Longtime followers of the Enthusiacs podcast institution that is Hero Talk will know that host Judge Greg is fond of pointing out that “everyone” listens to Hero Talk.  Skeptics may doubt if available metrics can back up such a bold statement.  Your humble correspondent would ask that you look beyond the mere numbers and consider the details below when assessing Greg’s claims.

Fact: On August 11th of 2016, a Hero Talk episode on the barely-remembered 2004 teen comedy Mean Girls is posted on Enthusiacs.com.  The podcast is well received, and an oft-forgotten but competent film gets a much needed boost in profile; win-win.

Fact: Barely two months hence, Cineplex Odeon, one of Canada’s largest movie theatre operators holds a special Mean Girls Day event on October 3rd at their VIP locations, country-wide.  Coincidence?  I think not.

On October 3rd this guy was curious what day it was…

The cultural reach and influence of Hero Talk was laid bare for all to see.  Not one to miss out on a seismic event in entertainment/podcasting history, I attended a screening at our local VIP Cinemas location and can report in some detail on what transpired.  Attendance was split roughly 90% women/10% men, which was somewhat counter to the stereotypical demographic for a podcast so heavily steeped in super-hero and action movie content.  Perhaps we’ll see Judge Greg catering more to his dominantly female audience in the future with increased representation for romantic comedies and period dramas.  Pink was clearly the favored wardrobe choice for the day, despite my understanding that this color should traditionally be reserved for Wednesday outings.  A special drinks selection was on hand for order, and my colleague and I sampled a ‘Regular Mom’ and a ‘Cool Mom’ in the spirit of the occasion.

The film itself was as excellent as remembered – I had first watched it in full in preparation for the podcast and enjoyed it even more the second time.  Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Amanda Seyfried and Lacey Chabert all excel in their roles – the film is, if nothing else, a lesson in perfect casting.  Despite being a “high-school” comedy, the laughs are highly relatable and the talents of several A-list Saturday Night Live alumni, Tina Fey, Tim Meadows and Amy Poehler only serve to raise the bar further.  About the only thing I can think of that dates Mean Girls significantly, apart from Lindsay Lohan’s youthful, yet-to-be-sullied appearance are the absence of smartphones in conspicuous use.

The audience seemed to anticipate all the key comedic moments, likely from the insightful commentary provided by Hero Talk.  I daresay they must have given the podcast multiple listens before the screening.  The theatre was packed with mirthful pink-bedecked patrons sipping colourful, if watered-down themed beverages and I would not be exaggerating to say all in attendance thoroughly enjoyed themselves.  Given the demonstrable sway Hero Talk has had on the popularity of Mean Girls, can we expect Equilibrium or Legend of Chun Li celebrations popping up in future?  We shall see!

ED. NOTE: This is satire.