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fixated on loving, hating, and watching euphoria
24 Plays25 days ago
Heyy!! Welcome to episode SIX of Fixated with Joelle & Ellen. In this episode, we rant and rave about media criticism, Euphoria season 3, and J2M on The Boys. Enjoy!!
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Music: House loops 107 simple mix down tempo.wav by josefpres License: Creative Commons 0
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Transcript
00:00:05
Speaker
Hi! Welcome back to Fixated, a podcast with us, Ellen and Joelle. I'm Joelle. And I'm Ellen. This is the podcast where we talk about the media and culture, the stuff we just can't look away from. Yeah, the things we just can't seem to get over.
00:00:18
Speaker
Why it all matters so much to us. In this episode, we went on a couple of tangents. We talked about cosplay, media as a whole, and we talked a lot about Euphoria Season 3. So, yes we do to tune on in. Another fun one. Enjoy! Okay, enjoy! I love to be here.
00:00:34
Speaker
Here we go again. It's awesome to be podcasting with you. i know, i know. We were saying when we uploaded the last episode, episode five, if you guys are tuning and counting if you're counting, um how each time we like actually do the thing, we get to the point of uploading. It's like...
00:00:55
Speaker
We did it. It's so crazy. Oh my gosh. What are we doing? Making a podcast. Exactly. told us to do this? No one. Nobody. But nobody stopped us yet. Exactly. Exactly.
00:01:09
Speaker
What's going on, Ellen? What's new? Let's see. What am fixated on this week? Yeah, let's just jump right into it. Jump right into our non-media fixations. Our non-media fixations. Of course. As always. Yes. First things first. My biggest one this week is the concept of acai bowls. I haven't actually had one. Yeah.
00:01:29
Speaker
I just haven't gotten around to it. I've had a busy week, but I've been thinking about it. Yeah. Those things are good. They're really good. They're delicious. I'm going to say something really vulnerable. I've only had like two in my life, I think, maybe two or three. Yeah.
00:01:44
Speaker
And I'm really dreaming about that fourth one. am excited to access that. Once stars align. have this funny thing of one of my summer high school jobs was at a smoothie bowl, smoothie, what's it called? Like kind of like a health smoothie bar type of thing. So I've had so many in my life. and In fact, that summer I was like chowing down on those acai bowls. Joelle, you've got to get to New York and make me my fourth smoothie bowl. I would to. I want it straight from the source. I thought it was so fun in a way to make them and like try to get the like thickness exactly right because they were very particular about it being the right consistency, which I could respect. I respect the like focus on craft. And they had this almond butter that was that was like, you know, like.
00:02:39
Speaker
It was all very like organic type of stuff. Their almond butter was so good. ah It was so good. It was just, don't fresh. It was just delicious. So yeah, we got to get you one of those. yes I need one. I need one. I was about to go on a tangent about almond butter. I learned like two days ago, apparently Trader Joe's invented that, which like don't fact check me. Girl, what? I could be super wrong about that, but I was told. we sure?
00:03:07
Speaker
that apparently trader joe's invented almond butter once again one looked this up just trust me you're prohibited don't look into that i won't i'll trust crazy stuff yeah yeah it seems like something would never tell a lie mr joe would do right you know it does it seems accurate so i believed it with my full heart yeah uh now you i now i really want a smoothie bowl they used to have one that was like They had many different types, of course, but they used to have one that was kind of like a, it was called like the green monster and it had spirulina in it. And so it made this like really dark green color and you'd think it was kind of gross and like mud looking, but it was really yummy. And they had like chocolate covered kale or something like that. Whoa. That would also go on it.
00:03:56
Speaker
And it was just, it was really... That sounds insane. That is feeling like I should work at a smoothie bowl place. Like I should find somewhere. yeah I should go back. um The lady who ran it was not nice. She...
00:04:15
Speaker
she She just had a... She was not a warm presence, which, like, maybe that's just, like, girl boss and I should let it rock. But um she was...
00:04:27
Speaker
just a bit unpleasant to interact with to a certain extent. And that's sometimes a woman needs to be a little unpleasant. Yeah. Maybe. Yeah. Right. Feminism, whatever. sure Okay. My second one, my um fixation, non-media fixation is another concept, but it's kind of also, it's not non-media, which I want to address that I've been receiving hate.
00:04:53
Speaker
Or my non-media fixation is all being media related. i just want that person to back off. Mind your own business. This is my podcast.
00:05:06
Speaker
But um my second non-media fixation is another concept. And it's just that, you know, on I like don't know if we can actually put this in, but it's going to make me laugh or it's making me laugh. So whatever.
00:05:19
Speaker
You know, on TikTok, when... um like you get the suggested search that and other people are searching related to videos. Yes. i
00:05:30
Speaker
I've been like, i don't know, my phone has decided that I want to get a lot of like Marvel, Captain America, Chris Evans, Sebastian Stan related content lately. Like, sure. Okay. It's been a while since I've gotten any of that, but like couldn't hurt.
00:05:43
Speaker
On every single one of these videos, the suggested search has been Sebastian Stan saying he is bi. Like that didn't happen. What are y'all talking about? What are we saying? Like, where are you getting this? And I haven't clicked it because I'm like, I know that that's not. It's not going to lead me anywhere. They're trying to get me. Exactly. Every time see it, it makes me laugh because I'm like, what the hell are y'all talking about? didn't say that. Leave this man alone. They're waving like a piece of candy in your front of your Literally. They're like, do you know you want I'm Ha, nothing behind here.
