Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Curtis Sittenfeld on ‘dating up’ and the Pete Davidson effect

00:56

Love Lives: Curtis Sittenfeld on ‘dating up’ and the Pete Davidson effect

As soon as any female celebrity becomes single, Pete Davidson jokes and rumours aren’t far behind, with the SNL star having dated everyone from Kim Kardashian to Ariana Grande.

But how often do we see this phenomenon in reverse?

Author Curtis Sittenfeld joins us this week to discuss her latest book, Romantic Comedy, the concept of ‘dating up’, and why male celebrities aren’t clamouring to date female comedians.

Check out Love Lives on Independent TV and all major podcast platforms, and follow us on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

Up next

Paul Hollywood reveals which royals he’d welcome to Bake Off

01:01

Paul Hollywood reveals which royals he’d welcome to Bake Off

The travel mistake that led to a $143,000 bill

00:59

The travel mistake that led to a $143,000 bill

Prince Harry makes surprise address during Travalyst annual meeting

00:23

Prince Harry makes surprise address during Travalyst annual meeting

Simon Calder answers your holiday questions in live event

59:34

Simon Calder answers your holiday questions in live event

Editor’s Picks

I traveled 300 miles to chase the total solar eclipse

02:51

I traveled 300 miles to chase the total solar eclipse

Simon Calder answers your holiday questions in live event

59:34

Simon Calder answers your holiday questions in live event

What would a President Trump 2.0 look like?

10:42

What would a President Trump 2.0 look like?

Baltimore will rebuild, but at what cost? | On The Ground

03:35

Baltimore will rebuild, but at what cost? | On The Ground

More Editor’s Picks

On The Ground

Baltimore will rebuild, but at what cost? | On The Ground

03:35

Baltimore will rebuild, but at what cost? | On The Ground

New Yorkers turn to self-defence classes as punching attacks continue

03:45

New Yorkers turn to self-defence classes as punching attacks continue

This 26-year-old could be Biden’s secret weapon | On The Ground

07:34

This 26-year-old could be Biden’s secret weapon | On The Ground

The NHS nurse fighting to be heard | On The Ground

08:19

The NHS nurse fighting to be heard | On The Ground

More On The Ground

Behind The Headlines

What would a President Trump 2.0 look like?

10:42

What would a President Trump 2.0 look like?

When will the Cost of Living Crisis end?

06:27

When will the Cost of Living Crisis end?

How airlines greenwash the skies

07:23

How airlines greenwash the skies

Is it time to panic over AI? | Behind The Headlines

06:35

Is it time to panic over AI? | Behind The Headlines

More Behind The Headlines

Decomplicated

Are ultra-processed foods bad for you?

04:31

Are ultra-processed foods bad for you?

Why are UK councils going bankrupt?

07:30

Why are UK councils going bankrupt?

What causes the winter flu and how does it differ from other types?

03:34

What causes the winter flu and how does it differ from other types?

How does the Iowa Caucus pick the next US president? | Decomplicated

03:18

How does the Iowa Caucus pick the next US president? | Decomplicated

More Decomplicated

Binge Watch

Oscars 2024: Who will win Best Actor and Actress?

11:34

Oscars 2024: Who will win Best Actor and Actress?

Oscars 2024: Who will win Best Picture and Best Director?

11:49

Oscars 2024: Who will win Best Picture and Best Director?

Big Brother’s Jordan and Henry on life after the house

14:24

Big Brother’s Jordan and Henry on life after the house

Baftas 2024: Best British film nominees you need to watch

11:18

Baftas 2024: Best British film nominees you need to watch

More Binge Watch

Music Box

03:11

Watch Gia Ford perform her brand new single ‘Poolside’ on Music Box

Gia Ford performs ‘Falling in Love Again’

04:08

Gia Ford performs ‘Falling in Love Again’

Dylan John Thomas performs ‘Wake Up Ma’ on Music Box

03:04

Dylan John Thomas performs ‘Wake Up Ma’ on Music Box

Watch Dylan John Thomas perform his single ‘Fever’ on Music Box

02:44

Watch Dylan John Thomas perform his single ‘Fever’ on Music Box

Travel Smart

Here’s why Greece is still a firm family summer holiday favourite

09:14

Here’s why Greece is still a firm family summer holiday favourite

Find your perfect seasonal city break

08:18

Find your perfect seasonal city break

Discover the diverse appeals of Fuerteventura

07:35

Discover the diverse appeals of Fuerteventura

Sunny holiday escapes no matter the time of year | Travel Smart

11:36

Sunny holiday escapes no matter the time of year | Travel Smart

More Travel Smart

Love Lives

Tom Walker: ‘Songwriting is my therapy’

36:50

Tom Walker: ‘Songwriting is my therapy’

Author Ela Lee: ‘We need to take blackout sex more seriously’

37:41

Author Ela Lee: ‘We need to take blackout sex more seriously’

Love Lives: If men went through menopause, it would be a disaster

43:16

Love Lives: If men went through menopause, it would be a disaster

Love Lives: Best moments from 2023

18:59

Love Lives: Best moments from 2023

More Love Lives

You Ask The Questions

Kirstie Allsopp gives her tips for selling your home

08:49

Kirstie Allsopp gives her tips for selling your home

How to avoid fast fashion this Christmas | You Ask The Questions

06:38

How to avoid fast fashion this Christmas | You Ask The Questions

How do you get the best deal on Black Friday?

03:39

How do you get the best deal on Black Friday?

Has Rishi Sunak’s reshuffle changed the fate of his government?

06:50

Has Rishi Sunak’s reshuffle changed the fate of his government?

