Whether a publicity stunt or revenge porn, the celebrity sex tape has long been a salacious and voyeuristic fascination for the media and its subjects' fans. But when it comes to male stars, their tapes have seemed to serve as fuel for their fire, while for female stars, the only rhetoric has been slut-shaming. Sarah and Sadaf dive into the story behind the tapes of everyone from Rob Lowe to Pam Anderson and Tommy Lee to Paris Hilton to understand why, and what sort of ripple effect celebrity sex tapes have left in the years since.

Links to articles mentioned in this episode:

Vanity Fair’s “Paris Hilton, In Reflection”:
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2021/04/paris-hilton-in-reflection

NYT’s “Sex, Lawsuits and Celebrities Caught on Tape”:
https://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/19/fashion/sundaystyles/sex-lawsuits-and-celebrities-caught-on-tape.html

Rolling Stone’s “Pam and Tommy: The Untold Story of the World’s Most Infamous Sex Tape”
https://www.rollingstone.com/feature/pam-and-tommy-the-untold-story-of-the-worlds-most-infamous-sex-tape-194776/

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In 1993, 38 year-old Jerry Seinfeld met 17 year-old Shoshanna Lonstein in a New York City park. The pair proceeded to date for four years. Shoshanna was Seinfeld’s date for awards shows, basketball games, and brunches at Hollywood hotspots. And yet, no one questioned the ethics of a public relationship with such a profound power imbalance. Sadaf and Sarah discuss why Hollywood didn’t judge Jerry’s decision to date someone so young at the time. They also consider why the comedy legend seems to have escaped a Me Too era reckoning.

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In 1998, George Michael became embroiled in a now infamous "lewd act" scandal, one that led to his public outing and which eroded his reputation and blurred his incredible success – both as Wham! leading man and solo artist. Sarah and Sadaf explore that very scandal and its consequences, but also the man behind it, who became a proud gay icon with a legacy worth revisiting and recognizing. 

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In this episode, Sadaf and Sarah discuss the tragic life of Whitney Houston, one of the bestselling recording artists of all time. Ms. Houston's hits still resonate with fans the world over. However,  Whitney's phenomenal talent was often overshadowed by racist and sexist media coverage during her lifetime - coverage that often focused more on salacious stories about Houston's struggles with drug use disorder than her artistry or humanity. The co-hosts discuss how Whitney's legacy has been unfairly tarnished, and the need to reclaim it...

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As one of the most iconic Hollywood families, the Kardashians have come to define modern celebrity culture – for better and worse. Society loves to hate them, but what if there's more to this family than meets the eye? Not only do they share a strong sisterhood, but they are accomplished businesswomen who care about their culture. One might even call them inspiring. Together, Sarah and Sadaf take a look at why it's so hard to see the good in the Kardashian clan – even as we consume their products, their social presence, and their many, many dramas. 

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An accomplished martial artist, actor and dancer, Bruce Lee's legacy is a powerful one – not only in his quest for representation, but in his efforts to raise his community up around him. Still, his struggle as a man of colour in Hollywood is a familiar (and not too distant) one, with 2019's Once Upon A Time...In Hollywood's controversial portrayal of the icon a brutal reminder that Asian stereotypes still very much exist, and that the fight for diversity – on screen and off – continues. Sarah and Sadaf delve deep into all of this, the many ways Bruce changed Hollywood for the better, and why he remains a powerful symbol of anti-oppression. 

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Sadaf and Sarah go back to 1974, discussing the time a lone gunman attempted to kidnap 23-year-old Princess Anne. While the media coverage of this story at the time emphasized the valor of the men who helped rescue Anne, the reality is the princess played an instrumental role in saving herself. The co-hosts talk about why it took Anne so long to share her truth. They also examine the details of this highly cinematic, but little discussed, story. 

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When Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez were first an item in the '00s, the tabloids were at their most chaotic,  and it tore them apart. Today, she's at the top of her game as one of the best-selling artists of all time, and he's riding high as an Oscar winner. 

Now that they've reunited for Bennifer 2.0., Sarah and Sadaf take a look at their pasts—from Gigli, to the ring, and that tattoo—and discuss why we live for a woman who hustles, and a match made in Hollywood (with Bronx and Boston roots). 

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To celebrate The Reheat's premiere, Sadaf and Sarah discuss the most iconic love triangle of the 00s, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt versus Jennifer Aniston. The co-hosts explain how the famous rivalry between Angie and Jen was largely media-manufactured. They also dish on how sexist coverage of the Pitt/Aniston divorce scapegoated Angie, while letting Brad off the hook. Come for the piping hot takes, stay for the thoughtful feminist analysis! 

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Entertainment Writers Sadaf Ahsan and Sarah Sahagian introduce listeners to their new podcast, The Reheat, a show that re-examines infamous pop culture scandals of the past through the lens of the present. From the history of celebrity sex tapes to The House of Gucci Murders, we'll dissect tons of salacious stories while analyzing what they say about our social moirees.