Pizza Toast – A Baby-Sitters Club Podcast: Recent Episodes
Phil Gonzales and Christy Admiraal
And so our saga comes to an end. Christy and Phil bid a fond(?) farewell to Forks with “Midnight Sun” an absolutely unnecessary retelling of “Twilight” from the perspective of the boy who was there for the entire story anyway, so there’s really nothing new to be gleaned from reading this 832(!!!) page book. We […]
When is “Twilight” not “Twilight?” When Stephenie Meyer switches up the genders! Move over Bella and Edward; make room for Beau and Edythe! It’s a whole new thing with “Life & Death – Twilight Reimagined”! Check it out!
We’re at it again. And by “it” I mean “Twilight” and by “again” I mean “parodies.” This week, Christy and Phil take a look at “Vampires Suck” and “Breaking Wind” from 2010 and 2012. And… that’s all. It’s certainly something to talk about.
You ready to BREAK. SOME. DAWN… again? This week, we’re closing out the OG Twilight Saga with the back-half of “Breaking Dawn” the book and our review of “The Twilight Saga: Break Dawn, Part 2” the movie!
You ready to BREAK. SOME. DAWN? Hell yeah! It’s our review of “Breaking Dawn” the first half of the novel and “The Twilight Saga: Break Dawn, Part 1” the movie! That’s a mouthful… of b-b-b-blood!
Let’s talk about them ding dang ol’ vampires and them ol’ wharwolves, shall we? It’s “Eclipse” and “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse!” Here on Pizza Toast!
On to the next one! Last episode, Christy was very critical of “New Moon” and wasn’t looking forward to reading it again. However, could it be a better book than “Twilight?” Well, if you disregard all the suicidal ideation… yeah! It’s “New Moon” the book and the movie!
Here we go! Phil and Christy talk TWILIGHT! The book and the movie! Its fun when it’s fun!
Hey everyone! We’re back! And we’re finally talking about The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, the MOVIE! Wow!
We did it! Christy and Phil made it to “Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret.” and… thoughts were divided. But, we liked it! We liked it.
Is it weird that Christy and Phil don’t have a whole lot of strong feelings about “Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret.”? Also, this book title has punctuation, which just throws everything way off.
A few years back, Suzanne Collins wrote a prequel to The Hunger Games and… no one seemed to care. Was it good? Bad? Somewhere in between? Will it answer a bunch of question we never thought to ask? The answers to all these questions and MORE, this week as Pizza Toast sings along to “The […]
It would be remiss of us to not cover the two MAJOR MOTION PICTURES that came out – “The Starving Games” and “The Hungover Games” – mocking “The Hunger Games.” Also, MAD Magazine? And Harvard Lampoon. Also… Cookie Monster. It’s fun.
And so, all things come to an end. Christy and Phil bid a fond “adieu” to the Hunger Games series and- what? Oh, sorry, we’re not actually done talking about it. Next week, there’s more. This week, though? “Mockingjay, Part 2!”
This week, we have a guest! Professor Roxanne Harde is the Professor of English and department chair at the University of Alberta’s Augustana Faculty. She’s on the show to talk about The Hunger Games, Just War Theory and whatever else we want to talk about!
How does Ben Folds fit into the Hunger Games universe? He doesn’t! But, we wish he did! Hey, guess what? “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1?” Good movie!
And we’ve reached the end of the Hunger Games series. But, really, it’s not the end. Oh, no, we’ve got a LOT more in store after we discuss the melting and the murdering and the crying and the trauma. It’s “Mockingjay” on Pizza Toast!
The next movie in the “Hunger Games” series ups the budget, ups the visuals and ups the talent. It’s “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire!”
Just when she thought she was OUT, they PULL HER BACK IN! Katniss can’t catch a break, but she sure can CATCH FIRE in “Catching Fire” the next book in Suzanne Collins’s The Hunger Games series. It’s bleak, y’all!
This week, we volunteer as tribute to watch “The Hunger Games!” How does it stack up to the book? About 1/1? I’d say 1/1. It’s 2012’s “The Hunger Games!”
We’re kicking off a new series this week with “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins. It’s fairly obscure, so you probably haven’t heard of it. “The Hunger Games!”
Let’s close out our “Bridge to Terabithia” coverage with 2007’s “Bridge to Terabithia” a Disney/Walden Media production that changes a few things, adds a bit more and averages out to a pretty decent little film.
Can you distill the glory that is “Bridge to Terabithia” down to its component parts and cram it into a 55 minute runtime? Katherine and David Paterson definitely say “no.” But, what do Christy and Phil think of the very Canadian 1985 TV adaptation?
Katherine Paterson’s “Bridge to Terabithia” has the unfortunate legacy of being the book everyone thinks of as the Death By Newbery trope-namer. But, it’s a much more gentle, subtle and compassionate book than people give it credit for, written by a woman processing her and her child’s grief and giving children the gift of an […]
In the Disney+ “Stargirl” sequel “Hollywood Stargirl” they throw the book out the window and do their own story. And you know what? Probably a smart choice. It’s a star-packed sizzle reel of goodness(?) with “Hollywood Stargirl!”
Seven years after the success of “Stargirl” Jerry Spinelli decided to answer a few questions: what was Stargirl going through during all of this? What happened in the year afterwards? Does she fall for a white-hot street urchin? The answers to all of these questions will be answered as Phil and Christy take a look […]
After the euphoric highs of our “Stargirl” discussion, let’s transition into the drastic lows of our “Stargirl” discussion as Christy and Phil attempt to say something, anything, nice about the Disney+ adaptation of “Stargirl” from 2020.
She’s not a Manic Pixie Dream Girl. She’s Stargirl! Christy was so correct to suggest Jerry Spinelli’s “Stargirl” for our next episode because this books RIPS. It’s so good, our episode is pretty short because we talk SO FAST! It’s just a really good book, y’all. It’s “Stargirl!”
In 2021, Netflix and Amy Poehler adapted “Moxie” into a motion picture event. How did it end up? Pretty good! It’s “Moxie” the movie!
Moxie girls fight back! That’s what we say a lot in this episode as we take a look at a book that tells the same basic story as “Radio Rebel” but mixes it up by being good. It’s Jennifer Mathieu’s “Moxie!”
What do you get when you take “Shrinking Violet” and completely alter the second half of the story and change all the character motivations and turn it into a vehicle for a rising Disney star? You get “Radio Rebel!”
This episode, Christy and Phil are taking a look at the first of a new batch of books with “Shrinking Violet” by Danielle Joseph. Are we a bit hard on this book? Maybe. Is there a single likable character in the entire novel? Perhaps. Is Christy angry at having read the whole book? Definitely. It’s […]
When was the last time you really thought about Austin Powers? How about Rom and Jule? Izzy’s Koala World? Well, brother? That’s too long. Also, we talk about “Are These My Basoomas I See Before Me?” and it’s the final Georgia Nicolson book!
Listeners, we cried. We are not ashamed to admit, this book made us cry. Why? Was it Massimo getting jealous? Dave getting ugly? Jas getting the role of Juliet? No, no and no. It’s much much worse. Find out what happens in “Stop In The Name Of Pants!”
Let’s go to camp! In this, the first book of the final phase of the Fab Confessions of Georgia Nicolson, the Ace Gane goes into the woods, Masimo and Georgia have a secret rendezvous, Jas gets prickly, Robbie acts like a gentleman, and Dave the Laugh… is a laugh! It’s “Luuurve Is A Many Trousered […]
We’ve crested the top of the Georgia Nicolson wave and are entering the third act of the Fab Confessions! But first, “Startled By His Furry Shorts” puts in the work to move all of our characters into position to have a satisfying(?) conclusion in a few books time. How does it end? You’ll never see […]
This week we discuss the accuracy of the title “Then He Ate My Boy Entrancers.” Also, America: what’s that all about. Georgia’s mom has some nice insight; Georgia grows a tiny bit more; and the kids make me angry by not taking Shakespeare seriously!
This week, we’re all about “Tall Girl!” She’s such a tall girl! Also, Jesus, James Bond, Macbeth, Heidi and MOSIMO! It’s “…And That’s When It Fell Off In My Hand” Orrrrrr! “Away Laughing On A Fast Camel!”
