Kenny and Mark celebrate the final song from Confessions on a Dance Floor with Special Guest - the writer/director/editor and STAR of the film Chrissy Judy - Todd Flaherty. Topics include the return of the guitar, Bloodshy & Avant, personal credos, and how self-acceptance and empowerment might just be the greatest aphrodisiac. Then, Mark and Kenny geek out over Todd’s amazing film, discussing the origins, the impact and discovery of drag, the importance of non-romantic queer friendships, and the healing powers of Provincetown. Plus, Todd joins Kenny and Mark in some ultimate confessions - and a bonus track discussion of the lost B-Side “Super Pop”! Are you in our gang?
All I Want To Do Is Talk About Madonna
S5- Episode 11 - Push
Mark and Kenny welcome Special Guest (and long time listener!) Gia Zampella for a frank and candid discussion about influence, restless songwriting, grappling with ambition and perfectionism, Madonna action figures, secret tattoos, and the many ways that the trusted ones push us into better versions of ourselves. It was a total treat to have Gia join this conversation Gia Zampella is a lifelong resident of Jersey City, NJ and beauty product developer by trade. She’s also a life long pop culture evangelist who particularly loves female pop and rock stars, most of all Madonna.
S5 - Episode 10 - Isaac
Kenny and Mark wrestle with the cluttered emotional climax of Confessions on a Dance Floor. Plus, Madonna schools Stuart and side-steps controversy, Kenny leads a celebration of the “Madonna of the East”, and Mark stalks locked churches. The wordless Madonna chants are back and nobody could be happier - will it ever be the same?
S5- Episode 9- How High
Mark and Kenny get deeply philosophical about the road to fame and which mountain you choose when you’ve climbed to the top of one. Plus, a discussion of the Swedes, Britany Spears’ classic song “Toxic”, and count how many times Mark says “saloon.” Does this get ANY better, folks?
SPECIAL EP - Mary Gabriel, author of Madonna, A Rebel Life
Mark and Kenny celebrate the publication of Madonna: A Rebel Life, a major new 800+ biography (in bookstores today!) with a frisky and fascinating conversation with its masterful author Mary Gabriel. Topics include justice for Miami, Bedtime Stories, and the University of Michigan, a sneak peek into the Hard Candy era and the Guy Ritchie of it all, an intriguing new theory about the song “I Love New York”, the evils of Live Nation, Madonna’s ultimate greatest collaborator, Mary’s personal favorite Madonna song, and why the culture is so resistant to a woman artist telling her own story. Get out your favorite bookmark and dive into this essential new book and order the book here or at any of your favorite independent bookstores. THANK YOU to the team at Little, Brown and Mr. Justin Ravitz for their assistance with this conversation.
S5- Episode 8- Jump/History
Kenny and Mark rejoice in the return of brother-in-law Joe Henry and the 80s Madonna on the joyous and self-motivating fourth single from Confessions on a Dance Floor. Kenny thinks outside of the box with alternate single roll-out scenarios, multi-lingual versions, and covert songwriting sessions in London; Mark confesses to being the victim of a theft and gets fired from a corporate job! Plus, a grappling with a disastrous wig, discovering obscure acoustic versions - AND a warm revisit of one of the ultimate b-sides: HISTORY!!! Are you ready?
S5- Episode 7- Forbidden Love
Mark and Kenny go full-on music nerd dissecting the haunting “second” ode to forbidden love by discussing the nuances and beauty of the song, the poetry of its lyrics, the romanticism of its environment, and their own personal brushes with forbidden desire, lust, and intimacy.
S5 - Episode 6 - Let it Will Be
Kenny and Mark pull out their fine-toothed combs to translate and interpret the many messages Madonna is trying to impart while she burns. Plus, Mark grapples with the word “fame” and Kenny makes a strong case for the sleazy live version of the song. Plus, a twirl through one of the lesser, other Mirwais collaborations that didn’t quite make the record and a return of the birds!
S5- Episode 5- I Love New York
Mark and Kenny - long time New Yorkers - trade city origin stories, adventures, and favorite love (and lust) songs about New York while celebrating Madonna’s ultimate ode to her creative home. Topics include Liza Minnelli, Oberlin College, Salt ’n’ Pepa, St. Vincent, Frank Sinatra, Edward Albee, Chita Rivera, Harry Nilsson, Andrew WK, Rufus Wainwight, Debbie Harry, Moby, and the beloved bitches of Miami. Let’s hit those streets and start strutting!
S5- Episode 4- Future Lovers
Kenny and Mark flip over the first side of the album with the glorious return of Mirwais for this adventurous track. Topics include Donna Summer and Giorgio Moroder, Madonna as teacher, letting go of illusions and dreams, and the stunning (okay iconic) live performance. Will Tina call us back?
S5- Episode 3 - Sorry
Mark and Kenny don’t save their words as they discuss the dramatically timeless and Great Madonna pop singles. Topics include Big Frieda, radio ignorance, Dutch linguistics, the glorious Pet Shop Boys and the lost 80s collaborations, the risk of being too serious, Jamie King, Miss Prissy, pimping the ride, Little C, Paul Oakenfold, Jane Fonda, the Madonna bangs, Straight Bait (“where else can you make $100 for twenty minutes?”), Alex Barber, the breathless Fred Tallaksen, the Talauega Brothers, cages, and a frank discussion about balls. Plus, an all-skate down memory lane for Kenny and Mark’s roller skating experiences. Ik ben droevig!
