Hot and Bothered

Vanessa Zoltan and Hannah McGregor meet on the soccer field to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about She’s The Man.  This week we discuss toxic masculinity, Amanda Bynes’ funny accent, and the way gender politics get played out the sports field. We finish the episode with an interview with Laura Horak about her scholarship on cross-dressing in cinema. --- If we give you bu...

For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Hannah analyze the ending of 10 Things I Hate About You . Vanessa reveals how little she knows about guitar and Hannah teaches us about different poetry forms. --- If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon ! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus scene analysis of 10 Things I Hate About You. Hosted on A...

Vanessa Zoltan and Hannah McGregor meet at Padua High School to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about 10 Things I Hate About You –  our first movie in our high school adaptations series.  This week we discuss Kat's feminism, why Shakespeare is in 'the canon,' and the American high school formula. We finish the episode with an interview with Rebecca Hixon about her sch...

We're continuing our exploration of Love Actually this week with three plot lines we consider the 'non-romantic' stories – the stepfather and stepson, the sister taking care of her brother, and the aging rockstar and his manager. We're off next week but we'll be back January 7th with 10 Things I Hate About You. --- If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon ! On Patreon we...

Happy holiday season! As a thank you to those who supported our Patreon drive last month we're bringing you a special bonus movie before the new year. Vanessa Zoltan and Hannah McGregor meet at a school Christmas pagent to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered about Love Actually. For this episode, we're focus on four plot lines – the prime minister, the writer and housekeeper, the c...

Not Sorry has launched its first new podcast since 2020! Let's Ask Taylor Swift  is co-hosted by Vanessa and podcaster, writer and cultural critic: Daniel Schroeder.  In each episode Daniel and Vanessa will focus on one song from Taylor's discography, asking themselves, each other, and you— the audience— what it is about Taylor's music that resonates so...

For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Hannah analyze the ending of Pretty in Pink . They continue their analysis of Duckie as a queer icon and weigh the merits of Blane's apology. --- We're in the middle of a Patreon drive. We're trying to get our numbers back to where they were last year! If you are a regular listener to our show, we'd love your support in making it possible. Pledge...

We'll be back on Tuesday with our regular scene study, but today we're offering you a bonus scene study as well. This perk is normally exclusive to Patreon and available to all members. You can sign-up at www.patreon.com/hotandbotheredrompod to hear a bonus conversation about every movie. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vanessa Zoltan and Hannah McGregor meet in the Chicago Suburbs to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, about Pretty in Pink –  our last movie in our cross-class romance series.  This week we explore the delightful aesthetics of the film, the ‘queerness’ of Duckie, and desirability politics. We finish the episode with an interview Holly Chard on the politics and influence of Jo...

For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Matt Potts is back to dissect the ending of Crazy Rich Asians with Vanessa. They discuss why Eleanor gives her approval, the over-the-top engagement party, and Rachel's final outfit. If you want to hear more of Vanessa and Matt, good news! Together they host the podcast Harry Potter and the Sacred Text . --- If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us...

Vanessa Zoltan and special guest Professor Matt Potts meet at a mansion in Singapore to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about Crazy Rich Asians. This week we discuss the tension at the heart of Asian American identities, how family pressures preserve class divides, and the allure of opulence. We finish the episode by calling journalist Jiayang Fan to talk to us about the import...

For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Racquel Gates is back to dissect the ending of Coming to America with Hannah. They discuss what Lisa gives up in moving to Zamunda, the Disney princess evocations, and the many roles played by Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall. Don't forget to check-out Racquel's book, Double Negative: The Black Image and Popular Media ! --- If we give you butterflies, consider s...

Hannah McGregor and special guest Professor Racquel Gates meet in the fictional country of Zamunda to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about Coming to America. This week we discuss the tensions between Eddie Murphy and John Landis, what makes a 'black' film, and Racquel's concept of formal negativity. We finish the episode checking in with Vanessa for her thoughts on the movie.&...

Have you missed Hannah these past two weeks? Never fear! They recorded a whole episode of their podcast, Material Girls, all about Dirty Dancing. We're sharing it this week before we move onto our next movie, Coming to America . Here's the Material Girls episode summary: In this episode, Marcelle and Hannah are joined by Andrea Warner (she/her), the author of The Time of My Life, an exploration of...

For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Lauren Sandler try not to cry their way through the ending of of Dirty Dancing . They discuss the music choices, the class politics, and the side characters they wish they heard more from. --- If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon ! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Va...

Vanessa Zoltan and special guest Lauren Sandler meet in the Catskills to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about Dirty Dancing –  one of our favorite movies of all time.  This week we discuss the abortion plot line, Baby’s relationship with her father, and the difference between desire and love. We finish the episode with an interview sociologist Phil Brown on the histo...

For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Hannah and Vanessa break down the many endings of Titanic . They explore the meaning of the Heart of the Ocean diamond necklace and this movie's theology of heaven. As we mention in the episode, Hannah has a new book out! You can buy Hannah's new book, Clever Girl: Jurassic Park, here . --- If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon ! On Pa...

Vanessa Zoltan and Hannah McGregor meet in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about Titanic –  our first movie in our cross-class romance series.  This week we explore hubris, whether it's possible to divorce James Cameron from the film, and what we consider a ‘shipwreck.’ We finish the episode with an interview with musicologist Julie...

For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Hannah examine the last scene of Kate & Leopold . They discuss what it would mean to time travel to the past for love and what they would bring with them to 1876.  --- If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon ! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Vanessa and Hannah...

Vanessa Zoltan and Hannah McGregor meet traveling through time to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about Kate & Leopold . It's our final Meg Ryan movie! This week we explore what it meant for Meg Ryan to be a rom-com star at 40 years old and the American fantasy of British history. We finish the episode with an interview with the chief historian of The Center for Brooklyn Hi...

For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Casper take a close look at the last two scenes of French Kiss . They discuss Kate's financial sacrifice for Luc and what it means that she's willing to up and move to France. --- If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon ! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Vanessa and Cas...

Vanessa Zoltan meets Casper ter Kuile on a beach in Cannes to record this week’s episode, all about the 1995 movie French Kiss directed by Lawrence Kasdan. This week we discuss the 'criminal with a heart of gold' trope and the power of kissing. We finish the episode with an interview with anxiety coach Dave Carbonell , all about aerophobia (a fear of flying). Next week, Casper is back to look at t...

For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Hannah dissect (and relentlessly mock) the last scene of You've Got Mail . They discuss the lack of actual communication in this scene and the supposed charm of Joe Fox. --- If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon ! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonus close scene analysis with Vanessa and Hannah. H...

Vanessa Zoltan and Hannah McGregor meet on the Upper West Side of Manhattan to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about You’ve Got Mail . We’re onto our final Meg Ryan/Nora Ephron collaboration.  This week we explore how politics intersect with attraction and interview the former Editorial Director of Publisher’s Weekly, Jim Milliot, about the history of big box bookstores. N...

For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Hannah tackle the last scene of When Harry Met Sally . They discuss the interstitial ‘couch scenes’ which recur throughout the movie and the few details we learn about Harry and Sally’s life after reconciliation.  --- If we give you butterflies, consider supporting us on Patreon ! On Patreon we have more great romance content including a bonu...