How Did We Get Weird with Vanessa Bayer and Jonah Bayer

Break out your skate deck and board shorts but this week on the podcast we are reminiscing about skateboard culture with Vanessa and Jonah's old friend, Jim Adkins from Jimmy Eat World. From being too afraid to drop in on half pipes to the Bones Brigade and hoverboard rumors, we reminisce about what it was like to try to pull off tricks before the existence of YouTube. Plus, Jonah and Jim talk about the time Jonah traveled to Europe two decades ago to write a feature on the band during their first U.K. tour, Vanessa recalls her own run-ins with the celebrated rock band and we get the scoop on how much control Jimmy Eat World had for the video for "Lucky Denver Mint," which essentially served as the trailer for the 1999 film "Never Been Kissed." (Spoiler alert: The band didn't have any.) Finally, we play a round of change.dork where we discuss why the Florida Panthers should most definitely keep "Sweetness" as their goal song. #SaveSweetnessSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

By popular demand, this week we have another music video-themed episode, however this time it's dedicated to Vanessa's picks of her favorite music videos from her childhood and adolescence. In that spirit we tackle the extended cut of Paul Abdul's classic video for "Rush, Rush" and discuss the time that Vanessa had a conversation with Keanu Reeves about making it. We also delve into the dramatic video for Bon Jovi's power ballad "Always" and Jonah recalls the time that Richie Sambora snubbed him because he wasn't in a band playing at Madison Square Garden. (Still not bitter about that, Richie.) We also dig deep into Soundgarden's psychedelic visual companion to "Black Hole Sun" and Jonah gives a little love to Metallica's austere clip for "The Unforgiven," which is a little too dark for Vanessa's taste. Whether you're a fan of Vitalogy or Vibeology, there's something for everyone on this Bayer-centric episode of HOW DID WE GET WEIRD? "Rush, Rush" (Extended Version) by Paula Abdul Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxJAxF-3a38 "Always" by Bon Jovi Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BMwcO6_hyA "Black Hole Sun" by Soundgarden Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mbBbFH9fAg "The Unforgiven" by Metallica Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ckom3gf57Yw  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's episode we are thrilled to welcome the hilarious Carmen Christopher!! Not only do Carmen and the Bayer siblings participate in a Matthew McConaughey impression showdown for the ages, which includes Jonah's impressive Kermit-the-Frog-doing-McConaughey, but Carmen and Vanessa get into their time doing comedy in Chicago including when Carmen saw Vanessa audition for SNL! Plus, we talk about those anxiety-provoking school dances and how Jonah "hated" them but seemed to go to a lot of them, how Carmen would roll up to them looking cool in his Girbaud jeans, and how Vanessa never knew if anyone would ask her to dance, but ultimately took her rightful place as Prom Queen senior year. A true must-listen, folks!! Check out Carmen Christopher in NYC or LA. Get your tickets below: New York City - April 7 - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/574649982567 Los Angeles - April 24 - https://www.elysiantheater.com/shows/carmenchristopherSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listeners, you're in for a treat this week because we are joined by comedian, actor and writer Brian Posehn. We discuss Brian's formative years and how he managed to befriend both metalheads and popular kids in high school, even if that was way less dramatic than it is in John Hughes movies. We also discuss how he got his start in comedy, his current reality television picks and the time Vanessa forced all of her friends to watch an episode of "Say Yes To The Dress" when they were trying to be social at a party. For our topic, we get deep into the history of NERDS candies and its many offshoots including Nerds Rope, Nerds Cereal and Big Chewy Nerds. Finally, we play a spirited round of LEGIT MOAN OR UNNECESSARY GROAN where we try to get to the bottom of several complaints from some pretty unreliable narrators. But take it from a RELIABLE narrator, this episode is a must-listen!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we are joined on the pod by comedian, writer and actress Patty Guggenheim, who you might recognize from her iconic role as Madisynn King on She-Hulk: Attorney At Law! Patty discusses her time bonding with Vanessa over Zoom as they played a game that Jonah still doesn't understand called Mafia, we discuss the origins of the term "Schnecken" and Patty's favorite hometown foods. We also reminisce about the phenomenon of the wearable personal stereo known as POCKET ROCKERS and the fact that both Patty and Vanessa owned the minicasette of Tiffany's version of "I Think We're Alone Now." Plus, we marvel at the wide variety of artists who allowed their music to be licensed to what was essentially a toy and the fact that Jonah didn't realize that their theme song was a Creedence Clearwater Revival hit that was retooled as a catchy jingle. Last but not least, we play a game of CHANGE.DORK where we review petitions about knee-high Converse sneakers, official high school anthems and a polarizing opinion on string cheese etiquette.