All I want to do is talk about Madonna

This is Part Two of a Two Part Finale. After nearly 250 episodes, Mark and Kenny conclude their conversations with a mega-episode about the 2023-2024 Celebration Tour.  Topics include a return to interludes and the 1990s, AOL, Dita Parlo, Jeremy Atherton Lin, boxing rings, blonde wigs, Kenny’s crow calls, memes, back to bed, cracking the code of “Justify My Love”, flip phones, blindfolds, Tokischa, veils & Mercy James, impulsive badness, “Up Down Suite”, DJ Estere, Big Frida, energy & legacy, the roll call of judges, random arrests, slow dancing with doppelgängers, Larry Moss, recycling fornicators, the “lost” act, 1283 steps, box seat viewing, live guitars, more clowns, deep cuts, Kylie Minogue, Sinead O’Connor, FRAGMENTS, metaverses & Donatella Versace, NFTs, harnesses & hydro flasks, volumizing dancers, Michael Jackson, lima beans, Martin Solveig, and how it’s always been about survival.  Plus, Kenny wants to leave early, Mark pinpoints the three punk rock moments of the tour, and Madonna takes back the fan and breaks all the rules again.  Finally, Tina reunites with Madonna and some final thoughts on the past, the present, and the future.  Life is a circle, indeed. Be sure to listen until the very very end.

This is Part One of a Two Part Final. After nearly 250 episodes, Mark and Kenny conclude their conversations with a mega-episode about the 2023-2024 Celebration Tour.  Topics include sides, the Promo Video (Lil Wayne! Jack Black!  Kate Berlant!), ranking greatest hits, rumors on Reddit, post-COVID nostalgia, a return to the  catalogue, Stuart Price, cashmere throws, Lewis Black, fragments, Ricardo Gomes, Stufish, Bob the Drag Queen, the logo, the merch, “Justify My Ticket Price”, the Beacon Theater, (LA)HORDE, referential trench coats, guardian angels, healthcare for DJs, Kara Swisher, fucking turntables, opening song butterflies, Niki & Donna, the return of Kenny’s grading system, time travel, flashlights, kilts, the NYC subway, scene work, multiple selves, masks & money, Madonna’s vocal production(s), Monte Pittman’s tongue, androgynous orgies, the Paradise Garage, “You need to learn read!”, Chic, park benches, Martin Burgoyne, Christopher Flynn, the true legacy  and the warriors of the AIDS epidemic, the Return of the Clown, a new tribute to Prince, and the dangers of a religious carousel.  Plus Mark (finally) makes his way into Madonna’s inner circle and Kenny shares  the powerful lessons he’s learned from thirty years living with HIV.  “When did YOU fall in love with Madonna?”

The All I Want To Do Is Talk About Madonna community take the mic to share their experiences at the 2023-2024 Celebration Tour … and beyond.  Special Thank You to Abraham Fields, Alan Chenowith, Alex Cunha, Bart De Beer, Benn Garner, Mr. Brian Mullin,C Goard Egerton, Charlotte Salmon, Chopin Gard, Dante DiDomenico, Dante Prestigo, David Minarro, Dylan from Toronto, Einsorf, Ivan Chernaykov, Mr. Jason Moss, Mr. Jeff Vicente, Mr. Joel Stair, John Raymond Barker, Mr. Jonny Larkin, Mr. Kevin Smith, Louis Marzella, Luke Hensley, DJ KingBee, Matias Kuoppala, MISSFACE, Todd Werkhoven, Mr. Vernon Renegar, Mr. Wayne Parker, Yan Fort, and everyone who contributed to this episode.  Dedicated to Kevin O’Connor and his family of Madonna fans.We love you William Orbit.  RIP.

Kenny and Mark re-shuffle the timeline and head back to 2021 when Madonna announced that she re-signed with WB Music, bringing her entire catalogue under the WBM … tent.  Topics include charity tributes, Sickick, Fireboy DML, 070 Shake, Saucy Santana, Casio keyboards, Pride at Terminal 5, Tokischa, Rosalia, grillz and sunglasses, Debbie Harry’s solo career, Psyiconic, poppers, #Justice4Gambler, Veronica Electronica, Bedtime Stories: The Untold Chapters, the “Everybody” RSD reissue, the Erotica picture disc, MTV, the Cabaret at Red Rooster, the Sound Exploder episode, Stuart Price, Sassy AI, golf carts, and the Finally Enough Love remix compilation album.  Plus, Madonna meets Terri  Joe on Tick-Tock and continues lifting her leg over her head. “That’s my deli!”

Mark and Kenny tidy up the proverbial Estate of all things Ciccone, starting with a big picture conversation about the new album, the current critical discourse, and the end of Season Eight - followed by a deep dive into one of the most problematic eras in Madonna history - COVID and the Trash Era.  Topics include Instagram wipes, rental van photo shoots, the “Erotica” trash can, the Quarantine Diaries, rose petals, white-out and hand sanitizer, gummy bears, jazz scatting and voice memos, Dua Lipa & Future Nostalgia, The Idol and toxicity, Tick-Tock, Christine & the Queens, gods and goddesses, Sam Smith and the Grammy Awards, BEYONCE and Grace Jones, and the secrets to keeping Madonna entertained during lockdown.  Plus, Tina is spotted at the FIFA World Cup, Kenny makes naked art videos, Mark plays dominoes in his bubble, and Madonna meets the biggest diva of them all. “I’ll split your banana!” 

Kenny and Mark travel back to June 2020 and revisit their original immediate and intimate conversation about the Madame X tour - recorded a few days after experiencing the show at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in September 2019.  At the time, it was the longest episode of AIWTDITAM - oh, how times have changed!

Mark and Kenny wrap up the Madame X album with this gorgeous and vibe-y final track.  Topics include: Kimi Djabate, witchcraft, “Bella Ciao”, Ben Gibbard, history lessons, deep research & references, and the courage of admitting the unknown.  Plus, a lost documentary idea, Madonna’s cell phone number, and following the clues and hopes for the future.  “Let me know that it’s cool, Madonna

Kenny and Mark fly off the rails looking for the fun in this bonus track from Madame X.  Topics include: Cape Verde archipelago, Dino D’Santiago, autotune, Mac Miller, toilets, 1987, Madonna’s toes, Judy Garland and Estelle Getty.  “Let’s go dancing!”

Mark and Kenny contemplate what makes a pride anthem while discussing the finale proper from Madame X. Topics include X Gonzalez & 2019, love & hurt, messages & oppressions, guitars & strings, Peter Matkiwsky, wrapping up & holding the light, Tracy Young, Daybreakers, DJ Irene & The Alliance, Pride Island, and a whole of tragic magic.  “Immigrants are America.”

Kenny and Mark make some episode corrections and get super-vulnerable discussing the lost power ballad from Madame X.  Topics include: mercy & grace, Laurie Metcalfe & Scott Rudin, Tori Amos & Neil Gaiman, Bruce Norris’ play Downstate, writing letters, high powers, sinners & punishment, love & grief, flaws & cancellation, Ordinary People, and what makes the best protest music.  “Look it up on your own!”