Hot Takes & Deep Dives

Jess is joined by WALTER AFANASIEFF, the Grammy-winning songwriter and producer behind MARIAH CAREY's biggest '90s hits — including "Hero," "My All," "One Sweet Day," and  "All I Want for Christmas Is You." Topics — how the modern Christmas classic was written, his professional fallout with Mariah Carey, and how the songwriting biz has radically changed since the '90s. Plus — producing CELINE DION's "My Heart Will Go On" from Titanic, writing with BEYONCÉ and BARBRA STREISAND, and the story of how a record label sabotaged a future American Idol winner. ⭐ IG: @jessxnyc  ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the rise & fall of SoulCycle — Cult of Body & Soul ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island — Finding Fire Island

Transcribed - Published: 29 December 2025

Jess is joined by interior designer Dale Saylor (Hollymount Design) to react to some of our favorite Architectural Digest home tours. Topics — BETHENNY FRANKEL's Florida move, ANDY COHEN's West Village duplex, AMY SEDARIS' Greenwich Village funhouse, SARAH PAULSON's Malibu studio, RUPAUL in LA, NEIL PATRICK HARRIS' Harlem brownstone & KELLY RIPA's UES townhouse. Plus — advice for max impact in small spaces AND Dale critiques a walk-through of Jess' apartment. ⭐ IG: @jessxnyc | hollymountltd.com ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the rise & fall of SoulCycle — Cult of Body & Soul ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island — Finding Fire Island  

Transcribed - Published: 15 December 2025

Jess is joined by All I Want to Do Is Talk About Madonna co-host Mark Snyder for a 2025 revue of our favorite theater, films, and concerts. Topics— Wicked ambivalence, Kristin Chenoweth's rough year, a Chess revival, Oh Mary predictions, the Plainclothes film, the Lilith Fair documentary, Mike Albo's Hologram Boyfriends, Julio Torres' Color Theories, and Linda Perry's reunion with 4 Non Blondes. Plus— an in-memoriam for Diane Keaton & Jill Sobule, and major existential Madonna happenings in 2026. ⭐ IG: @jessxnyc | @markbsnyder2025 ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the rise & fall of SoulCycle — Cult of Body & Soul ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island — Finding Fire Island

Transcribed - Published: 2 December 2025

Jess sits down with powerhouse docu-series Executive Producer Billy Taylor! Topics — Billy's jump from MTV News to producing MTV Diary, then showrunning the Bravo glory days of Jeff Lewis Flipping Out, Work Out w/ Jackie Warner, and Kell on Earth w/ Kelly Cutrone. Plus — trailing Kanye West with a camera, Britney: In the Zone & Out All Night, directing Selling Sunset pilot, and more!  ⭐ IG: @jessxnyc  ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the rise & fall of SoulCycle — Cult of Body & Soul ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island — Finding Fire Island

Transcribed - Published: 24 November 2025

Jess is joined by indie cinema queen GUINEVERE TURNER (@guinevereturner)! Topics — writing & appearing in THE L WORD, being caught on HBO's TAXICAB CONFESSIONS in 1994 right as her debut film (GO FISH) was in theaters, inspiring Kevin Smith's CHASING AMY, the iconic East Village lesbian / rock bar Meow Mix and co-writing the Christian Bale film AMERICAN PSYCHO. Plus — her experiences dating Portia de Rossi, Tracy Chapman and Kd Lang... and more!  📺 Clip of Guinevere's Taxicab Confessions ⭐ IG: @jessxnyc | @guinevereturner  ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island — Finding Fire Island  

Transcribed - Published: 10 November 2025

Jess is joined by "the accidental gay historian" Mike Balaban (@bammer47) — a man who's photographed faces, places & ephemera that defined gay life in the early 1970s-1990s. Topics — gay life in the '50s & '60, Mike's 44 years in NYC, the use of personal ads, hanky codes, 1-900 phone lines, and why he thinks younger guys are drawn to older men.  ⭐ IG: @jessxnyc | @bammer47 ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island — Finding Fire Island

Transcribed - Published: 27 October 2025

Jess is joined by comedian ZACH NOE TOWERS (@zachnoetowers)! Topics — roommates with Bob the Drag Queen, friendship with Leslie Jordan, 10 years of sobriety, AOL chat rooms, Jeff Lewis Live, 'movies' vs. 'films,' his TWO horror movie screenplays, Kiss of the Spiderwoman, Jennifer Lopez & more!  ⭐ IG: @jessxnyc  ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the rise & fall of SoulCycle — Cult of Body & Soul ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island — Finding Fire Island

Transcribed - Published: 13 October 2025

Jess is joined by comedian & Drag Race winner BOB THE DRAG QUEEN!  Topics — RuPaul discovering Bob at The Monster in the West Village (via Kathy Najimy), a weekend with Whoopi Goldberg, getting lost in Brooklyn & Long Island, ruling Barracuda after Candis Cayne & Peppermint, his first drag name, "Kitten with a Whip," and his love for To Wong Foo. Plus — the story behind his awkward Watch What Happens Live appearance. ⭐ IG: @jessxnyc  ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the rise & fall of SoulCycle — Cult of Body & Soul ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island — Finding Fire Island

Transcribed - Published: 6 October 2025

Jess welcomes legendary Manhattan and Fire Island DJ Susan Morabito (aka Morabito). Topics — her dream of spinning at The Saint and working at Vinylmania, why The Saint remains the greatest NYC nightclub, and how she cemented her legacy at The Pavilion in The Fire Island Pines. Plus — why she prefers gay boy nightlife to girl parties, Roseland Ballroom, DJ Lina Bradford, playing the GMHC Morning Party, and more! ⭐ IG: @jessxnyc  ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island — Finding Fire Island

Transcribed - Published: 29 September 2025

Jess is joined by Broadway & cabaret star NATALIE JOY JOHNSON (Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde, Lempicka)! Topics — performing on an Atlantis Cruise to Tahiti with Patti LuPone, her many, MANY lesbian theater roles, winning the Tony for playing Jackie Warner in Work Out: The Musical, being a Craiglist internet wh*re, selling weed & sex toys in between starring on Broadway, bonding with Countess Luann... and why showbiz is ruthless, relentless and absolute trash. ⭐ IG: @jessxnyc | @njjisrelentless ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island — Finding Fire Island

Transcribed - Published: 22 September 2025

Jess is joined by TV writer & producer (Will & Grace, Ugly Betty) — JON KINNALLY! Topics — living in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn in 1988, working in ACT UP, The Cut article "We've Reached Peak Gay Sluttiness," his writing partner Tracy Poust was one of the original NYC spinning instructors, Barbra Streisand DVD commentary on A Star Is Born & more! ⭐ IG: @jessxnyc ⭐ Jon Kinnally's memoir: I'm Prancing as Fast as I Can ⭐ Jess' SoulCycle docu series Cult of Body & Soul on all podcast platforms & YouTube  

Transcribed - Published: 15 September 2025

Jess is joined by "The Shakespeare of Pop Culture" (per NYT), writer-performer Ryan Raftery (@ryanraftery), to debut his new show exploring society's obsession with true crime. Topics — Stephen Sondheim summoning Ryan to his townhouse, a Kabbalah circle with Madonna & Christopher Ciccone, possibly writing the Patricia Field musical with Hedwig's Stephen Trask, Barbra Streisand's disdain for Sunset Boulevard starring Glenn Close—and more! Catch Ryan Raftery at Joe's Pub in The Ballad of JonBenét Ramsey Sep 12-17! IG: @jessxnyc | @ryanraftery

Transcribed - Published: 8 September 2025

Jess is joined by TV producer, comedian & co-host of Fixing Famous People, Dominick Pupa to wax poetic about why and how we adore Provincetown. Topics — John Waters, Divine & Cape Cod Vampire lore, Aubrey Plaza at Ryan Landry's Showgirls, the season of American Horror Story set in Provincetown winter, July 4th, Bear Week and Carnival, Dominick losing his phone & wallet, Crew's Quarters, Ptown Stop & Shop, The Pines Pantry & more!  ⭐ IG: @jessxnyc | @dominickpupa ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island — Finding Fire Island    

