Melissa Rivers' Group Text Podcast

Movie star, “Cool Kid” and now-grandfather-of-two Stephen Baldwin stops by in-person to talk with me about his hilarious new podcast, “One Bad Movie with Stephen Baldwin” (available on Apple Podcasts & other platforms) along with his latest reality competition show, “Special Forces – World’s Toughest Test” (now streaming on FOX). This self-proclaimed nutcase runs the gamut discussing his favorite...

When Marcia Clark heard about the little-known story of the 1953 murder of an elderly woman, the “Trial of the Century” that ensued, and the resulting conviction and execution of one of its participants, Barbara Graham, she knew it was far too interesting to ignore. The former lead prosecutor in the O.J. Simpson murder trial joins me to talk about the painstaking process of researching such an old...

Alaska Thunderf*ck, who sashayed her way to stardom as runner-up of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season Five, and was the winner of “Drag Race All Stars” Season Two, has written and stars in “Drag: The Musical,” now playing at New World Stages in NYC (tickets available at dragthemusical.com). Alaska joins me to talk about channeling her inner Joan Crawford for the lead role, being inspired by her amazing...

Whether it was her time as a top litigator, or her experience as a temporary judge in Los Angeles, Judge Rachel Juarez brings her unique brand of justice to “Hot Bench” (check hotbench.tv for listings), the #1 syndicated court show in original production. We break down a full docket of current legal topics: from P. Diddy to the Menendez Brothers to the brutal killing of United Healthcare’s CEO, an...

Jennifer Love Hewitt has been a part of hit TV shows like “Party of Five,” “The Client List,” and “The Ghost Whisperer,” as well as blockbuster films such as “Can’t Hardly Wait,” and “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” just to name a few. With her new Christmas rom-com, “The Holiday Junkie” (premiering Dec. 14, 8/7c on Lifetime), she adds writer and feature director to her credits. She is also the...

Before she was cast on the early-2000s hit series, “One Tree Hill,” actress Bethany Joy Lenz was already in the clutches of a religious group she calls the “Big House Family.” In her new memoir, “Dinner for Vampires,” Bethany describes the calculated isolation a man named “Les” put her through in order to manipulate her and pilfer over $2 million of money she’d earned. Bethany discusses with me ho...

This week on MRGT x BTVR, Melissa and David Yontef tackle Teddi Mellencamp’s divorce, sharing their own horse-world experiences and asking if she’s obligated to address it on her podcast. Then, they dissect Bethenny Frankel’s backhanded praise for RHONY OGs and Luann’s fiery reaction. Plus, they review the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills return, where Kyle and Dorit’s friendship hangs by a thread...

The only thing more terrifying than being in the crosshairs of an assassin might be finding out someone you know has targeted you and that your doom is imminent. In his gripping new podcast “Kill List” (from Wondery and Novel – new episodes every week) investigative reporter Carl Miller uncovers a twisted trail to the Dark Web and a list of names and personal information of people seemingly marked...

Jaleel White is so much more than the lovable nerd Steve Urkel he portrayed in the ‘90s hit sitcom "Family Matters." In his new memoir, “Growing Up Urkel” (on sale Nov. 19), Jaleel opens up about everything from his mom dressing him in too-short, hand-me-down jeans and his dad’s geeky eyeglasses for his “Family Matters” audition to the challenges of transitioning from a child star to a successful...

In her new indie movie, “Another Happy Day” (now available on Prime Video), actress and comedian Lauren Lapkus plays Joanna – a new mom faced with postpartum depression and a whole lot of life changes. Lauren explains how the experience of having kids brought her emotions front and center for the role; how the movie strikes a delicate balance between being heavy and funny; how being the class clow...

Even though menopause affects half of the world’s population, it’s something mothers rarely discuss with their daughters, and even their doctors can be unprepared to talk about it. Dr. Jessica Shepherd, author of the book “Generation M - Living Well in Perimenopause and Menopause” joins me in person to talk about the symptoms (it’s more than just hot flashes, people!), the timeline, and the questi...

Laverne Cox, who stars as the sinister Dr. Nyah Cable in the new dystopian sci-fi thriller “Uglies” (now streaming on Netflix), first grabbed our attention playing Sophia Burset on another Netflix hit, “Orange is the New Black” 11 years ago. Laverne drops in to talk about the fun she had playing a baddie; the rigorous preparation she did for the role; how she still feels the need to prove herself...

In the role of Esther on the Netflix mega-hit rom-com “Nobody Wants This” (now streaming and renewed for a second season!) Jackie Tohn is many things: a devoted mother and wife, a fiercely loyal friend, and a pot-stirrer extraordinaire. Jackie brings a level of humanity and humor to the role that must be seen to be believed. On this episode she discusses the insanity of dating in L.A.; the intrica...

