ISAAC MIZRAHI returns! Topics include: securing his West Village combination apartment, his friendship w/ RUPAUL, the truth behind the MADONNA - SANDRA BERNHARD - INGRID CASARES love triangle, his seminal documentary UNZIPPED and SEX AND THE CITY + AND JUST LIKE THAT musings. Plus, his cabaret version of “Borderline,” '90s dial-a-date lines, meeting his husband while walking the dog and pivoting his career from fashion to a live performer. IG: @jessxnyc | @imisaacmizrahi...
Aug 05, 2024•51 min
Jess is joined by TV producer and director PAGE HURWITZ (Netflix’s Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution). Topics: exec. producing ROSIE O'DONNELL's Oprah OWN talk show, producing TABATHA TAKES OVER, Trump’s mythical character on THE APPRENTICE & the parallels of the 2016 election to Paddy Chayefsky’s film NETWORK. Plus: discovering Fortune Feimster and Michelle Buteau on Last Comic Standing, NYC vs. San Fran ‘90s comedy scenes, Page’s next documentary about a lesbian cruise with Kate McKinnon, M...
Jul 22, 2024•54 min
Jess is joined by SiriusXM RadioAndy co-host, singer & comedian JOHN ARTHUR HILL. Topics: John’s dental and sobriety journeys, the rehab to SoulCycle pipeline, secret Bravo smokers, Barry’s Bootcamp, the Underwear Party on Fire Island, preferring Provincetown, nearly getting fired as Andy Cohen’s co-host, why Countess Luann is huge at festivals, making $ in touring, John’s fave lesbian music, our Sarah McLachlan live reviews & more! IG: @jessxnyc | @johnarthurhill Check out Jess' docu-se...
Jul 08, 2024•1 hr 3 min
Jess is joined by writer and “All I Want To Do Is Talk About Madonna” co-host Mark Snyder to review the TriBeCa Film Festival premieres of brand new documentaries centered around LIZA MINNELLI, ANI DIFRANCO, LINDA PERRY and a bonus review of the recent INDIGO GIRLS doc. Topics — the live performances from Linda Perry & Ani DiFranco following their films, Sarah McLachlan, Aimee Mann, Melissa Etheridge, Ani’s song “Napoleon,” Righteous Babe, Gina Gershon, “Prey for Rock & Roll,” & more...
Jun 24, 2024•1 hr 23 min
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 campaigns and the trouble he got into after Andy Warhol's funeral. He also dishes on Malcolm Forbes, camp John Waters, Rosie O'Donnell, Fran Lebowitz, getting banned from Twitter and the annoying parts of being a conduit to people becoming fabulous. IG: @jessxnyc Chec...
Jun 17, 2024•44 min
Jess is joined by the one true queen of Summer House — LINDSAY HUBBARD! Topics: a listening tour of the Hamptons, the business of being a PR guru, having sex on camera and the origins of “Hubbhouse." Plus — Lindsay’s Sun / Moon / Rising signs, a quick astrological reading from Andy Bellatti ( @astrologywithandy ), an off-camera crazy dating story, fans ‘shipping’ Lindsay & CARL RADKE and the "psychic” who started the Luke/Linds rumor. original air date: aug 2021 IG: @jessxnyc | @lindshubbs C...
Jun 03, 2024•51 min
Jess is joined by the creator of @felicityrestorationproject to chat about one of the greatest issues of our time - the replacement of music on our beloved nineties TV shows - FELICITY, DAWSON’S CREEK & 90210. We discuss legalities of the music licensing issue, painstakingly digitizing scenes with correct music from VHS tapes and Paula Cole striking a new deal for “I Don’t Wanna Wait.” Plus: the lore of Felicity writer Riley Weston, legacy of the Keri Russell / Felicity haircut, Sarah McLach...
May 28, 2024•47 min
Jess is joined by exes & best friends ELIZABETH ZIFF (The L Word writer; BETTY rocker) and MAGGIE MOORE (chanteuse; real estate broker) to reflect on ‘90s queer girl culture in NYC. Topics: their meet-cute love story, creating the Industria Super Studios girl parties, Café Tabac, Meow Mix, Alan Cumming. Plus — Laurel Holloman / Nicole Ari Parker film ‘Incredibly True Adventures of 2 Girls in Love,’ Maggie on HGTV’s Selling New York, why all roads lead to BETTY and THE L WORD & more! IG: ...