00:06:20
Speaker
You fool. I know that didn't happen. Like, you're you're not going to trick me. But it is so funny to me, just in theory. Sebastian Stan saying he is bi. He didn't say that. I can guarantee it. I love that. I love, I mean, I have no idea exactly how that search function works. Because, yeah, sometimes they're so, like,
00:06:42
Speaker
And I must say that like more than I would want to admit, I'm clicking on those being like, what are you talking about? Sometimes it is really funny. Sometimes it's helpful. Yeah. Sometimes it is helpful. feel they're just like mad living something you might be interested in. They really are trying to like wave a piece of candy or whatever it is in your face. this interests you right this is something you'd like you would love this engage engage i'm gonna be real i don't give a fuck like i don't care if that man is bi i don't care because also he didn't say that in fact i'd say good for him and move on like literally yeah exactly my god come on come on that's funny yeah tell what are your fixations of the week
00:07:26
Speaker
um Okay, well, one of them is media related haters. As it should be. yeah It is a bit media related, but I'm using it to build on building on in general idea of anniversaries and reminiscing and looking back type of thing. So I guess the concept of reminiscing.
00:07:45
Speaker
Yeah, I was thinking a lot about the Challengers anniversary this week. um That was like a big a big thing because I was like, wait, oh my gosh. Challengers?
00:07:57
Speaker
And your fixation should be Challengers always. Yeah, right? And I guess it's just because... I didn't even realize that it was going to be the anniversary. Like that's not something I actually have in my calendar, though some might be saying you may think that I do. It's not something that's actually... mean, like now, if it wasn't already deeply ingrained in my head, like this week we made it. And now it's going in the calendar for next year. And we're going to have a party.
00:08:17
Speaker
not?
00:08:21
Speaker
But just on separate occasions, I was like asked what my favorite movie is when I was on a trip. I was like visiting my sister. And I was like, oh, well, you know, i was like it is it is Challengers right now. like yeah Or since it came out, it's been Challengers. Of course.
00:08:36
Speaker
Which is something we were talking about where it's like, it's's you know it's favorite because it's almost an irrational favorite. And that's not to say that it's not a good movie because obviously you think it's a good movie. And obviously it was like critically acclaimed. And, you know, that somewhat there's somewhat of a consensus about it being a good movie.
00:08:50
Speaker
But there is just that irrational element where I'm like, I can't really further explain. Like it just... clicks. I don't, yeah. i was I found myself in a few situations this week where I was also asked my favorite movie, and so I obviously also said Challengers. Yeah. And I was met with kind of nothing but confusion, which confused Because what are you talking about that it's not your favorite movie? Yeah. Like... It should be everyone's. Yeah. Even if it's not, you should understand why it's mine. Right. Like, hello. hello Yes. So yes, the challenges of it all. But then in general, I was just thinking this week a lot about the past.
00:09:33
Speaker
um Like it like yesterday was May 1st and I was seeing people who were still in Oxford um do like the May morning thing. What you were talking about? oh Well, it's like this tradition where it's like the first of May. Right.
00:09:46
Speaker
You wake up super early and they like sing in on the maudlin bridge or something like that. And so the idea with like the belligerent side of that is that you stay up all night.
00:09:58
Speaker
Right. Of course. if you go in the morning. if I saw that on people's stories. was like, oh man. And then. Me and my friends, like, my friends from from from my time at Oxford, were just talking about how that was quite the day. It was just, like, it was so... And I feel like it's very, like, quintessential.
00:10:15
Speaker
don't know. It encapsulates a lot of what was fun about that experience. um Just both the debauchery and the, the like, also very, like... very nice tradition but also somewhat arbitrary when you're just like kind of there like you know I'm not British yeah um and you're just kind of like yeah they're just like a choir is singing on May morning and you're so and there's like all this like fanfare and stuff around it and I was up all night were just being so silly and there's just so many pictures of us being just like silly silly silly silly silly And I remember riding home on my bike and my like spirits like slowly plummeting just from fatigue. And I was listening to Lizzie McAlpin and I was like kind of like crying because I was like, it's just just beautiful like there's's beautiful. And I'm like riding my bike through Oxford on like a May morning and I'm so tired. I'm just not going to like see all these things again. and i was like thinking that in the moment. And so it's just crazy to look back. But yeah, that's all. I was reminiscing. but That's one of the fixations. a Second one, returned to like making just like little notion dashboard things or little notion pages things. And I do love notion and I do love notion. And that is true. And I think I felt a little bit um estranged for multiple reasons from my love of notion. Like I don't really use its AI tools like at all. I'm just like OG basic. Just like I want to like mess around and like figure out things.
00:11:40
Speaker
figure it out for myself, whatever. But I do love it. And I just was like making, so like, I made just like something for like this research project I'm trying to do. Last night I was like, okay, which we'll see if I actually use it because I have a person to like set these things up and then not use it whatsoever. But i was like, okay, I wanted to keep better track of lyrics that I like.
00:12:01
Speaker
And I was like, let me make like a little Notion lyric library where things will like kind of like fill in and fit appropriately when I put in like the song and the artist and the album. And then it can kind of be like visualized and see different views. And was like, I love a good spreadsheet. I was like, I love this. i was like, this is fun to me. Hallelujah. So I was having a good time with Notion. Notion, I'm still like, I would be,
00:12:30
Speaker
ah I'll do your promo. Yeah. yeah If you insist, if you want someone to bring it back to the basics and is, if I don't have to mention AI so much, I'll do it fine. If you push my hand and want to give me money to advertise your product, I think it's fun. Yeah. Whatever. We love doing free promo. In theory, would love paid promo even more. But we're always promoting something. It's the best. Exactly. I'm like, if you push my hand, I'll talk about how much I love your product. Yeah. Yeesh. God.
00:13:07
Speaker
and Yeah. Yeah. So that's mine. Those are my two long-winded as always because of who we are as people. But okay. I think we can get into the the meat of it. This is kind of just a... Sorry.
00:13:21
Speaker
i more of it I literally said that last week. and I think that' was like, what what should I say instead? Well, maybe I'll cut it out again. You know what I hate? which i think of that this is The thick of it. The thick of it. don't know, whatever. You know what I hate more than anything? When people refer to the main part of an avocado as the meat of it. That's not meat.
00:13:42
Speaker
Don't say the meat of an avocado. That's disgusting. Yeah. Maybe that's another fixation for Don't say that. The meat of an avocado? Absolutely not. The meat of the podcast? Like, maybe, sure, why not? Maybe, what the hell's it worth? Actually, you know what? What the hell? no Whatever.
