Tales From the Rec Room
Bree!
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Hello from Peak Show! Our new series is Tales From the Rec Room – a podcast that uses nostalgia as a jumping-off point for a discussion on pop culture, context, rabbit holes, pop psychology and more! Movies, TV, music, video games – did you first consume it via physical media in a rec room? Then we’ll cover it.
Available episodes
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Nov 2, 2023
Majora’s Mask
Happy Halloween! Bree is joined by her old friend Jason Edwards on this special occasion to discuss a spooky, scary… video game? In 2000, The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask took players by surprise and alienated a generation of Zelda fans. Or did it? While Majora’s Mask was certainly a departure from the familiar formula due to its altered structure, uncanny valley characters and, of course, its horror elements, the retroactive portrayal of Majora’s Mask as a video game that was unappreciated in its time may be slight revisionist history. Nevertheless, Bree and Jason get to the bottom of what made Majora’s Mask so special then and now, how it influenced adventure games, whether or not it is the true best Zelda game and how it fits into the franchise as a whole.
Read Jason’s newsletter: https://thesecrethistoryofmodernlife.substack.com/
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Aug 24, 2023
The Dark Knight
On the season finale of Tales From The Rec Room, Bree is joined by We Hate Movies co-host and film critic Chris Cabin to discuss one of our favourite “dadfernoon” movies, The Dark Knight. Where does this movie fall in the big picture of Nolan’s films? Could he ever take on another superhero movie? Why do dads love this movie so much? Does this movie’s take on surveillance age poorly? Is this movie about good versus order? Also, Eric Roberts!
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Aug 17, 2023
Titanic
All aboard the S.S. Hubris! Bree is joined by Chelsea Jupin (chelseajupin.bsky.social) to go to the intersection of Chick Flick Ave. and Disaster Movie Blvd. to re-explore Titanic. We discuss the seemingly endless power of Leonardo DiCaprio, 90s superhunk, being “second VHS” girlies, and how James Cameron is really just girlie in a Titanic phase who was given a blank cheque. Plus, Bree talks about her first movie boobs, while Chelsea reflects on the love of historical dramas sparked by this movie, and there’s a lot of talk about what a “huge-budget” movie looks like now. We defend the love story, dissect the deleted scenes and ponder about James Cameron’s feelings toward the Irish.
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Aug 10, 2023
Juno
Bree hangs out with friends of the show Frederick Blichert and Mynt Marsellus for a look back at the highly affected, 2007 indie darling Juno. What was the experience like watching this movie as a high schooler versus middle schooler versus young adult? Why did people turn on this movie and the screenplay so much – and was it justified? Is there a possible queer reading of this movie? How does the fall of Roe V. Wade affect the viewing of this movie in 2023?
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Aug 3, 2023
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
Bree is joined by self-professed book nerd Maggie Taylor (@maggieolsontaylor) to discuss the coming-of-age book series that shaped us all and then abandoned us, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Is the fifth book a betrayal of the characters? Is Carmen Lowell all of us? Should Eric Richman be in jail forever? Do teenagers even like jeans anymore? And why aren’t there more books about girls just being supportive of their friends? Also, jail for Eric.
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Jul 27, 2023
Get Over It
Strap in as Bree and Kelsey discuss the okay-est teen movie of 2001 – which might have very well been so okay that it killed the genre all together. We discuss Get Over It, fawn over Kiersten Dunst, ponder what kind of messed up name Berke Landers is and wonder if teen movies are even allowed to be so okay anymore.
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Jul 20, 2023
Miracle
Hockey expert Liz stops by the Rec Room with her DVD copy of Miracle. We break down what is generally regarded as one of the best sports movies of all time and discuss why exactly it is regarded as such – and yes, acknowledge the propaganda as well! We break down the Brooksisms, fawn over the f**kboys and ponder: where have all the modern sports movies gone?
