1254 – Bring It On – Watchalong – Part 1

Episode 1254 – Bring It On – Watchalong – Part 1

 

[START OF RECORDING]

 

SCOOTER: Friends beyond the binary, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, it’s time for the podcaster who wishes he was scheduling a trip to the Boysenberry Festival. I think it starts about a month from when I’m recording this, but I’m not positive. Though, I prefer to just say ‘boysenberry’…I don't know, I guess…like so many things in my life — I don't know if anybody could relate — the concept…I’d like to be a person…in my mind, I aspire to be a person that likes and eats boysenberries and goes to a boysenberry festival on paper. But if I was actually doing it, I don't know if it would be as pleasant…I don't know if I have the wherewithal to do it, and then if I did it, I’d probably be like, oh, this is what it is? So, that’s why I make a sleep podcast, to be honest.

 

You may not relate to that exactly, but that’s the kind of person that makes this sleep podcast. Conceptually, I love boysen…oh yeah, in a profile, loves boysenberry festivals. Loves festivals, festive things, all things boysenberry. So, did Strawberry Shortcake hang with somebody named Boysenberry? ‘Cause there was Strawberry Shortcake…I don't even know who else. Peppermint Patty was friends with Charlie Brown. Anyway, brain, I’m trying to bare…I’m just…I’m not even trying to start a intro to a sleep podcast. This is just the warm-up. Those are great questions; maybe we’ll look into them in a bit, but it’s time for Sleep With Me, the podcast that’s always going nowhere, never makes much senses, barely ever getting…always never getting started. So, if you’re new, I’m so glad you’re here. I really hope I can help.

 

This is a silly little thing. I’m here to keep you company and take your mind off of stuff so you could fall asleep, to be your friend in the deep, dark night. Just see how it goes. Structurally, we got support — that’s how we get to put the podcast out for free; that’s how most people enjoy the show — then a long, meandering intro which is separate from the support, though I think I’ve already used up all my good meanders. Sorry. Maybe you should fall…maybe you could fall asleep early. But the intro is meant to wind you down, and then later on there will be a story. I believe it will be me watching the movie Bring It On on mute for the first time after reading up on the plot. So, yeah, that’s…welcome to…if you say, holy cow, I thought I was confused before…and you’re right; I’m always confused. I may have confused you. Welcome to Sleep With Me, the podcast that puts you to sleep.

 

INTRO: [INTRO MUSIC] Hey, are you up all night tossing, turning, mind racing? Trouble getting to sleep? Trouble staying asleep? Well, welcome. This is Sleep With Me, the podcast that puts you to sleep. We do it with a bedtime story. Alls you need to do is get in bed, turn out the lights, and press Play. I’m gonna do the rest. What I’m going to attempt to do is create a safe place where you could set aside whatever’s keeping you awake. That could be thoughts on your mind, things you’re thinking about, thoughts about the past, the present, the future, thinking thoughts, thoughts about…oh, 'cause I’m gonna have to explain who Strawberry Shortcake even is. I don't know if she’s current, but…this will be another…where Sleep With Me barely affected the algorithms.

 

But according to the mathematical rules of science and math, Google will say, a 0.000001% increase in searches for Strawberry Shortcake when that Sleep With Me episode came out. Then people said, no, the other Strawberry Shortcake, the…she wasn’t anthropomorphized 'cause she was a human, right? Or was she from another world? Of course, that would be how I’d…I’d say, you know, Strawberry Shortcake, it’s like you’re from another world. It’s like I’ve known you my whole life, but you’re from another world. I wonder if they ever thought about doing a crossover with…then it has to be branded, but the Pillsbury Doughboy and Strawberry Shortcake…these are just free-roaming…these are ideas best made for free-roaming.

 

But I will try to cover who Strawberry Shortcake is at some point when I’m distracted from introducing the podcast. This podcast is here to keep you company and take your mind off of stuff so you could fall asleep. It’s here to be your friend in the deep, dark night, and it’s here to help you if you’re…because you deserve a good night's sleep, right? You deserve a bedtime where you could get the rest you need, so your life is more manageable, the rest you need so you could be out there being…I don't know. I never want to say ‘being at your best’. Eventually I hope you get the sleep you need so you could be flourishing, but being at your best, that never…that was always too much pressure for me. I’m one of those people…I say, be my best? No, please, no. Could I just barely try? Is that as good as…?

 

What’s…could you just…what if you just…? That’s what I love to do; make a podcast where tomorrow you could just barely try a little bit more. The reason I make the show is 'cause I know how it feels in the deep, dark night. That’s the other reason. Not only do I believe you deserve a bedtime where you could get some rest, I know what it’s like tossing, turning, mind racing, trouble getting to sleep, trouble staying asleep, all that stuff. Overthinking? Oh boy, do I have that. Over-talking? Only on this podcast, but my mind will be talking to me a lot. Thoughts, feelings, physical sensations, whatever’s keeping you awake, I’m here to keep you company because I’ve been there, and there’s a lot of other people…the only reason I run through that stuff is so you know you’re not alone.

 

I can probably relate to how you feel even if I haven’t been through what you’re going through, and even if I can't, there is someone sitting up in bed right now and they’re saying, I’ve been through something similar, and they’re thinking about the times before they used Sleep With Me. Or, those times come and go. They believe you deserve an…a good night's sleep, too, because they say, I know what that’s like. I’m glad you’re here. I really hope this podcast can help. Now, if you definitely are already positive…like, you were saying…as many…this would not…for the love of Strawberry Shortcake, in all its various forms and personalities, I can't listen to another minute of your nonsense. I literally have gotten e-mails like that that said it in the subject line. Not for the love of Strawberry Shortcake, but pretty much.

 

Instead of doing that, I want to save you the energy. Go to sleepwithmepodcast.com/nothankyou and then…'cause you say, I’ve heard it before. For the love of blankety-blank, can you please stop? Even from superfans, I’ve heard stuff like that. It’s okay. We’re all trying to get some sleep. We’re moody, or at least I am. But if you’re…but just to save you the time, if you don’t think the show will work for you, go to sleepwithmepodcast.com/nothankyou. There’s plenty of other sleep podcasts on there. But do give this show a few tries. That’s just what a lot of people have said; it took a few tries for me to get used to the show and realize he was serious when he said it’s always going nowhere. Yeah, so just see how it goes.

 

What I’m gonna do here is I’m gonna send my voice across the deep, dark night. I’m gonna use lulling, soothing, creaky, dulcet tones, pointless meanders, and superfluous tangents, which means I’m gonna go off topic, I’m gonna get mixed up, then I’m gonna double…you’ve already seen that, and maybe I’ll still try to explain who Strawberry Shortcake is. I mean, this is just the intro to the show, but this is a podcast…it does take some getting used to because it’s just different. This is a show that…if it works for you, you say, oh, I had no…I would have never known to look for something like this, 'cause it’s like talking to a friend. This is also a podcast you don’t really listen to. You just kinda barely listen. It’s just like elevated background noise that kinda drones on and on and on. You could listen to it, but you don’t need to.