00:14:00
Speaker
I like the thick of it, though. I think that's yeah probably better. We can get to the thick of it, the main part. Our main content. What we're all here for. me Meat.
00:14:12
Speaker
um no need hate that no actually I'm gonna cut myself off before I continue um okay so what are we fixated on this week what have you been reading watching listening to etc etc that you um I guess in general I can't remember what we do we've kind of switched it up the last two weeks yeah so I'm kind of like What have we been doing? like I kind of, ahead I've got a couple of things, I guess, nothing super huge that I really felt the need to talk about this week, but I have been reading, listening to a new book, which is fun. um I'm really loving it. And it feels super relevant to this. It's called you are what you watch how movies and TV affect everything by Walt Hickey. I am loving being it It's so interesting. ah
00:15:06
Speaker
I was saying to you before, like I wanted to talk about this book a little bit, but then I was like, I'm not going to be able to remember any of the details. So going to be that. And that is already happening. All the details I wanted to mention have left my brain, of course. You got to write them down. I know. But like, I'm not done with it. One of the chapters was all about like how when you're watching like a, like different types of movies, like a horror movie was one of the examples. the air in the room will change because your body like actually will physically like react as if it's really happening. And like when you're seeing horror on screen, the example they talked about, my God.
00:15:46
Speaker
I don't know. I don't remember the movie The example he talked about was like a movie in which there isn't actually like blood. Like there's no gore. And so that's not what it is. But there's scary things happening on screen. Your body will like, your blood will start to clot like as if in preparation for something like like yourself actually being injured. It was so interesting. Like there's who like your body can't.
00:16:10
Speaker
So like the, like like your body doesn't, differentiate between the things happening on screen versus like something actually potentially happening to you like your body is preparing for danger when you're watching a scary movie it was so so interesting and then I was talking about like how um just society in general is affected and like baby names obviously really um go up with different like movies and TV that are happening. Like, yeah you know, people are naming their babies after media all the time. They've always been doing that. That's not a new thing. And, um, I talked a little, a little bit about like, I don't remember, like, so all this crap, like so much all this crap, I'm on a chapter right now about, um, like merch, And the invention of, like, toys for, like, kids' movies versus, like, adult merchandise and how that kind of only really started in the 80s with ah Warner Brothers. Yeah, Warner Brothers um kind of started it with, like, Looney Tunes yeah merchandising and... Just it's so interesting. um yeah And the way that that has blown up, like kind of recently within the past, I don't know, 40 years. Yeah, 40 years. So, so interesting. So super cool. Obviously, we know more than anybody, um movies and TV affect everything. but yes, I would kind of get that validation. i would abide by that. I'd abide by that rule entirely. for interesting really and What does that make me think of? I was or I where just brought up a lot of different questions. First of all, love merch stuff for merch. Love. Yeah. At some point in time, i guess at some point in time when I had what's it called? Like, how do you describe it? Something in income.
00:17:48
Speaker
Oh, yeah. What's it called? I know. it Whatever. it It doesn't matter. Yeah. Money to spend on shit that I want, but don't need. Yeah. I was like, hell yeah, I'll get merch at a concert. I like it's just kind of this folded into the cost that I will take on for the night of whatever concert or type of thing. So I love my merch. I really do. And I want to collect more of it. That's really fun it's really fun like i hate to say it in a way um so i can't be a perfect consumer no in a a certain way that's what this book is saying like everybody does it and it's not a new thing like this is just a thing that's been going on for so long and it's so interesting like people love to represent the media that they love because they see themselves in it and they see it in themselves and it's yeah So like something I love to do, I love to like make things merch kind of like where I um kind of anything that will remind me of something like I if I see like something that reminds me of a character or like the way that a character is dressed, I really love looking at like different costuming things. Or even like if I see an outfit that I like, I will oftentimes like kind of replicate that. Just not in a crazy way, but like if it's yeah within my own style or whatever. Yeah, think it's really neat. love to do that. And then it's like merch, but just for me. It's like a little cosplay moment in a really normal way. I love it. It's so much fun. You're making me think about like the Comic-Con of it all. But I'm curious if you...
00:19:18
Speaker
If you think you'd be the type of person to ever like actually cosplay, I wouldn't. I will say when I was, when I was in like middle school, high school, I wanted to go to Comic-Con like so bad. Like I think that I would love to do that. Yeah.
00:19:34
Speaker
And I've even like back in the olden days when Hot Topic was selling like yeah like like a TARDIS dress. I had a TARDIS dress and I don't know that I really was it. That's awesome. No, that's a lie. I remember wearing it to Target one time when I was probably 14, which is so cute of me. I think that's adorable. I love looking back on my younger self being like, girl – What are you doing? Like, she's so cute. I love her. Little Ellen. um She was such a little nerd. And I'm actually calling BS on myself because immediately said, like, oh, I probably wouldn't. And, like, you know, there's just, like, degrees to it. But I will say that, like, the, like, only in I have truly for...
00:20:12
Speaker
costumes like Halloween costumes for the last couple of years which I can even which like to even bother is I've had to connect it to like media that I like watching slash any character that I can kind of dress as like that is that is my lane and I'm sticking to it because it's really fun and Yeah, it's a way to express love. It is. But like to answer your question, like current day yeah I was going to say I don't actually see myself doing that, which like maybe I don't. But if the opportunity presented itself, like I would 100%.