Transcribed - Published: 2 September 2025

Jess is joined by DINING OUT author & NYT writer Erik Piepenburg to explore the role of gay restaurants & diners in America. Topics — first restaurant to welcome trans patrons in 1950s Green Bay, WI, The Melrose (Chicago), NYC's Florent, Cafeteria, Cowgirl Hall of Fame and Julius'. Plus — Bloodroot (Bridgeport, CT), The Torch Club (Ohio), Gallus (Atlanta), Annie's Steakhouse (DC), and 3-course meals at the Continental Baths in NYC.  ⭐ IG: @jessxnyc | @erikp57 ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the rise & fall of SoulCycle — Cult of Body & Soul ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island — Finding Fire Island  

Transcribed - Published: 25 August 2025

As "The Biggest Loser" Netflix documentary dominates the cultural conversation, Jess has compiled her many interviews with Jillian Michaels' ex-girlfriend of 7 years, Jackie Warner, known for Bravo's reality show Work Out. Topics -- Jackie's first date with Jillian in 1997, Jillian stealing $$ from her pre-fame bartending job, how she set Jillian up for a career in fitness and The Biggest Loser, why Jackie paid thousands of dollars to end their relationship, Bob Harper and a true window in the psychology of Jillian Michaels. Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jessxnyc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram Jess' SoulCycle documentary Cult of Body & Soul on all podcast platforms & YouTube

Transcribed - Published: 22 August 2025

Jess is joined by MLVC Madonna podcast co-host Stefan (@mlvcpodcast) to SPILL on his summer filming season 1 of AND JUST LIKE THAT as a background actor! Topics: Che Diaz in the wild, Cynthia Nixon's wig, erasure of Chris Noth/Big's flashback scenes, 14-hour days, being directed by Michael Patrick King, how much background actors are paid, production's deal w/ paparazzi & more. PLUS, how his And Just Like That experience compared to filming the upcoming season of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel!  ⭐ IG: @jessxnyc ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the rise & fall of SoulCycle — Cult of Body & Soul ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island — Finding Fire Island  

Transcribed - Published: 28 July 2025

Jess is joined by the powerhouse Mother of Black Hollywood — JENIFER LEWIS! Topics: working with BETTE MIDLER as a Harlette, becoming "the entertainer" to Barbra Streisand and Madonna, her one-woman show "The Diva is Dismissed" and putting a con artist behind bars. Plus — appearing as the first Black person on "Friends", living with Shangela (Drag Race) for a decade, working with MOLLY SHANNON and MATT ROGERS on "I Love That For You" & more! ⭐ IG: @jessxnyc ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the rise & fall of SoulCycle — Cult of Body & Soul ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island — Finding Fire Island

Transcribed - Published: 14 July 2025

Jess is joined by standup comedian LIZ GLAZER, days after making her Tonight Show debut! Topics — Liz quitting her law career to pursue comedy, her failed SoulCycle instructor audition, being married to a (lesbian) rabbi, the ghost of Joan Rivers uniting her with Judy Gold, transcendental meditation, 12 step programs & more!  Cult of Body & Soul on all podcast platforms & YouTube Watch Liz' special on YouTube IG: @jessxnyc | @lizglazer  

Transcribed - Published: 16 June 2025

Jess is joined by the queens of "Every Outfit on Sex and the City" (@everyoutfitonSATC)— Chelsea Fairless and Lauren Garroni. We discuss which show has more severely tarnished its legacy: SATC via AJLT OR The L Word via Gen Q. Plus -- The Writer's Room podcast, Sara Ramirez's response to the hilarious/scathing The Cut profile, the SJP-ification of Carrie, Candace Bushnell's original column & more!  IG: @jessxnyc | @everyoutfitonsatc

Transcribed - Published: 2 June 2025

A quickie 1:1 to talk about CULT OF BODY & SOUL - my brand new docu-series which premieres Tuesday May 27 on all podcast platforms & YouTube. The 7-episode series explores how SOULCYCLE transcended fitness as it captured the New York City zeitgeist with ritual, candlelight and cult of personality. Cast info & production notes: cultbodysoul.com 🙏🏼 Woud love you forever if you rate, review, subscribe on Apple Podcasts & Spotify  🎥 Watch trailer on YouTube Instagram @jessxnyc

