72 avsnitt • Längd: 50 min • Månadsvis
Welcome to Can We Save the Cat, an entertainment podcast where we pick a random idea or ”concept” and attempt to develop it into a quality TV/Film pitch. In the end, we’ll decide if we want to save the project or scratch it. Listen on Tuesdays for new episodes. Contact us at [email protected] to… Advertise with us. Book a private working session. Pitch an idea for the podcast. Give us feedback. Just say hi.
The podcast Can We Save the Cat? is created by Can We Save the Cat?. The podcast and the artwork on this page are embedded on this page using the public podcast feed (RSS).
Rabbit Rabbit! It's time to gather all ye gamers and those who wander, because this episode is for you! On this week's episode, Bryan, Dani, and Justin discuss tea-nuts, the joys of reality tv, and a pitch about a gamer who just can't help but try and min-max their life. Also, Dani draws kawaii pictures! Because that's a thing now, right?
Hosts IG: @bredacted, @justineugene, @officialdanihanks, @canwesavepod
Originally Recorded: 02-21-2022
When a virtual reality headset shows up on his doorstep, a man dissatisfied with life discovers he can replay his past and make different choices. Can he play it right and min-max his existence, or will he lose it all trying to get the perfect run?
It's new episode day! On this week's episode, Andrew, Bryan, and Justin discuss Justin's quick-witted pitches, getting Witcher-blasted, and a pitch about a guy just trying to fit in with his new roommates.
Hosts IG: @bredacted, @justineugene, @writerbrandt, @canwesavepod
Originally Recorded: 02-14-2022
When a twenty-something finds himself in a new city and needing a place to stay, he ends up the new roommate of two LGBTQ individuals. Optimistic and eager, he tries everything he can to fit in, even if it's going too far. As the characters and their bonds as roommates grow, they find out just how much they truly have in common.
Happy Valentine's Day, dear listeners! For this year, we wanted to do something VERY special for our listeners. So, we gave you a murder-bride episode! Trust me, it will all make sense when you listen. Join Dani, Gracie, and Tiffany as they discuss scary potatoes, how much they hate Bryan, and a tale as old as time...scorned brides seek revenge against the horrible men they were set to marry.
Happy Valentine's Day! :)
A runaway bride and her maid of honor go on a quest to save fellow brides-to-be from the biggest lie of all: a happily ever after.
On this week's (nice) episode, it's all about the demons, baby! We talk succubi, gollums, girls in houses across streets from women in windows, and actual demons in this tale about a student who makes a deal with a devil...literally.
Hosts IG: @bredacted, @therealgracegiffune, @justineugene, @canwesavepod
Originally Recorded on 02-02-2022
Failing classes and out of options, a young college student finds themselves desperate to succeed. So, they do what any person would do...bind themselves to a demon and force them into their mundane tasks. Will they be able to maintain control of the demon, or will life lead them down a darker path?
Settle in with your favorite dinosaur-themed mug and wipe that murder board clean because today's episode is all about a wholesome friendship! Sure, we might talk about murder boards and impersonation/identity theft but that's just because we have an amazingly talented guest joining the group today as author of Hello, Transcriber, Hannah Morrissey brings Andrew and Dani a pitch about a best friend who just can't seem to catch that lucky break.
Hosts IG: @hannahmorrisseywriter, @officialdanihanks, @writerbrandt, @canwesavepod
Originally Recorded: 01-24-2022
When a down-on-her-luck hot mess living on the Upper East Side gifts her well-off best friend a winning lottery ticket, she tries to get a cut of the cash she thinks she’s entitled to.
I think we could have some more of the things. Okay, I can explain. On this week's episode, we go from toes to nose and craft interesting sentences with our predictive text pitches! Things get weird!
Hosts IG: @bredacted, @officialdanihanks, @writerbrandt, @canwesavepod
Originally Recorded: 01-17-2022
When a Cat-tholic kitten, Cleocatra, living in the alley of a church learns about Ancient Egypt, she starts to preach to her friends about this promised land where cats aren’t discarded or ignored, but revered.
#Podcast #Movies #ComingOfAge #TV #Film #Religious #Animated #Comedy #Screenwriting #WritersRoom #Roundtable #Discussion #PredictiveTexts
Get ready folks, because on this week's episode we are going to steal the Alien Baby of Independence. Okay, not really. We actually just get really into Gracie's positivity on Instagram, struggle with movies about animal liberation, and discuss what would happen if Nicolas Cage is asked to take an alien baby across the country. It's a normal Tuesday on Can We Save the Cat?
Hosts IG: @bredacted, @officialdanihanks, @therealgracegiffune, @canwesavepod
Originally Recorded: 01-12-2022
When long haul truck driver Nicolas Cage discovers he’s transporting powerful alien cargo, he must make a choice: does he deliver the load to the government where it will certainly be destroyed, or try to save it from the evils of humanity?
