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A podcast celebrating political moments on TV teen dramas, hosted by union communicator and teen drama enthusiast Maria DiPasquale.
Produced by Jeff McHale, with art by Maddy Wiryo (logo + season 1) and Charles O’Leary (seasons 2-5, movie specials)
Episodes
Sunday Dec 08, 2024
Sunday Dec 08, 2024
“My So-Called Life was the OG Leftist Teen Drama,” Diana declares. Both MY SO-CALLED LIFE (1994-1995) and Maria turned 30 this year! Diana Hussein again joins the podcast to break down all the politics of this groundbreaking yet short-lived teen drama. We discuss everything from a pre-Columbine gun violence (B) plot to the political awakening of Angela Chase and the raw and groundbreaking depiction of an unhoused queer teenager of color in Rickie Vasquez, famously the first out gay character to be played by an out gay actor on network TV. Arguably none of the shows we’ve discussed on Leftist Teen Drama would’ve existed if not for Winnie Holzman, Claire Danes, Wilson Cruz, and all the other amazing creatives who brought this world to life – and so we’re honored to finally pay proper tribute to My So-Called Life in all its political brilliance.
For this episode, we recommend you first watch MY SO-CALLED LIFE Season 1, streaming on Hulu, but especially 1x03 “Guns and Gossip,” 1x06 “The Substitute,” 1x15 “So-Called Angels,” 1x16 “Resolutions,” and 1x19 “In Dreams Begin Responsibilities.”
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL | instagram, tumblr, tiktok, bluesky: @leftistteendrama | twitter: @leftyteendrama | website: leftistteendrama.com
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ABOUT US:
MARIA DIPASQUALE (she/her; host/editor) is a Brooklyn-based union communicator, organizer, and writer who watches too much TV. She splits her free time between devouring teen dramas, creating this podcast, tenant organizing, and writing and reading (fan)fiction. Follow Maria on Twitter @Maria_DiP26, IG @mdzip, and tiktok @marialovesunions.
DIANA HUSSEIN (she/her; recurring guest) has done Communications in the labor movement for nearly a decade. As a kid, Diana collected 1980s teen romance novels at garage sales and flea markets with her mom. This obsession later translated into a love for TV shows of that genre. From the days of My So-Called Life and Daria, to The O.C. and Gossip Girl, she still holds a passion for young adult storylines today — especially when they feature working-class narratives.
JEFF MCHALE (he/him; producer) is an extremely online guy who plays games, works in the cannabis industry, and loves talking old TV.
CHARLES S. O’LEARY (they/them; art) is a “writer,” “designer,” and “content strategist” based in Brooklyn, NY. A survivor of the 2010s Tumblr wars, leftist media criticism is all they know. To learn about them professionally, visit charles-oleary.biz. To learn about them personally, visit their Instagram at @c.s.0.l.
Maria and Jeff’s good union cats CLARENCE and VINNY may make an appearance and/or be mentioned.
intro song: Stomping the Room by Delicate Beats
All opinions shared on this show are that of individuals and do not represent the views of any organization we may be affiliated with.
_
SOURCES DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE:
- “My So-Called Life” chapter of Freaks, Gleeks, and Dawson’s Creek by Thea Glassman
- The Guardian, August 26, 2017, Riot grrrls, beta males and fluid fashion: how My So-Called Life changed TV forever by Soraya Roberts
- The Guardian, August 20, 2024, ‘Genuinely groundbreaking’: My So-Called Life is still utterly lovable TV, 30 years on by Rebecca Nicholson
- People, August 28, 2024, My So-Called Life Cast, Creator Reflect on 'Radical' Show 30 Years Later: 'There Would've Been No Dawson's Creek' (Exclusive) by JP Mangalindan
- Vulture, August 28, 2024, Nothing on TV Felt Like My So-Called Life, interview with creator Winnie Holzman by Matt Stoller Seitz
- People, August 30, 2024, Wilson Cruz Says My So-Called Life's Rickie Helped Give Queer People 'Permission to Own Our Fabulousness' (Exclusive) by JP Mangalindan
Sunday Dec 01, 2024
Sunday Dec 01, 2024
Maria is joined by Kelly Diaz and Taylor Garland to discuss the inherently political Swedish teen drama YOUNG ROYALS (2021-2024). We trace the star-crossed romance between Crown Prince Wilhelm and the working-class, socialist student Simon Eriksson as their relationship brings out class tensions and questions about the legitimacy of the monarchy. We also analyze our strangest sit-in plotline yet when, inspired by the very people they mock, the privileged students of Hillerska stage a “sit-in strike” to protest repressive new school rules brought on by legitimate student misconduct. Finally, we make sure to touch on the racial politics explored through Felice’s character and the comparatively non-threatening queerness of rich kids like Nils, Stella, and Frederika.
