Mousterpiece Melodies

Mousterpiece Melodies -- Episode 20: The Aristocats

Hello, friends! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Melodies, as Scott and Josh are joined by special guest Noel Murray to talk about the coolest cats in France, specifically The Aristocats, the 1970 animated film that boasted a handful of songs, with only one of them featuring any jaw-dropping old-school racism. Yes, it's true, this film's songs may not have the best music of old-school Disney, but the quality of those songs leads to a discussion about all things questionable content, ex-Senator Fred Grandy, "schwingers", and more. Check it out now!

Mousterpiece Melodies -- Episode 19: Fun and Fancy Free

Hello, friends! It's time for a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Melodies. This week, Scott and Josh aren't just guest-free, they're feeling Fun and Fancy Free, because that just so happens to be the name of the movie they're discussing this week. They talk about the many songs of this 1947 package film, how some of those songs may not hold up to modern scrutiny and mores, and whether or not Edgar Bergen was ever an actually good ventriloquist. Check it out now!

Mousterpiece Melodies -- Episode 18: Encanto

Hey, friends! It's a new year, and there are still plenty of movies for Josh and Scott to discuss on Mousterpiece Melodies. In the first new episode of 2026, they're joined by the podcast's first returning guest, Odie Henderson of the Boston Globe, to talk about the songs of the 2021 cinematic sensation Encanto. It's time, yes, to once more talk about Lin-Manuel Miranda. It's time to talk about the family Madrigal. And yes, it's time to talk about Bruno-no-no-no. As your hosts (including Josh, who sounds inexplicably like he's at the bottom of a well, unfortunately) and guest talk about the songs, the film's Oscar-song flop (and Josh butchers its pronunciation), and more, sit back and enjoy!

Mousterpiece Melodies -- Episode 17: The Princess and the Frog

Hello, friends! We're going out on a high note in 2025 with a brand-new episode of Mousterpiece Melodies. Scott and Josh dive into the world of the Big Easy in this installment, as they discuss the songs of the 2009 animated classic The Princess and the Frog. Your hosts are joined by TV critic and author Alan Sepinwall to discuss the Randy  Newman songs that tell the story of a young woman named Tiana who's almost there to making her culinary dreams come true before a shadow man's magic turns her into a frog. Is it possible that Josh is unwilling to be negative for once? It just might be as we discuss this film's many charming songs, so get ready to download the show and find out!

Mousterpiece Melodies -- Episode 16: The Muppet Christmas Carol

Hello, friends, and happy holidays! It is a special time of caring, as you know, and what better way for Josh and Scott to celebrate than by discussing the songs of the 1992 Disney film The Muppet Christmas Carol on a new episode of Mousterpiece Melodies? Scott and Josh are joined by Vulture TV critic Roxana Hadadi to talk about this film's songs and whether or not they may be - gasp! - a little less impressive than hoped in spite of this film's passionate fanbase. Is this movie not Muppety enough? Does it have the right Christmas spirit? Is Michael Caine's singing as good as Russell Crowe's in Les Miz? Is...Crowe's singing good at all? You'll have to listen to find out!

Mousterpiece Melodies -- Episode 15: The Little Mermaid

Hello, friends! As we ramp up to the Thanksgiving holiday, it's no better time than to get away from the craziness of the human world and head under the sea. That's where Scott and Josh are headed on a new episode of Mousterpiece Melodies, as they talk about the songs of the 1989 Disney animated classic The Little Mermaid. As they discuss the film that kickstarted Disney's massive animated successes in the 1990s, is it possible that they'll have any harsh words for the songs at that film's core? Or are at least half of this film's songs stone-cold classics? And what of the songs from the recent remake? Take a listen to find out!

Mousterpiece Melodies -- Episode 14: Dick Tracy

Stick 'em up! OK, but seriously, we hope you're in a mood to head back to a simpler, and yet more dangerous, time in popular culture, back when mobsters and cops fought it out in the streets of the big city. In this episode of Mousterpiece Melodies, Scott and Josh are talking about the songs of the 1990 film Dick Tracy, directed by and starring Warren Beatty as the eponymous lawman. Your hosts are joined by another Scott, Scott Mendelson of Puck News and The Outside Scoop. Because yes, in case you forgot, there are a handful of Stephen Sondheim songs written specifically for this movie, many of which are performed by Madonna at the height of her fame. Does the music hold up? Should Beatty have cast someone else as the eponymous detective? Does (co-host) Scott have a slightly hard time watching one of this film's many, many, many cast members? Well, you'll have to listen to find out!

Mousterpiece Melodies -- Episode 13: Mary Poppins

Hey, folks! As we fully move into the fall, the winds are blowing a certain mysterious way, at least in the neck of the woods of the fair podcast Mousterpiece Melodies. Could it be that the practically perfect nanny Mary Poppins is here? Indeed -- on this week's epic-length episode, Josh and Scott talk about the 16 songs of the 1964 classic film about the enigmatic and charming nanny and the Banks family, whose lives are forever changed by her magic. Are there any songs here that could be removed? Should the song that won the Best Original Song Oscar have even been nominated? And how does a certain animated family from Springfield factor in? Well, you'll have to listen to the show to find out!

Mousterpiece Melodies -- Episode 12: Cinderella

Hey, friends! We're b-b-b-b-b-back! Scott and Josh are back in action, podcasting once more as a new season of Mousterpiece Melodies begins. This time around, they're moving up in the history of princess films from the original Snow White and this time covering the songs of the 1950 classic Cinderella instead. After briefly explaining why their hiatus took a little longer than usual, Scott and Josh dive into the film's original songs, its lovely lead singer, some dubious sidekick voices, and even more dubious covers. Check out the new show now!

Mousterpiece Melodies - Episode 11: Tangled

Hey, friends! Do you have a dream of listening to a new episode of Mousterpiece Melodies? Well, you can see the light (on your smartphone or wherever you're listening to this) of that dream come true...because it is indeed time for a new episode, and the first-season finale, of Mousterpiece Melodies! This time, Scott and Josh are joined by freelance critic Matt Goldberg to talk about the songs of the 2010 film Tangled, as they all let down their hair to get into a bit of a spirited debate about this whole film as well as its songs. Is this the best Disney musical of the 21st century? Does it have too few characters? Are you going to be able to wait for new episodes of the show until later this fall? Listen to find out and prepare for that brief hiatus!