Beyond the Lens (with Eric, Rico and PJ)

Blu-rays, and lost scenes, and leaks.  Oh my!  At long last, we're returning to the series on “updates” to topics covered last season.  Both Eric AND PJ may be MIA for this episode, but Rico is not alone here.  Zoey Wyeld (Wild Zoey Appears) joins this podcast as a special guest for the first of … Continue reading Season 2, Episode 9: The Magic (Railroad) is Restored! Part 1 (ft. Zoey Wyeld) →

After an unexpected holiday hiatus, Beyond the Lens is back!  And this time, you get the best of both worlds, as Rico and PJ take a look at the hit Disney Channel Original Series Hannah Montana.  PJ explains what desire she shares with Miley Stewart, while Rico (the co-host) laments at how dissimilar he is … Continue reading Season 2, Episode 8: Hannah Montana →

“You're late!  2 weeks late,” yelled the grumpy caretaker known as Victor.  In our second and belated Halloween episode, Rico and PJ uncover what lies beneath a very underrated Nickelodeon show: House of Anubis.  From its Dutch roots to how season 3 felt rushed, the duo explores what this show has to offer.  Rico offers … Continue reading Season 2, Episode 7: House of Belated / House of Halloween →

It's that wonderful time of the year when children all around the globe write letters to the magical being that gifts toys to all the good boys and girls… The Great Pumpkin!?!?  Due to unforeseen circumstances, the second installment in the update series is delayed indefinitely to make room for more Beyond the Lens episodes.  … Continue reading Season 2, Episode 6: It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! →

Okay, Beyond the Lens team.  Let's rewind once again.  As a new mini-series kicks off, dedicated to following up on topics talked about last season, Rico and PJ have “come together” to discuss the Ghostwriter reboot that has materialized on Apple TV+.  Produced by Sinking Ship Entertainment and Sesame Workshop, this new version of Ghostwriter … Continue reading Season 2, Episode 5: Ghostwriter… Word! (Part 2) →

In a Beyond the Lens first, Rico and PJ BOTH pick a show that took the internet by storm: iCarly!  PJ (who hosts the episode) discusses how the show influenced her childhood, the real (but now defunct) iCarly.com website, as well as the woes of yet another show set in her hometown (Seattle) that wasn't … Continue reading Season 2, Episode 4: iCarly →

In this episode, PJ and Rico go to the Tri-State Area to explore the world of two step-brothers making the most of their 104 days of summer vacation. The duo discusses the difficulties creators faced getting the show off the ground. PJ mentions how the show’s format and running gags helped her relate and connect … Continue reading Season 2, Episode 3: Phineas and Ferb →

What if 7 kids singing a zipcode turned into 6 kids on a game show hosted by an animated dog?  Beyond the Lens returns to the realm of WGBH Boston to discuss FETCH! with Ruff Ruffman, part-spinoff of Zoom (subject of our very first episode), part-spoof of mid-2000s Reality TV trends.  Rico talks about the … Continue reading Season 2, Episode 2: FETCH! with Ruff Ruffman →

Welcome back, neighbors!  No, this isn't make-believe.  After a long, unexpected, and unplanned hiatus, we return with a new season (with Eric being MIA this go around) and a new episode about all things Fred Rogers: From his show Mister Rogers' Neighborhood to the recent spinoff in his memory, Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood.  PJ and Rico recall the moments they found out … Continue reading Season 2, Episode 1: A Beautiful Day (to Return to) the Neighborhood →

Can you tell me how to get to Sesame Street? Pre-empting the Mr. Rogers’ episode to next time, we move on to PJ’s pick of Sesame Street. As the show celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, PJ and Rico discuss the iconic children’s show featuring both live-action actors and Muppets like Big Bird, Elmo, Grover, Oscar, and more recently, Julia, the first autistic muppet on Sesame Street. As both Rico and PJ are autistic, they discuss their thoughts on autism representation on the show through Julia, as well as many other points, such as various movies, the recent move to HBO, and even the episode from the 70s after the death of Mr. Hooper. This special episode of Beyond the Lens is brought to you by the letter P (for Podcast) and the number 15! (Please note the intro is from an outtake of an earlier Christmas episode, which is why Eric is heard. Eric was unavailable for this episode due to scheduling difficulties.)

