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Bret Easton Ellis talks about self-distancing from the negative news media, the possible lasting damage the pandemic may inflict on the movie theater experience and reviews The Assistant (2019). Devo bassist/vocalist Gerald Casale and Bret discuss the struggle to maintain mental clarity during the season of the virus, the Kent State shootings as the catalyst for forming Devo, making music videos at the dawn of MTV and the reason Devo have yet to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

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Comments

David Willis

We’re all SJWs too it seems...

Harrison Bergeron

Only Angels Have Wings is a great Hawks film, one of the most pleasurable. One remembers the distinctive faces of Richard Barthelmess and Thomas Mitchell, the proto-Indiana Jones swagger of Cary Grant, the girl next door spunk of Jean Arthur, and the drunken glamor of Rita Hayworth. This is the kind of movie that casually throws out lines like "I'm hard to get, Geoff. All you have to do is ask me." People should rediscover this one. It just might bring back the bomber jacket.

Paul Pridgeon

Casale must not have read White. He keeps trying to bait Bret with his TDS.

Benjamin Terpstra

Can't wait to see a movie again at the cinema this June in Australia. The new plushy seats & gourmet meals brought me back. It feels more rewarding. Maybe the movie sucks but when the food hits the right notes I can justify going out.

Jan Rörvik

I don't believe the corona-virus is real until I see Media Rats start dropping dead.

David Eugene

Oh Jerry... what an old rich freak. Once he described Trump as orange... blah blah blah... I couldn’t follow his paranoid ramblings.

BrienPiechos

Bret needs to get Richard Kelly on and ask wtf he's been doing for the last decade since The Box.

S-M Robinson

This is actually a fascinating conversation. Not in an of itself, but as a distillation of TDS and how it cripples any critical distance. You can see how deftly Bret tries to get around typical TDS rambling, but Jerry keeps on going to the well. He can’t help himself! Notice how he doesn’t speak in particulars, but broad generalizations and feelings. He’s obviously a brilliant guy, but it takes the best of us.

Patrick Crowley

🙁 Haven’t listened to the podcast yet but the listener comments have not been promising... I’m a huge Devo fan. Still, if this episode goes the way I think it will go, it will only strengthen Bret’s White thesis.

Brian Rooney

That’d make for a super guest I think. He has a great take on the Mike Yanagita character from Fargo... His commentary with Kevin Smith on Donnie Darko is worth a poke.

Brian Rooney

Found this to be a super episode, including the always reliable monologue. This chapter seemed to be titled “Muttering Through Quarantine”. In terms of where’s the revolution? Where’s the protest today? Where’s the resistance... It appears we’ve all accepted our place in this world and are just looking to have a good time at this point? I am a material girl in a material world, and girls just wanna have fun.

David Willis

I think Bret showed a pretty good level of patience in trying to bring him back on topic as many answers went into Trump rambling but it sounded quite exhausting.

Alexandru Constantin

Excellent monologue, but I turned the interview off. I don't mind left-wing politics but damn, Orange Man Bad boomer takes.. Dude... Boomer libs live in a fantasy land... It's Trumps fault the State of California isn't opening.. I live here, it's our governor keeping us closed. Gtfo.

Tommy Stronach

I love Devo’s music but my god this guy is condescending. Sounds like a leftist, pompous ass college professor. Basically it’s him repeating “orange man bad.” I had to turn this off. Would rather listen to his music than his know-it-all bullshit.

Billy Schafer

Glad I’m not the only one worn out by Casale’s repeated hyperbolic jabs at the President. I’m not an ardent Trump supporter, but I’m sick of the constant exasperation and melodrama about him, especially from entertainment figures and celebrities. Their attitude has only nudged moderates like me in the middle closer into the “orange joker’s” corner.

M. Nero Nava

All you buffoons complaining about the Devo guy mentioning Trump a few times (in the middle of discussing current events) need to fucking grow a pair. We endure sooo many BEE detours into Trump apologizing and down-playing—distracting and diminishing from his fine show about lit and film. From the looks of the comments I fear that dear ole Bretsy is mixed up with the wrong crowd. I enjoyed this interview, and felt the guest was literally and figuratively telling insightful tales from the front lines. And, BEE’s opening monologue was stellar, per usual

M. Nero Nava

Again, Am I the only one alarmed by the comments field being populated by washed-up incels, and republican-light bros? It’s very disconcerting.

