Read it and Weep

Read it and Weep used to be a podcast about books. Now we talk about movies and other pop culture with a confidence level unearned by our actual knowledge.

Alex & Ezra's Quest for All* Knowledge: The Royal Marathon vs. Baseball's First Bullies 08/09/2026

Alex & Ezra's Quest for All* Knowledge: The Royal Marathon vs. Baseball's First Bullies Alex and Ezra are back with a sports fact showdown! One sports fact will be remembered for eternity. The other? Immediately forgotten. Also, if you want faces with your sports facts, they're here on YouTube. And if you like the show, ! We're talking favorite sport facts here--for free! /episode/index/show/readitandweep/id/42370820

Eurovision (2026) 07/21/2026

Eurovision (2026) It's a new season! Welcome to Read it and Weep Season 8: Embrace the Weep! This season is all about the media that moves us and our friends. So obviously, OBVIOUSLY, it had to be Eurovision. For this, I've roped in my friend Cathy to tell me about the highs and lows of Eurovision. Anthony's prepared some ! Also we're on (at least until I get annoyed with video editing) We recommend: Local Flutes Touching Grass Democracy Lordi Daði Freyr Join the Patreon party! Answer free polls or give us money, all at /episode/index/show/readitandweep/id/42161785

Hi from Ireland (RIAW 8.00) 06/30/2026

Hi from Ireland (RIAW 8.00) Hey friends of the Palgorithm! No episode yet, but we'll be dropping Eurovision by mid-July and it'll be edited in Europe for extra worldliness! Meanwhile, thanks so much for the , no notes, would consume on a plane again. If you have any , send them my way! /episode/index/show/readitandweep/id/41912765

Alex & Ezra's Quest for All* Knowledge: Twist Ties and Noses 06/12/2026

Alex & Ezra's Quest for All* Knowledge: Twist Ties and Noses Like the show? Alex and Ezra are long-time friends who are both a mile wide and an inch. After careful research, we’ve determined there are exactly 1,206 things to know about the world, so we're setting out on a quest to learn one fact about everything that’s ever happened BUT NOT TWO. This episode? We learn just one thing about Twist Ties and Noses. /episode/index/show/readitandweep/id/41629205

Heated Rivalry (2025) with Sarah Hatheway & Amanda Leinbaugh 05/31/2026

Heated Rivalry (2025) with Sarah Hatheway & Amanda Leinbaugh Season 8 is starting soon! Shape it by giving us on the ! Hot Frosty 2: Hot Ice. Cool Canadian hockey phenom Shane Hollander and Brusque Russian hockey hot-shot Illya Rosanov are rivals on the skates but, surprise, lovers between the sheets. They’re hot and cold as public and private lives cross-check each other, but in an uplifting, very needed example of queer joy, it’s all actually okay! They profess their love, come out to Shane’s parents, and get all the happy endings that they deserve. However many hockey sticks you like in your fantasy, you’re sure to get melted by Heated Rivalry. The RIAW-gorithm also recommends: Fleabag Season 2 Schitt's Creek Chala Hunter, all-star intimacy coordinator Pillion (but not if you want anything like Heated Rivalry Ben's Bakery and the Hanukkah Miracle Next up: Season 8 and Eurovision! /episode/index/show/readitandweep/id/41480135

Star Trek: The Next Generation - Time Travel! w/ Stephen Carter & Caitlin Gill 04/30/2026

Star Trek: The Next Generation - Time Travel! w/ Stephen Carter & Caitlin Gill Like the show? Support the ! Space, the final frontier. But also time, some would say, a more final frontier. These are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise. To go cheat at dom jot and get stabbed in the back. To get robbed by a time traveler while saving a planet. To prevent 22 years of war by killing off Tasha Yar again. And to boldly meet Kelsey Grammars like no one has met Kelsey Grammars before. We voted on our and picked these ST:TNG Time Travel episodes: 3.15 Yesterday's Enterprise 5.9 A Matter of Time 5.18 Cause & Effect 6.15 Tapestry The RIAW-lgorithm also recommends: Dark Also Dark The Husbands The Gone World Resident Alien More Star Trek (DS9, Lower Decks, Strange New Worlds) /episode/index/show/readitandweep/id/41070270

