Go Doc Yourself

This week the Erins compel you to watch "The Contestant," available on Hulu. While this isn't a true crime doc, the making of reality TV star, Nasubi, is truly criminal. Japanese reality TV can be notoriously outrageous. 1998's "A Life in Prizes" makes history by isolating a human being in a controlled environment and making him win sweepstake prizes for sustenance. He is ultimately tasked with ea...

This week the Erins bring you a short documentary with big impact! "Little Miss Sumo" is available on Netflix, and you have 20 minutes to watch it. Female sumo prodigy, Hiyori, is banned from professional competition due to her gender. This 20 year old woman challenges tradition and stigma to win her place in the ring. She's a champion of gender equality and not about to retire quietly.

This week the Erins rap on "Mixtape Trilogy: Stories on the Power of Music," available on Tubi. Fans often discuss the effect music has on their lives. It can transport you. It can cause you to act. Three tales of different genres in people, places, and styles illustrate the profound impact of music on the world. Prepare to be inspired! (Unless you don't like jazz...)

This week the Erins enthrall you with "Monster Camp," available on Tubi. L.A.R.P'ing (or Live Action Role Play) subculture is put on display as the Seattle NERO chapter invites us into their world. Over the span of a year, we see the various events and ensuing drama experienced by the players, monsters, owners, and plot characters. Bring your best costumed alter ego for spells and quests at Monste...

This week the Erins observe "American Juggalo," from a safe distance. This short doc can be found on YouTube. The annual gathering of the Juggalos can be found in Ohio. Guys, there are no words. You have 20 minutes to watch this.

This week the Erins take fans down "The Path to the Path," available at: https://thepathtothepath.org/ . This short doc provides the perspective of AAS scientists working with communities in preparation for the 2024 solar eclipse. The enthusiasm from organizers is infectious as they discuss sharing this amazing experience with others.

This week the Erins bathe in "Bathtubs Over Broadway," available for rent on Amazon Prime. Musicals have a cult like following, but how many aficionados can say they know the like of Industrial Musicals? Comedic write, Steve Young, stumbles on the rare vinyl LP souvenirs of these amazing productions made for annual company conferences. The witty product based lyrics of these jingles are enchanting...

This week the Erins blow your mind with, 'Have a Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics,' available on Netflix. Big names in comedy, music, and the screen, share their stories of imbibing in recreational drugs for your entertainment. The interviews are so good, you may not realized the doc sneaks in some education! LSD and mushrooms have long been targets of anti-drug school campaigns. Did...

This week the Erins reminisce with, "The Rock-afire Explosion," available on YouTube. Showbiz Pizza was the place to go in the 80's for your straight A's or third grade birthday party. Arcade games and ball pits went right along with the animatronic band, The Rock-afire Explosion. Whether you were creeped out or enchanted, the band was sure to leave an impression. Now a small group of dedicated fa...

This week the Erins share thoughts on 'The ABCs of Book Banning,' available on Paramount Plus. We often hear from grown folks spouting off about protecting the kids from dangerous and uncomfortable truths. This doc brings fresh takes from kids who can't get these engaging books at school anymore. They don't get why these decisions are being made and are well aware of missing out. I...

This week the Erins do you a kindness and cover "Winnebago Man," available on Tubi. Jack Rebney became an early internet sensation when his 1988 promotional video for Winnebago sales went viral. The profanity laced outtakes were an immediate hit! Jack struggles to understand his brush with fame and why people care to know more about him years later. Leave it to the youths to convince him...

This week the Erins swoon for “The Greatest Night in Pop,” available on Netflix. The iconic 80's tune “We Are The World” is familiar to most. The story of how it was made may be less so. This was an incredible effort to pull together the industry's biggest stars for a worthy cause! The results was the song that made people take notice of world famine and provided some relie...

This week the Erins walk you all around “Jasper Mall,” available on Amazon Prime. While the focus is the slow death of a former spectacle located in Alabama, this doc really tells the story of malls all over the US. The spirit of the people working to keep the businesses afloat is commendable and the characters are engaging. Ultimately, this is a love letter to shopping as entertainmen...

