When we think of the quintessential British hero, our minds often jump to the high-octane world of James Bond or the eccentric brilliance of Sherlock Holmes. But as we grow older, the "throne of cool" begins to look a little different.

In this episode, Luke explores the "anti-Bond": George Smiley. Created by John le Carré, Smiley isn't a dashing super-spy; he is an overweight, bespectacled desk worker whose marriage is failing and whose glory days seem long behind him. Yet, it is precisely this "averageness" that makes him one of the most compelling figures in 20th-century fiction.

We’ll dive into:

• The Master of the Slow Burn: How Smiley’s methodical, patient, and strategic nature allows him to outmaneuver enemies who mistake his calmness for weakness.
• Icons of the Screen: Comparing the legendary performances of Alec Guinness in the BBC miniseries and Gary Oldman in the 2011 film adaptation.
• The "Book is Better" Myth: Why watching a film first can sometimes be the perfect gateway into a complex literary world.
• A Hero for the Rest of Us: Why Smiley resonates more deeply as we age, offering a portrait of heroism defined by wisdom, endurance, and the quiet battle for morality.

---

Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube. 

Support Least Important Things on Patreon

You can be part of the show by leaving a voicemail here. 

You can email the show at [email protected] or reach out via social media at the links below. 

Read our articles and learn more about the show at www.leastimportantthings.com

---

Sources for this episode:

• Royalty-free music and sound effects via Artlist.com
• Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1979) Opening Theme
• Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (1979) - Alec Guinness - Toby's Questioning
• Smiley tells the Minister - Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)
• The Genius of John le Carré
• DR. NO | "Bond, James Bond" – Sean Connery, Eunice Gayson | James Bond

Send us a text

Follow Least Important Things:

• Letterboxd
• Instagram
• YouTube
• TikTok
• Facebook

All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material is done for a limited, educational and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.

For anyone who grew up in a northern climate, the phrase “snow day” carries a weight of pure, unadulterated magic. In this episode, host Luke Ferris explores the transition from the childhood wonder of "cosmic intervention" to the grounded reality of shoveling the driveway as an adult.

Luke dives into the "sacred rituals" shared on playgrounds everywhere—from sleeping with spoons under pillows to wearing pajamas inside out—all in the hope of tipping the scales of the weather. He also reflects on the 2000 Nickelodeon millennial childhood classic Snow Day, and how the movie’s aspirational portrayal of what a snow days inspired a generation. 

---

Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube. 

Support Least Important Things on Patreon

You can be part of the show by leaving a voicemail here. 

You can email the show at [email protected] or reach out via social media at the links below. 

Read our articles and learn more about the show at www.leastimportantthings.com

---

Sources for this episode:

• Royalty-free music and sound effects via Artlist.com
• Snow Day (2000) Trailer #1 | Movieclips Classic Trailers

Send us a text

Follow Least Important Things:

• Letterboxd
• Instagram
• YouTube
• TikTok
• Facebook

All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material is done for a limited, educational and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.

"Ten years. Ten years!" It's time to go back to high school for a special Grosse Pointe, Michigan, reunion episode centered on the 1997 action-comedy cult classic, Grosse Pointe Blank. 

Grosse Pointers Mike Wynne and Peter Tellarico join Luke Ferris to discuss the film's accuracy to 90s suburban Michigan. From the auto industry references to the snacks at the Ultimart, the boys explore why this film was rejected by its namesake city, yet remains a nostalgic cult classic amongst movie fans (and Gen Xers). 

---

Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube. 

Support Least Important Things on Patreon

You can be part of the show by leaving a voicemail here. 

You can email the show at [email protected] or reach out via social media at the links below. 

Read our articles and learn more about the show at www.leastimportantthings.com

---

Sources for this episode:

• Royalty-free music and sound effects via Artlist.com
• Grosse Pointe Blank - Trailer HD

Send us a text

Follow Least Important Things:

• Letterboxd
• Instagram
• YouTube
• TikTok
• Facebook

All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material is done for a limited, educational and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.

After five years of walkable bliss, Luke Ferris has finally relented to the great American tradition: the daily commute. But in the transition from city sidewalks to suburban boulevards, he rediscovered a forgotten magic on the FM dial.

In this episode, we explore the "surrender of choice" found in local independent radio (shoutout to Grand Rapids’ own WYCE) and how the cinematic "vibe" of Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood helped Luke transform road rage into a Cliff Booth-inspired state of mind. From the diegetic beats of Baby Driver to the neon-soaked streets of Drive, we’re looking at how the music coming through your speakers can turn a mundane 15-minute crawl into a meaningful moment of community.

---

Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube. 

Support Least Important Things on Patreon

You can be part of the show by leaving a voicemail here. 

You can email the show at [email protected] or reach out via social media at the links below. 

