Podcast Summary: Maintenance Phase – "Richard Simmons Isn't Missing"

Introduction

In the Maintenance Phase episode titled "Richard Simmons Isn't Missing," hosts Aubrey Gordon and Michael Hobbes delve deep into the enigmatic life of fitness icon Richard Simmons. Released on November 21, 2024, this episode scrutinizes Simmons' meteoric rise to fame, his subsequent withdrawal from the public eye, and the complex interplay of personal struggles and public perception that defined his career.

1. Richard Simmons' Rise to Stardom

The episode opens with a discussion of Richard Simmons' early life and ascent into the spotlight. Aubrey Gordon and Michael Hobbes recount Simmons' background, highlighting his upbringing in Louisiana, experiences with bullying due to his weight, and his transformative move to Italy, which played a pivotal role in his personal development.

Notable Quote:

• Aubrey Gordon (00:44): "I think the main arc of this episode is Richard Simmons' rise to stardom and then decision to disengage from stardom."

Simmons' theatrical persona and unique approach to fitness quickly attracted media attention. His appearance on the television show "Real People" marked his first significant media exposure, setting the stage for his enduring presence in the fitness industry.

Notable Quote:

• Michael Hobbs (07:50): "General Hospital is an extremely long-running American soap opera. And soap operas, I would say, are like telenovelas that never end."

2. Personal Struggles and Relationships

The hosts explore Simmons' tumultuous relationship with his father, who was a source of both inspiration and adversity. Simmons' struggle with severe eating disorders, including an extreme weight loss regimen that led to significant physical and psychological consequences, is examined in detail.

Notable Quote:

• Richard Simmons (03:40): "If you don't exercise while you're losing the weight, you will end up to look like a very thin glad bag."

Gordon and Hobbes discuss how Simmons' aggressive stance on weight loss, often perceived as bullying, contrasted with his own personal battles with body image and self-worth.

Notable Quote:

• Aubrey Gordon (04:27): "This is some of the sort of selective stuff that people listen to with Richard Simmons. He was very consistent about saying that he starved himself and that that was a bad idea."

3. Business Endeavors and Media Expansion

Simmons expanded his influence through various business ventures, including infomercials, exercise videos, and branded merchandise. His approach to fitness was not just about physical exercise but also incorporated entertainment, characterized by his flamboyant costumes and engaging routines.

Notable Quote:

• Michael Hobbs (12:07): "In that intro, Mike, we get Richard Simmons, among other things, we get him doing a lot of fitness with a lot of costumes."

The hosts highlight Simmons' creative marketing strategies, such as his "Deal a Meal" diet board game and inclusive exercise classes that featured a diverse range of participants.

4. Turning Point: Grief and Personal Loss

A significant turning point in Simmons' life was the passing of his mother, Shirley Simmons, in 1999. This event deeply affected him, leading to a noticeable decline in his public enthusiasm and a shift in his approach to his career.

Notable Quote:

• Richard Simmons (36:06): "After Shirley passed away, I was asked to do several national television shows... I just didn't feel like being funny."

Gordon and Hobbes interpret this period as a moment where Simmons began to grapple with profound personal grief, influencing his decision to gradually withdraw from the relentless pace of his public life.

5. Disengagement from Public Life

By the early 2000s, Simmons started to withdraw from the public eye. Reports emerged of him becoming less responsive and more reclusive, sparking widespread speculation about his well-being. Instances such as the 2004 assault charge at Phoenix Airport and his later interactions—or lack thereof—with friends and associates fueled the narrative of his "disappearance."

Notable Quote:

• Aubrey Gordon (55:22): "He thinks that black magic is what caused him to be tormented."

Simmons' relationship with his long-time housekeeper, Teresa Raveles, became a focal point of speculation, with rumors suggesting a controlling dynamic that might have contributed to his withdrawal.

6. Public Speculation and "Missing" Narrative

The combination of Simmons' reduced public presence and sporadic media reports led to a pervasive "missing" narrative. The Smoking Gun reported his alleged assault at an airport, while later stories, including a sensationalized New York Daily News piece, painted a picture of a man trapped within his own life by supernatural forces.

Notable Quote:

• Aubrey Gordon (51:57): "He is treating him like an ATM for validation."

These narratives were further complicated by the National Enquirer's unfounded rumors about Simmons' personal life, including baseless claims about his gender identity, which only intensified public confusion and concern.

7. Death and Legacy

On July 13, 2024, Richard Simmons passed away at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 76. The LA Medical Examiner reported his death as the result of a fall, with heart disease as a contributing factor. Posthumously, his housekeeper Teresa Raveles spoke to the media, asserting that Simmons had been planning a Broadway musical about his life and was reconnecting with fans.

Despite his passing, reflections from listener experiences, such as the subdued turnout at his funeral mass in New Orleans, underscored the disconnect between Simmons' public persona and his private struggles.

Notable Quote:

• Aubrey Gordon (61:40): "The church was not full. It underscored this sort of theory that I've been developing of like, again, like validation atm."

Conclusion

In "Richard Simmons Isn't Missing," Aubrey Gordon and Michael Hobbes present a multifaceted examination of Richard Simmons' life, peeling back the layers of his public persona to reveal the personal battles that shaped his journey. The episode challenges listeners to reconsider the narratives constructed around public figures and emphasizes the importance of viewing them as complex individuals with their own struggles and motivations.

Final Thoughts:

• Aubrey Gordon (63:45): "Richard Simmons didn't owe us anything. That doesn't mean that people didn't have genuine feelings about him and don't still."

The hosts conclude by urging listeners to reflect on their own relationships with influential figures and to recognize the humanity behind the public facades.

Notable Quotes Summary

• Aubrey Gordon (00:44): "I think the main arc of this episode is Richard Simmons' rise to stardom and then decision to disengage from stardom."
• Richard Simmons (03:40): "If you don't exercise while you're losing the weight, you will end up to look like a very thin glad bag."
• Aubrey Gordon (04:27): "This is some of the sort of selective stuff that people listen to with Richard Simmons. He was very consistent about saying that he starved himself and that that was a bad idea."
• Michael Hobbs (12:07): "In that intro, Mike, we get Richard Simmons, among other things, we get him doing a lot of fitness with a lot of costumes."
• Aubrey Gordon (51:57): "He is treating him like an ATM for validation."
• Aubrey Gordon (63:45): "Richard Simmons didn't owe us anything. That doesn't mean that people didn't have genuine feelings about him and don't still."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions of the Maintenance Phase episode on Richard Simmons, providing a nuanced understanding for both fans and those unfamiliar with his story.