Curated by Chance

EPISODE 15: Pretty in Shocking Pink In this episode, Neal and Lauren bring their signature blend of wit and insight to two fascinating cultural topics. Neal dives deep into Pretty in Pink (1986), sharing behind-the-scenes stories, casting surprises, and the lasting impact of John Hughes’ quintessential teen rom-com. From Molly Ringwald’s iconic wardrobe to the alternate ending that test audiences rejected, Neal unpacks why Pretty in Pink remains a touchstone for teen cinema. Whether you’re Team Ducky or Team Blane, Neal’s exploration of the film’s music, themes, and legacy will have you dusting off your prom playlist. Neal also details his trials of being dry needled and recommends it to the masses in true fine art form. Lauren shifts gears and takes us into the stylish world of Elsa Schiaparelli, the trailblazing Italian designer who defined avant-garde fashion in the early 20th century. From her aristocratic upbringing to her revolutionary designs that fused art and couture, Lauren paints a vivid portrait of Schiaparelli’s fascinating life. With tales of surrealist collaborations, iconic fashion innovations, and a larger-than-life personality, this segment is a masterclass in style and history. Episode Prompts: Adrenaline, Pink, 1615 Special Rom-Com Ultimate Trivia Book Giveaway! Purchase the book and go here: https://www.quarto.com/campaign/Rom-Com-Trivia-Preorder Neal's Topic: Pretty in Pink (1986) Watch the film on Paramount Plus Stream the film elsewhere "If You Leave" by OMD Neal's Recommendation: The Women (1939) Lauren's Topic: Elsa Schiaparelli (1890-1973) Learn More About Elsa Article about Shocking Pink Support Our Show: Love the show? Help us keep going by becoming a Patron for just $5/month! 👉 www.patreon.com/curatedbychance Follow the show and its creators on Instagram: The Show - @curatedbychance Lauren - @paisleylo Neal - @nealefischer E-mail us: [email protected] Hear Neal each week on Triviality Podcast. Subscribe now! Listen to Lauren on Miss Information Podcast! Subscribe now! Pre-order Neal’s next two books! Christmas Ultimate Trivia Book (out now!) Rom-Com Ultimate Trivia Book (releasing Dec 3) Pre-Order Now and Enter the Giveaway! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EPISODE 14: Running Up Solsbury Hill In this episode, Neal and Lauren dive deep into two iconic works that shaped pop culture. Lauren takes listeners on a journey through So, Peter Gabriel's groundbreaking 1986 album. She explores its experimental sound, innovative collaborations, and social influence, highlighting Gabriel’s approach to music that incorporated diverse voices and global influences. From “Sledgehammer” to “In Your Eyes,” Lauren unpacks the inspiration, talent, and ambition behind each track, revealing why So continues to resonate with fans worldwide. Neal short-circuits at one point and then shares his passion for You've Got Mail [1998] and discusses how Nora Ephron's direction and storytelling captured the essence of romance and New York City. Exploring themes of identity, double lives, and love in the digital age, Neal explains how the movie remains timeless. From the charming dialogue to memorable scenes, it’s a quintessential rom-com that fans of the genre shouldn’t miss. Episode Prompts: Angel, Fox, 998 E-mail ([email protected]) with an answer to the Rom-Com question in the episode for a chance to win a copy of Neal's book! The Question: What item was Patrick Dempsey's character saving up all summer for in Can't Buy Me Love? Lauren's Topic: Peter Gabriel’s So (1986) Watch the music video for "Sledgehammer" Listen to So on Spotify The church that inspired "Your Eyes" Neal's Topic: You've Got Mail (1998) Where to watch the film Two Ways to Film The Same Scene - Great video on filmmaking! Support Our Show: Love the show? Help us keep going by becoming a Patron for just $5/month! 👉 www.patreon.com/curatedbychance Follow the show and its creators on Instagram: The Show - @curatedbychance Lauren - @paisleylo Neal - @nealefischer E-mail us: [email protected] Hear Neal each week on Triviality Podcast. Subscribe now! Listen to Lauren on Miss Information Podcast! Subscribe now! Pre-order Neal’s next two books! Christmas Ultimate Trivia Book (out now!) Rom-Com Ultimate Trivia Book (releasing Dec 3) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EPISODE 13: The Fragonard of Chicago On this week's episode, Neal continues his BSE (Big Standing Energy) and tackles Fast Times at Ridgemont High [1982]r, revealing how the film changed the teen comedy landscape. From Sean Penn's iconic stoner Spicoli to Amy Heckerling’s game-changing direction, Neal uncovers the humor and heart in this cult classic. Listen in as he dives into the film’s killer soundtrack, its legacy, and how it paved the way for movies like American Pie and Clueless and has one iconic moment that literally ruined a small segment of the VHS industry. Then, Lauren takes us on a deep dive into Gerhard Richter's Betty (1988). She explores the photorealistic painting’s air of mystery, discussing how Richter blurs the lines between photography, memory, and reality. Lauren shares fascinating tidbits about Richter's career, his shifting styles, and why Betty is more than just a portrait—it’s a masterpiece that will leave you pondering. Plus, for those wondering EPISODE 13 PROMPTS: Back, 82, Red Neal's Topic: Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) Dir: Amy Heckerling Written by: Cameron Crowe Where to stream the movie Lauren's Topic: Gerhard Richter Betty 1988 See the artwork in person! Documentary: Gerhard Richter Painting (2011) Support Our Show: Love the show? Help us keep going by becoming a Patron for just $5/month! 