TW: eating disorder discussion from ~1:39:44 - ~1:41:37
For this episode, we recommend you first watch YOUNG ROYALS Seasons 1-3, streaming on Netflix.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL | instagram, tumblr, tiktok, bluesky: @leftistteendrama | twitter: @leftyteendrama | website: leftistteendrama.com
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ABOUT US:
MARIA DIPASQUALE (she/her; host/editor) is a Brooklyn-based union communicator, organizer, and writer who watches too much TV. She splits her free time between devouring teen dramas, creating this podcast, tenant organizing, and writing and reading (fan)fiction. Follow Maria on Twitter @Maria_DiP26, IG @mdzip, and tiktok @marialovesunions.
KELLY DIAZ (she/her; recurring guest) is a postdoctoral research fellow with the Lang Center for Civic and Social Responsibility at Swarthmore College and an adjunct instructor of media studies at City College New York. She has a Ph.D. from the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania where she wrote her dissertation on depictions of youth activism on television. She loves to analyze and discuss the intersection of pop culture and politics and is passionate about the role entertainment plays in social justice movements. She has a dog, Matilda "Tillie," who is named after the magical, brilliant, and justice-serving character!
TAYLOR GARLAND (she/her; guest) is a DC-based union communicator who watches too much TV. She splits her free time between flying obscene amounts for work and play, binging procedural TV dramas, and attempting and failing to reach her yearly reading challenge. Follow Taylor on Twitter @atgarland.
JEFF MCHALE (he/him; producer) is an extremely online guy who plays games, works in the cannabis industry, and loves talking old TV.
CHARLES S. O’LEARY (they/them; art) is a “writer,” “designer,” and “content strategist” based in Brooklyn, NY. A survivor of the 2010s Tumblr wars, leftist media criticism is all they know. To learn about them professionally, visit charles-oleary.biz. To learn about them personally, visit their Instagram at @c.s.0.l.
Maria and Jeff’s good union cats CLARENCE and VINNY may make an appearance and/or be mentioned.
intro song: Stomping the Room by Delicate Beats
All opinions shared on this show are that of individuals and do not represent the views of any organization we may be affiliated with.
_
SOURCES DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE:
- Kungahuset.se: The monarchy of Sweden
- Visit Sweden: Walpurgis Night (Valborg)
- Teen Vogue, March 19, 2024, Young Royals Creator Lisa Ambjörn Tells All About Netflix Show’s Final Season by K-ci Williams
- Los Angeles Times, March 19, 2024, Creator of ‘Young Royals’ explains the finale and why it’s ‘beautiful for things to end’ by Max Gao
- May Day Protest Signs Translated
- Tumblr analyses I enjoyed and referenced:
- preciouspatriots: On August’s fate
- omar-rudeberg:On some cool color theory and the monarchy
- causetheturtle: Overall analysis of the anti-monarchy of it all!
