It’s time once again to salute Uncanny Magazine Kickstarter Backers, and salute them we do, with questions! Difficult, specific, mostly-American questions! Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky with Daniel Ryan, Joe Veneracion, Mikah Sargent, Pinky and Thomas Wouters.
Erika and Steven wrap up the Canada Day extravaganza by dipping their toes into “Genesis of the Daleks” — will Erika love it? like it? hate it? Nobody knows yet, not even Erika! Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky.
Steven and Erika finish off a rare (for this era) two-part story as the Canada Day fun continues! Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky.
Erika and Steven wax poetic about OB video and Sarah Jane Smith, as the Canada Day marathon continues. And Erika shares a partial list of favourite Doctor Who stories over the years. The stories on that list might surprise you! Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky.
Steven and Erika conclude “The Ark in Space” and complain about fireworks timing — another Canada Day tradition! Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky.
Erika and Steven natter on about problem-solving and TV-pacing, with a long tangent about food in Edmonton — so it’s basically what you’d expect on Canada Day! Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky.
Steven and Erika celebrate Canada Day in their traditional fashion — with a classic Doctor Who marathon and some delicious food! Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky.
In this new Keys from the Golden Vault adventure, K’ronng hates the Underdark, J’osh spares the dying, Revelle throws a rock, and Jasper thinks this is all terrible. Tony claims this is technically team building. Tony Sindelar with Aleen Simms, Chip Sudderth, Jason Snell and Monty Ashley.
Barbara Stanwyck (Lorna) in a boxing movie? OK, sure. But you’ll also see the film that began her lifelong friendship with William Holden. Bill (Joe) is a violinist who wants to try his hand at boxing. Because there’s money in that. Stanwyck’s Lorna is the girl who loves him. What price must Joe pay to become a success? Shelly Brisbin with Nathan Alderman, Micheline Maynard and Randy Dotinga.
With the guiding hand of Prof. Siracusa choosing the curriculum, we watch select animated shorts from the Netflix series “Love, Death + Robots.” John’s quest to find the perfect photorealistic CGI animation continues. Tony does his companions a solid if he’s ever killed on a moon. The others debate if they represent love, death, or robots. We try to reconnect with our inner pool-polishing robots. It’s a real team effort. Jason Snell with John Siracusa, Annette Wierstra, Brian Hamilton and Tony S...
It’s our 100th episode spectacular! Major General Eyepatch threatens our friends with death! Rick faces death by remembering some guys on the 1969 Cubs, but can Phil remember those guys? Is Robert Forster chewing the scenery… for the CIA? Which episode template of “Magnum, p.i.” is this, anyway? And Clyde Kusatsu is the George freakin’ Washington of Cambodia. Jason Snell, Philip Michaels and David J. Loehr.
In this finale episode, the party takes a lot of damage and finds a chew toy. Mikah Sargent with Aleen Simms, Annette Wierstra, James Thomson, Jason Snell and Kathy Campbell.
Listener Christian, your time has come. Is an AI Lock the same as a Smart Lock? Or a Fuzzy Logic Lock? When bicycle gear shifters are called “AI”, how do we define what any of this means? I know—let’s ask John. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.
With a title like “Louise Revisited”, Sorkin fans may think this is another “Jeremy narrates the episode” trope, but Lex and Brian are relieved to find out that’s not the case. Instead we have a silly subplot about a “Who’s cooler, Dan or Casey” online poll and way too much time spent dwelling on undergarments. This may sound like a bit of a mess, but not to worry, Lex and Brian are here to help you Sorkin’ in It (and they’re both wearing underwear). Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.
The second (and final?) season of the BBC/Disney+ collaboration era of “Doctor Who” is at an end, and so our crew of fans is here to pick up the pieces and ponder what went right and (unfortunately) what went wrong. Where does this franchise go from here? Jason Snell with Steven Schapansky, Erika Ensign, Chip Sudderth, Annette Wierstra and Heather Berberet.
