Every Rom Com – Details, episodes & analysis

He’s cool; she’s hot. She’s from the Valley; he’s not! This weekend stop the world and melt with Every Rom Com as we enter our “L.A. Stories” series with the 1983 cult classic “Valley Girl.” We’ll discuss pioneering female director Martha Coolidge, get into the movie’s bitchin’ soundtrack, and of course dive deep into Valley Girl culture. We’ll also tackle important topics, like “what’s up with that crazy clown doll?” IYKYK 

0:00-8:43 Intro, Favorite L.A.-Set Movies

8:43-23:30 Trailer, Basic Info, Interesting Facts

For More Information on “Valley Girl”:

https://floodmagazine.com/77725/in-conversation-the-stars-of-the-original-valley-girl-movie-reunite/ 

https://www.filmcomment.com/blog/present-tense-martha-coolidge/ 

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/11/movies/valley-girl.html 

https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/nicolas-cage-valley-girl-acting-advice-1234827418/ 

Brat Pack America by Kevin Smokler (2016)

Ultimate History of the 80’s Teen Movie by James King (2018)

Conversations With Directors: An Anthology of Interviews from Literature/Film Quarterly (2008)

Director Martha Coolidge’s commentary on the DVD

23:30-28:42 General Opinion

28:42-40:11 Cast & Crew In-Depth

For More Information on Martha Coolidge:

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Martha-Coolidge 

https://www.janusfilms.com/films/2158 

https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/08/14/how-can-women-gain-influence-in-hollywood/our-entire-belief-system-must-change 

For More Information on Deborah Foreman: 

https://floodmagazine.com/77725/in-conversation-the-stars-of-the-original-valley-girl-movie-reunite/  

40:11-50:00 Opening Of The Movie, The Mall

50:00-1:04:38 Valley Girl Culture Overview

For More Information on Valley Girl Culture:

This month our bonus show, Now Streaming, has turned into a Nicholas Galitzine love-fest, with
3 of our 8 picks featuring this versatile actor! We also tip our hats to Glen Powell, Miles Teller,
and Josh O’Connor, each of whom we’d like to see in more romance. And we celebrate rom
coms that made us laugh, including one of Jen’s favorite rom coms of the 21st century, “I Want
You Back”! Check out these picks and more as Jen and Cybil recommend rom com and rom com
adjacent movies and TV shows that you can stream tonight!

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Send us feedback: feedback@everyromcom.com

This week, join all 4 original hosts of Every Rom Com as we kick off our High School movies series by celebrating the 25th anniversary of “Can’t Hardly Wait”! Find out which characters ended up on the cutting room floor, which actor was so stoned he couldn’t remember shooting the movie, and which future stars showed up in minor roles! Plus, we start the whole show off with a high school movies trivia quiz and later get personal and share who we were in our senior years! Whether you were a ‘Denise Fleming’, an ‘Amanda Beckett’, or, maybe especially, a ‘Yearbook Girl’, there’s something for you in this episode! 

0:00-17:22 Intro To The High School Series, High School Movies TRIVIA QUIZ!

More On History Of Teenagers:

https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2018/02/brief-history-teenagers/  

Paula Abdul “Rush, Rush” Video Featuring Keanu Reeves: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqyIaNWP0T0 

Click Here To Support The Show!:

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/everyromcom 

17:22-27:00 TRAILER, Basic Info, Interesting Facts

https://www.theringer.com/movies/2018/6/11/17442324/cant-hardly-wait-20th-anniversary 

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/80481/10-fateful-facts-about-cant-hardly-wait  

https://www.vh1.com/news/ecgx83/ethan-embry-cant-hardly-wait 

https://entertainment.time.com/2013/06/12/back-to-the-party-15-things-you-didnt-know-about-cant-hardly-wait/  

Other Information From DVD Extras

27:00-33:23 General Opinion

33:23-46:02 Cast & Crew In-Depth

For more information on writers/directors Harry Elfont and Deborah Kaplan:

https://www.everyromcom.com/podcast-1/episode/1b1588d7/every-rom-com-9-leap-year 

More Information On Jennifer Love Hewitt:

https://www.biography.com/actors/jennifer-love-hewitt 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_songs_recorded_by_Jennifer_Love_Hewitt 

This week on Every Rom Com we finish our Musicals series with a wedding, a Greek island, three possible dads, and an ABBA explosion, as we take on the blockbuster jukebox musical, “Mamma Mia!” We’ll talk about love over 40 with Poppy from Confessions of a Closet Romantic; give a brief introduction to ABBA, including some deep cuts; share an overview of Meryl Streep’s legendary career; and throw in some bizarre Greek mythology for good measure! We’ll also talk about the history of the jukebox musical, and give you some other recommendations in that genre in our double features section! If you’re all alone, when the pretty birds have flown, take a chance on us, and press play!

