Paid in Puke Podcast!

On this episode of Paid in Puke, we're partying with Emma Seligman's (Bottoms) 2021 anxiety-ridden comedy, Shiva Baby, starring Rachel Sennott, Molly Gordon, Dianna Agron, and Polly Draper. It tells the story of Danielle, a young art student who has an identity crisis at a Shiva, when she is forced to interact with her parents, her ex, her sugar daddy, and his beautiful wife, plus everyone who has known her since she was a baby. This movie is an poignant as it is hilarious. We talk about awkward interactions with relatives, sugaring, top quality food-acting, and the difficulties of being an impending college graduate.

On this episode of Paid in Puke, we're all over Luca Guadagnino's 2024 frenetic sports drama, Challengers, starring Zendaya, Josh O'Connor, and Mike Faist. It's about ambition, failed dreams, jealousy, friendship, a love triangle, and also tennis! This is a perfect script brought to screen by a man who says he thinks tennis is boring. Though Amy (our resident tennis fan) finds a couple of minor tennis-related hot probs, this thing is a banger through and through. We get into all sorts of topics including whether or not Patrick and Art have feelings for each other, how Tashi's bitterness manifests in some understandable, but also unforgivable ways, the sexiness of the leads, and just what exactly happens at the end. Grab and banana and COME ON!!!

It's the 2025 Paid in Puke Oscars Special with our Academy Award Pukette, Denise Rodriguez! We all saw and loved a TON of movies this year, and most of them didn't get nominated for anything! Regardless, we talk about the films we loved and why they didn't get any Academy props, the Emilia Pérez mess, films about the trans experience that were actually good, the ethics of using AI in films, and why we come to Nicole Kidman for magic. Films covered include: A Different Man, Anora, A Real Pain, Babygirl, Between the Temples, Bird, Challengers, Emelia Pérez, Flow, Ghostlight, I Saw the TV Glow, Love Lies Bleeding, Maria, Nightbitch, Nosferatu, Queer, Sing Sing, The Apprentice, The Brutalist, The Last Showgirl, The Substance, The Wild Robot, Will & Harper

On this episode of Paid in Puke, we're traversing the wonders of Yorgos Lanthimos' 2023 fantasy epic, "Poor Things", starring Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe, Mark Ruffalo, Ramy Youssef, Margaret Qualley, Kathryn Hunter, Jerrod Carmichael, Hannah Schygulla, and Christopher Abbott (Charlie from Girls!). Tony McNamara adapted the 1992 novel by Alasdair Gray. Comedian and media scholar, Megan Metzger, joins us to bask in the glory of this beautiful fantasy about what a woman can be when she develops outside the crushing influence of patriarchal society.  Megan even manages to find some Heathers parallels! This episode is all about finding your bliss and applying it to the betterment of the world around you.

On season 10 episode 3 of Paid in Puke, we're playing with Matt Betinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett's 2019 horror comedy, “Ready or Not” starring Samara Weaving, Andi McDowell, Adam Brody, and Mark O'Brien. It was written by Guy Busick and R. Christopher Murphy. Olpin and Gilette also joined Busick for "Abigail", the 2022 Scream reboot, and "Scream VI". “Ready or Not” tells the story of Grace, a plucky woman from a modest background, who learns, on the night of her wedding to the heir of a board game empire, that she must play a life-or-death game of Hide and Seek with her new in-laws. It's Keggers with Kids all this episode, as Amy's child, Dash, joins us to talk about why this is one of his favorite horror films, and how it stacks up against Betinelli-Olpin and Gillett's other films. The "Ready or Not" script is a rare example of tight perfection, symmetry, and depth that also manages to walk a horror comedy tightrope. It belongs to a fun micro-genre: Evil People in a Mansion. We also praise Samara Weaving for the fun vibe she brings to her scream queen role, Adam Brody's recent renaissance, and why we've been on the Brody train since David Wain's underrated comedy, "The Ten".  

On this episode of Paid in Puke, we analyze Susanna Fogel's 2023 thriller, Cat Person based on the 2017 short by Kristen Roupenian, and adapted for the screen by Michelle Ashford, who was the showrunner for Masters of Sex, but most importantly, wrote the teleplay to the abortion episode of 21 Jump Street. The film stars Emilia Jones, Geraldine Viswanathan, Hope Davis, Isabella Rossellini, and Nicholas Braun. We all had very different feelings about this film, both from our initial watch together in the theater, and after our analytical watches for the pod. Journey with us as we discuss how heavy-handed a metaphor we can tolerate; why Fogel might have tried a bit too hard to cater to a male audience, at the film's expense; the surprisingly problematic element of the source material; and how Nicholas Braun perfected towing the line between awkward and creepy.  Plus: Did Harrison Ford ruin a generation of men?   