This week, everything is très bon and fab and filled with awesomeosity as Georgia and the Aces take a trip to Paris, Georgia struggles with her red bottomosity, Jas develops a conscience, Ellen pines for Dave the Laugh and Angus… has kittens? Plus, Georgia doing the right thing? It’s “Dancing In My Nuddy-Pants!” https://ia801504.us.archive.org/23/items/pizza-toast-s-06-e-08/PizzaToast-S06E08.mp3
This week, Louise Rennison cranks things up a notch with CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT! And REGRET! It’s “Knocked Out By My Nunga-Nungas” and it gets surprisingly… I hesitate to use the word “deep” so let’s say self-reflective. It’s self-reflective! And that’s progress!
This week, we’re taking a look at Gurinder Chada’s 2008 adaptation “Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging!” Is it fab? Is it fabbity fab? Let’s find out! https://ia601409.us.archive.org/29/items/pizza-toast-s-06-e-06/PizzaToast-S06E06.mp3
This week, it’s two Two TWO titles in ONE! Georgia and Jas and Wet Lindsay and the SG are back in “It’s OK, I’m Wearing Really Big Knickers” OR “On the Bright Side, I’m Now the Girlfriend of a Sex God” depending on where you’re at. But, we also get to meet Dave THE LAUGH […]
Okay! OKAY! It’s another book and it’s about a girl and it’s a little bit SPICY. But, we’re okay with that. This week, Phil and Christy talk about Louise Rennison’s borderline sociopathic heroine(?) Georgia Nicolson in the first of her many adventures “Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging” and, you know what? We just might do […]
Hoo boy. When is a movie not a movie? When it’s just an excuse for Garry Marshall to put his grandkids on screen. Also, the Breslins. Also, Paul Williams. Also, Stan Lee? Also, what even is this movie supposed to be about? It’s “The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement!”
This week, Christy and Phil ramble about puppets and Schwartzmans and sexy moms. It’s “The Princess Diaries: The Movie!” It gave us so many things. But, is it any good? Let’s find out!
With the Baby-Sitters in our rearview mirror, it’s time to look at some other books that feature young women as protagonists and have been adapted into major media franchises. And, what better place to start than with “The Princess Diaries” by Meg Cabot! It’s… it certainly is a book!
Well, it’s over. And Christy and Phil take a few minutes to reflect on Season 2 and prep the listeners for what’s in store! Again. Because we had to rerecord the entire episode.
This is it! We’re finishing out the Netflix “The Baby-sitters Club” season 2 with what may very well be the strongest episode yet. Surprised? We sure as heck were! It’s “Kristy and the Baby Parade” and we get CATHARSIS. We get YELLING! We get TEARS! And the episode is pretty good too! Join us for […]
This week, Christy and Phil sit around holing hands with their best friends as Claudia sadly bids good-bye to Mimi: grandma, Buddhist, biker bar aficionado. Is it handled well? Yes. Does it stand out like a weird thumb after the Nickelodeon goofiness of the last few episodes? OH YES? Is Janine dating Ashley? You’ll just […]
This week, we’re talkin’ about DAWN; we’re talkin’ about MARY ANNE; we’re talkin’ about CLOWNY! It’s “Dawn and the Wicked Stepsister” but it’s REALLY “Poor Mallory.” That’s right! It’s another SWITCHEROO! So… enjoy it, I guess.
The Netflix “The Baby-Sitters Club” continues its “switch-er-oo streak” with “Mary Anne and the Great Romance!” It’s pretty great, but is there a romance? Does Logan exist? Is Karen related to Lizzie Borden? Find out!
This week, Jessi takes center stage (get it? because she’s a dancer?) in “Jessi and the Superbrat.” They really rework the book in a major way, but it works! I like it a lot! Also, Christy gets very ill during the recording and by the end is about to fall over. So, it’s shorter than […]
On this week’s preamble-free episode of “Pizza Toast” Christy and Phil watch “Stacey’s Emergency!” What’s the emergency? Diabetes! Can she beat it? Mmmmmmmmmaybe? Also, Mallory gets a ton more screen time, Jessi is ableist, a teacher has a crush on a student(?) and WHY SO MANY HOT PARENTS?
