The Celebration Celebration: A Tour Through the Tours of Madonna & more!

"I'm used to getting a good rumping from the critics. So what?" – Madonna In our final chapter on Madonna's film career, we're taking one last trip to the multiplex for three of her most infamous films: SHANGHAI SURPRISE, THE NEXT BEST THING, and SWEPT AWAY. We revisit the performances, the Razzie infamy, and the disappointing box office. Were her relationships with Sean Penn, Ruper...

"To say that I have great marketing savvy is ultimately an insult, because it undermines my power as an artist." — Madonna In this episode, we take a look at Madonna's long and fascinating history in commercials. Whether she's selling Pepsi, promoting luxury fashion, or simply selling the idea of Madonna herself, one thing is certain: nobody knows branding quite like the Material Girl. We're joine...

“Making movies is really hard. It's the hardest thing I've ever done.” – Madonna In this episode, we dive into Madonna’s bold stint behind the camera with her two feature films: FILTH AND WISDOM and W.E. From the chaotic bohemian dreamers of London to the doomed romance of Wallis Simpson and Edward VIII, the Queen of Pop takes herself, and the rest of us, to film school. We discuss...

“A revolution of love is needed now more than ever.” – Madonna Grab your berets (French or otherwise) roll some clove cigarettes and get ready to start a revolution because in this episode we’re looking at Madonna in the context that suits her best: the art film. From whispered manifestos to high-fashion martyrdom, we dive into Madonna’s visual projects:  Madonna x Steven Klein - X-STaTI...

“Some people need to be shocked.” - Madonna In this episode we look at Madonna in the context that suits her best: the coffee table. First we carefully open S.E.X., Madonna’s infamous 1992 coffee table book created with photographer Steven Meisel and a whole team of stylists, performers, and collaborators. Part art project, part provocation, the book pushed boundaries with its explicit i...

“I like to be a team player. All the projects I do are collaborations. And I want to solicit the opinions and help of other people.” — Madonna In this episode we explore Madonna’s work as part of an ensemble, where her screen presence shifts from center stage to something looser, sharper, and often more playful. First we visit  Bloodhounds of Broadway , a strange, stylish Prohibition-era anth...

“I wanted to write stories that would help children talk about feelings they don’t always know how to express.” — Madonna In this episode we explore Madonna’s surprising foray into children’s storytelling and family-friendly media during the early 2000s. First we visit  Arthur and the Invisibles , where Madonna lends her voice to Princess Selenia in a tiny CGI world full of bug...

“I’m not interested in being Wonder Woman in the gym. I want to be  stronger  than Wonder Woman.” – Madonna In this episode, we look at the business venture that was Madonna's Hard Candy Fitness, including the workout DVDs, ADDICTED TO SWEAT. We also take a look at what turned out to be her last appearance acting on screen (for now), playing Liz on the iconic sitcom WILL & GRACE...

“I live a highly scheduled life. There’s absolutely no time wasted. I’m very focused. And I have a great assistant.” – Madonna In this episode, we sit down with one of Madonna’s former assistants, Amanda Tate Beir, for a rare, behind-the-scenes look at what it's like to be the assistant to the most influential pop artist of our time. From her beginnings as an intern at Maverick Reco...

“Art should be dangerous. That’s when it’s real.” – Madonna In this episode, we explore the chaos, controversy, and creative bravery of Madonna’s  darkest ,  boldest , and  most combustible  film work. From the gritty downtown art-scene roots of  A Certain Sacrifice  to Abel Ferrara’s raw, meta-cinematic  Dangerous Game, these are the moments when Madonna st...

"No matter what you did, no matter who you are, no matter where you've come from, you can always change, become a better version of yourself." - Madonna In this episode, we dive into Madonna’s second tour documentary,  I’m Going to Tell You a Secret , which followed the 2004  Re-Invention Tour  and gave fans a more spiritual, intimate look at the Queen of Pop. We’re joined once...

Grab your remote because this week we’re diving into some of Madonna’s unforgettable talk show moments, from sparring with David Letterman to flirting with Johnny Carson, to teaching Rosie O'Donnell yoga and playing Carpool Karaoke with James Cordon! Joining us is writer, dog parent, and former writer on the Ellen Show, we've got AMY RHODES! Follow Amy on Instagram: @iamamyrhodes  Plus we tal...

Grab your popcorn (young Madonna's favorite food) because this week we're talking about Madonna's blink-and-you’ll-miss-it film appearances. From a bar crooner in  Vision Quest  to a fencing instructor with attitude in  Die Another Day , we’re breaking down six roles where the Queen of Pop pops in, makes an impression, and vanishes just as quickly. We’ll talk her tightrope walker in...

From the ballrooms of the '80s to the front lines of Pride, Madonna has stood with the queer community, but why  exactly  is she such a gay icon? In this special Pride Month episode, we explore Madonna’s decades-long relationship with LGBTQ+ people: the music, the activism, the controversies, and the undeniable influence. We dive into voguing and “Truth or Dare,” AIDS activism and Dance-...

Are you a curious kid who wants to know more about Madonna? We thought so! This month, we asked our (heterosexual) pal Kyle Shoemaker to a very special  Celebration Celebration  challenge: after reading  Madonna Biography For Curious Kids: Queen of Pop , we quizzed him using  Madonna Quiz Book: 101 Questions To Test Your Knowledge Of Madonna . Did the book prepare him? Does Kyl...

Sure, we love seeing Madonna perform, but what about those INTERSTITIALS!  This month we take a closer look at all of the interstitial bits in Madonna’s tours. And we very creatively call it THE INTERSTITIAL EXAMINATION!  We’re talking about the videos that play and the numbers her dancers do while the queen is offstage, changing costumes.  What are our favorites? Which ones are “me...

A funny thing happened on the way to the bus station. Too bad none of it made it into the movie! To help us answer all of our questions about Madonna's Second Razzie Award winning performance is a man we all know and love: PETE ZIAS! Follow Pete on Twitter & Instagram: @petezias Email us: TheCelebrationCelebration@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram: @TheCelebrationCelebration Pick up a copy of E...

Who's ready for a book club? This episode we're talking about Christopher Ciccone's memoir/tell-all, LIFE WITH MY SISTER MADONNA! (with help from Wendy Leigh) We're joined by long time Madonna fan and creative multi-hyphenate, BRYAN CARPENDER! Follow Bryan on IG: @mybrytography Nathan Rabin from  The A.V. Club  panned the book saying that Ciccone implied their mother would be, "horrified...

We're back! We decided to keep the party going, but in a casual way, boots! This episode we're talking about Madonna's performance at BRIXTON ACADEMY in 2000! The performance was streamed by 9 million people! In 2018 Guinness Book of World Records named it the largest internet pop concert of all time! You can watch her performance here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VnTlKAGU3Y We've got some id...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE QUEEN!!! Madonna turns 66 today! So we decided to get back on the mic and take an unofficial look back at where it all began.  We're talking about the tv movie MADONNA: INNOCENCE LOST and the documentary MADONNA AND THE BREAKFAST CLUB (plus some chat on the unproduced screenplay BLOND AMBITION) Give it a listen and tell everyone you know! Email us: TheCelebrationCelebrat...

It’s been a week and a half since we saw Madonna in The Celebration Tour (feat. Kylie Minogue)  This week we reflect on the experience, review the current status of Ma’Deathmatch, and go back to the beginning and talk about Madonna’s first major tv appearance on American Bandstand!  Email us: TheCelebrationCelebration@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram: @TheCelebrationCelebration Pick up a...

The day has finally arrived! We see THE CELEBRATION TOUR! Some of us for the very first time! Some of us for the third! This episode captures the day from pre-gaming, to driving to The Kia Forum, to driving back to Eric's airbnb, and doing a lot of kiki-ing along the way! John and Eric aren't alone! The were joined by previous guest MIKE JENSEN! (The Blond Ambition Tour episode) and one of the co-...

It's Hollywood's biggest night, and it was never bigger than when Madonna performed! This week we're taking a look at Madonna's iconic performances at the Acadamy Awards! And the award for Who Gets to Be Our Cohost for the Episode Goes to... (I'm so nervous) Why, it's actor/comedian JEFF HILLER! Follow Jeff on Instagram: @boomboomhiller Email us: TheCelebrationCelebration@gmail.com Follow us on In...

It’s award season and so we’re rolling out the red carpet for THIRTEEN of Madonna’s various award show performances! We’re talking about the American Music Awards, the BRIT Awards, EMAs, iHeartRadio, Billboard, Eurovision, and the Met Gala because why not?!? Email us: TheCelebrationCelebration@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram: @TheCelebrationCelebration Pick up a copy of Eric’s book: The Dancer ht...

The Grammys are coming up! And so is the Super Bowl! And Madonna's performed at both of them, so now's the perfect time to talk about the both. Speaking of perfect, we've got the perfect guest to explain football to us! It's actor/comedian/podcaster/rugby player JON GABRUS! (TV: 101 Places to Party Before You Die, podcasts: High & Mights, ActionBoyz) Follow Jon on Twitter & Instagram: @gab...