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Danielle Fishel
This is an iHeart podcast.
Cindy Crawford (advertisement voice)
Guaranteed Human.
Wilfred L
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Ryder Strong
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Danielle Fishel
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Wilfred L
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Ryder Strong
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Danielle Fishel
New customers only. Service renews monthly unless canceled. Credit card required conditions apply to apps. HBO Max Basic with ads begins after DirecTV five day trial. Learn more@directtv.com, restrictions apply.
Wilfred L
Okay, quick question.
Ryder Strong
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Wilfred L
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Danielle Fishel
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Ryder Strong
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Ryder Strong
Summertime
Wilfred L
is here and you know what that means.
Danielle Fishel
Beach trips?
Ryder Strong
Family vacations?
Wilfred L
Nope. It means it's time to find your next obsession on Prime Video.
Danielle Fishel
Oh yes, we do love a good obsession here. Especially when you could talk about for years and suggest to everyone you know
Ryder Strong
steamy romance, addictive love stories and the book to scre favorites you've already read twice.
Danielle Fishel
Because when a story hits, it really hits off campus.
Wilfred L
L the love hypothesis and much much
Ryder Strong
more Slow burns Second chances chemistry. You can feel through the screen the
Danielle Fishel
type of binge worthy shows and can't miss movies where you're fully invested. Staying up all night just to finish it. Just one more. Oh, all right, one more. You know the feeling.
Wilfred L
The kind of stories that pull you in and don't let go in the best way.
Ryder Strong
Your next obsession is waiting.
Danielle Fishel
Watch only on Prime. Welcome to part two of She's Having My Baby Back Ribs. We had so much, so much fun talking in the last episode that we spoke for almost an hour before we even started the recap. So please enjoy the recap. We're then at Cory and Topanga's apartment. Topanga's examining herself in the mirror and nervously asks aloud, do you think I'm attractive? Corey looks at her and grins. Of course I do. Come over here. I'll prove it. As she walks over, we can see that her pants are unzipped and there's not that much fat to be found. Nope. She asks another question. You love me no matter what? Corey apprehensively asks, yeah, what's going on? She tries to zip up her jeans and explains, nothing's going on, but when the zipper won't work, she runs away. Corey yells out, I know what it is. You haven't had your morning stack of waffles slathered in butter and swimming in syrup, right? She runs back out, still in her unzipped pants, and says she's not very hungry this morning. Then she flops onto their bed and continues trying to zip up the pants. Corey starts pacing, trying to make sense of this. You don't want sex. You're not hungry. Topanga, you're starting to scare me. Quick on her feet, she makes up an excuse. I'm feeling a little bit nauseous this morning. Then she screams, why can't I zip up these pants? Corey stares at her in confusion. Because they're mine. She turns to look at the label and says, oh no, I've got to go. And walks out.
Ryder Strong
What did you think of your performance in this scene? I felt like you were uncomfortable. Like this was the one where I was like, you are not happy. And I think maybe it's because you just have unbuttoned pants. Like, I don't know.
Danielle Fishel
No, I was really. You know what this is? This is the scene of the entire episode that I remember more than anything because it's the only one I can really remember being super honest with myself. Like Will mentioned the. The conversation you have with yourself when someone's just called you into an office and told you it's obvious you've gained weight. And then you go, man, am I really? Is it really that noticeable? Is this really that big of a deal? And then you go, yeah, I mean, I guess it is. I did. When I started the show at 12, I did weigh, you know, 94 pounds and now 100. Now I'm 19, and I weigh, you know, 115 or whatever it is. And so I have put on that weight, and it is my responsibility. And as an actor, my body is part of my instrument, and I'm supposed to and everyone out, look at everyone else. And you do all that. And then you also go. And it is, I'm sure, being that I think it's a funny episode now, I'm sure there was a part of me that understood why parts of it were funny then, too. So I'm like, and it is funny. So why am I taking it so personally? This is the scene that bothered me the most. And it's really because I remember thinking. I remember doing the wardrobe fitting for these jeans, and they were a size either 26 or 27, which is a 2 or a 4, right. I'm pretty sure they were a 4. So they were either a number 4 or they were a 27, which is the equivalent of like a size 4. I knew, no matter how I feel about my own body, because I was definitely like, I'm huge. I'm fat. I'm disgusting. I knew that Factually, a size 4 is something most American women would think of as being borderline emaciated.
Wilfred L
Right, Right.
Danielle Fishel
And yet we are gonna do an entire episode around the fact that this size 4 woman has to be this concerned about her weight and her body. And that made me angry. It was like, in that scene, in this scene in particular, I was aware, what are we saying to women? And I felt it the most in this scene.
Ryder Strong
Yeah, I can feel it. I was just watching you going, she is not happy. In the other scenes, like, especially the second half with doing the jokes with the DVD and stuff, I could tell you're actually having fun. Like this fun. Those are fun lines. And you were engaged. But this scene, I was like, oh, she is miserable.
Danielle Fishel
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Wilfred L
It started when you and I were pulled into the office. We both, to protect ourselves, instantly went the laughing fun route.
Danielle Fishel
Yeah.
Wilfred L
Oh, my God, this is going to be okay. Well, this is going to be so great, because the alternative would have been misery.
Danielle Fishel
Yeah, yeah.
Wilfred L
And so it's like, let's find the jokes. Let's Find we're going to hit these jokes, cuz it's. Yeah again. So we had.
Danielle Fishel
Yeah. Corey watches on with a frown. She took my pants. And then later, in their bedroom, Cory's in bed with his arms crossed and Sean is next to him. Both are under the covers. Sean is eating a big pile of waffles and doesn't understand. These are fabulous. They're so light, so fluffy. Corey is annoyed. You don't have to tell me that. What the heck's going on? Shawn lists off Topanga symptoms. Tired, no appetite. Cranky. Nauseous. She couldn't fit into Corey's pants. Corey angrily adds, and stole them. Sean pieces everything together and calmly asks Corey, how would you feel if these two big waffles got all slathered in butter and made a little.
Ryder Strong
That's the weirdest metaphor. I was like, what? Good analogy.
Wilfred L
Slathered waffles.
Ryder Strong
So weird.
Danielle Fishel
I don't understand. They were already slathered in butter, so I don't understand why it wasn't just, what if these two big waffles that are slathered in butter got together and made. Because why do. Yeah, it was.
Ryder Strong
Yeah, it's just to get to the you1 seconds joke. Like, he's not getting it.
Danielle Fishel
He's not getting it. Even though you've only taken one bite.
Wilfred L
There's two giant waffles, like.
Danielle Fishel
And he's like, you want more already?
Ryder Strong
The firsts, I probably couldn't eat because I was out. This was a reshoot.
Danielle Fishel
What were you so sick? Did you have mono?
Ryder Strong
I had mono and the flu at the same time.
Danielle Fishel
My God, that's right.
Ryder Strong
I was the sickest I had ever been in my life. Yeah, I was at my apartment, like, shivering and throwing up.
Danielle Fishel
Oh, my gosh.
Ryder Strong
My uvula swelled up so that I couldn't breathe. Like, you know, it was like hanging and blocking my throat so I couldn't sleep. I know, man, it was so bad. Like, when I went to the doctors, they called in other doctors to show them how swollen my uvula was. Like, look at this freak show. They called another doctor, Dr. Milton.
Wilfred L
Never seen this. Dr. Milton.
Danielle Fishel
I've never seen this before.
Ryder Strong
Yes, it was awful. And so my girlfriend was our PA at the time, Brooke, who I ended up dating for seven years. And this was like early on in our relationship. We had just started dating and she took care of me. And like, yeah, she was just at
Wilfred L
my apartment whenever she ironically lose a whole bunch of weight. Right before this, like, did you lose like ten pounds?
