The Rom Complex

Sam Frontera and Shelby Schwieterman

Which came first, the romantic comedy or our messed up ways of thinking about love and relationships? Each week Sam Frontera and Shelby Schwieterman break down the romcom tropes that make their hearts sing and the ones that need to be tuned up. Listen to them talk about how these movies affected their relationships–for better and for worse.

  1. SEP 25

    277. Pitch Perfect: I Love Stackin' CDs

    Sam has overcome her distaste for a certain actor and decided we should watch Pitch Perfect (2012). We chat about the peak of a cappella, having girl friends, and the black cat/golden retriever dynamic.

    52 min

  2. SEP 18

    276. Hairspray: Never Leave Me Without Love

    You can't stop the beat, and you can't stop us talking about Hairspray (2007). We also discuss airport altercations, Zefron in a suit, and what type of men we are.

    56 min

  3. SEP 11

    275. Across the Universe: All You Need Is Love

    Help, Sam is cursed and the only way to relieve it is to talk about Across the Universe (2007)! Luckily, there is plenty to say. We talk puppets, plot threads, and protests, all with a beautiful Beatles soundtrack.

    55 min

  4. SEP 4

    274. Bye Bye Birdie: We Love You Conrad, Oh Yes We Do

    Ahem, mi mi mi mi miiiii. Sorry, just had to warm up my voice for Sing-along September! Our first musical masterpiece is Bye Bye Birdie (1963). We also discuss young love, less-young love, mama's boys, and what wars happened in what years.

    53 min

  5. AUG 28

    273. Made of Honor: If You Love Something, Set It Free

    McDreamy and McCreamy collide in 2008's Made of Honor, a movie that proves that a rich man can have "broke boy energy." We also discuss Scotland, friends versus best friends, and comic relief grandmas.

    55 min

  6. AUG 21

    272. The Wedding Singer: I Fell in Love with This Girl Who's Going to Marry an Idiot

    The Wedding Singer (1998) is our next wedding-themed selection, and we don't even mention the musical stage adaptation. We discuss the Adam Sandler method of movie production, character-based comedy, and the allure of dating a musician.

    55 min

  7. AUG 14

    271. The Wedding Date: I'd Rather Fight with You Than Make Love with Anyone Else

    We've returned to 2005, Sam's favorite year for movies, for The Wedding Date. Join us as we chat about complicated families, dancing away the anger, and how more men should be named Dermot.

    58 min

  8. AUG 7

    270. The Wedding Banquet: Let's Try Looking More in Love

    Grab your Bowen Yang Lego minifigs because we're starting Wedding month with this year's The Wedding Banquet (2025). We discuss the surprising plot, tropes we hate the most, and lying to Grandma. Join us for the celebration!

    52 min
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5
out of 5
24 Ratings

About

Which came first, the romantic comedy or our messed up ways of thinking about love and relationships? Each week Sam Frontera and Shelby Schwieterman break down the romcom tropes that make their hearts sing and the ones that need to be tuned up. Listen to them talk about how these movies affected their relationships–for better and for worse.

Information

  • Creator
    Sam Frontera and Shelby Schwieterman
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2025
  • Episodes
    280
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Sam Frontera and Shelby Schwieterman
  • Show Website
    The Rom Complex