Every day is a holiday when you spend it with Danny Pellegrino!
The writer, comedian, and podcaster is known for his love of the Christmas holiday, but he manages to infuse all of his work with a fun, festive spirit that’s hard to resist.
Whether it’s his love for Real Housewivesdolls or The Rosie O’Donnell Show, Pellegrino just wants to share some of his favorite things with the world – he’s the gift that keeps on giving! All year long he channels this seasonal spirit into Everything is iconichis weekly podcast that dives into all the pop culture moments, new and old, that we can’t stop talking about, and regularly hosts some truly iconic guests (everyone from Cameron Diaz to Miss Piggy!).
In 2022, he wrote his first book. How can I forget it?: Unfortunately, true stories, which became a New York Times bestseller. In a warm and witty collection of real-life stories, Pellegrino remembers growing up gay in small-town Ohio and how pop culture helped him find his place in the world.
Now – because it’s never too early to start celebrating Christmas – he’s preparing to release his sequel. The most fun company: crazy holiday stories (available October 24 in reference books), which takes the same approach as some of his most unforgettable Christmas tales and more.
While we’re all eagerly awaiting Queen Mariah Carey to kick off the season once October ends, we’re getting a head start by inviting Pellegrino to be the final guest in our quick Q&A series Dishin’ It. In the conversation, he touches on memories of Halloween in his hometown, the least romantic parts of the holidays, and The Muppet Show. Scream a film he really wants to see.
Is there any piece of media (be it a movie, TV series, book, album, video game, etc.) that you consider to be an important part of your own coming out journey or that played an important role in your understanding of homosexuality? ? Why is this especially important to you?
Besides Cruel Intentions showing me Ryan Phillippe’s naked caboose at a key age…
Early reality television was important because I could see gay people living authentically and sharing their stories. Specifically Danny Hong Real World: New OrleansI remember looking at him and being so amazed that he was open about his sexuality and romantic relationships.
There is also a book called Swish Joel Derfner, which I read when I was in my early 20s. It’s a collection of essays by a gay author, and it was so overwhelming to read because he was so comfortable speaking publicly about his experiences when I was so ashamed of my gay life. . Before this, I had only read collections of short stories by straight writers, so I’m not sure I could write. The most fun group or How can I forget this? without reading Swish all those years ago.
Your new book The most fun groupis a nostalgic journey through fun and heartfelt holiday stories, but with Halloween quickly approaching, do you have any particularly “crazy” stories to share from celebrating the holiday?
When I was little, dads in the northeast Ohio area would get together to treat the kids to something delicious. One of the fathers filled his child’s red wagon with beer, and they all drank and smoked cigarettes, following behind him with their cans on wheels.
By the end of the evening they were tipsy and eating our candies, but what I remember most was how much fun they had. When the entertainment ended, dads would meet their loved ones in someone’s driveway, and everyone would continue to drink while sitting on cheap folding chairs while the sugar-coated kids got up to mischief. It was all innocent fun, but I can’t imagine Halloween in 2023 looking the same.
You’re a big fan of holiday movies, and luckily there are a ton of great weird ones out there right now! But what we want to know: Which do you think is the funniest of the otherwise straightforward holiday classics, and why?
Does Family stone count? Technically there is a (fantasy) gay couple in the film, but most of the main storyline revolves around straight characters, and yet it is gay canon. Diane Keaton playing a liberal mother who dies on Christmas? Play in Pride Parades in June! Plus Dermot in a turtleneck! Rachel McAdams at the peak of her powers!! Luke Wilson with the morning forest!!! Claire Danes!!!!
Miracle at 34th Street Reboot is also a gay classic because the lighting in this movie is impeccable and only gay men and Mariah Carey truly understand how to properly stay away from overhead lighting. I can only assume that this picture was lit by a gay man or Queen Mary herself, because literally everyone is glowing. It seemed like every time a scene was filmed, a full bottle of Vaseline would hit the lens. Elizabeth Perkins is radiant, no hair is out of place all the time, and Dylan McDermott wears cozy sweaters and sparkly turtlenecks. I think we need to move away from HD in filmmaking and start doing what they did in 1994. Miracle at 34th Street.
