Good Burger (1997) is one of the most memorable Nickelodeon comedy movies of the 90s, starring Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell. In the Season 3 finale of Magic, Movies and Melanin, we revisit this cult classic and talk about why Good Burger STILL lives rent-free in the minds of so many 90s kids and Black millennials.

In this episode we break down the plot of Good Burger (1997), revisit the dynamic between Ed and Dexter, and talk about the cultural impact of Kenan & Kel during Nickelodeon’s peak era. We also get into the power of 90s nostalgia and why movies like Good Burger continue to resonate with Black millennials today.

Quick heads up MMM family: there was a small audio issue when the episode was re-saved, so a few parts were cut. The conversation and laughs are still here though, and we had a great time celebrating this classic for our Season 3 finale!

If you grew up on Good Burger, Kenan & Kel, and classic 90s Nickelodeon, this episode is for you.

Follow us and join the conversation

Instagram & Threads

@magicmoviesandmelanin

@ebeknowing

@justaddatiara

Facebook

Magic, Movies and Melanin

⸻

Timestamps

00:00 Welcome to the Season 3 Finale

01:49 Diving into Good Burger

05:10 Plot Breakdown of Good Burger

13:29 Character Dynamics: Ed and Dexter

22:21 Nostalgia and the Impact of 90s Nickelodeon

23:45 The Impact of 90s Black Representation in Media

25:27 Nostalgic Favorites: Iconic 90s Shows

27:56 Kenan and Kel: A Dynamic Duo

30:31 Behind the Scenes: On-Screen vs Real-Life Friendships

36:36 The Cast of Good Burger

42:33 Memorable Performances in the Film

43:10 The Evolution of Actors in Comedy

46:11 Memorable Characters and Their Impact

50:56 Addressing Dark Themes in Nostalgia

56:01 The Legacy of Good Burger

01:00:05 Season Finale Reflections and Future Plans

Disney Channel gave us a Black superhero family in 2000 and somehow people still don’t talk about it enough. In this episode, we go back to Up, Up and Away and really sit with it. The Marshall family, the pressure to have powers, the low budget effects that still made it feel special, and the cultural impact of seeing a Black family save the day on Disney. We break down the plot twists, Scott faking his strength, the villain’s wild plan, and whether this movie still holds up in the era of Marvel dominance. Then we have some fun and recast it for a modern reboot.

If you grew up on Disney Channel Original Movies, love Black superheroes, or miss early 2000s nostalgia, this one is for you.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Up, Up and Away

02:43 Cultural Significance of Black Superheroes

05:45 Character Analysis of the Marshall Family

08:26 The Pressure of Expectations and Identity

11:34 The Earth Protectors Plan and Its Implications

14:16 The Climax and Resolution of the Story

17:05 Recasting Up, Up and Away for a New Generation

28:16 Casting Choices and Character Development

34:31 The Legacy of Robert Townsend

41:36 Audacity Awards: Characters and Their Choices

46:43 Final Ratings and Reflections on the Film

Follow us on the socials

IG:

@magicmoviesandmelanin

@ebeknowing

@justaddtiara

Threads:

@magicmoviesandmelanin

@ebeknowing

@justaddtiara

In this episode of Magic, Movies and Melanin, TT and I revisit Disney Channel’s The Color of Friendship and unpack why this film still hits harder than people remember. Set against the very real backdrop of apartheid South Africa, the movie forces uncomfortable conversations about race, privilege, cultural conditioning, and the ways racism can show up quietly, casually, and loudly all at once.

We talk about how language is used to normalize harmful ideas, how assumptions across cultures create tension, and why the character growth is the real engine of this story. The discussion goes beyond nostalgia and into why this film remains an important educational tool, especially for younger audiences learning how history, friendship, and identity collide.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to The Color of Friendship

04:30 Apartheid and the historical context behind the story

09:37 Cultural shock, assumptions, and early conflicts

20:07 How apartheid shapes identity and behavior

32:41 Character development and emotional growth

48:51 Final thoughts and ratings

Follow us on the socials

IG:

@magicmoviesandmelanin

@ebeknowing

@justaddatiara

Threads:

@magicmoviesandmelanin

@ebeknowing

@justaddatiara

The Cinderella episode response was LOUD so we had to keep the nostalgia train rolling. This week, TT and I are heading to Rome (mentally) for a full dive into The Lizzie McGuire Movie — the iconic Disney classic that had us believing we could all randomly become pop stars on vacation.

