OH!CAST | Exploring Geek Culture, Fandom and Pop Culture

The Last Perfect Trilogy? A Retrospective on 80s Sci-Fi

We dedicate this episode to the enduring legacy of one of the most beloved movie series of all time: the Back to the Future Trilogy Retrospective. Join the hosts as they ask whether the Robert Zemeckis/Bob Gale creation remains the last "perfect trilogy." It has not been ruined by legacy sequels or unnecessary updates. Therefore, we celebrate the film's broad appeal. This appeal, for example, spawned sequels, a video game, comic books, and an official musical.

The Flawless First Film: Script, Casting, and the Clock

The conversation begins with the original 1985 classic. Many fans, including the hosts, consider the script of the first movie "quote unquote perfect." Because it ties up every element so neatly, it feels flawless. We dive deep into the film's necessity-driven details. This includes the iconic DeLorean, which originally was not the time machine. Furthermore, we also analyze the genius of the casting. Michael J. Fox's movement and energy created a radically different Marty McFly compared to the footage of original actor Eric Stoltz.

Production Secrets: Time Machines and Ticking Clocks

We explore the secrets behind the film's production and its legendary tension. Learn about the two bizarre original ideas for the time machine's power source. The first was a refrigerator, and the second was Coca-Cola to appease a studio. We discuss the famous climax. This climax came from necessity. The production team couldn't afford the original plan to use a nuclear bomb test to power the DeLorean. Instead, Zemeckis and Gale replaced it with the masterpiece of tension that is the Clock Tower lightning strike. Consequently, this proves the old filmmaker adage: "To add tension in a scene, you add a ticking clock."

The Sequels and Securing the Legacy

The Back to the Future Trilogy Retrospective concludes by examining the sequels. We look at Part II and Part III. Specifically, we discuss the incredible effects work, the fun of the 2015 future sequence, and the amazing transformation of Christopher Lloyd into the older Doc Brown. Finally, we praise Zemeckis and Gale's stipulation that there will be no remake or sequel during their lifetimes. This secures the trilogy's perfect, conclusive ending with the time-traveling steam train.

Whether you're a lifelong fan of time travel movies or new to the series, this episode offers a rich exploration of the magic behind the Back to the Future trilogy. Tune in for an engaging conversation filled with laughter and cinematic mastery.

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Creating the Improvised Doctor Who Show and Twilight Zone Improv

Hosts Cal, John, and Martin welcome James Gamblin and Lou Dunn to the show. James and Lou are the creators of the hit Edinburgh Fringe show, "Any Suggestions, Doctor?". This is an Improvised Doctor Who Show. The idea started over a pint. Eventually, it became a main feature at the Festival. The team discusses how they deliver a brand new Doctor Who adventure every single night. Furthermore, they base all of this on audience suggestions. We also touch upon their other successful project. This is a completely improvised Twilight Zone show. Therefore, they discuss the challenge of shifting between different sci-fi genres on the spot.

Lo-Fi Sets and the Live Music Secret

The Improvised Doctor Who Show deliberately embraces the low-fidelity charm of classic Doctor Who. James and Lou explain their technique. They use simple, generic props, such as blankets and cloths. Specifically, these stand in for giant monsters, alien terrain, and other complicated elements. This choice encourages the audience's imagination. Moreover, one of the show's unique elements is the use of a live musician. This person scores the entire performance. They act as a secret director: by increasing the tempo and volume, they subtly signal to the improv performers. Consequently, the Doctor needs to solve the crisis and save the day immediately. It's an innovative technique that adds genuine tension to the spontaneous narrative.

Structuring the Story and Audience Navigation

Lou and James detail the structure of the show. They use long form improv to tell an entire episode's story over a single hour. Therefore, they must follow the established beats of a traditional Doctor Who episode. This includes A, B, and sometimes C plots that must eventually converge.

This Doctor Who Improv relies heavily on audience suggestions for the episode's title, setting, and companion characters. The hosts explain the delicate balance of navigating audience suggestions. These occasionally include sensitive or inappropriate topics. However, they still keep the performance successful, fun, and true to the spirit of the show. Additionally, we explore their hope of bringing the show to the Outer Hebrides. John even offers to provide a replica Dalek for their performance. This confirms the strong connection between fandom and improvisational comedy. The interview concludes by reflecting on the sheer joy and unpredictability of performing a different sci-fi universe every single evening.

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The Breton Roots of Gaelic Fantasy Translation

Host Callum welcomes Fanch back to the podcast. Fanch, a Breton native, discusses his lifelong passion for fantasy and Celtic languages. He explains his Breton heritage. This heritage naturally connected him to the folklore of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. In addition, this directly influenced his love for modern fantasy like Lord of the Rings and Star Wars. We focus on his work on Gaelic Fantasy Translation and language reclamation. Fanch, a self-proclaimed language nerd, also delves into his personal journey. For example, he learned multiple Celtic languages. These include Irish, Scottish Gaelic, and even the Doric dialect of Scots. This interest in linguistics leads to a fascinating discussion. They talk about T.R.R. Tolkien, a philologist. Indeed, he famously created his epic fantasy world only after first inventing the languages to populate it.

The Cairn RPG and Translation Method

Fanch details the genesis of his Gaelic Fantasy Translation work. Specifically, this began when he translated the role-playing game (RPG) Cairn into Gaelic for OH!CON. That is the Outer Hebrides Comic Con. He explains that translating the game involved more than simple word-for-word substitution. He had to think in the language. Consequently, he could not just use what the English jargon says. This helped complex terms like "constitution saving throw" make sense to a native Gaelic speaker. He highlights the final published version. In fact, many readers assumed it was the original text. This was a testament to its successful translation.

Reclaiming Gaelic as a High-Level Language

The discussion moves to Fanch's new project: a published Glossary of Fantasy Terms for the Gaelic language. He emphasizes that this dictionary wasn't created out of necessity. However, Gaelic already possesses the vocabulary for battles, weapons, and monsters. Specifically, this was built through centuries of oral warrior and bardic traditions. Instead, the book reclaims and collects these existing words. This offers players everything needed to run a complex RPG campaign entirely in Gaelic.

The project is part of a larger theme: language reclamation. Therefore, it restores Gaelic to its historical position as a language of high culture, law, and power. This counters the common view that it was only ever a language of the croft. Finally, Fanch draws parallels to the recent surge of popularity in Ukrainian language RPGs. He shows how tragic events can sometimes galvanize a culture to value their native tongue. In other words, they integrate it into modern pop culture.

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The Origin of the Outer Hebrides Comic Con

Host Callum welcomes Kathleen and John, the masterminds behind OH!CON. However, ironically, they are two of the most difficult guests to nail down for the OH!CAST show! They are the core organizers of the Outer Hebrides Comic Con. John and Kathleen finally sit down to share the full origin story of OH!CON. Indeed, this is a question many people have asked the team for years. We go right back to the beginning of the journey. In addition, we discuss how a full-scale Comic Con was developed in the Outer Hebrides.

Planning, Passion, and Community

The discussion moves beyond the initial idea. Kathleen and John reveal the extensive planning, passion, and sheer effort required to turn the concept into a successful annual event. They talk about the biggest challenges they faced in the early years. Furthermore, they detail how they secured guests and venues in the Hebrides. The founders explain that OH!CON wasn't just built for the existing nerd community. Instead, it was built for the entire island community. Therefore, they passionately discuss the unique atmosphere that only OH!CON creates. This atmosphere is one of absolute acceptance and joy. Consequently, this is clearly a labour of love for both of them.

OH!CON's Enduring Legacy

The hosts reflect on the incredible community legacy of the Outer Hebrides Comic Con. Moreover, they recall the touching stories that sum up the spirit of OH!CON. For instance, John recounts the story of a young boy attending the very first OH!CON. The boy ran off, exclaiming, "These are my people!" Thus, this powerful moment perfectly encapsulates the event's purpose. They stress that OH!CON provides a space where people can be their authentic selves. They don't have to pretend to be into football or other mainstream hobbies anymore.

Finally, Kathleen and John look forward to the next convention. Consequently, they tease some of the guests and events they are currently planning. Ultimately, this is a deep dive into the heart and soul of the convention and the people who make it happen.

