Couverture de Make Me A Nerd with Mandy Kaplan

Make Me A Nerd with Mandy Kaplan

Make Me A Nerd with Mandy Kaplan

De : TruStory FM
Écouter gratuitement

Offres de saison | 0,99 € par mois pendant les 3 premiers mois

5,99 €/mois par la suite. Des conditions s’appliquent. Annulation mensuelle possible.
Hey folks. Mandy Kaplan here. I’d like to share a bit about my intentions and mission for MMAN if you’ll indulge me. You will? Huzzah!

Look, I am a lot of things. I’m a writer, actress, mother, and lover of musicals and cats, but NOT Cats, The Musical. Give me a little bit of credit, would ya? So...throughout my life, I’ve been surrounded (and intrigued) by all things nerd. A sister who plays D&D, a Star Wars-obsessed husband, friends who love anime, comic books, video games, and...well, you get the picture. Somehow, I have always held it all at arm's length. Not to get too deep, but maybe I never thought I was smart enough to follow it. Or maybe I have control issues and have never been able to embrace fantastical things like dragons and time travel. Until now!

So, with an open mind and heart, I am ready to join this massive (and beautifully inclusive) club and GEEK THE #%$ OUT! It’s time for all my wonderfully strange friends to baptize me into NERD-DOM. Please join me on this journey. Who knows? Maybe you’ll discover or remember a side of yourself along the way. Or at least make fun of me as I try!© TruStory FM Art Sciences sociales
Épisodes
  • Stargate with Jonny Lee Jr. • Ancient Aliens, but More Fun

    Stargate with Jonny Lee Jr. • Ancient Aliens, but More Fun
    Oct 19 2026
    Until this week, Mandy Kaplan did not know the word "Stargate" existed. Not the 1994 movie, not the ten seasons of television that followed, not the conventions full of people who can spell Goa'uld on the first try. (She has also never seen an Avengers movie, and she would like that noted as a point of pride.) Fortunately, Jonny Lee Jr. was nine when the film came out, bought it on VHS and then again on DVD, and owns the complete box set of the series, which makes him about the most qualified tour guide you could ask for on a trip through an ancient Egyptian wormhole.Mandy, being Mandy, arrives with theories. Stargate, she argues, is The Wizard of Oz with better pyramids, and she has a He-Man episode to back it up. She also spots a Sesame Street icon wandering the dunes and takes the film's biggest emotional line to task for ending in a preposition. Jonny, meanwhile, has the job of explaining parasitic worm-gods to a woman whose only professed interest in worms is the tape variety. (He handles it with grace.) Somewhere between the Snuffleupagus sighting and the high school teacher who sued over his screenplay, he makes a real case for why Stargate is the gateway for people who swear they don't like sci-fi: it was never really about the technology. Press play.Guest SpotlightJonny Lee Jr. is an actor and singer, a performer in Mandy's long-running Los Angeles cabaret Miscast: Right Singer, Wrong Song, and one of Make Me a Nerd's original guests. He has already walked Mandy through Zelda, Sailor Moon, and Anne Rice's vampires. This time he brings his number-one sci-fi movie, the one he found as an elementary schooler obsessed with Egyptian and Greek mythology and couldn't believe someone had made. He's seen it six or seven times and watched the TV series through three times over.Instagram: @jonnyleejrOn TruStory FM: All of Jonny's episodesSee him live: Jonny joins Mandy for the 49th Miscast: Right Singer, Wrong Song on Sunday, November 8, at 7:30 PM at The Pico in Los Angeles.Reference LinksThe MovieStargate (1994) — LetterboxdStargate (film) — Wikipedia. Production history, the lawsuit, and the box office run.The Stargate score by David Arnold — YouTube Music. The opening credits music Mandy couldn't stop talking about.The FranchiseStargate SG-1 — Wikipedia. Ten seasons, starting on Showtime in 1997.Stargate Atlantis — WikipediaStargate Universe — WikipediaMythology of Stargate — Wikipedia. Where to read up on the Goa'uld, the parasitic worm-gods Jonny explains.The Movie's Cast and CrewKurt Russell — Colonel Jack O'NeilJames Spader — Dr. Daniel JacksonJaye Davidson — RaDjimon Hounsou — Horus, Ra's guardFrench Stewart — Lt. Louis FerrettiRichard Kind — Dr. Gary MeyersRoland Emmerich — director and co-writerThe Series' Cast and CreatorsRichard Dean Anderson — Jack O'Neill on SG-1Michael Shanks — Daniel Jackson on SG-1, and per Jonny, the hotter DanielBrad Wright — SG-1 co-creatorJonathan Glassner — SG-1 co-creator, and the "somebody else" Jonny was reaching forReal-World Rabbit HolesThe Stargate Project — Wikipedia. The U.S. Army's psychic-spying program Jonny remembered.Strategic Defense Initiative — Wikipedia. Reagan's "Star Wars."Ancient astronauts — Wikipedia. The pyramids-built-by-aliens idea that predates the movie.Mask of Tutankhamun — Wikipedia. The inspiration Jonny sees in Ra's retracting helmet.Also MentionedThe Crying Game (1992) — Letterboxd. Mandy's homework assignment for Jonny.Interview with the Vampire (1994) — Letterboxd. The film that knocked Stargate off the top of the box office.The Wizard of Oz (1939) — LetterboxdMasters of the Universe (1987) — LetterboxdSphere (1998) — LetterboxdLabyrinth (1986) — LetterboxdThe Da Vinci Code (2006) — LetterboxdThe Breakfast Club (1985) — Letterboxd. The first assignment in Jonny's reverse Make Me a Nerd.Schindler's List (1993) — LetterboxdAvengers: Age of Ultron (2015) — Letterboxd. Spader as Ultron, unseen by Mandy.Indiana Jones — WikipediaMr. Snuffleupagus — WikipediaJohn Hughes — WikipediaRicky Schroder — Wikipedi...
    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    43 min
  • The Rocky Horror Picture Show with Matthew Fox