0:00-11:20 Introduction, Jukebox Musicals

Find Poppy’s Work Here:
https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com/ 

FInd One Of Poppy’s Previous Episodes Related To “Mamma Mia” Here:

https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com/love-romance-over-40-part-2/ 

11:20-23:45 TRAILER, Basic Info, Interesting Facts

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamma_Mia!_(film) 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamma_Mia!_(musical) 

https://abbasite.com/articles/mamma-mia-the-movie-2/ 

https://deadline.com/2023/05/breaking-baz-itv-mamma-mia-i-have-a-dream-talent-show-judy-craymer-cher-1235351837/

Additional Source: Special Features “Mamma Mia” DVD

23:45-31:12 General Opinion

31:12-44:34 Cast & Crew In-Depth

For More Information On Meryl Streep:

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Meryl-Streep  

For More Information On Phyllida Lloyd:

https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/phyllida-lloyd-herself-mamma-mia-interview-1187138 

44:34-56:37 Opening/I Have A Dream, Sophie’s Friends Arrive/Honey Honey

56:37-1:05:20 The Guests Arrive 

1:05:20-1:11:40 A Brief Introduction To ABBA

For More Information On ABBA:
https://abbasite.com/story/ ...

This week on Every Rom Com, Jen and Cybil explore the magic of the 1980 cult classic “Xanadu”! If you’ve never seen it, check out our spoiler-free section to find out why you should! If you’re already a fan, join us for the lowdown on the script, cast & crew, filming locations, and more! We’ll also talk Greek muses, the roller-skating culture of the 70’s and 80’s, and the music of ELO and Olivia Newton-John! Don’t walk away - all you have to do is press play! 

0:00-9:30 Introduction, The Music of Olivia Newton-John and ELO

9:30-24:41 TRAILER, Basic Info, Interesting Facts

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/xanadu-was-bad-it-launched-razzies-1980-1169097/ 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0lug355Fuw Olivia Newton-John In Her Own Words, BBC special 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrp-4dqHECM Going Back to Xanadu - from 2008 DVD release

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yD5VdlPheYI Making Xanadu TV special from 1980

https://people.com/movies/xanadu-35th-anniversary-20-things-you-didnt-know/ 

https://ew.com/article/2007/07/06/why-people-love-xanadu/ 

https://oddlystupid.wixsite.com/xanadu/bobbie-mannix-interview 

24:41-30:34 General Opinion

30:34-49:55 Cast & Crew In-Depth

For More On Olivia Newton-John 

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/aug/08/olivia-newton-john-grease-xanadu-cult-classics-cherished-by-fans 

https://www.biography.com/musicians/olivia-newton-john 

https://www.womenshealthmag.com/life/a40847842/olivia-newton-john-cause-of-death-breast-cancer/ 

https://www.onjcancercentre.org/ 

http://www.onjfoundationfund.org/ 

https://www.o...

This week our Musicals series leads us into contemporary topics of book bans, moral panics, and representation as Jen discusses “The Music Man” with Jess Salow, an archivist and Curator of Black Collections at the Arizona State University Library and the co-host of the Bawdy Literati Podcast! We also cover the impressive careers of Meredith Wilson, Robert Preston, and Shirley Jones; talk about the making of the film; sigh over the romance of it all; and Jen sings far too many song snippets! Don’t miss this fascinating discussion of an older musical that still speaks to the present moment, even as modern creators think about how to move it into the future. 

0:00-8:22 Favorite Childhood Musicals, Updates On The Bawdy Literati Podcast

Bio For Guest Host, Jess Salow:

Jess is an archivist/librarian and an avid reader and videogamer. She is also the co-host of Bawdy Literati, a podcast that explores "fiction that fucks". She has been reading romance/erotica since she was a tween and considers romance/erotica her favorite genre to read. While Jess doesn't lean into the romcom genre when watching movies, as she is more of a Action/Sci Fi fan with The Day After Tomorrow (2004) and Independence Day (1996) as some of her favorites, she does enjoy some romcoms including You've Got Mail (1998), The Wedding Singer (1998), and Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008) as some of her favorite romcoms of all time. She has three cats and has been with her partner for 25 years. 

