Too Much Information

Jordan and Alex delve into the coming-of-age classic that dares to ask, "Do you guys wanna see a dead body?" You'll learn about the deeply autobiographical Stephen King short story that spawned the script, discover which of the four leads had sex for the first time on the set, and find out which star married a 'Stand By Me' superfan. You'll also hear how River Phoenix's experiences in a cult informed his performance, how the production team pulled off all the grossness with the leeches, corpses and pie eating contests, and all about the weird role Michael Jackson nearly played in the film's soundtrack. Alex shares his theory that Stand By Me was just a dry run for Stephen King's 'It,' and Jordan shares the one line in the movie he can't hear without sobbing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alex and Jordan take a wide-ranging look at the life and deeply troubled legacy of '90s television's answer to PT Barnum — and how he made the jump from Cincinnati Mayor to giving a platform to individuals who fetishize Spam and date livestock. (Hint: it involves at least one very public sex scandal.) You'll learn about his Forrest Gump-ish early days at the center of a truly bizarre number of historical events and discover how his first-hand encounters with the London Blitz, RFK's assassination and the 1968 Democratic National Convention riots helped plant the seeds for his trademark televisual mayhem. In addition to covering the rise and fall of his show — and all the controversies and even murders it caused — the TMI guys touch on ghost ships, a woman married to the Eiffel Tower, Oprah, Austin Powers and a 70-pound baby.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jordan and Alex cruise through the making of a comedy classic that salutes the uniquely American phenomenon of taking a long, arduous road trip to a place that sucks. They'll explore the film's genesis as a John Hughes-penned short story in National Lampoon Magazine all the way up through the multi-million-dollar movie franchise it spawned — including some questionable sequels that mercifully went unproduced. You'll learn all about the epic cross-country shoot that nearly killed several members of the cast and learn how the Griswold's hideous car killed off the station wagon. Plus, you'll hear all sorts of tales of Chevy Chase behaving badly. So give a listen: you'll have so much f-cking fun, you'll need plastic surgery to remove your goddamn smiles!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alex and Jordan throw on their skinny jeans, vintage Ts and leather jackets to discuss one of the turn-of-the-century masterpieces of modern rock and roll — a dirtbag opus that taught us that rich kids could, with the right tunes and production, convincingly cosplay as legitimate scuzzbags. You'll learn about the band's privileged beginnings among the upper Manhattan elite (Sean Lennon introduced them at a Swiss prep school!) and then head downtown to the gritty recording sessions for "Last Nite" and "Someday" done in the basement of a methadone clinic. In addition to lots of drugs, sex and fist-fights — plus a surprisingly comprehensive overview of all the artists who've ripped off Tom Petty — you'll get a fascinating overview of the Meet Me in the Bathroom-era indie-rock scene of the early '00s — NYC's last gasp of punk. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jordan and Alex take a trip to Bluffington to pay tribute to everyone's favorite sweater-vest clad diarist. You'll learn all about the real-life love story behind Doug Funnie and Patti Mayonnaise, the behind-the-scenes drama stemming from the show’s transition from Nick to the House of Mouse, and the controversies that continue to rage concerning Skeeter Valentine's blue skin tone. Plus you'll discover how the creation of Doug was fueled by endless margaritas and a passion for the Peanuts gang, and all the influences that went into the greatest rock band of our time — The Beets! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jordan and Alex put the podcast in the basket to talk about one of the all-time masterpieces of horror cinema. Join your well-scrubbed, hustling hosts as they debunk the oft-repeated theory that Anthony Hopkins doesn't blink during this film, celebrate the determination Jodie Foster brought to campaigning for her role, and marvel at all the creepy touches that make the film so great, from its sound design to the Guy Who Handled the Moths. They'll also explore its checkered legacy in the trans community and the mostly unfortunate series of cash-in sequels that followed. Even under threat of getting the hose again, Alex is unable to stop doing Hannibal Lecter lines in a Sean Connery voice after learning Connery was initially considered for the role!  Too Much Information: You will tell us when the pods stop casting, won't you, Clarice?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jordan and Alex discuss one of the best-selling singles of all time. It's a song that boasts more top tier talent than perhaps any other. It's also a song that brings new meaning to the phrase: “Well, it’s the thought that counts..." They'll give you the backstory and behind the scenes drama of that one night in January 1985 when 40-something of the biggest stars in music crammed into a single studio, checked their egos at the door and worked through the night to record a sub-part tune by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie that raised some $80 million for African famine relief. You'll find out why a terrified Michael Jackson was reduced to curling up in the fetal position in the bathroom, why mega-talents like Prince and Madonna blew off the session, and why the proceedings were nearly torpedoed by Cyndi Lauper's earrings and a buffet. You'll also learn about Bob Dylan's intense stage fright, the surprising reason why Huey Lewis was given a solo when Smokey Robinson was NOT — plus all the reasons why Ray Charles and Bruce Springsteen were the MVPs of the session. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jordan and Alex explore the beloved early Aughts comedy that taught a generation important facial expressions like Blue Steel and Magnum, dared to ask the question “But why male models?”and showed us that sometimes all you need to sort through important issues is an orange mocha Frappuccino. You'll learn all about the VH1 sketch that birthed the character of Zoolander, how Ben Stiller got David Bowie to judge the "walk off," and the long-lost original ending to the film — which was kind of a downer! You'll also discover which '90s pop punk band nearly provided the soundtrack to the gasoline fight, which legendary American author sued the production for plagiarism, and which controversial actor who nearly played the villainous Mugatu. So take a listen — it's so hot right now. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alex and Jordan salute the 25th anniversary of the biggest, dumbest, most ass-kickin'-est '90s action blockbuster. It's a film that taught us all that oil rig workers can (with the right montage) make successful astronauts, the leathery glam Muppets in Aerosmith still had hits in 'em, and there's no problem that Uncle Sam can't blow up real good. They'll get into all the messy reasons why Bruce Willis was forced to do this movie, why Ben Affleck was forced to get new teeth, and Michael Bay forced NASA to let the production sit in on a shuttle launch. You'll also learn about how Armageddon and less-good end-of-days asteroid movie Deep Impact caused an inter-studio feud, the film's soundtrack helped heal a rift between Liv Tyler and her Aerosmith front man father, the time Ben Affleck nearly died in a space suit, and all the ways that humanity would be screwed if a big rock was headed our way in real life. Hit play and enjoy! Trust us, you don't want to miss a thing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jordan and Alex move the pod to an an-up-and-coming Chicago neighborhood—ah, it's already been gentrified. Well, they'll self-soothe by immersing themselves in a beloved chronicle of a similarly bygone era, Liz Phair's "Exile in Guyville!" From a quick history of the Chicago indie scene that birthed the record, to the myriad of odd sonic tricks that make up its production, to the kinda-weird lengths Phair went to in order to tweak the Rolling Stones' "Exile on Main Street," not a single cobblestone of Guyville remains unturned. They'll also tackle the backlash Phair faced once her record broke big, the *other* backlash she faced a decade later later when she pivoted her sound, and make Jordan uncomfortable with some of Phair's patented sexually explicit lyrics! Too Much Information: A dive deeper than Chicago deep-dish!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.