#Podcast #Movies #NicolasCage #NationalTreasure #TV #Film #SciFi #Action #Comedy #LongHaulTrucker #NicCage #CageRage
On this Award-Winning episode of the Award-Winning podcast, three Award-Winning hosts discuss Award-Winning ideas such as their awkward accomplishment moments, their obsession with Award-Winning Actor Ethan Hawke, and discuss a pitch about roommates in a railroad-style apartment who just want to be left alone and commit murders. What an Award-Winning Concept!
Railroaded is a dark sitcom that follows a serial killer living in the middle room of a railroad apartment who has to keep his organ harvesting business a secret when a crime novelist moves into their third room.
Holy goodness, it's about to get dark on this week's episode as Andrew, Bryan, and Tiffany discuss existentialism, Spider-Man, and sentient teddy bears with a penchant for killing. NOTE: Light spoilers for Spider-Man: No Way Home. NOTE #2: No Teddy Bears were harmed in the making of this pitch.
Hosts IG: @bredacted, @tiffany.a.albright, @writerbrandt, @canwesavepod
Originally recorded on: 12-27-2021.
MURDERBEAR is an edge of your seat action-thriller. When a sentient teddy bear's entire family is murdered, the lonely bear sets out on a tale of revenge in the mean streets of Miami. Along the way, he meets a wise old mentor, a low-level sidekick, and the love of his life with a secret of her own. As he gets closer to the truth of his family, will he let his rage consume him or will he find a stronger power within?
It's a new year and to celebrate, we are giving some old pitches a "glow up!" On this week's episode, the gang talks about voice jealousy, the art of the twerk, and a pitch about a dying father wishing to reconnect with his daughter via *checks notes* drugs? Okay, let's just see how this one turns out...
Hosts IG: @bredacted, @officialdanihanks, @writerbrandt, @canwesavepod
Originally recorded on: 12-13-2021.
When a recovering alcoholic gets a terminal liver cancer diagnosis, he convinces his estranged daughter to help him safely check a smorgasbord of drugs off his bucket list.
Ho! Ho! Ho! It's that special time of year to bust out the eggnog, diet coke, and BONE BROTH! That's right, it's Holiday Episode time! On this week's episode, Bryan, Dani, and Tiffany discuss (and spill) their favorite beverages, the well-known CowValley, and a pitch about a family trying to live with their friendly until their not spirits!
Hosts IG: @bredacted, @officialdanihanks, @tiffany.a.albright, @canwesavepod
Originally recorded on: 12-08-2021.
When an older brother invites his occultist roommate home for Christmas, all hell breaks loose as the family learns to communicate with spirits that have been lurking in their house for decades.
Happy Holidays from everyone at Can We Save the Cat!!
Ah yes, here lies the drug wrappers! On this week's episode, the group of Andrew, Bryan, and Gracie discuss what it truly means to be a gaffer, the unnecessary hate for Marvel's Eternals, and a pitch about a group of people blissfully happy in their life's patterns...until one of them starts to question it altogether.
Hosts IG: @bredacted, @therealgracegiffune, @writerbrandt, @canwesavepod
Originally recorded on: 12-01-2021.
In a utopian society where everything is perfect and everyone has a role to play, one person finds themselves convinced that the reality around them isn't quite what it seems and attempts to dig further into the truth.
This week on Can We Save the Cat, it's all about the egg, baby! Okay, well, not really. It's ashes and it's not the ENTIRE episode. This week, the writer's room of Bryan, Dani, and Justin discuss being home alone, an infamous Risky Business scene, and a story about a couple of schmucks who can't help but get in way over their heads.
Hosts IG: @bredacted, @justineugene, @officialdanihanks, @canwesavepod
Originally recorded on: 11-21-2021.
When a viral documentary brings light to an unsolved mystery, two nobodies discover they accidentally stole the president’s ashes and must figure out how to return them.
Happy Charlotte's Web week on Can We Save the Cat! Okay, it's not really but you would think it was based on the way Andrew, Bryan, and Dani talked this week. It's actually Thanksgiving week and the writers talk about the beloved children's book, what it means to be family, and an alien invasion that happens during a "friends"giving. It's...ThanksTAAAKIIING!!!
Hosts IG: @bredacted, @officialdanihanks, @writerbrandt, @canwesavepod
Originally recorded on: 11-15-2021.
Thankstaking is an irreverent comedy about a group of two-faced twentysomethings at Friendsgiving who must work together to escape a colonialist alien genocide.
It's a new week for Can We Save the Cat and love is in the air with this rom-com pitch! Well, in the air for everyone except the producer aka Bryan (it's fine, I'm fine, everything's FINE) and Dani's friend from high school. Join Andrew, Dani, and Tiffany as they discuss a modern-day, transgender love story full of Disney, Dallas, and Doug the douchebag.
Hosts IG: @officialdanihanks, @tiffany.a.albright, @writerbrandt, @canwesavepod
Originally recorded on: 11-08-2021.
