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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

01:38:08

Keep Bleeding Love (Heart Eyes)

Love at First Screening ·

2025/10/25

There’s a chill in the air, like a shiver down your spine. Something wicked (Heart Eyes, 2025) this way comes and it isn’t only the creepy time of year. Don’t look behind you, keep away from that spooky closet, and whatever you do, don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day with the Heart Eyes Killer on the loose. This week, our hosts venture into the unknown of slasher flicks– but don’t worry, love is never far away. We’ve been known to watch films that fall short of the romantic comedy genre, but this one

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01:29:08

Electrified Boy Toys and Dismembered Genitalia (Lisa...

Love at First Screening ·

2025/10/09

This week, our cohosts turn the dial to "max bronze", giving a real jolt to this spooky season as they discuss Lisa Frankenstein (2024), directed by Zelda Williams and written by Diablo Cody. Chelsea and Madison love an unnamed creature who doesn't speak, and wish some critics, who condemned the film for stitching together too many genres, had taken note. Starring Kathryn Newton, Cole Sprouse, Liza Soberano, and Carl Gugino, they hypothesize this one's destined to be a cult classic

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01:11:01

A Spirited Love Story (Just Like Heaven)

Love at First Screening ·

2025/09/25

Okay, picture me this: you're a resident-- wait no, now attending-- physician run off her feet and your sister insists you come to dinner at her house for a blind date. On your way, you get in a wreck that leaves you in a coma, but he was going to ghost you anyway. What do you do, but one up him and literally ghost him. Hot girl shit. Anyway, that's the plot of 2005's Just Like Heaven with Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo. They only have so long to see if they can bring Elizabeth back

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01:27:29

Why Another Jane Austen Adaptation? (Emma)

Love at First Screening ·

2025/09/11

In the season seven premiere, our hosts crack open a classic literature adaptation at the request of a LAFSter with Autumn de Wilde's Emma (2020). Madison swoons over this Regency-era friends-to-lovers tale, and Chelsea wonders whether the filmmakers intended to produce such a glaringly gay story. Amidst their appreciation for this movie's humor and memorable performances from Anya Taylor-Joy, Mia Goth, and Bill Nighy, our cohosts investigate what warrants yet another adaptation of a story

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01:45:06

Not Your Average Rom-Com (Save the Date)

Love at First Screening ·

2025/08/07

For your season 6 bonus episode, Chelsea and Madison have dusted off their English degrees and learned how to read (again) to discuss Allison Raskin's debut novel, Save the Date. After Emma's fiancé unexpectedly calls off the engagement, months before the wedding, Emma is left high and dry with a stack of non-refundable wedding deposits. Solution? Save her wedding date and find a new groom! This is certainly not your average rom-com and Madison and Chelsea discuss how it defies tropes and

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01:14:15

You Can't Spell Espionage Without Lesbians (D.E.B.S.)

Love at First Screening ·

2025/07/24

In the season six finale, our hosts are joined by special guest Savannah to discuss the high-camp sapphic spy spoof D.E.B.S. (2004). Listen in as they discuss peak 2000s-era fashion trends, terrible special effects, and the magic of queer camp culture. Starring Amy Foster and Jordana Brewster — with memorable appearances from Holland Taylor, Michael Clarke Duncan, and Jimmi Simpson — this hilarious romp proves that while you should never meet your heroes, you should always meet your supervillains

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01:40:05

Cat Ladies Hate Tom Cruise (Jerry Maguire)

Love at First Screening ·

2025/07/09

The best (worst) episodes always start with a notes app apology from Madison trying to defend her decision to torture herself and Chelsea (and potentially you, dear listener) with a movie no one asked for. This week, our hosts survived watching 1996's "romantic comedy" Jerry Maguire. This movie can't pick a struggle (Tom Cruise, scattered plot, no romance), but by God it can pick a blessing: Regina King. Don't watch the movie, just listen to us discuss it-- you'll thank

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01:13:06

Christian Rock Awkwardness (Saved!)

Love at First Screening ·

2025/06/25

In this week's Cynic's Choice episode, our hosts brave the epic highs and lows of one Christian high school's evangelical battle with teen pregnancy and homosexuality as they discuss the biting satire Saved! (2004). After Chelsea pulls Madison away from a sermon on her personal lord and savior, Julien Baker, the duo launches head on into a discussion of this hilarious comedy's criticism of evangelical Christianity. Connect With UsFollow us on Instagram @loveatfirstscreening or send

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01:07:00

Mads Finally Gets It Right (While You Were Sleeping)

Love at First Screening ·

2025/06/12

This week, Madison reports to us live from the bottom of a well while waiting for Lassie (at least that's what we assume by the horrendous quality of her audio--truly sorry!) to bring Chelsea the fabulous Sandy B flick While You Were Sleeping (1995). Chelsea surprised us all by actually enjoying the quirky movie, finding the found family story heartwarming despite the odd circumstances that create it. Tangents include peeing in the woods, Chelsea's potential serial killer neighbor, and so

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01:22:41

Tomei Saves the Day (Only You)

Love at First Screening ·

2025/05/28

This week, we once again question-- is this movie only fine because of the cast? Marisa Tomei and Robert Downey Jr. save a moderately horrible script for Only You (1994). Listen as our hosts demand justice for Bonnie Hunt, try to remember the infamous name of the film (David? Damon?) and propose ways that this movie could have been changed to make it far more enjoyable. Also, can someone please confirm what happened to the podiatrist? Like, was he ever clued into what happened?Tangents include the

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01:17:07

This Is a Crying Episode, Get Over It (Four Weddings...

