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This episode features excerpts from the February 8th performance of Dennis Hensley's The MisMatch Game at the Los Angeles LGBT Center's Renberg Theatre. The panelists are Danny Casillas as Reba Areba, Jackie Beat as Bea Arthur, Sherry Vine as Rue McClanahan, Melissa Peterman as Rena Z., Felix Pire as Antonio Banderas and Tom Lenk as Tilda Swinton. The questions cover everyone from Jonathan Bailey to Betty White to Benson Boone. The evening was a bizonkers blast and raised over $4,100 for the Center. After the MisMatch Game clips, there's a super-sized So This Happened...where Dennis talks about the Oscar party he attended where he missed a trivia question about Centerstage, a delightful candle-making class he took at General Wax in North Hollywood, going dancing at the Kylie XCX night at Precinct hosted by past guests Mark Nubar and DJ Shyboy and attending the 25th Anniversary benefit screening of Coyote Ugly with most of the cast in attendance. It was true in 2000 and it's true today: you really can't fight the moonlight.
This episode features excerpts from Dennis Hensley's THE MISMATCH GAME: 20th Anniversary Edition which happened on September 28th, 2024 at the LA LGBT Center's Renberg Theatre in Hollywood. The super-sized panel consisted of Jackie Beat as Bea Arthur, Danny Casillas as Reba Areba, Daniele Gaither as Oprah Winfrey, Tom Lenk as Zooey Deschanel and Heidi Klum, Sam Pancake as Lucille Ball, Felix Pire as Ricardo Montalban, Chris Pudlo as Pee-wee Herman and Lory Tatoulian as Melania Trump. And the questions, which were pulled from past shows, featured Mariah Carey, George Takei, Oprah, Melania and the Ladies of The View. (Note: Dennis recorded the audio on his iPhone and it's not the best so if you can't bear to listen, he totally understands.)
Dennis connects via Zoom with Jeffery Bowman who is the founder and co-host of Legendary Bingo, a West Hollywood staple since 1998. Jeffery talks about the event's humble beginnings, how he enlisted the queen Belle Aire early on as his first drag co-host and how the event has raised over $9 million to date for countless local charities. He dishes about all the celebrities that have appeared at Bingo over the years including Molly Shannon, Ed Asner, Paula Abdul, Richard Simmons, Seth Rogan, Lesley Ann Warren and his first-ever celebrity guest Jean Smart. He also talks about his more recent creative endeavor; writing, recording and releasing songs on Spotify under the name Jeffery Leonard Bowman. His song "No Shelter," about his own experience with rescue animals, is connecting with other animal lovers all over the world and Jeffery couldn't be more thrilled about it. Other topics include: how both Jeffery and Dennis have worked with and been delightfully scandalized by drag legend Willam at Bingo and The MisMatch Game respectively, how great it feels when someone compliments him on his music, the corporate gigs that make it so he's able to make his living from Bingo, why it's never not a pain in the ass when a reality show wants to shoot at Bingo, co-starring with Ron Jeremy in the movie Orgasmo, why people love the game of Bingo generally, finding great collaborators on Craig's List and his favorite celebrity guest caller ever. (Here's a hint: She's 50 years-old.) www.bingoboyinc.com
In this special holiday episode, Dennis shares excerpts from the comedy game show Dennis Hensley's The MisMatch Game from December 9th and the LA LGBT Center's Renberg Theatre. The panelists are Nadya Ginsburg (Cher), Dante (Christopher Lloyd), Nicole Parker (Celine Dion), Rebekah Kochan (Jennifer Coolidge), Felix Pire (Silverlake Santa) & Tom Lenk (Heidi Klum). Enjoy questions about celebs that are ripe for the skewering like George Santos, the Trumps, Mariah Carey and Paris Hilton and a goosebump-inducing version of "Oh Holy Night" as performed by Celine Dion (Nicole Parker.)
