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Crooked Media
Every Saturday, former Obama speechwriter and self-described "comedian" Jon Lovett is joined live on stage by a killer lineup of comics, journalists, politicians, and celebrities - who may or may not know why they're there - to break down the biggest and dumbest stories in politics and culture.
And now because there’s too much news for just one show, join Jon and friends (i.e. beloved producers who have to be there) every Tuesday for a rundown of the latest headlines to help get you through another flawless week in our perfect society.
Plus for those who like to watch (*wink*), you can catch all the funniest moments and gayest chaos on the Lovett or Leave It YouTube channel. So check us out there, and listen to Lovett or Leave It wherever you get your podcasts.
Lev It or Leave It
Impeachment heads to the Senate. Lev Parnas talks to Rachel Maddow. And Deval Patrick joins Jon on stage to face the Queen for a Day challenge. Plus Kara Swisher on Facebook and Little Women, Mitra Jouhari on Space Travel, and Damon Young on Joker's 11 Oscar nominations. First they cancel The OA. Now Mindhunter? Netflix, you season three thief!
01:03:2918/01/2020
HEY. We're going on tour (ticket link inside)
Big news. Lovett or Leave It and Pod Save America are going on tour. Presale runs from January 15 - 17, use code CROOKED2020. General on-sale is Saturday January 18th at 10am local time.Tickets & dates at http://crooked.com/eventsSee you soon.
00:4015/01/2020
The Warring 20's
And we're back! Trump escalates. Australia burns. And Rita Wilson waits and waits and WAITS. Former Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes joins to unpack the latest on Iran and the congressional response. Plus comedians Hari Kondabolu and Alice Wetterlund join to look at the fight over the coming impeachment trial, high school reunions, crowded gyms in January, and more. 2020 is here. Let's go.
01:06:1511/01/2020
We Impeached Him.
Mayor Pete Buttigieg joins Jon in studio to play Queen for a Day. Should college plans be universal? Chris Pratt or Chris Pine? Big questions. Plus Josh Gondelman and Negin Farsad join live as Trump gets impeached, the Democrats get feisty at the debate, and Kumail Nanjiani gets jacked. See you in 2020,
01:23:2121/12/2019
Impeach for the Stars
John Hodgman and Amanda Seales join Jon to break down the week's news as the Judiciary Committee debates articles of impeachment and the Department of Justice releases a report that debunks Trump's conspiracy theories. Plus we look back on the year and the decade, Crooked's editor-in-chief Brian Beutler joins to rant about "narrow" impeachment, and Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit take a hard look at the science of Star Wars. Tiny yoda. Huge week.
55:0414/12/2019
Darin' to Say "Barron"
Impeachment heads to the Judiciary Committee. Rudy films a documentary in Ukraine. Fox News anchors piss off their moms. And a ferocious debate breaks out ON STAGE over a little film called The Irishman. Brett Gelman and Rheeqrheeq Chainey join to break down the latest news at a very late, very loose, very fun live show. What a week.
57:2107/12/2019
Up Schiff's Creek
Fiona Hill has eyes. Gordon Sondland has receipts. And Cory Booker has jokes. The first round of impeachment hearings wrap up in dramatic fashion. Democrats debate in Atlanta. And Chris Matthews uses, shall we say, an irregular channel. The hilarious Guy Branum, Quinta Brunson, and Aida Osman are here to break down a week of giant revelations and tiny Yodas. We always say it, but wow we really mean it: What a week.
01:00:2123/11/2019
This Ukrainian Life
Bill Taylor and George Kent testify as the public phase of impeachment begins. Rudy considers hosting a podcast, and we have the ad reads. The goobers at Fox & Friends are briefly confronted by reality. And Dion Waiters has a very VERY bad experience with a weed gummy. Whitney Cummings and Joe Mande are here to break down a big week, from the dumb villains of impeachment to the gay villains of Disney Plus. And don't worry: we do it with the pizzazz you DEMAND.
01:02:2616/11/2019
OK, Bloomberg
Impeachment goes public. Kentucky goes blue. And Facebook goes all caps. Kal Penn and Emily Heller join to break down the week's news, from Iowa to The View to whatever the hell is going on with T.I. Plus investigative reporter Jason Leopold joins to share what he's learned from new documents he uncovered from the Mueller investigation. And obviously we cover daylight saving time. Dark at four thirty? Enough.
