Dennis visits the West Hollywood apartment of Diarra Kilpatrick and Miles Orion Feldsett about their new webseries on ABC.com "American Koko," about a Law & Order-esque team of bad-asses who solve racial problems big and small. They talk about the various roles they played in the production--acting, writing, producing, props--and how the series came to be executive produced Viola Davis and her husband Julius Tennon's production company. Diarra recalls the joy of shooting the "Angry Black Wom...
Jun 29, 2017•1 hr 33 min
Dennis attends an Emmy "For Your Consideration" event for RuPaul's Drag Race at the LA Sporting Club store in West Hollywood where he talks to RuPaul about the role of show during the Trump era, keeping the show fresh, why he loves drag queens and the show's most surprising fans. He also talks to Drag Race contestants Eureka, Aja, Valentina and Morgan McMichaels. Topics include: How Drag Race has changed their lives, the weirdest place they've been recognized, the free stuff they get for being o...
Jun 20, 2017•28 min
Dennis sits down with film and TV writer Chuck Hayward to talk about his breakthrough year as a writer and story editor on the Netflix series "Dear White People," and the screenwriter of two upcoming film comedies "Fat Camp" and "Step Sisters." Chuck explains why "Dear White People" was the best writers room experience he's had to date in his career and recalls collaborating with "Moonlight" Oscar-winner Barry Jenkins who directed an episode Chuck co-wrote. He also talks about making his feature...
Jun 15, 2017•1 hr 52 min
Dennis visits the Los Feliz apartment of actor Alex Wyse to talk about his current role on the soap "The Bold and the Beautiful" as his recent Broadway turn in the Deaf West Production of "Spring Awakening" on Broadway. Alex talks about what it's like to work on a soap opera--the fast pace, the fans, the hunks--and how it's impacted him as an actor. He talks about the "Spring Awakening" journey, learning sign language for the show in just a few weeks, performing on the Tonys, meeting fans at the...
Jun 07, 2017•1 hr 38 min
Dennis sits down with NY-based writer Michael Zam in a mutual friend's West Hollywood apartment to discuss the miniseries "Feud," which was based on a feature film script that Michael wrote with his writing partner Jaffe Cohen. Michael explains how the project went from being a red-hot Black List feature script to being an 8-part miniseries starring Jessica Lange as Joan Crawford and Susan Sarandon as Bette Davis. He also talks about taking meetings while basking in the "Feud" buzz, meeting and ...
May 31, 2017•1 hr 29 min
Dennis welcomes screenwriter Bennett Yellin ("Dumb & Dumber") to his living room to discuss Bennett's many adventures in the screen trade, from meeting his frequent collaborator Peter Farrelly in college, getting their first script into the red hot hands of Eddie Murphy, the process when writing with the Farrelly brothers, bringing the gang back together for "Dumb and Dumber To," getting inspiration from "The Andy Griffith Show" and typing while driving. He also talks about the relationship ...
May 23, 2017•1 hr 26 min
Dennis meets comedian-musician Lahna Turner at the Mulholland Tennis Club for a "cross-podding" session with Lahna's Perfect Ten podcast. Lahna talks about her new video album "Limeade," how it was inspired by her recent divorce, shopping for prop dildos and ruining her wedding dress on camera. Dennis and Lahna discuss traveling to Germany, getting naked, perfect days, pursuing crushes and sex in a church. Other topics include: the crazy story behind Lahna's first comic song, the thrill of flyin...
May 16, 2017•1 hr 6 min
After taking a terrific bike tour in Berlin, Dennis talks the guide Sebastian Becker into joining him for lunch and being interviewed about his wonderful city. Sebastian shares a story from his childhood that involves his family, the GDR and a Monopoly game. He also talks about the Holocaust memorial, the gay mayor that was very popular, the fall of the Berlin wall, what was unique about Obama's 2008 visit and what he loves about Berlin. Other topics include: a bar dedicated to Quintin Tarantino...
May 11, 2017•49 min
In this travel-themed episode, Dennis meets up with his friends Jeb Havens and Steven Lee in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for five days of sun, fun, games, chips, guac and on the final morning, a podcast taping. Just over two years ago, Jeb and Steven decided to quit their jobs and backpack around the world together for 14 months. Mexico was the last stop before returning home to L.A. They talk about how the idea came about, how they planned where to go and when, what they learned about America, them...
May 03, 2017•1 hr 4 min
Dennis visits the Hollywood office of Shawn Chavez, the founder and president of the new wellness and lifestyle brand Recon. He talks about how the company got its name and logo, where he gets the goods and his struggle with Lyme disease and how it ultimately led him to start Recon. Shawn talks about all the different treatments he tried since his diagnosis, his lowest point along the way, what kept him going, what his popular Instagram account has brought into his life and the magic of crystals...