To promote this Saturday's Hot August Night Edition of The MisMatch Game, here are some clips from June's two Pride-themed shows. The panelists are Dante as Christopher Lloyd, Danny Casillas as Reba Areba, Richard Halpern as Austin Powers, Tom Lenk as M3GAN and Zooey Deschanel, Felix Pire as The Mad Hatter, Rebekah Kochan as Jennifer Coolidge, Jackie Clarke as Ginni Thomas, James Adomian as Elon Musk, Nadya Ginsburg as Cher, Lory Tatoulian as Queen Camilla & Marc Samuel as Morgan Freeman. The questions take on such subjects as Rihanna's missing toe ring, Dorothy's stolen ruby slippers and what happened when homophobic televangelist Pat Robertson arrived at the pearly gates. Tickets for Saturday's MisMatch Game: https://ci.ovationtix.com/36684/production/1173193?performanceId=11333330
Dennis connects via Zoom with actor Sam Pancake to discuss his show Pancakes from the Edge, which is loosely inspired by his obsession with the film Postcards From the Edge. He talks about meeting Shirley MacLaine and watching her rip into Richard Dreyfus for being late to reading. He also talks about his recent mainstream Hollywood projects like A Million Little Things, The Goldbergs and the upcoming Chris Pine film Poolman. He also tells the story of how he asked Chris Pine to come and play Burt Reynolds for one night in The Golden Girlz...and Chris said yes! He also talks about how much the landscape has changed for out actors and shares a few stories from times weren't so great. Other topics include: crushing on Brad Garrett, being competive, playing Password Lucy in the MisMatch Game, teen hookers in TV movies and people who want to have sex with him when he's dressed as Sophia Petrillo in the Golden Girlz. @thesampancake on Instagram
In this special episode, Dennis recounts his recent high school reunion weekend in Holbrook, Arizona and gathers four of his classmates: Mark, Debra, Diana and J.D. around a picnic table to recall graduation night 1982 when they all went skinny-dipping in Dennis's family's pool. Dennis also describes being reunited with his boxed version of The Match Game TV show from the mid-1970s and discovers questions that he wrote back in the 1970's inside, which means he's been writing MisMatch Game questions for about 45 years! Other topics include: the glory of Arizona green chili, getting swatted in school, the Grease 2 screening where God stepped in, how Dennis's great nephew Jason deals with phone solicitors and the world's most difficult jigsaw puzzle.
Dennis Hensley loves the 1970s - especially TV game shows that played in the middle of the day. His passion for games led to the creation of The MisMatch Game, the live game show that just passed the $200,000 raised amount benefiting the LA Gay & Lesbian Center. We talk the good of a good game, poking fun at ourselves and others, and helping others along the way. Dennis is also the co-creator of his own card game, You Don't Know My Life, and the host of his own podcast Dennis Anyone? Cook up some Rice-A-Roni, get your Turtle Wax out, and get your game on with this new episode!
In a departure from the regular interview format, this episode features excerpts from a live stage show Dennis Hensley's THE MISMATCH GAME on May 22, 2022. This was the night the show passed the $200,000-raiased mark since it's debut in 2004. After being introduced and taking the stage, Dennis decided on a whim to record the proceedings using the audio recorder on his iPhone so the audio quality is not the best. Still, he hopes the episode gives you some laughs as well as a feeling for how thrilling it was to reach this milestone. Appearing with Dennis on stage are Danny Casillas (Reba Areba), Jackie Beat (Bea Arthur), Julie Brown (Queen Elizabeth), Lory Tatoulian (Sharon Osborne), Marc Samuel (Morgan Freeman) and Tom Lenk (Tilda Swinton)
Derek and Romaine chat with writer and host Dennis Hensley. Dennis is hosting a virtual MisMatch Game this weekend and regular You Don't Know My Life game nights. Plus Dennis dishes about The Emmys, Joan Rivers and more! For more great content, subscribe to this free podcast or get back in the habit with our live daily show at DNR Studios.com. Listen live like a radio show, download anytime like a podcast five days/week when you subscribe at DNRStudios.com. DNR subscribers can listen live weekdays or download anytime for just $6.95/month at DNRStudios.com. Use discount code LOVE at checkout to get a three day free trial.
Dennis visits the L.A. home of comedy icon Julie Brown to talk about the L.A. return of her hit stage show "The Homecoming Queen's Got a Gun: The Musical," recording the 1984 EP "Goddess in Progress" that featured the song, playing a teenager when she's well into her 20's and how she approaches that in the era of mass shootings. She also discusses the origins of her iconic "Truth of Dare"-parody "Medusa: Dare to Be Truthful," what her son thinks of her comedy, her first writing credit on an Olivia Newton-John special, playing Melania Trump and Kim Kardashian in "The MisMatch Game," her breakthrough MTV series "Just Say Julie," what lesbians think of her "Clueless" portrayal, how Alicia Silverstone blew her mind and her relationship to her gay fans. Dennis proclaims that Julie is one of his favorite famous people because she doesn't project that "I'm special" vibe and Julie talks about her relationship to fame. Other topics include: writing "Camp Rock" for Disney, how Nick Jonas brightened her world, the nightmare screen test she had to do for "Earth Girls Are Easy," the tears of Demi Lovato, her spirituality, the coke-iness of 80's Hollywood, how Lily Tomlin changed her life, playing a stripper on "Quantum Leap," doing a valley girl character before the song "Valley Girl," making out with Jim Carrey, being high on the set of "Happy Days" and why she won't be giving Cicely Tyson a standing ovation any time soon. www.juliebrown.com
Dennis visits the Sherman Oaks home of actor Jaylen Moore to talk about his role as Fish Bait on the History Channel series "Six." Jaylen talks about the incredible way the role came about, the intense Nave Seal training the cast underwent before shooting and the honor/responsibility of playing the first Afghan-American Muslim US military person series regular on TV. He describes what it means to do "sugar cookies" in Navy Seal lingo, swapping f-words with series star Walton Goggins, learning to use major weapons, and what it's like to be on a show where your character can die at any time. Other topics include: the action star who made him starstruck, getting bullied as a kid, rejecting Mila Kunis, the songs that make him cry and the time he took off his shirt on stage at the MisMatch Game. www.jaylenmoore.com
One of the most generous gifts you can give someone is listening to them. It's a habit that some people just never picked up. But others have refined it to an art form. My guest this week is Dennis Hensley, who you might know from My Life on the D-List, from Girls Will be Girls, or from countless celebrity interviews in just about every magazine ever. These days, among his many hats, he hosts a podcast called Dennis Anyone, where he interviews creative folks about their work; and he's also the host of The MisMatch Game, a live gameshow fundraiser for the LA LGBT Center. The next MisMatch game is coming up, on July 23 and 24, and I highly recommend the experience of seeing a bunch of celebrity-impersonating comedians running circles around each other. As an interviewer, a listener, and a host, Dennis sometimes disappears behind the glitter of the people whose talent he's showcasing. That's a problem he's always been happy to have, whether interviewing Carrie Fisher in her bed or Celine Dion in her limousine. But these days, Dennis' industry is changing, and he's faced with a new challenge: stepping out from behind the luminaries and standing in his own spotlight.
EP #54 DENNIS HENSLEY - WRITER/PRODUCER/AUTHOR This episode was recorded live from The Hatchery Press in Hollywood. Today we go IN with my old friend, writer-dir-prod-author Dennis Hensley! HIGHLIGHTS: Dennis’ new e-book “Mariners Club Mixtape,” growing up Morman, dancing on a cruise ship, his obsession with Madonna, writing for Movieline Magazine and Detour, standing up for yourself, “The Big Gay Sketch Show,” the WGA Writers Access Project, “The Fashion Police” Strike, The Mismatch Game, Showrunning “Breakdown” on Bounce TV and much more! Our motto, "Keep it street, keep it opinionated and keep it what? 2,015” DIRECT LINK: http://bit.ly/DENNIS-54 Subscribe, Comment, Rate & 5 STAR Review on iTunes or Stitcher! http://bit.ly/HG-SRR-EP1 Twi
On the eve of the debut of "The Comedians" on FX, Dennis visits the home of his old sketch comedy friend from the 90's Ben Wexler, who is the series' showrunner and one of its exec producers. Ben talks about getting to work on his dream project, "The Comedians" after many years in the TV comedy trenches, what it's like to ask his childhood idol Billy Crystal if they can make a joke at his expense in the show, and the thrill of seeing ads for his baby all over LA. Ben and Dennis also recall many adventures from their 20-plus year friendship; the sketches they did together in the comedy troupe Off-Off-Fairfax, two trips to Vegas, Ben's appearances as Woody Allen in The MisMatch Game, and getting sexed-up while listening to the Indigo Girls. Other topics include: Ben's stint on "The Michael J. Fox Show," his first big Hollywood job on a little movie called "Forrest Gump," working on the Netflix version of "Arrested Development" and how Ben can't say the word "tweaking" without giggling. Watch "The Comedians" and follow Ben on Twitter @mrbenwexler
Dennis visits the West Hollywood home of actor-writer Tom Lenk to discuss his new dorkumentary "Nerdgasm" and his one-man show "Heavy Petting," which hits LA March 29th. Tom talks about the inspiration for "Heavy Petting," which is about all the pets he had growing up, including a homophobic parrot named Sarah. He talks about performing his previous show "Nerdgasm" at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and realizing that he is, in fact, a nerd, not just someone who plays nerds on TV. Other topics include appearing on Broadway in "Rock of Ages," winning a SAG Award for "Argo," and what it was like to be part of the "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" universe as Andrew. His appearances in "The MisMatch Game" are also discussed, specifically how he pitches his voice so high as Heidi Klum, how much he spent a 7-11 per show as Margot Kidder, and how he manages to answer all of his Zooey Deschanel answers while crafting. He dives into the Observation Deck, too, discussing his worst headshot, the job he was most excited to learn he got and the worst job he ever had where he got stiffed by N'Sync.
Get ready for the most fun you'll have anywhere during the next hour of your life! Tonight's Special Guest Star: Dennis Hensley! Writer/performer DENNIS HENSLEY is the host and creator of the podcast Dennis Anyone? which just hit a landmark 10,000 downloads for a single episode, thanks to the star power of that week's guest, Willam, from RuPaul's Drag Race who happens to be a MisMatch Game alum. Dennis has also been a staff writer on E!'s Fashion Police, Logo's The Big Gay Sketch Show and Lifetime's Lovespring International with Jane Lynch. Dennis served as a consultant on the Logo's RuPaul's Drag Race. Dennis collaborated on the film, If We Took a Holiday, which premiered at Outfest. Follow Dennis on Twitter by clicking here! Check out his website by clicking here!
Get ready for the most fun you'll have anywhere during the next hour of your life! Tonight's Special Guest Star: Dennis Hensley! Writer/performer DENNIS HENSLEY is the host and creator of the podcast Dennis Anyone? which just hit a landmark 10,000 downloads for a single episode, thanks to the star power of that week's guest, Willam, from RuPaul's Drag Race who happens to be a MisMatch Game alum. Dennis has also been a staff writer on E!'s Fashion Police, Logo's The Big Gay Sketch Show and Lifetime's Lovespring International with Jane Lynch. Dennis served as a consultant on the Logo's RuPaul's Drag Race. Dennis collaborated on the film, If We Took a Holiday, which premiered at Outfest. Follow Dennis on Twitter by clicking here! Check out his website by clicking here!
The boys discuss the Golden Globe Awards, including Jodie Foster's un-coming out speech. Tony takes a trip to Columbus, OH to do stand-up. Dennis sees Amour and takes a meeting about turning MisMatch Game into a TV show.