Podcasts > WikiHole with D'Arcy Carden > Lenny Kravitz (with Paul F. Tompkins, Drew Tarver, and Heléne Yorke)

Lenny Kravitz (with Paul F. Tompkins, Drew Tarver, and Heléne Yorke)

By SmartLess Media

Dive into the intriguing connections and curious facts of celebrity life with D'Arcy Carden as she hosts a lively discussion with Paul F. Tompkins, Drew Tarver, and Heléne Yorke on "WikiHole with D'Arcy Carden." This episode unearths the surprising family tie between musician Lenny Kravitz and weather anchor Al Roker, as well as Kravitz's personal choice to practice celibacy. The guests delve into the reasons behind such life decisions and offer an interesting glance at how ancient cultures dealt with the concept of celibacy and the severe consequences that came from defying societal expectations.

Beyond personal revelations, the conversation turns to the macabre and mysterious, examining medieval German practices to thwart the undead and analyzing the intriguing list of highest-grossing zombie movies. "WikiHole with D'Arcy Carden" does not shy away from examining the intersection of military strategy and pop culture, discussing the whimsical "Con Plan 888" as well as the impact of Lenny Kravitz's image on video game characters, demonstrating the pervasive influence of celebrity on facets of modern life and entertainment.

Lenny Kravitz (with Paul F. Tompkins, Drew Tarver, and Heléne Yorke)

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Lenny Kravitz (with Paul F. Tompkins, Drew Tarver, and Heléne Yorke)

1-Page Summary

Lenny Kravitz

Lenny Kravitz has a family connection with the renowned weather anchor Al Roker, which is established through his mother Roxy Roker, an actress from the well-known TV series "The Jeffersons." In 2005, Kravitz disclosed to Men's Health magazine that he decided to practice celibacy until he gets married once more. Detailing celibacy in historical contexts, ancient Greek cities often penalized citizens who did not marry with severe consequences, including the forfeiture of citizenship and criminal charges, while in Rome, Vestal Virgins were the exception, given significant privileges, but faced death by entombment if they violated their vows of chastity.

The conversation also ventures into the realm of supernatural lore, referencing the medieval German practice of staking to prevent undead women, presumed to be potential vampires, from rising. Zombie culture is also extensively discussed, with guests listing high-earning zombie movies, including "Night of the Living Dead," "Zombieland," and "World War Z," among others. The influence of "The Last of Us" video game and its portrayal of a fungal zombie apocalypse is noted.

This discourse further explores the US military's imaginative "Con Plan 888" or Counter Zombie Dominance plan, developed for training purposes to avoid political sensitivities. Additionally, the character Jacob from "Dead Island 2" is compared to Kravitz due to his physical and professional likeness, emphasizing his impact on popular culture.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Roxy Roker, Lenny Kravitz's mother, was an actress known for her role in the TV series "The Jeffersons." She is also the mother of Al Roker, a renowned weather anchor. This family connection links Lenny Kravitz and Al Roker through their shared mother, Roxy Roker.
  • Lenny Kravitz's decision to practice celibacy until he remarries reflects his personal choice to abstain from sexual relations until he enters into a new marriage. This decision may be influenced by his beliefs, values, or experiences. Celibacy is a voluntary abstention from marriage and sexual relations, often practiced for religious, moral, or personal reasons. Kravitz's choice to disclose this decision in an interview with Men's Health magazine sheds light on his perspective on relationships and commitment.
  • In ancient Greece, there were penalties for citizens who did not marry, as marriage and procreation were considered essential for the continuation of the city-state. Citizens who remained unmarried could face consequences such as the loss of certain rights, privileges, and even civic duties. These penalties were meant to encourage citizens to fulfill their societal roles by marrying and having children to ensure the growth and stability of the community. Failure to comply could result in social stigma, loss of citizenship rights, and in extreme cases, legal repercussions.
  • Vestal Virgins in ancient Rome were priestesses who vowed to maintain their chastity for 30 years. They enjoyed privileges such as financial independence, the ability to make legal agreements, and front-row seats at public events. However, breaking their vow of celibacy was considered a severe offense, punishable by being buried alive.
  • Zombie culture encompasses a genre of entertainment focusing on reanimated corpses. Movies like "Night of the Living Dead," "Zombieland," and "World War Z" are popular examples within this genre. These films often explore themes of survival, societal collapse, and the human condition in the face of a zombie apocalypse. The portrayal of zombies varies, ranging from slow-moving, traditional undead to fast and aggressive infected individuals.
  • "The Last of Us" is a popular video game that depicts a post-apocalyptic world where a fungal infection has turned humans into aggressive creatures known as "infected." The game follows the story of Joel and Ellie as they navigate this dangerous world, facing both infected and other survivors. The game is praised for its storytelling, character development, and immersive gameplay experience. The fungal infection in the game is based on real-world fungi that can manipulate the behavior of insects, providing a unique twist to the typical zombie apocalypse narrative.
  • "Con Plan 888" is a fictional military plan created for training exercises, not an actual operational strategy. It is designed to simulate responses to a hypothetical zombie outbreak scenario. The plan is used to train military personnel in crisis management, coordination, and decision-making skills in unconventional and extreme situations. The concept of a zombie apocalypse is used as a creative and engaging way to test readiness and response capabilities in a high-stress environment.