Ryder Strong
Yeah, I didn't hear somebody for like two weeks. We I think what happened is we had a high. That's why I have a goatee and I lost all this weight. It's because I we had had a hiatus and then I was just like literally sitting in bed like shivering and not fair.
Danielle Fishel
Of all the weeks, why couldn't Will or I have gotten so sick? Why couldn't we have lost ten pounds?
Wilfred L
Yeah, exactly. By the way, I've heard from a number of people that you have a
Danielle Fishel
huge uv huge, huge, big uvula energy. The bigger the uvula bigger the big
Ryder Strong
ue, big ue, big uvula energy,
Wilfred L
big swinging uv.
Ryder Strong
That's what Rider Strong comes in with.
Wilfred L
Energy.
Danielle Fishel
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Ryder Strong
I am sure I cannot wait.
Danielle Fishel
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Wilfred L
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Danielle Fishel
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Wilfred L
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Danielle Fishel
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Ryder Strong
That's article.compmw for $50 off your first purchase of $100 or more.
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Danielle Fishel
Corey gives him a look. I know what you're saying. You want seconds. Hold on. Sean shouts, nudnik. Topanga's pregnant. And Corey is shook. And then there's a tense ad break. We're back in Cory and Topanga's room. Cory doesn't understand how Topanga can be pregnant, so Sean breaks it down. When a man loves a woman. Corey cuts him off. No, I know about that. We were very careful. Sean asks, did you use the. Yes. Was she on the. Huh? Did you try the Everything. Corey frowns. I'm not even sure we had sex. He starts to panic and Sean tries to calm him down. First you're gonna talk to her, tell her everything's gonna be okay. Corey isn't sold. Everything's not gonna be okay. I can't be a father. I got a paper due on Friday, which is so funny.
Wilfred L
This whole thing was so funny.
Ryder Strong
I'm not sure we even had sex.
Danielle Fishel
I mean, this whole, this whole is great. It's really good. And I love that they're giving, they're giving this both sides of the experience. No surprise really, that the man gets a full fledged experience of a friend being like, just make sure she's gonna be okay. And the guy being like. But. But it's not. I'm not happy right now. Which is, by the way, the same thing. Alan got to go through a full. I think I may be too old.
Wilfred L
But in all fairness, they did have the women instantly breaking the secrecy pact and telling others. So it was there. Is that.
Ryder Strong
No, Sean does it first. Actually, he just. He's right. Sean tells Angela first.
Wilfred L
Well, we don't actually see that though.
Ryder Strong
Yeah, he does. I, I begin the rumor mill because
Wilfred L
Corey, do we see him say Topanga's pregnant?
Danielle Fishel
No.
Ryder Strong
I lean in, I'm like, I have something to tell you. And then it comes to her telling.
Wilfred L
Right. The next person telling other people.
Ryder Strong
But. So it's me that. I think it's. It's Sean that breaks the Right.
Wilfred L
But again, telling your partner is different than just going and telling all your friends.
Ryder Strong
Maybe.
Wilfred L
Yeah. No.
Danielle Fishel
And I already resent this child for ruining my life. And that's going to mean therapy for everybody and well, Mr. I just can't afford that. Sean admits he could be wrong. Maybe she's not pregnant. And this small sliver of doubt has Corey smiling. She's not. Oh, what a load off my mind. Shawn instructs him to talk to his wife and find out what's really going on. Corey nods in agreement and then tells Shawn to give him his pants. I guess he has one pair of pants.
Wilfred L
Yep, he does.
Danielle Fishel
And then we're in the student union. Topanga and Eric walk through the building, and Eric keeps getting distracted by every person who passes by with food, like he's in some sort of trance. Topanga reminds him that they've only been on this diet for 12 hours, so he needs to toughen up. Eric is confused. Is that you, Topanga? She insists it's not that hard, but is then sidetracked by the smell of a Danish.
Wilfred L
I always had fun working with you, Daniel. We very rarely got to do it.
Danielle Fishel
We got to do it. But we always did have a lot of fun together.
Wilfred L
We have a good episode coming up where you. A lot of time together. But this one was fun, too. Even just the little scenes were great.
Danielle Fishel
I know. I like. I do enjoy it. I think the common denominator is that everybody has fun working with you. Because every time anybody gets to work with you, I'm like, that's a good pairing. It's like, well, there's a common denominator here. You and your genius.
Wilfred L
No.
Danielle Fishel
Eric grabs her. I can't do this, okay? Women reject me based on who I am, not what I look like. She tells him it's not all about him. She wants to be as slender and beautiful as the day Corey met her. Eric reminds her, you were two years old. She screams back, I'm telling you, there's Danish in this room. She spots the Danish and bolts for it, But Eric holds her back, instructing her to go to her happy place. She thanks him and starts to calm down. Then Corey walks in undetected and notices their odd behavior. Eric tells Topanga the only way they're going to do this is if they get through it together. Topanga sighs. You are the only one who understands what a problem this is. Meanwhile, Corey hears everything they're saying. Eric rubs Topanga's belly. No one would do this.
Wilfred L
Everybody does this episode. More people touch your stomach. It's so. It was. It ranks up there with just random making out to me.
Danielle Fishel
I know.
Wilfred L
It's like, it's so uncomfortable just watching random people come over and put their hands on your stomach.
Danielle Fishel
It's like, oh, I know. God, just so uncomfortable. You know what's funny? I never put it together. I hate people Touching my stomach. Hate it. Even people. I'm very close to my husband. If Jensen puts his arm around my waist and I feel like it's resting anywhere near my stomach, doesn't matter how thin I am. I am like, get your hand off my stomach. I wonder if it goes back to this episode.
Wilfred L
I don't know. I think that's normal, too. For a lot of women, too. Because I wouldn't go and just, like, rest my hands on Sue's stomach.
Ryder Strong
I don't like it when it touches my stomach either.
Wilfred L
I don't either.
Ryder Strong
Like, Indie Indy does it, like. And I'm like, dude, don't, don't. And he means it affectionately. He'll be like, patting my stomach or whatever. And I'm like, nope.
Danielle Fishel
Yeah, yeah, Interesting. In a few months, I'm sure everything's gonna be back to normal. And now Corey is horrified. As Topanga leaves, Eric attempts to sit back down on the couch, but he has to unbutton his pants once again.
Wilfred L
Of course. Lots of pants jokes, huh?
Danielle Fishel
Corey makes a beeline for his brother. What's going on? Eric acts aloof. Hey, Cor, you smell like chicken.
Ryder Strong
These jokes are really good.
Danielle Fishel
Corey scowls. Don't change the subject. I know Topanga confided in you. He lunges at Eric and picks him up. What did she tell you? Eric gets feisty. She told me it's all your fault. Your waffles and butter did this to her. Corey doesn't get it. Why would she confide in you instead of her own husband? Eric explains, she knew how you'd react. I just realized that you saying the waffles and butter did this to her is also one of the reasons why Sean says these two waffles get together.
Ryder Strong
Right.
Danielle Fishel
So there's an interesting thing. Yeah. Furthers the confusion. I didn't realize that.
Ryder Strong
But again, it's characters referencing things that. You know what I mean?
Wilfred L
Like, it's weird. Yeah. Yeah.
Ryder Strong
So hold on. I have a question, because you guys keep talking about how funny all these jokes are. Like, you know, so is there, like, how do you feel? Do you feel like this episode could exist? It's just you could have been treated and, like, talked to differently in order to go into it. Or should an episode like this just not exist because it puts the actors through too much?
Danielle Fishel
I think for both Will and I, one of the parts of the problem is that the episode was you used to be hot, and you are no longer hot, which is what I was saying about now. If I got sent apart and it Was like, she's a fool. Frumpy, mid-50s, saggy, jowled.
Ryder Strong
And you get to make yourself that for the part.
