Fenton's film-school look
Neon pink, leopard & magenta
Randy recalls Fenton at NYU: hair in a bun, long diamond earrings, fluorescent leopard skin-tight pants and pink high tops
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Season 6 · Episode 1
James St. James
Every name, club, book, song, night and look from the interview - 124 references and 353 mentions in this episode. So exciting!
Mood of the episode
The presenters’ on-camera looks
James's on-camera look (S06E01)
On cameraChampagne, amber & burgundy
Champagne-gold satin wrap top or robe with a wide shawl collar; large burgundy/tortoiseshell rectangular thick-framed glasses; layered amber-and-gold beaded choker
Recording from his home library: floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and a vintage-style microphone
Sort by:
Guest of the episode; NYC club kid, writer and co-host of Night Fever
FashionIntroduced as a fashion icon; known for extravagant looks
25in this episode125 across allTeenage obsession; James tells three stories of encountering him
FashionStarted as a fashion illustrator; photographed James on a paper-fashion runway
24in this episode150 across allClub Kids founder; James worked his door at the Tunnel; later convicted of killing Angel Melendez
FashionClub Kid known for outrageous costumes
Heard as “Michael Ehlig / Aylin / Alec / ALIG”
21in this episode123 across allCo-host; co-founder of World of Wonder. No Wikipedia page of his own; links to WOW
Heard as “Randy Barbado”
14in this episode60 across allThe city itself: where James found the downtown scene of 'weirdos' he had read about
13in this episode243 across allVillage Voice columnist; James's early mentor and plus-one; champion of the Pop Tarts
Heard as “Musto / Michael Mustow”
13in this episode41 across allFenton and Randy's band. No page of their own; covered on the WOW page
Heard as “Pop-Tarts”
10in this episodethis episode onlyCo-host; co-founder of World of Wonder. No Wikipedia page of his own; links to WOW
8in this episode41 across allDowntown 'it girl'; James first saw her in Vanity Fair and later approached her in clubs; subject of an earlier episode. Also a fashion designer
FashionFashion designer, model and downtown style icon
Heard as “Diane Brill”
8in this episode61 across all- 7in this episode34 across all
Alig-era nightlife scene James joined
FashionScene defined by outrageous costumes and looks
Heard as “club kid”
7in this episode73 across all- 7in this episode12 across all
Drug dealer killed by Michael Alig and Robert Riggs in 1996
Heard as “Angel”
7in this episode12 across allWOW's breakthrough star; asked Fenton and Randy to manage him
FashionDrag superstar; 'Supermodel' is a fashion anthem
Heard as “RuPaul / Rue / Ru”
7in this episode31 across allMet James on day one at NYU; his nightlife partner; later an actor; also an earlier guest
Heard as “Lisa Yee / Lisa E.”
6in this episode32 across allRandy recalls Fenton at NYU: hair in a bun, long diamond earrings, fluorescent leopard skin-tight pants and pink high tops
FashionWorn or shown in the episode
Heard as “bun / diamond earrings / leopard pants / high tops”
6in this episodethis episode only- 5in this episode7 across all
Mutual friend through whom James met Fenton and Randy; linked RuPaul to WOW
Heard as “Nelson”
5in this episode13 across allJames's best friend in Michigan who shared his obsessions
Heard as “Lisa”
4in this episodethis episode onlyJames's novel, which opens with his first day of high school. The novel has no page; links to the 2017 film adaptation
Heard as “Freak Show”
4in this episodeonly counted here · named on 1 more card- 4in this episode24 across all
East Village club where Fenton and Randy first met James. The original club has no Wikipedia page; link is to Cat Lounge NYC
4in this episode5 across allJames's People magazine photo in drag; drag queens in Super Freak and Shampoo Horns; RuPaul making drag queens stars
FashionWorn or shown in the episode
Heard as “drag / drag queen”
4in this episodethis episode onlyWhere James says he went to write and get clean
Heard as “Miami South Beach / Ocean Drive”
4in this episode13 across all- 4in this episode8 across all
Mentioned on the show in connection with new information about the Melendez killing. No page of his own; linked to the Melendez case page
Heard as “Daniel”
4in this episodethis episode onlyNYC club in a former church; its 'library' lounge is fondly recalled
FashionVenue of the paper fashion show
3in this episode32 across allJames's flamboyant looks, from his first day of high school to showing off his outfits to Warhol
FashionWorn or shown in the episode
Heard as “outfit”
3in this episodethis episode onlyOn James's fantasy dinner-party list
3in this episodethis episode onlyOn James's fantasy dinner-party list; name unclear in transcript. Downtown doorman and No Entiendes cabaret host
Heard as “Howie Montag”
3in this episode7 across allWarhol's assistant who, James says, later told him about Warhol noticing him
FashionArrived with Warhol at the fashion show where Warhol noticed James
Heard as “Benjamin Lou”
3in this episode6 across all- 3in this episode4 across all
NYU film teacher who moved Randy into Fenton's class
Heard as “Arnie Baskin”
3in this episodethis episode only- 2in this episodethis episode only
- 2in this episode5 across all
- 2in this episodethis episode only
His teenage subscription and city guide
2in this episode3 across allA school friend of Randy's
2in this episodethis episode onlyJames's acting programme, which he disliked. No page of its own; links to Tisch
Heard as “experimental theater wing / ETW”
2in this episode5 across allBook his mother read him; source of his audition song; title unclear
Heard as “the badger”
2in this episodethis episode onlySoap in which Lara Parker played Angelique
2in this episode3 across allEarlier Night Fever episodes with Lisa Edelstein
Heard as “the third episode we did with her”
2in this episodethis episode onlyNYC club where Randy remembers meeting James
Heard as “area”
2in this episode70 across allNYC club; site of an early meeting and Alig's first party
2in this episode57 across all- 2in this episodethis episode only
Organised a paper-fashion show at Limelight; also a filthy-mouth contest judge. Confirmed as filthy-mouth contest judge; paper show not found online
FashionOrganised the paper fashion show at Limelight
Heard as “Andy Anderson”
2in this episode3 across allClub where James worked the door at Alig's parties
Heard as “the tunnel”
2in this episode29 across allMichael Alig's first party; James was a judge. Source shows a 1987 contest card from the Palladium, not Danceteria
Heard as “filthy mouth contest”
2in this episode3 across allNightlife columnist who, with Musto, showed James writers could be glamorous. Details magazine founding editor; no Wikipedia page
FashionFounding editor of Details, a fashion and culture magazine
Heard as “Steven Saban”
2in this episode17 across allJames says Marc Jacobs told him the club scene is the celebration, not the work, and that he should write
FashionFashion designer
2in this episode17 across allWhere James moved and grew close to Fenton and Randy
Heard as “L.A.”
2in this episode70 across allClub Kid movie James and Alig starred in
FashionClub Kids appearing in their own looks
Heard as “Shampoo Horns”
2in this episodeonly counted here · named on 4 more cardsClub Kid who appeared in Shampoo Horns. Credited as 'Junky' in Shampoo Horns; links to the film
Heard as “Junkie Jonathan”
2in this episodethis episode only- 1in this episode17 across all
Where Randy told James to give sound bites
FashionRed-carpet appearance
Heard as “party monster red carpet”
1in this episodethis episode onlyWOW's film about Alig, based on James's book
FashionRecreates the Club Kids' costumes
Heard as “party monster”
1in this episode6 across all- 1in this episodethis episode only
- 1in this episode2 across all
James's 'holy grail' as a teenager. Book by Jean Stein and George Plimpton (1982); no page of its own
Heard as “the book Edie”
1in this episodethis episode onlyPictured with Diane Brill at the Limelight opening
1in this episode2 across all- 1in this episodeonly counted here · named on 1 more card
Where James first saw Diane Brill
FashionFashion and culture magazine where James first saw Dianne Brill
1in this episode5 across allWarhol-directed video featuring Diane Brill
Heard as “the cars video ... Hello”
1in this episode2 across allPart of the early-80s pop culture James followed
FashionEarly-80s gender-bending style icon
1in this episode33 across all- 1in this episode22 across all
On James's teenage list of places to live in NYC
1in this episode18 across allOn James's teenage list of places to live in NYC
Heard as “Soho”
1in this episode6 across allJames compares his first day of high school to her at Studio 54
FashionStudio 54-era glamour, referenced for James's high-school entrance
1in this episode13 across allLegendary NYC club (in the Liza Minnelli comparison)
FashionByword for disco-era glamour and dressing up
1in this episode43 across allStyle James imitated in his NYU audition monologue
1in this episodethis episode onlyStudio James was nudged towards
Heard as “playwrights horizons”
1in this episodethis episode onlyOne of James's professors at NYU; Tony-winning actor
Heard as “Jane Houdyshell”
1in this episodethis episode onlyNYU teacher James adored; played Angelique in Dark Shadows
1in this episodeonly counted here · named on 1 more card- 1in this episode5 across all
Where the hosts place the Cat Club, where they first met James
1in this episode8 across allShow where James met Fenton and Randy backstage. Gabriel Rotello's revue series, 1985-86; NYU archive of Nelson Sullivan's videos
1in this episodethis episode only- 1in this episode2 across all
- 1in this episodethis episode only
James posed for paparazzi on the steps as Warhol arrived and asked who he was
FashionWorn or shown in the episode
Heard as “went to a fashion show”
1in this episodethis episode onlyShow with outfits made of paper; Warhol photographed James
FashionWorn or shown in the episode
Heard as “paper fashion show”
1in this episodethis episode onlyJames dressed as Rhoda Penmark
FashionSource of James's Rhoda Penmark outfit
Heard as “pen mark from the bad seed”
1in this episodeonly counted here · named on 1 more cardAn outfit James wore styled on the girl from The Bad Seed
FashionWorn or shown in the episode
Heard as “pen mark from the bad seed”
1in this episodethis episode onlyMentioned as someone startled by James's signature greeting
1in this episode5 across allPerson James rushed up to at a premiere. The Olympic diver; at the Stop! That! Train! premiere, May 2026
1in this episodethis episode onlyPremiere where James rushed a celebrity. World of Wonder film; LA premiere May 2026
Heard as “Stop That Train premiere”
1in this episodeonly counted here · named on 1 more cardActress whose plus-one Musto once was
1in this episode17 across allPhoto of James in drag that, James says, made his father cut him off
FashionRan the photo of James in drag
1in this episodeonly counted here · named on 1 more card- 1in this episode8 across all
- 1in this episodeonly counted here · named on 1 more card
Host of Alig's first party, the filthy-mouth contest at Danceteria
Heard as “Anito”
1in this episode13 across allLeft a vacuum in the club scene that Alig filled
Heard as “after Andy Warhol died”
1in this episode7 across allMusto's piece after Warhol's death. Article not found online; links to Musto
Heard as “The Death of Downtown”
1in this episode4 across allClub-scene magazine James wrote for. No page of its own; mentioned on the Club Kids page
1in this episode2 across allJames's OutWeek column that impressed Fenton and Randy. Column title not confirmed online; links to OutWeek
Heard as “Diary of a Mad Queen”
1in this episodethis episode onlyJames's unpublished early-90s manuscript, partly reused in Freak Show
Heard as “super freak”
1in this episodeonly counted here · named on 1 more cardTimes Square megaclub Fenton calls Alig's greatest creation. No Wikipedia page; Rolling Stone article on Peter Gatien
1in this episode13 across all- 1in this episode7 across all
- 1in this episodethis episode only
James says a New York Times reporter told him things about Angel's death he had not known
Heard as “New York Times”
1in this episode3 across all- 1in this episode2 across all
Club Kid who appeared in Shampoo Horns. Later co-founded the fashion label Heatherette
FashionFashion designer; co-founded the label Heatherette
1in this episode14 across allNamed in one of the storylines James recalls from the film Shampoo Horns
Heard as “AIDS”
1in this episode22 across allJames's comparison for young Fenton's look
FashionFamed for flamboyant dress; used to describe Fenton's look
1in this episode2 across allThe pink high tops Fenton wore the day he and Randy first spoke
FashionWorn or shown in the episode
Heard as “Converse pink”
1in this episodethis episode onlySong for Fenton and Randy's first joint film-school film
Heard as “To Boys Keep Swinging”
1in this episodethis episode onlySong for Randy's film-school music video
Heard as “I Like to Live in America”
1in this episode2 across allSong for Fenton's film-school music video
Heard as “radioactivity by Kraftwerk”
1in this episodethis episode onlyJames jokes he spent his tuition money on ball gowns
FashionWorn or shown in the episode
Heard as “ball gowns”
1in this episodethis episode onlyJames teasingly called the Pop Tarts a 'poor man's' version
Heard as “tears for fears”
1in this episodethis episode onlyWhere Fenton had a day job
1in this episodethis episode onlyWhere Randy worked at an ad agency
1in this episodethis episode onlyGay bar where James saw RuPaul's video and decided to return to NYC
Heard as “Traverse City”
1in this episodethis episode onlyVideo that sent James back to NYC
FashionFashion and runway anthem
Heard as “Supermal”
1in this episodethis episode onlyStarted as a record label to release the Pop Tarts
Heard as “World of Wonder ... record company”
1in this episodethis episode onlyWOW's TV turning point
Heard as “Manhattan Cable to Channel 4”
1in this episodethis episode onlyWOW show built from public-access clips
1in this episodeonly counted here · named on 2 more cardsUK broadcaster that bought Manhattan Cable
1in this episode3 across allFriend hired to host Manhattan Cable. No page of her own; WOW page lists Manhattan Cable with her
Heard as “Lori Pike”
1in this episode3 across allAtlanta label that released RuPaul's first records
Heard as “Fund and Records in Atlanta”
1in this episodethis episode onlyThe book deal Fenton and Randy helped James land
Heard as “book deal”
1in this episode3 across allPaper Musto wrote for; implied, not named aloud
Heard as “(Musto's paper)”
—in this episode12 across all- On camera
Recording from his home library: floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and a vintage-style microphone
FashionChampagne-gold satin wrap top or robe with a wide shawl collar; large burgundy/tortoiseshell rectangular thick-framed glasses; layered amber-and-gold beaded choker
Heard as “—”
—in this episode - On camera
At home in a room with retro 1970s orange-and-yellow floral wallpaper, bookshelves and kitsch objects
FashionBreton-style striped T-shirt in cobalt blue and red-orange; light wire-rimmed glasses
Heard as “—”
—in this episode - On camera
In a bright white modern office with glass walls
FashionDark navy baseball cap; thick black round-framed glasses; cream, brown and grey plaid flannel overshirt over a kelly-green crew-neck T-shirt
Heard as “—”
—in this episode
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