Apr 25, 2017•1 hr 17 min
Dennis meets actor-photographer Brandon Shyptowski at a North Hollywood tea house they both love Tea Pop do discuss Brandon's online photo series "Weather Talk," dedicated to LGBTQ people and their relationships to their fathers. Brandon explains how to project got its title, recalls the long-distance road trip he did with his father that inspired the project and lays out his plans to make it into a short film of the same name. Brandon also discusses the year he spent studying in Tokyo and the f...
Apr 19, 2017•1 hr 10 min
While in Berlin, Germany, Dennis crashes on the couch of his old friend, entertainment journalist Kastern Kastelan who Dennis met in the mid-90's when they would both cover international film junkets. Karsten talks about being born with a catchy byline-ready name, his preference for writing in English over German, what he misses about living in Los Angeles, the traits that are typical of Germans, like being on time, for example, and what it's like to live in a city that has been through so many ...
Apr 11, 2017•58 min
Dennis catches up with musician, author and T shirt designer Tom Judson in the West Hollywood hotel room Tom was staying in during his recent stint in L.A. as musical director for drag legend and "Die Mommy Die" writer Charles Busch. Tom talks about his first meeting with Charles, the thrill of playing together at Lincoln Center, why they click and oddest place they've ever gigged. Tom's other creative endeavors are also discussed, including his book "Laid Bare" and the fabulous T shirt line he ...
Apr 01, 2017•43 min
Dennis visits the Hollywood Hills home of playwright and screenwriter Gary Goldstein to discuss Gary’s new play “April, May and June,” which just opened at Theatre 40 in Beverly Hills. Gary talks about the play’s inspiration, working with actors, the corny knick knacks that feature prominently and the road to getting the play produced. He also discussed the string of movies he's written for the Hallmark Channel starring everyone from Brooke Shields to Joey Lawrence. He also talks about working i...
Mar 21, 2017•1 hr 18 min
For this episode, Dennis ventured to the North Hollywood home studio of singer-songwriter Matt Zarley for a listening party of Matt's new CD "The Estrogen Sessions." The albums named that because the songs were all made famous by female artists like Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Des'ree, Rihanna, Sheryl Crow, Sarah Bareilles, Pink, Oleda Adams, Janet Jackson, Monica and India Arie. As the songs play, Matt talks about why he chose the song, his duet partners Jeb Havens and Billy Porter and Dennis...
Mar 16, 2017•58 min
Dennis visits the hillside Silver Lake home of journalist Greg Hernandez, the man behind the popular blog Greg In Hollywood, which is celebrating its 8th anniversary this month. Greg talks about the downsizing that led to the blog's beginning, his non-snarky tone, the biggest scoop he ever got as a blogger and what goes into choosing his Morning Man hotties. He also discusses his other job writing for the international website Gay Star News, his days working the crime beat at the L.A. Times, his...
Mar 07, 2017•1 hr 31 min
Dennis visits the Sherman Oaks home of actor Jaylen Moore to talk about his role as Fish Bait on the History Channel series "Six." Jaylen talks about the incredible way the role came about, the intense Nave Seal training the cast underwent before shooting and the honor/responsibility of playing the first Afghan-American Muslim US military person series regular on TV. He describes what it means to do "sugar cookies" in Navy Seal lingo, swapping f-words with series star Walton Goggins, learning to...
Feb 28, 2017•1 hr 1 min
Dennis catches up with Man About World editor Ed Salvato in the West Hollywood apartment where Ed is staying while attending the Travel and Adventure Show at the LA Convention Center. Ed talks about his new book he "Handbook for LGBT Tourism & Hospitality" (co-authored with Jeff Guaricino) and shares some time-honored travel tips like take good cigarettes! to give away. Ed also discusses the destinations and companies that are the most LGBT-inclusive, how apps like Grindr and Scruff are impa...
Feb 14, 2017•1 hr 16 min
Dennis visits the Hollywood home of John Griffiths, founder of the Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association (GALECA) to discuss the group's annual Dorian Awards for film and television, which were just announced this month. John talks about what inspired him to create the organization, how past honorees have responded and this year's crop of nominees and winners (Moonlight, Transparent, The Real O'Neals and more). John also talks about his day job as TV critic for Us Weekly magazine and...
Feb 08, 2017•1 hr 34 min
Dennis braves the pouring rain to visit the L.A. home of game designer Myles Nye, out of which Myles runs the team building events company he co-founded called Wise Guys Events. Myles talks about the types of games he creates, how team building events work to build camaraderie among co-workers and his proudest moments as a game creator. He also talks about his love of musicals, sings the praises of aprons as game props and recommends the best room escape adventures in Los Angeles. Other topics i...
