Dear Fandom

In this episode, HJ takes Megan through the magical mystery tour that is the SpongeBob Musical: from its inception and unique composition, to its star studded cast and potential for a life beyond professional productions. What makes a musical good? What does SpongeBob's success bode for the future of musical theater?

In this episode, Megan and HJ discuss the ongoing SAG-AFTRA/WGA strike and what it means for the entertainment industry and labor rights as a whole. Are we as fans complicit in union activities? It's more complicated than you think.

In the triumphant return episode (did you miss us?), Megan and HJ examine the recent controversy of Colleen Ballinger and iilluminaughtii AKA Blair Zoń, as well as the past controversy of Creepshow Art. Taking a deep dive into the phenomenon of the YouTube drama machine, they examine the role of misogyny in the outrage, why YouTube is a breeding ground for this type of uproar, and whether or not YouTube is a sustainable career path. Part 1 of 2.

In this episode, HJ leads a discussion on the most controversial American woman to ever exist: Barbara Millicent Roberts, aka Barbie, of course. From its not-so-humble beginnings to world domination, topics discussed include our own personal relationships with Barbie and her friends, collecting vs. playing, how Barbie helps shape multiple aspects of a child's identity no matter how you dice it, and how, actually, she's a feminist icon.

Trigger warning: mentions of sexual assault In this episode, Megan tells a confused but very interested HJ all about the second season of The Witcher starring Henry Cavill, while somehow managing not to talk a lot about Henry Cavill. Topics actually discussed include how this season passes the Bechdel test, racism metaphors and if they can actually work, how high fantasy can be a great tool to explore trauma, and how it should be illegal for bards to be buff.

In this episode, Megan and HJ surprise themselves by doing a last minute topic change and discussing 2001's Pixar classic, Monsters Inc., a movie which is about how two monsters accidentally discover work/life balance and unintentionally topple over a company's structure simply by asking questions. Topics discussed include a heavy handed metaphor for fossil fuels vs. clean energy, making friends at work, corporate rhetoric and how no job is your friend, and why Megan's perspective on this film has changed since becoming a parent (and HJ's has changed since becoming an aunt!).

In this episode, Megan and HJ finally (finally!) discuss one of their all time favorite movies, Kevin Smith's Dogma, his most financially successful and most ambitious film to date. Megan was raised Catholic and HJ was raised atheist, so get ready for two wildly different perspectives! Also discussed: various aspects of the Bible as referenced in the film, how this movie was a snapshot of a particularly successful time in film, and a touch about the View Askewniverse.

In this episode, Megan and HJ discuss the newest installment of the Matrix series, "Resurrections," which was...a film that was made. A lot of ground is covered here, so buckle up: capitalism ruining the entertainment industry, the drying up of original ideas, why the Matrix is about class struggle just as much as it's about gender identity, and much, much more. Follow us on Instagram! @dearfandompodcast

In this episode, Megan tells HJ all about the new edition of the classic Zelda prequel, Skyward Sword. HJ, who knows quite literally nothing about video games, delights in pointing out absurdities. Topics discussed include the current climate of video game critique and Twitch culture, the accessibility of video games and the mood they set, and why it's amazing when villains' names are exactly what it says on the tin. Welcome back to regularly scheduled posting, y'all!

In this episode, Megan and HJ discuss the state of the movie musical through the lens of the abomination that is Cats 2019. Topics discussed include Tom Hooper's complete lack of filmmaking skills, the benefits of casting celebrities vs. unknowns, community theater tropes, and a certain version of the film that almost made it to cinemas worldwide. This is our last episode for 2021 - stay tuned for much more content in 2022! We love you!

In today's episode, Megan and HJ (referred to as Hilary in this episode) discuss the infamous Trisha Paytas, noted Gerard Way stan, pioneer of the filmed breakdown, and all around controversial figure. Her recent blowups with former friends, accusations of assault against former teachers, and extremely public exploration of a nonbinary gender identity are all hot topics in the public eye, but why are we so fascinated with this D-list celebrity? Topics discussed include transmedicalism, the American Dream, the unique fame that YouTube brings, and the very nature of celebrity that keeps us paying attention.

