“He’s a ghost, and he writes to us… Ghostwriter!” Okay, Beyond the Lens team. Let’s rewind with Rico and Eric (who joins us from Starbucks) to the 1990s about Sesame Workshop’s show about literacy aimed at an older audience. Ghostwriter was produced and aired way before Rico was born, but that didn’t stop them from talking about everything related to the Ghostwriter team, from the Slime Monster story, to the dark origins of who Ghostwriter really was, and even which team member Rico thinks could be on the Spectrum… But can the duo rally together, crack open the case books, and start piecing the puzzle for what to expect on a potential Ghostwriter reboot? Stay tuned, because the Ghostwriter Team… I mean, the Beyond the Lens co-hosts (with PJ MIA again due to scheduling conflicts) are on the case! (How awkward would it be if Ghostwriter WAS real? He wouldn’t be able to listen to our podcasts, but would he know that his outline became the universal RSS feed icon?)

Gotta get up! Gotta get going! Sorry this is posted late… (It was a busy weekend for me, Rico!) Eric starts a discussion with Rico and PJ about The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. This is an animated TV series that aired on Saturday mornings on ABC and reran on Disney Channel for many years until 2007. Yet, in usual Beyond the Lens fashion, the discussion shifts gears, this time albeit slightly to any and everything related to Pooh Bear, from A.A. Milne’s books to the 2018 film, Christopher Robin, and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh rides at various Disney parks, as well as other various films released over the years. While there might not be any honey available for downloading and listening to this episode, it’s a sweet episode you don’t want to miss!!

Grab your Bibles, and take a trip with us up and down the produce aisle. In today’s episode, PJ leads a discussion with Eric and Rico about the popular Christian-themed show for children, VeggieTales! Of course, our recurring theme of religious content in children’s programming is a topic for discussion. As the first show to ever be produced in CGI, the history of the show is also discussed, as well as various songs and pop culture references. Also talked about is NBC’s big (but not-so-bright) idea to cut out all religious references and mention of God in their initial airings. Whether you’re religious or not, you don’t want to miss this episode! (And don’t worry, Bob, no “What Have We Learned Today?” song is featured in this podcast!)

There may be a song that doesn’t end, but this podcast episode does have an ending! Eric discusses with Rico and PJ the career and life of Shari Lewis, and her most beloved sock puppet creations, Charlie Horse, Hush Puppy, and of course, Lamb Chop. From Lamb Chop’s Play-Along to a discussion of puppetry in general, this is one episode you don’t want to miss!

PJ rejoins Eric and Rico to discuss her favorite Disney movie, The Hunchback of Notre Dame. From the villain she loves to hate (Frollo) and the beautiful music, to the comic relief that was the Gargoyles and how Disney somehow managed to get away to a G rating, an insightful discussion of the movie and other adaptations of Victor Hugo’s novel is, well, out there somewhere within this podcast episode. However, the trio gets sidetracked with a discussion on Disney’s walk around characters in the parks and other Disney-themed topics. However, there never is a dull moment in this conversation, so hang on tight as we discuss The Hunchback of Notre Dame (as much as Disney likes to talk about it)!

All aboard! Due to technical difficulties de-railing our planned Hunchback episode, Eric and Rico stoke up the magic in the mountain for a conversation on the 2000 Thomas film Thomas and the Magic Railroad. Although the film did not perform well at the box office and was heavily criticized, the film had a lot of potential that was ruined at the last minute due to executive meddling. From detailing the differences found in the various scripts and the final product, to other causes the co-hosts are passionate about, this episode is one train you don’t want to miss! The campaign to release the “Lost Edition” of this movie is very close to Eric and Rico as a part of their nonprofit Restore The Magic, and you can find more details about how to help get it released at restorethemagic.org. Sparkle sparkle sparkle!!

Come on inside, it’s a wilder ride! Eric, Rico, and PJ discuss The Magic School Bus –– the series that makes kids excited to learn about science and how things work from an up-close, first-hand experience. From the books to the TV series (and it’s Netflix reboot), there’s plenty to explore here. The trio also discusses various fan parodies inspired by the series. This is one field trip of an episode you don’t want to miss! (That pun was not made by Carlos!!)

Happy 2019!! In our second Thomas-themed episode so far, we discuss what is probably the most contentious (and current) era of the Thomas & Friends franchise: Big World! Big Adventures! In this iteration, Mattel (the owners of the Thomas & Friends franchise) has partnered with the United Nations to bring Thomas on a journey around the world in this multicultural rebrand of the series. Between season 22 and the feature-length special, Rico, Eric, and PJ have a lot to discuss about these changes, the split reaction among adult Thomas fans, and even what this means for the future of children’s television. And stay tuned to the very end: There may be a surprise for the long-term listeners for Beyond The Lens!

In our final episode on Christmas-themed specials (and the final one for 2018), we discuss PJ’s favorite Christmas special, the Emmy Award-winning special A Charlie Brown Christmas. Eric, Rico, and PJ discuss the film’s message on the true meaning of Christmas and it’s effect on the trio’s Christmas spirit. For a non-traditional film as far as Christmas specials go, executives and producers who worked on the film did not think it would perform well, and it’s surprise success is also discussed. The podcast ends with a public domain recording of “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” performed by the U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own” Chorus, as this is the song that closes out this famous special. And from Rico, Eric, and PJ, from our family to yours, happy holidays, and here’s to a happy 2019!

Continuing with the theme of our favorite Christmas specials, we discuss Eric’s pick, the Rankin-Bass special The Year Without a Santa Claus. The conversation ranges from the Miser brothers and their other various appearances in media to Rankin-Bass themselves. Eric, Rico, and PJ also discuss the true meaning behind the legend of Santa Claus as well as the Christmas Spirit. Though this episode diverges from the topic a lot (similar to our pilot episode on Zoom), this is one holiday podcast rich with discussion and insight. You don’t want to miss it!