Too Much Information

Today on a special prehistoric episode of "Too Much Rock-formation" (sorry), Jordan and Alex throw it back to the genesis of the first animated sitcom. They'll discuss all the famous firsts on The Flintstones (including a weirdly sexual one), some of the surprisingly dark plotlines and non-kid-friendly jokes that crop up throughout series, the time the voice of Barney was near death and recorded his parts from a body cast in a hospital bad, the surprising way that Beethoven inspired the theme tune, and the controversies that drew threats of lawsuits from Jackie Gleason and Hulk Hogan. Plus, as if that's not enough, Jordan delivers a brief history of toilets on television! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alex and Jordan delve into all the inter-band drama, personal traumas and prank calls that went into the political pop-punk concept record. They'll explore the painting that inspired "Boulevard of Broken Dreams," the heartbreaking meaning of "Wake Me Up When September Ends," and the mystery of the missing album Green Day were recording before they tackled American Idiot. You'll also learn about the hilariously debauched recording sessions — during which a studio caught fire — the time the band locked a famous drummer in his room, plus the album's bizarre second life as a Broadway musical. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jordan and Alex close out their Olivia Newton-John tribute week with a special expanded episode delving into all the behind-the-scenes anecdotes from the making of the record-breaking musical. You’ll hear all about the surprisingly gritty stage play and early versions of the film: including a proposed X-rated cartoon, another that starred Fonzie and Princess Leia in the leads, and still another that featured a tragic Romeo & Juliet ending! You’ll also learn the multiple tragedies hidden in the “Greased Lightening” scene, why the theme song caused a standoff between the director and The Bee Gees, the occasionally tense moments between John Travolta and Jeff Conaway, and why the production reeked of pork. Plus, the TMI guys helpfully point out the surprisingly dirty references and jokes that definitely went over your head as a kid, and the bizarre fan theories that have sprung up on Reddit. You’ll also discover all the hilariously homemade ways they tried to age down these 30-year-old playing high schoolers, and the misery that resulted when Olivia Newton-John had to be sewn into her skin-tight “Bad Sandy” pants for the film’s finale — and the lost ending to this cherished classic. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jordan and Alex kick off their Olivia Newton John tribute week by exploring one of the biggest, splashiest, most notorious films in Hollywood history. It may have been a box office bomb, but it’s also the only movie that combined disco, Greek mythology, Gene Kelly, roller skating, an abandoned LA landmark, bargain basement special effects, and our beloved ONJ. Learn about how this bizarre project came to be and hear all the crazy behind-the-scenes stories — including the time Olivia Newton-John literally busted her butt on skates, producer Joel Silver (reportedly) locked a screenwriter in a room for days, and Gene Kelly had a hilarious beef with the director. You’ll also learn why Electric Light Orchestra front man Jeff Lynne blamed the movie for his band’s nosedive in the charts and find out why John Lennon had a soft spot for the soundtrack.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alex and Jordan explore one of the greatest left-turns in music history, a stripped-down solo album that finds The Boss grappling with the fallout of fame and the political sea change of Reagan's America. They'll discuss the late-night drives and complicated family dynamics that helped inspire the emotion of the record, as well as the surprising literary, musical and historical influences that crop up, as well. You'll also learn about Springsteen's stubborn insistence on releasing his rough demo cassette (which he'd carried around in the pocket of his jeans jacket for weeks) and the long-lost "Electric Nebraska" recorded with the E Street band. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Come on down! Jordan and Alex are diving into the beloved daytime TV juggernaut, which turns 50 years old this very month. You'll learn about the surprising role that Bob Barker’s gray hair played in ratings, the Plinko accident that cost the producers $30,000, the incident where a woman nearly gave birth in the audience, and the time the mom from the Brady Bunch had a car accident live on stage. They'll also discuss the troubling legal squabbles between Bob Barker and the show's models, the scandal that nearly shut down the production, and the potential kinda-sorta-maybe mini feud between Barker and his successor, Drew Carey. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alex and Jordan go deep on the ‘90s one hit wonder with an incredibly colorful origin story, spanning nearly half a century of British social and pop cultural history. Penned by a band of deeply principled anarchist punks squatting in a decaying Victorian manor home, the track’s goofy drinking-song style masked a surprisingly serious political message. Learn how the band became the most unlikely of pop stars and hear about the controversial stunts they staged — from soaking the Deputy Prime Minister to encouraging fans to steal their album, and advocating for a death row inmate while performing on The Tonight Show. You’ll also find out about the true meaning of “Chumbawamba,” the drunk who inspired the lyrics, why the band never scored another hit, and how they weaponized their fame to support social causes. Trust us, there is MUCH more to this  song than you ever realized. Buckle up, because it’s a wild ride.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jordan and Alex mark the (unofficial) end of summer with one of the greatest summer flicks of all time. You'll hear the heartbreaking story that inspired the script, learn which cast member blackmailed the crew for porn, and discover why the fake chewing tobacco was gross enough to make the kids puke for real. They'll also delve into the precedent-setting lawsuit sparked by the character of Squints, the gargantuan puppet used to create The Beast, the time the guy who played Smalls headbutted a cop, and the mystery of the missing trout cap. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fresh out the box. Stop, look, and watch. Ready yet, get set, because Jordan and Alex are tackling Nickelodeon’s answer to Saturday Night Live! They’ll discuss the Oscar winner who was passed over for a spot on the show, the historic natural disaster that nearly wrecked the pilot, the time Chris Farley destroyed the entire set in a single take, and Danny Tamberelli’s awkward incident with Britney Spears. They’ll also delve into the unusual origins of Good Burger, the mild backstage drama with the cast, and the slightly-less-than-mild drama behind Kenan and Kel’s temporary split — and a surprisingly touching story about the big ear of corn. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alex and Jordan go deep on the idiosyncratic hip hop mainstay, often cited as one of the best songs of the 21st century. They get into the deceptively heartbreaking lyrics, the unexpected musical inspirations, the brain-crushingly complex music video, and the science of why it’s simultaneously an earworm, a wedding reception staple, and a dangerous song to listen to while driving. They’ll also explore how the song inadvertently set the stage for the infamous “Wardrobe Malfunction” at the 2004 Super Bowl, juiced sales for Polaroid, and sparked Andre 3000’s apparent exile from music in recent years. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.