Best Chris Stachiw Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 18: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989) 1:13:39

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3d ago1:13:39

1:13:39

Potentially the most popular of all of Chevy Chase's films, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation has become a perennial family favorite despite the Griswolds not actually going on vacation but their extended family visiting them in the suburbs of Chicago during a year where Clark counts too heavily on his Christmas bonus. With a stand-out performa…

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Episode 10: The Naked Gun (2025) 1:04:24

6d ago1:04:24

1:04:24

We knew it would happen and here it is! Mike, Mark, and Chris discuss the 2025 reboot of The Naked Gun franchise with... The Naked Gun! The film stars Liam Neeson as Frank Drebin Jr. and Paul Walter Hauser as Ed Hocken Jr., with Pamela Anderson along as the love interest, Beth Davenport—an author of true crime novels based on fictional stories that…

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Episode 17: Fletch Lives (1989) 1:36:36

28d ago1:36:36

1:36:36

Chevy Chase dons the Lakers jersey once more as Mike White (The Projection Booth), Mark Begley (Wake Up Heavy), and Chris Stachiw (The Kulturecast) dig into Fletch Lives (1989). The long-delayed sequel to Fletch swaps the quick-witted investigative journalist’s L.A. backdrop for Southern Gothic eccentricity, televangelists, and KKK satire—sometimes…

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Episode 16: Caddyshack II (1988) 1:18:16

2M ago1:18:16

1:18:16

We finally brave the cinematic sand trap that is Caddyshack II (1988), a baffling sequel that ditches the scrappy charm of the original for a mess of slapstick, snooty social satire, and one-liners that land with all the grace of a thrown brick. Mark, Mike, and Chris dig into what went wrong—from Rodney Dangerfield bailing and Jackie Mason stepping…

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Episode 15: Funny Money (2006) 1:14:26

3M ago1:14:26

1:14:26

This may be it. We may have reached the nadir of Chevy Chase's filmography with the 2006 film from director Leslie Greif, Funny Money. Based on a play by Ray Cooney, the film feels incredibly stage-bound and like a pale imitation of better screwball comedies. Hold on to your sides, they're about to be split! In Funny Money, Chase plays a fake fruit…

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Episode 14: Funny Farm (1988) 56:13

4M ago56:13

56:13

Mike, Mark, and Chris take a closer look at Funny Farm (1988), Chevy Chase’s turn as a New York sportswriter who relocates to small-town Vermont in search of a simpler life—only to find frustration, isolation, and a town that seems determined to break him. Directed by George Roy Hill, the film mixes dry satire with broad physical comedy, offering a…

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Episode 13: Three Amigos (1986) 1:37:11

5M ago1:37:11

1:37:11

Mike White (The Projection Booth), Mark Begley (Wake Up Heavy), and Chris Stachiw (The Kulturecast) saddle up for Three Amigos (1986), the offbeat Western comedy directed by John Landis and written by Steve Martin, Lorne Michaels, and Randy Newman. The trio discusses the film’s blend of Hollywood parody and Mexican melodrama, its troubled productio…

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Episode 56: Landmark 1:50:21

6M ago1:50:21

1:50:21

The final squad room door closes on The Life and Times of Captain Barney Miller, and we’re going out with one heck of a sendoff. In this emotional farewell episode, Mike and Chris are joined by returning guests Otto Bruno and Richard Hatem to break down the landmark three-part series finale—aptly titled Landmark. Together, they explore the bittersw…

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Episode 12: Spies Like Us (1985) 1:07:28

6M ago1:07:28

1:07:28

Mike White (The Projection Booth), Mark Begley (Wake Up Heavy), and Chris Stachiw (The Kulturecast) go behind enemy lines to examine Spies Like Us (1985), a Cold War comedy directed by John Landis and starring Chevy Chase and Dan Aykroyd. The trio unpacks the film’s satirical take on espionage, its place in the Reagan-era political climate, and the…

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Episode 55: Old Love + Altercation + Bones 2:12:44

