Matt’s So-Cast Pod

Stepping out of the wood, out of the dark, out of the night, the so-cast pod is back for a chat about the surprising parallels between Wicked and My So-Called Life! Sure, Winnie Holzman is one of the main writers behind both projects, so it makes sense that they'd have some things in common -- and we go deep on all of it, from the costumes to the music to the original novel.

Guests this week: Costumer Samantha Rei; Scottish comedian Scott Pirie, and media historian Terrence Moss. Plus, from the Sewers of Paris archives, my 2019 interview with Gregory Maguire -- the author of the novel on which the musical Wicked is based! And then James and I share some of our own Ozian experiences.

Also, here's a link to the Wicked video that Samantha Rei mentioned in our conversation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vd7bOTZCYT4

I'm chatting with a super exciting guest this week: It's the delightful Senta Moses, who played Delia Fisher on My So-Called Life! We talk about her early career, the inspiration for her performance, the real-life confession that may have influenced the coming-out scene in the finale, and even take a peek at her original script notes for insights into how she tackled the role. Amazing!!!

And then, James and I reflect not just on this conversation, but on what the show has meant to us over the years; on how this podcast has changed the way that we look at the show; and about what lies ahead, now that it's our time to get out onto a metaphorical gymnasium floor to dance in defiance.

Find Senta on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sentammoses

And on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CurlyGirlWatercolors

And stay in touch with me:

Sewers of Paris podcast for conversations about the entertainment that changed queer people’s lives

YouTube for videos about boundary-breaking movies and TV shows

Email newsletter for stories about the making of iconic pop culture

Twitch streams for watch-alongs of fun shows & films

Patreon for bonus videos & care packs & more

Social media: BlueSky, Facebook, and Instagram

When last we left Angela and Brian and Rickie and Rayanne and all their friends, they were in the early days of 1995 and at a point of no return in their teen lives. So what's happened to them in the intervening 30 years? On this week's episode, we have a reunion episode of sorts, with a roundup of past guests speculating on where the characters might have found themselves. And then James and I explore a few more possibilities -- from talking cars to communes to a secret relationship with J.D. Salinger, anything's possible.

- 80s TV Ladies: https://www.80stvladies.com 

- Ryan O'Connor: https://www.instagram.com/ryanoconnor1981 

- Virginia Sole-Smith: https://virginiasolesmith.com 

- Kerri Doherty and H. Alan Scott on Out on the Lanai: https://www.patreon.com/goldengirlspodcast/about

- Drew Droege: https://www.instagram.com/drew_droege 

- Guy Branum: https://guybranum.com 

- BenDeLaCreme: https://www.bendelacreme.com 

- Trevor with Media Processing: https://www.youtube.com/@mediaprocessingchannel

- Sam Pirie: https://www.instagram.com/sampvevo 

My So-Called Life lives again! This week, we're chatting about how MSCL was saved from oblivion, resurrected on cable. What made MTV such a perfect home for this show -- better, in fact, than the network where it originally aired? Joining me this week for a chat about MTV is the delightful Peppermint: Drag Race icon, actor, singer, and child of the 90s. Then I'll dive even further into the decade with James, in a conversation touching on David Bowie, adult animation, Clarissa Explains it All, and why James once spent a week wandering town in his underwear.

Check out Peppermint’s new book club with Hugh Ryan here, and her Drag PAC here.

In this week's episode of Matt's So-Cast Pod, it's the dramatic conclusion -- OR IS IT??? We've reached the final episode of My So-Called Life, in which everyone has revealing dreams and Brian finally tells Angela how he feels ... but she thinks that it's actually how Jordan feels. Meanwhile, Delia's got the hots for Rickie but has an important question to ask: Is he gay or what? And Graham and Hallie get a little steamy over a rack of lamb. Also, Patty meets Princess Diana.

Diving into all this drama with me is the delightful Sam Pirie (Instagram, YouTube), returning guest and newcomer to MSCL. Now that he's watched the whole series, how does he like this tale of 90s woe, as a youngster who wasn't even alive when it aired?

And -- what's next for the podcast? All will be revealed in my illuminating conversation with James!

We're closing in on the end of the series, and it's time for some wacky hijinks after last week's heart-rending drama! The grownups are going to take a VERY SERIOUS vacation, and they leave Angela in charge ... but it doesn't take long for chaos to reign when Rayanne accidentally handcuffs herself to a bed, and Patty is tempted by forbidden booze.

Breaking it down this week we have the delightful comedian, actor, writer Drew Droege (who has worked with both Lisa Wilhoit, who plays Danielle, and Bess Armstrong!) and also the return of writer and Linoleum Knife podcaster Alonso Duralde. And of course, my very specialest of special guests, James.

Everyone’s life is FINALLY going smoothly … for about five seconds before it all comes crashing down, thanks to some extraordinarily bad decisions by Rayanne and Jordan, who decide to climb into the back of a car together; by Brian, who videotapes them; by Graham, who “forgets” to mention that Hallie broke up with her fiancee; and who knows, Amber’s probably up to something screwy off-camera. 

