Director Paul Verhoeven was considered kind of an auteur in the ‘90s.  Basic Instinct got critical acclaim. So by 1995, when he announced his new film Showgirls, people were excited.  It was intended to be a gritty expose on the legendary Vegas performers. But it wasn’t. At all. In this episode, Host Brent Holmes talks to former showgirls, learning that the life of the showgirl was more nuanced, that they had to fight for equity and respect on the stage. And, he’s joined by drag performer Peaches Christ, who helped solidify the film as a cult classic.



A Neon Hum Media and Sony Music Entertainment production.



Subscribe on Apple Podcasts to binge all episodes now or listen weekly wherever you get your podcasts.



Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Director Paul Verhoeven was considered kind of an auteur in the ‘90s. Basic Instinct got critical acclaim. So by 1995, when he announced his new film Showgirls, people were excited. It was intended to be a gritty expose on the legendary Vegas performers. But it wasn’t. At all. In this episode, Host Brent Holmes talks to former showgirls, learning that the life of the showgirl was more nuanced, that they had to fight for equity and respect on the stage. And, he’s joined by drag performer Peaches Christ, who helped solidify the film as a cult classic. A Neon Hum Media and Sony Music Entertainment production. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts to binge all episodes now or listen weekly wherever you get your podcasts. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Director Paul Verhoeven was considered kind of an auteur in the ‘90s.&nbsp; Basic Instinct got critical acclaim. So by 1995, when he announced his new film Showgirls, people were excited.&nbsp; It was intended to be a gritty expose on the legendary Vegas performers. But it wasn’t. At all. In this episode, Host Brent Holmes talks to former showgirls, learning that the life of the showgirl was more nuanced, that they had to fight for equity and respect on the stage. And, he’s joined by drag performer Peaches Christ, who helped solidify the film as a cult classic.



A Neon Hum Media and Sony Music Entertainment production.



Subscribe on Apple Podcasts to binge all episodes now or listen weekly wherever you get your podcasts.



Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Las Vegas | 6. Verhoeven's Showgirls and what it got right about Vegas

Spectacle is a series that analyzes the cultural and societal implications of your guilty pleasures. From reality TV to true crime, Spectacle simultaneously celebrates and critiques the media, people and places that define us. For advertising opportunities, contact podcastadsales@sonymusic.com.

SEASON 3: This season of Spectacle delves into the history of true crime -- from the cases that shook us to our core, to its passionate audience, and what narratives and stereotypes it reinforces in our culture. From Sony Music Entertainment. Spectacle: True Crime is available June 23rd. 

SEASON 2: Las Vegas 
It's a city that has defined popular culture. An oasis in the desert, a mirage — a playground for adults replete with casinos, showgirls, and all-you-can-eat buffets. But how did Vegas become “Sin City”? From the genesis of shotgun weddings, to film portrayals of the mob-era, to the social engineering behind mega-casinos…season 2 of Spectacle explores the fabulous, the incorrigible, Las Vegas.  

SEASON 1: Reality TV 
Reality TV is dismissed as guilty pleasure, low brow... even trash. But whether you want to admit it or not, you probably have heard of Snooki, Lisa Vanderpump or Kim Kardashian. Over the past 30 years, reality TV has become a place to see the social and political moment play out in real time -- from racial tensions on The Real World New York to gender dynamics on The Bachelor. On this season, join host Mariah Smith as she dissects the history of the genre one show at a time, revealing how it's shaped our culture and how our culture shaped it.

TV & Film

Society & Culture

Documentary

True Crime

Film History

Spectacle is a series that analyzes the cultural and societal implications of your guilty pleasures. From reality TV to true crime, Spectacle simultaneously celebrates and critiques the media, people and places that define us. For advertising opportunities, contact podcastadsales@sonymusic.com. SEASON 3: This season of Spectacle delves into the history of true crime -- from the cases that shook us to our core, to its passionate audience, and what narratives and stereotypes it reinforces in our culture. From Sony Music Entertainment. Spectacle: True Crime is available June 23rd. SEASON 2: Las Vegas It's a city that has defined popular culture. An oasis in the desert, a mirage — a playground for adults replete with casinos, showgirls, and all-you-can-eat buffets. But how did Vegas become “Sin City”? From the genesis of shotgun weddings, to film portrayals of the mob-era, to the social engineering behind mega-casinos…season 2 of Spectacle explores the fabulous, the incorrigible, Las Vegas. SEASON 1: Reality TV Reality TV is dismissed as guilty pleasure, low brow... even trash. But whether you want to admit it or not, you probably have heard of Snooki, Lisa Vanderpump or Kim Kardashian. Over the past 30 years, reality TV has become a place to see the social and political moment play out in real time -- from racial tensions on The Real World New York to gender dynamics on The Bachelor. On this season, join host Mariah Smith as she dissects the history of the genre one show at a time, revealing how it's shaped our culture and how our culture shaped it.

Share Las Vegas | 6. Verhoeven's Showgirls and what it got right about Vegas

Sign up to save your podcasts

Las Vegas | 6. Verhoeven's Showgirls and what it got right about Vegas

Las Vegas | 6. Verhoeven's Showgirls and what it got right about Vegas

More shows like Spectacle: True Crime

DISGRACELAND

Slow Burn

You're Wrong About

American Greed Podcast

Campus Files

The Binge Cases: Doctor's Orders

Celebrity Memoir Book Club

Maintenance Phase

HOLLYWOODLAND

Sounds Like A Cult

Killer Psyche

Scamfluencers

Infamous

The Big Flop

Culture Study Podcast