53:5209/11/2019
Catch, Marry, Kill
The House votes on impeachment. Evidence mounts against Trump. And Fox News smears a decorated veteran who heard the Ukraine phone call. Ronan Farrow joins to discuss his book Catch and Kill, the response from reporters inside NBC, and his impression of a certain podcast host in the audio book. Plus Demi Adejuyigbe is back and Ashley Nicole Black joins to discuss the California wildfires, Hollywood reboots, and people who want to hang out after work. And a special edition of GAY NEWS? What a show. What a week.
49:2702/11/2019
Announcing: What A Day
“What A Day,” Crooked Media’s new daily news podcast, is here! Hosted by comedian Akilah Hughes and politics reporter Gideon Resnick, “What A Day” cuts through the chaos and crimes to break down the biggest news of the day, help you understand what matters, and how you can fix it—all in 15 minutes or less. New episodes come out every morning, Monday through Friday, at 5 a.m. Eastern. Subscribe and listen wherever you get your podcasts.Subscribe: apple.co/whatadayLearn more: crooked.com/whataday
02:3529/10/2019
Impeachment FOMO
Congressman Matt Gaetz and his pals invade a secure hearing room. The Ambassador to Ukraine delivers shocking testimony in the impeachment inquiry. Kellyanne Conway insults a reporter who immediately posts the audio. And Halloween is here so it's time to tell the truth about candy corn... and capitalism. Broad City's Abbi Jacobson joins to unpack the sexist advice offered at the accounting firm Ernst and Young. Plus comedian Akilah Hughes and reporter Gideon Resnick are here to cover all the week's news, and talk about their brand new podcast from Crooked Media, What A Day, which you should subscribe to right... NOW.
49:4126/10/2019
The Roast of Elizabeth Warren
Mayor Pete turns up the heat at the debate, Trump's chief of staff confesses to crimes on camera, and Fox News still struggles to spin the Ukraine scandal. Returning champions Michaela Watkins and Moshe Kasher are BACK and the Ringer's John Gonzalez joins to explain the NBA's response to Chinese censorship. Plus, are we ready for a world without iTunes? Michaela, for one, is NOT. What a week.
50:0219/10/2019
Catch Me If Ukraine
Rudy's pals are arrested at the airport. Ellen's pal is a very bad president. And Lovett's pals Shea Serrano and Emily Heller are here to break down the week's news. Plus Beto O'Rourke becomes the seventh presidential candidate to face the Queen for a Day gauntlet, and he says "fuck it" a couple times! What a week. What an episode.
01:13:4312/10/2019
Ukraine Clown Posse
Adam Scott and Nicole Byer are here to explore another week of high crimes and misdemeanors... after Trump confesses on camera and threatens civil war on Twitter. Plus a GOP megadonor diplomat hates texting about crimes, Mark Zuckerberg worries about Elizabeth Warren in a leaked recording, and UCLA Professor John Zaller joins Jon to discuss public opinion and partisanship in previous impeachment fights. What a week.
01:02:1205/10/2019
Gay for Impeachment
The White House releases damning evidence of a shakedown. Pelosi and House Democrats unite behind impeachment. Ukraine’s president is pressured to deny there was pressure. And Rudy Giuliani isn’t the lawyer Trump needs, but he’s definitely the lawyer Trump deserves. Live at the historic Castro Theater in San Francisco, Mayor London Breed and comedian Guy Branum join Jon to cover a week of horrors and wonders. And don't miss a special edition of Gay News. Impeachment is here. Let’s go.
01:04:0928/09/2019
Canceling with the Stars
Trump and Ukraine. Nadler and Lewandowski. Spicer and total humiliation. What a week. Senator Cory Booker joins to face the Queen for a Day gauntlet. Ben Rhodes covers the whistleblower story and tensions with Iran. Plus Sasheer Zamata and Vox’s Sean Rameswaram play a climate change game and discuss the Trudeau scandal, Amazon’s excessive packaging, and Lou Dobbs losing his mind.
01:17:3221/09/2019
Protect Stacey Abrams!
