A Very Special Episode

This week, we review Diff'rent Strokes Season 5, Episode 22, "The Reporter", in which we finally (?) learn to "just say no", as Nancy Reagan fills Arnold in on what she's talkin' bout: the war on drugs. Relive the relatable experience of having one's own integrity validated by the first lady of the United States making a personal appearance in your classroom as we discuss one of the more iconic Very Special episodes in TV history. Special guest, Farel Dalrymple, beloved & acclaimed comic book artist, drops in to learn about how dumb drugs are and comment on Gary Coleman's incredible performance.

So just say no, then download and listen here, rate & review us on iTunes or listen via Podbean, Stitcher and Google Play. You can follow the show on Twitter, like our Facebook page, and email us via [email protected].

Farel can be found on Twitter @FarelDalrymple and on Patreon.

Also, be sure to check out Carolyn's spinoff podcast, Pitch Please!, here, and buy the game here!

http://media.averyspecialepisodepodcast.com/AVerySpecialEpisode054.mp3

Our summer "Bad Episode, Good Show" series concludes this week, as we check out one of the greatest sitcoms of all time (allegedly...) by discussing Seinfeld's "The Puerto Rican Day", an episode so controversial it rarely gets aired in syndication. But is it, really? Join us as we ask, in our best Jerry Seinfeld voice, "what's the deal with the controversy in this episode?",  talk way too much about laser pointers, and take a lot of shots at Michael Richards. 

So finish your latest re-watch of Blimp!, then download and listen here, rate & review us on iTunes or listen via Podbean, Stitcher and Google Play. You can follow the show on Twitter, like our Facebook page, and email us via [email protected].

A Very Special Episode is part of the Rivercity Podcast Federation, a group of like-minded podcasts from across the internet (but mostly physically in Portland). Check out the other great shows here.

Also, be sure to check out Carolyn's spinoff podcast, Pitch Please!, here, and buy the game here!

http://media.averyspecialepisodepodcast.com/AVerySpecialEpisode053.mp3

Fuggedaboudit! In our latest episode we're heading to Jersey to discuss a bad episode from the godfather of the Golden Age of TV Drama, The Sopranos, in which associates of the titular mob family run afoul of American Indian protesters on Columbus Day as stereotypes collide.

So grab some orecchiette & broccoli rabe, then download and listen here, rate & review us on iTunes or listen via Podbean, Stitcher and Google Play. You can follow the show on Twitter, like our Facebook page, and email us via [email protected].

A Very Special Episode is part of the Rivercity Podcast Federation, a group of like-minded podcasts from across the internet (but mostly physically in Portland). Check out the other great shows here.

Also, be sure to check out Carolyn's spinoff podcast, Pitch Please!, here, and buy the game here!

http://media.averyspecialepisodepodcast.com/AVerySpecialEpisode052.mp3

"Bad Episode, Good Show" hits paydirt this week, as the Aluminum Four return to an old and occasionally controversial favorite with "Sweet Dreams", a second season episode of Roseanne in which the titular character fantasizes about taking a bath, murdering her family, and starring in a Busby Berkeley-style musical. It's not just a bad episode of Roseanne, it's quite possibly the worst half hour of TV of all time.

So call in the Muscle Hunks (aka the Muzcle Hunkxxx), then download and listen here, rate & review us on iTunes or listen via Podbean, Stitcher and Google Play. You can follow the show on Twitter, like our Facebook page, and email us via [email protected].

A Very Special Episode is part of the Rivercity Podcast Federation, a group of like-minded podcasts from across the internet (but mostly physically in Portland). Check out the other great shows here.

Also, be sure to check out Carolyn's spinoff podcast, Pitch Please!, here, and buy the game here!

http://media.averyspecialepisodepodcast.com/AVerySpecialEpisode051.mp3

In our new episode, the Aluminum Four reunite to kick off our summer theme marathon, "Bad Episode, Good Show", with "Beer Bad", one of the more notoriously bad episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, in which enchanted beer sends Buffy and a quartet of college douches back to the stone age, in a hamfisted and deeply mixed metaphor about the dangers of alcohol (at least, in theory). Along the way, we discuss the intersectionality of werewolves, the strange career of Kal Penn, and the possible return of...the Max?

So grab someone else's sandwich, then download and listen here, rate & review us on iTunes or listen via Podbean, Stitcher and Google Play. You can follow the show on Twitter, like our Facebook page, and email us via [email protected].

A Very Special Episode is part of the Rivercity Podcast Federation, a group of like-minded podcasts from across the internet (but mostly physically in Portland). Check out the other great shows here.

Also, be sure to check out Carolyn's spinoff podcast, Pitch Please!, here, and buy the game here!

http://media.averyspecialepisodepodcast.com/AVerySpecialEpisode050.mp3

This week, we travel back to the heyday of Disney animation on TV to revisit the cult classic Gargoyles and learn an important lesson about literacy & the power of the written word, as expressed through magical Gargoyles who turn to stone in daylight and come alive at night. Along the way, David, Carolyn & Austin talk about the apparent omnipresence of medieval architecture in New York City, the deep bench of Star Trek actors who contributed to this show, and, because it's us, Gargoyle sex.

So take a look (it's in a book), then download and listen here, rate & review us on iTunes or listen via Podbean, Stitcher and Google Play. You can follow the show on Twitter, like our Facebook page, and email us via [email protected].

A Very Special Episode is part of the Rivercity Podcast Federation, a group of like-minded podcasts from across the internet (but mostly physically in Portland). Check out the other great shows here.

Also, be sure to check out Carolyn's spinoff podcast, Pitch Please!, here, and buy the game here!

http://media.averyspecialepisodepodcast.com/AVerySpecialEpisode049.mp3

With a song in our hearts and the divine on our lunches, we turn this week to Glee, season two episode three, "Grilled Cheesus", in which Jesus appears on Finn's grilled cheese, Kurt's dad falls into a coma, and everyone sings their feelings about religion! Join Carolyn, David, Austin and special guest, fellow Rivercity Podcaster and former Glee extra, Kyle McCormick, as we talk snazzy hats, Glee's confusing habit of transitioning from diegetic to non-diegetic music, the unfortunate circumstances of two of the cast members, and much, much more.

So come out, Virgina, don't let 'em wait, then download and listen here, rate & review us on iTunes or listen via Podbean, Stitcher and Google Play. You can follow the show on Twitter, like our Facebook page, and email us via [email protected].

And be sure to follow Kyle on Twitter @Kyle_McCormick, and check out his podcasts, Reboot, Reuse & Recycle & Spec Script!

A Very Special Episode is part of the Rivercity Podcast Federation, a group of like-minded podcasts from across the internet (but mostly physically in Portland). Check out the other great shows here.

Also, be sure to check out Carolyn's spinoff podcast, Pitch Please!, here, and buy the game here!

http://media.averyspecialepisodepodcast.com/AVerySpecialEpisode048.mp3

This week, we journey to Springfield, USA as we break the seal on one of the greatest TV shows of all time to review The Simpsons' "Mother Simpson", in which Homer learns his long-dead mother is alive and well, albeit on the lam from the law. Special Guest Jess Tholmer joins Ryan and Austin as we talk favorite Simpsons quotes, the extent of Ryan's Simpsons hipsterism, and Glenn Close's greatest hits. Plus, a special interview with Bernadine Dohrn, the real life inspiration for Homer's mother!

So set your watch to Johnny Unitas' haircut, then download and listen here, rate & review us on iTunes or listen via Podbean, Stitcher and Google Play. You can follow the show on Twitter, like our Facebook page, and email us via [email protected].

And be sure to follow Jess on Twitter and Instagram @tholmz, then check out her Tumblr and her writing for Hello Giggles

A Very Special Episode is part of the Rivercity Podcast Federation, a group of like-minded podcasts from across the internet (but mostly physically in Portland). Check out the other great shows here.

Also, be sure to check out Carolyn's spinoff podcast, Pitch Please!, here, and buy the game here!

http://media.averyspecialepisodepodcast.com/AVerySpecialEpisode047.mp3

Avengers Assemble! This week we throw pretense out the window in order to let four dorks talk about the biggest movie in the world for a couple hours! Join David, Ryan, Austin and special returning guest, the internet's foremost Spider-Man expert, Mark Ginocchio, as we talk annoying trailer tricks, Thanos' plan, and Spider-Man's thighs. And, of course, the Avengers!

So cut a swath of destruction across the universe as you assemble a glove of immeasurable power (spoiler alert?), then download and listen here, rate & review us on iTunes or listen via Podbean, Stitcher and Google Play. You can follow the show on Twitter, like our Facebook page, and email us via [email protected].

And be sure to check out Mark's book, 100 Things Spider-Man Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die, as well as his website, Chasing Amazing, and his podcast, Amazing Spider-Talk. And follow him on Twitter @ChasingASMBlog. Excelsior!

A Very Special Episode is part of the Rivercity Podcast Federation, a group of like-minded podcasts from across the internet (but mostly physically in Portland). Check out the other great shows here.

Also, be sure to check out Carolyn's spinoff podcast, Pitch Please!, here, and buy the game here!

http://media.averyspecialepisodepodcast.com/AVerySpecialEpisode046.mp3

All rise! This (night) court is now in session, as the Aluminum Four gather in memory of the recently departed Harry Anderson to discuss the conclusion to a four part, cross-season storyline on Night Court, which finds a job-less Harry interrupting a suicide as he attempts to hang glide over to the Statute of Liberty. Joins us as we talk belt loops, panting at women, and concussions. Guest starring Carolyn's snoring pug dogs!

So swing by the Gay Pride parade, then download and listen here, rate & review us on iTunes or listen via Podbean, Stitcher and Google Play. You can follow the show on Twitter, like our Facebook page, and email us via [email protected].

A Very Special Episode is part of the Rivercity Podcast Federation, a group of like-minded podcasts from across the internet (but mostly physically in Portland). Check out the other great shows here.

Also, be sure to check out Carolyn's spinoff podcast, Pitch Please!, here, and buy the game here!

http://media.averyspecialepisodepodcast.com/AVerySpecialEpisode045.mp3