Barbara Stanwyck (Lorna) in a boxing movie? OK, sure. But you’ll also see the film that began her lifelong friendship with William Holden. Bill (Joe) is a violinist who wants to try his hand at boxing. Because there’s money in that. Stanwyck’s Lorna is the girl who loves him. What price must Joe pay to become a success?

Golden Boy

Shelly Brisbin with Nathan Alderman, Micheline Maynard and Randy Dotinga

Get in touch with the show at [email protected], Mastodon or Bluesky.

Check out our new LTS BookShop.org page.

The Movie: review/commentary on a single classic film

The Self-Referential LTS

Next time, we’ll watch

With the guiding hand of Prof. Siracusa choosing the curriculum, we watch select animated shorts from the Netflix series “Love, Death + Robots.” John’s quest to find the perfect photorealistic CGI animation continues. Tony does his companions a solid if he’s ever killed on a moon. The others debate if they represent love, death, or robots. We try to reconnect with our inner pool-polishing robots. It’s a real team effort.

"Love, Death + Robots"

Jason Snell with John Siracusa, Annette Wierstra, Brian Hamilton and Tony Sindelar

Here’s the viewing list for the Love, Death & Robots episode of The Incomparable.

Plus one (optional) upsetting bonus episode:

It’s our 100th episode spectacular! Major General Eyepatch threatens our friends with death! Rick faces death by remembering some guys on the 1969 Cubs, but can Phil remember those guys? Is Robert Forster chewing the scenery… for the CIA? Which episode template of “Magnum, p.i.” is this, anyway? And Clyde Kusatsu is the George freakin’ Washington of Cambodia.

Jason Snell, Philip Michaels and David J. Loehr

In this finale episode, the party takes a lot of damage and finds a chew toy.

Uni and the Hunt for the Last Horn, Part 5

Mikah Sargent with Aleen Simms, Annette Wierstra, James Thomson, Jason Snell and Kathy Campbell

Edited by Erika Ensign.

Listener Christian, your time has come. Is an AI Lock the same as a Smart Lock? Or a Fuzzy Logic Lock? When bicycle gear shifters are called “AI”, how do we define what any of this means? I know—let’s ask John.

John Siracusa and Jason Snell

With a title like “Louise Revisited”, Sorkin fans may think this is another “Jeremy narrates the episode” trope, but Lex and Brian are relieved to find out that’s not the case. Instead we have a silly subplot about a “Who’s cooler, Dan or Casey” online poll and way too much time spent dwelling on undergarments. This may sound like a bit of a mess, but not to worry, Lex and Brian are here to help you Sorkin’ in It (and they’re both wearing underwear).

Lex Friedman and Brian Warren

The second (and final?) season of the BBC/Disney+ collaboration era of “Doctor Who” is at an end, and so our crew of fans is here to pick up the pieces and ponder what went right and (unfortunately) what went wrong. Where does this franchise go from here?

"Doctor Who" season 2 wrap-up

Jason Snell with Steven Schapansky, Erika Ensign, Chip Sudderth, Annette Wierstra and Heather Berberet

We begin Stanwyck Summer with one of her most iconic films, and greatest performances. Stella Dallas is pure melodrama, so sudsy that the name was taken by a radio soap opera. Stella is a working-class woman with a daughter she wants to give all the things she never had. Will she succeed? Will her daughter be grateful? Tune in tomorrow!

Stella Dallas

Shelly Brisbin with Nathan Alderman, Randy Dotinga and Micheline Maynard

Get in touch with the show at [email protected], Mastodon or Bluesky.

Check out our new LTS BookShop.org page.

The Movie: review/commentary on a single classic film

The Self-Referential LTS

Next time, we’ll watch

Academy award nominee Robert Forster chews all available scenery in part one of this two-part episode featuring a rogue mission to Cambodia. The gang travels upriver to the heart of darkness to the strains of a very bad Creedence Clearwater Revival cover. Death to the papists!

Jason Snell, Philip Michaels and David J. Loehr

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, MIND MELD! Yes, the twelfth edition of America’s favorite game show is an all-Star Wars edition! Five Star Wars fans, attempting the greatest of all challenges: agreeing on things!

Mind Meld 12

Tony Sindelar and Kathy Campbell with Monty Ashley, Annette Wierstra, Steven Schapansky, Kat Benesh and Guy English