The Watchers

Andrea and Jodie are stopping by Truvy's beauty shop to revisit the southern tearjerker Steel Magnolias. We talk about the film’s deeply personal backstory, the stacked cast, and how Steel Magnolias made space for older women in a way that still resonates. We reflect on how this movie landed differently on rewatch, especially for those of us who are starting to feel more like Ouiser than Shelby. Plus: our favorite quotes, behind-the-scenes gossip, and, of course, that scene from Yellowjackets.

Next week we’re headed north to Brooklyn Heights for big hair, big feelings, and that big...

This week on The Watchers, Jodie and Andrea are back in the kitchen for our full Season 4 recap of The Bear. From standout episodes to side character gold, we’re breaking down what worked, what wobbled, and what we’re still thinking about. Plus, we hand out our Season 4 Superlatives, including Best Richie Line, Best Fak Moment, Biggest Cry, and more. And of course, we share our hopes, dreams, and predictions for Season 5.

Don’t forget, we’re covering Steel Magnolias on Monday as part of our Yellowjackets side quest. See you then!

If you're reading...

This week on The Watchers, Jodie and Andrea are talking about Harold and Maude, Hal Ashby’s unconventional romance that’s become a cult classic, an aesthetic touchstone, and (maybe?) the origin story of the manic pixie dream girl. We get into: why Maude might be the blueprint for the trope, and why she also transcends it. Why Harold is relatable to those of us who might delight in our melancholy, even if Maude is really who we should be putting on our vision board, the movie’s deep influence on today’s filmmakers (looking at you, Wes Anderson), and how...

A show where two from Jersey’s distant ends

watch goonies, girls, class presidents unglued.

From clueless cliques to matricidal friends,

now 90s Romeo comes neon-hued.

We trace the plot through fish tank, fire, and storm,

sing praises for our queen, Mercutio,

who dances on the screen in perfect form.

No man more grave than Harold Perrineau.

Our tragic teens, Danes and DiCaprio,

a letter meant to save Claire, left unsent,

breaks the heart of blonde and brooding Romeo

This week on The Watchers, we’re heading to True Directions and diving deep into the 1999 cult classic But I’m a Cheerleader. We talk about Jamie Babbit’s queer filmmaking roots, RuPaul out of drag, and the Barbie dreamscape of repression and resistance. Plus: what But I'm a Cheerleader can teach us about camp, queer longing, and the limits of satire.

Don’t miss next week’s episode on Baz Luhrmann's William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet

If you're reading this, that means you've probably got your podcatcher of choice open right now. It would be SO helpful...

This week on The Watchers, Jodie and Andrea revisit Election, Alexander Payne’s dark, hilarious, and deeply cynical take on high school democracy. We get into the film’s multiple narrators, shifting POVs, and why it still feels so sharp 25 years later. From Tracy Flick’s overachieving rage to Jim McAllister’s petty unraveling, we trace how the film breaks down ambition, morality, and why, in 2025, people are still getting Tracy Flick wrong.

Next week, we’re watching But I’m a Cheerleader, Jamie Babbit’s bold, surreal, and very pink satire about queerness, conformity, and finding love at gay re...

This week on The Watchers, Jodie and Andrea are heading to North Shore High to take on Mean Girls, a defining entry in the canon of girlhood, but one we both struggled with more than expected. We get into what makes the movie mean, what it gets wrong that Clueless gets so right, and how it lands in 2025, when girlhood is messier, more public, and more scrutinized than ever.

Next week, we’re revisiting Election, Alexander Payne’s razor‑sharp satire of ambition, repression, and suburban malaise.

Recommended Reading:

This week, Jodie and Andrea are covering Amy Heckerling’s 1995 teen rom-com, Clueless. It’s the hyperstylized, deceptively smart, deeply girly ’90s take on Emma that shaped a generation. We get into makeover culture, some casual narratology, teen magazine aesthetics, ska music, why Cher’s makeover actually fails, and how Wallace Shawn is honestly perfect. Plus, Andrea gives a breakdown of the elusive PC game, Jodie goes JSTOR mode, and we consider whether or not it really is a proto-feminist masterpiece.

