The Nostalgia Test Podcast

Dan, Manny, & Billy put the 2026 micro-vertical series Autnomous to the ultimate test—THE NOSTALGIA TEST (NOW)!   “What do you do? I drive Uber and kill f***ing people." -Manny Coelho   What better way to celebrate Spooky Season than with a horrifyingly insane conversation about a possibly possessed autonomous car. In this episode, the boys dive deep into a 16-episode micro series by the creators of ZombieCon Vol.1 (168. Nostalgia Test Now! ZombieCon Vol.1 & 169. Nostalgia 101: Making ZombieCon Vol. 1 w/ Erin Áine & Kyle Valle) on Screamify Autonomous. Director Kyle Valle & writer/actor Erin Áine are courageous filmmakers, actors, and writers, and their latest indie endeavor ventures into the wild west of verticals, which according to a Creative Screenwriting article from June 2, 2025, “A vertical drama refers to a narrative that is specifically created and formatted to be viewed on mobile devices in a vertical (portrait) orientation. This format is a direct response to the increasing dominance of mobile platforms in everyday media consumption.” This is uncharted territory and Autonomous takes a huge swing bringing horror to the vertical world. The boys breakdown their skepticism of autonomous driving, Waymos, and one of the main character’s, Derek, age. There’s a detailed conversation about how Autonomous was filmed, the advantages and disadvantages of the vertical aspect ratio, and some of the practical aspects of the “GoMo” (the autonomous car), like how many were used, if they used a regular camera in the car to create that claustrophobic feeling, and why couldn’t they just jump out of the car. There’s also questions about how the script might have been written, where Dan, Manny, & Billy feel there could’ve been some heightening for scare factor, and they pitch several ideas for sequels and an expansive cross-over universe between Autonomous and ZombieCon. Before they put it to the test, the guys give high praise for Erin Áine’s power acting and how they need to find her a co-star that can match her command of each scene, and make sure you listen for the extra horror film conversation that happens as Dan signs off. So, bow to your AI overlords, get drunk in a Waymo like it's a limo to your prom, and throw caution to the wind while being driven into the woods by a possessed machine because what else are we going to do?! Watch Autonomous on Screamify: screamify.com Check out Kyle and Erin’s other projects at Big Squid Productions: bigsquidproductions.com *** Rep Your Nostalgia @ Our Merch Shop. Your favorite memories are now wearable. Rep the The Nostalgia Test Podcast, celebrate the past, and keep nostalgia alive. *** If you love what we’re doing and want to support the podcast so we can keep this show going with better equipment and maybe meet up with each other to do some in-person recording, sponsor to The Nostalgia Test:  buymeacoffee.com/nostalgiatest *** Lastly, we’re looking to be booked for podcast appearances, hosting gigs and parties, maybe you have a block party coming up, a BBQ that you want to be Nostalgia themed and you’re looking to make it seriously memorable, a reunion, etc., contact us to book the podcast. We’re ready to Get Nostalgic With You:  Contact For Booking   *** Email us ([email protected]) your thoughts, opinions, and topics for our next Nostalgia Test! Suggest A Test & Be Our Guest! We're always looking for a fun new topic for The Nostalgia Test. Hit the link above, tell us what you'd like to see tested, and be our guest for that episode! ***   Approximate Rundown 00:00 Cold Open Chaos 00:24 Welcome Back Check In 01:56 No Edits and Support Plugs 02:47 What Is a Vertical Micro Series 05:26 How They Shot It 06:04 Autonomous Premise and Cast 07:09 Waymo Talk and Safety Fears 11:19 Story Setup and AI Job Loss 12:18 Spoilers and What We Wanted 13:39 Monster vs Serial Killer Debate 20:49 Character Drama and Exposition 23:08 Bigger Themes and Horror Craft 25:06 Ending Fixes and Jake Theory 25:41 Open Ending and Final Girl Twist 26:46 Demon Hand or Scooby Doo 27:34 911 Call and GOMO Conspiracy 28:59 Vertical Storytelling Challenges 35:20 Flash Fiction and Vine Lessons 37:42 Horror Genre and Future Sequel 38:53 Tech Horror and Better Kills 42:09 Cast Praise and Universe Ideas 47:33 Final Thoughts and Support the Show 49:51 Low-Budget Horror Success Stories 51:09 Poltergeist Talk and Wrap Up Episode Quotes ***   Book The Nostalgia Test Podcast Email us at [email protected] or fill out the form at this link to book us on your podcast, host your special events, roast your friends & family, and for custom nostalgic themed events.    The Nostalgia Test Podcast will create an unforgettable Nostalgic experience for any occasion because we are the party! We are the most dedicated guests! We bring it 100% of the time! [email protected]   LET'S GET NOSTALGIC!       Keep up with all things The Nostalgia Test Podcast on Instagram | Substack | Merch Shop | TikTok | Bluesky | YouTube | Facebook   The intro and outro music ('Neon Attack 80s') is by Emanmusic. Other music ("Red, White, Black, & Blue") is by PEG and the Rejected

