Tread Perilously

To celebrate Tread Perilously's 477th podcast, Erik and Justin finally watch an episode of M*A*S*H -- "That's Show Biz."

When a performer on a USO tour comes down with appendicitis, she is airlifted to the 4077th and immediately falls for Hawkeye. Once the rest of her colleagues make it to the M*A*S*H unit, they decided to put on an impromptu show. But they soon learn the road to their next stop was bombed and they must spend a few extra days at the camp. Will personalities clash? Will Hawkeye wave off the advances of the young singer? And will Klinger have a future in comedy?

Erik explains why he chose the second lowest rated episode of M*A*S*H on IMDb for its introduction into the rotation. Justin appreciates the presence of guest star Gwen Verdon while Erik finally admits he always had a thing for Gail Edwards. Alan Alda also proves to be swoon-worthy. David Ogden Stiers' proto-Fraser is examined. Harry Morgan might turn out to be the series regular MVP. The obsession with Columbo continues. The Raygun situation makes its way into the discussion. Erik has a spooky moment with cable television. Justin reveals a preference for the accordion and Erik pitches a show for Patrick McGoohan and Peter Falk.

Tread Perilously's Summer Patreon request month leads to very British superpowers with Misfits Season 2, Episode 2.

Simon's day of annoying the others is interrupted when his half-brother, Jamie, arrives to introduce himself for the first time. The two start to bond down the pub, but when Jamie's car is stolen, he reveals their father was bound and gagged in the boot. Meanwhile, the others get closer to discovering the masked man who has been following them. It all leads to a rave where Simon and Jamie decide which of them gets to pull the bartender they met earlier who happens to have ice powers. Will it lead to tragedy?

Erik and Justin immediately fuss over the presence of Robert Sheehan -- who may have been playing Klaus from The Umbrella Academy for a very long time. Justin figures out where the series is meant to take place. Erik finds all the Britishisms he can recall. He also confuses the X-Man called Skin with another Mutant. The definition of "chav" comes up. The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics lead to some advance planning. Erik can't help but call Iwan Rheon "Ramsey Bolton." A special guest star distracts Justin. He is also surprised to see Dexter Fletcher, and Ruth Negga makes an unexpected appearance.

Tread Perilously's Patreon request month continues with an episode of Murder, She Wrote called "We're Off to Kill the Wizard."

Jessica Fletcher's quick trip to Chicago is disrupted when a local amusement park impresario invites her and her relatives to a preview of a new horror-infused theme park. But his real objective is to convince her to license her work out for a new venture. When he turns up dead, though, plenty of the people around him look good for the crime and Jessica's quick visit turns into a whole investigation as she attempts to figure out how the park owner was murdered in a locked room no one could enter or exit.

Both Erik and Justin are glad to be in the cozy confines of Jessica's world. The pair are also surprised by the nature of a first season Murder, She Wrote. Sprouted potatoes become a new adversary. Justin admits he is mainlining Columbo during the week. A discussion of Blake's 7 breaks out. Justin guesses why this week's Patron chose this particular episode; it might have something to do with a certain child guest star. Erik can't unsee Burbank playing Chicago throughout the episode. Geography Corner leads to Joe Mantenga's pizza place. Guest actor George DiCenzo gets his flowers, as does Kim Darby. Fast food burger rankings are made and a wild Les Nessman appears.

Tread Perilously starts the summer Total Request Live with the debut episode of the forgotten ABC TV series The Charmings.

Waking up after a 1000-year sleeping curse, Snow White Charming, her husband Eric, and their sons find themselves in 1980s Los Angeles. They attempt to re-establish some sort of life with a home, new neighbors, and a new school for the boys. But when Snow's stepmother, Lillian White, suggests they'll never fit in and a note from the school's psychologist puts the family on blast, will Snow and Eric accept that they must lie to make modern life work?

Erik, of course, watched The Charmings when it aired. Justin wonders, "why is this?" The pair try to determine all the things the pilot is missing. They also try to figure out who would've been the "budget John Mahoney" at the time. A digression about The Birdcage happens immediately. The endless abyss outside Castle Grayskull becomes incredibly important. The problems with the show's premise are explored -- including a solution to its biggest conceptual fault -- a few casting changes are proposed, and Erik shocks Justin by revealing the presence of First Hobie as one of the Charming sons. Also, a nostalgic feeling for the soft-spoken man selling speakers by the highway emerges.

Tread Perilously's summer grab bag continues by finally returning to Cop Rock for its second episode, "Ill-Gotten Gaines."

Following the death of unarmed man, Hollander tries to pin it all on LaRusso. Meanwhile, he also assigns Gains to Rose, who is still grieving the death of his partner in the pilot episode. But making things worse, Gaines thinks it is okay to sing Motown classics at Rose. The mayor and the chief continue their cold war. Ruskin makes a fateful decision after talking with Quinn. Also, Rose sings a eulogy to his fallen comrade.

Erik tries to compare the episode to the second hour of The Shield. Justin isn't so sure. The pair also end up finally talking about The Acolyte. They try to determine when creator Steven Bochco knew about what was happening at Rampart Division. Justin compares Cop Rock to Tequila & Bonetti and various natural disasters. A wild 1980s sax man appears! James Cameron gets celebrated for his asshole tendencies. The show's status as a bad musical is once again confirmed. Erik declares the name "LaRusso" can only be used by one fictional family. Anne Bobby's career is considered and a musical number based around a suspect line-up becomes a crucial point of conversation.

After a long absence, Tread Perilously returns to the world of Tequila and Bonetti with an episode called "Fetch This, Pal."

