Episodes

In this episode we discuss the 2024 film Saturday Night. You can stream it on Netflix, or rent it on Amazon or Apple. Content warnings for strong language, fictionalized stories about still-living people, suspected AI bullshit summary, significant references to 70s-level drug use and purchases, references to early deaths of SNL cast members, Kat and Brendan’s complicated dance of dueling entertainment degrees, librarians being wrong, and blink-and-you’ll-miss-it Lorne Michaels impersonations W...

In this episode we hung out in the same room on the Saturday night of Readercon back in July! Content warnings for strong language and clinking glasses We reference or spoil: It Follows, Shirley Jackson Awards, Disclave, monster cereals, Hello From the Magic Tavern, Cocktail, Flaming Moe (The Simpsons), “AI: The Good Parts” (Readercon 33), “DDOS” (Readercon 32), Clarkesworld (blog post about spam submissions), Codecrafters, “First there was SkyKnit. Now there’s HAT3000“, CARP robot, What are A...

In this episode we chat up and talk about what we’ve been reading and watching recently. Content warnings for strong language. We reference or spoil: Worcester Polytechnical Institute‘s IMGD program, The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses by Jesse Schell, No Story is Sacred episode “Writ of Attachment”, Taylor Swift, Swifties, Select Start instagram and Eras tour ad pics, Neil Gaiman‘s bluesky verification how-to, Travis Kelce, Jason Kelce, New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce, Reacher (t...

In this episode we discuss the fake show Blow the Man Down. Content warnings for strong language, unreality (episode focuses on creation/discussion of media in an alternate reality), and references to child death (historical pirate John King). We reference or spoil: Our Flag Means Death seasons 1 and 2, No Story Is Sacred episode “Our Flag Means Death”, Blow the Man Down (television show referenced as part of alternate reality game of the same name; link goes to an “official” season 2 trailer)...

After a long hiatus that we totally planned and wasn’t us failing to successfully arrange the schedules of four adults with lives, we return with an episode discussing an original story idea by Alex! Another in his series of Space Ace Detective stories. Content warnings for strong language, bad casino puns, a passing reference to grief, bad New England accents, and us loudly talking about how we’re in season two now and that’s why we were on such a long hiatus. We reference or spoil: No Story ...

In this episode we discuss the 1997 film George of the Jungle. You can stream it on Disney+, or rent it on Amazon or YouTube. Content warnings for strong language, discussion of abusive relationships, unhealthy eating, toxic masculinity, randomly insulting the name “Brandon”, and Pippin insisting that George is her babygirl We reference or spoil: the Tarzan books by Edgar Rice Burroughs, Jane Goodall, parody movies such as Epic Movie, capuchin monkey, Into the Woods, Brendan Fraser, Hugh Jackm...

In this episode we discuss the 2001 film Ocean’s Eleven. You can rent it from Amazon, YouTube, or iTunes. Content warnings for strong language, casual crime, discussions of the patriarchy, being mean to Kat right off the bat, and Kat taking that as a challenge We reference or spoil: Ocean’s 11 (1960), Bernie Mac, cockney rhyming slang, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Elvis music (specifically “A Little Less Conversation”), X-Files episode “Jose Chung’s From Outer Space”, Dawson’s Creek, One Tree Hi...

In this episode we discuss the upcoming video game The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Content warnings for strong language, mentions of borderline beastiality (between a human and a humanoid fish), time travel, and theorizing with absolutely no information. We reference or spoil: The Legend of Zelda franchise as a whole, Howl’s Moving Castle, Castle in the Sky, Princess Mononoke, Angel the Series episode “Dead End”, Steven Universe “Here Comes a Thought”, Mobile Fighter G Gundam, the o...

In this episode we once again play a game of our own devising called “Wheel of Tropes.” We use random TV Tropes, entries from Diana Wynne Jones‘s The Tough Guide to Fantasyland, a tarot card deck, and crayon colors. Content warnings for strong language, references to eugenics, too many references to “eyes”, and Kat steamrolling over everyone because they’re being precious about their process. We reference or spoil: blorbos from our shows, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Firefly, Tenacious D, The Muppets (2011), Sta...

In this episode we discuss the 2020 film Wonder Woman 1984. You can stream it on HBO Max or rent it from Amazon or YouTube. Content warnings for strong language, Lack of consent, bodyswap, bodily autonomy, discussion of depression and suicidal ideation, and a special guest appearance by Jasper the dog. We reference or spoil: Into the Woods (musical), Schitt’s Creek, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, spiders georg meme, Fuller House, The Legend of Zelda, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Ba...

In this episode we talk about an original story idea by Alex. It involves robots and AI! Content warnings for strong language, robots, the problem of machine learning and algorithms, catholicism, Kat really having no idea how video game genre conventions work, and Kat and Pippin being in the same room. We reference or spoil: The Prestige (movie and book), No Story is Sacred episode “Cabin in the Woods”, Empire Records, The Carpenters “Close to You“, The Mitchells vs the Machines, “behold a man...

In this episode we discuss the 2022 film Dog. You can stream it on Amazon Prime or rent it from Google Play or Apple TV. Content warnings for strong language, PTSD, war, American military industrial complex, military propaganda in American film, on-screen photograph of injured dog, discussion of dog injury and trauma, descriptions of animal cruelty, discussion of suicide and its repercussions, discussion of driving while under the influence, on-screen seizure and medical distress, disability mi...

