In this episode, we take a nostalgic (and slightly bewildered) look back at Disney’s 1978 live-action sci-fi comedy The Cat from Outer Space. Inspired by classic “fish-out-of-water” shows like Bewitched, I Dream of Jeannie, and My Favorite Martian, this forgotten Disney film features a talking alien cat, a magical collar, horse racing, pool hustling, and a surprisingly stacked cast of familiar TV faces.

We break down the plot, the performances, and the sheer absurdity of a Disney movie where an extraterrestrial cat needs $120,000 worth of gold to repair his spaceship—and somehow ends up gambling to get it. Along the way, we discuss Disney’s post-Walt transition years, why so many 1970s Disney films feel like made-for-TV movies, and whether this movie holds up today (spoiler: probably not).

If you love nostalgic deep dives, forgotten Disney films, or just the idea of a cat from outer space with secret powers, this episode is for you.

What We Talk About in This Episode

• Why magical, otherworldly TV shows were so popular in the 1960s and 70s
• Disney’s strange creative period after Walt Disney’s death
• The full (and chaotic) plot of The Cat from Outer Space
• The alien cat Jake and his very powerful collar
• Gambling, horse racing, and pool hustlers… in a Disney movie
• The surprisingly strong TV-star cast, including Ken Berry, Sandy Duncan, Roddy McDowell, and Harry Morgan
• How this movie compares to later “alien stranded on Earth” stories like E.T., Starman, Lilo & Stitch, and Men in Black
• Whether this film is worth revisiting today—or introducing to your kids
• The cult appeal and odd legacy of this forgotten Disney title

Why This Movie Still Matters (Sort Of)

The Cat from Outer Space may not be a classic, but it’s a fascinating snapshot of Disney trying to find its footing between the death of its founder and the animation renaissance that began with The Little Mermaid. It’s weird, it’s dated, and it’s undeniably charming in a very 1970s way.

This week on My Sister Made Me Watch This, we’re heading back to the suburbs—where witches twitch their noses, neighbors spy through curtains, and chaos somehow strengthens marriages.

We’re talking all about Bewitched, the iconic fantasy sitcom that aired from 1964 to 1972 and became one of the most popular television shows of its era. From snow-day memories and black-and-white episodes to animated opening credits by Hanna-Barbera, this show left a lasting mark on pop culture.

We dive into:

• The surprisingly rushed Bewitched pilot and how different it feels from the rest of the series
• Samantha Stephens, suburban witch—and whether marrying Darren was actually a downgrade
• Endora’s legendary disdain for “Dagwood”
• The curse(?) of cast changes, including two Darrens and multiple Gladys Kravitzes
• Which Darren is better (and why this debate gets heated)
• Iconic elements like the theme song, animated opening credits, and the famous nose twitch
• Aunt Clara, Uncle Arthur, Dr. Bombay, Serena, and the rest of Samantha’s magical (and not-so-competent) family
• The show’s influence on later series like I Dream of Jeannie and Sabrina the Teenage Witch
• Fun facts, including the Samantha statue in Salem and the surprising reuse of sitcom houses
• Whether Bewitched still holds up for modern viewers—and how the next generation reacts

Grab your broom, avoid the Kravitzes, and join us for a nostalgic, funny, and slightly baffled look at one of television’s most beloved sitcoms.

Are we still allowed to say “Happy New Year”?
Apparently yes — at least long enough to revisit one of the strangest holiday TV specials ever made.

In this episode, we dive headfirst into Rudolph’s Shiny New Year (1976), the Rankin/Bass stop-motion follow-up that somehow thought the world needed Baby New Year, an evil immortal vulture, time-traveling islands, friendly dinosaurs, and a deeply questionable Rudolph.

We break down:

• Why New Year–themed movies and TV specials are surprisingly rare
• How Rudolph’s Shiny New Year tried (and failed) to cash in on the popularity of the original Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
• The absolutely bonkers plot involving Father Time, Baby New Year “Happy,” and the threat of December 31st lasting forever
• The Archipelago of Last Years (yes, really), including cavemen, dinosaurs, and the Island of No Name
• The creepy motivations of Eon the Terrible, an evil vulture trying to stop time itself
• Why Rudolph — of all characters — comes off as… not very nice
• How Rankin/Bass stop-motion (“Animagic”) remains impressive even when the story completely falls apart
• Which holiday specials do still hold up — and which are best left forgotten

We also talk voice casting (hello, Red Skelton and Frank Gorshin), nostalgia vs. reality, and whether this is a holiday special anyone actually needs to revisit.

Spoiler alert: If you’ve never seen Rudolph’s Shiny New Year, there’s probably a reason — and we’re not convinced you should fix that.

🎄⏰🦌