Hot Takes & Deep Dives

Jess is joined by American Idol judge and prolific songwriter KARA DioGUARDI to reflect on her incredible contributions to pop music throughout the 2000s. We go deep behind the music of her iconic songs, including... KYLIE MINOGUE "Spinning Around," PINK "Sober," CHRISTINA AGUILERA "Ain't No Other Man," KELLY CLARKSON "Walk Away," BRITNEY's Blackout album, and co-writing the bulk of the ASHLEE SIMPSON and LINDSAY LOHAN albums. Kara also reflects on helping secure ADAM LAMBERT's spot on American Idol, and her experience on Bravo's songwriting competition show Platinum Hit. IG: @jessxnyc

Jess is joined by drag legend LADY BUNNY! Lady Bunny discusses Drag Race's impact on modern day queens vs. experimental avant-garde style, questionable music choices on RPDR, gender & identity politics, organizing Wigstock in Tompkins Square Park & Pier 17, creating culture vs. mimicking reality TV, being held at gunpoint in the East Village and her rise alongside RuPaul at The Pyramid Club. See Lady Bunny at The Green Room 42 in May & June! IG: @jessxnyc

Jess is joined by the king of New York City nightlife, Daniel Nardicio. Throughout his career, Nardicio has produced events for Liza Minnelli, Alan Cumming, Chita Rivera, Carol Channing, Margaret Cho, Sandra Bernhard, Bianca del Rio and more. He chats about creating The Underwear Party on Fire Island, opening Club Cumming and his latest endeavor, now owning The Ice Palace in Cherry Grove. We also discuss Adele & Jennifer Lawrence at Club Cumming and Liza Minnelli's infamous stay in the Fire Island Pines. IG: @jessxnyc

Jess chats with VANDERPUMP RULES' ARIANA MADIX about her pre-SUR life in NYC, her friendship > relationship with TOM SANDOVAL and becoming friends with KRISTEN DOUTE behind the scenes. Ariana also reacts to JAX TAYLOR's "glorified roommates" claim, her sexuality and buying their home. Original air date: Apr 2020 [ 36:00 ] At 36 minutes in, Jess is joined by Andy Bellatti (@astrologywithandy), astrologer to the Housewives, pop queens and Vanderpump kids for a deep dive on the astrology of the Tom & Ariana relationship. Original air date: May 2020 IG: @jessxnyc | @astrologywithandy

Jess welcomes actor/singer JAI RODRIGUEZ — known as the OG Culture Guy on QUEER EYE. Jess fell in love with Jai as a teen, starring on Broadway as the beloved HIV+ drag queen Angel in RENT. We discuss his reign in NYC nightlife as a cabaret performer and his eventual big break on Queer Eye. We chat about his recent roles in BROS and Netflix's UNCOUPLED, and the irony of Jai relating more to Joel Kim Booster's FIRE ISLAND than the film he appeared in (BROS). * Catch Jai's cabaret show LIVE at Oscar's Palm Springs on March 4th - oscarspalmsprings.com for tix! * IG: @jessxnyc | @jairodriguez

Jess welcomes back writer/actress Jill Kargman! Jill was born and raised on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, creating the perfect setting and inspiration for her novel Momzillas, adapted into the Bravo scripted series "Odd Mom Out" (streaming on Peacock!). We discuss: the cult of SoulCycle, her father's role as the President of Chanel, attending high school with Gwyneth Paltrow, Andy Cohen's pivotal role in her career in TV & SiriusXM + her gig on sister-in-law Drew Barrymore's talk show. IG: @jessxnyc | @jillkargman

Jess is joined by reality TV casting producer Frank Garrity, who has worked on Below Deck, The People's Couch, Millionaire Matchmaker and Tabatha's Takeover. We discuss how to break into reality TV casting & production, background checks (ie: Jen Shah; unearthing racist tweets), getting yelled at by Patti Stanger on set of Millionaire Matchmaker, MTV's Real Friends of WeHo and a lot more. IG: @jessxnyc