Sunday Nov 24, 2024
Sunday Nov 24, 2024
Maria is once again joined by Nicki Morris and Kelly Gilbert to dissect the conclusion of Aimee Gibbs’ arc on SEX EDUCATION (2019-2023). In Season 4, Aimee pursues art to process her trauma and ends up finding herself through darkroom photography – and producing deeply political art about the patriarchal violence she experienced in the process. We break down Aimee’s parallel artistic and sexual healing journeys, from rating vibrators in her diary with a pink pom-pom pen (iconic) to working her way back to getting intimate with a partner again in the wake of her assault.
For this episode, we recommend you first listen to episode #13 of Leftist Teen Drama and watch SEX EDUCATION Seasons 1-4, but especially Season 4, streaming on Netflix.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL | instagram, tumblr, tiktok, bluesky: @leftistteendrama | twitter: @leftyteendrama | website: leftistteendrama.com
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ABOUT US:
MARIA DIPASQUALE (she/her; host/editor) is a Brooklyn-based union communicator, organizer, and writer who watches too much TV. She splits her free time between devouring teen dramas, creating this podcast, tenant organizing, and writing and reading (fan)fiction. Follow Maria on Twitter @Maria_DiP26, IG @mdzip, and tiktok @marialovesunions.
NICKI MORRIS (she/her; recurring guest) is a labor communications strategist at a unionized shop! She loves cats, corn, and comrades. Her favorite teen show is Degrassi because she knows we can "make it through" with solidarity! Enjoys watching all good crime shows: The Wire, The Sopranos, Killing Eve, Law & Order, Arrested Development. Follow her on Twitter @NickiMorris321.
KELLY GILBERT (she/her; recurring guest) is a student (phd in Twilight), sometimes activist, teen drama aficionado in Brooklyn! Find her IRL every night drinking her sorrows away at Margaritaville, the Jimmy Buffet Experience!
JEFF MCHALE (he/him; producer) is an extremely online guy who plays games, works in the cannabis industry, and loves talking old TV.
CHARLES S. O’LEARY (they/them; art) is a “writer,” “designer,” and “content strategist” based in Brooklyn, NY. A survivor of the 2010s Tumblr wars, leftist media criticism is all they know. To learn about them professionally, visit charles-oleary.biz. To learn about them personally, visit their Instagram at @c.s.0.l.
Maria and Jeff’s good union cats CLARENCE and VINNY may make an appearance and/or be mentioned.
intro song: Stomping the Room by Delicate Beats
All opinions shared on this show are that of individuals and do not represent the views of any organization we may be affiliated with.
_
SOURCES DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE:
Sunday Nov 17, 2024
Sunday Nov 17, 2024
Maria is joined by Kelly Diaz to discuss the epic student occupation plotline on SWITCHED AT BIRTH (2011-2017). When the safe sanctuary that is Carlton School for the Deaf is threatened with closure, deaf and hard of hearing students make a plan to fight back, inspired by the real-life Deaf President Now (DPN) protests at Gallaudet University in 1988. This plotline was a central part of Kelly’s dissertation on depictions of youth activism on television, and we break down all the elements of this protest movement, from in group/out group dynamics and the role of the media to messaging discipline and consensus building.
For this episode, we recommend you first watch or have familiarity with SWITCHED AT BIRTH Seasons 1-2, but especially episodes 2x08, “Tightrope Walker,” 2x09, “Uprising,” and 2x10, “Introducing the Miracle,” streaming on Hulu.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL | instagram, tumblr, tiktok: @leftistteendrama | twitter: @leftyteendrama | website: leftistteendrama.com
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ABOUT US:
MARIA DIPASQUALE (she/her; host/editor) is a Brooklyn-based union communicator, organizer, and writer who watches too much TV. She splits her free time between devouring teen dramas, creating this podcast, tenant organizing, and writing and reading (fan)fiction. Follow Maria on Twitter @Maria_DiP26, IG @mdzip, and tiktok @marialovesunions.
