Happy Wife Happy Life – Episode 98: Are You a SHANE Or an ILYA?

Hosts: Kendahl Landreth & Jordan Myrick
Date: February 16, 2026

Episode Overview

In this lively, hungover installment, Kendahl and Jordan explore the fascinating world of famous fictional couples, asking: “Are you more of a Shane or an Ilya?”—a nod to the leads from the queer hockey romance “Heated Rivalry.” Through playful banter (much of it fueled by both hosts’ post-party haze), they debate which iconic TV and movie duos they most resemble, relate to the urge for escapist identification with characters, and muse on the dynamics of their own relationship. The listener is taken on a comedic (but earnest) journey through queer pop culture, relationship tropes, and honest introspection into what it means to see yourself—and your partnership—in fictional couples.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Great Injury Debate

• Kendahl and Her Not-Broken-Ankle
  • The episode opens with Kendahl lamenting her “broken” (not really broken) ankle, drawing out how partners respond differently to injury and pain.
    • Kendahl shares her frustration about people accusing her of being dramatic:

      “People never believe me because they think I'm being dramatic. ... Actually, people never believe me because they think I'm being dramatic. I'm not being dramatic.” (01:09)

    • Jordan attempts to be supportive but also teases Kendahl for her reaction and “cartoonish” pain noises:

      “You do a Homer Simpson noise when you hurt yourself, and you know that. ... That's not fair to hold that against me. It's very funny, and I'm not made of steel.” (08:10)

  • This exchanges blends real relationship dynamics—seeking validation, teasing, comfort, and how to be supportive while still being honest.

2. Hungover Reflections & Relationship Honesty

• Both hosts reflect on a rare night out, the aftermath, and their mutual realization that they are “losers” (homebodies) as labeled by their friends. They discuss what it means to be “seen,” comforted, and believed in a relationship.

  “No, I just want you to know that even whether or not your leg is broken, I believe that it hurts.” — Jordan (10:35)

• The segment is filled with vulnerability and humor about their personalities and intuitive homebody status.

3. The "Heated Rivalry" Obsession & Identity Wish-Fulfillment

• Jordan shares how queer media (e.g., “Heated Rivalry”) sometimes hits so hard it leaves them feeling “sick to my stomach”—a combination of longing and resonance.
  • On media that changes your mood:

    “It’s like when you hear about people doing ecstasy and then the come down, so depressed because it changed your brain chemistry. That's what that movie felt like to me.” — Jordan (19:35)

• This launches a broader conversation about identifying with media characters to the point of existential melancholy, especially among queer fans hungry for representation.

4. Are You a Shane or an Ilya? (and Other Couple Archetypes)

• The two try to analyze their relationship through the lens of pop culture couples, not just from “Heated Rivalry” but a slew of iconic duos.
• Role Reversal Nuance:
  • Outwardly, Kendahl presents as a “golden retriever” (soft, approachable), Jordan as a “black cat” (cool, blunt)—but privately, they feel flipped.

  “Outwardly we present that way, but then I think privately, I'm more Rosanoff [the calm, collected one] and you're more Hollander [the chaotic one].” — Jordan (22:37)

• The discussion moves through “black cat/golden retriever” dynamics, exploring public perceptions vs. private realities in their relationship.