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Jul 13, 2023
Chrono Trigger
Ottawa-based journalist and former Nintendo Power aficionado Ted Raymond joins Bree as they settle into the rec room for a time-travelling adventure with Chrono Trigger! Largely regarded as one of the best RPGs, if not video games, of all time, we discuss how this game influenced our love of video games and storytelling, follow the careers of the Traveling Wilburys of video game production and determine which Final Fantasy game was the undisputed best.
"Timeless: A History of Chrono Trigger"
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Jul 6, 2023
Clone High
Way way back in the early ‘00s, Mike and Bree discovered a cartoon. Friend of the show and cartoon expert Michael Stephens pops by to discuss the short-lived series Clone High. The series came at a perfect trifecta of sketch comedy, adult animation and teen dramas. And yet, no one watched it. Then some people wanted it back and it came back and was bad. But that doesn’t change the beauty that was Clone High, which might be the best MadTV sketch that never happened. We discuss the animation highs and lows, why we’re kinda fine with Gandhi being discontinued, and why the reboot just does not work.
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Jun 29, 2023
Center Stage
Episode 2 features writer, social media pro, dancer and mom Rachel Kellogg talkin’ Center Stage. We continue riding this late-90s/early-00s wave of teen movies and discuss the highly specific genre of the “elite academy movie,” ponder the difference between this and male-targeted sports movies, dissect the glory days of stunt and dance doubles, make the inevitable Save The Last Dance comparisons, get very alienating as we talk about our dance histories and wonder if this movie is both incredibly specific to its time and very, very timeless.
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Jun 22, 2023
10 Things I Hate About You
Episode 1 features blogger, author and all-around movie-lovin’ guy Kyle Martinak to discuss the millennial classic, 10 Things I Hate About You. We go back to the glory days of movie original soundtracks, reminisce about the days when teen characters were allowed to be jerks and look 30, ponder the enduring power of Save Ferris and discuss how this movie shaped not only our lives, but also the “high school movie” wave of 99-00.
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Mar 30, 2023
The Breaking Bad-iverse
Guess we got what we deserved: an episode on Vince Gilligan’s two triumphant series, Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, as well as El Camino, featuring Soundtracker’s (@soundtracker_) Eric Peacock (@uwebollocks). How do you find the peak of such a high-quality franchise? Does it really matter that there’s really only one female character in Better Call Saul? Does anyone get a more raw deal than Nacho Varga? Are Howard Hamlin and Marie Schrader perfect foils? And most importantly: which is the better series? Plus, the episode opens with a special announcement you do not want to miss. But don’t worry, Peak Show fans: pick yourself up, dust yourself off and start all over again.
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Mar 16, 2023
Millennial Pop Divas
It’s Peak Show, b*tch! Bree is joined by show bestie Liz (@yanoforsure) to talk about the rise, peak and fall (and peak, and fall, and peak, and fall) of Britney, Christina, Jessica and Mandy. But it doesn’t stop there! We discuss the foundation laid by the VH1 divas, what the anti-Britney era of Avril, Fefe, P!n and others said about our stockpiled societal misogyny, how European (and ESL) producers created confounding hits and how Newlyweds convinced us we were all better than Jessica Simpson. Also, #FreeBritney means stop doing wellness checks on her!
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Mar 2, 2023
The X-Files
Bree is joined by We Hate Movies host and film programmer Andrew Jupin to take a trip back to the 90s and discuss The X-Files – the lasting legacy of conspiracy theory content, the magic of the Mulder/Scully dynamic, the delicate balance of mytharc vs. MOTW, the (maybe slightly anticlimactic?) mystery of Samantha Mulder, and Bree’s unhealthy obsession with X-Cops.
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Feb 16, 2023
This Is Us
Get out your tissue boxes! Bree is joined by writer, critic and Role Calling podcast host Caroline Siede to talk about the recently concluded NBC family drama, This Is Us. Is this show mushy schmaltzy emotional manipulation, or is it much smarter, more layered and self-aware than people think? We detail the best stars (Hi, Mandy Moore! Hi Sterling K. Brown!), the unsung heroes (What’s up, Justin Hartley?), the amazing use of guest stars (Hey, Pam Grier!), the totally baffling (Randall is a landlord/politician now!) and everything in between. Okay, don’t let me keep you.
