This transcript was automatically generated and might contain errors.

[0:00] Jayke Workman: You guys, remember when Heidi Klum was just a giant worm for Halloween? And she just kind of like wiggled her way down the red carpet at her own Halloween party. Just a worm. That's kind of how I feel right now.

[0:19] Oh my god, did you hear? Did you hear? Did you hear my god guys? Take that high. Hi, Jake is What is up, everybody? My name is Jayke Workman, and this is Oh My Pod U Guys, a musical theater and pop culture podcast.

[0:42] You guys, what is up? What's new? We have so much to talk about. You guys, by the time this episode comes out, the cast recording for the original musical Figaro is officially dropped. It is streaming everywhere you listen to music. You guys, I mean, I just featured the show on the pod. So if you didn't listen to that, go back and listen to me talking to Will and Ashley about the creation of their beautiful musical. But now you can fully listen to the album, and it is I'm so proud of it, you guys. It's so beautiful. Kayleigh Capaldi, I will die for you. I would lay on the train tracks for to drink a sip of your voice. But truly, I'm just so so beyond grateful to be included in this album.

This is the first time that I have seen my name and heard my voice streaming on Apple Music, which is so bizarre. Well, apart from the podcast, obviously. But um, I'm really excited about it. I think it's really strong, and we get to do a world premiere concert on March 4th. So, um, if you guys don't have tickets, haha, sorry, it's sold out, beach. But you can watch the live stream. So get tickets to the live stream. Um, I'll put the link in the description of this episode, but it's at the Green Room 42 on March 4th at 7 p.m. And I hope to, if not see you there in person, see you there on your little streamy face, whatever that means.

[2:07] Okay. And with that, you guys, we gotta dive right into this week's Broadway World recap, brought to you by my lovely friends at BroadwayWorld.com. Okay. Okay. You guys okay. We're starting strong because there's something happening that is a little controversial, a little kooky crazy, and my first update for you guys was going to be that the incredible play, Jeremy O'Harris' incredible play, Slave Play, is going to play the West End, which is phenomenal, an incredible theatrical opportunity. This play is one of the most beautiful and thought-provoking pieces of theater I have ever had the privilege of seeing. So that in itself, I was thrilled to get to share that, you know, this incredible news that this show is going to London.

However, the Prime Minister of the UK has just called the blackout nights two performances. Where w okay, I'm getting ahead of myself. Slave Play has had blackout nights. They had them on the Broadway run, and now they're gonna have them on the West End, which are nights specifically geared toward an audience of all black identifying people, meaning the entire audience is a community that is safe and free from the white gaze and the white perspective in the room while watching such an incredible and important story intrinsic to the black experience. Okay. That's amazing. Yes, obviously. So now, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is saying that he believes that these events are wrong and divisive, and that he believes that the arts should be an inclusive and open place for everyone, particularly where those arts venues are in receipt of public funding.

[4:01] Now, darling Diva Dear, we're not saying no one who is not black identifying is allowed in the theater. Nobody said that. Why would anyone look at that opportunity for the black community and think that takes away from my ability to see this show? It's this is two performances out of like a 13-week run on the West End. Girl, black people can have the space they deserve. I don't get like this Prime Minister is a person of color. He's the first Asian Prime Minister. It's amazing. Congratulations, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, on being the first Asian Prime Minister of Britain. However, this like, what are we talking about here? And again, all of this being said, I am obviously white as a toilet.

So this is clearly, you know, an outside perspective. This is my white perspective. But I just I don't understand how you could look at something like gearing a show, one performance or two performances toward the black community. This show is written by and for black people. What's not clicking? The incredible playwright Jeremy O'Harris, who I would absolutely die to have on this podcast, first introduced Blackout Nights during the production of Slave Play on Broadway, and it was literally the first time in history that all 804 seats of the Golden Theater, Broadway's Golden Theater, were occupied by black identifying audience members. Like this access and this inclusion is so needed. It's incredible.

