Home
Creators
Search Recent Missing Random
Posts
Search DMs Popular Hash Lookup Tags Random
Importer
Import FAQ
Register Favorites Keys Review DMs Logout
Community
Telegram ThePornDude
Home Creators Posts Import Register Favorites Logout

The Gold Member Q&A with Bret Easton Ellis (Patreon)

Published:
2018-06-05 20:53:27
Imported:
2026-06
Tags:

Content


Ask a question and Bret will answer.*

*Bret will answer questions on an ongoing basis at his own leisure, but you can ask whatever you'd like.

Comments

Rob Motto

Bret, would you ever consider doing a cinematic adaptation of one of your novels if money and creative control were no object? Basically if you could Direct.

Latif Tayour

Bret have you ever thought about A&R'ing a record?

David Schur

Bret what is your favorite and least favorite of your novels

Smith Galtney

What are your top five favorite short-story collections?

Jeff Taylor

Hi Bret-I know the focus on the podcast has been cinema from the 70s Golden Era forward, but as a fan/poster collector of films of the 20s-50s, are there any particular films of that window of time you’ve been currently watching or been influenced by? Also any chance that Illeana Douglas might be back? I loved your interview with her. Take Care.

Emerson Korum

Do you think the public's instant turnaround on Kanye after his album came out basically says that good art still somewhat trumps outrage culture?

The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast
>>12870727

Least favorite American Psycho. Most favorite Imperial Bedrooms. If you’re asking me now, at 2:03 PST while I’m driving in my car. It could be different tomorrow.

Michael Doub

Some of your favorite musicians currently releasing music? Significant others excepted.

The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast
>>12870736

Dubliners by James Joyce, Flannery O’Connor’s, Hemingway’s, Ottessa Moshfeigh’s last collection, and Raymond Carver’s, though I’d need to reread Carver to be sure.

Emerson Korum

Which creators do you think will eventually bounce back from #metoo scandals?

Sean Michael

Bret what are your thoughts on the new Arctic Monkeys album? And do you get a ‘clockwork orange’ vibe from it?

Crashmaker

Bret, would you interview Vincent Gallo if you could get him?

Ryan Perez

Bret, after reading Ben Fritz’s book I agree with everything you said about cinema being over. However, do you think companies like Netflix, Amazon, and Apple will really help fill the void with valuable non-tent pole cinema? While there’s been valuable projects at various companies, it seems most of these companies care about TV and finding their own respective version of “Game of Thrones” or “Stranger Things.”

Gatsby

Your works take place primarily in Los Angeles/The Valley and New York. But are there any other cities/locations you'd like to explore either in fiction or personally?

James Eakins

regarding novels: is it just the format that you find uninteresting nowadays or do you find your ideas more cinematic and thus their natural home would be a screenplay?

Bee Garns

Hi- I am currently writing a piece about 1983 remake of Breathless featuring Richard Gere. Did you ever see it and what are your thoughts? It reminded me a lot of Less than Zero. Thanks

Sigge Eklund

Listening to the podcast, I find myself wondering about your economic situation. I guess my question is: would you be able to stop working if you wanted to (and still keep the same living standard)? The reason I am asking is that I am curious on how "free" you are. You feel free, but I want to know: Is it because you are psychologically free or economically – or both?

Marc Hughes

Dear Brett, favourite Paul Schrader movie? Best, Marc

Marc Hughes

ps sorry for typo Bret ~ 🍷😅

souleraser

wassup bret & assistant - what are some of your favorite Ariel Pink songs?

Jonathan Talit

Do you go to galleries or museums frequently? If so, any favorite artists?

souleraser

Kate Spade hanging herself with (presumably) one of her own scarves - the ultimate fashion statement?

Keith Harmon

Two questions. 1. Any advice for an aspiring author? 2. Is Clay from "Less Than Zero" the same Clay from "Imperial Bedrooms?