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Feb 2, 2023
BoJack Horseman
Bree is joined by TikTok essayist Lucky Leftie, to discuss the Netflix original series BoJack Horseman. With a show so layered, complex and controversial, sometimes a 90-minute discussion is necessary. We discuss mental illness, forgiveness, self-punishment, relationships, addiction, the entertainment industry, childhood trauma and the secret joke about Sextina Aquafina that a lot of people don’t seem to get. Let’s binge it!
Please note: Due to some technical difficulties during recording, this episode has some of the sloppiest audio since Season 1, but we promise it’s good!
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Sep 15, 2022
Season 2 Finale: Flop Culture
Bree gets together with Mynt, Liz and Frederick to bid farewell to Peak Show Season 2 and summer 2022 with a look at the best things that have been released so far this year. What do Bob Odenkirk and Isabelle Fuhrman have in common? What the hell are people on re: Us all of a sudden? Was this album Kendrick’s first miss? How dare the Duffer Brothers create characters people are emotionally invested in and then give that emotional investment payoff? Is Prey not being released theatrically one of the biggest let-downs of all time? Plus, Liz is overtaken by the spirit of Tom Cruise and his movie magic, and if you listen closely, you just might hear a call-out of a good Mike Stephens tweet.
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Sep 1, 2022
Star Wars – Episode 3
You’re all nerds! Bree is joined by Ottawa-based digital journalist and former radio man Ted Raymond to round out Super Month. Together, they trash the nerds (sorry, nerds), discuss the origins of Wookieepedia, call BS on George Lucas, lament the gatekeeping, defend The Last Jedi and more. Utini!
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Aug 18, 2022
Star Wars – Episode 2
Bree is joined by her pal Mike Stephens (@bymikestephens) build a better Star Wars universe starring David Cross, Jennifer Coolidge and more – which might be better than everything we’ve gotten from this series from 1999 on. We discuss what’s gone wrong, if the sequel trilogy was really that good, how underused Mace Windu was, moral ambiguity, lack of tension in the TV series and, of course, toys. Get ready for some nerdy talkin’, some belching and some unhinged begging for Disney to tell a new story.
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Aug 4, 2022
Star Wars – Episode 1
Peak Show’s 2022 Super Month is here! We take a month-long journey into Star Wars. For the first episode, Eric Szyszka of the awesome We Hate Movies joins to discuss the prequels, Clone Wars, re-casting (and lack thereof), standalone movies, genre, Disneyfication and more. We also talk about Target, tilling and Tim Hortons. Oh, and Star Wars isn’t a Western.
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Jul 21, 2022
Kevin Smith
“Bluntman” Bree and Kyle “Chronic” Martinak team up to talk about the Gen X Jersey slacker king himself, Kevin Smith. We discuss Smith’s pivot to podcasting, the secretly sweet aspect of his marriage, his wannabe Judd Apatow phase, the impact that pot had on his humour and more. Plus: is Tusk secretly amazing?
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Jul 7, 2022
Mel Brooks
Kelsey Goldman is in the driver’s seat for this special episode! Kelsey and her pal Jason Edwards lead the episode for a discussion on Mel Brooks. What was special about the way Mel wrote men – and women? Has anyone come close to Mel Brooks in terms of movie spoofs? We also discuss the specificity of Jewish humour versus New York humour, power and influence, how music makes him a better filmmaker and more. Content warning: Bree may or may not poop herself, and also there’s some disturbing talk about Barf the Mog and The Shining.
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Jun 23, 2022
The Babysitters Club
Say hello to your friends! Bree is joined by pop culture enthusiast Chelsea Jupin to discuss the books, movies, graphic novels and TV iterations of the Ann M. Martin’s The Baby-Sitters Club. They discuss being late bloomers, the power of female friendships, themes of chosen family, age-appropriate life lessons and, of course, Claudia’s style. Listen through for their dream Netflix series episodes, which baby-sitter they think they are, and some very important discussion about almonds.