Read our articles and learn more about the show at www.leastimportantthings.com

---

Sources for this episode:

• Royalty-free music and sound effects via Artlist.com
• ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD - Official Trailer (HD)
• No Easy Way Out - Rocky IV [HD Audio]
• Best car scene ever Tommy Boy
• Baby Driver Opening Scene (2017) | Movieclips Coming Soon
• DRIVE Legendary Intro with Ryan Gosling (Full Scene)
• Once Upon A Time In Hollywood - Brad Pitt driving scene - Cliff booth
• once upon a time in hollywood brad pitt driving scene

Send us a text

Follow Least Important Things:

• Letterboxd
• Instagram
• YouTube
• TikTok
• Facebook

All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material is done for a limited, educational and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.

Are you having a holly, jolly Christmas? Well, you’re about to…

Welcome to the first-ever LIT Holiday Special! Luke Ferris and Mike Wynne answer listener questions about Christmas movies, holiday traditions, and more. 

---

Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube. 

Support Least Important Things on Patreon

You can be part of the show by leaving a voicemail here. 

You can email the show at [email protected] or reach out via social media at the links below. 

Read our articles and learn more about the show at www.leastimportantthings.com

---

Sources for this episode:

• Royalty-free music and sound effects via Artlist.com

Send us a text

Follow Least Important Things:

• Letterboxd
• Instagram
• YouTube
• TikTok
• Facebook

All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material is done for a limited, educational and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.

Uncover how the lore of J.R.R. Tolkien's comprehensive work—from The Lord of the Rings to The Silmarillion—speaks to a deeper understanding of life and death compared to the teachings of religion, philosophy, and science.  

---

Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube. 

Support Least Important Things on Patreon

You can be part of the show by leaving a voicemail here. 

You can email the show at [email protected] or reach out via social media at the links below. 

Read our articles and learn more about the show at www.leastimportantthings.com

---

Sources for this episode:

• Royalty-free music and sound effects via Artlist.com
• The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Official Trailer #1 - (2001) HD
• LOTR The Fellowship of the Ring - Bucklebury Ferry
• LOTR The Fellowship of the Ring - Extended Edition - The Departure of Boromir
• J.R.R. Tolkien on Creating Fictional Worlds
• All You Have To Decide

Send us a text

Follow Least Important Things:

• Letterboxd
• Instagram
• YouTube
• TikTok
• Facebook

All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material is done for a limited, educational and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.

On a cold, snowy Sunday night, Luke Ferris drove to the movie theater to see the new film from acclaimed Norwegian director Joachim Trier called Sentimental Value. 

Here's what he learned...

---

Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube. 

Support Least Important Things on Patreon

You can be part of the show by leaving a voicemail here. 

You can email the show at [email protected] or reach out via social media at the links below. 

Read our articles and learn more about the show at www.leastimportantthings.com

---

Sources for this episode:

• Royalty-free music and sound effects via Artlist.com
• SENTIMENTAL VALUE - Official Trailer - In Theaters 11.7

Send us a text

Follow Least Important Things:

• Letterboxd
• Instagram
• YouTube
• TikTok
• Facebook

All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material is done for a limited, educational and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.

Learn how a TV antenna and an old Super Friends episode led to clarity about the human relationship to technology. 

---

Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube. 

Support Least Important Things on Patreon

You can be part of the show by leaving a voicemail here. 

You can email the show at [email protected] or reach out via social media at the links below. 

Read our articles and learn more about the show at www.leastimportantthings.com

---

Sources for this episode:

• Royalty-free music and sound effects via Artlist.com

Send us a text

Follow Least Important Things:

• Letterboxd
• Instagram
• YouTube
• TikTok
• Facebook

All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material is done for a limited, educational and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.

String up your Christmas lights and charge your walkie-talkies, today we’re discussing why we love Stranger Things.

Joining Luke Ferris in the first-ever outdoor recorded episode is Audrey Ferris to discuss the sensational and nostalgic Netflix show, which is coming up on its fifth and final season. 

---

Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube. 

Support Least Important Things on Patreon

You can be part of the show by leaving a voicemail here. 

You can email the show at [email protected] or reach out via social media at the links below. 

Read our articles and learn more about the show at www.leastimportantthings.com

---

Sources for this episode:

• Royalty-free music and sound effects via Artlist.com
• Stranger Things 5 | Official Trailer | Netflix

Send us a text

Follow Least Important Things:

• Letterboxd
• Instagram
• YouTube
• TikTok
• Facebook

All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material is done for a limited, educational and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.

Welcome to a traditional like any other. 

In this episode, we’re pitting the fiercest alien monsters together in a 16-team bracket tournament, where in one shining moment, we’ll crown the best alien monster in movies and television.  

Joining Luke Ferris is an expert alien-analyst panel: Mike Wynne and Zach Hall. 

---

Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube. 

Support Least Important Things on Patreon

You can be part of the show by leaving a voicemail here. 

You can email the show at [email protected] or reach out via social media at the links below. 

Read our articles and learn more about the show at www.leastimportantthings.com

---

Sources for this episode:

• Royalty-free music and sound effects via Artlist.com

Send us a text

Follow Least Important Things:

• Letterboxd
• Instagram
• YouTube
• TikTok
• Facebook

All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material is done for a limited, educational and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.