

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

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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Oct 30, 2025 • 1h 3min
Love is Blinded by Celeb Lookalikes with Anna Roisman
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
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Oct 23, 2025 • 43min
The Maiden of Salt Lake: Bronwyn Newport
Jolenta looks into the Maiden and Troubled Teen archetypes. And she does a deep dive on a Real Housewife that seems to embody this angsty ingénue: Bronwyn from the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City.
Hot Mess-Terpiece Theatre Insta
Jolenta’s Insta
SOURCES
Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes, by Edith Hamilton
Greek Mythology: Gods and Heroes Brought to Live, By Robert Garland
The Greek Myths, by Robert Graves
The Penguin Dictionary of Classical Mythology, by Pierre Grimal
45 Master Characters, by Victoria Lynn Schmidt
Bravo Shows & Aftershows - Peacock
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Oct 16, 2025 • 54min
Don’t Say it’s About Tom with Nicole Spiezio
Jolenta is joined by Nicole Spiezio (How Were U Brainwashed?) to discuss a pivotal RHONY Legacy scene - the scene where Bethenny tells Luann her fiancé cheated on her "at the Regency, in front of everybody.”
Nicole’s Podcast
Housewife Sonata w/ Nicole Spiezio
Hot Mess-terpiece Theatre Insta
SOURCES
- Real Housewives of New York City, Peacock Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 9, 2025 • 42min
Survivor's Parvati Shallow: Fatally A-Muse-ing
Let’s do a deep dive on the Muse archetype, and her flirty evil twin the Femme Fatale. Parvati Shallow is the perfect example of both - and Jolenta has compiled some of Parv’s most seductive and cut-throat moments for your listening pleasure.
Hot Mess-Terpiece Theatre Instagram
Jolenta’s Instagram
SOURCES
Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes, by Edith Hamilton
Greek Mythology: Gods and Heroes Brought to Life, By Robert Garland
The Penguin Dictionary of Classical Mythology, by Pierre Grimal
The Greek Myths, by Robert Graves
45 Master Characters, by Victoria Lynn Schmidt
Bravo Shows - Peacock
Survivor - Paramount+
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Oct 2, 2025 • 1h 2min
A Watershed Sister Wives Moment with Amye Archer
Jolenta is joined by Amye Archer (Little Miss Recap) to discuss the explosive season 18 fight between Janelle and Kody Brown on Sister Wives. The two discuss breaking the 4th wall and narcissistic collapse, and Amye gives a stern warning for anyone who’s watching the new season of Sister Wives.
Amye’s Instagram
Jolenta’s Instagram
Hot Mess-terpiece Theatre Instagram
Sources
Sister Wives, TLC
Sister Wife: A Memoir of Faith, Family, and Finding Freedom, by Christine Brown Woolley
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Sep 25, 2025 • 36min
Girls Gor-gone Wild
Jolenta does a realty TV deep dive on the Amazon archetype and her evil alter ego, the Gorgon. And she explores how Bethenny Frankel lives her life Amazon style with some wild Gorgon flare.
Hot Mess-Terpiece Theatre Instagram
Jolenta’s Instagram
SOURCES
Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes, by Edith Hamilton
Greek Mythology: Gods and Heroes Brought to Life, By Robert Garland
The Penguin Dictionary of Classical Mythology, by Pierre Grimal
The Greek Myths, by Robert Graves
Mythos: A Retelling of the Myths of Ancient Greece, by Stephen Fry
45 Master Characters, by Victoria Lynn Schmidt
Bethenny Frankel, Still Dragging Everyone - www.thecut.com/2023/11/bethenny-frankel-on-leading-the-real-housewives-reckoning.html
Reckoning With Reality - www.vulture.com/article/reality-reckoning-reality-tv-union-history-explained.html
Bravo Shows - Peacock
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