Banterly

After a year and a half of laughs, hot takes, and more banter than we ever imagined, Banterly is coming to a close. But don’t worry—in this final episode, co-hosts Aidan and Maya leave us with recommendations for what’s next, their current media obsessions, and their all-time favorites that make up the Banterly Hall of Fame (and yes—Aidan finally gets to talk about The Real Housewives). Most of al...

In the penultimate episode of Banterly, Aidan and Maya dig into what it means to love something the internet loves to hate. From the timeless debate over separating art from the artist to their hot takes on Lena Dunham’s new Netflix series Too Much, they unpack complicated creators, unlikable protagonists, and the fine line between being “too much” and not enough. __ Hosted by: Maya Shetty & Aidan...

In this episode of Banterly, hosts Aidan and Maya return with updates, hot takes, and a full-speed dive into the world of Formula 1—well, sort of. Maya vents about the chaos of apartment hunting in NYC, and the duo unpacks Coldplaygate. They also swap stories about their most unhinged driving moments before diving into the Brad Pitt F1 movie, which left them with more questions than answers. From...

It feels like everyone’s on vacation—and our Banterly hosts are no exception. Maya’s back from Brazil, and she and Aidan kick things off with the question of the day: What’s your rich-person hobby? Aidan’s hoarding vintage jewelry and Priuses, while Maya’s planning Gatsby-level parties for her inner circle. Then it’s time to break down Sirens—Netflix’s new limited series about wealth, power, and m...

Aidan is joined by his high school bestie Nandini to spill the tea on college life—awkward crushes, chaotic freshman moments, and the challenge of keeping high school friendships alive. Then it’s on to Overcompensating, Benito Skinner’s new series that nails Gen Z humor. They unpack the iconic Hailey Marie Matthews, the loneliness of freshman year, and the ever-relatable question: “Am I okay or ju...

🚨 It’s another Banterly music episode! 🚨 Aidan dives into the highs (and heatwaves) of summer in NYC with takes on pop culture, music, and Pride Month. He breaks down the tracks taking over playlists—from chart-toppers like Miley Cyrus and Sabrina Carpenter to rising stars like Addison Rae, Leon Thomas, Lola Young, and Eli. __ Hosted by: Aidan Taylor Producer: Shei Yu | Content Writer: Aidan Tay...

Is it ever too late to start dating? On this week’s episode of Love-ly, Mehak sits down with Aidan Taylor—host of Banterly—to unpack what it really means to be a “late bloomer” in the chaotic world of modern dating. From his first real date at 21 to navigating New York City’s intense queer dating scene, Aidan gets candid about identity, rejection, and learning to love yourself before anyone else d...

What makes a friendship last a lifetime? This week, Aidan and Maya open up about how their relationships have changed over the years and what it really means to grow with your friends. They dive into Netflix’s Four Seasons, a comedy-drama that follows three couples through love, loss, and everything in between. Emotions run high (and opinions clash) as they debate the show’s most lovable—and most...

In this episode of Banterly, host Aidan sits down with journalist Rosie Carroll to unpack the mind-bending second season of Nathan Fielder’s HBO series The Rehearsal. They dive into the show’s surreal blend of reality and simulation, dissecting how Fielder pushes the boundaries of comedy to examine human connection, performance, and control. From the ethical tightrope of the “Wings of Voice” episo...

In this episode of Banterly, hosts Aidan and Maya dive into a whirlwind of pop culture topics, kicking things off with the bizarre—and now viral—Zendaya Hat Theory. They break down their favorite Met Gala looks, react to the surprising announcement of a new Midwestern pope, and offer a spoiler-filled recap of the final season of Netflix’s You. From Joe Goldberg’s return to New York to journalist B...

It’s May 7th — and if you’ve been keeping an eye on the Vatican (and the rise of Asian Francis), it’s the start of conclave. In honor of the occasion, Aidan and Maya dive into Conclave, the 2024 political thriller about the secretive process of electing a new Pope. They unpack the film’s visual style, complex characters, and portrayal of power within the Catholic Church. Tune in for their very dif...

Subscribe to Hyphenly, our latest newsletter, for a chance to win a gift card  ⁠: https://immigrantlys-newsletter.beehiiv.com/subscribe⁠ In this episode of Banterly, Aidan and Maya catch up on their hectic weeks and dive into the latest in pop culture—from Lorde’s surprise performance at Washington Square Park to a vampire-themed Question of the Day. But the main event is Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, a...

This week, it’s a short and sweet dive into one of the most talked-about episodes from the new season of Black Mirror. Aidan explores the premiere’s central question: what if our lives were run by subscription? The episode follows a couple, Mike and Amanda, as they grapple with a brain-implant tech from a company called River Mind—where tiered subscriptions literally shape their reality. Aidan dra...

