The Bechdel Cast
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The Bechdel Cast is a weekly podcast about the representation of women in film. The Bechdel Cast is hosted by Los Angeles-based comedians Caitlin Durante and Jamie Loftus.
| "The Bechdel Cast" | |
|---|---|
| Presentation | |
| Hosted by | Caitlin Durante and Jamie Loftus |
| Genre | Comedy |
| Language | English |
| Updates | Weekly on Thursdays and twice a month on Patreon |
| Production | |
| Audio format | Podcasting (via streaming or download) |
| No. of episodes | 105 episodes, plus 24 episodes on Patreon |
| Publication | |
| Original release | November 27, 2016 |
| Provider | HowStuffWorks Network |
| Related | |
| Website | https://www.bechdelcast.com |
In November 2017 The Bechdel Cast released their introductory episode titled "Welcome to The Bechdel Cast!"[1] Their first episode was on the film Kill Bill with guest Zach Sherwin.[2]
The show is broadcast on the HowStuffWorks Network.[3] Episodes are available on iTunes, Stitcher Radio, SoundCloud, and Spotify. Select episodes are released to supporters on the crowdfunding platform Patreon twice a month.
Premise
The name of the podcast derives from cartoonist Alison Bechdel, who developed the concept of the Bechdel test. The test investigates whether or not a work includes at least two females conversing about something other than a man. Sometimes a requirement that the two women must be named is added, which is a rule the podcast adheres to.
The hosts begin by introducing their guest, often a comedian, actor, or other media personality. They then examine the representation of women in a particular film through an intersectional lens by scrutinizing how the characters are portrayed in reference to their gender, sexuality, class, or other personal category. At the end of each episode they determine whether or not the film passes the Bechdel test, as well as rate it on a "nipple scale" from 1 to 5 nipples based on how the female characters were portrayed overall.
The hosts occasionally reference similar tests, such as the Vito Russo test. This test analyzes the representation of LGBTQ+ characters in films. It requires that a character be identifiably LGBTQ+, not solely defined by their sexual orientation or gender identity, and whose absence from the film would alter the plot significantly.[4]
Format and structure
The podcast is informally comedic, and formatted in an improvisational style. Durante briefly recaps the film at the top of the episode with interjection from Loftus and the guest, and the rest of the time is spent on discussion and analysis of the film in a hilarious manner. They frequently mention supplemental running jokes, such as Loftus' obsession with actor Alfred Molina, and Durante's reminder of her Master's Degree in Screenwriting from Boston University.
The hosts recognize that simply because a film passes the Bechdel test, it does not mean that the women are portrayed positively onscreen. Due to this, they also rate the film on a "nipple scale" from 1 to 5 nipples, and recount why they gave it that particular rating and how to improve the film.
Episodes typically range from 45 minutes to 80 minutes, and are released once a week on Thursdays. Most episodes are recorded in the HowStuffWorks studio in Los Angeles. Within the past year they have begun touring and performing for studio audiences as The Bechdel Cast, which include live episodes such as "The Notebook with Caitlin Gill"[5][6] and "Edward Scissorhands with Maggie Mae Fish".[7][8]
