This week we talk about Veronica Mars, the teenage detective played by Kristen Bell. In discussing the pilot episode we talk about trauma, family, and why in the world we like watching dark and disturbing drama.

This week, we talk about an overweight, bald, verbose spacefarer. That’s right, we’re talking about Havilund Tuf, from Tuf Voyaging by George R.R. Martin (don’t worry if you’ve never heard of him, we hadn’t either until listener Tommy requested that we talk about this book). We talk about dinosaurs on spaceships, the value of struggle, and delusions of godhood.

Join us for one of the strangest stories we will ever discuss as we try to wrap our brains around Jack Burton from Big Trouble in Little China (1986) — a film fans say is “so bad it’s good.” Along the way we touch on themes like cult classics, stereotypes, and postmodernism. Enjoy!

<br />

This week we talk about the Incredible Hulk from the instantly classic story Planet Hulk. You might think the Hulk is not your cup of tea, but this story is for everyone and topics of conversation include happiness, the value of struggle, La Pietà, and the 2013 Auburn-Alabama football game, so please give it a listen.

<br />

<br />

Join us as we discuss Alicia Alarcón and Julio Olmedo from the Spanish television drama Grand Hotel. A murder mystery set in 1900s Spain. Grand Hotel packs a season’s worth of Downton Abbey-style soap opera into each episode. No really, so much happens in every episode, and Alicia and Julio are at the center of the maelstrom.

<br />

With one year in the books, Joe and Todd look back on the topics covered and respond to some listener feedback. Producer Andrew also helps discuss some stats and they tease future topics.

SUPPORT US ON PATREON

It’s A Wonderful Life, listeners, when we get the chance to talk about George Bailey in our final Christmas episode of the year. Fulfilling patreon contributor Jane’s request, we tackle a classic movie starring the man, the myth, the legend: Jimmy Stewart.

SUPPORT US ON PATREON

Greetings listeners! If you’ve never heard of it, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is the tale of a miserly man named Ebeneezer Scrooge who discovers being horrible might not be the best lifestyle. Join us as we discuss changes of heart, the evolution of Christmas traditions (including ghost stories), and fantasy cast yet another adaptation of this classic story.

SUPPORT US ON PATREON

<br />

This week Todd and Joe discuss one of the most recent additions to the Christmas movie pantheon. It’s Buddy the Elf in Jon Favreau’s 2003 comedy Elf. While there is no denying this film’s comedy (Will Ferrell’s performance is outstanding), there are also more than a few nits to pick with this film (we criticize because we love). Join us!

SUPPORT US ON PATREON

Our 50th is a a special Christmas episode about Christmas specials! Producer Andrew looked up the titles of obscure made-for-TV Christmas movies, then Joe and Todd made up plot summaries. Listen to discover if the made-up plots are stranger than the real movies (spoiler: not always).

SUPPORT US ON PATREON