Speed Dial

Speed dialers, the time has come: the first season finale. Thirty episodes later, Ira and Doreen take stock of the trash ass year that was 2016. First, a rundown of the worst things about this year, which is essentially a rant against men. And then--the best things. Moments like Lemonade, Michelle Obama, and Moonlight made this year bearable, if not beautiful. Here's to hoping 2017 will have them, too.  Thanks for riding with us for this first year. Season 2 will be bigger, better, blacker, and of course, shadier. See you in February.  Call in to “Feedback,” Speed Dial’s advice hotline! Have a question you want Ira and Doreen to answer? Leave them a voicemail at 424-354-9335.

It's Speed Dial's first annual Christmas episode! There are two kinds of Christmases in America, and this week Ira and Doreen investigate them both. Celebrated by black people and a select group of discerning others, Black Christmas is a joyous occasion, which usually ends with family members, full of collards, lounging happily on a couch. First, a rundown of the iconic Black Christmas film canon: we're talking A Diva's Christmas Carol, The Best Man Holiday, The Preacher's Wife. Next, the music, both the corny (Chris Brown) and the sublime (Nat King Cole, Donny Hathaway and of course, Mariah Carey). Because Speed Dial is an equal opportunity podcast, your hosts also try to understand White Christmas. This holiday, as its defenders like Megyn Kelly and Bill O'Reilly show, is a very angry time, one where people feel that there traditions are threatened. Ira and Doreen attempt to understand the rage of their fellow Americans. That is, of course, the spirit of Black Christmas.  Call in to “Feedback,” Speed Dial’s advice hotline! Have a question you want Ira and Doreen to answer? Leave them a voicemail at 424-354-9335.

Hello Speeddialers! Ira Madison III and Doreen St. Félix return with another episode of ‘Speed Dial with Ira and Doreen,” MTV’s bicoastal podcast about music, pop culture, sex, and race.  This week is all about movies. But before Ira and Doreen get into a Keep It segment about the Golden Globe nominees, there's a quick rundown of their respective weeks. Ira's in La La Land since taking percocet for a muscle he pulled getting swole, and Doreen is still in awe after witnessing how hard parents go at parties when they can get a babysitter. Your Speed Dial hosts decide that nominations for Moonlight, Insecure, and Fences are iconic. But Casey Affleck and Mel Gibson? Keep it. Next, a conversation about Tom Ford's Nocturnal Animals, which Ira argues is a whiteface Tyler Perry movie. Finally, a voicemail from a listener who's caught in a messy love triangle.  Call in to “Feedback,” Speed Dial’s advice hotline! Have a question you want Ira and Doreen to answer? Leave them a voicemail at 424-354-9335.

'Speed Dial,' Episode 27: "HaterNation" Following a real whirlwind of a week, Ira and Doreen are back to address some things they've learned. The first being—you can't spell 'white nationalist' without The Nation! This episode addresses a piece published by the publication, in which a writer...critiqued both Ira and and Doreen. Their conversation places the article in the context of the pattern of more overt, leftist racism following the election of Trump. Next, Ira and Doreen find out they disagree on the whole Tomi Lahren and Trevor Noah peace summit. After that, a conversation about the similarities and differences between Donald Glover's two projects this year. Lastly, an honest and brave voicemail from a listener who's looking for freedom.  Call in to “Feedback,” Speed Dial’s advice hotline! Have a question you want Ira and Doreen to answer? Leave them a voicemail at 424-354-9335. 

This week, Ira and Doreen bring back “Keep It,” the quick pop-culture rundown that decrees what greatness can stay and what mess can go. On the docket: struggle plates on holidays commemorating genocide (for the love of Beyoncé, season your mac and cheese), the British comedies Fleabag and Chewing Gum, and the psychologizing of Kanye West. Next, your “Speed Dial” hosts talk about The Weeknd’s interesting new album, Starboy. Yes — interesting. Ira and Doreen also get into a conversation about the semantics of white supremacy and the debates about whether the term “alt-right” is normalizing. Spoiler: It doesn’t matter! Lastly, as always, your voicemails!