Podcast Summary: Red Scare - "American Hate Story"

Release Date: June 27, 2025

Hosts: Anna Khachiyan and Dasha Nekrasova

Episode Title: American Hate Story

Introduction to Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s Enduring Legacy

The episode opens with the hosts delving into the resurgence of interest in Carolyn Bessette Kennedy (CBK), comparing the current fan frenzy to historical admiration for style icons. Dasha Nekrasova highlights the intense online activity surrounding CBK, noting, “The Internet is ablaze with… Carolyn Bessette Kennedy fan accounts I follow, [00:52].” Anna Khachiyan and Jackie engage in a playful debate about CBK’s enduring elegance, with Jackie humorously describing her as “such a crazy, a shallow cunt” who nevertheless maintained an impeccable and timeless style ([01:17]).

CBK’s Style: Authenticity vs. Celebrity Styling

The discussion transitions to CBK’s unique approach to fashion, emphasizing her preference for rewearing pieces, which they argue conveyed authenticity. Dasha observes, “She was re wearing things because you got the sense that she was like wearing clothes that were like her to her and authentic” ([03:35]). Jackie contrasts this with contemporary celebrities like Sabrina Carpenter and Florence Pugh, criticizing the inconsistency and lack of personal aesthetic in modern celebrity styling ([04:08]).

Anna underscores the timelessness of CBK’s style, comparing her minimalistic and classy appeal to the more transient styles of other fashion icons like Kate Moss and Sienna Miller: “Carolyn Bessette Kennedy's style is sort of like evergreen” ([05:19]). Dasha adds that CBK’s approach contrasts sharply with brands like The Row, which she finds expensive and impractical, further highlighting CBK’s distinct and enduring fashion sense ([06:12]).

Celebrity Influence and Authentic Style

The hosts discuss the broader implications of celebrity influence on personal style, lamenting the loss of individuality in favor of transient fashion trends. Anna laments, “Most women when they try to do that look like they work at MOMA, PS1” ([11:05]), emphasizing how CBK’s style allowed her to appear both sexy and sophisticated without appearing overly curated or like part of an art installation.

Dasha reminisces about her own struggles with maintaining personal style, finding solace in CBK’s example: “Carolyn Bessette Kennedy makes me feel better about myself because lately, every time I go out, my summer uniform really amounts to wearing literally the same outfit every day” ([07:33]). This leads to a broader conversation about the influence of aesthetic icons on individual self-expression and confidence.

Critique of "American Love Story" and Styling Issues

A significant portion of the episode critiques the styling in Ryan Murphy’s "American Love Story," specifically how CBK is portrayed. The hosts express disappointment with the costuming choices, arguing that the outfits used in the show fail to capture CBK’s iconic look. Dasha remarks, “That’s really what I love about her because she was clearly such a crazy, a shallow cunt. But she looked amazing and classy” ([01:17]). They criticize specific costume choices, such as the depiction of CBK wearing Converse shoes, which they assert would never align with her real-life style ([13:30]).

Anna and Jackie highlight the lack of consistency and depth in the show’s styling department, concluding that the portrayal of CBK feels inauthentic and a disservice to her legacy: “It's such a lie because the guy who plays JFK Jr doesn't look too great or convincing” ([13:55]).

Exploration of Paul Reubens (Pee Wee Herman) Documentary

Shifting focus, the hosts delve into their views on the Paul Reubens documentary, "American Hate Story." They critically assess how the documentary handles Reubens’ persona, sexuality, and scandals. Dasha comments on the problematic portrayal of Reubens’ closeted sexuality, stating, “He was a closeted, essentially, though not very well” ([51:20]). Anna criticizes the documentary for attempting to sanitize Reubens’ complex personality, noting, “The documentary… grappled with certain supposedly like controversial or problematic elements of his personal life” ([44:14]).

They debate the accuracy and fairness of the documentary’s narrative, with Anna expressing skepticism about Reubens’ stated reasons for maintaining his closeted status: “He made that decision not because he was in conflict about his sexuality. He wasn't” ([53:02]). Dasha and Anna discuss how the documentary fails to capture Reubens’ true essence, describing it as “somewhat boring and uneventful” and lacking in genuine conflict or suspense ([60:00]).

Astrological Insights and Personality Analysis

Throughout their conversation, the hosts intermittently reference astrological signs to analyze personalities. They categorize Paul Reubens as a Virgo, attributing his controlling and exacting nature to his astrological profile: “He's a person who's, like, unmanageable, unknowable, inaccessible… a very Romantic and sensitive side, AKA narcissistic” ([75:03]). This leads to a broader discussion on how astrological traits may influence personal and professional behaviors, though they acknowledge the speculative nature of such analyses.

Geopolitical Tangents: Iran and US Relations

Towards the latter part of the episode, the conversation veers into a brief and unstructured discussion about geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran. The hosts express apprehension about potential wars, with Dasha lamenting, “I have really unpleasant memories of it” ([29:53]), while Anna shares her perspective on the futility and dangers of war: “It's an invitation to have a prolonged retaliation” ([88:09]). However, this segment appears more as an impromptu exchange rather than a structured analysis, concluding the episode on a note disconnected from the primary themes.

Conclusion: Reflections on Style, Authenticity, and Media Representation

In wrapping up, the hosts reflect on the overarching themes of style authenticity, the pitfalls of celebrity influence, and the challenges of accurately representing complex personalities in media. They emphasize the importance of staying true to one's aesthetic and the enduring impact of genuine style icons like Carolyn Bessette Kennedy. The critiques of contemporary media portrayals serve as a reminder of the delicate balance between homage and authenticity in storytelling.

Notable Quotes:

• Dasha Nekrasova ([00:52]): "The Internet is ablaze with… Carolyn Bessette Kennedy fan accounts I follow."

• Jackie ([01:17]): "She was a shallow cunt. But she looked amazing and classy."

• Anna Khachiyan ([05:19]): "Carolyn Bessette Kennedy's style is sort of like evergreen."

• Dasha Nekrasova ([07:33]): "Carolyn Bessette Kennedy makes me feel better about myself because lately, every time I go out, my summer uniform really amounts to wearing literally the same outfit every day."

• Anna Khachiyan ([13:55]): "It's such a lie because the guy who plays JFK Jr doesn't look too great or convincing."

• Dasha Nekrasova ([51:20]): "He was a closeted, essentially, though not very well."

• Anna Khachiyan ([75:03]): "He's a person who's, like, unmanageable, unknowable, inaccessible… a very Romantic and sensitive side, AKA narcissistic."

This episode of Red Scare masterfully intertwines discussions on fashion authenticity, celebrity influence, and media representation, all while providing sharp critiques and insightful commentary. For fans of cultural analysis and provocative discussions, "American Hate Story" offers a compelling exploration of how style and persona are constructed and perceived in the modern age.