 

Sorry, I don't know what…I got distracted there. So, this is a podcast that does take some getting used to; I think that’s what I was saying. So, give it a few tries, 'cause this is a podcast…oh, that you just barely listen to, kinda like noise in the background that you could listen to, and it’s also a podcast that doesn't put you to sleep. This is a sleep podcast. There’s no pressure to fall asleep. I’ll be here for over an hour, and that’s 'cause I can…I’m gonna keep you company and take your mind off of stuff so you could fall asleep. I’m gonna be a mild distraction to take your thoughts, your feelings, your physical sensations, and say, well, let’s listen to this odd man talk about Bring It On, or try to follow along with the movie Bring It On, the first-half of the movie Bring It On, 'cause I guess this is Bring It On Week. I didn’t send myself a memo, but it’s kinda fun, and then…but it will be…there will be a follow-up episode, too, with the second-half of the movie.

 

Or, I don't know, maybe it’ll be a bonus show. I don't know. But so, yeah, it’s a podcast you don’t really listen to. It doesn't put you to sleep. I’m here to be your bore-friend, your bore-bae, your bore-sib, your bore-bud, your bore-bestie, your neigh-bore, your Borbie, your bores, your bore-friend, your friend in the deep, dark night who keeps you company and takes your mind off of stuff so you could fall asleep. Those are some of the things that throw people off; first you don’t like the show, you’re probably skeptical or doubtful, the show doesn't put you to sleep but you fall asleep during it, I don't really listen to you but I could listen to you…yeah, 'cause there’s people listening who can't sleep at all or who need a break during the day, so it’s listenable but it’s only kinda listenable. What else throws people off?

 

The structure of the show definitely throws people off, and you can adjust the show as you become a regular listener, but for a new listener, let me just lay out why we do what we do and maybe how you could change that up. This is just how the majority of people listen, but that doesn't mean that’s how everyone listens, 'cause everybody likes to listen in a bit different way. But we can only put out one show, so…the show starts off with a greeting; friends beyond the binary, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls. I said something about boysenberries and then I went on a tangent about that. That’s kinda like a beginning so you can feel seen and welcomed in, and you say, okay, sounds barely interesting. Maybe I’ll check that out. I’m familiar with…I’ve heard of berries before.

 

So…and then there’s support so the show could be free. Paying for it’s optional. If you don’t like the ad-supported version, you could sign up for Sleep With Me+ or our referral program, or I guess you could skip ahead. Then after the support is the intro, which is separate from the support. I only point that out because I don't want you to miss out on it, 'cause the intro’s really here to wind you down. It actually doesn't…it’s not meant to put you to sleep. There is a small percentage of people who fall asleep during it and there’s some people who listen all night, but the show’s meant to…for most people and just what’s been shown to work and work for me personally, is having a wind-down.

 

So, the intro, which is something that most people could accomplish in two minutes…it takes me somewhere between ten to twenty minutes long, where I over and under-explain what the podcast is and go on and on and on, but you could listen as you’re getting ready for bed or as you’re in bed getting comfortable, kinda stretching out, getting your blankets set, get…it takes a little while to get comfortable. This takes the pressure off that. Or you could do a wind-down activity; doodle, I don't know, maybe…here’s an idea…I’ve never mentioned this in the podcast before, but use…you could use scrap paper or junk mail, crumble it up from your bed, and shoot baskets to your waste basket or your recycling bin.

 

That’s kind of a wind-down activity we could all…or Nerf hoops…I don't know, are Nerf hoops still around? I guess that would be…you’d need a lot of Nerf balls for that, but you could throw…you could have…you don’t…or something else. What about if you have a pet that likes laser pointers? You could just lay in bed listening to the intro, using a laser pointer. As long as you’re not pointing it outside, you could use it yourself. You could just make…that’s an idea. I bet you laser pointers are pretty low-cost. Not really a merch idea, but get yourself a laser pointer and make laser pointer…intead of doodling, doodle…I’m not even kidding. This is not a bit, either. These are things I would do to wind down. Yeah, do a little laser-pointing. I bet you nowadays laser pointers probably come in other colors, too.

 

But anyway, that’s what the intro does. It goes on and on and on while you wind down. Then there’s support again, and then there will be our story. Tonight it’ll be a watchalong of a movie I never saw before but I quoted constantly. Never saw the part of the movie I always quote, 'cause I was listening to it on mute…I was watching it on mute, but it…Bring It On. So, it’ll be good. It’ll be nice and meandering. Yeah, I’m seeing other laser pointers in different colors and different price points, so that’s great news. So, what was my other point? Oh, that was an accidental pun. Holy moly. I was not laser-focused in my puns there. That was a purposeful pun. Okay, so…now, what was I talking about? Laser point…I’m like a cat with a laser pointer. Oh, the story…we’ll cover Bring It On, then there’s some thank-yous at the end.

 

So, yeah, if you want to adjust the show, we offer all-intro versions, story-only versions, a compilation of all-night versions. So, if this doesn't work for you…but try it a few times. This is…most people listen to the show this way, and it’s nice 'cause then you have the wind-down. It sets the mood for bed. It helps you actually wind down, and then you could just barely listen to me talk about Bring It On. That’s kinda everything, but I did promise I’d talk about Strawberry Shortcake. So, Strawberry Shortcake…back in the eighties, or maybe…I guess, yeah, this was definitely the eighties. Everything had to be scented. That was the newest technology in children’s toys, scented toys or scent…yeah, scented stickers, scratch-and-sniff. I’m just looking up Strawberry Shortcake to see…oh, it looks like there’s some stuff.

 

What are the names of Strawberry Shortcake’s friends? Nobody named Boysenberry. Blueberry, Raspberry…Orange Blossom, Lemon Meringue, Plum Pudding, and Blueberry Muffin. So…but Strawberry Shortcake was a scented doll, straw…scented strawberry. Oh, look at this; Wikipedia…American Greetings…was a greeting card character to start, then expanded to dolls, posters, and more. The franchise is owned by a Canadian television company. Currently there was six animated specials, a 2003 movie, and…yeah, it’s had some different send-ups, too. I was just wondering…Apple Dumpling is her sister. Custard’s her cat. Pancake’s her dog. Aunt Praline’s her aunt. Cranberry Jam is her grandmother, and…oh no, there was…oh, a 2009, 2010 relaunch and a 2021 relaunch. So, people will have probably heard of Strawberry Shortcake.

 

I just want to make sure. I didn’t want to leave anybody out, but it looks like multiple generational…eighties, ‘03, ‘09, and 2021. I guess my only point in there was…boysenberry…berry boysenberry…berry boy…I say ‘boysenberry’ a lot because boys and girls…boys and…when I say ‘boys and girls’ fast, it sounds like ‘boysenberry’ to me. Friends beyond the binary, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, the boysenberry…maybe I’ll just start saying that. So anyway, that’s Strawberry Shortcake. That’s the intro to Sleep With Me. I’m glad you’re here. I work really hard. So do a team of people. We really yearn and strive to help you fall asleep or to keep you company and cut through this loneliness in the deep, dark night so you know you’re not alone. You got your bore-bud here, and I really hope I can help. Thanks again for coming by, and here’s a couple of ways we’re able to do it for you for free twice a week.

 

Alright everybody, Scoots here. This is a…something surprising, which is called Bring…it’s Bring It On Week. I think we’ll…yeah, we’ll have two Bring It On episodes here, and I’ll be watching the movie Bring It On. Huh…oh boy, and the thing I’m watching it on, I don't think I can control the speed. So, this might be a two-episode thing. I do have a couple…before I hit Play…'cause it’s an hour and thirty-nine minutes…I did rent the movie on streaming. Apparently I should have rented it on an even bigger platform because it has speed control, ‘cause normally I would watch a hour-and-a-half movie or a hour-and-forty-minute movie at about 1.7, and that would help us get through it in…but we’ll go through it and we’ll see. Maybe the speed thing will pop up.

 

I would recommend if you haven’t seen this film…it’s not available for any streaming services we’re paying for, so that’s unfortunate, but you could go to your local used-movie place or a place where people donate things, and if you have a way to watch a physical DVD or a Blu-Ray and support a local business…otherwise you’ll have to rent it, if you’re in the US, on a streaming service. It may run on cable. I don't know. I don't have cable television or even a cable service that emulates that. But I’m happy to rent it. Unfortunately I didn’t use my credits from…but anyway, that’s me. So, this is a movie, Bring It On. I’ll be…I’ve never seen it before ever that I know of, but I’m pretty sure ever. So, this is a little bit different than the ones where I take a bunch of notes. So, we’re starting it off here, and we’re waiting for it to begin.

 

It’s a little…thing. Okay, it’s PG-13, and so, we know that now. The screen is…okay, so we got the…is it a Universal movie? It is. Oh, unfortunately none of the Bring It On movies from the world of Bring It On are on streaming, either. I wonder if they ever had a Universal Studios show, Bring It On. The imprint is Beacon or whatever the…thing. Okay, it starts right with cheering. RCH…and we’re in the middle of a cheer competition. Oh, I didn’t turn on closed-captioning. Hold on. Oh, it is on, though, so…but it must be just music. Oh no…okay, and they’re saying stuff; I’m popular, got great hair…is this a dream sequence or a real…? I don't know. I’m pretty, I’m cool, I dominate this school. Who am I? Just guess. Oh, there’s Kirsten Dunst. Let’s see, major roar…and let’s see…oh yeah, let’s pause it and let’s count.

 

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve…eleven…one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten…so you have twenty-two total cheerleaders. Beautiful…we’re cheerleaders, we’re cheerleaders, uh-huh. I don't know if that’s Big Red. There’s Whitney, Courtney, the cat, Darcy, Carver, Kasey…oh, there’s Big Red. I sizzle, I scorch, I pass the torch…the ballots are in. Then one person won…now number one, to Torrance. Torrance is Kirsten Dunst, and she’s strong and loud. She’s gonna make everybody proud. RCH High…RC High, right? Captain Torrance…let’s go, Toros. We are the Toros. They’re doing bull horns now. Mighty, mighty Toros…terrific. Must be Toros…yeah, Toros. Come on, yeah…alright, and they’re begging for the cheers, calling to the audience.

 

Okay, it is a dream sequence, I think, 'cause there’s something seemingly happening that says, hey, you’re having a dream right now, that Torrance is having a dream. Yeah, she wakes up in bed. Nancy Kerrigan poster…and then the movie starts. Universal and Beacon presents Bring It On. Okay, right…oh, a Suzuki Samurai, I think. We talked about that in a episode. Hey, Mr. And Mrs. S. Oh, it’s Aaron. Hello, Aaron. Can I help? So, Aaron’s in a Suzuki Samurai. Mr. and Mrs. S are in a Volvo. Torrance is coming out. Bye, back later…hi…has a bag…micro-something. He says, let’s not kiss, even peck cheeks, in front of your parentals. But Aaron’s happy to drive fast, which is interesting. Parents sigh; he’s gonna go to…he’s leaving for college soon, dear. Don't worry. His car is full of stuff. Oh, maybe his college stuff.

 

Micro-component…stoked, gonna miss you…it’s interesting that high school’s already in session but college hasn’t started, 'cause usually college starts before high school in the school year. Cal State…and then he’s like, maybe you’ll go to Cal State, Dominguez Hills. Like high school, only better. She’s kinda like, interesting. Punk-rock music playing…Rancho Carne High School…okay, then we have…oh boy, a very archetypal high-school pull-in we’ve seen in other films, different cliques…Aaron’s saying, hey, Grady, high-fiving people. Remember, when you win captain of cheerleading team, act surprised. A couple other…Courtney is saying…Whitney is saying, good luck, Aaron. You were our favorite cheerleader. He’s like, I gotta get to school. She’s like, you’re not staying for the orientation?

 

Or, no, he has to go to orientation, she’s saying. He says, bye-bye. She says, bye-bye. They don’t sing, ain’t no lie, baby, bye, bye, bye. Okay, then we’re talking about who’s gonna get captain, Darcy or Courtney, Kasey…we don’t know. Don’t put the ‘lewd’ in ‘diluted’, somebody says. There’s Big Red. Oh, Big Red’s collecting the votes right now. Seems nonplussed…we should get Big Red a gift. Other people are like, I don't know, Big Red’s not super nice. But she did a lot for this squad. She got us into cheering. No one’s gonna miss her…Tor for Torrance. Big Red has no feelings. Big Red’s just a little bit hard. Then we go out to practice. Thanks in large part to me, you’re all great athletes. The new captain should keep the tradition alive.

 

Six record national…six cheerleading comp…championship is yours, and here’s your new leader, Torrance Shipman. She acts surprised, jumps around…hugs all around. Now they’re gonna do a wolf wall. What’s a wolf wall? It’s the kind of thing where everybody stands up. Big and britches…okay, well, some of us haven’t worked out the whole summer. But Torrance says, let’s do something different for once. Let’s not rest on our laurels. Maybe laurels is a good place to rest. Somebody else gives Torrance a high-five. They’re counting it off. Practicing…imperfect…that’s how practice is. It’s practice for a reason, right? So, a little…come on, stick it for me. Five, six, seven, eight…kick one, kick two…oh wow, they did…they did it. Oh boy, then we see Carver is distracted, and…Carver, everything alright? Well…oh, this is after.

 

So, we had a sequence…Carver’s like, I’m gonna rest for a while, take a break from cheering for a little while. Don't worry, I’ll be back. So, everybody’s gathered around as Carver takes off. People are not happy with Torrance. Then we see a very nice house. A GameBoy beeping…a mother, pre-teen…it’s Torrance’s house. Mom, my brother was listening to me on the phone, Justin. She should really have her own private line, Justin says. She’s growing up so fast. Justin seems a child of the nineties. I don't know, is this the nineties or the aughts? You got quite a academic schedule. Torrance says, I’m not an honor student, mom. She says, well, you gotta make more time to study as you do to cheer. Those are your priorities. Well, my priorties are mine.

 

Mom says, well, college…if you take a extra lab or a language course, it’ll help you prepare for college. What do you think? How about I do Advanced Chem? They’re in different shades of blue; so, Torrance is in a lighter blue, and then mom’s in a more navy blue. I don't know if that’s on purpose. They also have a spiral staircase. Then we see some maroon Converse All-Stars, baggy jeans…someone hands a paper to a new student from Mission Hills High School in Los Angeles, Cliff Pantone…Pantone, Cliff Pantone. He does an eyebrows-up, puts his headphones on. People are trying to give him a hard time. Cliff isn’t worried, and he just laughs at the other guys, saying…give him a hard time, and he goes, hey, did you just do the sneeze…? Come on, don’t you have better material? That’s like the 1900s.

 

He goes, you know, in Kentucky, people did it. No, they were different there. In LA, people had attitudes, so I’ve been around, man. Your…trying to goof on me is not very good. But the two…the dudes are bro-ing out and Torrance says, hey, I don't think they got the memo. He says, apparently not. He goes, I’m Cliff. I’m Torrance. Nice to meet you. Advanced Chem? Oh, boy. Yeah, I’m afraid so. Are you intimidated? He says, oh yeah, a little bit. No, not really. So, they laugh. Is that your band? No, The Clash. You haven’t heard of The Clash? 1977, 1983, British punk? Original line…she goes, very vintage. He laughs. The bell rings. We got some good background acting, some extras out the window…see you later. Cliff stays in his seat. Then we see kinda the jock-type guys. They’re giving the cheerleading guys a hard time.

 

They say, hey man, why don’t you guys relax? It seems like the cheerleading guys are actually in much better shape, so…then Torrance and one of the people we just met is Les. Torrance wants Les to be her lab partner. He’s not sure. You’re a little too ambitious, Torrance, with Carver out now. Kasey sent out an e-mail and misspelled ‘leg’ with two Gs. Carver’s gonna be home for three months. Torrance is like, oh, my bad luck. That’s why you’re the captain, captain. Okay, then we’re in a cheer room. SATs are over. People are talking about their SAT scores. Carver…nationals are February 10th. Regionals are in four weeks. How come Carver doesn't have to be at school? She’s so lucky. We’re having tryouts? We gotta pick somebody. What about Whitney’s sister, Janie? Okay, but we have to see everybody.

 

Okay, so we get a montage of cheerleading tryouts. Oh, a little Tonya Harding reference. I don't know how…I guess…I already forgot, even though I just did a episode about the dates of this movie. Well, I could look it up on my phone. Then we have someone that’s kind of Gen X-ing it. How many cheers do we have to memorize? Do I have to have my own uniform? Then I think it’s the professor, it looks like, break-dancing, which is somewhat interesting. Then someone really intense…oh, 2000, right at the turn of the millennium. So, yeah, this is a nineties-esque film. The ballet dancer…wow, big ups, though. It does have fans, then a young woman rapping and saying, let’s kick it. Okay, then someone giving a Broadway performance in a turtleneck, slicked-back hair…excuse me, what’s with the song?

 

Isnt this the audition for Pippin? That’s pretty funny. No. Okay, then we have someone dancing a little bit to nineties metal, I think glam metal. A little bit too interactive of a dance for cheerleading. Someone falls out of their seat…and I think we’re good. Okay, then someone that’s a little bit young, I think the other girl’s sister, she’s kind of a little bit robotic, I’ll be honest. Definitely cheery, but a little bit robotic. Then we go back through some of the other ones. Thank you…so, this is a montage. Good, though; effective. Okay, then the door closes and someone struts all the way across the floor. Attention is up…keys on the belt…where’d you park your Harley? Get real. Tattoos are forbidden. Sorry. She smiles, addresses her middle finger on her tattoo. It’s only drawn-on. I was bored during fourth period.

 

Can you fill out one of these forms? Already did. Is there ever ‘already been broughten’ in this movie? Maybe I was wrong about that. The whole reason we did two episodes or three episodes…Missy…okay, we’re gonna have to make sure you can do a standing back ruck or truck or something. Standard procedure. Okay? Okay. Misty…is that it? Missy empties her pockets, does one, two…I don't know, a roll and then a flip. What are you…can you cheer? Let’s try an oldie. Awesome, ow, wow, let’s totally freak me out…right on. Toros are num…sure number one. She goes, I transferred from Los Angeles. Your school has no gymnastics team. This is a last resort. That’s her cheer. Okay, so, I’ve never cheered before, but does it take neurons? She goes, do it.

 

Front handspring, step out, back handspring, step out, round off, twisting layout or something. She just laughs. She says, okay. She walks to the back of the gym. There’s banners everywhere, and we get building anticipation, and then one, two, three, four, five, six, and…yeah, and a flip. Turns, stares at them…holy moly. Missy is back. Bankrupt? We already decided on Jamie, my sister. Courtney, this is not a democracy. Torrance says, I’m overruling you. Being a cheerleading dictator…we voted. They kinda try to trash Missy. Missy goes out…Torrance is like, I’m the captain, Courtney. I’m pulling rank. You can fall in line or not. If we’re gonna be the best, we need the best. They kinda stare at her. Torrance runs up some stairs to a door. Her fists are clenched. She rings the doorbell, so I’m assuming this is Missy’s house.

 

Who answers the door? Cliff? I mean, hello. I’m a cheerleader. Yeah. Or, you’re a cheerleader? Yeah. Oh, 'cause she’s still dressed in her cheerleading thing. Okay. So, does Missy live here? She moved back to LA. Something about evil cheerleaders that aren’t nice. Can you get her? Missy comes to the door. What do you want? I want you on our cheer squad. People are afraid of the unfamiliar in high school. She goes, I’m a hardcore gymnast. I don't want to say, go…cheer ‘go team, go’. Look, we’re gymnasts, too, just no beam, no bar, no vaults. Not interested. Cliff says, hey, I thought it was interesting. I like Torrance’s point of view. How do you even know her? We’re old friends. Then she says, what about a cheerleading competition? By the way, so this is Cliff and Missy’s house.

 

There’s an amazing view out the back of the hills. There’s gonna be people cheering. People cheering, cheerleaders? Yeah, yeah, that’s right. We’re really good, Missy, and we work hard. We have fun. We win. You could be a part of it. Sassy, man, her brother says…and you get to care about something. She’s not a real cheering type, though. She goes, yeah, you know what? Count me in. Then we have…Missy’s watching the first practice. ‘Burr, it’s cold in here’ is a cheer. Must be some Toros in the atmosphere. Burr, it’s cold in here. There must be some Toros in the atmosphere. Something gets Missy’s attention, though. Cold as ice, ice, ice. Missy’s uncomfortable. She’s watching. She’s making some sort of connection, and she gets up to leave. Where are you going? This is the one plot point we…practice isn’t over yet.

 

Nice job, Torrance. She leaves. Now Torrance is looking for her. Some of the other girls are really totally…but Torrance says, what’s up with you? I went out on a limb for you. She goes, what about those stolen cheers? Our cheers are original. Count the trophies. Well, not true, because…that’s just not true. She says, okay, get out…let’s talk about it. Let’s dance-off. Then she goes, okay, I’ll dance-off with you, but it’s gonna be…you’re in for a rude awakening. Why don’t we go for a ride instead in my car? For real; get in my car. There’s also a statue of somebody, but we don’t see…I don't know if it was the first Toro. Missy thinks about it. They’re in a Volvo…what are those called? A B to the G. This must have been the 2000 when these were new again. They’re still going. 102 miles to Los Angeles.

