Before A Take on the Academy found its rhythm, before the guest interviews and Oscar debates, there was a forgotten experiment called Dudes Dissecting Disney. During the early days of the pandemic, Matthew Sprosty and his friend Rudy set out to create a collaborative podcast where anyone could record Disney conversations with friends or partners — no hosts, no format, just genuine conversation. The project never progressed beyond one episode…
In this long-lost recording, Matt and Rudy revisit Beauty and the Beast (1991), Disney’s timeless tale that became the first animated feature ever nominated for Best Picture. They talk about what makes it endure, how the music and characters defined a generation, and why its emotional core still hits today (and what puts the B in Belle.)
Matt also reflects on the episode’s origins, how creativity kept people connected during Covid, and what this little piece of podcast history means five years later.
It’s part nostalgia, part time capsule, and part reminder of the stories that keep us grounded — even when the world feels like it’s spinning.
