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'Too Much Information' is a new iHeartRadio podcast that gives you the secret history, behind-the-scenes details and little-known fascinating facts about your favorite movies, music, TV shows and more. The series is brought to you by two trivia titans with too much free time. Jordan Runtagh and Alex Heigl are big-time pop culture nerds and longtime listicle writers who've worked at Rolling Stone, People, Entertainment Weekly, VH1, and Page Six. Now they're let off the leash and ready to dive deep into a different beloved entertainment classic three times a week. Get ready for everything you never knew about 'Rugrats,' 'Hook,' "Dancing Queen," Sonic the Hedgehog, 'Jeopardy,' 'Top Gun,' 'Jagged Little Pill'...The list goes on, and so will these guys. But in a good way. Promise. 


Too Much Information

Do you like movies about gladiators? The TMI guys hope so, because they’re going long on Ridley Scott’s classic that revitalized sword and sandal epics for the 21st century. (Until 'Gladiator II' ruined it…) You’ll hear all about the acts of violence Russell Crowe brought to the set, the untimely (errr, maybe somewhat timely) death of legendary British hellraiser Oliver Reed mid-production, all the ways Joaquin Phoenix was traumatized during the shoot, and the ways everyone nearly died due to the live tiger-wrangling. You’ll also discover why Ridley Scott got screwed at the Oscars, ex-‘Incredible Hulk’ Lou Ferrigno got screwed out of a role, and the audience got screwed out of seeing Nick Cave’s truly batsh-t script for a 'Gladiator' sequel brought to the big screen. Those who are about to listen — we salute you!

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Gladiator: Everything You Didn't Know

Your rogue squirrels of seasonal sagas are taking a look at this staple of the irreverent modern Christmas classics canon. You’ll learn all about the physical injuries that Chevy Chase received on the set, the emotional injuries that the two tweens portraying the Griswold siblings also received on the set, the reason we were cheated out of a Christie Brinkley cameo, and the mysterious absence of Lindsey Buckingham’s beloved “Holiday Road.” You’ll also discover how Chevy’s poor behavior directly lead to the creation of a little movie called Home Alone, and how the Christmas Vacation has surprising connections with American Beauty, It’s a Wonderful Life, Lethal Weapon and Betty Boop. Jordan opens up about his crush on Martin Scorsese’s TikTok star daughter, and Heigl shares his fascination with Randy Quaid, who is currently on the run from a band of murderous “star whackers” — present whereabouts unknown.
 
Support your friendly neighborhood TMI Guys here! https://ko-fi.com/toomuchinformationpodcast

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National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation: Everything You Didn't Know

The TMI guys ring in the holidays — and Jordan's birthday! – by going deep into 10 of their favorite (or, in some cases, least favorite) Christmas songs. You'll learn how that mind-melting David Bowie-Bing Crosby duet came to be (as well as the morbid events that followed) as well as the hilariously drunken shenanigans that unfolded on the set of Wham!'s "Last Christmas" video — plus the saga of George Michael's hair. Heigl shares his passion for jazz through the Vince Guaraldi 'Charlie Brown Christmas' soundtrack, in addition to the hilariously fast genesis of "Feliz Navidad" and the precocious brilliance of Brenda Lee and her deathless "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree." And whatever you do, don't miss out on Jordan and Alex's battle over whether or not Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmastime" actually sucks. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good fight! 

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CHRISTMAS SONG ROUNDUP: "Wonderful Christmastime," "Last Christmas" and More!

Jordan and Alex smear their best mascara across their tear-stained eyes for an episode on My Chemical Romance's "Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge" and the brief moment when the innacurate catchall genre of "emo" dominated rock radio. They'll explore how 9/11 -- and the DIY music scene of New Brunswick, New Jersey -- spurred a young illustrator and Cartoon Network intern named Gerard Way into transforming himself into a messianic rock frontman; how the band's early trio of videos cemented them as MTV darlings, and how the band's early rise was nearly derailed by Way's heroic intake of alcohol. They'll also trace the roots of "emo" from the D.C. hardcore scene of the '80s as it sprouted and transformed in the Midwest and Northeast, pine for the days of major-label interest in niche bands, marvel at some of Way's more hilariously youthful soundbites, and learn how "I'm Not Okay" came together from an a cappella recording at the tail end of a demo tape. Too Much Information: They are also not okay, but in different, more adult ways!
 