This week, we take a look at a long awaited fan-favorite story “Claudia and the New Girl!” Only, it’s not quite “Claudia and the New Girl” it’s mostly “Claudia and a New Girl” but the titular New Girl from the books does make an appearance only she’s pretty much a different character and the New […]
Netflix has done it again! And by “it” I mean “produced a season of The Baby-sitters Club.” And Christy and Phil are here to talk about the first episode of the new season “Kristy and the Snobs!” Who are the titular snobs? Why do dogs get heart cancer? Did Christy get a new job? Are […]
Well, it’s about time! Netflix has dropped a two minute trailer for Season 2 of “The Baby-Sitters Club” so Christy and Phil spend fifty minutes talking about it!
This, my friends, is a heavy one. The toughest episode we’ve ever recorded. The tragic and tear-jerking “Sisterhood Everlasting.”
What do you get when you set a book in the same universe as an existing series and tell essentially the same story with a few twists and also have it act as a commentary on, and refutation of, the original series? You get “3 Willows: The Sisterhood Grows” of course!
This week, Christy and Phil finish out the Sisterhood saga with the second movie that adapts the second, third and fourth books in a glorious mish-ash that, honestly, works more often than not. It’s “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2!”
When is the end not THE END? When the final book of your series is really the fourth book of a six-part series! It’s “Forever In Blue: The Fourth Summer Of The Sisterhood!”
As we return from our weeklong vacation – and prepare for yet another weeklong vacation – it’s time to dive in to the third book about those girls in pants titled “Girls In Pants.” Carmen is put off! Tibby is guilty! Lena is … fine actually. Bridget gets sick! It’s the Third Summer of the […]
This week, Pizza Toast is continuing its “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” coverage with the second book about the second summer of the Sisterhood called “The Second Summer of the Sisterhood!” Why is Carmen so horrible? Who is Eugene? Why can’t Kostas keep it put away? Will Tibby ever come to terms with Bailey’s death? […]
This week, Christy and Phil take a look at the movie adaptation of “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” called “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants!” Along the way, we talk about non-Greek actors, 25-year-old 16-year olds, and POLICE SURGEON! Did we cry? You’ll have to listen to FIND OUT!
In the beginning, there was pants. This week, Christy and Phil begin their exploration of the world of Ann Brashares’s The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants with book number one: “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants!” Who is in this sisterhood? What of the pants? Why is Carmen the only fully sympathizable character? Why is […]
Hot off our fresh takes on “Harriet the Spy” Christy and Phil are tackling another mid-nineties wasn’t-a-classic-at-the-time-but-boy-it-sure-is-now, “Matilda!”
We’re back for a special episode about a mid-nineties movie that actually succeeded where “The Baby-sitters Club” may have failed. It’s 1996’s “Harriet the Spy!”
Are you sick and tired of hearing Christy and Phil talk about stuff? Well, today is your lucky day! We’re taking a break between seasons again BUT you might hear from us in the interim talking about a couple of OTHER things! So, stay tuned.
Word on the street is, Christy and Phil have run out of things to talk about regarding the 1995 movie “The Baby-sitters Club” because now they’re just making stuff up! In this episode, Christy and Phil pitch their own ideas for a “Baby-sitters Club” movie. Christy goes Hawaiian and Phil gets spooky! And, check out […]
It’s time to talk about the Peter Lerangis novelization of the Dalene Young screenplay of the Ann M. Martin movie “The Baby-Sitters Club!” Does Lerangis add any value to the tale? Do we find out more backstory on our friends? Do Sam and Charlie exist? Well, let’s find out, okay?
In what might be our most complex episode yet, Christy and I tackle the music of the Baby-Sitters Club Major Motion Picture Soundtrack Album! So, get ready for some heavy thoughts on music from 1995, ya’ll!
In response to a recommendation from a dedicated listener, we have decided to try to actually talk about the movie “The Baby-Sitters Club” this week. Ever hear of it? It’s about a Baby-Sitters Club.
