We’ve come to the end of the rainbow, friends and colleagues. It’s been a fantastic 101-episode-long ride, and we’re so happy that you came along. Before we ride off into the sunset (jk, it’s a pandemic, we never leave our apartments), we’d like to wrassle one last VSE with you — part two of the accurséd BICYCLE MAN. It’s got all the icky feelings and inappropriate jokes of part one, with 200% more police detectives. Come along.
Category: Crime
Ep 100: The Most Special Episode, Part 1 (“Diff’rent Strokes” S5E16)
The time has finally come. In this most cursed year of this darkest timeline, we must re-watch and re-evaluate one of the most cursed VSEs of all time. The one that started it all — which is apt, because after 100 episodes, we have nearly come to the end of the Hugging & Learning rainbow. Join Chelsea, Andrew, and Miles for the penultimate episode of our podcast, as we evaluate what, if anything, we have to learn from this bone-chilling tv artifact today.
Ep 093: Golden Wonka (“The Golden Girls” S2E24)
What could be better than an episode of THE GOLDEN GIRLS in These Troubling Times™? How about an episode TGG that’s also THE WIRE, a rom/com, and a George Clooney vehicle all at once?! This week, we explore the twists and turns of a singular episode of sitcom television, and also launch our GoFundMe campaign to raise the $3MIL we need to purchase the Golden Girls house, which has just come on the LA real estate market. We’re doing important work over here. Join us.
Ep 078: Sick Sugarburn (“Designing Women” S3E22)
Julia Sugarbaker takes on her most formidable opponent yet: the U.S. Constitution! Is pornography protected under free speech? Is it obscenity, or capitalism, or both? And what does TROOP BEVERLY HILLS have to do with any of this? Join your hosts, the women of Sugarbaker and Associates, Anthony, and a very aggrieved newsman to find out!
Ep 070: High School Arms Dealer (“Family Matters” S6E15)
Remember the “Squash It” campaign to end teen violence? Remember Chicago’s infamous Vanderbilt High School? Remember how much Andy hates magic? No? Well, you’re about to! Join us as we journey with the Winslow family through the world’s smallest, most dangerous parking lot.
Ep 069: Boy Meets West (“Boy Meets World” S05E18)
Teen drinking in sitcoms has drastic effects. It turns Corey cool, Shawn violent, and somehow… Angela pays the price? Between “absolutely no effect” and “Mad-Men-level functionality” lies the truth about teens and alcohol. Will we reach it in this episode? Join us and find out!
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 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)!
Ep 046: Squick Out (“CHiPs” S05E16)
In this episode, we revisit one of our favorite topics — TV shows using “punkers” as escape goats! Join Andrew, Chelsea, Very Special Guest Kylie, and Erik Estrada’s extremely tight pants as we cruise around LA (in seconds!) pursuing stolen guitars, sparkly shirts, flat tires, and anti-feminist blond jugglers. Just watch out for stick fights!