Eric Macom

I’m so glad Gerald was able to climb down from his high horse to grace us with this interview.

M. Nero Nava

It’s a term of endearment. Also, it’s a playful way to make light of Mr Ellis being mixed up with the wrong crowd. Moving forward: I can’t explain everything to you. You’re going to have to face the world on your own, tough guy. I’d love a list of all the qualities you share with Cowboy Clint Eastwood.

Audrey Rouget

Love the intro monologue, as always. Had to turn off the interview somewhere during the rant about his childhood, so if the guest showed any kind of depth afterwards, my apologies. But honestly, is there anything more boring than an aging leftist boomer who hasn’t changed or re-evaluated an opinion since his Catholic mom caught him masturbating? Spare me the claims that your worldview is based on intellectual objections to traditionalist Catholicism when you’re really just mad at your parents for telling you not to jerk off. Also, and I suspect Brett knows this...there is outrage. There is a counterculture. There is an intellectual ferment trying to figure out how to navigate mankind’s relationship with the modern world. But it’s all happening on the right. Some good, some bad, but that’s the only place anything remotely interesting is happening right now.

S-M Robinson

Triggered? No. Just providing some friendly advice. If you want to concern trolll, at least have the common decency to elicit feeling in the reader. Otherwise, you just come off as stale and circumspect. I can provide you with references if you prefer. You seem to be stuck with your mild and listless insults as well. I can assist you if you would like.

M. Nero Nava

Single Man Robinson, fighters often fight to their competition, so here are with my tepid insults. You’re corny, posing, and I can’t be bothered. I’ll give you 100 bucks if you can prove you’ve had sex in the last 5 years. You’re a composite, you’re not even a person. Don’t @me

Billy Vega

Is Bret okay? He's reviewed sonic the hedgehog and now Trolls: World Tour super seriously. These are starting to sound like etchings from Bateman's notebook. I dig it though.

Javier G. Madrigal Jr.

gerry’s point about how he can’t laugh at needless suffering is right on. bret didn’t really address it.

M. Nero Nava

Mike, I can’t really go any further with you if you’re ‘lmao-ing’ and doing a sort of ‘i know-you-are-but-what-am-i?’ thing. I pretty much assume any of the chronic masturbators and guys with webcam girlfriends—who responded fit the composite to the T. It bums me out that I share BEE fandom with a bunch of dweebs like you all. Seriously, if anyone who responded to my post can also prove they have a legitimate GF/BF—then I’ll Venmo them cash. It won’t happen.

Tomi Hautakangas

High points of recent episodes. I like this serious movie native approach towards products made for video game natives.

David Adamowicz

This guy sounded like he heard Bret’s most lurid descriptions of Trump derangement and thought “I’m doing THAT - let’s see if Bret gets the joke”. It was so on the nose fevered and bonkers. Great monologue, love seeing ideas evolving and being fleshed out over time.

Reservoir Frog

So many people here upset that an ANTI-ESTABLISHMENT HIPPIE turned PUNK ROCKER had nothing nice to say about Trump (or any other politician for that matter). He kept saying politics is like sports teams now and this comments section proves him absolutely right.

S-M Robinson

Sure, I’ll take your cash. My girlfriend is amused by your one note “insults.” DM me your number on Twitter, and she’ll give you a call. And drinks will be on you.

JEREMY ROBERTS

The 'virus' monologues are the best ever because they are NOW. Is this BEE's new straightforward new novel style? Hope so. You always sound so lonely, though. Pauline Kael loved Sam Peckinpah. Bring Me the Head of A G is a masterpiece. Worth a stream. The concept of the movie theatre as an escape from the world has played out. Do we need any more movie stars? Fuck, no. We don't need a new James Bond.

M. Nero Nava

^^this guy just tried to pass off his sister as his girlfriend. Hahaha pathetic

Justin Grams

I really liked this episodes and the politics aside, the music industry insider stories were really funny, especially how the guy who runs the rock n roll hall of fame now was the guy who asked Devo for free videos at the launch of MTV. Full circle! Also loved Adam geeking out at the end with his questions.

Justin Grams

..and the assistant is TERRIBLE!

Stephen

When Bret asks him about Boomers he says every generations has good and bad and then he only has negative things to say about the Millenials. Not sure if I can make it through this interview. Bret's monologue was good stuff, though.

