Nostalgic Reflections: Revisiting 'Hey Arnold!' with Liz and Kevin

Liz Clyde: 00:01:11

Foreign.

Kevin Schaeffer: 00:01:14

Have you ever had a friend from childhood who had a football shaped head? This is systematic ecology. We are the priest of the geeks. And I am very excited for today's episode. I'm one of your hosts, Kevin Schaefer.

And joining me today is Liz Clyde, AKA Pang Pank. This is the first time we're actually recording.

I know we've like, we've hung out at NC Comic Con before, but we actually have not been on an episode together before.

Liz Clyde: 00:01:37

So awesome to be excited. And it wasn't that hard like trying to find an interest. Right? So good job.

Kevin Schaeffer: 00:01:45

Oh, this was perfect. I think this topic in particular, like, it's like, I know you're a huge anime fan and like, I see some.

I'm not nearly as much of a consumer there, but like, and obviously I'm wearing like superhero and stuff and I have a wide range of other interests, but being a millennial, I like we all have our, I think quintessential Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, Cartoon Network shows of that era that I consume many. What better one to talk about than hey, Arnold, when you suggested this the other day.

Because basically for this episode, this is one of our kind of like, not real. We can pick any topic we want and it's not really tied to any particular series. And we were just free to kind of jump on what.

And so Liz and I were texting the other day and trying to think of a topic when she threw out, hey, Arnold. I was like, yes. This is like, let's go back to our childhood years. So I'm very excited.

Liz Clyde: 00:02:37

Buckle up everyone. We're going back to the 90s.

Kevin Schaeffer: 00:02:41

Oh, we are? Heck yeah. Well, before we get into our main topic, Liz, what are you geeking out on lately?

Liz Clyde: 00:02:47

Okay, so because I've just been doing so much cakes lately, I don't know why I decided to do this, but I restarted for the third or fourth time the original Naruto, like back when Naruto was a ginning and all that stuff, just because I needed something in the background that I could enjoy.

So we, we restarted it and now I'm probably going to end up watching the whole series again and maybe I'll go into Boruto again and actually finish it.

Kevin Schaeffer: 00:03:12

One of my caregivers, like her boyfriend has seen the entire series and they started watching it together like so, like his second Full Runway through like a few years ago. But there are so many and they've taken breaks along, by the way. And then they're in like so they're still.

They've gotten through like, I mean, like hundreds of episodes and they're still only, I think, like halfway through it. Something like that. It is wild. How many?

Liz Clyde: 00:03:36

Yeah, it's not. It's definitely not like one piece, but the original Naruto has 220 episodes. Shippuden, which I'm excited about to rewatch, is 500.

And then Boruto has 294. I'm not sure if Boruto is still growing or not, but like, with Boruto, I only got like, I think the episode 50 before I dropped it.

Kevin Schaeffer: 00:03:54

Gotcha. Gotcha.

Liz Clyde: 00:03:55

Yeah, I'm just going to go all the way through, I think.

Kevin Schaeffer: 00:03:57

Nice, Nice. Do the entire universe there.

Liz Clyde: 00:04:00

Why not? Awesome.

Kevin Schaeffer: 00:04:02

Very cool. Awesome. And then on my end. So I've been still separate Season two. We've got to do an episode on that soon now that the season's almost over.

I have so much to say on that show. It is great. And also because I renewed Apple TV for that, I started watching other stuff and I finally started shrinking, which I like.

We were talking about this the other day is like. And it is a wonderful show. It is like, it's. It's weird to call it a comfort show because I was like, I'm enjoying it thoroughly.

But it in the same way Ted Lasso does this. Like, it's such a fusion of comedy and drama.

And while it's hilarious in almost every episode, there are still heavy moments that really take a lot out of you emotionally. So it's a heavy one to discuss it.

Well, nonetheless, I would love to talk about that show at some point with people on this podcast, but I've been enjoying that a lot. So quite a lot of good TV out right now.

Liz Clyde: 00:04:58

Yeah, I've seen it. But just like, you know how if a friend is watching something and so you watch it because you're in the same room.

So that's what I've done with my husband. So it seems great. Um, and as. As someone who consistently goes to therapy, it's fun to see how many illegal things they do in that show.

Kevin Schaeffer: 00:05:14

And I do appreciate that. Like, I. I have seen interviews with Jason Siegel and Brett Goldstein, one of the creators, and they talk about how they want to be.

I mean, they did a lot of research and they talked with their therapists and they.

But obviously there are, you know, inciting incidents in the show that would never happen in real world, and they recognize that part of, you know, it being not going for super realistic.