7M ago2:12:44

2:12:44

The journey through Barney Miller is nearing its grand finale, and what better way to mark the occasion than with a true legend of the 12th Precinct? This episode welcomes none other than Max Gail, the man behind the beloved, big-hearted, and often exasperated Detective Stanley Wojciehowicz. Max takes us beyond the squad room, sharing insights into…

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Episode 11: National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985) 1:01:30

7M ago1:01:30

1:01:30

Pack your bags, grab your beret, and prepare for comedic jet lag as Mike White (The Projection Booth), Mark Begley (Wake Up Heavy), and Chris Stachiw (The Kulturecast) take a rollicking tour through National Lampoon’s European Vacation! The Griswolds/Griswalds are crossing the pond, leaving chaos, hilarity, and questionable driving in their wake. F…

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Episode 54: The Arrival + Obituary + Inquiry 56:31

8M ago56:31

56:31

Frank Luger's mail order bride has arrived, much to his consternation, in The Arrival. The detectives help uncover a warehouse full of government chickens in Obituary. And, finally, Scanlon is back with a new complaint against Wojciehowicz in Inquiry.By Weirding Way Media

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Episode 10: Orange County (2002) 50:10

8M ago50:10

50:10

Surf’s up, Chase fans! In this episode of the Chasing Chevy Chase podcast, Mike White, Chris Stachiw, and Mark Begley take a detour to sunny Southern California with a deep dive into Orange County (2002). Penned by (the other) Mike White and directed by Jake Kadan, the film is packed with a stacked cast including Colin Hanks, Jack Black, and Cather…

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Episode 53: The Clown + Chinatown + Hunger Strike 1:00:53

9M ago1:00:53

1:00:53

As we reach the middle of the final season of Barney Miller we discuss episodes "The Clown", "Hunger Strike," and the two-parter "Chinatown" wherein Harris and Deitrich have to share a room with a potential witness... for some reason. It's another discussion of how two-parters generally didn't work on the show.…

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Episode 9: Fletch (1985) 58:18

9M ago58:18

58:18

In this episode of Chasing Chevy Chase, hosts Mike White, Mark Begley, and Chris Stachiw dive into Fletch (1985), the comedy that solidified Chevy Chase as a comedy icon. Directed by Michael Ritchie and based on Gregory McDonald’s bestselling novel, this film gave Chase one of his most beloved roles as the wisecracking investigative reporter Irwin …

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Episode 52: Homeless + The Tontine + Examination Day 38:57

10M ago38:57

38:57

Hit the streets of the 12th Precinct with this deep dive into three standout episodes of Barney Miller: Homeless, The Tontine, and Examination Day. From navigating the struggles of the unhoused, to the peculiarities of a high-stakes tontine, to the chaos of promotional exams, these episodes showcase the humor and heart that make the series timeless…

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Episode 8: Deal of the Century (1983) 1:12:29

10M ago1:12:29

1:12:29

Directed by William Friedkin and written by Paul Brickman, Deal of the Century (1983) is another disappointing entry in Chevy Chase's filmography. He's playing slick arms dealer Eddie Muntz who lucks his way into the titular "deal of the century" where he's partnered with Catherine DeVoto (Sigourney Weaver). His other partner, Ray Kasternak (Gregor…

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Episode 51: Possession + Stress Analyzer + Games 29:20

11M ago29:20

29:20

We're back and talking about the final season of Barney Miller: Possession in which Kenneth Tigar returns with another spiritual crisis, Stress Analyzer which wastes some comic potential of Deitrich wearing the titular analyzer, and Games in which we see collusion between the US government and Russia. The more things change, right?…

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Episode 7: National Lampoon's Vacation (1983) 1:31:02

11M ago1:31:02

1:31:02

In this episode of The Chasing Chevy Chase podcast, we take a deep dive into National Lampoon's Vacation, the iconic 1983 road trip comedy. Mark Begley (Wake Up Heavy), Chris Stachiw (The Kulturecast), and Mike White (The Projection Booth) explore Chevy Chase's performance as the well-meaning but hapless Clark Griswold, determined to take his famil…