Transcribed - Published: 23 May 2025

Jess is joined by writer/performer Justin Elizabeth Sayre on the eve of the 13th Annual Night of a Thousand Judys, celebrating JUDY GARLAND at Joe's Pub! Topics — what is the best Judy entry point, working for MICHAEL PATRICK KING, Radical Faeries gatherings, learning the NYC subway via hookups, John Waters and the live immersive experience of JOHN CAMERON MITCHELL's film Shortbus.  IG: @jessxnyc Night of A Thousand Judys — June 2nd @ Joe's Pub

Transcribed - Published: 19 May 2025

Jess is joined by 4x TONY Award winning Broadway producer JEFFREY SELLER, best known for "Hamilton," "Rent," "In the Heights" & "Avenue Q." Topics — his review of "Sunset Blvd," being the creative nurturer and critic to Jonathan Larson & Lin Manuel Miranda, inventing the Broadway lotto system, crippling anxiety of opening night reviews, renovating his dream Upper West Side townhouse & more!  Jeffrey Seller's memoir THEATER KID is available now!  Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island: Finding Fire Island IG: @jessxnyc 

Transcribed - Published: 5 May 2025

Jess is joined by friend of the pod Dan Allegretto! Topics: why do bald men wear hats, becoming friends w/ Lena Dunham, boots on the ground w/ Bethenny, how to fix Bravo & Summer House, Carl Radke, Lindsay Hubbard, how The Real L Word & Vanderpump Rules lift the veneer off Los Angeles, the off-Broadway play "Becoming Eve," Quentin Crisp, the camera work on Queer as Folk, Janeane Garofalo, Daria, the Hudson Valley & more!   IG: @jessxnyc | @dan_allegretto | #DialDan  Finding Fire Island — Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island

Transcribed - Published: 28 April 2025

Jess is joined by legendary director & choreographer VINCENT PATERSON — the man behind MICHAEL JACKSON & MADONNA's most iconic movements. Topics — videos for "Beat It," "Thriller," "Smooth Criminal" and defining the Superbowl Halftime Show w/ MJ's 1993 performance.  Plus — choreographing The Blond Ambition Tour, "Express Yourself" video, Madonna's 1990 MTV VMA Marie Antoinette "Vogue" performance, EVITA, BJORK's DANCER IN THE DARK & more!  IG: @jessxnyc Vincent Paterson's memoir: Icons and Instincts 

Transcribed - Published: 21 April 2025

Jess is joined by New York icon DJ LINA BRADFORD! Topics: living in same building as Olivia Newton-John, soulmate Candis Cayne... the Linda Evangelista to her Naomi Campbell and how the trans label is limiting. Plus — evolution from dancer > nightclub host > DJ as performance art, 10-year reign on Fire Island, finding her sexual revolution on FI + a lot more!  Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island: Finding Fire Island IG: @jessxnyc | @thelinabradford

Transcribed - Published: 14 April 2025

Jess is joined by actor/comedian JEFF HILLER, best known for HBO's SOMEBODY SOMEWHERE opposite BRIDGET EVERETT! Topics: missing the Fire Island ferry, lesbian Hollywood gossip, Rosie's memoir "Find Me," his impression of Daphne Rubin-Vega, forgetting his transcendental meditation mantra, Excel spreadsheet nightmares, Queer as Folk, Rocky Horror, his upcoming memoir ACTRESS OF A CERTAIN AGE & more!  IG: @jessxnyc | @boomboomhiller Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island: Finding Fire Island

Transcribed - Published: 31 March 2025

Jess is joined by beloved go-to comedy writer BRUCE VILANCH! Topics: Bette Midler at the Continental Baths, Barbra Streisand being too cheap to pay him, writing punch-ups for Cher in "Burlesque," writing The Oscars (Ellen difficulty, Anne Hathaway & James Franco hosting, Billy Crystal's opening medleys), starring in "Hairspray" on Broadway & more!  IG: @jessxnyc  Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island: Finding Fire Island

