The Stage Select

I’m not gonna lie; this very nearly was an episode of a video game podcast with zero video game discussion. Thankfully we had a couple final thoughts on some games before the show becomes Hamm and Titus at the Movies. Enjoy?

00:00 Introduction, thanking listeners

14:57 Dumping cheese sauce on a friend

27:37 Final thoughts on The Devil in Me

45:51 Final thoughts on Dredge

50:35 Will We Cringe?

01:02:27 Justin and Julian’s massive movie round-up (The Strangers Part 3, Godzilla Minus One, Twister, The Lighthouse, Backdraft, Barb and Star Go to Vista del Mar, Backdraft 2, RoboCop 2, RoboCop 3, Cocaine Bear, I Saw the TV Glow, Se7en, X, The Backrooms, The Man With Two Brains)

02:49:15 Thanking our patrons and CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: [email protected]

Copyright 2024-2026 Space Monkey Mafia Productions

This week Julian finished a couple of games, Justin watched some movies, and we take care of some business. We thank you for listening and supporting us in this difficult time.

00:00 Introduction, drill bits, announcements

17:13 YouTube tells creators weird stuff

21:38 Justin can’t find anything to play, Final thoughts on Dave the Diver and its DLC

30:21 Bouncing off of Midnight Suns, Dredge

53:02 The Devil in Me

01:04:20 Final thoughts on The Genesis Order

01:20:05 Justin’s Movie round-up (Gone Girl, Detained, Passenger, The Sheep Detectives)

01:47:03 Twisters, Tammy and the T-Rex

02:02:02 Forbidden cookies

02:13:59 CQC (Comments, questions, concerns)

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: [email protected]

Copyright 2024-2026 Space Monkey Mafia Productions

It’s a heavy episode this week, as Julian’s health issues come to a head and the crazy news in the video game industry causes deep depression and has far-ranging implications for the future of this very podcast.

00:00 Introduction, shelves

12:34 Update on Julian’s health

16:18 The sad reality of video game pricing (and the effect it has on The Stage Select)

01:05:41 Kathy Rain

01:12:49 Dave the Diver

01:20:14 Midnight Suns

01:44:36 WWE 2K26 and general wrestling game talk

01:51:49 Final thoughts on Hades *FULL SPOILERS*

02:03:42 Supergirl (2026)

02:13:57 Justin’s movie round-up (The Strangers franchise, Project Hail Mary, Is God Is)

02:37:04 Obsession *FULL SPOILERS*

02:52:22 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: [email protected]

Copyright 2024-2026 Space Monkey Mafia Productions

At last, Friend of the Show John Gholson returns! He’s had a busy year and we’re stoked to have him on for the first time in season three. Please enjoy catching up with him, and we also try some new things by interviewing some…interesting people!

00:00 Introduction, snake murder

08:55 Catching up with John

43:37 Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, Monster Hunter Wilds, Beyond Galaxyland

59:59 Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter Remake

01:12:34 EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Sammy Kesselrun of Spoonshank Games

01:33:09 Julian’s Demo Dumpster (Duskfade, ReStory: Chill Electronics Repairs, Silver Pines, Lady Death: Demonicron, Desktop Explorer, Hard Edge: Warzone)

01:56:18 Hades (update)

02:13:32 EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Karl Koreander of K. Koreander’s Antique Book Store

02:21:56 Forbidden Solitaire (Justin’s thoughts)

02:30:51 Justin’s movie round-up (The G, Don’t Breathe, Hungry)

02:37:47 Obsession (light spoilers)

Listen to John on the Digital Noise podcast! https://open.spotify.com/show/5opsKcZqCzh4qv0nPDfnon

Also listen to John on Junkfood Cinema! https://junkfoodcinema.com/supergirl-1984-with-john-gholson/

Check out The Hip Pocket, and look forward to an upcoming episode with John! https://open.spotify.com/show/3THI6JD4MVojIeZjBbZM2c

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: [email protected]

Copyright 2024-2026 Space Monkey Mafia Productions

In the aftermath of so much video game news it’s time for us to catch up on stuff we’ve been doing for the past couple of weeks. Justin’s got way too few games and Julian has way too many. Then Julian has way too few movies and Justin has way too many. Balance in all things.

00:00 Introduction, corrections from last week’s show

24:45 An update on Julian’s health (feel free to skip to the next timestamp)

34:20 Falling off of 007 First Light

58:32 House of Ashes, The Adventure of Elliot

01:10:07 Marvel Magic: The Gathering, UFC 6

01:37:50 Legacy of Kain: Ascension, Romeo is a Dead Man

01:45:33 VA-11 HALL-A, Hades, Gitaroo Man

02:02:53 Forbidden Solitaire

02:14:41 Justin’s movie round-up (The Smashing Machine, The Bride, Hokum, Masters of the Universe, Over Your Dead Body, Eenie Meanie, Wrecking Crew, Everything Everywhere All at Once)

02:59:17 Obsession

03:06:59 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: [email protected]

Copyright 2024-2026 Space Monkey Mafia Productions

Hi there, folks! Keigh Geoffley here for another exciting edition of the E Summer Game Awards Fest 3! We have so many incredible games to show you, developer interviews, and even the reveal of a new console! Brought to you with the power of AI! Don’t fight it; it’s inevitable!

Ahem. Julian here. If you’ve listened to the show for a while you know the drill: we talk about the “not E3” news packaged by a spoof of all things “not E3”. If you’re new here, buckle the hell up, because this is the craziest episode we’ve ever done!

00:00 Introduction

02:58 Summer Game Fest Opening Night Live

01:02:13 Xbox Showcase

02:15:59 Nintendo Direct

03:02:49 Sweet Tea Games Direct

03:16:39 Wishlist round-up, wrapping up

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: [email protected]

Copyright 2024-2026 Space Monkey Mafia Productions

It’s the calm before the storm. Sony has had their State of Play, which we cover, but that’s just the appetizer for next week. That’s right friends, Keigh Geoffley returns to host the E Summer Game Awards Fest 3 for 2026!

00:00 Billowing fat plumes, announcements

09:38 Sony State of Play 2026

01:12:21 007 First Light final thoughts

01:43:39 Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter Remake final thoughts

02:03:41 Justin’s movie round-up (Unhinged, Nanny Cam, The Hunt, The Barbie Movie)

02:20:55 Making movies with friends, Backrooms, Masters of the Universe 2026

03:08:19 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: [email protected]

Copyright 2024-2026 Space Monkey Mafia Productions

NOT A HOAX! NOT A DREAM! This week Justin played not one, but two video games! TWO! We’re so back, fam!

00:00 Justin got a leaf blower, tough

15:20 Announcements

28:00 “AI lighting”

33:27 007 First Light

01:13:36 A mini rant about Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter, the future of Dragon Quest (and Square Enix)

01:29:58 Directive 8020

01:53:47 Julian’s movie round-up (I Love Boosters, Passenger, The Mandalorian and Grogu)

02:19:40 Justin’s movie round-up (Mortal Kombat II, Anaconda, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Jumanji: The Next Level)

02:43:23 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)

Listen to Julian talk about Onimusha Tactics on Games My Mom Found: https://gamesmymomfoundpodcast.podbean.com/

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: [email protected]

Copyright 2024-2026 Space Monkey Mafia Productions

It was almost a super short episode, but Justin always has movies to talk about these days, and we tackle a bunch of your comments and questions this week!

00:00 The sticker saga continues, I need ten thousand dollars, text etiquette

10:42 Saying goodbye to The Late Show With Stephen Colbert

14:52 Is Justin going to be a cigar guy?

24:53 The games Justin has not played, Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter

01:09:02 Justin’s movie round-up (Greenland 1 and 2, The Watchers, Marty Supreme, The Heretic)

01:45:46 CQC (Comments, Questions, Concerns)

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: [email protected]

Copyright 2024-2026 Space Monkey Mafia Productions

It’s a jam-packed episode of The Stage Select this week, as Julian is sadly once again the odd man out when it comes to gaming opinion, Justin is a menace with stickers, and we both saw a LOT of movies. Enjoy!

00:00 World Cup man, ballmaxxing

12:41 Final thoughts on Vampire Crawlers

21:31 Mixtape

01:14:39 Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines 2: Loose Cannon

01:25:45 Where the Heart Is Season 1, The Genesis Order

01:44:57 Julian’s day at the movies (Mortal Kombat II, The Sheep Detectives, Michael)

02:23:22 Justin’s movie round-up (Mortal Kombat 2021, The Lord of the Flies, The Gift 2015, Faces of Death, Exit 8)

03:07:07 Julian’s movie round-up (I Like Movies, Ghost Killer, The Wrecking Crew)

Theme song and interstitial music by Megan McDuffee: https://meganmcduffee.com

Logo and artwork by John Gholson

Announcer: John Gholson

Join our Discord, learn about how you can support the show, and more: https://linktr.ee/TheStageSelect

Email: [email protected]

Copyright 2024-2026 Space Monkey Mafia Productions