Too Much Information
iHeartPodcasts
'Too Much Information' is a new iHeartRadio podcast that gives you the secret history, behind-the-scenes details and little-known fascinating facts about your favorite movies, music, TV shows and more. The series is brought to you by two trivia titans with too much free time. Jordan Runtagh and Alex Heigl are big-time pop culture nerds and longtime listicle writers who've worked at Rolling Stone, People, Entertainment Weekly, VH1, and Page Six. Now they're let off the leash and ready to dive deep into a different beloved entertainment classic three times a week. Get ready for everything you never knew about 'Rugrats,' 'Hook,' "Dancing Queen," Sonic the Hedgehog, 'Jeopardy,' 'Top Gun,' 'Jagged Little Pill'...The list goes on, and so will these guys. But in a good way. Promise.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jun 21, 2022 • 46min
FernGully - The Last Rainforest: Everything You Didn't Know
Alex and Jordan delve into the infamous animated '90s flick that traumatized a generation of kids with its terrifying (yet oddly sexy) pollution monster, Hexxus. But it's not all nightmare fuel! They'll discuss the 14 hours of improvised dialogue that Robin Williams provided for filmmakers, Disney's ruthless attempts to crush the film before it made it to theaters, and how Elton John, Jimmy Buffett and Tone Loc all got roped into the soundtrack. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 17, 2022 • 57min
“Running Up That Hill” by Kate Bush: Everything You Didn't Know
Given its recent rediscovery thanks its inclusion on ’Stranger Things,’ Alex and Jordan celebrate Kate Bush’s immortal “Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God).” Join them as they explore the song’s genesis in a rural English barn, the pioneering piece of technology that lent the song its distinctive sound, and the emotional backstory behind the lyrics. They’ll also discuss Bush’s battle with sexism, her unexpected connections with Pink Floyd, James Bond, David Bowie, and why Prince called her his “favorite woman.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 15, 2022 • 1h 1min
David Bowie’s 'Ziggy Stardust' (Part 2): Everything You Didn't Know
In the conclusion of this two-part episode, Jordan and Alex explain how the Starman took flight, blasting Bowie into the upper echelon of the music world and setting a benchmark for rock ’n’ roll theatricality, physicality, and pure imagination — not to mention pure rock ’n’ roll excess. They’ll also take a look at Bowie’s complex relationship with both his band and the LGBTQ community, meditate on the likelihood that he was a sex addict, explore his fascination with Japan, and explain why he ultimately killed off his most famous creation at the peak of Ziggy’s popularity. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 13, 2022 • 1h 20min
David Bowie’s 'Ziggy Stardust' (Part 1): Everything You Didn't Know
As Bowie’s boundary-shattering breakthrough turns 50, Jordan and Alex dive deep into his alien alter-ego with their first two-part episode. To kick things off, they dissect the many influences that went into Ziggy, from eccentric reclusive rockstars to David’s history with his tragic half-brother. They’ll also explain why the piano used on the sessions is one of the most important instruments in rock, explore the intriguing connection between “Starman” and ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ and describe the moment that Freddie Mercury stood front row for Ziggy’s grand unveiling.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 8, 2022 • 1h 8min
Top Gun: Everything You Didn't Know
Alex and Jordan take a Mach 5 look at Tom Cruise's beloved ‘80s fighter-plane flick, currently enjoying a new moment in the spotlight thanks to its long-in-the-making sequel. They dive into the tale of the maverick production team that took the story from the pages of a magazine to the big screen, explore Tom and Val Kilmer’s onset method-acting madness, and relive the time director Tony Scott had to pay $25,000 to turn a boat around. They’ll also explain how the movie was crucial in jumpstarting the home video market and describe how the famous baby oil-drenched volleyball scene came to be. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 6, 2022 • 51min
“Baby Got Back” by Sir Mix-a-Lot: Everything You Didn't Know
Alex and Jordan explore the genesis of Sir Mix’s salute to the glute, a wild saga that involves guns, nuns, and a 50-foot fiberglass butt. For the Seattle MC, it’s a surprisingly personal battle against racist beauty standards, as well as a fierce fight against censorship practices — and the vandals who keep popping his enormous inflatable ass during its promo tour of the country. As “Baby Got Back” turns 30, find out how Mix made the goofy-yet-serious ‘90s classic, and just how many butts he was forced to study to create the iconic music video.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 1, 2022 • 1h 24min
Fleetwood Mac's 'Rumours': Everything You Didn't Know
Jordan and Alex look back on the creation of one of rock’s most storied albums — from one of rock’s most cursed enterprises. They’ll discuss the band’s cocaine fueled pursuit of perfection, including the time Lindsey Buckingham strangled one of the engineers, as well as the saga of “Silver Springs,” and the mystery of Mick Fleetwood’s (wooden) balls. They’ll also discuss why Buckingham restrung his guitar every twenty minutes to record "Never Going Back Again," why Stevie Nicks wrote “Dreams” in Sly Stone’s bed, and why the Rolling Stone cover shoot added to the intense interpersonal drama within the group. (The answer to all of these, directly or indirectly, is cocaine.) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 30, 2022 • 59min
Legally Blonde: Everything You Didn't Know
Jordan and Alex talk about hilarious true story that inspired classic 2001 film, as well as Reese Witherspoon’s nature documentary-style trips to Southern California sororities, Bruiser the Dog’s connection with the Taco Bell dog, the drunken origin of the bend-and-snap (and its long lost musical number), exactly what became of all of Elle’s 60 outfits from the film, and how it’s indirectly responsible for saving someone’s life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 27, 2022 • 1h 1min
"Respect": Everything You Didn't Know
Alex and Jordan trace the creation of Aretha Franklin’s 1967 empowerment anthem, diving into the mystery surrounding who actually wrote the song (possibly NOT Otis Redding) and the origin of “TCB.” They also talk about how the song’s catchphrase may have gotten Ricard Nixon elected, why an in-studio brawl with a drunken trumpeter nearly killed the song before it was ever recorded, and how a surprising number of people associated with the song wound up getting murdered. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 25, 2022 • 50min
Sonic the Hedgehog: Everything You Didn't Know
Jordan and Alex discuss the underdog of the ‘90s video game wars. They’ll explain why Bill Clinton inspired the speedy character, how Michael Jackson may (or may not) have composed the theme music, and how corporate chaos nearly sunk the beloved hedgehog before the game was ever released. They’ll also delve into the history of video game easter eggs, the strange subculture of video game high score champs, the Sonic balloon disaster at Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and the unfortunate “teeth incident” that occurred before Sonic made his big screen debut in 2020. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
