

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

Mar 29, 2024 • 1h 17min
10 Things I Hate About You: Everything You Didn't Know
Your list-living Lotharios are back with an episode that's just too good to be true. Get ready to dive deep into this crown jewel of the late '90s teen movie boom. You'll learn all about the alternate leads we nearly saw instead of Heath Ledger, the songs he nearly sang instead of Frankie Valli, what exactly was behind those tears when Julia Stiles recited the titular poem, and the on-set romance that will blow your minds. Jordan sounds off on why teen movies from this era are just so damn good, Alex opines on all the ways the band Letters to Cleo nearly died by performing on the roof, and together they speculate on the uncompleted sequel that's been tied up in legal hell for over a decade. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 22, 2024 • 2h 7min
The Matrix: Everything You Didn't Know
Jordan and Alex don their tightest PVC outfits to jack into this week's topic: 'The Matrix,' which turns 25 this month! They'll take this thing alllllll the way back to the Wachoswkis' roots writing Clive Barker comics for Marvel (really) and the early pitches that paved the way for their hit. They'll also get into the grueling training period that the film's leads had to go through, the insane process behind "bullet time," and the film's legacy as both trans allegory and eerie portent of the online hell in which he currently live! You'll also pick up facts about the classic sci-fi authors that inspired the film, the exact provenance of some of the sounds of the Matrix, and whether or not "the Matrix defense" is a real thing that works in court! Too Much Information: We're jacked in!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 15, 2024 • 1h 24min
Scooby-Doo: Everything You Didn't Know
Zoinks! The TMI twosome take a ride in the Mystery Machine as they explore 55 years of Scooby-Doo and his human pals. You'll learn how a misheard Frank Sinatra lyric inspired the name of the titular pooch, the '50s sitcom that helped shape the teen characters, and why Velma has been embraced by the LGBTQ+ community — plus discover the origins of the hated Scrappy Doo character, the behind-the-scenes studio battles that erupted as a result of the big screen version in 2002, and the show's bizarre connection to Charles Manson. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 8, 2024 • 1h 54min
"Piano Man" by Billy Joel: Everything You Didn't Know
Your real estate novelists of real interesting facts take a trip down the Joel Hoel with a deep dive into the musical genius and dark underside of the idiosyncratic maestro — who's in the midst of an artistic comeback following three decades of self-imposed creative exile. Though spotlighting his breakthrough classic (which recently turned 50!) you'll also learn about his pre-fame heavy metal band, the recording snafu that nearly ruined his career before it began, the hidden heartbreak behind his greatest love songs, and all the reasons why his signature tune was an unlikely hit. Plus you'll hear all about his ongoing battle with critics, why he hasn't released a new album in 31 years, and why Jordan thinks he just might be the most fascinating Boomer Rock icon of all time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 1, 2024 • 1h 47min
Groundhog Day: Everything You Didn't Know
The TMI guys are back with an episode you'll want to hear over and over and over again! They're diving deep into this beloved 1993 Bill Murray/Harold Ramis collaboration — a cinematic masterpiece disguised as a standard-fare early '90s rom com. Jordan and Heigl speak at length (and with an almost pathological intensity) about the startlingly deep themes of Groundhog Day, and argue why Danny Rubin's clever screenplay is a genius-level meditation on life, love and what it means to grow as a human being. You'll learn all about the EXTREMELY dark early version of the script that had the main character reliving the same day for 10,000 years, the philosophical and spiritual implications of the movie that touch seemingly every single religion, and the psychotic lengths that some fans have gone to calculate exactly how long Bill Murray spent stranded in Punxsutawney. You'll also hear how on-set drama sparked a heartbreaking feud that ended Ramis and Murray's unparalleled creative partnership (until a the deathbed reunion that rekindled their friendship), the even bloodier feud Murray had with an on-set groundhog, the bizarre origins of the titular holiday, and the perfect reason why that deathless Sonny & Cher song was featured so prominently. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 23, 2024 • 1h 26min