#TransMenAreMen #TransWomenAreWomen
When socially awkward music promoter Bryce meets the love of his life, Jake, he realizes they met once before as teenagers. A few decades and a gender transition later, can they both finally be themselves, without caring what other people think?
Well, talk about misleading episode titles! This pitch might actually be more terrifying than our Halloween episode! This is one for the creep-out books as Andrew, Dani, and Tiffany join the writer's room to talk the BFF After School Program (it's gonna be a thing, people), Dani's lack of 90s technology knowledge, and a genuinely creepy pitch about a girl who just wants to reconnect with her mother and the woman who pretends to be exactly that.
Hosts IG: @officialdanihanks, @tiffany.a.albright, @writerbrandt, @canwesavepod
Originally recorded on: 11-03-2021.
The Mommy is a dramatic thriller. When a pregnant teen goes to meet her birth-mother IRL, she finds out that people aren't always who they say they are on the internet.
Heeeeeello everybody to a NEW episode!...Okay, that was my radio voice. How did it sound? ANYWAYS, on this brand new episode, the writer's room gets unintentionally science-fiction on your butts with this pitch about tv series where your past will continue to shape your many, many futures.
Hosts IG: @bredacted, @justineugene, @therealgracegiffune, @canwesavepod
Originally recorded on: 10-27-2021
Born Again is an hour-long drama series taking place over multiple, interwoven timelines where a common worker is sentenced to do time for crimes committed in their past. Can our hero discover the truth in the puzzle their past self left them, or will time finally catch up with them?
Månestein - Norwegian for "moon rock", CWSTC for "spooky pitch." On this special Halloween episode, the group discuss spoopy season, having a bones or no bones day, and have a very roundabout conversation on time-travel and having to kill your former self in this wild and terrifying pitch about a young boy who just won't die and the person tasked with trying to kill them.
Hosts IG: @bredacted, @crooklyncat, @officialdanihanks, @canwesavepod
Originally recorded on: 10-20-2021
When a ten year old boy gets struck by a tiny meteor that embeds into his brain, his small Minnesota town notices that he’s different and must figure out how to get rid of him…by killing him over, and over, and over again.
It's officially Season Two time, y'all! Up first in the writer's room is Bryan, Gracie. and Justin as the trio discuss unique living room setups, Justin's pitch abilities, and eventually settle on the tale of a woman finding herself and love while dealing with a cancer diagnosis.
Hosts IG: @bredacted, @therealgracegiffune, @justineugene, @canwesavepod
Originally recorded on: 10-13-2021
Recently divorced and ready for life's next chapter, a self-described 'realist's' life is put on hold when she receives a devastating diagnosis: cancer. Left in the care of a younger, fresh out of residency doctor, she finds herself coming to term with life and the love you can find along the way.
It's a celebration episode as Bryan, Dani, and Justin are joined by Gracie Giffune and Tiffany Albright in this very special, live episode. Join along as the group discuss the history of the podcast, have a trivia competition, and take part in a writer's panel discussing writing during the pandemic and in general!
It's our second of two very special 'hiatus' episodes and this time things. get. WILD. On this week's episode, Andrew J. Brandt (@writerbrandt) joins Bryan (@bredacted42) and Dani (@dani_hanks) and the group has a REALLY hard time keeping it together when discussing a pitch about a rich billionaire CEO (let's call him...Shmeffrey Shmezos) and one warehouse worker (let's call her Claire) have to team up and work together in order to make it home from Ama...I mean, Shamazon's final frontier...space.
When their rocket crashes on the moon and they have to wait for rescue, Jeffrey Bezos and a minimum-wage assembly line worker must figure out how to survive using only Amazon packages that the general public has chosen for a promotional unboxing in space.
Welcome back everybody! In our first episode back from hiatus, the writer's room of Bryan (@bredacted42), Dani (@dani_hanks), and Justin (@justineugene) discuss Hey Arnold! characters, on-the-run nuns (it's not Sister Act!), and a mid-thirties, stuck-in-a-rut shmuck who is forced to look after three kids all from different backgrounds when his friends are stuck overseas.
Not My Kids is a comedy for the whole family. Eugene, a software engineer and kid at heart, is nervous about taking care of his godchildren for the weekend while his “adult friends” go on vacation overseas. But when the three sets of parents get stuck in a natural disaster, he's stuck with their three kids… indefinitely.
After 49 episode, it's finally here! The season finale of Can We Save the Cat? is upon us and in this very special episode, the group of Bryan, Dani, and Justin take it upon themselves to whittle their previously pitched episodes from 36 down to 1. Listen along as the group torments, laments, and whines their way to an eventually winner!
Thanks for listening, enjoy, and catch us in a few weeks for the start of Season Two!
