Least Important Things

Least Important Things
  • 4.7 (11)
  • FILM REVIEWS
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

A podcast about movies, friendship, and finding meaning in the most important of the least important things in our lives. 

  1. Waiting for Guffman

    3D AGO

    Waiting for Guffman

    Pack your bags and grab your "Remains of the Day" lunchbox. This week on Least Important Things, we are traveling to the "Stool Capital of the World"—Blaine, Missouri—to rewatch the 1997 mockumentary masterpiece, Waiting for Guffman. Mike Wynne returns to the podcast with Luke Ferris to discuss the ambitious musical celebration Red, White and Blaine and the man with the dream: Corky St. Clair. From the improvised genius of Christopher Guest and Eugene Levy to the late Catherine O'Hara, we break down why this film is the blueprint for every modern self-aware comedy. In this episode, we discuss: The Mockumentary Lineage: Why modern hits like The Office and Parks & Rec owe a massive debt to the unique style of Guest.A 16mm Juggernaut: How the team worked from a 25-page "beat sheet" rather than a script, and how editor Andy Blumenthal whittled 60 hours of footage down to 84 minutesBest Lines: The most stacked "Bestie" category to date. O'Hara's Legacy: Mike and Luke share their love for the late-great Catherine O'Hara and her legacy of joy. --- Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube. Support Least Important Things on Patreon You can be part of the show by leaving a voicemail here. You can email the show at leastimportantthings@gmail.com or reach out via social media at the links below. Read our articles and learn more about the show at www.leastimportantthings.com --- Sources for this episode: Royalty-free music and sound effects via Artlist.comWaiting for Guffman (1996) Official Trailer - Christopher Guest, Deborah Theaker Movie HD Send us Fan Mail Follow Least Important Things:  Letterboxd InstagramYouTubeTikTokFacebook All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material is done for a limited, educational and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.

    1h 1m
  2. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (25th Anniversary Rewatch)

    MAR 24

    The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (25th Anniversary Rewatch)

    We are journeying back to Middle-earth to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the film that changed cinema forever: Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. In this special rewatch, Luke Ferris is joined by his two older siblings—the people responsible for his Tolkien obsession—Jay Ferris and Anna Guerink. Together, they discuss the theatrical release of the first film in the greatest trilogy of all time.  We’ll venture into: The legacy of why this adaptation shouldn’t have worked, but somehow did. Discussing the most difficult changes from book to screen. The grimy moments from the film that define Peter Jackson’s style.  Celebrating the perfect casting of Viggo Mortensen. The Ferris family's history with this movie. Justice for the character of Boromir.Best props, lines, and scenes. And much more…Listen to our other LOTR episode: What The Lord of the Rings Taught Me About Life and Death.  --- Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube. Support Least Important Things on Patreon You can be part of the show by leaving a voicemail here. You can email the show at leastimportantthings@gmail.com or reach out via social media at the links below. Read our articles and learn more about the show at www.leastimportantthings.com --- Sources for this episode: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Official Trailer #2 - (2001) HDRoyalty-free music and sound effects via Artlist.com Send us Fan Mail Follow Least Important Things:  Letterboxd InstagramYouTubeTikTokFacebook All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material is done for a limited, educational and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.

    1h 40m
  3. A St. Patrick's Day Tale

    MAR 17

    A St. Patrick's Day Tale

    In a special St. Patrick’s Day episode, Luke Ferris reads “A Legend of Knockmany” from the Irish Fairy Book.  So curl up in a wool blanket, grab a cup of tea or a pint, and settle in for a folk tale that goes deep into the lineage of Irish culture.  --- Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube. Support Least Important Things on Patreon You can be part of the show by leaving a voicemail here. You can email the show at leastimportantthings@gmail.com or reach out via social media at the links below. Read our articles and learn more about the show at www.leastimportantthings.com --- Sources for this episode: Royalty-free music and sound effects via Artlist.com Send us Fan Mail Follow Least Important Things:  Letterboxd InstagramYouTubeTikTokFacebook All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material is done for a limited, educational and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.

