The Watchers

This week on The Watchers, we're heading to True Directions and diving deep into the 1999 cult classic But I'm a Cheerleader. We talk about Jamie Babbit's queer filmmaking roots, RuPaul out of drag, and the Barbie dreamscape of repression and resistance. Plus: what But I'm a Cheerleader can teach us about camp, queer longing, and the limits of satire.Don't miss next week's episode on Baz Luhrmann's William Shakespeare's Romeo + JulietIf you're reading this, that means you've probably got your podcatcher of choice open right now. It would be SO helpful if you gave our little show a follow. If you like what you hear, you could even leave us a review.Follow:The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."

This week on The Watchers, Jodie and Andrea revisit Election, Alexander Payne's dark, hilarious, and deeply cynical take on high school democracy. We get into the film's multiple narrators, shifting POVs, and why it still feels so sharp 25 years later. From Tracy Flick's overachieving rage to Jim McAllister's petty unraveling, we trace how the film breaks down ambition, morality, and why, in 2025, people are still getting Tracy Flick wrong.Next week, we're watching But I'm a Cheerleader, Jamie Babbit's bold, surreal, and very pink satire about queerness, conformity, and finding love at gay rehab.If you're reading this, that means you've probably got your podcatcher of choice open right now. It would be SO helpful if you gave our little show a follow. If you like what you hear, you could even leave us a review.Recommended Reading:The Movie Election 25 Years On - Scott DetrowWhat America Gets Wrong About Tracy Flick - A.O. ScottFollow:The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."

This week on The Watchers, Jodie and Andrea are heading to North Shore High to take on Mean Girls, a defining entry in the canon of girlhood, but one we both struggled with more than expected. We get into what makes the movie mean, what it gets wrong that Clueless gets so right, and how it lands in 2025, when girlhood is messier, more public, and more scrutinized than ever.Next week, we're revisiting Election, Alexander Payne's razor‑sharp satire of ambition, repression, and suburban malaise.Recommended Reading:“Mean Girls”: A Time Capsule of Casual Bigotry - Glenda Brown”Fey Grateful That Film Seems to ‘Stick With People'” - Ashley SpencerI Adore “Mean Girls,” But Let's Stop Acting Like Teen Girls Are Mean" - Amanda ScherkerIf you're reading this, that means you've probably got your podcatcher of choice open right now. It would be SO helpful if you gave our little show a follow. If you like what you hear, you could even leave us a review.Follow:The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."

This week, Jodie and Andrea are covering Amy Heckerling's 1995 teen rom-com, Clueless. It's the hyperstylized, deceptively smart, deeply girly '90s take on Emma that shaped a generation. We get into makeover culture, some casual narratology, teen magazine aesthetics, ska music, why Cher's makeover actually fails, and how Wallace Shawn is honestly perfect. Plus, Andrea gives a breakdown of the elusive PC game, Jodie goes JSTOR mode, and we consider whether or not it really is a proto-feminist masterpiece.Next week on The Watchers, we're covering Mean Girls. Tina Fey's sharp-tongued, early-2000s take on high school hierarchy, it's a film with a massive pop culture footprint and a defining entry in the girlhood canon.Recommended Reading: Playthrough - Clueless (CD-ROM, 1997) “‘Just a Girl' Should Have Been a Hit From Clueless, and Other Behind-the-Scenes Secrets from the Soundtrack” by Jillian Mapes“Clueless at 20: Revisiting the Soundtrack With a Classic Track-by-Track Review” by Kenneth Partridge“Furiously Franchised: Clueless, Convergence Culture, and the Female-Focused Franchise”, Cinema Journal, Kyra HuntingBoth articles listed below can be found in ReFocus: The Films of Amy Heckerling edited by Frances Smith and Timothy Shary“Can I Please Give You Some Advice?: Clueless and the Teen Makeover” by Alice Leppert“Cher and Dionne BFFs: Female Friendship, Genre, and Medium Specificity in the Film and Television Versions of Amy Heckerling's Clueless” by Susan Berridge

This week, Andrea and Jodie are talking Dazed and Confused, Richard Linklater's attempt at an anti-nostalgia movie about the last day of school. We get into the vibes, the music, what makes the meandering plot work, and why, as adults, the hazing hits a little harder and the movie feels meaner than we remembered. Still, it's a hangout classic with killer needle drops and a cast full of future stars.Next week, we're watching Clueless. Written and directed by Amy Heckerling. As smart as it is stylish. It's an endlessly rewatchable Beverly Hills take on Emma, packed with iconic outfits, sharp dialogue, and one of the most lovable casts of the '90s.Recommended Reading:“Dazed and Confused: Not So Long Ago, But Very Far Away” - Chuck KlostermanAlright, Alright, Alright: The Oral History of Richard Linklater's Dazed and Confused - By Melissa MaerzIf you're reading this, that means you've probably got your podcatcher of choice open right now. It would be SO helpful if you gave our little show a follow. If you like what you hear, you could even leave us a review.Follow:The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."

Hello, you've reached the winter of our discontent. Andrea and Jodie watched Reality Bites. Written by Helen Childress and directed by Ben Stiller, it's the 1994 Gen X anthem that follows a group of post-college friends trying to figure out life, love, and how to afford rent in Houston. We dig into Gen X authenticity, that killer soundtrack, and the irony (we know it when we see it) of a movie about not selling out being released by a major studio, jam-packed with product placement. We talk about the tension between Childress' original screenplay and the version that ended up on screen. We're pretty hard on Stiller. He deserves it.Next week, we're watching Dazed and Confused, written and directed by Richard Linklater. It's the last day of school in 1976, and not much happens. It's a hangout classic about freedom, boredom, and figuring out what comes next.Recommended reading: “Welcome to the World of the Emotionally Mature: Reality Bites at 25+” - Elisabeth Geier“Revisiting Seminal Gen X Film 'Reality Bites' 30 Years Later” - Sean BurnsIf you're reading this, that means you've probably got your podcatcher of choice open right now. It would be SO helpful if you gave our little show a follow. If you like what you hear, you could even leave us a review.Follow:The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."

This week, Andrea and Jodie are watching Party Girl. It's got Parker Posey at her most iconic, inspirational '90s fashion, and a soundtrack that still holds up. We're talking about the New York City club kid scene, the film's matter-of-fact diversity, and why it feels so good to see libraries treated with the respect they deserve.Next week, we're watching Reality Bites. It's a little more straight and a lot more white, but as a blueprint for how mainstream media defined Gen X, it offers a perfectly messy portrait of the chain-smoking, disillusioned 90s early adulthood experience.If you're reading this, that means you've probably got your podcatcher of choice open right now. It would be SO helpful if you gave our little show a follow. If you like what you hear, you could even leave us a review.Follow:The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."

This week, we're heading underground with The Goonies, a film that defined childhood adventure for a generation. Andrea and Jodie revisit the 1985 classic to talk about why it still resonates, what it gets right about the danger and chaos of being a kid, and how its genre-hopping captures the wild, rule-breaking energy of childhood itself. We're also unpacking some of the more complicated stuff, sharing a few behind-the-scenes stories, and asking whether The Goonies still earns its place in the pantheon of beloved kids' classics.Next week, it's Party Girl. Parker Posey. Illegal Raves. The Dewey Decimal System. What more could you want?If you're reading this, that means you've probably got your podcatcher of choice open right now. It would be SO helpful if you gave our little show a follow. If you like what you hear, you could even leave us a review.Follow:The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."

Jodie and Andrea are kicking off our new movie series with Heavenly Creatures, not just Melanie Lynskey's film debut, but a true crime story that's full of themes that Yellowjackets keeps circling: queerness, violence, fantasy, and the messy emotional world of teenage girls. It's also directly referenced in the show's original pitch deck, making it the perfect place to start.Next week, we're diving into Richard Donner's 1985 coming-of-age adventure classic The Goonies. It shows up in Season 3, and while it might seem like a big shift from Heavenly Creatures, at its core, it's a story about intense young bonds, kids chasing escape, and the ways adults shape the world around them. So if you ignore the brutal real-life murder, it's really not that far off.Recommended Reading:“Let's Moider Mother: Heavenly Creatures and the Politics of Delusion” by Betty Jay“Heavenly Creatures Is a Queer Adolescent Nightmare” by Drew Burnett GregoryIf you're reading this, that means you've probably got your podcatcher of choice open right now. It would be SO helpful if you followed our little show and, if you like what you hear, left us a review.Follow:The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)

Well, that's another season of Yellowjackets under our belts. Now that we've had a little time to digest the finale, Andrea and Jodie are back to wrap up Season 3. We're clarifying some of the more complex moments from “Full Circle,” breaking down cast reactions, sharing some of our listeners' comments and questions, and finally (finally!) Andrea takes us to Theory Corner for her long-threatened breakdown of how Freud's concept of the uncanny shows up in the show, like, everywhere.If you're new here, we hope you'll stick around during the off-season! We're kicking things off with a look at the movies that either inspired or have been referenced in Yellowjackets, starting with Heavenly Creatures, Melanie Lynskey's big screen debut! You can watch it for free on Internet Archive.If you're reading this, that means you've probably got your podcatcher of choice open right now. It would be SO helpful if you gave our little show a follow. If you like what you hear, you could even leave us a review.Follow:The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)

Shuffle up and deal! Jodie and Andrea watched “Full Circle,” the Season 3 finale of Yellowjackets, and the hunt, as they say, is officially on.In the wilderness, it's a hazy shade of winter, Van's got a long way to go if she wants to be the next Ricky Jay, and we say goodbye to a real one.In the present, Tai prioritizes a protein-rich diet. Callie must have been absent the day everyone else learned mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell. Shauna wants to kill, and you have to believe her–it's for more than just selfish reasons!Next week, we'll take a step back to look at Season 3 as a whole: how it fits into the larger arc of the series, what might be coming in Season 4 (fingers crossed!!), and we'll do a major theory roundup. If you're reading this, that means you've probably got your podcatcher of choice open right now. It would be SO helpful if you gave our little show a follow. If you like what you hear, you could even leave us a review.Follow:The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."

