This time, Stanwyck is an invalid, who’s having trouble with her phone. I would call it a straight-up female victim tale, but Babs is not what you’d call sympathetic as a character. Even so, should her husband (Burt Lancaster) be plotting her death? Sorry, Wrong Number Shelly Brisbin with David J. Loehr, Micheline Maynard, Nathan Alderman and Randy…

Back to the early days of “Magnum” with this episode featuring dual Ferrers and dual Lockharts along with a single Scatman. This episode really sets the stage for what this show will be able to do, even with the unnecessarily complicated plot. But don’t hold it against the screenwriter—after all, he is a novelist. Jason Snell, Philip Michaels and D…

How far would you go for a friend? Or, maybe an acquaintance who helped you that one time? Casey asks himself this same question as he considers re-editing an interview to make the guest look not terrible. Meanwhile Dan can’t seem to say the name “Kafelnikov”, and we roll our eyes at a very throwaway subplot about Natalie disagreeing with the pope.…

Jasper is sorry and has a sorry short sword. J’osh wonders how melty this metal is. K’ronng would never murder a dog. Revelle is always second bucket. Tony is confused when the players are mission-oriented. Keys from the Golden Vault - Tockworth’s Clockwork, Part 2 Tony Sindelar with Aleen Simms, Chip Sudderth, Jason Snell and Monty Ashley Show Not…

Listener Eric really needs his kids to differentiate between charger blocks and charging cables. John Siracusa and Jason SnellBy Robot or Not?

A little late due to travel and holiday plans but we’re here with our coverage of the first three episode of Marvel’s Ironheart. We pick up with Riri Williams at MIT and things go off the rails from there as she finds herself embroiled in a life of “fun crime with whacky characters” which, it turns out, isn’t all fun and games. There’s some interes…

Stanwyck Summer continues with a “noir tragedy.” She finds herself involved with Kirk Douglas (his film debut), Van Heflin and Lizbeth Scott. Did Missy kill her very mean aunt, many years ago? Let’s find out, shall we? The Strange Love of Martha Ivers Shelly Brisbin with Nathan Alderman, Micheline Maynard and Randy Dotinga Referenced Works The Stra…

The summer of submarines kicks off with 1995’s “Crimson Tide,” a taut character drama that pits a captain (Gene Hackman) against his XO (Denzel Washington) in a conflict that escalates as global tensions rise outside their nuclear submarine. "Crimson Tide" Jason Snell with Philip Michaels, Lisa Schmeiser, Dan Moren, Casey Liss and Erika Ensign Spon…

Good news, friends, this podcast is Y2K compliant, and so are Brian and Lex, as they break down the quite possibly mis-titled episode of Sports Night, “Kafelnikov”. Jeremy’s pretty sure he’s got everything prepped for the new millennium, but does he? Meanwhile, Dan meets a woman in bar who says he really should call her, but maybe for reasons he do…

Now lissen up, Pilgrim, there’s a fake Christopher Cross version of the Magnum Theme and a dead body in a trunk in this episode. We play a game of Bad Cop/No Cop with guest star Clyde Kusatsu! But… does it have the island vibes? Jason Snell, Philip Michaels and David J. LoehrBy Magnum, podcast

It’s time once again to salute Uncanny Magazine Kickstarter Backers, and salute them we do, with questions! Difficult, specific, mostly-American questions! Random Pursuit XLIII Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky with Daniel Ryan, Joe Veneracion, Mikah Sargent, Pinky and Thomas Wouters Show Notes & Links Dan Ryan - Support mutual aid - help the folk…

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! 4E (1) Erika Ensign and Steven SchapanskyBy Lazy Doctor Who

Steven and Erika finish off a rare (for this era) two-part story as the Canada Day fun continues! 4B (2) Erika Ensign and Steven SchapanskyBy Lazy Doctor Who

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! 4B (1) Erika Ensign and Steven SchapanskyBy Lazy Doctor Who

Steven and Erika conclude “The Ark in Space” and complain about fireworks timing — another Canada Day tradition! 4C (4) Erika Ensign and Steven SchapanskyBy Lazy Doctor Who

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! 4C (3) Erika Ensign and Steven SchapanskyBy Lazy Doctor Who

Steven and Erika celebrate Canada Day in their traditional fashion — with a classic Doctor Who marathon and some delicious food! 4C (2) Erika Ensign and Steven SchapanskyBy Lazy Doctor Who

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. Keys from the Golden Vault - Tockworth’s Clockwork, Part 1 Tony Sindelar with Aleen Simms, Chip Sudderth, Jason Snell and Monty Ashley Sh…

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? Golden Boy Shelly Brisbin wi…

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 t…

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 o…

In this finale episode, the party takes a lot of damage and finds a chew toy. Uni and the Hunt for the Last Horn, Part 5 Mikah Sargent with Aleen Simms, Annette Wierstra, James Thomson, Jason Snell and Kathy Campbell Show Notes & Links Edited by Erika Ensign. Uni and the Hunt for the Lost HornBy Total Party Kill

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 SnellBy Robot or Not?

