United States of Kennedy – Film of the Month: The House of Yes (1997)

Date: November 24, 2025
Hosts: George Civeris, Julia Claire
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

This episode of United States of Kennedy takes a break from the often-heavy history of the Kennedy dynasty and dives into the 1997 cult dark comedy film The House of Yes. Rather than a direct biography, this movie hints at the Kennedys through its campy, provocative use of Jacqueline Kennedy iconography and a chillingly dysfunctional family dynamic. The hosts dissect the film’s offbeat style, its infamous twisted plotline, and the way American culture processes and mythologizes both celebrity and tragedy—Kennedy-style.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Why This Film?

• Lightening the Mood:
  After two serious episodes, the hosts wanted something less intense but still connected to Kennedy fandom and American culture.
  “We thought it might be good to give everyone a break with something light…That’s why we are talking about the 1997 cult classic dark comedy The House of Yes.” (03:29, George Severis)
• Cast & Crew:
  Features Parker Posey, Freddie Prinze Jr., Tori Spelling, and Rachel Leigh Cook. Directed by Mark Waters, best known for Mean Girls and Freaky Friday. This was his directorial debut. (03:50–04:05)

The House of Yes: Plot & Performances

• Set mostly over Thanksgiving in a Virginia mansion, the film explores the twisted relationships between twins Jackie O (Parker Posey) and Marty (Josh Hamilton), their brother (Freddie Prinze Jr.), and Marty’s fiancée (Tori Spelling).

• Cult Status, Box Office Bomb:
  Though a financial flop, Posey’s performance drew special recognition at Sundance. The Razzie nomination of Tori Spelling (whose father allegedly financed the film) is humorously discussed.
  “Nepotism can only get you so far, which is heartening to know, especially on a podcast about the Kennedys.” (04:40, George Severis)

• Kennedy Connection:
  The film bookends with authentic footage of Jackie Kennedy giving the White House tour, intercut with Rachel Leigh Cook in the iconic pink suit.
  “The film opens and closes with real archival footage of Jacqueline Kennedy giving her tour at the White House... and you’re like, where is this going?” (05:37, Julia Claire)

Iconography & Satire

• Jackie O Obsession:
  Posey's character’s name comes from her teenage habit of dressing as post-assassination Jackie Kennedy for an Ides of March party—evoking the nation’s celebrity-worship and trauma fixation.
  “She clearly has some attachment to the Jackie O iconography and the JFK assassination iconography that will be explored further in the film.” (07:37, George Severis)
• Mental Illness in the ’90s:
  The hosts critique the period’s handling of mental illness as comedic fodder and how those jokes have aged.
  “Mental illness in this film is treated in the way only a 1997 comedy can treat it... I would call it a running gag.” (09:24–09:33, Julia Claire & George Severis)

The Twins, Incest, and Twisted Family

• The film is infamous for its incest plotline, used both as a central shock value and as a lens for American dysfunction.
  “Why did a dark comedy about incest and twincest, starring a bunch of up and coming Hollywood stars, bomb at the box (office) despite everyone’s best efforts?” (09:08, George Severis)
• Key Scene:
  The twins’ sexual relationship involves reenacting the Kennedy assassination as foreplay, linking personal perversion to national trauma.
  “As a form of foreplay, the two twins would act out the Kennedy assassination…then the fireworks would start.” (20:28–20:30, George Severis & Julia Claire)

Performances—A Showcase for Parker Posey

• Posey’s turn as Jackie O is lauded as definitive, balancing camp, darkness, and comedic timing:
  • “There’s something about this performance that to me defines a Parker Posey performance…the campiness, the fact that she doesn’t care what anyone else is doing.” (11:56, George Severis)
  • Notable Quotes:
    • “If people are going to start telling the truth, I’m going to go to bed.” (12:34, Parker Posey as Jackie O)
    • “Don’t be so bourgeois.” (12:51, Parker Posey as Jackie O)
    • “Yesterday was 24 whole hours.” (39:20, Parker Posey as Jackie O)
  • Posey’s delivery draws laughter and admiration from the hosts throughout.