 

Now we’re in a gym with the Clovers, which we knew about. The Clovers are getting ready. Isis is at the head of the cheer and she goes, burr, it’s cold in here, just like the last cheer. Burr, it’s cold in here. There must be Clovers in the atmosphere. Burr, it’s cold in here. There must be Clovers in the atmosphere. Let’s see if I could get a angle where I could count if there’s twenty-two or more cheerers here. Mm, I don't have a good angle. But now Torrance is watching with Missy. Holy moly, our cheers were taken without permission. She’s like, oh no. We still haven't gotten a full wide shot. The Clovers also have a mascot. Yeah, still not a full wide shot, though. Okay, more dancing, more cheering, and they close out their cheer. Now we go back to Torrance’s reaction.

 

Tears in the eyes…she and Missy leave the school, and it’s like, oh boy, oh no. Then Isis and a couple other cheerers say, hey, enjoy the show? Torrance says, you’re really good. You ready to share your trophies, or can you buffies head home? Missy says, hey, we’re not here to argue with you, really. You’re just here to take our cheers? They said, well, the redhead is…was videotaping our cheers and stealing our routines, and then we would see you on ESPN. Missy goes, oh boy, the cheer we just did? Cold in here? You’re not gonna be able to take our cheers anymore. You’re just taking our cheers and repurposing it without our permission. It’s gonna change this year 'cause we’re going to nationals this year, so just hand over the videotape from tonight. We don’t have any tape. We came to see the show.

 

Really, but they’re not gonna have a dance-off 'cause Isis says, we have class. Unlike them, we’re inventive in creating our own cheers. Torrance says, we didn’t know your cheers were taken. Isis seems to believe it. Then another one of the cheerleaders says, you could have been touched by an angel. Then Missy’s like, wow, I knew I saw those routines before. That’s East Compton High. Missy’s like, you had no idea? Then Torrance is like, no, I didn’t. My whole cheerleading career has been a lie. Missy says, look on the bright side; it’s only cheerleading. Torrance says, I am only cheerleading. This is my thing. Maybe I’m super unlucky, cursed, even. Why is that, Missy says? Okay, well, at cheer camp this past summer, all the new seniors had to do a dare. Take this Spirit Stick; you can never let it drop on the ground.

 

Torrance Shipman, your mission should you accept it is to capture the Spirit Stick and drop it in front of the camp. Torrance is like, really? So, then we see Torrance moving in slow motion. That was Big Red doing it. These are cheerers from all over, I think. They’re watching her slow motion…Cheer Stick’s under light…and Torrance is congratulating and pretending she’s gonna take a picture. She grabs the Cheer Stick…Spirit Stick, sorry, and goes to hand it to the…somebody at the front, and then drops it. Everybody tries to catch it, but it hits the floor. Big Red laughs. Torrance bows down and says, here. They say, we don’t want it now. It’s only the person that drops it who is super unlucky now. Missy’s laughing back at the car. That was the flashback. That was just cheerleading nonsense. People drop stuff. It’s okay.

 

They continue to drive. Exterior shot, interior shot…Torrance into her kitchen, rushing in…I gotta call somebody. Her brother’s like, normally I’m…I’d be on the other line. Her brother needs something. Oh no, he doesn't. He’s just giving her a hard time. Okay, so Torrance is out. She’s on a landline, a wireless landline. She calls Aaron, says, call…tell them Torrance called. Then Torrance is back, meeting with the cheer team, telling them what happened with Big Red. I can’t believe this. Ignorami sobbing out loud…we can’t go to regionals with a stolen routine. We can’t change the routine now. It’s too late. Seriously…duh. Then one person says, how are they gonna prove it? Missy says, it would be cheating, so…and some people are like, I don't care. We learned that routine fair and square, so…we did the work.

 

We can’t be punished for Big Red’s mistake. It’s not about cheating; it’s about winning, someone says. Who’s in favor of winning? She raises her hand. Most of the rest of the squad raises their hand. Now…oh boy, this is a good story point, actually. I didn’t think this would…and then she looks at Missy. There’s no time, Missy. If we don’t do the routine, we’ve got nothing else. Are you in or not? Wow, I really like this. This is really mature storytelling, 'cause they’re really doing something…Missy says, whatever. Torrance and Missy seem like they’re gonna go along with it. I like this a lot. Missy’s still trying to get ahold of Aaron. Her brother’s playing…I don't know, PlayStation One, maybe? PlayStation Two? She tries calling Aaron. Not here. Bye. Someone hangs up. She can't believe it.

 

There’s a Jeopardy joke and…making fun of Aaron. Brother’s…I can't believe this is only twenty-three years ago. This is…wow, he even calls this…wow. Okay, then we see a SUV, a Jeep with fake wooden sides pull up to Missy’s house. Missy’s in her cheer gear for the first time, I guess. Everybody’s like, what? Missy’s actually having fun. She’s cheering in her front door. Everybody’s having fun. She’s laughing. Okay, can I stay at your house tonight? Yeah, sure. My parents are gonna be at a benefit. They won't be home ‘til early. All the cheerleaders in the world wouldn’t help our football team. It’s wrong to even cheer for them. Everybody comes to see the cheers, anyway, so…and they talk about some mature stuff in a cool way, but very high-school language.

 

Okay, so we get to the football game, and the crowd’s barely cheering. They have an announcer, they have a band…the football team comes out on the field. Everybody’s clapping. They knock over the water. But they have the five-time cheering champions, the mighty Toros. They come out, trying to get the crowd into it. Everybody gets up when the cheerleaders come out onto the track. They’re saying, come on, everybody. Let’s hear it. So, they’re just doing the basic crowd warm-up cheering. Missy’s never done this before. Missy’s actually scanning the crowd and saying, come on. Torrance is like, come on, Missy. So, Missy’s trying. Cliff is in the audience laughing at his sister. Come on, Toros. Yeah, woo, woo. Everybody starts cheering, come on…Missy’s starting to have fun.

 

So, we’re seeing some character development with Missy. Cliff’s shaking his head. He’s reading…okay, I didn’t see the book. I wasn’t fast enough. Maybe we’ll see it again. Alright, now we get into a formal break time cheering, and the football players are going back and forth, disagreeing. Oh, and then there’s a big disagreement between the football players before the game even started, and then they’re cheering. Then there’s a cheer-off where they’re like, your team is not very good. Hey, that’s alright, that’s okay, you’re gonna pump our gas someday. Then they say, okay, that’s not very nice. Talk about thinking you’re superior. Okay, then we watch the football game, and their football team is not very good, so…yeah, there’s not a lot of success.

 

It’s only 14-nothing though, which is…in football is…I mean, I don't know in high-school football. Oh, there’s a fumble. 4:50 left in the third quarter…34-0 now; okay. Costa Mesa…work…let’s move it around. Come on, defense, work. Then Cliff starts to see everybody reacting to the cheers. Like, it’s actually…and I think him and Whitney kinda have a connection. I don't know, some of the…I don't know, something else off that I’m not picking up between some of the cheerers. They go back and forth…go Toros…okay, Cliff is kind of spellbound…oh, and they say, okay…I thought you were still dating Aaron. What’s up with this Cliff guy? Torrance says, what are you talking about? They say, you’re cheering just for Cliff. Come on, Torrance. We know.

