In this episode, we boldly plunge into that most terrifying of depths: the critical reception of Ernest. Will Ernest remain an ad forever? Will he ruin Christmas instead of saving it? Is there any redemption for our hero? Join Erin and David as they track the cultural response to Ernest throughout his rollercoaster of an era. In this episode: Pre-o…

But wait, there’s more! In this extra, we’re doubling our offer with additional “Ernest merchandise” discussion—our wish list items, fan-made merch, a rare Ernesto obscurity, and more of that KnoWhutImean News that you’re so jealously fond of. Call now, KnoWhutImean? In this extra: We’re back and in a whole new world! David is directing a documenta…

Be the first one on your block to own "Ernest and Merchandising!" Featuring Erin and David discovering Ernest T-shirts, dishware, cassette tapes, toys, paper goods, and hazardous materials! Buy me, Vern! In this episode: A deep dive into the merchandising of our beloved American icon Life-giving souvenirs like: BIG FUN cup! Taco cup! Far-Go Herbici…

In this extra, our minds grow richer with the Ernest movie pitches of gentle listeners, Ernest's cinema successors continue his peculiar legacy of optimism, we receive a mind-blowing free gift, and much more! In this extra: Dora and the Lost City of Gold (CERTIFIED FRESH) RocketMan = Ernest Spaced Out? The suspiciously-named Fred Z. Randall LOADS o…

We've pored over every Ernest film they ever made—but what about the ones they didn't? Erin, David, and Dan unearth a treasure trove of unmade Ernest pitches, buried deep in an ocean of untapped potential. And the race is on! In this episode: Know the Artist: Interview with Coke Sams (web archive link) Lair of Lost Films blog: Unproduced Ernest Fil…

In this "Analogues" extra, Erin and David pick up a few more Ernest Analogues while discussing life, death, dignity, and legacy. In this extra: Even more Ernest Podcasts! Hey Vern, It’s a Podcast! The Importance of Seeing Ernest Ernest Roulette John Cena, Jackie Chan and Charlie Chaplin Steve Irwin is still great Steve Irwin commercials Pentax Toyo…

In Part 2 of Ernest Analogues, our parade of Ernest's spiritual relatives careens through the 1990s, and crashes into the modern day in an explosion of Mr. Beans, Urkels, Madeas, and many more Worrell correlates. In this episode: In case you missed Part 1. Wallace and Gromit Bulk and Skull Power Play: Rangers Go Shakespearean (article) Larry the Ca…

No one compares to Ernest! And yet, we spent so much time comparing Ernest's cultural counterparts that we need 2 episodes to do it. From the dawn of moving pictures to the 80s, part 1 stirs up a pot of Chaplin, Pee-wee, Bill and Ted, and loads more. In this episode: What is an Ernest Analogue? Can’t we stop talking about Ernest? (No) Charlie Chapl…

We delve deeper into the undeniable chemistry between Ernest and Nurse St. Cloud, and experience the haunting love calls of Ernest in daily life. Also: a listener's tale of young love is Trollo'd, and the first annual Ernest Day finally happens. In this extra: Jim Varney on The Comedy Shop (Hulu link) Ernest Goes to Denmark Trafalgamor on Mystery S…

Light some candles and turn up the Kenny G—Erin, David, and Dan look into their hearts to find Ernest's ultimate love match. In this episode: LOVE From Camp to Army: The Ernest Date-ability Index A hard look at every Ernest love interest. WHO is queen? Ernest Goes to Camp - Nurse St. Cloud? Ernest Goes to Jail - Charlotte Sparrow? Ernest Goes to Sc…

Hop in the DeLorean, Vern! Erin and David travel back in time to join the Ernest Fan Club and explore its many offerings, including life-giving Ernest merchandise and the KnoWhutImean News. In this extra: The Book of Knowledge and The Book of Knawledge The Ernest Fan Club Catalog! All the Ernest things! 60-dollar VHS tapes The KnoWhutImean News “Tr…

Ever wonder what it’d be like if Ernest collected his years of expertise and in book form? Wonder no more, as we make our way through TWO tomes of wisdom from the Worrell inkwell: “It’s the Ernest P. Worrell Book of Knawledge” and “Ask Ernest.” In this episode: Ask Ernest It’s the Ernest P. Worrell Book of Knawledge The compiled wit and wisdom of E…