Dan & Manny have an old school show & tell and put some nostalgic toys to the ultimate test—THE NOSTALGIA TEST!   “Come to Toys "R" Us and spend all your parents' money” -Manny Coelho   Oh man! This is a fun nostalgic hangout all about toys, water fights, toy stores, candy, and classic Nostalgia Test Tangents. Dan & Manny bring a bunch of toys to surprise, show & tell, and put to the test. No one knows what the other is bringing, so you know this always leads to some fun nostalgic chaos. Some of the toys are plastic water guns, balls, sticky hands, and Silly Putty even makes an appearance! While all of this is going on, Dan takes it upon himself to have a side Nostalgia Test putting Life Savers and Bubble Tape to the ultimate test, and you can imagine how that goes. In a time where all our fun is becoming more and more intangible, our imaginations are under attack, and our third spaces are being erased, talking about childhood toys and fun is more important than ever. We need to take these things back and engage in real messy fun. One of the moments in this episode that proves this is when Dan & Manny reminisce about having water fights in their yards. If you don’t know what a water fight is, get on looking it up, grabbing some friends, and having some old fashion wet and wild fun. This isn’t just a comedic look back on a simpler toy past, it’s a necessary reminder that at one point in our history we were able to have fun with way less, that our lives weren’t a race to monetization, and that time with one another meant sometimes being bored together, going somewhere, and/or thinking up an original game a la Calvinball, shoutout Calvin & Hobbes. We might not be able to go back to these times, though we can make time to be silly; it might just save our lives. So, call up your best friends, grab some water balloons, cheap water guns, some bouncy balls, and come over and hang out while we celebrate a simpler and more fun time, and who says it can’t be now. ***   If you love what we’re doing and want to support the podcast so we can keep this show going with better equipment and maybe meet up with each other to do some in-person recording, sponsor to The Nostalgia Test:  buymeacoffee.com/nostalgiatest   Lastly, we’re looking to be booked for podcast appearances, hosting gigs and parties, maybe you have a block party coming up, a BBQ that you want to be Nostalgia themed and you’re looking to make it seriously memorable, a reunion, etc., contact us to book the podcast. We’re ready to Get Nostalgic With You:  Contact For Booking   *** Email us ([email protected]) your thoughts, opinions, and topics for our next Nostalgia Test! Suggest A Test & Be Our Guest! We're always looking for a fun new topic for The Nostalgia Test. Hit the link above, tell us what you'd like to see tested, and be our guest for that episode! ***   Approximate Rundown 00:00 Podcast Intro & Toy Nostalgia 00:18 KB Toys & Mall Memories 00:39 Toys R Us Comeback Talk 02:08 Jingles & Toy Episode Setup 03:47 Shoutout Alisa Reyes 05:06 Five Below Toy Hunt 06:32 What Counts As A Toy 07:48 Bouncy Ball Nostalgia Test 11:25 Koosh Ball Origin Story 13:03 Old School Water Gun Wars 16:33 Water Balloons & Water Fight Escalation 21:03 Life Savers Side Snack 21:58 Sticky Slap Hand Chaos 27:22 Silly Putty Memories 28:23 Silly Putty Bounce Test Chaos 29:45 Silly Putty Stretch Snap Bite 31:11 Life Savers Review 32:24 Sound Machine Buttons 40:16 Mic Malfunction Break 44:02 Bubble Tape Challenge 45:35 Skee Ball Figurines 50:47 Wrap Up and Plugs ***   Book The Nostalgia Test Podcast Email us at [email protected] or fill out the form at this link to book us on your podcast, host your special events, roast your friends & family, and for custom nostalgic themed events.    The Nostalgia Test Podcast will create an unforgettable Nostalgic experience for any occasion because we are the party! We are the most dedicated guests! We bring it 100% of the time! [email protected]   LET'S GET NOSTALGIC!       Keep up with all things The Nostalgia Test Podcast on Instagram | Substack | Discord | TikTok | Bluesky | YouTube | Facebook   The intro and outro music ('Neon Attack 80s') is by Emanmusic. Other music ("Red, White, Black, & Blue") is by PEG and the Rejected

Dan, Manny, & Billy put the 1989 baseball comedy classic Major League (1989) to the ultimate test—THE NOSTALGIA TEST!   “We've been doing a load of dog shit so far and we [were in] need of a win. We needed a definite win." -Dan Dissinger   Oh man! The journey to podcasting immortality starts with the 1989 classic Major League, a comedy that was able to be offensive, heartwarming, exciting, have a love story, easily making it a top 5 of baseball movie. It’s been a rough journey for our hosts and like they’ve been saying for months, they really needed a win.  