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They Thought I Was You — TV & Film
They Thought I Was You

Hosts Becca Roth and Lani Harms revisit their childhood obsessions with Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, analyzing their work, examining their impact on pop culture, and talking with the people who worked with them. It’s the deep dive you’ve always wanted and the recognition the Olsen Twins always deserved.

Copyright: © 2024 They Thought I Was You

Latest Episodes:

The Definitive Ranking of Every Mary-Kate and Ashley Movie (Part 2 of 2) Jul 09, 2024

The scores have been tallied... and today they are finally revealed.
In this episode, we continue our scoring starting with Switching Goals and go through New York Minute, and we end up with a final ranking (sub category wins will be announced on our Instagram). Today we decide once and for all what is the BEST Mary-Kate and Ashley movie (proven by science).
You can watch the video version of this ep, fill out your own score sheet, and get more bonus content by subscribing to our Patreon here.
Follow us!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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The Definitive Ranking of Every Mary-Kate and Ashley Movie (Part 1 of 2) Jul 02, 2024

Since the beginning of this podcast, we knew this day would eventually have to come. We have spent the past 3 years becoming Mary-Kate and Ashley scholars, dissecting every movie front to back, talking to writers, talking to costars, talking to fellow Mary-Kate and Ashley fans, and leaving no stone unturned. And all that work has made us the most qualified two people on the planet to create the definitive ranking of every Mary-Kate and Ashley movie ever made. So we do what must be done.
And because we are who we are, we do it in two parts. Since we knew this would be contentious, we approach this incredibly subjective task in the most objective way humanly possible: we score each movie in 10 categories (story, execution, characters, location, boys, fashion, music, vibes, lasting impression & overall), we add up our results, and the movie with the highest scores win. Science would be so proud of us.
In this episode, we breakdown their first six movies from To Grandmother's House We Go through Passport to Paris. Next week, we'll give our results of the final 8 movies and reveal our definitive ranking, once and for all.
You can watch the video version of this ep, fill out your own score sheet, and get more bonus content by subscribing to our Patreon here.
The unfortunate Vogue Ranking
Follow us!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Obsessing over Mary-Kate and Ashley with Madeleine Byrne Jun 11, 2024

Continuing our trend of talking to people the internet introduced us to, our guest today is a fellow millennial content creator whose viral Mary-Kate and Ashley-related videos constantly pop up on our feeds. When we reached out to her, we learned that she also listens to our podcast, and we felt like we found our long lost doppelgänger at summer camp. We are so thrilled to be joined today by Mary-Kate and Ashley superfan and TikTok/Instagram influencer Madeleine Byrne!
We ask Madeleine how she became a Mary-Kate and Ashley fan, which of their movies was her favorite, and which fashion era was the most influential to her. We also talk about Mary-Kate and Ashley's influence on our generation, how much different teen media is now compared to the 2000s, and why Mary-Kate and Ashley were so aspirational to millennials.
Madeleine also drops a bombshell about the Mary-Kate and Ashley onscreen boyfriends that she dated IRL (fulfilling every MKA superfan's dreams), and we introduce her to our classic, unhinged game: Mary-Kate or Ashley.
You can watch the video version of this ep and get more bonus content by subscribing to our Patreon here.
Follow Madeleine!
TikTok: @MadeleineByrne
Instagram: @MadeleineByrne
Follow us!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Interview with TRL's Damien Fahey May 28, 2024

A few episodes ago, we talked about Mary-Kate and Ashley’s visit to TRL in 2004 to promote their upcoming film, New York Minute. In that TRL appearance, they were interviewed by a VJ who thought a picture they were in with Robert DeNiro was creepy. We were very confused by this, so we found that VJ on Instagram to get to the bottom of the story, which is why today we are joined by TRL VJ himself, Damien Fahey!
We talk to Damien about how he became a VJ on MTV at such a young age, what made him dry heave every morning when he woke up to go to work, and how he became known as the guy who would refuse to go to Jennifer Aniston's birthday party. We of course dig into what he remembers about that fateful interview with Mary-Kate and Ashley in 2004 and why he made that weird comment about Robert Deniro. We also indulge our teenage hearts and ask what a typical day looked like in the life of a 2004 TRL VJ. Spoiler alert: we were not disappointed.
We hope this interview sings to your inner pop-culture loving 2000s teenager like it did for us. Sending a HUGE thank you to Damien for coming on our show and not hating us for calling him creepy two months ago <3
You can watch the video version of this ep and get more bonus content by subscribing to our Patreon here.
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Damien: @damienfahey
Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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New York Minute: Part 2 May 14, 2024

This is it. The final episode of our final two-part review of a film starring Mary-Kate and Ashley. This journey has gone faster than a New York Minute.
Today we finish our review of the second half of the film and get a little bit deeper into how we felt about it. We unfortunately have to address the incredible misstep of Andy Richter's entire character, the uselessness of both Mary-Kate and Ashley's "love" interests, the awkwardness of the House of Bling, the incredibly well acted yet woefully unearned final fight between Mary-Kate and Ashley, and the palpable creepiness of Darrell Hammond. Of course, we also offer our own punch ups that we think could have saved this movie (except for Andy Richter's whole storyline, that just needed to go).
Despite our misgivings, we (mostly Lani) still find parts of this movie that we genuinely loved. The fashion, the one-liners, the iconic Mary-Kate faces, and the perfect Bob Saget cameo ❤️ And at long last we finally figure out where New York Minute fits in the Mary-Kate and Ashley Universe... kind of.
So put on your low rise jeans, hold your day planner close, and for the love of God, don't do any offensive accents, because it's 2024 and today is our last episode revisiting the 2004 classic, New York Minute.
You can watch the video version of this ep and get more bonus content by subscribing to our Patreon here.
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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New York Minute: Part 1 May 07, 2024

We can't believe we're finally here. Our final Mary-Kate and Ashley movie review. And just like we suspected: it's a two part episode.
On May 7th, 2004 (exactly 20 years ago today), Mary-Kate and Ashley's final film together, New York Minute, was released in theaters. The movie had an impressive cast including Eugene Levy, Andy Richter, Jared Padalecki, Andrea Martin, Darrell Hammond, and the most 2004 cast member of all: Jack Osbourne. The movie follows Jane Ryan (Ashley) and her twin sister Roxy (Mary-Kate) as they venture into New York City on separate missions, bickering the entire way. Roxy is a rocker, and Ashley is a Republican, so they couldn't be more different! Chaos ensues.
For today's episode, we start by remembering where we were 20 years ago when this movie came out and how we felt about it back then. We discuss what it meant for Mary-Kate and Ashley to have this kind of wide spread movie release and what we remembered about watching it for the first time. And since neither Becca nor Lani has seen this movie in the 20 years since, we talk about why we felt so nervous before pressing play.
Then, we dive in deep. We get through about half of the movie in this review before going on a tangent about where New York Minute fits in the Mary-Kate and Ashley Universe, so make sure to tune in next week for part two! We hope you enjoy this beginning to the end of an era, and HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO NEW YORK MINUTE!
You can watch the video version of this ep and get more bonus content by subscribing to our Patreon here.
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Saturday Night Live Starring Mary-Kate and Ashley (2004) Apr 30, 2024

On Saturday, May 15th, 2004, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen had a decision to make: they could either attend their senior prom or host the season finale of Saturday Night Live. As you probably guessed, they chose SNL.
And as a consolation for missing their high school prom, Jimmy Fallon, Will Forte, Maya Rudolf, and Amy Poehler gave Mary-Kate and Ashley a miniature prom during their 5 minute monologue on the stage of Studio 8H. The rest of the night featured Mary-Kate and Ashley playing paparazzi, selling perfume, selling backpacks, spoofing The Swan, enduring Jimmy Fallon, and playing as angsty teens on home video.
So today, Becca and Lani give their review of the episode sketch by sketch* and discuss what the significance was of Mary-Kate and Ashley hosting Saturday Night Live. We are also painfully reminded of just how long ago 2004 was with how wildly racist, sexist, and homophobic so many of the jokes are. At least there was one sketch in this episode that we both agree was utter perfection (can you guess which one?)
We hope you enjoy this deep dive into this culturally significant moment in television and allow us to geek out over the construction of sketch scene (it's our expertise, after all). But most of all, we hope you join us in celebrating Mary-Kate and Ashley for successfully accomplishing the enormous feat of hosting this insanely difficult show on live television.
You can watch the video version of this ep and get more bonus content by subscribing to our Patreon here.
If you don't have Peacock, watch (most of) the SNL episode here:
Mary-Kate and Ashley Host SNL part 1
Mary-Kate and Ashley Host SNL part 2
Mary-Kate and Ashley Host SNL part 3
Mary-Kate and Ashley Host SNL part 4
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

*We just learned that we missed the "Bloater Brothers" sketch during our review so here it is: bad sketch, but Mary-Kate and Ashley do a great job. And they look SO cute in 70s clothes & hair, OMG!

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The Countdown to 18 Apr 16, 2024

We're counting down the days to New York Minute's 20th anniversary, but before we get there, we have to talk about another countdown that is unfortunately a touchstone of this era in Mary-Kate and Ashley's careers: the countdown to their 18th birthday.
During the press tour for New York Minute in 2004, which opened just one month before the girls turned 18, the media became fascinated with a new trend of websites dedicated entirely to counting down the days, hours, minutes & seconds to when Mary-Kate and Ashley would become "legal." This type of discourse has been around since Hollywood has had child stars and 40-something creeps have had air to breathe, but one thing was different about 2004: the internet. As many of our sources mention, only a little over a dozen Mary-Kate and Ashley "countdown" sites were created, which by today's standards would hardly warrant a thought, let alone a news segment. But during the early days of the internet and with the world's most famous twins at the center of the story, this became a cultural fixation.
Mary-Kate and Ashley even had to address this fixation themselves when they hosted SNL, with Mary-Kate signing off the show saying, "and remember, we're legal in 4 weeks!" So today, we're talking about what we remember about this time, how we feel about it now, and why why WHY does stuff like this happen? There are times when this topic gets difficult to talk about, so like for many of our podcasts during this time, please take care while listening.
As promised, here are the links we talk about in this episode:
Quick tiktok
Another tiktok
An old countdown website
A gross forum from 2003
Eminiem song "Ass like that" (MK&A part starts at 2:21)
E! Online blurb from 2004
Article written for The Pool in 2018 with a lot of research on the history of celebrity women's "countdown"s
Non-countdown related videos:
Regis and Kelly 2004
The Today Show 2004
Access Hollywood 2004
Entertainment Tonight 2004
MTV "Home Video" 2004
You can watch the video version of this ep and get more bonus content by subscribing to our Patreon here.
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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The Infamous 2004 Oprah Interview Apr 02, 2024

Today we reckon with one of the most infamous Mary-Kate and Ashley interviews of all time. On April 28th, 2004, Oprah invited Mary-Kate and Ashley onto The Oprah Winfrey Show to discuss their upcoming film New York Minute, to ask about their plans after graduation, and to address the rumors that had been hounding them in the tabloids.
And it's that last point that made this interview infamous. While Mary-Kate and Ashley calmly tried to cool the temperature on the tabloids' relentless speculations over Mary-Kate, Oprah bluntly asks the seventeen year olds their dress size. It's painful and uncomfortable, so much so that the clipped resurfaced on TikTok in 2021 and created such an uproar, that the full video of the interview is nearly impossible to find online anymore.
So for this episode, we piece together the scraps of this interview we could still find and discuss them in depth. We discuss the weird parts of the interview aside from "the moment," the difference between tacos in 2004 and 2024, and the cultural significance of Oprah in the early '00s (with a surprise guest appearance by our good friend, Jessica Charles).
We also touch on Mary-Kate and Ashley's followup interview with Oprah in 2008, and the remarkable rate at which Mary-Kate and Ashley became two wise women in four short years.
Here are the links we discuss:
2004
"Opening": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQn68nu_BbM&t=22s
How to tell them apart: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eucwHCNimY
College: https://youtu.be/5wbJfnbyjE4?si=hdnMNp65XUCMaU_q
Allowance: https://youtu.be/bwG_zh2XWKU?si=Pc70FpuDrviR8XXR
Favorite tacos: https://youtu.be/YKgSNRi-Ck8?si=bTDmOdnD4EhSv3Bv
Two different people: https://youtu.be/r4_bX1ttaFg?si=35l0SYHcnZgf9YX0
THE moment: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZPRTUTbUW/
Another NY Minute interview just for fun: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Koa4jVoX0Nk

2008
Video of MKA interviewing each other: https://www.oprah.com/own-oprahshow/the-olsen-twins-interview-each-other
Oprah article summarizing the interview: https://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/millionaire-moguls/all
You can watch the video version of this ep and get more bonus content by subscribing to our Patreon here.
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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New York Minute Press Tour 2004 Mar 19, 2024

The countdown to New York Minute continues! And today, we're examining all the late night interviews and talk show appearances that Mary-Kate and Ashley did to promote their action comedy feature, New York Minute (excluding their appearance on Oprah, that will be its whole own episode).
Many of these interviews happened just days apart, but watching them all in sequence feels like watching a lifetime go by. In their first interview with Letterman, they're poised, well trained, and eager to promote their SNL episode and upcoming film. The next day at their TRL appearance, they're goofier, loose, and casual, clearly trying to relate to their fellow teens. Then, while hosting "25 hottest under 25," we see them hollow, bored, and aloof, seemingly trying to fit into the '"sexy" MTV aesthetic of the 00's.
All of these appearances seem to demand something different from them, and on top of that they're also in the throes of graduating from high school, getting ready to host SNL, and somehow trying to celebrate an 18th birthday that the world keeps counting down to. To say they were under pressure would be a wild understatement.
We discuss each of these appearances and what stood out to us, and also try to figure out if they knew before this press tour if they were going to be firing their team as soon as they turned 18, or if this grueling schedule brought them to that decision.
We hope you enjoy, and if you'd like to follow along with the videos we discuss, here are the links:

You can watch the video version of this ep and get more bonus content by subscribing to our Patreon here.

Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Mary-Kate and Ashley vs. the Tabloids Mar 05, 2024

We are officially on the road to New York Minute! In our next few episodes, we will cover the press & publicity tour that Mary-Kate and Ashley went on in 2004 ahead of their much anticipated theatrical release, New York Minute.
And our first stop is the press that Mary-Kate, Ashley and their team didn't have much control over: the tabloids. In 2004, celebrity gossip magazines were at the peak of their popularity and ruthlessness: Britney Spears was dating Kevin Federline, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Anniston were about to get divorced, and Paris Hilton was Hollywood's it-girl. The profits were white hot, and they had their eyes set on their next targets: the Olsens.
Since this is an extremely delicate topic that we weren't thrilled about diving into, we decided the best way to approach it would be to go directly to the source. We purchased 6 tabloids from 2004 on eBay and thumbed through each one to examine *how* the tabloids talked about Mary-Kate and Ashley instead of dwelling on *what* they talked about, since we all know it was all trash. We track the progression of the stories, the sources they site, and the pictures they pull. We also contemplate the legality of talking about the sexuality of minors-- seriously, how is it legal?
We also take care to burn sage before and after opening these magazines, being mindful of the dark energy they possess. Please take care while listening to this episode.
You can watch the video version of this ep and get more bonus content by subscribing to our Patreon here.

Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Mary-Kate and Ashley's Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Feb 20, 2024

On April 29th, 2004, at 17 years old, Mary-Kate and Ashley received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. And on February 14th, 2024, two thirty-somethings, Lani and Becca, finally visited it.
Since Lani and Becca both live in Los Angeles and had somehow never gone to see the Olsen's star, we decided there was no better time than now for our podcast's first field trip. Located on 6801 Hollywood Boulevard, their star is in the primest of prime locations, on the same block as the TCL Chinese Theater and among megastars-- we could not have been prouder when we finally found it.
When we get back to our studio, we unpack the physical and emotional journey we just embarked on. We also discuss what the Hollywood Walk of Fame even is and why (and if) it matters to us and pop culture at large. And most importantly, we talk about what Mary-Kate and Ashley getting this star meant to us back in 2004, what we remember, and how we feel about it now.
You can watch the video version of this ep and get more bonus content by subscribing to our Patreon here.

Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Do you have more information about the Hollywood Walk of Fame? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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🔒 On the Road to Deborah Dean Davis Feb 13, 2024

Subscriber-only episode

Last month, we received an email from our former podcast guest Deborah Dean Davis (screenwriter of It Takes Two) with the most amazing message:
"After alllllllllllllllll these years I took down the It Takes Two film poster..........(sharp intake of breath) and PUT UP A NEW POSTER! The poster... the first poster got a little bit faded. It's still in the massive frame, etc. And you are the only people on the planet I would offer it to."
We were tickled beyond belief, so we obviously said yes and set out to pick up the poster. Since we went during rush hour in LA, we had a loooot of time in the car, so naturally we felt it was a good opportunity to record an impromptu bonus episode.
We hope you enjoy this episode as we sit in traffic and reflect on how our lives have brought us to this moment of becoming friends with the writer of our favorite movie.
You can get more bonus material by subscribing to our Patreon here.
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Email us: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

THNK 1994 (Viviana Olen & Matt Harkins) Feb 06, 2024

Welcome to our first interview of 2024! Today we talk with Viviana Rosales Olen and Matt Harkins, the creators of THNK1994 and the masterminds behind the "Olsens Hiding from Paparazzi" museum and the Mary-Kate and Ash Tray.

Viviana and Matt tell us about how THNK1994 was first started with a museum in the hallway of their apartment and has blossomed into an experimental pop culture empire. Their second exhibit in 2016, "The Olsens Hiding From Paparazzi," featured paintings by Laura Collins of Mary-Kate and Ashley literally hiding from cameras, which gave museum goes an eerie invasive feeling as they walked through the gallery. THNK1994 is now an entire creative agency which bridges the world of experimental art and pop culture trash in the most delightful ways.
Of course, we had to dig into the nitty gritty of their fascination with our gals MK&A. We talk about what inspired them to feature Mary-Kate and Ashley in their second exhibit, how creating the museum changed their perception of them, and what they hope for them now.
We hope you enjoy a trip into the bizarre and inspiring world of THNK1994 as much as we did. You can watch the video version of this ep by subscribing to our Patreon here.
Follow THNK1994 on Instagram: @thnk1994

Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Do you have a favorite picture of MK&A smoking? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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🔒 Mean Girls 2024 vs 2004 Jan 30, 2024

Subscriber-only episode

We are SO excited to share our very first subscriber bonus episode with you! In this bonus series, we will be discussing Mary-Kate and Ashley adjacent, feminine-centric pop culture of the '00s. And we're starting with the film that defined the "Pink movie" genre for the past two decades: Mean Girls.

Becca and Lani saw Mean Girls 2024 together this month, and as we stood by the fountain outside the The Grove AMC in Los Angeles discussing what we liked and didn't like about the film, we realized that everything we were talking about was deeply relevant to our podcast. Not only because it's based on one of the biggest movies of 2004, the same year we're currently talking about in Mary-Kate and Ashley's timeline, but also because its literally re-examining and re-imagining girlhood in the early 00s through a modern day, feminist lens. That's our expertise, babe! So here we are.
It's impossible not to compare this film to the Lindsay Lohan classic film from 2004, so we discuss which changes worked, which ones didn't, and how the characters themselves have changed in this modern-day retelling. We also discuss the budget this film received, its marketing strategy, and how the Mean Girls Musical translated to film.

We're so excited to bring this first installment of our bonus series, and we hope you enjoy! Subscribe and listen wherever you get podcasts here.
You can also watch the video version of this podcast & get more bonus material by subscribing to our Patreon here.
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Email us: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

Vanity Fair - It's Totally Raining Teens Jan 23, 2024

In July 2003, Vanity Fair, whether intentionally or not, put together the most monumental photoshoot in history. A photoshoot like nothing that had ever been done before and, dare we say, could never be done again. A photoshoot so deeply iconic, every pop culture loving person still knows 20 years later: "It's Totally Raining Teens."
On that fateful day in 2003, Amanda Bynes, Mandy Moore, Hilary Duff, Alexis Bledel, Evan Rachel Wood, Raven, Lindsay Lohan, and our gals Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, wearing metallics and soft pinks, posed for in the same room together for this iconic cover. The inside of the magazine was bursting with even more teens (and shockingly some twenty-somethings) including Brittany Snow, Solange Knowles, Christina Milian, Shia LaBeouf, Bow Wow, Aaron Carter, the Harry Potter kids, Milo Ventimiglia, Jared Padelecki, Kaley Cuoco, and even more teens I'm too tired to name! It was literally raining teens! Every teen was also asked what kind of cell phone they used, if they preferred Britney or Christina, and how many Juicy Couture outfits they owned. It was the most 2003 thing that has ever 2003'd, and we are obsessed with it.
Why did this happen? We may never know. But what we do know is that this little time capsule is one of the most important documents in modern history. So we read through every profile, contemplate every photograph, and much like we did in 2003, try to decipher secrets of culture and girlhood that we know this magazine holds.
If you, like us, have tragically misplaced your original hard copy of this iconic issue, you can read it along with us this link from Simply Olsen (our Olsen media lord and savior).
You can watch the video version of this ep by subscribing to our Patreon here.
Some other links we talk about:

Lindsay Lohan reflects on the cover
Hilary Duff reflects on ‘anxiety-inducing’ Vanity Fair cover
Evan Rachel Wood, The Real Story Behind That Iconic 'Raining Teens' Vanity Fair Cover

Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Do you know if Juicy Couture sponsored the "It's Totally Raining Teens" issue? Do you know the correct way to pronounce "Ryan Phillippe?" Email us: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Mary-Kate and Ashley Q&A Part 2 Jan 02, 2024

We can finally say it-- HAPPY NEW YEAR! We didn't intend for this to be a 2 part episode, but you know ur girls. We can never have a short conversation ;)
So as promised, the remaining questions and long anticipated voice mails are answered in this episode! This episode was the most perfect way for us to end last year and start the new one, and we hope it leaves you feeling inspired & motivated as we rev up our engines for 2024.
Love you all so much!!!
You can watch the video version of this ep by subscribing to our Patreon here.
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Email us: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Mary-Kate and Ashley Q&A Part 1 Dec 26, 2023

It’s the most wonderful time of the year— it’s our end of year Q&A! Last week, we collected questions from you— our listeners, Patreon subscribers, Instagram followers, etc, about topics ranging from our favorite Mary-Kate and Ashley dads to what has been the greatest lesson we’ve learned since starting our podcast.
We absolutely love doing these episodes, and this year, your questions were really something special. So special we couldn’t them all in one episode. Classic us. Please enjoy this first part of our Q&A, and if your question didnt get answered, tune in next week for part 2!
Thank you all so much for all your love and support this year. We’re so grateful for this community, and we wish you all the happiest holidays and a wonderful new year!
You can also watch the video version of this ep by subscribing to our Patreon here.
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Email us: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Mary-Kate and Ashley in 2023 Dec 12, 2023

"You know, anonymity is a luxury as well.” - Mary-Kate Olsen, 2023
On Nov 17th, 2023 (that's right THIS year, just a few weeks ago) Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen sat down for an extremely rare interview with Financial Times Fashion to discuss their brand The Row and the meaning of "stealth wealth."
We so rarely get a peak into Mary-Kate and Ashley's lives these days, let alone a whole snippet of a conversation between the two of them, so we jumped at the chance to do a whole episode on this article. In this interview, we get a glimpse into Mary-Kate and Ashley's approach to their business, their dynamic as adults, and a few secrets about their brand's Instagram and distaste for interviews. Most importantly, we learn straight from Mary-Kate and Ashley themselves how The Row is and always has been directly influenced by the careers they had in the spotlight (for better or for worse).
What stands out the most from this interview is the strength that Mary-Kate and Ashley yield now as women. We can't help but gush about how continually proud we are of them, and how inspired we are that they've been able to take back so much control and power of their lives and careers. And my god, the quotes in this interview are ZINGERS!
We hope you enjoy our deep dive into this exclusive interview (major props to the writer Jo Ellison for this impressive feat), and don't forget to read the whole interview in all its glory on Financial Times.
You can also watch the video version of this ep by subscribing to our Patreon here.
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Next week's episode is a Q&A and we need YOUR questions! Email us your questions (or a short & cute voice memo) at theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

Links we talk about:
Gigi Hadid Fights Off Man Who Grabbed Her Outside Fashion Show
Cara Delevingne Talks About 'Paper Towns'
“That’s not the truth, Ellen”: How Dakota Johnson won her birthday feud against Ellen DeGeneres

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The Challenge, Part 2 Nov 28, 2023

Today, we conclude our conversation about Mary-Kate and Ashley's final direct to video film, The Challenge (2003).
And if you know this movie, you know that the ending is what makes this film a piece of magic. Both Lani and Becca had parts of the surprise ending spoiled for them, so we thought we were prepared, but we absolutely weren't. We even thought we were prepared to talk about the ending, but we absolutely were not. So we cry as we talk about how Mary-Kate and Ashley knew this was their final film just for their fans, and how they gave us the sweetest sendoff we could have ever imagined.
We HIGHLY recommend watching this nice warm hug of a film, so if you don't still have the DVD or VHS, you can watch by clicking the link in SimplyOlsen's Instagram bio (which we are forever grateful for).
You can also watch the video version of this ep by subscribing to our Patreon here.
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Our producer Camara Rauen: @camararollin
Email us: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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The Challenge, Part 1 Nov 14, 2023

On May 3rd, 2003, Mary-Kate and Ashley released their last direct-to-video film, The Challenge, marking the end of an era. Yes, the sisters would go on to star in New York Minute a year later, but that would get a theatrical release, have much higher stakes, and was generally completely different.
Starting with the release of Billboard Dad in 1998, Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen, with their manager Robert Thorne and their company Dualstar, carved out a niche in low budget direct-to-video films for teen girls, which was then solidified by the massive success of their sophomore dtv film, Passport to Paris. Over the next 5 years, these movies would function as the anchor for their brand, creating a genre of teenage fantasy travel films, and endearing the twins and their style to girls (and some boys!) all around the world. Though the quality and success of these films waned towards the end of their 5 year run, they were still beloved by many and played a pivotal role in making Mary-Kate and Ashley the most powerful young women in Hollywood. And The Challenge, a film about two estranged twin sisters Shane and Lizzie competing on a Survior-esque reality game show in Mexico, was their last one (and they knew it would be).
Months ago, we promised that as soon as the SAG-AFTRA strike was over, we would review this film for the podcast. When we made that promise, we had no idea the strike still had so many months left, and how difficult and painful this year would be. Watching this film now that a tentative deal has been reached was the greatest gift we ever could have been given, and you'll see why.
And in typical Becca & Lani fashion, we had simply too much to talk about, so we had to break this episode up into two parts. So, we present to you the first part of our conversation about Mary-Kate and Ashley's penultimate film. Their final Dualstar direct-to-video feature. Their love letter to us, their fans.
We HIGHLY recommend watching this film before listening to this ep, and if you don't still have the DVD or VHS, you can do so by clicking the link in SimplyOlsen's Instagram bio (which we are forever grateful for).
You can also watch the video version of this ep by subscribing to our Patreon here.
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Our producer Camara Rauen: @camararollin
Email us: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Two of a Kind: Nightmare on Carrie Street Oct 31, 2023

Happy Halloween! In celebration of our favorite holiday, we're playing for you the ENTIRE Halloween episode of Two of a Kind: Nightmare on Carrie Street (ep 6).
Yes, this show was meant to be watched, but we think it actually works quite well as a little audio drama. We hope you enjoy the flawless writing and impeccable performances in this timeless show that is actually the best sitcom ever made.
You can also watch the video version of this ep by subscribing to our Patreon here.
"Nightmare on Carrie Street" was written by Fred Rubin, directed by Richard Correll and aired for the first time on Oct 30, 1998.
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Our producer Camara Rauen: @camararollin
Questions/thoughts? Email us at theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Mary-Kate and Ashley's 2003 VMAs & Rolling Stone Cover Oct 17, 2023

We are THRILLED to be talking this week about Mary-Kate and Ashley's appearance at MTV's 2003 Video Music Awards and subsequent Rolling Stone Cover (and never again about Mary-Kate and Ashley in Action).
On August 28th 2003, Mary-Kate and Ashley made their second appearance at the MTV VMAs. For anyone who doesn't remember, this was a big year for the VMAs. This was the VMAs that opened with the notorious Britney Spears, Madonna & Christina Aguilera performance, and a tidbit that the history books don't mention is that Mary-Kate and Ashley were also there! They presented best pop video with David Spade, and every joke Chris Rock makes about them is as cringey as you can imagine.
We also talk about their red carpet interview with SuChin Pak before the show, who asks them how they feel about Rolling Stone calling them "America's Fantasy," in their iconic cover that was coming out just a week later. In this interview and in the Rolling Stone article, Mary-Kate and Ashley walk the impossible tightrope of posing for a magazine with notoriously sexy covers while denying an awareness of their own sexuality amidst a barrage of reminders that America has started sexualizing them.
We do our best to unpack this strange and unsettling time in pop culture history, and buckle up for the rollercoaster that is about to be our coverage of Mary-Kate and Ashley in 2003 & '04. We hope you enjoy this first chapter!
You can also watch the video version of this ep by subscribing to our Patreon here.
You can watch the full video of the 2003 VMAS here and read their Rolling Stone Article here.
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Our producer Camara Rauen: @camararollin
Questions/thoughts? Email us at theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Mary-Kate and Ashley in Action - THE FINALE Oct 03, 2023

We can't believe we're finally here. Over the course of the last two months, we've done something we never thought we'd do, something no one asked us to do, something we were maybe never *supposed* to do. We watched every single episode of Mary-Kate and Ashley's 2001 cartoon, Mary-Kate and Ashley in Action.
Today we talk about the last three surviving episodes of the series: episode 23 "Bad Hair Day, episode 24 "Horsing Around," and episode 26 "Tourist Traps." Since we only had three episodes left, both Lani & Becca watch every episode and lovingly explain their ridiculously incoherent premises to you, so you don't have to watch them yourself. While describing Bad Hair Day, with probably the dumbest premise of them all, we get a bit melancholy. We realize we'll never see a new wacky and idiotic Mary-Kate and Ashley cartoon again (unless the abortion episode ever resurfaces from the ether), and that is a unique kind of sadness.
We sincerely hope you enjoyed this brave & unpredictable journey we went on together. We truly had a blast, and we cannot WAIT to talk about something, anything else.
Again, we INSIST, you don't have to watch this cartoon, but if you must, you can do so by clicking the link in SimplyOlsen's Instagram bio (which we are forever grateful for).
And here's the link to the Two of a Kind interview we reference in the ep.
You can also watch the video version of this ep by subscribing to our Patreon here.
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Email us: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com
P.S. We will be going back to our bi-weekly schedule after this ep, so we will be back with a new episode on Oct 17!