Making sense of it all this week are the delightful Ryan O’Connor, and also Kristin Russo, host of Buffering: A Rewatch Adventure and The Boiler Room. And also of course James!

Happy 1995! It's a new year, and time to make some resolutions ... which will almost immediately be broken. Angela wants to stop being so introspective (although on second thought, maybe not), Patty wants to stop being so suspicious, Danielle wants to wear makeup ... and Rickie wants a place to live, which puts everyone else's resolutions into perspective. Mr. Katimsky, recently having sworn off coffee, wants to help, but can't -- for reasons that will become SHOCKINGLY (for the 90s) clear.

Breaking it down with me this week is Aaron Berman, author of the forthcoming book So Beautiful it Hurts: The Making of My So-Called Life. (Check out Aaron's MSCL community on Facebook here.)

It's Christmas this week on the So-Cast Pod, but the yuletide is not particularly gay for Rickie, who has been cast out of the house and has nowhere to go. Fortunately, a mysterious folk singer appears to watch over him (kind of? A little unclear how she's actually helping) and Patty's two Christmas wishes are that the family go to church and that Brian shut the hell up for once. Meanwhile, Danielle points out that all this talk about religion is putting a real damper on the Christmas season.

We've got a cavalcade of podcast guests this week to break down the most famous episode of the series: From Out on the Lanai, H. Alan Scott and Kerri Doherty; from Basic Folk, Cindy Howes; and from Linoleum Knife Alonso Duralde (whose new book Hollywood Pride is not to be missed!).

We've reached episode 14, in which Rayanne is one month sober -- but alas, she's starting to get a little fidgety. Can Angela and Rickie keep her from slipping back into old habits? Especially now that Angela has her hands full trying to figure out what her relationship with Jordan has become. Meanwhile, Patty learns a thing or two about Kurt Vonnegut.

Joining me to break it down is Aaron Berman, author of an upcoming book about My So-Called Life called So Beautiful it Hurts. (Check out Aaron's MSCL community on Facebook here.) And then James and I talk about our most horrifying on-stage humiliations before the spirit of Jimminy Glick overtakes us.

On the podcast this week: No longer content with the boiler room assignations, this week Jordan's nagging Angela to explore more a more carnal pastime, but she's not sure she's ready -- so she borrows an erotic VHS tape from Sharon, and before long everyone's staring, transfixed, and lithe bodies kneading dough. Meanwhile, Graham brings Hallie Lowenthal and her fiancé into his kitchen and prepares a dinner that appears to be some kind of apple-fish?????

Diving into this adult adventure are Sharon Johnson and Susan Lambert Hatem from the podcast 80s TV Ladies. And then James moseys on by to talk about influencer energy, emotional corsets, and the open sensuality of Susan Sarandon.

We're back from our little summer vacation and ready to tackle some saucy secrets. Angela's sneaking off to the boiler room with Jordan for make-out sessions, but that sneaking is starting to take a toll. Meanwhile Graham is the star pupil in his cooking class, but something may be cooking between him and a fellow student. And Rickie's aghast at the new English teacher's suggestion that he might want to join Drama Club.

Helping us break it all down is the delightful Sam Pirie. And then James and I discuss our own high school higgledy-piggledies (or lack thereof), a history of disembodied ladies, and the girlboss who lives in our hearts.

Everyone's at maximum freakout in the leadup to World Happiness Dance, whatever that is, and nobody can figure out who's going with who -- especially with the addition of two new students, Delia and Cory, shaking up the social circles. Adding to the confusion: We're getting Brian's inner monologue instead of Angela's! What's going on???? And why is Graham so determined to wallpaper the bedroom instead of dealing with those cooking classes?

Helping me break it all down is Trevor McMahan from the YouTube channel Media Processing; as well as Sharon Johnson and Susan Lambert Hatem from the podcast 80s TV Ladies.

Also: We'll be taking a two-week break from posting new episodes while I travel to Toronto for Pride (join me at the Toronto Public Library on June 12!) and we'll be back with regular episodes on June 17.

On this week’s episode, Rayanne and Patty throw dueling parties on the same night! It seems like the most worst thing that could possibly happen to Angela...until Rayanne’s drinking spirals out of control. Meanwhile Patty’s mother Vivian stuffs a turkey in the fridge, to Graham’s dismay. And the karma around the Chase household gets really low. Or dark. Or whatever karma does.

Breaking it all down with me are Scottish comedian Sam Pirie, as well as friend-to-all-humans Liz. Plus James and I have a conversation that culminates in a truly jaw-dropping realization about an incident from my youth.

To join our weekly watch-alongs, head over to Patreon at patreon.com/mattbaume — all paying Patrons have access to the Discord server.

And if you have a moment, please leave a review of Matt's So-Cast Pod on Apple Podcasts.

Music by Caleb Martin - www.MartinMusicMedia.com

It’s Halloween! Spoooooooky chills are in the air as Rayanne plots a seance, but winds up making a connection with someone she least unexpected. Meanwhile, Angela finds a new boy to fixate on — one who’s even more doomed than Jordan. Patty and Graham obtain some haunted (???) outfits from a mysterious costume shop. And Danielle finally gets some attention.

Chatting with me this week are drag icon Peaches Christ, something of an expert when it comes to Halloween and alter egos. And also Drew Mackie, co-host of the podcast Gayest Episode Ever and the mini-podcast Weirdest Episode Ever, to discuss how gay and weird this episode is. And then I sit down with James to talk about dweeb polycules, costumes that flopped, and our stage personae (The Rhinestone Trash Bag and Malevolent Smell).

A medical emergency throws everyone into a panic, and things get weird at the Chase household. Sharon starts hanging out with Brian, Rayanne is nice to Sharon, and Graham makes a cake that makes Patty question their entire relationship. It’s enough to make Angela almost forget that Jordan even exists! (Almost… but not quite.)

Helping me break it all down are Ryan O’Connor (actor, director, and character actress) to talk about the casting decisions that happen behind the scenes on a show like this; and returning guest Samantha Rei (Project Runway) to talk about peculiar bedroom decor choices, and what it’s like to experience a real-life hospital spell like we see in this episode. And of course, James is here to offer insights and mysteries.

To join our weekly watch-alongs, head over to Patreon at patreon.com/mattbaume — all paying Patrons have access to the Discord server.

And if you have a moment, please leave a review of Matt's So-Cast Pod on Apple Podcasts.

Music by Caleb Martin - www.MartinMusicMedia.com

Angela is DEFINITELY over Jordan this week, honest, swear to God. Except then she discovers that he can barely read, and decides it's her mission to help him... which conveniently provides a reason to ask him out on a date. (To see a movie with subtitles. Good thinking, Angela.) Meanwhile, Graham and Patty discover they might or might not be pregnant, and grapple with the implications of Schrodinger's zygote. And as if this show didn't have enough doomed crushes, Danielle decides she's got eyes for Brian Krakow.

Helping me make sense of it all this week is my guest Liz Krott -- a television postproduction producer and mother of actual teenagers! And also one of me and James' closest friends since we were teenagers ourselves.

To join our weekly watch-alongs, head over to Patreon at patreon.com/mattbaume — all paying Patrons have access to the Discord server.

And if you have a moment, please leave a review of Matt's So-Cast Pod on Apple Podcasts.

Music by Caleb Martin - www.MartinMusicMedia.com

On this week's podcast: A new substitute teacher arrives at Liberty High, bringing a shocking attitude, mismatched socks, and carpets galore. His class becomes the hottest ticket in town — but who really is Vic Racine, and is he as “cool” as the teens say? And who wrote that saucy sexy poem for the literary magazine?

In search of answers, I’m joined by the fabulous Scott Flanary (an educator and winner of Amazing Race season 29). Then James and I exchange stories of our own weirdly inspiring high school teachers.

To join our weekly watch-alongs, head over to Patreon at patreon.com/mattbaume — all paying Patrons have access to the Discord server.

And if you have a moment, please leave a review of Matt's So-Cast Pod on Apple Podcasts.

Music by Caleb Martin - www.MartinMusicMedia.com

This week our heroes grapple with their greatest horror yet: Being perceived! A list circulates around Liberty High that ranks the sophomore girls on their appearance, much to the dismay of just about everyone. (Except Rayanne, who is tickled to be recognized for "most slut potential.") Meanwhile, Angela is furious to have developed a zit, and even furious-er when Patty decides they should enter a mother/daughter fashion show. Also, there’s a man working at the mall who may want to eat their skin. 

Helping me to unpack it all are Virginia Sole-Smith, author of Fat Talk; fashion designer and returning guest Samantha Rei; and Scottish comedian Sam Pirie. And then James and I share a few musings of our own.

To join our weekly watch-alongs, head over to Patreon at patreon.com/mattbaume — all paying Patrons have access to the Discord server.

And if you have a moment, please leave a review of Matt's So-Cast Pod on iTunes.

Music by Caleb Martin - www.MartinMusicMedia.com

Do not be misled! The title of episode 4, “Father Figures,” does not refer to dad bods, but instead to dads who loom large in the lives of Angela, Patty, and Rayanne — often when those dads are nowhere to be seen. Angela’s annoyed to have discovered Graham’s possible philandering; Patty is annoyed that her father keeps interfering in the family’s IRS audit; and Rayanne was annoyed at her dad for walking out on the family but then she turns her ire on a more immediate target (and not without reason).

Chatting with me this week is fabulous comedian Guy Branum (Platonic, My Life as a Goddess, Chelsea Lately, Bros), and ohhhh boy does he have a scoop! Guy was able to ask an ABC executive why they axed My So-Called Life, and he got as satisfying an answer as one could hope for. And then I’m joined by James, who has a few revelations of his own, including one involving the Smurfs.

Check out Guy’s show Platonic, and his show in LA on May 7.

To join our weekly watch-alongs, head over to Patreon at patreon.com/mattbaume — all paying Patrons have access to the Discord server for our weekly watch-alongs.

And if you have a moment, please leave a review of Matt's So-Cast Pod on iTunes.

Music by Caleb Martin - www.MartinMusicMedia.com