Mark and Kenny celebrate the FINAL episode of Season 2: 1988-1993 with a long and detailed conversation about the famed 1993 tour behind Erotica - including all of Madonna’s inspirations for the tour (and brother Christopher’s problematic influences), her musical shout-outs throughout the show, and the many ways this tour has continued to resonate through the rest of her touring career - as well as hints of where she’s going from here. Pack a snack, kids, and enjoy the finale of this very special season. See you very soon … and meanwhile “Dance and sing, get up and do your thing!”
All I Want To Do Is Talk About Madonna
S2, E39 - RAIN
Mark and Kenny celebrate the gorgeous (and multi-meaning) power ballad from Erotica. Topics include the importance of counterpoint vocals, the necessity of a radio remix, Mark Romanek’s video of beauty portraiture, Whitney Houston’s radio dominance, bukkake, the glorious maxi-single and justice of its forgotten (and rare) non-album track, and Kenny’s reaction to the possibility of working with Madonna. PLUS, special guest (and fellow podcaster) Gilad Barash joins Kenny for a conversation about the song and its impact on his life, as well as his smart and insightful podcast “Who’s Your Data?” - and Mark issues a social media challenge. Never go away …
S2, E32 - Bye Bye Baby
Kenny and Mark dig into their diaries to discuss this ode to relationship “flings” and “fizzles.” Madonna demonstrates a new mastery of specificity in the studio … and demands her fans pay attention to those brilliant lyrics. And yet had the popular tide turned by the time it was released as a single? To love you IS a sin, apparently …
S2, E31 - Fever
Dita hands Erotica back over to Madonna as Mark and Kenny hit the club floor to discuss this (now) classic cover. Peggy Lee, Little Willie Joe, EGOT Rita Moreno and the Muppet Show, Anthony Kiedis and Arsenio Hall, the lost “Goodbye to Innocence” and THOSE remixes. What a lovely way to burn, indeed.
Peggy Lee performing “Fever” (1968)
Rita Moreno performing “Fever” on The Muppet Show (1976)
“Fever” video directed by Stéphane Sednaoui (1993)
Madonna performing “Fever” on SNL (January 1993)
Madonna performing “Fever” on the Arsenio Hall Show (May 1993)
“Fever” Live from The Girlie Show - Madonna Down Under (1993)
S2, E29 - This Used To Be My Playground
Mark and Kenny recall shopping malls and cassingles while discussing the gorgeous (and surprising #1 charting) single from the 1992 summer blockbuster A League of Their Own. Topics include: Penny Marshall, Tom Hanks, Rosie O'Donnell, Arsenio Hall, Tank Girl, and "All the Way" Mae.