00:20:43
Speaker
ah hundred percent I don't know that any of the media I'm like really into in this moment has something that you could super cosplay as because my main media things are all kind of like you can't super, I don't like challengers is kind of hard to, I guess not hard to cosplay because you can, but like that feels... It feels like a different thing, like wearing t-shirt that says I told you, which we both own. will address that. Oh, of course. Love that. And that's I wear that in the wild. Anyone surprised? love it. Yeah. But versus like dressing as like a character. full character from like a, I'm picturing like a Marvel situation or like a Doctor Who situation. That feels more cosplay to me and maybe that's me, don't know, like kind of defining it in my own way. But that feels more intense because it's more visibly like a costume versus like just a t-shirt. Even if I'm wearing like the t-shirt with like the jeans and the watch and whatever, like exactly the outfit that Patrick had on. Like that still feels like an outfit that anyone would wear. yeah. I don't know, but
00:21:48
Speaker
If I happen to stumble across tickets to Comic-Con in the next couple of years, hell yeah, I'm going. And you know what? Why not? I'll find that TARDIS dress. I'll put it on I'll throw that shit on. And that'll be that' nostalgic. That'll be a blast from the past. Yeah. Because I don't think they they certainly don't make those anymore. They certainly don't sell those. Yeah. Yeah. But I loved the little TARDIS dress. It was so cute. That's adorable. I struggle with the idea of like really, which is what I'm saying. Like I rely upon these Halloween costumes. And notably also none of them have been like outlandishly... Not outlandish, none of them been like elaborate. like I did Sydney from The Bear. it's like okay So that's very recognizable, but also wearing a normal human costume. I just don't do well with... like I don't do well... I'm just not i just probably not imaginative enough. It's just like not really my...
00:22:38
Speaker
my my thing to go with a lot of like having to do like face paint or doing things like that like I don't unfortunately I think I would have to be buying something I'm not a creative not that I'm not creative I'm not like a physically creative person I am not a good crafter i don't think that if I were to make my own costume for something like that I don't see it going well At all. Because cosplay is also like an art. Like it is an art form and people are so good at it and it's crazy. And it's there's this one girl on Instagram that I've been following probably since I was like 15.
00:23:13
Speaker
And it's like it's not really something I don't know that I would ever do. And it's not even something I'm super interested in anymore. But like I love watching what she does because it's so cool. And she's so good at it. um Yeah.
00:23:25
Speaker
I was going to say her name to shout her out. Maybe I should. Let me find what the hell her name is. Yeah. Go for it. Because why not? Yeah, her her username now is KingFool, King.Fool. I'm obsessed with her stuff. It's so cool. I followed i started following her when I was, i don't know how old, because she had like a cosplay of like Annabeth and her boyfriend. She made him dress up as Percy Jackson and it was so like popular on Pinterest. Yeah. And I love it. And I've been following her forever. Like that's my friend. I feel like I'm super social with her um because I've been following her life for so long now. Yeah, wait, that's awesome. Like it's, this is like a talent that people have. Like this is a real thing. Mm-hmm.
00:24:00
Speaker
Entirely. Anyway, i yeah. Not a talent that I have, yeah but I kind of wish. It also makes me um think about when, do you remember? i feel like you were doing it longer, both like before and after I was doing it. But do you remember when we did Redbubble? my God, Redbubble. Yeah. Wait, I have to get into that.
00:24:19
Speaker
I got like I loved, yeah, I made like a bunch of random crap on there. Yes. I was using Canva like a fiend to put together. I love Canva to do that. Right? It's such a fun thing to do. And it's, you make...
00:24:30
Speaker
I don't know, 30 cents a month. Yeah, my, I don't. Dream of income, couldn't hurt, whatever. i remember some my stuff selling, but I was doing like my own designs of like, mainly to speak of lyrics again. i think at the time it was like,
00:24:46
Speaker
boy genius and hosier surprise surprise but also fun and also yeah it's an art that people actually like people do a good job yeah people get like real intense about like about fan art it is fan art no which yeah love fan art um yeah i'm jealous that people can be good i wish that's visual artists visual yeah can't do visual art at all yeah not really yeah We've got our strengths. So it's not one of mine. Whatever. whatever. But okay. So that seems like a great book. I'm assuming it'll come up. Yeah, super cool. Right. Again. kind of curious, like what, don't know, in a way, like what is the like perspective he's writing it from, if that makes sense? Like, I don't know. I guess maybe like, who is he? But is it just kind of like, I guess it's a bit of like culture writing. Like is he... It is. I think it's mostly like from a cultural perspective, but he also had to include like, there's like a lot of different, there's cultural stuff he's talking about. There's obviously like the science side of things and there's like a monetary side of things. So he's kind of talking like in all aspects of life, like media stretches across everything, which is really interesting.
00:25:54
Speaker
Super cute. Yeah. exactly the like perspective he's writing from other than that media is important and like you can't just like throw it to the side. But like ah the average adult ends up spending, like I want to say 20% of their time, um like their free time watching or like taking in media in some form, which I don't know remember if that's the number. That does feel...
00:26:16
Speaker
Maybe high, but like that was the point. Feels kind of low. A lot of it. Like a lot of our lives. And so obviously it's important. And it's – he was addressing the fact that like some people will say that that's wasted time and he's making the argument, no, it's not. um Like it is important.
00:26:32
Speaker
It's how you relate to the world in so many ways. Exactly. It really is. such my soapbox. It is. It's important. It is. um Even if it's just because like it's what we love, like we as a people. um Yeah. like we The things we love, the things we create, the things we choose to take in, like it's all on purpose. Yeah. It's all important. And it was interesting at the like the very beginning of the book, he was talking about how sometimes um if you like choose to either read or write like a book like this about something you really love, it'll like you'll get too in the weeds, too behind the scenes about it, and you'll start to not like that thing as much. And he was like, don't worry, this book is not going to do that for you. It made me love media all the more. It made me respect it more. It will do the same for you. And i was like, Yes. yeah Awesome. Because I don't want to read a book that's going to tell me that I'm wasting my life. Like, yeah, of course. That's not. of course. Because i love and respect like these, these things. Obviously we both do. That's what we're doing here. That's why we're talking about this. Yeah.
