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Artwork for Hot and Bothered

Hot and Bothered

Not Sorry Productions
How To Lose a Guy In 10 Days
Romantic Comedy
Jane Austen
On the Rise
Sleepless In Seattle
Homelessness
Trauma-Informed Care
Cinematography
Film Analysis
Northanger Abbey
Romantic Films
Affordable Housing Crisis
Taylor Swift
Feminism
Character Development
Persuasion
Emily Brontë
Wuthering Heights
Mental Health
Production Design

Hot and Bothered is all about the power of romance culture. We analyze romance novels and movies to better imagine our own happy endings. Episodes release weekly on Tuesdays.

CURRENT SEASON: Hot and Bothered (Movie Edition)

We make Hot and Bothered because we are interested in the way that love stories have impacted our lives and culture. For our fifth season of the show, we’re turning our attenti... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes301Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
RelationshipsSociety & CultureArts

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Artwork for Hot and Bothered

Latest Episodes

For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Hannah analyze the ending of The Phantom of the Opera. They discuss the black-and-white frame narrative of the film, what makes the phantom hot (and not), and the show's similarity to Beauty and the ... more

Vanessa Zoltan and Hannah McGregor meet in a Parisian opera house to record this week’s episode of Hot and Bothered, all about The Phantom of the Opera.

This week we discuss daddy issues, queer aesthetics, and Susan Sontag's definition of 'camp.' We... more

Vanessa Zoltan is joined by friend and mentor Dr. Stephanie Paulsell to discuss the appeal of mystery novels and their relationship to religion.

If you're interested in joining Stephanie and Casper on the Agatha Christie pilgrimage, you can learn mo... more

For this week’s bi-weekly scene study, Vanessa and Mauricio Bruce analyze the ending of Punch Drunk Love. They continue their conversation about light and color in the film and discuss the relationship between humiliation and violence.

Hot and Both... more

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Recent Guests

Dominic Broomfield-McHugh
Musical-film guide, professor of musicology
University of Sheffield
Episode: The Phantom of the Opera
Stephanie Paulsell
Professor at Harvard Divinity School, scholar of religion and literature
Harvard Divinity School
Episode: Special Edition: Why Do We Love Mystery Novels?
Mauricio Bruce
Host of The Real Question, Not Sorry Productions collaborator
The Real Question / Not Sorry Productions
Episode: Punch Drunk Love
Laura Barraclough
Chair of the American Studies Department at Yale University
Yale University
Episode: Punch Drunk Love
Dr. Samantha M. Sheppard
Associate professor of cinema and media studies, Cornell University
Cornell University
Episode: Love & Basketball
Deborah Anthony
Legal scholar specializing in women's surname changes and the politics of memory
University of Illinois Springfield
Episode: The Wedding Singer
Dominic Broomfield–Mchugh
Professor of musicology at the University of Sheffield, expert on musicals
University of Sheffield
Episode: White Christmas
Simone Drake
Professor in the Department of English at Ohio State University, author and co-editor of several publications.
Ohio State University
Episode: The Best Man
Tyler D. Parry
Associate Professor of African American and African Diaspora studies
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Episode: The Best Man

Hosts

Vanessa Zoltan
Co-host known for her sharp insights and engaging wit, she explores themes of love, literature, and cultural analysis.
Hannah McGregor
Co-host with a background in literature and critical theory, she brings depth to cultural conversations on romance narratives through humor and insight.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 1.7k ratings
  • So original!

    Smart, funny, and insightful.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sometime Listener
    United States2 months ago
  • A must listen

    Hot and Bothered has been one of those podcasts that’s just always been part of my life. From the early days talking romance novels and Jane Eyre, to Twilight in Quarantine, rom-coms, LGBTQ+ love stories, and even the deep dives into the American wedding complex — every version of it has been a treat. The hosts are so sharp and funny and thoughtful, and Vanessa Zoltan is just the best. I would, and do, happily listen to anything she’s involved in. There’s something so comforting about hearing sm... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    EmmyGal22
    United States2 months ago
  • Love

    I love love love this podcast.

    It is so fun and I feel like I learn so much about things that bring me so much joy, without having to defend liking them.

    I love the whimsy, I love the depth, I love that it doesn’t ever take things too seriously while also taking them very seriously.

    You have no idea how important this has been to me personally over the past period.

    Love.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sophie Mer
    Netherlands3 months ago
  • Fun and insightful

    Love the playfulness and the depth they approach the movies and books with

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Phifer-Ball
    United States3 months ago
  • So good!

    This show is so insightful and wonderful. It’s become one of my favorite podcasts.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    archaeoshosh
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some audience members express a desire for deeper exploration of certain narratives, while praising guest contributions as enlightening.
Listeners appreciate the blend of humor and thoughtful commentary, describing the show as insightful and culturally relevant.
The hosts are recognized for their sharp wit and emotional intelligence, making discussions engaging and relatable.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#120
Switzerland/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#146
Mexico/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#186
New Zealand/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#216
South Korea/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

White Christmas
Q: Dominic, I had a big reaction to the song choreography. I'm wondering if you can just tell us anything you know about it.
The choreography number is racist in its use of racialized staging, linking it to a broader history of minstrel tropes, while also illustrating the shift from traditional American dance forms to a more European-influenced style; it's a problematic, historically situated moment that the film uses to comment on changes in performance culture.
The Phantom of the Opera
Q: What do you think Spielberg's (sic Schumacher's) Phantom of the Opera believes about love, in contrast to more conventional romances?
It treats love as an overwhelming, spectacular force that is more about music, spectacle, and danger than about practical life or moral depth; it's about experience and mood rather than a grounded future.
Love & Basketball
Q: Hi, Samantha, what got you interested in sports movies as a genre?
Dr. Sheppard discusses her long-standing interest in how sports films use melodrama to explore belonging, identity, and larger social issues, and explains why sports narratives are powerful for examining race, gender, and national myths.
Ending Of: The Wedding Singer
Q: If you could rewrite the ending of The Wedding Singer, what would happen?
I would have it end with a musical number since it fits the spirit of the film.
Ending Of: The Wedding Singer
Q: How do we think this movie feels about women?
The movie portrays a lack of respect for women, often placing them in roles that cater to men, and it doesn't celebrate their agency or emotions effectively.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About Hot and Bothered

What is Hot and Bothered about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Episodes focus on analyzing romance novels and films, exploring the ways love stories reflect and shape our lives and culture. The discussions range from classic literature, such as Jane Austen's works, to contemporary films like Twilight and My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Unique features include close scene analyses examining the implications of love portrayed in various narratives and how these stories challenge or conform to societal norms. The blend of humor and thoughtful critique offers listeners not only entertainment but also deeper insights into romance and relationships, making the content memorable and engaging for fans of the genre.

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How many listeners does Hot and Bothered get?

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What are the audience demographics for Hot and Bothered?

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How many subscribers and views does Hot and Bothered have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Hot and Bothered has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Hot and Bothered?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Hot and Bothered:

1. Material Girls
2. Harry Potter and the Sacred Text
3. The Real Question
4. The Thing About Austen
5. Culture Study Podcast

How many episodes of Hot and Bothered are there?

Hot and Bothered launched 8 years ago and published 301 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Hot and Bothered?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Hot and Bothered?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Hot and Bothered from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Hot and Bothered?

Recent guests on Hot and Bothered include:

1. Dominic Broomfield-McHugh
2. Stephanie Paulsell
3. Mauricio Bruce
4. Laura Barraclough
5. Dr. Samantha M. Sheppard
6. Deborah Anthony
7. Dominic Broomfield–Mchugh
8. Simone Drake

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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