How did a short-lived 2005 TV satire accurately predict our modern obsession with social media and internet culture?

Host Adam Unze sits down with brilliant comedian, writer and performance artist Morgan Bassichis to dive into their Spark: Lisa Kudrow and Michael Patrick King’s cult-classic comedy masterpiece, HBO’s The Comeback.

Morgan tells Adam how the iconic Valerie Cherish profoundly shaped their comedic consciousness. They unpack the deeply queer themes of Valerie's survival in the "economy of attention," the beautiful emotional anchor of her relationship with her hairstylist Mickey and how the culture finally caught up with the show's dark prophecy of fame.

Plus, Adam shares his second and final round of unfiltered movie reviews from the Tribeca Film Festival, tracking the top new documentaries and indie features to add to your watchlist.

🎧 Inside the Episode:

Early Adopter Status: Why The Comeback has spent twenty years acting as a cultural litmus test.

The Queer Legacy of Valerie Cherish: Subverting tropes, camp culture and navigating precarity.

Mickey & Jane: Celebrating television's most complex, morally gray supporting dynamics.

Tribeca Part 2 Review Roundup: Adam's honest takes on true-crime documentary Mineshaft: The Cruising Murders, the Jocelyn Wildenstein doc Lion Queen, magician thriller doc Stealing Magic, and Gabriel Basso's influencer drama Iconoclast.

⭐ Connect with the Show:

See Morgan Live: Get your tickets to Morgan’s brilliant New York comedy show, Can I Be Frank!

The Spark Parade is a podcast that dives deep into the films and albums that have inspired today’s creative icons. Hosted by Adam Unze, each episode features a unique conversation with an artist about their chosen film or album, and how it sparked their artistic journey.

Follow us on social media:

Instagram/Bluesky/TikTok: @sparkparade

Subscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!

For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.com

Copyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Adam welcomes the ultimate "Broadway Baby" of drag, Ginger Minj, who brings her lifelong passion for musical theater to the parade to break down her ultimate artistic spark: Jon M. Chu’s spectacular 2024 cinematic adaptation of Wicked.

Adam and Ginger dive deep into the Emerald City, exploring how a childhood introduction to The Wizard of Oz at three years old became a brilliant Technicolor metaphor for escaping a claustrophobic small town. They trace the rich, explicit queer and trans history woven into L. Frank Baum's original 1900 book series, celebrate the undeniable, magical chemistry between Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, and swap legendary backstage stories from the Broadway production.

• The Munchkinland Metaphor: Ginger's grandmother, a 1939 baby, and the three miracles of that year (including Tina Turner!).
• The Backstage Tea: Witnessing the legendary, tense, post-Tony Awards energy between Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth on stage.
• The Secret Trans History of Oz: Uncovering the century-old story of Princess Ozma and Tip, and how the source material was ahead of its time.
• Reclaiming the Narrative: How Ginger found her inner Elphaba while handling online critics during RuPaul's Drag Race All-Stars.
• The Subliminal Power of Glitter: Why musical theater is the perfect Trojan horse for sparking vital conversations about inclusion and political erasure.

Ginger Minj is a powerhouse performer, actress, singer, and author who first captured global attention as a finalist on season seven of RuPaul's Drag Race and All Stars 6, before winning All Stars 10. A brilliant theatrical force, she has seamlessly crossed over from the mainstage to major feature films, appearing in Netflix’s Dumplin’ and Disney’s Hocus Pocus 2. She is also the author of Southern Hospitality and an acclaimed recording artist.

• Watch: Catch Ginger starring alongside a runway of drag royalty in the wild new action-comedy disaster movie Stop! That! Train!, hitting theaters June 12th!
• See Her Live This Summer: If you're in Atlanta or Provincetown, grab tickets immediately to Liked: For Gay, a raunchy, hilarious Wicked parody show starring Ginger Minj and Jujubee. Playing at Atlanta’s Out Front Theatre through June 28th, and heading to P-Town this July!

The Spark Parade is a podcast that dives deep into the films and albums that have inspired today’s creative icons. Hosted by Adam Unze, each episode features a unique conversation with an artist about their chosen film or album, and how it sparked their artistic journey.

Follow us on social media:

Instagram/Bluesky/TikTok: @sparkparade

Subscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!

For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.com

Copyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How does a small-town kid from Indiana find the courage to reject traditional pop-star expectations and build a fiercely independent music career? On this episode of The Spark Parade, Adam sits down with indie-pop singer-songwriter Lauren Sanderson to explore the artistic impact of Pink’s multi-platinum 2008 album, Funhouse.

Sanderson details her vivid childhood memories of discovering Pink’s music and explains how the pop icon served as a vital guide for self-discovery, identity, and creative defiance. The conversation dives deep into Pink’s unique positioning as a queer-coded mainstream artist, her mastery of balancing vulnerable lyricism with high-octane rock swagger, and her rare ability to use comedic relief to make complex, painful personal trials universally digestible.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• The Catalyst of "Don't Let Me Get Me": Lauren shares the unforgettable emotional breakthrough of hearing Pink as a young tomboy growing up in Indiana.
• Dismantling the Pop-Star Mold: An analysis of Pink's refusal to conform to the hyper-feminine, highly commercialized industry standards of the late 2000s.
• The Power of Radical Authenticity: Why top-tier icons choose to protect their genuine identity rather than over-explaining their artistic choices.
• Queer-Coded Mainstream Spaces: A look back at how Pink fostered inclusive, safe environments for listeners navigating their own sexuality during an era with limited mainstream representation.
• Pacing and Showmanship: Lauren breaks down her deep admiration for Pink's unparalleled athletic live performances and strict professional dedication.
• 
  

About Tonight's Guest: Lauren Sanderson

Lauren Sanderson is a powerhouse indie-pop force recognized for her unapologetic DIY work ethic, boundary-pushing genre blends, and uncompromising vulnerability. Dedicated to creating an inclusive, safe space for her audience, Sanderson has cultivated a global community of fans through her electrifying live performances and raw songwriting. Her latest album Lauren is out now.

About the Album: Pink's Funhouse

Released in October 2008, Funhouse is the fifth studio album by global superstar Pink. Written in the wake of a painful marital separation, the record stands as a masterclass in creative resilience, seamlessly pairing aggressive, defiant rock anthems with quiet, acoustic introspection. The album yielded massive international hits, including "So What," "Sober," and "Please Don't Leave Me".

The Spark Parade is a podcast that dives deep into the films and albums that have inspired today’s creative icons. Hosted by Adam Unze, each episode features a unique conversation with an artist about their chosen film or album, and how it sparked their artistic journey.

Follow us on social media:

Instagram/Bluesky/TikTok: @sparkparade

Subscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!

For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.com

Copyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tony Award-winning actor and acclaimed singer-songwriter John Gallagher Jr. (Spring Awakening, The Newsroom, 10 Cloverfield Lane) joins Adam to chat about his Spark: The Replacements' front man Paul Westerberg’s raw, soulful 1993 solo debut, 14 Songs.

John opens up about discovering the record during a blue period with his own songwriting and how Westerberg’s "not taking it too seriously" studio philosophy became his ultimate creative mantra.

What’s inside this episode:

• The Actor’s Rental Car Epiphany: How a film shoot in California led John to a deep-dive into Westerberg’s post-Replacements catalog.
• The Winona Ryder Vintage Tee: A wild, exclusive story about acting opposite Hollywood icon Winona Ryder and the piece of 1991 rock history she pulled out of a grocery bag for him.
• The Songwriting Mantra: Why "What would Paul Westerberg do?" is the exact framework John uses in the studio to embrace mistakes and stop overthinking the music.

John Gallagher Jr.’s brilliant new EP, Almost OK, officially releases on May 29th.

The Spark Parade is a podcast that dives deep into the films and albums that have inspired today’s creative icons. Hosted by Adam Unze, each episode features a unique conversation with an artist about their chosen film or album, and how it sparked their artistic journey.

Follow us on social media:

Instagram/Bluesky/TikTok: @sparkparade

Subscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!

For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.com

Copyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The irrepressible electro-pop visionary Kiesza sits down with Adam to discuss the album that redefined her understanding of sonic "language": Pink Floyd’s 1973 masterpiece, The Dark Side of the Moon.

Kiesza shares the cinematic story of hearing the album for the first time while hitchhiking through the Canadian mountains under a full moon, an experience that cemented her belief that music should be a holistic, transformative journey rather than a collection of two-minute "streaming slop."

Inside the Episode:

• The "Mad Scientist" Phase: How Pink Floyd’s pioneering use of panning and analog textures inspired the creation of Kiesza's new project, Dancing and Crying: Vol. 3.
• Tactile Creativity: Why Kiesza moved into an analog studio to "live-play" the mixing board like an instrument.
• Breaking the Rules: The story behind the improvised, wordless vocal tracks and the impromptu "hallway sessions" with an opera singer.
• Art as Survival: Kiesza opens up about using dance as a way to process the "unspoken" emotions of her life-altering recovery and creative rebirth.

Check out Kiesza’s latest release, Dancing and Crying: Vol. 3, featuring the hit single "When I'm Dancing" and the atmospheric closer "After Party."

The Spark Parade is a podcast that dives deep into the films and albums that have inspired today’s creative icons. Hosted by Adam Unze, each episode features a unique conversation with an artist about their chosen film or album, and how it sparked their artistic journey.

Follow us on social media:

Instagram/Bluesky/TikTok: @sparkparade

Subscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!

For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.com

Copyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Gene Kelly redefined what it meant to be a leading man." 🕺✨

On today’s episode of The Spark Parade, Adam Unze welcomes the Grammy-winning powerhouse and original Hamilton cast member, Sydney James Harcourt.

