1984’s Supergirl attempted to expand the Superman cinematic universe with a new hero, fresh mythology, and a bold new direction. But did it live up to its promise?
 
On this episode of Franchise Detours, Robert Yaniz Jr. welcomes The Vern from Cinema Recall to discuss Helen Slater’s debut as Kara Zor-El, the film’s campy villain turn from Faye Dunaway, and where this underrated entry fits into the legacy of superhero cinema.

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It’s a bird, it’s a plane… it’s a tonal shift! Robert is joined by Sandro Falce of Oldie But a Goodie to discuss Superman III, the movie that trades high-stakes heroics for slapstick hijinks.

From Richard Pryor’s chaotic tech wizardry to Clark Kent’s trip down memory lane, the third Christopher Reeve Superman film is as infamous as it is fascinating. We talk evil Superman, high school reunions, synthetic kryptonite (with… tar?), and why this sequel's weirdest legacy might be inspiring Office Space.

The final entry in the franchise to definitively turn a profit, Superman III also marked the beginning of the end for the Donnerverse. But how does it play decades later?

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On this episode of Franchise Detours, we continue our deep dive into the original Superman film series with 1980's Superman II — both the theatrical cut and the 2006 Richard Donner Cut.

Darin Lundberg of NostalgiaCast and Back To Bluey joins us to explore how the behind-the-scenes turmoil affected the film’s tone and vision, from Richard Lester’s more comedic approach to Donner’s darker, character-driven version. We'll also discuss Superman’s (Christopher Reeve) relationship with Lois Lane (Margot Kidder), the legacy of Terence Stamp's General Zod as a villain, and what both versions reveal about the evolution of superhero storytelling.

Did Superman II essentially create the template for modern superhero sequels? Perhaps. But whichever version you prefer, this episode has something for every fan of truth and justice.

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A new Franchise Detours mega-series takes flight! Deanna Chapman of The Podcast Life joins us to take a fresh look at 1978’s iconic Superman: The Movie just as James Gunn’s 2025 reboot starring David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, and Nicholas Hoult soars into theaters.
 
We’ll discuss Christopher Reeve’s iconic portrayal of the Man of Steel, how the original film set the blueprint for superhero cinema, and the enduring legacy that continues to influence the genre and filmmaking today. We’ll also dive into the film’s groundbreaking special effects, its hopeful storytelling, and what Superman: The Movie means for this beloved character’s big-screen future.
 
No matter which version is “your” Superman, this episode welcomes all fans as a celebration of the superhero myth and its cinematic evolution. Join us as we revisit the series launched by director Richard Donner’s original film, including 1984’s Supergirl and 2006’s Superman Returns.

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Buckle up — we’re cruising into a major milestone! Four years and 100 episodes later, Franchise Detours is putting the pedal to the metal with a special celebration that takes you on a high-octane journey through the 16 mega-series we’ve covered so far.

Past and future guests Lauren Robinson of the Beer’d Al Podcast, Darin Lundberg of NostalgiaCast, Ryan Luis Rodriguez of One Track Mind, filmmaker Jackson Smith, Brian Skutle of the Sonic Cinema Podcast, and David Rosen of Piecing It Together make pit stop appearances as we pull over to revisit favorite moments, unforgettable conversations, and what makes these franchises legendary.

Along the way, we'll steer you through reflections on the trip from Episode 0 to now, discussing all 16 mega-series to date in a bracket-style format that leaves one franchise standing. And we'll also announce the first mega-series queued up for 2026. 

Whether you’re a seasoned co-pilot or just hopping in for the ride, this episode is all about celebrating the road traveled and mapping out the journey ahead. So fill up your tank, roll down the windows, and enjoy the ride as we commemorate 100 exits to date.

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On this episode of Franchise Detours, we reach the final stop in Richard Linklater’s Before trilogy with 2013’s Before Midnight. Jackson Smith returns to the show to unpack this raw, reflective chapter in the ongoing story of Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Céline (Julie Delpy).
 
