179 episodes

Hosted by journalists Joan Summers and Matthew Lawson, Eating For Free is a weekly podcast that explores gossip and power in the pop culture landscape: Where it comes from, who wields it, and who suffers at the hands of it. Find out the stories behind the stories, as together they look beyond the headlines of troublesome YouTubers or scandal-ridden A-Listers, and delve deep into the inner workings of Hollywood's favorite pastime. The truth, they've found, is definitely stranger than any gossip.

Eating For Free Joan Summers and Matthew Lawson

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.8 • 405 Ratings

Hosted by journalists Joan Summers and Matthew Lawson, Eating For Free is a weekly podcast that explores gossip and power in the pop culture landscape: Where it comes from, who wields it, and who suffers at the hands of it. Find out the stories behind the stories, as together they look beyond the headlines of troublesome YouTubers or scandal-ridden A-Listers, and delve deep into the inner workings of Hollywood's favorite pastime. The truth, they've found, is definitely stranger than any gossip.

    Is Drag Political? (Part One): RuPaul’s America

    Is Drag Political? (Part One): RuPaul’s America

    About:
    Hosted by journalists Joan Summers and Matthew Lawson, Eating For Free is a weekly podcast that explores gossip and power in the pop culture landscape: Where it comes from, who wields it, and who suffers at the hands of it. Find out the stories behind the stories, as together they look beyond the headlines of troublesome YouTubers or scandal-ridden A-Listers, and delve deep into the inner workings of Hollywood's favorite pastime. The truth, they've found, is definitely stranger than any gossip.
    You can also find us on our website, Twitter, and Instagram. Or buy our merch! Any personal, business, or general inquires can be sent to eatingforfreepodcast@gmail.com 
    Joan Summers’ Twitter: @laracroftbarbie Matthew Lawson’s Instagram: @_matthewlawson Sources [may cut off in certain apps]:
    ACTUPNY/Chiquitettas: [Instagram] [May 12, 2024] Drag artists disrupt Ross Mathews' GLAAD Awards speech with Palestine protest: 'I don't believe in neutrality', [Entertainment Weekly] [May 12, 2024] RuPaul on His First Emmy Nomination, Donald Trump, and Hillary Clinton, [Vulture] [Aug 12, 2016] RuPaul on Donald Trump’s Election: ‘It Feels Like the Death of America’, [Vulture] [Dec 13, 2016] RuPaul Charles: How Donald Trump Has Led to the Rise of LGBT TV, [The Wrap] [Aug 15, 2017] Why Drag Is the Ultimate Retort to Trump, [The Atlantic] [June 2017] 'Flats Are For Quitters': RuPaul Talks Drag, 'All Stars' And Identity Politics, [NPR] [Jan 28, 2018] Nancy Pelosi Previews Her ‘Drag Race’ Visit, Talks POTUS: Trump Is “Lip Syncing His Policies”, [THR] [Mar 8, 2018] Drag queens are more political than ever. Can they lead a movement?, [Vox] [Nov 5, 2018] Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez told critics to 'go back to Party City' after critics slammed her appearance on 'RuPaul's Drag Race', [Business Insider] [Feb 14, 2020] Can “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Save Us from Donald Trump?, [New Yorker] [Mar 4, 2020] Atlanta stars of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 13 Tamisha Iman and LaLa Ri tell Georgia voters what’s at stake in the runoff election for U.S. Senate, [GLAAD] [Jan 4, 2021] Nancy Pelosi jokes on RuPaul's Drag Race that her Donald Trump shade clap was 'completely unintentional', [EW] [June 10, 2022] Pelosi encourages Americans to vote during ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ reality show appearance, [The Hill] [Jun 13, 2022] RuPaul Responds to Anti-Drag Bills: ‘Drag Queens Are the Marines of the Queer Movement’, [Variety] [Mar 8, 2023] RuPaul’s Drag Race Finale Highlights ACLU’s Defense of Trans Rights, [ACLU] [April 14, 2023 How the Family of a ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Star Is Fighting Anti-Drag Legislation in Texas (Exclusive), [The Messenger] [Jan 4, 2024] Plasma’s Dad Thomas Ratfliff’s Twitter [X] Moderate Republican Criticized for Being Lobbyist & State Board of Education Member [Texas Lobbyist] [Jan 2011]  

    • 1 hr 38 min
    Met Gala? I Hardly Know Her!

