Being the Ricardos
So many innovations for the medium of television, and yet - a difficult marriage at the center. Why did everyone love Lucy? Was it in spite of (or because of) the scandals that dominated her and Desi’s lives? Come learn the important reasons behind the success of America’s most groundbreaking show.
Contact:
Reach out on instagram - @illiteratepod
Extras:
trailer, Being the Ricardos (2021) https://bit.ly/beingricardos1
article, history of Lucille Ball and Communism https://bit.ly/beingricardos2
video, the pregnancy announcement episode https://bit.ly/beingricardos3
article, on Desilu Studios https://bit.ly/beingricardos4
The Beatles: Get Back
An epic 8 hour journey into the creation of an album. And yet - where has this footage been all these years? How did Peter Jackson become the one to make it? Wait - wasn’t this already made into a film before? Come learn the answers to the process behind the documentary, and the process behind the Beatles.
Contact:
Reach out on instagram - @illiteratepod
Extras:
trailer, Get Back (2021) https://bit.ly/bgetback1
article, creation of Get Back (Vanity Fair) https://bit.ly/bgetback9
trailer, They Shall Not Grow Old (WW1 documentary) https://bit.ly/bgetback3
Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus (Michael Lindsay-Hogg doc) https://bit.ly/bgetback6
video, Hey Jude promo film https://bit.ly/bgetback7
song, Paul McCartney & 1982’s “Here Today” on John Lennon https://bit.ly/bgetback8
app (Spleeter) for audio editing, isolating sounds https://bit.ly/bgetback4
video, Things We Said Today podcast interview with PJ (isolating the instruments demo starts at 01:21:30) (isolating private conversation demo starts at 01:23:30) https://bit.ly/bgetback5
clip, McCartney composing “Get Back” https://bit.ly/bgetback2
The Electrical Life of Louis Wain
The story of a man, almost forgotten, after changing the way we see cats. Who was he, why did he disappear, and what can he tell us about artists and their process? Louis Wain is on Prime Video, with Benedict Cumberbatch and Claire Foy.
Contact:
Reach out on instagram - @illiteratepod
Extras:
trailer, The Electrical Life of Louis Wain (2021) https://bit.ly/louiswain1
rare footage, Louis Wain (1921) https://bit.ly/louiswain2
artwork for sale, Louis Wain https://bit.ly/louiswain3
antiques roadshow, Louis Wain early sketches https://bit.ly/louiswain4
pottery, Louis Wain cat vases https://bit.ly/louiswain5
article, Toxoplasma gondii parasite https://bit.ly/louiswain6
article, history of cats https://bit.ly/louiswain7
article, biography of Louis Wain https://bit.ly/louiswain8
film, Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me (2014) https://bit.ly/louiswain9
In the Heights
Learn the long road to making the latest Lin-Manuel Miranda musical project, the history of the genre, and what controversy surrounds the film.
Extras:
trailer, In the Heights (2021) http://bit.ly/itheights1
music, Big Pun tribute mix http://bit.ly/itheights6
article, history of the original production http://bit.ly/itheights9
article, Japanese production http://bit.ly/itheights2
article, on the swimming pool scene http://bit.ly/itheights3
video, on Busby Berkeley choreography http://bit.ly/itheights4
video, Fred Astaire’s Royal Wedding ceiling dance http://bit.ly/itheights5
trailer, Hail Caesar! (2016) http://bit.ly/itheights7
article, history of musical films http://bit.ly/itheights8
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Minari
Learn the origins of the incredible story of Lee Isaac Chung, and his family’s farm in Arkansas. What is Minari, and who is Willa Cather, and how did a voice in a coffee shop lead to six Academy Award nominations?
Extras:
trailer, Minari http://bit.ly/minari1
interview, Youn Yuh-Jung and Bong Joon Ho http://bit.ly/minariyoun
interview, Lee Isaac Chung and Bong Joon Ho http://bit.ly/minari3
article, writing of Minari http://bit.ly/minari4
article, Youn Yuh-Jung’s career http://bit.ly/minari5
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
The United States vs Billie Holiday
Come learn the true story of Billie Holiday, and the Federal Narcotics Bureau team who couldn’t stop her. The United States vs Billie Holiday is on Hulu, based on the book Chasing the Scream by Johann Hari.