We’re talking character dynamics, Lizzie’s confidence journey, the soundtrack that still hits, and how watching this movie as an adult lowkey changes the whole vibe. We also get into the film’s questionable teen safety logic, hand out our Audacity Awards, and finish strong with a 2026 recast that proves representation will always matter.

So the big question is…does it still hold up?

Press play and come argue with us nicely

⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Listener Engagement

03:26 Nostalgia and the Lizzie McGuire Movie

10:15 Character Analysis and Favorite Moments

19:17 The Audacity Awards

28:04 Recasting the Lizzie McGuire Movie

41:35 Does It Still Hold Up?

📲 Follow & Stay Connected

IG + Threads:

@ebeknowing

@justaddatiara

@magicmoviesandmelanin

This week on Magic, Movies and Melanin, we revisit the Brandy + Whitney Houston version of Cinderella and talk about why this one still hits like it did the first time…maybe even harder now that we’re grown.

We get into the impact of representation, how the music shapes the entire emotional experience, and why Brandy’s Cinderella feels so authentic and easy to root for. And of course we had to show love to Whitney Houston as Fairy Godmother…because she was magic!

Plus: trivia, fun facts, nostalgic childhood stories, and the ultimate question… does this movie still hold up? (Spoiler: we will defend this movie.)

Timestamps / Chapters

00:00 – Introduction and vibes

01:35 – Transition into the Cinderella discussion

04:33 – The cultural impact (representation mattered BAD)

08:05 – Plot overview + themes

12:56 – Cast and performances (Brandy really did her thing)

24:44 – Random detour: the Descendants franchise convo

27:14 – The soundtrack + why the music is the heartbeat

30:01 – Why it hits differently as adults

32:42 – Representation and identity

35:20 – Nostalgia + personal connections

37:59 – Trick-or-treating memories and childhood flashbacks

42:58 – Cinderella trivia challenge

46:40 – Whitney Houston’s Fairy Godmother legacy

51:37 – Does Cinderella (1997) still hold up?

57:56 – Social media + closing thoughts

In this episode of Magic, Movies & Melanin, EB and TT head back to Genovia to revisit the 2001 Disney favorite The Princess Diaries. This movie lived on repeat growing up, and watching it now hits with pure early-2000s nostalgia.

We talk about why the film still works, Mia Thermopolis’ awkward but relatable glow up, and how this role put Anne Hathaway on the map. Julie Andrews brings the heart and authority only she can, and Mandy Moore’s early mean girl era definitely left a mark.

We jump from favorite scenes and MVP picks to a real conversation about the film’s lack of racial diversity, we balance love for the movie with grown perspective. Then we have some fun reimagining The Princess Diaries with a 2001 cast of color and ask the big question. Does it still hold up?

Follow us on the socials

IG:

@magicmoviesandmelanin

@ebeknowing

@justaddatiara

Threads:

@magicmoviesandmelanin

@ebeknowing

@justaddatiara

Timestamps

00:23 Introduction to The Princess Diaries

03:32 Plot Overview and Characters

06:15 Identity, Transformation, and the Glow Up

09:07 Cast and Performances

12:13 Culture and Representation

15:09 Character Dynamics

22:28 Audacity Awards and MVPs

28:23 Our 2001 Recasting

47:14 Trivia Time

57:27 Does It Still Hold Up?

Cetus Lupetus forever.

As 2026 settles in, we revisit one of Disney Channel’s most iconic films, Zenon Girl of the 21st Century. The future we imagined as kids, the reality we’re living in now, and why Zenon still holds a special place in our hearts.

We talk space dreams, wild outfits, Proto Zoa the legend, Margie being the BIGGEST hater, and why Zenon felt empowering without trying too hard. Then we recast the movie and ask the only question that matters…Does it still hit?!

If you ever yelled Cetus Lupetus at the TV, this one’s for you!

