For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Hannah analyze the ending of My Best Friend's Wedding. They interrogate the constraints of monogamy and introduce a new segment to the show where they ask 'does this movie hate women?' Hot and Bothered is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram --- If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon ! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis of My Best Friend's ...
Oct 28, 2025•27 min•Season 5Ep. 74
It's time for our next mini-series of Hot and Bothered , all about The Wedding Industrial Complex. Vanessa Zoltan and Hannah McGregor meet-up on a Chicago River tour to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about My Best Friend's Wedding. This week we return to our on-going conversation about post-feminism – can a woman in the 90s truly have it all? We finish the episode by calling Zoe Hendon to talk to us about royal wedding dresses. --- Hot and Bothered is a Not Sorry Production ...
Oct 21, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 5Ep. 73
Co-founder of Not Sorry, Ariana Nedelman, has a new podcast project out today! When We All Get to Heaven is a 10-episode series that tells the story of one of the first gay-positive churches, the Metropolitan Community Church of San Francisco, and how it faced the personal, social, and political trials of the AIDS epidemic, including the deaths of hundreds of its members. The series is releasing over on Slate's Outward podcast and the second episode is already out. Subscribe to Outward to hear t...
Oct 15, 2025•27 min
Before we dive into our Wedding Industrial Complex mini-series, we're spending some time with the woman who popularized the marriage plot – Jane Austen. In honor of Austen's 250th birthday, we're dropping a joint episode with our friends at Pod and Prejudice all about Becoming Jane . Vanessa, Molly, and Becca blend formats to bring you the ultimate movie deep-dive. What does this movie believe about love? What was the best line? Why did they insist on getting the facts of Austen's life SO WRONG?...
Oct 14, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Season 5Ep. 72
For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Hannah analyze the ending of Brokeback Mountain. They continue to explore the forces of poverty and underlying violence in the film. Hot and Bothered is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram --- If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon ! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis of Brokeback Mountain with Vanessa and Hannah. Hosted on Acast. See acas...
Sep 30, 2025•26 min•Season 5Ep. 71
Vanessa Zoltan and Hannah McGregor meet-up in moody mountains to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about Brokeback Mountain. This week we discuss the underlying threat of violence in this movie, the western genre, and the impact of casting heterosexual stars as gay men. We finish the episode by calling Guy Foster to talk about gay romance written by women. If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon ! We're currently running a campaign to try to reach 100 new ...
Sep 24, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Season 5Ep. 70
For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Hannah analyze the ending of Love Simon. They discuss the concept of 'tolerance', Simon's bravery, and realistic depictions of teenage coffee orders. Hot and Bothered is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram --- If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon ! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis of Love Simon with Vanessa and Hannah. Hosted on Acast....
Sep 16, 2025•27 min•Season 5Ep. 69
Vanessa Zoltan and Hannah McGregor meet-up on a school confession board to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about Love Simon. This week we discuss homonormativity, the narrative chokehold of 'coming-out', and the bizarre 'cool' parents in this movie. We finish the episode by calling Joseph Reagle to talk about anonymity online. If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon ! We're currently running a campaign to try to reach 100 new paid patrons by the end of S...
Sep 09, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Season 5Ep. 68
To celebrate our September Patreon campaign and encourage you to join, we're unlocking a bonus scene study for Twilight . If you become a patron at the $5/month level or higher, you'll receive new scene studies like this every other week. Our goal is to gain 100 new patrons in September! Sign up now at patreon.com/hotandbotheredrompod . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 06, 2025•1 min
For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Daniel Schroeder analyze the ending of Bros. They discuss Aaron's chocolatier ambitions, musical numbers, and rom-com endings in general. Hot and Bothered is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram --- If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon ! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis of Bros with Vanessa and Daniel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priv...
Sep 02, 2025•26 min•Season 5Ep. 67
Vanessa Zoltan and Daniel Schroeder meet at New York's LGBTQ+ Museum to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about Bros. This week we discuss the political messaging of the movie, it's promotion and marketing strategy, and whether a rom-com can truly be queered. We finish the episode by calling Joseph Gamble to talk to us about reading historical figures as queer. --- Hot and Bothered is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram If we give you butterfl...
Aug 26, 2025•48 min•Season 5Ep. 66
For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa, Hannah, and Marcelle Kosman analyze the ending of Kissing Jessica Stein. They discuss curly hair, how friendship and romance intersect, and Jessica's unresolved sexuality. We finish the episode by calling Kirsten Fermaglich, author of A Rosenberg by Any Other Name: A History of Jewish Name Changing in America , to talk to us about Jewish last names. Hot and Bothered is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram --- If we...
Aug 19, 2025•49 min•Season 5Ep. 65
Vanessa Zoltan and Hannah McGregor are joined by Marcelle Kosman in a literary New York apartment to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about Kissing Jessica Stein. This week we discuss sex drives, compulsive heterosexuality, and what compromises you can make in partnership. --- Hot and Bothered is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon ! On Patreon we have more great romance content in...
Aug 12, 2025•53 min•Season 5Ep. 64
For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Hannah analyze the ending of But I'm a Cheerleader. They discuss Graham's courage and Megan's passion for cheerleading. Hot and Bothered is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram --- If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon ! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis of But I'm a Cheerleader with Vanessa and Hannah Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priva...
Aug 05, 2025•20 min•Season 5Ep. 63
Vanessa Zoltan and Hannah McGregor meet-up at True Directions to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about But I'm a Cheerleader. This week we discuss heteronormativity and the film's mise-en-scène, and revisit the idea of 'camp'. We finish the episode by calling Lynne Gerber to talk to us about the ex-gay organization, Exodus International. --- Hot and Bothered is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram If we give you butterflies, consider supporti...
Jul 29, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Season 5Ep. 62
While we're between mini-seasons, we wanted to bring you this special conversation with Kathy Tu. Kathy is the co-creator of the queer podcast Nancy and the Executive Producer of 99% Invisible . She's also obsessed with reading WLW romance novels. We brought her on to reflect on queer romance, spread the gospel, and give us some recommendations. Books mentioned: Count Your Lucky Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur the Fiancée Farce by Alexandria Bellefleur The Seal Cove series by Anna Berke When You ...
Jul 22, 2025•27 min•Season 5Ep. 61
For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Avery Trufelman analyze the ending of The Devil Wears Prada. They discuss the film's relationship to the time-space continuum and whether Andy should get back together with Nate. Hot and Bothered is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram --- If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon ! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis of Sex and the City with V...
Jul 08, 2025•23 min•Season 5Ep. 60
Vanessa Zoltan and special guest Avery Trufelman meet at Paris Fashion Week to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about The Devil Wears Prada. This week we defend Miranda Priestly, learn about the truths and fictions of the fashion industry, and analyze Andy's makeover. We finish the episode by talking to Deborah Jermyn about Meryl Streep and aging women in Hollywood. --- Hot and Bothered is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram If we give you bu...
Jul 01, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Season 5Ep. 59
We started our mini-season on 2008 with a question: why were chick-flicks so popular that year? To close out our season, we’re calling up one of our favorite cultural critics, Stephen Metcalf, to get some answers. Stephen Metcalf is the host of What Rough Beast and Slate’s Culture Gabfest . He talks to us today about the economic and idealogical forces at play in 2008. Hot and Bothered is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram --- If we give you butterflies, consi...
Jun 24, 2025•40 min•Season 5Ep. 58
For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Helen Zaltzman analyze the ending of Sex and the City! They continue to feel depressed by the film and discuss the 'compromise' of the final wedding scene. Hot and Bothered is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram --- If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon ! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis of Sex and the City with Vanessa and Helen Hosted...
