SUPERBLOOM Issue No.3 | Cheer & Loathing

Published by SuperBloom House

Issue No.3

Pol Kurucz Brandon Kyle Goodman Gus Kenworthy Alice Gu Lennnie the Blob The Bob Baker Marionette Theater

SuperBloom Presents

1

SUPER BLOOM HOUSE

SUPER BLOOM HOUSE

2

When we came up with the theme of Cheer & Loathing for this, our third issue, we had no fucking idea what we were talking about or what it even meant. We blindly committed to it because, well, like you, we are exhausted. This year has been a massacre and somehow the loathing of it all resonated with a disenfranchised group of creative people. We added a cheer to it because as my grandma used to say “no-one likes a misery guts”. Incidentally, this was the same Grandma who cheerfully and adamantly refused to call me by my real name and committed forever after to an alternative she liked better. Now that I think about it, she would get a real kick out of this ridiculous little book.

Anyway what was I saying? As I said, we had no idea what Cheer & Loathing could mean in the context of creativity. It might be a good time to remind you that SuperBloom is a creative company and we make stuff. We were also seasonally blind when it came to having a modicum of thought for what this issue could stand for. This is probably the right time to make it known that we curate this zine with creators from within SuperBloom Creative Collective who also make stuff.

It is in these times of uncertainty, that our inner Type A turns to the comfort of list making, which is, let’s face it, the true essence of the holidays. A list signals that we are not a total mental case, that even as the world is on fire, our rights are being ravaged and we all mean nothing, somehow all this is still incredibly important. So here is a list of what Cheer & 3

SUPER BLOOM HOUSE

Loathing means to us in the season of the Venn.

• It’s the joy of pressing send on an urgent email and awaiting a response that never comes.

• It’s the warm glow of womaness, basking in the knowledge we can do it better while simultaneously having our rights ripped apart.

• It’s the thrill of owning a pet who refuses to notice that something is different every time you return from the hairdresser • It’s Colloidal Silver ingestion • It’s how Tonia Haddix surely felt upon discovering Tonka was alive and living in a luxury timeshare with other rando chimps • It’s where a road trip meets an acid trip, as per the movie.

• It’s the ecstasy of a “do not disturb” button and the horror that is the proliferation of wifi.

• It’s the word proliferation.

• It’s Lady Gaga as a Christmas Tree as concept art as a performance art installation • It’s the togetherness of the words ‘work life balance’.

• It’s rage blackouts • It’s the before and after the holiday party • It’s knowing that light always beats the dark in the rock, paper, scissors that is life.

This was fun.

FOREWARD Briony McCarthy

OP-ED Brandon Kyle Goodman

FAST & CURIOUS Alice Gu

PHOTO SERIES Pol Kurucz

RAISE THE BAR Gus Kenworthy

NAUGHTY & NICE Courtney Wells

Cheer & Loathing Issue No.3

FEATURE The Bob Baker Marionette Theater

CREATIVE SPOTLIGHT Lennnie The Blob

Front and Back Cover: Pol Kurucz Editors: Briony McCarthy + Mitch Eisner Creative Direction and Design: Sean Bumgarner

SUPER BLOOM HOUSE

4

5

SUPER BLOOM HOUSE

Joy OP-ED

Brandon Kyle Goodman, an actor, writer, and voice actor for Netflix’s “Big Mouth,” is known for their viral activism and llove for the Real Housewives A proud member of the Super-BloomHouse Creative Collective, Brandon is busy as hell making Hollywood funnier, fairer, and a whole lot more fabulous.

Photographs by Drew Blackwell

SUPER BLOOM HOUSE

6

EMBRACING JOY AND COMMUNITY FINDING CHEER IN UNLIKELY PLACES IN TUMULTUOUS TIMES Hey everyone, Brandon Kyle Goodman here.

Recently, I had the pleasure of sitting down with some amazing folks for an interview about my journey through life and work in these challenging times. From our initial small talk about being tired and juggling responsibilities to diving deep into questions about joy, community, and creativity, it was an enlightening conversation. Let me take you through some of the highlights and memorable moments from our chat.

