Can’t Buy Me Love (1987)

Can’t Buy Me Love (1987)

Author: TruStory FM July 1, 2026 Duration: 56:51
Nerds, Fringe, and the $1,000 Question: Can't Buy Me Love Gets Its Day in CourtWelcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Show. Hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell are joined by special guest Grace Campbell of Adventures in Collide Podcast to dig into Can't Buy Me Love (1987)—a Patrick Dempsey gem perpetually swallowed up by the John Hughes canon that deserves its moment.Krissy comes in as the episode's Sherpa, having loved the film for years, while both Grace and Nathan are first-timers. That dynamic creates a wonderful push and pull: does the premise hold its sweetness, or does the "boy rents girl" setup curdle under grown-up eyes? The hosts wrestle with how quickly Ronald transforms from pure-hearted dork to full douche canoe—and whether the film earns its warm, everyone-finds-their-humanity ending or just magically wills it into existence.Along the way: the iconic severe suede outfit (yes, that's a real quote), tiny baby Seth Green as fart-adjacent chaos agent, Paula Abdul's surprise choreography credit, the Columbus Day dance and its layers of "very 1987," and why outfits—not Ronald, not Cindy—are the true villain of this film.The conversation lands somewhere warm and a little surprised by its own sincerity, which feels right for a movie that sneaks up on you the same way. Spoiler-light, premise-level—no twists, no endings, just the good stuff that makes you want to press play.TruStory FM | Membership (early, ad-free access + bonus content): Join | Socials: Facebook | Instagram | Bluesky | Learn more about the hosts: Neighborhood Comedy Theatre | Squishy StudiosIf you could pay someone a thousand dollars to change your social life for one month, what would you actually spend that money on instead?
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Join filmmaker Nathan Blackwell from Squishy Studios and comedian Krissy Lenz from the Neighborhood Comedy Theatre as they dust off the VHS tapes and rewind the decade that defined blockbuster entertainment. the Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast isn't just a nostalgic trip; it's a fresh, often hilarious dissection of the films that shaped a generation. Each episode, this duo from TruStory FM applies their distinct professional lenses-one from the world of filmmaking, the other from live comedy-to explore the movies we remember fondly, the ones we might have skipped, and the hidden gems that deserve another look. They tackle the cultural context, the now-questionable special effects, and the enduring tropes, all through a modern perspective that acknowledges the significant haze of nostalgia coloring our memories. You'll hear deep dives into character motivations, production stories, and the sheer joy of rediscovering a classic, all wrapped in a conversation that feels like hanging out with two friends who are deeply passionate about cinema. This podcast celebrates the enduring legacy of 80s film while never shying away from a good-natured roast, making for a consistently engaging and funny listen for anyone who loves the magic-and occasional madness-of that era's movies.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

the Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast
Podcast Episodes
The Dark Crystal (1982) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:52
When Puppets Get Grotesque: The Dark Crystal and the Gateway to Nightmare FuelKrissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell sit down with special guest Eric Weir—a tattoo artist and lifelong Jim Henson devotee—to tackle The Dark Crys…
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It's time for season 9 of The Most Excellent 80s Movies!
The Ice Pirates (1984) • REBROADCAST [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:12
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They Live (1988) • REBROADCAST [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:26
Sunglasses, Skull Faces, and the Longest Fight Scene EverREBROADCASTWelcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast! Hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell are joined by returning guest Adam Marshall Rin…
Spaceballs (1987) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:18
May the Schwartz Be With You: A Spaceballs Deep DiveWelcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast! Hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell are joined by special guest Adam Marshall Rini to close out Sea…
Uncle Buck (1989) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:09
He's Crude, He's Crass, He's Family: An Uncle Buck Deep DiveWelcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast! Join hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell, along with special guest Heath Wilcock, as they m…
Akira (1988) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:11
A Sensory Overload of Cyberpunk: Akira Takes Over Neo TokyoWelcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast, where hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell are joined by special guest David Westlake to dive…
My Stepmother Is an Alien (1988) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:38
A Cosmic Comedy of Questionable ChoicesWelcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast! Hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell are joined by special guest Robert Fata to dive into the 1988 sci-fi rom-com…
Gymkata (1985) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:05
Gymnastics Meets Carnage: Gymkata (1985)Welcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast! Hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell pommel horse their way through one of the most wonderfully absurd action fi…
The Running Man (1987) • REBROADCAST [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:07
We're bringing this episode back as Hollywood unveils its reimagining of The Running Man in theatres! While audiences experience this fresh take on Stephen King's dystopian thriller, we thought it was the perfect time to…