Unjustly Maligned - podcast cover

Unjustly Maligned

Antony Johnstonwww.theincomparable.com
A pop culture show about the sometimes strange things we love, that other people… don’t. Each episode, comics and games writer Antony Johnston asks a new guest to explain why that thing you hate is actually really great.

Episodes

57: "Superman III" with Jonathan Penn

It’s the Fourth of July! And what could be more American than Big Blue himself? Jonathan Penn joins Antony to defend “Superman III”, famously derided as a slapstick comedy, and argue that beneath the surface it’s full of heart, humanity, and hope. Up, up, and away! Antony Johnston with Jonathan Penn.

Jul 04, 20161 hr 2 minEp. 57

56: "The Avengers (1998)" with Cecilee Linke

Mrs Peel, we’re needed — to defend what some critics called “the worst movie ever” from… a spot of bad weather? Hey, it makes about as much sense as the film. Writer and musician Cecilee Linke joins Antony to judo chop her way through the 1998 flop “The Avengers”. Antony Johnston with Cecilee Linke.

Jun 20, 20161 hr 5 minEp. 56

55: "Great White Sharks" with Chris Mitchell

Great white sharks are feared the world over, with shark attacks on humans still guaranteed to make the news. As “Finding Dory“‘s release approaches, writer and scuba diver Chris Mitchell joins Antony to dive into the churning waters around this widely misunderstood predator. Antony Johnston with Chris Mitchell.

Jun 06, 20161 hr 2 minEp. 55

54: "The Village" with Georgia Dow

Roger Ebert gave it one star, and called it one of his ‘most hated’ movies. But was he just expecting the wrong kind of story? Georgia Dow joins Antony to stay within the boundaries of M Night Shyamalan’s “The Village”. Antony Johnston with Georgia Dow.

May 23, 201655 minEp. 54

53: "The Eurovision Song Contest" with Rachel Donner

Every year, millions of Americans are baffled by an outburst of snarky comments about cheesy European pop music on Twitter. Eurovision Song Contest uberfan Rachel Donner joins Antony to explain what on earth is going on, and why they should tune in. Antony Johnston with Rachel Donner.

May 09, 20161 hr 10 minEp. 53

52: "Reed Richards" with Andy Ihnatko

He can stretch and change his body in “Fantastic” ways, but to many comic readers, he’s anything but a role model. Journalist Andy Ihnatko joins Antony to defend the honor of the Fantastic Four’s Reed Richards. Antony Johnston with Andy Ihnatko.

Apr 25, 20161 hr 18 minEp. 52

51: "Cricket" with Paul Cornell

As St George’s Day approaches, gentlemen in England’s green and pleasant land take to the field for a game that can last five days, yet still somehow end in a draw…! Author Paul Cornell goes to bat to spread the good word of cricket. Antony Johnston with Paul Cornell.

Apr 11, 201652 minEp. 51

50: "Pretty Little Liars" with Katy Rex

What happens when a show with a ridiculous premise, created by management, and aimed firmly at young girls… actually takes its female characters seriously? Katy Rex joins Antony to divulge all the secrets of “Pretty Little Liars”. Antony Johnston with Katy Rex.

Mar 28, 20161 hr 1 minEp. 50

49: "Big Trouble in Little China" with Michael Palmer

It should have been the biggest action movie of 1986… instead, it was the flop that drove John Carpenter out of Hollywood. Michael Palmer joins Antony to explain how it’s all in the reflexes. Antony Johnston with Michael Palmer.

Mar 14, 20161 hr 17 minEp. 49

48: "R.E.M., early" with Merlin Mann

On a day that shouldn’t exist comes a podcast equally paradoxical. Merlin Mann joins Antony to sit still, garden at night, and talk about the passion of rock band R.E.M.’s early work. Antony Johnston with Merlin Mann.

Feb 29, 20161 hr 12 minEp. 48

47: "True Detective Season 2" with Erik Aho

Everybody loved “True Detective” Season 1… but not so much Season 2. Musician and LA native Erik Aho joins Antony to stand up for the show, and elaborate on its appeal to noir lovers everywhere. Antony Johnston with Erik Aho.

Feb 15, 20161 hr 6 minEp. 47

46: "Lady in the Water" with Dan Moren

Few directors divide opinion so much as M Night Shyamalan, but writer Dan Moren dives in headfirst to attempt a rescue of his fairy-tale movie “Lady in the Water”. Antony Johnston with Dan Moren.

Feb 01, 20161 hr 1 minEp. 46

45: David Bowie's "Tin Machine" with Chris Mitchell

To celebrate the late David Bowie’s extraordinary life and body of work, writer Chris Mitchell joins Antony to defend the artist’s short-lived and drastically misunderstood “Tin Machine” project. Antony Johnston with Chris Mitchell.

Jan 18, 20161 hr 2 minEp. 45

44: "Andromeda" with Lisa Schmeiser

Happy new year! And to begin 2016, writer and SF lover Lisa Schmeiser joins Antony to discuss the all-but-forgotten “Andromeda”, and wonder just how much of it actually came from Gene Roddenberry’s pen… Antony Johnston with Lisa Schmeiser.

