Lovett or Leave It is a live variety show and podcast that breaks down the week’s news in politics and pop culture with sketches, games, jokes that literally never miss, and everyone’s favorite: nuanced analysis. Join Jon Lovett and an all star line up of comedians, journalists, and other amazing guests live every Thursday night or in your podcast feed every Saturday morning.
Hot for Teacher's Union
Lovett or Leave It returns to the SiriusXM garage in Los Angeles, home sweet home. Russell Howard explores scandals that could have happened in the US, but didn't. Baratunde Thurston goes full Dr. Doolittle and breaks down the latest from the animal kingdom (and has a whale of a time doing it). Zach Zucker and Eugene Cordero see if they can come up with innocent explanations for completely hypothetical scenarios, like gold bricks in your Mercedes and thirty grand in your varsity jacket. And the rant wheel spins for Taylor Swift and Travis... something.**We recorded this before the passing of Senator Feinstein, but she was a real one
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96:44 | 9/30/23 | |
Oh these gold bars? (Live from Madison!)
Lovett or Leave It brings the dairy sweats to the beautiful Barrymore Theatre in Madison, Wisconsin! Ben Wikler, Chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, calmly walks us through the anti-democratic onslaught the state is constantly experiencing. The super cool and supremely nerdy Alice Wetterlund looks to the stars for societies more civil than our own. Peter Sagal and T. J. Jagodowski have a (CIVILIZED) debate about theatre etiquette when every one of us is the most important person in the world. And comedian Felonious Munk takes a look back at a summer of fails, just in time for autumn/pon farr. Plus, fire finally gets torched during the rant wheel. May your name be inscribed in the book of life, sluts! For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.
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107:57 | 9/25/23 | |
Fetterman Gets Dressed Down (Live from Chicago!)
Lovett Or Leave It goes deep in Chicago, live from the beautiful Vic Theater. Mayor Brandon Johnson gives Lovett at 24 Hour tour of the second city that's second to none. Gillian Flynn stalks the famous devils of the Windy City. Elizabeth Warren (Alice Wetterlund) has a plan for this gerontocracy of ours. Lovett and Clark Jones battle over famous Chicago beefs while their stomaches battle the city’s famous Italian beefs. And we close out the show with a very special hog-butchering, tool-making, wheat-stacking spin of the Rant Wheel. Plus live high notes! For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.
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112:49 | 9/23/23 | |
Beetlejuice Cleanse
Lovett Or Leave It asks “why so Sirius?” as we welcome a whole new cast of jokers to our stage. GOP candidate Tim Scott’s very real girlfriend (Lisa Gilroy) stops by to discuss their wonderful, extremely plausible relationship. Sam Sanders and Danielle Schneider discuss the most important news of the week, both Real Housewife and original flavor. Morgan Jay finally answers the question that has plagued philosophers for centuries: would you have sex with this alien? And we end the show with a rare Rave Wheel, because sometimes, very rarely, we actually do enjoy things. Shana Tova, sluts! For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.
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89:37 | 9/16/23 | |
There Will Be Mud
Lovett Or Leave It takes a Sirius turn as we host this week’s show from our brand-new location. When Lovett goes high, Marcella Arguello gets even higher, while London Hughes joins us from across the pond to make America sound downright utopian. Congressman Ro Khanna tells Big Business do not pass go, and definitely do not collect $200. Bobby Berk gives the queer side eye to 2023’s most played-out interior design trends, and we roll the Rant Wheel all over the 2024 Candidate Playlist, because yikes. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.
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93:37 | 9/9/23 | |
A Very Online Summer (Friends of the Pod Preview)
We're off for Labor Day! Please enjoy this exclusive episode of Terminally Online, our new Subscription show and loosest pod here at Crooked Media. Every week Pod Save America hosts are joined by your favorite Crooked producers and staffers to commiserate about being way too online as they make their shows. Get episodes of Terminally Online, ads free Pod Save America and so much more by signing up for Friends of the Pod at crooked.com/friends.