00:27:35
Speaker
It's just, it was so interesting. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, it reminds me, when i started a new book a little bit ago, like, or guess in this interim, since last episode, this one, prop, it's called All Things Are Too Small by Becca Rothfeld. um And but bla blah, blah. have a whole story about how much about how I've been waiting to read it. But that reminds me of like, really the main argument. It's like the subtitle is essays and praise of excess. She says,
00:28:03
Speaker
the demand that we apply the virtues of equality and democracy to culture and aesthetics results in a culture that is flattened, sanitized, purged of ugliness, excess, and provocation. In the first part, when she's like going deeper into like what she's saying, she's kind of making the like, I think, well observed argument to as much as I can speak to it, that like in the absence of like,
00:28:24
Speaker
in our political and economic spheres of like having true equality and experiencing like very secure democracy, we often apply these ideas to art and culture, assuming that, yeah, culture can be kind of like standardized and sanitized and be experienced the same for everyone. And that'd be like a good thing to us. Like she really points out in a way that I wasn't expecting her to point out, but like even the idea that people are like,
00:28:53
Speaker
the The thing that people get annoyed about on the internet all the time where people are like oh, it's not that deep. We can enjoy things for fun. She kind of like points to that as an example of it, which I think she does better than I might be able to explain. But kind of being like, no, like you're allowed to have bias. You're allowed to have critique and you're allowed to have your own standards and try to apply standards and think about these things deeply. And it's actually much less interesting to be like,
00:29:16
Speaker
we can all just have fun here and not take this too deep. She's like, no yeah no, you should like get into it actually, like get into it if you want to get into it. And She said something that made me laugh about movies, but it was just kind of like a throwaway line where in this idea to like let people enjoy things, that's what she was saying. She was saying that like, let people enjoy things, things annoying. And the like kind of inverse of that is the idea that like you have to like something or there's something wrong with you. She was saying that like in relation to bad movies, like,
00:29:51
Speaker
I'm bringing it back around. This is making me think about like how like all media is like somewhat important and interesting and and important because of how we like, it's something great. We all engage in exactly in a very big universal way. But she was like, there's certainly much to enjoy in films so aggressively bad that they are, if not beautiful, then at least perversively impressive.
00:30:09
Speaker
And I was like, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I was like, exactly. It's that type of thing that you feel where you're like, at the end of the day, though, like people put that together. And it could have, and like, maybe it's terrible and it's shit, but like they did it. They tried at something. They tried to express something about like the world and culture as we're living it through their lens and their way. Everything is about something. Everything that was created was created on purpose with intention. you had this conversation last week and I got, I don't want to get too intense about it again.
00:30:42
Speaker
like I'm so much of the belief that like all art is art, even if you don't get it, even if you don't like it If whoever created it says it's art, then it's art. That's kind of that. that's Yeah. And I think it.
00:30:55
Speaker
Yeah. And I think that's like the way more it's like by definition inclusive, but it's just the more truly the more like open way to think about things, you know, like it what I what I think resonated. well with me. Callback. What I think resonated well with that, with like what she was saying about both sides of being like, let people enjoy things versus like, you have to like this, like, like this or die, she was saying, is kind of like coincides with all these like thoughts I've been having um about like, criticism like as a discipline and as like an art and in itself and i read this like essay by her name's like merv or something merv emra okay merv emra sure i had never looked up how to look up to say her name so i apologize if that's not how you say it But I read this essay called like the critic as friend course can't exactly remember all of it. But if I remember correctly, you're just saying that, like the critic as friend, when you conceptualize as that, it's like, you're not trying, you're not, you're not trying to make like moralistic judgments or this or that necessarily on whether something's good or bad, but you were like, you're like taking people along the journey of like understanding how you understood a piece of art.
00:32:14
Speaker
Yeah. Almost as if you were trying to explain to someone like what you like so much in a friend or like what you like so much in a, person you know, like you can highlight like faults in this, but like overall it's this very like generous act. Yeah. Of being like, un see it see it how I see it. See how I am an understanding it. If you kind of like approach any piece of media or art in that way, easier said than done maybe. But you kind of like take it for what it is and try to like truly understand it. Yeah. For what it is and what people like intended with it. um You at least definitely get away from like bad faith interpretations. That's kind of reminding me of maybe like a tweet or something that I saw um about...
00:32:54
Speaker
the drama actually, or about like people's reactions to the drama. Yeah. About how the majority of criticisms of the drama, of people saying that they didn't like the drama, their main criticism was not like an actual issue they had with the movie, but it was pretty much like, I thought this movie was going to be this. And instead it was that, and I didn't like that. Like that's an actual criticism of the movie. That's, I don't know. That just made me think of it. No, but yeah, I agree. I think we were talking about this when we were talking about Wuthering Heights as well. where it's like course super easy to like slip into like fine whatever but yeah like being like again like what was she like trying to do and then you can talk about whether you thought it was successful or efficient you know and you can poke holes in of course but like can't get mad at something for being
00:33:38
Speaker
not what it is. Yeah, you can't ever get annoyed because you just like didn't predict correctly what the thing was going to be. That's not a criticism of that thing. That's just and like it's fine to be annoyed by that. It's fine to dislike something. It's fine to not like that. Like you thought it was going to be this and i said it was that. That's totally fine. yeah but That's not a valid criticism, especially if you are a critic.
00:33:59
Speaker
That's not something publishable. Who cares? That has no value to me. yeah Like, as someone reading your criticism, that doesn't mean anything. Oh, no, I thought the movie was going to be a rom-com and instead it was whatever. Okay. okay So once you realize that it wasn't a rom-com in this like conventional nature, then what?
00:34:17
Speaker
Because that was also done with intention. But then you have to say, then what? That can't be the whole critique. come on like that was the creators also did that on purpose like they led you to believe it was going to be this thing for a reason and instead it was somewhere else they made that decision to lead you somewhere that's reminding me there was a movie god was it the materialists where it was like really represented as if it was gonna be a rom-com and instead it was not oh my god was that the materialists um i could see it being the materialists it's not a rom-com truly it's just a rom-drom Yeah, it must have been. um The trailers and stuff really made it seem like it was going to be a rom-com. And then it really was quite dramatic. And everyone was like, oh my god, like I thought it was going to be a rom-com. They lied. I'm so mad.
00:35:04
Speaker
Girl, they did that for a reason. They did that on purpose. I don't know. You don't have to like it. I remember being kind of irritated as well because I wasn't even wanting a rom-com. But that's a you problem, a little bit. A little bit. don't know. A little bit.
