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
Jul 15, 2020 • 1h 23min
"Stiletto Superstar” (with Billy Porter)
Ira, Louis, and Aida discuss Jada Pinkett Smith's visit to the Red Table, Lady Antebellum’s performative activism, Simone Biles’ Vogue cover, Chance the Rapper stumping for Kanye, and the internet’s obsession with cake. Billy Porter joins to discuss his career and using his platform for activism.
Jul 8, 2020 • 1h 20min
"Hamilstan Wars” (with Marcia Gay Harden)
Ira, Louis, and Aida discuss Hamilton, Kanye’s 2020 run, Halle Berry’s apology for accepting a trans role, Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas’ quarantine romance, and more. Marcia Gay Harden joins to discuss her toughest roles and her latest period piece Barkskins.
Jul 1, 2020 • 1h 35min
"Pride Save America" (with Adam Rippon and Leiomy)
Ira, Louis, and Aida discuss what Pride looks like in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and Black Lives Matter protests, Hulu removing a Golden Girls episode for alleged blackface, pop music's disco revival, Kanye's GAP collab, the socially distant BET Awards, and more. Adam Rippon joins to discuss his pop culture obsessions and what his life looks after the 2018 Olympics. Leiomy joins to discuss bringing ballroom to the masses on HBO Max's Legendary.
Jun 24, 2020 • 1h 37min
"Sic Cancel Tyrannis” (with Sam Lansky)
Ira, Aida, and Louis discuss k-pop fans taking down Trump, Chris D’Elia and Ansel Elgort’s sexual misconduct allegations, Tina Fey pulling 30 Rock’s blackface episodes, Megan Amram’s anti-Asian tweets, the queer defiance of Joel Schumacher’s films, and more. Sam Lansky joins to discuss gay dating, LA mysticism, and his new book Broken People. Plus, listeners share their queer Hot Takes on Julius Caesar, parades, and The Parent Trap.
Jun 17, 2020 • 1h 21min
"Empires & Records" (with Drew Dixon)
Ira, Aida, and Louis discuss the SCOTUS' monumental ruling on LGBTQ+ workplace discrimination, The Academy's new efforts for inclusion, Dave Chappelle's new stand-up response to George Floyd's murder, conservatives stanning Gone the Wind, and more. Plus, Drew Dixon joins to discuss going public with rape allegations against Russell Simmons and starring in a documentary on the subject, On the Record.
Jun 10, 2020 • 1h 28min
"Places in the Art" (with Kimberly Drew)
Ira, Louis, and Aida discuss how We're Here and Legendary center queer narratives, the hollowness of exposing Republican hypocrisy, Vanderpump Rules' racism scandals, North Carolina Republicans attempts to kill a bill banning conversion therapy, and calls to defund the police. Plus, art curator Kimberly Drew joins to discuss her new book This Is What I Know About Art and how the art world is for us all.
Jun 3, 2020 • 1h 29min
"Law and Disorder" (with Bowen Yang)
Protests erupt in the wake of George Floyd's murder by a Minneapolis police officer. #BlackoutTuesday spirals from purposeful activism to performative allyship. Justice evades Breonna Taylor and David McAtee in Louisville. Ivanka Trump pretends to care about Pride. Lea Michele is accused of bullying by Glee cast members. Plus, an anti-racism reading list and Bowen Yang joins to discuss his year on Saturday Night Live, Lady Gaga's Chromatica, and more! Donate to the David McAtee funeral and memorial funds.Anti-Racism Book and Film List:Your Silence Will Not Protect You, Audre LordeWhy I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race, Reni Eddo-LodgeThey Can't Kill Us All, Wesley LoweryFreedom is a Constant Struggle, Angela Y. DavisThe Fire Next Time & If Beale Street Could Talk, James BaldwinSo You Want to Talk About Race, Ijeoma OluoFilms:LA 92The InterruptersIf Beale Street Could TalkRizeBookstores:The Lit. Bar Bookstore & Chill, Bronx, NYA Different Booklist, Toronto, ONAshay by the Bay, Vallejo, CAAfriware Books, Maywood, ILEso Won Books, Los Angeles, CAUncle Bobbies, Philadelphia, PAHakim's Bookstore, Philadelphia, PASemicolon Bookstore, Chicago, ILHariett's Bookshop, Philadelphia, PADTR 360 Books, Brooklyn, NYKey BookstoreMahogany Books
May 27, 2020 • 1h 27min
“Sex and the Insecurity” (with Issa Rae and Kristin Davis)
In this week's Keep It: Home Edition, Ira and Louis discuss Lana Del Rey and Doja Cat’s dramatic weeks on social media, the addictive new season of Selling Sunset, and Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande’s song of the summer entry. Plus, Kristin Davis joins to discuss Melrose Place, Sex and the City, and Fox’s wild new reality series Labor of Love. Issa Rae also joins the whole crew to discuss writing Insecure’s new season in a pandemic and her new Netflix film The Lovebirds.
May 20, 2020 • 1h 24min
“The Graduwhat” (with Daveed Diggs)
In this week's Keep It: Home Edition, Ira, Louis, and Aida discuss digital commencement speeches, reflect on their own graduations, and offer advice for the Class of 2020. Also discussed: Entertainment Weekly’s puzzling Pride cover, and Nancy Pelosi’s fat shaming. Plus, Daveed Diggs joins to discuss starring in the TV adaption of Snowpiercer and Hamilton’s impending digital release.
May 13, 2020 • 1h 15min
“Roman Unloaded” (with Simone Missick)
In this week's Keep It: Home Edition, Ira, Louis, and Aida discuss Alison Roman’s critiques of Chrissy Teigen and Marie Kondo, Erykah Badu and Jill Scott’s healing Instagram live, Michelle Obama’s documentary, reactions to Adele’s weight loss, and the fleeting concept of summer. Plus, Simone Missick joins to discuss her new series All Rise and how to shoot an episode of television on Zoom.
