They Thought I Was You

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Two of a Kind pt 2: What Happened to Pokey Valentine? Feb 08, 2022

Show notes

We thought we could be casual about Two of a Kind, but no. This show is anything but casual.
After reviewing the Two of a Kind pilot last week, it became very clear that we needed to rewatch this whole series in its entirety. So that's exactly what we did.
And although the task of watching 22 episodes of television in one week was rather daunting for two women with full-time jobs, every episode brought us immense joy, inspiration and validation as Mary-Kate and Ashley fans and lovers of comedy (except for the episode where Carrie breaks up with a guy for wearing a bra... we'll talk about it).
This episode of our podcast truly could have been four hours long, but out of respect for you, we contained our commentary to an hour and twenty minutes. We might not go over every perfect detail, but we honor every perfect school dance, every tragic locker room vandalism, and every perfectly placed Titanic poster. We may have contained ourselves for this episode, but do not expect us to stop talking about Two of a Kind for a very, VERY long time.
This is our love letter, our declaration of purpose, our appreciation of this one true perfect moment in time... even if we are still torturing ourselves wondering what happened to Pokey Valentine!!
Watch all the episodes of this notoriously hard-to-find show here.
We found these episodes and more in @SimplyOlsen's instagram bio!
Find us on Instagram!
Show: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Thoughts/questions? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Two of a Kind pt 1: The Pilot Feb 01, 2022

Show notes

On September 25th, 1998, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen returned to the small screen on ABC's coveted TGIF lineup with their brand new sitcom, Two of a Kind.
And it was a big f*cking deal. Not only was this the first time Mary-Kate and Ashley would be starring in a sitcom as two different characters, this was also their first TV appearance since the cancellation Full House, and their debut to mainstream audiences as full-fledged preteen girls.
So in today's episode, we give this premiere episode the full attention that this momentous occasion deserves. We gush over their uber-talented costars Christopher Sieber and Sally Wheeler, puzzle over the name "Pokey Valentine," and reflect on what this TV show meant to us when it aired.
Also, we remind ourselves that generally speaking, pilots aren't great. So we lovingly critique the episode's plot holes and character flaws, while understanding that the show as a whole was so much more than the pilot episode would lead audiences to believe.
So put on your pedal pushers and chunky sandals, flip your baseball cap backwards, and get ready to revisit the magic that was Mary-Kate and Ashley's Two of a Kind.
Watch the Two of a Kind pilot "Putting Two 'n Two Together" here.

Find all the episodes of Two of a Kind in @SimplyOlsen's instagram bio!
Find us on Instagram!
Show: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Thoughts/questions? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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America Needs to Know if Mary-Kate and Ashley Have Boyfriends Jan 25, 2022

Show notes

In 1998, Mary-Kate and Ashley went on a press tour to promote their return to television on the TGIF lineup in the new sitcom, Two of a Kind.
On today's episode, we're taking a look at how the media approached Mary-Kate and Ashley on this tour as they entered their tweens. Spoiler alert: it ain't great. Even with a mountain of projects to their name, the TV personalities had only one question for the 12 year-old Olsen Twins-- when would they get boyfriends??
We watch and dissect their appearances on Rosie O'Donnell, Regis & Kathie Lee, The View, and Good Morning America. The cringe is plentiful, and so are our reflections of how talking to young girls like this is painful and damaging in oh, so many ways.
And we conclude with a few questions of our own that we would have died to ask Mary-Kate and Ashley in '98 (that have nothing to do with kissing boys).
Interviews we talk about:
Rosie O'Donnell Show
Regis and Kathie Lee
The View
Good Morning America
(will admit that we did not watch the first 1/2 of this interview for our podcast, so start at the timestamp linked above)
Find more videos & amazing resources in @SimplyOlsen's instagram bio!
And don't miss this gem:
All My Children Guest Appearance
Find us on Instagram!
Show: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Thoughts/questions? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Billboard Dad Jan 18, 2022

