Double Love

Sorry gang, Covid said it's Anna's turn to catch it so we won't have a new episode for you this week. But we'll be back soon to chat about Blunder Alley and the Moon Beach diner's new fortune telling machine! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Well, this day was always going to come. We've been booing his name for over 100 episodes and now you get to hear why we loathe John Pfeifer. When John asks Lila out on a date, she's thrilled - she's had a crush on him for some time. But things turn very nasty when he sexually assaults her at Miller's Point. A shattered Lila is initially too traumatised to speak out - and when she does, not everyone believes her. It's grim stuff, but there are still some genuinely moving, uplifting moments when others rally around our flat-faced queen. Plus a hilarious and strangely sweet subplot about Jessica's general horniness! If you're up for listening to this episode despite the subject matter but want to skip the detailed description of the attempted rape, there's a heads up when it starts and it ends at around 54 mins This show is part of the HeadStuff Podcast Network. For more, go to HeadStuffPodcasts.com, where you can also become a member of HeadStuff+ and get exclusive access to bonus material and lots more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We feared this would be another convoluted tale of pointless misunderstandings but we were surprised yet again because this book was an absolute delight! When Penny heads to DC, there's only one Oracle staffer who's fit to take her place: Elizabeth. At least, that's what Rod Sullivan thinks. Olivia's boyfriend has become worryingly obsessed with Liz. When a flu epidemic (yikes) leaves her shortstaffed and overworked, Rod offers to help her with an essay for Mr Collins (who is way too harsh on his students in this ep). But when Mr C reads the essay he accuses Liz of plagiarism! Is this the end of her journalism career (of course not, but she's a total drama queen)? Meanwhile, in the highly entertaining B and C plots, Jessica vows to tell the truth at all times, and Ned develops a surprising new obsession. This show is part of the HeadStuff Podcast Network. For more, go to HeadStuffPodcasts.com, where you can also become a member of HeadStuff+ and get exclusive access to bonus material and lots more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Well, we knew that a dud was coming in this run of books, we just didn't realise it was this one! Jessica and Elizabeth set up a letter writing service for the troubled denizens of Sweet Valley and against all logic, it's a runaway success. But when Shelly Novak writes in to request a love letter for none other than Todd Wilkins and his coffee coloured eyes, Jessica has to spring into action with a typically convoluted plan in an effort to save her sister's relationship. Yes, unfortunately it's another book about Liz and Todd having the same argument over and over, but luckily there's a surprising amount of outfits to discuss! This show is part of the HeadStuff Podcast Network. For more, go to HeadStuffPodcasts.com, where you can also become a member of HeadStuff+ and get exclusive access to bonus material and lots more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For weeks we’ve been assuming that this book would be a drop in quality after a run of bangers - but we were wrong! When Ginny becomes the latest ill-trained recruit at Project Youth, she bonds with one of the callers, a boy called Mike. But when Mike wants to meet up, Ginny fears he’ll be disappointed by her, so persuades her super-hot friend Denise to take her place. But she finds herself regretting it Jen Denise falls for Mike. Ginny, Denise and even Mike are so likeable we feel bad about calling them randomers! All this and a truly fantastic b-plot about sexual harassment and freedom of speech that almost causes us to cancel our favourite teacher. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The sexual tension is off the charts in this one, as Jessica faces off against her ultimate foe 1BRUCE1. When Bruce starts a new club whose members have to prove themselves in (frankly stupid) dares, he announces that no girls are brave enough to join. Jessica's determined to prove him wrong - and soon she's a member of Club X, a gang comprised of the worst dickheads in school, all wearing embroidered leather jackets. Liz is horrified by Jessica's exploits, especially when they disrupt the visit of a group of international teachers which Liz is inexplicably thrilled about. Can she persuade Jess to abandon Club X? This book may be short on outfits (apart from those iconic jackets) but it's got lots of Jess whispering dramatically to herself, so we didn't mind too much! Plus there's the iconic wheel of misfortune, and the triumphant return of our favourite teacher. This show is part of the HeadStuff Podcast Network. For more, go to HeadStuffPodcasts.com, where you can also become a member of HeadStuff+ and get exclusive access to bonus material and lots more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sorry we won’t have a new episode for you this week. But we’ll be back next week! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's our 100th episode! And what better way to celebrate than to head to Walkersville, Kansas, where the Wakefield twins are spending spring break with their great-aunt and uncle. Liz wants some R&R, while Jess wants to pick up some local hunks and dazzle the locals with her truly exceptional outfits. To the twins' shock the local girls, led by the terrifying Annie-Sue, give them the cold shoulder, but the Wakefields aren't lonely for long. Jessica bags herself a hot horse wrangler, who conveniently happens to have a twin brother whom Liz dates despite the fact that she has a boyfriend at home (#poorjeffrey). There's something in the water in Walkersville because everyone in this town is either a total drama queen (we're looking at you, Aunt Shirley) or an actual psychopath - which makes for a highly entertaining book! This show is part of the HeadStuff Podcast Network. For more, go to HeadStuffPodcasts.com, where you can also become a member of HeadStuff+ and get exclusive access to bonus material and lots more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Jessica sees that her fave soap opera is looking for identical twins to appear in the show for a week, she's determined that she and Elizabeth will get the parts. But Liz despises soaps and their ridiculous plots, silly characters and contrived misunderstandings (pot, kettle etc etc). Of course Jessica tricks her (twice!) into taking part in the show and soon the twins are stars. But when Jessica's head is turned by her hunky co-star Brandon, she risks losing Sam forever. This fantastic book not only contains some of the most entertaining scenes in Sweet Valley history, it's also got the greatest collection of outfits so far. Jump in the lime green triumph (it's got a car phone now) and enjoy the ride! This show is part of the HeadStuff Podcast Network. For more, go to HeadStuffPodcasts.com, where you can also become a member of HeadStuff+ and get exclusive access to bonus material and lots more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Elizabeth is devastated when Todd tells her he wants to take a break - and then immediately starts dating dimwitted Peggy. So when moody artist Kris Lynch asks her to the big dance (yes, yet another one), she takes him up on his offer. But when an angry Kris realises Liz has been using him to get over Todd, he decides to get revenge - with a little help from Liz's beloved journal. This book has it all: it's got Todd being terrible (as usual). It's got a villainous boy who doesn't like sports (gasp!). It's got Enid being delightful and Lila being magnificently bitchy. It's got some genuinely cute banter. It's got a silk blouse. And it's got a Jeep-obsessed Jess on top form, as she embarks on a mission to save her sister's reputation. We loved it! This show is part of the HeadStuff Podcast Network. For more, go to HeadStuffPodcasts.com, where you can also become a member of HeadStuff+ and get exclusive access to bonus material and lots more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're back! And we've gathered here today to witness the nuptials of Steven and his child bride Cara. Cara and her mom are going to live in London, and Jessica decides the only way to stop this move is for her friend and Steven to tie the knot. The lovebirds are up for the idea - but when Cara really thinks about what married life will mean for both their future prospects, she starts to feel trapped. Will she go through with the wedding? Meanwhile Jess's attempts to keep their secret are hilariously inept, and yet again Liz has contrived worries about her and Todd's relationship. All this and some actual discussion of S-E-X. We're as surprised as you are! This show is part of the HeadStuff Podcast Network. For more, go to HeadStuffPodcasts.com, where you can also become a member of HeadStuff+ and get exclusive access to bonus material and lots more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Christmas! And that means we're breaking out the jingle bells for one last trip down memory lane, as we finally delve in to the Wakefield Legacy: the Untold Story. Yes, it's Ned's ancestors' turn to take centre stage, complete with a LOT of revisionist family history! Saddle up Theodore Wakefield's stallion Raven and gallop into the past, from the Yorkshire moors to the American mid-west, from jazz clubs to reservations and of course Sweet Valley California. There are yet more runaway aristocrats, but there are also trapeze artists and single mothers and crusading journalists and brave POWs and political protestors, reminding us that Elizabeth and Jessica's ancestors are way cooler than they are. Oh the humanity! Merry Christmas, everyone. This show is part of the HeadStuff Podcast Network. For more, go to HeadStuffPodcasts.com, where you can also become a member of HeadStuff+ and get exclusive access to bonus material and lots more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You know and love them as Enid and Winston on the Sweet Valley High TV series, and now Amy Danles and Michael Perl join us for a very special interview! Find out what iconic character almost made it to the screen, what special gifts Francine Pascal gave the cast, how a pair of borrowed glasses helped Michael get the part of Winston, and much much more. We absolutely loved chatting to these