Flopcast Archives - The ESO Network

Flopcast episode 724! A few weeks ago, we reviewed the 1925 silent black and white version of The Wizard of Oz, and it was… not great. So this week, we’re watching the 1939 version, which has sound and color (you know, mostly), and is arguably the superior film. And we’re here to talk about it. Our discussion includes: Professional show chickens, crullers, how people are still suckered by psychics, Dorothy’s red hair, professional show crows, Martin Short as a picket fence, the Tin Man’s Boston accent, “Existential Blues” by Tom “T-Bone” Stankus, a scarecrow with a gun, fake owls, and Huey Lewis. If this is all too much for you, just click your heels 251 times and download a different podcast. #wizardofoz #eso #esonetwork #geektalk #geekpodcast #geek #nerdtalk #nerd #nerdpodcast #podcast #flopcast

Episode 724 complete show notes and links at www.flopcast.net!

The post Flopcast 724: The Wizard of Oz 1939 – We’re Off to See the Chicken appeared first on The ESO Network.

Flopcast episode 723! While poking through a box of old magazines at Rubber Chicken Comics, we found something called Superstars of Soul. It’s an odd little educational workbook from 1986, and it taught vocabulary and reading comprehension to the kids while they learned about their favorite soul acts. So we’re flipping through the whole book today, and our conversation includes: Chaka Khan on The Love Boat! Prince punching a guy! Coffee for the Pointer Sisters! Jeffrey Osborne meets the Big Blue Bug! Hall meets Oates in a freight elevator! And lots more. (Is this just our excuse to talk about Irene Cara for two episodes in a row? Perhaps…) Also: Kevin is talking Scooby-Doo on A Podcask of Amontillado, and we’re celebrating Pi Day with an irrational pie. #1980s #80s #superstarsofsoul #debarge #irenecara #pointersisters #eso #esonetwork #geektalk #geekpodcast #geek #nerdtalk #nerd #nerdpodcast #podcast #flopcast

Episode 723 complete show notes and links at www.flopcast.net!

The post Flopcast 723: Superstars of Soul Silliness appeared first on The ESO Network.

Flopcast episode 722! In the wake of last week’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame episode, Kevin and the Mayor check out documentaries about two of the nominees: Luther Vandross and Jeff Buckley. (Kevin also stumbled upon a 1985 movie starring Tatum O’Neal and Irene Cara that we suspect has never been seen by anyone else ever.) And we brave the mean streets of Allston, Massachusetts (featuring poorly shoveled sidewalks and drunk college kids) to see a couple of wonderful bands: Foxy Shazam (those glam rock maniacs responsible for the Peacemaker opening theme song) and Descartes a Kant (a Mexican quartet with Devo-style costumes and a super-cool retro-futuristic concept album). Plus: The Mayor is a guest on a couple of other podcasts (The Doctor’s Beard and The 42cast) to discuss Doctor Who, Witchblade, and perhaps other nerd stuff. #luthervandross #jeffbuckley #foxyshazam #descartesakant #irenecara #eso #esonetwork #geektalk #geekpodcast #geek #nerdtalk #nerd #nerdpodcast #podcast #flopcast

Episode 722 complete show notes and links at www.flopcast.net!

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Flopcast episode 721! The new list of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees was just released, and as usual we spend a whole episode kicking it around. And once again we’re joined by writer, publisher, and podcaster (BatChums, Dragon Con Report, Earth Station Who) Michael Gordon! Join us as we recall seeing INXS live, wonder if this will finally be Mariah’s year, and try to figure out what a “sussudio” is. Of course, Air Supply still has not been nominated. And that’s why we’re furious. #rockhall #rockandrollhalloffame #mariahcarey #inxs #ironmaiden #philcollins #jeffbuckley #luthervandross #pink #newedition #eso #esonetwork #geektalk #geekpodcast #geek #nerdtalk #nerd #nerdpodcast #podcast #flopcast

Episode 721 complete show notes and links at www.flopcast.net!

The post Flopcast 721: Still Whining About the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame appeared first on The ESO Network.

Flopcast episode 720! Back in the 70s and 80s, the television broadcast of The Wizard of Oz was a hugely anticipated annual event. The kids had their Wizard of Oz dolls from Mego, and their Wizard of Oz comic book from Marvel and DC, just to get them through the long year between viewings. But that was the classic movie from 1939. Have you ever seen the 1925 version? Kevin and the Mayor just did, so we’re here to file our report for you. This is a bizarre little silent slapstick comedy, and it features a Buster Keaton-type Scarecrow, a Dorothy played by a lady actually named Dorothy, Oliver Hardy (pre-Laurel) as the Tin Man, an unhealthy dose of blatant racism, and a vomiting duck. It’s not great, but it is a curiosity. And since it’s silent, you don’t have to worry about the duck breaking into “Over the Rainbow.” #wizardofoz #eso #esonetwork #geektalk #geekpodcast #geek #nerdtalk #nerd #nerdpodcast #podcast #flopcast

Episode 720 complete show notes and links at www.flopcast.net!