With new movies and our lives being sanitized of color watching Major League reminds the audience of a time when films, lives, clothes, and the overall world was a fun place to live. Sure, it wasn’t perfect, but the men and woman looked like people. The bodies were real bodies. It was more okay to age. Actors were age appropriate for their parts. Suspending disbelief was so much easier. The guys talk all about these things while reciting their favorite lines, laughing about the many training montages, giving the late Bob Uecker his flowers, and talking about the power and lasting legacy of baseball movies like The Natural, Field of Dreams, and A League of Their Own. They also talk about how Major League has a killer cast, yet only 2 and a quarter speaking roles for women. What?! All of this was going on while the New York Knicks were being destroyed in game 3 of the NBA Finals. You can listen to the other episodes where the guys talk about the mall while The Knicks are playing and then hear their reactions to the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history. So, grab your baseball mitt, your best friends, fill a cooler with beer, and fire up the grill because baseball season is underway and this episode will have everyone singing “Wild Thing.” ***   If you love what we’re doing and want to support the podcast so we can keep this show going with better equipment and maybe meet up with each other to do some in-person recording, sponsor to The Nostalgia Test:  buymeacoffee.com/nostalgiatest   Lastly, we’re looking to be booked for podcast appearances, hosting gigs and parties, maybe you have a block party coming up, a BBQ that you want to be Nostalgia themed and you’re looking to make it seriously memorable, a reunion, etc., contact us to book the podcast. We’re ready to Get Nostalgic With You:  Contact For Booking   *** Email us ([email protected]) your thoughts, opinions, and topics for our next Nostalgia Test! Suggest A Test & Be Our Guest! We're always looking for a fun new topic for The Nostalgia Test. Hit the link above, tell us what you'd like to see tested, and be our guest for that episode! ***   Approximate Rundown 00:00 Major League Kickoff 00:27 Knicks Game Banter 01:08 Why This Movie Rules 01:59 Plot Setup & Ted Lasso 03:31 Personal Nostalgia Story 04:32 Baseball Movies & Misfits 05:46 Team Names & Mascots 08:08 Cast Talk Berenger vs Sheen 09:49 Jumping into the Movie 12:49 Quotes C Iconic Scenes 15:32 Spring Training & Trivia 19:45 Bob Uecker Steals It 23:21 Love Story Complaints 25:46 Winning Streak and Pacing 31:59 Can You Make This Today 35:16 Charlie Sheen Fastball Trivia 35:45 Halftime Superstition Spiral 36:32 Uecker Improvs & Steroids 38:22 Sheen Career Highs & Lows 41:30 Ranking Baseball Movies 47:40 Field of Dreams Road Trip 50:41 Signs and Sign Stealing 53:08 Major League II & Snipes 59:29 Nostalgia Test Verdict 01:00:50 Wrap Up & Plug   *** Book The Nostalgia Test Podcast Bring The Nostalgia Test Podcast's high energy fun and comedy on your podcast, to host your themed parties & special events!  The Nostalgia Test Podcast will create an unforgettable Nostalgic experience for any occasion because we are the party! We bring it 100% of the time! Email us at [email protected] or fill out the form at this link. LET'S GET NOSTALGIC!       Keep up with all things The Nostalgia Test Podcast on Instagram | Substack | Discord | TikTok | Bluesky | YouTube | Facebook   The intro and outro music ('Neon Attack 80s') is by Emanmusic. Other music ("Red, White, Black, & Blue") is by PEG and the Rejected

Dan, Manny, & Billy celebrate 200 episodes of the podcast by putting the 1999 coming-of-age rated-R sex comedy American Pie to the ultimate test—THE NOSTALGIA TEST!   “But I will say, like, if you haven't f***ed a pie, are you really even living?” -Billy D’Elia   When we started this pop-culture adventure in 2020 with episode 1. Cocktail we never thought we’d still be at it in 2026, or that we’d meet so many amazing people and other podcasters, or even that our friends would want to come on and talk s**t with us on random Wednesday nights, or that we’d get the chance to interview creatives, actors, musicians, and academics from all over the world. We never thought that this indie engine that could would bring people joy and laughter, and at times make them angry at us, which that’s cool too, and we’re going to keep at it as long as we’re having fun. This 200th episode is a classic Nostalgia Test from beginning to end. It’s filled with Mineola High School tangents, personal stories, and dirty jokes. This is what it’s like to hang out with us on a random night in our friend’s basement until 3am talking nonsense about a movie that’s a total reflection of our lives in 1999. When American Pie came out in 1999, we were all in high school going into our senior year. Over 13 of us pre-gamed before going to the Raceway Movie Theater on Long Island, bought tickets at the door, loudly found an entire row of seats, and laughed our asses off. This movie is a time capsule of the time and became a pop culture phenomenon. Not a single Millennial of a certain age can ever look at an apple pie again and not think of this movie or hear the phrase “This on time at band camp...” and not know what comes next. These moments are burned into our brains. Are there issues with this movie? Absolutely, and we talk about all of them, because you can’t watch some of these scenes with older eyes and let that stuff slide. At the same time, rewatching American Pie was more than the scenes, it was about what was happening outside the borders of the film. It’s about a time when groups of friends went places with each other, filled movie theaters together, went out after, and didn’t feel the need to post about it on social media or make content about the moment. Those moments were for us. Of course, we’re going to get into every detail of this movie, the Eugene Levy of it all, the sadness of Stifler’s reality, why Kevin is the worst character in cinema history, Tara Reid (need we say more), is Natasha Lyonne a ghost, and we have a deep (no pun intended) conversation about the reality of the pie scene and what the filmmakers originally had in mind. So, call your longtime friends, sneak some Natural Ices down into the basement, turn up some late 90s pop-Punk, and join The Nostalgia Test Podcast celebration. ***   If you love what we’re doing and want to support the podcast so we can keep this show going with better equipment and maybe meet up with each other to do some in-person recording, sponsor to The Nostalgia Test:  buymeacoffee.com/nostalgiatest   Lastly, we’re looking to be booked for podcast appearances, hosting gigs and parties, maybe you have a block party coming up, a BBQ that you want to be Nostalgia themed and you’re looking to make it seriously memorable, a reunion, etc., contact us to book the podcast. We’re ready to Get Nostalgic With You:  Contact For Booking   *** Email us ([email protected]) your thoughts, opinions, and topics for our next Nostalgia Test! Suggest A Test & Be Our Guest! We're always looking for a fun new topic for The Nostalgia Test. Hit the link above, tell us what you'd like to see tested, and be our guest for that episode! ***   Approximate Rundown 00:00 American Pie Nostalgia Test 00:47 200th Episode Banter 01:07 Quicksand Trope Talk 01:54 Rocky Con Dreams 03:57 American Pie Facts Setup 04:54 Why 1999 Hit Different 07:01 Box Office & Summer 99 09:51 Theater Memories & Opening 12:12 American Pie Franchise & Rated-R Comedy Boom 14:47 Best Bits & Weak Chemistry 17:41 Party Scenes & Band Nerds 20:05 High School Stereotypes Debate 26:20 Stifler Character Breakdown 31:24 Pact Problems & Oz’s Date 32:49 Oz’s Pickup Disaster 33:05 Little Mermaid Joke Breakdown 34:01 Why Oz Is Single 34:51 Finch Is Insufferable 35:35 Stifler IRL Comparisons 36:28 MILF Era & Early Webcams 37:00 Condoms Everywhere 38:44 Lacrosse Rant 40:32 Oz Joins Choir 42:15 Fast Pace & Prank Peak 43:16 Eugene Levy Dad Moments 44:48 Warm Apple Pie Scene 50:31 Nadia & Webcam Fallout 01:00:53 Kevin Sucks as Friend 01:03:52 Oz Chooses Love 01:05:47 What Even Is the Pact 01:06:32 Prom Punchable Energy 01:06:51 The Band at the Prom 01:07:44 Kevin Loses It 01:12:19 Stifler's Mom Debate 01:15:48 Band Camp Michelle 01:21:25 Does It Still Pass 01:27:11 Webcam Time Capsule 01:29:35 Unrated Cut Trivia 01:34:23 Wrap Up & 200 Episodes 01:38:20 Listener Questions Finale   *** Book The Nostalgia Test Podcast Bring The Nostalgia Test Podcast's high energy fun and comedy on your podcast, to host your themed parties & special events!  The Nostalgia Test Podcast will create an unforgettable Nostalgic experience for any occasion because we are the party! We bring it 100% of the time! Email us at [email protected] or fill out the form at this link. LET'S GET NOSTALGIC!       Keep up with all things The Nostalgia Test Podcast on Instagram | Substack | Discord | TikTok | Bluesky | YouTube | Facebook   The intro and outro music ('Neon Attack 80s') is by Emanmusic. Other music ("Red, White, Black, & Blue") is by PEG and the Rejected  

Dan, Manny, & Billy share their Nostalgic memories about the mall, specifically their mall Roosevelt Field on Long Island and they put it to the ultimate test—THE NOSTALGIA TEST!   Yeah, it's like, "Where do you live?" "Uh, well, it used to be Modell's." -Dan Dissinger   This is a special Nostalgic Reflections with all three longtime friends digging into the vanishing malls in the U.S., their memories of hanging out at The Roosevelt Field Mall, some of their favorite stores and some of the most ridiculous ones, how the food court free samples could be gathered into a meal, and how abandoned malls are being turned into apartments. Manny also tells a crazy story about being robbed at the Roosevelt Field mall movie theater and Dan tells a harrowing story about someone trying on hats in Macy’s for hours. The guys also go off on some hilarious tangents about Christmas and Hanukkah, gifting a star to someone, Dan sending his mom to buy the self-titled Slipknot album, getting baked and doing holiday shopping, and this is all going on as the NY Knicks are mounting the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history (198. 🏀 Nostalgia Test Mini: Reaction to The Knicks’ 29-Point Playoff Comeback). So, call up your closets friends, put on your baggiest jeans, your long-sleeved shirt under your short-sleeved shirt, your newest hat, and lace up your cleanest kicks, because it’s time to chill at the Roosevelt Field Mall all day long. You can read Dan’s short essay on the Substack episode post. ***   If you love what we’re doing and want to support the podcast so we can keep this show going with better equipment and maybe meet up with each other to do some in-person recording, sponsor to The Nostalgia Test:  buymeacoffee.com/nostalgiatest   Lastly, we’re looking to be booked for podcast appearances, hosting gigs and parties, maybe you have a block party coming up, a BBQ that you want to be Nostalgia themed and you’re looking to make it seriously memorable, a reunion, etc., contact us to book