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The CAR-PGA Culture War: Leaving Twitter for Blue Sky

Mike Truska, host and current committee chair for the CAR-PGA, welcomes everyone to the virtual session. He begins with crucial housekeeping notes, including welcoming new members Adam and Hugh. They quickly move the discussion to serious matters, including the recent decision to leave Twitter/X. Mike explains that many reasons prompted the move; the membership was "under attack" was not the least of them. A published book, which became the central storm around a ridiculous CAR-PGA Culture War, caused this. Mike notes the situation was a clear sign it was time to leave. Consequently, the organization has adopted Blue Sky. This is paying dividends by helping the CAR-PGA find a new audience and share monthly newsletters. He stresses that strength in numbers is important to activate the CAR-PGA base against these attacks and navigate the CAR-PGA Culture War.

Herward's PhD Research on TTRPG Relationships

Mike is thrilled to introduce guest Herward (Herward Prupes), a member who is also a psychotherapist and PhD researcher. Herward shares his origin story, detailing how he got into tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs). As a non-competitive kid, he loved imaginative play. He started with AD&D Second Edition after reading David Gemmell's Waylander. After drifting away, he returned to TTRPGs during the 2020 COVID lockdown, a common experience for many.

Herward's PhD research focuses on how TTRPGs' co-creative nature builds positive social relationships. The germ of the idea came when a new player assumed the group had been lifelong friends, but they had only met through the online campaign. Therefore, he is studying the psychological safety and rapid bonding created by working through fictional challenges together. Herward's current methodology involves observing face-to-face and online groups. They follow this with interviews to analyze the dynamics through the lens of Carl Rogers' therapeutic relationship theory.

CAR-PGA Housekeeping and Future Plans

Before the interview, Mike also reminded members about the upcoming board vote. The CAR-PGA always seeks new board members to ensure healthy turnover. Submissions will open in January for the February vote. He emphasizes that the CAR-PGA embraces diversity and inclusion. This philosophy is becoming more critical to uphold as the organization goes forward, especially in the wake of the recent culture war.

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Anns a' phrògram seo, bidh Fanch, James agus an aoigh sònraichte Viktor a' bruidhinn mu Gheamannan Cluich Dreuchd

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The Cairn RPG: Introducing Yochai and Fanch

Host Cal welcomes everyone to OCAST. Joining him tonight is guest host Fanch, the translator of the Cairn RPG Gaelic Translation. Fanch is joined by the game's creator, Yochai. Yochai is the writer behind the popular tabletop game. He immediately shares his pleasure at hearing his name pronounced correctly. Cal then passes the hosting duties to Fanch.

Simplicity, OSR, and Design Philosophy

Fanch, a Cairn fan himself, immediately dives into the game's origin. He asks Yochai about the Old School Revival (OSR) movement. Cairn is a prime example of this movement. Yochai explains that OSR games deliberately strip away complex rules. This, therefore, allows the focus to shift. Specifically, the focus moves from character statistics to player agency and creativity. Cairn's design philosophy aims for clarity and simplicity. This simplicity contrasts sharply with rules-heavy systems like later editions of Dungeons & Dragons. Furthermore, this minimal ruleset makes it an ideal introduction to the hobby.

Linguistic Challenges and Cultural Impact

The discussion moves to the unique Cairn RPG Gaelic Translation. Fanch shares that translating the game involved complex linguistic decisions. He could not rely on existing fantasy jargon. Instead, he had to invent or reclaim specific Gaelic terms for modern gaming concepts. This was a challenging but rewarding process. The final product was a hit. The translated Cairn RPG was sold at Ocon. Indeed, it quickly proved the high demand for TTRPGs in minority languages. This showed that the language could support high-level creative endeavors.

The Role of Language and Culture

Yochai and Fanch share a discussion about language. They consider whether different languages are truly separate or merely varieties of a common root. They discuss the difference between a language and a dialect. In fact, Fanch draws a parallel to the famous Yiddish joke about the difference between a language and a dialect being "an army". Yochai, who lives in St. Andrews, notes the fascinating variety of Scottish accents. He even admits the Shetland accent sounds Norwegian to him. Finally, the group concludes the Cairn RPG Gaelic Translation project has been a great success. They hope it helps more people explore TTRPGs in Gaelic and other minority languages.