“He’s a ghost, and he writes to us… Ghostwriter!” Okay, Beyond the Lens team. Let’s rewind with Rico and Eric (who joins us from Starbucks) to the 1990s about Sesame Workshop’s show about literacy aimed at an older audience. Ghostwriter was produced and aired way before Rico was born, but that didn’t stop them from talking about everything related to the Ghostwriter team, from the Slime Monster story, to the dark origins of who Ghostwriter really was, and even which team member Rico thinks could be on the Spectrum… But can the duo rally together, crack open the case books, and start piecing the puzzle for what to expect on a potential Ghostwriter reboot? Stay tuned, because the Ghostwriter Team… I mean, the Beyond the Lens co-hosts (with PJ MIA again due to scheduling conflicts) are on the case! (How awkward would it be if Ghostwriter WAS real? He wouldn’t be able to listen to our podcasts, but would he know that his outline became the universal RSS feed icon?)

Gotta get up! Gotta get going! Sorry this is posted late… (It was a busy weekend for me, Rico!) Eric starts a discussion with Rico and PJ about The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. This is an animated TV series that aired on Saturday mornings on ABC and reran on Disney Channel for many years until 2007. Yet, in usual Beyond the Lens fashion, the discussion shifts gears, this time albeit slightly to any and everything related to Pooh Bear, from A.A. Milne’s books to the 2018 film, Christopher Robin, and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh rides at various Disney parks, as well as other various films released over the years. While there might not be any honey available for downloading and listening to this episode, it’s a sweet episode you don’t want to miss!!

Grab your Bibles, and take a trip with us up and down the produce aisle. In today’s episode, PJ leads a discussion with Eric and Rico about the popular Christian-themed show for children, VeggieTales! Of course, our recurring theme of religious content in children’s programming is a topic for discussion. As the first show to ever be produced in CGI, the history of the show is also discussed, as well as various songs and pop culture references. Also talked about is NBC’s big (but not-so-bright) idea to cut out all religious references and mention of God in their initial airings. Whether you’re religious or not, you don’t want to miss this episode! (And don’t worry, Bob, no “What Have We Learned Today?” song is featured in this podcast!)

There may be a song that doesn’t end, but this podcast episode does have an ending! Eric discusses with Rico and PJ the career and life of Shari Lewis, and her most beloved sock puppet creations, Charlie Horse, Hush Puppy, and of course, Lamb Chop. From Lamb Chop’s Play-Along to a discussion of puppetry in general, this is one episode you don’t want to miss!

PJ rejoins Eric and Rico to discuss her favorite Disney movie, The Hunchback of Notre Dame. From the villain she loves to hate (Frollo) and the beautiful music, to the comic relief that was the Gargoyles and how Disney somehow managed to get away to a G rating, an insightful discussion of the movie and other adaptations of Victor Hugo’s novel is, well, out there somewhere within this podcast episode. However, the trio gets sidetracked with a discussion on Disney’s walk around characters in the parks and other Disney-themed topics. However, there never is a dull moment in this conversation, so hang on tight as we discuss The Hunchback of Notre Dame (as much as Disney likes to talk about it)!

All aboard! Due to technical difficulties de-railing our planned Hunchback episode, Eric and Rico stoke up the magic in the mountain for a conversation on the 2000 Thomas film Thomas and the Magic Railroad. Although the film did not perform well at the box office and was heavily criticized, the film had a lot of potential that was ruined at the last minute due to executive meddling. From detailing the differences found in the various scripts and the final product, to other causes the co-hosts are passionate about, this episode is one train you don’t want to miss! The campaign to release the “Lost Edition” of this movie is very close to Eric and Rico as a part of their nonprofit Restore The Magic, and you can find more details about how to help get it released at restorethemagic.org. Sparkle sparkle sparkle!!

