Animation, Television

Character Study: Miriam Pataki

Ali discusses the heartbreaking reality of Miriam Pataki from Hey Arnold!, touching on episodes such as “Road Trip,” “The Beeper Queen,” “Helga on the Couch” and more.

Be sure to also check out Hey Arnold! The Jungle Movie + “Audaciously Flirting” and Hey Arnold! + “Care.”

Animation, Movie

Rugrats in Paris: The Movie

Ali discusses the second Rugrats theatrical film, Rugrats in Paris: The Movie. She reminisces about seeing it in theaters, sharing her love of all the heartfelt moments and the addition of new characters to the Rugrats family. Plus, some interesting revelations she never knew about the 2000 hit song from the soundtrack, “Who Let the Dogs Out” by Baha Men.

Be sure to also check out Rugrats and The Rugrats Movie.

Animation, Movie

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Ali discusses the stop-motion animated movie, Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, sharing her thoughts on the plot, favorite songs and Jack and Sally’s love story.

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Animation, Interview, Television, Writing

TV Writing with Alison Tafel

Ali interviews TV writer, Alison Tafel. She shares how she got her start in the industry, her first day in the BoJack Horseman writers’ room and insight into each of the episodes she wrote for the show: “Stupid Piece of Sh*t,” “INT. SUB,” “Feel-Good Story” and “The View From Halfway Down.” She also talks about her experience writing for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and she gives advice for writers trying to break into the industry as well as when you’re in the industry.

Be sure to follow Alison on Twitter and Instagram.

Alison Tafel

Movie, Musical

Little Shop of Horrors

Ali discusses the musical, Little Shop of Horrors, composed by Alan Menken with book and lyrics by Howard Ashman and based on the original 1960 horror comedy film, The Little Shop of Horrors. She talks about first seeing the musical in a college production, favorite songs, her thoughts on the 1986 movie adaptation directed by Frank Oz and the original ending compared to the updated version.

Television

Gilmore Girls

Ali discusses Gilmore Girls created by Amy Sherman-Palladino and starring Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel as the fast-talking, coffee-loving, mother-daughter duo, Lorelai and Rory Gilmore. She shares how all the buzz about the revival got her into the show and reminisces about visiting the lot where they shot all the exterior scenes for the fictional town of Stars Hollow. She also talks about her favorite characters, Luke and Lorelai’s relationship, her thoughts on each of Rory’s boyfriends throughout the series and the Netflix revival, Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life.

Gilmore Girls

Books

Author Spotlight: Mitch Albom

Ali discusses the works of bestselling author, Mitch Albom, touching on the universal themes of life, love, family, faith and more that he beautifully depicts in his popular books, including his debut memoir, Tuesdays with Morrie, novels, The Five People You Meet in Heaven, For One More Day, The First Phone Call from Heaven, The Time Keeper and The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto, as well as his latest memoir, Finding Chika: A Little Girl, an Earthquake, and the Making of a Family.

Mitch Albom Books

Animation, Television

Tiny Toon Adventures

Ali discusses Tiny Toon Adventures created by Tom Ruegger, sharing her appreciation for these Looney Tunes counterparts chock-full of slapstick gags, meta humor and fourth wall breaking commentary, plus her love of the catchy theme song and being confused as to what “no relation” meant when she watched the show in reruns on Nickelodeon as a little kid. She also talks about that one banned episode, as well as the fun direct-to-video movie, Tiny Toon Adventures: How I Spent My Vacation.

Tiny Toon Adventures