TMI: Oops, All Digressions! A Pop Culture Anecdote Grab Bag
You didn’t ask for it, but it’s here. Jordan and Alex were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should, so it’s the first-ever TMI: Oops, All Digressions! With the attention span of an addled TikToker and the niche interests of a minorly urbane shut-in, your friendly hosts started this episode with but a few brief notes and then just let their precious little minds wander willy-nilly. For starters: did you know there was a horror subgenre called ‘Hagsploitation?’ Along the way they’ll get into the preposterous notion that Frank Sinatra was originally tapped to play Dirty Harry, along with Liz Taylor's marital issues, haunted recording sessions for David Bowie and Meat Loaf, Marlon Brando's hatred of Muppets, the rumors of Grace Kelly's premature death, and how Tippi Hendren moved on from her oppressive contract with Alfred Hitchcock by living with lions and starring in the most dangerous movie ever made. Too Much Information: They’re not locked in here with you, you’re locked in here with them.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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1:52:47
Family Guy: Everything You Didn't Know
Heigl and Jordan channel the worst versions of their teenage selves as they dive deep into the awesomely irreverent animation juggernaut. In between swapping endless quotes from the show, they explore its surprising origins with comedy prodigy Seth MacFarlane, how he narrowly escaped a horrific fate on 9/11, and how his passion for rapid-fire gags about mid-century media inadvertently birthed the TikTok generation in the 21st Century. You'll learn all about the epic beef between the Family Guy creators and the team behind The Simpsons and South Park, not to mention their run-ins with celebrities and parental organizations — plus the eps that were so controversial that they never were broadcast. You'll also hear the inspiration behind some of these iconic cartoon voices, discover subtle pop culture references you probably missed, and the truth behind the show's premature cancelation and historic revival thanks to record-breaking DVD sales. Prepare to get nostalgic for the halcyon days of Adult Swim as the TMI Guys take a trip to Quahog! Support your friendly neighborhood TMI Guys here! https://ko-fi.com/toomuchinformationpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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2:16:40
"Bridge Over Troubled Water" by Simon & Garfunkel: Everything You Didn't Know
Your favorite folk-rock duo of facts guide you through the troubled waters that lead to the creation of this beloved classic album and its iconic title track. They'll give you a rundown of Simon and Garfunkel's epic feud, which started in childhood and only intensified with stardom, and explain why this record marked the end of the road for the pair. (Basically, if the book 'Catch-22' had never been written, S&G might still be together today...) But it's not all doom and gloom! They'll discuss how "Cecilia" was quietly groundbreaking for its pioneering use of sampling, why its lyrics were a harbinger of social change, and also detail the bizarre connection it has to a Beatles classic. They'll get into Paul Simon's thorny relationship with cultural appropriation on "El Condor Pasa," his unexpected inspiration behind the title song, and how he got that god tier drum sound on "The Boxer." The guys try not to cry as they expose the hidden messages Paul included to his (increasingly estranged) old friend on "The Only Living Boy in New York" and "So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright," and unconcover the poignant secret meaning of the final album tracks — but you're welcome to shed a tear, if you want. It's TMI...now with BONUS BOOMER NOSTALGIA! Support your friendly neighborhood TMI Guys here! https://ko-fi.com/toomuchinformationpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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2:16:39
The Oscars: Everything You Didn't Know
A tuxedo-clad Jordan and Heigl take you to Da Movies with their epic tangent-rich, name drop-y history of Hollywood's biggest night! They’ll dive deep into iconic Oscars moments, like the infamous streaker (and his shocking murder), the fallout from Marlon Brando’s politically-charged boycott, and Charlie Chaplin’s touching homecoming after years in exile — plus lots more lesser-known moments of award show insanity. You’ll learn all about Oscars gaffes that make “Envelope-Gate” look tame — including the time that an Oscar statuette was stolen right from the stage! — and the disasters that occasionally delayed the broadcast. There’s also the tragic tale of a veteran actor who was forced to sell his trophy to pay for his wife’d medical costs (or take a cruise…), the time Tom Hanks accidentally outed his teacher at the Oscars (or did he…?), and the Oscar nominee who was wanted by police for the theft of tens of thousands of library books! Egyptian curses, David Bowie’s preferred cologne, and the sad death of Disney child star Bobby Driscoll also get a mention for some reason, as does Jordan’s office break-room photoshoot with Taylor Swift and his unholy hatred of Richard Gere. He also (briefly!) quizzes his beloved co-host about assorted Oscars milestones and discusses his dream-fulfilling trip to the ceremony a few years back — which was nowhere near as interesting as the time the 'South Park' creators went after donning drag and dropping acid. The jury’s still out on how the Academy Award received its better-known nickname of “Oscar,” but that’s pretty much the only fact they WEREN’T able to track down. Strap in, because these two are going until the wrap-it-up music finally drowns them out. Support your friendly neighborhood TMI Guys here! https://ko-fi.com/toomuchinformationpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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2:52:11
Tom Waits' 'Bone Machine': Everything You Didn't Know
Jordan and Alex rev up their clank-boom-skronk engine and clatter their way into the junkyard for a trip to the heart of Tom Waits’ asthmatic doomer trip 'Bone Machine'! After a brief discussion of Waits’ career up to that point, including his early association with LA’s Troubadour-based Mellow Mafia, they’ll jaws-of-life their way into the album’s rusted center, from figuring out exactly which field recording of Pygmy drumming inspired the opening cut to the precise nature of the chicken-ranch storage room the album was tracked in. They’ll run down every Easter egg in the lyrics, from Tony Franciosa to Oldsmobiles, and identify minutiae from the flea-market piece of music gear Waits got repaired at a TV shop to the details of how Tom met Keef (Richards, that is.) It’s Too Much Information: *incomprehensible gargling bellows*! Support your friendly neighborhood TMI Guys here! https://ko-fi.com/toomuchinformationpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
'Too Much Information' is a new iHeartRadio podcast that gives you the secret history, behind-the-scenes details and little-known fascinating facts about your favorite movies, music, TV shows and more. The series is brought to you by two trivia titans with too much free time. Jordan Runtagh and Alex Heigl are big-time pop culture nerds and longtime listicle writers who've worked at Rolling Stone, People, Entertainment Weekly, VH1, and Page Six. Now they're let off the leash and ready to dive deep into a different beloved entertainment classic three times a week. Get ready for everything you never knew about 'Rugrats,' 'Hook,' "Dancing Queen," Sonic the Hedgehog, 'Jeopardy,' 'Top Gun,' 'Jagged Little Pill'...The list goes on, and so will these guys. But in a good way. Promise.
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