But I like how it still comments on the nature of therapy and the relationships that can form that way and, you know, using it as a guiding premise and just a way to explore the nuances between all the characters. So I'm almost done with season two. Thoroughly enjoying that. So Apple has some really good stuff. And then.

And then also White Lotus, which is very different, but. But I'm enjoying that show a lot.

Liz Clyde: 00:06:01

Yeah, we could have talked about the first three episodes of that. Then I didn't even think about White Lotus.

Kevin Schaeffer: 00:06:05

Oh, okay. Well, that we'll do another episode at some point. Yeah, well, when this season wraps up, we can do that for sure.

Liz Clyde: 00:06:13

I like it.

Kevin Schaeffer: 00:06:14

Well, and for our listeners out there, please rate, review and subscribe. If you're on YouTube, you know, give us a like.

Will has promised repeatedly that if you like anything on YouTube, if we get up to 50 likes on any episode, he will either frolic through the flowers or winter is almost over, so probably won't be another snow opportunity for at least another year. But he will do something to that effect. So rate, view, subscribe, or if you're listening on Spotify, Podbean, wherever you get your podcasts.

Yes, give us a thumbs up. It really helps. So. All right, well, let us get into the main topic again. Very excited for today, Liz. You and I are both millennial else.

And so I think again, Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, Cartoon Network were all very instrumental to our childhoods. But what are you.

Just real quick, what were some of your other, like, big hits like you watched all the time from any of those networks or anything else that was super popular at the time?

Liz Clyde: 00:07:16

Gosh, I remember SpongeBob. Such a, such a big one. I can quote SpongeBob like no tomorrow, old school SpongeBob because apparently they like had new episodes and something.

Didn't know. That's the difference. And then Rocket Power was one I really enjoyed. Disney. I remember the proud family so far.

Kevin Schaeffer: 00:07:37

Yes, good one.

Liz Clyde: 00:07:38

Yeah, it was just all those like. And then like Disney was doing all those, like, teenage shows like Life of Derek and just good stuff.

Kevin Schaeffer: 00:07:45

Oh, definitely. I watched all those. I was, I mean, Rockabauer was huge. Fairly odd parents. Danny Phantom. Was everyone then on Disney Channel?

Like, yeah, Lizzie McGuire and then cartoon Network had, you know, things. I like that, like Teen Titans. Like that. There were just. There were so many cartoons up there. Ed and Eddie. That was a great one.

Oh my gosh, there were just so many. But hey, Arnold, I think was one I just watched all the time. I mean, I remember especially like elementary school.

This is kind of like my routine throughout from elementary through high school was I would come home and unless I had anything either church related or theater related, I come home, have a bag of popcorn and watch something on there. So it was like when I was kid, it was hey Arnold, Rugrats, rocket power, all of those. And then it was like office throughout high school.

So it was like those were like quintessential hey Arnold was just a fascinating show about this very quirky cast of characters in this urban community where the aesthetic and design was very influenced by Seattle, Portland, New York, none of which I grew up in. So it was a very. I think that's part of what appealed to me. It was almost like fantasy in a sense, because I'm here from North Carolina.

My community, my living space was nothing like the looked like the characters and the buildings and the layout and everything of the world in this show. So that alone was fascinating. And it really was just about this quirky group of characters.

Both Arnold as the football shaped head protagonist and all his friends and friend enemies. And of course the Helga who bullied him constantly but was. That was only a mask because she secretly was in love with them.

And that was explored throughout the show. And then he lives with his grandparents and we were just talking about, we'll get into more of this.

Just like the ways that the show is so unique and the different themes. But one thing we were just talking about right before recording was that was huge right there that he's raised by his grandparents.

He's not from a nuclear family and really it's. He's raised in many ways by his community. Obviously his grandparents are key to him.

But he's also, you know, heavily influenced by friends, other community members. They have this very, you know, it takes a village kind of principle in their world. And so it was fascinating. But what were.

Okay, so what's your background with the show? When did you start watching it and what were some of your big takeaways?

Liz Clyde: 00:10:23

So I mean, this is just one of the shows. I can't tell you when I started watching it or when I stopped. But I just remember it all so vividly. So it was just always like when I think baggage.

It was a part of my past, you know, so I can't. It doesn't have a stop really an end because I would watch them today just for funsies. It's been a while.

I remember, I can't remember what, what program I got. Maybe it was HBO Max. And this was like when I first got it maybe a couple a few years ago. And it had the the. The 90s cartoons.

And so I watched it just again, because it was available. Not all the way through, of course, but there's just so many, like, heartwarming moments in this show that you don't really think about.

Number one, like, you.

It deals with, like, bullying a lot, and how you can handle with your childhood bullies, which is really great, and how you can be kind to others and how you can problem solve and just depend on your community. Key episodes I remember is when he taught Oscar how to read. Like, a grown man didn't know how to read. That was very heartwarming. And he.

That he gets dropped off. Oscar's one of the tenants at the boarding house, and so he gets dropped off, and he.

It takes him all day and night, but he literally finds his way home. And he goes, I can read. And it was super, super sweet. And then also when Ms.

Till, when it was like the Christmas episode when he got reunited with his daughter, like, just tears. And then you just see, like, Helga, too, like, how it's just, like, a community coming together for. To help Mr.

Wynn find his daughter, because he's like, I'm so. The person who finds people was so busy, he was like, unless this list gets done, I'm not going to help you find her. The daughter.

And so Arnold can't do it. The one thing on the list is getting, like, it's been years since I remember this episode so vividly. They couldn't find these, like, fancy boots.

And so since Arnold couldn't do it, Mr. Nguyen couldn't have his, you know, miracle, which was being reunited with the daughter. And Arnold's trying this because he got Mr.

Win for a Secret Santa. And so Helga, because she's a stalker psychopath who is obsessed with Arnold and has a shrine to him, has followed him, like, all day.

And she actually received the boots as an early Christmas gift, and she gave her boots to the guy to find Mr. Wen's daughter. So, I mean, that's just, like, freaking beautiful for a cartoon.

Kevin Schaeffer: 00:12:41

And that episode also came back to me since I was watching.

I unfortunately didn't have time to, like, go back and rewatch some episodes this week, but I was watching an analysis on YouTube this morning, and it brought up that episode. And it also just came back to me because I think it was so striking, even as a kid. And, you know, this is. I mean, it's a kid show. And the. Mr.

Nguyen is from Vietnam. He had to give up his daughter to save her, like, and to send her to America.

When he was still there and has been trying to reunite with her all these years. Like, that is such a. Like, you know, heartbreaking and also emotional journey that they tackled right. In the kids show.

And, you know, and like you said, there are other themes of bullying, of social anxiety. And also. And one of the things that a video essay pointed out that I don't know if I was fully cognizant of at the time.

But, you know, one thing that's really striking about the show, and the creator, Craig Bartlett, was heavily influenced by Charlie Brown in this respect, is many of the moments. And a lot of episodes really are just kind of characters silently dealing with emotions.

And, you know, they're long stretches without any big plot mechanics happening. It's very, you know, just like Arnold kind of staring up at the ceiling or, you know, being kind of.

Or, like, daydreaming about a more fantastical life and then looking around at reality and being kind of confined there. And then over time, learning to accept that, oh, actually, he has a lot of beauty in his life. And.

But, yeah, in the early episodes when, yeah, there are entire sequences where not talking, there's no big action set pieces happening. There's a lot of jazz music playing, and the colors are kind of muted, and he's just kind of, again, silently dealing with his emotions.

And that's something that I don't think a lot of shows really tapped into is that as kids, we. And of course, as adults, too, like, there are different ways we deal with our emotions and we feel things.

And for a lot of the kid shows, they just wanted to have constant action, constant, you know, gags and pranks and ridiculousness and not really tap into the emotional complexities of their characters. And here it did it beautifully.

Liz Clyde: 00:15:03

It really did.

And even, like, just trying to think back because, like I said, even a few years ago when I watched a couple of episodes, I'm, like, thinking through episodes that are popping into my head right now. Like, remember when Phoebe, she was doing a porridge poetry contest, and she pretty much plagiarized a poem.

And I can literally, like, I hear your name ringing like a bell, like, ringing. Ringing in my heart. And so I'm probably, like, a word or two off. But I, like, remember that poem.

Kevin Schaeffer: 00:15:31

Yeah.

Liz Clyde: 00:15:31

That she copied. So now she has the. The. She has to deal with the guilt. So, number one, the pressure she put on herself. No one put that pressure on her.

But because she is Phoebe, you can see she's some kind of, like, Asian descent.

So she has that classic, like, Asian you know, parents with the academia and whatnot giving her pressure, but how she just put so much pressure on herself and then how she cheated and how she had to wrestle with what she did with it because she won an award and the guilt.

And then also with Phoebe, I think Phoebe might be my favorite character, and it is probably because I identified with her since I also have strict Asian dad and I saw myself in her a lot.

But she got promoted to, like, the fifth grade, and then she was bullied and was made to do, like, all the homework, and they pretended to like her just because they wanted to use her. And so she had to navigate through that bullying. And then I think about how Jerome. It was his name. Jerome, A. Gerald.

Kevin Schaeffer: 00:16:23

Gerald.

Liz Clyde: 00:16:23

Yeah, I knew it was something like that. But remember when Gerald had a fight with his parents? So he, quote, ran away and moved out and rented a room at arnold's place for 25 cents.

