Teen Drama Links for May 7, 2024

When discussing the teen drama rewatch podcasts last week, there was one newly controversial element I didn’t mention, as I wanted to bring it up separately.

In 2019, Sophia Bush (Brooke, One Tree Hill) started her own podcast called “Work in Progress.” Per the Apple Podcasts description:

“Work in Progress with Sophia Bush features frank, funny, personal, professional, and sometimes even political conversations with people who inspire Sophia about how they’ve gotten to where they are, and where they think they’re still going. These discussions stem from her ‘aha’ moment of realizing you are allowed to be both a masterpiece and a work in progress, simultaneously.”

That’s all well and good. But what’s not well and good, at least to many “One Tree Hill” fans, is that a few months ago, iHeart started distributing “Work in Progress” on the “Drama Queens” podcast feed. Whether you listen to “Drama Queens” on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or iHeart itself, each new “Work in Progress” installment is appearing alongside the “Drama Queens” editions.

And people are pissed. Here’s a collection of comments I’ve seen from fans on “Drama Queens” Instagram posts in recent weeks.

“So sick of ‘work in progress’ podcasts being promoted under drama queens. It messes up my feed and then takes the current DQ pod I’m listening to and removes it from my main screen in Apple Podcasts when I click on work in progress and mark it as played. If we wanted to listen to that podcast we would subscribe. Sooo annoying and I know I’m not the only one.”

“i unsubscribed/unfollowed the drama queens podcast for this reason”

“Another WIP episode drop on the DQ podcast. Yes- it is simple to delete and move on, but the fact the they are being dropped continuously is getting annoying. Im here for OTH gossip- not for WIP ...  its giving ‘political push during an election year’ vibes. I dont need your political opinions - im here for OTH”

“Guys, those Work in progress notifications are super annoying. Can we please stop? Please please let’s not mix them in here..[sobbing emoji]”

“The thing about the work in progress notifications is that constant forced advertising doesn’t work - it can be a way to disengage people more. The audience for that podcast is not really the same demographic as this one. Please actually listen to feedback on this and review the situation”

“Is anyone else super annoyed with Sophia’s Work in Progress being stuffed into the playlist?! OTH guests… fine. But everyone else? No thanks. Is it because she’s not getting enough listeners??”

Some have even taken to leaving reviews mentioning this issue on the “Drama Queens” Apple Podcasts page, such as this one from April:

“I absolutely love the Drama Queens podcast. Yeah they have way too many ads it’s obnoxious at times, but I love their content.

But I subscribed for DRAMA QUEENS, not Sophia’s work in progress podcast. It’s absolutely the worst that you’re pushing new notifications of a different podcast on it. It had nothing to do with the show and most of us don’t want to listen about politics when we came her for a rewatch podcast. It feels like you’ve taken advantage of your audience by trying to push her podcast on us. Big, huge disappointment and extremely frustrating.”

When “Work in Progress” appeared in the “Drama Queens” feed the very first time, I thought it was a simple technical error. When it happened again and again, I thought perhaps Bush had reached a special distribution deal with iHeart for her podcast to also be carried on the “Drama Queens” channel in addition to the “Work in Progress” channel. I even reached out to iHeart seeking confirmation but did not receive a response.

However, now it seems this arrangement is not limited to Bush. In the wake of Tori Spelling (Donna, Beverly Hills, 90210) launching her “MisSpelling” podcast in April, each episode is appearing in the “9021OMG” feed. When Jennie Garth (Kelly, Beverly Hills, 90210) premiered her “I Choose Me” podcast last week, it, too, was in the “9021OMG” feed. So now my conclusion is that iHeart has made a concerted but unannounced decision to start syndicating its ostensibly related podcasts in multiple places. It’s a promotional play designed to increase exposure, awareness, and listenership. Theoretically, the more places a podcast is featured, the more people will listen to it.

But unlike with “Work in Progress” appearing in the “Drama Queens” feed, I have yet to see any “Beverly Hills, 90210” fans complain about the “MisSpelling” and “I Choose Me” podcasts appearing in the “9021OMG” feed. I’d venture that’s because “MisSpelling” and “I Choose Me” are memoir-style podcasts where Spelling and Garth are opening about up about their lives. No doubt “Beverly Hills, 90210” fans and “9021OMG” listeners are interested in that.

