From the ballrooms of the '80s to the front lines of Pride, Madonna has stood with the queer community, but why exactly is she such a gay icon? In this special Pride Month episode, we explore Madonna’s decades-long relationship with LGBTQ+ people: the music, the activism, the controversies, and the undeniable influence. We dive into voguing and “Truth or Dare,” AIDS activism and Dance-a-thons, the Stonewall speech, GLAAD awards, lawsuits, and more. We don’t shy away from the messy parts, but we ...
Jun 27, 2025•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 36
Are you a curious kid who wants to know more about Madonna? We thought so! This month, we asked our (heterosexual) pal Kyle Shoemaker to a very special Celebration Celebration challenge: after reading Madonna Biography For Curious Kids: Queen of Pop , we quizzed him using Madonna Quiz Book: 101 Questions To Test Your Knowledge Of Madonna . Did the book prepare him? Does Kyle know his “Material Girl” from his “Madame X?” Give it a listen and find out! It’s a chaotic, hilarious, and possibly educa...
May 30, 2025•1 hr 29 min•Ep. 35
Sure, we love seeing Madonna perform, but what about those INTERSTITIALS! This month we take a closer look at all of the interstitial bits in Madonna’s tours. And we very creatively call it THE INTERSTITIAL EXAMINATION! We’re talking about the videos that play and the numbers her dancers do while the queen is offstage, changing costumes. What are our favorites? Which ones are “meh?” Which ones thrill us and which ones leave us frozen? Give it a listen to find out! And tell everyone you know! Ema...
Mar 28, 2025•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 34
A funny thing happened on the way to the bus station. Too bad none of it made it into the movie! To help us answer all of our questions about Madonna's Second Razzie Award winning performance is a man we all know and love: PETE ZIAS! Follow Pete on Twitter & Instagram: @petezias Email us: TheCelebrationCelebration@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram: @TheCelebrationCelebration Pick up a copy of Eric’s book: The Dancer https://a.co/d/0gAi3be Pick up a copy of John's book: Baked! Sex, Drugs, and ...
Feb 28, 2025•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 33
Who's ready for a book club? This episode we're talking about Christopher Ciccone's memoir/tell-all, LIFE WITH MY SISTER MADONNA! (with help from Wendy Leigh) We're joined by long time Madonna fan and creative multi-hyphenate, BRYAN CARPENDER! Follow Bryan on IG: @mybrytography Nathan Rabin from The A.V. Club panned the book saying that Ciccone implied their mother would be, "horrified at Madonna's debauchery but would feel proud her gay son wrote a book that prominently features him snorting co...
Jan 24, 2025•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 32
We're back! We decided to keep the party going, but in a casual way, boots! This episode we're talking about Madonna's performance at BRIXTON ACADEMY in 2000! The performance was streamed by 9 million people! In 2018 Guinness Book of World Records named it the largest internet pop concert of all time! You can watch her performance here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VnTlKAGU3Y We've got some ideas for future episodes, but we'd really love to hear from you if there's anything you want us to ta...
Dec 27, 2024•32 min•Ep. 31
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE QUEEN!!! Madonna turns 66 today! So we decided to get back on the mic and take an unofficial look back at where it all began. We're talking about the tv movie MADONNA: INNOCENCE LOST and the documentary MADONNA AND THE BREAKFAST CLUB (plus some chat on the unproduced screenplay BLOND AMBITION) Give it a listen and tell everyone you know! Email us: TheCelebrationCelebration@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram: @TheCelebrationCelebration Pick up a copy of Eric’s book: The Dancer...
Aug 16, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 30
It’s been a week and a half since we saw Madonna in The Celebration Tour (feat. Kylie Minogue) This week we reflect on the experience, review the current status of Ma’Deathmatch, and go back to the beginning and talk about Madonna’s first major tv appearance on American Bandstand! Email us: TheCelebrationCelebration@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram: @TheCelebrationCelebration Pick up a copy of Eric’s book: The Dancer https://a.co/d/0gAi3be Pick up a copy of John's book: Baked! Sex, Drugs, and Al...
