Regular Joes Podcast

Surprising as this may be, we usually do have a plan for each episode. Nevertheless, every so often the events of the day take precedent. This week, all to suddenly, and far too soon, we learned of the passing of Eddie Van Halen, which made most other things seem trivial. As we all await The Mandalorian's return we take a few minutes to discuss a pair of recent videos that look at what went into creating the physical model and motion capture apparatus used for the Disney+ series. In an era where CGI is easier and cheaper an effort like this is worth paying attention to. There's also the usual Random Topics, a round of What's in the Box and a Hot Toys Minute where the Joes catch up on a pile of recent acquisitions. And lastly, one of the hosts revisits Star Trek: Lower Decks with surprising results ... particularly to him. Check out pics of all the stuff and links for the videos at regularjoes.com. Thanks for listening!

It's pretty clear the fall TV season is not. And it seems this is just one more aspect of the new normal. Kind of like kids going to school in their living rooms, protests in the streets, and presidential debates that look like an episode of Jerry Springer. If all of this makes you long for a simpler time you are not alone. This week the Regular Joes set the Wayback Machine to September 1973 and take a look at TV Guide's (once) eagerly anticipated Fall Preview Issue. That Fall saw the debut of an amazing number of series that went on to earn their place in the American cultural zeitgeist. Including Tod's favorite from the era, a series that holds an unbreakable ratings record, and several you never heard of. If "We can rebuild him." "Goodnight, John Boy." and "Hi, Bob." evoke memories, you either lived through the 1970's or you spent a lot of time watching TVLand. If that does not do it for you there's always the usual Random Topics and a round of What's in the Box, where Barry and Tod each have a new Hot Toys figure and Dave has a new tool. Yes, that may also sound like a rerun but it's not. Thanks for listening!

This week the Regular Joes each sample one of the recent, noticeably sparse, Fall TV offerings and give their recommendations to you and each other. First up Barry drinks the Kool Aid with HBO's The Vow, a nine part documentary series that looks into the NXIVM cult that drew in many including several familiar actors. Next Dave heads to Mars with Hilary Swank in the Netflix series Away. If there's a target demographic for this most recent space program drama it really should include Dave ... but does it? Lastly Tod goes even further into the cosmos with a pair of Android parental figures, a handful of human embryos, and an Ark full of frozen religious zealots in HBO's Raised by Wolves. With a formula like that and Ridley Scott on board how can you go wrong? There's also a round of What's in The Box and the usual round of Random Topics. Thanks for listening!

We like Robots. Frankly, who doesn't. Robots have been a persistent presence in pop culture since Fritz Lang's Metropolis (1927). What is the allure of these mechanical/artificial men, and women? Why do we so easily identify with these characters who often have more in common with a home appliance than the human race? What makes a good robot good and a bad robot terrifying? To answer these questions and many more the Regular Joes bring in robot maker Brian Mix and one-time Droid manufacturer Derryl DePriest. Note: we also run down the lengthy list of female androids ... because that's a thing. There's also a round of Robot Related Show, and Tell the usual Random Topics, as well first reactions to the Mandalorian Season 2 trailer ... which contains fully 100% less robots than the previous season's trailer. Thanks for listening!

One of the Joes favorite shows from last year, Amazon Prime's The Boys, the dark, and often just wrong, adaptation of the Garth Ennis comic about Superhero's as corporate created and controlled celebrities is back for its sophomore season. For this week's podcast Tod forced Barry and Dave to watch THREE ENTIRE EPISODES. Curiously, Amazon's decision to drop the first three episodes at launch and then serve up the remaining shows weekly has generated more buzz than the series. Which is amazing given that one episode depicts the killing of an endangered species as a sight gag. Go figure. The guys also talk about the just released trailer for Dennis Villeneuve's Dune, as well as past efforts at this challenging property. There's also What's in the Box and the usual Round of Random Topics. Thanks for listening! And keep wearing that mask. It's a good look on you, really.

Do you remember how Leonardo da Vinci went back and touched up the Mona Lisa? Or how about when Mozart decided The Magic Flute could be just a bit more magical? Yeah, those things never happened. Nevertheless, Star Wars the ground breaking film by George Lucas, has been periodically tweaked and revised by someone who is, arguably, the same guy who created it. You can no longer see the film that debuted in 1977. Not officially anyway. Fortunately several dedicated (or possibly obsessed) fans have undertaken very different approaches to recovering, recreating, and restoring the beloved film. This week the Regular Joes are joined by robot builder and Star Wars historian Brian Mix as they look at three efforts to recapture the glory that was Star Wars. While they are on the whole "Star" thing they also roll out a new segment, Disasterpiece Theater, in which they take a look back at somewhat lesser film efforts. This week it's Star Crash (1978) which is weak on plot but delivers plenty of Caroline Monroe and David Hasselhoff. Theres also What's on My Workbench and the usual Random Topics. Thank for listening, and May the Edits be with You!

It's a very special episode. No, not the one where the guys stage an intervention over Barry's "Stormtrooper problem." 350 episodes in the hosts sit down with four long time friends who all, to one degree or another, manifest "Collector's Syndrome." You may be familiar with these symptoms, when acquiring one of something rapidly leads to having a dozen or more of them, or the empty, hollow feeling that comes from owning an incomplete set of collector cards. While there is no known cure for Collector's Syndrome group therapy is known to help, and this episode is a good first step. Warning: this episode contains several references to MEGO figures, considered by many to be a gateway acquisition that could lead to collecting 1/6 scale figures, and possibly even statues. For the 350th time, thanks for listening!

Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. has been around almost as long as The Regular Joes Podcast. Last week, after seven wildly inconsistent seasons, the serially reanimated Agent Phil Coulson and his stalwart squad of Agents, former Agents, and not quite Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. finally bid adieu. It's been a bumpy ride. But, for those dedicated, or just stubborn, watchers who stuck it out the 12 episode 7th season provided some of the best moments the series has offered. If you haven't watched season 7 this episode does contain some SPOILERS, but hopefully the Joes (rare) unanimous endorsement will inspire you to finish the ride. Ok, so Lower Decks, week two ... yeah, what can we say. We promise we won't be updating you again on this until something changes. So maybe never. There's also Random Topics and What's in the Box, because even if you aren't going out you can still order stuff. Thanks for listening!

It's a sort of "catch up" week for the Regular Joe's. Last week the episode was postponed due to a 5 day long power outage for one of the hosts. On the plus side Dave is now able to personally recommend a 4500 lbs (approx. curb weight) battery charger. And, since packages have been stacking up, they catch up on What's in the Box, throw in some RJ Picks, and even a round of What's on my Workbench. Last week CBS All Access streamed the first animated Star Trek episode since 1974. Was Lower Decks worth the wait? Opinions vary ... widely. While humorous aspects have always existed in Trek, intentional or otherwise, this is the first effort at creating a comedy (allegedly) in the Trek Universe. Clearly this show boldly goes where no one has gone before. The question is, exactly how many people really want to go there? All this plus the usual Random Topics and we are back on track. . . at least until the next natural disaster strikes. Thanks for listening!

Star Trek has been around long enough to be a legitimate topic of historical study. While names Like Roddenberry, Shatner, and Nimoy immediately come to mind, the show's unique position within the cultural zeitgeist would not have been possible without less often cited contributions from names like Fontana, Jefferies and yes, Trimble. On this weeks' episode Barry, Dave and Tod, joined by Brian Mix, sit down with Bjo and John Trimble, commonly recognized as "the couple who saved Star Trek." The Joes get the Trimble's personal perspective on how they came to know Gene Roddenberry, how they went on to mount arguably the first, and most significant, fan campaign in Sci Fi history. . .as well as helped rename the first NASA shuttle. It's a rare opportunity to chat with two regular folks who have left a huge footprint in a universe we love. Thanks for listening!