Media Matters Podcast Network

Series 8, Episode 9 - "They had to make an android titty plate!"Saddle up, pardners! Hit or Miss: Star Trek is heading back to the holodeck and riding into the Wild West with TNG’s “A Fistful of Datas”! Join Sheriff Michael Wilson, frequent deputy Justin Avery Smith, and a familiar face stepping out of the shadows, Captain Janey of Trans Slumber Party, for a rootin’, tootin’ discussion of Worf, Alexander, Troi, Data and the Enterprise’s most dysfunctional cowboy adventure! We’ll be discussing the episode’s Western tropes, character comedy, Brent Spiner’s gloriously varied performances, Troi’s unforgettable turn as Durango, Worf’s attempts at fatherhood, and Patrick Stewart’s enthusiastic direction. We’ll also delve into the behind-the-scenes stories, the episode’s many homages, and ask the most important question of all: who would actually win in a quick-draw between a Klingon and an android? Before we get there, though, there’s holodeck history, Hit or Miss picks, and plenty of other Trek nonsense to get through. And with Justin and Janey in the same room, things occasionally get… a little less orderly than a Starfleet briefing. Expect tangents, strong language, questionable behaviour and several moments where the podcast goes wandering very firmly off the beaten trail. So grab your six-shooter, keep one eye on the barmaid, and join us for another chaotic trip through the Final Frontier!NB: This episode was recorded before the passing of Sir Patrick Stewart. May he rest in peace. He made it so. LinksFollow Justin;Meta platforms - @justinaverysmithNon-meta - @justaverysmithFollow Captain Janey;Bluesky - @captain.janey.gayTransslumberparty.comFollow Mike and the podcast all over the internet via linktr.ee/mikespodsHost /Editor/Producer - Michael K. WilsonCo-host - Justin Avery SmithCreated by Michael K. WilsonBased on a format by Michael Wilson & Will Templar"They could subvert the titling and call it "For a Few Dollars Lore!""

"Someone once told me that time was a predator that stalked us all our lives. But I rather believe that time is a companion who goes with us on the journey, and reminds us to cherish every moment because they'll never come again. What we leave behind is not as important how we've lived. After all, Number One, we're only mortal." It's been a hard week and a period of deep mourning for the Star Trek community, with the loss of both Walter Koenig, the original Pavel Chekov, and Sir Patrick Stewart, the legendary Jean-Luc Picard. At a time like this, it didn't feel appropriate to carry on with our usual Hit or Miss: Star Trek schedule, and so this week's planned episode has been postponed until next Sunday (November 8th). In its place, host and show creator Michael Wilson wanted to take this opportunity to pay tribute to two fine actors, particularly one who has arguably impacted his life more than any other actor or character. He shares his own eulogies, a personal anecdote or two, and some raw feelings. We've also invited friends of the podcast to contribute, and several have come forward with their own written, audio and video tributes, which we've included in this special episode. We hope you'll join us in celebrating two of Star Trek's greats, and allow us this moment of sadness and reflection. Their legacies are truly in the stars now. We will remember them. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in honour of Sir Patrick Stewart may be made to: • Johns Hopkins Alzheimer's Disease Research Center Fund https://alzresearch.org/giving/ • Alzheimer's Foundation of America – Caregiver Resources https://alzfdn.org/donate/ A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to this episode. "I was never that young." "No. You were younger."

Cinema Classics Number 32 - "It's a perfect night for mystery and horror. The air itself is filled with monsters." It’s a Silver Screen Cinema Classics Halloween Special Double Feature! 🎃 Mad scientist Michael is joined by assistant Sandy for a double dose of classic horror as we travel back to the golden age of Universal Monsters to revisit James Whale’s Frankenstein (1931) and its equally legendary sequel, Bride of Frankenstein (1935)! From Boris Karloff’s iconic Monster and the unforgettable imagery that helped define horror cinema to the increasingly sympathetic creature at the heart of the sequel, we’re exploring what makes these films such enduring classics. We discuss their striking production design, pioneering special effects, memorable performances, fascinating themes and the ways they challenged the censors of their day. We also get into the sequel’s bold creative choices, its darker humour, and whether it really does improve on the original. And, of course, we have plenty to say about that iconic Bride! Nearly a century after the original brought Frankenstein’s Monster to life on the big screen, these films remain hugely influential, even if a few elements haven’t aged quite as gracefully. So grab your torches, lock your doors, and join us for a Halloween double bill where the experiments are questionable, the monsters are misunderstood, and the cinematic legacy is very much ALIVE! Links: Find Mike and the podcast all over the internet via https://linktr.ee/mikespods Follow Mike on Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/g479 Follow the podcast on Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/3xH6 Music Composed and Performed by Al Trotter • Follow Al on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Dap8b58TT/ • Follow Al on YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCENf_17-Bi8HitVg7w5rd9Q?si=3_7ZCmLXLAp4-f3F Join the Silver Screen Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/329752622011042/?ref=share E-mail us at [email protected] Created, Hosted and Written by Michael Wilson Co-hosted by Sandra Eavenson Edited and Produced by Mike Wilson. "To a new world of gods and monsters!"

D.K's Cult Classics Episode 53 (Halloween Special 2026) - "One, two, Freddy's coming for you..." Spooky season is upon us, and the dead have returned. That's right, for one night only, Cult Classics has risen from the grave for a special Halloween episode. Join the man of your dreams, D.K. and his gaggle of somnambulists, Mike, Nita and Ian, as they head down to 1428 Elm Street and hang with the man in the hat, Fred Kruger. Who will survive? Listen in, and find out! Links: Follow Ian: https://soundcloud.com/ians3d Follow Nita everywhere: @Sci-FiQueens Follow D.K everywhere via linktr.ee/altmovies Find the podcast all over the internet via https://linktr.ee/mikespods Follow DK on Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/4upxV Follow the podcast on Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/3xH61 Join the Silver Screen Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/329752622011042/?ref=share E-mail us at [email protected] Created, written & hosted by DK. Produced by DK Edited by Michael Wilson Executively Produced by Mike Wilson Special thanks to Lady Vean "I take back every bit of energy I gave you. You're nothing. You're shit."

Series 8, Episode 8 - ""He's stopping everything in the middle of a war to go be petty." It’s baseball time on Deep Space 9 as Hit or Miss: Star Trek heads into the holosuite for a very special sporting event! In “Take Me Out to the Holosuite”, Captain Sisko takes on the Vulcan Captain Solok and his team of Logicians, forcing the crew of the station to learn the finer points of America’s favourite pastime. Michael Wilson is joined by DK, tagging in for Justin, and regular team player Lady Vean for a game that proves there’s much more at stake than simply winning. We discuss what makes this such an enjoyable change of pace for DS9, from the cast throwing themselves into the comedy to the episode’s surprisingly heartfelt message about camaraderie, teamwork and finding victory in defeat. But not everything hits the sweet spot, as we also take issue with the episode’s portrayal of the Vulcans, Sisko’s increasingly heated behaviour and some of the more uncomfortable moments surrounding the “friendly” rivalry. So grab your glove, keep your eye on the ball and try not to shout “death to the opposition!” as we step up to the plate and ask whether “Take Me Out to the Holosuite” is a home run or a swing and a miss. ⚾ Links: Follow Vean - @LadyVean Facebook - Veantirme Chevalier Follow D.K everywhere via linktr.ee/altmovies Follow Mike and the podcast all over the internet via linktr.ee/mikespods Host /Editor/Producer - Michael K. Wilson Co-host - D.K Created by Michael K. Wilson Based on a format by Michael Wilson & Will Templar "There's a lot of racial "oof" in this episode."

