Make Me A Nerd with Mandy Kaplan

What happens when fear isn’t just in the shadows, but in the walls of your own home? When the weight of loss becomes a creature you can see, hear, and—perhaps worst of all—cannot escape?

This week, Mandy invites filmmaker, podcaster, and friend Tommy Metz III back to unpack one of the most unsettling films of the last decade: The Babadook.

Mandy and Tommy explore the architecture of horror itself, evaluating how Jennifer Kent’s 2014 cult classic reshaped the genre. From the film’s muted color palette to its sound design, they unpack how the movie doesn’t just tell a bedtime story—it feels like one.

What if the Babadook isn’t just a monster, but an author, a symbol of a mother’s unresolved trauma? Tommy presents a theory that might just make you rethink every frame of the film, complete with exhibits and photographic evidence. Mandy recounts her own nightmares, her love-hate relationship with creepy children’s books, and her newfound obsession with the film’s unsettling layers.

And what about this for unexpected twists: How did a shadowy, top-hat-wearing figure become a queer icon? Yes, you read that right. The Babadook’s journey from psychological horror to internet meme is a subplot worthy of its own deep dive.

Links & Notes

• Find Tommy on All The Feelings
• The Babadook on streaming platforms
• Photos referenced during the episode

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Do you remember a time when David Bowie’s pants were tighter than your schedule, owls were CGI nightmares, and puppets had a suspicious amount of emotional range? No? WELL, YOU’RE IN FOR A TREAT. Because this week, Mandy steps right into the sparkly, slightly confusing fever dream that is Labyrinth. And she does so with none other than fan-favorite, tattoo-wearing, La Croix-powered 80s movie expert Krissy Lenz.

Yes, Krissy is back, and she’s brought the power of voodoo (who do? SHE DO.) along with enough trivia and nostalgia to flood the Goblin City. Together, Mandy and Krissy explore everything from Jennifer Connelly’s “emotionally lasagna” acting to the unsettling truth about baby Toby’s stripes (fashion crime? Or subtle form of goblin-initiated Stockholm syndrome?).

They break down why Labyrinth flopped harder than a toddler on a trampoline, only to rise from the VHS ashes like a glitter-dusted phoenix of cult status. We talk peach-induced amnesia, helping hands that are, frankly, too helpful, and why Ludo is the emotional support monster we all need. And in the greatest mind-meld since Vulcans became a thing, Mandy and Krissy simultaneously declare Lady Gaga as the only possible heir to the Goblin King throne. Bowie would approve. Probably.

Also on tap: the terrifying truth about The Dark Crystal, the trauma of ‘80s puppet animation, and Mandy’s theory that Sir Didymus is somehow a Gonzo cousin on a gap year.

Links & Notes

• 🎧 The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast
• 🍸 Gank That Drink: A Supernatural Drinking Game Podcast
• 🌐 Join our Nerds at makemeanerd.com
• 📸 Follow Mandy on Instagram: @mandy_kaplan_klavens
• 🐦 Find Mandy on Bluesky: @MandyMiscast
• 🐦 Find Krissy on Bluesky: @KrissyLenz

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This week on Make Me A Nerd, Mandy goes deep into the bewitching woods of "Agatha All Along," a spin-off of the already perplexing "WandaVision." To help her grapple with the show's unique narrative structure, its blend of sitcom tropes and supernatural intrigue, and its connection to the broader tapestry of the MCU she’s got her new best Marvel friend, Matt Cole from the Debate This! Podcast!

They dissect the lingering effects of Wanda's hex spell on Agatha Harkness, exploring how it traps her in a cycle of sitcom archetypes, blurring the lines between reality and illusion. They examine the significance of Aubrey Plaza's arrival, questioning her motivations and her connection to Agatha's past. They probe the show's subtle nods to the history of witchcraft, tracing the threads of real-world folklore woven into the fictional narrative.

But the conversation extends beyond the specifics of the plot. They unpack the challenges of adapting complex comic book lore for the screen, the delicate balance between fan service and accessibility, and the tendency of superhero narratives to recycle familiar tropes. They question the effectiveness of exposition-heavy recaps and primers, arguing that sometimes, a surface-level engagement can be more rewarding than a deep dive into obscure trivia.

Ultimately, this episode is about the inherent human desire to make sense of complex narratives, to find connection in shared experiences, and to laugh at the absurdity of it all. It’s an exploration of the joys and frustrations of fandom, the tension between casual viewing and obsessive analysis, and the realization that even in the most fantastical worlds, the human element remains at the core. So, join coven as they unravel the mysteries of Agatha, navigating the convoluted corridors of the MCU with a mix of curiosity, skepticism, and a healthy appreciation for the weird.

Links & Notes

• Debate This!
• Avenge This!
• Bahnfyre PR

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Welcome to the show, everybody! In this very special episode of Make Me a Nerd, Mandy Kaplan sits down with Bruce Vilanch—Emmy-winning writer, cultural historian of kitsch, and the man behind some of the strangest, most infamous moments in television history. You may know him as the guy who put Bea Arthur in a space cantina or paired Paul Lynde with KISS on national TV, but there’s so much more to Bruce’s story.

Together, they dive headfirst into the murky glitter of The Star Wars Holiday Special, exploring its Wookiee problem (they don’t talk, dance, or sing), its sultry Diane Carroll fever dream, and the fact that Life Day was somehow born from this madness. Bruce offers behind-the-scenes stories of writing for characters who don’t speak, persuading Art Carney into a deep V-neck, and navigating George Lucas’s peculiar brand of control. And yes, there’s a lot of love for Bea Arthur.

But it doesn’t stop at Star Wars. Bruce reflects on his Broadway turn as Edna Turnblad in Hairspray, his doomed but delightful musical Platinum, and the strange power of camp television to unify audiences in an era before narrowcasting. He’s candid about working with legends (and some disasters), about walking the line between comedy and cruelty on awards shows, and about why he finally wrote a book about all of it: It Seemed Like a Bad Idea at the Time.

This episode is a love letter to nerds of all stripes—musical theater nerds, comedy nerds, pop culture archivists—and an essential listen for anyone who ever found beauty in a bad idea done well (or at least weird). Bruce Vilanch doesn’t just tell stories—he is a story.

🛒 Links & References:

• 🎧 Libro.fm Audiobook Version – narrated by Bruce Vilanch himself
• 📖 Bloomsbury Books – support Mandy’s favorite local shop
• 🖥️ Bruce Vilanch on IMDb
• 🎭 Avenue Q School Edition – yes, it’s real

🎉 Bonus Content Reminder!

Love this episode? There’s more! Join us at makemeanerd.com/join to become a member and unlock bonus content—like Bruce playing rapid-fire word association about his legendary collaborators. Plus, members get early, ad-free access to every episode.

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Learn more about supporting this podcast by becoming a member. It's just $5/month or $55/year. Visit our website to learn more.

What makes a nerd? Is it the obsessive cataloging of obscure details? The unyielding commitment to lore? The passionate embrace of minutiae deemed trivial by the larger world? This week, Mandy the Mainstreamer welcomes back Justine Huxley, a voiceover artist of rarefied skill, a legend among the Apex Legends.

Together, they hit play on The Jungle Book, the 1967 Disney classic, to marvel at the lilting menace of Sterling Holloway’s Ka, the bombastic warmth of Phil Harris’s Baloo, and the aristocratic terror of George Sanders’s Shere Khan. They ask: Were the Beatles really supposed to lend their voices to a quartet of Liverpudlian vultures? And if they had, would it have changed history? What makes something timeless? And what makes it better left alone?

If that question is too big to ponder, don’t worry. Stick around for The Great Recasting!

Links & Notes

• Join the Make Me a Nerd community: MakeMeANerd.com
• Follow Mandy on Instagram: @mandi_kaplin_klavins
• Follow Mandy on BlueSky: @MandyMiscast.bsky.social
• Follow Justine on all platforms: @justinehuxley

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Learn more about supporting this podcast by becoming a member. It's just $5/month or $55/year. Visit our website to learn more.