The Sitcom Studies Podcast

We are kicking off our sixth season with Season 6 of Marlessa’s next pick - Everybody Loves Raymond! We find out why this show is home for Marlessa and why she ultimately chose this later season. Deep dives begin again next week! Read Marlessa's blog here: https://sitcomstudies.wordpress.com/  

The time has come to say goodbye to Season 5 of Sitcom Studies and to our favorite scientists - this is, unfortunately, not a bazinga. We offer our final thoughts on the season and the series as a whole; debate these characters' enneagram types (no, Howard is NOT a 3!); and of course rank our favorite and least favorite episodes. We begin a brand new season next week!  Thank you as always for cont...

We have Marlessa’s dear friend Mandy Jimenez with us once again to discuss our final episode of The Big Bang Theory, the Season 3 finale! We discuss where things stand with Leonard and Penny as she seems to be moving on with a new guy (we love you, Zack!) We also talk about what we learn about these scientists as we see them conducting experiments off the clock. And of course, welcome to the frien...

Alright, so we weren’t thrilled with the first episode this week. That’s putting it mildly. But that’s okay, because we finally get the backstory of how Leonard and Sheldon became roommates. And it was worth the wait… Historical Highlights: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPod https://www.pcmag.com/news/a-visual-history-of-apple-ipods

We’re discussing a throughline story this week - can Penny and Leonard stay friends after she is unable to return his “I love you”? More importantly, can Sheldon find a way to be friends with both of them? And of course, we have the return of Wil Wheaton. Historical Highlights: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galileo_affair#Trial_and_second_judgment,_1633 Note: While Katie mentions Pope Urban VIII b...

Sheldon finally receives a long sought-after award for his research - except, he also stumbles across a prop ring from the production of Return of the King, so the award is not the most surprising thing that happens to him this week. Historical Highlights: https://www.cslewisinstitute.org/resources/c-s-lewis-and-j-r-r-tolkien/  

Sheldon is the one who can’t seem to catch a break this week! Between being told firmly by Leonard that Penny will be the one tagging along on a trip to Switzerland and being unable to attend Stan Lee’s comic book signing, he’s dealing with a lot…except, do we really feel bad for him? And as always, leave it to Marlessa to point out some fascinating parallels between these storylines and some Ever...

We have two character studies of Sheldon this week: how will he react when the apartment is broken into and when he meets a physics problem that he (thinks!) might be too much for him? We had no fun at all discussing these two episodes…BAZINGA! Historical Highlights: https://www.dpma.de/english/our_office/publications/milestones/greatinventors/einstein/index.html

Marlessa’s dear friend and fellow comic enthusiast, Quinn Levy,  joins us to discuss this week’s episodes as we reach the halfway point of the season! Penny feels accepted by Leonard’s mother, albeit after a night of drinking together - but can she receive the same acceptance from Leonard when she’s open about her belief in psychics? Thank you so much for being part of this fun conversation, Quinn...

We are so glad to be joined this week by dear, dear friend and real life aerospace engineer, Bernadette Haig! She’s here to talk about an absolute classic from Season 3 that sees Sheldon try to teach Penny physics. But there’s so much else to discuss, from Howard’s warped outlook on dating to the importance of taking a sincere interest in others’ work to what it means to be a good teacher. Not to...

Some serious (and surprisingly deep) relationship discussions this week! Marlessa and Katie are both on Leonard’s side as we spend time on the question of whether it can ever be healthy to maintain close relationships with exes, and we see Shenny at their most hilarious when Sheldon has to take Penny to the hospital. And it’s almost like we’re forgetting something else important…of course! We get...

We again have Marlessa’s partner Jes joining us, and this time we have an episode that is absolutely pivotal for the series: Bernadette (and Wil Wheaton!) have entered the chat! We discuss Bernadette’s hilarious first conversation with Howard; Sheldon’s vendetta against Wil; and Penny’s role as a matchmaker. Plus, Leonard’s efforts to fit in with Penny’s football-loving friends lead to a deeper di...

The dynamic has definitely shifted this week. With Penny and Leonard now a couple, Howard struggles to accept that they often prefer to spend time alone rather than with the group, and Sheldon believes he has the perfect opportunity to “train” Penny to be the ideal apartment guest. We also discuss how these storylines sometimes rely on unfortunate stereotypes, particularly with Raj in danger of be...

