This week the word is Android. The nerds discuss their favorite androids, the differences between an android and a cyborg, what it means to be an human, etc. Next they discuss Justice League and Doom Patrol. After the spoiler warning, they discuss chapter 7.5 of S., and the first episodes of Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Raised by Wolves.
SPOILER WARNING: contains spoilers.
This week the word is SpaceOpera. First the nerds discuss various types of operas before focusing in on the various types of Space Operas. They also talk about Rock Operas, Horse Operas, Klingon Operas and Planetary Romances. Turning to work, they talk about ideas they’ve been having for running games for people using Zoom and such. Keith talks about the start of season 4 of Fargo, and shares his excitement about the new Right Stuff series that’s about to launch, plus Archer and Bob’s Burgers. Then they drop the spoiler curtain to talk about Star Trek: Lower Decks, before circling back to space operas again. Lastly, Keith complains about Animal Babies.
SPOILER WARNING: contains spoilers.
This week the word is Misunderstanding. Andy explains the point of confusion that led to an odd choice for the cartoon that happened a couple of weeks ago, and yammers about movies featuring VW Beetles, including Bumblebee, the Cars movies, and in particular, Herbie the Love Bug. Keith talks about The Repair Shop and things that make him feel old. He also talks about Knives Out and Rian Johnson’s style as a director, which gets both of them ranting about Star Wars movies again. They each talk a little about their current work projects, then they discuss a book called Ship of Theseus. After the spoiler warning they discuss The Witcher and The Mandalorian.
Spoiler warning: Contains Spoilers!
This week the word is Heist! The guys discuss classic heist movies and stories that follow the heist formula but aren’t usually thought of as heist stories. Keith describes a mind-melding heist RPG he’d like to run someday, and talks about the celebrity D&D game he just returned from filming. After the spoiler warning they discuss Mandalorian episodes 4-6, the season 1 finale of Watchmen, and Rick and Morty.
Spoiler warning: Contains Spoilers!
A note about this week’s cartoon: For those who may not recognize him, that’s Kylie from Fantastic Mr. Fox. But why Kylie and not Bilbo? We were confused too so we asked Goodloe. Turns out that since he just goes by the title and blurb when creating these cartoons, he didn’t realize the title was meant to refer to The Hobbit, and its 13 person team, and instead thought of The Lord of the Rings and the team of 9 that Gandalf anchors there. Then, as Goodloe explains, “Gandalf’s 13 would be playing off the trope of Oceans 11, 12, 13 etc where they add some weird tie in actor each sequel. So by the time they got to sequel 5 from the original 9 members of the fellowship it would be scraping the bottom of the sequel barrel and who else would be the worst member to add to the fellowship of the ring but the least capable member of another heist film.”
This week the word is Atlantis. Andy talks at length about a book called Fingerprints of the Gods. Then they talk a little about game design stuff before moving on to media. Keith talks about Carnival Row, the new Dark Crystal series, and season 3 of Legion. Then Andy talks about camping in his truck and seeing a few sights during his long drive back from Burning Man. Keith reminisces about the time he found himself at a creepy motel in remote Canada, and sends along a few photos. Lastly, Andy talks about another book he read during his travels, called Under the Red Sea Sun.
This week the word is clones and the nerds have a lot to say about that. Then they spend a lot of time speculating about new Star Wars stuff based on recently released trailers. Andy tells Keith about his trip to Burning Man, then Keith tells Andy about his trip to DragonCon. Lastly they lower the spoiler curtain for an in-depth review of the movie Yesterday.
SPOILER WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS
This week the nerds talk about the number nine. They have at least nine thoughts about it. Andy has elaborate ideas for what he would do if he suddenly got the job of writing Star Wars Episode 9, then Keith tosses out his own ideas for how to finish the trilogy of Star Wars trilogies. Moving on to other media, Keith talks about a new show called Homecoming, and Andy gives his reactions to season 2 of Babylon 5, which they compare with Deep Space 9.
SPOILER WARNING: INCLUDES VINTAGE SPOILERS
After some yammering, the guys talk about new products they are about to release. Keith has an expansion pack for Action Cats! coming out for Tabletop Day, and Andy is releasing Get the MacGuffin and Anatomy Fluxx this week. Andy talks about AwesomeCon and how well the first ever Get the MacGuffin tournaments worked out. Keith has more to say about Ready Player One, having read the book again in preparation for seeing the movie, and they discuss some of the basic issues they have with the entire premise, from a world builder’s perspective. Keith compares and contrasts it with a book called Anno Dracula. Then they get into answering a listener’s question about how much you need to know about the history of an art form in order to become a creator, leading to discussions of how inventors build upon earlier works, issues that come up when working with someone else’s intellectual property, and when you need to consult with an expert on specific subject matter. They discuss their collaboration on Cthulhu Fluxx at some length. Lastly they talk about Timeless, and the challenges of creating a compelling time travel show.
First Keith reports on his recent trip to his hometown of Ithaca NY. Andy mentions that this year’s Burning Man theme is “I, Robot” and Keith tells Andy about a new game being designed by friends of his called Inhuman Conditions, which is about trying to determine if your opponent is a robot or a human. Then they talk about tattoos people have gotten featuring images from their games. Andy tells Keith about a memorable hand of Action Cats! Then they spend more than half the show talking about Star Trek: Discovery, which Keith has finally gotten caught up on.
First Keith talks about how things went in the first session of his new D&D campaign, and about a D&D event he just returned from called Level Eater 8. Keith mentions a couple who went looking for a dog they could call Kevin. Andy mourns the passing of Joe Frank, recommends a book by Roz Chast called Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant?, and asks if Keith has thought about going to Burning Man. Keith tells a morbid story, then they get into a big discussion about Star Trek Discovery, including some minor spoilers. Behind the spoiler curtain they also discuss The Good Place, Electric Dreams, and Black Mirror.
SPOILER ALERT: Spoilers inside.