How Did We Get Weird with Vanessa Bayer and Jonah Bayer

This week on the podcast we are joined by New York Times bestselling author, Susannah Cahalan! We talk about the phenomenon of the Sharper Image stores, the ubiquity of tetherball courts in the nineties and why are kids seriously still playing Dodgeball? We also discuss Susannah's experience of landing a coveted job at Abercrombie & Fitch when she was in high school and why she didn't like the job despite getting a thirty percent discount. Plus we get into Vanessa's experience as a judge on "Nailed It!" and the phenomenon of the Bob Vila era of "This Old House" in the pre-Internet age. We also discuss famous people from Summit, New Jersey, and play a round of LEGIT MOAN OR UNNECESSARY GROAN where we debate accidental gender reveals, the need for 15-minutes of fame and if newspapers need more columns about people complaining. Check out Susannah's amazing new book THE ACID QUEEN: THE PSYCHEDELIC LIFE AND COUNTERCULTURE REBELLION OF ROSEMARY WOODRUFF LEARY and make sure to catch her on her book tour and tell her you listened to this episode! 

Transcribed - Published: 19 May 2025

On today's new episode, the Bayer siblings are thrilled to welcome the hilarious Jillan Bell! They dive deep into community centers and Vanessa talks about a step class that was so popular at the JCC growing up, that it got one of Jonah's friend's mom's to show her true colors when she didn't get in. Yikes! Plus, Jillian gets into the sixth grade youth center dances that she attended every week and the very consequential last dance where there is a villain, but it's debatable who that is. And, Jonah schools Vanessa on The Spasmatics and the Jillian talks about the time she brought the show Rescue 911 into her real life. And along those lines, Unsolved Mysteries is back, but how do we feel about that? Vanessa also talks about the DJ at her Whirly Ball Bat Mitzvah party (correction: 7th grade was Bas Mitzvahs, not 6th, Vanessa!) and Jonah shares his dream of being introduced at the her party with Metallica blasting in the background. Finally, in a thrilling game of CHANGE DOT DORK, the trio debates the merits of the return of "Bless the Harts," Emilio Estevez being in a Psych movie (and they really get into Emilio's past), and ask, what is Teen Beach Movie and should it be played at Movie Night? And speaking of movies, be sure to check out Jillian's directorial debut, the wildly hilarious and heartwarming "Summer of 69" streaming now on HULU!!

Transcribed - Published: 12 May 2025

This week on the podcast we are joined by singer, guitarist and—as we find out on this episode—actor, Stefan Babcock of the amazing punk band PUP! The three of us get into his short-lived extracurricular activity as an actor, discuss the time that he almost got kicked out of his own concert, Jonah and Stefan talk about their shared insecurities as musicians. We also get deep into the Mighty Ducks Universe, why it was Stefan's favorite movie as a kid growing up in Canada and how Disney managed to brainwash an entire generation of hockey-obsessed kids. (Sorry, but the Anaheim Ducks just aren't as cool.) We also discuss other classic sports movies from our childhood and reminisce about the senseless violence in comedy films of that era. Finally in a round of CHANGE DOT DORK we review petitions about making moshing an Olympic sport, the potential return of Tim Horton's grilled cheese sandwich and tipping etiquette at the Olive Garden. Don't forget to check out PUP's brand new album "Who Will Look After The Dogs?" and catch them on tour this summer and beyond!!!

Transcribed - Published: 5 May 2025

This week, the Bayer siblings are thrilled to welcome the alternative pop artist and resident Gen Z representative, King Mala! We discuss what it was like growing up as a homeschooled kid in El Paso, the definitions of girl dinner/girl math and why riding in a self-driving car can be less stressful than dealing with a creepy Uber driver. We also get deep into the horror realm when King Mala discusses the 2015 film "The Witch," which had a huge impact on her and even influenced her new album. Finally, in a game of YESTOLGIA OR NOSTALGIA we discuss the reboot of "I Know What You Did Last Summer," the return of Lay's fried green tomato flavor and whether the world really needs a mixing bowl mash-up Blizzard from Dairy Queen.(Spoiler alert: It doesn't.) Don't be a boomer and forget to check out King Mala's new album "And You Who Drowned in the Grief of a Golden Thing" when it comes out on May 2nd!!! 

Transcribed - Published: 28 April 2025

On today's new episode, Vanessa and Jonah are thrilled to welcome their friend Abbi Jacobson! The trio talk about spring holidays, from looking for the afikomen at Passover (Vanessa feels their family's game may have been rigged) to decorating Easter eggs! And remember being a kid with a signature book? Plus, Vanessa attempts to solve the mystery of whether Abbi is related to the Cleveland Jacobsons? And we get into the wild world of the mall, which leads us to The Body Shop, which leads us to the nostalgic favorite CK One perfume (cologne?) We reminisce about the amazing CK One ad campaign and wonder, did Melissa Ethridge do a music video to promote CK One or was that video of hot people climbing each other unrelated? And finally, in a rousing game of Change.dork, we weigh the merits of increasing the seasoning of Cool Ranch Doritos, getting rid of silent lunch, and changing the age limit for R movies. Be sure to check out this fantastically nostalgic ep! NOTE: Soon after we recorded Abbi figured out that the name of the Melissa Ethridge song in question is "Your Little Secret"!

