Episodes
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Luke Perry biographer Margaret Wappler joined us for a conversation about her hybrid memoir profiling the '90s heartthrob, and the impact Perry had on viewers from 90210 to Riverdale. We dug into Fran Rubel Kuzui's 1992 film Buffy the Vampire Slayer, starring Perry alongside Kristy Swanson and Donald Sutherland. We particularly loved the comedic swings of supporting cast members Paul Reubens and David Arquette. Overall, we think the movie's feminist message and uneven tone are almost anachronistic, but can't deny its lasting impact.
Discussed in this episode:
Margaret's latest book, A Good Bad Boy: Luke Perry and How a Generation Grew UpFind Margaret:
instagram.com/margaretwapplermargaretwappler.comFind Kat:
twitter.com/kat_ex_machinaletterboxd.com/katexmachinaFind AC:
instagram.com/aclambertyletterboxd.com/aclambertyFind Us:
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Writer and musician Tara Giancaspro joins Kat and A.C. for a rootin' tootin' rip-roarin' review of Colin Higgins' 1982 movie musical The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. We get lost in the fun and charm of the music, dancing, and wigs! We delight in the beauty of Dolly Parton and Burt Reynolds! And we get caught up in a discussion of whether a movie like this could be made today, with its light-hearted treatment of sex workers being unfairly persecuted. Plus, an unhinged installment of the "what's wrong with me" game returns, as we decide which famous men we'd let watch our drinks.
Discussed in this episode:
Feminist Frequency Radio's 2020 episode about 9 to 5DC-based harm reduction organization HIPSFind Tara:
twitter.com/sweatylamarrtaragiancaspro.substack.comsweatylamarrmusic.bandcamp.comFind Kat:
twitter.com/kat_ex_machinaletterboxd.com/katexmachinaFind AC:
instagram.com/aclambertyletterboxd.com/aclambertyFind Us:
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Missing episodes?
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Anita Sarkeesian returns to the podcast this week to discuss Coralie Fargeat's buzzy body horror film The Substance, starring Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley. Anita gives the movie 5 out of 5 stars, but she, Kat, and A.C. all find something uniquely different to love about it. After an electrifying in-theater experience, we couldn't stop thinking about its storytelling on the panopticon of the patriarchal gaze. Not to mention its gonzo gross-out creature work!
Find Anita:
twitter.com/anitasarkeesianinstagram.com/anitasarkeesianletterboxd.com/anitasFind Kat:
twitter.com/kat_ex_machinaletterboxd.com/katexmachinaFind AC:
instagram.com/aclambertyletterboxd.com/aclambertyFind Us:
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Film critic and podcast host Alonso Duralde previously joined us for a discussion about 1950s Hollywood, and it was such a treat to have him return to the show. He recently published the film history compendium Hollywood Pride: A Celebration of LGBTQ+ Representation and Perseverance in Film, so what better film for us to watch together than William Wyler's 1961 opus of lesbian shame, The Children's Hour, starring Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine.
Discussed in this episode:
The Celluloid Closet (1995)Our podcast episode about the film SecondsFind Alonso:
instagram.com/alonso.duraldeThe Film Library, a Kanopy podcastFind Kat:
twitter.com/kat_ex_machinaletterboxd.com/katexmachinaFind AC:
instagram.com/aclambertyletterboxd.com/aclambertyFind Us:
Join our PatreonOur WebsiteSubscribe to FFR on Apple PodcastsTwitterInstagramNEW: Letterboxd -
We were so excited to welcome author and journalist Emma Specter to the show, that we asked them if we could talk about their favorite movie. Join us as we traverse journalism onscreen in James L. Brooks' 1987 film Broadcast News, starring Holly Hunter, William Hurt, and Albert Brooks. We also ask Emma about the process of writing her reported memoir, More, Please, and what she might say about elements of the movie "as a private citizen," versus in her official capacity as culture writer for Vogue.
Discussed in this episode:
More, Please: On Food, Fat, Bingeing, Longing, and the Lust for EnoughEmma's review of She Said: https://dirt.fyi/article/2022/12/all-the-things-she-saidFind Emma:
emmaspecter.comtwitter.com/EmmaSpecterinstagram.com/specteremmaFind Kat:
twitter.com/kat_ex_machinaletterboxd.com/katexmachinaFind AC:
instagram.com/aclambertyletterboxd.com/aclambertyFind Us:
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Kat and A.C. are starving for a blockbuster to make them feel something, as if the movies are actually, finally back. So, they saw Lee Isaac Chung’s Twisters, and unfortunately—they’re still hungry. Listen in as they hypothesize about what Glenn Powell’s character was doing in the years before the events of this film took place (while Anthony Ramos’ was “working for the military” and Daisy Edgar-Jones’ was Being A City Girl). Could the tornado wrangler have been doing crunches? Optimizing his SEO? We just want cinema to try something new, please!
Find Kat:
twitter.com/kat_ex_machinaletterboxd.com/katexmachinaFind AC:
instagram.com/aclambertyletterboxd.com/aclambertyFind Us:
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Kat and A.C. ~*witnessed*~ the fifth installment in George Miller’s apocalypse epic, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga and… we found it completely unnecessary. We know that movies about women are not by default inherently feminist (Anita tweeted about this specifically related to Fury Road back in 2015), but it’s always a bummer when we’re more invested in the male characters in a movie centered around a female protagonist. Then, we played another round of our “What’s Wrong With You?” guessing game, this time with a Pride Month theme (of sorts).
Find Kat:
twitter.com/kat_ex_machinaletterboxd.com/katexmachinaFind AC:
instagram.com/aclambertyletterboxd.com/aclambertyFind Us:
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Who’s in the mood for a little June Gloom? We finally watched John Frankenheimer’s 1966 film Seconds, starring Rock Hudson, in a feature segment we’re calling “Retro Featurism.” Kat and A.C. wonder what its Frankenstein-esque plotline in which viewers could find gay or trans messaging, says about the current moment where stories like Poor Things and Severance (and Maggie Gyllenhaal’s upcoming The Bride) are resonating with audiences. Plus, the return of our celebrity guessing game “What’s Wrong With Me?”!!!
Discussed in this episode:
Fortnightly Freq-Out episode about the documentary Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed: https://feministfrequency.com/video/ffr-presents-fortnightly-freq-outs-mini-ep-1-with-special-guest-a-c-lamberty/FFR “Machos: Fully Loaded” episode about mental health vis-a-vis masculinity in media: https://feministfrequency.com/video/machos-on-the-verge-of-a-nervous-breakdown-machos-fully-loaded-episode-4-ffr-229/The fascinating life story of “Bride of Frankenstein” Elsa Lanchester: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elsa_LanchesterNote: In this episode, Kat erroneously and incorrectly uses the term “plus sized” in description. Apologies for this misuse of the phrase!
Find Kat:
twitter.com/kat_ex_machinaletterboxd.com/katexmachinaFind AC:
instagram.com/aclambertyletterboxd.com/aclambertyFind Us:
Join our PatreonOur WebsiteSubscribe to FFR on Apple PodcastsTwitterInstagramNEW: Letterboxd -
In this week’s episode, Kat holds court on the movie that seemed uniquely designed just for her (which she ultimately found fairly disappointing): The Fall Guy. Directed by longtime stunt performer David Leitch and starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt, A.C. and Kat predominantly found the movie… “cute.” Which is fine! But Kat was really hoping for a lot more about the love of stunts, all things considered. Then, A.C. debuts a new, extremely unhinged game entitled “Nightmare Blunt Rotation,” and Kat has a lot to answer for.
Find Kat:
twitter.com/kat_ex_machinaletterboxd.com/katexmachinaFind AC:
instagram.com/aclambertyletterboxd.com/aclambertyFind Us:
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Join Kat and A.C. for a discussion of Monkey Man, the directorial debut of star Dev Patel. We talk about action movie tropes, what happens when actors get to make their first feature behind the camera, and the “internet boyfriend”-ification of British boys in the 2010s. Plus, the return of our ill-advised celebrity guessing game entitled, “What’s Wrong With Me?”