And so, like, he had to go through the whole, like, process of, wait, my parents do love me and they care for me. And because they. He never had to learn how to do laundry until, like, he moved out, quote, on his own.

And so it was just such a, like, wholesome show, no entitlement, that no one was on their phones because they didn't have phones in the 90s. They literally went out on the streets and hung out.

Kevin Schaeffer: 00:16:54

Absolutely. And. No, I'm glad you brought that up.

So Gerald, because, like, he was definitely one of my favorite characters, and what I like about him was, you know, he's the best friend. And a lot of times, like, the best friend gets kind of reduced to, like, sidekick role.

He was the more charismatic leader of the group and other friends, and he's the kind of cool one. And it's a lot more charismatic than Arnold and some of the others.

But then you have something like, where he has vulnerabilities as well, and you get to explore those. And, you know, and I. I was reminded, too, in that video essay of one of my favorites is when they're. The kids and adults are fighting over.

What was it like, the. The back lot that gets trashed and stuff. And, like, they. Adults take it over and then they trash it, and the kids want to use it to play.

And it showed this dichotomy between them and how a lot of the adults still had plenty of immaturities to work through. Um, so it was not portraying, like, you know, the adults is infallible. And I really like that as well.

Liz Clyde: 00:17:53

Yeah, they did it. Oh, go ahead. They did a really good job.

Because when I think about a lot of, like, TV shows in the settings, it's usually kids perspective settings and they have very little interaction with adults, or it's just like adults. But this one did a really good blend of Arnold interacting with both his peers and older adults and having relationships with both.

And so that, I think, is very unique in this scenario because, for example, Doug, all high school, you know, rugbacks, all kids and stuff like that. So just being able to, like, actually get to know all the adult characters of who lived in the Boarding house was super special.

And they all had family meals together, which I feel like is very sweet.

Kevin Schaeffer: 00:18:35

And that was the thing. It puts such an emphasis on community and communal living. And like you said, that wasn't really that popular in the 90s.

And like, 90s was still very much in, you know, emphasizing nuclear family and traditional families.

And, you know, while I did have that, like, you know, I mean, there's plenty of kids who don't have that and, like, they have different living situations and.

And so I think it was really progressive and really cool to explore that and to show the dynamics between all the characters of different ages, backgrounds and ethnicities, you know, and it was just fine. Yeah, everyone had their strengths, everyone had their flaws.

It was just really astounding how much they embedded into a series that, you know, I think at the time I was just like, it was just a fun show and I was attracted to the characters and I liked the look of it and everything.

But, yeah, looking at it as an adult, it's amazing how thoughtful a series it was and how much nuance there was in the characters and in the settings.

And then another one of the core aspects of it was so, like a lot of it, the episodes are sort of a slice of life and they get into the backstories of different characters.

But something that happened in each season and periodic throughout is because it's an urban community, is they would incorporate urban myths into this world.

And it would always be Gerald and Sid, one of the other characters going and telling a story and saying, oh, there's this weird guy in the tunnels or underground or whatever. And then the kids go and explore that and. And sometimes it's like a villain. And I remember one. Maybe you remember this more.

It was sort of like a Mole man type character that they. And I just remember Arnold having to play chess with him to get out of it. Do you know what I'm talking about?

Liz Clyde: 00:20:24

Yeah, yeah, very briefly. And it was just. Was it a homeless guy? I can't Remember?

Kevin Schaeffer: 00:20:29

I think so. It was. It almost looked like I said mole man, because it almost like, I think of, like, Moleman from Fantastic Four. It had kind of that.

But, like, I want to say that he, like, had, like, an underground kingdom of sorts. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. And, like, you're never going to be honest, but I always remember that, like, he played chess with him at the end as a wedge.

But. And so it was so much fun. It was like they had those as, like, adventures and got to explore urban myths. And it reminded me to a lot of.

I had a social studies teacher in middle school who would every. At the end of every week on Fridays, tell us ghost stories that were, like, rooted specifically in North Carolina folklore.

And he was really good at, like, jump scares and. And we always looked forward to that. It was a ton of fun. But it was kind of like that.

It was like you get the, you know, the meat of the, you know, characters, backstories, all stuff. And then you would always look forward to these, like, little urban adventures, too. So it was just a really well constructed series. And. Yeah.

And then there would be another episode where, like, Arnold and Gerald skip school, and then they're.

And then, of course, the one day that they do skip, like, one of their teachers is at the carnival that they go to, as well, so they're having to dodge that. So it's just like, a lot of that.

I think that was the beauty of cartoons of the stallion, just TV in general is there was a more episodic nature where you could just, like. You don't have to watch it in order. You could kind of, like, dance around and go to each episode and get a full narrative.

