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The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast
The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast

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S8E10: Hoot and a Half

Bret discusses the tawdry past of one of Stanley Kubrick's preferred collaborators, remembers a time of unrivaled devotion and examines an Oscar winner's ambitious ode to Hollywood as he fields questions from Platinum listeners on the air.

S8E10: Hoot and a Half

Comments

I swear Bret says exactly what I’m thinking on shows and movies so often, Mad Men and Breaking Bad.

Sodaheiress

I used to like Maher, but he has become an idiot, politically, and his arrogance has become more blatant and annoying. My son used to like Rogan, but, like me, thinks he’s also a political idiot, who spreads lots of nonsense.

J Hay

He has a very sexy and intruiging voice.

Sodaheiress

I don't recall saying JRE is a Rhodes scholar, but who's the bigger moron? JRE? Or the person virtue-whining in the comments about his mention on a podcast? "Waahhhh someone said Joe Rogan's name on a podcast I like! My ears have been violated! Bret this is where you hurt me (points to ears). Joe Rogan's a moron! RFK is a flat Earther! Oliver Stone gets Putin's slippers for him! TRIGGERED!?!?"

R. M.

I like joe rogan and have listened to JRE habitually but he is kind of objectively a moron

sasha

I guess prestige TV in Europe was "The Prisoner" with Patrick McGoohan, 1967. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhveNJZnfx4

FlyingWaffle

Think I know what the topic for next guest is.

Alex Bielovich

while i do like boogie nights and magnolia and there will be blood, i ln recent years i have been completely put off by PTA's more recent movies--i dont really understand what he is going for and find his movies almost tortuous and kind of....pointless. did not like the master. hated phantom thread. you be "artsy" and whatever but at the end of the day i still want something that entertains me and i feel that he is almost purposely bad at doing this.

Collin Myers

I enjoyed the series but after hearing Brett call it just TV it makes sense to me. I totally thought Brian Cranston playing Walter White when he would be upset was totally channeling Jack Lemmon when Jack Lemmon would act like he's having a fit or upset it was very very much a copy.

Erick

I've been saying it for a while, I wish Bret would read all his books for audiobook. Don't care if it's a special edition costing $50 a book. Bret's voice is so unique , I've even thought of seeing if chat gpt would do it so I can finally listen to the books other than White in their true voice. Please gogo

Erick

Bret can’t even say he listens to JRE if he’s interested in a particular guest without triggering the JRE derangement syndrome from self-righteous virtue signaling pearl clutchers. Commenting here just to virtue signal like a mind-controlled tribal proxy slave about how you don’t like Joe Rogan and how he is a “moron” because he was mentioned on the pod is tacky and peak cringe. Grow up.

R. M.

I caught that error too.

BRC

I'm a listener since the podcast one days. I despise the woke ideology, BLM etc. But what is going on in the last couple of episodes ? RFK Jr vaccine theories are completely debunked. That's pseudoscience like flat earth theory. Oliver Stone is pro Putin propagandist, who is trying to justify Russias atrocities in Ukraine. Joe " small scale holocaust" Rogan is complete moron. He obviously doesn't even comprehend what the Holocaust was.

Tim Seibel

Just for the record, re: ‘Quiet on Set,’ Dan Schneider wasn’t the one who sexually abused Drake Bell. It was his dialogue coach, Brian Peck.

Trevor Tillman

Yes it is I listened on audiobook.

Austin

On that note, Stone’s 2020 memoir ‘Chasing the Light’ is an excellent read.

Trevor Tillman

Bill Maher is insufferable, glad Bret dodged that bullet.

Alex Bielovich

“Not to spoil it but I think she kills them all.” Classic BEE

Jack Wheatley

I felt the same way about breaking bad and I remember my family being so into it 😭 I was like I’m bored!

mia

There is an excellent podcast about the Rapp / Spacey drama. Spacey did a lot of work clearing his name. His saving grace was that he had a habit of keeping old documents. He found, in storage, a document revealing where he was living at the time Rapp says Spacey assaulted him. Spacey revealed that he was living in a loft. Meaning there was no bedroom for Rapp to have been watching TV in while the party was happening, and no doorway for Spacey to have suddenly appeared in, drunk. Couple that with the fact Rapp was in a play at the time with a scene that was remarkably similar to the one that he claims played out that night at Spacey’s.

Christopher Ward

BABYLON: 10/10. OLIVER STONE: 10/10. BEE: 10/10. ADAM 10/10.