Jan 04, 20161 hr 4 minEp. 44

43: "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" with David Loehr

Ho Ho Seven! For Brits, Christmas means a traditional dose of 007 on the TV. So in this festive episode, playwright David J Loehr joins Antony to talk about the most misunderstood Bond movie of all, “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”. Antony Johnston with David J. Loehr.

Dec 21, 20151 hr 13 minEp. 43

42: "Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith" with Brianna Wu

Just ahead of “The Force Awakens” release, game designer and podcaster Brianna Wu joins Antony to round off our very own “prequel trilogy” with a defense of “Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith”! Antony Johnston with Brianna Wu.

Dec 14, 20151 hr 1 minEp. 42

41: "Robotech" with Chip Sudderth

Sci-fi podcaster Chip Sudderth joins Antony to defend (though not three times)”Robotech”, the 1980s anime series maligned by purists everywhere. Antony Johnston with Chip Sudderth.

Dec 07, 20151 hr 9 minEp. 41

40: "Napoleon" with Nick Friederich

Veteran and Napoleon buff Nick Friederich joins Antony to explain why the Emperor is unjustly maligned, why his military genius is overlooked, and how this complex figure birthed modern Europe. Antony Johnston with Nick Friederich.

Nov 30, 201548 minEp. 40

38: "Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again" with Moisés Chiullán

Podcaster and comic aficionado Moisés Chiullán joins Antony on the eve of “Dark Knight 3“‘s release to stand up for the iconoclastic Frank Miller’s Batman sequel, “The Dark Knight Strikes Again”. Antony Johnston with Moisés Chiullán.

Nov 16, 20151 hr 19 minEp. 38

37: "Dune" with Meredith Yayanos

Musician and writer Meredith Yayanos joins Antony to walk (without rhythm) through her love of David Lynch’s “Dune”, from weirding modules to suggestive navigators to heart plugs, and so much more. Antony Johnston with Meredith Yayanos.

Nov 09, 20151 hr 3 minEp. 37

36: "Sunshine" with Matthew Weise

Game designer and writer Matthew Weise joins Antony to explain how Danny Boyle’s “Sunshine” is unjustly maligned, and why in fact it belongs in the same conversation as “2001”. Antony Johnston with Matthew Weise.

Nov 02, 20151 hr 20 minEp. 36

35: Elvis Costello's "Mighty Like A Rose" with Danielle Henderson

Author and cultural critic Danielle Henderson joins Antony to expound on her love of England’s pop troubadour, and his evolution as a Serious Artiste with 1991’s “Mighty Like A Rose”. Antony Johnston with Danielle Henderson.

Oct 26, 20151 hr 11 minEp. 35

34: "Repo! The Genetic Opera" with Brian Hamilton

Podcaster and film lover Brian Hamilton joins Antony on a journey into the ultra-gothic future world of organ repossession, weird musicals, and, um, Paris Hilton…?! Antony Johnston with Brian Hamilton.

Oct 19, 20151 hr 9 minEp. 34

33: "Cutthroat Island" with Juliette Capra

Swashbuckling comic-slinger Juliette Capra joins Antony to convince him “Cutthroat Island” isn’t the disaster popular consensus would have you believe. Strap on your boots and hoist the mainsail! Antony Johnston with Juliette Capra.

Oct 12, 201554 minEp. 33

32: "Big Brother" with Philip Mozolak

Videographer and podcaster Philip Mozolak joins Antony to explain his love of reality TV shows, and Big Brother in particular. What do they say about society, celebrity, and human nature? Antony Johnston with Philip Mozolak.

Oct 05, 20151 hrEp. 32

31: "X-Men: The Last Stand" with Josh Centers

Tech writer and old school mutant lover Josh Centers joins Antony to explain why “X-Men: The Last Stand” is not only unjustly maligned, but probably the movie most faithful to the comics…! Antony Johnston with Josh Centers.

Sep 28, 20151 hr 8 minEp. 31

30: "Star Cops" with Steven Schapansky

Podcaster and mega-nerd Steven Schapansky joins Antony to discuss an old, obscure British sci-fi TV show he loves. How unusual! Can he convince everyone it’s unjustly maligned? It won’t be easy. Antony Johnston with Steven Schapansky.

Sep 21, 20151 hr 3 minEp. 30

29: "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" with Shannon Sudderth

Podcaster Shannon Sudderth knows a thing or two about high school, and joins Antony to put a stake through the immortal fools who malign Buffy the Vampire Slayer - the movie. Oh, yes. Antony Johnston with Shannon Sudderth.

Sep 14, 201555 minEp. 29

28: "Garfield" with Scott Kurtz

Bestselling cartoonist Scott Kurtz joins Antony to explain why the cat everyone loves to hate is unjustly maligned, how Jim Davis inspired his own career, and why topical gags are overrated. Antony Johnston with Scott Kurtz.

Sep 07, 201556 minEp. 28