Retrospective-a-Rooney: A Liv and Maddie Podcast

To celebrate 10 years of Liv and Maddie, we are joined by four of the most important people involved in bringing this show to life. Join us as we discuss several aspects of the show, from its early beginnings to the final moments filming. We'll go over how the story of Twin-a-Rooney was developed, what they remember about the day itself (July 19, 2013), and how the premiere being paired with the premiere of Teen Beach Movie was a driving factor in production. Plus, we even uncover a mystery about Paulie the Porcupine.

It's our first new episode of the year! First, I'll give you an update on what's been going on during our hiatus and what to expect from the future of the podcast. Then, enjoy an interview with Jody Margolin Hahn, director of six episodes of Liv and Maddie, in which we discuss individual episodes, her experiences on other Disney Channel shows, Liv and Maddie's similarities to Side Hustle, and more!

Johnathan McClain wrote four episodes of Liv and Maddie with his writing partner, Kali Rocha (better known as Karen Rooney), and is here with us today to tell us about his experience on the show! Hear what it was like for him to help create iconic characters, craft more mature storylines, and more!

I've always believed that one of the things that sets Liv and Maddie apart from other shows of its kind is its plethora of Easter eggs: fun little nods and in-jokes hidden throughout the show. In today's episode, I go through every Easter egg I've been able to gather, from reference to notable names to special cameos and everything in between!

Today, we are joined by Aunt Dena herself, Jolie Jenkins! Hear all about her experience on Liv and Maddie from funniest moments to emotional memories, as well as what it was like returning to Disney Channel to guest star on Sydney to the Max!

Today, we're ranking each of Liv and Maddie's seasons! I've broken each one down into five categories to decide where they rank: the twins' relationship, Liv's development, Parker, the season arc, and recurring characters. See what ends up on top!

The original Linda and Heather are here with us today! Both co-executive producers, they share what it was like working on the show, their experiences writing several episodes, how their namesake characters came to be, and how Linda ended up with the two kittens who played Stacy! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Much like how each season of Liv and Maddie has its funniest/"chaos" episode, I've noticed that each season has a "feminism episode," each with messages involving positivity towards women but each tackling a different subject. Today, I'm diving into each of these four episodes, analyzing them, and talking about how powerful and important they are for the children watching Disney Channel. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

You've heard me go on about how much I love Josh Wilcox, now it's time to talk about Josh with Josh himself! Lucas Adams joins us to dive into his time on Liv and Maddie, what his audition process was like, his favorite and funniest memories from working on the show, and everything in between! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Just as each season has its standout strongest episodes, each has its standout funniest episodes! Today, we go through each of the Liv and Maddie episodes that have made me laugh the hardest from each season and talk about why, including a concept I like to call "the chaos episode." --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Our guest today directed six episodes of Liv and Maddie along with many other Disney Channel shows and John and Ron's new show, Side Hustle! Leonard joins us to discuss how he approached working on Liv and Maddie and his favorite memories from his time working on the show. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

We have another individual episode analysis for you with a returning guest! David and I discuss Flashback-a-Rooney and why it was such a pivotal episode for the latter half of season 1. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In my opinion, Terry the Clown is one of the most memorable recurring characters on Liv and Maddie, and the man who brought him to life is joining us today! John Starr and I have an intriguing and fun conversation full of great stories from his time on the show. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

We're going through each of my favorite episodes from each season and discussing them! Hear why I think these episodes stand out in their respective seasons and are what I believe to be some of the best episodes of the show. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In a first-of-its-kind episode, we are discussing and analyzing a specific episode of Liv and Maddie! In this case, it's the classic Cowbell-a-Rooney. Janelle made me realize why it's one of the best episodes of the show, I passed that knowledge on to Katy, now the three of us discuss why we feel that way. Afterwards, I sit down with the director of that episode, Adam Weissman, to hear what it was like working on it as well as directing 12 other episodes of the show. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

My friend, Amanda Doolittle, had very little familiarity with Liv and Maddie and had never watched the show...until now! She binge watched the show in order to come back to the podcast with her thoughts and give us a new perspective from a pair of fresh eyes. Hear the similarities and differences she draws between Liv and Maddie and the Disney Channel shows she grew up with, how similar many of our thoughts on the show ended up being despite not discussing the specifics of the show until now, and more! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

The Rooney twins never would've come to life the way they did if it weren't for these two! Emmy (Liv's body double) and Shelby (Maddie's body double) join me to discuss the unique roles they played on the show and all the challenges and fun experiences they brought, as well as their experience playing Linda and Heather! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Today, we're discussing the non-Liv and Maddie projects the cast has done outside of the show! From other Disney projects like Descendants, Diary of a Future President, and Teen Beach Movie, to animated entertainment like Marvel Rising, Abominable, and 101 Dalmatian Street, to musicals like Mamma Mia, Clueless: The Musical, and Grease Live, I'll share with you my favorites, why they are my favorites, and some fun personal experiences I've had related to some of them. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode, we take a look back at the fashion of Liv and Maddie! First, my friend, Katy, returns to go through individual episodes and characters with me and discuss fashion's impact on them. Then, Arrick Anderson, the hair stylist department head, details his experience on the show and how hair played an important role in it. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

