Hear the Trailer for Allison Raskin's New Scripted Podcast, Gossip

Allison Raskin, co-host of your-onscreen-BFFs YouTube channel Just Between Us and co-author of I Hate Everyone But You (both with partner in crime Gaby Dunn), is launching a podcast. A fictional podcast! That means you can take in her sweetly sharp brand of observational comedy in practically every format known to humanity. Overachiever.

Gossip (hello, great name) will satisfy any fan of the titular concept: It’s about three friends who meet weekly to tattle and flip out over the latest developments in their suburban town, Golden Acres. It will be out on June 14 from Midroll/Stitcher Premium, but in the meantime, ELLE.com has the trailer to share exclusively with listeners. Hop over here to get a first bite.

Raskin also shared some thoughts on her new “comedic soap opera,” her favorite soapy shows, and the kind of gossip that will make her feel like she’s finally made it—get the lowdown below.

How did you come up with the concept for the show?

It was sort of the chicken before the egg. (Is that the right way to use that phrase…?) Once I decided to write a scripted podcast, I realized I wanted to do a comedic soap. After that, I basically needed to come up with a narration device so listeners could understand what the hell was going on. So I came up with three very different women meeting for coffee every week. Once I had that I just needed characters, a world, and a plot!

Why did you decide to make this a podcast instead of a scripted video series (or a book)?

My manager is to thank (or blame) for all this. He told me to come up with and pitch a scripted podcast. It’s such an exciting space and you have so much more freedom while not blowing a huge budget. It’s also a great way to develop original intellectual property that can come to exist in other mediums, like a TV show or book. So if anyone wants to turn this into a TV or book, please let us know.

We hear a lot of non-fiction or interview-based podcasts—why did you decide to tackle a fictional one? Did it have its own challenges?

I’ve always been a scripted girl. I wouldn’t even watch Sesame Street growing up, because it didn’t have plot. Scripted podcasts are basically just radio plays, which have been around forever, but stopped being popular in the U.S. So now we are hoping to trick everyone with this “exciting new medium” that is older than TV. I think people crave a good story, and hopefully this show will fulfil that.

Have you always been a soap opera fan? What are your favorites?

I didn’t grow up watching daytime soaps, but I’ve always loved primetime ones like Desperate Housewives, Jane the Virgin, and Devious Maids. They all add a comedic element to the melodrama, so you get the best of both worlds: a smart, exciting show that doesn’t take itself too seriously and often focuses on female characters.

Since the show is all about gossiping, what’s the best piece of gossip you’ve ever heard about yourself?

Hmmm, that is a good one. A lot of people think I’m pregnant all the time because you can’t be a woman who sits down on the Internet without people assuming your tummy fat is a baby…One of my career goals is for Star or OK! Magazine to run a false story about my personal life. That’s how you really know you’ve made it.

Let’s block ads! (Why?)