In what is perhaps the darkest pair of episodes in the show’s canon, we take a step away from wholesome, grounded slice-of-life storytelling in order to take a detour to see just how poisonous Arnold’s closest relationships can be. For questions/comments/curiosites, drop us a line at pc118pod@gmail.com. We would love to hear from you!Instagram & Twitter: @pc118pod Music provided by @Detour415 (Instagram)
Helga becomes an edgelord standup comic and learns (or doesn’t) a thing or two about the risks of punching down. Afterward, relations between Mr. Simmons and the class are put to the ultimate test when a flood overtakes the city. For questions/comments/curiosites, drop us a line at pc118pod@gmail.com. We would love to hear from you!Instagram & Twitter: @pc118pod Music provided by @Detour415 (Instagram)
After discussing which characters would bend which elements in the Avatar universe, we look at what is perhaps the strongest holiday-focused episode in the show’s run, particularly due to it’s excellent and well-earned pairing of Arnold and Helga, along with an uncompromising portrayal of the ever-present conflict between expectations and reality surrounding the holidays. Also in today’s discussion: weird unconventional Thanksgiving recipes For questions/comments/curiosites, drop us a line at pc118pod@gmail.com. We would love to hear from you!Instagram & Twitter: @pc118pod Music provided by @Detour415 (Instagram)
The show continues its stellar track record of portraying the universality of unrequited childhood crushes as Michael recalls his own trials and tribulations with like-liking girls and them not like-liking him back. Afterward, we get an action-packed, high-octane thrill ride while discussing Eugene and color theory as well as offensive European stereotypes. For questions/comments/curiosites, drop us a line at pc118pod@gmail.com. We would love to hear from you!Instagram & Twitter: @pc118pod Music provided by @Detour415 (Instagram)
We spend way too much time reading into the unseen specifics of Coach Wittenberg & Tish’s relationship and question the community's perception of their union, and later discuss arbitrary elitism and classism perpetuated by none other than one Rhonda Wellington Lloyd! Also: Chicken wing eating techniques & Final Destination. Oh, and adverbs. Lots and lots of adverbs. For questions/comments/curiosites, drop us a line at pc118pod@gmail.com. We would love to hear from you!Instagram & Twitter: @pc118pod Music provided by @Detour415 (Instagram)
We strap in for a wild ride through the Jolly Olly Man’s heart of darkness in addition to sharing our theories about how such a disgruntled purveyor of frozen treats came to be. After that, we are served a piece of slice-of-life greatness when Harold gets to explore his softer side. For questions/comments/curiosites, drop us a line at pc118pod@gmail.com. We would love to hear from you!Instagram & Twitter: @pc118pod Music provided by @Detour415 (Instagram)
Arnold’s kindness gets taken advantage of, while Helga fails to recognize the importance of accepting help. We see how their most defining traits can also be their potential undoing. For questions/comments/curiosites, drop us a line at pc118pod@gmail.com. We would love to hear from you!Instagram & Twitter: @pc118pod Music provided by @Detour415 (Instagram)
The potential for gainful employment is in the air this week as we discuss how unrealistic and potentially harmful it is to use standardized testing as a means to tell 9 year-old children what the course of their future will be. Also, Oskar is still a deadbeat slacker. All this and more, including: reminiscing on our own childhood career aspirations, the Universal Studio Tour, the 1990s’ fascination with paperboys, and polka-dotted boxer shorts. For questions/comments/curiosites, drop us a line at pc118pod@gmail.com. We would love to hear from you!Instagram & Twitter: @pc118pod Music provided by @Detour415 (Instagram)
Sid's paranoid desperation takes center stage when he thinks he has killed Principal Wartz, while Arnold finds himself in a dino-sized heap of trouble when he and Eugene get stuck on a roller coaster at Dino Land. In addition to our recap, we also reminisce on our own childhood feuds with school staff, Christian children's programming, fact check the various myths surrounding voodoo dolls, and spend a lot of time talking about roller coaster safety and physics. For questions/comments/curiosites, drop us a line at pc118pod@gmail.com. We would love to hear from you!Instagram & Twitter: @pc118pod Music provided by @Detour415 (Instagram)
We’re knock-knock-knockin’ on heavens door as Grandpa prepares to face the music and buy the proverbial farm. Afterward, Helga finds herself forced to spend time with Miriam and catches a glimpse of her true colors away from the shadow of Big Bob.For questions/comments/curiosites, drop us a line at pc118pod@gmail.com. We would love to hear from you!Instagram & Twitter: @pc118pod Music provided by @Detour415 (Instagram)
Madness meets music when we follow Curly’s latest descent into villainy, after which we look further at the perils of parasocial relationships and relish in the unapologetic smarm of one Ronnie Matthews.For questions/comments/curiosites, drop us a line at pc118pod@gmail.com. We would love to hear from you!Instagram & Twitter: @pc118pod Music provided by @Detour415 (Instagram)
Stinky finds out what his pride is truly worth, and the results are about as satisfying as finally catching this dang ball in this here cup. Afterward, we have an absolute ball (sans cup) diving back into the emotional whirlwind that is the Pataki family when a sleazy interloper plans to marry Olga just to weasel his way into Big Bob’s beeper empire. For questions/comments/curiosites, drop us a line at pc118pod@gmail.com. We would love to hear from you!Instagram & Twitter: @pc118pod Music provided by @Detour415 (Instagram)
We place the show firmly in the sweet spot of the Slice of Life genre as both Sid and Helga find themselves in too deep in their own respective webs of lies and insecure boastfulness. For questions/comments/curiosites, drop us a line at pc118pod@gmail.com. We would love to hear from you!Instagram & Twitter: @pc118pod Music provided by @Detour415 (Instagram)
We realize Cranky Grandpa is our least favorite iteration of the Sunset Arms patriarch, but find solace and endless amusement in the vocal stylings of Gerald’s changing voice. In the process, we also fall down the rabbit hole of Christian children’s songs. For questions/comments/curiosites, drop us a line at pc118pod@gmail.com. We would love to hear from you!Instagram & Twitter: @pc118pod Music provided by @Detour415 (Instagram)
We take a swing at understanding how Arnold’s love of baseball coincides with his need for a father figure, and how he draws strength and guidance from Grandpa, Ernie and Mickey Kaline to fill that role. Afterward, we not only sing the praises of Mr. Hyunh’s commitment to both artistic and personal integrity, but we also spend way too much time quoting “Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story”. For questions/comments/curiosites, drop us a line at pc118pod@gmail.com. We would love to hear from you!Instagram & Twitter: @pc118pod Music provided by @Detour415 (Instagram)
Season 3 gets off to a fantastic start when Helga embarks on a hijinks-filled heist to recover an embarrassing answering machine message (remember those?) detailing her love for Harold, while Harold continues to make a case for himself as perhaps the most lovable member of PS 118's student body as he has a meet-cute with his love of meat.For questions/comments/curiosites, drop us a line at pc118pod@gmail.com. We would love to hear from you!Instagram & Twitter: @pc118pod Music provided by @Detour415 (Instagram)
We take one last look back at season 2, giving Gerald & Harold their respective flowers as standout characters, in addition to discussing the growing pains inherent in this slice of the “Hey Arnold!” Saga. For questions/comments/curiosites, drop us a line at pc118pod@gmail.com. We would love to hear from you!Instagram & Twitter: @pc118pod Music provided by @Detour415 (Instagram)
Arnold’s attempts to preserve his vision for a parade float honoring the city from Big Bob’s soulless interference brings up a rather timely discussion of the conflict between art and commerce. Meanwhile, Dino Spumoni gets his first real spotlight episode as Arnold & Gerald face some hard truths about creative partnerships and bromantic relationships. For questions/comments/curiosites, drop us a line at pc118pod@gmail.com. We would love to hear from you!Instagram & Twitter: @pc118pod Music provided by @Detour415 (Instagram)
It’s an age-old tale of the haves versus the have-nots when Arnold & Gerald face off against the deliciously pretentious Rex Smythe-Higgins III in a rousing display of maritime mayhem. Afterward, Arnold & his friends try to wrap their heads around the adult world of labor disputes as they try to save their summer vacations. For questions/comments/curiosites, drop us a line at pc118pod@gmail.com. We would love to hear from you!Instagram & Twitter: @pc118pod Music provided by @Detour415 (Instagram)
Years ahead of its time, the story of Eugene coping with his hero The Abdicator not being what he seems shows us what happens when fandom goes wrong and reminds us to keep our parasocial relationships in check. It is then followed up with an all-time classic that reminds us that opera is anything but a snooze fest, especially when bangers from Carmen are on the setlist.For questions/comments/curiosites, drop us a line at pc118pod@gmail.com. We would love to hear from you!Instagram & Twitter: @pc118pod Music provided by @Detour415 (Instagram)