The Fellowship of the Nerds

Our journey through superhero cinema has officially reached the mid-'80s, and this week we're tackling two movies with reputations that certainly precede them: Howard the Duck (1986) and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987).

🦆 Howard the Duck — George Lucas executive produces Marvel's bizarre big-screen adventure about a sarcastic humanoid duck transported from his home world to Cleveland. What could possibly go wrong? We attempt to make sense of Howard's journey, the strange villains, the even stranger relationships, and a movie that left us questioning just about every creative decision that made it onto the screen.

☢️ Superman IV: The Quest for Peace — Christopher Reeve returns for his final theatrical adventure as the Man of Steel, this time taking on the threat of nuclear weapons—and Lex Luthor's creation, Nuclear Man. We break down the ambitious idea behind the story, the severely reduced budget, infamous effects, bizarre action sequences, and whether there's anything worth saving in the final chapter of the original Superman series.

🎙️ In this episode, we discuss:

🦸‍♂️ Christopher Reeve's Final Superman — Looking back at the end of an era for one of cinema's most iconic superheroes.

✌️ Superman vs. Nuclear Weapons — The serious real-world idea Christopher Reeve wanted the movie to explore...and how the finished film handles it.

💰 When the Budget Disappears — How Superman IV's troubled production becomes painfully obvious on screen.

🦝 Howard vs. Rocket Raccoon — If audiences can love a talking raccoon and a walking tree, could somebody finally make Howard work?

😂 The Best of the Worst — Nuclear Man's powers, questionable dialogue, Howard's trip through Cleveland, Superman's bizarre double date, and plenty of moments that left us completely speechless.

📉 How Low Can the Ratings Go? — We hand out some of the lowest scores in Press Play Action history.

🎥 Plus behind-the-scenes trivia, comic-book connections, box-office history, favorite ridiculous moments, and plenty of debate over one important question: Is this the WORST double feature we've ever reviewed?

The Jersey Nerds are heading back to Metropolis for another Superman double feature!

After revisiting the movie that made audiences believe a man could fly, we're continuing the Christopher Reeve era with Superman II (1980) and Superman III (1983)—two sequels that take the Man of Steel in VERY different directions.

⚡ Superman II — General Zod, Ursa, and Non escape the Phantom Zone and arrive on Earth looking for revenge and domination. Meanwhile, Clark Kent faces an impossible choice between his powers and a life with Lois Lane. We break down Christopher Reeve's performance, Terence Stamp's unforgettable General Zod, the battle for Metropolis, Superman giving up his powers, and the complicated production history behind one of the most celebrated superhero sequels.

💻 Superman III — Things get weird! Richard Pryor joins the franchise as computer programmer Gus Gorman in a sequel that leans much further into comedy. We discuss Robert Vaughn's Ross Webster, the supercomputer finale, synthetic Kryptonite, Lana Lang's return to Clark's life, and one of the most memorable sequences of the entire Christopher Reeve era—Superman vs. Clark Kent!

One Superman faces three Kryptonian enemies. The other faces his greatest opponent—himself.

The Jersey Nerds are back with another larger-than-life movie double feature! This week, we're traveling from Metropolis to Mongo as we revisit two colorful blockbusters from the dawn of the modern superhero era: Superman (1978) and Flash Gordon (1980)!

🦸‍♂️ Superman — "You'll believe a man can fly." Christopher Reeve puts on the cape in Richard Donner's landmark superhero adventure, taking us from the destruction of Krypton and Clark Kent's childhood in Smallville to his arrival in Metropolis. We discuss Reeve's iconic performance, Gene Hackman's Lex Luthor, Margot Kidder's Lois Lane, John Williams' legendary score, and how Superman helped establish the blueprint for the superhero movies that followed.

⚡ Flash Gordon — FLASH! AHH-AHH! Sam J. Jones blasts off for the planet Mongo in one of the most gloriously over-the-top sci-fi adventures of the '80s. We dive into Ming the Merciless, Brian Blessed's unforgettable Prince Vultan, the outrageous costumes and production design, the campy performances, and—of course—Queen's legendary soundtrack.

Two heroes. Two unforgettable soundtracks. Two completely different visions of comic-book adventure.