May 20, 2024•58 min
Jess is joined by singer, comedian and “Seek Treatment” co-host — CATHERINE COHEN! Topics: audio only vs. video podcasts, boutique fitness, her West Village apartment, self-financing Netflix specials, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Taylor Swift vs. Sarah McLachlan | Ani Difranco | Fiona Apple, Baby Reindeer, Cafe Cluny, Kate Mara, open relationships, J.Lo at The Duplex & more! IG @jessxnyc | @catccohen Check out Jess' docu-pod series FINDING FIRE ISLAND about the history, mystique and lore o...
Apr 29, 2024•46 min
Jess is joined by TABATHA COFFEY, Australian hairstylist, salon owner and star of TABATHA TAKES OVER & SHEAR GENIUS. Topics: Losing Shear Genius yet scoring her own spin-off, living in New Jersey, Reddit threads, wanting a reboot, Jackie Warner & her reputation of being a “b*tch.” Plus — Tabatha’s upbringing in Australia where she was thrown into the gay & trans scene via nightclubs owned by her parents & more! IG @jessxnyc Check out Jess' docu-pod series FINDING FIRE ISLAND abou...
Apr 22, 2024•45 min
Jess is joined by ROSE TROCHE — co-writer & director of the seminal indie film GO FISH — as well as writer, director & exec. producer of THE L WORD. L WORD topics: directing the Pilot, Dinah Shore & Pride episodes, sex scenes, writing for Bette Porter (Jennifer Beals) and Jenny Schecter (Mia Kirshner) + the truth behind Dana’s (Erin Daniels) death. Plus: Rose’s 30-year friendship with GO FISH & L WORD writer/actress GUINEVERE TURNER, directing SIX FEET UNDER, KRISTEN STEWART’s fi...
Apr 15, 2024•1 hr 1 min
Jess is joined by digital producer, remixer and co-host of Legends Only | It’s Britney, Bitch! — T. KYLE! Topics include T. Kyle’s work on DRAG RACE, his career at WWHL and the difficult environment at THE TONIGHT SHOW. Plus, his Countess Luann “Keep on Serving C*nt” remix, being hand-picked to produce the scrapped WENDY WILLIAMS podcast, Crazy Horse Paris, Fire Island tales, VMAs making artists miserable and more! IG @jessxnyc | @t.kyle Check out Jess' docu-pod series FINDING FIRE ISLAND about ...
Apr 08, 2024•1 hr 18 min
Jess welcomes TWO of the stars of the groundbreaking Showtime series QUEER AS FOLK -- PETER PAIGE (Emmett Honeycutt) & SCOTT LOWELL (Ted Schmidt)! Topics include: the infamous Larry King interview, how QAF changed the way sex & sexuality was depicted on cable, why THE L WORD was able to break into the mainstream zeitgeist in a way QAF was unable to, the BRIAN KINNEY / GALE HAROLD enigma, BILLY PORTER up for the role of Emmett, Peter Paige nearly cast as Jack on WILL & GRACE and more!...
Apr 01, 2024•1 hr 5 min
Jess catches up with the first openly gay contestant on AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL, fellow New Yorker KIM STOLZ. Kim Stolz was one of the most recognizable faces in the NYC gay scene in the mid-‘00s after starring in Cycle 5 of the Tyra Banks series. Kim then became an MTV News host alongside JOHN NORRIS & KURT LODER where she interviewed an unknown TAYLOR SWIFT. Kim Stolz later opened the lesbian bar "The Dalloway" w/ reality star Amanda Leigh Dunn (THE REAL L WORD, HIGH SOCIETY) and shares s...
Mar 21, 2024•46 min
Jess is joined by reality TV producers and co-hosts of “Fixing Famous People” — Chris DeRosa and Dominick Pupa! Together, we analyze the seminal documentary MADONNA: TRUTH OR DARE through the lens of our three generations and reality TV production. Topics: The follow-up film feat. the Blond Ambition dancers STRIKE A POSE, 1998 VH1 special MADONNA RISING, BRITNEY “Me Against the Music” and the return of the Like a Virgin red bed. Plus, Chris & Dominick take on Madonna as a Fixing Famous Peopl...