It's our Season TEN premiere AND our ONE HUNDREDTH EPISODE! Thank you to all of our listeners! We are thrilled to be back with our third Abortionpalooza, but much less stoked about the fact that thanks to the overturning of Roe V. Wade, uterus-owning Americans currently have less bodily autonomy than they did in Nineteen Hundred and Seventy Three.  We kick things off with a brief history of abortion depiction on television and examine season 3, episode 5 of the teen cop drama, 21 Jump Street, "Whose Choice is it Anyway?". It originally aired on December 11th 1988 on the Fox network. It stars Holly Robinson-Peete, Stacey Edwards, and Dana Ashbrook (Twin Peaks). The teleplay by Michelle Ashford (Masters of Sex, Cat Person), is surprisingly progressive and they even go so far as to make an anti-choice terrorist the villain.  Then we tool around with Lily Tomlin and Julia Garner in 2015's "Grandma", directed by Paul Weitz (American Pie, About a Boy), and co-written by Tomlin, who put a lot of her own voice in it. Garner plays a high school girl who asks her free-wheeling grandmother (Tomlin) to help her scrounge up enough money to make it to an abortion appointment by 5 pm. Judy Greer, Marsha Gay Harden, Laverne Cox, and John Cho round out a fun supporting cast.  We touch on themes such as who *needs* to be involved in deciding what to do about a pregnancy (*spoiler alert* it's pretty much just the person carrying the fetus), where should kids get information about pregnancy and birth control, and why women should be valued for more than just their fertility.  On the Lunchtime Poll, we reveal some information we wish we had never received.

On this very special minisode of Paid in Puke, we're falling in love with Hannah Pearl Utt's 2024 comedy, "Cora Bora", starring Megan Stalter, Ayden Mayeri, JoJo T. Gibbs, and Manny Jacinto, with cameos from Chelsea Peretti and Margaret Cho. The Pukettes got a sneak peek at this hilarious movie that will hopefully propel Megan Stalter to the stardom she deserves.  Rhianon Jones' very PDX screenplay tells the story of an L.A. based musician with a tragic past who returns to her home in Portland Oregon on a whim after sensing that her open relationship with her girlfriend in in jeopardy. Megan Stalter owns this movie start to finish. She's hilarious as always, but also brings out an unexpected dramatic side. We absolutely loved "Cora Bora", and will definitely give it the full Paid in Puke treatment once it's out on streaming, but we also want to tell everyone to go see it while it's still in theaters! As always, there are spoilers, so if you don't want to know the big reveal about what's wrong with Cora, see the movie first and then come back and listen to this (or navigate around them*). "Cora Bora" is in limited release starting June 14th, 2024 – around L.A. and New York. It's not super easy to figure out where and when it's playing but we promise it will be worth the goog. It opens in Seattle, Washington on June 22nd 2024 at the Grand Illusion Cinema, which is a wonderful little arthouse cinema and there aren't that many of those left so please support small indie movie houses whenever you can. And please throw down some $$ to support "Cora Bora"!  *Spoilers 10:07-14:20; 16:00-16:26

On this episode of Paid in Puke Podcast, we're rummaging through Sofia Coppola's 2013 true crime drama, "The Bling Ring", starring Emma Watson, Katie Chang, Taissa Farming, Claire Julian, Leslie Mann, and Israel Broussard. Coppola based the script on Nancy Jo Sales' 2010 Vanity Fair article, "The Suspects Wore Louboutins". Our returning guest is the Sparkle Queen known as Laura Lawrence ("9 to 5"). Laura has has seen the film many times, jammed out to the soundtrack many MORE times, and brings a shopping bag full of fun facts.  We also get into the film's prescience for today's influencer culture, and why kids are less inclined to aspire to landing "a good job". On the Lunchtime Poll, we reveal the things we have in such abundance, we might not notice getting robbed.

On Season 9, Episode 9 of Paid in Puke, we're slurping up Emerald Fennell's 2023 gothic drama, Saltburn, starring Rosamund Pike, Alison Oliver, Carey Mulligan, Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Archie Madekwe, and Richard E. Grant. Fennell wrote her original screenplay during lockdown, and filled it to the brim with foreshadowing, symbolism, entendre, and myriad literary references. We're here to celebrate this carefully-constructed masterpiece, dive to the deepest of the layers, and, of course, appreciate the visual splendor. It's Keggers with Kids all this episode, with Logan Green, who has answers to your burning questions, and a tub full of fun facts.   On the Lunchtime Poll, we reveal which songs people MIGHT think were written about us ("She came from Greece! She had a thirst for knowledge!"). We ate this movie up and licked the f*cking plate. Come to Saltburn and get lost with us!  