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Jun 9, 2022
Matt Stone and Trey Parker
Bree is joined by Eric Peacock, host of the Soundtracker podcast, to discuss the varied and highly musical stylings of Matt Stone and Trey Parker, two of the most frustrating creators to ever come up on Peak Show. But despite our South Park-related misgivings, there’s a surprising deal of appreciation for their work. We discuss Gen X cynicism, the art of parody and, uh, a lot of 9/11 stuff. Oh, and Bree starts talking about AMAs and TV trading.
Indiewire article on South Park’s most transphobic episodes.
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May 26, 2022
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
What up!!! Bree and Liz (@yanoforsure) are two cool girls doing a podcast for other cool people who want to hang out in our party mansion. Nothing sexual. People in good shape encouraged. If you are fat you should be able to find humour in the little things. Again, nothing sexual.
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May 12, 2022
Adam Sandler
Exit light, enter night! Bree and Ruin My Life co-host Kelsey Goldman (@kelseyrebecca) discuss the Sand-man himself, Adam Sandler! What should have been a straightforward episode about the gradual Flanderization and downfall of a beloved comedic actor turns into a multifaceted discussion about pain, masculinity, sports movies and a whole lot about Uncut Gems you just plain can’t understand if you’re not Jewish. Are Sandler’s Netflix movies really that bad? Does he give hope to the average looking men of the world? And why hasn’t he tried harder to make more movies on the level of Uncut Gems/Meyerowitz Stories/Punch Drunk Love?
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Apr 28, 2022
David Fincher
U of T cinematic studies PhD student Mynt Marsellus returns to the show to discuss one of their favourite directors, David Fincher. Bree and Mynt discuss how Fincher gets the most out of his actors, how he uses space, time and movement uniquely, his blind spots for female characters, whether or not it matters that he’s a “difficult” director and what his most overrated movies are. Also, what would Spider-Man (2002) look like if it had been directed by David Fincher?
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Apr 14, 2022
King Of the Hill Redux
Uh-oh! A Peak Show emergency has forced Bree to go back into the archives and bring back the best episode you never heard! Friend of the show Mike Stephens and Bree discuss the all-timer that is King of the Hill, from the inherent way in which comedy ages like milk to the tragedies that are Bill, Dale and Peggy. If nothing else, marvel at how far the show has come.
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Apr 4, 2022
Peak of March
Bree returns for another month-end pop culture recap with friend Laura Alix (@lauraalix) to discuss March in terms of pop culture disc horse – Turning Red, Netflix prices, the CEO of Goldman-Sachs DJ-ing Lollapalooza and everything but the Oscars slap. And if you listen closely, our old friend Mike Stephens just might stop by to discuss Peggy Hill.
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Mar 31, 2022
Taylor Swift
Bree and culture writer/podcast host Elamin Abdulmahmoud (@elamin88) detail the chronology and evolutions of country/pop/everything in between queen Taylor Swift. They discuss everything from the Kanye controversy and Taylor’s victim/survivor image to how the discourse around her dating life has influenced her musical direction. Also, there’s a lot of gushing about bridges.
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Mar 17, 2022
Final Destination
Bree is joined by the lovely Patrick Hamilton of the Kill By Kill podcast (@killbykillpod) to determine the peak of the formulaic but utterly fun Final Destination franchise. They compare box office receipts, analyze what happens when Scream and Nightmare on Elm Street influence meet a group of X-Files writers, gush about Tony Todd and one of the hosts reveals their dubious connection to noted sixth-billed Keegan Connor Tracy. Is the gymnastics death really that great? Can we stop with the sweaty horror tribute names already? Did the Butterfly Effect guys do something kind of right? Did Tony Todd simply not feel like making it out to Vancouver for a couple movies? Find that out on Peak Show.