More You Ask The Questions

News

Jeremy Hunt refuses to say ‘anything negative’ about Liz Truss

00:21

Jeremy Hunt refuses to say ‘anything negative’ about Liz Truss

Watch Michael Donovan’s police interview after Shannon Matthews kidnap

00:37

Watch Michael Donovan’s police interview after Shannon Matthews kidnap

Boeing whistleblower reveals he has nightmares of being stabbed

00:49

Boeing whistleblower reveals he has nightmares of being stabbed

MSNBC reporter Joy Reid praises ‘wonderfully poetic’ Trump prosecutor

01:00

MSNBC reporter Joy Reid praises ‘wonderfully poetic’ Trump prosecutor

Sport

England World Cup winner says rugby ‘not safe sport’ to play

00:45

England World Cup winner says rugby ‘not safe sport’ to play

Pochettino has spat with journalist following Chelsea press conference

00:29

Pochettino has spat with journalist following Chelsea press conference

Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham demands more anti-racism measures

01:29

Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham demands more anti-racism measures

Conquering Bayern would be ‘unbelievable’ for Arsenal, Arteta says

00:44

Conquering Bayern would be ‘unbelievable’ for Arsenal, Arteta says

Climate

Dubai: Cars abandoned in flooded streets as UAE begins clean up

00:33

Dubai: Cars abandoned in flooded streets as UAE begins clean up

Severe weather lashes Virginia as golf ball-sized hail reported

00:21

Severe weather lashes Virginia as golf ball-sized hail reported

Watch: Double dust devil swirls along Route 66 highway

00:24

Watch: Double dust devil swirls along Route 66 highway

Octopuses could go blind due to global warming, researchers say

01:00

Octopuses could go blind due to global warming, researchers say

Culture

Zayn Malik reveals what he misses most about UK the most

00:52

Zayn Malik reveals what he misses most about UK the most

First look at Heinz’s limited edition pink ‘Barbiecue’ sauce

00:20

First look at Heinz’s limited edition pink ‘Barbiecue’ sauce

Love Island star shaves head to support children’s charity

00:25

Love Island star shaves head to support children’s charity

Jon Bon Jovi unsure if he will tour again after throat surgery

01:20

Jon Bon Jovi unsure if he will tour again after throat surgery

Saudi Cup

Saudi Cup: ‘A true display of horsemanship’, says Prince Bandar

01:36

Saudi Cup: ‘A true display of horsemanship’, says Prince Bandar

Princess Nourah praises young fashion designers on show at Saudi Cup

00:42

Princess Nourah praises young fashion designers on show at Saudi Cup

Andrew Strauss says Saudi is an eye opener

01:26

Andrew Strauss says Saudi is an eye opener

Saudi Arabia is ‘pushing limits’ of fashion creativity

00:32

Saudi Arabia is ‘pushing limits’ of fashion creativity

Galaxy The Ripple Effect

Ebony Rainford-Brent MBE on the imposter syndrome epidemic

04:23

Ebony Rainford-Brent MBE on the imposter syndrome epidemic

Finance coach Ellie Austin-Williams on the psychology of money

04:26

Finance coach Ellie Austin-Williams on the psychology of money

STEM campaigner Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE on workplace bias

04:34

STEM campaigner Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE on workplace bias

Ebony Rainford-Brent MBE on how to tackle imposter syndrome

01:01

Ebony Rainford-Brent MBE on how to tackle imposter syndrome

More Galaxy The Ripple Effect

E.ON Next Power Switch

Episode One - Cooking

03:13

Episode One - Cooking

Episode Two - Entertainment

03:10

Episode Two - Entertainment

Episode Three - Body Care

02:48

Episode Three - Body Care

Episode Four - Lighting

03:12

Episode Four - Lighting

Big In America

Can Willsow’s children’s books pique the interest of the US market?

15:55

Can Willsow’s children’s books pique the interest of the US market?

Will the founders of Spice Kitchen be able to find US retailers?

16:33

Will the founders of Spice Kitchen be able to find US retailers?

Co-founders of See.Sense bring their cycle safe tech to New York City

16:06

Co-founders of See.Sense bring their cycle safe tech to New York City

Collctiv fintech founder Amy Whitell tries to crack the US tech market

15:01

Collctiv fintech founder Amy Whitell tries to crack the US tech market

More Big In America

Saudi Green Initiative

Saudi government doesn’t ‘pay lip service’ on climate action

01:16

Saudi government doesn’t ‘pay lip service’ on climate action

SGI ‘seems like a nest of harmony’, journalist says

00:36

SGI ‘seems like a nest of harmony’, journalist says

SGI ambitions are ‘extremely high’, says Saudi climate envoy

00:48

SGI ambitions are ‘extremely high’, says Saudi climate envoy

Saudi Green Initiative aims to ‘not just preserve, but create’

01:08

Saudi Green Initiative aims to ‘not just preserve, but create’

More Saudi Green Initiative

AlUla

Gérard Mestrallet on the challenges of bringing infrastructure to the region of AlUla

01:51

Gérard Mestrallet on the challenges of bringing infrastructure to the region of AlUla

Sir George Iacobescu, chairman of the Canary Wharf Group on the investment into the historic region of AlUla

02:07

Sir George Iacobescu, chairman of the Canary Wharf Group on the investment into the historic region of AlUla

Oliver Ripley of sustainable hotel group Habitas talks about how AlUla challenged his preconceptions of Saudi Arabia

02:00

Oliver Ripley of sustainable hotel group Habitas talks about how AlUla challenged his preconceptions of Saudi Arabia

Thomas Kaplan of wild cat conservation charity Panthera on the mission to save the Arabian Leopard

02:09

Thomas Kaplan of wild cat conservation charity Panthera on the mission to save the Arabian Leopard