Glamorous Trash: A Celebrity Memoir Podcast

Episode: Best Movie-Making Moments in Memoirs (with What Went Wrong)

Air Date: December 29, 2025
Host: Chelsea Devantez
Guests: Lizzie Bassett & Chris Winterbauer (co-hosts of "What Went Wrong")

Episode Overview

This special crossover episode celebrates the messiest, wildest, and most illuminating behind-the-scenes movie moments, all unearthed from celebrity memoirs. Host Chelsea Devantez teams up with Lizzie Bassett and Chris Winterbauer from the "What Went Wrong" podcast, combing through iconic stories—sometimes tragic, sometimes hilarious, always revealing—that recount the adversity, chaos, breakthroughs, and absolute disasters women (and everyone else) have faced making movies. The trio swaps favorite anecdotes, debunks myths, and pulls out practical takeaways for filmmakers and fans alike.

Main Themes

The chaos and miracles of filmmaking, as famously disastrous or transcendent productions are dissected through memoirs and oral histories.
How celebrity memoirs and the stories within them can serve as both cautionary tales and inspirational fodder for creators.
The hard-earned wisdom about surviving (and sometimes thriving in) show business—from artistic battles to personal trauma.
The through-lines of gender, power, and creativity that repeat across decades and genres in Hollywood.
Honest discussion of whose stories get highlighted (and whose get trampled) in the world of film.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Enduring Drama of "A Star Is Born" ([04:12]-[09:59])

Barbra Streisand vs. Gaga-Cooper Remake: Chelsea shares Barbra's feelings from her memoir, where Streisand claims the Gaga/Cooper version ripped off her own, adding “I thought there was gonna be a version with Beyoncé and Jay Z … that would have been really cool, and they should have done that version instead.” (Chelsea, 05:22)
The Near Beyoncé/Russell Crowe Version: Lizzie describes the almost-made version directed by Nick Cassavetes, starring Beyoncé and Russell Crowe as the leads. "Do I think it would have been good? No, I don't think that would have been good because I'm not sure they would have chemistry." (Chelsea, 07:49)
Jon Peters' Wild Rise: Chelsea dives into Jon Peters’ unlikely leap from hairstylist to producer via his relationship with Barbra—and his notorious behavior: “Who is a hairstylist who, upon their first meeting, slaps Bab's ass and is like, you have a nice ass. And she's like, we should be together.” (Chelsea, 08:27)

Dirty Dancing: On-Set Antics and Long-standing Beef ([10:22]-[19:33])

Swayze’s Antics: Patrick Swayze pulling his penis out to make Jennifer Grey laugh during a scene—one of many illustrative stories of their love-hate dynamic. (Chris, 10:55)
Red Dawn Roots: The tension between Grey and Swayze predates Dirty Dancing, originating on Red Dawn, where his behavior soured their working relationship. (Lizzie, 11:19)
Casting Chaos: Kelly Bishop (the mom), was initially hired as a dance student, only to be recast last-minute after another actress fell ill, showcasing the production’s frantic nature. (Chelsea, 13:38; Lizzie, 13:55)
Jennifer Grey’s Disappearance: Her post-Dirty Dancing struggles after an unplanned nose job dramatically altered her appearance—highlighting industry and family pressures about beauty. "She hadn't finished shooting the Wind … and when the movie came out and bombed, the director, Carol Ballard, very publicly said it was because Jennifer Grey got a nose job." (Chelsea, 15:03)
Personal Trauma: The impact of the Ireland car crash with Matthew Broderick, which overshadowed her career and was frequently recalled in media coverage instead of her performance. (Lizzie, 17:09; Chelsea, 17:55)

The Infamy of Nudity, Stunts, and the Male Gaze ([22:16]-[36:27])

Carrie Fisher and No Bras in Space: According to George Lucas, “There’s no bras in space,” which Carrie relays in her memoir, revealing both the era’s mindset and the absurd lengths directors went. (Chelsea, 22:31; Chris, 22:33)
Star Wars' Strong Female Writing: Chris credits Marcia Lucas (George’s then-wife) as critical to Princess Leia’s nuanced portrayal: “Marcia was the one who told him, if the audience doesn't cheer when Han Solo returns...we failed.” (Chris, 25:47)
Denise Richards: Wild Things and “Just One Boob”: Chelsea recounts Denise's harrowing post-Starship Troopers experience—having a boob job two weeks before filming, being contractually allowed to show "just one boob," and her struggles with repeated reconstructive surgeries. (Chelsea, 27:46)
Drop Dead Gorgeous and Female-Fronted Satire: Denise’s under-appreciated comedic chops, and how cult classics like Drop Dead Gorgeous were ignored by male critics and mis-marketed to men, despite having devoted female fanbases. (Lizzie, 30:07; Chelsea, 30:45)
Set Nudity Horrors: Stories about Paul Verhoeven and his cinematographer briefly dropping their pants on Starship Troopers to show “solidarity” with nude actors—proving the recurring boundary-breaking (and breaking) behind the camera. (Chris, 36:27)

The Nightmare of “Roar” and Generational Trauma ([38:44]-[41:57])

Filming with Lions: Tippi Hedren’s memoir (and the “Roar” episode) details how her husband directed family members (including Melanie Griffith) through life-threatening scenes with real lions—leading to horrendous injuries (cinematographer Jan De Bont was literally scalped). (Lizzie, 39:24)
Hollywood’s Menace: The hosts draw lines from Tippi Hedren's abuse at the hands of Hitchcock, through her marriage to Noel Marshall, to Melanie Griffith’s dangerously young relationship with Don Johnson—generational trauma and cycles of victimization. (Chelsea, 41:08)

Production Catastrophes: Fools Rush In, Cleopatra, and More ([42:18]-[53:39])

Matthew Perry Takes the Jet Ski—and the Blame: His memoir reveals his insistence on doing his own stunt against insurance warnings, leading to a hospital visit and, he claims, the beginning of his Vicodin addiction. (Chelsea, 42:55)
Elizabeth Taylor in Cleopatra: Diet mania, illness, and chaotic love triangles, told through Taylor’s “memoir/diet book.” Taylor was paid a record million-dollar fee, suffered severe health crises, and continued to be dogged by tabloid and on-set drama (including with Rex Harrison, famously labeled "the c**t on this set"). (Chris, 47:33; Chelsea, 48:40; Lizzie, 53:39)

Filmmaking Lessons: Memoirs as Inspiration and Caution ([53:39]-[67:46])

Sidney Lumet’s Making Movies: Chris cites Lumet’s memoir as proof that filmmaking doesn’t require cruelty—clarity, kindness, and collaboration matter.

“You can be specific...you don’t have to be a jerk. You don’t need to make people feel less than in order to accomplish your goals as a director.” (Chris, 55:50)
Toy Story’s Groundbreaking Simplicity: Lizzie describes how the creators, despite massive technological breakthroughs, focused on story and character as their north star.

“With all that aside, their primary focus continued to be the story...it just needs to be a good story.” (Lizzie, 57:57)
The Devil’s Candy (Bonfire of the Vanities): Chelsea recommends this “gripping experience” of a reporter following a doomed production—a lesson in the dark side of moviemaking.
A League of Their Own as Dual Narrative: Both Penny Marshall and Geena Davis wrote about the film’s production, but their memoirs contradict each other—highlighting the subjectivity of memory and creative process.

Real-Life Indie Director War Stories ([61:40]-[68:27])

The episode ends with Chelsea and Chris sharing their first-hand experiences of rushing director’s cuts and battling time, budgets, heat, and logistical nightmares on their own indie movies. They exchange stories, sympathize, and reflect on the joy of coming out the other side still standing.

Notable Quotes

“Every day is a miracle, as you said. And I've gotten so much insight from your podcast and also reading these books.” (Chelsea, 03:55)
“The only person worse than Russell Crowe, actor in a band, who could have been in that movie is Jeremy Renner.” (Chelsea, 08:04)
“You don't need to make people feel less than in order to accomplish your goals as a director.” (Chris, 55:50)
"[Toy Story]…doesn’t have to be super complicated, it doesn’t have to be super dark. It doesn’t have to be for a specific audience. It just needs to be a good story." (Lizzie, 57:57)
"She wore green. She wore a green dress to the wedding. Oh, dress you'd wear to the office. She wore to the wedding." (Chelsea, 51:00, citing Eddie Fisher's memoir about Elizabeth Taylor)
“I feel like I just walked through hell and fought for every frame. And I say all that to say that now I've emerged into post and it's going well. And I feel like I fought the battle to earn post going well.” (Chelsea, 66:32)

Noteworthy & Memorable Anecdotes

Barbra Streisand and Jon Peters' toxic creative and personal relationship. ([08:27])
Jennifer Grey's unplanned physical transformation derailing her post-Dirty Dancing career. ([14:22])
Patrick Swayze’s “method” (albeit inappropriate) attempts at camaraderie. ([10:55])
Real-life lion maulings on the set of Roar; actual scalping, persistent on-set trauma. ([39:24])
Paul Verhoeven and the naked director mythos. ([36:27])
Elizabeth Taylor’s million-dollar salary as an accident of negotiation chutzpah. ([48:54])
Salma Hayek’s comedic brilliance in Fools Rush In and on 30 Rock—often unsung. ([45:33])

Timestamps for Important Segments

A Star Is Born Showdown: 04:12–09:59
Dirty Dancing Debacles: 10:22–19:33
Star Wars, Carrie Fisher & Princess Leia's Bra: 22:16–27:08
Denise Richards & Hollywood’s Beauty Pressure: 27:08–34:19
Drop Dead Gorgeous & Women in Comedy: 30:07–34:19
Roar and Generational Trauma: 38:44–41:57
Fools Rush In & Matthew Perry's Addiction: 42:18–45:18
Cleopatra & The Price of Stardom: 47:04–53:39
Filmmaking Lessons & Memoir Wisdom: 53:39–61:40
Indie Film War Stories: 61:40–68:27

Book & Episode Recommendations

Books:

Making Movies by Sidney Lumet
The Devil’s Candy by Julie Salomon
Blood, Sweat & Chrome: The Oral History of Mad Max: Fury Road
Memoirs by Barbra Streisand, Jennifer Grey, Denise Richards, Tippi Hedren, Geena Davis, Penny Marshall

Podcast Episodes:

“Toy Story” (What Went Wrong)
“Roar” (Glamorous Trash/What Went Wrong)

Takeaways for Filmmakers & Storytellers

Behind every on-screen miracle is off-screen chaos, personality clashes, and sheer luck.
Technology, spectacle, and even choreography matter far less than character-driven storytelling.
Persistence and community—plus an endless supply of compromise—are how films get made.
The best memoirs don’t just tell celebrity stories but offer caution, solidarity, and inspiration for the next generation.

For full book lists, podcast links, and info on writing/filmmaking workshops, see the show notes.

Summary prepared for listeners who want the wildest, wisest moments from the Glamorous Trash x What Went Wrong crossover.

Glamorous Trash: A Celebrity Memoir Podcast

Episode: Best Movie-Making Moments in Memoirs (with What Went Wrong)

Air Date: December 29, 2025
Host: Chelsea Devantez
Guests: Lizzie Bassett & Chris Winterbauer (co-hosts of "What Went Wrong")

Episode Overview

Main Themes

The chaos and miracles of filmmaking, as famously disastrous or transcendent productions are dissected through memoirs and oral histories.
How celebrity memoirs and the stories within them can serve as both cautionary tales and inspirational fodder for creators.
The hard-earned wisdom about surviving (and sometimes thriving in) show business—from artistic battles to personal trauma.
The through-lines of gender, power, and creativity that repeat across decades and genres in Hollywood.
Honest discussion of whose stories get highlighted (and whose get trampled) in the world of film.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Enduring Drama of "A Star Is Born" ([04:12]-[09:59])

