This week, we dove headfirst into the neon chaos of Showgirls. Leah had seen it years ago. Shawn had not. We pressed play with cautious optimism. That optimism did not survive.

The acting feels loud, awkward, and strangely theatrical. The story wanders. Characters make choices that defy logic. And yes, there’s plenty of nudity. That alone does not save a film.

We spent time unpacking Elizabeth Berkley in the lead role. She often seems uncomfortable. At moments, she feels like she’s still channeling Jesse Spano from Saved By the Bell — especially that infamous caffeine pill spiral. The intensity never quite fits the scene. It’s fascinating. And not in a good way.

But wait. We didn’t stop there.

We also reviewed the made-for-TV gem Amanda and the Alien, which we found on VHS at a thrift shop. The selling point? Michael Dorn. That matters because he played Worf on Star Trek: The Next Generation, and Shawn will watch almost anything adjacent to Trek.

Sadly, Dorn could not beam this one to safety. The story makes very little sense. The tone wobbles. We will not be revisiting it.

After two questionable 1995 experiences, we pivoted to real life. Etsy sales have slowed. We talked honestly about the frustration. Then we touched on the recent Supreme Court ruling that said Trump’s tariffs are illegal, and we wondered what that might mean for small online sellers like us. The future feels murky.

Finally, after three years of collecting, Shawn is done buying Hot Wheels. He’s turning 50 in September and questioning how much stuff one person needs. The collection may be heading out the door.

It’s a chaotic episode. Bad movies. Business stress. Mild existential reflection.

You know. The usual.

This week’s podcast promo: Luke Skis Animation and Stuff

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