The Dian Hanson episodes were fascinating. Her stories are so interesting & I thought the interviewer was excellent. I’m glad there are 4 episodes to dive into!

Overall, this is excellent. The episodes are like audio documentaries. I first came across the Rialto Report website and podcast after I became curious about the Golden Age of adult film. This podcast captures an interesting period of US sociocultural history and a taboo topic. My only complaints are that they reprise too many episodes and don’t have a regular update schedule.

Really well put together and informative podcast, I found this podcast by researching Elliot offen. There’s an episode about his uncle who was in the porn industry in the 1970s which is absolutely fascinating.

A fantastic podcast with a great interviewer talking to all the stars we used to beat off to back in the day. I highly recommend the two part podcast with Sue Nero. L-E-G-E-N-D

Great story telling

I have never reviewed a podcast before and have enjoyed this one so much, I had to. This podcast is about pop culture, sex, and more or less ordinary people making ordinary decisions and the path that takes them down is very far from ordinary. Ashley West and April Hall are a pleasure to listen to but the stories they tell and the way they tell them is such a fascinating listen. They are both great interviewers, especially considering how often the issues under discussion are sensitive or difficult for the person being interviewed. They have such compassion and heart and class, they are truly gifted. Plus their knowledge of the history of the porn industry is incredible.

April has to be the best interviewer I’ve heard in a long time. An active listener who leaves interviewees (and listeners) feel understood and validated! Bravo, April! 👏🏿 April, thank you for the care and specificity you bring to every interview. And, thank you for the Angel Kelly interview, absolutely exquisite! Those final moments with Angel Kelly were so moving. I’m grateful she decided to be interviewed. It is clear Angel was touched by your interest and persistence. Her story is so profound, rich and unsung. The musical interludes were the perfect touch. Also bravo, Ashley, on a stellar episode about Tina Russell (Linda Marie Mintzer)!

I don’t think there is a better source on the subject than this podcast. The adult stars have lived such interesting lives. The interviewers, Ashley West & April Hall, are fantastic. They keep their questions short, but probing which allows the stars to really open up. It seems like the golden era into the early 80’s has been covered. I would love to hear interviews from the mid 80’s onwards with stars like TT Boy, Peter North, and all the photo box video vixens. Thanks for shedding light and really humanizing these fascinating people! Well done!

Thank you

Ashley and April are fantastic interviewers. I stumbled upon this podcast on Facebook when an article was posted about Punk and Porn in NYC. Since I’m a huge music historian, I appreciate the music played on many of their shows as it is truly fitting to whom they are interviewing! These interviews also make you realize that many of these men and women are real people too with real lives and hardships. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the future of this podcast!

The Rialto report always has the most amazing in-depth stories and interviews. All the stars from yesteryear with the gritty details of the time to go with it.

This is a one of a kind podcast. It documents the history of erotic adult cinema and related topics. There are other podcasts that dabble in similar topics but IMHO they are not even in the same lane. Meticulous research married to integrity and with the utmost respect and grace accorded to the subjects. Ashley West and April Hall deserve all the accolades. They have accomplished the rare honour of raising the bar of the genre.

Ashley West and April Hall are putting into to place a historical account of the Golden Age of adult film. They have been at it for a while and I’ve been tuning in for over a decade. The subject matter might turn off many but Ashley and April give it the focus and attention it deserves outside of the popcorn treatment and stilted view often put up by the mainstream media. Make no mistake this is an adults only show but it’s not at all what I feel many may think reading the subtitles. This is a serious podcast for those looking to expand their understanding of a very misunderstood business - the good and the bad in a completely unvarnished manner. There is no denying the impact pornography has had on society and whatever your views are, positive or negative, it has shaped film and the arts forever in America and worldwide. For all the darkness many associate with the business it has produced some of the most compelling characters and stories of the 20th and 21st century which Ashely and April, to their credit, explore in great depth. At times dark and sad it can also be hilarious, genuinely uplifting and always honest. The vivid narration, in depth research and fascinating stories and people make this a must download for those interested in the human experience in a place most assiduously avoid. I cannot recommend highly enough this podcast for those who tangentially or deeply understand adult entertainment and entertainment in general. It’s eye opening, thought provoking and masterfully done.

You don’t need to be a Harry-handed perv to get into this. Very in-depth & intriguing. One of the best podcasts I’ve heard.

I stumbled across this and came very close to not listening. The researchers must have been very good to this much in-depth historical information. These are compelling stories that just happen to be about the adult entertainment business told by a master narrator. I don’t know what the budget for music royalties is but the background music is incredible and adds to each story. BTW, I’m a 73 year old woman who was a public school administrator who loves a good story well told. Please continue .

I listen to a lot of podcasts, and I’m always puzzled as to why the Rialto report isn’t widely known. It’s easily one of the best podcasts out there. Just when you think can they find more interesting stories, they hit you with something even better (like the Dolly Sharp series, WOW). Keep up the amazing work!!

This is most fascinating episode yet

Story of Dolly Sharp has been the best!☺️ She was a very talented lady with the violin and dance was incredible!

Kudos to April for her care, expert listening and sensitive questioning to every one of her interviewees. Truly one of the best in podcasting among subjects (ex. Randy Spears) who are both overexposed yet undersung. Keep it up!

An incredible amount of understanding and work on these podcasts.

What a thorough and thoughtful approach to an industry so maligned yet so essential. Ashley and April are the best interviewers. Such interesting stories and questions. One is able to visualize this world they are talking about so effortlessly. Kudos. This is so professional and perfect!

I am shocked that you guys are doing 60 minute level interviews for interesting characters in this industry.

Loved your podcast very interesting and intriguing.Please interview Vanessa Del Rio and Bunny Bleu

Great job, brought back memories of the legends of porn from going into their personal journeys that got them into porn, to what they are up to now. Please Please Please get Vanessa Del Rio! I’m getting a boner just thinking about her! Again fantastic work ✌🏿😎

April and Ashley do an amazing job of thoroughly researching and showing unusually refreshing respect for all the contributors to the golden age of adult movies. Thanks for giving all the behind the scenes details. Some like Terri Hall and Lisa De Leeuw are I hope future topics.

I am so happy I discovered this podcast!

Terrific clear-eyed look back at the early porn industry

One of the most intelligent and best podcasts i have ever heard. Amazing research, classy, very well represented. The human aspect that is presented is on point. Although i have never actually watched pornography, i am facinated with the sociology and economics of the industry. Thank you very much for the enlightening and very well produced podcast.

Always fascinating, well researched and above all compassionate.

The Rialto Report was something I stumbled upon while looking up Jane Hamilton (Veronica Hart). I’m impressed that these are such personal interviews that are supported with so much background research. It’s a refreshing example of journalism that allows the various personalities come forth in such a candid format. Some are the stereotypical losers whom you’d love to hate, but most are just real people with real stories. Human interest with a dark side.

Finally something about the porn industry that doesn’t seem to be manufactured by stereotypes and preconceived judgments.

Amazing podcast. Eye opening and interesting. Not what you expect to hear very often.

Easily my favorite podcast. Informative, interesting and cool. You don’t have to be a fan of golden age porn, but if you are, you are in for a ride. Conjures up the times I went to Times Square when it was still alive. Thank you so much for doing this Ashley.

I stumbled upon this quite randomly. I have collected adult films for decades now. Saw my first film in a theater on January 2 1975. It was a birthday present to myself and the theater is long gone. I started to buy 8mm loops, then a few year’s later, a VHS machine. So I grew up during the early year’s. This is the podcast if you’re into early adult films. Hope you’re around for years to come. Thank you for these episodes!

This is a thoughtful and respectful podcast detailing the lives of the individuals involved with the development of the pornographic industry. The interviewers have excellent styles and are very knowledgeable about the topic. Interviews are well framed within the historical context and are informative on multiple levels. I highly recommend this podcast for people interested in autobiography, the development of an industry, the history of the 60-80s or just a relaxed informed presentation of the main topic.

I absolutely love this podcast. The hosts are both incredibly knowledgeable and excellent interviewers - thoughtful, sensitive, warm, and informative. And those adjectives can be applied to this podcast as a whole as well. It’s by turns funny, heartbreaking, moving, inspiring, upsetting - and always fascinating. It’s very well-written, researched, assembled, and produced, also. I really just can’t say enough good things!

What a great, informative podcast! The production and delivery are a delight and both hosts offer clear, precise voices. The podcast provides interesting stories from porn's "Golden Age" and gives the background on the people, movies, and times. I stumbled upon the podcast when wondering about some past actors and musing, "I wonder where they are now?" Search no more; The Rialto Report lets listeners learn how actors got into the business, their triumphs and tragedies, and their thoughts and predictions. Best of all, the podcast shows the humanity of the actors. Highly recommended.

I Happened upon the Rialto Report a couple of years ago. They were already 50-60 episodes in, so I had a great time getting caught up. If your interested in the Golden Age of adult cinema at any level, you’ll appreciate the work and attention to detail that goes into every episode. Getting up to date on the whereabouts and current lives of some of the talent from the 70’s and early to mid 80’s can be very entertaining, nostalgic, and often heartbreaking, yet the hosts treat these former stars with respect and dignity, even going so far as to set up fundraisers to help some of them that have truly fallen on hard times. Beyond the actors and actresses, there are episodes that take a deep dive into the history of the industry itself, and many of the people who were behind the cameras and even further behind the scenes. Even if you’re not a fan of this genre, try an episode or two out, simply out of intellectual curiosity. You’ll become a fan too.

Have listened to all of the episodes, on the website and on iTunes, and I continue to be impressed with the quality of work Ashley and April (and all the other contributors) present to us. Truly a labor of love. Thank you for sharing these stories from the Golden Age with us.

Wow, where to begin. The interviews are absolutely phenomenal. You ask questions I would ask & even some I didn’t even think to ask. The answers are honest, insightful & unbelievably revealing. You feel like you are in the room, drinking a glass of wine or having a cup of coffee with two friends, just catching up. I always love the interviews they are not afraid to ask the tough questions that can make most people uncomfortable but it wasn’t the case & the interviewees are not afraid to answer and in fact most add more information to those stories. Thing I’ve never heard or really didn’t have any insight. Wow, I can go on & on. Great job & keep those fantastic interviews coming!!!!!!!

If you are seeking a salacious and titiallating experience in podcast form, prepare yourself; this is not it. About 1% qualifies for those characteristics. Instead, each episode is an incredibily in depth exploration of a facet or personality from the adult entertainment industry. You are transported to experiences and developments of a regretably maligned, yet exploited, aspect of our culture. This is a truly captivating show steeped in psychology, sociology and humanity. Despite that sounding dry, the Rialto Report is anything but that. It is spectacular!

I found Rialto Report by searching for interviews with Sharon Mitchell in the i-Tunes store. I couldn't be happier about taking that shot in the dark! The interviewers are great at getting the subject to laugh and let go. Even their voices sound great and the actual audio quality is fantastic! Water Power is one of my favorite American films and when I heard them enthusiastically bring it up I knew right away; these people get it! This era of cinema needs to be taken more seriously and more people need to know about it! I feel so lucky to have found your podcast and just know you have a fan for life! You are doing important cultural work documenting these interviews. Thanks, please keep it coming!

Like a lot of young people across this nation and the world alike, I discovered adult films from old, passed around and heavily viewed vhs tapes. Classics like sexworld, Debbie does Dallas, and deep throat. Even though the films exceeded me in age, there was a feeling captured...a moment in time that can never be returned but is forever memorialized by funky bass lines, gratuitous mustaches and garter belts with stockings. These works from the golden age helped form my impressionable mind as to what sensuality and sexuality was. The names of the actors staying with me over the years, and I’ve often wanted to know more about them. The Rialto review gives us all that insight in a very high brow and respectful manner. We get to know the human story behind the movies and in many cases it leaves the listener with a strong sense of nostalgia. In my case a nostalgia for my youth and by proxy, nostalgia for the people who acted in these films back to a wild and uninhibited time in their lives.

A fascinating look at the lives of adult film stars of the past. Very moving.

Found this podcast through supporting characters and I’v been binging ever since! Everyone has an interesting story to tell and the hosts ask all the right questions and are very knowledgeable.

Not just one of the best film related podcasts going, it's easily among the best overall shows period. Deserves some sort of Peabody.

This is an awesome podcast that captures, with amazing thoroughness, stories of the lives of some very special individuals who took a path in their lives that is so strange to most of the rest of us. The story telling is wonderful. The folks that put this thing together are top-notch in telling the humanistic side to what prudes would tell you are scuzzy people. They are not scuzzy. They are real. They are like you and me, in most ways. Actually, they are us.

Well researched and interviews done with a careful touch. Extremely interesting!

What The Rialto Report is giving us, is a professional, historical glimpse into what amounts to one of most amazing DIY stories of all time! What a handful of talented, colorful people did was set in motion an industry that earns tens of billions of dollars per year ...and it started in NY's Time Square. It's the podcast version of the book you can't put down, released 90 minutes at a time. Keep up the great work , RR!

I've been listening to these podcasts from the very beginning and I have thoroughly enjoyed all of them. Ashley and April are very thorough with their research and it comes across in the interviews that they conduct. I've learned so much from listening to all of the guests and I've come away from each podcast feeling like I gained some great incite about the "Golden Age" of adult cinema. It is fun to learn about the people and their experiences along the way. I highly recommend this podcast.