Best Brooke Suchomel Podcasts (2024)

1
BSFC at the Movies: Teen Witch 1:03:30

1y ago1:03:30

1:03:30

There are movies that are bad. There are movies that are so bad, they're good. And then there's Teen Witch. Brooke and KK are back to discuss the Most 80s of Movies, a hallmark of the HBO childhood-to-therapist pipeline.By Brooke Suchomel & Kaykay Brady

1
BSFC at the Movies: Troop Beverly Hills 1:07:40

2y ago1:07:40

1:07:40

It's Cookie Time, y'all! That's right, Brooke and Kaykay are finally back to break down 1989's Troop Beverly Hills, give you the scoop on the show's recent hiatus, and rain flowers upon underrated icon Shelley Long.

1
BSFC at the Movies: Working Girl 1:01:50

2y ago1:01:50

1:01:50

For the inaugural BSFC at the Movies episode, Brooke & Kaykay dive into the EXTREMELY 1988 classic Working Girl, a love letter to the Staten Island Ferry, AquaNet, and capitalism. SPOILER ALERT: It hasn't aged well. (Joan Cusack's eyeshadow, though? Perfection.) What 80s/90s movie shaped YOU? Let us know at: Facebook Twitter Instagram If we use you…

1
BSFC Netflix #2.7 & 2.8: Claudia and the Sad Goodbye / Kristy and the Baby Parade 52:45

2+ y ago52:45

52:45

Brooke and Kaykay are back to bid a fond farewell to The Baby-sitters Club series on Netflix. Also: Stick around 'til the end for an exciting announcement about this show! Visit us at our website, and follow us on: Facebook Twitter InstagramBy Brooke Suchomel & Kaykay Brady

1
BSFC Netflix #2.5 & 2.6: Mary Anne and the Great Romance / Dawn and the Wicked Stepsister 58:56

2+ y ago58:56

58:56

In which Brooke & Kaykay discuss lessons from the 5th & 6th episodes of season 2, including the joys of refusing to be defined by labels, healthy ways to navigate changing relationships, and how to keep it together around Surprise Clowns. Visit us at our website, and follow us on: Facebook Twitter Instagram…

1
BSFC Netflix #2.3 & 2.4: Stacey's Emergency / Jessi and the Superbrat 1:00:25

2+ y ago1:00:25

1:00:25

SCOTUS is bad. The BSC is good. Join us for a 60 minute respite from the flaming dumpster heap that is present-day America as we discuss the 3rd and 4th episodes of season 2 of the Netflix series. This is a marathon, y'all -- humor, critical analysis, and solidarity will help get us through. Visit us at our website, and follow us on: Facebook Twitt…

1
BSFC Netflix #2.1 & 2.2: Kristy and the Snobs / Claudia and the New Girl 1:01:16

2+ y ago1:01:16

1:01:16

At last, Brooke and Kaykay are diving into the second (and sadly, final) season of The Baby-sitters Club on Netflix! This show is so damn good, y'all. Visit us at our website, and follow us on: Facebook Twitter Instagram

1
BSFC #36: Jessi's Baby-sitter 58:10

2+ y ago58:10

58:10

For our 50th episode (!!!), we're heading back to August 1990, when Mariah Carey's debut had the power on the pop charts, existential dread dominated the box office, and Ferris Bueller moved to...Santa Monica? Pop culture was getting, getting, getting kinda hectic, and so was the Ramsey household. Brooke and Kaykay discuss the shifting family dynam…

1
BSFC Super Special #4: Baby-sitters' Island Adventure 1:08:20

2+ y ago1:08:20

1:08:20

July 1990 was a month of classic American sensationalism: in the news (Satanic Panic! jingoism! copaganda!), in the theatres (spiders! ghosts! infertile women!) and in the Baby-sitters Club (a friggin' SHIPWRECK?!). Brooke and Kaykay discuss the first Super Special that felt emotionally authentic, despite its ludicrous premise, and its celebration …

1
BSFC #35: Stacey and the Mystery of Stoneybrook 1:04:28

2+ y ago1:04:28

1:04:28

In June 1990, a calculated culture war campaign raged in Florida while copaganda reigned supreme in theaters and a cable channel brainwashed its loyal viewers. I mean, can you even imagine?! Brooke and Kaykay discuss the suburban horror and existential dread of Stacey and the Mystery of Stoneybrook, and on THAT note: Been feeling a white hot rage f…

