Welcome to Second Rate Film School! Where we offer you the film school experience for Free! Minus fun college socialization, and real world applications of your knowledge, and we're not accredited come to think of it... Ok fine we do fun interviews with directors, writers & actors, Oral Histories of Television Shows & Movies, commentary tracks & deep dives into some of the oddest pop culture moments! Check out our past episodes below!
Check out our YouTube Page & for Audio Listeners, we're also on Podbean & Apple Podcasts. Also follow us on Facebook & Twitter for all updates!
Courage the Cowardly Dog | Oral History | Part 2 | Feat. Crew & Cast
Welcome back to the middle of Nowhere for the second part of our oral history for Courage the Cowardly Dog! Today we cover fan favorite episodes like Freaky Fred, The Mask, Last of the Starmakers and more! Joining us again are Series Creator John R. Dilworth, Writers David Steven Cohen & William Hohauser, Composer Jody Gray & Courage himself: Marty Grabstein! So sit back and relax, and enjoy the making of these iconic episodes!
From the Script, to Storyboard, to Air: A Conversation with Director Peter Lauer on the Making of "Halloweenie"
Friend of the show Peter Lauer returns, this time to discuss the process behind directing an episode of the Nickelodeon classic: 'The Adventures of Pete & Pete'. We discuss the crafting of the storyboards, multiple revisions, issues shooting, deleted subplots, and more!
The Adventures of Pete & Pete | Halloweenie | Storyboard Comparison
It's Pete and Pete like you've never seen them: as Storyboards! For the first time ever see the original storyboards to "Halloweenie '' provided by the Episode's Director Peter Lauer! In a picture & picture view, you'll see these directly compared to the episode itself & how close or different they were to the final product for a one of a kind peak behind the curtain of one of our favorite shows!
Scooby-Doo & The Alien Invaders | Commentary Track Featuring Writer Lance Falk
Spooktober continues with friend of the show Lance Falk returning to do a commentary on his 2000 film Scooby-Doo and the Alien Invaders! So join us as we reminisce about this Scoobtastic classic with: Shaggy's first real love interest, hints for future Scooby Movies, hidden jokes revealed and more!
Courage the Cowardly Dog | Oral History | Part 1 | Feat. Crew & Cast
Come out to the middle of Nowhere as we discuss the history of Courage the Cowardly Dog in the first of a three part retrospective! Joining us is Series Creator John R. Dilworth, Writers David Steven Cohen & William Hohauser, Composer Jody Gray & Courage himself: Marty Grabstein!
Interview with Animator & Writer Lance Falk | From Jonny Quest to Scooby Doo
Like Zoinks! Today we are joined by the animation renascence man Lance Falk! Lance's nearly 40 years in the animation industry has spanned beloved franchises like Jonny Quest, the Flintstones, Swat Kats and of course Scooby-Doo! Join Lance and I as we discuss the making of the legendary late 90s- early 2000's Scooby-Doo Movies, animation greats and the evolution of America's favorite dog!
Halloweenie | Adventures of Pete & Pete | Commentary Track | Feat. Crew
On October 9th 1994, Nickelodeon aired the Halloween Episode of their legendary series The Adventures of Pete & Pete: Halloweenie. Now 28 years later experience this Nick Classic with a brand new commentary track with Series' Creators Will McRobb and Chris Viscardi and returning Guest Stars Peter Lauer & John Inwood! From being chased out of the town they filmed in, crazy stunts, Iggy Pop and more, we cover it all!
Better Call Saul | Series Finale Discussion
Well the final episode of one of the greatest TV Shows has come and gone. What did we think? Well, I guess we kinda just gave it away. Opps. Either way listen as we discuss the finale of Better Call Saul, it's ranking in the Breaking Bad Universe & it's overall place in Television history!
The Batman (2022) | Movie Discussion
Fresh off of marathoning every (ok almost) Batman movie, today we're discussing The Batman (2022)! We discuss this new interpretation of Batman from his more humble origins, the kickass Batmobile chase & the future of a possible franchise for this incarnation! Finally we debate its overall standing within the Pantheon of Batman movies!