👉 www.patreon.com/curatedbychance Follow the show and its creators on Instagram: The Show - @curatedbychance Lauren - @paisleylo Neal - @nealefischer E-mail us: [email protected] Hear Neal each week on Triviality Podcast. Subscribe now! Listen to Lauren on Miss Information Podcast! Subscribe now! Pre-order Neal’s next two books! Christmas Ultimate Trivia Book (releasing Oct 1) Rom-Com Ultimate Trivia Book (releasing Dec 4) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Neal and Lauren dive headfirst into both the frothy and the fascinating. Lauren kicks things off with a deep exploration of the Rococo art movement, focusing on The Swing by Fragonard. She unpacks its playful eroticism and hidden symbolism, revealing how this seemingly lighthearted artwork hides a web of societal commentary. We learn the difference between cherubs and putti and Lauren guides listeners through the lush visual language that made the Rococo period a lavish statement on beauty and pleasure. Don't miss her sidebar on how Frozen references this classic piece and click the link below to see it. Lauren also goes on a mini-rant about franchises! Next, Neal shifts gears, tackling the gritty spy drama Slow Horses [Apple TV+]. He explores the humor and humanity behind the show’s dysfunctional MI5 agents, highlighting Gary Oldman's standout performance as the curmudgeonly Jackson Lamb. With a theme song by Mick Jagger and a tone that’s as cynical as it is thrilling, Neal explains how the show blends dark humor with espionage in a way that makes it both gripping and refreshing. Stick around for Neal’s breakdown of the show's unique cinematography and how Slow Horses bucks (get it?) the trend of delayed streaming schedules. EPISODE 12 PROMPTS: Froth, 5, Stone Lauren's Topic: Jean-Honoré Fragonard The Swing 1767 Look at the artwork while listening Frozen reference of The Swing Neal's Topic: Slow Horses Where to stream the show To see the amazing drone shot, check out the opening of Episode 6 from Season 4! Support Our Show: Love the show? Help us keep going by becoming a Patron for just $5/month! 👉 www.patreon.com/curatedbychance Follow the show and its creators on Instagram: The Show - @curatedbychance Lauren - @paisleylo Neal - @nealefischer E-mail us: [email protected] Hear Neal each week on Triviality Podcast. Subscribe now! Listen to Lauren on Miss Information Podcast! Subscribe now! Pre-order Neal’s next two books! Christmas Ultimate Trivia Book (releasing Oct 1) Rom-Com Ultimate Trivia Book (releasing Dec 4) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's episode, Neal and Lauren bring a unique blend of personal stories and art history to the forefront. Neal kicks things off from recording live from the backseat of his Buick—hailstorms, train noise, and all—with a hilarious tale of winning Prom King in high school. Neal talks about Silver Bullet (1985), a lesser-known werewolf film based on Stephen King's novella Cycle of the Werewolf. From Gary Busey's improvised lines to the story's unique portrayal of disability, Neal examines what makes this cult classic stand out among horror fans. And don't miss the sidebar on Stephen King's Dollar Baby program, where aspiring filmmakers can adapt King's short stories for just $1—a program that launched the career of Frank Darabont! Lauren follows up with an in-depth discussion of the British painter Francis Bacon. She unpacks Bacon’s life, struggles, and his fascination with dark themes—perfect for the Halloween season. Neal and Lauren dissect the artist’s obsession with “Screaming Popes,” referencing Bacon's haunting interpretation of Velázquez's Portrait of Pope Innocent X. They dive deep into how Bacon's post-war existentialism and bold artistic choices continue to influence modern art, cinema, and even horror films today. Plus, a discussion of "The Death of the Artist"! EPISODE 11 PROMPTS: 53, Meat, Splatter Neal's Topic: Silver Bullet (1985) Where to stream the film Lauren's Topic: Study after Velázquez's Portrait of Pope Innocent X (1953) by Francis Bacon Where to see the artwork Support Our Show: Love the show? Help us keep going by becoming a Patron for just $5/month! 👉 www.patreon.com/curatedbychance Follow the show and its creators on Instagram: The Show - @curatedbychance Lauren - @paisleylo Neal - @nealefischer E-mail us: [email protected] Hear Neal each week on Triviality Podcast. Subscribe now! Listen to Lauren on Miss Information Podcast! Subscribe now! Pre-order Neal’s next two books! Christmas Ultimate Trivia Book (releasing Oct 1) Rom-Com Ultimate Trivia Book (releasing Dec 4) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices