Craig & Friends

Craig & Friends episodes:

• 04.19.2024

  248: Chaz Jankel!

  Musical pioneer Chaz Jankel welcomed me to his home to discuss his legendary musical career - from his days with Ian Dury & The Blockheads (co-writing Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick, Sex & Drugs & Rock’N’Roll and more) through...

  
• 03.29.2024

  247: Sapphira Cristál Part 2 (Encore Presentation)

  Craig, special guest co-host Katya & Sapphira continue their chat and talk going vegan, discovering opera, straight tone, vibrato’n’viagra, Miss D’America, resting diva face, doing the thing you need to be doing and MORE! This series is brought to you by ⁠https://www.patreon.com/CraigAndFriends⁠ 

  
• 03.21.2024

  247: Sapphira Cristál Part 1 (Encore Presentation)

  Originally posted in the salad days of the pandemic (August 2020), this Encore Presentation is in honor of our beloved Sapphira Cristál gooping and gagging the world on Season 16 of RuPaul's Drag Race. Craig & special guest co-host Katya welcome...

  
• 03.05.2024

  246: Movie Club GREASE 2 With Eureka O'Hara!

  Our girl for all seasons Eureka O'Hara joins me to talk the mirth, magic and mayhem of the undercover feminist cult classic GREASE 2! We get into what a T-Bird could mean these days, the majesty of Michelle Pfeiffer, shooting...

  
• 02.26.2024

  245: Movie Club UNDER THE CHERRY MOON With Jason Shawhan

  Nashville’s pre-eminent film critic, connoisseur & Prince devotee Jason Shawhan returns to Movie Club as we talk Prince’s 2nd film UNDER THE CHERRY MOON. We get into Prince’s ever-practical wardrobe choices, Jerome Benton’s woefully short film career, the rather progressive...

  
• 02.23.2024

  244: Mike Chapman & Maddy Paterson! (Encore Presentation)

  My dear friends Mike Chapman & Maddy Paterson join me to talk writing and producing decades of hits like “Ballroom Blitz”, “Hey Mickey” “Simply The Best” and much more, Michael Des Barres, producing Agnetha from ABBA, Suzi Quatro, pairing Lita...

  
• 02.09.2024

  243: Paul Williams!

  The Muppet Movie, Phantom Of The Paradise, Bugsy Malone, A Star Is Born, “You And Me Against The World”, Smokey & The Bandit...what singular magical element do these cultural touchstones have in common? The legendary, inspirational & hilarious singer, songwriter,...

  
• 01.20.2024

  242: Stephen Trask (Part 2)

  This candid chat with legendary compser, co-creator of Hedwig & The Angry Inch and all-around terrific person known as Stephen Trask continues, picking up where we left off: the difficulties of coming out during the Reagan era, the extremes of...

  
• 01.09.2024

  241: Movie Club EATING RAOUL (With Jason Shawhan)

  Nashville's pre-eminent film critic, curator & connoisseur Jason Shawhan returns for EATING RAOUL. We talk Paul Bartel, Mary Woronov, The Roger Corman Expanded Universe, Robert Beltran, swingers, wine-snobs, bad musical theater, the lurking terror of The Beach Boys, SCENES FROM...

  
• 01.04.2024

  240: Stephen Trask! (Part 1)

  Stephen joins me to talk scoring films, replacing Randy Newman, taking Hedwig & The Angry Inch from stage to screen, studio sabotage, leading the house band at the legendary SqueezeBox! party, negative pickups, falling in love with punk & piano...

  
• 12.25.2023

  239: MOVIE CLUB Body Double (Encore Presentation)

  For this merry Movie Club Monday, an encore presentation of the very first Movie Club episode. Taped in 2018 with my former co-host Katya, this is a gleeful exploration into the magic and mystery of Brian De Palma's oft-misunderstood masterpiece...

  
• 12.21.2023

  238: The Return Of JUDY! (Part 1)

  The gorgeous & hilarious scientist of drag known as JUDY returns to discuss our membership in the Bipolar gang, my fairly recent diagnosis, vacation rashes, massage vibes, biblical floods, intentional consumption, calm candy moments, cognitive behavioral therapy, loving partners, Gordon...