Show notes

We've always said that on this podcast we research, examine, and analyze Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen's careers and influence on pop culture. We do NOT recap and review Mary-Kate and Ashley's projects.
...Except when it's necessary. And for Billboard Dad, it's NECESSARY. Although this isn't Mary-Kate and Ashley's first film by a long shot, or their biggest theatrical film that we all know by heart, or even their most successful direct-to-video feature, it IS the movie that started it all. And spoiler alert: we friggin' love it.
So today, we unpack this movie beat by beat (we highly recommend a re-watch, links below). From their iconic outfits, to Ashley's hunk-a-saurus, to changing the way we scramble eggs, to finding the most gorgeous '90s actors, and living in the most epic modern house on a fantasy version of Venice Beach — I'm sorry, but this movie is cool to the Max.
So wax your surfboard, make a sundae with cookie dough ice cream, marshmallow sauce and whipped cream (maybe hold the nuts), and settle in for this very special episode about a goddamn Dualstar classic.
Watch Billboard Dad here:
https://lnk.bio/B4OG
(Thank you @SimplyOlsen!)
Or rent it for $3.99 on YouTube here:
https://youtu.be/VoS_cq_0lPA
Find us on Instagram!
Show: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Thoughts/questions? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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The Famous Trenchcoat Twins Learn About Boys Jan 11, 2022

Show notes

After the incredible year Mary-Kate and Ashley had in 1995 following the finale of their beloved hit sitcom Full House with starring roles in their successful theatrical film debut It Takes Two, the Olsens twins had Hollywood in the palm of their hand.
So naturally, they followed up these successes by continuing to work with the major networks and studios they spent the full 9 years of their lives cultivating relationships with, right?
NOPE. They spent 1996 and 1997 exclusively working on their scrappy direct-to-video series "The Adventures Of" and "You're Invited," which were completely produced and distributed by their production company, Dualstar Entertainment.
And... we watched them all. No, seriously.
We go over what these videos got right and very often got wrong. We also talk about the sad transition the girls went through from aspirational, self-sufficient, problem-solving kids, to stereotypically boy-crazy, shopping-obsessed tweens. Finally, we try our best to connect the dots of the Dualstar universe, in which Mary-Kate and Ashley are movies stars, singers, and — most famously — the crime-fighting Trenchcoat Twins.
And honestly? It might be more intricate than the MCU. Just listen.
Watch "The Adventures Of" and "You're Invited" here:
https://lnk.bio/B4OG
(Thank you @SimplyOlsen!)
Find us on Instagram!
Show: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Thoughts/questions? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Mary-Kate and Ashley's Sleepover Party Jan 04, 2022

Show notes

It's season 2, and we're picking up where we left off: 1995's You're Invited to Mary-Kate and Ashley's Sleepover Party, one of Mary-Kate and Ashley's most beloved projects.
What drove the strange choice to double down on direct-to-video movies rather than cultivate the twins' budding Hollywood careers? Why were the twins so much more visibly tired here compared to their other performances at the time? And what gave Dualstar the gall to think we fans wouldn't notice the drastic drop in quality of this project? (Side note, they were right — we absolutely didn't notice.)
We ponder these questions, rehash the video beat by beat, unpack what the "You're Invited" series meant to us as kids, and slowly realize these videos maybe, possibly, perhaps... definitely hypnotized us.
We're so incredibly excited to be back for season 2, and if it's up to me, you'll RSVP!
Video links:
You're Invited to Mary-Kate and Ashley's Sleepover Party
Gimme Pizza Slow
Find us on Instagram!
Show: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Thoughts/questions? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Ben Easter (Holiday in the Sun, So Little Time) Nov 18, 2021

