Old Roommates
Do our favorite movies and tv shows hold up as we get older? We change, but do they? And, does nostalgia beat quality? Join best friends, pop-culture junkies, and yes, old roommates, Brian Masefield and Christina Walsh as they experience old loves from the 70s, 80s and 90s all over again. Old Roommates is the only weekly podcast that revisits pop culture…through a middle-aged lens. Follow Old Roommates on Facebook, and @oldroommates on Twitter and Instagram.
Episodes
September 28, 2021 • 54 min
Two minutes. That’s all the Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks get to share in the 1993 movie, “Sleepless in Seattle.” Yes, the Nora Ephron film put its audiences through some very non-rom-com experiments, including a rather morbid beginning (“Mommy got sick...”), a sorta-selfish leading lady, and a soundtrack filled with old-people music. And yet, it worked. The box office blockbuster remains in the hearts of many. Now, almost 30 years later,...
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September 21, 2021 • 68 min
Staying gold is hard enough for the average person, but for the crime-entwined characters of Francis Ford Coppola’s 1983 “The Outsiders,” it seems near impossible. Featuring a cast of young hotties, the movie was a springboard into total movie stardom for many. Matt Dillon, Patrick Swayze, and Tom Cruise are just some of the notable “Greasers” featured in this beloved, based-on-a-book drama.
Now, decades later, do the gang-related ...
Now, decades later, do the gang-related ...
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September 14, 2021 • 95 min
Damn, damn, damn. The shocking death of James Evans’ on Good Times gave an entire generation pop-culture PTSD. A strong, beloved character is suddenly never seen again – and his demise is communicated in a telegram. From post-funeral dance parties to broken punch bowls, the sitcom’s handling of the John Amos character’s death was a whirlwind of emotion back in the 1970’s.
Decades later, have we all moved on? Is 30-minutes enough tim...
Decades later, have we all moved on? Is 30-minutes enough tim...
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September 7, 2021 • 41 min
"The blonde leading the blonde," hailed the movie poster for 1997's "Romy and Michele's High School Reunion." The ditz-driven comedy features the enduring friendship of its titular characters. And, though the R-rating may've kept some away, the buddy comedy's life on VHS/DVD gained it a ton of new fans, birthed a top-selling soundtrack, and inspired many Halloween costumes. Decades later, is the rewa...
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August 31, 2021 • 65 min
Arnold Schwarzenegger bared all, killed all, and uttered an iconic line ("I'll be back.") in the original "The Terminator." Yes, James Cameron's 1984 thriller was a little $6M movie with one huge star in the making. But, 37 years later, does the movie still shine as bright? Now that Ahhhnold's an icon, does he still scare? Now that CGI is the norm, do the SFX still thrill? And, is Linda Hamilton's fi...
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August 24, 2021 • 64 min
Tess McGill was a trailblazer, a go-getter and a ... baby-voiced fraud? Audiences and critics
swooned over 1987’s Working Girl. Featuring a top-notch cast and a smart script, the movie had
a head for business, a plot of sins, and a heart of gold. Decades later, is the big business rom-
com a bit too breezy? Is Jack Trainer a nice guy, or just a two-timing flirt with a small bed? And,
is $6,000 too much to spend on a non-leather dress? ...
swooned over 1987’s Working Girl. Featuring a top-notch cast and a smart script, the movie had
a head for business, a plot of sins, and a heart of gold. Decades later, is the big business rom-
com a bit too breezy? Is Jack Trainer a nice guy, or just a two-timing flirt with a small bed? And,
is $6,000 too much to spend on a non-leather dress? ...
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August 17, 2021 • 38 min
That cast! Malkovich. Close. Pfeiffer. And, um, Keanu? Yes, the 1988 film had quite the troupe
of actors and a seriously snarky script. Based on a book written in 1782, the movie Dangerous
Liaisons featured bored, horny characters hellbent on revenge, sex games, and ruining
reputations – which worked nicely in the me-first 1980s. Now, decades later, are we bored? Is
the sex sexy? And how long should one wait to say, “I love you” in a p...
of actors and a seriously snarky script. Based on a book written in 1782, the movie Dangerous
Liaisons featured bored, horny characters hellbent on revenge, sex games, and ruining
reputations – which worked nicely in the me-first 1980s. Now, decades later, are we bored? Is
the sex sexy? And how long should one wait to say, “I love you” in a p...
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August 10, 2021 • 57 min
“Do I hear singing in here?” Moviegoers definitely got their share of songs in the 1982 movie
musical, “Annie”... but critics didn’t sing its praises. But now, 40 years later, was the film as
misunderstood as Miss Hannigan? The movie boasted a world-class director (John Huston), a
dazzling cast (Carol Burnett, Albert Finney), and a beloved lead character with a built-in fan
base. Upon rewatch, does Aileen Quinn amaze or annoy? What are...
musical, “Annie”... but critics didn’t sing its praises. But now, 40 years later, was the film as
misunderstood as Miss Hannigan? The movie boasted a world-class director (John Huston), a
dazzling cast (Carol Burnett, Albert Finney), and a beloved lead character with a built-in fan
base. Upon rewatch, does Aileen Quinn amaze or annoy? What are...
