A Very Special Episode

Join us as we once more endeavor to convince ourselves that the Friday nights of our youth weren't entirely wasted. That's right, it's part two of our AVSE TGIF series!

This week we're discussing "90s Brady Brunch", aka Step by Step, season three, episode six, "Video-Mania", in which OCD Mark trades his addiction to good grades for that scourge of youth, video games. It sort of addresses the issue of video game addiction, but it's also hard to tell how earnestly the issue is regarded by the show's creators. Plus, the glaring marital issues that Suzanne Somers and Patrick Duffy are struggling with are only slightly addressed as well, and the personality disorders running rampant through their excessive gaggle of children is virtually ignored. But helping Ryan and David sort all this out is very special guest, podcaster and admitted video game addict Gary Butterfield. If his life hadn't already been ruined by that damn computer box, then watching this episode would've gotten the job done for sure.

So put down your controller 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].

Be sure to follow Gary on Twitter @GaryBuh, and check out his podcast, Watch Out for Fireballs!

Also, 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.

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This week, the Aluminum Four return to the halcyon days of TGIF to discuss "Good Cop Bad Cop", a season five episode of Family Matters in which Eddie (Darius McCrary) is pulled over for driving while black, much to the dismay of his police officer father (also, Urkel goes to the dentist). Not surprisingly, things get political in this one, but also personal, as Ryan's deep, abiding love for Urkel is laid bare. Also, Shai guest stars, and if you know who that is already, well, you've got a leg up on all four of the hosts.

So take a couple pulls of laughing gas, then 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].

Also, 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.

http://media.averyspecialepisodepodcast.com/AVerySpecialEpisode023.mp3

Mix yourself up a Seven & Seven, as Carolyn, Austin, Aaron and special guest Kyle McCormick attempt to get their "Mixology Certification" by discussing an atypically-morose episode of Community, in which Troy (Donald Glover) turns 21 only to discover adulthood isn't all it's cracked up to be when the study group takes him out drinking.

So pour yourself some extra credit, 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 podcast, Reboot, Reuse & Recycle! 

Also, 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.

http://media.averyspecialepisodepodcast.com/AVerySpecialEpisode022.mp3

Hey there, True Believer! This week, we stretch the format of our show once again as we review a trio of "very special" comic books, Amazing Spider-Man #96-98 from 1971, which somewhat famously were published without the seal of the Comics Code Authority due to their depiction of drug use, despite having been commissioned at the request of the federal government to serve as an anti-drug story. Join Austin, Ryan, David and special guest, podcaster, author and Spider-Man expert Mark Ginocchio, as they tackle the import issues, such as who the definitive Spider-Man artist is, the difference between "slinging" and "swinging", and the importance of strong thighs to crime fighting.

So pull on a tasseled deerskin shirt and a chunky necklace, 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!

Also, 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.

http://media.averyspecialepisodepodcast.com/AVerySpecialEpisode021.mp3

Hayyyyyyy, squirrel friends! This week, we stretch the boundaries of our show once again, as we tackle an actual current, still-on-the-air show by discussing the entirety of the ninth season of Ru Paul's Drag Race! Join Ryan and Carol as they spend the entire episode arguing over who's the Ru and who's the Michelle Visage, while All Star and Fan Favorite guest judge Terry Blas returns to the podcast to lend his expertise! Spill the tea with us as we review every queen from the season, and, in a nod to the rare topicality of this episode, hear our speculations about who will be America's next Drag Superstar, before the winner is announced!

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]. Drop us a line and let us know what you think of the show, or give us suggestions for future episodes!

And be sure to check out Terry's website, and follow him on Twitter @TerryBlas

Also, 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.

http://media.averyspecialepisodepodcast.com/AVerySpecialEpisode020.mp3

This week, we finally confront one of life's eternal questions: what would we do, baby, without us?

That's right, it's time to tackle one of the seminal sitcoms of the 80s, Family Ties! Join Ryan, David and special guest Jess Tholmer as they discuss "A, My Name is Alex", in which Alex grapples with grief in the wake of his friend's sudden death, and the show stretches beyond its normal confines in the process. Do the gimmicks add to the impact of the episode, or does the whole thing just come across as forced and overwrought? You'll have to listen to find out!

