The Satellite Show

Tread Perilously’s horror month continues with a look at the anthology series The Hitchhiker via its slasher-esque episode called “The Killer.”

Despite Meg’s protests, her family plans to leave her behind while going on a vacation. Well, her brother, Jonathan, may also be staying to do some shooting. But when most of the clan is killed via shotgun blasts, Meg must fend for herself as the killer is somewhere in the palatial home. Is Jonathan behind the deaths? And can Meg use her wheelchair to devise clever ways to avoid him?

Erik discovers The Hitchhiker is not a ripoff of The Hitcher. Justin finds room to champion Mute Witness. Guest star Jenny Seagrove’s CableACE Award win for the episode leads to a discussion of cable TV quality in the 1980s. Erik reveals where Justin has seen fellow guest star Lisa Foster before. The pair also discuss the qualities of a good twist. They even invent “The Beach That Makes You Old” Scale. Justin defends Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. Hot Dog … The Movie suddenly becomes important. Proper day-for-night photography is discussed, as is the unfortunate brevity of The Hitchhiker, which leads to thin characters. And on an unrelated note, Michael Winner becomes a cinematic devil.

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Tread Perilously’s tour of slashers on television continues with an episode The Alfred Hitchcock Hour called “An Unlocked Window.”

When a slasher targets nurses in an unidentified town, Stella and Betty find themselves tending to a sick professor at his remote home in the countryside. Also helping out are a groundskeeper, Sam, and there’s Maude, the housekeeper. But when Betty discovers the oxygen tank is low, Sam leaves for the city and the three women are terrorized by the news that the killer is within two miles of the house. Did forgetful Stella lock all the windows and all the doors? Is the killer already inside?

Erik and Justin discuss Hitchcock as a problematic fave. Erik is shocked to learn the story is not inspired by Richard Speck. The pair also inspect the reliance on twists in thrillers. They also rank the Predator movies. Justin admits he watched Halloween Kills more than once. More DCU casting wishes occur. The longer runtime of 1960s television proves to be a problem once again. Justin’s knowledge of medieval weaponry comes into play. Actor Louise Latham proves to be the episode MVP for Erik thanks to her performance as Maude and more horror movie discussions lead to the weeds.

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Tread Perilously’s annual horror month for 2025 centers on slashers, starting with an episode of Psych called “Tuesday the 17th.”

When Jason, who used to go to the same summer camp as Shawn and Gus, arrives to reveal he bought the camp, he also admits he needs their help with a missing counselor. He doesn’t want to involve police because of the “incident” that closed the place down when they were all young. Soon, Shawn can’t help but perceive a lot of tell-tale signs indicating a slasher in the area. Gus is a little distracted by one of Jason’s employees to notice, but Juliet is willing to drive up when Shawn makes a panicky call. Meanwhile, Lassiter mistakes why his ex-wife wants to get dinner.

Erik and Justin zero in on Lassiter and his curious characterization. A discussion about the recent Halloween cycle breaks out. Erik chooses his preferred Friday the 13th movies — even if Justin is the bigger fan. Justin reveals his daughter’s favorite Simpsons episodes. Peacemaker gets positive reviews. Psych star James Roday Rodriguez receives high marks as a co-writer and director of the episode. Special guest star Mackenzie Astin ends up the MVP even as Elden Henson hangs out on the margins. Erik decides the killer looks more like The Town that Dreaded Sundown than Jason Voorhies and the film April Fool’s Day becomes surprisingly important.

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Tread Perilously’s Star Trek month continues with an episode of Voyager called “Drone.”

When a close call in the transporter merges Seven of Nine’s nano implants with the Doctor’s 29th Century holotransmitter, a future Borg gestates in the silence lab. Despite the similarities to the Tuvix incident, Captain Janeway allows it to live and assigns Seven to be its teacher. But when the drone, who self-identifies as One, starts asking difficult questions about the Borg, he defies Seven and reaches out directly. Will she be able to teach him why the Borg are wrong before they assimilate his advanced technologies?

Erik and Justin face a standard issue episode of Voyager that might actually be good. They debate the merits of the story, nonetheless, with Erik pointing out four or five Next Generation episodes it emulates. Jeri Ryan continues to be the show’s MVP, with Robert Picardo and Tim Russ close behind her. Janeway’s choice to allow One to live is examined in light of the reappraisal of “Tuvix.” The presence of Bryan Fuller in the writing credits leads to a surprising twist. Harry Kim’s future as an eternal ensign becomes text. The pair try to determine which cast members are still engaged in Season 5 and a minor character leads to a larger critique of Voyager as a whole.

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Star Trek month continues on Tread Perilously with an episode of The Next Generation called “Imaginary Friend.”

When the Enterprise surveys a nebula formed around a collapsed star, an energy being makes its way inside the ship and assumes the form of little Clara Sutter’s imaginary friend. But it soon becomes clear to the child that her playmate, Isabella, is more than just a figment of her imagination. Meanwhile, the ship begins to encounter a form of energy that reads like matter to the shields, but is invisible to sensors. And when Isabella begins to make threats, it becomes clear to Captain Picard that the phenomena are related.

Erik and Justin face a particularly poor TNG episode. The pair activate script doctor mode to find other ways to tell this story. Justin tries to figure out whose episode this really is. While Counselor Troi seems the focus, the guest characters take point, and Picard ends up bringing it home. Alexander Rozhenko makes a special appearance. Justin gets a few Deep Space Nine references into the proceedings. Erik tries to figure out the real dynamic between Clara and her engineer father. Both also try to determine what career goals mean in the 24th Century. A Twilight discussion breaks out and the film Invisible Child ends up mattering a great deal.

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Tread Perilously begins its annual Star Trek month with an episode of the original series called “Catspaw.”

When a landing party including Mr. Scott and Mr. Sulu is overdue, Captain Kirk meets the one person to come back in the transporter bay only for the red shirt to die moments later. Soon, Kirk, Spock, and Bones beam down to determine what’s going on as the sensors claim there is no life on the surface. Soon, the trio encounter their missing crewmates, who have been hypnotized by aliens with amazing god-like powers. Will Kirk be able to use his wits and raw animal magnetism to confuse and defeat his opponents?

Erik and Justin zero in on William Shatner’s seeming oversight of the episode. Guest characters Korob and Sylvia are examined for their potential as Q Continuum characters. Sci-fi nomenclature gets a moment to shine. James Doohan gets his props for making Scotty’s admiration of Kirk so convincing. Shatner’s mother also makes another appearance thanks to the actor choosing a curious way to say a certain word. McCoy’s anti-Vulcan rhetoric gets examined. Wahl’s Herring Candy reappears. Checkov’s hair provokes comments. Justin tries to figure out why Robert Bloch turned in such a weak script. Lot of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds talk occurs and Spock somehow joins the commentary.

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Tread Perilously’s summer Patreon request month continues with an episode of Emergency! called “905-Wild.”

When paramedics John Gage and Roy DeSoto encounter an escaped tiger at an early morning call, they enlist the help of Los Angeles County Animal Control officers Les Taylor and Dave Gordon. Successfully capturing the tiger, the rest of their day includes investigating where the animal came from and assisting in the rescue of a baby goat from a wildfire. But when the goat shows signs of cardiac distress, the only viable place to get aid is Rampart General Hospital. Will chief of emergency medicine Dr. Kelly Brackett help?

Erik and Justin are surprised to encounter a backdoor pilot for a premise that really seems to lack legs. Guest stars Albert Popwell and Mark Harmon prove to be pleasing enough leads, but could an animal rescue show really work week-in-week-out? Much is made of Emergency! stars Kevin Tighe and Randolph Mantooth … although Erik manages to say his name wrong. He also uses the wrong microphone again. The techniques of episode director Jack Webb(!) are examined. David Huddleston’s turn as the county’s only veterinarian proves a highlight considering his subsequent roles in popular culture. Geography Corner attempts to understand Emergency‘s relationship with Los Angeles and Justin tries to envision a lunch between Webb and Gene Roddenberry.

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Tread Perilously begins Summer Total Request Live — the Patreon Subscriber request month — by honoring Patron Peter and finally watching an episode of the short-lived NBC variety show Pink Lady and Jeff.

Jeff welcomes special guests Lorne Green, Florence Henderson, Sid Caesar, and musical guest Blondie. Pink Lady performs a disco medley, “Yesterday,” and more. Jim Varney joins Jeff and the comedy troop for a number of sketches meant to induce laughs. Caesar returns as Pink Lady’s father in a shockingly unfunny sketch. The hot tub gag reveals a lot about the three stars and Blondie’s musical contribution proves surprising.

Justin once again doubts a genuine television show is real. He also continues to deny the existence of Randolph Mantooth. The pair are surprised to see comic book legend Mark Evanier listed as head writer. It leads to an exploration of his efforts as a TV writer. Sid and Marty Krofft make another appearance as executive producers. Both Erik and Justin try to recall how they first learned about Pink Lady‘s infamy. Erik claims it killed the prime time variety format. Sketches are dissected. Sid Caesar must pay for a crime. Johnny the Dog’s short-lived celebrity surprises everyone and Florence Henderson proves to be the MVP once again.

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Tread Perilously concludes the Summer Grab Bag with the third episode of Cop Rock — “Happy Mudder’s Day.”

Hollander continues his pursuit of LaRusso — now centering in on Potts and offering him immunity if he testifies against his partner. The mayor receives some difficult news from her image consultants and goes under the knife to initiate a bid for the Senate. Rose hits a breaking point with Gaines as a domestic call turns into one of the stranger musical numbers either has witnessed. Vicki, Ruskin, and Campo take a back seat as guest characters and the chief of police take point in this week’s songs. Is it a sign of things to come?

Erik and Justin try to figure out the mystery of Paul McCrane’s sudden presence on the show. The mayor’s storyline comes under scrutiny as actor Barbara Bosson was married to creator Steven Bochco at the time. Justin comes to believe The Shield creator Shawn Ryan watched Cop Rock.  Comparisons abound. Guest characters leading the songs seems to prove the premise was already running out of steam. Erik determines Ron Howard’s best films. Vondie Curtis-Hall once again proves dependable and the lack of proper area knowledge around the production becomes more and more obvious.

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The Tread Perilously Summer Grab Bag returns to Tequila and Bonetti for an episode called “Wonderdog.”

When the South Coast paper publishes a photo of Tequila as a heroic pooch, it gets the attention of a talent scout who wants to put him in a commercial. Captain Midian Knight uses it as a chance to be Tequila’s agent and forces Visiting Detective Nico Bonetti to serve as the dog’s handler. Meanwhile, Garcia and another detective take over Bonetti’s current case: a string of robberies where Gold Badge security systems failed. But when the commercial turns out to be for Gold Badge, Bonetti gets suspicious.

Erik and Justin face an episode of Tequila and Bonetti without a weird piano montage … and they’re not sure how to deal with it. They also lodge some complaints toward the film Reign of Fire. It leads to some Full Peril plans. Erik also offers a new opinion on Superman III … and a few notes on the new Superman. The credit sequence gets dissected again even as the pair sense a level of retooling behind the scenes. Rick Overton ends up under the bus and Erik is convinced anyone can write a scene from Seinfeld. Clive Barker’s version of The Babysitter Seduction is outlined and Dick Stensland makes a surprise appearance.

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