Seconds Away (2025) with director Ben Kegan, NCAA Indoor Champion Colby Alexander, and NipGuard Enthusiast Dru Johnston 03/31/2026

Seconds Away (2025) with director Ben Kegan, NCAA Indoor Champion Colby Alexander, and NipGuard Enthusiast Dru Johnston This is a special one. Not only are we talking running, we're doing it with my friends (NipGuards episode) and . Ben made a whole incredible documentary about running. We even have NCAA indoor champion joining us to talk about his experience in the movie. Check it out: "SECONDS AWAY follows Belgian-American runner Peter Callahan and his longtime coach, Patrick McHugh, as they chase a qualifying time fast enough to make the Olympic Games. When Patrick is diagnosed with cancer, their pursuit becomes an unflinching look inside the sacrifices, devotion, and rare bond that define life at the edge of elite running." If you liked this, the RIAW-lgorithm also recommends: • Seeing You can even ! • • Running with your arms out like in Weapons • Across the Tracks (with Brad Pitt) • Run Lola Run • Without Limits • Chariots of Fire • What I Talk About When I Talk About Running /episode/index/show/readitandweep/id/40684725

Murder She Wrote (1984) with Caitlin Gill & Amanda Leinbaugh 02/26/2026

Murder She Wrote (1984) with Caitlin Gill & Amanda Leinbaugh No longer a tea pot, Angela Lansbury is mystery writer Jessica Fletcher, living in Cabot Cove, Maine, a lovely community except for all the MURDER! We watched: S4 E7- If it's Thursday, it must be Beverly S7 E10 - Murder in F Sharp S10 E5 - A Virtual Murder Some bonus recs: S2 E14 - Keep the Home Fries Burning S2 E20 - Menace, Anyone? S12 E16 - Murder Among Friends Thanks to for bringing this one too us and for Amanda Leinbaugh for being our main Maine expert! The RIAWlgorithm also recommends: Magnum PI ! ! Sue Grafton books Knives Out movies Murder, She Baked! Diane Mott Davidson books Living a full life past your 60s. Next up, with Stephen & Caitlin! /episode/index/show/readitandweep/id/40246235

Red Dwarf (1989) with Stephen Carter 01/29/2026

Red Dwarf (1989) with Stephen Carter Space. On a crappy mining ship in the future, everyone dies except for Dave Lister, a lowly technician, who survives for 3 million years in stasis. Joining him are the suave descendant of his cat, the hologram of his dead pompous bunkmate, a low-polygon max headroom-looking android, and the ship’s computer who, depending on the episode, is a man, a woman, an idiot, a genius. If you ever saw Star Trek and Doctor Who and thought–I want the opposite of this, you might just want to take a trip with Red Dwarf. The RIAWlgorithm also recommends: Avatars, but not complaining about it A ball pit (but not that one) Life on Mars Dark Bon Appetit, Your Majesty The Lazarus project 11/22/63 Palm Springs Kelsey Grammar Time-Travel X-Men: Days of Future Past Star Trek: TNG "Cause and Effect" Encino Man Captain America: The First Avenger Blast from the Past Blackadder Dr. Who Next up, Murder, She Wrote with Caitlin and Amanda! Want to steer this show in some direction? Email us at ! /episode/index/show/readitandweep/id/39918025

Tokyo Godfathers (2003) with Todd McClintock 12/25/2025

Tokyo Godfathers (2003) with Todd McClintock Three unhoused people try to return a baby on Christmas in Tokyo. No notes. This Satoshi Kon film is just perfect. Strong recommend you watch it however/wherever you can (Tubi, Hoopla, however you can track it down). The RIAWlgorithm also recommends: shows & Porco Rosso Cruel Intentions/Dangerous Liaisons Next up, Red Dwarf with Stephen Carter! Want to steer this show in some direction? Email us at ! See you in the new year! /episode/index/show/readitandweep/id/39532485