Jess is joined by prolific film & TV director JAMIE BABBIT! Jamie is best known for writing/directing the cult classic BUT I'M A CHEERLEADER w/ Natasha Lyonne and Clea DuVall. Over the past two decades she has directed HBO's GIRLS, THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL, GILMORE GIRLS, THE L WORD, A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN, ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING and more. We discuss all of those experiences, plus! shooting around different actors' nudity clauses, how to fix bad acting & bad dialogue in post-production and a lot more! IG: @jessxnyc

In the final installment of our L Word trilogy, Jess is joined by L Word historians Ash Silver (renowned YouTuber) and Chris Lintner (@thelwordonline). Chris shares her story of getting confronted by Ilene Chaiken in Vancouver for putting pieces of the scripts online in 2006 and Ash reveals how she ingratiated herself to Showtime in present day, with an invitation to the Gen Q set several months ago. Together, we discuss actor contracts, why Sepideh Moafi (Gigi) left, the alledged truth behind Erin Daniels (Dana) exiting the show, where are Rachel Shelley (Helena) and Sarah Shahi (Carmen)... and more behind the scenes sapphic chaos than you asked for. IG: @jessxnyc | @theashsilver | @thelwordonline

Jess is joined by The L Word Generation Q showrunner, Marja Lewis Ryan! We discuss how Marja got the job, her connection to Abbi Jacobson coming out, if the writers have seen The L Word (OG), Jennifer Beals' influence on Bette Porter and Marja's very first meeting with JB, Leisha Hailey and Kate Moennig. We probe for answers to fan frustrations around the loss of Gigi (Sepideh Moafi), Gigi & Dani's romance and the Jenny vs. Dana of it all. Plus, Marja's thinking around Angie dating her male professor, the choice to make Jamie Clayton's Tess cis vs. trans, Shane's direction, Joey Lauren Adams, if we will ever meet queen Bette Porter's mysterious mom and A LOT more! IG: @jessxnyc | Watch video on YouTube!

Jess is joined by THE L WORD creator and show-runner Ilene Chaiken! Ilene discusses running Aaron Spelling's production company, her real-life version of The Planet, the head of Showtime wanting to cast Leisha Hailey as Shane, Jennifer Beals choosing Laurel Holloman as Tina, and Mia Kirshner's brilliant improv as Jenny. Also discussed: Ilene's original plan for Bette & Tina, contributions to Gen Q, is Gen Q canon, Sepideh Moafi as Gigi, the mistreatment of Daniel Sea (Max) on set, Holland Taylor as Peggy Peabody and a LOT more! IG: @jessxnyc

Jess is joined by comedian Jared Freid (co-host of Betches' modern dating pod U Up?) to discuss relationship "soft launches" and breakups on Instagram, dating app profile makeovers, Jared's journey with late night eating addiction, being heckled over his headshot and being spotted in Deuxmoi. Plus, why fast-moving celebrity r-ships like Pete Davidson / Ariana Grande / Kim Kardashian / Ben Affleck / JLo make sense mathematically, and dating app convos in the hetero vs. gay universe. IG: @jessxnyc | @jaredfreid

Jess is joined by WALTER AFANASIEFF, the Grammy-winning songwriter and producer responsible for co-writing and producing the majority of MARIAH CAREY's '90s hits, including "Anytime You Need a Friend," "My All," "Hero," "One Sweet Day," and of course "All I Want For Christmas Is You." Afanasieff walks us through the creation of the modern Christmas classic and his professional fall-out with Mariah. We also discuss how the music and songwriting industry has changed since the '90s, producing CELINE DION's "My Heart Will Go On" from TITANIC, writing with BEYONCÉ, BARBRA STREISAND and the story of how a record company sabotaged the career of a singer destined to win American Idol. IG: @jessxnyc & @hottakesdeepdives

