The Infamous Podcast

The Infamous Podcast

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The Infamous Podcast episodes

  • Episode 541 – My Avatar Can Beat Up Your Godzilla
    Two broken worlds, one radioactive nightmare, and enough spiritual baggage to sink an entire civilization.

    This week on the podcast, Brian and Darryl wrap up the first season of Avatar: Seven Havens, covering episodes 7 through 13 as Pavi and Nisha face ancient mysteries, dangerous spirits, family betrayals, and a finale that threatens to tear everything apart. Then it’s off to postwar Japan for Godzilla Minus One (2023), where a nation already brought to its knees gets stomped on by the King of the Monsters. Seven episodes of bending, one radioactive bastard, and absolutely nobody having a good day.

    Episode Index

    Intro: 0:07

    Godzilla Minus One (2023): 8:07
    Avatar: Seven Havens Season 1 Episodes 7-13: 35:19

    Godzilla Minus One (2023)

    Release Date: November 3, 2023 (Japan), December 1, 2023 (United States)

    Runtime: 125 minutes
    Director: Takashi Yamazaki
    Writer: Takashi Yamazaki
    Studios: Toho Studios, ROBOT
    Distributor: Toho Co., Ltd.

    Summary:

    In the aftermath of World War II, Japan is devastated, its people struggling to rebuild their lives amid overwhelming loss. Koichi Shikishima, a former kamikaze pilot haunted by survivor’s guilt, attempts to find a reason to live while caring for a makeshift family. When Godzilla emerges from the ocean and unleashes unimaginable destruction, Shikishima must confront his past and join a desperate civilian effort to stop the monster. What follows is a powerful story of trauma, redemption, sacrifice, and survival, wrapped inside one of the most terrifying Godzilla films ever made.

    Main Cast:

    – Ryunosuke Kamiki as Koichi Shikishima

    – Minami Hamabe as Noriko Oishi
    – Yuki Yamada as Shiro Mizushima
    – Munetaka Aoki as Sosaku Tachibana
    – Hidetaka Yoshioka as Kenji Noda
    – Sakura Ando as Sumiko Ota
    – Kuranosuke Sasaki as Seiji Akitsu

    Production Notes:

    Written, directed, and supervised for visual effects by Takashi Yamazaki, Godzilla Minus One returns the franchise to its roots as a terrifying metaphor for war, nuclear destruction, and national trauma. Produced on a comparatively modest budget, the film won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, becoming the first Godzilla film to win an Oscar. It also received a black-and-white version, Godzilla Minus One/Minus Color, released in Japan in January 2024.

    Rating Out of 10, From the Book of Godzilla… If He Regenerates.. Fly a Plane Into His Mouth, Pastor!

    Brain: 8/10
    Darryl: /10

    Avatar: Seven Havens (Paramount +)

    Season 1, Book One: Survival

    Creators: Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko

    Production: Avatar Studios and Nickelodeon Animation Studios
    Episode directors and writers: Individual credits for episodes 7–13 could not be reliably verified.

    Episode 7: What Lies Beneath

    Air date: October 23, 2026

    Summary: Team Avatar explores the ancient ruins beneath Ellora, discovering a mysterious Old World facility and a familiar face. The investigation raises new questions about the civilization that existed before the Cataclysm.

    Episode 8: The Envoys Pt. 1

    Air date: October 23, 2026

    Summary: Representatives from the other Havens arrive in Ellora to discuss desperately needed assistance. Nisha undergoes a trial to determine her future as the Avatar, while Pavi continues digging into the mystery surrounding their family.

    Episode 9: The Envoys Pt. 2

    Air date: October 23, 2026

    Summary: An attack on the visiting Envoys throws Ellora into chaos. Nisha publicly reveals herself as the Avatar, while Pavi battles a dangerous Anomaly beneath the city, putting both sisters on increasingly different paths.

    Episode 10: Ghosts and Spirits

    Air date: October 30, 2026

    Summary: With Ellora locked down, Pavi ventures into the Eastern Outskirts and discovers her childhood home. Meanwhile, Nisha encounters a spirit in the Harshlands that unlocks a deeply troubling memory from her past.

    Episode 11: Battle of the Ruins

    Air date: October 30, 2026

    Summary: Pavi and Nisha seek refuge among the Faceless, but their safety becomes uncertain. Meanwhile, Jae discovers Chancellor Kayoko’s dangerous plans and races to reach the sisters before everything falls apart.

    Episode 12: The Dome

    Air date: October 30, 2026

    Summary: The battle for Ellora erupts as Jae attempts to free the White Lotus. Pavi and Nisha struggle to prevent a destructive Energy Dome from wiping out the Haven, forcing them into a desperate fight to save their people.

    Episode 13: The Root Chakra

    Air date: October 30, 2026

    Summary: The fight for Ellora reaches its conclusion as the sisters discover devastating truths about their shared past. Pavi learns that Nisha played a role in the tragedy that killed their parents and caused her injury. As Pavi unlocks her root chakra and begins healing, the revelations fracture the sisters’ relationship and set the stage for Book Two.

    Rating Out of 10, Peg Legged by Her Sister

    Brian: 7.8/10
    Darryl: 8/10

    Season Rating Out of 10, Two Avatars Make a Tripod

    Brian: 7.77/10
    Darryl: 7.5/10

    Contact Us

    The Infamous Podcast can be found wherever podcasts are found on the Interwebs, feel free to subscribe and follow along on social media. And don’t be shy about helping out the show with a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts to help us move up in the ratings.

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    Our theme music is ‘Skate Beat’ provided by Michael Henry, with additional music provided by Michael Henry. Find more at MeetMichaelHenry.com.

    The Infamous Podcast is hosted by Brian Tudor and Darryl Jasper, is recorded in Cincinnati, Ohio. The show is produced and edited by Brian Tudor.

    Subscribe today!

    1 hr 4 min
  • Episode 540 – Kung Fu Fighting Gets You a Chalupa (A Street Fighter Review)
    Hadoukens for Everyone… and No One!

    This week on the podcast, Brian and Darryl ask if the video game industry is imploding or if the suits running it are just spectacularly bad at their jobs. Then it’s back to *Avatar: Seven Havens* for episodes 4–6, where things are getting darker and weirder by the minute. *The Terminal List* returns for Season 2 with James Reece back in action, and finally, it’s time to throw down with *Street Fighter (2026)*. Hadoukens, flying kicks, questionable life choices, and the eternal question: can Hollywood finally make a video game movie that doesn’t deserve a fatality?

    Episode Index

    Intro: 0:07

    Is The Video Game Industry Imploding?: 8:41
    Seven Havens Season 1 Episodes 4-6:
    The Terminal List Season 2 Episode 1:
    Street Fighter (2026):

    Is The Video Game Industry Imploding?

    The video game industry is in a very weird place. People are still playing and spending money at enormous levels, but the companies making those games keep cutting staff, closing studios, canceling projects, and consolidating around fewer big-budget bets. U.S. consumer spending on games reached $60.7 billion in 2025, while more than 212 million Americans now play at least weekly. At the same time, 2026 has brought another brutal wave of layoffs and closures, including Ubisoft shutting down RedLynx, continued restructuring across Xbox studios, and EA’s stunning decision to close BioWare and cancel the next Mass Effect. So is gaming actually collapsing, or are publishers breaking the industry while the audience remains healthier than ever?

    Avatar: Seven Havens (Paramount+)

    Avatar: Seven Havens, Episode 4

    Title: The Faceless

    Air Date: October 16, 2026

    Director: Kenji Ono

    Writer: Lauren Bradley

    Summary:

    With the mysterious Faceless continuing to target Ellora, Team Avatar searches for a missing bender and uncovers evidence pointing toward another attack. Jae, Pavi, and Nisha rush to stop the masked raiders as they target the Haven’s supplies and attempt to breach its defenses. The confrontation ends badly when the Faceless escape with Uki, while growing signs suggest the strange force threatening Ellora may be affecting people inside the city as well.

    Avatar: Seven Havens, Episode 5

    Title: The One Left Behind

    Air Date: October 16, 2026

    Director: Kenji Ono

    Writer: Jennifer Cho Suhr

    Summary:

    Fear of the Avatar begins spreading throughout Ellora, forcing Karthik and Jae to investigate the growing unrest while trying to keep Pavi and Nisha protected. The twins have other ideas and sneak into Karthik’s office looking for answers about their parents. What they discover raises new questions about how they were separated, what Karthik knew, and why only Nisha was found when their parents attempted to reunite with him.

    Avatar: Seven Havens, Episode 6

    Title: Night of the Afflicted
    Air Date: October 16, 2026
    Director: Jen Bennett
    Writer: Peter H. Lee

    Summary:

    The strange red crystals left behind by the entity begin having a terrifying effect on the people of Ellora, amplifying fear and causing mass panic among the Afflicted. Pavi and Nisha join Karthik at the hospital as the situation spirals out of control, leading to another encounter with the mysterious entity and a new vision connected to the twins’ parents. Meanwhile, Jae faces growing unrest inside the Bending Brigade as Ellora’s problems become increasingly impossible to contain.

