50 episodes

An LA novel-in-stories each season, along with selected short fiction from exceptional authors, both new and established, whose works take place at the shifting borders of the American Dream. Each season, the podcast debuts an original novel in serialized episodes. Separately, the episodes stand alone, but together they comprise a novel-length journey, with a cast of recurring characters. 

The Last We Fake Alan Rifkin

    • Fiction
    • 4.9 • 13 Ratings

An LA novel-in-stories each season, along with selected short fiction from exceptional authors, both new and established, whose works take place at the shifting borders of the American Dream. Each season, the podcast debuts an original novel in serialized episodes. Separately, the episodes stand alone, but together they comprise a novel-length journey, with a cast of recurring characters. 

    S3 E9 - The Celebrity by Catherine Hein: Episode 9, Hotch's Hideaway

    S3 E9 - The Celebrity by Catherine Hein: Episode 9, Hotch's Hideaway

    Somehow surviving an equestrian gauntlet of obstacles capped by an AWOL 14-year-old Wally Cleaver (“Will you go out with me when I get my license?”), Wanda has finally managed to dial out and hear the terrifying news about her grandmother. But her stage presence is nearly shot when the rotund, legendary fright maestro who directed The Crows and 57 Stairs finds her sitting in his office chair.

    In what one listener describes as "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" if it were written by a woman, Catherine Hein's historical novel traces the journey of Wanda Fleming, the tenacious, calamity-prone co-host fatale of TV's Daytalk who, in the spring of 1962, must face life without her closest ally, settle on one lover, conquer her eating disorder, and ace a round of Password in order to secure a coveted game-show gig. . . if the world doesn't change too much first.

    Hein's former life took her from 20 years in the entertainment industry to two years in a homeless women's shelter. That's where Wanda, the reigning spirit of this epic two-volume novel of early ‘60s Hollywood, was born.

    Hein's other writing credits include The Bob Newhart Show and a children's story series in The Los Angeles Times about a traveling circus in occupied France.  She now holds a master’s degree in English and an MFA in Fiction from California State University, Long Beach.

    Host Alan Rifkin's novels, essays and short stories of Los Angeles have been published widely. Learn more about him at www.alanrifkin.com.
    Intro music is from the song "Slow," performed by Sally Dworsky. Written by Sally Dworsky and Chris Hickey. Available on iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music and all other streaming platforms.


    Closing credit music for Season 3 is performed by Ben Rifkin.


    Podcast art by Ryan Longnecker.

    • 50 min
    S3 E8 - The Celebrity by Catherine Hein: Episode 8, Making the Beast with Six Legs

    S3 E8 - The Celebrity by Catherine Hein: Episode 8, Making the Beast with Six Legs

    This was nothing like being a lamp ray glued to the back of Chase McSteve. Still, the weird-looking horse seems safe, until an explosion on the set of Abilene sends both Wanda and panicked beast off course--close enough to the home of television's Cleaver family that she could practically raid the fridge, while no closer to a word from grandmother than when she threw a jealous tantrum at Howard that same morning.

    In what one listener describes as "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" if it were written by a woman, Catherine Hein's historical novel traces the journey of Wanda Fleming, the tenacious, calamity-prone co-host fatale of TV's Daytalk who, in the spring of 1962, must face life without her closest ally, settle on one lover, conquer her eating disorder, and ace a round of Password in order to secure a coveted game-show gig. . . if the world doesn't change too much first.

    Hein's former life took her from 20 years in the entertainment industry to two years in a homeless women's shelter. That's where Wanda, the reigning spirit of this epic two-volume novel of early ‘60s Hollywood, was born.

    Hein's other writing credits include The Bob Newhart Show and a children's story series in The Los Angeles Times about a traveling circus in occupied France.  She now holds a master’s degree in English and an MFA in Fiction from California State University, Long Beach.

    Host Alan Rifkin's novels, essays and short stories of Los Angeles have been published widely. Learn more about him at www.alanrifkin.com.
    Intro music is from the song "Slow," performed by Sally Dworsky. Written by Sally Dworsky and Chris Hickey. Available on iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music and all other streaming platforms.


    Closing credit music for Season 3 is performed by Ben Rifkin.


