Love at First Screening

This week, we hope you have a box of tissues handy, because here come the waterworks and the epic highs and lows of Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994). After a brief contemplation on whether Madison's one-eyed step-cat can wink, our hosts make a mad dash to the chapel alongside a star-studded cast including Hugh Grant, Andie MacDowell, John Hannah, Rowan Atkinson, and even more "Oh, wait, I know them!"-Brits. Between the laughs are genuine tear-jerker moments that lead to another thoughtful discussion on grief and how love inevitably comes with loss. (We promise it's not a downer, but you don't have to take our word for it...just press play!)

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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 usual and only host, Marissa, graciously invites Chelsea and Madison on to have a thoughtful and intellectual discussion about the 1952 American musical romantic comedy (?) Singin' in the Rain. Marissa guides our guests through the plot, history, and fun facts of this comedic romp, exploring the pitfalls and follies that accompanied the transition from silent films to talkies. Is it a rom com? Ehhhh. Is it a fabulous musical rich with quippy dialogue, catchy tunes, and mindboggling skilled footwork? Absolutely.

Tangents include the Muppets, Fred Astaire, Tom Holland and Madison does at one point call Gene Kelly a power bottom.

Thank you again, to Marissa, for allowing Madison and Chelsea to be on the podcast. It wouldn't exist without Marissa and anyone who claims otherwise will face legal action (I'm not kidding, Marissa said "I will sue" in a Lina Lamont voice when I brought up that she isn't actual the lead of the podcast and I can't afford the legal bills).

Lastly, apologies for the delay in posting this episode-- Madison had four concerts to attend in a week and our cat producer, Uno, couldn't figure out the software

Connect With Us

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

Production Hosts: Chelsea Ciccone and Madison Hill

Cat Producers: Phoebe, Uno, Kiwi, and Cisco

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, the pod dives into the best Drew Barrymore-Adam Sandler flick of all time, The Wedding Singer (1998). After the show's impromptu hiatus (thank you, LAFSters, for your patience!), has Madison finally picked her first rom com of the season? Either way, Chelsea has a bone to pick with Barrymore and stands firm that Sandler is not the comedic genius Hollywood seems to think he is. Plus both our hosts have questions about the wedding industry, finance bros, and why women settle.

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.

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.