And the fact that they want to do that for the black community in the UK and specifically in London, it's so important. And I think like deeming it as divisive is more divisive than allowing a space, a safe place for black people to celebrate their own heritage and their own existence. I guess it's just a no-brainer to me, and I'm disappointed by the Prime Minister's views on this. But um, anywho, the producers responded to this and said the Broadway production conceived of blackout nights, and we are carefully considering how to incorporate this endeavor as part of two performances in our 13-week run. Okay, I was wrong. 13, not 16, but still. And then they say we will release further details soon, to be absolutely clear, no one will be prevented or precluded from attending any performance of Slave Play.

Because duh. But also, who in their right mind, who who in their white mind, is gonna look at that and be like, Well, I should go on a blackout night. No! We're giving the space to the black community. Duh. Anyway, I'll get off my freaking soapbox now, but God! This pissed me off! But also, it's not even a soapbox because this is a podcast, and I can say whatever I want because it's mine and not yours, so huh.

[7:03] Anyway, next up, you guys, we got the kooky crazy casting announcement that none other than Jinkx Monsoon is going to play Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors off Broadway. You guys, this is insane. This is before she comes back to play Mama Morton in Chicago on Broadway again. But I am I am thrilled for Jinkx. Apart from being an amazing performer, she's just an amazing person. And I really am excited because I feel like this is the first time. I mean, say what you want about her playing Mama Morton. I, you know, people have said it's shticky, it's a thing, you know, just to get it's a stunt cast or whatever. But like, I feel like this putting Jinkx in this role kind of changes the game because it's not it's not a joke.

We're not saying, look who we got to be in our show and be the lead. Like, Jinkx is an amazing performer, and this is a big ass important role. And she's gonna kill it. And she gets to do it alongside Corbin Bleu as Seymour and James Carpanello as the dentist. Like, come on. I mean, clearly, it was not lost on anyone how much of an impact Jinkx had at Chicago the first time around. So I'm sure that Little Shop is over the moon to have someone who is clearly going to bring in a huge audience and a lot of money, but at the same time, they're taking her seriously. She's not being considered the drag queen who gets to come in and you know, kickball change, and that's it. Like, she's gonna act this role down, you guys. I'm just so excited for her.

[8:45] And lastly, you guys, we got the beautiful first look photos from BroadwayWorld.com of the new production at La Jolla Playhouse, starring Idina Menzel titled Redwood. The show is written and directed by Tony Award nominee Tina Landau, iconic, with music by Kate Diaz and lyrics by Landau and Diaz together. And it's conceived by Landau and Menzel, with additional contributions by Adina Menzel, which is very exciting. I think this is the first time that she's really had a big hand in creating a show and a role for herself. And I'm just so intrigued by this. The story looks beautiful. It's about a woman sort of like rediscovering herself, and there's a chance encounter that changes her whole life as she enters the actual Redwood Forest in California.

And the photos of this production at La Jolla look absolutely beautiful. I mean, how could you not do a Redwood Forest on stage? Are you kidding me? Incredible. I guess the show has sights for Broadway. I would love to see that happen. Not only to have Adina back on stage, but anytime there's new original works coming to Broadway, I'm excited. And the show is currently running at La Jolla until March 31st. So don't forget to check out those amazing photos at BroadwayWorld.com.

[10:03] And you guys, this has been the Broadway World recap. Oh my pod, you guys. I am so my pod, oh my pod, you guys. Yes, a theater girly. I'm so excited to introduce my next guest on the show. He is a star of the big screen, the small screen, and now the Broadway stage. Please welcome Mr. Jonathan Bennett.

[10:28] Jonathan Bennett: Hello. Hello. Hello. Thank you so much for being here. I am so excited to chat with you.

[10:35] Jayke Workman: Oh my gosh, I'm so excited to be here.

[10:36] Jonathan Bennett: Oh my god, you guys. Come on. Come on, Legally Blonde. Yeah. Let's go.

