Tread Perilously

Tread Perilously begins its annual Doctor Who month with the New Series episode "The Girl In The Fireplace"

When the TARDIS lands on a broken spaceship some time in the 51st Century, The Doctor, Rose, and Mickey soon discover it is opening time breaches to 18th Century France. Soon after, the Doctor learns the portals -- which cause years in the 18th Century to go by in moments on the ship -- are tied to one person in particular: Madame de Pompadour. Why are the ship's repair robots interested in her? But, perhaps more importantly, why is The Doctor interested in her? Meanwhile, Mickey harangues Rose about her obvious affection for The Doctor.

Erik mentions a direct interview situation with Steven Moffat led to the episode selection. Justin likens it to a "short story" take on many of the writer's favorite tropes. He also suggests Erik dislikes David Tennant and the Tenth Doctor. Erik vehemently denies it. The cheapness of the production proves charming as it starts to look more like proper Doctor Who with each passing year. Justin tries out his Paul Darrow impression. Sophia Myles proves to be the episode MVP. Erik offers a surprise review of Assassin's Creed Unity, Mickey proves forgettable, and the Comte de Saint Germain strikes again.

Tread Perilously's Women First month concludes with an episode Ally McBeal called "Story of Love."

When Ally kicks another woman while she's down, she ends up defending her in court on a previous assault case. The eerie parallels to her own dilemma concerning sometimes client George Madison (guest star John Ritter) and Elaine are purely coincidental. Meanwhile, Cage is training his frog, Stefan, for the upcoming regionals. But when he ends up flushed down the toilet, it is up to the rest of the office to both let Cage know and help him grieve the sudden amphibious loss. But is this story meant to be as whimsical and funny as Ally's plot?

Erik and Justin finally watch an episode of Ally McBeal and come away with some surprising takes. The coward David E. Kelly is once again tried for his crimes. Peter MacNicol proves a favorite. Justin notes the way Ally McBeal disappeared from television history. Erik recalls the years he stopped watching TV. The brief moment of Natasha Gregson Wagner gets examined, as does the phenomenon of "Hooked on a Feeling." The pair also debate the merits of Courtney Thorne-Smith's presence in film and television and Bing Crosby emerges as a villain.

Tread Perilously's Women First month looks back at one of the greatest sitcoms of all time: The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Unfortunately, they do it with an episode called "Son of 'But Seriously, Folks.'"

After quitting Chuckles the Clown and bombing out with Mary some months earlier, Wes Callison returns to take a job in the newsroom. Mary is initially thrilled as she always thought there was more to him than writing jokes, but it soon becomes clear he's more fixated on her than bigger career horizons. Will Mary stop his increasingly creepy preoccupation with her or will it all end with comical results?

Despite loving the series overall, Erik immediately sees why this is the lowest rated episode on IMDb. Justin finds one laugh during its runtime. The blame is put squarely at the feet of Jerry Van Dyke. Chuckles the Clown makes a surprising on-screen appearance. Justin recasts one person in Ordinary People. The prominence of the flat-fronted toupee in the 1970s gets examined. A surprising number of Marvel characters make their way to Minneapolis. The pair come to terms with the new definition of "drip" and a Chuck Cunningham sighting gets confirmed.

Tread Perilously's Women First month continues with a Designing Women episode called "The Pride of Sugarbakers."

When Sugarbakers sponsors a junior league softball team, Mary Jo agrees to coach. Unfortunately, her style is more suited for a Pee Wee league. After the team loses six games, Julia suggests a more aggressive system which favors her protegee, Randa. Will it work? And will Mary Jo discover she needs to be more competitive? Will it have an effect on her son, Quinton, a comically inept ball player? Meanwhile, Suzanne tries to protect her new Cadillac from foul balls and Carlene recalls her childhood days of playing ball with a "puhtatuh."

Erik immediately calls the temperature on talk radio in the early 1990s. He also empathizes with Delta Burke. Justin recalls fond memories of watching the series as a child -- one of the few he was allowed to see when he was young. Gerd Shockley comes out against Designing Women creator Linda Bloodworth-Thomason for surprising reasons. Justin's memories of Dixie Carter's time on Diff'rent Strokes gets confirmed by Erik. A discussion about The Big Lebowski breaks out. Memories of the Thomasons' connections to the Clintons lead down a very specific rabbit hole and character actor Dennis Burkley gets a special spotlight.

Tread Perilously's Women First month continues with an episode of The Golden Girls called "Mister Terrific."

After meeting him at the mall, Rose starts dating local afternoon children's show host Mister Terrific. He's not a DC superhero, but he does seem to believe in his television persona to an unsettling degree. When Dorothy laments her summer job prospects, Mister Terrific suggests she try out as his show's educational advisor. Her comments lead to a change in the program's direction and Mister Terrific is swiftly fired. Can Dorothy get him his job back? Will his reality break? Will Rose acknowledge his major problem?

Although Justin and Erik love The Golden Girls, the episode leaves a few things to be desired -- even if it is better than its IMDb rating suggests. The New Gods come up thanks to switched wires. The death of Roy Fokker also comes into play for some reason. The pair try to recall what 1980s sitcoms were really like. It eventually leads to some '80s horror movie appreciation. Erik does his very specific Goofy impression. Justin offers some good trivia answers. They also outline the perfect design of the main characters and discuss the reasons a Golden Girls reboot would be nearly impossible today even if it can be easily cast.