Support your friendly neighborhood TMI Guys here! https://ko-fi.com/toomuchinformationpodcast

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My Chemical Romance's 'Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge': Everything You Didn't Know

Follow the flying monkeys of facts down the Yellow Brick Road for an episode that’s Toto-ly packed with 'Wizard of Oz' trivia! In part one of the TMI’s guy’s epic two-fer on children’s cinematic classic, you’ll hear all about the origins of the original book and how author L. Frank Baum’s (who, it’s worth noting, was bullied by theater people) was inspired by office supplies, family tragedy and his childhood nightmares to develop the magical series. You'll also learn why MGM greenlit the budget-busting production to compete with the world beating success of Walt Disney's 'Snow White,' the biggest blockbuster in history at the time.
 
This episode focuses on the cast of 'Oz,' nearly all of whom were tortured physically and psychologically. Special shout-out to original Tin Man Buddy Ebsen, who nearly died due to his wildly unsafe makeup. There's also the truly disgusting costumes required for the Scarecrow and Cowardly Lion, and the trials and tribulations of being a Munchkin on the set. (Spoiler: there were no Munchkin orgies.) The TMI duo also explain why The Wicked Witch of the West was actually the loveliest person in the production, why Toto is buried under LA's 101 freeway, and why the Ruby Slippers led to a 13-year FBI manhunt. Plus, prepare to get really bummed out when you learn about Judy Garland's childhood and all the drugs she was (allegedly) being fed by her mom. Yes, the movie making experience was less than wonderful for the cast, but the episode's pretty great. 
 
Support your friendly neighborhood TMI Guys here! https://ko-fi.com/toomuchinformationpodcast

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The Wizard of Oz (Part 1 - The Cast): Everything You Didn't Know

Your Tin Men of trivia are back for round two of their epic deep dive into the making of the most watched movie in history. On this episode, you’ll learn about the hellish production, which ended up injuring, maiming (or, at very least, psychologically harming) at nearly every member of the cast. The Scarecrow was nearly set on fire — but he was saved from his costume made of asbestos. The Wicked Witch actually WAS set on fire, and the frantic crew had to scrub down her freshly-burned skin with alcohol. A “heavily medicated” Judy Garland was emotionally abused by everyone from the studio execs on down — all for the name of MOVIE MAGIC! The wildly-expensive lightening caused brown-outs all over LA, the tornado sequence nearly choked the SFX team, and then there were the poor prop masters who made fake glass out of liquid mercury.
 
Between the accidentals, constantly revolving cast of writers and directors, and the outbreak of World War II, ‘The Wizard of Oz’ should have been a complete and utter disaster. How did it become a top tier classic, with special resonance within the LGBTQ community? Why does Pink Floyd's 'Dark Side of the Moon' sync up so well with the film? Did a distraught Munchkin actor really hang themselves in the middle of a scene? Take a listen, and all the answers will be revealed!
 
Support your friendly neighborhood TMI Guys here! https://ko-fi.com/toomuchinformationpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Wizard of Oz (Part 2 - The Production): Everything You Didn't Know

Jordan and Alex rev up their clank-boom-skronk engine and clatter their way into the junkyard for a trip to the heart of Tom Waits’ asthmatic doomer trip 'Bone Machine'! After a brief discussion of Waits’ career up to that point, including his early association with LA’s Troubadour-based Mellow Mafia, they’ll jaws-of-life their way into the album’s rusted center, from figuring out exactly which field recording of Pygmy drumming inspired the opening cut to the precise nature of the chicken-ranch storage room the album was tracked in. They’ll run down every Easter egg in the lyrics, from Tony Franciosa to Oldsmobiles, and identify minutiae from the flea-market piece of music gear Waits got repaired at a TV shop to the details of how Tom met Keef (Richards, that is.) It’s Too Much Information: *incomprehensible gargling bellows*!
 