🍍🕵️ NEW EPISODE ALERT! 🕵️🍍

The Fellowship of the Nerds is back as our Psych 20th Anniversary rewatch continues with Season 2 Episodes 8, 9, 10, 11 & 12! This stretch of episodes delivers everything that makes Psych so unforgettable—creative mysteries, hilarious pop culture references, and plenty of Shawn and Gus antics!

📺 Season 2, Episode 8 – "Rob-A-Bye Baby"
👶 A stolen baby leads Shawn and Gus into one of their most heartfelt—and hilarious—investigations as they race against time to bring an infant home safely.

📺 Season 2, Episode 9 – "Bounty Hunters!"
💰 Shawn and Gus team up with a larger-than-life bounty hunter to track down a fugitive, discovering that catching criminals is far more dangerous than they imagined.

📺 Season 2, Episode 10 – "Gus's Dad May Have Killed an Old Guy"
👨‍👦 Family secrets take center stage when Gus's father becomes the prime suspect in a decades-old murder, forcing Shawn and Gus to uncover the truth while navigating an emotional case.

📺 Season 2, Episode 11 – "There's Something About Mira"
💍 Gus's past comes back to haunt him when his impulsive ex-wife unexpectedly returns, dragging Shawn into one of the series' funniest relationship-driven adventures.

📺 Season 2, Episode 12 – "The Old and the Restless"
🏡 Shawn and Gus go undercover in a retirement community after a suspicious death reveals that danger can be hiding in the most unexpected places.

The Fellowship of the Nerds is back as our Psych 20th Anniversary rewatch rolls into Season 2 Episodes 4, 5, 6 & 7! Four episodes, four wildly different mysteries, and plenty of laughs from Santa Barbara's favorite "psychic" detective duo.

📺 Season 2, Episode 4 – "Zero to Murder in Sixty Seconds"
🏎️ Fast cars, dangerous criminals, and high-speed thrills! Shawn and Gus race to solve a murder tied to the world of exotic car theft before someone else becomes the next victim.

📺 Season 2, Episode 5 – "And Down the Stretch Comes Murder"
🐎 The guys head to the racetrack when a horse trainer turns up dead, uncovering a mystery filled with gambling, deception, and plenty of red herrings.

📺 Season 2, Episode 6 – "Meat Is Murder, But Murder Is Also Murder"
🥩 A murder at a local restaurant sends Shawn and Gus undercover in the culinary world, where rivalries are as intense as the dinner rush.

📺 Season 2, Episode 7 – "If You're So Smart, Then Why Are You Dead?"
🎓 A case at a prestigious private school puts Shawn's observational skills to the test as academic pressure, hidden secrets, and murder collide.

A brand-new season means brand-new mysteries! The Fellowship of the Nerds is kicking off Psych Season 2 as we celebrate the series' 20th Anniversary by reviewing the first three episodes of one of television's funniest detective shows!

📺 Season 2, Episode 1 – "American Duos"
🎤 Shawn and Gus go undercover on a hit singing competition after a ruthless TV judge becomes the target of multiple murder attempts. Featuring one of Psych's most iconic guest performances, this season premiere is packed with laughs, music, and unforgettable moments.

📺 Season 2, Episode 2 – "65 Million Years Off"
🦖 When a supposed dinosaur fossil is discovered alongside a murder victim, Shawn and Gus find themselves digging through prehistoric clues to uncover a very modern killer.

📺 Season 2, Episode 3 – "Psy vs. Psy"
🔮 A rival "psychic" detective arrives in Santa Barbara, forcing Shawn to prove who's the real master of observation while working a dangerous kidnapping case.

From reality TV chaos to dinosaur digs and psychic rivalries, these episodes showcase exactly why Psych hit its stride in Season 2 and became one of the most beloved detective comedies on television.

The Fellowship of the Nerds continues celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Psych as we break down Season 1 Episodes 12, 13, 14 & 15!

📺 Episode 12 – "Cloudy... with a Chance of Murder"
⚖️ Shawn takes the witness stand when a courtroom murder turns into one of Psych's funniest legal mysteries, proving that his detective skills are just as valuable inside the courtroom.

📺 Episode 13 – "Game, Set... Muuurder?"
🎾 The competitive world of professional tennis serves up a deadly mystery as Shawn and Gus investigate the murder of a rising tennis star's coach.