What do you think is the most romantic thing about the holiday season? What’s happened least romantic?
The most romantic thing about the holiday season… twinkling lights. Everything about them makes you crazy.
The least romantic thing about the holidays will probably be food. I can get a little overwhelmed when I’m in a large crowd, so at holiday parties I tend to hang out near the food tables. Plus, I LOVE past snacks. It’s almost impossible for me to say no to a missed snack, so I spend many nights feeling tired and too full after holiday parties, which isn’t very romantic.
List of Legendary Celebrities You’ve Seen on Your Podcast Everything is iconic it’s just endless. Which of these guests were you most surprised to find common ground with? How did they surprise you?
Beverly D’Angelo was a guest very early on and I was surprised how open and kind she was. She is an actress that most people know from National Lampoon. Vacation movies and Hair, but among these hits she has so many incredible stories about her life and work in Hollywood. I tend to enjoy talking to women who have been in the industry for a while, they have survived in a male dominated industry and I am always very motivated by their stories. Drew Barrymore also amazed me with her kindness on and off air.
We know you’re a big fan of The Muppets (several of whom have appeared on the program!), so in the spirit of the season, if you could remake any horror/thriller movie starring the entire cast of The Muppets (and maybe 1 or 2 guest stars), what would it be and why?
I’d really like to see Scream remake with all the Muppets and David Arquette as the only human. Miss Piggy will play Gale Weathers, Janice will play Sidney Prescott, Fozzie will play Stu, Beast will play Billy Loomis, and Scooter will play Randy. Murder/Casey Becker’s first role will mark the first live-action Muppet appearance of teenage Skeeter (the twin of Scooter from Muppet Babies Universe).
David Arquette will still play Dewey because the character is essentially a Muppet anyway (and after starring in the film, he’s a Muppet expert). A Very Merry Muppet Christmas). I know people are probably wondering what we’re going to do with Kermit, but I’d keep him for a sequel where he plays the Derek/Jerry O’Connell role, only instead of him falling in love with Sidney, we’d put love triangle with Gale and Dewey.
We may not be the first to ask, but we really want to know: what would you Real Housewives slogan well? Also, what is your personal favorite? Housewives tag of all time and why?
“My anxiety is evergreen and my depression is not seasonal.”
I LOVE season 1 The Real Housewives of Orange County slogans that were simply audio clips from the show. In particular, Vicki screams “I don’t want to grow old” in the intro. Orinda also holds a special place in my heart: “If you have a problem with me, that’s your problem.”
Who is a queer or trans artist/performer/creative that you think is doing really cool work right now? Why should we all pay attention to them?
It’s important to support queer creators and artists because we often don’t have the same marketing muscle as our straight counterparts. Business follows money, so it is important that we are able to show these large corporations what we can sell so that we can not only support ourselves, but continue to put art out into the world.
Of course I would love it if people spent their coins on my new book (The most fun groupavailable in hardcover or audiobook!), but if you’re not interested in me, maybe check out Ira Madison III, who is currently filming episodes of his wonderful leave it podcast (and there’s a book in the works) that’s hilarious Look what this nonsense is the men who review Bravo, Matt Rogers, who has new Christmas music coming out (in addition to his fantastic Las Culturistas podcast with the brilliant Bowen Young), Jess Rothschild, who hosts incredible interviews with LGBTQIA+ guests on her channel Hot ideas and deep dives podcast, or R. Eric Thomas and Samantha Irby, great essayists with new books out.
Finally, I think I need to tell all the weird people out there that Rosie O’Donnell is now uploading FULL EPISODES of her daytime talk show to her YouTube channel. Tune in to the 5pm episodes and whip up some pizza rolls and you’ll feel like it’s 1998 all over again.
Danny Pellegrino The most fun company: crazy holiday stories available October 24 wherever books are sold.. New episodes of his podcast, Everything Iconic with Danny PellegrinoPublished weekly on Wednesdays.