Robot or Not? 343: Pizza Robot

By request, we take on this late-50s musical, directed by Stanley Donan. Our stars are Fred Astaire, Audrey Hepburn and Kay Thompson. (I’ll have lots to say about Kay.) Revolving, as it does around the fashion industry in Paris, Funny Face is pretty to look at, including many great costumes. It also features songs by the Gershwins and some better ones that are not by them. Shelly Brisbin with David Almeida, Lisa Schmeiser, Micheline Maynard, Erika Ensign and David J. Loehr.

A special Book Club panel provides an overview of Lois McMaster Bujold’s excellent Penric & Desdemona series of fantasy novellas (plus one novel). This series gives its characters time to learn, grow, and age. It’s got some perspectives you don’t see very often in fantasy fiction. We love it and think you will, too. Jason Snell with Aleen Simms, Erika Ensign, Kat Benesh and Dan Moren.

After a brief prelude in a Soviet gulag just to remind us how scary Irinia is (she’s not locked in here with, you, comrade, you’re locked in here with her!), the story moves back to Mars. The reveal of the secret plan to create Automation has led to civil unrest. Miles, Alex, and Lilly are feeling the pressure. Aleida feels betrayed by Dev… again. We are a bit puzzled by what Dev’s plan is. But it looks like, at long last, the people of Mars really are ready to rise up. But… then what? Dan Moren and Jason Snell.

Matt Saracen has a grandma. And a job. Oh, and he’s now officially QB1, after Jason Street learns he will never walk again. Lyla can’t stop visiting Jason, but Tim won’t even start. And Coach Taylor has a lot of pressure. But with the clear eyes of Lex and Brian guiding you through, dear listener, you can’t lose. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

The Keys are sent on another mission - this time for a heist in the Big City! The planning is … chaotic. Tony Sindelar with Annette Wierstra, Chip Sudderth, Monty Ashley and Kathy Campbell.

On this episode of Daredevil we interleave flashbacks with the ongoing story to learn a little more about our characters and what is motivating them to make the choices they’re making. Is Daredevil a better Arrow than Arrow? Dan Moren, John Moltz and Guy English.

Live from Estes Park, Colorado, listener Kyle has eaten at a pizza place where his food was delivered via a robot! But… is it a robot, or not? After a swift verdict, John and Jason then spend far more time digging deep on Antonio’s Pizza and what sort of pizza it provides to the people of Colorado. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

We complete our run through blades with “Blade Runner 2049,” a late sequel in which Ryan Gosling plays a replicant detective searching for an explosive secret that could change everything… and is unsurprisingly tied to characters from “Blade Runner.” We discuss why a replicant might need a holographic girlfriend, Jared Leto’s eyes, and once again, if Deckard is a replicant or not and why that really doesn’t matter. Jason Snell with John Siracusa, Erika Ensign, Dan Moren and Monty Ashley.

It’s time for a new generation to take charge. Back on Earth, we meet a surprising new character with a deep “For All Mankind” lineage. On Mars, Dev gives Alex a pep talk that goes rapidly awry. Aleida deals with a serious Mars hangover. And when he discovers a nefarious plan that might change Mars forever, Alex puts his vending machine hacking skills to use. Dan Moren and Jason Snell.

Fritz Lang directed a pair of noirs in the mid-40s, starring Edward G. Robinson, Joan Bennett and Dan Duryea. The other is Woman in the Window. In Scarlet Street Eddie G. Is a mild-mannered cashier who meets Kitty, a beauty who might not mean him well. And then Dan Duryea gets involved. Like any self-respecting noir classic, this one is nice to look at, and even features twelve paintings created for the film. In real-life, Eddie collected art and Dan Duryea was a nice man. Shelly Brisbin with Philip Michaels, Dr. Drang, Nathan Alderman and Micheline Maynard.