Join Mandy and her favorite roommate of all time, Abdi Nazemian, for a deep dive into the gloriously campy world of Mommie Dearest! Mandy gets schooled by Abdi, an award-winning author and certified Mommie Dearest expert, on why this so-bad-it’s-good film has become a gay cultural touchstone.

They unpack Joan Crawford’s over-the-top portrayal by Faye Dunaway, the unintentional camp that makes it so hilarious, and the surprisingly poignant way the film opened up conversations about abuse. Abdi shares hilarious anecdotes, including a legendary high school Mommie Dearest party and a personal encounter with Faye Dunaway (that didn’t go so well).

Plus, they brainstorm musical numbers for a Mommie Dearest musical – get ready for “Mad at the Dirt”! Whether you’re a longtime fan or a Mommie Dearest newbie, this episode is guaranteed to make you look at this classic film with fresh—and maybe more forgiving—eyes.

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About the show

A mom. A geek. A crash course in nerd culture. Make Me a Nerd throws host Mandy Kaplan into sci-fi, D&D, and beyond—one enthusiastic guest at a time.

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