The Ringer-Verse

It’s 2026 and the Midnight Boys are back! The guys react to the Avengers: Doomsday teasers before getting into their predictions for the box office, critical success and more on all things fandom in 2026. Intro (0:00)

Nerd News -  Avengers: Doomsday Teasers (03:15)

Over/Unders of 2026 (13:41)

Outro (01:47:11)Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve AhlmanProducers: Jon Jones and Jade WhaleyAdditional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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Ben, Matt James, and Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier start a new save file for 2026! First they sum up the subjects they think will define the year, from 'Grand Theft Auto VI' to the Steam Machine to rising prices to anti-AI sentiments. Then they select their most anticipated games of 2026 in several categories and wrap up with big-picture predictions.

Intro (0:00)
Big questions about the year (3:45)
Most anticipated games (35:34)
2026 predictions (1:29:12)
Outro (1:41:42)

Host: Ben Lindbergh
Guests: Matt James and Jason Schreier
Producer: Devon Renaldo
Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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Hot dawg! Ben and Van Lathan suit up to discuss the lore-stuffed third episode of the second season of 'Fallout,' "The Profligate." After sharing their overall review, they check in on Lucy, Coop/The Ghoul, and Maximus, and examine how the episode's themes and plot lines tie together. They also reflect on the merits of talking to dogs, compare and contrast crucifixion methods, break down bathroom conversation etiquette, bemoan anti-ghoul discrimination, and more.

Intro (0:00)
‘Fallout’ Episode 3 recap (6:32)
Outro (1:08:27)

Host: Ben Lindbergh
Guest: Van Lathan
Producer: Devon Renaldo
Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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The Boys are back for their end-of-the-year review of all things nerd-verse and their Midnight Mulligans rankings!

(10:13) 'Star Wars: Skeleton Crew'

(13:56) 'Wicked' Part 1

(18:04) 'Captain America: Brave New World'

(34:17) 'Daredevil: Born Again'

(34:58) 'Sinners'

(38:34) 'Thunderbolts*'

(40:22) 'Andor' Season 2

(40:53) 'The Last of Us' Season 2

(55:43) 'Mission: Impossible—The Final Reckoning'

(58:03) 'Ballerina'

(59:58) 'Ironheart'

(1:03:19) 'Jurassic World Rebirth'

(1:05:37) 'F1'

(1:08:15) 'Superman'

(1:13:21) 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps'

(1:17:37) 'Alien: Earth'

(1:18:59) 'Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle'

(1:25:36) 'One Battle After Another'

(1:41:36) 'Peacemaker' Season 2

(1:41:43) 'Gen V' Season 2

(1:44:26) 'Predator: Badlands'

(1:44:55) 'The Running Man'

(1:45:04) 'Wicked: For Good'

Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman

Producers: Chris Thomas, Jade Whaley, Aleya Zenieris, and Sarah Reddy

Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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With various hosts scattered or taking time off for the holidays, Ben Lindbergh and Van Lathan toss out the typical Recommends format for this month and devote the whole episode to one show that hasn't been covered on The Ringer-Verse or ‘House of R’: ‘Pluribus.’ Ben and Van explore what made Vince Gilligan's Apple TV series a challenging yet fulfilling watch, discuss what sets the series apart from other sci-fi fare, and look ahead to a (distant) second season. Happy New Year!

Host: Ben Lindbergh
Guest: Van Lathan
Senior Producer: Steve Ahlman

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Ben and Daniel Chin patrol the Mojave and discuss the literally mind-blowing second episode of the second season of 'Fallout,' "The Golden Rule." After sharing their overall review, they assess each of the episode’s four main settings and story lines, point out the parallels between characters, and wrestle with this season’s accelerated world-building. They also consider whether becoming a ghoul is good, the Golden Rule vs. the Ghoul-den Rule, the likelihood of surviving a nuclear explosion by hiding in a fridge, aliens in 'Fallout' lore, and more.

Intro (0:30)

Overall review of the episode (03:32)

Hank catch-up (06:20)

What’s new with Norm (13:26)

Lucy and the ghoul (18:30)

Maximus and the Brotherhood (38:01)

Fridge science, 'Fallout' lore, and more (50:00)

Host: Ben Lindbergh

Guest: Daniel Chin

Producer: Brian H. Waters

Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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Ben, Matt, Steve, and Joshua Rivera recap an eventful year in video games by summing up the overall quantity and quality of games released in 2025, identifying both naughty and nice trends in the industry, and drafting their favorite titles across several categories.

(00:00) Intro
(3:35) Overall Quality of 2025 Games
(8:35) Naughty and Nice Industry Trends
(43:32) Games of the Year Draft

Host: Ben Lindbergh
Guests: Matt James, Steve Ahlman, and Joshua Rivera
Producer: Isaiah Blakely
Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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The Boys are back to give you all of their thoughts on the newest installment of James Cameron’s ‘Avatar’ universe: ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash.’

(0:00) Intro

(22:15) Spoilers Ahead

(23:54) ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ Reactions

(1:25:06) Midnight Meter

(1:27:32) Outro

Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman

Producers: Chris Thomas, Devon Baroldi, Aleya Zenieris, and Sarah Reddy

Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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Ben Lindbergh and Van Lathan return to the Wasteland for the first weekly Button Mash breakdown of ‘Fallout’ Season 2. First, they recap the premiere and discuss how it sets up the season. Then, Ben talks to Justin Theroux about joining the show in the role of Robert House. Finally, Ben brings on Polygon senior editor Chris Hayner for a primer on the game that inspired much of this season, ‘Fallout: New Vegas.’

Intro (0:00)
'Fallout' Season 2 premiere recap (11:56)
Interview with Justin Theroux (52:13)
Inside 'Fallout: New Vegas'—the game behind the season (1:00:33)

Host: Ben Lindbergh
Guests: Van Lathan, Justin Theroux, and Chris Hayner
Producer: Devon Renaldo
Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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Ben Lindbergh and Matt James share their instant reactions to gaming's annual awards show/trailer fest! First they discuss the dominance of ‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33,’ Matt’s experience attending the show in person, and the award winners that made them happiest and saltiest. Then they count down their respective top 10 lists of exciting announcements about upcoming games.

Intro (0:00)
Reactions to the Game Awards (2:20)
Top 10 highlights (18:36)
Outro (1:01:26)

Host: Ben Lindbergh
Guest: Matt James
Producer: Devon Renaldo
Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell

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