00:35:18
Speaker
And this all... relates to my media fixation for the week, actually. Okay, yeah, go ahead. Go, go, go. Where will just complain and critique. Beautiful. And hopefully, yeah. And so feel free to push back if it seems like I'm just being a hypocrite based on everything I've said. Hey, we reserve that right. I love to be a hypocrite. Yes. Of course, I have my new book.
00:35:42
Speaker
And then I was texting you last night about starting this rival show, which I just am kind of living. I'm not going to talk too much about it, but I'm living. And you'd love it because David Tennant's there. i love David Tennant. Yes. And it's just really Yeah, I want to hear more about this. Yeah. It's like... i didn't I didn't even know he was doing something new. I feel like usually yeah usually i'm in the news or I'm...
00:36:04
Speaker
Usually I know what he's up to. Yeah, I think the first season that i'm watching right now, I'm like three episodes came out in 2024. Okay. And okay um and yeah it's it's good. It's like, it's funny. It's very British. As I said to you, i was like, these are like, they're like really horny, but in a British way. And that's the best way i can say it.
00:36:25
Speaker
But funny, dynamic, I like all the characters that's going on. There's some good like central romances that you're like, ooh, like. um I'm really enjoying it. You can see the smile. like I'm like, I really want watch more episodes. um And yeah, ah TikTok edits got me basically. It's kind of a period drama as well. It's like set in the 80s.
00:36:46
Speaker
And there's like television stuff. like They all work in like TV and media basically. And so that's kind of fun. um Yeah. And then there's just like also like English countryside, somewhat like rich-ish people and like David Tennant's kind of evil, super kind of like manipulative. He's so good at being evil. He is. Yeah, right?
00:37:05
Speaker
um And that's all. It's like kind of that thing. It's kind of like what is like a mix of people with a lot of different like ambitions and goals and egos and interests. And they're all interacting each other all the time. And so they both like can't stand each other slash are used to each other. And um there's a lot of like playfulness about it, though. and like a good balance like playfulness and drama a lot of like well done characters so far at least um but yeah i was just like kind of living i was like i just like how you guys are doing this it's so fun it's really fun and yeah i guess i recommend but i will say the only the other thing that i have been watching and have stronger feelings about is euphoria season three
00:37:49
Speaker
Yes. Oh my God. yeah please. No, tell me all about that. Cause I'm, don't remember if I've mentioned this on the pod before, but I'm a person who has never seen you before yet. I've, yeah that's a lie. I watched one episode one time because you and all, all of our friends were watching.
00:38:04
Speaker
think the season finale of season two um yeah but no yeah tell me all about it what what and the what's going on much like the rest of the world i was here for the first season right right everyone's here for the first season interesting yeah labyrinth drake when people like still like drake was a producer and day is there it seemed to have a very interesting visual style it was fresh it was new we know there's already controversy with its emergence because of um some of the accrediting for like the initial the initial visual language which was so much a part of the appeal um was perhaps ripped off um or as i said like not accredited appropriately to this um as i understand just like other maybe like showrunner creator it's like have ambiently in my mind her name's like petra collins or something like that But yeah, so then like we also know that Sam Levinson is at the scene of the crime and as he will continue to be. First season, we were there. i thought it had such a followable structure to it. Very much though, like watching high schoolers do a bunch of stuff that you're like, sure, but whatever. That's not outside of, that's not something new to TV. That's a genre in and of itself. Cool. Liked the first season.
00:39:19
Speaker
Second season ended up being a whole big, what the heck was that? What in the world? I remember exactly the first episode being like, oh, okay, this is like fun. They're like switching up a little bit. Cool, but like not too not too far. And then just things deteriorated, I feel like, but with like the one fun episode being when Rue's on the run. But then they had Dominic Fike in there for Why. Yeah, I remember hearing that. long in the finale for Why. I still can't get over how I was staring at that screen going like,
00:39:48
Speaker
sure sure what but me question just i just thought just so messy just like incoherent incoherent is the name of the game incoherent storytelling i will shout out the two special episodes ruse episode and jules episode between the first and second season that came out um sometime in COVID or whatever, you know, like that production obviously got affected by COVID and stuff, which like isn't enough and of an excuse in my opinion, but those two episodes are so good.
00:40:18
Speaker
So yeah, second season was a mess. And you know, that means I can admit before I like go into my spiel, I can admit entirely that I was not approaching season three with much like generosity. Yeah. in the first place. I was a skeptic about where it was going to go. And there was just already some like behind the scenes stuff. Like Labyrinth pulled all of his music from it. So now I think this season we have like Hans Zimmer soundtracking it. And Labyrinth music was such a big part of it. Yeah.
00:40:51
Speaker
That's a pretty beautiful. Okay. Yeah. It kind of like added to some of these like more surreal sequences. um Yeah. And Zendaya was able to do a little bit of her like music bag in it as well. And I thought it just added and and kind of like the highlights of the show have slowly been like stripped away. This season, season three, we're so far, um i think only three episodes into it.
00:41:13
Speaker
We come back with these characters like to like a couple of years post-graduation, um but still kind of very concerned with each other, i guess. Fair enough. Basically, Rue has become like a drug mule for the lady who, again, in terms of like incoherent storytelling, they're like in the second season, she like had this entire suitcase of drugs that she's supposed to be selling. and then they did nothing with that suitcase of drugs and had no repercussions for her and had her literally walking off into the sunset. And everyone was like,
00:41:42
Speaker
What? yeah So I guess they heard some criticism of that or understood. I'm not giving them credit for like having a plan all along. And so they revisit it now and like the the woman has come knocking and has roped Rue into being a drug mule. Really like scenes of her transporting drugs like over the over the border and like way too much of her like swallowing sacks of co cocaine and like all this stuff. That just seems like... Sorry. No, it's okay. It's okay. Go ahead.