For the second part of a two-parter on Chris-Chan, Hilary and Megan reflect on their own time as MySpace age teenagers while examining the person who set off this awful chain of events: a "terminally online" 20 year old cisgender lesbian college student who grew up wealthy, privileged, and isolated. As they examine the Texas Tech Troll's origins and how she operated online, as well as conducted herself offline, the topic of nature versus nurture is once again addressed, and several questions are raised as a result. What role did the internet play in the development of TTT's gender and sexual identity, as well as her prejudices? How should parents, caretakers, and educators be integrating the internet into a child's world? And what is the future of socialization, with both the benefits and drawbacks of a more connected world?

In Part 1 of this two part episode, Megan and Hilary add another contribution to what is called Christory - the collection of information on the most documented person on the internet, Christine Weston Chandler. Is nature or nurture to blame? Can multiple truths about an individual exist? Can identity be respected in the face of atrocities? TRIGGER WARNING: RAPE/SEXUAL ASSAULT, ELDER ABUSE, TRANSPHOBIA, MISOGYNY, RACISM.

In this episode, Megan and Hilary discuss their own relationships with the notion of celebrity and how it has evolved over the past several years, as well as dispense some advice on how to navigate these parasocial relationships for the sake of one's own health. At the time this episode was recorded, news about John Mulaney's relationship had not been brought to light. We will touch upon this in a later episode, but we wanted to keep this part of the discussion in tact for the sake of continuity.

Hi, all. Hilary and Megan are back after a lengthy hiatus to deliver you an episode that was recorded in June. Life happens, alas. In this episode, we dive into our initial findings upon viewing Inside, our relationship to Bo Burnham (not personal - we'll get to that next episode) and the pervasive and dangerous nature of the internet. Thanks for bearing with us; we've missed you!

In today's episode, Megan and Hilary drop a nostalgia bomb on you all by reveling in the Pokemon franchise and all that came from it. Topics discussed include why video games should be easy, the perplexing phenomenon of Pokemon Live!, and why Pokemon is actually better for adults than it is for kids.

In today's episode, Hilary takes Megan through the magical world of the Korean pop music industry, through the lens of dominating girl group Blackpink. Topics discussed include a comparison to American pop music in the 1990s, how curation is an essential part of the celebrity mystique, and how fans could benefit from an ounce of self awareness.

In today's episode, Megan takes Hilary through the wild and woolly world of The Witcher (the TV show, y'all, we simply do not have time for the extended universe). Topics discussed this episode include the many forms of Henry Cavill, why it's essential to include POC in your fantasy/medieval universe, and some hot takes on the fantasy genre.

In today's episode, Megan and Hilary take a deep dive into a movie that's very special to the both of them: Wes Anderson's The Royal Tenenbaums. Topics discussed include why every teenage girl wants to be Margot, an earned vs. an expected redemption arc, and why this movie was made for two different audiences.

In today's episode, Megan takes Hilary on a magical adventure through the Matrix Trilogy, as so well crafted by the Wachowski sisters. Hilary spends much of the episode laughing like a hyena. Topics discussed include how this easily could've been two films, how incels and the alt-right have harmfully co-opted language and concepts from a film made by two trans lesbians, and a reimagined How I Met Your Mother where every role is played by Laurence Fishburne. Tweet your complaints to @dearfandomtxt!

In today's episode, Megan tells Hilary about the history of cosplay and her place in it, and they reminisce about their time in convention fandom in the mid 2000s. Topics discussed include gatekeeping and why it sucks, owning your plastic surgery because there's nothing wrong with it, and why it's absolutely okay to just enjoy the things you like unabashedly. Recorded in 2020. Happy new year, everyone! :)

In today's episode, Hilary gives Megan the lowdown on the rise and fall and rise again of iconic American rock band My Chemical Romance. Topics discussed include not knowing the ages of rock dudes, the ins and outs of a high concept creative process, and why Gerard Way is so obsessed with the Kennedys (like the rest of us). Special shoutout in the beginning to My Chemical Fancast!

