Episodes
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Itâs time to pack your saxophone! The Watchers are hitting the road with Will Ferrell and his longtime friend, writer Harper Steele, for their documentary Will & Harper. The film follows the two friends as they embark on a friendship-defining road trip. Jodie and Andrea discuss the emotional journey of Harper's transition, Will's growing understanding of allyship, and the evolution of their friendship. We also explore how Will & Harper adds to the long tradition of American road trip narratives, its take on big themes like change and connection, and the film's potential entry point for broader discussions of trans experiences.
Next week, we're taking a little detour back to Capeside. Jodie finished Dawson's Creek, so we're sharing a series wrap-up. We'll be back to our regularly scheduled programming the following week with a documentary we can't wait to tell you all about!
Follow:
The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)
Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)
Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)
Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)
Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."
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Chasing Chasing Amy is a heartfelt, funny, and deeply personal documentary that explores identity, queer representation, cinematic influence, and our evolving relationship with pop cultureâeverything we love to dive into here at The Watchers. In this episode, Sav Rodgers shares how the film started as a quest to understand Chasing Amy's complicated connection to the LGBTQ+ community but grew into something much more meaningful. We dig into the behind-the-scenes process, from shooting interviews in peopleâs homes and on windy rooftops to how key editing choices helped shape the narrative, all guided by Savâs strict âNo Bullsh*tâ policy. Along the way, we discuss Kevin Smithâs magnetic presence, the impact of queer narratives, and the importance of authentic storytelling. Itâs an engaging, thoughtful conversation that celebrates filmâs transformative power and the necessity of hope in art.
Keep up with Sav Rodgers and Chasing Chasing Amy on Instagram.
Hereâs where you can see Chasing Chasing Amy in theaters: It's really very good
Watch Savâs TedTalk - Sav Rodgers: The Rom-Com That Saved My Life
Next week, weâre watching Will & Harper, Josh Greenbaumâs 2024 documentary that follows friends Will Ferrell and Harper Steele on a cross country road trip.
Follow:
The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)
Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)
Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)
Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)
Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."
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Episodes manquant?
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This week, Jodie and Andrea dig into the good, the bad, and the baffling of Kimâs Video, a 2023 documentary that explores what happened to one of the worldâs greatest VHS collections when it moved from New York City to Sicily. We talk 90s nostalgia, genre conventions, what it means to be a creative person, and how and why stories get told. Plus we reminisce about our own days working in video stores and marvel at the way Jersey always shows up for us.
Next week, we are SO excited to be talking with Sav Rodgers, the filmmaker behind Chasing Chasing Amy. Itâs not streaming yet, but it is showing in a bunch of cities. Here they are.
Referenced in this episode:
The Strange Fate of Kimâs Video - Karina Longworth
Chloë Sevigny Visits the Kim's Video Collection - Alamo Drafthouse
Follow:
The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)
Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)
Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)
Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)
Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."
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Itâs our final Halloween episode of 2024, and you shouldnât be surprised by our choice. We couldnât wrap up the season without revisiting Wellsville for one of the greatest Halloween episodes in television history, âHalloweenieâ from The Adventures of Pete & Pete. Itâs quintessentially Pete & Pete, which means itâs quintessentially 90s and quintessentially Jersey, all while remaining totally weird and wholly unique. We talk Mischief-Devilâs-Cabbage-Goosey Night, neighborhood bullies, breaking records, and that moment of being right on the edge of too old for something you used to love.
Next week, weâre sticking with the 90s theme but moving to a new genre, as we watch Kimâs Video, a 2023 documentary that explores what happened to one of the worldâs greatest VHS collections when it moved from New York City to Sicily.
Follow:
The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)
Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)
Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)
Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)
Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."
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This week on The Watchers, Andrea and Jodie dive into Buffy the Vampire Slayerâs classic "Halloween" episode from season 2 of the series. As the Scoobiesâ costumes come to life, we question the inconsistent nature of this bewitchery, delight in learning Gilesâ has a sordid past, and question what exactly Willowâs supposed to be. (Hot slut?) Plus, Jodie takes us on a trip to Creek Corner and Andrea reviews the pilot episode of Paceyâer, Joshua Jacksonâs new show, Doctor Odyssey.
