Two Geeks Two Beers

For the 2019 Two Geeks Christmas special, Tom and Morgan have chosen six classic movies that are often the subject of furious debate at this time of year.

‘Is ________ actually a Christmas movie?’

The movies we debate are:

• Die Hard
• Lethal Weapon
• Groundhog Day
• Gremlins
• On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
• It’s a Wonderful Life

In the episode, Tom loses an argument with himself and Morgan unleashes his best James Stewart impression yet. You’re in for a serious Christmas treat.

Yes, Tom really didn't think It's a Wonderful Life was a Christmas movie, or did he? Morgan also tries to convince Tom that Groundhog Day is a Christmas film despite taking place in February, and we finally put to rest the annual argument about Die Hard. Once and for all.

Also, check out our previous Christmas episodes, including ranking the Scrooges, Festive Fright Fest and weird Christmas TV specials.

For this episode, Tom takes Morgan back to their 1990s childhoods, by reliving the trauma suffered by watching animated TV series The Animals of Farthing Wood, based on the novels by Colin Dann.

We look back at the various horrendous deaths suffered by the woodland critters that makes Game of Thrones seem tame, how the suffering of a cute badger lost him some serious street cred, and both boys genuinely start tearing up in the most emotional episode yet.

Tissues at the ready, gang!

Beer choice: Badger Brewery’s Golden Champion

This time, Morgan teaches noob Tom about the entire history of the Highlander franchise, from its classic Queen-soundtracked first movie, to its dreadful sequel, and its many spinoffs and follow-ups.

Hear Tom get more exasperated with each new iteration, how he forgot Morgan’s birthday and why Colin isn’t an action hero name. Sorry, Colin.

There’s also an interview clip from when Morgan met Christopher Lambert, and a special competition where YOU could win an awesome prize!

Beer choice: Fyne Ales Highlander

The Highlander series began with a 1986 film starring Christopher Lambert as Connor MacLeod, the Highlander himself.

Born in Glenfinnan in the Scottish Highlands in the 16th century, MacLeod is an immortal empowered by an energy called the ‘Quickening’, and is only able to die if beheaded. Nice.

On TV, Highlander: The Series aired for six seasons from 1992 to 1998, starring Adrian Paul as Connor’s kinsman Duncan MacLeod.

There have been four Highlander films, one made-for-TV film, two live-action TV series, an animated TV show, an anime film, a flash animation series, original novels, comic books, and various licensed merchandise. Wow.

Make sure to check out our previous movie-based episodes, including a treasure trove of 1980s sci-fi fantasy romps such as Legend and Labyrinth.

For this episode, Tom takes Morgan through six TV and film projects starring the one and only David Bowie:

• The Man Who Fell to Earth
• The Snowman
• The Hunger
• Into the Night
• Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me
• The Prestige

If you’re wondering where Labyrinth is, don’t worry we haven’t gone mad. We’ve already done a Labyrinth special, which you can catch right here.

Discover the brilliance of Bowie on film, why Raymond Briggs wasn’t a fan, and hear Morgan’s unique impression on tap.

Beer choice: Tiny Rebel’s Clwb Tropicana, Stay Puft, Frambuzi and Pump Up the Jam.

In this episode, Morgan teaches Tom all about the history of slightly-naff but underrated ’70s sci-fi gem Blake’s 7.

We look at the show’s amazing theme music (and how Pulp ripped it off), we record Tom’s live reaction to its iconic cliffhanger ending and Morgan gives a stab at recording the first Two Geeks single.

Running from 1978 to 1981 and four seasons, it followed the adventures of rogue Roj Blake, who leads a small group of rebels against the forces of the evil (sort of) Terran Federation that rules the Earth and other planets.

He and fellow prisoners Jenna Stannis and Kerr Avon gain control of a technologically advanced alien spacecraft, Liberator. Blake and his crew (seven of ’em) begin a campaign to damage the Federation, but are pursued by Space Commander Travis — a Federation soldier — and Servalan, the Supreme Commander and later Federation President. Oooh.

Also, make sure to check out all previous episodes about sci-fi TV shows, such as Red Dwarf and Quantum Leap.

Following on from our Labyrinth/Dark Crystal episode, Tom completes his trio of childhood ’80s fantasy movies by taking Morgan through the history of Ridley Scott’s 1985 epic Legend starring Tom Cruise and Tim Curry.

