Mark and Kenny open up the conversation to discuss Madonna’s haunting and pivotal collaboration with Guy Sigsworth (not to mention Guy Ritchie!) on Music. Topics include Charlotte Gainsbourg, Ol Kuntz Guest House, Caresse Henry, Tony McGuiness and the Above & Beyond remix, and special guests Gia Balmaceda, Jennifer James (G’DAY AUSTRALIA!), Charlotte Salmon, and Amy Stevens (and best friend Stu!) share their singular perspectives on what the song (and being a girl!) means to them. Pamela Louise will live to drive another day!
All I Want To Do Is Talk About Madonna
S4, E8 - Don't Tell Me
Kenny and Mark deep (if not entirely concentrated!) dive into what has become an anthem and a credo for Madonna’s career with a discussion of the brilliant singer-songwriter (and familial relation) Joe Henry alongside an potpourri of topics: black crows and Joni Mitchell, David Letterman, strings on a pop hit, Melanie Ciccone, Sweet Relief and Vic Chesnutt (RIP, dear one), Tracy Young, Jamie King, and the arrival of the essential Monte Pittman. Mark grapples with his tortured relationship with the term “iconic” and Kenny takes a harrowing road trip through the mountains of Colorado. Plus, the b-side “Cyber-Raga”, Talvin Singh, and a direction the Music project COULD have taken. Is it time for that “Macarena” dance break yet??
S4, E7 - Nobody's Perfect
Mark and Kenny contemplate how all past and future Madonna songs’ DNA connects to this PERFECTLY moody second folk ballad (and emotional centerpiece?) on Music. Topics include an altercation near Gramercy Park, Madonna’s glorious off-center instincts and troubadour ways, and just how seminal the 2016 Tears of a Clown performances were. Plus - All I Want to Do is Talk About Madonna finally gets a true blue mascot - welcome to the dance, Jack the Cat!
S4, E6 - Amazing
Kenny and Mark discover much to both admire and tweak about the frothy (repetitive?) second Orbit-Madonna collaboration on Music as well as take an indulgent dip into some lost tracks (“Liquid Love” and “Run”). PLUS, a deep fall down the rabbit hole of the “When Guy Met Madonna” epic. Wanna grab a pint down at the Perky Ginger before getting sushi?
S4, E5 - I Deserve It
Mark and Kenny contemplate earning the yearning and Madonna’s early time with Guy Ritchie while discussing the soulful and stirring first ballad on Music. Topics include spiritual growth, message tank tops, christening interlopers, and more photo ops with Quentin Tarantino. Does Mirwais dream about these squiggle sounds?
S4, E4 - Runaway Lover
Kenny and Mark break apart the charging third song on Music and what it truly means to be a “runaway lover.” Willam Orbit is back and stepping up his game, Mark cashes in all of those IOUs, and Kenny’s narrative takes a downward twist. Karma is a nasty mistress y’all, but we have that live version from the Brixton Academy to help us lick our wounds. “Come on London!"
S4, E3 - Impressive Instant
Mark and Kenny swoon over the swooping second song (say that ten times fast!) on Music. Changing of the Guard at Warner Brothers! Cher’s hit song “Believe”! Cock-blocking a fourth single! Celebrating the stellar Peter Rauhofer! Kenny builds a narrative arc around “like a bird on a wingy-wingy-wingy”, Mark focuses on hygiene, and Madonna rips up the rulebook AGAIN! I don’t even know your name, but we’re coming for you anyway!
S4, E2 - Music
Kenny and Mark launch into the 2000s with a bold and wide-reaching of Madonna’s HUGE hit first single from the seminal Music. Welcome to the dance floor, Mirwais Ahmadzai! Welcome back, Niki Haris and Donna DeLory! Keep your eyes on the road, DaBaby! And thanks for those remixes, Tracy Young and Stevie Nicks! It’s a non-stop party this season and it all starts HERE. Kenny almost moves to London and Mark acquiesces to the term “Icon”. Rev up that limo engine, Ali G - we are going out tonight!
S4, E1 - American Pie
SEASON FOUR: AMERICAN WOMAN (2000-2005)
S4, E1: American Pie/Time Stands Still & The Next Best Thing
Mark and Kenny resume the conversation with this deep dive into the troublesome Rupert Everett/Madonna movie from 2000 as Season Four: American Woman kicks off! Topics include Kirstie Alley, Don McLean, Neil Patrick Harris, Charlie Rose, John Schlesinger, Michael Vartan, Cher & Mark Steines, Benjamin Bratt, Malcolm Stumpf, Ileana Douglas, … and Lynn Redgrave. Kenny is fascinated by footwear, Mark reveals an alternative casting choice for TNBT, and a lost Madonna power ballad finally gets its due. Plus, stay tuned for a dramatic, 11th hour twist that feels both contrived, yet inevitable (and VERY The Next Best Thing)! Julia Roberts, we’re coming for that Oscar!
Beautiful Stranger
SUMMER EPISODE: BEAUTIFUL STRANGER (Rated NC-17!)
Kenny and Mark succumb to the rising temps and revealing short-shorts with a hot and dirty (and a little messy) romp through Madonna’s dazzling contribution to the Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me soundtrack. Topics include the troubled relationship with Andrew Bird and his random encounter with Guy Ritchie, the doomed discography of solo Spice Girls, the influence of the 60s psychedelic band LOVE, Victor Calderone’s graduation from Madonna Remix College, the rich legacy of Kevin Aucoin, Mike Myers, a young Kathryn Hahn, a certain tribute at the MTV Music Awards, the recorded reunion of The Bangles, and hanging out with Beatles. Do I make you horny, baby?
BONUS EP - Something's Coming Over Me
Mark and Kenny pass the microphones over to our beloved listeners, who join the conversation and share their stories about their favorite Madonna song and moment up through 1998 on this Very Special Episode. Laugh, cry, and celebrate all the ways the music has changed our lives, together.
Thank you to:
Shane Beckely, Los Angeles, CA
Bart de Beer, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Qraig de Groot, Union City, NJ
Simon Delaney, Melbourne Australia (G’DAY, AUSTRALIA!)
Alex Giron, Lima, Peru
Daniel Pabst, Berlin, Germany
Wayne Parker (of “The Madonna Get Together” podcast)
Brandon Perlberg
Jeremy Ritz, New York, NY
Annie Stephens, Columbus Ohio
Tony Trius (of “MLVC” podcast) Los Angeles, CA
Beauregard Von Hoffman, Hollywood, CA
Weston, Savannah, GA
S3, E27 - Mer Girl
Kenny and Mark wrap up a twisty-turvy season full of growth, artistic challenges and discoveries, lots and lots of change, and a breathtaking final musical statement on Ray of Light. Topics include Michigan, Joan Ciccone, the value Madonna gets from keeping things simple, and a searching discussion of home. Plus, Mark breaks one of his cardinal conversation rules - yep, the word “journey” is BACK! Thank you for listening this season … we will see you very soon, Strangers.
S3, E26 - Little Star
Motherhood arrives musically for Madonna, and Mark and Kenny discuss parenthood, the forgotten Like a Flower, the legacy of mothers and daughters, and a return to Chicago and the Oprah Winfrey Show. Plus, Kenny makes a provocative joke. Butterfly!
S3, E25 - To Have and Not To Hold
Kenny and Mark take hold of this album track and the final act of Madonna’s tale of lost love - and ponder the different directions her story could have taken, through the demos for “Has to Be” and the lost “Gone Gone Gone.” Plus, a drive-by discussion of the duet with Ricky Martin “Be Careful (Cuidado)” and charting the growth of Madonna’s formidable songwriting skills. Is Ray of Light ultimately too long? Will Breathless Mahoney ever find a drummer for her run at the Coconut Grove?
S3, E24 - Power of Goodbye
Mark and Kenny examine the wild and woolly intricacies of the affairs of the heart (yet again) on the other “pop single” from Ray of Light. Topics include STEVIE NICKS!, Rick Nowels, Matthew Rolston, Goran Višnjić, Luke Slater, Gloria Estefan, Meryl Streep, Ellen Degeneres, and the scattered (and sped up?) promotional performances. There’s nothing left to say … so head on over to a sample sale and buy Kenny a jumpsuit, will you please??
S3, E23 - Frozen
Kenny and Mark keep their hearts (and, one hopes, minds) open as they explore the inner mysteries and magnificent heartbreaks of THE Orbit/Leonard/Madonna collaboration (and lead single) of Ray of Light. Topics include Carlos Leon, a fortuitous professional break-up letter, the perils of the California high deserts, and those strings … so don’t be surprised when Madonna shows up to sing at YOUR Benefit for the Rainforest!
S3, E22 -Shanti Ashtangi
Mark and Kenny bow to the lotus feet of the gurus and stretch into a proper down dog pose to prepare for this spiritual apex to Ray of Light. Topics include yoga classes in the East Village, the power of a flute solo, a first-pass discussion of famed official B-Side “Has to Be” and Madonna’s second, antics-filled appearance on The Rosie O’Donnell Show. Now translate this into Sanskrit!
S3, E21 - Sky Fits Heaven
Kenny and Mark settle back down for a vulnerable chat about the ethereal and charging seventh song on Ray of Light - is following our heart really a very good place to start? What kind of movies should Madonna have been making all along?
S3, E20 - Nothing Really Matters
Mark and Kenny dive deep - no, really deep - in a warts-and-all conversation about the complicated and confounding final single from Ray of Light. Topics include the musical clash between Marius de Vries and William Orbit, the return of Niki Haris and Donna DeLory, a spin around the East Village with Kruder & Dorfmeister, building an entire video around a literary pseudonym, the one subject that still upsets Madonna, Kenny works out with Rupert Everett, and a winning visit to the Grammy Awards. PLUS, Kenny and Mark unearth and endlessly unpack the true Madonna biopic - the 1998 VH1 special (and essential) Madonna Rising. There’s even a cameo by Larry King. Tell Bad Boy Johnny we want our synths back!
S3, E19 - Skin
Kenny and Mark celebrate a centerpiece track on Ray of Light - including exploring the early “Flirtation Dance” demo and the lost “Revenge” - as well as a rare visit into the studio with Madonna. I’m not like this all the time, Veronica Electronica!!!
