In the wake of pyjama-clad Hugh Hefner’s demise, we discuss the legacy of Playboy and its nuances - and why viewing an empire created 64 years ago solely through the lense of modern feminism can be problematic. A must-read, incidentally, is Gloria Steinem’s The Bunny’s Tale.
Also in today’s episode, we discuss the demise of the celebrity interview. Are authentic journalistic profiles destined to become mere relics, in place of publicist-approved puff pieces? We can but wonder.
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BIG NEWS: You can now book a ticket to the first ever* live* episode of The High Low!
We’ll be doing a live show 6.30-8.30pm at tibits in Mayfair, on Monday 16th October and 20% of all proceeds go to Women for Women International.
Click the link below to book a ticket to the live record:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-high-low-live-recording-at-tibits-heddon-street-tickets-38531176787
Find out about more Women for Women International
https://www.womenforwomen.org.uk/
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What we’ve been listening to/ watching
The Longform podcast (Dolly recommends the eps with Lena Dunham, Ariel Levy, Emily Nussbaum, David Remnick, Jon Ronson, Elizabeth Gilbert and Taffy Drodesser-Akner)
https://longform.org
Fresh Air podcast with Hilary Clinton
http://www.npr.org/programs/fresh-air/2017/09/18/551812328/fresh-air-for-sept-18-2017-hillary-clinton
WTF podcast with Barack Obama
http://www.wtfpod.com/podcast/episodes/episode_613_-_president_barack_obama
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What we’re been reading
Standard Deviation by Katherine Heiny
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Standard-Deviation-Katherine-Heiny/dp/0008105529/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1507046125&sr=1-1&keywords=standard+deviation
Mount by Jilly Cooper
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mount-Jilly-Cooper/dp/0593072901
I’ll Eat When I’m Dead by Barbara Borland
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ill-Eat-When-Im-Dead/dp/1784298565/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1507060568&sr=1-1&keywords=i%27ll+eat+when+i%27m+dead
Sour Heart by Jenny Zhang
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sour-Heart-Jenny-Zhang/dp/1408892413/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1507046030&sr=8-1&keywords=sour+heart
Interview with France’s Secretary for Equality, Marlène Schiappa, in The Sunday Times magazine
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/marlene-schiappa-vive-la-revolution-67xq9bhd9
1968 Rolling Stone interview with Richie Havens
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/richie-havens-in-1968-the-direction-for-my-music-is-heaven-19680720
A Bunny’s Tale by Teresa Carpenter
http://dlib.nyu.edu/undercover/sites/default/files/documents/uploads/editors/Show-A%20Bunny%27s%20Tale-Part%20One-May%201963.pdf
Death of a Playmate by Teresa Carpenter
http://reprints.longform.org/death-of-a-playmate
My Playboy Mansion meeting with Hugh Hefner, Mr Sticky Fingers by Camilla Long
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/my-playboy-mansion-meeting-with-hugh-hefner-mr-sticky-fingers-rss3wwdmz
How BBC Star Clare Balding stole my byline, by Ginny Dougray
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/sep/30/celebrity-interview-bullying-behaviour-balding-saga
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