We explore the insane techniques used to make the movie, Tim Curry’s iconic performance, TWO cracking soundtracks and why it didn’t exactly stand the test of time.

Note: This episode was recorded before the sad passing of Blade Runner star Rutger Hauer.

Directed by Ridley Scott, Legend followed from his early films including Blade Runner and Alien. It starred a young Tom Cruise, Mia Sara and an utterly terrifying Tim Curry.

Legend follows Jack, a ‘pure being’ who must stop the Lord of Darkness who aims to cover the world with eternal night, just like Mr Burns.

Despite not being a commercial success at the time and receiving mmmixed rrrreviews, it has gone on to receive a cult following, in classic Two Geeks fashion.

Morgan and Tom sat down with the voice of the Daleks himself, Nicholas Briggs!

Nicholas spoke in depth about his love for all things Doctor Who, including his work on Audio Visuals, Myth Makers and many Big Finish Productions audio dramas.

The geek hero reveals awkward moments meeting Doctor Who legends, how he assumed Andy Serkis would voice the Daleks instead of him, and the projects he’d love to make if he got the rights.

Nicholas Briggs began his Doctor Who journey as host of The Myth Makers, a series of made-for-video documentaries in the 1980s and 1990s by Reeltime Pictures, in which he interviewed many of the actors, writers and directors of the show.

When Reeltime started producing original dramas, Nicholas wrote stories and acted in others, including the first unofficial Doctor Who spinoff Wartime. By the late 1980s, Nicholas also provided the voice of a future incarnation of the Doctor for unofficial audio dramas by Audio Visuals.

Since Doctor Who returned to in 2005, Nicholas Briggs has provided the voices for several monsters, including the Daleks and the Cybermen, and continues to create and star in fantastic productions for Big Finish. He is a true Doctor Who – and all round geek – legend.

Make sure to check out our previous Doctor Who episodes, including Morgan’s beginner’s guide, and Wannabe TV shows pre 2005 and post 2005.

Our first video game-themed episode in a while, where Tom explains to Morgan the short history of Sega’s final console, the Dreamcast.

We look back at its rise and dramatic fall, why it failed, its bizarre adverts, and its most memorable (and downright bizarre) games.

We look back at strange Dreamcast adverts from the era, and why it is still considered one of the best consoles of all time. We also remember games including Crazy Taxi and the oddity that was Seaman.

The Dreamcast was released by Sega in 1998/99, and was the first in the sixth generation of video game consoles, ahead of Sony’s PlayStation 2, Nintendo’s GameCube, and Microsoft’s Xbox. The Dreamcast proved to be Sega’s final home console, marking the end of the company’s 18 years in the console market.

While the Dreamcast sadly had a short lifespan and limited third-party support, it was way ahead of its time, including being the first console to include a built-in modem for online play.

Check out our previous video game episodes, including Point and Click Adventure Games and the Sega Megadrive/Genesis.

We travel back to the late ’90s and one of the greatest teen sci-fi shows of all time, Buffy the Vampire Slayer!

Morgan reminds Tom just why Buffy and the Scooby Gang were so great. We remember its kickass theme tune, our several man crushes on cast members and when Anthony Head made Tom feel very stupid.

Based on the 1992 movie of the same name, Buffy the Vampire Slayer was created by Joss Whedon, and ran from 1997 to 2003.

In case you didn’t know, Buffy followed the titular character (Sarah Michelle Gellar), the latest in a line of young women known as ‘Vampire Slayers’, chosen by fate to battle against vampires, demons and other forces of darkness.

Despite being ignored by major awards, it was a ratings success and spawned a cult following, and a spin-off show called Angel starring the dishy David Boreanaz.

Take two! We first recorded this episode ages ago, but Tom managed to not record it properly, whoops. So here we finally are!

With some tequila and more beer than usual, this may be the drunkest we’ve ever been, which will make for some adventurous storytelling…

Tom takes Morgan through a history of gamebooks, COYA, Find Your Fate and more, and we also test out three books based on past episodes: ReBoot, Thundercats and James Bond.

Expect plenty of page-turning, regretful alcohol consumption and awful Snarf impressions…

Patreon thank-yous go out to: Sam McCathie, Rob Horrocks and Oli Jeffery.