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In this episode, host Manika welcomes TikTok creator and pop culture commentator Naja (@nawjuhh) to kick off a deep-dive into the chaotic legacy of TV mastermind Ryan Murphy. But first, they open with Media Mania, covering AMC’s push to reinstate the 45-day theatrical window, Fatima Hassuna’s tragic death and the responsibility of film creators in times of conflict, and the internet’s uneasy reaction to the war-glorifying press tour for Warfare.

Manika and Naja also share their love for the communal moviegoing experience, their gripes with early streaming drops, and the cultural rot of press junkets built for stan Twitter rather than substance.

Then, the conversation turns to Ryan Murphy, the prolific (and polarizing) creator behind shows like Glee, Nip/Tuck, Pose, and American Horror Story. Manika and Naja revisit Glee as both cultural phenomenon and fever dream—from underwritten storylines and wasted potential (justice for Mercedes) to Rachel Berry’s unchecked ego and the show’s chaotic relationship with continuity. They also explore Murphy’s patterns as a writer—big on spectacle, thin on follow-through—and the industry dynamics that allowed his empire to flourish despite criticism.

Throughout, they reflect on the complicated grief around the deaths of multiple Glee cast members and the parasocial intensity that followed. It’s a sharp, candid, and emotionally grounded conversation about pop culture, memory, and how we hold space for media that shaped us—even when it doesn’t hold up.

Naja's SocialsTiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@nawjuhhTwitter https://x.com/nawjuhhManika's SocialsYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1CmokqeLIagz7nYQJfeRIwTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manika3000?is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1Podcast SocialsYouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ivebeenmeaningtowatchthatp2316Twitter: https://twitter.com/BeenMeaning2PodTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ivebeenmeaning2podFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ive-Been-Meaning-To-Watch-That-113280083760521/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivebeenmeaning2/Thank you so much for listening to the podcast. We really appreciate it. If you would like to support the podcast, you can subscribe for 4.99 a month. https://anchor.fm/ivebeenmeaningtowatchthat/support