 

Okay, then Isis comes out with a couple members of her cheer team, and they’re gonna watch. So, again, this is another good moment in the story development. Whitney and…or, who is that? Torrance and…Whitney? Is that…Wendy? I don't know. They see that Isis and the Clovers are in there. So then Isis and the Clovers, they start cheering from the crowd the same cheer that’s been stolen. Go Toros, go Toros, go Toros…go Clovers, go Clovers, go Clovers. So, it’s kinda like a cheer-off with the same cheer, though. Our cheers are without peer, but that looks like our cheer; excuse us. The audience is confused, but obviously…let’s see, if we have to start…Courtney’s like, if we have to start over, I quit. It’s 42-nothing. That’s the game. Whoever wants to do a new routine, raise your hand. Even the crowd members raise their hand.

 

I don't know, then there’s disagreements from the football players, and they’re like, you didn’t even win, man. Okay, then we have Torrance and Whitney…is it Whitney? They’re kinda talking post-cheer; well, we gotta do something. Then it’s weird; she says, go brush your teeth. So, I guess this is where…so, she goes to the bathroom. It’s down the hall. Of course she passes Cliff on her way to the bathroom to brush her teeth. Oh no, she’s…looks in Cliff’s room. He’s got a Ramones poster. He’s playing the guitar. Who else does he have? It looks like The Cramps…who else? RETC…and Cliff’s really rocking out. The Vents…she’s laughing at him, and then she goes, oh, what are you doing? So, Torrance gets caught watching Cliff play guitar. She goes, where’s the bathroom? Right there. Okay.

 

Whitney’s like, interesting, interesting, interesting. So, she goes into her brother’s room and he’s like, yeah, I’m rocking out. She goes, it’s not funny, dude. Okay, then Whitney’s…or Torrance is brushing her teeth. Cliff drinks out of the faucet. He starts brushing his teeth, but he’s trying to do it comedically. She’s like, awkward. So, this is where you’re brushing your teeth and flirting at the same time. Now they’re competitively brushing their teeth, and…I don't know, Cliff’s brushing a little bit too fast. She doesn't want…she covers her mouth when she spits. Okay, she does another round of brushing. He’s on his third brush and spit. Okay, she goes to his third, he goes to a fourth. So, now we got a brush-off. She gets to her fourth. He goes…he stops on his fifth spit and wipes his face, heads out.

 

She smiles as he leaves. She goes into the spare bedroom, I guess? No, she’s in…with her and Missy. Or is that Missy? I don't know. She says goodnight, but Missy’s awake. Rolls over…she says, do you like my brother? She goes, no, I have a boyfriend. Missy rolls back over and then Torrance is like, obviously…oh, then we do a fade to Cliff. He’s clearly thinking. He’s got his hands on his pillow behind his head, and then we got Matchbox Twenty…oh, so Aaron’s bands are much more nineties; Sugar Ray and Matchbox Twenty. He wakes up. Tor, is that you? Yeah, where have you been? I was trying to call you. She’s calling from Whitney or Wendy’s room. Say, Aaron, Red took our cheers from the East Compton Clovers. Do you know? Of course I didn’t know. It’s not a big deal, though. Everybody uses everybody’s material.

 

She’s like, yeah, no, but we can’t be in regionals with a taken thing. We need a new routine. Oh, that’s new problem; just hire a choreographer, Aaron says. Choreographer? That’s not in the rules. Sparky Polastri…knows what we’re doing. 555-7219 is the number. Thanks, Aaron. We also see Aaron’s not exactly a good boyfriend. He has a Hootie and the Blowfish poster, too. She says, we should hire…then she’s using the phone without permission; calls for Sparky Polastri. It’s two thousand bucks. What do I look like, a ATM, somebody says? They say, what about your father? Maybe he could sponsor things. Well, we need five…she goes, I could get five hundred bucks. Okay, we need $1,500 more. So, then they do a car wash at the Marlin Club, and it’s $15 per car. It’s kinda like a rocking car wash.

 

There’s music. It’s filmed…this one’s filmed in…what do you call it? Camcorder style, so…and the kids are having fun washing cars and joking around. Then Cliff comes; he’s in an F Train shirt, and he’s kinda doing a slow walk towards the car, a classic car, and his sister’s like, you can either pay to have your car washed for fifteen bucks or not. She goes, hey, Torrance, can you come over here and help me deal with my brother? Cliff says, I always wished I had a brother. Then Torrance says, ha, ha, ha. Well, I have one. It’s not so great. She goes…his car is total…like, totally covered from top to bottom in mud. She goes, yeah, it shouldn’t take too long to wash. So, they go back and forth, kinda joking. Okay, then we’re back to the gym, waiting for Sparky Polastri. Okay, then we see some boots come in, lace-up-in-the-back boots.

 

I’m assuming Western music is playing, but maybe not. A couple suitcases get dropped, or one gets dropped. Sparky’s got a goatee. Oh, it was a boombox. Kicks on the music…prepare for total domination. Sparky rises. You ready for this? Sparky starts doing a routine, and it’s a little bit comedic, but he’s very skilled at moving. He only does the opening part of the routine. The teens are stunned, then he brushes them off the stage, and he doesn't speak. He says, no speaking, and walks around. Then he goes, some of you gotta strengthen up your ankles. He kinda just starts criticizing everybody; makeup…too much, not enough…Vitamin D, sunlight…you gotta try smiling, no smiling. He’s kind of dissecting everybody. Gets to Torrance…you’re the captain, huh? You’ll probably need more work than everybody.

No speaking, again. No speaking. No thinking. Listen and learn. Then he goes back out to the middle of the thing. Kinda looks a bit like…well, he goes, I’m a choreographer.

 

He turns around; you are cheerleaders, and those are not quite…you’re not quite dancers. You’re a subset of dancing. I’m gonna turn your robotic routines into poetry, written with the human body. Alright, follow me, everybody. No one’s happy. He goes…he’s, again, offering…a little bit intense. Then they’re doing some ballet stretching. So, this is kind of like your training sequence. So, it’s not a montage. He goes, yeah, we’re gonna teach you how to get up high in the air, and we’re gonna get back to work. He does…he’s swinging his towel around. Then, yeah, now we’re still in the training sequence where people are getting lifted up, and…not quite successful. Aren’t you glad they caught…our teamwork? Nobody likes this guy. Now they’re doing some slow-mo jazz hands. They’re a little bit more in-sync…and spirit fingers, which is kind of like jazz hands, but cheerleading. He’s like, come on, I want more, I want more.

 

He’s kinda showing them what they’re doing, but with more personality. You want to feel the gold of the spirit. Then we go outside for a practice thing, so Missy and Torrance are practicing. I didn’t sign up for…to do spirit fingers practicing. She’s like, oh no…no, all is lost. Maybe that’s the best place…oh yeah, so then she sits on a swing and all…the moment where she needs someone to say ‘everything’s gonna be okay’, which will be when Cliff return…when Cliff comes to see the turning point. We’re at the exact halfway point, pretty much. So, will the love of Torrance and Cliff blossom? Will it change the course of their thing? I don't know. We’ll find out on the next and final installment of watching Bring It On for the first time. Bringing on Bring It On. Goodnight, everybody.