Donate to the Lilith Fund
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Mar 3, 2022
M. Night Shyamalan
Bree chills out with travelling podcast bad boi Justin Case (@ceJustinCase) to discuss the rise, fall and subsequent flailing of semi-disgraced Hollywood wunderkind M. Night Shyamalan. After a good decade of stinkers, has Shyamalan really come back? Does anyone have any business comparing him to Spike Lee or Quentin Tarantino? Can he absolutely please cool it with the cameos? If you say The Happening was supposed to be a B-movie enough, do you have to believe him? Also, Justin gets really bent out of shape about some newspaper sweepstakes and Bree exposes her dad for leaving her in a hot car.
Friend of the show Fred ranks Shyamalan’s 14 movies from worst to best.
Donate to the Trans Education Network of Texas (TENT).
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Feb 28, 2022
Peak of February
In a surprise/experimental mini episode, Bree sits down with friend of the show and Owatanna News editor Annie Granlund (@anniegranlund) to discuss the various February pop culture discourse – from Wordle and Arthur to the Oscars and the Olympics – and discuss peaks and predictions for where these will go.
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Feb 17, 2022
Mike Myers
Bree is joined by We Hate Movies co-host Stephen Sajdak (@stephensadjak) to discuss the meteoric rise and rather confounding fall of Canadian wonder-boy, Mike Myers. As Bree and Steve explore his career from the humble beginnings of late-night CBC content to some of the most memorable characters and skits of SNL’s 90’s glory days and his frustrating descent into franchise town, they touch on key comedy moments like the former glory days of the Second City-to-SNL pipeline, the rise of the 2000’s “comedy crew” and the Shrek effect on animated comedy.
Centretown Worker Relief Fund
We Hate Movies – Shrek
We Hate Movies – Cat in the Hat
We Hate Movies – The Love Guru
We Hate Movies Patreon
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Feb 3, 2022
Brooklyn 99
Bree and Real Gud Pros co-host Helen Marukh get together to gab about comedy and copaganda with Brooklyn 99. Can you still enjoy the show despite its unignorable propaganda? Just how badly did NBC screw up the show? Did the show engage with criticisms of policing properly? Is there anyone more deserving of a happy ending than Rosa Diaz? (The answer is no). Get ready for some uncomfortable discussions about the way we engage with the show, the way the show attempts to engage with the real world and the way it hides behind identity politics – plus lots of talk about bisexuality and ADHD because what else would we talk about?
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Dec 16, 2021
Season 1 Finale
And just like that, Peak Show Season 1 has come to a conclusion! Bree and some of the guests from the past year reunite virtually to discuss the year that was, the highlights from their episodes, what their favourite media events of the year was and what they’re looking forward to next year. Plus, Sam wants Jarrod to be his dad and Bree to be his… stepmom?
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Dec 2, 2021
Arrested Development
Take a look at podcast, audience! Bree is joined by her two swell pals Liz (@yanoforsure) and Mike (@bymikestephens) to discuss the incredibly high peaks and unfortunately low and kind of depressing valleys of the millennial staple Arrested Development. Is the show harder to enjoy with the Tambor of it all? Did the show get away with punching down a lot? How adorable and punchable is Michael Cera? And, is Jessica Walter the most gif-able performer of all time?
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Nov 18, 2021
Judd Apatow
Bree is joined by her friend, podcast hobbyist/sandwich lobbyist/author Kyle Martinak (@kylemartinak) to discuss the portfolio of comedy juggernaut Judd Apatow. Did Katherine Heigl have a point about his movies and the gender of it all? Was working with the same actors over and over limiting, or did it create magic? Did he seriously not have anything to do with I Love You Man and we’re all just nuts? Plus, we answer the question nobody asked: Undeclared, or Freaks and Geeks?
Buy Kyle’s book, Cinema Autopsy.
