Hot and Bothered

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 ProductionFind 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 with Vanessa and Helen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 10 June 2025

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 ProductionFind 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 Hannah Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 3 June 2025

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 ProductionFind 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 with Hannah and Vanessa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 27 May 2025

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 ProductionFind 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 Hannah Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 20 May 2025

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 ProductionFind 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 with Hannah and Vanessa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 13 May 2025

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 ProductionFind 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 acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 6 May 2025

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 ProductionFind 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 with Vanessa and Ariana. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 29 April 2025

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 ProductionFind 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. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 22 April 2025

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 ProductionFind us at our website | Follow us on Instagram If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Hannah and Vanessa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 15 April 2025

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 class in 2025?" We’re currently looking for more guests, so if you have a question from your own life, please submit to be on the show!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 8 April 2025

For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Ronald Young Jr. analyze the ending of She's All That. They chat about what makes a proper grovel and the narrative reasons for heroines to be motherless. This is our last movie in our series on teen adaptations of classic literature! We're taking two weeks off and will be back on April 15th with Twilight and other movies of 2008. But if you find yourself missing us, be sure to join our virtual live show on April 13th! We're gathering to discuss 13 Going on 30. Hot and Bothered is a Not Sorry ProductionFind 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 She's All That with Vanessa and Ronald Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 25 March 2025

Vanessa Zoltan and special guest Ronald Young Jr. grab their hacky sacks and meet at a performance art show to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about She's All That. This week we deep dive into toxic beauty norms, fatphobia, and popularity. We finish the episode by calling sociologist, Amy Best, to talk to us about the history of the high school prom. ---Hot and Bothered is a Not Sorry ProductionFind us at our website | Follow us on Instagram If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Ronald and Vanessa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 18 March 2025

For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Hannah analyze the ending of Easy A. They chat about intertextuality, grand gestures, and virginity. Hot and Bothered is a Not Sorry ProductionFind 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 Clueless with Vanessa and Kristen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 11 March 2025

Vanessa Zoltan and Hannah McGregor meet at the Lobster Shack in Ojai, California to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about Easy A.  This week we discuss what makes a 'rom-com' a 'rom-com', male writers' depictions of female friendship, and Nathaniel Hawthorne. We finish the episode with an interview with Professor Megan Hunt about the depiction of Christianity in this film. Hot and Bothered is a Not Sorry ProductionFind us at our website | Follow us on Instagram ---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Vanessa and Hannah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 4 March 2025

We have a special treat for you today! Vanessa recently guested on Hannah's other pop-culture podcast, Material Girls, to talk about The Notebook with Hannah and Marcelle. It was so good, we wanted to make sure you knew about it. And if you love hearing Vanessa, Hannah, and Marcelle in conversation – good news, there's another episode out there! Vanessa was on Material Girls last year to talk about Bridgerton. Material Girls Episode Description: She's back! Beloved podcaster and author Vanessa Zoltan (she/her) joins Hannah and Marcelle to dig into one of the most famous "weepies" of the 21st century: The Notebook (2004). If you cry at the line "If you're a bird, I'm a bird," have the phrase "What do you want?" ringing in your head, or regularly view the 2005 MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss, then this episode is for you. Hannah first contextualizes The Notebook in early aughts America (think post 9/11 conservative politics) and Vanessa offers some info about Nicholas Sparks, author of The Notebook. They then jump into a theory section all about melodrama! You may be familiar with the concept — perhaps you've even accused a friend or family member of being melodramatic — but can you really define it? What about the idea of "a Melodrama of Failure?" Hannah turns to Elisabeth Robin Anker’s book, Orgies of Feeling: Melodrama and the Politics of Freedom, to bolster her thesis and the episode ends with a conversation about the relationship between the American Dream, sovereignty, Christian conservatism and heterosexuality. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 1 March 2025

For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Kristen Meinzer analyze the ending of Cruel Intentions. They chat about Cecil's moment of 'growing up' and whether death is enough of a punishment for Sebastian. In this week's episode we promote our Mary Oliver writing retreat, you can check out more about that trip here. Hot and Bothered is a Not Sorry ProductionFind 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 Clueless with Vanessa and Kristen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 25 February 2025

Vanessa Zoltan and special guest Kristen Meinzer meet at their aunt's mansion in the Hamptons to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about Cruel Intentions. This week we discuss female desire and villainy, the male gaze, and the dangers of a bored teenager. We finish the episode by calling scholar of French literature, Catriona Seth, to talk to us about Les Liaisons Dangereuses. ---Hot and Bothered is a Not Sorry ProductionFind us at our website | Follow us on InstagramIf we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Kristen and Vanessa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 18 February 2025