1
BSFC #34: Mary Anne and Too Many Boys 57:55

2+ y ago57:55

57:55

May 1990 was a rollercoaster: Madonna's "Vogue" video blew our minds, the death of Jim Henson broke our hearts, and a new BSC ghostwriter boggled our brains. The Sea City we knew and tolerated -- Burger Garden, mini-golf, and Tunnel of Luv -- is gone; in its place we get a yellow wallpapered liminal space serving hostility, down-low lobster dinners…

1
BSFC #33: Claudia and the Great Search 58:40

2+ y ago58:40

58:40

The pop culture of April 1990 blew our young minds: Sinead O'Connor! Fire Marshal Bill, Homey the Clown, AND the Log Lady! The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie and its soundtrack (the perfect gift)! A ripped-from-the-tabloids Very Special BSC starring Claudia Kishi that isn't as problematic as you fear! Dreams really CAN come true, y'all... Brook…

1
BSFC #32: Kristy and the Secret of Susan 52:03

2+ y ago52:03

52:03

March 1990 was a big month for Janet Jackson and Julia Roberts and a bad month for fans of the HBO BSC series. On a related note, a hearty WTF?! to Netflix. Brooke and Kaykay mourn the loss of a 3rd season of the Netflix BSC show before lamenting the treatment of autistic and Australian children in Kristy and the Secret of Susan. But hey, at least …

1
BSFC #31: Dawn's Wicked Stepsister 1:08:09

2+ y ago1:08:09

1:08:09

February 1990 packed a lot of change into a short month: Nelson Mandela was released from prison, the Brady Bunch was given a gritty reboot (with a theme song that must be heard to be believed), and two mismatched single parents hastily crammed their households together with minimal planning & conversation. What could go wrong? Brooke and Kaykay di…

1
BSFC #30: Mary Anne and the Great Romance 57:08

2+ y ago57:08

57:08

It's hard to take a lighthearted tone in such dark times, but fortunately this episode was recorded well in advance of the horrendous attack on Ukraine. If you need a respite from the weight of this brutal, stupid world, join us as we reflect on some of our favorite things from January 1990: "Rhythm Nation," the original BSC TV show (!), and GOZZIE…

1
BSFC Super Special #3: Baby-sitters' Winter Vacation 1:07:36

3y ago1:07:36

1:07:36

December 1989 brought an appropriately dramatic end to the 1980s: The month kicked off with Dad Bush and future Pizza Hut spokesperson Mikhail Gorbachev announcing an end to the Cold War; ended with a piano scarfed David Hasselhoff rocking Berlin into the 1990s; and saw the debut of The Simpsons and the reign of "We Didn't Start the Fire" in betwee…

1
BSFC #29: Mallory and the Mystery Diary 1:00:03

3y ago1:00:03

1:00:03

November 1989 was serving INSPIRATION: The fall of the Berlin Wall! The Velvet Revolution! The debut of Queen Latifah! The introduction of queer icon Ursula the Sea Witch! The Baby-sitters Club's addition of literacy tutoring to their ever-expanding list of services! Brooke and Kaykay discuss Mallory and the Mystery Diary's ode to the joys of readi…

1
BSFC #28: Welcome Back, Stacey! 1:11:32

3y ago1:11:32

1:11:32

October 1989 was a month of political, physical, and personal shakeups: Regimes fell in Central Europe, San Francisco quaked on live TV, and copaganda's stranglehold on the box office was ended by two Scientologists and a talking baby. It was all quite tumultuous -- as was Stacey McGill's home life. Brooke and Kaykay discuss Welcome Back, Stacey!'s…

1
BSFC #27: Jessi and the Superbrat 1:04:50

3y ago1:04:50

1:04:50

The vibe of September 1989 was BOLD, with popular uprisings against authoritarianism in East Germany, South Africa, and Beverly Hills (justice for Zsa Zsa!), Cher's scandalous strut across an aircraft carrier and up the music charts, and the debut of Joan Rivers' delightfully chaotic daytime talk show. An auspicious time to be young and creative! B…

1
BSFC Super Special #2: Baby-sitters' Summer Vacation 1:19:03

3y ago1:19:03

1:19:03

August 1989 was a month for motley crews out of their elements: a bevy of your loudest uncle's favorite bands (including Motley Crue, natch) rocked Moscow; two movies about dysfunctional families in crisis ruled the box office; and half of Stoneybrook Elementary got shipped upstate to spend two weeks bunking with strangers who greet them with varyi…

1
BSFC #26: Claudia and the Sad Good-bye 1:00:02

3y ago1:00:02

1:00:02

Hollywood went deep into copaganda in July 1989 (Batman, Lethal Weapon 2, AND Turner & Hooch?!), and Ann M. Martin went even deeper into the Kubler-Ross model in this exquisitely realized portrayal of death and grief. Grab your weighted blanket for this one, kids, cause it's the Coping with Existential Despair Hour! YAY! Brooke and Kaykay discuss C…

1
BSFC #25: Mary Anne and the Search for Tigger 1:04:55

3y ago1:04:55

1:04:55

June 1989 was rough and so is this book. Y'ALL. Over the course of the last three books, the BSC went from exploring profound questions like "Where is home?" and "What makes a family?" to "Why is Logan?!?!" Buckle up, kids, because it's a damn V.C. Andrews novel up in here. Brooke and Kaykay read the gaslighting, cat-napping, ball-dropping Logan Br…

1
BSFC #24: Kristy and the Mother's Day Surprise 58:23

3y ago58:23

58:23

In May 1989, we bid farewell to Alexis Carrington and Alex P. Keaton, said hello to Toonces the Driving Cat, and crossed our fingers for the health and safety of 28 children in Connecticut who spent Mother's Day Eve wandering through Sudsy's Carnival without adult supervision. Brooke and Kaykay discuss the evolution of our cultural and personal con…

1
BSFC #23: Dawn on the Coast 1:07:47

3y ago1:07:47

1:07:47

April 1989 was heavy: The Tiananmen Square Protests began in Beijing, the Central Park Jogger case threw New York City into a frenzy, and Ann M. Martin laid down some hard philosophical truths about the ephemeral nature of one's definition of "home." (Oh, you thought this was a lighthearted beach read? Au contraire!) Brooke and Kaykay discuss Dawn'…

1
BSFC #22: Jessi Ramsey, Pet-sitter 1:02:40

3y ago1:02:40

1:02:40

March 1989: When Madonna pissed off the Pope (and Pepsi), a fever dream opened the Oscars, and Ann M. Martin gave a civics lesson disguised as a book about pet-sitting. Brooke and Kaykay discuss the BSC's battle with interpersonal and structural power dynamics, with digressions on sleepover choreography, the hypnotic effects of '80s commercials, an…

1
BSFC #21: Mallory and the Trouble with Twins 1:02:51

3y ago1:02:51

1:02:51

February 1989: Paula Abdul went straight up the charts, two San Dimas youth went on an excellent adventure, and Ann M. Martin attempted to turn "mall" into a verb. Brooke and Kaykay discuss Mallory and the Arnold twins' pursuit of individuation via consumerism, with digressions on contraband cassette tapes, 80s mall madness, and (of course) trout f…

1
BSFC Netflix #10: Hello, Camp Moosehead! Part 2 49:15

3y ago49:15

49:15

It's a revolutionary season finale for a revelatory show! Brooke and Kaykay bid a fond farewell to their summer vacation with The Baby-Sitters Club on Netflix, with diversions on the fringe benefits of poison ivy and the perils of Taco Bell. Stay to the end for an update on the plan for Season 2, which premieres on Netflix on October 11. Programmin…

1
BSFC Netflix #9: Hello, Camp Moosehead! Part 1 48:14

3y ago48:14

48:14

An episode about disillusionment and empowerment? TIMELY! In Netflix's extremely loose adaptation of Super Special #2: Baby-sitters Summer Vacation, the girls take on social inequality, bureaucracy, and personal betrayal -- and we get the most Clearly Coded Queer episode in the series (say THAT five times fast). Speaking of disillusionment/empowerm…

1
BSFC Netflix #8: Kristy's Big Day 43:29

3y ago43:29

43:29

Changes abound in the Netflix adaptation of Kristy's Big Day, which features two major milestones: first periods and second weddings. Brooke and Kaykay discuss it all, plus: witch pride, '80s puberty educational videos, good first vehicles (besides luxury SUVs), and the debut of the new hit summer anthem, "Lesbian Aunts." Visit us at our website, a…

1
BSFC Netflix #7: Boy-Crazy Stacey 38:34

3y ago38:34

38:34

Sea City, eh? In the Netflix adaptation of Boy-Crazy Stacey, the Jersey Shore and sunburns are OUT and a Vancouver beach and windbreakers are IN. Burgers are smashed, cars are scratched, and hearts are broken (and mended). Brooke and Kaykay discuss it all, and a new classic Young Kaykay story is added to the canon. Visit us at our website, and foll…

1
BSFC Netflix #6: Claudia and Mean Janine 48:33

3+ y ago48:33

48:33

The Netflix adaptation of Claudia and Mean Janine drops some serious knowledge about the importance of facing the past, the power and purpose of art, and the proper care techniques for cast iron cookware. Brooke and Kaykay discuss it all, plus: an acapella Jock Jams performance, Mary Anne's dad wins lesbian points, and Sea City (!) speculation. Vis…

1
BSFC Netflix #5: Dawn and the Impossible Three 47:33

3+ y ago47:33

47:33

Lessons abound in the Netflix adaptation of Dawn and the Impossible Three: Can't communicate with your wrecking ball of an employer or physically and/or emotionally distant parent? Set personal boundaries and punch the hell out of a bag of chips! Feeling tension with a colleague who shares your strength of spirit and large personality? Talk it out …

1
BSFC Netflix #4: Mary Anne Saves the Day 50:18

3+ y ago50:18

50:18

The Netflix adaptation of Mary Anne Saves the Day has everything: love and affirmation for trans rights, lessons on the power of finding and using your voice, Claudia rocking the yellow blazer from Clueless, and the eagerly-anticipated introduction of Dawn (!!!). Brooke and Kaykay break it all down, with diversions on moon painting, dumpster cheese…

1
BSFC Netflix #3: The Truth About Stacey 37:40

3+ y ago37:40

37:40

And in the third episode, Netflix said: Let there be Kid Kits. Frankly, "The Truth About Stacey" could have ended there, but it also includes Kristy reading Sun Tzu, Stacey getting doxxed, and Mary Anne's worst nightmares being realized -- with cowbell! This is DRAMA. Visit us at our website, and follow us on: Facebook Twitter Instagram Spotify…

1
BSFC Netflix #2: Claudia and the Phantom Phone Calls 42:56

3+ y ago42:56

42:56

Brooke and Kaykay discuss the second episode of the Netflix series: an adaptation of Claudia and the Phantom Phone Calls that bears only a slight resemblance to the book -- though this means NO ALAN GRAY, so it's cool. There's still the Halloween Hop and Trevor Sandbourne, but who cares about any of that when we can talk about atheist doll wakes an…

1
BSFC Netflix #1: Kristy's Great Idea 48:19

3+ y ago48:19

48:19

At last, Brooke and Kaykay are diving into the Netflix adaptation of the Baby-sitters Club! We're skipping the historical context surrounding its release -- seriously, who wants to relive July 2020? -- and getting straight into the debut episode, "Kristy's Great Idea," aka "Kristy Smashes the Patriarchy." Menstruation sculptures! Alicia Silverstone…

1
BSFC #20: Kristy and the Walking Disaster 57:37

3+ y ago57:37

57:37

January 1989: When America said goodbye to President Reagan and hello to Kristy's Krushers. Can I get an AMEN?! Brooke & Kaykay discuss the pros and cons of Kristy's Koaching and the impact of motivation and mindset on performance and well-being. Plus: Kaykay Brady, Dublin Dance Icon; an adorably bizarre 3D Super Bowl Halftime show; and a REAL LIVE…

1
BSFC #19: Claudia and the Bad Joke 58:44

3+ y ago58:44

58:44

December 1988: Power ballads ruled the music charts, camp Christmas classics dominated television, and a precocious new charge with a sadistic streak put Claudia Kishi in the hospital. COMEDIANS, amirite? Brooke and Kaykay discuss Claudia's emotional trauma and Betsy Sobak's potential conduct disorder, with digressions on what passed for comedy in …

1
BSFC #18: Stacey's Mistake 1:03:50

3+ y ago1:03:50

1:03:50

November 1988: A Bush was elected president, Geraldo got punched in the face, and a group of teen girls traveled across state lines to provide cheap domestic labor for wealthy New Yorkers. (Tale as old as tiiiiiiiiiime...) Brooke and Kaykay explore the New York City of the 1980s alongside the Baby-sitters, with digressions on Book It!, the dynamic …

1
BSFC #17: Mary Anne's Bad-Luck Mystery 1:09:31

3+ y ago1:09:31

1:09:31

October 1988 saw the debut of Roseanne, the first top 10 hit for New Kids on the Block, and more supernatural terror for the members of the Baby-sitters Club. Brooke and Kaykay dig into the culture of fear and paranoia that set the backdrop for Mary Anne's Bad-Luck Mystery -- that's right, we're talking about the Satanic Panic, and no one's leaving…

1
BSFC #16: Jessi's Secret Language 53:12

3+ y ago53:12

53:12

While much of the world was focused on high-stakes athletic and political competitions in September 1988, a couple of young outsiders made a connection in their new town of Stoneybrook. Brooke and Kaykay dive into the growing anti-ableism movement that set the backdrop for Jessi's Secret Language, including the Deaf President Now student protest at…

1
BSFC #15: Little Miss Stoneybrook...and Dawn 1:01:21

3+ y ago1:01:21

1:01:21

August 1988 was a month of so-terrible-they're-legendary movies and a similar caliber of performances in the Little Miss Stoneybrook pageant. Brooke and Kaykay discuss the competition between the BSC while reading beauty pageants, the patriarchy, and predatory capitalism for ABSOLUTE FILTH. As a special bonus, this episode contains a delightful fac…

1
BSFC Super Special #1: Baby-sitters on Board! 1:00:01

3+ y ago1:00:01

1:00:01

The Caribbean took center stage in July 1988, with the debuts of Cocktail, the inaugural Shark Week, and the first Baby-sitters Club Super Special, Baby-sitters on Board! Brooke and Kaykay break down the creeps & cons and slobs & scams in this extended advertisement for the Disney conglomerate, with diversions on prom themes, sports at sea, and Kay…

1
BSFC #14: Hello, Mallory 1:01:19

3+ y ago1:01:19

1:01:19

June 1988 was BIG. The movie Big brought in big bucks across America, very big turtles were big news in the Bronx, and big changes were happening in the small town of Stoneybrook. Brooke and Kaykay verbally dismantle the hostile power structures that isolate Mallory Pike and Stoneybrook’s newest residents, the Ramseys, and pontificate on Kids Incor…

1
BSFC #13: Good-bye Stacey, Good-bye 54:54

3+ y ago54:54

54:54

May 1988 saw two sad departures: Cagney & Lacey from Kaykay's television screen and Stacey McGill from Stoneybrook. Brooke and Kaykay discuss the American tradition of distracting oneself from internal reflection via capitalism, as well as neighborhood (real!) spies, the BSC gang at Burning Man, and the character building experience of guerilla pai…

1
BSFC #12: Claudia and the New Girl 56:51

3+ y ago56:51

56:51

In April 1988, prestigious honors were granted to Alf , Celine Dion, and the newest student at Stoneybrook Middle School, sculptress and hiking boot aficionado Ashley Wyeth. Brooke and Kaykay discuss the thick subtext of Claudia and Ashley's relationship, including a Karen Brewer-meets-David Lynch-esque theory about what is really going on in this …

1
BSFC #11: Kristy and the Snobs 1:12:59

4y ago1:12:59

1:12:59

March 1988 was all about California Raisins and Connecticut Snobs. Brooke and Kaykay dig into the tense social hierarchy in Stoneybrook, as well as authoritarian rhetorical tricks, tacky rich people decor (indoor fish fountains, anyone?), and the life changing impact of French-rolled jeans. Visit us at our website, and follow us on: Facebook Twitte…

1
BSFC #10: Logan Likes Mary Anne! 1:02:16

4y ago1:02:16

1:02:16

In February 1988, four Jamaican athletes not named Yul Brenner raced a bobsled in Calgary, Salt-N-Pepa commanded the world to push it real good, and Logan Damn Bruno crashed the Baby-sitters Club. Brooke and Kaykay discuss all of this, plus the nature of art and the self, the insidiousness of 80s & 90s teen magazines, and the bravery of gender non-…

1
BSFC #9: The Ghost at Dawn's House 57:05

4y ago57:05

57:05

In January 1988, The Phantom of the Opera came to Broadway, The Wonder Years premiered on TV, and way too many kids in Stoneybrook decided to start hanging out in crawl spaces. Brooke and Kaykay discuss these topics and more, including Cabbage Patch Kids, Taylor Dayne, and the generational traumas inflicted by Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark and …

1
BSFC #8: Boy-Crazy Stacey 56:21

4y ago56:21

56:21

In November 1987, millions of moviegoers watched Three Men and a Baby, while only one Baby-sitters Club member watched eight Pike children near a large body of water...and it wasn't Stacey McGill. Brooke and Kaykay discuss all of the hot topics in Surf City, including misogynistic lifeguards, high-stakes mini-golf, and the question everyone is afra…

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Brooke Suchomel Podcasts

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