    Met Gala? I Hardly Know Her!

    In which we talk Jameela Jamil's IG spiral, Bob Iger shutting down Marvel, and Andy Cohen's alleged 'reckoning'.
    About:
    Hosted by journalists Joan Summers and Matthew Lawson, Eating For Free is a weekly podcast that explores gossip and power in the pop culture landscape: Where it comes from, who wields it, and who suffers at the hands of it. Find out the stories behind the stories, as together they look beyond the headlines of troublesome YouTubers or scandal-ridden A-Listers, and delve deep into the inner workings of Hollywood's favorite pastime. The truth, they've found, is definitely stranger than any gossip.
    You can also find us on our website, Twitter, and Instagram. Or buy our merch! Any personal, business, or general inquires can be sent to eatingforfreepodcast@gmail.com 
    Joan Summers’ Twitter: @laracroftbarbie Matthew Lawson’s Instagram: @_matthewlawson Book: The Life and Death of Hollywood
    Skips: 
    Kelly Ripa wants naked people to cover up 'burned fruit' penises: 'Nobody needs to see it' [EW] Sarah Jessica Parker Says She ‘Literally Couldn’t Sit’ in Her 2024 Met Gala Dress — and Didn’t Stay for Dinner, [People] Justin and Hailey Bieber cozy up during Hawaii vacation days after his crying selfie worried fans, [Page Six] Host Ariana Madix Is a 'Hot New Bombshell Heading to the Villa' in 'Love Island USA' Season 6  First Look, [ET] Ben Affleck steps out with son after sparking plastic surgery speculation at Tom Brady roast, [Page Six] Sam Smith denied at door of one Met Gala after-party, as Cardi B and Offset reunite, Jeff Bezos rolls with seven bodyguards, [Page Six] Gypsy Rose Blanchard shares message of ‘hope’ while showing off her plastic surgery transformation, [Page Six] Travis Kelce Is All Smiles in Behind-the-Scenes Videos With Niecy Nash on Ryan Murphy's 'Grotesquerie' Set, [ET] Netflix Edits Out Kim Kardashian Getting Booed at Tom Brady Roast, [ET] Kate Beckinsale Dresses as Old Man in Message to Online Haters: ‘Hope It Is Less Triggering’, [People] Teresa Giudice details meeting Taylor Swift at Coachella: ‘Do you know who I am?’ [PageSix] DRAKE SHOOTING AT TORONTO HOME … Security Guard Injured [TMZ] BETTE MIDLER REGRETS NOT SUING LINDSAY LOHAN … Over Her Failed Sitcom [TMZ] Main Stories:
    Jameela Jamil: [Instagram] Bob Iger Details “Reduced” Marvel Output: “At Most” Three Films Per Year, Two Series, [THR] Disney “Looking Selectively” at Licensing More Content [THR] Andy Cohen Finally Speaks Out on ‘Real Housewives’ Reckoning: “It’s Hurtful. But I Have No Regrets”, [THR] KIM KARDASHIAN SAYS 'FREE EVERYBODY' … During Palestine Outburst [TMZ] Intimacy coordinators stepping on filmmakers’ toes, Michael Douglas says, [The Telegraph]  

    • 1 hr 28 min
    “Did You Take Ozempic?”

    “Did You Take Ozempic?”