Barbra Streisand vs. Gaga-Cooper Remake: Chelsea shares Barbra's feelings from her memoir, where Streisand claims the Gaga/Cooper version ripped off her own, adding “I thought there was gonna be a version with Beyoncé and Jay Z … that would have been really cool, and they should have done that version instead.” (Chelsea, 05:22)
The Near Beyoncé/Russell Crowe Version: Lizzie describes the almost-made version directed by Nick Cassavetes, starring Beyoncé and Russell Crowe as the leads. "Do I think it would have been good? No, I don't think that would have been good because I'm not sure they would have chemistry." (Chelsea, 07:49)
Jon Peters' Wild Rise: Chelsea dives into Jon Peters’ unlikely leap from hairstylist to producer via his relationship with Barbra—and his notorious behavior: “Who is a hairstylist who, upon their first meeting, slaps Bab's ass and is like, you have a nice ass. And she's like, we should be together.” (Chelsea, 08:27)

Dirty Dancing: On-Set Antics and Long-standing Beef ([10:22]-[19:33])

Swayze’s Antics: Patrick Swayze pulling his penis out to make Jennifer Grey laugh during a scene—one of many illustrative stories of their love-hate dynamic. (Chris, 10:55)
Red Dawn Roots: The tension between Grey and Swayze predates Dirty Dancing, originating on Red Dawn, where his behavior soured their working relationship. (Lizzie, 11:19)
Casting Chaos: Kelly Bishop (the mom), was initially hired as a dance student, only to be recast last-minute after another actress fell ill, showcasing the production’s frantic nature. (Chelsea, 13:38; Lizzie, 13:55)
Jennifer Grey’s Disappearance: Her post-Dirty Dancing struggles after an unplanned nose job dramatically altered her appearance—highlighting industry and family pressures about beauty. "She hadn't finished shooting the Wind … and when the movie came out and bombed, the director, Carol Ballard, very publicly said it was because Jennifer Grey got a nose job." (Chelsea, 15:03)
Personal Trauma: The impact of the Ireland car crash with Matthew Broderick, which overshadowed her career and was frequently recalled in media coverage instead of her performance. (Lizzie, 17:09; Chelsea, 17:55)

The Infamy of Nudity, Stunts, and the Male Gaze ([22:16]-[36:27])

Carrie Fisher and No Bras in Space: According to George Lucas, “There’s no bras in space,” which Carrie relays in her memoir, revealing both the era’s mindset and the absurd lengths directors went. (Chelsea, 22:31; Chris, 22:33)
Star Wars' Strong Female Writing: Chris credits Marcia Lucas (George’s then-wife) as critical to Princess Leia’s nuanced portrayal: “Marcia was the one who told him, if the audience doesn't cheer when Han Solo returns...we failed.” (Chris, 25:47)
Denise Richards: Wild Things and “Just One Boob”: Chelsea recounts Denise's harrowing post-Starship Troopers experience—having a boob job two weeks before filming, being contractually allowed to show "just one boob," and her struggles with repeated reconstructive surgeries. (Chelsea, 27:46)
Drop Dead Gorgeous and Female-Fronted Satire: Denise’s under-appreciated comedic chops, and how cult classics like Drop Dead Gorgeous were ignored by male critics and mis-marketed to men, despite having devoted female fanbases. (Lizzie, 30:07; Chelsea, 30:45)
Set Nudity Horrors: Stories about Paul Verhoeven and his cinematographer briefly dropping their pants on Starship Troopers to show “solidarity” with nude actors—proving the recurring boundary-breaking (and breaking) behind the camera. (Chris, 36:27)

The Nightmare of “Roar” and Generational Trauma ([38:44]-[41:57])