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Nov 4, 2021
Seinfeld
Bree and Armchair Reactions co-host Gowsh (@GowshiganS) put on their bright white sneakers and take a trip back to NBC’s powerhouse Thursday nights in the 90’s with a look back at Seinfeld. There’s some clashing over their lasting impression of Season 4 and the NBC plot, discuss the meta-tragedy of Susan, reflect on how Michael Richards’ outright racism affects the Kramer character, unveil a sort-of-secret connection to the 00’s comedy romp Eurotrip and try to envision a version of Jerry and Elaine that would work as a romantic plot.
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Oct 21, 2021
America’s Next Top Model
Bree and her birthday twin, journalist and editor Annie Grandlund (@anniegranlund) outline their high school fave, America’s Next Top Model as they discuss Tyra’s personality, traumatizing contestants, the difference between a fun bitch and a tragic bitch, the gimmicks and more. We talk about what made the series go sour (was it the show, or the industry?) and what kind of legacy Top Model has left in its wake.
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Oct 7, 2021
Arkells
Bree and producer/photographer Sam Brooks (@samuelgbrooks) crack open a cold one around the (virtual) campfire to discuss known good dudes and uber-millennial Hamiltonian scamps, (the) Arkells. We dive into the band’s evolution from college rockers to stadium fillers, the odes to southern Ontario, the difference Tony made in the band and whether the band is in dad-rock territory. We also talk extensively about Hamilton, shitmalls and Kyle Dubas, and somehow (we swear) it’s all relevant.
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Sep 23, 2021
Radiohead
Bree chats with Twitter Canada head of comms Cam Gordon (@cam_gordon) about the prolific, influential and seemingly contemptuous toward their own fame, Radiohead. We discuss the musical influences of Radiohead, whether or not they evolved enough between In Rainbows and King of Limbs, the band’s relationship to the capitalist hellfire of the music industry and more. As a Gen X-er, Cam can verify what a live Radiohead show in the 90s was like. However, he can’t get you verified.
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Sep 9, 2021
Scream
Entertainment journalist and author Frederick Blichert (@FABlichert) joins Bree for the long-anticipated Scream takedown. The highly meta franchise re-ignited the teen slasher genre in the 90’s before being derailed by real late-90’s mass tragedies – and then kinda-sorta coming back. When could Scream have stopped? When should it have stopped? Which characters should have survived? What, as a society, made us so obsessed with these movies? Fred discusses how the “survivor” aspect of Scream set it apart from its contemporaries while Bree ponders on how Scream fits into the tiresome “elevated horror” label.
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Aug 26, 2021
Parks and Recreation
Bree and screenwriter/performer Kristy LaPointe (@kristylapointe) grab some JJ’s waffles and discuss the highs and lows of Parks and Recreation. Kristy brings her perspective as a comedy writer to discuss the places where Parks & Rec came up short, but also the ways that it comforted us throughout the years. We look at the positives – like the amazingly weird supporting characters – and the negatives – like this show’s seriously weird issues with fat people. Join us as we search through Pawnee to find the peak of Mike Schur’s series!
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Aug 12, 2021
The Mighty Ducks
Bree and podcaster/hockey fan Kelsey Goldman (@kelseyrebecca) discuss the highs and lows of the Mighty Ducks trilogy and the recent live-action follow-up series. Does D2 undermine the underdogs premise? Would D3 have worked better as a Disney Channel movie? Has Aaron Lohr had the best post-Ducks life? Would Emilio Estivez have been Zdeno Chára’s snack? Plus, there’s a loooooot of naive, pre-draft, pre-free agency talk about hockey. You’ve been warned.
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Jul 29, 2021
The Simpsons (Part 3)
Peak Show’s Simpsons supermonth comes to a close with insight from return guest, YouTube pop culture and political essayist José! Bree and José put on their brave faces as they dissect the humour of the 20-something era of episodes, discuss the downfall of Itchy and Scratchy and get deep about Flanderization. Plus, there’s some singing.
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Jul 15, 2021
The Simpsons (Part 2)
The Simpsons super-month continues! Bree and Jason Edwards (@somethingfell) of Ruin My Life dive into the unpleasant turn of The Simpsons — the Scully years — and try to reconcile their fandom with the show while finding its peak.