In contrast, “Work in Progress” is an interview podcast that often features liberal guests and talking points. If you’re not on that side of the political aisle, or not interested in those kinds of discussions regardless, it’s highly unlikely “Work in Progress” would appeal to you, irrespective of Bush’s involvement. So I understand why many “Drama Queens” fans are frustrated.

Unfortunately, though, I think they’re just going to have to get used to it. It seems unlikely iHeart will change its strategy at this point given that they’ve ignored all of the complaints (and there have been tons) to date. Many of the more recent commenters also seem to be unaware that this isn’t only happening with “Work in Progress” but other podcasts too. Perhaps if they did, they may still be annoyed but at least understand it’s not about pushing Bush’s political views or giving her favored treatment.

In any case, this all adds another layer to our world of teen drama rewatch podcasts.

NOTE: There will be no “Teen Drama Links” next week, as I’ll be on my annual Mother’s Day trip. This year, we’re going to Charleston for the first time!

Teen Drama Links for May 7, 2024

Listicle Links

Reminder: All lists and articles relate to the teen dramas or teen drama stars in some way.

• “TV Roles Almost Played by Someone Else on Big Bang Theory, Lost, Arrow, One Tree Hill, The O.C., Buffy and More” (TVLine)

• “Brunello Cucinelli and Mytheresa Convene a Gossip Girl Reunion” (Town & Country)

• “Blake Lively’s MET GALA Fashion: Relive Her Stunning Looks!” (E! Online)

• “20 teen dramas that will remind you of your high school years” (Yardbarker)

• “10 Teen Dramas That Are Better When You’re An Adult” (CBR)

• “8 Shows Like Baby Reindeer to Watch After Streaming the Netflix Hit” (People)

• “The 11 best TV pilots of the 21st century” (Business Insider)

• “The 25 Best Taylor Swift Needle Drops “ (TIME)

• “The ‘Champions Of TV’ Bracket Crowned The Greatest Theme Song Ever” (Men’s Health)

  • Related: The Teen Drama Theme Songs (TDW)

• “How ‘Dead Boy Detectives’ Proves There’s Life After Network TV for the YA Genre” (The Hollywood Reporter)

• “The Great Felicity Reckoning” (Slate)

• “Torrance High School: The real-life school that has been used in countless teen movies” (Far Out)

  • Related: 90210 Locations (TDW)

• “All the LGBTQ+ Celebrities Who Have Come Out in 2024, From Reneé Rapp to Bethany Antonia” (them)

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Best of the Rest

• The 2024 People “Beautiful Issue” features Katie Holmes (Joey, Dawson’s Creek), Busy Philipps (Audrey, Dawson’s Creek), Dana Delany (Rebecca, The O.C.), Kat Graham (Kim, The O.C.), Hilarie Burton (Peyton, One Tree Hill), Maria Menounos (Jules, One Tree Hill), Tyra Banks (Ursula, Gossip Girl), Zion Moreno (Luna, Gossip Girl spinoff), Rumer Willis (Gia, 90210), and Lily Collins (Phoebe, 90210). (People)

  • The cover honor went to Sofia Vergara, ex-wife of Joe Manganiello (Owen, One Tree Hill), who talks about their split in the accompanying interview.

• At last night’s Met Gala, La La Anthony (Shay, BH90210), Michelle Williams (Jen, Dawson’s Creek), and Sebastian Stan (Carter, Gossip Girl) were among the attendees. (JustJared)

• Jason Priestley (Brandon, Beverly Hills, 90210) did press to promote the U.S. release of “Börje: The Journey of a Legend.”

  • “Jason Priestley on ‘Börje’ Biopic Series, Shannen Doherty, ‘90210’ & What’s Next” (TV Insider)

  • “Jason Priestley Details Physical Transformation for His Role in ‘Borje — The Journey of A Legend’” (Us Weekly)

  • “Jason Priestley on How His Friendship With ‘Beverly Hills, 90210’ Costar Shannen Doherty Has ‘Evolved’” (Us Weekly)

  • “Why Jason Priestley Left Hollywood for a Life in Nashville” (E! Online)

• Watch a first look of Priestley in the French-language “Murder In…,” which can be streamed via MHz Choice. (YouTube)

• As mentioned above, Garth’s “I Choose Me” podcast officially premiered. (Apple Podcasts)

  • I didn’t listen but did notice it was a whopping 17 minutes long.

