I Know the Mood of Hollywood Every Day
Let’s Talk About Hollywood™
What did Hollywood really feel like from inside the newsroom in 2002 when Hollywood had an average of 100 industry-related parties a week in L.A. County alone? In this episode of Let’s Talk About Hollywood, I return to October 2002, when a promotion at The Hollywood Reporter suddenly put me closer to the suits, publicists, agents, directors, stars, aspiring stars and everyday intrigue that kept the town running. I was learning the business of Hollywood, and how to budget millions, while Hollywood was also learning who I was. There’s a disastrous industry party, an increasingly ridiculous...
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23 Months Later, I Landed. You Can Too.
Let’s Talk About Hollywood™
I'm back with news about my nearly two-year job search and, more than that, my appreciation to you - my audience and listeners in the United States and around the world! Next week will be a journals episode, yet for this one I wanted to share my sincere thanks for your support, your community, and for making this podcast so incredibly meaningful and special. There's no podcast without you and I sincerely appreciate you! Thanks for all of your support and for subscribing! Being a part of your podcast routine is an honor! Written and read by Karl Gibson. 💖 Let's Keep Talking...
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August 2002: The Bangles, Rita Wilson, Anna Nicole, Bruce Springsteen, X-Rated Pop-ups & More!
Let’s Talk About Hollywood™
For this week's episode, we're going back to this week in August of 2002 where we see pop culture markers - and my recollections from the vaults for: The Bangles, Vin Diesel, Britney Spears, Anna Nicole, Jay Roach, Rita Wilson, The Oscar Slap, Jada Pinkett Smith, Demi Moore, and more! Thanks for all of your support and for subscribing! Being a part of your podcast routine is an honor! Written and read by Karl Gibson. 💖 Let's Keep Talking About Hollywood! 💖 This podcast is a labor of love, funded entirely by incredible listeners across the globe. If you love the intimacy and...
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Grief in Silence
Let’s Talk About Hollywood™
It's been a month since the last episode, so I'm checking in before next week's show to share some thoughts on loss and also giving thanks for your continued support in this podcast together. xox - Karl G. 💖 Let's Keep Talking About Hollywood! 💖 This podcast is a labor of love, funded entirely by incredible listeners across the globe. If you love the intimacy and honesty of these stories, you can help protect our independence: Donate to the Podcast: Any amount, no matter how small, fuels the engine! Drop a tip here: My Hollywood Reset GoFundMe: Help me rewrite...
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Baby, Can't We Just Remember the Good Times?
Let’s Talk About Hollywood™
It's the end of September 2002 and Karl has a red carpet press rebellion for the ages and neo-soul pousers get their appropriate read. From the newsroom floor to 22 countries. This is Season 2: 2002 of "Let's Talk About Hollywood." Written and read by Karl Gibson. 💖 Let's Keep Talking About Hollywood! 💖 This podcast is a labor of love, funded entirely by incredible listeners across the globe. If you love the intimacy and honesty of these stories, you can help protect our independence: Donate to the Podcast: Any amount, no matter how small, fuels the engine! Drop a tip here: My...
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That's Hollywood - I Didn't Make the Rules
Let’s Talk About Hollywood™
It’s late September 2002. The Hollywood Hills are fogged in. My promotion at The Hollywood Reporter just landed, but my mind is on Bebbles. A routine doctor visit sends Stone to the hospital for observation. High blood pressure, salt ban, no more Primatene Mist. I cover the Sweet Home Alabama press screening with Nigel. I file copy. I run three loads of laundry. I call Stone’s boss, update his co-workers, learn from a music editor that her client spends 4K a month on hair. I take HR’s payroll apology with a side eye. Meanwhile, Augustus Meep’s publicist wants coverage. A power wife’s...