    In which we talk stunt-qeeun Brian Cox's latest comments on the bible, Darren Criss being 'culturally queer', VPR delays, and Barbara Streisand pesting celebs on if they are taking Ozempic! 
    About:
    Hosted by journalists Joan Summers and Matthew Lawson, Eating For Free is a weekly podcast that explores gossip and power in the pop culture landscape: Where it comes from, who wields it, and who suffers at the hands of it. Find out the stories behind the stories, as together they look beyond the headlines of troublesome YouTubers or scandal-ridden A-Listers, and delve deep into the inner workings of Hollywood's favorite pastime. The truth, they've found, is definitely stranger than any gossip.
    You can also find us on our website, Twitter, and Instagram. Or buy our merch! Any personal, business, or general inquires can be sent to eatingforfreepodcast@gmail.com 
    Joan Summers’ Twitter: @laracroftbarbie Matthew Lawson’s Instagram: @_matthewlawson Skips:
    'Vanderpump Rules' Alum Rachel Leviss Is Seeing Someone New After Tom Sandoval Scandal - Love Interest Revealed! [Just Jared] KYLE RICHARDS' DAUGHTER BURGLARIZED TO THE TUNE OF $1 MILLION!!! [TMZ] Anne Hathaway celebrates five years of sobriety: ‘That feels like a milestone’ [Page Six] Pink-haired Kim Kardashian compared to Bianca Censori in latest look: ‘Yeezy taught them all’ [Page Six] Cher: I date younger guys because men my age are 'all dead' [PageSix] Justin and Hailey Bieber cozy up during Hawaii vacation days after his crying selfie worried fans [PageSix] Drew Barrymore unveils new fashion collaboration with Justin Bieber's Drew House brand - after pop star sparked concern with crying selfies [DailyMailUK] Kim Zolciak celebrates birthday early with daughter Brielle Biermann with dinner at fancy restaurant amid severe financial issues ... after THAT shocking 'RIP Kroy' post [DailyMailUK] Main Stories:
    BRITNEY SPEARS Psychiatrist Weighs In … NEEDS NEW CONSERVATORSHIP, MEDICATION ASAP!!! [TMZ] BRIAN COX BIBLE'S THE WORST BOOK EVER, IMO … Just Propaganda & Lies!!! [TMZ] 'GLEE' STAR DARREN CRISS I'm Straight … BUT ALSO, 'CULTURALLY QUEER' [TMZ] Fans spot Taylor Swift cheering for Travis Kelce at Las Vegas golf tournament — by the way she claps, [Page Six] Ariana Madix accuses Raquel Leviss of trying to ‘punish’ her with revenge porn lawsuit, [Page Six] Barbra Streisand Asks Melissa McCarthy 'Did You Take Ozempic?' in Instagram Comment, [People] Andy Cohen addresses ‘Vanderpump Rules’ production pause ahead of Season 12 [PageSix]

    • 1 hr 28 min
    Gooning Out With Anne Hathaway

    Gooning Out With Anne Hathaway

    About:
    Hosted by journalists Joan Summers and Matthew Lawson, Eating For Free is a weekly podcast that explores gossip and power in the pop culture landscape: Where it comes from, who wields it, and who suffers at the hands of it. Find out the stories behind the stories, as together they look beyond the headlines of troublesome YouTubers or scandal-ridden A-Listers, and delve deep into the inner workings of Hollywood's favorite pastime. The truth, they've found, is definitely stranger than any gossip.
    You can also find us on our website, Twitter, and Instagram. Or buy our merch! Any personal, business, or general inquires can be sent to eatingforfreepodcast@gmail.com 
    Joan Summers’ Twitter: @laracroftbarbie Matthew Lawson’s Instagram: @_matthewlawson Sources:
    It’s Been A Minute Podcast w/ Eating For Free! [NPR] Kylie Jenner Is Not Pregnant, Navigating Long-Distance Romance With Timothee Chalamet  (Exclusive) [UsMag] President Biden signs law to ban TikTok nationwide unless it is sold [NPR]  Glen Powell Admits He and Sydney Sweeney Leaned Into Romance Rumors to Market Anyone But You: 'It Worked' [People] Brit Smith Addresses Speculation That JoJo Siwa Stole 'Karma' Song From Her [JustJared] Kim Kardashian Is 'Over' Taylor Swift Feud and Wants Singer to 'Move On' After 'thanK you aIMee' Release: Source [People]

