Tread Perilously

Tread Perilously's month of TV shows based on feature films continues with an episode of Alien Nation called "Fifteen With Wanda."

When a Newcomer limo driver is witness to a crime on his wedding night, he enters witness protection with Sikes and Francisco as his detail. Unfortunately, the Newcomer took an aphrodisiac as part of the wedding/bonding tradition and must spend the next three weeks wanting nothing more than the 15 minutes with his bride to complete the mating ceremony. And with his day in court soon approaching, he is targeted for extermination. Meanwhile, Francisco's son gets involved with Lori Petty.

Justin recalls the reason why he never watched Alien Nation despite being a big fan of the movie. Memories of the Fox network in the 1990s are examined, including The X-Files and M.A.N.T.I.S. The pair also recall what genre movies and TV were like before it all got Whedon-ized. Star Gary Graham proves to be the weakest link in moving Alien Nation to television. Co-star Eric Pierpoint proves more successful as TV's Mandy Patankin. The power of 1990s Lori Petty cannot be denied. Geography Corner leads to Southern California colleges. Justin learns a key detail about Newcomer physiology. Erik and Justin pitch a modern version of Alien Nation and discover the old Dr. Spock joke now requires a ton of context.

Tread Perilously's Movies On TV month continues with an episode of Gidget called "Gidget's Foreign Policy."

When Gidget's father allows an associate's daughter to spend the week before classes begin at UCLA at their home, Gidget comes face-to-face with a more rigid way of life: the Swedish way! But her attempts to get the timid Inge to loosen up work too well and, soon, the exchange student is chasing the boys Gidget usually keeps on a leash. Will her boyfriend choose Inge over her? And what will happen when Inge's fiance returns from San Francisco to discover what's become of his intended?

Erik and Justin immediately seize on the weirdness of Sweden as a truly foreign country. Erik accidentally stumbles on a possible Opus Dei conspiracy. Star Sally Field is discussed for her obvious presence, but lack of chops as Gidget. The character's name is also discussed. Justin tries to figure out the premise and its connection to the film. The innocence of the series throws the pair for a loop. Special guest star Walter Koenig and a member of the film's cast leads down a very specific alley. The importance of a good burger bun is emphasized. Gerd Shockley makes an unexpected appearance and Cliff Robertson is celebrated.

Tread Perilously begins a month of movies squeezed and stretched into television series with the RoboCop: The Series episode called "Inside Crimes."

When William Ray "Pudface" Morgan's latest heist becomes fodder for the OCP Television series Inside Crimes, ratings go through the roof. The executive producer, naturally, wants to feature the criminal -- and RoboCop -- more frequently, but the cops, the OCP Chairman, and a security detail protecting $1.2 billion in gold bullion beg to differ. Will RoboCop sniff out Pudface's real scheme before it's too late? And will the Inside Crimes EP get more than she bargained for when she enlists Pudface's direct help?

Erik and Justin determine whether or not the series continues the story from the film. Characters like Madigan and the OCP Chairman come under the microscope. The overall notion of canonicity also gets discussed. Star Richard Eden's performance as RoboCop is assessed. RoboCop 3 is exhumed. Frank Miller becomes important, as does satire. The relative quality of RoboCop: The Series is also appraised. A joke leads to a chat about The Kids in the Hall. Vic Mackey continues to invade any and all cop show conversations. Ronald McDonaldland turns into a cesspit of crime and, for reasons, actor Paul McCrane is celebrated.

Tread Perilously's '80s flashback month concludes with an episode of The Love Boat called "Miss Mom/Who's the Champ/Gopher's Delusion"

The Pacific Princess's latest Mexican coast sailing comes with a twist -- a wrestling match between "Lover Boy" Bob and Thomas 'The Mangler' Sharkey. The promoter even retained the services of Terry "Hulk" Hogan to do ringside commentary! But when The Mangler's sister has a lovely interaction with Lover Boy, will it turn the kayfabe into a serious grudge? Meanwhile, Cruise Director Judy tries to find a man for her cousin, Gretchen -- and potentially succeeds -- even as Gopher is hypnotized into believing he is Captain Stubing.

Justin finally faces an episode of The Love Boat. Erik pitches guest actor Tim Rossovich for the other version of Superman III that never got made. Both are surprised by the show's anthology structure. The presence of the Hulkster, and Caitlyn Jenner as one of the wrestlers, leads down certain directions -- including an appreciation of "Macho Man" Randy Savage. A wild Teri Hatcher appears! The old Navy Seals joke gets dissected. The myth of Ted McGinley is also addressed. Erik identifies a couple of guest stars from their Star Trek: The Next Generation appearances. Jenner's 1980s hairstyle gets dubbed "the Pete Rose" and Erik realizes a startling connection between Gopher and Star Trek's Pavel Chekhov.

Tread Perilously's 1980s flashback month continues with an episode of Magnum P.I. called "Kiss of the Sabre."

When Magnum is evicted from the guest house, he gets to know its new inhabitant: novice writer Betty Windom. Constantly suffering writer's block during her attempts to plot a tale of superspy Sebastian Sabre, she decides to butt into Magnum's latest case. Is a simple job verifying details of an insurance claim more than it seems? Magnum doesn't think so, but when Betty sees him nearly killed by a backhoe, it becomes clear things are not so cut-and-dry. And, maybe, it is the exact thing Sebastian Sabre needs.

Erik immediately declares the episode to be a broadcast version of an Andy Sedaris movie. Another bevy of guest stars suggests the real reason he chose this episode. Justin's attempt to recall the premise of Magnum P.I. leads in strange directions. The pair doubt star Tom Selleck could have launched the Indiana Jones film series. They also evaluate Magnum's case and the Sabre story it inspired. Justin suggests a reason for the cast to play their regular parts and the characters in Betty's book. The first digression into Better Off Dead of 2025 occurs. Guest star Patrick Collins earns his name and Erik completely fails to create a Howard Cosell impression.