KEEPING LIGHT IN DARK TIMES

Community is everything. You know, in these dark times, I think it’s all we have. Is to look into each other’s eyes and say, ‘I love you, and I got you.’

When asked how I’m maintaining light in my life and work amidst these dark times, the answer is simple: community. It’s been a cornerstone for me. I’ve been actively checking in with loved ones, reaching out to strangers, and creating content that aims to illuminate someone’s day. There’s a profound sense of connection that comes from those genuine interactions, whether they’re with people I know or new faces.

Spending time with my ancestors and elders has also been a significant source of comfort.

Engaging with the works of James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, and Maya Angelou provides me with invaluable wisdom and solace. Their experiences and resilience inspire me to navigate through my own challenges with grace and strength.

For me, this is gonna be—and this is always my answer—one of them is Housewives. I find that, for me, because I’m in television, I write, I find that the Housewives really allow me to escape. Their problems are just not problems.

When it comes to sparking cheer and fueling my creativity, I turn to some unexpected sources. Surprisingly, The Real Housewives franchise is a significant source of joy for me.

Their over-the-top drama and seemingly trivial problems offer a perfect escape from the weight of the world. For instance, when Lisa Barlow declares she won’t fly coach because she hasn’t done so since college, it’s the kind of lighthearted conflict that makes me chuckle and decompress.

On a deeper level, Maya Angelou remains a constant beacon of inspiration. Her episode on Oprah’s Master Class is a treasure trove of wisdom. One of her quotes that resonates deeply with me is, “Love liberates; it does not bind.” It’s so meaningful that I have it tattooed on my chest, serving as a daily reminder of the kind of love and liberation I strive to embody.

Movies like Sister Act 2, First Wives Club, and Love Actually are my cinematic comfort foods.

They never fail to lift my spirits and provide that much-needed emotional boost. Recently, my husband and I have been rewatching classics like The Lion King and Gilmore Girls.

There’s something incredibly comforting about revisiting stories that brought us joy during our younger years.

SANTA’S NAUGHTY LIST: A PLAYFUL TAKE

If I had the whimsical power to shuffle Santa’s list this year, there are a few famous individu7

SUPER BLOOM HOUSE

Community is everything.

You know, in these dark times, I think it’s all we have.

SUPER BLOOM HOUSE

8

als I’d gently nudge to the naughty side—but all in good fun. First up is Rihanna. She hasn’t released new music in what feels like forever.

Rihanna, if you’re listening, a single or an album would definitely earn you a spot back on the nice list.

Next, Beyoncé’s team. While I have immense respect for Queen Bey herself, her team is eagerly awaiting the visuals for the Renaissance album. The music has been transformative, but the full experience isn’t complete without those iconic visuals. Deliver them before the year’s end, and I’ll personally advocate to Santa—specifically Black Santa—that they deserve to come off the naughty list.

Lastly, Heather from The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. She’s had a tumultuous season, and it’s clear she’s stirring the pot a bit too much. But hey, redemption is always possible. Show some growth, maybe a heartfelt apology or two, and Heather, you’ll find your way back onto the nice list.

DREAM PROJECT: WHERE CREATIVITY MEETS ACTIVISM I’m working on my stage show called Ho Church. It features characters like Pussy and Bussy—puppets who teach about communication—and Floppy, an emotional penis who can’t perform unless he’s emotionally connected.

When asked about a project that would bring me more joy than a paid vacation or access to healthcare, I couldn’t help but get excited.

I envision a show that blends the wholesome vibes of Mister Rogers, the whimsical charm of Pee-wee Herman, and the candidness of Dr. Ruth. It’s a space where sex, sexual wellness, dating, and relationships are discussed openly and playfully.

9

SUPER BLOOM HOUSE

I’m currently developing a stage show called Ho Church. In it, I introduce characters like Pussy and Bussy—puppets who teach about communication—and Floppy, an emotional penis who can’t perform unless he’s emotionally connected. There’s even a segment where I teach the audience how to engage in intimacy using donuts. It’s all about eradicating the stigma and taboos surrounding sexuality, making these conversations accessible and entertaining for everyone.

My goal is to create a safe space where we can openly discuss sex and self-love without shame. By breaking down these barriers, we can help people embrace who they truly are and live more liberated lives.

MET GALA DREAMS: SPREADING CHEER AND EMBRACING LOATHING

Looking ahead, one of the visions on my board is attending the next Met Gala. If the theme were “Cheer,” I’d bring along Ts Madison. Her energy is infectious, and together, we would transform the red carpet into a vibrant celebration of joy and community. Her contributions to media and the LGBTQ+ community make her the perfect companion for such a glamorous event.

If the theme were “Loathing,” I’d roll up with my best friend VINCINT, an incredible gay pop star. We love a good theme and aren’t afraid to go all out. When we attended Beyoncé’s Renaissance tour, we were decked out in fierce outfits—even before the silver dress code was announced. At the Met Gala, we’d bring that same intensity, serving looks that embody the theme while turning heads and sparking conversations.

CLOSING THOUGHTS: CHEER AS OUR SUPERPOWER

Our superpower is cheer. Our superpower is joy. And so, as we fight and as we resist and as we create new systems and dismantle old systems, your joy is of the utmost important.

As we head into a new year, I can’t help but reflect on the importance of cheer. It’s both a challenge and our superpower in the days to come. Joy isn’t just a fleeting emotion; it’s an act of resistance and resilience.

So, my parting words are this: If there’s time to laugh, laugh loudly and unapologetically.

Embrace those moments of affection—hugs, kisses, shared meals. Just last weekend, I went to Six Flags with my best friend. We rode

roller coasters, screamed at the top of our lungs, and released so much tension. It was cathartic and reminded me of the importance of holding onto joy.

Find your cheer, hold onto it, and share it with others. It’s not just about personal happiness; it’s about fueling the collective resilience we need to navigate whatever comes next.

Remember, joy is revolutionary. Let’s wield it wisely and shine together through the darkness.

Thank you for taking the time to read about my journey. Sending love and light to each and every one of you. And to those who’ve been “relentlessly and shamelessly stalking” me— keep it up! I’m here for it.

SUPER BLOOM HOUSE

10

11

SUPER BLOOM HOUSE

In honor of humanity’s bite sized brain capacity, SuperBloom presents:

A creator feature you may actually remember.

This month, we are fast and curious about

SUPER BLOOM HOUSE

12

We are unabashed in our adoration for award winning Director, Alice Gu. Her feature-length documentary about the rise and fall of a Cambodian refugee turned donut tycoon, “The Donut King,” triggered our obsession so we joined her to present her recent short film, “Shimmer” also inspired by a true story. Always one to play, Alice joins us to serve up some good ol’ cheer and loathing.

Question 1.

Santa and Satan walk into an adults only car wash…..finish this scene.

Santa and Satan walk into an adults only car wash. The clock ticks 5:57pm. A furry is busy doomscrolling behind the cash register.

Personal Jesus blares on tinny speakers. They look uncomfortably at one another. “Would you care for some blood?” asks Satan, kindly, offering his cup. Santa’s face softens, staring into Satan’s hollow eyes. “No, thank you, I’m watching my weight” Santa replies, patting his stomach. As they both look beyond the glass, pink soapy foam flies as Santa’s sleigh passes through the cylindrical machine washers, lighting up the HOT WAX sign.

Satan’s Lamborghini Diablo follows down the

Alice filming underwater

13

SUPER BLOOM HOUSE

Shimmer

conveyor belt. It’s in mint condition, apart from an unfortunate keyed driver side door. The whirring of the machines has the both of them in a hypnotic daze. “RED SLEIGH!” breaks the daze, as a blonde with huge boobs lifts the sleigh’s keys in her fingers. “Have a good day”, Santa nods to Satan, and flies off into the full moon. Satan, still waiting for his car, sings “Feeling unknown and you’re all alone…

Flesh and bone by the telephone.. Pick up the receiver I’ll make you a believer…”

Question 2.

You started your career as a DP and quickly moved into film direction, so we know you have an eye for the extraordinary. Visually, what inspires you more- the dark side of the moon or the bright side of life?

I truly enjoy both the yin and the yang.

Question 3.

