'Sinners' (in Theaters!), 'Summer House' is for the Girls & Amy Poehler's Podcast
Recommendations for your weekend
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Read
Analyzing the rise of “girlie podcasts” like “Giggly Squad” and “The Toast.” (Kyndall Cunningham for Vox)
“The Valley” star Brittany Cartwright shares a first-person account of her life before and after her relationship with Jax Taylor. (Brittany Cartwright as told to Emily Leibert for The Cut)
Apparently all of your favorite New York City restaurants are inspired by Hillstone. (Luke Fortney for Grub Street)
How Gen Z became the most gullible and least media literate generation. (Catherine Kim for Politico)
Listen
Amy Poehler’s “Good Hang” Podcast
These days, when yet another celebrity announces a new podcast, I tend to remain unmoved. But, when Amy Poehler announced “Good Hang,” you kind of just knew it was going to be a refreshing addition to your podcast diet. I’ve been absolutely loving her show, which is funny and frank and embraces its slightly rough edges. She’s had some fantastic guests so far in Jack Black, Tina Fey and Kathryn Hahn, and listening to them chat genuinely feels like—say it with me!—a good hang.
Amy was also on “Las Culturistas” this week, which was also a delight!
Watch
“Sinners” (in theaters)
People are talking about this movie for a variety of reasons (explained here and a fascinating debate about it here), but one thing’s for sure: You want to see this movie, and you want to see it in theaters. Michael B. Jordan plays twin brothers who return home from Chicago to rural Mississippi to open a juke joint which is then terrorized by vampires. Doesn’t sound like it’s your thing? On paper, it’s not mine, either—the first half has no vampire action at all, and I could’ve watched two hours of that. But I was still completely transfixed by Ryan Koogler’s latest movie, which also thoughtfully weaves in important themes and deftly uses music as part of its storytelling and scene-setting that you won’t soon forget. Also, shoutout to the supporting cast, which is also phenomenal in this!
If you see this, make sure to stay for the post/mid-credits scene. It’s very important.
Toxic Town (Netflix)
If you’re having Aimee Lou Wood withdrawal’s now that we’re a few weeks out from season 3 of “The White Lotus,” consider this four-episode British mini-series that focuses on the town of Corby, England—more specifically, the young mothers in the town whose babies are being born with limb differences at an abnormal rate. Over the course of over a decade, the film tells the true story of the former steel town’s toxic living conditions, the corruption that covered it up, the lives it affected and how they demanded justice. It’s well paced and well acted!
Self-Promotion
How “Summer House” Came To Be “For The Girls”
I invited Rebecca Jennings from Vulture onto the show to discuss her great feature on the women of “Summer House,” which proudly proclaims that the Bravo show has come to be “for the girls.” It was super fun discussing the evolution of the show and how viewers respond to it.
At the top of the show, I also unpacked the latest episodes of “The Valley” and “Summer House,” as well as Paige DeSorbo’s long-awaited return to “Watch What Happens Live!”
Kelli Ferrell on “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” Season 16
“Real Housewives of Atlanta” newbie Kelli Ferrell came onto the pod to chat about opening up about her life on reality TV, her great dynamic with Porsha Williams, her perspective on the Brit Eady vs. Kenya Moore situation, whether or not she actually heard Brit’s “pistols” comment and more.
Currently
At home in the city this weekend after a quick 24-hour trip to Boston with Men’s Warehouse — looking forward to jumping into the final season of “YOU,” which just dropped yesterday!