Hosts
Caitlin Durante is a comedian and producer. She was the program producer for the Nerdmelt Showroom comedy venue at Meltdown Comics in Los Angeles from early 2015 until it closed in April 2018.[9] She is also a scriptwriter and story analyst, and frequently offers writing workshops in Los Angeles and Boston.[10]
Jamie Loftus is a sketch writer, animator, and actor.[3] Her comedic style can best be described as alternative comedy, with absurd pieces such as her one-woman show "I Lost My Virginity August 15, 2010"[11] and her attempt to raise money for Planned Parenthood by selling Shrek nudes.[12] She has also written and starred in video content for media sites Adult Swim, Comedy Central, Paste, and Super Deluxe.[3]
Episodes
| Episode # | Date aired | Title and Guest |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | November 27, 2016 | Welcome to the Bechdel Cast! |
| 2 | December 1, 2016 | Kill Bill with Zach Sherwin |
| 3 | December 8, 2016 | Beauty and the Beast (1991) with Courtney Karwal |
| 4 | December 15, 2016 | Star Wars: A New Hope with Sam Jay |
| 5 | December 22, 2016 | Love Actually with Debra DiGiovanni |
| 6 | December 29, 2016 | The Matrix with Matt Donaher |
| 7 | January 5, 2017 | Labyrinth with Jenny Zigrino |
| 8 | January 12, 2017 | The Princess Bride with Myq Kaplan |
| 9 | January 19, 2017 | Mad Max: Fury Road with Will Weldon |
| 10 | January 26, 2017 | Fargo with Julia Prescott |
| 11 | February 2, 2017 | Groundhog Day with Jackie Kashian |
| 12 | February 9, 2017 | Batman (1989) with Riley Silverman |
| 13 | February 14, 2017 | Titanic with Aparna Nancherla |
| 14 | February 23, 2017 | Heathers with Paige Weldon |
| 15 | March 2, 2017 | Single White Female with Ben Rodgers |
| 16 | March 9, 2017 | Runaway Bride with Sophia Benoit |
| 17 | March 16, 2017 | Coming to America with Amanda Seales |
| 18 | March 23, 2017 | Gigli with Josh Fadem |
| 19 | March 30, 2017 | Moana with Natalie Baseman |
| 20 | April 6, 2017 | Boogie Nights with Josh Androsky |
| 21 | April 13, 2017 | Hidden Figures with Nina Daniels |
| 22 | April 20, 2017 | Clueless with Nikki Glaser |
| 23 | April 27, 2017 | The Sandlot with Natalie Palamides |
| 24 | May 4, 2017 | Spice World with Amanda Meadows |
| 25 | May 11, 2017 | Thelma & Louise with Alexi Wasser |
| 26 | May 16, 2017 | Alien (1979) with Eliza Skinner |
| 27 | May 22, 2017 | Dirty Dancing (1987) with Emily Ruskowski |
| 28 | May 25, 2017 | Pirates of the Caribbean (2003) with Ashley Brooke Roberts |
| 29 | June 1, 2017 | Mean Girls with Jenny Jaffe |
| 30 | June 8, 2017 | Wonder Woman (2017) with Jessica Chobot |
| 31 | June 12, 2017 | The Mummy (1999) with Georgea Brooks |
| 32 | June 15, 2017 | The Wizard of Oz with Ever Mainard |
| 33 | June 22, 2017 | Transformers (2007) with Teresa Lee |
| 34 | June 29, 2017 | Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone with Maggie Maye |
| 35 | July 6, 2017 | Spider-Man 2 with Sina Grace |
| 36 | July 13, 2017 | The Beguiled (2017) with Alana Hope Levinson |
| 37 | July 20, 2017 | Ghost (1990) with Nicole Byer |
| 38 | July 27, 2017 | When Harry Met Sally... with Naomi Ekperigin |
| 39 | August 3, 2017 | Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid with Caitlin Gill |