Danielle Fishel
And I get to go, got it. This is what they're looking for. I want to be that.
Ryder Strong
Yes.
Danielle Fishel
Because I love this part. I'm. I'm gonna participate in it. I'm gonna lean into it. I'm not gonna wear makeup. I am gonna put on something that's unflattering and I'm going to. I'm gonna.
Ryder Strong
Or if you got offered that part, you had months to get ready. You might gain weight for it.
Danielle Fishel
Exactly. I would gain weight for it. I would, I would embody it. I would.
Ryder Strong
In this case, because of how we looked.
Danielle Fishel
Because, because. And because the, the conversation in the office was, it's very obvious that you guys have put on so much weight. We have to acknowledge it at this point. It's getting weird for us to not acknowledge that you're basically unrecognizable.
Wilfred L
Yeah.
Danielle Fishel
And, and, and we are still one for Will, who's battling anxiety and on new medication and trying to hide that from everybody is like, oh, my gosh. So he, he's having to process that. I am still. I'm a new adult. I am 18 years old, fresh out of living out of my parents house, aware that I've put on weight, but also like, kind of, that's what's supposed to happen when you're no longer a 14 year old girl and now you're an 18 year old person. But like, also uncomfortable with the way that I look and looking at other people around me and going, how come they get to eat pizza and they still look like that? And when I eat pizza, I don't look like that. So I think it was about the change and the fact that we didn't. I had no warning. I had no warning it was coming.
Wilfred L
No.
Danielle Fishel
At that meeting, I knew the warning was the meeting, but like.
Wilfred L
Yeah, but we didn't.
Danielle Fishel
I was blindsided by the meeting.
Wilfred L
Yeah, me too.
Ryder Strong
Do you think that maybe if it had been less like. I'm wondering if there's a version where they say we're gonna write a series of overweight fat jokes that are way over the top and don't reflect what you actually look like. So like, if it had been couched as like, we're gonna make a whole episode about it. Cause it's funny and this whole pregnancy thing is funny, but it actually. You're beautiful. It hasn't, you know, you haven't gained that much weight. It's not that big of a deal.
Wilfred L
We just had about Topanga.
Danielle Fishel
I know they.
Wilfred L
I mean, she at least gets that in the episode, Eric. They never. They just. You're big fat. You're a fatty fat. That's it. Bye.
Ryder Strong
That was it.
Wilfred L
It was. There was no end to the story for him.
Ryder Strong
But I'm saying, even off camera, I'm wondering if off camera, you know, I'm trying to think, is there, like. Because, like, an intimacy coordinator is a position for somebody to just make everybody comfortable with kind of what has to happen in order to have, like, love stories and movies, which we all agree are, like, sometimes good to have in a movie and good to have in a story, but also uncomfortable for actors to have to do. So you insert somebody who can be that person. And I'm just wondering if there's an equivalent conversation that could have been had around, like, we know that this is a sensitive issue, and it's not a reflection of, like, your actual body or, you know, whatever. If they could have.
Wilfred L
Could have.
Ryder Strong
You remember.
Wilfred L
Do you remember? Was it in front of everybody, or was it just Michael and somebody in a room?
Danielle Fishel
I didn't even remember that there was anybody else in the room. I thought it was just the two of us. And Michael and Michael.
Wilfred L
It was Michael.
Ryder Strong
It was.
Wilfred L
I think I want to say it was Michael and Bob.
Danielle Fishel
Okay. That would make sense.
Wilfred L
Right? But it wasn't like. It wasn't like we were standing in front of everybody, so at least there was that. I mean, it wasn't.
Ryder Strong
Which is something.
Danielle Fishel
Yes. Although it also added to the feeling of like, I've just been called to the principal's office.
Wilfred L
Oh, God. I didn't know what the. What the hell it was like, where it was like, what it. And you and I together, where it's
Danielle Fishel
like, what I know.
Wilfred L
Could we have done?
Ryder Strong
And if you guys. But I mean, if you. Yeah, I think it's. It was actually very strategic because I think the pressure was on you guys. It was like, you weren't going to stand up to him.
Danielle Fishel
No.
Ryder Strong
Because you were surprised. And so then it was too late, because then he was able to say to everybody, I checked with them. They're fine. We're gonna do it.
Danielle Fishel
Yeah, exactly.
Wilfred L
And it's like, of course.
Ryder Strong
Did he actually check with you, or did he just inform you privately in a context that made you very uncomfortable, so you couldn't stand up?
Wilfred L
That's what it was.
Ryder Strong
But I remember.
Wilfred L
I remember, like, on the way up there, one of the things I distinctly remember is going, like, do they know that I'm on medication?
Danielle Fishel
Right.
Wilfred L
Do they know I'm smoking a lot of weed right now? Because I'm at this point just self medicating. So I'm going through all these things in my head. Like. But at the same time, I'm also kind of to the you stage of Boy Meets World where it's like, we've got like four episodes left.
Danielle Fishel
I know.
Wilfred L
So what are you gonna do? You gonna fire me? Go ahead. Like, what's happening right now? Or did Danielle say that I did something inappropriate and we're being called into the office for some. Your mind goes through. And again, dealing with anxiety. Now you're spiraling. Cause it's like, what the hell is going on?
Ryder Strong
But the whole approach in the meeting was like, you guys are cool with this, right? Because it's funny. And we just.
Danielle Fishel
It wasn't even. You guys are cool about. It was literally. It is. You know, obviously, everyone knows you've both put on a lot of weight.
Wilfred L
And we're gonna write to it and it's.
Danielle Fishel
We have to comment on it. It's just gotten to a point where we obviously, we have to comment on it. So I just wanted to let you guys know we're going to write an episode about your weight gain. And that was it. So I don't even think to. To Patty and Lara's credit, having. We talked about having, you know, maybe then when they went back and they were like, great. We. We ran it by Will, Danielle, and they're totally fine with us doing an episode about how fat they are. That the women in the room were
Wilfred L
like,
Danielle Fishel
can it be that, you know, actually Topanga isn't fat and that there are curves and I think honestly, they. The same way men. The feelings of men. You know, if you look back on jokes about like, you know, teachers coming on to their students.
Wilfred L
Yeah.
Danielle Fishel
And the way it was like, well, men. That's totally fine. All men would like that. Oh, a hot teacher coming onto their teenage student. No guy would complain about that. That was a pervasive thought. The idea that Will could have been self conscious or had bad feelings about being told that he was fat. They didn't even care. It was just, he's fine. It's a joke throughout the whole episode. We don't. It doesn't have to have anything redeeming. Doesn't have to have an arc. It's fin. Fine. And part of it.
Wilfred L
Do anything that's. We'll do anything. Don't worry about it. Whatever we throw at him. He's fine and no feelings. Told him he's good, he's fine, he's fine with it, don't worry about it. That's it. And it was like. But again, you know, I also was hiding so much from everybody at this point that it was just one more brick on the, on my shoulders. Like, oh great. And I'm also, everybody also knows that I'm obviously this thing that I, I thought maybe. Didn't anybody, nobody really noticed? Of course everybody did. So yeah, it was, it was a rough, rough. It was a rough one.
Danielle Fishel
Yeah.
Ryder Strong
Got the laughs though.
Danielle Fishel
You sure did.
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Ryder Strong
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Danielle Fishel
Eric explains. She knew how you'd react. Then Corey wonders, you mean like this? And he screams to the sky, my life is over. He looks at Eric and calmly asks again. Like that. Eric explains. That's why she came to me. People like us have similar appetites. That's how we get into situations like this. Corey's surprised to hear he's been in the situation before. And Eric shrugs. On and off since high school. Corey's obviously concerned. Do mom and dad know? Eric nods. Dad thinks it's actually kind of funny. Corey is offended. There is nothing funny about this. Every day she gets bigger. My life gets a little more complicated. Also, I. Considering later, Alan has the worst line in Boy Meets World history about a woman. The fact that they use him here to say that he actually thinks it's kind of funny. For his son.
