Tread Perilously

Tread Perilously begins its summer Patreon request month with the infamous Punky Brewster episode "Cherie Lifesaver."

Just as Punky and Margaux learn basic CPR techniques, Henry decides it's time to buy a new refrigerator. While his visit to Cheap-o Chester's seems to go okay -- although he may have overpaid -- the bigger issue arrives when he puts the old fridge in the backyard. There, Punky, Cherie, and Allen are playing hide-and-seek in the snow. But having seen Cherie run into the building, he never sees her get into the old ice box. And once he finds her unconscious inside, will Punky and Margaux employ what they learned in time to save her?

Erik and Justin recall the times when getting stuck in a refrigerator was a genuine concern. Erik also turns out to be a guacamole purist. Justin finds Punky unfunny -- although Erik has a hypothesis as to why. Justin investigates Henry actor George Gaynes' unique accent. The pair also stumble into what John Carpenter's The X-Men might've looked like. The presence of T.K. Carter might have something to do with it. Erik is convinced Allen would've been tested for developmental issues in more modern times. A surprise Frank Bonner appears. The weeds grow taller with various topics and Sugar Beasties becomes the official breakfast cereal of the podcast.

Tread Perilously's Summer Grab Bag concludes with the penultimate episode of Tequila and Bonetti: "Brooklyn and the Beast."

When a local news van prevents Bonetti, Garcia, and Tequila from apprehending a group of fleeing jewel thieves, Bonetti arrests the reporter, an obvious Geraldo Rivera pastiche. When he pays fine and leaves the South Coast squad room, he claims Tequila bit him and looks into the reason Bonetti left New York. The pressure only mounts when a woman is killed next to the reporter during an apparent drive-by and the gun is traced back to Bonetti.

Justin declares this episode to be the most racist Tequila and Bonetti episode of all. Old characters return, suggesting to Erik that this was meant to be the season finale. He also offers some notes on the recent version of The Odyssey. Tony Plana makes a surprise appearance as the would-be Geraldo Rivera. Michael Douglas returns once more to destroy his own life via horniness. Both Erik and Justin end up deep in the weeds with discussions about Castle Rock and more. Mariska Hargitay continues to be the most dignified actor in the ensemble. The pair's Bonetti impression turns into a certain stand-up comedian's self-caricature and Bonetti's Cadillac looks like it needs to be detailed.

Tread Perilously's summer grab bag month continues with an episode of Automan called "Unreasonable Facsimile."

When Walter is given the chance to develop a video game based on a popular prime time soap opera, Auto mistakenly watches the show instead of his assigned case files. The result: Auto wants to fall in love and experience the sort of passion dramatized on television. Meanwhile, Walter and Auto end up working a case involving a dead aerospace CEO and his beautiful daughter. Will she spark with Auto and will he learn about this thing humans call "love"? And will it prove he can make the intuitive leap necessary for true artificial intelligence?

Is Automan finally finding its footing? Erik considers the possibility while Justin maintains it's just Automan. Delta Burke makes a rare appearance, leading to another episode of Tread Perilously Loves Delta Burke. Fellow guest star Glenn Corbett looks unreal throughout. The Hutts end up part of the plot for some reason. The pair debate how to pronounce director Winrich Kolbe's name. Desi Arnaz Jr. finally becomes the sidekick -- the right place for his character in the series. Of course, Justin still tries to recast him. Geography Corner centers on the North San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys. Late 1990s computer effects are remembered and Tawny Little enters the chat.

Tread Perilously's Summer Grab Bag continues with the annual visit to Cop Rock for an episode called "A Three-Corpse Meal."

While LaRusso stews in lock-up, Officer Quinn encounters Patricia again. She's remorseful about selling her baby back in the pilot and wants the young officer's aid. Quinn's husband, Lt. Ruskin, gets a bad health report and a new restricted diet. Elsewhere in town, Mayor Plank returns from her nose job and wows Police Chief Kendrick, leading to a surprising night for both. And back at county jail, LaRusso proves he's not stuck in there with the criminals ... they're stuck in there with him.

Erik continues to wonder if Steven Bochco and his collaborators know much about Los Angeles. Justin struggles to recall what previously occurred on Cop Rock. The comparisons to The Shield continue to abound as they zero in on the differences between LaRusso and Vic Mackey. Paul McCrane's character gets a quirk thanks to a passion for whole foods and fitness. Justin figures out exactly why guest star Patricia Whilhoite gets parts. Erik suggests avoiding The Commish. Mickey Cohen and the Hat Squad are invoked, which leads to a warning against the film Gangster Squad. Justin gets to see the Echo Park of his youth. The secret of Doritos is revealed and Susan Powter makes a surprise appearance.

Tread Perilously opens the summer grab bag for the penultimate edition of The Ballad of John D. Cort -- an episode of Baywatch called "Deep Trouble."

When CJ finds a homeless Cort sleeping under her guard tower -- not a euphemism -- she turns to Mitch to help out his alleged best friend. But as it happens, Mitch needs Cort's aid as the brother of a young leukemia patient has gone missing. And with only a few days remaining for the brother to donate bone marrow tissue, it's up to the former Navy Seals to save the day. Meanwhile: Matt is sore that Cort is back in town.

Erik and Justin find themselves missing Eddie as Matt has proved a poor replacement. Justin's wife makes her first on-air appearance via a handwritten note. The Batman Part II rumors end up leading to a discussion of various villainous options for the film. A certain montage finally brings the Baywatch of popular imagination into the text. An unnamed shadow lurking around Pamela Anderson leads Poison's C.C. DeVille to enter the chat. The promise of "Voula's Dad" re-emerges. Justin recalls hanging out in 1980s Venice Beach. The Naya Water sponsorship makes itself known and all praise goes to Alison Pregler for creating the study of Baywatch in the first place.

Tread Perilously's pilot season wraps up with Beyond Witch Mountain, an attempt to extend the Witch Mountain film duology into a weekly series.

When extraterrestrials Tia and Tony leave their community atop Witch Mountain in search of their Uncle Bené, they learn his missing son has been located. But when Bené passes in a very Jedi-like way, they take on the rescue mission themselves and recruit the aid of helpful curmudgeon Jason O'Day -- the man who drove them to Witch Mountain in the first place. And, as it turns out, rich industrialist Aristotle Bolt is not over losing them before and continues his search for the kids. Will he finally abduct O'Day and use him as leverage?

Erik and Justin get lost talking about Disney in the 1970s and renegade animator Ralph Bakshi. Eddie Albert makes his Tread Perilously debut as O'Day while Erik reveals where Justin might recognize Witch Mountain film stars Kim Richards and Ike Eisenmann. Justin puts the pilot to the Cinema Test. He also fails to recognize the voice of the opening sequence's narrator. Geography Corner gets a workout as the Southern California mountains and Highland Park seem to play the Pacific Northwest. Tracy Gold makes an earlier appearance replacing Richards as Tia. Justin disagrees with the naming of Uncle Bené and Erik recalls the Long Distance Rate Wars of the 1980s.

Tread Perilously's pilot season continues with the first episode of The Art of Being Nick -- the bizarre Family Ties spinoff with one notable star in its cast.

When Family Ties guest character Nick Moore moves back to New York to concentrate on his art, he ends up living with his older sister, Marlene, and her young son, Louis. As soon as a job is mentioned, he pushes to work in her bookstore, where he immediately catches the eye of co-owner Rachel. All seems well until Marlene announces she is engaged to Louis's teacher, Bob. Is Louis really okay with it, or will Nick's strange anti-intellectualism reveal the truth?