The Watchers recently hit the 100-episode milestone. For two years, Jodie's been covering the North Jersey angle, and Andrea's been holding it down for South Jersey. So we figured it was finally time to bring in someone to represent Central Jersey.In this bonus episode, Jodie and Andrea had the absolute honor of sitting down with Yellowjackets co-creator Ashley Lyle (I know, right!?!), a proud Jersey native whose own childhood helped shape the tone and spirit of the show.We talked with Ashley about growing up in Jersey in the '90s, and how she and Bart have worked to bring Jersey authenticity to Yellowjackets. We also discussed the show's impeccable needle drops, the balance between the psychological and supernatural elements, and how they approached next week's season finale. Plus a whole lot more, including some behind-the-scenes stories you've probably never heard. If you're reading this, that means you've probably got your podcatcher of choice open right now. It would be SO helpful if you gave our little show a follow. If you like what you hear, you could even leave us a review.Follow:The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."

So long, Astoria. Jodie and Andrea watched “How the Story Ends” episode nine of season three of Yellowjackets. Let's get into it.In the wilderness, Travis is setting booty traps. Hannah feels like she's babysitting, except she's not getting paid. And Kodiak gets his One-Eyed Willy on. In the present, it's our time down here (i.e. Virginia). Shauna's in the clouds and Tai is in a basement. And Walter's voice is kind of nice when his mouth isn't screwing it up.Yellowjackets Season 3 Interview: Liv Hewson - "Van Palmer, You Mean the World to Me"If you're reading this, that means you've probably got your podcatcher of choice open right now. It would be SO helpful if you gave our little show a follow. If you like what you hear, you could even leave us a review.Follow:The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."

You better chow down, or it's gonna get cold. Andrea and Jodie watched “A Normal, Boring Life,” episode eight of season three of Yellowjackets, and we're ready to dig in.In the wilderness, we won't have to go back if we never leave. Our soccer team makes some new friends, and Travis proves he's a true feminist.In the present, Jeff throws his wife under the bus. Tai unleashes every Jersey girl's secret power, and Shauna would love to chat longer, but she's having an old friend for dinner.If you're reading this, that means you've probably got your podcatcher of choice open right now. It would be SO helpful if you gave our little show a follow. If you like what you hear, you could even leave us a review.Follow:The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."

Hop to it, folks! Jodie and Andrea watched “Croak,” episode seven of season three of Yellowjackets, and there's a lot to talk about.In 1996, someone gave Jeff Winger a crossbow, and thank the dirt for that. The girls play “The Most Dangerous Game” (which just so happens to be their favorite game), and Lottie makes a new squishy friend. In 2021, it's time for another road trip, and we've got all the essentials: the world's worst mixtape, some communal floss picks, and a well-timed medical emergency. But honestly, the most tragic part of this whole series is making a Jersey girl pump her own gas.If you're reading this, that means you've probably got your podcatcher of choice open right now. It would be SO helpful if you gave our little show a follow. If you like what you hear, you could even leave us a review.Follow:The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."

This episode of The Watchers is a meaty one, but we just had so much to sink our teeth into. Check the timestamps down below if you want to know what we talk about when.Jodie and Andrea watched “Thanksgiving (Canada)” episode six of season three of Yellowjackets, and we really get into it.In 1996, it must be sweeps week because Ben's Pen Friends gets a major cast shake-up. There's a wild new episode of Who's the Antler Queen? And on Girls Meet World–wait, wait, wait. Girls' Meat World? Is that anything?In 2021, Van and Tai have a spa day, the Sadeckis take a family vacay, and Misty spends some time in the city.If you're reading this, that means you've probably got your podcatcher of choice open right now. It would be SO helpful if you gave our little show a follow. If you like what you hear, you could even leave us a review.Timestamps:Present: 00:05:15Wilderness: 01:06:55Theories: 01:43:46“Croak” Trailer: 02:22:06I Saw the TV Glow's Ending Is Full of Hope, If You Want It to Be - Emily St. JamesFollow:The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."

Got any cheeeese? Jodie and Andrea watched, “Did Tai Do That?” episode five of season three of Yellowjackets, and we're here to break it all down.In 1996, Van helps Tai embrace her wild side. For Akilah, though, it's just another night, another dream, another vision of Ben, he's here to . . . be the bridge? Hey, call Weird Al if you want a perfect parody.In 2021, Mr. Matthews gets a visit from the Geek Squad, and Misty learns that Walter's calves may have been clouding her judgement. If you're reading this, that means you've probably got your podcatcher of choice open right now. It would be SO helpful if you gave our little show a follow. If you like what you hear, you could even leave us a review.Follow:The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."

All rise! Jodie and Andrea watched, “12 Angry Girls and One Drunk Travis,” episode four of season three of Yellowjackets, and we're breaking it all down for you.In 1996, the whole damn soccer team is out of order. Misty makes a lucid, intelligent, well thought-out objection. And Shauna can't handle the truth.In 2021, Tai and Van go on a big city adventure, Shauna visits every food service worker's favorite place to cry, Misty looks for clues, and Lottie makes some big moves.If you're reading this, that means you've probably got your podcatcher of choice open right now. It would be SO helpful if you gave our little show a follow. If you like what you hear, you could even leave us a review.Mentioned in this episode:“Yellowjackets Season 3 Interview: Tawny Cypress Has an INCREDIBLE Casting Story”“‘Yellowjackets' Star Simone Kessell Unpacks Episode 4's Shocking Cliffhanger and Why She ‘Felt It Was Premature'”Follow:The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."

