How did Heated Rivalry’s Producers Make Their Massive Hit? - Pivot Recap

Podcast: Pivot

Published: 2026-02-07

Duration: 43 min

Summary

This episode dives into the success of 'Heated Rivalry,' exploring how it resonates with audiences through themes of queer joy and romance in a divided world. The creators discuss the cultural impact of their show and the unique storytelling that sets it apart.

What Happened

In this special bonus episode of Pivot, host Kara Swisher chats with Jacob Tierney, the creator of 'Heated Rivalry,' and executive producer Brendan Brady about the unexpected success of their show. They highlight how the series, rooted in queer joy and romance, has struck a chord amidst the current cultural climate, providing a refreshing narrative that focuses on love instead of trauma. Jacob emphasizes that while queer stories exist, many lack the joy that romance can bring, stating, 'I think that while there are queer stories out there, I don't think there's a lot of joy.'

Brendan adds that the show caters to a fanbase that has historically been overlooked in media, noting, 'This is a massive fan base that have not had their stories taken seriously and they got to see it taken seriously and they loved it.' The conversation also touches on the differences in how productions are funded in Canada compared to the U.S., with a nod to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's support for the show. He famously remarked, 'On behalf of Canada's new government, look, I'm a politician. I'm not above taking credit for the Canadian funding that helped you share this story with the world.'

Key Insights