Popcorn Pals

Latest Episodes:

RE: Buffet Style Dec 29, 2021

Show notes

Dear Pennies & Pallers, In this week’s letter, a Pen Pal writes about a topic near and dear to our hearts: buffets. We also discuss: the Micro Machines guy, French silk pie, how going for seconds made you a good boy, skipping the rolls, and more. We wish you well, sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk & Rory Scovel

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RE: Elvis Presley & Christmas Surprise Dec 22, 2021

Show notes

Dear Pennies & Pallers, First, a Pen Pal writes about their love for Elvis Presley, and asks how we want to be remembered when we’re gone. In this week’s second letter, a Pen Pal debates whether or not he should surprise his mother with a Christmas visit, given his mother’s schedule as a nurse and his own medical issues. We also discuss: the origins of Boxing Day, hologram Frank Sinatra, rock documentaries, buying Cameos to plug Pen Pals, and more. We wish you well, sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk & Rory Scovel

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Chris Sullivan | RE: Power of Sports & Movie Languages Dec 15, 2021

Show notes

Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week we are joined by our Pen Pal (and certified penny) Chris Sullivan! First, a Pen Pal writes about the spiritual power of sports, and the community that comes with it. In this week’s second letter, an artist Pen Pal asks for our opinion on translation convention, a storytelling device where characters in film speak the language of the audience, instead of the native language of the character. We also discuss: Chris binging Pen Pals, the new studio, the movie “Annihilation,” the Full House theme song, being a pervert person, and more. We wish you well, sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk & Rory Scovel

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Will Ferrell | RE: Senior Year & Corporal Punishment Dec 08, 2021

Show notes

Dear Pennies & Pallers,

The great Will Ferrell joins us this week to read your letters!

In this week’s first letter, a high school senior asks what he can do to make his final year memorable - and invites us to his graduation party. Will shares some of his favorite high school memories - and explains how his son is carrying on the tradition of senior year hijinks.

In our second letter, a Pen Pal is uncomfortable with his wife’s continued use of spanking as a disciplinary method for their child, and asks if spanking is ever a reasonable punishment. He also asks about our showering order (soap first, then shampoo?).

We also discuss: Will’s real-life work as a youth soccer coach, playing the spoons, kegs at the grad party, Will forming a Reptile Club in high school, Lloyd’s bank, Will’s new show “The Shrink Next Door” on Apple TV+, and more.

We wish you well, sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk & Rory Scovel

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Skylar Astin | RE: Defining Weird & Social Anxiety Dec 01, 2021

Show notes

Dear Pennies & Pallers,

Today we are joined by our incredibly talented friend, Skylar Astin!

In our first letter, a Pen Pal asks about the fluid definition of “weird.”

This week’s second letter discusses the struggle of making friends when you have social anxiety.

We also discuss: Skylar’s new film “Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas,” finding your passion early, getting weird, dad jokes, and a great Robin Williams story.

We wish you well, sincerely,

Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk & Rory Scovel

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Naomi Ekperigin | RE: Travel Hacks & Cabin Antics Nov 24, 2021

Show notes

Dear Pennies & Pallers,

This week we are joined by our new Pen Pal, the great Naomi Ekperigin!

In our first letter, our Pen Pal Will asks for our favorite travel hacks. In this week’s second letter, our Pen Pal Chris Sullivan explains how drunken antics at the cabin as a young man ended with him swimming in a fiery lake. Yes, you read that right. We also discuss: the morning radio grind, Dairy Queen Blizzards, packing two days before flights, who gets invited to the cabin, and Naomi’s solo travel stories!

We wish you well, sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk & Rory Scovel

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Kevin Nealon | RE: Boat Names & Reaching Out Nov 17, 2021

Show notes

Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week we are joined by the brilliant Kevin Nealon! In our first letter, a Pen Pal living in Japan asks us to name the new boat he is building. In this week’s second letter, a Pen Pal wants to know how to best support his girlfriend as she struggles with medical school and friends who don't reach out. We also discuss: Rory’s childhood Hans & Franz costume, boat guys, Kevin’s excellent caricatures, seeing mountain lions in the wild, and more. We wish you well, sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk & Rory Scovel

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Hannah Berner | RE: Inconsiderate People & Consolation Prize Nov 10, 2021

Show notes

Dear Pennies & Pallers,

This week we are joined by the hilarious Hannah Berner! Catch her on tour now, and listen to her podcasts Berning In Hell & Giggly Squad.

Our first letter asks about inconsiderate people: the jerk drivers, litterers, movie theater talkers, and the sickos who play music on the subway without headphones.

In our moving second letter, a Pen Pal explains why he feels insecure about his wife’s deceased high school sweetheart.

We also discuss: Instagram Lives with zero views, taking phone calls at the movies, using comedy to grapple with trauma, and more.

We wish you well, sincerely,

Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk & Rory Scovel

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Adam Cayton-Holland | RE: Swedish Spirits & Work Stress Nov 03, 2021

Show notes

Dear Pennies & Pallers, This week we are joined by our friend Adam Cayton-Holland! First, a Pen Pal shares her supernatural experience in the woods of Sweden and also performs an amazing rendition of the theme song in Swedish! In our second letter, the husband of an over-worked teacher asks for advice on dealing with a tough job (and casually plugs his vasectomy). We also discuss: Adam’s new comedy album “Hot Takes,” why the High Plains Comedy Festival is so cool, whether we’d walk into a haunted house, doing what you love, and more. We wish you well, sincerely, Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk & Rory Scovel

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RE: Hanging Brain & Incompatible Love Oct 27, 2021

Show notes

Dear Pennies & Pallers,

First, we have a hot-off-the-presses (night of!) letter from a Pen Pal who was witness to a deeply unpleasant view when her beloved former boss sat down in short shorts. She wants to know: have we ever caught an unintentional glimpse of someone’s body that made us cringe?

In our second letter, a Pen Pal asks for advice in dealing with a complicated and unrequited love for an inconsiderate person.

We also discuss: soaking, guys who fight, going commando, how to pronounce “foyer,” and more.

We wish you well, sincerely,

Your Pen Pals Daniel Van Kirk & Rory Scovel

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.