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Latest Episodes:

The Wizard of Oz (Part 2 - The Production): Everything You Didn't Know Feb 16, 2025

Show notes

Your Tin Men of trivia are back for round two of their epic deep dive into the making of the most watched movie in history. On this episode, you’ll learn about the hellish production, which ended up injuring, maiming (or, at very least, psychologically harming) at nearly every member of the cast. The Scarecrow was nearly set on fire — but he was saved from his costume made of asbestos. The Wicked Witch actually WAS set on fire, and the frantic crew had to scrub down her freshly-burned skin with alcohol. A “heavily medicated” Judy Garland was emotionally abused by everyone from the studio execs on down — all for the name of MOVIE MAGIC! The wildly-expensive lightening caused brown-outs all over LA, the tornado sequence nearly choked the SFX team, and then there were the poor prop masters who made fake glass out of liquid mercury.

Between the accidentals, constantly revolving cast of writers and directors, and the outbreak of World War II, ‘The Wizard of Oz’ should have been a complete and utter disaster. How did it become a top tier classic, with special resonance within the LGBTQ community? Why does Pink Floyd's 'Dark Side of the Moon' sync up so well with the film? Did a distraught Munchkin actor really hang themselves in the middle of a scene? Take a listen, and all the answers will be revealed!

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The Wizard of Oz (Part 1 - The Cast): Everything You Didn't Know Feb 08, 2025

Show notes

Follow the flying monkeys of facts down the Yellow Brick Road for an episode that’s Toto-ly packed with 'Wizard of Oz' trivia! In part one of the TMI’s guy’s epic two-fer on children’s cinematic classic, you’ll hear all about the origins of the original book and how author L. Frank Baum’s (who, it’s worth noting, was bullied by theater people) was inspired by office supplies, family tragedy and his childhood nightmares to develop the magical series. You'll also learn why MGM greenlit the budget-busting production to compete with the world beating success of Walt Disney's 'Snow White,' the biggest blockbuster in history at the time.

This episode focuses on the cast of 'Oz,' nearly all of whom were tortured physically and psychologically. Special shout-out to original Tin Man Buddy Ebsen, who nearly died due to his wildly unsafe makeup. There's also the truly disgusting costumes required for the Scarecrow and Cowardly Lion, and the trials and tribulations of being a Munchkin on the set. (Spoiler: there were no Munchkin orgies.) The TMI duo also explain why The Wicked Witch of the West was actually the loveliest person in the production, why Toto is buried under LA's 101 freeway, and why the Ruby Slippers led to a 13-year FBI manhunt. Plus, prepare to get really bummed out when you learn about Judy Garland's childhood and all the drugs she was (allegedly) being fed by her mom. Yes, the movie making experience was less than wonderful for the cast, but the episode's pretty great.

Support your friendly neighborhood TMI Guys here! https://ko-fi.com/toomuchinformationpodcast

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My Chemical Romance's 'Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge': Everything You Didn't Know Jan 25, 2025

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Jordan and Alex smear their best mascara across their tear-stained eyes for an episode on My Chemical Romance's "Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge" and the brief moment when the innacurate catchall genre of "emo" dominated rock radio. They'll explore how 9/11 -- and the DIY music scene of New Brunswick, New Jersey -- spurred a young illustrator and Cartoon Network intern named Gerard Way into transforming himself into a messianic rock frontman; how the band's early trio of videos cemented them as MTV darlings, and how the band's early rise was nearly derailed by Way's heroic intake of alcohol. They'll also trace the roots of "emo" from the D.C. hardcore scene of the '80s as it sprouted and transformed in the Midwest and Northeast, pine for the days of major-label interest in niche bands, marvel at some of Way's more hilariously youthful soundbites, and learn how "I'm Not Okay" came together from an a cappella recording at the tail end of a demo tape. Too Much Information: They are also not okay, but in different, more adult ways!

Support your friendly neighborhood TMI Guys here! https://ko-fi.com/toomuchinformationpodcast

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FROM THE VAULT: David Lynch’s ‘Eraserhead’: Everything You Didn't Know Jan 21, 2025

Show notes

Alex and Jordan take a (wincing) look at David Lynch’s cult classic. They’ll explore how the film’s shoestring budget dragged the production into a truly wild five-year shoot that Lynch largely funded with his paper route. In addition to diving into the famous quirks of the eccentric auteur (milkshakes, multiple ties, animal dissections, etc.), they’ll get into the lost scenes, homemade sets, haunted houses and unsolved murders that went into Eraserhead. Finally, the pair try to answer the biggest mysteries surrounding the movie: what’s it mean, what’s up with Henry’s hair, and just what the hell is that baby made out of? (RECORDED IN MAY 2022)

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CHRISTMAS SONG ROUNDUP: "Wonderful Christmastime," "Last Christmas" and More! Dec 25, 2024

Show notes

The TMI guys ring in the holidays — and Jordan's birthday! – by going deep into 10 of their favorite (or, in some cases, least favorite) Christmas songs. You'll learn how that mind-melting David Bowie-Bing Crosby duet came to be (as well as the morbid events that followed) as well as the hilariously drunken shenanigans that unfolded on the set of Wham!'s "Last Christmas" video — plus the saga of George Michael's hair. Heigl shares his passion for jazz through the Vince Guaraldi 'Charlie Brown Christmas' soundtrack, in addition to the hilariously fast genesis of "Feliz Navidad" and the precocious brilliance of Brenda Lee and her deathless "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree." And whatever you do, don't miss out on Jordan and Alex's battle over whether or not Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmastime" actually sucks. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good fight!

