Grab your daemons and put on your snow boots, because Greta Johnsen and Tricia Bobeda of Nerdette and Peter Sagal of NPR’s Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me! are back together again to recap another HBO fantasy show: His Dark Materials. This week the team discusses the series premiere, which aired Monday, so beware, there are some episode 1 spoilers (but we avoid book spoilers the best we can!). If you’re not familiar with His Dark Materials, the show is based off the critically-acclaimed novels written by Philip Pullman, who takes readers to a fictional world similar to ours, except everyone has a so-called daemon, an animal companion that is part conscience, part therapist, part soul. Have a listen, and remember that we also want to hear from you! Join the conversation and share your own theories with us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using the hashtag #NerdetteRecaps.

HDM 1.1: Scholastic Sanctuary!

Peter Sagal of 'Wait, Wait ... Don't Tell Me!' joins Greta Johnsen and Tricia Bobeda to scrutinize ... well, pretty much anything.

TV & Film

Authors Micaiah Johnson ('The Space Between Worlds') and Carmen Maria Machado ('In the Dream House,' 'Her Body and Other Parties') join Nerdette host Greta Johnsen to discuss the Oscar-nominated film ‘Promising Young Woman.’

‘Promising Young Woman’ is a genre-busting rape revenge tale starring Carey Mulligan as a flinty avenger on the hunt for so-called "nice guys." It has been nominated for five Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actress. Bo Burnham, Connie Britton, Alison Brie, and Adam Brody also appear.

BONUS Nerdette Recaps: 'Promising Young Woman'

Is this movie a documentary? Maybe a horror film? Welcome back to Nerdette Recaps with Peter Sagal! It’s the podcast where we rewatch movies from 1999 and dissect them like the intense nerds we are. Today, it’s all about Office Space, a workplace comedy from Mike Judge that has firmly … (“I believe you have my stapler”) ... wedged itself … (“Hello Peter. What’s happening.”) … into the cultural lexicon … (“Somebody’s got a case of the Mondays!”). The film stars Ron Livingston as a corporate drone who, thanks to a surprise hypnotherapy accident, becomes gifted with the sudden ability to not give a damn. It also features Jennifer Aniston, Gary Cole, Ajay Naidu and David Herman. Listen as Peter, Tricia and Greta revisit the film, revisit what it was like going into an office building and play some patriarchy jingles modified for William Shakespeare.

Movies Of 1999: ‘Office Space’

First thing we’re doing after this pandemic? Paintballing in Washington State, of course! Welcome back to Nerdette Recaps with Peter Sagal! It’s the podcast where we rewatch movies from 1999 and dissect them like the intense nerds we are. Today, it’s all about 10 Things I Hate About You, a far more benign reimagining of William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew with Julia Stiles, Heath Ledger and a whole lot of Tacoma, Washington. Listen as Peter, Tricia and Greta discuss Peter’s new favorite band (Letters to Cleo), some truly excellent hairstyles and everything else that makes this movie great. And be sure to join us next week for Office Space. Don’t forget, we want to hear from you! Join the party and send us a voice recording about any of the movies we’re featuring. Just record yourself on your phone and send the audio file to nerdetterecaps@gmail.com.

Movies Of 1999: ‘10 Things I Hate About You’

Fair warning: This movie can be really tough to watch. Boys Don’t Cry is a heart-wrenching biopic based on the true story of Brandon Teena, a transgender man who was raped and murdered in Nebraska in 1993. The film stars Hilary Swank, who won an Oscar for her performance, with a stellar supporting performance from Chloë Sevigny and a haunting one from Peter Sarsgaard.  Listen as Peter, Tricia and Greta discuss what the movie meant at the time, how it holds up and how it doesn’t. And be sure to join us next week for 10 Things I Hate About You. Don’t forget, we want to hear from you! Join the party and send us a voice recording about any of the movies we’re featuring. Just record yourself on your phone and send the audio file to nerdetterecaps@gmail.com.

Movies Of 1999: ‘Boys Don’t Cry’

There’s an election going on! This podcast has absolutely nothing to do with it! Welcome back to Nerdette Recaps with Peter Sagal! It’s the podcast where we rewatch movies from 1999 and dissect them like the intense nerds we are. Today, it’s all about Election, a very dark comedy featuring Reese Witherspoon, Matthew Broderick and about 15 servings worth of cringe. Listen as Peter, Tricia and Greta compare Tracy Flick to Leslie Knope, analyze each candidate’s speech and reminisce about their very own student council campaigns. And be sure to join us next week for Boys Don’t Cry. Don’t forget, we want to hear from you! Join the party and send us a voice recording about any of the movies we’re featuring. Just record yourself on your phone and send the audio file to nerdetterecaps@gmail.com.

HDM 1.1: Scholastic Sanctuary!

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