The 1980s gave us more than just the obvious classics — it also delivered bold, strange, and wildly underrated movies and TV shows that disappeared way too soon. In this episode, we revisit some forgotten gems and ask why they never found their audience.

We’re talking:

• Johnny Dangerously (1984) – a post-Airplane! gangster spoof that leaned hard into absurdity
• The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd – smart, character-driven TV before its time
• D.A.R.Y.L. – a surprisingly emotional sci-fi kid movie everyone forgets
• Manimal – an all-time “only in the 80s” TV swing
• Tales of the Gold Monkey – pulpy adventure TV that deserved a longer run

If you love cult classics, short-lived TV experiments, and pop-culture deep cuts, this episode is for you.

So when Scott called and asked what my top 5 Pearl Jam songs were, I was, like, "Really?" So i did what any fan would do and immediately made a list of about 100 songs. These songs represent the songs I like TODAY! anyway, listen to our list, lets us know what yours are, and we can discuss in the comments. Enjoy!! #pearljam #grunge #90srock #alternativerock #rockmusic #musicdiscussion #musicpodcast #rockpodcast #musicdeepdive #musiccommentary

We run through the biggest upcoming movies, surprise contenders, and potential disasters in our latest Whatever This Is Called episode.

New episode out now.

We close out 2025 the only way we know how: talking through the movies, TV shows, music, and books that actually stuck with us.

From paranoia-fuelled series like Silo, Pluribus, and Welcome to Derry, to obsessive deep dives like Deliver Me From Nowhere and Heat 2, plus the rise of bands like The Warning, this episode isn’t about rankings or awards — it’s about the stuff we couldn’t stop thinking about.

This is our last podcast episode of 2025. Thanks for listening, arguing with us, and sticking around for whatever this is called.

🎬📺🎶📚 What mattered to you this year?

From John Denver & The Muppets to Rankin/Bass, Charlie Brown, Claymation, Christmas concerts, forgotten TV specials, and the weird holiday stuff we all secretly love — this episode is a full-on nostalgia dive into everything that made Christmas feel magical on TV and in music.

We’re talking: 🎶 iconic Christmas albums 📺 must-watch holiday specials 🎤 concert events and variety shows 🦌 Rudolph, Peanuts, Muppets, and more 🎄 deep cuts you forgot existed (and instantly remembered)

This is the episode you throw on while decorating the tree, wrapping gifts, or just vibing on the couch wondering why Christmas doesn’t hit the same anymore.

👇 Drop a comment and tell us: What’s ONE Christmas special or album you HAVE to watch or listen to every year?

👍 Like 📺 Subscribe 🔔 Ring the bell for more pop-culture deep dives

#christmasspecials #christmasnostalgia #popculture #muppets #charliebrown #rankinbass #christmasmusic #holidaytraditions #80snostalgia #90snostalgia

In this episode, we break down Arnold Schwarzenegger’s legendary filmography — from Conan to Terminator to the underrated deep cuts. Plus, we reveal our personal favorite Arnold movies. Want to hear what made our lists? Hit play and join the conversation!

🍗 HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM WHATEVER THIS IS CALLED! 🦃 This week we’re carving into one of the ultimate holiday comfort watches — Dutch (1991) — and why this underappreciated John Hughes gem deserves a yearly rewatch. We also dive into Adam Sandler’s iconic Thanksgiving Song, some wild and random Thanksgiving tracks we stumbled on, and our favorite sitcom Thanksgiving episode: the legendary Cheers holiday chaos.

If you love movies, nostalgia, weird pop-culture detours, and two friends rambling their way through the holiday season… you’re home. Grab a plate, hit play, and celebrate with us. 🙌

👇 Drop your favorite Thanksgiving movie or TV episode in the comments!

#thanksgiving #dutchmovie #adamsandler #cheers #sitcoms #holidayseason #whateverthisiscalled #podcast #popculture #movies #comedy

We’re heading back to 1979 — a year that defined the end of the ’70s and the birth of the blockbuster era. Stephen and Toby face off in a full-on Movie Draft, picking their favorite films from a lineup that includes The Warriors, Alien, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Phantasm, Salem’s Lot, The Jerk, Breaking Away, The Muppet Movie, Life of Brian, and Rocky II.

From cult classics to sci-fi milestones, we’re talking behind-the-scenes stories, movie trivia, and what makes ’79 such a wild year for cinema. Which team built the ultimate list?

🎬 Listen and vote for your winner!

Would You Rather… This week on Whatever This Is Called, Stephen and Scott face humanity’s worst hypothetical choices — from gross bathroom dilemmas to impossible pop-culture sacrifices. Would you rather eat what’s under your fingernails or erase Pearl Jam from existence? Exactly. It gets weird fast.

New episodes every week — equal parts nostalgia, nonsense, and “why did I just picture that?”

#whateverthisiscalled #wouldyourather #comedy #podcast #genx #popculture

iPSnCCWiVQHHDn7ixir2

Stephen and Scott take a trip back to their high school years — Stephen from ’88–’92 and Scott from ’93–’97. From first jobs at Round Table Pizza and Toys “R” Us to late-night TV, mixtapes, and the pop-culture chaos of the late ’80s and early ’90s, we relive it all.

We also revisit the major events that shaped those years — the O.J. Simpson trial, the Iran-Contra affair, and everything in between. It’s nostalgia, history, and a few laughs from two friends who lived it.

🎧 Tune in for stories of floppy disks, VHS tapes, and the sound of dial-up internet — only on Whatever This Is Called.