[10:40] Jayke Workman: Oh my god, of course. You are a musical theater girly through and let me tell you the story of when I met Laura Bell Bundy. So I was at the Pantages thing Kinky Boots, and Jerry Mitchell was there. And it was the first time I met Jerry Mitchell. He walked up to me because I'd just been on Dancing with the Stars, and I was a huge fan of his. And he came up to me and said, Do you know that I voted for you on Dancing with the Stars? And I was like, oh my god, Jerry Mitchell knows who I am. And then secondly, I started telling him how obsessed with Legally Blonde I was. And he goes, Well, you know Laura Bell Bundy's right over there. Do you want to meet her? And I was like, no. Because I'm so nervous, I can't. And so he's like, let me introduce you.

So I walked over to her, and the only thing that came out of my mouth was I was so nervous. I go, When I get married, I want to come out of the floor of my wedding in a pink box like you do in Legally Blonde. That's all I said to her. Because I couldn't muster anything else.

[11:36] Jonathan Bennett: And I'm sure she loved it.

[11:38] Jayke Workman: She loved it. And then fast forward, Jerry Mitchell just came to see me in Spamalot on Broadway because we became friends after and came to give me his stamp of approval, and it was a very fun full circle moment. And he uh we had we had a blast.

[11:49] Jonathan Bennett: Fantastic. Well, you mentioned it. We have to talk about your Broadway debut.

[11:56] Jayke Workman: Let's go. In Spamalot the musical. What what how first of all, how excited are you?

[12:01] Jonathan Bennett: I mean, you seem to obviously have a love for musical theater, but this is such a special show.

[12:06] Jonathan Bennett: I mean, yeah, of course. Like it's well, no, it's like you get like two for you get like a two for one. Like you you're getting to make your Broadway debut, which is something I've dreamed about since I was five years old. I've always wanted to be on Broadway. It's been my dream of my life. I'm the biggest musical theater freak. And like I can and I can meet any celebrity. I can meet like Steve Martin. I can meet Eugene Levy, I can meet all these people that I do film and TV with. And I don't even like bat an eye or like get starstruck or anything.

[12:33] Jonathan Bennett: Right. You put me in a room with an alpha bar, and I turn into like a six-year-old that can't speak, and like I have word vomit, and I just like talk so fast and I say the worst things. And so like the f to be on Broadway is literally a dream come true. It's something I've wanted my whole life. So I'm pinching myself. But then I pinch myself again. The fact that I'm on stage with not only are you doing not only are you doing Broadway, you're doing Spam a Lot, Monty Python Spam a Lot at the St. James Theater. And then let's top it. Let's say, okay, your cast that you're gonna be acting with and doing scenes with are James Monroe, Leslie Critzer, Nick Walker, Chris Fitzgerald, uh Ethan Slater, Alexander Brightman, like like you're gonna just go do a scene with Alex Brightman on stage. No big deal.

[13:21] Jonathan Bennett: Like it's just insane. And yes, it's just the show is such uh it's I say it's lightning in a bottle. Like, not many people not not many shows I've ever been to on Broadway that have this like kinetic lightning in a bottle energy to it, because you never know what Alex Brightman's gonna say every night. The other night he started quoting the f the caltain bar scene from Mean Girls on stage. Like and the audience just went crazy and was lit. And it's like, what is my life? Seriously, and the role that you get to play, Sir Robin, is my absolute favorite role in the show. But like to make it this far into your career and then to get it to play a role like this in the revival of a Broadway show, it's just incredible. I'm just like, I'm so excited to see you do it. I've seen the show, but I haven't seen you in it yet, so I can't come back and see it.

[14:14] Jonathan Bennett: Yes, it's gonna be so fun. So tell me, what was your road to this show? Did you know when this show like came to Broadway that that you had the clue? It was literally it happened a week before Christmas. I get the phone call from my agent, and she's like, You're not gonna believe what I'm about to tell you. They want you to come in and replace Michael Urey in Spam a Lot on Broadway. And I was like, that's not real. Like, that's clearly a joke. And she's like, no, no. And within like two hours, I was on a zoom with Josh Rhodes, the director, running lines, and basically literally like ran a few scenes with him on Skype, and he a cut, you know, then they're like, Okay, great, thank you so much, and we'll get back to you.