KELLY DIAZ (she/her; recurring guest) is a postdoctoral research fellow with the Lang Center for Civic and Social Responsibility at Swarthmore College and an adjunct instructor of media studies at City College New York. She has a Ph.D. from the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania where she wrote her dissertation on depictions of youth activism on television. She loves to analyze and discuss the intersection of pop culture and politics and is passionate about the role entertainment plays in social justice movements. She has a dog, Matilda "Tillie," who is named after the magical, brilliant, and justice-serving character!
JEFF MCHALE (he/him; producer) is an extremely online guy who plays games, works in the cannabis industry, and loves talking old TV.
CHARLES S. O’LEARY (they/them; art) is a “writer,” “designer,” and “content strategist” based in Brooklyn, NY. A survivor of the 2010s Tumblr wars, leftist media criticism is all they know. To learn about them professionally, visit charles-oleary.biz. To learn about them personally, visit their Instagram at @c.s.0.l.
Maria and Jeff’s good union cats CLARENCE and VINNY may make an appearance and/or be mentioned.
intro song: Stomping the Room by Delicate Beats
All opinions shared on this show are that of individuals and do not represent the views of any organization we may be affiliated with.
_
SOURCES DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE:
- February 28, 2013, The Daily Beast, ABC Family’s ‘Switched at Birth’ ASL Episode Recalls Gallaudet Protest by Jace Lacob
- Gallaudet Museum, The Deaf President Now (DPN) Protest
- April 3, 2018, USA Today, Gallaudet eyes more progress for deaf community 30 years after 'Deaf President Now' protest by Ryan W. Miller
Sunday Nov 10, 2024
Sunday Nov 10, 2024
TW: detailed discussion of anorexia and eating disorder recovery throughout the episode; depiction of a panic attack at ~1:04:00-~1:05:30
In the Leftist Teen Drama Season 4 premiere, we dive into two “the personal is political” plotlines on EVERYTHING NOW (2023). In this short-lived British teen drama, we get introduced to two wonderfully different Black teenage girl characters with a gorgeous best friendship. Maria is joined by childhood friends Dondré Taylor-Stewart and Adrienne Bennett to break down both the carefully-depicted, nonlinear recovery journey of anorexic teenager Mia Polanco and a powerful abortion plotline featuring Becca Lloyd. We also break down all the queer politics and all the mess that happens in between.
For this episode, we recommend you first watch EVERYTHING NOW Season 1, streaming on Netflix.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL | instagram, tumblr, tiktok: @leftistteendrama | twitter: @leftyteendrama | website: leftistteendrama.com
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ABOUT US:
MARIA DIPASQUALE (she/her; host/editor) is a Brooklyn-based union communicator, organizer, and writer who watches too much TV. She splits her free time between devouring teen dramas, creating this podcast, tenant organizing, and writing and reading (fan)fiction. Follow Maria on Twitter @Maria_DiP26, IG @mdzip, and tiktok @marialovesunions.
DONDRÉ TAYLOR-STEWART (he/him; recurring guest) is a Jersey-born, Jamaican-raised TV writer in Los Angeles. His writing focuses on Black and queer characters finding themselves amid society's margins. By day, he works in environmental public policy; by night, he's busy crafting original pilots and DJ-ing. IG & TWITTER: oxtail_papi
ADRIENNE BENNETT (she/they; guest) is an Afro-Caribbean visual artist and cultural worker based in New York City. She is passionate about supporting contemporary artists of color. In her practice, she works with cyanotype printmaking, drawing, glass bead making, and ultralight websites. She sells cyanotype printed clothing made with her drawings and graphics; follow her on Instagram @yung.learnt and TikTok @yung.learnt. adriennebennett.xyz
JEFF MCHALE (he/him; producer) is an extremely online guy who plays games, works in the cannabis industry, and loves talking old TV.
CHARLES S. O’LEARY (they/them; art) is a “writer,” “designer,” and “content strategist” based in Brooklyn, NY. A survivor of the 2010s Tumblr wars, leftist media criticism is all they know. To learn about them professionally, visit charles-oleary.biz. To learn about them personally, visit their Instagram at @c.s.0.l.