    The Rocky Horror Picture Show with Matthew Fox
    Oct 12 2026
    The whole premise of Make Me a Nerd is that Mandy has never seen the thing. Matthew Fox arrives to honor the late Tim Curry with a movie he has attended dozens of times and, by their own count, watched all the way to the ending exactly twice (the back row of a midnight screening has other priorities), only to learn that Mandy was once in it, onstage in New Hampshire, as an emergency replacement Columbia with about four hours of rehearsal and a group of audience members who had prepared a special welcome for the new girl. She also ended up dating Riff Raff. Matthew's first thought is for Magenta.From there we present a generous conversation about a movie both of them freely admit is not good. Matthew explains why a big, hairy, bear-shaped Meat Loaf was the closest thing they had to a role model, and how a midnight crowd in fishnets helped them figure out who they were. Mandy tests the theory of camp she picked up on the Mommie Dearestepisode against Joel Schumacher's Batman movies (the ones with the nipples), and the two of them work through the parts of Rocky Horror, and of Richard O'Brien, that haven't aged well. Along the way, Susan Sarandon refuses to acknowledge the movie exists in front of Matthew's high school, and Mandy treats a mild remark about Steve Martin's looks as an act of treason. Press play.Guest SpotlightMatthew Fox, known online as The Ethical Panda, hosts Superhero Ethics and Star Wars Generations on TruStory FM. They are also one of this season's hosts of Marvel Movie Minute, which is working through Captain America: The Winter Soldier. They find the ethical dilemmas hiding in genre media, and he spent a good part of the '90s at midnight Rocky Horror screenings without seeing the ending. Star Wars Generations returns in January alongside Ahsoka season two. This is their fourth Make Me a Nerd appearance, after The Orville, The Penguin, and The Last of Us.Website: theethicalpanda.comInstagram: @theethicalpandapodcastsBluesky: @theethicalpanda.bsky.socialYouTube: @TheEthicalPandaPodcastsFacebook: The Ethical PandaReference LinksThe FilmThe Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)The Rocky Horror Show — the 1973 London stage musical it came fromStrange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror (2025) — Linus O'Brien's documentary, the one that sent Mandy and Matthew back to the movieStrange Journey official siteDr. Frank-N-FurterThe Cast & CreatorsTim Curry — Frank-N-Furter, who decided the doctor should sound like the QueenRichard O'Brien — creator, writer, and Riff RaffSusan Sarandon — JanetBarry Bostwick — Brad, in heels, with gustoMeat Loaf — Eddie, and Matthew's role modelPatricia Quinn — MagentaNell Campbell — ColumbiaJim Sharman — directorTrixie Mattel and Jack Black — fans who appear in Strange JourneyThe Frank-N-Furters (and Brad) That Weren'tMick Jagger, David Bowie, and Lou ReedSteve Martin — auditioned for Brad. Mandy will hear no criticism.The Songs"Time Warp" — the eighth-grade dance, pelvic thrust and all"Sweet Transvestite""Hot Patootie – Bless My Soul" — Meat Loaf's number"Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch Me" — Janet, no longer pushing anyone's hands awayBat Out of Hell (1977) — the album that came after EddieFilms & Shows MentionedClue (1985) — Tim Curry, rain, a mysterious house, strangers at the doorLabyrinth (1986)Legend (1985)The Hunt for Red October (1990) — Matthew's first Tim CurryDead Man Walking (1995)Showgirls (1995)Mommie Dearest (1981)Plan 9 from Outer Space (1957)Batman Forever (1995) and Batman & Robin (1997)The Lego Batman Movie (2017)Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog (2008)Nine to Five (1980)Rocky III (1982) — the other Rocky, brieflyMyst...
    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    46 min
  • Werecats and Beignets: Scooby Doo on Zombie Island with Journie Ma-Johnson

    Werecats and Beignets: Scooby Doo on Zombie Island with Journie Ma-Johnson
    Oct 5 2026
    In 1998, Hanna-Barbera handed a direct-to-video Scooby-Doo movie to a crew of veterans and then, by all accounts, forgot to supervise them. The crew used that freedom to do the one thing thirty years of Scooby-Doo had solemnly promised would never happen: they made the monsters real. Mandy came for the nostalgia — Saturday morning, cereal, the little kitchen TV dragged into the living room — and left having audibly gasped at a cartoon aimed at six-year-olds.Her guide is Journie Ma-Johnson, an actress and vocal coach whose nerd credentials include a weekly D&D campaign run in a room with a fog machine, a competitive Super Smash Bros. Melee career, and a hand-built light-up wig. Together they get into the werecats, the lovingly painted Southern Gothic backgrounds, whether Fred and Daphne were ever actually a couple, and the question Mandy asks with the directness of a woman who has waited fifty years for an answer: what exactly is going on with Shaggy? Press play.Guest SpotlightJournie Ma-Johnson — actress, singer, and vocal coach. Musical theater background, training from New York Vocal Coaching, and a teaching practice built around bringing acting technique into vocal work. Off the clock: weekly Dungeons & Dragons, cosplay (including a light-up Ember wig from Danny Phantom and the Soup Faerie from Neopets), retired competitive Melee, and a deep, defensible love of Scooby-Doo.Journie Johnson Voice — vocal coachingAbout / bookingReference LinksFilmsScooby-Doo on Zombie Island (1998)Scooby-Doo! Return to Zombie Island (2019)The Babadook (2014)Interview with the Vampire (1994)Role Models (2008)The Princess and the Frog (2009)Scooby-Doo CanonScooby-Doo on Zombie Island — production historyScooby-Doo! and the Witch's Ghost (1999)The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo (1985)A Pup Named Scooby-Doo (1988–1991)What's New, Scooby-Doo? (2002–2006)Trick or Treat Scooby-Doo! (2022)Scooby-Doo! and Kiss: Rock and Roll Mystery (2015)Scoobynatural — Supernatural S13E16 (2018)The Hex GirlsMook Animation — the Japanese studio Journie clockedPeopleFrank WelkerMark HamillCasey KasemTara StrongKen JeongAnansiMusic"It's Terror Time Again" — SkycycleSkycycleThird Eye BlindAlso MentionedSuper Smash Bros. MeleeDanny PhantomJem (TV series)Ghost HuntersThe Blair Witch ProjectTruStory FM Cross-PromosThe Babadook-dook-dook with Tommy Metz IIISensual Creatures: Vampires, Frilly Shirts, and Interview with a Vampire with Jonny Lee Jr.Fact-Check Corner"The first feature-length Scooby-Doo movie." Journie hedges this correctly. Several feature-length Scooby-Doo TV movies preceded it in the late eighties, including Scooby-Doo and the Ghoul School. Zombie Island was the first direct-to-video feature.The Supernatural crossover. "Scoobynatural" is an episode of Supernatural — season 13, episode 16, aired March 29, 2018 — not a standalone animated movie. Frank Welker, Matthew Lillard, Grey Griffin, and Kate Micucci voice the Scooby cast in it.Velma's girlfriend. Velma's crush on Coco Diablo happens in the 2022 direct-to-video film Trick or Treat Scooby-Doo!, not a series.Casey Kasem and the vegetarian clause. Journie has the mechanism right, but it started with this film. Kasem was originally set to reprise Shaggy for Zombie Island and demanded the character go vegetarian; the crew declined and cast Billy West. Kasem did return as Shaggy — vegetarian — for What's New, Scooby-Doo? in 2002."Fred was flirting with Tara Strong." Tara Strong (credited as Tara Charendoff) is the voice actor; the character Fred flirts with is Lena Dupree. Third Eye Blind. They performed the title track, a cover of "Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!" Skycycle did "It's Terror Time Again" and "The Ghost Is Here."The Hex Girls' lead singer. Thorn describes herself as "one-sixteenth Wiccan on my mother's side" rather than simply pagan. The eco-goth framing is accurate and, yes, extremely 1999.Make Me a Nerd is a production of TruStory FM. Engineering by Pete Wright. Theme song: "Wonderstruck" by Jane and the Boy.Find Mandy on Instagram at @Mandy_Kaplan_Klavens and on TikTok at @MandyMiscast.Leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts and write something — Mandy will give you a shout-out, and it helps more people find the show.Want episodes early and ad-free? Join at makemeanerd.com/join. ---Learn more about supporting this podcast by becoming a member. It's just $5/month or $55/year. Visit our website to learn more.
    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    40 min
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1
Aucun commentaire pour le moment