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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Documentarian Tomer Heymann & His Subject Jonathan Agassi ("Jonathan Agassi Saved My Life"): "I Don't Mind Being An Old Gay Man"
05/12/2022
Documentarian Tomer Heymann & His Subject Jonathan Agassi ("Jonathan Agassi Saved My Life"): "I Don't Mind Being An Old Gay Man"
Dennis connects via Zoom with Toren Heymann and Jonathan Agassi, the Tel Aviv, Israel-based filmmaker and subject of the new documentary Jonathan Agassi Saved My Life. The film documents about the rags-to-riches-to rags odyssey of Israeli porn performer Jonathan Agassi who rose to prominence in films like Men Of Israel, Trapped In The Game and Jonathan Agassi Goes Raw, all from director Michael Lucas. Jonathan talks about how he got into porn, the power that came with changing his name and the parts of the business that he loved the most, from having sex with beautiful men to buying lots of shoes. He also talks about his descent into drug use, the first time he tried crystal, how he'd disappear for weeks at a time, and his decision to to let Tomer film him using drugs on camera. He also recalls showing up to early Q & As of the documentary high on drugs and how watching the film and seeing himself use drugs on camera inspired him to get sober. Tomer talks about what drew him to Jonathan as a subject, the moments in the process where he knew he was making a much more serious and intense film than the porn romp he started making and the challenge of getting mainstream audiences to treat this as they would any other acclaimed, award-winning documentary. Other topics include: the deeo relationship Jonathan has with his mother that's at the heart of the film, the Pride Festival where Jonathan first realized the power of his sex appeal, why he loved attending the Hustlaball in Berlin, taking inspiration from Madonna's Sex book, Jonathan's current job working in a supermarket where he often gets recognized by fans of his porn and the warning from Oprah that went unheeded. www.heymannfilms.com
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Dennis On the Lost Spaces Podcast w/ K Anderson: "Where's That Slutty Guy Who Knew All The Moves"
04/28/2022
Dennis On the Lost Spaces Podcast w/ K Anderson: "Where's That Slutty Guy Who Knew All The Moves"
In a special crossover episode, Dennis flips the script and gets interviewed for another podcast, Lost Spaces hosted by London-based K Anderson. Lost Spaces is all about the wonderful LGBTQ spaces that are sadly no longer with us. Dennis talks about one of his favorite nightclubs ever, Oil Can Harry's in Studio City, CA. Here's the blurb from K's point of view: "So, I’m kinda fascinated with gay country and western bars, where people dress up in their finest cowperson garb, and square dance, two-step and mosey on down. This isn’t something that I think is a thing in the UK, so it’s just been a curiosity to me until now. But, luckily for me, Dennis Hensley – writer, performer and host of the podcast ‘Dennis Anyone?’ took the time to tell me all about the etiquette, the ceremony, and the vibe that you’d find at Oil Can Harry’s, a country and western bar in LA, which unfortunately closed during the pandemic. Along the way Dennis tells me all about his experiences fumbling with men-folk, feeling lonely at the club,, and how it felt the first time he saw two men dancing cheek to cheek."
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You Don't Know My Life: Who's Gaslighting Who? Edition...featuring the cast & playwright from Gaslight House
04/21/2022
You Don't Know My Life: Who's Gaslighting Who? Edition...featuring the cast & playwright from Gaslight House
Dennis is joined via Zoom by the cast and playwright of the new play Gaslight House for a rollicking game of You Don't Know My Life! Playwright / Director Howard Skora plays the game along with his entire cast of actors: Alex Skuby, Kit McDonough, Amy Smallman-Winston, Nadya Ginsburg, Sara Maraffino and Robbie Mangiardi. The questions involve bad trips, petty childhood jealousies and magical nights at the theater and the stories that emerge cover everything from a life-changing trip to see Annie to a Magnum P.I lookalike contest in a San Fernando Valley shopping mall. www.gaslighthouseplay.com
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Writer-Comedian-Magician Judy Carter (A Death Defying Escape): "It Was Like Oprah's Supershuttle"
04/14/2022
Writer-Comedian-Magician Judy Carter (A Death Defying Escape): "It Was Like Oprah's Supershuttle"
Dennis connects via Zoom with writer-actor-comedian-magician Judy Carter about her new autobiographical stage play A Death Defying Escape, which is currently playing at the Hudson Theatre Guild in Hollywood. Judy talks about the play's 5-year odyssey from conception to production, digging deep for the show's dramatic scenes, working with magic designer Craig Dickens on the show's illusions, and the play's central theme, which is how can we escape what has happened to us in the past and to find love in the present? She also addresses sexism in the world of magic, explains why there are no famous female magicians and recalls the time Doug Henning got handsy with her during a private tutorial. Other topics include: her #1-on-Amazon book The New Comedy Bible, the National Organization of Women gig that helped her realize she was gay, being the opening act for Prince, getting on Oprah with a book that 59 agents rejected, falling in love in her 60's with a millennial, her "Say Yes' philosophy of life and that time she literally got carried out of the Magic Castle by a colleague who couldn't handle a woman doing close-up magic.