Maria and Jeff’s good union cats CLARENCE and VINNY may make an appearance and/or be mentioned.
intro song: Stomping the Room by Delicate Beats
All opinions shared on this show are that of individuals and do not represent the views of any organization we may be affiliated with.
_
SOURCES DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE:
- Techradar, April 8, 2024, Netflix cancels beloved coming-of-age comedy series Everything Now, despite season 2 renewal by Carrie Marshall
Sunday Nov 03, 2024
Sunday Nov 03, 2024
We are so back. Our 2024 season includes a lot of discourse about class conflict, abundant “the personal is political” moments, and of course, two different civil disobedience plotlines (though one is truly our weirdest sit-in plotline yet!) Check out a little teaser of Leftist Teen Drama Season 4, premiering on Sundays, starting on November 10, 2024 through the end of the year. XOXO, Free Palestine
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL | instagram, tumblr, tiktok: @leftistteendrama | twitter: @leftyteendrama | website: leftistteendrama.com
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ABOUT US:
MARIA DIPASQUALE (she/her; host/editor) is a Brooklyn-based union communicator, organizer, and writer who watches too much TV. She splits her free time between devouring teen dramas, creating this podcast, tenant organizing, and writing and reading (fan)fiction. Follow Maria on Twitter @Maria_DiP26, IG @mdzip, and tiktok @marialovesunions.
JEFF MCHALE (he/him; producer) is an extremely online guy who plays games, works in the cannabis industry, and loves talking old TV.
CHARLES S. O’LEARY (they/them; art) is a “writer,” “designer,” and “content strategist” based in Brooklyn, NY. A survivor of the 2010s Tumblr wars, leftist media criticism is all they know. To learn about them professionally, visit charles-oleary.biz. To learn about them personally, visit their Instagram at @c.s.0.l.
intro song: Stomping the Room by Delicate Beats
All opinions shared on this show are that of individuals and do not represent the views of any organization we may be affiliated with.
Sunday May 05, 2024
Sunday May 05, 2024
Welcome back to our new series of special episodes covering political moments in teen movies! Maria is joined by Kelly Diaz to break down all the political themes of the movie of many names: THE HAIRY BIRD/ALL I WANNA DO/STRIKE! (1998). (We went with the most thematically appropriate title for our podcast episode title, as you can see!) We discuss the solidarity and friendship between the main teen girl characters at Miss Godard’s Prep and their various actions to make change on campus, culminating in an epic student occupation of the dorms until their demand for a vote on coeducation is met.
For this episode, we’d usually recommend you first watch or have familiarity with STRIKE! (1998), but it’s incredibly hard to find so we mostly just wish you luck in trying to watch it. Here’s hoping it gets picked up by a streaming service soon!
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL | instagram, tumblr, tiktok, bluesky: @leftistteendrama | twitter, letterboxd: @leftyteendrama | website: leftistteendrama.com
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ABOUT US:
MARIA DIPASQUALE (she/her; host/editor) is a Brooklyn-based union communicator and writer who watches too much TV. She splits her free time between devouring teen dramas, creating this podcast, and writing and reading fanfiction. Follow Maria on Twitter @Maria_DiP26, IG @mdzip, and tiktok @marialovesunions.
KELLY DIAZ (she/her; recurring guest) is a postdoctoral research fellow with the Lang Center for Civic and Social Responsibility at Swarthmore College and an adjunct instructor of media studies at City College New York. She has a Ph.D. from the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania where she wrote her dissertation on depictions of youth activism on television. She loves to analyze and discuss the intersection of pop culture and politics and is passionate about the role entertainment plays in social justice movements. She has a dog, Matilda "Tillie," who is named after the magical, brilliant, and justice-serving character!
JEFF MCHALE (he/him; producer) is an extremely online guy who plays games, streams sometimes, and loves talking old TV.