JEREMY ROBERTS

Breaking Bad is an extremely well executed show. Those are not easy to pull off. The type of drama it embraces isn’t for Bret. That does not mean the show sucks. People really need to get out of this “I don’t like it therefore it is objectively bad” form of criticism, which is reserved for IMDb reviewers/normies. Having an opinion is fine but defining works based on your opinion is unwise. There are lots of great shows and movies that I personally don’t respond to but I still acknowledge their merits. There is a level of excellence to Breaking Bad that cannot be denied and it’s one of the few shows that is consistently excellent throughout its run, unlike others shows that have peaks and valleys of quality. They really stuck the landing on BB which is incredibly rare. They deserved every accolade they got.

Cine-Mechanic

Would love extended Bret thoughts on Cheever’s work.

Darren Ankenman

It is my duty now 🫡 😂

Ashley

I’ve both read and listened to the audiobook of Glamorama and I have to agree about the reading by the voice actor. One of the best audiobooks I’ve experienced.

Justin

God, I feel brain cells die when I listen to Joe Rogan interview someone.

M. Nero Nava

Ashley, you’re always so nice about answering this question for peeps. I just wait for it. Good on ya. 🙏

Patrick

💯

Patrick

Damn, would have loved to have seen you on club random. Thanks a lot, T**d.

Jonathan Davis

The Oliver Stone Bill Maher podcast is a great recommendation. They pass a joint back and forth for a couple hours and talk about some interesting topics. Stone is misunderstood but an interesting and intelligent guy.

Austin

Looks like Sam Outlaw’s got a new album. Always a worthy guest… 🤞

Sam Leuenberger

I worked at a restaurant in Baltimore where the “cute” waiters were consistently harassed by Spacey . The crew and cast were filming House of Cards and would often have dinner there . No crime I guess but eh? Kinda lame

David Hardin

Eesh. I do love The Bear though.

Jeremy J. Lanning

Totally fair points. I do think it’s awful and it gets worse. It reminds me of Edgar Wright films. They’re bad. It should be allowed to say that. There isn’t one like-able character on BB and Walt just becomes a piece of shit which he probably always has been. It’s not shocking. It’s not edgy to like it. It’s just not good. It’s a music video that overstays its welcome. The premise is cool and the scenery is abused. That’s my opinion. Your points are terrific as well.

Jeremy J. Lanning

Please, for the love of God, can someone clue Bret in on Metacritic. Still referencing Rotten Tomatoes at this stage is ridiculous. No self respecting person takes that site or it's scores seriously.

Richard Raymond

I don't think I'd call it "awful." It's first couple seasons were a little rough, but as it went they refined the style of the show a bit and attracted better talent in terms of directors and actors and that certainly made it more enjoyable. It should not be in the conversation of "prestige TV", it's a well done standard cable TV drama that's better than almost all network TV shows. That's it though, critics and online personalities should stop pretending that it should be in the conversation with HBO shows.

John Q. Thompson

Not sure he's ever came back to "say more", but I love that he's keeping the bit going.

John Q. Thompson

I think you’re correct except about euphoria, which was a show meant for teenagers that only stunted gay people treated like prestige tv & everyone else just treated like social event tv

sasha

Thanks all for the replies. Will keep an eye out for Q&A posts in future

Ronnie

I don't believe you!

Dave Mason

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

richard owain roberts

Bill Maher pretends to not understand. Its how he makes his money.

Stevan Popovic

I thought the melodrama was good and the music was awesome.

Jeremy J. Lanning

Breaking Bad is awful. I’m so glad to hear proper takedown.

Jeremy J. Lanning

I think The Bear is more just a return to more meat and potatoes solid tv. Good cast, good budget, good soundtrack, a place for the cast to revolve around. All of its attempts to be anything more than that (7 fishes, waaayyy too much focus on Carmie) just end up weighing it down

Alex Waller

And the current fake prestige show for mainstream "normies" is currently "The Bear."

John Q. Thompson

I think "Breaking Bad" acted as a gateway for "normies" into the world of 'prestige' TV, although they weren't calling it that and nor do I truly think it is 'prestige' compared to the (to me) real prestige TV of HBO. "Normies" were suddenly aware of elevated TV. I say "normies" in the sense that they were an audience who didn't have the attention span to really appreciate and like "Mad Men." All of a sudden "normies" were posting and talking about the final season of "Breaking Bad." The "normies" weren't there from the beginning but somewhere along the line the "normies" who weren't cinephiles or TV aficionados were now invested. Then when it ended some of them went to "Game of Thrones" and then "Better Call Saul" and eventually "Euphoria." To me none of those shows were true prestige TV, but it was for the mainstream "normies." They believed it to be prestige, all of a sudden they thought they had taste and wanted to be with the trends and able to converse in the latest twists, turns and happenings in those shows.