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Author Brian D. Mahan ("I Cried All The Way To Happy Hour"): "That Car Wreck Was The Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me"
04/07/2022
Author Brian D. Mahan ("I Cried All The Way To Happy Hour"): "That Car Wreck Was The Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me"
Dennis is joined over Zoom from Merida, Mexico by author Brian D. Mahan to discuss his new book "I Cried All The Way To Happy Hour: What To Do When Self-Help Or Talk Therapy Haven't Really Helped." Brian talks about the work he does with clients around shame and trauma, what inspired him to write the book, how a near-death experience led him to this work, giving up his acting career to become a Somatic Experiencing Practioner. He talks about his mission of helping 1 million people heal from trauma, the difference between toxic shame and healthy shame, the influence of Brene Brown and what he learned from reading 12 years of his own journals. Other topics include: leaving L.A. and the U.S. to move to Mexico, appearing on Guiding Light and As The World Turns, skinny-dipping at boarding school and passing out multiple times while getting tattooed and the horror movie his parents took him to when he was 8 years old that scarred him for life.
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Actor Mike Millan ("Buyer & Cellar"): "I'm Famous For Splitting My Pants"
03/31/2022
Actor Mike Millan ("Buyer & Cellar"): "I'm Famous For Splitting My Pants"
Dennis is joined via Zoom by actor Mike Millan who is currently starring in the play Buyer & Cellar by Jonathan Tolins at the Celebration Theatre in Los Angeles. The play is a hilarious and poignant flight of fancy about a young gay actor who takes a job working in the mall in Barbra Streisand's basement. Mike talks about the self-tape audition that got him the role, his favorite moment in the show, how he learns all those lines and how much fun it is to argue with oneself on stage. He also recalls making his Broadway debut in Jimmy Buffet's Escape To Margaritaville in 2018, his unconventional approach to the dance audition that landed him a role, how the audience was often wasted and his favorite memory of Jimmy Buffet. Other topics include: the CBS diversity showcase that changed the game for him, the BFA program he wishes he hadn't signed up for, the observation that Newsies dancers tend to have sizable asses, his history with wardrobe malfunctions and why the movie Funny Girl kind of bummed him out.
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You Don't Know My Life! Buy The Book Edition w/ Authors John W. Bateman, Gary Goldstein, David Pevsner & Steven Reigns
03/24/2022
You Don't Know My Life! Buy The Book Edition w/ Authors John W. Bateman, Gary Goldstein, David Pevsner & Steven Reigns
Dennis gathers four fun-loving authors together on Zoom for a few rousing rounds of You Don't Know My Life! the party game Dennis co-created with Jeb Havens, which is available for purchase on Amazon. The authors are John W. Bateman (Who Killed Buster Sparkle?), Gary Goldstein (The Last Birthday Party), David Pevsner (Damn Shame) & Steven Reigns (A Quilt for David). The YDKML questions played include What book changed your life? What's a moment from the pandemic that you're sure to remember in 20 years? and What celebrity that isn't thought of as conventionally hot totally turns you on? The answers involve bursting into tears, laughing out loud at David Sedaris in public and the debatable sex appeal of Ray Romano. Play along as you listen and to book your own Virtual Game Night hosted by Dennis visit
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Scott T. Hinson ("My Countdown"): "That Song Is Like An Amusement Park For Your Ears"
03/17/2022
Scott T. Hinson ("My Countdown"): "That Song Is Like An Amusement Park For Your Ears"
Dennis is joined by actor-filmmaker Scott T. Hinson to talk about his pandemic diversion turned full-on obsession; creating his own audio music countdowns, starting with My 80's Countdown...and then moving on to the 70's and 90's. He talks about the MTV veejays who inspired him to embark on this project and his multi-step process for choosing his Top 20 songs--there's a point system and notecards involved. Scott also recalls being assaulted on a public bus last summer over a mask disagreement and the Firefall song that brought him comfort in ther aftermath. He also talks about the two fan letters he's written in his life; to Cher and Dolly Parton...and receiving a reply back from one of them. Other topics include: why Pizza Hut has great jukeboxes, being surprised by Billy Joel's "Uptown Girl," having FOMO over the Bangles' "Walk Like An Egyptian," having a change of heart over U2's "With Or Without You," why he thinks all pop music post 2010 "sounds like the same girl yelling at me about how strong she is."