Next week on The Watchers, we’re covering Mean Girls. Tina Fey’s sharp-tongued, early-2000s take on high...

This week, Andrea and Jodie are talking Dazed and Confused, Richard Linklater’s attempt at an anti-nostalgia movie about the last day of school. We get into the vibes, the music, what makes the meandering plot work, and why, as adults, the hazing hits a little harder and the movie feels meaner than we remembered. Still, it’s a hangout classic with killer needle drops and a cast full of future stars.

Next week, we’re watching Clueless. Written and directed by Amy Heckerling. As smart as it is stylish. It’s an endlessly rewatchable Beverly Hills take on...

Hello, you’ve reached the winter of our discontent. Andrea and Jodie watched Reality Bites. Written by Helen Childress and directed by Ben Stiller, it’s the 1994 Gen X anthem that follows a group of post-college friends trying to figure out life, love, and how to afford rent in Houston. We dig into Gen X authenticity, that killer soundtrack, and the irony (we know it when we see it) of a movie about not selling out being released by a major studio, jam-packed with product placement. We talk about the tension between Childress’ original screenplay and the version that ended...

This week, Andrea and Jodie are watching Party Girl. It’s got Parker Posey at her most iconic, inspirational '90s fashion, and a soundtrack that still holds up. We’re talking about the New York City club kid scene, the film’s matter-of-fact diversity, and why it feels so good to see libraries treated with the respect they deserve.

Next week, we’re watching Reality Bites. It’s a little more straight and a lot more white, but as a blueprint for how mainstream media defined Gen X, it offers a perfectly messy portrait of the chain-smok...

This week, we’re heading underground with The Goonies, a film that defined childhood adventure for a generation. Andrea and Jodie revisit the 1985 classic to talk about why it still resonates, what it gets right about the danger and chaos of being a kid, and how its genre-hopping captures the wild, rule-breaking energy of childhood itself. We’re also unpacking some of the more complicated stuff, sharing a few behind-the-scenes stories, and asking whether The Goonies still earns its place in the pantheon of beloved kids’ classics.

Next week, it’s Party Girl. Parker Posey. Illegal Raves. The Dewe...

Jodie and Andrea are kicking off our new movie series with Heavenly Creatures, not just Melanie Lynskey’s film debut, but a true crime story that’s full of themes that Yellowjackets keeps circling: queerness, violence, fantasy, and the messy emotional world of teenage girls. It’s also directly referenced in the show’s original pitch deck, making it the perfect place to start.

Next week, we’re diving into Richard Donner’s 1985 coming-of-age adventure classic The Goonies. It shows up in Season 3, and while it might seem like a big shift from Heavenly Creatures, at its core, it’s a...

Well, that’s another season of Yellowjackets under our belts. Now that we’ve had a little time to digest the finale, Andrea and Jodie are back to wrap up Season 3. We’re clarifying some of the more complex moments from “Full Circle,” breaking down cast reactions, sharing some of our listeners’ comments and questions, and finally (finally!) Andrea takes us to Theory Corner for her long-threatened breakdown of how Freud’s concept of the uncanny shows up in the show, like, everywhere.

If you’re new here, we hope you’ll stick around during the off-season! We’re kicking thin...

Shuffle up and deal! Jodie and Andrea watched “Full Circle,” the Season 3 finale of Yellowjackets, and the hunt, as they say, is officially on.

In the wilderness, it’s a hazy shade of winter, Van’s got a long way to go if she wants to be the next Ricky Jay, and we say goodbye to a real one.

In the present, Tai prioritizes a protein-rich diet. Callie must have been absent the day everyone else learned mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell. Shauna wants to kill, and you have to believe her–it’s for more t...

The Watchers recently hit the 100-episode milestone. For two years, Jodie’s been covering the North Jersey angle, and Andrea’s been holding it down for South Jersey. So we figured it was finally time to bring in someone to represent Central Jersey.

In this bonus episode, Jodie and Andrea had the absolute honor of sitting down with Yellowjackets co-creator Ashley Lyle (I know, right!?!), a proud Jersey native whose own childhood helped shape the tone and spirit of the show.

We talked with Ashley about growing up in Jersey in the '90s, and how...