Next week, weâve got one more Halloween rewatch. The Adventures of Pete & Peteâs âHalloweenieâ (S2E5). You can watch this one on YouTube here.
Follow:
The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)
Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)
Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)
Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)
Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."
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Surprise! Weâre here on a Monday with an episode we are so excited to share with you. Weâve got a special guest, fellow Jersey native, Tommy Avallone, who joins Jodie and Andrea this week to chat about his new documentary. Tommy is a producer, director, editor, writer, and filmmaker; heâs behind the documentaries, I am Santa Clause, Waldo on Weed, The Bill Murray Stories, I Love You, You Hate Me, and most recently, The House From . . . which takes a look at houses that have become famous from movies and tv, the people who live in them, and the people who love them. If you like our show, you will love this documentary. It features stories about iconic homes from movies and shows like Full House, Golden Girls, Canât Hardly Wait, Friday, Pee-Weeâs Big Adventure, Goonies, Breaking Bad, and so many more. Itâs sweet, and funny, and nostalgic, and says so much about our own relationships with pop culture. Itâs available to stream this week, and youâre going to love it.
Jersey folks, The House From . . . is premiering at Kevin Smithâs Smodcastle Cinemas in Atlantic Highlands as part of Smodcastle Film Festival this Friday, October 25th. Grab your tickets now.
For everyone else, The House From . . . will be available for streaming on October 28th. You can pre-order it from AppleTV right now.
Keep up with Tommy and his work: @tommyavallone3
Weâll see you Wednesday with our review of Buffy the Vampire Slayerâs âHalloweenâ
Follow:
The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)
Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)
Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)
Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)
Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."
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Weâre deep into the Halloween season on The Watchers, and Andrea and Jodie are unpacking the supernatural side of My So-Called Life. High school urban legends, teen ghosts, and a haunted cardiganâit's all here. Join us as we discover whether or not Angela can solve the mystery of Nicky Driscoll, and in the process, save Jordan Catalano from himself.
Next week, weâre heading back to Sunnydale to experience what Halloween is like on a Hellmouth, with season 2, episode 6 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the appropriately titled, âHalloween.â
Follow:
The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)
Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)
Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)
Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)
Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."
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It's SpOoKy season, and we're heading back to the creek for some bewitching fun! This week, Andrea and Jodie watched Dawson's Creek Blair Witch Project spoof, "Escape from Witch Island." They remark on the lasting influence of The Blair Witch Project, wonder why the show even bothered to include Andie in this episode, and thank the TV Gods that Pacey and Jen came along on this field trip so we didn't just have to watch Joey and Dawson sulk at each other for an entire episode.
Next week, it's Halloween in the rust belt as we watch Season 1, Episode 9 of My So-Called Life, the aptly titled, "Halloween."
Follow:
The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)
Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)
Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)
Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)
Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."
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Weâre wrapping up our trip down 90s Nickelodeon Lane with the movie that inspired us to take this trip in the first place, Jane Schoenbrunâs coming-of-age-psychological-horror-drama-trans-allegory, I Saw the TV Glow. We continue the conversation weâve been having these last few weeks, diving into the double-edged blade of nostalgia, the malleability of memory, loss of innocence, looking back on childhood through the jaded eyes of adulthood, growing up, moving on, and melancholy men with ice cream cone heads.
Next week, weâre sticking with the spooky vibes and heading once more unto the creek, dear friends, with season 3 episode 7 of Dawsonâs Creek, âEscape from Witch Island,â
Follow:
The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)
Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)
Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)
Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)
Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."
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Summerâs over, and we donât need a boy and his personal superhero battling the ocean to know it. This week, weâre winding down our Nickelodeon Nostalgia Deep Dive with The Adventures of Pete & Pete, a quintessentially New Jersey show. Jodie and Andrea dive into standout episodes "What We Did on Our Summer Vacation," where nostalgia weighs heavily, and "Hard Day's Pete," which beautifully captures the singular experience of discovering your first favorite song.
Next week, weâre finally watching the movie that sparked this look back at 90s TV greatness, Jane Schoenbrunâs I Saw the TV Glow.
Follow:
The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)
Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)
Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)
Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)
Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."
