How Did We Get Weird with Vanessa Bayer and Jonah Bayer

This week on the podcast, we are joined by writer, author and professor Caren Beilin! We get into all types of topics on this one, especially our fascination with Caren's Internet detox which lead her to purchasing a TV that plays "Frasier" on loop and a landline that's connected to her phone via Bluetooth. (You can't get much more nostalgic than that.) We also talk to Caren about growing up in Philadelphia and recently moving to our magical homeland of Cleveland and her favorite spots in The Land. Then we get into our topic of going to restaurants with your family as a kid! From fancy seeming spots to the eternity of waiting for your entree and sitting in the dreaded smoking section, we cover all the excitement and disappointment of dining out back when every new eatery didn't look like a Blue Bottle Coffee outpost. Finally in a round of YESTAGLIA OR NO-STALGIA we discuss the return of McDonald's fried apple pie, the upcoming Blair Witch movie reboot and should Pringles really be bringing back Miller Lite-flavored chips and for whom? Be sure to check out Caren's latest novel "Sea, Poision" and maybe you will catch her at Jonah and Vanessa's live podcast at the Cleveland House of Blues on 9/25! (Get your tickets here)

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On today's episode Jonah and Vanessa are thrilled to welcome the one and only Jenifer Lewis! They reminisce about the first time they met when Vanessa was trying to get Jenifer to be on "I Love That For You" and Jenifer subsequently announcing to the press that she would be on the show... without a single mention of Vanessa. Plus you may know that Jenifer is the Mother of Black Hollywood, but did you know she does a killer Vanessa impression? And Vanessa's Jenifer impression is pretty good as well? Plus the two talk about their instant connection and all the fun they had filming together, so much so, that Jenifer still refers to Vanessa (and Jonah!) as a glass of milk with eyes. We also get into Jenifer's terrifying accident in Africa and the resilience that got her where she is today. Plus, in a hilarious game of CHANGE.DORK, the trio discuss whether Jenifer should host Wheel of Fortune, If Spongebob should have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, (plus Jenifer's own Hall of Fame ceremony and some incredible celebrity stories) and if "I Love That For You" should be renewed for Season 2 (duh). So walk in your joy and listen to this incredible episode with the iconic MISS JENIFER LEWIS!

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On today’s new episode the Bayer siblings are thrilled to be joined by the hilarious Gil Ozeri! First the trio get into the exceptional Gen Z lunch term “Corporate Slop” and where they’re all picking up their favorite C.S. Plus Gil tells us about growing up in New York City and how he went from bartending to comedy. (And speaking of comedy, Gil and Vanessa are both working on the new Netflix comedy series A Hundred Percent which is filming now!) Then they reminisce about Gil’s topic: red pistachios- why they existed and where they went (although you CAN still get them!) And in a rousing game of CHANGE DOT DORK, we’re reviewing petitions to make snacks at a middle school more affordable, to reboot the eighties sitcom “Alf” and to make June 13th a holiday for the Knicks! So be sure to check out this extremely funny episode and to check out Gil’s extremely funny new podcast GOOD SCIENCE wherever you get your podcasts! 

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This week, the Bayers are joined by post-hardcore loyalty in the form of Sparta and At The Drive-In guitarist and vocalist, Jim Ward! We discuss Jim's childhood growing up in El Paso, punishing bands at local venues and eventually becoming a musician himself. We also get Jim's seasoned take on tortillas and why you won't find Old El Paso brand tortillas in his pantry any time soon. From growing up as a small kid to performing on some of the biggest stages in the world, Jim has had quite a journey. We also debunk some facts about Jim, from owning restaurants to making his own backyard pizzas. However in what is possibly our biggest debunking ever, we explore the nostalgic phenomenon of blowing into Nintendo cartridges to make them work. Not to be forgotten, we also play a game of CHANGE DOT DORK where we discuss petitions advocating for the return of Takis Taco Shells, Pizzerias Chips and Sonic Drive-In's Java Chiller. Be sure to check out Sparta's brand new album "Cut A Silhouette" which is out now on Equal Vision Records and check out the band this summer when they come to your town! 

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On today's new episode the Bayer siblings are thrilled to welcome the delightful and iconic Tan France! Jonah tells us about his new Italian loafers and how they've turned him into a different person (a snob?) Plus, Tan gives us some tips on age appropriate-clothing and suggests some new ways that Jonah can style his old band tees. And, did you know that Tan is a Yo-Yo Master?? From Walk the Dog to Moonwalking Tan takes us through all the moves he can do and we find out many the other ways Tan is super coordinated (also a Hula Hoop Master!) And did you know that Tan and Vanessa are both British/American Baking Champions because they were the only ones who took it seriously?!! Finally, in a rousing game of YES/NO-STALGIA: FASHION EDITION Tan gives us his strong takes on the return of Low-Rise Bootcut Jeans, 80's Maximalism, and Dresses over Trousers! Be sure to check out this fantastic episode and to also check out Tan's hilarious new digital series HONORABLE GAYS on YouTube!!