Dave Carlson

Have you watched HBO's Barry? And if so, what are your thoughts? If not, why not? Also, just a comment that I was first introduced to your work through the film adaption of Rules (I'm 35) and this was when I was 21 as a student @Arizona State, which caused me to go buy LTZ and then buy and read all of your books. I enjoyed all of them and the disassociated narrators helped get me through some of my own tough times. Thanks.

Greg Comiskey

You’ve spoken favorably of Infinite Jest in recent pods and DFW’s insight into technology and consciousness. Has your opinion of DFW evolved over the years?

Michael

I’m working on a research paper about the 1980’s . What are the best works of fiction about that decade ?

Jim Matthews

Of all your novels’ main or supporting characters, which one would you consider to be the most autobiographical?

Evan Rubenstein

Have you ever thought about acting in a film or TV project? What are some thoughts as to why you would or would not try it?

Joe Grano

I developed and published a graphic novel called NVRLND which is a gritty reimagining of Peter Pan set in modern Hollywood (sex, drugs, and rock n roll version) - currently trying to setup for tv. Does this pique your interest at all for either writing or directing? Apologies for inquiring on a forum like this but figured why not.

Frazer

I know you collaborated with the artist Alex Israel on an exhibition a few years ago. Wondering if you’re influenced much by visual artists? Do you have any favourites?

Vince Eckert

Have you ever read Private Citizens by Tony Tulathimutte? I ask because it's the only millennial novel I can think of and I was intrigued about your comments on the show about the absence of literary contributions from my generation. It's not the best book ever or something, but worth reading due to the death of those kinds of novels.

Neal J

You mentioned you just finished reading a paperback you have had for a long time, and we know you are still a reader of novels. What do you do with your books once you have read them?

Ravin Chand

Have you ever pitched a TV show? If you can talk about it, what was the concept?

Katie

Don't you think Tom Sandoval would make an excellent Victor Ward?

Calum Hughes

Do you think anti-sjw's are becoming and can be just as nauseating now as sjw's, has everyone become a snowflake? Personally I feel like it's getting to a point where both viewpoints are negatively affecting today's culture.

Jim Ashilevi

What’s your take on the return of vinyl? Do you care? Thank you for your podcast and novels, they mean the world to me.

Erik

Can you suggest some less obvious content producers currently prioritizing aesthetics over ideology? Thanks for your thoughtful podcasts and other work.

Aakash Karkare

While I was a huge fan and read Jonathan Franzen's Corrections and Freedom back-to-back, I feel like they age poorly with each passing year. Something about them makes it feel like sermons from an old uncle. Especially after Purity which I felt was a parody of what he had written before. Has your opinion of those two novels, and Franzen changed in any way, or do you still hold them in the same regard? What did you think of Purity?

Ryan Hyde

What are your thoughts on Kurt Vonnegut? I recently got into his works and I wanted to know if you like him and if you have any favorites of his?

Justin McClain

Did you see the Viceland show ‘What Would Diplo Do?’ With James Van Der Beek playing Diplo?

Timothy Ellis

What do you think queer cinema lacks the most at the moment? Type of characters, stories..?

Matthew Pegas

What is your favorite restaurant in or near the Sherman Oaks area, and what should I order?

'Luke' Bennett

Could I just ask for a few words of your thoughts on The Sopranos? I've been rewatching it recently and I'm finding it incredibly powerful.

Patrick

If filming today; who would you cast as Victor, Bobby, Chloe, and Jamie in film Adaptation of Glamorama? (If that’s 4 questions feel free to only answer any one.) Thanks!

Adam Davis

Weird question, but what is your opinion on “beat generation” literature (Kerouac, Burroughs, etc) ?

Kyle Kouri

Seeing as I’m a Gold Member, if I get a novel published, will you write a blurb?

Scott Gunsaullus

Have you seen Beach Rats and if so, what did you think?

Jeffrey Reeser

How about bringing on Matthew Markwalder (former American Psycho screenplay scribe + Roger Avary acolyte) for an interview on the podcast?