Originally Recorded on 07-11-2021
It's our last true episode of the season and the gang has taken it upon themselves to do something they have never done before! Okay, they've done it 48 other times but this time they are ACTUALLY saving the cat with a special episode all about cat-themed pitches. Join along as the group discuss which food's texture turns them off, Justin has a full circle moment, and we wrap up Season One of Can We Save the Cat? with a definitive YES.
Fluffy: Mayor of Dogtown is a hiss-terical animated children’s TV show. Every episode, the pawsome citizens of Dogtown face fur-midable day-to-day obstacles with the help of their mayor, the one and only cat, who solves everything with one purr-suasive word: meow.
Follow us at @canwesavepod, @justineugene, @officialdanihanks, @bredacted42!
Originally Recorded on 07-11-2021
Where in the world is...our con artist on the run? In this week's episode, the group discuss big changes on the horizon, the POG world championships, and a con artist who eludes the "love" of her life in favor of the next big score.
CONditional Love is a one hour mystery dramedy series where a lovestruck man goes on an international search for his ex-wife, a con-artist who stole his money and broke his heart. Every episode, with the help of his quirky best friend, he meets a victim she’s conned before. Will learning her past help him reach her in the present?
Originally Recorded on 06-27-2021
Get ready for a wild ride filled with twists, turns, and tons of running around in circles! On this week's episode, special guest Sydney Clara Brafman joins the podcast to discuss her pitch about a serial killer who "falls in love" with the girl next door. Don't worry, on the way there is plenty of talk about ranch dressing taste tests, who has the WORST pitch this week, and video game storytelling. Enjoy!
Sydney Clara Brafman is a filmmaker whose films have screened around the world. She is considered one of 110 filmmakers who represent the future of film, media and entertainment, according to Variety Magazine. When she's not making movies, she's passionately hating cocoa, removing stage blood stains from her clothing, and enjoying cats on the street.
You can watch her movies at @squibfilms/@tinyterrors films (insta) / @squibfilms/@tinyterrorsfilm (Twitter), listen to her talk about movies on her podcast @talkyhorror (Twitter/insta), and watch her play video games on twitch at http://sailorspooky.tv (direct link) @sailorspooky.tv (insta)/@sailorspoooky (Twitter)
Unit 187 is a dark RomCom limited series. While cleaning out her dead father’s storage unit, a young woman falls in love with an enigmatic woman who rents the unit next door. But little does she know, this “horror film production designer” is actually a serial killer.
Weird title, great episode. The group welcomes writer & director Tiffany Albright to the podcast and discuss Justin's uncanny ability to pull pitches out of nowhere, one-armed massage therapist Aaron Soertaert, and a woman who is found in the woods with no recollection of how she got there. Buckle up because this one gets VERY wild!
Tahquamenon Falls is a limited series psychological thriller. After a heartbreaking miscarriage, a wannabe mother takes a weekend in the woods with her partner and friends and is found weeks later stranded in the ashes of what was once a cabin, badly burned and alone with a newborn baby. When she can’t explain the weekend’s events, her father, the town sheriff, must investigate what happened and where the baby came from.
Tiffany Albright is a writer, director, and producer from North Carolina. Her work centers female and queer voices, and explores identity, sexuality, and class in genre spaces. Her short films have screened at festivals across the country, her feature screenplay “Shroud” was a Second Rounder in the 2020 Austin Film Festival, and she's currently in post-production on her first feature film, a psychological horror movie called Rat, which was written and shot entirely during lockdown.
IG: tiffany.a.albright
Twitter: @Tffny_Albrght
Ratthemovie.com
In this episode, the group try really hard to guess Justin's pitch, discuss fashion and the modern-day worker, and a pitch where a woman on the run from the law cozies up with a suburban family.
When an escaped convict gets mistaken as a suburban mom’s long-lost sister, she decides to embrace this new identity as “Miss Martha,” a first grade teacher from ancestry.com, with the help of the family’s rebellious teenage daughter. But, when an opportunity arises to steal some expensive heirlooms, will our con choose to stay with the family she’s always wanted, or do old habits die hard?
Originally Recorded on 06-06-2021
In this week's episode, we are joined by very special guest Aline C Weiller, comedian and author of the upcoming book, Fun: Essays on a Life Embraced. Also, things get weird as the four discuss their confusion on Venmo, the original Lost episode (it was Michael Keaton, Bryan! Duh!), and a stay-at-home mom who decides to put herself back out there in an unexpected way.
Laugh Track is a half-hour episodic comedy series. A suburban mom hits her mid-life crisis – but instead of buying a sports car or doing Zumba like everyone else, she pursues a double life as an underground standup comedian in New York City.
Guest IG: @alinecweiller
Originally Recorded on 05-26-2021
On this week's fun-filled episode of Can We Save the Cat?, Bryan and Justin bond over their shared Michael experiences, Dani absolutely doesn't whine whatsoever about her chronic illness, and the gang as a whole discuss a fantasy epic that sees a young girl finding out who she is and where she comes from.
