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Diving deeper on the characters we love to consume! Laura Diez hosts guest conversations and shares stories exploring the portrayals of real people on reality tv, fictionalized women that stay in our memories, and pop culture legends. New episodes Tuesdays and Fridays.

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Tuesday · 1 hr 1 min
what Izabella St. James really thought being Hugh Hefner's girlfriend
Book club!! We're recapping and reflecting on Izabella St. James' memoir, Bunny Tales: Behind Closed Doors at the Playboy Mansion. As one of the girlfriends in the final group of seven, leaving just before the Girls Next Door era, Izabella reflects in this book on the benefits, drawbacks, and misconceptions about living as one of the Seven Girlfriends of Hugh Hefner. I'm highlighting anecdotes and pointing out some differences in what Izabella tells us in this 2006 account, versus what we're hearing more recently from her and others about this time at the mansion. Find me everywhere! Linktr.ee/literallylaurad 00:00 Intro (+ my biases!) 02:08 What Izabella really thought of Zoe Gregory 03:28 Zoe + Izabella vs Holly + Bridget 04:59 Youth 05:25 Pepperdine Law School in Malibu, her intro to Playboy 07:46 First Fun in the Sun 09:17 Graduation + prepping for the Bar; meeting Zoe 11:10 Grammys 2002 + not passing the Bar 15:02 Becoming a live-in Girlfriend 17:36 Rumors about previous Girlfriends 18:53 Housemates - Holly, Renee, Stacy, Bridget 22:01 Selling tickets to Playboy parties 25:58 Doing less 27:56 Internship at Playboy Entertainment Group 29:37 Benefits of Girlfriend Status - why won't he pay her loans? 35:20 Cost of his lifestyle 37:37 In-house Conflicts 39:29 Nightclubs + Bedroom Routines 41:51 Boys boys boys 43:16 Beauty standards 44:52 Playmates 46:33 Prepping to leave 53:06 Finally moving out 54:26 Unfriendly terms 55:50 Girls Next Door 56:47 Closing Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
September 8 · 33 min
The truth about Gloria Steinem's time as a Bunny
Gloria Steinem's 11-day undercover stint as a Bunny in Playboy's New York City club was the subject of a bombshell essay that changed her career. The impacts of her exposé absolutely impacted the Bunnies working across clubs - from the pay discrepancies, mandatory gynecological exams, and regular harassment from customers. However, a lot of the women working alongside Gloria, while she was posing as "Bunny Marie," had mixed feelings on her essay, as their experiences at the clubs may not have aligned with the cruel workplace described in the essays. Kathryn Lee Young (Scott), author of The Bunny Years, collects stories from women with very different memories of the clubs - including the author herself, who worked alongside her as Bunny Kay. Later, this piece inspired a 1984 made-for-TV film starring Kirstie Alley as Gloria (and I am reviewing it!). We're overviewing the complicated legacy of this exposé - its immediate reception, the changes Bunnies experienced as a result, the contradictory tales from other Bunnies, and Gloria Steinem's own regret about her time undercover at the NYC Playboy Club. Find me everywhere! Linktr.ee/literallylaurad Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 00:53 Gloria goes undercover 02:16 The bombshells from "A Bunny's Tale" 06:01 Disappointing earnings 07:26 Workplace harassment 08:32 Subpoenaed and making changes 09:11 Revisiting in 1980s (and my thoughts) 12:34 "All women are bunnies." 13:16 Reactions from "real" Bunnies + The Bunny Years 18:01 My reflections 18:40 Debating Steinem 20:57 Would Hugh Hefner and Gloria Steinem dated? 22:00 Why Gloria Steinem regrets being a Bunny 23:31 Kirstie Alley as Gloria in A Bunny's Tale (1984) 28:59 Final thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
September 1 · 43 min
The Seven Girlfriends Era: a comprehensive guide
Hugh Hefner publicly dating multiple women was a smart way to get the public talking about him (and the Playboy brand) after his marriage to Kimberly Conrad. We're are overviewing the transition from the Brande/Sandy/Mandy group to the infamous Seven Girlfriends of Hugh Hefner. Expect to learn about some of the more prominent women in this microcosm, their interactions with the Playboy brand, and allegations about them made by other women in the circle. Find me everywhere! Linktr.ee/LiterallyLauraD Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 01:31 Disclaimers, sources, reminders 02:38 Brande Roderick, Sandy and Mady Bentley 04:45 Tina Jordan 06:24 Buffy Tyler 09:23 Katie Lohmann 10:06 Kimberley Stanfield 11:08 Dalene Kurtis 13:08 Stephanie Heinrich 15:04 who I think is who in Holly Madison's book 1 15:39 Regina Lauren 17:37 Christi Shake 19:10 Tiffany Holliday (and the escort ring) 22:48 who I think is who in Holly Madison's book 2 23:57 Stacy Burke 25:49 Renee Sloan 27:42 Izabella St. James + Zoe Gregory 32:46 Sheila Levell 33:26 Cristal Camden 35:24 the end of the 7! Girls Next Door 36:32 Sources Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
