Author: Tim Severson

Rom-Com Mount Rushmore | The Kids Are In Bed Ep 52

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The Best Rom-Coms for Valentine’s Day (Or Any Day You Need a Laugh & Some Love)

Valentine’s Day is here, which means two types of people are emerging:

  1. Those who are planning a romantic, carefully curated evening with their loved one.
  2. Those who are watching rom-coms in sweatpants with a glass (bottle) of wine.

Whichever camp you fall into, we’ve got you covered. This week on Thhttps://timtalks.net/tkaib/e Kids Are In Bed, we break down the best romantic comedies of all time—argue about them, overanalyze them, and ultimately give you the only rom-com list you’ll ever need.

Oh, and we also talk about the Super Bowl.

But before we get to our ultimate rom-com categories, let’s set the stage:

Super Bowl Recap: Where Was Taylor Swift?

Before we dive into rom-coms, we had unfinished business—the Taylor Swift Super Bowl prop bet from our last episode. Vegas set the over/under at 6.5 times on camera, and let’s just say…

Other notable moments:

  • 🏈 The Chiefs won. Again. And most of America was rooting against them.
  • 🎤 Kendrick Lamar crushed the halftime show. Filled with Easter eggs, hidden messages, and a not-so-subtle Drake rivalry reference.
  • 🎭 Super Bowl commercials have officially lost the plot. (If your big idea is just “put a celebrity in it,” that’s not marketing, it’s a group project with no leader.)

Alright, now that that’s out of the way—ROM-COMS.

The Best Rom-Coms of All Time—Categorized for Your Convenience

Look, picking the single best romantic comedy is impossible. So instead of one definitive ranking, we broke them into very serious, highly scientific categories.

Find the mood you’re in, pick a movie, and let the rom-com magic do the rest.

1. Adam Sandler Classics

Because sometimes you just want to laugh and listen to an absolute banger of a soundtrack.
🎬 The Wedding Singer, 50 First Dates, Click, Just Go With It, Mr. Deeds

2. The Bullock Effect™

Sandra Bullock has been carrying this genre on her back for decades. Respect.
🎬 While You Were Sleeping, The Proposal, Two Weeks Notice, Miss Congeniality, The Lost City

3. If You Lost the Ponytail and Glasses…

Where we pretend that simply removing glasses turns someone into a different human being.
🎬 Crazy Stupid Love, Hitch, Clueless, 10 Things I Hate About You, She’s All That

4. Your Mom’s Favorite Rom-Coms

These are the rom-coms that built the genre and are still endlessly rewatchable.
🎬 When Harry Met Sally, Pretty Woman, Notting Hill, You’ve Got Mail, Sleepless in Seattle

5. If I Could Turn Back Time

Sometimes love takes a second (or thousandth) chance.
🎬 About Time, The Big Sick, 500 Days of Summer, Palm Springs, The Lake House, Midnight in Paris

6. That Would Never Happen… But I Love It Anyway

Romances that make absolutely no sense… yet somehow, we buy in every time.
🎬 Runaway Bride, The Holiday, What Happens in Vegas, Moonstruck, Serendipity

7. The “Technically Not a Rom-Com… But It Totally Is” Movies

Romantic comedies in disguise. You know it, we know it.
🎬 Jerry Maguire, The Princess Bride, Groundhog Day, The Devil Wears Prada, Silver Linings Playbook

8. We Shouldn’t Work… But We Do

When everything says this relationship should be a disaster, but somehow, it’s perfect.
🎬 Fools Rush In, Knocked Up, Trainwreck, Crazy Stupid Love, My Best Friend’s Wedding

So, What’s the Best Rom-Com?

That’s up to you. But if you’re looking for a great Valentine’s movie, this list is full of absolute gems.

💬 Drop your favorite rom-com in the comments—we want to hear your picks!

🎧 Listen to the full episode of The Kids Are In Bed for all the debates, hot takes, and unnecessary deep dives into rom-com history.

#RomComs #ValentinesDay #TheKidsAreInBed #Podcast #SuperBowl #RomanticComedies #MovieDebate #ValentinesWeekend #SandraBullock #MegRyan #MovieRanking

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Airport Theory, Super Bowl, & Viral Fort Building Crew | The Kids Are In Bed Ep 51

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Jenni’s back from Cincinnati (which is, apparently, a city that doesn’t even house its own airport), and The Kids Are In Bed is back in full force. Tim is relieved to no longer be podcasting alone, and they waste no time diving into all the pressing matters of the week:

  • A group of kids accidentally going viral for building the ultimate backyard fort. What started as a fun project now has them raking in thousands of dollars—so what’s next?