Columbo (1971) with Amanda Leinbaugh & Caitin Gill 12/03/2025

Columbo (1971) with Amanda Leinbaugh & Caitin Gill Aw jeez, I’m real sorry to take up your time. Y’see I’m Lt. Columbo, and I just need to ask you a few questions. It’s the early '70s and I’m a detective in Los Angeles. Every week some famous '70s star who you might not recognize, but they look kind of familiar, see, they kill someone, takes ‘em about 20 minutes, then for an hour or so they try and get away with it. Great stars, you get Dick van Dyke, Donald Pleasence, Johnny Cash, aw, you’re gonna love it. And they always underestimate me, the Grandpa from Princess Bride. But there’s a good twist and bam, sooner or later, I crack the case. Maybe it’s my rumpled, disarming affect. I’m sorry for wasting your time. And one more thing... if you liked this, you might just take up the case of Columbo." If you liked this, the RIAWgorithm recommends: where I wrote about Mr. Rogers & Zombies Giving Anthony things to plug () New Matlock! Murder She Wrote (will be episode 7.15) Poker Face Brick Only Murders in the Building Midsummer Murders /episode/index/show/readitandweep/id/39255655

Throwback! Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987) 11/27/2025

Throwback! Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987) Happy Thanksgiving! We're revisiting one of the only Thanksgiving movies ever in this classic Read it and Weep episode from (checks notes) wow, 2022! Enjoy, and here's wishing you a great holiday. /episode/index/show/readitandweep/id/39189840

Fisk (2021) with Colleen Clancy 11/05/2025

Fisk (2021) with Colleen Clancy Like the show? ! Fan favorite Colleen Clancy (, ) is back with one of her faves, ! This Aussie workplace comedy bring quirk, warmth, laughs and cultural references you won't exactly get, but will catch on. It's good for what ails you, which great news for Anthony who's battling a cold. The RIAWlgorithm also recommends: Girls5eva The Gutter Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Bluey, especially Cricket The Paper Eastbound and Down Frayed Naps Medicine Next time: Columbo! Anthony’s episode recs: S1 E4 Suitable For Framing. Love the ending of this one. S3 E 2 Any Old Port in a Storm. Donald Pleasence loves wine and a little bit of murder. S4 E2 Negative Reaction Dick Van Dyke kills his wife. If you can watch more: S1 E1 Murder by the Book Directed by a 24-year-old Steven Spielberg. S2 E1 Etude in Black John Cassavetes is really good in this one. S3 E7 Swan Song Johnny Cash is gospel singer, pilot and murderer. Good music in this one. /episode/index/show/readitandweep/id/38917350

Eagle-Eye Cherry's Desireless (1997) & NipGuards with Dru Johnston 10/18/2025

Eagle-Eye Cherry's Desireless (1997) & NipGuards with Dru Johnston Man, this is a wild one. We’re talking Eagle-Eye Cherry’s album Desireless EXCEPT for Save Tonight. And also NipGuards. Mostly NipGuards. I don’t know who this one’s for, but it’s the brain-child of , one of the funniest humans I know. Oh, also, we’re doing a Nepo Baby Fantasy Draft. The RIAWlgorithm also recommends: 🏃‍♂️Dru’s Running Substack, 🎭 David Ives plays (Polish Joke and All in the Timing) 🎶 The part of Jumper when Third Eye Blind goes “Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah” 🎶 Hans Zimmer or a White Noise Machine /episode/index/show/readitandweep/id/38627530

