Tom & Lorenzo’s Pop Style Opinionfest

TLo’s podcasts are incredible and I listen to every episode. Just as I’ve been reading their blog daily since 2010, have bought their books, and gone to their in-person events. They’re wonderfully thoughtful, sassy, hilarious, and have a great eye. I’ve learned so much from them about how to think about fashion, culture, imagecraft, and much more, and will continue to support everything they do. 

I want to offer some notes here with love, because this is honestly the only place where we are able to share uncensored feedback. First off, this is their platform, and TLo should absolutely moderate and shape their site however they choose. Given what they’ve recently shared about the difficult state of independent media on their 20th anniversary, however, I think they should consider relating to their audience in a warmer, more engaging way going forward, and creating a sense of community through their blog. It’s well-known that TLo liberally deletes comments on their site - again, this is their every right on their own platform. It’s gotten to the point, though, where I don’t feel comfortable and no longer comment on their blog even as a diehard Bitter Kitten. I understand deleting bigoted comments and clapping back hard when it’s called for in this political and cultural climate. But TLo barely engage with their readers in the comments except to clap back, and often they’re about trivial, snarky things like “No you’re wrong and we’re right that this celebrity’s makeup is too harsh.” This leaves an audience of sycophantic commenters who write like they’re looking for TLo’s approval - not exactly a fun place to hang out in. And when other readers and I have left TLo feedback because there were INCREDIBLY politically problematic ads on their podcast? Crickets and/ or excuses. 

I’m not sure this is the way to engage and attract readers in 2026. TLo are absolute pros, and they don’t need me or anyone else to tell them how challenging it is to run an independent blog right now; they understand much better than we do. Most of us consume TLo’s blog and podcast as an escape from our dumpster fire of a world, as they themselves often acknowledge. I’m looking for a place where I can have fun discussing pop culture and fashion, without looking over my shoulder to see whether my good-faith comment will be deleted or be snarked on by TLo. 

I understand your point that you want new readers to be able to discover your blog, so don’t want to go the Substack route. I get and respect that. But people are looking for a sense of community in 2026, not for bloggers to decree their imperious opinions from on high like it’s 2006. Most writers and creators are soliciting ideas from and engaging with their audiences warmly, on Substack or otherwise. Again, it’s absolutely TLo’s prerogative to choose the style of engagement that works for them. As it is though, I’ve a hard time seeing how they’ll grow new audiences with their current approach and at times oddly hostile tone toward their own audience, especially when this is pretty out of step with what other writers are doing at this point. 

I’ll always keep listening to and reading TLo no matter what, but I hope they’ll engage in some sincere reflection - as I’m sure they have - about how blogging and communities have changed in the last 20 years, and how they might be able to respond to what this moment and modern audiences are calling for.

I have been a fan (“Bitter Kitten”) of Tom and Lorenzo’s since as early as their recaps and costume studies of Madmen on their website. For 8 years or so I’ve been a devout listener of the pod, even enjoying their recaps of shows and movies I have no intention of watching. In fact, their reviews saved me from watching ‘And Just Like That’, which I might have, had they not been so damning in their criticism! I’m coming to review the PSO now, unfortunately, because of a long, slow change of mind I’ve had about it. I used to count on the Friday release and listen right away, or save it to accompany me on a long walk or to help pass the time during a particularly tedious chore. I enjoy the couple’s banter, for the most part, though I agree with some other listeners that Tom’s impatience with Lorenzo at times is a real turnoff. (Lorenzo, you are an amazing polyglot. For several years I lived in a country where I worked in a second language, and it was very difficult to truly come across as myself, something you do well.) Tom is impatient with a lot of things, it seems, and it makes liking him harder. I do wonder if that’s why they no longer have a certain expensive and popular sock company as sponsors- Tom rushed through those ads so fast, sounded bored and like he could barely be bothered. Now their ads are really “sus”, as the kids say, lots of online gambling. Pays, I bet, but a nice sock company with an altruistic bent was classier. And now, to the crux of the matter- where is the pod? It’s showing up less and less frequently in my feed. I know about the construction next door, the travel and family visits, and hearing about those things is fun and relatable, including the cats! No problem with any of that. Can they fashion a soundproof space in their loft? Rent a studio? Wait! Just noticed that they have set the frequency of the pod to “Monthly” here. Maybe they are semi-retired now (also relatable!) I am correcting myself - if I don’t do it, Tom surely will!

Long time fan here: (love the site, bought the books, and am a faithful listener to the pod). In this crazy world where there is too much going on, I come to your pod to escape the news. With that said, in your roster of things to talk about, I appreciate that you ended the Jan 20th podcast (about Renee Good and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms) with something that you liked or at least something positive. It’s a small thing, but it counters all the negativity out there. Keep up the good work!

Love the show and have been a listener for years but the last year or more they have gotten too cavalier with skipping episodes. You look forward to it each wk and wait and wait and wait and an episode never comes. No notice, no heads up on any of their socials. Like a bad dating relationship, you can only be stood up so many times before you cut your losses and look elsewhere. Sorry guys but “we were soooo busy this week” doesn’t cut it and insults your audience —as if we are not also busy with work and family etc. Egos run amok.

You took a ONE MONTH break with ZERO explanation on any of your many social accounts for the pause, even while posting to your website daily. You finally posted & at close of that show you said “ we’ll be back next week .” THREE WEEKS later NO NEW podcast. Promised broken, again & again. You have lost & will continue to lose listenership because you “need a break” & cannot be bothered to alert listeners. This is your JOB. Post every week. Your excuse “We don’t know what to say! We’re worried how we’ll come off during this time in history!” is boring hand wringing. You’re a pop culture podcast. Distract us from the horrors around us. And do it WEEKLY. And MANY people listen to podcasts during the holidays. Plan ahead. Pre record. For some of us it’s the one time of year when we have time to relax & enjoy them. Do your job, stop complaining you’re busy or can’t come up with ideas or boo hoo you’re scared the mean people will troll you on social media, post weekly & ENTERTAIN US. Also, if it’s too loud in your home to record, maybe rent a studio space? Problem solved. You’re adults. Figure it out. Also enough about your book & how busy you are. We get it. You wrote it. You’re busy. We all are. Save the shameless promotion & ENDLESS humble bragging for a different channel. Also, Tom, stop talking over Lorenzo. It’s not a good look. Lorenzo, if you do get to speak, have a complete & original thought. More than “it’s fabulous.” Also, you both need a lozenge or some water before recording & stop coughing in the mics. It’s gross.

If you are into cats and royal gossip, then this is the podcast for you. Entertaining and very funny. The verbal gymnastics these two perform with regard to political correctness make Cirque du Soleil look like a troop of amateurs.