Okay, so one time Andrea promised to never release an episode of The Watchers longer than the episode of Yellowjackets we're reviewing. But if this show has taught us anything, it's that women from Jersey simply can't be trusted. Jodie and Andrea watched “Them's the Brakes,” episode three of season three of Yellowjackets, and we've got a lot to say about it.In 1996, Ben and Mari star in our new favorite buddy comedy. Our soccer team goes spelunking. And we're reminded that it's probably about time to test the batteries in our CO detectors. In 2021, Lottie's the world's worst Big Sisters of America volunteer. Shauna and Misty go for a wild ride. And Van and Tai hear the wilderness . . . and the ice-cream man?If you're reading this, that means you've probably got your podcatcher of choice open right now. It would be SO helpful if you gave our little show a follow. If you like what you hear, you could even leave us a review.mentioned in this episode:The Watchers Watch:- The Adventures of Pete and Pete, “What We Did on Our Summer Vacation”- I Saw the TV GlowNew Jersey Is the World: Scene Report: The Land of Make BelieveNot Eureka's Castle: Weinerville“‘Yellowjackets' Boss Jonathan Lisco Explains That Wild Hallucination Sequence” - Jackie StrauseFollow:The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."

Jodie and Andrea are kicking off Yellowjackets season 3 with a major deep dive into the first two episodes, “It Girl” and “Dislocation.” In the wilderness, we're talking about Akilah's Emotional Support Duck, Lottie's questionable psilocybin therapy credentials, that age-old game, “capture the bone,” whether the DHARMA Initiative left a hatch out in the Canadian woods, and a lot more (like, a LOT more). Meanwhile, in the present, we've got the world's worst eulogy, a deadly dine n' dash situation, Misty embracing her wild side, Callie going full Carrie, and—perhaps most importantly—the sexual viability of Jeff's credenzas.Plus, we'll talk about the standout needle drops, new clues about old theories (like who really burned down the cabin), and Jodie takes us through a critical theory exercise featuring Misty's favorite philosopher.This episode is super-sized. Here's what we talk about when:00:00 - 44:44 - “It Girl” wilderness timeline 44:45 - 1:12:38 -“It Girl” adult timeline 1:12:39 - 1:31:44 - “Dislocation” wilderness timeline - 1:31:45 - 2:10:59 - “Dislocation” adult timeline2:11:00 - 2:37:55 - season 3 questions, theories, speculationsFollow:The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."

Jodie and Andrea are back for part two of our Yellowjackets season 3 catch-up. Last week, we looked back at what we know so far. This week, we're looking ahead. We dive into the trailer, round up the wildest theories, and make our predictions for what's coming next. Plus, as has become customary, we're manifesting our dream needle drops for the new season—because what's Yellowjackets without a killer soundtrack?Next week, it's finally here! We'll be breaking down the first two episodes of Yellowjackets season 3!Follow:The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."

Jodie and Andrea are getting back to our roots as Jersey's most dedicated Yellowjackets podcast! With Season 3 premiering on February 14th, it's time to refresh our memories on all the wild ongoings from Seasons 1 and 2. We break down each character's journey in the teen and adult timelines, recap the biggest reveals, and remind ourselves where things left off in that divisive Season 2 finale.Next week, we'll be dissecting the Season 3 trailer, everything we know so far about the new season, and rounding up all your theories. Stay tuned!Follow:The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."

Andrea and Jodie are back at Lumon Industries, diving into the first two episodes of Severance season two, "Hello, Ms. Cobel" and "Goodbye, Mrs. Selvig." We unpack the show's double-sided mystery and speculate wildly about Lumen's true purpose. Along the way, we explore hidden meanings behind zip codes, corporate psycho-babble, and what your favorite door says about you.Next week, we officially shift into Yellowjackets mode as we gear up for season 3! Join us to recap, reset, and round-up all of the theories we've been exploring while we wait to head back into the wilderness.Follow:The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."

Jodie and Andrea are heading back underground with Silo season two's (ahem) explosive finale, “Into the Fire.” Before diving in, we run through a quick recap of seasons one and two to set the stage. Then, we bask in the warm glow of Steve Zahn's presence, celebrate the episode's big Ocean's 11 vibes, and debate whether or not we think they finally got the pacing right. Plus, we work through the more convoluted elements of this episode and share our feelings about those last few minutes. Stick around at the end for Andrea's latest Evil watch update and Jodie's thoughts as she treks back through seasons one and two of From.Next week, we're clocking back in at the office—not The Office, just an office (sorry, is that confusing?)—to review the first two episodes of Severance's long-awaited season two: "Hello, Ms. Cobel" and "Goodbye, Mrs. Selvig."Follow:The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."

We're creeping up on the premiere of Yellowjackets season three; to hold us over in the meantime, Jodie and Andrea are checking out some of your suggestions. This week, we're talking about "Long Day's Journey Into Night," the first episode of From. We get into why Harold Perrineau is always the most long-suffering guy in the room, how the show uses familiar tropes to set up some big mysteries, and whether it might fall into the classic LOST trap of too many questions and not enough answers. We also spend like half an hour at the end of this one talking about Evil. Next week, we're heading to the Down Deep for our review of season 2 of the AppleTV show Silo.Follow:The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."