It's the Paid in Puke 2024 Oscars Special! Join us and special guest Denise Rodriguez (our Resident Oscar Specialist) as we run through the major categories (all the actors, director, and picture) with our Misses, Wishes, and Predic-shes. We dive deep into the enigma that is the career of B-Coop, and why Oppenheimer has so many more noms, even though Barbie clearly won in terms of money and popularity. We fawn over Poor Things, and we agree that a Greta was snubbed, but it might not be the one you think. We give Past Lives, Saltburn, and All of Us Strangers the recognition that the Academy failed to bestow. And we puzzle over why Willem Defoe is one of the best actors to never win an Oscar. As a bonus, we each chose a technical category to discuss, and what we're most looking forward to on Oscar Night.     

On season 9, episode 8 of Paid in Puke Podcast, we're sorting through Kitty Green's 2019 drama, "The Assistant". It stars Julia Garner, as the titular assistant at a high-powered New York film production office, who navigates a particularly trying day at work. While this is a "me too" movie, and the nameless boss in question bares some resemblance, The Assistant is not about Weinstein. Instead, it captures an all-too pervasive systematic conspiracy to allow powerful men to assault women without repercussions.  The Assistant is also relatable anyone who has ever had a job description vague enough to become the office task dumpster. We love this movie, Kitty Green's unique ability to capture the sinister tone of misogynist micro-aggressions, and Julia Garner's nuanced frown.  On the Lunchtime Poll, we reveal the dumbest thing a boss has ever asked of us. 

On Season 9, Episode 7 of Paid in Puke Podcast, we're celebrating Emma Seligman's 2023 high school sex comedy, "Bottoms", written by Seligman and Rachel Sennott. "Bottoms" stars Sennott, Ayo Edebiri, Ruby Cruz, Havana Rose Liu, Kaia Gerber, and Marshawn Lynch.  Like "Barb and Star" before her, this movie is an instant classic for the Pukettes. We extoll the myriad virtues of the Dream Team that is Sennott, Seligman, & Edebiri. It's a smart comedy disguised as a stupid one, with a thousand jokes landing per minute and some of the *tightest* mise en scène we've ever scène. But even if it were just a stupid comedy, guys make those all the time. That's the point of feminism.  Our super fun Lunchtime Poll question: What fake club would you start to entice your crush? 

On Season 9, Episode 6 of Paid in Puke, we're dissecting Todd Haynes' 2023 drama, May December, starring Natalie Portman, Julianne Moore, and Charles Melton. Team May December is claiming that the film is only "loosely based" on Mary Kay Letourneau and Vili Fualaau. We discuss the difference between "inspired" and "ripped off", and why Fualaau is not happy about this film.  Trigger Warnings for child abuse, child rape, and childhood trauma. This movie is serving THEMES. Why does Hollywood love to look for the humanity in bad people? Can a person truly live a life without regret? Can you really love your abuser? Is there a responsible way to make a film about a living victim without their consent? BUTTERFLIES.  We do a fun Lunchtime Poll to counteract all the darkness. What is your biggest anxiety when throwing a party? Don't forget the hot dogs!  

On Season 9, Episode 5 of Paid in Puke, we're getting friendly with Colin Higgins' ("9 to 5") 1982 musical, "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas", based on the Broadway show by Larry L. King and Peter Masterson, which was in turn based on a real story published in Playboy! It stars Dolly Parton, Theresa Merritt, Dom DeLuise, Burt Reynolds, and a host of talented triple threats credited as "Chicken Ranch Girl".  There are, of course, some Hot Probs, but Dolly ain't one. Our National Treasure holds the floor, and even sneaks in her own song to round out the catchy soundtrack. Did you have a brain tumor for breakfast? You'll never guess which problematic film critic had some truly revealing criticisms about this film upon release (JK, it's always the same guy). Come on down and hang out with us as we sing the praises of the singular talent that is Dolly Parton.   

On season 9, episode 4 of Paid in Puke Podcast, we scratch the surface of Amy Heckerling's 1995 star-making high school comedy, "Clueless", starring Alicia Silverstone, Brittany Murphy, Stacey Dash, and Dan Hedeya. Heckerling wrote the script based on "Emma", the classic novel by Jane Austen.  Special guest, Katie Lee Ellison, joins us to talk about what the film meant to her as a 10-year-old living in L.A., the glaring flaws she sees today, and the ways in which this iconic film continues to influence her life.   On Keggers w/ Kids, Baxter's teen gives her modern take on this very 90s film. Plus: The Valley Horse Girl Test, and why Paul Rudd might not be as ageless as we once thought!  Find Katie Lee Ellison on her website and insta, for information about her lectures, panels, and published essays!  