And we're back. Live from Radio City! Fox News reads John Bolton's texts on air so Desus and Mero join Jon for "OK, Stop." Wyatt Cenac, Alyssa Mastromonaco, and Dulcé Sloan cover the Democratic debate and discuss which candidate is our Hawkeye. Then Stacey Abrams talks about protecting the vote in battleground states and what her romance novels have in common with Republican voter suppression. And thanks to Michael Barbaro for being part of our intro video. What a week. What a time to go to votesaveamerica.com/fairfight.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/lovettorleaveit. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.
01:11:2314/09/2019
Dunaway or the Highway
Akilah Hughes and Jon introduce highlights from the year so far - or, really, highlights from the year's episodes so far. Look, what we're saying is, Akilah and Jon talked about Faye Dunaway being sued for allegedly calling her assistant a "little homosexual boy" which is obviously not right but isn't not funny, and had some fun introducing our favorite clips - from James Adomian as Bernie to Emily Heller as avenging angel for women hurt by multi-level marketing. We'll be back live at Radio City in a couple weeks!
01:05:1417/08/2019
Gays Against Equinox
Journalist Laurie Penny joins to discuss extremism and misogyny online. Then Larry Wilmore, Paul Scheer, and Alice Wetterlund are back to talk about the fight for gun control, Apple dongles, boycotting Trump funders, and whether Little Caesars is better than Domino's. (It's not.) Plus, a bonus rant from Treks and the City co-host Veronica Osorio!
01:09:0410/08/2019
Hot Inslee Summer
Governor Jay Inslee stops by to discuss climate change, his disagreement with Joe Biden and Andrew Yang, whether he knows what it means to be called a "snack," and a shocking revelation regarding Harry Potter. Then Kara Swisher, Ramy Youssef, and Kara Brown join to discuss two nights of Democratic debates, the Equifax breach, an unholy alliance between Trump and Twitter, and the permanence of Brad Pitt's abs over literally decades. What a week.
01:04:0603/08/2019
Big Not So Little Lies
Veep's Matt Walsh, reporter Emily Jane Fox, and writer/comedian Diallo Riddle join Jon to break down the Mueller hearings and talk of impeachment, Trump's reaction, the Equifax breach, plus rants about DC statehood, Hope Hicks, and congressional hearings that start at 5am.
57:1727/07/2019
Send Him Back
Trump finds a new low. Republicans find ways to avoid confronting him. And Tom Cruise finds a way BACK INTO OUR HEARTS. Backstage in Salt Lake City, Lovett catches up with Jon Favreau, Tommy Vietor, Dan Pfeiffer, and Erin Ryan on Trump's fascist rally, the CNN debate draw, and the Cats/Top Gun divide. Then we go to a fantastic live show with James Adomian, Kiran Deol, and Jenny Yang to cover Democratic infighting, straight bars, and how we finally got Bernie Sanders on the show.
01:02:0320/07/2019
Slippery Slope of Fairness
The US win the World Cup. Trump loses on the census. And Pelosi clashes with AOC and millennials. An ACTION PACKED show with Andy Richter, Rheeqrheeq Chainey, and Erin Ryan on the panel. Plus a rant by Ira Madison III. And Lovett harangues an actual seismologist (thank you, Men-Andrin Meier) about his problem with the Richter scale. And do we discuss Big Little Lies again? Sure why not.
57:0713/07/2019
Rain on Trump's Parade
Fox & Friends discovers DJ Khaled. Trump plans a fascist jamboree on the National Mall. And we (maybe) won a big fight on the census. In a special Independence Day edition, Jon and returning champion Emily Heller find good reasons to be patriotic and look back on a few all-time classic debate moments. Plus, in this week's gay news: why Big Little Lies is what America is ALL ABOUT.
01:02:5506/07/2019
The Bus Stops Here (Debate Special!)
Liz! Kamala! Bernie! And Jeff! Is that Jeff? Josh? Was there a Josh? Sounds wrong. Anyway, twenty candidates debated for the first time and we learned a lot. Plus, Monica Ramirez joins to break down what's happening at the border and how to help. Travon Free has a problem with Twitter's amateur television critics. And Tawny Newsome is not a fan of Kim Kardashian's new product launch. Oh and the democratic candidates were asked to name their favorite comfort foods and the answers were genuinely horrifying and we need to TALK ABOUT IT.
