February 9, 2025 • 35 mins
Welcome to RENEWAL—Restorative Empathy Needs-based Experimental World Amelioration Lab—otherwise known as Cancellation Island. Let’s meet our curators and curatees in the Commonwomb as they prepare for their nine-month spiritual gestation back to society’s good graces.
Cancellation Island stars Holly Hunter as Karen and is written by John Cameron Mitchell and Michael Cavadias, directed by John Cameron Mitchell, and produced by Christy Gressman. A Topic Studios and iHeart Podcasts production.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:20):
Cancelation Island by John Cameron Mitchell and Michael Kevdia's a
Topic Studios production, recorded in front of a live audience
at the Bellhouse, Brooklyn, New York.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
So, Karen, you look fatter in person. Is that why
they kicked you off the view?
Speaker 3 (00:45):
Carl, I don't know that. I would say I was
kicked off. It was a mutual decision.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
So this Cancelation Island is your idea, it.
Speaker 3 (00:55):
Is, Carl. We, of course don't call it cancelation Island.
We call it UEL Restorative Empathy Needs based Experimental World
Amelioration Lab. Okay, it's a pilot project that will attempt
to rehabilitate reputationally disadvantaged individuals such as yourself on a beautiful,
(01:17):
uninhabited island in the Gulf of Mexico.
Speaker 2 (01:19):
Uninhabited.
Speaker 3 (01:20):
Yes, it doesn't even have a name. There's a single
compound that belonged to a recently decommissioned CIA black site,
but it was upgraded to resort level comfort for us
by Michael Cores.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
He's a friend or he was so. No extradition treaty.
Speaker 3 (01:38):
No, it's unclaimed by any state. In a fact, we've
declared it a temporary micro nation of healing.
Speaker 2 (01:46):
Hilarious.
Speaker 3 (01:47):
I know you've seen me on the talk shows calling
for a universally accepted pathway for the publicly shamed to
be reintroduced into society.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
Fucking a fuck, Carl, what I'm just are you texting? No?
Speaker 4 (02:03):
No?
Speaker 2 (02:03):
No, go ahead, I'm just doing my wordle Okay.
Speaker 3 (02:08):
Now, your film and TV empire entertains millions, Your support
for progressive causes is tireless, and yet you were in
effect canceled when a number of women came forward with
charges of sexual harassment. They're all lying, All two hundred
and fifty one women are lying, yeah, about how you
(02:28):
masturbated in front of them into an urn filled with
your mother's ashes.
Speaker 2 (02:33):
Look, Karen, it's he said, she said, And I said, bitch,
excuse me my wordle words shit, Uh, it's not witch
as in hunt.
Speaker 3 (02:45):
No, Carl, why are you applying to.
Speaker 2 (02:49):
Renewal because I want my fucking calls returned? Hold on, Yeah,
well suck my fucking day. Yeah you heard me. I
got I gotta go. I'll call you tomorrow. Grandma.
Speaker 3 (03:08):
Wow. Never thought i'd see that happen in real life.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
She won't remember that. Alzheimer's it's great for family relations.
Speaker 3 (03:17):
How's the rest of your family taking your cancelation?
Speaker 2 (03:20):
Huh? My wife left, my father changed his phone number.
My kids still talk to me, but they're retarded.
Speaker 3 (03:26):
Okay, the terminology has changed to intellectually.
Speaker 2 (03:31):
Yeah, too many syllables.
Speaker 3 (03:33):
Carl, I wonder are you seeing a therapist? The excuse me?
Speaker 2 (03:39):
No, you know it's not quack prick prick Carl.
Speaker 3 (03:44):
I need you to focus.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
I need you to shut the fuck up and let
me solve this.
Speaker 5 (03:48):
No one liked you, Carl.
Speaker 3 (03:49):
I'd be surprised if anyone can stand to me in
the same room with you. No, you didn't like that,
did you?
Speaker 2 (03:58):
Well? You really hurt my th there, I only got one.
Speaker 3 (04:03):
I just wanted to give you an example of the
kind of confrontational therapeutic modality we might be employing at Renewal.
We want to give our therapists, our curators as we
call them, cure being the operative word. We want to
give them complete freedom in their methods, and I wanted
to see if that's something you can handle.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
Why not?
Speaker 3 (04:24):
Your why not is a lot to unpack?
Speaker 2 (04:26):
I really hate that word unless it's uh No, unpack
is six fucking letters.
Speaker 3 (04:32):
Let's cut to the chase, Caral, you could very well
be a perfect candidate for renewal.
Speaker 2 (04:37):
Damn right. I am a celebrity client brings publicity and investors.
Speaker 3 (04:42):
We call our canceled clients curatees. And your notoriety isn't
the point? Oh?
Speaker 2 (04:48):
Isn't it? Isn't it? If I wasn't famous, I wouldn't
be canceled. Joe Blow doesn't get assassinated, he gets murdered.
Speaker 3 (04:55):
Interesting. Yeah, in any case, Carl, what we really need
to know today is that you're open to change. What
is it you want for most, Carl?
Speaker 2 (05:05):
I want, yes, grace. Oh my fucking wordal word is grace?
Speaker 3 (05:14):
And how does that make you feel?
Speaker 2 (05:17):
Okay? I want to change.
Speaker 3 (05:20):
Thank you, Carl. We are now officially here for you.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
I gotta take a dump.
Speaker 3 (05:33):
Hi, thank you for doing this interview on video chat.
I know you're a bit of a luddite.
Speaker 6 (05:39):
Yeah, Karen's screens they become a fucking horror movie lately. Huh,
the zoom is coming from inside the house.
Speaker 3 (05:47):
Very good. Now. According to your TikTok profile, you have
five point four million followers. You describe yourself as a
gen z, a fab a gender.
Speaker 6 (06:00):
A fab from my profile. It's irrelevant that I was
assigned female at birth. It gives too much power to
the assigner.
Speaker 3 (06:08):
Fair enough, you're a gen z agender, multi racial, consciously celibate,
neo ascetic, social influencer. Now agender means free from gender
correct and neo ascetic is about frugality.
Speaker 5 (06:22):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (06:23):
My most often quoted mantras are do less, hurtless, stop moving,
and save the world. And all pain is harm, All
harm abuse.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
Interesting, But isn't some pain not caused by abuse? I mean,
people do get burned by the sun and die of
natural causes.
Speaker 5 (06:45):
That hasn't improven, Karen.
Speaker 6 (06:48):
Scientists posit that if we didn't abuse our bodies with
sun exposure and unhealthy living, we could live forever.
Speaker 3 (06:54):
Interesting.
Speaker 5 (06:55):
Interesting usually means you're wrong.
Speaker 6 (06:57):
What I'm getting at is that my generation wants to
stop abusers of the powerless, and of course the most
powerless victim of all is the fucking planet.
Speaker 5 (07:07):
Well said, your generation really shit the global bed. Karen,
You're a.
Speaker 3 (07:13):
Right Kui, But what would you say to those who
say that you that zoomers haven't lived long enough to
make balanced judgments? Maybe to understand nuance? One has to
have worked through a few things, experienced loss.
Speaker 5 (07:26):
How do you know what I've lost? Karen?
Speaker 3 (07:31):
You're right again, Ki, What have you lost?
Speaker 5 (07:33):
How about my fucking future? For one thing?
Speaker 6 (07:36):
He needs nuance when our survival is at stake. Why
do you think kids are super gluing their faces to Gwernica?
Speaker 3 (07:44):
Well taken? You should know that I've decided that, no
matter how old our canceled curities are, all of our
curators need to be gen Z because you are our
conscience and our future. In effect, we want to give
the kids the keys to the car.
Speaker 6 (08:03):
Wow, that's a huge and fuel and efficient vehicle to unpack.
Speaker 5 (08:10):
But I applaud you lately.
Speaker 6 (08:12):
Maturity seems to be just another word for complacency, if
not outright collusion. And if all news is fake, then
all stories must be true. So be careful what story
you're telling with this rehab, Karen.
Speaker 3 (08:24):
Very well? Put? May I quote you?
Speaker 5 (08:26):
You mean appropriate me? Well, I'm joking. I'm joking, Karen.