On season 9, episode 3 of Paid in Puke, we've got spirit for Jamie Babbit's 1999 satirical comedy, "But I'm a Cheerleader", starring Natasha Lyonne, Clea Duvall, Melanie Lynskey, Cathy Moriarty, Katharine Towne, Mink Stole, RuPaul, Bud Cort, and for 5 seconds, a Dawson's Creek-era Michelle Williams. Special guest Kate Preusser, managing editor at Lookout Landing* joins us to talk about why this is one of two influential films from her early twenties (the other being Showgirls). Still, Kate had the most Hot Probs, in relation to representation and some of Megan's toxic traits.  Kate also brings to us some Fun Facts, as well as the not-so-fun bad takes from the (mostly cis male) critics of 1999 that saddled this delightful film with a low Rotty T score that persists to this day.  Baxter's offspring joins us on Keggers with Kids, and on the Lunchtime Poll, we reveal things we didn't know about ourselves until someone else pointed it out.   *Lookout Landing is an online Seattle Mariner's baseball community.     

On season 9, episode 2 of Paid in Puke, we're sorting out the 2022 smash genre bender, "Everything Everywhere All At Once", directed by The Daniels, and starring Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Key Huy Quan, Jenny Slate, and Jamie Lee Curtis. This sleeper hit broke records and hearts during the 2023 awards season.  It tells the story of a middle-aged Chinese immigrant who runs a Laundromat with her husband and struggled to reconcile her taxes while battling a clandestine force and attempting to keep the multi-verse from collapsing. We discuss the film's numerous themes including generational trauma, the immigrant experience, capitalist f*ckery, empathy in the face of nihilism, and why it's never too late to change. Plus some Hot Probs. On the Lunchtime Poll, we pinpoint a single decision that affected the rest of our lives.   

On our series 9 opener, we're pleased as punch to discuss the 1996 romantic comedy, "The Truth About Cats and Dogs" with the film's director, Michael Lehmann. You might also know him having directed a pretty cool movie called, "Heathers". Cats & Dogs is the screenplay debut for Audrey Wells (The Hate U Give, Under the Tuscan Sun) and stars Janeane Garofalo, and Uma Thurman.  We had the most delightful and insightful conversation with Mr. Lehmann on what is dated about the film, as well as the myriad ways it was transgressive in the 90s rom com genre. He talks of fighting alongside Wells to preserve the original intent of the script, even going head-to-head with the MPAA on some of the film's more empowering elements. Plus, some fun stories about actors who almost played Brian, and why male actors can be so difficult to work with.  You don't wanna miss his answer to our Lunchtime Poll: What is a little white lie you told that spun out of control?

It's the big Season 8 Finale! We are thrilled and honored to bring you our first (and probably only) cis male guest: Daniel Waters! He gets a P*ssy Pass for writing the film that inspired our podcast theme (Heathers) and another feminist classic: Batman Returns. This 1992 comic book sequel was directed by Tim Burton, and stars Michelle Pfeiffer in an absolutely iconic role that launched one million sexual awakenings. It was written by Waters, from a script by Sam Hamm, and then unsatisfactorily finished off by a real Normie named Wesley Strick. We consider it a Catwoman movie with 3 male villains hellbent on stopping Selina Kyle from embracing her true nature. Join us as we pester Daniel Waters with questions about Heathers, and discuss what went wrong as well as what went SO. VERY. RIGHT. with Batman Returns. And because it's a Christmas Movie, our Lunchtime Poll is about worst and best Christmases. 

On this episode of Paid in Puke, we get lost in Maggie Gyllenhaal's 2022 directorial debut. The Lost Daughter stars Olivia Coleman, Jessie Buckley, Dakota Johnson, and Dagmara Dominczyk. The film tackles biological motherhood in a way that is so candid, the author of the source material used a pseudonym to avoid backlash. Among the Pukettes, two mothers and one childfree woman all saw completely different things in the intentionally ambiguous narrative. The Lost Daughter is a mirror that reflects our own experiences. One thing we agree on is that it's a staggering debut from Gyllenhaal and, to quote Leda, "motherhood is a crushing responsibility".   

On Season 8 Episode 8 of Paid in Puke, we wanna return Sam Raimi's 2000 supernatural drama, The Gift. Billy Bob Thornton penned this pseudo-feminist tale of an inconveniently psychic single mom (Cate Blanchett) who gets caught up in a murder investigation. It has a lot of "first movie" vibes, but everyone involved was very well established and some of them had Oscar noms. Also starring Katie Holmes, Hillary Swank, Kim Dickens, and Keanu Reeves.  Resident Blanchettspert, Alicia Mullins of Gal Pals Watch Podcast joins us to discuss the myriad Hot Probs, Blanchett's noble attempt to rise above the material, G-Rib's problematic portrayal of a neurodivergent abuse victim, the ubiquity of gators in the deep south, Hillary Swank's insane wig, and Mr. Noodle's brother Mr. Noodle. 