two very sound people - enjoy! This show is part of the HeadStuff Podcast Network. For more, go to HeadStuffPodcasts.com, where you can also become a member of HeadStuff+ and get exclusive access to bonus material and lots more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When she's grounded for a few weeks, Jessica feels like the world has turned against her - and then she meets a group called the Good Friends. They may live on the wrong side of town and they might be *spits* vegetarians, but their charismatic and hunky leader Adam Marvel constantly tells Jessica how brilliant she is so of course she can't resist. Soon she's lying to both Sam and her family, tidying the Hershey Bar, wearing clothes that make Elizabeth's chinos look like the height of glamour and, most shockingly of all, claiming she wants to help other people! Liz knows something's wrong - but can she deprogramme Jessica before it's too late? When not trying to save her sister, Liz becomes obsessed with bowling and meets yet another SVH boy who can't take no for an answer - where are you when we need you, fists of fury? This show is part of the HeadStuff Podcast Network. For more, go to HeadStuffPodcasts.com, where you can also become a member of HeadStuff+ and get exclusive access to bonus material and lots more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When the Pi Beta Alphas invite new girl Rose Jameson to join the sorority, Rose is ecstatic - but she's also scared that this WASP's nest will discover that she was born Rosa Jiminez in (gasp) Mexico! Rose is determined to keep her heritage a secret - even if that means denying her own grandmother, who's visiting from a parallel universe where Mexico has no shopping malls and everyone is a subsistence farmer. Meanwhile the fraternity pledge season becomes a battle between Todd and Bruce, and Jessica finds herself in trouble when she fails a maths test. Lila truly disgraces herself in this dramatic tale. This show is part of the HeadStuff Podcast Network. For more, go to HeadStuffPodcasts.com, where you can also become a member of HeadStuff+ and get exclusive access to bonus material and lots more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michael Harris was already in the Sweet Valley Bad Boyfriend Hall of Fame, and he's staying there for the foreseeable future after his appalling carry on in the misleadingly titled The Girl They Both Loved! Michael is obsessed with two things: dirt biking and his friend-turned-nemesis Artie Western. When his girlfriend April meets Artie in a cinema queue (sadly not to see an arty western), she discovers that he's a genuinely nice guy who inexplicably misses his obsessive, rage-filled old pal Michael. In fact, April and Artie are both far too good for Michael and we spent much of this book wishing they'd just leave him to his dirt bike! Meanwhile Liz and Todd give each other three challenges, Ned and Alice are surprisingly delightful, and Jessica falls in love for the first time (sorry, A.J.)! This show is part of the HeadStuff Podcast Network. For more, go to HeadStuffPodcasts.com, where you can also become a member of HeadStuff+ and get exclusive access to bonus material and lots more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy Halloween, listeners! To celebrate, we're sharing a very special spooky episode of our Headstuff+ bonus series Pi Beta Alpha - and if you like what you hear, you can sign up to Headstuff+ and join us in the Pi Beta Alpha clubhouse every fortnight, where we've been having a LOT of fun. Get ready for some truly superb Halloweencostumes (we were very pleasantly surprised by Todd and Liz), some top panto villain scheming from Bruce, some excellent Lila/Jess bitchery, some hot Lila/Winston action and a montage that's even more unhinged than usual. It's Sweet Valley High meets Scooby Doo and we loved it! This show is part of the HeadStuff Podcast Network. For more, go to HeadStuffPodcasts.com, where you can also become a member of HeadStuff+ and get exclusive access to bonus material and lots more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Halloween! Well, almost. And as promised, we're reading a Super Thriller chosen by our listeners! You told us to read Murder on the Line, and we're glad you did, because this one is solid gold. Jessica and Elizabeth are interns at the Sweet Valley News, a newspaper with highly questionable work practices. When Jess discovers she can hear the phone calls of other people in the building, she has fun eavesdropping - until she hears a drug-dealing OTG called Greenback planning a murder! Will the twins be his next victims? Sadly, the answer is no. This show is part of the HeadStuff Podcast Network. For more, go to HeadStuffPodcasts.com, where you can also become a member of HeadStuff+ and get exclusive access to bonus material and lots more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sometimes we are pleasantly surprised by a Sweet Valley book. This was not one of those times! Yes, The Long Lost Brother is a snooze-fest featuring a bunch of people we don't know and don't care about. Newcomer Sara's brother Tim has been released from the big house and is coming to Sweet Valley, which freaks Sara out. None of her new Sweet Valley pals are aware of his criminal