Mar 04, 2024•1 hr 20 min
Jess is joined by the “Shakespeare of pop culture satire” per the New York Times - RYAN RAFTERY! We discuss his upcoming run at Joe’s Pub in which he does his one-man twisted musical embodiments of MARTHA STEWART, ANNA WINTOUR & KRIS JENNER. We discuss the psychological through-line between all three women (relevancy) as well as his darker material focused on men - ANDY COHEN, CALVIN KLEIN and ANDY WARHOL. Plus, musings on SANDRA BERNHARD, FEUD: TRUMAN CAPOTE / THE SWANS and more! IG: @jessx...
Feb 26, 2024•50 min
Jess is joined by DRAG RACE & TRAITORS star PEPPERMINT! Peppermint discusses fond memories of THE REAL WORLD (which don’t include Vegas or Trishelle), the production behind The Traitors and what she’s planning for The Reunion. Plus, Alan Cumming’s comment that “gays” are loving Phaedra while “queer” ppl are loving Parvati. Peppermint also discusses working the NYC clubs before launching onto Drag Race, Janet Jackson deep cuts & more! IG: @jessxnyc | @peppermint247 Check out Jess' docu-po...
Feb 19, 2024•1 hr 1 min
Jess is joined by drag legend BIANCA DEL RIO! Bianca discuss her early days of drag in New Orleans, New York City, Provincetown and on Fire Island prior to winning season 6 of DRAG RACE. Topics include: Going on tour with Madonna, joining The Traitors, Joan Rivers, Kathy Griffin, Chita Rivera, a “Golden Drag Race” feat. Lady Bunny & Varla Jean Merman and more! IG: @jessxnyc | @thebiancadelrio Check out Jess' docu-pod series FINDING FIRE ISLAND about the history, mystique and lore of Cherry G...
Feb 12, 2024•48 min
Jess is joined by TV & film screenwriter, Stan Zimmerman! Zimmerman chats about his career writing on THE GOLDEN GIRLS, ROSEANNE, GILMORE GIRLS, THE BRADY BUNCH MOVIE (and its Sequel!). Topics: staying closeted while writing The Golden Girls, RuPaul, Estelle Getty, Madonna's voicemails for Sandra Bernhard, Roseanne & Tom Arnold, loving THE L WORD & more! Stan's book: The Girls: From Golden to Gilmore IG: @jessxnyc...
Feb 06, 2024•57 min
Jess is joined by ELIZABETH ZIFF — writer, producer and BETTY musician behind THE L WORD theme song. We discuss: dating L Word creator Ilene Chaiken, writing for Bette Porter (Jennifer Beals) and Jenny Schecter (Mia Kirshner) and specific episodes & storylines she wrote. Plus — early BETTY gigs in the 80s/90s, the nexus of “lesbian chic” at East Village’s Café Tabac, why Beyoncé songs have 10 writers and more! IG: @jessxnyc | @bettyrules Check out Jess' docu-pod series FINDING FIRE ISLAND ab...
Jan 29, 2024•1 hr 5 min
Jess is joined by empath Jamie Stein to critique the cast of THE TRAITORS season two and discuss his career working on four (4) seasons of THE REAL WORLD — VEGAS, PARIS, SAN DIEGO and PHILLY — where he had an unedited look at Trishelle, CT, Karamo etc. Jamie discusses watching endless unedited footage, the San Diego sexual assault scandal and more. Finally, we discuss if Housewives Girls Trip is a collective pass or failed experiment and where the genre goes post-Reality von Tease. IG: @jessxnyc...
Jan 22, 2024•1 hr 13 min
Jess is joined by Jackie Warner (Work Out, Thintervention) in her fourth appearance! We discuss Jackie’s use of Ozempic, pitches her TV comeback, the fall-out of her TMZ splashed DUI ambien arrest, Kyle Richards and Morgan Wade, the New York Times Op-Ed on Taylor Swift, Jeff Lewis in the Flipping Out / Work Out era, Jared Leto’s God complex and more! Text or call 323-301-3522 to train with Jackie over FaceTime and get a free consult! IG: @jessxnyc | @jackiewarner10 Check out Jess' docu-pod serie...
Jan 15, 2024•1 hr 13 min
Jess is joined by writer, actor and director JOHN CAMERON MITCHELL to discuss everything HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH and SHORTBUS. Plus: Julius’ bar, New Orleans, RENT, promoting Hedwig on THE ROSIE O’DONNELL SHOW vs. LETTERMAN and entering his villain era via GIRLS, JOE EXOTIC and SHRILL. IG: @jessxnyc Check out Jess' docu-pod series FINDING FIRE ISLAND about the history, mystique and lore of Cherry Grove & The Pines...
Jan 08, 2024•55 min
This concludes our Madonna trilogy with Jess joined by Mark Snyder & Kenny Finkle (All I Want To Do Is Talk About Madonna) and Tony Trius (MLVC) for a culture debate/roundtable — MADONNA EDITION! Topics include: our unpopular opinions, best live performance, best Truth or Dare moment, Tears of a Clown, how to fix Madonna, is longtime collab Mirwais trying to sabotage her… and more! IG: @jessxnyc | @tonytrius | @markbsnyder2024 | @mynameisfinkle Check out Jess' docu-pod series FINDING FIRE IS...
Dec 26, 2023•1 hr 18 min
Jess is joined by Ben Rimalower to review Madonna's Celebration Tour in Brooklyn, NY. We discuss our thrills, Madonna's "strategy" behind late start times, the set list and provide constructive critique. Later, Ben recalls how Madonna's health scare this summer catapulted him into a revisit of Madonna's entire catalogue and concert history, culminating in his attendance mere hours ago. IG: @jessxnyc | @benrimalower Listen to Ben's podcast Giants in the Sky with the stars & creatives behind I...
Dec 15, 2023•50 min
Jess is joined by “Madonna’s Secret Weapons” (per Rolling Stone) — longtime Madonna back-up singers and dancers, NIKI HARIS & DONNA DE LORY! Niki and Donna performed on four (4) of Madonna’s world tours, including The Who’s That Girl Tour, The Blond Ambition Tour, The Girlie Show and The Drowned World Tour. They also appear on the recordings of “Vogue,” “Like a Prayer” “Deeper and Deeper,” “Nothing Really Matters” and more. We discuss filming TRUTH OR DARE, filming the “Vogue” and “Music” vi...
Dec 11, 2023•1 hr 14 min
Jess is joined by writer, standup and co-host of “Seek Treatment” — PAT REGAN! We discuss: the HACKS writer’s room, DAWSON'S CREEK series finale, FELICITY, why LA should be part of NY, Seek Treatment’s Las Culturistas origin story, bombing at a gay resort, getting sober, fitness goals, SURVIVOR, Parvati Shallow, Madonna TRUTH OR DARE, THE REAL WORLD, SUMMER HOUSE, THE BIG SHOT WITH BETHENNY & more! IG: @jessxnyc | @patreegs Check out Jess' docu-pod series FINDING FIRE ISLAND about the histor...
Dec 04, 2023•48 min
Jess is a joined by a career fitness professional to go inside the culture of their former cycling 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, the Peloton fall-out and more. IG: @jessxnyc Check out Je...
Nov 27, 2023•54 min
Jess is joined by JULIE GOLDMAN & BRANDY HOWARD (Dumb Gay Podcast, The People’s Couch)! We discuss: Brandy & Julie’s origin story, Jeff Lewis stealing guests from Heather McDonald, Howard Stern, Kate McKinnon, butch lesbian erasure, Logo’s Big Gay Sketch Show, Bethenny and Nene, Kyle Richards gay baiting, the impact of Shane from The L Word on Brandy & more! IG: @jessxnyc | @mrjuliegoldman | @thebrandyhoward Check out Jess' docu-pod series FINDING FIRE ISLAND about the history, mysti...
Nov 20, 2023•1 hr 19 min
Jess is joined by downtown performance legend MX. JUSTIN VIVIAN BOND! We discuss their origins of as one half of the subversive musical act Kiki and Herb, 90z gigs at Squeezebox and Cowgirl, officiating Rufus Wainwright’s wedding and performing on Fire Island with Carol Channing. Plus: Marianne Faithfull, Murray Hill, drag kings, the Hudson Valley and more! IG: @jessxnyc | @mxviv Check out Jess' docu-pod series FINDING FIRE ISLAND about the history, mystique and lore of Cherry Grove & The Pi...
Nov 13, 2023•50 min