For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Hannah analyze the ending of Clueless. They chat about why young women love dreaming about their weddings and why they find bouquet tosses a little uncomfortable. Hot and Bothered is a Not Sorry ProductionFind 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 Clueless with Vanessa and Hannah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 11 February 2025

In today's bonus, Vanessa is joined by Casper ter Kuile and Courtney Brown for a special conversation on the role of friendship in our adult lives, and what the characters in Anne of Green Gables can teach us about it! Learn more about joining Casper and Courtney in Prince Edward Island this June as they dive deeper into this theme. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 7 February 2025

Vanessa Zoltan and Hannah McGregor meet at a mall in Beverley Hills to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about Clueless.  This week we discuss the charitable-industrial complex, popularity, and age-gap relationships. We finish the episode with an interview with Deidre Lynch about Austen and her adaptations.  Also on this episode, Hannah mentions this episode of Articles of Interest, go listen! ---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Vanessa and Hannah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 4 February 2025

For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Hannah analyze the ending of She's The Man. The talk hairstyles, they talk gender politics, and they talk about our favorite 'freak' character, Eunice. ---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 She's The Man with Vanessa and Hannah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 28 January 2025

Vanessa Zoltan and Hannah McGregor meet on the soccer field to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about She’s The Man.  This week we discuss toxic masculinity, Amanda Bynes’ funny accent, and the way gender politics get played out the sports field. We finish the episode with an interview with Laura Horak about her scholarship on cross-dressing in cinema. ---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Vanessa and Hannah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 21 January 2025

For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Hannah analyze the ending of 10 Things I Hate About You. Vanessa reveals how little she knows about guitar and Hannah teaches us about different poetry forms. ---We're in the middle of a Patreon drive. We're trying to get our numbers back to where they were last year! If you are a regular listener to our show, we'd love your support in making it possible. Pledge $5/month at www.patreon.com/hotandbotheredrompod. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 14 January 2025

Vanessa Zoltan and Hannah McGregor meet at Padua High School to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about 10 Things I Hate About You – our first movie in our high school adaptations series.  This week we discuss Kat's feminism, why Shakespeare is in 'the canon,' and the American high school formula. We finish the episode with an interview with Rebecca Hixon about her scholarship on Taming of the Shrew adaptations. ---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Vanessa and Hannah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 7 January 2025

We're continuing our exploration of Love Actually this week with three plot lines we consider the 'non-romantic' stories – the stepfather and stepson, the sister taking care of her brother, and the aging rockstar and his manager. We're off next week but we'll be back January 7th with 10 Things I Hate About You. ---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus discussion about two additional plot lines of Love Actually. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 24 December 2024

Happy holiday season! As a thank you to those who supported our Patreon drive last month we're bringing you a special bonus movie before the new year. Vanessa Zoltan and Hannah McGregor meet at a school Christmas pagent to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered about Love Actually. For this episode, we're focus on four plot lines – the prime minister, the writer and housekeeper, the cheating husband, and the man in love with his best friend's wife. We finish the episode with an interview Leon Neyfakh about the media coverage of Monica Lewinsky during the Clinton scandal. Next week, we look at three more plot lines from Love Actually.  ---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus discussion about two additional plot lines of Love Actually. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 17 December 2024

Not Sorry has launched its first new podcast since 2020! Let's Ask Taylor Swift is co-hosted by Vanessa and podcaster, writer and cultural critic: Daniel Schroeder. In each episode Daniel and Vanessa will focus on one song from Taylor's discography, asking themselves, each other, and you— the audience— what it is about Taylor's music that resonates so much with fans. In our first season, every episode will look at the lead single from one of Taylor’s albums. We're sharing with you our first episode on Tim McGraw, but we've also just released our second episode on Love Story in the Let's Ask Taylor Swift feed. If you enjoyed this episode, go subscribe! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 11 December 2024

For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Hannah analyze the ending of Pretty in Pink. They continue their analysis of Duckie as a queer icon and weigh the merits of Blane's apology. ---We're in the middle of a Patreon drive. We're trying to get our numbers back to where they were last year! If you are a regular listener to our show, we'd love your support in making it possible. Pledge $5/month at www.patreon.com/hotandbotheredrompod. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 26 November 2024