past, and all her friends back east dumped her when Tim was convicted (he just stole a car, lest you think he's a murderer or something). Will the truth destroy her new life? Seriously, we don't care. Luckily for both Sara and Tim, Saint Liz is there to do lots of shoulder patting. Plus Jess is getting fed up with her Miss Teen Sweet Valley duties. This show is part of the HeadStuff Podcast Network. For more, go to HeadStuffPodcasts.com, where you can also become a member of HeadStuff+ and get exclusive access to bonus material and lots more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Yet again, two Sweet Valley girls are competing for the same guy - but this time there's a twist! Jean West is thrilled when she receives a love letter from Scott Trost - until she discovers he's sent the exact same message to Claire Middleton. The two girls team up to get revenge on Scott with a scheme that has so many holes in it Whizzer Wilkins could use it as a basketball net. Meanwhile, in one of the most entertaining b-plots in ages, an increasingly unhinged Jessica becomes obsessed with a literal dream boy, Liz and Todd clash over whether boys or girls are more shallow (this is Sweet Valley - they're all shallow), and the ghost writer wins our heart with their many digs at Amy Sutton. This show is part of the HeadStuff Podcast Network. For more, go to HeadStuffPodcasts.com, where you can also become a member of HeadStuff+ and get exclusive access to bonus material and lots more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We had low expectations for yet another sports-centric book, but that was before we discovered that it featured what we can only describe as an OTG wrestler! When star athlete Tony Esteban injures his knee, he buys "magic vitamins" from a shady character called Lou . But while Tony is delighted with the results, his girlfriend Annie is worried by his new aggressive, obsessive demeanour. Meanwhile, Liz and Todd attempt to rekindle their romance with some truly unhinged - and surely PTSD-inducing - schemes. Plus we share some listener fan fic! Are you ready to find out what Todd really got up to in Vermont? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Karyn and Anna have a special announcement about Double Love merch! Check out the beautiful Double Love swag over at the Headstuff shop. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What sort of town's Chamber of Commerce thinks it's a good idea to hold a teenage beauty pageant at a public school? Sweet Valley, of course! Jessica is determined to become Miss Teen Sweet Valley, which she worryingly believes will be a way to attract older guys, but Liz is horrified at the school hosting such an event and launches a protest movement with our fave series regulars. Ned and Alice try in vain to keep the peace as the twins go head to head - but who will be victorious? There's a sad lack of Lila in this book but we do get some of Jessica's most gloriously unhinged fantasies, which kind of makes up for it. All this and some outfits fit for a (teen) queen! This show is part of the HeadStuff Podcast Network. For more, go to HeadStuffPodcasts.com, where you can also become a member of HeadStuff+ and get exclusive access to bonus material and lots more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's only one place we want to celebrate our fourth birthday, and that's at Fowler Crest! Our flat-faced queen finally takes centre stage in an almost-Wakefield-free book (hurrah!). Lila's dismayed when her dad hooks up with glamorous Joan Borden, a woman who inexplicably takes her insipid teenage daughter Jacqueline on all her dates. Lila comforts herself by stealing car -acing Evan Armstrong from his girlfriend, with a little help from her favourite enemy. But will she be able to stop the Bordens moving into Fowler Crest - forever?! This book has it all - scheming, fabulous outfits, Bruce in his trademark shorts and our favourite wedding guests of all time. Celebrate Lila, come on! This show is part of the HeadStuff Podcast Network. For more, go to HeadStuffPodcasts.com, where you can also become a member of HeadStuff+ and get exclusive access to bonus material and lots more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's our birthday! And what better way to celebrate than to answer the excellent questions sent in by you, our beloved listeners? Join us to find out how the podcast got started, which Wakefield is our least favourite, which moments sum up ultimate Sweet Valley for us, what book we find most ridiculous, what Lila's Olympic sport would be and much, much more. And thanks for listening! Here's to the next four years.... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At last, Sweet Valley has a canonically queer character - and to mark this momentous development, we're joined by two very special guests, the brilliant James and Cian from Sissy That Pod! What will these Sweet Valley virgins make of the SVH gang? There's a lot to discuss - Amy sets her sights on recently single Tom McKay, but Tom's more interested in Enid's stylish cousin Jake, whose visit to Sweet Valley triggers the most tame sexual awakening ever. All this and a very unprofessional youth counselling centre, Amy's potential diva future, and the return of you know who.... This show is part of the HeadStuff Podcast Network. For more, go to HeadStuffPodcasts.com, where you can also become a member of HeadStuff+ and get exclusive access to bonus material and lots more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brace yourself, listeners, this is another grim book, as Francine and Co attempt to make amends for over 70 books worth of fatphobia, with unsurprisingly mixed results. Robin Wilson feels like her life is out of control, not least because of her absolutely terrible long-distance boyfriend George, who is fueling her insecurity constantly raving about his new flying class partner Vicky. Convinced that George would keep loving her if she was thinner, Robin starts restricting her diet - and ends up in serious trouble. This is another issue that not even Saint Elizabeth can solve. Luckily we have some great listener mail to serve as a palate cleanser - including a recipe for a very Sweet Valley cocktail. This show is part of the HeadStuff Podcast Network. For more, go to HeadStuffPodcasts.com, where you can also become a member of HeadStuff+ and get exclusive access to bonus material and lots more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pi Beta Alpha is our special bonus series for Headstuff Plus members - and this week we're sharing our new episode with you all, because, in a delightful coincidence, this episode of the Sweet Valley TV show is based on Regina's Legacy - and to our surprise, it's MUCH more entertaining than the original! Yes, the story of Liz accidentally documenting a criminal gang on film is pared down to the basics and is all the better for it. It's got lakeside frolics, an evil hunk, Enid being a horndog, the most ridiculous use of technology we've seen so far and of course Lila being magnificent. Okay, it doesn't have Prince Albert, but we can't have everything. Enjoy! And if you'd like to hear our Pi Beta Alpha backlist and all future Pi Beta episodes, go to HeadStuffPodcasts.com, where you can become a member of HeadStuff+ and get exclusive access to our secret podcast feed as well as other bonus material from us and other Headstuff podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don't get your hopes up, listeners - this book's connection to the saintly Regina (RIP) is tenuous at best. Skye Morrow gives Liz a camera that belonged to her late daughter, which is highly convenient/contrived because Liz has just become the most enthusiastic member of Sweet Valley High's new photography club! After Liz takes a pic of some suspicious men on a beach, she becomes the target of criminals who are determined to get hold of the incriminating photo. But when one of the crooks mistakes Jessica for Liz and asks her out in extremely dubious circumstances, Jess finds herself in danger. We don't want to victim blame, but we kind of do in this case. All this and the most tedious non-story B-plot of all time - and a memorable sort-of-cameo from our fave teacher! This show is part of the HeadStuff Podcast Network. For more, go to HeadStuffPodcasts.com, where you can also become a member of HeadStuff+ and get exclusive access to bonus material and lots more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's a new girl in Sweet Valley High, and Enid and Liz are her new best friends. Yes, Andrea Slade has left boring old New York City for exciting Sweet Valley, and she never wants to leave, especially after she falls for Dennis Reynolds - oh sorry, it's creepy Nicholas Morrow. When Lila and Jessica discover that Andrea is living with the object of their obsession, rock star Jamie Peters, they jump to an even more creepy conclusion - one that threatens to wreck Andrea's newfound happiness. Meanwhile Lila finds her true calling - as a marimba player! This show is part of the HeadStuff Podcast Network. For more, go to HeadStuffPodcasts.com, where you can also become a member of HeadStuff+ and get exclusive access to bonus material and lots more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brace yourselves, everyone: this book contains one of the best scenes in Sweet Valley History and maybe even one of the best scenes in the history of western literature! Yes, apart from a boring subplot about Liz becoming a volunteer Secca Lake park ranger, Starring Jessica is solid gold. It's got Jessica wildly overestimating how famous she'll be after appearing in talk show! It's got scheming (SO much scheming)! It's got some excellent bitchy banter between our favourite frenemies! And best of all, it's got a magnificently villainous Lila teaming up with Bruce for an amazing revenge plan! Hop into the lime-green Triumph - it's going to be a wild ride.... This show is part of the HeadStuff Podcast Network. For more, go to HeadStuffPodcasts.com, where you can also become a member of HeadStuff+ and get exclusive access to bonus material and lots more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Breathe a sigh of relief, listeners - we don't have to put Ken Matthews in the bin after all! SVH needs a new quarterback, and Ken, who has mostly recovered from his accident in That (not actually) Fatal Night, is determined to try out. And when newcomer Claire Middleton announces she wants to try out too, our beloved himbo prince supports her