RomCom Killjoys

As part of our ongoing series on Bridgerton, Eliza and Jonelle take a deep dive into how Bridgerton portrays (and glosses over) racial and/or cultural difference. Your hosts tread lightly into the difference between American and British representation; color conscious and color blind casting; and why it's weird that anyone thinks people of color didn't exist in early modern England. Support the show

4/14/22 • 52:04

Spoilers abound, dear listeners ... Eliza and Jonelle (finally) tackle Regency juggernaut Bridgerton (2020-Present). Herein your heroines discuss race and speculative history for the British Empire; the perils of #GirlBoss feminism; and a truly shocking encounter with a bee ... don't tell the mamas ... Support the show

3/31/22 • 52:55

Our Regency Romance series continues as Eliza is joined by special guest Kelsey Fast to discuss Emma (2020), including the relative hotness of Mr. Knightley; the particular perspective of our middle-aged authoress; and why Austen endures.Support the show

3/17/22 • 51:49

Aaaaaaand we're back -- and with a new format! Kicking off our mini-serious on Regency romance is a Pride and Prejudice (1995/2005) double-header. Within we discuss the cinematic language of mise-en-scene; romantic leads post-masculinity; and the proto-feminism of Jane Austen. Support the show

3/3/22 • 56:09

Why watch a romcom at Christmas when you could watch the destruction of wood in real time? Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year from your favorite Killjoys. Support the show

12/23/21 • 25:10

Jonelle and Eliza take on simulacra of a simulacra Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star (2021), including forgoing generic norms; forgoing the spirit of Christmas; and the missed opportunity for weird saint relics. Support the show

12/16/21 • 47:27

Jonelle and Eliza tackle Netflix's first queer Christmas romcom Single All the Way (2021), including homonormativity; the benefits of self-aware cliches; and why you should buckle-up along the New Hampshire border.Support the show

12/9/21 • 47:22

Jonelle and Eliza kick off a Very Netflix Christmas with their banner film of the season -- A Castle for Christmas (2021) -- including plausible but fantastical love stories; the underutilization of Cary Elwes; and why we were surprised by Brooke Shields' comedic chops.Support the show

12/2/21 • 41:41

Jonelle and Eliza are joined by special guest Alexandra Huber-Weiss to discuss obvious rom-com Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002), including the challenges of back writing for a prequel; hegemonic love and fascism in the Star Wars universe; and why you are better off falling in love with R2-D2. Support the show

11/18/21 • 50:50

Jonelle and Eliza kick off a month of Rom Coms that are not Rom Coms but are absolutely Rom Coms with our first live, in-person recording! Up for discussion is Addams Family Values (1993) including alternative families; finding your Gomez; and why Anjelica Huston's eyes in the film are otherworldly perfect. Support the show

11/13/21 • 50:01

Jonelle and Eliza tackle Patreon-pick Notting Hill (1999), including the star texts of Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant; how much our perception of fame has changed; and whether charming leads can make up for a milquetoast script. (Yeah, we said it.)Support the show

10/28/21 • 47:51

Jonelle and Eliza discuss the ick factor of Never Been Kissed (1999) including irresponsible representation of student-teacher relationships; why 90s movies hate the popular kids; and the sexualization of teenagers in high school romcoms. Support the show

10/21/21 • 50:16

Happy National Coming Out Day! Jonelle is joined by special guest host Melissa Englander for a discussion of queer cinema classic But I'm A Cheerleader (1999), including the tension between bleak reality and camp satire; femme representation and compulsory heterosexuality; and the most important issue of all -- the movie's iconic soundtrack. For resources on the fight against conversion therapy,  please visit https://bornperfect.org/. Support the show

10/14/21 • 49:45

We burn, we pine, we perish. Jonelle and Eliza throw it all the way back to the last millennium with 10 Things I Hate About You (1999), including 90s feminism and intersectionality; smart adaptations of problematic Shakespeare plays; and why you can't take your eyes off of Heath Ledger. Support the show

10/7/21 • 57:57

Jonelle and Eliza close out Brendan Fraser month by discussing both the original and remake of Bedazzled (1967/2000), including the rise of self-objectification at the turn of the Millennium; uncomfy indentity-based humor; and why actors so often make deals with the devil to make it in Hollywood. Support the show

9/30/21 • 55:10

The Mummy (1999) is a romcom. We will be taking no more questions at this time. Eliza and Jonelle are joined by Jodi McIntyre to discuss this film's undeniable orientalist lens; its chaotic bisexual energy; and jawlines so sharp you could light a match with them. Support the show

9/23/21 • 48:54

This month we celebrate the one and only Himbo King of Hollywood -- Brendan Fraser. Eliza and Jonelle kick it off with personal favorite George of the Jungle (1997), including why the himbo and Brendan Fraser are both making a comeback; the importance of sensual intelligence; and how the second demographic transition is about to make a househusband out of you. Support the show

9/16/21 • 49:19

Jonelle and Eliza discuss Netflix's borefest Love, Guaranteed (2020). Topics include sad spinster tropes, better courtroom dramas, and the existential anxiety spiral of online dating. Support the show

9/2/21 • 48:02

Jonelle and Eliza discuss Gen Z confection The Perfect Date (2019), including finding an identity online; giving up your dreams; and why Michael Jordan has no place in this movie, Support the show

8/26/21 • 42:51

Jonelle and Eliza discuss Must Love Dogs (2005) -- this month's Patreon pick. The conversation covers the Game of love; our changing attitudes about online dating and divorce; and why you have to get Dermot Mulroney out of your backyard. Support the show

8/19/21 • 49:37

*insert vintage dial-up noises here* This month Eliza and Jonelle dive in to the world of online dating, starting with the original -- You've Got Mail (1998). Discussion includes expectations versus reality; New York in Fall; and Tom Hanks making even the worst characters irresistibly charming. Support the show

8/12/21 • 49:37

Pour yourself a large glass of Chardonnay -- you've earned this. Eliza and Jonelle treat themselves to a discussion of The Holiday (2006) including embracing and undermining RomCom stock characters; relationships that end happy for now; and ontology of the f*ckboy. Support the show

7/29/21 • 45:18

By God, it might be finally over. Jonelle and Eliza discuss the final (?) installment of the Christmas Prince series -- The Royal Baby (2019) -- including alternate histories; the representational politics of Penglia; and why this baby movie is somehow not about a baby. Support the show

7/22/21 • 50:53

A Very Pandemic Christmas! Jonelle and Eliza are joined by Mary Ann Aabye to discuss One Royal Holiday (2020) -- filmed during the COVID-19 lockdown -- including unflattering costume design; wasting legendary Broadway talent; and if they are in Connecticut ... who is watching Galwick??Support the show

7/15/21 • 46:41

Christmas in July keeps going ... and going ... Jonelle and Eliza discuss A Princess for Christmas (2011), including Sam Heughan looking good and being nice to children; why there is usually a pesky girlfriend in the way; and the shocking reason why Romania has been canceled! Support the show

7/8/21 • 40:09

Jonelle and Eliza stare into the void and the void stares back. And by the void, we mean the Netflix Christmas Cinematic Universe's own Princess Switch series. Merry Christmas in July.Support the show

7/1/21 • 46:45

A VERY SPECIAL EPISODE! We break our hiatus to discuss In The Heights (2021) with friend of the show Ian, including representing Latinidad; whether musicals can be adapted for film successfully; and the immortal question: is Anthony Ramos too hot to play Usnavi?Support the show

6/17/21 • 50:38

Fellas, is it gay to go Bunburying? Jonelle and Eliza engage Jeff Gan in some witty repartee on The Importance of Being Earnest (2002) including Victorian gay jokes; reasons to get married; and designated f**king areas. Support the show

5/27/21 • 42:32

Jonelle and Eliza have the misfortune of discussing Bachelorette (2012) with guest Chelsea Lynn, including how to write woman anti-heroes; wild tone problems (tw: suicide, eating disorders, sexual assault); and why playwrights have to make nuanced plays simple for Hollywood. Support the show

5/20/21 • 48:35

Jonelle and Eliza discuss Real Women Have Curves (2002), including  falling in love outside the beauty standard; racism in the theatre industry; and non-descript white boys named ... Zack? ... Tyler? ... Brad?Support the show

5/13/21 • 50:18