    29 min
  4. The Oscars Are My Super Bowl

    MAR 10

    The Oscars Are My Super Bowl

    The Academy Awards is a dramatic cocktail of pop culture obsession and a rare "monoculture" experience. In this episode, Luke Ferris explores why we still tune in 70 years later, even as the "magic" of movie-star mystery has been replaced by social media intimacy. Luke explains the mechanics of the show and why the most moving moments often happen far away from the headlines. In this episode, we discuss: The Lore of the Movie Star: How the Oscars originally served as a rare window into the lives of the industry's most ambiguous figures.The Modern Draw: Why we trade movie star mystery for "watercooler" viral moments. The Host Factor: Why hosting is the toughest gig in showbiz and how it sets the tone for the night.Politics and Platforms: How the Oscars create a platform for artists to speak on the “now.” The Heart of the Show: Why the “In Memoriam” segment and the speeches from short film and documentary winners remain the most soulful parts of the broadcast. --- Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube. Support Least Important Things on Patreon You can be part of the show by leaving a voicemail here. You can email the show at leastimportantthings@gmail.com or reach out via social media at the links below. Read our articles and learn more about the show at www.leastimportantthings.com --- Sources for this episode: Royalty-free music and sound effects via Artlist.comThe First Oscar Broadcast in Color: 1966 Oscars'Flow' Wins Best Animated Feature Film | 97th Oscars Speech (2025)A history of unscripted moments at the OscarsJOHN TRAVOLTA THE BIGGEST OSCAR FAIL EVER! Idina Menzel BUTCHEREDConan O'Brien's Hilarious Opening Monologue | 97th Oscars 2025Send us Fan Mail Follow Least Important Things:  Letterboxd InstagramYouTubeTikTokFacebook All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material is done for a limited, educational and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.

    13 min
  5. Does It Hold Up?

    MAR 3

    Does It Hold Up?

    It's time to crank up the pop culture oven in the kitchen of nostalgia because this week, Luke Ferris is joined by Zach Hall to deconstruct the "Secret Recipe" for media that stands the test of time—and the ingredients that cause others to sour. From the rediscovered love of The Mummy to the questionable lineage of Monopoly, we’re diving deep into the vault to see what still holds a candle to the flame and what needs to be relegated to a "cautionary tale". In this episode, we discuss: The Secret Recipe for "Holding Up": Breaking down the essential ingredients, including "2 cups of Fandom," "3 oz of Relatability," and the crucial "1 tsp of Benchmarking".The 20-Year Bake: Why media needs significant "breathing room" to be lost to culture and then rediscovered by a new generation.The Modern Lens: Running the classics against modern theories like the Bechdel Test and scanning for biases that might take a modern viewer out of the art.The Case of the "Cringe": Why films like Slap Shot provide a complicated case study in contrast to modern storytelling like Heated Rivalry. The Vault: A rapid-fire look at the movies, games, and music that still work, from lost sequels to a George Michael classic. The Evaluation List: Identifying things that require a "wiser" reassessment, including the Bond franchise, 2000s comedies, and Ska music. --- Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube. Support Least Important Things on Patreon You can be part of the show by leaving a voicemail here. You can email the show at leastimportantthings@gmail.com or reach out via social media at the links below. Read our articles and learn more about the show at www.leastimportantthings.com --- Sources for this episode: Royalty-free music and sound effects via Artlist.comSend us Fan Mail Follow Least Important Things:  Letterboxd InstagramYouTubeTikTokFacebook All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material is done for a limited, educational and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.

    1h 15m
  6. All the President's Men Is Still Teaching Me

    FEB 24

    All the President's Men Is Still Teaching Me

    Fifty years after its release, All the President’s Men still feels as relevant as ever. In this essay episode, Luke Ferris explores how a 1970s procedural about two reporters in a newsroom managed to capture the soul of a 13-year-old in 2006—and why it still resonates at age 33. We’ll dive into: The ASMR of the 70s: Why the tactile world of landline phones, typewriters, and match-lit cigarettes creates a timeless "aura noir" tension.The Quest for Truth: Reflecting on the "God-like" pursuit of facts and how Woodward and Bernstein’s hunger inspired a lifelong passion for storytelling.A Somber Confrontation: Luke reflects on the "crossroads" of his own career—comparing the romanticized dreams of investigative journalism to the reality of recording a podcast in a basement.Democratic Accountability: Why the film's themes of unrequited power and the disruption of facts are more profound today than ever before.--- Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube. Support Least Important Things on Patreon You can be part of the show by leaving a voicemail here. You can email the show at leastimportantthings@gmail.com or reach out via social media at the links below. Read our articles and learn more about the show at www.leastimportantthings.com --- Sources for this episode: Royalty-free music and sound effects via Artlist.comAll The President's Men (1976) Official Trailer - Robert Redford, Dustin Hoffman Thriller HDAll the President's Men (1976) - Ending Scene“You haven’t got it.” - All The President’s Men Send us Fan Mail Follow Least Important Things:  Letterboxd InstagramYouTubeTikTokFacebook All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material is done for a limited, educational and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.

