Why rom-coms faded: economics, feminism, and phones

So there's a young, handsome man who's suddenly all over our feeds. Some people say he's going to save America. Others say he's just a very good example of how charisma is the only thing that matters in a politician for the digital age. All we want to know about Zohran Mamdani is: What does he want from us? 

Also, Reese Witherspoon says the reason we're so bad at dating these days is because we're not watching rom-coms any more. Jessie, Amelia and Holly unpack some of the helpful dating tips they've got from rom-coms and ask: Were we really better at talking to each other in the Sweet Home Alabama era? 

And, 'smellmaxxing' and its unknowable limits. Now that your average 14-year-old boy has his own 'fragrance wardrobe' and we've all very much accepted that we stink, it was only a matter of time until there was a deodorant for everywhere, including 'down there'. But... do any of us remember what a human smells like any more? 

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What To Listen To Next: 

• Listen to our latest episode: Uh Oh, Harry & Meghan. The Fallout From Andrew’s Banishment
• Listen: This Is Just The Beginning Of Andrew’s Humiliation
• Listen: The New Love Language & A Fitness Dating Test
• Listen: Mia, Nobody Wants This & A Robust Debrief
• Listen: Everything We Refuse To Spend Money On
• Listen: An Unevenly Open Marriage & ‘Likeable’ Kristen Bell
• Listen: Other People’s Marriages & Your New 'Shobby'
• Connect your subscription to Apple Podcasts

Discover more Mamamia Podcasts here including the very latest episode of Parenting Out Loud, the parenting podcast for people who don't listen to... parenting podcasts.

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What to read: 

• A heist at the Louvre. Missing jewels. And a getaway straight out of a film.
• There's a formula for charisma. With two things you can own any room.
• 'Nobody wants to have fun anymore.' The decline of the mid-budget rom-com.
• Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston have taken the old-school movie star approach to launching new boyfriends.

THE END BITS: 

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