Set nearly two decades after their first meeting, Before Midnight trades youthful idealism for hard-earned honesty as the couple confronts what lasting love really looks like. We’ll discuss how Linklater, Hawke, and Delpy bring a lived-in authenticity to this bittersweet installment, one that challenges everything that came before it.

With its intimate long takes and emotionally charged dialogue, Before Midnight shifts the trilogy’s tone from romantic fantasy to grounded reality. It's a love story, yes, but one that dares to ask what happens after the fairy tale. Join us as we complete our trek through one of the finest trilogies in cinema history.

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On this Franchise Detours, we continue our stroll through Richard Linklater’s Before trilogy with a stop in Paris and the heartbreaking honesty of 2004’s Before Sunset. Dallin Curtis, The Film Fanatic, joins us to unpack the film’s real-time structure, emotional depth, and themes of missed opportunities and second chances.
 
Nine years after their unforgettable night in Vienna, Jesse and Céline reunite for another epic conversation. But was their brief connection just a fleeting moment or the beginning of something lasting? We’ll dig into how Before Sunset shifts the tone, raises the stakes, and digs deeper into the characters' emotional evolution.

Join us as we talk Linklater’s direction, Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy’s electric chemistry, and what Before Sunset teaches us about love, regret, and timing. And be sure to check back next episode as we revisit Jesse and Céline one last time, with an in-depth chat about 2013’s trilogy-ending installment Before Midnight.

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On this episode, we’re kicking off a mega-series on the Before trilogy, which quietly redefined what a franchise could be. Megan Kearns of Spoilerpiece Theatre joins us to unpack Richard Linklater’s 1995 romantic drama Before Sunrise, the film that launched one of cinema’s most intimate and epic love stories.

Before Sunrise captures a fleeting connection between two strangers, Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Céline (Julie Delpy), as they wander, talk, and fall in love over the course of a single night in Vienna. We’ll discuss how the film's naturalistic dialogue, romantic spontaneity, and subtle direction helped redefine modern love stories.
 
We’ll also dive into how Jesse and Céline’s dynamic continues to resonate with audiences decades later and what makes Before Sunrise such a timeless beginning to Linklater’s masterful trilogy. Whether you're new to the Before series or revisiting it with nostalgic eyes, this episode sets the tone for the cinematic journey ahead.

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Franchise Detours wraps up its wild ride through the Naked Gun trilogy as we welcome The Famous Ashley Grant to take on 1994’s Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult.
 
As Frank Drebin (Leslie Nielsen) comes out of retirement for one last case, Robert and Ashley break down how this third installment pushes the parody further to deliver a grand finale.

Together, we’ll explore the film’s biggest swings — from its over-the-top look at police to that unforgettable Oscars climax — and debate whether the final Naked Gun takes solid aim.

It’s the end of the line for Frank Drebin. But will he go out with a bang, a whimper... or one last ridiculous pratfall? Catch the finale of Franchise Detours’ Naked Gun mega-series!

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The chaos continues on Franchise Detours as Leslie Nielsen’s bumbling Frank Drebin returns for more slapstick mayhem in 1991’s The Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear.
 
Ryan Luis Rodriguez of One Track Mind — inaugural member of the Franchise Detours five-timers club — returns to tackle this comedy sequel. But does director David Zucker retain the deadpan humor that made the first film such a classic?

Robert and Ryan explore Drebin’s evolution as a comedic force, the film’s razor-sharp jabs at politics and energy policy (yes, really), and how the Zucker-Abrahams-Zucker team doubled down on sight gags and wordplay. Plus, they discuss the series’ staying power and its influence on modern comedy. 

Ready for another round of pratfalls, puns, and perfectly timed chaos? With such a wide range of gags both high-brow and low in The Naked Gun 2 1/2, we guarantee “[you’ll] love it!”