We're not all a cab acab.
Speaker 3 (08:36):
All cops are bastard.
Speaker 5 (08:37):
No assigned cop at birth. Well played, I'm well tired
of your compliments.
Speaker 3 (08:46):
Fair enough now, Kai, you're tough, You're articulate, you're informed,
you encourage young people to get off social media. Yes,
and yeah, I.
Speaker 6 (08:55):
Am very proud of my do lessers who are devolving
down to flip phones or none at all.
Speaker 3 (09:00):
And yet you are a major social media presence with
how else.
Speaker 5 (09:04):
Am I going to advertise doing less? Karen? It's a process,
it is.
Speaker 3 (09:11):
Now. I'm curious what is the origin story of Kai?
Speaker 6 (09:16):
Well, though most of my ancestors were slave owners, I
recently found out that my seventh great grandmother was one
quarter black. It is a responsibility, it is an opportunity.
And I see myself as kind of a harmhound who
(09:37):
sniffs out racism, sexism, queer phobia. And if I find
out that you have hurt someone, Karen, I will digitally
root you out, dox you, and if necessary, remove you
from circulation. My goodness, your goodness hasn't been confirmed yet, Karen,
(09:57):
And naturally I hate liars. Truth is important to me
because my parents are conspiracy nuts, the fake moon Landing,
the nine to eleven inside job, all the way to.
Speaker 3 (10:07):
Kenon Canon, isn't it, q Andon? Pedophile liberals eating babies
and something you no, Karen?
Speaker 6 (10:14):
Q is over Ka is the new Q and K
is mostly concerned with the secret lizard.
Speaker 3 (10:21):
People, the who.
Speaker 5 (10:25):
The crypto reptoids among us.
Speaker 6 (10:28):
You know, Biden, Obama, Bieber preparing the way for their
lizard brethren to rise from their subterranean chambers and take
over the world.
Speaker 3 (10:37):
Wow, I forgot about that.
Speaker 6 (10:40):
Yeah, well it's pretty huge right now, Karen, I really
think I have a lot to offer this project.
Speaker 3 (10:50):
Do you have a partner and or children? WHOA?
Speaker 5 (10:53):
What the fuck does that have to do with anything?
Speaker 6 (10:58):
I mean, I thought you would want somebody with fewer attachments,
So am.
Speaker 3 (11:04):
I in Well, it's not just up to me.
Speaker 5 (11:07):
Oh, Kaya is too prickly, huh to hair trigger? Too young? Karen?
Speaker 6 (11:10):
What I lack in life experience I make up for uncertainty.
I am certain I can help people, whether they like
it or not.
Speaker 3 (11:23):
Kai, You're hired, and I know just the curate that
I want you to work with. I believe you when
he are going to be a formidable match. Can you
hear me? Okay, Claude, I can.
Speaker 7 (11:43):
The picture is fine too.
Speaker 3 (11:45):
Where are you now?
Speaker 5 (11:46):
The island of Martinique, CA.
Speaker 3 (11:48):
Your resume says your.
Speaker 7 (11:50):
Haitian I was born in Haiti, but moved to the
Gulf Coast of Florida at age eight.
Speaker 3 (11:55):
Yes, I thought I detected a tamp and lilt.
Speaker 7 (12:01):
Okay. I returned to the Caribbean in my late twenties
and have been working on various islands since then.
Speaker 3 (12:08):
Now, Claude, why do you think you should be head
claviger at Renewal?
Speaker 7 (12:12):
Be what I thought I was interviewing for a head
of the maintenance staff.
Speaker 5 (12:17):
You are.
Speaker 3 (12:17):
Claviger is a medieval term for key master. It seemed
more elegant.
Speaker 5 (12:24):
Okay.
Speaker 7 (12:25):
I've been chief engineer and groundskeeper for various resorts throughout it.
Speaker 3 (12:29):
I understand Hurricane Jeric devastated your most recent place of employment.
I want to apologize for our emissions in the global North.
Speaker 5 (12:39):
Thank you.
Speaker 7 (12:42):
I speak five languages. I have been a laid pastor,
a medic during the Haitian earthquake, and an amateur boxer.
Speaker 3 (12:48):
That's all very useful. Okay. It says here you have
five children? Do you have a partner? I'm sorry, did
your image freeze or excuse me? The question was irrelevant? Okay,
lay minister. Interesting do you believe in redemption? You're going
to come in contact with complex individuals there could very
(13:10):
well be sexual predators, racists, knon followers, right.
Speaker 7 (13:15):
The lizard hunters. I'm fascinated by them.
Speaker 3 (13:18):
Well do you think you could handle such extreme personalities?
Speaker 7 (13:21):
As my grandmama used to say, no matter who you are,
if you peel off your skin, you'll die.
Speaker 3 (13:32):
She was a wise woman. You're a boila.
Speaker 7 (13:37):
We don't speak Spanish and HATI.
Speaker 3 (13:40):
Oh, of course you don't forgive me. I also see
that you work out. Excuse me, you're well built. We're
seeking physical trainers too, you see. But that would really
just be icing on the cake. In any case, welcome
to renewal, Claude, if you'll have us, Okay, I will
(14:10):
thank you for coming.
Speaker 8 (14:11):
Colleena Kasparian and I need to be held accountable.
Speaker 3 (14:14):
All right? Can you describe how you were canceled Klina?
Speaker 8 (14:18):
Well, I'm a I was a theater major at Kansas
University and the first trans woman admitted to our one
hundred year old sorority, sigm mackay. Everything was going.
Speaker 3 (14:28):
Great until it wasn't. Am I right? So let me
make sure I've got this right. You quote stumbled out
of bed after an important rush party. You walked into
your common room and were confronted by a middle aged
black man brandishing a quote long stick.
Speaker 2 (14:46):
That's right.
Speaker 3 (14:47):
You panicked and called the police and told them an
African American man is trying to assault me.
Speaker 8 (14:53):
I realized later he was actually our new janitor, trying
to get around me with a mop to clean up
my vomit. Deeply ashamed of my racist act, which was
also incredibly hypocritical, as I've always been a passionate advocate
for police abolition.
Speaker 9 (15:07):
I love Angela Davis.
Speaker 3 (15:12):
I see. And the video was retweeted a record fifty
two million times.
Speaker 8 (15:17):
Yeah, and the memes by any memes necessary, right, Sorry,
that's not funny.
Speaker 2 (15:24):
Uh, but it's been a lot.
Speaker 3 (15:27):
No, that must have been very hard.
Speaker 8 (15:29):
I haven't left my parents' house in months. I posted
an apology, explaining I was simply feeling vulnerable as a
trans woman that morning and that on the phone to
the police, I was just describing Marlin Marcus. Sorry, I
was just describing Marcus to the police, and that just
led to more death threats. My parents hired search scrubber,
(15:49):
which flooded Google with positive posts about me, But for
every picture of me kissing a kitten or a working
in a soup kitchen. There were still three of me
wrestling a mop out of the hands of an and
essential worker of color. I know I deserve to be canceled,
but I want to find out if I can after
all of this. You know, have a life. Can you
(16:12):
help me?
Speaker 3 (16:13):
We'll do our vest. You are now officially welcome to
renew A Khalia.
Speaker 2 (16:18):
Oh my goddess, thank you.
Speaker 3 (16:24):
Kirk. Your resume is astonishing. You're a former rodeo clown,
a gang mediator, you started a mentoring program for trans
masculine people of color like yourself, and you're an ASMR star.
Speaker 9 (16:39):
Yes, I am an ASMR tiste.
Speaker 3 (16:43):
Now what is that again?
Speaker 9 (16:45):
Well, I may sounds to stimulate a low grade euphoria
and our listeners, it's better if I show you can
I take a sip of your water?
Speaker 3 (16:53):
Oh please? Ah?
Speaker 9 (17:04):
I see, By the way, who is that woman who
just left this office?
Speaker 3 (17:10):
That was Kalina, a curate who will be joining us
at Renewal.
Speaker 9 (17:15):
Right, so sad what happened to her?
Speaker 3 (17:17):
Yes? It is?
Speaker 9 (17:19):
So what's going on with you, Karen? Do you have
some personal experience with cancelation?