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Director, Writer & Actor Ryan O'Connor ("A Little Night Music"): "I Watched Nicole Kidman Learn the Word Keurig"
03/10/2022
Director, Writer & Actor Ryan O'Connor ("A Little Night Music"): "I Watched Nicole Kidman Learn the Word Keurig"
Dennis connects via Zoom with theater director-actor & writer Ryan O'Connor to discuss Ryan's production of Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music, which is currently playing at the Greenway Court Theatre in Los Angeles. He talks about the production's long journey to opening night, his casting of trans and non binary actors in major roles, reckoning with the play's period gender dynamics and bring croquet into the mix. Ryan and Dennis also bond over not loving the scripted show's so-called happy ending. Ryan also recalls how his mother and musical theater saved him from relentless bullying when he was an adolescent. He recalls being part of a reality competition Your Own Show: Oprah's Search for the Next TV Star in 2011 and the heartbreak he felt when the show didn't hit and the fame he thought would happen, didn't. Other topics include: that time he was in the same room with Sondheim, spending quality time with Oprah, getting sober, being part of the "rain cover" scenes on Big Little Lies and watching Nicole Kidman have a bite of donut at craft services, working the the late director Jean-Marc Vallee, stumbling out of Lindsay Lohan's SUV and why he loves musicals. And after the interview, Dennis does about five minutes on Jennifer Lopez's fim Marry Me and why too much J Lo is never enough.
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Performance Artist John Fleck ("It's Alive, It's ALIVE!"): "I Like To Say Things You're Not Supposed To Say"
03/03/2022
Performance Artist John Fleck ("It's Alive, It's ALIVE!"): "I Like To Say Things You're Not Supposed To Say"
Dennis connects via Zoom with actor-writer-performance artist John Fleck whose musical satire It's Alive, It's ALIVE! is showing at the Odyssey Theatre in Los Angeles through March 20. John talks about the show's central idea; that COVID is here to save us, not hurt us, where the original idea came from and where he got the inflatable COVID headress he wears through much of the show. He also recalls his experience, along with Tim Miller, Karen Finley, Tim Miller and Holly Hughes, as one of the NEA Four, the four artists who had received grants from the National Endowment of the Arts and whose grants were challenged by conservatives like Jesse Helms and others and whose case went all the way to Supreme Court. He talks about how the notoriety led to his first TV job, as a gay secretary in Steven Bochco's Murder One and how he regrets not being present at the Supreme Court hearing because he was working on TV show. John also recalls his early days in Los Angeles in the 1970's, the "radical change" he made that brought him here and opening for Edith Massey, John Waters' Egg Lady, at the One Way punk bar in Silverlake in 1983. Other topics include: embracing imperfection, how having his own shows makes the Hollywood acting hustle less soul-crushing, being an "age pioneer" at 71, the torture and glory of doing alien makeup for multiple Star Trek series and most recently Orville, appearing on projects like Tales of the City, Weeds, Seinfeld, Waterworld and the upcoming Tina Town, vamping in the dark when the power went out during a performance, and the late, great screenwriter who always came to his shows.
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Filmmaker Jonathan Wysocki ("Dramarama"): "Vests All Over The Place"
02/24/2022
Filmmaker Jonathan Wysocki ("Dramarama"): "Vests All Over The Place"
Dennis is joined via Zoom by Jonathan Wysocki, the writer and director of the 90's-set, coming-of-age movie Dramarama, about a group of high school theater nerds and their last murder mystery/slumber party together before graduation. Jonathan talks about drawing from his own school experience in writing the script, finding the perfect 90's vests for his characters to wear and the delicious naughtiness of teenage skinnydipping. He also talks about his short film A Doll's Eyes about how seeing the movie Jaws as a kid totally did a number on him and how he realized during post-production that his fears were really about his sexuality. Other topics include: his short film Adjust-A-Dream about a gay couple shopping for a mattress, taking part in the Sundance directing lab, how Linda Evans made his dream come true, why his interactions with Gen Z gives him hope for the future and how the movie Poltergeist ruined Stouffer's pizza for him forever.