the podcast. We’re ready to Get Nostalgic With You:  Contact For Booking   *** Email us ([email protected]) your thoughts, opinions, and topics for our next Nostalgia Test! Suggest A Test & Be Our Guest! We're always looking for a fun new topic for The Nostalgia Test. Hit the link above, tell us what you'd like to see tested, and be our guest for that episode! ***   Approximate Rundown 00:00 Mall Episode Kickoff 00:21 Hacky Sack Banter 01:48 Roosevelt Field Memories 02:41 Malls Then & Now 04:15 Source Mall Design 05:46 Mall Apartments Talk 08:27 Mall Food & Hangouts 13:42 Catholic Store Tangent 17:24 Back to the 90s Era 17:34 Movie Theater Nostalgia 20:06 Store List Electronics 20:46 Sharper Image Vibes 21:19 Engraved Gifts & Flasks 22:03 RadioShack Panic 22:52 Mall Sports Memorabilia 23:37 Things Remembered Scams 23:58 Naming a Star 25:55 Museum Company Oddities 26:42 Papyrus & Strip Malls 27:13 Mall Restaurants & Clubs 28:34 Basement Record Stores 29:49 CD Cover Shock Stories 31:38 Bookstores  33:22 Why Malls Mattered 33:56 Macy's Hat Odyssey 35:04 Game Break Chaos 36:08 Mall Memories & Mischief 39:23 Wrap Up & Sign Off *** Book The Nostalgia Test Podcast Bring The Nostalgia Test Podcast's high energy fun and comedy on your podcast, to host your themed parties & special events!  The Nostalgia Test Podcast will create an unforgettable Nostalgic experience for any occasion because we are the party! We bring it 100% of the time! Email us at [email protected] or fill out the form at this link. LET'S GET NOSTALGIC!       Keep up with all things The Nostalgia Test Podcast on Instagram | Substack | Discord | TikTok | Bluesky | YouTube | Facebook   The intro and outro music ('Neon Attack 80s') is by Emanmusic. Other music ("Red, White, Black, & Blue") is by PEG and the Rejected

On this Nostalgia Test Mini episode, Dan, Manny, & Billy react to & celebrate The NY Knicks’ historic NBA Finals game 4 comeback and put their sports memories to the ultimate test—THE NOSTALGIA TEST!   “Biggest comeback in NBA Finals history.” -Billy D’Elia   On June 10th, 2026, while Dan, Manny, & Billy were recording the Major League & Mall Memories episodes, The New York Knicks were mounting the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history. This episode is an immediate reaction to that win. The guys talk about their conflicting emotions and relationship to The Knicks since they were kids, how Dan hasn’t watched a Knick game since the dreaded Patrick Ewing finger roll debacle, what it’s like suffering as a fan, and Billy unearths a crazy Mineola-New York Knicks connection. And the episode then goes off the Nostalgia Test Podcast rails (per usual) and the guys talk about diner fights, The World Cup, celebrity fans, The new Meet the Parents, sports fandom and front runners and all the nepo team owners. Dan, Manny, and Billy cover a ton of stuff in under 30 minutes and blurt out all forms of the word f***so many times that they should get an award. So, put on your favorite NBA jersey, turn up those NY accents, and shout the word f*** at the top of your lungs, because this is a NY celebration. ***   If you love what we’re doing and want to support the podcast so we can keep this show going with better equipment and maybe meet up with each other to do some in-person recording, sponsor to The Nostalgia Test:  buymeacoffee.com/nostalgiatest   Lastly, we’re looking to be booked for podcast appearances, hosting gigs and parties, maybe you have a block party coming up, a BBQ that you want to be Nostalgia themed and you’re looking to make it seriously memorable, a reunion, etc., contact us to book the podcast. We’re ready to Get Nostalgic With You:  Contact For Booking   *** Email us ([email protected]) your thoughts, opinions, and topics for our next Nostalgia Test! Suggest A Test & Be Our Guest! We're always looking for a fun new topic for The Nostalgia Test. Hit the link above, tell us what you'd like to see tested, and be our guest for that episode! ***   Approximate Rundown 00:00 Knicks Shock Comeback 00:22 Breaking Down the Final Play 00:57 Why This Team Hooks Fans 01:45 San Antonio Collapse Fallout 02:09 Knicks Trauma & History 04:10 Brunson Heart & Doubters 05:56 Cautious Optimism & Choking Fears 06:46 Fans Loyalty & Frontrunners 08:17 Suffering Makes Winning Sweet 09:57 Celebrities Courtside Debate 11:13 Real Fans Versus Bandwagons 12:01 Celebrity Courtside Talk 12:20 Meet the Fockers Sequel 13:00 Why the Original Worked 13:25 Recording & Episode Plans 15:14 Knicks Nostalgia & Curses 16:02 Dolan Drama & Nepo Owners 19:04 World Cup & US Soccer 20:14 LeBron vs Jordan Rant 20:59 Beer League Podcast Idea 21:49 Friend Group Stories Wrap   Book The Nostalgia Test Podcast Bring The Nostalgia Test Podcast's high energy fun and comedy on your podcast, to host your themed parties & special events!  The Nostalgia Test Podcast will create an unforgettable Nostalgic experience for any occasion because we are the party! We bring it 100% of the time! Email us at [email protected] or fill out the form at this link. LET'S GET NOSTALGIC!       Keep up with all things The Nostalgia Test Podcast on Instagram | Substack | Discord | TikTok | Bluesky | YouTube | Facebook   The intro and outro music ('Neon Attack 80s') is by Emanmusic.