Tread Perilously's 1980s flashback months leads them, finally, to Silver Spoons with an episode called "A Family Affair."

When Ricky meets Jeannie -- who goes to the nearby all-girls school -- at the local hangout, he discovers that she's pretty rad. Soon, she becomes his prom date. Meanwhile, Edward, Kate, and Dexter Stuffins face the threat of a strike at the toy factory. But when Ricky and Jeannie get into an argument, he calls off the prom date only for Dexter to tell Edward that her father might be mobbed up. And when her father comes around to the house, Edward faces a difficult decision.

Erik and Justin almost immediately make their way into a '90s flashback. Erik also declares Dexter Stuffins to be one of the great names in '80s TV. It leads to a lot of praise for actor Franklyn Seales. A wild Alfonso Ribeiro appears. Justin mentions his fixation on Erin Gray. A bevy of guest stars leads to conversations of '80s bands, underrated actors, an old Tread Perilously favorite, and the best Star Wars knock-off. The pair try to figure out why '80s sitcoms still have soda shops. Erik ends up in a Godfather Part III rabbit hole and John Houseman gets referenced despite not being in the episode.

Tread Perilously heads back to the 1980s for a month of shows from that glorious decade. First up: a Miami Vice episode called "Bushido."

When a joint operation with the DEA goes south, Captain Martin Castillo suspects his old friend Jack Gretsky may have interfered with the bust to get his attention. Soon, he visits the local CIA office to confirm and, rather quickly, confronts Gretsky, leading to the man's death. But with $500,000 of the DEA's money missing and the location of Gretsky's wife and son unknown, Castillo embraces the way of the warrior to solve all of the outstanding mysteries.

Erik and Justin return to Miami Vice for the first time in nearly a decade -- but their recent study of Michael Mann gives them fresh eyes. Star and episode director Edward James Olmos is the easy MVP for stylish filmmaking and appearing in nearly every scene. A gaggle of surprise guest stars suggests the real reason Erik chose this episode six or so years ago. The pair imagine what The Shield's Strike Team would do in a Thief situation. Justin comes to believe Castillo is a wizard and finds more than one connection to Burn Notice. Also: special attention is given to Olmos's mustache.

Tread Perilously celebrates its 500th podcast by going back to the beginning -- the first ever Doctor Who story: "An Unearthly Child."

When Shoreditch area schoolteachers Barbara Wright and Ian Chesterton have a conversation about an unusual student, Susan Foreman, their questions lead them to a junkyard at the end of Totter's Lane. Inside, they find no trace of Susan, but instead discover an out-of-place police box. Soon, they encounter a difficult old man who not only turns out to be Susan's grandfather, but an alien known only as The Doctor. And when he sets his time machine to 100,000 B.C., it begins a huge adventure for the foursome.

Justin reacts to just how different The Doctor is in his first appearance. Erik recalls some previous episodes of the podcast. Susan finally gets a discussion all her own. Barbara and Ian also take focus, forcing Justin to reconsider one of his previously established archetypes. Erik tries to give producer Verity Lambert some of her due. The issues with episodes 2-4 are explored. The initial William Hartnell depiction of The Doctor leads to some myth-making about the show. Justin has a hard time holding onto Jacqueline Hill's name and the pair imagine other Doctor/companion teams dealing with the cavemen and their quest for fire.

The Ballad of John D. Cort continues as Tread Perilously watches an episode of Baywatch called "The End?"

When a series of tremors leads to a larger shock, the Baywatch team is caught off guard for landslides, liquefaction, and dangerous panes of glass. Cort and Craig, meanwhile, find trouble when the shockwaves hit the spot they were diving. Back on land, Hobie helps Craig's wife, Gina, get to safety while Mitch tries to do his job. Shauni's attention is also split when Eddie fails to call in from his patrol. But, as it turns out, he's busy helping a pregnant woman who went into labor just as she helped him out of a jam.

Justin tries to determine how many characters return for season 2 and Baywatch's first year in syndication. Erik remembers Jill and the Aussie guy Cort replaced. Both are surprised to watch an episode of the show that is nearly competent. Craig gets a full appraisal. Sea Hunt enters Justin's knowledge base. Captain Thorpe finally becomes indispensable. The program's primary flaw appears once more. Geography Corner tries extra hard to determine the beaches used this week. Eddie's living situation is clarified. The pair try to determine who among the Face/Off leads knew about John Woo prior to working with him and Eddie becomes a real boy.

Tread Perilously's winter Patreon request month continues with an episode Mrs. Davis called "Zwei Sie Piel mit Seitung Sie Wirtschaftung."

Evading her seemingly German captors, Simone learns from Mrs. Davis that she must seek the Holy Grail. But Wiley and his resistance believe the quest is just to prove Simone will be a good custodian in the algorithm's data center. Which, of course, he wants her to do so they can destroy the source of Mrs. Davis. Meanwhile, Simone confronts more of her past as the machine tries to push her toward the mission. Wait, is Wiley in on it too?

Erik gets confused about Justin's hot take on star Betty Gilpin. Justin thanks the Patrons for introducing him to yet another secret show. He also finds a surprising respite from modern life. The pair get lost in Las Vegas despite Mrs. Davis taking place in Reno. A wild (but subdued) David Arquette appears. Erik recalls one funny and surreal thing to emerge from the Los Angeles wildfires. Justin explains why hits to the liver are so intense. At some point, Erik starts to worry that the show stole his brain. "Zhe Germans" leads to something surprising and Erik pitches Glen Powell for an unlikely reboot.