"Boobs and Alphapussy" (w/ Gina Gershon)

This is an "I Heart" podcast. Guaranteed Human. If you're bookshelf and you're for you page are equally important to your personality, welcome home. Pro Society is a weekly podcast that's part book club, part group chat for anyone who thinks pride and prejudice and love island deserve the same level of discourse. Each week, we're connecting the dots between books, the internet, and pop culture. With your favorite writers, book talk creators, and plenty of overthought opinions. Yeah, I'm obsessed, I'm obsessed. Listen to Pro Society on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I survived nine months in captivity, and I've spent my life exploring how other people survive what should have destroyed them. I'm Elizabeth Smart, and these are the survivor files. Every week, I'm with survivors who live through the unthinkable, abducted, stalked, controlled, and nearly silenced. These are stories about what it takes to make it out alive. Listen to the survivor files with Elizabeth Smart on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. - Hey, this is Hayes Davenport, and Sean Clements. - We host the podcast, Hollywood Handbook. - Each week, we talk to someone in show business and try to help them with their careers and see what they have to offer us. Everyone has a good time, and no one gets mad at their publicists for letting them do our show. - We've had a lot of great guests like Sarah Sherman, Adam Scott, Danny McBride, Ben Stillert, and a lot of other big shots that wouldn't be where they are without us. Listen to Hollywood Handbook on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. (upbeat music) - Look, man, oh, oh, I see, am I online? Bowen, look over there. Is that culture, yes, isn't it? - Yeah. - Let's call Johnny Stass. - Ding dong, let's call Teresa's calling. - Couple things to just call out right away. My girl is still going through it. I will not let it affect my job. - No, and I never thought you would, and that is a testament to your professionalism, your talent. There's a lot of that in the room today, and we'll get to it. - There's a lot of that in the room. I wanted to dress in my Gina Gershon drag today. But I think I look like Wong Car Y, or John Woo. I look like, my life looking like a, like my life a John Woo movie. No, my life a Wong Car Y movie, because it's green. These glasses is green. - And you said you look like a Chinese director, and I said maybe you will be one day. Maybe you're dressing for what you want to be in the, you could direct the way you order me around. - No one knows, I'm constantly bound. I'm in a bound situation. - Bound, and we face all. - After a cocktail, I never direct you. - You kind of don't, but you do subtly. - You do in ways that would be very alluring as an actor on a set, I'm just saying. - The way you sort of do a directorial style be. - Very direct, loud. Kind of like, you, there, you, here. - No, here, here, no, no, I like to drag. - Let me hear you, let me hear your best. Let's go again. - Let's go again. (laughing) That's really good. - Wait, hmm, wow. - Yep. - Let's go again. - Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's good. - How about that? - That's really good. - Kind of marine encouraging. Can I try? Go ahead. - Let's go again. - Really good. - No, no, you didn't like it. - No, that was a little, it was a little dismissive of everyone to go. - Okay, hold on, I need some runway into it, okay. - Okay, cut. That was great. Let's go again and the scene board. - No, no, no, no. - You seem more to me. I'm processing the note that I'm about to give. - Who's heard every version of this? - Because she's worked with every single one of them in the industry. - I was, I'm over 150 film credits. Film TV credits, spanning decades, and enduring versatile multi-hyphenate legends. - You say her name and everyone straightens up. They're spying. I can't because of my injury. - No, but we're gonna, I just want everyone to know that as a result of our guest being here, we are hot on the trail to a cure. Because I knew our guest knew someone who was a bodywork professional. And wouldn't you know it? Brian? - Brian. - You're a text away from fixing a bow and yang. - Not, not, not tonight. We've got a full night ahead of us. - And not to put pressure on you. - Not to put pressure on you, Brian. - No pun intended. - Very good. - She is somehow our dear friend. - One of my, everyone talks about this friendship. Like, oh, last quote. My favorite friendship is you and our guest. - I can't believe this is real. Anyway, her fantastic new memoir. Alphapussy. - Best title of the year. - How I survived the valley and learned to love my boobs. And I wanna talk boobs 'cause I'm a boob gaze, we always do. - And I think you have an affinity for boobs as well. - I love the guys. I love the gals. I love them. - The front abs. - I love those chesticles. - Chesticles. - I love our guest so much. I can't believe she's finally here. We talked about this a while ago. Thank goodness. - We did. - Everyone welcome. - Gina Gershaw. - Welcome to the chair. - Oh my God, it's so fun to watch you guys talk. Let me just say one thing. I have to address a few things that you've said. - Okay, addressed. - Dressful John Wu. You would be only so lucky to look like him. He is, I think hands down the most elegant director I've ever worked with. - Wow. - Always just look just so. And even though we'd walk around going, I need more money. I'm like, you have $99 million, John is that enough. But he would always look so sexy and sophisticated and cool. - Oh. - And that is how Bo Yang would be as a director. - No, yeah. - Sophisticated. I'm doing that every day in my damn apartment. - No, I think you look, I think you look really good. I didn't know you were trying to do me in this. What's the shirt that you said? - Oh, it is, thank you. - Thank you for calling out the shirt. - I wore this before, but it's clean. - Of course, it is really good. - We are gonna go. We're recording this on Tony Nam's day. We're very excited to congrats. Tights on me. - We got the technique. - Congratulations. - Congratulations, you guys. - Thank you so much. - Thank you. - The show is fantastic. - Oh my God, 'cause you texted me, are you gonna be there? - Some of my other people, I wasn't gonna bring it up. You guys, yeah. - We had to miss opening night of Titanic. - Like, are you gonna be there? And he's like, "Mrrr, we read Coach Hella." - But that looked like a fun, fucking name. - It was so, I hadn't seen the show. - Really? - Yeah. So it was my first time. - Review, thoughts. - I thought it was just so fun. Everyone's having the best time. And it's pure, it's everything you want it to be. - It's the coolest because we saw it. When it started at the old UCB theater, but it wasn't the UCB theater anymore. It was in the basement of our gristhedis. What was that theater called? - It was called a silent. - A silent theater, tiny, tiny, not that many seats. - 127th or 26th? - 26th. - Oh, wow. - 26th or 8th? - It used to be the old UCB and then Matt came on this podcast, uttered the words, "You have to go see Titanic." - We were so, the first person I thought of was him because of Celine and Titanic, French, Canadian legends. But it's, she's just the best. And it's one of those things that you know was born out of love for making people laugh and feel good and that's why I'm so proud of it 'cause it doesn't feel corporate. It made it like the little engine that could. - And also it's like just watching it. You're just so, you feel that and I kind of knew it and you're like, oh my God, I'm at their opening night on Broadway and you could tell they were all like, what, I can't believe we're here. So that was really special. - That's really great. - You could do Celine, I think. You could play Celine in that show. - Ah, could I sing Celine? It's a little high. - If you've done Sally Balls, you can do Celine Dion. - No, but Sally, yeah, except I always had the cushion of Sally 'cause when I first started doing it, they're like, you know, she doesn't really need to sing. And I'm like, oh honey, I'm singing. - Yeah, and we appreciate it when Sally can sing. - Right, I mean, and he's like, yeah, but she shouldn't, and he's like, and she shouldn't really dance. I'm like, I can deconstruct the dancing. That'll be fun to do, but you know, you just want to sing the shit out of it. - Why wouldn't they want you to dance though? 'Cause you're well regarded documented dancer. - Except because in the Sam Mendes version of Cabaret, I mean, Sally Balls traditionally wasn't that good. - Right. - You know, and so she was a little screechy or she was like, so I just mess up some of the dance moves and just kind of like, oh, you know, like you catch it up. And you know, one time though, oh my God, the scariest moment. And this is the first time, this is the only time this is really, really, really happened to me. 'Cause I only had, they gave me three weeks, you know, before I said, listen, I don't, I've never, I'd never like come in to replace someone on a show. So I just said, listen, all I care is that I get one day with Sam Mendes. I said, I just, I will do everything. You tell me where to go, but like, let me just do my own thing. I'm like, and I'm like, if you want me to go here instead, I'll do it. Just give me a shot to do my own thing, right? Of course. And so, and I came in two weeks because I was a way on a vacation, but one of the women I was with, she had Sally's voice. I'm like, oh great, I'll just work on my accent, I'll work on my songs, and I'll go in, and I'll have all that stuff in my head. Anyway, the first night I was like, are you nervous? Are you nervous? I'm like, no, no, no, I'm fine, just tell me where to go. I don't get nervous, I just get like shoes are here, entrances here, you know, but it was as, you know, I was going on that little voice is like, you are singing and dancing on Broadway. How do you know? You'll remember, I'm like, shut the fuck up. I can't listen to you, I'm not just like, just get out of my, it's like, what if you, I don't want to hear, I don't want to talk to, you know, I make it through, but about like five or six days later, I was on doing like, don't tell mama, and I had friends in the audience as well, blank. No. And all of a sudden, like, the words just went like, and I just said, just keep dancing. And I was like, "I'm going on that, man." And I was like, all of a sudden, I was in Singapore or somewhere. I just started singing something, but like, and adding a little crackle to it. And it's the case, someone's noticing it, like, "Oh, there must be something wrong with the thing." So I was like, "I'm going on that" and then until I finally found my way again, no one knew. But I said backstage, they're like, "Are we in Singapore next?" I did, I, for some reason, I started singing. But you were compelling, and you kept telling a story. And you know what, it just goes to show. If you just sell it, and I kept the tune, I kept the dance, it like, no one knew. Don't you show the audience is stupid. They're not stupid. But wait, and are you also saying-- They don't know the words. Are you, but are you also saying that like Sally and character would probably do that kind of thing? Maybe. Maybe they thought, "Oh, that nutty Sally." I was just thinking, "Oh, blame the technology." So I was like, "Cracking." They were like, "Oh, it was so great, but then I couldn't understand." You know, when the crackling in the mind, I know that mic. That mic today really fucked me up, but I kept going. So I don't know what what I was doing. This was the track that was set by Natasha Richardson originally. So it's interesting because, of course, the one that's been, that has been going, was started in the West End and Jesse Buckley originated it. And that one is more sung. She's definitely-- She's definitely-- She's got a great voice. She's got an unbelievable voice. And I feel like only if you didn't know, you didn't know, but now people are really knowing the breadth of what she can do, vocally. She's incredible. Unbelievable. But I will say, it does feel really nice to hear that score really sung well. And I know that that's a common refrain about Sally Bowles. Well, you know, it doesn't have to be. It's better for this. It's better. I mean, with those songs, it's a shame not to. I mean, I saw one actress doing them who really couldn't sing. I will not name who it was. And it kind of bummed me out. Yeah. I was just like, you know what? Maybe you sing it well and every now and then you could do an oopsie on purpose. You could orchestrate that a little bit, but I don't know, especially like maybe this time, which wasn't the-- like, it's such a gorgeous song. It's beautiful. One of the best. I don't want to not sing it. Of course. Anyways. But that was one of the only moments that's happened where it went fully. Oh, yeah. What do you think was happening? I don't know. Okay. I think I got too cocky. Like, I had two weeks. I got this, Broadway. I'm nailing this. And I went out. And it just something just went boom. Yeah. And I'm like, terrifying. Yeah. It was kind of terrifying. But, you know, your brain goes, does summer solts. And so I made it work and known was the wiser except backstage. Except backstage. It's like, so are we in Singapore now? Yeah. We're not sure of what. And I don't know why that was my go-to place to go. We were commuting with something. Just something came through. Something came through. Was it just that number or did it continue? No, it was just like eight bars, or maybe 16 bars, of, don't tell mama. I am shocked that-- I mean, it must be an adrenaline thing. But there was one time at SNL when I felt like I was getting pushed out for a weekend update. And something, like flashed, it was an intrusive something where I was like, I'm going to faint. Ooh. And my head is going to slam into the desk on live tap with it. Do you remember what bit? It was like, um, trade daddy, uh-- So early. Early. It was like my second time. I was like, hey! And then I was like, uh, what if I just-- I'm lightheaded. What if I just passed out on live television. And I'm like, I don't think it's ever happened before on that show at least. Do you have-- Do you have like a-- They probably would have laughed in a plot. What? No. Everyone would have-- because I feel like-- because it's such a controlled atmosphere, everyone would assume it's part of the bit. I don't know. Maybe you were dehydrated. I don't know if you were dehydrated. If I fully went unconscious, I probably would have dehydrated. If I went fully unconscious and slammed head first into the desk, people would be like, oh my god. They were-- That is so unprofessional of him. Your bow and yang is a committed sketch performer in the way his head exploded. You've had moments where you've thought, oh no, something's gone horribly wrong. I mean, they're-- I guess during the Christmas show when I'm touring, it's kind of just like everyone's kind of like, whatever anyway, we're all just there for a good time. In a high-stakes situation, I remember during my SNL audition, I felt-- I remember I couldn't feel the blood in my feet. That was the first time I ever had that. Oh, interesting. I couldn't feel the blood in my feet and I realized I wasn't breathing. I was like, oh god. Remember to breathe. Yeah. Or you're going to lose circulation. Breathe into your toes. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But then the thing about that experience is it is the most intense audition experience you can possibly have. So after that, it's kind of hard to get stage fright or feel unprepared because of how intense that is. I'm kind of mad. I never did that. I wish I had started my whole career doing SNL. I always thought it would be great. But then I went into a different thing. My mom kept saying, you really should be doing coming. I'm like, no, I'm going to be a really serious actress. I can't do that right now. But why is it so intense? Because all I keep saying is like, why can't I host? I want to host. And then you bring me in. Like every now and then I get brought in yours was the most fun. The bow and straight. Oh, yeah. I mean, come on. I know. Every time Gina coming in looking, I'm sorry, I don't mean to have a stretch of how you would make this about your appearance. Ravishing. But I'm always like, oh my god. I'm in love with you. And then we get to make out. Well, you are VG icon in many ways. I mean, the thing is, I think people, one of the things, the word underrated is thrown around so much. But the thing is, you really don't get the credit for the place that you hold in queer audience's minds. Or maybe you do feel like that is a common thing that's said to you. And you feel like it's over indexed. You're like, oh, the only people who come up to me are gay men. No, that's not true. No, because you have such a wide audience. I mean, a lot of gay men do, but I also have, like, you can tell which movies for us. If it's about the lesbian. Like the straight men. Yeah. On just the lesbian. Yes. Showgirls. The gay men. And the teens and the Gen Z. Riverdale. Riverdale. And theater goers. Theater. Well, then there's people who just have seen me do music or they know like the other books. Like they don't, they get confused. Right. Oh, I really like him. Preview time. I'm like, right. They're like, wait, you act. I'm like, yeah, I do that. It's like a different, weird world. Yeah. You've got video, you've got gamers now after Borderlands were probably like. I think if Borderlands had done a little bit better. Yeah. I don't know. I was a little bit. I wish I wanted that to do great, but. I know, but it's. I want. I got control of it. But you and Kate had a blast. So much fun. She's so much fun. I'm going to do, you know, what you and I did, the How-To Academy. Yes. Here in New York. I'm doing that with Kate and London. Amazing. Yeah. That was an amazing night, by the way. And you're incredible. I've been really lucky because I've had really good friends, you know. You've been amazing. I did one with Linda Perry and Los Angeles. And as we're walking on, you know, to do, you know, she's like, you know, Jeanette, I didn't read the book. I'm like, what? I said, wait, wait. What do you mean you didn't read the book? She's, you know, it takes me a really long time to read the book. I'm like, well, so do you want me to? Jenette, no, we'll be fine. I'm like. I want you to know about me. I said, she's really, I said, you can't talk about other things, you know, about me. Exactly. And then she just like, gosh, she goes, oh, this book is so good. Let's just open up vampires. What do you think about vampires? It was the funniest talk ever. I mean, it was fine, you know. And so what do you say that I just fell down a Linda, um, Linda Perry rabbit hole the other night, because I was, for some reason, the, the writing of beautiful popped into my mind. Oh, gorgeous story about how Linda had written that for herself. Yeah. And, um, you know, it ended up. She, Christina, her heart, like, went over her shoulder and was like, what's that song? It was like, I want to record that came in. They used the raw, though it was Christina's first take, first take. And now Linda's coming out. She's singing again. Yeah. And so she's, have you heard her version of it? No, but I need to do that. You must. Wow. You must. Is it out? It's, it's, I think it's, it came out like this month. It's coming out this month. Right. And she's sound, she's, you know, to me, Linda, when I first met her, I didn't meet her first. I've heard her because we're at the same show singing. And I was going on after, whoever this Linda pair was, I'm just like singing my song. And I hear this voice. Yep. And I was just like, what the fuck? What's going on there? And I'm like, you need to turn my volume up because her voice is so big. I'm like, how does she sing so big? I was like, oh my god. Hour. She's got to meet one of my favorite voices, a female rock and rollers. Yeah. And then I went and afterwards, I didn't know. I was just trying to write music, because the pray for rock and roll is coming out. And then I had to go on tour and I'm like, oh my god, I got to write music, because those songs didn't work. And I said, I said to Matt Sorum, who's the Guns and Roses, he said, who's that girl? That's why I want to write with these, like, yeah, get in line. I didn't realize she was so sought after. Yeah. So I met her that night. I said, I just have a feeling. I said, I really want to write with you. She's like, yeah, like you and everyone else. And then I just, she says, I, what's the word, a stalker? Like, what's that word that I call? I kept saying, no, no. I finally said, just give me an hour. Give me an hour. And if we don't have fun, then we could, we'll have fun for an hour. Like, then you could kick me out. Yeah. This is incredible. This reminds me of the San Mendes thing, where you're like, give me one blank. Yeah. Give me one blank with this person. And if it doesn't work out, then it'll be fine. Well, it seems like you tend to, you tend to really get, like, get it in the pocket. Well, Sam had already offered me the part. Right. There's a whole story in the book about that, which is really fun. that deals with Joe Montello, who just got nominated for director and for his show that the salesman doesn't. - So good, so good. - So great. And I mean, I was like, I need to start doing musicals now 'cause I just moved into an apartment of a singer and I'm like, I used to be a song and dance girl. I don't know why we were so wasted. You couldn't remember why. And then I was like, - It was just New York. - He was just, we were out and it was so long ago that you have like a phone message machines. So by the time I got, how I said, no, Joe, I think I need to start doing musicals. I was just a song and dance girl all the time. And then I just went away from it. - Yeah. - I get home and I hear like, in their jeans at the high, this is Sam Mendez. I think it'd be brilliant, you know, doing, you know, cabaret and I'm like, that Joe, so funny. Like. - You thought it was Joe doing an impression of Sam Mendez? - I was wasted. I was like, how did he get home so soon? Bam, my head hits the pillow. - Yeah. - In the next day, I'm like, I listen to it again. I'm like, God, he really does a good English accent. I'm just going to get on like, I don't know. I think this might actually be Sam. - Wow. - It was Sam and I called Joe right away. I'm like, you can't believe it. - Yeah. - And he was like, no. I said, yeah. - That's the thing about having such talented friends. You never know when people are doing an impersonation. - Yeah. 'Cause everyone's a whiz. - Everyone's a whiz. - I never know when he calls me who it is. - Yeah, yeah, I'm so good at impressions. - You are. - No, I'm not. - But you do not? - You do know, look, this is all a testament. Like, you do like have the coolest connections. Like, and like, it's because you are in excess of that. Like, it's, you're involved in the coolest stuff. You take risks. Like, just hearing about how bound came together and the belief that had to go into that being the success that it was, just the collaboration that has followed and I think been a theme. - Yeah. I think I have, it's like, I have a certain knack. Like, I could read people quickly. I'm one of those people in a room they come in and right away, I'm like, do, do, do, do, do, do. Not in a judgey way, I just, I like 'em, I don't. - Yep. - Like, there's an energy thing or like, that person stay away from, you know? And I think what I really like, I just have a thing for really talented people. Even if I don't know what they do, I'm like, oh, that person's so great. I just like, there's something that they have. What, whatever it is they do. - Is it feeling you have or a sense you get from them? - It's just an energy, it's like a frequency or something. - Did you and I meet at Carnegie? - No, we met. It's so weird that my, 'cause we met. - We didn't, we didn't share scenes in "Norfrom Queens". I was, it was such a big day when, when like, Nora was like, oh my god, Gina Gershonas coming into the day. And we were like, oh my, I was like, what make up? We got Gina. It was, that was great. - I didn't meet you there. - No. - It was not there. - We, I mean, no, 'cause I was writing that movie. - Yes. - And I remember like, there was a care, and I've never done this before. And all of a sudden I kept thinking what, and you came into my mind, I'm like, okay, just pretend it's bowing Yang and write it for that. I'm like, oh, (imitates bowing) I'm like, what's amazing, yeah, really amused. And then there was a, I don't know who was on SNL that night, but I was at the party. It was later at night. (laughs) And then I said, oh my, and I saw you, I'm like, oh my god. You've been in my head all day. And then we just talked, (imitates bowing) and we like had a love in, and then that was it. And then we didn't see each other until, - Until. - Joan Baez or Lori was like, you guys go out and dance. - That was crazy, and then that was the week where we wrote, we brought back Bowen, Bowen is straight. - No, that was the first one. - That was the first one, isn't it? - Yes, we need to go. - But so we wrote it for Dakota Johnson, it didn't go. - Oh. - And then we did a repass on it when Cindy Sweeney hosted, and then Gary Richardson, our friend, goes, I think it'd be really cool if Bowen, if Bowen's girlfriend, like whatever, like situation ship was, with like this hot woman, like Sydney, like that Sydney should get jealous of, like what about Gina Grishon? And it was like, I just sang with her on stage to try and get her on Monday. Lori Anderson and Joan Baez. - Put us together. - That's crazy. - It was so, it was so dumb. But how did you and Lori meet? - Lori and I, we met through Lou, because I met Lou through Dave Stewart, who I met on showgirls, kind of saved my life during that time, which is insane. And Dave was playing with Lou, I think it was on Letterman one night, and he's like, oh, why did you come, you know, and like, we'll go out after, or something. - But Lou Reed was performing on Letterman, or? - Lou Reed, Dave Stewart, Bootsie Collins. It was like, they were a super group, I don't know what they were, but Dave's like, just come and then we'll go out afterwards. And it happened to be Lou Reed's birthday. - Uh-huh. - And he's like, you know, I feel like going downtown, and like, you know, playing at some dive bar or something. - And I'm like. - It's like a Lou Reed impression. - Thank you. - I do do the really good impression. And so we all went down. I happened to have my Jews farm, 'cause I always usually happen. In fact, I can't believe I didn't bring it today. I was raised down. It's okay. And so they were all gonna play in some dingy bar. And I just said, hey, I've got this. And we was like, yeah, come on up and play. So I played with those guys. And I was like, Bootsie Collins, oh my God. And then when I was doing Cabaret, say, I'm attaching all the things. - I love it. - I, he was coming, I had met Howl. I can't remember how I met Howl, but Howl and Lou came to see me do Sally because Lou was doing a project. And I think Howl said, oh, why don't we, Gina can maybe help us with actors or something. You know, he was doing the, the Edgar Allen pose, the Raven. - Oh wow. - And so I was so nervous that I'm like, Lou Reed's coming tonight. I'm like, oh my God. I've got a fucking, like, I didn't really know Howl that well. - Yeah, yeah. - And anyway, so we did it. I sang the shit out of it. And of course, they came up and I was, and Lou was like, you know, I fucking hate musicals. And I'm like, he said, you know, that was pretty cool. He goes, you're saying on key the whole time. - Oh. - And I was like, is that, like, they make me, like, they make me sing. He's like, no, I was, how do you do that? - Yeah. - And I said, you know, it's Broadway kind of have to do, like, I'm so sorry, like, I was out, but anyway, we became, we became friends. It was kind of a nightmare doing the project 'cause I brought in a bunch of friends. And he, and everyone was like, oh my God, Lou Reed. And they would do a reading and I'd be like, and he'd be like, ah, can you just, I don't know, can you just be better? I'm like, ah, you can't talk to people like that. So we kind of like, Lou would say that? - Yeah. - Oh, sure. - He doesn't mean swirls and off the court, the other actors were like, oh my God. But then we just, Lou and I became pals. And like, Lori was always on tour. And so we'd do like, eagle claw together, or we'd go like, eat food. You know, he was really fun to eat food with 'cause he's such a New York life. - Oh, yeah. - And then, but, you know, and one day he goes, you know, Lori, you should meet Lori. I'm like, yeah, I would really like to meet Lori. Not telling him that Lori was like my idol. Like, she was, I mean, yeah, Lori's cool, but I was like, like Lori Anderson. And so, and I was also a little nervous 'cause I'm