Speed Dial

Speed dialers, the time has come: the first season finale. Thirty episodes later, Ira and Doreen take stock of the trash ass year that was 2016. First, a rundown of the worst things about this year, which is essentially a rant against men. And then--the best things. Moments like Lemonade, Michelle Obama, and Moonlight made this year bearable, if not beautiful. Here's to hoping 2017 will have them, too. 

Thanks for riding with us for this first year. Season 2 will be bigger, better, blacker, and of course, shadier. See you in February. 

Call in to “Feedback,” Speed Dial’s advice hotline! Have a question you want Ira and Doreen to answer? Leave them a voicemail at 424-354-9335.

It's Speed Dial's first annual Christmas episode! There are two kinds of Christmases in America, and this week Ira and Doreen investigate them both. Celebrated by black people and a select group of discerning others, Black Christmas is a joyous occasion, which usually ends with family members, full of collards, lounging happily on a couch. First, a rundown of the iconic Black Christmas film canon: we're talking A Diva's Christmas Carol, The Best Man Holiday, The Preacher's Wife. Next, the music, both the corny (Chris Brown) and the sublime (Nat King Cole, Donny Hathaway and of course, Mariah Carey). Because Speed Dial is an equal opportunity podcast, your hosts also try to understand White Christmas. This holiday, as its defenders like Megyn Kelly and Bill O'Reilly show, is a very angry time, one where people feel that there traditions are threatened. Ira and Doreen attempt to understand the rage of their fellow Americans. That is, of course, the spirit of Black Christmas. 

Call in to “Feedback,” Speed Dial’s advice hotline! Have a question you want Ira and Doreen to answer? Leave them a voicemail at 424-354-9335.

Hello Speeddialers! Ira Madison III and Doreen St. Félix return with another episode of ‘Speed Dial with Ira and Doreen,” MTV’s bicoastal podcast about music, pop culture, sex, and race. 

This week is all about movies. But before Ira and Doreen get into a Keep It segment about the Golden Globe nominees, there's a quick rundown of their respective weeks. Ira's in La La Land since taking percocet for a muscle he pulled getting swole, and Doreen is still in awe after witnessing how hard parents go at parties when they can get a babysitter. Your Speed Dial hosts decide that nominations for Moonlight, Insecure, and Fences are iconic. But Casey Affleck and Mel Gibson? Keep it. Next, a conversation about Tom Ford's Nocturnal Animals, which Ira argues is a whiteface Tyler Perry movie. Finally, a voicemail from a listener who's caught in a messy love triangle. 

Call in to “Feedback,” Speed Dial’s advice hotline! Have a question you want Ira and Doreen to answer? Leave them a voicemail at 424-354-9335.

'Speed Dial,' Episode 27: "HaterNation"

Following a real whirlwind of a week, Ira and Doreen are back to address some things they've learned. The first being—you can't spell 'white nationalist' without The Nation! This episode addresses a piece published by the publication, in which a writer...critiqued both Ira and and Doreen. Their conversation places the article in the context of the pattern of more overt, leftist racism following the election of Trump. Next, Ira and Doreen find out they disagree on the whole Tomi Lahren and Trevor Noah peace summit. After that, a conversation about the similarities and differences between Donald Glover's two projects this year. Lastly, an honest and brave voicemail from a listener who's looking for freedom. 

Call in to “Feedback,” Speed Dial’s advice hotline! Have a question you want Ira and Doreen to answer? Leave them a voicemail at 424-354-9335.

This week, Ira and Doreen bring back “Keep It,” the quick pop-culture rundown that decrees what greatness can stay and what mess can go. On the docket: struggle plates on holidays commemorating genocide (for the love of Beyoncé, season your mac and cheese), the British comedies Fleabag and Chewing Gum, and the psychologizing of Kanye West. Next, your “Speed Dial” hosts talk about The Weeknd’s interesting new album, Starboy. Yes — interesting. Ira and Doreen also get into a conversation about the semantics of white supremacy and the debates about whether the term “alt-right” is normalizing. Spoiler: It doesn’t matter! Lastly, as always, your voicemails!