Scream (2022) | Movie Discussion
Join Jake & I as we discuss Scream (2022) and how it compares with the rest of the franchise! From pre-viewing predictions, to post viewing breakdown, reactions & hopes for future installments!
Die Hard (1988) | Commentary Track
Today we're back to commentate on the single most badass CHRISTMAS movie of all time: Die Hard! From its novel origins, to its ever growing number of sequels, & how we'd make a truly great Die Hard Sequel! We cover it all!
The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974) | Commentary Track | Feat. CR!
Today I'm joined by Familiar Faces Creator CR! We'll be covering the Rankin Bass Classic 'The Year Without a Santa Claus'! Join us as we discuss the iconic Miser Brothers Songs, the weird sequels and live action remake nobody remembers as well as the legacy of Rankin Bass & the world of Christmas specials as a whole!
Cry Baby Lane: An Oral History | Part 2
Today we wrap up our Oral History of Cry Baby Lane: The Movie too scary for Nickelodeon! Joining me again as my guests are Executive Producer, Writer & Director Peter Lauer, Executive Producer & Writer Bob Mittenthal & Director of Photography John Inwood! In this part we examine the movie's banishment, rediscovery & legacy 21 years on!
Simpsons Treehouse of Horror Commentary Tracks | Parts 13
We're back for the final time ever (maybe?) with my Sister as we cover the 13th Treehouse of Horror Episode! Is it the best one yet or lackluster? Watch to find out! We also discuss our feelings on the first 13 Years of this Tradition and our overall favorites and least favorite segments!
Scream (1996) | Commentary Track
Today we commemorate 25 years of Scream! Jake & I discuss what makes this one of the best slasher, horror & mystery movies of all time! From the legendary intro with Drew Barrymore, the stellar casting, writing & Directing from the legendary Wes Craven, we cover it all!
Simpsons Treehouse of Horror Commentary Tracks | Parts 10-12
Join us as we discuss Werewolf Flanders clashing with a Super Crisp loving Homer, a segment with Killer Dolphins that I thought was a parody of Jaws, a Parody of Harry Potter before the franchise became overplayed!
Cry Baby Lane: An Oral History | Part 1
Today we're examining the history behind the Nickelodeon movie that was so scary it was only aired once: Cry Baby Lane! My Guests today are Executive Producer, Writer & Director Peter Lauer, Executive Producer & Writer Bob Mittenthal & Director of Photography John Inwood. So join us as we discuss the making of the movie Nick doesn't want you to see!
Simpsons Treehouse of Horror Commentary Tracks | Parts 7-9
My sister is back on the show as we cover Parts 7-9 today of The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror! From the much less toxic Clin-ton Years, Marge's First Starring role, & a killer hair day! We cover it all
Simpsons Treehouse of Horror Commentary Tracks | Parts 4-6
My sister returns as we continue our month long Treehouse of Horror Commentary tracks, as we cover Parts 4-6 today! From Ned Flanders as the Devil to No TV & No Beer Makes Homer go something something, and Weird 3D Homer we cover it all!
Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 (2000) | Commentary Track
Today I'm joined by Blair Witch Production Designer Ben Rock & 8 Days in the Woods: The Making of the Blair Witch Project writer Matt Blazi to discuss the infamous sequel that came out approximately 48 hours after the original! We discuss the good, the bad & the very weird that came from this deconstruction of the previous year's mega hit film!
Simpsons Treehouse of Horror Commentary Tracks | Parts 1-3
Today my special guest star is my (older) sister who will join me for the rest of the month as we do commentaries for the first 13 Treehouse of Horror specials, but today we're going all the way back to the start, with the first three episodes!
Who Wants to Be a Superhero?: A Look back at Stan Lee's Superhero Reality Show | Part 1
Today we're joined by the stars of the 2006 Reality show: Who Wants to Be a Superhero? This slice of Pre-MCU Superhero Pop Culture was Hosted by Stan Lee and may be the most fascinating/most confusing reality show ever made! In Part 1 we cover the first half of the season ranging topics from creating their characters to controversial eliminations.
