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REALITY OF REALITY

REALITY OF REALITY

By Aliza Rosen

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REALITY OF REALITYMay 22, 2020

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5 years of Reality of Reality – a farewell

5 years of Reality of Reality – a farewell

It’s a bittersweet day as I say goodbye to Reality of Reality. It feels fitting that this farewell is on the 5th anniversary of my podcast — which started as a fun whim with Jenny Daly and turned into over 200 episodes of interviews with the best in the business. 
The why is simple: I’m just too busy with my core business to sustain the pace any longer. I realize that’s a lucky place to be — especially given how hard this last year has been for so many— and I don’t take it for granted. 
Thank you to Taste of Reality for believing in me and putting me on your fabulous network. Thank you to my stepson Kevin Clobes for composing the fabulous theme music. And a huge thank you to my editor and engineer Jesus Murillo who has been with me from day 1 and might be the nicest human being I know. He’s done late night edits, very early morning edits and many other annoying edits and has never ever complained. He is a rock star and I’m lucky to continue working with him on my other ventures. 
And finally, thank you to all my guests: it’s been an honor speak to every single person I’ve interviewed. I can honestly say I’ve learned something from everyone and I’m humbled by the experience. 
If you want to connect with me feel free to email me: aliza@ayr-media and/or follow me on IG at @realityaliza
xo
Apr 26, 202105:28
Diona Vaughan Mankowitz & Ray Dotch – Divergent Content

Diona Vaughan Mankowitz & Ray Dotch – Divergent Content

Diona Vaughan Mankowitz is an Emmy nominated producer and casting director who founded Divergent Content in 2020. Soon after she founded the company, Ray Dotch, an Emmy winning Executive Producer and Showrunner, came on board and became Diona’s ipso facto partner.  The goal at Divergent is to use the voices of people of color behind the camera to support, amplify, and elevate diverse stories and talent. We talk about inclusivity and hiring in unscripted content, the history of racism in our industry, the importance of hiring Black producers for all kinds of shows and what the Sharon Osborne firing says about where we are right now as a culture.
Divergent content:
https://www.divergentcontent.com
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Apr 22, 202157:21
David Eilenberg – CCO ITV America

David Eilenberg – CCO ITV America

Today on the podcast – everyone’s favorite producer and all around human David Eilenberg. Dave is now Chief Creative Officer at ITV America where he’s guiding creative strategy, leveraging intellectual property, and helping grow the group’s six vertical production labels, including ITV Entertainment, Leftfield Pictures, Sirens Media, Thinkfactory Media, High Noon Entertainment and Good Caper Content.
Dave cut his teeth in this industry working on game shows which led him to The Apprentice – where he learned how to produce a competition show when all of NYC is a set. He went to help create Are You Smarter than Fifth Grader which was put together at lightening speed from pitch to series. He also talks about the pressure to reboot Queer Eye, what it’s like being the head of a massive company, where this business is headed and why we should be working with producers all over the country.
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Apr 14, 202146:23
Mioshi Hill – President, Sirens Media

Mioshi Hill – President, Sirens Media

Today on the podcast, Sirens Media President Mioshi Hill. Mioshi is a long time producer, starting on the production company side then going to Lifetime were she was VP of development overseeing shows like Little Women: LA, Finding Justice, Making a Model with Yolanda Hadid and Vivica’s Black Magic. She joined Sirens in January of  2021. The company is coming in strong this year with a great season of Real Housewives of New Jersey and the new show Wedding Coach which premieres April 7th on Netflix!
http://sirensmedia.com
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Apr 08, 202148:08
Andrea Blaugrund Nevins – Director FX/Hulu’s HYSTERICAL

Andrea Blaugrund Nevins – Director FX/Hulu’s HYSTERICAL

Andrea Blaugrund Nevins is a writer, producer and director who’s helmed the new documentary on FX/Hulu called Hysterical. This film is a great portrait of what obstacles female comedians face in the very male-dominated world of comedy. It profiles a wide range of hilarious and thoughtful women, as well as the newcomers who are breaking new ground and changing the game. Andrea and I also talk about her fantastic documentary Tiny Shoulders – rethinking Barbie also streaming on Hulu which examines 60 years of women through the lens of the iconic plastic doll. Hysterical premieres April 2 at 9pm on FX, streaming next day on FX on Hulu:
https://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/hysterical
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Apr 01, 202141:48
Erika Bryant – Showrunner and Author: Doing it Scared

Erika Bryant – Showrunner and Author: Doing it Scared

Today on the podcast, Showrunner and now author Erika Bryant. Erika’s a seasoned Executive Producer who’s worked on shows like  Bravo’s Real Housewives of Atlanta and Married to Medicine and is now show running the third season of Family or Fiancé  on OWN -a show Erika’s been with the show since the beginning. We also talk about her new book DOING IT SCARED: An Inspirational Guidebook to Facing and Conquering Fear which is on sale now (links below in the show notes). We talk about Erika’s career, her being a leader not a boss, making vulnerability ok and how not every show is fit for everyone. But most of all – going for what you want and doing it scared!  
https://www.amazon.com/Doing-Scared-Inspirational-Guidebook-Conquering-ebook/dp/B08WHY5DYB
www.erika-bryant.com
Erika’s first time on the pod:
The Black Female Producer’s Reality of Reality-Erika Bryant, Jamala Gaither, Nakia Williams

 
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Mar 25, 202154:44
Lauren Lazin & Dave Sambucchi – For Real: The Story of Reality TV on E!

