The Fandom Show

Lace up your sneakers and get ready to sweat because today we're talking to Kyah and Steph's personal trainer, Jimmy Kim, about his lifelong passion; EXERCISE AND FITNESS. We chat about the do's and don'ts of starting a successful exercise habit, prioritizing the fun part of working out, how lifting muscles uses your brain, the prevalence of performance enhancing drugs, how hard it really is to bu...

We're talking to comedian, youtuber and one half of the Girl Historian podcast, Carley Thorne , about her obsession with the world's most famous witch-hunt; THE SALEM WITCH TRIALS. Put on a cauldron of tea and get cozy because we're talking about the origin of New England's witch hysteria, American vs. European witches, deadly teenage gossip, political scapegoats, devil-dogs, the cartoon coven tha...

It's time to get spooOOooOOooky. Today we're talking to actress, comedian and podcast host, Sarah Hillier (she/her) about her paranormal obsession: GHOSTS. Gather round as we discuss ghost stories, other-worldly experiences, why there are no caveman ghosts, why spirits might be annoyed by seances, a brush with an undead spider, and ghost-proof architecture. Plus a lightning round game that quickly...

*CUE DRAMATIC VIOLINS*  Today we're talking to actor and comedian, Chris Sandiford (he/him) about his love for MOVIE SCORES. We chat about the difference between a 'score' and a 'theme', what makes a really good score, which composers are the most under or overrated, how a single evolving motif can enhance a narrative, and why Hans Zimmer has rejected the concept of instruments. Plus, Steph, Kyah...

Elementary, Dear Watson! Today we're joined via Zoom by writer and illustrator, Molly Ostertag (she/her), to discuss her newest obsession, Sherlock Holmes! We talk about the crime-solving genius archetype that Arthur Conon Doyle unleashed on the modern era, the loyal and loving relationship between Sherlock and Watson, how Oscar Wilde influenced the character, the history of queerness in the Victo...

It's time to start the music and light the lights because we're joined by professional puppeteer, Jordan Brownlee (he/him), to talk about the world's most famous felt-based comedy troupe -  THE MUPPETS! We get into the legacy of Jim Henson and his team, how he brought puppetry to an adult sketch variety world, iconic muppet moments, memorable guest stars and the great lengths (and very awkward pos...

This week we're coming to you LIVE from Toronto ComicCon where we're joined by writer and graphic novelist, Stephanie Cooke (she/her), to discuss her favorite 90s adventure classic; THE MUMMY! We talk about the unmatched charm of Brendan Fraser, the joy of a good swashbuckler, the horror of murder scarabs, how the action-adventure genre was usurped by Marvel, and how some ancient monsters just wan...

Talk it through as a crew! Today we're joined by actor, writer and artist, Neta Rose (they/them) to discuss the queer cult phenomena, OUR FLAG MEANS DEATH. Hop aboard The Revenge and sail away as we chat about queer storylines, the historical accuracy (or lack thereof), the delicate balance of comedy and heart, and how one show launched a thousand fan-ships by inspiring new communities, fanfiction...

Get ready to think about the nature of human existence because today we're talking to comedian, actor and Baroness Von Sketch star, Aurora Brown (she/her), about the legendary science fiction and fantasy author, URSULA K. LEGUIN. We learn about Leguin's youth as the child of anthropologists, how she explored societal values in her work, how gender informed her career, her warnings against the stee...

Grab backup and get ready for a stakeout, because this week we're talking to The Villain Was Right host, Rebecca Reeds, about her favourite teen sleuth; VERONICA MARS! We get the scoop on record breaking crowdfunding campaigns, irredeemable bad boys, what makes a great mystery, the difficulty with rebooting teen properties, and the eternal power of Kristen Bell. Plus, Steph and Rebecca discover th...

Never let go! Today we're talking to comedian, writer and one half of the Girl Historian podcast , Blair MacMillan, about the not-so-unsinkable ship of dreams, THE TITANIC. We talk about the real conditions that caused the Titanic to be such a massive disaster, the ethics of robbing shipwrecks, James Cameron's 1997 mega-blockbuster and why Rose is SUCH a Taurus. Plus, we get into cruise line class...

Get out your pencils (or pens, if you're brave) because today we're talking to word nerd and New York Times approved puzzle constructor, Jess Shulman, about her hobby and passion; CROSSWORDS! We learn the ups and downs of building a really good crossword puzzle, the beauty of a clever crossword theme, the difference between a regular crossword and a cryptic one, and why 'Oreo' is the crossword bui...