Wellington Paranormal (2021) with Caitlin Gill 09/23/2025

Wellington Paranormal (2021) with Caitlin Gill Things are about to get weird! It's X-Files meets Cops meets a person with a bed sheet over their head. After 2014’s What We Do in the Shadows, New Zealand cops Minogue and O’Leary get their documentary crew to lightly investigate near Wellington’s most extreme paranormal activity. ‘70s orgy ghosts, drunk werewolves, blood bag-stealing vampires, spitting cloning plant aliens, and 16 creep clowns are all ignored or gently reprimanded. If you’re in the mood for spoopy cozy vibes with occasional projectile fluids, you might just get glamoured by Wellington Paranormal. ----- Liked it? The RIAWlgorithm also recommends: 🚓 Reno 911 🧛 What We Do in the Shadows (Movie/Show) Recorded on 8/8/25 (in case you're wondering what specific world craziness we were experiencing) Editing by Zach Hahn Music by @mitrxxx /episode/index/show/readitandweep/id/38329155

ZOMBIES (2018) with Sarah Hatheway & Stephen Carter 09/02/2025

ZOMBIES (2018) with Sarah Hatheway & Stephen Carter We now have a ! Support the show–or don't! I'm probably making it either way! Do you miss Glee? Are you bummed Warm Bodies wasn't a 4-movie franchise--and a musical? Are you all about West Side Story, minus the stabbies? Then you're not just craving brains, you're also hungry for the 2018 DCOM ZOMBIES. We’ve got sick flips, racism allegories, a song book with a surprising number of bangers, and necrophilia? Maybe! So grab your cauliflower brains and your double vanilla froyo as we take a heapin’ bite out of ZOMBIES. Liked it? The RIAWlgorithm also recommends: 👩‍🎤KPop Demon Hunters ⏰Time Capsules 🧟‍♂️Zombies 2 & 3 😈Descendants 1-4 🏔️The Sound of Music ⌛️The Lazarus Project 📺Paradise 📘Hyperion 📚All Dune Books Ever 💇‍♀️Tangled 🧟‍♂️⌛️28 Years Later Recorded on 8/8/25 (in case you're wondering what specific world craziness we were experiencing) Editing by Zach Hahn Music by @mitrxxx /episode/index/show/readitandweep/id/38063305

The Batman (2022) with Bri Pruett 08/05/2025

The Batman (2022) with Bri Pruett An obscure comic book character finally gets the big screen treatment! For many of us who have never heard of him, Bruce Wayne is a rich orphan whose parents were killed. He’s uncriming the city gritty dark block by gritty dark block. But no shooties, only punchies. That’s his code. And hey, do you like animals? Oh man, we got rats, cats, bats! Ratas aladas, penguins, falcons–you name it, and it’s a major plot point. Plus, another masked vigilante is terrifying this city with riddles, cyphers, and a digit-al thumb drive. But are they so different? It’s dark, it’s punchy, and if you want to know once and for all "who is vengeance?", you just might take flight with... The Batman. Liked it? The RIAWlgorithm also recommends: 🧸 Paddington 3! 🔥 RRR 🏏 Lagaan 😈 Sinners 📺 Harley Quinn Eddington? Also check out: Hunter's other podcasts: , , Upcoming Stand-Up Special! Recorded on 6/25/25 (in case you're wondering what specific world craziness we were experiencing) Editing by Zach Hahn Music by @mitrxxx /episode/index/show/readitandweep/id/37693920

Only Connect with Alex Falcone & Stephen Carter 07/29/2025

Only Connect with Alex Falcone & Stephen Carter is back! And he's brought one of his faves–Only Connect. Do you love the Great British, but could do without the Bake-Off? Is your kink being asked questions that make you wonder "am I stupid, or am I just American?" Do you want to spend 30 minutes with a furrowed brow, mumbling wrong answers to yourself? Then you might just love Only Connect. This British quiz show, hosted by Victoria Coren Mitchell has run since 2008 for over 500 episodes. It features Egyptian hieroglyphs, and if you like your British culture with extra British, you are in for a TREAT. Plus we have anglophile Stephen Carter to round out a newly-formed quiz team with Anthony and Ezra. Play along with us! Liked it? The RIAWlgorithm also recommends: 📰 🎣 🤔 💰 ⚽ Liverpool FC 📺 🌊 Bidets 🧩 Crossword Puzzles 🤝 Actual Quiz Groups Recorded on 5/30/25 (in case you're wondering what specific world craziness we were experiencing) Editing by Zach Hahn Music by @mitrxxx /episode/index/show/readitandweep/id/37587935

Beyond Belief (1997) with Caitlin Gill 06/24/2025

Beyond Belief (1997) with Caitlin Gill Do you wish the crypt keeper was bangable? Is your CRT desktop overflowing with Riker fan fic? Do you long for a time when fringe ideas didn’t incite national chaos? Then you might just love "Beyond Belief: Fact, or Fiction." This '90s anthology lovingly preserved in its native SD, features Jonathan Frakes, dozens of visual metaphors, and acting that makes you say, "Wow. Just wow." Fan-favorite is here for all the puns, faux-spookiness, and wholesome Canadian production vibes. Liked it? The RIAWlgorithm also recommends: 🚀 ✍️ 🌌 🎭 Good Bad Movies like Recorded on 5/9/25 (in case you're wondering what specific world craziness we were experiencing) Editing by Zach Hahn Music by @mitrxxx /episode/index/show/readitandweep/id/37066765

All Systems Red (#1 Murderbot Diaries) - with Amanda Leinbaugh 06/10/2025

All Systems Red (#1 Murderbot Diaries) - with Amanda Leinbaugh What do you get when you mix: 🤖A rogue SecUnit who was programmed to kill, but just wants to binge-watch its soaps. 🧑‍🔬 Team of scientists on an alien planet overcoming their prejudices, surviving, and making bot friends and 👾 An evil survey team here to kill anyone who gets between them and their sweet, sweet alien remnant tech? It's Martha Wells's hit novella, All Systems Red, #1 of the Murderbot Diaries, now a hit Apple TV+ show with infinity more Skarsgård! The book's a fast, shooty romp with our sarcastic murderbot who longs to dip out of reality and watch its shows. Girl, same. Liked it? The RIAWlgorithm also recommends: 🍵 The books by Becky Chambers (Amanda) (Anthony) 🥇 🐸 🦉 ✨ by Drew Williams. 📞Calling congress, protesting, and helping how you can. Recorded on 4/25/25 (in case you're wondering what specific world craziness we were experiencing) Editing by Zach Hahn Music by @mitrxxx /episode/index/show/readitandweep/id/36826580

Paris is Burning (1990) with Bri Pruett 05/27/2025

Paris is Burning (1990) with Bri Pruett Why do we slay all day? Why do we serve? Why is it giving? It’s all thanks to drag ballroom culture, and drag’s permeation of mainstream is in large part thanks to . Across the board, we loved this legendary documentary by , with its executive realness, vintage 80s b-roll, and giant trophies. Also: 🌳😪Anthony’s suffering through sleep regression. 🦋Hunter’s gotta watch out for moths So if you’re looking for some podcast realness and the origin for pretty much all of today’s slang, you might just love Paris is Burning. Liked it? The RIAWlgorthim says may also enjoy: 👀 a Paris is Burning spiritual sequel 👑 a Paris is Burning spiritual prequel 🌹 (Hunter’s pick) 🏁 (Bri’s Pick) 👏 (Bri’s Pick) 📺 (Anthony’s Pick) Other Recs: 🎲(Hunter’s pick) 🎲 hosting a tournament at and doing shows! 🤩Bri’s in an award-winning short film, with H. Jon Benjamin! (Bri’s Pick) 🤩Also ! 🌆 Pre-Giuliani, New York (Anthony’s) 🛏️Sleep. Always sleep. Recorded on 4/11/25 (in case you're wondering what specific world craziness we were experiencing) Editing by Zach Hahn Music by @mitrxxx /episode/index/show/readitandweep/id/36700000

