 1988

Morning energy hits different—especially when you’re caffeinated, half-unpacked, and dodging…critters? In this early-bird episode, Lauren and Neal dive into a grab bag of topics, from cinematic corporate climbs to tragic artistic genius.

First up, Neal shares a behind-the-scenes deep dive into Working Girl (1988). Hear the untold stories of Melanie Griffith’s sobriety struggles, Harrison Ford’s tzatziki-covered charm, and how Carly Simon’s Oscar-winning song almost got replaced by “Witchy Woman.” It’s a time capsule of shoulder pads, Staten Island, and serious 80s vibes.

Then, Lauren unpacks the short, brilliant, and heartbreaking life of Jean-Michel Basquiat. From street graffiti to gallery superstardom, Basquiat's rise through the New York art world was as meteoric as it was complicated. Learn how his work was shaped by language, jazz, anatomy, and identity—and how the art world has commodified and forged his legacy.

Plus:
– Which famous actor turned down Melanie Griffith?
– Who did Basquiat sell his first painting to?
– And what exactly crawled out of Neal’s hat?

REMINDER: Next week’s 50th episode is coming—and we're doing a Curated by Chance Book Club! Join us as we read How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin. You have one week to read, or just tune in to hear the basics and revisit when you finish!

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Neal - @nealefischer

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