Find Kat:
twitter.com/kat_ex_machinaletterboxd.com/katexmachinaFind AC:
instagram.com/aclambertyletterboxd.com/aclambertyFind Us:
Join our PatreonOur WebsiteSubscribe to FFR on Apple PodcastsTwitterInstagramNEW: Letterboxd -
Join Kat and A.C. for a discussion of one of their most hotly anticipated movies of 2024, Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers starring Zendaya, Josh O’Connor, and Mike Faist. The FFR hosts were mixed on their reactions, but both saw opportunities where it could have ascended to greater heights than it ultimately did—in particular with the underwritten female character in the middle of the film’s central love triangle. While we love the craft accomplishments of this movie, we can’t help but wonder what Paul Verhoeven might have done with this story.
Plus, we check in on this spring’s film festivals, from the recently debuted Los Angeles Festival of Movies presented by Mubi to the 77th annual festival in Cannes, which just kicked off.
Discussed in this episode:
FFR "Cyberpunk Summer" episode on Strange Days w/ Emily St. JamesFind Kat:
twitter.com/kat_ex_machinaletterboxd.com/katexmachinaFind AC:
instagram.com/aclambertyletterboxd.com/aclambertyFind Us:
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This week, we’re releasing the first bonus episode of the season on the main feed so that everyone can get a teaser of the new format of extra content typically reserved exclusively for our supporters on Patreon! In this bonus episode, we’re discussing Pedro Almodóvar’s short film Strange Way of Life starring Pedro Pascal and Ethan Hawke.
Discussed in this episode: Former FFR guest Inkoo Kang’s podcast “All About Almodóvar.”
Find Kat:
twitter.com/kat_ex_machinaletterboxd.com/katexmachinaFind AC:
instagram.com/aclambertyletterboxd.com/aclambertyFind Us:
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And we’re back! For the first episode of our first season as an independent podcast following the sunset of the Feminist Frequency nonprofit organization, we thought we’d discuss one of the most exciting new independent films we’ve seen: Vera Drew’s The People’s Joker. Join Feminist Frequency Radio co-hosts Kat Spada and A.C. Lamberty as they talk about the movie’s unconventional crowdsourced production, what it gets so right about cultural criticism through parody, and our favorite Batman gags and villains.
Plus, we debut a new celebrity guessing game we’re introducing this season, with the working title “What’s Wrong With Me?” And check out our podcast feed where, this week, we’re releasing our Patreon bonus episode to everyone so that you can all get a teaser of the new format of this season’s extra content typically reserved for our supporters on Patreon!
Find Kat:
twitter.com/kat_ex_machinaletterboxd.com/katexmachinaFind AC:
instagram.com/aclambertyletterboxd.com/aclambertyFind Us:
Join our PatreonOur WebsiteSubscribe to FFR on Apple PodcastsTwitterInstagramNEW: Letterboxd -
FFR Season Preview: Anyone But You with new co-host A.C. Lamberty
Feminist Frequency Radio is coming back for its first new season as an independent podcast following the sunset of the FF organization after an incredible 15 years. Kat Spada is thrilled to be re-joined by new co-host A.C. Lamberty, who joined Kat last year for FFR's indulgent "Machos: Fully Loaded" limited series.
In this week's episode we're catching up on Feminist Frequency news, getting amped for the new season, and dissecting a movie we both enjoyed greatly and almost walked out of the theater several times: Will Gluck's 2023 rom-com Anyone But You starring Glenn Powell and Sydney Sweeney, a loose adaptation of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing.
Next month we'll be back with standard FFR podcast episodes filled with feminist media criticism, and we're so excited to welcome special guests, dive into some book club selections for our Patreon subscribers, and so much more. Stay tuned!