As we get closer to the premiere of Yellowjackets season three, Jodie and Andrea are checking out some shows our listeners have recommended we watch in the off-season. This week, we're diving into “Genesis 1,” the pilot episode of Evil, a show that's part supernatural thriller, part procedural drama. Evil follows forensic psychologist Kristen Bouchard, played by Katja Herbers, who teams up with David Acosta, a Catholic Church assessor played by Mike Colter, and tech expert Ben Shakir, played by Aasif Mandvi. Often compared to X-Files and Law & Order, we think it also shares some DNA with House and Angel. It's fun and a little hokey, and there's no surprise that Jodie has deemed it an Andrea Show. Next week, we'll be watching the first episode of From. Join us for the ride and let us know what else we should add to our list!Follow:The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."

It's officially 2025, folks. Happy New Year and all that. Naturally, we're wrapping up 2024 with a year-in-review episode. Jodie and Andrea are sharing their favorite movies, shows, books, and more from the past year. Plus, we're so excited to be joined by writer and pop culture enthusiast Tara Giancaspro to talk about her fantastic Substack, xoxo Gossip Giancaspro–especially her essay, ”What You Can Learn From Your Muppet Big 3,” which Jodie and Andrea loved so much this year. Tara also shares her 2024 highlights, and we cap things off with a look at what we're excited about in 2025!Next week, per our listeners' recommendations, we're watching the first episode of Evil, which follows a skeptic, a priest-in-training, and a tech expert as they investigate the line between science and the supernatural while confronting the true nature of evil. Also Michael Emerson is in it, so we've got high hopes for this one.Follow Tara on: Instagram (@sweatylamarr) Twitter (@sweatylamarr)Tara Recommends:Denzel Washington in Gladiator IIFanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan and SaraBabygirlAndrea Recommends: LaRoy, TexasRush of Energy - Bike RoutesThere's Always This Year - Hanif AbdurraqibJodie Recommends:Somebody SomewhereRipleyGame Changer on DropoutFollow:The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."

This week on The Watchers, we sit down with filmmaker Carina Mia Wong and Wayfinder Experience camp director Judson Packard to talk about the powerful new documentary We Can Be Heroes. The film explores the transformative magic of Wayfinder, a camp where young people build confidence, emotional resilience, and community through immersive role-playing games.Carina, an award-winning documentary filmmaker and journalist, shares what drew her to tell this story, while Jud gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how the camp creates such a safe and encouraging space for growth. We dive into everything from the challenges of making a film about such a vulnerable and unique environment to the incredible impact the camp has on its campers. (Also we talk about Jersey because of course we do. Make sure you're following us on Instagram for a cameo from our patron saint, the Jersey Devil.)We Can Be Heroes has already earned incredible (and well-deserved) recognition, winning the Special Jury Award for Bravery and Empathy at SXSW, the Audience Award for Best Feature Doc at the Woodstock Film Festival, and the Best Feature Documentary Award at the Nevada City Film Festival. If you're into stories about healing, connection, and hitting people with big foam swords, this one's for you.Learn more about The Wayfinder Experience: https://wayfinderexperience.com/Follow:We Can Be Heroes: @wecanbeheroesdocThe Wayfinder Experience: @wayfinderexpCarina Mia Wong: @carina.miaJudson Packard: @larp_kweenThe Watchers: @WatchersPodNJAndrea: @AQAndreaQJodie: @jodie_mimThanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."

Andrea and Jodie sit down with filmmaker Chris Wilcha to talk about his beautiful documentary, Flipside. In the film, Chris revisits the New Jersey record store he worked at as a teenager—a quirky, once-thriving music haven that's now struggling to survive. But Flipside is so much more than just a nostalgic look back. We dive into the making of the film, Chris's journey with archives, and the challenges of pursuing a creative career. We get into everything from New Jersey nostalgia to the surprising connections between Ira Glass, jazz photographer Herman Leonard, writer David Milch, David Bowie's tribute to a Jersey cable TV icon (pardon–THE Jersey Cable TV icon), and more along the way. It's a lovely and thoughtful conversation about legacy, memory, and the inevitable passage of time.Keep up with Chris Wilcha on Instagram: @chriswilchaIf you haven't watched Flipside, what are you waiting for?The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."

This week on The Watchers, Jodie and Andrea dive into the new LOST documentary, Getting LOST. We share our thoughts on how well it captures the show's legacy, LOST's profound and lasting impact on fandom culture, what makes the show resonate years later, and–most important–why it's not friggin' purgatory.Next week, we'll be watching the documentary Flipside and chatting with its director, Chris WIlcha. Watch on AppleTV or Amazon Prime.Check out Cancer Gets LOST at cancergetslost.orgGetting LOST is still available to watch until December 18th. Check it out.And be sure to catch the digital premiere of Chasing Chasing Amy on December 15th (featuring a special introduction by Kevin Smith and Q&A with Sav and Riley Rodgers). Tickets!Follow:The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."

