The Hot Assassin, 'Cruel Intentions' and Doechii's Back-to-Back Slayage
Recommendations for your weekend
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I’m two months behind on my monthly “what I watched” lists… you can blame this insane time of year when seemingly everyone wants to have one last dinner or drinks or holiday get together before we go home for, like, a week and then return to New York.
I’m overwhelmed! And sometimes the newsletter — something I don’t make any money off of for now — inevitably takes a backseat to work that helps me pay my rent. But I’ll get to them soon, I promise!
Read
Okay, what’s behind our collective obsession with the hot assassin? (Vanessa Friedman for The Guardian)
Saying goodbye to the Eras Tour: How did Taylor Swift make the biggest tour of all time still feel so… intimate? (Jenn Pelly for Vulture)
The Eras Tour by the numbers. (Ben Sisario for The New York Times)
An ode to 1984—a seismic year for pop music and pop culture—40 years later. (Jon Pareles for The New York Times)
This list of the most stylish people of 2024 was a fun way to look back at the year through the lens of pop culture. (The Styles Desk at The New York Times)
Listen
Carole Radziwill on “Deux U” Podcast
My brother alerted me to this recent episode of Deuxmoi’s podcast which is a long chat with former “RHONY” star Carole Radziwill and is filled with fun anecdotes about her time on “Real Housewives,” being a New York celeb, burying the hatchet with Andy Cohen and more. Listen above!
Madison LeCroy on “The Skinny Confidential Him & Her” Podcast
I love Madison and think she’s one of the best non-”Housewives” Bravo stars on the network, and it was fun to get some insight into her time in the public eye in this interview. Listen above!
Watch
“Cruel Intentions” (Prime)
If you’ve been itching for a sexy, soapy, over-the-time YA show ever since the misunderstood “Gossip Girl” reboot got cancelled, this is your show. It’s a TV show remake of the iconic ‘90s film, but it’s best digested without that in mind. Take this as it is — a knowingly ridiculous, occasionally overacted, sex-filled college soap — sit back, and enjoy.
Doechii’s Back-to-Back Can’t-Miss Live Performances
Doechii’s star has steadily risen over the past couple of years, and she just delivered what is one of the best Tiny Desk concerts ever and perhaps one of the best late-night musical performances in history on “The Late Show.” She has the vision, she has the talent, she has the look, she has it all. Don’t sleep on her!
Lady Gaga on RollingStone’s “The Breakdown”
I actually had never heard of this RollingStone video series, but I loved this deep dive on Gaga’s latest single “Disease.” The song hasn’t proven to have legs, but I think it’s fantastic and getting a peek into her creative process was absolutely fascinating.
Self-Promotion
“Southern Charm,” “RHOBH” and The Token Black Girl with Taylor Crumpton
Writer Taylor Crumpton, who is working on a book about Black women on reality TV, came onto my podcast this week to talk about the “Southern Charm” premiere and discuss Venita Aspen and Garcelle Beauvais being the “token Black girls” on their respective Bravo shows. Listen above!
Talking “RHOBH” and “RHOSLC” with Bravo Bravo Ducking Bravo
“High & Low” podcast host Bravo Bravo Ducking Bravo (who prefers to remain anonymous) come onto the show this week to chat about the latest happenings on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” and “Salt Lake City.” Listen above!
Currently
New York during the holiday season! What’s not to love?!*
*Daddy’s ready for a break -_-