Justin Eugeneeee, OH, you know what I meaaaan...
Call Us Monsters is a young adult fantasy series. Before she is forced to choose her final wild shape on her 16th birthday, a teen girl embarks on a journey to find her absentee shapeshifter father with her circle of magical friends. Little does she know, the forces that drove her father into hiding are hot on her tail.
On this week's episode, one of the hosts messes up the intro, one of the guests does a complete 180 on the pitch, and the other is a beautiful, beautiful ginger. We will let you decide who is who! Also, Justin gets WEIRDLY into killing everyone but the person they decide to kill...wut.
When a large pharmaceutical corporation publishes a study that claims their opioids are not dependence-forming, an injured tennis pro turned addict decides to infiltrate the founder’s seemingly-perfect family as their personal trainer in order to ruin their lives like the drugs ruined his.
Originally Recorded on 05-23-2021
What kind of items would you bring to a housewarming party? A white elephant party? A...funeral...party? In this episode, the group discuss a pitch of possessions and the value that they bring (oh, and Josh Hartnett).
Recycled Stories is a dramedy anthology series. Each episode, we learn the story behind a beloved object being sold at a yard sale. In the end, all the different objects come together to continue creating stories with their new family.
Originally Recorded on 05-16-2021.
On this brand new episode, the group stands on the edge of teen soap dramas with this spiritual successor to 'The O.C.' and discuss everything from overrated and underappreciated candies (Now and Laters are the actual worst) to T.V. shows that just didn't quite do it for us. Join along and enjoy the view on The Peninsula!
The Peninsula is a dramedy about a Southern family from Eureka Springs who moves to Silicon Valley when father, Mr. Delmont, sells a groundbreaking new piece of tech out of his garage. Every episode, mom, dad, and two teenage twins learn how to coexist in this new world full of billionaires and tech bros.
It's another beautiful dystopian day for our crew as they welcome producer Bianca Serafini into the writer's room for some SERIOUS Josh Schwartz love, Brighton love, and genetic manipulation love. Okay, maybe not so much the last one but they do discuss a pitch in which a bright young mind gets the opportunity of a lifetime to develop a new technology to hep create genetically perfect children. What could go wrong?!
The Neonate is a dystopian drama miniseries about a young woman in tech with unbridled ambition who gets a million dollar offer to work for a Silicon Valley startup which matches people based on genetic testing to ensure healthy offspring.
#BringBackTheOC
#MayTheFourthBeWithYou ! Happy Tuesday everybody! On this episode, Bryan gets braces, Justin forgets the order of the episodes, and Dani brings the heat with her pitch about an artist who fakes their death and becomes famous in the process. Join along as the group discuss the rise and fall of a social media megastar who is #CrushingIt while being #Dead
#Dead is a dark comedy series. A TikTok artist goes viral after being declared dead – but when he comes home alive from his off-the-grid retreat a few days later, his manager convinces him to lean into his own faked murder and keep playing dead in order to stay famous.
It's about to get vintage! On this week's episode, the group discuss a winner-take-all tournament for the episodes, the oddities of American football, and...speaking of sports...a pitch about a woman on a mission who winds up in the 90s, when life was simpler and technology more frustrating.
Retro is a one hour sci-fi dramedy series about a young quirky woman from 2021 who, upon realizing social media and technology have completely taken over our minds, travels back in time with one goal: destroy Google.
With friends like these, who needs lovers? That's how the saying goes, no? NO?! Okay, well, on this week's episode, the group is joined by playwright and poet Rachel Goddard who pitches her concept about four friends who decide to raise a child together. Join along for Friends, superheroes, and more!
It Takes a Village is a romantic comedy about four jaded friends who decide to have a baby together. They moved to New York City in their 20s, wide-eyed and hopeful… Now, everybody’s thirty, and nobody’s rich, married, or found true love. And their biological clocks are ticking. Together, they decide to make their “chosen family” a real family. But, when things get tough, will the bonds of friendship be as strong as romantic love?
Episode Guest IG: @yours.rachel
We're back with yet ANOTHER concept episode! This time, the group is taking previously pitched titles and reworking them into new and improved pitches! We take a few detours along the way, like listening parents, height discrepancies in dating, and the magic that is...#BigDaveHanks.
When a group of aliens use mind control to brainwash parents in a small town and practically turn them into puritans, five kids on bikes must figure out how to save the f**king day.
Would you listen to a podcast where we make Justin do random stuff? What about where Bryan and Dani nerd out on things? Hmm...how about one where we take three random ideas and turn one into a Hollywood project? Okay, good! This week, the group discusses all of the above and more in a pitch about a recently divorced dad tagging along for his daughter's cross-country move.
A woman is about to embark on a road trip from New Jersey to California to move into a new house with her husband – but when she finds out he's been cheating, she decides to shift gears and keep the house all to herself. Right when she’s about to be wheels up, however, her concerned, formerly-absentee father invites himself along for the ride. Can they pioneer a new bond on their journey out west, or will they drive each other crazy?