Twister: Everything You Didn't Know
On their previous episode, the TMI gang wondered about doing an episode on the windy '90s disaster drama. Then, when the first trailer for the new Twister sequel dropped days later, they knew it had to be a sign. In anticipation of TwisterS, Jordan and Heigl look back at the original. You'll learn all about the injury-filled set, the insane Dutch director who had physical altercations with his crew, the soundtrack that reunited Fleetwood Mac AND broke up Van Halen 2.0, the bizarre animal noises recorded to make that horrific wind sound, the time Bill Paxton nearly saw the assassination of JFK, and the time the SFX experts at Industrial Light and Magic had to use CGI to erase Philip Seymour Hoffman's testicles. Enjoy TMI's 'Twister' Edition — with more hot air than usual! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 14, 2024 • 1h 19min
"I Will Always Love You": Everything You Didn't Know
Jordan and Alex head to Hollywood by way of Nashville for an in-depth examination of one of the greatest love songs of all time, the Dolly Parton-written and Whitney Houston-defined "I Will Always Love You!" They'll drill down into Parton's relationship with her early mentor Porter Wagoner, the guy she wrote the song about, take a quick look at the development of the movie that featured the song, "The Bodyguard," and pepper in some wonderful anecdotes from the recording process, like when Whitney's mom Cissy told producer David Foster she was witnessing greatness as Whitney tracked it. Along the way, there's some patented TMI digressions into the Linda Ronstadt's sneaky status as the Forrest Gump of 20th-century music, whether or not Kevin Costner is Cool, Actually, and of course, the story of Parton and Houston's mutual admiration and friendship. Oh, and a guest appearance from enemy of the pod Saddam Hussein. Too Much Information: *We* will always love you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 9, 2024 • 1h 29min
Van Halen's '1984': Everything You Didn't Know
Jordan and Alex run with the devil through the sunny streets of Pasadena to tackle one of the all-time combinations of musical genius and lunkhead rawk: Van Halen's '1984'! For this transitional record -- when the band stormed the pop charts thanks to Eddie Van Halen's controversial use of synthesizers, and the last to feature iconic frontman "Diamond" David Lee Roth -- Alex will drag Jordan through discussions of everything from Eddie Van Halen's guitar tone to Roth's insane vocal antics to the models of cars connected to the record. They'll detour through the insane childhood crucible that forged Eddie's virtuosity, recount a panoply of incredible quotes from the band at their heyday, and get firsthand experiences from one of the kids in the "Hot for Teacher" music video. Did we mention Jordan doesn't like this band and Alex does? Thrill to the tension of hearing the Nice TMI Guy being driven slowly insane by Alex's use of a David Lee Roth Soundboard! Too Much Information: Might as well jump!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 31, 2024 • 1h 58min
When Harry Met Sally...: Everything You Didn't Know
Today your high maintenance hosts of hilarity turn their attention to When Harry Met Sally — the movie that gave false hope to a generation of love-lorn friend-zoned saps. (Like Jordan.) To debate and discuss one of the most famous "battle of the sexes" in pop culture history, the TMI gang welcomes podcasting royalty: Brooke Siffrinn & Aricia Skidmore-Williams! In addition to hosting Wondery’s Even the Rich, which just wrapped a hilarious season on Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg, the pair are also going strong with their spin-off series Even the Royals, which is a must for fans of The Crown...or messy drama of the obscenely wealthy. Together, the foursome discuss the chemistry (or lack thereof) between Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal, screenwriter Nora Ephron's surprising connection to the Watergate scandal, the strange saga of the infamous deli scene, and the long-lost original ending of this rom-com to end all rom-coms. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 25, 2024 • 2h 18min
Studio 54: Everything You Didn't Know
Experience the decadence of Studio 54! Learn about crazy attempts to get into the club, the radical history of disco, and the tax fraud behind the 33-month party. Explore the oppressive LGBTQ+ environment, the wild opening night, the strict door policy, and the eccentric characters that made Studio 54 legendary. Discover the wild sexual atmosphere and drug culture at the club and witness its ultimate downfall. Reflect on the fascinating lives of the club's founders and the lasting legacy of Studio 54.