Wilfred L
Yeah.
Danielle Fishel
But dislikes it so much for his wife. Wife who is in every. In every place, no matter where you are in the world. A thin, very thin woman.
Ryder Strong
Yes.
Danielle Fishel
Is. Is pretty wild.
Wilfred L
They threw him under the bus quite a bit in the last couple seasons.
Danielle Fishel
Quite.
Wilfred L
With some of the lines they gave him, some of the story lines they gave him, some of the stuff they gave Rusty. It was kind of like, ooh, they really changed out him, huh?
Danielle Fishel
Eric shouts. Your life. Is that all you can think about? What about Topanga? What's she supposed to do? Her body's out of control. She has nowhere to turn. Cory's on the verge of a panic attack. But Eric continues, if you can't be supportive, then the best thing you can do is just stay away from her. Just stay away from her. Cory's hands, yelling at each other, wailing.
Ryder Strong
This Escalade is. In a way, I'm like, why?
Wilfred L
Because it's all. This was so absurd.
Danielle Fishel
Funny.
Ryder Strong
Yeah. Laid at the top of your life. I'm sorry.
Wilfred L
Just absurd.
Ryder Strong
Yeah. I like where it gets. I just. The build. I was like, what? What? Oh, we're just yelling.
Danielle Fishel
Of course, Y. Corey's hands start flailing as he screams, I don't know what I should do. And then they run away from each other, with Corey darting outside. Sean and Angela just happen to be sitting there, and Corey confesses to him, you were right. It's true. And then he sprints away. Angela asks Sean with a hint of laughter, what is true? Sean sighs. Okay, I'm gonna tell you, but you cannot tell anyone. That's what makes it different. Will.
Ryder Strong
Yes.
Danielle Fishel
Is that. First of all, he doesn't just bring it up out of nowhere. You did keep the secret. It's Corey who comes out and says, you were right. It's true. Which then makes her go, what's that about? And then you decide to share it with your partner, but tell her, please don't tell anyone. And then one second later, goes and tells everybody else, we get an optical flip and we're in.
Ryder Strong
Angela, I just want to say that is clearly my real book. That I am reading.
Danielle Fishel
Oh, really? What is that?
Ryder Strong
I have no idea. I don't know. But I know that's how I read. I fold paperbacks like that. It was either something I was reading for college or that I was reading on my own. Probably. It was probably a college book, but it's clearly the way I'm holding. I'm like, oh, that's my real book. Like, I am genuinely reading that.
Wilfred L
You're just in the middle of shooting in front of an audience and you're like, it.
Ryder Strong
I'm reading my book.
Danielle Fishel
The best part is that you're like, I can't believe these keep taking real parts of me. I'm gonna use my real book in this room.
Ryder Strong
My real book in this pocket.
Wilfred L
I'm sure.
Ryder Strong
I walked on the set and I was like. They were like, do you have a textbook? I was like, I'll just read my book.
Danielle Fishel
I'm just gonna read my book. Oh, God. Angela is whispering in Rachel's ear, telling her the news. Rachel gasps, topanga's pregnant. And Angela insists, you did not hear it from me. Rachel responds, so that's why they got married. Now we're in the guy's apartment. We flip to Rachel telling Jack, topanga's having twins. He can't believe it. Then in the student union, Jack is telling a random man a billionaire is paying Cory and Topanga $50,000 for the baby. The guy is shot, shocked.
Wilfred L
Wow.
Danielle Fishel
Who were Cory?
Ryder Strong
And definitely funny. Oh, my God.
Wilfred L
Also, how long have they been married? Do we know? Because if you had to get married because you were pregnant, wouldn't you already be like seven months pregnant?
Danielle Fishel
Yes. It's been a while.
Wilfred L
Okay, that's what I thought.
Danielle Fishel
Yeah. Then we're in the Matthews kitchen. Corey walks in, obviously rattled. Amy, Allen and Mr. Feeny are all sitting at the table, very concerned. Corey admits he has something very important to tell them, but Alan breaks the news. They already know. Amy reveals that Mr. Feeny told them. Corey asks how Feeny knows and he reveals, my wife was at the grocery store. So he is still married. Is alive.
Wilfred L
Good.
Ryder Strong
She was getting salad for one. For one.
Danielle Fishel
Well, she does say, he does say she heard it from the produce lady. Corey growls, I'm gonna kill that, Sean. Amy tells him they have some serious reservations about this. And Alan asks, do you realize how hard it'll be to raise a 14 year old Chinese boy in a college dorm? Apparently, a completely different rumor has gotten to them.
Wilfred L
Yes.
Ryder Strong
Do you even speak Mandarin?
Danielle Fishel
Speak Mandarin.
Wilfred L
Such a good run. Oh, God, it's Great.
Ryder Strong
I really loved it.
Danielle Fishel
Me too. Corey stammers. I don't know what you've heard, but we are not adopting any Chinese boy. Amy and Alan let out huge sighs of relief, and Alan even brags, I told you he had more sense. Sense. But then when Corey drops the bomb, Topanga's pregnant. Amy and Alan are in disbelief, and Feeny decides, I better go straighten out the produce lady. Allan tells Feeny to wait because he may need someone to stop him from killing his son. Feeny tells him it's a family matter they should discuss amongst themselves. Amy calls him a coward, and Feeny agrees, damn straight. Then hurries off. Now alone. Corey tells his parents, before you tear my head off with your whole responsibility speech, I just want to let you know that Topanga and I did everything a responsible couple should do. Alan argues that responsible couples don't have babies. Amy tells her husband to let Corey finish, but Alan isn't interested in what he has to say. No. Remember how difficult it was when you had Eric? Amy corrects him, when we had Eric. Alan scoffs. Whatever. We had no money and you never got your figure back. Oh, what? What? What?
Ryder Strong
It's truly awful. Like, Yep. No, we had no money and we could have just said anything.
Wilfred L
Yeah.
Danielle Fishel
But anyway, he could have kept it still kind of gross and been like. And we never got our sex life back, so.
Wilfred L
Yeah, something.
Danielle Fishel
Something he could have kept and we, you know, anything.
Ryder Strong
Yeah, but you never got your figure back, so it implies that she is now disfigured.
Danielle Fishel
Correct.
Wilfred L
Yeah.
Ryder Strong
From having a child.
Danielle Fishel
Yes.
Ryder Strong
And he's obviously think about it for 23 years. Yep.
Wilfred L
Yeah.
Danielle Fishel
Yeah.
Ryder Strong
But it's just also so belied by Betsy's actual body, which is so beautiful and thin and like.
Danielle Fishel
Yeah, yeah.
Wilfred L
This is an entire episode about how Danielle is fat, which she's not. So none of this makes sense.
Ryder Strong
It's like our show has body dysmorphia. Yeah.
Danielle Fishel
Yes. Boy, the bullshit.
Ryder Strong
Michael Jacobs had body dysmorphia for all of us.
Danielle Fishel
Yes, exactly.
Ryder Strong
He was concerned about us if we were parts of his body, that he was dysmorphic.
Danielle Fishel
It's so funny. Like, we talked about how gorgeous Ben's body was. It was never acknowledged. His hair was something. Writer left Boy Meets World feeling hideous while he was literally on the bedroom of every teen girl. Will was told he was fat and a whale and had to unbutton two pants. Two buttons on his pants. And he's nowhere near there. I'm fat.
Ryder Strong
Just let yourself know.
Danielle Fishel
Lucy never got her figure Back.
Ryder Strong
Right. So. Well, Maitland gets us.
Danielle Fishel
They do understand that Maitland is tall and gorgeous and Jack is tall and gorgeous and Angela short and gorgeous.