DONATE TO THEIR GO FUND ME HERE

@rory_wes.jacob.micheal

Progress update number two #summer #fishinglifestyle2024

♬ original sound – rory.wes.jacob.micheal
  • Airport Theory. Are the “get there two hours early” guidelines just a trick to keep us shopping in terminals?
  • Super Bowl chaos. Will Taylor Swift make an appearance at halftime? How many times will she be shown on camera? More importantly—why do we all care so much?
  • Groundhog Day: A Movie and a Tradition. One is a Bill Murray classic, the other involves thousands of people standing in the freezing cold to hear a rodent make a weather prediction. Both are fascinating.

It’s the kind of episode that covers everything and nothing all at once—come hang out!

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Mr. Lonely (Tim Goes Solo) | The Kids Are In Bed Ep 50

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For the first time in the history of The Kids Are In Bed, Tim Severson is on his own. Mr. Lonely. He’s going solo, all out on his own. Jenny is out of town, leaving him to ramble into a microphone like a man lost at sea. The result? A mix of cold medicine-fueled reflections, back spasm survival strategies, and an ongoing war with his hot tub’s chemical balance.

Along the way, he introduces his newest essay, Spilled Milk, shares his early thoughts on the Oscar-nominated A Real Pain, and discovers that women’s bathrobes have a hidden superpower. He also takes a brief detour into home lighting (because apparently, motion-sensor kitchen lights are the height of modern luxury).

It’s weird. It’s honest. It’s exactly what you’d expect from a solo Tim episode.

Click play, because hey—he did it, and that should count for something.

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Spilled Milk

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I’ll never understand why I’m asked if I want my milk in a bag when the gallon jug has a built-in handle.

Because there isn’t any use crying over spilled milk.

Cheers.

Milk Mustache Cheers! from Spilled Milk by Tim Severson | www.timtalks.net

If this hit, you can get the next one in your inbox.

Essays, fiction, and photographs now. Whatever’s next, when it’s ready. No daily nags in between.

Eighty-three other readers do this already. That’s right, you could cement yourself as an OG fan.

Cake Win, Pasta Fail, & Silo | The Kids Are In Bed Ep 49

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In Episode 49 of The Kids Are In Bed, Tim and Jenni Severson reflect on a whirlwind week of parenting, party planning, a cake win, a pasta fail, and a post-apocalyptic binge of Silo. Here’s what’s on the menu (literally and figuratively):

Clementine’s Epic Birthday Party
Tim went all-in for Clementine’s Descendants-themed birthday, crafting heart-shaped ravioli and a red velvet cake with mirror glaze (yes, he went there). Did it go perfectly? Of course not. Were the results delicious? Absolutely.

The Great Midwest Cold Snap
When it’s -10°F outside, everyone has a story to tell—like Tim’s debate over what defines a parka or Jenni’s discovery of why extreme weather might make your body act weird. Midwestern problems, right?

Our Newest TV Obsession: Silo
Tim and Jenni share their spoiler-free thoughts on the Apple TV+ series Silo. Post-apocalyptic mysteries, oppressive underground societies, and puzzles galore. Are they hooked? Totally. Are they emotionally ready for the next season? Not so much.

Random Banter & Classic Laughs
From making coffee to laughing at fake TikTok videos, this episode serves up plenty of the small moments that make parenting—and podcasting—a joy.

Don’t miss this cozy, chaotic slice of life from Tim and Jenni’s week!

Listen now:

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The Travail Basement Bar The Office Dinner Party Theme Night Dinner Date | The Kids Are In Bed Ep 48

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What happens when you combine Tim and Jenni Severson, a date night, and a dinner party themed around The Office? Pure magic—and a little chaos. In Episode 48 of The Kids Are In Bed, we’re breaking down our unforgettable experience at Travail’s Basement Bar, where the cocktails flowed freely, the food was top-notch, and the awkward comedy of Michael Scott and crew came to life in a unique tasting menu.