    • 1 hr 22 min
    Vanderpump Fools (Finale): The End of Everything

    Vanderpump Fools (Finale): The End of Everything

    About:
    Hosted by journalists Joan Summers and Matthew Lawson, Eating For Free is a weekly podcast that explores gossip and power in the pop culture landscape: Where it comes from, who wields it, and who suffers at the hands of it. Find out the stories behind the stories, as together they look beyond the headlines of troublesome YouTubers or scandal-ridden A-Listers, and delve deep into the inner workings of Hollywood's favorite pastime. The truth, they've found, is definitely stranger than any gossip.
    You can also find us on our website, Twitter, and Instagram. Or buy our merch! Any personal, business, or general inquires can be sent to eatingforfreepodcast@gmail.com 
    Joan Summers’ Twitter: @laracroftbarbie Matthew Lawson’s Instagram: @_matthewlawson Sources [may cutoff in certain apps]:
    'Vanderpump Rules'' Lala Kent to Release Memoir, 'Give Them Lala', About Her Most Vulnerable Moment, 01/28/21 [People]   Lala Kent Gives Birth to First Child With Fiancé Randall Emmett, 03/15/21 [ET] The King of the Geezer Teasers: Inside Randall Emmett’s direct-to-video empire, where many Hollywood stars have found lucrative early retirement, 3/31/2021 [Vulture] Lala Kent Says Randall Emmett Is ‘Ready to Start Trying’ for 2nd Baby 2 Months After Daughter’s Birth, 5/20/21 [USMag] Did Lala Kent And Randall Emmett Secretly Get Married? Vanderpump Rules Spotted Ring On His Finger, 05/25/21 [RealityTea] Director Randall Emmett on Season 9 of ‘Vanderpump Rules’ And How Martin Scorsese Inspired ‘Midnight in the Switchgrass’, 06/20/21 [Variety] 'Vanderpump Rules' ' Lala Kent and Fiancé Randall Emmett Break Up: Report, 10/18/21 [People] REPORT: Lala Kent Has Split From Randall Emmett, Moves Into Hotel With Daughter After ‘Liking’ Post About Him Cheating, 10/19/21 [RealityBurb] LALA KENT & RANDALL EMMETT SPLITSVILLE ...3-Year Engagement Off, 10/30/21 [TMZ] Lala Kent Says She Had Her 'Head in the Sand' About Issues with Randall Emmett 'for a Really Long Time', 12/01/21 [People]  Lala Kent Calls Ex Randall Emmett the 'Worst Thing to Ever Happen' to Her, 12/21/21 [People] Lala Kent says there is ‘proof’ of Randall Emmett cheating, 12/27/21 [PageSix] Lala Kent Says Randall Emmett 'Started Relationship' with 23-Year-Old the Same Month Daughter Ocean Was Born, 03/03/22 [People] Lala Kent says relationship with Randall Emmett ‘wasn’t ever real’, 03/24/22  [PageSix] Randall Emmett Is Still Friends With Jax Taylor And Tom Schwartz After Split From Lala Kent, 03/28/22 [RealityTea] Vanderpump Rules star Lala Kent’s ex Randall Emmett sued for ‘refusing to pay off $287K loan’ amid major money troubles, 04/08/22 [TheSun] Randall Emmett Lists Bel Air Home He and Lala Kent Lived in While Together for $6.3 Million, 05/17/22 [People] Lala Kent: Randall Emmett threatened to call cops when I wanted to leave, 05/26/22 [PageSix]  The man who played Hollywood: Inside Randall Emmett’s crumbling empire, 06/30/22 [LATimes] Lala Kent Breaks Down as LVP Asks How She Didn't See Randall Emmett Warning Signs, 02/15/23 [TooFab] ‘The Randall Scandal’ Uncovers Lala Kent’s Role in ‘Vanderpump’ History, 05/25/23 [Daily Beast] Lala Kent on ‘Vanderpump Rules’ and life after Randall Emmett, 04/22/23 [LAT]

