Surely You Can't Be Serious Podcast

One young woman's courage changed video game history forever. Discover the secret origin of Frogger, explore every way to die (there are many!), hear the iconic music's story, and learn about a record-breaking high score that still amazes. This 1981 arcade legend has more surprises than you think. Why did the frog cross the road? Find out!

Galaga took everything Space Invaders started, added Galaxian's colors and sounds, and created a 1981 masterpiece. Discover behind-the-scenes secrets of this arcade legend, insider development stories, and why the Challenging Stage became iconic. Don't miss the pro tip: never shoot your own captured ship! The ultimate deep dive into one of 1981's greatest arcade games.

Donkey Kong almost starred Popeye, Olive Oyl, and Bluto. Learn the shocking origin story behind Nintendo's 1981 breakthrough hit: the near-fatal lawsuit, how Mario and Donkey Kong got their names, and why their lawyer became immortalized in gaming history. This is the untold story of the arcade classic that launched a gaming empire and defined 1981 as the golden year of video games.

Why was 1981 the greatest year in arcade gaming history? Before Jason and Dee dive into Donkey Kong, Ms. Pac-Man, Galaga, Frogger, and Defender, discover the revolutionary games that paved the way. From Pong's simplicity to Space Invaders' invasion and the "Puck Man" controversy, this prequel episode explores the arcade legends that changed gaming forever. Grab your quarters—the high score challenge starts here!

The debate comes to a head. In Episode 2 of 2, Jason and Dee of the Surely You Can’t Be Serious podcast finish their head-to-head breakdown of the iconic 1985 films The Breakfast Club and St. Elmo’s Fire. This time, the focus shifts to the cast of St. Elmo’s Fire and the lasting legacy of its ensemble as full-fledged Brat Pack icons. For fun, Dee takes a sharper angle by calling out each character’s fatal flaw, while Jason counters with an alternate, more generous interpretation — finding the redeeming qualities hiding beneath the self-absorption, ambition, and chaos. With the character debate settled, the guys zoom out and deliver their final verdict, answering the big question they’ve been circling all along: which of these two 1985 classics truly stands the test of time? Is it the intimate honesty of detention, or the messy post-college reality of adulthood? Nostalgia, analysis, and judgment collide as Jason and Dee crown a winner and close the book on one of the great 80s movie matchups.Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/surelypodcastFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@surelypodcastCheck out our new merch store: https://surely-you-cant-be-serious-merch.myshopify.com/

Two defining films. One generation. And a debate that still hasn’t cooled down. In Episode 1 of 2, Jason and Dee of the Surely You Can’t Be Serious podcast kick off a head-to-head breakdown of the iconic 1985 films The Breakfast Club and St. Elmo’s Fire. The guys start at the beginning, exploring how each movie came together, the very different creative paths that led to their production, and the directors who shaped what would become two cornerstones of 80s cinema. Along the way, they touch on Andrew McCarthy’s documentary Brats, using it as a lens to examine how these films helped define — and complicate — the Brat Pack legacy. To close out the episode, Jason and Dee zero in on The Breakfast Club, breaking down the cast one actor at a time, discussing what each performer brought to their role, and revealing which alternate actors were seriously considered before those now-legendary casting decisions were finalized. It’s context, history, and pure 80s nostalgia — with the real showdown just getting started.Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/surelypodcastFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@surelypodcastCheck out our new merch store: https://surely-you-cant-be-serious-merch.myshopify.com/

The madness continues. In Part 2 of their deep dive into the now-infamous Star Wars Holiday Special, Jason and Dee of Surely You Can’t Be Serious are once again joined by the guys from the 30something Movie Podcast to finish what they started. Having already crossed the point of no return, the crew pushes through the remaining skits, songs, and baffling story choices that somehow made it onto television. More celebrity appearances surface, the variety-show chaos escalates, and the line between endurance test and pop-culture archaeology completely disappears. In this episode, the guys not only break down what’s left of the special, but also wrestle with its legacy — how it became a whispered legend, a bootleg curiosity, and a rite of passage for Star Wars fans brave enough to seek it out. Was there anything worth saving? Or is its greatest contribution simply proving that even the biggest franchise in the world can spectacularly miss the mark? Strap in as the group reaches the end of the Wookiee-filled road and lives to tell the tale — barely.