 

[END OF RECORDING]

(Transcription performed by LeahTranscribes)

Movie Watchalong

 

Strawberry Shortcake / Boysenberry

https://www.latimes.com/food/la-fo-boysenberry-20100527-story.html

https://lamag.com/news/so-many-boysenberries-at-the-knotts-berry-farm-boysenberry-festival

https://www.knotts.com/blog/2023/march/the-history-of-the-boysenberry

 

Hard PG-13

https://movieweb.com/pg-pg13-movies-should-have-been-rated-r/

https://screenrant.com/movies-not-r-rated-should-be/

https://filmstories.co.uk/news/die-hard-4-and-the-pg-13-experiment/

 

Bring It On movie / musical

https://www.seventeen.com/celebrity/movies-tv/news/a33046/bring-it-on-movie-facts/

https://playbill.com/article/revisit-adrienne-warren-taylor-louderman-and-more-in-bring-it-on-the-musical

https://www.shondaland.com/inspire/a42124928/bring-it-on-is-still-part-of-the-cheerocracy-22-years-later/

 

The Clash

https://www.popmatters.com/137088-what-was-so-great-about-the-clash-anyway-2496078595.html

https://observer.com/2017/04/the-clash-first-album-anniversary-review/

https://www.culturematters.org.uk/index.php/arts/music/item/4031-joe-strummer

 

DOWN TO BUSINESS

I wish I could schedule a trip to the boysenberry festival

I aspire to be the kind of person that likes boysenberries

Did Strawberry Shortcake hang out with someone named Boysen Berry?

 

Deep Dark Night United

Jess (Helix Sleep)

 

PLUGS

NYC Mesh; Sean Casey Animal Rescue; Hand in Hand; The Midnight Mission; The Trevor Project; Sleep With Me Plus; SleepPhones; Rusty Biscuit Links; Emily Tat Artwork; NAPAWF; Anti-Racism Resources; Ukraine Relief; Crisis Textline

 

SPONSORS

Helix Sleep; Polysleep; Odoo; Air Doctor Pro; Zocdoc; Progressive

 

INTRO

I’m gonna have to explain who Strawberry Shortcake is now…

It’s like she’s from another world

Pillsbury Doughboy x Strawberry Shortcake

I hope you flourish but you don’t need to be your best

Just barely try a little more tomorrow

For the love of Strawberry Shortcake, I can’t listen to anymore of your nonsense!

It’s okay if people are moody in their reactions to SWM

Whoops, just got distracted there

Only Kind of Listenable

Everybody likes to listen in different ways

Ok, I’m interested, I’ve heard of berries before…

Over and Underexplaining the Podcast

Why don’t you crumple up some junk mail and shoot baskets

Or you could play with a laser pointer yourself

A watchalong for a movie I quote from but have never seen

Laser pointers come in all different colors now, that’s excellent

The scent revolution of the 1980s

Oh wow, Strawberry Shortcake started as a greeting card character

The extended cast of Strawberry Shortcake

The multiple generations of Strawberry Shortcake

 

STORY

It’s Bring It On week

I don’t think I can control the speed on this particular player

So this might have to be a 2-parter

This wasn’t easy to find

I’m happy to rent this

It’s PG-13

A classic Universal joint

Is this a dream sequence?

Kirsten Dunst is Torrance

The Torrance Torros

A Nancy Kerrigan poster

Ok, that was a dream of hers

Oh wow, that’s a Suzuki Samurai

Aaron doesn’t want to kiss instead of Torrance’s parents

T’s parents can’t wait for Aaron to go to college

A very archetypal high school pull-in

Don’t put the Lude in Deluded

Big Red is collecting a vote

Big Red got them into cheering

Big Red has no feelings

Who will be the new captain?

Torrance Shipman is the new captain!

A Wolf Wall

Let’s not rest on our laurels

Practice is imperfect, which is good

Carver is distracted and needs to take a break

A very nice house (Torrance’s)

Game Boy Beeping

Her parents want her to focus more on school

Different shades of blue

Maroon Converse All-Stars

Cliff Pantone, a new student

Cliff and Torrance meet cute

T doesn’t know about the Clash??

Jocks and Cheerleading guys clash

The cheerleading guys seem to be in much better shape

T wants Les to be her lab partner

Carver is going to be out for 3 months

Carver is so lucky that she doesn’t have to be at school

A montage of cheerleading tryouts

Man, when did this come out?

A professor is breakdancing

Wow, okay, 2000

A young woman rapping

This is not the audition for Pippin

Someone who’s a little young

A little bit robotic

Attention is up

Tattoos are forbidden

Is there ever an “Already Been Broughten” in this movie?

Missy does a triple back roll

Missy transfers from LA

She used to do gymnastics

Missy Is Bank

This is not a democracy

Torrance exerts her power

I assume this is Missy’s house

Cliff answers the door??

Missy and Cliff are siblings??

Missy is a hardcore gymnast

Cliff sides with Torrance

People cheer cheerleaders at the competitions

Count Missy In

Missy watches practice and is uncomfortable

Missy says those cheers are stolen!

Dance Off to resolve conflict

Let’s go for a ride in this car

A Volkswagen B to the G

They drive to LA to see this old team

Holy moly, this is the same cheer!

T has tears in her eyes

The redhead was videotaping their cheers!

T didn’t realize those cheers were taken

Isis seems to believe T

T’s whole career has been a lie!

T explains that she’s cursed

Don’t let the spirit stick drop on the ground

She was dared to drop the spirit stick on the ground

It’s okay! People drop stuff!

T is panicking

T is on a wireless landline, calling Aaron

They can’t be punished for Big Red’s mistake

Wow, this is really mature storytelling

I can’t believe this is only 23 years ago

It’s too late to change routines now

Missy is having fun in her cheerleading outfit now

They talk about mature stuff in a cool way

The crowd is not into this football game

Some character development for Missy

A formal cheer break

A big disagreement between football players

A cheer-off!

Cliff sees that the cheers are working!

Torrance is cheering just for Cliff

Isis comes out to watch this team

Isis and the Clovers start cheering the same cheers, proving they’re stolen!

Torrance and Whitney (Missy?)  are talking post-cheer

A view into Cliff’s punk rock bedroom

Torrance gets caught watching Cliff play guitar

Hanging out at Missy’s house post-game

Brushing teeth and flirting at the same time

Now we’ve got a brush-off

Aaron loves Matchbox 20

Aaron didn’t know those cheers were stolen

Just hire a choreographer

Sparky Polestri

Aaron isn’t exactly a great boyfriend

$2,000 to pay for Sparky!

They do a carwash to pay for Sparky!

Rockin’ Car Wash

This one is filmed camcorder-style

Cliff is wearing an F-Train shirt

Cliff’s car is covered in mud

Waiting for Sparky Polestri

Sparky has a goatee

Prepare for Total Domination

He’s very skilled but this is slightly comedic

Sparky assesses and criticizes all the cheerleaders

Listen & Learn

Sparky is a choreographer, they are cheerleaders

He will make their bodies move in poetry

He’s a little intense

This is a training sequence, not a montage

Slow Mo Jazz Hands

More spirit in those fingers!

Feel the spirit in your body!

Is all lost? This might be a good place to stop for today

The exact halfway point

Will Cliff and Torrance’s love change the course of events?