Transcribed - Published: 21 April 2025

This week Jonah and Vanessa are overjoyed to welcome Blink-182 co-frontman Mark Hoppus to the podcast because we are absolutely feeling this episode! We discuss Mark's new memoir FARENHEIT-182 (which he wrote with our friend and previous HDWGW guest Dan Ozzi), his high school goth phase and his love of Tim Robinson and Zach Kanin's comedy series "I Think You Should Leave." We also get into Mark's experiences on the Warped Tour, which saw him befriending his childhood heroes and traveling for months on what has been dubbed "punk rock summer camp." (Jonah should know, he helped write the official tour programs.) We also get into the nostalgic nature of Blink-182's music from the iconic videos to performing on TRL alongside some of the era's biggest pop acts... and find out if Blink ever crossed paths with Creed? Finally, we play a round of CHANGE.DORK where we discuss Blink-182's potential Superbowl performance, if skateboarding on sidewalks should be illegal and collectively advocate for the return of Hot Topic retail locations. Do you REALLY want to buy a wallet chain without trying it on first? 

Transcribed - Published: 14 April 2025

This week Vanessa and Jonah are THRILLED to welcome Jack Rooke- comedian, writer, absolute delight, and creator of the show Vanessa is obsessed with, "Big Boys"! We talk about Jack and Vanessa's recent brunch where Jack had chicken apple sausage for the very first time and then they ran into two cast members of Bravo's "The Valley" (can you imagine a better brunch?) Plus Jonah tells us about the time he accidentally went to Gloucester, and Jack tells us about the time he got his entire class to go to Shrek the Musical on a short trip to New York. And we dig into Jack's favorite movie, "Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion" and how much we love everything about it! And speaking Lisa Kudrow, Vanessa recounts the time she first met her and did her entire "Friends" stand up bit for her. Finally, we play "BACK TO THE PRESENT" and fondly remember Squeeze-It's, The Taco Bell Seven Layer Burrito, and Sunny Delight. Be sure to check out this delightful episode and to check out Jack's incredible show BIG BOYS! ALL 3 SEASONS ARE NOW STREAMING ON HULU!!

Transcribed - Published: 7 April 2025

On today's episode, Jonah and Vanessa are thrilled to welcome the hilarious Chelsea Handler!! You may know Chelsea as a comedian, tv host, New York Times Bestselling Author (check out her new book "I'll Have What She's Having"!) and advocate, but did you know she's the youngest of six siblings? And speaking of, we get into how she got birthday gifts for all of those siblings, plus a birthday gift fail that Jonah got for Vanessa once that was a tool to teach her how to work in comedy when she was already doing it? And we get into getting recognized in public in the least flattering ways possible, the time Vanessa almost interrupted Chelsea's dinner, and more! And in a rousing game of YES OR NO-STALGIA, we decide whether we're excited for the resurgence of Polariods, Pelmets, and Old-Timey Soda Pops! Be sure to check out this fantastic episode AND be sure to check out Chelsea's new special, THE FEELING, out now on Netflix!

Transcribed - Published: 31 March 2025

On this week's new episode, the Bayer siblings are overjoyed to welcome their friend Jaime Moyer to the podcast! Jaime and Vanessa reminisce about meeting at Second City Detroit and all the fun they had, and Vanessa asks: is there something in the water that makes Detroit comedians SO funny?? Plus Jaime recalls her days of working at a movie theater, and we get into our various adventures sneaking into movies as kids, or in Jonah's case, as an adult. And we talk about our favorite movie theater candy and Jaime and Vanessa introduce Jonah to the brilliant idea of putting candy into movie popcorn (or any popcorn) and sincerely hope he tries it soon! Finally, in a rousing game of YES OR NO-STALGIA, we debate the merits of the return of Golden Oreo Cakesters, S'mores Blizzards and Jolt Cola! So wake up and check out this fantastic episode!!

Transcribed - Published: 24 March 2025

Cuties alert! The Bayer siblings are thrilled to have their dear friend and absolute cutie Abby Elliott on the podcast today! Abby and Vanessa talk about their fun adventures at the SNL 50th Anniversary, from celebrity encounters to their red carpet go-to moves. And speaking of, Vanessa tells Abby how much better she is at looking cool on looking cool on a red carpet and at life in general? Plus they fill in Jonah on how spray tanning works and talk about the days of people going to tanning salons "to get a base" before tropical vacations. And they reminisce about the days we would spend hours and hours talking on our landline phones, to the point where we'd fall asleep while still technically on a call. And in a very amusing game of "YES OR NO-STALGIA", the trio discusses the return of Lisa Frank (yay!), Atari (okay!) and falling, not dropping, into the GAP (double yay?) You've gotta check out this incredible episode, kay? Thank you to our sponsor: DraftKings Casino! Go to: https://casino.draftkings.com/ and sign up with code GETWEIRD and wager a minimum of five dollars to receive FIVE HUNDRED CASINO SPINS ON A FEATURED GAME!

Transcribed - Published: 17 March 2025

This week, the Bayers are joined by drummer Jay Weinberg, who you have seen behind the kit of some of your favorite bands ranging from Slipknot to Suicidal Tendencies! Jay talks about being the son of Max Weinberg of The E Street Band and performing "Born To Run" with Bruce Springsteen at Giants stadium while Jonah and Vanessa's dad was trying to get them to take over his shrinkwraping company. (Max may have had a slighter cooler gig.) We also discuss Jonah's punk rock hall of fame status, the concept of creating your own fun (and t-shirts) as a young person and Vanessa finds an opportunity to do her stellar impression of the Boss! We also get into our topic, being scared of art, and discuss how the things that scared Jay the most as a child, ended up being his biggest influences from Metallica's "Enter Sandman" to horror movies like "The Ring." Finally, we get into a powerful round of YESTOLGIA OR NOSTALGIA where we discuss the upcoming "Cliffhanger" reboot, the return of Coca-Cola Orange Cream and the confectionary variant known as Milky Way crispy rolls. You can catch Jay all summer opening for Metallica with Suicidal Tendencies and for more information on him visit jayweinbergofficial.com. 