It's the Paid in Puke 2023 Oscars Special! We were lucky enough to get Denise Rodriguez back to round out the panel. Between the 4 of us, we've seen almost everything (except The Whale, for reasons we GET. IN. TO.) We go full At the Movies, with wildly different opinions on MANY of the films. The hot takes are flying. But we all agree that the Everything Everywhere leads and Angela Bassett deserve Legacy awards and that Colin Farrell is a lovely man.   

Welcome to our bonus interview with Ann Magnuson. In addition to behind-the-scenes look at filming “Making Mr. Right” in Miami in 1986, Ann discusses her early influences and media consumption, coming up in the 70's NYC and London punk scenes, why her appearances in Hollywood films were rare, a juicy tidbit about the casting process of “Fatal Attraction”, the roles on her resume that are closer to her real persona, and auditioning for SNL. She's living the true Art Life. We could have listened to her for hours. We hope this interview inspires you to dive deep into Ann's staggering back catalog and then make some art of your own. As Ann says, “There's no time to waste!”   Ann Magnuson Instagram Ann Magnuson website Buy a signed copy of new Blu-Ray of Making Mr. Right! Ann's You Tube channel

On series 8, episode 7 of Paid in Puke, we're thrilled to bring you this deep cut gem from 1987: “Making Mr. Right”. Susan Seidelman's retro-futurism genre bender stars the incomparable Ann Magnuson, as well as Glenne Headly, and Laurie Melcalf. We were lucky enough to snag Ann for an interview!   We discuss pop culture's timeless obsession with A.I.. This movie presents so many themes that were later explored in more serious properties like “Her”, “Ex Machina”, and “Westworld”. It also depicts a rare character in cinema (especially in 1987): a nuanced working woman who isn't driven by her need to find and keep a man. The film is also stylish, hilarious, and truly unique!   Throughout our discussion, we include clips from our interview with Ann, who discusses working in Miami, bringing her prodigious London and NYC underground experience to a Hollywood rom com, and why the time is right for a film that celebrates good will and charm.   Listen to the entire interview in our bonus episode and buy the special edition blu-ray of Making Mr. Right - out now, including commentary from Seidelman and Magnuson!   Ann Magnuson on instragram Ann Magnuson's website/store (including SIGNED Making Mr. Right blu-rays)! Clips from Ann's incredible interpretation of David Bowie's “Moonage Daydream” peppered throughout    

On Series 8, Episode 6 of Paid in Puke, we're plumbing the depths of James Cameron's 1997 hit disaster epic, Titanic, starring Kate Winslet, Frances Fisher, and Kathy Bates. Joining us is Titanic super-fan, and one half of The Bechdel Cast, Caitlin Durante, who is always ready to talk about what makes Rose a feminist, how Fabrizio was robbed, what James Cameron got right, and why they never again want to hear someone say there was room on that door.  On the Lunchtime Poll, we reveal the titanic disasters in our lives that yielded unexpectedly positive experiences.  Show Notes: The podcast Caitlin mentions in the Lunchtime Poll is Sludge: An American Health Care Story. The Billy Zane interview referenced is from Vulture.

In Series 8, Episode 5 of Paid in Puke Podcast, we're revisiting the 1997 hit comedy, Romy and Michele's High School Reunion, starring Mira Sorvino and Lisa Kudrow. It was directed by David Mirkin (Get a Life, Heartbreakers), and written by Robin Schiff, based on her play "The Ladies Room". We discuss what doesn't hold up (some problematic body image messages, casual cruelty as comedy) and what does (pretty much everything else)!  Baxter's 12-year-old, Lula, joins us to give her tween perspective on this sweet tale of enduring friendship, standing up to bullies, and being true to yourself. On the Lunchtime Poll, we reveal the songs to which we'd choreograph a little dance.

On Series 8, Episode 4 of Paid in Puke, we're changing the narrative on Karyn Kusama's 2009 horror comedy, Jennifer's Body, written by Diablo Cody and starring Amanda Seyfried and Megan Fox.  This movie was criminally mis-marketed by male executives at the time, to teenage boys, when it's actually a sapphic supernatural doomed high school romance. Even Cody might not have known just how Sapphic at this time... 15-year-old Logan joins us for an episode-long Keggers with Kids to discuss one of their very favorite movies, the dialogue (both clever and cringe), and the myriad Heathers parallels! 

