Old School Lane Casual Chats: Interview with Will McRobb (2024)

·1 hr 10 min·5 clips

Will McRobb, co-creator of The Adventures of Pete and Pete, returns after a decade to discuss the show's 30th anniversary and lasting impact.

In this episode of Old School Lane Casual Chats, host Patricia welcomes back Will McRobb, co-creator of The Adventures of Pete and Pete, for a conversation a decade after his last appearance. They open by noting the show's 30th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of Polaris's album release. McRobb reflects on the show's resurgence in the late 2000s to early 2010s, attributing it to nostalgia among fans in their late 20s and early 30s. He shares how reunions allowed him to hear from fans who said Pete and Pete inspired them to become writers, artists, or musicians, which he finds deeply gratifying. The discussion explores the show's role in encouraging creativity and non-conformity, especially in an era before social media. McRobb mentions the Real Estate music video 'Water Underground,' which pays homage to Pete and Pete and features cameos from the actors. Patricia and McRobb swap embarrassing childhood stories, including his toe amputation from a volleyball accident and her slip during a flag football game. They talk about the music of the show, with Polaris introducing indie rock to a generation, and McRobb's recent projects like the Harriet the Spy series and El Deafo special, which feature music by Courtney Barnett and Waxahatchee. The conversation touches on the challenges of creating authentic content, with McRobb noting the 'amateurism' of Pete and Pete as a strength. He discusses his pilot 'Mayo,' which almost got picked up by Amazon Kids before the department shut down. Patricia shares her experience with autism diagnosis, and McRobb relates it to Mark Summers' OCD. They debate the value of raw, unpolished creativity versus mainstream polish. McRobb reveals he is co-writing a script for a Pete and Pete reunion movie with Chris Viscardi, featuring grown-up Petes and their kids, though he cautions it's not guaranteed to be made. The episode ends with McRobb promoting his current work and joking about a future 'dork podcast.'

As heard by us

A loose, funny return to Will McRobb, where Polaris, battle scars, and Mr. Tasty keep the nostalgia specific.

Old School Lame's return visit with Will McRobb turns anniversaries into a useful way back into The Adventures of Pete and Pete, Kablam!, and the creative memory around both shows.

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Why you'd press play

For a return visit with Will McRobb, where Pete and Pete nostalgia, Polaris memories, and a deeply specific mangled-toe detour all share the room.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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