When Rom Met Com

Jack and Nora are joined by film journalist, author, and editor at [redacted] Helen O’Hara to discuss #18 on Vanity Fair’s list of the 42 Best Romantic Comedies of All Time: Down With Love. In this episode, Nora doesn’t have a chance with David Hyde Pierce, Jack channels his 13-year-old self, and Helen wants you to suspend your disbelief when watching romcoms. Coordinate your outfits, jump into (or out of) a helicopter, and let’s enjoy some sex à la carte!Topics include:The mysteries of the cinema box officeAccidentally making eye contact with celebrities Animal Attraction (2001)–Mysteries we still haven’t solved:Why wasn’t Down With Love more successful on its release?–Where to find us:Instagram, TikTok, Threads, and Letterboxd at @whenrommetcomSupport the future of the show on Ko-fiFollow Jack at @thejackgregsonshowFollow Nora at @norassic_parkFollow Helen at @heleno84 (and learn more about her books here)–Find links to our Spotify playlist, the Vanity Fair list, and more here.Join the conversation! Give us your take on the films we cover, which romcoms you think should be on the list, or your best “would do/ wouldn’t do/ have done” stories on socials or at mail@whenrommet.com.

Jack and Nora are joined by actor, writer, and director Macadie Amoroso to discuss #19 on Vanity Fair’s list of the 42 Best Romantic Comedies of All Time: Anora. In this episode, Nora reveals her best and worst opinion, Jack has a heart of stone, and Macadie is living life on the edge. Freshen up your manicure (manifesting $$$), head to Vegas, and let’s chase our fairytale!Topics include:Pretty Woman (1990)Intimacy CoordinatorsRobbie Williams and Take That–Mysteries we still haven’t solved:Is Anora a romantic comedy?–Content Warning: A quick heads up from us— this episode contains lengthy discussions of rape culture, simulated violence against women/ sex workers, and vulnerability and power dynamics (both on film sets and in the world in general).–Where to find us:Instagram, TikTok, Threads, and Letterboxd at @whenrommetcomSupport the future of the show on Ko-fiFollow Jack at @thejackgregsonshowFollow Nora at @norassic_parkFollow Macadie at @macadie.amoroso (and get tickets to see her short film Fish & Chips at BFI Flare 2026 here!)–Find links to our Spotify playlist, the Vanity Fair list, and more here.Join the conversation! Give us your take on the films we cover, which romcoms you think should be on the list, or your best “would do/ wouldn’t do/ have done” stories on socials or at mail@whenrommet.com.

Jack and Nora are joined by their Emmy-nominated comedian and writer Erika Ehler to discuss #20 on Vanity Fair’s list of the 42 Best Romantic Comedies of All Time: How Stella Got Her Groove Back. In this episode, Nora reveals her favorite romcom kiss of all time, Jack shares his milkshake-related trauma, and Erika extolls the virtues of Canadian stove top stuffing. Pack your running gear, fly off to Jamaica, and let’s track down our titular “groove”!Topics include:Age-gap relationships (again)Television legal drama Kevin Hill (2004-2005)Angela Bassett and Whoopi Goldberg’s sparkling on-screen chemistry–Mysteries we still haven’t solved:What’s wrong with renting Booty Call and The Lion King?Why didn’t Victor Garber get a credit?–Where to find us:Instagram, TikTok, Threads, and Letterboxd at @whenrommetcomSupport the future of the show on Ko-fiFollow Jack at @thejackgregsonshowFollow Nora at @norassic_parkFollow Erika at @erikaehler, her podcast at @insanethoughtposse, and her comedy night at @comedyforhotpeople.–Find links to our Spotify playlist, the Vanity Fair list, and more here.Join the conversation! Give us your take on the films we cover, which romcoms you think should be on the list, or your best “would do/ wouldn’t do/ have done” stories on socials or at mail@whenrommet.com.

