Keep It!
248 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 9K ratingsMovies! Music! Celebrities embarrassing themselves! KEEP IT has it all. Each week, Ira Madison III and Louis Virtel are joined by comedians, journalists, actors, musicians, activists, politicians and more to discuss the latest ways pop culture and entertainment are intersecting with politics and society. New episodes drop every Wednesday.
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Episodes
“Gimme Moore” (with Jia Tolentino)
October 02, 2019 07:01 - 1 hour - 89.5 MBIra and Louis are joined by guest co-host Wynter Mitchell to discuss Demi Moore’s revealing new memoir Inside Out, a disrespectful review of Debbie Harry’s memoir, and more! Plus, Louis has a Keep It is himself and New Yorker columnist Jia Tolentino joins to discuss her new book Trick Mirror and why we fall in love with the stories we do.
“An Inconvenient Truth Hurts" (with Tarell Alvin McCraney)
September 25, 2019 07:01 - 1 hour - 63.8 MBIra and Louis are joined by guest co-host Alyssa Mastromonaco to dive into the highs and lows of the 71st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, Greta Thunberg leaving conservatives bothered, Lenny Kravitz’s stolen sunglasses, Mandy Moore's triumphant return to music, and more! Plus, Tarell Alvin McCraney joins to discuss telling black queer storylines on screen and his new TV series, David Makes Man.
"Cancel Me If You Can” (with Ezra Koenig)
September 18, 2019 07:01 - 1 hour - 68.4 MBIra and Louis are joined by guest co-host Grace Parra to discuss Shane Gillis’ firing from SNL and Andrew Yang hitching himself to the racist comedian, Felicity Huffman’s sentencing, how Keke Palmer became a meme, NBC’s Saved by the Bell reboot, and more. Plus, Ezra Koenig from Vampire Weekend joins to talk about his Columbia University roots, politics and the joys of country music.
"The Ira and Louis Variety Hour! Vol. 2" (with Chelsea Handler)
September 11, 2019 07:01 - 1 hour - 58.5 MBIra and Louis launch Jennifer Lopez's Oscar campaign for Hustlers and discuss Scarlett Johansson's defense of Woody Allen, pay disparity on the Crazy Rich Asians writing team, Kevin Hart's messy conversation with Lil Nas X, America's White Claw shortage, and more! Plus, Chelsea Handler joins to discuss her new Netflix documentary on white privilege and how she's gotten politically involved.
“Bop to the Top or Bottom” (with Randall Park)
September 04, 2019 07:01 - 1 hour - 61.4 MBIra and Louis are joined by guest co-host Shar Jossell to discuss Troye Sivan’s invasive interview about his sex life, Dave Chappelle’s controversial new comedy special, why Kirsten Dunst deserves more respect, Lana Del Rey’s new album, and more. Plus, Randall Park joins to talk about rom coms, meeting Keanu Reeves, and those Constance Wu tweets.
“Neither What, Neither Who” (with Robin Thede)
August 28, 2019 07:01 - 1 hour - 79 MBIra and Louis are joined by guest co-host Rheeqrheeq Chainey to discuss the VMAS, Taylor Swift’s new album LOVER, and Karamo Brown’s new friendship with Sean Spicer. Plus, Robin Thede joins to talk about HBO’s A Black Lady Sketch Show and the black gaze in comedy.
“Chicken Sandwich for the Soul” (with Jackie Tohn)
August 21, 2019 07:01 - 1 hour - 51 MBIra and Louis are joined by guest co-host Aida Osman to stan Normani and discuss Chick-fil-A and Popeyes’ chicken sandwich war, Jay-Z teaming up with the NFL, #BoycottMulan, and more. Plus, Jackie Tohn joins to talk about the new season of GLOW in Netflix and her past on American Idol.
"Mama Said Equinox, You Out” (with Angelica Ross)
August 14, 2019 07:01 - 1 hour - 58.2 MBIra and Louis are joined by guest co-host Aida Osman to discuss Missy Elliott's upcoming MTV Video Vanguard award, boycotting Equinox and Soul Cycle, the recently canceled movie 'The Hunt,' Priyanka Chopra's Beautycon showdown, and more! Plus, Angelica Ross joins to talk about meeting Janet Jackson and what 'Pose' means for the future of trans stories.
“Kamala on a Hot Tin Roof” (with Kathleen Turner)
August 07, 2019 07:01 - 1 hour - 60.7 MBIra and Louis are joined by return guest co-host Rheeqrheeq Chainey to honor Toni Morrison, discuss Marianne Williamson fandom, attacks on Kamala Harris, male egos on the set of Hobbs & Shaw. Plus, Kathleen Turner joins to discuss her iconic roles on stage and film and the stunted evolution of female sexuality in Hollywood.
“Fantasy Hollywoodland” (with Margaret Cho)
July 31, 2019 07:01 - 1 hour - 63.8 MBIra and Louis are joined by guest co-host Jill Gutowitz to discuss Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Lil Nas X’s breaking the Billboard charts, Andy Cohen’s messy interview with Tituss Burgess, shirtless joggers, and where lesbians hang out in Los Angeles. Plus, Margaret Cho joins to talk about her history doing stand-up and Aaron Spelling TV shows.
“Jailhouse Rocky” (with Angela Bassett)
July 24, 2019 07:01 - 1 hour - 69.8 MBIra and Louis are joined by guest co-host Fran Tirado (Food 4 Thot, The Outcast) to discuss the Cats trailer, the non-story about Taylor Swift fans attacking Kamala Harris, Kim and Kanye asking Trump to free A$AP from a Swedish prison, the Big Little Lies finale, and The Hollywood Reporter’s Leonardo DiCaprio profile. Plus, Ira sits down with icon Angela Bassett!
"A Scarlett Johansson Grows in Brooklyn" (with Justin Simien)
July 17, 2019 07:01 - 1 hour - 49.1 MBIra and Louis are joined by guest co-host Brooke Thomas (The Young Turks) to discuss Emmy nominations, Scarlett Johansson’s comments about political correctness in casting, and Andrea Arnold’s apparent erasure from Big Little Lies. Plus, Justin Simien (creator of Dear White People) returns to talk season 3 of the Netflix series, The Real Housewives of Potomac, Tyler Perry, and Beto O’Rourke’s slave-owning ancestors.
“Bend It Like Rapinoe” (with Adam Scott)
July 10, 2019 07:01 - 1 hour - 60.8 MBIra and Louis are joined by guest co-host Rae Sanni to discuss Megan Rapinoe taking on Trump and equal pay, the alleged uproar over Disney’s The Little Mermaid casting, Vanity Fair letting Jeffrey Epstein off the hook in 2003, and more! Plus, Adam Scott drops by for a deep dive on music and working with iconic actresses on Big Little Lies.
“Tommy, You’re a Firework” (with Tommy Vietor)
July 03, 2019 07:01 - 1 hour - 181 MBTommy Vietor returns to Keep It to discuss Julia Roberts, make the case for fireworks, and yes, the Tommy’s Cakes debacle.
"Kara BEEN Brown!" (with Whitney Cummings)
June 26, 2019 07:01 - 1 hour - 70.1 MBTyler Perry makes a powerful statement at the BET Awards, Whoopi Goldberg is accused of victim blaming, #MeToo finally hits Max Landis, E. Jean Carroll's Trump accusations fall on deaf media ears, and in Kara's final episode she has one last "keep it" for Kim Kardashian. Plus, comedian Whitney Cummings talks about that now infamous Roseanne reboot and how to affect political change with comedy.
"To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything, Taylor Swift” (with Lauren Morelli)
June 19, 2019 10:00 - 1 hour - 58.9 MBTaylor Swift leaps into Pride month with her new single, “You Need to Calm Down.” Parkland student Kyle Kashuv gets his Harvard offer rescinded after his past racist behavior is exposed. Jessica Biel might be an anti-vaxxer. Madonna’s latest album divides fans. OJ Simpson joins Twitter. Plus, Lauren Morelli, creator and showrunner of Netflix’s Tales of the City reboot, joins to talk about queer storytelling.
“Grey’s Animosity” (with Regina Hall)
June 12, 2019 07:01 - 1 hour - 64.7 MBEllen Pompeo speaks out about toxicity on the Grey’s Anatomy set. The Tony Awards prompt questions about whether to digitize Broadway shows. 2020 Democrat candidates have some rather left field campaign songs. Plus, Regina Hall joins to talk about what mainstream Hollywood success means and her upcoming film Shaft.
"Material Gays" (with Jacob Tobia and Tichina Arnold)
June 05, 2019 10:00 - 1 hour - 209 MBIra, Louis, and Kara are joined by author Jacob Tobia to discuss the commercialization of Pride month and their new book, Sissy: A Coming-of-Gender Story. Plus, Democratic candidates need to stop going on The Breakfast Club, Trump's depressing U.K. visit, unnecessary Keanu Reeves slander, and a visit from television legend Tichina Arnold to discuss the evolving landscape of TV comedy and her new film, 'The Last Black Man in San Francisco.'
“Catch Me If You Cannes” (with Kyle Buchanan)
May 29, 2019 10:00 - 1 hour - 58.1 MBQuentin Tarantino stirs up controversy at Cannes, so NYT film columnist Kyle Buchanan joins to break down the festival. Plus, Harvey Weinstein settles for less than his crimes deserve, Booksmart’s low box office has people blaming Disney and streaming services, and more!
“Kelly Ripa to Shreds” (with Tanya Saracho)
May 22, 2019 10:00 - 1 hour - 63.1 MBIra, Louis, and Rae Sanni dive into the petty feud Kelly Ripa started with The Bachelor franchise, whether or not Democratic candidates should go on FOX News, and that polarizing Game of Thrones finale. Plus, a new segment called Keep It Up and Tanya Saracho (playwright and creator of the Starz series Vida) joins to discuss what representation really looks like in television and theatre
"$10,000 Pyramid Scheme" (LIVE in LA, featuring Leslie Grossman)
May 17, 2019 10:00 - 1 hour - 56.9 MBLive from The Regent in Los Angeles, Ira, Kara, and Louis dive into Beto's campaign relaunch, Kylie Jenner's sketchy skin care line, Boston accents, the new Judy Garland Biopic, and why Ira stans Rita Ora. Plus, actress Leslie Grossman joins to spill Met Gala secrets, play a new game called $10,000 Pyramid Scheme, and more!
"The Mystery Files of Constance Wu" (with Diablo Cody)
May 15, 2019 10:00 - 1 hour - 58.7 MBConstance Wu experiences "fucking hell," or as Hollywood calls it, TV Upfronts. Beauty vloggers drama implodes in extremely long YouTube videos. Game of Thrones and Veep leave viewers with mixed emotions. Plus, Diablo Cody joins to discuss Georgia's new abortion bill and the iconic feminist characters in her films.
"Camp, Rocked" (with Jonathan Levine)
May 08, 2019 10:00 - 1 hour - 45.8 MBThe Met Gala returns with another theme destined to confuse celebrities — Camp: Notes on Fashion. Louis CK learns the meaning of consent when it comes to recording his live shows. Daenerys goes for a Starbucks run. Billy McFarland goes from fake festival organizer to author. Plus, director Jonathan Levine joins to talk about his movie Long Shot!
“The Royal Tea” (with Olivia Wilde)
May 01, 2019 10:00 - 1 hour - 53.3 MBPrince William’s alleged affair sounds more boring than scandalous. Several celebrities are teaming up to take down critics. Taylor Swift is back with a new brand. Plus, remembering John Singleton and special guest Olivia Wilde joins to talk about her directorial debut Booksmart, The O.C., and more!
“Homecoming to America” (with Jennifer Kaytin Robinson)
April 24, 2019 10:00 - 1 hour - 52.1 MBKara, Louis, and Kelley Carter (filling in for Ira) dive in Beyoncé’s staggering new Netflix documentary “Homecoming.” George Zimmerman wants to find love but Tinder and Bumble don’t give a shit. Plus, guest Jenn Kaytin Robinson (Someone Great, Sweet/Vicious) joins to talk about Time’s 100 Most Influential People.
"To (The Presidential Medal of) Freedom!!!!" (with Shea Serrano)
April 17, 2019 10:00 - 1 hour - 175 MBShea Serrano's long-awaited appearance on Keep It is just in time for Tiger Woods' comeback. Plus, the tepid Democrat response to attacks on Rep. Omar, the majority of reporting on the WGA is bad, Bret Easton Ellis still sucks, and the British press needs to leave Meghan Markle alone already.
"Women on The View with a Nervous Breakdown" (with Matt Rogers)
April 10, 2019 10:00 - 1 hour - 130 MBIra, Louis, and Jen Yamato (filling in for Kara) dive into 'Ladies Who Punch,' the juicy tell-all about The View, with guest Matt Rogers (from the Las Culturistas podcast). Plus, Hollywood sex cults, the outing of the Prince of Brunei, Avengers movie fatigue, and are there too many white men running for President in 2020?
“No Country for Black Men” (with Damon Young)
April 03, 2019 10:00 - 1 hour - 74.3 MBIra, Kara, and Rae (filling in for Louis) dive into the controversy surrounding Lil Nas X’s removal from Billboard’s Hot Country Songs charts, Chris Rock’s Jussie Smollett jokes and Omari Hardwick’s behavior at the NAACP Image Awards, George Clooney’s boycott of the Brunei Investment Agency, and Nipsey Hussle conspiracy theories. Plus, Damon Young joins to talk about his new memoir What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Blacker.