Transcribed - Published: 24 March 2025

Jess is joined by THREE of the iconic dancers from Madonna's Blond Ambition Tour: Luis Xtravaganza, Carlton Wilborn + Kevin Stea! Topics: TRUTH OR DARE follow-up doc STRIKE A POSE, Luis attending high school with Jose Xtravaganza, Christopher Ciccone's impact on "The Girlie Show," Kevin's work with LADY GAGA, the 1990 MTV "Rock the Vote" campaign, NIKI HARIS & DONNA DE LORY, Carlton as the "pillar of strength," Luis & Kevin appearing in "The Birdcage," Kevin's "Showgirls" experience and a lot more!  IG: @jessxnyc  Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island: Finding Fire Island  

Transcribed - Published: 17 March 2025

Jess is joined by LIZ FELDMAN — writer/creator of Netflix's DEAD TO ME & NO GOOD DEED! Topics: Liz's seminal lezzie YouTube show "This Just Out," becoming friends with THE L WORD cast, harassment from TV mega producer Dan Schneider while writing Nickelodeon's ALL THAT, manifesting writing for ELLEN, working for MICHAEL PATRICK KING, auditioning for SNL, the DEAD TO ME & NO GOOD DEAD origin stories, briefly "not-dating" KATE MOENNIG & more!  IG: @jessxnyc | @thelizfeldman Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island: Finding Fire Island

Transcribed - Published: 3 March 2025

Jess is joined by DIFFICULT PEOPLE creator/star & BILLY ON THE STREET producer JULIE KLAUSNER! Topics: Madonna x Sondheim "I'm Breathless" collab, Death Becomes Her vs. She-Devil, John Waters Quote Tournament, the Liza documentary, writing for Joan Rivers, preceding Brian Moylan as Vulture Housewives recapper, first WNBA game, the return of her podcast HOW WAS YOUR WEEK & more! IG: @jessxnyc | @julieklausner Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island: Finding Fire Island

Transcribed - Published: 24 February 2025

Jess is joined by SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE character queen CHERI OTERI! Cheri recounts being discovered at The Groundlings alongside Lisa Kudrow, Kathy Griffin and fellow SNL hopefuls Will Ferrell, Chris Kattan and Jennifer Coolidge. Topics: origins of her Barbara Walters impression, the cutthroat pressure between cast & writers for airtime, Jim Carrey's iconic episode and working w/ Betty White (Hot in Cleveland) & Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm).  IG: @jessxnyc Watch this interview on YouTube

Transcribed - Published: 18 February 2025

Jess is joined by theater historian and conceiver of THE JONATHAN LARSON PROJECT Jennifer Tepper to discuss unearthing 20+ unheard songs of the RENT & TICK, TICK... BOOM! composer. Topics: getting access to hundreds of cassette tapes, scripts, music files and journals from The Larson Estate, hidden underground passageways connecting Broadway theater houses and how the WICKED rush/lotto line inadvertently helped other shows. Plus — Jennifer's role as creative director of programming for 54 Below, a RENT revival and more!  Tix to The Jonathan Larson Project: thejonathanlarsonproject.com IG: @jessxnyc | @jenashtep

Transcribed - Published: 10 February 2025

Jess is joined by Jamie Stein for a deep dive on HOUSE OF HILTON, the 2006 tell-all about the Hilton dynasty, heavily featuring the backstories of Kathy Hilton, Kyle Richards, Kim Richards and their mother, Big Kathy. We explore Big Kathy's mission for men, money and Hollywood and how she projected those dreams onto her three daughters.  We also discuss Paris Hilton and Kathy Hilton's performance in the documentary This Is Paris vs. Housewives. original air date: 2021 IG:  @jessxnyc, @jamiestein

