Tapping into that Saltburn Swagger

My favorite podcasts, books, movies, etc. of March

Welcome to my monthly roundup of things I’m into right now.

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What I’m Watching:

Hacks on HBO Max

I don’t watch much TV these days. (Is this me telling you I’m better than everyone? No.) Kids make it seem impossible.

HOWEVER, I’ve been treating myself to TV while riding the Peloton. Could I be getting a more intense workout taking Tunde’s class? Yep, but who cares because what’s getting me on the bike these days is Hacks.

The gist: Comedy legend Deborah Vance (think Joan Rivers) loses her Las Vegas headlining gig after 30-some years. She reluctantly hires Ava Daniels, a Gen Z comedy writer recently cancelled for an ill-received tweet. There is just so much to love: smart, funny writing; a narcissistic boss you love to hate; Gen Z versus Boomer face-offs; commentary on what it’s like to be a woman in the biz; a lesbian cruise that goes surprisingly right, then horribly wrong… this show has me LOLing. I need some LOLs.

The third season premieres May 2 on HBO Max.

Am I the last person to watch Saltburn?

Now that the Oscars have passed, we finally streamed this weird and wild journey. I’m thrilled Gen Z gets their own Cruel Intentions experience (I rewatched that not too long ago, and it is… ridiculous).

The first time I ever saw Barry Keoghan (in The Banshees of Inisherin), I was kinda like… that guy is not for me. But by the end of Saltburn, I was kinda like… oh hellllllo, Barry. Yes, even after the blood and the bath and the dirt (trying not to spoil anything), and that iconic naked dance scene.

I discussed the movie with a friend— a straight, married, father of three— last week, and even he agreed that there was a transformation of Barry Keoghan from not to hot. We landed on this: it boils down to his confidence. Any actor who can do depraved things with such conviction, just wow. Good reminder to bring some of that Barry Keoghan swagger into real life. Bravo, Barry. Bravo.

It's murder on the dancefloor. But you better not kill the groove.

What I’m Reading:

I’ll Show Myself Out by Jessi Klein

Jessi Klein’s first book, You’ll Grow Out of It, is the only physical book I read during my first year of motherhood. Jessi is a comedy writer (Inside Amy Schumer, Transparent) and actress who I find deeply relatable. I’ll Show Myself Out chronicles her experience mothering a young child. If you’re a mom who feels like maybe they weren’t cut out for this, or that they’re too old, or not doing it right, or feel like you’re Teddy Ruxpinning story time (she’ll explain what I mean), this one’s for you.

If You Can’t Take the Heat by Geraldine DeRuiter

Last month, writer Geraldine DeRuiter sold about 6 million (just a guess) copies of If You Can’t Take the Heat when the New York Times wrote a “scathing” (her words, not mine) review, and women of the internet said not on our watch. I don’t read reviews before I dig into a book or movie (A synopsis? Yes. Reviews contain too many spoilers, and I want to read them after I’ve finished the book), but after learning IYCTTH melds all sorts of things I have personal experience with (blogging, food/travel writing, celebrity chef culture, sexism, yada yada yada), I knew I needed to read it.

Now that I’ve finished the book, I’ve read that “scathing” review and… yeah, I don’t agree with the word scathing. It does seem Jennifer Reese, the reviewer, finds DeRuiter's casual, millennial writing style offensive. She doesn’t like how the books feels angry and only angry (Jennifer! The word fury is right there in the subheading!) DeRuiter’s writing feels similar to mine— casual, thoughts framed up with parenthesis, IDEAS IN ALL CAPS. A takedown of DeRuiter’s literary voice feels like just one more thing (vocal fry, anyone?) held against women our age. Honestly, Geraldine, what did you expect from the NYT?

Anyhow… I mostly enjoyed the book. If you like essay about food, dysfunctional but loving families, and have ever been attacked on the internet, you may relate. But my biggest takeaways is that if I’m lucky enough to A) publish my book and B) get a coveted NYT review, I would C) expect the review to be like this one, and D) copy everything DeRuiter did because it’s a masterclass on marketing. Great work.

I’m feeling like I’m in a reading rut. Anyone have a great page-turner rec?

What I’m Listening to:

Time Capsule: The Silver Chain

I haven’t binged a podcast in forever, but last week I went full throttle on Paul Ditty’s new series Time Capsule: The Silver Chain. Dubbed as a “true no-crime” podcast (lol), this series does a deep-dive on a stack of found newsletters from a Twin Cities-based swingers group from the 1970-80s. It’s a surprisingly wholesome show considering the topic (Paul and producer Nora McInerny drink a ginger ale with one of their former swinger octogenarian interviewees). While part of me cringes at how just how many Silver Chain members wished this part of their lives would stay in the past, I’m enjoying the stories and the history. And it’s reassuring to me as a parent that, even on my worst days, at least I don’t leave my kids every weekend to partake in a sex party.

QUEENS Soundtrack

Lastly! My kids and I watched Queens on Disney+ last week. It’s a Nat Geo show focused on species who operate under queendoms. Beautifully shot, super informative, a little jarring (lots of baby animals getting murdered in the pursuit of the crown!)… but the MUSIC! It’s so good. Listen to the soundtrack on Spotify.

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Thanks for joining me on my happy (mostly) little corner of the internet.

XO, molly