Lauren Lazin & Dave Sambucchi – For Real: The Story of Reality TV on E!

Showrunner and Oscar and Emmy nominated director Lauren Lazin and Vice President of Development for Bunim Murray Dave Sambuchi are both are Executive Producers of the new 7 part series on E! called FOR REAL: THE STORY OF REALITY TV. I was lucky enough to help develop this series that drops on March 25th and will be aired across multiple NBC Universal platforms. This show truly has it all – from the roots of reality with MTV’s The Real World to celeb reality starting with the Osbournes of of course bookending with the Kardashians to dating shows to competion and of course the reality show presidency we just endured. It gets to the deeper questions of how does the culture impact reality TV and vice versa and the reasons behind why do we love to watch. 
https://www.eonline.com/shows/for_real
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Mar 18, 202159:27
Sabrina Soto – TV Designer, Lifestyle Influencer and Podcaster

Sabrina Soto – TV Designer, Lifestyle Influencer and Podcaster

Excited to have my friend Sabrina Soto back on the podcast to talk about what she’s been up to the last four years – and it’s a lot! Sabrina is a designer on the HGTV show Ty Breaker, Secret Celebrity Renovation on CBS and hosts her own podcast Re-Designing life. We talk about the shows, vision boards, Clubhouse and our kween Wendy Williams. Enjoy!
Links to Sabrina:
https://www.sabrinasoto.com
https://www.instagram.com/Sabrina_Soto/
https://www.discoveryplus.com/show/the-high-low-project
My first interview with Sabrina:
Sabrina Soto

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Mar 11, 202144:11
Allen vs. Farrow HBO documentary series – w/Evolution Media President Alex Baskin

Allen vs. Farrow HBO documentary series – w/Evolution Media President Alex Baskin

It’s the long awaited breakdown of the 4-part HBO series ALLEN v FARROW with my friend and President of Evolution Media Alex Baskin. We get into ALL of it so be forewarned that “spoilers” abound and we talk about intense subjects like sexual assault and incest which can be triggering for some. As someone who has believed Dylan since she came out publicly in 2014, I was blown away by this series and all I had NOT known about this case. I highly recommend watching it and listening – as we went into several areas not covered in the doc series. Lastly- I saw this on Twitter and to me it resonated with me:  Dylan, Mia and Ronan didn’t owe us their stories. They chose to share this with us. 
Watch Allen v Farrow on HBO Max:
https://play.hbomax.com/page/urn:hbo:page:GYB3SAQKmr698pQEAAABL:type:series
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Mar 04, 202101:09:32
Billie Mintz – Filmmaker/Guardianship Expert & #freebritney

Billie Mintz – Filmmaker/Guardianship Expert & #freebritney

Filmmaker and social justice warrior Billie Mintz has directed and produced many award winning films. I was blown away by his 2018 film The Guardians – now on Amazon Prime – which exposes a criminal enterprise running through family court where the legal kidnapping of elderly people took place in Las Vegas. Because of that film, Billie has became an advocate for vicimts of guardianship fraud around the country and a hero to the #freebritney movement. We talk about that and the NYT/Hulu documentary Framing Britney and the new Netflix film I Care A Lot – and beware of spoilers on that one!
Billie’s film The Guardians:

For more on Billie’s work:
https://www.billiemintz.com
Great article from the New Yorker that is covered in Billie’s doc:
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/10/09/how-the-elderly-lose-their-rights
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Feb 25, 202149:57
Justin Lacob – Head of Development, XTR Studios

Justin Lacob – Head of Development, XTR Studios

Justin Lacob has the dream job of many people in our business. He’s the Head of Development for XTR – a studio that helps filmmakers on their journeys to get their films made.  Justin also co-founded Documentary+, the Netflix of documentaries. Justin’s a veteran producer who got started on old school reality competition shows like America’s Top Model and ended up on the network side at Spike (which became Paramount) overseeing a gazillion episodes of Bar Rescue. At Paramount he was an Executive Producer with Jay-Z on the Emmy nominated documentary series, Rest in Power: The Trayvon Martin Story, as well as on Gone: The Forgotten Women, directed by Academy Award nominated filmmaker Joe Berlinger.
https://www.xtr.com
https://www.docplus.com
https://medium.com/@justinlacob/the-entertainment-we-will-talk-about-most-in-2020-nonfiction-why-b3a0551ffe6d
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Feb 18, 202147:30
Non Fiction United: Johanna Vanderspool, Toni-Ann Lagana & Jason Martinez

Non Fiction United: Johanna Vanderspool, Toni-Ann Lagana & Jason Martinez

The Non-Fiction United group is fighting for better conditions for our industry: from fair pay to safe work environments. Today I have on the founder of the NFU, Johanna Vanderspool, who is a showrunner and director who’s worked on shows like the BET Awards and Undressed. She’s joined by Toni-Ann Lagana, a freelance producer who’s worked on shows like Dancing with the Stars and American Idol and Jason Martinez, a longtime director/producer who most recently produced Temptation Island during the pandemic.
We talk about how Covid-19 has shined a light on core issues in our business, how rates have changed (or haven’t changed) over the years and how the whole industry is set up like a “mafia family” (!)
For more on the NFU:
http://www.nonfictionunion.com
Toni Ann’s article in THR:
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/reality-tvs-overburdened-and-underrepresented-workforce-guest-column?fbclid=IwAR1ywYu0pRWLBpOMvMd7cGs0b-R3mVYnpGJLhV0Zrd5s5u9z4ssYTUEkyS0
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Feb 11, 202101:05:12
Unscripted Development Executives – Matt Shanfield, Michelle Byars & Tom Huffman

Unscripted Development Executives – Matt Shanfield, Michelle Byars & Tom Huffman

Today on the podcast – a trio of development executives who go way back. They all sell shows for competing companies – but have strong friendships and rely on each other as sounding boards and support: Matt Shanfield  – EVP of Development at IPC,  Tom Huffman – EVP of original content at Pilgrim Media Group and Michelle Byars – VP of unscripted at ITV.
What are the trends and buzzwords these days in unscripted? What’s the best way to get a show sold straight to series? How do you  pitch in a pandemic and what do you pitch? Who are the best network execs in the biz? And is Real Screen a good place to sell shows? We get into it all and much much more. Enjoy!
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Feb 04, 202101:20:32
Ricki Stern – Director/Executive Producer of Surviving Death on Netflix

Ricki Stern – Director/Executive Producer of Surviving Death on Netflix

The new six part series Surviving Death on Netflix blew me away so I knew I had to talk to the Director and Executive Producer who also happened to be behind many other stellar films and series. Ricki Stern talks about what attracted her to the subject matter, how she chose the stories to profile and what she believes after immersing herself in the spirit world. We also get into some of Ricki’s other work like the Preppy Murder series on AMC, Surviving Jeffrey Epstein on Lifetime and one of my favorite all time docs, Joan Rivers: a Piece of Work.  
More on Ricki and her work:
http://www.breakthrufilms.org
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Jan 28, 202147:47
Tiger Woods HBO documentary – with golfer and husband Bryan Clobes

Tiger Woods HBO documentary – with golfer and husband Bryan Clobes

The two-part documentary Tiger on HBO/HBO Max requires a deep dive and who better to do it with than golfer extraordinaire and my husband Bryan Clobes. Bryan’s not only a gifted golfer (not biased – he actually is a 3 or 4 handicap – whatever that means) but a documentary fan who has great insight into the themes of Tiger’s life: his relationship with his parents, his rise, fall and rise again, his relationships and whether he’ll ever be the true GOAT of golf.
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Jan 21, 202157:57
Susan Horowitz & Irina Grobman – From Reality to Real Estate

Susan Horowitz & Irina Grobman – From Reality to Real Estate

On this very special episode, two of my all time favorite people talk about the transition from reality TV to real estate. Both Susan and Irina worked in television before switching careers to become realtors and own their own brokerage firm. They talk about why they made the move, what skills they learned in TV helped them become successful realtors and what’s it’s like to be partners in business and life.
Follow Susan and Irina on IG:
https://www.instagram.com/susanirinarealestate/
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Jan 14, 202101:00:54
Rosie Mercado – Curvy Girls, Life Coach and TV/podcast host

Rosie Mercado – Curvy Girls, Life Coach and TV/podcast host

Rosie Mercado is a true inspiration – a proud Latina woman who’s struggled with self esteem issues her whole life. When she decided to join the cast of Curvy Girls (now streaming on Peacock), she got serious about losing weight and changing her life. She talks about her journey to losing 240lbs, her new book and podcast “The Girl with Self Esteem Issues” and how she had another baby at 40 years old in the middle of a global pandemic!
Follow Rosie here:
https://www.instagram.com/rosiemercado/?hl=en
Watch Curvy Girls here:
https://www.peacocktv.com/watch/home/asset/tv/curvy-girls/8165907777727910112
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Jan 07, 202148:49
End of 2020 TV recap with blogger Brian Samuels

End of 2020 TV recap with blogger Brian Samuels

It’s our bi-annual end of year TV recap with my friend and TV blogger Brian Samuels. We’re talking about all the shows we’re watching and recommend. From The Queens Gambit to Murder at Middle Beach to Shark Tank, we tell you about everything we love from the last few months. And of course we’ll tell you what we love to hate watch (looking at you Emily in Paris) and what you definitely want to miss. Enjoy!
Brian’s blog:
http://tvuncovered.com
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Dec 23, 202001:02:14
Vanessa Grigoriadis – Hollywood Con Queen podcast and more

Vanessa Grigoriadis – Hollywood Con Queen podcast and more

Journalist, writer and podcast host Vanessa Grigoriadis joins me to talk about her new podcast Chameleon: Hollywood Con Queen about a con artist who fooled Hollywood players big and small for years with elaborate and often nefarious schemes. We also talk about her podcast about Ivanka Trump on Luminary which is very juicy and illuminating and discuss her book about men, women and consent on college campuses. Enjoy!
Listen to Chameleon: Hollywood Con Queen:
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/chameleon-hollywood-con-queen/id1532225667
Listen to the Ivanka podcast on Luminary:
https://luminarypodcasts.com/listen/new-york-magazine-in-partnership-with-transmitter-media/tabloid-the-making-of-ivanka-trump/863b4d44-41c5-42db-97be-3fae13885da1?country=US
Buy Vanessa’s book:

Check out Vanessa’s work:
http://www.vanessagrigoriadis.com
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Dec 16, 202043:28
Matt Tyrnauer – The Reagans documentary series

Matt Tyrnauer – The Reagans documentary series

You don’t want to miss the four part documentary THE REAGANS on Showtime directed by my guest Matt Tyrnauer. We do a deep dive about shattering the mythology around Reagan and his presidency and what it was like to produce this film in a pandemic. What is happening in politics today makes a lot more sense after you watch this amazing series. Plus, you’ll find out that global decisions about our democracy were being made by…an astrologer?! . All episodes are now available on Showtime and Showtime to Go!
https://www.sho.com/the-reagans
Follow Matt on IG:
https://www.instagram.com/tyrnauer/
Follow Matt on Twitter:
@mtyrnauer
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Dec 08, 202046:00
The Crown Season 4 recap with Sarah Kanter and Miriam Kanter

The Crown Season 4 recap with Sarah Kanter and Miriam Kanter

The cousins – Sarah and Miriam Kanter – are back for another fun recap- this time of THE CROWN. The incredible Netflix series dropped it’s fourth season recently. It’s based on real events in the royal family and we try and separate fact from fiction (with the help of other podcasts, documentaries and Wikipedia). We dive into the royal family dynamics, Prince Charles and Lady Diana’s marriage (and his long time affair with Camilla Parker Bowles) and Margaret Thatcher’s stint as Prime Minister of England.  And we also compete for who has the worst (or best?) Thatcher accent. Enjoy!
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Dec 03, 202050:54
Cecilia Peck & Inbal Lessner – Seduced: Inside the Nxivm Cult

Cecilia Peck & Inbal Lessner – Seduced: Inside the Nxivm Cult

Today on the podcast, the women who brought you new Starz documentary Seduced: Inside the Nxivm Cult. I had the pleasure of talking with the Executive Producers Cecilia Peck and Inbal Lessner about how this four part series came to be. The first order of business was telling the women’s stories by women – all in key positions of production.  We talk about how a cult member trying to recruit Cecilia led them to this dark story, how India Oxenberg became the focal point of the series and what it was like  producing this series at the same time as The Vow.
Link to Seduced documentary:
https://www.starz.com/us/en/series/59967/episodes?season=1
Link to Brave Miss World documentary:
https://www.netflix.com/title/80222025
Link to Brave Miss World website:
bravemissworld.com
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Nov 26, 202044:13
Real Housewives of Salt Lake City w/ podcaster Ryan Bailey

Real Housewives of Salt Lake City w/ podcaster Ryan Bailey

Drama is going down in Salt Lake City Utah! Never thought I’d say those words – but that is what’s happening on the new Bravo franchise Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. Fellow podcaster and hilarious tweeter Ryan Bailey and I break down all the shenanigans. We cover burning questions like is Mary the new Keith Raniere minus the volleyball plus the Versace? Is Meredith’s son the best housewife adjacent character or is T’Challa?! We also talk OC and whether it can redeem itself again…
Check out Ryan’s podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/so-bad-its-good-with-ryan-bailey/id1482820355
Follow Ryan on Twitter:
@ryanbailey25
On Instagram:
@sobaditsgoodwithryanbailey
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Nov 19, 202041:26
Sharon Liese & Sasha Alpert – TRANSHOOD (HBO)