What's behind the cellar door? Is it mystery? Madness? History? Sadness? All of the above? Join us this week on this title-based pitches episode where the gang pitches three titles, pick one, and develop it into the next saddest hit!
When a live-in nursing aid is hired to assist a winery owner who has dementia, she is told they both need to stay away from the cellar for his health. The entire town begs her to stop asking questions, but through the owner’s brief glimpses of lucidity, she gets the strange feeling something sinister is behind that locked door. Can they work together to uncover the truth?
Racist rats, trophy shops, and Tom Cruise, oh my! Okay, so we take a few detours along the way with this raunchy rom-com about two people just trying to make it work. It being the literal "it." Sex. We are talking about sex. A LOT. It ends up really sweet though, we promise!
A woman looking for love finally meets the type of handsome, sensitive, and intelligent man she’s been wanting to marry her whole life – but, it turns out, he’s bad in bed. Aaaaand she can’t tell him. Can she low-key teach him how to get her off, or is she screwed?
It's a very exciting episode of Can We Save the Cat?, as award-winning writer Andrew J. Brandt joins the group to discuss their love for Richard Linklater, gold-digging daughters, and a man who just can't catch a break!
Seven years into his picture-perfect, predictable, and entirely underwhelming marriage; run-of-the-mill accountant and wannabe rockstar, Jesse, decides to go out for a pack of smokes and never come back. On his road trip to LA, however, he’s seduced and kidnapped by a veterinarian and her sister who need to steal his organs to save their dear ol’ dad. Can Jesse escape from Albuquerque with both his kidneys, or will his selfish choices ultimately be the death of him?
Episode Guest IG: @writerbrandt
It's a hot one on this week's episode as the trio discuss a mother/daughter set of arsonists just trying to make it in this world. It, obviously, being a bit of extra cash. Join along as the group discusses their moms, if nuns are funny, and the documentary Framing Britney. Yeah, it's a pretty broad episode.
Bringing the Heat is a dark comedy about a mother and daughter team of arsonists. After a soccer mom and her teenage daughter accidentally set their vacation rental ablaze, the insurance payout gets them pretty fired up. Through trial and error, the pair must figure out how to burn down grandma’s house without getting caught – wreaking havoc across town in the process. Can they blaze a trail to glory and walk away with wads of cash, or will their plan go up in smoke?
Originally Recorded 02-21-2021
Who would have thought that baby names would turn out to be such a divisive idea! Well, good thing we didn't go with that and instead went with a pitch about...*checks notes*...Multi-Level Marketing. Okay, this isn't going well at all. Let's see what Bryan, Dani, and Justin can do when it comes to someone new and caught up with the glamor of an MLM!
After drunkenly joining her best friend’s Direct Sales business at a luxurious company retreat, a young graduate student realizes that multi-level marketing might be the perfect opportunity to raise next year’s tuition. When she learns she’s profiting off a broken system, can she maintain her personal integrity, or will she get sucked into the cult of cash?
The gang is back this week to discuss one of the their most unique pitches to date. Inspired by beautiful artwork done by Twitter user, @Runesael, join along as Bryan, Dani, and Justin discuss synesthesia in a pitch that is as grand as it is colorful!
The Color of Music is a romance movie-musical. When brain damage from a car accident causes a run-of-the-mill accountant to start seeing colors when he hears music, (chromesthesia), he begins to see his old college flame – a singer-songwriter – in a new light. The lovers create sweet harmony as they paint the town red, but will the relationship survive when the colors begin to fade?
Photo Artwork: @Runesael
Originally Recorded: 02-02-2021
Love is in the air on this Valentine's day themed-episode. In it, the group is taking previous pitches but adding a rom-com twist to them, and what a twist this one turned out to be! Let's just say quarantine has caused some weird situations to arise and none are more weird than The Hinge!
When two roommates start to get thirsty three months into a strict quarantine, they decide to expand their bubble and find one guy who can satisfy them both, separately, during a one-night stand. Can they stay best friends with a man in the middle, or will they become more when their hinge shows up asking for a threesome?
Welcome to the world of stooping. Here, anything found on the street can be turned into a new centerpiece for your home and you can find endless treasures just by walking out your front door. Take our friend here, Bartholomew. Bartholomew was found by Dani and her roommate and is the basis for this week's episode, all about the joys of stooping. Take a look and a listen because who wouldn't save THIS cat?
StoopMates is a half hour sitcom where a career-oriented woman in New York City stumbles into creating her own small business when she lends a hand to a few strangers stooping furniture off the curb. Every episode, she turns one man’s trash into another man’s treasure with the help of her unemployed artsy roommate, the accountant from her day job who drives a van, and a hot garbage man who gives her the inside scoop on the stoop.
