Make Me A Nerd with Mandy Kaplan

Join Mandy and her favorite roommate of all time, Abdi Nazemian, for a deep dive into the gloriously campy world of Mommie Dearest! Mandy gets schooled by Abdi, an award-winning author and certified Mommie Dearest expert, on why this so-bad-it's-good film has become a gay cultural touchstone.

They unpack Joan Crawford's over-the-top portrayal by Faye Dunaway, the unintentional camp that makes it so hilarious, and the surprisingly poignant way the film opened up conversations about abuse. Abdi shares hilarious anecdotes, including a legendary high school Mommie Dearest party and a personal encounter with Faye Dunaway (that didn't go so well).

Plus, they brainstorm musical numbers for a Mommie Dearest musical – get ready for "Mad at the Dirt"! Whether you're a longtime fan or a Mommie Dearest newbie, this episode is guaranteed to make you look at this classic film with fresh—and maybe more forgiving—eyes.

Links & Notes

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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!