Jess is joined by The Real World Seattle's IRENE MCGEE, infamous for the season which she battled Lyme disease and was slapped in the face by cast member Stephen Williams. Irene discusses cast member David Burns' relationship with the show's casting director Kira and everything surrounding Stephen chucking her childhood teddy bear in the cold Seattle water, calling him a "homosexual" and Stephen slapping her across the face. Plus, Irene's reaction to Stephen's eventual coming out and arrest, the idea of RW Seattle "Homecoming," Irene's present life as a mom and Real Housewife of New York City, her comedy career and a lot more! IG: @jessxnyc | @hottakesdeepdives * uncommongoods.com/hottakes *

Jess is joined by Flipping Out interior designer Megan Weaver! Megan chats about her fateful meet-cute with Jeff Lewis in a restaurant bathroom which led to filming 7 seasons of Bravo's Flipping Out and her current gig as co-host on RadioAndy SiriusXM's Jeff Lewis Live. We discuss her experience on Teddi Mellencamp's "All In" weight loss program, working on Lala Kent & Randall Emmett's house and Jeff's falling out with Jenni Poulos. Megan also discusses her former career as a production assistant for Steven Spielberg, working on '90s classics Twister & Forces of Nature and gives her interior design style advice. IG: @jessxnyc | @hottakesdeepdives * uncommongoods.com code hottakes *

Wow Bethenny, Wow. Jess is joined by Ryan Bailey, (So Bad It's Good), for an epic deep dive on Bethenny Ever After (avail on Peacock). We review episodes including Bethenny's 40th Birthday Breakdown, Lost at Sea with Dr. Amador and the series finale. Plus, observations of her #2 Julie, food blogger Nick & try to psychoanalyze what exactly was going on with Jason Hoppy behind the scenes. [39:00] THEN, Jess welcomes Dr. Amador, Bethenny Frankel's therapist on her spinoffs + RHONY season 7. We go deep on the infamous "Lost at Sea" episode in which Dr. Amador took Bethenny & Jason on a sailing trip to Nantucket in which he lost GPS signal and they were stranded at sea for 30 hours. Dr. Amador shares his observations of Jason Hoppy and why he was not surprised at his behavior during the divorce. We also chat about the authenticity of "reality TV therapy" and Dr. Amador sheds light on Bethenny's addiction (or habit) to being seen. IG: @jessxnyc | @sobaditsgoodwithryanbailey

Jess is joined by the filmmakers behind The Lesbian Bar Project (Erica Rose & Elina Street), a new TV docu-series inspired by the decline in women's queer spaces in the US (from 200 in the 1980s to under 25 today). The Lesbian Bar Project has evolved from a short film into a full-fledged TV series exec. produced by Lea DeLaria -- now airing on the Roku channel! -- showcasing the stories of queer bar owners and the spaces they have created. We go deep on how "gay bars" aren't just "bars" - but performance spaces and restaurants, discuss iconic NYC establishments (Cubbyhole, Henrietta Hudson & Stonewall), as well as gay bar culture of the '70s & '80s. We then move on to fave celesbian sightings around town, including some L Word gossip, Sarah Paulson, Cherry Jones and...Ricki Lake? Find The Lesbian Bar Project series on the Roku Channel! IG: @jessxnyc | @lesbianbarproject

Jess is joined by 5x Emmy-nominee SUDI GREEN for her work on SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE! Sudi joined the writing staff of SNL at age 24, after becoming best friends with fellow NYU & UCB alumni Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers. Sudi discusses getting the SNL call, the highs and lows, her biggest f-up's on the job and the cultural shift of openly gay cast members. We also discuss NYU culture, writing the second season of I LOVE THAT FOR YOU, how 30 min comedies are actually dramas & a lot more! IG: @jessxnyc | @hottakesdeepdives * uncommongoods.com/hottakes *

