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.
Fandom Acts of Kindness (Ep 412 - Kaela Joseph and Tanya Cook)
Hiding out in a Theater (Ep 411 - JP & me/Phantom of the Opera & Harriet the Spy)
Wanting to Be Him and to Date Him (Ep 410 - Noah/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)
Maybe I'm Not Gay, Maybe I'm a Skater (Ep 408 - Edgar/Tony Hawk)
Beware of the World (Ep 407 - Josh/My Best Friend's Wedding)
The Actual Mayor of Emeryville (Ep 406 - 90s Alt-Rock/Mayor John Bauters)
I'm Going to Read About Murders (Ep 405 - Agatha Christie/Paul Baker)
I Get a Kick Out of Freaking People Out (Ep 404 - Interview With the Vampire/Levi Hastings)
All Monsters Are People (Ep 403 - Attack of the Killer Tomatoes/Michael Varrati)
My Second Life (Ep 402 - Phantom of the Opera/Chris Geidner)
Giving Myself Permission to Get a Little Bit Sexier (Ep 401 - French Comics/Josh Cornillon)
I Think I Quit (Ep 400 - The Front Runner/TJ Klune
Jewels and Gold and Butts (Ep 399 - Pink Narcissus/Ian MacKinnon)
The Taste of an Old Queen (Ep 398 - Kyle Turner/Bringing up Baby)
Like I Was the Star (Ep 397 - Kevin/Reality TV)
Morbid Curiosities (Ep 396 - Disaster books/Chris Steadman)
My Heel Connected with his Jaw (Ep 395 - Tomie dePaola/Trung Le Nguyen)
Climbing a Mountain Every Day (Ep 395 - Stephen/Ballet)
Musical Theater on the Subway (Ep 394 - Brett/Broadway)
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