Sword & Podcast

Writer and parent Devon Koren Alley returns to the show to talk about the painfully mainstream NBC drama Parenthood. Discussion questions: 1) Does Parenthood contain television's best portrayal of people on the autistic spectrum? 2) Is the character of Amber Holt directly based on Devon's youth? 3) Does Elle actually hate straight people?

Chris Sims is a podcaster, comics writer, and the World's Foremost Batmanologist, but he also loves Christmas and Santa Claus more than just about anyone. There is so much Christmas going on in this episode: Rankin Bass specials, the best Christmas pop songs, A Christmas Story, and Santa Claus as a force for good in the world. Also Lennon vs. McCartney, pro wrestling, and the Smurfs vs. Satan.

Amanda Phillips Chapman, literary scholar and academic, is here to discuss Gilmore Girls, a cult TV drama that's had a recent resurgence thanks to Netflix. In short: Melissa McCarthy is adorable, Stars Hollow is basically Twin Peaks, Christopher's the worst, Paris is the best, and Madeline and Louise are totally queer.

Musician Carey Farrell is on the show to talk with Elle about the most important band of both of their teenage lives, R.E.M. Along the way, Elle tells some embarrassing high school stories, Carey reveals what she did on prom night, and there's a bit of a digression about Live. Who's the cute one and who's the smart one? The answer lies within.

Elle's sister Jill Meredith Collins Sinnott, who is a social worker, mom, and Muppet superfan, is here to talk about the Muppet Show. Hear about the fastest Elle has ever moved, that Elton John/Scooter subtext, and the most unsettling Shel Silverstein song ever to be song by a European supermodel. Come for the Muppets, stay for the 1970's celebrities.

Dancing barista Autumn Rau is on the show to talk about Twin Peaks. Elle's a little unprepared this week, but the episode works out thanks to Autumn and David Lynch. The magnificent tears of Ray Wise, the Lisa Simpson connection, Lynch's creepiest scenes, and surprisingly cuddly shoegaze bikers. That gum you like is finally coming back in style, but in a post-Frank Sylva world, who knows what the wrapper will look like?

Writer, editor, and podcaster Rachel Edidin of Rachel and Miles X-Plain the X-Men joins Elle for the nerdiest episode yet. What starts as a discussion of the X-Men expands into a consideration of the Marvel Universe and its complex history and continuity. Jean Grey's new beginning, Franklin Richards' effect on continuity, and the never-ending awfulness of Hank Pym. What playlist would Kitty Pryde make, and what playlist would you make for Kitty Pryde?

This week writer/teacher Jessica Berger and painter/programmer John Schloman join Elle for a far-reaching discussion about the theory and practice of dive bar karaoke. Best practices for choosing a song to sing, the superior gender politics of 90's music, why people need to stop trying to sing "Under Pressure," and the most amazing version of "Sexy and I Know It" that most of the world will never see.

This week Devon Koren Alley is on to discuss Rat Queens, a comic book by Kurtis J. Wiebe and Roc Upchurch. Subtopics include D&D character classes, how to avoid the pitfalls of fantasy drugs, sex and spooning between the fantasy races, and the all-important Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle comparison.

This week Devon Koren Alley is on to discuss Rat Queens, a comic book by Kurtis J. Wiebe and Roc Upchurch. Subtopics include D&D character classes, how to avoid the pitfalls of fantasy drugs, sex and spooning between the fantasy races, and the all-important Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle comparison.