Stoop Kidz!: A Hey Arnold! Podcast

We’re thrilled to be joined by special guest Niky Horowitz! Niky watched a bunch of Nickelodeon with their grandma in the ‘90s as a kid and, like most of us, feels connected to another place and time by watching Hey Arnold! today.

Once the naive, principled punching bag, Eugene discovers his own influence by accident when his hero, Arnie-like action star The Abdicator, turns out to be a phony in “Eugene Goes Bad”. Eugene lets his disappointment and disillusionment turn him into the cool, aloof greaser he never thought he’d become, unaware other kids look up to his example. It’s a great, nuanced episode that really gets you thinking about the standards and expectations we set for people in our lives, and how we impact them in turn.

In “What’s Opera, Arnold?” the kids of PS 118 are sent on an opera field trip to better appreciate the art form. Of course, most of the kids fall asleep (they’re in fourth grade!), but in their dreams, Arnold and Helga get to live out their romantic fantasies through the lens of Carmen, Pagliacci, The Ring of the Nibelung, and more classic operatic works. By the time the fat lady sings, they’ve changed their tune – if only a little bit.

Follow Niky and find their work at these links:

- https://www.instagram.com/flews3d/

- https://soundcloud.com/flews3d

Whether you're a part of the gang or this is your first time on the stoop, we'd really appreciate it if you could leave us a review! For even more of our takes on the adventures of PS118, follow us on https://twitter.com/stoopkidzpod and www.instagram.com/stoopkidzpod/.

All Stoop Kidz show art is created by our own Emily Csuy (https://www.instagram.com/emilycsuy/). Intro music: “Hey Arnold! Theme” by Jim Lang. Intermission music: “Groove Remote” by Jim Lang. Outro music: Credits music in “What’s Opera, Arnold?” by Jim Lang.

Arnold finds his family’s legacy a little hard to swallow in “Eating Contest,” where he has to deal with Grandpa’s expectations behind him and reigning champ Seymour (aka “The Disposal”) in front of him. We also discuss Cody’s near-win at a chicken wing eating challenge and plan to raise his grandchild as his protégé to finally claim the prize.

Spoiled, image-conscious Rhonda Wellington Lloyd finds herself among the outcasts when she gets some new headwear in “Rhonda’s Glasses,” but her embarrassment turns to outrage when she sees the unfair treatment PS 118’s geeks face every day – and before long, she finds herself crowned ‘Queen of the Geeks.’ It’s also an episode we remember fondly, and maybe oddly, for its depiction of the upper class and allegories to civil rights.

Whether you're a part of the gang or this is your first time on the stoop, we'd really appreciate it if you could leave us a review! For even more of our takes on the adventures of PS118, follow us on https://twitter.com/stoopkidzpod and www.instagram.com/stoopkidzpod/.

All Stoop Kidz show art is created by our own Emily Csuy (https://www.instagram.com/emilycsuy/). Intro music: “Hey Arnold! Theme” by Jim Lang. Intermission music: “Groove Remote” by Jim Lang. Outro music: “Stompin’” by Jim Lang.

Grandpa is haunted by his own 40-year legacy as “Steely Phil,” the best Chinese checkers player in the city undone by his own drive to win, until Robby Fisher goads him back for one last match. What’s really great is we get to learn a lot more about Grandpa and the city along the way.

In “Quantity Time,” Helga and Big Bob struggle to relate to each other when Miriam takes a few days off. They don’t really get along – Big Bob is too out of touch with his daughter and Helga doesn’t have the patience to deal with her dawdling dad – but they both give it a fair shake. Repressed, combative Patakis? I don’t believe it!

Whether you're a part of the gang or this is your first time on the stoop, we'd really appreciate it if you could leave us a review! For even more of our takes on the adventures of PS118, follow us on https://twitter.com/stoopkidzpod and www.instagram.com/stoopkidzpod/.

All Stoop Kidz show art is created by our own Emily Csuy (https://www.instagram.com/emilycsuy/). Intro music: “Hey Arnold! Theme” by Jim Lang. Intermission music: “Groove Remote” by Jim Lang. Outro music: RATS theme from “Quantity Time” by Jim Lang.

Helga tries a little too hard to reclaim her “misspent youth” by falling out of love with Arnold in “Helga’s Love Potion.” It’s not an easy break, though, and before long, she finds that her “orzo-shaped Prometheus” is actually the source of all of her deepest feelings – not just the pangs of unrequited love. In “Gerald’s Secret,” Arnold helps his best friend overcome a childhood fear of biking – but is he ready to learn?

Whether you're a part of the gang or this is your first time on the stoop, we'd really appreciate it if you could leave us a review! For even more of our takes on the adventures of PS118, follow us on https://twitter.com/stoopkidzpod and www.instagram.com/stoopkidzpod/.

All Stoop Kidz show art is created by our own Emily Csuy (https://www.instagram.com/emilycsuy/). Intro music: “Hey Arnold! Theme” by Jim Lang. Intermission music: “Groove Remote” by Jim Lang. Outro music: “Stompin’” by Jim Lang.

In “Freeze Frame,” an homage to horror/thriller director Brian De Palma, Arnold and Gerald use their video camera to solve The Mystery of Porkpie and the Envelope in the Tree – which, of course, doesn’t exist – before a man meets his ignominious end. It’s a really fun episode about how kids use technology to understand their world and themselves!

Then, exemplary student Phoebe Heyerdahl does the unthinkable in “Phoebe Cheats,” a star-studded episode that deals with the pressure of perfection, totems of guilt, parental support, Phoebe’s multiculturalism, and more. A couple of us sure cheated as kids (kinda…) and remember how it felt. It didn’t always feel bad. Don’t tell our parents or teachers we said that!

Whether you're a part of the gang or this is your first time on the stoop, we'd really appreciate it if you could leave us a review! For even more of our takes on the adventures of PS118, follow us on https://twitter.com/stoopkidzpod and www.instagram.com/stoopkidzpod/.

All Stoop Kidz show art is created by our own Emily Csuy (https://www.instagram.com/emilycsuy/). Intro music: “Hey Arnold! Theme” by Jim Lang. Intermission music: “Groove Remote” by Jim Lang. Outro music: Chase music from “Freeze Frame” by Jim Lang.

Football head becomes footballER in “Mudbowl,” kicking off a dramatic fourth-versus-fifth grade feud. Seeing the kids playing full-contact sports is a joy in itself, and it’s easy to get caught up in the rivalry with characters like Torvald and Wolfgang on board. You’ll never guess what happens in “Gerald Moves Out” – but we all feel a little weird about how the episode wraps up. At least it’s a great Grandpa episode! He’s such a wily old coot.

Whether you're a part of the gang or this is your first time on the stoop, we'd really appreciate it if you could leave us a review! For even more of our takes on the adventures of PS118, follow us on https://twitter.com/stoopkidzpod and www.instagram.com/stoopkidzpod/.

All Stoop Kidz show art is created by our own Emily Csuy (https://www.instagram.com/emilycsuy/). Intro music: “Hey Arnold! Theme” by Jim Lang. Intermission music: “Groove Remote” by Jim Lang. Outro music: “Stompin’” by Jim Lang.

It’s Trash Can Day – the most diabolical day ever invented – in “Longest Monday,” an annual tradition of tossing the powerless into garbage cans for sport. But are the fourth graders really afraid of getting canned? Or are they afraid of cycles of violence they can’t break? Then “Eugene’s Pet” becomes Arnold’s Victim when the football head accidentally kills his friend’s goldfish. Can Arnold ever make it up to him? Or is Eugene’s lovable unluckiness bound to follow him forever?

Whether you're a part of the gang or this is your first time on the stoop, we'd really appreciate it if you could leave us a review! For even more of our takes on the adventures of PS118, follow us on https://twitter.com/stoopkidzpod and www.instagram.com/stoopkidzpod/.

All Stoop Kidz show art is created by our own Emily Csuy (www.instagram.com/emilycsuy/). Intro music: “Hey Arnold! Theme” by Jim Lang. Intermission music: “Groove Remote” by Jim Lang. Outro music: “Stompin’” by Jim Lang.

First, "The High Life" follows Gerald through the trials and tribulations of being the "star" salesman for a less-than-honest watchmaker. Then, we get a front row seat to the fallout of Nadine and Rhonda's latest fight in "Best Friends," as our favorite football head finds himself caught in friendship crossfire yet again.

Whether you're a part of the gang or this is your first time on the stoop, we'd really appreciate it if you could leave us a review! For even more of our takes on the adventures of PS 118, follow us on https://twitter.com/stoopkidzpod and www.instagram.com/stoopkidzpod/.

All Stoop Kidz show art is created by our own Emily Csuy (https://www.instagram.com/emilycsuy/). Intro music: “Hey Arnold! Theme” by Jim Lang. Intermission music: “Groove Remote” by Jim Lang. Outro music: “Stompin’” by Jim Lang.

Monkeynucleosis might not really turn you into a monkey, but it DOES turn Helga an interesting shade of paranoid when she gets it. In discussing “Monkey Business,” we talk about how we see our own anxieties and insecurities reflected in Helga’s panic as well as how the episode adds an interesting wrinkle to her and Arnold’s relationship. Then, we go fishin’ for “Big Caesar” – season 2’s first urban legend episode – and reel in our own great fishing stories, talking points about childhood nostalgia, and choosing mercy over sweet vindication.

If you love the show, we’d love for you to leave a review! In the meantime, keep up with us at https://twitter.com/stoopkidzpod and https://www.instagram.com/stoopkidzpod/.

All Stoop Kidz show art is created by our own Emily Csuy (https://www.instagram.com/emilycsuy/). Intro music: “Hey Arnold! Theme” by Jim Lang. Intermission music: “Groove Remote” by Jim Lang. Outro music: “Grandma & Grandpa Arguing Over the End Credits” by Jim Lang.

“Ransom” reintroduces us to Gerald’s little sister, Timberly, who just wants her fair share of sibling time with her older brother. In “Ms. Perfect,” Helga and the girls tear down Lila, the new girl, for being so well-liked – not realizing their vindictiveness is one of the reasons they’re not.

If you love the show, we’d love for you to leave a review! In the meantime, keep up with us at https://twitter.com/stoopkidzpod and https://www.instagram.com/stoopkidzpod/.

All Stoop Kidz show art is created by our own Emily Csuy (https://www.instagram.com/emilycsuy/). Intro music: “Hey Arnold! Theme” by Jim Lang. Intermission music: “Groove Remote” by Jim Lang. Outro music: “Stompin’” by Jim Lang.