'The Traitors' Season 2, 'The Octopus Murders,' 'The Idea of You' and More
Recommendations for your weekend
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Sending my condolences to everyone who, like me, is mourning the loss of “The Traitors” season 2, which officially came to an end with last night’s epic finale and fun reunion special. If you’re really missing “Traitors” content, join me in jumping into the second season of “The Traitors UK,” which just dropped on Peacock. Definitely also watch season 1, if you haven’t already!
I also dropped a great new episode of my podcast today, where law professor and podcast host Leah Litman helped me make sense of all of the recent lawsuits in the Bravo universe — listen to that here. Next week, I’ll be dropping an interview with one of the winners of “The Traitors,” a “Love Is Blind” end-of-season deep dive and a “Real Housewives” state of the union — subscribe here!
Enjoy the recs below and have a fab weekend!
Read
If you’re already having “The Traitors” withdrawals, check out this really fun interview with host Alan Cumming — some fun behind-the-scenes details, his thoughts on this season and more. (Rebecca Alter for Vulture)
An unexpected exposé about Bobby Berk’s exit from “Queer Eye” amid drama behind the scenes, including many accusations that Jonathan Van Ness is a “monster” to many people on production… (Cheyenne Roundtree for Rolling Stone)
*pretends to be shocked that elements of self-help guru Jay Shetty’s backstory were fabricated* (John McDermott for The Guardian)
I liked this new profile of Kylie Jenner, which was at once a little shady and sympathetic to her. (Jessica Testa for The New York Times)
Can’t keep track of all of the pop girlies releasing new music this spring? This article will help you. (Lyndsey Havens for Billboard)
Great profile of “Vanderpump Rules” star Ariana Madix, which includes her thoughts on that Tom Sandoval profile in the New York Times from a few weeks ago. (Amy Kaufman for The Los Angeles Times)
Why are British audiences turning away from reality shows starring celebrities? (Louis Staples for The Guardian)
Listen
“Wind of Change” Podcast
Yes, I realize that this six-part series came out in 2020 but, yes, I did just listen to it — and it still hits. The official description of the series is below, and it absolutely delivers on its compelling promise:
It’s 1990. The Berlin Wall just fell. The Soviet Union is on the verge of collapse. And the soundtrack to the revolution is one of the best selling songs of all time, the metal ballad “Wind of Change,” by the Scorpions. Decades later, journalist Patrick Radden Keefe heard a rumor: the song wasn’t written by the Scorpions. It was written by the CIA. This is his journey to find the truth.
Watch
“American Conspiracy: The Octopus Murders” (Netflix)
An intriguing and twisty four-part documentary that follows the so-called Octopus murders, wherein a journalist pursuing a political conspiracy in the ‘80s is found dead — and then a journalist picks up where he left off decades later.
“The Idea of You” Trailer
We are so back! The ~comeback~ of the rom-com could not make me happier, and the trailer for what will surely be all of our latest obsession dropped this week: The adaptation of “The Idea of You” starring Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine from “Red, White & Royal Blue.” It’s based on a book (that I just ordered so that I can read it before the movie drops on May 2 — order your copy here!) that is widely considered to be fanfic about Harry Styles.
Self-Promotion
Unpacking All of Those Bravo Lawsuits with a Law Professor (Gabbing with Gib)
If you’re been looking for someone to explain all of the recent Bravo lawsuits to you, look no further. I welcomed Leah Litman, a law professor at the University of Michigan and a co-host of the Supreme Court-focused podcast “Strict Scrutiny,” onto my podcast this week to break it all down for me. She was incredibly insightful, helpful and knowledgeable about both the legal matters and the Bravo matters. Listen above!
“Summer House” Star Danielle Olivera on Joe Bradley Split, Carl and Lindsay Drama and More (Gabbing with Gib)
Weeks after “Southern Hospitality” star Joe Bradley confirmed that he and Danielle Olivera were no longer together, the “Summer House” star came on my podcast to share her side of the story. She provided a lot of details on what went down between them, in addition to talking about all things season 8 of “Summer House,” which has been great so far. Watch above or listen below!
Peter Weber “The Traitors” Exit Interview: Phaedra Parks, Peter’s Pals and More (Gabbing with Gib)
Peter Weber was one of the biggest surprises of this season of “The Traitors,” where he proved himself to be an incredible game player. The former “Bachelor” lead was on my podcast this week for a short but informative exit interview. Watch above or listen below!
Currently
I’m back home in DC this weekend for a relaxing weekend with my family and our dogs. Looking forward to the Oscars on Sunday night!