Extras:
trailer, The United States vs Billie Holiday http://bit.ly/billieh1
live recording, Billie Holiday singing Strange Fruit http://bit.ly/billieh2
article, best books about Billie Holiday http://bit.ly/billieh3
trailer, Billie documentary http://bit.ly/billieh4
trailer, Lady Sings the Blues http://bit.ly/billieh5
book, Chasing the Scream http://bit.ly/billieh6
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Judas and the Black Messiah
Uncover the origins of the Black Panther Party, the assassination of Fred Hampton by the FBI, and the depiction of the Black Panthers in media. Judas and the Black Messiah is on HBO Max, based on the book The Assassination of Fred Hampton by Jeffrey Haas.
Extras:
trailer, Judas and the Black Messiah http://bit.ly/blackmessiah1
interview, William O’Neal http://bit.ly/billonealint
official Black Panther reading list http://bit.ly/blackmessiah2
interview, Fred Hampton http://bit.ly/blackmessiah3
interview, Shaka King (director) http://bit.ly/blackmessiah4
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
One Night in Miami (Kemp Powers)
These four iconic men had a night together in 1964. What happened? One Night in Miami is on Amazon, directed by Regina King, based on the play and screenplay written by Kemp Powers.
Extras:
trailer, One Night in Miami http://bit.ly/miaminight1
interview, Kemp Powers http://bit.ly/kempinterview
screenplay, One Night in Miami http://bit.ly/miaminightscript
documentary, Two Killings of Sam Cooke http://bit.ly/samcookedoc
paintings, Jacob Lawrence’s Great Migration series http://bit.ly/jlgreatmig
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Steven Spielberg (pt 1 & 2)
Learn the twists and turns of the biggest director of the past 40 years.
HBO documentary “Spielberg” trailer // 2 min https://bit.ly/spielberghbo
Indiana Jones brainstorm notes // article https://bit.ly/indianajones1
interview with Spielberg’s mom // article https://bit.ly/spielberg2
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Hillbilly Elegy (JD Vance)
What’s the book about, and why does the film miss it? And what the heck’s an elegy? Hillbilly Elegy is on Netflix, based on the book by JD Vance.
Extras:
trailer for Hillbilly Elegy // 3 min https://bit.ly/hillbilly1
Appalachian Reckoning // book https://bit.ly/hillbilly2
the NYT book review // article https://bit.ly/hillbilly3
NPR on “culture of poverty” theory // article https://bit.ly/hillbilly4
interview with JD Vance // 60 min https://bit.ly/hillbilly5
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Harriet (Bound for the Promised Land by Kate Clifford Larson)
Join us as we learn Harriet Tubman’s incredible life, as an abolitionist, spy, and Civil War hero. And why are the only things about her life from children’s books? Harriet is a film by Kasi Lemmons, and Bound for the Promised Land is a book by Kate Clifford Larson.
Extras:
the new photo of Harriet Tubman found in 2017 // article https://bit.ly/harrietphoto
trailer for Harriet // video https://bit.ly/harriettrail
on Harriet Tubman’s visions // article https://bit.ly/harrietvisions
on Harriet Tubman’s Civil War raid // article https://bit.ly/harrietraid
Harriet film vs real life facts // article https://bit.ly/harrietfacts
interview with author Kate Clifford Larson // video https://bit.ly/harrietauthor
Bound for the Promised Land biography // book https://bit.ly/harrietbio
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Da 5 Bloods (by Wallace Terry)
Let’s talk about our history. We learn about the black veterans of the Vietnam War, and hear the stories of military service of African Americans in the United States. Da 5 Bloods is co-written and directed by Spike Lee (now on Netflix), based on the book Bloods by Wallace Terry.
