Starship Podcast Warlock

Onward we march through history to the Regency, at which time Blackadder is a butler, his boss is a bozo, and Baldrick is still a bum. Besides that, we discuss a few non-Blackadder diversions including a certain classic French/Czech animated film (perhaps the only classic French/Czech animated film), the book that nearly got me in trouble in middle school, and an alien cooking show. NEW! In this episode we've attempted to create chapters in the podcast so that if you listen to these in a setting where you don't have a chance to watch the episode with us and hear our increasingly sparse and inane commentary, you can skip directly to the parts you like, which it goes without saying are the parts where WE are talking as opposed to the creme de la creme of mid-80s British comic actors. It's also possible that may not have worked at all, in which case...sorry! So sorry.

Blackadder 2 ends with a moo, an episode full of tortured nobles and even more tortured accents, plus one very spectacular cow costume. Jeff and I discuss whether we loved these last six episodes or just REALLY loved them, and attempt to rank them with limited success. We also discuss Jeff's theory about the relationship between a guest star in this episode and a regular in the next (hint: same person).

As Edmund desperately juggles one party for Puritans and another for inebriates, we discuss the career of one Stephen Fry, who as Lord Melchett in this episode is sporting a glorious pair of golden...er, earmuffs. Earmuff...sounds a bit rude, doesn't it? Anyway: thrill to my futile attempts to explain my favorite Fry and Laurie sketches! Ooh and ahh at our even more futile attempts to describe Gormenghast! Wonder with us about whether these celebrated actors have ever in their careers before or since had to say the word "thingy," and so many times! Wahey!

It's a classic rags-to-brief-riches-followed-by-more-rags story for Edmund as he attempts to avoid the Scylla and Charybdis of bankruptcy and a red hot poker. For us, it's a story about our various experiences with the Immortal Bard...well, with his plays, anyway. We talk about the Shakespeare we've seen and read and performed in, the dream role Jeff finally got to play and the one I have yet to land, which play is our favorite, and more.

While Edmund prepares to beat Sir Walter Bloody Raleigh at his own game by sailing around the Cape of Good Hope, we toast Tom Baker, my uncontroversial favorite Doctor Who. We detour into a discussion of whether being a Doctor Who fan before one is cast as Doctor Who gets in the way of playing the role, and get back on track discussing which American TV crime show Baker appeared on and whether it's even possible for any Tom Baker character to be anyone other than Tom Baker. We also do discuss Blackadder a bit.

While Edmund gets a job as Royal Executioner and impersonates a widow's husband, we review the work of Miranda "Queenie" Richardson, but don't worry, we don't spoil The Crying Game even though it's nearly 30 years old. This leads us to a lengthy (but ultimately worthwhile) digression about Tim Burton, in which you can find out a few things about Drew: which movie killed his Burtonmania at its halfway point, which Burton film he nearly walked out of, and which beloved childhood film he is heretically indifferent to.

Ann joins us once again as we enjoy Blackadder 2's fast-forward to the Elizabethan Era, featuring a handsomer, suaver, and (Ann's probably right) creepier Blackadder, now a courtier to the Queen. Straight off the bat, this new Edmund falls in love...with his manservant, while Baldrick dons a dress and smooches Percy. And if you think I've spoiled all the good bits, just wait until this episode's guest star flashes onto the screen! Discussion topics include Ann's favorite British TV show and her least favorite, the latter of which features the notorious "Fetusman."

It's curtains for someone in the royal family as Edmund launches his cunningest plan yet to seize the throne. We rank the 6 episodes of this series, review it as a whole, and get ready to time-travel to the Elizabethan era!

Edmund is accused of witchcraft, and is cross-examined by Frank Finlay in a fright wig and betrayed by his horse before being burned at the stake! (Spoiler: he survives.) Meanwhile we survey the career of one Brian Blessed, bellower extraordinaire, mountain climber, and emergency obstetrician. Technical difficulties forced an awkward edit so you will have to seek out "Henry 8.0" for yourself to see what delights it holds.

While Edmund copes with the dizzy whirlwind of arranged political marriages that is the lot of a prince, Jeff and Drew cope with the dizzy whirlwind of dressing up in tights for Medieval Days, Renaissance Faires, and the Society of Creative Anachronism. Fun fact: I was today years old minus about a week in a half when I realized Jim Broadbent is in this episode!