August 25 · 15 min
Elle Woods was everyone's friend
Legally Blonde is, on some level, a film about friendship - showing up for people in the way you'd want them to show up for you. As Elle Woods is navigating a new world that doesn't respect her, she is continuing to show up fully ... and her kindness and respect is ultimately what brings her success! We'll overview some of the relationships Elle builds in Legally Blonde, and how her friendships add to our understanding of her overall arc as she becomes a lawyer. Find me everywhere! Linktr.ee/LiterallyLauraD Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 01:02 At the Delta Nu sorority house 01:47 Friends at the courthouse 02:31 David Kidney 03:38 Emmett - did Elle need a love interest? 05:04 Getting Paulette's dog back 07:50 Why Elle could represent Brooke Windham 10:52 From self-doubt to confidence Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
August 18 · 23 min
Ultimate Girls Trip with Jill Badlotto
Jill Badlotto joins us to discuss the first two episode of Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th! We share opinions on the casting choices, confessionals, and drama we've seen so far. You can find Jill Badlotto across platforms @JillBadlotto. Linktr.ee/LiterallyLauraD Time stamps: 00:00 Favorite Franchises 03:08 Motherhood on Housewives 05:06 Vicki Gunvalson's insurance 06:26 RHUGT Cast 09:27 Lisa Barlow's teary confessional, Kyle Richards' divorce 13:09 Kyle and Gizelle 14:21 Hopes for this season - Lisa, Gizelle 17:24 Gizelle Bryant's "peers" 19:27 Sutton's Ugly Leather Pants party Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
August 17 · 24 min
Vanna White's forbidden Playboy cover
Vanna White, national treasure best known as the longtime cohost of Wheel of Fortune, had to pay her bills pre-fame with some jobs she isn't particularly proud of (like many aspiring stars!). In 1982, just before she landed her role on Wheel of Fortune, Vanna White modeled for lingerie catalogs. She beat out 200 other models, earning her spot on Wheel later that year. In 1987, however, at a career peak - those photos came back around. Her "friend" Hugh Hefner had purchased private photos of Vanna White and put her on the cover of Playboy Magazine against her wishes. Find me everywhere: linktr.ee/literallylaurad Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 02:14 Youth, Journey to Hollywood 03:34 Lingerie Modeling 05:45 Vanna-Mania 07:14 John Gibson 08:49 First claims to Vanna photos 09:58 Conversations with Hugh Hefner 11:45 Playboy cover 15:24 Vanna's reflections 16:50 My questions! 19:06 Life after Playboy 20:59 Closing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
August 11 · 23 min
The Bentley Twins + the deadly jewel heist
Sandy and Mandy Bentley were two of the most iconic women of the late '90s, early 2000s - brought into the public eye as twins dating Hugh Hefner at the same time, during his first group of multiple girlfriends. We'll overview how Sandy and Mandy landed at the Playboy Mansion, and the unfortunate crimes that followed them afterwards - including a Ponzi scheme, hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of jewels, and the untimely murder of two men. Find me everywhere: linktr.ee/literallylaurad Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 00:41 Bentley Twins' upbringing 01:32 Meeting Hugh Hefner 02:58 Twin "gimmick" and iconic style 04:13 NYC April/May 2000 05:27 Who is Jessica Paisley? 06:21 Leaving the Mansion, Mark Yagalla's money 10:20 Meeting Michael Tardio 10:42 "Stealing" the jewels 11:48 Finding a buyer 12:29 Murder investigation 14:44 Life after Playboy 16:16 Mandy on Girls Next Door 19:40 2016 Midsummer Night's Dream party 20:17 Closing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
August 4 · 17 min
Revisiting The Queen of Versailles
The Queen of Versailles is a 2012 documentary that begun focused on a billionaire family's construction of the largest private residence in the US - a 90,000 sqft replica of the Palace of Versailles in Orlando, Florida. However, the film unexpectedly turns to the documentation of the Siegel family's fall from billionaire status in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. The documentary has continued to serve as a cultural touchpoint since its release, I think because of Jackie Siegel, the "Queen" at the center of the story - a proudly out-of-touch socialite that turns out to be much more human than we may have anticipated. Beyond recapping the documentary, I'll touch on commentary, Jackie Siegel's appearances on "The Queen of Versailles Reigns Again" and Below Deck, and the recent disappointment that was The Queen of Versailles on Broadway, starring Kristin Chenowith. Find me everywhere: linktr.ee/literallylaurad Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 01:06 Versailles in Orlando 02:21 The Timeshare Business 03:09 2008 04:10 From ultra-wealthy to "just wealthy" 4:31 Jackie Siegel 06:04 Are they relatable? 07:36 The Lesson 09:39 Jackie's character arc 11:00 Follow-ups to the film 12:09 Broadway 14:09 Closing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