Filming with Lions: Tippi Hedren’s memoir (and the “Roar” episode) details how her husband directed family members (including Melanie Griffith) through life-threatening scenes with real lions—leading to horrendous injuries (cinematographer Jan De Bont was literally scalped). (Lizzie, 39:24)
Hollywood’s Menace: The hosts draw lines from Tippi Hedren's abuse at the hands of Hitchcock, through her marriage to Noel Marshall, to Melanie Griffith’s dangerously young relationship with Don Johnson—generational trauma and cycles of victimization. (Chelsea, 41:08)

Production Catastrophes: Fools Rush In, Cleopatra, and More ([42:18]-[53:39])

Matthew Perry Takes the Jet Ski—and the Blame: His memoir reveals his insistence on doing his own stunt against insurance warnings, leading to a hospital visit and, he claims, the beginning of his Vicodin addiction. (Chelsea, 42:55)
Elizabeth Taylor in Cleopatra: Diet mania, illness, and chaotic love triangles, told through Taylor’s “memoir/diet book.” Taylor was paid a record million-dollar fee, suffered severe health crises, and continued to be dogged by tabloid and on-set drama (including with Rex Harrison, famously labeled "the c**t on this set"). (Chris, 47:33; Chelsea, 48:40; Lizzie, 53:39)

Filmmaking Lessons: Memoirs as Inspiration and Caution ([53:39]-[67:46])

Sidney Lumet’s Making Movies: Chris cites Lumet’s memoir as proof that filmmaking doesn’t require cruelty—clarity, kindness, and collaboration matter.

“You can be specific...you don’t have to be a jerk. You don’t need to make people feel less than in order to accomplish your goals as a director.” (Chris, 55:50)
Toy Story’s Groundbreaking Simplicity: Lizzie describes how the creators, despite massive technological breakthroughs, focused on story and character as their north star.

“With all that aside, their primary focus continued to be the story...it just needs to be a good story.” (Lizzie, 57:57)
The Devil’s Candy (Bonfire of the Vanities): Chelsea recommends this “gripping experience” of a reporter following a doomed production—a lesson in the dark side of moviemaking.
A League of Their Own as Dual Narrative: Both Penny Marshall and Geena Davis wrote about the film’s production, but their memoirs contradict each other—highlighting the subjectivity of memory and creative process.

Real-Life Indie Director War Stories ([61:40]-[68:27])

The episode ends with Chelsea and Chris sharing their first-hand experiences of rushing director’s cuts and battling time, budgets, heat, and logistical nightmares on their own indie movies. They exchange stories, sympathize, and reflect on the joy of coming out the other side still standing.

Notable Quotes

“Every day is a miracle, as you said. And I've gotten so much insight from your podcast and also reading these books.” (Chelsea, 03:55)
“The only person worse than Russell Crowe, actor in a band, who could have been in that movie is Jeremy Renner.” (Chelsea, 08:04)
“You don't need to make people feel less than in order to accomplish your goals as a director.” (Chris, 55:50)
"[Toy Story]…doesn’t have to be super complicated, it doesn’t have to be super dark. It doesn’t have to be for a specific audience. It just needs to be a good story." (Lizzie, 57:57)
"She wore green. She wore a green dress to the wedding. Oh, dress you'd wear to the office. She wore to the wedding." (Chelsea, 51:00, citing Eddie Fisher's memoir about Elizabeth Taylor)
“I feel like I just walked through hell and fought for every frame. And I say all that to say that now I've emerged into post and it's going well. And I feel like I fought the battle to earn post going well.” (Chelsea, 66:32)

Noteworthy & Memorable Anecdotes

Barbra Streisand and Jon Peters' toxic creative and personal relationship. ([08:27])
Jennifer Grey's unplanned physical transformation derailing her post-Dirty Dancing career. ([14:22])
Patrick Swayze’s “method” (albeit inappropriate) attempts at camaraderie. ([10:55])
Real-life lion maulings on the set of Roar; actual scalping, persistent on-set trauma. ([39:24])
Paul Verhoeven and the naked director mythos. ([36:27])
Elizabeth Taylor’s million-dollar salary as an accident of negotiation chutzpah. ([48:54])
Salma Hayek’s comedic brilliance in Fools Rush In and on 30 Rock—often unsung. ([45:33])