Keep It Brief: “Riding in Cars with Seal” (with Cautious Clay)
March 29, 2019 10:00 - 20 minutes - 18.4 MBMusician Cautious Clay joins Ira, Kara, and Louis to talk about self care as a musician, riding in a car with Seal, and more! Plus, an urgent plea for a sequel to the 2010 Angelina Jolie movie Salt.
"Heard It Through the Applevine" (with Billy Eichner)
March 27, 2019 10:00 - 1 hour - 77.7 MBChicago prosecutors drops all charges against Jussie Smollett. Apple sort of debuts their new streaming service. Writers Guild board member Angelina Burnett joins to break down the ongoing WGA drama with the Association of Talent Agents. Plus, Billy Eichner talks rom coms, The Lion King, and more!
Keep It Brief: “Slaughterhouse-Netflix” (with Yassir Lester)
March 22, 2019 10:00 - 27 minutes - 25 MBComedian and writer Yassir Lester joins to talk about Netflix axing One Day at a Time and his own history of being on canceled TV shows.
"I Theranos What You Did Last Summer" (with Busy Philipps)
March 20, 2019 10:00 - 1 hour - 80.7 MBHBO's Elizabeth Holmes documentary, The Inventor, digs into her Theranos scam. James Gunn gets re-hired on Guardians of the Galaxy 3. Beto O'Rourke can't stop standing on tables. Plus, Busy Philipps joins to talk about the college bribing scandal and more!
Keep It Brief: “The Bribe Has Spoken” (with Holland Taylor)
March 15, 2019 10:00 - 45 minutes - 41.6 MBThe college bribing scandal continues to unfold. Beto O’Rourke enters the crowded 2020 race. Plus, Ira sits down with actress Holland Taylor to discuss roles for women in Hollywood, Legally Blonde 3, and her new film Gloria Bell
“SAT Notes On a Scandal” (with Mandy Moore)
March 13, 2019 10:00 - 1 hour - 67.7 MBSpecial guest Mandy Moore joins to talk about her music and acting career! Plus, Felicity Huffman and Lori Laughlin are in embroiled in a college bribing scandal, Pete Davidson pulls a Sinead O’Connor on SNL, Showtime axes SMILF due to creator Frankie Shaw’s alleged misconduct on set, and more!
Keep It Brief: "The King and R." (with Brit Bennett)
March 08, 2019 11:00 - 35 minutes - 32.3 MBGayle King sits down with a volatile R. Kelly. Plus, Kara talks to Brit Bennett about her best-selling novel The Mothers.
“Never Say Neverland Again” (with Leo Kalyan)
March 06, 2019 11:00 - 1 hour - 56.8 MBHBO’s Finding Neverland documentary raises some tough questions about the cult of Michael Jackson. Steven Spielberg takes aim at Netflix’s future Oscar noms. Jada Pinkett Smith enters the Jordyn Woods fray. Plus, singer Leo Kalyan joins and more!
Keep It Brief: "The Real Housewives of Los Feliz" (with Casey Wilson)
March 01, 2019 11:00 - 44 minutes - 41 MBIra, Kara, and Louis talk to Casey Wilson (Showtime's Black Monday and the Bitch Sesh podcast) about why smart people love Bravo reality TV shows. Plus, Ira and Louis parse the criticism Ariana Grande has received for headlining Manchester Pride and Adam Devine's role as a gay icon.
"Green of the Damned" (with Alyssa Mastromonaco)
February 27, 2019 11:00 - 1 hour - 74.4 MBYeah, we know. Green Book won the Oscar. Ira, Louis, and guest co-host Rheeqrheeq Chainey dive into the highs and lows of the Oscars and why we might have to unstan Rami Malek. The Jussie Smollett case continues to be baffling and horribly reported. Plus, Alyssa Mastromonaco joins to talk about the Kardashians (yes, really!) and her latest book So Here's The Thing...!
Keep It Brief: “Kim BEEN Basinger!”
February 22, 2019 11:00 - 26 minutes - 24.4 MBIra and Louis discuss some the Oscars’ biggest snubs and what they’re looking forward to during Sunday’s ceremony.
“Charmless School” (with Desus and Mero)
February 20, 2019 11:00 - 1 hour - 64.7 MBKara calls Ira and Louis from Paris to discuss Cardi’s continued success, Steve Harvey’s unfortunate televised fight with Mo’Nique, and Ryan Adams’ #MeToo reckoning. Plus, special guests Desus and Mero!
“The Dick Stays in the Picture” (with Erin Ryan)
February 13, 2019 11:00 - 1 hour - 61.1 MBThe Grammys are surprisingly good, in spite of its producer feuding with Ariana Grande. Jeff Bezos pens an op-ed about his stolen dick pic. Ellen Page calls out Chris Pratt’s church. Plus, Erin Gloria Ryan joins, Ira is dying from a cold, and Tawny Newsome (co-host of Yo, Is This Racist?) guest co-hosts!
