DENNIS ANYONE? with Dennis Hensley
"A poodocast about making things up and making things happen." L.A.-based writer-performer Dennis Hensley interviews a different creative person each week about what they do, why they do it, and how they keep it going. Past guests have included authors, actors, photographers, musicians, screenwriters, acrobats and one visual artist who makes cartoons centered around dead houseflies.
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Singer-Songwriter-Actor Levi Kreis: "I Don't Walk Around Showing It To People"
09/10/2020
Singer-Songwriter-Actor Levi Kreis: "I Don't Walk Around Showing It To People"
Dennis connects via Zoom with singer-songwriter-actor Levi Kreis from his home in Knoxville, Tennessee to talk about his latest EP Bad Habit and his upcoming series of virtual concerts (October 20th, November 18th and November 15th). He talks about drawing from his experience as a recovering addict in writing the song "Bad Habit" and shooting its accompanying video. He also discusses his cover of George Michael's and the controversy it stirred up on line. He talks about being outed as gay at his Christian college while signed to a gospel record label and having his whole life blow up...and then ultimately finding redemption just a few years ago. He also talks about playing Jerry Lee Lewis in the hit Broadway musical Million Dollar Quartet, winning the Tony for the role...and then getting separated from his phone, his now-husband and his actual award in the crush after the ceremony. He talks about going through eight different record labels before deciding to just put out his own CD and recorded his breakout album One of the Ones for $200. He recalls the profound reaction he had to the Del Shores' play Southern Baptist Sissies and why he went back to see it over 30 times, then ended up writing a song inspired by it. He also shares his earliest memory of music; coming home from his graduation from kindergarten, sitting down at the piano in his basement and figuring out how to play it by ear. Other topics include: the dark, toxic cloud hanging over Los Angeles, getting his big break on the reality show The Apprentice, learning about the music business by shadowing singer Brenda Lee on the road and the undeniable goddess-ness of J.Lo. www.levikreis.com
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Neon Trees Frontman Tyler Glenn: "Elder Glenn Demos Were Floating Around My Mission"
08/31/2020
Neon Trees Frontman Tyler Glenn: "Elder Glenn Demos Were Floating Around My Mission"
Dennis connects via Zoom with Neon Trees frontman Tyler Glenn to talk about the band's terrific new album I Can Feel You Forgetting Me. Tyler talks about the inspiration for the record, his songwriting process, the delicious retro sound of the record and what it’s like to drop a new album when no one can leave the house. Tyler and Dennis also talk about their shared background in the Mormon church. Tyler recalls the crisis of faith that inspired his 2016 solo album Excommunication, the church's "Word of Wisdom" which forbids drugs and alcohol, hearing from young LGBT mormons who he's inspired and how the church felt about his creative ambitions. Tyler also recalls visiting Capital Hill early in 2020 to talk to congress about the evils of conversion therapy and how he met Utah Senator Mitt Romney on the same day that Romney spoke on the floor against Trump. Other topics include: appearing on Broadway in Kinky Boots, the Mormon Bishop who told him his goth hairdo was a distraction in church, how Joey Fatone is the hottest guy N'Sync, coming out about his first tattoo, falling off the stage and breaking his front teeth during a concert, the first time he heard one of his songs on the radio and of course, the Osmonds.