    Podcast art by Ryan Longnecker.

    • 1 hr 19 min
    S3 E7 - The Celebrity by Catherine Hein: Episode 7, Man, Woman, Food, Bird, Insanity

    S3 E7 - The Celebrity by Catherine Hein: Episode 7, Man, Woman, Food, Bird, Insanity

    "In a couple days, either this would all prove to be a huge comedy of errors, or nothing would ever be the same...."

    It's existential overload for Wanda, as sex life, pet care, family catastrophe and unanswered phones collide with an all-powerful tub of vanilla ice cream.

    In what one listener describes as "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" if it were written by a woman, Catherine Hein's historical novel  traces the journey of Wanda Fleming, the tenacious, calamity-prone co-host fatale of TV's Daytalk in the spring of 1962.

    Called to her grandmother's funeral in Orange County, the heroine must face life without her closest ally, settle on one lover, conquer her eating disorder, and ace a round of Password in order to secure a coveted game-show gig. . . if the world doesn't change too much first.

    Hein's former life took her from 20 years in the entertainment industry to two years in a homeless women's shelter. That's where Wanda, the reigning spirit of this epic two-volume novel of early ‘60s Hollywood, was born.

    Hein's other writing credits include The Bob Newhart Show and a children's story series in The Los Angeles Times about a traveling circus in occupied France.  She now holds a master’s degree in English and an MFA in Fiction from California State University, Long Beach.

    Host Alan Rifkin's novels, essays and short stories of Los Angeles have been published widely. Learn more about him at www.alanrifkin.com.
    Intro music is from the song "Slow," performed by Sally Dworsky. Written by Sally Dworsky and Chris Hickey. Available on iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music and all other streaming platforms.


    Closing credit music for Season 3 is performed by Ben Rifkin.


    Podcast art by Ryan Longnecker.

    • 32 min
    S3 E6 - The Celebrity by Catherine Hein: Episode 6, "You're a Celebrity, Somebody Will Come Rescue You"

    S3 E6 - The Celebrity by Catherine Hein: Episode 6, "You're a Celebrity, Somebody Will Come Rescue You"

    [UPDATE TO LISTENERS: Recordings for Catherine Hein's The Celebrity are on pause for a few weeks while she gets through some health procedures and related tsuris. Wanda will be back! Correspondence and well wishes may be sent via info@alanrifkin.com. Thanks for your understanding.]

    This week: Some people are the type to jump on a message marked "Urgent." For Wanda, it's complicated.

    In what one listener describes as "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" if it were written by a woman, Catherine Hein's historical novel  traces the journey of Wanda Fleming, the tenacious, calamity-prone co-host fatale of TV's Daytalk in the spring of 1962.

    Called to her grandmother's funeral in Orange County, the heroine must face life without her closest ally, settle on one lover, conquer her eating disorder, and ace a round of Password in order to secure a coveted game-show gig. . . if the world doesn't change too much first.

    Hein's former life took her from 20 years in the entertainment industry to two years in a homeless women's shelter. That's where Wanda, the reigning spirit of this epic two-volume novel of early ‘60s Hollywood, was born.

    Hein's other writing credits include The Bob Newhart Show and a children's story series in The Los Angeles Times about a traveling circus in occupied France.  She now holds a master’s degree in English and an MFA in Fiction from California State University, Long Beach.

    Host Alan Rifkin's novels, essays and short stories of Los Angeles have been published widely. Learn more about him at www.alanrifkin.com.
    Intro music is from the song "Slow," performed by Sally Dworsky. Written by Sally Dworsky and Chris Hickey. Available on iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music and all other streaming platforms.


    Closing credit music for Season 3 is performed by Ben Rifkin.


    Podcast art by Ryan Longnecker.

    • 59 min
    S3 E5 - The Celebrity, by Catherine Hein: Episode 5, "Do I Look to You Like Someone Who Can’t Hold on from Behind?"

    S3 E5 - The Celebrity, by Catherine Hein: Episode 5, "Do I Look to You Like Someone Who Can’t Hold on from Behind?"