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August 3, 2021 • 99 min
Plus: Our first-ever “Roomie Awards,” where we honor the last year of revisits in a variety of
categories. Who’ll win Worst Movie Driver? Best Accent? Most Nostalgic Revisit? Tune in to find
out. But first, we dig into our email bag and answer listeners’ questions and reflect on the last
year of Old Roommates. What did we learn? What made us laugh? What stressed us out? Join
Brian and Christina as they blow out two pop culture candles ...
categories. Who’ll win Worst Movie Driver? Best Accent? Most Nostalgic Revisit? Tune in to find
out. But first, we dig into our email bag and answer listeners’ questions and reflect on the last
year of Old Roommates. What did we learn? What made us laugh? What stressed us out? Join
Brian and Christina as they blow out two pop culture candles ...
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July 27, 2021 • 62 min
“I see dead people.” The quote that put M. Night Shyamalan on the movie map. “The Sixth
Sense” became a box off smash, a critics’ darling, and a multi-Oscar nominee (including nods for
Haley Joel Osment and Toni Collette) in 1999. It got everyone ‘not’ talking about it in fear of
spoiling the film’s surprises. But, now that all the cats are out of the blockbuster’s bag, does the
film still spook? Does Bruce Willis’ post-Sense persona s...
Sense” became a box off smash, a critics’ darling, and a multi-Oscar nominee (including nods for
Haley Joel Osment and Toni Collette) in 1999. It got everyone ‘not’ talking about it in fear of
spoiling the film’s surprises. But, now that all the cats are out of the blockbuster’s bag, does the
film still spook? Does Bruce Willis’ post-Sense persona s...
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July 20, 2021 • 44 min
Would she go down on him in a theater? Is irony like rain on your wedding day? Does she speak
eloquently? Yes, Alanis Morissette asked a lot of hard-hitting questions back in the mid-1990s.
Decades later, we still don’t seem to have clear cut answers. What is ironic? Why obscure a new
pop star’s face in her big debut? And what’s with that blue shirt in the suitcase? Get ready to
take a couple of shallow dives into the music videos for ...
eloquently? Yes, Alanis Morissette asked a lot of hard-hitting questions back in the mid-1990s.
Decades later, we still don’t seem to have clear cut answers. What is ironic? Why obscure a new
pop star’s face in her big debut? And what’s with that blue shirt in the suitcase? Get ready to
take a couple of shallow dives into the music videos for ...
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July 13, 2021 • 55 min
Tony and Tia: Precocious alien youngsters or cold-blooded juvenile witches? Back in 1975, kids
and critics were charmed (and probably a bit scared) by Walt Disney’s sci-fi adventure, “Escape
to Witch Mountain.” The fantasy film features children in jeopardy, devious bald men and one
orphanage-based bully who doesn’t know when to quit. Now, over 45 years later, does the
franchise-starting original still cast a spell or, much like Tia an...
and critics were charmed (and probably a bit scared) by Walt Disney’s sci-fi adventure, “Escape
to Witch Mountain.” The fantasy film features children in jeopardy, devious bald men and one
orphanage-based bully who doesn’t know when to quit. Now, over 45 years later, does the
franchise-starting original still cast a spell or, much like Tia an...
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July 6, 2021 • 39 min
What do Demi Moore and Bobcat Goldthwait have in common? If you guessed the 1986
comedy “One Crazy Summer” ...then we should’ve made that question more challenging. But
then again, the John Cusack film raises so many questions. Is throwing a bunch of money into
the air the only way to escape a biker gang? Is this movie just a low-stakes version of “Better
Off Dead”? And, how many lobsters were hurt making this thing? The Old Roommates ...
comedy “One Crazy Summer” ...then we should’ve made that question more challenging. But
then again, the John Cusack film raises so many questions. Is throwing a bunch of money into
the air the only way to escape a biker gang? Is this movie just a low-stakes version of “Better
Off Dead”? And, how many lobsters were hurt making this thing? The Old Roommates ...
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June 29, 2021 • 71 min
Towanda! People everywhere lined up for tickets to the 1991 film, “Fried Green Tomatoes.” A
tale of friendship, memory and inner strength, “Tomatoes” delivered tears and laughter, and
brought in over $100 million at the box office. The film was also one of the few to ever focus on
a potentially lesbian love story. Or was it just ... friendship? Mary Stuart Masterson and Mary
Louise Parker had the chemistry, but were LGBTQ+ audience...
tale of friendship, memory and inner strength, “Tomatoes” delivered tears and laughter, and
brought in over $100 million at the box office. The film was also one of the few to ever focus on
a potentially lesbian love story. Or was it just ... friendship? Mary Stuart Masterson and Mary
Louise Parker had the chemistry, but were LGBTQ+ audience...
