

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 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.

Jun 11, 2025 • 1h 36min
The Tonys, BET Awards and New Pop Releases with Benito Skinner
Ira and Louis discuss the Tony Awards, BET Awards, J Lo at World Pride, Gen Z trend pieces, and new music from Addison Rae, Mariah Carey, Sabrina Carpenter, and Madonna. Benito Skinner joins to discuss Overcompensating, translating millennial life to television, and more.

Jun 4, 2025 • 1h 33min
Mission: Impossible & Miley Cyrus with Owen Thiele
Ira and Louis discuss the final Mission: Impossible, And Just Like That’s new season, Patti LuPone’s New Yorker profile and apology, WeHo Pride, Miley’s new album, Wear Whatever the F You Want, and Tennis’ farewell tour. Owen Thiele joins to discuss his pair of new shows Adults and Overcompensating, podcasting in the middle of the night, 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

May 21, 2025 • 1h 43min
Overcompensating & Cannes with Jake Shane
Ira and Louis discuss the Cannes Film Festival, Eurovision's winner, Overcompensating, Morgan Wallen, and internet cookbooks. Jake Shane joins to discuss his new tour, LA versus NY, 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