Tread Perilously

Tread Perilously's summer Patreon request month continues with an episode of Emergency! called "905-Wild."

When paramedics John Gage and Roy DeSoto encounter an escaped tiger at an early morning call, they enlist the help of Los Angeles County Animal Control officers Les Taylor and Dave Gordon. Successfully capturing the tiger, the rest of their day includes investigating where the animal came from and assisting in the rescue of a baby goat from a wildfire. But when the goat shows signs of cardiac distress, the only viable place to get aid is Rampart General Hospital. Will chief of emergency medicine Dr. Kelly Brackett help?

Erik and Justin are surprised to encounter a backdoor pilot for a premise that really seems to lack legs. Guest stars Albert Popwell and Mark Harmon prove to be pleasing enough leads, but could an animal rescue show really work week-in-week-out? Much is made of Emergency! stars Kevin Tighe and Randolph Mantooth ... although Erik manages to say his name wrong. He also uses the wrong microphone again. The techniques of episode director Jack Webb(!) are examined. David Huddleston's turn as the county's only veterinarian proves a highlight considering his subsequent roles in popular culture. Geography Corner attempts to understand Emergency's relationship with Los Angeles and Justin tries to envision a lunch between Webb and Gene Roddenberry.

Tread Perilously begins Summer Total Request Live -- the Patreon Subscriber request month -- by honoring Patron Peter and finally watching an episode of the short-lived NBC variety show Pink Lady and Jeff.

Jeff welcomes special guests Lorne Green, Florence Henderson, Sid Caesar, and musical guest Blondie. Pink Lady performs a disco medley, "Yesterday," and more. Jim Varney joins Jeff and the comedy troop for a number of sketches meant to induce laughs. Caesar returns as Pink Lady's father in a shockingly unfunny sketch. The hot tub gag reveals a lot about the three stars and Blondie's musical contribution proves surprising.

Justin once again doubts a genuine television show is real. He also continues to deny the existence of Randolph Mantooth. The pair are surprised to see comic book legend Mark Evanier listed as head writer. It leads to an exploration of his efforts as a TV writer. Sid and Marty Krofft make another appearance as executive producers. Both Erik and Justin try to recall how they first learned about Pink Lady's infamy. Erik claims it killed the prime time variety format. Sketches are dissected. Sid Caesar must pay for a crime. Johnny the Dog's short-lived celebrity surprises everyone and Florence Henderson proves to be the MVP once again.

Tread Perilously concludes the Summer Grab Bag with the third episode of Cop Rock -- "Happy Mudder's Day."

Hollander continues his pursuit of LaRusso -- now centering in on Potts and offering him immunity if he testifies against his partner. The mayor receives some difficult news from her image consultants and goes under the knife to initiate a bid for the Senate. Rose hits a breaking point with Gaines as a domestic call turns into one of the stranger musical numbers either has witnessed. Vicki, Ruskin, and Campo take a back seat as guest characters and the chief of police take point in this week's songs. Is it a sign of things to come?

Erik and Justin try to figure out the mystery of Paul McCrane's sudden presence on the show. The mayor's storyline comes under scrutiny as actor Barbara Bosson was married to creator Steven Bochco at the time. Justin comes to believe The Shield creator Shawn Ryan watched Cop Rock. Comparisons abound. Guest characters leading the songs seems to prove the premise was already running out of steam. Erik determines Ron Howard's best films. Vondie Curtis-Hall once again proves dependable and the lack of proper area knowledge around the production becomes more and more obvious.

The Tread Perilously Summer Grab Bag returns to Tequila and Bonetti for an episode called "Wonderdog."

When the South Coast paper publishes a photo of Tequila as a heroic pooch, it gets the attention of a talent scout who wants to put him in a commercial. Captain Midian Knight uses it as a chance to be Tequila's agent and forces Visiting Detective Nico Bonetti to serve as the dog's handler. Meanwhile, Garcia and another detective take over Bonetti's current case: a string of robberies where Gold Badge security systems failed. But when the commercial turns out to be for Gold Badge, Bonetti gets suspicious.

Erik and Justin face an episode of Tequila and Bonetti without a weird piano montage ... and they're not sure how to deal with it. They also lodge some complaints toward the film Reign of Fire. It leads to some Full Peril plans. Erik also offers a new opinion on Superman III ... and a few notes on the new Superman. The credit sequence gets dissected again even as the pair sense a level of retooling behind the scenes. Rick Overton ends up under the bus and Erik is convinced anyone can write a scene from Seinfeld. Clive Barker's version of The Babysitter Seduction is outlined and Dick Stensland makes a surprise appearance.

Tread Perilously Summer Grab Bag continues with an episode of Automan called "Ships in the Night."

When a number of American businessmen go missing in the Central or South American island country of San Cristobal, Lt. Jack Curtis and Roxanne are dispatched to get to the bottom of one particular disappearance. But when Automan connects to the Bureau computer and learns about the other missing persons on the island, he and Walter book it down south. There, they discover a predictably corrupt government. But will Lt. Jack Curtis's history with the ringleader of the operation spell disaster for all involved?

Erik and Justin finally encounter an episode of Automan they find "almost charming." Chuck Wagner once again proves to be the show's MVP while Desi Arnaz Jr. continues to be its weakest link ... although Erik makes a case for the removal of Lt. Jack Curtis. Justin recalls when Helen Mirren specialized in nude magic. Erik doubts the production went outside of Los Angeles county to create San Cristobal. A difference in recent Pixar movies is identified. Robert Evans joins the chat as a key business on San Cristobal seems missing. Palmolive dish soap takes on outsized importance and the pair learns the truth about "The Tide is High."