Here’s what you can expect:

An Office-Inspired Culinary Adventure
The dinner party was a multi-course tasting menu with paired cocktails, featuring everything from a chicken pot pie to a Frosty-inspired dessert complete with crispy potato bits. Each dish was a nod to iconic Office moments, like Michael’s Foreman Grill mishap and the chaos of the Fun Run. The standout? A perfectly executed beet salad (and that’s saying something because we’re usually anti-beet).

Cocktails & Chaos
We sat at the bar—prime real estate for watching the magic (and booze) unfold. Highlights included “the best cocktail” Jenni has ever had out of a thrifted tea cup and beet cocktail with a sweet pear foam. Watching the drinks come together was a show in itself.

Performance Art & Parkour
The night wasn’t just about food. From parkour to an impromptu Fun Run that took us sprinting through the restaurant (yes, really), the evening felt like being dropped into an episode of The Office. And the trivia at the end? Let’s just say not everyone there was a diehard fan.

Laughs, Nostalgia & New Friends
Between meeting strangers who accidentally showed up on the wrong night (but stayed anyway) and reliving some of the best Office moments, the night was full of quirky surprises. Plus, Tim’s Dunder Mifflin T-shirt even got him compliments from fellow fans, proving its magic once again.

If you’ve never been to Travail, consider this your sign. Whether it’s an Office night or any of their other themed experiences, you won’t regret it.

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Unexpected Accents & Cleanup Chaos | The Kids Are In Bed

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Welcome back to The Kids Are In Bed—and wow, do we have some stories to share! After an eventful holiday break, we’re diving headfirst into a driveway milk jug fiasco that made us question all our grocery-bagging decisions. Picture an icy Minnesota morning, a precarious jug of dairy, and two bewildered parents, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for our post-holiday meltdown (pun intended).

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. We also managed to stumble upon a Russian-Jamaican accent so mind-blowing it nearly scrambled our brains, led an ill-advised all-white New Year’s party (complete with chili cheese burritos—because why not tempt fate?), and kicked off a basement cleanup that snowballed into a full-home purge. One piece of stray popcorn was all it took!

In the midst of all the madness, we’re still navigating life as elementary-school parents who’ve been sweethearts since high school. Somehow, our bickering over spilled milk and half-lit Christmas trees always circles back to laughter and affection (with the occasional eye-roll, of course). So if you’re in need of a good chuckle and a warm reminder that “normal” is just a setting on the dryer, hit play on our latest episode below. Trust us, you’ll never look at a milk jug the same way again.

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Caroling, Year 2 | The Kids Are In Bed Ep 46

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Kids are in bed? Kids are in bed! Welcome back to another spirited installment of The Kids Are In Bed—and oh, what a ride this one is! In Episode 46, Jenni and Tim embark on their second annual round of Christmas caroling, delivering homemade brown butter cookies, candy canes, and off-key jingles across the Twin Cities. Sure, not everyone was home—some got a private doorbell concert, and at least one unsuspecting babysitter may need therapy now—but hey, it’s all in the name of holiday cheer.

When they weren’t harmonizing to “Jingle Bells,” they tackled some hot topics:

  • The Scrabble Debate: Is it a word game or a math game? Let’s just say one champion who doesn’t even speak Spanish sparked a lively discussion.
  • Decking the Halls (Sort Of): We reflect on Christmas lights—who’s got ’em, who doesn’t, and why some of us might just be permanently terrified of ladders.
  • Jude’s Perpetual Grumbling: Once again, our son complains about leaving home only to declare it “the best day ever” right before we call it a night. Classic.
  • Caroling Chaos: From waiting to ambush party guests at just the right moment to accidentally peeping into windows (don’t ask), our caroling escapades are full of holiday heart… and a touch of hilarity.

If you’re craving that cozy seasonal vibe, a bit of laughter, and the reassuring knowledge that no family’s holiday season is picture-perfect, this is your episode.

Listen Now:

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Don’t forget to hit subscribe for more parenting humor, pop culture banter, and little moments that remind you the holidays are about more than perfect decorations—they’re about making memories (and sometimes startling a few babysitters along the way).

