High School Musical may have been the most successful musical DCOM, but it wasn't the first. That dubious honour belongs to 2003's The Cheetah Girls, which charts the fortunes of a four piece girl group as they navigate friendship, fame, and deciding whether or not to trust a man who is literally named 'Jackal Johnson.'

When we first meet the Cheetah Girls they're performing at kids' birthday parties to audiences just waiting for them to shut up so they can go ham on the pinata. But a chance encounter with a famous music producer leads them down a dark path that ends the same way so many of these stories do: with a dog in a hole. Can the Cheetahs stay true to themselves while doing what it takes to launch their music career? Is one of their dads really Super Mario in witness protection? And why is a full third of this movie a musicless dog rescue? Listen to find out, and if you want bonus episodes of the show, monthly livestream watchalongs, or a shoutout at the end of the show, remember to check out our Patreon at Patreon.com/extrahelpings.

If you've watched The Cheetah Girls and have your own thoughts, email them to us at momcantcookpod@gmail.com for a chance to have them read out on the show.

This episode is sponsored by HelloFresh. Visit hellofresh.com/freemomcantcook for FREE breakfast for life! One breakfast item per box while subscription is active.

This episode is also sponsored by NordVPN. Visit nordvpn.com/momcantcook and use code MOMCANTCOOK for four extra months on the two year plan, and to protect your internet connection and privacy online.

Thanks to this week's other sponsor, Zocdoc. If you're in the US, go to Zocdoc.com/mcc and download the Zocdoc app for FREE, then find a top rated doctor today.

Contact Multitude for Advertising Inquiries: multitude.productions/ads

Check out the official Mom Can't Cook! store for sweet merch: momcantcookstore.com and check out Mom Can't Cook! Extra Helpings for bonus episodes!