CHARLES S. O’LEARY (they/them; art) is a “writer,” “designer,” and “content strategist” based in Brooklyn, NY. A survivor of the 2010s Tumblr wars, leftist media criticism is all they know. To learn about them professionally, visit charles-oleary.biz. To learn about them personally, visit their Instagram at @c.s.0.l.
Maria and Jeff’s good union cats CLARENCE and VINNY may make an appearance and/or be mentioned.
intro song: Stomping the Room by Delicate Beats
All opinions shared on this show are that of individuals and do not represent the views of any organization we may be affiliated with.
_
SOURCES DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE:
- Business Insider, December 17, 2019, A female director says Harvey Weinstein buried her film debut more than 20 years ago. Now she wonders about other women filmmakers 'whose careers he totally destroyed.' by Kelly McLaughlin
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RESOURCES ON THE CURRENT STUDENT MOVEMENT FOR PALESTINE:
- Al Jazeera, Mapping pro-Palestine college campus protests around the world, updated May 2, 2024 as of this posting
- It Could Happen Here podcast episode: What's Really Going On At the Columbia Palestine Encampment
- It Could Happen Here podcast episode: The Humboldt State Occupation and Portland State University Library Occupations
- The Real News Podcast episode: 'The university fears us because of how little we fear them': Michigan Gaza encampment organizers demand university divest from Israel
- Instagram round up post: How To Help Student Encampments Around the United States
- I will try to continue updating this as I find more resources!
Sunday Apr 07, 2024
Sunday Apr 07, 2024
Welcome to our new series of special episodes covering political moments in teen movies! Maria is joined by friends and comrades Nicki Morris and Emma Rose to break down the political mysteries of the ENOLA HOLMES (2020) movie series on Netflix, but especially the workers’ rights plotline in ENOLA HOLMES 2 (2022), based on the real-life 1888 matchworkers’ strike in London led by women and girls.
For this episode, we recommend you first watch or have familiarity with ENOLA HOLMES and ENOLA HOLMES 2, both streaming on Netflix.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL | instagram, tumblr, tiktok, bluesky: @leftistteendrama | twitter, letterboxd: @leftyteendrama | website: leftistteendrama.com
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ABOUT US:
MARIA DIPASQUALE (she/her; host/editor) is a Brooklyn-based union communicator and writer who watches too much TV. She splits her free time between devouring teen dramas, creating this podcast, and writing and reading fanfiction. Follow Maria on Twitter @Maria_DiP26, IG @mdzip, and tiktok @marialovesunions.
NICKI MORRIS (she/her; recurring guest) is a labor communications strategist at a unionized shop! She loves cats, corn, and comrades. Her favorite teen show is Degrassi because she knows we can "make it through" with solidarity! Enjoys watching all good crime shows: The Wire, The Sopranos, Warrior, Law & Order, Arrested Development. Follow her on Twitter @NickiMorris321.
EMMA ROSE (she/her; recurring guest) watches a lot—and she means a lot—of reality tv, with the occasional teen drama or murder mystery or sci-fi thriller thrown in for good measure. When she's not watching said television, you can find her listening to podcasts and diving into internet content about said television. Sometimes she posts on instagram @emmaaaaaroseeeee (5 a's and 5 e's)
JEFF MCHALE (he/him; producer) is an extremely online guy who plays games, streams sometimes, and loves talking old TV.
CHARLES S. O’LEARY (they/them; art) is a “writer,” “designer,” and “content strategist” based in Brooklyn, NY. A survivor of the 2010s Tumblr wars, leftist media criticism is all they know. To learn about them professionally, visit charles-oleary.biz. To learn about them personally, visit their Instagram at @c.s.0.l.
Maria and Jeff’s good union cats CLARENCE and VINNY may make an appearance and/or be mentioned.
intro song: Stomping the Room by Delicate Beats
All opinions shared on this show are that of individuals and do not represent the views of any organization we may be affiliated with.
