Too Much Information

Jordan and Alex don their best Juicy Couture sweatsuits for a deep dive into one of the most iconic Aughties comedies of all time: 'Mean Girls'! They try to make fetch happen by going long on the author of the source material's gripe with the film's writer, Tina Fey, drill down into the difficult process of assembling the sterling cast, and figure out exactly how they made a movie written by a New Yorker and shot in Canada feel like a John Hughes comedy set in Illinois. They'll also explore the film's very explicit connection to 'Heathers,' what went into the wardrobe and provide a lengthy update on the film's long-stalled sequel. Too Much Information: You CAN sit with us.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your VJs of very granular facts are back with behind-the-scenes stories from MTV's beloved countdown extravaganza. You'll hear all about the unholy bromance between Carson Daly and Kid Rock, the time he took the Backstreet Boys to their very first strip club, and the painfully awkward interview between him and Prince. Jordan and Heigl also discuss the moment when the BSB vs. NSYNC battle almost turned deadly on the air (and give their picks for the ultimate boy band), reminisce about the time Fred Durst blew up a boat, revel in Eminem's TRL-related beef with Mark Wahlberg, chuckle at the time Tom Green's "Bum Bum Song" caused a minor production crisis, and marvel at the crazy lengths fans went to get themselves inside MTV's Times Square studios. They'll also explore the complex pop cultural/technological convergence that made TRL the original example of social media, and also explain how these shifting trends ultimately doomed the show. And, of course, they'll get into the Mariah Carey ice cream incident. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jordan and Alex crack open their sarcophagi for a deep-dive into one of the best popcorn flicks of the last century: The Mummy! THRILL as they trace the film's torturous development path through some of the biggest horror names of the era! CHILL as they recount the trials the cast faced from the climate, animals AND people of the remote filming location! GASP at Arnold Vosloo's body-shaving routine to play the titular character! JOIN the Brendan Fraserssance! It's Mummuary on Too Much Information!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jordan and Alex lock themselves into a shack with just a chess computer, a bottle of J&B and a shape-shifting cosmic horror for company in this week's Too Much Information on John Carpenter's 1982 classic "The Thing!" They'll delve into the hows and whys the film got made with the writer of "The Bad News Bears," give the SFX wunderkind responsible for the film's monsters his roses, and ponder why Ennio Morricone's film scoring contracts specify his contributions down to the minute. Listeners will also be privy the boozy secret ritual of the bar the cast and crew drank at in Hyder, Alaska and learn the one aspect of this film's pre-production that Carpenter vowed to never do again. Whatever's in there, it's weird and it's pissed off: It's Too Much Information!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do Atari, Pixar, pizza, beer and rats have in common? Jordan and Alex dive into a suspiciously sticky ball-pit under the uncanny valley gaze of an animatronic rat to go deep on everyone's favorite source of cherished childhood memories and/or trauma: Chuck E. Cheese! They'll discover the roots the chain shares with the iconic video game company behind "Pong," get the heart of the vicious feud between Chuck and his closest competitor, and shine a light on the animatronics wunderkind and vexed utopian who crafted the indelible animatronic band whose songs live on in all our hearts. Also, there will be pizza. And fistfights! Alex won't stop calling the rat "Charles!" Jordan is baffled by all of this! So take a listen to where a kid can be a kid: Too Much Information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jordan and Alex revisit the beloved 1986 masterwork that blended South African sounds with American dance pop — and became one of the most controversial albums of the decade. Paul Simon's unsanctioned trip to Johannesburg in the era of Apartheid violated a UN boycott, kicking off an international firestorm that nearly cost Simon his life. (Until E Street Band guitarist Stevie Van Zandt intervened...) They'll discuss the complex cultural questions surrounding the creation of this album, and also delve into history of these fascinating rhythms and melodies in South Africa. Plus, you'll learn how the album never would have come together without SNL producer Lorne Michaels, discover the dinner party faux-pas that inspired "You Can Call Me Al,' and hear why "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes" was a last minute addition to the tracklist.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You've never had a friend like the TMI guys, who dove deep into the making of this 1992 Disney animated classic. You'll get all the behind-the-scenes stories of Robin Williams' hilariously non-family friendly Genie dialogue, learn the truth behind his long-running feud with Disney, and discover how his role in the movie changed the course of animation forever. You'll also hear how the plot differs from the Aladdin story from antiquity, learn why the film caused some controversy upon its release, get to the bottom of the supposed hidden sex joke, and discover why "A Whole New World" is the greatest Disney song of all time. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the global success of 'Wednesday' on Netflix, Alex and Jordan are exploring the history of everyone's favorite creepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky family — from its humble beginnings as a New Yorker cartoon to an endearingly weird '60s sitcom to the beloved '90s movies. You'll learn about the Addams Family's eccentric creator who had a secret affair with Jackie Kennedy, the show's mini-rivalry with 'The Munsters,' and the time director Barry Sonnenfeld built a pillow fort to hide from nightmare producer Scott Rudin. There's also the mystery of Lurch's missing bodily remains, the time Cher almost got cast as Morticia, and the story behind that banger of a theme song. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the final installment of their TMI Titanic Trilogy, Jordan and Alex dive into the truly insane stories behind the many repeated sinkings of James Cameron’s gargantuan Titanic set — an experience that nearly killed Kate Winslet many times over and cost the sanity of the crew. They’ll also get into the true-life stories of heroism on the real Titanic, bust some myths about the lifeboats, and tackle the most enduring controversy associated with the Titanic production: could Jack have fit on that floating piece of wood paneling along with Rose? Perhaps most importantly, they’ll explain how Celine Dion’s iconic ballad “My Heart Will Go On” very nearly was cut from the film. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wanna go to a real party? Jordan and Alex continue their trilogy diving deep (ha!) into the making of James Cameron’s epic. This episode explores how he built a 775-foot sinkable replica of the ship — the largest film set in the world — and the insane lengths he went to get it exactly as the original. Focusing on the first VHS of the original film’s release, the TMI guys will discuss the iconic lines that were improvised, the adorable awkwardness of the “Draw me like one of your French girls” scene, the mind-breaking camera tricks required to film the ship’s departure — and the finer points of turn-of-the century car sex. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jordan and Alex present their first TMI trilogy exploring the making of James Cameron's disaster epic. Part one covers the extensive pre-production that saw Cameron spend a month on the bottom of the ocean filming the wreck of the REAL Titanic, work overtime to convince Leonardo DiCaprio to sign on, and convince 20th Century Fox to shell out over $100 million on a movie that didn't even have a script. You'll hear about the real life figures who inspired Jack and Rose, the romantic subplot that wound up on the cutting room floor, the crazy lengths Kate Winslet went to secure her role — and the time a disgruntled caterer spiked the chowder at the on-set lunch table with PCP, resulting in Cameron and half the crew getting high as hell and hallucinating. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alex and Jordan wrap up their holiday extravaganza — and 2022 in general! — with a salute to most hilariously foul of all Christmas movies. They’ll talk about the record-breaking number of obscenities, the surprising involvement of the Coen Brothers, the behind-the-scenes legal battles it took to get the film to the big screen, and Billy Bob Thornton’s heroic drinking during the shoot — plus some harrowing tales of real life bad Santas. (Like, really bad.) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jordan and Alex welcome special guest Mo Rocca to discuss his time writing for the beloved PBS classic about a highly literate little dog with a big imagination. You'll learn about the real-life Jack Russell who inspired the titular character, the Herculean efforts that went into costuming this show, the painstaking process of rewriting classic literature for a dog, and the infuriating reasons why this Peabody-winning show was canceled at the top of its game. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The TMI gang pay tribute to one of Heigl’s favorite movies as the Cher-led romantic black comedy turns 35! You’ll learn about the rough-and-tumble Bronx playwright who penned the script, the genesis of the infamous “Snap out of it!” line, the fistfight that nearly broke out as they filmed the climactic scene — and a whole lot of Nic Cage facts. You’ll also discover why everyone in the cast thought this movie would bomb, the tension between the two romantic leads, and the tragic, Springsteen-esque story of the real-life bakery at the heart of the film. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let Jordan and Alex be your filthy animals of facts on this exploration of what might possibly be the most violent movie in the holiday canon. They'll explain the feud with a comedy legend that helped set this production in motion, and also the insanity of Macaulay Culkin's literal rags-to-riches family drama — plus the time Joe Pesci bit him on the set, quite literally scarring him for life. You'll also learn which role Chris Farley nearly played, why John Candy was pissed at the production, all the ways they pulled off those brutal booby tracks, and what a doctor says those traps would do to you in real life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jordan and Alex explore the creation of this idiosyncratic holiday classic, from the beat poet who wrote the original book, to the influence it had on the beloved TV mainstay The Wonder Years. You’ll also learn how a vintage soda ad inspired the famous leg lamp (a.k.a. the major award), how the director went from a Christmas-themed slasher to a raunchy teen sex comedy to this, and how they got Flick’s tongue stuck to that pole. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The TMI Team take a look at what Jordan calls “the best Christmas song of the 20th century” and what Heigl calls “the evil twin of ‘Monster Mash.’” (You can make up your own mind about who’s right.) You’ll hear about the traumatizing circumstances of Carey’s early life that lends a poignancy to this holiday party anthem, and the ongoing battle over the songwriting credits. They’ll explain the music theory of why it’s so damn catchy and so damn Christmas-y, the many sales records it holds, and why it makes goats produce more milk than the Chipmunks' Christmas song. (Long story.)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's more of gravy than the grave about Jordan and Alex as they forge ahead with their holiday programming by tackling the beloved 'Muppet Christmas Carol,' the first film released by Jim Henson Production following his tragic death. They'll continue to explore star Michael Caine's complicated relationship with blinking, reveal how Jim Henson gave his Kermit successor Steve Whitmire his blessing in a dream, and delve into why this was an especially poignant project for Muppets songwriter Paul Williams. Along the way, they'll detour into the behind-the-scenes magic that makes a Muppet movie and explore why enemy of the pod Jeffrey Katzenberg ensured a crucial musical number remained missing from the film's digital releases for years. Wherever you find love it feels like Christmas — and this episode has it in spades.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jordan and Alex’s hearts grow three sizes as they explore the making of the classic 1966 animated holiday special. You’ll learn about the truly devastating personal story that inspired the original book, the crappy car rental that influenced the Grinch’s green color, the surprising impact of WWII on getting the special green-lit, the drama over the Grinch’s singing voice, the little-known sequel specials — and the CORRECT way to pronounce “Seuss.” (Yes, we’ve all been saying it wrong.) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jordan and Alex observe Black Friday by delving into the agony and the ecstasy of one of the greatest albums of the 21st century. They'll explain the relationship drama and emotional turmoil that influenced the record, explore the classic '60s songs that inspired its distinctive sound, and introduce the band of Brooklyn soul giants who gave it the groove. They'll also explain the argument that led Amy to cover the Zutons song “Valerie,” the NYC stroll that inspired "Rehab," and how Mark Ronson got Amy Winehouse to overcome her unholy hatred of strings for "Love Is a Losing Game."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You ever pod with the devil in the pale moonlight? Alex puts Jordan through the Bat-wringer in a Bat-tastic exploration of "Batman: The Animated Series," in tribute to the recently deceased voice of the Dark Knight, Kevin Conroy. They'll Bat-detour through the show's origins in a show about Looney Tune babies, the secrets behind the series' beautiful aesthetics, how Mozart informed Mark Hamill's positively terrifying performance as the Joker, and the woman behind the Bat-music, Shirley Walker. They are the vengeance, they are the night, they are ... Too Much Information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Double Trouble Day on TMI as Jordan and Alex give you the behind-the-scenes lowdown on the beloved remake of the Disney classic. They'll discuss the future superstars who duked it out with Lindsay Lohan for the lead role (or rather, roles), the crazy twin-centric coincidence involving the actress playing Chessy, and the wild real-life reunions of long-lost twin siblings. They'll also explain the cutting-edge camera tricks employed to turn one Lilo into two, how they came up with that elaborate secret handshake, and all subtle ways the remake paid tribute to the original — plus, the time the author of the original children's book was chased down by the Nazi SS!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alex and Jordan take you inside the pioneering reality series, which provided our favorite aughts-era celebrities with the opportunity to take us inside their homes — or, in some cases, rent fake homes and lie to us. You'll discover who was honest and who balled out for the sake of the show as the TMI gang reflects on the most truly ridiculous celebrity abodes. You'll also learn about all the ways this show nearly never got made, hear the surprisingly heartfelt story at the center of Mariah Carey's famous appearance, and get the whole backstory on Redman's infamous episode — plus they'll reveal the first artist to describe their bedroom as "where the magic happens." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jordan and Alex pay tribute to the most concentrated dose of coming-of-age TV nostalgia this side of The Wonder Years. They’ll pore through Judd Apatow and Paul Feig’s real life teenage traumas that inspired the most iconic scenes and the interpersonal ups and downs in the cast of future film stars. (Spoiler: James Franco was kind of a pill and Linda Cardellini was the best...but y'all knew this.) They’ll also explore the once-in-a-generation convergence of talent that made this show unforgettable, and the once-in-a-blue-moon convergence of poor network decisions that ultimately doomed it to One Season Wonder status. You’ll learn all about all the ways the show broke network sitcom convention, the insane attention to detail that went into the production, and the fate of the characters had the show continued for another season. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jordan and Alex pod it off there, boss, to talk about one of the most iconic films of the 20th century. They delve into the life of the sailor-turned-failed-safecracker who wrote the novel the film is based on, travel down the winding road of Florida court records to explore the sad fate of the real-life Luke, and perhaps most importantly, determine exactly how many eggs Paul Newman ate in that iconic scene. They'll also uncover Newman's preferred salad recipe from the era and get to the root of the shouting match he had with the film's director directly before shooting a key scene. You won't find any failure to communicate here, just a lot of George Kennedy impressions and a whole host of reasons to fall back in love with the film (and Newman).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The two taxmen of trivia are back to explore side two of the Fab Four’s 1966 masterwork. They go track by track to discuss the surprising song that inspired “Good Day Sunshine,” why Paul McCartney wrote “For No One” in the toilet after a fight with his girlfriend, the real-life NYC doc who gets name-checked in “Doctor Robert,” and which future George Harrison classic got rejected during the sessions. You’ll also learn how the album was nearly recorded at a landmark Memphis recording studio and named after a groan-worthy Rolling Stones pun.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Lennon-McCartney of trivia revisit the Fabs' game-changing 1966 record, which also happens to be Jordan’s favorite record of all time. Listen as Alex tries and fails to stop him from having a full-on attack of Beatlemania over the course of this two-part episode. You’ll discover how John Lennon was nearly electrocuted during sessions for “Yellow Submarine,” why Paul McCartney’s composition teacher didn’t think “Eleanor Rigby” was any good, how a broken sitar string changed the course of rock history, and why the solo on “Taxman” nearly caused an inter-band incident. You’ll also learn why a proposed western movie starring the Beatles almost derailed the sessions, hear how George Harrison sucks at coming up with song times — and get the insane story of two teen girls who hired a helicopter to buzz The Beatles’ rental house. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jordan and Alex discuss a Disney Halloween classic much beloved by their fellow Millennials. It’s a tale chock full of rotted pumpkins, bad Boston accents, an army of black cats, and even LSD. You’ll learn about all of the weird ties this movie has to the film Titanic and the show Friends, in addition to Sarah Jessica Parker’s ancestral ties to the Salem Witch Trials. You’ll also discover why Kathy Najimy was initially afraid to appear in the movie, why the producers led Disney exec Jeffrey Katzenberg through a homemade elementary school-style haunted house, why actor Doug Jones had to walk around with real moths in his mouth, and why this film broke Steven Spielberg’s heart. Plus, Massachusetts-native Jordan will get to the bottom of why everyone in New England says “wicked” — an insane explanation that, incredibly, involves The Wizard of Oz.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alex and Jordan set the controls for the heart of the Scholastic Book Fair with a deep-dive on the world-conquering, multi-medium-spanning success of R.L. Stine's Goosebumps! They'll explore literally every job Stine had as a struggling writer before making it big, a brief history of evil ventriloquist dummies and horror icon George A. Romero's sadly unrealized attempt to make a feature film out of the series' first book. Along the way, they'll get way too granular about the work that went into those iconic book covers and the Canadian-produced children's horror-TV rivalry of "Goosebumps" vs. "Are You Afraid of the Dark!" Alex won't stop calling Stine "Robert Louis Stinevinson:" Listener beware, you're in for a scare!