The E-List

It's All Smoke & Mirrors

Today we’re diving into the glossy, chaotic world of Hollywood publicity – the smoke and mirrors behind your favorite headlines, red carpet moments, and suspiciously timed breakups. From fake relationships to Super Bowl shockers, we're talking about the stunts that dominate your For You Page and get publicists either fired... or famous.Is all press really good press? Have PR stunts gone too far? Let's break it all down E-List style.

R-E-A-D-I-N-G

Have you ever been watching TV and said to yourself, “I wish I could make TV of anything in my head”...well, do we have great news for you!
Normally we talk Film and TV, but since Megan and Malaika can’t seem to shut up about how people need to read these days, let’s go back to basics. Without the fundamental storytelling skills ripped from literature, there would be no writing of prestige TV shows like Game of Thrones or The Handmaid’s Tale, and certainly no shows like Bridgerton or Heartstopper. While books aren’t always made into TV shows, you can bet your bottom dollar that every writer of your favorite shows started out as a reader. Literacy, book bans, and the benefits of sounding out words - let’s break it all down, E-List style.

Layoffs On Sesame Street: The Defunding of Public Broadcasting

You may remember the time Elmo pulled out his iPhone to tweet us a simple question, “How are you doing?”—and what followed was a collective mental breakdown from the PBS-raised generation. The kids are not okay.Public media—the last pure thing in this capitalist hellscape—is under attack. Sesame Street? Struggling. NPR? Slashing staff. PBS? Holding on by a pledge drive. Elmo might be next in line at the unemployment office. Big Bird’s got a resume on Indeed. Oscar the grouch is still living in a trash can.So, today on the E-List we’re breaking down the role of public media, what happens if we lose it, and how to chase sunny days again, so show me how to get to The E-List.

Is the Rom-Com DOA or MIA?

As spring settles into summer and new blockbusters hit theatres, we couldn’t help but wonder - are Rom-Coms a dead genre? While  we are still rewatching classic Romantic Comedies, the production of new theatrically released films seems kaput. While streaming services like Netflix and Max still churn out the occasional “return-to-form” Rom-Com, they are always perceived as DOA, until proven otherwise. So, let’s break down an underrated genre - E-list Style.

A Reel Look At The Recession

The week we recorded this episode, the Trump administration had just implemented tariffs that sent the US economy in a tailspin. The stock market lost over 6 trillion dollars in value, economists are predicting a 25-60% chance of a recession, and eggs are still very expensive.
But for an industry that has been struggling since the COVID-19 pandemic, how will this affect entertainment? What changes will come to struggling theaters and over-inflated streaming services? How have different economic disasters affected the Entertainment Industry in the past and what does it mean for the future? Let’s break it all down - E-List style.

Disney’s DEI-saster: Snow White & The Seven Controversies

Disney—once the home of pure magic, happily-ever-afters, and dreams coming true—now seems to be stuck in a never-ending PR nightmare. From live-action remakes that no one asked for to diversity initiatives that have sparked both applause and outrage, the House of Mouse is caught in the middle of a culture war. Today, we’re diving into Disney’s DEI dilemma, the Snow White controversy, and what this all says about the future of Hollywood. Let’s break it all down—E-List style.

The Collapse of the Bachelor Franchise

This week, coming right off the Bachelor finale, let’s talk about, well, The Bachelor! While Grant may have just found the love of his life, Bachelor Nation is less than sunshine and roses these days. Between toxic showrunners, a revolving door of questionable producers, and new controversies every season, it’s time we break down one of TV’s most popular dating programs.

The Hollywood Hierarchy

As we wrap up the 2024 Awards Season—where A-listers bask in golden statuettes and standing ovations—we at The E-List wanted to touch on a conversation that’s rarely discussed outside the City of Angels: the Hollywood Hierarchy. Film actors reign supreme, TV stars fight for legitimacy, influencers are knocking at the gates, and reality TV? Well, some still refuse to call it ‘real’ entertainment. But is that hierarchy still relevant in 2025? And if it is…who’s really on top? Let’s break it all down, E-List style.

The 97th Academy Awards

Welcome to our podcast! We’re your backstage pass to pop culture, Hollywood, and the entertainment industry—told from the perspective of E-Listers hustling our way in. This week we're discussing this year's Oscars, The 97th Academy Awards. Who won, who lost, and what makes a great nominee.
Make sure to follow us on Instagram @EListPodcast and on substack @TheEList