The Notebook is a Triumph of Performance | Guilty Pleasures Ep. 111

Zach swoons over Ryan and Rachel as Garrick and Kelsey dive into what makes this a great rom com.
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GUILTY PLEASURES
Comedians Zach Kornfeld, Kelsey Darragh, and Garrick Bernard take turns sharing their favorite guilty pleasure movies and TV shows to feel good about feeling guilty.
PODCAST DEPT
Executive Producer | Keith Habersberger
Executive Producer | Eugene Lee Yang
Executive Producer | Zach Kornfeld
Podcast Producer | Miles Bonsignore
Podcast Editor | Rainie Toll
MUSIC: Licensed from AudioNetwork
SFX & VIDEO ASSETS: Licensed from Videoblocks

[@burritosandboobs]

“Every girl just wants a guy that can fucking hang during the zoomies” is a fucking iconic line and 100% true

[@grimpoteuthis1337]

I found a person who can handle my zoomies (especially if they’re late at night), and it’s absolutely true.

[@marygraben9605]

I desperately need a clip of just that moment.

[@lydiataiwo594]

Kelsey is so good at describing that moment and now I'm going to watch it.

[@patriciaramirez2982]

I think the only detail she left out is that Maroon 5 she will be loved was playing in the background

[@samanthaye1286]

​@@patriciaramirez2982omg yes!! Hahahahhaah

[@daniellegracelopez4819]

Literally stopped paused the podcast just to watch the mtv kiss scene because of her description. Lol.

[@sarahlane3836]

I love how Kelsey articulates the ridiculous fantasies and mindsets of hormonal teenage girls in the early 2000s. I feel so seen in ways I didn’t even know I needed.

[@KitKat170]

Agreed, the Notebook was absolutely a part of my sexual awakening 😅

[@makaylasmith403]

10000000%

[@rebeccaaaron5472]

If you’re going to talk James Marsden, please do 27 dresses!! So underrated

[@nyasahndrx3331]

YES!!

[@arianemendoza2153]

He should hace a whole month as well

[@sydney4377]

I love Garrick's shock and just straightforward "you should marry him" on hearing Kelsey's partner does a John-uary

[@savag3ry]

Kelsey told that kiss story so well I did have to pause to go watch 😂

[@sydney4377]

My god Kelsey explaining gf zoomies has hit harder than anything else I've heard in my entire life I feel like my existence has been illuminated jesus christ a whole new understanding of life

[@Dartagnan010]

Go ahead and make that ''You can tell when a white man is tanned!?!'' merch for me please. One of the funniest things that's ever been said on this podcast. I'll literally buy every single thing.

[@somshunsun]

Kelsey’s playback of the mtv kiss reallllly brought me right back 😅😅😅 so excellent!!

[@evildoesnotsleep-x2b]

"gosling is the John Wick of romance" AHAHAHAHAAAA

[@MiracleMadkins]

“You can tell when a white man is tanned!?” Lmao

[@tayloroo]

How did I see this movie dozens of times, and read the book a few times, but I never realized the nursing home is the house he built!?!? Thank you for that Kelsey!

[@tayloroo]

Also I appreciate the way Z clarifies this movie isn't extra special for any reason other than the performances. Makes me want y'all to watch 2005 pride & prejudice to discuss the subtleties in the performances (and those long takes!!!)

[@andyqv-goodvibes1900]

i immediately went to watch that clip and holy shit. like wow. i felt like a breathless teenage girl again. thanks Kelsey

[@LoveCrumb]

Kelsey is absolutely correct. I just want someone I can be weird and laugh with.

[@ohhaimaia]

The fact that this didn’t even hit a full hour is a crime. This episode deserved 75 minutes EASY

[@ladylucie2451]

I really, REALLY wish we could get a Guilty Pleasures Episode where Eugene and Kelsey talk about Call Me By Your Name, or Too Wong Foo, or The Crying Game. Would have been cool for Pride 🤍🖤🤎❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

[@ariella4403]

A call me by your name episode would be so good!