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The Year in Movies 2021 Part 2 w/ Glenn Gaylord & Drew Droege
02/17/2022
The Year in Movies 2021 Part 2 w/ Glenn Gaylord & Drew Droege
Dennis is joined film lovers Glenn Gaylord (Senior Critic at the Queen Review) and actor-writer Drew Droege for Part 2 of their year-end look back at the Movies of 2021. Films discussed include: House of Gucci, Summer of Soul, No Time To Die, Licorice Pizza, The Sparks Brothers, Drive My Car, Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar, Nightmare Alley, The Lost Daughter, The Power of the Dog, Cruella, Nicole Kidman's AMC commercial, Being the Ricardos, Belfast, Parallel Mothers, Compartment No. 6, Wild Indian, Test Pattern, Last Night in Soho, Spencer, King Richard, Passing, A Hero, Encanto, Luca, The Eyes of Tammy Faye, Tik...Tik...Boom! and the movies we're looking forward to in 2022.
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The Year in Movies 2021 Part 1 w/ Glenn Gaylord & Drew Droege
02/08/2022
The Year in Movies 2021 Part 1 w/ Glenn Gaylord & Drew Droege
Dennis is joined via Zoom by Glenn Gaylord, Senior Film Critic at The Queer Review, and actor and writer Drew Droege to look back at the Year in Movies 2021. This is Part One of two-parts. Movies discussed include: In the Heights, West Side Story, Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar, Everybody's Talking about Jamie, Flee, Summertime, Red Rocket, Pleasure, Jungle Cruise, Titane, Come On C'mon C'mon, CODA, Free Guy, F9: The Fast Saga, The Worst Person In the World, Zola, Don't Look Up, Pig, Lamb, Language Lessons, and Together Together. Lots more movies into come in Part 2 including The Power of the Dog, Drive My Car and Licourice Pizza.
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Filmmaker Matt Ogens (Audible): "It's Their Story, Not My Story"
02/01/2022
Filmmaker Matt Ogens (Audible): "It's Their Story, Not My Story"
Dennis is joined via Zoom by filmmaker Matt Ogens, the director of the Netflix documentary Audible, a coming-of-age story about a deaf high school football player and the people in his life, including his gay male cheerleader friend. Matt talks about what drew him to the project, trying for ten years to get it made, having to constantly recast when students would graduate and finding finally a home for the project at Netflix. Other topics include: his cinematic visual style, making the Oscar short list for Best Documentary Short, the seeming lack of cliquishness at the Maryland School of the Deaf where they shot, LGBT model and activist Nyle Demarco’s connection to the film, and Matt making the bold decision to ditch his job in corporate American to become a filmmaker.
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Filmmaker & Performer D'Arcy Drollinger (Sh*t & Champagne)" "Deeply Inspired By a Backlit Bush"
01/22/2022
Filmmaker & Performer D'Arcy Drollinger (Sh*t & Champagne)" "Deeply Inspired By a Backlit Bush"
In his first official episode as part of the DNR Studios family of shows, Dennis chats via Zoom with D'Arcy Drollinger, the star, writer, director and co-producer of the new Dragsploitation flick Shit and Champagne. D'Arcy talks about the movie's stage origins, his creative inspirations--Mel Brooks, the Zucker Bros, Foxy Brown, Charlie's Angels--the pros and cons of having a swear word in your title, finding the perfect stunt boobs and how he raised the money to get the movie made. He also talks about what it's like to be the owner of the largest drag queen-owned drag bar in the country (The Oasis in San Francisco) and how a 12-hour telethon with drag queens on telephones helped him raise enough money to keep the club alive through COVID. Other topics include: playing Suzanne Somers, Betty White and Kim Cattrall in various stage spoofs, the mainstreaming of drag, the peculiarness of And Just Like That, and the lie he was told as a child involving the Captain and Tennille that he never got over. https://www.darcydrollinger.com/
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Filmmaker-Actor Stephanie Koenig ("A Spy Movie"): "I Feel Like a Construction Worker"
01/08/2022
Filmmaker-Actor Stephanie Koenig ("A Spy Movie"): "I Feel Like a Construction Worker"