Dan, Manny, & Billy put the American Gladiators franchise to the ultimate test—THE NOSTALGIA TEST!   “It'd be a lot more American if they walked in the ring and just shot each other.” -Billy D’Elia   While this episode was being recorded, the orange lunatic who’s technically our “president” was building a UFC octagon on the front lawn of The White House, which was ultimately a disaster (F Joe Rogan). We all should’ve seen the free-fall of America coming in the late 80s when we were all watching American Gladiators on TV. This episode attempts to figure out what this show is, why were people into it, and why was it resurrected, twice! That’s right, there is currently a new version with two seasons hosted by The Miz. Oh, and the first season of the 2026 version WAS FILMED IN FRANCE!? Now, all credit goes to each and every gladiator that was on this show because in 1989 they were treated like trash. Safety wasn’t a thing, people were being knocked out, and gladiators were being forced to compete injured. Watching the “evolution” of American Gladiators is so interesting, because as the series continued the only thing that got updated were the games and the arena. They made it bigger and got rid of the cardboard cutout audience members. That’s right! They did that. At the same time, the gladiators remained overworked, injured, and forced to literally fight people like they were circus animals in an underground fight club. This episode travels along a zig-zag path to get the controversial conclusion of the 2026 episode they watched, how The Miz is just screaming in people’s faces, some of the best knockouts, faceplants, and announcer quotes, all the way to the guys talking about how they need a 100% win for an episode because this is killing their souls. So, grab your American flag bandanas, an oversized tank top, scream at the top of your lungs for no reason, and kick your best friend in the face, because it’s time to talk American Gladiators! ***   If you love what we’re doing and want to support the podcast so we can keep this show going with better equipment and maybe meet up with each other to do some in-person recording, sponsor to The Nostalgia Test: buymeacoffee.com/nostalgiatest   Lastly, we’re looking to be booked for podcast appearances, hosting gigs and parties, maybe you have a block party coming up, a BBQ that you want to be Nostalgia themed and you’re looking to make it seriously memorable, a reunion, etc., contact us to book the podcast. We’re ready to Get Nostalgic With You:  Contact For Booking   *** Email us ([email protected]) your thoughts, opinions, and topics for our next Nostalgia Test! Suggest A Test & Be Our Guest! We're always looking for a fun new topic for The Nostalgia Test. Hit the link above, tell us what you'd like to see tested, and be our guest for that episode! *** Approximate Rundown 00:00 American Gladiators Setup 01:16 Show Format Challenge 02:18 Main Era Gladiators 03:20 Reboots & Hosts 05:34 Saturday TV Memories 07:44 Early Seasons Chaos 08:47 Games Evolve Over Time 10:17 Joust & Judge Bits 11:18 Reality TV Before Reality 13:12 Behind the Scenes Grind 14:48 Brutal Interviews &Trauma 17:33 Downfall & Exploitation 19:11 Injuries & Rule Nonsense 24:09 America Culture Context 25:38 Does It Pass Nostalgia 26:51 Competition Show Landscape 32:07 Steroids & Wild Stories 35:41 Trash TV Reboot Setup 36:50 Peak Games And 1996 40:10 Rewatch Reality Check 40:25 Hogan Ali Reboot 41:47 Schlock Backstories 43:00 Bad Names Bad Vibes 44:12 Water Hazards 50:32 Why It Failed 51:54 Miz Era Rant 54:45 Finale Disqualification 57:35 Filmed in France 01:06:06 Fixing the Format 01:11:22 Nostalgia Verdict 01:15:26 Next Episode Pick 01:17:10 Major League Storytime 01:19:25 Wrap Up & Plugs   Book The Nostalgia Test Podcast Bring The Nostalgia Test Podcast's high energy fun and comedy on your podcast, to host your themed parties & special events!  The Nostalgia Test Podcast will create an unforgettable Nostalgic experience for any occasion because we are the party! We bring it 100% of the time! Email us at [email protected] or fill out the form at this link. LET'S GET NOSTALGIC!       Keep up with all things The Nostalgia Test Podcast on Instagram | Substack | Discord | TikTok | Bluesky | YouTube | Facebook   The intro and outro music ('Neon Attack 80s') is by Emanmusic.

Manny & Billy go head-to-head in the first Nostalgia Test Quiz Show—THE NOSTALGIA TEST!   “Please neuter your pets.” -Billy D'Elia   On this special episode of The Nostalgia Test Podcast, Dan puts Manny & Billy up against each other in the new Nostalgia Test Quiz Show ™. Dan did a ton of work, research, and probably still got some of this wrong, and yet it was a ton of fun. Manny & Billy answer questions about movies, music, the podcast’s history, sports, and food. Find out how many times the guys said the word f*** on episode 185. Twinkie Anniversary, if either Manny or Billy have had Dino Nuggets within the last year, and how many baseball players have killed a bird? There are so many more ridiculously hilarious moments on the episode that you’ll want to invite the podcast to come host a Quiz Show Night at your next party, reunion, online gathering, and even baby shower, just like Billy said. So, grab your favorite nerds, drinks, and snacks and see if you can out score Manny & Billy. ***   If you love what we’re doing and want to support the podcast so we can keep this show going with better equipment and maybe meet up with each other to do some in-person recording, donate to The Nostalgia Test: buymeacoffee.com/nostalgiatest   Lastly, we’re looking to be booked for podcast appearances, hosting gigs and parties, maybe you have a block party coming up, a BBQ that you want to be Nostalgia themed and you’re looking to make it seriously memorable, a reunion, etc., contact us to book the podcast. We’re ready to Get Nostalgic With You:  Contact For Booking   *** Email us ([email protected]) your thoughts, opinions, and topics for our next Nostalgia Test! Suggest A Test & Be Our Guest! We're always looking for a fun new topic for The Nostalgia Test. Hit the link above, tell us what you'd like to see tested, and be our guest for that episode! *** Approximate Rundown 00:00 Game Show Kickoff 01:03 Rules and Scoring 02:00 Who Goes First 03:09 Wheel Setup and Categories 04:14 Movie Scores Challenge 06:23 Nostalgic Food All Play 12:25 Music Hits Trivia 13:59 Worst First Pitch 17:23 Podcast F Word Count 19:01 DuckTales Crossover 19:36 90s Movie Output Quiz 22:20 Bird Killed By Pitch 24:27 Podcast Guest Stats 27:14 SNL Bans Trivia 28:14 Most Downloaded Episode 30:28 Discontinued Fast Food 36:18 Fresh Prince Aunt Viv 37:10 AFV Bob Saget Years 39:36 Final Spins Countdown 42:28 Biggest Movie Flop 44:09 Deadly Toys And Prices 47:14 Winner Wrap Up   Book The Nostalgia Test Podcast Bring The Nostalgia Test Podcast's high energy fun and comedy on your podcast, to host your themed parties & special events!  The Nostalgia Test Podcast will create an unforgettable Nostalgic experience for any occasion because we are the party! We bring it 100% of the time! Email us at [email protected] or fill out the form at this link. LET'S GET NOSTALGIC!       Keep up with all things The Nostalgia Test Podcast on Instagram | Substack | Discord | TikTok | Bluesky | YouTube | Facebook   The intro and outro music ('Neon Attack 80s') is by Emanmusic.

Dan didn't do a soundcheck because he's dumb, so his mic sounds like it's episode 1!   Dan & Manny welcome back longtime friend & Nostalgia Test Podcast all-star Steve Herrera to put the 1994 Pure Moods CD to the ultimate test—THE NOSTALGIA TEST!   “This music is at a very unsuccessful orgy.” -Dan Dissinger   Oh. My. God! If anyone can describe the mood of this episode, please email [email protected], because wow. There’s really not a language to understand how Pure Moods from 1994 even begins to make sense as music, as an album, and how it went basically triple platinum. Maybe it’s the aura of Kenny G, or the mysteriousness of Enya that creates the “pure” in Pure Moods. It could be the intimate energy of “Lily Was Here” which is on the Saxuality album that creates the mood that Pure Moods was trying to infuse in our 1994 existences. Who really knows, and Dan, Manny, & Steve actually never get to the bottom of this 90s existential portal, and would it even matter it they did? One thing for sure is this album wormed its way into our brains when we fell asleep on the couch and woke up at three o’clock in the morning wondering why the hell Tubular Bells was playing and why were we scared out of our minds. Maybe Steve is right that this album was being played on a loop at some random orgy in the middle of Sedona. Or Manny is right and this is the soundtrack to our mom’s housecleaning and is the album for crazy Aunts with crystals. There’s a chance Dan’s right and this is the suburban psychedelic CD that adults played when they had too many Zimas and Bacardi Breezers, and that one leftover hippie neighbor pulls a crumpled-up joint they confiscated from their kid the other day so they can all relive their naked-Woodstock-summer-of-love glory days before waking up the next day to sell insurance. Either way, Pure Moods from 1994 is a nostalgic phenomenon that baffles our hosts and their longtime friend. So, fire up some incense, stare into the middle distance contemplating the 5th dimension, and light a movie’s love scene worth of candles because you’re about to get into the mood, Pure Moods with The Nostalgia Test Podcast. *** If you love what we’re doing and want to support the podcast so we can keep this show going with better equipment and maybe meet up with each other to do some in-person recording, donate to The Nostalgia Test: buymeacoffee.com/nostalgiatest   Lastly, we’re looking to be booked for podcast appearances, hosting gigs and parties, maybe you have a block party coming up, a BBQ that you want to be Nostalgia themed and you’re looking to