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Comedian Misha D: "I Am A Little Extra"
08/13/2020
Comedian Misha D: "I Am A Little Extra"
Dennis welcomes to the Zoom room comedian Misha D to talk about his debut comedy album Dolphin of the Land, which has just dropped on streaming services like Spotify and iTunes. Dennis and Misha recall the talking-head pop culture TV show they met on Ultimate Countdown that never aired in the states. Misha talks about being drawn to standup after the 2016 election, finding humor in dark subjects, how he deals with homophobic material from other comics and that time he bailed on show and wished he hadn't. He talks about his decision to donate all proceeds from the album to charity, his unique day job in the field of mental health and his plan to move to The Netherlands with his fiance to start a new life...and being thwarted by the pandemic. Other topics include: the show he started with his fiance, Wokelahoma, how anal retentive he is when it comes to crafting his comedy, his first job in LA at Knott's Scary Farm, the mystery of Mike Pence, being told by a frenemy that he's "a little extra" and taking it as a compliment, social media shame, Misha's decision to ditch Facebook and Twitter altogether and the Pinocchio costume that made filled him with jealousy. www.dolphinoftheland.com
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Author Byron Lane ("A Star is Bored"): "This Is Downton Abbey and You're the Downstairs"
07/29/2020
Author Byron Lane ("A Star is Bored"): "This Is Downton Abbey and You're the Downstairs"
Dennis connects over Zoom with author Byron Lane to talk all about his delicious new novel A Star Is Bored, which is inspired by his 3-year stint as personal assistant to actress-author-intergalactic princess Carrie Fisher. He talks about deciding to write the book in the wake of Fisher's passing, what he thinks Carrie would think of the book and recalls how working with Carrie changed his feelings about life and himself. He also gives us and inside look at the lingo and protocols of the celebrity assistant world, from the all-important Assistant Bible, to fraternizing with other assistants, to how crucial it is to simply "be there" for their boss. Byron recalls the trips he took with Carrie that also appear in the novel, from seeing the Northern Lights in Canada to eating exotic sushi in Japan. Dennis shares his own memories of Carrie, from interviewing her in the 90's, to buying her laxatives to going to one of her famous star-studded birthday blowouts. Bryon talks about using the acknowledgements section of his book to pop the question to his boyfriend, author Steven Rowley (Lily and the Octopus), and also discusses how the pair differ in their process as writers. He also talks about the hilarious play he wrote and starred in called Tilda Swinton Answers an Ad on Craig's List, taking the show to the Edinburgh Festival twice and encountering a relative of the real Tilda Swinton. Other topics include: Byron's dark days in TV news, the Siri-ousness of it all, tending to Carrie's dog Gary, and who he would be if he were a character on Downton Abbey.
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Author Matthew Todd ("Pride"): "I Needed to Hear 'Express Yourself' When I Was 16"
06/29/2020
Author Matthew Todd ("Pride"): "I Needed to Hear 'Express Yourself' When I Was 16"
All the way from London, author Matthew Todd joins Dennis via Skype to talk about his beautiful new coffee table book Pride: The Story of the LGBTQ Equality Movement. Matthew talks about how the book came about, some of the unsung heroes he writes about in the book, the similarities between the US and the UK in terms of the movement and how moments in pop culture like gay characters on soap operas and shows like Will and Grace helped move the mainstream culture forward. Matthew also talks about being profoundly moved by Princess Diana's AIDS activism as a teen, recalls how one journalist at the time called her "the patron saint of sodomy" and shares the power of the photo of Diana that appears in the book. Matthew also tells the story of how he was able to score Prince William for the cover of Attitude when he was editor there...and how and why William used the f-word on the record. Matthew and Dennis share what Pride month means to them and how that's changed over the years. Other topics include: the beginnings of P-Flag, the insane state of the world, writing about hot-button gay issues like chemsex and open relationships, Matthew's favorite memory of Elton John, how awesome Madonna was circa Blond Ambition, the British and American Queer as Folk, the sweetness of Love Simon, why the Spice Girls matter, the private George Michael mini-concert he got to attend, his favorite Pride dance song, and that time he drunkenly thanked Sir Ian McKellen for his activism while standing in the bathroom line at the gay bar Heaven.
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Author Brent Hartinger ("The Otto Digmore Decision"): "A Transendant Bag of Doritos"
06/18/2020
Author Brent Hartinger ("The Otto Digmore Decision"): "A Transendant Bag of Doritos"
Dennis chats with author Brent Hartinger via Skype from Port Washington, Washington about his career about his 14th novel The Otto Digmore Decision, a sweet and funny a gay burn victim trying to make it as an actor in Hollywood. He also talks about his breakout first novel Geography Club, one of the first YA novels to feature gay teens, how it tapped into a market no one knew was there and went on to become a film in 2013. He also talks about growing with his young readers, going to self-publishing after being with Harper-Collins, and his 2007 novel Project Pay Day which was shot as a film last year. Brent also discusses he and his husband Michael's big lifestyle change; in 2017, they sold their house in Seattle and have spent the last three years traveling the world and working remotely as "digital nomads.' He talks about what he's learned on his journeys, how it's changed his relationship to his husband, making friends on his travels and the importance of good Wifi. Other topics include: the pros and cons of selling out, the craziest things he's eating abroad, getting rid of stuff, spending two months a year on cruise ships, going to a gay club in Tblisi, Georgia and enjoying a transcendent bag of Doritos. www.brenthartinger.com
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Filmmaker Jeffrey McHale (You Don't Nomi": "We're Not Done With It"
06/08/2020
Filmmaker Jeffrey McHale (You Don't Nomi": "We're Not Done With It"
Dennis chats via Skype with Jeffrey McHale, the filmmaker behind You Don't Nomi, a film about the afterlife of the 1995 camp classic Showgirls. He talks about what inspired him to make the movie, his choice to have his interviewees appear on audio but not video, how he was able to include so many clips and the thrill of being at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery screening with Elizabeth Berkley showed up at thanked the crowd for embracing the movie. Dennis and Jeffrey discuss the elegant look the film, the magic that is the doggie chow scene, the rape scene that some say ruins the campy fun and how the Trump era has made the awfulness of the male characters seem less over the top. Other topics include: the live Showgirls musical, what it's like to put a movie out during a pandemic, making something from Madonna's Vogue video outtakes, and whether or not men can be campy.