Listen To Jess And Asa On Bawdy Literati!:

https://open.spotify.com/show/2EdSIkpkb4UWVukx8EfD0w?si=yJxvNJYUQ2Sx9jqpgB5CEw&nd=1 

Connect With Bawdy Literati On Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/bawdyliterati/ 

Support Every Rom Com Here:

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/everyromcom 

8:22-19:40 TRAILER, Basic Info, Interesting Facts

https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/16105/the-music-man#articles-reviews?articleId=12694 

Musicals: The Definitive Illustrated Story, DK Books, Editor Miezan van Zyl, 2015

Red Hot & Blue: A Smithsonian Salute to The American Musical by Amy Henderson and Dwight Blocker, National Portrait Gallery (Smithsonian Institution); National Museum of American History (U.S.), 1996

“Right Here In River City” documentary from “The Music Man” DVD special edition 

19:40-34:27 Cast & Crew In-Depth

More Information On Robert Preston:

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Robert-Preston 

https://masterworksbroadway.c...

Join Every Rom Com as we continue our Musicals series with “On The Town”, a film with an all-star cast, including the legendary Gene Kelly! We’ll discuss the innovations Kelly brought to the movie musical, talk about actresses Vera Ellen and Betty Garrett, and choose our favorite songs and dance numbers! We’ll also discuss the real-life inspiration for Miss Turnstiles - New York City’s Miss Subways pageant! Whether you’re into film history or men in uniform, don’t miss our episode on this 1940’s classic!

0:00-9:05 Introduction, Stage Musicals vs. Movie Musicals

9:05-22:43 TRAILER, Basic Info, Interesting Facts 

Musicals: The Definitive Illustrated Story, DK Books, Editor Miezan van Zyl, 2015

Red Hot & Blue: A Smithsonian Salute to The American Musical by Amy Henderson and Dwight Blocker, National Portrait Gallery (Smithsonian Institution); National Museum of American History (U.S.), 1996

He’s Got Rhythm: The Life and Career of Gene Kelly by Cynthia Brideson and Sara Brideson, 2017

Watch Vera Ellen And Gene Kelly In “Slaughter On Tenth Avenue” From “Words And Music”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGawFItqmh0 

22:43-25:57 General Opinion

25:57-46:03 Cast And Crew In-Depth

More Information On Gene Kelly:

https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/married-to-gene-kelly-he-didn-t-seem-that-old-to-me-1.3950371 

https://www.biography.com/actors/gene-kelly 

https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/the-fascinating-rotoscoping-animation-of-anchors-aweigh/ 

He’s Got Rhythm: The Life and Career of Gene Kelly by Cynthia Brideson and Sara Brideson, 2017

More Information On Vera Ellen:

https://www.nytimes.com/1981/09/02/obituaries/vera-ellen-dancer-in-movies.html  

More Information On Betty Garett:

https://brightlightsfilm.com/who-becomes-a-legend-most-and-why-wasnt-it-betty-garrett/#.ZC2yxD3MLrc  

46:03-55:49 Opening Scene, Romance With Sailors, “New York, New York” Montage

55:49-1:04:30 Intro To The Men, “Miss Turnstiles Ballet”, The Real Miss Turnstiles - Miss Subways

More Information On The Real Life Miss Turnstiles - Miss Subways:

Join Every Rom Com as we begin our Musicals series with the Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers classic “Top Hat”! We talk about the early days of musicals, and how Astaire revolutionized the genre; we discuss Rogers’ own genius and how she stuck by a costuming choice that elevated one of cinema’s most iconic scenes; and we discuss whether there may have been a gay subtext at play in scenes between hilarious character actors Edward Everett Horton and Eric Blore! All this and much more as we dive into a movie that’s sure to become part of your rotation if it isn’t already an old favorite! We’re joined for this episode by the wonderful and knowledgeable Poppy of the Confessions of A Closet Romantic podcast! 

0:00-10:03  Introduction to the Musicals Series, Our Favorite Musicals

Find Poppy’s Podcast Here:

https://www.confessionsofaclosetromantic.com/ 

Follow Poppy On Twitter:

https://twitter.com/poppy_confesses 

10:03-16:37 TRAILER, Basic Info, Interesting Facts

Full Trailer From YouTube Channel “Lorelle Shorten” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHyJfvlhP-s 

Sources For Many Interesting Facts:

The Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers Book by Arlene Croce 

“Top Hat” DVD Commentary

16:37-21:24 General Opinion

21:24-35:40 Cast & Crew In-Depth

More Info On Fred Astaire:

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Fred-Astaire 

More Info On Ginger Rogers:

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ginger-Rogers 

https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/164119%7C61650/Ginger-Rogers/#biography 

For a bit more on Irving Berlin, you can listen to Every Rom Com episode 52  on “White Christmas”: https://www.everyromcom.com/podcast-1/episode/4ec870a3/every-rom-com-52-white-christmas 

35:40-41:31 Brief Intro To Early Hollywood Musicals

41:31-52:34 Opening Of The Movie, Edward Everett Horton And Eric Blore, Is There A Gay Subtext In “Top Hat”?

Some Sources I Used For Evidence Of Gay Subtext:

https://www.bustle.com/wellness/why-is-it-called-a-blow-job

Join Every Rom Com as we wrap up our Self-Help series with a look at the powerhouse ensemble rom com “Think Like A Man.” We’ll discuss some of the talented black cast and crew, including director Tim Story and actress Regina Hall. We’ll share our thoughts on the dating and relationship dilemmas encountered by the film’s characters. And we’ll give our opinions on the best-selling Steve Harvey dating advice book that inspired the movie: “Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man.” We’re joined this week by Natasha Alvar, a Rotten Tomatoes approved critic, who is also the film editor at culturedvultures.com! 

0:00-16:48 Introducing Natasha Alvar from culturedvultures.com

Natasha Alvar is a Rotten Tomatoes approved film critic, a film editor at Cultured Vultures, a book lover, and an English Literature teacher! 

Find Natasha’s Work Here:

https://culturedvultures.com/author/natasha-alvar/ 

Follow Natasha Here:

https://twitter.com/litmysoul 

Natasha Has Also Makes Guest Appearances Here:

https://www.hallmarkiespodcast.com/ 

DONATE to Every Rom Com Here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/everyromcom 

16:48-23:50 TRAILER, Basic Info, Interesting Facts

More Info On “Think Like A Man”:

https://www.bet.com/photo-gallery/yfbzum/20-reasons-why-we-love-think-like-a-man/2l4uad 

https://www.dga.org/Craft/DGAQ/All-Articles/1402-Spring-2014/Tim-Story.aspx 

To hear our thoughts on related movie “He’s Just Not That Into You”, check out Every Rom Com episode 56:

https://www.everyromcom.com/podcast-1/episode/4e5eec46/every-rom-com-56-hes-just-not-that-into-you 

23:50-29:43 General Opinion

29:43-51:33 Cast & Crew In-Depth

More On Tim Story:

https://www.dga.org/Craft/DGAQ/All-Articles/1402-Spring-2014/Tim-Story.aspx  

 https://ndigo.com/2016/03/03/11666/  

This week on Every Rom Com, we go deeper into the self-help movie genre, with a look at an ensemble rom com based on one of the most successful dating advice books of the 2000’s. We’ll explore an all-star cast, including Ginnifer Goodwin and Justin Long. We’ll talk about the movie and book’s relationship advice and whether it holds up in 2023. And we’ll rank the storylines from worst to best as we discuss the 2009 hit movie, “He’s Just Not That Into You.” This episode features returning guest Jason Kleeberg of the Force Five Podcast! 

0:00-13:42 - Introduction, Dating & Relationship Self-Help Books, What’s New At Force Five Podcast

Check Out Force Five Podcast Here: https://www.forcefivepodcast.com/

Follow Force FIve Here: 

Twitter @forcefivepod 

Instagram @forcefivepodcast    

13:42-23:56 TRAILER, Basic Info, Interesting Facts

https://ew.com/movies/2019/02/06/hes-just-not-that-into-you-10th-anniversary-secrets/ 

https://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/features/just-not-that-into-you#:~:text=This%20new%20catchphrase%20actually%20started,but%20declined%20an%20invitation%20inside. 

https://www.oklahoman.com/story/entertainment/books/2009/02/08/phrase-alters-life-of-author-of-hes-just-not-that-into-you/61466992007/ 

https://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/bal-al.justnot01feb01-story.html 

Additional Information From DVD Special Features 

23:56-26:55 General Opinion

26:55-36:07 Cast & Crew In-Depth

More On Ginnifer Goodwin:

https://www.eonline.com/news/305344/ginnifer-goodwin-and-josh-dallas-big-love-from-just-friends-to-a-fairy-tale-romance  

For more information on Scarlet Johansson, check out Episode 13 on “Lost in Translation: https://www.everyromcom.com/podcast-1/episode/5dbd0d79/every-rom-com-13-lost-in-translation  

For more information on Ben Affleck, check out episode 34 on “Chasing Amy”: https://www.everyromcom.com/podcast-1/episode/e5d66e22/every-rom-com-34-chasing-amy...