S5- Episode 2 - Get Together
Kenny and Mark get moody and urgent on the second track (and third single!) from Confessions on a Dance Floor. Topics include: Anders Bagge & Peer Astrom, 98 Degrees, Janet Jackson, Chaka Khan, the high-drama of strings on a dance floor, Barbra Streisand’s Guilty & Saturday Night Fever, Eugene Riecansky & Koko Club, The Beatles, group photos, the fresh and hard-working Angela Becker, Mark’s tribute to the indispensable Borderline Music record store in Chicago, and how threesomes/orgies are complicated - but it’s still sweeter in the end.
S5- Episode 1 - Hung Up
Mark and Kenny hit the dance floor for Season Five to begin a conversation about Confessions on a Dance Floor - Madonna’s TWELFTH album - and the anthemic first single. Topics include lucky butterfly necklaces, Martha Raye and the lost Texas Guinan musical, Wilson Stone, Luc Besson, Stuart Price and Zoot Woman, Depeche Mode, the allure of the Twenties, ABBA (naturally), Gwen Stefani, Johan Renck, summer songs, Damon Albarn, the gorgeous Arianne Phillips, Hunter College, John Norris and the fade of MTV, Cynthia McFadden, Kenny’s regularity at breakfast time, Dua Lipa, Chus & Ceballos, the bad-ass Tracy Young, the many MANY promo appearances, Coachella, and that former friend who suggests Madonna gets up on that damn horse. Plus, Mark schools Kenny on who Madonna would play in A Chorus Line (hint: it’s not Val!). “Time goes by so slowly …” but not for this MEGA-episode. We missed you so much!
Special Episode - Sinead O' Connor (1966-2023)
As they ready Season Five, Kenny and Mark take a moment to remember, discuss, and celebrate the musical legacy of Sinead O’Connor – one of the defining voices of her (and their) generation. We love you, Sinead.
S4, E27 - The Reinvention Tour
Mark and Kenny do some yoga stretching out for a long and all-encompassing conversation about Madonna’s 2004 summer tour and the accompanying (and much-delayed) documentary. Topics include John Lennon, Guy Ritchie, Steven Klein and the tour book, Donna DeLory, Monte Pittman, the Ciccone winery, Stuart Price, random tour hats, Lainie Kazan, the battle over weather, Siedah Garrett, acoustic music magic, true tour star Angela Becker, Caresse Henry, violating paparazzi, the greatness of skanky tour hair, and the lifetime search for true inner peace. Plus, a much-deserved tribute to diva dresser Tony Villanueva, a long-awaited visit to Rachel’s tomb in Israel, and a triumphant appearance at Live Aid 2005 in Hyde Park to close out this topsy turvy season. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for listening! See you soon … get your confessions and your candy ready!
S4, E 26 - Easy Ride
Kenny and Mark welcome Special Guest Ted Kerr for a deep conversation about the epic final track (and life credo) from American Life. Topics include mortality, Macy Rodman, Monte Pittman’s royalty checks, Alanis Morissette, co-op board letters, Patti Rothberg, the crossroads of ambition, Lauryn Hill’s “MTV Unplugged”, Madonna’s arc as a trend-setter, reinvigorating the tour cycle, Judy Blume, combative Canadian roommates situation, Tracy Young, Kronos Quartet, the dance between intimate and epic, Kenny’s 8-track Ricky Tucker, and Madonna’s thoughts on Standing Rock. Plus, some (long-awaited) answers to the question “American Life is …”.
Ted’s Website: https://www.tedkerr.club/
Ted’s Newsletter: https://tinyletter.com/tedkerr
S4, E25 - Mother and Father
Mark and Kenny salvage through the wreckage that is the much-needed final uptempo song on American Life. Topics include Kylie Minogue, Matt Lauer, swinging nosy neighbors, album fatigue, the pros and cons of lyrical specificity, the Pulitzer Prize-winning Fun Home, childhood morals and lessons, the English Roses children’s book series, and Mark finally gets to talk about Joan Gustafson Ciccone. Plus, Kenny outs himself as a child pianist. “I’ve got to give it up” indeed!
S4, E24 - X Static Process
Kenny and Mark break apart a stunner of a song - and Stuart Price makes his co-writing debut! A new era is percolating … Topics include behaving in church, struggling against the patriarchy, Swing Out Sister, baroque organs, PJ Harvey, Angelene, lost songs “Miss You” and “The Game”, fantastical set-list musings for the Celebration Tour, Steven Klein, Madonna as installation, Jimmy DeSana, Zelda Rubinstein, and Mark struggles to name the band who sang “Catch Me (I’m Falling)” (it was Pretty Poison, y’all). BREAK OUT!
S4, E23 - Intervention
Kenny and Mark share secrets (and theories) about this haunting ballad tucked away on the home stretch of American Life. Topics include child rearing, emotional vulnerability, addiction, the limits of providing aid, and dealing with Australians who want to sing along. Plus, Kenny shuffles his track listing and “American Life” continues to haunt us all!
Bonus Episode! Post show talkback - Live to Tell
BONUS EPISODE: MADONNA AS MUSE: A Post-Performance Discussion
Recorded LIVE on February 10, 2023 in London at the Omnibus Theatre in Clapham, Mark and Kenny sit down with playwright and performer Brian Mullin, director Deirdre McLaughlin, and fellow performer Dan De La Motte for a discussion about LIVE TO TELL: (A PROPOSAL FOR) THE MADONNA JUKEBOX MUSICAL and Madonna’s role as a muse and a conduit for reinvention throughout the many stages in these artists’ lives. Expect passionate reactions, AIDS history and its continuing impact and resonance on queer activism, female power dynamics, backstage secrets, and Dan’s penchant for astrology as we explore how each facet of this performance artist’s career has inspired, reacted, and repelled our culture across four decades. We also celebrate LIVE TO TELL’s return engagement of performances, this time at the Camden People’s Theatre, from April 4th - April 15th! Click here for tickets and more information.