When Tequila and Bonetti are called to the scene of a possible bomb scare, they are accosted by the head of the LAPD's K9 unit (guest star James Tolkan) who refuses to give them access to the building. Soon, Bonetti signs Tequila up for a certification test the dog has no intent on passing, even as the stakes get higher. But will any of that matter when bomb scares become real bombings and the prime suspect appears to have history with the K9 unit?

Erik declares the episode to be both inefficient and irritating. The tonal whiplash also works against it with scenes becoming too dramatic and too comical at the same time. Justin is confronted with another television series he can't tell is real. He also imagines other actors as Tequila even as the character earns a new voice. Don Fanucci makes a surprising appearance. George Lucas turns out to be a fan of an obscure Ewan McGregor film. A theory emerges regarding how Tequila's riffs are generated. James Tolkan is praised even as Tequila attempts to make fun of his bald head. The pair try to figure out how the dog became a cop and the piano montage gets another look.

The Ballad of John D. Cort continues with an episode of Baywatch called "Old Friends."

Mitch, Craig, and Garner take a few days off to hang glide in the Santa Monica mountains. Well, Garner is more interested in reading and dozing. But when Mitch crashes into a tree, gets bit by a snake, and subsequently falls into a quarry, it's up to Craig and Garner to get him out of the wilderness. Meanwhile, Cort is reminded of a friend who died a year earlier. But when he visits the widow, he gets the sense things may not be as it seems. Will it turn out he was a patsy all along?

Erik and Justin realize Baywatch's time has passed. They also call for the return of Geocities and webrings. Colonial Marine Trevor Wierzbowski becomes an unlikely mascot. Mitch's fall down the cliff becomes the lynch pin of the entire outing. The love fest for John Allen Nelson continues. Captain Thorpe makes a very special appearance. David Hasselhoff's ego gets examined. Manwë joins the pantheon. A brief guest turn by Hope Marie Carlton leads well into the weeds. Garner's glamping is praised. Mitch ends up being the worst character and a snake turns out to be the hero.

Tread Perilously's month of treading safely concludes with a top episode of Night Court: "A Day in the Life."

When Judge Harry Stone's courtroom is called upon to adjudicate 200 cases before midnight, Dan's salacious plans are threatened. Will he, Christine, Harry, Mac, Roz, and Bull survive an onslaught of would-be gods, dueling Moses-es, amateur magicians, irate Nielsen families, and Barry Manilow? Will NBC boss Brandon Tartikoff be called upon as a character witness? And will Dan get to score with his recurring, um, "sex interest" in her van before she drives away to California forever? Also, will slow talking prove to be the most important form of comedy ever devised?

Justin once again reveals his mother let him watch Night Court as a child, which hits differently after this episode. He also explains the show doesn't really coalesce until season 4. Erik defends visiting New York, but can't imagine living there. Justin warns people off watching any season 9 episode of Night Court. John Larroquette once again proved to be the MVP even if his character is kind of a sex pest. Markie Post's unfortunate 1980s style gets critiqued as Erik recalls the "Shoulderpads Arms Race." Justin chooses a new search engine and surprise discussions about Twin Peaks and Sarah Douglas occur.

Tread Perilously continues its month of treading safely with one of the best Columbo episodes ever filmed: "A Stitch In Crime."

When Dr. Barry Mayfield's (special guest star Leonard Nimoy) ambitions to become renowned for a new anti-rejection drug are threatened by the head of the project, he plots to murder him in the slowest way possible. When his plan goes into motion, Mayfield kills the nurse (special guest star Anne Francis) who suspects him of sabotaging their boss's heart operation. Columbo soon arrives on the scene and makes life a living hell for Mayfield. But will the smart doctor fall for Columbo's ruse or is he an adversary unlike anything the lieutenant has faced before?

Erik and Justin are right to invoke logic when discussing Nimoy, who proves to be a superb antagonist for star Peter Falk. They also fall in love, again, with Nita Talbot, who guests in the episode as Anne Francis's roommate. Justin declares the story "shockingly modern" thanks to several recent shows indebted to Columbo. Erik numerates the episodes he passed over for Nimoy's guest turn. Geography Corners abound. A discussion of classic horror movies breaks out, as does a chat about Kevin McCarthy. Justin's Columbo impression improves while Erik's disintegrates when he also attempts to do his Dr. McCoy. And, of course, everything comes back to the Turnbull ACs.

Tread Perilously engages in a normal human podcast by watching an episode of What We Do In The Shadows called "On The Run."

When a mysterious vampire tracks down Laszlo over the matter of an ancient debt, he abandons his life on Staten Island to become "Jackie Daytona" -- a beloved local fixture and bar owner in Pennsylvania. Much to his surprise, Jackie becomes invested in the success of a nearby high school varsity volleyball team. But when the vampire who forced Laszlo to flee rolls into town, will Jackie walk away just when the volleyball team needs him most? Meanwhile, Colin Robinson makes an awkward proposition.

Erik tells the tale of his conversion to a What We Do In the Shadows fan. The pair debate how to say Mark Proksch's last name. Justin enjoys Harvey Guillén's weariness as Guillermo while Erik ends up really taking to the styles of Proksch, Natasia Demetriou, and Matt Berry. Mark Hamill also proves to be a great guest star. The actual placement of the episode in the show's history becomes something of a mystery. Justin tries very hard to remember George Lopez's name. Tom Baker is invoked, Tom Bombadil news is discussed, and the episode's would-be Bella ends up a highlight ... even as it leads to a chat about Mark Brendanawicz.