Speaker 3 (17:25):
Well, I I don't you afraid we're all going to
get ourselves canceled. Well, Kirk, I see it as a
kind of prisoner exchange. If I can reintegrate just one
person into society, then it's worth me being drummed out
of society.
Speaker 9 (17:43):
Oh, we're going to do a lot better than a
prisoner exchange, Karen, Yeah, yes we are. How are you feeling?
Speaker 3 (17:53):
I'm better than ever now that I've met you. I'm sorry.
I didn't realize I've been resting my foot on your.
Speaker 9 (18:00):
That's okay, it's fine, leave it there.
Speaker 3 (18:04):
Oh, okay, Chris, it's wonderful to see you. Hey, Karen.
Been a while. Yes, I guess the last time we
(18:26):
saw each other was on the View? Was it five?
Speaker 4 (18:28):
Six years ago to the month?
Speaker 3 (18:30):
Incredible how the world has changed since then, isn't it.
Speaker 4 (18:34):
Yeah, you can't take a dump anymore without being called
a fascist or a pinko.
Speaker 3 (18:40):
Well, it seems you were called both when you were
canceled for a sketch on your comedy special.
Speaker 8 (18:45):
What was it called, Chris Katz?
Speaker 2 (18:47):
Cancel me with a K.
Speaker 3 (18:50):
Right? You peg raped? Is that the correct term? Yeah?
You peg raped a Kanye West impersonator with what you
discribe as an anatomically correct Trump dildo.
Speaker 2 (19:04):
Yes, you had to zoom in to see it.
Speaker 4 (19:09):
Okay, I was trying to make a political point, Karen, Well.
Speaker 3 (19:12):
You enraged pretty much everyone in the political spectrum.
Speaker 10 (19:15):
I don't discriminate.
Speaker 3 (19:17):
Huh. Well, at Renewal, we are going to get experimental
with our therapies. Are you up for that? Hell?
Speaker 2 (19:24):
Yes, break me and remake me.
Speaker 3 (19:27):
I need to work. I'm sorry, Chris. Do you feel
you did something wrong? No?
Speaker 4 (19:36):
I mean haven't we all In the future, we will
all be canceled for fifteen minutes at least. Hold up
a magnifying glass, and we're all ugly.
Speaker 5 (19:47):
I mean shit.
Speaker 4 (19:48):
My entire career is based on insulting myself before anyone
else could.
Speaker 2 (19:53):
I studied with Phyllis Diller.
Speaker 4 (19:55):
She was one of the few who could go toe
to toe with the borsch felt bully boys. God grant
me the confidence of a tiny, circumcised prick.
Speaker 2 (20:05):
You know what I'm talking about, don't you?
Speaker 4 (20:07):
Karen?
Speaker 3 (20:09):
Right? You know I do?
Speaker 2 (20:13):
Yeah?
Speaker 5 (20:13):
I thought so.
Speaker 3 (20:15):
Welcome to Renewal, Chris. Hi, Karen Kelly. Hello, Hi Karen, Wow.
I haven't used Skype in years. Hi Karen here?
Speaker 5 (20:34):
Oh there you are?
Speaker 3 (20:36):
Yes, I am sorry, Karen I'm not very good at
this computer stuff. No problem at all. Now, Kelly, You're
a married Midwestern mother of four, you're a beloved librarian,
you teach Sunday school. You've even organized sanctuary for undocumented
immigrants at your church, and yet your series of viral
(20:58):
videos were shot. I mean the sheer diversity of your target. Well, Karen,
I've struggled with diversity my whole life. Do you mean adversity?
I don't know. Okay, Well, let's get specific if you
don't mind. You you barged into a maternity ward right after
(21:21):
a LATINX federal judge gave birth, and you screamed at
her child. Go back where you came from, wet back,
witch baby. Yeah. Then you dragged a bloody cross into
a synagogue and shrieked into the face of a ninety
eight year old Holocaust survivor. You killed my personal lord
(21:41):
and savior. How do you think that makes me feel?
I did? And then you broke into a gay men's
trauma survivors group and chat on the floor while yelling
bone appetite ass eaters. That one was very pot Well.
(22:03):
The videos have made you one of the most well
known canceled people in history. Well, thank you, Karen. It's true.
Almost everybody hates me. The only person who defended me
was k of that Kookie Kian Nun. That was really
nice of him or her or h Kelly. Why don't
you tell me why you want to join Renewal. At first,
my family, my friends, my job all dropped me. No
(22:26):
one would talk to me. It was wonderful, but then
I got a little lonely. It's really nice to talk
with you, Karen. Well, you won't be lonely at Renewal,
but you will be challenged on your way back into society.
Are you ready for that? I don't know how I
feel about society, but I love to try new things, Karen,
(22:47):
and I think it would be interesting to meet other
people with no friends. Well, i'd like to invite you
to join us. If we can cure you, we can
cure the world.
Speaker 5 (22:58):
Oh, thank you, Karen. Thank you for caring.
Speaker 3 (23:17):
Let Renewal come to order. We're all sitting here in
Renewal's beautiful common room.
Speaker 11 (23:29):
And yes, Kyoko, Karen, i'd like to propose renaming it
the common Womb because I feel safe and health here.
Speaker 3 (23:37):
I like that, Kyoko, folks. This is Kyoko, who works
closely with me. Hi, guys Hi, Now you look out
at that white sand beach, those palm trees. I'm a
bit of a panpsychist, which means I believe that everything
animate or inanimate has a consciousness. And I'll tell you
(23:58):
I sense healing spirit. It's all around us. What a
great place to think about our lives. Yeah, I hope
you all enjoyed the leisurely cruise from New Orleans. Just
want to remind you that here we'll be leaving behind
some of our first world distractions, i e. Phones, computers, drugs, alcohol, sex.
(24:21):
Renewal is a nine month program, a spiritual gestation period,
if you will, leading to our curates rebirth into society.
Speaker 2 (24:30):
How do we get pregnant if we can't fuck?
Speaker 3 (24:34):
That's Caral everybody, He's going to be our resident devil's advocate.
We all need one. But first some introductions. I am
Karen in Affect, your chief concierge here at Renewal, and
you've met Kyoko, my deputy concierge.
Speaker 11 (24:51):
Think of me as the kidney of Renewal. Everything passes
through me, scheduling, logistics, hospitalities.
Speaker 3 (24:58):
And what comes out the other our end is hump.
Speaker 11 (25:05):
Karen, I'd like to know if we can all provide
our preferred pronouns.
Speaker 3 (25:09):
As a matter of fact, Kele, our subconcierge, is currently
handing out name tags with just that information, isn't he cute?
Speaker 2 (25:19):
Shut up? Hi? Everybody?
Speaker 3 (25:21):
Hi, Cai? How you doing now? To my left, we've
got our eight counselors or curators, led by our chief
curator Kai what's up? And our deputy chief curator kirk
Yo okay. Over here, we've got the ten members of
our maintenance staff, or as we call them, our clavigers,
(25:42):
led by our chief claviger Claude. At least his name
doesn't begin with a K.
Speaker 7 (25:47):
It does, actually.
Speaker 3 (25:50):
Good Lord, Well anyway, Last, but not least, the reason
we're all here, our sixteen curatees Curity will get a
dedicated curator for their personal sessions. But to kick things off,
let's acknowledge the original stewards of this land.
Speaker 6 (26:10):
Who the CIA, who may have tortured people in this
very space.
Speaker 3 (26:16):
Thank you guy, Kyoko, what has your research uncovered?
Speaker 11 (26:20):
Well, Karen, we don't know who originally inhabited this nameless
ten square mile patch of subtropical beauty, which happens to
be situated in one of the two small enclaves of
international waters that adorn the Gulf of Mexico like nipples
on a watery bosom.
Speaker 3 (26:40):
You're studying poetry at Brent Maher.
Speaker 11 (26:43):
I am sorry. After the attacks of September eleventh, the
CIA built this compound to house a secret black site
to illegally detain and torture.
Speaker 3 (26:56):
Okay. Now, I like to think we are in effect
smudging this island with our presence.
Speaker 11 (27:02):
Exactly, We're clearing.
Speaker 3 (27:03):
And transforming its brutal, extra judicial brand of justice into
a more restorative one.
Speaker 8 (27:10):
Excuse me, Karen, Yes, Kalina, I'd like to propose a
name for the island la Isla Kurativa, the Island of
Healing la Isler.
Speaker 3 (27:21):
It's pronounced la Isla.
Speaker 8 (27:24):
Oh h, I am so sorry, I diase.
Speaker 3 (27:28):
Thank you. That's our head chef Carmen. Hi, everybody, Hi,
and I love la Isla Kurativa. Okay, now how about
we kick our program off with a game?
Speaker 2 (27:42):
Yay? I love games?
Speaker 3 (27:44):
Is it like mother may I? It is a little Cali.
It's called the Privilege Walk or the Power Shuffle.
Speaker 8 (27:51):
I love that one. I organized it for my sisters
at Sigma Kai.
Speaker 9 (27:55):
That exercise is a little old fashioned, Karen.
Speaker 3 (27:58):
Let's give it a shot, shall we. Okay, all of
us curators, curates, and clavigers alike, please form a single
line facing me. I'm going to read out some personal traits,
and if one applies to you, take a step forward
or back as directed. Okay, good, right now, we're all
(28:19):
in effect equal, just as perhaps we were in the womb.
Let's begin now. If you identify as male, take one
step forward.
Speaker 2 (28:30):
Good.
Speaker 3 (28:31):
Now. If you identify as female, take a step back.
If you see yourself as gay, take a step back.
If you are asexual, take two steps back. If your
trends take three steps back.
Speaker 5 (28:45):
And if you're a gender non binary.
Speaker 3 (28:47):
Well, Kai, you can take a step and a half back.
Speaker 5 (28:50):
That seems pretty stingy, but fine.
Speaker 3 (28:56):
If you are black, feel free to take two steps back.
Speaker 2 (28:59):
I'm right the back of the bus.
Speaker 3 (29:01):
Indeed, as you can see, the game is rigged. Now.
If you are a LATINX, take one step back. Excuse me, now,
what is LATINX again?
Speaker 5 (29:12):
I'm from Venezuela, so.
Speaker 3 (29:14):
Then, yes, Carmen, you are LATINX.
Speaker 6 (29:16):
Okay, I believe latine is the new gender nonspecific term
in Spanish.
Speaker 3 (29:23):
Oh, I haven't heard of. Well, we'll let Carmen decide
which term she'd like to use, shall we, Ki, Carmen,
take your time, Carmen.
Speaker 4 (29:31):
Yeah, after all, it's your own language we're trying to
force on you.
Speaker 9 (29:35):
I'm good with whatever.
Speaker 3 (29:36):
Perfect. Now, if you're Asian, take a half step back.
Speaker 5 (29:41):
And what about Native Americans?
Speaker 2 (29:43):
How far back does this room go?
Speaker 9 (29:45):
What if you're rich?
Speaker 3 (29:46):
Well, that's not usually a criterion.
Speaker 9 (29:48):
I mean, what if I lost my family in a hurricane?
Speaker 3 (29:50):
Oh my god, Well, Claude, where are you going? I
have a job to do, Karen, Karen, I was ignored
by my mom.
Speaker 4 (30:00):
I was left on a Catholic church doorstep.
Speaker 3 (30:03):
That's a full step back.
Speaker 4 (30:04):
Then a wealthy Jewish couple adopted me half a step forward.
Speaker 3 (30:09):
But then they beat the shit out of me.
Speaker 10 (30:11):
I had an abortion, I was a cesarean.
Speaker 2 (30:13):
I'm an asshole, but make it. I tried to kill myself.
I tried to kill myself five times. I'm afraid of
me forgotten.
Speaker 3 (30:23):
All right, looks like you're all backed up right against
the wall. Now what have we all learned from this
that I can walk backwards.
Speaker 2 (30:38):
That this is bullshit. We finally agree on something.
Speaker 6 (30:41):
Me too. Well, if people weren't changing the rules, the
power imbalances would be clearer.
Speaker 9 (30:45):
I have to agree with Kai.
Speaker 2 (30:48):
What the fuck is that? Jesus Christ?
Speaker 5 (30:51):
Is this part of the therapy? No, it's not, She'll go.
Maybe we should ask Cot what is going on?
Speaker 11 (31:01):
Where's the toilet downhole?
Speaker 3 (31:12):
I'm so sorry, I don't know what that was.
Speaker 2 (31:15):
One of your friendly ghosts.
Speaker 9 (31:16):
Karen, My goodness, what a mess?
Speaker 3 (31:18):
Kyoko on it?
Speaker 11 (31:20):
Claud Can we get this vomit mopped up?
Speaker 7 (31:23):
Okay?
Speaker 10 (31:24):
Yes, Kale, Karen, maybe the volcano is coming back to life.
We are near the edge of the Chi Salou Crater.
The what where that big asteroid hit the Earth sixty
six million years ago and wiped out the dinosaurs?
Speaker 3 (31:36):
That didn't feel like an eruption?
Speaker 5 (31:38):
Kale? Well, how often is this going to happen?
Speaker 11 (31:40):
I'll google it?
Speaker 2 (31:41):
You have Wi Fi?
Speaker 3 (31:41):
Oh it's all right, Kyoko, Coral. We do have satellite comms,
but only for emergencies. I want to remind all of
you that we're isolated here by design. A supply ship
will visit once a month, but just know that strange sound,
notwithstanding that you presently reside in the state is placed
on earth. That sounded like Chris.
Speaker 2 (32:05):
Claude on it. What the fuck is going on?
Speaker 3 (32:09):
I'm scared, Karen. What do we do? Please stay where
you are. We need to secure the area. Fuck that remain.
Speaker 2 (32:14):
Calm, Karen, there's no sign of Chris.
Speaker 3 (32:17):
Organize a search party.
Speaker 2 (32:18):
You four follow me.
Speaker 11 (32:19):
We'll find her, Karen.
Speaker 2 (32:20):
Of course we will.
Speaker 3 (32:21):
Oh my goddess, this is crazy.
Speaker 11 (32:23):
I'm so upset.
Speaker 9 (32:25):
It's gonna be okay, Kelly.
Speaker 3 (32:26):
Is it, Karen? We will find her?
Speaker 2 (32:29):
Is lok Yarativa.
Speaker 5 (32:31):
It's more like the island of the damn Karen. We're
in fucking hell? Have you brought us?
Speaker 1 (32:55):
Cancelation Island A Topic Studios and iHeart Podcasts production written
by John Cameron Mitchell and Michael Kevidias, directed by John
Cameron Mitchell, Produced by Christy Gressman, starring Holly Hunter as Karen,
Josh Pice as Carl, Aaron Marky as Kai k Todd
Freeman as Claude, Murphy, Taylor Smith as Collina, Justice Singleton
(33:19):
as Kirk, Mary Testa as Chris, Joe Firestone as Callie,
Mia Pack as Kyoko, Joseph Keckler as Cale, Maria Mercedes
Galupo as Carmen, Micah Stock as Casper, Dalmis Garcia as Keky,
Michael Kevidias as Jonas, and Josh Nate Davila as Peppo,
(33:41):
Veronica Guadalupe as Pepa. Audio producer Vincent Cashion. Executive producers
Michael Kevdias, John Cameron Mitchell and for iHeart Podcasts Noel
Brown and Nikki Ettore, composer Lucas Carey. Original song Wait
written by Brett Every and John Cameron Mitchell. Additional music
(34:01):
by Vincent Cashion. Executive in charge of production Jenny Badusa.
Recording produced by Will Stanton. Live production manager Amanda Harris,
recorded live in front of an audience by Will Stanton
and Sam Torres. Live sound by Max Kaufman. Script supervisor
Rachel Cole, Reader Stephen Winter, Production coordinator Nick Boyd, Assistant
(34:24):
to the director, Guthrie McCarty, Vaschon Production assistant Brandon Harris,
artwork Ricardo de Saigno for Topic Studios Podcasts, Christy Gressman,
Adam Cecil, Michelle Lance, post production Ethan Lyt Communications, Genie Keatis,
Dan Goldberg, Marketing, Jen Robertson, Mark Chan business and legal affairs,
(34:47):
Alex Jiga, Ryan Mack, zach Locke, Trevor Paul, Production finance,
Vince Gonzales, Beatrice Chisholm,
Cancelation Island by John Cameron Mitchell and Michael Kevdia's a
Topic Studios production, recorded in front of a live audience
at the Bellhouse, Brooklyn, New York.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
So, Karen, you look fatter in person. Is that why
they kicked you off the view?
Speaker 3 (00:45):
Carl, I don't know that. I would say I was
kicked off. It was a mutual decision.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
So this Cancelation Island is your idea, it.
Speaker 3 (00:55):
Is, Carl. We, of course don't call it cancelation Island.
We call it UEL Restorative Empathy Needs based Experimental World
Amelioration Lab. Okay, it's a pilot project that will attempt
to rehabilitate reputationally disadvantaged individuals such as yourself on a beautiful,
(01:17):
uninhabited island in the Gulf of Mexico.
Speaker 2 (01:19):
Uninhabited.
Speaker 3 (01:20):
Yes, it doesn't even have a name. There's a single
compound that belonged to a recently decommissioned CIA black site,
but it was upgraded to resort level comfort for us
by Michael Cores.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
He's a friend or he was so. No extradition treaty.
Speaker 3 (01:38):
No, it's unclaimed by any state. In a fact, we've
declared it a temporary micro nation of healing.
Speaker 2 (01:46):
Hilarious.
Speaker 3 (01:47):
I know you've seen me on the talk shows calling
for a universally accepted pathway for the publicly shamed to
be reintroduced into society.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
Fucking a fuck, Carl, what I'm just are you texting? No?
Speaker 4 (02:03):
No?
Speaker 2 (02:03):
No, go ahead, I'm just doing my wordle Okay.
Speaker 3 (02:08):
Now, your film and TV empire entertains millions, Your support
for progressive causes is tireless, and yet you were in
effect canceled when a number of women came forward with
charges of sexual harassment. They're all lying, All two hundred
and fifty one women are lying, yeah, about how you
(02:28):
masturbated in front of them into an urn filled with
your mother's ashes.
Speaker 2 (02:33):
Look, Karen, it's he said, she said, And I said, bitch,
excuse me my wordle words shit, Uh, it's not witch
as in hunt.
Speaker 3 (02:45):
No, Carl, why are you applying to.
Speaker 2 (02:49):
Renewal because I want my fucking calls returned? Hold on, Yeah,
well suck my fucking day. Yeah you heard me. I
got I gotta go. I'll call you tomorrow. Grandma.
Speaker 3 (03:08):
Wow. Never thought i'd see that happen in real life.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
She won't remember that. Alzheimer's it's great for family relations.
Speaker 3 (03:17):
How's the rest of your family taking your cancelation?
Speaker 2 (03:20):
Huh? My wife left, my father changed his phone number.
My kids still talk to me, but they're retarded.
Speaker 3 (03:26):
Okay, the terminology has changed to intellectually.
Speaker 2 (03:31):
Yeah, too many syllables.
Speaker 3 (03:33):
Carl, I wonder are you seeing a therapist? The excuse me?
Speaker 2 (03:39):
No, you know it's not quack prick prick Carl.
Speaker 3 (03:44):
I need you to focus.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
I need you to shut the fuck up and let
me solve this.
Speaker 5 (03:48):
No one liked you, Carl.
Speaker 3 (03:49):
I'd be surprised if anyone can stand to me in
the same room with you. No, you didn't like that,
did you?
Speaker 2 (03:58):
Well? You really hurt my th there, I only got one.
Speaker 3 (04:03):
I just wanted to give you an example of the
kind of confrontational therapeutic modality we might be employing at Renewal.
We want to give our therapists, our curators as we
call them, cure being the operative word. We want to
give them complete freedom in their methods, and I wanted
to see if that's something you can handle.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
Why not?
Speaker 3 (04:24):
Your why not is a lot to unpack?
Speaker 2 (04:26):
I really hate that word unless it's uh No, unpack
is six fucking letters.
Speaker 3 (04:32):
Let's cut to the chase, Caral, you could very well
be a perfect candidate for renewal.
Speaker 2 (04:37):
Damn right. I am a celebrity client brings publicity and investors.
Speaker 3 (04:42):
We call our canceled clients curatees. And your notoriety isn't
the point? Oh?
Speaker 2 (04:48):
Isn't it? Isn't it? If I wasn't famous, I wouldn't
be canceled. Joe Blow doesn't get assassinated, he gets murdered.
Speaker 3 (04:55):
Interesting. Yeah, in any case, Carl, what we really need
to know today is that you're open to change. What
is it you want for most, Carl?
Speaker 2 (05:05):
I want, yes, grace. Oh my fucking wordal word is grace?
Speaker 3 (05:14):
And how does that make you feel?
Speaker 2 (05:17):
Okay? I want to change.
Speaker 3 (05:20):
Thank you, Carl. We are now officially here for you.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
I gotta take a dump.
Speaker 3 (05:33):
Hi, thank you for doing this interview on video chat.
I know you're a bit of a luddite.
Speaker 6 (05:39):
Yeah, Karen's screens they become a fucking horror movie lately. Huh,
the zoom is coming from inside the house.
Speaker 3 (05:47):
Very good. Now. According to your TikTok profile, you have
five point four million followers. You describe yourself as a
gen z, a fab a gender.
Speaker 6 (06:00):
A fab from my profile. It's irrelevant that I was
assigned female at birth. It gives too much power to
the assigner.
Speaker 3 (06:08):
Fair enough, you're a gen z agender, multi racial, consciously celibate,
neo ascetic, social influencer. Now agender means free from gender
correct and neo ascetic is about frugality.
Speaker 5 (06:22):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (06:23):
My most often quoted mantras are do less, hurtless, stop moving,
and save the world. And all pain is harm, All
harm abuse.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
Interesting, But isn't some pain not caused by abuse? I mean,
people do get burned by the sun and die of
natural causes.
Speaker 5 (06:45):
That hasn't improven, Karen.
Speaker 6 (06:48):
Scientists posit that if we didn't abuse our bodies with
sun exposure and unhealthy living, we could live forever.
Speaker 3 (06:54):
Interesting.
Speaker 5 (06:55):
Interesting usually means you're wrong.
Speaker 6 (06:57):
What I'm getting at is that my generation wants to
stop abusers of the powerless, and of course the most
powerless victim of all is the fucking planet.
Speaker 5 (07:07):
Well said, your generation really shit the global bed. Karen,
You're a.
Speaker 3 (07:13):
Right Kui, But what would you say to those who
say that you that zoomers haven't lived long enough to
make balanced judgments? Maybe to understand nuance? One has to
have worked through a few things, experienced loss.
Speaker 5 (07:26):
How do you know what I've lost? Karen?
Speaker 3 (07:31):
You're right again, Ki, What have you lost?
Speaker 5 (07:33):
How about my fucking future? For one thing?
Speaker 6 (07:36):
He needs nuance when our survival is at stake. Why
do you think kids are super gluing their faces to Gwernica?
Speaker 3 (07:44):
Well taken? You should know that I've decided that, no
matter how old our canceled curities are, all of our
curators need to be gen Z because you are our
conscience and our future. In effect, we want to give
the kids the keys to the car.
Speaker 6 (08:03):
Wow, that's a huge and fuel and efficient vehicle to unpack.
Speaker 5 (08:10):
But I applaud you lately.
Speaker 6 (08:12):
Maturity seems to be just another word for complacency, if
not outright collusion. And if all news is fake, then
all stories must be true. So be careful what story
you're telling with this rehab, Karen.
Speaker 3 (08:24):
Very well? Put? May I quote you?
Speaker 5 (08:26):
You mean appropriate me? Well, I'm joking. I'm joking, Karen.
We're not all a cab acab.
Speaker 3 (08:36):
All cops are bastard.
Speaker 5 (08:37):
No assigned cop at birth. Well played, I'm well tired
of your compliments.
Speaker 3 (08:46):
Fair enough now, Kai, you're tough, You're articulate, you're informed,
you encourage young people to get off social media. Yes,
and yeah, I.
Speaker 6 (08:55):
Am very proud of my do lessers who are devolving
down to flip phones or none at all.
Speaker 3 (09:00):
And yet you are a major social media presence with
how else.
Speaker 5 (09:04):
Am I going to advertise doing less? Karen? It's a process,
it is.
Speaker 3 (09:11):
Now. I'm curious what is the origin story of Kai?
Speaker 6 (09:16):
Well, though most of my ancestors were slave owners, I
recently found out that my seventh great grandmother was one
quarter black. It is a responsibility, it is an opportunity.
And I see myself as kind of a harmhound who
(09:37):
sniffs out racism, sexism, queer phobia. And if I find
out that you have hurt someone, Karen, I will digitally
root you out, dox you, and if necessary, remove you
from circulation. My goodness, your goodness hasn't been confirmed yet, Karen,
(09:57):
And naturally I hate liars. Truth is important to me
because my parents are conspiracy nuts, the fake moon Landing,
the nine to eleven inside job, all the way to.
Speaker 3 (10:07):
Kenon Canon, isn't it, q Andon? Pedophile liberals eating babies
and something you no, Karen?
Speaker 6 (10:14):
Q is over Ka is the new Q and K
is mostly concerned with the secret lizard.
Speaker 3 (10:21):
People, the who.
Speaker 5 (10:25):
The crypto reptoids among us.
Speaker 6 (10:28):
You know, Biden, Obama, Bieber preparing the way for their
lizard brethren to rise from their subterranean chambers and take
over the world.
Speaker 3 (10:37):
Wow, I forgot about that.
Speaker 6 (10:40):
Yeah, well it's pretty huge right now, Karen, I really
think I have a lot to offer this project.
Speaker 3 (10:50):
Do you have a partner and or children? WHOA?
Speaker 5 (10:53):
What the fuck does that have to do with anything?
Speaker 6 (10:58):
I mean, I thought you would want somebody with fewer attachments,
So am.
Speaker 3 (11:04):
I in Well, it's not just up to me.
Speaker 5 (11:07):
Oh, Kaya is too prickly, huh to hair trigger? Too young? Karen?
Speaker 6 (11:10):
What I lack in life experience I make up for uncertainty.
I am certain I can help people, whether they like
it or not.
Speaker 3 (11:23):
Kai, You're hired, and I know just the curate that
I want you to work with. I believe you when
he are going to be a formidable match. Can you
hear me? Okay, Claude, I can.
Speaker 7 (11:43):
The picture is fine too.
Speaker 3 (11:45):
Where are you now?
Speaker 5 (11:46):
The island of Martinique, CA.
Speaker 3 (11:48):
Your resume says your.
Speaker 7 (11:50):
Haitian I was born in Haiti, but moved to the
Gulf Coast of Florida at age eight.
Speaker 3 (11:55):
Yes, I thought I detected a tamp and lilt.
Speaker 7 (12:01):
Okay. I returned to the Caribbean in my late twenties
and have been working on various islands since then.
Speaker 3 (12:08):
Now, Claude, why do you think you should be head
claviger at Renewal?
Speaker 7 (12:12):
Be what I thought I was interviewing for a head
of the maintenance staff.
Speaker 5 (12:17):
You are.
Speaker 3 (12:17):
Claviger is a medieval term for key master. It seemed
more elegant.
Speaker 5 (12:24):
Okay.
Speaker 7 (12:25):
I've been chief engineer and groundskeeper for various resorts throughout it.
Speaker 3 (12:29):
I understand Hurricane Jeric devastated your most recent place of employment.
I want to apologize for our emissions in the global North.
Speaker 5 (12:39):
Thank you.
Speaker 7 (12:42):
I speak five languages. I have been a laid pastor,
a medic during the Haitian earthquake, and an amateur boxer.
Speaker 3 (12:48):
That's all very useful. Okay. It says here you have
five children? Do you have a partner? I'm sorry, did
your image freeze or excuse me? The question was irrelevant? Okay,
lay minister. Interesting do you believe in redemption? You're going
to come in contact with complex individuals there could very
(13:10):
well be sexual predators, racists, knon followers, right.
Speaker 7 (13:15):
The lizard hunters. I'm fascinated by them.
Speaker 3 (13:18):
Well do you think you could handle such extreme personalities?
Speaker 7 (13:21):
As my grandmama used to say, no matter who you are,
if you peel off your skin, you'll die.
Speaker 3 (13:32):
She was a wise woman. You're a boila.
Speaker 7 (13:37):
We don't speak Spanish and HATI.
Speaker 3 (13:40):
Oh, of course you don't forgive me. I also see
that you work out. Excuse me, you're well built. We're
seeking physical trainers too, you see. But that would really
just be icing on the cake. In any case, welcome
to renewal, Claude, if you'll have us, Okay, I will
(14:10):
thank you for coming.
Speaker 8 (14:11):
Colleena Kasparian and I need to be held accountable.
Speaker 3 (14:14):
All right? Can you describe how you were canceled Klina?
Speaker 8 (14:18):
Well, I'm a I was a theater major at Kansas
University and the first trans woman admitted to our one
hundred year old sorority, sigm mackay. Everything was going.
Speaker 3 (14:28):
Great until it wasn't. Am I right? So let me
make sure I've got this right. You quote stumbled out
of bed after an important rush party. You walked into
your common room and were confronted by a middle aged
black man brandishing a quote long stick.
Speaker 2 (14:46):
That's right.
Speaker 3 (14:47):
You panicked and called the police and told them an
African American man is trying to assault me.
Speaker 8 (14:53):
I realized later he was actually our new janitor, trying
to get around me with a mop to clean up
my vomit. Deeply ashamed of my racist act, which was
also incredibly hypocritical, as I've always been a passionate advocate
for police abolition.
Speaker 9 (15:07):
I love Angela Davis.
Speaker 3 (15:12):
I see. And the video was retweeted a record fifty
two million times.
Speaker 8 (15:17):
Yeah, and the memes by any memes necessary, right, Sorry,
that's not funny.
Speaker 2 (15:24):
Uh, but it's been a lot.
Speaker 3 (15:27):
No, that must have been very hard.
Speaker 8 (15:29):
I haven't left my parents' house in months. I posted
an apology, explaining I was simply feeling vulnerable as a
trans woman that morning and that on the phone to
the police, I was just describing Marlin Marcus. Sorry, I
was just describing Marcus to the police, and that just
led to more death threats. My parents hired search scrubber,
(15:49):
which flooded Google with positive posts about me, But for
every picture of me kissing a kitten or a working
in a soup kitchen. There were still three of me
wrestling a mop out of the hands of an and
essential worker of color. I know I deserve to be canceled,
but I want to find out if I can after
all of this. You know, have a life. Can you
(16:12):
help me?
Speaker 3 (16:13):
We'll do our vest. You are now officially welcome to
renew A Khalia.
Speaker 2 (16:18):
Oh my goddess, thank you.
Speaker 3 (16:24):
Kirk. Your resume is astonishing. You're a former rodeo clown,
a gang mediator, you started a mentoring program for trans
masculine people of color like yourself, and you're an ASMR star.
Speaker 9 (16:39):
Yes, I am an ASMR tiste.
Speaker 3 (16:43):
Now what is that again?
Speaker 9 (16:45):
Well, I may sounds to stimulate a low grade euphoria
and our listeners, it's better if I show you can
I take a sip of your water?
Speaker 3 (16:53):
Oh please? Ah?
Speaker 9 (17:04):
I see, By the way, who is that woman who
just left this office?
Speaker 3 (17:10):
That was Kalina, a curate who will be joining us
at Renewal.
Speaker 9 (17:15):
Right, so sad what happened to her?
Speaker 3 (17:17):
Yes? It is?
Speaker 9 (17:19):
So what's going on with you, Karen? Do you have
some personal experience with cancelation?
Speaker 3 (17:25):
Well, I I don't you afraid we're all going to
get ourselves canceled. Well, Kirk, I see it as a
kind of prisoner exchange. If I can reintegrate just one
person into society, then it's worth me being drummed out
of society.
Speaker 9 (17:43):
Oh, we're going to do a lot better than a
prisoner exchange, Karen, Yeah, yes we are. How are you feeling?
Speaker 3 (17:53):
I'm better than ever now that I've met you. I'm sorry.
I didn't realize I've been resting my foot on your.
Speaker 9 (18:00):
That's okay, it's fine, leave it there.
Speaker 3 (18:04):
Oh, okay, Chris, it's wonderful to see you. Hey, Karen.
Been a while. Yes, I guess the last time we
(18:26):
saw each other was on the View? Was it five?
Speaker 4 (18:28):
Six years ago to the month?
Speaker 3 (18:30):
Incredible how the world has changed since then, isn't it.
Speaker 4 (18:34):
Yeah, you can't take a dump anymore without being called
a fascist or a pinko.
Speaker 3 (18:40):
Well, it seems you were called both when you were
canceled for a sketch on your comedy special.
Speaker 8 (18:45):
What was it called, Chris Katz?
Speaker 2 (18:47):
Cancel me with a K.
Speaker 3 (18:50):
Right? You peg raped? Is that the correct term? Yeah?
You peg raped a Kanye West impersonator with what you
discribe as an anatomically correct Trump dildo.
Speaker 2 (19:04):
Yes, you had to zoom in to see it.
Speaker 4 (19:09):
Okay, I was trying to make a political point, Karen, Well.
Speaker 3 (19:12):
You enraged pretty much everyone in the political spectrum.
Speaker 10 (19:15):
I don't discriminate.
Speaker 3 (19:17):
Huh. Well, at Renewal, we are going to get experimental
with our therapies. Are you up for that? Hell?
Speaker 2 (19:24):
Yes, break me and remake me.
Speaker 3 (19:27):
I need to work. I'm sorry, Chris. Do you feel
you did something wrong? No?
Speaker 4 (19:36):
I mean haven't we all In the future, we will
all be canceled for fifteen minutes at least. Hold up
a magnifying glass, and we're all ugly.
Speaker 5 (19:47):
I mean shit.
Speaker 4 (19:48):
My entire career is based on insulting myself before anyone
else could.
Speaker 2 (19:53):
I studied with Phyllis Diller.
Speaker 4 (19:55):
She was one of the few who could go toe
to toe with the borsch felt bully boys. God grant
me the confidence of a tiny, circumcised prick.
Speaker 2 (20:05):
You know what I'm talking about, don't you?
Speaker 4 (20:07):
Karen?
Speaker 3 (20:09):
Right? You know I do?
Speaker 2 (20:13):
Yeah?
Speaker 5 (20:13):
I thought so.
Speaker 3 (20:15):
Welcome to Renewal, Chris. Hi, Karen Kelly. Hello, Hi Karen, Wow.
I haven't used Skype in years. Hi Karen here?
Speaker 5 (20:34):
Oh there you are?
Speaker 3 (20:36):
Yes, I am sorry, Karen I'm not very good at
this computer stuff. No problem at all. Now, Kelly, You're
a married Midwestern mother of four, you're a beloved librarian,
you teach Sunday school. You've even organized sanctuary for undocumented
immigrants at your church, and yet your series of viral
(20:58):
videos were shot. I mean the sheer diversity of your target. Well, Karen,
I've struggled with diversity my whole life. Do you mean adversity?
I don't know. Okay, Well, let's get specific if you
don't mind. You you barged into a maternity ward right after
(21:21):
a LATINX federal judge gave birth, and you screamed at
her child. Go back where you came from, wet back,
witch baby. Yeah. Then you dragged a bloody cross into
a synagogue and shrieked into the face of a ninety
eight year old Holocaust survivor. You killed my personal lord
(21:41):
and savior. How do you think that makes me feel?
I did? And then you broke into a gay men's
trauma survivors group and chat on the floor while yelling
bone appetite ass eaters. That one was very pot Well.
(22:03):
The videos have made you one of the most well
known canceled people in history. Well, thank you, Karen. It's true.
Almost everybody hates me. The only person who defended me
was k of that Kookie Kian Nun. That was really
nice of him or her or h Kelly. Why don't
you tell me why you want to join Renewal. At first,
my family, my friends, my job all dropped me. No
(22:26):
one would talk to me. It was wonderful, but then
I got a little lonely. It's really nice to talk
with you, Karen. Well, you won't be lonely at Renewal,
but you will be challenged on your way back into society.
Are you ready for that? I don't know how I
feel about society, but I love to try new things, Karen,
(22:47):
and I think it would be interesting to meet other
people with no friends. Well, i'd like to invite you
to join us. If we can cure you, we can
cure the world.
Speaker 5 (22:58):
Oh, thank you, Karen. Thank you for caring.
Speaker 3 (23:17):
Let Renewal come to order. We're all sitting here in
Renewal's beautiful common room.
Speaker 11 (23:29):
And yes, Kyoko, Karen, i'd like to propose renaming it
the common Womb because I feel safe and health here.
Speaker 3 (23:37):
I like that, Kyoko, folks. This is Kyoko, who works
closely with me. Hi, guys Hi, Now you look out
at that white sand beach, those palm trees. I'm a
bit of a panpsychist, which means I believe that everything
animate or inanimate has a consciousness. And I'll tell you
(23:58):
I sense healing spirit. It's all around us. What a
great place to think about our lives. Yeah, I hope
you all enjoyed the leisurely cruise from New Orleans. Just
want to remind you that here we'll be leaving behind
some of our first world distractions, i e. Phones, computers, drugs, alcohol, sex.
(24:21):
Renewal is a nine month program, a spiritual gestation period,
if you will, leading to our curates rebirth into society.
Speaker 2 (24:30):
How do we get pregnant if we can't fuck?
Speaker 3 (24:34):
That's Caral everybody, He's going to be our resident devil's advocate.
We all need one. But first some introductions. I am
Karen in Affect, your chief concierge here at Renewal, and
you've met Kyoko, my deputy concierge.
Speaker 11 (24:51):
Think of me as the kidney of Renewal. Everything passes
through me, scheduling, logistics, hospitalities.
Speaker 3 (24:58):
And what comes out the other our end is hump.
Speaker 11 (25:05):
Karen, I'd like to know if we can all provide
our preferred pronouns.
Speaker 3 (25:09):
As a matter of fact, Kele, our subconcierge, is currently
handing out name tags with just that information, isn't he cute?
Speaker 2 (25:19):
Shut up? Hi? Everybody?
Speaker 3 (25:21):
Hi, Cai? How you doing now? To my left, we've
got our eight counselors or curators, led by our chief
curator Kai what's up? And our deputy chief curator kirk
Yo okay. Over here, we've got the ten members of
our maintenance staff, or as we call them, our clavigers,
(25:42):
led by our chief claviger Claude. At least his name
doesn't begin with a K.
Speaker 7 (25:47):
It does, actually.
Speaker 3 (25:50):
Good Lord, Well anyway, Last, but not least, the reason
we're all here, our sixteen curatees Curity will get a
dedicated curator for their personal sessions. But to kick things off,
let's acknowledge the original stewards of this land.
Speaker 6 (26:10):
Who the CIA, who may have tortured people in this
very space.
Speaker 3 (26:16):
Thank you guy, Kyoko, what has your research uncovered?
Speaker 11 (26:20):
Well, Karen, we don't know who originally inhabited this nameless
ten square mile patch of subtropical beauty, which happens to
be situated in one of the two small enclaves of
international waters that adorn the Gulf of Mexico like nipples
on a watery bosom.
Speaker 3 (26:40):
You're studying poetry at Brent Maher.
Speaker 11 (26:43):
I am sorry. After the attacks of September eleventh, the
CIA built this compound to house a secret black site
to illegally detain and torture.
Speaker 3 (26:56):
Okay. Now, I like to think we are in effect
smudging this island with our presence.
Speaker 11 (27:02):
Exactly, We're clearing.
Speaker 3 (27:03):
And transforming its brutal, extra judicial brand of justice into
a more restorative one.
Speaker 8 (27:10):
Excuse me, Karen, Yes, Kalina, I'd like to propose a
name for the island la Isla Kurativa, the Island of
Healing la Isler.