[@camillelombard5155]

There are so many better movies picturing healthy LGBTQ relationships than CMBYN 😅

[@ladylucie2451]

@@camillelombard5155 LMAO I never said they were, lil white knight 😂🤣🤣🤣😭 Please go find someone else to harass 🤣🤣🤣

[@HushPuppy1996]

⁠@@camillelombard5155 CMBYN is an amazing depiction because it’s not an OTT tragic love story which is usual in LGBTQ stories (I.e Brokeback Mountain which I still consider a masterpiece). The only real obstacle is time, akin to any other summer romance. They don’t even have to battle the usual trope of unaccepting parents or community. It just focuses on their love and then their inevitable break up.

[@ferisera]

Kelsey just spoke ALL the truth in this one. Such a great listen!

[@katgold8141]

The way Kelsey described the kiss was somehow better than the actual kiss

[@alyssadancer107]

can’t wait for About Time- now that is peak Romance and McAdams Mania 💕 I hope Miles is there!

[@PaigeAKAPaper]

About Time is THE GOAT

[@LeshenWren]

STOKED for this McAdams mania✨ She’s a whole vibe

[@danicacassidy1672]

Kelsey’s description of the MTV awards moment made me so breathless like I had to lay down

[@harpurr53]

Garrick's reveal at 21:07 and Zach's reaction had me SCREAMING

[@gretl01]

Me too, LOL!!! Zach was DYing

[@somshunsun]

😭😭😭 not Garrick’s “really?” 😯 after the nip reveal LOL

[@krodpaz15]

I’m so down for a Marsden Mania Month!!

[@erickamiller8298]

I need Rainey to watch the MTV Movie Awards kiss before next week’s episode. Truly one of the best moments of pop culture!!

[@EvWuzhere]

Funny how they referenced holes and then later zach said "and i splooshed everywhere"- sploosh obviously being an unintentional reference to the peach juice that stanley and zero end up franchising at the end of the movie

[@andyqv-goodvibes1900]

as much as I love this movie and wanna root for them bc chemistry, it IS a guilty pleasure just cuz its such an unhealthy relationship that we see for most of the movie. they might have become securely attached and learned over time, since they lasted into old age, but yeah... this movie is one of the reasons some of us romanticized unhealthy behaviors. so i love and stan, but that awareness makes it a guilty love haha

[@kimiko237]

Yes! That is exactly my dilemma with this movie, thank you for articulating. I loved it so much when i was like 13-14 and now when i go back and watch it I get a little ICK feeling. definitely fits the category of guilty pleasure.

[@rosepose92]

Late comment but totally agree. I've always disliked this movie for the ending too. If my husband and I have been together for 50-60 years, I don't want him ignoring the rest of his life to spend time with me. We built a life to LIVE it!

[@denisegraves1422]

James Marsden in this movie is = to Patrick Dempsey in Sweet Home Alabama. Nice men who seem like the perfect package but get dumped for an earlier lost love.

[@glass_half_awesome]

I know this isn’t the point of this episode, but the VALIDATION I felt when Zach said he hated La La Land was not subtle 👩‍🍳💋

[@ma_kenz]

Rachel is such a dynamo. She deserves all the things ✨

[@laurengarrett2323]

I feel like this movie really influenced how we view Ryan Gosling. Is he decent looking? Sure. But then when you look at him through the lens of this movie, he is just swoon. James Marsden was the more textbook heart throb of the time.

[@SakuraPixie]

My mom has early onset dementia and the last time I spoke with my dad on the phone (I love overseas in Japan) he just started sobbing about this movie and how the story of older Noah was so visceral to what he feels and experiences every day in taking care of my mom. He is realizing his limitations in taking care of her now and she has been placed in a special care facility after 10 years of taking care of her solo at home, and he sometimes reads to her but mostly he just sits in the room with her. I first watched this movie before my mom was diagnosed with this and the film hits even harder now when I do watch it 😢

[@raymondlewis5799]

My husband and I just rewatched this movie thanks to this podcast. We both cried like babies, like full on ugly cried multiple times. We watched it 17 years ago as girlfriend/boyfriend in my college dorm in Texas. Now we are watching it in our home in Georgia. Oh have things changed! We have now been married for 13.5 years, moved to two different places, became dog parents (some how he is still with us after 13 years), and have successful careers. Thank you Zach, Kelsey, and Garrick for all the feelings!

[@giadrama5605]

There were so many little happy random squeaks I did throughout this podcast remembering this movie with you guys.

[@mytearsarepurple]

watched the notebook after listening to this episode at work and yall hyped this movie up too much you guys made the movie sound 100 times better

[@nancythomas5387]

Yay! The Zach giggle!

[@TiempoFilmico]

A few cool facts about the director "Nick Cassavetes"... is the son of John Cassavetes, not only is John an important figure in american independet cinema but husband of Gena Rowlands. John and Gena had one of the most romantic stories in cinema history, they did movies in their house, with friends, completely outside of the studio system.

[@bbcpfghs]

The end of this movie makes me cry every god damn time

[@emmyemu33]

This movie fully set me up to fail in love. I always thought love would be that intense and chaotic for a long time. But it's really not sustainable. The scenes of them as an older couple destroy me so hard. I can only hope that one day I meet someone who can love me into that age of my life

[@makaylasmith403]

Anyone else notice they have a daughter or a granddaughter named Daveny. They went to the movies at the beginning of the film and watched little Abner and you can clearly hear someone call out the name Daveny.

[@emerson1998]

Happy Pride, this is the straightest movie to ever exist hahahahha Still loved this, and love The Notebook

[@itsyagirljessssss]

The zoomie hour is so true, I feel so seen 😂

[@carmenlittle9454]

ADVOCATING FOR MARSDEN MANIA NOW

[@emilyborges8381]

The level of excitement I feel when I have seen a movie that’s being covered and can watch 🎉 Ps happy pride 🏳️‍🌈

[@JordanRoark]

G'bless Kelsey for the perfect 3-5pm hormones and 6pm zoomies description.

[@VelenoPuddin]

That’s why I love this pod. I don’t need to watch the movie, but still know about it and enjoy ppl perspectives on something I wouldn’t/haven’t watched. I hope y’all cover Wedding Crashers. RM really grounds the movie. She’s effervescent and sweet. Seeing Owen Wilson through her eyes made me see him differently too. There are so many big animated comedic characters in that movie but her just existing in the movie was so effortless. One look was as impactful as the wild antics. Facial acting is so good. This is after seeing her as Regina George. Let’s go 🇨🇦

[@brittanyhoward1741]

As much as I love Ryan Gosling I cant get past that one scene where he's hanging off the Ferris wheel and is threatening to unalive himself if she doesn't go on a date with him WHILE ALREADY ON A DATE. That's not love: that's emotional manipulation at best and poor communication at worst. Also throughout the movie, they keep saying that James Marsden is boring and that Allie is constantly coming back to Noah because she's board. Ya know what's boring: living in the middle of nowhere and rowing in the middle of the everglades surrounded by thousands of geese. At least, most of her dates (and James Marsdan) take her to fancy places and carnivals.

[@alexare6655]

Poor communication at best, emotional manipulation at worst. You have it flipped lmao.

[@smushly]

She has so many good roles, but if you haven't seen About Time it's a MUST!

[@effelmendoza1374]

Oh my gosh YES!!!!!

[@burritosandboobs]

Petition for Marsden mania to be next lol

[@retrospectors6595]

I feel like the perfection of James Marsden’s character (Lon) both as a person and as a partner to Allie, was necessary to further prove that what she had with Noah was actually love. If Lon had been an abusive cad, we could’ve seen Allie choosing Noah as just a means to escape her current relationship. It was important to show that, even when she was presented with someone wonderful who she had genuine feelings for, someone who was on-paper-perfect, she’d still prefer Noah. Even the timing was important, too. She wasn’t a teenager looking to rebel. As an adult, she was with Lon, a man who ticked all the societal boxes, whilst still amazingly ticking all of hers. He was doting and genuine, he encouraged her to paint and do what she needed to feel comfortable at all times. She wouldn’t have a hum-drum life with him, this wasn’t a life sentence to the status quo of the upper crust. He was funny and relatively modern. The story took all the things that might go against Allie and Noah’s relationship not being authentic or feasible and addressed them in an effort to prove that the feelings were real, passionate, forever-love.