sure she's thinking, who's this chick? Like, Hannah, with my guy all the time, right? Even though it was like, but you know, like we never met and Lou and I, we were hanging out, you know? - That's a thing. - And so she was, so he said, just come on over. You know, she's, you know, here. And as soon as I walked in, you know, she's there with her little dimples in her dog. She was, oh, hi, so nice to meet you. And she's just a slice of, I don't know, she's otherworldly. - I know, she's just. - She's just, so, you talk about an energy and a frequency. Immediately, I'm just like, I love you. Like, I want to be like around you all the time. And, but we really didn't, after Lou died, we didn't really, we met, we accidentally met at some thing, some reading, at some Tibetan thing. I don't know what it was, I can't remember. And I just said, you know, hey, how are you doing? And she just seemed lost to me. She's like, I don't know. I said, are you lost? And she just seemed so vulnerable. I just wanted to hug her. She's like, yeah. Yeah, I said, well, you know, I'm here, if you want to like, you know, take a walk or if you want to go to dinner or a movie, she's like, could we go to India? And I'm like, yeah, Lori Anderson, sure, I'll go to India with you. We never went to India. We came here. You had to do that. I know. I know, I know. I know. But she, we just became really close and she's been a big influence in my life. Yeah, that's beautiful. She's been very helpful to me in so many ways. You were prepared to like, offer that friendship to her in that moment though. Like, maybe like years before that it would have been, you would have felt too, you would not have maybe felt brave enough to like be like, we should, do you need anything? You look lost. Do you like, I think that, that takes a lot of courage. But she wasn't like Lori Anderson to me at that moment. She was just like a, like a very pure present, like beautiful energy that just felt really vulnerable. And I just felt like, oh my God, I need to, I want to protect her. You know what I mean? Yeah. I forgot about all that other stuff. I mean, and I do, I have so many, I do have friends who are so talented. I just love them and then I go to see them perform. And I'm like, holy shit, they're really incredible. Like, like, oh my God, I forget. Like they're embodying a different energy. Yeah. But I think I'm friends with some of these people, you know, because I don't treat them like that. And we are just like this and every now and then I'm like, holy shit. Shit, I'm glad I became friends with them before I started watching them else. Maybe I would have been too weirded out. Interesting. That's amazing that through cabaret, though, through howl bringing Lou. And how? It all sort of inspired that way, but I'm going to 54 tonight to see Rocky. I'm dying to go. It's great. It's great. But wait. Juliet's in there. She's perfect. She's the best. I can't wait. I love her. Who performing at STUDI 54 that feels just so, so scrumptious? Yeah. That's how he was really fun. That's where cabaret was. I know. I'm saying, like, you being there, like, feels very powerful. It was amazing. It's New York on New York. It's just like, oh. I get the revival of that as well in that theater. I was at opening night of that with Alan Cumming in Michelle Williams, which, and just to see that staging again, was, and I'm so happy that that space got graced by his vision of it again. It was also great because, like, the first, the tables were right there. And if we're drinking and getting wasted and so, like, you can really react to, you know, some people. And it just felt like it just made the whole atmosphere. It was a really shocking production, I thought. Incredible. Like, it was, it was so cinematic and I was like, yeah, truly, you know, this, he obviously directs film and he brought that to the space. I just, it was the first time I saw a space really transformed, and, you know, now they do it all the time. Like, Jamie Lloyd, the way that he transforms the space. Yeah. But how much you can transform that space. It was also, like, you'd walk in the theater and the, like, the KitKat girls. They were just so-- I love that. I love that. And, like, it smelled so nasty. Like, you were just in it. Yes. It felt really, it was-- that was a really special production. No, they transformed it. They also did it in the West End and then which they also brought to New York, but I just, it's such an important, great, enduring show. Yeah. It's just all my favorites. And now, a vital break from our sponsor, Vital Proteins. You know the blue tub, you've probably seen everywhere. That's Vital Proteins College and Pep Tides. Now, why use them? Because they're the experts. The number one college and brand in the US. I'm talking about ingredients backed by science and shown to be effective. I mean, when we hit about age 30, our bodies naturally produce less collagen. And collagen has a lot of benefits. A lot. Collagen Pep Tides are a simple, well-in-the-supplement that supports healthy hair, skin, nails, bones, and best of all joints. And it's easy to use. Add a serving to whatever you're a herty drinking. Morning coffee, afternoon tea, daily smoothie, weekly whatever. I use Vital Proteins College and every morning. I just mix it into my coffee or a smoothie. It's super easy. And it's become a simple part of my daily routine. But however you do it, consistency is the key. It's crazy how something so effective is so easy. And right now, you can get 20% off your next order by going to vitalproteins.com. And using promo code "Losculturistas20" that's "Losculturistas20" that's "Losculturistas20". And check out. Huge thanks again to our sponsor, Vital Proteins. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. I thought you said it was proven by science. I never said that. I just said it was good. When I was 14 years old, I was kidnapped and health captive for 9 months. I survived. And I've spent my life exploring how other people survive what should have destroyed them. I just remember this low-taunting voice next to my ear saying, "Shut up, don't say anything." Every week, I'm with survivors who live through the unthinkable. I knew if he woke up, without a doubt, he was going to hurt me. I started feeling that there was someone at the end of my bed, and I just started screaming. They are abducted, stalked, controlled, and nearly silenced. But these aren't stories about what's taken from them. Their story is about what it takes to make it out alive. Listen to the survivor files with Elizabeth Smart on the iHeartRadio app Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, this is A's Davenport. And Sean Clements. We host the podcast Hollywood Handbook on the Big Money Players Network. Our show is extremely accessible to first-time listeners. Each week, we talk to someone in Show Business, aka The Biz, and try to help them with their careers and see what they have to offer us. We've had a lot of great guests like Sarah Sherman. Not that great. Can you help me shape this? How about we flip it on his head? How about we flip this around? What is the surprise one, man? Actually, you think as the straight man is actually the one who's acting weird. I'm Scott, this entire time you've been expecting Adam Sandler to come to visit the show. I would never let go of that. I would never set expectations for something like that. It sounds like if the universe allows for something like that to happen, I am open to it. I'm always going to accept. You know, Danny McBride. Fine. Yeah. It's all this fragile masculinity exuding. I could smell it walking on the hallway to be honest with you. I was like, is that the weed? Nope. It's fragile masculinity. Yeah. Ben stiller. No. I think there's a lot of times out of context, people don't get it or even know what a circle is. I think it's so stupid. Uh-oh. Everyone's so dumb. And fake. Right. Fake and also not interested or just like, oh, I've got my life. I don't care about your life. And a lot of other big shots that wouldn't be where they are without us. Oh. And by the way, Will Ferrell told us personally he loves the show and he wants to be a guest on every episode. But he's just so busy. Listen to Hollywood Handbook on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. On the new podcast, Solita, we share the messy reality of traveling alone as a woman. I can wait four hours for the next bus or this random dude is offering me a ride on his motorcycle. I chose option B. I'm Julie Pignero and I travel by myself because it's a rare space where I can say yes without asking anyone else first. I'm on a mission to reclaim the word Solita, trading the pity for possibility. Every time I try to be alone, I kept meeting people and they were like, you smiled at us not a lot of people smile around here. It's when you're alone that you're most receptive to the world as it is and not the lies you're sold about it. It can be a time where you push your limits, change your mind, or wake up to a new version of yourself. So whether you're a solo travel veteran or you're too nervous to book your first trip, I hope you listen to Solita on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. If you're a bookshelf and you're for you page are equally important to your personality, welcome home. This is Pros Society, the weekly podcast that's part book club, part group chat for thought daughters, pop culture obsessives, and anyone who thinks pride and prejudice and love island deserve the same level of discourse. I'm Eli Rallo and every week we're connecting the dots between books, the internet, and the conversations everyone can't stop having. I'm going to have to look up this story, I'm obsessed, I'm obsessed. From bestselling authors and your favorite book talk creators to the latest pop culture moments, nothing is off the table. Like if you can hide some real messages inside compelling characters and that is of Trojan horse, whether you're looking for literary deep dives, smart pop culture conversations, or a community of readers who love to think a little too much, you're in the right place. Listen to Pros Society on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. See you between the pages. I just feel happy that I'm happy to be here with you guys, we're so happy you're here. So that we can ask you the question, the central question of our podcast, what is the culture that means you say culture, what's for you? You know, I was thinking about this and I thought, God, this is a really good question. And then I only, yeah, but it's a hard question because I'm like, what exactly is mean? And the only thing that kept coming up in different forms was I remember not so much I remember when I was younger and I saw my first theater piece and I just thought like, whoa, these are magic people, like on stage. But I remember when my uncle took me to my first concert and I was like six, and it was like three dog night or something, but I'd never been to a big concert. Yes. And everyone sort of like lighting their lights and everyone was singing at the same time. It was so communal. And it was so like, I just felt like this is really important and I just went to go see, I mean, so many concerts, like people don't know each other and they're all singing together. I just saw, you know, Noel and Gallagher. I was just going to say, I just kind of, I wish that I had gone to the Oasis show. Yeah. I went to the Oasis show in London, right? And I have to say, there were so many, like, it was like real bro culture of course, right? Bro's bro, but these guys were like, and drinking their beers, but then in the middle of songs, they're like turning around to strangers and hugging each other and everyone's high-fiving. And I'm like, what is going on? This is so beautiful. It's like on a different time maybe they would have been fighting. or it would been too agro or too macho. And I love that as a cultured, 'cause it's the only one that I really have witnessed, even more so than being at a culty thing or a guru thing, 'cause there's something fake to me about that. But that really people love each other, and they come together and they sing together in all different walks of life. - It's spiritual. - It's spiritual. It can soften even an agro guy like what you're describing. You can soften them to the point of just full tenderness. - Yes. - Sports can't do that. - Like guys that I would like watching Gwen God, this would be rough, let's leave this place early, 'cause this is gonna get gnarly, you know? - Uh-huh, uh-huh. - Just like literally hugging each other, hugging strangers, turning around, go, go. And I thought it's soft in them, and it gave them a commonality on a spiritual level. And everyone's singing together. I just think there's nothing like it. - Yeah, you could lock eyes with someone you're having a real, there is like a little relationship in that moment and a shared thing. - Yes, it's cool. - And even if people, like if you've seen concerts in different countries, right? With people singing, if it's in Japan or in Turkey, wherever you are, even people who don't speak English, they know all the words, right? And everyone's singing too. And it's just like this is so incredible. It doesn't like your race, your creed, your color, whatever it is, like where everyone is meeting in a common, beautiful space. - Well, you are the perfect person to ask this sort of cliche question, but I have a feeling you're gonna have a cool answer, and a bespoke answer. What was the live music moment of your life? Like, would you remember your, you're not your first, necessarily best, but like what was the formative music, live music concert or moment for you? - I feel, I knew like three things popped in my head all at the same time. - Love that. - Well, I think that first concert, when it was just like, whoa. - Who was on stage again? - Three dog night. ♪ One is alone is none ♪ ♪ One is alone is none ♪ - That was like six, that was little. - Yeah. - Wow. - I remember, I mean, you remember going, well, like they're flooding into my head now. I remember like the first concert I went to on my own, like you know, I think like one of our mothers drove us or something, you know, but like, it was Jethro Tall. - Wow. - And I just remember feeling cool, 'cause I'm like, I'm at a show without my parents or my sister or brother. - The atmosphere was like something that like made you empowered. - It was just me going to a show with my friends, it made me feel cool, you know? But I remember, I, you know, it's so funny, I can't remember what I talk about in the book or not, anymore 'cause it's all starting to mingle in my head. You know your life story, yeah. - Well, it's just little weird moments, but you know, I can't remember what I actually put in the book and what I didn't put in the book. - You tell me, you tell me what you think was in the book and I'll tell you. - Did I mention when, you know, my uncle was, you know, he was a musician, he had orchestra's and he was a jazz guy and he was doing some sort of show. I used to go to like, you know, he used to do the Grammys and I'd go to like the rehearsals when they'd all dressed in their jeans. - Yeah, I love that. I'm like, they were norm, like, and I thought, oh my God, they're like normal people and they're so cool and then you see them perform. You're like, okay, so there's two people. - Yeah. - They're like performance people and then like you're just wearing your jeans and you're sneakers people, but that was cool, but I remember, I don't remember what it was for. I was little. I think my mom just dropped me off and I was, he was having people come up and sing on stage and I was really tired and there was a beautiful kind of a black woman in a dress and she didn't have her shoes on and she was sitting there and I just remember like going like, I was so tired. I just kind of went over and like laid on her kind of, you know, a little bit because she just felt so warm to me and beautiful and so I was leaning against her and she just put her arm around me and she just started humming and I remember going like, whoa, like it was humming, but it went through my whole body and then he was just like, all right, you know, Sarah, come on up and you know, my woman, she went on stage to sing and I remember thinking, oh, that lady's not wearing any shoes, like an adult, like who's not wearing a shoe going up on stage, you know, and then she started singing and I'm just like, my person's a really good singer. Like she was my personal person and I remember saying that Uncle Jack, like, I like her. Like I think she can really sing. He's like, yeah, that's Sarah Vaughn. She's a wonderful singer. - Oh my God. - But like, but I, she hummed and like, it hummed through my body. - Wow. - That never, like I'd never seen of her to voice like that. - How old are you at the, within this hour? - I've been six. I was a skinny little thing. I mean, I literally just like plop myself like this on her and she just kind of, you know, I was little enough to not have energy. I don't know, but you look cozy. And I'm like laying next, I'm like laying on you, basically. - This is an LA. - Yeah. - And your uncle, so he, he's in the know because he, he's scoring all these things. He's written all these, wrote the Charlie Zandell's theme song. - My uncle, it's like the coolest guy ever knew. He started off before I was born, obviously. He was in Paris living, get this with Quincy Jones. They were studying under the same people, like these hot guys in their 60s. In 1960, the back rack was around as well too. I'm always like, you know, well, Quincy, I was like, tell me stories, he's like, mm, mm. And I'm like, you motherfuck you don't remember. Just tell me something, but anyway, he was playing, they were all studying jazz. And so he was playing in some little bar. And then Judy Garland saw him. She brought him to the States to become her arranger. And then from that, Jack, my uncle. And then he ended up doing TV and like, variety shows. And then he ended up starting to, you know, he did like Barney Miller and Carly's Angels and wears Papa and the jerk. And like he did-- - Charly's Angels is a Bop. - Right. - That is. - It's a Bop. - That is enduring. - That's when he got into that room. They had that sound. But then his real love was, you know, he had an orchestra that he put all these great musicians together, the jazz symphonic orchestra. And so they would, you know, showcase new, you know, arrangements and new composers. And then he'd have shows and it was really fun. - I put forth like a pretty flawed thesis at your "How to Academy" in Q&A. I was reading the book and I was like, I think the comment thread here is that men were disgusting towards you, your whole life. And I want to take that back because I feel like I am not accounting for the men who were, who really like opened your eyes to things and saw you for who you were as this talented, amazing person. - Well, you were just talking about, 'cause of like the Valley stories. But the Valley stories are like, they're like, "Child of the Lesters." It's a team. - Yeah, "Child of the Lesters" is all the rapists and stuff like. - But growing up in the Valley when the porn industry was being created, which meant that there were not exactly boundaries. - It was a very toxic world and it was needed that helicopter parent hadn't been invented yet. So it's like, "Be home GG before six." And I'm like, "Okay." - Nothing back can happen. - Yeah, we grew up in them. Like I think we were one of the last, I mean, I'm sure it still happens. But I remember, I remember like, okay, we would just run off for miles as long as we were home by like six. But even that, I remember my dad being like, at the time of that being true, like you take your bike out and go wherever. My dad was like, "You know, I used to ride my bike to Shae Stadium, hopped the fence." - Oh my God. - And we lived a long island. And like he would just, he would just ride his bike for like a long way and hop the fence at Shae. No one was none the wiser by himself as a kid. - Oh my God. - To see a concert. - No, to watch the match. - To watch the match. - I see it. - And how old? - Seven, eight, nine years old. Like young. - It was a different sort of world. I mean, now everyone's so, I mean. - Older than that. Probably like 11, 12, you know? - Still. - That's a long way. - You're a child and you're out there. - So it's just like the abandon with which you were able to live your life as a coming of age person in the, you know, in the valley at that time. It had to be like a licorice pizza vibe. - It's very much. I mean, at least tell, you know, Paul and like we have, 'cause we had similar upbringing. - PTA. - PTA, yeah. - But I said, I have like the female version. I sent my and Paul a book. I don't know if they've read it yet. But, you know, I'm like, this is like my, it's my version with boobs. - Yes, yeah, yeah, yeah. - Like coming, but like the, you know, the water bed store, the, we had the licorice pizza we had the, the other record store where I stole my first record. - Yeah. - What I was thinking, I don't know, Led Zeppelin Ford. Like an album, I stole the album under my thing. - Yeah. - I mean, crazy, that was really nuts. But yeah, it was a different sort of time. And, you know, all those people were around. We just weren't aware of it, you know? So you kind of were left on your own devices. That's like kind of the whole, I started getting, I didn't realize I was right so much of that. But then the valley stuff just started, I'm like, why am I thinking of this? And then these memories started coming back. And I'm like, wow, it's kind of a gnarly childhood. And everyone's like, oh, how did you get so tough? And I'm like, well, god, I just, I almost had to be in order to survive like bad situations. But when you're younger, you don't think about it as like, oh, I'm survived. Like, okay, don't get killed by that guy. Get out of here or these are bad guys. And just, so you just go, go, go. And it wasn't until I started writing it. I'm like, yeah, wow, I'm excited. Survives I was really like slightly traumatized and kind of scared all the time But you just had no time to be scared. You just yeah, you're on alert the whole time So there's no time to be like I've had to be on alert. You're just on alert You're just on alert. It's just like danger danger And it kind of gives you a sense of like danger at two o'clock across the street over here You know, so it was kind of it was good training for like living in New York and then Hollywood You know and the rest of the world you just all of a sudden know how to deal with we Your stuff, you know, well you talk about I mean this that the story behind alpha pussy Being well, why don't you tell it? How did you arrive at a title like this for everyone? That's oh yeah Because everyone thinks oh well for pussy, but it's really not just maybe just salacious But there's actually there's real strength in how you arrived. Yeah, well, okay, so When I became aware of it I just remember and I became super aware of it. So I used to use the term and I used to like use the I didn't know It's a philosophy until there was an aha moment when I mean after I got and show girls and I was really excited You know, it was like a big break for me and I got to dance and I got to play. Oh, I'm Margo now instead of Eve and mine It was already so great. I'm like, ooh, and you know, I was like this is such a cool part like And then I remember male like executives or agents I'd go to parties and you know at that moment like you're in Hollywood Like oh, I finally have something cool that I'm doing for people like oh, what are you doing? Because that's what they always ask and instead of feeling like a loser. I'm like like oh yeah I'm doing showgirls, but they'd be like hey, so I see you doing showgirls and they would stare at my chest Go down my body and I found myself like covering like crossing my arms and getting very angry Intellectual like oh, yes, you know Paul there off and you know his Dutch films are really incredible I miss petters. I mean the way he music I'm thinking what the fuck are you talking about as I was backing away and talking like this? Yeah, and about the fourth time that happened. I thought what is going on? Like I'm actually really excited and I'm being made to feel weird and Defensive minimizing yourself minimize myself and getting there. I mean really like like this and I thought about I for some reason my cat flashed in my head and I've always had male cats like kind of wild, you know And the thing about a male kitten, especially if they're a little bit feral Just a little bit just a little bit. Well, they're off the street. Yeah, you know, they're like rescue kitties You know more than I do. I'm just making a stupid joke But I'm sure a certain pedigree cats. Maybe they don't do it. I don't know. I've never had one I'm obsessed with this philosophy though. Okay. Okay, so anyway the thing is when you have a Wildcat, you know, they they you know scratch you and they jump on you and they start you know Reaking havoc everywhere and so I would like stare at the kitty and they would stare at me like when they're really little You know and you just like stare stare you have a staring contest and if you look away for a second They will fucking attack you like jump on your head So you can't so I would just stare stare stare be in all sense at some point they go And they roll on their back they're cave therefore making me the alpha pussy gotcha right and they will never and they will never try to reclaim that They they will but like a certain boundary has been and obviously you could say no and they they it's like how you break that energy And I thought about it and so the next time one of these guys came up to me and he's like you know Showgirls I just I remember like looking him right in the eye and just saying oh yes could be so great I'm gonna be dancing naked kissing guys kissing girls. This would be so much fun I was so nice, but I kept that eye contact eye contact eye contact and then he went oh Yeah, that's cool and he backed up and he looked away Mmm, and I thought oh my god. This is everything. I'm the alpha pussy It's you got an alpha pussy the shit out of these situations and you know what and it it works And I realize I do it a lot you know who just did it recently not to bring in a whole other big energy But she was talking about this moment. I'm like oh my god Alpha push she the shit out of that moment. I mean You can cut this part if you want, but it's gets kind of you know, have you been following did you fall that? the Gisele Oh my god, how you say pelico Pelico. Oh, oh she's the woman She's the woman the French woman who was married for like a zillion years and then her husband had been dosing her and raping her with different people and she found out that it's a horrible story the French woman She's got kids and like these and that and then all of a sudden he gets arrested she finds out Not only had she been dosing her right, but then like he'd been bringing all these people in to sleep with her and filming it Horror by the way, there's a whole weird culture going on out there about this which is five million members on that isn't that insane Yeah, anyway, so of course by the time she finds out of course you type out the trail and just like what um They go to to They go to um the trial. No, no, no, he's in jail And now there's gonna be the trial and all the people are gonna come and of course everyone's assumes because in a case like that Where you know, she's the victim You know that she's gonna say no, I want a closed You know case. I don't want to be talking about all this stuff in public And so they ask her the question she says no, no, I'd like it all to be open Yeah, like everything public everything on you could film you do everything and you could see the guys who are being tried kind of Like what and and there is this one moment that she was talking and she said she goes and he's one man who had raped me She was forgive my accent and And he just decided her she goes, but he stared at me. He like was looking at me like staring at me like like to intimidate me and I just looked right back at him I looked at him without any shame like I'm like he I'm not the victim. He's the victim Or I'm the victim here. Why should I feel ashamed? He should feel ashamed She was and I looked at him and they finally looked away and I knew I'd you know and she'd want it was a pure It was pure alpha pussy. Wow, and it was just like standing her ground in the face of this and she goes Why should I turn away? He should be ashamed. Why should I be ashamed? I loved I love I think she is really incredible That's that story. I mean just even like The power of that just holding someone's gaze like it's why people sometimes won't even look you in the eye to begin with exactly It's like what I'm just I'm thinking of one Pam Bondy wouldn't look at any of yeah My dad used to always like if I had a date who came over And