High Low Brow
High Low Brow
Amanda Scriver and River Gilbert
We’re carving out space in the airwaves for deep dives and thoughtful convos about our beloved pop culture that is often overlooked, laughed at, trashed, and brushed aside. Join us (and some of our internet pals!) for hot, juicy, maybe controversh opinions and a few rounds of games inspired by the stuff you watched when you were home sick with an anxiety-induced stomachache in your formative years.
Our Roundup of Hot Docs Film Festival Hits including Union, Disco's Revenge and Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted
For this week's episode, we're taking you to one of the best film festivals our city of Toronto offers: the Hot Docs Film Festival.We share some of our hits from the festival, including Disco's Revenge (directed by Omar Majeed and Peter Mishara), Union (directed by Brett Story and Stephen Maing), Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted (directed by Isaac Gale and Ryan Olson) and Look Into My Eyes (directed by Lana Wilson). We also discuss a bit about the culture of Toronto, how Robin Williams was ahead of his time (RIP to a legend), and Ama briefly recaps her trip to NYC which included getting to see Jinx Monsoon on Broadway in The Little Shop of Horrors. So, sit back, press play, and savor the rich tapestry of pop culture—one heartfelt tribute, one pulsating beat, and one provocative discussion at a time.Support the Show.
May 5, 2024
40 min
Author and Comedian Kristen Van Nest's International Tales and Raw Reflections on The Valley
Join us on this week's episode (with a small cameo from our dog Ocean), as we sift through the spectacle and substance of the new VPR spin-off, "The Valley".  From the gaslighting chaos of Kristen Doute to Zack Wickham's hair - we'll leave no stone unturned.Then, we will welcome our first guest of the season: comedian and author Kristen Van Nest, who talks to us about her recently released book "Where To Nest".  We get into some of her travels and what inspired her to write. Her narrative weaves through comedic conquests and cultural quirks, all while highlighting the profound effect of travel on our identities and art. We'll be back each and every single week, so don't forget to tune in!Support the Show.
Apr 28, 2024
45 min
Diving Into the Drama of Vanderpump Villa and the Mystique of Korean Film, "Exhuma"
We're back for our first full-length episode as we peel back the layers of reality TV's latest sensation, Vanderpump Villa. We scrutinize the show's evolution from the authentic drama of early Vanderpump Rules to the current, more orchestrated chaos. We share our hate of the Villa's villains, Marciano and Eric, and weigh them against the unforgettable Jax Taylor. Then, for the second half of the episode, we're giving you our full review of the dark Korean film, "Exhuma." We recount the film's gripping narrative, complete with exorcists, geomancers, and funeral directors caught in a web of the supernatural. Spoilers are part of the package, as we reveal the dire consequences of defying the supernatural's sacred laws. Watch out for new episodes every Sunday, wherever podcasts are found. Until next week!Support the Show.
Apr 21, 2024
30 min
The Bizarre Scale of Film Lengths and Returning for S4
We're back! Join us as we drop this mini episode to share what we'll be up to for season four of High Low Brow. We're sharing some behind-the-scenes podcasting insights, including how we've been wrestling with editing software and trying not to lose our minds with social media. Hell, we even let Ocean (our beloved dog) crash the party to say hi. This season, we're switching things up from bi-weekly to weekly, and to give you a little taste of season four, we've shared our first review of the Oscar-nominated film Anatomy of a Fall.Plus, we're spilling the beans on how the recent solar eclipse cast a shadow of reflection in our lives. Get ready for another unhinged season! Support the Show.
Apr 14, 2024
16 min
Our Final Bow on the Cringe-Worthy and Comedic Re-Watch of SHOWTIME's GIGOLOS
If you've accidentally stumbled upon us and this episode, welcome. But if you're re-joining us, we're on the final episode of rewatch of S1 of the Showtime original series, Gigolos. We're talking about our favourite moments, reminding ourselves to cancel the Paramount Plus subscription once this episode goes live, and asking ourselves one last time: WHAT WOULD BRACE DO?In episodes 7 & 8, we delve into the peculiar nooks of human sexuality explored on screen—from professionals guiding the clueless in the art of dirty talk to the unexpected kinks that are Disney-related. Plus, we get a sneak peek into Nick's aspiring rap career, and it's giving Temu Eminem.We're planning to take a break after this episode to get recalibrated for S4, where we've got tons in store. So strap in, hit play, and prepare to question your streaming re-watch choices— just like us.Support the Show.
Jan 23, 2024
57 min
Laughter and Lessons from the Eccentric World of TV's own Gigolos (Episode 5 & 6)
Our latest bonus episode dives headfirst into the riotous lives of Stephen, Jimmy, Brace, and the gang as we dissect episodes five and six with a dash of humor and a pinch of reality. Chuckle along as we dissect the relationship status of Jimmy and new girlfriend Kelly (it's apparently just mid) and explore the complex and often untold stories of male escorts, revealing how media and different generations have shaped our perspectives on this ancient profession.During this episode, we get to see our favorite Gigolo (and yours), Vin Armani, take on a salsa competition with his new client, and we are exposed to the spiritual labyrinth that is Brace's life. These unique and contrasting outlooks paint the perfect picture of just how dynamic these companions can be, and why their work is so important. Plus,  we talk more about how we're convinced the women in the show are industry plants and how much we have come to love Brace's quirky rants.Join us as we pull back the curtain on the sometimes chaotic, often hilarious, and always intriguing realm of 'Gigolos'. We'll share a laugh over Nick's digestive woes and fear of butt-related activities and muse over whether we, too, should get colonics as a form of self-care. So, tune in, laugh, and perhaps watch S1 of Gigolos alongside us (currently streaming on Paramount Plus).Support the Show.
Jan 16, 2024
44 min
Behind Closed Doors: Unzipping the Hilarity and Drama on Showtime Series Gigolos (Episode 3 & 4)
Ever wondered if the life of a high-class escort is as glamorous as it seems? We're back to spill the tea on our limited edition four-episode re-watch of Showtime's own Gigolos.This time, we're dissecting the quirks of episodes three and four, where we witness everything from Brace's date with an industry plant to Jimmy's toe-curling shenanigans with a wanna-be dominatrix. Get ready to unpack episodes three and four with us because not only are we both left bewildered but highly entertained, like when Brace pitches his latest pyramid scheme—oops, we mean, business opportunity. Also in today's episode: we're chatting about the blurred lines between pleasure and business. Plus, we have an emotional conversation on the struggles the guys face with friends and loved ones with their risqué careers, and why those real-life implications of their chosen profession are kinda stupid.Don't forget to join us every Tuesday for the next four weeks as we re-watch Gigolos. We'll be back with S4 in the next little in a few months. But if you like what you hear, leave a review or share with a friend. See you next week!Support the Show.
Jan 9, 2024
45 min
Bonus Rewatch of the 2011 SHOWTIME Original Series Gigolos - Yes, All About Male Escorts in Vegas!
High Low Brow is back, baby! We're here for a bonus four-episode re-watch of the 2011 SHOWTIME Original Series Gigolos.  The hit reality television show that we became obsessed with during the pandemic for its quirky and glamorous storytelling of the lives of male escorts living in Las Vegas.During this four-episode re-watch, we'll be offering you a front-row seat to rediscover the iconic characters, the eyebrow-raising ideologies, and our honest reactions (it's been a while since we've watched) of all 8 episodes of season one. As we revisit the series, we're not just chuckling over the comedic gold and the facepalm-worthy moments; we're also probing the depths of heavier topics like racism and sex positivity. Expect a candid dissection of the tangled web between companionship, empowerment, and the fine line of personal boundaries in the escort scene, delivered with the same irreverent humor you've come to love from us.We'll be dropping new 45-minute episodes every Tuesday for the next four weeks. If you like what you hear, don't forget to leave us a review or share it with your pals. We're gearing up for season four and hope this keeps you company in the meantime.Support the Show.
Jan 2, 2024
45 min
Cracking Open the TV Industry: Strikes, Social Media, and Fair Pay with podcaster/TV writer Kyah Green
We're wrapping up our third season of High Low Brow, and what a ride it's been! We've had quite a diverse array of topics and guests and we take the first little bit to reflect on the wild and chaotic energy that fuels us, a few of our favourite moments, and what we're excited to bring into season four. For this finale episode, we're diving into the chaos of the SAG/AFTRA strike, and how it has shaken up TV production and shone a light on the unfair pay structures. Joining us is the brilliant Kyah Green (they/them), a screenwriter, comedian, and co-host of The Fandom Show from Toronto.In the episode, we ponder social media's chokehold on creativity and its impact on publishing. We also ask questions like whether the streaming model has led to an overconsumption issue leading us to view film and TV as content rather than art.So, join us for our finale of the year! It's gonna be bigger, bolder, and packed with more insights than a treasure chest in a Hollywood blockbuster.Support the Show.
Dec 10, 2023
1 hr 14 min
Rollercoaster Rides and Dark Sides: Escaping Twin Flame, The Bear, and Canada's Drag Race
Life has a way of throwing curveballs, and like anyone else, we've had to juggle a few. We're on the second last episode of S3 before we take a short break, but not without leaving you with another episode that is as neurodivergent as you can imagine. First, we dive into the second season of "The Bear" which surprised us in the best possible way. It's more than just a food show—it's a slice of life that serves up a hearty meal of emotions and relatable experiences. Then we discuss "Canada's Drag Race," and our current love for Denim and finish the episode by diving into one of our favourite topics: cults. We share our thoughts, feelings, and insights into the docuseries on Netflix, "Escaping Twin Flames" and the Amazon Prime docuseries, "Desperately Seeking Soulmate: Escaping Twin Flame".  We delve into the dark side of the groups, specifically how the captivating couple Jeff and Shaleia Divine forcibly transition their members and discuss the dark truths behind this alleged online love cult.Get ready for giggles, insights, and some seriously fabulous pop culture pondering! Don't forget to tune into our last episode of season three on Sunday, December 10th.If you liked what you heard, maybe think about rating us!  You can also find all our social links by visiting our Lnk.Bio page. Heck, if you want - leave us a voicemail. We love to answer questions from our listeners or make suggestions about what you'd like us to cover. Maybe we'll even feature it in a future show! Support the Show.
Nov 26, 2023
43 min
Load more