The Rules of the Show

I welcome acclaimed TV showrunner, podcaster, author, and colourblock icon J.D. Amato to the show sandbox hypercube theatre of rules to discuss his new graphic novel The Endless Game.

We talk shop about making cult art, get into sports, video games, and get a 'sclusie about an upcoming project. Plus: J.D. consciously chooses not to ruin the podcast!

You can order The Endless Game here or purchase it from your local bookstore. (I read it, it's really good!). J.D. Amato can be found online here.

You can follow the show @TheRulesOfTheShow on Instagram and Bluesky (while still acknowledging that social media makes us unhappy) and email me at [email protected] (which honestly makes me quite happy).

This episode does not feature Connor Ratliff.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Returning champions Missi Information and Bryan Da Silva join forces to midwife a new rule into the world.

We get our hands dirty mixing metaphors and workshopping the best new rule for the show, the game grows a new vestigial appendix along the way. We introduce a fundamentally new mechanic to Good Question, embrace the must, and interrogate some of the foundations of the show.

You can find Missi's podcasts on The Missi Information Superhighway and see her stream on Twitch on Tuesdays and Wednesdays with RadioFreeMultiverse.

You can find Bryan @dbdasilva on instagram and please consider signing up to be a stem cell donor.

You can follow this show on instagram and bluesky as well, and send us an email at [email protected].

Please consider signing up to be a stem cell donor at blood.ca, or the equivalent in your country. You could save lives! Email [email protected] with proof of participation and Bryan Da Silva will compose and record a bespoke ~15sec ringtone just for you!

Edited by Bryan Da Silva, May 23, 2026

This episode does not feature Connor Ratliff.

Edited by J.D. Amato, June 13, 2026

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marie Sotto joins the show to discuss different types of performance, we bring a never-previously-used rule off the bench to stretch its legs, and everyone agrees that stealing bread from Loblaws isn't so bad. Plus, a new rule is added that challenges the foundation of being funny on a podcast.

You can find Marie's podcast After Life wherever you get your podcasts.

Thanks to Bryan Da Silva for the Good Question music, and Jon Jasper Lawless for the phone a friend music. You can follow this show on instagram and bluesky as well, and now would be a great time to send us an email at [email protected]

This episode does not feature Connor Ratliff.

Edited by J.D. Amato, June 13, 2026

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While I prepare new episodes of The Rules of the Show, here's a little bonus: an episode of Single Serving Cinema I guested on earlier this year.

Enjoy!

This episode does not feature Connor Ratliff.

Edited by J.D. Amato, June 13, 2026

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Inside Llewyn Davis is a melancholic drama set in the 1960s folk music scene, following a struggling musician navigating the unforgiving New York winter in pursuit of artistic success.  

Starring Oscar Isaac and directed by Joel & Ethan Coen, Inside Llewyn Davis was released December 6, 2013.  

Where to watch Inside Llewyn Davis

Recommendations

Andrew: Sprout Wings and Fly (Blank, 1983) — where to watch

Tim: Amadeus (Forman, 1984) — where to watch

Tay: Eden (Løve, 2014) — where to watch

Follow:

  SSC on Instagram

  Tim on Letterboxd

The Rules of the show on Instagram

Andrew on Letterboxd

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Susie Hunt takes a break from table tennis consultancy to discuss the Code of the Comics Magazine Association of America, ghost characters, and a frightening new "-ism". Plus, Susie adds a subtle and flavourful new rule to the show.

Correction: At minute 37 I incorrectly claim that The Joker once stole the Eiffel Tower. That is false.

It was in fact an evil Kryptonian named Mala who stole the Eiffel Tower, in Action Comics #194, July 1954.

You can find Susie on instagram @susiejgh and on Youtube, and follow her bands Teethache and Bad Data and go and see her do live comedy in New York City.

You can follow this show on instagram and bluesky as well, and send us an email at [email protected]

This episode does not feature Connor Ratliff.

Edited by J.D. Amato, June 13, 2026

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connor Ratliff (Dead Eyes, The George Lucas Talk Show, Tiny Dinos, Connor Ratliff presents The Acting Class, and so much more) joins the show to go deep on the rules guidelines of Wile E. Coyote and The Road Runner, and by extension the complex relationship dynamics of Ralph Wolf and Sam Sheepdog. Plus we talk the rule of three, marathon performances, and the particular automotive best-practice espoused by both a David Lynch character and Goofy. And finally Connor adds a refreshing new rule to the show for everyone to follow.

You can find Connor on instagram @ConnorRatliff and live in New York City performing in RaaaatScraps, ASSSSCAT, and Connor Ratliff presents The Acting Class (which is also available as a live-steam and on Youtube), and you can subscribe to his mailing list to find out about live shows and new projects.

And of course you can always find this show on instagram and bluesky, and email me at [email protected]. We're still looking for messages to read on the show, and I'd especially love to hear from any new listeners, so please reach out. While you're at it, why not pour yourself a glass of water and share this episode with a friend who would be into this kinda thing? You know the one. Cheers.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Musician Jon Jasper-Lawless of Swim Good Now joins us to talk all things some things Bylaws, including sidewalks, signage, and being chicken-curious. Plus we shout out lots of our friends, get into the theology of the wind and get inspired by Who Wants To Be A Millionaire (for Game Boy Colour).

You can find Jon's lovely music at swimgoodnow.bandcamp.com and jonlawless.bandcamp.com, and you can follow The Rules of the Show on instagram and bluesky.

...and while you're on the internet, why not send me an email at [email protected]?

This episode does not feature Connor Ratliff.

Edited by J.D. Amato, June 13, 2026

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mike Lau joins us to talk about being a prop, wrapping gifts in record time, and updating the rules for professional sports leagues. Plus we get a mandate for how sorry to be, and spend some time calibrating the silly meter to get things just right.

You can see Mike's work onscreen on the new season of The Gilded Age, and find him on social media @singlewalkrun.

You can follow this show on instagram and bluesky, and email me at [email protected]. I dare ya.

This episode does not feature Connor Ratliff.

Edited by J.D. Amato, June 13, 2026

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Rev'd Martha Riddell joins me to indulge in some Old Testament trivia, talk about a particular New Testament magician, and get into some Pope Facts both fresh and historical. We talk about getting simoniacal, the rules of games as secular theology, the near occasion of sin, Cardinal fashion, The Borgias and other baddies, and do it all in the language understanded by the people. Plus: perhaps the first time a guest has actually learned something that can apply to their lives today!

You can follow the show on instagram and bluesky, and email me at [email protected]! I bet you know a friend who would be into this nonsense we're up to over here, why not share an episode with them?

This episode does not feature Connor Ratliff.

Edited by J.D. Amato, June 13, 2026

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Rev'd Martha Riddell joins me to indulge in some Old Testament trivia, talk about a particular New Testament magician, and get into some Pope Facts both fresh and historical. We talk about getting simoniacal, the rules of games as secular theology, the near occasion of sin, Cardinal fashion, The Borgias and other baddies, and do it all in the language understanded by the people. Plus: perhaps the first time a guest has actually learned something that can apply to their lives today!

You can follow the show on instagram and bluesky, and email me at [email protected]! I bet you know a friend who would be into this nonsense we're up to over here, why not share an episode with them?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.