The Weekly Substandard | A nerdcast on movies and pop-culture

On this week's episode, the Substandard pays tribute to their favorite character actors. Vic and Sonny drink martinis and Jonathan drinks ... a beer! Why on earth would anyone actually go to an NFL game? Plus Val Kilmer's Greatest Hits—all on this week's Substandard!

In this Very Special Episode, Vic and Jonathan lament the death of shopping malls (Sonny: “Meh”). The Substandard honors Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka and the legends of professional wrestling. Why do Vic and Sonny keep making fun of JVL’s Prada jeans? Plus arcade etiquette and Shannon Doherty—all on this week’s Substandard!

During an erudite discussion of the NFL playoffs, Golden Globes, and actors becoming directors, a bottle mishap nearly derails the episode. Plus JVL dismantles the Skins Bandwagon. Sonny breaks down the Fourth Wall. And Vic mentions The Big Hunt for no apparent reason. All on this week’s Substandard!

As far back as we can remember, we always wanted to be a podcast. But tempers flare: Sonny tells Jonathan to go get his shine box. Achievement Unlocked for JVL! And Vic claims his favorite Christmas present was a summer sausage--can you beat it? Designer jeans, bourbon at sea, and yet even more Rogue One. All on this week's Substandard!

On this week’s mega-episode, the Substandard reviews Rogue One: A Star Wars Story—and then some. Jonathan V. Last can’t stop thinking about it! Victorino Matus explains the importance of Dunkirk (but from which side?). And Sonny compares David Foster Wallace to Leo Tolstoy. Plus year-end recommendations!

Jonathan V. Last and Victorino Matus reveal their guilty pleasure TV shows while Sonny Bunch pretends he watches nothing of the sort. Plus Jonathan gives us his take on “cruising,” Sonny complains about germ-carrying children, and Vic pleads for moderation—all on this week’s Substandard!

Rogue One comes to theaters December 16, and in this episode of the WEEKLY SUBSTANDARD Podcast, Vic and Jonathan discuss their favorite Star Wars toys (only one of them owned an AT-AT). Meanwhile, Jonathan and Sonny compare Alderaan to ... Hiroshima? Help us, Bill Kristol, you’re our only hope!

We discuss the new sci-fi thriller Arrival, plus our favorite alien-invasion movies of all time, favorite Thanksgiving dishes, and—best of all— favorite rest stops!