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One Big Tuxedo-Clad Orgasmatron! Emmys 2002
Let’s Talk About Hollywood™
Ep. 41: “One Big Tuxedo-Clad Orgasmatron!” — ATS Synopsis Emmy Sunday, September 22, 2002. The Hollywood Reporter newsroom. One of the reporters privately called awards season “one big tuxedo-clad orgasmatron.” That was Emmy Sunday: tuxedos, stress, deadlines, and nobody sleeping. Before that was my birthday at Skybar at The Mondrian Hotel on Sunset Blvd. then the next night was me and Bebbles' housewarming party.. I made two dozen butterscotch muffins, Bebbles made mac and cheese, ribs. Guests included Armand fresh from his ex’s porch, Renata with two boys and a cold,...
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Assistant to the Editor: Promoted at THR
Let’s Talk About Hollywood™
September 13-18, 2002. The Hollywood Reporter newsroom. Looking back, the job and salary negotiations were straight forward and direct: my boss called me in, closed the door, and a plan to fill the Assistant to the Editor role was cemented. Clear. Direct. Respect. I took the role: Assistant to the Editor. More than a 1/3 salary jump in 11 months. My co-assistant is the editor for the Calendar of Events page with her much deserved byline. I keep my 52-extension phone console so we all have access to breaking news. “What I don’t know, I need you to H-E-L-P me,” I told my boss. He...
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Leaving It All on the $50 Million Dollar Floor
Let’s Talk About Hollywood™
September 10-12, 2002. The Hollywood Reporter newsroom. My supervisor’s leaving. I turned her job down. Twice. Boss asks my salary and the first two numbers lower than my age. He looks astounded. “Your boss needs you both. If you leave, he’s f*cked.” Raises submitted for January 2003. $13.50 an hour. Sales up 23%. It’s the 1-year 9/11 anniversary. Moment of silence in the office park. THR’s issue: no exploitative pictures. Stone’s IT department confiscates his World Trade Center photos for their commemoration. “Why do you need these?” Emmy meeting. “No way in hell I...
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Thank You to My Audience in 30 Countries!
Let’s Talk About Hollywood™
Thank you to my listeners in 30 countries, so far. It is a true honor to be a part of your day or evening. This is Episode 38 of Let’s Talk About Hollywood : a listener appreciation episode from the newsroom floor to you. Less than 1% of independent podcasts reach 30 countries. This one did. With no ads, no PR, no notes from brands. Just a 2002 newsroom diary that leads to 24 years (and counting) of Hollywood and you. In this episode: My thank you to my listeners both in America and the world! Why I’m here. To share not just my Hollywood journal, but the loss of a spouse, the weight...
info_outlineSummer 2001. I quit my job. A temp agency side-eyes me. Then a one-day notice for a “gay Sex and the City” pilot. TV-MA: comedy, cold reads, no nudity clause, and a director in chaos.
I got the call: a spontaneous one-day notice to audition for a TV pilot the producers called a “gay Sex and the City.”
This episode is a comedy of errors on a soundstage. I break down the mechanics: hitting marks, bad auditions, cold readings that go sideways, plus negotiating no nudity clauses when you’re still working a 9-5.
The director was a mess. The network wanted stereotypical interracial couples on cable TV in 2001. The pilot was never made. The story? Still teaching me how to outlast Hollywood.
Inspired by Sharon Gless' audiobook memoir (and great physical book) "Apparently There Were Complaints"
If you’ve ever tried to act and pay rent in the same week, this one’s for you.
💖 Let's Keep Talking About Hollywood! 💖
This podcast is a labor of love, funded entirely by incredible listeners across the globe. If you love the intimacy and honesty of these stories, you can help protect our independence:
- Donate to the Podcast: Any amount, no matter how small, fuels the engine! Drop a tip here: letstalkabouthollywood.com
- My Hollywood Reset GoFundMe: Help me rewrite the rules! We are officially 37% of the way to our goal—every dollar or social media share means the world: GoFundMe Link https://gofund.me/9fa60a3b2
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