More on "Win $10,000," classic Ernest Ads, and our road trip to Jim Varney Land in this extra. In this extra: Making peace with “Win $10,000″ The Ernest Film Festival (on YouTube) Ernest Ads on the Purity Website Our trip to Kentucky - the Jim Varney tour The Misadventures of Bubba (on YouTube) ★ Support this podcast ★…

For this Jim Varney edition, Erin and David are joined by special guest Justin Lloyd, nephew and biographer of the man behind the icon. This one's all about Jim Varney—DeLoreans, guns, jewelry, and more. In this episode: Keepin’ the Varney legacy alive Justin on writing “The Importance of Being Ernest: The Life of Actor Jim Varney” The craziest res…

It's the counting contest that will put you in the padded party room! Erin and David revisit their ol' buddy Ad Ernest and his diabolical "Win $10,000" challenge. In this episode: Win $10,000, the most infuriating contest ever concocted You have to count hundreds of Vern. Literally hundreds. Did anyone win this? Revisiting Ad Ernest Ad Ernest may, …

This Dr. Otto extra poses tough questions: Is Ernest really a mad scientist with a hand growing out of his head? Are there any behind-the-scenes morsels we can gobble up? Is Jackie Welch the best? We'll ponder all of these and answer at least one! In this extra: Behind-the-scenesy Dr. Otto morsels! Poster, script page, storyboard! “The plot is stra…

As we reach the bottom of the Ernest film well, Erin, David, and Jessica fall under Dr. Otto's spell. Come along if you dare, and try to tell: Is this '80s heaven, or '80s hell? In this episode: (The answer is heaven, this movie is incredible) Ernest is in this, so we must discuss it Who (or what) is Dr. Otto von Schnick Ick Ick? Lance Sterling: th…

Still coming to terms with the final Ernest movie. We investigate Ben-Ali's soap opera acting, puzzle over where Ernest's magnetic draw to the army fits into the Ernest multiverse, and have long delayed realizations about what KNOWHUTIMEAN™ means. In this extra: Ernest’s protégé, Ben-Ali (Christo Davids), charmingly pitches a product while wearing …

Ernest joins the Army Reserves, vomits gummies, teams up with two Bens, and fulfills his destiny as the Great American Warrior of prophecy in "Ernest in the Army". Join us as we hold back tears and salute our good buddy in his final film. In this episode: Did we get the right movie??? Ernest, hero of prophecy Ernest’s BFF Ben Kovsky - Hi, Mr. Direc…

Erin and David ride a golf cart deeper into the heart of Ernest Goes to Africa, as Ernest's late puberty is examined and the mysterious past of Ernest's other half—Rene—comes to heavenly light. Also: other things! In this extra: Rene = Linda Kash = the Philadelphia Cream Cheese Angel! Philly Angel Ads: #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 Der Himmel über Ernest: Phil…

Harem girls, British golfers, Indian palaces—it must be Africa! Erin, David and Dan get swept up in the romance of Ernest Goes to Africa, as Ernest and his lady love Rene flee from international jewel thieves (just like in that Illinois Smith movie). In this episode: The romantic comedy of the Ernest movies A dizzying assortment of antagonists Erne…

Erin and David visit the locker room and strip down Slam Dunk Ernest some more! We bond over the subliminal messages, Quincy's brutal insults, loving Dr. Love, explore Barry's role as an Ernest middleman, and check out some Ernest fanfiction. In this extra: Subliminal messages in advertising, and Slam Dunk Ernest Quincy’s brutal dad insults Lovin’ …

Erin, David, and special guest Cindy take a utopian flight through an unexpected religious allegory—featuring Ernie Ali Worrell, the Archangel of Basketball Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, demonic sports scout Zamiel Moloch, and GOD. This is SLAM DUNK ERNEST. In this episode: Basketball team + Ernest = Cleaning company????????? Is the Clean Sweep team racist …