Here’s something we’ve never talked about before: a book! Yes, it’s “The Baby-Sitters Club” by Teddy Slater Margulies based on the fun new movie from Beacon and Columbia Pictures based on the best-selling series by Ann M. Martin! Who would have known?
I have no idea what this episode is about! Christy and Phil presumably talk about the cultural significance of Jackie Rodowsky. I guess?
Before “The Baby-Sitters Club” movie was released in 1995, they dropped a massive trailer that featured everything from the beginning to the middle to the end… of certain plots. It also presented a far more together film than we ended up with. It also was two minutes long. But, we talk about it for over […]
Hey, have you ever wanted to watch a movie and have two barely coherent podcasters talk over the whole thing? Well, you’re in luck! Christy and Phil have recorded a “Baby-Sitters Club: The Movie” commentary track! And, here it is! So, crack open a Capri Sun and pop in your aged VHS and get ready […]
Christy and Phil are back in the saddle and ready to tackle the 1995 cult classic “The Baby-Sitters Club: The Movie!” It wasn’t a success! But why? For answers, we turned to Vulture’s “An Oral History of the Baby-Sitters Club Movie” by Jessica Goldstein. We also talk about “Thirtysomething.” We talk about “Thirtysomething” a LOT. […]
Well, this is it, folks. The end of an actual era. We’ve seen these kids grow up in front of us across 13 episodes and a whole Thanksgiving Day dance number. How about one last trip down Memory Lane? It’s “The Baby-sitters Remember.”
Are you ready to jam on it? Are you ready to get into the groove? Are you ready to spend a solid minute and a half watching a group of 13 year olds gyrate for the amusement of their fathers? Are you ready for “Stacey Takes a Stand” to actually be one of the most […]
This week, Christy and Phil take a peek at yet another Dawn-centric episode with “Dawn Saves The Trees!” It’s actually really well constructed and teaches a solid lesson about community involvement and the importance of putting in the work before you take a grievance to the cit-OH MY GOD IT’S ZACH BRAFF.
This week, the Baby-sitters Club plays the villain with “The Baby-sitters and the Boy-Sitters!” That’s right! Alan Gray and Pete Black show up and flex their baby-sitting skills and, they’re pretty good! But, Kristy says “NO!” and sabotage ensues. It’s weird. And the climax takes place at Discovery Zone?
THIS. EPISODE. IS. PACKED. And not in a great way. We’ve got THE KRUSHERS. We’ve got MATT BRADDOCK. We’ve got DEREK MASTERS. We’ve got THE NOTEBOOK. We’ve got EVERY CHILD WE’VE MET SO FAR. We’ve got HIJINKS. SHENANIGANS. LESSONS. LIES. And, it all adds up to “Jessi and the Mystery of the Stolen Secrets.” But, […]
This week, we’ve got it all: a mysterious note, possible murder, Becca Ramsey, the BARN, Janine(!) and, best of all, A SPECAL GUEST STAR! It’s everything you want and MORE! It’s “Claudia and the (Mystery of the?!?) Secret Passage!”
This week, we’re taking a look at “Dawn and the Dream Boy” in which the most baffling error of all time takes place, Mary Anne steps up, and the Baby-Sitters once again make their charges help with a project they have absolutely no business being a part of. Plus, where’s Logan?!
It’s the episode you’ve all been waiting for: we finally meet JULIE! Who’s Julie? You know… JULIE!
Happy Thanksgiving! Let’s talk about the time the cast of The Baby-Sitters Club performed at the 1992 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for some reason!
It’s Christmas in November and we couldn’t be happier! That’s right, this week Christy and Phil are talking about “The Babysitters’ Special Christmas” in which Stacey indulges in too much fudge and Kristy loses her baseball mitt to an ice ball grifter. Plus, cookies are hard to make; Rudolph started as a dumb book; and […]
This week, Christy and Phil take a look at the fourth episode of the HBO Baby-Sitters Club “Kristy and the Great Campaign!” It’s an episode fraught with political tension, as Kristy finagles a child into running for office simply to exact revenge on an COUNT ON COURT! COUNT ON COURT! COUNT ON COURT!
