

Hot Mess-Terpiece Theatre
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!
All seasons By the Book & How to Be Fine are also in this feed. To hear back episodes, just scroll down!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 8, 2026 • 40min
Craig Conover: Portrait of a Southern Artist
This week Jolenta takes a look at the character of Craig Conover from Southern Charm and how he fits into the Artist Archetype. And you know she gets into that evil alter ego and how the archetype shows up in mythology and a bunch of other reality shows.
Hot Mess-terpiece Insta
SOURCES
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
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Jan 1, 2026 • 29min
New Year, New Hot Topics
Ring in the new year the classic way - with hot takes on hot topics. For a New Year’s treat, Jolenta is serving takes hot enough to warm your heart on a cold winter’s day. All things reality are discussed, from Southern Charm to Sister Wives.
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Dec 25, 2025 • 34min
Book Report: Rich As F*ck by Amanda Frances (RHOBH)
Amanda Frances, an entrepreneur and author known for her money-manifesting teachings and a role on reality TV, dives into her book, 'Rich As F*ck'. She shares her journey from therapist to 'money queen', discussing her controversial views on money mindset. Topics include the law of attraction, practical wealth practices, and the balancing act between abundance and self-blame. Jolenta critiques Amanda's authenticity and highlights the book's recycled concepts, questioning whether it offers genuine advice or just more self-help jargon.

Dec 18, 2025 • 37min
Kathy Hilton: The Real Recluse of Beverly Hills
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
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Dec 11, 2025 • 1h 17min
When the NYPD Raided the SLC with Bestie Approved
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
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Dec 4, 2025 • 1h 10min
RHONY Leg-acy with Gibson Johns
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
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Nov 27, 2025 • 40min
Hot Mess-terpiece Hot Topics
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
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Nov 20, 2025 • 41min
Dorinda Medley Meddles with Mysticism
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
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Nov 13, 2025 • 1h
Vanderpump Rules Slaps with Mary Payne Gilbert
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
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Nov 6, 2025 • 38min
Will Heather Gay Save Us?
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
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