Sharon Liese & Sasha Alpert – TRANSHOOD (HBO)

Today on the podcast, Sharon Liese and Sasha Alpert. Sharon directed and Sasha produced the amazing new film TRANSHOOD – premiering on HBO and HBO Max on November 14th. It’s a beautiful story following 4 trans kids over the span of five years, documenting their lives and their families, amidst conflict, celebration and change. What makes it even more interesting is all the families live in (conservative) Kansas City, KS against the backdrop of a harrowing political environment for the trans community. It’s a fascinating film and conversation and I hope you’ll check it out and listen!
Link to film:
https://www.hbo.com/documentaries/transhood
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Nov 12, 202029:56
Holly Carter – Producer – The Clark Sisters (and much more)

Holly Carter – Producer – The Clark Sisters (and much more)

Today on the podcast – Producer extraordinaire Holly Carter. Dr. Holly Carter to be precise. Holly is a force to be reckoned with!  Starting out in casting, then transitioning to managing little acts like Usher,  then creating hits in unscripted like Preachers of LA and Atlanta to recently bringing her 17 year old baby to life – the Clark Sisters – which has done record ratings for LIFETIME and in a pandemic no less. Holly tells us how she did it all – while also being a spiritual grounded person with an amazing head on her shoulders. Enjoy!
Holly’s website:
http://releve-ent.com
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Oct 29, 202037:54
Eric Evangelista & Naimah Holmes – Deaf U on Netflix

Eric Evangelista & Naimah Holmes – Deaf U on Netflix

It’s a behind the scenes look at the new Netflix documentary-series Deaf U that follows students at Gallaudet University – a deaf college based in Washington DC. Executive Producer Eric Evangelista (Hot Snakes Media) and Supervising Producer Naimah Holmes talk about how the show was conceived, how hard it was to sell, what it was like working with deaf crew members and some of the challenges and excitement with creating a unique and groundbreaking show.
Check out DeafU on Netflix:
https://www.netflix.com/title/81035566
Transcript of episode available (transcript offer 70% accuracy).
My original interview with Eric:
Eric Evangelista

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Oct 22, 202043:21
The Real Housewives vs Reality – with Vulture’s Brian Moylan

The Real Housewives vs Reality – with Vulture’s Brian Moylan

Can Bravo’s Real Housewives survive a global pandemic and the racial justice movement? RH recap writer Brian Moylan tackled that in his brilliant piece in Vulture this past week and we break it all down in this podcast. Should we cancel housewives like Ramona and Kelly Dodd for their attitude toward masks and traveling in the time of Corona? Can these franchises survive without racial diversity? Do we still want escapist TV from our housewives and can we actually escape reality right now? Listen and learn!:)
Link to Brian’s article:
https://www.vulture.com/article/the-real-housewives-vs-reality.html
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Oct 14, 202051:33
Real Housewives of Potomac recap with LaKendra Tookes

Real Housewives of Potomac recap with LaKendra Tookes

The country’s falling apart – but at least we have Potomac!!! I’m recapping all the drama, madness and hilarity that is the Real Housewives of Potomac with writer, comedian and TV & podcast personality LaKendra Tookes. We get into the fight to end all fights, the aftermath, the Pastor, his wife and the hot mic and Michael Darby’s endless shenanigans. Enjoy!
Follow Lakendra on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/lakendratookes/

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Oct 05, 202057:38
Beth Belew – VP Funny or Die

Beth Belew – VP Funny or Die

Beth Belew is a delightful guest AND a talented producer. She’s currently the Vice President of Long Form Development and Current Programming for Funny Or Die and has spent most of her career producing and developing comedic unscripted shows on her own and on the network side. We cover it all – including Harry Hamlin’s obsession with plants (?!), how it’s possible women did not know they were pregnant, what its like to work with Conan and how to turn a scripted TV show with Kevin Bacon into a podcast.
The Last Degree of Kevin Bacon podcast:


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Sep 30, 202047:29
Dan Partland – Director of #UNFIT the documentary

Dan Partland – Director of #UNFIT the documentary

Dan Partland is a talented documentary filmmaker who directed and produced an important film you must see now: #Unfit (link below).
The first half is medical doctors, mental health professionals and leading Republican influencers talking on the record about the behavior, psyche, condition, and stability of Donald Trump.
The second half of the film looks through a historical lens to examine how someone like him even became president, and how this Presidency is mirroring what’s happening all around the world. It’s a must see if you want to understand what is really going on in our country and how much is at stake in this election. LISTEN, WATCH and VOTE!
Watch the movie here:
unfitfilm.com

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Sep 23, 202051:35
Dometi Pongo – MTV’s True Life Crime

Dometi Pongo – MTV’s True Life Crime

Dometi Pongo is a journalist and host the MTV series True Life Crime, MTV News’ Need to Know and Conversations in Context on the Smithsonian Channel. He’s already done a ton in his short career and we get into how it all happened so fast for him (hint: he’s really smart and talented) and what his goals are for the future. We talk shop, Black Lives Matters and why he decided to start taking groups to Ghana a few years back. Enjoy!
Find Dometi and his shows here:
dometi.net
http://www.mtv.com/shows/true-life-crime/episode-guide
https://www.smithsonianchannel.com/details/series/conversations-in-context

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Sep 17, 202049:29
Stefanie Ziev – Permission to Choose

Stefanie Ziev – Permission to Choose

A lot of people in our industry know Stefanie Ziev, not just from her time as a network executive, but as their personal life coach. Stef’ coaches lots of people inside and outside our industry and now she’s launching a new podcast called Permission to Choose with guests like Mario Lopez and Darin Olien, co-host of the new Netflix show with Zac Efron. Stef and I talk about her career trajectory, how she’s navigating the pandemic (plus tips on how you can keep your sanity) and how to throw off those golden handcuffs and pursue the career or position you really want. I am in my feelings on this one and this might be the first time I actually cry on my own podcast.  You’ve been warned!
Find out more about Stefanie, her podcast and how to hire her here:
stefziev.com

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Sep 10, 202057:35
Jazzy Collins – “White-washing” on the Bachelor

Jazzy Collins – “White-washing” on the Bachelor

Casting director Jazzy Collins made headlines when she came out publicly to renounce ABC’s The Bachelor for not doing enough to cast people of color and criticize their lack of diversity behind the camera as well. Jazzy breaks down her powerful post, talks about how she experienced the show as a Black woman and how she’s hoping to change the industry from the inside when it comes to diversity. We also dig into her fun career casting shows like Flirty Dancing and The Circle and what the future looks like. Enjoy!
Sep 03, 202048:48
Courtney Sexton – SVP of CNN Films

Courtney Sexton – SVP of CNN Films

Courtney Sexton has the best job on the planet! As Senior Vice President for CNN Films since 2013, Courtney works day-to-day with filmmakers to supervise the production of documentary films for theatrical exhibition and distribution across CNN’s platforms. Some of the films we talk about include “Blackfish”, “Three Identical Strangers” and the new doc on HBO Max “On the Trail” – about women journalists covering the campaign trail for CNN. Courtney tells me how these docs came to be, what she’s looking for in a film, and who her “white whale” is as a documentary subject. You might be surprised!

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Aug 20, 202038:54
Karina Longworth – You Must Remember This podcast

Karina Longworth – You Must Remember This podcast

I’m thrilled to have Karina Longworth on the podcast today. Karina is the host of the very successful podcast YOU MUST REMEMBER THIS–every season is another deep dive into a story about old Hollywood. This latest season, THE INVISIBLE WOMAN, is about the life and career of producer Polly Platt. I can’t remember the last time a series affected me so deeply. Karina is a former film critic and writer of books – most recently of Howard Hughes – and her writing and research skills are in full display in this podcast. We get into Polly’s story, how this podcast was able to come together, whether Polly’s experience in Hollywood as a woman would be different today and how doing the podcast effected Karina on a personal level. 
Karina’s podcast YOU MUST REMEMBER THIS:
http://www.youmustrememberthispodcast.com
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/you-must-remember-this/id858124601

Karina’s latest book:

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Aug 13, 202050:51
Best TV you should be watching w/ Brian Samuels

Best TV you should be watching w/ Brian Samuels

My friend and TV blogger Brian Samuels is back for another recap of all the best shows we’re watching and recommend. From Fauda to Lenox Hill to Outcry to The Last Dance, we tell you about everything we love from the last few months. And of course we’ll tell you what we love to hate watch (looking at you Selling Sunset) and what you definitely want to miss. Enjoy!
Brian’s blog:
http://tvuncovered.com

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Aug 06, 202001:05:50
Tracy Tutor – Million Dollar Listing LA/Fear is a Four Letter Word

Tracy Tutor – Million Dollar Listing LA/Fear is a Four Letter Word

Tracy Tutor’s back for another round on the podcast! Tracy is the only female real estate agent on MILLION DOLLAR LISTING LA and a powerhouse rock star bad ass boss woman. Today we’re talking about her new book – Fear is a Four Letter Word – which is already a best seller (and a book I think every woman should read). We talk about the book, the impossible client from Malibu, the Pasadena drama with David and James and some new changes in her personal life since her divorce.
Buy Tracy’s book here:
https://www.amazon.com/Books-Tracy-Tutor/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3ATracy+Tutor
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https://www.instagram.com/tracytutor/
Listen to my first podcast with Tracy here:
Tracy Tutor – MILLION DOLLAR LISTING


