

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

Apr 13, 2022 • 1h 25min
"At the Movies with lra and Louis" w. Michelle Yeoh
Ira and Louis discuss their favorite films, Ira's Coachella itinerary, Spirit Halloween, and David Mamet's turn as a Fox News commentator. Plus, icon Michelle Yeoh to discuss Everything Everywhere All At Once, her roots in Hong Kong action films, and more!

Apr 6, 2022 • 1h 36min
'We Don’t Talk About Favreau' w. Sheryl Lee Ralph
The ban has finally been lifted… Ira and Louis are joined by guest host Jon Favreau to discuss the Grammys, Bruce Willis films, Sarah Palin, Elon Musk owning Twitter, and Paula Patton’s fried chicken recipe. Plus, Sheryl Lee Ralph joins to discuss Abbott Elementary, Moesha’s second life, Dreamgirls backstage stories, and more!For a transcript of this episode visit crooked.com/keepit

Mar 30, 2022 • 1h 29min
'The Hand That Rocks The Oscars' w. Judith Light
Ira, Louis, and guest host Damon Young discuss the only thing that anyone is talking about after The Oscars, arbitrary anniversary celebrations, banned books, bad tweets from comedians, and more. Plus, Judith Light joins Ira and Louis to discuss her career from One Life to Live to her latest, HBO’s Julia.For a transcript of this episode visit crooked.com/keepit

Mar 23, 2022 • 1h 24min
"State of thee Union" w. Gabrielle Union
Ira and Louis are joined by return guest Gabrielle Union to discuss her new film Cheaper by the Dozen and activism in Hollywood. Plus, Ira and Louis discuss their Gabrielle Union blindspots (The Honeymooners, Love & Basketball), their Oscar predictions, taking photos of celebrities, The Beach Boys, Doja Cat’s Hole cover, Kentaji Brown Jackson’s confirmation hearing, and more!For a transcript of this episode visit crooked.com/keepit

Mar 16, 2022 • 1h 23min
'Power of the B-I-T-C-H' w. Danny Pellegrino
This week on Keep It, Louis and guest host Kyle Buchanan (author of Blood, Sweat, and Chrome) fit a lifetime of thoughts about the Oscars into 20 minutes. Then they get into their favorite art that was hell to make, which Batmen fuck, and how it's possible to not know that there are gay people in Rent. Plus, Danny Pellegrino joins Ira and Louis to discuss his book How Do I Un-Remember This?: Unfortunately True Stories, gay teen trauma, and why Rosie O'Donnell is the best in the biz.Join Louis in rewatching the 1962 Emmy Award Ceremony For a transcript of this episode visit crooked.com/keepit

Mar 9, 2022 • 1h 25min
'Nora Ephron’s Pot Brownies' w. Kristin Chenoweth
Ira and Louis discuss The Batman, Madonna’s actress boot camp, Katy Perry’s Vegas residency, Beyoncé’s acting skills, and the latest drama with the Oscars. Plus, Kristin Chenoweth joins to discuss her new picture book What Will I Do With My Love Today?, attending Nora Ephron’s iconic dinner parties, and more.For a transcript of this episode visit crooked.com/keepit

Mar 2, 2022 • 1h 22min
'Six Degrees of Joey Gordon-Levitt'
Ira and Louis discuss what the SAG Awards means for the Oscar race, Instagram activism, and Sam Elliott’s disdain for The Power of the Dog. Plus, Blindspots returns with Joseph Gordon-Levitt films we missed — The Dark Knight Rises (Louis) and Snowden (Ira) — and Joseph himself joins us to discuss his new series Super Pumped; and his our faves in his decades-long career.For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/keepit.

Feb 23, 2022 • 1h 22min
'Evil Julia Roberts' with Marlon James
Ira and Louis discuss the new Hulu series Pam & Tommy and wild celebrity couples, a recent GQ profile of Francis Ford Coppola, the dangers of mocking Ted Lasso, the Palm Springs DMV, West Hollywood car thieves, and more. Plus, Marlon James joins to discuss his latest book Moon Witch, Spider King and what we can learn from mythology.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Feb 16, 2022 • 1h 17min
'West Coast Rap Story' with Aunjanue Ellis
Ira and Louis discuss the Super Bowl Halftime Show, Inventing Anna, Marry Me, and Kanye's attempts to win Kim Kardashian back. Plus, Aunjanue Ellis joins to discuss her Oscar nomination for King Richard, why imitating Denzel Washington is a bad idea, and more.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Feb 9, 2022 • 1h 29min
'A Star is Snubbed' with Nicole Byer
Ira, Louis, and Aida discuss the Oscar nominations and whether or not Lady Gaga was snubbed, how Black History Month has already gone terribly awry, Kanye and Kim's messy divorce, and more. Plus, Nicole Byer joins to discuss being the busiest woman in show business and pandemic routines we've already abandoned.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.