Show notes

On November 20th, 2001, Mary-Kate and Ashley's 5th direct-to-video film, Holiday in the Sun was officially released.
And for the 20th anniversary of this iconic film, we had the honor and privilege of talking to the incredibly kind, completely gorgeous, outrageously humble, he's-what-time-it-is, Mr. Ben Easter!
That's right: Jordan Landers. As in, the Landers Hardware Store Landers. Talked to us. And we kept it together enough to learn all about what he was doing (and wearing!) right before he got the part, what the casting process was like, what it was like filming this beloved film with Mary-Kate and Ashley, and how the film impacted his life.
He also opens up with us about the difficulties of being a closeted actor in the early '00s, how he was involved with the ending of So Little Time, and his close bond with Ashley.
This conversation was literally a dream come true for us, and we hope you're able to feel the immense love and enthusiasm that we felt while recording.
Turns out you CAN have your cake and eat it too. Everyone says you can't. You can!
Ben's photography:
http://www.beneasterphotography.com/
Ben's Security Guard uniform
Ashley, Ben, Austin and Billy BTS
Follow Ben on social media:
Instagram & Twitter: @beaster1
Find us on Instagram!
Show: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Thoughts/questions? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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VERY Special Guest Teaser Nov 16, 2021

Show notes

So, you'll notice the runtime of this episode is very short because this is technically not an episode, but a teaser for an episode with a very very very special interview that we are preparing AS WE SPEAK and will drop later this week!
But we didn't want to leave you hanging, so we're leaving you a couple hints to try and guess who our special guest is. 🤔
Find us on Instagram or send us an email with your guesses!
But most importantly, follow/subscribe, tell all your friends, and keep your eyes peeled on your podcast feed... you're NOT gonna wanna miss this.
Find us on Instagram!
Show: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Email us: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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It Takes Two Behind the Scenes Nov 09, 2021

Show notes

Instead of reviewing this classic movie that we all know by heart, we want to talk about the parts of It Takes Two that stand out to us now after our life-altering conversation with the film's writer, Deborah Dean Davis (go back and listen to our interview with her if you haven't already, otherwise this episode might not make sense).
We put It Takes Two in context of where Mary-Kate and Ashley were in their careers at the time of the movie's release, talk about the unfair reviews the film received, and share a few personal fan theories and Easter eggs you might not have noticed.
We also recently stumbled upon the most incredible behind-the-scenes videos on YouTube that neither Becca or Lani had ever seen, and have decided that every It Takes Two fan absolutely must watch (links below).
Join us this week as we go Behind the Scenes of It Takes Two!
It Takes Two behind the scenes videos:

Reviews & Media from It Take Two's Release:
Siskel & Ebert's It Takes Two Review
E! Blast from the Past Rewind: It Takes Two
All three times Mary-Kate and Ashley are miscast:

1st time: Ashley as Amanda Lemmon on the staircase
2nd time: Mary-Kate as Alyssa Callaway as Amanda in the mess hall
3rd time: Mary-Kate as Alyssa as Amanda as Betty Butkis in the junkyard

Find us on Instagram!
Show: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Thoughts/questions? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Screenwriter Deborah Dean Davis (It Takes Two) Nov 02, 2021

Show notes

We had the honor of interviewing the home run queen herself… The belter from the shelter… that’s right — Miss Deborah Dean Davis! THE WRITER OF IT TAKES TWO!

This is one of those can't eat, can't sleep, reach for the stars, over the fence, World Series kinda guests. Deborah shares stories about Mary-Kate and Ashley becoming friends with her daughter, a heart-melting story about red soda, and Ashley's zest for showing off her somersaults.

She also tells us all about how she scored the job, why she refused to watch any episodes of Full House in preparation, and the many, many, many drafts the script went through (can you imagine this iconic script was ever anything less than perfect?). Whether you're a diehard Mary-Kate and Ashley stan or an aspiring screenwriter, get ready to hear some mind-blowing stories.

We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we enjoyed recording it. Deborah is truly a queen.
Follow Deborah:
Twitter: @dddawriter
Find us on Instagram!
Show: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Thoughts/questions? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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