Is a Game Boy a game console? What about a Switch? Can a handheld gaming device also be a console? What makes something a console?

John Siracusa and Jason Snell

Back through the barrier we go! Your Star Wars pals Dan, Tony, and Kat are back to discuss the latest episode of Skeleton Crew including Jude Law’s finest acting, THE CLAW, and the Vane Extended Universe.

Dan Moren, Tony Sindelar and K Benesh

All the Huttese from the movies.

The writers of “The Expanse” are back with a new series, and “The Mercy of Gods” is an alien invasion story that goes to some extremely dark places. But sometimes, dark is good… right? Right?! Plus: What are we reading?

"The Mercy of Gods"

Jason Snell with Scott McNulty, Heather Berberet and Aleen Simms

Next book: “Service Model” by Adrian Tchaikovsky.

What are we reading?

Heather: The Pandominion series, Infinity Gate and Echo of Worlds by M.R. Carey

Aleen: An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

Scott: Jack Taylor series by Ken Bruen, Playground by Richard Powers

Jason: Inverted Frontier series by Linda Nagata (Start with Edges)

Forever is composed of podcasts. Caroline Fulford discusses selected poems by Emily Dickinson (c. 1860-65).

John McCoy with Caroline Fulford and Marina McCoy

Biography and texts of many of her poems. Works in this episode linked below:

As they complete the Reach for the Stars adventure, the party learns how to kill a piece of architecture (put it in a mini-mall) and has a conversation with a sad, greasy cultist.

Keys from the Golden Vault - Reach for the Stars, Part 4

Tony Sindelar with Annette Wierstra, Erika Ensign, Lincoln Hayes and Monty Ashley

Edited by Erika Ensign.

Sometimes you just want to eat an Egg MacGuffin and what this episode asks is What If you could? Marvel’s animated grab-bag of good-times is back again this holiday season and Dan, John, and Guy are back to review the first four episodes. Strap yourself in to your giant robot, secure your super-soldiers, and put on your dancing shoes because we’ve got a lot to cover.

Dan Moren, John Moltz and Guy English

Trash crabs, unite! Your Star Wars pals Dan, Kat, and Tony return to discuss the latest episode of Skeleton Crew, including why you should press the button that you should never press, con man speeches, and how much of a language Huttese really is.

Dan Moren, Tony Sindelar and K Benesh

It’s the circle of life! By which we mean, Dana goes to see The Lion King on Broadway. Also, Sports Night covers an Everest climb. Brian has corrections for Aaron on mountaineering. And Dan’s looking for a good place to donate his money. Hopefully he’s already a member of The Incomparable.

Lex Friedman and Brian Warren

Zip up your vest and look out for dinosaurs—Random Pursuit is back with some silly questions and some very dark ones. At one point, Steven asks “What is wrong with Trivial Pursuit!?” Related: content warning for harm to a pet.

Random Pursuit XXXX

Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky with Brian Warren, Glenn Fleishman, Kirsten Goruk, Sage Young and Shannon Dohar

Brian Warren -

Glenn Fleishman -

Kirsten Goruk -

Sage Young -

Shannon Dohar -

Another year in the books, and there was a lot to appreciate about the stuff we consumed—movies, TV, books, video games, and more—in 2024. Our most prolific panelists collaborate on a massive list of the stuff we enjoyed over the past 12 months.

Best of 2024

Jason Snell with Erika Ensign, Annette Wierstra, Brian Warren, Kelly Guimont, Moisés Chiullán, David J. Loehr, John Siracusa, Dan Moren and Chip Sudderth

Blurts: Hundreds of Beavers, The Art of Darkness, Sugar, Stereophonic, The Gilded Age, Finding Mr. Christmas, The Incomparable Game Show, Short n’ Sweet.