When David recommended this week’s movie way back in episode 6, he was stunned that Justin had never seen it. A plan was devised to watch some of the movie’s inspirations, which include Singin’ in the Rain, Casablanca, and Rebel Without a Cause (all of which were first-time watches for David). Now, faithful Whyhaventologists, your hosts can finally ask a question that has been months in the making: Why haven’t you watched La La Land, Damien Chazelle’s award-winning musical from 2016?

Also, a correction: Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone previously appeared together in Gangster Squad from 2013, not Gangster Land from 2017! David apologizes profusely to Ryan and Emma for this error!

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Intro and outro music by Andrew Zap. “Luna,” from his album Dope Focus, is used with permission. Discover more of his music on Spotify and Bandcamp

The W.H.Y. Podcast ushers in its first Halloween episode with a quintessential Alfred Hitchcock film, the 1960 horror/suspense classic, Psycho! This is a first-time watch for David, who knew the story’s big twists going in (which surely would have left Hitchcock nonplussed). Along the way, the boys discuss boring beefcakes, Chekhov’s toilet bowl, and Justin somehow manages to work in references to both Star Wars and Star Trek!

Watch the original theatrical trailer (which features a very droll Hitchcock) here

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Intro music by Andrew Zap. Discover more of his music on Spotify

In the third and final pitstop in The W.H.Y. Podcast’s “Road to La La Land” series, the boys discuss James Dean’s most celebrated film, Rebel Without a Cause. Surging hormones and edgy aphorisms abound in this tragic tale of delinquency, but can your hosts tap into their own angsty pasts to identify with the film’s young rebels? Talking points include James Dean’s Aragorn moment, DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, and the dreaded inevitability of Chekhov’s address book. Plus, David and Justin nearly face off in their own chickie run after each other’s (nearly) unforgivable cinema sins come to light!

Watch the “Stand up for me!” staircase scene from Rebel Without a Cause here

Watch the intro to the animated TV series Mr. Magoo here

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Intro music by Andrew Zap. Discover more of his music on Spotify

Thirteen years before Christian Bale prowled the alleys of Gotham City looking for villains to pummel, he took to the cobbled streets of old Manhattan to sing and dance his way into audiences’ hearts. All topics are on the table as your hosts discuss Disney’s 1992 movie musical, Newsies. Talking points include the Tony award-winning Broadway musical, the film’s passionate fandom, director Kenny Ortega’s resemblance to a certain Twin Peaks villain, questionable New York accents, and so much more. Will David be able to keep the Newsies candle boinin’ and win over musical-averse Justin with this plucky underdog story? Tune in to find out!

Watch the prologue from the 2017 Broadway musical here

Watch the full performance of The World Will Know from the 2017 Broadway musical here

Watch the very R-rated Blood Drips Heavily on Newsie Square here

Read Sarah Marshall’s “The Afterlife of Newsies” here

Watch a full episode of the stop-motion animated Davey and Goliath here

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Intro music by Andrew Zap. Discover more of his music on Spotify

Join your hosts for the second installment of the movies that inspired Damien Chazelle’s La La Land as they discuss an all-time classic, Casablanca. Along the way, Marvel, Star Wars, and Looney Tunes are referenced, MacGuffins are debated, and an invitation is extended to Mr. Ryan Gosling. Plus, Justin dons his history hat to channel the Encyclopedia Britannica, and David flirts with cinematic heresy by proposing an alternate ending.

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Intro music by Andrew Zap. Discover more of his music on Spotify

Holy diamond jubilee! Batman: The Movie debuted 60 years ago on July 30, 1966. Does the dynamic duo’s first full-length feature film stand the test of time, or is it a total bomb? And how does Adam West’s caped crusader stack up against the many cinematic Batmans (Batmen? Batpeople?) who have followed in his footsteps? Join intrepid hosts David and Justin as they shine a spotlight on rubber sharks, exploding octopi, piscatorial statutes, and so much more!

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Intro music by Andrew Zap. Discover more of his music on Spotify

The W.H.Y. Podcast’s path to covering La La Land begins with one of its inspirations, 1952’s Singin’ in the Rain. No discussion of what is arguably one of the greatest musicals ever made would be complete without references to banana oil and monkey fur. Talking points include a Blade Runner mashup musical, an unlikely connection to Ridley Scott’s Alien, and the artistic merits of dream ballets. Plus: Vincent Price and Chairman Mao have entered the chat??

Watch Good Mornin’ from Singin’ in the Rain here

Was Spinel (as performed by Sarah Stiles) inspired by Jean Hagen’s Lina Lamont? Watch this clip from Steven Universe: The Movie and decide for yourself!

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Intro music by Andrew Zap. Discover more of his music on Spotify

Please join David and Justin for this special amuse-bouche of an episode as they mark an auspicious milestone: the midway point of The W.H.Y. Podcast’s first season. Before his first-time watch, David makes predictions about The Shining (which may or may not be informed by The Simpsons). Meanwhile, Justin is less than loquacious about the rest of season one’s movies.

Plus, be sure to listen to the very end for David’s initial reaction to The Shining! Despite its short runtime, this episode has more endings than Peter Jackson’s The Return of the King!

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Intro music by Andrew Zap. Discover more of his music on Spotify