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Episode 50: Paternity + Advancement + The Car 31:19

12M ago31:19

31:19

We're back to Barney Miller and we're joined by our dear friend Richard Hatem to dive into the first three episodes of Season 8: Paternity, Advancement, and The Car. They're three pretty solid episodes of our favorite cop show from the '70s/'80s.By Weirding Way Media

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Episode 6: Modern Problems (1981) 57:45

1y ago57:45

57:45

You think you've got problems? Well, Chevy Chase has MODERN PROBLEMS in this 1981 film from Chevy's old friend Tom Shapiro. As air traffic controller Max Fiedler, Chevy loses his girlfriend (Patti D'Arbanville) while being berated by a self-help guru (Dabney Coleman) in a movie that can't decide if it's science fiction or spiritual horror. Join Mar…

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Episode 49: Fish 45:33

1y ago45:33

45:33

We've paused between Barney Miller seasons 7 and 8 to take a look at the spin-off show, Fish. Abe Vigoda is back as Phil Fish and Florence Stanley as Bernice. Also along for the ride is a cavalcade of kids (some familiar to us, and some new) and Barry Gordon doing his best at a Woody Allen impression. Chris and Mike cover the "highlights" and lowli…

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Episode 5: Dirty Work (1998) 53:21

1y ago53:21

53:21

We're taking a little break from the chronological Chevy Chase filmography to explore a later film where he makes a memorable appearance, Bob Saget's Dirty Work (1998). The film is a Norm MacDonald vehicle wherein he and his pal (Artie Lang) open a business to pull pranks. It's a thin concept and the results are uneven at best.…

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Episode 48: The Vests + The Rainmaker + Liquidation 1:25:03

1y ago1:25:03

1:25:03

We wrap up the seventh season of Barney Miller with special guest Otto Bruno (author of Barney Miller and the Files of the Ol' One-Two) as we discuss the final three episodes with The Vests, The Rainmaker, Liquidation which ends with Harris's libel lawsuit.By Weirding Way Media

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Episode 4: Under the Rainbow (1981) 1:10:28

1y ago1:10:28

1:10:28

Surprisingly, not the nadir of Chevy Chase's career but it might be close! Steve Rash's Under the Rainbow, a fictionalized recounting of the little people actors from The Wizard of Oz taking over a hotel across from the MGM soundstages. Against this event is story of Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand's son being hunted by the son of Gavrilo Princip (Robert…

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Episode 47: The Doll + Lady and the Bomb + Riot 51:15

1y ago51:15

51:15

The word we've used to describe Season 7 of Barney Miller is "uneven". These three episodes are great examples of that with the fairly strong episodes "The Doll" and "Lady and the Bomb" in which we get the usual strange people coming to the Old One Two (including the re-appearnce of Fish. "Riot", however, is a tin-eared "very special episode".…

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Episode 3: Seems Like Old Times (1980) 1:14:11

1+ y ago1:14:11

1:14:11

Chevy's hot streak of 1980 continues with his second pairing with Goldie Hawn. This time she's an attorney married to Charles Grodin. Meanwhile, Chevy Chase is her estranged husband who gets set up as a bank robber. It's a complicated screwball comedy from writer Neil Simon where Chevy spends half the film hiding under beds.…

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Episode 46: Rachel + Contempt Part 1 & 2 46:51

1+ y ago46:51

46:51

Rachel Miller returns! Is your pulse racing yet? Mike and Chris discuss this bizarre episode where Wojo wants to date Barney's daughter. They also dive into the two-parter "Contempt" where Barney goes to the slam due to his principles.By Weirding Way Media

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Episode 2: Caddyshack (1980) 1:00:03

1+ y ago1:00:03

1:00:03

Mark, Chris, and Mike continue their deep dive into the films of Chevy Chase with one of his biggest hits when he played golf enthusiast Ty Webb in Harold Ramis's seminal slobs vs. snobs comedy Caddyshack. A rather odd mix of talents, Chase was in danger of being eclipsed by his fellow actors, especially Rodney Dangerfield, Ted Knight, Bill Murray,…