We begin Stanwyck Summer with one of her most iconic films, and greatest performances. Stella Dallas is pure melodrama, so sudsy that the name was taken by a radio soap opera. Stella is a working-class woman with a daughter she wants to give all the things she never had. Will she succeed? Will her daughter be grateful? Tune in tomorrow! Shelly Brisbin with Nathan Alderman, Randy Dotinga and Micheline Maynard.
Academy award nominee Robert Forster chews all available scenery in part one of this two-part episode featuring a rogue mission to Cambodia. The gang travels upriver to the heart of darkness to the strains of a very bad Creedence Clearwater Revival cover. Death to the papists! Jason Snell, Philip Michaels and David J. Loehr.
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, MIND MELD! Yes, the twelfth edition of America’s favorite game show is an all-Star Wars edition! Five Star Wars fans, attempting the greatest of all challenges: agreeing on things! Tony Sindelar and Kathy Campbell with Monty Ashley, Annette Wierstra, Steven Schapansky, Kat Benesh and Guy English.
The party has everything well in paw, except maybe fighting over a particularly fine wig. Mikah Sargent with Aleen Simms, Annette Wierstra, James Thomson, Jason Snell and Kathy Campbell.
Batman Begins has turned twenty years old so we chat about how superhero movies have changed over that time. We end up dipping into self-indulgent origin stories for our friendships. Then we cover a couple of recent trailers for Ironheart and Superman. Dan Moren, John Moltz and Guy English.
In a new annual tradition, we’ve gotten six short episodes of Star Wars animation following two characters. This time it’s Tales of the Underworld. Your Star Wars pals Dan, Tony, and Kat return to discuss three pretty good episodes and three not-so-good episodes, including what makes bad guys compelling, uncertain timelines, and de-canonized/re-canonized characters. Dan Moren, Tony Sindelar and Kat Benesh.
We conclude (for now?) our coverage of the TV adaptation of The Wheel of Time, which was just canceled by Amazon. Three seasons in, we cover whether we think it is still worth watching despite cancellation (we do) and how well the show’s third (and final?) season fulfills the promise of it coming into its power. Moisés Chiullán with Sarah Hendrica Bickerton, Heather Berberet, Bryan Guffey and Kathy Campbell.
Rumors abound: Is the network bringing in a ratings consultant? Not exactly—Isaac is. Dana’s enforcing her terrible dating rule, Dan is reckoning with it, and the new guy at the show is… intimidating. Especially his mustache. There’s a lot to process. That’s why Brian and Lex are here. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.
Somebody loves us all. Rosalynde Vas Dias discusses three poems by Elizabeth Bishop: “Sestina” (1956), “Filling Station” (1956), and “Crusoe in England” (1971). John McCoy with Rosalynde Vas Dias and Marina McCoy.
It’s time for another Summer of Magnum, unless you’re one of our many Australian listeners, in which case you’ll just warm yourself with shots of 1980s Hawaii. In this episode, we spend a surprising amount of time doing nothing other than announcing our return and telling you what episode we’re watching next. Consider this a shakedown cruise. Jason Snell, Philip Michaels and David J. Loehr.
The party creates an effective murder tunnel and makes use of drone technology. Mikah Sargent with Aleen Simms, Annette Wierstra, James Thomson, Jason Snell and Kathy Campbell.
Listener Lorne asks what makes a spacesuit a spacesuit, and it gets complicated in a hurry. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.
In an episode that gets dangerously close to the three of us just shooting the breeze we cover some Superhero News that’s been floating around. Casting news for Vision Quest, Eyes of Wakanda, and Black Panther 3. We glue it all together inexpertly by calling out to every other random entertainment fact we can think of. Dan Moren, John Moltz and Guy English.
Dana has an epiphany, but Casey isn’t a fan (Brian and Lex aren’t either). Meanwhile, Dan had breakfast with Hillary Clinton and tropes ensued. This may sound like an ominous episode title, but Lex and Brian found plenty to laugh about. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.
Our Awards Book Club continues its run through the roses with a tougher than expected review of Vajra Chandrasekera’s “Raksefall,” Adrian Tchaikovsky’s “Alien Clay,” and Kelly Link’s “The Book of Love.” Jason Snell with Scott McNulty, Aleen Simms and Erika Ensign.