Jasper Alan Martin

Whilst it's clear that you're not too excited about the future of the cinema (a la Fritz's book The Big Picture) do you think there's any possibility of a New Wave emerging in American cinema?

Bill Ackerman

You have spoken of Something Wild and Blue Velvet as being the key American films of the 1980s. Do you remember anything specific about the conversations you and your friends were having about Blue Velvet in the Fall of 1986, if there were any aspects you recall being especially excited about?

Andrew Samples

I’m 35. I’m a musician. I’m in LA. I go to the theater just about every day. It’s my religion. Would you like to see a movie together? I’m totally down with an Arclight matinee.

Marc V.

We grew up in the same hood. Did you go to Sherman Oaks Elementary, and if so, did you have Mr. Milan?

Jim Barnes

Thoughts on Tom Wolfe? Overrated, underrated or properly rated?

Jed Martin

As an artist, do you feel like a decorator or a revolutionary?

Louis Bruno

Have you faced any backlash from your publishing house since you have come out in support of Trump?

Elizabeth M007

Would you ever have Morrissey on the show?

Chadwick Hartwell, III

A historical figure you'd be curious to either write about or do research on to potentially write about from the 20th century and the 21st century? (it's kind of 2 questions)..

Matt De Marco

How do you rate Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool films as pop entertainment? (I found them disarmingly funny, and surprisingly unconcerned with their own "problematic" elements.)

Trevor Wysling

I don't really know what to ask. I love your books. I really enjoy your style of mood and aesthetics in your prose. When you started doing podcasts I was all like no, no, what are you doing, this totally takes away from your awesome writer mystique. But then, I fell in love with the podcasts. Your honesty and candor is like a splash of cold water. I began paying more attention to film and definitely watch the ones you highlight. I even subscribed to Fullscreen to watch The Deleted. You have a killer frame for viewing art and culture. Thank you for doing what you do. I'm a fan of your stuff and there is a whole bunch of people like me. We're all rooting for you. Keep up the great work!

Andrew Johnston

Your favourite piece of writing by Pauline Kael?

Scott Bradley

BAIT is one of all-time favorite unproduced screenplays - is there any possibility of it being resurrected? Also, what is the status of THE GOLDEN SUICIDES and when can we expect to see SMILEY FACE KILLERS?

Yoni Assouline

Hi Bret and Brets Assistance, Have you seen any Wong Kar Wai movies such as Chungking Express or In the mood for love. Would love to know what you think about this filmmaker. Many thanks

cardman123

Hi Bret's assistant and Bret--I'm a professor of US intellectual history , and I have a comment/question about your framing of the left. In your monologues for the show, you often inveigh against the "left," when--at least, it seems to me--you're referring to a very specific type of comfortable, upper-class Hollywood liberal elite that focuses their efforts primarily on issues of culture and representation. I was wondering if you had any thoughts on the resurgent American left--people who write for, say, "n+1" or "Dissent" or "Jacobin"--that adopts a more materialist understanding of politics. It seems like these young leftists--who I would say, tap into a more "authentic" American left-wing tradition than others--might be critics of the "empire" you so rightly lambast. Basically, I was wondering if you had thoughts on delineating between the various "lefts" in our society, which might perhaps complicate your take on millenials.

The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast
>>12871996

The first few episodes--it was OK. I wished it had a slightly more realistic, serious tone. Bill H is good but somewhat problematic. Glad Henry Winkler is back.

The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast
>>12873128

Interesting. I haven't looked at either book since I read them. I thought Purity was almost a major novel. But I do think the other two are the best two novels of my generation, or so I did. Franzen doesn't have anything more to prove.

The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast
>>12874234

One of the greatest TV shows. I'm afraid to watch again because I'm afraid it won't hold up though many people tell me it does. TV sometimes feels disposable in a way and I don't know what more I would glean from watching that show again.

The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast
>>12884964

I don't really feel I'm supporting Trump. But maybe by not complaining about him I'm endorsing him. As for publishing house I don't think so. I think I'm going to publish next book with them--nonfiction--soon.

