Mousterpiece Melodies

Hello, friends! It's time for the third season finale of Mousterpiece Melodies, in which your intrepid hosts Josh and Scott are on a quest to talk about the songs of one of the most classic and beloved of all Disney films, the 1940 adaptation of Pinocchio. They're joined on this discussion by screenwriter and author Emily St. James, as they talk about all things "When You Wish Upon a Star," including a natural tangent into the work of both Gene Simmons and Katey Sagal. Plus, what discussion of 1940s-era Disney would be complete without a discursive section on the impact of World War II and the Nazis? It's all there, and it's all Pinocchio, before Scott and Josh take a break and dream it all up again, so check out the new episode now!

Hello, friends! As summer turns to fall, Scott and Josh are turning the page to another episode of Mousterpiece Melodies. This week, they're joined by film critic Chris Williams to talk about the songs of the thorny 1995 historical romance Pocahontas, featuring the voices of Irene Bedard, Christian Bale, David Ogden Stiers, and...oh...goodness, who is it voicing the male lead again? Ah yes, Mel Gibson. Yes, this movie, depicting the bittersweet love affair between a young Native American woman and an English explorer, has not fully held up over the last three decades, but what of its songs by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz? Do the songs still work? Are they problematic? And how does the work of Bryan Adams fit into the discussion? You'll have to listen to find out!

Hello, friends! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Melodies, and Scott and Josh are shaking things up a bit this time around. While they typically discuss the songs of a specific movie, today, they're heading on a trip to the Happiest Place on Earth to discuss the original songs of Disneyland Park. They're joined by Disney historian Michael Crawford to discuss everything from It's a Small World to the songs of the Carousel of Progress and more. Do these songs manage to be repetitive and enjoyable, or just repetitive? And how will Josh react to learning in real time who the new stars of the updated Carousel of Progress will be? Listen to find out!

Are you laying back? You feeling relaxed? Well, you better believe it's time for Josh and Scott to indulge in the bare necessities in a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Melodies as they discuss the songs of the 1967 classic The Jungle Book. This story of a little boy who doesn't want to be a big boy at all, but wants to live in the jungle as an animal has at least two truly iconic musical sequences (even if one of them remains problematic to this day). But what of the other songs? And how well do the bangers hold up? Listen to find out!

Hello, friends! Take a seat around the campfire for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Melodies. This time around, Scott and Josh are guest-free as they talk about the music of yet another package film from the 1940s: Melody Time. This Disney film may be available on Disney+, but its most memorable song, "Pecos Bill," is best known for its use as the theme parks. Is that a hint about the quality of the other songs here, ranging from an ode to trees to a song about a tugboat to music about Johnny Appleseed? Well, you'll have to listen to find out!

Hello, friends! It's time for Josh and Scott to head back into the vault and look at the end of the 1990s in a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Melodies. This time, they're talking about the songs of the 1998 film Mulan, and they're joined by Joshua Rivera to listen back to at least two great songs. But is it possible that this film may have worked better with no songs at all? Which of the film's numbers is the true show-stopper? And which diva reigned supreme at the Oscars that year? Listen to the new show to find out! 

Hello, friends! It may not be the equivalent of Christmas in July, but Scott and Josh are celebrating a key holiday in the fall in this episode of Mousterpiece Melodies: Dia de los Muertos. That's because they're talking about the songs of the Pixar film Coco with their guest Kristen Lopez of The Film Maven! How do the songs in this film hold up nearly ten years later? Does it feel like this is truly a Pixar musical, or just a movie with one killer song that shows up a lot? And does anyone here want there to be a sequel? Listen to the new show to find out!

Hello, friends! We hope you're raring to go to discuss one of the most beloved Disney films of all time, because that's exactly what Scott and Josh are doing on the latest episode of Mousterpiece Melodies. They're joined by special guest Eric Goldman to talk about the songs of the 1991 classic Beauty and the Beast, from its massively successful title song and ensuing pop cover to the work that the late Howard Ashman created before tragically passing away to much more. Plus, you'll finally get to hear Josh both speak ill of the dead (kind of) and pull off a quintessential U Talkin' U2 To Me? reference that should appeal to...well, maybe some of you. Anyway, check out the new show and listen now!

Avast, me hearties! We hope you've got a spirit for the open sea, because in this new episode of Mousterpiece Melodies, your hosts Josh and Scott are sailing for adventure. More specifically, they're talking about the songs of the 1996 film Muppet Treasure Island, and are joined by special guest Jacob Oller of The AV Club to do so. In this episode, they talk about how great aspects of this film are, such as Tim Curry as Long John Silver and his scenery-chewing work against the Muppets. Plus, a discussion of the last uncharted frontier (...space!), the litigious Hormel company, native pigs, and much, much more. Check out the show now!

Hello, friends! Don't cry for us, or for Argentina, but Scott and Josh have a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Melodies for you all. They're joined by their old friend from the old show, Gabe Bucsko, to talk about the 1996 film adaptation of the stage musical Evita, starring Madonna and Antonio Banderas. Consider it an almost all-cover episode of the show, since just one song in the film version was all-new, and the rest is fodder for this lengthy discussion in which we discuss the work of Andrew Lloyd Webber, sexual hermit crabs, and other phrases you never thought you'd hear. Check out the new show now!