Counterarguments

  • The connection between Lenny Kravitz and Al Roker, while interesting, may not be particularly relevant to Kravitz's career or influence in music and popular culture.
  • The decision to practice celibacy is a personal one and may not have a direct impact on Kravitz's professional life or public persona.
  • The historical context of celibacy in ancient Greek and Roman societies might not be directly comparable to modern-day decisions about personal relationships and celibacy.
  • The discussion of medieval staking practices and their connection to supernatural lore may not have a clear relevance to contemporary discussions about zombies in popular culture.
  • While zombie movies and video games are popular, their cultural significance can be subjective and may not resonate with all audiences.
  • The US military's "Con Plan 888" is a training tool and may not have practical applications beyond its intended purpose of avoiding political sensitivities in exercises.
  • Comparing the character Jacob from "Dead Island 2" to Lenny Kravitz could be seen as a superficial comparison based solely on appearance and profession, without considering the depth of Kravitz's contributions to music and culture.

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Lenny Kravitz (with Paul F. Tompkins, Drew Tarver, and Heléne Yorke)

Lenny Kravitz

Kravitz's family connections to Al Roker

Lenny Kravitz, the renowned musician, shares a connection to the famous weatherman, Al Roker. This surprising familial link comes through Kravitz's mother, Roxy Roker, known for her role as an actress on the television show "The Jeffersons."

Kravitz declaring celibacy until marriage

In 2005, Lenny Kravitz made a personal revelation to Men's Health magazine, announcing that he would remain celibate until he entered into marriage again.

Ancient Rome and Greece punishing celibacy

Vestal Virgins in Rome

Discussions regarding ancient civilizations reveal that in Greek cities, not marrying and subsequently remaining celibate could have severe consequences, including the loss of citizenship and potential prosecution as a crime. As for ancient Rome, the conversation turns to the notable exception to Rome's law against celibacy, the Vestal Virgins. These priestesses of the goddess Vesta had significant power, including the ability to pardon condemned individuals. Rome's safety was symbolically linked to their chastity, and any Vestal Virgin found to have breached her vow of chastity faced the grim punishment of being buried alive. A humorous myth discussed is that if a Vestal Virgin engaged in sexual intercourse, part of the city's wall would automatically crumble.

Zombies and supernatural creatures

The conversation meanders into discussions of zombies and the undead. In medieval Germany, measures like impaling through the heart were taken against women who were buried alive and dug up, to prevent their transformation into vampires. A creature with zombie-like attributes, the Vedaganga, also surfaces in discussion.

Zombie films, TV shows, and video games

Participants engage in a game to name the top-grossing zombie films. Notable mentions include classics such as "Night of the Living Dead," "Zombieland," "Dawn of the Dead," and "World War Z." They mention "28 Days Later" and its sequel, "28 Weeks Later," along with "Train to Busan" and the sequel "Zombieland Double Tap." Additionally, the widespread "Resident Evil" franchise is recognized for its contributions t ...

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Lenny Kravitz

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Lenny Kravitz is connected to Al Roker through family due to Kravitz's mother, Roxy Roker, who was an actress known for her role on "The Jeffersons." Al Roker is related to Roxy Roker as well, making him Lenny Kravitz's cousin. This familial link between the two celebrities is a result of their shared family connection through Roxy Roker.
  • Lenny Kravitz's celibacy declaration in 2005 was a personal choice he made to abstain from sexual relations until he got married again. This decision was a significant revelation he shared with Men's Health magazine, reflecting his values and beliefs at that time. Kravitz's celibacy declaration garnered attention due to his celebrity status and the rarity of such public declarations in the entertainment industry.
  • In ancient Greece, remaining celibate and not marrying could lead to consequences like loss of citizenship and potential legal action. In ancient Rome, celibacy was generally discouraged, but the Vestal Virgins were a notable exception. The Vestal Virgins were priestesses who were required to remain chaste, as Rome believed their chastity was linked to the city's safety. Breaking their vow of chastity could result in severe punishment, such as being buried alive.
  • The Vestal Virgins were priestesses in ancient Rome dedicated to the goddess Vesta. They were chosen as young girls and served for 30 years, during which they had to maintain their chastity. The Vestals played a crucial role in Roman religious rituals and were highly respected for their purity. Breaking their vow of celibacy was considered a severe offense, punishable by being buried alive.
  • In medieval Germany, to prevent women who were buried alive from becoming vampires, measures like impaling them through the heart were taken. This practice was rooted in the belief that those who ret ...

Counterarguments

  • The connection between Lenny Kravitz and Al Roker, while interesting, may not be particularly relevant to discussions of Kravitz's work as a musician or his personal life choices.
  • Kravitz's declaration of celibacy until marriage is a personal choice and may not have a broader cultural or societal impact, thus it might not be a significant topic for some people.
  • The historical context of celibacy in ancient Greece and Rome is complex, and the text may oversimplify the consequences and societal roles associated with celibacy.
  • The discussion of Vestal Virgins and their punishment for breaking vows of chastity might benefit from a more nuanced understanding of Roman religion and the role of women in ancient societies.
  • The measures taken against supposed vampires in medieval Germany are based on folklore and superstition, and should not be interpreted as historical fact without critical examination.
  • The inclusion of zombie and supernatural creatures in the discussion may divert attention from more substantive topics related to Lenny Kravitz or historical practices regarding celibacy.
  • The list of top-gro ...

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