From Kel Mitchell to Garry Marshall, from Kristen Bell to Laura Bell Bundy, and everyone in between, Liv and Maddie has had some amazing special guest stars! My friend, David, and I discuss them all, including who our favorites are and experiences with those we've been able to meet. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

We have our very first Rooney on the show! Primetime Pete Rooney himself joins us to recount his experience on Liv and Maddie from beginning to end, including favorite memories with fellow cast members, his experience directing an episode (Repeat-a-Rooney), and more! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Our conversation on the wonderful recurring characters of Liv and Maddie continues! From the gentlemanly Holden to the unhinged Gemma, from the sunshine boy Josh to Katy's personal favorite Krahgg, plus a couple bonus ones, we share all our thoughts, both deep and humorous. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Two of my best friends join me to discuss one of this show's greatest strengths: its recurring characters. We have a thoughtful discussion about what they bring to the show while having a lot of fun and laughs all at the same time! Hear our thoughts on characters like Willow, Andie, Dump Truck, and more! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

The editor of Liv and Maddie joins us today to tell us what it was like creating the illusion of twins played by one actress. We also hear about episodes that posed more challenges than others and what it was like stepping into the role of director for three episodes. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Keep the Christmas spirit going a little longer with our holly jolly new episode! We take a look back at each season's winter holiday episode and discuss their strengths and key points. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

The forecast says there's 100% chance of a wonderful guest today! Johnny Nimbus himself, Kurt Long, joins us to tell us what it was like developing and playing one of the silliest and most beloved recurring characters on Liv and Maddie. Here about his audition process, thoughts he had about Johnny's character that we never actually got to see on the show, and much more! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

My friend and former Disneyland coworker, Cassie, joins us to discuss her recent entry into the Liv and Maddie fandom and what her thoughts are on all aspects of the show! We discuss her favorite characters, such as Joey and Parker, make comparisons to her other new favorite show, Boy/Girl Meets World, delve into the topic of universality and how this show excels at allowing its viewers to put themselves in the characters' shoes even if they haven't been through what the characters are going through, and more! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Today's episode is extra special as we are joined by none other than the CREATORS of Liv and Maddie! John and Ron share with us the ins and outs of their experience developing and working on the show and we have a lot of fun and laughs while doing it. Hear behind-the-scenes stories, their theories about certain characters and relationships, how directing and writing differed from show-running for them, me endlessly trying to get them to tell us Parker's middle name, and so much more! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Happy Halloween! Join us as we take a look back through each of Liv and Maddie's Halloween episodes and why they were some of the most fun and inventive episodes of the series, especially one which is one of my favorite episodes of all time. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Welcome to our first multi-segment episode! In our first segment, I take a chronological look back at Liv's film and TV career, discussing which roles I prefer over others, tying together some loose ends about Sing It Loud, and more! Afterwards, who better to talk to than Liv's manager herself, Becky Bicklehoff aka Rena Strober! We talk about how she first got involved with the show, funny behind-the-scenes antics, why it was her favorite job she's had, and everything in between. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

The live taping stories continue! Janelle and I recap the final two tapings of Liv and Maddie, including the unofficial meet and greet that took place after the last one which was loads of fun, as well as other events we've attended involving the cast and crew, such as a cast signing at The Queen Mary in Long Beach, a concert hosted by Jessica Marie Garcia, and a play starring John D. Beck! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

My best college friend and Liv and Maddie buddy, Janelle, joins me as we recap our experiences at live tapings of Liv and Maddie! I went to five and Janelle joined me for three of them, and every single one was an incredible, immersive experience, giving us a chance to see how our favorite show was made as well as getting to interact with and get to know our favorite cast and crew members. Join us as we reminisce on our favorite memories, from the hilarious, to the heartwarming, and everything in between. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Executive producer and writer, Betsy Sullenger, joins us as our first guest! You'll get to hear the Liv and Maddie story from her from beginning to end, from developing the Bits & Pieces pilot and changing it into a show about twins, to the emotions running high filming the series finale, and everything in between. She'll also share about her experience writing two episodes, Choose-a-Rooney and Stand-Up-a-Rooney, and plenty of fun behind-the-scenes stories. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Let's start...with the end! Each of Liv and Maddie's four seasons had an exemplary finale and each strong for different reasons, but one could argue which ones are stronger than others. Let's rank all of them from 4 to 1! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Welcome to our show! Meet host Amanda Shake as she looks back on her history with Liv and Maddie, how she fell so deeply in love with the show, and why her love lead her to creating this podcast. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Retrospective-a-Rooney will be officially premiering soon! Get an idea of what to expect from it with this trailer. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app