Clowning Through the Hell Gate of Summer

On Friday night, just a few hours before the start of early voting, Democratic mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani sat down for an interview with the Hell Gate Podcast in front of a live audience at the Museum of the Moving Image in Queens. During our 45-minute conversation, we grilled Mamdani about his desire to keep Jessica Tisch as his NYPD commissioner, and how he plans to combat attempts to undermine his ambitious agenda.We also talked about the barrage of racism and Islamophobia that Andrew Cuomo and the anti-Mamdani forces have hurled at him in the waning days of the campaign, how he stays alert and healthy while maintaining a grueling schedule, and his one-Red Bull-per-week indulgence.Also: Mamdani's position on a controversial universal daylighting bill in the City Council, whether he'll bring back real snow days for schoolchildren, and if he'll build affordable housing atop Elizabeth Street Garden. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Max reports back from the big Mamdani rally, where the candidate got the stamp of approval from some big-time establishment Democrats. Then: Are you confused about the housing ballot propositions you have to vote on soon? Luckily Chris has the breakdown for you, to clear it up completely, with no further questions. We close out with some speculations on what Eric Adams's new gig will be. Full time Cameo star? Green juice king? Hope springs eternal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eric Adams went on a taxpayer-funded vacation to Albania. What? Why? Regardless, we're in favor of it. While Zohran Mamdani is beginning to don the mayoral sash, the team considers whether it seems as though Cuomo is gaining any “Cuo-mentum”—after all, bigger polling gaps have been closed. Then, Jessy Edwards breaks down her reporting that illustrates just how bad a housing crisis the new mayor of our fine city will have to tackle. Daunting. We'd be in Albania as well. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s a cold world, get a sweater. Eric Adams dropped out of the race. What’s going to happen to our beloved mayor? Who is going to take care of the crypto man babies? Who will flag down the wait staff at the Table of Success? We really thought he was in it to win it. The team freewheels a discussion on what’s next for our mayor, and then, for the public good, a watch party of the trailer for the hottest e-book ever self-published about a soon-to-be-former NYC mayor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bluestockings, home of narcan training polycule meet-cutes and queer activist utopian prefiguration, has shuttered its doors effective immediately. Meanwhile, District 2’s CEC meetings have finally given in to the anger of parents trying to keep their trans kids safe—although it seems like the plot may be teed up for a sequel showdown… and in Brooklyn, perhaps the sloppiest union busting job of all time reminds us incompetence can sometimes be good, and, very funny. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kathy Hochul has finally endorsed Zohran Mamdani. Brad Lander was arrested again at the immigration courthouse. The wheel keeps turning in New York City and even the billionaires are throwing tantrums. The team breaks down how the money flow is making the march toward casinos seem unstoppable. Meanwhile, happy birthday Modi? Why are you in my fridge?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Life's a game, but it's not fair. I break the rules, so I don't care. Eric Adams is running for office, and into Hell Gate at the gym. Did he fumble his chance to be ambassador to Saudi Arabia? With his stock dropping fast, his media appearances are as weird as ever. Meanwhile, the team checks in on Mamdani, to find that he seems to be inching toward the center on the NYPD, with Jessica Tisch potentially still waiting in the wings.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eric Adams is up to something. While everyone else was getting back to work this week in our fine city, Adams was in Florida. Doing what exactly? Could he be dropping out? To vacation indefinitely at Mar-a-Lago? To cruise in first class, riding high off oil money from Saudi Arabia? To take selfies with celebrities and smash champagne flutes on the deck of a cruise ship filled with crypto bros? With just a few weeks left in the race, Donald Trump and his associates are meddling as much as they can in NYC politics to tip the scales. What is going on not-so-behind-the-scenes? Join us as we speculate wildly. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this end-of-summer special, the gang calls in from their Italian villas and Fire Island cabins to look back on our hellish summer in New York. What were you doing when Trump was bombing Iran? Some of us were on boats, watching Shakespeare, swimming in sewage, or DJing sweet beats. Then, reporter Arielle Gordon breaks down the clown renaissance taking our fine city by storm, and reminds us all to be a little more stupid.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, some breaking news: A bag of potato chips (sour cream and onion), a pantsuit, and a bike lane are making us wonder what the hell is really going on behind the scenes in NYC politics. The Adams crew continues to cook up bribery and corruption, and we are here to feast at the table. Though, all things being equal—as we’ve established—seafood is always a good deal.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.