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on HDWGW, we could not be more excited to be joined by legendary comedian, acclaimed actor and our podcast network boss, Will Ferrell! On this episode, you'll hear Vanessa and Will trade behind the scenes stories about Saturday Night Live, we discuss Will's childhood love Monopoly and how Monopoly money and played into his career at SNL and so much more! Plus, Will regales Jonah with his stories about growing up with the members of Rage Against the Machine and we talk about Will's favorite childhood show, Scooby-Doo. Finally we play a thrilling round of Change.dork where we all weigh in on if school desserts should be mandatory, the pros and cons of Velcro shoes and if the next Batman should in fact be Will Ferrell. Once you hear his audio audition, we dare you to say otherwise!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We could not be more thrilled to hang out with Sub Pop recording artist King Tuff a.k.a. Kyle Thomas to discuss his favorite childhood game "Uncle Kyle's House," which consisted of a magical world he created inside of his parents' old suitcase. Jonah and Vanessa also discuss the secret door that lead Kyle to the sewers beneath Kyle's childhood home, collectively speculate about the plot to the film "City Slickers" and discuss what other movies were seemingly on a loop during our formative years, ranging from "Haunted Honeymoon" to "Adventures in Babysitting." Finally we play a spirited round of "Back To The Present" where we lament the demise of Flinstone's Push-Ups, the Friendly's Wattamelon Roll and the time-honored tradition of free coffee at grocery stores, an experience that could only be made more transcendent if it were lamp-lit. So zip yourself up in your fave suitcase and check out this hilarious ep, and the new King Tuff album "Smalltown Stardust" out now!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of the podcast, Vanessa and Jonah are joined by musician Andrew McMahon (Something Corporate, Jack's Mannequin) to discuss how he defied the odds and instead of quitting piano lessons like we did, became a professional musician who wheeled a sticker-covered piano onto the stage of the Warped Tour and has became a well-respected musician who admittedly never really uses music theory. Vanessa and Andrew also finally reconcile a long-standing dispute about Andrew not emailing her back when she reached out to him as a complete stranger to talk about their shared cancer diagnosis and Jonah admits that he recently pulled a similar move when he was diagnosed with his own type of leukemia in 2019. We also play a special version of CEO TAKEDOWN: SOMETHING CORPORATE edition where we debate the Ok Go/Post Cereal controversy, the "Pepsi, Where's My Jet?" documentary and our complicated thoughts about A&W Root Beer's mascot. Be sure to check out Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness' new album "Tilt At The Wind No More" when it comes out on March 31st, just don't email him to tell him your thoughts because he probably won't write you back! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For our first ever in-person podcast, this week Jonah and Vanessa are joined by a bonafide musical and pop-culture legend: "Weird Al" Yankovic! Vanessa runs her own song parodies from college by our guest today to get his feedback, we dig deep into the history of Weird Al's favorite cereal and present him with a very special gift. Along the way we also talk about his favorite cartoons from growing up, his tour rider snack situation and what goes through his mind when he's onstage singing his hit song parodies to audiences all over the world. Finally we play a game of YESTOLGIA OR NOSTALGIA where we get everyone's take on the return of mood rings, Pizza Hut's New Yorker pizza and Vienetta Ice Cream. You've heard plenty of interviews with Weird Al before but has anyone else asked him about Black Flag or Kudos bars? Terry Gross look out, we're coming from your job! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the podcast, Jonah and Vanessa are back with another one-on-one episode to stage an in-depth discussion of Guns N' Roses' classic nineties video trilogy of "Don't Cry," "November Rain" and "Estranged." In the process Jonah recalls the time their mom took him to see Guns N' Roses with Skid Row in 1991 on the "Use Your Illusion Tour" (where he used dried blood as a fashion accessory), Vanessa's childhood fascination with Stephanie Seymour and, seriously, what was the deal with that dolphin? We also discuss the time that Jonah interviewed Slash, our favorite moments from the aforementioned videos and the time the Bayer kids saw GNR together in Cleveland in 2006 and were kicked out of the backstage area just moments before the band took the stage. Judging by this timeline we are overdue to see the band again soon, so if any of the members are listening to this podcast please feel free to reach out!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.