RomCom Killjoys

As part of our ongoing series on Bridgerton, Eliza and Jonelle take a deep dive into how Bridgerton portrays (and glosses over) racial and/or cultural difference. Your hosts tread lightly into the difference between American and British representation; color conscious and color blind casting; and why it's weird that anyone thinks people of color didn't exist in early modern England. 

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Spoilers abound, dear listeners ... Eliza and Jonelle (finally) tackle Regency juggernaut Bridgerton (2020-Present). Herein your heroines discuss race and speculative history for the British Empire; the perils of #GirlBoss feminism; and a truly shocking encounter with a bee ... don't tell the mamas ... 

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Our Regency Romance series continues as Eliza is joined by special guest Kelsey Fast to discuss Emma (2020), including the relative hotness of Mr. Knightley; the particular perspective of our middle-aged authoress; and why Austen endures.

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Aaaaaaand we're back -- and with a new format! Kicking off our mini-serious on Regency romance is a Pride and Prejudice (1995/2005) double-header. Within we discuss the cinematic language of mise-en-scene; romantic leads post-masculinity; and the proto-feminism of Jane Austen. 

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Why watch a romcom at Christmas when you could watch the destruction of wood in real time? Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year from your favorite Killjoys. 

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Jonelle and Eliza take on simulacra of a simulacra Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star (2021), including forgoing generic norms; forgoing the spirit of Christmas; and the missed opportunity for weird saint relics. 

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Jonelle and Eliza tackle Netflix's first queer Christmas romcom Single All the Way (2021), including homonormativity; the benefits of self-aware cliches; and why you should buckle-up along the New Hampshire border.

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Jonelle and Eliza kick off a Very Netflix Christmas with their banner film of the season -- A Castle for Christmas (2021) -- including plausible but fantastical love stories; the underutilization of Cary Elwes; and why we were surprised by Brooke Shields' comedic chops.

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Jonelle and Eliza are joined by special guest Alexandra Huber-Weiss to discuss obvious rom-com Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002), including the challenges of back writing for a prequel; hegemonic love and fascism in the Star Wars universe; and why you are better off falling in love with R2-D2. 

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Jonelle and Eliza kick off a month of Rom Coms that are not Rom Coms but are absolutely Rom Coms with our first live, in-person recording! Up for discussion is Addams Family Values (1993) including alternative families; finding your Gomez; and why Anjelica Huston's eyes in the film are otherworldly perfect. 

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