    Rating Out of 10, No More Pavi the Pirate

    Brian: 7.5/10
    Darryl: 6.5/10

    The Terminal List (Prime Video)

    The Terminal List, Season 2 Episode 1

    Title: ROMULUS S.V.
    Air Date: October 21, 2026
    Director: Paul Cameron
    Writers: David DiGilio & Jack Carr

    Summary:

    Six months after completing his list, James Reece is now one of the world’s most wanted men, living at sea and trying to figure out what remains of his life after carrying out his campaign of revenge. Halfway around the world, Katie Buranek discovers that the notoriety she gained from publishing Reece’s story has become more of a burden than an opportunity. As both attempt to move forward, a changing geopolitical landscape and the resurgence of Al-Qaeda begin pulling Reece toward another fight.

    Rating Out of 5, Scuttle the Ship, Scuttle the Ghost?

    Brian: 3.9/5
    Darryl: 3.75/5

    Street Fighter (2026)

    Release Date: October 16, 2026

    Runtime: 119 minutes
    Director: Kitao Sakurai
    Screenplay: T.J. Fixman and Kitao Sakurai
    Story By: Dalan Musson and Gary Dauberman
    Based On: Capcom’s Street Fighter video game franchise
    Studios: Legendary Pictures and Capcom
    Distributor: Paramount Pictures

    Summary:

    Set in 1993, estranged friends and former training partners Ryu and Ken Masters are dragged back into the fighting world when Chun-Li recruits them for the World Warrior Tournament. What appears to be the ultimate battle between the world’s greatest fighters quickly reveals something much more dangerous underneath, as M. Bison’s plans force Ryu and Ken to confront their fractured friendship, their pasts, and one another. Hadoukens, roundhouses, ridiculous personalities, and an absolutely stacked roster bring Capcom’s arcade icon back to the big screen.

    Main Cast:

    Noah Centineo as Ken Masters

    Andrew Koji as Ryu
    Callina Liang as Chun-Li
    Joe “Roman Reigns” Anoa’i as Akuma
    David Dastmalchian as M. Bison
    Cody Rhodes as Guile
    Andrew Schulz as Dan Hibiki
    Eric André as Don Sauvage
    Vidyut Jammwal as Dhalsim
    Orville Peck as Vega
    Olivier Richters as Zangief
    Hirooki Goto as E. Honda
    Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson as Balrog
    Jason Momoa as Blanka
    Rayna Vallandingham as Juli
    Alexander Volkanovski as Joe
    Melanie Jarnson as Cammy

    Production Notes:

    Legendary and Capcom partnered on the new live-action adaptation, with Kitao Sakurai taking over directing duties and also co-writing the screenplay with T.J. Fixman. Rather than simply retelling one of the games, the movie plants the story firmly in 1993, at the height of Street Fighter II’s arcade-era cultural explosion. The production leaned into the franchise’s deliberately oversized personality with a cast mixing traditional actors, martial artists, professional wrestlers, comedians, musicians, and combat-sports stars. Capcom also co-financed the film as part of its broader push to expand Street Fighter beyond games.

    Rating Out of 10, Bait and Switch Shower Scenes are No Bueno.

    Brian: 6.5/10
    Darryl: 6.77/10

    Contact Us

    The Infamous Podcast can be found wherever podcasts are found on the Interwebs, feel free to subscribe and follow along on social media. And don’t be shy about helping out the show with a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts to help us move up in the ratings.

    @infamouspodcast

    facebook/infamouspodcast
    instagram/infamouspodcast
    stitcher
    Apple Podcasts
    Spotify
    Google Play
    iHeart Radio

    Our theme music is ‘Skate Beat’ provided by Michael Henry, with additional music provided by Michael Henry. Find more at MeetMichaelHenry.com.

    The Infamous Podcast is hosted by Brian Tudor and Darryl Jasper, is recorded in Cincinnati, Ohio. The show is produced and edited by Brian Tudor.

    Subscribe today!

    1 hr 20 min
  • Episode 539 – Invasion of the Avatar Snatchers
    The jury is still out on Avatar 7H, one prom queen nobody should mess with, and two worlds may have completely lost their minds.

    This week on the podcast, The Avatar is back, but apparently saving the world is no longer part of the job description. This week, Brian and Darryl dive into the first three episodes of Avatar: Seven Havens, where being the Avatar is less about bringing balance and more about being public enemy number one. Then they head to Prime Video for Mike Flanagan’s Carrie, where high school bullying, religious fanaticism, and telekinetic rage make for one hell of a coming-of-age story. New Avatar, same terrible people. Different Carrie, same bloody consequences.

    Episode Index

    Intro: 0:07

    Carrie Season 1: 7:00
    Avatar: Seven Havens Season 1 Episodes 1-3:

    Carrie (Amazon Prime)

    Season: 1

    Premiere Date: October 6, 2026
    Episodes: 8
    Genre: Supernatural Horror / Psychological Drama
    Showrunner: Mike Flanagan
    Writer: Mike Flanagan
    Directors: Mike Flanagan, Kate Siegel, Axelle Carolyn, Kyra Sedgwick, Hiromi Kamata
    Based On: Carrie by Stephen King (1974)
    Studio: Amazon MGM Studios

    Summary:

    Following the sudden death of her father, Carrie White finds herself struggling to survive the cruelty of high school, the suffocating religious obsession of her mother, and a vicious bullying scandal that spreads through social media.
    As Carrie navigates an increasingly hostile world, she discovers mysterious telekinetic abilities that intensify alongside her emotional turmoil. What begins as a deeply uncomfortable coming-of-age story becomes a supernatural nightmare as the people around Carrie discover that pushing someone beyond their breaking point can have catastrophic consequences.
    Mike Flanagan expands Stephen King’s original story into an eight-episode series, exploring the psychological damage inflicted by bullying, religious extremism, and isolation while introducing new characters and expanding the supernatural mythology. Prime Video

    Episode Guide:

    Episode 1

    Title: First Period
    Air Date: October 6, 2026
    Runtime: 55 minutes
    Summary: Carrie White’s difficult introduction to public high school sets the stage for a devastating bullying scandal and the awakening of her supernatural abilities.

    Episode 2

    Title: Foreign Language
    Air Date: October 6, 2026
    Runtime: 52 minutes
    Summary: As Carrie struggles to communicate with the world around her, her emerging powers introduce an entirely new way of understanding herself.

    Episode 3

    Title: Social Studies
    Air Date: October 6, 2026
    Runtime: 49 minutes
    Summary: The complicated social dynamics of high school reveal how cruelty, peer pressure, and the desire for acceptance shape Carrie’s increasingly troubled world.

    Episode 4

    Title: Dramatic Arts
    Air Date: October 6, 2026
    Runtime: 52 minutes
    Summary: Personal conflicts and emotional manipulation take center stage as Carrie navigates the increasingly blurred lines between friendship, deception, and humiliation.

    Episode 5

    Title: Physical Education
    Air Date: October 6, 2026
    Runtime: 48 minutes
    Summary: Carrie’s growing supernatural abilities challenge her understanding of physical limitations while the pressures of her home and school environments intensify.

    Episode 6

    Title: Home Economics
    Air Date: October 6, 2026
    Runtime: 59 minutes
    Summary: Carrie’s relationship with her deeply religious mother, Margaret, exposes the destructive consequences of control, isolation, and misguided protection.

    Episode 7

    Title: Romantic Literature
    Air Date: October 6, 2026
    Runtime: 53 minutes
    Summary: As prom approaches, Carrie’s hopes for acceptance and a normal teenage experience collide with the cruelty and manipulation surrounding her.

    Episode 8

    Title: AP Physics
    Air Date: October 6, 2026
    Runtime: 49 minutes
    Summary: The season reaches its explosive conclusion as years of abuse and humiliation culminate in a catastrophic prom night, with Carrie’s supernatural powers transforming tragedy into widespread destruction.

    All eight episodes premiered October 6, 2026. Prime Video

    Main Cast:

    – Summer H. Howell as Carrie White

    – Samantha Sloyan as Margaret White
    – Siena Agudong
    – Alison Thornton
    – Joel Oulette
    – Josie Totah
    – Arthur Conti
    – Thalia Dudek
    – Amber Midthunder
    – Matthew Lillard

    Production Notes:

    Mike Flanagan initially resisted revisiting Carrie, believing Brian De Palma’s 1976 film had already delivered a definitive adaptation.

    Rather than simply recreating the original, Flanagan shifts the story into the social media era, using the expanded runtime to examine the motivations and vulnerabilities of characters who previously received little development.

    Stephen King was actively involved and supported the creative changes. One of the more significant departures is the introduction of additional characters with supernatural abilities, expanding the universe beyond Carrie’s individual experience.

    Rating Out of a 10 You Get a Blood Bath Then Give a Blood Bath

    Brian: 7.2/10
    Darryl: 7.25/10

    Avatar: Seven Havens (Paramount+)

    Season: 1, Book One: Survival

    Premiere Date: October 9, 2026
    Creators: Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko
    Developed By: Sehaj Sethi
    Studio: Avatar Studios / Nickelodeon Animation Studios
    Episodes: 13 in Book One
    Episode 1
    Title: On the Horizon
    Air Date: October 9, 2026
    Runtime: 22 minutes
    Summary:
    More than two centuries after Korra, the world has turned against the very idea of the Avatar. During a festival celebrating the Avatar’s demise, an orphaned earthbender named Pavi struggles to remain unnoticed. An encounter with a determined young airbender threatens to expose her identity and forces her toward a destiny that could make her the most hated person alive.

    Episode 2

    Title: Into the Storm
    Air Date: October 9, 2026
    Runtime: 23 minutes
    Director: Jen Bennett
    Writer: Chad Quandt
    Summary:
    A devastating storm threatens Ellora, forcing the newly assembled Team Avatar to work together to protect their home. Their efforts take an unexpected turn when they encounter a mysterious entity, raising questions about the supernatural dangers facing the Seven Havens and the new Avatar’s place in this fractured world.

    Episode 3

    Title: The Order
    Air Date: October 9, 2026
    Runtime: 22 minutes
    Summary:
    Pavi discovers that inheriting the Avatar’s responsibilities is considerably less exciting when the entire world considers you its greatest threat. Struggling with isolation and missing her friends, she tries to adjust to her new circumstances. Meanwhile, Jae discovers a secret organization and faces a decision that could permanently change his future.
    Episode titles, dates, runtimes, and story details are verified. Individual writing and directing credits are included only where confirmed. Paramount+

    Main Voice Cast:

    – Saheli Khan as Pavi

    – Aishu Devan as Nisha
    – Major Curda as Jae
    – Darren Barnet as Daemin
    – Dianne Doan as Zi

    Production Notes:

    Seven Havens returns to traditional 2D animation and introduces a world radically different from the one seen in The Legend of Korra. The Avatar is now regarded as civilization’s potential destroyer rather than its protector.

    The story follows Pavi and her long-lost twin sister, Nisha, as they confront the consequences of a global cataclysm. The creators have confirmed that Books Three and Four are already in development, suggesting a much larger narrative planned from the beginning.

    Rating Out of 10, Argh I Be the Dread Avatar Pavi

    Brian: 7.4/10
    Darryl: 6/10

    Contact Us

    The Infamous Podcast can be found wherever podcasts are found on the Interwebs, feel free to subscribe and follow along on social media. And don’t be shy about helping out the show with a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts to help us move up in the ratings.

    @infamouspodcast

    facebook/infamouspodcast
    instagram/infamouspodcast
    stitcher
    Apple Podcasts
    Spotify
    Google Play
    iHeart Radio

    Our theme music is ‘Skate Beat’ provided by Michael Henry, with additional music provided by Michael Henry. Find more at MeetMichaelHenry.com.

    The Infamous Podcast is hosted by Brian Tudor and Darryl Jasper, is recorded in Cincinnati, Ohio. The show is produced and edited by Brian Tudor.

    Subscribe today!

    1 hr
  • Episode 538 – Lanterns is a Case Study in John Stewart’s Fall to Villainy
    Lanterns is What Happens When You Give Heroes to People Without Moral Centers

    This week on the podcast, Brian and Darryl break down the newly completed Skydance, Paramount, and Warner Bros. Discovery merger and what the massive new entertainment company could mean for movies, television, HBO Max, Paramount+, and the franchises now living under one roof. Then we head back to Richmond for Ted Lasso Season 4 Episode 10, close the book on Neagley Season 1 with Episodes 7 and 8, and dive into the Lanterns finale, where John Stewart solves Hal Jordan’s murder and somehow comes out the other side looking a whole lot more like a future villain than a superhero.

    Episode Index

    Intro: 0:07

    WB/Paramount Evolve to Become Skydance: 9:11
    Ted Lasso Season 4 Episode 10: 27:56
    Neagly Season 1 Episodes 7-8: 48:55
    Lanterns Season 1 Episode 8: 01:03:40

    WB/Paramount Evolve to Become Skydance

    What Happened:

    The Paramount/Warner Bros. Discovery saga is officially over.

    On October 6, 2026, Paramount Skydance completed its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The combined parent company immediately changed its corporate name to Skydance Corporation and began trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker SKYD.

    This does not mean Paramount Pictures or Warner Bros. are being renamed Skydance. Think of Skydance as the new corporate roof sitting over both historic studios and their enormous collection of television, streaming, sports, gaming, and entertainment brands.

    The transaction valued Warner Bros. Discovery at roughly $110 billion in enterprise value, with approximately $81 billion in equity value. WBD shareholders received $31.01666668 per share when the deal closed. Warner Bros. Discovery’s old publicly traded stock ceased trading, with WBD becoming part of the new Skydance organization.

    David Ellison remains Chairman and CEO of Skydance, while former Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz becomes Co-CEO. Ellison is primarily responsible for strategy, creative direction, and technology, while Kreiz is overseeing day-to-day operations and the enormous job of integrating the companies.

    How We Got Here:

    – August 7, 2025: Skydance Media completes its original merger with Paramount Global. The resulting company becomes Paramount, a Skydance Corporation, with David Ellison running the business.

    – Late 2025: Warner Bros. Discovery becomes the center of a bidding war. Netflix reaches an agreement for Warner’s studio and streaming operations, while Paramount Skydance pushes for the entire company instead.
    – December 8, 2025: Paramount takes its offer directly to WBD shareholders with an approximately $108 billion all-cash hostile bid for the entire company.
    – February 26, 2026: Warner Bros. Discovery’s board determines that Paramount’s revised $31-per-share all-cash offer is superior to its existing Netflix agreement.
    – February 27, 2026: Netflix exits the bidding war and Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery sign their definitive $110 billion merger agreement. Paramount also assumes responsibility for WBD’s $2.8 billion breakup fee to Netflix.
    – August 2026: Paramount announces that the transaction has received the necessary regulatory clearances across nearly 70 countries. Remaining legal challenges still have to be resolved before the companies can close.
    – September 30, 2026: Paramount and WBD announce that they expect the transaction to officially close October 6.
    – October 6, 2026: The deal officially closes. Paramount Skydance becomes Skydance Corporation, Warner Bros. Discovery joins the company, WBD stock disappears, and SKYD begins trading on the NYSE.

    So What Does Skydance Own Now?

    The combined company is kind of ridiculous.

    On the movie side, Skydance now controls both Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures, along with New Line Cinema and the broader Warner film operation.

    That puts franchises including DC, Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, The Matrix, Top Gun, Mission: Impossible, Star Trek, Transformers, SpongeBob, and a massive century-plus film library under the same corporate parent.

    Television includes HBO, CBS, Warner Bros. Television, CBS Studios, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, TNT, TBS, Discovery, Food Network, HGTV, TLC and numerous other networks and production operations.

    Streaming includes HBO Max, Paramount+, Discovery+, Pluto TV and the company’s other digital services.

    It also brings together Warner Bros. Games, DC, CBS Sports and TNT Sports under the same company.

    What Happens to HBO Max and Paramount+?

    This is probably the biggest question for regular customers.

    Yes, Skydance has officially confirmed that its major direct-to-consumer streaming products will eventually become one service.

    That means HBO Max, Paramount+ and Discovery+ are ultimately headed toward a unified streaming platform rather than remaining three completely independent services forever. Skydance’s announcement specifically says its streaming products will “unify into a single service over time.”

    But here’s the important part:

    There is currently no announced launch date.

    As of October 8, Skydance has not announced:

    A name for the combined service

    A launch date

    Pricing

    Subscription tiers

    Whether HBO Max or Paramount+ branding survives as the primary brand

    Exactly how existing accounts will migrate

    Whether subscribers will get an interim discounted bundle

    How international services will transition

    HBO Max’s own customer FAQ says there are currently no immediate changes to HBO Max or Paramount+ subscriptions, apps, pricing, content libraries, or access. Existing subscribers don’t need to do anything.

    So if you see somebody claiming that HBO Max and Paramount+ are definitely merging into a new app on a particular date in 2027, that date has not been announced by Skydance.

    The official position right now is simply:

    Separate today. One service eventually. Timeline TBD.

    What Changes Immediately?

    The corporate structure changed October 6.

    Skydance is now the parent company. David Ellison and Ynon Kreiz are running the combined organization, and integration work has already begun.

    For consumers, however, almost nothing changes immediately. Warner Bros. remains Warner Bros. Paramount remains Paramount. HBO remains HBO. HBO Max is still HBO Max. Paramount+ is still Paramount+.

    This is much more like Disney owning Marvel, Pixar, Lucasfilm, ABC and ESPN than every property suddenly being renamed Disney.

    What Happens Next?

    Skydance says it intends to release at least 30 theatrical films per year across the combined studios and produce more than 180 television shows and series.

    The company is also targeting at least $6 billion in annual cost savings and operational synergies within three years. Those savings are expected to come primarily from overlapping technology, marketing, procurement, real estate and other corporate operations.

    The streaming integration will likely be one of the biggest pieces of that strategy. Maintaining separate technology stacks, apps, subscriber systems and marketing operations for HBO Max, Paramount+ and Discovery+ makes considerably less sense when all three now belong to the same company.

    But the actual conversion is going to take time.

    For now, the simplest way to explain the whole thing on the show is:

    Skydance bought Paramount. Then Paramount Skydance bought Warner Bros. Discovery. Now the entire combined company has taken the Skydance name, while Paramount, Warner Bros., HBO and the other familiar entertainment brands continue operating underneath it.

    And eventually, your Paramount+ subscription and your HBO Max subscription are supposed to become one streaming subscription. We just don’t know when yet.

    Ted Lasso (Apple TV)

    Ted Lasso, Season 4, Episode 10

    Title: Being Alive
    Air Date: October 7, 2026
    Director: Matt Lipsey
    Writers: Brendan Hunt and Jason Sudeikis
    Summary:
    The Season 4 finale begins in the aftermath of Mae’s death as Richmond gathers to celebrate her life, while Ted struggles with finally telling Henry the truth about his grandfather. As the women’s team prepares for its biggest moment at Nelson Road, nearly everyone at Richmond reaches a crossroads. Roy accepts the head coaching job at Chelsea, Keeley reveals that she is pregnant, Rebecca survives Zelda’s attempt to wrestle away control of the club, and Ted ultimately decides he no longer needs to be the person in charge. He steps down to become an assistant and hands the women’s team to Alice Chilton, closing the season with Richmond entering another very different new era.

    Review Out of 5 I’ll Never BELIVE Again

    Brian: 1/5
    Darryl: 1.5/5

    Season 4 Rating Out of 10, Some Things are Best Left Alone

    Brian: 1/10
    Darryl: 1.5/10

    Neagley (Prime Video)

    Neagley, Season 1, Episode 7

    Title: Lebron’s No Jordan
    Air Date: September 16, 2026
    Director: Sam Hill
    Writers: Nick Santora and Nicholas Wootton
    Summary:
    With the investigation running out of road, Riley is forced to lean on his imprisoned father for information while Neagley confronts some deeply uncomfortable truths about her own family. Calvin admits what really happened to Percy years earlier, only for the confrontation to end with Calvin suffering cardiac arrest. Meanwhile, the investigation tightens around the trafficking operation and Echo Canyon, pushing Neagley, Riley, and Renee toward the people behind Tommy’s death and setting up the final confrontation.

    Neagley, Season 1, Episode 8

    Title: Touched
    Air Date: September 16, 2026
    Director: Sam Hill
    Writers: Nick Santora and Nicholas Wootton
    Summary:
    Neagley, Riley, and Renee launch their final move against Echo Canyon as the conspiracy surrounding Tommy Crane, Tranqlara, and the people responsible for the operation finally comes into focus. With Keno and the others in danger, Neagley turns the investigation into an all-out assault on the compound and finally gets the chance to bring Tommy’s killers to justice. The finale also forces Neagley to confront the childhood trauma and fear of physical contact that have shaped her entire adult life, while a familiar Jack Reacher appearance helps connect her next chapter back to the larger Reacher universe.

    Episodes 7-8 Rating Out of 10 Francis is a Bad Ass

    Brian: 8/10
    Darryl: 7.5/10

    Season 1 Rating Out of 10 Neagly S1 > Reacher S1

    Brian: 7.7/10
    Darryl: 7.75/10

    Lanterns (HBO Max)

    Lanterns, Season 1, Episode 8

    Title: Dirt and Stars
    Air Date: October 4, 2026
    Director: Alik Sakharov
    Writers: Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof, and Tom King
    Summary:
    The finale finally reveals the truth behind Hal Jordan’s murder, Noah Macon’s connection to the Manhunters, and Sinestro’s escape. Noah is revealed to be a Manhunter hybrid who freed Sinestro in exchange for his help constructing a new Lantern, while Sheriff Kerry Kane is revealed as the person who actually killed Hal while trying to protect her son.

    But the bigger story is what John does with everything he learns. John tortures information out of Sinestro, takes possession of a Lantern infused with both willpower and fear, rejects the Guardians’ authority over him, and declares himself Earth’s Green Lantern on his own terms. He even rewrites the Green Lantern oath around accepting fear instead of overcoming it. After one final goodbye from the Halogram, John puts on the ring and assumes responsibility for Earth as what he calls an “independent contractor.”

    So, congratulations John. You solved Hal Jordan’s murder by embracing torture, fear-powered technology, ignoring the rule of law, rejecting Lantern authority, and appointing yourself Earth’s protector.

    Nothing concerning there at all.

    Rating Out of 5, What’s a Hero Anyway?

    Brian: 1/5
    Darryl: 1.3/5

    Season 1 Out of 10, In Blah Blah Blah… This Shit Isn’t Green Lantern

    Brian: 1.8/10
    Darryl: 1.5/10

    Contact Us

    The Infamous Podcast can be found wherever podcasts are found on the Interwebs, feel free to subscribe and follow along on social media. And don’t be shy about helping out the show with a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts to help us move up in the ratings.

    @infamouspodcast

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    Our theme music is ‘Skate Beat’ provided by Michael Henry, with additional music provided by Michael Henry. Find more at MeetMichaelHenry.com.

    The Infamous Podcast is hosted by Brian Tudor and Darryl Jasper, is recorded in Cincinnati, Ohio. The show is produced and edited by Brian Tudor.

    Subscribe today!

    1 hr 39 min
  • Episode 537 – Lanterns Limping to the Finale, or This is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things
    Ted Lasso Season 4: Proof That Knowing When to Quit Is Also a Leadership Skill

    This week on the podcast, This week, Brian and Darryl survive the 2026 Cincinnati Comic Expo before diving back into TV land. Ted Lasso takes the Lady Greyhounds on the road with the season barreling toward its finale, Neagley digs deeper into a murder conspiracy across Episodes 3 through 6, and Lanterns somehow finds another way to make Hal Jordan’s life even more miserable as the season limps toward the finish line.

    Episode Index

    Intro: 0:07

    Cincinnati Comic Expo: 2:55
    Ted Lasso Season 4 Episode 9: 12:41
    Neagly Season 1 Episodes 3-6: 19:56
    Lanterns Season 1 Episode 7: 37:04

    2026 Cincinnati Comic Expo

    The Cincinnati Comic Expo returned to downtown Cincinnati September 25 through 27 at the First Financial Center, bringing together celebrity guests, comic creators, cosplay, vendors, panels, gaming, photo ops, and enough collectibles to absolutely destroy a responsible adult’s budget.

    This year’s guest lineup included Hayden Christensen, Gina Torres, Ernie Hudson, Pom Klementieff, Ashley Eckstein, Temuera Morrison, Richard Armitage, Sylvester McCoy, Mindy Cohn, and plenty more from across movies, television, comics, animation, and fandom.

    Time to talk about what we saw, what we bought, who we met, and whether Brian managed to leave the building with any money.

    Ted Lasso (Apple TV)

    Ted Lasso, Season 4 Episode 9

    Title: Mae Rides the Bus
    Air date: September 30, 2026
    Director: Matt Lipsey
    Writers: Jack Burditt and Julia Lindon
    Summary:
    With morale low and the Lady Greyhounds facing enormous stakes on the road, Mae decides to join Richmond for the trip. The episode pushes the team closer to its season-long goal while Keeley brings news of her own and several relationships continue moving toward their endgame. What starts as another big football moment ultimately becomes one of the season’s most emotional episodes.

    Rating Out of 5, Mae May Be Getting Off Lucky

    Brian: 1.9/5

    Darryl: 1.5/5

    Neagley (Prime Video)

    Neagley, Season 1 Episode 3

    Title: Hammer Time
    Air date: September 16, 2026
    Director: Gary Fleder
    Writer: Adam Higgs

    Summary:

    An ambush unexpectedly gives Neagley her biggest break yet in the investigation into Tommy Crane’s death. Unfortunately, just as the pieces begin falling into place, local law enforcement starts pushing her away from the case. Neagley being Neagley, taking the hint isn’t exactly on the agenda.

    Neagley, Season 1 Episode 4

    Title: Breaking & Entering
    Air date: September 16, 2026
    Director: Gary Fleder
    Writer: Kyle Long
    Summary:
    Neagley’s investigation starts attracting exactly the kind of attention she doesn’t want. Powerful people begin moving against her, turning the hunt for Tommy’s killer into something much more dangerous for Neagley and the people helping her.

    Neagley, Season 1 Episode 5

    Title: Trip
    Air date: September 16, 2026
    Director: Phil Abraham
    Writer: Lacey Herbert
    Summary:
    The investigation takes a much more personal turn when buried pieces of Neagley’s past begin resurfacing. Forced to confront things she would rather leave behind, Neagley finds herself doing something almost as uncomfortable as getting shot at: relying on other people.

    Neagley, Season 1 Episode 6

    Title: Rocked
    Air date: September 16, 2026
    Director: Phil Abraham
    Writer: Adam Higgs
    Summary:
    New evidence completely changes the scale of Neagley’s investigation. What began as an attempt to uncover the truth about Tommy’s murder now appears connected to multiple deaths, forcing Neagley and her team to realize they may be dealing with something much bigger than they expected.

    Rating Out of 10, You Can’t Out Sniper a Sniper

    Brian: 7.55/10

    Darryl: 7.6/10

    Lanterns (HBO)

    Lanterns, Season 1 Episode 7

    Title: The Jordan Boys’ Legacy
    Air date: September 27, 2026
    Director: Alik Sakharov
    Writers: Damon Lindelof and Tom King
    Summary:
    Hal and John find themselves on another planet investigating a murder, forcing the two Lanterns to put their fractured history aside long enough to work together. The case drags both men back through painful pieces of their childhoods and the experiences that shaped them, particularly Hal’s complicated relationship with his father. With only one episode left, the season finally starts putting some of its biggest pieces on the board.

    Rating Out of 5, Forget Ryan Gosling, The Rushville Offensive Line is the Real Liability on Any Football Field

    Brian: 1.5/5

    Darryl 1.7/5

    Contact Us

    The Infamous Podcast can be found wherever podcasts are found on the Interwebs, feel free to subscribe and follow along on social media. And don’t be shy about helping out the show with a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts to help us move up in the ratings.

    @infamouspodcast

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    Our theme music is ‘Skate Beat’ provided by Michael Henry, with additional music provided by Michael Henry. Find more at MeetMichaelHenry.com.

    The Infamous Podcast is hosted by Brian Tudor and Darryl Jasper, is recorded in Cincinnati, Ohio. The show is produced and edited by Brian Tudor.

    Subscribe today!

    1 hr 5 min
  • Episode 536 – Hal Jordan, Hero… I Mean Convict
    James Gunn Hates Superheroes… or just good people in general

    This week on the podcast, Brian and Darryl head back to Richmond as Ted Lasso deals with injuries, old wounds, and some very complicated relationships. Then it’s off to Chicago for the first two episodes of Neagley, where Frances Neagley gets dragged into a conspiracy surrounding the death of an old friend. Finally, Lanterns jumps ten years into the future, and Hal Jordan’s fall from hero to convicted pariah ends with John Stewart being pulled back into a mystery he thought he left behind.

    Episode Index

    Intro: 0:07

    Madden on Prime: 9:14
    Ted Lasso Season 4 Episode 8: 12:44
    Neagly Season 1 Episodes 1-2:
    Lanterns Season 1 Episode 6:

    Madden Trailer

    Madden Official Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzh7HzLXXpk

    Ted Lasso (Apple TV)

    Ted Lasso, Season 4 Episode 8

    Title: Follow the Anger

    Air date: September 23, 2026
    Director: Erica Dunton
    Writers: Brett Goldstein & Jamie Lee
    Summary:
    The Lady Greyhounds are finally building some serious momentum when Gemma suffers a potentially season-altering knee injury while chasing a hat trick. The injury sends Alice spiraling into guilt and forces her to confront the trauma surrounding the end of her own playing career. Rebecca pushes back against the unequal treatment Richmond’s women receive, while Higgins discovers someone has been quietly buying up shares of AFC Richmond, raising the possibility of a hostile takeover. Meanwhile, Roy and Keeley head to Stamford Bridge for the Wall of Legends ceremony, where a chaotic trip eventually leads to Roy publicly confronting his feelings and the two finally finding their way back to each other.

    Rating out of 5, What is Dead May Never Die, but it Should

    Brian: 2/5
    Darryl: 2/5

    Neagley (Prime Video)

    Neagley, Season 1 Episode 1

    Title: L Train

    Air date: September 16, 2026
    Director: Sam Hill
    Writers: Nick Santora & Nicholas Wootton
    Summary:
    Frances Neagley is pulled into a deeply personal investigation when her childhood friend Tommy Crane apparently walks in front of a Chicago L train. The police are prepared to call it an accident, but a mysterious message Tommy sent before his death convinces Neagley that something is very wrong. Working alongside Detective Hudson Riley, she traces Tommy’s final days to the strange Echo Canyon organization and begins uncovering connections to a much larger conspiracy. The premiere also brings Jack Reacher back into Neagley’s orbit during an unrelated kidnapping case, establishing that while this is definitely Neagley’s show, the larger Reacher universe is never far away.

    Neagley, Season 1 Episode 2

    Title: Team Building Exercises
    Air date: September 16, 2026
    Director: Sam Hill
    Writers: Nick Santora & Nicholas Wootton
    Summary:
    Neagley and Riley dig deeper into Tommy’s death as flashbacks reveal just how much trouble he discovered at Echo Canyon before he died. Their investigation points toward assassins Davos and Ford, while another suspicious death makes it increasingly clear that someone is systematically cleaning up loose ends. Neagley also begins questioning pieces of her own childhood after catching her father in a lie, while a strange package Tommy sent her provides another clue. With conventional investigation hitting walls, Neagley recruits Keno to infiltrate Echo Canyon, a plan that quickly goes sideways when Lawrence Cole catches him inside the compound.

    Rating out of 10, At Least Neagly Didn’t Forget How to be Neagly

    Brian: 7/10
    Darryl: 6.8/10

    Lanterns (HBO Max)

    Lanterns, Season 1 Episode 6

    Title: Bad Optics

    Air date: September 20, 2026
    Director: Stephen Williams
    Writers: Justin Britt-Gibson & Damon Lindelof
    Summary:
    The story jumps forward ten years to 2026, where John Stewart has left the Green Lantern life behind and become an architect working with his brother Marcus. Hal Jordan, meanwhile, has spent years dealing with the fallout from the Rushville disaster, including prison time and becoming a very public symbol of everything that went wrong. John finally agrees to meet Hal after hearing that he wants to apologize, but their reunion goes spectacularly badly and ends with John punching him. Soon afterward, John learns that Hal has been murdered. His return to Rushville brings him into contact with Guy Gardner, now Earth’s active Green Lantern, and leads to Hal’s wonderfully awkward funeral and the introduction of Carol Ferris. By the end, John is literally digging into Hal’s past as the mystery surrounding his death pulls him back toward the life he spent a decade trying to escape.

    Rating Out of 5, Gunn’s Guy Gardner Sucks On the Small Screen Too

    Brian: 1.8/5
    Darryl: 1.9/5

    Contact Us

    The Infamous Podcast can be found wherever podcasts are found on the Interwebs, feel free to subscribe and follow along on social media. And don’t be shy about helping out the show with a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts to help us move up in the ratings.

    @infamouspodcast

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    stitcher
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    Our theme music is ‘Skate Beat’ provided by Michael Henry, with additional music provided by Michael Henry. Find more at MeetMichaelHenry.com.The Infamous Podcast is hosted by Brian Tudor and Darryl Jasper, is recorded in Cincinnati, Ohio. The show is produced and edited by Brian Tudor.

    Subscribe today!

    59 min
  • Episode 535 – The Most Cracker Jack Weapon in the DC Universe
    Mutant yearning, Richmond improv, one last Reacher bloodbath, and the least reliable piece of cosmic jewelry in the galaxy.

    This week on THE Infamous Podcast, Brian and Darryl wade into the bizarre Wolverine and Sabretooth “yearning” discourse surrounding Insomniac’s new Marvel’s Wolverine. Then it’s back to Richmond for Ted Lasso Season 4, Episode 7, before Reacher wraps Season 4 with one appropriately violent finale. Finally, Lanterns blows Rushville to hell, John Stewart questions everything he thought he wanted, and the most powerful weapon in the DC Universe starts looking like something you found at the bottom of a Cracker Jack box.

    Episode Index

    Intro: 0:07

    Wolverine Sexual Confusion in the new Insomniac Game: 2:25
    Ted Lasso Season 4 Episode 7: 10:14
    Reacher Season 4 Episode 8: 22:05
    Lanterns Season 1 Episode 5: 35:04

    Wolverine Controversy

    Marvel’s Wolverine

    Developer: Insomniac Games
    Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
    Platform: PlayStation 5
    Release Date: September 15, 2026
    Genre: Single-player action-adventure
    Starring: Liam McIntyre as Logan/Wolverine, Krizia Bajos as Jean Grey, with Sabretooth, Mystique, Nathaniel Essex and other X-Men characters appearing in the story. Sony describes the game as an original Wolverine adventure developed by Insomniac in collaboration with Marvel Games.
    What the Hell Happened?
    The whole thing started with Gene Park’s Washington Post review. While describing Logan and Sabretooth’s long, violent relationship, Park writes about Sabretooth grabbing the back of Logan’s head during a mission in what he describes as a brief moment of “yearning.” Insomniac narrative director Walt Williams then uses the same word while explaining the scene, saying Logan feels that yearning, becomes frightened by it and pulls away. Williams frames the relationship around intertwined love, hate, pain and their long history together.
    Predictably, the internet took “Wolverine yearns for Sabretooth” and ran approximately 9,000 miles with it.
    Insomniac community and marketing director James Stevenson subsequently clarified that Logan and Sabretooth are not romantically involved, describing their relationship as essentially brothers or best friends with an intensely dysfunctional history. The game itself does not identify Logan as gay or bisexual or give him a male romance.

    Ted Lasso (Apple TV)

    Series/Season/Episode: Ted Lasso, Season 4, Episode 7

    Episode: “Yes & Baby”
    Directed By: Erica Dunton
    Written By: Bill Wrubel and Jane Becker
    Streaming: Apple TV
    Release Date: September 16, 2026
    Runtime: 41 minutes
    Starring: Jason Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham, Juno Temple, Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt, Jeremy Swift, Tanya Reynolds and the AFC Richmond women’s team ensemble.
    Episode Synopsis
    Alice returns to the team trying to change her approach to life, which eventually collides with Ted’s favorite improvisational philosophy: “Yes, and…” Ted encourages both Alice and the Lady Greyhounds to step outside their comfort zones while the episode digs further into the everyday lives of Richmond’s players.
    That means less giant football melodrama and more childcare problems, money problems, transportation problems, relationships, and the realities of trying to build a career in women’s football. Zelda also gets involved when Richmond encounters another problem off the pitch. Meanwhile, Ted takes an awkward swing at getting back into the dating world, while the episode continues moving pieces around Roy, Keeley and their respective relationships.

    Rating out of 5, Who Doesn’t Believe in BELIEVE?

    Brian: 2.1/5
    Darryl: 2.41/5

    Reacher (Amazon Prime)

    Series/Season/Episode: Reacher, Season 4, Episode 8

    Episode: “Cut”
    Directed By: Sam Hill
    Written By: Scott Sullivan
    Streaming: Prime Video
    Release Date: September 16, 2026
    Runtime: 58 minutes
    Based On: Gone Tomorrow by Lee Child
    Starring: Alan Ritchson, Sydelle Noel, Agnez Mo, Anggun, Christopher Rodriguez-Marquette and Kevin Corrigan. Prime Video
    Episode Synopsis
    Season 4 goes out exactly how a Reacher season should: everybody finally understands the conspiracy, talking stops being particularly useful, and Reacher starts solving problems with violence.
    The missing drive ultimately points to information capable of recreating a devastating chemical weapon. With the truth finally exposed, Reacher, Tamara and Jacob go on offense. Reacher hunts down the people responsible for Anna’s death while Jacob confronts the truth surrounding his family and Plum gets an opportunity for redemption.

    The final confrontation puts Reacher against Lila and Amisha in an abandoned restaurant, complete with karambit knives, a severely wounded Reacher and exactly the kind of ludicrously brutal fight this series has trained us to expect. Reacher ultimately turns the enemy’s own weapon against them and somehow survives yet another situation that should require substantially more than an overnight hospital stay.

    Rating Out of 5, Medically Impossible Reacher Survivals

    Brian 3.41/5
    Darryl: 3/5

    Season 4 Rating Out of 10, When Did Reacher Go Full Retard?

    Brian: 5/10
    Darryl: 5.5/10

    Lanterns (HBO Max)

    Series/Season/Episode: Lanterns, Season 1, Episode 5

    Episode: “Lights Out”
    Directed By: Geeta Vasant Patel
    Written By: Justin Britt-Gibson
    Streaming: HBO / HBO Max
    Release Date: September 13, 2026
    Runtime: 53 minutes
    Starring: Aaron Pierre, Kyle Chandler, Nathan Fillion, Kelly Macdonald, Laura Linney, Garret Dillahunt, Jason Ritter and Poorna Jagannathan. Apple TV
    Episode Synopsis
    Well, that escalated.
    “Lights Out” cashes in nearly everything the first four episodes have been building. Rushville mobilizes as the truth about the Macons and the Manhunter comes apart, Hal makes his final push to eliminate the threat, and John is forced to make the decision he’s supposedly spent his entire life preparing for.
    Zoe is confirmed as the Manhunter. Rushville gets devastated. Will Macon and Antaan die. John ultimately kills Zoe and takes Hal’s Green Lantern ring, seemingly completing his destiny.
    And then he rejects it.
    John tells Lianna that after finally putting on the ring, he feels empty. Watching what Hal became while desperately holding onto its power has fundamentally changed how John sees both the ring and the Guardians. He gives up the thing he spent most of his life believing he wanted.
    Which brings us directly to this week’s title.
    Apparently one of the most powerful weapons in the universe can be handed over, stolen, surrendered, and reassigned with roughly the security protocols of a Cracker Jack prize.

    Rating Out of 5, You Can’t Use a Pocket Knife on a Green Lantern Ring… For Fuck’s Sake!

    Brian: 2/5
    Darryl: 1.9/5

    Contact Us

    The Infamous Podcast can be found wherever podcasts are found on the Interwebs, feel free to subscribe and follow along on social media. And don’t be shy about helping out the show with a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts to help us move up in the ratings.

    @infamouspodcast

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    Our theme music is ‘Skate Beat’ provided by Michael Henry, with additional music provided by Michael Henry. Find more at MeetMichaelHenry.com.

    The Infamous Podcast is hosted by Brian Tudor and Darryl Jasper, is recorded in Cincinnati, Ohio. The show is produced and edited by Brian Tudor.

    Subscribe today!

    1 hr
  • Episode 534 – Seven Havens, Twelve Quarters, and One Very Confident Weenie
    A new Avatar inherits a broken world

    This week on the podcast, Brian and Darryl head into a shattered new era of the Avatar universe with the latest Avatar: Seven Havens trailer. Then, they hit the field for all six episodes of Chad Powers Season 2 before checking in on the increasingly complicated lives of everyone in Ted Lasso. Finally, Reacher uncovers the deadly truth behind the season’s conspiracy, while Lanterns reveals its Manhunter and gives “asserting dominance” a completely new meaning.

    Episode Index

    Intro: 0:07

    Seven Havens Trailer: 4:30
    Chad Powers: Season 2: 10:17
    Ted Lasso Season 4 Episode 6:
    Reacher Season 4 Episode 7:
    Lanterns Season 1 Episode 4:

    Avatar: Seven Havens Trailer

    Series: Avatar: Seven Havens

    Creators: Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko
    Studio: Nickelodeon Animation Studio and Avatar Studios
    Streaming: Paramount+
    Premiere: October 9, 2026
    Format: 26 half-hour episodes divided into two 13-episode books
    Voice Cast: Saheli Khan, Aishu Devan, Akshay Khanna, Major Curda, Sakina Jaffrey, Darren Barnet, Dianne Doan, and Dee Bradley Baker
    Official Premise:
    Set after The Legend of Korra, the new series follows Pavi, a young Earthbender who discovers that she is the next Avatar. Following a devastating cataclysm, civilization has been divided among seven remaining havens. Instead of being welcomed as the world’s savior, Pavi is blamed for its destruction and hunted by both human and spirit enemies. Joined by her mentor Jae, her cat-monkey Geet, and a long-lost twin, Pavi must uncover the truth about her origins and prevent the Seven Havens from collapsing.

    Chad Powers (Hulu/Disney+)

    Season: 2

    Created By: Glen Powell and Michael Waldron
    Streaming: Hulu
    Release Date: September 3, 2026
    Episodes: Six
    Starring: Glen Powell, Perry Mattfeld, Steve Zahn, Quentin Plair, Wynn Everett, Frankie Rodriguez, and Colton Ryan
    Season Synopsis:
    With Russ Holliday’s secret exposed to more people, keeping Chad Powers alive becomes increasingly complicated. Russ attempts to lead the South Georgia Catfish toward the playoffs while Gerry discovers the truth and tries to use it for his own gambling scheme. Ricky faces a major career decision, Coach Hudson receives life-changing news, and Russ learns that his second chance may require him to become a better person instead of simply playing one.
    The season ends with Gerry attempting to sabotage Chad, Tricia stepping in to protect Russ, Ricky considering a coaching job at Syracuse, and Coach Hudson announcing his retirement due to health concerns. Hulu released all six episodes together, ending with “12th Quarter.”

    Rating Out of 10, Beware the Backup QB, If he’s NOT Sleeping with Your Girl He’s Trying to Kill You

    Brian: 7/10
    Darryl: 6.5/10

    Ted Lasso (Apple TV)

    Episode: “Don’t Jump Around Much Anymore”

    Streaming: Apple TV
    Release Date: September 9, 2026
    Starring: Jason Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham, Brett Goldstein, Juno Temple, Brendan Hunt, and Phil Dunster
    Episode Synopsis:
    New Year’s Eve brings several familiar faces back together at Zelda Southport’s lavish launch party for Apple Tartt Vodka. Jamie Tartt makes his long-awaited return, complete with platinum-blond hair and an aggressively theatrical promotional performance. Rebecca struggles with her emotions, Roy discovers that dancing remains a contact sport, and Jamie proves that underneath all the ego and absurdity, he has genuinely grown.
    Back in Ted’s flat, Ted and Michelle share an emotional conversation that reconnects the series with Ted’s early coaching life and the unresolved history between them.

    Rating Out of 5, This is a 2022 Show in 2026

    Brian: 2.5/5
    Darryl: 2.4/5

    Reacher (Amazon Prime)

    Episode: “Vote for Sampson”

    Streaming: Prime Video
    Release Date: September 9, 2026
    Based On: Gone Tomorrow by Lee Child
    Starring: Alan Ritchson, Sydelle Noel, Christopher Rodriguez-Marquette, Marc Blucas, Agnez Mo, and Anggun
    Episode Synopsis:
    Springfield rescues Reacher and Tamara from Ahlquist’s mercenaries, allowing Reacher to continue his characteristically violent search for answers. The photograph and USB drive are finally explained, revealing a formula for a deadly chemical weapon developed through a CIA-backed project in Indonesia.
    Lila and Amisha plan to demonstrate the weapon before selling it through the dark web. Congressman John Sampson recognizes the suicide bomber at his fundraiser and tackles him into the river moments before the device detonates, apparently sacrificing himself to prevent a mass-casualty attack.

    Rating Out of 5, Riley Finn is a Hero No Matter What Show He’s on

    Brian: 3.5/5
    Darryl: 3.5/5

    Lanterns (HBO Max)

    Episode: “The Weenie”

    Directed By: Geeta Patel
    Streaming: HBO Max
    Release Date: September 6, 2026
    Starring: Kyle Chandler, Aaron Pierre, Poorna Jagannathan, Garret Dillahunt, and Kelly Macdonald
    Episode Synopsis:
    Hal Jordan and John Stewart infiltrate William Macon’s compound but quickly find themselves captured by his militia. Macon responds to their investigation with the ultimate display of confidence, stripping naked and ordering former art student John Stewart to draw him.
    The investigation also exposes Hector Gutierrez as a decoy connected to alien technology. The much larger revelation is that Zoe Macon is the Manhunter the Lanterns have been searching for. Her apparent death, survival, and confession to John suggest that she may be more complicated than the murderous machine everyone expects.

    Rating Out of 5, When the Title Said Weenie I Thought Superman Was Showing Up

    Brian: 2.8/5
    Darryl: 2.25/5

    Contact Us

    The Infamous Podcast can be found wherever podcasts are found on the Interwebs, feel free to subscribe and follow along on social media. And don’t be shy about helping out the show with a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts to help us move up in the ratings.

    @infamouspodcast

    facebook/infamouspodcast
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    stitcher
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    Spotify
    Google Play
    iHeart Radio

    Our theme music is ‘Skate Beat’ provided by Michael Henry, with additional music provided by Michael Henry. Find more at MeetMichaelHenry.com.

    The Infamous Podcast is hosted by Brian Tudor and Darryl Jasper, is recorded in Cincinnati, Ohio. The show is produced and edited by Brian Tudor.

    Subscribe today!

    58 min
  • Episode 533 – Ted Lasso Finally Grows a Pair – FIXED
    Alice Chilton is One of the Worst Characters on TV

    This week on podcast, Brian and Darryl watch Ted Lasso finally stop being everyone’s emotional support coach and make a hard call as Richmond faces Chelsea. Then Reacher and Tamara follow the conspiracy into a server room filled with mercenaries, bad decisions, and one extremely useful hard-drive crusher. Finally, Lanterns rewinds John Stewart’s life to reveal how fear, family pressure, and one deeply questionable childhood training program shaped the man behind the ring.

    Episode Index

    Intro: 0:07

    Ted Lasso Season 4 Episode 5: 8:00
    Reacher Season 4 Episode 6: 24:05
    Lanterns Season 1 Episode 3: 36:21

    Ted Lasso (Apple TV)

    Season: 4

    Episode: 5
    Episode Title: “Riches of Embarrassment”
    Release Date: September 2, 2026
    Platform: Apple TV
    Genre: Sports, Comedy, Drama
    Running Time: 47 minutes
    Directed By: Ellie Heydon
    Written By: Phoebe Walsh
    Developed By: Jason Sudeikis, Bill Lawrence, Brendan Hunt, and Joe Kelly
    Starring: Jason Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham, Juno Temple, Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt, Jeremy Swift, Tanya Reynolds, Abbie Hern, Faye Marsay, and Jude Mack
    Episode Summary:
    Richmond’s Lady Greyhounds face their toughest challenge yet when they take on Chelsea, but the pressure of the match brings out the worst in Coach Alice. Her increasingly hostile approach begins driving a wedge between her and the players, forcing Ted to confront a problem he can no longer solve with a barbecue metaphor and a smile.
    Down 2-0 at halftime, Ted opens up about his own embarrassment and helps Richmond fight its way back into the match before Chelsea ultimately pulls away. Rebecca struggles with Matthijs unexpectedly planning to move to London, Keeley learns Roy’s dating experiment may be getting serious, and Beard reunites with Jane following the success of her play. Ted ends the episode by suspending Alice for Richmond’s final match before the holiday break, finally proving that he is willing to make an uncomfortable decision for the good of the team.

    Rating Out of 5, Toxic Women Does Not a Coach Make

    Brian: 3/5
    Darryl: 3/5

    Reacher (Amazon Prime)

    Season: 4

    Episode: 6
    Episode Title: “Plum Out of Luck”
    Release Date: September 2, 2026
    Platform: Prime Video
    Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller
    Running Time: 41 minutes
    Directed By: Gary Fleder
    Written By: Mick Betancourt, Seth Cohen, and Amy Pocha
    Developed By: Nick Santora
    Based On: Gone Tomorrow by Lee Child
    Starring: Alan Ritchson, Sydelle Noel, Agnez Mo, Anggun, Christopher Marquette, Kevin Corrigan, Kevin Weisman, Marc Blucas, Nick Searcy, and Shawn Doyle
    Episode Summary:
    The standoff at the abandoned restaurant explodes when Russell Plum arrives at exactly the wrong moment and a squad of mercenaries crashes the party. Plum is shot, Lila and Amisha escape with the flash drive, and Reacher learns that the mysterious scientist in the photograph is pharmaceutical executive Leo Ahlquist.
    Reacher and Tamara sneak into Dover by hiding inside a bus cargo compartment and track Ahlquist to his company. They discover that he hired the mercenaries to erase evidence connecting him to the conspiracy, leading to a brutal server-room fight that gives Reacher an opportunity to introduce one attacker’s hand to an industrial hard-drive crusher.
    The fight ends with Reacher and Tamara overpowered, handcuffed, and taken away in a van. Meanwhile, Jacob attempts to protect Plum at the hospital, only to learn that Detective Docherty has been ordered to kill him. Episode credits and summary, episode recap

    Rating Out of 5, Burnt Hand, Shredded Hand… At Least He Has Both Ears

    Brian: 3/5
    Darryl: 3.3/5

    Lanterns (HBO Max)

    Season: 1

    Episode: 3
    Episode Title: “OutKast”
    Release Date: August 30, 2026
    Network/Platform: HBO and HBO Max
    Genre: Superhero, Science Fiction, Crime Drama
    Running Time: 53 minutes
    Directed By: Stephen Williams
    Written By: Vanessa Baden Kelly
    Created By: Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof, and Tom King
    Starring: Aaron Pierre, Kyle Chandler, Laura Linney, J. Alphonse Nicholson, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Sherman Augustus, and Nicole Ari Parker
    Episode Summary:
    The investigation in Rushville takes a back seat as Lanterns reveals how John Stewart spent his entire life preparing to become a Green Lantern. After John Stewart Sr. fails the Guardians’ test, Lianna approaches the family and gives their youngest son the opportunity his father lost.
    Bernadette and John Sr. begin training their son to overcome fear through methods that range from demanding to genuinely disturbing. John eventually joins the Marines and becomes an elite sniper, but an unexpected intervention by Hal Jordan destroys a major operation and contributes to John accepting a dishonorable discharge.
    During his final interview with Lianna, John’s discipline, memories, and understanding of fear are tested. His ability to use his artistic eye to construct a functioning watch helps prove that he has the imagination and will required to wield the ring. John is selected as Earth’s next Green Lantern, although Hal makes it painfully clear that he has little interest in training his eventual replacement. Episode credits, episode recap
    Rating Out of 5, Childhood Trauma Builds Space Cops
    Brian: 1.5/5
    Darryl: 0.5/5

    Contact Us

    The Infamous Podcast can be found wherever podcasts are found on the Interwebs, feel free to subscribe and follow along on social media. And don’t be shy about helping out the show with a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts to help us move up in the ratings.

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    Our theme music is ‘Skate Beat’ provided by Michael Henry, with additional music provided by Michael Henry. Find more at MeetMichaelHenry.com.

    The Infamous Podcast is hosted by Brian Tudor and Darryl Jasper, is recorded in Cincinnati, Ohio. The show is produced and edited by Brian Tudor.