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Jul 1, 2021
The Simpsons (Part 1)
The first of Bree's three-episode Simpsons supermonth is here! Bree and Ottawa-based digital journalist Ted Raymond (@TedFriendlyGuy) begin to break down the buildup and the tipping point of The Simpsons. They discuss the effects that different showrunners had on the characters, the Futurama brain-drain and how Frinkiak changed everything.
Next episode, Bree digs a little deeper with Jason Edwards!
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Jun 17, 2021
Canadian Indie Music
Bree chats with Toronto-based audio engineer and music industry professional Luke Leveille (@lukeveille on Instagram) in this special episode devoted to finding the peak of Canadian indie rock and pop. We discuss the way Canadian broadcasters left musical acts hanging out to dry, how Spotify changed the game in all the wrong ways, the Junos’ tokenization of hip-hop and Black artists, venue closures and, of course, Scott Pilgrim.
This show has a companion playlist! Listen to all the acts we mentioned and more on Apple Music and Spotify.
Support community mutual aid:
* Community Fridges TOronto
* Tiny Shelters Toronto
* 1492 Land Back Lane
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Jun 10, 2021
Saw
Bree chats with Mynt Marsellus (@Myntaford on Twitter) on the peak of the up-its-own-ass horror series, Saw! The two break down the totally legitimate psychology of what made these films — and the whole torture porn genre — so popular, discuss Jigsaw’s weird fixation with putting kids in danger, fawn over Carlo Rota and ask the important question: have these writers ever actually known anyone who uses drugs? Oh, and they talk about the OC, too.
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May 27, 2021
The Office
Noted millennials Bree and Maggie (@maggiebolson on Twitter) dissect the perennially popular series The Office to determine the exact moment when the show could have (and should have) ended. Was keeping The Office alive purely a matter of economics? Did any beta couple on the show come close to recapturing Jim and Pam? Did the writers do Roy/David Denman dirty? Are office romances really all that common? Can we all just pretend Season 8 didn’t happen? And, naturally, can Creed Bratton be our crazy uncle?
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May 13, 2021
So You Think You Can Dance
UPDATE 10/22/2021
We want to issue a trigger warning on this episode. Recent allegations have come to light regarding the actions of Travis Wall and his actions toward young dancers at conventions. In this episode, recorded in April 2021, we are highly complimentary of Wall as a dancer and choreographer. If that may be upsetting to you, we urge you not to listen. We believe survivors.
Bree and her hockey pal Liz, host of the Leafs podcast Real Gud Pros (@realgudpros on Twitter) sit down to talk about their other big passion: dance (dance, dance, dance). Did So You Think You Can Dance help the world of dance, or hurt it? Can you imagine if the show hadn’t hired Cat Deeley? When did the show just become something competition dancers tried out for when they turned 18? Is Tyce Diorio both the best choreographer and the worst judge? And, of course, we have to ask: what was with the way this show treated Black men?
Here is a playlist of some of our SYTYCD highlights.
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Apr 29, 2021
King of the Hill
Bree sits down with known outrageous dude Mike Stephens (@bymikestephens on Twitter) to debate the peak of Mike Judge’s long-running phenomenon King of the Hill. Can you blame The Office for the downfall of King of the Hill? Can you blame King of the Hill for the downfall of The Simpsons? Should Wes Archer be more of a household name? Is a bad episode of King of the Hill still pretty good? Could you make this show today? Are all our dads secretly Hank Hill?
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Apr 13, 2021
Malcolm in the Middle
Bree is joined by YouTube political and pop culture essayist José (@JoseNotAJay on Twitter) to locate the peak of the underrated family sitcom, Malcolm in the Middle. Along the way, we ask the key questions like: was Lois a great mom or an abusive monster? What would the show have been like if Brian Cranston hadn’t shaped Hal into a different character? How many high-concept episodes are too many? Is Malcolm actually the worst? And, most importantly, what happened to Eric Per Sullivan?
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