Series 8, Episode 7 - "Their treehouse got destroyed in the hurricane!" Ah, we're back! Welcome aboard the good ship Hit or Miss: Star Trek as we resume our mission to explore the many strange and wonderful ways Star Trek has used the holodeck. This time, we're heading to the picturesque Irish village of Fair Haven as Captain Janeway discovers that even a holographic romance can come with a few complications. Captain Michael Wilson is joined by regular First Officer Justin O'Smith and the lovely Lady Vean O'Clare for a look at the infamous Voyager episode Fair Haven. And while the three of us don't exactly see eye-to-eye on everything this time around, Michael and Vean find themselves engaged in a particularly spirited — but always good-natured — debate, with Justin stepping in as something of a mediator as we try to work out whether there's more to this holodeck romance than meets the eye. Before we dive into the episode itself, we open the hailing frequencies for another round of Hit or Miss and discuss how we spent Star Trek Day before heading into the storm. From the questionable historical authenticity of Fair Haven and its rather peculiar approach to Irish culture, to Harry Kim's latest romantic misadventures and Janeway's increasingly uncomfortable attempts to redesign Michael Sullivan to her liking, there's certainly plenty for us to discuss. We also examine the episode's portrayal of loneliness, the ethics of changing someone to fit your ideal partner, the questionable logic surrounding the holodeck, and whether Janeway ultimately learns the right lesson. We also have a little poetry, some thoughts on the performances and production, a particularly amusing line involving Father Mulligan, and our usual final verdicts. But will Justin and Vean be able to talk Mike down from the edge or will it be a case of "delete the episode"? Links:Follow Justin at justinaverysmith.com Facebook and Instagram - Justinaverysmith BlueSky - [email protected] TikTok - @justaverysmith YouTube - @JustAVerySmith Follow Vean - @LadyVean Facebook - Veantirme Chevalier Follow Mike and the podcast all over the internet via linktr.ee/mikespodHost /Editor/Producer - Michael K. Wilson Co-host - Justin Avery Smith Created by Michael K. Wilson Based on a format by Michael Wilson & Will Templar "Actually, they probably shouldn't have done this."

Episode 166 - "You know, Bob, long distance relationships can be difficult, especially when one of you is dead and the other is ignoring you for thirty years." In loving memory of Catherine O’Hara. Hello and welcome, friends, to an ending… and a beginning! Our mini sequel season comes to a close as we kick off spooky season with a return to the afterlife and the Ghost with the Most in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice! Michael Wilson is joined by co-host D.K. and returning guest Lady Vean to see whether this long-awaited sequel was worth the wait. We discuss our first impressions before getting into the film’s development, Tim Burton’s return, the decision to bring back so many familiar faces while leaving the Maitlands behind, and whether the story has enough substance of its own or leans a little too heavily on nostalgia. We also debate the performances, including Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder’s returns, Jenna Ortega’s Astrid, the new additions to the cast and, of course, the late, great Catherine O’Hara. We also take a look at Burton’s distinctive visual style, the practical effects and CGI, Danny Elfman’s returning score and some very memorable musical moments. Finally, we pick our favourite characters, moments and lines before giving our verdicts on whether Beetlejuice Beetlejuice manages to recapture the strange charm of the original — and whether it really needed to come back from the dead in the first place! So grab your Handbook for the Recently Deceased and join us for another Silver Screen Podcast review! Links: Find D.K everywhere via http://linktr.ee/dannykingdom Find Mike and the podcast all over the internet via https://linktr.ee/mikespods Follow Mike on Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/g479 Follow the podcast on Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/3xH6 Music Composed and Performed by Al Trotter • Follow Al on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Dap8b58TT/ • Follow Al on YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCENf_17-Bi8HitVg7w5rd9Q?si=3_7ZCmLXLAp4-f3F Join the Silver Screen Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/329752622011042/?ref=share E-mail us at [email protected] Hosted by Michael Wilson Co-hosted by D.K Written by Michael Wilson Additional Material by D.K Created, Edited and Produced by Mike Wilson "I want to make memories with people I love, rather than be haunted by them later."