Now, in this day and age is like, you have to watch shows in order because it plays out more like a novel and an ongoing narrative. But, yeah, you got all these individual stories here, and you got to explore your favorite characters in more depth.

And it was just really cool to see all of that play out.

Liz Clyde: 00:23:13

Another. What's it called? I feel like I said this, like, made this reference when I say the other day. It was probably like, the other year, but I would.

I remember just chanting randomly, stoop kids gonna leave a stoop.

Kevin Schaeffer: 00:23:24

Yeah.

Liz Clyde: 00:23:26

Just like these little, like, core memories are coming up because it's just so. It's so crazy dealing with, like, just the anxiety of, like, someone who. He. He never has left his stoop before. And so now you.

Someone who is usually a bully or people are afraid of. You see now the back reason, because usually if someone's A jerk or if someone is bullying, they have a, they have a story of why they are the way.

There was an anime I was watching, might have been a manga I was reading, but pretty much it was an awful mom who berated her daughter. And so the daughter ended up running away.

And so the mom is talking to her mom and so the mom is berating her like, I can't believe you let this happen. Now the news is here, you useless daughter. And it's just a cycle that never ends. And so you can kind of see that with some of these characters.

And so they are actually breaking generational cycles with their anxiety, which in the 90s we didn't talk about mental health and the importance like we do today and how we don't. We didn't talk about bullying like we do today. So really this, I say this cartoon was ahead of its time.

Kevin Schaeffer: 00:24:32

Oh, I think very much so. And you look at even some of the bullies, like Harold was kind of like one of the bullies there, but was also among the friend group.

Like they gave it what none of the characters were one note. And I love that you brought up the mental health aspect because I think it was very much like tackling mental health issues. Whether it was like expl.

Well, I would say it's explicit.

It's just like, I don't know that like as kids we were cognizant at that time, but we were seeing these characters portrayed in different lights and you know, someone like Harold who was like, he could have been a one dimensional bully on that. But then you get to feel for him too and you get to see him be part of the friend group.

And then same with of course Helga being the biggest one of like and where, you know, she, it's like kind of a joke throughout the series of, oh, she's actually in love with Arnold, but she bullies him and makes fun of him to hide that fact because she doesn't want it out there. But then later on they do like a full on therapy episode with her, which is like revolutionary for the 90s and a kid show.

It's amazing how much they explored those issues really bravely and weren't afraid to tackle that.

Like you said, in an era that was not there was still heavy stigmas about mental health and about therapy and you know, a lot of the cartoons at the time again just viewed kind of kids through a one dimensional lens and just had zany adventures and stuff without really tapping into the emotional complexities that I think many of us were feeling.

Liz Clyde: 00:25:59

At the time, they even tackled Helga's big sister complex and how, like, her older sister was the golden child and how. You can't tell me Helga's mom wasn't high all the time.

Kevin Schaeffer: 00:26:12

Oh, 100. They like that video. I say, I brought up, like, it said, like, she was very alcoholic. They were like. I mean, there is, like, there was.

Yeah, I definitely a sense of ignorance there. And. Yeah, no, she felt very excluded from her family and has all these mechanisms as a result.

Liz Clyde: 00:26:30

So, yeah, so, I mean, you can obviously see where a lot of her anger comes from just by looking at her family dynamic. So her dad didn't really show love because he was that macho guy, and her mom was portrayed, but we didn't know it.

Now as kids were like, oh, she's tired. Or that's just how she is. But as adults, we can be like, oh, she was definitely higher on something.

Or you could tell she was dealing with some kind of depression because, like, a normal person really doesn't. Well, I wouldn't say normal. That's not the correct word, but you know what I mean?

Like, but usually, like, signs, you know, I mean, not saying, like, you know, a normal person has to be upbeat and peppy. You can be, you know, very melatone, and that's your personality.

But she was portrayed to have some kind of, like, extra help to get through the day is right.

Kevin Schaeffer: 00:27:11

They weren't at all afraid to, like, show that they were not hiding it. And. Yeah, I mean, I just think. And, like, it's. Again, I don't know how cognizant I was of these things as a kid, but I. It's.

I think what made me fall in love with the show so much was the character complexities and, you know, not being afraid to show characters through different lenses and, you know, showing that everyone has their own issues. And.

Yeah, I don't like what you mentioned, like, some of your family as, like, was there else is other aspects you can think of of just, like, being a child at that time where this show really resonated with you. Or like you said, like, Phoebe was one of your favorite characters. If I favorite.

Liz Clyde: 00:27:52

Yeah, I mean, I would say it kind of resonated with me. Just. I remember my older sister enjoyed watching it too, so that was one of the few things, like, we would watch together.