This week, Christy and Phil take a look at “Stacey’s Big Break” in which Stacey learns to abandon her dreams in order to pacify a moppet by clicking her tongue. That’s the plot.
This week, Christy and Phil talk about not-haunted houses, not-Morbidda Destiny and not-Dawn-focused episodes! It’s “Dawn and the Haunted House” and we’re loving this show more and more each week!
Aaaaaaand, we’re back! Did you miss us? Christy and Phil have returned with some indistinct chatter about the first episode of the 1990 series “The Baby-sitters Club!” What do we think about “Mary Anne and the Brunettes?” We think it’s a heck of a pun! Also, real actual baby-sitting! Jackie Rodowsky lives in a society! […]
Is this the end of our little podcast? Probably… not! Probably not. Christy and Phil do a quick rundown of the show. Well, a long quick rundown. Then we talk about the future. Is there a future? You betcha! See you in a month!
This is it, folks! The final episode of the Netflix original series “The Baby-Sitters Club” and, in honor of that, we have a special guest! We also talk about theater, ghouls, and Logan the Theater Ghoul. Is this the end? Maybe not? We’ll see!
Welcome to the penultimate episode of “Pizza Toast!” It’s a weird one! The characters are separated, Mary Anne is acting odd, Stacey’s got a problem, Claudia is radicalized, Dawn is awesome, Kristy is ineffectual, Mallory speaks, and Jessi… hi, Jessi! Plus, a mystery friend! And, a hermit curse! Welcome to Camp Mohawk Moosehead! https://ia803204.us.archive.org/27/items/pizza-toast-ep-09/PizzaToast-EP09.mp3
Hey everyone! This week, Christy and Phil talk “Kristy’s Big Day!” It’s the not-the-last-episode last episode of the season! Do Liz and Watson tie the knot? Does Mimi sabotage Claudia’s future? Is Watson’s house hundred’s of years old? Is it natural? IS IT NATURAL? Join us and FIND OUT! https://ia803203.us.archive.org/5/items/pizza-toast-ep-08/PizzaToast-EP08.mp3
This week, Christy and Phil take a trip to Sea City – the city by the sea! – to spend a week in the… in the cold. Wearing sweaters. We also finally meet the Pikes! All 100 of them! https://ia801902.us.archive.org/13/items/pizza-toast-ep-07/PizzaToast-EP07.mp3
This week, Christy and Phil take a look at “Claudia and Mean Janine!” Where did Claudia learn to paint so well? Is “Queer Eye” a show on Netflix? Why is the Upset Orderly this episode’s MVP? Find out! https://ia903200.us.archive.org/16/items/pizza-toast-ep-06/PizzaToast-EP06.mp3
This week, Christy and Phil become an Impossible Three by bringing in Shannon Campe of the Little Women: A Modern Audio Drama podcast. Together, we discuss Dawn’s character, the way the series approaches the adults and the masterful way the writers and directors handle the concept of boundaries. https://ia803205.us.archive.org/12/items/pizza-toast-ep-05/PizzaToast-EP05.mp3
It’s Episode Four and Christy and Phil finally have something to criticize! No worries, though; it’s still an amazing episode. How could it be otherwise? It’s “Mary Anne Saves The Day!” https://ia601904.us.archive.org/8/items/pizza-toast-ep-04/PizzaToast-EP04.mp3
Christy and Phil take a look at Episode 3 of The Baby-sitters Club with “The Truth About Stacey!” https://ia601907.us.archive.org/34/items/pizza-toast-ep-03/PizzaToast-EP03.mp3
This week, Christy and Phil take a look at “Claudia and the Phantom Phone Calls” and talk about the way Netflix adapted this very weird book for the show. https://ia801909.us.archive.org/20/items/pizza-toast-ep-02/PizzaToast-EP02.mp3
Welcome to the inaugural episode of “Pizza Toast!” We’re kicking off this show with the first episode of “The Baby-Sitters Club” which makes sense because that is what the show is about! https://ia803201.us.archive.org/9/items/pizza-toast-ep-01/PizzaToast-EP01.mp3
We’ve got a new show! https://ia601904.us.archive.org/27/items/pizza-toast-promo/PizzaToast-Promo.mp3