Transcribed - Published: 10 March 2025

This week the Bayer siblings are thrilled to welcome their friend, the hilarious and delightful Maria Blasucci! Maria takes us through her method of memorizing people's slurred speech on "Drunk History" as a series regular, and Vanessa and Maria have the same specific memory of meeting while filming the show. Plus Maria regales us with tales of her quarantine time spent near Sandusky, Ohio which leads not only to us learning about the Port Clinton Walleye Festival (not as cool as it sounds? Or is it?) but also of course takes into our favorite rides at Cedar Point and everyone's obsession with buying fudge as a souvenir. Plus, we dig into the nostalgic gem that is Sleepover Parties- from our go-to movies and snacks, to the combative fights in the middle of the night between the kids who wanted to sleep and the ones who wanted to stay up (obviously the latter were right.) And we come to the realization that is pizza the official food of slumber parties! And speaking of food, in a rousing game of CHANGE.DORK we debate the merits of a year-round Pumpkin Spice Latte, the return of Pizzarias chips, and should Gushers be considered a fruit? They probably already are by this administration LOL! So as the theme song goes, get to the point, Cedar Point, and check out this fantastic episode!

Transcribed - Published: 3 March 2025

You've heard David Bazan sing about some dark subject matter as a solo artist or under the Pedro The Lion moniker, but have you ever heard him get deep into his snack preferences? From his childhoood invention "The Bologna Big Mac" to the proper technique to put chips on a sandwich without making a crumbly mess, Bazan shares some of his secrets with his future musical collaborators Jonah and Vanessa and the world will never be the same. Bazan also talks with Jonah about their house show tradition in New York City, his friendship with comedian Horatio Sanz and memorable moments from Saturday Night Live afterparties. Jonah also shows off his David Bazan lifetime pass laminate and in an incredible round of LEGIT MOAN OR UNNECESSARY GROAN, we debate the etiquette of unsigned holiday cards, wasteful eating contests and tipping etiquette. 

Transcribed - Published: 24 February 2025

This week on the podcast, we are joined by return guest and old friend Randy Blythe of Lamb Of God. We discuss Randy's previous careers as a roofer and french chef, Vaessa roasts him like he's a Coq au Vin and the three of us plot the world domination of our supergroup, Pomme De Terroir. We also discuss all of our respective anxiety dreams and will we ever grow out of them? For our topic, Randy purchases a Hobbit record and book to reminisce about his favorite read-along record and also gives us a detailed synopsis on the Lord of The Rings series and how he became such a fan of the fantasy series. Finally in an incredible round of LEGIT MOAN OR UNNECESSARY GROAN we discuss weather reports vs. meteorological seminars, parking lot etiquette and debate the merits of a meta moan by an irritated Parma resident. You can pre-order Randy's new book "Just Beyond The Light: Making Peace with the Wars Inside Our Head HERE and check out RandyBlythe.com for all of his tour dates!

Transcribed - Published: 17 February 2025

On today's new episode Jonah and Vanessa are thrilled to welcome the one and only Jenifer Lewis! They reminisce about the first time they met when Vanessa was trying to get Jenifer to be on "I Love That For You" and Jenifer subsequently announcing to the press that she would be on the show... without a single mention of Vanessa. Plus you may know that Jenifer is the Mother of Black Hollywood, but did you know she does a killer Vanessa impression? And Vanessa's Jenifer impression is pretty good as well? Plus the two talk about their instant connection and all the fun they had filming together, so much so, that Jenifer still refers to Vanessa (and Jonah!) as a glass of milk with eyes. We also get into Jenifer's terrifying accident in Africa and the resilience that got her where she is today. Plus, in a hilarious game of CHANGE.DORK, the trio discuss whether Jenifer should host Wheel of Fortune, If Spongebob should have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, (plus Jenifer's own Hall of Fame ceremony and some incredible celebrity stories) and if "I Love That For You" should be renewed for Season 2 (duh).  So walk in your joy and listen to this incredible episode with the iconic MISS JENIFER LEWIS!

Transcribed - Published: 10 February 2025

This week on the podcast we are joined by our old friend Michael Benjamin Lerner of Telekinesis! Michael talks about meeting Jonah and Vanessa at SNL through Fred Armisen, what it was like for Michael to play drums on the Portlandia tour and his secrets to making the perfect cup of espresso. Michael also discusses working at record stores, going to school at Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts and having Paul McCartney hand him his diploma and getting a major label record deal offer based on his MySpace page. We also get into today's topic of renting video games, which has all the more resonance for Michael because his father is Mike West, the voice of Fox McCloud from the legendary Nintendo game, Star Fox! Better yet, Michael actually voiced a Nintendo game as a child that has only been released in Japan for all you Telekinesis superfans. As if all this wasn't enough, we also play a game of LEGIT MOAN OR UNNECESSARY GROAN where we debate important issues such as paying for infomercials on cable, taking off work on national holidays and the dilemma of having too many phone books. You can and should check out all five Telekinesis albums on Merge Records now!