all the way! Phew! But not everyone is cheering on the new girl - Ken's girlfriend Terri fears she's losing him to this football goddess and, less understandably, Jessica's pathological need for constant attention leads her to campaign against Claire. Who will make the team? This show is part of the HeadStuff Podcast Network. For more, go to HeadStuffPodcasts.com, where you can also become a member of HeadStuff+ and get exclusive access to bonus material and lots more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Take a deep breath folks, this isn’t the usual ridiculous fare - it’s so serious there aren’t even any outfits. Yes, Sweet Valley is tackling racism, when Andy Jenkins, seemingly the only Black boy in Sweet Valley, becomes the target of horrible Charlie Cashman’s vile abuse. His white friend Neil wants to help - but when Neil feels rejected by Andy, things take a genuinely shocking turn. For once a Sweet Valley book without a perfectly happy ending! We’re as surprised as you are. Even Saint Elizabeth of the Shoulder Pats can’t solve this one. This show is part of the HeadStuff Podcast Network. For more, go to HeadStuffPodcasts.com, where you can also become a member of HeadStuff+ and get exclusive access to bonus material and lots more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our beloved Dana Larson is fed up with love, and she's written a song to prove it! When Liz realises that soccer star Aaron Dallas has also given up on romance, she decides to fix him up with our favourite classic-movie-loving rocker. Will these opposites attract? Liz has made a bet with Todd that they will - though this bet doesn't really make much sense, as you will see. Meanwhile, Jess and Lila get jobs as roadies for the amazingly named Spy Lazarus of Spontaneous Combustion, Anna reveals her shameful linguistic and indeed geographical ignorance, and Karyn highlights some of the best Sweet Valley outfits in a LONG time. This show is part of the HeadStuff Podcast Network. For more, go to HeadStuffPodcasts.com, where you can also become a member of HeadStuff+ and get exclusive access to bonus material and lots more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bonjour les amies! We may be stuck in Ireland but Jessica and Elizabeth are off to France on a spring break student exchange, where they stay with the worst host family ever - Avery Glize, who is nice but basically leaves the twins to their own devices, and her sultry yet surly son René, who hates the beach (gasp!) and is so rude we find ourselves defending the Wakefield twins. What is the reason for his terrible behaviour? Join us as we head to Cannes (if only!) to eat pain au chocolat and hang out in French pharmacies, as Liz befriends a glamorous old lady, Jessica does yet another twin switch, and Rene rants obnoxiously about Americans while wearing tight jeans (ooh la la). Meanwhile, back in Sweet Valley, Steven is being a massive creep YET AGAIN for reasons it would be a crime to spoil here. Allons-y! This show is part of the HeadStuff Podcast Network. For more, go to HeadStuffPodcasts.com, where you can also become a member of HeadStuff+ and get exclusive access to bonus material and lots more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's election season in Sweet Valley, but the real battle is taking place between Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield. Liz wants her parents to get back together, but Jess wants to fix Ned and Alice up with new love interests - and we get very excited by one of her selections! As well as lots of twin scheming, we've got an OTG political advisor, a very awkward dinner and a digression about Anna's neighbourhood cats. This show is part of the HeadStuff Podcast Network. For more, go to HeadStuffPodcasts.com, where you can also become a member of HeadStuff+ and get exclusive access to bonus material and lots more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Surprise surprise, it's still mostly Ned! But poor old Liz is convinced that she's responsible for the fall of the Casa del Wakefield, and the guilt has sent her into a quite a state. Having lost her faith in love, she's ignoring Enid's sensible advice, pushing away Todd, going on dates with boys she doesn't like - and worst of all, she's even letting down Mr Collins (he's back!). Meanwhile Jessica, who doesn't care about the implosion of her family at all, finally meets the mysterious Charlie - but is he the real deal? All this and a fancy dress party with some incredible ensembles! For more, go to HeadStuffPodcasts.com, where you can also become a member of HeadStuff+ and get exclusive access to bonus material and lots more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ugh, Ned Wakefield. He's having a midlife crisis and he's taking it out on poor old Alice, who is under pressure at work - her firm are hoping to get the job of designing the new wing of the Sweet Valley Mall. Cover it in Spanish tiles, Alice! When Ned defends the Wakefields' friend, mayoral candidate Peter Santelli, on a corruption charge, tensions rise in the Casa del Wakefield. Elizabeth is stressed out but Jessica, of course, doesn't care. In fact, Jess says and does such ridiculously stupid things that frankly we're getting worried about her. Though