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Filmmaker John Paul Su ("Toto"): Oh Wow, I Have a Feature Now
05/11/2020
Filmmaker John Paul Su ("Toto"): Oh Wow, I Have a Feature Now
Dennis connects via Skype with filmmaker John Paul Su whose debut feature film Toto, about a hotel worker in the Philippines who dreams of moving to America, is currently screening on Amazon Prime and ITunes. He talks about infusing his own experiences as an immigrant into the story, shooting the film in the Philippines, how he financed the film, how the film was received in the Philippines, shooting the comedic sex scenes and how proud he was that his father didn't fall asleep watching the movie. He also talks about loving movies as a kid, how his mother would cry at the movies but was all strength in real life. He recalls moving to New York to pursue filmmaking without knowing anyone and how his parents felt about. Other topics include: why he loves The Sound of Music, what it's like to have your movie on Amazon, his acclaimed short film Pagpag, going to the Philippines once a year to teach for a month and why he makes films.
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Author/Actor Maulik Pancholy ("The Best at It"): "I Wrote the Book I Wish I Had at 12"
04/28/2020
Author/Actor Maulik Pancholy ("The Best at It"): "I Wrote the Book I Wish I Had at 12"
Dennis chats via Skype with author, actor and activist Maulik Pancholy about his debut novel The Best at It, which tells the story of Rahul Kapoor, an Indian-American sixth grader in suburban Indiana who sets out to become the best at something. He talks about where the idea to write the book came from, the bidding war that erupted when the book went to publishers, the parameters he faced when it comes to talking about LGBT issues in books for young people and getting emotional while recording the audio book. He also talks about his whirlwind national book tour, the kids who would open up to him when he visited their schools and sparking an anti-gay backlash at one school in Ohio. Other topics include: serving on President Obama's Advisory Commission on Asian-American and Pacific Islanders, his favorite memories of 30 Rock, living in LA right after college, getting engaged at the Taj Mahal and going to Russia with his high school math team.
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Somatic Experiencing Practitioner Brian Mahan: "That Car Wreck Was Just for Me"
04/20/2020
Somatic Experiencing Practitioner Brian Mahan: "That Car Wreck Was Just for Me"
Dennis connects via Skype with Brian Mahan a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner based in Los Angeles who Dennis saw for treatment back in 2016. Brian explains what exactly Somatic Experiencing is, the difference between stress and trauma and the car wreck on the 10 Freeway that led him to this work. He also talks about the work he's doing around the issue of shame, toxic shame vs. healthy shame, shame in the LGBT community, how shame impacted him growing up and how he became a chameleon in order to get by. Other topics include: where emotions go if we don't express them, healthy aggression, narcissism, coping with Covid 19, his upcoming book I Cried All the Way to Happy Hour, his Facebook group Safe Zone and why he loves the work that he does.
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Actor-Filmmaker Jack Plotnick: "Yay to the Donut Shop! Boo to the Dry Cleaners!"
03/23/2020
Actor-Filmmaker Jack Plotnick: "Yay to the Donut Shop! Boo to the Dry Cleaners!"
In this new social distancing era, Dennis connects via Skype with his longtime friend, actor and filmmaker Jack Plotnick, to talk about Dennis's current online obsession; Jack's epic musical short Alien Mini Mall Tetralogy, in which he plays two different aliens as well as several alien clones who wrestle with life's big themes at a mini-mall on Santa Monica Boulevard. Jack talks about what inspired him to start the journey, shooting at his neighborhood mini-mall, why he chose the music of Styx and Rush and turning a woman's fur collar into a wig. He also discusses the the donut shop-owner who embraced the process and the fed-up dry cleaner who banished him from the property. Other topics include: his lack of the embarrassment gene, what making silly comedy videos has brought to his life, how doing them improved his drama acting, how doing silly videos has gotten him work, the connection between Kenny Rogers and Jack's Girls Will Be Girls character Evie Harris and making fun of Ron Howard's Masterclass faux pas.
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Filmmaker/Actor/Teacher Anthony Meindl: "I Was Very Ram-a-Lama-Ding-Dong"
03/11/2020
Filmmaker/Actor/Teacher Anthony Meindl: "I Was Very Ram-a-Lama-Ding-Dong"
Dennis visits the Hollywood Hills home of Anthony Meindl the writer-director and one of the stars of Where We Go From Here, a new film that just hit Hulu about people in three different places--Orlando, Paris and Binghampton, NY--whose lives are affected by gun violence. Anthony talks about what made him sit down and write the film, putting his own experiences into the film's gay relationship, appearing nude in the film and shooting in Paris in French without speaking the language himself. He also talks about his work as an acting teacher, how he got started, why he believes his philosophy connects, having schools in ten cities around the world, what it's like when one of his students hits the big time and how the world has changed for aspiring gay actors. He also discusses growing up gay in Indiana as the son of German immigrants, getting bullied for being gay and pulling a John Cusack in Say Anything move to try and win over a dude named Tim. Other topics include: coaching Camilla Cabello on the set of Cinderella, carbon offsetting your flights when you travel, getting shut down in Altadena, his first dirty magazine, playing the title character in Hard Hat Harry, getting shamed in school for watching Helter Skelter on TV and how he feels about dating actors.
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Writer-Actor David Dean Bottrell: "It's Gonna Work Out"
03/03/2020
Writer-Actor David Dean Bottrell: "It's Gonna Work Out"
Dennis ventures to a near-empty house in Hollywood to talk with previous guest, writer-actor-author David Dean Bottrell about the new Random House audiobook of his one-man show David Dean Bottrell Makes Love. He talks about the genesis of the show, bonding with audience members after the show, how the show intersects with his Hollywood career, being gay married before it was national, having it all and losing it all overnight, getting over heartbreak, dating in Los Angeles, what his current boyfriend thinks of the show and what he's learned about love. We also talk about Available Men, the short film that changed the game for him, the state of gay content and talent in the current climate and how the LGBTQ actors he teaches are much more chill about being out. Other topics include: appearing in the Emmy-winning webseries After Forever, the ring he lost and wants back, the joy of TV Guide, his most impactful teacher, the Mayor Pete of it all, conspiring with Kathy Bates and the mannequin that didn't get away.
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Filmmaker / Actor Chad Darnell: "The Spotlight Nearly Killed Him"
02/27/2020
Filmmaker / Actor Chad Darnell: "The Spotlight Nearly Killed Him"
Dennis sits down in a Studio City Airbnb with filmmaker / actor / casting director Chad Darnell the day after Chad wrapped directing a film that he also wrote called The Undertaker's Wife. Chad talks about his inspiration for the film and his experience directing it and why Parasite got him excited to shoot it. He also talks about his longtime passion project, a biopic about the life and death of the bad boy of 90's porn Joey Stefano. He talks about all the moments of serendipity that kept coaxing him to continue developing it, interviewing a lot of the real life people who knew Joey like ChiChi LaRue and Sharon Kane and what it is about Joey's story that hooked him. He also discusses the challenge of finding an actor to play Joey, the mystery surrounding the red shirt Joey died in, the Madonna connection and why he can't seem to let the project go. Chad also talks about his work as an actor and casting director, what caused him to leave L.A. and move back to Atlanta. Other topics include: the magic of Magic Mike XXL, working in casting on the Halle Berry film Catwoman, playing David O. Selznick in a play in Atlanta while doing pre-production for his film in LA, his dream gig, his bout with cancer, Night of the Living Dead and that time he got called out by Channing Tatum.
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Playwright Del Shores & Actress Dale Dickey (This Side of Crazy): "Scratch Deeper"
02/12/2020
Playwright Del Shores & Actress Dale Dickey (This Side of Crazy): "Scratch Deeper"
Dennis goes to the Hollywood home of playwright Del Shores to talk to Del and actress Dale Dickey about their just-opened play This Side of Crazy, which is about an egocentric gospel diva and her three estranged daughters. Del talks about the show's themes of forgiveness and reconciliation, writing for specific actors, sitting behind one of his idols Horton Foote in the theater, what it's like when one of his actors hits it big in Hollywood and having your plays published by Samuel French. Dale talks about her character of Abigail, what it's like to have a role written for you, smoking on stage, singing harmony with her co-stars, her Witchiepoo connection, getting recognized from Breaking Bad, finding her way into characters some might consider "undesirables" and performing as Shrek and Barney for kids' birthday parties before being able to act full time. Other topics include: their first meeting 17 projects ago, hanging in in such a challenging business, the overwhelming reaction their previous collaborations Southern Baptist Sissies and The Trials and Tribulations of a Trailer Trash Housewife and what it feels like after a killer show.
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Performer John Cantwell (A Little More Love Connie): "I Call It White Girl Scatting"
02/05/2020
Performer John Cantwell (A Little More Love Connie): "I Call It White Girl Scatting"
Dennis visits the Hollywood apartment of performer John Cantwell AKA Love Connie to talk about his new show A Little More Love Connie, which is inspired by the life and music of Olivia Newton-John. John recalls the road trip to Houston he took recently where he listened to Olivia's entire catalog and didn't repeat a song until he got to San Antonio...and how that trip help inspire the show. Dennis and John then discuss their favorite ONJ tracks, getting to meet her, the unique quality of her voice, mispronouncing the word Xanadu and the Grease vs. Grease 2 debate. John also talks about guest-starring on RuPaul's Drag Race as RuPaul's personal trainer and creating the Connie-Wood web series for World of Wonder. Then Dennis and John take an online ONJ quiz and crush it. Other topics include: performing as Love Connie for the first time in front of family members, the regrouped Animotion, Sylvia Miles, Slut Rock, the Taylor Swift documentary, gushing to Melissa Leo about the movie Streetwalkin' and getting goosebumps at the mere thought of lip-syncing to a Lisa Hartman song.
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2019 Movie Wrap Up w/ Glenn Gaylord & Michael Dougherty
02/02/2020
2019 Movie Wrap Up w/ Glenn Gaylord & Michael Dougherty
For the fourth year in a row, Dennis sits down with Glenn Gaylord (Senior Film Critic for The Queer Review) and Michael Dougherty (co-director of the ReelAbilities Film Festival: Los Angeles) to talk about the movies and movie moments they loved from 2019. Films discussed include: Parasite, The Irishman, Hustlers, Long Shot, Dolemite is My Name, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, High Life, Good Boys, Ad Astra, Portrait of a Lady on Fire, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, JT Leroy, Midsommer, Avengers: Endgame, Joker, Rocketman, Scream Queen: My Nightmare on Elm Street, Queen and Slim, Blinded by the Light, Us, The Last Black Man in San Francisco, The Lighthouse, A Hidden Life, Honeyboy, The Peanut Butter Falcon and Serenity.
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Daniele Gaither & Pip Lilly "(For the Love of a Glove"): "I've Had an Emmanuel For Years..."
01/29/2020
Daniele Gaither & Pip Lilly "(For the Love of a Glove"): "I've Had an Emmanuel For Years..."
Dennis visits the dressing room at the Carl Sagan & Ann Duran Theater to talk to Daniele Gaither and Pip Lilly, two of the stars of the new musical "For the Love of a Glove," an absurd and satirical take on the early life of Michael Jackson. They talk about what drew them to the show, going to puppet camp, playing multiple characters (including Emmanuel Lewis!) and how the show fits into a post-Leaving Neverland world. Daniele recalls road-tripping with a friend to the Michael Jackson trial and actually getting in and Pip remembers dining with a very rich friend of MJ. Other topics include: Pip's favorite birthday, Daniele's limo ride to nowhere, dodging staplers at work, learning to love your big butt and the movie snakes and rats that gave them nightmares.