Thematic Depth: America’s Morbid Fascination

• The hosts compare the Kennedy assassination’s cultural imprint to later media events, like 9/11, noting how such traumas become sites of collective and personal obsession—even eroticized or commodified in art.
  • “This is an interesting commentary about the traumatic nature of big media events…these nationwide media events that everyone consumes with such tabloid fervor actually hide something darker in us.” (32:58–34:31, George Severis)
  • “We do have a morbid cultural fascination with it, and we do keep returning to the source material in a way that...I don’t know.” (34:46, Julia Claire)
• Also, the Kennedy family is framed as America’s first true “celebrity politicians,” with Jackie O’s image standing in for a kind of glamorized dysfunction many try to emulate.
  • “This was one of the first instances of someone in politics becoming a celebrity in the way we think of now…She really is, like, a celebrity.” (36:49, George Severis)

Production, Style, and Cultural Legacy

• The hosts reminisce about discovering the film in video stores and its “John Waters energy”—delightfully trashy yet clever and subversive.
  • “It’s kind of like, written by and for like smart gay people. And I remember having the thought, like, I’m not old enough yet to get whatever this is, but I can’t wait until I am.” (27:10, George Severis)
• Strong nostalgia for ‘90s American indie film, the “big swings” and contained, dialogue-heavy settings, play-like pacing, and all-in performances.
  • “It’s almost like, you know, theater troupe putting up something in…a black box theater...and so it really did make me nostalgic for that era and the big swings of it.” (25:58, George Severis)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|---------|-------| | 04:40 | George Severis | “Nepotism can only get you so far, which is heartening to know, especially on a podcast about the Kennedys.” | | 07:37 | George Severis | “She clearly has some attachment to the Jackie O iconography and the JFK assassination iconography that will be explored further in the film.” | | 09:24 | Julia Claire | “Mental illness in this film is treated in the way only a 1997 comedy can treat it… I would call it a running gag.” | | 12:34 | Julia Claire quoting movie | “If people are going to start telling the truth, I’m going to go to bed.” | | 12:51 | Julia Claire recalling | “Don’t be so bourgeois.” | | 20:28 | George Severis | “As a form of foreplay, the two twins would act out the Kennedy assassination…then the fireworks would start.” | | 30:20 | George Severis | “It’s kind of like, written by and for like smart gay people. And I really remember having the thought, like, I’m not old enough yet to get whatever this is, but I can’t wait until I am.” | | 34:31 | George Severis | “These nationwide media events that everyone consumes with such tabloid fervor actually hide something darker in us.” | | 39:20 | Parker Posey / George | “Yesterday was 24 whole hours.” |

Important Segment Timestamps

• Kennedy Connections & Jackie O Iconography – 05:37–07:37
• Mental Illness and ‘90s Comedy Tropes – 09:24–09:42
• Explaining the Twincest Plot & Kennedy Assassination Reenactments – 20:28–21:22
• Parker Posey’s Quippy Lines (with examples) – 12:34, 39:20
• Cultural Analysis: American Trauma & Media Morbidity – 32:58–36:15
• Nostalgia for ‘90s Indie Film, John Waters Vibe – 25:36–27:20
• Final Thoughts & Recommendations – 39:56–40:35
• Kennedy Myth Reinterpretation in Pop Culture – 41:39–43:07

Hosts’ Final Takeaways & Recommendations

• Would You Watch Again?
  • George found it improved on a second viewing, appreciating the performances and writing more when forewarned about the film’s weirdness.
  • Julia confesses it felt long, even at 80 minutes, but suggests it would be more enjoyable as a group watch for its communal “did that just happen?” reactions.
• For Parker Posey Fans:
  • “If you love Parker Posey, you should watch this movie… It is kind of a showcase for her to be as deranged.” (39:32, Julia Claire)
• Viewing Advice:
  • “Get a group of friends together, have a bottle of chardonnay, put out some hors d’oeuvres, make sure the oven is working… and just have a ball.” (40:09, George Severis)
  • Enthusiastic “one thumb up, one thumb down, but we’re not sure whose thumb is which.” (40:27–40:35)

Broader Themes & Kennedy Mythology

• The episode closes reflecting on the persistent cultural recycling of Kennedy iconography, from earnest biopics to twisted cult comedies like this one—and onward to present day Halloween costumes and future Ryan Murphy TV shows.
• The hosts maintain their trademark irreverent, sharp-witted style, refusing to treat Kennedy material with unwarranted seriousness, but always connecting back to America’s uneasy mixture of admiration and morbid curiosity.

For listeners new and old:
You don’t need to have seen The House of Yes to enjoy this episode. George and Julia offer laughs, thoughtful (and at times wild) analysis, and a window into both Kennedy myth and the odd places culture takes it. If you’re a fan of dark comedy, indie film, or simply America’s strangest obsessions, this episode is a must.