Episode 305: Dr. Oz and the History of Celebrity Politicians

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss Dr. Oz running for the U.S. Senate and the history of celebrity politicians.

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Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: 

• Celebrity doctor-entertainer Mehmet Oz is running for Senate in Pennsylvania, as a Republican. Niki drew on historian Kathryn Brownell’s book, Showbiz Politics: Hollywood in American Political Life, and Neil referred to Nicholas Kristof’s gubernatorial run. Natalia referred to Olga Khazan’s Atlantic article about Trump’s celebrity candidacy.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia discussed the latest season of Selling Sunset, now streaming on Netflix.
• Neil recommended historian Paul Renfro’s Teen Vogue article, “Ryan White, Teen Who Contracted AIDS, Shifted Narrative Around The Disease.”
• Niki shared Dahlia Lithwick’s Slate article, “SCOTUS Will Gaslight Us Until the End” and referred to Michele Goodwin’s New York Times guest essay.