This week the Extroverted Erins iNtuit their Feelings on “Persona: The Dark Truth Behind Personality Tests,” available on Max. Judging aside, American's love an online personality test. It can be super fun to see how well the results match your perception. It's all in the 4 letters! But, your boss could be making decisions for you bases on that assessment…

This week the Erins broadcast "John Was Trying to Contact Aliens," available on Netflix. John Shepherd turned childhood introversion into self-taught electronics engineering as a grown ass man. He sent the sweet sounds of gamelan jams into space to see if anyone was listening. Will aliens ping back? We're still keeping our ears open.

This week the Erins ponder "Mister Organ," available on Netflix. Journalist David Farrier investigates an enigmatic man shaking people down in an antiques shop parking lot. Operating just outside the law, Michael Organ gets a lot of unwanted attention, thanks to David's article. Mr. Organ turns out to have a long history of being horrible to people and Davis has landed straight in his sights.

This week the Erins discuss in amazement "The Mission," available on Hulu. The end of John Chau's story is tragic. It is also a story of misplaced heroics. He dreamed of converting the Sentinelese, an indigenous trine of the Andaman islands, despite their documented preference to remain uncontacted. He felt God's message would prevail. Instead, he lost his life.

The Erins kick off 2024 with "Time Bomb Y2K," available on HBO Max. This is a feast of archival footage about buildup and speculation surrounding the millennium bug. Societal fears rush to the surface as the experts fret over computers resetting to 1900 as 1999 turns over to 2000. You get to relive late 90's fashion! Mass hysteria?! What more do you need?

Need a break from the merriment? Ther Erins ponder "What Would Jesus Buy," available on Amazon Prime. Rev. Billy Talen leads the Church of Stop Shopping in performative protests outside America's most recognizable money traps. Using satirized Christmas songs, the Stop Shopping Choir encourages people to pause and consider their spending. The chain stores are not big fans of reflection.

This week the Erins exercise curiosity with "The Rocket on the Roof," found on YouTube. Filmmakers Ryan Maxey and Josh Polin, along with Wesley Francis, didn't need a long time to relay the mystery of a visible rocket on the roof of a nearby apartment building. A bit of investigation yields an answer in this quick and entertaining watch.

This week the Erins dial it up for "Telemarketers," available on HBO Max. Contributing to charities can be a rewarding experience. Being solicited over the phone by pushy telemarketers less so. Finding out your money just lined the pockets of corporate douches is a complete ruiner. Thankfully, Sam and Pat are of the same mind and set out to use their years in the call center to topple the industry...

This week the Erins jump into the fire with “Satan Wants You,” available on Amazon Prime. The Satanic Panic of the 80s/90s has deep roots in the revelations told in the book “Michelle Remembers.” The recovered memories of Michelle Smith disturbed suburban America and had neighbors eyeballing each other for signs of satanic activity. Save the children! Also, maybe ask some q...

This week the Erins blame it on everyone else with “Milli Vanilli,” available on Paramount Plus. Rob and Fab came from humble beginnings and made it to 80's pop music icons. Their meteoric rise to worldwide fame came with a price. These two fell from media darlings to villains after the disclosure that they didn't sing their hit songs. Why not focus the public outcry on the music indus...

This week the Erins discuss “Desperately Seeking Soulmate: Escaping Twin Flames Universe,” available on Prime Video. The way people find love has changed, but the desire to be half of a whole remains. Jeff and Shaleia desire to lighten your wallet, then maybe your heart. They come across as modern gurus with guarantees of finding your ‘twin flame' if you follow their plan. They'r...

This week the Erins tackle “BS High,” available on Max. Few docs blend sports and true crime. Fewer still keep you on the edge of your seat wondering what con(ish) man Roy Johnson will do next. This manages to do both while playing with your emotions. Prepare for ager and empathy in equal doses!