It's Cynic's Choice, baby! Chelsea reminds us all what this podcast is truly about-- romantic comedies and queer love. Listen in as our hosts discuss the high camp of But I'm A Cheerleader. Listen as they discuss gender as a performance, how Natasha Lyonne should never again play a straight character, and how brilliant satire like this handles heavy topics like conversion therapy so deftly.

Connect With Us

Follow us on Instagram @loveatfirstscreening or send an email to [email protected]

Production Hosts: Chelsea Ciccone and Madison Hill

Music: Good Steph

Artwork: Chelsea Ciccone

Social Media: Marissa Ciccone

About the Show

An examination of classic tropes and iconic characters pits connoisseur against cynic—one romantic comedy at a time. The cinematic world of love and laughter had rom-com enthusiast Madison head over heels from the time Harry met Sally. For genre skeptic Chelsea, however, it’s been a grueling enemies-to-lovers plot. In Love at First Screening, Madison introduces Chelsea to all the fan-favorite love stories she’s never wanted to watch. One friend’s passion might be the other’s displeasure, but doesn’t love conquer all? Tune in every Wednesday to find out.

This week, our hosts travel back to 1960 after a brief stop at a soon-to-be divorcee's 25-year high school reunion in Peggy Sue Got Married (1986), starring Kathleen Turner and Nicolas Cage. While Chelsea and Madison's conversations about family, second-wave feminism, and meaningful character development remind us that this podcast still has a pulse, our hosts agree the film itself was dead on arrival.

Connect With Us

Follow us on Instagram @loveatfirstscreening or send an email to [email protected]

Production Hosts: Chelsea Ciccone and Madison Hill

Music: Good Steph

Artwork: Chelsea Ciccone

Social Media: Marissa Ciccone

About the Show

An examination of classic tropes and iconic characters pits connoisseur against cynic—one romantic comedy at a time. The cinematic world of love and laughter had rom-com enthusiast Madison head over heels from the time Harry met Sally. For genre skeptic Chelsea, however, it’s been a grueling enemies-to-lovers plot. In Love at First Screening, Madison introduces Chelsea to all the fan-favorite love stories she’s never wanted to watch. One friend’s passion might be the other’s displeasure, but doesn’t love conquer all? Tune in every Wednesday to find out.

This week, our hosts take on a well-lauded movie in the romantic (comedy?) genre, Sleepless in Seattle. While Chelsea would have rather watched paint dry, Madison defends the merit of the movie-- even if she doesn't buy into the concept that this movie is romantic, nor comedic. Would this be a thriller with a different lens and music? Does that poor child actor need therapy? Does Tom Hanks? Why did Rita Wilson play his sister in this? Our hosts had so many questions, but landed on one thing: this movie excels at interacting with grief, if nothing else.

Connect With Us

Follow us on Instagram @loveatfirstscreening or send an email to [email protected]

Production Hosts: Chelsea Ciccone and Madison Hill

Music: Good Steph

Artwork: Chelsea Ciccone

Social Media: Marissa Ciccone

About the Show

An examination of classic tropes and iconic characters pits connoisseur against cynic—one romantic comedy at a time. The cinematic world of love and laughter had rom-com enthusiast Madison head over heels from the time Harry met Sally. For genre skeptic Chelsea, however, it’s been a grueling enemies-to-lovers plot. In Love at First Screening, Madison introduces Chelsea to all the fan-favorite love stories she’s never wanted to watch. One friend’s passion might be the other’s displeasure, but doesn’t love conquer all? Tune in every Wednesday to find out.

In the season six premiere, our hosts prepare to joust over the not-so-romantic comedy A Knight's Tale (2001). Madison proclaims she has finally broken the season premiere curse, but Chelsea thinks her cohost has tampered with the results. Either way, they both agree that people would wage war for the pleasure of Heath Ledger's smile, and Chaucer has never been more accurately portrayed in film. With a stacked cast including Paul Bettany, Alan Tudyk, not to mention the deadly cheekbones of Rufus Sewell, this hilarious medieval romp will leave you yearning for ren faire to return.

Connect With Us

Follow us on Instagram @loveatfirstscreening or send an email to [email protected]

Production Hosts: Chelsea Ciccone and Madison Hill

Music: Good Steph

Artwork: Chelsea Ciccone

Social Media: Marissa Ciccone

About the Show

An examination of classic tropes and iconic characters pits connoisseur against cynic—one romantic comedy at a time. The cinematic world of love and laughter had rom-com enthusiast Madison head over heels from the time Harry met Sally. For genre skeptic Chelsea, however, it’s been a grueling enemies-to-lovers plot. In Love at First Screening, Madison introduces Chelsea to all the fan-favorite love stories she’s never wanted to watch. One friend’s passion might be the other’s displeasure, but doesn’t love conquer all? Tune in every Wednesday to find out.

