Happy new year to the Podstruck community! This week we’re kicking off 2026 with our Rom-Com Icons category - beginning with a classic romantic comedy from 1960: Billy Wilder’s The Apartment. This movie stars Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine, and Fred MacMurray, and was nominated for TEN Oscars though only won a measly five, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Screenplay, proving that rom-coms CAN be respected by critics - who knew?! And joining us today is legendary comedian, actor, writer and producer Dana Gould (The Simpsons, Hanging With Dr. Z, Ted, the voice of Gex the Gecko and so so much more)! Dana brings his razor-sharp wit, his incredible impressions and deep love of classic films to the conversation. Together, we unpack how affairs were common place in the '60's, why women would be forced to put up with it, and discuss the genre gumbo that is The Apartment! Is it a comedy? Is it a tragedy? Is it just a work place harassment video in the guise of a rom-com?! Let's find out! Plus: martinis at any time of day, burlesque dancing at a workplace Christmas party, and the genius use of forced perspective by Billy Wilder. Whether you’re a lifelong fan of classic Hollywood, a rom-com GEEK like us, or just discovering The Apartment for the first time, this episode is a must-listen.

This episode was edited by Nick Duke: https://www.instagram.com/n_dukie/ 

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CATEGORY: HORNIER FOR THE HOLIDAYS

For our final holiday movie of the year, Chelsea is joined by returning guests Catherine McCafferty & Margaret Kaminski to discuss 'Happiest Season,' the Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis queer rom-com from 2020. It's a romance that has us screaming RUN, but then we stay for the side characters who we can't get enough of. And we ask whether there was a version of this movie that ended with a love story with Aubrey Plaza. Thanks for listening to Podstruck throughout 2025 and cheers to a 2026 full of movies and love!

This episode was edited by Nick Duke: https://www.instagram.com/n_dukie/ 

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CATEGORY: HORNIER FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Today Elena and Chelsea rewatch the Will Ferrell holiday favorite 'Elf,' which is only a little bit of a rom-com but that's probably for the best. Joining the Podstruck hosts is Matt Buechele (The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon) who discusses the appeal of NYC in the fall, the creepy babysitter vibes Zooey Deschanel gives off, the underrated musical score, and why Amy Sedaris declawing cats at camp steals our hearts. Plus - what is a hippie yearbook?

This episode was edited by Nick Duke: https://www.instagram.com/n_dukie/

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SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE BONUS EPISODE

As an exclusive bonus episode for our Podstruck Patreon subscribers AKA our Meet Cuties today we're discussing the Netflix holiday rom-com Love Hard, featuring Nina Dobrev and Jimmy O. Yang. Chelsea and Elena dive in to figure out why this 2021 movie feels extremely 2009. Do we love it, hate it, or hate that we could've loved it but only liked it? And how big is Lake Placid really? Impossible to know.

To listen to the FULL bonus episode, sign up for our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/c/Podstruckpod.

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CATEGORY: HORNIER FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Welcome to season 2 of Podstruck! We are kicking things off with The Family Stone, a movie that hits even harder after the passing of Diane Keaton. It's a movie for anyone who loves strata, stress, and a brother/sister swap. Elena and Chelsea debate whether Luke Wilson and Sarah Jessica Parker have chemistry that revs our engines, we shout out Rachel McAdams' various performances as mean girls, and we predict what will happen in The Family Stone sequel which was recently announced.

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PATREON EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW

Today we are announcing our first annual superlative awards! Who wins the Walter White Award for Insane Chemistry, or the Cold Wet Wipe Award for Least Chemistry? We will let you know! And please chime in and let us know who would win your awards?! Is Uma Thurman's wardrobe in "The Truth About Cats & Dogs" incredible or Amelia Bedelia come to life? What do you think is the best opening of any of the movies we covered this year? We'll cover all of this AND more in this super special episode!

Thank you so much for supporting us in our first year of the podcast. We can't wait to be back mid December with our Hornier For The Holidays movies! 

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CATEGORY: ENGAGED TO THE WRONG DUDE

For our final movie in Season 1 of Podstruck, we're revisiting the Cher and Nic Cage classic, Moonstruck, which just so happens to be our namesake inspiration! Elena and Chelsea are joined by Rose Surnow (Pivoting, Marvel) to talk about how every line in this John Patrick Shanley movie is a masterpiece, why the chemistry makes us feel like there's a furnace in our bakery basement, which actors we felt deserved Oscars and which didn't, and whether we are actually over the moon for the giant moon motif.

This week's episode was edited by Nick Duke: @n_dukie

Follow Rose Surnow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosesurnow/

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CATEGORY: ENGAGED TO THE WRONG DUDE      

This week we cover 'Sleepless in Seattle'! The 1993 Nora Ephron rom-com starring everyone's favorite duo: Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan! We discuss the romance of stalking, the rainy charm of Seattle, whether people ate tiramisu in the 90s, what celebrities LOVE Victor Garber, and and whether kids really are the ultimate matchmakers or if Nora is just manipulating our emotions. Plus we'll dig into whether Bill Pullman's character was really that bad, or just a guy with allergies? And we gush over an adorable young Gabby Hoffman and a wry as ever Rosie O'Donnell.     

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00:00 Introduction to Sleepless in Seattle

03:11 Listener Engagement and Movie Recommendations

05:52 Exploring the Movie's Themes and Characters

08:57 Behind the Scenes: Nora Ephron's Influence

11:51 Cultural Context and Reception

15:00 Act One Recap

36:34 Chemistry Check

39:37 Act Two Recap

41:05 Is Stalking Romantic?

50:52 Relationship Rut or Sweet Spot?

54:10 Tiramisu

57:03 Ghosty Moments

59:49 Judy Greer Award

01:01:55 Act Three Recap

01:10:04 Binge or Cringe

01:15:00 Final Thoughts and Reflections

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CATEGORY: ENGAGED TO THE WRONG DUDE

We're kicking off our new rom-com theme Engaged To The Wrong Dude with the Adam Sandler Drew Barrymore 1998 classic 'The Wedding Singer.' Allie Goertz (Mad Magazine, MST3K) joins us to talk about why we love all the butt grabbing, the pros and cons of blue eye shadow, the insane chemistry between Adam and Drew, feminist Billy Idol, which plot point felt straight out of a porno, and why the goofiness and sweetness of this movie brings us back on board again and again even if a few of the jokes feel dated.  

Follow Allie Goertz on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alliegoertz/

Watch the "Ruiner" Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfUTh6ujUZk&list=RDZfUTh6ujUZk

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CATEGORY: LOVEY DOVEY TIMEY WIMEY

Our final movie in the collection of time travel rom-coms is the 2013 gentle charmer, About Time, starring Domhnall Gleeson and Rachel McAdams. And for this sweet but meandering movie, we're joined by writer and podcaster Jordan Morris (Jordan, Jesse, Go!, Free With Ads, Bubble, Youth Group) who brings up PG-13 Sex Poses, the incredible bargain that is Love Actually, why Rachel McAdams is pretending to be average looking, and asks why Richard Curtis is obsessed with sex workers. Plus we talk about the character that gives us weird chemistry vibes and would stress us out in real life. And... is this movie the prequel to Looper!?

This week's episode was edited by Nick Duke: @n_dukie

Follow Jordan Morris on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordandavidmorris/

Listen to Jordan, Jesse, Go!: https://maximumfun.org/podcasts/jordan-jesse-go/

Listen to Free With Ads: https://maximumfun.org/podcasts/free-with-ads/                           

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