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Episode 45: The Psychic + Stormy Weather + The Librarian 47:14

1+ y ago47:14

47:14

We continue to plod through the seventh season of Barney Miller with another uneven group of episodes. We meet a grammar Nazi in "The Psychic" and a real Nazi in "The Librarian". In-between we find out that Carl Levitt can speak American Sign Language in the sublime episode "Stormy Weather" where a deaf prostitute is under arrest.…

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Episode 1: Oh! Heavenly Dog (1980) 1:21:45

1+ y ago1:21:45

1:21:45

Mark Begley (Wake Up Heavy), Chris Stachiw (The Kulturecast), and Mike White (The Projection Booth) host the Chasing Chevy Chase Podcast! Join us on an exciting journey through the illustrious career of this comedy icon as we explore his groundbreaking roles, behind-the-scenes stories, and timeless contributions to the world of entertainment. On ou…

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Episode 44: Resignation + Field Associate + Movie 1:16:43

1+ y ago1:16:43

1:16:43

Special guest Richard Hatem returns to discuss four episodes of Barney Miller! Resignation in which Deitrich tries to resign only to manage to insult all of his co-workers. Field Associate in which we learn that there's a snitch in the precinct. And the two-parter, Movie, wherein Harris becomes an auteur by creating a heady adult film.…

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Episode 43: Dorsey + Agent Orange + Call Girl 53:10

1+ y ago53:10

53:10

This three episode run of Barney Miller was the beginning, middle, and end of a new Detective in the old One-Two, Det. Sgt. Eric Dorsey (Paul Lieber). Sitting at Nick's desk, Dorsey was a quasi-Dietrich in his humor but couldn't ingratiate himself with his fellow detectives. We chart the introduction and fall of this ill-concieved character as we c…

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Welcome to the Chasing Chevy Podcast 1:10

1+ y ago1:10

1:10

Get ready to dive deep into the life, career, and unforgettable moments of the one and only Chevy Chase! Join us on an exciting journey through the illustrious career of this comedy icon as we explore his groundbreaking roles, behind-the-scenes stories, and timeless contributions to the world of entertainment. Each episode of the "Chasing Chevy Cha…

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Episode 42: Homicide + The Delegate 1:22:02

1+ y ago1:22:02

1:22:02

Welcome to season seven of Barney Miller where the guys of the old 1-2 are experimenting with new haircuts and toupees as we scream our way into the 1980s. We start off with a two-parter where the precinct shifts to dealing solely with homicides before abruptly shifting back. We follow that up with a story about a delegate to the 1976 democratic co…

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Episode 41: The Inventor + The Architect + Fog 58:16

1+ y ago58:16

58:16

We're wrapping up the super sixth season of Barney Miller with three episodes that discuss topics as diverse as domestic terrorism, hypnosis, and intellectual property. We even discover a window in the 12th precinct that we never knew existed.By Weirding Way Media

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Farewell from Rankin on Bass 55:33

1+ y ago55:33

55:33

Live from the Island of Misfit Toys we record our last episode of Rankin on Bass where Mike, Chris, and Richard recount the bizarre trip they've been on for the last three years going from animagic to animated to live action fare that ranged from the sublime to the bizarre. Thank you to everyone who took this trip with us.…

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Episode 38: Pinocchio's Christmas and The New Adventures of Pinocchio 46:49

2y ago46:49

46:49

We conclude our discussion of Rankin & Bass works properly with a double dose of animagic for the holidays - Pinocchio's Christmas in which the little wooden boy learns the magic of the season and some of R&B's earliest work, the New Adventures of Pinocchio.By Weirding Way Media

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Episode 40: Guns + Uniform Days + Dietrich's Arrest 1:02:25

2y ago1:02:25

1:02:25

On this ultra-woke episode of The Life & Times of Barney Miller we discuss "Guns" wherein Wojo uses a bazooka against Barney, "Uniform Days" where Harris doesn't want to don the old blue threads, and the two-parter "Deitrich's Arrest." We're joined by renown screenwriter Richard Hatem to talk about a quartet of solid episodes from season 6.…