Dennis is joined via Zoom by Stephanie Koenig, the writer-director-producer-star & editor of the feature film A Spy Movie, an action movie parody which recently dropped on You Tube. She talks about coming up with the idea while hanging with friends on a bench in Marina Del Rey, mining her Mission Impossible: Fallout obsession for tropes to skewer, doing her own stunts and how she strikes a balance between scripted moments and improv. She also talks about the no-budget Do-Everything-Yourself process of making A Spy Movie--and previous projects like The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo and Stupid Idiots--and how creating her own stuff has empowered her, opened doors in Hollywood and even made auditioning more fun. Other topics include: acting in the upcoming Paramount + series The Offer about the making of The Godfather, her love of snow, being recognized at Gay Pride from her web videos and that time she and her Spy Movie collaborators Bryan Jordan Alvarez, Chris Riggi and Michael Strassner took way too many buckets of fried chicken onto a cramped tour boat in Alaska. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YziovxOn6kE
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Author Eddie Shapiro ("A Wonderful Guy"): "I Do Get Sassy Sometimes"
12/14/2021
Author Eddie Shapiro ("A Wonderful Guy"): "I Do Get Sassy Sometimes"
Dennis connects via Zoom with author Eddie Shapiro to discuss his book A Wonderful Guy: Conversations with the Great Men of Musical Theater and the actors featured in it including Raul Esparza, Michael Cerveris, Joel Grey, Ben Vereen, Cheyenne Jackson, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Christopher Sieber, Jonathan Groff, Gavin Creel and many more. Eddie talks about why he thinks the world of musical theater seems to favor female performers over men and how the men he interviewed reconcile that. Eddie also talks about the passing of Stephen Sondheim, how Sondheim personally mentored the men in the book and Eddie's own memorable interactions with the composer. Other topics include: being openly gay as a Broadway leading man, how much stars make on Broadway, Playbill hoarding, sassing back to Elaine Stritch, the stage door encounter he'll never forget, crying during the diner scene in tick...tick...BOOM... and, of course, the length of Cheyenne Jackson's shorts in Xanadu.
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Actors & Writers Mitch Silpa & Drew Droege: "Our Messy Gay Brains"
11/21/2021
Actors & Writers Mitch Silpa & Drew Droege: "Our Messy Gay Brains"
Dennis chats via Zoom with performers Mitch Silpa & Drew Droege about their stage show "It's Mitch & Drew and We've Never Felt Younger," which plays Tuesday, November 23 at 8:00 PM at Dynasty Typewriter in Los Angeles. They talk about some of the sketches that will appear in the show, including one that was conceived while they were watching The White Lotus and another that features the characters from their hit Instagram videos "Two Old Queens Who Just Have a Minute To Catch Up." Mitch and Drew talk about how they first met over 20 years ago at the Groundlings, how the sketch-improv world is adapting to changing social mores and what it's like to play a serious role after always being expected to bring the funny. Other topics include: how much has changed in recent years in terms of what it's like to be an LGBTQ performer in Hollywood, the sexy deliciousness of Lil Nas X, retro coming out statements and inspired by the various name-tag, clipboard person roles they've both played, Dennis pitches the pair a TV series idea: Counterperson F---boy Island.
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Filmmaker Jesse Moss ("Mayor Pete"): A Love Story at the Center of a Political Story"
11/06/2021
Filmmaker Jesse Moss ("Mayor Pete"): A Love Story at the Center of a Political Story"
Dennis connects via Zoom with filmmaker Jesse Moss, the director of the new Amazon documentary Mayor Pete, about the history-making presidential campaign of openly gay South Bend, Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg. Jesse talks about how he came to make the movie, how keeping up with Pete and the campaign was like being on The Amazing Race, how Pete and Chasten's love story became the center of the film, Pete's chemistry with Joe Biden on the trail and the jolt of energy outspoken Communications Director Lis Smith brought to the campaign and the documentary. Other topics include: Pete's famous “Take a pill to make myself not gay” Victory Fund speech, seeing trauma and hope in the faces of voters on the trail, the sweet Chasten moment that ended up on the cutting room floor and Jesse's conflicted feelings around Pete’s campaign song “High Hopes."