It happened. Last week, a nightmare took hold on all our realities, and will maintain its grip for at least four years. After taking a week to regroup, Ira and Doreen are back. First, they discuss some of the white liberal and conservative fantasies that have been bubbling under the surface for years. In the interest of being proactive, your Speeddial hosts also offer some reading and viewing suggestions to help you prepare for survival, from black creators like James Baldwin, bell hooks, and Ava DuVernay. Next, Ira and Doreen lighten things up with conversations on the birth of our lord and savior, Dream Kardashian, and the uncomfortable comedy of Leslie Jones. Rounding this episode out is two feedback questions from our listeners.

Hello Speeddialers!

This week, Speed Dial talks to one of the greatest performers of our time: Kelly Rowland! Kelly and Ira met up for a playful and warm chat in Los Angeles, during which Kelly tells Ira he has a cute nose. Next, Doreen and Ira get back on the phone for their weekly 'Keep It' segment, where they cast judgments down on Khloe Kardashian as Storm for Halloween, Drake and Kid Cudi, and Hilary Duff. Finally, a Feedback question from a listener who is fed up with New York City.

This week, Ira and Doreen introduce "Keep It," a rundown of which pop culture stories need to go and which ones can stay. This episode decides on Soulja Boy and Bow Wow's new mixtape, Amy Schumer, Omarosa and Patti La Belle. Next, a discussion about SNL's Black Jeopardy skit, and the uncanny similarities between black and white people in regions outside of the Northeast. Finally, Ira and Doreen realize they have very different opinions on Lady Gaga's new album Joanne, and shady hilarity ensues.

Hello Speeddialers! Ira Madison III and Doreen St. Félix return with another episode of “Speed Dial with Ira and Doreen,” MTV’s bicoastal podcast about music, pop culture, sex, and race.

2016 is a renaissance year for black television. This week, Ira and Doreen talk about Issa Rae’s Insecure and the legacy of black female comedians in television. Comedians like Rae, Jessica Williams, and others are carving out new spaces for smart stories to thrive, much like the trailblazers of the ’90s sitcom era. Next, a necessary rant about about the GoFundMe account Democrats set up to rebuild a GOP building in North Carolina. Your “Speed Dial” hosts discuss how “niceness” isn’t going to fix white supremacy. Ira and Doreen also talk about the tragic death of Venida Browder, mother of Kalief Browder, and the ways mass incarceration destroy families. Finally, they answer a Feeback call from a black woman listener who constantly gets asked if she works at Nordstrom Rack when she’s shopping there.

Call in to “Feedback,” Speed Dial’s advice hotline! Have a question you want Ira and Doreen to answer? Leave them a voicemail at 424-354-9335.

Hello Speeddialers! Ira Madison III and Doreen St. Félix return with another episode of ‘Speed Dial with Ira and Doreen,” MTV’s bicoastal podcast about music, pop culture, sex, and race.

This week, karma ruled her beautiful head not once, but twice! First, your Speed Dial hosts track the reckoning of Billy Bush, the former Access Hollywood host who was caught kiki-ing over sexual assault with Donald Trump. Al Roker, who warned everybody about Bush back during Lochtegate, got to announce the separation on the Today Show this week and it was *chefs kiss*. Next, Ira and Doreen get into a discussion about two films that premiered this week, Birth of a Nation and 13th. They discuss all the storytelling flaws of the former, and all the cinematic triumphs of the latter. This week's episode ends with songwriter and producer Brett McLaughlin, aka Leland. McLaughlin has written dozens of songs for singers like Troye Sivan, Daya, and Kat Graham. He talks to Ira and Doreen about everything from what it's like to write a hit song to his early days catering for celebrity events in L.A. like Kim Kardashian's (2nd) wedding.

Call into ‘Feedback,’ Speed Dial’s advice hotline! Have a question you want Ira and Doreen to answer? Leave them a voicemail at 424-354-9335.