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June 22, 2021 • 47 min
PG? “Jaws” is PG. How was “Jaws” PG? The little $9M Steven Spielberg behemoth featured side
boob, severed legs, and a disemboweled sea captain. But decades later, would its maritime
massacres only justify a PG-13 rating? Could the fake shark stay afloat against today’s CGI
terror? And, what is Robert Shaw even doing in this thing? The Old Roommates pop open some
Narragansetts and dive in for a rewatch. Listen to this.
Follow Old Roommat...
boob, severed legs, and a disemboweled sea captain. But decades later, would its maritime
massacres only justify a PG-13 rating? Could the fake shark stay afloat against today’s CGI
terror? And, what is Robert Shaw even doing in this thing? The Old Roommates pop open some
Narragansetts and dive in for a rewatch. Listen to this.
Follow Old Roommat...
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June 15, 2021 • 97 min
Our 100th episode! Brian & Christina rewatch seasons 1 and 2 of Will & Grace. The 1998
groundbreaking sitcom starred Debra Messing, Eric McCormack, Sean Hayes, Megan Mullally
and guest stars galore, including Gregory Hines and Debbie Reynolds. The show was fresh,
funny, and topical...but decades later, do the topics hold up? Are the laughs kinda...gay? Not
gay enough? And, why is everyone so mean to Grace? The Old Roommates don...
groundbreaking sitcom starred Debra Messing, Eric McCormack, Sean Hayes, Megan Mullally
and guest stars galore, including Gregory Hines and Debbie Reynolds. The show was fresh,
funny, and topical...but decades later, do the topics hold up? Are the laughs kinda...gay? Not
gay enough? And, why is everyone so mean to Grace? The Old Roommates don...
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June 8, 2021 • 73 min
Holy smoke! Once again, Kurt Russell looks hot in a white tank top. Yes, 1991’s “Backdraft” had
a lot going for it: William Baldwin, Donald Sutherland, Robert DeNiro, Rebecca De Mornay, and
some fabulous fire footage. The Ron Howard blockbuster was an ode to firefighters and
(ultimately) an Oscar nominee. Decades later, do the fires of fandom rage on? Does the cast still
crackle? And, has a fire ever looked anyone in the eyes? The Old ...
a lot going for it: William Baldwin, Donald Sutherland, Robert DeNiro, Rebecca De Mornay, and
some fabulous fire footage. The Ron Howard blockbuster was an ode to firefighters and
(ultimately) an Oscar nominee. Decades later, do the fires of fandom rage on? Does the cast still
crackle? And, has a fire ever looked anyone in the eyes? The Old ...
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June 1, 2021 • 51 min
“Effie, brace yourself.” Audiences prepared for the impact of a hairy man in full grandma drag,
and kept coming back for more. 1993’s “Mrs. Doubtfire” was a big hit with critics and
moviegoers alike, somehow swirling laughs throughout a story of marital separation and child
custody. Decades later, does its heart still feel like it’s in the right place? Would you support a
Robin Williams and Sally Field reconciliation? And, what’s the g...
and kept coming back for more. 1993’s “Mrs. Doubtfire” was a big hit with critics and
moviegoers alike, somehow swirling laughs throughout a story of marital separation and child
custody. Decades later, does its heart still feel like it’s in the right place? Would you support a
Robin Williams and Sally Field reconciliation? And, what’s the g...
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May 25, 2021 • 31 min
Singer. Ceiling dancer. Inappropriate college professor? Lionel Richie broke the music video
mold with “Hello” and “Dancing on the Ceiling” in the mid-1980s. The songs remain classics, but
what about the videos? From pursuing a female student to wearing red to a black & white
party, Richie’s faux pas are on full display. Can his charisma have us see past his stalking of a
vision-impaired woman? Can Rodney Dangerfield’s humor still...
mold with “Hello” and “Dancing on the Ceiling” in the mid-1980s. The songs remain classics, but
what about the videos? From pursuing a female student to wearing red to a black & white
party, Richie’s faux pas are on full display. Can his charisma have us see past his stalking of a
vision-impaired woman? Can Rodney Dangerfield’s humor still...
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May 18, 2021 • 59 min
Brian met Drew Barrymore several times...19 years ago. And we’ll get to those dazzling
meetings after the Old Roommates discuss their re-watch of 1998 film, “Ever After”. The
Renaissance-era spin of the classic story enchanted audiences with its pitch perfect storytelling,
its post-feminist take, and a bundle of charming performances. Decades later, can we still
believe in fairy tales? Does Angelica Huston elevate everything she’s in? ...
meetings after the Old Roommates discuss their re-watch of 1998 film, “Ever After”. The
Renaissance-era spin of the classic story enchanted audiences with its pitch perfect storytelling,
its post-feminist take, and a bundle of charming performances. Decades later, can we still
believe in fairy tales? Does Angelica Huston elevate everything she’s in? ...
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