So dim the lights and enter a minimalist representation of reality, 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]. Drop us a line and let us know what you think of the show, or give us suggestions for future episodes!

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

Also, 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.

http://media.averyspecialepisodepodcast.com/AVerySpecialEpisode019.mp3

This week, David, Carolyn & Austin are joined by David's girlfriend, Lauren Paulson, as they tackle one of the greatest sitcoms of the nineties (and all time), Roseanne, by discussing the two-part "Crime and Punishment" & "War and Peace", aka the ones where Fisher beats up Jackie. Join us as we talk about how great Laurie Metcalf is, how sexy John Goodman is, and how very funny these episodes manage to be while also being very special.

So pick up a bucket of chicken (skin only), 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]. Drop us a line and let us know what you think of the show, or give us suggestions for future episodes!

Also, 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.

http://media.averyspecialepisodepodcast.com/AVerySpecialEpisode018.mp3

Don't be a-scared by the lack of color, we've just gone back to an allegedly-simpler time to discuss Leave it to Beaver's "Beaver and Andy"! Join Ryan, Carolyn & Austin as they discuss an episode NOT about child molestation, but instead, one about the surprisingly-sophisticated question of how much information is too much information to share with kids. We also offer up our own theory as to the origin of Beaver's nickname, marvel at Ward's suits, and make fun of Wally.

So put aside that untied Monkey's Knuckle, 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]. Drop us a line and let us know what you think of the show, or give us suggestions for future episodes!

Also, 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.

http://media.averyspecialepisodepodcast.com/AVerySpecialEpisode017.mp3

It's another very special episode of "A Very Special Episode", as Carolyn first leads the Midwest boys in a discussion of "Booby Traps", one of the infotainment cartoons starring Private Snafu ordered by the US Army in World War II and created by some of the finest minds working in Warner Bros. animation, including Mel Blanc and Dr. freaking Seuss. Then, she and Ryan are joined by special guest (and SbtB Reviewed favorite) Terry Blas to discuss the World War II-era, Academy Award-winning, Donald Duck cartoon "Der Fuehrer's Face" in our first ever LIVE episode, recorded at the Alberta Street Pub as part of the Rivercity Podcast Federation launch show.

So bone up on fascism and set your Rube Goldbergian deathtraps, 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]. Drop us a line and let us know what you think of the show, or give us suggestions for future episodes!

Also, be sure to check out Terry's website, and follow him on Twitter @TerryBlas 

And of course, 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.

http://media.averyspecialepisodepodcast.com/AVerySpecialEpisode016.mp3

It's time for another very special episode of A Very Special Episode, as Ryan leads Austin and special guest Alex Falcone in a discussion of Mary Kay Letourneau, the infamous teacher who had sex with her sixth grade pupil, got pregnant by him, went to jail, had sex with him again, got pregnant again, went back to jail, then eventually married him. We discuss All-American Girl, the made-for-TV movie about her story, and a 20/20 special, in which Mary Kay, her husband Villi Fulaau. and their teenage daughters are interviewed by Barbara Walters in honor of their tenth wedding anniversary. Along the way, we debate whether it's okay for a teacher to have sex with her student if they're in love (it's not), whether Barbara Walters is still a good interviewer (she's not great), and how to talk like a convincing couple-in-love (Mary Kay & Villi aren't great at this, either).

So break parole, then download and listen here, rate & review us on iTunes or listen via Podbean, Stitcher and Google Play. Also, follow the show on Twitter, like our Facebook page, and email us via [email protected]. Drop us a line and let us know what you think of the show!

And be sure to check out Alex's website, follow him on Twitter, and buy his book, Unwrap My Heart!

A Very Special Episode is now part of the Rivercity Podcast Federation, a group of like-minded podcasts from across the internet. Check out our esteemed company here.

http://media.averyspecialepisodepodcast.com/AVerySpecialEpisode015.mp3