_
SOURCES DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE:
- Striking A Light: The Bryant and May Matchwomen and Their Place in History by Louise Raw
- Sarah Chapman, Matchgirl Strike Leader
- Screenrant, September 23, 2020, Enola Holmes Ending, Murder Plot & Killer Identity Explained by Hannah Shaw-Williams
- Nerdist, November 4, 2022, ENOLA HOLMES 2 AND THE REAL LIFE HISTORY OF THE MATCH GIRLS’ STRIKE by Tai Gooden
- MovieWeb, April 8, 2023, The True Story Behind Enola Holmes 2 by Yosra Iagha
- Collider, November 7, 2023, 'Enola Holmes 3' Is in Development at Netflix [Exclusive] by Arezou Amin
- The Guardian, March 8, 2023, Florida passes ‘cruel’ bill curbing water and shade protections for workers, by Aliya Uteuova, Nina Lakhani and Michael Sainato
Sunday Dec 31, 2023
Sunday Dec 31, 2023
It’s the end of an era, as Maria is joined by Dondré Taylor-Stewart and Abir Mohammad for a finale of epic proportions: not just the Leftist Teen Drama Season 3 finale, but our third and final episode about the Black queer teen journey of Eric Effiong on SEX EDUCATION (2019-2023). Season 4 wraps Eric’s arc up in a way that generally satisfies us all. We break down how Eric sought to bridge his queer and religious communities, and in the process, found his true purpose in life: to become a pastor. We also discuss the iconic Eric and Otis friendship, which gets rightfully put to the test this season, and what Eric Effiong’s legacy will be in teen drama history now that we’ve said goodbye to such a groundbreaking character.
For this episode, we recommend you first listen to episodes #1 and #17 of Leftist Teen Drama and watch or have familiarity with SEX EDUCATION Seasons 1-4, streaming on Netflix.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL | instagram, tumblr, tiktok: @leftistteendrama | twitter: @leftyteendrama | website: leftistteendrama.com
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ABOUT US:
MARIA DIPASQUALE (she/her; host/editor) is a Brooklyn-based union communicator and writer who watches too much TV. She splits her free time between devouring teen dramas, creating this podcast, and writing and reading fanfiction. Follow Maria on Twitter @Maria_DiP26, IG @mdzip, and tiktok @marialovesunions.
DONDRÉ TAYLOR-STEWART (he/him; recurring guest) is a Jersey-born, Jamaican-raised TV writer in Los Angeles. His writing focuses on Black and queer characters finding themselves amid society's margins. By day, he works in environmental public policy; by night, he's busy crafting original pilots and DJ-ing. IG & TWITTER: oxtail_papi
ABIR MOHAMMAD (he/him; recurring guest) is a London-based Writer and Casting Assistant with a passion for YA media. He likes to write about the specific experiences surrounding the queer, brown, Muslim and working class communities that he grew up in, and can talk your ear off about the casting of any TV show you can think of. Follow Abir on Twitter @abirmohxmmad or Instagram @abirmohammad.
JEFF MCHALE (he/him; producer) is an extremely online guy who plays games, streams sometimes, and loves talking old TV.
CHARLES S. O’LEARY (they/them; art) is a “writer,” “designer,” and “content strategist” based in Brooklyn, NY. A survivor of the 2010s Tumblr wars, leftist media criticism is all they know. To learn about them professionally, visit charles-oleary.biz. To learn about them personally, visit their Instagram at @c.s.0.l.
Maria and Jeff’s good union cats CLARENCE and VINNY may make an appearance and/or be mentioned.
intro song: Stomping the Room by Delicate Beats
All opinions shared on this show are that of individuals and do not represent the views of any organization we may be affiliated with.