make it seriously memorable, a reunion, etc., contact us to book the podcast. We’re ready to Get Nostalgic With You:  Contact For Booking   *** Email us ([email protected]) your thoughts, opinions, and topics for our next Nostalgia Test! Suggest A Test & Be Our Guest! We're always looking for a fun new topic for The Nostalgia Test. Hit the link above, tell us what you'd like to see tested, and be our guest for that episode! ***   Approximate Rundown 00:00 Pure Moods Setup 00:37 Infomercial Vibes 01:23 Movie Soundtrack Talk 02:24 Album Origins Explained 02:56 Who Bought This 04:03 Sales Numbers Shock 04:56 Saxuality Discovery 06:24 Yoga or Orgies 07:32 Return to Innocence Credits 10:14 Moms and Crystal Aunts 11:36 The Infomercial Copy 13:16 Pure Moods Festival Idea 14:16 Kenny G and Pure Moods 14:35 Serial Killer Soundtrack Jokes 15:23 Billys Podcast Sacrifice 16:51 Robert Palmer Dare 18:15 Blink Album Comparison 19:21 Wheel of Bad Movies 20:01 Does It Pass Nostalgia 21:01 Best Tracks Debate 22:14 Three AM Infomercial Vibes 24:10 Wrap Up and Plugs   Book The Nostalgia Test Podcast Bring The Nostalgia Test Podcast's high energy fun and comedy on your podcast, to host your themed parties & special events!  The Nostalgia Test Podcast will create an unforgettable Nostalgic experience for any occasion because we are the party! We bring it 100% of the time! Email us at [email protected] or fill out the form at this link. LET'S GET NOSTALGIC!       Keep up with all things The Nostalgia Test Podcast on Instagram | Substack | Discord | TikTok | Bluesky | YouTube | Facebook   The intro and outro music ('Neon Attack 80s') is by Emanmusic. The Lithology Brewing ad music ("Red, White, Black, & Blue") is by PEG and the Rejected  

Dan, Manny, & Billy report on Gen Z’s recent obsession with Hacky Sacks, their journeys to find them in the wild, and they put them to the ultimate test—THE NOSTALGIA TEST!   “I don't ever remember buying a sack, but I always knew I had a sack. And then you would just, like, play sack, and then the sack would go into someone's pocket, and then you would have that sack. It was like, Dan, you compared it to, like, a lighter. Yeah. Like, did you ever buy that lighter?” |-Manny Coelho   A few weeks ago, Manny called up Dan to tell him that Hacky Sacks were back. He was seeing kids playing with them in the neighborhood, his nephew asked him if he knew what they were, and then there was a random hacky sack in his sister’s basement. All signs were pointing to the resurgence of this stoner activity (shoutout Bajas) by Gen Z so Manny, Billy, & Dan went looking for them in stores (check out the journey on Instagram) and two out of three of the hosts found them! This episode is like a late-night hack session, there’s no logic, it’s random, there’s a lost sense of time, and in the end, it never was about hacky sack at all. It’s just about hanging out with your friends. The guys talk about Spencer’s Gifts, how Gen Z is messing up hacky sack, the game of Combat, playing catch, Pods, Magic the Gathering, the drinking game Asshole, and so much more. Oh! And just like any good shroom trip, the guys somehow verbally wander full circle back to hacky sacks and finally figure out why hacky sacks are back. Not to spoil anything, but it’s all Ryan Gosling’s fault. So, put on your baggiest jeans or corduroy pants, put on a beanie no matter the temperature, grab at least 3 friends, and get hackin, because this episode is classic Nostalgia Test fun.   *** If you love what we’re doing and want to support the podcast so we can keep this show going with better equipment and maybe meet up with each other to do some in-person recording, donate to The Nostalgia Test: buymeacoffee.com/nostalgiatest   Lastly, we’re looking to be booked for podcast appearances, hosting gigs and parties, maybe you have a block party coming up, a BBQ that you want to be Nostalgia themed and you’re looking to make it seriously memorable, a reunion, etc., contact us to book the podcast. We’re ready to Get Nostalgic With You: Contact For Booking   *** Email us ([email protected]) your thoughts, opinions, and topics for our next Nostalgia Test! Suggest A Test & Be Our Guest! We're always looking for a fun new topic for The Nostalgia Test. Hit the link above, tell us what you'd like to see tested, and be our guest for that episode! ***   Approximate Rundown 00:00 Special Report Begins 00:21 Hacky Sack Comeback 01:30 Nephew Sparks Mystery 03:12 Footbag vs Hacky 04:18 How We Learned 07:11 Where to Buy One 08:22 Mall Store Nostalgia 10:40 Three Day Hunt 13:47 Gen Z Hacky Trends 16:56 Will It Last 18:52 Next Nostalgia Wave 21:10 Pogs Memories Return 22:22 Pogs Comeback Theory 23:15 DIY Merch Ideas 23:58 Snap Bracelet Nostalgia 25:02 Hacky Sack Reality Check 28:23 The Movie that Sparked The Trend 30:13 Frisbee and Simple Fun 31:09 Playing Catch Memories 33:32 Backyard Live Game Night 35:24 Asshole Card Game Rules 38:26 Wrap Up and Callouts   Book The Nostalgia Test Podcast Bring The Nostalgia Test Podcast's high energy fun and comedy on your podcast, to host your themed parties & special events!  The Nostalgia Test Podcast will create an unforgettable Nostalgic experience for any occasion because we are the party! We bring it 100% of the time! Email us at [email protected] or fill out the form at this link. LET'S GET NOSTALGIC!       Keep up with all things The Nostalgia Test Podcast on Instagram | Substack | Discord | TikTok | Bluesky | YouTube | Facebook   The intro and outro music ('Neon Attack 80s') is by Emanmusic. The Lithology Brewing ad music ("Red, White, Black, & Blue") is by PEG and the Rejected