  
• 12.19.2023

  237: MOVIE CLUB Videodrome (With Macy Rodman!)

  From NYMPHOWARS, the International Amuse Douche chanteuse Macy Rodman joins me via satellite from Pittsburgh to discuss the lurid, sinister and quasi-legal pleasures of David Cronenberg’s prescient 1983 masterpiece VIDEODROME. We talk the divine Deborah Harry, Spectacular Optical, the brilliant...

  
• 12.11.2023

  236: MOVIE CLUB A Star Is Born With Willam!

  Willam joins me to discuss the power and particulars of the latest and greatest adaptation of a story as old as show-business itself : 2018's A STAR IS BORN. Starring Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper (who also co-wrote and directed)...

  
• 12.05.2023

  235: R.I.P. Sophie Anderson (Encore Presentation)

  Shocked to learn of the death of our darling Sophie. To celebrate the laughter, love and lust she brought to this world, here is an encore presentation of our first chat in London, from 2019. Rest In Peace, my dear 

  
• 12.04.2023

  234: CRIMES OF PASSION Movie Club - With Gala Avary!

  Gala Avary of The Gala Show & The Video Archives Podcast celebrates her birthday by joining me to talk Uncle Ken’s lurid 1984 classic CRIMES OF PASSION. We examine the magic mirth and mayhem of Russell’s aesthetic, Anthony Perkins’ penchant...

  
• 12.01.2023

  233: Allan Arkush

  Legendary filmmaker Allan Arkush joins me to talk GET CRAZY, directing Dokken, Bette Midler, getting dosed by The Grateful Dead, enrolling the Ramones into ROCK'N'ROLL HIGH SCHOOL, dealing with difficult people (Chevy Chase, Andy Kaufman), getting Sinatra to do more...

  
• 11.27.2023

  232: PSYCHO 3 Movie Club (With Jason Shawhan)

  A sleaze masterpiece directed by star Anthony Perkins, PSYCHO 3 plunges Norman Bates deep into the vibe & venom of the mid 80s Nashville's pre-eminent film critic, curator & connoisseur Jason Shawhan joins me to talk Perkins magic, the consistent...

  
• 11.24.2023

  232: Venus Black!

  The hilarious & charming Venus Black joins me to talk Subculture, Elvira, beer roadies, Paul Schrader, underground drag, Videodrome Discothèque, how to sneak booze into venues, Steven Tyler’s Can O’ Coke & Pill Stuffed Scarf, feather boas, Tootsie, Knott’s Berry...

  
• 11.17.2023

  GREASE 2 ! Eureka! Get Yer Questions & Comments In NOW

  You know it, you love it...you have thoughts. You also have less than 24 hours to get your comments and questions in! Do It For Your Country and do it NOW so we can address them all.  The episode is coming...

  
• 11.16.2023

  231: Olivia Flood Wylie!

  The hilarious stand-up comic Olivia Flood-Wylie joins me to laugh and talk the current comedy scene, audience energy, meeting her sweetie in Amsterdam, our shared membership in the Bipolar gang, the perils of perfectionism, Dara Ó Briain, The Comedy Store,...

  
• 11.09.2023

  230: Jake Fogelnest!

  Comedian, writer, raconteur, director and fellow podcaster Jake Fogelnest joins me to talk being new fathers, stating SQUIRT TV on public access at age 14 before taking it to MTV, rebuilding after rehab, TIMES SQUARE, Upright Citizens Brigade, our shared...

  
• 11.06.2023

  229: LIQUID SKY Movie Club - With Anne Carlisle & James St. James

  Anne Carlisle - the star and co-writer of LIQUID SKY - joins me and James St. James for an in-depth exploration of this pioneering film. One of the first films to explicitly depict & discuss pansexuality, androgyny & gender fluidity in...

  
• 10.31.2023

  228: HELLRAISER Movie Club With Goth Charlotte!

  Defying Goth Charlotte’s sage advice, I open The Lament Configuration and plunge into a world full sights & scenes I never imagined: Clive Barker’s HELLRAISER. Will I escape the clutches of Pinhead & their backup band? You’ll have to listen...