Originally Recorded on 01-27-2021
Come along for the ride in this high-speed, high-stakes episode! This week, the trio discuss what happens when a fugitive on the run jumps into the cab of a regular delivery driver and the high-speed game of cat and mouse that ensues.
On a typical Tuesday, a wannabe Instagram influencer and daytime UberEats delivery driver looks in his rearview mirror – only to find a distressed woman with a gun clambering from his trunk onto the backseat. While strictly following his hijacker’s orders (and live-streaming to his audience on the side in the hope of escaping), he discovers that she’s trying to escape from something even darker…
Originally Recorded on 01-17-2021
We apologize in advance...for how utterly awesome this episode is. In fact, I will only need to describe it in four words: The Rock punches sharks. Oh, you need me to go on? Okay, fine. In this episode, the hosts discuss what happens when sharks attack our most precious resource...the internet. When all hope seems lost, only one man with a heart of gold and biceps of steel can save us...The Rock.
Okay, as far as misleading title's go, this one might take the cake! Get your mind out of the gutters and into the boardrooms with this week's episode, Bryan, Dani, and Justin discuss the tale of a young girl on the cusp of a major decision...who to sell her world-changing invention to! As she navigates the business world, Mr. Wonderful and the people vying for her product must navigate the pre-teen world and show her they have what it takes to be her business partner in this coming of age tale for the young and old alike.
On this episode of Can We Save the Cat?, the group discusses classism and racism in small town Texas in this pitch about a senior prank gone wrong. There is no shortage of controversy this week as the group takes on a challenging pitch and then debate nerdcore viewing orders. Buckle up and enjoy The Other Side of the Tracks!
Welp, it finally happened. 2020 is officially over! But, before it left us, it gave us one more gift...a concept episode! In this special, 2020-ending episode of Can We Save the Cat, a very special guest drops by to deliver a concept inspired by the many bread bakers out there. Bryan, Dani, and Justin are then forced to workshop the idea in order to finally be free from this single year that actually felt five years long. Will they be able to convince their guest to save the cat and allow 2021 to shine? Find out in our farewell to 2020 episode, Baked with Love!
Originally Recorded 12-16-2020
It's the second of our Holiday-themed episodes on Can We Save the Cat and, this time, it's the gift of re-gifts! Look, we've all been there, too lazy to come up with ideas for someone so we look around and what do we find but the PERFECT gift for that special someone. This can lead to awkward conversations though, if you happen to give them back something they originally gave to you. Well, that's exactly what happens in this episode as Bryan, Dani, and Justin must re-gift a previous pitch from each other.
I can honestly say, none of us saw the selection or final product coming. You could say it appeared in a puff of smoke. So, grab the hot cocoa and prepare yourselves for this episode of Holiday memories, stoner comedies, and everything in between and prepare to set sail on Titanic 2!
Originally Recorded on 12-13-2020
Happy Holidays from everyone at Can We Save the Cat! On this special holiday episode, the group decides on holiday-themed pitches in the traditional, feel-good nature. Pitches include an R-Rated Holiday romp, a search for that missing piece of holiday magic, and a home-for-the-holidays love triangle. It was a surprise to everyone but Justin about where the trio eventually ended up.
Originally Recorded on 12-06-2020
Happy new episode day, everybody! We have a very special episode and a very special guest as Libbi Duncan, cosplayer of Dragonball and author of The Scorching trilogy, joins us. The group then discuss the symptoms of a stroke, animated tv shows, and finally a unique pitch about a a young girl trying to figure out where she stands in the Martian/Human conflict, all while also trying to figure out how to fit in at school.
Episode Guest IG: @authorlibbiduncan
Original Artwork by IG: @adbradshaw
Originally Recorded 12-01-2020
It's about to get meta on this week's episode of Can We Save the Cat! This week, the group discusses quarantine hobbies, underwater aliens, and a podcast gone very, VERY wrong...now that sounds familiar... The group also discuss the interesting ways to set up a crime scene and get some recommendations for What Are You Watching? We hope you enjoy and apologies in advance to Dani!
Originally Recorded on 11-22-2020
Welcome to Blue Hill Hostel, one of the most confusing places on earth! In this week's episode, the group pitches Dr. Deathy and his Home Alone House of Horrors, a spy movie that sounds a lot like Spy (the movie), and a hotel owner who imparts their wisdom upon passing strangers. The discussion turns to what happens when you have strangers, conversation, and timelines converging together in this unique pitch about life and the lessons we learn along the way.
Originally Recorded 11-14-2020
Happy Thanksgiving everybody! As we prepare for a different kind of holiday, one changed by the pandemic, the group decides to have a Friendsgiving of their own...a Friendsgiving-themed episode! Black Friday (she wishes), The Big Chill-themed Friendsgiving meals, and Drinksgiving - the biggest drinking day of the year are the pitches and themes for this one-of-a-kind holiday movie miracle!