We shall see

 

SWM+ THANKS

Joe, Max, Jessica, Daniel, Amy, Mads, Katherine, Penelope, Lucy, Freya, Michelle, Brad, David, Caroline, Angela, Bridgid, Colin, Shelly, Courtney, Emma, Melissa, Kirsten, Eva, Lana, Danielle, Evan, Brian, Laura, Shannon, Lester

 

SUMMARY:

Episode: 1254

Title: Bring It On – Watchalong – Part 1

Deep Dark Night United: Jess (Helix Sleep)

Plugs: NYC Mesh; Sean Casey Animal Rescue; Hand in Hand; The Midnight Mission; The Trevor Project; Sleep With Me Plus; SleepPhones; Rusty Biscuit Links; Emily Tat Artwork; NAPAWF; Anti-Racism Resources; Ukraine Relief; Crisis Textline

Sponsors: Helix Sleep; Polysleep; Odoo; Air Doctor Pro; Zocdoc; Progressive

SWM+ Thanks: Joe, Max, Jessica, Daniel, Amy, Mads, Katherine, Penelope, Lucy, Freya, Michelle, Brad, David, Caroline, Angela, Bridgid, Colin, Shelly, Courtney, Emma, Melissa, Kirsten, Eva, Lana, Danielle, Evan, Brian, Laura, Shannon, Lester

Notable Language:

• Only Kind of Listenable
• Over and Underexplaining the Podcast
• Missy Is Bank
• Sparky Polestri
• Rockin’ Car Wash
• Prepare for Total Domination
• Slow Mo Jazz Hands

 

Notable Culture:

• Bring It On

• • Strawberry Shortcake
  • PIllsbury
  • Universal Studios
  • Kirsten Dunst
  • Nancy Kerrigan
  • Suzuki Samurai
  • Game Boy
  • The Clash
  • Tanya Harding

• Pippin

• Jeopardy!

• Matchbox 20

 

Notable Talking Points:

• I’m gonna have to explain who Strawberry Shortcake is now…
• It’s like she’s from another world
• Pillsbury Doughboy x Strawberry Shortcake
• I hope you flourish but you don’t need to be your best
• Just barely try a little more tomorrow
• For the love of Strawberry Shortcake, I can’t listen to anymore of your nonsense!
• It’s okay if people are moody in their reactions to SWM
• Whoops, just got distracted there
• Only Kind of Listenable
• Everybody likes to listen in different ways
• Ok, I’m interested, I’ve heard of berries before…
• Over and Underexplaining the Podcast
• Why don’t you crumple up some junk mail and shoot baskets
• Or you could play with a laser pointer yourself
• A watchalong for a movie I quote from but have never seen
• Laser pointers come in all different colors now, that’s excellent
• The scent revolution of the 1980s
• Oh wow, Strawberry Shortcake started as a greeting card character
• The extended cast of Strawberry Shortcake
• The multiple generations of Strawberry Shortcake
• It’s Bring It On week
• I don’t think I can control the speed on this particular player
• So this might have to be a 2-parter
• This wasn’t easy to find
• I’m happy to rent this
• It’s PG-13
• A classic Universal joint
• Is this a dream sequence?
• Kirsten Dunst is Torrance
• The Torrance Torros
• A Nancy Kerrigan poster
• Ok, that was a dream of hers
• Oh wow, that’s a Suzuki Samurai
• Aaron doesn’t want to kiss instead of Torrance’s parents
• T’s parents can’t wait for Aaron to go to college
• A very archetypal high school pull-in
• Don’t put the Lude in Deluded
• Big Red is collecting a vote
• Big Red got them into cheering
• Big Red has no feelings
• Who will be the new captain?
• Torrance Shipman is the new captain!
• A Wolf Wall
• Let’s not rest on our laurels
• Practice is imperfect, which is good
• Carver is distracted and needs to take a break
• A very nice house (Torrance’s)
• Game Boy Beeping
• Her parents want her to focus more on school
• Different shades of blue
• Maroon Converse All-Stars
• Cliff Pantone, a new student
• Cliff and Torrance meet cute
• T doesn’t know about the Clash??
• Jocks and Cheerleading guys clash
• The cheerleading guys seem to be in much better shape
• T wants Les to be her lab partner
• Carver is going to be out for 3 months
• Carver is so lucky that she doesn’t have to be at school
• A montage of cheerleading tryouts
• Man, when did this come out?
• A professor is breakdancing
• Wow, okay, 2000
• A young woman rapping
• This is not the audition for Pippin
• Someone who’s a little young
• A little bit robotic
• Attention is up
• Tattoos are forbidden
• Is there ever an “Already Been Broughten” in this movie?
• Missy does a triple back roll
• Missy transfers from LA
• She used to do gymnastics
• Missy Is Bank
• This is not a democracy
• Torrance exerts her power
• I assume this is Missy’s house
• Cliff answers the door??
• Missy and Cliff are siblings??
• Missy is a hardcore gymnast
• Cliff sides with Torrance
• People cheer cheerleaders at the competitions
• Count Missy In
• Missy watches practice and is uncomfortable
• Missy says those cheers are stolen!
• Dance Off to resolve conflict
• Let’s go for a ride in this car
• A Volkswagen B to the G
• They drive to LA to see this old team
• Holy moly, this is the same cheer!
• T has tears in her eyes
• The redhead was videotaping their cheers!
• T didn’t realize those cheers were taken
• Isis seems to believe T
• T’s whole career has been a lie!
• T explains that she’s cursed
• Don’t let the spirit stick drop on the ground
• She was dared to drop the spirit stick on the ground
• It’s okay! People drop stuff!
• T is panicking
• T is on a wireless landline, calling Aaron
• They can’t be punished for Big Red’s mistake
• Wow, this is really mature storytelling
• I can’t believe this is only 23 years ago
• It’s too late to change routines now
• Missy is having fun in her cheerleading outfit now
• They talk about mature stuff in a cool way
• The crowd is not into this football game
• Some character development for Missy
• A formal cheer break
• A big disagreement between football players
• A cheer-off!
• Cliff sees that the cheers are working!
• Torrance is cheering just for Cliff
• Isis comes out to watch this team
• Isis and the Clovers start cheering the same cheers, proving they’re stolen!
• Torrance and Whitney (Missy?)  are talking post-cheer
• A view into Cliff’s punk rock bedroom
• Torrance gets caught watching Cliff play guitar
• Hanging out at Missy’s house post-game
• Brushing teeth and flirting at the same time
• Now we’ve got a brush-off
• Aaron loves Matchbox 20
• Aaron didn’t know those cheers were stolen
• Just hire a choreographer
• Sparky Polestri
• Aaron isn’t exactly a great boyfriend
• $2,000 to pay for Sparky!
• They do a carwash to pay for Sparky!
• Rockin’ Car Wash
• This one is filmed camcorder-style
• Cliff is wearing an F-Train shirt
• Cliff’s car is covered in mud
• Waiting for Sparky Polestri
• Sparky has a goatee
• Prepare for Total Domination
• He’s very skilled but this is slightly comedic
• Sparky assesses and criticizes all the cheerleaders
• Listen & Learn
• Sparky is a choreographer, they are cheerleaders
• He will make their bodies move in poetry
• He’s a little intense
• This is a training sequence, not a montage
• Slow Mo Jazz Hands
• More spirit in those fingers!
• Feel the spirit in your body!
• Is all lost? This might be a good place to stop for today
• The exact halfway point
• Will Cliff and Torrance’s love change the course of events?
• We shall see