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Tarot Card Artist and Singer Paul Ybarra: "Jan Brady Is My Spirit Animal"
01/10/2020
Tarot Card Artist and Singer Paul Ybarra: "Jan Brady Is My Spirit Animal"
Dennis visits the gothic-style and possibly haunted Hollywood apartment of Paul Ybarra, a singer and visual artist who has recently started creating tarot card illustrations featuring pop culture figures like Liza Minnelli, Mr. Rogers, Sonny Bono, Josephine Baker, Liberace, The Ronettes, Divine, Al Parker, Leona Helmsley, Joyce DeWitt and Miss Coco Peru...and then posting them on Instagram as @hauntedhollywood. He talks about his creative process, how he matches the tarot characters to the celebrities, the different media he uses, his goal of making them look as though Jan Brady created them and buying his first deck of tarot cards at a Barnes and Noble at 14. He also talks about growing up Catholic in a progressive, New Age community in Oregon, having an identical twin brother, getting chastised for being effeminate as a kid, his lifelong obsession with Donna Summer and his fetish for straight jackets. He also discusses his passion for singing, his three EPs that are streaming on Spotify and covering artists he loves like Fleetwood Mac, Donna Summer, Blondie and Oasis. Other topics include: lusting after Telly Savalas, being strange and weird, the wondrousness of wigs, buying crazy stuff on ebay like Sarah Vaughn's last license plate and his dream of being a cult figure, "like Dawn Davenport from Female Trouble but without the murders."
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Comedian Todd Masterson (@GayFatFriend on Instagram): "I Never Thought I'd Be Big on Instagram"
12/31/2019
Comedian Todd Masterson (@GayFatFriend on Instagram): "I Never Thought I'd Be Big on Instagram"
Dennis visits the West Hollywood home of comedian and writer Todd Masterson, the mind and the body behind the red-hot Instagram account @gayfatfriend, in which he photoshops himself into pictures of gay Insta-hotties. He talks about how he first came up with the idea, his daily creative process, what it feels like to go viral, getting dishy DMs from moles inside the gay hottie hive and that time he hurt himself trying to match the crouched and balancing pose of a Insta-gay. He talks about the mind-trip of going from an "almost never nude" to posting a half-naked picture of himself online every single day. Todd also talks about how he first got into comedy, opening for Jimmy Fallon early on, working with Joan Rivers on Fashion Police and his dream of working on SNL. Todd and Dennis also recall the writers strike they were both a part of in 2013 and what they learned from it. Other topics include: working on Season 7 of RuPaul's Drag Race, road rage, the superpowers he wishes he had, waiting tables and getting fired over s Yelp review, seeing Striptease and Showgirls in the theater with his parents as a teenager and being taught how to steal things by his grandmother.
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Singer Jennifer Cihi (the singing voice of Sailor Moon): "The Joy of Trotting It Out"
12/23/2019
Singer Jennifer Cihi (the singing voice of Sailor Moon): "The Joy of Trotting It Out"
Dennis welcomes to his Noho condo his long-lost friend, singer-performer Jennifer Cihi who is visiting L.A. from Nashville. She talks about the gig she did in the early 1990's--the Japanese anime series Sailor Moon--that has led her to have a whole new career as a guest at anime conventions, the emotional connection she shares with Sailor Moon fans, bringing awareness to mental health issues through her work, how her relationship to singing has evolved over the years, doing Annie at 12, living in Nashville, losing her confidence and getting it back and how she never gets tired of "trotting it out." Other topics include: the Jen & Den cabaret show they did in the early 90's, the Titanic parody Dennis wrote and Jennifer sang at an Oscar party in the late 1990s, the job interview she showed up for drunk, writing a fan letter and sending Throat Coat to Cynthia Erivo, the time Enzo saved the day, and Jennifer's most glamorous night, her Spark and Sparkle crafts line...which happens to be Dennis's most glamorous night, too.
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Author Scottie Jeanette Madden: "The Brighter the Light, the Darker the Shadow"
12/12/2019
Author Scottie Jeanette Madden: "The Brighter the Light, the Darker the Shadow"
Dennis ventures to the edge of the Santa Monica wilderness to the home of author, speaker and TV showrunner Scottie Jeanette Madden to discuss her new cookbook/memoir Recklass In the Kitchen, a Year of Light, Laughter & Love…Oh, and Food! as well as the charity holiday dinner she's hosting on December 21st. She talks about how, in the years before she transitioned, cooking was her solace and saved her life. She also talks about some of her holiday favorites, like serving pumpkin soup out of actual pumpkins for Halloween, her Christmas Eve dinner party that doesn't mess around and what it means to be a ninja valentine. She explains what it's like to do a Ted Talk and why she thinks it's important to emphasize gender dysphoria when she's giving speeches. She recalls what it was like to be working on the book during the same period that she was losing the love of her life to cancer. Other topics include: cooking shows on TV, her family's 'F 'em" ethos, how transitioning has impacted her TV career, embracing the color pink, and why it's cool to be part of the Benevolent Brotherhood of the Brick Wall.
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The Women of Bob's Holiday Office Party: "It's Like a Fever Dream"
12/06/2019
The Women of Bob's Holiday Office Party: "It's Like a Fever Dream"
Dennis visits the Silver Lake home of actress Andrea Hutchman to interview Andrea and two of her co-stars from the long-running L.A. stage comedy Bob's Holiday Office Party, which runs December 5th through the 22nd at the Atwater Village Theatre. They talk about the how they came to be in the show, how it's evolved in 24 years, on stage mishaps, drinking warm Coors Light on stage and the fans that come back year after year, sometimes by the busload. They also talk about how they all first met in the 80's, the play they all did together when they first came to L.A. and how Bob's fits into their Hollywood careers. Other topics include: the gay t-shirt that was prophetic, Flamenco dancing, offensive Halloween costumes, JFK Jr., getting in trouble in school and the time they got Taco Bell delivered to them on stage during the show. www.bobsofficeparty.com
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The Men of Shooting Star The Musical Play You Don't Know My Life!
11/30/2019
The Men of Shooting Star The Musical Play You Don't Know My Life!
Dennis and his game co-creator Jeb Havens head to a fabulous Hollywood high-rise to play You Don't Know My Life! with two of the men behind the new gay porn musical Shooting Star; Florian Klein, writer and producer and actor-singer Michael Scott Harris, who plays the aging daddy porn star in the show. The guys play a twist on the original YDKML format where each player writes down two answers to every question; one true answer and one that's a lie. It's a great way to play if you only have 3 or 4 people. The questions they take on involve regrettable fashion trends, getting picked on, early encounters with pornography and the always provocative "When was a time when you felt like you took a walk on the wild side?" www.youdontknowmylife.com
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Match Game 101 Author A. Ashley Hoff: "What Would Joyce Boulifant Do?"
11/12/2019
Match Game 101 Author A. Ashley Hoff: "What Would Joyce Boulifant Do?"
Dennis welcomes A. Ashley Hoff to his condo to talk about his new, 499-page book Match Game 101, a textbook-sized tome all about the classic TV game show and the delightful celebrities who appeared on it. Ashley talks about how he first got the idea to do a Match Game book, interviewing stars like Marcia Wallace, Brett Somers and Charles Nelson Reilly, why the show means so much to him snd who Earl was when host Gene Reyburn would say "Slide it, Earl!" during the super-match round. He also gives us the inside scoop on the question writers, the moments that got bleeped, whether Richard Dawson was a dick or not, how boozy everyone was, hanging out in Charles Nelson Reilly's dressing room and that day when John Travolta tried out to be a Match Game celebrity and didn't make the grade. Other topics include: Ashley's go-to karaoke song, why he dedicated the book to Jacqueline Susann, James Dean's game show connection and why Ashley often asks himself "What would Joyce Boulifant do?"
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Fruitbowl podcast creator Dave Quantic: "I Want a Good Korean Deli Donut That's Completely Fake Tasting"
10/29/2019
Fruitbowl podcast creator Dave Quantic: "I Want a Good Korean Deli Donut That's Completely Fake Tasting"
in this episode, Dennis connects via Skype with Dave Quantic, creator and host of the new podcast Fruitbowl, an Oral History of Queer Sex. He talks about where the idea came from, the queer humor and self-compassion he discovers in his subjects and the questions he asks in his interviews, like 'What's your best move in the bedroom?' and 'What's the most embarrassing thing that's happened to you during sex?' He also talks about living in Seattle vs. Los Angeles, the award-winning movie that led to the podcast, the interviews that move him, being called a sissy as a kid and getting called out at school for wearing the same jeans as a girl in his class. Other topics include: the swagger of Erik Estrada, going to a boarding school in Austria, why he's frustrated with Facebook, the horrible roommates who never bought toilet paper and that time he embarrassed himself in front of Tobey Maguire at the Virgin Megastore.
