My Sister Made Me Watch This

Michelle
  • 4.4 (5)
  • TV Reviews

Sisters Michelle and Cherie revisit TV shows and movies from their childhood and their different perspectives on them. As the older sister, Cherie most often controlled the television and subjected Michelle to shows that she would never have chosen to watch on her own.

Episodes

  1. 2d ago

    065 Dolly Parton: Singer, Actress, Icon, and Just… Dolly

    We’re taking a break from our usual “my sister made me watch this” assignment to remember one of the most beloved performers of all time: Dolly Parton. Dolly was a singer, songwriter, actress, businesswoman, philanthropist, and all-around cultural icon. From her humble beginnings in Tennessee to becoming the Queen of Country Music, she built an incredible career spanning nearly six decades—and somehow managed to make it all look effortless. We’re talking about Dolly’s film and television career, including her unforgettable debut in 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Rhinestone, and one sister’s absolute favorite, Steel Magnolias. We also revisit some of her television appearances, including Designing Women and Hannah Montana, where she played Aunt Dolly—and talk about her real-life relationship with her goddaughter, Miley Cyrus. And, of course, we couldn’t talk about Dolly without talking about Dollywood! We reminisce about visiting the park, Dolly’s elaborate costumes and wigs, the famous cinnamon bread, and the fact that Dolly herself reportedly avoided the rides. (Because why risk messing up that hair?) Plus, we share some of our favorite Dolly trivia and stories, including:  Dolly writing both “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You” on the same day  Why she turned down Elvis Presley’s request to record “I Will Always Love You”  The story of Dolly entering—and losing—a Dolly Parton lookalike contest  Her lifelong friendship with Judy Ogle  Her connection to Miley Cyrus  Why the cloned sheep was named Dolly  Dolly’s many musical talents  Her Guinness World Records  And the remarkable legacy of Dolly Parton’s Imagination LibraryMost of all, we talk about what made Dolly so special: she was completely, unapologetically herself. She knew who she was, knew what she could do, and never seemed afraid to go after it. There may never be another Dolly Parton—and that's worth celebrating. And yes… we may have to schedule a Dolly movie night soon. The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, anyone?

  2. Sep 3

    064 Gilligan’s Island: The Original Survivor?

    Pack your coconut cups and prepare for a three-hour tour, because this week we’re heading to an uncharted island with one of television’s most beloved—and most inexplicably unsuccessful—groups of castaways: Gilligan, the Skipper, the Professor, Mary Ann, Ginger, and the Howells!  Gilligan’s Island only ran for three seasons from 1964–1967, but thanks to seemingly endless reruns, it became one of those shows that feels like it was on television forever. We talk about the original premise, the iconic cast, and some surprising casting almosts—including Jerry Van Dyke as Gilligan, Carroll O’Connor as the Skipper, Dabney Coleman as the Professor, and Raquel Welch auditioning for Mary Ann.  We also dig into some of the show's stranger mysteries: Why were the Howells taking a charter boat instead of their own yacht? Why did everyone bring their entire wardrobe for a three-hour tour? How did all those guest stars keep finding this supposedly uncharted island? And why, after 98 episodes, could the castaways still not figure out how to get home?  Plus, we discuss the original pilot, the missing Professor and Mary Ann from the first season's theme song, the real story behind the SS Minnow's name, the coconut cups, the show's animated spin-offs, Gilligan's Planet, the Harlem Globetrotters, The Real Gilligan's Island, and the many, many ways Hollywood tried to squeeze a few more drops of coconut milk out of the franchise.  And because we're us, we also have a spirited discussion about whether Gilligan's Island actually holds up today—and whether nostalgia is doing most of the heavy lifting.  Finally, we tackle the show's underlying idea of people from wildly different backgrounds being forced to cooperate to survive. It's a concept that still works... although, as we point out, calling this particular group "diverse" by today's standards is definitely a stretch.  So grab your favorite coconut shell, avoid any suspicious-looking storms, and join us for a trip to Gilligan's Island.

  3. Aug 27

    063 Jem and the Holograms: Truly Outrageous or Truly Ridiculous?

    This week, we’re tackling a listener request! Our awesome listener Elizabeth Boney asked us to revisit a Saturday morning cartoon from our misty past: Jem and the Holograms. And, well… Elizabeth, you asked for it. 😆 Jem and the Holograms was an animated musical series that ran from 1985 to 1988, following Jerrica Benton, the owner of Starlight Music, who uses a holographic computer named Synergy to transform into her glamorous alter ego, Jem. Along with the Holograms, the Starlight Girls, and multiple rival bands, Jem somehow finds time to maintain a double identity, run a record company, perform music, protect secret holographic technology, and deal with an extremely complicated love triangle. Because apparently this was considered appropriate Saturday morning entertainment. We take a look at:  The absolutely 80s premise of a holographic computer creating a secret identity  Jem and the Holograms' rival bands, including the Misfits and the Stingers  Pizzazz, Stormer, Roxy, Rapture, Minx, Riot, and the other characters whose names sound like rejected hair-metal band names  The truly outrageous relationship between Jerrica, Jem, and Rio  The question: Is Rio cheating on Jerrica with Jem… who is also Jerrica? The show's enormous number of original songs and music videos  Why the actors providing the speaking voices weren't necessarily the same performers providing the singing voices  The 2015 live-action Jem and the Holograms movie—and its spectacular lack of success  The upcoming new Jem and the Holograms series  Whether Jem and the Holograms actually holds up nearly 40 years later  And Cherie's very memorable encounter with voice actor Townsend Coleman Plus, we answer the most important question of all: Was Jem truly outrageous? You'll have to listen to find out. 😉 And Elizabeth, thank you for giving us an excuse to revisit this particular slice of 1980s pop culture! Where to Find Us If you have a favorite—or perhaps forgotten—TV show or movie you'd like us to talk about, we'd love to hear from you! 📧 mysistermademewatchthispodcast@gmail.com And if you're enjoying the podcast, please subscribe and leave us a rating and review wherever you listen. It really does help other people find us!