July 31 · 13 min
Real Housewives + Playboy; Carmella Garcia
Our newest RHOC, Carmella Garcia, joins a decent group of Real Housewives that have a history with Playboy Magazine. We are overviewing Carmella's time with the brand: from her appearance as a contestant on "Who Wants to be a Playboy Centerfold?" to becoming Playmate of the Year 2004. Plus, why we all loved her on Girls Next Door, and her time as a WWE Diva. We'll then go through the eight Real Housewives that appeared in Playboy Magazine - plus two honorable mentions. Find me everywhere: linktr.ee/literallylaurad Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 00:44 Carmella + Who Wants to be a Playboy Centerfold? 02:49 Miss April 2003, Playmate of the Year 2004 03:15 The Playboy Promotions to Real Estate Pipeline 04:44 WWE 05:07 Girls Next Door 05:58 A&E Secrets of Playboy 07:53 Real Housewives in Playboy 10:13 RHOC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
July 28 · 48 min
Tyler Bender: The Tradwife Epidemic
Comedian and creator Tyler Bender joins us for a conversation all about the rise of "trad wife" influencers - the dangerous rhetoric encouraging young women that their only role should be in the home. We chat about our opinions on this content's rise, the most concerning threats today, and our takes on more experienced women's warnings against this mindset. We're also discussing books we love - like Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke and Strangers by Belle Burden - and shows with these warning lessons for audiences - like Secret Lives of Mormon Wives and Real Housewives of Rhode Island. Find Tyler on Youtube, Instagram + Tiktok Find me everywhere: linktr.ee/literallylaurad Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 01:59 Trad Wives 06:53 Mormon Bloggers were the originals 12:22 RHORI: the stay at home girlfriends 16:16 Former trad wives' warnings 24:22 We love Yesteryear 28:27 SAHM vs Trad Wife creators 34:15 Defenses of trad wives 35:01 Threats by trad wife messaging 40:31 Personal reflecting Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
July 24 · 18 min
The Ultimatum S4: worst cast ever?
Now that The Ultimatum season four has wrapped, let's try to unpack what made this season particularly difficult to watch. While some couples certainly demonstrated growth throughout the experience, some only left me more frustrated by their choice to get engaged on the final episode. I'll overview my thoughts on all six couples from the season (including those early dismissed ones that came back for the reunion!). Plus, I'm airing my frustrations with the show's production team - in particular when it came to Hayley's safety - and viewer commentary on what kind of threats are or are not justified against cast members (spoiler I think no threats are ok!!). I'm also highlighting some questions I would have loved to see asked at the reunion and some threads that I feel were dropped. Find me everywhere: linktr.ee/literallylaurad Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 00:56 Monica + Luke 01:59 Hayley + Blake 03:45 Hayley, Killian's group chat 05:50 Ashley + Killian 07:08 Casey + David 11:20 Alex + Jebin 12:41 Jessica Grace + Edris 13:37 Should toxic relationships be platformed? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
July 22 · 13 min
Ann-Margret's Motorcycles
Singer, actress, and all-around Old Hollywood legend Ann-Margret has always been a woman shaping her narrative and in charge of her image, starting in the 1960s. And one "bit" the public has always known about Ann-Margret surrounds her love of motorcycles. Her famous purple Harley Davidson sold at auction last month - over 20 years after a bad accident prompted her to get the new bike. We're overviewing Ann-Margret's crafting a public persona through this lifelong love for motorcycles in film, ad campaigns, and even stunt shows. Find me everywhere: linktr.ee/literallylaurad Time stamps: 00:00 Intro - 2000 Accident 01:15 Julien's Auctions - The Ann-Margret Collection 02:26 Brief biography 05:32 Motorcycles 08:00 Riding in her 80s 09:05 Lindsay Lohan biopic 09:55 Conclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
July 17 · 22 min
Love Island USA Wrap-Up: was this season even good?
