Force Toast: A Star Wars Happy Hour

In Episode 122, hosts Alyce and Laura venture* bravely into Star Wars and its scary fandom! 

• Alyce goes button-mashing in a cloud of cigarette smoke. In other words, she lost $20 on a slot machine at a casino.
• New wine fridge invention idea, we call it! 
• Lord of the Rings man-species hotties are old af (in-universe, that is)
• Star Wars Outlaws came out. That’s all we have to say about that, we’re not gamers.
• The next season of Ahsoka is probably at least 18 months away
• On that note, whatever business model these television series are using that is causing it to take 3+ years to make eight (8) 30-minute episodes needs to be abolished immediately
• RIP The Acolyte (via Deadline)
• And on that note, is the Star Wars fandom scaring away talent? This Rolling Stone article weighs in
• How The Mandalorian & Grogu movie needs to balance its various audiences
• Allegedly Boba Fett will not be in the Mando movie. But who knows?
• On a more positive note, we finally got a Skeleton Crew trailer last month! We’re excited, we like the look, we are sat. 
• Recap on Tap: It’s the Kelnacca one-shot comic by Cavan Scott! Alyce and Laura have differing takes and no idea how to pronounce anyone’s names, but it makes for an interesting conversation!
• A brief investigation into where things stand with the forthcoming (?) video game Star Wars Eclipse 

After we recorded but before this episode was released, we learned about the death of iconic Darth Vader voice actor James Earl Jones on September 9, 2024. We raise a toast in celebration of Jones’ life, legacy and his incredible 60-year career in film, television and stage. RIP.

Helpful links referenced in this episode:

• John Rocha, Kevin Smets and Laura discussed The Acolyte’s cancellation on the Aug. 20th episode of The Jedi Way
• On the most recent episode of The Jedi Way, Michael Vogel joined John and Laura to celebrate 10 years of Star Wars canon: what worked, what worked for us and what’s to come

Twitter: @forcetoastpod | @sLeiaAllDay | @ShutUp_Laura

Instagram: @forcetoastpod

Email: [email protected]

Website: forcetoastpod.com

*This podcast contains a sh!t ton of profanity and boozin. You can find a bleeped version of this podcast absolutely nowhere. Cheers!

In Episode 121, hosts Alyce and Laura welcome* you to Middle Earth (just for a little bit) for some Who’s Hot and Who’s Not, Lord of the Rings and 9/11, and built-in bathroom breaks for Alyce.

Then it’s back to Star Wars!

• More LEGO Star Wars is coming soon! Check out the trailer here
• Check out People Magazine’s feature on Skeleton Crew. And yes, we’ve already decided we are head over heels for NEEL 
• Speaking of, the Skeleton Crew trailer didn’t come out until AFTER we recorded, but watch it here and let us know what you think! 
• Catching up on the publishing portion of the Star Wars panel at SDCC (via Collider)
• It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s A NEW STAR WARS TRILOGY OF NOVELS! Reign of the Empire, or as we have christened it, the Aftermath of Andor. Learn more about it from this Gizmodo article.
• Oh hey, we found the preorder link for the Kelnacca one-shot!  
• Recap on Tap is another High Republic comic catch-up! It’s our spoiler-filled discussion on The High Republic Phase III comics issues #8, #9 and #10. If you’re avoiding spoilers for these issues, skip 42:20-1:07-34. 
• Boolan is Daddy and to that we ask… why 
• This episode includes a preview of our SPOILER discussion on The High Republic: Temptation of the Force with Sal from the Rogue Rebels Podcast! Find the full episode in the Rogue Rebels feed on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts! (Skip 1:12:08-1:17:05 in this Force Toast episode to avoid Temptation spoilers)

Helpful links referenced in this episode:

• Follow Rogue Rebels Podcast on twitter and Facebook  
• On the August 9th episode of The Jedi Way, John Rocha, Kevin Smets and Laura discuss what’s to come at D23 and new Skeleton Crew footage 

Twitter: @forcetoastpod | @sLeiaAllDay | @ShutUp_Laura

Instagram: @forcetoastpod

Email: [email protected]

Website: forcetoastpod.com

*This podcast contains a sh!t ton of profanity and boozin. You can find a bleeped version of this podcast absolutely nowhere. Cheers!

Get in, losers, we’re going to Brendon. I mean, Brendok!

In the episode formerly known as Episode #121, hosts Alyce and Laura are* PLAGUED [get it?] by technical difficulties AGAIN, this time in the form of a lost recording.