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Episode 36: The Stingiest Man in Town and The First Christmas 52:06

2y ago52:06

52:06

Richard Hatem, Chris Stachiw, and Mike White are back in Christmas-town and looking at two more holiday specials from Rankin & Bass; The Stingiest Man in Town -- a re-telling of A Christmas Carol starring the voice of Walter Matthau -- and The First Christmas: The Story of the First Christmas Snow which features Angela Lansbury and a poor blind she…

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Episode 37: Santa, Baby! and The Comic Strip 1:03:23

2y ago1:03:23

1:03:23

It's Santa, Baby an animated special from 2001 starring Gregory Hines as a frustrated songwriter and Patti Labelle as the patridge from the pear tree(!). We also discuss "Comic Strip" - a two hour block of cartoons featuring The Mini-Monsters, Street Frogs, Karate Kat and TigerSharks. This would be the last animated TV series produced by Rankin & B…

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Episode 39: Vanished + The Child Stealers 59:11

2y ago59:11

59:11

Mike and Chris discuss the two-part episode "Vanished" in which Harris investigates the disappearance of several homeless men, forcing him to go undercover. In "The Child Stealers" we see the return of Marty and Mr. Driscoll while discussing parental rights for queer people.By Weirding Way Media

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Episode 35: The Coneheads (1983) 56:50

2y ago56:50

56:50

It's time to consume mass quantities of Coneheads with this 1983 pilot produced by Rankin & Bass for a Coneheads half-hour animated television show. Richard Hatem, Mike White, and Chris Stachiw discuss the strange choices made when trying to bring the Coneheads into America's living room on a weekly basis.…

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Episode 38: The DNA Story + The Dentist + People's Court 37:44

2y ago37:44

37:44

We continue looking at the 6th Season of Barney Miller with three solid episodes wherein we hear about the state of DNA research in 1979, get a visit from an undercover detective, and reunite with a lot of familiar faces.By Weirding Way Media

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Episode 34: That Girl in Wonderland (1973) 48:50

2y ago48:50

48:50

Marlo Thomas returns as "That Girl" in a very "not cannon" episode. Here she's in a Rankin & Bass cartoon where she seems to be having delusions about being inside several familiar fairy tales.By Weirding Way Media

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Episode 37: The Bird + The Desk + The Judge 41:59

2y ago41:59

41:59

We continue our look at the solid Season 6 of Barney Miller with three episodes that include Wojo buying a parrot with a short shelf life, Don Calfa as a nearly-catatonic criminal, and the disappearance of Nick's old desk.By Weirding Way Media

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Episode 47: Crazy as a Soup Sandwich / Special Service / Father & Son Game 34:29

2y ago34:29

34:29

Crazy as a Soup Sandwich stars Tony Franciosa as a crime boss who seeks aid from the genuine underworld. Adapted by Harlan Ellison from his short story. Special Service stars David Naughton as a man who discovers that his life is the subject of a popular television show. Father & Son Game features a man seeking eternal life but must contend with th…

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Episode 33: Willie Mays and The Say Hey Kid (1972) 47:18

2y ago47:18

47:18

One of the more rare Rankin & Bass specials we've covered, Willie Mays and the Say-Hey Kid was the sixth episode of the first season of The ABC Saturday Superstar Movie. It's a bizarre story of Willie Mays being saddled with an orphaned child and her guardian angel, KC.By Weirding Way Media

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Episode 36: The Brother + The Slave + Strip Joint 47:54

2y ago47:54

47:54

We continue our coverage of season 6 with three banger episodes which include discussion of human bondage, spontaneous combustion, and sowing wild oats.By Weirding Way Media

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Episode 46: Many, Many Monkeys / Love is Blind 21:15

2y ago21:15

21:15

Many, Many Monkeys concerns a nurse investigating an outbreak of blindness and the horrifying cause. Love is Blind is a tale of second chances when a jealous husband stops in the wrong bar to drown his sorrows.By Chris Stachiw