Transcribed - Published: 3 February 2025

Jess is joined by full-time YouTuber/Podcaster Zack Peter (No Filter w/ Zack Peter)! Topics: How much money Zack personally made off Scandoval and now the Blake Lively / Justin Baldoni lawsuit, how many views = how much money across TikTok + YouTube, warning against making Bravo your entire brand, projecting Bethenny's TikTok income, Spencer Pratt & Heidi Montag's strategy with streaming "Superficial" post-LA fires & a lot more! IG: @jessxnyc | @nofilterwithzack 

Transcribed - Published: 20 January 2025

Jess is joined by JACKIE WARNER (Work Out, Thintervention) in her fifth appearance! Topics: The Los Angeles fires, RIP Moonshadows & The Reel Inn, update on her TV comeback, her 6 year relationship with Jillian Michaels, run-ins with The L Word's Kate Moennig, wild NYC nights doing press for "Work Out," Stevie Nicks, Mulholland Drive, Laurel Canyon & a lot more! WE LOVE YOU LA. Text or call 323-301-3522 to train / life coach with Jackie over FaceTime!  IG: @jessxnyc | @jackiewarner10

Transcribed - Published: 14 January 2025

Jess is joined by Katharine Quinn, owner of the Broadway media and marketing agency And That's Showbiz, currently representing The Great Gatsby, Maybe Happy Ending, The Roommate and more. Topics: the business (financials) of Broadway: how productions are funded, why 8 out of 10 shows never recoup their investment, Oh Mary, do traditional reviews matter, vanity projects, Rosie O'Donnell's "Taboo" flop, how to predict the "health" of a show, digital rush & lotto, upcoming in 2025 and more!  IG: @jessxnyc | @itskatharinequinn

Transcribed - Published: 23 December 2024

Jess is joined by "All I Want to Do Is Talk About Madonna" co-host Mark Snyder for a 2024 revue of our fave theater, films, concerts and cabaret. Topics: Broadway vs. Off / fringe, film adaptations of Wicked vs. Chicago, Cats: The Jellicle Ball, Sunset Blvd, Joni Mitchell, Justin Vivian Bond, Jill Sobule, London / West End, Natalie Joy Johnson, Gavin Creel, Fire Island, Tracy Bonham, Jonathan Larson RENT doc "No Day But Today" & more! Plus — most enticing happenings in 2025.  IG: @jessxnyc | @marksnyder2024 Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island: Finding Fire Island

Transcribed - Published: 12 December 2024

Jess is joined by author & screenwriter DANNY PELLEGRINO! Topics: Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo musical theater-ing the WICKED press tour, how to fix RHONY, "two different gay men" calling BETHENNY re: RHONY, what should ROSIE O'DONNELL do next?, deep cut MARIAH & NSYNC Christmas songs, Danny documenting his journey eating re-called Tastykakes, Jeff Lewis is a Housewife, Dorinda & Margaret Joseph's canceling their tour, QUEER AS FOLK, Danny writing & starring in his Hallmark Christmas movie & more!  IG: @jessxnyc | @dannypellegrino Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island: Finding Fire Island  

Transcribed - Published: 25 November 2024

Jess is joined by prolific TV & film director JAMIE BABBIT! Jamie is best known for writing/directing the cult classic BUT I'M A CHEERLEADER w/ Natasha Lyonne & Clea DuVall. Over the past two decades she has directed HBO's GIRLS, THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL, GILMORE GIRLS, THE L WORD, A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN, ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING and more. Topics: shooting around different actors' nudity clauses, how to fix bad acting & bad dialogue in post-production and more! IG: @jessxnyc Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island: Finding Fire Island Read More  

Transcribed - Published: 4 November 2024

Jess is joined by legendary drag performer PEACHES CHRIST to analyze the legacy of the cult classic SHOWGIRLS and to answer the questions of why and how did this "masterpiece of sh*t" get made. Topics: Peaches Christ's Showgirls drag theatrical extravaganzas in San Francisco, Elizabeth Berkley's personal Showgirls journey, DEATH BECOMES HER, HOCUS POCUS, Hollywood Forever cemetary screenings, YOU DON'T NOMI doc & more! IG @jessxnyc | @thepeacheschrist Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island: Finding Fire Island

Transcribed - Published: 15 October 2024

Jess is joined by celebrity makeup artist KRISTOFER BUCKLE! Topics: discovery as a punk/goth in Penn Station, working MADONNA's SEX book party, transforming MARIAH into her post-"Butterfly" image, CHER poaching him while working XTINA for "Burlesque," BETHENNY filming him do her (drug store) face and an airline losing his makeup kit hours before doing JENNIFER LOPEZ. Plus, real talk on hair transplants, eyebrows, lashes, the "Kristofer Buckle" name origin story & more!  IG: @jessxnyc | @kristoferbuckle

Transcribed - Published: 30 September 2024

Jess is joined by pop/rock trio BETTY (known for THE L WORD theme song) as they release their 11th album "EAT." Topics: how an indie bon vivant band (composed of sisters Elizabeth Ziff & Amy Ziff, best friend Alyson Palmer) lasts for 40 years, living together in the late 80s East Village, their performance at Sondheim: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall, HBO's ENCYCLOPEDIA, Aly's college daughter watching THE L WORD, starring in their own Off-Broadway show "BETTY Rules" directed by RENT's Michael Greif & more!  BETTY live in NYC @ The Cutting Room - Sept 22 hellobetty.com for tour dates IG: @jessxnyc | @bettyrules

Transcribed - Published: 16 September 2024

Jess is joined by COUNTESS LUANN and her right-hand man, Roger Dawley! Topics: Spending 2 nights on Fire Island over Labor Day Weekend, her summer run-in with Bethenny, tales from Luann's time as a geriatric nurse, loving cigarettes, brief thoughts on RHONY reboot, latest with Sonja Morgan, prepping to film the Housewives Bachelor show and her plan for cabaret world domination.  IG: @jessxnyc | @countessluann | @rogerdawley Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island: Finding Fire Island Tix avail: countessluann.com

Transcribed - Published: 9 September 2024

Jess is joined by comedian JUDY GOLD! Topics: gay divorce, loving Ozempic, meeting her partner via a Time Out New York dating ad, buying her Provincetown house in 1994, not living with a partner, separate bedrooms, writing/producing The Rosie O'Donnell Show, filming her 1995 HBO standup special with Janeane Garofalo, creating a new TV series w/ Sandra Bernhard, bonding over being very tall | petite women & more!  IG: @jessxnyc | @jewdygold Check out Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island: Finding Fire Island

Transcribed - Published: 3 September 2024

Jess is joined by comedian JAKE CORNELL for a deep dive into NYC restaurant culture. Topics: asking waiters what to order, restaurant temperature and sound/music levels, tips for people on dates, best celebrity tipper, oddest celebrity group sighting, best / worst bathrooms and more. Plus, Jake's summer of Provincetown 4x, Edinburgh Fringe Fest tales + Jake's AND JUST LIKE THAT debut opposite Che Diaz.  IG: @jessxnyc | @jakewcornell Check out Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island: Finding Fire Island

Transcribed - Published: 26 August 2024

Jess is joined by the king of Provincetown fringe performance — playwright and drag theater impresario, RYAN LANDRY!  Topics: bringing JENNIFER COOLIDGE and PARKER POSEY to P-Town, setting fire to The Pyramid Club, working as a hooker, appearing in the Roy Cohn documentary, his cemetery plot with MARGARET CHO, the Cape Cod Serial Killer, hosting the long-running weekly Provincetown show, SHOWGIRLS… and more!  IG: @jessxnyc | @captryanlandry Check out Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island: Finding Fire Island

Transcribed - Published: 19 August 2024

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    

Transcribed - Published: 5 August 2024

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, Meredith Baxter and more! Don't miss the last 10 unhinged easter egg minutes.  IG: @jessxnyc Check out Jess' docu-pod series FINDING FIRE ISLAND about the history, mystique and lore of Cherry Grove & The Pines

Transcribed - Published: 22 July 2024

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-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island: Finding Fire Island

Transcribed - Published: 8 July 2024

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!  IG: @jessxnyc | @markbsnyder2024 | @alliwant2doistalkaboutmadonna Check out Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island: Finding Fire Island

Transcribed - Published: 24 June 2024