Unjustly Maligned

It’s the Fourth of July! And what could be more American than Big Blue himself? Jonathan Penn joins Antony to defend “Superman III”, famously derided as a slapstick comedy, and argue that beneath the surface it’s full of heart, humanity, and hope. Up, up, and away!

"Superman III"

Host Antony Johnston with Jonathan Penn.

Mrs Peel, we’re needed — to defend what some critics called “the worst movie ever” from… a spot of bad weather? Hey, it makes about as much sense as the film. Writer and musician Cecilee Linke joins Antony to judo chop her way through the 1998 flop “The Avengers”.

"The Avengers (1998)"

Host Antony Johnston with Cecilee Linke.

Help support Unjustly Maligned by joining the Incomparable’s new Membership programme, and check the “Unjustly Maligned” box when you decide which shows to support. Thank you!

Great white sharks are feared the world over, with shark attacks on humans still guaranteed to make the news. As “Finding Dory“‘s release approaches, writer and scuba diver Chris Mitchell joins Antony to dive into the churning waters around this widely misunderstood predator.

"Great White Sharks"

Host Antony Johnston with Chris Mitchell.

Help support Unjustly Maligned by joining the Incomparable’s new Membership programme, and check the “Unjustly Maligned” box when you decide which shows to support. Thank you!

Roger Ebert gave it one star, and called it one of his ‘most hated’ movies. But was he just expecting the wrong kind of story? Georgia Dow joins Antony to stay within the boundaries of M Night Shyamalan’s “The Village”.

"The Village"

Host Antony Johnston with Georgia Dow.

Every year, millions of Americans are baffled by an outburst of snarky comments about cheesy European pop music on Twitter. Eurovision Song Contest uberfan Rachel Donner joins Antony to explain what on earth is going on, and why they should tune in.

"The Eurovision Song Contest"

Host Antony Johnston with Rachel Donner.

He can stretch and change his body in “Fantastic” ways, but to many comic readers, he’s anything but a role model. Journalist Andy Ihnatko joins Antony to defend the honor of the Fantastic Four’s Reed Richards.

"Reed Richards"

Host Antony Johnston with Andy Ihnatko.

As St George’s Day approaches, gentlemen in England’s green and pleasant land take to the field for a game that can last five days, yet still somehow end in a draw…! Author Paul Cornell goes to bat to spread the good word of cricket.

"Cricket"

Host Antony Johnston with Paul Cornell.

What happens when a show with a ridiculous premise, created by management, and aimed firmly at young girls… actually takes its female characters seriously? Katy Rex joins Antony to divulge all the secrets of “Pretty Little Liars”.

"Pretty Little Liars"

Host Antony Johnston with Katy Rex.

(It’s actually on ABC Family, not the CW. Whoops)

It should have been the biggest action movie of 1986… instead, it was the flop that drove John Carpenter out of Hollywood. Michael Palmer joins Antony to explain how it’s all in the reflexes.

"Big Trouble in Little China"

Host Antony Johnston with Michael Palmer.

On a day that shouldn’t exist comes a podcast equally paradoxical. Merlin Mann joins Antony to sit still, garden at night, and talk about the passion of rock band R.E.M.’s early work.

"R.E.M., early"

Host Antony Johnston with Merlin Mann.