

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 29, 2026 • 1h 19min
Karen's Potomac Presser with Jenny Donheiser
Jolenta is joined by Jenny Donheiser (How Were U Brainwashed?) to explore the origin story of the “press conference luncheon” - a somewhat common Real Housewives occourence. They delve into the anals of history and discuss the significance of Karen Huger holding a press conference in a steak house private room back in season three of The Real Housewives of Potomac.
Jenny's Insta
Hot Mess-terpiece Insta
SOURCES
The Real Housewives, Peacock.com
‘Real Housewives of Potomac’ star Karen Huger’s husband and his company owe millions in back taxes, Washington Post
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 22, 2026 • 38min
Kody Brown: The Sister Wives Dictator
Jolenta goes to town on The King archetype and his evil alter ego, The Dictator. Guess who she thinks fits the profile? One mister Kody Brown, from Sister Wives. If you want to overanalyze Kody’s character and investigate his dictator ways, this is the episode for you.
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 - Peacock
Sister Wives - Hulu & HBO Max
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 15, 2026 • 49min
Free the Situation with Mary Houlihan
Jolenta is joined by Mary Houlihan (The Mary Houlihan Show) to discuss a subject near and dear to Mary’s heart, The Jersey Shore. From the cast’s early feral days to their adult journeys through sobriety and marriage, Mary helps us understand the characters in this great American drama. And the two do a deep dive on Mike ‘The Situation’ Sorrentino’s redemption arc, aka his release from prison.
Mary's Insta
Hot Mess-terpiece Insta
SOURCES
The Jersey Shore and Jersey Shore: Family Vacation - Paramount+
Michael ‘The Situation’ Sorrentino, Marc Sorrentino Sentenced to Federal Prison on Tax Charges, US Department of Justice Archives
‘Jersey Shore’ premiered 10 years ago on MTV. Here’s why the global phenomenon could go on forever, nj.com
Jersey Shore: An Oral History, Vulture
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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.
Hot Mess-terpiece Insta Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