The Thick of It with Stephen Carter 05/06/2025

The Thick of It with Stephen Carter Feeling like a dive into the ultra-bleak world of politics... in 2003? Welcome to The Thick of It! Before he saved the universe as The Doctor, Peter Capaldi starred as a foul-mouthed fixer in Armando Iannucci's proto-Veep set in the UK. Shaky cams! Old cell phones! Resignations! It's got it all! Also: The Cat in the Hat is no angel. OSHA in the Mushroom Kingdom. So if you like your escapism to be nearly as depressing as reality, you might just find yourself in The Thick of It. Liked it? The RIAWlgorthim says may also enjoy: 📰 The news 💀 Working a dead end job. Other Recs: 😴 Sleep 🏋️🥦 Lifting weights and eating vegetables Recorded on 2/11/25 (in case you're wondering what specific world craziness we were experiencing) Editing by Zach Hahn Music by @mitrxxx /episode/index/show/readitandweep/id/36394485

An American in Paris with Sarah Hatheway 04/29/2025

An American in Paris with Sarah Hatheway It's a new season of Read it and Weep! Alex has graciously passed the hosting mic on to Ezra and it's gonna get a little weird. This season, Ezra's trying to break out of his algorithms. He's looking for media that his friends love, but that no one's talking about these days. First up, Sarah Hatheway brings us Gene Kelly's 1951 Technicolor musical, An American in Paris. Dream ballets! Questionable 1950s romantic subplots! And rhythm? Yeah, we've got rhythm. Who could ask for anything more? (Also, the recording date was 1/28/25, thus the timely Oscars talk.) Editing by Zach Hahn Music by @mitrxxx /episode/index/show/readitandweep/id/36348740

Holiday Miracle! Hot Frosty (2024) 12/24/2024

Holiday Miracle! Hot Frosty (2024) Cold soup for the soul. /episode/index/show/readitandweep/id/34602085

Dad Pod #02 - The Nature of Sleep 03/08/2024

Dad Pod #02 - The Nature of Sleep Wake up shot out of a canon /episode/index/show/readitandweep/id/30296228

Dad Pod #01 - Declawing Babies 12/01/2023

Dad Pod #01 - Declawing Babies While Best Thing Ever is on break, we checked in with Anthony about being a new dad including lack of sleep, low expectations, and declawing babies. Parenting is fun and not that hard! /episode/index/show/readitandweep/id/28887548

Mummy Minute #03 - Warm Bodies 10/31/2023

Mummy Minute #03 - Warm Bodies Alex Falcone and Ezra Fox accidentally became mummy romance experts when they wrote their best-selling young adult novel (http://unwrapmyheart.com). For Spooktober they're reviewing three classic pieces of mummy pop culture and analyzing how good the mummies are if they can get it. Today they dive into a young-adult romance that is close to mummies but crucially different: zombies. With Warm Bodies (2016) we find out why zombies bit the love bug before mummies did. It's the gushy boys vs the bony boys on the finale of Mummy Minute. #podcast #moviereview #zombies #monsters #monstermovie #spooky #halloween /episode/index/show/readitandweep/id/28480937

Mummy Minute #02 - Anne Rice 10/27/2023

Mummy Minute #02 - Anne Rice Part two of our mini-series about mummies for spooky month. This time we talked about the most famous mummy romance novel (): The Mummy or Ramses the Damses by Anne Rice. Next week we'll wrap things up (sorry) with a slant rhyme on mummies, zombie romance. /episode/index/show/readitandweep/id/28446752

Mummy Minute #01 - The Mummy (1932) 10/13/2023

Mummy Minute #01 - The Mummy (1932) Alex and Ezra accidentally became mummy romance experts when they wrote their best-selling young adult novel (http://unwrapmyheart.com). For Spooktober they're reviewing three classic pieces of mummy pop culture and analyzing how good the mummies are if they can get it. /episode/index/show/readitandweep/id/28310591

Season 1 Wrap | BTE 1.29 09/14/2023

Season 1 Wrap | BTE 1.29 All good things must come to an end and so must all okay things! With that, we're calling this the official end of season 1. We talked about 27 things all of which could have been the best thing ever but today we decide once and for all which one is (you'll be surprised). Plus a mini ranking and a bunch of list stuff sure to annoy almost anybody. Enjoy! Thanks for the support this season and we'll see you again in a bit! /episode/index/show/readitandweep/id/28037139

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