Transcribed - Published: 3 February 2025

This week on the podcast, the Bayers are joined by their old friend and award-winning designer, Nick Ace! They discuss how Jonah became Nick's roommate in Williamsburg, the time Vanessa roasted the audience at one of their house parties and the way the three of us have collectively supported each others' creative endeavors. Nick also tells an epic tale about getting suspended from school that manages to reference Jerry Springer, the film Black Sheep and passing notes in class, in a way that will transport you right back to the late nineties anxiety we felt as high school students. We also discuss the constant threats of things going on our permanent records. Does it exist and should we launch a start-up where you can access your permanent record? (Potential investors, please contact us directly.) Finally, we play a round of LEGIT MOAN OR UNNECESSARY GROAN where we discuss if there too much "breaking news," debate if global warming responsible for the existence of Canada as we know it (we're pretty sure it's not) and the ubiquity of grey-striped cats. Oh, and if your company is looking to rebrand, Nick is the guy to make it happen! 

Transcribed - Published: 27 January 2025

This week the Bayer siblings are thrilled to welcome hilarious comedian, writer and podcaster Pat Regan to the show! Jonah reveals his classic new catch phrase and the way he's used it to mock celebrities in a virtual world! Then Pat reveals his celebrity diss fantasy and, wow, are we all cool! Plus, we get into our favorite shows from growing up and Pat's (and every teen's?) love of the WB promos where all the young stars came together! And partied! In a warehouse? Obsessed. Plus we talk about how we miss the Neve Campbell-style acting, Vanessa's recent deep drive into Buffy The Vampire Slayer and how working in the television and music industries affecting our personal viewing and listening habits. Finally, in a rousing game of CHANGE.DORK we debate the merits of bringing back Diet Cherry Coke, if art class should be mandatory, and should an Long Island expressway change it's name to "Billy Joel Drive"? You'll have to listen to find out! (but Vanessa doesn't hate this idea...) Plus check out Pat's podcast with Cat Cohen, "Seek Treatment with Cat and Pat" wherever you get your podcasts!

Transcribed - Published: 20 January 2025

This week on the podcast the Bayer siblings are thrilled to welcome their friend Paul James! They explore the sometimes controversial move of adding chicken to a salad, and speaking of, they talk about chain restaurants like Paul's favorite restaurant Benihana, and how his job at PF Chang's got him his first big acting gig! Plus, Vanessa and Paul reminisce about filming "I Love That For You" and Vanessa gives a never-filmed season 2 spoiler for Paul's character "Jordan." And the trio talk all about the incredible band "No Doubt"! Paul tells us how emulated their style from hair to shoes, how much he loves their sound, and what albums to listen to if you want to do a deeper dive of the band. And speaking of nostalgic music, Paul shows off an uncanny ability to name both of the bands that sing nineties songs about Superman! And you can join an effort to help Paul find the nineties song that's always in his head but that he can't name! Plus, Jonah teaches us what a "Wall of Death" is at a concert and tells us a very cool Seven Mary Three Joke he made to the singer. So don't let life become cumbersome and listen to this fantastic episode! UPDATE: Mystery Solved! The song Paul had been searching for is “Rapture” by the band “Seed." Thank you to the listener who found it!!

Transcribed - Published: 13 January 2025

This week the Bayers are thrilled to welcome their friend and Fall Out Boy lead vocalist and guitarist, Patrick Stump! We really roll out the red carpet for him as Jonah has a brand new premium zoom account and Vanessa has an incredible impression of all pop-punk singers. Speaking of which, we hear how Patrick honed his craft and became the vocalist he is today (it doesn't make Vanessa's impression any less spot-on) and about Patrick's musical influences ranging from straight-edge hardcore to Soul Music and his other artistic influences like SNL which he got to be on pretty early in his career. Also, Jonah and Patrick reminisce about hanging out at the New York Stock Exchange when Fall Out Boy rang the opening bell? Collectively the three of us wonder if ANY band would seem appropriate hanging at the Stock Exchange  (Vanessa realized the answer to this question is "Huey Lewis and the News" but unfortunately not until after the recording of this episode.) Finally, in a rousing game of LEGIT MOAN OR UNNECESSARY GROAN the Bayer siblings discover an odd food combination they both love and Patrick shares one he and his brother disovered years ago! Plus, they get into braking distance etiquette and a lottery ticket complaint that might become a litmus test for every HDWGW guest. So get out from under the cork tree and check out this wonderful new episode! 

Transcribed - Published: 6 January 2025

This week we couldn't be more thrilled to welcome our friend, the hilarious little sweetie Kenan Thompson!! We're talking SNL nostalgia, Nickelodeon nostalgia, classic rock nostalgia and everything in between. Plus, we get into the craze around the legendary Bo Jackson, including the "Bo Knows" campaign, and his arch nemesis Brian Bosworth aka "The Boz" and Jonah's obsession with the 1991 action fiilm "Stone Cold." Finally, we play a round of LEGIT MOAN OR UNNECESSARY GROAN that has us asking society to please show some respect for meteorologists. What's up with that? You'll have to listen to find out!

Transcribed - Published: 30 December 2024

This week on the podcast, Vanessa and Jonah are joined by old friend and Rise Against guitarist Zach Blair! We discuss the times we almost all hung out together at South By Southwest, Zach's experience playing guitar (and dressing up) in GWAR and his short-lived stint working in construction prior to playing arenas. We also get deep into Zach's relationship with his brother Doni and what it was like playing together in Hagfish and Only Crime. Did you also know that they were interviewed by our cousin Riki Rachtman for "Loveline" back in the day? Somehow we didn't either. Finally we play a game of LEGIT MOAN OR UNNECESSARY GROAN where we discuss skate park etiquette, "educating yourself" during an intramural soccer game and the dubious ethics of restaurant advertising. Don't forget to check out Rise Against this spring alongside Papa Roach on the "Rise Of The Roach" Tour. Trust us, seeing Rise Against live is anything but a last resort! 