In this episode of Banterly, Aidan and guest Sophia dive into the wonderfully weird world of Parker Posey. First stop: Party Girl (1995), where Posey spins through ‘90s NYC rave culture in platforms and cardigans, only to fall head-over-heels for... the Dewey Decimal System? Fast forward to The Parenting (2025), a comedy-horror flick where she’s back at it—this time as a chaotic Airbnb host with a...

In this episode of Banterly, Aidan and Maya recount their chaotic attempt to go to London (spoiler: it didn’t happen) and how they accidentally became full-on tourists in New York instead. Between reminiscing about their childhood theater kid eras and exposing their parents' questionable internet rules, things take a more serious turn. The duo dives into Adolescence, Netflix’s new British crime mi...

This week, Aidan sits down with TikTok creator Maddi Koch (@maddikoch), whose POV-style movie reviews make you feel like you’re chatting with your best friend. Aidan and Maddi debate their ideal robot companions before diving into The Electric State—the Russo brothers' latest sci-fi fantasy action-adventure film starring Millie Bobby Brown, Chris Pratt, and a whole lot of AI-fueled chaos. Are robo...

In this episode of Banterly, Aidan takes a deep dive into Lady Gaga’s latest album, MAYHEM. A longtime fan, he breaks down Gaga’s evolution from Joanne to Chromatica and shares his top tracks from MAYHEM. Plus, he weighs in on how Gaga stacks up against Taylor Swift and tells the story of the time he waited to see Stephanie Germanotta in person—IYKYK. Hosted by: Aidan Taylor Producer: Shei Yu | Co...

In this episode of Banterly, Aidan and Maya dive into With Love, Meghan, the new lifestyle show from Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. They unpack the wholesome aesthetics, the internet backlash, and whether Meghan’s rebrand is actually landing. Plus, they examine the media’s relentless fixation on Meghan and Harry, as British and American outlets continue to scrutinize Meghan at every turn. The episode...

Just like this year's Oscars, this week's episode is all about Anora. Maya raves about the indie film, while Aidan’s not so convinced. The two respectfully duke it out over the pacing, characters, standout scenes, and the film's portrayal of sex work. And of course, it wouldn’t be a Banterly episode without some fun stories from Aidan and Maya involving their trip to a strip club?? Stay tuned! _ H...

This week, Aidan and Maya dive into Apple Cider Vinegar, Netflix’s jaw-dropping new docuseries that unpacks the twisted tale of Belle Gibson—the influencer who built an empire on a cancer diagnosis she never had. They unravel the ripple effects of her deception, from betrayed followers to families battling real illness, and take a sharp look at the wellness industry’s murky ethics. Plus, they dish...

Maya is back from a one-week hiatus, and Aidan and Maya are talking all about their new gym routines, SNL’s 50th anniversary, and their new favorite way to spend Sundays: watching White Lotus. Season 3 dropped earlier this month, and our hosts—and the nation—have put on their detective hats to figure out: who did it, who died, and what are the monkeys doing in this season of White Lotus? They chat...

This week, we venture into uncharted territory—the frontier of anime! We’re joined by anime enthusiast and self-proclaimed weeb, Jaden Tactaquin, who grew up with classics like Naruto and Bleach. While Aidan isn’t exactly an anime fanatic, the hosts find common ground in their surprising love for Sakamoto Days, a fresh Netflix anime that’s making waves. They dive headfirst into the classic subbed...

This week, we’re not just doubling the hosting power—we’re tripling it! Sofia joins Maya and Aidan for a special Valentine’s Day-themed episode. As longtime friends, they chat about their plans for the holiday, their thoughts on Chappell Roan’s unforgettable Grammy speech, and their favorite ways to chronicle their lives. Do you diary? Journal? Or are you more of an “Insta Stories as a diary” pers...

Start earning points on rent you’re already paying by going to joinbilt.com/BANTERLY __ Beginning with Maya’s electric bill and landlord horror story, this week we're talking about the new movie One of Them Days, featuring Keke Palmer and SZA. Aidan highlights how the film brings black culture to the big screen without feeling like a history lesson, while Maya breaks down Issa Rae’s signature touc...

Start earning points on rent you’re already paying by going to joinbilt.com/BANTERLY __ In the age of TikTok and Reels, YouTube feels like the quirky older sibling that introduced us to the internet. For Gen Z, it was a cornerstone of our childhood—whether we were binge-watching makeup tutorials, gaming streams, or viral moments like Leave Britney Alone and Baby Shark. It’s where we played music v...