The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast
>>12890249

I did a brief negative review of first Deadpool in the Bob Yari podcast. It had me scratching my face off in annoyance. Did not see the sequel. Maybe most annoying character ever.

The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast
>>12892563

I think too grim and expensive to make now. Golden Suicides is lost in the pipeline. I'm not Smiley Face is in any shape to be released at this point. A rather problematic shoot.

Cameron Collie

You really need to write some non fiction social commentary Didion-esque novels. Just like the opening monologues of the podcast. Can that please happen?

Sean Michael

Is there an episode of ‘Atlanta’ which got stuck in your head?

Sean M.

Hello. While directing The Deleted, how often was what you wanted to see and hear on the screen impossible to get from actors, photographers, sound mixers, or even the scripts? (Would love to read an example of why ... but that's pretty involved). I'm still fascinated by the look of the show, by the way, especially the never-still, always curious, camera.

Adam

Hi, Bret. Is the forthcoming Hulu adaptation of Less Than Zero going to be a film or a television series? Thanks.

doormatty69

What are your thoughts on Rose McGowan in 2018? I remember enjoying your podcast with her in 2014, a lot has changed since then.

Alexander Sorondo

With Orson Welles's last final movie coming out, I'm wondering how/if your attitude about Welles (both the man and his work) has changed over the years as your own career has gone through some similar changes. Journalism, film, radio. Has your exposure to those different fields influenced youd appraisal of his work?

Raffi N

Did you read the disaster artist book?

Erik
>>12873118

Right. I was hoping you could share some that you think deserve more attention.

Daniel Krauze Turrent

When you think about the 80s what are the first five songs that pop into your head (without counting "The Boys of Summer" which, after you mentioned it in your podcast with Sam Outlaw, became one of my favorite songs)?

Trey Wilson

Which podcasts, if any, do you enjoy listening to?

Dave Carlson
>>12871996

Thanks. I connect with it for some reason. maybe because it’s about someone who is very good at something he doesn’t want to do, and bad at something he is passionate about (I wanted to be an actor or a writer and am now a corporate relations consultant...I know.) I think about some of your previous shows when watching it though, about how TV is only a writers medium where the sole goal is to dispense information strategically vs. visual storytelling but I don’t know, it still just works for me. And don’t agree about Hader. Maybe as director, but not as actor. The problems he creates add to the tension and dramatic, abrupt shifts in tone that make it different than anything else on TV right now. But thanks. Looking forward to the next episode. Avary would be epic.

Kyle Kouri

Dream cast and director for Lunar Park? No idea why, but I used to imagine Benicio as Bret. Maybe Joaquin. Now? I just don't know.

Glenn

I've always wanted to hear you talk about Elvis Costello's music and its influence on you, especially when you were younger. Could you give us favorite album(s)/song(s) and why (if you're up to it). Thanks!

James Merchant

Which aspect of New Hollywood do you feel is most lacking in modern cinema?

Jim Ashilevi

In a blurb for Dennis Cooper's 2009 short story collection "Ugly Man" you said he might be "the last literary outlaw in mainstream American fiction". Do you still feel that way? What is the significance of Cooper's body of work to you personally? It'd be awesome to hear you two in conversation on the podcast, btw.

FlyingWaffle

Did you catch the 50th anniversary 70mm re-release of 2001 A Space Odyssey? When it comes to aesthetics over plot, it doesn't get much better than this.

Grant Peterson

Has Roger Avary been considered as a guest for the podcast? I still want to see Glitterati but I know that is unlikely to happen any time soon.

Matthew Pegas

What do you think of the show "Transparent"? I have as much of a distaste for identity politics as you, but thought this show had a more nuanced approach.

CK

What is 2-3 of your favorite non fiction/biography of the past year? Thanks.

Pat Cerasaro

What did you think of AMERICAN PSYCHO on Broadway? Would you be open to any of your other novels being adapted for the stage as a musical or play? THE RULES OF ATTRACTION seems like it could be awesome.

Oscar Mitt

What is your greatest extravagance?

Jackson Roth

Curious if poetry is on your radar at all or ever was? A few contemporary poets like Frederick Seidel seem like they could fit into your sensibility.

Richard Raymond

My favorite movie of 2017 was 'Super Dark Times.' I'm curious if you got a chance to see it. And if so, what did you think?

Benjamin Kasl

You’ve talked about the sentiments that Kanye has expressed in tne

Micha

Dear Bret Easten Ellis, when you talk about the current predicaments of "the cultur" you come to your judgements not simply by stating what appeals to your taste and what not. I find that you historize a lot and take into account the material conditions of the specific branches of the entertainment industry. Your opinions are well informed and complex but not at all tempered, that's great. Having already shared some of your major influences as a fiction writer, are there authors -- and if so, who? -- you would consider influential to your perspective and to your expression as a cultural commentator?

Granit S.

Hey Bret, any chance of you talking more about Don Delillo & Philip Roth and what they meant to you then and now? Also is there any chance on you being on Joe Rogan or Dave Rubin one day? Would be amazing.

Robert Morris

Would love to hear B.E.E. opinion on the career and life of Springsteen. Can’t seem to figure out if he likes him. Don’t know why that is something I care about.

Mickey Rock

What’s your assessment of any of these 80s science fiction hybrids? Repo Man, RoboCop, The Hidden, They Live

Jason Calacanis

If you put Westworld or Atlanta in a movie theater in 2-3 episode chunks, perhaps with "10 extra minutes" and a week or two early, do you think folks would start going back to the movie theaters?

Nathan Erdely

are there any american playwrights that you are a big fan of? What are some of your favourite plays if you do like theatre?

The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast
>>12900963

Never impossible, and often better than what I've imagined. A few of the kids had never acted (Nash Grier, Amanda Cerny) but I loved the lack of polish. The DP's were great. I wrote all the scripts (basically) so I only have myself to blame for any awkwardness. It actually turned out better than I thought it would. An experiment.

The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast
>>12901049

It's going to be a series with Season 1 (IF it goes to series--they're about to shoot the pilot) being the novel and then figuring out where Season 2 would go. The pilot by Craig Wright is very well-written and very true to the novel.

The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast
>>12901059

She's a believer. It has become a hard life obviously for her. It's unfortunate that she is so unhappy. I have to admit I find the show very compelling even as I'm recoiling, or maybe that's why it's so compelling. I find her both sympathetic and impossible.

The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast
>>12901181

No. Not at all. He made at least three masterpieces (Citizen Kane, Ambersons, Touch of Evil) when most directors never get one. The only thing I relate to is the fact that we both created our most famous work when we were in our mid-20s.

The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast
>>12902351

It's always different, certainly Boys of Summer is number one. But many songs pop in that were not necessarily my faves. But Dancing In The Dark/Born in the USA, certainly. Head Over Heels by the Go-Go's. Don't You Forget About Me, Simple Minds. Dancing With Myself, Billy Idol. Almost any Plimsouls song.

The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast
>>12903176

I'm all over the place and I don't stick to one. My bf is much more into podcasts than I am. In the Dark is the last one I listened to. But I check them out constantly, just to see what people are doing.

The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast
>>12905011

We're developing as a series with Legendary. Dream director: David Fincher, or after seeing Hereditary this weekend maybe Ari Aster. Tom Cruise for the lead. Seriously. My first choice.

The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast
>>12905258

Imperial Bedroom because it's the best. Or maybe the timing, last year of high school and all that. And seriously everything before that is great as well. The one-two punch of King of America and Blood and Chocolate is remarkable. The last great record was probably All This Useless Beauty from 1996. There are too many great songs. Man Out of Time was my favorite for a while. Beyond Belief. From A Whisper to A Scream.

The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast
>>12911496

I just saw him at a small dinner a couple of months ago when he was here in LA. I think that Cooper was exactly that in the 1990s and into the 2000s. There are no more literary outlaws.