We continue unraveling the tangled (and possibly sinister) ball of yarn that is Your World as I See It! Bunny's ad career, Coy's possible origins, and Ernest's videogame potential are discussed as we plummet deeper into the bowels of Ernest P. World. In this episode: What IS this??????????????????????????????????? Thanks to Phil Toms for Astor musi…

Gain some culture with the long-suffering Astor Clement in "Your World as I See It". Erin, David, and special guest Valerie discuss Ernest's questionable family in terms even common persons like you can understand. But seriously—what IS this? In this episode: What IS this? A sitcom pitch? Bumpers?? Ernest’s over-educated alter-ego, Astor Clement Co…

Grab a number 2 pencil for some "Ernest Goes to School" extra credit! We discuss what the world looks like through Ernest goggles, tear-jerking meatloaf servers, Ernest's programming/irreparable brain damage, and some Worrell Halloween action. In this extra: Ernest the Semi-reliable Narrator? David’s favorite character, the kindly lunchroom man Wha…

Go Muskrats! Ernest goes to school—with the aid of the world's first subatomic brain accelerator. Erin, David, and special guest Lauren cover all the major subjects: Nazi allusions, maniacal scientists, football glory, and what it means to be SMART. In this episode: Ernest the 45-year-old schoolboy Gerta and Bobby’s dubiously Germanic mad science l…

Our hillside cannon trip continues with an "Ernest Rides Again" extra! We read listeners' sad Ernest theater experiences and lament Ernest's unmade alien encounter scripts (for real). Also, Erin cosplays Ernest at NYCC '15, to the confusion of many. In this extra: Jim Varney talks “Ernest Rides Again” and “Water Babies” Is “Ernest Rides Again” unde…

Hop on your Revolutionary War cannon and ride down the mountain with us as we tackle "Ernest Rides Again"! Erin, David, and special guest Alisa discuss Indiana Worrell's drifter tendencies, Dr. Abner "Vern" Melon, the REAL Crown Jewels, and more. In this episode: It’s not a western Indiana Ernest and the Truth About the Crown Jewels of England Dr. …

In this "Ernest Scared Stupid" extra, we take a look at The Art of the Title, a celebrity news writer goes swoony for Varney, Ernest gets stereotyped again, and we get presents. In this extra: Barbara Laszewski talks to Art of the Title “Look Vern, It’s Jim Varney” writer falls in L-U-V Misconceptions about Ernest - Is he a redneck? Kenny knows the…

Ernest Scared Stupid BLEW OUR MINDS. Erin, David, and special guest Nelson ride an emotional roller coaster of earth shattering revelations. Ernest's contradictory genius, parallels with Back to the Future, steampunk Eartha Kitt—it's all too much. In this episode: Art of the title: Barbara Laszewski Ernest IS A GENIUS. How is he stupid? Steampunk E…

Get polarized with this new "Ernest Goes to Jail" Extra! We talk more about Felix, the parallels between Ernest and James Bond, Bruce Arntson's musical contributions, and Jim Varney's comically oversized hands. In this extra: Jim Varney “Jail” interview Ernest and James Bond: the parallels Secret Agent Ernest Jim Varney has hands like the “Clerks” …

Ernest quite literally falls on the wrong side of the law, but don't worry—he can fly! Erin, David, and special guest Chris navigate "Ernest Goes to Jail" and meet Ernest's evil twin, his new not-quite love interest, and of course RIMSHOT! In this episode: Thank you, How Did This Get Made Evil Ernest: NASH. Is Ernest’s not-quite-love-interest kinda…

In this Ernest Extra, all of our "Hey Vern, It's My Family Album" questions are answered! And then we ask new ones. Just how tangled are the Worrell family tree branches, and how has Ernest progressed as a character? In this episode: Jim Varney’s Weird Talking Guy = Walter Brennan Erin wants to meet a Billy Boogie Ernest to the Future This bewilder…

At long last, Erin and David leaf through the tattered pages of Ernest's family album. Give your weird uncle a hug and gyrate with your carnie cousin as we parse the genealogical fever dream that is "Hey Vern... It's My Family Album"! BOOGIE. In this episode: This is the Jim Varney-est Ernest installment ever Davy Worrell: A great bunch of guys Llo…

