Podstruck: A Rom-Com Rewind

SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE BONUS EPISODEAs an exclusive bonus episode for our Podstruck Patreon subscribers AKA our Meet Cuties, we are talking through rom-com hot takes as submitted by our listeners, the Internet, and sharing a few of our own along the way. It's a debate-filled episode about beautiful dweeby men, Nancy Meyers' kitchens, Rizzo's divorcée vibes, kid side kicks, horny old people, the new podcast Elena wants to start, what incels think about rom-coms, and which actor can actually pull off being an asshole? Check out the first 15 minutes here and get the full episode on our Patreon.To listen to the FULL bonus episode, sign up for our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/c/Podstruckpod

This week Podstruck celebrates Valentine's Day with another rom-com in our Culture Clash category, this time the 1997 Salma Hayek Matthew Perry movie Fools Rush In. Joining us is Chelsea Devantez (Glamorous Trash, Basic, The Problem with Jon Stewart) who defends this movie with her life, from the Southwest setting to the fact that it's ballsy and progressive for when it was made. She also sheds light on why reading Matthew Perry's memoir will ruin him for you and how this movie was almost derailed by him insisting on doing his own stunt. Plus, Elena tells the story of how following signs changed her life, Chelsea Davison questions whether the WASPy busybody deserved a happy ending too, and we debate whether the Hoover Dam is romantic or a place of death. And it's almost Elena's birthday so go leave us a review to celebrate!This episode was edited by Nick Duke: https://www.instagram.com/n_dukie/ Follow Chelsea Devantez on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chelseadevantez/Listen to Glamorous Trash's episode on Matthew Perry's Memoir: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/matthew-perrys-memoir-friends-lovers-and-the-big/id1533722524?i=1000586679944Listen to Chelsea's previous episode on Podstruck covering Love & Basketball: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/love-basketball-courting-on-the-court-with/id1770187159?i=1000684995161 Follow Podstruck on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podstruckpod/ Follow Podstruck on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podstruckpodcast Join our Patreon and get Meet Cutie Perks: https://www.patreon.com/c/Podstruckpod 

We're popping our TV show cherry this week with the HBO hockey sensation Heated Rivalry. Elena and Chelsea talk about why this gay sports love story has taken the world by storm, including Connor Storrie's ability to learn Russian, Hudson Williams' ability to communicate the book's inner monologue on his face, and all of the incredibly hot butts. Plus we discuss the parallels between this show and The Cutting Edge, the classic rom-com enemies to lovers trope and how it's used here, the music drops we loved and hated, which actor in the series might have been miscast, and finally how a pair of socks made Chelsea cry.Follow Podstruck on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podstruckpod/Get bonus episodes on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/Podstruckpod

It's our final episode of the subcategory "Rom-Com Icons" and we're covering the Frank Capra movie that swept at The Oscars, It Happened One Night, starring Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert. And we are joined by our editor Nick Duke (Cinestory Writing Fellow, Second round at the Austin Film Festival, and a Screencraft Fellow) to break down what parts of this pre-Code Hollywood rom-com still work and what parts don't. Hint: it has to do with smacking the leading lady! We also discuss if Steve Buscemi is Clark Gable's doppelgänger, why It Happened One Night only happened because of a series of happy accidents, and why rom-coms don't sweep at the Oscars anymore!This episode was edited by Nick Duke who was also our guest!: https://www.instagram.com/n_dukie/ Follow Podstruck on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podstruckpod/Follow Podstruck on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podstruckpodcastCheck out our Patreon and get Meet Cutie Perks: https://www.patreon.com/c/Podstruckpod

SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE BONUS EPISODEAs an exclusive bonus episode for our Podstruck Patreon subscribers AKA our Meet Cuties we are covering the BRAND NEW Netflix movie People We Meet On Vacation based on the book by Emily Henry. We dish on all the major changes from the book to the movie, we explain why Emily Bader might be the next Julia Roberts, we talk about the pros and cons of road tripping and drug tripping alone, and we explain what Lukas Gage and Meryl Streep have in common. And it turns out maybe anyone can run? And did you know babies start off life NAKED? Lots to unpack in this travel-focused episode all about an adorable new rom-com.To listen to the FULL bonus episode, sign up for our Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/c/Podstruckpod.

This week Podstruck continues the Rom-Com Icons collection of pioneering romance films with The Philadelphia Story. Ben Joseph (Dropout) and Ellie Race-Moore (Dropout) join Chelsea to talk about this Katharine Hepburn / Cary Grant / James Stewart classic about multiple men falling in love with a Philadelphia heiress. We dish on how this movie came together due to the power and vision of Hepburn, why the side character Liz played by Ruth Hussey stole our hearts, and the fact that hats are apparently the cool girl accessory for 2026. Plus this movie has what no others do: a dedicated pinch-cam.Video Visions Show Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/visions_video/?hl=enFollow Podstruck on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podstruckpod/Podstruck TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podstruckpodcastCheck out our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/Podstruckpod"

Happy new year to the Podstruck community! This week we’re kicking off 2026 with our Rom-Com Icons category - beginning with a classic romantic comedy from 1960: Billy Wilder’s The Apartment. This movie stars Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine, and Fred MacMurray, and was nominated for TEN Oscars though only won a measly five, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Screenplay, proving that rom-coms CAN be respected by critics - who knew?! And joining us today is legendary comedian, actor, writer and producer Dana Gould (The Simpsons, Hanging With Dr. Z, Ted, the voice of Gex the Gecko and so so much more)! Dana brings his razor-sharp wit, his incredible impressions and deep love of classic films to the conversation. Together, we unpack how affairs were common place in the '60's, why women would be forced to put up with it, and discuss the genre gumbo that is The Apartment! Is it a comedy? Is it a tragedy? Is it just a work place harassment video in the guise of a rom-com?! Let's find out! Plus: martinis at any time of day, burlesque dancing at a workplace Christmas party, and the genius use of forced perspective by Billy Wilder. Whether you’re a lifelong fan of classic Hollywood, a rom-com GEEK like us, or just discovering The Apartment for the first time, this episode is a must-listen.This episode was edited by Nick Duke: https://www.instagram.com/n_dukie/ Follow Dana Gould on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danagouldCheck out Dana's podcast The Dana Gould Hour: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dana-gould-hour/id499464663Follow Podstruck on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podstruckpod/Follow Podstruck on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podstruckpodcastCheck out our Patreon and get Meet Cutie Perks: https://www.patreon.com/c/Podstruckpod

CATEGORY: HORNIER FOR THE HOLIDAYSFor our final holiday movie of the year, Chelsea is joined by returning guests Catherine McCafferty & Margaret Kaminski to discuss 'Happiest Season,' the Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis queer rom-com from 2020. It's a romance that has us screaming RUN, but then we stay for the side characters who we can't get enough of. And we ask whether there was a version of this movie that ended with a love story with Aubrey Plaza. Thanks for listening to Podstruck throughout 2025 and cheers to a 2026 full of movies and love!This episode was edited by Nick Duke: https://www.instagram.com/n_dukie/ Follow Catherine McCafferty on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catherine_mccaffFollow Margaret Kaminski on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladyfantastique/Subscribe to Catherine's show Pretty Gay: https://www.patreon.com/PrettyGay       Follow Podstruck on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podstruckpod/Follow Podstruck on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@podstruckpodcastCheck out our Patreon and get Meet Cutie Perks: https://www.patreon.com/c/Podstruckpod