In this episode we discuss the 1952 film Singin’ in the Rain. You can stream it on HBO Max or rent it from Amazon or YouTube. Content warnings for strong language, Kat doing a terrible version of Lina Lamont’s accent, Pippin’s evil queer punnery laughter, and too many DREAM BALLETS. We reference or spoil: “Be a Clown” by Cole Porter, Iron Man (2008), Apollo 13 (1995), A Clockwork Orange (1972), The Muppet Show (Gene Kelly hosts, episode 97, S05E01), Of Muppets and Men (1981), Wizard of Oz (193...

In this episode we discuss the 2004 film Van Helsing. You can watch it on Peacock or rent it from Amazon or YouTube. Content warnings for strong language, oviposition, and references to incest and pandemics (though not at the same time). We reference or spoil: Mary Shelley‘s Frankenstein, Robert Louis Stevenson’s Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Dracula Daily, Vampire: The Masquerade, Mage the Ascension, What We Do In the Shadows (TV), What We Do In the Shadows (film), Jupiter Ascendin...

In this episode we discuss the 1996 film Mission: Impossible. You can watch it on Paramount+ or rent it from Amazon or YouTube. Content warnings for strong language, discussions of modern politics, sexualized violence, and Pippin podcasting with a cold . We reference or spoil: Galaxy Quest, Middleditch and Schwartz, Friends, Cold Comfort Farm, Warhammer 40K, Industrial Light and Magic, Henson Muppet Workshop, book codes, Leverage, The DaVinci Code (film), Mulan, Suicide Squad, Captain America:...

In this episode we once again play a game of our own devising called “Wheel of Tropes.” We use random TV Tropes, entries from Diana Wynne Jones‘s The Tough Guide to Fantasyland, and The Cryptid Factor podcast and Discord server. Content warnings for strong language, general horror vibes, and Kat gasping a lot because they experience the wonder of the world. We reference or spoil: simulation theory, catboys, “human knot” tv trope, The Matrix, Zybourne Clock, The Beatles‘s “Hey Jude“, Jim Henson...

In this episode we discuss the 2022 film Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness. You can watch it on Disney+ or rent it from Amazon or YouTube. Content warnings for strong language, discussions of horror tropes, body horror, and dunking on Reed Richards We reference or spoil: Evil Dead, Angel: the Series, Midsommar, New Mutants, Blair Witch Project, MCU, Star Trek: The Original Series, Marvel’s What If…?, Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill, Dogma, Shuma-Gorath, The Sandman, WandaVisi...

In this episode three of us speculate about the upcoming 2023 film Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. You can watch the trailer on YouTube. Content warnings for strong language, so so many D&D jokes that Kat doesn’t get, and Brendan still not letting Kat play an angry camel. We reference or spoil: Dungeons & Dragons (tabletop game), Dungeons and Dragons (2000 film), San Diego Comic-Con, Chris Perkins trailer monster manual video, Waterdeep (D&D city), Waterdeep: Dragon Heist, Bridgerto...

In this episode we discuss an original story idea by Pippin! Content warnings for strong language, discussions of contaminated food, Kat and Pippin sniping at each other, coffee puns, and dunking on academia We reference or spoil: Digiorno pizza, Parks and Rec “I have never done anything wrong in life”, Bo Burnham’s “Content”, Star Wars Holiday Special, Ulysses, House of Leaves, Wheel of Time, The Epic of Gilgamesh, Tale of Genji, Nibelungenlied, The Lord of the Rings, Death of a Salesman, Ham...

In this episode we discuss the 2011 film Green Lantern. You can watch it on HBO Max or rent it from Amazon or YouTube. Content warnings for strong language, discussion of suicidal ideation, early Ryan Reynolds, and Kat making noises. We reference or spoil: The Matrix, Tom Jones‘s “You Can Leave Your Hat On“, Citizen Kane, The Dark Knight Rises, nuclear waste warnings (“there is nothing of honor here”), Star Trek, Dr. Strange, It (2017), Cutting Crew‘s “(I Just) Died in Your Arms Tonight“, The ...

It’s the fifth Wednesday minisode! In this shorter episode we talk about some of our favorite tropes! Content warnings for strong language, bad accents, catholic on main, and so many Taika Waititi namedrops. We reference or spoil: Alexa, “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” by Wham!, XFiles, “Amazon Alexa will be able to mimic deceased loved ones’ voices”, “Shots” by LMFAO, Car Talk, Chris Evans’ accent, Taika Waititi and Chris Evans’ Lightyear interviews, Taika Waititi on The Late Show with Stephen ...

In this episode we finally discuss the 1995 film Clueless. You can rent it from Amazon, YouTube, or iTunes. Content warnings for strong language, nonconsensual kiss, attempted sexual assault, gun robbery, r slur (referenced), disordered eating (quoted), not respecting consent, as well as Stories of Our Youth and Our Weird Fuckin Vibes We reference or spoil: Hades, Our Flag Means Death, Eternal Darkness, William Goldman‘s The Princess Bride, Jane Austen‘s Emma, The Martian muppets, Seventeen Ma...

In this episode, Brendan, Pippin, and Alex talk about what they’ve been watching and reading lately. Content warnings for strong language, eye trauma, body horror, breaking the fourth wall, and references to gossip that we refuse to elaborated on . We reference or spoil: The Nanny, Hades, Our Flag Means Death, Eternal Darkness, Clueless, “All Out of Love” by Air Supply, Paul Rudd, Ant-Man, Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers, Ugly Sonic, Galaxy Quest, Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, “Too Much Stereo” by The...

In this episode, Brendan, Pippin, and Alex discuss the 2002 video game Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem. It was available on the Nintendo Gamecube. It has not been rereleased. Content warnings for strong language, significant discussion of and reference to mental illness, derangement, and derealization/dissociation as pertaining to the gameworld and gameplay, mentions of formative traumatic media, recollections of a real child feeling significant fear, mentions of police and police ineffectiv...