In today's episode, Megan and Hilary explore the characters and situations of Bojack Horseman and the other varied, multifaceted residents of Hollywoo and beyond. Topics discussed include owning your character deficits, diametric opposites serving as foils, good role models in flawed characters, and, somehow, J. Jonah Jameson.

In this (hopefully eagerly awaited) return episode, Megan and Hilary continue our discussion of toxic masculinity with everyone's favorite women written and directed film on the subject, American Psycho. Topics discussed include why Tom Cruise is vital to Patrick Bateman's persona, a hyper wealthy masculine world we will never have access to, the pervasive nature of American pop culture, and why white women will never hold men accountable for their actions. Special brief cameos from Megan's husband and brand new child.

In today's episode, Megan and Hilary dive headfirst into the misogynistic waters of the Fight Club fandom, for both book and film. Topics discussed include leading the examined life, why men need to stop blaming women for everything, how Marla is probably the best character in the work, and the weird love triangle between a man with DID and Jared Leto.

In today's episode, which is part two of a two parter tackling Harry Potter, Megan and Hilary delve more into the fandom side of things and also why Jo Rowling sucks.

In part one of a two part episode, Megan and Hilary talk about Hilary's longstanding history with Harry Potter. We talk a lot about Jo being a TERF in this one, y'all, so buckle up. We also talk a lot about Jo being a TERF in the next one, so double buckle up. Other topics include the fandom in general and fanfiction culture.

On today's episode, Megan and Hilary (mostly Megan, with Hilary kind of following along) talk about all adaptations of Death Note - anime, manga, and unfortunate Netflix movie. Topics discussed include Megan insisting that it's a Japanese exclusive tale, Hilary contemplating how an American adaptation could have been handled better, Shonen Jump's reigning days, and how Shinigami can't do the do. (Can you tell Hilary wrote this summary? Anyway, make a Cuban Miami adaptation happen.)

In today's episode, Megan and Hilary delve into their past (and present!) fandom antics, from AMVs (well, VGMVs) to self-insert fanfiction. Topics discussed include Megan setting a KH AMV to Shiksa Goddess, Hilary's Mary Sue fic in the Holes fandom when she was 11, and how fanworks have evolved over the last decade plus that we've been fans. (Hilary is writing fic right now. No, you cannot have a link.)

In today's episode, Megan and Hilary air out their grievances about the backlash re: Hamilton, a musical that has been out for five years and whose soundtrack has been on Spotify and iTunes for the last four years, for the love of God. Your outrage is LATE. This is a spicy one, y'all. Topics discussed include how to enjoy things critically, suspension of disbelief, and why white people really love to make things about themselves while failing to take actual responsibility.

In today's episode, Megan and Hilary take a trip down memory lane (aka the 2000s) to examine a show that really should've just had one season: Heroes. Topics discussed include chronology vs. anthology, how to construct a proper villain, how NOT to approach your second season, and everything else that went wrong. Note: Nathan Petrelli's actor is Adrian Pasdar, not Pascal. Hilary was thinking of Rent for some reason.

In today's episode, Megan and Hilary are back with another round of Final Fantasy VII, because Megan took an extremely deep dive and emerged a woman obsessed. Topics discussed include how no one knows how to use the word "meta" correctly, why messing around with time instantly makes a story interesting, and the ways in which the new game promote gender and sexuality diversity.

In today's episode, Megan tells Hilary about her latest favorite television show, 2019's much acclaimed The Boys, adapted from Garth Ennis' 2005 comic book of the same name. (Both are discussed in this episode.) Topics discussed include just how far one man can push copyright infringement, the darker implications of what it could mean to be superpowered, and why moral ambiguity is important in storytelling. Trigger warning for discussion of rape, implied child abuse, and graphic violence.

In today's episode, Megan and Hilary finally get to talk about what they've been freaking out about over text for the past week and a half prior to recording: the second season of Netflix's Umbrella Academy! Topics discussed include the mysterious link between Megan and JFK, why you love to love and hate The Handler (aka a boss we've all had), why Vissy is the OTP to end all OTPs, and what the hell is in that green box.

