Not A Bomb Special Edition: Cougar Comedies (with Michele Meek)

Join us for an exceptional bonus episode of Not A Bomb Podcast! We are absolutely thrilled to welcome back the immensely talented writer, filmmaker, and professor Michele Meek to our show. Michele’s vast expertise in the world of teen sex comedies elevates our podcast with a trove on insights making this episode truly extraordinary.

This week, our focus is on a specific niche within romantic comedy: The Cougar Rom-com! We'll be exploring two films from vastly different decades that surprisingly share similar story elements.

We kick things off with 1989’s Loverboy. Directed by Joan Micklin Silver and starring 2023’s Sexiest Man Alive, Patrick Dempsey, as a male escort trying to make money to pay for college. The film boasts a remarkable ensemble cast but also grapples with some troubling 80’s comedy tropes that just haven’t aged well.

Hold on, there's an extra treat! We also dive into 2023's No Hard Feelings, a gender-swapped remake of Loverboy. In this rendition, Jennifer Lawrence faces imminent home loss and responds to a Craigslist ad aiming to assist helicopter parents in coaxing their introverted son out of his shell. While the film faced criticism for its age-gap relationship, we discuss if No Hard Feelings offer more depth beyond its wild premise.

Please check out Michele Meek’s website for all of her details and links to her work - About Michele Meek - Michele Meek, Ph.D. Also, pick up a copy of Michele Meek’s newest book, “Consent Culture and Teen Films: Adolescent Sexuality in US Movies.” Michele Meek photos are provided courtesy of Stephanie Ewens Photography.

If you want to leave feedback or suggest a movie bomb, please drop us a line at NotABombPod@gmail.com or Contact Us - here. Also, if you like what you hear, leave a review on Apple Podcast.

Cast: Brad, Troy, Michele Meek