Jess is joined by legendary drag performer Peaches Christ to analyze the legacy of the cult classic SHOWGIRLS and to answer the questions of why and how did this "masterpiece of sh*t" get made. Peaches Christ has been producing full-blown Showgirls drag theatrical extravaganzas in San Francisco for 20 years. Peaches also sheds insider light on Elizabeth Berkley's Showgirls journey herself and also discusses camp classics DEATH BECOMES HER & HOCUS POCUS. IG @jessxnyc | @peacheschrist * uncommongoods.com/hottakes *

Jess is joined by stand-up comedian Fortune Feimster! We chat about her time on CHELSEA LATELY, spending Thanksgiving with Jennifer Aniston at Chelsea Handler's house, auditioning for SNL 2x, Jeff Lewis pressuring Fortune to sell her house and meeting her wife at Chicago Pride. Plus, Tina Fey producing a show about her life, the nonsensical innerworkings of showbiz and naturally, THE L WORD. At the top of the episode, Jess addresses the manifestation of Jenna Lyons' RHONY casting. IG: @jessxnyc | @fortunefeimster

Jess is joined by Bruce Bozzi to answer the age-old question of who is Bruce Bozzi, and how does he fit into the Bravo zeitgeist? We chat about why he and best friend Andy Cohen never dated, his friendships with Madonna and Bethenny Frankel, Madonna's instagram and his wish to become the first gay Househusband / Housewife of Beverly Hills. We also discuss being the step-father to actress Billie Lourd, daughter of Carrie Fisher and his husband, Bryan Lourd - managing director & co-chairman of CAA and lot more! IG: @jessxnyc | @brucebozzi

Jess is joined by writer/comedian Carolyn Bergier for an honest review and conversation around both Billy Eichner's "Bros" and Joel Kim Booster's "Fire Island." We review the movies, dissect the Twitter discourse, analyze the marketing and theorize why "Bros" failed at the box office. Jess attended an event with Billy Eichner and Harvey Fierstein the night before recording (Billy's first interview since his ~bad week~ on Twitter) and recaps that evening. We also discuss the true target audience for "Bros," Carolyn's MoviePass trauma, the difference between gay men & women in supporting queer content and more! IG @jessxnyc | @dykingout | @tgicarolyn

Jess is joined by Rich Juzwiak, senior writer at Jezebel, Slate advice columnist and co-host of Pot Psychology. Rich takes us inside the culture at GAWKER, the epicenter for Manhattan media news and gossip where he was a senior writer from 2012-2016. Gawker began as small blog founded in 2002, which grew into a full-fledged media company, before going bankrupt due to a $140 million legal judgement. We go deep on: Gawker Stalker, outings, dealing with nightmare publicists, Gawker's landmark articles, Peter Theil funding the Hulk Hogan case and the site's shutdown. We also cover two of Juzwiak's fave topics: The Drew Barrymore Show and Mariah Carey. IG: @jessxnyc | @hottakesdeepdives

Jess is joined by queer indie cinema queen, Guinevere Turner! Guinevere Turner wrote and starred in the breakout '90s film GO FISH which launched her career at the Sundance Film Festival. While at Sundance, she met CLERKS filmmaker Kevin Smith who based his film CHASING AMY on his friendship with Guinevere. She later went on to write the iconic Christian Bale film AMERICAN PSYCHO and launch THE L WORD where she wrote on several seasons, titled the show, created The Chart and played Alice's ex Gabby Deveaux. Did we mention that she was also caught on surveillance camera in HBO's TAXICAB CONFESSIONS, dated Portia de Rossi, Tracy Chapman and Kd Lang? Get into this! IG: @jessxnyc | @hottakesdeepdives * prose.com/hottakes *

Jess is joined by Tony Trius & Stefan Mreczko, hosts of MLVC: The Madonna Podcast, to chat about their favorite unreleased Madonna tracks across her different eras (80s, 90s, 00s). We also touch down on the gayness of the A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN TV series, status of the Madonna biopic, Tony's recent move to San Francisco, Stefan's work as our AND JUST LIKE THAT background actor correspondent and a lot more! IG: @jessxnyc | @mlvcpodcast

Jess is joined by the powerhouse Mother of Black Hollywood, the one and only Jenifer Lewis! Jenifer discusses living with DRAG RACE's Shangela (aka DJ Pierce) for 10 years, working with Bette Midler as a Harlette at the height of Bette's career, Whitney Houston and putting a con artist behind bars. Plus, appearing as the first Black person on FRIENDS, working with Molly Shannon and Matt Rogers on I LOVE THAT FOR YOU and a lot more! IG: @jessxnyc | @hottakesdeepdives

Jess is joined by comedian, actor and Broadway star MARIO CANTONE! We go deep on his friendships with Michael Patrick King & Sarah Jessica Parker, critic & fan reaction to AND JUST LIKE THAT, not reading the script for SEX AND THE CITY 3, Willie Garson's death and the original plans for Stanford & Anthony's storyline. Plus, his impressions of Liza Minnelli & Julia Child, turning down THE LION KING on Broadway, his time at THE VIEW, Andy Cohen asking him to do a "LIFE ON THE D LIST" type reality show & more! IG: @jessxnyc | @hottakesdeepdives

Jess is joined by your fave Queer as Folk & L Word Historians, Damian Bellino & Anne Rodeman (You Might Know Her From), for a truly unhinged episode centered on the new Queer as Folk (Peacock). We review the QAF reimagining and discuss Kim Cattrall living out Miranda's storyline on And Just Like That, singing "Maybe This Time" from Cabaret and QAF filming at The Real World New Orleans' Belfort Mansion. Plus, Damian's take on Brian Kinney as a toxic villain, Melanie & Lindsay, The L Word Gen Q's acting, Jess's obsession with Jesse James Keitel (Ruthie) & more! IG: @jessxnyc | @damianbellino | @rodemanne

Jess is joined by Andy Bellatti (Astrology with Andy) to explore the unparalleled career and influence of pop songwriter-producer Max Martin. While pop stars come and go, Max Martin is the constant in the modern music era. We go through his many reinventions and flexibility with genre from the Britney, Backstreet Boys, NSync early days to his popified version of punk rock music with Pink, Kelly Clarkson & Katy Perry to his EDM era with Kesha, Usher, Demi Lovato & Britney (again) to his work with established musicians like Taylor Swift & The Weeknd. IG: @jessxnyc | @astrologywithandy

Jess is joined by empath & intuitive Jamie Stein for a review of Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip season 2. We go inside Dorinda Medley's house of horrors to explore the pathology behind Vicki Gunvalson, Tamra Judge, Brandi Glanville, Taylor Armstrong, Phaedra Parks, Eva Marcelle, Jill Zarin and of course the mistress of torture, Dorinda. Plus, Tamra's return to RHOC, Marco the Butler is an actor, why Dorinda & Jill dislike each other, Brandi charming us, Vicki motivating Jess to watch OC and RHUGT3 in Thailand. IG: @jessxnyc | @jamiestein

Jess is joined by ROXANE GAY, best selling author (Bad Feminist & Hunger) and cultural commentator for a wild culture catchup. We discuss Roxane's desire to write for THE L WORD GEN Q, how she would have handled the Miranda/Che Diaz storyline on AND JUST LIKE THAT and her work as a writer/producer on the new QUEER AS FOLK. Plus, how Roxane's wife chased (and won) her over, Shonda Rhimes vs. Aaron Sorkin's TV writing Masterclass, the Dorinda Medley "She's Startin'" meme on QAF, Wanda Sykes on Fire Island and more! IG: @jessxnyc | @hottakesdeepdives * prose.com/hottakes * * apostrophe.com/hottakes *

Jess is joined by Edward Russell, host of "Inside the Groove," to dissect the stories behind a plethora of Madonna songs via the use of multi-tracks, demos, isolated vocals and interviews. We reveal the stories behind "Erotica," "Deeper & Deeper," "Vogue," "Music," "Don't Tell Me," "Hung Up" and "Live to Tell." Plus, discussion around unreleased songs, the Erotica album artwork, "Rain," "American Life," and the polarizing "Bitch I'm Madonna." IG: @jessxnyc | @hottakesdeepdives * feals.com/deepdives * Filter Off app on iTunes or Google Play

Jess is joined by Damian Bellino & Anne Rodeman (You Might Know Her From), to discourse on the films that defined our young gay cultural experience. Movies discussed include: The Broken Hearts Club, Gia, Fame, American Psycho, Set It Off, The Talented Mr. Ripley, But I'm A Cheerleader, Carol, Fried Green Tomatoes and a LOT more. Plus a major deep dive into Chasing Amy and Kissing Jessica Stein. Finally, we play rounds of Star or Actress with Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Beals, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, etc. IG: @jessxnyc, @damianbellino, @rodemanne * Find Filter Off in the App Store or Google Play *

Jess is joined by legendary Village Voice gossip columnist Michael Musto! Musto discusses the origin of outing, psychology of blind items, how an unknown Madonna prevented him from sound-checking with his band in 1982, Gaga's Oscar campaign for House of Gucci and the trouble he got into after Andy Warhol's funeral. He also dishes on Malcolm Forbes, camp John Waters, Fran Lebowitz, getting banned from Twitter and the annoying parts of being a conduit to people becoming fabulous. IG: @jessxnyc | @hottakesdeepdives * getfilteroff.com * code dives5

Jess is joined by Fire Island scene stealer and leading man of Las Culturistas, Long Island's own Matt Rogers! Jess and Matt discuss growing up on LI, the death-trap amusement park Action Park and Cherry Grove vs The Pines. Matt gives behind the scenes tea on Fire Island, ie: improv'd scenes, filming on/off island and alternate titles for the film. Plus, Joel Kim Booster advising Las Culturistas to lay off the Housewives talk, Matt auditioning for (and nearly getting) SNL, attending a Countess Luann show with Molly Shannon and Jess delivers her very own "I Don't Think So, Honey!" IG: @jessxnyc | @mattrogerstho * getfilteroff.com * code dives5

Jess is joined by Ryan Bailey (So Bad It's Good) and Jamie Stein (empath/intuitive AND former Assoc. Editor on four seasons of The Real World), for the final act of our NoLa Homecoming trilogy! Jess, Ryan & Jamie come together to analyze the production & editing and discuss picks for next Homecoming city. We take a psycho-spiritual look at Julie's pathology, Julie+Jamie, Julie's husband (!), Matt's suppressed anger, and the cast's clear distrust of production. Listen: Inside Real World's Edit Bay w/ Assoc. Editor Jamie Stein IG: @jessxnyc | @jamiestein | @sobaditsgoodwithryanbailey

Jess is joined by the flashy girl from Flushing... FRAN DRESCHER! Fran chats about her best friendship with Rosie O'Donnell, Rosie using The Nanny's opening credit animation for her talk show, The Nanny's campy gay sensibility, working with Trump on his guest role and why Barbra Streisand never appeared. Plus, Fran's relationship with her gay ex-husband Peter Marc Jacobson and a lot more! IG: @jessxnyc | @hottakesdeepdives * dipseastories.com * code deepdives

Jess is joined by Danny Roberts (Real World: New Orleans instant MTV icon) for his second appearance! This time Danny spills all the behind the scenes Homecoming tea, including: the orchestration of Paul's return, the fact that Julie's agent was her mother, Julie's narcissism, Danny on Matt's Catholic dogma and the production behind what really happened at the gay bar that night. [45:00] We then revisit Danny's first appearance where he discusses the audition & filming process, the Paul relationship, Don't Ask Don't Tell and the whole cast assuming devout Catholic Matt was the gay one. Danny also discusses the Stephen/Irene "slap" from RW Seattle and his shady personal experience with Stephen on The Challenge. Finally, Danny opens up about discovering he was HIV positive and adopting his daughter. IG: @jessxnyc | @hottakesdeepdives

Jess is a joined by a career fitness professional to go inside the culture of his former cycling studio employer, while Jess shares her personal experience with SoulCycle. We go deep on: lack of certifications required to teach spin, the "training programs" at different studios, instructors abusing drugs, sexual accusations from riders and the "God Complex" cult of personality these studios cultivate. Plus, stories from Equinox/Soul corporate re: the Stephen Ross bombshell, the Peloton fall-out and more! IG: @jessxnyc | @hottakesdeepdives * prose.com/hottakes *

Jess is joined by the OG of RHONY, Jill Zarin (and daughter Ally!), for a Mother's Day Special in which Jill doles out advice, Secrets of a Jewish Mother-style. First we get into Jill's reaction to the RHONY split and upcoming Housewives Berkshires Girls Trip. Then, Jill & Ally answer questions related to dating, relationships and friendships including: the Instagram follow in dating, deleting and rewriting your profile on the apps, how Jill would feel if Ally fell in love with a non-Jewish guy, starting a business with a romantic partner, love-bombing and societal pressure to be in a relationship when you prefer being single. Plus, Jill discusses using a sperm donor to conceive Ally due to infertility with her first husband… and a lot more! IG: @jessxnyc | @hottakesdeepdives * jillandally.com * code HOTTAKES15 * dipseastories.com * code DEEPDIVES

Jess is joined by Gary Janetti, best known for writing/producing Will & Grace, Family Guy and being married to Brad Goreski! Gary discusses meeting a 23 year-old Brad Goreski while on vacation in Mykonos and turning it into a 20+ year relationship, writing Will & Grace, working on Britney & Madonna's guest appearances and the sexual ambiguity of Family Guy's Stewie. Plus, TripAdvisor reviews, Gary's travel tips, gay restaurants, anticipating RHOBH + a lot more! IG: @jessxnyc | @garyjanetti

Jess is joined by Real World: New Orleans' breakout fave, Melissa Beck! Melissa chats about her journey through the MTV machine from auditioning, filming for five months (OG show), paid just $5,000 total. Post-MTV, Melissa discusses trying to make it in comedy and getting cast on Girls Behaving Badly alongside an unknown Chelsea Handler. Plus, the impact of "Come On Be My Baby Tonight," how Mariah Carey informed Melissa's biracial identity (Black & Filipino), converting to Judaism and nearly NOT going back for RW Homecoming, now airing on Paramount Plus! IG: @jessxnyc | @melissabeckrwno

Jess is joined by Zack Peter for a deep dive into the waters of Bethenny's one season talk show. We review her episodes with Kim Richards, Ramona stealing the dress, Luann, Tracy Anderson, Andy Cohen as well as bizarre yet fascinating segments with audience members. We also discuss B's manic podcast, the time Jess called into Bethenny's SiriusXM show, Jason & Bryn Hoppy and do a tight 5 on good eyebrows. Zack also recaps his "Spilling Tea Live" shows in LA and Nashville feat. Tom Sandoval, Tom Schwartz, Scheana, Brock and Emily D. Baker. IG: @jessxnyc, @justplainzack, @nofilterwithzack * spillingtealive.com * * dipseastories.com/deepdives *

Jess is joined by JUDY GOLD, Emmy-winning writer/producer for The Rosie O'Donnell Show and NYC stand-up fixture over the last two decades. Judy chats about Joan Rivers, Janeane Garofalo and Rosie's talk show vs. Ellen. Plus, Madonna using Judy's son as a stand-in for baby Lourdes Leon, meeting her partner via a Time Out New York dating ad, reality stars (Countess Luann, Stormy Daniels) doing cabaret/stand-up and a lot more! IG: @jessxnyc | @hottakesdeepdives | @jewdygold