Love at First Screening ·

2025/05/14

This week, we hope you have a box of tissues handy, because here come the waterworks and the epic highs and lows of Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994). After a brief contemplation on whether Madison's one-eyed step-cat can wink, our hosts make a mad dash to the chapel alongside a star-studded cast including Hugh Grant, Andie MacDowell, John Hannah, Rowan Atkinson, and even more "Oh, wait, I know them!"-Brits. Between the laughs are genuine tear-jerker moments that lead to another

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01:29:28

Podcastin' in the Rain (Singin' in the Rain)

Love at First Screening ·

2025/05/07

This week our usual and only host, Marissa, graciously invites Chelsea and Madison on to have a thoughtful and intellectual discussion about the 1952 American musical romantic comedy (?) Singin' in the Rain. Marissa guides our guests through the plot, history, and fun facts of this comedic romp, exploring the pitfalls and follies that accompanied the transition from silent films to talkies. Is it a rom com? Ehhhh. Is it a fabulous musical rich with quippy dialogue, catchy tunes, and mindboggling

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01:02:05

A Calculated Inflation Tease (The Wedding Singer)

Love at First Screening ·

2025/04/23

This week, the pod dives into the best Drew Barrymore-Adam Sandler flick of all time, The Wedding Singer (1998). After the show's impromptu hiatus (thank you, LAFSters, for your patience!), has Madison finally picked her first rom com of the season? Either way, Chelsea has a bone to pick with Barrymore and stands firm that Sandler is not the comedic genius Hollywood seems to think he is. Plus both our hosts have questions about the wedding industry, finance bros, and why women settle.Connect

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01:07:36

Birds Are Very Queer (But I'm A Cheerleader)

Love at First Screening ·

2025/03/28

It's Cynic's Choice, baby! Chelsea reminds us all what this podcast is truly about-- romantic comedies and queer love. Listen in as our hosts discuss the high camp of But I'm A Cheerleader. Listen as they discuss gender as a performance, how Natasha Lyonne should never again play a straight character, and how brilliant satire like this handles heavy topics like conversion therapy so deftly.Connect With UsFollow us on Instagram @loveatfirstscreening or send an email to

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01:21:39

This Time Travel Tale Flatlines (Peggy Sue Got Married)

Love at First Screening ·

2025/03/19

This week, our hosts travel back to 1960 after a brief stop at a soon-to-be divorcee's 25-year high school reunion in Peggy Sue Got Married (1986), starring Kathleen Turner and Nicolas Cage. While Chelsea and Madison's conversations about family, second-wave feminism, and meaningful character development remind us that this podcast still has a pulse, our hosts agree the film itself was dead on arrival.Connect With UsFollow us on Instagram @loveatfirstscreening or send an email to

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01:14:34

An Exploration of Grief (Sleepless in Seattle)

Love at First Screening ·

2025/03/12

This week, our hosts take on a well-lauded movie in the romantic (comedy?) genre, Sleepless in Seattle. While Chelsea would have rather watched paint dry, Madison defends the merit of the movie-- even if she doesn't buy into the concept that this movie is romantic, nor comedic. Would this be a thriller with a different lens and music? Does that poor child actor need therapy? Does Tom Hanks? Why did Rita Wilson play his sister in this? Our hosts had so many questions, but landed on one thing: this

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01:04:54

Madison's No-Good Charlatan Premiere (A Knight's Tale)

Love at First Screening ·

2025/03/05

In the season six premiere, our hosts prepare to joust over the not-so-romantic comedy A Knight's Tale (2001). Madison proclaims she has finally broken the season premiere curse, but Chelsea thinks her cohost has tampered with the results. Either way, they both agree that people would wage war for the pleasure of Heath Ledger's smile, and Chaucer has never been more accurately portrayed in film. With a stacked cast including Paul Bettany, Alan Tudyk, not to mention the deadly cheekbones of

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01:20:58

Gal Pals: A Sapphic Rom Com Roadtrip

Love at First Screening ·

2025/02/14

CW: moderately explicit sexual content, drinking, and rom coms that actually involve communication.On this heart-shaped holiday, our hosts invite you to take a drive with them through a nondescript mountain town to a sketchy distillery with three gal pals who take a trip that changes their friendship dynamic forever (possibly for the better). Mads drives Chelsea and you, dear listener, through a tale of unrequited pining, one-bed scenarios, and so much more on this especially sapphic

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01:07:54

Rom Com Respawn: Night at the Museum (2006)

Love at First Screening ·

2025/01/15

In their highly-anticipated Rom Com Respawn bonus episode, our hosts spend the evening with Ben Stiller and a menagerie of animated historical figures as they try to play matchmaker with Night at the Museum (2006). Chelsea supports the efforts of the National Wildlife Research Center to eliminate rabies in raccoons by 2053. Timothée Chalamet joins the ranks of Madison's celebrity nemeses. And amidst other tangents on child stardom, the lost art of the family film, and Delaware's unique license

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01:20:44

Gillian Anderson for Christmas, Please (Kiss Her Once...

Love at First Screening ·

2024/12/18

Get cozy this holiday season with a toasty drink of your choice in a well-loved mug and crack open a feel good rom com. Which one should you read? Obviously one of the best sapphic Christmas novels out there-- Kiss Her Once For Me by Alison Cochrun! Ever since our hosts read this last year, they knew it had to be discussed on the podcast. Now, that dream is reality! Chelsea and Madison discuss themes of honesty, communication, and forgiveness and how these support the romance in this book while also

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94 results

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