Beware of the Leopard: the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy podcast

Mark Steadman, Jon Hickman and Danny Smith continue their mission to discuss everything in the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy canon , in alphabetical order.

Alpha Centuri

A real star system that might’ve put paid to the Vogons’ plan to destroy earth. Otherwise known as an intergalactic Slough.

Altarian Dollar

A now defunct currency that probably doesn’t go as far as it used to.

Amalgamated Union of Philosophers, Sages, Luminaries and Other Thinking Persons

The organisation to which Vroomfondel and Majikthise belong. We discuss whether they’re any good at the thing they purport to protect.

American Express

A small credit card from Earth, and the subject of some pretty nasty bar disputes.

Angst in Space

A film Wowbagger watches, deftly summarised in Netflix synopsis style by Jon.

Antarean mosaic lizard

A teeny-tiny lizard whose skin adorns a marble-topped bar in Milliways.

Antarean parakeet glands

Revolting little cocktail garnishes, but the inspiration for a few confessions from our team.

Anthony Sharp

The voice of the Milliways waiter and of the great prophet Zarquon. Here we discuss what we’d like to be remembered for.

Apple

The people who make computers, one of which was purchased by Arthur when he tried to find his old cave on prehistoric Earth.

Book recommendation

This week we’re recommending Ready Player One, by Ernest Cline. Pick it up in audiobook form for free by taking out a free 30 day trial with Audible. Just head to audibletrial.com/leopard to get started.

Get in touch

• Let us know what you first used a computer for, by emailing [email protected].
• Follow @amarksteadman, @jonhickman and @probablydrunk on Twitter.
• Read Danny’s writings.
• Listen to Jon Hickman’s running podcast, You Don’t Look Like a Runner.

Mark Steadman, Jon Hickman and Jon Bounds embark on a mission to discuss everything in the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy canon , in alphabetical order.

Advanced Vectoid Stabilisis

A device you can add to your spaceship, “that only wimps go for”. It might also be prime fodder for a Top Gear discussion.

Agrajag

The creature with the sprained mind, who constructed the Cathedral of Hate in Arthur’s name, after believing him to be the cause of his many deaths. Here we share some confessions and decide if Agrajag was right to accuse Arthur of killing him several times.

Alcohol

A colourless, volatile liquid formed from the fermentation of sugars.

Here's the music we used.

If you’re confused by the bread roll reference, this should help.

Aldebaran

A giant orange star about 65 light years from our sun, and the brightest star in the constellation of Taurus. It is a real thing, Jon. 

Algol

A star in the Perseus constellation, and is home to the Algolian Suntiger. It is also a real thing (the star, not the tiger). 

Allosimanius Syneca

A world of stunning natural beauty. It only gets one mention, in Life, the Universe and Everything , as the place Trillian flies the Heart of Gold to. In this episode, we also find out that Jon Hickman names his running shoes after his favourite sci-fi spaceships. 

Almighty Bob

The god whose existence is probably the most spurious, as he was likely invented by Old Thrashbarg. Here we share our favourite, possibly-offensive religious epithet and find out that Almighty Bob is a way for the people of Lamuella to exercise care in the community.

Book recommendation

This week we’re recommending What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions, by XKCD’s Randall Munroe. Pick it up in audiobook form for free by taking out a free 30 day trial with Audible. Just head to audibletrial.com/leopard to get started.

Get in touch

• Let us know what you call a bread roll, by emailing [email protected].
• Follow @iamsteadman, @jonhickman and @bounder on Twitter.
• Read Jon Bounds’ Pop and Politics blog.
• Listen to Jon Hickman’s running podcast, You Don’t Look Like a Runner.

Mark Steadman, ape descendent, is on a mission to discover and discuss everything from the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy , in entirety, and in alphabetical order.

With the help of his friends Jon Hickman, Jon Bounds and Danny Smith, he’ll examine everything from Arthur to Zaphod, and all points in-between. 

This is not a definitive guide to the Guide , but rather an exploration of a pop culture universe that’s brought joy to old nerds and young geeklings alike. 

Search “Beware of the Leopard” in your favourite podcast app, find the show at btlpodcast.com and look out for the first episode on Thursday, August 31st.

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