The Bechdel Cast


The Bechdel Cast is a weekly podcast about the representation of women in film. The Bechdel Cast is hosted by Los Angeles-based comedians Caitlin Durante and Jamie Loftus.
In November 2016 The Bechdel Cast released their introductory episode titled "Welcome to The Bechdel Cast!" Their first episode was on the film with guest Zach Sherwin.
The show is broadcast on the HowStuffWorks Network. Episodes are available on iTunes, Stitcher Radio, SoundCloud, and Spotify. Select episodes are released to supporters on the crowdfunding platform Patreon twice a month.

Premise

The name of the podcast derives from cartoonist Alison Bechdel, who developed the concept of the Bechdel test. The test investigates whether or not a work includes at least two women conversing about a topic other than a man. Sometimes a requirement that the two women must have names is added, which is a rule the podcast adheres to. For the purposes of the show, the exchange only needs to be two lines of dialogue. A commonality of many movies that pass are that often only this minimum is reached typically by an inconsequential conversation or one in which the two lines are nested within a larger conversation that is about men.
The hosts often discuss the limitations of the Bechdel Test and, despite using it as their namesake, primarily employ it to initiate a larger discussion about the depiction and uses of female-identifying characters in film.
They occasionally reference and utilize similar tests of representation, such as the Vito Russo test, the DuVernay Test, and the Mako Mori Test.

Format and structure

The podcast is informally comedic, and formatted in an improvisational style. They frequently mention supplemental running jokes, such as Loftus' obsession with actor Alfred Molina, and Durante's reminder of her Master's Degree in Screenwriting from Boston University.
The hosts begin by introducing their guest, often a comedian, actor, or other media personality. Durante then briefly recaps the film at the top of the episode with interjection from Loftus and the guest. This is followed by analyzing and discussing the representation of women through an intersectional lens, alternating in tone between serious and jocular.
At the end of each episode they determine whether or not the film passes the Bechdel test, as well as rate it on a "nipple scale" from 0 to 5 nipples based on how female-identifying characters are portrayed overall.
Episodes typically range from 45 minutes to 80 minutes, and are released once a week on Thursdays and twice a month on Patreon. Most episodes are recorded in the HowStuffWorks studio in Los Angeles. Within the past year they have begun touring and performing for studio audiences as The Bechdel Cast, which include live episodes such as "The Notebook with Caitlin Gill" and "Edward Scissorhands with Maggie Mae Fish".

Hosts

is a comedian and producer. She was the program producer for the Nerdmelt Showroom comedy venue at Meltdown Comics in Los Angeles from early 2015 until it closed in April 2018. She is also a scriptwriter and story analyst, and frequently offers writing workshops in Los Angeles and Boston.
Jamie Loftus is a sketch writer, animator, and actor. Her comedic style can best be described as alternative comedy, with absurd pieces such as her one-woman show "I Lost My Virginity August 15, 2010" and her attempt to raise money for Planned Parenthood by selling Shrek nudes. She has also written and starred in video content for media sites Adult Swim, Comedy Central, Paste, and Super Deluxe.

Episodes

Episode #Date airedTitle
1October 12, 2017Get Out with Rae Sanni
2October 27, 2017Things We Learned in the First Year of the Bechdel Cast
3November 13, 2017Superbad
4November 25, 2017The Muppet Christmas Carol
5December 18, 2017How the Grinch Stole Christmas
6December 30, 2017Legally Blonde
7January 15, 2018Ghostbusters
8January 29, 2018Ghostbusters
9February 13, 2018I, Tonya
10February 26, 2018The Disaster Artist
11March 13, 2018Q&A with Jamie and Caitlin
12March 31, 2018Chocolat
13April 9, 2018Juno
14April 14, 2018Titanic
15May 13, 2018The Parent Trap
16May 28, 2018The Big Lebowski
17June 17, 2018Back to the Future with Kenice Mobley
18June 30, 2018Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
19July 16, 2018Incredibles 2
20July 30, 2018The Legend of Billie Jean
21August 18, 2018Doubt
22August 31, 2018Hackers
23September 14, 2018Q&A with Jamie and Caitlin
24September 28, 2018Teeth
25October 12, 2018The Babadook
26October 31, 2018Halloweentown
27November 8, 2018The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
28November 26, 2018Hard Candy
29December 10, 2018A Christmas Prince
30December 24, 2018The Princess Switch
31January 14, 2019Dumplin'
32January 28, 2019Drop Dead Gorgeous
33February 11, 2019Titanic: Sunk and Drunk
34February 24, 2019Titanic Audio Commentary: Part 1 & 2
35March 11, 2019High School Musical
36March 30, 201917 Again
37April 15, 2019Garden State
38April 29, 2019Annihilation
39May 17, 2019
40May 31, 2019Who Framed Roger Rabbit
41June 14, 2019Knocked Up
42June 26, 2019Obvious Child
43July 9, 2019American Pie
44July 29, 2019American Psycho
45August 18, 2019Freaky Friday
46August 30, 2019Jennifer's Body
47September 16, 2019Maid in Manhattan with Vanessa Gritton
48September 30, 2019The Wedding Planner Part 1 & 2
49October 14, 2019Death Becomes Her
50October 28, 2019Coraline
51November 11, 20199 to 5 with Sophie Lichterman
52November 27, 2019Working Girl with Maja Orsic
53December 10, 2019Jack Frost
54December 22, 2019
55January 13, 2020Someone Great
56January 27, 2020The Kissing Booth with Jacob Elordi
57February 7, 2020Oscar Coverage 2019
58February 24, 2020The Favourite with Iszi Lawrence
59March 15, 2020The Witches of Eastwick Part 1 & 2
60March 30, 2020Moonstruck
61April 13, 2020Bridesmaids
62April 27, 2020The Hangover
63May 17, 2020Shaun of the Dead
64May 28, 2020Monty Python and the Holy Grail
65June 15, 2020Blockers
66June 29, 2020Eighth Grade