For some reason, known only to network and streaming service executives, late spring often seems like a wasteland in the TV landscape, leaving even Tod struggling to find something to watch. In this episode the Regular Joe’s catch up on what they’ve been viewing in recent weeks. As we ease into summer there is hope, along with a pair of high stakes superhero films, on the horizon and they run down the high points for the coming weeks. Also, with Barry finally caught up, they close the door on The controversial second season of The Last of Us. And, in case you were wondering, what was on their respective minds this past Monday there’s the usual Random Topics. Thanks for listening!

This week Dave and Tod went to the ballet. What, you’re not buying that? Then let’s go with, this week the two of them went to see Ballerina the John Wick spin-off starring Ana de Armas. Which, perhaps not surprisingly, is less a cultural experience and more like watching a John Wick film with a much more attractive, protagonist. If hot women and flamethrowers don’t do it for you, they also discuss the awesome, but eclectic, EXO6 1/6 Star Trek figure line. And then, tariffs be damned, there’s a Round of What’s in the Box. And, of course, there’s the usual Random topics. Thanks for listening!

Next up it’s the latest installment in the ongoing “Brian Knows a Guy“ series. This time the regular hosts and Brian Mix sit down with Daren Dochterman. An illustrator and set designer for the motion picture industry who has worked on numerous projects, including dozens of films. A guest at the recent Wonderfest, Mr. Dochterman, who is currently working on projects with the Roddenberry Archive, shares his insights and experiences in film production, including the final, and ultimate version of, Star Trek: the Motion Picture. It’s a far ranging interview with a fascinating man.  And yes, there’s also the usual Random Topics. Thanks for listening!

This week the regular Regular Joe’s, along with Brian “I know a guy“ Mix, travel to Louisville, Kentucky for Wonderfest, the long, running convention for modelers, both amateur and professional. The 35th annual show hosted an amazing range of entries from the basic to the extreme, including more renderings of the Creature from the Black Lagoon than you could count. There was also a broad selection of dealers, assuring that even the non-modelers had to fly home with something. They were joined there by many longtime friends, including. Steve Smith who talks about how he transitioned from attendee to vendor with his own custom offerings. Along the way they also sit down with Marta Kristen, Judy Robinson in the original Lost in Space 1965-1968. She shared memories of working on that series and, because Barry had to ask, playing Lorelei the mermaid in Beach Blanket Bingo (1965). A good time was had by all. Thanks for listening!

After three decades and seven previous cinematic outings, super agent Ethan Hunt clocks in for, what is said be, his final mission. This week the Joes pass on Lilo and Stitch and instead check out Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning. Does this newest entry in the venerable action thriller franchise break out of the time tested mold of, a world threatening McGuffin, death-defying stunts, and lots of Tom Cruise running? SPOILER. No, not so much. Does it do an exceptional job of staying in its lane, even while raising the stakes, and looking amazingly good doing it? Again SPOILER, yes, yes it does. While no one who has ever seen a Mission Impossible film will be surprised by what they see, they won’t be disappointed either. There’s also the usual Random Topics, including some superfluous, Star Wars themed, dead horse beating, and a round of What’s in the Box. Thanks for listening!

In 2018 when Disney announced a Star Wars TV series based on the Cassian Andor character from Rogue One (2016) the news was met with a resounding … Really?  In 24 episodes, three years of our time, covering five years of his time, we’ve come to know Cassian Andor better than any other character in the Star Wars cinematic universe. We’ve seen his triumphs, his failures, and the sometimes meandering path that led him to his demise in Rogue One. It’s the tale of how a thief became a spy, who became a hero and some of the best storytelling under the Star Wars banner. You can argue about it being slow at times, you can point out the areas where it gets obsessed with minutia, but when you step back and look at the big picture it’s an amazing and unique narrative. This week the Joes address the final episodes of Andor and cover some Random Topics. Thanks for listening!

aka - A long time to watch in a galaxy far, far away … Star Wars (1977) has a runtime of 121 minutes. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016), considered by right minded people to be the best of the Star Wars prequels, has a runtime of 136 minutes. Andor the prequel, or perhaps prelude, to Rogue One clocks in at 1212 minutes, or just over 20 hours. This week, with three of four, three episode Andor arcs released the Regular Joe’s devote even more time to examining how those minutes were spent. There’s no disagreement that Andor has its moments of greatness. What is in dispute is, whether the great justifies the wait. As you might expect, opinions vary.   You may also like to know, the Regular Joes Podcast has received a Major Award (yes, thats a Christmas Story reference), we were named one of the top collecting podcasts on the web by Million Podcast, you can see the full list here -   There’s also the usual Random Topics, and a round of What’s in the Box. Thanks for listening!

This week, the Regular Joe’s take on Marvel’s Thunderbolts* or is it the New Avengers? The film which proves 36 installments into a franchise you can still come up with something new and different to do with an odd collective of 2nd tier characters.  As Brian Mix is on board, they give him a brief opportunity to express his dissenting opinion about the Last of Us, before the others explain why he is totally wrong. Somewhat inevitably, some discussion of Andor creeps in as well. There’s also the usual Random Topics. Thanks for listening!

This week, the Regular Joe’s tackle the first trio of episodes from two shows returning for long awaited sophomore seasons. The Last of Us was the surprise hit of 2023. It is the  rare video game property that found a life of its own, and proved that zombies weren’t actually done to death. The show returns with a gut punch of a second episode, delivering tandem assaults viewers are unlikely to forget. Meanwhile, in a galaxy, not all that far away, Andor, the 2022 prequel to Star Wars prequel Rogue One, is back, depicting the title character’s evolution from, dude out for himself, to rebel hero. While not everyone agrees on how Tony Gilroy chose to use screen time, the first of  four three episode arcs reminds us how good Star Wars really can be. There’s also a round of What’s in the Box and the usual Random Topics.

As the Regular Joes await the long anticipated return of Andor they take a look at some of the many other things the House of Mouse has been pursuing on the Marvel, Star Wars and other fronts. Daredevil: Born Again, the continuation, more or less, of Netflix Daredevil series, has wrapped delivering much of what we were looking for, while still leaving us wanting for more. Star Wars Celebration 2025 yielded lots of upcoming Star Wars news, including films that we actually believe are going to happen. But, we’ve been fooled before. Lastly there’s updated trailers for Tron: Aries (October 10), Fantastic Four: First Steps (July 25), and the soon to drop Thunderbolts*. Note: Excitement levels vary widely for these projects. There’s also a round of What’s in the Box and the usual Random Topics. Thanks for listening!