It's Ernest Extra time once again! Erin and David discuss subconscious reactions to Ernest, musical rimshots, Woody as a poppet of negativity, and welcome the talking 16" Ernest P. Worrell doll into the fold. (Thanks, Kenner.) In this extra: Wrapping up “Hey Vern It’s Ernest” Musical rimshots Woody the Poppet of Negativity Subconscious reactions to…

Hey Vern, it's Disc 2! Erin, David and special guest Tom gleefully examine the second half of "Hey Vern, It's Ernest!" Where is Baby Ernest's daddy now? What is the true nature of Ernest's Groundhog Day existence? Break your brain on that and more. In this episode: Jim Henson’s violent coffee ads starring violent proto-Kermit Jim Varney talks about…

Hey Vern, it's Ernest's very own Saturday morning TV series! Join Erin, David and special guest Matt as they wander through Disc 1 of the Emmy Award-winning, stream-of-consciousness, late '80s absurdist comedy extravaganzo! In this episode: What is this again?? The players - Ernest and his bizarre neighborhood This theme song is just sounds. Just s…

Happy Birthday, Jim Varney! To commemorate the occasion, Erin and David discuss Ernest's illuminating home movies from "Disneyland's 35th Anniversary Special", as well as two news segments (and one sing-along) featuring Jim Varney himself. In this birthday: The Disneyland 35th Anniversary Special Ernest’s parentage Pop Worrell Little Ernest’s Disne…

Somehow, we’ve got more to say about Ernest Goes to Splash Mountain. In this Extra: Skip Binkman’s Clipboard Why Ernest??? When Ernest is Jim Varney The Splash Mountain players The story of Ralph Story ★ Support this podcast ★Ernest Goes to Podcast

What do 1940s films, daredevil training, and Skip Binkman have in common? Erin and David lose their minds to the flume-zooming extravaganzo that is "Ernest Goes to Splash Mountain", as the unbreakable Ernest becomes America's first Splashtronaut. In this installment: Ernest Goes to Splash Mountain! Thanks, YouTube Ad Ernest the film star? Vern’s Da…

Ernest Extra #3 is here with even more festive musings on Ernest Saves Christmas! In this installment, Erin and David puzzle over: Ad Ernest and his movie promos Christmas photos! Malapropisms!!! Singing snake men Jim Varney’s impeccable timing Ernest Saves Christmas reviews adamthewoo’s Christmas locations video ★ Support this podcast ★…

Hohoho, Vern! Sleighbells ring as Erin, David, and special guest Alisa go deep into the festive bowels of this holiday classic! We discuss some earth-shattering revelations about Ernest and Vern’s storied past, Ernest’s partner in crime Harmony Star, Ernest's magical future, and more: The magical realism of Santa Ernest + Harmony = win Actor Ernest…

In this mini episode, we uncover the truth about petrocite, come to startling revelations about animals in the Ernestverse, and delve into the Ernest Goes to Camp storybook on cassette. Because we’re adults. This time: Antici…pation The deeper implications of Pokey the Turtle Apparently a Coke machine fell on JRC PETROCITE! (It’s important to the s…

Ernest makes his triumphant first leap onto the big screen in Ernest Goes to Camp! Join Erin, David, and special guest Dan as they puzzle over: Cartoons vs. reality (BLOOD!!!) Ernest’s bedroom Ernest in Vietnam???????????????????????? Why Mr. Tipton is such a jerk and more ★ Support this podcast ★Ernest Goes to Podcast

In our first bite-sized "Ernest Extra" episode, we thank new listeners, read a tidbit about the origin of the name "Worrell" and discuss even more ads and outtakes. In this mini-episode: Thank you for listening! Thank. The origin of “Worrell” The Importance of Being Ernest Super old pink-shirted Ernest ad Jim Varney’s unenthusiastic Ernest [x] Erne…

We begin our loving journey into the abyss of overthinking Ernest P. Worrell. This week, laugh and scratch your head with us over the TV spots that started it all. In this episode: What? Why even? WHO is Ernest? WHAT is Ernest? What? Remember all those commercials? No? It’s ok, we’ll remind you. The craft of Ernest TV spots Who is Vern? ????? ?????…