Tread Perilously is a podcast in which hosts Erik Amaya and author Justin Robinson watch the “worst” episodes of popular TV shows, attempting to determine if they would continue to watch the series based on the most off-key moments.

This Week: Desperate Lives

Tread Perilously‘s month of reactionary PSA television concludes with the two-part episode of What’s Happening!! called “Doobie or Not Doobie.”

When Rerun fails to obtain tickets to a Doobie Brothers concert at the high school, he runs into a man offering him three front-row tickets in exchange for recording the show. Initially excited, he gets cold feet when Raj interviews the band and learns of the evils in bootleg recordings. Unfortunately, his concerns are of no concern to the bootlegers, who threaten violence if he doesn’t follow through and tape the performance. Will the power of Michael McDonald save Rerun, Raj, and Dwayne?

Justin comes up with an interesting take on Rerun. Erik discusses the prevalence of “fat humor” in the series. The use of the term “soda shop” leads to a discussion of teen hangouts across the 20th Century. Erik recalls the strange truth of high school gyms as rock venues. The Michael McDonald voice makes a special appearance. His fashion choices get critiqued, as do those of the rest of the band. Micheal Douglas’ infamous humblebrag gets dissected. Raj’s sister Dee proves to be a sorceress with her dry delivery, and What’s Happening!!‘s “next time on” segment proves surprisingly long. But will Justin’s heart be open to the message of the Doobie Brothers?

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