Mar 29, 2024•57 min•Ep. 29
The day has finally arrived! We see THE CELEBRATION TOUR! Some of us for the very first time! Some of us for the third! This episode captures the day from pre-gaming, to driving to The Kia Forum, to driving back to Eric's airbnb, and doing a lot of kiki-ing along the way! John and Eric aren't alone! The were joined by previous guest MIKE JENSEN! (The Blond Ambition Tour episode) and one of the co-host's of the GOOP YOURSELF podcast, BRYAN RUCKER! (also, John's husband) For the record, Bryan goes...
Mar 15, 2024•2 hr 9 min•Ep. 28
It's Hollywood's biggest night, and it was never bigger than when Madonna performed! This week we're taking a look at Madonna's iconic performances at the Acadamy Awards! And the award for Who Gets to Be Our Cohost for the Episode Goes to... (I'm so nervous) Why, it's actor/comedian JEFF HILLER! Follow Jeff on Instagram: @boomboomhiller Email us: TheCelebrationCelebration@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram: @TheCelebrationCelebration Pick up a copy of Eric’s book: The Dancer https://a.co/d/0gAi3be...
Mar 01, 2024•1 hr 35 min•Ep. 27
It’s award season and so we’re rolling out the red carpet for THIRTEEN of Madonna’s various award show performances! We’re talking about the American Music Awards, the BRIT Awards, EMAs, iHeartRadio, Billboard, Eurovision, and the Met Gala because why not?!? Email us: TheCelebrationCelebration@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram: @TheCelebrationCelebration Pick up a copy of Eric’s book: The Dancer https://a.co/d/0gAi3be Pick up a copy of John's book: Baked! Sex, Drugs, and Alternative Comedy: https...
Feb 16, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 26
The Grammys are coming up! And so is the Super Bowl! And Madonna's performed at both of them, so now's the perfect time to talk about the both. Speaking of perfect, we've got the perfect guest to explain football to us! It's actor/comedian/podcaster/rugby player JON GABRUS! (TV: 101 Places to Party Before You Die, podcasts: High & Mights, ActionBoyz) Follow Jon on Twitter & Instagram: @gabrus Visit his Website: gabris.com Email us: TheCelebrationCelebration@gmail.com Follow us on Instagr...
Feb 02, 2024•1 hr 38 min•Ep. 25
This week we've got tickets to the hottest festival in the Colorado Desert, that's right we're talking about Madonna's two performances at the COACHELLA Valley Music and Arts Festival! And we're talking with Eric's nephew, Danny Mobraaten, about BLOND AMBITION! What do the kids think about the most important pop tour of all time? Give it a listen and find out! Email us: TheCelebrationCelebration@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram: @TheCelebrationCelebration Pick up a copy of Eric’s book: The Dance...
Jan 19, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 24
"Like you've never seen her before." Unless you're like us, and you've seen TRUTH OR DARE a million times! We're joined by our self proclaimed number one fan, and Eric's drag mother, BRENDEN COOPER to talk about the "pop culture holy trinity:" TRUTH OR DARE, STRIKE A POSE, and MEDUSA: DARE TO BE TRUTHFUL! Email us: TheCelebrationCelebration@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram: @TheCelebrationCelebration Pick up a copy of Eric’s book: The Dancer https://a.co/d/0gAi3be Pick up a copy of John's book: ...
Jan 05, 2024•1 hr 38 min•Ep. 23
It's the holiday season, and we've got so many things to celebrate! LITERALLY? Eric saw The Celebration Tour in Brooklyn! Then John and Eric talk about Madonna's rendition of SANTA BABY! But the biggest gift of all is sharing the gift of Madonna! We talk with John's niece and nephew about the album LIKE A PRAYER! What do the kids think? Give it a listen and find out! Email us: TheCelebrationCelebration@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram: @TheCelebrationCelebration Pick up a copy of Eric’s book: Th...