The post Flopcast 720: The Wizard of Oz 1925 – Duck Problems appeared first on The ESO Network.

Flopcast episode 719! The Mayor is back in Chickentown with a full report on her trip to Los Angeles for Gallifrey One, the long-running annual Doctor Who convention! Including: The 1986 Doctor Who USA Tour! The Mayor’s panel about the Doctor’s companions! A quick bonus visit to the Comic-Con Museum in San Diego! A special appearance by Flash Gordon! And the return of a long lost Flopcast segment, What’s in the Bag! And now with this California adventure out of the way, we can get back to enjoying the soul-crushing miserable winter. #doctorwho #gallifreyone #flashgordon #eso #esonetwork #geektalk #geekpodcast #geek #nerdtalk #nerd #nerdpodcast #podcast #flopcast

Episode 719 complete show notes and links at www.flopcast.net!

The post Flopcast 719: Gallifrey One – Meat Journey appeared first on The ESO Network.

Flopcast episode 718! It’s been over a year, but we’re finally returning to The Super Dictionary, that bizarre book from the 70s that taught vocabulary to the children using DC Comics superheroes. This time we’re learning (sort of) about words starting with H, I, and J. But because this book is so weird, we’re really learning that Batgirl is fascinated by geese, whales love Wonder Woman’s shoes, Atom rides hummingbirds, Supergirl irons her cape, Catwoman’s house is filthy, and Comet the Super Horse hates chickens. Yikes, we’ve learned so much, and we’re not even halfway through The Super Dictionary. But we’re trying to pace ourselves, lest our heads explode with too much very important information. (Is Aquaman secretly a kangaroo? We’ll find out soon, when we get to the K section.) #superdictionary #dccomics #eso #esonetwork #geektalk #geekpodcast #geek #nerdtalk #nerd #nerdpodcast #podcast #flopcast

Episode 718 complete show notes and links at www.flopcast.net!

The post Flopcast 718: The Super Dictionary – Hawkgirl Has a Gizzard appeared first on The ESO Network.

Flopcast episode 717! Were you listening to the radio half a century ago? And was it ridiculous? We’re looking at a list of the Top 100 songs of 1976, and it sure seems that way. But it’s a fun mix of classic rock, disco, easy listening, disco, novelty songs, and a little more disco. There’s even a TV theme song on the list, and it just might involve a Sweathog or two. If you remember when the Bay City Rollers ruled the charts, this will take you back. Slip into your Starland Vocal Band concert t-shirt and enjoy. #disco #baycityrollers #discoduck #eso #esonetwork #geektalk #geekpodcast #geek #nerdtalk #nerd #nerdpodcast #podcast #flopcast

Episode 717 complete show notes and links at www.flopcast.net!

The post Flopcast 717: Junk Food, Convoys, and Ducks – The Songs of 1976 appeared first on The ESO Network.

Flopcast episode 716! This is a short one, because here in Chickentown, we’re all a bit under the weather. (And the weather is not good. A massive snowstorm approaches, and we may be trapped in the studio until June. Please send coffee.) But we do have a quick concert report on The Monkee Men, an excellent Monkees tribute band we learned about from our friends at the Monkeeing Around podcast. This leads to a discussion of tribute bands in general, and we also announce the formation of Toy Soldiers, our new Martika tribute band. But that might be the medication talking. #monkeemen #monkees #eso #esonetwork #geektalk #geekpodcast #geek #nerdtalk #nerd #nerdpodcast #podcast #flopcast

Episode 716 complete show notes and links at www.flopcast.net!

The post Flopcast 716: Last Train to Flopville appeared first on The ESO Network.

Flopcast episode 715! With the Mayor away on special assignment, it’s a quick solo show with Kevin just yammering about comic books from 1976. Our collection of goofy 50-year-old comics includes: An evil space cowboy riding Superman, Harvey Pekar on the streets of Cleveland, the Joker and his pet hyena, Alfred E. Neuman as George Washington, Ronald McDonald in the Olympics, super heroes battling super gorillas, Andy Panda’s tricky pal Charlie Chicken, and much more. Half a century ago, comic books cost thirty cents. But this podcast is free. All we ask is that you waste your time giggling about Aquaman with us. #comicbooks #comics #dccomics #eso #esonetwork #geektalk #geekpodcast #geek #nerdtalk #nerd #nerdpodcast #podcast #flopcast

Episode 715 complete show notes and links at www.flopcast.net!

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