All I Want To Do Is Talk About Madonna

S3, E1 - I'll Remember

SEASON THREE (1994-1998)

EPISODE ONE: I’ll Remember

Kenny and Mark begin the new season as Madonna embarks on a new era with the yearning and beautiful theme song from the WITH HONORS soundtrack. Topics include: Miami, Joe Pesci, Moira Kelly, Brenden Fraser, Alex Keshishian, basketball games, stand-in back-up singers, that disappointing music video, the many Maverick projects a-brewing, and - oh yes - the Letterman appearance in the early spring of 1994. Dave’s getting soft and we’re starting HARD.

Welcome back and Happy Listening!!

S2, E43 - The Girlie Show

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!”

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S2, E38 - Words

Kenny and Mark return to the “Rain Tapes” to discuss the evolving and evolving versions of this personal (and restless) favorite. Topics include the importance of a writing life, the notorious romance letters with Amanda Cazalet, Bette Midler, reading lists, Pain & Glory, THAT brilliant musical bridge, the power, and limits, of words, and the moment that makes EroticaTHE Madonna masterpiece.

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S2, E37 Thief of Hearts

Theories abound as Mark and Kenny dig into the backside of Erotica with this “dance” track – Madonna’s breaking glass, verbally slapping, and – yes – rapping. It’s getting crazy during this hot August summer, y’all – folk heroes Peter, Paul, and Mary make THEIR inaugural appearance on the podcast. Calling all remixers!!

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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, 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!”

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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, 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!

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S2, E24 - VOGUE

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.

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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.

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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!

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S2,E15- Sooner or Later

Kenny and Mark discuss the Oscar-winning torch song from Dick Tracy (and its many guises) by the musical theatre master Stephen Sondheim.  Topics include the challenges of properly learning Sondheim, being chummy with Jeremy Irons, Michael Jackson, the lost movie musical Singing Out Loud, the humane foibles of live performances, and how Madonna gave Broadway a hip moment.

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S2, E13 - Like A Prayer Fadeout/Supernatural

S2, E12 - Act of Contrition

Kenny and Mark close out their conversations about Like a Prayer (and the 80s) with the final track – a ground-breaking (and one of the strangest) moment of Madonna’s canon.  Topics include Catholic imagery, the upcoming onslaught of tell-all biographies, Prince’s guitar solos, and Madonna’s first “I Don’t Give A ****” moment.

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S2, E11 - Spanish Eyes

Mark makes a passionate case for the closing ballad (and official song) on Like a Prayer while Kenny comes around to see the light from that candle.  Is this song about AIDS?  About gang violence?  About war?  Is it about Marco Loya’s backing vocals?  All (or nothing) is revealed!

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S2, E10 - Keep it Together

Kenny and Mark sway along with the oft-forgotten fifth single from Like a Prayer.  Topics include: turning Detroit beats into stadium anthems, magnets and the legendary Madonna cheese, Joe Henry, fedoras, the troublesome British accent, safe havens and sleeping on the floor, the fabulous maxi-single remixes for this song, and the complicated sibling rivalries that impact all of us – while Mark outs himself as a potential Madonna back-up singer!  “Keep people together!”

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S2, E9 - Oh Father

Kenny and Mark continue exploring Madonna’s (semi) autobiographical songwriting on this “shoulda been” classic Madonna power ballad.  Topics include: male authority figures, Simon & Garfunkel’s Concert in Central Park, Kenny’s love of acoustic gravitas, the return of David Fincher, threatening shadows, singing statues, Charlton Wilborn, and an ode to one of the greatest moments in Madonna Hair History.  Plus … another Special Guest (and longtime listener) joins Mark to discuss his experience performing the song … Dominic Yacobozzi!

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