Published by the Students of Johns Hopkins since 1896
October 22, 2024

Unfiltered fun: My night at the Cancelled podcast live show

By RUBEN DIAZ | October 22, 2024

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COURTESY OF RUBEN DIAZ

Tana Mongeau and Brooke Schofield's parting Cancelled tour came to Baltimore at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall.

You know that moment when a podcast becomes more than just a weekly listen? When it transforms into a cultural phenomenon, sparking debate, drama and endless TikTok commentary? Yeah, that’s what Cancelled , a podcast hosted by Tana Mongeau and Brooke Schofield, has done — taking the world of pop culture, scandals and the art of calling out influencers to a whole new level. It's like being a fly on the wall at Hollywood’s most exclusive party, but way juicier. And let me tell you, when I got to attend their live show in Baltimore on Sept. 25th at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, it was even more chaotic and entertaining than I could have ever imagined.

What Even Is the Cancelled Podcast? 

Before I dive into the glamorous drama of that night, let's backtrack a little. For those of you somehow still living under a rock, the Cancelled Podcast is hosted by Tana Mongeau, the reigning queen of internet controversies, and her best friend Brooke Schofield, a cute girl from Arizona who’s clean girl aesthetic videos and fashion content have earned her a platform that's quite the opposite from Tana’s. The perfect balancing act. The premise? —  Discussing the lives of influencers, celebrities and internet scandals in a way that’s hilarious, raw, and often downright scandalous.

The podcast has its roots in the world of influencer culture, and let's be honest, no one embodies this culture more than Tana. From her infamous TanaCon disaster to the endless string of internet beef, Tana has been there. She’s the queen of getting "cancelled" and, ironically, is thriving because of it. This podcast leans into that. Each episode is a mix of juicy gossip, unfiltered opinions and candid moments covering the highs and lows of being an influencer in today’s world; if there’s drama, you bet Tana and Brooke are going to discuss it.

A Night of Chaos at the Baltimore Show

But back to that magical night on September 25th. Let me set the scene: the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, an iconic venue, was buzzing with excitement. The line outside was filled with the type of fans you’d expect — decked out in edgy streetwear, oversized sunglasses (yes, even at night) and enough glitter to rival a Coachella crowd. As I waited, eavesdropping on conversations, it was clear that everyone was ready for the unfiltered chaos to follow.

The hall was packed. Every seat taken, from die-hard fans to people who had only seen Tana's Instagram stories. When the lights dimmed, and Tana and Brooke strutted onto the stage, the energy was electric. It was like watching two best friends casually sit down and spill the tea... except this time, in front of thousands of people.

But the show wasn’t just a live version of their typical podcast episodes; no, this was far bigger. They kicked things off by diving into exclusive stories from behind the scenes of influencer life that they hadn’t even touched on in the podcast. If you think the podcast is scandalous, imagine what they say when they know they’re not being recorded.

There was this one moment where Tana talked about a certain celebrity sliding into her DMs — she didn’t drop any names, of course, but from the context, everyone had their suspicions. The crowd went wild, gasping, cheering and whispering speculative questions like "Is she talking about Bryce Hall?" I swear, if this had been a reality show, it would have been trending on X.com (formerly Twitter) within minutes. 

The Drama That Defines Cancelled Podcast

Since its debut, the Cancelled Podcast has skyrocketed in popularity, amassing up to 3.5 million views with 2.41 million subscribers and debuted in the top 10 of Apple Podcasts' podcast charts. With a dedicated fan base and millions of social media followers, it has become a pop culture staple, dominating discussions across platforms like TikTok and X.com (formerly Twitter). One of the reasons the Cancelled Podcast is so wildly successful is that it taps into something we all secretly love — watching celebrities and influencers go through the drama that we can’t look away from. It’s about how Tana and Brooke react to it, often throwing in their own random anecdotes and sarcastic takes.

During the Baltimore show, they talked at length about the concept of being canceled. Brooke, with her dry humor, threw out a line that had the audience in stitches, implying that you're not even relevant if you haven’t been cancelled. This got me thinking about how the podcast doesn’t just comment on cancel culture — it’s a commentary on the fleeting nature of online fame itself. People rise, people fall, and in the world of the internet, no one is safe from public opinion. 

What makes Cancelled Podcast different is that it doesn’t just report on these cycles; it embraces them with a self-awareness that’s almost meta, with Tana and Brooke openly acknowledging their own moments of downfall and playing with the very concept of being “canceled” as both a joke and a reality they’ve lived through. It's this raw, unfiltered self-exposure that sets the podcast apart, making it not just commentary but a performance of the highs and lows of internet culture.

At the live show, they expanded on this idea, digging deep into recent internet scandals, from the questionable ethics of brand sponsorships to influencers who “apologize” without ever really saying sorry. The best part? Watching them roast people we all low-key can’t stand but never say out loud.

My Personal Cancelled Moment

One thing you should know: being there in person is a completely different experience than just listening to the podcast in your AirPods while doing laundry. There’s something exhilarating about watching Tana and Brooke's facial expressions, their chemistry and how they feed off the energy of the crowd.

At one point, they did a Q&A segment, and you bet I was one of those people waving my hand in the air like a maniac. I didn’t get called on, but the questions ranged from “What’s your biggest regret?” to “Spill some tea on THE HYPE HOUSE?” And let me tell you, the tea was spilled. Topics like Clinton Kane, Team ten, and of course the infamous Tarte Beauty trip sent the crowd into a frenzy.

Even though I didn’t get my chance to ask a question, being there, absorbing the atmosphere, hearing the collective gasps and laughter of the crowd — it felt like I was part of something that is shaking up our generation. It was this insane, live manifestation of pop culture that celebrated all the messy, dramatic, cringe-worthy moments that make the internet such a wild place.

The Cultural Impact of Cancelled 

Love it or hate it, Cancelled is a reflection of our times. It’s not just about gossip — okay, it’s mostly about gossip — but it also tackles important questions about internet culture, fame and accountability.

During the live show, Tana even reflected on her own journey, talking about how, despite being canceled countless times, she’s managed to navigate the murky waters of internet fame. She discussed the balance between trying to maintain your authenticity  and putting on a show for the masses. Brooke, in her usual deadpan style, chimed in saying that a lot of the times the show just doesn't work out and it's a trainwreck — but at least people are watching.

And isn’t that the essence of pop culture today? We’re all just watching, whether it’s through our phones, on YouTube, or at a live show like this one. The Cancelled Podcast manages to distill that experience into one chaotic, hilarious package.

Walking Out, Still Reeling

As the show wrapped up and the lights came back on, everyone filtered out into the cool Baltimore night, buzzing with the adrenaline of what we’d just witnessed. Walking out of the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, I felt like I’d just come out of a whirlwind of pop culture drama, ready to dive back into my social feeds to see how the internet was reacting.

The Cancelled Podcast live show wasn’t just entertainment — it was an experience, one that reminded me why I love pop culture in all its messy glory. It’s the drama, the unfiltered opinions, the scandalous stories and yes, the cancellations that keep us all coming back for more.

So, if you ever get the chance to catch a live show, don’t hesitate. Who knows? Maybe you’ll leave with your own juicy anecdote or inside joke to share. Because in the world of Cancelled, everyone has a story, and no one is safe. 


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