Sally Field is famous for her ability to cry/laugh most iconically for her role in Steel Magnolias. This is how we feel about the insanity of the holidays. Is there a holiday experience that has made you simultaneously laugh and cry? Please tell us everything.

My friend’s beagle jumped on the dinner table and ate the entire Thanksgiving turkey and literally was in the shape of a football. He

needed to go to emergency room and get his stomach pumped before it burst. And, that was it for Thanksgiving that year…

Question 4.

This may be the most important question we ask of anyone ever. In your expert opinion, as the Director of the acclaimed Donut King, do you consider Die Hard to be a Christmas movie or an action movie for all seasons?

1000% Die Hard is a Christmas movie.

Question 5.

What excites you most about being part of the creative collective and how do you see this shaping the future of creative collaboration between brand and artists like you?

The Creative Collective is so forward-thinking in their vision and feels so utterly fresh. In a landscape that can be mired by a lot of gloom and doom, theirs is refreshingly vibrant. It inspires me to be better, to think different, to be weirder, to be more authentic. They’re not afraid to be bold and different and that is what sets them (us!) apart. Where others are afraid to dip their toes, The Creative Collective boldly dives in. I’m looking forward to outside-thebox thinking and opportunities for artist and brand expression that we haven’t seen in many years.

SUPER BLOOM HOUSE

14

Pol Kurucz, a French mixed media photographer and director, is celebrated for his vibrant visual theatrics that challenge social, gender, and aesthetic norms.

His work has been featured in Vogue, ELLE, Glamour, GQ, and Dazed and has captured icons such as Nicki Minaj, Janelle Monáe, and Paris Hilton.

15

SUPER BLOOM HOUSE

Tennis, Donut (facing page), Bald (previous Spread)

17

SUPER BLOOM HOUSE

SUPER BLOOM HOUSE

20

Cartel, Hair (facing page), Forest (previous Spread)

Bird, Vacuum (facing page)

SUPER BLOOM HOUSE

24

Commute, Cupida (facing page)

27

SUPER BLOOM HOUSE

Gus Kenworthy chats about entertainment, high and low, with his friend and talented director Jake Wilson.

Gus: What show are you currently obsessed with? Jake: I truly watch everything but at the moment I’m obsessed with The Penguin. My friend Cristin plays Sofia Falcone and I totally think she’s going to get an Emmy nom.

Gus: Favorite show? Jake: Sex and the City.

I would literally return to acting to be a background extra.

Gus: What’s your least favorite song that when it comes on the radio it’s an immediate skip? Jake: ”Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift.

Gus: How long would you need to be stuck on this chairlift before you’d consider trying to jump or climb down?

Jake: With you? Five minutes. If I were alone I’d wait it out.

Gus: What’s your favorite job/ shoot that you’ve ever worked on? Jake: I directed a commercial for the cannabis drink CANN a few years ago that was really fun because it was with a lot of my best friends and also a bunch of the Drag Race queens, Kesha, Patricia Arquette, Sarah Michelle Geller. So random! Gus: I was in that! Jake: I know, it was hard to edit any good takes of your dancing. Gus: It’s true, I’m terrible at choreography. You love it though, right? Jake: I do!

Every year for my birthday I rent a space and hire a choreographer to teach me and a bunch of friends the choreo to a popular music video. We’ve done Britney, Normani, etc.

Gus: I know, I walked out of that Normani lesson. It was impossible.

Quitters never win.

Gus: Speaking of. What’s something you’ve quit that you’re proud of and something you’ve quit that you’re not proud of?

Jake: I quit smoking cigarettes! And also I used to write and direct this web series called, “The Batteries Down”. It was a musical theatre thing that I did and put on YouTube early days before there was much stuff like that out there and it was kind of popular. It was a lot of work and I wasn’t making any money so I stopped doing it but I kind of wish I kept it going for another season because I think it could’ve turned into something real.

Gus: Ok, you didn’t make any money on that job but what’s one job you’ve done purely for the money? Jake: Probably just some random commercial or something. I don’t want to throw any brands under the bus.

SUPER BLOOM HOUSE

28

33

SUPER BLOOM HOUSE

The Bob Baker Marionette Theater is the oldest children’s theater company in Los Angeles.