Sydney joins the pod to celebrate his personal Spark: the legendary Gene Kelly and the 1952 cinematic masterpiece, Singin' in the Rain. We dive deep into Kelly’s athletic, effortless masculinity, the resilient optimism of that iconic title sequence and how Sydney channels that same grace today on Broadway.

Sydney is currently starring as the legendary Rum Tum Tugger in Cats: The Jellicle Ball at the Broadhurst Theatre (Opening Night: April 7, 2026!).

In this episode, we discuss:

• The transition from Hamilton to Hollywood.
• How Gene Kelly made athleticism look like art.
• Breaking down the "stoic leading man" trope.
• Sydney’s approach to playing the Rum Tum Tugger in NYC’s most talked-about revival.

The Spark Parade is a podcast that dives deep into the films and albums that have inspired today’s creative icons. Hosted by Adam Unze, each episode features a unique conversation with an artist about their chosen film or album, and how it sparked their artistic journey.

Follow us on social media:

Instagram/Bluesky/TikTok: @sparkparade

Subscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!

For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.com

Copyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is it about a fedora, a whip, and a "history avenger" that sparks a lifelong obsession? This week on The Spark Parade, host Adam Unze is joined by Broadway powerhouse and star of HBO’s The Gilded Age, Claybourne Elder.

Claybourne takes us back to a small-town theater in Utah to revisit the 1989 masterpiece, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. We dive deep into the "virile" energy of Harrison Ford, the brilliance of Sean Connery and why this film provided a vital sense of adventure for kids growing up in the 80s.

From secret script polishes by Tom Stoppard to Clay’s surreal experience acting alongside Indy legend John Rhys-Davies, this episode is a celebration of the "monoculture" blockbuster and the art that shapes who we become.

What We Discuss:

• [00:05] Growing up in Springville, Utah, and the magic of the Villa Theater.
• [01:05] Harrison Ford: The "Whip Daddy" and history’s sexiest Avenger.
• [02:55] Defining a "type": How Indy influenced Clay’s taste in men and mentors.
• [04:40] Why "straight-boy coded" adventures resonated so deeply with queer kids.
• [05:15] The Father-Son dynamic: Family legacy and the heart of The Last Crusade.
• [09:08] The Golden Age of Practical Effects (and the truth about the "clean" rats).
• [13:14] Missing the Monoculture: The community experience of the summer movie.
• [19:17] From Fan to Adventurer: How Indiana Jones inspired Clay’s world travels.
• [21:20] Behind the Scenes: Working with John Rhys-Davies on set.

Connect with Claybourne Elder:

• New Album: Pre-save/Listen to If The Stars Were Mine (Out April 3!)
• Live in NYC: Get tickets for Clay’s April residency at 54 Below.
• Instagram: @claybourneelder

The Spark Parade is a podcast that dives deep into the films and albums that have inspired today’s creative icons. Hosted by Adam Unze, each episode features a unique conversation with an artist about their chosen film or album, and how it sparked their artistic journey.

Follow us on social media:

Instagram/Bluesky/TikTok: @sparkparade

Subscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!

For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.com

Copyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"You don't have glass bones. You can take life's knocks." ✨

In this episode of The Spark Parade, host Adam Unze sits down with Michelle Joy, the mesmerizing frontwoman of the dream-pop sensation Cannons. As the band prepares to release their highly anticipated new album, Everything Glows, Michelle joins us to deep-dive into the 2001 French masterpiece that shaped her artistic identity: Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s Amélie.

Michelle opens up about discovering the film during a lonely first year of college and how the quirky, observant world of Amélie Poulain provided a "warm blanket" during a time of personal family trauma. We discuss the transition from being a "shy, daydreaming girl" to performing on global stages, and why the film’s message of vulnerability is the ultimate creative catalyst.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The "Glass Bones" Epiphany: How one line of dialogue helped Michelle face her fears and step into the spotlight.
• Visual Magic: The influence of Amélie’s iconic color palette and cinematography on the aesthetic of Cannons.
• Magical Realism in Music: Why "small pleasures" and "mini-mysteries" are essential to the dream-pop sound.
• Overcoming Trauma: The profound connection between the film’s narrative and Michelle’s own experience with parental illness.
• Style & Identity: The "Amélie Phase" that led to a lifelong love for French culture and Doc Martens.

The Spark Parade is a podcast that dives deep into the films and albums that have inspired today’s creative icons. Hosted by Adam Unze, each episode features a unique conversation with an artist about their chosen film or album, and how it sparked their artistic journey.

Follow us on social media:

Instagram/Bluesky/TikTok: @sparkparade

Subscribe, rate, and leave a review wherever you listen!

For more info, visit: www.thesparkparade.com

Copyright © 2025 The Spark Parade. All rights reserved.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.