[14:36] Jonathan Bennett: And I was like, I can't go through the holidays not knowing if this is happening or not. Like, it's not okay. So Christmas Eve, we get the phone call that the deal is closed and it's official and we're gonna do it. And my husband and I are leaving on the tw two days later to come host Times Square New Year's Eve in New York. So literally, I freaked out, and then then on Christmas Day, we were packing our life for four months because we left the next day. And it was like, what do we need? What do we need to pack? What how much clothes do we need? Where are we staying? So it was just this chaotic like thing, and then you land in New York City and we go and host Times Square and have all of our rehearsals for New Year's Eve, and that's a wild ride and crazy, and then that finally ends, and I'm like, wait, now we just stay and do Spam a Lot.

[15:50] Jonathan Bennett: Yeah. Like what a random ex there's no words for it. Like, it's what happened what do you like to quote Gelinda, happy is what happens when all your dreams come true, isn't it? Well, isn't it? Like Yes, it is. It's just like what do you do when your dream comes true?

[16:09] Jonathan Bennett: Yeah. It's a very weird feeling. Absolutely. Because you're like, I'm sitting here, I'm like, well, what do I do now? Like now I have to do it. Now I have to sit in it. Yeah. And so and so it's been absolutely amazing. And I've definitely been bit by the musical theater bug on Broadway, and this will not be my last Broadway show. This is just the beginning. We are going to pursue this and keep it going because I would not I there's no place I'd rather be than on that stage. And when you get to stand center stage at the St. James and sing an entire number about how much you love Broadway on Broadway as Sir Robin, like what more do you want?

[16:47] Jonathan Bennett: Truly, like what's better. It's it. So so tell me the musical element of it, was that something that was new for you? Or I mean because obviously you have the acting chops down. I love doing musical theater. So I was like Seymour in Little Shop and Horse. I was J Pierpont in How to Succeed in Business. I love storms. And I was in all the musicals in high school. I was the lead of all the musicals in high school growing up and in college, and then I majored in acting at Otterbein, which had a musical theater program, and we were in that.

[17:17] Jonathan Bennett: So like I had done it, I just hadn't done it in 20 years. And so it was like dusting off the wheels and like getting back on the bike. And like a week into rehearsal, I was like, oh right, that's what it sounds like when you sing. Like, okay, so it's it was there, it just needed to be reminded.

[17:33] Jonathan Bennett: Sure. And so then when when you say, you know, I mean, I of course saw the video of you and your sweet husband when you like told him the news that you got the job, but um, sort of like in the world of just like uprooting yourself, you know, you sort of like put roots down in LA or wherever, and then you get this call that you're gonna like change your whole life for however long. What were you ready? Like had you do you know New York like the way that you have to know it now?

[18:01] Jonathan Bennett: I lived here. I lived here when I was on All My Children back in like 2000. Okay. Or like 2001. And so I lived in New York. I moved to New York to be on Broadway when I was 19 or 20 years old. Um, I moved to New York to be on Broadway, and then because I booked to the soap opera and then started doing film and TV, I just kind of never scratched that itch. Kind of like went just down that path, and it never became something that I thought was going to happen because you know like, okay, well, you know, your career went a different way and you're grateful for it and it's a blessing and you love it, but there's always that itch in the back of your mind of like, God, I really want to be on Broadway.

[18:24] Jonathan Bennett: I really want to do musical theater, because that's what I you can take the musical theater kid out of the theater, but you can't take the musical theater out of the kid, right? Like we're like, we're all just like James Monroe, uh I go hard, like everyone backstage, no matter who you are or what how many Tonys you win or whatever, like you're still you every time we stand backstage and it's about to start the show, you turn into your 16-year-old musical theater nerd self, and everyone's just trying to, you know, make each other laugh and everyone's extra trying to do a bit, trying to yeah, you just become those theater kids.

