3. Dark States

What if you made a podcast series about a fictional pandemic and then a real pandemic happened? In 2019 Brian J Davis and Emily Schultz adapted her hit novel, The Blondes, into a podcast. A few months later the world plunged into the Covid lockdown and things got weird from there. To mark the fifth anniversary and the release of these remastered episodes, Brian and Emily discuss what happened along the way, what they got right about pandemics, and what they got wrong. They share how the series ended up a worldwide hit, what the French don't find funny, and the craziest thing ever said by a network executive. They also talk about why a DIY ethic work matters and give an update on the future of The Blondes.

This season's final episode begins with Frieda Wells' tearful apology for the Lux Festival. Then, Broad Strokes returns with a special guest who reveals a secret that will leave us rethinking everything we know about the virus, and gender. Written by Brian J Davis and Emily Schultz. Directed by Brian J Davis. Cast: Madeline Zima, Helen Hong, Yvonne Zima, Dana Berger, Jenny Grace, Carson Elrod, Bree Elrod, and Cecilia Corrigan.

Now remastered! Bowing to pressure from the underbelly of Reddit and Youtube, Broad Strokes' spot is taken over this week by a fringe media personality who has a very different take on Hazel Hayes and the quarantine. Tim K Rylander is convinced she's more of a part of SHV's story than we knew before. We also meet Wanda Kovacs, Hazel's former thesis advisor, who gives a TED Talk on what blonde means for the patriarchy and capitalism after the virus. By episode's end we also suspect the virus has mutated. Written by Brian J Davis & Emily Schultz, Cecilia Corrigan. Directed by Duncan Birmingham. Cast: Madeline Zima, Rob Belushi, Cecilia Corrigan, Rebecca Kush, and Carson Elrod.

Now remastered! Broad Strokes continues its history of SHV and Hazel, who, through her recordings, talks about life in a deteriorating quarantine. Her final recording ends when she's forced to rescue a friend from the much feared "Room Three." With Hazel's fate in limbo we also meet Broad Strokes' new sponsor, the actress and wellness guru Frieda Wells, who has turned from selling questionable cures to hosting the Lux Festival in the Virgin Isles for "Blondefluencers." Written by Brian J Davis and Emily Schultz. Directed by Brian J Davis. Cast: Madeline Zima, Helen Hong, Yvonne Zima, Dana Berger, Jenny Grace, Carson Elrod, and Bree Elrod.

Now remastered! Jennifer Lim hosts Broad Strokes, a podcast that is investigating the story of Hazel Hayes and SHV, also known as the Blonde Rabies. In this episode the escalation of the outbreak among blonde women, both natural and bleached, is explained, as well as the spread of misinformation in the media. We first meet Hazel through "The Hazel Tapes," the recordings she made telling how she went from a pregnant grad student in New York to being forcefully quarantined. The show's sponsor is Glesumax, the makers of the only treatment for SHV, which calls into question the show's journalistic independence. Written by Brian J Davis and Emily Schultz. Directed by Jenny Grace. Cast: Madeline Zima, Helen Hong, Dana Berger, Jenny Grace, Carson Elrod, Bree Elrod, and Rebecca Kush.