Love at First Screening

This week, Chelsea and Madison welcome back TikTok extraordinaire Marissa to discuss the star-studded fantasy favorite Stardust (2007). Charlie Cox, Clare Danes, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Robert De Niro grace the screen in this epic and romantic fairy tale that begs the question: "Do non-adventurers in magical realms have comprehensive insurance?" This episode is brought to you by the Spice...

To quote our lord and savior Lizzo, "it's about damn time" Madison gave Chelsea a break from rom-coms! (Well, sort of.) This week, our hosts dive into Jennifer's Body , the 2009 horror comedy flop that, in retrospect, critics may have misunderstood—much like Madison has misunderstood the reach of her "power" as a Florida State Park Junior Ranger. After debating which of...

In Season 2's first bonus episode, our hosts are joined by sexpert Nicole to discuss the intersection of sex and romantic comedies. Listen as they wind their way through discussions of intimacy, restrictions of sex on screen, the issues with presentation of sexual assault in film, and the value of intimacy coordinators. If you are looking for a list of the movies referenced in this episode tha...

The clock has struck midnight on season two as our hosts draw the regular season to a close with Midnight in Paris (2011) starring Owen Wilson and Rachel McAdams. While Chelsea may never forgive Madison for inflicting this movie upon her, we hope she can at least take solace knowing it’s over. Listen as our hosts discuss the pitfalls of nostalgia and ham fisted pseudo epiphanies as they stroll alo...

This week, Chelsea and cohost Emma (who has definitely been here the entire time!) introduce special guest Madison (who has absolutely never been on the show before!) to Mr. Right (2015), a film that bravely melds action, comedy, and romance into something your dad (or any other rom-com skeptic) might willingly watch! The old sandwich-cutting feud of last season resurfaces, Chelsea shares her pira...

This week, Chelsea is back in the driver’s seat (but is love?) with another Cynic’s Choice episode where our hosts watch The Feels (2017) featuring Constance Wu and Angela Trimbur. While love interest Lu cannot come on the journey of this movie, we hope our LAFsters won’t mind joining us as our hosts discuss the pitfalls of faking orgasms, failing at interpersonal communications, and the benefits...

This week, our cohosts welcome back to the pod fan-favorite stars Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant with Notting Hill (1999). This film may qualify as a rom com, but is it a Roman Holiday (1953) adaptation? Unclear. Meanwhile, amidst quips about cockroach energy and Disney Channel vibes, Madison declares herself the Queen of Quirky Tees, and Chelsea regales LAFSters with tales of her first funeral. Don...

This week's episode does a deep dive into senior romance as Madison and Chelsea discuss Something's Gotta Give (2003). Our hosts root for the back-to-back feature of Keanu Reeves, but lament the fact that they were expected to root for Jack Nicholson. They both rally behind Diane Keaton's excellene, as she is one of the Supreme Coastal Grandmas. Depsite Keanu, Diane Keaton, and Frances MsDormand,...

In this highly introspective episode, our cohosts welcome poet Amanda Kathryn to the studio to discuss Always Be My Maybe (2019). Madison says she'd swipe right on Keanu Reeves, and Chelsea raises a glass to all her fellow "bitter bitches" out there. Together they analyze the hazy intersection between passion and career, determine where to find the best french fries (or tater tots),...

This week, our hosts go back in time with their viewing of Kate and Leopold– but they are not alone in the studio! Tune in for the first guest episode of season two as the hosts and guest star Nia discuss the pitfalls of being a time-traveling woman, the importance of marrying wealthy to afford indoor plumbing, and Madison’s inability to remember which Hugh she’s talking about– it’s not Hugh Grant...

This week, work-life balance meets the ultimate hurdle: an enemies-to-lovers romance. It's time for our hosts to tackle The Hating Game (2021)! In addition to expressing concern about PDA in the workplace, Chelsea announces her campaign to stop folks from steamy fraternization in elevators. Madison just hopes to receive a pair of mop slippers and meet Dolly Parton...after apologizing to Channing T...

As far as rom coms are concerned, Madison swears up and down that this finally breaks the second season streak of no rom-coms as our hosts take on Monster-in-Law (2005). Chelsea, however, is more than skeptical, but will tolerate the film for the sakes of Wanda Sykes and Jane Fonda. In an episode sponsored by Chelsea’s wisdom (use promo code LAUGHS4TAILORS for 50% off clothes actually made to fit...

As far as rom coms are concerned, our hosts are 0 for 3, and headed into this week’s episode with listener pick Lady of the Manor (2021), the season’s romantic fails may continue to haunt Madison. In an episode sponsored by self-pleasure (use promo code LAUGHS4LAFS for 50% off indulging in whatever makes you giggle), the duo allow themselves to enjoy the film’s well-produced fart jokes, Judy Greer...

Come with our hosts this week, aperol spritz in hand, to Rome where they explore the classic Hepburn/Peck film, Roman Holiday. Madison gleefully walks Chelsea and the listeners through her Wiki rabbit hole about the Hollywood Blacklist and Audrey Hepburn's rise to stardom. While one of our hosts found the film to be…less than memorable, the other insists it’s one everyone should see at least once....

Whether you're flying solo or rollin' with the homies this week, buckle up! A special LAFSter request has our hosts behind the wheel of the 1995 cult classic Clueless . (Let's hope they're better drivers than Cher and Dionne!) After Chelsea reveals which Hollywood Baldwin (aka hottie) she'd like to watch for an hour or two, she asks Madison if they should re-brand LAFS as a teen movie podcast. Wil...

In the first episode of season two of Love at First Screening , co-hosts Chelsea and Madison dive into the 2005 film The Wedding Date. Madison attempts not one, but two, terrible accents. Chelsea questions why she ever agreed to watch this movie, much less continue this podcast. While Madison can forgive the (admittedly) lackluster film for the inclusion of Dermot Mulroney, Chelsea isn't so easily...

In this bonus episode, our very tired cohosts say a fond farewell to Season One with the help of a few very special guests, listeners (aka LAFSters) like you! Chelsea and Madison rank the 13 films they watched this season from best to worst (or most favorite to least favorite), consider the impassioned perspectives of LAFSters, and share their hopes for Season Two. Connect With Us - Instagram: htt...

In the first bonus episode of Love at First Screening, Madison and Chelsea veer away from rom-coms and watch vampire-superhero action flick Blade (1998). Chelsea finally gets to experience joy while watching a movie for the first time in too long and Madison quickly dashes it by taking a perfectly good 90’s action film and insisting they turn it into a rom-com. They said it couldn’t be done; howev...

In the season finale of Love at First Screening, Madison reluctantly introduces Chelsea to When Harry Met Sally (1989). Featuring an unprecedented number of food-related tangents (pickles, grapes, soup, etc.), are our cohosts avoiding an inevitable ending (to their friendship)? Or are they just hungry? Chelsea may lament the fact that Sally ever met Harry, but listeners will thank whatever deity t...

This week on LAFS, our hosts literally and metaphorically go home for the holidays with Single All The Way—Chelsea’s reverse episode pick. They remind everyone that unlike Rudolph, your nose doesn’t need to be in anything this holiday season. Keep an eye out in 2024 for a Rae Dunn collaboration with our “Don’t Be So Goddamn Nosey” merch! If you like Christmas movies, this is one to add to the list...

Now entering their yuletide era, our hosts welcome Madison's sister Serena to help usher in the pod's exciting lineup of holiday content with The Holiday (2006)...note that definite article, folks. Between Chelsea's jokes (threats?) to replace Madison with a new cohost, the duo yearns for Kate Winslet's idyllic cottage, argues about Jack Black's unusual venture outside wacky comedies, and attempts...

In their tenth episode, Chelsea and Madison welcome Emma to the show to watch Simply Irresistable . The Sarah Michelle Gellar flick features everything you want in a movie: magic crabs, sexy vanilla clouds, suspenders, and paper airplanes. Listen as Chelsea valiantly fights for crab recognition in the film and beyond as Emma advises how to properly crook one's finger and feign temporary hearing lo...

Alright, alright, alright! After a heated debate about sandwiches, Chelsea and Madison enter Matthew McConaughey's rom-com era with Failure to Launch (2006). The conversation twists and turns through the perils of weaponized incompetence, inappropriate footwear, and their decided love for the true hero of this film: Kit (Zooey Deschanel).  While this episode is unsponsored, a first for the po...

In light of the recent violence that took place at Club Q in Colorado Springs, Madison and Chelsea wanted to make sure listeners had access to ways they can support the victims and their families. As always, LAFS loves and stands with the LGBTQIA+ community. If you are able to lend support, we highly encourage it. Please remember you can always support the LGBTQIA+ community by amplyfying queer vo...

Chelsea steers the pod into uncharted waters as cohost Madison steps back from the helm and the duo embarks on their first reverse episode! The show's resident cynic brings 2019's Straight Up into the ring, but can her unconventional pick hold its own against the rom-com canon's heavy hitters? Madison has a brief crisis about not vetting this week's sponsor; Chelsea theorizes about the impending W...