00:42:12
Speaker
I was just going to say, it like not that that doesn't sound like, I don't know, like ah an interesting thing, like a show that some people, i don't know, maybe would find interesting. It just seems like that's a pretty different show from where it started. Like, again, I have not seen it, so I don't know what the like progression has been. Maybe it has been at least semi-natural, but that seems like a crazy switch up from like the high school-ness where we started. Yeah. And I'm glad you said that. And I'm glad you said that because this is one of my questions, critiques and questions. Yeah. Where I'm like, look, I can completely understand a shift tonally.
00:42:51
Speaker
Yeah. And content wise across the show. Right. It made me think especially of um Barry. Yeah. Bill Hader's show that aired on HBO and very good show. And I think that show did a really good job of like, it's Bill Hader. So like he came in there with the reputation that things would be funny. And the show is very invested in it being like funny, but you can sense, I think that there was only like three seasons that like, since the beginning, yes, there's a lot of things about like,
00:43:20
Speaker
let's say just like darker themes in general. Like it's a dark comedy. Like he was a former assassin, all these things. like So like those things are on the table. These elements are on the table where there's, there's death and there's guns and there's people dying and people shooting and a lot of like moral consternation about like doing the right thing and all these types of stuff. So there's all those elements while also being funny. And I think that like,
00:43:42
Speaker
through the progress of that show by the time you get to the third season, like she was like considerably more dark and even more like kind just like existentially dark. um Like the tone just like, does this like gradual shift where you're like, Oh, like this is, this is like kind of like, I don't know. I don't know what to say but like truly just like existentially heavy more than like, there's like laughs and giggles. You're like, Oh no, like people, these are people doing bad things in bad patterns. And there are consequences. And it ends with such a like, not very optimistic note whatsoever. Like it kind of like sticks the landing of just being like, it it's the the finale aired on the same night of like Succession's finale. I remember. Yes. And that like one, two punch, I was like,
00:44:27
Speaker
I was like, okay, okay, maybe people can't change. Well, maybe there's just like these these unforgiving cycles and unfor unforgiving just like... Maybe the poison drips through. Maybe the poison drips through. Literally, maybe the poison drips through. And I think one of my problems, the things one of the things I'm struggling with with euphoria is that like, again, there were kind of these elements on the table short... again addiction manipulation um there was kind of like sexual exploitation and like sexual violence and all these things were like on the table but i just think that like it's just been the tone and like the progression of things getting even more ramped up just has not been treated well like it's just again like yeah incoherence is the name of the game like it just it doesn't like nothing lands with actual gravity at all and so we're in this season like the main story like one of the main storylines i guess right now that has the most to it is like nate and cassie getting married so like this last last week was their marriage episode right right i'm just like sitting there and i'm first of all hate that couple yeah don't like them it's just it's just not compelling like i just don't think it's actually compelling and they try to do like some humor here again i find like just i don't understand what they're trying to communicate and why at like any given moment the humor doesn't feel settled or like earned to me any of the drama like things switch too quickly and just like indiscernible And it's like, I was like, I can tell they think they're maybe trying to do something like the writer's trying to do something, but it falls incredibly flat. And it's such a weird viewing experience. The characters, even Rue, who like is the like, what's it called? Is the centerpiece or whatever of the show um trying to like hold the core.
00:46:23
Speaker
Even Rue, all the characters feel completely incidental to like the story. Should there be one. yeah And the story, should there be one, feels completely incidental to like general trying to like have this like vibe and something kind of like referential, like referential cinematics to, don't people were like, oh, it's kind of like a Tarantino. looks like he's trying to do like a Tarantino tribute. And I was like,
00:46:51
Speaker
okay. Like, yeah, it does seem like that. It does certainly seem like that. but like I just, I don't know. I have all the, almost all the critique in the world because of course I want to watch something that I would enjoy. um Crazy me But yeah it's just like, not actually, there's like very little depth. Like I don't understand. and I think it's,
00:47:12
Speaker
symptomatic. Yeah, I think symptomatic of how there's obviously just something that has like completely fallen apart with like the making of it. You can feel it entirely in this episode. The episode before, you have the reunion of Rue and Jules. You're kind of like, thank God because you're missing Jules. The like text and subtext is that like, oh, basically like reunion vibes. Like, you know, everyone's gonna be at this wedding and you're kind of like, okay, neat. Tell me why.
00:47:39
Speaker
Halfway through the episode, Rue gets a call that's like, her like drug overlords. Cause that's now she starts working at a strip club instead. Like she's working in a strip club again, too much obtuse random of stuff going on there. Rosalie is there. Sure. Yeah. Rosalie is there.
00:47:52
Speaker
Well, yeah, it barely gave her, she has like a neck brace on. They gave her one scene of doing a dance and maybe ah like two other scenes, maybe where she says three lines, maybe it'll come up again. Maybe.
00:48:04
Speaker
I'll add the caveat here of course, this is the third episode in the season. So things could happen. maybe More things can make sense. But so far, I'm bewildered. She gets the call from her, like, strip club drug overlord where they're like, we need you to do a run. So halfway through the episode, Zendaya character Rue leaves.
00:48:20
Speaker
isn And it's like on her own journey, sure. It's like she like isn't seen, but it's just like, you're like, okay, so obviously Zendaya didn't want to be there. like you know what I mean? Like in another sense, I would be the type of person to hesitate to project acting like to project anything to act like I know what is going on but it's just so like it what what is happening what is happening and there's just all these other like choices and non-choices that I just I just sit there and I'm like it's not doing it for me it's not working and It just feels, it just, yeah. Of course I'm going to see it through. Of course. I'm going to watch every single episode. So maybe another, maybe an update on that next time. I guess another two episodes will pass. I will try. I will probably not have as much of a rant unless something really like pisses me off. But that's where I stand with euphoria right now. That's all. That's all for me.
00:49:20
Speaker
Gosh darn euphoria. I'm happy that they're all done with it. I mean, it's last season. Yeah. Okay, like officially? oh yeah. Okay, interesting. they're done Which I think is also part of it. That's what I mean. you're like You're like, yeah. They're just ready to be done. Yeah, totally, totally. I don't know. Apparently there are, legend has it, there are people who are enjoying it.