SuperBloom gets silly with the Theaters Winona Bechtle and pulls the strings on how they have kept cheer alive since 1963.

Photograph by Terrell Tangonan

SUPER BLOOM HOUSE

34

Mitch: Ah, the holidays—a blend of sugarplum dreams and gift-wrapping disasters!

How does the Bob Baker Marionette Theater sprinkle its unique enchantment over the festivities?

Since we opened our Theater doors in 1963 (and even for decades before that as a traveling company), we have taken our holiday show on the road and across LA county to enchant and delight! From dancing Santa hats to Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, to a blue dog that flaps its ears and flies away... we love to mix a traditional holiday tone with something psychedelic and retro. A huge component of the enchantment of the Theater is the cultural legacy it has in Los Angeles. We often have audience members who have been bringing their families for over 3 generations and there’s something extra special about watching someone’s grandchild enjoy the very same show, and very same puppets, that their grandparents watched decades ago.

Briony: I stole a puppet from a store while shopping with my mother when I was 4 years old. It was my first, but not my last shoplifting experience. What is it that draws people to your theatre?

You stole a puppet! The puppet police are almost certainly after you now. Well, aside

35

SUPER BLOOM HOUSE

from the wealth of puppets we offer folks to buy (not steal), I think what brings people out to our shows is the fact that you simply cannot find it anywhere else in LA, in the USA, or in the world. The brand of madcap marionettes that Bob Baker pioneered is born out of inspirations that only a true blue Angeleno would have – everything inspired Bob from album covers, to the city itself, to random songs he heard on the radio, to Art Nouveau, to Commedia dell’arte, to Gumby. Our Theater speaks to the part of all of us that wonders....

“What if I let my imagination go wild? What if I had 300 hours to spend on a single puppet?

What if I thought my work would live on forever, and I had to make it the best version of itself?”

Mitch: Amidst a sea of mass-produced merriment, your handcrafted marionettes are a breath of pine-scented air. Spill the gingerbread tea: what goes into creating a holiday show that brings the season’s spirit to life?

Are you on Santa’s nice or naughty list? Not sure I can give you all my secrets.... but, we’re very lucky to have over 3,000 marionettes in our collection, and hundreds of them are holiday-themed! So while we do often make brand-new puppets, we already have at least

Nutcracker Puppet Portraits by Ian Byers-Gamber

3 Santas so we’re pretty set on that front. But when we make a new puppet, we think about it holistically – what is it doing in its number?

How do the music and lyrics fit in with its gag or gimmick? Does it have a trick it reveals on stage? How is it using the space (our Theater is BIG so the puppets really have to fill the room somehow)? Most importantly we want people to leave feeling enchanted, inspired, and well-represented.

Briony: Long before Chimp Crazy, Marionettes have been the unsung story tellers of our time for their unique ability to help tackle dark themes. In times such as these, how do you see the role of this art in helping us to navigate the world around us?

Not everything is perfect in a Bob Baker show.

One of our most enchanting numbers involves a floating clown holding a balloon that pops and sends him hurtling down to the ground. In other puppeteer’s versions of this sequence, the clown gets a new balloon at the end. For Bob Baker.... the number just ends there with the clown shedding a tear and looking up at Photograph by Natalie Hadland

our puppeteer. Our shows embody the ethos that it is OKAY to feel sad. It is OKAY that it sucks when your balloon pops. The magic still continues, and you never know if the next moment will feature a tap-dancing bullfrog as it does in our show.

Mitch: After decades of pulling strings (in the most magical sense), how does the theater keep its holiday shows as fresh as the first snowfall, resonating with both longtime devotees and bright-eyed newcomers?

I think our holiday shows are much like the holidays themselves.... even if they come around every year, it still feels nice to have an excuse to enjoy yourself, surround yourself with people you love, and celebrate generosity and kindness (even if the world isn’t always showing us that). We invent new things at the Theater to satisfy our own curiosity and continue to experiment, but what keeps it fresh is the need our community has to experience something wonderful and wacky at least once a year, it not more.

SUPER BLOOM HOUSE

36

37

SUPER BLOOM HOUSE

SUPER BLOOM HOUSE

38