  
• 10.24.2023

  227: Jessica Harper! (Encore Presentation)

  Craig and special guest co-host Jake Shears welcome Jessica Harper to talk Crabby Cooking, naked rooftop dancing, Weapons Of Ass Destruction, Jessica’s fabulous podcast “Winnetka”, Bette Midler, the magic of Paul Williams, being a mom, “Phantom Of The Paradise”, spanking...

  
• 10.20.2023

  226: Rocky Horror Picture Show MOVIE CLUB With Cherry Torn, Sophie Monroe & Dozer Torn

  During my stay in San Francisco with Cherry & Sophie, we discovered that Dozer Torn had never seen The Rocky Horror Picture Show...or even heard of it. Needless to say, our mission was immediately obvious. We discuss the sparks of...

  
• 10.12.2023

  225: Lisa Wallen!

  Standup comic, Twitch partner and gamer par-excellence Lisa Wallen joins me to discuss film adaptations of beloved video games, Metal Gear Solid, the original Snake Plissken, party parents, anime, neutralizing trolls, Zelda, gremlin mode, Gundam love, tailgating, Resident Evil, OCD,...

  
• 10.04.2023

  224: Cid Bullens! (Part 2 of 2)

  Trans icon Cid Bullens & I continue our in-depth chat about his fabulous new book TransElectric: My Life As A Cosmic Rock Star, getting clean & sober in the hedonistic 70s, dealing with the loss of his daughter, existential depression and...

  
• 09.26.2023

  223: Cid Bullens (Part 1 of 2)

  The legendary Cid Bullens joins me to talk about his fabulous new book TransElectric: My Life As A Cosmic Rock Star, transitioning at 62, gender dysphoria, working with & hanging out with Elton John, the gender spectrum, dissociation, American Bandstand,...

  
• 09.08.2023

  222: James St. James! (Encore Presentation)

  I'm joined by guest co-host Deven Green and welcome the legendary James St. James to talk Michelle Visage, the influence and loss of Stephen Saban, showing gratitude with pizza-pies, ketamine predicaments, friend families, Transformations With James St. James, working at...

  
• 08.24.2023

  221: MOVIE CLUB - The Legend Of Billie Jean (With Jason Shawhan)

  Nashville’s pre-eminent film writer & curator Jason Shawhan joins me for an in-depth discussion and analysis of the feminist (and undercover queer) 1985 cult-classic that is THE LEGEND OF BILLIE JEAN. Mistakenly dismissed at the time of release as just another...

  
• 08.15.2023

  220: Kelly Mantle!

  The all-singin’ all-dancing’ playwright, comedienne, musician and raconteur known as Kelly Mantle joins me for a jolly chat about having multiple personality disorder, Pia Zadora, Zoom issues, the union strikes, Ann-Margret, playwriting, Warhol films, growing up in Oklahoma, unconditional love,...

  
• 08.03.2023

  219: Jasmine Rochelle!

  The illustrious production and PR wizardess from Five Senses Reeling joins me to talk wrangling drag queens, being a child actor, working with the skinny legend, how country acts outpace rock stars and drag queens or…anyone, how to discreetly handle...

  
• 07.13.2023

  218: Joey Jay! (Part 2)

  Joey Jay and I continue our chat about who you take advice from, being the final judge of your own work, standing firm with your signature, drive-by drag shows, IV bags, putting yourself out there, making your own opportunities, Joey’s...

  
• 07.06.2023

  217: Joey Jay! (Part 1)

  The illustrious & determinedly positive Joey Jay joins me for Part 1 of our lovely chat to talk gay awakenings, figure skating, Olympic ambitions, putting in the work, bring a quick study & adroit observer, not blaming the edit, the...

  
• 06.27.2023

  216: Michael Des Barres!

  The fabulous Michael Des Barres returns to converse about staying in the present, Keith Richards, inside arms, being the one you’ve been searching for, growing up without parents, shedding & avoiding resentment, a proper cup of coffee, mental health and...

  
• 06.21.2023

  215: Katie Maloney Of Vanderpump Rules (Part 2)

  My friend, former neighbor and the moral compass of VANDERPUMP RULES joins me for Part 2 of our talk about opening the Something About Her sandwich shop with Ariana Madix, the benefits of divorce, the undeniable icks,,seeing what we want...

  
• 06.01.2023

  214: Miz Cracker!