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Apologies for the late update! As you've certainly noticed, there's no new episode this week. We will be back next week with our Pete & Pete discussion, which we can't wait to share with you. And remember, the week after, we'll be reviewing the movie that inspired these last few weeks of Nickelodeon nostalgia, Jane Schoenbrun's I Saw the TV Glow.
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Itâs our last week at camp, and weâre continuing with the local legends. This time, Jodie and Andrea watched âGhost Storyâ AKA âZeke the Plumberâ from the Nickelodeon series, Salute Your Shorts. We speculate about whether or not this episode inspired The Blair Witch Project, Jodie weighs in on whether or not this presents an accurate portrayal of summer camp, and we make some truly shocking revelations about the history of the word âjabroni.â
Salute Your Shorts: Life at Summer Camp by Thomas Hill
Next week, summerâs over, so weâre leaving camp and heading to Wellsville for The Adventures of Pete & Pete. Weâll be watching âWhat We Did on Our Summer Vacationâ and âHard Dayâs Peteâ
Follow:
The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)
Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)
Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)
Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)
Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."
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Dear Mom and Dad,
Camp sucks. This place is full of bats, and mice, and/or rats (still unclear), and I canât even smoke because the fire warning is up. Yesterday, three old women tried to cook and eat me, and I got chased by some weird man dressed up like a tree. And then on the way back to my tent, I almost got run over by a ghost car. Worst of all, my tentmate is a total nerd. Also, Jodie and Andrea watched âTale of Watcherâs Woodsâ from Are You Afraid of the Darkâif you even care, which I know you donât, or you would have picked me up by now. Ugh.
Guiding in the Wrong Direction: The problematic, ongoing history of the Adventure Guides - Kendra James
If we aren't totally blipped before next week, weâll be watching âGhost Storyâ from season one of Nickelodeon's Salute Your Shorts. Hereâs where you can watch it.
Follow:
The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)
Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)
Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)
Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)
Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."
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This week's episode is a little different; we spent a whole day in the Atlantic Highlands watching as many Kevin Smith movies as our old bones could handle. The annual event, Vulgarthon, was held at Kevinâs movie theater, Smodcastle Cinemas, and featured screenings of every movie in the View Askewniverse, including Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma, and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. We break down the experience, with a surprise guest appearance that made Andrea cry, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, and an undeniably nostalgic look at 30 years of Kevin Smith's career. It was an endurance test, a deep dive, and above all else, a love fest to New Jersey and the cinematic world Smith created to celebrate it.
In a few weeks, we're going to be watching Jane Schoenbrun's I Saw the TV Glow. To prepare for that, we're going to take a look back at some of the 90s shows that inspired it. Next week, we're starting with Are You Afraid of the Dark, with the appropriately titled season 3 episode, "The Tale of Watcher's Woods." You can watch it on Amazon and Paramount+, but it's also free on Youtube here.
Follow:
The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)
Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)
Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)
Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)
Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."
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This week, weâre taking a short drive from the neo-noir world of Neptune to the dark, vampire-infested corners of Sunnydale as we dive into the two-part premiere of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Join Jodie and Andrea as we meet Buffy Summers, the high school teen who just happens to be a demon-slaying superhero. Weâll explore Buffyâs battle to juggle her slayer duties with typical teenage chaos, unpacking why giving the literal halls of 90210âs Beverly Hills High a coat of supernatural paint is so compelling. Weâll discuss what makes these characters so immediately likable despite the sometimes clunky dialogue, delight in Gilesâ overt Britishness, and marvel at Willow Rosenbergâs debatably impressive computer hacking skills.
Watch the original unaired Buffy Pilot
Next week, we say goodbye to Pilot Season, and return to the sacred grounds of the Garden State, as we recap our experience attending Kevin Smithâs Vulgarthon.
Follow:
The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)
Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)
Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)
Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)
Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."
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In this episode of The Watchers, weâre leaving behind the sun-dappled Capeside for the moody neon-lit parking lots of Neptune as we dive into the pilot episode of Rob Thomasâs neo-noir teen drama, Veronica Mars. Join Jodie and Andrea as we meet Veronica, the sharp-tongued teenage detective, and her world of high school drama and gritty crime-solving. Weâll unpack the pilotâs introduction to Veronicaâs near-unbelievably complex lifeâjuggling her role as a part-time P.I., dealing with ârandomâ locker searches, and navigating her fatherâs fall from grace, all while remaining the funniest person in Neptune.