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Mary-Kate and Ashley in Action Part 4 Sep 26, 2023

This is our FOURTH episode about Mary-Kate and Ashley's cartoon, Mary-Kate and Ashley in Action. We're completely out of control!!
Today we talk about episodes 12-15, 19, and 21, and we follow last week's format of taking turns telling each other what each episode was about. Admittedly, our brains start to bust a bit in this episode because hearing these bizarre plots over and over again made us start to lose our grip on reality. At least we can always know what to expect from on our favorite villains: Clive will eat cheese and abuse his butler, Rommy will make a technology to atone for her trauma as a repressed lesbian, and Rene La Rouge will concoct some cockamamy scheme for the sake of world beauty.
Again, we really don't think you need to watch this cartoon series, but if you'd like to, you can do so by clicking the link in SimplyOlsen's Instagram bio (which we are forever grateful for).
And you WILL want to watch our links to every Mary-Kate and Ashley in Action intro on our Instagram here and here.
You can also watch the video version of this ep by subscribing to our Patreon here.
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Do you want us to talk about Mary-Kate and Ashley in Action MORE? Email us: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com
P.S. Yes, we are still planning on keeping our bi-weekly schedule, but we simply couldn't let this MKA in Action series go on for months, so we're going to back to every week until it's done. We hope you enjoy!

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Mary-Kate and Ashley in Action Part 3 Sep 19, 2023

Yes, we are still on our journey through Mary-Kate and Ashley's 2001 cartoon, Mary-Kate and Ashley in Action. We did not intend to do more than a single episode on this show. This is what Mary-Kate and Ashley do to us.
Today, we talk about episodes 7-12, but instead of us both watching every episode, we decided to tag-team it. Lani took the odd numbers and Becca took the even, and we take turns describing each episode to each other. We ended up having WAY more fun telling the stories of these episodes to each other than we did actually watching the show, and only get through four of the ten episodes we had planned on talking about. This has been the most bizarre turn in our Mary-Kate and Ashley deep dive, and we wouldn't have it any other way.
We are also joined by our "producer*" Celey Schumer who listens from the peanut gallery and adds incredibly valuable information, like informing us that New Zealand actually gets cold, and the title of Lindsay Lohan's 2002 spy movie.
We hope you enjoy listening to these bizarre cartoon plots SO much more than we enjoyed watching them. If you still insist on watching the full MK&A in Action series, you can do so by clicking the link in SimplyOlsen's Instagram bio (which we are forever grateful for).
You can also watch the video version of this ep by subscribing to our Patreon here.
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Did you work on this show and want to tell us some hot BTS goss? Email us: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Mary-Kate and Ashley in Action Part 2 Sep 05, 2023

Today we continue our journey watching Mary-Kate and Ashley’s fourth and final television series, Mary-Kate and Ashley in Action.

In this episode, we review episodes 2-6, and we also give a brief history of the cartoon series. We go over the myriad merchandise Dualstar created before it knew that the cartoon was a failure (including action figures, bed spreads, birthday party favors, etc), and the original pitch for the show as Mary-Kate and Ashley as crime fighting movie stars.

Then we dive into our review of the first quarter of this show to see if our predictions from the pilot were true. We discuss the surprisingly complicated themes of the episodes, including the shaming of women who want to wear makeup, the consequences of having a stolen childhood, the importance of diversity, and not letting your insecurities create bad behavior towards others. Despite these deep & interesting topics, these episodes were not very good at all. Except for maybe the beginning of Episode 6, which Lani forgot to watch.

Watch the video version of this ep by subscribing to our Patreon here.
Watch the full MK&A in Action series by clicking the link in SimplyOlsen's Instagram bio (which we are forever grateful for).
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Did you work on this show and want to tell us some hot BTS goss? Email us: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Ashley Olsen is a Mom!! Aug 22, 2023

Incredible news!!! Ashley Olsen and her husband Louis Eisner had a BABY!! His name is Otto Mozart Eisner, and we are absolutely thrilled for them and Mary-Kate (AND Lizzie!!) for becoming aunts. We also think Otto is the cutest name ever, and will referring to him as Otto Olsen whether that’s his full name or not.
But also, the biggest story here is how Ashley managed to keep an entire pregnancy and birth completely hidden from the public until months after her baby was born. Though she is mostly out of the spotlight now, she is still an incredibly famous woman with many people still invested in her every move (including the paparazzi). Even rumors of a pregnancy would’ve caused a frenzy, but Ashley somehow managed to circumvent all of that. She moved into this new phase of life in complete privacy, which is something she was never given while she was growing up, and something she (and everyone) deserves so, so much.
Most importantly, she was able to escape the impossible scrutiny that emerges when celebrities go through pregnancy in the public eye. We discuss how Kim Kardashian basically had to apologize for having a human body when she was going through her first pregnancy, and how Jessica Simpson faced similar criticism with her last.
We really had no idea how we would make an entire episode out Ashley’s secret pregnancy, but it turns out, we had A LOT to say. We hope you enjoy, and most of all— congrats to the Olsen/Eisner family!
Watch the video version of this ep by subscribing to our Patreon here.
Ashley Olsen and the Power of Perfect Silence by Raven Smith: https://www.vogue.com/article/ashley-olsen-pregnancy-perfect-silence
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Are you a publicist and want to be on the pod?? Email us: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Mary-Kate and Ashley in Action - Pilot Aug 08, 2023

Come on, let's save the world-- AGAIN!
On October 20, 2001, Mary-Kate and Ashley in Action premiered on the ABC block Disney's One Saturday Morning (according to Wikipedia, but we know it from ABC Family). The show was the first and only animated television series starring Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, and featured the twins fighting crime around the world with their robot dog, Quincy. Neither Becca nor Lani ever watched this show, mainly because it was marketed towards little children, but also because it didn't seem very good. Now, we see if we were right.
Today we talk about the pilot episode, "SPF 5000," which we both watched for the very first time. And let's just say... we had some disagreements. Becca came at this review more level headed and Lani, being overworked and sleep deprived, was way more amused by the entire episode than any 30-something watching a Mary-Kate and Ashley cartoon should be.
We discuss our initial impressions, our hopes and fears for future episodes, and even figure out this cartoon's place in the greater Mary-Kate and Ashley Universe. We also share our recent experiences at the Taylor Swift and Beyonce concerts, and explain why this episode isn't about the Barbie movie.
So strap into your government funded airboat and pack your stinky ass cheese, because we're going on a cartoon ride for the next few weeks, and its gonna get weird!
Watch the video version of this ep by subscribing to our Patreon here.
Watch the full MK&A in Action series by clicking the link in SimplyOlsen's Instagram bio (which we are forever grateful for).
Get the Mary-Kate and Ashley mugs we use in the podcast at EZinkDESIGNS's Etsy store
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Was this cartoon your favorite thing Mary-Kate and Ashley did??? Email us: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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The Lizzie McGuire Movie Jul 25, 2023

What is your favorite Mary-Kate and Ashley podcast doing watching a Hilary Duff movie?! First of all, don't come at us, second of all, of course we are.
During our deep dive of Mary-Kate and Ashley's When in Rome (2002), many of our listeners pointed out to us that we *needed* to watch The Lizzie McGuire Movie (2003). Not only did it come out just one year later and take place in the same city, but it also follows the Dualstar movie formula to a T. So we did the unthinkable: we reviewed our very first project with absolutely no involvement from Mary-Kate or Ashley.
And yet, Mary-Kate and Ashley's influence is all over this movie. Mainly, the premise that Lizzie travels to a foreign country and falls in love with a boy (ALSO named Paolo!!), but even the wardrobe, mopeds, fashion montages, sightseeing montages, and the inexplicably identical strangers has the Olsen Twins written all over it. In fact, we think it would have been better *as* a Mary-Kate and Ashley movie, so naturally, we retroactively rewrite the movie for them and make it way, way better.
We also bring back one of our favorite games, "Acting Tracker," but this time, instead of comparing Mary-Kate and Ashley's acting performance, we compare Mary-Kate, Ashley and Hilary Duff's performances in these two movies (and generally).
*This podcast was recorded July 9th 2023, before the SAG strike began. We stand with SAG and the WGA while they negotiate for a fair contract.
Watch the video version of this ep by subscribing to our Patreon here.
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Have other Mary-Kate and Ashley adjacent projects you'd like us to talk about? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Mary-Kate and Ashley's European Diary Jul 11, 2023

Ciao! Bellissimo! Rigatoni! Today we travel to Italy, but not only that, we also travel back in time to 2002 when Mary-Kate and Ashley posted their virtual diary of their European travels on mary-kateandashley.com. And we read every single entry.
Mary-Kate and Ashley's trip first starts in Venice where they buy towels and etched glass, then they fly to Florence where they shop at the Prada and Dolce & Gabbana outlet stores (because they're just like us!), then of course to Rome to film their infamous classic, When in Rome and encounter an Italian labor strike, and finally they end their trip in London with a full press tour of their clothing line.
While it's adorable reading about the things Mary-Kate and Ashley ate, the tourists attractions they visited, and all the times they popped, we were surprised these diary entries had a glaring omission-- their boyfriends! We've all seen the pictures of Mary-Kate and Ashley on the streets of Rome with their beaus during the filming of When in Rome, and yet they never come up in the virtual diary. So we go back and look at the photos of them and their boyfriends in Rome that our pal Derrick Dobson shared with us, and we examine why people thought these were "controversial" at the time.
We hope this episode gets you excited about your summer travels, and also makes you think twice about whether someone is holding a beer or a can of Pringles!
Watch the video version of this ep by subscribing to our Patreon here.
Video we talk about: Behind the Scenes of When in Rome
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Email us questions at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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When in Rome's Unhinged Alternate Ending Jul 04, 2023

Hello our beloved listener/learns-- we're back!!

Today, we're soft launching our new season with a mini episode all about When in Rome's alternate ending. This was shared with us after we recorded our When in Rome episode, which is tragic because this ending changes everything. We could have talked for 5 hours about it, but we kept it under 30 minutes because we know you all have BBQ's to attend, fireworks to watch, and cute food to eat.

So please enjoy this bite-size ep, complete with what we've been up to, what to expect from us this summer, and some hot hot tips on upgrading your morning coffee routine.
Watch the video version of this ep by subscribing to our Patreon here.
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Email us questions at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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You're Invited to Mary-Kate and Ashley's 37th Birthday Party! Jun 13, 2023

Happy Birthday, Mary-Kate and Ashley!! To celebrate this national holiday, we decided to do the most exciting thing we've ever done-- host a real life birthday party for Mary-Kate and Ashley ourselves! And unlike the time Becca was a child and saw the commercial for "You're Invited to Mary-Kate and Ashley's Sleepover Party" and thought she was literally invited, this time you actually are!
We sent a call out on our Instagram and invited our friends from Patreon to join us virtually to celebrate, and we had an epic party with folks joining from around the globe. We ate cookies with Mary-Kate and Ashley's faces on them, played Dualstar MadLibs, and even brainstormed our own fantasy Mary-Kate and Ashley movie, "Once Upon a Farm," which we're pretty sure is legitimately great.
We also sent Mary-Kate and Ashley birthday wishes for the future and gratitude for all they've done and given to us personally through their decades of work. Hosting this party really showed us how much of a positive impact they had on so many of us, and it was truly heartwarming to hear everyone's stories about how these women touched their lives.
So assuming Mary-Kate and/or Ashley are reading & listing to this right now-- THANK YOU for being the heroes that you are, and we hope you have the most amazing day!
Want to participate in the next Mary-Kate and Ashley party? Subscribe to our Patreon here.
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Email us questions at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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When in Rome Apr 25, 2023

Today we watch what (we think) has been collectively agreed upon by Mary-Kate and Ashley fans as their worst movie. The movie that for some singlehandedly ended their Mary-Kate and Ashley obsession: When in Rome.
On November 26th, 2002, When in Rome was released straight to DVD and VHS and followed Charli (Mary-Kate) and Leila (Ashley) as they interned for a top fashion designer in Rome, Italy. Where they came from, how they got there, and why these two sisters share a highly competitive internship we may never know, but we DO know that they get to share a boarding house with other interns, and they are HOT.
But that doesn't really matter because their boss is trying to sabotage them and so is one of the other interns, but that doesn't matter because the rich fashion designer saves them. But he wants THEM to save his nephew, and they want HIM to date their other boss, but Mary-Kate wants to kiss an Italian boy and Ashley wants to prove herself, so they concoct a plan to get back at their enemies by making clothes.
So, as you can see, the plot is a little hard to follow, but we do our best to talk through this movie that we barely recall seeing as children. We talk about the reasons this movie lacks the magic of the other ones, the ways it could have been better, and applaud the moments that sometimes work (like the entire third act, as Lani claims).
Ultimately after watching this movie and its undeniable dip in quality, we realized there's still so much to unpack about this era of Mary-Kate and Ashley's careers. We'll be taking a break for the next few weeks, but when we come back, we're determined to dig even deeper into this often overlooked era (basically late '02-'03, because one year is a lifetime in Mary-Kate and Ashley years).
So slip on your pin striped button down, flat iron the hell out of your entire head of hair, get your chunky belt and your clunky clogs, because today, we're going to Roma!
Watch the full video version of this podcast by subscribing to our Patreon here and watch When in Rome on our angel SimplyOlsen's magical link here.
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Was When in Rome your favorite Mary-Kate and Ashley movie? PLEASE tell us why: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Chatting with Mary-Kate and Ashley in 2000 Apr 18, 2023

Last episode, we used the Wayback Machine to take a deep dive into marykateandashley.com. We clicked through the clickboards, sent a web-based email, and learned all about the hot new "fash" tips and best highlights for your hair (not the kind you're thinking). But after recording our episode, we realized there was one link we didn't click: the full transcript of a Q&A with Mary-Kate and Ashley themselves (?!).
So today, we do a dramatic reenactment of the entire chat, with Becca playing Mary-Kate and Lani playing Ashley, of course. We're reminded of chaotic early internet chat rooms as we try to decipher this absolutely unhinged transcript, and our hearts bleed for the fans who cleared their entire schedules (and surgeries) to be present for this mayhem.
Things also take a dark turn when one fan asks how much Mary-Kate and Ashley weigh, which influences several other fans, who had previously been asking how Mary-Kate and Ashley do their hair and their favorite stores to shop at, to also ask how much they weigh, and creates a mob of preteens demanding to know their weight. Much to these fans' dismay and our relief, Mary-Kate and Ashley never reveal their weight or their personal emails.
This is one wild trip, so we hope you're ready! And most importantly, we hope you saw the 1999 film Superstar, because it comes up. A LOT.
Click through the website we visit here and watch the full video version of this podcast by subscribing to our Patreon here.
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Were you part of this chat and want to tell us your story? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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marykateandashley.com Apr 04, 2023

In the late 90s, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen launched one of the most epic websites of all time: marykateandashley.com. For today's episode, because of a wonderful tool called The Wayback Machine, we were able to travel back in time to visit this website in all its glory.
In typical They Thought I Was You fashion (or shall we say "fash"), we thought we could cover every iteration of this iconic website throughout the years, from its launch until it went defunct in the 00s, in just one episode. Then, we landed on a snapshot of the site from August 22nd, 2000, with almost all of its graphics still in tact and a ton of links still clickable, and we realized there is waaaay too much to talk about in one single episode. So today, we spend the entire episode unpacking this one moment in time-- this precious summer of 2000 before Mary-Kate and Ashley entered high school-- and how it was reflected on Mary-Kate and Ashley's website.
There is so much more here than we expected -- fashion tips, fitness advice, chat rooms, calendars, ecards, web-based emails from Mary-Kate and Ashley themselves, CLICKBOARDS (?!), a newspaper simulator, an entire virtual magazine dedicated to their dolls -- the list quite literally goes on and on. We click through as much as we physically and emotionally are able to, and unpack how precious and bizarre the early internet was.
So weave in some beads & ribbons to highlight your hair, put on your Mary Janes and get that summer denim halter top out from the back of your closet, because we're visiting August 22nd, 2000, and it is one wild ride.
Click through the website we visit here and watch the full video version of this podcast by subscribing to our Patreon here.
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Did we miss your favorite part of Mary-Kate and Ashley's website? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Mary-Kate and Ashley: Magical Mystery Mall Mar 28, 2023

DISCLAIMER: We had an audio malfunction while recording, so the quality of the audio in this episode isn't great. But the conversation is, so please bear with us!
On October 27, 2000, Mary-Kate and Ashley released their first video for PlayStation, Mary-Kate and Ashley: Magical Mystery Mall. They already had some success with their Gameboy games The New Adventures of Mary-Kate & Ashley and Get a Clue, and Dance Party of the Century for PC, and this game ushered in a wave of games for more advanced systems.
Neither Lani nor Becca has a PlayStation, so we couldn't play this game ourselves, but luckily we found a playthrough of the entire game on YouTube. So today, we review this game from its promising opening scene to its nonsensical final game. We also talk about how companies poorly marketed video games to girls in the early 2000s, the prevailing tendency to make low-quality games for girls, and how that fed into the toxic gaming culture of following decades.
Ultimately, there are parts of Magical Mystery Mall that are genuinely lovable and hilarious like any good Mary-Kate and Ashley movie, and parts that completely missed the mark and left us disappointed and frankly a little sad. But most of all, even through the terrible graphics and cringeworthy soundbites, Mary-Kate and Ashley's je ne sais quoi that makes everything they touch turn to gold still comes through.
You can watch all of the playthrough and the full video version of this podcast by subscribing to our Patreon here.
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Did you play Mary-Kate and Ashley's video games? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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The Power of Mary-Kate and Ashley in 2002 Mar 21, 2023

We have finally come down from the high of having one of the best conversations of our lives with Jane Sibbett two weeks ago, and we are back this week to talk about serious business: Mary-Kate and Ashley's enormous power in 2002.
Today, we're talking about a feature "Downtown 20/20" did on the Olsens in February 2002. This caught our attention a few weeks ago when we were researching our Young Hollywood on Late Night episode and because this interview actually reveals a lot about Mary-Kate and Ashley's business at this time. Mainly in what Robert Thorne says to Connie Chung: the girls could not fire him.
This comment sent us on a tailspin, and we talk about the implications of what exactly that means, and how it conflicts with the "we make all the decisions" narrative they were pushing during this era. We also discuss the ridiculousness of Connie Chung's questioning whether Mary-Kate and Ashley "going the Britney Spears route," when at this point in history, Britney Spears was starring in Crossroads and dating Justin Timberlake-- a relatively uncontroversial time for the pop princess.
Finally, we discuss why everyone was obsessed with speculating when Mary-Kate and Ashley would break apart, because the world doesn't have "much of a need for 35 year old twins." And we're so proud of them for proving those naysayers wrong.
You can watch all of the 20/20 segment and the full video version of this podcast by subscribing to our Patreon here.
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Are you Meghan Trainor and want to record an episode with us? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com
And for those A+ students that want to prepare for next week's ep: Mary-Kate and Ashley's Magical Mystery Mall Playthrough

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Jane Sibbett (It Takes Two, Friends) Mar 07, 2023

Yes, you read that correctly. Today we're talking to THAT Jane. The queer icon of Friends. The terrible, fabulous villain of It Takes Two. Ms. Clarice Kensington herself, whom we absolutely adoooooore, Jane Sibbett.
We were thrilled to sit down with Jane and talk about her career and positively iconic roles in projects that shaped our childhood. Jane told us about her early work on sitcoms like Herman's Head (which, according to Wikipedia, is what she's "best known for"), and how that role eventually led her to her groundbreaking character on Friends. We gush over her portrayal of Carol Willick, who she could have played as a two-dimensional lesbian ex-wife for the punchline. But instead, Jane played her with love and depth, portraying a grounded lesbian marriage on prime-time television, at a time when that was not widely accepted (and could even get you blacklisted).
And of course, at the same time she was changing the hearts and minds of a nation on Friends, she was also terrorizing two twin girls at Camp Callaway as the stepmom we loved to hate in It Takes Two. We tell Jane about how watching this movie as an adult made us feel for Clarice and the pressures she was facing as an unmarried woman of a certain class, but Jane admits her approach to Clarice was much different than her role on Friends. She also shares her experience working with Mary-Kate and Ashley on set, and her biggest regret with them a few years later on the set of Friends.
Finally, Jane tells us about how the intensity of paparazzi and the media surrounding the cast of Friends made her decide to move to Hawaii after the show ended, where she began to produce and create documentaries, which eventually led her to the work she's doing today as a spiritual healer.
We were so blown away by Jane's love, kindness, poise, openness, and general aura as a human, and we hope you are too. Watch this full interview by subscribing to our Patreon here.

Follow Jane on Social media!
Instagram: @janesibbett
More about Jane's work: janesibbett.com
It Takes Two behind the scenes videos:

Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Are you a producer and want to help us make It Takes Two: Back from Tibet? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Young Hollywood on Late Night: Then & Now Feb 28, 2023

Two weeks ago, we talked about Mary-Kate and Ashley's appearance on Jay Leno in 2002, and we noticed a pattern. Every talk show host who ever interviewed Mary-Kate and Ashley (with the exception of Rosie O'Donnell) always did a terrible job. They always ask them if they have boyfriends, they never ask them serious questions about the projects they're working on, and the conversation is almost always painfully awkward. So we decided we needed some context, and see how late night hosts talked to other young women in Hollywood around this time.
Turns out, it's not just a Mary-Kate and Ashley problem! Today, we watch interviews with Hilary Duff, Miley Cyrus, Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan and Hayden Panettiere from the early 2000's. We also watch more recent interviews with Millie Bobby Brown, Sadie Sink and Charli D'Amelio to see if this these problems persist today.
The most striking thing we noticed is how the hosts talk to "the scary girls" (i.e. Britney, Lindsay, and Paris) vs "the good girls" (Hilary, Miley, Hayden & MKA). The scary girls are truly punching bags that hosts take pleasure in making uncomfortable, and the good girls are constantly warned not to turn into "one of those scary girls." The pressure is always put on the young women not to succumb to the dangers of the industry-- never the media considering the problem might be themselves.
You can watch all the interviews we talk about on this podcast, and the full video version of this podcast by subscribing to our Patreon here.

The videos we watched:
THEN
Hilary Duff on Jay Leno (2003)
Paris Hilton on David Letterman (2007)
Britney Spears on Jay Leno (2003)
Miley Cyrus on 20/20 (2007)
Hayden Panettiere on The View (2006)
Hayden on Jay Leno (2007)
Lindsay Lohan on Conan O'Brien (2004)
Lindsay Lohan on Jay Leno (2006)
NOW
Sadie Sink Roundtable (2018)
Millie Bobby Brown on Jimmy Fallon (2017)
Charli D'Amelio (2020)
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Are you Jay Leno and want to explain yourself? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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#JusticeforLyndi with Holly Towne (Getting There) Feb 21, 2023

We hope ya'll are ready for this one. We had the tremendous honor of speaking with the actress who played one of the most tragic characters in American cinema (or at least in the Mary-Kate and Ashley Universe). Today, we speak to Holly Towne, aka Lyndi, from Getting There.
Holly Towne is actually our very first guest who was also a Mary-Kate and Ashley fan before getting cast in one of their movies (the actual dream). Holly tells us about the magical moment when she landed the role, gives us an exclusive story on how the movie was rewritten because of her, and gushes over how wonderful Mary-Kate and Ashley were to work with.
Holly also opens up to us about her struggles playing characters like Lyndi, who she often got typecast as throughout her career. We unpack the harmful ways movies & media treats "airhead" characters like this, and the unfair ridicule they receive from other characters. This conversation takes us to depths of #JusticeforLyndi we had no idea we'd reach, but are so grateful for uncovering.
Huge thank you to Holly for being so open during this interview. We were moved by her vulnerability and so, so excited to see where her next chapter takes her <3
Subscribe to our Patreon to watch the full video version of this interview here.
Follow Holly!
Instagram- @adorablydevious
Twitter- @dorablydevious

Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Thoughts/comments? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Happy Pokey Valentine's Day Feb 14, 2023

Happy Valentine's Day! And what better way to celebrate the day of love than with the thing we love the most-- Two of a Kind!
Today, we're jumping out of our timeline to go back and review Two of a Kind, Ep 15 "No Man's Land" (aka the Valentine's Day episode). Last week, Lani corrected Becca's memory of this episode saying that Ashley's sports date was with fan favorite Pokey Valentine. However, after watching the episode, it turns out the sports boy was actually named Eric. In the spirit of forgiveness (the true meaning of Valentine's Day), Becca reconciled with Lani and they were able to enjoy this absolutely perfect episode of television.

We also go off on a few tangents, the positives & negatives of binge-watching television, the absolute magic of sitcoms and their wacky characters, and once again, why Two of a Kind was so much better than So Little Time.
And even though he's not actually present in this episode, we're naming this episode "Happy Pokey Valentine's Day" because we think it's cute. We hope you enjoy!
Watch the episode: Two of a Kind, Ep 15 "No Man's Land"
Subscribe to our Patreon to watch the full video version of this podcast here.
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Did you invent the name Pokey Valentine? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Mary-Kate and Ashley on Jay Leno (2002) Feb 07, 2023

We're continuing our journey through 2002 with a type of episode we haven't done in a while-- unpacking a Mary-Kate and Ashley interview and its implications in their larger treatment in the media! Today we're talking about Mary-Kate and Ashley's appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno to promote Getting There... weird!
In 2002, Mary-Kate and Ashley were simultaneously outsiders and leading forces in Hollywood. The way Jay Leno awkwardly asks them about school, boys, and driving is a prime example of how mainstream media really had no idea what to do with Mary-Kate and Ashley. At the time, they were making their own content, had their own self-contained brand, and operated almost entirely outside of the Hollywood studio & television network system. The Hollywood Reporter named them the "most powerful young women in Hollywood," and yet, Jay Leno himself struggles to ask them a single question about their career.

To give us some context, we decided to also watch Jay Leno's interview with Kelly Clarkson in 2002, just a few months later. Sure, Kelly had just won American Idol, a dark-horse reality show that became a global phenomenon, so maybe it's not a perfect one-to-one comparison, but she was just 5 years older than Mary-Kate and Ashley at the time, and Jay Leno seems to have no issues asking her questions about her experience & career.

You can watch their Tonight Show appearance in 2002 and the video version of our podcast by subscribing to our Patreon here.
Kelly Clarkson on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno in 2002
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Are you Jay Leno and want a rebuttal? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Mary-Kate and Ashley Cruises w/ Chloe Schildhause Jan 31, 2023

We're jumping backwards in our timeline just a bit to revisit a topic that will always be on our minds: the Mary-Kate and Ashley cruises. And today, sharing her truly remarkable experience on Mary-Kate and Ashley's 2000 cruise on the Baltic Sea, we are joined by the one and only Chloe Schildhause.
Chloe first shared her cruise story in 2014 in an article for Vanity Fair and has recently turned that article into an experimental short film. We were so excited to have her on the podcast to dig into more details about her truly bizarre experience being called out by Mary-Kate in a Q&A, scaring Mary-Kate and Ashley out of a McDonald's in Estonia, and ultimately having a private lunch with them and 4 other girls.
Hearing the details of Chloe's emotional roller coaster on board the MS Maasdam with the Olsen twins made us realize that the ultimate dream of going on a cruise with Mary-Kate and Ashley was maybe not all that it seemed. With neither Mary-Kate and Ashley nor their 200 fans (who were desperate to be their best friends) having a clear understanding of the boundaries that were supposed to be followed, it's no wonder these trips ended in heartbreak for many kids just like Chloe.
This conversation still has us thinking about the many layers, complexities, and dangers of para-social relationships, and we are so, so grateful to Chloe for talking with us.
Subscribe to our Patreon to watch the full video version of this interview here.
Links from Chloe:
Instagram- @chloish
Article- At Sea with Mary-Kate and Ashley, and 200 Other Olsen Super-Fans
Short film- Olsen: The True Story of a Cruise with Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen

Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Do you have a story about meeting Mary-Kate and Ashley? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Getting There: THE BOOK Jan 24, 2023

You asked, we answered. Well, some of you never asked, but others of you have insisted for months that the Mary-Kate and Ashley books are a very important part of the Mary-Kate and Ashley Universe and have been begging us to talk about them. So today, we read our first Dualstar book, Mary-Kate and Ashley Sweet 16: Getting There.
After reading this book, we realize this was a very chaotic book to read first. But since we just finished reviewing Getting There (the movie) for our podcast, we wanted to dive into this right away while the movie was still fresh. And a listener tipped us off that this book isn't just a retelling of the movie, but a meta, behind-the-scenes look at the "making" of Getting There.
And that's... kinda right. This book (the fourth of the "Sweet 16" series) is an alternate universe Mary-Kate and Ashley who were randomly scouted to be in a movie and filmed the exact same Getting There movie that we watched, but with a completely different alternate-reality cast & production team.
This book is wacky! And we unpack it as best we can, from the singing Elvis lovegrams, to the terrible manipulative friends, and even a confirmation that Ashley meeting Charly in the diner was, IN FACT, a gay romance scene!
We hope you enjoy (and can keep the timeline straight) as we dive into our first of what we're pretty sure will be many book review episodes.
Subscribe to our Patreon to watch the full video version of this podcast here.

Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
What book do you want us to read next? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Jesse Head (So Little Time) Jan 17, 2023

We cannot believe we kept this interview a secret for an ENTIRE month! It has been absolutely excruciating, and we are so relieved and incredibly excited to finally share our special guest this week. We had the honor of talking with everyone's favorite annoying neighbor, Mary-Kate's best unrequited love, and the sweetest pony-loving, guitar-playing, lobster costume-wearing guy, Larry Slotnick himself, Jesse Head.
Jesse tells us about how he first got into acting, the magical experience of being cast in his first sitcom, and his genuine love and admiration of Mary-Kate and Ashley, and what spending a year on the set of So Little Time was actually like. He also shares with us his devastation when he learned that the show was cancelled, how heartbreak pulled him away from acting, and his journey to where he is today.
And we finally get an answer on our most burning question: was the second half of So Little Time actually supposed to be the second season?
Jesse tells us about it all in this interview that we still can't believe happened. We hope you feel the same magic listening that we felt recording!
Subscribe to our Patreon to watch the full video version of this interview here.

Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Follow Jesse Head: @jessej0hnhead
Check out his art: @arto.bot
And yes, we are STILL looking for photos of Ashley's wedding. If you have leads or want to send us a question about this interview, email us at theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Ashley Olsen's Wedding Jan 10, 2023

We're BACK for Season 4 with an episode we did not plan on doing. But when one of our girls is in the news, we have no choice but to drop everything. And last week, we got some big news... Ashley Fuller Olsen got MARRIED!

But of course in true Olsen fashion, details about the matrimony are not widely available. And since we respect our girls, we tried our best not to speculate, but instead talk about what we know-- her husband's name (Louis Eisner), the very limited 50 guests that attended in LA, and the date that it happened (Dec 28th, a new date to commit to memory). The one time we do allow ourselves to speculate is on the discussions between Louis & Ashley that must have happened to create Ashley's iconic machete photo from 2021.

We also talk about the media's treatment of Mary-Kate's wedding years ago, and predict if the same type of "cigarette bowl" rumors will start again with Ashley's wedding. And we get sidetracked as Lani digs herself into a hole she'll never be able to get out of about what age a woman "should" get married.

We'll be back next week with the interview we intended on dropping today, and trust us, you're not gonna want to miss it. But until then, the BIGGEST congrats to Ashley & Louis! We're so happy, we're barely offended we weren't invited!
Subscribe to our Patreon to watch the full video version of this podcast here.

Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Did you have details on what Ashley wore to her wedding??? Email us at theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Mary-Kate and Ashley Q&A Dec 20, 2022

As we come to the end of the year and Season 3 of our podcast, we thought we'd do something we've never done before-- a Q&A episode with YOUR questions.

We asked our listeners, Instagram followers and Patreon subscribers to send us questions about the podcast, Mary-Kate and Ashley, or us personally, and you came THROUGH. We got so many truly fantastic questions like which MKA film would we like to rewrite the most, what era would we most like to be friends with MKA in, and do we think they're aware of our podcast ☠️
We had so much fun answering these, even if some of the questions made us fight. But hey, that's the mark of a good Q!
We're so grateful for everyone who submitted questions, and every listener who has supported us this year. We quite honestly couldn't and wouldn't do this without you, so thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

We'll be back with new episodes (and reveal our secret interview!!) in January :)
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Did you have a question we didn't answer in this episode? Email us at theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Getting There: Part 2 Dec 13, 2022

Today we conclude our two-part epic journey discussing Mary-Kate and Ashley's sixth direct-to-video full-length feature film, Getting There, about Mary-Kate and Ashley's misadventure getting to the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Picking up right where we left off with the gang stranded at home for a third time, in this episode we get to see them finally leave California. We discuss the absolute horror it would be to lose your sister on a Greyhound bus, our theory that their female friend Charly might have originally been written as a boy, the film's uncomfortable socioeconomic disconnect from reality, and the wild things we thought we heard because of the terrible diction in so many of the lines in this film.
We also break down in excruciating detail just how much money these teens poured down the drain on this botched road trip, and decide once and for all: is the fun Getting There, or is the fun just... there?
So zip up your Chanel ski suit, get in your private jet and leave the chaperones behind because today we're skiing with Alex Reisher (who is NOT, in fact, a real Olympian)!
Subscribe to our Patreon to watch the full video version of this podcast here.
Rewatch Getting There in @SimplyOlsen's instagram bio, who deserves a gold medal.
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Did you think this film was totally HYPE? Email us at theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Getting There: Part 1 Dec 06, 2022

Today we talk about the film this podcast has been waiting for. The film that divides Mary-Kate and Ashley fans around the globe. The film that made some some of us double down on our MKA obsession and some of us take a step back. Whether you loved it or hated it, chances are you never forgot it. Because it's not about the journey, it's all about GETTING THERE.

On June 11th, 2002 (we finally looked up the release date), Mary-Kate and Ashley released their 6th direct-to-video feature film, Getting There. This film follows Kylie (Mary-Kate) and Taylor (Ashley) who are sweet 16 and licensed to drive. They set out on a road trip with their friends to see the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, but of course, everything that can go wrong does go wrong.

Famously, this was one of Becca's favorite Mary-Kate and Ashley movies as a tween, but Lani admitted that she barely ever watched it. So this discussion is a juicy one, as we pick apart this movie beat by beat, examining Mary-Kate's extremely complicated and not-so-fun relationship, discussing Billy Aaron Brown's omnipresence in the MKA Universe, figuring out how they tried to pass Toast off as a character remotely resembling a person, and demanding justice for Lindy!

We simply have too much talk about for this movie, so we had to do it in two parts. Next week when we reveal who we think Ashley's love interest in this movie really is, what we *finally* think of their friend Jenn, and decide whether or not we actually like this movie!
So put on your beanie, polish up your red mustang convertible, and don't you dare stop for food, because today is Part 1 of our epic conversation on this 2002 classic. Make sure to rewatch Getting There in @SimplyOlsen's instagram bio!
Subscribe to our Patreon to watch the full video version of this podcast here.
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Did you think this film was totally HYPE? Email us at theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Mary-Kate Olsen's Emmy Nomination Nov 29, 2022

Our green bean casserole has finally digested, and we're back talking about the world's most iconic twins.

But in today's episode, we're focusing on only one twin, just like the Emmys did in twenty years ago. On May 17th, 2002, the 29th Daytime Emmy Awards Ceremony took place at Madison Square Garden, and notably only nominated Mary-Kate Olsen for So Little Time, not Ashley. This moment might have escaped us completely if Lani hadn't stumbled on a red carpet clip of Mary-Kate and Ashley giving in interview about the nomination, and Mary-Kate sounding remarkably uncomfortable.

So we dive into what this could possibly mean. We also revive our old segment, "The Mary-Kate and Ashley Acting Tracker" to try and pinpoint the moment when/if Mary-Kate inched in front of Ashley as the "better" actress. And we spend a very long part of this segment in an alternate reality where Two of a Kind was never cancelled.

Ultimately we decide this was probably masterminded by the Dualstar team *cough*RobertThorne*cough* and not anyone's actual opinion that Mary-Kate was more deserving of an acting accolade than Ashley. And at the end of the day, the Emmy nominations for "Outstanding Performer in a Children's Series" in 2002 were utter chaos.
Subscribe to our Patreon to watch the full video version of this podcast here.
Follow Derrick's Doll Collection:
Instagram: @derricksdollcollection
TikTok: @derricksdollcollection
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Do you think Mary-Kate was the star of So Little Time? Do you know what the Daytime Emmy's mean? Do you know why is she in the same category as Mr. Roger's? Email us at theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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So Little Time: Ep 21-26 "The Finale" (Part 6) Nov 15, 2022

Today is a very special episode. Today, we conclude our So Little Time rewatch series, and for the very first time, Becca and Lani record physically together in the same room. We take the first few minutes of this episode to appreciate how monumental this feels for us, and ponder if it's any different at all for you listeners.
But then we get right back into our rewatch of everyone's favorite Fox Family sitcom that we thought we could cover in just two podcast episodes. Now, six episodes and one interview with Eric Lutes later, we realize we could actually talk about this show forever. But alas, Mary-Kate and Ashley indeed had so little time, and we have so many more projects of theirs to cover.
In this episode, we rewatched the final 6 episodes of So Little Time: "The Volunteer" (ep 21), "Trading Places" (ep 22), "Larrypalooza" (ep 23), "Look Who's Talking" (ep 24), "Waiting for Gibson" (ep 25), and "Sweet 16" (ep 26).
And holy crap, these episodes make absolutely no sense when watched in sequence. They are so completely out of order, it practically made our heads explode. Four out of six of the final episodes of the series were clearly filmed a year earlier than the other two, and we theorize on why this mess at Fox Family happened.
Eventually, we put our brains back together to break down each episode beat by beat to talk about what worked, what didn't, and what made us so mad we were actually upset for Mary-Kate and Ashley. We also give our closing remarks on this objectively iconic show, and make peace with our many, many complaints. Finally, we once again promise to go back and give Two of a Kind, an indisputably better sitcom, its own deep dive series.
So put on your low rise flares, get cozy in your peasant top, and curl, straighten, or curl AND straighten your hair because apparently anything goes in this episode!
Subscribe to our Patreon to watch the full video version of this podcast here.
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
And listen to our whole So Little Time Series here:
So Little Time: The Pilot (Part 1)
So Little Time: 2001 (Part 2)
So Little Time: 2002 (Part 3)
So Little Time: "Season 2" (Part 4)
So Little Time: The Bloopers (Part 5)
Do you know if 8 of these episodes actually were part of an intended second season? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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So Little Time: The Bloopers (Part 5) Nov 08, 2022

Our So Little Time journey continues! But this week, instead of talking about the scripted show, we're spending this whole episode talking about a part of the show that is so quintessentially Mary-Kate and Ashley-- the bloopers!

The origin of the So Little Time bloopers is still a mystery (to us), but we're pretty sure they first appeared in promos for the show on Fox Family, and later in full on the show's DVDs. Not being huge participants of the Mary-Kate and Ashley DVD culture, we realized that we hadn't actually seen many of these bloopers until we watched them for this episode.
And what a treat they are! We dive into which bloopers stood out to us, what the bloopers imply about the dynamic on set, and the differences and similarities between Mary-Kate and Ashley the characters and Mary-Kate and Ashley the real people. We also notice the stark contrast in So Little Time season 1 (2001) and season 2 (2002) since the bloopers are out of order and reveal a couple spoilers by watching the bloopers to some episodes we haven't yet watched.
Definitely do yourself a favor and watch these bloopers before listening (all four parts are on YouTube, linked below):

So Little Time Bloopers Part 1

So Little Time Bloopers Part 2

So Little Time Bloopers Part 3

So Little Time Bloopers Part 4
Subscribe to our Patreon to watch the full video version of this podcast here.
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Thoughts/questions? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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So Little Time: Ep 16-20 "Season 2" (Part 4) Oct 25, 2022

We thought we'd be able to finish our So Little Time series with this episode, but it turns out, we simply had too much to talk about! So today we continue our So Little Time deep dive, and we cover episodes Ep 16-20, "The Massage," "Riley’s New Guy," "The Wheelchair," "The Job," and "The Flat Tire."
We spend the first portion of this episode taking a close examination of the "behind the scenes" cold opens, and why they bother Becca so much and Lani so little. Then, we dig into the storylines of each episode, unpacking Cammie's acting career, discussing the terrible boys and unfortunately storylines that surround Riley, and theorizing what the edgy hair & clothes this season are trying to tell us.
We also try to contextualize So Little Time in the greater Mary-Kate and Ashley Universe, and honestly? I think we nail it.
So grab your curling iron and pray to the lord you can figure out how to achieve the curly on top/straight on bottom look, because we're staying in Malibu! Make sure to rewatch these episodes with us on @SimplyOlsen's instagram bio.
Subscribe to our Patreon to watch the full video version of this podcast here.
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Thoughts/questions? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Eric Lutes (So Little Time, Switching Goals) Oct 18, 2022

Our So Little Time series continues with a very special guest this week. We had the honor and privilege of talking with the only person who can say he has played Mary-Kate and Ashley's dad not once, but TWICE: actor Eric Lutes (So Little Time, Switching Goals).

We were thrilled to talk Jake Carlson himself in the middle of our So Little Time rewatch to answer some of our most burning questions. He gave us the inside scoop on what went on behind the scenes, what the dynamic was like between the cast, and how the show came to an end on Mary-Kate and Ashley's terms.

But before we could get there, we HAD to ask about the first time Eric played MKA's dad in the infamous TV movie, Switching Goals. We learn how his landmark guest appearance on Fraiser led him to getting a series regular on the NBC sitcom, Caroline in the City, which ultimately led him meeting 12 year-old Mary-Kate and Ashley on treadmills at a gym in Toronto.
Best of all, we learned that Eric is currently living the life that Jake Carlson would be proud of: painting and teaching by the water, and only taking acting work that he wants to do.

We hope you have as much fun listening as we did recording this episode. And subscribe to our Patreon to watch the full video version of the interview here.
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Thoughts/questions? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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So Little Time: Episode 15 "The New Guy" (Part 3) Oct 11, 2022

Today we jump back into 2002, and continue our rewatch of everyone's favorite Fox Family original sitcom, So Little Time. And we pick up right where we left off, on episode 15, "The New Guy."
Boy oh boy, have things changed. This was So Little Time's first episode back after a fall hiatus (and after Mary-Kate and Ashley filmed & released, Holiday in the Sun), and the show feels completely different. Characters have been added, some have been lost, there are new sets, the cold opens are meta now, and Mary-Kate's straight hair and Ashley's curly hair have combined into a curly-straight hybrid no one was ready for.
And frankly, we feel gaslit. So Becca and Lani spend the entire show this week talking about this one episode and all the changes we are puzzled by. We talk candidly (and perhaps controversially) about Mary-Kate and Ashley's iconic curly/straight hairstyle, speculate on why all these changes happened midseason of a show that had just started clicking, and dig into the nitty gritty of why this episode just doesn't work.
So get your decaf mocha, blueberry muffin, and make sure you sit in your seat you definitely sit at every morning (even though we watched 14 episodes of this show and we've never seen you sit there before!!) and enjoy-- because this show is in a coffee shop now!
You'll definitely want to rewatch this episode before listening, and you can find it at the magical link in SimplyOlsen's Instagram bio here.
You can also watch the full video of this podcast by subscribing to our Patreon here.
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Thoughts/questions? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Ashley and Mary-Kate in 2022 Oct 04, 2022

WE'RE BACK! We had planned to spend this entire episode talking about the photo Ashley and Mary-Kate (purposefully in that order out of respect) took for their article in M Le Magazine du Monde. But then, in an incredible twist of kismet, on the day that Becca and Lani decided to record, brand new videos of Ashley and Mary-Kate were posted from The Row's Summer 2023 Womenswear runway show in Paris.
In a world where we so rarely get to see the Olsen sisters in front of the camera, this week felt like a true gift for us fans. So we talk about all of it. We dissect the incredible photo for M Magazine by Zoe Ghertrner with Ashley piercing our souls, staring straight into camera with a deep blue scarf draped around her neck, and Mary-Kate looking effortlessly cool in a flowing white t-shirt and pulling her hair back, deep in thought.
And then we talk about the videos from The Row's runway show on Sept 28th, and the beauty of our two favorite women looking genuinely ecstatic. We geek out over how they've made a name for themselves that is completely distinct from their child/teen star days, and revel in how they seem happier now then we've ever seen them before.
So please enjoy this brief fast forward 20 years as we celebrate Ashley and Mary-Kate in 2022, and get ready because next week, we're zipping all the way back to 2002.
LINKS:
Ashley & Mary-Kate's M Le Magazine du Monde Photo
VIDEO 1, Getting into car
VIDEO 2, Ashley & Mary-Kate clapping & smiling
VIDEO 3, Birdseye view of Ashley & Mary-Kate walking down stairs
VIDEO 4, Ashley & Mary-Kate getting applauded post-show
Watch the full video of this podcast by subscribing to our Patreon here
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Thoughts/questions? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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WeTransfer presents: The Twins Aug 30, 2022

Today, we're sharing a bonus episode we first released exclusively to our Patreon subscribers. For months, we've received DM's from followers and listeners asking us if we've watched the Mary-Kate and Ashley mini-doc, "WeTransfer Presents: The Twins,*" so we finally did.
This 12-minute video by Zara Meerza about the Mary-Kate and Ashley fandom went live on the internet on June 23rd, 2022, and is a beautiful love letter to the Olsen sisters, their impact on young women, and their unique appeal as twin sisters.

In this episode, we talk about what we loved, the moments that made us cry, and the parts we'd like to dive deeper into on our podcast. We also reflect on Mary-Kate and Ashley's impact on us and how being their fans connects us to a larger, global sisterhood.

This doc truly did give us all the feels, and you can watch the whole "We Transfer Presents: The Twins*" here:

https://youtu.be/ll9-o5cabAw

*At Becca's request, this video from here on out will be referred to as, "The Twins," and not, "the WeTransfer video" as Lani keeps calling it. We're gonna try our best.

Be the first to hear (and watch!) bonus episodes like these by subscribing to our Patreon here
Find us on Social Media!
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Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Thoughts/questions? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Holiday in the Sun Aug 23, 2022

Here it is, the moment we've all been waiting for... the holy grail of Mary-Kate and Ashley movies... today we talk about Holiday in the Sun.

And we know what you're thinking-- didn't you two already talk about this movie? NO WE DIDN'T. We interviewed Ben Easter aka Jordan Landers as in Landers Hardware Store Landers, but just the two of us, Becca and Lani, have never talked about this movie in real life or on this podcast!

So today, we leave no pukka shell unturned. We get into the nitty gritty of what made this movie so special and a nostalgic favorite among pop culture intelligentsia. Also, being the enthusiasts of story and film that we are, we pick apart the parts of this movie that don't, let's face it, really work.

But bottom line: this movie single handedly gave an entire generation unrealistic expectations for 1) falling in love on a family vacation and 2) the overall quality of Krispy Kreme donuts. And for that, it will always have a uniquely special place in our hearts.

So slip on your flip flops, jump on your private jet, and get your fish blender ready, because we're going to the Bahamas! And Ineedabeach! And Ineedamartini... STAT!
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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) RE-RELEASE Aug 16, 2022

Last November, for Holiday in the Sun's 20th Anniversary, we had what can only be described as a life-changing interview with Ben Easter (aka Jordan Landers of Hardware Store Landers).
Now that we've finally caught up in our timeline to the iconic Holiday in the Sun era, this week we are re-releasing our interview with Ben Easter. We are proud to say we are much better interviewers now than we were last November, so please excuse our INTENSE nerves at the beginning (but then again, what self-respecting MKA fan wouldn't get that way before speaking to Ben Easter).

And as a bonus, this week we're releasing the FULL VIDEO (with parts that were edited out of this podcast), only for our patrons here. Enjoy!
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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.
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
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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the rise and fall of mary-kateandashley magazine Aug 09, 2022

Last week, we reread the entire premiere issue of Mary-Kate and Ashley's fashion magazine from 2001, aptly titled "mary-kateandashley magazine." We discussed that the magazine mysteriously ended abruptly after 3 issues, but we had no idea why. So this week, we consult with They Thought I Was You's resident Mary-Kate and Ashley historian, Derrick Dobson (@derricksdollcollection) to learn all about the rise and fall of this beloved magazine.

Derrick explains to us what the online community thought this magazine would be before its premiere, the surprising controversy over the premiere issue's cover, and the reason why this beloved magazine's life was cut so tragically short.
Did Dualstar ever offer anything to subscribers like Lani who paid for six and only received three? Derrick has that answer.
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Derrick: @derricksdollcollection
Thoughts/questions? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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mary-kateandashley magazine: our premiere issue Aug 02, 2022

On March 25th, 2001 (the same week Winning London premiered), Mary-Kate and Ashley launched the first of what would be three teen fashion magazines, aptly named the "mary-kateandashley magazine."
This wasn't one of Mary-Kate and Ashley's most well known projects, but it was an important moment in their career. As we've been discussing for the past 8 weeks , 2001 was an insane time our girls with their brand exploding at Walmart and their film & TV projects in full swing. But this magazine felt different. This magazine felt like something more intimate, more real, more authentically them. And on the first page, on their list of "Top 10 Reasons We Created a Magazine," their number one reason says it all:
Because we can.
So this week, Becca and Lani read the whole thing. We talk about what we remember about this magazine at the time of its release, what we thought it was/hoped it would be, and how it holds up now, 21 years later.
And since we will be referencing many of the articles/photos along the way, we recommend you read along with us with the PDF version of the magazine here:
mary-kateandashley: our premiere issue
(PDF Courtesy of @derricksdollcollection)
You can also watch the video version of this podcast by subscribing to our Patreon here
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Thoughts/questions? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Screenwriter Karol Hoeffner (Winning London) Jul 26, 2022

Today we sit down with the woman who taught an entire generation that the Model UN was a legitimate school activity. We talk to the person who wrote of one of Mary-Kate and Ashley's nerdiest, most beloved, most perfect rainy-day-comfort movies of all time. We talk to Karol Hoeffner, screenwriter of Winning London.
And we learn that Karol is nothing short of a complete inspiration. When she was in her 40s, she started being ghosted by an ageist industry that had no interest in hiring a middle-aged female screenwriter. So she decided to write a raunchy screenplay under a male pseudonym, and the industry came banging down her door-- including our friend, Robert Thorne, who then asked her to pitch the next Mary-Kate and Ashley movie.
Karol tells us about the insanely stressful week she spent writing the entire Winning London screenplay (the week before they left for London!), the particularities of writing a script for Mary-Kate and Ashley, and how she feels about the movie now, 21 years later. And of course, we ask how she came up with the iconic line, "I don't clean up after lost boys."
We adored talking with Karol and left feeling absolutely inspired. We hope this conversation makes you feel the same way ❤️
You can also watch the video version of this interview by subscribing to our Patreon here
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Thoughts/questions? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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So Little Time: Ep 2-14 "Season 1" (Part 2) Jul 19, 2022

Our So Little Time journey continues!

This week we're reviewing all of the So Little Time episodes that were released in 2001 (Episodes 1-14: "Siblings in the City" through "The Breakfast Club"), and we are thrilled to report-- we loved this SO much more than the pilot.

This show, like most sitcoms, takes a few episodes to find its footing, but once it does, it's a whoooole vibe. It's a show about the most incredibly fun, relaxed Malibu teen dream in life in y2k that you could ever imagine. And the fashion. Is. Everything. We dig into each episode, address lifelong questions we've had about Teddi and Manuelo, and eventually have a STRONG disagreement on the quality of episode 9, "True Lies" that almost broke up our whole podcast.
But luckily, we resolve our differences and come back together to celebrate this comforting teen sitcom and all it did well (and a few things it didn't quite get right).
So put on your low rise jeans with the chunky belt and flowy top, and strap in to revisit the iconic first half of So Little Time (before they add a coffee shop and change their hair to the iconic curly on top, straight on bottom).
As we said last week, this show is notoriously impossible to find on streaming, so head on over to SimplyOlsen's Instagram bio to watch the full show.
You can also watch the video version of this interview by subscribing to our Patreon here
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Who do you think was right about Episode 9 "True Lies"? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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So Little Time: The Pilot (Part 1) Jul 12, 2022

The time has finally come... this week we watch a Mary-Kate and Ashley fan favorite, a show that solidified the Fox Family Channel as teen girl heaven and ignited the SoCal fashion trends of early '00s (we think).

This week we watch So Little Time. And since we have so MUCHtime, we're sticking to just the pilot, "Dog Day Afternoon." In this episode, we meet Riley (Mary-Kate this time) and Chloe (now Ashley) Carlson, their weird friend Larry (Jesse Head), their vivascious manny Manuelo (Taylor Negron), and their estranged parents Jake (Eric Lutes) and Macy (Clare Carey) Carlson. We talk about what this show meant to us as tweens, dissect this strange, clunky pilot, and puzzle over Teddi (Natashia Williams)'s modeling contract with the Carlsons. We also try to figure out why exactly the Carlsons had so LITTLE time.

And disclaimer: we didn't love the pilot as much as we'd hoped. It takes us a minute to process the shift from the air-tight, network-produced perfection that was Two of a Kind and readjust to the relaxed and breezy fun that So Little Time did so well, but trust us, we DO get there.

Also, since this show is notoriously not on streaming, head on over to SimplyOlsen's Instagram bio to watch the full show.
You can also watch the video version of this interview by subscribing to our Patreon here
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Thoughts/questions? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Mary-Kate and Ashley: The Truman Show (RE-RELEASE) Jul 05, 2022

In light of our interview with Winning London's Rachel Roth, we thought this would be a good time to replay one of our all time favorite episodes from the very beginning of our podcast, "Mary-Kate and Ashley: The Truman Show."
In this episode, we outline how Mary-Kate and Ashley were plucked from a regular life as two anonymous twin babies to becoming two of the most successful and well-known child stars of all time. This is an important episode for understanding how Mary-Kate and Ashley ended up where they were in 2001 when Rachel crossed paths with them, and what we'll be talking more about in the episodes to come this season.
We'll be back next week for a brand new episode, but until then, please enjoy this re-release of a classic from our vault!
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Mary-Kate and Ashley were just 6 months old when they had the audition that propelled them to stardom. Learn how Hollywood producers coerced the twins' mother, Jarnette "Jarnie" Olsen, into trapping her daughters in a real-life Truman Show situation — beginning with that fated Full House audition.
We also unpack the dangers of celebrity and the parallels between the Olsen twins and teen pop stars. And, of course, we play our favorite game: Britney Spears & Christina Aguilera, Billie Eilish & Finneas, Dave Coulier & John Stamos — who's the Mary-Kate, and who's the Ashley?
-----------------------------------------
SOURCE MATERIAL:
VH1 Driven Documentary: Mary-Kate and Ashley
Celebrity Profile: Mary-Kate and Ashley
PRESS APPEARANCES:
Lifestyles of Little Stars
Mary-Kate and Ashley present at the Emmy's
Mary-Kate and Ashley on Arsenio Hall 1991
Mary-Kate and Ashley on Regis and Kelly
Olsen Twins on QVC
Mary-Kate and Ashley Good Morning America
September 2010 issue of US Marie Claire, Mary-Kate saying they were “little monkey performers” and ‘I wouldn’t wish my upbringing on anybody.’
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Rachel: @rachiemcroth
Thoughts/questions? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Rachel Roth (Winning London, So Little Time) pt 2 Jun 28, 2022

We are SO sorry we left you all on a cliff this week, but your suspense is finally over-- Part 2 of our interview with actress Rachel Roth (Winning London, So Little Time) is here!
In this half, we hear Rachel's feelings on Robert Thorne, how a dinner with Mary-Kate and Ashley in London started a real life relationship with them back in LA, and what it was like hanging out with them at home with their "annoying" little sister Lizzie. Rachel describes being in the orbit of these tycoons at this epic time in their teen fame, and the sadness she felt at the incredible pace Mary-Kate and Ashley were expected to work.
Rachel also talks about working with them again on So Little Time and her little-known but groundbreaking LGBTQ role on the Fox sitcom Titus. This interview gets very, very real and gave us a sober understanding of the darker sides of Mary-Kate and Ashley's world in 2001.
HUGE thank you again to Rachel for talking with us, and for sharing some amazing BTS photos from the set of Winning London that you can see on our Instagram. You can also watch the video version of this interview on our Patreon here!
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Rachel: @rachiemcroth
Thoughts/questions? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Rachel Roth (Winning London, So Little Time) pt 1 Jun 21, 2022

We are pinching ourselves. We had the honor and privilege to talk with the most incredible guest from Mary-Kate and Ashley's cinematic universe. This guest was one of the only female friends Mary-Kate and Ashley ever had in their full-length movies and one of the few actors asked back for multiple projects. Driven, sensitive, and out to save the world-- today we talk with Rachel Roth (Winning London, So Little Time)!
We had the most incredible conversation with Rachel about how she started acting at 6 years old (because according to the Sound of Music, that's how old you have to be to act), and her life as a teen actress in the late 90's and early 00's working for all the kid's channel heavy hitters: Nickelodeon, Disney, and of course, Dualstar. She tells us about her experience auditioning for Winning London, learning she wasn't the first choice to play Rachel, her whirlwind 48 hour notice that she would be filming in London, and how her relationship with Mary-Kate and Ashley shaped her outlook on Hollywood.
This conversation was too good (and too long) to fit into one episode, so we leave you on a cliffhanger until part 2 next week, but let's just say, something's up with Robert Thorne...
HUGE thank you for Rachel to talking with us. We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we enjoyed recording. You can also watch the video version of this interview on our Patreon here!
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Rachel: @rachiemcroth
Thoughts/questions? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Mary-Kate and Ashley's First Fashion Show Jun 14, 2022

We are officially BACK! And what better way to kick off our new season than with Mary-Kate and Ashley doing the thing they love most: fashion!
On February 28th, 2001, Mary-Kate and Ashley debuted their much-anticipated fashion line at Walmart with a half hour fashion show on Fox (ABC?) Family called "Fashion Forward." The show was hosted by the twins and their costars from Winning London, Eric Jungmann and Brandon Tyler. It also featured musical performances by an obscure band called Gotti 13, "behind the scenes" of the making of the show, and interviews with Mary-Kate, Ashley, and their costume designer Judy Swartz.
Lani taped this TV special when she was a kid, but Becca had never seen it until now as an adult. And we'll just say, some things don't hold up so well. The pushing of heteronormativity on pre-teen girls is especially jarring to watch now and leads us to a long discussion on what exactly was meant by "Real Fashion for Real Girls." We also talk about what the Mary-Kate and Ashley Walmart line meant to us as kids and the great power of celebrity clothing lines.
Also, we've officially launched our Patreon! You can now support us and have access to monthly bonus episodes, video versions of our weekly podcasts, early access to content, and sneak peaks of future episodes! We're so excited to have you on this journey with us :)
EPISODE LINKS:
Watch Fashion Forward on YouTube:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Article, "The Olsen Inc" (Jan 30th 2000)
Support us on Patreon here
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Thoughts/questions? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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The Mary-Kate and Ashley Podcast May 24, 2022

Hello again! We're still not back yet. But we are very close to coming back, and we stumbled upon a piece of Olsen history that we simply could not wait to share with you.
Our friend & listener @OlsenSistersFrance shared with us that in 2006, Mary-Kate and Ashley... had a podcast That's right, our brilliant twin icons had the knowhow in 2006 to start a podcast before podcasts were even a thing! @OlsenSistersFrance found the first episode in her digital collection and shared it with us, and we were shocketh.
This podcast was called the mary-kateandashley.com podcast (major flashbacks to SpringDance.com amiright?), and before you get your hopes too high-- it wasn't hosted by Mary-Kate and Ashley. But they are interviewed (separately) in the podcast about what they were up to as two 20-year-old, busier than ever, Hollywood veterans.
The podcast is hosted by Trish Nelson who also interviews Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron about High School Musical, and Dylan and Cole Sprouse about their boys' magazine and which Olsen twin they most identify with. We don't know much else about this podcast or how many episodes it had, who knew about it, or how successful it was. But we're eternally grateful to know that it existed.
We'll be back in just a couple of weeks for season 3, so get ready! And until then, enjoy this slice of forgotten Mary-Kate and Ashley history.
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Got any more into on the mary-kateandashley.com podcast? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Elizabeth Olsen: The Olsen That Was Promised May 10, 2022

SURPRISE! Today we have a special bonus episode in honor of last weekend's premiere of Dr. Strange and the Multiverse of Madness starring everyone's favorite little sister, Elizabeth (Lizzie) Olsen.
Today's impromptu conversation came about when Becca and Lani were in a planning meeting for season 3 of the podcast and realized they both had VERY different opinions about Lizzie Olsen and her place in the Mary-Kate and Ashley Universe. Instead of waiting for our future deep dive into Elizabeth Olsen (oh yeah, it's gonna happen), we decided to go on record right now and state how we both feel about Lizzie and what her success as an A-List movie star means to us as Mary-Kate and Ashley fans.
Does Lizzie Olsen have the career we always pictured for Mary-Kate and/or Ashley? Is Lizzie the dark horse Olsen? Could Elizabeth Olsen have made it without Mary-Kate and Ashley? We dive into all these questions, and Lani even sprinkles in her hopes for Wanda in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (but don't worry, no Dr. Strange spoilers).
We hope you enjoy today's spontaneous mini ep, and let us know your thoughts on Lizzie Olsen! But most of all get ready, because we're coming back for an epic season 3 in just a few short weeks.
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Thoughts/questions? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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A Brief, Spontaneous Ranking of Mary-Kate and Ashley's Movies Apr 19, 2022

We made it to the end of season 2!
Season 2 was more exciting than we could have ever expected. We talked to Brigitte (THE Brigitte, the supermodel from Passport to Paris), a viral YouTube creator who met Mary-Kate and Ashley on a cruise, and an incredible collector and expert of all things Mary-Kate and Ashley. We've also connected with so many more Mary-Kate and Ashley fans and gotten closer our podcast's biggest goal-- proving that we are not alone ❤️
So as a terrifying treat, we decided to spontaneously rank all of Mary-Kate and Ashley's feature films that we covered this season: Billboard Dad, Switching Goals, Passport to Paris, Our Lips Are Sealed, Winning London and Holiday in the Sun.
We cannot stress enough how difficult this was and how unofficial this ranking is. We reserve the right to change our order in the future, and trust us, we WILL be ranking all of Mary-Kate and Ashley's films once we have finished them. But after finishing this golden era of MKA classics, we just couldn't help ourselves.
Let us know if you agree or if you hate us now! And before next season, don't forget to rate & review, tell your other Mary-Kate and Ashley fanatic friends about the pod, and catch up on any episodes you missed.
We're coming back for an epic season 3-- get ready!
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Thoughts/questions? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Winning London Apr 12, 2022

Just over 21 years ago on March 27th, 2001, Mary-Kate and Ashley released their 3rd teenage fantasy travel film, Winning London, and winter wear would never be the same again.
Much to their nerdy fans' delight, this movie was about two twin sisters, Riley and Chloe's school trip to compete in the Model UN Championship in London, England. Not only would we finally see Mary-Kate as a type-A overachiever, but we also got to see Ashley as a free-spirited slacker. Mix this twin swap with a European backdrop and the cutest boys of any of their movies (fight me), and you have an instant Olsen twins classic.
Becca and Lani reflect on what this movie meant to us as tweens (spoiler alert: we were obsessed), how it holds up 21 years later, and dissect Riley and Chloe's character archs. We speculate over how much of this movie was an advertisement for their clothing line and TV show coming out later that year (I mean, they used the exact same names in So Little Time, c'mon), and ponder yet again whether or not Dualstar helped shield them from the exploitation that other teen stars like Lindsay Lohan and Hilary Duff experienced.
But most of all, we express gratitude for having this fun, wholesome, nerdy, (and sometimes horny) movie as tweens. It taught us to be ambitious, stay humble, and not be ashamed to order cokes at a teen club. Also, don't clean up after lost boys.
So go rewatch this comforting, feel-good, rainy day, crystal dove of teen films, and join us on this delightful trip up Abbey Road and down memory lane.
Watch Winning London here
(Courtesy of our Olsen angel @SimplyOlsen)
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Thoughts/questions? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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A History of the Mary-Kate and Ashley Dolls Apr 05, 2022

In April 2000, Mattel released the very first of what would become the most successful celebrity fashion dolls of all time-- the Mary-Kate and Ashley dolls.
Becca and Lani knew these dolls were a part of the Olsen twins' history, but we didn't realize the enormous scope of these dolls' success until we started researching. We decided we needed to bring in an expert to educate us on all things MKA dolls, so today we are joined by Mary-Kate and Ashley superfan, expert and doll collector Derrick Dobson!
Derrick shares with us what the Mary-Kate and Ashley fandom meant to him growing up, how his sisters (gasp) destroyed his original Olsen collection and made him start over, and walks us through the history of these dolls from their inception to their final and unreleased dolls.
He explains how heavily involved the girls were in the styling and curating of these dolls in the first two years of their release, but how after 2002, their involvement wained and so did the quality of the product. We also discuss the press tour that Mary-Kate (who had just broken up with her boyfriend) and Ashley (whose business savvy was beginning to flourish) went on to promote these dolls on Donny & Marie, Rosie O'Donnell, and the Today Show.
Move over Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, because Mary-Kate and Ashley's dolls are about to blow you out of the water. And if any of you out there know where to find "It's Your Look" dolls, please message Derrick ❤️
Follow Derrick's Doll Collection:
@derricksdollcollection
LINKS WE TALK ABOUT:
Fashion Doll Retrospective, A History of Mary-Kate and Ashley's Dolls
Mary-Kate and Ashley First Doll Commercial
Mary-Kate and Ashley Spa Day Commercial
Mary-Kate and Ashley Curl & Style Doll Commercial (2003)
Mary-Kate and Ashley on Donny & Marie (2000)
Mary-Kate and Ashley on Rosie O'Donnell (2000)
Mary-kate and Ashley on the Today Show (2001)
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Thoughts/questions? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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7th Heaven: The Murphy Girls Mar 29, 2022

Mary-Kate. Ashley. And Simon in the middle??
On November 20th, 2000, the day before "Our Lips Are Sealed" was released on VHS, Mary-Kate and Ashley made their highly anticipated guest appearance on the hit WB family drama, 7th Heaven.
Centered around a minister and his hot family, 7th Heaven was the longest-running series in the network's history, and "the Camdens" were as wholesome as you could get. But for their 96th episode, Mary-Kate and Ashley (aka the Murphy sisters) would walk on set as... the bad girls.
And the press had a field day. Multiple news outlets ran features on how the 14 year-old twins would play "twin temptresses," "more bad than [Simon aka Aaron Carter] can handle." Lani, who had never seen an episode of 7th Heaven in her life, made sure to set her VCR to record this historic moment, and Becca, who was already a casual viewer of the show, made sure not to miss it.
So we rewatched this episode for the first time since that fateful day in the fall of 2000, and realized... our girls are barely in this episode! They're not at all the main storyline and hardly get any airtime until well over halfway through.
But as with all things Mary-Kate and Ashley, we'll take what we can get. Seeing them as "bad" girls is a delight, but seeing them as objects of the male gaze is... unnerving. We unpack what that felt like watching this episode as children, roll our eyes out of their sockets at Matt Camden's runaway bride, and puzzle over what 7th Heaven was in our culture.
Where can you go when the world don't treat you right? The answer is... this podcast.
CNN "7th Heaven" interview
E! News Daily "7th Heaven" interview
7th Heaven "Gossip" Commercial
Talking about their transition from film to fashion (Sept 2009, we mistakenly said 2014 in this episode):
MK&A Fashion Television Part 1
MK&A Fashion Television Part 2
MK&A Fashion Television Part 3

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

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Mary-Kate and Ashley Cruises w/ Rob Tanchum Mar 22, 2022

Once a year starting in 1994 and ending (we think) in 2001, Mary-Kate and Ashley would set sail with a boat full of fans on a "Sail with the Stars" cruise. They would advertise these cruises at the beginning of all of their VHS tapes, and Lani and Becca dreamed of one day going. Sadly, it never happened for either of them. Which is why they were thrilled to finally talk to someone who was there, dancing and PJ-partying with Mary-Kate, Ashley and Lizzie Olsen. On a boat.
Today we are joined by our friend and writer/director/comedian/musician Rob Tanchum. Rob has not one but TWO photos with the Olsen sisters that were taken on their "To Russia with Love" cruise in the summer of 2000. Last year, Rob made a song inspired by these photographs called "Mary-Kate and Ashley," that became a sensation on YouTube, Twitter & Reddit.
Rob tells us all about how he SNUCK INTO THE CRUISE EVENTS with his frosted-tipped friend, got caught up in drama with Lizzie Olsen, and approached Mary-Kate and Ashley at the bar of the cruise ship with his peace sign necklace.
This conversation is the closest Becca and Lani will ever get to being on a Mary-Kate and Ashley Cruise, so hearing these stories were truly a dream come true. Enjoy!
Listen to Rob's song here
Watch clips from the cruise here
Vanity Fair Article on "To Russia with Love"
Follow Rob:
Soundcloud: Rob Tanchum
YouTube: Rob Tanchum
Instagram: @RobTanchum
Buy the Mary-Kate and Aaaaaaaashley shirt here
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Thoughts/questions? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Our Lips Are Sealed Mar 15, 2022

On November 21st, 2000, nearly one full year after their cult classic Passport to Paris, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen released their second destination-inspired teen comedy, Our Lips Are Sealed filmed in Sydney, Australia.
Neither Becca nor Lani have revisited this movie since the year it came out. In our memories, this movie was the hippest, wittiest, most alternative, most daring, most ahead-of-its-time movie in the Olsen twins canon. We were sure that we'd rediscover this gem and prove to the world that it has been woefully overlooked in the culture of 00s nostalgia.
But then it was... not quite what we expected. This is absolutely an era where Mary-Kate and Ashley's style and swag was at an iconic, untouchable level. However, this movie struggles to live up to stars' magnetism, and the same writing team that hit a home run in Passport to Paris kept striking out in Our Lips Are Sealed.
So we break down the script, theorize that boys in this movie weren't actually love interests, disagree on scenes that didn't work, and celebrate their style that came to define the fashion trends of 2001 (as Ashley tells us in the DVD extra was completely intentionally).
At the end of the day, this movie is a joyful celebration of fashion, friends, and the down under, and we can't help but love it. After all, it's Mary-Kate and Allie. Ashley. Whatever.
Watch Our Lips Are Sealed here
(courtesy of SimplyOlsen's incredible Instagram bio)
DVD Extras:
Behind the scenes
Bridge walk
Fashion
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Thoughts/questions? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Are We Too Old for These Parties? Mar 08, 2022

On July 18th, 2000, You're Invited to Mary-Kate and Ashley's School Dance Party was released on VHS. It was the last installment of Mary-Kate and Ashley's "You're Invited" series, and the last half-hour video the twins would ever make.
The "You're Invited" series closed the chapter of the twins' childhood, and marked the beginning of a new era. So, to commemorate this milestone, we watched all of the "You're Invited" videos we didn't talk about last time: Mall Party, Ballet Party, Camp Out Party, Costume Party, Fashion Party, School Dance Party. We love them all.
Ok, no, we do not love them all. But watching them in sequence for the first time since childhood (some for the first time ever) was a fascinating journey. We recovered memories we had suppressed, grappled with the recurring unapologetically mean boys, unpacked the reasons why some of these captured us more than others, and discovered that Ashley and Mary-Kate's destiny as fashion designers was always in plain sight.
And much like the end of childhood, the culmination of this journey is jarring. In School Dance Party, the opening sequence is scrapped, the format is abandoned, and the outtakes seem to imply some deep frustration at best, and an existential crisis at worst.
So, come as you are, put some critters on your crackers and stop holding out on a homework party, because we're going to Fashion Junior High and figuring out the noise about boys.
The Row's Winter 2022 Womenswear Collection
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Thoughts/questions? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Passport to Paris Mar 01, 2022

On November 9, 1999, Passport to Paris was released on VHS, and changed the meaning of "direct-to-video" movies forever.
At just 13-years old, this was Mary-Kate and Ashley's first feature-length film as executive producers, and with it, they expanded their careers from performers to professional tastemakers, trendsetters, and style icons. For any teen that was obsessed with fashion, falling in love, and exploring the word, this movie was a perfect fantasy. This is why it became one of Mary-Kate and Ashley’s best known direct-to-video films and has continued to stay relevant, even today.
Today, we get into the nitty gritty of why this movie actually works, the complicating factor that Ally & Melanie were kind of mean girls, and the many many many reasons this movie will always have a beloved place in our heart.
Also, we knew this movie was bigger than us, so we called on our Instagram community to send us their Passport to Paris stories, and we share them in our very first "Mail Bag" segment! (Mail Bag is a real term, right?)
Thank you to everyone who sent in messages, and to Mary-Kate and Ashley for making the most perfect movie <3
LINKS:
Becca & Lani in Paris
Mary-Kate and Ashley "book" commercial
Passport to Paris commercial
Find us on Social Media!
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
Also, we're on TikTok now!
TikTok: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms

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Yvonne Scio (Passport to Paris) Feb 22, 2022

