Jolenta Greenberg
Comedian & pop culture critic Jolenta Greenberg has a theory: reality TV isn’t ruining culture - it is culture. Join her and a cast of sharp, funny guests as they dig into the details behind the drama and unpack why we can’t get enough of those iconic scenes and unforgettable characters. This is the place for highbrow conversations about “lowbrow” TV All seasons By the Book & How to Be Fine are also in this feed. To hear back episodes, just scroll down!
1d ago
Jolenta does a deep dive on The Recluse archetype and her evil twin, The Warlock. Turns out Kathy Hilton from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills has a lot of reclusive tendencies, but watch yourself because you don’t want her warlock side to rear its ugly head. Hot Mess-terpiece Insta SOURCES: Mythos: A Retelling of the Myths of Ancient Greece, by Stephen Fry Greek Mythology: Gods and Heroes Brought to Life, By Robert Garland The Greek Myths, by Robert Graves Dictionary of Classical Mythology, by Pierre Grimal Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes, by Edith Hamilton 45 Master Characters, by Victoria Lynn Schmidt Bravo Shows and After Shows - Peacock Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 11
Jolenta is joined by Travis Rhoden from Bestie Approved for a crossover episode! In honor of Jen Shah being released from prison, the two recap the infamous sprinter van raid from season 2 of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. Travis used to be a finance bro, so he has some interesting takes on money laundering. And many iconic moments are covered: Mary calling Whitney “little girl,” the beginning of Meredith branding herself as a lady who loves baths, and Whitney Rose thinking Homeland Security is a pranking her. Bestie Approved Hot Mess-Terpiece Insta SOURCES: Real Housewives of Salt Lake City - Peacock Jennie Nguyen removed from 'Real Housewives' cast for offensive posts , NBC News Reality Show Cast Member Jennifer Shah Sentenced To 78 Months In Prison For Running Nationwide Telemarketing Fraud Scheme , United States Attorney’s Office Southern District of New York ‘Real Housewives' Star Charged in Massive Fraud, Money Laundering Scheme , NBC New York Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 4
Jolenta is joined by the wonderful Gibson Johns ( Gabbing with Gib ) to talk about Aviva Drescher’s infamous leg toss from The Real Housewives of New York. They get into the backstory, dish on ghost writing rumors, and wax poetic about obviously self produced moments. Gibson’s Insta Hot Mess-Terpiece Insta SOURCES RHONY Legacy - Peacock Luann de Lesseps Doubles Down: Carole Radziwill Used a Ghostwriter for Her Memoir - Radio Andy , SiriusXM Aviva Drescher: I Threw My Leg on RHONY to “Earn My Keep” - US Magazine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 27
For a Thanksgiving Day treat, Jolenta is doing a roundup of some of the latest reality TV hot topics and giving her hot takes. She covers everything from Kandi Burruss’s divorce to Kody Brown’s multiple divorces. Please note: Topics other than divorce will be discussed, such as The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, The Real Housewives of Orange County, and more. Hot Mess-terpiece Insta SOURCES: Bravo Shows - Peacock The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives - Hulu Sister Wives - TLC @StaceyRuschQVC Tiktok account Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 20
The Mystic is a fun woo-woo archetype, but do not piss her off or else you’ll meet her evil side: the Betrayer. How do each of these beauties show up in reality TV? Jolenta thinks Dorinda Medley from the Real Housewives of New York is the perfect example of the Mystic/Betrayer dichotomy. Hot Mess-terpiece Insta SOURCES: Mythos: A Retelling of the Myths of Ancient Greece , by Stephen Fry Greek Mythology: Gods and Heroes Brought to Life , by Robert Garland The Greek Myths , by Robert Graves Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes , by Edith Hamilton 45 Master Characters , by Victoria Lynn Schmidt Bravo Shows - Peacock Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 13
The wonderful Mary Payne Gilbert ( Pink Shade ) joins Jolenta to do a deep dive on the infamous Vanderpump Rules “slap” scene between Stassi Schroeder and Kristin Douse. And the two discuss why we’re so drawn to reality TV that showcases anti-aspirational living. Mary Payne’s Insta Hot Mess-terpiece Theatre Insta Sources: Vanderpump Rules - Peacock Hera episode of Hot Mess-Terpiece Theatre Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 6
She’s intense, she’s driven, and she might be here to save us all… or burn it all down. This week Jolenta draws parallels between the Savior/Destroyer archetype and Heather Gay’s journey on The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. Hot Mess-Terpiece Theatre Instagram Jolenta’s Instagram *This episode mentions the struggles faced by LGBTQIA+ youth - if you or anyone you know is struggling text ‘START’ to 678-678 to reach The Trevor Project SOURCES The Greek Myths, by Robert Graves The Penguin Dictionary of Classical Mythology, by Pierre Grimal Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes, by Edith Hamilton 45 Master Characters , by Victoria Lynn Schmidt Bravo Shows - Peacock Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 30
Comedian Anna Roisman ( Big Wigs ) joins the show to talk about her favorite moments from Love is Blind season six: when Chelsea told Jimmy she gets told she looks like Megan Fox & when Jimmy realizes that may not be true. Anna and Jolenta breakdown the scenes and discuss why you shouldn’t try to break the unspoken rules of a reality show. Anna's Insta - where all her great impressions are Hot Mess-terpiece Insta Jolenta's Insta Sources Love is Blind , Netflix Love Is Blind season 6's Chelsea responds to criticism over Megan Fox comparison , Entertainment Weekly Megan Fox Breaks Silence on Love Is Blind Star Chelsea's Comparison to Her and Ensuing Drama , E! News Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices