Celebrity Podcasts Have Hit Rock Bottom
Actor Armie Hammer faced social exile due to serious allegations involving cannibalism, rape, and other bizarre behaviors, which ultimately derailed his Hollywood career and tarnished his public image.
While he was investigated by the LAPD, he was not charged with any crimes. Now, he’s attempting to rebuild his life in the only way a desperate person might resort to in 2025: by launching a podcast.
During his podcast debut on Sunday, the alleged sexual harasser shared a story about a time he explored his sexuality, recounting a humorous experience of trying to find casual connections.
“It was hilarious,” he mentioned on “Armie HammerTime,” adding, “Gay dudes seem to have it so easy, like, so easy!”
He described his encounter with a “handsome French” guy, stating, “I was like, ‘Okay, this could work. This could work. Yeah. Let’s try this.’”
He proceeded with a detailed recount of his bisexual experience, mentioning the kissing and groping, and ultimately realizing that the other man’s beard and masculine physique were not appealing to him.
“It did absolutely nothing for me physically,” he said. “Nothing, like, not even a twitch.”
Speaking of lack of engagement, one must consider this ongoing discussion.
I’ve contended that our culture should provide space for individuals like Hammer, who became collateral damage in the #MeToo movement after facing judgment in the court of public opinion.
But, really, shaddap already.
Perhaps what we really don’t need back is the charming “Call Me by Your Name” star, but rather a sense of shame.
We are certainly experiencing the golden age of celebrity oversharing. Everyone appears to have a podcast, and they are eager to inundate you with scandalous secrets. The more outlandish, the better.
A great number of celebrities seem to have abandoned artistic endeavors. The current entertainment landscape is dominated by salacious personal revelations — whether for clout, online influence, or to promote some questionable product bearing their name.
This trend is both cheap and undignified. Moreover, the crowded space has raised the stakes. Or perhaps lowered the standards.
If you want insights into Kristin Cavallari’s sex life from “The Hills,” you’re in luck; she’s constantly discussing it on “Let’s be Honest with Kristin Cavallari.” At one point, she branched out, sharing on Bunnie XO’s podcast “Dumb Blonde her experiences with country star Morgan Wallen, claiming he was “a great f–k buddy.”
This woman, at 37 and a mother of three, including a daughter who undoubtedly has internet access, should exhibit some pride and self-respect.
Last year, Katy Perry appeared on “Call Her Daddy” — a hub for scandalous sexual confessions — to share that she rewards her fiancé, Orlando Bloom, with oral sex if he completes his housework.
“I mean, literally, that’s my love language,” she stated. “I don’t need a red Ferrari. I can buy a red Ferrari. Just do the f–king dishes! I will suck your d–k! It’s that simple!”
Fantastic.
These discussions are marketed as casual and radically authentic, creating an illusion of no-holds-barred dialogue. Nothing is considered taboo. However, they are as calculated and self-serving as the fluffy magazine profiles of the past.
Today, they are merely raunchier, attempting to establish a facade of false intimacy between celebrities and their audience.
In a recent appearance on “Call Her Daddy,” Monica Lewinsky attempted to revisit the nearly three-decade-old presidential scandal while promoting her new podcast, “Reclaiming,” insisting that she is striving to overcome her past.
While I have expressed empathy for Lewinsky — supporting her anti-bullying initiatives and her critique of societal hypocrisy — it has become the entirety of her career strategy. And that’s a conscious choice.
A podcast is just the latest iteration of this approach.
This is not to dismiss the podcasting medium entirely; some shows offer remarkable conversations with actors, athletes, and other notable figures — profound discussions that don’t rely on sensationalism to engage their audience.
Freewheeling behaviors like sex, drugs, and deviance have long been a part of the creative community, but so was the tradition of discretion. That seems to have vanished.
It’s no surprise that the concept of an ever-dwindling A-list is becoming a rarity.
Such levels of fame require an aura of mystery and intrigue—a quality that society no longer holds in high regard.