Reservoir Frog

I like Bret for for his outlook and opinions and could listen to him talk all day but that doesn’t mean I think he’s right all the time and agree with everything he says (a point seemingly missed by most people in the comments on here). But I think you’re right and I’m not sure he would fare well in a serious debate on that topic. On the one hand, Bret has always been a provocateur but on the other hand, giving Trump a pass because the other side is over reacting seems irresponsible to me, especially given that he admittedly is living in a rich LA bubble where he’s largely unaffected by policies of any incumbent government. Crazy how people refuse to criticise a government because they’re part of the team they voted for when you’re living in the country his hardest by coronavirus because of the gov’s inaction and his general lowering of the discourse and conduct bordering on criminal.

James Reeves

Bret doing his own laundry during the virus; my fantasy shattered. 😂 Kidding aside: I fucking love this episode.

Jesse Dykstra

This is brutal, unlistenable. Gerald came in with a closed mind, unwilling to debate, totally unlikeable; this plays even worse than the episode with Fred Armisen. Even worse, who the fuck values Gerald's opinion on the matter of anything? Low, low level here. Refund requested.

Reservoir Frog

So what? Bret admittedly is out of touch and proud. I guess being out of touch is only a problem to you when you disagree with them politically, huh.

Michael Glaberman

Reservoir Frog, Hate to burst your small bubble of awareness here, but politics, whether you like them or not, are rooted somewhere in you and how you go about living your life and the decisions you make to survive in this, one might say, tough world. It also plays a role in the art people make. Bret is not out of touch. His partner Todd is. He has a grip on himself and is mature enough to have a conversation with someone he disagrees with. Just sayin’.

Michael Glaberman

And you’re participating in the “sports” just like the rest of us here. Commenting on several other posts with your complaint about people’s criticisms of the content and guest. You think you’re on the sidelines, but picking the sidelines is indeed a side.

Michael Glaberman

“Mr. Ellis being mixed up with the wrong crowd.” lol, are you his high school behavioral counselor?

Michael Glaberman

He needed to get the “cranapple juice” blood stains from his sheets out without his housekeeper knowing.

M. Nero Nava

“Debate” what? Since when did this become some debate show? I bet you’re a joy at parties.

M. Nero Nava

Mike, I was using a playful tone to undermine the people he’s attracting. I’m sure you have a command of tone and nuisance, but I’ll try to be more overt when communicating with you all.

D

The dad I wish I had....best guest so far. The nuke crisis transformer explosion made my evening. Thanks Bret

Dave

Bret - thanks so much for inviting guests like Jerry on the podcast. I’m a man of a certain age and, well, DEVO was part of the soundtrack of my youth. I also appreciate your “absurdist” approach to interviewing guests. It helps to keep the discussion on an even keel.

Mike Brand

I would have agreed with all of this five days ago. But I still agree on the reliability of the monologue. Best cultural/film criticism around.

Michael MacGowan

This was a terrific interview. Enjoyed it from beginning to end.

Jono

I loved Devo when I was 11. But what a fucking tiresome blow hard this guy is.

Chase

I'm like ten minutes into the interview section. Holy orange man bad, Batman

David Schur

did I stumble into the fox news comment section. Jesu christ!

Bob Olsen

Nothing like an aged, bitter, hate filled hippie. “Tiresome blow hard” is right.

Erix Antoine

What a great talk. Casale is a wonderful raconteur.

Jim Weaver

Overall good show. Listening to Casale, though, reminded me of all the other people I know, including family, with TDS. Angry, bitter, boring, using juvenile expletives in a futile attempt to state their case. But when he got off politics, he sounded much more intelligent.

Bill Condor

Hi Bret. Great intro as usual. Love this podcast because anything goes and art is king. Even when I’m triggered (I know, I know) by some of the political tangents, I appreciate and praise the space you’ve created for freethinking. Good god, it’s refreshing, which is why I’m happy paying. Also because addicted to your prose and film criticism. While White is substantially about your relationship to movies, would you ever consider writing a proper film criticism book? For who exactly, I could imagine you replying. Good point, hypothetical Bret. Thanks for the consistency and passion you bring to the show. I always look forward to it.

Antonio Primavera

Ah! Gibby Haynes from The Butthole Surfers would be a great (and get-able) guest! He's a great storyteller and he knows tons of cool and interesting people like Jim Jarmusch.