This week on Make Me a Nerd, host Mandy Kaplan dives headfirst into the swirling vortex of Doctor Who with the help of returning guest and self-proclaimed "nerd-maker" Krissy Lenz.
Mandy, still riding high from solving a real-life murder mystery, confesses her trepidation about tackling the sprawling universe of Doctor Who. But fear not, dear listeners, Krissy has a plan – a plan that involves a very specific episode, a certain famous painter, and a creature that can only be described as a "grunt-faced chicken dragon."
The episode in question? Season 5's "Vincent and the Doctor," a star-studded affair featuring Bill Nighy and penned by the one and only Richard Curtis (yes, that Richard Curtis). Mandy is immediately captivated by the episode's blend of historical fiction, quirky humor, and genuine emotion. She marvels at the animation of Van Gogh's "Starry Night," ponders the Doctor's ability to befriend even the most fearsome alien, and grapples with the concept of the TARDIS (a word she only knew from the musical "Matilda," naturally).
So tune in to this week's Make Me a Nerd for a delightful conversation about the power of feeling seen, the joy of unexpected historical encounters, and the undeniable sex appeal of 1890s Danny Bonaduce. You might even learn a thing or two about Doctor Who along the way.
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What is Make Me A Nerd with Mandy Kaplan?
Hey folks. Mandy Kaplan here. I’d like to share a bit about my intentions and mission for MMAN if you’ll indulge me. You will? Huzzah!
Look, I am a lot of things. I’m a writer, actress, mother, and lover of musicals and cats, but NOT Cats, The Musical. Give me a little bit of credit, would ya? So...throughout my life, I’ve been surrounded (and intrigued) by all things nerd. A sister who plays D&D, a Star Wars-obsessed husband, friends who love anime, comic books, video games, and...well, you get the picture. Somehow, I have always held it all at arm's length. Not to get too deep, but maybe I never thought I was smart enough to follow it. Or maybe I have control issues and have never been able to embrace fantastical things like dragons and time travel. Until now!
So, with an open mind and heart, I am ready to join this massive (and beautifully inclusive) club and GEEK THE #%$ OUT! It’s time for all my wonderfully strange friends to baptize me into NERD-DOM. Please join me on this journey. Who knows? Maybe you’ll discover or remember a side of yourself along the way. Or at least make fun of me as I try!