Interview with Clarissa Explains it All creator Mitchell Kriegman
Today we sit down with series creator Mitchell Kriegman as we commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the Nickelodeon Classic: Clarissa Explains it All! From creating the show, to the stories behind the classic theme song, failed spin offs, merchandise & more! We EXPLAIN IT ALL in our in-depth view at one of the shows that put Nickelodeon on the Map!
Interview with Director Gary Trousdale | From Beauty and the Beast to Atlantis!
Today we are joined by animation director Gary Trousdale! A mainstay of the animation industry for decades, Gary has directed some of your favorite movies, including: Beauty & the Beast, The Hunchback of Notre Dame & Atlantis: The Lost Empire! Each of these movies are celebrating milestone anniversaries, (turning 30, 25 & 20 Years old respectively) this year, & we're gonna talk about them! So sit back & relax as Gary walks us through the making of these classics!
Bionicle 2: Legends of Metru Nui (2004) | Commentary Track
Jacob is excited to be part of the show again! Yes, today we take a look at the sequel to the first Bionicle movie that Jake & Andrew barely remember watching! So join us as Jacob explains the interesting yet confusing history of this series, while Jake & Andrew silently nod while making Rudy Giuliani jokes!
Blair Witch Project Comic Books: Exploring & Expanding the Canon
Shortly after the release of 'The Blair Witch Project' Oni Comics released 5 comics that explored and expanded the canon of the hit film. Join '8 Days in the Woods' author Matt Blazi as we analyze these seemingly forgotten stories & decide if they should stay that way!
What is the Best Batman Movie?
Join us as we do a dive into all of the theatrically released Batman Movies to discuss them in-depth & determine which is the Best Batman Movie! From Adam West to Christian Bale, the silliness of Tommy Lee Jones as Two Face to Heath Ledger's Joker, we cover it all!
Mission Hill Commentary Track & Interview with Special Guest Star Bill Oakley
Series Creator & writer Bill Oakley joins us to discuss the Cult Hit show Mission Hill! From its untimely cancellation, jokes that went over my head as a kid, & the proposed spin off "Gus & Wally"! We also discuss his time on The Simpsons, writing the eternally Memeable "Steamed Hams" & Who Really Shot Mr. Burns!
Was 'The Wacky Adventures of Ronald McDonald' Good or just a Cash Grab?
Today we explore the fascinating & undeniably Wacky History of these direct to Happy Meal VHS tapes that McDonalds put simultaneously a lot of & not enough effort into! It's time for a Wacky Adventures of Ronald McDonald!
Newhart’s John Voldstad "Other Brother Daryl" Interview
Today we're joined again by "Other Brother Daryl" John Voldstad! From his immigration to America, to education on the London Stages, Ghostbusters, Leprechaun & of course Newhart, we discuss it all! So mosey over to the Minute Man Cafe, sit back & relax!
Home Alone (1990) | Commentary Track
It's the 30th Anniversary of Ghost, so of Course we're talking about Home Alone! Join us as we discuss this little film that could, it's bad sequels & terrible rip offs! Merry Christmas or whatever day you're watching this!
William Sanderson Interview: From Newhart to Deadwood & True Blood
Today veteran character actor William Sanderson joins us to discuss his extensive career! From Newhart to Deadwood & True Blood! As well as discussing the Evolution of Larry, Daryl & Daryl & behind the scenes stories from his over 40 years in Show Business!
Newhart (1982) | Commentary Tracks | Guest Starring John Voldstad "Other Brother Daryl"
For 8 seasons, John Voldstad played the silent Other Brother Daryl on the hit series Newhart! Today he joins us to discuss the phenomenon of Larry, Daryl & Daryl & this classic series in three episodes hand picked by the man himself! So check into the Stratford Inn & settle in for this 80s throwback!
Santa Claus is Comin' to Town (1970) | Commentary Track
It's Time again for us to gush over Rankin & Bass Christmas Specials! Why? Well because it's Christmas!!! Today we're looking at Santa Claus is Comin' to Town which turns 50 this year! From an elderly Mickey Rooney playing a young man, to that Acid Trip Song that we all fast forwarded from, to the Rankin Bass Cinematic Universe, we cover it all!
