Escape into the gothic world of Guillermo del Toro's adaptation of Frankenstein that came out on Netflix in the fall of 2025 with Stephanie and returning guest Pileigh Shahinian who requested to discuss this film on the podcast!

Del Toro takes a new approach to Mary Shelley's novel that creates an ongoing conversation with the original source text. Check out the film before the Oscars as it is up for NINE awards. Listen to Stephanie and Pileigh discuss their predictions on what the movie will win, consider if the film is too long, and debate the Netflix vs. theaters new "trend"; plus talk about the film. Buckle up for some gore and two English teachers really putting on their analytical brains and nerding out.

References:

Netflix's Frankenstein (2025)

Guillermo del Toro

Pileigh's Poetry Collection is available now: Nostalgia Itches Like a Bug Bite--Buy it on Barnes and Noble.com and Amazon!

Go follow Pileigh over on Instagram: @sincerelypileigh

Alexandre Desplat (score)

Oscars: March 15, 2026

Regency Rumors YT video: "Is Frankenstein Proof Netflix is Dumbing Down its Content?"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5stEKE-tmf4

Oscar Issac

The Nativity Story (2006)

The Promise (2016)

Moon knight

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window (Broadway)

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Mary Shelley

Frankenweenie

Young Frankenstein

The Great Gatsby

Jacob Elordi

Adaptation: Frankenstein vs. Wuthering Heights

Wuthering Heights (2026)

Percy Jackson TV series (Disney+)

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Stay well!

Escape into 1964 and watch the success of the fictional band The Wonders (or is it the Oneders) as Stephanie discusses the 1996 film That Thing You Do! This film is one of Stephanie's all-time favorites, so get ready to hear her nerd out in this solo episode as she discusses how many times the iconic song gets played as well as a review of the film and deep dive into behind the scenes stories!

That Thing You Do! is available for purchase and to rent. Don't forget to also check your local library for the DVD or Blu-ray.

Note: This is episode 3 not 4.

REFERENCES:

The Favorites by Layne Fargo (great audiobook)

Miracle (2004)

School of Rock

Bandstand: The Musical

That Thing You Do!

Steven Tyler--Aerosmith

Theatrical vs. Extended versions

Playtone Records

Tom Hanks

The Beatles

The Monkees

2020 Reunion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5iQambZAfk&t=3s

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Stay safe and warm!

Return to the upside down in today's episode as Stephanie and returning guest Drea Mayer break down everything Stranger Things from their overall love of the show to the various plot holes of season 5 and their thoughts on the series finale. Is this show a "period piece?" You will just have to tune in to find out. Also in this episode, a PSA to go to your local movie theater and Stephanie finds it a safe place to share one of her nightmares.

Thank you to everyone who submitted their thoughts on the show as you might get a shout out in today's episode! Buckle up for the longest episode of season 3 so far, but bound to be a lot of fun nerding out as usual!

References:

Stranger Things (Netflix)

Call the Midwife

Downton Abbey

Stranger Things documentary (Netflix)

Back to the Future

The Way Home (Netflix/Hallmark)

John Hughes

Inside Out 2

Stranger Things: Rebel Robin (book)

Black Widow

The First Shadow (The Stranger Things Play)

Grantchester

Bridgerton (new season Jan 29th)

The Buccanneers

The Gilded Age (HBO)

Game of Thrones

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (Hunger Games)

Miracle (2004)

Netflix's Wayward

The Pitt

ANOTHER REC: "Dark" on Netflix (German speaking) This is the one Stephanie was trying to reference.

Behind Your Touch K-Drama (Netflix)

The Artful Dodger (new season Feb 10th)

Agatha Christie's The Seven Dials (Netflix)

Queen Charlotte

The Count of Monte Cristo (PBS Passport March 1st)

The Forsytes

Next time: That Thing You Do! (1996)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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Stay safe and warm!

Happy New Year and welcome to SEASON 3! Would you like to turn back the clock because you don't feel ready for a new year? Then how about you time travel with Stephanie in this episode?

In today's episode, Stephanie expands what we think about when we think about "period pieces" by including some time travel TV shows and films (and a few books). They could also be some good recommendations for someone who is unsure if they would like historically set content. Hopefully you'll find something new to watch after listening to today's episode :)

References:

Great or Nothing by McCullough, Tung Richmond, Sharpe, Spotswood

Little Women (2019)

Call the Midwife

Doctor Who

A Biltmore Christmas

Providence Falls

The Way Home

Lost in Austen

An American in Austen

BBC Atlantis

HBO's The Nevers

Pride & Prejudice 1995

Austenland

Northanger Abbey 2007

The Austen Affair by Madeline Bell

Love Across Time

The Spirit of Christmas

Inkwell Threads

Ghosts (UK, US)

All 6 Ghosts TV Shows article referenced: https://www.tvinsider.com/gallery/ghosts-international-adaptations-compared-differences/

School Spirits (Season 3 premiering Jan 28th)

From Time to Time

The Secrets of Sulphur Springs

House of Anubis

The Librarians

The Librarians: The Next Chapter

Warehouse 13

The Legends of Tomorrow

Midnight at the Pera Place

Britbox--Is it worth the subscription?

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Till next time!

Welcome to the last episode of the year and the last episode of season 2! Can you believe it? Join Stephanie as she gets retrospective and reflects on everything that was accomplished in season 2, discuss some TV shows and movies Stephanie watched, but didn't get a chance to talk about this season, and a look ahead to season 3 goals as well as 2026 releases! Lastly, the episode ends with some awards for season 2.

Editing Note: The Way Home season 4 will be its last and currently does not have a premiere date according to Hallmark. IMDB’s date is incorrect :(

Thank you to everyone who joined this season. The podcast could not function without you :)

References:

"The Empress" (Netflix)

"The Lady's Companion" (Netflix)

Grantchester

The Davenports by Krystal Marquis

Queen Charlotte (Netflix)

Bridgerton

Jane Austen

Hamilton

Victoria (PBS/BBC) now on Netflix

Eternity

Bandstand the Musical

Hallmark channel/Hallmark+

Providence Falls (Hallmark)

Outlander

The Way Home (Hallmark)

American Girl Caroline

Sherlock & Daughter

The Artful Dodger

Under the Greenwood Tree (Prime Video; novel by Thomas Hardy)

House of Guinness (Netflix)

Merrily We Roll Along

Ms. Fisher's Modern Mysteries

Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries

The Law According to Lidia Poet

Fetch the Smelling Salts podcast (Lidia Poet episode)

Ida regenye (The Courtship on Prime Video) or The Romance of Ida

Sliver Skates (Netflix)

The Lost Baker of Vienna by Sharon Kurtzman

I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys

A Night Divided by Jennifer A Nielsen

Midnight at the Pera Place (Netflix)

The New Force (Swedish) also on Netflix

The Leopard (Netflix)

Cable Girls (Netflix)

Shogun (Hulu)

All Creatures Great & Small

Wuthering Heights (2026)

The Forsytes

The Count of Monte Cristo

Young Sherlock (Prime Video)

Sense & Sensibility (2026)

Netflix Pride & Prejudice mini-series

The Other Bennet Sister

The Choral

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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See you for season 3!

Happy Holidays and welcome to the last guest episode of season 2! (Where has the time gone?)

In today's episode, Stephanie discusses the 2023 film THE HOLDOVERS starring Paul Giamatti, Da'Vine Joy Randolph and introducing Dominic Sessa. Her conversation with returning guest Emily Heyden is bound to become one of your favorites. (Emily even gives some tips if you are traveling for the holidays!)

The Holdovers takes place in December 1970 at an all boys boarding school in New England during the Christmas break. History teacher, Paul Hunham is tasked with watching the boys "held over" without anywhere to go for the holidays as Mary Lamb stays to feed them. The trio of Giamatti, Randolph and Sessa are so great and bound to make you emotional.

The Holdovers is available to rent or purchase. Don't forget to check your local library!

References:

The Holdovers

The 1970s

The Joy Luck Club (film)

M.A.S.H (TV Show)

The Women by Kristin Hannah

Cat Stevens

The Way Home (Hallmark)

Charlie Hunnman/Sons of Anarchy

The Class of '07

The Wilds (Prime Video)

Dead Poets Society

A Separate Piece (Novel)

Mona Lisa Smile

**Any guesses for which period piece Emily and Stephanie will discuss in season 3 that's also set in the 70s? Leave your answer in the comments!**

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Happy Holidays!!

Welcome back to the podcast and welcome new guest, Emma Hirt as they discuss the 2017 Broadway Musical Bandstand with Stephanie.