[19:16] Jonathan Bennett: Yes. Oh my god, we gotta get you in Chicago the musical next stunt castilly. I go next stop, Chicago the musical and uh I wanna play I want to play Corney Collins in Hairspray. I want to be Seymour in Little Shop.

[19:30] Jonathan Bennett: Yeah. Like there's so many things I want to do. So we're gonna keep the train going. Oh my god, incredible. Well, I can't wait. I Chicago the Musical was my debut, and the fact that you want to do that show, I'm like, Of course. Come on over.

[19:45] Jonathan Bennett: I said, and I I was asking some of the dancers in our show, because we have probably one of the most talented ensembles I've ever seen in my life. Oh yeah. They're just pure heaven. Um I was like, what's the hardest show you've ever done? And I was expecting him to say like s other shows. All of them go, not all of them, majority of them go Spam a Lot. Are you kidding? Like, I was like, this is the hardest. And I'm like, if I got if this is your first show, like, like to start to have this be your debut, but then have to like stand on stage and do the Broadway number in act two, like once you do that, like every other role, well, I mean, like I did Broadway and Spam a Lot, like that is that is a it is an eight-minute song with the fastest lyrics, and you know, it's just so much.

[20:30] Jonathan Bennett: So it's like, you know, it it's not that to say the other roles are easy, it's not. It's just like the work ethic has been instilled of like if you can get through that number eight nights a week, you have the work ethic to be able to handle the. Well, plus that that ensemble is not big. So they like when it's an ensemble number, everybody in the ensemble is there. Everybody's singing, they're all off stage, felting their face off like you know.

[20:53] Jonathan Bennett: What is your favorite part of the show to do? Is it is it your number?

[20:55] Jonathan Bennett: Yeah, obviously, my favorite part of the show to do is my number, Broadway in Act Two, but I really love the monologue that I get to say before that. Because to get to stand on the St. James Theater and stage and just say out to that beautiful house, Broadway is a very special place, filled with very special people.

[21:18] Jonathan Bennett: People who can sing and dance often at the same time. They are a different people. A multi-talented people, of people who need people and who are in many ways the luckiest people in the world. Like you are the luckiest people in the world in that moment, you know. And so it's just like it's like my it's like your therapy that you get to say that every night.

[21:41] Jonathan Bennett: Absolutely. And I think that this show specifically, um, and and this role, it sort of gives you license to embrace all aspects of you, whether it's feminine or masculine, and you know, the sort of like dichotomy of what that means in the world. And I'd love to hear about your experience um as an openly gay actor, you know, now, obviously making it to Broadway, but um prior to that, because you and your husband were the first gay couple to grace the cover of The Knot magazine.

[22:12] Jonathan Bennett: Like you guys are are making big strides and we were the f we're the first couple to release a same-sex engagement and wedding ring at a major retailer. Yes, incredible. I was the first person to have a gay-led Christmas movie.

[22:31] Jonathan Bennett: Right. Um, I was the first person to have a same-sex kiss in a Christmas movie. That's insane. We we do a we do a lot of firsts, and I think um it's something that we love doing is saying, like, hey, where's that where's the space not made for us? Okay, then let's go make sure we make that space for us.

[22:48] Jonathan Bennett: Yes. Let's go open the doors so other people can walk through. Exactly. And it's like it was Sir Robin, you know, he uh I I don't know if Sir Robin's gay. Is he? I don't know. And I the thing is I he embraces musical theater, but he also embraces you know being a knight, even though he's afraid to fight.

[23:17] Jonathan Bennett: Like, so it's like it's like it's it reminds me of like do you remember when you're in high school and like the like you'd be doing a musical and like the quarterback of the football team would get cast in the musical. Of course, and he'd be tap dancing, and you're like, okay, he's the quarterback, but he's also tap dancing. So what's happening here?

[23:35] Jonathan Bennett: And I think that's the fun of what this character is. There's really no rules to him. Sometimes he's super feminine, sometimes he's super masculine, sometimes he's in between, sometimes he's he's scared, sometimes he's brave, you know. So I think just taking all the different there's just no rules to him.

[23:53] Jonathan Bennett: Right. And sometimes some nights I play him, and he's like this like Fabio Surfer, dumb Robin, and sometimes I play him, and he's this big old queen Robin, and it just depends on what is striking in that night and kind of what comes out, and so it it changes every single night.

[24:10] Jonathan Bennett: So did you always have that desire to sort of like pave the way and open doors for queer people throughout your career? It wasn't a desire I ever thought would be, uh, I it no, I never had, I didn't always have the desire, and I didn't always have the, um, the like I never thought, I never thought it was gonna be part of my path, but then when I met my husband and we started opening doors, it became addictive, and you're like, oh, we have to open all the doors now. So it's not something I set out to do, but I'm glad that I'm doing it.

[24:43] Jayke Workman: I'm so we're we're all so grateful that you are, and that you know, you can sort of use your platform and however you want to call it your celebrity to bring attention to this community. Obviously, Spamalot is not one that is, you know, wrecking people's minds and breaking hearts and everything, but it's bringing attention to Broadway. We're not here to like change your perspective on anything or like teach you a lesson. We're here to do like fart jokes and tap dancing and you leave having fun. But and that's, you know what I mean? There has to be a bad thing. Especially in February and March when it's dreary in New York, like it's the show you want to see in these gloomy months because it'll put you in a good mood for the rest of the week.

[25:27] Jonathan Bennett: Yes, totally. So tell me about, I mean, I of course have to talk ask about Mean Girls because this sort of like, you know, cult classic now has given you this platform to go on to do other things in the world of TV and film and hosting reality TV shows. What did you know going in that that was a movie that was gonna basically stay with you forever?

[25:54] Jonathan Bennett: Yeah, and people ask us this all the time, and no, we had no clue. Like we were just a bunch of kids shooting a movie with Saturday Night Live people in Canada. Like we had no clue this would become the thing it became. Right. Like it just we drew there, like we were just kids in Canada being like, oh, you want to shoot this movie? And we just did it, and then all of a sudden it became what it was. It's wild. I mean, I was a fan, uh, far too young. I should not have been watching it when I did when it came out, but um to see it sort of make its evolution, obviously when it came to Broadway, and now with the new iteration of the movie, I just think it's so cool that you guys really did create something just uber original, and you get to say that you like hold that legacy, and you guys are the original.

[26:41] Jonathan Bennett: We started it, yeah. Yeah. We were the, yeah, we started a movement, and it was, um, something that it's just, it's the weirdest thing to be a part of. Because it's just like it, I guess, I guess the thing is I don't remember life before Mean Girls. What? I don't remember what that feels like. Yeah. I don't remember what it feels like to walk into a room and not be Aaron Samuels. Because no matter where you walk into, restaurant, coffee shop, every girl behind the counter is like, oh my god, Aaron Samuels is here. Like I don't know what it's like to not be Aaron Samuels.

[27:15] Jayke Workman: Right. Is it hard to separate it?

[27:21] Jonathan Bennett: There is no separation because you just are it. Like you can't separate. Like it's, it is like you're never not gonna be him. Wow. So there's no point in trying. Sure. Like you're just all you're him. But I feel like then on the flip side, when you do get to be a host on a show, you are billed as you, your Jonathan Bennett. So that is a different thing.

[27:42] Jonathan Bennett: I mean, obviously with like the, I think what's fun about hosting is like everyone thinks they knew who I was, and then all of a sudden I started hosting, and they're like, oh my god, that's what Jonathan's like. Like they think they know me, but it's not true. Right. You know what I mean? It's like, I mean, it's they, they, they know the Aaron Samuels version, which couldn't be farther from me and if you tried. You know, like I'm couldn't be any farther from that character as a person if you, uh, tried to cast it.

[28:09] Jayke Workman: Well, which also is just a testament to your acting. I'm just a phenomenal actor boiled down to just an phenomenal acting icon, really.

[28:19] Jonathan Bennett: So tell me about, tell me about, um, Cake Wars and the world of Food Network. My, my, my sis, my sister, Miss Kat McNamara, was on an episode of Cake Wars, and she of course raved about getting to spend time with you. But tell me, like, what did you think that that was gonna be on your path?

[28:40] Jonathan Bennett: Let me walk you through it. Never have I baked a cake in my life. Never have I baked anything in my life. Like I don't even think I have a baking pan. Um, I did Dancing with the Stars. Food Network saw me do Dancing with the Stars and fail miserably because I was a horrible dancer. But they were like, he's really bad at ballroom dancing, but he makes really funny faces. And I think the kids are gonna like it. So they called me up and asked for a meeting, and I met with them, and then a couple weeks later they were like, we're actually doing a show, Cake Wars. Do you wanna host it? And so I started hosting Cake Wars, and then that turned into Christmas Wars, Halloween Wars, Cupcake Wars, all it turned into all the wars, and I kind of became the face of their wars, and you know, kind of and it fit my personality because I have a lot of energy, I make funny faces, and these shows are about baking and, you know, it's sugar and sweets and kids, and like, you know, it's just like I liked going on and just being my goofy quirky self, and the kids loved it, and they were like, oh, he's like a cartoon.

And so that's kind of how that happened, and then once it started, we just haven't, this just hasn't stopped. There's always a war to be had, whether it be cupcakes, a Halloween, holiday pizza, whatever, where we can do a word anything.

[29:54] Jayke Workman: I love it. So was that what then sort of like opened the door for you to co-write your cookbook, the Burn Cookbook?

[30:03] Jonathan Bennett: Um, yeah. I was like, how do I monopolize on the fact that I was in Mean Girls and that I'm on Food Network? And I was like, well, everyone else has a cookbook on Food Network. I don't cook, so how do I make a cookbook? And I was like, well, if I get a chef that's really good at cooking, I can make the book funny. So we collabed with Mickey Martin and we released the Burn Cookbook, which is an unauthorized, unofficial parody cookbook for Mean Girls fans, legally. Um, we wrote this book that has things like White Gold Hoops, which is a recipe for onion rings. We have, um, it's not regular Glock, it's school block. We have, um, she asked me how to spell orange chicken. Like, you know, because all these ridiculous recipes, but the all the food in the book is delicious because it's made by a Food Network chef and designed by them, and we just made the book fun.

So it's like your perfect gift for your girlfriend or your boyfriend or the gay in your life that's having a birthday, and you want to get them something. It's just like a fun cookbook that has like games and quizzes and behind the scenes stories, and just it's just a fun interactive cookbook that people just really love.

[31:13] Jayke Workman: I love it, and I, I mean, you know, you said it, but like the be able to, to be able to monopolize on something that you didn't even realize was ever gonna like have an impact for people is incredible. I mean, that's like it was the easiest pitch in the world. I walked into a room at, uh, Hachette Publishing, who is our publisher, and there were like four girls in the room that were all like thirty-two years old. Uh-huh. And I just sat down and I go, it's not the burn book, it's the burn cookbook. And they all just looked at me and they just go, yes. And I'll go, great. Great. And where do I sign? And they were like, yep. And it just happened and they were like, yep, great.

[31:52] Jonathan Bennett: Oh my God, incredible. And I mean, Mean Girls I of course love the movie, uh, as a flaming homosexual, obviously. But um, it even like to get to go on a music video set for Ariana Grande, who just happened to theme this music video after Mean Girls.

[32:11] Jonathan Bennett: Like the, well that was the phone call that happened weird on Thanksgiving too. Like we got a call from my agent. She's like, Ariana Grande wants to be in her music video. And I was like, no she doesn't. Like you want like a hot like 22 year old with abs. Like why, why would you want me in your music video? Like that doesn't make sense. And then they said no, it's a spoof and I was like, oh that makes sense. So now I just, I got to, I got to see Ari the other day. Like she's, she's wonderful. Amazing. She's absolutely wonderful.

[32:39] Jayke Workman: Oh sure, and then obviously being in the building with Ethan, I'm that she's probably there often it's fun, it's fun getting to do her, her, it's just fun getting to play in this whole world, you know?

[32:50] Jonathan Bennett: Yeah, absolutely. I'm s I cannot wait to come and see the show. Okay, also I have to ask you about being a guest judge on RuPaul's Drag Race.

[33:00] Jonathan Bennett: The Spock. It's not okay. You get the phone call of oh you're gonna be on RuPaul's Drag Race and you lose your mind. Then they say oh by the way it's the Snatch Game. Girl. Then you even lose your mind more and then they say oh by the way, the lip sync is Frozen from Broadway. And I'm like, well, I've peaked and I can die now. Like, there's that doesn't, that's it. I've done it. The gay, the gay like extravaganza. There's kind of nothing better. Like what the gayest episode? It's Mean Girls, Snatch Game, and Frozen Broadway. The gayest episode in the history of RuPaul's Drag Race.

[33:36] Jayke Workman: So did you know Rue going in?

[33:38] Jonathan Bennett: No. Oh my god. So you, but I did do my Valerie Cherish impression for and during one of the like little breaks. And, uh, I started talking like Valerie Cherish and Rue lost it, and it made me so happy. I was like, I got Rue to laugh.

[33:54] Jayke Workman: Yes! The most iconic laugh too ever.

[33:56] Jonathan Bennett: Yeah. That's amazing. So were you always like a fan of Drag Race before?

[34:03] Jonathan Bennett: We're obsessed. Like we watch every episode. Like it's our football. Like we know every season, every episode, every country. We get like, it's our favorite thing in the world.

[34:11] Jayke Workman: Yes. Well, Miss Jinx Monsoon is coming back to break.

[34:14] Jonathan Bennett: Jinx is coming back and Jackie Cox.

[34:16] Jayke Workman: Jackie Cox has a one-man show in New York right now.

[34:20] Jonathan Bennett: Oh, fantastic.

[34:21] Jayke Workman: Is that a joke?

[34:23] Jonathan Bennett: It's up right now. It's playing for the next like two weeks.

[34:26] Jayke Workman: Oh my god. I think it's really, really good. Check it out.

[34:28] Jonathan Bennett: Fierce. I love me some Jackie Cox.

[34:31] Jayke Workman: Love Jackie Cox was the entertainment at our wedding.

[34:36] Jonathan Bennett: Oh, no way. When we got married, Jackie Cox sang on a white baby grand piano love songs for the cocktail hour.

[34:44] Jayke Workman: Oh, sure. Just casually.

[34:45] Jonathan Bennett: Wait, how's that? Casually just having a RuPaul star sing at your wedding.

[34:50] Jayke Workman: Sure. Wait, I must ask too. How did you and James meet?

[34:55] Jonathan Bennett: I interviewed on his show, Celebrity Page. He was a host at the time. I came to promote Halloween Wars on his show. And we met on camera during an interview and fell in love and it was over.

[35:08] Jayke Workman: Oh my god.

[35:10] Jonathan Bennett: You were like, yep, that's it.

[35:12] Jayke Workman: Oh my god, I love it. Wow. Well, Jonathan, you are an absolute delight. Thank you so much for having me. This has been so much fun.

[35:22] Jonathan Bennett: Thank you so so much for coming on the pod. Would you tell the listeners where they can find you on socials?

[35:27] Jonathan Bennett: Sure, Jonathan D. Bennett on Instagram, because I don't really use the other ones because what? I'm 42 years old and I think figure them out. So follow me on Instagram like a normal person.

[35:38] Jayke Workman: Perfect. Thank you so so much.

[35:40] Jonathan Bennett: Thanks, Jake.

[35:42] Jayke Workman: Thank you so much. You guys, that's it for another episode of Oh My Pod, you guys. Don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe anywhere you listen to the pod, and you can follow the show on Instagram at ohmypoduguys. Thanks so much for listening. Talk soon. Bye. Oh my god, oh my god, you guys.