Free Birds (2013) Movie Discussion
Happy Thanksgiving! Given how much we loved Free Birds, we're doing something we've never done on this channel before, revisit a movie we've already done! From the sequels we got, to the ones we didn't & it's impact on cinema, we cover it all!
Free Birds (2013) | Commentary Track
Remember Free Birds? Of Course you don't! Today we dive into this odd attempt at creating a Thanksgiving Staple, that while coming out in 2015 feels like it came out in 2005! From confusing Owen Wilson for Luke Wilson, to our guesses of what's to come in the Free Birds Series, we discuss it all!
Interview with Blair Witch Project Production Designer Ben Rock
We're back talking about The Blair Witch Project with Production Designer Ben Rock! From the creation of the legendary stickmen, to crafting the mockumentaries that preceded the movie, sequels, back lash & more! We cover it all!
Halloween (1978) | Commentary Track
To wrap up this year's Halloween Season, we take a look at the John Carpenter Slasher Classic Halloween! Join us as we discuss topics like series mainstay Donald Pleasence, to the varying quality of the sequels & remakes! But above all, we also discuss the hit film Free Birds!
Q&A with Blair Witch Project Director Eduardo Sánchez
Director Eduardo Sánchez joins Second Rate Film School again! This time to discuss the mythology, lore & legacy of The Blair Witch Project! From Comics, to Parodies & the infamous sequel that came out 48 hours after the original's release.
Scooby-Doo & the Alien Invaders! (2000) | Commentary Track
Often considered the weakest of the Big Four Direct to Video Scooby Movies, we discuss the high points & the merits of it that may cause you to rethink that! From the great music, the Burger King toys, to spoilers for The 9th Gate & Head Office we discuss it all!
The Blair Witch Project | Commentary Track Feat. Director Eduardo Sánchez
The Blair Witch Project Director Eduardo Sánchez joins Second Rate Film School to discuss how he created one of the highest-grossing films of 1999. In this new commentary track, we discuss the gorilla filmmaking that made the film a hit, the backlash & little known stories that all played a hand in making The Blair Witch Project.
Scooby-Doo Return to Zombie Island (2019) | Commentary Track
Well for the one year anniversary of Second Rate Film School, we decided to do the sequel to our first ever commentary, Scooby-Doo Return to Zombie Island! God we wish we hadn't! Yeah this is a bad one, so listen to us bash our heads against the wall discussing this lackluster cash in...
Van Helsing (2004) | Commentary Track
We wrap up Stephen Summers with his 2004 Monster flick Van Helsing! Join us as we discuss the potential this had for Universe Building VS what Universal tried with the Dark Universe & Jakes plans for a future Van Helsing Sequel that is sure to be made anytime now!
The Mummy Returns (2001) | Commentary Track
We continue the theme of Stephen SUMMERS, by commentating on 2001's The Mummy Returns! Join us as we discuss the movie's shortcomings & strengths when compared to its predecessor! We also discuss the origin of The Rock's acting career & the legendarily bad CGI on his final form!
The Mummy (1999) | Movie Discussion
We're back & with our newest theme month of Stephen Sommers! Get it because his name sounds like the time of year? Regardless, we're also trying something new, by doing a general discussion of 1999's The Mummy! So you can sit back, enjoy & finally see our faces!
National Treasure (2004) | Commentary Track
It's time to steal the Declaration of Independence again! Today we're doing the Cage Classic National Treasure! Join us as we discuss Cage's career, his eccentricities, the weird DVD special features for the movie & the legacy of this franchise!
Bionicle: The Movie Mask of Light (2003) | Commentary Track
It's time to throw Jacob a Bone by letting him finally pick the movie! So join us as Jacob becomes excited to discuss the Bionicle The Movie: Mask of Light & its overall importance to the Lego Franchise, while Jake & Andrew slip into a coma!