Tread Perilously returns to the Ballad of John D. Cort with an episode of Baywatch called "Blindside."

After a long period away, John D. Cort returns to Baywatch to complete his mandatory ten days and go through his lifeguard recertification. Everyone is thrilled to see him except C.J. They had a thing going before she left Baywatch some years prior. Also, Mitch notices something is off with Cort's peripheral vision. But does Mitch know better than the county optometrist? Meanwhile, Hobie befriends a very tall man working as a sideshow giant on the nearby pier. Will he be able to convince him to change his employment situation?

Justin finally meets Second Hobie as "Blindside" takes the Ballad into season 4 of Baywatch. He and Erik try to dissect just how much David Hasselhoff felt uncomfortable around John Allen Nelson. The pair also finally encounter the Baywatch of pop culture memory. The lack of half the cast -- including Alexandra Paul and Nicole Eggert -- does not go unnoticed. Another series for Nelson gets pitched. Nuance leads to a conversation about Pamela Anderson. Geography Corner explains how unlikely it would be for Cort to arrive at the beach on horseback. A county permit becomes surprisingly important in Hobie's story and the modern use of "wild" makes a surprise appearance.

The time loop is shattered as Tread Perilously finally watches an episode of Legends of Tomorrow called "Here I Go Again."

When Zari is left behind to fix the Waverider, she soon finds herself in a time loop. Needing to convince the others that they are dying over and over again, she learns the secret words that will get Nate to believe her immediately. Soon, the pair must learn why the ship is being destroyed, who intends its destruction, and the reasons for the time loop itself. Along the way, Zari also learns to like the loveable losers aboard the Waverider.

Erik and Justin immediately talk about various Paramount TV series. Erik must also pronounce a difficult name. Justin declares Legends his favorite corner of the Arrowverse even as he recalls its initial, horrible, premise. Invisible Child and TalHotBlonde come up in the conversation, proving the time loop is real. The Arrowverse's problem with love interests also enters the loop again. The Waverider crew gets evaluated and the Science Bros. get high marks. A wild Gary appears. The pair highlight Arrowverse actors they want back on screen. Erik admits his ambivalence toward The Naked Gun movies and Tala Ashe proves to be a true MVP.

Tread Perilously's wandering in the time loop brings it to Person of Interest and an episode called "If-Then-Else."

When the team must stop Samaritan's manipulation of the stock market, they end up pinned down in the New York Stock Exchange building. The Machine must work out a scenario that will allow them to complete their mission and escape. It starts running simulations that, by necessity, must be rest. With the microseconds winding down, will it conclude that the only way to win is to sacrifice the assets? Or will a random day in 2003 prove its creator taught it empathy?

Erik is astounded to support a benevolent AI. Justin finds the whole thing difficult to take on board and realizes this show is not Numb3rs. The Cavortex enters the proceedings, which leads to extra analysis of the star's performance. Amy Acker, Sarah Shahi, and Micheal Emerson, meanwhile, prove to be MVPs. Justin claims Terrence Malick is Erik's favorite director ... which leads to a story. The pair determine what happened to Elias Koteas. They also keep coming up with actors who would've been better as the lead. Time proves to be Person of Interest's greatest foe. Gary is becoming an endangered name and Erik names the best AI on television.

Tread Perilously's return to the time loop brings them, at long last, to Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. with an episode called "As I Have Always Been."

When Fitz's time drive begins to break down, Daisy finds herself reliving the same 90 minutes or so. She eventually discovers Coulson can remember every time loop and that they've been stuck in the cycle for a very long time. Simmons seemingly has the answer to their problem, but she keeps dying before they can learn the truth about the time drive. Can they find a work around? Will Enoch lend a hand or is he the real threat?

Justin stumbles on the name Enver Gjokaj and nicknames the rest of the team via their most obvious traits. Erik wishes for Mack to turn up in the Marvel Cinematic Universe proper as the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. Justin learns the fate of Phil Coulson. The Chronicoms get compared to both the Watchers and the Observers. Naturally enough, the weeds lead to a discussion of The Shield. Whedon talk also occurs. Lonni from Andor makes a surprise appearance. Marvel and DC comic book characters get the spotlight. Justin makes a choice about Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the podcast returns, once again, to a certain beach.

Tread Perilously returns to the timey-wimey with a month they just had to call "Let's Do The Time Loop Again!" First up: an episode of Fringe known as "White Tulip."

When Olivia, Peter, and Walter are called to the scene of a train car filled with corpses, it soon becomes clear a former MIT professor may be to blame. Walter quickly discovers the scientist is trying to use time travel to seemingly save his fiancée who perished several months earlier. Walter has his own experience with grief leading to mad science. Will he be able to talk the other scientist down from his experiment before more people die?

Erik and Justin like Fringe and make no bones about it. But they also like to make fun of J.J. Abrams, so they quickly get into the weeds with that. Star John Noble quickly proves to be the episode MVP, but guest star Peter Weller gives him a run for his money. Justin determines the three premises of Fringe. He also recounts how he derailed his calculus class. Erik presents more thoughts on Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. The pair question whether or not the episode's time loop is effective, the real issue with plotholes is explored, and the real Richard Dragon suddenly becomes important.