Keep It!

Keep It!

Society EN ↓ 440 episodes

Wherever pop culture and politics collide, Emmy-nominated TV writer Louis Virtel examines the gorgeous wreckage from his uniquely queer perspective with a rotating cast of special guest co-hosts. Each week, our “Prince of Pop Culture” is joined by the likes of Michelle Yeoh, Cate Blanchett, Andrew Garfield, Connie Britton, and Sheryl Lee Ralph to unpack the latest controversies, laude character actress appreciation, and all the shade that’s fit to throw.

Author

Keep It!

Category

Society

Podcast website

audioboom.com

Latest episode

Jul 8, 2026

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Episodes

"P-Valley Girls" (with Katori Hall) 29.07.2020

Ira, Louis, and Aida discuss Taylor Swift's surprise pandemic album Folklore, Tenet's ever-changing release date, disrespectful Megan the Stallion jokes, whether the Canada Drag Race judges are too mean, and share memories of Regis Philbin and Olivia de Havilland. Katori Hall joins to discuss her new series P-Valley, representing the South in her writing, and working with icons like Tina Turner an...

"Podcast Friends Network” (with Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman) 22.07.2020

Ira, Louis, and Aida discuss Mykki Blanco not being paid for their feature on Teyana Taylor's "WTP," bingeing The O.C. and what constitutes "guilty pleasures," their favorite child actors, performative tributes to John Lewis from Republicans, and more. Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman join to discuss their new book Big Friendship and the importance of adult friendships.

"Stiletto Superstar” (with Billy Porter) 15.07.2020

Ira, Louis, and Aida discuss Jada Pinkett Smith's visit to the Red Table, Lady Antebellum’s performative activism, Simone Biles’ Vogue cover, Chance the Rapper stumping for Kanye, and the internet’s obsession with cake. Billy Porter joins to discuss his career and using his platform for activism.

"Hamilstan Wars” (with Marcia Gay Harden) 08.07.2020

Ira, Louis, and Aida discuss Hamilton, Kanye’s 2020 run, Halle Berry’s apology for accepting a trans role, Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas’ quarantine romance, and more. Marcia Gay Harden joins to discuss her toughest roles and her latest period piece Barkskins.

"Pride Save America" (with Adam Rippon and Leiomy) 01.07.2020

Ira, Louis, and Aida discuss what Pride looks like in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and Black Lives Matter protests, Hulu removing a Golden Girls episode for alleged blackface, pop music's disco revival, Kanye's GAP collab, the socially distant BET Awards, and more. Adam Rippon joins to discuss his pop culture obsessions and what his life looks after the 2018 Olympics. Leiomy joins to discu...

"Sic Cancel Tyrannis” (with Sam Lansky) 24.06.2020

Ira, Aida, and Louis discuss k-pop fans taking down Trump, Chris D’Elia and Ansel Elgort’s sexual misconduct allegations, Tina Fey pulling 30 Rock’s blackface episodes, Megan Amram’s anti-Asian tweets, the queer defiance of Joel Schumacher’s films, and more. Sam Lansky joins to discuss gay dating, LA mysticism, and his new book Broken People. Plus, listeners share their queer Hot Takes on Julius C...

"Empires & Records" (with Drew Dixon) 17.06.2020

Ira, Aida, and Louis discuss the SCOTUS' monumental ruling on LGBTQ+ workplace discrimination, The Academy's new efforts for inclusion, Dave Chappelle's new stand-up response to George Floyd's murder, conservatives stanning Gone the Wind, and more. Plus, Drew Dixon joins to discuss going public with rape allegations against Russell Simmons and starring in a documentary on the subject, On the Recor...

"Places in the Art" (with Kimberly Drew) 10.06.2020

Ira, Louis, and Aida discuss how We're Here and Legendary center queer narratives, the hollowness of exposing Republican hypocrisy, Vanderpump Rules' racism scandals, North Carolina Republicans attempts to kill a bill banning conversion therapy, and calls to defund the police. Plus, art curator Kimberly Drew joins to discuss her new book This Is What I Know About Art and how the art world is for u...

"Law and Disorder" (with Bowen Yang) 03.06.2020

Protests erupt in the wake of George Floyd's murder by a Minneapolis police officer. #BlackoutTuesday spirals from purposeful activism to performative allyship. Justice evades Breonna Taylor and David McAtee in Louisville. Ivanka Trump pretends to care about Pride. Lea Michele is accused of bullying by Glee cast members. Plus, an anti-racism reading list and Bowen Yang joins to discuss his year on...

“Sex and the Insecurity” (with Issa Rae and Kristin Davis) 27.05.2020

In this week's Keep It: Home Edition, Ira and Louis discuss Lana Del Rey and Doja Cat’s dramatic weeks on social media, the addictive new season of Selling Sunset, and Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande’s song of the summer entry. Plus, Kristin Davis joins to discuss Melrose Place, Sex and the City, and Fox’s wild new reality series Labor of Love. Issa Rae also joins the whole crew to discuss writing Ins...

“The Graduwhat” (with Daveed Diggs) 20.05.2020

In this week's Keep It: Home Edition, Ira, Louis, and Aida discuss digital commencement speeches, reflect on their own graduations, and offer advice for the Class of 2020. Also discussed: Entertainment Weekly’s puzzling Pride cover, and Nancy Pelosi’s fat shaming. Plus, Daveed Diggs joins to discuss starring in the TV adaption of Snowpiercer and Hamilton’s impending digital release.

“Roman Unloaded” (with Simone Missick) 13.05.2020

In this week's Keep It: Home Edition, Ira, Louis, and Aida discuss Alison Roman’s critiques of Chrissy Teigen and Marie Kondo, Erykah Badu and Jill Scott’s healing Instagram live, Michelle Obama’s documentary, reactions to Adele’s weight loss, and the fleeting concept of summer. Plus, Simone Missick joins to discuss her new series All Rise and how to shoot an episode of television on Zoom.