Ryder Strong
So the new people that were brought on for the last two seasons were the acceptable good looking people who were cast for their looks.
Wilfred L
Yep.
Ryder Strong
And those original cast, we let them all. We let the show down. Yep. This is so disturbing, you guys. Do you realize what we drink? Like, that's it. Like, we all felt bad about ourselves by the end of the show. And the new people were cast for their looks and were told that they were good in the show. In the text of the show, it's literally encoded into the writing of the show. It's not just backstage, we're not talking. It's literally on screen that they are the beautiful ones and that we are not.
Wilfred L
Yeah. An original cast is. We've let ourselves go and let the show down.
Danielle Fishel
I need to take a break to speak to a doctor. Yikes.
Ryder Strong
Wow.
Danielle Fishel
The inmates. Ooh. As Amy and Corey's eyes widen, Alan realizes his observation was not appreciated. You think? Alan simps to his wife, I love you.
Ryder Strong
So he never actually apologizes or says, it's totally not true. I'm sorry. Like, you definitely got your body back. I'm. I don't know what I was thinking. Like, if anything.
Danielle Fishel
No, no, no. He.
Ryder Strong
He just makes the joke.
Danielle Fishel
It's not even a joke. He. It's his truth.
Wilfred L
Yeah.
Danielle Fishel
He has felt that after having that first kid, she never looked the way
Ryder Strong
she did, only stayed the way she looked when she was 21.
Wilfred L
I love. It would have been great had she said that. Like, something like that. Like. Yeah, because you have the same body you did when you were 20.
Ryder Strong
Well, she does.
Danielle Fishel
She does say, take a look at.
Wilfred L
It's still. It's just doesn't. The whole. It's like, why put that in there?
Danielle Fishel
I know.
Wilfred L
Yeah.
Danielle Fishel
But Amy rightfully dismisses him. You are so done talking. Then she pushes him away. Amy turns her attention to Corey. How are you and Topanga going to deal with this? Corey stammers. I don't know. She hasn't even told me yet. On cue, Eric storms in and accuses his mom. You didn't breastfeed me. Then he turns to Alan. You didn't either. Eric paces the room, huffing and puffing. Breastfed kids are skinny. Formula fed kids are fat. First I blamed it on myself. I thought maybe glands. And then I thought maybe metabolism. But then I thought to myself, I'm no racist. So it all comes back to you guys.
Ryder Strong
Very such A weird.
Wilfred L
They're just saying words now at this point.
Ryder Strong
But this is weird because this has become kind of a joke that kids are saying, like Indy's friends are saying. They, like. And I'm trying to tell him to not do this anymore. Cause he thinks it's really funny. For whenever anybody criticizes him, they go, that's so racist.
Wilfred L
Right?
Ryder Strong
And they make. And the joke is, of course, that it has nothing to do with race. That's like the complaint. And I finally had to say to him. Cause I kept. I went on a field trip for three days with his fifth grade class and I spent a lot of time with him. And they were all doing this. And then I, like, finally got alone. You know, we kept saying, like, me and the other chaperones were like, that's not funny, guys. Like, that's not. And like, the way we put it is, like, people actually experience racism. So you need to, like, not. You can't make a joke out of it. I finally got through to Indy on the way to school, like, after this field trip. I was like. Cause he did it again. I'm like, look, I know you think that's funny. And there is something funny there. Like, there is the idea of, like, take it. But you understand that racism exists for people. And when they. If those people hear you making light of racism.
Danielle Fishel
Correct.
Ryder Strong
You're actually making fun of them who have experienced actual racism. And then he was like, what do you mean? I'm like, they, you know, I finally, I think, got through to him. He's like, oh, okay. So I haven't heard him do it for like the last week. But then to turn this episode on and seek. I was like, oh, my God, do
Danielle Fishel
not show it to Indy.
Ryder Strong
No, I won't. Because he will be like, see, it's
Danielle Fishel
going back to 90, 99.
Wilfred L
The fat guy thought it was funny. That's what Indy would have said.
Danielle Fishel
Oh, my gosh. Alan isn't having it. Listen, Porky, we're in the middle of a serious discussion here.
Wilfred L
Didn't want to laugh, but I did.
Danielle Fishel
It was fun. I know. I did too. And especially after Eric has already said that his dad thinks it's funny. Yeah, that Corey reveals he has a huge problem and no idea how to handle it. But Eric isn't fazed. You listen to me, you skinny little breastfeeder. I've had it up to here with you. And then he hears the ice cream truck music and screams like a maniac. Mr. Softy way up. He runs out of the door pushing Corey and Amy out of the way. Allen sighs. May I say something now? Amy responds, if it's constructive. And tonight, take a look at your own butt. Alan begins. First of all, I'm sorry I overreacted. Your mother and I have been through the same thing, and I was as scared as you are. But we had each other and we got through it together. Amy smiles. Your father let me know that there was nothing more important than being there for me, and I've always loved him for that, even though I'm like. And now he's just let you know that there's really ultimately nothing more important than keeping your figure, which you didn't do.
Wilfred L
Well, he loves her. Her. He's not attracted to her, but he loves her.
Ryder Strong
He tolerates her.
Danielle Fishel
Yeah.
Ryder Strong
Disfigurement.
Wilfred L
She can stay there.
Ryder Strong
Puts up with. Yeah.
Wilfred L
He doesn't. Exactly. This is just the hand I was dealt. There you go.
Ryder Strong
Stuck with this horrible woman that's like eight pounds.
Danielle Fishel
I know, I know, I know. Corey wonders, do you really think I can handle this? Alan explains, no one said it's going to be easy, but you can do it.
Ryder Strong
It.
Danielle Fishel
And he's not alone. They'll be there for him. Amy squeals. Corey, you're having a baby. There is no greater gift. Allan agrees. Being a father is the most rewarding thing in my life. Corey gives them a soft smile. Well, I'm going to be a father. You know, I was so freaked out about this whole thing that I didn't really think it could be okay. He asks his parents what he should do now, and Amy points out the obvious, Go talk to the person you love. Corey nods. That would be Sean.
Ryder Strong
Fun is great.
Danielle Fishel
We're at the guy's apartment. Sure enough, Corey does go straight to Shawn, revealing, I'm gonna do the right thing. Shawn assumes you're gonna tell Topanga that you know about the baby and you can't wait to be a father. Cory bluntly explains, see, that's why you'll never amount to anything. You think too small. It's too late to just tell her. I've gotta do something big. I'm gonna show her how happy I am by throwing her the biggest surprise unplanned baby shower anyone's ever seen. Sean immediately makes up an excuse to avoid this impending disaster. I'm gonna be in Cleveland.
Wilfred L
You're gonna be in Cleveland.
Ryder Strong
So fun. I love this Corey Sean episode. It's a really fun one.
Danielle Fishel
So good. And then we're in the student union. Topanga and Angela are walking Inside, when Angela gushes, you look great. Topanga thanks her, but Angela doesn't stop there. Positively glowing. Topanga laughs. That's so funny. Rachel said the exact same thing to me this morning, as a matter of fact. Fact, everybody's been treating me like some kind of queen. Angela glances at her stomach and says, we're all very happy for you, Topanga. Shocked. You can tell just by looking at me? Angela nods. Mm. Then she whispers, I know it's supposed to be a secret, but can I just feel it? She places a hand on Topanga's stomach, and though Topanga's obviously a little taken aback, she doesn't stop her. In fact, she moves Angela's hands over a bit. You can really feel it in my hips lips. Angela starts giggling, and Topanga exclaims, this is great. I've only been dieting for three days and you guys can already notice a difference. Angela gasps, you can't be on a diet when you're pregnant. Topanga gasps, when I'm what? Angela still isn't getting it. I know about the baby. And Topanga clarifies, I'm not pregnant. Angela's in shock, and Topanga just walks right into the student union with his new revelation. Rather than stop her, Angela just watches Topanga stroll on in and mutter, oh, no.