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jordan and Alex explore the creation of everyone’s favorite coming-of-age psycho-horror New Wave time-travel flick — with rabbits. Listen to learn all the ways rookie director Richard Kelly beat the hellish odds to make his incredibly ambitious feature film debut, why Jason Schwartzman was very nearly the title character, and how this movie quite literally couldn’t have happened without Drew Barrymore, the true MVP of the production. You’ll also find out what song was supposed to be used for the Sparkle Motion dance sequence, why Gary Jules’ haunting “Mad World” cover was a last-minute addition, and why Donnie Darko is real-life neighbors with Ferris Bueller. Plus, the TMI Boys make a valiant effort to parse apart the many theories about the true meaning of this unexplainable movie.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jordan and Alex are discussing perhaps the most twisted example of the ‘90s teen movie boom — a film about deception, seduction, borderline incest and cocaine stuffed in a crucifix. Listen and learn about how Ryan Phillipe threw up on the set, how they got Reese Witherspoon drunk to get her to sign on, and why Katie Holmes got the boot from the cast. You’ll also hear how a pornographic actress created a stir on the set, how Selma Blair prepped for that famous kissing scene with Sarah Michell Gellar, and why Ross Gellar from ‘Friends’ is partially responsible for making this all happen. Plus, they’ll talk about all of the ill-fated attempts to bring the story to television, and why the fake cocaine on the set gave SMG an allergic reaction.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alex and Jordan kick off TMI’s Halloween Spooktacular month with a look back at the Nickelodeon show that taught a generation of kids how to fear. They’ll discuss the roster of pre-fame child actors who populated the show, creator D.J. MacHale's burning hatred of both the Midnight Society, Nickelodeon AND Canadian television, and the classic literature that helped inspire some of the plots. They’ll also delve into the show’s groundbreaking representation and diversity, the complex psychology of the scares, and what exactly was in that magic dust they’d throw into the campfire. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alex and Jordan explore the psychotic lengths Donald Fagan and Walter Becker went to create their ’77 yacht rock classic — including the time they burned through nearly a dozen of LA’s best studio guitarists in search of a single guitar solo, the time they spent more than six hours trying to nail a two-word phrase, or the time they persuaded a legendary session drummer to play garbage can lids. They’ll also explain the origin of the album’s title, the Hollywood tragedy that supposedly inspired “Peg,” the tour with jazz-royalty they scrapped at the last minute, and the mystery of the missing master tapes. Plus, they'll delve into the rap beef they inadvertently started, and luxuriate in every glorious second of Michael McDonald’s pillowy vocal harmonies. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What's better? Dark chocolate or milk chocolate? Jordan and Alex go head-to-head in a bittersweet (eh? EH? C'mon!) grudge match presided over by celebrity chef Richard Blais (Top Chef, MasterChef, etc.) Which confection will come out on top and will our intrepid semi-sweet morsels of minutiae still be friends when the wrappers settle? Listen in and find out! Food Court with Richard Blais is a production of iHeart Radio, just like yours truly! Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on a special prehistoric episode of "Too Much Rock-formation" (sorry), Jordan and Alex throw it back to the genesis of the first animated sitcom. They'll discuss all the famous firsts on The Flintstones (including a weirdly sexual one), some of the surprisingly dark plotlines and non-kid-friendly jokes that crop up throughout series, the time the voice of Barney was near death and recorded his parts from a body cast in a hospital bad, the surprising way that Beethoven inspired the theme tune, and the controversies that drew threats of lawsuits from Jackie Gleason and Hulk Hogan. Plus, as if that's not enough, Jordan delivers a brief history of toilets on television! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alex and Jordan delve into all the inter-band drama, personal traumas and prank calls that went into the political pop-punk concept record. They'll explore the painting that inspired "Boulevard of Broken Dreams," the heartbreaking meaning of "Wake Me Up When September Ends," and the mystery of the missing album Green Day were recording before they tackled American Idiot. You'll also learn about the hilariously debauched recording sessions — during which a studio caught fire — the time the band locked a famous drummer in his room, plus the album's bizarre second life as a Broadway musical. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jordan and Alex close out their Olivia Newton-John tribute week with a special expanded episode delving into all the behind-the-scenes anecdotes from the making of the record-breaking musical. You’ll hear all about the surprisingly gritty stage play and early versions of the film: including a proposed X-rated cartoon, another that starred Fonzie and Princess Leia in the leads, and still another that featured a tragic Romeo & Juliet ending! You’ll also learn the multiple tragedies hidden in the “Greased Lightening” scene, why the theme song caused a standoff between the director and The Bee Gees, the occasionally tense moments between John Travolta and Jeff Conaway, and why the production reeked of pork. Plus, the TMI guys helpfully point out the surprisingly dirty references and jokes that definitely went over your head as a kid, and the bizarre fan theories that have sprung up on Reddit. You’ll also discover all the hilariously homemade ways they tried to age down these 30-year-old playing high schoolers, and the misery that resulted when Olivia Newton-John had to be sewn into her skin-tight “Bad Sandy” pants for the film’s finale — and the lost ending to this cherished classic. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jordan and Alex kick off their Olivia Newton John tribute week by exploring one of the biggest, splashiest, most notorious films in Hollywood history. It may have been a box office bomb, but it’s also the only movie that combined disco, Greek mythology, Gene Kelly, roller skating, an abandoned LA landmark, bargain basement special effects, and our beloved ONJ. Learn about how this bizarre project came to be and hear all the crazy behind-the-scenes stories — including the time Olivia Newton-John literally busted her butt on skates, producer Joel Silver (reportedly) locked a screenwriter in a room for days, and Gene Kelly had a hilarious beef with the director. You’ll also learn why Electric Light Orchestra front man Jeff Lynne blamed the movie for his band’s nosedive in the charts and find out why John Lennon had a soft spot for the soundtrack. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alex and Jordan explore one of the greatest left-turns in music history, a stripped-down solo album that finds The Boss grappling with the fallout of fame and the political sea change of Reagan's America. They'll discuss the late-night drives and complicated family dynamics that helped inspire the emotion of the record, as well as the surprising literary, musical and historical influences that crop up, as well. You'll also learn about Springsteen's stubborn insistence on releasing his rough demo cassette (which he'd carried around in the pocket of his jeans jacket for weeks) and the long-lost "Electric Nebraska" recorded with the E Street band. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Come on down! Jordan and Alex are diving into the beloved daytime TV juggernaut, which turns 50 years old this very month. You'll learn about the surprising role that Bob Barker’s gray hair played in ratings, the Plinko accident that cost the producers $30,000, the incident where a woman nearly gave birth in the audience, and the time the mom from the Brady Bunch had a car accident live on stage. They'll also discuss the troubling legal squabbles between Bob Barker and the show's models, the scandal that nearly shut down the production, and the potential kinda-sorta-maybe mini feud between Barker and his successor, Drew Carey. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alex and Jordan go deep on the ‘90s one hit wonder with an incredibly colorful origin story, spanning nearly half a century of British social and pop cultural history. Penned by a band of deeply principled anarchist punks squatting in a decaying Victorian manor home, the track’s goofy drinking-song style masked a surprisingly serious political message. Learn how the band became the most unlikely of pop stars and hear about the controversial stunts they staged — from soaking the Deputy Prime Minister to encouraging fans to steal their album, and advocating for a death row inmate while performing on The Tonight Show. You’ll also find out about the true meaning of “Chumbawamba,” the drunk who inspired the lyrics, why the band never scored another hit, and how they weaponized their fame to support social causes. Trust us, there is MUCH more to this song than you ever realized. Buckle up, because it’s a wild ride.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jordan and Alex mark the (unofficial) end of summer with one of the greatest summer flicks of all time. You'll hear the heartbreaking story that inspired the script, learn which cast member blackmailed the crew for porn, and discover why the fake chewing tobacco was gross enough to make the kids puke for real. They'll also delve into the precedent-setting lawsuit sparked by the character of Squints, the gargantuan puppet used to create The Beast, the time the guy who played Smalls headbutted a cop, and the mystery of the missing trout cap. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fresh out the box. Stop, look, and watch. Ready yet, get set, because Jordan and Alex are tackling Nickelodeon’s answer to Saturday Night Live! They’ll discuss the Oscar winner who was passed over for a spot on the show, the historic natural disaster that nearly wrecked the pilot, the time Chris Farley destroyed the entire set in a single take, and Danny Tamberelli’s awkward incident with Britney Spears. They’ll also delve into the unusual origins of Good Burger, the mild backstage drama with the cast, and the slightly-less-than-mild drama behind Kenan and Kel’s temporary split — and a surprisingly touching story about the big ear of corn. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alex and Jordan go deep on the idiosyncratic hip hop mainstay, often cited as one of the best songs of the 21st century. They get into the deceptively heartbreaking lyrics, the unexpected musical inspirations, the brain-crushingly complex music video, and the science of why it’s simultaneously an earworm, a wedding reception staple, and a dangerous song to listen to while driving. They’ll also explore how the song inadvertently set the stage for the infamous “Wardrobe Malfunction” at the 2004 Super Bowl, juiced sales for Polaroid, and sparked Andre 3000’s apparent exile from music in recent years. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jordan and Alex celebrate the Patron Saint of PBS, the Buddha of the brush, the Confucius of the canvas: Mr. Bob freakin’ Ross! They’ll get into the origins of his famous perm (and why he grew to hate it), the time he raised a baby alligator in the family bathtub, and the neurological reasons why his show is guarenteed to bliss you out — plus a deep dive into the ASMR phenomenon. But Bob wasn’t always the King of Chill. You’ll hear about his rough and ready days as a loudmouthed sergeant in the Air Force, his brutal rivalry with his painting mentor, his bizarre connection to the CIA, the mysterious reason you can’t actually buy one of his paintings, and the vicious legal battle that continued in the wake of his death. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alex and Jordan get emotional over appliances as they explore the movie that laid the groundwork for the Toy Story franchise and sparked a debate about the nature of consumer AI products. You'll hear about the eccentric misunderstood sci-fi genius who wrote the book on which the film was based, the Disney-related drama that kept it from reaching a wider audience, the insane lengths the creators went to in order to figure out the personality and psychology of a vacuum cleaner, and the adorable friendship between castmates Phil Hartman and Jon Lovitz.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jordan and Alex talk about the breakups, the beefs, and even the bindis at the heart of No Doubt’s breakthrough record. In a sense, it's the '90s equivalent of Fleetwood Mac's 'Rumours' — not just because of the glut of radio hits like "Just a Girl,” “Spiderwebs,” and, of course, “Don’t Speak,” but also because of the DRAMA. There's inter-band romances, bitter jealousy, teenage tragedy, family squabbles, and…ska! You’ll hear about Gwen Stefani’s phone stalker, the mystery of the missing cover photo dress, the band’s weird-but-deep connection with 'The Simpsons,' and how a stomach bug inspired a standout album cut — plus, be prepared to learn about Walt Disney’s cryogenically frozen head!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jordan and Alex dive into the kinder, gentler 1990s outer space movie, which turned 25 in July. They take a look at the romance and creative partnership between Carl Sagan and Ann Druyan that birthed the narrative -- along with detours into Sagan's favorite sci-fi authors and a number of adorable anecdotes about the pair's love story -- and the torturous time the project spent kicking around Hollywood development hell. Gasp at the astonishing number of screenwriters and directors the film went through; thrill at Jodie Foster behind-the-scene stories; ponder at why Matthew McConaughey wanted to play his character with an enormous lumberjack beard! All together now: They should have sent a poet.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jordan and Alex dive into this beloved '90s hit, which was recently resurrected at President Biden's inauguration ceremony. They'll explore the colorful story of Gregg Alexander, the reclusive pop genius who retreated from music stardom as soon as the song broke around the world, yet continued to pen chart-toppers under pseudonyms. They'll also get into the beef between Alexander and Marilyn Manson as a result of this song, and why it's earned praise from the likes of Bono, Joni Mitchell and Ice-T, and how they ripped apart a mall food court for the song's iconic music video. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cowabunga, dudes! Alex and Jordan explore the rise of everyone's favorite pizza-loving, butt-kicking reptile, tracing their development from underground comic to the TV that launched a million action figures, record-breaking film and a truly bizarre musical. They'll talk about the killer costumes for the movies that caused the actors to lose 10 pounds in sweat, how the success of the show inadvertently led to an ecological crisis in the United Kingdom. — plus the surprising influence of Jim Henson, Marvel, 'Two and a Half Men' creator Chuck Lorre, and watermelon-smashing comedian Gallagher. You'll also learn about the turtle's wet 'n' wild appearance on Barbara Walters, the origin of their famous "Cowabunga" catch-phrase, and how TMNT superfan Robin Williams helped actress Judith Hoag prepare for her role as April.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.