  HAPPY PRIDE! To celebrate the beginning of Pride Month, here is an Encore Presentation of the chat I had with Miz Cracker, during which I came out as queer. If you are questioning or exploring your sexuality, remember to take...

  
• 05.25.2023

  213: Miss Fame! (Encore)

  An encore presentation of one of my favorite episodes, in which Miss Fame woke Craig up during his NYC stay in April to talk sleep habits, Season 7, over-scheduling yourself, The Freds, having a rock in the pocket, supermodels of...

  
• 05.16.2023

  212: Charlie Valentine!

  The brilliant, hilarious and inspiring Charlie Valentine joins Craig for a chat about finding fulfillment through sex work, exploring gender, surprises in the playroom, ethical non-monogamy, mental health, the majesty of Ada Zanditon, ADHD & the medicine shortage, Goth Charlotte,...

  
• 05.09.2023

  211: Juno Birch!

  The brilliant and gorgeous Juno Birch joins me to talk The Juno Show tour, asthmatic smoking, the liberty of transitioning, UK Vs US healthcare, hypnosis, notes from Jasmine, dating as a trans woman, being born on Christmas, getting into drag,...

  
• 05.05.2023

  Movie Club: HEATHERS With Peaches Christ & Cherry Torn

  Craig joined Cherry Torn at Cherry & Sophie’s place to welcome Peaches Christ and talk corn nuts, chainsaws, Christian Slater, the game of croquet, color coding, Winona Ryder, bullies, body counts, Snappy Snack Shack, “Femlins”, Big Fun, Martha Dumptruck, internalized...

  
• 04.21.2023

  209: Katie Maloney of Vanderpump Rules (Part 1)

  The moral compass of VANDERPUMP RULES joins me to talk the process and benefits of divorce, seeing what we want to see, dating again, uncomfortable realizations, non-monogamy, refusing to absorb other’s negative energy, Scandoval, holding yourself accountable, trusting your intuition,...

  
• 04.07.2023

  208: Reunited In L.A. (With Ada Zanditon)

  Ada joins me to talk being apart, taking Peter on his first flight, the ASD spectrum, Autism Awareness, ADHD, our upcoming trip to Florida and more

  
• 03.29.2023

  207: Uni & The Urchins

  Charlotte Kemp-Muhl & Jack James of Uni & The Urchins join me to talk Ken Russell, buying high and selling low. filmmaking, rock opera futures, problematic favorites, perfectionism, Shakespeare obsessions, David Cronenberg, following your vision - and executing it -...

  
• 03.25.2023

  206: Wonderful Terrible Music (A Collection)

  A collection of some magical musical moments from the history of the show, including previously Patreon-Only segments. In this collection, enjoy Ada & I discussing the grossest song to ever hit No.1 on the Billboard Charts, Chrissy Chlapecka being exposed...

  
• 03.17.2023

  205: Zee Machine (Part 2)

  In Part 2 of our conversation we talk life as an independent queer artist, pay-to-play, guitar shredder culture, the honorable business practices of Meatball & Precinct, short term losses leading to long term gains, Zee’s songwriting process, Ray Charles’ thoughts...

  
• 03.10.2023

  204: Zee Machine (Part 1)

  Singer/songwriter Zee Machine joins me to talk recovery, making music, coming back from a debilitating cross-addiction, preferring Precinct, the slippery slope of party’n’play, Adam4Adam, dating habits, validation addiction, living in San Francisco, growing up in Tai Pei, Boston’s Ramrod, Berklee...

  
• 03.03.2023

  203: Romy & Michele's High School Reunion MOVIE CLUB With Bright Light Bright Light!

  Rod Thomas (BRIGHT LIGHT BRIGHT LIGHT) - the world’s leading Romy & Michele fan - joined me to talk Lisa Kudrow, post-its, Mira Sorvino, Alan Cumming, the film’s onstage origin as LADIES ROOM, writer Robin Schiff, soundtrack licensing, the stage...

  
• 02.10.2023

  202: Pia Zadora!

  Pia Zadora welcomed me to her gorgeous Las Vegas home to discuss her legendary life and career. We talk THE LONELY LADY, having your own plane (with your name on the side), the Golden Globes scandal, her marriage to Meshulam...