And now for something completely different! Today we are joined by actor, writer and comedian, Anders Yates, to talk about the holy grail of British sketch comedy; MONTY PYTHON. We discover what makes something 'Pythonesque', which sketches are timeless (and which ones aren't), what Terry Gilliam's incredible animation allowed them to get away with, and how they influenced other sketch groups like...

I'm Listening! That's right, this week we're doing some analysis of television's favorite radio psychiatrist because we're talking about the classic 90s sitcom (and Kyah's ultimate comfort watch): FRASIER! We talk about career defining performances, the magic and mayhem of David Hyde Pierce, the incredible writing and Frasier's tactics of seduction (and the associated spotify playlist). Plus, we g...

SHAKE IT OFF! Today we're joined by superfan and certified Swifty, Kristen Macdonald, to discuss the worldwide phenomena that is pop's favorite anti-hero; TAYLOR SWIFT. Settle in for a fascinating crash course on one of the world's biggest fandoms as we discuss Swift's early music (and the battle to keep it), the media's fascination with her dating life and feuds, how she uses clues and easter egg...

ALLONS-Y! Things are about to get wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey because today we are joined by actor and writer, Andrew Cromwell , to discuss the show that's bigger on the inside; DOCTOR WHO! We chat about the various regenerations of the eponymous Doctor, the companions that stole our hearts, which aliens keep us up at night, the three iconic showrunners and all the ways that campy sci-fi discusses b...

Get ready to escape to an alternate universe where the 2016 U.S. election never happened because this week we are joined by one-half of the beloved I Hate It But I Love hosting team, Kat Angus, to talk about her newly realized fandom; RED, WHITE and ROYAL BLUE. Join us for a royal romp as we chat about what makes a compelling romance on the page, good gays vs. bad gays, the joy of political escapi...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! We're chatting with writer and comedian, Jon Blair, about the holiday with a little something for everyone - HALLOWEEN! We talk about why classic monsters like skeletons are just funny by default (and whether or not we could take one in a fight), what makes for the best and worst house decorations, the age limits on trick or treating, why homemade Halloween costumes are an ancient...

They're creepy, kooky, and altogether ooky - The Addams Family! Today we're talking about the quotable cult classic with a perfect, Disney-Goth aesthetic - ADDAMS FAMILY VALUES. We chat about the enduring legacy of The Addams Family and their post-50s, post-Reagan politics, the iconic cast (Joan Cusack! Angelica Houston! Christina Ricci!) turning in scene-stealing performances, Barry Sonnenfeld's...

Scott earned the power of self respect! Grab your Smashing Pumpkins t-shirt and head down to Sneaky Dees because today we're talking to writer and comedian, Rob Moden, about the comic-book-turned-cult-movie, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. We chat about Bryan Lee O'Malley's manga, musical and pop-cultural influences, the ways Edgar Wright used his trademark timing to adapt the genre bending story to...

Dujour means seatbelts! Put on your cat-ear headphones and enjoy some subliminal messaging, because this week we're talking to writer and improviser, Mariah Thompson, about the 2000's satirical cult hit, JOSIE AND PUSSYCATS. We chat about how Harry Elfont and Debra Kaplain turned an archie comic girl band into a razor sharp commentary on early aughts fandom and commercialism, the shameless perform...

This week we're coming to you live from Toronto Fan Expo, where we're talking to legendary actor, choreographer and teacher, Gates McFadden about the fandom that's driven her life's work; ARTS EDUCATION! We discuss her time working with famous teachers like Jacques Lecoq, the trust that it takes to make art with someone, memories from her more notable students and the beauty of being exactly who y...

When you're lost in the darkness, look for the light! This week Steph is interviewing Kyah about the fandom that has taken over their brain like a deadly fungus - THE LAST OF US (PART ONE). Grab some ammo, cause we're doing a speed run through all the things that make the original game so exceptional, why mushroom zombies are cooler and scarier than the regular kind, how the first season of the hi...

Open a mysterious envelope and complete its weird instructions, because today we're talking with superfan Brian Edwards about the most exciting show about chores; TASKMASTER. We talk about how the show was born from the Edinburgh Fringe, the only two rules of Taskmaster (and why they're important), the best and most frustrating hidden clues and, of course, some of the show's most entertaining task...

Martini! Manhattans! Moscow Mules! Whip up your favourite drink and sip along with this very special episode, because we're talking with comedian and bartender, Scott Lloyd, about the art form you can drink - COCKTAILS! We chat over a 'wet martini', as we learn the technical definition of a cocktail, some of Scott's weirdest alcohol experiments, how cocktails come in and out of fashion, and how mu...