  4. Aug 20

    062: Tossed Salads, Scrambled Eggs & the Greatest Spin-Off Ever? | Frasier

    What happens when you take a supporting character from a beloved sitcom and give him his own show? Usually, you get a spin-off. Occasionally, you get Frasier.  This week on My Sister Made Me Watch This, we're heading to Seattle to revisit one of the most successful—and most critically acclaimed—spin-offs in television history. We talk about how Frasier Crane went from a supporting character on Cheers to the star of an 11-season hit, and why the producers originally wanted to take the character in a VERY different direction.  We also dig into the casting choices that made the show work, including John Mahoney as Martin, David Hyde Pierce as Niles, Jane Leeves as Daphne, and Peri Gilpin as Roz. And yes, we have to talk about the fact that Lisa Kudrow was originally cast as Roz before losing the role—and then going on to become Phoebe on Friends. Talk about a career-altering casting decision!  Plus:   The bizarre original concept for the series that almost happened  Why Frasier was moved from Boston to Seattle  The continuity problems involving Frasier's father—and brother  How David Hyde Pierce became Niles  Why Maris was never seen  John Mahoney's surprising British background  The celebrities who called into Frasier's radio show  The story behind "Tossed Salads and Scrambled Eggs"  The iconic Frasier apartment  The show's unforgettable Seattle skyline opening  Its incredible Emmy record  The short-lived Frasier revival  And, of course, the big question: Does Frasier still hold up today?So grab a cup of coffee, settle into your favorite overstuffed chair, and join us for a trip back to Café Nervosa, KACL, and the Crane family apartment.   And remember: all you need to do is keep listening.

  5. Aug 13

    061 TV Spinoffs: The Good, the Bad & the Really Weird

    How many TV spinoffs can you name? More than you think, probably—but we discovered there are a LOT more than either of us realized! After talking about several shows that were themselves spinoffs in recent episodes, we decided to go down the rabbit hole and explore some of television's most memorable—and most inexplicable—spinoffs. We revisit some familiar favorites, including Happy Days, All in the Family, The Brady Bunch, Cheers, Designing Women, The Flintstones, The Golden Girls, How I Met Your Mother, Knight Rider, and Law & Order. Along the way, we uncover some seriously obscure spinoffs, including Blansky's Beauties, Checking In, 704 Hauser, Mission: Magic!, and Code of Vengeance. Some spinoffs became beloved classics. Some lasted only a handful of months. And some leave us asking the most important question of all: Who thought this was a good idea? We also talk about: Why Frasier might be the gold standard for successful spinoffsThe surprisingly complicated Brady Bunch spinoff universeThe Brady Brides and the questionable decision to have two married couples buy a house togetherWhy The Golden Palace couldn't quite recapture the magic of The Golden GirlsThe many, many Law & Order spinoffsHow The Simpsons got its start on The Tracey Ullman ShowThe spinoff we can't believe Michelle forgot: JoeyWhy a popular character can sometimes be the perfect candidate for a spinoffAnd whether sheer popularity is enough to make a spinoff workThen it's time for a Spinoff Trivia Quiz! Can Michelle identify the original shows behind Tabitha, Joey, Melrose Place, Bindi the Jungle Girl, The Ropers, The Simpsons, and The Lone Gunmen? Let's just say there is one answer she REALLY should have known. 😂 And don't worry—we only made it halfway through the alphabet. There are plenty more spinoffs where these came from! My Sister Made Me Watch This is a podcast where two sisters revisit the TV shows and movies that shaped their childhoods—and occasionally make each other watch them all over again. Listen, subscribe, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts! Find us on social media at My Sister Made Me Watch This, and send us your show suggestions, comments, and questions at mysistermademewatchthispodcast@gmail.com. And a special thank-you to Outworld Fleet Radio, where you can hear us Sunday nights!

  • 5 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

4.4
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Sisters Michelle and Cherie revisit TV shows and movies from their childhood and their different perspectives on them. As the older sister, Cherie most often controlled the television and subjected Michelle to shows that she would never have chosen to watch on her own.

Information

  • Creator
    Michelle
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 My Sister Made Me Watch This
  • Show Website
    My Sister Made Me Watch This