So long, Astoria. Jodie and Andrea watched “How the Story Ends” episode nine of season three of Yellowjackets. Let's get into it.

In the wilderness, Travis is setting booty traps. Hannah feels like she’s babysitting, except she’s not getting paid. And Kodiak gets his One-Eyed Willy on. 

In the present, it’s our time down here (i.e. Virginia). Shauna’s in the clouds and Tai is in a basement. And Walter’s voice is kind of nice when his mouth isn’t screwing it up.

Yellowjackets Season 3 Interview: Liv Hewson - "Van Palmer, Yo...

You better chow down, or it’s gonna get cold. Andrea and Jodie watched “A Normal, Boring Life,” episode eight of season three of Yellowjackets, and we’re ready to dig in.

In the wilderness, we won’t have to go back if we never leave. Our soccer team makes some new friends, and Travis proves he’s a true feminist.

In the present, Jeff throws his wife under the bus. Tai unleashes every Jersey girl’s secret power, and Shauna would love to chat longer, but she’s having an old friend for dinner.

If you're r...

Hop to it, folks! Jodie and Andrea watched “Croak,” episode seven of season three of Yellowjackets, and there’s a lot to talk about.

In 1996, someone gave Jeff Winger a crossbow, and thank the dirt for that. The girls play “The Most Dangerous Game” (which just so happens to be their favorite game), and Lottie makes a new squishy friend.

In 2021, it’s time for another road trip, and we’ve got all the essentials: the world’s worst mixtape, some communal floss picks, and a well-timed medical emergency. But honestly, the most tragic part of this whole se...

This episode of The Watchers is a meaty one, but we just had so much to sink our teeth into. Check the timestamps down below if you want to know what we talk about when.

Jodie and Andrea watched “Thanksgiving (Canada)” episode six of season three of Yellowjackets, and we really get into it.

In 1996, it must be sweeps week because Ben’s Pen Friends gets a major cast shake-up. There’s a wild new episode of Who’s the Antler Queen? And on Girls Meet World–wait, wait, wait. Girls’ Meat World? Is that anything?

Got any cheeeese? Jodie and Andrea watched “Did Tai Do That?” episode five of season three of Yellowjackets, and we’re here to break it all down.

In 1996, Van helps Tai embrace her wild side. For Akilah, though, it’s just another night, another dream, another vision of Ben, he’s here to . . . be the bridge? Hey, call Weird Al if you want a perfect parody.

In 2021, Mr. Matthews gets a visit from the Geek Squad, and Misty learns that Walter’s calves may have been clouding her judgement. 

If you're reading this, that means yo...

All rise! Jodie and Andrea watched “12 Angry Girls and One Drunk Travis,” episode four of season three of Yellowjackets, and we’re breaking it all down for you.

In 1996, the whole damn soccer team is out of order. Misty makes a lucid, intelligent, well thought-out objection. And Shauna can’t handle the truth.

In 2021, Tai and Van go on a big city adventure, Shauna visits every food service worker’s favorite place to cry, Misty looks for clues, and Lottie makes some big moves.

If you're reading this, that means you've probably got your podca...

Okay, so one time Andrea promised to never release an episode of The Watchers longer than the episode of Yellowjackets we’re reviewing. But if this show has taught us anything, it’s that women from Jersey simply can’t be trusted. Jodie and Andrea watched “Them's the Brakes,” episode three of season three of Yellowjackets, and we’ve got a lot to say about it.

In 1996, Ben and Mari star in our new favorite buddy comedy. Our soccer team goes spelunking. And we’re reminded that it’s probably about time to test the batteries in our CO detectors...

Jodie and Andrea are kicking off Yellowjackets season 3 with a major deep dive into the first two episodes, “It Girl” and “Dislocation.” In the wilderness, we’re talking about Akilah’s Emotional Support Duck, Lottie’s questionable psilocybin therapy credentials, that age-old game, “capture the bone,” whether the DHARMA Initiative left a hatch out in the Canadian woods, and a lot more (like, a LOT more). Meanwhile, in the present, we’ve got the world’s worst eulogy, a deadly dine n’ dash situation, Misty embracing her wild side, Callie going full Carrie, and—perhaps most importantly—the sexual viability of Jeff’s credenza...