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, …

Hot Streak! Off-brand mascots and gambling degeneracy have never been more in fashion. For today's Space-Cast!, we're joined by Jon Perry to discuss his mascot-racing board game, its connections to the digital collection UFO 50, and the particulars of adaptation and artistic medium. Now that's a mouthful!…

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? "Doctor Who" season 2 wrap-up Jason Snell with Steven Schapansky, Erika Ensign, Chip Sudderth,…

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! Stella Dall…

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! Mind Meld 12 Tony Sindelar and Kathy Campbell with Monty Ashley, Annette Wierstra, Steven Schapansky, Kat Benesh and Guy Engli…

The party has everything well in paw, except maybe fighting over a particularly fine wig. Uni and the Hunt for the Last Horn, Part 4 Mikah Sargent with Aleen Simms, Annette Wierstra, James Thomson, Jason Snell and Kathy Campbell Show Notes & Links Edited by Erika Ensign. Uni and the Hunt for the Lost Horn…

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 EnglishBy Biff!

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-can…

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. "The Wheel of Time" season 3 Moisés …

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 Referenced Works Sports Night [Am…

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 McCoyBy Sophomore Lit

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…

The party creates an effective murder tunnel and makes use of drone technology. Uni and the Hunt for the Last Horn, Part 3 Mikah Sargent with Aleen Simms, Annette Wierstra, James Thomson, Jason Snell and Kathy Campbell Show Notes & Links Edited by Erika Ensign. Uni and the Hunt for the Lost HornBy Total Party Kill

Listener Lorne asks what makes a spacesuit a spacesuit, and it gets complicated in a hurry. John Siracusa and Jason SnellBy Robot or Not?

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…

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 Referenced Works Sports Night [Amazon] Show Notes & Links…

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.” 2025 Awards Book Club, part 2 Jason Snell with Scott McNulty, Aleen Simms and Erika Ensign Referenced Works Rakesfall [Amazon] Alien Clay [Amazon] …

Sam Wilson is back as Captain America with his trusty sidekick Joaquin Torres a.k.a The Falcon. It’s up to them to go rogue and tie up plotlines littered all over the MCU by movies they had nothing to do with. Amid highened international tensions President Ross is keeping a dark secret you couldn’t have guessed unless you’d seen the poster on the w…

Welcome back to “Inconceivable!”, the show that tests two teams’ knowledge of the nerdy, the useless, and the obscure. In our latest episode, our panelists must find the Star Wars rhymes, reach back to their Saturday morning cartoons of youth, and untangle some mashed-up musicals and TV shows. Liz Myles, Cicero Holmes, and Kelly Guimont fight it ou…

The party finishes off a battle, goes through a portal, and meets a dog who’s good at charades. Uni and the Hunt for the Last Horn, Part 2 Mikah Sargent with Aleen Simms, Annette Wierstra, James Thomson, Jason Snell and Kathy Campbell Show Notes & Links Edited by Erika Ensign. Uni and the Hunt for the Lost Horn…

Rebellions are built on two seasons of a prequel series. Your Star Wars pals Dan, Kat, and Tony return to revisit 2016’s Rogue One: A Star Wars Story or, as we call, it Andor: The TV Movie. We discuss Krennic’s very bad week, why Cassian’s arc gets a little tricky, and the inevitable Saw Gerrera supercut. Rogue One Dan Moren, Tony Sindelar and Kat …

Live on stage at the Ohio Theatre in Madison, Indiana, it’s the Incomparable Radio Theater Live, with part one of the Adventures of Slim Skinner and the Cowhands of the Range! it’s a change of pace as we go behind the scenes to learn the true story of Slim, his wife Charlie, and the band they made famous, the Cowhands of the Range. Stay tuned, we’l…

Let us explain. No, there is too much. Let us sum up the last episode of this run of “Doctor Who.” Jason Snell, Erika Ensign and Chip SudderthBy Doctor Who Flashcast

Guillermo del Toro’s career started small, with the small-scale vampire (sort of) horror (sort of?) movie “Cronos,” in which an old man finds a mechanical object containing a magical bug that gives him eternal life in the bad way. Meanwhile, young Ron Perlman hates his evil uncle but continues to do his bidding! It’s a fun 1992 throwback that is st…

In Marvel’s second modern attempt at a Hulk movie our big green guy is back played by a different actor and with a decidedly different aesthetic. Is this HULK a smash hit? Find out as we go back in the archives to cover the unlikely prequel to Captain America: Brave New World. Dan Moren, John Moltz and Guy English Referenced Works Incredible Hulk […

We kick off a new short adventure with Mikah Sargent in the DM chair! He challenges the party (Eunomia Helldew, Valeria Shatterbone, Bibimbap Sauerbraten, Sheila Sheila Bobeila Banana Fana Fofeila, and Priscilla) to locate a Unicorn. But it can’t be as simple as that, can it? (No. Of course it can’t.) Uni and the Hunt for the Last Horn, Part 1 Mika…