Extras:
Da 5 Bloods trailer // 3 min https://bit.ly/da5bloodstrailer
Bloods In ‘Nam PBS Frontline doc // 45 min https://bit.ly/bloodsinnam
audio from the front lines recording // 45 min https://bit.ly/cominghomevietnam
Bloods: Black Veterans of the Vietnam War: An Oral History // bookhttps://bit.ly/bloodsbook
Missing Pages: Black Journalists of Modern America: An Oral History // bookhttps://bit.ly/missingpgs
on the ending of Do The Right Thing // 15 min https://bit.ly/dtrtending
Wallace Terry greeting the segregationist governor // photohttps://bit.ly/wallaceterryphoto
on racism during the Vietnam War // article https://bit.ly/vietwarracism
military history of African Americans // article https://bit.ly/uswarhistory
statistics on Black Americans in Vietnam // book https://bit.ly/ussoldierbook
every movie reference in Da 5 Bloods // article https://bit.ly/da5bloodsrefs
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Bad Education
How does 11 million dollars go missing from the best school system in the nation? And what does Charles Dickens have to do with it? Bad Education is a film on HBO starring Hugh Jackman, written by Mark Makowsky and directed by Cory Finley. The story is based on the New York Magazine article on Frank Tassone, written by Robert Kolker.
Extras:
Bad Education trailer // 2 min https://bit.ly/badedtrailer
the original New York Magazine piece // article https://bit.ly/badsup
interview with director Cory Finley // article https://bit.ly/cfinley
interview with writer Mike Makowsky // article https://bit.ly/mmakowsky
podcast interview with Frank Tassone // 33 min https://bit.ly/ftassone
interview with actor Hugh Jackman // article https://bit.ly/hjackmanbadsup
aftermath of the embezzlement // article https://bit.ly/pgluckin
on the film’s creation // article https://bit.ly/badedfilm
history of Charles Dickens’ book, Martin Chuzzlewit // articlehttps://bit.ly/dickenschuzzlewit
clipping regarding Dicken’s book // article https://bit.ly/chuzzlewit
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Little Women (by Louisa May Alcott)
The story behind the progressive book from 150 years ago, and why it keeps being re-told. Little Women is based on the book by Louisa May Alcott.
Links:
- (WATCH) the trailer for the 2019 film:
http://bit.ly/littlewomen2019trail
- (WATCH) the trailer for the 1994 film:
http://bit.ly/littlewomen1994trail
- (WATCH) the reaction of Joey on Friends:
http://bit.ly/friendslittlewomen
- (WATCH) full episodes from the anime TV series:
http://bit.ly/animelittlewomen
- (WATCH) a comparison of the film adaptations:
- (READ) about A Long Fatal Love Chase:
Extras:
- How to get a free sticker:
Send us a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show?
Leave a review!
www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Get a copy of Little Women:
Contact:
reach out on instagram - @illiteratepod
The Irishman (featuring I Heard You Paint Houses by Charles Brandt)
The mafia, Jimmy Hoffa, and the Irish guy who told it all. The Irishman, directed by Martin Scorcese is based on the (maybe) true book, “I Heard You Paint Houses” by Charles Brandt.
Extras:
- (WATCH) the Mythbusters ep about Hoffa in the stadium:
- (WATCH) a tv doc on the Irishman’s interviews with the author:
- (READ) an article refuting the book’s validity:
- (READ) about the de-aging effects in the film:
- (READ) about DeNiro’s warning by journalists not to make the film:
- (READ) about Jimmy Hoffa in film:
Get a copy of I Heard You Paint Houses:
Contact:
reach out on instagram - @illiteratepod
Stephen King (featuring Doctor Sleep)
Everything you need to know about the master of horror. Also, the tale behind his latest adaptation, Doctor Sleep, the sequel to The Shining.
Watch/read/listen:
- WATCH: the trailer for Doctor Sleep
- WATCH: the trailer for Gerald’s Game
- WATCH: The Shining TV miniseries trailer
- WATCH: Oscar the therapy cat
- WATCH: the Misery trailer
- WATCH: George and Stephen chat
- READ: The Rolling Stone interview
- READ: an interview about Doctor Sleep
- READ: about Stephen King winning the National Book Award
- READ: his fav book, Lisey’s Story
- READ: his memoir, On Writing
Get a copy of Doctor Sleep:
Topics from today’s episode:
01:05 - what is Doctor Sleep?