• Vanessa Marcil (Gina, Beverly Hills, 90210) came to the defense of Megan Fox, ex-wife of Brian Austin Green (David, Beverly Hills, 90210), on social media. (Instagram)

  • Marcil and Fox, of course, both share children with Green.

• Season 4 of “Emily in Paris,” created by Darren Star (creator, Beverly Hills, 90210) and starring Collins, will premiere in August. (TVLine)

• Philipps opened up about being diagnosed with ADHD for Mental Health Awareness Month.

  • “Busy Phillips on ADHD diagnosis, late-night show, more” (Today)

    • Note the misspelling of Philipps’ last name…

  • “Busy Philipps Says Her ADHD Created ‘Internal Chaos that I Was Managing Constantly’” (People)

  • “Busy Philipps Details Being Diagnosed With ADHD Alongside Daughter Birdie” (Us Weekly)

  • “Busy Philipps Says Birdie Going to Boarding School ‘Freed’ Up Relationship, Gives Cricket Update” (Us Weekly)

  • “Busy Philipps talks ADHD diagnosis, being labeled as ‘ditzy’ as a teen: ‘I’m actually not at all’” (USA Today)

  • “Actress Busy Philipps Says ADHD Symptoms Left Her ‘Overwhelmed’ Before Diagnosis” (Heathline)

• Steve Kent, who was a production executive on “Dawson’s Creek,” is leaving Sony Pictures Television. (Deadline)

• “Beyond the OC,” hosted by Melinda Clarke (Julie, The O.C.) and her daughter CG, officially premiered with a countdown of 50 fan-favorite episodes of “The O.C.” (Apple Podcasts)

• Bella Thorne (Young Taylor, The O.C.) and Moreno are starring in a thriller called Find Your Friends. (Deadline)

• “The Neighborhood,” starring Max Greenfield (Young Sandy, The O.C.), is getting a spinoff on Paramount+ called “Crutch.” (Deadline)

• Doug Liman (executive producer, The O.C.) participated in an oral history of his movie Go, which starred Holmes. (GQ)

• Gail Berman, an executive at FOX during the heyday of “The O.C.,” has signed an overall deal with Sony Pictures Television to develop and produce shows for cable and streaming. (Deadline)

• “Sheriff Country,” a “Fire Country” spinoff starring Morena Baccarin (Maya, The O.C.), was ordered to series by CBS. (Deadline)

• Chad Michael Murray (Lucas, One Tree Hill) and Morgan Kohan did another joint interview to promote “Sullivan’s Crossing” — this time with an artistic twist. (Much)

• Savoring Paris, starring Bethany Joy Lenz (Haley, One Tree Hill), will premiere on Hallmark next month. (Hallmark)

• Austin Nichols (Julian, One Tree Hill), Danneel Harris (Rachel, One Tree Hill), and Drew Seeley (Vegas, One Tree Hill) have signed on for next weekend’s “20in23 Redemption Weekend.” (Facebook)

• Shantel VanSanten (Quinn, One Tree Hill) will appear at next month’s Monte-Carlo Television Festival. (Monte-Carlo TV Festival)

• Tyler Hilton (Chris, One Tree Hill) did an interview discussing his recently launched tour. (WGN)

• “Night Court,” co-starring India de Beaufort (Miranda, One Tree Hill), was renewed by NBC. (Deadline)

• Here is the official first look of Blake Lively (Serena, Gossip Girl) in It Ends With Us. (People)

• Gina Girolamo (executive producer, Gossip Girl spinoff) is leaving Alloy. (Variety)

• Willis did interviews at recent events, where she was asked about her father, Bruce.

  • “Rumer Willis Says Daughter Louetta ‘Loves’ Going to See Grandpa Bruce Willis: ‘It’s So Sweet’” (People)

  • “Rumer Willis Says Dad Bruce Is ‘So Good’ & Reacts to All the Love” (Extra)

  • “Bruce Willis’ daughter gives update on his health, shares famous parents’ advice about working in Hollywood” (Fox News)

    • I hate linking to this outlet.