Transcribed - Published: 23 December 2024

This week Vanessa and Jonah are thrilled to welcome the hilarious and wildly talented Ed Helms to the podcast! You may know Ed played Andy Bernard on “The Office” but did you know he grew up doing crazy stunts on BMX bikes? Or that he’s a talented banjo player?? Plus, the trio get into interesting Sundance experiences or a lack thereof, the nightmare that is being in the bathroom when you’re supposed to be on stage, and the time Ed hosted SNL while Vanessa was there. Plus, in a rousing game of LEGIT MOAN OR UNNECESSARY GROAN, they talk emergency evacuation fines, driving etiquette, and co-workers who eat onion bagels for breakfast. Be sure to listen to this episode and to check out Ed’s delightful and riveting iHeartPodcasts series SNAFU wherever you get your podcasts!

Transcribed - Published: 16 December 2024

On this week's episode the Bayer siblings are thrilled to welcome their friend Liz Feldman! You may know that Liz from creating the hit Netflix show "Dead To Me" but did you know that her new Netflix show premiering this Thursday, "No Good Deed" is the third in her run of three-word, turn-of-phrase series'?? And speaking of TV shows, the trio get into their all-time favorite TV show theme songs and as a surprise to no one, Vanessa sings a lot of them (as does Liz. Jonah, less so.) Plus Vanessa gets into the childhood time-capsule saga that will continue to take twists and turns, we talk tiktok and it's wealth of cottage cheese-based recipes, and Jonah kills with a highly customizable parchment paper joke. You gotta listen to this fantastic episode and check out Liz's fantastic new show "No Good Deed" this Thursday, because honestly, we dig both for you.

Transcribed - Published: 9 December 2024

Vanessa and Jonah are thrilled to welcome graphic artist and Good Charlotte guitarist Billy Martin to the podcast this week. We get nostalgic right off the bat, talking about how Jonah wrote the first ever cover story on Good Charlotte back in 2002 and the time Jonah and Billy spent together on the Vans Warped Tour back when they were very young adults! We also get into Billy's love of Silverchair, what it was like being a great artist in high school and why Billy never felt the need to prove how "punk" he was... mainly because he was busy listening to Disney soundtracks instead of D.O.A. In that spirit, we take a deep dive into Billy's obsession with "The Nightmare Before Christmas," why he decided to get the artwork from the film tattooed on his arms and what made Tim. Burton's aesthetic so memorable. (Jonah also admits walking out on the film as a teenager, which in retrospect wasn't a great move.) Finally we play a round of YESTOLGIA OR NOSTALGIA where we discuss the new Transformers film, the return of Tiny Toons Adventures and Old Bay-flavored Goldfish crackers. Make sure to visit Billy's site if you want to learn more about his art and music!

Transcribed - Published: 2 December 2024

This week on the podcast, we are coming correct with musician Bishop Briggs! We discuss what it was like growing up in Hong Kong, having the legal name of Sarah McLaughlin and Bishop's adolescent obsession with emo music. We also dig into her karaoke stories, explore why "Bohemian Rhapsody" is a solid choice and discuss our shared joy that the app Shazam exists and works most of the time! Finally, we play a round of LEGIT MOAN OR UNNECESSARY GROAN where we chat about the merits of marriage counseling, customer service complaints and if doctors should be including stamped envelopes with their bills. Don't forget to check out Bishop's new album "Tell My Therapist I'm Fine" (hopefully coming to HitClips soon) and catch her on her headlining tour this March!

Transcribed - Published: 25 November 2024

This week the Bayer siblings are thrilled to have their friend, hilarious actress and absolute sweetie Ayden Mayeri on the podcast! You may know Ayden from her genius portrayals of characters such as Beth Ann McGann on "I Love That For You" and Sam Judlow in "Mr. Throwback," but did you know she was in a childhood band called X-Cetera that's gaining popularity... now? Plus, after being excluded for years, Vanessa and Jonah finally have the chance to be in their high school's Hall of Fame... but will they take it? And along those lines, will Ayden ever be written up in one of her local newspapers or will they continue to snub her? Plus, we get into favorite childhood pets! Ayden talks about many of her favorites from birds to hamsters to cats, some of whom murdered each other in cold blood?! And in a rousing game of CHANGE.DORK, the trio discusses petitions for plane food insights, a Steph Curry three-dollar bill, and a keto Domino's pizza. So check out this wonderful episode: Listen to it, enjoy it, tell your friends about it, X Cetera!

Transcribed - Published: 18 November 2024

This week, we could not be more thrilled to welcome our old friend Atom Willard to the podcast. You've seen Atom behind the drum kit for acts like Alkaline Trio, Against Me!, The Offspring, Social Distortion and Rocket From The Crypt, but have you heard him tell dad jokes for an hour? We didn't think so. Don't worry, we get into the early days when Atom was just a molecule and discuss playing MTV's Spring Break in 1994, how Atom's coordination skills helped in gym class and why he stopped riding motorcycles for good. We also discuss one of Atom's other passions, skateboarding, including the time that his parents built a ramp for him in his driveway. (Which is almost as cool as our parents letting Jonah fly a pirate flag in front of our house in the suburbs.) Finally we play a round of YESTALGIA OR NOSTALGIA where we discuss the return of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, The "Mikey Likes It" Life Cereal Kid and the recent Sex Pistols reunion. Plus, did Vanessa and "Weird Al" Yankovic have the same Offspring parody idea? You've got to listen to find out! 

Transcribed - Published: 11 November 2024

Today on the podcast the Bayer siblings are thrilled to welcome their friend the wildly talented comedian and actress Punam Patel! You might know Punam as the hilarious Beena from "I Love that For You", but did you know she was very into the emo music scene growing up and has even moshed? Plus, Vanessa recants connecting with the middle school english teacher that inspired her SNL character "Mrs. Meadows" at her school's centennial celebration, and along those lines, the trio talk about how they would each behave if they were a substitute teacher in order to get respect from the students. Plus, Beena takes us through her school style journey which taught her the valuable lesson of being able to find a chic outfit at any establishment. And speaking of skills, we discuss several life hacks including Jonah's idea to add cold pasta sauce to hot noodles. Does it work? You'll have to listen to find out!! (but no, no it does not.) Check it out!

Transcribed - Published: 4 November 2024

This week, the Bayer siblings are so excited to welcome actor and comedian Will Forte to the podcast. You know Will from "Saturday Night Live," "MacGruber" and "The Last Man On Earth," but did you know that he grew up eating a Sausage Cheese Zombie before early morning swim practice? On this episode we talk about Will and Vanessa almost overlapping on SNL, the current status of Battleball (aka Dodgeball) in gym class and Will's childhood hobby: Sports cards! We get deep into Will's incredibly valuable collection, why he continued to collect cards as an adult and how he's been able to use his passion to benefit charities. We also play a round of YESTOLGIA OR NOSTALGIA where we discuss the return of Sour Altoids, the "Scary Movie" franchise return—and who wouldn't want a Hot Coca-flavored Chips Ahoy! cookie? So cozy up and listen to this incredible episode! 

Transcribed - Published: 28 October 2024

This week the Bayer siblings are thrilled to welcome their friend and shining star of shows such as “Scandal” and “Inventing Anna,” the delightful Katie Lowes! They talk about how Katie got her start (including bringing her family on set for an early stint on "The Sopranos!") and what it was like being a part of the “Scandal” TV phenomenon. Plus, did you know that Katie is a soft-pretzel heiress?? The three of us also dive into Katie's favorite movie "Dirty Dancing" and how it influenced many parts of her life, from her wedding to her relationship with her beloved Grandmother. Finally, Vanessa finds a way to connect the movie to the her favorite topic, Richard Marks and Daisy Fuentes' marriage, their plane incident and did Katie just have a real-life Daisy Fuentes encounter??? You'll have to listen to find out!

Transcribed - Published: 21 October 2024

Vanessa and Jonah are back from their hiatus and we can't think of a better guest than Curb Your Enthusiasm star, Susie Essman! In this episode, we get into a real story about an encounter our parents had at their condo complex, Susie talks about how parking in NYC gives her faith in humanity and why having people fear you can be a positive thing when people compare her with her with Susie Greene. We also discuss Susie's strategy for getting out of school as a kid, her favorite shows to watch as a kid and that indefinable feeling of spending an entire day alone doing whatever you wanted. We also play a round of round of CHANGE DOT DORK where we debate the merits of a Curb Your Enthusiasm Movie, decide if the world needs gluten-free Oreos and should schools get the day off after Super Bowl... or do they have to pretend they're sick the way we did as kids? 

Transcribed - Published: 14 October 2024

New episodes coming on October 14th!

Transcribed - Published: 8 October 2024

On today's new episode is everything zen with Jonah and Vanessa? I don't think so! That's right, the Bayer siblings are joined by the one and only Gavin Rossdale! They're talking about the early days of Gavin's band Bush, the evolution of punk music—and that time that Gavin risked his life performing live at MTV Spring Break in a rainstorm. Plus, Gavin breaks down the lyrics of "Glycerine" for Vanessa, they talk rider snacks, industry parties, and more! So breath in, breath out, and then check out this must-listen episode!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 3 June 2024

Check out this throwback episode with the incredibly talented Lisa Loeb! -- In this episode the Bayers welcome nineties icon and Grammy Award-winning musician Lisa Loeb! We talk (so all the time) about landline phone etiquette from growing up including prank calls and Vanessa's love for calling the numbers on catalogs with a pretend accent. We also get into Lilith Fair and guitar shredding and when Lisa toured with Sarah McLachlan. And don't worry, not only do we talk about Lisa famous cat eye glasses and her current line of glasses, but Vanessa does a deep dive into the Betsey Johnson dress Lisa wore in the "Stay" video. Dreams! You've got to listen to this episode even if you only hear what you want to!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 27 May 2024

On today's new episode, the Bayer siblings are thrilled to welcome Vanessa's best friend since childhood, Gwen! They're talking about that nostalgic time when these BFF's met, from Gwen's "Talbots Kids" patterned turtlenecks to her patiently watching as Vanessa would act out commercials in her vanity mirror. Plus, Jonah and Gwen both took ballroom dancing in sixth grade but had very different signature styles (Jonah's included a lot of hair gel.) And, hear Gwen's take on being in the female-focused gym class "Body Fitness" with Jonah, a class that Jonah is still mad he had to take. Finally, in the impressive new game "CONGRATULATIONS, YOU PLAYED EACH OTHER" Vanessa finds out how much her brother and her best friend know each other, from bands Jonah was in to modeling jobs Gwen did and more, AND Vanessa gets to talk about herself a lot in the process. This friendship-filled episode is a must listen!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 20 May 2024

Check out this re-release episode with the very funny and talented Casey Wilson! -- This week the Bayer siblings are thrilled to welcome their friend and actress/comedian/podcaster Casey Wilson to talk about Baz Luhrmann's "Romeo + Juliet"! Wow, wow and wow! Casey and Vanessa discuss how in love they were with Leo AND their desperate attempts to talk to him, both as children and adults! Plus, Jonah and Vanessa talk about meeting Claire Danes and/or Jared Leto from the spiritual companion tv show of "Romeo + Juliet" which everyone knows is "My So-Called Life"! We also dig into the iconic "Romeo +Juliet" Soundtrack- where would we all be without The Cardigans' song "Lovefool" after all??? Plus, Vanessa talks about the one time she was thrown a surprise party (spoiler alert: She did not like it!... until she saw there was a cookie cake) and in a rousing game of YES/NO-STALGIA we say no thank you to the return of platform flip-flops, and much more!! So love us, love us, say that you love us and listen to this incredible episode!!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 13 May 2024

On today's new episode the Bayer siblings are thrilled to welcome New York Times bestselling author and lifestyle-experiment master, A.J. Jacobs! They're talking all about childhood Participation Trophies, from the meaningful to the demeaning. Plus, humor that upset us as kids from the Trix Rabbit not getting his Trix to the Home Alone villians getting violently pranked by Kevin McCallister. A.J. also tells us the hilarious but intense way he broke his dried mango habit! But, wait, there's more! In a rousing game of CHANGE.DORK, we're talking games with this gaming extraordinaire, from (Rubik's) cubing being taught at school to Wordle having a theme. A.J. even has a great tip for playing Connections that really foiled the game's creator. We even read a petition by A.J. that he wrote while writing his fantastic new book, "The Year of Living Constitutionally," which is out now! Be sure sure to check it out! Order "The Year Of Living Constitutionally" HERE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 6 May 2024

This week, the Bayer siblings are thrilled to welcome comedian and fellow Clevelander, Dave Hill to the podcast! They're talking about growing up in the city that rocks, Dave rocking all the way to the stage of the Jon Stewart Show with his band Sons Of Elvis and how this catholic school kid became a force to reckon with in the world of entertainment. We also discuss formative concert experiences—including the Guns 'N Roses show Jonah and Dave both saw in 1991 and the very different takeaways they had due to their relatively minor, but at the time major differences in age. (Spoiler alert: Dave's mom didn't take him to the concert.) Plus, we potentially make some headway in the mystery of whether Jewel played at a beloved coffee shop in Cleveland? Finally, in a rousing game of CHANGE.DORK, the three of us debate the merits of Dave getting let back on Twitter, a Cleveland NHL expansion and should Jacob grow a Tony Iommi style mustache? Should Dave grow one? You'll have to listen to find out!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 29 April 2024

Enjoy this re-release of Sam Richardson's episode of How Did We Get Weird. Don't forget to rate and review the podcast here! -- On this week's episode the Bayers welcome the hilarious, sweet and immensely talented Sam Richardson! Listen to Sam and Vanessa reminisce on their Chicago comedy days and try their best to breakdown popular improv form The Harold. Plus, they improvise what Jonah's dream was last night! They also talk nostalgic action-packed shows from Thundercats to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and how Sam is always ready to morph into a Power Ranger the instant they need him. Whether you're on the planet Rafcon, Thundera, or Earth, this wildly funny episode is a must-listen!!!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 22 April 2024

This week on the podcast, Vanessa and Jonah are joined by hilarious comedian and new friend, Kyle Kinane. Jonah tests out some of his pun-centric stand-up material, Kyle talks about his love of horror movies and is there anything scarier than running into a sweaty guy in a mosh pit? We also get into Kyle's topic, the PBS educational show Cover to Cover and how it informed his own forays into creative expression the same way that "Kids In The Hall" informed his discovery of comedy. We also play a round of CHANGE.DORK where we debate if microwaves should have a mute button, if society should stop judging people who eat cupcakes for breakfast and the underrated benefits of vanilla frosties and cheese pizza. Don't forget to pick up Kyle's new Bobcat Goldthwait-directed stand-up hour DIRT NAP HERE. It's the dreamsicle of comedy specials! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 15 April 2024

On today's episode we're sharing Part 2 of our epic conversation with actor and musician Jason Schwartzman! We're talking about nostalgic record and prank stores, digging through our parents' basements and all the "Over the Hill" merch the Bayers' mom got for her 40th birthday. Plus, is Jason's mom the most intuitive gift giver ever? Or is he the most creative and artistic castmate ever? We also all workshop our Muppets impressions and talk about the evolution of Kermit The Frog from Muppet Babies to adulthood. Finally, in a rousing game of CHANGE.DORK, the trio debate the merits of vegan options at a prep school, moving all major holidays to Fridays and putting Animal on the cover of Modern Drummer Magazine. Trust us when we say you don't need a Staples "Easy" button to know that checking out this episode is a no-brainer!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 8 April 2024

You know actor and musician Jason Schwartzman from his iconic roles in classic films like "Rushmore," "The Darjeeling Limited" and "Asteroid City," but did you also know he's one of the chillest and nicest people on the planet? On this episode of HOW DID WE GET WEIRD?, Vanessa and Jason reminisce about working together on the film "Polka King" and Vanessa's show "I Love That For You," Jason's relationships with his siblings and what it was like to recently play drums again live for the first time in twenty years. (You can check out this video of Jason playing the Phantom Planet song "California" with Alex Greenwald and Ben Kweller HERE.) We also talk about fitness habits, the power of going for walks and Jason's unexpected brush with achieving a state of maximum productivity and mental clarity for three weeks last September. If you enjoyed this episode you're in luck, because we will be releasing the second half of our epic conversation with Jason next week! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 1 April 2024

On today's new episode the Bayer siblings are thrilled to welcome Bad Religion guitarist, founding member of Minor Threat and self-professed chocoholic, Brian Baker! We're talking about sending out your own trading card as a holiday card, hanging out in junkyards (and playing in Junkyard) and of course, Stouffer's Frozen Dinners. From Mac and Cheese to French Bread Pizza so hard it will bread your teeth we defrost crucial frozen food facts, including some very funny lawsuits. Plus in a rousing game of CONGRATULATIONS, YOU BAKED YOURSELF, we're debating the merits of Classic Macaroni Salad with Ham, Pineapple Fluff and Tomato Soup Cake. Whether you're at home, in the car or just out going for A WALK, you gotta check out this awesome episode!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 25 March 2024

This week the Bayer siblings are thrilled to welcome their friend, writer, actress and comedian Jessica St. Clair! They're talking about all of their favorite shows from growing up, from the simple yet enviable lifestyle portrayed on "The Flintstones" to the more exclusive one we'd watch on "Beverly Hills 90210" (obvi we relate more to the former.) Plus, we talk about how much Vanessa loved having The Rock host her last episode of SNL, and the time Jessica had a beautiful Kardashian run-in when she least expected it. And speaking of celebrity encounters, we dish on The First Todd being recognized recently while getting his car fixed! And if that isn't exciting enough, we also get into the time Jessica appeared on one of Vanessa's favorite tv genres, a soap opera, and was not asked back. Finally, in a rousing game of CONGRATULATIONS, YOU BAKED YOURSELF, we ask ourselves if we're most excited about the return of Pear Salad, Cracklin' Cornbread, or Pumpkin Chiffon Pie. You Yabba Dabba DO need to listen to this fantastic episode!!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 18 March 2024

This week we are thrilled to sit down with Wolfgang Van Halen, who you probably know from playing bass in a little band called Van Halen as well as fronting his own band, Mammoth WVH. We discuss what it was like growing up with Eddie Van Halen as your father (and why he didn't want Wolfgang skateboarding), formative musical experiences and weigh the odds of a Jonah Bayer signature guitar. We also get into Wolfgang's other obsession: Video games. We discuss the way Nintendo 64 paved the way for this hobby, the difference between Mario/Wario and the glory days of Guitar Hero and Rock Band. We also get into how Wolfgang's mom Valerie Bertinelli helped support his gaming habit (and how he tries to scare her with games today), why being an adult means you can basically do whatever you want and Vanessa wonders why her dentist felt the need to clean the stains on the back of her teeth? We also play a round of YESTOLGIA OR NOSTALGIA where we discuss the reboot of the video game "Crazy Taxi," the dramatic update of "Bewitched" and the return of Wendy's Crispy Panko Fish Sandwich. Wolfgang also lets us in on the secret reason why his dad always ordered the Filet-O-Fish when stopping for fast food. Be sure to check out Mammoth EVH's latest album "Mammoth II" and catch them on tour right now! If you're interested in learning more about the SA-126 guitar, check that out HERE! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 11 March 2024

This week on the HDWGW, we are so psyched to be joined by actress, writer, comedian and co-host of Vanessa's other favorite podcast, "Bitch Sesh," Danielle Schneider! Vanessa and Danielle recount their formative experiences in school drama programs, Jonah talks about being cast as Sandy the dog in his childhood production of Annie and our listeners all learn a valuable lesson about why early rejection can be the best possible experience for aspiring entertainers. We also dig deep into Danielle's love of Pee Wee's Big Adventure and the way the film shaped her childhood friendships and sense of humor. Plus, we recount some of our favorite movie one-liners, revisit the Brian Bozworth film "Stone Cold" and get some updates from Vanessa on the General Hospital universe and all the latest happenings in Port Charles. Finally we play a round of CONGRATULATIONS, YOU BAKED YOURSELF, where we debate the culinary merits of Pineapple Casserole, Tomato Aspic and Chicken Spaghetti Casserole. Bon Appetit!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 4 March 2024

Hello! This February, we will be airing #TBT bonus material and re-releases of past episodes. Think of it as an exclusive walk down memory lane and very very cool. Be sure to subscribe and rate the podcast (how's that for rizz?!) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 29 February 2024

This week on the pod, Jonah and Vanessa are thrilled to welcome their friend Bill Hader!! They reminisce on the time they all went to Amsterdam for the Trainwreck publicity tour and having the fanciest, and at times scariest, time of their lives. Plus, Bill reminds Vanessa about how he used to lovingly bully her at the read through table at SNL and the time that Jonah did one of Bill's first magazine interviews for "Superbad" all the way back in 2007. We also get into Bill playing bass live on SNL with Corrosion of Conformity and discuss that childhood must-do of sneaking into movies: The times Bill thought he was ready for an R movie but absolutely was not and the time Vanessa got caught sneaking into an R-rated movie and subsequently asked The First Todd pretend to be a lawyer to get her money back, which... he did? (Also, Jonah apparently still did technically sneak into movies as an adult. Thanks, MoviePass.) Finally, in a rousing game of LEGIT MOAN OR UNNECESSARY GROAN, the group debates talking before a movie starts, etiquette for when kids wait for the bus and moms controlling their kids at the store. Check out this fantastic episode; you'll be BARRY glad you did!!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 26 February 2024

Hello! This February, we will be airing #TBT bonus material and re-releases of past episodes. Think of it as an exclusive walk down memory lane and very very cool. Be sure to subscribe and rate the podcast (how's that for rizz?!) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcribed - Published: 22 February 2024