Spider-Man (1967): Part 1 | Commentary Track
Hey Web Heads, we're here to tackle the show that launched a million memes! The first ever adaptation of Spider-Man has a fascinating history & varied levels of insanity across its run! Today we're sampling 4 episodes to give an overall view of the series! Including the infamous drug inspired episode that's almost all recycled animation!
Jurassic Park 3 (2001) | Commentary Track
It's time to do the third or fourth best Jurassic Park movie! Join us as we take a prehistoric look back at JP 3! From the copious amount of runtime jokes, to baffling writing decisions, to Andrew's near hit & run with Ben Hildebrand, you won't want to miss a single minute! I mean with how short the movie is that's like 1/8th of the movie!
The Phantom (1996) | Commentary Track
Just because you're social distancing doesn't mean you can listen to our banter! Join us as we do our first (& last) remote commentary from Quarantine, for the B-Movie Cult Classic/Bomb The Phantom! Try to piece together what the hell we're talking about as we fail to be able to hear each other, just like elderly people!
Mars Attacks! (1996) | Commentary Track
Join us as we discuss the star studded, but critically mixed Tim Burton Cult Classic: Mars Attacks! From Burton's lamp shading of B-Movie tropes to us discussing who if anyone is the main character of the film & of course Tom Jones! We cover all of this & more so, what else is there to say except Ack Ack?
Super Mario Bros. (1993) | Commentary Track
Well it's come to this, we're doing the 1993 Box office Bob-omb Super Mario Bros! The film that almost killed half of its cast & has kept any other Mario movies from being made! So join us as we discuss the baffling decisions & horror stories that haunted Bob Hoskins to his dying day!
Spider-Man 3 (2007) | Commentary Track
Are you ready Web heads? In today's commentary we tackle the fifth best Spider-Man movie! We discuss the whiplash between the beauty of Sandman's origin & the Spider Dance! As well as our gripes with the difficult PS2 game & lack of lego sets!
Spider-Man 2 (2004) | Commentary Track
Welcome back Web heads! Today we tackle possibly the greatest Spider-Man movie of all time! Wait, we're doing Spider-Man 3, next time... Either way get ready for discussions of Edgy teens stupid opinions on this movie, the PS2 game (again) & the Lego Set!
Spider-Man (2002) | Commentary Track
Are you ready for the cinematic debut of our favorite web-slinger? Well we are for sure! From James Franco's dyed hair, to our Willem Dafoe impressions & of course our thoughts on the PS2 tie in game, this commentary has it all!
Jingle All the Way (1996) | Commentary Track
Merry Christmas! We are doing the most Ok Christmas movie of all time with Jingle All the Way. So take a break from your family, or lonely self reflection & check out our thoughts on this memorable & meme-able movie!
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964) | Commentary Track
Merry Christmas! For our first Christmas themed commentary, we are doing the special that put Rankin & Bass on the map! So join us as we mock 1960s sensibilities & talk about how that snowman may be a crazed stalker!
Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987) | Commentary Track
Happy Thanksgiving! Time for the best Thanksgiving movie of all time! Ok so there aren't really any others, but this is still great! So ignore your family & listen to the three of us talk about technical problems with our viewing & Son of the Mask!
The Wolf Man (1941) | Commentary Track
Happy Halloween or whatever time of the year you are watching this is! For our extra spooky commentary we're doing the Classic Universal Monster Movie "The Wolf Man". So sit back Boils & Ghouls & enjoy our countless jokes about Lon Chaney Jr (even though we love him dearly!
Scooby-Doo & the Witch's Ghost (1999) | Commentary Track
When you combine the Halloween season with this being the 20th Anniversary release of the movie, we figure it's the perfect time to do a commentary for it! We're slightly less snarky (& more sober) but sit back & have another fun time with three 20 somethings as they deconstruct a children's cartoon! We all went to film school! What are we doing with our lives?
Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island (1998) | Commentary Track
In our first commentary track, we dive into the 1998 made for TV movie Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island! Now you can listen to three snarky 20-Somethings talk about a children’s cartoon while hoping our families aren’t embarrassed by us doing this!