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Jul 30, 202039:47
Carlos King – Showrunner/Production Company Owner

Carlos King – Showrunner/Production Company Owner

Carlos King is an uber successful Executive Producer who owns Kingdom Reign – a full service production company here in Los Angeles. He cut his teeth running shows like The Real Housewives of Atlanta and of course my favorite reality show ever Oprah: Season 25 Behind the Scenes. He created and now produces the hit show for OWN Love and Marriage Huntsville and the Netflix series Styling Hollywood. Carlos and I talk about how he started in reality TV, what it was like to meet Queen Oprah and how that show changed his life, why Black reality stars are judged by a different standard than their white counterparts and how he transitioned from show runner to running his own company.
Checkout Carlos’s company:

http://www.kingdomreignent.com/carlos-king/
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Jul 23, 202001:01:19
Laura Richards – Crime Analysis on Filthy Rich & Athlete A

Laura Richards – Crime Analysis on Filthy Rich & Athlete A


Back for the third time on the podcast: Laura Richards. Laura is a Criminal Profiler, Behavioral Analyst and Victims Rights Advocate. Today she’s back to talk about the recurring subject of serial predators and how they’re portrayed in unscripted content. I wanted to have Laura back on since Gihslane Maxwell is in the news now. She was finally arrested in the Jeffrey Epstein case and is being held without bail. We’re talking about JEFFREY EPSTEIN: FILTY RICH – the multi-part documentary now streaming on Netflix. We also touch down on ATHLETE A – an excellent doc also on Netflix which looks at how a group of journalists in Indianapolis  exposed Dr. Larry Nassar’s sexual abuse of young gymnasts. Laura gets into how our language needs to change when we talk about these cases, the psychology behind these predators and what we can do to hold them and their enablers accountable. 
https://www.laurarichards.co.uk
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Jul 17, 202001:06:22
The Black Female Producer’s Reality of Reality-Erika Bryant, Jamala Gaither, Nakia Williams

The Black Female Producer’s Reality of Reality-Erika Bryant, Jamala Gaither, Nakia Williams


Today on the podcast, I’m continuing my conversation I started a few weeks ago with Black producers in the unscripted industry.  I’m talking to another amazing group of women: Erika Bryant, Jamala Gaither and Nakia Williams-Richardson. Erika is a seasoned Executive Producer who’s worked on shows like OWN’s Family or Fiance and Bravo’s Real Housewives of Atlanta and Married to Medicine. Jamala is a Supervising Producer who just wrapped the HBO Max show The Event, produced Kevin Hart’s What the Fit for YouTube, Flirty Dancing for Fox and Encore! for Disney Plus. Nakia is a content creator and producer – working on shows like American Portrait for PBS, Real Housewives of Atlanta and Potomac for Bravo and Black Ink Crew for VH1. We cover a lot – including what it’s like to be the only black woman on a crew, the obstacles that have stood in their way in the business and what can be fixed to get better content and more representation behind the camera.
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Jul 09, 202001:16:45
Andy Dehnart – 20 years of Reality Blurred

Andy Dehnart – 20 years of Reality Blurred


Andy Dehnart is making his second appearance on the show! Today we’re celebrating 20 years of his blog REALITY BLURRED. We talk about shows that have been around since the beginning and of course the reboots, some of recent controversy with shows like Live PD and Vanderpump Rules, what new shows he’s loving right now and how unscripted looks now and going forward.
Andy’s website: https://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/
Our original chat: https://tasteofreality.com/andy-dehnart/
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Jul 02, 202042:55
LaNee Griffin-Carroll – Showrunner

LaNee Griffin-Carroll – Showrunner

Today on the podcast, LaNee Griffin-Carroll. LaNee always knew she wanted to be in television – growing up with a father in the business. She started hustling at an early age and hasn’t stopped. We get into her career, starting as an assistant at VH1 and working her way up the ranks and going over to Universal and NBC. Then 4 years ago her heart was in creating content and show running. She’s executive produced the new show on Disney+ Be Our Chef, Road Trippin with Ricky Thompson and Denzel Dion for Snap Chat and Truth To Power with Reign – just to name a few. She tells me her ambitious professional dream which I love and her perspective as a black woman in the business of unscripted.
For more on LaNee go to: https://www.parkerpaigemedia.com

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Jun 25, 202001:09:54
The Black Producer’s Reality in Reality – Toni Judkins, Sean Rankine, Anthony Sylvester & Bree Frank

The Black Producer’s Reality in Reality – Toni Judkins, Sean Rankine, Anthony Sylvester & Bree Frank