Jack and Nora are joined by performer, writer, and producer Charlie Dinkin to discuss #21 on Vanity Fair’s list of the 42 Best Romantic Comedies of All Time: The 40-Year-Old Virgin. In this episode, Nora is fixated on orthodontia, Charlie has a personal vendetta against Funko Pops, and Jack reveals what the boys are really talking about. Wax your chest, power up your cutting-edge combo VHS/DVD player, and let’s get some f***ing French toast!Topics include:2000s-2010s romcoms (and why they’re largely missing from this list)There’s Something About Mary (1998) and zipper-related traumaSongs we had to sing in school –Mysteries we still haven’t solved:Does that Viagra match trick actually work?–Content warning: Much like this film, this episode goes to some weird and potentially uncomfortable places - from penis-related body horror to pornography to discussions of homophobia and of misogyny (particularly the fear/ threat of violence against women) hinted at in parts of the film. Please tread carefully if these are sensitive topics!–Where to find us:Instagram, TikTok, Threads, and Letterboxd at @whenrommetcomSupport the future of the show on Ko-fiFollow Jack at @thejackgregsonshowFollow Nora at @norassic_parkFollow Charlie Dinkin at @chazzykat (and watch her ITV sketch comedy pilot, Say! Less!, or her Christmas panel show, I Don’t Do… Christmas with Julian Clary)–Find links to our Spotify playlist, the Vanity Fair list, and more here.Join the conversation! Give us your take on the films we cover, which romcoms you think should be on the list, or your best “would do/ wouldn’t do/ have done” stories on socials or at mail@whenrommet.com.

Jack and Nora are joined by Rachael Joyce and Will Anderson, the meme-making power couple behind “The Theater Lovers” to discuss #22 on Vanity Fair’s list of the 42 Best Romantic Comedies of All Time: Moonstruck. In this episode, Jack explains the rules of curses, Rachel finds kinship with Bobo the career server, Will shares his deeply-held philosophy on Nicolas Cage, and Nora wants everyone to know that she is ¼ Italian. Hang on to your hand/ bride/ pack of dogs, do NOT order the oily fish, and let’s go to the opera!Topics include:The magic of the moonCher’s hair“American cheating”–Mysteries we still haven’t solved:When did Loretta take the Lord’s name in vain (twice)? –Where to find us:Instagram, TikTok, Threads, and Letterboxd at @whenrommetcomFollow Jack at @thejackgregsonshowFollow Nora at @norassic_parkFollow The Theatre Lovers at @the_theatre_loversFollow Rachael at @itsrachaeljoyceFollow Will at @wlander–Find links to our Spotify playlist, the Vanity Fair list, and more here.Join the conversation! Give us your take on the films we cover, which romcoms you think should be on the list, or your best “would do/ wouldn’t do/ have done” stories on socials or at mail@whenrommet.com.

Jack and Nora are joined by screenwriting coach, author, and podcaster Pilar Alessandra to discuss #23 on Vanity Fair’s list of the 42 Best Romantic Comedies of All Time: Four Weddings and a Funeral. In this episode, Nora does some impressive mental gymnastics to justify one infamous line, Jack reveals the worst joke he’s ever written, and Pilar is definitely not pro-bonnet. Dust off your best suit/ floppy hairdo, do NOT forget the rings, and let’s head to the chapel (x4)!Topics include:Who Charles should have ended up with (and who should have won an Oscar)Best man speechesPaddington 2 (2017)–Mysteries we still haven’t solved:Who is Pilar’s favorite - Jack or Nora? Why is it called a honeymoon???–Where to find us:Instagram, TikTok, Threads, and Letterboxd at @whenrommetcomSupport the future of the show on Ko-fiFollow Jack at @thejackgregsonshowFollow Nora at @norassic_parkFollow Pilar at @onthepage or learn more about her screenwriting classes, podcast, and book at https://www.onthepage.tv.–Find links to our Spotify playlist, the Vanity Fair list, and more here.Join the conversation! Give us your take on the films we cover, which romcoms you think should be on the list, or your best “would do/ wouldn’t do/ have done” stories on socials or at mail@whenrommet.com.