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The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast
The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast

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S8E22: Playing With Dolls with Susanna Hoffs

Susanna Hoffs and Bret discuss learning the elements of melody from radio, watching the Beatles get weird and bringing the Bangles to see Beyond the Valley of the Dolls. Part 1 of 2.

S8E22: Playing With Dolls with Susanna Hoffs

Comments

Susanna was every straight guy's fantasy girl in the 80s, including this one. So talented. 👍

JT

I agree, the constant interruptions were infuriating

Gnome

Great episode. Uplifting

Brian Borough

Susanna has always been a great interview. So glad Bret did this

MisterBlasty

I’m so glad there will be a part 2. What a great conversation.

Kathy Oldenburg

Just finished reading Hoffs’ “This Bird Has Flown” in time for Part 2. She’s a great writer - and what’s more - does a phenomenal job describing a musical performer’s perspective while “on stage” (I won’t say more - no spoilers).

Dave

I’ve always liked magical mystery tour too. But in truth, it’s hard to choose a best Beatles album. Help is like a small miracle after listening again…

Stephen Curry

That was truly riveting. The idea that Hoffs looks as good as she does and has THAT kind of talent and intellect is proof there is no god! Abilities are too unfairly distributed. Also she sounds cool to hang out with. I started listening to bangles again, and I’ve started to like the less well known bangles songs, like in your room and set you free. Thanks for another great show!

Stephen Curry

This sounded like an uplifting one for Bret. Cannot wait to watch The Shards (on film!)

Alex Bielovich

Thanks- I couldn't recall. Can't wait for the next conversation

BRC

Yes, at a party a few years ago through mutual friends that’s how he got her email address

Nikki Ferrari

❤️

Luigi Loris

More Susanna Hoffs less Tim Pool’s production guy

Samer Akl

BEE creaming his pants for this interview and I'm game...

Alexander Quattlander

Is there a list posted anywhere of Brets recommendations? Specifically for old movies…criterion classics.

Austin

She’s showing Bret everything and telling him nothing

Kevan christie

There is a growing movement, which I am part of, that believe The Magical Mystery Tour is the greatest Beatles album. Also Purple Rain and The Velvet Underground were great selections.

Lionel

I watched it for the first time recently and thought it was fantastic. Feels like Freidkin tapped into some genuine dark energy. Or maybe it was just that everyone was scared of him on set and he turned the bedroom into a giant freezer.

Lionel

A lot didn’t work in that film… it felt like work watching it.

Lionel

Has Bret ever talked about Mary Gaitskill on this pod?

J Sopp

Happy to have a guest again!

Knokkel knokkel

These are the episodes that make the BEE podcast special. Great ep!

Adriaan

Manic pixie dream old broad.

John

She is delightful.

John

I didn’t hear her interrupting either, if anything Bret seemed to dominate the conversation at times

Ashley

well he often cannot finish a sentence because she started talking.

Oleg

I read comments indicating she interrupted, but even on second listening, she seemed reserved and not interrupting... am I missing something?

Sértő-Radics Sarolta

Great part 1, loved this conversation. Susanna is a great guest. It’s cool to hear that they want to shoot the ‘Shards’ TV series on film—that’s awesome! It will look great, especially with HBO backing it!

Darren

Great interview, absolutely loved her. Danced to Walk Like an Egyptian in my second grade talent show lol, they were a big big deal at the time. This interview got me thinking, Bret should interview Gina Gershon. She grew up in LA too. I heard her on Marc Maron years ago and she had a ton of fun LA stories.

Phoenix

Saw in the theater 5 years ago and it just wasn’t as scary. Doesn’t have the hold on me like it once did, but still creepy.

Phoenix

You are hard to please 😘

Phoenix

haha bret is struggling to finish a thought being constantly interrupted by susanna.

Oleg

Perfect example of a period film that does not work because it looks too clean/digital : Mank

Darren Ankenman

The upside down backwards stair crawl in The Exorcist is pretty freaky tbh 🤢

Ashley

This might be one of his best guests ever. Such a fun and pleasant conversation. Susanna really knows her stuff. I couldn't agree more about shooting on film. I know that digital is easier and cheaper, and it allows more people access to make films, so I'm all for that aspect, but film just looks so much better when you have a good director and cinematographer who know how to use it.