Denise Rodriguez came on Paid in Puke to discuss "Desperately Seeking Susan" on the day that Angela Lansbury died. After we finished discussing the film, she enlightened us with encyclopedic knowledge of Lansbury's career and, in particular, Murder She Wrote. It was too good to leave on the proverbial cutting room floor.  So please enjoy our little tribute to Dame Angela Lansbury. October 16th, 1925 to October 11th, 2022. 

On Series 8, Episode 3 of Paid in Puke, we have a blast discussing Susan Seidelman's 1985 genre-bender, Desperately Seeking Susan, starring Rosanna Arquette, Laurie Metcalf, and friggin' MADONNA, as well as a bevy of 1980s NYC character actors and hipsters. Baxter falls in love with Ann Magnuson from her 15 seconds of screen time alone. A movie this punk, ACAB, and sex positive is light on the Hot Probs. Apart from having to explain land lines and newspaper personal ads to younger viewers, this movie holds the hell up. Special guest, Denise Rodriguez joins us to gush about this diamond in the rough and do a live deep dive into Seidelman's criminally underrated career.

On episode 2 of Paid in Puke Series 8, we're sitting and talking (sorry/notsorry) about Nicole Holofcener's 1996 debut feature, Walking and Talking, starring Katherine Keener, Anne Heche, and Allison Janney for two scenes.  Full disclosure, this was the first episode we'd recorded after our long hiatus, so there are some recording hiccups. Some of us forget our own name and mispronounce the director's surname. Fortunately, the animated series "The Great North" helps us out with the latter issue, as they recently dropped an episode centered around Holofcener's most recent film, "Enough Said".  Join us to discuss Big Jeans (both the cat and the fashion trend), consequences for casual cruelty, and the nature of phones in the 90s. 

On our Series 8 opener, we're Paid in Pugh'k! It's a drama-o-rama, spoiler-filler Don't Worry Darling Extravaganzah! If you've been living under a Hollywood-free rock, that's Olivia Wilde's genre hopper staring Florence Pugh, Gemma Chan, Kiki Layne, Kate Berlant, and Wilde herself. The script was heavily re-worked by Wilde's Booksmart scribe, Katie Silberman.  What IS DWD? Horror? Sci-Fi? A Thriller made by someone who doesn't understand the genre? We find Hot Probs galore, but also gush over the lewks, Pugh's star power, and Kate Berlant's ability to find the funniest possible delivery in every line.  If you want details, we have them, complete with a timeline and the scoop on the Kiki Layne cut. (RELEASE THE KIKI LAYNE CUT!) Grab a cocktail, put off that housework, and pleasure yourself. 

On Series 7 of Paid in Puke, we're discussing every episode of Ryan Murphy's American Crime Story mini-series, Impeachment, starring Beanie Feldstein, Sarah Paulson, Cobie Smulders, Judith Light, Mira Sorvino, Edie Falco, Annaleigh Ashford, and Character Actress Margot Martindale. Episode 10 is "The Wilderness", written by show runner Sarah Burgess, and directed by Michael Uppendahl. This series finale drives home all the themes from the season including the raw deal for sexual assault survivors and women who receive any sort of media attention. We also discuss the problematic nature of "redemption stories" told without the input of the victims, and the way society expects people to accept their trauma after they're tired of hearing about it.  We end it all with a fun Lunchtime Poll about which writer we would choose to tell our story.  Paid in Puke returns late summer 2022 with Series 8 and a return to our film format! 

On Series 7 of Paid in Puke, we're discussing every episode of Ryan Murphy's American Crime Story mini-series, Impeachment, starring Beanie Feldstein, Sarah Paulson, and Annaleigh Ashford. Episode 9 is "The Grand Jury", written by show runner Sarah Burgess, and directed by Rachel Morrison. It's the penultimate episode in the series. This is the best of the worst of times for Monica. She actually experiences a smidge of vindication when she tells her story to 22 sympathetic (and one incredulous) members of the Grand Jury. On the other hand, Linda is taken aback at how much people don't like people who tape their friends.  On the Lunchtime Poll, we talk about some famous people we would love to grill, Grand Jury-style. 

On Series 7 of Paid in Puke, we're discussing every episode of Ryan Murphy's American Crime Story mini-series, Impeachment, starring Beanie Feldstein, Sarah Paulson, and Edie Falco. Episode 8 is "Stand By Your Man", written by Flora Birnbaum and directed by Rachel Morrison. This particular episode is all about the Clintons. Unfortunately, it makes for one, glaring Hot Prob, which is the attempt to make Hillary a sympathetic figure. Meanwhile, Monica is a pioneer of quarantine, having to spend 4 months at her dad's house, learning to knit. And Bill really puts the "baby" in "baby boomer". 

On Series 7 of Paid in Puke, we're discussing every episode of Ryan Murphy's American Crime Story mini-series, Impeachment, starring Beanie Feldstein, Sarah Paulson, and Mira Sorvino. Episode 7 is "The Assassination of Monica Lewinsky", written by Flora Birnbaum, Daniel Pearle, and showrunner, Sarah Burgess, and directed by Michael Uppendahl. If you thought it was hard to watch a young woman be detained by wolf-like lawyers in a hotel room, you may need to hold this show's proverbial beer. Whilst America was saturated with puerile BJ jokes and a disgusting Lewinsky smear campaign, the subject of that press coverage was trapped in her apartment watching the whole thing. We dive deep into how awful that must have been. On the Lunchtime Poll, we tell stories of times when a misconception about us hindered our lives.

On Series 7 of Paid in Puke, we're discussing every episode of Ryan Murphy's American Crime Story mini-series, Impeachment, starring Beanie Feldstein, Sarah Paulson, and Mira Sorvino. Episode 6 is "Man Handled", written by showrunner, Sarah Burgess, and directed by Ryan Murphy. This episode is tough to watch. It's an overdose of the patriarchy thrust into a smart, but in-over-her-head young woman who is definitely being abused and deceived for hours thanks to her slizzy friend, Linda. Most remarkably, this all happened, more or less, the way it plays out on screen. Truth truly is stranger than fiction. 

On Series 7 of Paid in Puke, we're discussing every episode of Ryan Murphy's American Crime Story mini-series, Impeachment, starring Beanie Feldstein, Sarah Paulson, and Annaleigh Ashford. Episode 5 is "Do You Hear What I Hear?", written by Haley Feiffer and directed by Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre. It's also a Christmas Episode! Or at least, as close to one as ACS gets. We discuss Linda gaslighting Monica, the ways in which the media skewered the appearances of the women in Clinton's cabinet, and what is the "right" amount of dicks to see.  On the Lunchtime Poll, we tell stories about awkward Christmas parties past, and introduce your new favorite walking meme, Cucumber Dad.  

Trigger Warning: In this episode, we discuss the sexual assault of a minor.  On Series 7 of Paid in Puke, we're discussing every episode of Ryan Murphy's American Crime Story mini-series, Impeachment, starring Beanie Feldstein, Sarah Paulson, and character actress Margot Martindale. Episode 4 is "The Telephone Hour", written by Flora Birnbaum and directed by Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre. We talk at length about slizzy friends, how much labor went into documenting a conversation in the 90s, and more about people doing the right thing for the wrong reasons. 

We're taking a break from our regularly-scheduled series 7 to talk about the Oscars! The 94th annual Academy Awards will be recorded live on Sunday, May 27th and broadcast on ABC. Special guest Denise Rodriguez joins us to talk about Jane Campion's epic self-sabotage, the ill-conceived idea of axing eight below-the-line awards in favor of a ratings-grab, actors being exhausting about their craft, and plenty of SNUBS! It's a big, fat, spoiler-ific Hollywood chat, Paid in Puke style! 

On Series 7 of Paid in Puke, we're discussing every episode of Ryan Murphy's American Crime Story mini-series, Impeachment, starring Beanie Feldstein, Sarah Paulson, and Annaleigh Ashford. Episode 3 is "Not to be Believed", written by show runner Sarah Burgess and directed by Michael Uppendahl.  Billy Eichner makes his first appearance as Internet journalism Founding Father, Matt Drudge. We remember when you weren't permitted to site the world wide web in a research paper because it wasn't considered credible enough.  We also dive deeper in Linda and Monica's toxic friendship and what happens when you listen to good advice given for nefarious reasons. 

On Series 7 of Paid in Puke, we're discussing every episode of Ryan Murphy's American Crime Story mini-series, Impeachment, starring Beanie Feldstein, Sarah Paulson, and Annaleigh Ashford. Episode 2 is "The President Kissed Me", written by show runner Sarah Burgess and directed by Michael Uppendahl.  On this episode, we talk more about how D.C. is Hollywood disguised as government, what constitutes "legit" harassment in a bi-partisan conflict, the ineffable magnetism of certain predators, and what it's like when you're "Down Bad" for someone.  Trigger warning: we touch lightly on sexual harassment and power imbalances in seemingly consensual relationships. 

Paid in Puke is back with a very special season! We're discussing every episode of Ryan Murphy's American Crime Story mini-series: Impeachment, starring Beanie Feldstein and Sarah Paulson as well as a bevy of character actors portraying the big players in this monumental 90s scandal that blew up so many lives.  The first episode, Exiles, introduces the audience to Monica and Linda, and gets them into position for the biggest bestie betrayal since Judas. It also brings up so many issues for us to explore, including power imbalances, bi-partisan sexual harassment double standards, shitty boyfriends, office dynamics, diet culture, body images, the immorality of the press, and how Washington D.C. is basically a more insidious and dishonest version of Hollywood. We unwind with a fun Lunchtime Poll, wherein we reveal what other entertainment-adjacent debacle we'd like to see portrayed in a mini series or movie.

On the series 6 finale, we're hate-watching Bradley Cooper's 2018 abuse-masquerading-as-romance remake, "A Star is Born", starring Lady Gaga and no other women. It's a tough hang in every sense of the phrase, but hopefully you'll enjoy hanging with us and making fun of it. Who does the best Jackson Maine as Sling Blade impression? Which is the worst song? What's the best part of the brownie? What happened to the Bradley Cooper who was in Wet Hot American Summer? All this and more will be revealed! 

On today's episode, we're carrying a watermelon for Emile Ardolino's 1987 romantic drama, "Dirty Dancing", starring Jennifer Grey, Cynthia Rhodes, and Jane Brucker. It's a slumber party classic for women of a certain age. We reminisce about how much of the plot we understood when it first came out, Johnny's chaotic energy, and the short-shrifting of Lisa Houseman.  On the Lunchtime Poll, we discuss memorable moments from our youth that resulted in our radicalization. 

On today's episode, we get existential AF with Alex Garland's 2018 surreal sci-fi film, "Annihilation", starring Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Gina Rodriguez, Tessa Thompson, and Tuva Novotny.  This is a heady one, but it's a lot of fun if you can stomach some pretty intense body horror and a trippy synth score. It's basically John Carpenter's The Thing on acid but with WOMEN.   

On today's episode, we're talking about a film that won't be ignored: Adrienne Lynne's 1987 problematic as-HELL thriller, "Fatal Attraction". This film was a box office smash that starred Glenn Close, Anne Archer, and we guess a little bit Michael Douglas. It tells the story of woman named Alex, a 34-year-old NYC book editor who becomes impregnated after sleeping with a married man she meets through work. When she expresses an interest in having a relationship with him, he becomes violent and irrational, eventually coercing his wife into murdering her.  What a piece of work is man!  

Baxter's in her dream place talking about David Lynch's 2001 surreal Hollywood Noir, Mulholland Dr, starring Naomi Watts and Laura Elena Harring. We do our best to explain what it all means, and marvel at Naomi Watt's myriad acting talents. On the Lunchtime Poll, we tell of dreams that bled into our waking lives.  PS: This seems as good as time as any to mention that Baxter and Annie have a Twin Peaks podcast called Really Weird Stuff, available on our website and wherever you get your podcasts! 

On this episode, we're on an emotional rollercoaster with Janicza Bravo's 2021 crime drama/comedy, Zola, based on the viral Twitter thread by Detroit waitress A'Ziah "Zola" King in October 2015. It stars Taylour Paige as the titular protagonist, and Riley Keough as the shady lady who roped Zola into a nightmarish weekend in Florida. It's possibly our shortest Hot Probs segment to date, as Bravo knocks this one out of the park. This discussion inspires a new t-shirt (it's always a good idea to MIND THE VIBES) and several P.S.A.'s. You won't wanna miss this Lunchtime Poll, as we tell stories of times we got in over our heads with some sketchy people.  PS: Forget that Rolling Stone article. Allison P. Davis has the real scoop at Vulture.  Paid in Puke is now on mid-season hiatus! We will return October 12th with Mulholland Dr! 

On today's episode, we're falling in love with Todd Haynes' 2015 romantic period drama, "Carol", starring Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, and Sarah Paulson. We're joined by special guest, Alicia Mullins of Gal Pals Watch Podcast, who gives us all the Superfan details about the film and the source material (Patricia Highsmith's semi-autobiographical novel, "The Price of Salt").  There's an awful lot of Harge hate and swooning over Cate Blanchett's ethereal presence and silky voice, as well as marveling at Carol's brass ovaries for standing up for herself in the 1950s, despite having so much to lose. Carol simply rules.  

On today's episode, we're discussing the tragic state of underage abortion rights in the United States through thematically similar, but tonally opposite films: Eliza Hitman's 2020 drama "Never Rarely Sometimes Always" starring Sidney Flanigan and Talia Ryder; and Rachel Lee Goldenberg's 2020 comedy, "Unpregnant", starring Haley Lu Richardson and Barbie Ferriera.  There are some Hot Probs, but these films are both great in their own right and feature some really incredible debut performances. Despite the heavy subject matter, we manage to keep it light on the Two Lunchtime Polls for the Price of One!