Next week, weâll be sticking around the west coast, but heading to the spooky town of Sunnydale, California for Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Weâll be watching the two-parter, âWelcome to the Hellmouthâ and âThe Harvest.â
Watch Space, Hope, and Charity
Follow:
The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)
Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)
Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)
Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)
Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."
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In this episode of The Watchers, we're trading the awkward energy of McKinley High for the quaintly watercolor world of Dawsonâs Creek. Join Jodie and Andrea as we explore the lives of Dawson, Joey, Pacey, and Jen, who navigate picturesque Capeside while remaining somehow sex-obsessed and puritanically chaste, simultaneously. Weâll talk about Dawsonâs unearned self-confidence, Paceyâs weird little bangs, Jenâs storied past (evidenced by a taste for black coffee and saying the word âpenisâ in front of her grandmother), Joeyâs position as the daughter of a drug lord, and why replacing the theme song should be a crime punishable by death.
Next week, weâre heading west to spend some time in the SoCal town of Neptune as we review the pilot for everyoneâs favorite teen noir, Rob Thomasâs Veronica Mars.
Referenced in this episode:
The Day Dawson Cried: An Oral History of the Dawson Crying GIF and Its Outsized Legacy - Constance Grady
Creek Theses - Justin Taylor
Billion-Dollar Kiss: The Kiss That Saved Dawson's Creek and Other Adventures inTV Writing - Jeffrey Stepakoff
Rewatching the Dawson's Creek Pilot 20 Years Later: Sex, Boats, and Spielberg - Darren Franich
Follow:
The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)
Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)
Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)
Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)
Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."
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In this episode of The Watchers, weâre stepping away from the world of Liberty High and into the awkward halls of McKinley High School with Freaks and Geeks. Join Jodie and Andrea as we navigate the landscape of this cult classic. We delve into the showâs attempts to balance the earnest with the awkward, discuss the impact of creators Paul Feig and Judd Apatow (and the one million careers launched by this show), and try to figure out what to do about the Eli of it all. Oof.
Next week, weâre heading to Capeside for the first episode of the WB hit teen drama, Dawsonâs Creek. See you Wednesday. (We know you don't wanna wait.)
Follow:
The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)
Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)
Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)
Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)
Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."
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In this episode of The Watchers, we're leaving behind the glitzy glamour of Beverly Hills High for the rust belt city setting of My So-Called Life! Join Jodie and Andrea as we follow Angela Chase through the halls of Liberty High School, where the drama is real and the emotions run deep. We traverse Angela's moody, tender, earnest as hell inner monologue, dissect the dynamics of her friendships and family relationships, and reflect on the show's enduring impact on the portrayal of teens on TV. So, get ready to trade your scrunchie for some crimson glow hair dye, and join us as we journey through the heartfelt world of My So-Called Life!
Next week, weâre covering another short-lived but beloved teen-focused series, Paul Feig and Judd Apatow's Freaks and Geeks.
Follow:
The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)
Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)
Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)
Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)
Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."
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In this episode, we're diving into the pilot of Beverly Hills, 90210. We'll be talking about how Brandon and Brenda Walsh tackled the drama at West Beverly High, and how this show basically kickstarted the whole teen drama craze. Created by Darren Star and produced by Aaron Spelling, it was a total game-changer, mixing in drama, romance, and a whole lot of social commentary against the backdrop of ritzy Beverly Hills. Jodie and Andrea can't help but question why this school is so obsessed with its newspaper, break down all the different class dynamics happening, and marvel over how the school radio station had such a huge influence on high school movies and TV back in the day. So, grab your scrunchies and join us as we dive deep into the glitz and drama of Beverly Hills, 90210!
Beverly Hills, 90210 Restored: @bh90210restored
Next week, weâre covering My So-Called Life, a short-lived but pivotal exploration of adolescence starring Claire Danes and created by Winnie Holzman.
Follow:
The Watchers on Instagram (@WatchersPodNJ)
Andrea on Instagram (@AQAndreaQ)
Jodie on Instagram (@jodie_mim)
Our sister show, New Jersey Is the World, on Instagram (@newjerseyistheworld)
Thanks to Kitzy (@heykitzy) for the use of our theme song, "No Book Club."
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