CW: moderately explicit sexual content, drinking, and rom coms that actually involve communication.

On this heart-shaped holiday, our hosts invite you to take a drive with them through a nondescript mountain town to a sketchy distillery with three gal pals who take a trip that changes their friendship dynamic forever (possibly for the better).

Mads drives Chelsea and you, dear listener, through a tale of unrequited pining, one-bed scenarios, and so much more on this especially sapphic story.

Diversions include All Dogs Go to Heaven, how charcuterie should not be truncated, and Shania Twain.

Buckle up!

Connect With Us

Follow us on Instagram @loveatfirstscreening or send an email to [email protected]

Production Hosts: Chelsea Ciccone and Madison Hill

Music: Good Steph

Artwork: Chelsea Ciccone

Social Media: Marissa Ciccone

About the Show

An examination of classic tropes and iconic characters pits connoisseur against cynic—one romantic comedy at a time. The cinematic world of love and laughter had rom-com enthusiast Madison head over heels from the time Harry met Sally. For genre skeptic Chelsea, however, it’s been a grueling enemies-to-lovers plot. In Love at First Screening, Madison introduces Chelsea to all the fan-favorite love stories she’s never wanted to watch. One friend’s passion might be the other’s displeasure, but doesn’t love conquer all? Tune in every Wednesday to find out.

In their highly-anticipated Rom Com Respawn bonus episode, our hosts spend the evening with Ben Stiller and a menagerie of animated historical figures as they try to play matchmaker with Night at the Museum (2006). Chelsea supports the efforts of the National Wildlife Research Center to eliminate rabies in raccoons by 2053. Timothée Chalamet joins the ranks of Madison's celebrity nemeses. And amidst other tangents on child stardom, the lost art of the family film, and Delaware's unique license plates, a small cowboy and tiny Roman legioner may just fall in love. Special shout out to this episode's feline companion (and unpredictable thief) Uno!

Connect With Us

Follow us on Instagram @loveatfirstscreening or send an email to [email protected]

Production Hosts: Chelsea Ciccone and Madison Hill

Music: Good Steph

Artwork: Chelsea Ciccone

Social Media: Marissa Ciccone

About the Show

An examination of classic tropes and iconic characters pits connoisseur against cynic—one romantic comedy at a time. The cinematic world of love and laughter had rom-com enthusiast Madison head over heels from the time Harry met Sally. For genre skeptic Chelsea, however, it’s been a grueling enemies-to-lovers plot. In Love at First Screening, Madison introduces Chelsea to all the fan-favorite love stories she’s never wanted to watch. One friend’s passion might be the other’s displeasure, but doesn’t love conquer all? Tune in every Wednesday to find out.

Get cozy this holiday season with a toasty drink of your choice in a well-loved mug and crack open a feel good rom com. Which one should you read? Obviously one of the best sapphic Christmas novels out there-- Kiss Her Once For Me by Alison Cochrun! Ever since our hosts read this last year, they knew it had to be discussed on the podcast. Now, that dream is reality! Chelsea and Madison discuss themes of honesty, communication, and forgiveness and how these support the romance in this book while also grounding the story beyond the bounds of the central pairing. This book truly has everything: snow, kisses in snow, bisexual disasters, hot butch bakers, and so many delicious rom com tropes, your heart will melt (unlike the snow). Digressions include a defense of audiobooks, Gillian Anderson, and trying to figure out how one would cast this book if it were to jump to the screen. Relatedly, if there are any 6 ft tall, butch, Korean-American lesbian actors with great forearms out there, call us. Remember, Madison's number is 7--

Connect With Us

Follow us on Instagram @loveatfirstscreening or send an email to [email protected]

Production Hosts: Chelsea Ciccone and Madison Hill

Music: Good Steph

Artwork: Chelsea Ciccone

Social Media: Marissa Ciccone

About the Show

An examination of classic tropes and iconic characters pits connoisseur against cynic—one romantic comedy at a time. The cinematic world of love and laughter had rom-com enthusiast Madison head over heels from the time Harry met Sally. For genre skeptic Chelsea, however, it’s been a grueling enemies-to-lovers plot. In Love at First Screening, Madison introduces Chelsea to all the fan-favorite love stories she’s never wanted to watch. One friend’s passion might be the other’s displeasure, but doesn’t love conquer all? Tune in every Wednesday to find out.