It’s part one of my podcast with black producers in unscripted. I can’t even express how eye opening this was and how much I learned.  I talk to four amazing producers and we cover a lot of ground including: what it’s like for them to work in this industry, why inclusion matters for the people making content and green lighting it, how black culture needs to be better represented in unscripted and what can be done at production companies and networks to make things better.  Please share widely so everyone in our industry can hear it!
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Jun 18, 202001:21:07
Luann De Lesseps – The Inside Scoop On RHONY

Luann De Lesseps – The Inside Scoop On RHONY

Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the Countess speaking. It’s Real Housewives of NY’s Luann De Lesseps back on the podcast for another fun chat! If you missed our first epic pod (done lying down in her hotel room) a year ago you definitely want to hear that one too (link below). Today we get into the current season, how she really feels about Bethenny leaving, whether Tinsley should be marrying Scott and if Ramona has changed at all. And.. you won’t want to miss the cameo from son Noel (“shoo shoo”) who weighs in on what’s wrong with society.
Listen to my first episode with Luann!
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Jun 10, 202029:36
Jen O’Connell- HBO MAX

Jen O’Connell- HBO MAX


Jen O’Connell is Executive Vice President of non-fiction and kids and family programming at HBO Max. The first time Jen was on the podcast in 2016, we went in-depth on her career but today it’s all about the HBO Max Launch! They’ve got an amazing slate of unscripted shows including underground ballroom competition show LEGENDARY, the new Amy Schumer doc-series EXPECTING AMY and the new Selena Gomez quarantine cooking show coming out this summer. We also get the inside scoop on what to expect on the Bethenny Frankel Apprentice-type show and it sounds amazing!
Check out my first podcast episode with Jen!Check out HBO Max!
 
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May 28, 202035:51
Jason Evans- Producing Travel Shows (And In A Global Pandemic!)

Jason Evans- Producing Travel Shows (And In A Global Pandemic!)


Jason Evans is a long time producer who specializes in the travel show genre. He moved to Hawaii in 2005 and hasn’t looked back. He was able to funnel his love of travel into an exciting career – working all over the world – as recently as Botswana – where he got turned around after 3 days when Covid hit and the country went on lockdown. We talked a lot about how the pandemic will change travel shows now and in the future and how Hawaii has been able to be relatively Covid free.
Learn more about Silver Shark Media!
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May 22, 202044:35
Evolyn Brooks – Show Runner/Experimental Producer

Evolyn Brooks – Show Runner/Experimental Producer


Evolyn Brooks is an award winning TV Show Runner and Experiential Events Producer and has worked for major networks and syndicators. She’s taken all her skills as a producer and turned into an entrepreneur who does inspiring events for corporations and small groups alike. We talk all about what that means and how she got into it and chat about her new podcast Built By a Boss where she interviews other female entrepreneurs about how they started their businesses.
Check out Evolyn’s podcast, Built By A Boss!
Check out Evolyn’s website!


Intention Candle Experience & Create A Side Income Workshops 

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May 15, 202059:25
Brandon Alvarado- RHOBH Recap

Brandon Alvarado- RHOBH Recap


Today on the podcast, my friend and Bravo guru Brandon Alvarado. Brandon is an encyclopedia of housewives knowledge, and we’re breaking down Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Is Kyle a mean girl? Is Teddi a good housewife? Do we like the new additions? We mention it all and more. Enjoy!
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May 08, 202001:01:30
Producers In The Time of Covid-19: Dwight Smith, Michael Agbabian and Mark Kadin

Producers In The Time of Covid-19: Dwight Smith, Michael Agbabian and Mark Kadin


It’s my part 3 (!) of producers in the the time of Covid-19. We’re in week 7 of quarantine in Los Angeles and how is everyone holding up? Where are we now with producing and developing content? First up, Dwight Smith and Michael Agbabian, founders and owners of Mission Control Media. They’re best known for their hit shows Face Off and Hollywood Game Night. They also produce the re-boot of The Soup and a new show on Quibi called Floored. After that, it’s producer and owner of MAK Pictures, Mark Kadin. MAK has 2 seasons of Car Masters now up on Netflix with another one coming soon. They also have a new show coming up on Quibi called Bad Ideas with Adam Devine and an upcoming big special for Discovery on Mt. Everest. Enjoy!
Check out my older podcast episode with Dwight and Michael!

Learn more about Mission Control Media!

Learn more about MAK Pictures!
 
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May 04, 202053:18
Alex Piper- Head of Unscripted at YouTube Originals

Alex Piper- Head of Unscripted at YouTube Originals


Alex Piper is the Head of Unscripted at YouTube Originals. Since joining YouTube, Alex and his team has launched many acclaimed projects including Justin Bieber: Seasons– a massive success worldwide. Alex got into this business through sports and the Olympics then eventually to Asylum Entertainment and Fox. Alex has some great stories and gives us a peek behind the curtain on how the Bieber series almost didn’t happen.

Check out Justin Bieber: Seasons!
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May 01, 202001:12:52