Surely You Can't Be Serious Podcast

This week, Jason and Dee of the Surely You Can’t Be Serious podcast welcome a true legend—actor Robert Hays, the man who first delivered the immortal line that inspired the very name of the show: “Surely you can’t be serious.

”In Episode 1 of this special two-part conversation, Robert sits down with the guys to reflect on his journey from early family life to breaking into Hollywood, sharing stories from the formative years that shaped both his career and his outlook on the industry. From there, the conversation dives into his early television appearances on classics like The Rockford Files, Laverne & Shirley, and Wonder Woman—roles that helped pave the way for bigger opportunities.

Of course, no conversation with Robert Hays would be complete without a deep dive into Airplane!. The guys explore his experiences making one of the most beloved comedies of all time, from behind-the-scenes moments to the film’s lasting impact on pop culture—and on this very podcast.

And just when you think the episode is winding down, an unexpected surprise guest crashes the conversation in a moment you absolutely won’t want to miss.

Fasten your seatbelts—this is only Part 1.

Jason and Dee wrap up their 3-part deep dive into the albums of 1981 with a look at one of the decade’s most hit-packed records — Private Eyes by Hall & Oates.

In this final installment, the guys go track-by-track through the album, breaking down everything from the irresistible hooks of “Private Eyes” and “I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do)” to the deeper cuts that helped define the duo’s signature sound. Along the way, they uncover the stories behind the songs, the songwriting dynamics between Daryl Hall and John Oates, and how this album became a blueprint for pop success in the early 80s.

But the conversation goes beyond the grooves.

Jason and Dee explore the band’s massive pop culture impact, including their role in shaping the sound of the decade and their heavy rotation during the early days of MTV — when music videos were redefining how audiences connected with artists. They also take a deeper look at the rise of Hall & Oates, from struggling hitmakers to chart-dominating superstars, and the eventual decline that brought an end to their era of dominance.

Finally, the guys bring it all home by ranking the three albums from 1981 they’ve covered in this series:
Freeze Frame – J. Geils Band
Business As Usual – Men at Work
Private Eyes – Hall & Oates
Which album takes the crown as the best of 1981?It’s a fitting finale to a series full of hits, nostalgia, and spirited debate — and a reminder that 1981 might just be one of the greatest years in pop music history.

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/surelypodcast

Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@surelypodcast

Check out our new merch store: https://surely-you-cant-be-serious-merch.myshopify.com/

Jason and Dee are back with Part 2 of their 3-part deep dive into the iconic albums of 1981, and this time they’re joined by special guest James Buckley to break down one of the decade’s most unexpected global smashes — Business As Usual by Men at Work.

Following up Part 1 (Freeze Frame by the J. Geils Band) and leading into Part 3 (Private Eyes by Hall & Oates), the guys dig into how a quirky Australian band stormed the world seemingly overnight. From “Who Can It Be Now?” to “Down Under,” Jason, Dee, and James go track-by-track exploring the songwriting, musicianship, and offbeat charm that made this album a cultural phenomenon.

But the story doesn’t stop at the hits.

The episode also dives into the meteoric rise and sudden fall of Men at Work, examining the pressures of global fame, shifting music trends, and the challenges that followed their early success. Along the way, the guys highlight the enduring artistry and resilience of frontman Colin Hay, whose career continues to evolve long after the band’s chart dominance faded.

Is Business As Usual just a moment-in-time pop artifact, or does it deserve a place among the truly great albums of 1981?

Jason, Dee, and James Buckley are here to find out — with plenty of stories, laughs, and surprising insights along the way.

On this episode of the Surely You Can’t Be Serious Podcast, Jason and Dee travel back to 1981 to break down the breakthrough album Freeze-Frame from Boston’s favorite party band, The J. Geils Band.

Track by track, the guys dive into every song on the album — from the massive MTV-era hits to the underrated deep cuts — exploring the stories behind the music, the evolution of the band’s sound, and how a gritty bar-band suddenly became one of the biggest pop acts in the world. Along the way, Jason and Dee share some of the wild behind-the-scenes tales from the band’s history, especially the unbelievable life intersections of frontman Peter Wolf, a man who crossed paths with so many rock legends he’s been dubbed the “Forrest Gump of Rock ’n’ Roll.”

But success always comes with a price. As the band rocketed to the top of the charts, the pressures of fame, creative differences, and shifting musical direction began to pull the group apart. Jason and Dee examine how the very success of Freeze-Frame ultimately helped lead to the unraveling of the band itself.

This episode kicks off Part 1 of a special three-part series celebrating the albums of 1981 (now celebrating their 45th anniversary). In the coming weeks, the guys will also break down Business as Usual by Men at Work and Private Eyes by Hall & Oates.

Three iconic albums. Three deep dives.
One final judgment — coming after Episode 3. 🎙️

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/surelypodcast

Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@surelypodcast

Check out our new merch store: https://surely-you-cant-be-serious-merch.myshopify.com/

Jason and Dee are back with Jill McCormick and Melissa Mingle for Part 2 of their deep-dive showdown between the final great teen films of John Hughes: Pretty in Pink vs. Some Kind of Wonderful.In this episode, the group turns their full attention to Some Kind of Wonderful, breaking down the unforgettable cast and characters — from Keith (Eric Stoltz) and Amanda Jones (Lea Thompson) to the scene-stealing Watts (Mary Stuart Masterson) and ultimate rich-kid villain Hardy Jenns (Craig Sheffer). The crew looks at performances, character arcs, and why this film often feels like the emotional mirror image of Pretty in Pink.Then it’s time to settle the debates that have been brewing since Part 1:
Which movie delivered the ultimate '80s jerk — Steff or Hardy?
What do we really think about Andie’s prom dress all these years later?
Did Blane actually do enough to earn Andie’s forgiveness?
Does Keith end up with the right girl?
Finally, after two episodes of stories, nostalgia, and spirited debate, Jason, Dee, Jill, and Melissa each deliver their final judgment, crowning the definitive winner between two beloved Hughes-era classics.One movie gets the love. One movie gets left standing outside the prom.

The verdict is finally in.

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/surelypodcast

Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@surelypodcast

Check out our new merch store: https://surely-you-cant-be-serious-merch.myshopify.com/