Jodie and Andrea are back for part two of our Yellowjackets season 3 catch-up. Last week, we looked back at what we know so far. This week, we’re looking ahead. We dive into the trailer, round up the wildest theories, and make our predictions for what’s coming next. Plus, as has become customary, we’re manifesting our dream needle drops for the new season—because what’s Yellowjackets without a killer soundtrack?

Next week, it's finally here! We'll be breaking down the first two episodes of Yellowjackets season 3!

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Jodie and Andrea are getting back to our roots as Jersey’s most dedicated Yellowjackets podcast! With Season 3 premiering on February 14th, it’s time to refresh our memories on all the wild ongoings from Seasons 1 and 2. We break down each character’s journey in the teen and adult timelines, recap the biggest reveals, and remind ourselves where things left off in that divisive Season 2 finale.

Next week, we’ll be dissecting the Season 3 trailer, everything we know so far about the new season, and rounding up all your theories. Stay tuned!

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Andrea and Jodie are back at Lumon Industries, diving into the first two episodes of Severance season two, "Hello, Ms. Cobel" and "Goodbye, Mrs. Selvig." We unpack the show’s double-sided mystery and speculate wildly about Lumen’s true purpose. Along the way, we explore hidden meanings behind zip codes, corporate psycho-babble, and what your favorite door says about you.

Next week, we officially shift into Yellowjackets mode as we gear up for season 3! Join us to recap, reset, and round-up all of the theories we’ve been exploring while we wait to head back into the wilder...

Jodie and Andrea are heading back underground with Silo season two’s (ahem) explosive finale, “Into the Fire.” Before diving in, we run through a quick recap of seasons one and two to set the stage. Then, we bask in the warm glow of Steve Zahn’s presence, celebrate the episode’s big Ocean’s 11 vibes, and debate whether or not we think they finally got the pacing right. Plus, we work through the more convoluted elements of this episode and share our feelings about those last few minutes. Stick around at the end for Andrea’s latest Evil watch update a...

We're creeping up on the premiere of Yellowjackets season three; to hold us over in the meantime, Jodie and Andrea are checking out some of your suggestions. This week, we’re talking about "Long Day's Journey Into Night," the first episode of From. We get into why Harold Perrineau is always the most long-suffering guy in the room, how the show uses familiar tropes to set up some big mysteries, and whether it might fall into the classic LOST trap of too many questions and not enough answers. We also spend like half an hour at the end of th...

As we get closer to the premiere of Yellowjackets season three, Jodie and Andrea are checking out some shows our listeners have recommended we watch in the off-season. This week, we’re diving into “Genesis 1,” the pilot episode of Evil, a show that’s part supernatural thriller, part procedural drama. Evil follows forensic psychologist Kristen Bouchard, played by Katja Herbers, who teams up with David Acosta, a Catholic Church assessor played by Mike Colter, and tech expert Ben Shakir, played by Aasif Mandvi. Often compared to X-Files and Law & Order, we think it also shares some DNA with House and Ange...

It’s officially 2025, folks. Happy New Year and all that. Naturally, we’re wrapping up 2024 with a year-in-review episode. Jodie and Andrea are sharing their favorite movies, shows, books, and more from the past year. Plus, we’re so excited to be  joined by writer and pop culture enthusiast Tara Giancaspro to talk about her fantastic Substack, xoxo Gossip Giancaspro–especially her essay, ”What You Can Learn From Your Muppet Big 3,” which Jodie and Andrea loved so much this year. Tara also shares her 2024 highlights, and we cap things off with a look at what we’re excited about in 2025!

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This week on The Watchers, we sit down with filmmaker Carina Mia Wong and Wayfinder Experience camp director Judson Packard to talk about the powerful new documentary We Can Be Heroes. The film explores the transformative magic of Wayfinder, a camp where young people build confidence, emotional resilience, and community through immersive role-playing games.

Carina, an award-winning documentary filmmaker and journalist, shares what drew her to tell this story, while Jud gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how the camp creates such a safe and encouraging space for growth. We dive into everything from the challenges of...