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Illustrator Glen Hanson: "You Can't Turn That Flow Off"
10/30/2021
Illustrator Glen Hanson: "You Can't Turn That Flow Off"
Dennis connects via Zoom with illustrator Glen Hanson whose work as been seen on everything from animated TV shows like Beetlejuice and Daria to magazines like GQ, Entertainment Weekly and TV Guide, for whom he did four different covers when Seinfeld went off the air. His ubiquitous illustration of the Golden Girls is on everything from book covers, to T-shirts to phone cases. Glen talks about when he knew he was gifted as an artist, his creative process, dealing with procrastination, getting turned on while drawing hot guys (or not) and the extensive research he does before he sits down to draw a celebrity. Other topics include: his Ladies at the Biden Inauguration image that went viral, resisting the temptation to lampoon the Trumps, discovering long lost relatives on Ancestry.com, "soft homophobia" in the workplace and that time Sharon Stone posted a photo of herself wearing a Glen Hanson Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct T-shirt. www.glenhanson.com
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Poet Steven Reigns ("A Quilt for David"): "This Book is David's Panel"
09/28/2021
Poet Steven Reigns ("A Quilt for David"): "This Book is David's Panel"
Dennis connects via Zoom with poet Steven Reigns to discuss his new book A Quilt for David, which explores through poetry the story of David Acer, the dentist from Treasure Cove, Florida who was accused by multiple people of giving them HIV through dental work in the early 1990s. The story made national news, led to several $1 million-plus insurance settlements and turned David into a convenient scapegoat for a nation wary of gay people and terrified of AIDS. Steven talks about the book's mixture of poetry and investigative reporting, going to Florida to research and interview people who were around at the time and his goal with the project of humanizing David Acer. He also recites two of the poems from the book.
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Filmmaker Wes Hurley: "He's Talented, He Couldn't Be Gay"
09/20/2021
Filmmaker Wes Hurley: "He's Talented, He Couldn't Be Gay"
After surviving a breakthrough case of COVID, Dennis returns with this Zoom with filmmaker Wes Hurley whose delightful autobiographical film Potato Dreams of America is currently playing the festival circuit and will be released in 2022. The film tells the story of how he moved from Eastern Russian at 16 when his mother became a mail order bride for an American man in Seattle. He talks about his decision to use magical realism to tell his own story, using two sets of actors to play the mother and son characters and how he came to cast Mean Girls Jonathan Bennett, Orange Is the New Black's Lea Delaria and Love Boat's Lauren Tewes is key supporting roles. He talks about how American movies shaped his childhood in Russia and becoming obsessed with Gregg Araki's gay classic The Living End...but renting it in secret so his stepfather wouldn't find out he's gay. He also recalls what it was like when he first came to the U.S., the challenge of making friends, his mom helping meet other gay people and how he learned English by immersion. Other topics include: Keanu Reeves in tighty-whities, rebelling by listening to Marilyn Manson, Freddie Mercury being huge in Russia, what it took to get the movie made, his Russian grandmother's visits to Seattle, how getting a hotel room from a film festival made him feel legit, the grant he received that changed the game and the times when his mother says, "Stop being so Russian."
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Filmmaker Todd Stephens ("Swan Song"): "All of These Magical Things Kept Happening"
08/07/2021
Filmmaker Todd Stephens ("Swan Song"): "All of These Magical Things Kept Happening"
Dennis is joined via Zoom by Todd Stephens, the writer director of the new film Swan Song, which is about retired hairdresser named Mr. Pat played by Udo Kier who busts out of his nursing home to do one last job, styling the hair of the dead society matron for her funeral. Todd talks about the real-life Mr. Pat who inspired the movie, collecting stories from people who knew the real Pat, and how the character of Mr. Pat was supposed to be in Todd's first film Edge of 17 but got cut. Todd talks about the inspired casting of Udo Kier as Pat, meeting Udo--and his dog Liza Minelli--at his home in Palm Springs, and becoming friends with Udo over a year before shooting. He also talks about why it was important to him for the queer characters in his film to be played by queer actors. He also talks about how meaningful it's been to shoot multiple movies in his hometown of Sandusky, Ohio, the theme of redemption after being counted out and why it was important to him to play gay film festivals with the film. Other topics include: the Variety review that did a number on him, tracking down More cigarettes, including Mr. Pat's favorite songs on the soundtrack, being helped out by the town witch, why he loves teaching film to young people and snagging the Linda Evans portrait from the prop department for his apartment after the shoot.
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Actor Arianna Ortiz ("Nine Days"): "I Got Pizza Hut Socks!"
07/28/2021
Actor Arianna Ortiz ("Nine Days"): "I Got Pizza Hut Socks!"