Originally Recorded 11-07-2020
In this episode, Bryan, Dani, and Justin discover the joys of truly trying to make something from nothing by using their first "title" pitch. I mean, I suppose that's better than an acting class drama or a COVID-stress drama and it's DEFINITELY better than a superhero delivery driver. Actually, as I'm saying it out loud, that sounds pretty cool. But, alas, the trio use the title and friendships, tests, and terrifying experiments come to the forefront in this thriller-drama.
Originally Recorded 11-01-2020
Happy Tuesday everybody! On this week's episode, the group is joined by Colby Bolinger (IG @ccbolinger), axe-maker extraordinaire, to discuss Comic-Con, the real-life remake of the Titanic, and the A.I.-led apocalypse.
Episode Guest IG: @ccbolinger
Original Artwork by IG: @adbradshaw
Originally Recorded: 09-17-2020
It's the second of two Halloween-themed episodes! This time, it's IDEA de los Muertos...Ideas of the dead. These are pitches brought back to life one more time to be re-pitched and decided by the group. Let's just say...things don't go entirely according to plan and we wind up at Yo! Video, a place of simpler times where Friday nights meant video nights and your local video rental store had just what you needed and just who you needed to see.
Originally Recorded 08-18-2020
Happy Spooky Season, everyone! On this first of two Halloween-themed episodes, the gang discusses their spooky-centric pitches. Inception meets survival, friends stuck on an island, and a couple moves to town where both they and the townspeople are hiding something. Join along as they discuss The Good Town!
Happy tenth episode day! I can't believe we made it here! Minimal listens and maximum fun, I wouldn't have it any other way. To celebrate, enjoy an episode about a tale as old as time: senior citizens finding drugs and the wacky tales that follow. Okay, maybe it's not as old as time but the characters are! Bryan, Dani, and Justin break down the hilarity of this particular scenario in this week's episode, One Last Trip.
It's episode 9 of Can We Save the Cat and after two months of light-hearted content, the gang gets serious as they discuss this tale of a young girl trying to put the pieces of her life back together after a tragic event. Join Bryan, Dani, and Justin as they go deeper than ever before.
What do you get when four people talk about their love for baking shows, British narrators, and horror films? You get Chocolate Harmony, the tale of a humble chocolatier whose skill is unmatched and his ingredients are to die for. Special Guest Pablo Lopez (IG @darkmindpro) joins the crew for this fun October Surprise episode!
Episode Guest IG: @darkmindpro
Originally Recorded 07-23-2020
It's new episode day! Amber's friends want her to find true love but she is perfectly happy being single. The two come to a head when she is forced to find a date for a wedding. Will she succumb to the pressures of love or will she be forever alone. More importantly, is that a bad thing? The trio discuss the happiness that can come from self-love and acceptance and that being alone can be perfectly okay!
Originally Recorded 07-30-2020
In this week's episode, Bryan, Dani, and Justin discuss the trappings of falling in love. More specifically, the trappings of an program on a computer falling in love with the person who installed it and how even the best of intentions can go horribly awry...okay, it sounds better when discussed out loud, trust us!
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Original Artwork by IG: @adbradshaw
Originally Recorded 07-16-2020
DID you hear about what Bryan, Dani, and Justin are talking about this week?! I hope you DID! I DID have something else clever for this but, I'll just leave it at this: A rom com where the lead character has Dissociative Identity Disorder. This has Seth Rogen//Judd Apatow written all over it! Yup, I'm sure the phone will be ringing annyyy second now...
Episode Dedicated to Hazel Hays
Originally Recorded 06-24-2020
The trio welcomes their first guest to the podcast as Grace Aki (IG @graceaki) joins Bryan. Dani, and Justin and brings her pitch about being a few feet outside of the limelight. When a never-wanted-this newcomer is thrust front and center, she begins to discover what her new career might cost. Is she willing to sacrifice her time, her relationship, and possibly even herself?
Episode Guest IG: @graceaki
Original Artwork by IG: @adbradshaw
Originally Recorded 07-21-2020
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned! In this week's episode, the trio take this famous line seriously in their discussion of a high-class call girl who seeks vengeance on the elite for their transgressions. Can this sugar baby serial killer keep her secret from the authorities, friends, and her family?
Original Artwork by IG: @mbworks
Originally Recorded 06-17-2020
In this week's episode, Bryan, Dani, and Justin play with the concept of a hitman stuck in the elevator with his target. This dramatic set up makes for intense moments as our characters work together to find common ground - and the ground floor.
Original Artwork by IG: @adbradshaw
Originally recorded 06-13-2020
It's the first episode of Can We Save the Cat! Bryan, Dani, and Justin workshop the concept of teddy bears faced with the larger than (their) life task of fighting the monsters under the bed. Scary situations, social commentary, and stuffed animals abound in this animated pitch about finding your value and facing your demons.
Original Artwork by IG: @mbworks
Originally recorded 06-05-2020
En liten tjänst av I'm With Friends. Finns även på engelska.