We kick off our Big Bang Theory Journey with two episodes that make us really feel for Sheldon: not only do his best friends sabotage the work they did during a three-month long trip to the Arctic, but he also has to give up a classic comic book after losing a bet to Howard! We also discuss the changing dynamic between Leonard and Penny as they first begin a romantic relationship. Let us know whet...

We're unraveling some mysteries as we begin our fifth season and Katie's next pick: Season 3 of The Big Bang Theory! We discuss why Katie picked this particular season, and Marlessa explains how she's felt about this show as a lifelong comic book fan. Which classic characters and guest stars will we get to meet this season? As usual, deep dives begin next week. Thank you for being along for this j...

We are saying goodbye to our beloved Simpsons family today, but not before we wrap this season up with some final discussions. Which episode did we each think was funniest? The most interesting to analyze? These and other categories will be explored, and we'll of course discuss these characters' enneagram types.  We've had the best time laughing this season and learning from all of these Springfie...

Who has a final deep dive for you? We do! We do!  We're coming full circle by covering two more fantastic Homer-centric episodes: “Homer The Great” (Season 6, Episode 12) and "The Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show" (Season 8, Episode 14). Homer is discovered to be the "Chosen One" of the secret Stonecutters organization and also lands the part of a new character on Itchy & Scratchy. In b...

This week it's all about Springfield's resident bartender, Moe Szyslak! We see him at his best and worst in "Flaming Moe's" (Season 3, Episode 10) and "Moe Baby Blues" (Season 14, Episode 22). From stealing Homer's signature drink to forming a heartwarming bond with Maggie, we find that there's a lot more complexity to this character than there might seem on the surface. Also, Aerosmith makes an a...

We're celebrating Christmas - ahem, Halloween - in July this week by covering two of the Simpsons Treehouse of Horror Halloween classics, "Treehouse of Horror V" (Season 6, Episode 6) and "Treehouse of Horror VII" (season 8, episode 1). We see Simpsons parody at its best; discuss how the Shinning reflects the classic movie The Shining more than the book; and meet aliens Kang and Kodos as they caus...

This week, we cover two Millhouse-centric episodes in order to get to know Bart's best friend a bit better - except, do we really? "Bart Sells His Soul" (Season 7, Episode 4) is a further exploration of Bart and Lisa's sweet sibling dynamic, and “A Millhouse Divided” (season 8, episode 6) is another celebration of Homer and Marge's relationship. We had the best time discussing how a side character...

We have a very special guest with us this week as we tackle our first movie! Dear friend and film enthusiast Mandy Jimenez joins us to discuss the one and only Simpsons Movie (2007). What to do when Springfield has been placed in environmental quarantine, under a dome? We touch on favorite cameos and jokes; reflect on the deeply troubled relationship between Homer and Bart; and gush (just slightly...

We've got two heavy hitters this week that leave us with a lot to think about but also laughing as always: "Last Exit to Springfield" (Season 4, Episode 17) and “Lisa vs. Malibu Stacy” (season 5 , episode 14). A sexist doll leads a passionate Lisa to try to create her own preferable version. Homer temporarily becomes head of his union. And of course Lisa needs braces...Lisa needs braces...Lisa nee...

Have you every questioned your faith? That's exactly what the Simpsons are doing this week, with Homer deciding to stop going to church in “Homer the Heretic” (season 4, episode 3) and Lisa converting to Buddhism in “She Of Little Faith” (Season 13, Episode 6). We discuss some classic gifs that have come from these episodes; Marge's concern for her husband and daughter as they each embark on perso...

We're taking a look into the future this week - Lisa and Bart's futures, to be specific - with “Lisa’s Wedding” (season 6, episode 19) and “Barthood” (season 27, episode 9). We talk all things sibling dynamics; the important commentary Lisa's story makes on classism; and...a talkative teenage Maggie? Historical Highlights: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-surprisingly-radical-roots-of-th...

Get your tissues and maybe a glass of wine ready: we're discussing two episodes all about heartbreak and healing this week, “I Love Lisa” (season 4, episode 15) and  “Alone Again, Natura-diddly" (season 11, episode 14). We see Lisa learn how to respond when she does not reciprocate a crush, and we see Springfield try to help Ned Flanders when Maude passes away unexpectedly. We love that The Simpso...