PODCAST · tv
The Smell Test Podcast
by Jessica Homer & Diane Odeh
Hosts Jessica and Diane revisit beloved films from our past and discuss whether or not they still hold up in the 2020s: and by that we mean culturally, ethically, humorously, and through our own personal gut checks. If they do, they pass our “smell test”!
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103
Smell Test Episode 103: The NeverEnding Story
Buckle up, because you're in for a wild ride as we revisit the traumatic classic The NeverEnding Story (1984). Tune in to hear us wax philosophical about what The Nothing really is.
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102
Smell Test Episode 102: Steel Magnolias
Steel Magnolias (1989) is based on a true story and features a cast of Hollywood starlets. Tune in to hear us weigh in on how we would've handled Shelby's dilemma and talk about how Truvy's husband wasn't as bad as we remembered.
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101
Smell Test Episode 101: The 'Burbs
We return from spring break to talk about 1989's The 'Burbs, which is somehow our first Tom Hanks movie. Prepare your ears for discussions about the racist origins of suburbs, xenophobia, and how cool crows are.
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100
Smell Test Episode 100: Wish Upon a Star
Wish Upon A Star (1996) was a Disney Channel Original Movie that followed the body-swap trope. Tune in to hear the origins of body swap movies, our thoughts on who we would swap with, fatphobia, and the ethics of trading places with someone.
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99
Smell Test Episode 99: Harry and the Hendersons
Harry and the Hendersons (1987) had a formidable impact on Jessica's thinking today. Tune in to hear more about it! Topics include toxic masculinity, environmental protection, and why Diane thinks Seattle sucks.
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98
Smell Test Episode 98: Orange County
Orange County (2002) debuted 24 years ago and supplanted Jack Black as a physical comedy icon. Tune in as we give this film a review. Topics include elderly abuse, addiction, and nepo babies.
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97
Smell Test Episode 97: Double Jeopardy
Double Jeopardy (1999) stars feminist icon and activist Ashley Judd. Tune in as real-life lawyer Jess gives us a lesson on why the film's premise isn't legally sound.
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96
Smell Test Episode 96: Drop Dead Gorgeous
Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999) follows wannabe beauty queens in small town Minnesota. Join us as we talk about if this is really a black comedy or plain offensive in 2026. Topics include disability representation, beauty standards, and which contestant we most identify with.
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95
Smell Test Episode 95: What Women Want
What Women Want (2000) stars Mel Gibson, Helen Hunt--and a host of other famous actors. Topics include talking about what an (alleged) asshole Mel Gibson is, and debriefing on if this film really represents the female psyche.
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94
Smell Test Episode 94: Three Amigos!
Three Amigos! (1986) is where Steve Martin and Martin Short's longtime friendship and collaboration began. Topics include the proliferation of police state, portrayal of women of color, and how much Chevy Chase sucks.
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93
Smell Test Episode 93: Bridget Jones's Diary
Happy New Year, everyone! This week we talk about 2001's Bridget Jones's Diary. Topics in this episode include fatphobia, new year's resolutions, and workplace relationships.
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92
Smell Test Episode 92: Edward Scissorhands
For our final movie of 2025, we cover 1990's Edward Scissorhands. Tune in to hear us talk about how people deemed the "other" are treated in society; and our alleged opinions of certain lawsuits.
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91
Smell Test Episode 91: Home Alone
Home Alone (1990) kicked off a franchise that has endured for thirty years. Listen to hear our opinions on if Kevin McAllister was really that bad--and why we think Buzz is the worst.
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90
Smell Test Episode 90: Saved!
This episode, we talk about what Saved! (2004) shows us about Christianity, teen pregnancy, and disability justice. Just casual topics!**Please note that this episode has a few technical difficulties with jumbled words. Thanks for sticking with us!**
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89
Smell Test Episode 89: Knights of Badassdom
Knights of Badassdom (2013) is our most recent film covered thus far, and you've probably never heard of it. Tune in to see if a 12-year old movie passes the smell test.
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88
Smell Test Episode 88: The Rocky Horror Picture Show
It's never too late for spooky szn, right? Tune in to hear us talk about The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) and learn why John Stamos sux.
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87
Smell Test Episode 87: Practical Magic
Practical Magic (1998) is one of many witchy movies that have captivated and influenced millennial women. Jack joins us to discuss this film's identity crisis and whether or not it holds up 27 years later.
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86
Smell Test Episode 86: The Faculty
The Faculty (1998) is a 2-hour long Tommy Hilfiger ad. Tune in to hear us discuss high school tropes and aliens.
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85
Smell Test Episode 85: The Sixth Sense
This week, we discuss The Sixth Sense (1999). Join us as we talk about religion, the afterlife, and New Kids on the Block.
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84
Smell Test Episode 84: Stigmata
We're kicking off spooky season 2025 with Jess's pick Stigmata (1999). Tune in for random musings about the Catholic church.
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83
Smell Test Episode 83: Death Becomes Her
Death Becomes Her (1992) is a black comedy about the beauty industry and our cultural obsession with youth. Has anything changed since then? Tune in to hear our thoughts!
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82
Smell Test Episode 82: Coyote Ugly
**Due to technical difficulties, please delete and re-download this episode**Coyote Ugly (2000) was a shared pick this episode! Tune in to hear us discuss if this is a feminist film; and where we think all the characters would be today.
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81
Smell Test Episode 81: Can't Hardly Wait
This episode, we talk about Diane's pick of Can't Hardly Wait (1998). Tune in as we discuss house parties, which men in the film are the worst, and our love of Jennifer Love Hewitt.
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80
Smell Test Episode 80: Troop Beverly Hills
This episode, we dissect Troop Beverly Hills (1989) and all the ways that Freddy sucks. Happy 2-year anniversary to us!
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79
Smell Test Episode 79: To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar
To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995) is a cult classic about three drag queens stranded in small town America. Tune in to hear about our love of drag, our thoughts on representation, and more!
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78
Smell Test Episode 78: Ferngully
Join us to discuss Ferngully (1992), a movie dedicated to future generations. Tune in to hear how it brainwashed Jessica and our guest, Kelly!
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77
Smell Test Episode 77: Juno
Juno (2007) is about an unplanned teen pregnancy and was released at the peak of millennial core indie films. Does it pass the smell test?
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76
Smell Test Episode 76: Final Destination
This week, we're talking about Final Destination (2000). With death as the primary villain, does it stand the test of time?
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75
Smell Test Episode 75: Big Daddy
Big Daddy (1999) was a turn-of-the-century Adam Sandler film. Does it hold up 26 years later?
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74
Smell Test Episode 74: Office Space
Tune in to hear why Diane kind of thinks the Bobs had a good point as we unpack Office Space (1999).
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73
Smell Test Episode 73: Little Giants
Who doesn't love a good David v. Goliath story? Tune in as we debrief on Diane's pick, Little Giants (1994).
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72
Smell Test Episode 72: Set It Off
Set It Off (1996) stars an ensemble cast of black female actresses. Lorick joins us to discuss the influence this film had on her as a young women.
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71
Smell Test Episode 71: Bring It On
Bring It On (2000) is referenced often on social media in 2025. Tune in as we discuss cultural appropriation, teenaged snark, and which of the film's actors are no longer with us.
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70
Smell Test Episode 70: Tank Girl
Tank Girl (1995) takes place 8 years from now. Join us as we debrief on how accurately it predicted the future.
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69
Smell Test Episode 69: Mean Girls
Join us for this nice episode where we discussMean Girls (2004). Tune in to find out why Jess thinks Janis Ian is the worst; and to hear what we think the characters would be up to today.
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68
Smell Test Episode 68: Revenge of the Nerds
Buckle up as we hate-watch Revenge of the Nerds (1984) and discuss why it planted the seeds of where contemporary society is at today.
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67
Smell Test Episode 67: Varsity Blues
Varsity Blues (1999) tells the story of small town football life and is the first rated R film Diane watched in the movie theater. Tune in as we determine if a movie about a sport we dislike passes the smell test.
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66
Smell Test Episode 66: Trading Places
Eddie joins us for our last holiday season episode to discuss Trading Places (1983). We made this extra long to tide you over until 2025!
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65
Smell Test Episode 65: Die Hard
Die Hard (1988) is arguably a Christmas movie, so we're covering it this week! Join us as debrief on the hidden politics in this film as we also try to figure out what the Nakatomi Corporation actually does.
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64
Smell Test Episode 64: The Family Stone
The Family Stone (2005) has been watched many time by Diane on accident and features many locations from Jess's old stomping grounds. Tune in to hear why we think Meredith wasn't the only problem.
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63
Smell Test Episode 63: Bad Santa
We kick off this year's holiday season with Bad Santa (2003). Tune in to hear us be perpetually confounded at Billy Bob Thornton's attractiveness.
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62
Smell Test Episode 62: Idiocracy
Idiocracy (2006) is set in 2505, but we're well on our way to it becoming a reality. Does a movie that uses so many slurs pass the smell test?
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61
Smell Test Episode 61: Legally Blonde
Legally Blonde (2001) is based on a true story of woman's experience in law school. Tune in to hear us share our grad school experiences, and what we think Warner is up to today!
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60
Smell Test Episode 60: Honey, I Shrunk The Kids
Time for a November palate cleanser! Jess has seen Honey, I Shrunk The Kids (1989). Once again, Diane saw the sequel before the original. Tune in to learn why we think Rick Moranis is the best, and why we feel bad for the only daughter in the film.
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59
Smell Test Episode 59: Poltergeist
Join us for our final episode of spooky season where we discuss the classic Poltergeist (1982). This film still serves as an archetype for spooky movies today, but does it pass the smell test?
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58
Smell Test Episode 58: The Blair Witch Project
The final sibling of the Homer brood, Aubrey, joins us to debrief onThe Blair Witch Project (1999). This podcast does not stand with all the witch slander of this film.
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57
Smell Test Episode 57: The Shining
Diane's high school best friend Jessica joins us to discuss The Shining (1980). Buckle up, because we have a LOT of things to say about Jack Torrance. Be aware, this episode contains frank discussions of abuse.
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56
Smell Test Episode 56: Ernest Scared Stupid
Dr. Joe joins us to debrief on Ernest Scared Stupid (1991). Was Jim Varney one of the most prolific propagandists of the 1990s? Does Ernest hate colonialism? Tune in to find out what we think!
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55
Smell Test Episode 55: Rosemary's Baby
Rosemary's Baby (1968) was released during a tumultuous time in America and directed by a confirmed (alleged) creep. Does this iconic film pass the smell test?
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54
Smell Test Episode 54: Scream
Join us we debrief on Scream (1996) with our first return guest, Matt. Is Gale Weathers the worst? Was Stu in love with Billy? Tune in to hear what we think.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Hosts Jessica and Diane revisit beloved films from our past and discuss whether or not they still hold up in the 2020s: and by that we mean culturally, ethically, humorously, and through our own personal gut checks. If they do, they pass our “smell test”!
HOSTED BY
Jessica Homer & Diane Odeh
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