Paul and Corey Cross the Streams' Paul Pakler joins Erik and Justin for a deep dive into the strangest part of Family Ties' history. Paul reveals the history of actor Scott Valentine while Erik discloses the other attempts to spin off the actor and his character. Nick inadvertently demonstrates the gross and unexamined underpinning of the Keatons' real political biases. The age gap between Nick and Mallory also comes into the conversation. The "Tom's Rule" makes its debut. Paul acknowledges the existence of the Bronx Wars. Erik theorizes NBC was looking for Friends for a long time. Julia Louis-Dreyfus easily proves to be the standout in the ensemble and Nick's anti-intellecutal tendencies provide a possible way forward for the series.

Tread Perilously's pilot season continues with the pilot of Our House: "Home Again."

Curmudgeon and widower Gus Witherspoon is in for a change when his daughter-in-law and her three children move from Fort Wayne, Indiana to his Southern California home. Set in his ways, it is a rough transition, but through Gus's old folksy mannerism and some understanding, they may just pull through. Meanwhile, granddaughter Kris attempts everything in her power to transfer out of Highland Park High to a school with an honors program that will be more advantageous for her ultimate goal: the Air Force Academy. Will Gus be able to help her?

Die-a-beat-us. It's the watchword as Justin and Erik finally confront Internet legend Wilford Brimley. Erik once again reveals his arcane Days of Our Lives knowledge as Deidre Hall tries to leave daytime soaps for prime time drama. Chad Allen reawakens old enmities as the only male child in the ensemble and Shannen Doherty is, once again, one of the best things in an episode of television. Although, Brimley also establishes himself as a star presence. A second daughter once again proves Justin's "One Too Many Kids" theory. Old-timey vocal impressions abound. The Thing may be among us and Bruce Davison enters the chat.

Tread Perilously enters Pilot Season with the unsold 1959 Nero Wolfe pilot, "Count the Man Down."

When Nero Wolfe receives a monthly expense bill totaling $4000.92, he tells Archie Goodwin to alert the media with this proclamation: a rocket scientist who died six days prior was murdered. The scientist's wife and associates quickly become suspects, but they also want to know who hired Wolfe to solve the crime. While Archie visits a local aerospace firm, Wolfe nurses his cold. Will everything come out in an expansive parlor scene and can Wolfe get the suspects to pony up for his services? Also, will Archie figure out how Wolfe knew about the scientist?

Erik reveals the origin of his fascination with failure states. Justin suggests it also contributes to his Murder Brunette thing. William Shatner genuinely proves his abilities as an actor thanks to an unfortunate choice as Archie Goodwin. Star Kurt Kasznar proves to be a stellar Wolfe. Justin's love of a more recent Nero Wolfe series becomes a recurring topic. The Trivial Time Traveler ends up with a new mission. Bigfoot considers a presidential run. The world's best black & white beer makes its debut. Robert Redford enters the chat in a surprising way and The Big Book of Nazi Science derails everything.

Tread Perilously's fantasy month concludes with an episode of Grimm called "Silence of the Slams."

As the season arc simmers in the background, Nick is called onto the case of a man who has lost his face. But when it becomes clear the man was really a wesen, he becomes the only person who can solve the crime. Meanwhile, a young luchadore begs a mask-maker for a new persona that will make him the star of the local PDX promotion. Are the two things related? Will you care by the end of the episode?

After years of waiting to show Erik Grimm, Justin is amused by his response. The issue of the Fables knock-offs gets explained. The relative lack of Bitsie Tulloch in the episode becomes an issue. It leads to the revelation of Erik's least-liked Lois Lane. Other crime shows come into view. Pacing and structure matters more than usual. Justin tries to explain some Grimm mythology to avoid a certain misunderstanding. Erik will not let go of the "were-pig" from the almost-completely-irrelevant "Previously On" segment. A crusade against phony Crusader and Templar mythology begins. The ambiguity of luchadore kayfabe becomes a sticking point. Guest star Danny Mora proves to be a highlight and Erik remains unsure of when Nick went to Germany.