On today's podcast, Brian and Mandy discuss the controversy around Mia Ballard’s horror novel "Shy Girl," which was pulled from UK shelves and had its US release canceled after AI-detection software suggested it was partially AI-written. Ballard denies writing it with AI and blames an editor, while Brian notes AI detectors can be unreliable and the fallout could unfairly end careers and slow traditional publishing. They then pivot to Hollywood’s struggles, debating audience trust, whether Internet critics can admit something “isn’t for them,” and Marvel TV head Brad Winderbaum’s claim that viewers were wrong about "She-Hulk" despite low Rotten Tomatoes scores. Brian argues Marvel’s longtime “bigger crossover” strategy is nearing its limit, raising questions about how studios can restore interest without sliding into low-effort, possibly AI-driven mediocrity that turns movies into background noise.

00:00 Can You Get Them Back

00:48 AI Book Scandal

02:53 Detecting AI Writing

04:25 Publishing Slowdown

05:32 Fall Of Hollywood

05:44 What Are You Excited For

07:38 Critics Versus Audiences

09:50 She Hulk Debate

12:00 Marvel Crossover Fatigue

17:33 Making Movies Fun Again

18:38 Mediocrity And AI Fears

20:01 Closing And Sign Off