    10 min
  7. A Knight's Tale

    FEB 17

    A Knight's Tale

    "The seeker of serenity, the protector of Italian virginity, the enforcer of our Lord God—the one, the only, Sir Ulrich von Lichtenstein!" In this episode, Luke Ferris celebrates the 25th anniversary of the 2001 rock-and-roll medieval mashup A Knight’s Tale. Joining the show to talk about the best hype man in cinematic history is returning favorite Audrey Ferris, from our Parent Trap and Stranger Things episodes. Together, they explore how this film "changed the stars" for its cast and its audience, blending 14th-century jousting with the stadium-rock energy of the 1970s. We’ll dive into: Changing Your Stars: Analyzing William Thatcher’s journey from a squire to a knight and the film's enduring themes of class and self-determination.The Ultimate Hype Man: Why Paul Bettany’s Geoffrey Chaucer remains one of the greatest supporting characters in cinematic history.The Medieval Groove: A look at the legendary soundtrack, from the opening Queen anthem to David Bowie’s banquet dance.Heath Ledger’s Legacy: Reflecting on Ledger’s star-making performance and why his work in this film feels like a gift that audiences can still savor 25 years later.Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube. Support Least Important Things on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LeastImportantThings You can email the show at leastimportantthings@gmail.com or reach out via social media at the links below. Sources for this episode: A Knight's Tale (2001) directed by Brian HelgelandRoyalty-free music and sound effects via Artlist.comSend us Fan Mail Follow Least Important Things:  Letterboxd InstagramYouTubeTikTokFacebook All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material is done for a limited, educational and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.

    1h 4m
  8. High School Musical

    FEB 10

    High School Musical

    We're all in this together. In this episode, we’re going back 20 years to 2006 to rewatch a movie that defined a generation of Disney Channel kids: High School Musical. Joining host Luke Ferris are two Wildcats who were there at the beginning—returning guest Eliza McInnis and first-time guest Kloey Ramey. We’ll dive into: The Musical Magic: From the "Start of Something New" on New Year's Eve to the championship-winning final number, we explore the songs and choreography that made this a global phenomenon.Wildcat Fever: We talk about the iconic cliques of East High—from the drama kids and brainiacs to the jocks and skaters.The "Sliding Doors" of Pop Culture: We discuss the alternate reality where this was Grease 3 starring Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake, and how the mid-2000s would have looked vastly different if Drew Seeley had remained the "voice" of Troy Bolton.What's Happening with the Boltons: We break down the dynamics of the Bolton family and their financial situation.Best of 2006: We revisit the most nostalgic moments, featuring the mounting evils of cell phones, basketball jerseys with shoulder pads, and the absolute peak of the ironic t-shirt era.2000s Fashion Snapshot: From Ryan’s nine different hats to teenagers wearing blazers and fashion belts, we crown the outfits least likely to come back into style.Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube. Support Least Important Things on Patreon — If we hit 40 members, Mike Wynne will do a Twilight rewatch! You can be part of the show by leaving a voicemail here. You can email the show at leastimportantthings@gmail.com or reach out via social media. Read our articles and learn more about the show at www.leastimportantthings.com. Sources for this episode: High School Musical - Official TrailerRoyalty-free music and sound effects via Artlist.com Send us Fan Mail Follow Least Important Things:  Letterboxd InstagramYouTubeTikTokFacebook All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material is done for a limited, educational and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.

    1h 23m
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4.7
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

A podcast about movies, friendship, and finding meaning in the most important of the least important things in our lives. 

Information

  • Creator
    Least Important Things
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    92
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Least Important Things
  • Show Website
    Least Important Things