| 40 | August 10, 2017 | Twilight with JT Taylor |
| 41 | August 17, 2017 | Jurassic Park (1993) with Steven Ray Morris |
| 42 | August 24, 2017 | School of Rock with Nina Corcoran |
| 43 | August 31, 2017 | The Room with Barbara Gray |
| 44 | September 7, 2017 | Grease 2 with Solomon Georgio |
| 45 | September 14, 2017 | Men in Black with Sam Ike |
| 46 | September 21, 2017 | A League of Their Own with Julia Claire |
| 47 | September 28, 2017 | Flatliners (1990) with Matt McCarthy |
| 48 | October 5, 2017 | Blade Runner with Hampton Yount |
| 49 | October 12, 2017 | Friday the 13th (1980) with Jen Saunderson |
| 50 | October 19, 2017 | Beetlejuice with Mike Abrusci |
| 51 | October 23, 2017 | Manhattan |
| 52 | October 26, 2017 | Hocus Pocus with Danielle Perez |
| 53 | November 2, 2017 | V for Vendetta with Marcella Arguello |
| 54 | November 9, 2017 | Shrek with Atsuko Okatsuka |
| 55 | November 16, 2017 | The Craft with Suzee Dunn |
| 56 | November 23, 2017 | Thanksgiving Minisode |
| 57 | November 30, 2017 | The Phantom of the Opera (2004) with Lindsay Ellis |
| 58 | December 7, 2017 | A Christmas Story with Brandon Bird |
| 59 | December 14, 2017 | The Holiday with Rebecca Bulnes |
| 60 | December 21, 2017 | Die Hard with Debra DiGiovanni |
| 61 | December 28, 2017 | Star Wars: The Force Awakens with Demi Adejuyigbe |
| 62 | January 4, 2018 | Mrs. Doubtfire with Emily Heller |
| 63 | January 11, 2018 | Pulp Fiction with Jake Weisman |
| 64 | January 18, 2018 | Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs with Jack O'Brien |
| 65 | January 25, 2018 | The Post with Lizz Winstead |
| 66 | February 1, 2018 | Girls Trip with Madison Shepard |
| 67 | February 8, 2018 | Lady Bird with Charla Lauriston |
| 68 | February 14, 2018 | Fifty Shades of Grey with Sara Schaefer |
| 69 | February 22, 2018 | The Notebook with Caitlin Gill |
| 70 | March 1, 2018 | Black Panther with Naomi Ekperigin and Ify Nwadiwe |
| 71 | March 8, 2018 | Josie and the Pussycats with Faye Orlove |
| 72 | March 15, 2018 | Lara Croft: Tomb Raider with Dani Fernandez |
| 73 | March 22, 2018 | Pacific Rim with Aristotle Acevedo |
| 74 | March 29, 2018 | Amélie with Hana Michels |
| 75 | April 5, 2018 | Mother! with Anna Akana |
| 76 | April 12, 2018 | The Rock with Miles Gray |
| 77 | April 19, 2018 | She's All That with Anna Hossnieh |
| 78 | April 26, 2018 | Jumanji (1995) and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017) with Bodie Reed |
| 79 | May 3, 2018 | Moulin Rouge! with Daniel O'Brien |
| 80 | May 10, 2018 | But I'm a Cheerleader with Jenny Chalikian |
| 81 | May 17, 2018 | Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind with Kate Banford |
| 82 | May 24, 2018 | Frozen with Chris Farren |
| 83 | May 31, 2018 | Aliens (1986) with Andrew Ti |
| 84 | June 7, 2018 | Ocean's Eleven with Edgar Momplaisir |
| 85 | June 14, 2018 | The Royal Tenenbaums with Jenny Yang |
| 86 | June 21, 2018 | Breakfast at Tiffany's with Gaby Dunn |
| 87 | June 28, 2018 | Her with Jesse David Fox |
| 88 | July 5, 2018 | The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants with Mary Houlihan |
| 89 | July 12, 2018 | Bend It Like Beckham with Subhah Agarwal |
| 90 | July 19, 2018 | Aladdin with Shereen Lani Younes |
| 91 | July 26, 2018 | Mission: Impossible (1996) with Alex Schmidt |
| 92 | August 2, 2018 | Wet Hot American Summer with Allison Raskin |
| 93 | August 9, 2018 | Point Break (1991) with Anita Sarkeesian |