Wilfred L
Yeah.
Ryder Strong
Why does Topango walk into this union? Like, wouldn't she want to finish this conversation where her friend just revealed, maybe
Danielle Fishel
she's going to look for Corey to tell Corey who? Why does she think I'm pregnant?
Wilfred L
Okay.
Ryder Strong
Yeah, because she knows Corey's in here. Probably.
Danielle Fishel
Yeah. She's on her way to go see him.
Ryder Strong
Gotcha. Okay.
Danielle Fishel
Yeah. As soon as Topanga walks into the room, everyone shouts, surprise.
Ryder Strong
Did you guys hear the audio issue here?
Danielle Fishel
No.
Wilfred L
No.
Ryder Strong
It's really weird. It's like one of the few times I've ever heard, like, they have. I actively had to suppress the volume of everybody cheering. I'm not sure what happened, but, yeah. And Danielle says her line, like, oh, my gosh. And you can't hear it. You just mouth it, and you actually are saying the volume is going back. So I think what happened is they blew out the mics when they cheered. Like, the booms were too close to the crowd, so they had to, like, basically turn down the sound. It's a weird moment because you never, you know, usually just don't have sound issues. Sound is like one of those things you have to get. But, yeah, for whatever reason, they went with the take where the sound was bad chat or peep. The mic says it sounds really weird.
Danielle Fishel
Okay, I did not notice that. That's interesting. Pink and blue balloons decorate the space, and everyone is there. Cory walks up to give her a kiss. Topanga, I love you. I'm gonna be a father. Topanga tries to get a word in, but no one lets her. Alan yells out, and I'm gonna be a grandfather. And Amy squeezes her cheeks. You look so lovely. Feeny hands her a bouquet of flowers. If you miss a day of classes now and then, it'll be our secret. Secret. Topanga looks a little happy about that. Shawn then hands her a bag. This is for me and Angela. For the baby. You're gonna make such a beautiful mother. Topanga pulls out a little onesie, and everyone ogles at it, including Topanga. She holds up the onesie and declares, the baby will love this.
Wilfred L
This is great. You were great in the scene, by the way.
Ryder Strong
Thank you.
Danielle Fishel
Yeah, this was fun.
Wilfred L
This was a great. This was great all the way around.
Danielle Fishel
Angela tries to snap her out of it, but Topanga tells her to chill. Jack approaches with a gift, too. I know you're gonna spend a lot of time at home after that little baby comes along. So Rachel jumps in. Jack and I got you this state of the art with no cord, no
Wilfred L
box, or no remote. Enjoy.
Danielle Fishel
Stolen. Fresh out of the truck.
Wilfred L
Kind of gifted this.
Ryder Strong
What bumped me was Topanga say, I've always wanted one. I was like, but DVD players have only been around for, like, a year at this point, maybe two. You've always wanted one?
Danielle Fishel
I've always wanted one for a year.
Wilfred L
You also notice how Matt first hands it to you backwards, then spins it around so the camera could see it, like. And this beautiful new.
Danielle Fishel
Why not just. Why not just in a box that says DVD on the front and, like, a picture of it? Why? I don't know. Why not a box?
Ryder Strong
No, no.
Wilfred L
You can't. Can't turn it on. Can't plug it in.
Ryder Strong
But you know what's funny is that actually the most state of the art thing would have been a TiVo, right? But we were probably wanting to promote TiVo because it would. It's like you wanted to watch it.
Wilfred L
Yeah, exactly.
Ryder Strong
But actually, I think that's what they would have given because that was what people were freaking out about in 2000. It's like, you could have a TiVo, right?
Danielle Fishel
Yeah.
Wilfred L
That we're.
Ryder Strong
The DVD players.
Wilfred L
Change out of the box.
Ryder Strong
DVD players.
Danielle Fishel
Then Morgan arrives with an older woman in a wheelchair. Nana Boo Boo has been cli. I forgot she existed.
Wilfred L
Morgan, there's a sister who's watching the baby.
Danielle Fishel
No. No. What baby? The baby in Topanga's belly. Nana Boo Boo has been clinging to life, waiting for a great grandchild to spoil. Cory reveals, with this. It's an oversized check for $75,000. Everyone is shocked, and Topanga exclaims, we can buy a house. Cory boasts, for us and the baby. Topanga finally processes what's happening and nods. Oh, yeah. The baby. Alan whispers to Nana Boo Boo, we had four kids. You never gave us jack. She simply responds, I never liked you. Angela starts guilt tripping Topanga, asking if there's something she wants to say. And Topanga nods, yes, I do. Thank you. Thank you, everyone. This outpouring of love means more to me than you'll ever know. Then they all give her a rowdy round of applause. Corey encourages them to eat up. So Sean takes a seat next to Angela and asks, isn't she beautiful? Angela scoffs, yeah, beautiful. Liar. Next to them, Corey's head is on Topanga's stomach, and he's talking in a baby voice. Hello, baby.
Ryder Strong
Hello.
Danielle Fishel
This is your daddy. Then he sticks his face directly into her stomach. I love you. I love you. He looks up at Topanga and I. And I love you. Angela snatches Topanga away. Did you hear that? He says he loves you. Topanga holds up the DVD player. This thing has five channels of sound. Angela points out. But you're not pregnant. Topanga insists, oh, get pregnant. Get out of my way.
Ryder Strong
I love that line. I'll get pregnant. Because it actually kind of makes sense. Like, yeah, sure, actually fix this problem real quick.
Danielle Fishel
She bumps into Corey, who explains, when I first found out you were pregnant, I panicked a little. I mean, the whole idea is just so overwhelming. But then I realized how much we love each other and how much this baby is going to enrich our lives. Topanga knows she's in over her head. Oh, boy. And Cory continues, or girl, as long as it's healthy. We made a baby together. We took a little bit of me and a little bit of you, and we made a baby. And it's gonna be someone that we're gonna take care of the rest of our lives. At this point, Topanga's on the verge of tears. She looks at the DVD player and whispers, bye.
Wilfred L
Oh, such a good read. Such a good read.
Danielle Fishel
Bye. Handing it over to Angela, who's been patiently waiting for the truth to be revealed, Topanga finally admits to Cory about this whole pregnancy thing. See, I'm kind of not Cory asks what she's saying.
Ryder Strong
So this scene is really funny. And I do. I love that Topanga, like, just gets launched into the situation and loves it. But wouldn't it have been better if in some ways, this connected to, like, the weight loss or, like, what she wanted in the beginning? Like, because it has no. No connection. Like, so if. I don't know, I guess they're trying to do it. Like, when I'm saying she's beautiful, like, that you're finally being appreciated or, like, cherished, and that that's what you really wanted by losing the weight, or that's what you weren't feeling in the beginning. I don't know. I did. But, like, you wanting physical objects and money, which is hysterical and all, like, oh, I'm gonna have the house. And all this stuff is great, but it doesn't connect to where you started the episode. Like, as a character, you started the episode feeling bad about it.
Danielle Fishel
That is almost a separate thing. This is the resolution of the mistaken truth between Cory and Shawn. And in the meantime, I'm like, oh, my gosh, we're gonna get all this cool stuff. And then the ending for. And that ties up that storyline. The storyline about my body is like, well, but Eric said I was fat. And then he's like, well, I didn't mean it. And Angela goes. And we weren't talking about you being skinny, but that's because I would kill for your cur. So that's. Then the resolution of it is like, you don't have to be like us. You're beautiful the way you are.
Wilfred L
Right?
Danielle Fishel
Even though you're not like us, which is thin.
Ryder Strong
I guess I just wish you're not
Wilfred L
this either, Eric, and you're not either.
Danielle Fishel
And there's no.
Wilfred L
There's no resolution. You're just a fatty fat.
Ryder Strong
I guess this joke, you know, of Topanga just being given all these gifts and, like, running with the pregnancy thing is funny. I wish it was more connected to her character where you're like, oh, this is so Topanga. Like, her dreams are coming true right now. Not just dreams are coming true because you get a DVD player. You know, it's. It's generic. It's like, generic situation. Whereas if it had been specific to. Oh, my God, her, you know, because I never believe that you're gonna lie or keep any of this, which I guess you don't need to. But anyway, it's funny. I just was like, why is this connected to who she is?
Danielle Fishel
I know. I did think, like, how does it. But I think it's really just a good joke. I get swept up.
Ryder Strong
Yeah.
Danielle Fishel
The same way. I also, by the way, Topanga does suddenly care a lot about money and material things. When they bought the house, it was a big deal. Remember what the house she wanted. She wanted the nook and. And then also the wedding was gross
Wilfred L
and the wedding needed to be the wedding.
Danielle Fishel
She wanted the big fancy wedding.
Wilfred L
She is different.
Danielle Fishel
Corey asks what she means and she repeats herself. She's not pregnant. Corey is shocked, but she promises there's no baby in there and apologizes for saying there was. Was. Then she asks everyone to gather around cuz she has something to say. This is the golden moment where kill
Wilfred L
to be able to watch that right
Danielle Fishel
now made me let me too. Where Matt made me laugh so hard. God, it's. She says, oh, wait, here.
Ryder Strong
Here we go.
Danielle Fishel
I'm not pregnant.
Ryder Strong
You're not.
Danielle Fishel
There's no baby in there. Cor. Really? Sorry,
Radhi Deblokia (advertisement voice)
everyone.
Ryder Strong
Yeah. What is he doing? So he. Yeah, yeah. And it's because he has to walk like 10ft to get.
Danielle Fishel
He also has to turn his back. His back is to me. He has to spin around. Yeah. And get to this mark.
Ryder Strong
So Jerry Levine must have said anything. Matt, you come down here. And he was like, why? And they're like, well, we just need everybody. And he was like, fine, I'll do it. And then does it this way.
Wilfred L
And this is a big middle finger to everybody. It's. Oh, God.
Danielle Fishel
You know what happened is he pro. There was probably a real back and forth where they. That's where he wanted them to go. Walk. You walk up here behind the couch. And then when. When she says, everyone, you get to this mark. And Matt probably said, I'm really far away. I'm not sure I can get. I'm not sure I can get to this mark. And Jerry was like, yeah, you could probably do it. You just got to do it. You got to be faster. And then they did it a few times. Matt probably wasn't making it because to walk normally and not do what he did did he doesn't probably make it. And they kept saying, faster, Matt. Faster, Matt. Faster, Matt. And this is Matt going, all right, watch this.
Wilfred L
Oh God.
Ryder Strong
Oh my God.
Wilfred L
It's my. Might be my favorite moment in all seven.
Danielle Fishel
I know. He makes me laugh.
Ryder Strong
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Danielle Fishel
Like he would care more than anyone else what I'm about to. Exactly.
Ryder Strong
We have to like send it to him and get his. Get his response. We should record like, why? If he remembers it at all.
Wilfred L
Yeah, yeah.
Danielle Fishel
Topanga says, I don't know how this whole rumor got started, but I am not having a baby. Sean starts to sneak off, but Corey instantly calls him out. Sean was the one that. Sean throws it right back at him. You were the one who said she couldn't fit into her pants. Topanga explains. Because I'm fat. That's why I went on a diet. Eric and I went on a diet. Eric is sitting at a nearby table scarfing down deviled eggs. I love deviled eggs. I do, too.
Wilfred L
Had a bunch this weekend.
Danielle Fishel
Did you?
Ryder Strong
Delicious.
Danielle Fishel
Oh, man, they're so good. I'm not fat. I'm pregnant. Hannah Boo Boo takes a deviled egg for herself. Yeah, I'm pregnant, too. Topanga continues. I started to feel bad about myself, so I decided to lose a little weight. I mean, it's embarrassing to not be the tall one or the skinny one, or the one with 8% body fat. Jack corrects her. That's six. Topanga continues. The funny thing is that when all of you guys started treating me differently, I thought it was because I was skinny. When I found out it was because you thought I was pregnant. I didn't want to let that good feeling go.
Wilfred L
Right.
Ryder Strong
So there it is. That is the connection.
Danielle Fishel
That is the connection.
Ryder Strong
It's being called glowing. And yeah, okay.
Danielle Fishel
Also, I'm just realizing, I say it's embarrassing to not be tall or to be skinny. Well, it is. Or to not be the one with 8% body fat. It is. It's.
Wilfred L
Yes. I mean, horribly embarrassing. I'm embarrassed all the time because I'm not tall and skinny.
Danielle Fishel
Corey is shocked. Why in the world would you want to go on a diet? Rachel adds, you're gorgeous. But Topanga looks to Eric for confirmation. Tell them I'm fat. Eric responds, you're not fat, you're hot. I just told you you were fat so you'd give me your pizza. Then he turns around to a random dude and blurts out, hey, fatty, give me your pizza. Give it. Then he takes it. Topanga sighs. Okay, so maybe I'm not fat, but I'm never going to look like you, Angela. Angela argues. And I'm never going to look like you. I'd kill for those curves. Rachel adds, and I'm self conscious about my Height. It says 5:2 on my driver's license. Essence. Angela admits she hates her feet. Shawn nods. She has bunions. Angela is offended. Shawn. And he shrugs. What? I'm not perfect. Jack smirks. I am. Sean reveals. I almost have no butt. Feeny sarcastically notes thank you, Mr. Hunter, before explaining, unfortunately, we live in a society. I love that he's here all of a sudden.
Ryder Strong
Yeah. Did he time to give a lecture? He gave you flowers earlier.
Danielle Fishel
But, yeah, I know. I'm just saying that, like, of course here, this whole. This episode. And now it's going to be a Phineas. I don't know.
Ryder Strong
Guessing.
Danielle Fishel
Unfortunately, we live in a society where they tell us we have to look a certain way. So we're all under pressure to live up to unrealistic expectations. Jack, size. All right. I can't take it anymore.
Ryder Strong
It's here. He's like, all right, fine.
Danielle Fishel
All right. I'm not.
Ryder Strong
Not really. One spot. It's like, oh, man.
Danielle Fishel
You know why I go to the gym? It's because in high school, they used to have this little nickname for me.
Ryder Strong
It was Jumbo Jack.
Danielle Fishel
Everyone bursts into laughter, including Eric, now with half of the stolen pizza slice in his mouth. He mocks him while almost choking. Jumbo Jack, you were fat. Jack nods. I just wanted people to like me. Eric, mouth still full of chicken wing.
Wilfred L
They thought it was shoving food into my mouth.
Danielle Fishel
Eric, mouth still full of pizza, says, oh, I like you, Jumbo Jack. Corey grabs Topanga's hand and has her sit on his left lap. Look, you are the most stunningly beautiful woman I've ever seen. That's why I married you.
Wilfred L
Like, hopefully you won't lose your figure after.
Danielle Fishel
It's also why Allan married Amy. Then she got dumpy. She smiles. Really? He nods. Yeah. I love everything about you, and that's never going to change. They kiss as soft music plays in the background. Then Nana Booboo wheels up and squeezes Topanga's chest cheek. No, baby darling. Topanga admits, no. So Nana Boo Boo demands, then give me back the check. They look at her in disbelief. But Eric uses this as an opportunity. He whispers in Nana's ear, I have a baby.