5. Iconic TV & Movie Couples – Who Are You Most Like?

• Ben & Leslie (Parks and Rec):
  • Listeners vote for this pair as most like Kendahl and Jordan. They break down similarities, differences, and the complexity beneath sitcom archetypes.
    • “I think I am more Leslie now, and you’re more Ben.” — Kendahl (26:20)
• Bob & Linda Belcher (Bob’s Burgers):
  • Jordan: “I think I'm Bob and you’re Linda.” (28:02)
• Megan & Graham (But I’m a Cheerleader):
  • Kendahl expresses both adoration and critique for Clea DuVall’s character, noting: “I’m Megan and you’re Graham.” (31:41)
• Kermit & Miss Piggy (The Muppets):
  • Both quickly settle: Kendahl is Kermit, Jordan is Miss Piggy, citing their respective personalities and fashion choices.
    • “You are [a diva]. And I’m obsessed with you.” — Kendahl (38:06)
• Jess & Nick (New Girl):
  • Kendahl identifies with Nick’s bizarre, go-with-the-flow, chaotic energy.
  • Jordan’s reluctance gives way to accepting Jess’s more grounded traits.
• Meredith & Cristina (Grey's Anatomy):
  • Kendahl and Jordan struggle to assign themselves; ultimately, Kendahl sees herself as Cristina and Jordan as Meredith, but they note their relationship doesn’t map perfectly to this (41:30–46:56).
• Waverly & Nicole (Wynonna Earp):
  • Kendahl wistfully wishes she could be as cool as Nicole Haught, but admits: “I’m Waverly, clearly.” — Kendahl (52:39)
  • Jordan, the loyal protector, is definitely “Nicole Haught.”
  • On why queer romances matter:

    “As a gay person, I have watched so many movies and shows and where it is just so sad. ... That's what I love about romance books. You can't. It literally can't qualify. Un. There's a happy ending.” — Kendahl (50:47–50:52)

6. Friendship at the Center of Queer Partnership

• The hosts observe that their relationship is as much best friends as romantic partners—a balance they say is distinctively queer.

  “I think straight people totally have it, but I think like, you’re my wife and you’re the love of my life, but you’re also like one of my girlies. ... I yap with you the same way that I yap with [my best friend].” — Kendahl (61:26)

7. The Fictional Couple That Fits Them Best

• With some debate, they settle on Monica and Chandler (Friends) as the closest match.

  “I think we're a lot like Monica and Chandler. ... That’s what a sitcom character is. ... she’s neurotic, he’s obsessed with her and is goofy and jokes all the time, and is like obsessed with her and is like stable for her.” — Kendahl (55:21)

• Friendship, mutual ribbing, and strong affection define their dynamic.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I have to have feelings, and I have to express them, and it’s very funny.”
  — Jordan (08:10)
  On laughing at Kendahl’s cartoonish pain noises.

• “Sometimes something just hits you. And it hit me so hard I, like, almost came out as non binary because I was like, they look so awesome.”
  — Kendahl (16:08)
  On queer media representation sparking identity exploration.

• “Some people are not as funny as us. So I think sometimes you’re like, this isn’t realistic. And I’m like, I think sometimes, like, people are more serious in relationships than we are.”
  — Kendahl (60:15)
  Tongue-in-cheek, reflecting on their unique relationship style.

• “You’re my wife and you’re the love of my life, but you’re also like one of my girlies.”
  — Kendahl (61:26)

• (On “Wynonna Earp”) “It’s like lesbian history—sometimes you just throw something a bone. And I think ‘Wynonna Earp’ is one of those things you say, ‘Thank you for your service. I’ll give you a watch.’”
  — Kendahl (54:48)

Timestamps for Notable Segments

• Pain & Injury Validation: 01:00–10:41
• Escapism & Character Identification: 15:42–21:47
• Heated Rivalry/Pop Culture Couples Theme Intro: 21:53–25:57
• Black Cat/Golden Retriever Dynamic: 23:00–25:57
• Parks & Rec, Monica/Chandler, and other TV Couples Breakdown: 26:12–56:29
• Romance Novels & The Need for Queer Happy Endings: 50:06–51:34
• Friendship at the Heart of Their Relationship: 60:15–61:47
• Final Couple/Nostalgia Debates: 55:04–62:14

Tone & Takeaway

The episode is vibrant and deeply personal—reflective of two best friends (and spouses) delighting in pop culture, gently ribbing each other, and revealing how fictional couples mirror or contrast their own reality. Amid the laughs, there are moments of genuine nuance about queerness, escapism, and the reassuring power of seeing yourself—messy, devoted, or dramatic—in the countless pairs that populate TV and movies.

Bottom line:
Whether you’re a Shane, an Ilya, a Miss Piggy, or a Kermit, what matters isn’t mapping perfectly onto a fictional couple, but finding joy, mirth, and solidarity in the messy, loving dynamics you share with your real-life partner.