She's three years older than me, so I feel like that's more than why this show kind of stuck out more than the other shows because she. She loved hey Arnold. That was her favorite One and I don't remember it being my favorite one. I had something else but I can't remember what it is.

So I can't say this was. It was definitely up there. But I remember because growing up you couldn't have the same favorite.

Like so it could have been my favorite but like you know, like if she chose blue, I had to choose another color because that was her color. So if she chose hey Arnold. That means I have to choose something else which you know, just silly sister like stuff childish things.

So I just remember hey Arnold was her favorite and it couldn't be my favorite. But I just. Yeah. And I being. I didn't even like think about at that time it being in like an urban setting with the bus system.

But now I'm like kids if I think they were in fourth grade and so just kind of like thinking of. I'm like from you. I'm from South Carolina.

So the thought of jumping on a bus and going to a store or doing this or something like that, it just seemed kind of magical and so independent. But if you actually go to New York City, a fourth grader like jumping on the. But you know, I mean it's not that far fetched nowadays.

Like they wouldn't be going raising crazy. Like I think hey Arnold. It feels more middle school than elementary school because yeah, I would agree with that.

Kevin Schaeffer: 00:29:24

Yeah. Yeah.

Liz Clyde: 00:29:24

So. But so kind of going from that lens, a middle schooler jumping on the bus is not a big deal at all.

Kevin Schaeffer: 00:29:32

Right, right. I know I did that on that and but yeah, I agree that I, I think for me it was that kind I.

Why it's seen more fantastical because yeah being from North Carolina but also like being disabled and I always had to have like my parents are in a with me when I was in school and so I didn't like this idea of them just like, oh these kids just running around like all town like by themselves going on adventures and stuff like that. Not that I didn't have a social life or anything.

I had friends and all that but it was a different dynamic and I always had like help with me and all of that. So this was this kind of like cool like escape Mr.

Me wondering what it'd be like to kind of go around in this world and like just be around with like friends all the time and going on adventures. So I think that was just like really striking to me as a kid at that time.

Liz Clyde: 00:30:19

It's, it's really great. I should probably.

We should rewatch it just have like we should find a day and just have Systematic ecology watch party where people can just join in and we watch all of our favorite shows.

Kevin Schaeffer: 00:30:32

I would be 100 after that. Like, I. I wish I was on Max. I think since Paramount, which.

That's one of the streaming services I don't have, but they have all the Nickelodeon stuff on there.

Liz Clyde: 00:30:42

You know, I used to have Paramount. I bet you that would. I couldn't remember which streaming service, but I did have Paramount for like a minute. So that's where I saw it from. Okay.

Kevin Schaeffer: 00:30:51

It's weird because like last year, Vendor and Cora are on Netflix and obviously those were Nickelodeon properties. But. But yeah, they have. Paramount owns the majority of Nickelodeon stuff, so that's probably where it is.

But yeah, I have too many streaming services right now, so I can't really afford another.

Liz Clyde: 00:31:06

That's how I feel. With Hulu. I used to have Paramount, but I'm pretty sure Paramount. Remind me. Oh, no, maybe it was Peacock. I don't know.

Yeah, yeah, I can't remember, but there's so many at this point, I might as well pay for cable.

Kevin Schaeffer: 00:31:19

It is. It's a 12th. Oh, we could. Oh, that could be another episode too. Just looking at the evolution of TV and how we consume it and.

And it's like reverting back to what streaming was supposed to get away from. But. But anyway, yeah, these are the good old days when we regret. When you had to watch commercials.

When we watched commercials, kids, there was a time where you could not just skip past everything and yeah, yeah, no, we like. But yeah, I. Oh, like I said, I would come home, popcorn and yeah, would watch like this and many other shows.

But yes, you would have to watch their commercials and oh, you know what's right too. Like, while we're on this topic of just like Nickelodeon era there. So my niece was the other day watching this show on Netflix called.

I remember what it, like what the title was, but it was 100% a slime time ripoff. Like, like, it was just like there. It's literally like a game show where Lava. Yes, that's the one.

Liz Clyde: 00:32:18

Yes.

Kevin Schaeffer: 00:32:18

I was like. And I was telling her, I was like, yeah, there was a show called Slime Time when I was a kid that's like very reminiscent of this. And she.

Then she wanted to watch it and I was like, I don't know where it is right now, if it's streaming anywhere. But. But that's the other thing is they think that like every show and TV is instantly on demand, no matter from what era. It's on.

I'm like, not everything is on Netflix and Disney plus. I'm sorry. But. But. Yeah, but. But anyway, back to. Hey, Arnold. Yeah, I. I just. It really was so ahead of its time trying to think of some other. Right.

