The Reality Check

'Tis the season!   Pat and Cristina are back again with a review of the year's parodies.   They listen to your picks, the host's picks and a few of their favourites.  

Season's greetings!   Elan discusses whether working from home can actually work, then we have a very special interview with PZ Myers and lastly, we review our predictions from last year and make a few for the year to come.  

Finally, a mid December podcast that doesn't reference the upcoming holidays! Episode 223 of The Reality Check begins with Pat Roach discussing Planet X and whether it will be a factor in the world ending on December 21st. Adam Gardner then looks into whether or not men are stronger than women. Darren McKee closes out the show with an exploration into whether canned food drives are as good as they sound. The episode is bookended by an It's Always Sunny inspired skeptical parody and a fun set of outtakes.

Episode 222 is not your typical TRC episode in that it was recorded live in front of the attendees of Eschaton 2012 in Ottawa. It is typical however in that it brings the skepticism big time. Darren "likely not the real Darren" McKee leads off the show by discussing whether or not we are all living in a simulation. This is followed by Elan "Pollos" Dubrofsky hosting a Breaking Bad themed game of Science Fact or Science Fiction. Special guest panelist Jon "used to host this show" Abrams then takes a look at subliminal advertising, and Adam "far from average but not sure in which direction" Gardner closes out the show with an exploration into the Law of Averages. 

The gang is joined by a very special guest; Jim Davies, Professor of Cognitive Science at Carleton University. First Adam Gardner discusses the dangers of cell phones and driving.   Jim then fills us in on some surprising information regarding cycling helmets and risk.   Finally Elan Dubrofsky tells us about copyright, privacy and Facebook.  

Another solid episode churned out by the skeptical podcast factory otherwise known as "The Reality Check". After an awesome (and somewhat NSFW) parody by Pat "ODB" Roach, the show is lead off by Elan "don't call me borophyll" Dubrofsky presenting a segment on whether or not plants can percieve and react to things like animals do. Pat "all over this description" Roach then hosts an all new skeptical game called "Name That...". Darren "medium rare" McKee finishes off the show with an exploration into tick bites and whether they can cause an allergy to red meat. Adam "no responsibilities whatsoever" Gardner chimes in periodically throughout the show.

They've done it again! The Reality Check episode 219 may just be the best episode yet. Darren leads off the show by exploring some recent research into whether men and woman can be platonic friends. Adam then provides a thorough listing of foods that contain animals that you may not have suspected. Pat rounds out the show with the myth of the week: Did Van Halen ask for all brown M&Ms to be removed from their snacks backstage at their shows?

Episode 218 is a gem that will likley never be forgotten by avid TRC fans. The episode begins with an amazing skeptical parody by Pat of a song that is apparently kind of popular on the internet. This is followed by Elan, who starts the show proper(ly) with a segment about Price Gouging, and how it may not be as bad as people are making it out to be. Darren then looks into the shoddy reporting of a study whose conclusion is quite absurd. Adam closes out the show with the myth of the week: Does the Captain always go down with the ship? Enjoy the show!

In an episode released the same week as The Reality Check's one millionth download, the gang does not dissapoint with three thought provoking segments. Elan D. leads things off with a look into whether social media has lead to increased social isolation. Adam G. follows with an exploration into some claims made against the biotech megacorporation Monstanto. Pat R. closes out the show with the myth of the week; is there a food additive made of bizarre animal products in much of what we eat called Castoreum? Also, one of the hosts takes a turn doing vocals for the opening skeptical parody.

It's a Halloween themed episode of The Reality Check! After an epic intro parody, Darren starts the show off with a segment about ghosts. This is followed by an intense game of Science Fact or Science Fiction, Halloween edition, hosted by Pat. Elan rounds out the show with the myth of week, exploring whether or Cloud Computing is affection by bad weather.