01:09:5629/06/2019
Big Little Lies with a Smokey Eye
Sarah Huckabee Sanders is OUT and collusion is IN. Adam Conover, Megan Gailey, and Demi Adejuyigbe join Jon to break down the latest 2020 news, Trump's oddly staged interview with George Stephanopoulos, the insane pay gap in women's sports, our national housing crisis, and a new video game from George R. R. Martin, the world's greatest procrastinator. As Meryl once said on Big Little Lies, "I can't complain. Actually, I can."
01:08:5415/06/2019
Straight Pride and the Hyde Divide (Live from Minneapolis)
Trump insults veterans on D-Day, Tucker Carlson thinks YouTube is the government, and Amy Klobuchar joins Jon on stage at the University of Minnesota to face the Queen for a Day gauntlet. Plus Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan, Guy Branum, and Ana Marie Cox help break down the week’s news, the magic of the state fair, and why parades are inherently gay in all the best ways. What a week. Thank you, Minneapolis!
01:22:5308/06/2019
So that's what Mueller sounds like!
The special counsel speaks and people can't believe their ears because they didn't use their eyes to READ THE REPORT. An architect of gerrymandering dies and his daughter discovers a trove of damning documents. Oh and aliens! Returning champions Josh Barro, Tawny Newsome, and Langston Kerman join Jon to break down the week's news, old bad tweets by 2020 candidates, and the very important case of The Verve v. The Rolling Stones
01:07:0601/06/2019
Lie of the Storm
Trump "storms" out on Pelosi, anti-choice laws lead to mass protest, and Kellyanne Conway auditions for Real Housewives of Washington. Plus we quiz the panel on Trump's tariffs and quiz the audience on an immigration extremist's bonkers list of demands. Activist Nourbese Flint and comedians Joel Kim Booster and Megan Gailey join Jon to break down the week's news, celebrate Cher's birthday, and consider a lovely trip to Mykanos.
01:03:2125/05/2019
BBQ, Bombs, and de Blasio (LIVE from Austin)
Jon Favreau and Tommy Vietor join Lovett for an update on Alabama's heinous new law, Trump's trade war, John Bolton's war war, and the Game of Throne's finale. Then we go to Austin for a fantastic live show with Shea Serrano, Emily Heller, and the Texas Tribune's Evan Smith to cover Texas's turn toward Democrats, Beto's habit of standing on things, plus some classic rants and a BBQ taste test. Thank you, Texas!
01:15:1118/05/2019
Gotta Impeach 'Em All (LIVE from Dallas)
Pelosi takes on leftwing "exuberance" and offers her thoughts on Democratic strategy. Tucker Carlson is very mad that Facebook kicked off white supremacists. And Texas's own Julian Castro joins to discuss his presidential campaign and to face the "Queen for a Day" gauntlet. Live in Dallas, Congressman Colin Allred, activist Kristian Hernandez, and comedian Emily Heller join to break down everything from 2020 to Detective Pikachu before Lovett succumbs to a Tex-Mex overdose.
01:03:1811/05/2019
Democracy: Endgame (LIVE from Houston)
Marvel introduces a gay character (who's in one scene and has NO powers). Kamala Harris wipes the floor with William Barr. Hillary Clinton assumes her final form on Rachel Maddow. And we see if Texas can tell the difference between Ted Cruz and John Cornyn. Arian Foster, Emily Heller, and Mercedes Fulbright join Jon on stage at the University of Houston to break down the week's news, and whether the Battle of Winterfell really was too dark to see. On to Dallas and more food.
55:0104/05/2019
Woke For His Age?
Biden enters the race, Trump ignores subpoenas, Warren tackles student loans, CNN hosts marathon town halls, and Hannity is still worried about Hillary's emails. Returning champions Guy Branum, Negin Farsad, and Kiran Deol join Jon to break down the week's news, some hot royal gossip, and the fact that the Avengers movie is three hours long, which only bothers Jon because he saw it AFTER we recorded.
