Surely You Can't Be Serious Podcast

Jason and Dee wrap up their 3-part deep dive into the albums of 1981 with a look at one of the decade’s most hit-packed records — Private Eyes by Hall & Oates.In this final installment, the guys go track-by-track through the album, breaking down everything from the irresistible hooks of “Private Eyes” and “I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do)” to the deeper cuts that helped define the duo’s signature sound. Along the way, they uncover the stories behind the songs, the songwriting dynamics between Daryl Hall and John Oates, and how this album became a blueprint for pop success in the early 80s.But the conversation goes beyond the grooves.Jason and Dee explore the band’s massive pop culture impact, including their role in shaping the sound of the decade and their heavy rotation during the early days of MTV — when music videos were redefining how audiences connected with artists. They also take a deeper look at the rise of Hall & Oates, from struggling hitmakers to chart-dominating superstars, and the eventual decline that brought an end to their era of dominance.Finally, the guys bring it all home by ranking the three albums from 1981 they’ve covered in this series:Freeze Frame – J. Geils BandBusiness As Usual – Men at WorkPrivate Eyes – Hall & OatesWhich album takes the crown as the best of 1981?It’s a fitting finale to a series full of hits, nostalgia, and spirited debate — and a reminder that 1981 might just be one of the greatest years in pop music history.Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/surelypodcastFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@surelypodcastCheck out our new merch store: https://surely-you-cant-be-serious-merch.myshopify.com/

College students took on a video game empire—and won. Then they did the impossible: they improved the greatest game ever made. Hear how Ms. Pac-Man became the queen of 1981 arcades, outsmarted the ghost AI, and still looks amazing over 40 years later. The untold story of the rebellion that created gaming's most beloved female icon.

Galaga took everything Space Invaders started, added Galaxian's colors and sounds, and created a 1981 masterpiece. Discover behind-the-scenes secrets of this arcade legend, insider development stories, and why the Challenging Stage became iconic. Don't miss the pro tip: never shoot your own captured ship! The ultimate deep dive into one of 1981's greatest arcade games.

Why was 1981 the greatest year in arcade gaming history? Before Jason and Dee dive into Donkey Kong, Ms. Pac-Man, Galaga, Frogger, and Defender, discover the revolutionary games that paved the way. From Pong's simplicity to Space Invaders' invasion and the "Puck Man" controversy, this prequel episode explores the arcade legends that changed gaming forever. Grab your quarters—the high score challenge starts here!

Two defining films. One generation. And a debate that still hasn’t cooled down. In Episode 1 of 2, Jason and Dee of the Surely You Can’t Be Serious podcast kick off a head-to-head breakdown of the iconic 1985 films The Breakfast Club and St. Elmo’s Fire. The guys start at the beginning, exploring how each movie came together, the very different creative paths that led to their production, and the directors who shaped what would become two cornerstones of 80s cinema. Along the way, they touch on Andrew McCarthy’s documentary Brats, using it as a lens to examine how these films helped define — and complicate — the Brat Pack legacy. To close out the episode, Jason and Dee zero in on The Breakfast Club, breaking down the cast one actor at a time, discussing what each performer brought to their role, and revealing which alternate actors were seriously considered before those now-legendary casting decisions were finalized. It’s context, history, and pure 80s nostalgia — with the real showdown just getting started.Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/surelypodcastFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@surelypodcastCheck out our new merch store: https://surely-you-cant-be-serious-merch.myshopify.com/

What happens when a galaxy far, far away collides with late-1970s variety television and absolutely no one says no? In this very special (and possibly regrettable) episode of Surely You Can’t Be Serious, Jason and Dee are joined by special guest hosts from the 30something Movie Podcast to finally dare to watch — and break down — the now-infamous Star Wars Holiday Special. This is Part 1 of 2, and the guys go all in, dissecting every bizarre skit, every awkward musical number, every questionable story choice, and every moment that makes you ask, “How did this ever make it to air?”From uncomfortable Wookiee family dynamics, to celebrity cameos that feel like contractual obligations, to variety-show energy that completely ignores the rules of the Star Wars universe, nothing is spared. Context is provided, disbelief is shared, and sanity is repeatedly tested as the crew explores whether this special was misunderstood, doomed from the start, or exactly as bad as its reputation.Hit play and suffer joyfully with us as we document one of pop culture’s most legendary misfires — so you don’t have to watch it alone. Part 2 coming soon… assuming everyone survives.

This week on the Surely You Can’t Be Serious podcast, Jason and Dee continue their 90s album trilogy by exploring the quiet, unconventional, and deeply heartfelt debut that turned a young Alaskan singer-songwriter into a global sensation—Jewel’s Pieces of You.The guys dig into Jewel’s extraordinary backstory: her nomadic childhood in the Alaskan wilderness, the hardships that shaped her voice and worldview, and her determination to bring stripped-down, folk-driven storytelling to a pop landscape dominated by grunge and polished radio hits. Jason and Dee break down how Pieces of You was created—from the raw, minimalist production to the live-recorded tracks that captured the honesty of her coffeehouse performances.They uncover the stories behind every song, from the emotional punch of “You Were Meant for Me,” to the aching vulnerability of “Foolish Games,” to the social commentary woven throughout the album’s lesser-known tracks. And they trace the album’s slow but unstoppable rise as it connected with listeners one heart at a time, ultimately becoming one of the defining singer-songwriter albums of the decade.This is week two of a three-week showdown. Jason and Dee kicked things off with Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill, and next week they’ll wrap up the trilogy with No Doubt’s Tragic Kingdom. Once all three albums are on the table, how will the guys rank these 90s icons in terms of songwriting, impact, longevity, and cultural footprint?Tune in to find out—because the ultimate 90s showdown is heating up.

Sometimes after a movie is successful, a sequel is made to further the adventures with the characters in that world. Many times that story is bad (but not always). Sometimes it is an outright embarrassment. In this episode Jason and Dee breakdown their list of the bad decisions, poorly casted, money-grabbing, worst sequels of the 1980s! Join us for a fun discussion on all things cringy, dopey and overall dumb. Does our list match your list? Buckle up!