Timestamps for Important Segments

A Star Is Born Showdown: 04:12–09:59
Dirty Dancing Debacles: 10:22–19:33
Star Wars, Carrie Fisher & Princess Leia's Bra: 22:16–27:08
Denise Richards & Hollywood’s Beauty Pressure: 27:08–34:19
Drop Dead Gorgeous & Women in Comedy: 30:07–34:19
Roar and Generational Trauma: 38:44–41:57
Fools Rush In & Matthew Perry's Addiction: 42:18–45:18
Cleopatra & The Price of Stardom: 47:04–53:39
Filmmaking Lessons & Memoir Wisdom: 53:39–61:40
Indie Film War Stories: 61:40–68:27

Book & Episode Recommendations

Books:

Making Movies by Sidney Lumet
The Devil’s Candy by Julie Salomon
Blood, Sweat & Chrome: The Oral History of Mad Max: Fury Road
Memoirs by Barbra Streisand, Jennifer Grey, Denise Richards, Tippi Hedren, Geena Davis, Penny Marshall

Podcast Episodes:

“Toy Story” (What Went Wrong)
“Roar” (Glamorous Trash/What Went Wrong)

Takeaways for Filmmakers & Storytellers

Behind every on-screen miracle is off-screen chaos, personality clashes, and sheer luck.
Technology, spectacle, and even choreography matter far less than character-driven storytelling.
Persistence and community—plus an endless supply of compromise—are how films get made.
The best memoirs don’t just tell celebrity stories but offer caution, solidarity, and inspiration for the next generation.

For full book lists, podcast links, and info on writing/filmmaking workshops, see the show notes.

Summary prepared for listeners who want the wildest, wisest moments from the Glamorous Trash x What Went Wrong crossover.

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Best Movie-Making Moments in Memoirs (with What Went Wrong)

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Summary

Glamorous Trash: A Celebrity Memoir Podcast

Episode: Best Movie-Making Moments in Memoirs (with What Went Wrong)

Episode Overview

Main Themes

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Enduring Drama of "A Star Is Born" ([04:12]-[09:59])

Dirty Dancing: On-Set Antics and Long-standing Beef ([10:22]-[19:33])

The Infamy of Nudity, Stunts, and the Male Gaze ([22:16]-[36:27])

The Nightmare of “Roar” and Generational Trauma ([38:44]-[41:57])

Production Catastrophes: Fools Rush In, Cleopatra, and More ([42:18]-[53:39])

Filmmaking Lessons: Memoirs as Inspiration and Caution ([53:39]-[67:46])

Real-Life Indie Director War Stories ([61:40]-[68:27])

Notable Quotes

Noteworthy & Memorable Anecdotes

Timestamps for Important Segments

Book & Episode Recommendations

Takeaways for Filmmakers & Storytellers

Summary

Glamorous Trash: A Celebrity Memoir Podcast

Episode: Best Movie-Making Moments in Memoirs (with What Went Wrong)

Episode Overview

Main Themes

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Enduring Drama of "A Star Is Born" ([04:12]-[09:59])

Dirty Dancing: On-Set Antics and Long-standing Beef ([10:22]-[19:33])

The Infamy of Nudity, Stunts, and the Male Gaze ([22:16]-[36:27])

The Nightmare of “Roar” and Generational Trauma ([38:44]-[41:57])

Production Catastrophes: Fools Rush In, Cleopatra, and More ([42:18]-[53:39])

Filmmaking Lessons: Memoirs as Inspiration and Caution ([53:39]-[67:46])

Real-Life Indie Director War Stories ([61:40]-[68:27])

Notable Quotes

Noteworthy & Memorable Anecdotes

Timestamps for Important Segments

Book & Episode Recommendations

Takeaways for Filmmakers & Storytellers