The House is Open: A New Chapter for Hotshots

The Founders’ Return. Those who visited us between 2011 and 2017 know that Hotshots has never been just a collection of links. It was a newsroom, an experiment, and a cultural lighthouse that, at its peak in 2014, reached over 3,000 daily views. Lisa Iside and I (Al Berhold) founded this space to provide a different perspective—one that is critical, historical, and deeply rooted in pop culture.

A Glimpse into the Vault

This image captures the essence of who we were in 2015. You see Lisa and me, joined by Jewel, who arrived in January of that year and became a fundamental force in helping us reach our greatest heights.  We don’t need faces to show the passion that was in that room.

From the Hiatus to 2026. Life eventually led us elsewhere: relocations, new careers, and different cities. We tried to flicker the lights back on between 2022 and 2024—the years when Michele Castiglia joined the family, bringing his noir and tech-focused vision. But it is only now, in 2026, that we have decided to return for real.

Why Follow Us Now? In an era of disposable social media content and AI-generated noise, an archive is more necessary than ever. You need someone who remembers the grain of actual film while analyzing today’s digital stars. We are back with a fresh look and enhanced security for our readers, but with the same "hunger" we had on day one.

The House is officially open. It's time to look back at where we've been and dive deep into what the industry has become.

Welcome back home. — Al Berhold