By The Book

It’s time to talk about Kyle Cooke’s behavior on this season of Summer House. Why is he lashing out at everyone - especially his wife? Why is he so dedicated to being a DJ? Lucky for us, Tera Wages, an expert in communication, is here to help us understand the complicated dynamics at play. Tera 's Insta HMT Insta SOURCES: Summer House, Peacock.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week Jolenta is looking into The Protector archetype and his evil twin, The Gladiator. These archetypes help us understand why some TV characters are so aggro and obsessed with fighting everyone. Turns out they’re trying to protect their loved ones… or just satisfy their bloodlust. Hot Mess-terpiece Insta SOURCES  The Greek Myths, Robert Graves Dictionary of Classical Mythology, by Pierre Grimal Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes, by Edith Hamilton 45 Master Characters, by Victoria Lynn Schmidt Bravo Shows - Peacock The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives - Hulu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Claire Donald and Tess Bellomo (Right Answers Mostly) join the show to do a deep dive on the explosive Amsterdam Dinner from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. They cover it all: the growing tension between Rinna and Kim, Kyle running away with her cape fluttering in wind, Eileen being underappreciated, and much more. Also, you won’t believe how many oft-quoted lines come from this scene, you beast! Right Answers Mostly Insta Hot Mess-terpiece Insta SOURCES: The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Peacock The Traitors, Peacock Ted Danson Clarifies Recent Comments on His Lengthy Rift with Kelsey Grammer Following the Cheers Finale, People Magazine  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why do we love Lisa Rinna so much? Why is she so good at selling clothes on QVC and betraying fellow Housewives on The Traitors? Jolenta thinks it’s because she’s a perfect example of The Businessman archetype and his evil alter-ego, The Traitor. Put your cloaks on bitches, we’re going into the turret to talk all about Rinna. Hot Mess-terpiece Insta SOURCES  Greek Mythology, Robert Garland Classical Mythology A-Z, Annette Giesecke The Greek Myths, Robert Graves Dictionary of Classical Mythology, by Pierre Grimal Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes, by Edith Hamilton 45 Master Characters, by Victoria Lynn Schmidt The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills - Peacock The Traitors - Peacock Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jolenta is joined by Real Housewives of New Jersey connoisseur, JoAnn Crohn (No Guilt Mom) to discuss the infamous season one table flip scene. The two enjoy reminiscing about the early years of RHONJ and discuss why such an outrageous moment is so real and relatable. Joann’s Insta Hot Mess-terpiece Insta SOURCES: Former ‘RHONJ’ producer Carlos King: Danielle Staub made show a hit, Page Six The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Peacock For Ultrareality, ‘Housewives’ Turns to Jersey Girls, The New York Times Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week Jolenta does a deep dive on The Fool archetype and his evil alter-ego, The Derelict. Fools show up a lot in reality TV, from Lisa Barlow to Craig Conover. And of course she’s gonna profile the crown-prince of foolishness: Summer House’s Kyle Cooke. Hot Mess-terpiece Insta SOURCES Greek Mythology, Robert Garland The Greek Myths, Robert Graves Dictionary of Classical Mythology, by Pierre Grimal Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes, by Edith Hamilton 45 Master Characters, by Victoria Lynn Schmidt Bravo Shows - Peacock Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jolenta is joined by writer/actor Mara Wilson, who shares her insights on America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and the season two contract negotiations. You don’t want to miss her hot takes on having your image monetized and chronic people pleasing. Mara’s Instagram Hot Mess-terpiece Instagram SOURCES : America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, Netflix Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team, Paramount+ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s time to talk about two archetypes that can’t keep it in their pants and tend to use women - The Ladies Man and his evil alter-ego, The Seducer. Jolenta investigates how these messy f-boys show up in reality TV, paying special attention to Shep Rose from Southern Charm. Hot Mess-terpiece Insta SOURCES  Dictionary of Classical Mythology, by Pierre Grimal Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes, by Edith Hamilton 45 Master Characters, by Victoria Lynn Schmidt Bravo Shows - Peacock 90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days - HBO Max Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jolenta is joined by Jenny Donheiser (How Were U Brainwashed?) to explore the origin story of the “press conference luncheon” - a somewhat common Real Housewives occourence. They delve into the anals of history and discuss the significance of Karen Huger holding a press conference in a steak house private room back in season three of The Real Housewives of Potomac. Jenny's Insta Hot Mess-terpiece Insta SOURCES The Real Housewives, Peacock.com ‘Real Housewives of Potomac’ star Karen Huger’s husband and his company owe millions in back taxes, Washington Post Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jolenta goes to town on The King archetype and his evil alter ego, The Dictator. Guess who she thinks fits the profile? One mister Kody Brown, from Sister Wives. If you want to overanalyze Kody’s character and investigate his dictator ways, this is the episode for you.  