Jess is joined by RHONY's Leah McSweeney (aka LeahMob)!! Leah chats about everything including growing up in Chelsea club-kid culture, sex with girls in high school, her love (and concern) for Britney, Madonna & Courtney Love at the VMAs, experiences in rehab, psych wards and dating a married couple. We also discuss Bethenny quitting RHONY right before Leah started, friendship with Kelly Cutrone and her reaction to cast-mates' comments in Not All Diamonds and Rosé. IG @jessxnyc, @hottakesdeepdives, @leahmob

Wow, RHONY, Wow. Jess is joined by writer/comedians (and co-hosts of the pod Dyking Out), Melody Kamali & Carolyn Bergier, to react to the breaking news of RHONY being split into two shows. We discuss why the new RHONY should be built around style icon Jenna Lyons, plus the Carole Radziwill / Samantha Ronson connection. We also discuss Carolyn & Melody's foiled attempt to get Sara Ramirez to appear as Che Diaz at their Stonewall stand-up show, news of And Just Like That's season two renewal, and comparisons to The L Word Gen Q. IG: @jessxnyc, @tgicarolyn, @melodykamali

Jess is joined by queer comedy icon MARGARET CHO! We chat about Margaret's incredibly prolific career, including her stand-up specials and iconic TV appearances (30 Rock, Sex and the City). Margaret goes deep about her experience starring in a sitcom based on her life where the network (ABC) fed her diet pills and zero-fat cookies in an effort to compete against the casts of Friends and My So-Called Life. We also discuss growing up in the San Francisco gay bookstore owned by her parents, becoming Ellen's opening act in the '90s, why she is still afraid of Ellen, Joan Rivers' advice, loving gay summer on Fire Island / Provincetown and more! IG: @jessxnyc, @hottakesdeepdives, @margaret_cho

Jess is joined by SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE character queen CHERI OTERI! Cheri recounts being discovered at The Groundlings, alongside Lisa Kudrow, Kathy Griffin and fellow SNL hopefuls Will Ferrell, Chris Kattan and (gasp) Jennifer Coolidge. Highlights include — origins of her Barbara Walters impression and the cutthroat pressure between cast & writers for airtime. Plus — Jim Carrey's iconic episode, working w/ Betty White (Hot in Cleveland) & Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm). IG: @jessxnyc | @hottakesdeepdives * prose.com/hottakes *

Jess is joined by the king of all culture vultures, EVAN ROSS KATZ, on the heels of his first book dedicated to the cultural impact of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER. We dive into why KIM CATTRALL blocked (and later unblocked) Evan on Twitter, SJP inviting him to the premiere of AND JUST LIKE THAT... and recently admitting she hasn't watched an episode since. Evan gives his hot take RHONY casting couch, parallels between RENT and BUFFY, Buffy's queer subtext, our mutual love for SURVIVOR's Jerri Manthey, and why JENNIFER COOLIDGE requested a "do-over" interview on Evan's podcast, Shut Up Evan. IG: @jessxnyc, @hottakesdeepdives, @evanrosskatz * provenskincare.com code hottakes *

ISAAC MIZRAHI returns for his second appearance! Jess and Isaac discuss why he never attempted drag, his friendship w/ RUPAUL and the idea of him being a permanent judge on DRAG RACE. Isaac also confirms the truth behind the legendary MADONNA - SANDRA BERNHARD - INGRID CASARES break-up, gives his AND JUST LIKE THAT review and discusses the repercussions of his seminal documentary, UNZIPPED. Isaac also discusses his version of "Borderline" and pivoting his career from fashion to a live cabaret act — at Cafe Carlyle this month. IG: @jessxnyc, @hottakesdeepdives, @imisaacmizrahi