In this episode, HJ takes Megan through the magical mystery tour that is the SpongeBob Musical: from its inception and unique composition, to its star studded cast and potential for a life beyond professional productions. What makes a musical good? What does SpongeBob's success bode for the future of musical theater?
In this episode, Megan and HJ discuss the ongoing SAG-AFTRA/WGA strike and what it means for the entertainment industry and labor rights as a whole. Are we as fans complicit in union activities? It's more complicated than you think.
In the triumphant return episode (did you miss us?), Megan and HJ examine the recent controversy of Colleen Ballinger and iilluminaughtii AKA Blair Zoń, as well as the past controversy of Creepshow Art. Taking a deep dive into the phenomenon of the YouTube drama machine, they examine the role of misogyny in the outrage, why YouTube is a breeding ground for this type of uproar, and whether or not YouTube is a sustainable career path. Part 1 of 2.
In this episode, HJ leads a discussion on the most controversial American woman to ever exist: Barbara Millicent Roberts, aka Barbie, of course. From its not-so-humble beginnings to world domination, topics discussed include our own personal relationships with Barbie and her friends, collecting vs. playing, how Barbie helps shape multiple aspects of a child's identity no matter how you dice it, and how, actually, she's a feminist icon.
Trigger warning: mentions of sexual assault In this episode, Megan tells a confused but very interested HJ all about the second season of The Witcher starring Henry Cavill, while somehow managing not to talk a lot about Henry Cavill. Topics actually discussed include how this season passes the Bechdel test, racism metaphors and if they can actually work, how high fantasy can be a great tool to explore trauma, and how it should be illegal for bards to be buff.
In this episode, Megan and HJ surprise themselves by doing a last minute topic change and discussing 2001's Pixar classic, Monsters Inc., a movie which is about how two monsters accidentally discover work/life balance and unintentionally topple over a company's structure simply by asking questions. Topics discussed include a heavy handed metaphor for fossil fuels vs. clean energy, making friends at work, corporate rhetoric and how no job is your friend, and why Megan's perspective on this film has changed since becoming a parent (and HJ's has changed since becoming an aunt!).
In this episode, Megan and HJ finally (finally!) discuss one of their all time favorite movies, Kevin Smith's Dogma, his most financially successful and most ambitious film to date. Megan was raised Catholic and HJ was raised atheist, so get ready for two wildly different perspectives! Also discussed: various aspects of the Bible as referenced in the film, how this movie was a snapshot of a particularly successful time in film, and a touch about the View Askewniverse.
In this episode, Megan and HJ discuss the newest installment of the Matrix series, "Resurrections," which was...a film that was made. A lot of ground is covered here, so buckle up: capitalism ruining the entertainment industry, the drying up of original ideas, why the Matrix is about class struggle just as much as it's about gender identity, and much, much more. Follow us on Instagram! @dearfandompodcast
In this episode, Megan tells HJ all about the new edition of the classic Zelda prequel, Skyward Sword. HJ, who knows quite literally nothing about video games, delights in pointing out absurdities. Topics discussed include the current climate of video game critique and Twitch culture, the accessibility of video games and the mood they set, and why it's amazing when villains' names are exactly what it says on the tin. Welcome back to regularly scheduled posting, y'all!
In this episode, Megan and HJ discuss the state of the movie musical through the lens of the abomination that is Cats 2019. Topics discussed include Tom Hooper's complete lack of filmmaking skills, the benefits of casting celebrities vs. unknowns, community theater tropes, and a certain version of the film that almost made it to cinemas worldwide. This is our last episode for 2021 - stay tuned for much more content in 2022! We love you!
In today's episode, Megan and HJ (referred to as Hilary in this episode) discuss the infamous Trisha Paytas, noted Gerard Way stan, pioneer of the filmed breakdown, and all around controversial figure. Her recent blowups with former friends, accusations of assault against former teachers, and extremely public exploration of a nonbinary gender identity are all hot topics in the public eye, but why are we so fascinated with this D-list celebrity? Topics discussed include transmedicalism, the American Dream, the unique fame that YouTube brings, and the very nature of celebrity that keeps us paying attention.
For the second part of a two-parter on Chris-Chan, Hilary and Megan reflect on their own time as MySpace age teenagers while examining the person who set off this awful chain of events: a "terminally online" 20 year old cisgender lesbian college student who grew up wealthy, privileged, and isolated. As they examine the Texas Tech Troll's origins and how she operated online, as well as conducted herself offline, the topic of nature versus nurture is once again addressed, and several questions are raised as a result. What role did the internet play in the development of TTT's gender and sexual identity, as well as her prejudices? How should parents, caretakers, and educators be integrating the internet into a child's world? And what is the future of socialization, with both the benefits and drawbacks of a more connected world?
In Part 1 of this two part episode, Megan and Hilary add another contribution to what is called Christory - the collection of information on the most documented person on the internet, Christine Weston Chandler. Is nature or nurture to blame? Can multiple truths about an individual exist? Can identity be respected in the face of atrocities? TRIGGER WARNING: RAPE/SEXUAL ASSAULT, ELDER ABUSE, TRANSPHOBIA, MISOGYNY, RACISM.
In this episode, Megan and Hilary discuss their own relationships with the notion of celebrity and how it has evolved over the past several years, as well as dispense some advice on how to navigate these parasocial relationships for the sake of one's own health. At the time this episode was recorded, news about John Mulaney's relationship had not been brought to light. We will touch upon this in a later episode, but we wanted to keep this part of the discussion in tact for the sake of continuity.
Hi, all. Hilary and Megan are back after a lengthy hiatus to deliver you an episode that was recorded in June. Life happens, alas. In this episode, we dive into our initial findings upon viewing Inside, our relationship to Bo Burnham (not personal - we'll get to that next episode) and the pervasive and dangerous nature of the internet. Thanks for bearing with us; we've missed you!
In today's episode, Megan and Hilary drop a nostalgia bomb on you all by reveling in the Pokemon franchise and all that came from it. Topics discussed include why video games should be easy, the perplexing phenomenon of Pokemon Live!, and why Pokemon is actually better for adults than it is for kids.
In today's episode, Hilary takes Megan through the magical world of the Korean pop music industry, through the lens of dominating girl group Blackpink. Topics discussed include a comparison to American pop music in the 1990s, how curation is an essential part of the celebrity mystique, and how fans could benefit from an ounce of self awareness.
In today's episode, Megan takes Hilary through the wild and woolly world of The Witcher (the TV show, y'all, we simply do not have time for the extended universe). Topics discussed this episode include the many forms of Henry Cavill, why it's essential to include POC in your fantasy/medieval universe, and some hot takes on the fantasy genre.
In today's episode, Megan and Hilary take a deep dive into a movie that's very special to the both of them: Wes Anderson's The Royal Tenenbaums. Topics discussed include why every teenage girl wants to be Margot, an earned vs. an expected redemption arc, and why this movie was made for two different audiences.
In today's episode, Megan takes Hilary on a magical adventure through the Matrix Trilogy, as so well crafted by the Wachowski sisters. Hilary spends much of the episode laughing like a hyena. Topics discussed include how this easily could've been two films, how incels and the alt-right have harmfully co-opted language and concepts from a film made by two trans lesbians, and a reimagined How I Met Your Mother where every role is played by Laurence Fishburne. Tweet your complaints to @dearfandomtxt!