[@xxxmochibaby]

As someone who has seen this movie countlessss times, I didn’t think I could love it any more than I already do but hearing you guys talk about it somehow gave me even more appreciation for it 😢

[@imjuliewaters]

I've still got about 12 minutes of the podcast left, but you didn't mention it when you said his name so I don't think you say it later, but Nick Cassavetes' mom is Gena Rowlands who plays the older Allie in the movie. I don't know why, but it's my favorite trivia piece about the movie.

[@PizzaPartyTime]

Please let the next theme month be Tim Curry. So many options: Rocky Horror, Congo, Clue, It, Muppet Treasure Island, Ferngully, The Three Musketeers, Legend.

[@nickcutler3802]

I expect a Mean Girls episode in our future.

[@clarice.n]

All the streaming apps should sponsor you! You make me wanna re-watch these movies!

[@adriennechrislady]

I need a gif of Kelsey slumping in the chair and eating a clif bar

[@amathisporter]

Holes character was Sam. “I can fix that”. Y’all should watch it!!!

[@caleboman8875]

How dare Garrick not know Kissin' Kate Barlow!!

[@emmaj4998]

This is the best ep this far!

[@onlylove93]

Does anyone remember when this movie came out on DVD, it came with a coupon for Kleenex?

[@donnaszeto8982]

I was 19 when my bf (now husband) randomly chose this movie one night because we had nothing to do. the theater wasn't even half full. wasnt expecting much and never even heard of this movie. by the end everyone was crying. it was one of the best movies we've ever watched.

[@juliarawley9768]

You guys NEED to do 10 things I hate about you. I would also describe it as a PERFECT movie

[@burritosandboobs]

One of the best ever I would love them to do this movie

[@asisevapodcast]

Oh shit, now I have to watch it again. My bf and I have watched it in the past but before being together, I just told him we need to watch it again.

[@alexiswhite1511]

This is what Edward and Bella think they are 😭

[@lucasloponi626]

The first book that I fully read it in english was written by Nicholas Sparks, I knew the movie, watched it... idk 2000~2001 when still a kid, then too many year later I starts reading(Just to give one step further into beeing a cool kid, I guess.) and among of alot of other crap, Nick Sparks books... Tho, one detail I must bring up here: The movie and also the book, both translated to something not even close to the original: "A Love Letter" - No bottles or messages... Well, kinda tho, love 'messages' in a letter. Anyway, 'Message in a Bottle' to 'A Love Letter'... Tooked me a while to figure out that, once again,( I can't handle this anymore.) Kevin Costner was about to met the sea... Deeply. And me!? Was about to read and go through that again but, now slowly, in another language, one that in books are way different, words, sentences, whole f text structure. "This ain't english... At least not the same english that people who speaks english talks to me." - Was fun, a good book, its just... Was too many surprises, I guess. Like that whole affair about Kevin and the sea, should have ended after 'The Guardian' and u guys know it. It's kinda off that the most deffiant book that I read it during law school was Messag- Sorry... "A Love Letter". Also funny that all of this, theres nothing to do with the podcast, not even about the right book... Or movies. When the meds kick in... I should be working right now, all this 'focus' would be there. If theres a lesson we can take from this... Do not take ur meds just shortly after midnight, at least the ones that should be taken when u wake up, at the morning. "US$23,99 US$ 84,02 - Taxas de importação para Brasil." (Taxes/Fees to import.) - Said Amazon. (Not the forest) Nice, a guy high on his lisdexamfetamine can't afford his canvas. Thats sad. And also makes this writting thing here be longer. Anyway, I swere that, just now remembered the vídeo, going to watch it. See ya~ PS: If happens that one of u guys are 'black canvas' sellers, or something like that, msg me. Btw, not a code for something, really just a canvas, but black.

[@stephanieshanonn366]

the way I keep thinking about my current boyfriend while listening to this podcast haha :)

[@lilavril3]

i watched the last 15 minutes or whatever one single time when i was 12 years old and every watch since i turn it off early so i had no idea the nursing home was the house!!!!!!!

[@emmyemu33]

Oh also! If you love this movie the other story of Nickolas Sparks I would watch the "the longest ride". The flash back couple is so amazing and makes the entire movie.

