The Couch Podcast
Conversations about pop culture and why it matters
The Couch Podcast :: Why We Love the Wizard of Oz with James Walters (S2E7)
Today’s guest is none other than my little brother, James! What? Yes, it’s true. The bad news is that we recorded together, in person, across my dining room table, with one microphone. Annnnnnd it shows. Awkward laughs abound and the sound quality isn’t great, but I hope you’ll just crank up the volume a bit and listen anyway. Because what could be more fun than listening to us go on and on about the Wizard of Oz and our love for it? Nothing. Nothing could.
The Couch Podcast :: Loving Long-Running Shows with Heather Parker (S2E6)
Last month was all about short-lived shows, and today we’re going in the opposite direction. Heather Parker joins me to talk about long-running TV shows. This episode was inspired by our shared love of NCIS, but don’t worry. If you aren’t as enamored with Leroy Jethro Gibbs and procedurals as we are, you won’t be bored by this episode. Because we don’t just talk NCIS; we also talk other long-running shows. Some of them were surprising. (Who knew Lassie ran for 19 seasons – or that Timmy never actually got stuck in a well?!) We also talk about why some shows last so long, and how they can become part of our lives after a while.
The Couch Podcast :: Friendship & Belonging with Kristen Strong (S2E5)
Today my friend Kristen Strong joined me again, this time to talk about fictional friend groups and our desire to belong. We talk about all the best groups of friends (or at least the ones that seem the most fun) and debate why there seem to be more shows about...
The Couch Podcast :: All the Things about Studio 60 (S2E4)
Every time I talk with my friend Lisa-Jo about TV the conversation always makes it way back to Aaron Sorkin and her love of his writing and his shows. So when it came to wrapping up this short series on short-lived shows, talking to Lisa-Jo about Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip was an obvious choice.
The Couch Podcast :: Getting Ready for the Veronica Mars Revival (S2E3)
My friend Jenny and I never stopped loving (or watching) Veronica Mars. We need you to know this. But now that Hulu is bringing the show back for a fourth season, we’re diving deep to make sure we are all prepared to watch like the true marshmallows we are.
The Couch Podcast :: A Love Letter to Pushing Daisies (S2E2)
Today’s episode is, essentially, a love letter to Pushing Daisies. Because when it comes to short-lived shows, Pushing Daisies is unique in the dramatic responses it creates in fans. One mention of this show and fans will sigh loudly, cartoon hearts practically popping out of their eyes before they begin gushing about how dreamy and quirky and just plain wonderful it was.
The Couch Podcast :: Missing My So-Called Life (S2E1)
It is a truth universally acknowledged that finding out your favorite show is being cancelled too soon is THE WORST for a TV fan. Right? That’s why, we’re kicking off a new series about short-lived TV shows by discussing one of the most beloved gone-too-soon shows, My So-Called Life.
The Couch Podcast :: All About Hamilton (S1E22)
After a quick road trip to Chicago to see Hamilton on stage, I couldn’t quit gushing and analyzing and, let’s be honest, crying just a little bit about the show. So I got my friend Amy Clark (who also has been known to gush and analyze and cry about this thing) to talk about all the things on this week’s episode.
The Couch Podcast :: What to Do About Decision Fatigue (S1E21)
What should I watch? This new show or that one everyone's talking about? Or...maybe I'll just rewatch Parks and Rec...again... Who hasn't been there? Freezing in the face of all the choices? Well, this week Emily P. Freeman joins me at The Couch to talk about our...
The Couch Podcast :: All About Live-Action Disney Movies
In this episode, Amanda White returns to talk with me about all the live action movies that have come before (most of which – surprise! – I haven’t seen) and all the ones slated to come next. And, in our continued quest to be timely and relevant (ha!), we debate the value of Maleficent, the 2014 movie starring Angelina Jolie, as well as the definition of live action when it comes to movies about animals that talk. Tune in for all this and more!
The Couch Podcast :: How Pop Culture Helps Us Heal (S1E19)
In a surprisingly upbeat episode, my friend Becky McCoy and I tackle the topic of grief. We talk about grief as it's portrayed in pop culture, and how pop culture can help a person heal from loss or grief. Based on the amount of laughter in this episode, we either...
The Couch Podcast :: The Best & Worst TV Moms (S1E18)
With Mother's Day right around the corner, it's time to look at the best (and the worst) moms TV has to offer. From Cersei Lannister to June Cleaver, Mary and her friend Alana Dawson are debating what makes a good television mom. Did they include your favorite? Is...