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32:03 | 9/2/23 | |
Lovett Gets Steamrolled: A Best-Of
Lovett learns a lesson or two when his guests take the reins in this week’s very special Best-Of episode. Do steamrollers have reins? Well, they do now! Abby McEnany commandeers the anchor’s seat while presenting Gay News. Jake McDorman picks up Lovett and charges into virgin territory. Paula Poundstone’s Lesley Stahl puts Lovett in the hot seat. Luenell riles up the Swifties, and Ms. Pat challenges our audience to answer two truths and a lie, all while Lovett holds on for dear life.All of these segments were recorded before the WGA and SAG strikes were a twinkle in David Zaslav’s craven eye. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.
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65:49 | 8/26/23 | |
Rude and Delicious: Live from Philadelphia!
Lovett Or Leave It arrives in the city of Brotherly Love, and don’t worry, we brought plenty for everyone. Delaware state senator Sarah McBride helps the Diamond State shine. An over-worked conspiracy theorist (Kylie Brakeman) begs for a return to normalcy. R. Eric Thomas helps mend our audience’s broken hearts. Mary Radzinski and Lovett share their hottest Philly cheese takes, and the Rant Wheel runs down the things we hate about the city that loves you back. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.
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105:06 | 8/19/23 | |
Thoughts & Chairs
Lovett or Leave It prepares for a much needed holiday this week at LA’s Dynasty Typewriter. Laci Mosley and Lovett set sail for the Montgomery riverbank, and they’re bringing their own folding chair. Maria Bamford considers vacationing with the cult of her choice. We all bring plenty of baggage when Ian Harvie unpacks iconic LGBTQ commercials. Bridger Winegar hopes America’s celebrities left room in their suitcase, because he’s got something special for everyone. And the Rant Wheel brings you some souvenirs for the road: the truth about 12-step groups, the Regal Cinema intro, and, of course, the lack of soft serve on the West Coast. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.
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113:11 | 8/12/23 | |
Pence's Christmas Miracle
Lovett Or Leave It is hotter than hell this week at Los Angeles’ beautiful Dynasty Typewriter theater. Lovett and Ify Nwadiwe heat things up with a journey through Diablo 4. Luenell roasts Ron DeSantis so hard, his white go-go boots melt onto the Florida asphalt. RK Russell grills Lovett on professional football, not to mention the sexual orientation of NFL mascots, and we beat the heat, but not the legal consequences, of a new end game, Class Action Hero. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.
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85:50 | 8/5/23 | |
Live! From New York! It's One Thousand Rats!
Start spreading the ooze! This hot humid New York summer is only getting stickier, now that Lovett or Leave It is at Town Hall! LOLI’s own Rat King goes claw-to-claw with the NYC Rat Czar herself, Kathleen Corradi. Lovett terrifies a very analog Janeane Garofalo with dispatches from our very digital world. Isaac Mizrahi gives Lovett a dressing down. BD Wong plumbs the depths of his Broadway knowledge. Cat Cohen helps New Yorkers make it here with some candid advice, and we bust out the Rant Wheel. Hey, we’re spinning’ here! Special thanks to The Town Hall in New York! For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.
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85:25 | 7/29/23 | |
Ice Cream So Good, Popcorn So Gay | Terminally Online [TEASER]
Enjoy this episode of Terminally Online, Crooked's new subscription exclusive show. In this episode, Jon Lovett and producers Elijah Cone, Halle Kiefer and Brian Semel admire Pinkydoll’s entrepreneurship, choose which presidential grave they would serenade and talk about all the other things that made them feel way too online while making shows at Crooked.Get episodes of Terminally Online every Saturday, support Vote Save America and get much more by subscribing to Friends of the Pod at http://crooked.com/friends
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40:38 | 7/27/23 | |
Doctors Hate This One Weird Kennedy
Lovett It Or Leave It is back with a steamy new episode, and we’re summer lovin’ it. Nimesh Patel has a ball as Lovett puts his jokes to the test-es. Dan Ahdoot helps us put the WTF? in RFK Jr. The band MUNA gets gayotic at the behest of Crooked’s gays and theys, and we keep both hands on the Rant Wheel at all times. Brought to you by No Labels. No Labels: it’s not right, it’s not left, it’s straight off a cliff, Wile E. Coyote-style.
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85:25 | 7/22/23 | |
Hot Dummies 🤝 Anxious Weirdos
All aboard a brand-new episode of Lovett or Leave It, setting sail from Los Angeles’s beautiful Dynasty Typewriter theater. A vacationing tourist (Janet Varney) gives us the low down on a festively dystopian new cruise ship. Jared Goldstein helps us pack our bags with the most out-of-pocket celebrity endorsements. Tien Tran joins us for an early bird dinner on the gerontocracy deck, and Emily St. James reviews our on-board entertainment. We close out the show with the one thing you don’t really need on a ship: a wheel. Fortunately, this one is chock full of rants. See you at the sundae bar, if you have any room left! For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast. Want Pod Save America ad-free? Subscribe to Friends of the Pod: crooked.com/friends
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80:55 | 7/15/23 | |
Queer the Buffet (A Pride Standup Special!)
Lovett Or Leave It closes out this year’s Pride month with a fantastic stand up special. The legendary Paula Poundstone joins Jon as co-host and basically takes over, which rules. Plus Jon and Paula welcome the phenomenal Pink Foxx, Nori Reed, Roz Hernandez, and Robin Tran who crush. Hope you got your pride levels replenished this June for the next calendar year! Like a bunch of gay ass squirrels. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.
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79:54 | 7/8/23 | |
Wack Mirror (Live from San Francisco!)
Lovett Or Leave It is gay by the bay for our second tour show at San Francisco’s beautiful Palace of Fine Arts. The incredible Snaxx kicks off a night of laughs, while the Phantom of the Westfield Mall (Chris Fleming) shakes his fist at God and new housing construction. Casey Newton walks us through our tech dystopia, while we quiz him on others. Chef Nate Park gives Lovett a taste of cultivated meat, and Dylan McKeever has us California screamin’ over San Francisco on the big screen. Plus we close out the night with a round of Y-Not-Combinator in honor of Big Tech asking, “Why not?” instead “Why in God’s name?” For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.
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80:13 | 7/1/23 | |
Every City has Fresh Bread (Live from San Francisco!)
The wonderful Carnie Asada welcomes us to the city by the bay as we kick off the first stop of Lovett Or Leave It: The Errors Tour at San Francisco’s Palace of Fine Arts. Mayor London Breed walks us through the current state of SF. Adam Savage helps us demystify myths both queer and platonic. An old-timey prospector (Chris Fleming) convinces us there’s crypto in them there hills. Emily Van Dyke and Marcus Williams help Lovett find a unicorn, and not the one you think. Unless you’re thinking of the other two meanings as well, in which case… it was the one you’re thinking of. And we close out the show with a spin of the Rant Wheel as Karl the fog starts to creep back in.Special Thanks to the Palace of Fine Arts! For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.
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93:46 | 6/24/23 | |
Queerest and Dearest: A Pride Best-Of
In honor of Pride Month and Lovett being on vacation, we present to you: a very queer Best Of show! California candidate Will Rollins takes us to the overlapping center of Palms Springs’ two most vibrant communities: senior and gay. Matt Rogers’ Brad Turbo tries to make a mint off masculinity. Gus Kenworthy rates sports on the Kinsey Scale and it’s 10s, 10s, 10s across the board. Oscars expert Louis Virtel tests his knowledge of the only other awards show that matters: the Guys Choice Awards. While Robin Tran and Brendan Scannell get ethical. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast. Will Rollins episode: Forbidden Flute. Will Rollins is running to unseat monstrous homophobe Ken Calvert again in 2024! Find out how you can help at https://willrollinsforcongress.com/Matt Rogers episode: Tony’s AngelsGus Kenworthy episode: Queerbait of the NationLouis Virtel episode: Trial by Fire EmojiRobin Tran/Brendan Scannell episode: James and the Giant Divorce
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68:01 | 6/17/23 | |
Introducing Ruined with Alison Leiby & Halle Kiefer!
Introducing Crooked's new horror movie podcast Ruined, from LOLI head writer Halle Kiefer and Alison Leiby! If it’s in a word, or it’s in a look, do not read your kid that mysterious book. Halle and Alison welcome The Babadook, and open the door to the scariest horror of all: motherhood.Listen to new episodes of Ruined each week wherever you get your podcasts: crooked.com/ruined.
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48:32 | 6/14/23 | |
The Rage of Innocence
We got ‘im? We’re gonna need 1850 boxes to carry all the Trump indictment jokes packed into this week’s episode of Lovett or Leave It. Lovett slips into something a little more uncomfortable when he tries on the new Apple Vision Pro. Ronnie Woo and Michaela Watkins party plan Lovett’s emotional eating. George Santos (Oscar Montoya) stops by to bear false witness, and he looks good doing it! Brendan Scannell delivers you some Gay News, hot off the presses, and the Rant Wheel spins us into the Multi-Verse… and beyond.For more information on Here 4 the Kids, visit their website at Here4theKids.com, and follow them @here4thekidsaction on Instagram. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.
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84:44 | 6/10/23 | |
Criminalize Straight (Pride Special 2023!)
March into June, brick in hand, for this year’s Pride Show! We look back at a few infamous queer qriminals. Gay Branum and Irene Tu try to remember all the gay history we should have learned in school. Kel Cripe has some non-binary diktats because… they/thems the rules. Bernie Sanders (James Adomian) loves the gays but hates a parade. Danielle Perez and Gina Yashere review this year’s corporate Pride merch. And we spin the Rant Wheel with a little more sparkle than usual.
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79:00 | 6/3/23 | |
No Bueno Toxic
Lovett Or Leave It eases you into the long weekend with the dulcet tones of Ron DeSantis’s hideous voice, while Janet Yellen (Jenny Zigrino) reminds you what catastrophe awaits if we don’t sort out the debt ceiling by, uh, today. Mrs. Davis’s Jake McDorman enters virgin territory, while Jessi Klein ranks the LOLI moms from best to even better. Schuyler Bailar dives into the right’s anti-trans sports neurosis, and we spin the Rant Wheel to start your holiday road trip off right.Chip in today to our FUCK BANS: LEAVE QUEER KIDS ALONE fund at votesaveamerica.com/fuckbans
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83:44 | 5/27/23 | |
Defund the Splenda Police
It’s a barn burner of an episode! Luenell answers the hard questions (and a ton of easy ones), while Scott Aukerman and Kyle Kinane ponder the question: would you rather? Tig Notaro and Todd Stashwick go where no Lovett has gone before, and we keep our tootsies warm with the fiery glow of these Hot Takes. Join Friends of the Pod for bonus content, exclusive access and more: crooked.com/friends For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.
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85:32 | 5/20/23 | |
God Save the King’s Fingers
This week, Lovett Or Leave It has an episode only a mother could love. Elizabeth Holmes (Nicole Travolta) makes a pit stop on her reputation rehabilitation tour, and did she mention she has two kids? Scam Goddess’s Laci Mosley weighs in on the ultimate mama’s boy, King Charles III. Stiffed host Jennifer Romolini gives your mom what she wants most this Mother’s Day (full-frontal nudity), and we spin the Rant Wheel in honor of 79-year-old new parent Robert DeNiro. Quick! It’s not too late to buy your mom a gift! Go! Order it now! For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.
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68:09 | 5/13/23 | |
Guild Back Better
The king of Lovett Or Leave It welcomes his queens to Los Angeles’s beautiful Dynasty Typewriter theater ahead of this coronation weekend. Representative Katie Porter plays monarch in a minivan with “Queen For a Day,” and joins Drag Race’s Alaska and Willam for a royally funny round of Taboo. A TV writer (Demi Adejuyigbe) takes power back to the sunburned, dehydrated people during the WGA strike. Saturday Night Live legend Julia Sweeney looks back at non-binary boss Pat, and Lovett gathers his subjects ‘round for a majestic Rant Wheel. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.
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77:32 | 5/6/23 | |
2 Dark 2 Brandon
Lovett or Leave It is back at Dynasty Typewriter to give Tucker Carlson the sendoff he deserves: one he has to share with Don Lemon. Hari Kondabolu stops by to wash down some unpleasant news with some even worse ice cream. Alan Ruck takes an expletive-heavy stroll down memory lane with Succession’s spiciest insults. Pat Regan and Marcy Jarreau school Lovett on the finer points of reality TV, and we top it all off with a big ol’ batch of fresh-baked Hot Takes. Hari Kondabolu's comedy special and album “Vacation Baby” is available for viewing worldwide on YouTube and streaming as album on all platforms. Hari also self-released “(Extended) Vacation Baby” on Bandcamp as a digital download with tracks not found on the special or streaming album. Check out dates and tickets for Hari's Spring/Summer tour at harikondabolu.com For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.
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86:21 | 4/29/23 | |
Fox News Gets Dom'ed
Lovett Or Leave It sparks up a very special episode at Los Angeles’ Dynasty Typewriter. Lovett rolls the dice with Weed Gummy Three-Card Monte. A Spanish cave diver (Kiran Deol) emerges from beneath the earth after 500 days, and boy, is she behind on the news! Chris Gethard is a certified DILQ as he tackles the week in fathers. Judy Greer and Beth Lapides join us for the Highest Thoughts Bracket in celebration of 4/20, and we go out with a blaze of glory as the Rant Wheel spins.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.
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75:41 | 4/22/23 | |
Resigning Women
Take a (Senate) seat, relax and kick back with a nice, cold Lovett Or Leave It. Jon reaches out to the deranged Republican billionaires in the audience. Joe Mantegna challenges us to answer the age-old question, “Was I in this?” Jena Friedman, Aparna Nancherla, and Blair Socci give us the latest in Girl News (spoiler alert: the news… is bad!) and we close out the show with a spin of the Rant Wheel that will leave you AND your personal Supreme Court judge feeling dizzy! For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.
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74:32 | 4/15/23 | |
Arraign-y Season
Why is this night unlike any other nights? Why, it’s a Lovett Or Leave It Passover, Charlie Brown! Lesley Stahl (Paula Poundstone) stops by to interview the Pharaoh from Exodus and probably could have followed up a bit? Zach Zimmerman rates each of the Biblical plagues on the Kinsey Scale, and his answers… might surprise you. The world’s deepest fish (Andrea Jin) ponders our complicated lives on land. Adam Conover weighs in on a potential writers' strike, and we tuck into some Cadbury eggs and chocolate covered matzah for a festive round of Hot Takes.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.-Lovett or Leave It is nominated for a Webby Award in the Podcasts: Features - Best Live Podcast Recording category.Winners are determined through online voting which is open now through April 20th at 11:59pm PT at vote.webbyawards.com. Help us win! We hate to lose!Zach Zimmerman's book, "Is It Hot in Here (Or Am I Suffering for All Eternity for the Sins I Committed on Earth)" is available everywhere April 18th.For more Paula Poundstone, check out her podcast, "Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone".For more Adam Conover, check out his podcast "Factually! with Adam Conover".Check out"An Evening with Andrea Jin" at Dynasty Typewriter on April 15th.
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91:28 | 4/8/23 | |
The Age of Gwynnocence
Trump is indicted! Paltrow is free. Ari Shapiro (All Things Considered, The Best Strangers in the World), Langston Kerman (My Momma Told Me), Tawny Newsome, Andrew Ti (Yo, Is This Racist?) and Josie Riesman (Ringmaster: Vince McMahon and the Unmaking of America) join for a barn burner of an ep as we cover a momentous week - from charges to verdicts, and A.I. popes to Ice Age meatballs. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.
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99:08 | 4/1/23 |