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Des's Review of OH!CON (The Intro)

Host Cal welcomes back Des. Des is the awesome host of this year's OH!CON. Des praises the Outer Hebrides Comic Con. He calls it a passion project done by fans. In fact, he compares it to a "beautifully cooked steak meal"—or, for the vegan director Kathleen, "a beautifully cooked bit of tofu". Cal and Des then quickly transition from comparing cons to a brief tangent on the 2012 horse meat scandal. Afterward, they dive into the main topic.

40 Years of Ghostbusters: Reviewing the Original Classic

Cal and Des are here tonight to discuss a franchise that has hit its 40th anniversary: the 1984 classic Ghostbusters. Even if you haven't seen the movie, its icons are ingrained in the popular zeitgeist. This ranges from the No Ghost Logo to the Ecto-1. Furthermore, the host and co-host praise the cast. This includes comic geniuses Harold Ramis, Bill Murray, and Dan Aykroyd. They also discuss Sigourney Weaver in her first big comedic role.

The discussion shifts to the film's creation. Specifically, they focus on Dan Aykroyd's "mental" original outline. Aykroyd wrote this 40-page outline. It featured an already-established global Ghostbusters team. This team traveled through time and space. They emphasize Ramis's role in grounding the script. Cal and Des give the original film a strong verdict. In short, they conclude, "We came, we saw, we kicked its ass."

The Real Ghostbusters and the Filmation Lawsuit

The hosts next tackle The Real Ghostbusters cartoon. Des explains the title's origin. The movie studio Columbia Pictures did not have the television rights to the name. Instead, a company called Filmation held the rights. Filmation released its own version. Therefore, Columbia's cartoon became "The Real Ghostbusters" as a petty dig. Des notes the cartoon's quality dropped significantly after Season 2. That happened when writer J. Michael Straczynski left. This led to an over-focus on Slimer as a marketable mascot. Consequently, they call the cartoon series a "split decision." They conclude that the later seasons are definitely a "who you're to call somebody else."

Ghostbusters Sequels: II, Answer the Call, and the New Era

The episode concludes by covering the rest of the Ghostbusters franchise:

• Ghostbusters II: Des dislikes the film, giving it a "total protonic reversal," while Cal respectfully disagrees. However, they agree that the immense hype it had to follow unfairly panned it at the time.
• Ghostbusters: Answer the Call (2016): Des finds the improvising in this movie to be over-the-top. Nonetheless, he acknowledges it does not deserve the anger it received. Furthermore, it has a positive message for its target audience of mothers and daughters.
• Afterlife and Frozen Empire: The hosts believe these films have rejuvenated the franchise. They achieved this by bringing back the original 1984 characters and serving as a tribute to Harold Ramis (Egon Spengler). The hosts agree that the 40 Years of Ghostbusters franchise is in a good place. Yet, they caution the studio against oversaturation.

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Why Should I Watch Wrestling?

Host Cal and co-host Kenny welcome Billy Strachan, the host of the Scottish Wrestling Podcast. The episode begins with the classic question non-fans pose: "You know it's all fake, don't you?". Billy's response is that it's "Panto". He says the best way to enjoy the Scottish Wrestling Scene is to "Go see it live". He explains that wrestling is "triumph over good over evil in person with Lycra". Ultimately, for two or three hours, you get invested in the characters. You just want to shout and cheer, making it live entertainment at its absolute rawest.

A Primer on the WWE Eras

Billy provides a primer on the history of WWE. He notes that Vincent J. McMahon owned the promotion before his son, Vincent Kennedy McMahon, bought up everyone. This created a worldwide phenomenon. The discussion then moves through the different eras of WWE:

• Golden Era: Featured major stars like Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, and The Warrior.
• New Gen: After a steroid scandal, the focus shifted more to wrestling talent like Bret "The Hitman" Hart and Shawn Michaels.
• Attitude Era: Known for controversial storylines and stars such as Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock.
• Current Era: Following Vince McMahon's retirement, the promotion is currently in what people refer to as the Renaissance Era or the Triple H Era. This happened after the Ruthless Aggression Era (John Cena, Brock Lesnar).