[@kait_pin]

We NEED Marsden Mania

[@marilynvazzz]

I literally have my hyuck and familia merch coming in TODAY and I can not wait to go home after work and see it🎉

[@Madd_u_mad]

You guys should really do The Lucky One another Sparks movie with Zac effron and piper from OITNB

[@alexare6655]

Guess that I have to be the one to say it. Their relationship was toxic af. Not healthy at all.

[@maddiehinderstein1258]

Kissin Kate Barlow!!!!!! Yes please review holes!

[@khristianrachelle2941]

I so badly wish I didn't hate this movie. The main characters are so toxic. His whole act trying to win her over in front of the guy she was with pissed me off. The fact she was with another guy and fed into main dude's act was disrespectful. Her cheating on her fiancé and ignoring his calls was gross and disrespectful. I can't stand them. Everyone loves this movie so much and I went into it wanting to love it and at every turn I was just like "wow these are terrible people" or "wow Ryan Gosling's character is actually such a creep." To just hang out where you lost your virginity for YEARS is weirdo behavior. If I found out some dude I fucked once BOUGHT the place we fucked just to hang out where we fucked, I'd want a restraining order. He absolutely gave me the ick 100% of the time. And I love RG but I hated this role. Cheating and threatening to kys to get someone to go out with you? Not romantic one bit.

[@jkonn]

Kellllllseyyyyy, A TO THE MEN on the eye contact! 😆😆😆😆

[@akirebara]

I would love for you guys to do the Before trilogy of Richard Linklater!!!!

[@kilianalexander2736]

Your description of the show Jury Duty makes me think that it HAS to be at least somewhat inspired by The Joe Shmo show (he thinks it's an average reality tv competition show, but actually everyone but him are actors)

[@camillerosette]

the barbie guilty pleasures better be 2 hours long please

[@GiullianaRiva]

You have to watch the last song, guilty pleasure for sure

[@jacquelinekristinxo]

I think the reason the chemistry works between them because they had working with each other.

[@samanthaye1286]

I love listening to you all so much. I hope you guys do a live cause I will go!!!!

[@ambree_jade1707]

all i think about with that holes romance is “i can fix that” 😭

[@caleboman8875]

Rachel and Ryan are the Greatest Of Our Seeable Everything! The GOOSE 🦆

[@armandoportillo1627]

"Atonement"...I will just leave that movie idea there...

[@NicolleLaShane]

I've never seen this movie but now I might

[@BaddeGrasse]

Its always been so damm confusing to me how everyone finds Gosling hot, like objectively? Wha? I grew up thinking it was a joke, and thats the only way it makes sense to me

[@amriddless]

Yes yes yes to Marsden mania! And pleas3e for the love do Hairspray!

[@amriddless]

Or just do those things separately since he isn't a main character in Hairspray I guess.

[@hsmoscout]

your description of jury duty makes it sound like a modern attempt at the joe schmo show where they did the same thing but with a survival style reality show and the idea was to make someone look like an idiot but he was so kind and caring that everyone loved him which made the people running the show look terrible and they had to switch strategies halfway through the season to make him the hero lol

[@disnyfan10]

Guilty pleasure episode recommendation: Showgirls!

[@pixie9499]

james marsden did a movie w katie holmes in the 90’s, everyone sleeps on him! disturbing behavior was such weird experience that 100% captured the 90s film energy

[@annie.phoenix]

Okay can we do Holes next? I still force my friends who haven't seen it to get high with me and watch it. Works every time.

[@autumnshingledecker6740]

I am BEGGING you to do Holes.

[@imbomi7845]

Makes me want to rewatch The Notenook

[@dulcebautista1437]

I have yet to watch or read the Notebook. I don't think I'll ever be mentally or emotionally ready to.

[@RyanIsOnYoutube]

PLEASE tell me this means you’re doing About Time.

[@springchick19]

I am almost 43 and I have NEVER seen The Notebook.

[@valorielafaele8568]

In the book they do it in the house the first time

[@PrincessHeathaB]

If it’s romantic tragedy, it’s likely Sparks.

[@valorielafaele8568]

Okay a walk to remember is a Nicolas sparks book

[@twilightsuiteheart]

Low key surprised that they didn't go off on some tangent that Nick Cassavetes is a nepo baby, and son of John Cassavetes who's the godfather of American indie cinema.