Sing and Be Happy, Dammit!: Recent Episodes
Jodi & Mike
Sing and Be Happy, Dammit delves into the history, trivia, context, and reviews of musical movies – one film at a time. For musical lovers and loathers alike, it’s easier to be on this f*ed up planet when we can Sing and Be Happy, Dammit!
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We prostrate ourselves before the Divine Miss M, then go down a wormhole of bullying, brassieres, and biases. And Ken Russell adds to his lengthening list of almost-wases!
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Yes, I will tell you about my Evita confusion AGAIN! But we'll also talk about missed opportunities (Liza Minelli as Evita?), harsh critiques (I'm looking at you, Patti LuPone), and a litigious director (script by Oliver Stone? It's a whole thing). I also claim that Cher isn't in any musicals, so don't come for me Burlesque and Mamma Mia 2 fans.
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We reminisce about bad home perms, incorrect first impressions, and the concert we both attended starring one of our film's stars! We also talk about some of the surprising choices for Barbra's co-star, Bradley Cooper's accent, and the best actor of A Star is Born #4 (hint: it isn't Bradley or Lady Gaga). A Star is Born #3 and #4 are the movies we focus on in this episode.
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We peer at the pain of political mechinations, paucity of prowess, and patriarchal petulance while remaining passionately positive about a poignant plot and our premier performance! AND we'll tell you about the true-life inspirations for the movie, the provenance of our dashing leading man, and the behind-the-scenes back-and-forth of A Star is Born (x2!).
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When does art cease to belong to the originator? Why is bystander testimony so problematic? Why is Jodi making up stories about Mandy Patinkin? All these questions are asked, and possibly answered, in this episode. And we fawn all over Barbra...again!!
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Ethel Merman's disco album! Mitzi Gaynor and her 100 guys! Poor old Johnnie Ray! There's so much to discuss this week, as well as Marilyn Monroe's feminism, the Donald O'Connor/Dan Dailey scandal, and the sad state of the Oscar ceremony finale. And is there really no business like show business?
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And now for something completely different! The plot may be convoluted and the character choices may be questionable, but this now-classic example of "cinema du look" has a lot to offer. We discuss this French phenomenon, the merits of opera, and struggle between the old guard and the modern.
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We just can't stop talking about Berry Gordy Jr. and Diana Ross! Their influence looms large over Dreamgirls, but our #1 diva this week is the fabulous JHud!! Our conversation ranges from math challenges to cultural appropriation and always comes back to the power of Jennifer Hudson.
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Miss Ross is back (to back)! We do a deep dive into the real story of Lady Day, explore intriguing cameos (Scatman Crothers! Isabel Sanford!), and hear what the critics of the day had to say about Lady Sings the Blues.
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Is Mahogany a musical? We thought it was...and then we watched it. Musical or not, Diana Ross' dulcet tones and eclectic costumes are a wonderful introduction to our first themed season. Welcome to Season 3: Divas!!
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Although we may not be completely "over the moon" about Rent, there are 525,600 reasons to love Jonathan Larson's Broadway debut/swan song. Well, a least a few reasons, starting with the cast. Adele Dazeem, we're your biggest fan!
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Nothing could be as spectacular (spectacular) as the real Moulin Rouge in the 1800s, with its array of dancers, artists, bohemians, and unusual performers (like Le Pétomane — his act was a real ripper!) but Baz Luhrmann tries! His sumptuous, frenetic, hilarious, (possibly vacuous?) film sets out to blind us with its charm.
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Tomorrow, tomorrow...no, today! Today's the day we explore Annie. WC Fields famously advised that actors should "never work with children or animals," but Carol Burnett holds her own as the hilariously hapless Miss Hannigan in this romp from director John Huston (yes, really!).
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Shani Wallis just appeared on Britain's Got Talent this year, singing her song "As Long as He Needs Me" from Oliver!. She was 92, almost 93 at the time. She sounded amazing! If the musical can be as endearingly wonderful as Shani (and there may be some argument for that) then it's one not to be missed.
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Fascination with scandal and murder didn't begin with Dateline NBC or My Favourite Murder. Join us while we explore the true stories that inspired the musical. We also discuss why we can't help but be drawn to those murderous molls Roxy and Velma. They're just so sassy! They're sassmasters.
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Well hello Barbra! How has it taken us this long to get to Barbra, queen of the musicals??? We fawn and fuss over this fabulous, funny Fanny with some very fulsome flattery. Too much? Aw, fuzz off. We flippin' love her!
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Recipient of the Oscar for "Biggest Snafu at the Oscars", La La Land can be a divisive film. Is it visionary? Is it boring? Is it a revelation? Is it boring? So many questions. We'll give you our answers. They are varied.
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Is this the best movie musical of all time? Many critics say so. It definitely has a lot going for it — outstanding dancing, wink-and-nod humour, very passable singing, and great songs. And that's just on the screen! Behind the scenes there was blood, sweat, tears, and some tricky situations. So let's kick some water and get into it!
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We can never get enough Sondheim (or Tracey Ullman, for that matter)!! This fairy tale can get a bit grim(m), but the songs soar. Bringing up thoughts on loss, grief, motherhood, infertility, and the reckoning of broken dreams, the discussion turns to tragedy, tribulations, tropes, triumphs, and a trove of traps and trysts. Try it!
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Yes! We are starting Season 2 with the much-maligned Cats! Tune in to hear our surprising take (is this a future cult classic?). With an amazing and varied cast list (JHud? Dame Judi? Ray Winstone? Jason Derulo? Sir Ian?) and jarring CGI effects (fuzzy faces and creepy cat crotch) it is a difficult-to-define phenomenon!
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Jodi and Mike debate whether musicals need to be an escape as they delve into the many miseries of Victor Hugo's epic tale. The fascinating reality behind the story, generational legacies, and the art of emaciation is explored in this last episode of the season.
Stripping, stage mothers, and stardom are the focus of this week's movie musical. Jodi and Mike expose Ethel Merman's party tricks, the sordid reality of Mama Rose, and singing secrets.
Jodi and Mike look at the now-classic take on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, with spotlights on the complicated Jerome Robbins, the punishing shoot, and the reflection of '60s America. Mysterious drownings, the history of Puerto Rico, and dancing gangs are all discussed.
Jodi and Mike don't hold back in their assessment of this record-breaking, Abba-enabled affliction. Plot holes, spoilers, Eurovision – all is exposed!
Yank on your red, spandex pants and join Jodi and Mike as they slide into Grease. Behind-the-scenes tensions, the cult of nostalgia, and the lure of "bad boys" are explored.
Jodi and Mike see the light in this OTT treatment of the biblical story, helmed by Canada's own Norman Jewison. What do Jack Black, the Sex Pistols, and meth have in common? They're all mentioned in this episode!
Liza, Liza, Liza! Fosse, Fosse, Fosse! Jodi and Mike get divinely decadent with this deep dive into Ms. Minnelli, fascism, and being gay in pre-WWII Germany.
Jodi and Mike delve into this fabulous fusion of an ethereal Julie Andrews and a hot but grumpy Christopher Plummer in this wonderful romp filled with nuns, Nazis, and some very chaste necking. Discover the story of the real Von Trapp family, the trail from stage to screen, and why we mention the Osmonds!