"Clueless is the closest thing to synthetic serotonin readily available"
an interview with @maticaps
Today in the newsletter I’m sharing a chat with Twitter’s @maticaps. Mati and I have known each other for years online — we first “met” through my older sister, who met him nearly a decade ago on The Good Wife stan Twitter. I’ve since grown attached to his social media presence and the knowledge that if I were to, say, drop a tweet about Betty Gilpin, he would show up for it.
Whether he’s talking about a TV show I’ve seen a thousand times before or one I’ve never even heard of, he’s extremely witty, approachable, and discerning. I’m always glad to hear his perspective, so I asked him to tell me about his top picks for the letter.
Is there any movie or TV show in particular that you turn to in stressful times?
When I'm at my worst, I find that Clueless (1995) is the closest thing to synthetic serotonin readily available. Competition-based reality shows are my drug of choice when I'm looking for a more time consuming alternative.
Is there anything you really love but absolutely avoid if you’re feeling down or stressed?
I definitely stay away from hour-long dramas because they’re not the quick fix that I’m looking for when I’m down and also my attention span just can’t withstand it.
If you had to claim that any one movie or television show had the most dramatic effect on mankind, what piece of media would it be?
I would say Twin Peaks changed the game back in 1990 by showing audiences that TV shows could be cinematic and could tell stories that span across multiple episodes. In many ways it was the blueprint for a lot of what we see on our screens to this very day.
Same question, but for its impact on yourself.
For me, I definitely have to say Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I was probably a bit too young at age 11 to be watching its controversial sixth season when it aired but I was instantly blown away by it. Powerful women, gay characters, magic, comedy, drama AND A MUSICAL. It was nothing short of life-changing.
You’re extremely observant when it comes to soundtracks. Do you think there’s a show that was specifically good (or ‘great,’ if it was already ‘good’) because of the songs chosen?
Two shows come to mind that were immensely elevated by their use of music, and those would be Sons of Anarchy and Ally McBeal. Two very different shows with distinct soundtracks that heavily enriched the material.
Is there any show or movie you wish you could have soundtracked?
I could never change a show’s existing soundtrack! Nothing makes me more upset than when an old show is streaming somewhere and certain songs have been changed because of some issue acquiring the rights. (i.e. Skins UK, Dawson’s Creek, Queer as Folk)
If you could make the entire world wake up with a working knowledge of one specific show or movie, what would you choose?
Six Feet Under. I strongly believe that should be required viewing for every single one of Earth’s inhabitants! The life lessons you learn from it are second to none when it comes to television.