• We had a whole news segment, but Alyce’s computer shat the bed in the middle of our recording, so now it’s a big bonus Recap on Tap of The Acolyte episodes 7 and 8, feat. Fun With Autocorrect!
• The dark side has better clothes and cooler people…
• …but the light side has Vernestra’s awesome new dress (also lol at this)
• Darth Plagueis is the Fairy Godmother of Star Wars 
• Enjoy the moment at the end where the Chicago cicadas start singing the song of their people in the background
• The Acolyte Season 2: yay or nay? What do you think?
• Summer hours commence! Catch up on High Republic comics and join us on August 13 as we recap and catch up on Force Toast’s Episode 121 in 3 weeks! 

Helpful links referenced in this episode:

• Laura, John Rocha and Kevin Smets reviewed The Acolyte on The Jedi Way. Check out their reviews of Episode 7: Choice and Episode 8: The Acolyte
• Caught up on The High Republic? Check out Laura and Meg’s spoiler review of Temptation of the Force on Now This Is Lit 
• Laura joined the Hoth Hangout with Joey and Ben for a season review of The Acolyte’s first season, available later this week on July 25

Twitter: @forcetoastpod | @sLeiaAllDay | @ShutUp_Laura

Instagram: @forcetoastpod

Email: [email protected]

Website: forcetoastpod.com

*This podcast contains a sh!t ton of profanity and boozin. You can find a bleeped version of this podcast absolutely nowhere. Cheers!

Disclaimer in the off-chance this is your first episode of Force Toast: we had a technical issue (user-error) so the audio quality of Laura’s track isn’t up to our usual standards. Sorry, and know that we have resolved the issue so all future episodes will sound like our prior episodes =)

In Episode 120, hosts Alyce and Laura are* definitely NOT listening to or taking to heart all the ways Gen Z thinks Millennials are cringe™ now. 

• We don’t know a whole lot about Skeleton Crew yet but details are starting to emerge! (FalconBricks via SWNN)
• A Rogue One favorite is set to appear in Andor Season 2 (via ThePlaylist.net)
• This Collider interview with Leslye Headland following The Acolyte’s 6th episode was some interesting info and insight
• Speaking of The Acolyte, there is now High Republic Phase III concept art of Vernestra Rwoh!
• Updates on THR Phase III novel release dates (allegedly)
• It’s all about The Acolyte in this episode’s Recap on Tap! Plus, more fun with Apple’s Acolyte Autocorrect! Come for the dark path to a maybe-mutated Sith Lord in Episode 5, stay for Vernestra’s Poof Patrol in Episode 6.

Helpful links referenced in this episode:

• John Rocha and Laura are reviewing The Acolyte on The Jedi Way while Kevin has been away. Check out our reviews of Episode 5: Night and Episode 6: Teach / Corrupt
• Stay tuned for our spoiler discussion of The High Republic: Temptation of the Force on the Rogue Rebels feed in a few weeks!

Twitter: @forcetoastpod | @sLeiaAllDay | @ShutUp_Laura

Instagram: @forcetoastpod

Email: [email protected]

Website: forcetoastpod.com

*This podcast contains a sh!t ton of profanity and boozin. You can find a bleeped version of this podcast absolutely nowhere. Cheers!

In Episode 119, hosts Alyce and Laura ponder* why architects in the Star Wars universe are always building giant server rooms next to giant holes? 

• Alyce gives a lesson on Shyriiwook (to be clear, the lesson is not in Shyriiwook)
• F--- them kids? What does Dave Filoni think of a potential R-rated Star Wars film? (from the Happy Sad Confused podcast via The Hollywood Reporter)
• Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy discusses the Rey movie with SiriusXM (via LRMonline)
• Ki-Adi-Mundi: more than a meme? We’re weighing in on the Cerean Jedi’s appearance in The Acolyte 
• Rebecca Henderson and Jodie Turner-Smith discuss their roles in The Acolyte with The Hollywood Reporter
• Will we ever get a Bryce Dallas Howard-directed Star Wars film? (via Collider)
• Star Wars is sprinkling little High Republic bits all over canon these days and we’re not mad about it. Hell, even Star Wars Outlaws is getting in on it
• Laura may actually read this High Republic Adventures comic mini series in October 
• In Recap On Tap, Osha just thinks the Jedi are cool and honestly, we get it. Relatable. Check out our review/recap of The Acolyte episodes 3 and 4 before the new episode drops tonight (6/25)
• A Toast To #swtwt, TV and *checks notes*... yacht rock yoga? 

Helpful links referenced in this episode:

• The Jedi Way is reviewing The Acolyte - check out what Laura and John thought about Episode 3 and Episode 4  
• If you’ve finished Temptation of the Force, check out the June 16 episode of Jammed Transmissions, where Laura joins Rik Villanueva for a spoiler review of the new High Republic novel
• The Resistance Broadcast went LIVE with Laura to discuss The Acolyte episode 3

Twitter: @forcetoastpod | @sLeiaAllDay | @ShutUp_Laura

Instagram: @forcetoastpod

Email: [email protected]

Website: forcetoastpod.com

*This podcast contains a sh!t ton of profanity and boozin. You can find a bleeped version of this podcast absolutely nowhere. Cheers!

In Episode 118, hosts Alyce and Laura share* fermentation tips, break down recent Star Wars news and discuss their differing opinions on The Acolyte!

• A cooking lesson with Laura or: why you should always have your ears plugged around glass jars 
• Why an a gram when you could nag a ram?
• Who’s writing season 2 of Andor (via WGA)
• The Acolyte pulled in some impressive numbers (via Variety)
• Lee Jung-Jae wasn’t really sure why Leslye Headland offered him the role of Master Sol, but the man put in the WORK to make sure he got it right (via Hollywood Reporter)
• Learn all about Kelnacca in the comic one-shot coming this fall (via Gizmodo)
• Boba Fett faces off against his greatest foe yet: Barbie. 
• High Republic fans, rejoice! There’s new concept art for Phase 3 of THR for Temptation of the Force: Avar Kriss, Bell Zettifar, Burryaga, Cair San Tekka, Yoda and Elzar Mann! 
• Recap on Tap: join us as Alyce leads the recap of The Acolyte’s 2-episode premiere, Lost/Found and Revenge/Justice, and shares everything that Autocorrect got wrong
• Laura doesn’t like The Acolyte crawl 
• Give Master Vernestra a Force Floatie. She’s old, she’s over it and she just wants to be able to float around the temple like Yoda.

Helpful links referenced in this episode:

• Laura’s spoiler-free review of Star Wars: Temptation of the Force by Tessa Gratton is on twitter or Instagram!
• John Rocha, Kevin Smets and Laura Kelly review episodes 1 and 2 of The Acolyte on The Jedi Way!

Twitter: @forcetoastpod | @sLeiaAllDay | @ShutUp_Laura

Instagram: @forcetoastpod

Email: [email protected]

Website: forcetoastpod.com

*This podcast contains a sh!t ton of profanity and boozin. You can find a bleeped version of this podcast absolutely nowhere. Cheers!

In Episode 117, hosts Alyce and Laura take* you on a 90-minute journey to get caught on up Phase III of The High Republic!

• We’re in the endgame of The Acolyte promotion, so we discuss some of the recent promos and clips (Sol vs Mae, Vern’s lightwhip, Lee Jung-jae BTS), this interview with Amandla Stenberg and the SFX article broken down by SWNN.
• NOTE: there are NO SPOILERS or review coverage for The Acolyte episodes 1 & 2 in this episode of Force Toast. We’re excited for our friends who got to attend the premiere, but we have not seen the show yet and we’re not reading any review coverage until we’ve seen it ourselves! 
• We did not watch the 4-hour long video about the Galactic StarLoser hotel, but it sure has been a fascinating week watching fans (and Disney?) from around the galaxy weigh in 
• A few travel tips for those attending Star Wars Celebration Japan next year 
• Recap on Tap is a High Republic Phase III catch-up session! Join us as we recap and discuss Issues 5-7 of the comic run and the young adult novel Defy The Storm, ALL WITH SPOILERS! Consider yourself warned =)

Helpful links referenced in this episode:

• Laura and Rocha review Tales of the Empire and discuss footage from The Acolyte on the May 18th episode of The Jedi Way
• Stay tuned for a Star Wars roundtable on Crossing The Streams  on June 3rd, hosted by Nerd Chronic and featuring Laura, other Schmoedown competitors and some of your favorite Star Wars content creators

Twitter: @forcetoastpod | @sLeiaAllDay | @ShutUp_Laura

Instagram: @forcetoastpod

Email: [email protected]

Website: forcetoastpod.com

*This podcast contains a sh!t ton of profanity and boozin. You can find a bleeped version of this podcast absolutely nowhere. Cheers!

In Episode 116, hosts Alyce and Laura spend* roughly 40% of the episode laughing at their own dumb jokes and the other 60% discussing actual Star Wars.

• Alyce shares how her immersive Star Wars event immersed her in Star Wars  
• We are so hyped for The Acolyte! What did you think about the trailer and the poster? 
• Will The Acolyte have any connection to key characters in The High Republic’s Phase II? 
• Didn’t we already know the approximate release window for Skeleton Crew? Is this news?
• Who’s going to Star Wars Celebration Japan? Raise your hands! JK, put your hand down, loser, it’s not like we can see you 
• Laura shares some highlights from C2E2
• In Recap on Tap, we share our thoughts on The Bad Batch series finale, pause for a Lord of the Rings interlude and speculate on why Omega’s hair is so big (it’s full of secrets)
• We recap and discuss Tales of the Empire and ponder Morgan’s magistrate overlording of Corvus, if Vader recognized Barriss, the magic cave’s Harry Potter connection and how Lyn is super f*cking cool so have some damn respect! 

Are you caught up on your High Republic Phase III reading? You’ve got a few weeks! In Episode 117, we will recap The High Republic comic series and the YA novel, Defy The Storm!

Helpful links referenced in this episode:

• Laura, Kevin Smets and John Rocha discuss The Bad Batch finale and revisit memories of The Phantom Menace and The Force Awakens on the most recent episode of The Jedi Way 
• Get to know who’s who in The Acolyte in this handy dandy Nerdist article

Twitter: @forcetoastpod | @sLeiaAllDay | @ShutUp_Laura

Instagram: @forcetoastpod

Email: [email protected]

Website: forcetoastpod.com

*This podcast contains a sh!t ton of profanity and boozin. You can find a bleeped version of this podcast absolutely nowhere. Cheers!

Step aside, Abbott & Costello! In Episode 115, hosts Alyce and Laura turn* their dumb-ss little podcast into a Vaudeville Star Wars Hour! Kinda! 

• Alyce has big, albeit mysterious, May the Fourth plans!
• Vaudeville accents are attempted but Laura just kind of sounds like Jon Lovitz in A League of Their Own
• Celebrate Star Wars Day the way the Diabetes gods intended: with this sugar-infused blue milk
• Catching up on recent press for The Acolyte (GamesRadar, EW)
• If you’re mad about Star Wars entertainment being “too woke” and you’re pointing fingers at a media executive who is both a Boomer and a millionaire, you probably need to go touch some grass (The Direct via The Town podcast)
• The people who made the Tales of the Empire trailer did not have to go that hard. They did that FOR US.
• It’s almost our last Recap on Tap on The Bad Batch (SAD), but we’re going out with a bang and a lot of theories! 
• Tree Gate Update and a lesson about wildlife 

Helpful links referenced in this episode:

• Rocha, Smets and Laura discuss The Acolyte’s ambitions and review The Bad Batch on the most recent episode of The Jedi Way!

Twitter: @forcetoastpod | @sLeiaAllDay | @ShutUp_Laura

Instagram: @forcetoastpod

Email: [email protected]

Website: forcetoastpod.com

*This podcast contains a sh!t ton of profanity and boozin. You can find a bleeped version of this podcast absolutely nowhere. Cheers!

In Episode 114, hosts Alyce and Laura share* tales of trivia, driving away dates with Star Wars, winning, and cocktails stirred-not-shaken 

• Alyce did well at nerd trivia! Everyone clap for Alyce! 
• Fancasting Old Tey Sirrek 
• We are happy to have been wrong about The Acolyte release date (trailer link, sw.com article, The Acolyte databank)
• Haters can suck it, The Acolyte trailer is winning  
• Laura shares highlights from Empire Magazine’s feature on The Acolyte (find it in the Libby app, or wherever you buy magazines!)
• The status of Gina Carano’s lawsuit against Disney continues to be embarrassing and hilarious (via Variety)
• Bae aka Ewan McGregor did a re-watch of some of his prior roles, including Obi-Wan. Here’s where the Star Wars bit starts (via Vanity Fair)
• Celebrate The Phantom Menace’s 25th Anniversary with your fellow nerds, or use the occasion to break up with your significant other
• In Vidya Gamez, we briefly discuss the new trailer for Star Wars Outlaws
• We’re ugly on Zoom 
• Mace Windu can suck it
• You go, Glen Coco! Taylor Gray (Star Wars Rebels) is gonna be in an SNL movie and we think that’s neat (via Deadline)
• Recap on Tap: Epic Bad Batch Catch Up edition! We catch up on, recap and discuss episodes 8-11 of S3
• Stay tuned, we’ll catch up on The High Republic Phase 3 comic run and Defy The Storm soon!

Helpful links referenced in this episode:

• Frank Janisch fills in for Laura on The Jedi Way to discuss The Acolyte trailer, Asajj Ventress’ return and The Bad Batch S3 eps 8 & 9
• John Rocha and Laura discuss The Bad Batch S3 eps 10 & 11 on The Jedi Way 

Twitter: @forcetoastpod | @sLeiaAllDay | @ShutUp_Laura

Instagram: @forcetoastpod

Email: [email protected]

Website: forcetoastpod.com

*This podcast contains a sh!t ton of profanity and boozin. You can find a bleeped version of this podcast absolutely nowhere. Cheers!