My guest this week is Ben Sander, creator of the character Brini Maxwell, a drag hostess who’s helmed shows about crafting, cooking, and homemaking, for decades. It all started with a little cable access show that he produced with some help from his mother, before becoming a cable TV series, with live shows that continue to this day — with Brini the character continuing to evolve as Ben her creator explores new artistic frontiers.
(Also: if you’re a fan of pop culture history — and I think you are — you’ll probably enjoy Sam’s great blog from a few years back, The Obscurity Factor.)
We’ll have that conversation in a minute. First, a reminder that I’ve got a book coming out next year about queer sitcoms! It’s called Hi Honey, I’m Homo, and pre-orders are open — head over to gaysitcoms.com to get all the details.
Also, big thanks to everyone who supports The Sewers of Paris on Patreon! Patrons get hours of exclusive bonus videos about pop culture history, stickers and stuff in the mail, and names in the credits of YouTube videos.
How Much Can We Get Away With? (Ep 452 - David/The Muppets)
I Live My Life Like Performance Art (Ep 451 - Dean FM/That's So Raven)
Everything but the Snakes (Ep 450 - Joseph/Worship songs)
It's Worthwhile to Fall in Love (Ep 449: Jin/Tales of the City)
The Sewers of Paris: Best of 2023
I Wanted to be a Rock Star (Ep 447 - David Bowie/Scott Shoemaker)
A Dream I Didn't Know I Had (Ep 446 - Justin Randall/Girls)
Brave Families (Ep 445- David & Melinda/Ordinary People & Wings of Desire)
Sissy Diva Worship (Ep 444 - Lucas/Cyndi Lauper)
Underground Culture (Ep 443 - Walter & Matt/The Smiths & To Kill a Mockingbird)
Why Do People Live Like This? (Ep 442 - Eric/Kennedy Center Honors)
Playing With Toys All Over Again (Ep 441 - Tim/Transformers)
I Stopped Praying and I Became an Actor (Ep 439 - Ray/Barney Miller)
The Girl that Wasn't Supposed to be Famous (Ep 438 - Karel/Barbra Streisand)
Something More Than Just a Secret (Ep 437 - Wilson/Will & Grace)
People Wearing Masks (Ep 436 - Hocus Pocus/Rantasmo)
I Can't Believe We Pulled This Off (Ep 435 - Happy Days/Frank)
A World of Wolves (Ep 434 - The Little Mermaid/Scott)
Is What We Do Homosexual? (Ep 433 - Hemmingway/Tate)
Meatpacking Dance (Ep 432 - Donna Summer/Frankie)
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