In the season five finale, our hosts return to an episode formerly lost to the internet ether as they discuss Serendipity (2001) ... again. (And if you're reading this, their second-chance romance had a happy ending!) Special guest Lily has qualms with the main characters' blatant disregard for their romantic commitments — although for fidelity's biggest fan, she would not hesitate to kick Madison to the curb for the coveted position of LAFS cohost #PodsBeforePals. Chelsea thinks it's absurd anyone would run back up the aisle and flee the chapel for the stranger they spent only a few hours with over a decade ago. Madison, on the other hand, would trade her favorite pair of Docs for another chance with that New York-Italian firefighter she met in 2017. Starring John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale, with memorable appearances from John Corbett, Eugine Levy, and Molly Shannon, our hosts and their guest are in for a lively discussion, where somehow, all roads lead to Mothman.

Connect With Us

Follow us on Instagram @loveatfirstscreening or send an email to [email protected]

Production Hosts: Chelsea Ciccone and Madison Hill

Music: Good Steph

Artwork: Chelsea Ciccone

Social Media: Marissa Ciccone

About the Show

An examination of classic tropes and iconic characters pits connoisseur against cynic—one romantic comedy at a time. The cinematic world of love and laughter had rom-com enthusiast Madison head over heels from the time Harry met Sally. For genre skeptic Chelsea, however, it’s been a grueling enemies-to-lovers plot. In Love at First Screening, Madison introduces Chelsea to all the fan-favorite love stories she’s never wanted to watch. One friend’s passion might be the other’s displeasure, but doesn’t love conquer all? Tune in every Wednesday to find out.

Madison puts on her smarty pants and comes prepared to talk all things Desk Set (1957) with Chelsea. This Katharine Hepburn/Spencer Tracy romp explores the age old battle of the intersection of industrialization and the human condition. Digressions include the Luddite movement and AI, but the conversation in this one really serves to remind listeners that both hosts actually did get something from their degrees-- the ability to dissect this film in a way as fun and interesting as dissecting owl pellets at the zoo as a kid. Wait, can we please get confirmation of how universal that experience is? Regardless, we hope you enjoy Chelsea's favorite pre-60's film thus far as both hosts come to develop a deep fondness for Hepburn (Katharine, that is). 

Connect With Us

Follow us on Instagram @loveatfirstscreening or send an email to [email protected]

Production Hosts: Chelsea Ciccone and Madison Hill

Music: Good Steph

Artwork: Chelsea Ciccone

Social Media: Marissa Ciccone

About the Show

An examination of classic tropes and iconic characters pits connoisseur against cynic—one romantic comedy at a time. The cinematic world of love and laughter had rom-com enthusiast Madison head over heels from the time Harry met Sally. For genre skeptic Chelsea, however, it’s been a grueling enemies-to-lovers plot. In Love at First Screening, Madison introduces Chelsea to all the fan-favorite love stories she’s never wanted to watch. One friend’s passion might be the other’s displeasure, but doesn’t love conquer all? Tune in every Wednesday to find out.

Pack your party-ready wardrobe because we've RSVPd "I do" to an engagement (or seven) with The Wedding Year (2019). Starring Sarah Hyland and Tyler James Willams, with a special cameo from Wanda Sykes, this marriage manic rom com has our hosts weeping for every guest's bank account—and cheering for the gays (the only healthy relationship in this mess of a movie). P.S. Everyone (except Mara and Jake) is invited to Madison's future backyard taco truck wedding ... so long as someone pays for Chelsea to get ordained!

Connect With Us

Follow us on Instagram @loveatfirstscreening or send an email to [email protected]

Production Hosts: Chelsea Ciccone and Madison Hill

Music: Good Steph

Artwork: Chelsea Ciccone

Social Media: Marissa Ciccone

About the Show

An examination of classic tropes and iconic characters pits connoisseur against cynic—one romantic comedy at a time. The cinematic world of love and laughter had rom-com enthusiast Madison head over heels from the time Harry met Sally. For genre skeptic Chelsea, however, it’s been a grueling enemies-to-lovers plot. In Love at First Screening, Madison introduces Chelsea to all the fan-favorite love stories she’s never wanted to watch. One friend’s passion might be the other’s displeasure, but doesn’t love conquer all? Tune in every Wednesday to find out.