00:49:42
Speaker
Like, I can't really get behind it Or I'm not feeling feeling moved by this in any way. But I'm i'm sure there's there's always people who like something. There are. Yeah. that's and that's us in that And as we were saying, at the end of the day, that is a good thing. Yeah, exactly. There's something for everybody. earn everything Everybody has their thing. I don't know.
00:50:03
Speaker
Exactly. Whatever. Yeah. miss what i One other thing I kind of wanted to talk about. Sorry, i like steamrolled that. No, you're fine. Just because it's time relevant, I don't super have a ton to say about it because I'm way behind on watching, actually, like seasons behind. Everyone online.
00:50:21
Speaker
in my circles that I'm running is talking about the boys right now. I know why. go ahead. Of course I know Which, because as we all, everyone in my circles know, um obviously Jensen Ackles, star of Supernatural, the boys, and the most recent episode they had,
00:50:41
Speaker
Jared Padalecki and Misha Collins pop on in. um And it's also the, obviously the showrunner, the original showrunner of Supernatural is the one who's doing The Boys. and So he brought them in. I think it's the final season of The Boys and they had their little reunion on screen. And because I'm not caught up, i um I'm not positive that they're coming back. I think that they are. I'm pretty sure because I was seeing some things. I don't think that this is their final. I think they're going to be in the season a little bit more. And so I do want to actually watch it. Yeah. Sorry to say it. I do have a lot of The Boys to be watching because I really like that show.
00:51:15
Speaker
I do. That's a good show. It's funny. i Yeah, I've meant to watch it. I've meant to start it. Maybe the first two seasons, maybe two and a half. I really like the show. yeah It's a crazy show. It's really silly. i did have some scrap I wanted to say about seeing those three together on my screen, on my phone screen, because again, I'm not actually watching the show yet. It's...
00:51:39
Speaker
a little bit horrifying. I think either the three of them together again, it's really funny. You know what, I appreciate it. I appreciate Eric Kripke doing that. For me, I'm a little scared of what he's gonna do. um because i've seen obviously people on in my internet are talking about Destiel.
00:51:58
Speaker
Obviously, we're always talking about Destiel on there. That's something it's Yeah. Never ending. If you know anything about Supernatural, you know that Destiel is kind of forever. Like it's just, in a way it's in everything and it's everywhere. Cathedral's everywhere. Cathedral's everywhere. Like literally, it's like foundational text for everything. Similar to challengers leading to heated rivalry. Like we are as a society where we are because of Destiel. And I like, I'm being a hundred percent genuine. Yeah. There's so many, just like fandom as a whole. Yeah. The whole act and art of like the existence of fandom itself is in part like a big part due to Destiel. And so people are creating things that are coming across my desk in the year of our board, 2026 of somehow there's new Destiel content. And again, this is something that you're following, you also know like there is always new Destiel content somehow because the main actors from that show are like still going on tours like they're still they're running that right right right like the convention circuit and they kind of always have been and maybe always will be and it's fascinating to watch because like yeah I guess they're just doing it for the love of the game because I'm sure they all like they don't need the money from that so it's fascinating to watch that they're still doing that and they're still talking about like they're still coming out with like Destiel content someday unfortunately we're going to be doing a supernatural episode I don't know you're aware of that but like we are am and I'll let you take the wheel maybe someday if you're sick I'll make my own episode if I've lost my voice exactly sit there and nod yeah that would be perfect I can't wait so there's new content there's new Destiel stuff but I'm really afraid that Eric Kripke don't want to say that I do I'm afraid of what he's going to do
00:53:48
Speaker
not Not from Destiel, of the other two. I'm afraid that he's going to something crazy there. And I don't want to see that on my screen. I know they're not brothers in real life. to the and So I'm talking to you, Eric Kripke. You better keep it normal. You better to watch it. I don't want to see that.
00:54:06
Speaker
I don't want to see those two in a weird embrace. I've seen enough of that actually on Supernatural. They're always having a weird embrace. Like there is something crazy was always happening on that show. Yeah. I say that with so much love. That's a terrible show that I adore with all my heart. And I think it's like we were saying, a terrible piece of art that was created with some sort of intention that ran for like 25 years And I love it and it's bad. And I love it. I love it yeah for how bad it was. um It's a beautiful piece of art. I am, I guess, excited to see those three on my screen right then. Yes. You're like a very cautious excitement. Exactly. But basically excited. In a really fun way, I open my phone and I'm 14 again every once in a while. Because I'm like, sure, okay, Misha Collins and Jensen Ackles are staring at each other in a really weird, charged way. Like, what else is new? Perfect. In a way I'm told. That's something I'm very familiar with. I know that.
00:55:00
Speaker
It's foundational. It's huge. and Yeah. like I know to do with this And it's important to me. I do. Yeah. I'm used to that. You really used enough of that from me. yeah It's great. No, I'm so happy. That is um very kind of... peripheral to my to the things that come across my desk personally right but i did catch wind of that and i was like some people are having a really good time some people are having a great month yeah that's me and it's ellen me and my girls are having a great time i feel like i guess that's our final note we've run the time right you know what realize realize that i don't want to see jensen ackles and jared padalecki kiss i don't want that i'll say it i was i rebuke you i rebuke you yeah Eric Kripke, please don't make them kiss. Maybe I'm entirely off base. yeah Because once again, I haven't seen the new season of The Boys, but I've seen other seasons.
00:55:54
Speaker
And I know where your mind is at. And I i don't trust you I'm afraid. so you hold the balance of the universe in your hands. Literally in your hands. Like, please. yes That's my realize, realize that that shouldn't be happening. Yeah. But okay, great.
00:56:15
Speaker
That was that. That's another episode from us. Look at Look at us Look at us just chatting, chatting, chatting, chat shit, as I say. um thanks for listening that's us follow us like and subscribe and follow us on all socials we'll see you guys sometime soon two weeks whenever okay this wednesday that you're listening you'll be seeing us again we love you bye