Oh, and there was. Oh, this was another one brought up earlier. Like, there was entire. Just looking at how intense summer heat impacted this community. And it was like.

And then another one where snow did that.

And I was like, it was amazing how they would have these just, like, seemingly simple ideas be the premise for an entire episode and use that as a mechanism to explore the environment, the characters, the world that they inhabit. Because, yeah, Heat. I remember really vividly. Like, they're all just, like. Just like, in their building. It's like they can't get a break.

They're all sweating profusely and just navigating.

Liz Clyde: 00:33:29

Did the egg on the sidewalk and we saw the egg fry.

Kevin Schaeffer: 00:33:35

It was brilliant. So I. Yeah, it was a great show. Is there anything else you want to say either about favorite characters or moments?

I mean, again, I do need to do a rewatch, but it was fun looking back at it today and just realizing how ahead of its time it was and how complex and nuanced it was for a kid series.

Liz Clyde: 00:33:55

What was the girl's name? Is it Lila that came in that. Arnold started being a little fascinated with the cutesy little. The cutesy little girl and let me.

Kevin Schaeffer: 00:34:06

Look it up, because I do remember the character. I just want to get the name right.

Liz Clyde: 00:34:10

Right, right. I hated her.

Kevin Schaeffer: 00:34:13

Yeah, it is Lila. Yeah. Yeah.

Liz Clyde: 00:34:14

But. Yeah, I remember when she came in. And so.

But even then, like, you're dealing with the feeling of jealousy and feeling of lesson that Helga had to, like, now, you know, see the. Who her affection is, have the affection for someone else. But then. Do you remember whenever. This is probably one of my favorite ones. My.

Probably my favorite episode, I would say, is the Romeo and Juliet episode.

Kevin Schaeffer: 00:34:37

I was just about it. Oh, my gosh. I do remember that. Like. Oh, yes. So I was a big theater kid growing up and like, yeah, they do their own episode.

And I remember, like, you know, it was so, like, accurate in terms of how the characters react. Like the first, like, oh, it was just so quit as it's all the way the characters react when they do that.

They're first at board, but then, like, when they talk about some of the plot elements, like, Carol jumps up and he's like, I want to do the sword fight. I want to deserve it. You know, like, that's what they're jumping into. And I was like, yeah, that's pretty accurate. But that was a great episode.

Liz Clyde: 00:35:07

It was. Well, then, because Helga had a dentist appointment. I remember this so vividly.

Helga had a dentist appointment, so she missed casting, so she really couldn't like actually audition. And so she get like fifth understudy or something like that. So she goes and tries to like, get everyone to drop out.

And so the last understudy she needs for the drop out is frickin Lila. And she's. Can't get Lila to drop out. Can't manipulate her, can't trick her.

And Lila, being the sweet little person, is now so cunning, which I kind of love. She's like, well, if I had a good reason to drop out, like if you perhaps liked Arnold and you wanted to kiss him, I guess I could drop out then.

So she literally manipulates Helga to admit her feelings for Arnold and she's like, I knew it. And Helga literally has one night to learn all of her lines. And that kiss, it was.

I remember being at my grandma's house and I remember that episode is going to be premiering because we had to wait, everyone, for when something premiered. All episodes didn't drop at one point. And so I remember waiting for that episode because I knew there was going to be a kiss.

And so, like, you know me, I've been obsessed with romance since I came out the womb, so I was all for it. And that kiss was so awkward.

Kevin Schaeffer: 00:36:26

It's so long and awkward. And like, you just see the awkwardness in Arnold's face. Yes.

Liz Clyde: 00:36:32

Yeah. She made a noise and everything.

Kevin Schaeffer: 00:36:35

And Arnold is just cringing is like, what is going on here? And. Oh, it was. It was brilliant. That is. I love how you have that visceral memory too.

Liz Clyde: 00:36:44

I have. I didn't realize, I promise, because I like, like, as you know, I literally came home from work. It's been the craziest day.

So I have not thought about this episode at all since we said we were going to do this the other day. And so like, literally all these memories are rushing back and I can't believe how vivid I remember these episodes.

Kevin Schaeffer: 00:37:02

And I think it's fascinating because, like, you would think, like, oh, a kid show that I. Yeah, I watched religiously back then, but it's been years. And even when you did a re Watch, that was still a few years ago.

Liz Clyde: 00:37:13

Some of These memories are 20 years old at least.

Kevin Schaeffer: 00:37:16

Right. It says something to, like, how much it resonated and stuck with us that they're coming back to us now.

And I think one of my favorite characters, like, was Eugene, the one who's, like, constantly having bad luck and just getting beat up all the time. That episode, that was an early one when Arnold's trying to help him, and it ultimately doesn't end with, like, him fixing all his problems.