58:4927/04/2019
The Mueller-ity Report
House Intelligence Chair Adam Schiff joins Jon to discuss the release of the (redacted) Mueller report, the congressional response, and the role of impeachment. Then Jason Leopold, Paul W. Downs, and Mitra Jouhari help break down the Republican reaction, Bernie’s Fox News town hall, Notre Dame instagrams, and the 12 percent of Americans who have never heard of Mike Pence. Imagine that.
01:06:0820/04/2019
Kirstjen Gets Firjed (LIVE from Boston)
Trump purges DHS over immigration. Republican legislatures pass draconian anti-abortion laws. And Tucker Carlson can't understand code switching even though he does it on television every single night. Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang joins Jon on stage live in Boston to talk universal basic income and memes. Plus Cecile Richards, Sam Stein, and Janelle James join to talk about the democratic primaries, scammers at congressional hearings, the lessons of Shazam, and all the week's news. Oh and don't forget, HARVARD TAKES BRIBES. Thanks Boston!
01:26:5213/04/2019
Oh no more candidates!
Democratic presidential candidates are competing on fundraising, policymaking, and apology giving. Brexit is a MESS. And the Times reveals the secret market research on Trump and his cronies. Gabe Liedman, Tre'vell Anderson, and Patti Harrison join Jon to break down the week's news, and rant about Tabasco Sauce, vegetarian whoppers, Herman Cain, and the injustice endured by Patti when she was not cast in the film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's classic musical Cats.
48:2706/04/2019
A Mueller Walks Into A Barr
And we're back! Mueller's report is IN and it's very good for Trump as long as we never ever read it ever. We cover the Barr Book Report, the Fox News reaction, Republican attacks on House Intelligence Chair Adam Schiff, and how much we still don't know about what is in that sweet sweet 400 page document. Plus Mayor Pete weighs in on whether a hot dog is a sandwich. Mike Pence threatens to send people to the moon against their will. And we take a loving look back on all the people Mueller indicted along the way. Returning champions Emily Heller, Jamil Smith, and Mitra Jouhari join Jon to break down a wild week of news and finally answer the burning question: is chili... soup?
01:09:4030/03/2019
Aunt Becky for President
Well, a LOT happened this week. Jon Favreau joins Lovett in studio to talk about the insane college admissions scandal, Trump’s first veto over his fake national emergency, the Boeing 737 Max 8, Paul Manafort’s sentencing, Tucker Carlson’s bigoted radio interviews, Beto O’Rourke’s presidential announcement, and the terror attack in New Zealand. Then we go to our live show at the Pabst Theater in Milwaukee with Move On’s Ben Wikler, activist Angela Lang, and returning champion Akilah Hughes. We cover corporate consolidation in the beer industry, Foxconn’s dirty deal with Republicans like Scott Walker, high top tables, and the scourge of standard time. Thanks for the curds, Wisconsin!
01:19:1916/03/2019
CPAC to Reality
Trump literally hugs a flag, figuratively hugs Kim Jong Un, and speaks for two hours at a conservative conference for people who think Fox News isn't mean enough. Live from Madison, Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes, Ana Marie Cox, and Akilah Hughes join Jon to talk about Scott Walker's legacy, the NFL's fantastic team owners, Trump's love letters to dictators, and the problems with punctuation marks in text messages. Anyway, too many cheese curds. Or maybe not enough.
01:03:2409/03/2019
Michael Cohen, Perfect Hero!
Trump's ex-lawyer (and just plain ex-lawyer) Michael Cohen testifies before Congress and it was WILD. Fox & Friends is loving the dynamic between Trump and Kim Jong Un. And Green Book is drawing all the attention away from the fact that Bohemian Rhapsody is also bad. Live from the Chicago Theater, Peter Sagal, Akilah Hughes, and Kim Bellware join to break down a lot of big news along with rising health care prices, redlining in the housing market, and why Lovett actually likes Malort.
01:19:4002/03/2019
Bern After Leading
Bernie Sanders enters the race, Tucker Carlson can't handle criticism, Trump officials screw with the census, Roger Stone gets put in his place, measles makes a comeback, Amazon skips New York, and Jussie Smollett... well, you know. Emily Heller, Ira Madison III, and Hari Kondabolu join Jon to break down the week's news.
