All I Want To Do Is Talk About Madonna

The Further Adventures of...

Kenny and Mark sync-up on the London trip packing lists, airport logistics, an episode correction, the social stigma of crossing the Thames, Kenny’s Ambien-tinged setlist wish list for the Celebration Tour, the valuable talent assistance of Billie Lourd, the re-emergence of MDNA, potentially watching “W.E.” on a plane, “Moonlighting”, Justine Bateman, and a harrowing prediction for the summer of 2023: grandchildren.  Plus, beleaguered personal assistant (and dreamer) Tina takes a secret personal vacation to Milwaukee.  SHOO-BEE-DOO!

For tix for our Sunday February 12th show: https://www.omnibus-clapham.org/madonna-podcast/

For tix for Brian Mullin’s LIVE TO TELL - Feb 7-18th - https://www.omnibus-clapham.org/live-to-tell/

S4, E16- Die Another Day

Mark and Kenny take a break from the concert ticket queue to dive deep the game-changing and page-turning theme to Pierce Brosnan’s final outing as Bond … James Bond and Madonna’s menagerie of troubled women she portrays: Amber in SWEPT AWAY, Loren in UP FOR GRABS, and the mysterious Verity in DIE ANOTHER DAY, all the while eyeing another famous lady living in London and finally allowing her Kabbalah studies to color (and enflame) her art.  Topics include Guy Ritchie, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Toby Stephens, Judi Dench, Rosamund Pike, Sheena Easton, Duran Duran, Adele, Miss Carly Simon, Grace Jones (as ultimate villain May Day), Michel Colombier, Traktor, and those remixes (Deepsky!!!!).  Will Odd Job get his hat back?  What will Madonna say to Camilla at the high tea?  Who’s YOUR favorite James Bond (hint, hint: it sure ain’t Pierce Brosnan)! 

S4, E15 - Drowned World Tour Part Four

Kenny and Mark wrap up their four-part conversation of the Drowned World Tour with the return of both the Familiar and the Forward.  Topics include a return to EVITA, the musings of Elizabeth Gilbert, the triumph of Jean-Paul Gaultier, feminist tango, a FAN-FICTION potential romance, the gorgeous Jull Weber and the thrilling dancing of Anthony Rodriguez, punching fists, Niki Haris as rapper, and Kenny’s emotional catharsis during the final moments of this benchmark live performance.  RELEASE YOURSELF! We are taking a little break and will return mid January! We both needed to lie down…

S4, E14 - Drowned World Tour Part Three

Mark and Kenny kick up some dust on the third-part (and, um, the narratively loosest) section of the Drowned World to discuss bull-riding, a fateful trip to Austin, Texas, icing out Donna again, and the dreaded mini-return of the Finkle Concert Rating System. Plus, Mark nurses a grudge against Stuart Price, Kenny reminisces about the glory of the live experience of “Don’t Tell Me”, and we all weather awkward transitions - both in life and in the concert. YEEHAW!

S4, E13 - Drowned World Tour Part Two

Kenny and Mark float into the second-part of the Drowned World discussion with the first-ever Madonna “concert films” and a return to the “appropriation or appreciation” debate. Madonna’s geisha character returns to release her warrior self in a new narrative, Kenny shares the thrilling experience of the live version of “Frozen,” and the September 11th attack (and its aftermath) casts the remaining shows in a whole new light. Strap your aerial wires on and let’s go!

S4, E12- Drowned World Tour Part One

Kenny and Mark return to Detroit - The Palace at Auburn Hills, specifically - and August 2001 to begin a four-part discussion on Madonna’s first concert tour in over 8 years. She’s back, she’s jacked, and she’s not singing any old songs! Topics include Tina Turner, video screens, kilts, all-seeing eyes, punk rock personas, competing choreographers, Rock God t-shirts, the mysterious character choices of Miss Donna DeLory, profane guitar straps, Monte Pitman’s show-day schedule, weird transitions involving Mike Myers, the photography career of Rosie O’Donnell, and learning the lessons from the 1998 MTV Music Awards - all the while singing completely live! Hilda has arrived and she’s ready to fight!

S4, E11 - Gone

Mark and Kenny wrap up their conversation about Music with this soulful and (what has proven to be a) prescient ballad in the Madonna canon and how the song’s sentiment (written by Damian Le Gassick and Nik Young) has served as a guiding star throughout the next twenty (!!) years of Madonna’s career. What a record and what a time. Thank you for listening.

S4, E9 - What It Feels Like For A Girl

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!

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.