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National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation: Everything You Didn't Know Dec 22, 2024

Show notes

Yourrogue squirrels of seasonal sagas are taking a look at this staple of the irreverent modern Christmas classics canon. You’ll learn all about the physical injuries that Chevy Chase received on the set, the emotional injuries that the two tweens portraying the Griswold siblings also received on the set, the reason we were cheated out of a Christie Brinkley cameo, and the mysterious absence of Lindsey Buckingham’s beloved “Holiday Road.” You’ll also discover how Chevy’s poor behavior directly lead to the creation of a little movie called Home Alone, and how the Christmas Vacation has surprising connections with American Beauty, It’s a Wonderful Life, Lethal Weapon and Betty Boop. Jordan opens up about his crush on Martin Scorsese’s TikTok star daughter, and Heigl shares his fascination with Randy Quaid, who is currently on the run from a band of murderous “star whackers” — present whereabouts unknown.

Support your friendly neighborhood TMI Guys here! https://ko-fi.com/toomuchinformationpodcast

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Gladiator: Everything You Didn't Know Dec 16, 2024

Show notes

Do you like movies about gladiators? The TMI guys hope so, because they’re going long on Ridley Scott’s classic that revitalized sword and sandal epics for the 21st century. (Until 'Gladiator II' ruined it…) You’ll hear all about the acts of violence Russell Crowe brought to the set, the untimely (errr, maybe somewhat timely) death of legendary British hellraiser Oliver Reed mid-production, all the ways Joaquin Phoenix was traumatized during the shoot, and the ways everyone nearly died due to the live tiger-wrangling. You’ll also discover why Ridley Scott got screwed at the Oscars, ex-‘Incredible Hulk’ Lou Ferrigno got screwed out of a role, and the audience got screwed out of seeing Nick Cave’s truly batsh-t script for a 'Gladiator' sequel brought to the big screen. Those who are about to listen — we salute you!

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FROM THE VAULT: The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade: Everything You Didn't Know Nov 28, 2024

Show notes

The TMI twosome show their gratitude to listeners with a heaping helping of true-life turkey day absurdity. Listen as Jordan forces Heigl to channel his inner looner (google it) and discuss the bizarre origin of this holiday tradition — which somehow involves the Titanic, burning the fingers of children, and elephant droppings. You'll hear all about the mayhem caused during early editions of the parade, when the gargantuan character balloons were released into the sky to collide with planes, buildings and high-tension wires. You'll also find out if you have what it takes to be a "balloon pilot" (spoiler: you probably don't) and learn all about the hilariously petty feud between rival TV networks battling over broadcasting rights. Along the way, the TMI team offer their trademark tangents on the Rockettes, mid-century minimalist composers, pumpkin pie, the JFK assassination, 'Miracle on 34th Street,' living statue performers, and the new and exciting things that can be done to your body after you die.

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"YMCA" by Village People: Everything You Didn't Know Nov 22, 2024

Show notes

Your disco divos of details are here once again with a truly epic tangent-rich episode that somehow manages to link this glorious bit of '70s sonic spray-cheese to CIA mind control experiments, 9/11 and the DC hardcore punk scene. In addition to diving into disco's origins as the music of the dispossessed in 1960s New York, you'll hear how the Village People originated from a Frenchman's festive outing in Greenwich Village and the hilarious way he assembled his supremely buff group of stereotypes.

Get ready to discover the complex confluence of socio-political factors that lead the titular charitable organization to become a homosexual hot spot; hear the depressing fate of the IRL YMCA location that inspired the song; and learn about the surprising controversy concerning the song's meaning — which led to threats of legal action from its (straight) lyricist. And, of course, they'll get into the dark psychology of the goddamn dance. Sure, "YMCA" will probably be stuck in your head for the next few days, but the TMI guys promise: this ep is worth it.

Support your friendly neighborhood TMI Guys here! https://ko-fi.com/toomuchinformationpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bewitched: Everything You Didn't Know Nov 10, 2024

Show notes

The TMI guys are back with their most epic episode yet, diving DEEP into the bewitching television classic and its hidden history as a groundbreaking queer/feminist text. You'll learn all about the behind-the-scenes drama that led to the legendary Darrin switch, the twisted on-set love triangle, and the distressingly high number of cast members who died during production. Dick York's Dickensian childhood represents the darkest moment in the podcast's history, rivaled possibly by the mysterious death that haunted Paul "Uncle Arthur" Lynde for the rest of his life. (Jordan's attempts to lighten the mood with his 'Hollywood Squares' one-liners only goes so far.) You'll also discover the show's surprising connection to the JFK assassination, OJ Simpson, atomic bomb testing, and the Lockerbie bombing — and hear all about that one Christmas episode written by a bunch of children that wound up with the cast wearing blackface. (Really.)

Support your friendly neighborhood TMI Guys here! https://ko-fi.com/toomuchinformationpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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