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PODCAST

Love at First Screening

Chelsea Ciccone & Madison Hill

An examination of classic tropes and iconic characters pits connoisseur against cynic—one romantic comedy at a time. The cinematic world of love and laughter had rom-com enthusiast Madison head over heels from the time Harry met Sally. For genre skeptic Chelsea, however, it’s been a grueling enemies-to-lovers plot. In Love at First Screening, Madison introduces Chelsea to all the fan-favorite love stories she’s never wanted to watch. One friend’s passion might be the other’s displeasure, but doesn’t

tv & film film reviews

All Episodes

01:06:45

Orphans Need Therapy, Women Need Friends (No...

Love at First Screening ·

2024/04/24

This week, our hosts request a table for two to discuss No Reservations (2007), starring Catherine Zeta-Jones, Aaron Eckhart, and Abigail Breslin. It's a classic tale of wacky, opera-singing guy tries to worm his way into the heart of frigid chef who has recently suffered the loss of her sister and gained custody of her niece. Madison admits this pick doesn't serve a traditional rom com, and Chelsea wonders if there weren't too many plotlines in this kitchen? The duo both agree, however,

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01:15:41

David Tennant Fan Club (The Decoy Bride)

Love at First Screening ·

2024/04/17

Join our hosts on the wee Scottish Isle of Hegg (or, rather, the Isle of Mann, masquerading as Scotland if we are being honest about our filming locations) as they review Chelsea's pick: The Decoy Bride. Madison is baffled, yet delighted, at Chelsea's appreciation of the movie and both uncover the real reason why this movie works so well: David Tennant. Sure, the dialogue is witty and the accents and scenery are great, but the cast of the movie is really what elevates it to a height like

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01:10:02

Perfectly Palatable Heterosexuals (Must Love Dogs)

Love at First Screening ·

2024/04/10

This week, answering an online dating ad takes our hosts on a walk to the dog park in Must Love Dogs (2005), starring Diane Lane and John Cusack. Much to Madison's surprise, Chelsea seemed to enjoy this flick, and even more shocking, she didn't request a queer rewrite! (Although, it absolutely needed more dogs!) Featuring cameos from Dermot Mulroney, Stockard Channing, and Madison's sexual awakening, Christopher Plummer (who tore apart no fascist icons but was charming nonetheless), this

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01:08:11

"It Should've Been Gay" (Runaway Bride)

Love at First Screening ·

2024/04/03

On this episode of Love at First Screening, Chelsea and Mads bring back the classic duo of Julia Roberts and Richard Gere with Runaway Bride (1999). Chelsea promises that while every movie would be made better if only if were gay, this movie would truly make more sense if that were the case. Madison looks at concepts of codependency through the metaphor of how Julia Roberts' character likes her eggs. Ultimately, we are just proud to say that Richard Gere doesn't come across as a stale

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01:01:07

Rage Eating Ice Cream in Greece (My Life in Ruins)

Love at First Screening ·

2024/03/27

This week it's cynic's choice, and Chelsea's pick, My Life in Ruins (2009), has sent Madison straight to the freezer for the only two men who can't disappoint her, Ben and Jerry. Hop on the tour bus alongside some unforgettable characters exploring Greece...amid their day drinking, dad jokes, shoplifting, and syrup monologues. This comedy-fueled rom-com is no gay pirate romp, but it's got plenty of kefi (and one smoking hot werewolf, I mean bus driver)!Connect With Us Instagram:

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01:11:23

Shooting Our Shot (Love & Basketball)

Love at First Screening ·

2024/03/20

Calling all sports fans– since that obviously encompasses our primary demographic. This week, Chelsea and Mads watched Love & Basketball (2000), starring Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan. Right out the gate, this sports “rom-dram” is pretty much guaranteed to fail the romantic comedy test– but then why is it always featured on the must-watch rom-com lists? Listen as our hosts explore this and more as they break down the ins and outs of this cult classic. In a not shocking turn of events, Chelsea

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01:09:14

All About That Time Loop (Palm Springs)

Love at First Screening ·

2024/03/13

Interpersonal relationships all have their hurdles...like your run-of-the-mill Groundhog Day-style time foolery, for instance. In this episode of Love at First Screening, our hosts try to wrap their minds around Palm Springs (2020), or perhaps a better title would have been The Hot Girls' Guide to Mathemagics. Have Chelsea and Madison finally cracked the Happily Ever After code to their romantic comedy analysis? It's a film that may not tick all the rom-com boxes, but your dad will probably

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01:09:38

Golly Gosh, What An Underwhelming Start (Your Place...

Love at First Screening ·

2024/03/06

Welcome, one and all, to season 4! Did you think we would make it this far? Our cohosts welcome back you back to the fold with a 2023 rom-com Your Place or Mine featuring Reese Witherspoon, Ashton Kutcher, and Tig Notaro’s ever-present and massive cup of coffee. This film may or may not be a rom-com, but Mads is holding strong either way to offering up a poor start to the season in terms of her movie choices. Can Chelsea persist under these conditions? Find out!Connect With Us Instagram:

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01:46:48

Boyfriend Material/Husband Material: A LAFS Book Review

Love at First Screening ·

2024/02/14

If you have been holding your breath all season in anticipation for our first book club episode, it’s time to exhale (and perhaps seek medical attention since it’s been a long time coming). In a deep conversation of relationship dynamics, marriage practices, and queer dignity expansion, our hosts break down Alexis Hall’s Boyfriend Material and Husband Material. The conversation gets surprisingly vulnerable, especially for a chat about one of the funniest sets of romantic comedies written in the

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01:46:54

Bangin' and Bucks Ain't Your Business

Love at First Screening ·

2024/01/17

In the final episode of their special “Rom Com Road-Trip” series, Madison invites everyone to join her corn cult while Chelsea spins a sapphic tale fit for the new year: Two suburban households, both alike in WASPy sensibility, and their queer middle children on the precipice of tearing their mothers' New Year's letters to shreds is where we lay our scene. These gays do nothing but gab, and our leading ladies (Dianna Agron and Daisy Ridley) may just kick the infamous rom-com miscommunication

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01:31:24

Halloween On Christmas Eve

Love at First Screening ·

2023/12/20

In this Christmas-spirited episode of their special “Rom Com Road-Trip” series, our hosts have been blessed with a visit from someone at the top of Santa's nice list: Caroline Bourke (@carrottlime on TikTok and @carolinekbourke on Instagram). With a story inspired by Anna Vaus's song, "Halloween on Christmas Eve" the LAFS team takes Caroline on a magical sleigh ride of Christmas magic, dive bars, and accidental love with the star of your 17-year-old dreams. While honesty is always

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01:31:47

Gay Pirates (Enemies to Lovers)

Love at First Screening ·

2023/11/22

In this episode of their special “Rom Com Road-Trip” series, Madison gives the people (Chelsea) what they (she) wants: enemies-to-lovers gay pirates. It’s got everything, from rival pirates-in-training to creepy mermaid things that are inspired by angler fish. We could tell you more, but honestly you’ve just got to check it out. Starring our hottest cast yet with Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Annabelle, Jodie Comer as Dana, and Cate Blanchett as Bonny Betty, what more could you want?Connect With Us -

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01:24:09

Hozier's Hocus Pocus Himbo Heist (Paranormal Romance)

Love at First Screening ·

2023/11/15

In this episode of their special “Rom Com Road-Trip” series, Chelsea loads Madison onto her broomstick for an enchanting ride with a little bit of hocus and a little bit of pocus. One drunken night has unintended consequences for asexual adult-toy-store-manager protagonist (Merritt Wever) when a love spell conjures a work of art (Pedro Pascal). Witches, vampires, and were-panthers? Oh my! Better grab a bloody Capri-Sun and strap in. Connect With Us - Instagram:

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01:06:09

Is the Kama Sutra a Tax Write Off? (Over 55 Romance)

Love at First Screening ·

2023/11/08

In this episode of their special “Rom Com Road-Trip” series, Madison takes Chelsea to a cult-- wait... no. Not a cult. I swear, it's really not a cult. It's just a co-op living community. Together, wearing jewel-toned linen outfits, Madison reveals an over 55 romance to Chelsea in an attempt to make up for forcing her to watch that one Diane Keaton movie (you know the one). Your husband may die, but your opportunities for love with a hot lumberjack don't have to. Starring our Lord and

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01:28:40

Misguided Proposals Make a Big Splash (The Bet)

Love at First Screening ·

2023/11/01

In this episode of their special “Rom Com Road-Trip” series, Chelsea and Madison take a lakeside vacation with a family that's not too thrilled about their granddaughter's recent engagement. Starring Hailee Steinfeld and Ruby Barker, our hosts endure meddling rich folks, kayaking mishaps, and a non-consensual, fireside guitar solo or two. It's a tense gathering, but hey, they're just along for the ride. Connect With Us - Instagram:

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01:24:27

Invite Chelsea to Your Failed Wedding (Drunken...

Love at First Screening ·

2023/10/25

In this episode of their special “Rom Com Road-Trip” series, Madison goes with the spirit of the topic and shows up a little less than sober... Don't worry, the whole driving part of this is only metaphorical and she somehow ends up putting this story together more coherently than she has told others in the past. In order to fulfill Chelsea's request of drunken wedding shenanigans, Madison presents a story of a professional bridesmaid-for-hire, a reluctant bride, and a gut-wrenching one

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01:21:02

Overthrowing a Magical Mafia, It's the Perfect Date...

Love at First Screening ·

2023/10/18

In this episode of their special “Rom Com Road-Trip” series, Chelsea has a lot to say about ambiguously fruit-flavored toaster pastries. Oh, but don't worry, she definitely gets around to telling a story at some point (even if she does get lost in the spooky potential and forgets the Com for this Rom). A witch on the run from her ex-boyfriend and a magical mafia reunites unexpectedly with her estranged sister and her college girlfriend in this seasonal second-chance romance starring Madelaine

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01:11:19

$1000 Hot Dogs and Cher Drag (Marriage of Convenience)

Love at First Screening ·

2023/10/11

In this episode of their special “Rom Com Road-Trip” series, Madison takes Chelsea on possibly the most banal trip yet. Like, seriously all we saw was corn and then Madison started ranting about hornworms? Not her finest work, but if you are into that kind of thing, she does tell a semi-decent tale of a marriage of convenience. Starring Kat Graham and an alarming number of male characters--seriously Mads, it's called the Bechdel test-- LAFSters can look forward to one night stands with

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01:28:38

Real Heroes Quit (Secret Rock Star)

Love at First Screening ·

2023/10/04

In this episode of their special “Rom Com Road-Trip” series, Chelsea's the designated driver on a trip where things are shaken, stirred, and on the rocks for the guitarist of a queer rock band quickly rising to stardom, who's on vacation in Stanley Tucci's favorite mountain town: Smashville. Starring Ariana DeBose and Kristen Stewart, LAFSters can look forward to adorable house goats, tabloid scandals, and Madison's foolproof advice for navigating awkward situations: Flee the country

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01:10:12

Secret Oil Barons??? (Grumpy/Sunshine)

Love at First Screening ·

2023/09/27

In this episode of their special “Rom Com Road-Trip” series, Madison invites Chelsea to ride to an unknown town to a romance bookstore where love is brewing alongside the oatmilk lattes. Of course, it can't always be easy to be vulnerable and open yourself up to something amazing. Starring Jamie Clayton and Raymond Ablack, it's a classic feel-good will they, won't they that'll have you wishing that you, too, were a secret oil baron. Connect With Us - Instagram:

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