Hey, you're Brigitte!
Duh, she just said that.
No, THE Brigitte. The supermodel!
No she's not... is she? Are you?
...I'm afraid so.
Talk about international relations! With Becca in Los Angeles and Lani in New York, we were able to Zoom into Italy to talk with the supermodel and the scholar, the very impressive woman, Yvonne Scio (AKA Brigitte from Passport to Paris)!
We were beside ourselves speaking with this incredibly glamorous multi-hyphenate about her experience filming Passport to Paris. She tells us how Mary-Kate and Ashley were precocious fashionistas at 12 years old, shares how nervous she was playing a French supermodel as an Italian actress in an American film, and finally answers our most burning question about this movie: why didn't they go INSIDE any of the French stores in the iconic shopping montage scene?
After moving back to Italy and becoming a mother (her 13-year-old daughter is now a Mary-Kate and Ashley superfan herself 🥺), Yvonne decided to make her own work and is now an accomplished director and producer (links to her work below). We were so incredibly honored for the opportunity to speak with her, and we hope you can feel the inspiration and pure ATTITUDE that we felt recording this interview.
Yvonne's projects:
Magic Moments, a documentary about Roxanne Lowit
Seven Women
Find us on Instagram!
Show: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Yvonne: @YvonneScio
Thoughts/questions? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Switching Goals (w/ Still Got It Podcast!) Feb 15, 2022

Welcome to our very first Crossover episode! In Still Got It Podcast, host Celey Schumer revisits childhood-classic films to see if they "still got it," and it seemed only fitting that she would join us to discuss the next project on Mary-Kate and Ashley's timeline, Switching Goals.
(And before you come after us, we know Passport to Paris came out before Switching Goals, but based on their hair length and general maturity, we're pretty sure they filmed Switching Goals first)
And after our exhilarating Two of a Kind marathon from the last two weeks, watching this often overlooked TV family sports film was... interesting. To say the least.
Ok, we hated it. And we took no joy in hating it, but talking through this unfortunately lackluster feature with nostalgia expert Celey helped us swallow this difficult pill of a film. (And helped us appreciate Two of a Kind that much more.)
Find us on Instagram!
Show: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Still Got It Podcast: @stillgotitpodcast
Celey: @CeleySchumer
Follow/Subscribe to Still Got It Podcast here
Did you love Switching Goals and want to tell us why? PLEASE email us (genuinely, we need your perspective) at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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

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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It Takes Two Teaser Oct 26, 2021

Lani and Becca are cooking up something very, very special for our It Takes Two episode, (hint: it's another interview!), and we need just a little more time to get it ready.
In the meantime, we're releasing this bonus episode where Lani talks with her brother Alex Harms (who designed our podcast's tile art!) about watching It Takes Two as children, and what (if anything) he remembers about his sister being obsessed with Mary-Kate and Ashley.
We'll be back with a full episode next week!
Find us on Instagram!
Show: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Alex: @harmstudio
Want to send us a Mary-Kate and Ashley memo or anecdote from your childhood? Email or send us:
theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Full House pt 2: The One Where Michelle Dies Oct 19, 2021

Lani and Becca watched both parts of the Full House season finale, "Michelle Rides Again" — and wow, what a trip. (Or should we say... fall??)
We talk about how refreshing it is that the adults for once care about a missing child, yet still don't take Michelle's head injury as seriously as they should. Lani tries to describe the strange experience of watching Full House for the first time decades after it aired as a huge Mary-Kate and Ashley fan, and Becca realizes that this episode unconsciously influenced her senior prom dress.
We review every nook and cranny of this Full House two-parter, so buckle up and don't fall off your horse! Seriously, don't, it could lead to a very serious head injury.
Sad Full House
Becca's & DJ's Prom Dresses
VH1 Driven Documentary: Mary-Kate and Ashley
Celebrity Profile: Mary-Kate and Ashley
"‘Full House’ Not Enough for ABC Pot : Television: The long-running, Top 25 show has fallen out of step, giving way to programmers and advertisers pushing for hip, young viewers."
-LA Times May 23, 1995

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Show: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Thoughts/suggestions? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Full House pt 1: Attics and Basements Oct 12, 2021

We've been so caught up in Mary-Kate and Ashley's production company, videos, albums, merch, TV movies and specials, Fun Club and entourage, that we've barely even covered the twins' most notable credit: portraying Michelle Tanner on Full House.
Becca finally gets to share what Full House meant to her as a kid. Lani, who shockingly didn't watch the show, somehow remembers the attic and basement. Then we speculate over why this very popular show was cancelled so abruptly.
Next week we'll be reviewing the show's finale: Michelle Rides Again (Part 1 & 2), so find yourself an HBOMax password, and get ready to dive in!
----------------------------------------------------
VH1 Driven Documentary: Mary-Kate and Ashley
Celebrity Profile: Mary-Kate and Ashley
"‘Full House’ Not Enough for ABC Pot : Television: The long-running, Top 25 show has fallen out of step, giving way to programmers and advertisers pushing for hip, young viewers."
-LA Times May 23, 1995
Dualstar Entertainment Group LLC --Jill Zimmerman (now Collage) still on board!
Behind The Row: Meet Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen -- Jill Collage became the PRESIDENT of Dualstar in 2010 🤯
Fun Club "Carrying Case" that's just Ashley's face twice
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Show: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Are you Robert Thorne and want to set the record straight? Email us at: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Mary-Kate and Ashley's Fun Club Oct 05, 2021

In 1993 (or '94; it's unclear), Mary-Kate and Ashley's management team created "Mary-Kate and Ashley's Fun Club," the twins' first official fan club. The promo for this club ran at the beginning of each of their videos and promised that every registered member would receive a precious box of rare Mary-Kate and Ashley collectibles.
So in today's episode, we unbox the Fun Club. Or, at least, we unbox what's left of the Fun Club folder that Lani found in her parents' basement, including original photos, posters, magazines and a couple extra memorabilia that send us down a rabbit hole of nostalgia.
We also theorize that Mary-Kate and Ashley created their own cinematic universe that targeted nerdy girls, we once again have an existential crisis over the fact that we were brainwashed, and we speculate over whether or not the twins actually had fun as children.
SOURCES FROM THE EPISODE:
Fun Club Source
Mary-Kate and Ashley's Fun Club Commercial
Mary-Kate and Ashley's Roller Blade Poster
Find us on Instagram!
Show: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Were you also a Fun Club "official member"? Email us at theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com!

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Our First Interview: John Forster (The Case of Thorn Mansion) Sep 28, 2021

Previously, on They Thought I Was You: Lani revealed to Becca that she impulsively emailed John Forster, the Grammy-nominated musician behind Mary-Kate and Ashley's first two albums, Our First Video, The Case of Thorn Mansion, basically all the music we've reviewed thus far — and invited him to be on our podcast.
And much to our delight, this week we're joined by John Forster himself!
John shares with us the the writing process for the music, what Mary-Kate and Ashley were like at six years old, and how the experience impacted his life. We also ask him the burning questions we've had for the past four episodes: What made Thorn Mansion so magical? How do six-year-olds record an album anyway? And why did they drop "Jelly" from the Peanut Butter and Jelly song??
HUGE thank you to John Forster for being our first interview guest. We hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as we enjoyed recording it.
SONGS & VIDEOS we discuss:
Our First Video, "Brother For Sale"
Our First Video, "Peanut Butter"
The Adventures of Mary-Kate and Ashley Theme Song
The Case of Thorn Mansion, "B-U-T-T Out"
The Case of Thorn Mansion, "Bravery"
The Case of Thorn Mansion, "Funky Musicology"
The Case of Thorn Mansion, "The Ghost Song (No Such Thing)"
The Case of the Logical i Ranch, "Nothing To Do"
The Case of the Logical i Ranch, "Lotta Rocks"
The Olsen Twins Mother's Day Special
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen: Our First Video
Find us on Instagram!
Show: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Thoughts/suggestions? Send us an email at theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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The Adventures of Mary-Kate and Ashley Sep 21, 2021

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Actually, it was a morally complicated time! In this episode, Becca and Lani open one of the most iconic chapters of Mary-Kate and Ashley's career: The Adventures of Mary-Kate and Ashley.
"The Case of Thorn Mansion" and "The Case of the Logical i Ranch," the first two direct-to-video productions released in the twins' Adventures Of series, were filmed during a hiatus from Full House and in between their two feature-length TV Movies for ABC. We discuss the immorality of working child actors this hard, while also basking in the glory of Mary-Kate and Ashley's truly inspired performances at 7 years old. We also fawn over the legitimately catchy songs and the sheer brilliance of "Bravery."
BONUS: Is Mary-Kate spooky? Did Ashley actually hate doing all of this? Why was Old Man Thorn's granddaughter SO hot?
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The trade commercial we watched:
Mary-Kate and Ashley Rare Promotional Video (1994)
SONGS from this episode:
The Adventures of Mary-Kate and Ashley Theme Song
The Case of Thorn Mansion, "Bravery"
The Case of Thorn Mansion, "Funky Musicology"
The Case of the Logical i Ranch, "Nothing To Do"
The Case of the Logical i Ranch, "Lotta Rocks"
Find us on Instagram!
Show: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Thoughts/suggestions? Send us an email at theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Double Double Toil and Trouble & How the West Was Fun Sep 14, 2021

Continuing our journey through the early projects of Mary-Kate and Ashley's career, we finally arrive at Dualstar Entertainment Group's first feature films: Double Double Toil and Trouble ('93) and How the West Was Fun ('94).
Unlike Dualstar's previous releases, these films had the financial and creative assistance of ABC and are, surprisingly, high-quality films! (By '90s children's film standards.) We talk about the many similarities and differences between the two, and our own memories of watching these movies as children. (Lani cried. While watching as an adult.)
BONUS: Between these two movies, NY and LA, cats and dogs, and Cloris Leachman and Martin Mull, which is Mary-Kate, and which is Ashley?
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Find us on Instagram!
Show: @theythoughtiwasyou
Becca: @beccaroth
Lani: @laniharms
Thoughts/Suggestions? Email us at theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com

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Dualstar Pt 2: Mother's Day Special & Our First Video Sep 07, 2021

After inking a deal with ABC for $10 million, Mary-Kate and Ashley’s production company, Dualstar releases its first two pieces of media: The Olsen Twins’ Mother’s Day Special, and Our First Video.

Lani shares her experience watching the Olsen Twins Mother’s Day Special – a Carol Burnett-style variety show from 1993 hosted by the twins featuring Tim Allen, Louie Anderson, and Joey Lawrence – in 2021. Becca dives into the twins’ first direct-to-video tape, aptly named Our First Video. Unbeknownst to both of them, a lot of the same performances are in both.

BONUS: The twins were long scrutinized for being “untalented.” Were Mary-Kate and Ashley bad actors, or did they do a pretty good job considering they were just two kids thrust into the spotlight at 6 months old? Find out on our new segment: The Acting Tracker.

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The Olsen Twins Mother's Day Special
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen: Our First Video
Mary-Kate and Ashley's Fun Club Promotional Commercial
Thoughts & Suggestions? Email us at:
theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com
Find us on Instagram:
@theythoughtiwasyou
@beccaroth
@laniharms

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To Grandmother's House We Go and Dualstar Entertainment Group Aug 31, 2021

The journey to child stardom continues with the twins' feature film debut: To Grandmother's House We Go. It's...not a good film. Yet this scrappy TV-movie hit gave them (read: their lawyer, Robert Thorne) leverage over ABC to found Dualstar: the multimillion dollar production company.
Was Robert Thorne an angel or a devil? Did Dualstar shield Mary-Kate and Ashley from Hollywood's worst? Or did it exploit them and stunt their growth as young actors? And why was the media predicting their "inevitable" train wreck when they were just 6 years old?
There's a lot to unpack here. That's why it's a two-parter.
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SOURCE MATERIAL:
VH1 Driven Documentary: Mary-Kate and Ashley
Celebrity Profile: Mary-Kate and Ashley
TV Guide: Full House's Tycoon Tots
Dualstar Production Company
Mary-Kate and Ashley's Fun Club
Behind the Row: Meet Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen (Vogue 2011)
Thoughts & Suggestions? Email us at:
theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com
Find us on Instagram:
@theythoughtiwasyou
@beccaroth
@laniharms

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Mary-Kate and Ashley: The Truman Show Aug 24, 2021

Mary-Kate and Ashley were just 6 months old when they had the audition that propelled them to stardom. Learn how Hollywood producers coerced the twins' mother, Jarnette "Jarnie" Olsen, into trapping her daughters in a real-life Truman Show situation — beginning with that fated Full House audition.
We also unpack the dangers of celebrity and the parallels between the Olsen twins and teen pop stars. And, of course, we play our favorite game: Britney Spears & Christina Aguilera, Billie Eilish & Finneas, Dave Coulier & John Stamos — who's the Mary-Kate, and who's the Ashley?
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SOURCE MATERIAL:
VH1 Driven Documentary: Mary-Kate and Ashley
Celebrity Profile: Mary-Kate and Ashley
PRESS APPEARANCES:
Lifestyles of Little Stars
Mary-Kate and Ashley present at the Emmy's
Mary-Kate and Ashley on Arsenio Hall 1991
Mary-Kate and Ashley on Regis and Kelly
Olsen Twins on QVC
Mary-Kate and Ashley Good Morning America
September 2010 issue of US Marie Claire, Mary-Kate saying they were “little monkey performers” and ‘I wouldn’t wish my upbringing on anybody.’
Thoughts & Suggestions? Email us at:
theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com
Find us on Instagram:
@theythoughtiwasyou
@beccaroth
@laniharms

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Our First Episode Aug 17, 2021

It's the debut! We embrace our wide-eyed childhood innocence and share our history with Mary-Kate and Ashley: where the obsession came from, what the Olsen twins meant to us growing up, and the many questions we still have about them today.
Whether you're a casual MK&A fan or an O.G. Fun Clubber, come with us on this journey as we give the Olsen twins the credit, respect, and appreciation they've long deserved.
BONUS: Bert & Ernie. PB & J. Obama & Biden. Who's the Mary-Kate, and who's the Ashley?
The Fun Club is back, and you're invited, you're invited, you're invited!
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You're Invited: Mary-Kate and Ashley's Sleepover Promo
Becca's Photo with the Mary-Kate and Ashley
Mary-Kate and Ashley Fun Flub Rollerblade Poster
Thoughts & Suggestions? Email us at:
theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com
Find us on Instagram:
@theythoughtiwasyou
@beccaroth
@laniharms

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They Thought I Was You! Jul 20, 2021

As children, we wanted to be Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen-- go on their adventures, have their careers, own their wardrobe. But as we grew up, and the Olsens did too, it eventually became "uncool" -- stupid, girly, childish-- to like them. They became the butt of jokes, or at best, a nostalgic footnote. The world moved on, but we never did.
Hosts Becca Roth and Lani Harms, two Mary-Kate and Ashley superfans, are setting the record straight: Mary-Kate and Ashley were never frivolous or vapid. They were always feminist icons.
You're Invited to They Thought I Was You: A Mary-Kate and Ashley Podcast. Our first episode releases Aug 17th. Welcome to the new Fun Club.
Instagram: @theythoughtiwasyou
email: theythoughtiwasyou@gmail.com
Becca Roth: @beccaroth
Lani Harms: @laniharms

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