What happens when a galaxy far, far away collides with late-1970s variety television and absolutely no one says no? In this very special (and possibly regrettable) episode of Surely You Can’t Be Serious, Jason and Dee are joined by special guest hosts from the 30something Movie Podcast to finally dare to watch — and break down — the now-infamous Star Wars Holiday Special. This is Part 1 of 2, and the guys go all in, dissecting every bizarre skit, every awkward musical number, every questionable story choice, and every moment that makes you ask, “How did this ever make it to air?”From uncomfortable Wookiee family dynamics, to celebrity cameos that feel like contractual obligations, to variety-show energy that completely ignores the rules of the Star Wars universe, nothing is spared. Context is provided, disbelief is shared, and sanity is repeatedly tested as the crew explores whether this special was misunderstood, doomed from the start, or exactly as bad as its reputation.Hit play and suffer joyfully with us as we document one of pop culture’s most legendary misfires — so you don’t have to watch it alone. Part 2 coming soon… assuming everyone survives.

On this episode of Surely You Can’t Be Serious, Jason and Dee dive headfirst into one of the defining albums of the 1990s: No Doubt’s Tragic Kingdom. The guys trace the band’s painfully slow rise to fame — from the Orange County ska scene and early lineup tragedy to years of label frustration — and explore how those struggles helped fuel the emergence of Gwen Stefani as a brand-new pop and alternative icon. This isn’t overnight success; it’s a hard-earned breakthrough that reshaped the sound and look of mid-’90s music.Jason and Dee break down the creation of Tragic Kingdom, its production under Matthew Wilder, and how heartbreak, ambition, and timing collided to create a cultural juggernaut. They unpack the stories behind every track, from the raw emotion of “Don’t Speak” to the attitude of “Just a Girl” and the ska-punk energy that powered the album to massive MTV and radio dominance.Over the last three weeks, the guys put Tragic Kingdom up against two other era-defining releases — Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill (Week 1) and Jewel’s Pieces of You (Week 2) — as they debate legacy, impact, and staying power. Which album truly defined the ’90s? Tune in to find out how Jason and Dee rank these iconic records.

This week on the Surely You Can’t Be Serious podcast, Jason and Dee continue their 90s album trilogy by exploring the quiet, unconventional, and deeply heartfelt debut that turned a young Alaskan singer-songwriter into a global sensation—Jewel’s Pieces of You.The guys dig into Jewel’s extraordinary backstory: her nomadic childhood in the Alaskan wilderness, the hardships that shaped her voice and worldview, and her determination to bring stripped-down, folk-driven storytelling to a pop landscape dominated by grunge and polished radio hits. Jason and Dee break down how Pieces of You was created—from the raw, minimalist production to the live-recorded tracks that captured the honesty of her coffeehouse performances.They uncover the stories behind every song, from the emotional punch of “You Were Meant for Me,” to the aching vulnerability of “Foolish Games,” to the social commentary woven throughout the album’s lesser-known tracks. And they trace the album’s slow but unstoppable rise as it connected with listeners one heart at a time, ultimately becoming one of the defining singer-songwriter albums of the decade.This is week two of a three-week showdown.  Jason and Dee kicked things off with Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill, and next week they’ll wrap up the trilogy with No Doubt’s Tragic Kingdom. Once all three albums are on the table, how will the guys rank these 90s icons in terms of songwriting, impact, longevity, and cultural footprint?Tune in to find out—because the ultimate 90s showdown is heating up.

This week on the Surely You Can’t Be Serious podcast, Jason and Dee dive headfirst into one of the defining albums of the 1990s—Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill. The guys trace Alanis’s remarkable rise from Canadian teen pop idol to alt-rock truth-teller, exploring how a young artist reinvented herself and ended up creating one of the most influential albums of the decade.Jason and Dee unpack the creation of the record—from Alanis’s fateful collaboration with producer Glen Ballard, to the raw, confessional writing sessions that would reshape her public persona and give voice to a generation. They break down the production choices that gave the album its signature emotional punch and explain how Jagged Little Pill exploded into a cultural force that no one saw coming.And of course, the guys tell the story behind every track: the heartbreaks, the therapy sessions, the studio magic, and the controversies that surrounded songs like “You Oughta Know,” “Ironic,” and “Head Over Feet.”But this is just the beginning.Over the next two weeks, Jason and Dee will compare Jagged Little Pill with Jewel’s Pieces of You and No Doubt’s Tragic Kingdom—two other iconic albums that shaped the 90s and launched careers. Which album has the strongest songwriting? The biggest cultural footprint? The deepest emotional resonance? And how will the guys ultimately rank these three 90s juggernauts?Tune in as Jason and Dee rank them all—and maybe break a few hearts along the way.

