Storytelling Saga

Ali interviews Emmy award-winning writer, lyricist and composer, David Steven Cohen, whose credits include Pee-wee's Playhouse, ALF, Arthur, Parker Lewis Can't Lose, Balto and many other projects, including serving as the head writer on Courage the Cowardly Dog. David shares how he got his start, notable moments in his career, favorite episodes and songs he's written, his experience as the executive producer of the Writers Guild Awards, advice for up and coming writers, what he's currently working on and much more!

Ali discusses the TV movie, Hey Arnold! The Jungle Movie, written by series creator, Craig Bartlett, along with Joe Purdy, Laura Sreebny and Justin Charlebois. She recaps all her favorite moments while reliving the excitement of this long-awaited movie. Afterward, she shares another Hey Arnold! story she wrote called "Audaciously Flirting."

Ali discusses the movie that kicked off the Disney Renaissance era, The Little Mermaid. She talks about why "Part of Your World" is her all-time favorite Disney song and recaps her favorite moments from this beloved film.

Ali discusses the fantastically creepy cartoon, Courage the Cowardly Dog, created by John R. Dilworth. She reminisces about lines she and her siblings would always quote, terrifying villains that freaked her out as a kid and why Courage is the perfect protagonist for always facing his fears to protect his owners since, as he always says, "The things I do for love."

Ali discusses the important life lessons learned throughout the lives of the four March sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy—in Louisa May Alcott's timeless novel, Little Women.

Ali shares a new short story she wrote called "What's Your Spirit Animal?"

Ali discusses storytelling clichés including hackneyed phrases, stereotypical characters, love triangles, miscommunications and many other tropes.

Ali discusses the amazing Nicktoon, Hey Arnold!, created by Craig Bartlett. She shares her interesting interpretation of the show's title when she was a kid, poignant moments that move her to tears, various lines that always crack her up, key scenes that stood out to her as a kid and what she feels is the all-encompassing theme of the series. She also talks about the qualities she admires most about Arnold and the reasons Helga G. Pataki is one of her all-time favorite characters. Afterward, she shares a Hey Arnold! story she wrote called "Care."

Ali discusses the movie, The Devil Wears Prada, starring Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway, recapping her favorite moments from this fashion-centric film.