Tread Perilously begins a month of Women First television shows with an episode of Maude called "The Slumlord."

When a man pickets in front of Maude's house, she discovers Walter invested in a slum. After inviting the man in, she harangues Walter into divesting his interest in the building. But the news spreads quickly around the neighborhood with her grandson unable to go to school and frenemy Dr. Arthur Harmon congratulating Walter on his choice to get into property. But what will Maude do when she learns she also signed the papers to the deal?

Erik and Justin pick apart the Maude theme song. They also try to determine if the show knows Maude is wrong in this situation. Florida Evans (played by the great Esther Rolle) proves to be the MVP with just two short scenes. Erik determines the Two Absolutes. Justin offers a timely Eurovision update. Maude and Walter's socioeconomic status comes into question -- as does Tread Perilously's adherence to the Podcaster Handbook. The styles of the early 1980s get properly criticized. Both Erik and Justin praise the episode's overall message -- being a slumlord is bad -- but debate how well it lands. Erik invokes Richard Stark's Parker for an explanation of TV inflation and learns a surprising fact about Taxi.

Tread Perilously's Grab Bag month concludes with a return to Baywatch for "We Need A Vacation."

When Craig complains about splitting his time between being a lifeguard, a lawyer, and a husband, John D. Cort suggests going to Mexico for a quick vacation. As it happens, he's already planning to take Eddie there to teach him some surfing. Instead of surf and relaxation, they end up in the mythical Mexico that only exists in film and television. Meanwhile, Hobie gets the hots for Shauni, but Mitch Buchanan is too busy dealing with Captain Thorpe's marital troubles to notice. Will Mitch ever take an interest in his son?

Justin and Erik are thrilled to return to the Ballad of John D. Cort, even if he's more douchebag than good guy this time around. Hobie proves to be more emotionally mature than Eddie, but his storyline still ends up in the hot seat. Erika Eleniak's qualities as a TV presence are examined. Justin suggests the notion of a biblically-accurate Saruman. Day and night once again fail to have meaning. Erik suggests the episode may be a backdoor pilot for a new series for John Allen Nelson, Parker Stevenson, and Billy Warlock. Also, the love affair with John Allen Nelson continues.

Tread Perilously celebrates its 350th show with a return to Tequila and Bonetti for the episode called "The Perfect Match."

When an apparent female serial killer starts leaving victims down by the South Coast pier, Bonetti goes undercover at the video dating service all the men used before their untimely deaths. He uses this as an opportunity to degrade everyone in his orbit -- particularly Garcia. Meanwhile, Captain Midian Knight meets the perfect woman, but his relationship can't possibly be tied to the case, can it? Sure, she might be from the same video dating service and she dated all the dead men, but what are the chances she's involved?

Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon joins Erik and Justin for her first episode of the talking dog show and is immediately taken aback by the tonal whiplash. She also lays out a theory about how the program came together in the first place. Erik spots the notable voice of a guest actor. South Coast suddenly seems more local to Justin. Barbra outlines the "90s Woman." Justin and Erik attempt to explain the Tequila and Bonetti piano montage. Justin prepares for WorldVision. Erik makes a brief mention of curling. The Book of Boba Fett discussion comes to its final end and a poor day-for-night scene leads to a lot of discussion.

Tread Perilously introduces a new sitcom into the Grab Bag rotation with the It's A Living episode called "Boys of Summer."

When a Minor League team checks into the hotel, the staff at Above the Top get involved with its members in a variety of ways. Maggie manages to both flirt with and insult the team manager at every turn. Dot takes pity on a Costa Rican pitcher whose whole future rests on winning the series. Cassie refuses to give the star hitter the time of day and Jan goes into extra innings with the third baseman. Will the team win their games? And will Sonny Mann ever get to play his set?

Erik carefully peels back the onion to prove why It's A Living is important despite getting lost in the TV landscape. Justin ruminates on why it was so easily forgotten. The stories of Ann Jillian and Louise Lasser get told. Sort of, anyway. Justin finds his way to It's A Living's premise and tries to examine the program via the Four Temperament Ensemble principle. The Golden Girls comes up frequently. A Terminator favorite makes a special appearance. The Minor League Baseball player look is nearly defined. Erik is convinced George Clooney is preventing him from finding episodes of E/R and, surprisingly, sports humor occurs.

Tread Perilously starts a Grab Bag month with the penultimate episode of Supertrain -- "The Green Girl."

When Supertrain hosts a televised poker tournament, all the cardsharps from around the country climb aboard for a chance at the $500,000 pot. They're all eccentric and rich enough not to notice the prize money is slowly being replaced with counterfeit currency by the newest addition to the circuit. Will Chief of Operations Wayne Randall discover the truth in time or will he abscond to Cabo San Lucas with the criminal and her ill-gotten gains? Also, can the Big Lewbowski, Roddy McDowall, Cleavon Little, and Clyde Kusatsu save this from derailing?

Erik's faith in Supertrain finally wanes. A Battlestar Galactica digression breaks out. Music streaming services get reviewed for reasons. A split decision occurs over The Rolling Stones' "Start Me Up." The choice to use Texas Hold 'Em in Casino Royale gets examined. Justin suggests P.J. Soles as a better choice for this week's key guest role. Jodie Foster enters the discussion, as does James Garner. Overboard might be a worse film than Soldier, but the listener will have to decide. Memories of Supertrain's Weird Baby Man come into play and more Book of Boba Fett talk occurs.