Remember Shallow Hal?

You know actor and musician Jason Schwartzman from his iconic roles in classic films like "Rushmore," "The Darjeeling Limited" and "Asteroid City," but did you also know he's one of the chillest and nicest people on the planet? On this episode of HOW DID WE GET WEIRD?, Vanessa and Jason reminisce about working together on the film "Polka King" and Vanessa's show "I Love That For You," Jason's relationships with his siblings and what it was like to recently play drums again live for the first time in twenty years. (You can check out this video of Jason playing the Phantom Planet song "California" with Alex Greenwald and Ben Kweller HERE.) We also talk about fitness habits, the power of going for walks and Jason's unexpected brush with achieving a state of maximum productivity and mental clarity for three weeks last September. If you enjoyed this episode you're in luck, because we will be releasing the second half of our epic conversation with Jason next week! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1 Apr 202451min

On today's new episode the Bayer siblings are thrilled to welcome Bad Religion guitarist, founding member of Minor Threat and self-professed chocoholic, Brian Baker! We're talking about sending out your own trading card as a holiday card, hanging out in junkyards (and playing in Junkyard) and of course, Stouffer's Frozen Dinners. From Mac and Cheese to French Bread Pizza so hard it will bread your teeth we defrost crucial frozen food facts, including some very funny lawsuits. Plus in a rousing game of CONGRATULATIONS, YOU BAKED YOURSELF, we're debating the merits of Classic Macaroni Salad with Ham, Pineapple Fluff and Tomato Soup Cake. Whether you're at home, in the car or just out going for A WALK, you gotta check out this awesome episode!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

25 Mar 202457min

This week the Bayer siblings are thrilled to welcome their friend, writer, actress and comedian Jessica St. Clair! They're talking about all of their favorite shows from growing up, from the simple yet enviable lifestyle portrayed on "The Flintstones" to the more exclusive one we'd watch on "Beverly Hills 90210" (obvi we relate more to the former.) Plus, we talk about how much Vanessa loved having The Rock host her last episode of SNL, and the time Jessica had a beautiful Kardashian run-in when she least expected it. And speaking of celebrity encounters, we dish on The First Todd being recognized recently while getting his car fixed! And if that isn't exciting enough, we also get into the time Jessica appeared on one of Vanessa's favorite tv genres, a soap opera, and was not asked back. Finally, in a rousing game of CONGRATULATIONS, YOU BAKED YOURSELF, we ask ourselves if we're most excited about the return of Pear Salad, Cracklin' Cornbread, or Pumpkin Chiffon Pie. You Yabba Dabba DO need to listen to this fantastic episode!!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

18 Mar 20241h 13min

This week we are thrilled to sit down with Wolfgang Van Halen, who you probably know from playing bass in a little band called Van Halen as well as fronting his own band, Mammoth WVH. We discuss what it was like growing up with Eddie Van Halen as your father (and why he didn't want Wolfgang skateboarding), formative musical experiences and weigh the odds of a Jonah Bayer signature guitar. We also get into Wolfgang's other obsession: Video games. We discuss the way Nintendo 64 paved the way for this hobby, the difference between Mario/Wario and the glory days of Guitar Hero and Rock Band. We also get into how Wolfgang's mom Valerie Bertinelli helped support his gaming habit (and how he tries to scare her with games today), why being an adult means you can basically do whatever you want and Vanessa wonders why her dentist felt the need to clean the stains on the back of her teeth? We also play a round of YESTOLGIA OR NOSTALGIA where we discuss the reboot of the video game "Crazy Taxi," the dramatic update of "Bewitched" and the return of Wendy's Crispy Panko Fish Sandwich. Wolfgang also lets us in on the secret reason why his dad always ordered the Filet-O-Fish when stopping for fast food. Be sure to check out Mammoth EVH's latest album "Mammoth II" and catch them on tour right now! If you're interested in learning more about the SA-126 guitar, check that out HERE! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11 Mar 202453min

This week on the HDWGW, we are so psyched to be joined by actress, writer, comedian and co-host of Vanessa's other favorite podcast, "Bitch Sesh," Danielle Schneider! Vanessa and Danielle recount their formative experiences in school drama programs, Jonah talks about being cast as Sandy the dog in his childhood production of Annie and our listeners all learn a valuable lesson about why early rejection can be the best possible experience for aspiring entertainers. We also dig deep into Danielle's love of Pee Wee's Big Adventure and the way the film shaped her childhood friendships and sense of humor. Plus, we recount some of our favorite movie one-liners, revisit the Brian Bozworth film "Stone Cold" and get some updates from Vanessa on the General Hospital universe and all the latest happenings in Port Charles. Finally we play a round of CONGRATULATIONS, YOU BAKED YOURSELF, where we debate the culinary merits of Pineapple Casserole, Tomato Aspic and Chicken Spaghetti Casserole. Bon Appetit!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

4 Mar 20241h 9min

Hello! This February, we will be airing #TBT bonus material and re-releases of past episodes. Think of it as an exclusive walk down memory lane and very very cool. Be sure to subscribe and rate the podcast (how's that for rizz?!) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

29 Feb 202452min

This week on the pod, Jonah and Vanessa are thrilled to welcome their friend Bill Hader!! They reminisce on the time they all went to Amsterdam for the Trainwreck publicity tour and having the fanciest, and at times scariest, time of their lives. Plus, Bill reminds Vanessa about how he used to lovingly bully her at the read through table at SNL and the time that Jonah did one of Bill's first magazine interviews for "Superbad" all the way back in 2007. We also get into Bill playing bass live on SNL with Corrosion of Conformity and discuss that childhood must-do of sneaking into movies: The times Bill thought he was ready for an R movie but absolutely was not and the time Vanessa got caught sneaking into an R-rated movie and subsequently asked The First Todd pretend to be a lawyer to get her money back, which... he did? (Also, Jonah apparently still did technically sneak into movies as an adult. Thanks, MoviePass.) Finally, in a rousing game of LEGIT MOAN OR UNNECESSARY GROAN, the group debates talking before a movie starts, etiquette for when kids wait for the bus and moms controlling their kids at the store. Check out this fantastic episode; you'll be BARRY glad you did!!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

26 Feb 202455min

Hello! This February, we will be airing #TBT bonus material and re-releases of past episodes. Think of it as an exclusive walk down memory lane and very very cool. Be sure to subscribe and rate the podcast (how's that for rizz?!) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

22 Feb 20241h 6min