Sometimes after a movie is successful, a sequel is made to further the adventures with the characters in that world. Many times that story is bad (but not always). Sometimes it is an outright embarrassment. In this episode Jason and Dee breakdown their list of the bad decisions, poorly casted, money-grabbing, worst sequels of the 1980s! Join us for a fun discussion on all things cringy, dopey and overall dumb. Does our list match your list? Buckle up!

This is our Stranger Things Season 1 Finale where we cover the music used in Episodes 5-8! In this episode we dive deep into one of the most iconic songs of the 80s (Sunglasses at Night), we take a look at the biggest selling single of all time (White Christmas) and we examine the amazing true story of "Carol of the Bells" and the incredible assassination of its composer! You won't believe it!

In this episode of the Soundtrack of Stranger Things we examine the artists and songs from Episode 4. This time we deep dive into the history of Joy Division, their impact on songs of the 80s and their tragic ending. You may not know much about these guys but, trust us, your friends, the story is amazing! Also friends don't lie.

In this episode on the Soundtrack to Stranger Things we examine the artists and songs from Episode 3. This time we dive into the glorious music of Foreigner, their rise to classic rock fame and the turbulence along the way. We also discuss one timeless holiday classic, a classical piece that you'll recognize from Bugs Bunny and cap it all off with David Bowie and the most emotional song he's ever performed. You won't want to miss it!

We continue our deep dive into the music of the Netflix show "Stranger Things". In this episode we cover a punk song with a back story so bizarre you'll have to hear it to believe it. We also discuss a couple of all time holiday classics and one of the biggest one hit wonders of the 80s! You will not want to miss this one! #strangerthings

When the Netflix show Stranger Things was released in 2016 it created a surge in interest for all things 80s including the music. Today we dive deep on the songs included in Season 1, Episode 1: "The Vanishing of Will Byers". The stories behind these songs are amazing! There is murder, suicide, drugs, an attempt to drug the President of the United States, a hang glider accident (it's true!) along with several iconic songs. So put the kick stand and your dirt bike down and join us for the first in our series on Stranger Things: The Music!

Jason and Dee are back to wrap up their 80s monster showdown as Teen Wolf (1985) goes head-to-head with The Monster Squad (1987)!In Part 2, the guys dive deeper into both films — from werewolves on the basketball court to kids hunting Dracula in suburbia — and explore what made each movie so uniquely memorable.They discuss The Monster Squad’s incredible creature designs, Shane Black’s razor-sharp dialogue, and why it didn’t find its audience until years later. Then they revisit Teen Wolf’s legacy, its unexpected box office success, and how it captured the awkward charm of teenage transformation like no other 80s film.Finally, Jason and Dee deliver their Final Judgment: which movie stands taller under the full moon — the slam-dunking wolfman or the monster-loving misfits?It’s nostalgia, trivia, and plenty of 80s magic as only the Surely You Can’t Be Serious Podcast can deliver!

This week, Jason and Dee go full moon and monster mash as they kick off a two-part showdown between two beloved 80s cult classics — Teen Wolf (1985) and The Monster Squad (1987)!In Part 1, the guys dig into the origins of both films, tracing how Jeph Loeb and Matthew Weisman brought the all-American werewolf comedy to life, while Shane Black and Fred Dekker crafted their monster-loving homage to the Universal classics. Along the way, Jason and Dee break down the cast of Teen Wolf — from Michael J. Fox’s breakout charisma to the underappreciated heart of the movie — and finally answer the burning question that has puzzled fans for decades… how did “Boof” get her nickname?!Grab your letterman jacket and your silver bullets — it’s time to relive the fur, fun, and freaky genius of 80s monster movies!

This week, Jason and Dee float into the soft rock skies with Air Supply and their 1983 Greatest Hits album. Track by track, they explore the soaring melodies, tender heartbreaks, and behind-the-scenes stories of one of the most quietly dominant duos of the early 80s. From the emotional powerhouse “Making Love Out of Nothing At All” to the radio anthem “All Out of Love,” they uncover how Air Supply became the soundtrack to a thousand slow dances and heartbreak confessions.Unlike the wild rock ’n’ roll tales of their contemporaries, Air Supply’s story isn’t about chaos—it's about pure, unapologetic melody and a remarkable run of timeless love songs. Jason and Dee discuss the band’s impact on pop culture, their unusual calm amid fame, and why their brand of soft rock still resonates decades later.Finally, the smooth showdown begins. After exploring Christopher Cross in last week’s episode, the guys weigh Air Supply’s Greatest Hits against The Best of Christopher Cross and deliver their Final Judgment—who truly reigns supreme as the king of 80s soft rock?Love is in the air… but only one Yacht Rock legend can win.