| 94 | August 16, 2018 | 500 Days of Summer with Brandie Posey |
| 95 | August 23, 2018 | Mamma Mia! with Miel Bredouw |
| 96 | August 30, 2018 | Crazy Rich Asians with Teresa Lee and Ceda Xiong |
| 97 | September 6, 2018 | 10 Things I Hate About You with Laci Mosley |
| 98 | September 12, 2018 | The Lord of the Rings Trilogy - Part 1 with Anna Salinas |
| 99 | September 13, 2018 | The Lord of the Rings Trilogy - Part 2 with Anna Salinas |
| 100 | September 20, 2018 | Edward Scissorhands with Maggie Mae Fish |
| 101 | September 27, 2018 | She's the Man with Samee Junio |
| 102 | October 4, 2018 | Carrie (1976) with Eva Vives |
| 103 | October 11, 2018 | Raiders of the Lost Ark - 100 Episode Spectacular! |
| 104 | October 16, 2018 | A Star Is Born (2018) with Anna Hossnieh |
| 105 | October 18, 2018 | Halloween (1978) with April Wolfe |
| 106 | October 25, 2018 | Scream with Joan Ford |
| Episode # | Date aired | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | October 12, 2017 | Get Out with Rae Sanni |
| 2 | October 27, 2017 | Things We Learned in the First Year of the Bechdel Cast |
| 3 | November 13, 2017 | Superbad |
| 4 | November 25, 2017 | The Muppet Christmas Carol |
| 5 | December 18, 2017 | How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) |
| 6 | December 30, 2017 | Legally Blonde |
| 7 | January 15, 2018 | Ghostbusters (1984) |
| 8 | January 29, 2018 | Ghostbusters (2016) |
| 9 | February 13, 2018 | I, Tonya |
| 10 | February 26, 2018 | The Disaster Artist |
| 11 | March 13, 2018 | Q&A with Jamie and Caitlin |
| 12 | March 31, 2018 | Chocolat (2000) |
| 13 | April 9, 2018 | Juno |
| 14 | April 14, 2018 | Titanic |
| 15 | May 13, 2018 | The Parent Trap (1998) |
| 16 | May 28, 2018 | The Big Lebowski |
| 17 | June 30, 2018 | Scott Pilgrim vs. the World |
| 18 | July 16, 2018 | Incredibles 2 |
| 19 | July 30, 2018 | The Legend of Billie Jean |
| 20 | August 18, 2018 | Doubt |
| 21 | August 31, 2018 | Hackers |
| 22 | September 14, 2018 | Q&A with Jamie and Caitlin |
| 23 | September 28, 2018 | Teeth |
| 24 | October 12, 2018 | The Babadook |
References
- ^ "Welcome to The Bechdel Cast!". The Bechdel Cast. 2016-11-27. Retrieved 2018-10-21.
- ^ "Kill Bill with Zach Sherwin". The Bechdel Cast. 2016-12-01. Retrieved 2018-10-22.
- ^ a b c Escandon, Rosa. "25-Year-Old Jamie Loftus Is Bringing Fringe Comedy To The Mainstream". Forbes. Retrieved 2018-10-15.
- ^ "GLAAD Introduces 'Studio Responsibility Index,' Report on LGBT Images in Films Released by 'Big Six' Studios". GLAAD. 2013-08-20. Retrieved 2018-10-21.
- ^ "The Notebook with Caitlin Gill". The Bechdel Cast. 2018-02-22. Retrieved 2018-10-21.
- ^ "The Bechdel Cast Live presents The Notebook @ NerdMelt Showroom Los Angeles, CA - February 12th 2018 8:30 pm". holdmyticket.com. Retrieved 2018-10-21.
- ^ "Edward Scissorhands with Maggie Mae Fish". The Bechdel Cast. 2018-09-20. Retrieved 2018-10-21.
- ^ "The Bechdel Cast Live SOLD OUT | The Ruby LA". The Ruby LA. Retrieved 2018-10-21.
- ^ Cotner, David (2018-05-31). "Caitlin Durante: When Diversity Is a Laughing Matter". L.A. Weekly. Retrieved 2018-10-15.
- ^ "Writing A Short Comedy Film (Sundays) – Nerdist School". www.nerdistschool.com. Retrieved 2018-10-25.
- ^ "one woman show". jamie loftus. Retrieved 2018-10-15.
- ^ ""Shrek Nudes" for Planned Parenthood". The Packie. 2015-12-01. Retrieved 2018-10-15.