If you grew up in the 1980s, then you know who the Guardian Angels are. If you don't then you're in for quite a story. Listen in!
AI Summary
# Stuff You Should Know - The Guardian Angels
Josh and Chuck dive deep into the fascinating and controversial story of the Guardian Angels, the citizen anti-crime organization founded by Curtis Sliwa in 1970s New York City. Starting as a group of McDonald's night shift workers protecting their workplace, these red-beret-wearing volunteers expanded to patrol the dangerous subways where police presence had been drastically cut, patrolling in coordinated groups to deter crime with their mere presence rather than weapons. The episode explores the murky line between community protection and vigilantism, examining why some called them heroes saving New Yorkers from fear while others, including city officials and police brass, viewed them as reckless publicity seekers playing at law enforcement—all while discussing the real crime statistics that made subways genuinely dangerous at the time.
Movies Discussed
Airwolf
"Was it Airwolf? There's this guy making sweet love to the Airwolf helicopter in the background. — Curtis Sliwa's movie about his life story was supposedly so bad he tried to sue; comparison to Airwolf made."
— Chuck
Alien
"John: He makes things from the movies. So he'll make a perfect replica of Tom Skerritt's space suit from Alien. — Adam Savage's replicas from Alien discussed as part of his workshop collection."
Batman
"Remember Batman and Robin, the campy version run? — Referenced as example of 1960s campy TV show that had various celebrity guest appearances."
— Josh
Battlestar Galactica
"Just announced today, you know, they're rebooting Battlestar Galactica a third... Well, now a second. — John Hodgman discusses toxic nostalgia and new Battlestar Galactica reboot announcement."
— Josh
Blade Runner
"John: Making Harrison Ford's blaster from Blade Runner has been this lifelong pursuit. — Adam Savage's prop replica collection includes Harrison Ford's gun from Blade Runner."
Blindspot
"John: I was killed on the NBC thriller Blind Spot. — John Hodgman discusses being killed off as an evil FBI agent on the show."
BoJack Horseman
"Did you see that signed on the back of the iMac? You'd appreciate that. Mike from Bojack Horseman. — BoJack Horseman referenced in discussion about items in the studio."
Bored to Death
"John: Bored to Death shot all over Brooklyn, however, but Blind Spot, a lot of it shoots just right in that studio. — John Hodgman discusses his role on HBO's Bored to Death."
Breaking Bad
"The almost this is a part that you would have gotten killed in, but did not, was Breaking Bad. — John Hodgman discusses being offered but declining the role of Gabe on Breaking Bad."
— Josh
Death Wish
"So did Deathwish, Deathwish II, Deathwish III, Deathwish IV, definitely Deathwish V. — Death Wish films discussed as contributing to hysteria about New York crime."
— Josh
Death Wish 3
"Have you ever seen Deathwish III, I think? — Chuck discusses watching multiple Death Wish films in a recent viewing spree."
— Josh
Death Wish 4: The Crackdown
"So did Deathwish, Deathwish II, Deathwish III, Deathwish IV, definitely Deathwish V. — Fourth Death Wish film mentioned in series."
— Josh
Death Wish II
"So did Deathwish, Deathwish II, Deathwish III, Deathwish IV, definitely Deathwish V. — Death Wish sequel mentioned in series of films about vigilante violence."
— Josh
Death Wish V: The Face of Death
"So did Deathwish, Deathwish II, Deathwish III, Deathwish IV, definitely Deathwish V. — Fifth Death Wish film mentioned in series."
— Josh
Delocated
"John: I was also killed on John Glazer's Delocated, but that's a different story. — John Hodgman mentions being killed on John Glazer's Comedy Central show Delocated."
Escape from New York
"I was thinking about the movie crush episode on Escape from New York. — Movie referenced as feeding into hysteria about New York crime in the 1970s."
— Josh
GoodFellas
"One of the greatest movies of all time. It's definitely the greatest gangster movie of all time. — Goodfellas discussed in comparison to The Godfather as the best gangster film."
— Chuck
Harlem Globetrotters
"Harlem Globetrotters? Yeah, yeah, yeah. — Referenced as guest appearance on Scooby-Doo with celebrity visitors."
— Josh
M
"John: I also was killed offscreen in the Nick, which was Steven Soderbergh's thing. — John Hodgman discusses being killed offscreen in Steven Soderbergh's The Nick."
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
"John: Russell Croskostin and Mastering Commander — Master and Commander referenced regarding Admiral Ackbar's Napoleonic naval uniform."
MINDHUNTER
"Are you watching Mindhunter? No. Yeah. That's part of the new season. — Mindhunter's new season features Guardian Angels story about Atlanta Child Murders."
Mr. Wise Guy
"Nicholas Pelleggi, who wrote, wise guy, which was the foundation of Goodfellas. — Wise Guy referenced as the book that was adapted into the film Goodfellas."
— Josh
Return of the Jedi
"John: He's got a full-size Admiral Ackbar that Admiral Ackbar is dressed up in Napoleonic war era naval uniform. — Admiral Ackbar from Star Wars referenced in Adam Savage's workshop collection."
🎬
Romper Room
"Age six, he makes his first public appearance on Romper Room, remember Romper Room? — Curtis Sliwa's early public appearances as a child are being discussed."
— Josh
Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!
"I'm trying to think that they have a Saturday morning cartoon or something because some part of my brain is like. Dude, they may have been on like Scooby-Doo or something. — Hosts discuss possible Guardian Angels appearance on Scooby-Doo with celebrity guests."
— Josh
Taxi Driver
"Sliwa would go on TV shows and champion Deathwish and taxi driver as inspirations. — Curtis Sliwa cited Taxi Driver as inspiration for starting the Guardian Angels."
— Josh
The Empire Strikes Back
"John: Han Solo and Carbonite — Han Solo in Carbonite prop mentioned as part of Adam Savage's workshop collection."
The Godfather
"Get out of here with that Godfather Crap. — Chuck dismisses The Godfather in favor of Goodfellas as best gangster movie."
— Chuck
The Warriors
"Did you not see the extended director's response? That was from the Warriors, right? — Josh references 'Can you dig it?' quote from The Warriors."
— Josh
💬 Comments
Log in to leave a comment.