Hot Takes & Deep Dives

Jess welcomes LOLA ROCKNROLLA, filmmaker of the brand-new documentary THE BIG JOHNSON, exploring the life and eerie death of DEAN JOHNSON: the 6'6", genderf*cky, rollicking rock-star frontman who helped define 1980s–90s East Village nightlife. Topics — the still-unsettled details around Dean's 2007 death, his bands Dean & the Weenies and The Velvet Mafia, being an HIV+ party promoter & more!

"The Big Johnson" screens at NYC's Quad Cinema January 23–29, streaming avail in February

⭐ IG: @jessxnyc | @lolarocknrolla13

⭐ Jess' docu-series on the rise & fall of SoulCycle — Cult of Body & Soul

⭐ Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island — Finding Fire Island

Jess is joined by WALTER AFANASIEFF, the Grammy-winning songwriter and producer behind MARIAH CAREY's biggest '90s hits — including "Hero," "My All," "One Sweet Day," and  "All I Want for Christmas Is You." Topics — how the modern Christmas classic was written, his professional fallout with Mariah Carey, and how the songwriting biz has radically changed since the '90s. Plus — producing CELINE DION's "My Heart Will Go On" from Titanic, writing with BEYONCÉ and BARBRA STREISAND, and the story of how a record label sabotaged a future American Idol winner.

⭐ IG: @jessxnyc 

⭐ Jess' docu-series on the rise & fall of SoulCycle — Cult of Body & Soul

⭐ Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island — Finding Fire Island

Jess is joined by interior designer Dale Saylor (Hollymount Design) to react to some of our favorite Architectural Digest home tours. Topics — BETHENNY FRANKEL's Florida move, ANDY COHEN's West Village duplex, AMY SEDARIS' Greenwich Village funhouse, SARAH PAULSON's Malibu studio, RUPAUL in LA, NEIL PATRICK HARRIS' Harlem brownstone & KELLY RIPA's UES townhouse. Plus — advice for max impact in small spaces AND Dale critiques a walk-through of Jess' apartment.

⭐ IG: @jessxnyc | hollymountltd.com

⭐ Jess' docu-series on the rise & fall of SoulCycle — Cult of Body & Soul

⭐ Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island — Finding Fire Island

Jess is joined by All I Want to Do Is Talk About Madonna co-host Mark Snyder for a 2025 revue of our favorite theater, films, and concerts. Topics— Wicked ambivalence, Kristin Chenoweth's rough year, a Chess revival, Oh Mary predictions, the Plainclothes film, the Lilith Fair documentary, Mike Albo's Hologram Boyfriends, Julio Torres' Color Theories, and Linda Perry's reunion with 4 Non Blondes. Plus— an in-memoriam for Diane Keaton & Jill Sobule, and major existential Madonna happenings in 2026.

⭐ IG: @jessxnyc | @markbsnyder2025

⭐ Jess' docu-series on the rise & fall of SoulCycle — Cult of Body & Soul

⭐ Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island — Finding Fire Island

Jess sits down with powerhouse docu-series Executive Producer Billy Taylor! Topics — Billy's jump from MTV News to producing MTV Diary, then showrunning the Bravo glory days of Jeff Lewis Flipping Out, Work Out w/ Jackie Warner, and Kell on Earth w/ Kelly Cutrone. Plus — trailing Kanye West with a camera, Britney: In the Zone & Out All Night, directing Selling Sunset pilot, and more! 

⭐ IG: @jessxnyc 

⭐ Jess' docu-series on the rise & fall of SoulCycle — Cult of Body & Soul

⭐ Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island — Finding Fire Island