John Q. Thompson

I didn't hate last week's podcast. I skipped over the biographical parts of her story because I just didn't care or wanna know, but I thought it was a decent conversation despite it being a topic that's a bit all to frequently discussed here. Nonetheless it was entertaining enough to hold my attention. And I do believe "cancelled" subjects do deserve to have their stories discussed and analyzed because, to me, not all of these "cancelled" people deserved the judgment they received and I do believe MOST people should be offered some forgiveness and a second chance back at their now cancelled career.

John Q. Thompson

I think if you’re not paying for Platinum membership you don’t see the post for Q&A, it’s only for those paying for that

Ashley

PTA being "terrible"? Not sure about that one, but this comment is a lot more valid and understandable. Can totally see where you're coming from here. If you don't really have a strong nostalgia for old Hollywood and that era, I can see why "Babylon" is a complete and total bore for most. I mean it was exactly what I'm into and even I felt it was getting a little long in the tooth and yeah the story was a little thin and meandering. I'm rooting for Chazelle I like what he does so I hope he has a comeback after the box office failure of "Babylon."

John Q. Thompson

I'm only on the Gold Member tier so I'm not even sure I'm seeing these Q&A threads, much less would ever get my questions asked and answered on the show. Kind of a shame cause I'm on other Patreon pages that operate a little more 'fan friendly' and not by how much you're shelling out monetarily. But hey I get it, I'm not hating on it. Just wish Bret was more involved in the fielding of the questions.

John Q. Thompson

Chazelle might not make films that are gonna redefine cinema as we've come to know it, but he makes above average competent films. I've thoroughly enjoyed everything he's done since "Whiplash" sans "The Eddy" which, honestly, I don't even know what it is nor do I care. But to call PTA "terrible", you must be hitting the pipe brah brah. Playing a little baseball. I mean we're all entitled to our opinions and what not, but to say he's "terrible" just seems like you're trying to bait us here into an argument. Which hey, ya got me a little. I love both director's style and vision and execution. I'll gladly take more imitators of the two over just about anything else Hollywood is giving us lately.

John Q. Thompson

I personally had a really rough time with Babylon and thought it was a real misfire. It’s all well and good to be outrageous but I always think you have to give something more than that, and personally didn’t get that in Babylon

Alex Waller

I really enjoyed Inherent Vice. It was the first time I legitimately enjoyed a movie he made. I also can appreciate licorice pizza. It’s by no means my favorite but I did enjoy going to see it on New Years Eve

Alex Waller

some gay for pay related guest if I kept up with the ongoing inside joke correctly

Sértő-Radics Sarolta

nah...Babylon blows 'em all out of the water

Neil G.

I think PTA is one of the all time greats, but I appreciate the hot take. No love for Boogie Night, Magnolia, Punch Drunk Love, The Master etc…?

N.M. Janice.

I respect First Man. The moon landing was awesome to watch on opening night in the theater

Alex Waller

First Man is a masterpiece.

Jeremy J. Lanning

PTA is terrible . Haven’t really liked Chazelle other than Whiplash. So I’m basically talking about one movie. Have never understood why people like PTA though. I consider there will be blood to be one the worst films I’ve ever seen

Alex Waller

Shit son, Chazelle ain’t in the same conversation with PTA. Ain’t no ballpark neither. Not even the same fucking sport.

N.M. Janice.

Whiplash is BY FAR the best Chazelle film. None of the others of are remotely as good. It’s also a thousand times better than anything Paul Thomas Anderson has made and Chazelle should feel no need to copy PTA. I love Oliver Stone but he’s lost it. Being critical and analytical is a far cry from just being contrary to every freakin thing

Alex Waller

It’s always the latest Q&A post. They usually post a new one each time. However, as was said on the podcast, they are trying to get through more of the questions so they’re still working off the last one posted. That’s why more episodes are having a Q&A part. Which is cool.

Jeremy J. Lanning

They usually post a Q&A thread. But there seems to be no rhyme or reason for which ones Adam picks to ask and they often don’t ask them all and just move on.

Thomas Matich

Can someone tell me where we’re supposed to post Q&A questions pls? Is it just here against the most recent episode?? Thanks in advance

Ronnie

Any guesses as to who next week’s guest will be?

Elizabeth


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