Can you believe it? We're finally here. The long-ish promised review of the Dawson's Creek finale. But first! We kick things off with exciting news: Yellowjackets season 3 is premiering on February 14 with a double-episode release! That's like, nine or ten Watchers episodes away! Then, we dive into the finale of Dawson's Creek—the two episodes aptly titled “All Good Things” and “Must Come to an End.” Join us as we unpack the return of Kevin Williamson, Dawson's obsession with remaking his childhood over and over again, Pacey's inability to sleep with someone who isn't already married, why whatever Jen's suffering from seems to have finally fixed her hair, and every other little thing that goes down when (in order of importance) Pacey, Jen, Joey and Dawson return to the creek. Plus, we share some fun theories about Pacey's new show Doctor Odyssey.Programming Note: We're taking next week off as our fearless co-leader Jodie recovers from shoulder surgery (send her all the good vibes!). We'll be back the week after to review the Getting LOST documentary, which is premiering December 7 with a live Q&A. (Looks like ticket holders will have a week to watch.)Watch the trailer and get your tickets for Getting LostFollow:The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."

It's time to pack your saxophone! The Watchers are hitting the road with Will Ferrell and his longtime friend, writer Harper Steele, for their documentary Will & Harper. The film follows the two friends as they embark on a friendship-defining road trip. Jodie and Andrea discuss the emotional journey of Harper's transition, Will's growing understanding of allyship, and the evolution of their friendship. We also explore how Will & Harper adds to the long tradition of American road trip narratives, its take on big themes like change and connection, and the film's potential entry point for broader discussions of trans experiences.Next week, we're taking a little detour back to Capeside. Jodie finished Dawson's Creek, so we're sharing a series wrap-up. We'll be back to our regularly scheduled programming the following week with a documentary we can't wait to tell you all about!Follow:The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."

Chasing Chasing Amy is a heartfelt, funny, and deeply personal documentary that explores identity, queer representation, cinematic influence, and our evolving relationship with pop culture—everything we love to dive into here at The Watchers. In this episode, Sav Rodgers shares how the film started as a quest to understand Chasing Amy's complicated connection to the LGBTQ+ community but grew into something much more meaningful. We dig into the behind-the-scenes process, from shooting interviews in people's homes and on windy rooftops to how key editing choices helped shape the narrative, all guided by Sav's strict “No Bullsh*t” policy. Along the way, we discuss Kevin Smith's magnetic presence, the impact of queer narratives, and the importance of authentic storytelling. It's an engaging, thoughtful conversation that celebrates film's transformative power and the necessity of hope in art.Keep up with Sav Rodgers and Chasing Chasing Amy on Instagram.Here's where you can see Chasing Chasing Amy in theaters: It's really very goodWatch Sav's TedTalk - Sav Rodgers: The Rom-Com That Saved My LifeNext week, we're watching Will & Harper, Josh Greenbaum's 2024 documentary that follows friends Will Ferrell and Harper Steele on a cross country road trip.Follow:The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."

This week, Jodie and Andrea dig into the good, the bad, and the baffling of Kim's Video, a 2023 documentary that explores what happened to one of the world's greatest VHS collections when it moved from New York City to Sicily. We talk 90s nostalgia, genre conventions, what it means to be a creative person, and how and why stories get told. Plus we reminisce about our own days working in video stores and marvel at the way Jersey always shows up for us.Next week, we are SO excited to be talking with Sav Rodgers, the filmmaker behind Chasing Chasing Amy. It's not streaming yet, but it is showing in a bunch of cities. Here they are.Referenced in this episode:The Strange Fate of Kim's Video - Karina LongworthChloë Sevigny Visits the Kim's Video Collection - Alamo DrafthouseFollow:The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."

It's our final Halloween episode of 2024, and you shouldn't be surprised by our choice. We couldn't wrap up the season without revisiting Wellsville for one of the greatest Halloween episodes in television history, “Halloweenie” from The Adventures of Pete & Pete. It's quintessentially Pete & Pete, which means it's quintessentially 90s and quintessentially Jersey, all while remaining totally weird and wholly unique. We talk Mischief-Devil's-Cabbage-Goosey Night, neighborhood bullies, breaking records, and that moment of being right on the edge of too old for something you used to love.Next week, we're sticking with the 90s theme but moving to a new genre, as we watch Kim's Video, a 2023 documentary that explores what happened to one of the world's greatest VHS collections when it moved from New York City to Sicily.Follow:The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."

This week on The Watchers, Andrea and Jodie dive into Buffy the Vampire Slayer's classic "Halloween" episode from season 2 of the series. As the Scoobies' costumes come to life, we question the inconsistent nature of this bewitchery, delight in learning Giles' has a sordid past, and question what exactly Willow's supposed to be. (Hot slut?) Plus, Jodie takes us on a trip to Creek Corner and Andrea reviews the pilot episode of Pacey–er, Joshua Jackson's new show, Doctor Odyssey.Next week, we've got one more Halloween rewatch. The Adventures of Pete & Pete's “Halloweenie” (S2E5). You can watch this one on YouTube here.Follow:The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."

Surprise! We're here on a Monday with an episode we are so excited to share with you. We've got a special guest, fellow Jersey native, Tommy Avallone, who joins Jodie and Andrea this week to chat about his new documentary. Tommy is a producer, director, editor, writer, and filmmaker; he's behind the documentaries, I am Santa Clause, Waldo on Weed, The Bill Murray Stories, I Love You, You Hate Me, and most recently, The House From . . . which takes a look at houses that have become famous from movies and tv, the people who live in them, and the people who love them. If you like our show, you will love this documentary. It features stories about iconic homes from movies and shows like Full House, Golden Girls, Can't Hardly Wait, Friday, Pee-Wee's Big Adventure, Goonies, Breaking Bad, and so many more. It's sweet, and funny, and nostalgic, and says so much about our own relationships with pop culture. It's available to stream this week, and you're going to love it.Jersey folks, The House From . . . is premiering at Kevin Smith's Smodcastle Cinemas in Atlantic Highlands as part of Smodcastle Film Festival this Friday, October 25th. Grab your tickets now.For everyone else, The House From . . . will be available for streaming on October 28th. You can pre-order it from AppleTV right now.Keep up with Tommy and his work: @tommyavallone3We'll see you Wednesday with our review of Buffy the Vampire Slayer's “Halloween”Follow:The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."

We're deep into the Halloween season on The Watchers, and Andrea and Jodie are unpacking the supernatural side of My So-Called Life. High school urban legends, teen ghosts, and a haunted cardigan—it's all here. Join us as we discover whether or not Angela can solve the mystery of Nicky Driscoll, and in the process, save Jordan Catalano from himself.Next week, we're heading back to Sunnydale to experience what Halloween is like on a Hellmouth, with season 2, episode 6 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the appropriately titled, “Halloween.”Follow:The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."

It's SpOoKy season, and we're heading back to the creek for some bewitching fun! This week, Andrea and Jodie watched Dawson's Creek Blair Witch Project spoof, "Escape from Witch Island." They remark on the lasting influence of The Blair Witch Project, wonder why the show even bothered to include Andie in this episode, and thank the TV Gods that Pacey and Jen came along on this field trip so we didn't just have to watch Joey and Dawson sulk at each other for an entire episode.Next week, it's Halloween in the rust belt as we watch Season 1, Episode 9 of My So-Called Life, the aptly titled, "Halloween."Follow:The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."

We're wrapping up our trip down 90s Nickelodeon Lane with the movie that inspired us to take this trip in the first place, Jane Schoenbrun's coming-of-age-psychological-horror-drama-trans-allegory, I Saw the TV Glow. We continue the conversation we've been having these last few weeks, diving into the double-edged blade of nostalgia, the malleability of memory, loss of innocence, looking back on childhood through the jaded eyes of adulthood, growing up, moving on, and melancholy men with ice cream cone heads. Next week, we're sticking with the spooky vibes and heading once more unto the creek, dear friends, with season 3 episode 7 of Dawson's Creek, “Escape from Witch Island,” Follow:The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."

Summer's over, and we don't need a boy and his personal superhero battling the ocean to know it. This week, we're winding down our Nickelodeon Nostalgia Deep Dive with The Adventures of Pete & Pete, a quintessentially New Jersey show. Jodie and Andrea dive into standout episodes "What We Did on Our Summer Vacation," where nostalgia weighs heavily, and "Hard Day's Pete," which beautifully captures the singular experience of discovering your first favorite song.Next week, we're finally watching the movie that sparked this look back at 90s TV greatness, Jane Schoenbrun's I Saw the TV Glow.Follow:The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."

Apologies for the late update! As you've certainly noticed, there's no new episode this week. We will be back next week with our Pete & Pete discussion, which we can't wait to share with you. And remember, the week after, we'll be reviewing the movie that inspired these last few weeks of Nickelodeon nostalgia, Jane Schoenbrun's I Saw the TV Glow.

It's our last week at camp, and we're continuing with the local legends. This time, Jodie and Andrea watched “Ghost Story” AKA “Zeke the Plumber” from the Nickelodeon series, Salute Your Shorts. We speculate about whether or not this episode inspired The Blair Witch Project, Jodie weighs in on whether or not this presents an accurate portrayal of summer camp, and we make some truly shocking revelations about the history of the word “jabroni.”Salute Your Shorts: Life at Summer Camp by Thomas HillNext week, summer's over, so we're leaving camp and heading to Wellsville for The Adventures of Pete & Pete. We'll be watching “What We Did on Our Summer Vacation” and “Hard Day's Pete”Follow:The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."

Dear Mom and Dad,Camp sucks. This place is full of bats, and mice, and/or rats (still unclear), and I can't even smoke because the fire warning is up. Yesterday, three old women tried to cook and eat me, and I got chased by some weird man dressed up like a tree. And then on the way back to my tent, I almost got run over by a ghost car. Worst of all, my tentmate is a total nerd. Also, Jodie and Andrea watched “Tale of Watcher's Woods” from Are You Afraid of the Dark–if you even care, which I know you don't, or you would have picked me up by now. Ugh.Guiding in the Wrong Direction: The problematic, ongoing history of the Adventure Guides - Kendra JamesIf we aren't totally blipped before next week, we'll be watching “Ghost Story” from season one of Nickelodeon's Salute Your Shorts. Here's where you can watch it.Follow:The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."

This week's episode is a little different; we spent a whole day in the Atlantic Highlands watching as many Kevin Smith movies as our old bones could handle. The annual event, Vulgarthon, was held at Kevin's movie theater, Smodcastle Cinemas, and featured screenings of every movie in the View Askewniverse, including Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma, and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. We break down the experience, with a surprise guest appearance that made Andrea cry, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, and an undeniably nostalgic look at 30 years of Kevin Smith's career. It was an endurance test, a deep dive, and above all else, a love fest to New Jersey and the cinematic world Smith created to celebrate it.In a few weeks, we're going to be watching Jane Schoenbrun's I Saw the TV Glow. To prepare for that, we're going to take a look back at some of the 90s shows that inspired it. Next week, we're starting with Are You Afraid of the Dark, with the appropriately titled season 3 episode, "The Tale of Watcher's Woods." You can watch it on Amazon and Paramount+, but it's also free on Youtube here.Follow:The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."

