Kenny and Mark wrap up their conversation about Erotica with the moody and restless final Andre Betts track on the album - and the impact of Madonna beginning to take her time.
All I Want To Do Is Talk About Madonna
S2, E41 - In this Life
Mark and Kenny dive into the crushing and complicated final ballad from Erotica and take time to discuss Madonna’s long and personal commitment to the AIDS crisis as well as her relationship to those who suffered and were lost. They then welcome a special guest - UK-based playwright and theatre-maker Brian Mullin -who discusses his own relationship to Madonna, what it means for him to live and thrive with HIV and his newest work - Live to Tell: (a proposal for) The Madonna Jukebox Musical. Learn more about Brian and his piece @mullin_brian and @LiveToTellShow
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, 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.
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!!
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, 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, 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, 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.
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, 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, 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,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.
S2,E14 - He's A Man
Kenny and Mark BREATHLESSly dive into the beloved 1990 film soundtrack to the blockbuster Dick Tracy – as well as the musical psyche of certain gangster moll. Topics include the friends of Warren Beatty, Danny Elfman, the impact of Batman on the summer blockbuster, The Damned Don’t Die, musical “noir”, Lilith Fair, the strangest of Al Pacino’s Oscar nominated performances, and the crucial vocal contributions of N’Dea Davenport. Oh, and more guns.
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.
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!