after it was of course I'd always say like what do you think he goes and in like him he goes he went look me in the eye Because he would shake their hand and say hey and he would just really look at them And if they looked away he goes no he goes they're dodgy. They're hiding something Introducing Eminem's caramel you already love now popped into a totally new texture I'd say Eminem's are one of those truly iconic snacks They've just launched a brand new freeze-dried innovation that brings a whole new vibe to the Eminem lineup I mean come on What's not to love about Eminem's by itself and if it's freeze-dried? I feel like I'm in space Eminem's continues to be that girl the crunch is unexpected in the best way Way crisper than you think like you bite into one and there's this little pop that you don't see coming from something That still tastes like classic Eminem's caramel sure they don't look exactly like the Eminem's you know But the are the Eminem's you love they're perfect for snacking when watching television scrolling on your phone Or settling in for a movie and I'm already thinking that'll be great to have on handle watching the culture awards Yes, the best part is they've got that classic Eminem's caramel flavor. It's available in stores now. I'm gonna try one right now Amazing pop pop I really do like them if your bookshelf and your four-year page are equally important to your personality Welcome home This is pros society the weekly podcast that's part book club part group chat for thought daughters pop culture obsessives and anyone who thinks pride and prejudice and love Island to serve the same level of discourse I'm Eli Rallo and every week we're connecting the dots between books the internet and the conversations everyone can't stop having I'm gonna have to look up this story From best-selling authors and your favorite book talk creators to the latest pop culture moments Nothing is off the table. It's like if you can hide some real messages inside compelling characters and that is the Trojan horse whether you're looking for literary deep dives smart pop culture Conversations or a community of readers who love to think a little too much. You're in the right place Listen to pro society on the iHeartRadio app apple podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. See you between the pages Hey, this is Ace Davenport and Sean Clements. We host the podcast Hollywood handbook on the big money players network Our show is extremely accessible to first-time listeners each week We talk to someone in show business aka the biz and try to help them with their careers and see what they have to offer us Everyone has a good time and no one gets mad at their publicists for letting them do our show We've had a lot of great guests like Sarah Sherman. Not that great. I actually can you help me pick can can can you help me shape this? Yeah, how about we flip it on his head? No, how about we flip this around? Okay. How what is the surprise one then? Actually, you think is the straight man is actually - Actually, the one who's acting weird. - Adam Scott, love. - This entire time, you've been expecting Adam Sandler to come to visit the show. - I would never expect. - I would never set expectations for something like that. - It seems like if the universe allows for something like that to happen. - I am open to it. - I'm always going to accept. - Okay. - You know, Danny McBride, fine. - Yeah, it's all this fragile masculinity. - I was like, "Is that weed?" Nope, it's a fragile masculinity. - Ben stiller, no. - I think there's a lot of times out of context, people don't get it, or even know what a circle is. Like, you're like, "Oh, it's so stupid." - Everyone's so dumb, it's for you. - And fake. - Right, fake and also not interested, or just like, "Oh, I've got my life. I don't care about your life." - And a lot of other big shots that wouldn't be where they are without us. - Oh, and by the way, Will Ferrell told us personally he loves the show, and he wants to be a guest on every episode, but he's just so busy. - When I was 14 years old, I was kidnapped and health captive for nine months. I survived, and I've spent my life exploring how other people survive what should have destroyed them. - I just remember this low-taunting voice next to my ear, saying, "Shut up, don't say anything." - Every week, I'm with survivors who live through the unthinkable. - I knew if he woke up, without a doubt, he was going to hurt me. - I started feeling that there was someone at the end of my bed, and I just started screaming. - They are abducted, stalked, controlled, and nearly silenced. Their stories about what it takes to make it out alive. - On the new podcast, Solita, we share the messy reality of traveling alone as a woman. - I can wait four hours for the next bus, or this random dude is offering me a ride on his motorcycle. I choose option B. I'm Julie Piñero, and I travel by myself because it's a rare space where I can say yes without asking anyone else first. - Every time I tried to be alone, I kept meeting people, and they were like, "You smiled at us, not a lot of people smile around here." - It's when you're alone that you're most receptive to the world as it is, and not the lies you're sold about it. So whether you're a solo travel veteran, or you're too nervous to book your first trip, I hope you listen to Solita on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. - I tried to do an alpha-pussy demonstration roleplay. - You did? - I feel like I didn't fully come prepared. - At the Q&A, at the How to Academy, I mean, I feel like I want to try it again. - Okay. - So pretend I'm a gross CD guy, and I think you should try this too when I fail. - Okay. - Don't you don't have to fail? - Okay. - Hey, Gina, congrats on the new book. - Thank you so much for following. - Thank you. - I love how you included boobs in the title, and it really turns me on. - Well, you know, boobs is kind of a, it's like how boobs like Ben act differently, and people start acting differently. - Right, I go, I go, a little feral for them. - Really? - Oh yeah. - Yeah, and, well, it was a really nice talk to you. (laughing) - Wow, what's up? - Well, you have changed yourself away with saying, I go feral for them myself. - I go feral for them myself. - Well, so if you can maintain eye contact after that with anyone, you are a psychopath. - But then, see, I just kept looking at you and just letting you speak. - Yeah. - And then, also, you realized you were sounding weird, so you just kinda got out of there. - Wow, yeah, it wasn't, I was, I fully went in expecting to like stand down, but I didn't expect it to be. - Well, you gave yourself up. - I gave myself up. - Yeah. - And it's, you know, there's a power, I like, and I'm just learning it too, by the way, of just, and it's been interesting on this, 'cause people come up and they start telling me stories. - Right. - And sometimes people just like want to be heard, so you just like let them speak, and you just listen to them. But if someone's like digging themselves in a hole and instead of saying, you're an idiot, you just kind of go, - It's so much more powerful. I think it's actually quite, you give something away if you call someone something. - Yeah, it's not powerful. That's why when people are like, "It's not powerful, it's like be very quiet and pleasant." It's almost like a mirror shows, and they can't see themselves being like. - But I'm a douchebag, or I don't know. - I felt that way, I was like, "Oh, I'm a fucking gross pion." - Yeah, I can see that in your eyes. And it's fun to watch them do that. - The most powerful people don't rush to respond. - No. - It's so true. And I think it's also because they're not betraying any anxiety, 'cause I feel like sometimes what keeps me verbally processing is anxiety, and telling yourself that helps. But it is true, the things that sit in my mind that I replay over and over are interactions. I've had what I feel like I spoke too much. - You said too much. - Yeah, it's out of insecurity. And it's like, and we just want to fill the space, but to be able to hold silence and just look at someone is really powerful. - But that's not easy too. Okay, would you like to try? I kind of want to try being the alpha pussy. - You want? - I want to, okay, I'll help you do it too. - Okay, you do, okay. - Hey, Bong, what's going on? - Hey, man, I'm good. How are you? - I'm okay, I'm just, you know, I can't help but be a little distracted. - By what? - You're thick. - Where? - You're thick all over, babe. I mean, it's crazy. - I just went to a physical therapist today who said I had low gluteal strength, but thank you. - Well, I mean, he might be a professional and whatever. She might be a perfect, you said she. - She was a physical therapist. - Yes. - Her gender was, well. - Well, I'm as male as they come. What does that do to you? - That's great, yeah. - I'm pretty neutral on that, actually. - You're a neutral on me? - I'm neutral on men in general. - Neutral on men in general. Maybe you haven't been with a real man yet. - I've been with plenty of real men. - I don't know that that's true. - Are you losing it? - I think you're man enough for me. - No, I've been at enough for you. - For you. - For you, for you, for you. - You lost your thing right there. - Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait! - No, no! - Why is it not about winning a-- - Where did I lose? - You got defensive, and you said, I've been with plenty of men. - So-- - You're not even supposed to defend. - No, why? Why lower yourself to that? - Why lower yourself to that? - Let's try it again, let's try it again. - Okay. - New interaction, new interaction. - You know, wait, can I just give you a hint? - Yeah, yeah, please. - A little direction. - I'm gonna hum, I'm gonna wanna hear it. - Just, I just think when in doubt, just have compassion for the person like, why are they such a dick? - Totally, and I was feeling the silence too much. - And you could use that in your head as a way of strength. - Okay, great. - Okay, go ahead. - Okay, great. - Poen Yang. - Hi, Matt Rogers. - What's up? - Not much, how are you? - Congrats on everything. You're amazing, you'll have to be more specific. - I mean, it's hard to be when I see you crushing it every single second. It's like from wicked SNL to lost coach. - You're amazing, it's very attractive to see you succeed. - Thank you. - Yeah, no problem. - Can I just stop this right now? (laughing) - You're just flirting with me. - No, you're like flirting, you're not doing, you're not giving me a chance to survive. - Yeah, but that's 'cause I was about to slip in. - Oh, do I get a cut? - It does, it does, 'cause I know he hates this. - Okay. - So it's very attractive to see you succeed. Really is. - It gets you hard. (laughing) - You wanna be all forward about it? Yeah, it gets me hard. But it's already, it's been getting me hard for years. That's not new. I'm so interested as to why you're telling me this now. - Why, you're here, I'm here. Two guys, what's a big deal? I've always thought, what's the big deal? Mm-hmm. Are you employing silence to try to get me to spin out, babe? I'm not gonna spin out. I feel very good about the way I feel and what I'm saying. - Oh, I don't have to employ anything. - You're gonna employ me, take care of that ass. - Noon and Knight. - I'm so confused. - I bet you are. That's how I like 'em all confused. I come in, they know which way is up. Ass is an elbows, babe. - I'm a confused and elbows. - I'm a confusing fuck. You're gonna be thinking about it for a very long time. You can be talking to your therapist about it. You in therapy? - Definitely. - Would have been hotter if you weren't. - I don't think you should advertise being a confusing fuck. - Do you think I care about what you think? - Any confusion during sex is potentially legally troubling for you. - Do you feel like you're in trouble right now? (laughs) - Do you feel like you're in trouble right now? - I'm good, I'm all above board, babe. - I like to see you sweat. - I'm not sweating my follicles are dry. - Ooh follicles, talk dirty to me. Use big SAT words, bo and yay. - That's an anatomy word. - Oh, is it? - Yeah. - So you know the human body? (laughing) - I don't want to get him. - I don't know what that was. - It was very entertaining. I don't think you're totally understanding the assignment. - I'm not. See, I'm such a little, uh, a brick house. - No, it's, well, first of all, I don't think you were being intense enough. - Oh, oh, so you was, 'cause you was so intense. - No one was more of a flirty thing that it was too flirty, and you're too, like, boned mat. - It's almost like, if it was a person, let's see, you didn't know him at all, and he came and was like, yeah, your career really makes me hard. Do you just be like, excuse me? - Okay, now I want to see you two do it. - Oh my God. - I'm scared. Okay, am I the scary guy? - Okay, who do you want to be the alpha? Do you want to, actually, can I be? You want to exercise yourself? - You should be a scary guy. - I should be a scary guy. - Okay, great. - Okay, great. - Here we go. - Oh my gosh. - Hi. - Hey. - Hey. - I like those patches on your knee that go up to your crotch. - Thank you so much. - For super fucking hot. - Oh, why? It's crazy that you just say that to me. - Oh, isn't Matt, by the way? - Oh, hey, I'm Gerardo. (laughing) - Gerardo, I know that's not right. (laughing) - Well, maybe if you're lucky, I'll give you my real name later. - Yeah, you have a fake name, that's weird. - Why are you out here in the streets lying? - Why do you ask me so many fucking questions? - I don't know. - Quite frankly, I don't know. - Really? - Yeah, I'm very defensive. - You usually get this defensive around people. You're too cute to be so defensive. - I don't think I'm defensive at all. I think I'm having fun with you. - Oh, are you? - Yeah. - That's good. - At least I'm having fun. - Are you? - Yeah, are you? - Are you psycho? (laughing) Am I a psycho? - Yeah. - You seem a little psycho. - Came over to me. - And talked about how much you were new. - Look at me, this calm, hither look. - Was I really? - Oh yeah. - Oh, maybe that's just the way I look. - I saw you touching yourself. - You kind of wooed me out. - You did not see me touching myself. - You're a little tease is what you are. (laughing) - I don't know. - Toronto! Toronto! - I was turned on. - Toronto! - Oh my god. - This didn't really feel like an alpha pussy moment. - No, but that was really fun. - Yeah, yeah. - I was kind of a dick, right? - You were great. - And the way that was, you disarmed completely. - It is, I don't think anyone can, clearly not everyone can do alpha pussy. - No, I think every, listen, being alpha pussy is not just about, it's like if someone comes you say, "Hey, you know what, your career's all wrong." You know what you should be doing? You should be doing blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. And you're just like thinking, like, no. - Do you work in the industry? - Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know how to stand. - Or let's say I'm your agent, saying you know what, all this, what are you doing this thing for? This is bullshit. Like honestly, we need to put you in bigger movies, we need to make some more money with you. This is not gonna alert. - Well, cause you helped me with all my big projects, right? - I just think you're going about this. I think you're wasting your time doing this, this project. I think you should probably not do it anymore. - Because I have, I have retorts from my actual agent where I'm like, oh, I got wicked for myself. - I got this, and now I got mine. - Right there, when I'm saying this, you're like, it's like, don't fucking tell me what to do. - Of course, oh no. And that situation, I'm totally like, oh, you have no like to stand on. - Right. - Like I. - That's being alphabetical, just standing up for your own. Like don't let someone tell you what you should be doing. - Of course, I think I guess you just have to be like, preemptively sure of your, your own convictions. And that is probably the thing that people have to, like, arrive at themselves. You can't teach them that. Alphopathy is a beautiful modular thing. - Yeah. - But they have to start out knowing that they are. Or you have to know what doesn't feel right. Like you don't have to know everything, but if someone's saying something or saying, hey, let's go here, let's go to that club there. And if you're in your body, you're like, and you're like, no thanks, I'm not good. - Yeah. - You get a lot better at listening to that voice though, as you get older, I have found like, because when you don't know, you just don't know. And the scary thing about youth is you, A, don't think anything bad is gonna happen to you because nothing has, and B, you trust people. - Yeah. - I remember when I first came to New York. And also, Hollywood tells you stories, and you're allowed to believe them when you're a kid, such as, you might just get discovered on the street. I remember when I was walking in front of our dormant. - Did somebody tell you that? - Well, that's what they tell us when we're young. Jennifer Lawrence was discovered in, a lot of time in her, at the swashwalk. - Yeah, the camera in Diaz, you know, Brad Pitt drove to Hollywood 43 bucks, and then he booked Oh man, Louise, not long after. But I was walking on the street our freshman year, on 14th street, in front of a dorm that I was at, a guy, handsome guy, in his 40s comes up, you should really model. Have you ever thought of modeling? And I'm like 18, like, very, very thin, I ran track and I looked young, and I was just like, no, but I guess it's happening. I'm being discovered on the street. They set me to a rooftop, where a guy had me take off my shirt after about three pictures of me with clothes on, took pictures of me for almost an hour, and then he said, great, we're gonna really try to expose you. And I went home and I was like, cool, is there gonna, and the last thing I asked was, is there gonna be like a website where these photos are on? He gave me the website. I remember I looked later. It was all just shirtless boys, my age, and no names. - Oh God. - And that's when I realized only a few years ago, that what that probably was, was sex trafficking. - Yeah. - And the only thing I thought at the time as an 18-year-old, even someone that had proximity to New York and wasn't an full idiot, just was young, was that that kind of thing can happen. - Of course. - Positive, lot of Tory. Not the story, which thank God we're hearing now, about the many ways in which you can get snatched up like that. - Oh yeah, for sure. - That's so serious. - Because you just don't, no. And you're young and you want to work. I do have that story, the one of our cheerleaders is missing story, when I remember being so, like I didn't have an agent. And I was like, oh my God, like I just, you know, have my head shot and I'd read in the backstage like, you know, looking for an athletic girl, 18, who could be, you know, scared and, you know, and happy and cute, nice figure, you know. But all these things, I'm like, I could do all of that, you know, like 16 or 15. I'm like, I could do that. I didn't really think about the 18 part. I mean, you send in your picture. They're like, thank you for responding to now. What is now called, one of our cheerleaders is missing. - Yeah. - So this is a, this is a tour de force part, where, you know, the tour de force part. - Tour de force part, where the, where the girl has to be chained to a brick wall after she's been kidnapped. And she has to, and her deranged kidnapper, who is played by me, the writer director, producer, is not tour. Then I'm like, what's our tour, me? - Yeah. - You don't know? - And it just sounded pretty bad. It's like, come to this place on Vendra Boulevard. There's a little part, I was like, it's a lead in a movie. It sounds like a good part, but it's like, that was kind of dodgy, you know. And I remembered, luckily I had the, thinking, "God, this is weird," and I told my cousin, you know, who was in the business at the time. He's really a singer, but I think he wanted to be a manager. His name is Benny Medina, and I remember him telling. And he's like, what? He's like, I'm, you're not going there alone. I'm going to go there with you. And, you know, I think he was like, I'm going to kick this guy's ass. He was very protective. And I remember thinking, yeah, this sounds kind of dumb. Let's just not do it. And I didn't go. But I never would have gone by myself because it felt, but how do you know? And also, I think if you're a guy, I've talked it. It's different because you think I'm a guy. This isn't going to happen. There's no narrative about, especially when we were that age. There was no narrative about like, what met in Hollywood we're doing. And continue to do, sorry, to young gay men. Yeah. And there is-- Don't be sorry about saying that. No, I mean, the thing is, I know it's not a happy topic. But it still happens, and it happens with people who are still powerful. Yeah. Women-- I have like, friends of mine who are like very successful now. When I started talking about all this stuff. He was just like, this happened to me, too, as a young actor from women and from men. Yeah. And it's just-- it's kind of gross when you're young and people-- that's when it's the most important. And that's when I just think, I was really lucky. Like, I sometimes think, God, my brother was kind of insane. Because you'd tie me up and hang me up on the chin up bar. If I didn't get out of our Houdini game and just, like, leave me there. And so I kind of, like, had got an instinct of, like, oh, oh, like, let's steer away from that right now in this. So I was always a little bit on my toes, right? And as a young person, if you didn't have to be, then you're going to learn the hard way. Exactly. And that's every experience, like, trains you for the next, hopefully. And hopefully, you know, but sadly, sometimes those experiences are really fucking bad. And people aren't lucky. I was lucky that nothing really bad happened to me. Lucky. So that then, when you get into a situation-- and I just wanted to mention this. And we don't have to get too in depth. But it's like, I connect that to you doing showgirls and all demanding things that were probably very-- Strenuous and difficult for you when you just wanted to do a good job and like make this role like Margot Channing make Crystal Connors the new Margot Channing and And meanwhile he just kind of like Gabe like pushed you to a limit where you finally pushed back and we're like I I am someone with you can't put me through this indignity Right like there's a moment in the book where I'm like. Oh my god. This is so powerful. Yeah, I mean I think the biggest mistake or not mistake the biggest Like I went into that movie thinking it's one thing. I was like, woo This is gonna be amazing to be dark and it's be this and I walked on its set. I'm like holy shit Oh my god There was like it was a totally different ball game Yeah Yeah, and you know as an actor it was a good lesson thinking well I can't do what I was gonna do else. I'm gonna look like an asshole and it's just not gonna work Oh, and then I'm acting with someone who's in a totally different sort of movie that then was in my head and also what he was Directing was so bright and colorful and like, whoop, whoop, and I thought it was gonna be like right, you know, so Right away, but I was in it and I wasn't gonna give up the part, but right away I started lying about a lot of things just because When it was you know, I thought I had my first really good idea and I'm like, oh my god I got a great idea, you know, because I really wanted I saw the potential Yes, and I'm like this is a big break for me and it's also a great part. There's a lot you could play with in it And I remember saying, you know like oh, it's so cool like when we first see her in her dressing room Everything should be fake, you know like she takes out her fake boobs and I rub off my fake nose and take off my fake eyelashes I take off some fake hair pull off my nails and then I go hey, can you bring this thing in? I said I said even my voice is fake. She's not lack. Oh the the southern bail, you know the Texas golden whatever she was I said and then she's like some from Brooklyn or something. I said that's so great. Everything is fake and he was just like What are you talking about? He's like no no no no accents. I said, what do you mean no? No? No no no no accents I don't want any accents in this whole entire movie. I'm like she's she's doing Yellow rose from Texas, you know like I say darlin like every other word like I have to have you know Yeah, I have I have to have an accent like this part doesn't work without an accent and he's like no Then I just started talking I said well, I'm just gonna use my accent because I was born raised in Tennessee my my sister lived in Nashville It's not exactly Texas, but I think it's and I just started talking like that and then I just had to start lying about everything just to protect The integrity of the part which I I already knew what I wanted to do and how to play it. I thought so clearly and But at the end of the day, you know, you can navigate that situation after understanding like the things the parameters that are put on like an actor an actress in a movie very male gazing Yeah, well that moment hit I I That real that moment really became apparent in a rehearsal When we were doing the SNM number, you know, I just know that there was I was like in some SNM outfit And all these dancers were kind of naked below me and I'm hanging on a rope really high up of the ground and It just like this weird soliloquy. I was just like oh my god. I Study the classics I wanted to play checkoff. I was gonna play Medea. I was gonna do Masha It's like how the fuck did we get here and it became really crystal clear at that moment It's like we need to be really fucking good in this movie else our careers over before it began And so up there and then all of a sudden, you know, I was like it was a weird moment up there You know in the musical that would be like the big like Discovery of how did we get here? Yes. Yes, ding ding ding you know and then it you've you really internalized that moment I feel because and then right after that you do bound and that is like that is just something that is so still so Fucking great and important and not that the other work isn't but I'm like that was an important Well, that was that was a real kind of advocacy thing too because right after Showgirls had these agents. Oh, we're gonna make you into a big star. We're gonna get this I said I need a movie right now like right now before this I was like you just don't get what's gonna happen. This isn't gonna be what you think it's gonna be because and I was panicking and They were sending me weird things and I saw I read bound and I remember going like first of all a This is kind of genius like in B like I want to do this like I really want to play this It's totally the opposite of that and they're like we can't let you play this part. It's a lesbian like you just played a lesbian I'm like, okay, first of all, Chris is not a lesbian. She's by or whatever And secondly, so who gives a fuck? Yeah, I said that this is more about you know I went through my whole thing they said you know new directors and I met them and I'm like let me just tell you something These directors are motherfuckers. They're really good and then it just kept going on They said we can't let you do this movie else You know you'll ruin your career. We can't represent you. I Said really and so I left I left for you. It's incredible. I love that which I really was so Like wait, why can't you why is this gonna ruin my career and at the time, you know You weren't allowed to play a lesbian and it's a tight cast. You know, I didn't look at it that way right Which was weird because you could have gay men on the screen gay women was seem to be more taboo It was more etched in your Filmography or something or I don't know. I don't know. There'd been a couple of two powerful I think I think the men making decisions whether it's subconscious or not at the time There's something about like women in love. You don't need any men So so that threatens their ego. I think yeah, you know what I mean? It's like bound is two female protagonists and They weren't like fucking each other either for the male gaze. They were making love They were strong in it. They were doing it because they wanted to do it. And I think the men were like I Think I think you know anyway the decision-making men and at that time were probably not seeing the value in that right because it didn't involve them Right, well, it's also interesting. You should say that because I remember when we got to the the love scene Which was supposed to be a love scene between the two of them and it was all done in one take I mean, it's really it was like the four of us having sex because it was like move your foot one wall comes up one wall goes down I mean the genius filmmaker. Yeah, Bill Pope who was so incredible doing the cinematographies. It was all very choreographed And so we had to get it in one take and so we would watch it after each take and there was one that Jen and I did And it was so beautiful. You didn't see by the way. You didn't see any boob You didn't see any you didn't see any female part of a body but our Looks towards each other was so intense. We were so locked in yeah, that it was You could feel it and it felt more explicit even though it wasn't it was a love scene. Yeah, I see them falling in love And it was so intense that all of us were like holy shit. That's the one. I mean, they're like that's the one Mm-hmm when the board or the you know the ratings people are like no, you can't use that one You can use this one instead, which by the way you saw a little bit of boob you saw a little bit of this and it was a fucking scene The love scene Mm-hmm exactly. They would let us do it. It was like wow so they give you an NC17 on the one that was more love making Yeah, but the one where women were fucking you guys got the art even though there was nudity. Yep. See? Yep, that's that's so interesting to me. Yeah Yeah, is the love making see is that cut anywhere like that like that take which does that exist in in a cut? Do you know I I'm sure it's somewhere. I mean, I wonder if they did the director's cut. I'm gonna see them. There's a Bound 30 year anniversary that I'm gonna see Jennifer and Joey I think on the seventh that like in two day or whenever in a couple days from now whatever day this is And one of the directors is gonna be there. I think I'll ask her wow Yeah, because it was really we were all like that's it and It's not in the final cut. Oh, but it's criterion. So I don't think I don't think they changed. Okay, I don't think they added anything I think we had comments and stuff. I don't know. I have to ask, but I don't think so so fascinating that like that that there's that hurdle to clear Which is then the ratings board and they get to actually make like a creative Decision like that in a way Same thing happen. It's look at showgirls the same thing in a way. It was like. I mean that was NC 17 Which I do think it was it's downfall right and it's like cut out Five seconds of whateverness and making an R and it's like oh cuz there was too many tits like it's like in America Especially at that time. Maybe still now like you know if you showed too much nudity in the female body like oh too much Too much, but if you like cut off a tit. Oh, yeah, that's okay. We can make that an alright. Right That's cool. Right. Oh violence is always like I can't believe some of the things that I saw like in PG 13 movies and and what's not allowed In that maybe it's totally different. Look what's going on tape on TV now What I mean, it's just I mean all across the board. It's like soft core. Yeah, 100% right? On the new podcast solita we share the messy reality of traveling alone as a woman I can wait four hours for the next bus or this random dude is offering me a ride on his motorcycle I chose option B. I'm Julie Pignero and I travel by myself because it's a rare space where I can say yes without asking anyone else first - I'm on a mission to reclaim the word solita, trading the pity for possibility. - Every time I tried to be alone, I kept meeting people and they were like, you smiled at us, not a lot of people smile around here. - It's when you're alone that you're most receptive to the world as it is and not the lies you're sold about it. So whether you're a solo travel veteran or you're too nervous to book your first trip, I hope you listen to solita on the I Heart Radio app, Apple podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. - If you're bookshelf and you're for you page are equally important to your personality, welcome home. This is Pro's Society, the weekly podcast that's part book club, part group chat for thought daughters, pop culture obsessives, and anyone who thinks pride and prejudice and love island deserve the same level of discourse. - I'm Eli Rallo, and every week we're connecting the dots between books, the internet, and the conversations everyone can't stop having. - I'm gonna have to look up this story. I'm obsessed, I'm obsessed. - From bestselling authors and your favorite book talk creators to the latest pop culture moments, nothing is off the table. - It's like if you can hide some real messages inside compelling characters and that is a Trojan horse. - Whether you're looking for literary deep dives, smart pop culture conversations, or a community of readers who love to think a little too much, you're in the right place. Listen to Pro's Society on the I Heart Radio app, Apple podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. - Hey, this is Hayes Davenport. - And Sean Clements. - We host the podcast, Hollywood Handbook on the big money players network. - Our show is extremely accessible to first time listeners. Each week we talk to someone in show business, aka The Biz, and try to help them with their careers and see what they have to offer us. - Everyone has a good time and no one gets mad at their publicists for letting them do our show. - We've had a lot of great guests like Sarah Sherman, not that great. - Can you help me shape this? - Yeah. - How about we flip it on his head? - No. - How about we flip this around? - No. - How, what is the surprise one then? Well, actually, you think as the straight man is actually the one who's acting weird. - Adam Scott, love. - I would never let go of that. - I have, yeah. - It's like if the universe allows for something like that to happen, I am open to it. I'm always going to accept, you know? - Danny McBride, fine. - Yeah, it's all this fragile masculinity exuding. I was like, I was like, is that what you need? Nope, it's fragile masculinity. - Ben Stiller, no. Like, girl, I go work just so stupid. - Everyone's so dumb. - Ben, fake. - Right, fake and also not interested, or just like, oh, I've got my life, I don't care about your life. - And a lot of other big shots that wouldn't be where they are without us. Listen to Hollywood Handbook on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. - You just remember this low taunting voice next to my ear saying, shut up, don't say anything. - Every week, I'm with survivors who live through the unthinkable. - They are abducted, stalked, controlled, and nearly silenced, but these aren't stories about what's taken from them. Their stories about what it takes to make it out alive, listen to the survivor files with Elizabeth Smart on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. - Wait, I could do out of things on the internet. I think this is, I don't think so, honey. - So this is our, I know, we could talk to you forever, right? - I know, this is so fun. - I know, we love having you, you've done it all. But-- - Well, come back. - I could be your go-to if someone can't even showing up that motherfucker. - You're the last culture bow and in Gina. That's what they're all going to be saying after this. - I'll toss it in the corner and be like Robin. - We should do check-ins like Robin. No, I'm Robin, we should do check-ins where we do alphopussy, like progress trucks. - Oh, we need to work on your alphopussy. - I really, I didn't understand it until today. (laughing) - We didn't understand it. - And if you're a research, you're not alphopussy. - It's also very sweet, and I think it's something in your DNA, right? You have a cultural thing of being very nice, I think. And you have something in your Canadian. - Yeah. - Okay. - There you go. - There you go. I mean, that's a built-in niceness. - And you know I'm from the streets. (laughing) - Yeah, that's what I thought. - Where are you from? - Long Island. - Oh. - We have a big personality as in big attitudes. - Yeah. - Sorry, yeah, I got what you mean. - But it's really hard when you're, it's like, you know, the same was when you're raised to always be nice to people, like it's the, and kind and not contradict people. Like that's like a built-in thing. - You know how I describe why I communicate, the way I communicate, because the way I learned, my mom was a hairdresser in Long Island. - So I listen to women talk to each other, and this is the way I learned how to communicate. My mom would finish the haircut, and then her client, which is a long Island woman, would go to tip her. And if she was a good client or a friend of my mother's, my mother would go, stop it, you're ridiculous. Get out of here, no, I'm not taking that. Trina, let me, come on, no, this is ridiculous. You do such an amazing job, why can't I tip you? Get out of my house, I swear to God, I don't wanna see you again, I love you so much. Goodbye. - Yeah. - That's why, over a tip. - That's, because it's A, it's 100 words for every one word it could be. - Yeah, I'm gonna smash your face and if you don't get out, you're gonna have to act out. - You're ass, I mean, husband's ass. - Like get out. - Exactly, and that's why I think, like that, that don't load into me. It's a thing that where you never have enough to say. - Yeah. - But it's also a defense mechanism. - Yeah. - And a way of communicating. - It's so interesting, I mean, the way you grow up and people grow up, you see, I mean, I remember, like, I was the youngest and I couldn't get a word in edge-wise. So it was always like, you know, the person talking really fast 'cause like, no one would let me speak ever. And I couldn't even put sentences together 'cause I was like, ah, you know. (laughs) - By the time you processed what you wanted to say, it was done. - It's like, you know what I mean? It's like you think, and then I remember doing my first round table press tour and they were like, you know, this is really, everyone asked you questions, they're all gonna, and I would, they'd ask me a question. And it started talking fast. I realized, no one's interrupting me. - Yeah. - Like this isn't, they actually wanna hear what? I loved it. It was like therapy. I'm like, I could slow down and actually start talking. And I literally kept waiting for someone to tell me to shut up. I'm like, this is amazing. I know it went on and on. I'm like, no, you don't understand. Like, I've been waiting for this middle look. (laughs) Just to like, actually say something and not have to rush because, you know, I wasn't allowed to talk. - We could write at home on a podcast. But now we are gonna rush to talk. - Okay, okay. - But it's good. There's a lot of space in there to get what you wanna say. It's a minute long segment. This is, I don't think so, honey. - Wait, can I look at my little note for a second? - Of course, Ken's. - We're going first. - The one that I are gonna go first. - Oh, you're the first, I'm good. - Yeah. - Okay, and you can prepare. - You can load her up. - And mine is related to ratings and all that. So I'm ready to go. - This is Matt Rodgers. I don't think so, and he's time starts now. - I don't think so, honey. You're gonna give a movie or a TV series or rating. I wanna see who was on the board that I've decided that. - Yeah. - I want transparency in the motion picture arts and sciences, whoever does the ratings, I believe it's them. I wanna see, show us the board. Show us the jury that watched this film, that watched "Bound" and said, "I want the one where women are fucking." I bet you're a bunch of nasty guys. Who if I looked you right in your eyes and said, "Why you like that, you little freak?" You would look right away and you better believe you would crumble in the face of me, Gina, and even Bowen Yang, by the time we're done with them, we're gonna get him making eye contact, all the dooday, just like I am right now. And I'm looking you in the eyes, you at home who are rating our films and keeping us out of the cinemas, you will not win. Because by the time I'm done with you, I will make sure I know all of your names and now have your addresses. And I will have you know that "Bound" in my opinion should be PG-13, get to the cinemas, re-release the Criterion film, "Bound" and I wanna see "Bound" too. - And that's one minute. - Yeah, that was a good one-on-night, I went over, but I had a lot to say. - I always wanted to do one of those documentaries on the board, and they're kind of like old kind of like. - There was one called, this film is not yet rated, I believe, that was, that was on I think Netflix. Does anyone know about this? It was called, this film is not your rated, it's about the rating process. Specifically about how it killed a lot of movies that were artistically pushing things forward to queer films, you know, films with diverse cast because they're not speaking that language or whatever it is that's happening on screen, so it must be scary and bad to them. - Well, guess what, we have coming towards us. now that Holly was being bought up, that'll be interesting. - It's like a new Hayes Code situation, but like. - Totally. - I'm thinking about, remember the hills have I, I can't even talk about the sport, like the hills have eyes remake. We're like, a woman gets fully sexually assaulted. - Yep. - By a mutant and they don't cut away. - They don't cut away. - I know. - And it gets, I mean, I'm sure it's an R, but it's like that, but you're gonna like give showgirls and NC17. - Yeah. - Like that is fucking-- - It was a brutal scene of sexual assault that was in a horror film and it was literally like, trauma porn. - Yeah. - That's a new trauma porn, that was traumatized by that. - No, it's horrifying, it's scarring, it genuinely makes me like interested slash super concerned about what we downloaded as kids watching the crazy amount of violence and specifically sexual violence. And then to put a label on something that would suggest you should fear something like lesbian lovemaking is obviously-- - It will, I think you're right. I think it was too threatening. - Yeah. - Yeah. - It's definitely at the time. - Listen, why do you think they're putting all these, you know, caboshing so many things and it's gonna keep happening more and more? So all these like old white dudes like, you know, this is the way, why it's like just let people do whatever the fuck they want. Are you that insecure? You have to control every one of them. - You'll be happier. - Even to those people, I would say, you'll be happier to have yourself, even if you feel like all stodgy and like concerned in the moment, like let yourself, you'll be happier, just drop your shoulders, babe. Like stop being this way. - You're actually scared 'cause they are that. - Yeah, exactly. - It's like, you know, the ones who are like, oh, homosexuality is like queen, like-- - Yeah, girl. - Let your freak on, like really? (laughing) - Girl. - Girl. - Girl. - M-P-A-L-R-S. - Girl. - Yeah. - Okay, so Bowen, are you ready to shred? - Absolutely shred. - I'm ready to shred. - Okay. - Is Bowen young? I don't think so honey, his time starts now. - I don't think so honey. Look, I am a boob gay. I love the things, I love the things. This is one woman with boobs who is doing a little too much and too little at the same time. Lauren Sanchez, stop wearing the same fucking dress and the same fucking silhouette. Every time you step in front of a camera, mix it the fuck up for God's sake, you boring mother fucker. I can't believe you're misusing your boobs, which I don't care how you got 'em. You have to use them for good. - Yeah. - But it's impossible for you to do any of that with anything that you have access to because it will never be benevolent. You have been corrupted by the thing that has just made everything fallow in this business. We are feeling it now. I have in front of me someone who has only used her boobs for good. And I don't mean to keep talking with them and I feel like I'm constantly apologizing to you, which is not alpha pussy about how much I artfully appreciate your breasts. - I love them. - And I will only ever make them feel beautifully appreciated, even though you've lived a whole life where people have devalued them and made you feel cheap. - And that is one minute and 14 seconds. - Well spent. - Thank you. - Well done, I totally agree with that. - Because as soon as you started demonstrating like the covering, I felt guilty. I was like, oh, I hope I've never made Gina feel this way. - You've never made me feel like way once. You're so nice and even in your head, you're like saying, oh no, I'm sorry, don't do that. - Thank you. - You're too nice and you're so sweet. - But you never made me. - You have such a beautiful breasts. - I know, thank you. (laughing) - I love my voice. I love them. And I do it. It's like I really, but when you're growing up and you're honest to them. - Of course. - You're just like, what are people really change their opinion towards you? Which is so interesting. 'Cause they just were thrust upon me. And then I, it's all, well, this is a whole other thing when you see all these people now, like getting these big boobs, right? And like making boobs and I, like, okay. - It's a choice for us. - When I was younger, I was like, oh my God, I want to be twiggy. I want to be flat. I'm like, I just want to be like and to actually want that. It's such a different mindset. - Uh-huh. - Did you see all the stuff that went on from last night with the Met Gala, that people projecting, like the workers onto the buildings? - Yes, on the bottles and all this stuff. - It was kind of incredible. - No, absolutely. I mean, I think that the reaction that everyone is having is really important. - Yeah. - And I really feel like I've never seen so, it was kind of fascinating on social media too as it was all coming in because it was relentlessly coming in as content the way it does every year. - Yeah. - But every comment was just this, you know, rage and you see it right there. And I think we need to learn from it for the future. - It's correct. - Yeah, to, you know. - Listen, I didn't feel, sometimes you know, you think, oh, I wasn't invited this year to the Met Gala whatever last night I could have cared less. - Yeah. - I kind of love the people who didn't go. - I've got to have back pain. - Huh? - I've got to have back. - Would you have gone? - No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. - No. - No, I'm saying. - It was your back saying, bitch, you ain't going no matter what. - Yeah, exactly. - I don't even think about it. - Also, it's like at a certain point, it's like, you know, there's the ways in which you have to play ball in industry and then there's just choices you can make. And as long as you can live with the choices that you're making and you can justify it, then that's fine. But people are also entitled to their response and their critique and their, you know, platform, as well. - Yeah. - So, Hyundai P, okay. - Okay. - This thing of platforms. - Okay, I'm just going to wing this because I don't know what else to do. You are a natural orator. I'm so excited for this. This is Gina. - I don't know how original this is, but it's like what came up. - It doesn't have to be. - Okay. - Oh, trust us. - But I really feel strongly about it. - That's all that matters. - Okay. - This is Gina Dorshan's, I don't think so, honey. And her time starts now. Waymo, are you fucking kidding me? - Yeah, they're off the street. - I'm sorry, so far, they've killed cats. They've killed dogs. They don't stop for them. They even hit a kid 'cause they keep going near school buses and they don't stop. - She says. - Yeah, they've hit kids. Now, the thing that's happening is they're snatching luggage. Guy gets off at the airport, closes the door, and the car, Waymo drives away with all this luggage. Like, I don't think so, honey. Are you fucking kidding me? And not only that, it's like people are like, oh, when they're talking, oh, well, I like Waymo because I don't have to listen to anyone or I could hear my own music. You know what? Tell someone, you're a big girl. Just say, hey, can we have silence? Or put on your fucking iPods and listen to your own music. And they're like, well, then I don't get a stinky person. You know what? Like, you might get one of some other fucking stinky person came into the car before you and then it smells. Like, does Waymo have a smellometer or something? Like, that doesn't exist and then they're like, oh, I don't want how to drive. It's like, you know what? Coming from the valley, it was a badge of honor. It was a rights of passage. Learn how to fucking drive. It was independent. It was freedom. And if you can't drive and you're drunk, that's why they have ubers. That's why you have sober friends. There you go. Fuck you way I go. And I didn't even say the best part. Can I just go on? No, go on. And I'll tell you something else. It all starts like this. But in my head, all I keep hearing is like, the Waymo murders because it's always a good idea until some motherfuckers like, you know what? I'm going to fuck with the system. And the next thing you know, the doors are locked. You are taken to some isolated place and never seen from again. It's a good idea for a murder. Yeah. It's a great idea for it. It's a good idea until it is not. And a waymo's a great idea. It sounds like a great idea for a mysterious killer to get away with my grand plans. I mean, the only thing I mean, you look those waymo's. I just saw them in LA. It's like, you think like the tele-tubby family is going to come bouncing out of them. They look real. And it's warped. And it's also an eyesore. It is ugly as if LA needed to look uglier. Yeah. No. They got these crazy looking machines on the road. And almost killed our friend, Jared. Did it? Yes. Yeah. They would live more than anyone I know. Absolutely. This person should live. What happened with the waymo? Basically, it was going to make a left turn at an intersection. And it stopped in the middle of the intersection. Yes. And the lights went different. Yes. And everyone that was waiting for him at the gay bar, one of something else that's going extinct. The gay bar? They were standing around waiting. And they were looking out at Jared and the intersection. And they were saying, girl, we thought that it was trying to kill you. It was any old person at waymo HQ customer service can buzz in and say, please put on your seatbelt, sure. Yeah. But I'm saying there is something fucked about the surveillance of that where you were being watched when you were in them. Yeah. There's something super creepy about the whole thing. I'm against it. Honey, I don't think so. Thank you so much. And free Jared. Free Jared. He's still in that intersection right now. Jared, we want you to live. We want you to live. We want you to live, Jared. You're nominated for best gay guy somewhere in between this year. Free Jared. Our friend Jared won not at our awards. He won best gay guy normal last year. And so now as a result of winning best gay guy normal, he gets nominated for best gay guy somewhere in between. Because he's not best gay guy famous. Famous. Free different tours. Wait, would you say normal like not a famous person? Yeah. Like a nurse or like, you know. A teacher. A teacher. Gave gay people can be happy. When you see on the street. I know. I just didn't know what you meant by normal. Normal. Meaning. Meaning not famous. Not famous. Not abnormal. This is so fun. I want to just keep talking. I mean on and on and on. Oh, the good news is the podcast may end this three three. Some goes on forever. I want to go to Vegas with you. Even though Vegas is dramatic. Vegas is my whole fun. Potentially. Oh, no, no. Vegas. - We haven't been there in so long. Have you been to the sphere yet? - No, I'm dying to go. - Let's go for the right thing. - What about Wizard of Oz? - Yes, no, I would go up. - So, I want to go to the last time. - So, lean isn't Celine. - She knows. - She's doing, she's doing Paris. - Paris. - No, wait a second. Wait a second. I listened to the brandy one. - Yes. - Oh my God, I meant I was gonna text her before it. It was so great. - She was amazing. - And when you guys are tied about that, I'm like, I'm going. - Yeah, I'm out. - I love you guys. - Watch when it's just like us and all the last 150 guests we've had on the podcast. 'Cause it's gonna be a topic every time. And who doesn't want to go see Celine? Like, let's go. Let's really go. - We can go to the guest. Can I just tell you, can I give you guys a compliment? I mean, and I hope you take this as a compliment. But you know, it has sometimes, like you have in the podcast or the thing is like, oh, and if you want it, you know, advertisement free, you have to buy into it. You're never gonna have that. Your ads are so incredible. It makes me want to get hemorrhoids. How good you are. - Oh my God. - Are you not? - You can have some preparation. It's just later. - The way your life's like, be nice to your, but like, yeah, I want to be nice to my butt. - You sure? - Like, is it burning? Oh, yeah. - Yeah. - You make it sound sexy. You're too good at those things. - Thank you, I be. - All of them. - We're good shale. We're good shale. - I think I would definitely give it to you guys. You could sell, you could sell a shit out of anything. - No pun intended. - Oh, Gina G. We love you so much, my good friend. - Thank you. - Our good friend. - And she's gonna, we can I show the book out? - Wait, I'll look it. I also brought you each. - Oh. - And now, I'll put C.T. for it. - Please. - I designed them myself. - They're so good. - They're only meeting my hope they fit. - Oh my God. - This is for you. This is for you. - Wow. - I'm gonna sign your book. - Oh my God, yes. And I'm so glad. - The book is phenomenal. I loved it so much. We're in a great memoir space right now with everybody. - Good poke quotes here. I mean, what do you call it? - Miley Cyrus. - Miley Cyrus. - Where is that N. Miley Cyrus? - Yeah, I know. Miley's is insane. It's so nice. - It's so nice. - It's right as electric as she is as Miley Cyrus. - There you go. - She's so nice. And James, he was nice one too. People are so nice. I'm glad they're liking it. And thank you for talking about it on the show. Because, you know, he got to sell the book, I guess. - You got to get a move product. - You got to move product. - But I want to do this podcast ever since, you know, before, I was like, I wanted to do your guys' podcast. We were when we met back at a-- - Well, the first night we met was at SNL50 where you were sitting with Laurie. And then we met again at-- - Was that with Laurie Anderson? - Yeah. I think you were. - It's not 50. - Was I at the 50s? - I remember talking. - I was at the concert. - Oh, at the concert. - Yes. - But then I remember being backstage. - Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. - And then we were talking-- - We were talking at the storm, yeah. - We were talking so much. So I think Bad Bunny was then and then I missed him. - You know what? - Oh my god. - But we'll remember the conversation. - Yeah. (laughing) - We're just sorry. - Sorry, we're just-- - I was just like, well, I must really like these guys. - Sorry, but they don't like that. - They don't like that. - We don't like it from your performance. - You say, where did you go? I was like, I was talking to the boys. - Ah! - We co-blocked Gina from Bad Bunny. - I know you. - It's okay, fine, whatever. - We end every episode with a song. - Oh! - Oh, man, no, no, we need to do Cabaret. - Oh, yeah, do Cabaret. - Maybe this time, I'll be lucky. ♪ Maybe this time he'll stay ♪ ♪ Let it be slow ♪ ♪ Let it be happy ♪ ♪ That's what I want to be ♪ - I'm really proud of our dynamics. ♪ All the odds are in my favor ♪ ♪ Something's bound to begin ♪ - For the rest of that, you gotta listen to the Cabaret soundtrack. - Bye! - Bye! - Bye! - Yay! - "Loss Culture East" is the production by Will Ferrell's "Big Money Players" and "I Heart Radio" podcasts. - "Created and Hosted" by Matt Rodgers and Bowen Yang. "Executive Produced" by Anna Hosniay and "Produced" by Becca Ramos. - And Sean Clements. Each week, we talk to someone in show business and try to help them with their careers and see what they have to offer us. Everyone has a good time and no one gets mad at their publicists for letting them do our show. Listen to Hollywood Handbook on the "I Heart Radio" app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. - Yeah, I'm obsessed, I'm obsessed. - Listen to Pro Society on the "I Heart Radio" app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I can wait four hours for the next bus or this random dude is offering the ride on his motorcycle. I choose option B. Listen to Solita on the "I Heart Radio" app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. - I survived nine months in captivity and I've spent my life exploring how other people survive what should have destroyed them. I'm Elizabeth Smart and these are the survivor files. Listen to the survivor files with Elizabeth Smart on the "I Heart Radio" app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. - This is an "I Heart" podcast. Guaranteed Human.