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The Bayers' longtime friend and iconic musician Jenny Lewis stops by the podcast this week to discuss the time that she and Vanessa took Jonah to get his first ever pedicure! If that story isn't exciting enough, we also discuss Jenny's childhood acting roles in everything from Troop Beverly Hills to The Wizard and her musical career and recent tour with Harry Styles. Plus, we talk about the perils of online dating, and dig deep on Jenny's love of Strawberry Shortcake and the rest of her badass crew, which also includes Lemon Meringue and Blueberry Muffin. And did Caboodles just do a tribute to Jenny? You'll have to listen to find out.

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Our pal Ben Gibbard from Death Cab For Cutie and The Postal Service is back on the podcast to dig a little deeper into his formative years. From waking up super early in the morning for swim practice to working during the summer as a lifeguard to now having his own signature running shoe, is this guy athletic or what? We also discuss his affinity for heavy music, the "shirt over another shirt" fashion trend of the nineties and what it was like to hang out in Seattle at the same cultural landmarks that were featured in the classic film, "Singles." We also get into the topic of renting movies from Hollywood Video, Ben's friend Matt's neverending search for a missing copy of "Hellraiser 3" and Mike Myers' unstoppable film steak in the nineties. Finally we play a round YESTALGIA OR NOSTALGIA where we discuss the return of the Nike Moon Shoe, the merits of Diet Coke Lime and does the world really need Dunkin Donuts' Cereal N' Milk latte? (Probably not.) Be sure to check out Death Cab For Cutie's latest album "I Built You A Tower," which is out now and catch them on tour this summer!

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On today's new episode the Bayer siblings are thrilled to welcome their friend hilarious and extremely cool friend Jessy Hodges! You may know that Jessy starts in the new hit Apple show MAXIMUM PLEASURE GUARANTEED but did you know that she has tried chewing tobacco?? And now that we're getting into it, did you know that Vanessa has snorted Pixy Stix (sorry that's actually how they're spelled?) Plus we get into being a kid at the mall and the exclusive Detroit shopping destination that is Somerset Collection. And Jessy tells us about starting to swim competitively when she was only five years old and we all agree that Swim Team is just too much as is honestly any kind of swimming in the morning at school. Then we get into Jessy's topic which is our first cars! And Jonah and Jessy get into the major incidents with each of their cars including A MYSTERY WE MUST SOLVE! (Note: If you went to high school with Jessy you need to listen and start sleuthing immediately!!) And finally in a delightful game of CHANGE DOT DORK we're debating the merits of updating school dress code rules around hair color and piercings, limiting online shipping to save malls, and getting a square donut emoji on our phones. Be sure to watch Jessy in Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed and to listen to this episode to help us solve another mystery thriller that is the incident with Jessy's first car!!

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This week, the Bayers welcome Mike Kinsella of American Football to the podcast! We talk about Mike eating deep dish as a little kid growing up in the Chicago suburbs, playing shows with Cap'n Jazz as a teenager and owning the most controversial baseball card of the 80s. We also get some exclusive stories from friend of the podcast and fellow American Football member (and Mike's cousin), Nate Kinsella! For our topic we discuss the Sony Sports Walkman, something Mike would listen to during long road trips next to his older brother Tim, in the backseat of the car. From the autoreverse to the heavy-duty yellow casing, this machine truly had it all. We also discuss our first cassettes and debate if the Beach Boys song "Kokomo" benefited from studio trickery that has never been exposed until this episode. (Kokomogate?) Finally we play around of CHANGE DOT DORK where we debate the merits of an American Football-themed mural in Champaign-Urbana, the return of Hershey's Dunkers and should the residents of Mike's hometown of Buffalo Grove be allowed to own backyard hens? You'll have to listen to find out. In the meantime you can catch American Football on tour and pick up their new album, LP4, now. 

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MEMORIAL DAY RE-AIR: The one and only Fred Armisen (Portlandia, Saturday Night Live) stopped by the podcast this week to discuss his first concert experience: Seeing DEVO at Radio City Music Hall on October 31st, 1981, right down the street from where Fear were destroying the SNL set at 30 Rock. In this largely music-themed episode, we also discuss Fred's love of all things goth, playing drums alongside his heroes like The Clash and his personal connection with Halloween that goes back to childhood. Equal parts hilarious, educational and sentimental, this truly is an episode for the ages—and for those who want a quick and easy way to get rid of their garbage!

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