not too worried, because she's still a sociopathic monster. All this plus some equestrian chat and an honest to god cliffhanger! This show is part of the HeadStuff Podcast Network. For more, go to HeadStuffPodcasts.com, where you can also become a member of HeadStuff+ and get exclusive access to bonus material and lots more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This may be one of the most entertainingly ridiculous Sweet Valley storylines yet - and you know we don't say that lightly. Steven becomes obsessed with both hang gliding and Tricia-lookalike Andrea of Unique Boutique, and if he'd ended up kidnapping Andrea a la Carl the orlderly we wouldn't have been surprised. Seriously, he needs therapy and poor Cara deserves so much better! Meanwhile Jess has her sights set on a boy with principles, and all is not well with Ned and Alice. Uh oh. It's another long episode, but there was a LOT to talk about! This show is part of the HeadStuff Podcast Network. For more, go to HeadStuffPodcasts.com, where you can also become a member of HeadStuff+ and get exclusive access to bonus material and lots more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hold the front page of the Oracle - we've got exciting news! If you'd like to support our Sweet Valley shenanigans AND get exclusive access to our new fortnightly Sweet Valley High TV recap series Pi Beta Alpha, you can join Headstuff+ for as little as 5 euro a month. Listen on to find out more - and get some tantalizing hints about the contents of our first bonus episode. This show is part of the HeadStuff Podcast Network. For more, go to HeadStuffPodcasts.com, where you can also become a member of HeadStuff+ and get exclusive access to bonus material and lots more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Watch out Sweet Valley! There's a new Liz Wakefield in town - and she's got a surfboard. Yes, not content with her daring new non-permanent perm, Liz's determination to prove that she's not boring leads her to start secret surfing lessons. Her teenage teacher Sean wants Liz to win a surfing competition in order to win a bet - but his interest in Liz soon becomes more personal (and yes, he's yet another boy who doesn't take no for an answer). But when Todd doubts Liz's frankly unconvincing cover story, she starts wondering if her campaign to show her adventurous side is worth it (spoiler: no). Meanwhile Jessica embarks on a new campaign of "boutique terrorism" (surely the title of the debut Droids album) to get revenge on Caroline Pearce - who comes with a little revenge plan of her own. Also, we have a very special announcement - are you ready to join Pi Beta Alpha? This show is part of the HeadStuff Podcast Network. For more, go to HeadStuffPodcasts.com, where you can also become a member of HeadStuff+ and get exclusive access to bonus material and lots more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Christmas! And because time has no meaning in 2020, we're celebrating with the super thriller Deadly Summer - and we were NOT prepared for how dramatic this amazing book is. It's right up there with Murder in Paradise, and we don't say that lightly. The twins are interning at the Sweet Valley News when a dangerous bombmaker escapes from a local psychiatric hospital, seeking revenge on Sweet Valley High. it would be a crime to spoil all the details, but let's just say that at one stage Liz can't tell Jeffrey something important because of her obligations to a ghost. Plus the return of both the jingle bells and a very special character! You can follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @svhpodcast and follow the Headstuff Podcast Network on @HSPodnetwork and @ThisHeadstuff Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've been waiting a long time for this glorious day and we weren't disappointed. At last, it's time to meet Daniella Fromage and Magenta Galaxy! Yes, Jessica has finally run out of boys at Sweet Valley High and has decided to expand her horizons by signing up to a computer dating agency and adopting two very different personas. Having borrowed some of the best outfits ever seen in Sweet Valley from Dana and some very Lucille Bluth ensembles from Suzanne, she starts dating alleged sophisticate Pierre and "goodlooking hard rocker" Brett - but no one is quite what they seem in this gloriously preposterous classic. Meanwhile Liz rightly realises she's pretty dull and decides to adopt a new look of her own - non-permanent perm, anyone? All this and a Prince Albert cameo. You can follow us on Twitter at @svhpodcast and follow the Headstuff Podcast Network on @HSPodnetwork and @ThisHeadstuff Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Patty Gilbert's looking forward to seeing her boyfriend Jim for the first time in weeks - but when Patty's sister Jana returns home with the news that she's getting married in, like, five minutes, Patty's attempt to balance family obligations and romance leads to some typical Sweet Valley contrived drama. Luckily sensible khaki-clad Liz is there to provide sage advice. Meanwhile Jessica literally loses her mind in her latest unsettling attempt to snag a grown man when she takes the credit for DeeDee Gordon's fugly painted tee-shirts, and yet again there's no sign of our