    Subscribe today!

    2 min
  • Episode 532 – One Ring, Two Lanterns, One Suspicious-Ass Bird
    Good Enough to Keep Watching, Not Good Enough to Stop Complaining

    This week on the podcast, Brian and Darryl take a somber look back at three icons we lost this week with Dolly Parton, Tim Curry, and Peter Cullen, and the massive mark each left on pop culture. Then it’s back to the weekly watchlist as Ted Lasso tries to bring the Greyhounds together, Reacher digs deeper into an increasingly dangerous conspiracy, and Lanterns pushes Hal Jordan and John Stewart further into a mystery that is getting a whole lot more cosmic.

    Episode Index

    Intro: 0:07

    Celebrity Deaths This Week: 4:46
    Ted Lasso Season 4 Episode 4: 16:20
    Reacher Season 4 Episode 5: 24:40
    Lanterns Season 1 Episode 2: 3240

    Celebrity Deaths

    Dolly Parton

    January 19, 1946 – August 25, 2026 | Age 80
    Country music icon, songwriter, actress, businesswoman, and philanthropist Dolly Parton died August 25 after what her representatives described as a brief battle with cancer. Her six-decade career produced classics including “Jolene,” “9 to 5,” and “I Will Always Love You,” while her film career included 9 to 5 and Steel Magnolias.
    Parton’s legacy extends far beyond music. She helped build Dollywood into one of Tennessee’s biggest attractions and founded the Imagination Library, which has provided hundreds of millions of free books to children. Dollywood announced that the park would remain open following her death, honoring her belief that “the show must go on.”
    Infamous angle: One of those genuinely rare celebrities who seemed to transcend genre, politics, generations, and even celebrity culture itself.
    Tim Curry
    April 19, 1946 – August 25, 2026 | Age 80
    Actor, singer, and voice performer Tim Curry died peacefully at his Los Angeles home following a period of ill health. Curry became a cultural icon as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, but his ridiculously versatile career also included Clue, It, Home Alone 2, Muppet Treasure Island, Legend, The Three Musketeers, and decades of stage and voice work.
    He received three Tony nominations and continued working after suffering a major stroke in 2012 that left him using a wheelchair. For an entire generation of genre fans, Curry was basically the patron saint of unforgettable villains and weirdos.
    Peter Cullen
    July 28, 1941 – August 26, 2026 | Age 85
    Legendary Canadian voice actor Peter Cullen died peacefully at his Los Angeles home surrounded by family. No cause of death has been announced.
    Cullen became inseparable from Optimus Prime, originating the character’s voice in the 1984 Transformers animated series and returning repeatedly across animation, games, and the live-action films. He also voiced Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh and contributed memorable vocal work to Predator, Knight Rider, G.I. Joe, and numerous animated series.
    The voice and personality he created for Optimus were inspired in large part by his older brother Larry, a decorated Marine veteran, whose advice to Peter was essentially that a real hero should be strong enough to be gentle. That philosophy became fundamental to Optimus Prime.
    Infamous angle: For anybody who grew up in the ’80s, this one hits differently. Optimus Prime wasn’t merely a cartoon voice.

    Ted Lasson (Apple TV)

    Network: Apple TV

    Genre: Comedy / Sports / Drama
    Developed By: Jason Sudeikis, Bill Lawrence, Brendan Hunt, Joe Kelly
    Starring: Jason Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham, Juno Temple, Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt, Jeremy Swift
    Season: 4
    Episode: 4
    Episode Title: “Greyhounds’ Day Off”
    Release Date: August 26, 2026
    Episode Summary
    Ted, Beard, and Coach Alice try to break up the cliques developing within the new team by canceling practice and sending everyone out for some forced bonding, eventually leading the group to pub trivia and considerably more trouble than Ted probably planned.
    Meanwhile, Rebecca and Keeley attend a women’s football business summit where they encounter eccentric sports investor Zelda Southport, played by Tracey Ullman. Zelda’s aggressive approach to investing in women’s sports gets Keeley’s attention while Rebecca remains considerably more skeptical.
    Roy and Keeley’s increasingly complicated relationship also continues, with Keeley challenging Roy to actually date other women before the two seriously consider getting back together.
    Rating Out of 5, Boots Ain’t Messing Around
    Brian: 3.3/5
    Darryl: 3.1/5

    Reacher (Amazon Prime)

    Network: Prime Video

    Genre: Action / Crime / Thriller
    Based On: Gone Tomorrow by Lee Child
    Developed By: Nick Santora
    Starring: Alan Ritchson, Sydelle Noel, Agnez Mo, Christopher Rodriguez-Marquette, Kevin Corrigan
    Season: 4
    Episode: 5
    Episode Title: “Bridge”
    Release Date: August 26, 2026
    Rating: TV-MA
    Series Summary
    A seemingly random encounter aboard a Philadelphia subway pulls Jack Reacher into a conspiracy involving a missing flash drive, government operatives, hired killers, and information powerful people are desperate to keep buried. Season four adapts Lee Child’s Gone Tomorrow and drops Reacher into an increasingly tangled political and intelligence conspiracy.
    Episode Summary
    After a misunderstanding turns Reacher into Philadelphia’s most wanted man, he spends much of the episode doing what Reacher does best: escaping situations that should probably be impossible to escape.
    Meanwhile, Jacob, Tamara, and Plum recover the flash drive Anna mailed before her death, along with her phone, but their attempt to finally get some answers turns into a violent confrontation with Lila and Amisha. Jacob gets his first genuine opportunity to strike back at the people responsible for his sister’s death.
    The recovered evidence also starts bringing the larger conspiracy into focus. A photograph connects Congressman Sampson to a disgraced Indonesian general, but Reacher suspects another person in the image may actually be more important to the mystery. Anna’s phone also gives the group stronger evidence tying Lila directly to the killings.
    By the end, Reacher and Tamara’s investigation leads them toward another confrontation while Jacob is taken hostage, leaving Tamara with a pretty awful decision to make.
    And this one definitely supports the subtitle vibe we were talking about: there’s plenty of entertaining Reacher insanity here, but the season is getting increasingly dependent on everyone accepting some wildly convenient and increasingly ridiculous shit to keep the plot moving.

    Rating Out of 5, How Many Ways Can One Person Escape the Police?

    Brian: 3.2/5
    Darryl: 3.25/5

    Lanterns (HBO Max)

    Lanterns

    Network: HBO / HBO Max
    Genre: Drama / Sci-Fi / Action / Mystery
    Created By: Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof, Tom King
    Starring: Kyle Chandler, Aaron Pierre, Kelly Macdonald, Garret Dillahunt, Poorna Jagannathan, Laura Linney, Jason Ritter
    Season: 1
    Episode: 2
    Episode Title: “Trust Fall”
    Release Date: August 23, 2026
    Rating: TV-14
    Series Summary
    Veteran Green Lantern Hal Jordan is assigned to train former Marine and newly recruited Lantern John Stewart. Their relationship begins badly enough before the two are dragged into an investigation surrounding a bizarre killing in rural Nebraska.
    What initially resembles an Earthbound murder mystery steadily exposes a much larger extraterrestrial conspiracy connected to the history of the Green Lantern Corps.
    Episode Summary
    Hal and John investigate a deadly shooting in an attempt to prove that an alien force was responsible, with their investigation increasingly pointing toward one of the Green Lantern Corps’ oldest mistakes: the Manhunters.
    The episode digs deeper into the mystery surrounding Rushville while separating Hal and John enough to develop both characters individually. Sheriff Kerry also reveals that she originally came from Gotham, quietly expanding the show’s connections to the larger DCU.And then the episode drops the considerably bigger comic-book bomb: Sinestro, played by Ulrich Thomsen. The imprisoned former Lantern is positioned almost like the show’s Hannibal Lecter, someone Hal doesn’t trust but may need because Sinestro understands both Hal and the threat they are facing better than almost anyone.

    Rating Out of 5, I Want My Bird (In Micky Roark Weird Russian Accent)

    Brian: 3.4/5
    Darryl: 3/5

    Contact Us

    The Infamous Podcast can be found wherever podcasts are found on the Interwebs, feel free to subscribe and follow along on social media. And don’t be shy about helping out the show with a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts to help us move up in the ratings.

    @infamouspodcast

    facebook/infamouspodcast
    instagram/infamouspodcast
    stitcher
    Apple Podcasts
    Spotify
    Google Play
    iHeart Radio

    Our theme music is ‘Skate Beat’ provided by Michael Henry, with additional music provided by Michael Henry. Find more at MeetMichaelHenry.com.

    The Infamous Podcast is hosted by Brian Tudor and Darryl Jasper, is recorded in Cincinnati, Ohio. The show is produced and edited by Brian Tudor.

    Subscribe today!

    1 hr 5 min

About The Infamous Podcast

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The Infamous Podcast, hosted by Brian Tudor and Darryl Jasper, is your ultimate pop culture hub! From comic books to movies, TV shows, and the epic crossovers in between, they’re diving deep into…