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, E40 - Why's It So Hard
Reggae and Protest join hands as Kenny and Mark discuss the “sing-a-long” song on Erotica, the song’s musical siblings in the Madonna catalog (we are NOT looking at you, “Hey You”), earnestness, the vocal debut of Tony Shimkin, guitarist Paul Pesco, and when it is appropriate to grab a soda during a Madonna concert. Why’s it STILL so damn hard?
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, E36- Waiting
The feud over the 14-track version of Erotica continues ... though not before Kenny and Mark celebrate one of the thrilling and genre-bending centerpieces on Erotica (and which closes out it's cassette Side A). Topics include another sojourn into Mark's teen years spent at the mall, the welcome appearance of jazz and horns on a Madonna record, and a final tribute to Madonna protégé Nick Kamen (RIP Nick) - then Mark goes it alone to discuss the odd inclusion of "Did You Do It?" with rappers Mark Goodman and Dave Murphy. Absolutely NO regrets.
S2, E35 - Bad Girl
Mark and Kenny dive deep into the beloved and much admired first ballad on Erotica and its masterpiece of a video (the final - so far - collaboration with David Fincher) as well as some other not-so-masterful pieces Madonna worked on in 1993. Featuring Louise Oriole, Jonathan Ross, Christopher Walken, Willem Dafoe, Joe Mantegna, Anne Archer, Julianne Moore, Alfred Hitchcock, Gregory Peck, Louis Jordan, Alida Valli, Abel Ferrara, Harvey Keitel, James Russo, and … yes … Joey Buttafuoco.
S2, E34 - Where Life Begins
Kenny and Mark kick-off the Andre Betts celebration with the notorious (and brilliant) first Madonna/Betts collaboration on Erotica. Mark muses on Dre’s contributions to the songwriting process, Jonathan Ross proves a worthy interviewer for Dita Parlo, and Kenny makes a controversial stance about the “deluxe editions” of future Madonna albums. It’s warm inside …
S2, E30 - Erotica
Did we do it? You KNOW we did it! At long last, Kenny and Mark kick off their conversation about all things “Erotica” - the song, the video, the remixes, AND the Sex book. Maverick Records, Shep Pettibone, Dita Parlo, Big Daddy Kane, Vanilla Ice … they’re all here, kids. And - if that weren’t enough - Kenny kicks off the episode with his testimonial on why this album is Madonna’s masterpiece - and how formative it remains in his own life narrative. “We’re not full of rage … we’re full of HOPE!”
S2, E28 - Truth or Dare
Led by a guiding document by scribe Marsha Norman, Mark and Kenny break down the seminal and genre-shattering (now classic) documentary, celebrating it’s 30th (!) anniversary this year. Will Mark ever pronounce Wuthering Heights correctly? Will Kenny ever share a viewing experience of TorD with his husband? Will a restored full version of the concert footage (or the deleted footage) ever see the light of day? And why aren’t Madonna and company eating anything on that hotel veranda with those Perrier bottles? “Basta, per favore!”
S2, E27 - Rescue Me (and Immaculate Collection)
Kenny and Mark do battle over the “other” new song on Madonna’s definitive (early) greatest hits collection. Topics include the staying power of Shep Pettibone, Tony winner Lilias White, jazz singer Catherine Russell, and Kenny’s conviction that recording vocals in a French toilet is the right way to go.
S2, E26 Justify My Love
Mark and Kenny explore the not-so-seceret legacy behind the authorship of this head-spinning (and chapter turning) single which proved to be one of Madonna’s greatest triumphs - and controversies. Topics include: INGRID CHAVEZ, Lenny Kravitz, Howard Stern, the return of Prince, unpacking in hotels, Tony Ward, Jean-Baptiste Mondino, “The Beast Within” Remix, SNL, Wayne & Garth, Jeanne Moreau, Wallis Franken, Herb Ritts, Forrest Sawyer, and the first game-changing collaboration Andre Betts. So now what?
S2, E25 - Blond Ambition
Kenny and Mark return to August 5, 1990 – when HBO broadcast Madonna’s final performance of the legendary and career-defining BA Tour. Topics include: Madonna’s hair, Madonna’s costumes, Madonna’s dancing, Madonna’s troop of back-up singers & dancers (and the comforts of the road), Madonna’s tour band, Madonna’s setlist negotiations, Madonna’s brother Christopher Ciccone, and the emerging allure of younger men. Settle in with a bottle of Perrier and enjoy!
S2, E24 - VOGUE
Mark and Kenny attempt to discuss and explore THE ground-breaking classic. Period.
S2, E23 - Now I'm Following You (Pt 1&2)
Kenny and Mark double-dip on this charming 180 turn from I’m Breathless. Topics include Warren Beatty warbling, kudos from Beach Boy Brian Wilson, wisdom from Socrates, Picasso channeling, and the expansive (and eclectic!) career of Mr. Andy Paley.
S2, E22 - What Can You Lose
Mark and Kenny fall into a musical theatre wormhole while discussing Mandy Patinkin and his cameo role as 88 Keys in Dick Tracy – AND only the second male duet partner (after Prince) on a Madonna record for this gorgeous ballad – as well as Breathless Mahoney’s back story and a deep take on how her film career functions in the entire Madonna universe.
S2, E21 - More
Kenny and Mark start a Sondheim submerge with the sassy showtune ode to excess. Topics include anatomy insurance policies, the definition of true artistry, screechy chorines, and Kenny launches a telethon to track down the lost video of footage of Mark performing this song … IN 1990.
S2, E20 - Back in Business
Mark and Kenny celebrate the second side of I’m Breathless with the “other” song about Business from Dick Tracy. Topics include the timing of musical sequences, Jon Bon Jovi and Young Guns II, a long-awaited distinction about the term “iconic”, Madonna being “fun”, Jeff Clayton’s saxophone solo and how all roads lead back to Breathless Mahoney herself. PLUS … Special Guest Dan Fortune joins Mark to discuss Madonna scatting, an Ella Fitzgerald nod, and the magnificent work Dan produces to support the Ali Forney Center.
S2, E19 - Something to Remember
Kenny and Mark clash while discussing the “other” torch song on I’m Breathless. Topics include Mark’s version of a synopsis of Dick Tracy, Kenny’s editing suggestions, and the Musical Impact of Pathos. Dick Van Dyke Shout-Out!
S2, E18 - Cry Baby
Mark and Kenny celebrate the reunion of Nikki Finn and Madonna on this polarizing obscurity from I’m Breathless – and Mark makes (yet another) case for the casting brilliance of Dick Tracy. Will Kenny ever watch this movie again? Other topics include musical story arcs, musical outliers, post-breakups, and a moment when Madonna herself has cried. Sensitive Men to the front of the line!
S2, E17 - I'm Going Bananas
Madonna gives us a musical 180 while Kenny and Mark continue to conceive the Breathless Mahoney downtown cabaret act and discuss Madonna’s need for creative release, working outside of her comfort zone, the brilliance of Andy Paley, and the legacy (and influence) of Carmen Miranda.
S2, E16 - Hanky Panky
Mark and Kenny treat Her like a bad girl (and not for the last time) while breaking down the brassy second single from I’m Breathless. Topics include: Madonna’s relish of pastiche writing, Kenny’s summer job commute, Breathless Mahoney’s lost cabaret setlist, the Bare Bottom 12” Remix, the Collected Lyrics of Cole Porter, and the song’s doorway to the singer-song ladies of the past.