Hot Mess-terpiece Insta SOURCES Dictionary of Classical Mythology, by Pierre Grimal Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes, by Edith Hamilton 45 Master Characters, by Victoria Lynn Schmidt Bravo Shows - Peacock Sister Wives - Hulu & HBO Max Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jolenta is joined by Mary Houlihan (The Mary Houlihan Show) to discuss a subject near and dear to Mary’s heart, The Jersey Shore. From the cast’s early feral days to their adult journeys through sobriety and marriage, Mary helps us understand the characters in this great American drama. And the two do a deep dive on Mike ‘The Situation’ Sorrentino’s redemption arc, aka his release from prison. Mary's Insta Hot Mess-terpiece Insta SOURCES The Jersey Shore and Jersey Shore: Family Vacation - Paramount+ Michael ‘The Situation’ Sorrentino, Marc Sorrentino Sentenced to Federal Prison on Tax Charges, US Department of Justice Archives ‘Jersey Shore’ premiered 10 years ago on MTV. Here’s why the global phenomenon could go on forever, nj.com Jersey Shore: An Oral History, Vulture Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week Jolenta takes a look at the character of Craig Conover from Southern Charm and how he fits into the Artist Archetype. And you know she gets into that evil alter ego and how the archetype shows up in mythology and a bunch of other reality shows. Hot Mess-terpiece Insta SOURCES Dictionary of Classical Mythology, by Pierre Grimal Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes, by Edith Hamilton 45 Master Characters, by Victoria Lynn Schmidt Bravo Shows and After Shows - Peacock Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ring in the new year the classic way - with hot takes on hot topics. For a New Year’s treat, Jolenta is serving takes hot enough to warm your heart on a cold winter’s day. All things reality are discussed, from Southern Charm to Sister Wives. Hot Mess-terpiece Insta Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As a holiday gift to you, Jolenta returns to her podcasting roots with a deep dive on a self-help book. She read Rich As F*ck, so you don’t have to - the money manifesting manual by the newest Real Housewife of Beverly Hills, Amanda Frances. Does the book offer any genuinely useful advice? Does it give scam vibes the same way Amanda does on TV? Let’s find out! Hot Mess-terpiece Insta SOURCES: The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills - Peacock The Secret, by Rhonda Byrne  Rich as F*ck, by Amanda Frances Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill The Power of Positive Thinking, by Vincent Peale Billionaire David Geffen criticized for tone-deaf self-isolation Post, The Guardian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jolenta does a deep dive on The Recluse archetype and her evil twin, The Warlock. Turns out Kathy Hilton from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills has a lot of reclusive tendencies, but watch yourself because you don’t want her warlock side to rear its ugly head. Hot Mess-terpiece Insta SOURCES: Mythos: A Retelling of the Myths of Ancient Greece, by Stephen Fry Greek Mythology: Gods and Heroes Brought to Life, By Robert Garland The Greek Myths, by Robert Graves Dictionary of Classical Mythology, by Pierre Grimal Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes, by Edith Hamilton 45 Master Characters, by Victoria Lynn Schmidt Bravo Shows and After Shows - Peacock Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jolenta is joined by Travis Rhoden from Bestie Approved for a crossover episode!  In honor of Jen Shah being released from prison, the two recap the infamous sprinter van raid from season 2 of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. Travis used to be a finance bro, so he has some interesting takes on money laundering. And many iconic moments are covered: Mary calling Whitney “little girl,” the beginning of Meredith branding herself as a lady who loves baths, and Whitney Rose thinking Homeland Security is a pranking her. Bestie Approved Hot Mess-Terpiece Insta SOURCES: Real Housewives of Salt Lake City - Peacock Jennie Nguyen removed from 'Real Housewives' cast for offensive posts, NBC News Reality Show Cast Member Jennifer Shah Sentenced To 78 Months In Prison For Running Nationwide Telemarketing Fraud Scheme, United States Attorney’s Office Southern District of New York  ‘Real Housewives' Star Charged in Massive Fraud, Money Laundering Scheme, NBC New York Learn more about your ad

Jolenta is joined by the wonderful Gibson Johns (Gabbing with Gib) to talk about Aviva Drescher’s infamous leg toss from The Real Housewives of New York. They get into the backstory, dish on ghost writing rumors, and wax poetic about obviously self produced moments. Gibson’s Insta Hot Mess-Terpiece Insta  SOURCES RHONY Legacy - Peacock Luann de Lesseps Doubles Down: Carole Radziwill Used a Ghostwriter for Her Memoir - Radio Andy , SiriusXM Aviva Drescher: I Threw My Leg on RHONY to “Earn My Keep” - US Magazine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For a Thanksgiving Day treat, Jolenta is doing a roundup of some of the latest reality TV hot topics and giving her hot takes. She covers everything from Kandi Burruss’s divorce to Kody Brown’s multiple divorces. Please note: Topics other than divorce will be discussed, such as The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, The Real  Housewives of Orange County, and more. Hot Mess-terpiece Insta SOURCES: Bravo Shows - Peacock The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives - Hulu  Sister Wives - TLC @StaceyRuschQVC Tiktok account Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Mystic is a fun woo-woo archetype, but do not piss her off or else you’ll meet her evil side: the Betrayer.  How do each of these beauties show up in reality TV? Jolenta thinks Dorinda Medley from the Real Housewives of New York is the perfect example of the Mystic/Betrayer dichotomy. Hot Mess-terpiece Insta SOURCES: Mythos: A Retelling of the Myths of Ancient Greece, by Stephen Fry Greek Mythology: Gods and Heroes Brought to Life, by Robert Garland The Greek Myths, by Robert Graves Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes, by Edith Hamilton 45 Master Characters, by Victoria Lynn Schmidt Bravo Shows - Peacock Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The wonderful Mary Payne Gilbert (Pink Shade) joins Jolenta to do a deep dive on the infamous Vanderpump Rules “slap” scene between Stassi Schroeder and Kristin Douse. And the two discuss why we’re so drawn to reality TV that showcases anti-aspirational living. Mary Payne’s Insta Hot Mess-terpiece Theatre Insta Sources: Vanderpump Rules - Peacock Hera episode of Hot Mess-Terpiece Theatre Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices