American Splendorscene #21 (53:50 to 56:33) — Harvey, Joyce, and Toby emerge from a screening of Revenge of the Nerds. Joyce finds it inspiring — Harvey finds it insipid. Back at their apartment, Joyce struggles with feeling at home amidst all of Harvey’s stuff. Special guest: pop culture writer Whitney Matheson!

The pros & cons of Revenge of the Nerds. The first time Whitney met Harvey. Diagnosing vs. judging. Which movie characters did you identify with as a kid? The many movies of European director “Ray Dedarr.” Moving in to someone else’s life.

Shout-outs to the DSM-III, the comedic talents of Hope Davis, Harvey Pekar's Macedonia, USA Today's "Pop Candy," and weird girls.