Dec 22, 2023•1 hr 52 min•Ep. 22
What's new Buenos Aries? This episode we're talking about Madonna's biggest starring role, Eva "Evita" Duarte de Peron. She sings, she dances, she changes her clothes at a Guinness World Record rate! What's not to love? Our guest is the high flying adored director/podcaster, BEN RIMALOWER! Follow Ben on Instagram: @benrimalower Check out GIANTS IN THE SKY PODCAST: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/giants-in-the-sky/id1654851929 Email us: TheCelebrationCelebration@gmail.com Follow us on Insta...
Dec 08, 2023•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 21
We're all thankful for Madonna! And never more so than when she's performing at a benefit! We're talking about LIVE AID, TSUNAMI AID, LIVE 8, LIVE EARTH, and HOPE FOR HAITI! Our guest is someone we're all indebted to, actor/comedian/teacher JULIE BRISTER! Follow Julie on Instagram: @bristahsouljah Email us: TheCelebrationCelebration@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram: @TheCelebrationCelebration Pick up a copy of Eric’s book: The Dancer https://a.co/d/0gAi3be Pick up a copy of John's book: Baked! S...
Nov 24, 2023•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 20
Sooner or later we were going to get to DICK TRACY! (It's such an interesting name!) Joining us as we talk about the yellow fedora'd one is actress/writer/producer, and one of John's earliest cohorts in Madonna fandom, MERRY GRISSOM! Email us: TheCelebrationCelebration@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram: @TheCelebrationCelebration Pick up a copy of Eric’s book: The Dancer https://a.co/d/0gAi3be Pick up a copy of John's book: Baked! Sex, Drugs, and Alternative Comedy: https://amzn.to/3tUbvOM For au...
Nov 10, 2023•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 19
The Celebration Tour has launched (Hallelujah!!!) We haven't seen it yet, but we're on "the internet" (heard of it!) so we've seen some clips! This episode we're talking about what we've seen from the first two performances. And thanks to a listener suggestion, we're rating all of her tour entrances! Do we cover her in velvet kisses? Who goes for second best? Do people think that we're insane? Give it a listen, and let us know what you think! Email us: TheCelebrationCelebration@gmail.com Follow ...
Oct 27, 2023•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 18
It's not a crime to be a beautiful woman, but this movie might be a crime! To help us litigate Madonna's Razzie Award winning performance in BODY OF EVIDENCE is expert witness PETE ZIAS! Follow Pete on Twitter & Instagram: @petezias Email us: TheCelebrationCelebration@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram: @TheCelebrationCelebration Pick up a copy of Eric’s book: The Dancer https://a.co/d/0gAi3be Pick up a copy of John's book: Baked! Sex, Drugs, and Alternative Comedy: https://amzn.to/3tUbvOM For...
Oct 13, 2023•1 hr 46 min•Ep. 17
This week we're celebrating the "Definitive classic collection of 12 music videos from the Queen of Pop released along with her first greatest hits package." And to celebrate with us (as well as the work of Blondie, Olivia Newton John, and the Go Go's) we invited everyone's favorite bayou-raised, inbred, hirsute dancing phenomenon with a love for Farrah Fawcett flips, LOVE CONNIE! (Legally Blonde, RuPaul's Drag Race, Connie-wood!) Follow Love, Connie on Twitter & Instagram: @realloveconnie E...
Sep 29, 2023•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 16
Every time Madonna appears on MTV's VMAs (Video Music Awards) people can't stop talking about her! And we're no exception! From Like a Virgin, to Vogue, to Like a Virgin/Hollywood, and all of the tributes in between, Madonna is so many things! So it's fitting that our guest is none other than actor/director/comedian/playwright/podcaster, JASON O'CONNELL! Follow Jason on Instagram: @jasono15 Check out THE OPENING WEEKEND PODCAST: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/opening-weekend/id1515164436 ...
Sep 15, 2023•1 hr 55 min•Ep. 15
This week The Celebration Celebration is collaborating with the podcast Two Old Queens to talk about Madonna's first major motion picture, DESPERATELY SEEKING SUSAN! Follow Two Old Queens on Twitter and Instagram: @TwoOldQueens Follow Mark Rennie on Letterbox: @markrennie Email us: TheCelebrationCelebration@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram: @TheCelebrationCelebration Pick up a copy of Eric’s book: The Dancer https://a.co/d/0gAi3be Pick up a copy of John's book: Baked! Sex, Drugs, and Alternative...