Come on inside, it’s a wilder ride! Eric, Rico, and PJ discuss The Magic School Bus –– the series that makes kids excited to learn about science and how things work from an up-close, first-hand experience. From the books to the TV series (and it’s Netflix reboot), there’s plenty to explore here. The trio also discusses various fan parodies inspired by the series. This is one field trip of an episode you don’t want to miss! (That pun was not made by Carlos!!)

Happy 2019!! In our second Thomas-themed episode so far, we discuss what is probably the most contentious (and current) era of the Thomas & Friends franchise: Big World! Big Adventures! In this iteration, Mattel (the owners of the Thomas & Friends franchise) has partnered with the United Nations to bring Thomas on a journey around the world in this multicultural rebrand of the series. Between season 22 and the feature-length special, Rico, Eric, and PJ have a lot to discuss about these changes, the split reaction among adult Thomas fans, and even what this means for the future of children’s television. And stay tuned to the very end: There may be a surprise for the long-term listeners for Beyond The Lens!

In our final episode on Christmas-themed specials (and the final one for 2018), we discuss PJ’s favorite Christmas special, the Emmy Award-winning special A Charlie Brown Christmas. Eric, Rico, and PJ discuss the film’s message on the true meaning of Christmas and it’s effect on the trio’s Christmas spirit. For a non-traditional film as far as Christmas specials go, executives and producers who worked on the film did not think it would perform well, and it’s surprise success is also discussed. The podcast ends with a public domain recording of “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” performed by the U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own” Chorus, as this is the song that closes out this famous special. And from Rico, Eric, and PJ, from our family to yours, happy holidays, and here’s to a happy 2019!

Continuing with the theme of our favorite Christmas specials, we discuss Eric’s pick, the Rankin-Bass special The Year Without a Santa Claus. The conversation ranges from the Miser brothers and their other various appearances in media to Rankin-Bass themselves. Eric, Rico, and PJ also discuss the true meaning behind the legend of Santa Claus as well as the Christmas Spirit. Though this episode diverges from the topic a lot (similar to our pilot episode on Zoom), this is one holiday podcast rich with discussion and insight. You don’t want to miss it!

Season’s greetings! In our first of three Christmas-themed episodes, we discuss the Drake & Josh Christmas movie, “Merry Christmas, Drake & Josh”, and by extension, the Drake & Josh TV series as well! Filled with other Christmas shenanigans, the trio also talks about what it really means when you try to have “the perfect Christmas”. Is this Christmas movie something to add to your personal Christmas lineup? And what does this movie reveal about what it’s like for foster families during the holidays? This is one Black Friday show you don’t want to miss! (Note: There is a mispronunciation in the podcast. The name of the band who performs the opening song is BACKHOUSE Mike, NOT Blackhouse Mike.)

Continuing on with the theme of the co-hosts’ favorite childhood show, we discuss Eric’s favorite show: Shining Time Station. From the backstory of its history to whether it holds up today, this magical discussion about Thomas’s American debut features personal stories of how Eric and Rico were impacted by this show. All aboard!

Continuing the theme of the co-hosts’ favorite childhood TV shows, this week we cover PJ’s favorite show: SpongeBob SquarePants. From the memes to the recent Broadway musical, the co-hosts have F.U.N. talking about the show, their favorite episodes, and a few missed opportunities that Nick could capitalize on. Join us on a discussion of our … Continue reading Episode 2: SpongeBob SquarePants →

Come on and Zoom over to 02134! For the first few episodes, we will discuss the favorite childhood TV show from each co-host. In the very first episode, the co-hosts discuss Rico’s favorite show: Zoom. Sparking various discussions on other children’s shows, consider this a pilot episode of what can be covered in future episodes. … Continue reading Episode 1: Come On and Zoom (Pilot) →