favourite Robert Redford lookalike. Bah! You can follow us on Twitter at @svhpodcast and follow the Headstuff Podcast Network on @HSPodnetwork and @ThisHeadstuff Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Karyn's worst nightmare - Amy Sutton has set her sights on everyone's favourite himbo, Ken Matthews! But when Ken is involved in a car accident that leaves him blind, evil Amy is keen to move on - and she's not the only one at Sweet Valley High who is uncomfortable with Ken's situation. Thank goodness for Karyn's kindred spirit Terri Adams, who has had a crush on Ken for ages and is there to support him as he adjusts to his new life. And as for us, we're so delirious with joy at the demise of a certain orange president (we recorded this on November 8th), we don't even care that the word "fatal" in the title is false advertising or even that a certain teacher doesn't show up. You get a pass this week, Kate William! You can follow us on Twitter at @svhpodcast and follow the Headstuff Podcast Network on @HSPodnetwork and @ThisHeadstuff Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reunited and it feels so good! Or does it? Todd and Elizabeth are back together, but it looks like Todd's swanky new lifestyle will come between them - or at least it will if Courtney Kane has her way. Yes, the gloriously OTT yet strangely incompetent villain is up to no good in her typically cartoonish style and we enjoy every minute of it - especially when she makes a shocking declaration. Meanwhile, Jessica turns traitor in her determination to join Lovett Academy and Karyn is outraged when it looks like Amy is setting her sights on everyone's favourite himbo. No wonder this is another epic episode! You can follow us on Twitter at @svhpodcast and follow the Headstuff Podcast Network on @HSPodnetwork and @ThisHeadstuff Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Guess who's back, back again? Todd is back! Tell your friends! Elizabeth is in turmoil at the news, though not as much as poor Jeffrey (two words we say a LOT in this episode), who rightly figures his days are numbered as soon as Whizzer Wilkins returns to town. Meanwhile rich bitch Courtney Kane sets her sight on Todd, who is now living in a mansion that's almost as fancy as Fowler Crest. Courtney sneers at Lila so you know we hate her. As for Jessica, she's planning to trap a rich boy of her own... You can follow us on Twitter at @svhpodcast and follow the Headstuff Podcast Network on @HSPodnetwork and @ThisHeadstuff Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First of all, don't worry - this book isn't as dodgy as we feared it would be. Yes, Olivia Davidson, who seems to have had a personality transplant, is madly in love with hunky art teacher Stuart Bachman, but Stuart has no interest in her. Olivia, however, convinces herself that he does - after all, who could resist her funky new giant earrings? This is a scenario that could actually do with Elizabeth meddling with other people's personal lives but for once she decides to stay out of it. Meanwhile Jessica is determined to use her extremely poorly organised electronics class to humiliate Lila, Mr Collins gets the warm welcome he deserves and we end up with a genuinely exciting cliffhanger. No wonder this episode is ridiculously long! You can follow us on Twitter at @svhpodcast and follow the Headstuff Podcast Network on @HSPodnetwork and @ThisHeadstuff Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When the SVH gang set off on a science field trip to a remote island, Lila sneers at the non-luxurious boat taking them there - and our flat-faced queen's jibes are justified, because it doesn't take more than a few big waves on the way home before the boat starts sinking! When Jessica and Winston's lifeboat capsizes, they vanish in the foggy sea and the denizens of Sweet Valley fear the worst. Have we finally got rid of Jessica Wakefield forever? Don't get your hopes up, listeners - Jessica and Winston wash up on a tropical island where Jessica indulges in some of her usual deluded fantasising, Winston shows surprisingly impressive survival skills and Jessica even gets a bit OTG (though that may be wishful thinking from Anna). You can follow us on Twitter at @svhpodcast and follow the Headstuff Podcast Network on @HSPodnetwork and @ThisHeadstuff Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We had low hopes for this one given that it's another sports story but we were very pleasantly surprised! We meet basketball star Shelley Novak and her friend Cathy, the coolest person in SVH (give Cathy her own book, you cowards!). Will self-conscious Shelley, who actually acts and thinks like a real teenager, find love with photographer Jim Roberts, yet another SVH boy who won't take no for an answer (when it comes to taking photos of Shelley, anyway)? Luckily Mr Collins is there to provide wise counsel. Meanwhile, in an extremely entertaining sublot,. Amy and Jess become obsessed with a hunky ballroom dancing teacher and, after the recent Sweet Valley fashion drought, there are some truly outstanding outfits. Hurrah! You can follow us on Twitter at @svhpodcast and follow the Headstuff Podcast Network on @HSPodnetwork and @ThisHeadstuff Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices