Episodes

Jason and Dee roll out the red carpet for one of the most important rock albums of all time as they’re joined by Rush super fans Brad Moore and Tim Epp to celebrate the 45th anniversary of Moving Pictures. Together, they dive deep into the stories behind every classic track—from radio staples to prog-rock masterpieces—breaking down the lyrics, musicianship, and moments that helped propel Rush from cult heroes to arena-filling legends. Along the way, the conversation traces the band’s unlikely ri...

Jason and Dee fire up the jukebox for one of the biggest albums of the MTV era as they welcome special guest Doug Gray, noted REO Speedwagon expert, to break down 1981’s chart-dominating blockbuster Hi Infidelity. Track by track, the trio digs into the stories behind every song—from the heartbreak anthems to the arena-ready rockers—while tracing REO Speedwagon’s long road from Midwest bar band to overnight superstars. Along the way, they unpack band history, lineup changes, behind-the-scenes stu...

What really goes on behind the microphone? In this special crossover episode, Jeff Johnson steps in from the A Film Bypodcast to turn the tables on Jason and Dee, asking the questions listeners have always wondered about. How did the show first get started? Have they ever regretted a final matchup decision? Which episode result surprised them the most — and which one truly “moved the needle” for the podcast? Jeff digs even deeper, challenging each host to reveal the secret dream matchup they st...

Defender! revolutionized arcade gaming in 1981 with its sideways-scrolling chaos and button-overload controls. In our series finale, we rank all five legendary 1981 games and reveal how we'd spend our last five quarters: Donkey Kong, Ms. Pac-Man, Galaga, Frogger, or Defender? The ultimate showdown of the greatest arcade year ever!

College students took on a video game empire—and won. Then they did the impossible: they improved the greatest game ever made. Hear how Ms. Pac-Man became the queen of 1981 arcades, outsmarted the ghost AI, and still looks amazing over 40 years later. The untold story of the rebellion that created gaming's most beloved female icon.

One young woman's courage changed video game history forever. Discover the secret origin of Frogger, explore every way to die (there are many!), hear the iconic music's story, and learn about a record-breaking high score that still amazes. This 1981 arcade legend has more surprises than you think. Why did the frog cross the road? Find out!

Galaga took everything Space Invaders started, added Galaxian's colors and sounds, and created a 1981 masterpiece. Discover behind-the-scenes secrets of this arcade legend, insider development stories, and why the Challenging Stage became iconic. Don't miss the pro tip: never shoot your own captured ship! The ultimate deep dive into one of 1981's greatest arcade games.

Donkey Kong almost starred Popeye, Olive Oyl, and Bluto. Learn the shocking origin story behind Nintendo's 1981 breakthrough hit: the near-fatal lawsuit, how Mario and Donkey Kong got their names, and why their lawyer became immortalized in gaming history. This is the untold story of the arcade classic that launched a gaming empire and defined 1981 as the golden year of video games.

Why was 1981 the greatest year in arcade gaming history? Before Jason and Dee dive into Donkey Kong, Ms. Pac-Man, Galaga, Frogger, and Defender, discover the revolutionary games that paved the way. From Pong's simplicity to Space Invaders' invasion and the "Puck Man" controversy, this prequel episode explores the arcade legends that changed gaming forever. Grab your quarters—the high score challenge starts here!

The debate comes to a head. In Episode 2 of 2, Jason and Dee of the Surely You Can’t Be Serious podcast finish their head-to-head breakdown of the iconic 1985 films The Breakfast Club and St. Elmo’s Fire. This time, the focus shifts to the cast of St. Elmo’s Fire and the lasting legacy of its ensemble as full-fledged Brat Pack icons. For fun, Dee takes a sharper angle by calling out each character’s fatal flaw, while Jason counters with an alternate, more generous interpretation — finding the re...

Two defining films. One generation. And a debate that still hasn’t cooled down. In Episode 1 of 2, Jason and Dee of the Surely You Can’t Be Serious podcast kick off a head-to-head breakdown of the iconic 1985 films The Breakfast Club and St. Elmo’s Fire. The guys start at the beginning, exploring how each movie came together, the very different creative paths that led to their production, and the directors who shaped what would become two cornerstones of 80s cinema. Along the way, they touch on ...

The madness continues. In Part 2 of their deep dive into the now-infamous Star Wars Holiday Special, Jason and Dee of Surely You Can’t Be Serious are once again joined by the guys from the 30something Movie Podcast to finish what they started. Having already crossed the point of no return, the crew pushes through the remaining skits, songs, and baffling story choices that somehow made it onto television. More celebrity appearances surface, the variety-show chaos escalates, and the line between e...

What happens when a galaxy far, far away collides with late-1970s variety television and absolutely no one says no? In this very special (and possibly regrettable) episode of Surely You Can’t Be Serious, Jason and Dee are joined by special guest hosts from the 30something Movie Podcast to finally dare to watch — and break down — the now-infamous Star Wars Holiday Special. This is Part 1 of 2, and the guys go all in, dissecting every bizarre skit, every awkward musical number, every questionable ...

On this episode of Surely You Can’t Be Serious, Jason and Dee dive headfirst into one of the defining albums of the 1990s: No Doubt’s Tragic Kingdom. The guys trace the band’s painfully slow rise to fame — from the Orange County ska scene and early lineup tragedy to years of label frustration — and explore how those struggles helped fuel the emergence of Gwen Stefani as a brand-new pop and alternative icon. This isn’t overnight success; it’s a hard-earned breakthrough that reshaped the sound and...

This week on the Surely You Can’t Be Serious podcast, Jason and Dee continue their 90s album trilogy by exploring the quiet, unconventional, and deeply heartfelt debut that turned a young Alaskan singer-songwriter into a global sensation—Jewel’s Pieces of You. The guys dig into Jewel’s extraordinary backstory: her nomadic childhood in the Alaskan wilderness, the hardships that shaped her voice and worldview, and her determination to bring stripped-down, folk-driven storytelling to a pop landsca...

This week on the Surely You Can’t Be Serious podcast, Jason and Dee dive headfirst into one of the defining albums of the 1990s—Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill. The guys trace Alanis’s remarkable rise from Canadian teen pop idol to alt-rock truth-teller, exploring how a young artist reinvented herself and ended up creating one of the most influential albums of the decade. Jason and Dee unpack the creation of the record—from Alanis’s fateful collaboration with producer Glen Ballard, to th...

Sometimes after a movie is successful, a sequel is made to further the adventures with the characters in that world. Many times that story is bad (but not always). Sometimes it is an outright embarrassment. In this episode Jason and Dee breakdown their list of the bad decisions, poorly casted, money-grabbing, worst sequels of the 1980s! Join us for a fun discussion on all things cringy, dopey and overall dumb. Does our list match your list? Buckle up!

This is our Stranger Things Season 1 Finale where we cover the music used in Episodes 5-8! In this episode we dive deep into one of the most iconic songs of the 80s (Sunglasses at Night), we take a look at the biggest selling single of all time (White Christmas) and we examine the amazing true story of "Carol of the Bells" and the incredible assassination of its composer! You won't believe it!

In this episode of the Soundtrack of Stranger Things we examine the artists and songs from Episode 4. This time we deep dive into the history of Joy Division, their impact on songs of the 80s and their tragic ending. You may not know much about these guys but, trust us, your friends, the story is amazing! Also friends don't lie.

In this episode on the Soundtrack to Stranger Things we examine the artists and songs from Episode 3. This time we dive into the glorious music of Foreigner, their rise to classic rock fame and the turbulence along the way. We also discuss one timeless holiday classic, a classical piece that you'll recognize from Bugs Bunny and cap it all off with David Bowie and the most emotional song he's ever performed. You won't want to miss it!

We continue our deep dive into the music of the Netflix show "Stranger Things". In this episode we cover a punk song with a back story so bizarre you'll have to hear it to believe it. We also discuss a couple of all time holiday classics and one of the biggest one hit wonders of the 80s! You will not want to miss this one! #strangerthings

When the Netflix show Stranger Things was released in 2016 it created a surge in interest for all things 80s including the music. Today we dive deep on the songs included in Season 1, Episode 1: "The Vanishing of Will Byers". The stories behind these songs are amazing! There is murder, suicide, drugs, an attempt to drug the President of the United States, a hang glider accident (it's true!) along with several iconic songs. So put the kick stand and your dirt bike down and join us for the first i...

Jason and Dee are back to wrap up their 80s monster showdown as Teen Wolf (1985) goes head-to-head with The Monster Squad (1987)!In Part 2, the guys dive deeper into both films — from werewolves on the basketball court to kids hunting Dracula in suburbia — and explore what made each movie so uniquely memorable. They discuss The Monster Squad’s incredible creature designs, Shane Black’s razor-sharp dialogue, and why it didn’t find its audience until years later. Then they revisit Teen Wolf’s leg...

This week, Jason and Dee go full moon and monster mash as they kick off a two-part showdown between two beloved 80s cult classics — Teen Wolf (1985) and The Monster Squad (1987)! In Part 1, the guys dig into the origins of both films, tracing how Jeph Loeb and Matthew Weisman brought the all-American werewolf comedy to life, while Shane Black and Fred Dekker crafted their monster-loving homage to the Universal classics. Along the way, Jason and Dee break down the cast of Teen Wolf — from Michae...