Dennis is joined via Zoom by actor Arianna Ortiz one of the stars of the new film Nine Days, a unique and moving film about seven souls and the man who decides whether or not they're going to go to earth. Arianna talks about the role she plays Maria, what it's like to create a character with virtually no backstory and what made Nine Days a dream-come-true experience. She recalls how the audition came to her, the thrill of getting the part and what it felt like to shoot the scene in the movie where her character is in the center of a lot of cinematic magic. She also talks about the mind-trip of premiering the film at Sundance to raves and then having the whole world shut down due to COVID and how she processed all that. Other topics include: finding a therapist through the Actors Fund, appearing in super-dramatic commercials, getting swag at Sundance, bonding with co-star Winston Duke and how the Nine Days experience changed her life. https://www.ariannaortiz.com/
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Summertime Magic: w/ filmmaker Carlos Lopez Estrada & actors/poets Paolina Acuña González, Raul Herrera & Marquesha Babers
07/07/2021
Summertime Magic: w/ filmmaker Carlos Lopez Estrada & actors/poets Paolina Acuña González, Raul Herrera & Marquesha Babers
Dennis is joined via Zoom by four of the creative forces behind the new film Summertime; director Carlos Lopez Estrada, and actors / poets Paolina Acuña González, Raul Herrera and Marquesha Babers. Carlos shares the projects origin story, recalling how he saw a live performance of a group of LA poets and was so knocked out by their performances that he came up with the day-in-the-life-of-Los Angeles idea as a way to showcase them all in a feature film. Paolina talks about her poem "Red Lipstick" and the spectacular choreographed dance number the comes out of it in the film. Raul talks about his poem "Clouds," which he wrote years ago and marvels that something he created as a way to cope with grief ended up being immortalized on film in Summertime. And Marquesha talks about her poem, "Shallow" and the heartless man who inspired it. Other topics include: where the title Summertime comes from, how the San Fernando Valley fits into all of this and the joy of creating art for the sake of creating art. https://gooddeedentertainment.com/summertime/
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Comedian Julia Scotti ("Funny That Way"): Very Fine People On Both Sides of the Lincoln Tunnel
06/21/2021
Comedian Julia Scotti ("Funny That Way"): Very Fine People On Both Sides of the Lincoln Tunnel
Dennis is joined via Zoom by comedian Julia Scotti who is the subject of the new documentary Julia Scotti: Funny That Way, which tells the story of how she began her career in comedy as Rick Scotti in the 80's and 90's before transitioning in her late 40's and going back into comedy as Julia. Julia talks about why she chose to trust filmmaker Susan Sandler to tell her story, how she was denied contact with her children for 14 years after her transition, and what it was like to finally reconnect with them. She also recalls her appearance on America's Got Talent and her spur-of-the-moment decision to tell the world that she was trans. Other topics include: the joy of being an abomination, agism in comedy, losing the love of her life after transitioning, her desire to be a mother, her favorite AGT judge and what it feels like to get a great big laugh.
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THE BOYS WHO BRUNCH: w/ writer Sean Abley, actors Bill Brochtrup and Parnell Damone Marcano and sound designer Jeff Gardner
06/14/2021
THE BOYS WHO BRUNCH: w/ writer Sean Abley, actors Bill Brochtrup and Parnell Damone Marcano and sound designer Jeff Gardner
Dennis is joined via Zoom by four of the creators behind the new audio drama 90069: West Hollywood - Brunch, Interrupted, which is one of a series of Zip Code plays produced by the L.A.-based Antaeus Theatre Company. The four guests are writer Sean Abley, actors Parnell Damone Marcano and Bill Brochtrup (who is also the company's Artistic Director) and sound designer Jeff Gardner. The quartet talk about the process of creating the project during COVID and the play's oh-so-current theme of gentrification of gay neighborhoods. Then the group joins Dennis for a rousing round of You Don't Know My Life! where they each submit answers to this question: What's something you've witnessed or experienced where you thought, 'Only in West Hollywood?' The answers range from the hilarious--a shirtless neighbor asking, "Do you have any poppers I could borrow?"--to the poignant--RIP, Silver Spoon and Yukon Mining Company diners. You can listen to the audio play Brunch Interrupted here: https://antaeus.org/special_events/90069-west-hollywood/
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SHAPED BY SYLVESTER: Tiki Spills the Tea - hosted by Steven Reigns
06/03/2021
SHAPED BY SYLVESTER: Tiki Spills the Tea - hosted by Steven Reigns
