DISGRACELAND: Bonus Episode - Video Directors, MTV Stars, and Big News From Hollywood
Release Date: March 20, 2025
Host: Double Elvis Productions
Episode Overview
In this engaging bonus episode of DISGRACELAND, hosted by Jake Brennan, listeners are treated to an insightful exploration of the intricate relationship between iconic music artists and renowned film directors from the MTV era. Additionally, significant announcements regarding the podcast’s archival content and future directions are unveiled, making this episode a must-listen for both long-time fans and newcomers.
Main Discussions
1. George Michael's Legal Troubles and MTV’s Criminal-Rich Artists
Jake delves into the tumultuous later years of George Michael's career, highlighting his notable seven arrests over twelve years. This discussion places Michael alongside other MTV heavyweights like Aerosmith and Billy Idol, emphasizing the prevalence of legal issues among these stars.
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Jake Brennan (00:17): “George Michael seemed just designed to get arrested. At least it seemed that way in the second half of his career.”
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Jake Brennan (01:37): “George Michael was arrested seven times in just 12 years.”
2. The David Fincher Connection: From Music Videos to Blockbuster Films
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to uncovering the unexpected links between famous music video directors and their transition to acclaimed film directors. David Fincher's pivotal role is highlighted, detailing his direction of seminal music videos for artists like Billy Idol, Aerosmith, Madonna, and more.
- Jake Brennan (06:32): “David Fincher, who directed Freedom (90), is a genius behind the camera. We don't really think of David Fincher as a video director yet, but he directed a ton of videos in the 1980s and 1990s.”
Notable music videos discussed include:
- Billy Idol’s "Cradle of Love"
- Aerosmith’s "Janey’s Got a Gun"
- Madonna’s "Vogue"
- George Michael’s "Freedom 90"
3. Transition from Badlands to Hollywoodland
Jake announces the transformation of their previous podcast segment, Badlands, into Hollywoodland, which will now focus exclusively on true crime stories related to Hollywood actors and actresses. This shift allows DISGRACELAND to streamline their content, dedicating Hollywoodland to Hollywood-centric true crime narratives while maintaining DISGRACELAND for music-related true crime.
- Jake Brennan (13:35): “Badlands was supposed to be a fictional place like Disgraceland for us to discuss any non-music related true crimes. But we focused mostly on Hollywood and some on sports, so we transformed it into Hollywoodland.”
Listeners are encouraged to follow the new Hollywoodland feed to access nearly 40 archived episodes immediately, with weekly releases continuing for the rest of the year.
Listener Interactions and Voicemails
The episode features an array of listener messages, providing personal anecdotes and reviews:
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Johnny Vinyl (20:47) praises Duran Duran, recounting their impactful MTV-era music videos and live performances.
“Duran Duran in the early 80s. Definitely. ... The music videos freaked me out. Something about the animalism of it all.”
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Heidi from Philadelphia (23:08) shares her admiration for Cyndi Lauper and references Henry Rollins.
“Cyndi Lauper, she is still one of my all-time favorites. ... Cyndi Lauper and Henry Rollins.”
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Craig from Baltimore (27:05) reminisces about seeing U2 live in 1991, highlighting the band's evolution and iconic performances.
“16-year-old kid in the middle of the field at RFK Stadium ... I love Thin Lizzy pretty much.”
Jake responds personally to each message, illustrating his deep connection with the listener community and his passion for music history.
Notable Quotes
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Jake Brennan (01:17): “Groons can help you create lasting habits that are going to set you up for success and keep you healthy.”
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Jake Brennan (14:22): “Cyndi Lauper, known as the mainstream pop video artist, came from that punk scene in New York in the early 80s.”
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Jake Brennan (34:41): Introduced a special co-anchor segment with Snoop Dogg, promoting T-Mobile deals.
Announcements and Promotions
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Hollywoodland Launch: Transition of Badlands to Hollywoodland, with immediate access to archived episodes and ongoing weekly releases.
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Merchandise and All Access Membership: Encouragement for listeners to join the All Access membership for ad-free listening, exclusive content, and free merchandise.
“If you sign up to become an All Access member, it's only five bucks a month and you're going to get an extra episode like the Stevie Ray Vaughan episode that we just released.”
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Upcoming Episodes:
- Rewind Episode on Sam Cooke: Scheduled to release the day after the bonus episode.
- Alice in Chains Episode: Set for the following week, including a listener question about favorite Seattle grunge bands.
Closing Thoughts
Jake wraps up the episode by reinforcing the significance of Hollywoodland and DISGRACELAND in preserving the intertwined histories of music, Hollywood, and true crime. He expresses excitement about the upcoming content and invites listeners to stay engaged through voicemails, texts, and social media interactions.
- Jake Brennan (47:00): “No one cares about preserving the true spirit of rock and roll more than you do. And, well, that's a disgrace.”
This bonus episode not only enriches the listener's understanding of the dark intersections in entertainment history but also strengthens the community through interactive segments and future content planning.
Final Recap
- Badlands is Now Hollywoodland: Search and follow Hollywoodland to access archived episodes on Hollywood true crimes.
- New George Michael Episode: Part of the main DISGRACELAND feed.
- Upcoming Rewind on Sam Cooke: Releasing immediately after the bonus episode.
- Merchandise Offers: Available for engaged listeners.
- Listener Engagement: Encouraged through multiple communication channels.
Stay tuned to DISGRACELAND for more gripping true stories from the dark side of entertainment history. Follow us on your preferred podcast platform and join the conversation today!