Speaker 3 (27:21):
It's pronounced la Isla.
Speaker 8 (27:24):
Oh h, I am so sorry, I diase.
Speaker 3 (27:28):
Thank you. That's our head chef Carmen. Hi, everybody, Hi,
and I love la Isla Kurativa. Okay, now how about
we kick our program off with a game?
Speaker 2 (27:42):
Yay? I love games?
Speaker 3 (27:44):
Is it like mother may I? It is a little Cali.
It's called the Privilege Walk or the Power Shuffle.
Speaker 8 (27:51):
I love that one. I organized it for my sisters
at Sigma Kai.
Speaker 9 (27:55):
That exercise is a little old fashioned, Karen.
Speaker 3 (27:58):
Let's give it a shot, shall we. Okay, all of
us curators, curates, and clavigers alike, please form a single
line facing me. I'm going to read out some personal traits,
and if one applies to you, take a step forward
or back as directed. Okay, good, right now, we're all
(28:19):
in effect equal, just as perhaps we were in the womb.
Let's begin now. If you identify as male, take one
step forward.
Speaker 2 (28:30):
Good.
Speaker 3 (28:31):
Now. If you identify as female, take a step back.
If you see yourself as gay, take a step back.
If you are asexual, take two steps back. If your
trends take three steps back.
Speaker 5 (28:45):
And if you're a gender non binary.
Speaker 3 (28:47):
Well, Kai, you can take a step and a half back.
Speaker 5 (28:50):
That seems pretty stingy, but fine.
Speaker 3 (28:56):
If you are black, feel free to take two steps back.
Speaker 2 (28:59):
I'm right the back of the bus.
Speaker 3 (29:01):
Indeed, as you can see, the game is rigged. Now.
If you are a LATINX, take one step back. Excuse me, now,
what is LATINX again?
Speaker 5 (29:12):
I'm from Venezuela, so.
Speaker 3 (29:14):
Then, yes, Carmen, you are LATINX.
Speaker 6 (29:16):
Okay, I believe latine is the new gender nonspecific term
in Spanish.
Speaker 3 (29:23):
Oh, I haven't heard of. Well, we'll let Carmen decide
which term she'd like to use, shall we, Ki, Carmen,
take your time, Carmen.
Speaker 4 (29:31):
Yeah, after all, it's your own language we're trying to
force on you.
Speaker 9 (29:35):
I'm good with whatever.
Speaker 3 (29:36):
Perfect. Now, if you're Asian, take a half step back.
Speaker 5 (29:41):
And what about Native Americans?
Speaker 2 (29:43):
How far back does this room go?
Speaker 9 (29:45):
What if you're rich?
Speaker 3 (29:46):
Well, that's not usually a criterion.
Speaker 9 (29:48):
I mean, what if I lost my family in a hurricane?
Speaker 3 (29:50):
Oh my god, Well, Claude, where are you going? I
have a job to do, Karen, Karen, I was ignored
by my mom.
Speaker 4 (30:00):
I was left on a Catholic church doorstep.
Speaker 3 (30:03):
That's a full step back.
Speaker 4 (30:04):
Then a wealthy Jewish couple adopted me half a step forward.
Speaker 3 (30:09):
But then they beat the shit out of me.
Speaker 10 (30:11):
I had an abortion, I was a cesarean.
Speaker 2 (30:13):
I'm an asshole, but make it. I tried to kill myself.
I tried to kill myself five times. I'm afraid of
me forgotten.
Speaker 3 (30:23):
All right, looks like you're all backed up right against
the wall. Now what have we all learned from this
that I can walk backwards.
Speaker 2 (30:38):
That this is bullshit. We finally agree on something.
Speaker 6 (30:41):
Me too. Well, if people weren't changing the rules, the
power imbalances would be clearer.
Speaker 9 (30:45):
I have to agree with Kai.
Speaker 2 (30:48):
What the fuck is that? Jesus Christ?
Speaker 5 (30:51):
Is this part of the therapy? No, it's not, She'll go.
Maybe we should ask Cot what is going on?
Speaker 11 (31:01):
Where's the toilet downhole?
Speaker 3 (31:12):
I'm so sorry, I don't know what that was.
Speaker 2 (31:15):
One of your friendly ghosts.
Speaker 9 (31:16):
Karen, My goodness, what a mess?
Speaker 3 (31:18):
Kyoko on it?
Speaker 11 (31:20):
Claud Can we get this vomit mopped up?
Speaker 7 (31:23):
Okay?
Speaker 10 (31:24):
Yes, Kale, Karen, maybe the volcano is coming back to life.
We are near the edge of the Chi Salou Crater.
The what where that big asteroid hit the Earth sixty
six million years ago and wiped out the dinosaurs?
Speaker 3 (31:36):
That didn't feel like an eruption?
Speaker 5 (31:38):
Kale? Well, how often is this going to happen?
Speaker 11 (31:40):
I'll google it?
Speaker 2 (31:41):
You have Wi Fi?
Speaker 3 (31:41):
Oh it's all right, Kyoko, Coral. We do have satellite comms,
but only for emergencies. I want to remind all of
you that we're isolated here by design. A supply ship
will visit once a month, but just know that strange sound,
notwithstanding that you presently reside in the state is placed
on earth. That sounded like Chris.
Speaker 2 (32:05):
Claude on it. What the fuck is going on?
Speaker 3 (32:09):
I'm scared, Karen. What do we do? Please stay where
you are. We need to secure the area. Fuck that remain.
Speaker 2 (32:14):
Calm, Karen, there's no sign of Chris.
Speaker 3 (32:17):
Organize a search party.
Speaker 2 (32:18):
You four follow me.
Speaker 11 (32:19):
We'll find her, Karen.
Speaker 2 (32:20):
Of course we will.
Speaker 3 (32:21):
Oh my goddess, this is crazy.
Speaker 11 (32:23):
I'm so upset.
Speaker 9 (32:25):
It's gonna be okay, Kelly.
Speaker 3 (32:26):
Is it, Karen? We will find her?
Speaker 2 (32:29):
Is lok Yarativa.
Speaker 5 (32:31):
It's more like the island of the damn Karen. We're
in fucking hell? Have you brought us?
Speaker 1 (32:55):
Cancelation Island A Topic Studios and iHeart Podcasts production written
by John Cameron Mitchell and Michael Kevidias, directed by John
Cameron Mitchell, Produced by Christy Gressman, starring Holly Hunter as Karen,
Josh Pice as Carl, Aaron Marky as Kai k Todd
Freeman as Claude, Murphy, Taylor Smith as Collina, Justice Singleton
(33:19):
as Kirk, Mary Testa as Chris, Joe Firestone as Callie,
Mia Pack as Kyoko, Joseph Keckler as Cale, Maria Mercedes
Galupo as Carmen, Micah Stock as Casper, Dalmis Garcia as Keky,
Michael Kevidias as Jonas, and Josh Nate Davila as Peppo,
(33:41):
Veronica Guadalupe as Pepa. Audio producer Vincent Cashion. Executive producers
Michael Kevdias, John Cameron Mitchell and for iHeart Podcasts Noel
Brown and Nikki Ettore, composer Lucas Carey. Original song Wait
written by Brett Every and John Cameron Mitchell. Additional music
(34:01):
by Vincent Cashion. Executive in charge of production Jenny Badusa.
Recording produced by Will Stanton. Live production manager Amanda Harris,
recorded live in front of an audience by Will Stanton
and Sam Torres. Live sound by Max Kaufman. Script supervisor
Rachel Cole, Reader Stephen Winter, Production coordinator Nick Boyd, Assistant
(34:24):
to the director, Guthrie McCarty, Vaschon Production assistant Brandon Harris,
artwork Ricardo de Saigno for Topic Studios Podcasts, Christy Gressman,
Adam Cecil, Michelle Lance, post production Ethan Lyt Communications, Genie Keatis,
Dan Goldberg, Marketing, Jen Robertson, Mark Chan business and legal affairs,
(34:47):
Alex Jiga, Ryan Mack, zach Locke, Trevor Paul, Production finance,
Vince Gonzales, Beatrice Chisholm,
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