

Keep It!
Crooked Media
Wherever pop culture and politics collide, Emmy-nominated TV writer Louis Virtel examines the gorgeous wreckage from his uniquely queer perspective with a rotating cast of special guest co-hosts. Each week, our “Prince of Pop Culture” is joined by the likes of Michelle Yeoh, Cate Blanchett, Andrew Garfield, Connie Britton, and Sheryl Lee Ralph to unpack the latest controversies, laude character actress appreciation, and all the shade that’s fit to throw.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 27, 2025 • 1h 32min
Alien: Earth & Love Island USA with Matt Smith and Ben Mandelker
This week Louis Virtel and guest co-host Ben Mandelker dive into Taylor Swift’s engagement, the Love Island USA reunion, Alien: Earth, legendary albums, Snoop Dogg’s reaction to Lightyear, and Project Runway. Matt Smith also joins to discuss his new role in Caught Stealing. Subscribe to Keep It on YouTube to catch full episodes, exclusive content, and other community events. Find us there at YouTube.com/@KeepItPodcast

Aug 20, 2025 • 1h 26min
Highest 2 Lowest, And Just Like That, & Clue with Charlie Day & Taylor Hale
This week, Louis and Big Brother 24 winner Taylor Hale discuss And Just Like That, The Amazing Race, Highest 2 Lowest, the 40th anniversary of Clue, reality TV friendships, and the recent blows to film criticism.Subscribe to Keep It on YouTube to catch full episodes, exclusive content, and other community events. Find us there at YouTube.com/@KeepItPodcast

Aug 13, 2025 • 1h 15min
South Park, Queer Travel and Weapons with Margaret Cho
This week, comedy legend Margaret Cho joins Louis to discuss Weapons, South Park, The Ultimatum: Queer Love, Project Runway and the summer's hottest queer travel destinations from Princetown to Chicago. Subscribe to Keep It on YouTube to catch full episodes, exclusive content, and other community events. Find us there at YouTube.com/@KeepItPodcast

Aug 6, 2025 • 1h 30min
The Naked Gun & Funniest Women with Jenny Slate & Caroline Goldfarb
This week, Sex Lives of College Girls writer and tinned fish mogul Caroline Goldfarb joins Louis to discuss the Mayhem Ball, The Naked Gun, funny women, Rod Stewart, and the VMA nominations. They also chat with Jenny Slate about her Emmy-nominated performance in Hulu’s Dying for Sex.Subscribe to Keep It on YouTube to catch full episodes, exclusive content, and other community events. Find us there at YouTube.com/@KeepItPodcast

Jul 30, 2025 • 1h 29min
The End of an Ira
Ira and Louis answer listener questions and revisit your favorite moments, interviews, and takes from the podcast for Ira’s final episode. Plus, one final Keep It… to Beyoncé??Coded Justice by Stacey Abrams: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/697037/coded-justice-by-stacey-abrams/ Subscribe to Keep It on YouTube to catch full episodes, exclusive content, and other community events. Find us there at YouTube.com/@KeepItPodcast

Jul 23, 2025 • 1h 32min
Colbert & Leo Season Movies with Billy Porter
Ira and Louis discuss Nicki Minaj versus SZA, CBS canceling The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Drag Race All Stars 10, Building the Band, and movies with Leo Energy. Billy Porter joins to discuss playing the Emcee in Cabaret, his dream roles, and more.Subscribe to Keep It on YouTube to catch full episodes, exclusive content, and other community events. Find us there at YouTube.com/@KeepItPodcastCoded Justice: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/697037/coded-justice-by-stacey-abrams/

Jul 16, 2025 • 1h 27min
Superman, Emmy Nominations, & Justin Bieber with Ari Aster
Ira and Louis discuss Superman, Too Much, Emmy noms, new albums from Justin Bieber and Kesha, Jet2holidays, and the continued search for a song of the summer. Ari Aster joins to discuss his new film Eddington, his fave paranoid thrillers, and more. Subscribe to Keep It on YouTube to catch full episodes, exclusive content, and other community events. Find us there at YouTube.com/@KeepItPodcast

Jul 9, 2025 • 1h 22min
Jurassic World Rebirth & The Best 100 Movies of the 21st Century with Ty Burrell and Kyle Buchanan
Louis Virtel and guest co-host Kyle Buchanan discuss Jurassic World Rebirth, Scarlett Johansson's box-office record, The New York Times' Best 100 Movies of the 21st Century list, Survivor season 50, and Jojo Siwa's cover of Bette Davis Eyes. They also chat with Ty Burrell about his new audiobook The Good Life, Modern Family, and Salt Lake City bars.Subscribe to Keep It on YouTube to catch full episodes, exclusive content, and other community events. Find us there at YouTube.com/@KeepItPodcast

Jun 25, 2025 • 1h 29min
Best R&B Artists & Brokeback Mountain with Allison Williams and Charleton Lamb
On this week’s Keep It, Ira says hello from Fire Island, then Louis and guest co-host Charleton Lamb discuss Billboard’s 75 Best R&B Artists list, Brokeback Mountain’s 20th Anniversary, Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom’s break-up, novelty popcorn buckets, and the continuing hunt for a song of the summer. Ira and Louis are also joined by Allison Williams to discuss M3GAN 2.0.Subscribe to Keep It on YouTube to catch full episodes, exclusive content, and other community events. Find us there at YouTube.com/@KeepItPodcast

Jun 18, 2025 • 1h 37min
The Beach Boys & Materialists with Danielle Deadwyler
Ira and Louis discuss Celine Song’s new romantic film Materialists, the best protest films, rude Emmy rules, new Grammys country music categories, Ryan Tedder’s tribute to the U.S. Army, and the passings of Brian Wilson, Sly Stone, and Ananda Lewis. Danielle Deadwyler joins to discuss her new film 40 Acres and the art that inspires her creative process. Plus, an announcement about the future of Keep It.