Now that we officially have our winners (and our evenings back), let's recap and reflect on the most recent season of Love Island USA. We'll talk character arcs, editing choices, couples I love and couples I didn't... and my thoughts on some deeper divides within the cast, ranging from generational to cultural. Find me everywhere: linktr.ee/literallylaurad Time stamps: 00:00 Intro, Overview 01:22 Were islanders too Young? 02:17 Physical Intimacy, Being "Lustful" 04:27 Experimental Conditions in the Villa 05:30 Beatriz 07:31 Character arc: Kenzie 10:12 Character arc: Titi 12:16 Trinity and Bryce 13:34 Culturally influenced approaches to Love Island: Melanie + Kenzie 15:12 Reunion predictions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
July 14 · 9 min
Hilary Duff Renaissance
We're discussing what it means for a beloved icon from many of our youths to show up as her full, adult self. I'm sharing my experience seeing Hilary Duff on her Luck or Something tour - her outfits, the stage, and the audience! We'll discuss the very mature themes of her most recent studio album and the honest journey she's shared in rebuilding her confidence performing at arenas. Plus, how public figures like Hilary Duff and Miley Cyrus have in recent years very publicly embraced the characters that brought them to the masses. Find me everywhere: linktr.ee/literallylaurad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
June 30 · 13 min
Financial Storylines Across Real Housewives: Value + Impact
Financial conversations have always been part of shows like Real Housewives, documenting the aspirational lives of real women. And over twenty years, the lesson of Housewives seems to be: life goes on! Financial security storylines have varied significantly over the years and franchises, allowing audiences to learn from and see themselves in unique situations. We'll go through some recent financial stories we've heard: Atlanta's Pinky Cole declaring bankruptcy; RHOBH's Dorit Kemsley's divorce; and RHORI's Alicia's demands for stake in her fiance's businesses. We'll dive deeper into prompts around what a Housewife may feel she deserves (or doesn't) from her romantic partner, and how participating in a show in itself can be the prompt that both casts and audiences are seeking. Find me everywhere: linktr.ee/literallylaurad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
June 23 · 11 min
How "Real" Must Reality TV Be?
We're examining the spectrum of how reality television shows today handle the "performance of reality." From casts opening acknowledging that they're filming a show, like Real Housewives of Atlanta and Potomac ... to shows that grow alongside their casts' rising fame, like Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. We'll touch on Hulu's new show, Million Dollar Nannies, as a case study in performative reality: are these nannies truly paying rent, competing for jobs, etc? We'll also touch on the shift from aspirational, Kardashian-style wealth to these more relatable, conflict-drive casts, like Real Housewives of Rhode Island and Love Island USA. How much longer are we going to pretend that being on reality tv is not a career in itself? Find me everywhere: linktr.ee/literallylaurad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
June 19 · 33 min
Love Island USA Week 2 with Jaz Henley-Brown
Sol's elimination, the couples we think are totally mismatched, and what we need to see from Casa Amor ..... we are recaping Week 2 of Love Island USA S8, through episode 14, with Jaz Henley-Brown (@jhenleybrown)! Find me everywhere: linktr.ee/literallylaurad Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 01:07 Jaz Henley-Brown 02:43 Season 7 vs Season 8 04:28 Sol's Dumping 09:00 Couples that should explore 10:03 Aniya and KC 13:18 Trinity and Bryce 16:12 Kayda and Zach 17:43 Female Friendships 22:56 Winning 24:24 Predictions for Week 3, Casa Amor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
June 16 · 14 min
Rulla's Redemption - RHORI Finale
Discussing the finale episode of the Real Housewives of Rhode Island's first season! The major storyline was Rulla's husband's alleged affair, which it seems like we finally see her acknowledging with the group on the closeout trip to Block Island. Plus, Rulla and Jo-Ellen's resolution. We see Alicia being re-proposed to - I'm sharing my thoughts on how we've seen her relationship grow over the course of the first season. Plus, the resolution of Kelsey and Rosie. Such a great first season - and I can't wait to see them pick right back up after that final scene of Rulla separated from her husband after he was found guilty of tracking her. Find me everywhere: linktr.ee/literallylaurad Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 00:43 Rulla, Brian, + the video 02:37 Rulla and Jo-Ellen 04:47 Rulla's husband's DV charge 06:52 Alicia and Billy 09:43 Rosie and Kelsey 10:10 Block Island Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
June 11 · 22 min
Love Island USA Week 2 with Jackson Strike
We're reflecting on the first seven episodes of Love Island USA with my friend and fellow creator, Jackson Strike (@jacksonstrike)! We talk about who we'd like to see the newest bombshells couple up with, our favorite couples, individual Islanders that are really standing out so far, and our predictions for the next elimination from the villa. Find me everywhere: linktr.ee/literallylaurad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
June 9 · 10 min
Marilyn and Ella Fitzgerald
The unlikely friendship of Marilyn Monroe and Ella Fitzgerald, and the phone call that helped quietly boost one of the greatest careers in music history! We're covering one of my favorite Marilyn stories after last week's episode - the story of her calling up Hollywood's Mocambo night club to lobby on behalf of Ella Fitzgerald's residency, and how Ella Fitzgerald credits Marilyn to her "never playing a small club again." Find me everywhere: linktr.ee/literallylaurad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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