On this special Pride month podcast, Dennis handles the audio editing on this one as he welcomes past podcast guest Steven Reigns to present a project he produced about the legendary disco star Sylvester's Los Angeles roots. Here's the official synopsis: Born in Watts, Los Angeles, to a middle-class African-American family, Sylvester developed a love of singing through the gospel choir of his church. Leaving the church after the congregation expressed disapproval of his homosexuality, he found friendship among a group of black cross-dressers and transgender women who called themselves The Disquotays. He made an impact in music, fashion, personal expression and also on those he befriended even before his fame. Hear about Sylvester’s influence to a previous West Hollywood resident who grew up with him, Tiki Lofton. Tiki met Sylvester, then known as Dooni, and that friendship influenced her life. Listen to her tales of growing up black and trans in LA in the 60s as a part of the Disquotays with a good friend that soon became a disco superstar. Sylvester biographer Joshua Gamson is featured as well. This program is presented with the support of a grant from the City of West Hollywood’s Arts Division as part of the City's One City One Pride LGBTQ Arts Festival. Steven Reigns, Los Angeles poet and educator, was appointed the first Poet Laureate of West Hollywood. He has two previous collections, Inheritance and Your Dead Body is My Welcome Mat, and over a dozen chapbooks. Reigns edited My Life is Poetry, showcasing his students' work from the first-ever autobiographical poetry workshop for LGBTQ seniors. Reigns has lectured and taught writing workshops around the country to LGBTQ youth and people living with HIV. Currently he is touring The Gay Rub, an exhibition of rubbings from LGBTQ landmarks around the world. His new book A Quilt for David will be published by City Lights in September 2021. Steven Reigns: Joshua Gamson: Sylvester:
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Author Michael Anthony ("Life at Hamilton"): The No-Look Pour Never Goes Well
05/30/2021
Author Michael Anthony ("Life at Hamilton"): The No-Look Pour Never Goes Well
Dennis is joined via Zoom by Michael Anthony, author of the new book Life at Hamilton, which documents his experience as the Bar Manager at the Richard Rogers Theater where the Broadway sensation Hamilton premiered in 2015 and went on to become a global phenomenon. Mike talks about the book’s humble beginnings as social media posts, how they gradually became more and more popular, the time he would spend responding to posts from his followers and how the posts involved into a book. He also talks about what it’s like to be a trained actor and be tending bar in a setting where so many others are living their dreams as performers. He also talks about the lesson his position has taught him: that you can’t always become the thing you’ve dreamed of being…but you can keep finding new things that light you up. He talks about what it was like to be around the Hamilton phenomenon during the Trump Era and recalls the night after the election when Vice President-Elect Mike Pence came to the show. He also talks about his passionate curiosity in what happens after we die and the unlikely butterfly sightings he’s had that make him believe that his father is still with us. He recalls some of the famous people who have come to see Hamilton and shares sweet stories about Amy Schumer, Rosie O’Donnell and Jimmy Kimmel. Other topics include: his first meeting with Hamilton creator Lin Manuel Miranda, what Lin thinks about the book, the moment in Hamilton that always makes him cry, the incredible journey his father made to see him in a show, bartending flashiness, when Obama and Biden came to the show, the incredible power of kindness and what’s the most popular candy at Hamilton.
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Singer-Actor-Dancer-Only Fans Entrepreneur Valton Jackson: "Everyone Should Be Unapologetically Who They Are"
05/15/2021
Singer-Actor-Dancer-Only Fans Entrepreneur Valton Jackson: "Everyone Should Be Unapologetically Who They Are"
Dennis is joined via Zoom by singer-dancer-actor=model-porn star-Only Fans entrepreneur Valton Jackson who just released an EP of remixes for his sexy single "Shirtless" and also posted a spot-on video to Instagram, where he recreates Britney Spears' "Sometimes" video at a water villa in the Maldives. He talks about the making of that video, growing up in Georgia, how he got into performing and what it's like to be in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade in the morning...and fly home to have dinner the same day with his family in Georgia. He talks about his decision to get into porn at 28, how doing porn gave him a sense of control after years of being at the mercy of the show business gods, coming up with his porn alter ego Andre Donovan, and how his Only Fans page helped him stay afloat during COVID when live theater work dried up. He also talks about growing up with shame about his sexuality and the process of coming to his own and living his truth, regardless of what people think. Other topics include: the Chorus Line director who pushed his buttons, bringing his acting skills--including tears--to his porn work, the difference between doing studio porn and Only Fans, how stopped compartmentalizing the different parts of his career, what his family thinks about his work, dating while porn-ing and his ultimate Britney Spears dream meet-up scenario. And after the interview, Dennis gives Valton a special BRITNEY SPEARS BIRTHDAY QUIZ. Spoiler alert: Valton crushes it.
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