Timestamps

00:00 Intro

00:12 Welcome and why Zenon still matters

04:45 When time started moving too fast

09:30 Zenon and our future dreams

17:40 Kids not being heard by adults

25:10 Fashion, music, and 90s futurism

34:55 Margie and character dynamics

43:20 Recasting Zenon today

57:10 Does it still hold up

01:06:30 Final thoughts

Join the conversation on social media

Instagram:@magicmoviesandmelanin

Threads:@magicmoviesandmelanin

Follow TT on IG and Threads: @justaddatiara

Follow E on IG and Threads: @ebeknowing

Some Christmas movies entertain you. Jingle Jangle tries to heal you a little.

This week, we step into a world full of music, magic, and big feelings as we break down Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey. We get into family, loss, legacy, parenting, and what it really means to believe in yourself again after life has knocked the wind out of you.

We celebrate the way Black joy and imagination sit at the center of this story without apology. Along the way, we hand out a few Audacity Awards, run through some holiday trivia, rate the movie Keith Lee style, and share personal Christmas memories that remind us why stories like this matter.

If you’ve ever had to start over, rebuild your confidence, or rediscover the magic you thought you lost, this one’s for you! 🎄✨

Chapters

00:15 Introduction to Jingle Jangle

01:37 First Impressions and Expectations

06:05 Plot Breakdown and Character Introductions

08:53 Themes of Family and Loss

12:18 Journey of Rediscovery and Magic

15:07 Favorite Scenes and Musical Highlights

18:08 Character Analysis and Audacity Awards

27:32 The Joys and Challenges of Parenting

31:06 Trivia Time: Crimmuh Edition

35:27 Rating the Movie: Keith Lee Style!

37:10 Cherished Christmas Memories

41:58 Reflections on the Movie’s Impact

Follow us and keep the conversation going:

Instagram & Threads:

@magicmoviesmelanin

@ebeknowing

@justaddatiara

This week on Magic, Movies & Melanin, what starts as a cozy 90s Christmas memory quickly turns into a conversation about accidental Santas, questionable parenting choices, and why this movie had an entire generation thinking corporate Santa training was a real thing!

We break down the plot, the father-son dynamic, and why this movie still lives rent-free in most Christmas rotations. We also don’t dodge the complicated part. Tim Allen’s legacy comes with baggage now, and we talk honestly about what it’s like revisiting comfort movies when the people behind them make you squint a little harder.

Of course, we had to remix it. The recasting segment gets creative, the Audacity Awards hand out consequences where they were long overdue, and we wrap it all up with final ratings and reflections on where The Santa Clause sits in the holiday movie hierarchy all these years later.

Grab some cocoa. Or something stronger. Let’s talk about SC!

⏱️ Timestamps

00:32 – Speaking Intro

06:03 – Plot Breakdown & Character Dynamics

14:53 – Tim Allen, Nostalgia & the Complicated Part

21:43 – Recasting The Santa Clause

30:30 – Final Thoughts Before the Chaos

36:54 – The Audacity Awards: Santa Had One Job

43:55 – Final Ratings & Holiday Legacy Talk

📲 Follow Us

Podcast: @magicmoviesandmelanin

EB: @ebeknowing

TT: @justaddatiara

On Facebook, Instagram & Threads!

Home Alone season is here, and we’re deep-diving into the two movies that raised us, confused us, and convinced us we could outsmart grown men with nothing but paint cans and childhood goofs. We get into Kevin’s genius, the family chaos, the New York glow-up, and why John Williams’ score still melts the holiday stress right off your shoulders. If these movies were part of your childhood rotation, this episode is gonna feel like warm lights on a cold night.

Follow us:

Podcast — @magicmoviesandmelanin (FB, IG, Threads)

TT — @justaddatiara (IG, Threads)

E — @ebeknowing (IG, Threads) & @ebakuubesangin (TikTok)

00:00–00:35 Intro Music

00:35–01:04 Opening + Movie Hype

01:04–05:30 Overview of Both Films

05:30–13:44 Home Alone: Plot + Characters

13:44–15:39 Favorite Moments

15:39–21:24 Transition to Home Alone 2

21:24–23:51 HA2 Plot + Dynamics

23:51–28:12 Themes: Family + Self-Discovery

28:12–34:27 Favorites + Audacity Awards

34:27–43:18 Trivia + Fun Facts

43:18–45:24 Soundtrack Talk

45:24–45:45 “Christmas Star” Transition

45:45–49:00 The John Williams Segment

49:00–end Final Thoughts + Ratings