The Protagonist Podcast

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!

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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).

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Merry Christmas, listeners! Join Joe and Todd as they talk about Big Bird in the 1978 tv special Christmas on Sesame Street. They discuss the magic of Jim Henson’s creativity and Caroll Spinney’s amazing performance in the giant yellow feathered suit. Topics include Big Bird’s innocence (and his amazing ability to learn to ice skate), Oscar the Grouch’s surprising edginess, Bert and Ernie’s top-notch acting, the violently adorable interactions between children and Grover, and to top it all off: the true meaning of Christmas.

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This week, we talk about a Western from a master of the genre, using the novel Kilkenny by Louis L’Amour as our subject of discussion. Lance Kilkenny is a cowboy with a violent past, a firm sense of justice, and a certain set of skills, which gives us plenty to dissect.

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Tackling their first romantic comedy, Joe and Todd talk about Lucy in While You Were Sleeping. Listen, as they tackle such topics as quotable lines, the awesomeness of Joe Jr., and Lucy’s decisiveness.

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It’s a week of big ideas as Todd and Joe discuss Coyote and Jones from the webcomic Gunnerkrigg Court. Join us as we discuss creation, creativity, tricksters, and, if you listen carefully, you’ll hear Todd’s heart break while discussing loneliness.

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Joe and Todd talk about Marie Baron from Everybody Loves Raymond. Listen as they tackle bitterness, tradition, and tofu turkeys in a classic Thanksgiving episode.

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Listener beware! Joe, Todd, and special guest Todd Petersen each build their own Mt. Rushmore of Fear, each selecting their four most frightening images from pop culture to carve on a mountainside. And (it turns out) discussing the scariest stories we’ve encountered can get spooky, so maybe don’t listen to this one in the car with the kids.

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You knew this one was coming. It was only a matter of time before Todd and Joe tackled Harry Potter. Listen, as they are joined by special guest Tianna Homer, to discuss Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s/Philosopher’s Stone.

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Joe and Todd discuss Peter Venkman from Ghostbusters, one of the classic action comedies of the 1980s. Is the character just ad-libbed jibes, or is there something more to the quippiest member of the quartet?

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