04:10 - voting for King’s next book
05:50 - a real-life psychic cat
09:40 - father and son influences
12:25 - Stephen’s childhood
15:50 - the garbage, Carrie, and a million bucks
18:30 - the struggle of alcohol and drugs
21:05 - the now-famous author friend
24:30 - free from addiction
27:20 - the near death accident
28:30 - literary merit
29:25 - Stephen’s favorite book he wrote
32:45 - what Stephen is afraid of
Contact:
reach out on instagram - @illiteratepod
Judy Garland & End of the Rainbow
Learn about the the tumultuous life of Judy Garland, and the lesser know play End of the Rainbow - which the new film “Judy” is based on. We also reveal connections to The Wizard of Oz, A Star is Born, and a fake ringleader for gay relationships in the military. It gets wild and interwoven in this one. Be sure to check out the links below for all the bonus materials we discuss.
SUPPORT US:
Get a new YA book to your door every month:
Use the code “PSL5” and it’s only 10$!
Get a copy of the play “End of the Rainbow” by Peter Quilter:
BONUS LINKS:
(VIDEO) The trailer for “Judy”:
(VIDEO) The audio tapes for Judy’s unreleased biography:
(VIDEO) The HBO dramatized special “Me and My Shadows”:
(VIDEO) Judy sings “Battle Hymn of the Republic” live:
(VIDEO) An episode of “The Judy Garland Show”:
(VIDEO) The trailer for the TV show “Emerald City” that aired on NBC:
http://bit.ly/emeraldcitytrail
(ARTICLE) Renee Zellweger’s essay after her absence:
(ARTICLE) The NYT obituary (1969) for Judy’s death:
CONTACT LINKS:
reach out on instagram - @illiteratepod
reach out on email - illiterate@email.com
the website for more shows - https://www.podcastgod.net
Toni Morrison
Learn about the Nobel & Pulitzer Prize winning author, teacher, editor and voice of the black experience.
SUPPORT US LINKS:
Get a copy of Toni’s books:
Sign up for Book of the Month Club YA
BONUS LINKS:
(VIDEO) The trailer for documentary “The Pieces I Am”:
(VIDEO) The Opera version of Beloved:
(VIDEO) The Oprah version of Beloved:
(VIDEO) Interview clip with Toni Morrison:
(ARTICLE) The artwork of Jacob Lawrence:
(ARTICLE) The artwork “African’t” at the Broad Museum:
(ARTICLE) The Bench by the Road Project:
(ARTICLE) Where to start with Toni Morrison:
(BOOK) The Black Book:
(BOOK) Playing in the Dark:
(BOOK) Those Bones are not My Child:
CONTACT LINKS:
email us any questions, comments, or curse words - illiterate@email.com
follow for silly memes on instagram - @illiteratepod
go to the website for more shows - www.podcastgod.net
Mindhunter - John E. Douglas, Mark Olshaker
Learn about the FBI team who solved crimes by partnering with the biggest baddies of our time. Also a hit show on Netflix.
SUPPORT US LINKS:
Get a copy of Mindhunter:
Sign up for Book of the Month Club YA
BONUS LINKS:
(VIDEO) The trailer for Mindhunter:
(VIDEO) Side-by-side comparison of Ed Kemper:
(ARTICLE) The book “Sexual Homicide” that the team wrote :
(ARTICLE) A comparison of the serial killers in the show:
(PODCAST) The show “Atlanta Monster”:
CONTACT LINKS:
email us any questions, comments, or curse words - illiterate@email.com
follow for silly memes on instagram - @illiteratepod
go to the website for more shows - www.podcastgod.net
JT Leroy
Was it a performance piece, or a con-artist job? Learn both sides of the story, with the tale of the mysterious author JT Leroy. Now a film with Laura Dern and Kristen Stewart.
Please review Illiterate on Apple Podcasts, or share with a friend on Spotify!
EXTRA CONTENT NOTES:
The first article casting doubts on JT Leroy:
The second article casting doubts on JT Leroy:
The final article revealing JT Leroy’s identity:
An original review for JT Leroy’s first book, “Sarah”:
The trailer for the new film “JT Leroy” (YouTube):
A lengthy interview article with Laura Albert:
email us any questions, comments, or curse words - illiterate@email.com
follow for silly memes on instagram - @illiteratepod
go to the website for more shows - www.podcastgod.net