“A Moonwalk to Remember”
February 06, 2019 11:00 - 1 hour - 63.8 MBAndrew Ti (co-host of Yo, Is This Racist?) fills in for Ira as Black History Month gets off to a rough start with an insane Liam Neeson interview, Governor Ralph Northam attempting to moonwalk out of a blackface scandal, and Jussie Smollet is targeted by a hate crime. Plus, Adam Levine strips at the Super Bowl and 21 Savage is actually British.
"Bohemian Rhapsodon’t" (with Raja Kumari)
January 30, 2019 11:00 - 1 hour - 67.5 MBBryan Singer’s history of abuse allegations resurfaces in The Atlantic. Rent Live is less than live thanks to an actor’s injury. BuzzFeed, HuffPost, and other media companies face mass layoffs. Plus, the internet is thirsty for Ted Bundy, the Mooch still sucks, and songwriter and rapper Raja Kumari joins!
"We Didn’t Start the Fyre" (with Jane Marie)
January 23, 2019 11:00 - 1 hour - 75.9 MBHulu and Netflix go to war with dueling Fyre Fest documentaries. Cardi B takes on conservative pundits. Green Book gets closer to becoming the next Crash. Travis Scott and Colin Kaepernick square off over the Super Bowl. Plus, Emmy Award-winning journalist and podcast producer Jane Marie joins!
"Guess Who’s Ruining Dinner" (with Nina Parker)
January 16, 2019 11:00 - 1 hour - 70.4 MBLady Gaga, Celine Dion, and other artists distance themselves from past R. Kelly collaborations. Bryan Cranston faces criticism for playing a disabled character in The Upside. Tulsi Gabbard, former homophobe, and Anthony Scaramucci, five-second White House employee, try to rebrand. Plus, Trump’s fast food dinner from hell and Nina Parker (from E!’s Nightly Pop) joins! Show References: Vulture: "Will Kevin Hart's Scandal Bring Down the Upside?" https://www.vulture.com/2019/01/will-kevin-harts...
"There could be 101 Dalmatians in the room..." (Dan Levy)
January 09, 2019 11:00 - 1 hour - 74 MBGlenn Close snatches Best Actress from Lady Gaga at the Golden Globes. Kevin Hart’s non-apology tour continues on The Ellen Show. R. Kelly’s time may finally be up. Marie Kondo scams America. Plus, Dan Levy from Schitt’s Creek joins Ira, Kara, and Louis!
“Have Yourself a Merry Little Keep It”
December 26, 2018 11:00 - 1 hour - 56.2 MBIra, Kara, and Louis answer your mailbag questions for the final episode of the year. Plus, Ira talks to Barry Jenkins about black filmmaking and his new film, If Beale Street Could Talk.
“F**k it! Let’s Do Keep It Live!” (LIVE in LA featuring Tommy Vietor)
December 19, 2018 11:00 - 1 hour - 74.5 MBIra, Kara, and Louis run down all the shit they forgot happened in 2018 and revisit the good and bad of #MeToo a year later. Plus, our favorite things of the year and #1 Keep It fan Tommy Vietor tests his knowledge of the show live on stage at The Peppermint Club in Los Angeles.
"Crimes of the Hart" (with D'Arcy Carden)
December 12, 2018 11:00 - 1 hour - 66.4 MBSandra Oh and Andy Samberg as hosts have everyone looking forward to the Golden Globes, while Kevin Hart’s Oscar hosting gig implodes after a series of unearthed homophobic tweets. Plus, Cardi B dumps Offset, Beyoncé performs at a wedding in India, and D’Arcy Carden (The Good Place) joins the panel! Show references: Hollywood Reporter: "Why Oscar Host Has Become the Least Wanted Job in Hollywood" (https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/why-oscar-host-is-worst-job-town-1165880) Vulture: "D'Ar...
"The Priyanka Always Marries Twice" (with Franklin Leonard)
December 05, 2018 11:00 - 1 hour - 63.5 MBIra, Kara, and Louis are back in LA together to talk about Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas' two over the top weddings, Jameela Jamil's detox tea crusade, and why it's perfectly fine for the victims of his presidency to speak ill of George H.W. Bush. Plus, bootcut jeans are back, the Pope should mind his business, why Call Me By Your Name 2 is unnecessary, and guest Franklin Leonard (creator of The Black List) joins to talk diversity in screenwriting. Show References: WASH PO: “Drug Buy Set Up...