

Keep It!
Crooked Media
Wherever pop culture and politics collide, Ira Madison III and Louis Virtel are on hand to examine the gorgeous wreckage from their uniquely queer perspective. Each week, our “Princes of Pop Culture” are joined by the likes of Michelle Yeoh, Hunter Doohan, John Boyega, Connie Britton, Gabrielle Union, and Sheryl Lee Ralph to unpack the latest controversies, laude character actress appreciation, and all the shade that’s fit to throw. New episodes drop every Wednesday.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 23, 2023 • 1h 38min
“Tango: Idina” w. Idina Menzel and Kyle Turner
Broadway legend Idina Menzel joins Ira and Louis to discuss her new album Drama Queen and her experiences on Broadway. The hosts also discuss topics such as pop star Kathy Dennis and LGBTQ+ music, the challenges of adapting movies into TV shows, what makes a performance worthy of an Oscar win, and the expectations placed on pop singers in terms of dancing. Film critic Kyle Turner also joins to discuss his book The Queer Film Guide and the process of selecting films for it.

Aug 16, 2023 • 1h 27min
“Love Thang, Actually” w. Punkie Johnson and Dicey
Ira and Louis discuss Red, White, and Royal Blue, the controversy surrounding The Blind Side, Louis’ continued hatred of fall, and Bradley Cooper’s new Oscar bait film. Comedians Punkie Johnson and Dicey join to discuss their relationship advice podcast Love Thang. Plus, Ira and Louis play Who’s Older? where they guess celebrity ages.Check out Love Thang: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/love-thang/id1690695573 Subscribe to Keep It on YouTube to catch full episodes, exclusive content, and other community events. Find us there at YouTube.com/@KeepItPodcast

Aug 9, 2023 • 1h 39min
"Watch Out for the Mean Grrrls" w. Bethany Cosentino
Ira and Louis break down Lizzo's lawsuit, Jamie Foxx and Jennifer Aniston's social media drama, Survivor legend Cirie Fields joining Big Brother, and director William Friedkin's legacy. Plus, they play an IMDb themed game of celebrity called Known For where they guess a celebrity's most popular credits. And Bethany Cosentino joins to discuss her new solo record Natural Disaster, American mall culture, and more.

Aug 2, 2023 • 1h 46min
“Beauty and the SpongeBob” w. Aly & AJ
Ira, Louis, and guest host Joel Kim Booster discuss Ariana Grande’s divorce and other celebrity breakups, Project Runway All-Stars and legacy reality shows, Sinead O’Connor, Paul Reubens, dating app screenshots, and Katy Perry’s career. Aly & AJ join to discuss their With Love From Tour and finding life in their old music. Plus, Ira responds to Louis’ Barbie review.

Jul 26, 2023 • 1h 43min
"Raising the Barbenheimer" w. Shea Couleé
This week, Louis and guest-host Matt Rogers (filling in for Ira) unpack the two most pressing film releases of the summer: Barbie and Oppenheimer. They also reflect on past blockbuster dual releases, question the marketing acumen of Elon Musk, and interview the sensational RuPaul’s Drag Race legend Shea Coulee.Subscribe to Keep It on YouTube to catch full episodes, exclusive content, and other community events. Find us there at YouTube.com/@KeepItPodcast

Jul 19, 2023 • 1h 40min
“Once Upon a Strike in Hollywood” w. Tori Kelly
Ira and guest co-host Jay Jurden discuss SAG-AFTRA joining the WGA on the picket lines, Emmy nominations, racist TikTok lives, New York theatre audiences, and Miranda Lambert lashing out at fans. Plus, Tori Kelly joins to discuss her new EP, her Y2K music and fashion inspirations, and more.

Jul 12, 2023 • 1h 15min
"Dawn of the Threads"
Ira and Louis discuss Meta’s new social media app Threads, their week in Fire Island, the Wonka trailer, Britney’s new memoir title, Keke Palmer’s baby daddy drama, and Jonah Hill’s texts. Plus, their Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning review.

Jul 5, 2023 • 1h 19min
“Red, White and Barbie” w. Hari Nef and Alex Edelman
Ira and Louis speak to Hari Nef about the upcoming Barbie movie, the response to The Idol, and interviewing John Waters. Then, they speak to Alex Edelman about his new Broadway show Just For Us and the musicians who inspire them.Subscribe to Keep It on YouTube to catch full episodes, exclusive content, and other community events. Find us there at YouTube.com/@KeepItPodcast

Jun 28, 2023 • 1h 38min
"A Rated R Is Born" w. Dewayne Perkins
Ira and Louis discuss Jennifer Lawrence’s R rated comedy turn in No Hard Feelings, the return of And Just Like That, Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour, 20 years of Liz Phair’s self-titled, and more. Plus, Dewayne Perkins joins to discuss his new film The Blackening.

Jun 21, 2023 • 1h 16min
"New Kids on the Blockbusters" w. Jason Schwartzman
Louis is joined by two guest hosts, comedian Solomon Giorgio and critic Angelica Jade Bastien, and together they ford the long-awaited The Flash, pick the greatest summer blockbusters of all time, and marvel at some Juneteenth opinions. Then Ira rejoins for an interview with ASTEROID CITY star Jason Schwartzman.