Andrea and Jodie sit down with filmmaker Chris Wilcha to talk about his beautiful documentary, Flipside. In the film, Chris revisits the New Jersey record store he worked at as a teenager—a quirky, once-thriving music haven that’s now struggling to survive. But Flipside is so much more than just a nostalgic look back. We dive into the making of the film, Chris’s journey with archives, and the challenges of pursuing a creative career. We get into everything from New Jersey nostalgia to the surprising connections between Ira Glass, jazz photographer Herman Leonard, writer David Milch, David Bowie’...

This week on The Watchers, Jodie and Andrea dive into the new LOST documentary, Getting LOST. We share our thoughts on how well it captures the show’s legacy, LOST’s profound and lasting impact on fandom culture, what makes the show resonate years later, and–most important–why it’s not friggin’ purgatory.

Next week, we’ll be watching the documentary Flipside and chatting with its director, Chris WIlcha. Watch on AppleTV or Amazon Prime.

Check out Cancer Gets LOST at cancergetslost.org

Getting LOST is still available to watch until December 18th. Check it o...

Can you believe it? We’re finally here. The long-ish promised review of the Dawson’s Creek finale. But first! We kick things off with exciting news: Yellowjackets season 3 is premiering on February 14 with a double-episode release! That’s like, nine or ten Watchers episodes away! Then, we dive into the finale of Dawson’s Creek—the two episodes aptly titled “All Good Things” and “Must Come to an End.” Join us as we unpack the return of Kevin Williamson, Dawson’s obsession with remaking his childhood over and over again, Pacey’s inability to sleep with someone who isn’t already married...

It’s time to pack your saxophone! The Watchers are hitting the road with Will Ferrell and his longtime friend, writer Harper Steele, for their documentary Will & Harper. The film follows the two friends as they embark on a friendship-defining road trip. Jodie and Andrea discuss the emotional journey of Harper's transition, Will's growing understanding of allyship, and the evolution of their friendship. We also explore how Will & Harper adds to the long tradition of American road trip narratives, its take on big themes like change and connection, and the film's potential entry point for broader discussions of trans ex...

Chasing Chasing Amy is a heartfelt, funny, and deeply personal documentary that explores identity, queer representation, cinematic influence, and our evolving relationship with pop culture—everything we love to dive into here at The Watchers. In this episode, Sav Rodgers shares how the film started as a quest to understand Chasing Amy's complicated connection to the LGBTQ+ community but grew into something much more meaningful. We dig into the behind-the-scenes process, from shooting interviews in people’s homes and on windy rooftops to how key editing choices helped shape the narrative, all guided by Sav’s strict “No Bullsh*t” polic...

This week, Jodie and Andrea dig into the good, the bad, and the baffling of Kim’s Video, a 2023 documentary that explores what happened to one of the world’s greatest VHS collections when it moved from New York City to Sicily. We talk 90s nostalgia, genre conventions, what it means to be a creative person, and how and why stories get told. Plus we reminisce about our own days working in video stores and marvel at the way Jersey always shows up for us.

Next week, we are SO excited to be talking with Sav Rodgers, the...

It’s our final Halloween episode of 2024, and you shouldn’t be surprised by our choice. We couldn’t wrap up the season without revisiting Wellsville for one of the greatest Halloween episodes in television history, “Halloweenie” from The Adventures of Pete & Pete. It’s quintessentially Pete & Pete, which means it’s quintessentially 90s and quintessentially Jersey, all while remaining totally weird and wholly unique. We talk Mischief-Devil’s-Cabbage-Goosey Night, neighborhood bullies, breaking records, and that moment of being right on the edge of too old for something you used to love.

Next week, we’re sticking with the 90s theme...

This week on The Watchers, Andrea and Jodie dive into Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s classic "Halloween" episode from season 2 of the series. As the Scoobies’ costumes come to life, we question the inconsistent nature of this bewitchery, delight in learning Giles’ has a sordid past, and question what exactly Willow’s supposed to be. (Hot slut?) Plus, Jodie takes us on a trip to Creek Corner and Andrea reviews the pilot episode of Pacey–er, Joshua Jackson’s new show, Doctor Odyssey.

Next week, we’ve got one more Halloween rewatch. The Adventures of Pete & Pete’s “Halloweenie”...