Bandstand was performed at the Bernard B. Jacobs theater on Broadway from April-September 2017. It tells the story of a group of veterans returning home to the United States after World War 2. Struggling to fit into their old lives while dealing with lingering effects of the war-including post-traumatic stress and survivor's guilt-they form a band composed solely of veterans, along with a war widow, to compete in a national patriotic radio contest in NYC. Bandstand stars Corey Cott and Laura Osnes.

Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a05ChPYx9d4&t=26s

Listen to the cast album on Spotify or wherever you listen to music.

Thank you to all the veterans out there!

References:

Bandstand: The Musical-Broadway

Corey Cott

Laura Osnes

Waitress

Newsies

Downton Abbey

Once

1918 Flu Pandemic

Lovely War by Julie Berry

"With the Band"-Broadway.com (on YouTube)

The Secret Garden

The Lord of the Rings

J.R.R. Tolkien

Titanic

The Book Thief

Atonement

Hamnet

Six of Crows

Belladonna by Adalyn Grace :)

For an Act by Act summary of Bandstand check out their Wikipedia page

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The podcast is off for Thanksgiving, and will be back 12/14

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Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!

What better way to end Halloween weekend and continue to celebrate Jane Austen's 250th than discussing the "classic" film Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. This 2016 film is based on the 2009 novel by Seth Grahame Smith, which is inspired by Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. (Did you follow all of that?)

If you still want the spookiness and are a fan of Austen then you should definitely check out this film and episode. It will get spoilery. P&P&Z is only available to rent and for purchase. Remember to check out your local library as well.

References:

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies film (2016)

Burr Steers

Fetch the Smelling Salts Podcast

Matt Smith

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame Smith

Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters by Ben H. Winters

The Scandalous Confessions of Lydia Bennet Witch by Melinda Taub

Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter

The Walking Dead

Introducing Mrs. Collins by Rachel Parris

Downton Abbey

Game of Thrones

Miss Austen Regrets

The Vampire Diaries

Daisy Jones and the Six

Dark Shadows

Pride and Prejudice (2005 and 1995)

Lost in Austen

Watch Bandstand before next episode!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a05ChPYx9d4&t=8273s

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See you next episode!

Should you watch Emily (2022) starring Emma Mackey and written/directed by Frances O'Connor? Listen to Stephanie and returning guest Brian Hicks's thoughts in today's episode and find out!

This "biopic" takes creative liberties with Emily Bronte's story as it fuses her life with her only novel Wuthering Heights. O'Connor tries to solve how Emily came up with the novel, and we have thoughts about what she comes up with!

For more background on the Brontes, listen to last episode (2x20) for a crash course on the family. Emily is available to rent on Prime Video, Hoopla, Tubi, and Plex.

Send good vibes to Brian as he defends his dissertation this month!

References:

Emily (2022)

Emily Bronte

Charlotte Bronte

Anne Bronte (JUSTICE FOR ANNE)

Frances O' Connor

Mansfield Park (1999)

Jane Austen

Hoopla App (with your library card)

Persuasion 2022

Agnes Grey

Vilette

Jane Eyre

Charles Dickens

Everything is tuberculosis by John Green

Wuthering Heights

Becoming Jane

The Importance of Being Earnest (2002)

Fetch the Smelling Salts

James McAvoy

Penelope

To Walk Invisible-BBC/PBS Miniseries

The Haunting of Hill House

Wuthering Heights (2026)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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Stay well!

Do you know about the authors behind the works Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, or Agnes Grey?

In today's episode you'll learn all about the three Brontes: Charlotte, Emily and Anne as well as the rest of their family.

In the similar style to Stephanie's past author episodes, get ready to learn about their personal lives and the legacy they leave behind today. Perfect for those who are preparing for the new Wuthering Heights film starring Margot Robie and Jacob Elordi or for the next episode of the podcast when Emily (2022) will be discussed!

(Editing Stephanie here: Elizabeth Bronte was born in 1815 and Charlotte was 1816. Ignore my comments on them being 'Irish twins.')

References:

Charlotte Bronte

Emily Bronte

Anne Bronte

Jane Austen

House of Guinness (Netflix)

Emerald Fennell's other film is Salt Burn (Prime Video)

Queen Victoria

Jane Eyre

The Professor

Villette

Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys

My Plain Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows

Shirley

To Walk Invisible (BBC/PBS)

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

Married Women's Property Act of 1870

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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Next time we'll be discussing Emily (2022)

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Till next time!