In the new movie, “Reagan” (in theaters now; available for digital download Oct. 15; Video-on-Demand Nov. 1, and on Blu-ray Nov. 19), Penelope Ann Miller plays the iconic First Lady, Nancy Reagan. She explains how, through exhaustive research, she understood and channeled a woman who was far from submissive yet stood by and protected her husband, Ronald Reagan, throughout much of his life. Penelop...

When the gay disco, Studio One, opened in 1974 in Los Angeles, it was one of the city’s first “safe spaces,” and soon became THE place to see a show in its famed Backlot Cabaret. In his new documentary, “Studio One Forever” (available October 8th on all VOD platforms), director/producer Marc Saltarelli chronicles the valiant effort to save the historic hotspot’s factory building from hotel develop...

In the 1990s smash hit TV series, “Baywatch,” Nicole Eggert and Jeremy Jackson played Summer Quinn and Hobie Buchannon, respectively. The duo has come together as both producers and subjects in order to revisit their years running slow-motion on the beach in a new four-part docuseries entitled, “After Baywatch – Moment in the Sun,” (now streaming on Hulu). The series is raw, honest and a love lett...

On this month’s Reality Roundup with David Yontef from Behind the Velvet Rope, we dive into the jaw-dropping charges against P. Diddy, who's facing allegations of sex trafficking and racketeering. Is he spiraling out of control or playing a dangerous game of denial? We’ll also dissect the latest drama from RHOSLC—Whitney Rose under fire and Mary Cosby’s return. Plus, did you catch Nene Leakes’ sof...

Kellie Gerardi always had her sights set on undiscovered frontiers. From studying film in New York to a chance encounter at the city’s famed Explorer’s Club, her journey has taken her to incredible heights—literally. She was part of the Virgin Galactic 05 mission to space and even walked the runway at NY Fashion Week twice. Kellie, also the author of the "Luna Muna" children's book series, joins m...

Author Michael Connelly and Director Alison Ellwood have created a new four-part docuseries, “The Wonderland Massacre and the Secret History of Hollywood” (now streaming on MGM+) and it proves that truth is stranger than fiction. In the summer of 1981, five people were found beaten in an apartment in the Hollywood Hills. Four were already dead when the cops arrived, including two members of the “W...

Executive Producer Nadine Rajabi is back on the pod to dish out all the gossip and behind-the-scenes action on my biggest TV addiction, Below Deck. All of them (episodes are currently streaming on HULU with new episodes of “Med” Mondays at 9pm on Bravo). Nadine has been at the center of all the ups and downs, ports and starboard aboard stunning luxury yachts cruising the most gorgeous waters on th...

When five women in the Topeka Correctional Facility wrote to singer/songwriter Melissa Etheridge describing their lives before and during their incarceration, they never imagined they’d be muses for her. The new two-part documentary, “Melissa Etheridge: I’m Not Broken” (now streaming on Paramount+) follows her journey from writing a new song inspired by those letters to performing it at a live con...

In this episode of Melissa Rivers Group Text, David Yontef joins me for our monthly reality roundup. We discuss Melissa Gorga’s ultimatum on RHONJ—will she really leave if Teresa returns? We also dive into the Bieber baby news and the drama surrounding Ben and Jen's potential divorce with no prenup in sight. Plus, we touch on the Taylor Swift rumors—will Travis propose? And what's up with Blake Li...

Penn State first-year student Timothy Piazza was the kind of guy everybody wanted to be around. But in 2017, Tim’s parents, Jim and Evelyn Piazza, faced the unthinkable when Tim died after being forced to consume a lethal quantity of alcohol during a fraternity hazing ritual called the Gauntlet. Jim and Evelyn took part in the new documentary “House of Horrors: Secrets of College Greek Life” (now...

It’s not every day you meet someone who is both a successful comedian as well as a champion foosball player. But Kelsey Cook, whose new hour-long comedy special, “The Hustler,” is now playing on Hulu, ticks both of those boxes. Kelsey talks with me about what it was like growing up in a house with not one but two pro foosballers, realizing that she didn’t have a backup plan if standup didn’t work...

“Dance Moms – A New Era” has premiered on Hulu and the drama is even more on pointe! Tammi Brudner and Domenica Plotczyk join me to talk about the camaraderie and rigorous training their junior-elite dance daughters (Audrey and Smiley) share under the tutelage of coach Glo Hampton. Domenica and Tammi explain maintaining dance-mom-friendships amidst competition and jealousies, protecting their kids...