51:2423/02/2019
Wallentine’s Day
Love and hate are in the air. Trump declares a national emergency to please his TV dads. High speed rail slows down. Jussie Smollett confronts doubters. 2020 Dems sounds alike at times. The Oscars cut important awards. And a game with a special Valentine’s Day surprise that even melted Tre’vell’s heart. Michaela Watkins, Megan Gailey, and Tre’vell Anderson join Jon to break down a big week of news.
57:4216/02/2019
Un-Meet Virginia
Trump's State of the Union never happened. Fox News is screaming about socialism. And Senator Kirsten Gillibrand joins Jon on stage at the Anthem in Washington, DC to discuss her 2020 campaign, health care, and the ugly scandals unfolding in Virginia. She also becomes the first presidential candidate to face the "Queen for a Day" gauntlet on Lovett or Leave It. Alex Wagner, Alyssa Mastromonaco, and Akilah Hughes are here to help break down the week's news and rant about Marie Kondo and The Bachelor. This week was a mess. votesaveamerica.com/unify
01:20:2509/02/2019
America's Next Top Vegan
Adam Schiff, Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, discusses Mueller, Trump's feud with intelligence officials, impeachment, congressional oversight, and vegan hamburgers. Plus Tawny Newsome and Naomi Ekperigin are back to break down the week's news on Howard Schultz, health care, and Netflix shows about serial killers. Then the panel quizzes the audience on Trump's approach to Venezuela. Sports podcaster Brandon Newman stops by to quiz Lovett on the game of football. And I still don't care that Starbucks burns the beans.
01:04:5502/02/2019
Watch for Falling Stones
And we're back! Jon Favreau and Tommy Vietor join Lovett to cover Trump's surrender on the shutdown and Roger Stone’s indictment. Then Zoe Lister-Jones, Mitra Jouhari, Andrew Ti, and D’Arcy Carden join to talk about Pelosi versus Trump, the nationwide teacher strikes, those MAGA teens, dueling Fyre Festival documentaries, Rudy Giuliani’s emo streak, and more. Season 3! Here we go.
01:24:3626/01/2019
Emergency Fake Emergency Pod!
Well, he came, he sniffed, he lied. Lovett, Jon Favreau, Tommy Vietor, and Julissa Arce play "OK, Stop" through Trump's absurd waste of an oval office address. Also, Lovett or Leave It is going on tour! Get your tickets now: crooked.com/events
29:5109/01/2019
What a Year!
2018 ends as it began: with a looming government shutdown, chaos in the White House, and Paul Ryan hiding behind a potted plant. In a special holiday episode, we highlight some of our favorite moments from Lovett or Leave It this year, from Fox’s take on Colin Kaepernick, to Ijeoma Oluo’s take on #MeToo, Emily Heller’s take on shark thieves, and Lovett’s take on the food pyramid, the downfall of Hooters, and policies that force people to work when they’re sick. Plus a dramatic reading with Mandy Moore and Taylor Goldsmith as the Conways, Ezra Miller stops by to play a game and so much more. Like Nancy Pelosi said to that gavel, see you in 2019.
48:4222/12/2018
Impeachment is my Safe Word
Cohen faces the music. Trump faces Pelosi. And Favreau and Vietor face Lovett's 2018 quiz. What a week. What a year. Jon is joined by returning champions Alicia Garza, Megan Gailey, Louis Virtel, Jon Favreau, and Tommy Vietor to break down a wild week of culminations and confrontations. Plus: Lady Gaga's repetitive sound bites, romaine lettuce's bitter downfall, Amy Adams's many Oscar snubs, and we announce our 2019 Lovett or Leave It tour. Terrific.
58:1315/12/2018
Thank U, Next Crime
And we're back! Wisconsin Republicans reject the will of the voters, Mueller closes in on Individual 1, Fox News launches a new streaming service, Lou Dobbs loses the plot, and the Women's Center for Creative Work's Community Chorus join us LIVE to sing a brand new holiday song about Obamacare open enrollment and Trump's efforts to sabotage it. Mitra Jouhari, Jen Statsky, and Hayes Davenport join Jon to break down the week's news, the new Grinch movie, and the reason people fall asleep on the couch instead of just getting ready for bed like a human being.
57:5108/12/2018