What becomes of an eight year-old who masters the L.A. public transit system, is the subject of an angry petition at school, and has imperfect feet? Find out with the lovely Ursula Whittaker, who schools Janet on the secrets of parental forgiveness and marrying a charming and hilarious Cuban.
Episode 77:
The JV Club
Ursula Whittaker
Ursula Whittaker
Walter Bishop is the best character.
“Once when you were a boy, you blew up a toaster oven with your mind simply because of an irrational hatred for raisin toast.”
Such a good episode! The first time I got drunk I ended up in a hotel bathtub crying and I haven’t gotten drunk since. I actually really loved Spring Awakening when I was 16/17. I think it was part of my teenage angst. I liked a lot of depressing musicals when I was in high school.
I’m totally cool with being called ‘girl’, although I have tried and failed spectacularly at calling other people ‘girl’. I think I’m too white.
As you know, I’m a huge theatre nerd, and I really don’t like Spring Awakening. When it opened in London I had a ton of friends who went absolutely nuts for it. I saw it a couple of times (to give it a chance – I guess it’s the way of the theatre nerd to not like something and still pay money to see it again) and decided it was way too angsty for me. I saw what they were going for, but I spent most of the time rolling my eyes at how depressing and tragic it all was – although from what I remember, no Nazis, so I guess that’s something. It’s got some standalone songs I like, but as a show I don’t have any time for it. Same with Cats! But Andrew Lloyd Webber in general can be very hit and miss for me.
While we’re on the topic, you have mywholehearted blessing to discuss musical theatre as much as possible. I love that you grew up watching Mary Poppins a lot – when I was a kid I used to rotate between that, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and various classic Disney movies. I still know all the lyrics, because apparently that’s the type of thing my brain has decided is important enough to remember forever.
Raising my hand as another person who doesn’t like the feeling of losing control while drinking. I like a couple of drinks on big occasions, but any more than that and I just feel dizzy and ill, and I don’t really understand why people think I’d want to encourage that feeling. Diff’rent strokes, I guess!
@ Fracquie: Society may give you a hard time, but I have great RESPECT for you & your ideals and Im sure a lot of people feel like I do!
Personally, when I was doing my year abroad in the UK, I drank to be able to socialize and believe me I did talk & met people! but in hindsight…I have nothing but Regrets!So I very much admire people like you Fracquie.
I can totally relate to not drinking or doing drugs because that lack of control is terrifying. People often give me a hard time for not ever drinking but I just know I would not enjoy it. Not being in control of yourself sounds like one of the scariest things ever to me. I’m totally fine with other people drinking or smoking pot or whatever but I hate that it is socially acceptable to give someone such a hard time if they aren’t participating.
What a lovely,lovely chat!I have enjoyed every second of it!The whole conversation felt very natural and the tone was very tender and humorous!I LOVED (the way Janet says it!!) all the topics dealt with in the podcast, especially the wedding topic.It was very nice to hear Ursula talking about it!It was very emotional!
Moreover, it was very moving when Ursula talked about her mother and her mental illness and also the importance of her step-mother.OH!I very much liked the chat about ‘having types’ in terms of love, I couldnt agree more with you on your opinions!ADORABLE PODCAST and MASH game!
Ah, weddings… pricey things for friends and family. Stressful in organizing, still fun and really special in the moment. I’ve done it once and don’t regret it, but now that I’m divorced, I don’t think I’ll do it again. Divorces are usually pricier, and not as fun. For one thing, your friends don’t show up for those. If they did it’d be awkward.