This week, we're taking a short drive from the neo-noir world of Neptune to the dark, vampire-infested corners of Sunnydale as we dive into the two-part premiere of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Join Jodie and Andrea as we meet Buffy Summers, the high school teen who just happens to be a demon-slaying superhero. We'll explore Buffy's battle to juggle her slayer duties with typical teenage chaos, unpacking why giving the literal halls of 90210's Beverly Hills High a coat of supernatural paint is so compelling. We'll discuss what makes these characters so immediately likable despite the sometimes clunky dialogue, delight in Giles' overt Britishness, and marvel at Willow Rosenberg's debatably impressive computer hacking skills. Watch the original unaired Buffy PilotNext week, we say goodbye to Pilot Season, and return to the sacred grounds of the Garden State, as we recap our experience attending Kevin Smith's Vulgarthon. Follow:The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."

In this episode of The Watchers, we're leaving behind the sun-dappled Capeside for the moody neon-lit parking lots of Neptune as we dive into the pilot episode of Rob Thomas's neo-noir teen drama, Veronica Mars. Join Jodie and Andrea as we meet Veronica, the sharp-tongued teenage detective, and her world of high school drama and gritty crime-solving. We'll unpack the pilot's introduction to Veronica's near-unbelievably complex life—juggling her role as a part-time P.I., dealing with “random” locker searches, and navigating her father's fall from grace, all while remaining the funniest person in Neptune. Next week, we'll be sticking around the west coast, but heading to the spooky town of Sunnydale, California for Buffy the Vampire Slayer. We'll be watching the two-parter, “Welcome to the Hellmouth” and “The Harvest.”Watch Space, Hope, and CharityFollow:The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."

In this episode of The Watchers, we're trading the awkward energy of McKinley High for the quaintly watercolor world of Dawson's Creek. Join Jodie and Andrea as we explore the lives of Dawson, Joey, Pacey, and Jen, who navigate picturesque Capeside while remaining somehow sex-obsessed and puritanically chaste, simultaneously. We'll talk about Dawson's unearned self-confidence, Pacey's weird little bangs, Jen's storied past (evidenced by a taste for black coffee and saying the word “penis” in front of her grandmother), Joey's position as the daughter of a drug lord, and why replacing the theme song should be a crime punishable by death.Next week, we're heading west to spend some time in the SoCal town of Neptune as we review the pilot for everyone's favorite teen noir, Rob Thomas's Veronica Mars.Referenced in this episode:The Day Dawson Cried: An Oral History of the Dawson Crying GIF and Its Outsized Legacy - Constance GradyCreek Theses - Justin TaylorBillion-Dollar Kiss: The Kiss That Saved Dawson's Creek and Other Adventures inTV Writing - Jeffrey StepakoffRewatching the Dawson's Creek Pilot 20 Years Later: Sex, Boats, and Spielberg - Darren FranichFollow:The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."

In this episode of The Watchers, we're stepping away from the world of Liberty High and into the awkward halls of McKinley High School with Freaks and Geeks. Join Jodie and Andrea as we navigate the landscape of this cult classic. We delve into the show's attempts to balance the earnest with the awkward, discuss the impact of creators Paul Feig and Judd Apatow (and the one million careers launched by this show), and try to figure out what to do about the Eli of it all. Oof.Next week, we're heading to Capeside for the first episode of the WB hit teen drama, Dawson's Creek. See you Wednesday. (We know you don't wanna wait.)Follow:The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."

In this episode of The Watchers, we're leaving behind the glitzy glamour of Beverly Hills High for the rust belt city setting of My So-Called Life! Join Jodie and Andrea as we follow Angela Chase through the halls of Liberty High School, where the drama is real and the emotions run deep. We traverse Angela's moody, tender, earnest as hell inner monologue, dissect the dynamics of her friendships and family relationships, and reflect on the show's enduring impact on the portrayal of teens on TV. So, get ready to trade your scrunchie for some crimson glow hair dye, and join us as we journey through the heartfelt world of My So-Called Life!Next week, we're covering another short-lived but beloved teen-focused series, Paul Feig and Judd Apatow's Freaks and Geeks.Follow:The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."

In this episode, we're diving into the pilot of Beverly Hills, 90210. We'll be talking about how Brandon and Brenda Walsh tackled the drama at West Beverly High, and how this show basically kickstarted the whole teen drama craze. Created by Darren Star and produced by Aaron Spelling, it was a total game-changer, mixing in drama, romance, and a whole lot of social commentary against the backdrop of ritzy Beverly Hills. Jodie and Andrea can't help but question why this school is so obsessed with its newspaper, break down all the different class dynamics happening, and marvel over how the school radio station had such a huge influence on high school movies and TV back in the day. So, grab your scrunchies and join us as we dive deep into the glitz and drama of Beverly Hills, 90210!Beverly Hills, 90210 Restored: @bh90210restoredNext week, we're covering My So-Called Life, a short-lived but pivotal exploration of adolescence starring Claire Danes and created by Winnie Holzman.Follow:The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."