After years of wide-eyed blogging about the surreal 1980s perfection of Francine Pascal's Sweet Valley High book series (and the surprising psychodrama that lurks below the town's perfectly-tanned surface), host Marissa Flaxbart is now forcing friends and family to read the series with her. Every other week, Marissa and a new guest – many of whom are new to the very idea of a "Sweet Valley" – unpack one of these soap-operatic tales, starting with book #1. It's all good fun for both die-hard fans and new blood...but watch out, because nostalgia can get ROUGH.Read more »
After years of wide-eyed blogging about the surreal 1980s perfection of Francine Pascal's Sweet Valley High book series (and the surprising psychodrama that lurks below the town's perfectly-tanned surface), host Marissa Flaxbart is now forcing friends and family to read the series with her. Every other week, Marissa and a new guest – many of whom are new to the very idea of a "Sweet Valley" – unpack one of these soap-operatic tales, starting with book #1. It's all good fun for both die-hard fans and new blood...but watch out, because nostalgia can get ROUGH.Read Less
Frenemies Lila and Jessica think they're duking it out over a secret scion, romantically masquerading as a construction worker. Marissa and her guest, actor Mark Sullivan, walk you through it all, from the poolside objectification to the final knife fight.
Yep, you read that right. Knife fight.
Some music in this episode courtesy of Purple Planet.
Links, references, explanations: