Homophilia

When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary to bring back a very recent guest, we will not hesitate. And to discuss Madonna at the Forum AND the Kate Middleton Mystery, there is simply nobody we would rather hear from than the great Pete Zias. Hear the heartbreaking story of a bottle uncaught, enjoy some royal theories, know that Luther Vandross is involved. And see Pete in Drew Droege’s Messy White Gays, in New York City April 7-9 at the Soho Playhouse!

The legendary author of the essential Tales of the City series joins us from London, where a pot roast awaits him, to talk about whether the magic of ‘70s San Francisco can ever exist again, why Breaking Bad and Six Feet Under are his current comforts, the PBS gay kiss that rocked the world, the Early Frost/Our Sons/Consenting Adults TV movie moment that examined gay life strictly in terms of how hard it is on your mom, and whether his character Brian’s 1976 prediction that he and his friends would be 50-year-old libertines in a world full of 20-year-old Calvinists has actually come to pass.

The producer and director of My So Called Life, Six Feet Under and Tales of the City joins us to talk about the devastation of All of Us Strangers, the importance of Juliette Binoche, the drama of the Barbra memoir audiobook, growing up with Maude and Mary Tyler Moore, how WandaVision brought the MCU into his little gay boy heart, the gay bar scene in Japan, the role they wanted Laura Linney for on Tales, the polarizing episodes of Six Feet Under, what it’s like to show up halfway through My So Called Life, and whether Tino ever did show up.

Comedian, baker, painter, pet portraiteur, Taylor Swift-recognized Taylor Swift song intro re-enactor, One Directioner, runner and satchel-wearer Victor Carlesi to talk unseasonable Chicago temps, the meaning of Madison Beer, the secret of a Nick Jonas voice, Zayn as bias-wrecker, the importance of a comment by the world’s most powerful and Celine Dion-resistant entertainer and the crucial behind-the-scenes role Selena Gomez may have played in the affair, his unconventional journey in stand-up comedy, his potential future as a registered nurse, and why it’s so important to him that he remember to send biscotti to Dave, Matt, and Producer Renee. These are his words and not ours! Follow him on Instagram at @victorcarlesi.

The genius comedian Brent Sullivan joins us from DTLA to talk travel, traditional family atheism, Hinge, Air Disasters, and Christian rock.

It’s a family affair, as Matt & Dave finally reconnect in a fresh new year that’s already 10% over. And what a year it’s been: new dogs, old Swans, hometowns, Ordinary Joes, Mean Girls, Los Angeles driving challenges, movie theater bag crinkulations, 8th grade financial literacy courses, We Are The World, and a full hailstorm of names to drop.

Drag Race All Star Ginger Minj is here to share her Ursula origin story, her hot takes on the current Drag Race cast, and her efforts to connect with Ron DeSantis. Don't miss her show "The Broads Way" at Green Room 42 in NYC February 10-12, and grab your copy of her memoir "Southern Fried Sass" now!

We have a special bonus treat for you this week! This is my episode of the new podcast, Tell Me Everything, hosted by the fabulous Liam Gareau. Every week, guests bring on their 3 favorite things from pop culture. I brought The Wizard of Oz (can you believe nobody else had yet?!), The Leftovers, and the documentary, Beckham. It was such a fun chat talking about these things that mean so much to me. If you enjoy, you can check out the show's instagram @tellliameverything for more content, and make sure to follow the show wherever you get your podcasts!

Episode Description:

We’re back, back, BACK AGAIN! Divas, did you absolutely miss us? We missed you! We’re in a brand spankin’ new year, which can only mean one thing…we’ve got a brand spankin’ new episode! On this week’s show we have the absolutely divine, Matt McConkey (Homophilia). And babes, I mean it when I say he really delivers the goods. On this week’s show, Matt brings us THE WIZARD OF OZ (hello, queer cannon!), THE LEFTOVERS, and the documentary, BECKHAM. I hope you’re all kicking things off right in 2024, dear listeners. I know we are!

Writer and director of the instant classic All Of Us Strangers (and Weekend, and HBO’s Looking, and much more) Andrew Haigh takes a break from a packed awards season to talk about the joyous queerness of mid-‘80s pop music, the useful loneliness of the queer experience, the link between parental love and romantic love, and- AFTER A BREAK, DON’T SAY YOU WEREN’T WARNED- what’s going on in this beautiful, devastating movie. Also: Max Richter, Hercules and Love Affair, and Harry & Meghan.

He’s written for The Golden Girls, Roseanne, and Gilmore Girls to name but three, and now Stan Zimmerman is here to talk about his new book The Girls: From Golden to Gilmore. Plus: life as an 11-year-old network executive, creating a Russian Roseanne, Love, Sidney, the importance of journaling, the healing power of live theater, the dream Lifetime sitcom that wasn’t, and Ladies of the ‘80s: A Divas Christmas, the dream Lifetime movie that was.