Jun 17, 2025•27 min•Season 5Ep. 57
Vanessa Zoltan and special guest Helen Zaltzman meet at a resort in Mexico to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about the Sex and the City movie . This week we discuss the politics of Carrie's wedding dress, the flatness of Louise's character, and the use of bird feathers in historical fashion. We finish the episode by talking to Janet McCabe about the phenomenon and legacy of the Sex and the City TV show. --- Hot and Bothered is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | ...
Jun 10, 2025•59 min•Season 5Ep. 56
For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Hannah analyze the ending of Mamma Mia! They discuss Rosie crawling after Bill, Harry coming out as gay, and Sophie's shifting relationship to the concept of fatherhood. Hot and Bothered is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram --- If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon ! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis of Mamma Mia! with Vanessa and Hann...
Jun 03, 2025•23 min•Season 5Ep. 55
Vanessa Zoltan and Hannah McGregor meet-up on a fictional greek island to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about Mamma Mia! This week we discuss melodrama, the female gaze, and Susan Sontag's Notes on "Camp." We finish the episode by calling Carl Magnus Palm to talk to us about ABBA. --- Hot and Bothered is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon ! On Patreon we have more great romance...
May 27, 2025•55 min•Season 5Ep. 54
For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Hannah analyze the ending of Forgetting Sarah Marshall . They discuss Peter's puppet musical, Rachel's academic future, and Sarah's future as a pet psychic. Hot and Bothered is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram --- If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon ! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis of Forgetting Sarah Marshall with Vanessa and Ha...
May 20, 2025•23 min•Season 5Ep. 53
Vanessa Zoltan and Hannah McGregor meet-up at a Hawaiian resort to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about Forgetting Sarah Marshall. This week we discuss cool girls, beta males, and Girl's Gone Wild. We finish the episode by calling Dr. Jeffrey Geiger to talk to us about the US imagination of Hawaii in cinema. --- Hot and Bothered is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon ! On Patreon...
May 13, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Season 5Ep. 52
For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Sophie Gilbert analyze the ending of 27 Dresses . They discuss Jane's wedding dress, her skill as a bridesmaid, and her chemistry with Kevin. Hot and Bothered is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram --- If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon ! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis of 27 Dresses with Vanessa and Ariana Hosted on Acast. See acas...
May 06, 2025•26 min•Season 5Ep. 51
Vanessa Zoltan and special guest Sophie Gilbert meet at a dive bar in upstate New York to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about 27 Dresses. This week we discuss Katherine Heigl's career, the wedding industrial complex, and the way this movie treats race and queerness. We finish the episode by talking to Sophie about her new book Girl on Girl: How Pop Culture Turned a Generation of Women Against Themselves . Out today! --- Hot and Bothered is a Not Sorry Production Find us at ...
Apr 29, 2025•51 min•Season 5Ep. 50
For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Hannah analyze the ending of Twilight . They chat about Bella's ambivalence about prom, Edward's superstrength, and the cultural power of the gazebo. Hot and Bothered is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram --- If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon ! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis of Twilight with Vanessa and Hannah Hosted on Acast. Se...
Apr 22, 2025•26 min•Season 5Ep. 49
Vanessa Zoltan and Hannah McGregor meet-up in Forks, Washington to play vampire baseball and record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about Twilight This week we discuss chivalry, cultural appropriation, and our new theme: movies of 2008. We finish the episode by calling Dr. Joseph Crawford to talk to us about the history of vampires in paranormal romance fiction. --- Hot and Bothered is a Not Sorry Production Find us at our website | Follow us on Instagram If we give you butterflies,...
Apr 15, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Season 5Ep. 48
While we’re in-between season, we wanted to share with you an episode of another Not Sorry podcast, The Real Question . The Real Question is a show that holds space for life’s tough questions. Each episode, a guest brings a personal question they’re grappling with, and Chaplain Mauricio Bruce helps them find an answer. This season, our focus is on future-oriented questions – those that start with ‘Should I…’ In our first episode of the new season, Vanessa asks the question "should I take an art ...
Apr 08, 2025•28 min