TikToks from this Episode:

@caithall_

Wow, this really was the best surprise. Mine and my dads favourite film ever! Unforgettable experience! #homealone #homealonemovie #orchestra #liveorchestra #christmas #christmasmovie #fyp #foryou #foryoupage

♬ original sound – Caitlin Hall
@janieroberson877

Christmas pranks begin 😆😆😆

♬ original sound – janieroberson877
@cbsmornings

Is Scrabble a word game or a math game? Tony is Team Math vs. Gayle and Nate, who are Team Word 👀 #scrabble

♬ original sound – CBS Mornings
@kant11ktv

тгк: kant11kk 🔗

♬ оригинальный звук – kant11k

Top 5 Christmas Movies, Which Make The Cut? | The Kids Are In Bed Ep 45

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The kids are in bed, the rumchata coffee is poured, and Tim and Jenni are back with episode 45 of The Kids Are In Bed! This week, it’s all about the top 5 Christmas movies, small-town drama, and the holiday chaos we all secretly love.

Here’s the setup: Tim and Jenni attempt the impossible—narrowing down their top 5 Christmas movies of all time. You’d think it would be easy, but when your list includes Home Alone, Die Hard, Elf, and, uh…Just Friends, things get heated. Is Die Hard a Christmas movie? Can While You Were Sleeping hang with the big dogs? And why do the McAllisters keep forgetting their kid? These questions and more get hilariously tackled in this festive showdown.

But that’s not all! The episode also delivers:

  • Small-town drama on steroids: A helicopter lands on a pontoon in Steamboat Bay. What could go wrong?
  • Holiday parenting hacks: How to execute a flawless “chat and cut” at your local Santa event (because time is precious, people).
  • Movie family match-ups: Which cinematic family would you most want to spend Christmas with? Spoiler: witty banter wins over weird uncles every time.
  • The great Harry Potter debate: Christmas movie or just magical vibes?

So, grab your coziest blanket, pour yourself a festive beverage, and tune in to hear Tim and Jenni’s mix of hilarious debates, ridiculous tangents, and heartfelt moments. It’s the perfect episode to get you in the holiday spirit while giving you ideas for your own movie marathon.

And hey, don’t forget to subscribe for weekly episodes filled with parenting humor, pop culture debates, and those “this is so us” moments that make you laugh out loud.

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Wisconsin Dells & Paul Bunyan’s Axe | The Kids Are In Bed Ep 44

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Hey everyone! Welcome back to The Kids Are in Bed podcast. In this episode, Jenni and I dive into our action-packed Thanksgiving weekend in the Wisconsin Dells, and we can’t wait to share all the laughs, mishaps, and memorable moments with you.

What We Covered in This Episode:

  • Wisconsin Dells Getaway: We spent four incredible days at the Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells. From conquering multiple indoor water parks to navigating the sprawling resort, we share our tips on how to make the most of your stay without breaking the bank. Spoiler alert: We found clever ways to save money on food and arcade games!
  • Family Fun and Challenges: The kids had a blast, but not without a few hiccups. We talk about Clementine’s creative “Would You Rather” questions, her almost-epic meltdown over water slide restrictions, and how we managed to keep everyone entertained during long walks across the resort.
  • Gopher Football Triumph: We attended the Minnesota Gophers vs. Wisconsin Badgers game at Camp Randall Stadium, and let me tell you, it was a game to remember! We discuss the thrilling victory, the history behind Paul Bunyan’s Axe rivalry, and our firsthand experience of the game’s electric atmosphere—even in the chilly weather.
  • Road Trip Anecdotes: The journey itself was half the fun. From Clementine’s hilarious reaction to Wisconsin’s countryside aromas to an unexpected race that led to a minor phone mishap, we recount the moments that made our trip unforgettable.
  • Holiday Preparations and Movie Reviews: Back home, we jumped into the festive spirit with Christmas decorations and some holiday baking. We also share our candid thoughts on the new “Moana” movie sequel and a Christmas film that… well, let’s just say it didn’t make our must-watch list.

Why You Should Tune In:

If you’re looking for travel insights, family-friendly tips, or just a good laugh, this episode has it all. Whether you’re planning a trip to Wisconsin Dells, a fan of college football rivalries, or navigating the joys and challenges of parenting, you’ll find something to relate to.

Join the Conversation:

We love sharing our stories and would be thrilled to hear yours! Drop a comment below about your own family adventures, favorite travel hacks, or thoughts on the latest movies.

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Don’t forget to subscribe to The Kids Are in Bed for more episodes filled with laughter, insights, and heartwarming moments. If you enjoy our podcast, please leave a review and share it with your friends!