Submit your own FREQ out at feministfrequency.com/FREQOUTFind Kat:
twitter.com/kat_ex_machinaletterboxd.com/katexmachinaFind AC:
instagram.com/aclambertyletterboxd.com/aclambertyFind Us:
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We’re wrapping up this season of FFR just as we started it, with Anita Sarkeesian returning for an episode where she and host Kat Spada talk about a classic movie they both love and could watch over and over. But while this season’s first episode featured Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing, this week we’re focusing on a more unconventional romantic leading man—but one that has nevertheless stood the test of time—Nicolas Cage opposite Cher in Norman Jewison’s Moonstruck.
Find Anita:
twitter.com/anitasarkeesianinstagram.com/anitasarkeesianFind Kat:
twitter.com/kat_ex_machinaFind Feminist Frequency:
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Feminist Frequency Radio presents another “Fortnightly FREQout” mini-episode. In this short-but-sweet installment, Kat is cutting right to the point: BEYONCÉ!
Find Kat:
twitter.com/kat_ex_machinaFind Feminist Frequency:
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Feminist Frequency Radio is celebrating the holidays with the creepy Christmas classic, 1984’s Gremlins. Joining Kat is this episode’s special guest: actor, comedian, and dancer Oscar Montoya.
Links Mentioned:
Gremlins 2 sketch from Key & Peele: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x01l_jMhjVMLa Más Draga: https://www.youtube.com/@LAMASDRAGAOFICIAL60 Songs That Explain the ‘90s: https://www.theringer.com/60-songs-that-explain-the-90sTrek/Marry/Kill podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/voy-death-wish-s2e18-with-kat-spada-feminist-frequency/id1652275008?i=1000636757467Find Oscar:
twitter.com/ozzymoinstagram.com/ozzymoFind Kat:
twitter.com/kat_ex_machinaFind Feminist Frequency:
Join our PatreonOur WebsiteSubscribe to FFR on Apple PodcastsTwitterInstagramtwitch.tv/femfreq -
On this Fortnightly FREQout mini-episode, Kat is reflecting on what good can come from Thanksgiving with a documentary recommendation and support for United Farm Workers, as well as an overview of some media she saw over the holiday break, including Taika Waititi’s Next Goal Wins.
Links Mentioned:
“Harvest of Shame” documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJTVF_dya7EDonate to United Farm Workers: https://ufw.org/sparechange/Trek Marry Kill podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/voy-death-wish-s2e18-with-kat-spada-feminist-frequency/id1652275008?i=1000636757467Find Kat:
twitter.com/kat_ex_machinaFind Feminist Frequency:
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Kat is joined by cartoon and comics-style illustrator Ethan Harper to discuss the new animated series Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, based on both the original graphic novels written and drawn by O’Malley beginning in 2004 and the live-action film adaptation from 2010 directed by Edgar Wright. Spoilers ahead!
Links Mentioned:
https://kotaku.com/pc-gamer-30th-anniversary-women-games-1851021562https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2023/11/at-trial-accused-pelosi-attacker-says-gamergate-led-him-to-far-right-conspiracies/https://www.etsy.com/shop/unpaintedhuffhinesFind Ethan:
twitter.com/ethancharperinstagram.com/ethancharperhttps://www.etsy.com/shop/unpaintedhuffhinesFind Kat:
twitter.com/kat_ex_machinaFind Feminist Frequency:
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It’s time for another Fortnightly FREQout, where Feminist Frequency Radio host Kat Spada brings you brief reviews and industry news from the past few weeks. Today, she’s talking about the end of the SAG-AFTRA strike (including a final day trip to the picket line), the closure of online feminist publication Jezebel, and some thoughts on the pilot episode of the new Showtime series The Curse.
Links Mentioned:
https://deadspin.com/the-adults-in-the-room-1837487584Find Kat:
twitter.com/kat_ex_machinaFind Feminist Frequency:
Join our PatreonOur WebsiteSubscribe to FFR on Apple PodcastsTwitterInstagramtwitch.tv/femfreq - Show more