Smooch Fest

Caitlin Alice Gilbert (Author/Screenwriter) RETURNS to discuss Wicked: For Good and the smooch between Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey). They compare the chemistry from the musical and the film, Elphaba’s sex cardigan, and Jonathan Bailey becoming People’s Sexiest Man Alive. It’s also holiday season, so Lena takes us back to A Moment In Kisstory: where we learn about the first gay kiss in a Hallmark Christmas movie, The Christmas House. She shares how queer representation in Hallmark has developed over the years. Enjoy this penultimate episode of the first season of Smooch Fest!

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Paige Elson (Actor/Writer/Comedian) joins Lena to do a deep dive into Abbott Elementary! They discuss the two momentous smooches between Janine (Quinta Brunson) and Gregory (Tyler James Williams). The gals compare other sitcom slow burn relationships and give their predictions for the couple in future seasons. Paige shares a story about her best kiss (hint: it’s a New Year's smooch!) Stick around for the Smooch Fact to hear about your brain on smooching. School’s in session! Study up!

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Nina Concepcion (Actor/Writer) joins Lena to talk about her favorite pop culture smooch: the kiss between Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner on the airport tarmac in The Bodyguard (1992)!

(NOTE: the first few minutes of audio is lower quality than usual, luckily, it kicked back into gear by minute 5!)

The girls gab about Costner and Houston's chemistry and how 90s movies were just BETTER. Later, Nina shares stories about her worst and best kisses (and it features a marching band). Lena ends the episode sharing a Moment in Kisstory: the time Al Gore made out with his wife, Tipper, too long at the 2000 Democratic National Convention. They get into the difference between Boomers and the Silent Generation. You’re gonna love this ep! 

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We have a special Halloween themed episode for you! Fiona Nova (Director, Content Creator) has joined Lena to talk about the teen horror comedy Jennifer’s Body (2009) starring Megan Fox and Amanda Seyfried. They go in depth on the layered complexity of Needy and Jennifer’s relationship - is it love or is it a demon succubus manipulation tactic?? You’ll also want to hear Fiona’s personal smooch story about her best kiss. The episode ends with a roundup of SPOOKY SMOOCH FACTS! Listen, if you dare…

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Kassem G (Ex-Coworker, Current Friend) joins the pod this week to discuss one of his favorite kisses in pop culture: the Upside-Down Spider-Man Kiss. Lena shares all the behind the scenes details from the historic shoot for 2002’s Spider-Man. Afterward, Kassem is kind enough to share a story about his first FRENCH KISS (teaser: it’s during Halloween!) But with a comic book and superhero aficionado like Kass, of course, they have to discuss the smooches in the new Superman movie. Listen all the way to the end to learn about how kisses affect your brain chemistry! Spooky!

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