Sep 01, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 14
During the final leg of The Rebel Heart Tour, Madonna performed TEARS OF A CLOWN on March 10th, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (She started four hours late, so technically it was probably March 11th) She dressed up as a clown, she burst onto the stage in a tricycle and performed stripped down versions of her songs, told stories and some "jokes." Luckily, you don't have to wait four hours to listen to our podcast with comedian/actor/CLOWN, JULIA VANDERVEEN! Thanks to E.N.K. (whoever you are!) you ...
Aug 18, 2023•1 hr 40 min•Ep. 13
Live from New York... it's Madonna, the sketch comedian? Madonna first hosted Saturday Night Live in 1985 when she was just a baby! She returned as the musical guest in 1993, and she's made several iconic, (and some not so iconic) guest/cameo appearances throughout the years. And we're talking about all of them! Joining us is actor/writer/director/sketch teacher/comedian, NATE SMITH! He's our first straight male guest, but don't worry, he's very dreamy! (which is perfect for a podcast) FUN FACT:...
Aug 04, 2023•1 hr 46 min•Ep. 12
It’s Madonna's eleventh tour and she decided to go "small-scale" with it! But don't you worry, our guest is anything but! Like Madame X herself, he is a spy in the house of love, it's TOM RUSSELL LYNCH!!! Plus we talk about what's next for us and the podcast! Follow Tom on Instagram: @tom.russell.lynch Email us: TheCelebrationCelebration@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram: @TheCelebrationCelebration Pick up a copy of Eric’s book: The Dancer https://a.co/d/0gAi3be Pick up a copy of John's book: Bak...
Jul 14, 2023•1 hr 46 min•Ep. 11
This week we're taking the road less traveled on, but don't worry, we make it out a live. We're talking about Madonna's REBEL HEART TOUR! Our guest this week is not Joan of Arc (not yet!) but he is iconic, and an unapologetic bitch! It's JIMMY RAY BENNETT!!! Follow Jimmy on Twitter & Instagram: @jimmyraybennett Email us: TheCelebrationCelebration@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram: @TheCelebrationCelebration Pick up a copy of Eric’s book: The Dancer https://a.co/d/0gAi3be Pick up a copy of Joh...
Jul 07, 2023•1 hr 59 min•Ep. 10
Turn up the radio, because it's time to talk about THE MDNA TOUR! Don't play the stupid game, because our guest is a different kind of girl. S/he's writer/comedian/podcast host/drag artist H ALAN SCOTT!!! Follow H Alan Scott on Twitter & Instagram: @halanscott Email us: TheCelebrationCelebration@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram: @TheCelebrationCelebration Pick up a copy of Eric’s book: The Dancer https://a.co/d/0gAi3be Pick up a copy of John's book: Baked! Sex, Drugs, and Alternative Comedy:...
Jun 30, 2023•1 hr 43 min•Ep. 9
Come on into our store because we are talking about the STICKY & SWEET Tour with the fabulous AMY LOUGHEAD! (She and John saw the show together!) Don't pretend you're not hungry! Email us: TheCelebrationCelebration@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram: @TheCelebrationCelebration Pick up a copy of Eric’s book: The Dancer https://a.co/d/0gAi3be Pick up a copy of John's book: Baked! Sex, Drugs, and Alternative Comedy: https://amzn.to/3tUbvOM For autographed copies: https://www.johnflynncomedian.com...
Jun 23, 2023•1 hr 37 min•Ep. 8
Have you confessed? We have, and we are hung up on our guest this week! He's a writer, composer, singer, teacher, (and a dear old friend of Eric), it's DAVID BOYD! Get ready to hit the dance floor and sweat out your sins, because we are talking about THE CONFESSIONS TOUR! Follow David on Instagram: @boydascious Email us: TheCelebrationCelebration@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram: @TheCelebrationCelebration Pick up a copy of Eric’s book: The Dancer https://a.co/d/0gAi3be Pick up a copy of John's ...
Jun 19, 2023•1 hr 36 min•Ep. 7