The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast
>>12917208

The first season was quite good and the first episode of season two was remarkable (the wedding) but a lot of the characters were not interesting enough to follow and the identity politics of it all began to become slightly annoying. Though bravely they didn't sugarcoat the Jeffrey Tambor character.

The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast
>>12917509

The Letters of Dirk Bogarde, Space Odyssey, The Richard Burton Diaries, off the top of my head. Also Janet Malcom: The Silent Woman and The Journalist and the Murderer.

The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast
>>12918852

I think there are articles, one in The NY Times, where the reporter interviewed me about my response. Broadway is such a problem, such risk. The problem is family-friendly and tourist-friendly work best and The Rules of Attraction, unless huge stars were in it, is neither. Also a problem with AP.

The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast
>>12945817

Dave Rubin and I have gone back and forth and we will probably do something on his show. I'd love to talk about DeLillo and Roth but not everyone has read them. Joe Rogan is my bf's favorite and he wants me to go on that.

The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast
>>12969696

A huge part of my adolescence and twenties and thirties and with Magic still in my forties. I thought the memoir was evasive and I can't stand the anti-Trump Springsteen recording that dumb anti-Trump/protest song--the worst thing he's ever recorded. I can't believe a hero of mine took Trump seriously enough to get Trumped. Low moment. But from Born to Run through Tunnel of Love, a pretty remarkable recording career. And the concerts I've seen are among my favorites of any live acts.

The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast
>>13028490

I thought about this and, I guess, not really. I always wanted to write a play, but it just seemed too difficult. But I've liked some of the major US plays of the last twenty years or so--Angels in America--egads that's longer that, August:Osage.

Kyle Kouri
>>12905011

Ha! You know, Katie Holmes could actually make a pretty good Jayne. Can’t wait for the show. It’s my favorite book. Made me smile during a bummer year. Thanks.

Kyle Kouri

I love Stephen King, but there’s only so much time. Do you keep up with his new stuff? Dig any of his books written in the last decade, the last couple of years?

Laura Woods

Who or what do you think is cool right now?

Quinton Farrow

I have no idea what is going on in this Pynchon novel I am reading. It has knocked my esteem around a little. Is this normal?

Charles Golding

What do you think of Milo Yiannopolis? And would you ever have him on (maybe in apolitical capacity?) He's expressed admiration for you numerous times as an influence when he was growing up.

Anton Honk

Bret, what are your thoughts about the passing of Philip Roth? In NYT you've mentioned "Sabbaths Theatre" as one of your favorite novels, how would you describe his influence on you as a writer? Since he passed the press called him the last "great white male" of his generation (if not overall meaning it's the end of an era and, as a writer whom talked about the "death of the novel" as mass-entertainment as much as he did, does Roths passing mean the death of a certain type of novel? And, finally, what are your thoughts and hopes about David Simon adapting the 2004 novel "The Plot Against America" into a miniseries?

Laura Woods

Do you watch Vanderpump Rules?

Romeo Delta Charlie

Bret, I read American Psycho when I was 14. Now I’m 40 and on reflection I’m really pleased I experienced such an extreme and singular work at that formative age. Also, I ‘got it’ back then, it blew my mind, but in some innate way, I understood it probably as well I could do now; one of the book’s peculiar, paradoxical qualities. Which films or books from your early teens that you "shouldn’t" have been exposed to, have had an enduring and beneficial effect on you? Thanks.

Ryelin Segars

Hi Bret, have you ever considered having Bradford Cox of Deerhunter on the podcast? If not, you should. If so, when?

JH13

I know I'm really late to this party but after listening to the last two podcasts I finally have a question I genuinely want to know the answer to. As an author, does it bother you when people buy used copies of your books via eBay instead of buying new on Amazon? I ask because I just bought The Mars Room and My Year of Rest and Relaxation via eBay at pretty huge discounts and I feel bad slighting the authors and would love to hear your take on that?

Nathan Cross

Bret, did you like "Krisha" (2015) ?