Wilfred L
How's that lived? You can see everybody break in the back. Do you see Bill and. Oh, yeah. Go watch Bill and Rusty. Just lose it in the back. Yeah,
Danielle Fishel
I have a baby. And then we're in Cory and Topanga's apartment. Cory is lying in bed while Topanga stares lovingly at the baby onesie they were giving. Gifted. She holds it up. How cute is this? He insists, you'll never be able to fit into that. She lovingly slaps him with it. Are you disappointed about the baby? He admits, a little. Once I got past the overwhelming desire to jump off a bridge, I was kind of looking forward to it. You know. She agrees and Corey tells her, it's going to be great though. Someday, me and you walking arm in arm, pushing our baby through the park. She promises him you are going to be a great father. Then she gives him a kiss and he smirks. You want to go for the DVD player? She smiles. Not yet. And he agrees. She reveals, that doesn't mean we can't keep practicing. And he smiles. Right.
Ryder Strong
They're gonna have sex.
Danielle Fishel
Oh God.
Ryder Strong
That's what that joke is.
Danielle Fishel
Uh huh.
Ryder Strong
Guys, they're gonna have sex. I still don't know if everyone got that. Corey, Topanga are gonna have sex. Let's talk about it.
Danielle Fishel
They quickly get up and throw the covers over themselves. She notes, I love your little love handles. What? He does not have. He's stunned.
Ryder Strong
What?
Danielle Fishel
And then she just giggles.
Wilfred L
That could be your pet name for his penis.
Ryder Strong
Little love handles.
Wilfred L
Little love handles.
Danielle Fishel
Hi, little love handles.
Ryder Strong
Give me little love handles. Yeah, just handle. Singular. Makes sense. I love your little love handle. Really changes the meaning.
Wilfred L
It does changes everything, doesn't it? Because of the sex you're talking about.
Danielle Fishel
Right?
Ryder Strong
Because they're having sex under the covers. That's what's happening. They're gonna get naked.
Danielle Fishel
Oh, and then there's no tag. So just.
Ryder Strong
They don't have tags at all for a while. I know this has been a while. So.
Wilfred L
Yeah.
Danielle Fishel
At least they were playing tennis.
Wilfred L
Eric storyline. I'm happy they. They wrapped up the Eric.
Danielle Fishel
Wow.
Wilfred L
Yeah.
Ryder Strong
So you just. Just am fat and fat.
Danielle Fishel
He ate more pizza and ate more pizza.
Wilfred L
Shove in more food. Get your joke, baby. Light yourself on fire to keep everybody else warm. That's how it works.
Danielle Fishel
It was the very like most disappointing part of this episode for me. It's just.
Wilfred L
It would have been nice to give Eric something than just being the fat joke. Cuz being the fat joke is fine if at the end it leads to something. But it didn't. It didn't.
Danielle Fishel
No.
Wilfred L
He's just a fat joke.
Ryder Strong
Yeah. It comes full circle for Topanga for sure.
Wilfred L
In kind of a nice way too. Yeah. And it was a. It was overall a good funny episode. It just. They really left Eric hanging.
Danielle Fishel
Yeah. Yeah, yeah. You weren't really your feelings at all. Were not. Were just not considered period. Well, I hope you get into trauma therapy. We should do. We should do group. We should do group.
Wilfred L
Get into group. That. What do you think this is?
Danielle Fishel
Yeah, exactly.
Ryder Strong
World has been.
Wilfred L
It's just group trauma therapy.
Danielle Fishel
So trauma combination of celebrations and trauma therapy.
Wilfred L
Welcome to pod meets world.
Danielle Fishel
Join us for our next episode recap, which is season seven, episode 18, how Cory and Topanga Got Their Groove Back. We need our groove back already.
Ryder Strong
Yeah.
Danielle Fishel
It aired March 17, 2000. Thank you all for joining us for this episode of Pod Meets World. As always, you can follow us on Instagram Pod Meets World show. You can send us your emails podmeatsworldshowmail.com and and we've got Merch.
Wilfred L
Danielle I think I speak for the world when I say you're not fat, you're hot merch.
Danielle Fishel
Pod meets world show.com writer send us out.
Ryder Strong
We love you all. Pod Dismissed. Pod Meets World is an iHeart podcast produced and hosted by Danielle Fishel, Wilfred L and Ryder Strong, executive producers Jensen Karp and Amy Sugarman, executive in charge of production Danielle Romo, producer and editor Tara Sugbash, producer Matty Moore, engineer and Boy Meets World superban Easton Allen. Our theme song is by Kyle Morton of Typhoon. Follow us on Instagram odmeatsworld show or email us at podmeatsworldshowmail.com
Radhi Deblokia (advertisement voice)
this is Radhi Deblokia from a really Good Cry. I absolutely love being outdoors, even if it's just stepping outside for a bit of fresh air between meals or taking a mindful walk to clear my head. But the one thing that can really ruin that is when my feet feel cramped in my shoes. So I switched to ultra running and honestly, it makes such a difference. What I love most is their signature ultra Fit, Comfort, balance, strength. They have this roomy toe box that lets my toes actually spread and move naturally. So I really appreciate that and I feel more grounded and balanced with every single step. It's like my feet can finally do their job using all those little muscles that make me feel stronger the more I move. Whether you are a marathon runner, beginner or advanced, or just getting outside to train, Altras have become my go to for running and moving mindfully. They fit so well, they're so comfortable, and they just move with you. Shop now@altrarunning.com and use my code CRY10 for 10% off. That's a L T R-A running.com experience Altra and stay out there.
Ryder Strong
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Danielle Fishel
Hot Take. You can disagree with someone and not hate them. I know really groundbreaking stuff, but lately that line seems blurry because hate is rising across communities in all kinds of ways, and Jewish communities are getting a lot of it right now. You don't have to agree with people, you just have to not be awful. The blue square is a simple way to say, I'm with you, and I don't tolerate hate of any kind. Go to bluesquarealliance.org, get a pin, share it and stand. Stand up. This is Sophia Donner from OK Storytime this Summer. Find your next obsession on Prime Video and listen. We're not saying you need another obsession, but there could be a lot worse ones. Steamy romance, addictive love stories, and the book to screen favorites you've already read twice, so why not watch them a third time off campus? L the Love Hypothesis and more Slow Burns Second Chances chemistry you can feel through the screen, and it makes you wish you were actually in that movie. We've got bingeworthy Series Series.
Ryder Strong
Can't miss movies. Perfect for when you're ignoring your own
Danielle Fishel
problems or procrastinating as one does. Your next obsession is waiting. Watch only on Prime. This is an I Heart podcast.
Cindy Crawford (advertisement voice)
Guaranteed human.
Episode 717 “She’s Having My Baby Back Ribs” PART 2
Published: May 7, 2026
This episode of Pod Meets World features Danielle Fishel, Will Friedle, and Rider Strong rewatching and breaking down the infamous "Boy Meets World" episode “She’s Having My Baby Back Ribs” (Part 2). The hosts provide a scene-by-scene recap, discuss its handling of weight, body image, and personal insecurities, and reflect on what it was like performing material that directly addressed their own bodies. Through laughter and vulnerability, the trio offers a raw, behind-the-scenes look at an episode that has sparked much conversation among fans and cast alike.
Throughout, the tone is honest and comedic, blending fond nostalgia with sharp, sometimes painful, self-awareness. The hosts are unafraid to critique what didn’t work, interrogate industry standards of the 1990s, and share their own vulnerability for the benefit of fans and future creators.
This unflinching discussion of “She’s Having My Baby Back Ribs” pulls back the curtain on a “Boy Meets World” episode that’s as cringeworthy as it is memorable. The hosts tackle weight, image, and sitcom stereotypes with wit and candor, uncovering both the humor and harm that shaped their experience as young actors. It’s a must-listen for fans seeking a deeper, more honest perspective on the reality behind the beloved series.