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 24, 2019 • 1h 35min
“Jailhouse Rocky” (with Angela Bassett)
Ira and Louis are joined by guest co-host Fran Tirado (Food 4 Thot, The Outcast) to discuss the Cats trailer, the non-story about Taylor Swift fans attacking Kamala Harris, Kim and Kanye asking Trump to free A$AP from a Swedish prison, the Big Little Lies finale, and The Hollywood Reporter’s Leonardo DiCaprio profile. Plus, Ira sits down with icon Angela Bassett!
Jul 17, 2019 • 1h 6min
"A Scarlett Johansson Grows in Brooklyn" (with Justin Simien)
Ira and Louis are joined by guest co-host Brooke Thomas (The Young Turks) to discuss Emmy nominations, Scarlett Johansson’s comments about political correctness in casting, and Andrea Arnold’s apparent erasure from Big Little Lies. Plus, Justin Simien (creator of Dear White People) returns to talk season 3 of the Netflix series, The Real Housewives of Potomac, Tyler Perry, and Beto O’Rourke’s slave-owning ancestors.
Jul 10, 2019 • 1h 22min
“Bend It Like Rapinoe” (with Adam Scott)
Ira and Louis are joined by guest co-host Rae Sanni to discuss Megan Rapinoe taking on Trump and equal pay, the alleged uproar over Disney’s The Little Mermaid casting, Vanity Fair letting Jeffrey Epstein off the hook in 2003, and more! Plus, Adam Scott drops by for a deep dive on music and working with iconic actresses on Big Little Lies.
Jul 3, 2019 • 1h 14min
“Tommy, You’re a Firework” (with Tommy Vietor)
Tommy Vietor returns to Keep It to discuss Julia Roberts, make the case for fireworks, and yes, the Tommy’s Cakes debacle.
Jun 26, 2019 • 1h 30min
"Kara BEEN Brown!" (with Whitney Cummings)
Tyler Perry makes a powerful statement at the BET Awards, Whoopi Goldberg is accused of victim blaming, #MeToo finally hits Max Landis, E. Jean Carroll's Trump accusations fall on deaf media ears, and in Kara's final episode she has one last "keep it" for Kim Kardashian. Plus, comedian Whitney Cummings talks about that now infamous Roseanne reboot and how to affect political change with comedy.
Jun 19, 2019 • 1h 19min
"To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything, Taylor Swift” (with Lauren Morelli)
Taylor Swift leaps into Pride month with her new single, “You Need to Calm Down.” Parkland student Kyle Kashuv gets his Harvard offer rescinded after his past racist behavior is exposed. Jessica Biel might be an anti-vaxxer. Madonna’s latest album divides fans. OJ Simpson joins Twitter. Plus, Lauren Morelli, creator and showrunner of Netflix’s Tales of the City reboot, joins to talk about queer storytelling.
Jun 12, 2019 • 1h 24min
“Grey’s Animosity” (with Regina Hall)
Ellen Pompeo speaks out about toxicity on the Grey’s Anatomy set. The Tony Awards prompt questions about whether to digitize Broadway shows. 2020 Democrat candidates have some rather left field campaign songs. Plus, Regina Hall joins to talk about what mainstream Hollywood success means and her upcoming film Shaft.
Jun 5, 2019 • 1h 19min
"Material Gays" (with Jacob Tobia and Tichina Arnold)
Ira, Louis, and Kara are joined by author Jacob Tobia to discuss the commercialization of Pride month and their new book, Sissy: A Coming-of-Gender Story. Plus, Democratic candidates need to stop going on The Breakfast Club, Trump's depressing U.K. visit, unnecessary Keanu Reeves slander, and a visit from television legend Tichina Arnold to discuss the evolving landscape of TV comedy and her new film, 'The Last Black Man in San Francisco.'
May 29, 2019 • 1h 17min
“Catch Me If You Cannes” (with Kyle Buchanan)
Quentin Tarantino stirs up controversy at Cannes, so NYT film columnist Kyle Buchanan joins to break down the festival. Plus, Harvey Weinstein settles for less than his crimes deserve, Booksmart’s low box office has people blaming Disney and streaming services, and more!
May 22, 2019 • 1h 23min
“Kelly Ripa to Shreds” (with Tanya Saracho)
Ira, Louis, and Rae Sanni dive into the petty feud Kelly Ripa started with The Bachelor franchise, whether or not Democratic candidates should go on FOX News, and that polarizing Game of Thrones finale. Plus, a new segment called Keep It Up and Tanya Saracho (playwright and creator of the Starz series Vida) joins to discuss what representation really looks like in television and theatre