And he gets, like, you know, in a body cast, like, not because Arnold's intentions. It's just, like, an accident. And, like, this poor dude. Just. This stuff keeps happening.

But it, like, I think that pointed to the fact of, like, they don't always.

They intentionally have the characters not always wrap everything up in a nice little, you know, ending here of, like, where everything gets resolved as it should or as they hope it would be. There are loose ends left, and sometimes characters have the same issues by the end of the episode.

And I thought that was a very honest look because, like, that's typically how life happens. It's not always in a neat little bubble here.

Liz Clyde: 00:38:22

And then you had Sid, too. I forgot about Sid until you mentioned you beat June. And Sid didn't even talk. Well, he went, like, high or something like that.

He was just behind people, breathing very awkwardly, and Helga would punch him in the face. And then one time she didn't punch him in the face, and he was so confused, and he punched himself in the face. So we don't condemn violence.

Kevin Schaeffer: 00:38:42

I don't, but I'm just, like, thinking of, like, as you say that. I also remember it vividly again, it's so much.

It's funny how, like, I've not watched this in years, but it's coming back to me now, so it's a powerful show in that regard.

Liz Clyde: 00:38:55

It is. So go watch it, guys, however you need. I'm sure it's for free somewhere. I.

We do not condone pirating, but if you want to say R and shiver your timbers to go find it. I hated actually that saying that. Delete me right now.

Kevin Schaeffer: 00:39:12

On the next episode of Systematic Ecology. But. But. But no, I. Well, I mean, there's got to be at least, like, clips and episodes on YouTube. You can get, like.

I would recommend, like, if you've never seen it, maybe get a taste for it there and then. Yeah, it's on Paramount or. I mean, I think it's a great one to own, too. You could probably get a DVD or Blu Ray pretty cheap, honestly.

But, yeah, it's a great show, and I think I'm gonna really enjoy rewatching as an adult, because, again, viewing it through this lens and seeing how many themes and complexities were embedded into it and the approach they had to the show with mental health and with characterization I think is so revolutionary and so ahead of its time. So I really appreciate it. Also, fun fact is Craig Bartlett is the brother in law of the Simpsons creator.

So it's a little like, you know, animation cinematic universe there.

Liz Clyde: 00:40:05

Did not know that. That's fun.

Kevin Schaeffer: 00:40:06

Yeah. I only learned that today, but that was. That was my next tidbit of pop culture information. I know. Yeah.

Well, is there anything else you want to wrap it up here you want to say about the series or just like. I mean I think like, I think all of those kind of tie into the spiritual aspect of it in terms of like again the sense of community.

The, you know, the ways that each character has their own strengths and weaknesses and flaws. But is there anything else you wanted to like in that regard that sticks out to you?

Liz Clyde: 00:40:39

No, I think. I think that's it.

Kevin Schaeffer: 00:40:41

Yeah. Yeah. Sweet. Well, great show to why I'm so glad you recommended this one. And now this makes me want to go and re watch it.

So we will like, we'll have to do like more Nickelodeon era 90s stuff.

Liz Clyde: 00:40:52

Maybe that should be the new series, the next series like go through the 90s.

Kevin Schaeffer: 00:40:58

Here it is like the unofficial pilot right now and now we can do that series next time. I love it. I love it. Well, on that note, is there.

Is there anything you want to recommend either related to this topic being be it another 90s show like that or give me something completely different.

Liz Clyde: 00:41:14

I'll just choose completely different. So I've been watching week to week Sakimoto Days. It's a new anime on Netflix. You should watch it. It's hilarious. It's about Ex Assassin.

He gets out of the game and he becomes fat and.

But now there's a hit on him because he left the organization without permission and he is just a little tubby person trying to, you know, not kill anyone now. It's great.

Kevin Schaeffer: 00:41:41

That sounds awesome. Oh, very cool. I think it's. That still ties in enough of like is this. Yeah, it works.

If one I like another one that I haven't watched in years but I mentioned earlier but I really enjoyed was Danny Phantom. That was a really fun one that I like where it had a bit of like sci fi and comedy.

I really like the main characters dealt with like ghosts and supernatural stuff. Sweet. Well, this was a blast. Thank you so again so much. Oh, I love it so much. Yes.

Liz Clyde: 00:42:12

And again for our. Yeah.

Kevin Schaeffer: 00:42:14

Yeah. For our listeners out there. Just rate, review and subscribe. Give us a thumbs up wherever you listen to your podcast.

And remember, we are all a chosen people. A geekdom of priests.

Liz Clyde: 00:42:25

So great. Talk to you later. Bye guys.