Support your friendly neighborhood TMI Guys here! https://ko-fi.com/toomuchinformationpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tom Waits' 'Bone Machine': Everything You Didn't Know

A tuxedo-clad Jordan and Heigl take you to Da Movies with their epic tangent-rich, name drop-y history of Hollywood's biggest night! They’ll dive deep into iconic Oscars moments, like the infamous streaker (and his shocking murder), the fallout from Marlon Brando’s politically-charged boycott, and Charlie Chaplin’s touching homecoming after years in exile — plus lots more lesser-known moments of award show insanity.
 
You’ll learn all about Oscars gaffes that make “Envelope-Gate” look tame — including the time that an Oscar statuette was stolen right from the stage! — and the disasters that occasionally delayed the broadcast. There’s also the tragic tale of a veteran actor who was forced to sell his trophy to pay for his wife’d medical costs (or take a cruise…), the time Tom Hanks accidentally outed his teacher at the Oscars (or did he…?), and the Oscar nominee who was wanted by police for the theft of tens of thousands of library books! 
 
Egyptian curses, David Bowie’s preferred cologne, and the sad death of Disney child star Bobby Driscoll also get a mention for some reason, as does Jordan’s office break-room photoshoot with Taylor Swift and his unholy hatred of Richard Gere. He also (briefly!) quizzes his beloved co-host about assorted Oscars milestones and discusses his dream-fulfilling trip to the ceremony a few years back — which was nowhere near as interesting as the time the 'South Park' creators went after donning drag and dropping acid. The jury’s still out on how the Academy Award received its better-known nickname of “Oscar,” but that’s pretty much the only fact they WEREN’T able to track down. Strap in, because these two are going until the wrap-it-up music finally drowns them out. 
 
Support your friendly neighborhood TMI Guys here! https://ko-fi.com/toomuchinformationpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Oscars: Everything You Didn't Know

You didn’t ask for it, but it’s here. Jordan and Alex were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should, so it’s the first-ever TMI: Oops, All Digressions! With the attention span of an addled TikToker and the niche interests of a minorly urbane shut-in, your friendly hosts started this episode with but a few brief notes and then just let their precious little minds wander willy-nilly. For starters: did you know there was a horror subgenre called ‘Hagsploitation?’ Along the way they’ll get into the preposterous notion that Frank Sinatra was originally tapped to play Dirty Harry, along with Liz Taylor's marital issues, haunted recording sessions for David Bowie and Meat Loaf, Marlon Brando's hatred of Muppets, the rumors of Grace Kelly's premature death, and how Tippi Hendren moved on from her oppressive contract with Alfred Hitchcock by living with lions and starring in the most dangerous movie ever made. Too Much Information: They’re not locked in here with you, you’re locked in here with them.

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TMI: Oops, All Digressions! A Pop Culture Anecdote Grab Bag

Jordan and Alex avoided showering for days to dive into one of the enduring artifacts of San Francisco’s heady heyday: Big Brother and the Holding Company’s 'Cheap Thrills,' or as everyone knows it, “Janis Joplin’s first album.” The pair swap places for once as Jordan passionately reels off hate for Big Brother, whom Alex allows are “fine.” Along the way they’ll digress into The Evil That Men Do (particularly Albert Grossman and Clive Davis), Alex’s favorite Lou Reed vocal ever, why Cannonball Adderley was the best foil Miles Davis ever had, and Paul McCartney's weird musical moment with Steve "The Joker" Miller during the final days of the Beatles. And of course, they’ll be waxing poetic about sweet Janis, one of the Sixties’ saddest (and most joyful) figureheads. Too Much Information: Let’s Full-Tilt Boogie away Dem Ol’ Kozmic Blues oh my god why did we start talking like that. 
 
Support your friendly neighborhood TMI Guys here! https://ko-fi.com/toomuchinformationpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Piece of My Heart" by Janis Joplin (and Big Brother & the Holding Company): Everything You Didn't Know

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