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Writer-Director Matthew Lynn ("The Third"): "It's the New Keto!"
10/22/2019
Writer-Director Matthew Lynn ("The Third"): "It's the New Keto!"
Dennis visits the L.A. home of Matthew Lynn, creator of the new TV series The Third, which is about a romantic relationship between three gay men living in Palm Springs. He talks about the two triad relationships he's been in that inspired the story, the pros and cons of being part of a throuple, the various reactions of people in his life and why it sucks to be the person sleeping in the middle of the bed. He also talks about his Southern Baptist background, going through electroshock conversion therapy, being rejected by his family when he first came out, reconnecting with his family more recently and the longing for surrogate families in the LGBT community. He also discusses how he got the project made, shooting and living in Palm Springs, why he moved back to L.A. and working with Brian Jordan Alvarez on The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo. Other topics include: his past as a radio deejay for a Christian music station, what he'd pursue if he had to change careers tomorrow and how Celine Dion made him gay.
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Writer-Performer D'Lo: "Come For the Helicopter!"
10/13/2019
Writer-Performer D'Lo: "Come For the Helicopter!"
Dennis heads to the LA LGBT Center's Village to talk to writer, actor and comedian D'Lo about his new one-man show To T or Not to T? D'Lo is trans and his show documents his decision whether or not to take testosterone as well as how his journey has and continues to impact his parents. D'Lo talks about the inspiration for the show, what it's like to perform his parents as characters, the tough talk he had to have with his father on the eve of his commitment ceremony and what it's been like to share such personal intimate details from his life on stage. He also talks about appearing on the TV shows Looking, Transparent and Glee, the increased visibility of trans people in pop culture, doing shows in different parts of the country, visiting Sri Lanka and performing at conservative colleges. Other topics include: the time he saw his favorite Jackson, how the Benny Hill Show almost got him in trouble, the grand gesture he did to woo a cute co-ed and the sex toy he'd like to do an informercial for.
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Actor Stephen Guarino & Playwright Erik Patterson ("Handjob"): "Orgies by the Airport!"
09/30/2019
Actor Stephen Guarino & Playwright Erik Patterson ("Handjob"): "Orgies by the Airport!"
Dennis heads to Burbank to interview playwright Erik Patterson and actor Stephen Guarino about "Handjob," Erik's about a gay writer who hires a shirtless cleaner. Erik talks about the time he hired a real shirtless cleaner, how he realized it could be a play and later inviting the real cleaner to see the play he helped inspire. Stephen talks about what appealed to him about the project, the challenge of finding flawed, three-dimensional roles, and performing the title act in front of an audience. They both talk about what it's like to be an artist today when people are more in tune around issues like representation, privilege, race and consent. Together, they talk about the wide-ranging reactions to the play, the ins and outs of ordering prosthetic penises, on stage nudity rules, the long list monologue that Stephen makes his bitch, Google stalking and the gulf between their Hollywood careers and the world of this play. Other topics include: Erik's writing for Hallmark movies, the challenge of getting Hollywood people to come see the show, the Glenn Close sketch Dennis wrote and Stephen starred in on The Big Gay Sketch Show, Stephen working with producer Jim Carrey on I'm Dying Up Here, the time Erik crashed the Golden Globes, and Stephen almost meeting Jennifer Saunders and wanting to live in a cinder block like The Secret of Nymh.
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Photographer DS Craze: "There's Beauty in Everything, You Just Have to Dig a Little Bit"
09/10/2019
Photographer DS Craze: "There's Beauty in Everything, You Just Have to Dig a Little Bit"
Dennis heads to Sherman Oaks to talk with photographer DS Craze about his debut photography exhibition "Bridges and the Peace Between," which is opening this Saturday, September 14th and runs through September 30th at The Whole 9 Gallery in Culver City. DC talks about his inspiration for the photographs, falling in love with taking pictures, finding beauty in things that are abandoned and dilapidated and why he loves to take pictures. He talks about the locations for his shots: Desert Center in the Salton Sea in California, the empty auto plants of his hometown of Detroit, the Brooklyn Bridge and the Santa Monica Pier. Other topics include: moving to LA, serving in the Navy and being stationed in Cuba, taking art shots on his iPhone, the abandoned amusement park in the Philippines he wants to go photograph, how The Empire Strikes Back changed his life, his massive collection of Star Wars figures and that time he won a car on The Price is Right.
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