Hazel & Katniss & Harry & Starr

Brenna and Joe circle back on Hayley Kiyoko's Girls Like Girls to check out the 2026 film.We're disappointed. Great chemistry between the two leads and music video visual aesthetic don't make up for even less character development than the book!Plus: Zach Braff; losing backstories; and pondering the changes in the queer female media landscape over the last ~10 yearsWanna connect with the show? Follow us on Instagram and BlueSky @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:> Brenna: @brennacgray> Joe: @bstolemyremote (Instagram) or @joelipsett (BlueSky)Have a mail bag question? Email us at [email protected]  Theme music: Rewind Kid "Rhythm Revolution" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following our episode on The Song of the Lioness, we immediately heard from 'Tea, Books & Chocolate' as well as Emma who wrote in to reassure us about the subversive nature of the rest of the quartet, new love interests, and how the series intersects with queerness in unexpected ways.Plus: an apology from Joe and a reassurance that we will continue with plans to read Book 3!Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Instagram and BlueSky @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:> Brenna: @brennacgray> Joe: @bstolemyremote (Instagram) or @joelipsett (BlueSky)Have a mail bag question? Email us at [email protected]  Theme music: Rewind Kid "Rhythm Revolution"  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brenna and Joe catch up on Prime's Legally Blonde prequel with season one of Elle.Starring a perfectly cast Lexi Minetree, we have a lot of pros and cons with the series. The model is not binge-friendly and the relationships are inconsistent across episodes. Plus: Tom Everett Scott as Elle's dad; needle drops; a final James Van Der Beek performance; and disagreement about the love triangleWanna connect with the show? Follow us on Instagram and BlueSky @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:> Brenna: @brennacgray> Joe: @bstolemyremote (Instagram) or @joelipsett (BlueSky)Have a mail bag question? Email us at [email protected]  Theme music: Rewind Kid "Rhythm Revolution"! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Skins series three ends by sidelining most of its characters in order to focus on the Effy, Freddie, and Cook love triangle and WE DON'T CARE!Plus: Cook's extremely predictable father; a granny race; the grimness of the finale; and we finally figure out what's missing from/wrong with this season.Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Instagram and BlueSky @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:> Brenna: @brennacgray> Joe: @bstolemyremote (Instagram) or @joelipsett (BlueSky)Have a mail bag question? Email us at [email protected]  Theme music: Rewind Kid "Rhythm Revolution"  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brenna and Joe return to discuss 1984's In the Hand of the Goddess, book two of Tamora Pierce's The Song of the Lioness.This is an interesting one because the book is much more YA than MA (Alanna is having sex!) and also jumps around in time.Plus: wrapping up Duke Roger; a plot detail stolen by Veronica Roth for Divergent; and our fears about where the quadrilogy may goWanna connect with the show? Follow us on Instagram and BlueSky @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:> Brenna: @brennacgray> Joe: @bstolemyremote (Instagram) or @joelipsett (BlueSky)Have a mail bag question? Email us at [email protected] Theme music: Rewind Kid "Rhythm Revolution"  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the penultimate episode of Skins series three and Brenna and Joe are getting real mad at Katie. If you were hoping to feel some kind of sympathy for the injured twin, look elsewhere because as everyone prepares for prom, Katie proves she's absolutely terrible to Emily.Plus: absent Effy & Cook, happy endings (?) for Pandora & Thomas and Emily and Naomi, and where we think the finale will go.Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Instagram and BlueSky @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:> Brenna: @brennacgray> Joe: @bstolemyremote (Instagram) or @joelipsett (BlueSky)Have a mail bag question? Email us at [email protected]  Theme music: Rewind Kid "Rhythm Revolution"  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's another Brenna pick as we continue to explore the shorts-> feature pipeline with 2020's Theater Camp and its 2023 feature adaptation.Created by husband pair Noah Galvin and Ben Platt, as well as Molly Gordon and director Nick Lieberman, these improv heavy texts are perfect for folks who know theater...and find it a little ridiculous.Plus: Joe's appreciation of the film's expanded runtime; our favourite jokes; and a discussion of "actor" archetypes. Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Instagram and BlueSky @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:> Brenna: @brennacgray> Joe: @bstolemyremote (Instagram) or @joelipsett (BlueSky)Have a mail bag question? Email us at [email protected]  Theme music: Rewind Kid "Rhythm Revolution" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's time for a party in the woods and Brenna and Joe are becoming increasingly worried about Effy.Obviously the rock fight at episode's end will have some big ramifications, but the looming mental health crisis of pairing Effy and Cook has us terrified for the young girl.Plus: rural horror vibes; Brenna's burgeoning interest in Katie; and predictions for the penultimate episode.Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Instagram and BlueSky @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:> Brenna: @brennacgray> Joe: @bstolemyremote (Instagram) or @joelipsett (BlueSky)Have a mail bag question? Email us at [email protected]  Theme music: Rewind Kid "Rhythm Revolution" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the heels of the 1994 short, Brenna and Joe check out Trevor: The Musical, the Off Broadway adaptation that is a full blown musical! Written by Dan Collins and directed by Robin Abrams, the nearly two hour version of the story unfortunately doesn't add content so much as stretch it out. Still, there's some good to be found here, including the Diana Ross performance, and the staging. But what about that changed (C/W) suicide attempt?!Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Instagram and BlueSky @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:> Brenna: @brennacgray> Joe: @bstolemyremote (Instagram) or @joelipsett (BlueSky)Have a mail bag question? Email us at [email protected] Theme music: Rewind Kid "Rhythm Revolution" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brenna and Joe finally reach the JJ episode of Skins series 3 and...we're divided.On one hand, the show finally gives JJ a diagnosis and allows him agency, but we find Skins' handling of mental health treatment so grim and one-sided.Plus: different readings on JJ's mom; disappointment about the handling of Emily; a completely different episode soundtrack; and JJ as a truth teller.Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Instagram and BlueSky @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:> Brenna: @brennacgray> Joe: @bstolemyremote (Instagram) or @joelipsett (BlueSky)Have a mail bag question? Email us at [email protected]  Theme music: Rewind Kid "Rhythm Revolution" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brenna has programmed us an Oscar-winning short Trevor (1994) that also led to the creation of The Trevor Project. Directed by Peggy Rajski and written by Celeste Lecesne, the ~18 minute short is clever and slightly surreal, though C/W for suicide attempt.Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Instagram and BlueSky @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:> Brenna: @brennacgray> Joe: @bstolemyremote (Instagram) or @joelipsett (BlueSky)Have a mail bag question? Email us at [email protected] Theme music: Rewind Kid "Rhythm Revolution" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brenna and Joe are in love with Naomi's episode, which feels like a series three high. Sure it's a struggle to watch her try to deny her feelings for Emily, but she's getting there!Plus: school elections; Katie being the worst; and Brenna's cheer for dressing down a pervy teacher.Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Instagram and BlueSky @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:> Brenna: @brennacgray> Joe: @bstolemyremote (Instagram) or @joelipsett (BlueSky)Have a mail bag question? Email us at [email protected]  Theme music: Rewind Kid "Rhythm Revolution" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brenna and Joe return to discuss the six episode S02 of A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, which shifts the focus prominently to Max Hastings. This definitely changes the messaging of the book, though TV-only viewers likely won't notice.Plus: struggling to connect to Stanley Forbes; praising the casting of Max's cousin; and pondering what the third and final series will look like.Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Instagram and BlueSky @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:> Brenna: @brennacgray> Joe: @bstolemyremote (Instagram) or @joelipsett (BlueSky)Have a mail bag question? Email us at [email protected]  Theme music: Rewind Kid "Rhythm Revolution" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prep your sexual euphemism because we're auditioning for Sexxbomb in the latest episode of Skins series 3.Episode 5 "Freddie" tells us as much about the title character as it does his love interest, but our patience with JJ is running thin.Plus: Cook's lack of verbal skills; debate about Freddie's father; and the moment that had us screaming "Oh Effy!"Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Instagram and BlueSky @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:> Brenna: @brennacgray> Joe: @bstolemyremote (Instagram) or @joelipsett (BlueSky)Have a mail bag question? Email us at [email protected]  Theme music: Rewind Kid "Rhythm Revolution" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pip is back for another mystery in Holly Jackson's Good Girl, Bad Blood (2020) AKA A Good Girl's Guide to Murder book two.There's plenty to admire about this entry, which finds Pip growing up and discovering the world isn't fair in a pretty devastating way.Plus: hating Ant & Lauren; admiring the dark ending; and Max Hasting's trial reminding us of real life Canadian scandals involving the World Junior hockey players and Jian Ghomeshi. Ick.Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Instagram and BlueSky @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:> Brenna: @brennacgray> Joe: @bstolemyremote (Instagram) or @joelipsett (BlueSky)Have a mail bag question? Email us at [email protected]  Theme music: Rewind Kid "Rhythm Revolution" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Skins series 3 delivers another strong episode as we zero in on Pandora's birthday, which ends in the most typical Skins fashion ever.Plus: the heated exchange between Effy and Panda; another bad parental model; and what kind of adult crashes a party at a teenager's house?!Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Instagram and BlueSky @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:> Brenna: @brennacgray> Joe: @bstolemyremote (Instagram) or @joelipsett (BlueSky)Have a mail bag question? Email us at [email protected]  Theme music: Rewind Kid "Rhythm Revolution" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brenna and Joe return to wrap up the love affair between Nick and Charlie in the conclusion of Alice Oseman's Heartstopper. We're reading Volume 6 and watching the Netflix film, Heartstopper Forever (2026) directed by former gay porn director Wash Westmoreland.This is lovely...but we have a few issues, including a forced conflict, a too long break-up in the film, and the lack of time for supporting characters.Plus: Elle's trans right speech; Tao's lesson about loved ones; missing Olivia Coleman; and how much Joe cried!Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Instagram and BlueSky @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:> Brenna: @brennacgray> Joe: @bstolemyremote (Instagram) or @joelipsett (BlueSky)Have a mail bag question? Email us at [email protected]  Theme music: Rewind Kid "Rhythm Revolution" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is the episode of Skins that Brenna needed! The arrival of Merveille Lukeba's Thomas upends the familiar narrative as teleplay writers Daniel Kaluuya & Bryan Elsley expertly integrate the teen from the Congo into the series' other narratives.Plus: Brenna's love of Pandora; Joe's desire for donuts; and a chilli pepper showdown for the agesWanna connect with the show? Follow us on Instagram and BlueSky @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:> Brenna: @brennacgray> Joe: @bstolemyremote (Instagram) or @joelipsett (BlueSky)Have a mail bag question? Email us at [email protected] Theme music: Rewind Kid "Rhythm Revolution" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brenna and Joe respond to a Sherlock Holmes/Peter Pan crossover recommendation from teabooksandchocolate: The Adventures of Mary Darling by Pat Murphy.Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Instagram and BlueSky @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:> Brenna: @brennacgray> Joe: @bstolemyremote (Instagram) or @joelipsett (BlueSky)Have a mail bag question? Email us at [email protected]  Theme music: Rewind Kid "Rhythm Revolution" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

(Banned) Book Club is back in session with Malinda Lo's incredibly "study-able" text, Last Night at the Telegraph Club (2021).With input from listeners Daphne, Spencer, Miriam, and teabooksandchocolate, there's so much richness to pull from this queer historical book.Plus: where it's banned; being disappointed by Lily's dad and aunt; heating up over the sex scenes; and why the signposted focalization changes worked better for Brenna than JoeWanna connect with the show? Follow us on Instagram and BlueSky @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:> Brenna: @brennacgray> Joe: @bstolemyremote (Instagram) or @joelipsett (BlueSky)Have a mail bag question? Email us at [email protected]  Theme music: Rewind Kid "Rhythm Revolution" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brenna and Joe return for Skins S03E02 and...someone isn't feeling it."Cook" is too slight an episode and the archetypes and narratives are too familiar to series one.Plus: Praising Jack O'Connell (but hating the character); Pandora's bag of drugs; and guest star Mackenzie Crook in an unconventional role.Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Instagram and BlueSky @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:> Brenna: @brennacgray> Joe: @bstolemyremote (Instagram) or @joelipsett (BlueSky)Have a mail bag question? Email us at [email protected]  Theme music: Rewind Kid "Rhythm Revolution" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joe and Brenna move on to Enola Holmes, the first film in the franchise, which was meant to go theatrical but debuted on Netflix due to the pandemic.Starring Millie Bobby Brown (who's clearly proving she can do more than Stranger Things), the film is plenty of fun, even if it is a bit too long.Plus: good Sherlock and bad Mycroft; aging up a love interest; and Helena Bonham Carter in a beefed up role.Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Instagram and BlueSky @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:> Brenna: @brennacgray> Joe: @bstolemyremote (Instagram) or @joelipsett (BlueSky)Have a mail bag question? Email us at [email protected] Theme music: Rewind Kid "Rhythm Revolution" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brenna and Joe kick off another summer of Skins, which a look at Series 3, episode 1 "Everybody"We're concerned that this is just a new cast with the same storylines, though Joe is a bit more optImistic. Plus: Effy's bad decisions; different career paths for the twins; and our immediate dislike of Cook.Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Instagram and BlueSky @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:> Brenna: @brennacgray> Joe: @bstolemyremote (Instagram) or @joelipsett (BlueSky)Have a mail bag question? Email us at [email protected]  Theme music: Rewind Kid "Rhythm Revolution" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brenna and Joe dip a toe into Nancy Springer's mystery series with the first Enola Holmes Mystery: The Case of the Missing Marquess (2006)This Middle grade text is deft, but surprisingly deep, particularly the way Springer uses women's fashion as a central component of the narrative.Plus: sexist Sherlock Holmes and Mycroft; a bad mother; and the novel's subtle, but specific historical/political context.Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Instagram and BlueSky @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:> Brenna: @brennacgray> Joe: @bstolemyremote (Instagram) or @joelipsett (BlueSky)Have a mail bag question? Email us at [email protected]  Theme music: Rewind Kid "Rhythm Revolution" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listener Hannah writes in to offer a more optimistic/happy reading of the end of You Can Live Forever.Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Instagram and BlueSky @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:> Brenna: @brennacgray> Joe: @bstolemyremote (Instagram) or @joelipsett (BlueSky)Have a mail bag question? Email us at [email protected]  Theme music: Rewind Kid "Rhythm Revolution" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joe and Brenna are joined by returning guest Jes Battis to discuss Jim Henson's Labyrinth (1986) for its 40th anniversary.Jes literally wrote the book on the film, It's Only Forever: Labyrinth, which means this celebratory episode is filled with tons of insights into both the film and Jim Henson.Plus: 80s nostalgia; academia as goblin-world; our fave characters/puppets and songs; and, of course, the David Bowie of it all.Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Instagram and BlueSky @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:> Jes: @jesbattis.bsky.social / Buy the book via the ECW Press site> Brenna: @brennacgray> Joe: @bstolemyremote (Instagram) or @joelipsett (BlueSky)Have a mail bag question? Email us at [email protected]  Theme music: Rewind Kid "Rhythm Revolution" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brenna and Joe check out singer/writer Hayley Kiyoko's queer romance novel Girls Like Girls (2023) in advance of the feature adaptation. C/W: Discussions of suicideIt's a great approximation of the fiery heat of young love, though we can't fully invest in the main couple (ugh Sonya!)Plus: father/daughter relationships; "wrong" partners; and our hopes for the film.Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Instagram and BlueSky @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:> Brenna: @brennacgray> Joe: @bstolemyremote (Instagram) or @joelipsett (BlueSky)Have a mail bag question? Email us at [email protected]  Theme music: Rewind Kid "Rhythm Revolution" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joe and Brenna return to discuss director Amber Sealey (the voice of The Princess Diaries audiobook?!) and writer Daniel Stiepleman's adaptation of Out Of My Mind (2024).Starring real life disabled actor Phoebe-Rae Taylor, this Peabody-winning film will definitely get the waterworks going, especially Luke Kirby (who gives Stanley Tucci a run for his money for Best Dad in YA).Plus: the visualization of Melody's frustration; the power of silence; a kooky Judith Light; and a small but intriguing change to the climax.Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Instagram and BlueSky @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:> Brenna: @brennacgray> Joe: @bstolemyremote (Instagram) or @joelipsett (BlueSky)Have a mail bag question? Email us at [email protected]  Theme music: Rewind Kid "Rhythm Revolution" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brenna and Joe catch up on emails from Tea, Books, and Chocolate and Charlotte about Lord of the Flies, including a disturbing read on Simon and the pig and the comic adaptation by Aimee de Jongh. Plus: Joe recommends the Amazon show The Wilds.Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Instagram and BlueSky @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:> Brenna: @brennacgray> Joe: @bstolemyremote (Instagram) or @joelipsett (BlueSky)Have a mail bag question? Email us at [email protected]  Theme music: Rewind Kid "Rhythm Revolution" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brenna and Joe check out Sharon Draper's Out Of My Mind (2010) about Melody, a non-verbal girl with Cerebral Palsy who wants to be able to communicate more than anything.Unlike so many other books about disability, however, this isn't a book about how Melody changes the world...and it's better for it!Plus: exceptional Middle Grade fiction; resisting the temptation of a fantasy ending; and garbage children and systemic barriers.Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Instagram and BlueSky @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:> Brenna: @brennacgray> Joe: @bstolemyremote (Instagram) or @joelipsett (BlueSky)Have a mail bag question? Email us at [email protected] Theme music: Rewind Kid "Rhythm Revolution" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joe and Brenna boldly explore a YA topic they've never discussed before: the sex comedy! We're getting filthy and profane with Jillian Bell's directorial debut, Summer of 69 (2025) in which a teenager hires a stripper to teach her about sex.This is a ton of fun, which great performances, a sex (and sex worker) positive perspective, and a group of women doing it for themselves.Plus: a schwoopy haired teen love interest; a dildo nightmare sequence; and why does counting (or the lack thereof) amuse Brenna so much?!Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Instagram and BlueSky @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:> Brenna: @brennacgray> Joe: @bstolemyremote (Instagram) or @joelipsett (BlueSky)Have a mail bag question? Email us at [email protected] Theme music: Rewind Kid "Rhythm Revolution" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brenna and Joe return to discuss the eight episode S01 adaptation of Finding Her Edge, co-created by Jeff Norton and Shelley Scarrow (disappointingly - she worked on Canadian faves like Wynona Earp and Being Erica).This is BAD on multiple levels (try to count Joe's innumerable rants), most egregiously in how little anyone seems to care. Plus: digging into that Rotten Tomatoes score; the show's mishandling of queer characters; Brenna's disdain for Persuasion comparisons; and lots of snorts/laughs! Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Instagram and BlueSky @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:> Brenna: @brennacgray> Joe: @bstolemyremote (Instagram) or @joelipsett (BlueSky)Have a mail bag question? Email us at [email protected]  Theme music: Rewind Kid "Rhythm Revolution" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brenna and Joe hit the ice with Jennifer Iacopelli's 2022 novel Finding Her Edge.It's the story of an ambitious 16 year old with Olympic dreams, and her gaslighting trash father and dismissive older sister. Oh...and a love triangle.It's fine! The novel is a bit too long & tropey and the romance is the least interesting part, but it's readable and the sports stuff is engaging. Spoiler alert: it's also way better than the show!Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Instagram and BlueSky @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:> Brenna: @brennacgray> Joe: @bstolemyremote (Instagram) or @joelipsett (BlueSky)Have a mail bag question? Email us at [email protected]  Theme music: Rewind Kid "Rhythm Revolution" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lord of the Flies is back thanks to the new four episode limited series from Adolescence creators Mark Munden and Jack Thorne.After revisiting William Golding's original text, Brenna has a list of adaptation changes and how they affect the colonial, queer, and race readings.Plus: non-professional child actors; fish eyed lenses; the impact of B/W vs colour; and why this series isn't exactly entertainmentWanna connect with the show? Follow us on Instagram and BlueSky @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:> Brenna: @brennacgray> Joe: @bstolemyremote (Instagram) or @joelipsett (BlueSky)Have a mail bag question? Email us at [email protected]  Theme music: Rewind Kid "Rhythm Revolution" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.