The Talent Boom and Drew McIntyre's Impact on Scottish Wrestling

Billy points out that Scotland is vastly over-represented in WWE given its size. The current roster features a host of talent, including Wolfgang, the Coffee Brothers (Mark and Joe), Noam Dar, Piper Niven, Alba Fire, and Isla Dawn. Furthermore, Billy credits Drew McIntyre with the mainstream "boom" in the Scottish Wrestling Scene. Drew's return to the local ICW promotion in 2014 and the BBC ICW Fight Club documentary helped drag the independent scene up with him. As a result, the scene grew large enough to draw crowds of 6,000 people to the Hydro in Glasgow.

The Future of the Scottish Wrestling Scene

The hosts discuss the current Scottish Wrestling Scene, noting that local media still shows a "snootishness towards wrestling" despite the success. Billy, who runs the Scottish Wrestling Network, admits he struggles to understand why it doesn't get major coverage. Finally, he observes that the numerous independent promotions are unlikely to merge. This is true even though promotions like ICW, Discovery Wrestling (owned by Joe Hendry), and WrestleZone are drawing big crowds and attracting major guest stars (like Billy Gunn and Gangrel for WrestleZone). He concludes that this is because, in his experience, "nobody agrees with each other in Scotland" on how to run things in the Scottish independent scene.

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Fandom in the Outer Hebrides: Gaelic, Klingon, and Star Trek

Host Robert welcomes Callum and Martin, two members of the Star Trek and sci-fi community in the Outer Hebrides and OH!CON Isle of Lewis. The episode begins with greetings in both Klingon and Gaelic. Callum and Martin then discuss their earliest memories of Star Trek. For Callum, the Motion Picture shuttlecraft was his first captivating view. Martin remembers watching the Original Series (TOS) on an old-style television. He notes that Star Trek was one of the first and best sci-fi shows. Martin especially praises the show's futuristic concept of a diverse crew, featuring a black female and a Russian, all acting as equals.

Deep Space Nine: The Best TV Show Ever Made

The discussion moves through the decades of Star Trek. Callum watched reruns of TOS on BBC Two. He eventually watched The Next Generation (TNG) and Deep Space Nine (DS9). Callum states that DS9 is his favorite. He calls it one of the best TV shows ever made. Furthermore, he names Garak as his favorite character and "Far Beyond the Stars" as one of the most emotional episodes. Both Callum and Martin moved back to the island and found each other through the "Alba" Star Trek fan page. They agree on the importance of having a local group to talk about Star Trek and other sci-fi.

The Origins of OH!CON Isle of Lewis

The conversation pivots to the local convention, OH!CON. The organizers held the inaugural meetings to set up the Comic Con. The original plan was to hold the first event in May 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic stopped the world. The website went dark for two years. The first event was eventually held in October 2022 because organizers could not book a summer venue. They credit "The Admiral" Kathleen and John for masterminding the convention. Callum and Martin never doubted the crowd's appetite for the OH!CON Isle of Lewis convention.

Comic Con Culture and Audience Appetite

The enthusiasm for OH!CON, especially after lockdown, was immense. Martin and Callum mention that the town of Stornoway set a world record for the most people per head of population turning out to watch Star Wars: The Force Awakens. This proved the island has always had an appetite for "geek stuff". The Friday night geek quiz was a huge success. The first year, Callum had to type quiz questions as the first round was happening. He knew they had something special when he saw the tables filling up. Now in its third year, OH!CON has demonstrated it is a "proper thing" in the Outer Hebrides.

Cosplay and the Future of the Isle of Lewis Sci-Fi Community

The hosts discuss cosplay at the OH!CON Isle of Lewis event. Islanders are typically reserved. Organizers were stunned by the creativity and level of the costumes, including a Michelle Pfeiffer Catwoman. Anime is a popular choice for younger attendees. Cosplayers walking around Stornoway town center confused some of the older folk. The host expresses disappointment that he missed the 2023 convention due to a canceled ferry. He assures the guests he will clear his schedule and return next year to attend the OH!CON Isle of Lewis convention.

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