_
SOURCES DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE:
- ELLE, August 30, 2023, ELLE Style Awards: Ncuti Gatwa Is The Modern Pioneer by Shannon Mahanty
- Deadline, September 3, 2023, Ncuti Gatwa On ‘Sex Education’ Ending & How Playing Eric Was “Healing” For Him by Armando Tinoco
- Variety, October 2, 2023, ‘Sex Education’ Creator Breaks Down Otis’ Privilege, Maeve and Jean’s Similarities and How Eric Finds His Faith During the Final Season by Selome Hailu
Sunday Dec 24, 2023
Sunday Dec 24, 2023
Maria is joined by Abir Mohammad and Kelly Diaz to discuss some truly one-of-a-kind teenage civil disobedience that was featured in Kelly’s dissertation on youth activism on television. On HEARTBREAK HIGH (2022-present), when a favorite teacher resigns after false allegations are made about her, Amerie Wadia decides she has to lead a protest and bring Ms. Obah back. With the help of veteran activist Sasha and her other friends, Amerie and all the students of Ms. Obah’s SLTs class occupy the admin building overnight until they win their demand. We analyze everything from Sasha’s advice on how to protest and the importance of camaraderie building to the role that the press plays in the outcome of the sit-in and our critiques of some of the students’ less admirable tactics.
For this episode, we recommend you first watch or have familiarity with HEARTBREAK HIGH Season 1, but especially Season 1, Episode 7, “The Sheriff” and Season 1, Episode 8 “Three of Swords,” streaming on Netflix.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL | instagram, tumblr, tiktok: @leftistteendrama | twitter: @leftyteendrama | website: leftistteendrama.com
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ABOUT US:
MARIA DIPASQUALE (she/her; host/editor) is a Brooklyn-based union communicator and writer who watches too much TV. She splits her free time between devouring teen dramas, creating this podcast, and writing and reading fanfiction. Follow Maria on Twitter @Maria_DiP26, IG @mdzip, and tiktok @marialovesunions.
KELLY DIAZ (she/her; recurring guest) is a postdoctoral research fellow with the Lang Center for Civic and Social Responsibility at Swarthmore College and an adjunct instructor of media studies at City College New York. She has a Ph.D. from the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania where she wrote her dissertation on depictions of youth activism on television. She loves to analyze and discuss the intersection of pop culture and politics and is passionate about the role entertainment plays in social justice movements. She has a dog, Matilda "Tillie," who is named after the magical, brilliant, and justice-serving character!
ABIR MOHAMMAD (he/him; recurring guest) is a London-based Writer and Casting Assistant with a passion for YA media. He likes to write about the specific experiences surrounding the queer, brown, Muslim and working class communities that he grew up in, and can talk your ear off about the casting of any TV show you can think of. Follow Abir on Twitter @abirmohxmmad or Instagram @abirmohammad.
JEFF MCHALE (he/him; producer) is an extremely online guy who plays games, streams sometimes, and loves talking old TV.
CHARLES S. O’LEARY (they/them; art) is a “writer,” “designer,” and “content strategist” based in Brooklyn, NY. A survivor of the 2010s Tumblr wars, leftist media criticism is all they know. To learn about them professionally, visit charles-oleary.biz. To learn about them personally, visit their Instagram at @c.s.0.l.
Maria and Jeff’s good union cats CLARENCE and VINNY may make an appearance and/or be mentioned.
intro song: Stomping the Room by Delicate Beats
All opinions shared on this show are that of individuals and do not represent the views of any organization we may be affiliated with.
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SOURCES DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE:
- ABC.net, Jessica Riga, Oct 6, 2022, Heartbreak High is a global success. Its authentic representation is what other reboots are lacking
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
- Gordon, H. R. (2008). Gendered paths to teenage political participation: parental power, civic mobility, and youth activism. Gender & Society, 22(1), 31-55.
- Clay, K. & Turner, D. C. (2021) “Maybe you should try it this way instead”: Youth activism and managerialist subterfuge. American Educational Research Journal, 58(2), 386–419. https://doi.org/10.3102/0002831221993476
- Hoewe, L. & Sherrill, A. (2019). The influence of female lead characters in political TV shows: Links to political engagement. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 59-76.
- Klein, B. (2011). Entertaining ideas: Social issues in entertainment television. Media, Culture & Society, 33 (2), 905-921.