📺 Episode 14 – "Poker? I Barely Know Her"
♠️ Shawn goes undercover in a high-stakes poker tournament where bluffing, deception, and murder are all part of the game.

📺 Episode 15 – "Scary Sherry: Bianca's Toast"
👻 One of the most memorable episodes of the entire series! A supposed haunted sorority house, an urban legend, and one of Shawn and Gus's funniest reactions make this spooky mystery an instant fan favorite.

This week, Tommy, Connor, and Brandon discuss:

🍍 The show's growing confidence as it balances comedy with clever detective work
😂 Shawn and Gus delivering some of their funniest banter yet
🎭 Memorable guest characters and over-the-top undercover antics
👻 Why "Scary Sherry" remains one of the most iconic episodes in Psych history
🔍 Hidden details, favorite moments, and—of course—the hunt for this week's pineapples!

The Fellowship of the Nerds is back with another stop on our Psych 20th Anniversary rewatch as we dive into Season 1 Episodes 9, 10 & 11!

📺 Episode 9 – “Forget Me Not”
🧠 Shawn and Gus investigate a mysterious disappearance after a man suffering from amnesia becomes the key to solving a dangerous case.

📺 Episode 10 – “From the Earth to Starbucks”
☕ A high-profile kidnapping throws Shawn and Gus into one of their biggest investigations yet, forcing them to race against the clock while uncovering a web of secrets.

📺 Episode 11 – “He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not, He Loves Me, Oops He’s Dead”
🌹 Romance meets murder when Shawn investigates the suspicious death of a dating service client, leading to one of the season’s funniest and most awkward cases.

Join Tommy, Connor, and Brandon as they discuss:

🍍 The funniest Shawn and Gus moments yet
 🔎 Which mystery kept them guessing until the very end
 😂 Shawn’s increasingly over-the-top “psychic” performances
 ❤️ Character growth, callbacks, and the evolving relationships within the Santa Barbara Police Department
 🍍 And, of course… the hunt for this week’s hidden pineapples!

The Fellowship of the Nerds continues its journey through Psych as we celebrate the show’s 20th Anniversary by breaking down Season 1 Episodes 6, 7 & 8!

📺 Episode 6 – “Weekend Warriors”
⚔️ Shawn and Gus investigate a murder at a Civil War reenactment, where rivalries are just as dangerous off the battlefield as they are on it.

📺 Episode 7 – “Who Ya Gonna Call?”
👻 A haunted mansion? Strange disappearances? Shawn’s “psychic” abilities are put to the test as the guys tackle one of the show’s earliest supernatural-style mysteries.

📺 Episode 8 – “Shawn vs. the Red Phantom”
🦸 Comic books, superheroes, and murder collide when Shawn and Gus investigate the death of a comic convention promoter alongside one of Shawn’s childhood heroes.

This week, Tommy, Connor, and Brandon discuss:

🍍 Their favorite laughs and one-liners
 🔎 The clever mysteries and surprising reveals
 🎭 Shawn and Gus continuing to prove why they’re one of television’s greatest duos
 🎬 The show’s growing love of pop culture references—especially in the unforgettable comic book episode
 🍍 And, of course… where the pineapple was hidden!

🎙️ Tune in now and join the investigation!

Join Tommy, Connor, and Brandon as they discuss the mysteries, hilarious moments, favorite quotes, hidden pineapples, and the growing chemistry between Shawn, Gus, Lassiter, Juliet, and the rest of Santa Barbara’s finest. This week on Fellowship of the Nerds, we’re continuing our celebration of the 20th Anniversary of Psych with a deep dive into:

📺 Season 1, Episode 3 – “Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Piece”
💍 A wedding, a missing engagement ring, and Shawn’s first chance to turn a simple case into complete chaos.

📺 Season 1, Episode 4 – “Woman Seeking Dead Husband: Smokers Okay, No Pets”
💘 Shawn and Gus find themselves tangled in a bizarre missing husband case where nothing is quite what it seems.

📺 Season 1, Episode 5 – “9 Lives”
🐱 A murdered cat? A psychic detective? Somehow Shawn Spencer makes it all make sense… sort of.

🎙️ Listen now and relive the early adventures of one of television’s most beloved detective duos!