We'll be back on Tuesday with our regular scene study, but today we're offering you a bonus scene study as well. This perk is normally exclusive to Patreon and available to all members. You can sign-up at www.patreon.com/hotandbotheredrompod to hear a bonus conversation about every movie. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 21 November 2024

Vanessa Zoltan and Hannah McGregor meet in the Chicago Suburbs to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, about Pretty in Pink – our last movie in our cross-class romance series.  This week we explore the delightful aesthetics of the film, the ‘queerness’ of Duckie, and desirability politics. We finish the episode with an interview Holly Chard on the politics and influence of John Hughes. Next week, we look at the final scene of Pretty in Pink.  ---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Vanessa and Hannah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 19 November 2024

For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Matt Potts is back to dissect the ending of Crazy Rich Asians with Vanessa. They discuss why Eleanor gives her approval, the over-the-top engagement party, and Rachel's final outfit. If you want to hear more of Vanessa and Matt, good news! Together they host the podcast Harry Potter and the Sacred Text. ---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Vanessa and Matt. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 12 November 2024

Vanessa Zoltan and special guest Professor Matt Potts meet at a mansion in Singapore to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about Crazy Rich Asians. This week we discuss the tension at the heart of Asian American identities, how family pressures preserve class divides, and the allure of opulence. We finish the episode by calling journalist Jiayang Fan to talk to us about the important cultural impact of the film. ---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Matt and Vanessa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 6 November 2024

For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Racquel Gates is back to dissect the ending of Coming to America with Hannah. They discuss what Lisa gives up in moving to Zamunda, the Disney princess evocations, and the many roles played by Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall. Don't forget to check-out Racquel's book, Double Negative: The Black Image and Popular Media! ---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Vanessa and Hannah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 29 October 2024

Hannah McGregor and special guest Professor Racquel Gates meet in the fictional country of Zamunda to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about Coming to America. This week we discuss the tensions between Eddie Murphy and John Landis, what makes a 'black' film, and Racquel's concept of formal negativity. We finish the episode checking in with Vanessa for her thoughts on the movie.  Don't forget to check out Racquel's book, Double Negative: The Black Image and Popular Imagination! ---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Hannah and Vanessa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 22 October 2024

Have you missed Hannah these past two weeks? Never fear! They recorded a whole episode of their podcast, Material Girls, all about Dirty Dancing. We're sharing it this week before we move onto our next movie, Coming to America. Here's the Material Girls episode summary: In this episode, Marcelle and Hannah are joined by Andrea Warner (she/her), the author of The Time of My Life, an exploration of Dirty Dancing as a deeply feminist film. We begin with a conversation about sexy films that made our younger selves all hot and bothered before heading into the segment "Why This? Why Now?" Hannah guides us through the difficulty that writer and producer Eleanor Bergstein faced in getting this movie made and distributed. We talk Reagan, Roe v. Wade, and nostalgia for the 1960s. Hannah then introduces us to American literary critic Fredric Jameson, cultural historian Bill Osgerby, and Russian-American cultural critic Svetlana Boym. Together, Hannah, Marcelle and Andrea parse through their respective work about postmodernism, nostalgia, late capitalism and the construction of history to get a better understanding of why Dirty Dancing is such a compelling film. We end the episode with a discussion of the appropriation of Black music in the movie, the power dynamics within Baby and Johnny's romance and the unique representations of mutual aid.If you love Dirty Dancing, join the club (with Hannah and Andrea)! If you haven't seen it, you get to be in a club with Marcelle. FOR NOW (we will get her to watch it!). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 18 October 2024

For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Lauren Sandler try not to cry their way through the ending of of Dirty Dancing. They discuss the music choices, the class politics, and the side characters they wish they heard more from. ---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Vanessa and Hannah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 15 October 2024

Vanessa Zoltan and special guest Lauren Sandler meet in the Catskills to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about Dirty Dancing – one of our favorite movies of all time.  This week we discuss the abortion plot line, Baby’s relationship with her father, and the difference between desire and love. We finish the episode with an interview sociologist Phil Brown on the history of Jews in the Catskills. Phil is the founder and president of The Catskills Institute which is a robust online resource for this history. ---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Vanessa and Lauren. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 8 October 2024

For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Hannah and Vanessa break down the many endings of Titanic. They explore the meaning of the Heart of the Ocean diamond necklace and this movie's theology of heaven. As we mention in the episode, Hannah has a new book out! You can buy Hannah's new book, Clever Girl: Jurassic Park, here. ---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Vanessa and Hannah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 1 October 2024