“Les Noirs” (with André Holland) 06.05.2020

In this week's Keep It: Home Edition, Ira, Louis, and Aida discuss the 1955 Best Actress winners, Ryan Murphy’s Hollywood revisionist history, Mindy Kaling’s new series Never Have I Ever, Pulitzer Prize winners we’re excited for, The Daily Beast’s Michelle Obama clickbait, and more. Plus, André Holland joins to discuss theatre, Paris, and working with Damien Chazelle’s on The Eddy.

"#poorAF" (with Michael Arceneaux) 29.04.2020

In this week's Keep It: Home Edition, Ira, Louis, and Aida discuss Sondheim's 90th birthday concert, JK Simmons as a sex symbol, why Miles Teller deserves an Oscar, #blackAF, Making the Cut's winner, and more! Hot Takes returns with Ira declaring Angel a better show than Buffy. Plus, Michael Arceneaux returns to discuss his latest book of essays I Don't Want to Die Poor, how college aspirations ca...

“Me and My Bolt Cutters” (with Alison Pill) 22.04.2020

In this week's Keep It: Home Edition, Ira, Aida, and Louis fetch their bolt cutters and discuss Fiona Apple’s new album, Mrs. America, Netflix’s new dating series Too Hot to Handle, and the Michael Jordan doc The Last Dance. Plus, Alison Pill joins to discuss Alex Garland’s trippy new sci-fi series Devs and working with icons like Judy Davis and Glenda Jackson.

"Gunn Crazy" (with Tim Gunn) 15.04.2020

In this week's Keep It: Home Edition, Ira, Aida, and Louis discuss Usher and The Weeknd’s respective influences on R&B, SNL and other shows recording from home, and more. Plus, Tim Gunn joins to talk his new fashion series Making the Cut.

"Full Barrymore Jacket" (with Matt Rogers and Dave Mizzoni) 08.04.2020

In this week's Keep It: Home Edition, Ira, Aida, and Louis discuss voter suppression in Wisconsin, the Sherry Pie scandal on Drag Race, and the respect Alfre Woodard deserves. In this week's Hot Takes segment, Louis thinks Emma Stone is the least deserving Oscar winner of the 21st century. Plus, Matt Rogers and Dave Mizzoni join to discuss American Idol, niche gay culture, Reese Witherspoon, and t...

"Queenpin" (with Alan Yang & Betty Gilpin) 01.04.2020

In this week's Keep It: Home Edition, Ira, Aida, and Louis discuss how hot young Dennis Quaid was, Tippi Hendrin's acting, the never ending madness of Tiger King. Betty Gilpin joins to discuss being a gay icon, acting, and Tennessee Williams. Alan Yang joins to discuss Mandopop, Joan Chen, and his feature film debut Tigertail. Plus, in our first Hot Takes segment Aida defends choosing Solange over...

"Fun with Quarantine and Jane" (with Jane Fonda & Jeremy O. Harris) 25.03.2020

Ira, Aida, and Louis bring you Keep It directly from their homes this week as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Activist, actress, and legend Jane Fonda joins to discuss how we can still protest the Trump administration's bailout of corporations and continue the fight for climate change from our homes. Playwright Jeremy O. Harris returns to the pod to discuss how artists are suffering from theatre...

“Go the Social Distance” 18.03.2020

In the first episode of Keep It: Social Distancing Edition, Ira, Louis, and Aida discuss how they’ve coped with not leaving their homes. Plus, the movie industry grinds to a halt, listeners share what culture they’ve consumed, Fiona Apple’s revealing New Yorker profile, and more!

“Grey’s Mortuary” (with Tamron Hall) 11.03.2020

Grey’s Anatomy writes off another main character in a bonkers way, prompting a convo about other historically wild television write-offs. Hulu’s new doc Hillary revisits Hillary Clinton’s role in our current political climate. Aaron Schock earns little sympathy for finally coming out. Coronavirus hits Hollywood. Plus, Ira sits down with Tamron Hall to discuss her daytime talk show comeback.

“Turn the Pete Around” (with Annie Murphy) 04.03.2020

Pete Buttigieg ends his historic presidential campaign. Lady Gaga returns to her pop roots with “Stupid Love.” Coronavirus hysteria is a reminder to wash your goddamn hands. Plus, Annie Murphy joins to discuss the end of Schitt’s Creek and the series’ breakout success. 

"To Knives, With Love" (with Rian Johnson) 26.02.2020

Love Is Blind might be Netflix's most insane reality show yet, Harvey Weinstein gets convicted, Donald Trump hates Parasite, Mike Bloomberg whines about his vandalized campaign offices, and Los Angeles City Council candidate Nithya Raman joins to discuss the city's homelessness and housing crises. Plus, Ira's knives have never been more out... Rian Johnson joins to talk about his love of genre fil...

"Requiem for a Meme” (with Heather Graham) 19.02.2020

Bloomberg backs up his money truck and gets Instagram meme accounts to shill for him. Love a Island faces criticism in the wake of host Caroline Flack’s death. Billie Eilish’s “No Time to Die” divides Bond theme fans. McMillions is everyone’s latest documentary obsession. Wendy Williams stirs up a new scandal. Plus, Heather Graham joins to talk about reclaiming her narrative as a woman in film and...

"Bong Hive" (with Peter Paige) 12.02.2020

Parasite is triumphant at an otherwise predictable Oscars. Jessica Simpson's memoir invites a re-examination of her career. Gayle King is under attack from Kobe fans. Plus, Peter Paige joins to discuss the legacy of Queer as Folk and creating queer content for Freeform.

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