On today's episode, Megan and Hilary have a surprisingly jovial discussion about anthropomorphized high school drama Beastars. Topics discussed include the universality of drama kid antics, the merits of stop motion animation vs CGI-drawn hybrid (they're both great), how not to write a sexually active young woman (er, rabbit?), and how Robin Hood is the gateway drug. TRIGGER WARNING: topics discussed include sexuality involving anthropomorphized animals, sentience of animals consumed as meat, and a brief mention of child trafficking. While not discussed at great length, all topics are touched upon. Feel free to skip this one if these topics upset you.

In today's episode, Megan and Hilary conclude their two part special on Disney's venture into video games, Kingdom Hearts. Topics discussed in this episode include Megan's drunken escapades as a young adult in New York City (they're related), how the OrgXIII names are all anagrams of weird ass names, and why, despite everything, this is a good game to get your kid into gaming.

In today's episode (part 1 of 2), Megan and Hilary go back to basics with Megan's gateway drug into gaming, Disney's Kingdom Hearts. This is a zany one, guys. Topics discussed include Goofy's status as the only Disney character with documented knowledge of a woman's touch, the approximately twenty seven games in this goddamn universe, and The Hero's Journey.

In today's episode, Megan and Hilary tackle 2007's iffy at best film, Judd Apatow's Knocked Up. Topics discussed include what a goddess Leslie Mann is, the depiction of annoying women vs. cool dudes, and why you shouldn't just stay with someone because you're expecting a child together.

In today's episode, Megan and Hilary revisit one of their favorite films from their teenage years, Jason Reitman and Diablo Cody's Juno. Topics discussed include the depiction of pregnancy in modern media, why Vanessa rules actually and Jason is a jerk, and how Hilary once was hit on by Trace Cyrus at age fifteen.

In today's episode, Megan and Hilary dive into the 1991 Best Picture winning Silence of the Lambs. (It was the year Hilary was born. She does not want to talk about it.) Topics discussed include a possible Hannibal-Spiderman crossover, the actual SOTL musical, and how things are meant to age like milk so we learn.

In today's episode, Megan and Hilary take a look at one of their girlhood favorites, Louis Sachar's Holes, both the prize winning book and the nearly identical movie adaptation. Topics include Hilary not knowing what a vigilante is, teen-led cast commentaries veering into the wildly inappropriate, and whether a certain comment at the end was problematic. We didn't mention it in the feed because both of us were pressed for time, but Black lives still matter! They will always matter! Go to our linktree for ways to help.

In this week's episode, Megan and Hilary continue their discussion about HBO's Watchmen, this time focusing on the Tulsa police department and why it's so satisfying to watch white supremacists get the tar beaten out of them. Topics include the humanity of billionaires, police brutality, and the nature and nurture of trauma. Megan's cat makes a bonus appearance at the end of the episode.

In this two part episode, Megan and Hilary discuss the limited TV series of Alan Moore created Watchmen. Topics covered include what an alternate America would be like, eating beans while watching people having sex, and why you should really be hating the rich man. Also, if Rorschach is your favorite character from the original Watchmen, then you've entirely missed the point.

In today's episode, Hilary fills Megan in on the origins and current status of her personal hero Gerard Way's Eisner winning series, The Umbrella Academy. Both the comic book and television series are discussed, with heavy emphasis on what's coming up for Season 2! To Hotel Oblivion fans: sorry, Hilary's still recovering from refreshing herself on Dallas.

In today's episode, Megan takes Hilary on a great adventure into the world of Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Topic discussed include shintoism, World War II's influence on Japan, and death as a passage of rites.

In today's episode, Megan and Hilary tackle the first installment in Kevin Smith's Askewniverse, discussing generational rot, suburban strip mall hell, and why you should dump your mediocre boyfriend.

In today's episode, Hilary says the word "anachronism" about a thousand times, a word which here means "an element of scenery, atmosphere, or costume not analogous with the current time period". Additionally, more geeking out about world building and why Lemony Snicket really takes you there.

In today's episode, Megan and Hilary discuss about one tenth of the reboot, get nerdy about world building in fantasy, and talk about the last effects of the Final Fantasy games.

In the inaugural episode, Megan and Hilary break down the boy wizard phenomenon and roast a certain TERF extraordinaire while they're at it.