Vanessa Zoltan and Hannah McGregor meet in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about Titanic – our first movie in our cross-class romance series.  This week we explore hubris, whether it's possible to divorce James Cameron from the film, and what we consider a ‘shipwreck.’ We finish the episode with an interview with musicologist Julie Hubbert on the mega-hit My Heart Will Go On. Next week, we look at the final scene of Titanic.  ---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Vanessa and Hannah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 24 September 2024

For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Hannah examine the last scene of Kate & Leopold. They discuss what it would mean to time travel to the past for love and what they would bring with them to 1876.  ---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Vanessa and Hannah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 3 September 2024

Vanessa Zoltan and Hannah McGregor meet traveling through time to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about Kate & Leopold. It's our final Meg Ryan movie! This week we explore what it meant for Meg Ryan to be a rom-com star at 40 years old and the American fantasy of British history. We finish the episode with an interview with the chief historian of The Center for Brooklyn History, Dominique Jean-Louis, about the Brooklyn Bridge. Next week, we look at the final scene of Kate & Leopold. ---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Vanessa and Hannah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 27 August 2024

For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Casper take a close look at the last two scenes of French Kiss. They discuss Kate's financial sacrifice for Luc and what it means that she's willing to up and move to France. ---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Vanessa and Casper. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 20 August 2024

Vanessa Zoltan meets Casper ter Kuile on a beach in Cannes to record this week’s episode, all about the 1995 movie French Kiss directed by Lawrence Kasdan. This week we discuss the 'criminal with a heart of gold' trope and the power of kissing. We finish the episode with an interview with anxiety coach Dave Carbonell, all about aerophobia (a fear of flying). Next week, Casper is back to look at the final scene of French Kiss. ---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Vanessa and Casper. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 13 August 2024

For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Hannah dissect (and relentlessly mock) the last scene of You've Got Mail. They discuss the lack of actual communication in this scene and the supposed charm of Joe Fox. ---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Vanessa and Hannah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 6 August 2024

This week, Vanessa Zoltan and Hannah McGregor meet on the Upper West Side of Manhattan to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about You’ve Got Mail. We’re onto our final Meg Ryan/Nora Ephron collaboration.  This week we explore how politics intersect with attraction and interview the former Editorial Director of Publisher’s Weekly, Jim Milliot, history of big box bookstores. Next week, we look at the final scene of You’ve Got Mail. ---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Vanessa and Hannah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 30 July 2024

For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Hannah tackle the last scene of When Harry Met Sally. They discuss the interstitial ‘couch scenes’ which recur throughout the movie and the few details we learn about Harry and Sally’s life after reconciliation.  ---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Vanessa and Hannah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 23 July 2024

Vanessa Zoltan and Hannah McGregor meet as the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about When Harry Met Sally. We’re continuing our deep-dive into Meg Ryan with the movie that put her on the map as leading-lady material. This week we explore whether 'opposites attract' is really a romantic principle we believe in and interview Professor Claude S. Fischer about the social history of telephones. Next week, we look at the final scene of When Harry Met Sally. ---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Vanessa and Hannah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 16 July 2024

After our wide-lens analysis of a movie, we're going to spend a week closely studying its final scene. These scenes, which are often Happily Ever Afters, tell us a lot about what's important to the movie and its idea about love and coupledom. In this week's scene, the characters Annie, Sam, and Jonah finally get to meet each other on the top of the Empire State Building. ---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Vanessa and Hannah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 9 July 2024

Vanessa Zoltan and Hannah McGregor meet at the top of The Empire State Building to record their first episode of Hot and Bothered together, all about the 1993 classic Sleepless in Seattle. It’s got Meg Ryan, it’s got Tom Hanks, it’s directed by Nora Ephron. What more could you want?  For the next nine weeks, we’re thinking about the influence and impact of Meg Ryan as a rom-com super star. Next week, we look at the final scene of Sleepless in Seattle. In two weeks, join us for When Harry Met Sally. ---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Vanessa and Hannah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 2 July 2024

Well folks – we've arrived! Our tenth and final episode of our How To series about How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days. We've puzzled over its messaging, marveled at its efficiency, and learned a lot about the mechanics of film-making. On today's episode, Vanessa shares her concluding thoughts on the movie and brings her lingering questions to the brilliant cultural critic Anne Helen Petersen. We end the episode looking at the HEA with our new co-host, Hannah McGregor. In two weeks, we're starting the next chapter of Hot and Bothered with Sleepless in Seattle! We'll see you on the top of The Empire State Building. ---If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon! On Patreon have more great romance content including a close scene analysis inspired by this episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 18 June 2024