You thought they could release a trailer for a new Star Wars movie and there wouldn’t be a podcast about it? Think again! Your Star Wars pals Dan, Tony, and Kat are back to talk about the teaser for the upcoming feature The Mandalorian and Grogu, including swole Hutts, Babu Friks (Babus Frik?), and whether this can be any good.

The Mandalorian and Grogu Teaser Trailer

Dan Moren, Tony Sindelar and Kat Benesh

Bunky Dunko Shirts: Buy one. You won’t regret it.

We always knew Daniel Dae Kim would accomplish something after “Crusade!” (Kids, ask your “Babylon 5”-loving parents.) Our panel looks back over the three-month phenomenon that has been Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters” and gives you reasons to watch it if you’re dispositionally averse to KPop, youth-friendly animation, or popular things. Behind the Spoiler Horn, we dive into how well the story and songs work together, whether it’s an animation breakthrough, the future of the wait-is-this-a-franchise, and what could have been better. (John Siracusa: “NOW you’re singing MY song!”)

"KPop Demon Hunters"

Chip Sudderth with James Thomson, Shannon Sudderth, John Siracusa and Lisa Schmeiser

BEEP boop what is… love? Well, we don’t figure this out, but John Siracusa does return to Sophomore Lit to discuss Karel Čapek’s play R.U.R. (1920), the origin of the word “robot.”

John McCoy with John Siracusa

How many sport editions of Trivial Pursuit are too many? This many.

Random Pursuit XLVI

Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky with Brian Hamilton, Heather Berberet, Helen Zaltzman, Sandra Wong and Scott Ensign

Brian Hamilton -

Heather Berberet -

Helen Zaltzman -

Sandra Wong -

Scott Ensign -

Classic TTRPG tropes covered in this episode: a player trying to seduce an NPC, players fixating on one random room, and players wanting to use their skills for intra-party nonsense instead of getting things done.

Candlekeep - Zikran's Zephyrean Tome, Part 5

Tony Sindelar with James Thomson, Kathy Campbell, Monty Ashley, Steve Lutz and Tiff Arment

Edited by Erika Ensign.

The Summer of Submarines reaches crush depth with Disney’s 1954 epic “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.” Captain Nemo of the Nautilus has met his match in an uncharismatic French professor, his strangely familiar associate, and their sidekick, a violent harpoonist and occasional cabaret performer. Also there’s a giant squid. Everyone remembers the giant squid—and for good reason!

"20,000 Leagues Under the Sea"

Jason Snell with Monty Ashley, Erika Ensign, Shelly Brisbin, Philip Michaels and David J. Loehr

Shuffle, and cluck, and tour jeté, and cluck cluck cluck. It’s a Magnum season finale, and ours too. See you in a little while, turkeys!

Jason Snell, Philip Michaels and David J. Loehr

It’s so annoying when someone knocks on your door in the middle of the night.

Candlekeep - Zikran's Zephyrean Tome, Part 4

Tony Sindelar with James Thomson, Kathy Campbell, Monty Ashley, Steve Lutz and Tiff Arment

Edited by Erika Ensign.

John fields some important questions about pasta from listeners Connor, Joshua, and Lee, including the definition of Al Dente and noodles versus pasta.

John Siracusa and Jason Snell

Our Summer of Submarines floats on with “U-571”, a 21st centry-style action movie that manages to hit most of the squares on the submarine bingo card. McConaughey is a disgruntled XO! Depth charges terrify! A surprising twist if you didn’t think about the title! Turns out, submarine movies aren’t a genre—they’re a format that lets filmmakers explore genres.

"U-571"

Jason Snell with Erika Ensign, Casey Liss and Moisés Chiullán