    • 1 hr 23 min
    Vanderpump Fools (Part Nine): The Witch Trials of WeHo

    Vanderpump Fools (Part Nine): The Witch Trials of WeHo

    About:
    Hosted by journalists Joan Summers and Matthew Lawson, Eating For Free is a weekly podcast that explores gossip and power in the pop culture landscape: Where it comes from, who wields it, and who suffers at the hands of it. Find out the stories behind the stories, as together they look beyond the headlines of troublesome YouTubers or scandal-ridden A-Listers, and delve deep into the inner workings of Hollywood's favorite pastime. The truth, they've found, is definitely stranger than any gossip.
    You can also find us on our website, Twitter, and Instagram. Or buy our merch! Any personal, business, or general inquires can be sent to eatingforfreepodcast@gmail.com 
    Joan Summers’ Twitter: @laracroftbarbie Matthew Lawson’s Instagram: @_matthewlawson Sources [may cutoff in certain apps]:
    Intro Clip: Vanderpump Rules: Stassi Schroeder and Kristen Doute Fired For Racist Actions [ET - YouTube] Inside the Underground Market for Fake Amazon Reviews [Wired] Stassi Schroeder: My Friends Will Complain About Attending My Destination Wedding—And That’s Okay, 01/08/20 [Glamour] Stassi Schroeder: Why Being Basic Is Good Business, 02/27/20 [Forbes] You know her as ‘Crazy’ Kristen Doute on ‘Vanderpump Rules.’ Now she wants you to know her on her own terms., 06/02/20 [WP] Vanderpump Rules' Faith Stowers on Her Experience as the Only Black Cast Member: 'It Was a Lot', 06/04/20 [People] ‘Vanderpump Rules’ Fires Stassi Schroeder and Kristen Doute For Racist Actions, 06/09/20 [Variety] Brittany Cartwright Speaks Out on Faith Stowers' Vanderpump Rules Claims, 06/08/20 [E!] Jax Taylor once accused Faith Stowers of committing crimes, 06/09/20 [Page Six] Faith Stowers feels ‘vindicated’ after ‘Vanderpump Rules’ firings, 06/09/20 [Page Six] Faith Stowers Says Jax Taylor Should Be 'Reprimanded' Too as 4 Vanderpump Rules Stars Are Fired, 06/11/20 [People] Stassi Schroeder & Kristen Doute Hire Crisis Management Rep After ‘Vanderpump Rules’ Firing, 06/12/20 [Deadline] 'Vanderpump Rules' Alum Stassi Schroeder Expecting First Child with Fiancé Beau Clark, 06/16/20 [People] Kristen Doute Speaks Out in First Interview Since Vanderpump Rules Firing, 07/15/20 [E!] Stassi Schroeder, Beau Clark reunite with ‘Vanderpump Rules’ cast on houseboat, 08/16/20 [Page Six] Lala Kent and Randall Emmett on Their 'Breakup,' the Future of 'Pump Rules' and Matchmaking for Megan Fox, 08/06/20 [ET] Stassi Schroeder Reveals the “Hardest Part” of Vanderpump Rules Firing in First Interview, 09/17/20 [E!] How Stassi Schroeder Really Felt About Her ‘Awkward’ Interview With Tamron Hall (Exclusive), 09/18/20 [Us Weekly] Kristen Doute Claims She Wasn’t Fired From Vanderpump Rules and Insists She Never Turned Faith Stowers in to Police or Put Her in “Harm’s Way,” Says She’s Sick of Rumors, 09/18/20 [Reality Blurb] Tamron Hall Speaks Out About Her Interview With Former ‘Vanderpump Rules’ Star Stassi Schroeder, 09/22/20 [Variety] Faith Stowers is happy Jax Taylor is off ‘Vanderpump Rules’, 12/17/20 [Page Six] All the Bombshells From Vanderpump Rules Alum Stassi Schroeder's New Book ‘Off With My Head’, 04/26/22 [E!] The Future of Vanderpump Rules Revealed, 11/12/20 [E!]

    • 1 hr 43 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
405 Ratings

405 Ratings

nothnx1528 ,

The pop culture deep dive podcast that other pop culture podcasts pretend to be

This is the only podcast about pop culture that actually does the SATISFYING sociopathically in-depth kind of deep dives that I crave. Every other pop culture podcast is forty minutes of sound bites that are just mashing together surface level headlines about trending topics and calling it a deep dive…meanwhile, E4F is like eight episodes deep into exploring the cultural, socioeconomic context of Vanderpump Rules and we haven’t even hit the trainwreck that is TomTom’s yet and along the way we have heard the most howlingly cringeworthy interviews ever conducted by the ghosts of millennial media past and the kind of commentary that actually makes you laugh out loud while listening. This is the one podcast I actually religiously listen to every single week, because every single episode DELIVERS.

spicymushroom823 ,

Not for me

I listened to almost all of their 11 part series about VPR. Ignored a few red flags about potential anti-blackness and ableism. Gave them grace and the benefit of the doubt. Had to bow out because the microaggressions and punching down became too much.

cvnnon_ ,

Joan is right!

I have never felt so validated by Joan and Matthew’s SF takes. Joan is right; the Daly City Cinemark IS the best theater. AND THE PING PONG TABLE PLACE. I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU MEAN. That establishment is populated by evil men.

But seriously, I’ve been listening to this podcast this the JoJo Siwa eps and have remained a listener ever since. I found the depth of research Joan and Matthew do amazing! As a fan of Ariana Grande, I thought her series was a very insightful, thoughtful deep dive.

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