    Half-buzzed from a night of more sex than rest with Howard the Ex, and done dirty by Dexatrim, Wanda is about to get even higher when the après le bain interview with Chase McSteve leads to deep kissing and a motorcycle date in the works.

    In what one listener describes as "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" if it were written by a woman, Catherine Hein's historical novel  traces the journey of Wanda Fleming, the tenacious, calamity-prone co-host fatale of TV's Daytalk in the spring of 1962.

    Called to her grandmother's funeral in Orange County, the heroine must face life without her closest ally, settle on one lover, conquer her eating disorder, and ace a round of Password in order to secure a coveted game-show gig. . . if the world doesn't change too much first.

    Hein's former life took her from 20 years in the entertainment industry to two years in a homeless women's shelter. That's where Wanda, the reigning spirit of this epic two-volume novel of early ‘60s Hollywood, was born.

    Hein's other writing credits include The Bob Newhart Show and a children's story series in The Los Angeles Times about a traveling circus in occupied France.  She now holds a master’s degree in English and an MFA in Fiction from California State University, Long Beach.

    Host Alan Rifkin's novels, essays and short stories of Los Angeles have been published widely. Learn more about him at www.alanrifkin.com.
    Intro music is from the song "Slow," performed by Sally Dworsky. Written by Sally Dworsky and Chris Hickey. Available on iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music and all other streaming platforms.


    Closing credit music for Season 3 is performed by Ben Rifkin.


    Podcast art by Ryan Longnecker.

    • 43 min
    S3 E4 - The Celebrity, by Catherine Hein: Episode 4, "This Never Happened, Unless It Happens Again"

    S3 E4 - The Celebrity, by Catherine Hein: Episode 4, "This Never Happened, Unless It Happens Again"

    Wanda's moonlit drive on Mulholland turns into a hillside sleep-it-off, causing her to miss a big production meeting;  then Howard somehow gets a foot in her door on the eve of her location swim with Chase McSteve.

    In what one listener describes as "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" if it were written by a woman, Catherine Hein's historical novel of early '60s Hollywood traces the journey of Wanda Fleming, the tenacious, calamity-prone co-host fatale of TV's Daytalk in the spring of 1962.

    Hein's former life took her from 20 years in the entertainment industry to two years in a homeless women's shelter. That's where Wanda, the reigning spirit of this epic two-volume novel of early-‘60s Hollywood, was born.

    Hein's other writing credits include The Bob Newhart Show and a children's story series in The Los Angeles Times about a traveling circus in occupied France.  She now holds a master’s degree in English and an MFA in Fiction from California State University, Long Beach.

    Host Alan Rifkin's novels, essays and short stories of Los Angeles have been published widely. Learn more about him at www.alanrifkin.com.
    Intro music is from the song "Slow," performed by Sally Dworsky. Written by Sally Dworsky and Chris Hickey. Available on iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music and all other streaming platforms.


    Closing credit music for Season 3 is performed by Ben Rifkin.


    Podcast art by Ryan Longnecker.

    • 52 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
13 Ratings

13 Ratings

Enjoying this podcast ,

Enjoying this podcast

What a cool project. I love hearing the writers read their own stories, I love their voices—I know that awesome writers aren’t always the awesomest readers, but the thing is, like at a poetry reading, it adds something special to hear the words in their own voice. The interviews between Rifkin and our local writers are very special, too. I particularly love the episode with Rafael Zepeda, but I am working on catching up on all the episodes.

whywon'tyou? ,

THE LAST WE FAKE IS GREAT!

I was looking for fiction in podcasts and luckily came across The Last We Fake, a format that is so well-done and easy to navigate, and content that I want to hear, read by its creator, Alan Rifkin. I like his work, his voice, and his format so very much and recommend it to everyone in LA and anywhere people strive to write, and strive to love children, and strive to be a good person. It is all here. And he publishes other writers and his students work, which I am looking forward to hearing. More stars!!!!

AndreaZS ,

Transcendent evocation of LA in the late ‘80s and 90s

Beautifully written account of a journalist’s struggles in the Los Angeles of the late ‘80s and ‘90s. The writing is superb and brings you instantly into the city at that time — the strange characters, the landscape, the odd synchronicity of life. Highly recommend.

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