Jan 31, 2017•1 hr 11 min
In this super-sized episode, Dennis braves the El Nino-esque rains to visit the L.A. apartment of writer and film enthusiast Michael Dougherty to discuss the Year in Movies 2016 with Dougherty and film reviewer Glenn Gaylord of the Glenn On Film blog. Dennis shares his annual Unsung 10 list of movies that he enjoyed from last year than probably aren't on anyone's Oscar list. Glenn and Michael share their "Moments Out of Time" from 2016, scenes in movies that stayed with them; some from great mov...
Jan 23, 2017•1 hr 52 min
Dennis visits the Hollywood home of Kevin Stea to talk to Stea and Carlton Wilborn about the new documentary they appear in "Strike a Pose," which reunites the male dancers from Madonna's ground-breaking Blonde Ambition Tour from the early 90's. They talk about how the film came about, what it was like to be together again after 25 years, on-the-road romances and whether or not Madonna has seen the film. Carlton talks about being a part of the subsequent Girlie Show tour and keeping his HIV a se...
Jan 11, 2017•1 hr 4 min
Dennis visits comedian, radio host, author and all-round delight Frank DeCaro at his San Fernando Valley apartment to talk about Frank's latest gig, opening for comedian Lisa Lampanelli on the road. He talks about the thrill of getting the offer, the first time he met Lampanelli and the intervention she staged that led to his recent dramatic weight loss. He shares how he's lost nearly 100 pounds, the thrill of fitting into a Versace shirt from the 90's and the emotional roots of his past overeat...
Jan 04, 2017•1 hr 30 min
On a rare rainy day in LA, Dennis visits the L.A. home of Steve Gizicki, Music Supervisor of one of the buzziest movies of the year, "La La Land." They talk about how he got the gig, what his job as music supervisor actually entailed and what it's like to be part of the year-end awards conversation. Steve also shares lots of behind-the-scenes details from the shoot, like where he was positioned during the spectacular opening traffic jam number, the wobbly pole that kept upstaging Ryan Gosling's ...
Dec 26, 2016•1 hr 22 min
Dennis visits his old college theater buddy Garrett Anderson at the Christmas-themed store he co-owns with his partner on 3rd Street in Los Angeles to talk about the hot Christmas decorating trends--upside down Christmas trees!--selling to Dance Moms and the one ornament in the store he's not that crazy about. He also talks about the chocolate they sell direct from his brother-in-law's farm in Ecuador, the mistakes he's made as a new store owner and the most pricey item in the store. Other topic...
Dec 20, 2016•56 min
In this episode, Dennis heads to Westwood for the premier of the new gay thriller Kiss Me, Kill Me to interview cast members Van Hansis (As the World Turns), Jai Rodriguez (Queer Eye), Kit Williamson (Mad Men), Yolanda Ross (The Get Down), Jonathan Lisecki (Gayby), Matthew Ludwinski (Going Down in La-La Land), Allison Lane (See You Next Tuesday on YouTube) and Craig Robert Young (Hawaii 5-0) as well as screenwriter David Michael Barrett and Casper Andreas. In addition to talking about the film, ...
Dec 12, 2016•48 min
Dennis visits the Echo Park home of screenwriter David Michael Barrett to talk with Barrett and director Casper Andreas about the new gay thriller they produced together "Kiss Me Kill Me." The pair talk about the inspiration for the script, the demands of the Kickstarter campaign, shooting at Pink Dot, and landing their cast, which includes Queer as Folk's Gale Herold and As the World Turns' Van Hansis. They also talk about hypnosis, which figures in the movie's plot, poking fun of West Hollywoo...
Dec 06, 2016•1 hr 4 min
Dennis goes to the Hollywood studio/workspace of drag superstar Willam Belli to discuss his hilarious and informative new book "Suck Less: Where There's a Willam, There's a Way." Willam talks about how the book came about, getting Neil Patrick Harris to write the forward and the one thing his publisher asked him NOT to include in the book. He also talks about his experience on RuPaul's Drag Race, his current relationship with RuPaul and his friendships with a lot of the other queens from the sho...
Nov 28, 2016•1 hr 14 min
By popular demand, radio host Derek Hartley from "Derek and Romaine" is back for a special episode that's all Observation Deck all the time...complete with a blooper opening. He talks about what he was picked on for as a kid, ruining a take on "Ed Wood," the scar on his head, his idea of a perfect day, what kind of driver he is, the movie he's seen more than any other, the most bullshit thing a suit has ever said to him, the best time he's ever had in a limo, flirting, working at AOL, how he hat...
Oct 28, 2016•1 hr 25 min
Dennis welcomes writer-producer Chris Lisotta to the condo to talk about Chris's recent trip to the exotic land of...wait for it...Greenland! Chris talks about how the trip came about as well as the food, the landscape, the population, the people, the landscape, the gay life, the lack of trees and more. He also talks about his work as a reality producer and his days as a print journalist and his favorite stories to work on. Other topics include: his best award show story, going to Rio, the birth...
Oct 21, 2016•1 hr 5 min
