How scary is TOO scary for children? It’s a question seemingly no one on the set of this infamous episode ever asked. Join Andrew, Chelsea, Miles, Mr. Pieces, Punky, Brandon (for your Emmy consideration) and the rest of the gang as we literal fight our way out of a demon-haunted cave in definitely somewhere close to Chicago and not the coast of California.
Category: All Eps
Ep 058: Halloween Hypocrisy (“My So-Called Life” S01E09)
Like an angst-seeking missile, Angela Chase has gone from trailing after living phantom Jordan Catalano to actual phantom Nicky Driscoll in this Halloweeniest of episodes. We promise this is not a backdoor pilot for Chelsea’s spinoff MSCL podcast. Probably.
Ep 057: Douglas Howser, Plumber (“Doogie Howser, M.D.” S4E01)
Doogie Howser may be the youngest practicing surgeon in greater Los Angeles, but when the 1992 LA riots come rolling through his ER, he engages his black patients and colleagues with the moralizing and head-patting of a much older man. Will he learn to confront his white privilege in the face of a city on fire? Or just misquote MLK and call it a day? There are a lot of sides to this story, and we’re gonna try to cover them ALL in one short episode (just like the writers on this sitcom did).
Ep 056: Thanks, Satan! (“Salute Your Shorts” S01E13)
Landfills are overflowing, the ice caps are melting, and the oceans are dying. What’s a 90s kid to do? The bare minimum, as it turns out. Join Chelsea and Andrew as we head back to Camp Ananwanna for litter, lectures, and one truly lame Environmental Party.
Ep 055: Tootie Finds a Bong (“The Facts of Life” S01E13)
The title of this episode is a bit misleading, because Tootie actually finds FOUR BONGS over the course of 24 minutes. What is going on here? And who will take these wayward children firmly in hand? You can bet it won’t be Mrs. Garrett, so come along with us and Oscar-Winner Helen Hunt to plumb the depths of Eastland School — hotbed of crime.
Ep 054: Convicted Dracula (“The Cosby Show” S05E16)
It’s time to confront the convicted rapist elephant in the room — Bill Cosby. Can we still watch THE COSBY SHOW and feel okay with ourselves? We’ve been avoiding it for two seasons, but it’s time to face this dracula head-on. Join Andrew, Chelsea, Miles, and Sammy Davis Jr. as we grapple with whether or not it’s ever possible to separate the artist from the art, and what happens when a VSE raises more questions about illiteracy than it answers.
Ep 053: Bonusode #2
Do you miss us?? Andrew, Chelsea, and Miles are here for a Season 2 recap and Q&A to tide you over until Season 3 drops! We’re ranking the eps (both awesome and awful), reminiscing about the guests, and answering your listener questions. Plus, we look ahead to ponder the deepest issue of this program — how do we up our snack game for Season 3?
Ep 052: August, Bayside County (“Saved By The Bell” S02E09)
Here it is: the granddaddy of them all. If you remember only one VSE from the 90s, it’s probably this one. WE’RE SO EXCITED because tonight we’re gonna make it happen — with the help of our Very Special Guest, writer and culture vulture Brian Otaño. Join us for our Season 2 Finale as we…
Ep 051: Cosmic Slides (“Dragnet 67” S01E01)
There’s something happening here — what it is ain’t exactly clear. Because the actors are reading off teleprompters, so there’s no emotional journey to track. Welcome to the baffling world of DRAGNET 67, the (first) reboot of the un-self-aware police procedural that will not quit! Join Andy, Chelsea, and Blue Boy as we learn about the terrifying dangers of LSD (overstated), the Sunset Strip Curfew Riots (fascinating) and actor/writer Jack Webb’s relationship with real LAPD cops (very chummy). Plus, we pitch our idea for a promising further reboot: RuPaul’s Dragnet!
Ep 050: Terrorist Vanity Project (“GI Joe” S01E51)
Chelsea and Andy continue our in-depth and serious exploration of the depiction of punk and rock music in popular media — with a cartoon created to sell action figures. Joined by Very Special Guests Garrett and Lane Nobriga of the LA-based metal band Altered Revelations, we tackle the tough questions: Is there really only one terrorist org in the whole world? What is the third girl’s name? And how does 50 Cent factor into all this? And we’re finally able to utter that immortal phrase: Yo, Jo(seph Campbell)!