N.M. Janice.

FYI: 50th Anniv. screening of the PARALAX VIEW is happening this month in the Dallas theater where Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested after the assignation of JFK. LINK: https://x.com/mattzollerseitz/status/1801812954213421434

Edi Panta

Bret! What an amaze balls guest comeback pod!

Edi Panta

Have they met before?

BRC

Love Garfield.

Romeo Delta Charlie

Yeah!

Romeo Delta Charlie

Dirk Bogarde never gave a bad performance, and totally unpredictable. BEE, do a deep dive on that guy, would love to hear that essay.

T Frick

Sounds like Susanna really lifted Bret's spirits.

Justin

He’s been on before. I’m sure Bret would have him back.

N.M. Janice.

He's been there

Travis Films

That shit was silly then and it's sillier now it's just silly

Travis Films

Griffin Dunne has a new book about his family and himself. He seems like an obvious choice for a great podcast guest with his iconic 80s movies and literary connections. After Hours will always be a favorite.

Harrison Bergeron

That’s a really good point

Nikki Ferrari

Hearing these two laugh like giddy schoolgirls really lifted my day — such a fun listen

Devon H. Dolan

This one touched BEE’s soul

Tyler Bolinger

In the UK it got banned on video. They released in 1998 on cinema. It did not take much to scare people in the seventies. Many watching were under age. Laughing at scenes which should have been shocking.

Stevan Popovic

Holy smokes - like two old friends! Can’t wait for Part 2!

Dave

Rufus Wainwright did that to Bret also and it was really hard to ignore. The constant disruptions were really distracting.

Nikki Ferrari

I have never thought that the exorcist was anything except hysterical

Nikki Ferrari

great episode!

Collin Myers

hard disagree especially if you reevaluate through the lens of it being a metaphor for reagen being abused by her father--some essayist/critic wrote an article about this that i stumbled upon some years ago and it kind of blew my mind.

Collin Myers

time to revoke your patreon membership you have been on a run for like 5 years

Collin Myers

No it hasn't! I watched it in the fall at a theatre for the first time and I was so impressed. I think what makes it "dated" is the copy cat follow up movies that diminish the how powerful the first movie was. But I did watch it w a friend who was seeing it for the first time also who couldn't stop laughing at Regan's behaviour while possessed...so it depends on who is seeing it!

Florence

Being one of several million men of a certain age who crushed big time on Susanna in the 80's, this was an awesome episode... can't wait for part 2

David Lowe

Ho-lee fuck! The one we have ALL been waiting for!!

Shane Collender

Belinda next. 🤞

Dan Palmer

am going to listen on my run. will say more later, after my run.

richard owain roberts

The Exorcist has dated badly. Great first part.

Stevan Popovic

Get in the goddamn (Criterion) closet, Bret!!!

Travis Danner

This is a great episode

Cowboy and his books

I think Bret and Adam know the key to a great podcast and interview/edit this episode expertly. I love the pitter-patter chattiness here and think their conversation flows effortlessly like kindred spirits or old friends. Very enjoyable to me and love the break from the nameless dread of the last month or so. 🥂

Patrick

I must be hard to please, but she constantly interrupts and cuts off Bret. She says "yeah yeah" over and over again. The key to a good podcast interview is not talking over each other.

Steve

Dream woman, a pure joy to listen to

Moz

Incredible episode 🍻🤘🏻👏🏻💪🏻

PETER GREER

No surprise—Hoffs knows her stuff. It makes for a fun interview. Sorry for my preoccupation with BEE’s mood—but this seemed to pep him up. Also, Manic Monday is the best #2 hit of all time. Also, a little surprised BEE liked VU & Nico. Thought it would be too dissonant for him. Great melodies among the flat singing and avant garde minded arrangements.

M. Nero Nava

💝

Jonathan Talit

we need video of this ffs

Poetical Gore

Oh Susanna!

Constantine

😍Very nice!

N.M. Janice.

😍

David Noble


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