Episode 165 - "We might need to work on your sales pitch, son. "The El Royale: no place for a priest"." Sometimes a film just deserves a little more attention. This week on the Silver Screen Podcast, we're checking into the mysterious El Royale for a review of Drew Goddard's stylish, sprawling and criminally underseen 2018 neo-noir thriller, Bad Times at the El Royale. Joining Michael Wilson are three fantastic guests: regular friend of the show Tobi, Will from Who Gameshows and his own YouTube channel, and first-time guest Carla. With a hotel sitting directly on the California–Nevada border, seven strangers with secrets of their own, and a story that constantly shifts perspective, Bad Times at the El Royale is a film packed with mysteries, moral ambiguity and hidden depths. We discuss its intricate plotting, themes of morality, faith, redemption and identity, and the question at the heart of the film: who actually gets to decide what is right and what is wrong? We also take a closer look at Drew Goddard's direction, the film's striking production design and cinematography, its use of colour and framing, the ingenious one-way mirror sequence, and the decision to shoot Cynthia Erivo's musical performances live on set. And speaking of Cynthia Erivo... there's plenty of love for Darlene Sweet and one of the film's most powerful performances. We discuss the brilliant ensemble cast, the 1960s setting, Michael Giacchino's score, the soundtrack, the film's shifting timelines and perspectives, its third-act problems, its box-office disappointment, and why a movie that came so close to greatness may nevertheless be worth revisiting. And, naturally, we reveal where Bad Times at the El Royale lands on the Silver Screen scoreboard. So check in, choose your side of the line, and whatever you do... Don't trust the mirrors. Links: Follow Tobi on BlueSky - @Darksonic.bsky.social Follow Carla on Instagram - @carlamphotog Follow Will on YouTube - youtube.com/@WhoGameshows ​ Find Mike and the podcast all over the internet via https://linktr.ee/mikespods Follow Mike on Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/g479 Follow the podcast on Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/3xH6 Music Composed and Performed by Al Trotter • Follow Al on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Dap8b58TT/ • Follow Al on YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCENf_17-Bi8HitVg7w5rd9Q?si=3_7ZCmLXLAp4-f3F Join the Silver Screen Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/329752622011042/?ref=share E-mail us at [email protected] Created, Hosted and Written by Michael Wilson. Edited and Produced by Mike Wilson. "Thank y'all for coming to listen to me tonight. It means a lot to me."

Series 2, Episode 10 - "Well I know Telford isn't the most desirable place to work but it seems a little extreme to brainwash your staff into accepting it." Hello TARDIS travellers and Cyber Fans, and welcome back to Hit or Miss: Doctor Who! After a little time spent exploring the final frontier, we're back in the TARDIS to continue our Cybermen season — and this time, we're stepping away from television altogether! For our first ever Big Finish review, Mike, D.K. and returning guest Stephen from Adventures in Space and Time take a trip into the world of Doctor Who audio to discuss Human Resources, the two-part finale to the first series of the Eighth Doctor Adventures. With Paul McGann's Eighth Doctor and Sheridan Smith's Lucie Miller at its heart, Human Resources takes us from the world of corporate recruitment to an altogether more terrifying job interview, as the Cybermen enter the picture and the Doctor finds himself facing one of his oldest and deadliest enemies. Before getting into the story itself, we take a look at Big Finish, the wider world of Doctor Who audio and some of our favourite Cybermen appearances outside television. We also discuss the uncertain future of Doctor Who on television and consider what we'd like to see when — and if — the TARDIS returns to our screens. Then it's time for Human Resources: its writing, humour and corporate satire, the performances, Nicholas Briggs' direction, the excellent sound design and production, and some genuinely fantastic twists and surprises along the way. Is Part One merely laying the groundwork for an explosive second half? How effectively are the Cybermen used? And can a story set around office life really make us fear the workplace more than we already do? Links for Stephen: • Adventures in Time and Space: A Doctor Who Podcast: https://open.spotify.c...​ • Gene Genie Reviews: A Life on Mars/Ashes to Ashes Podcast: https://open.spotify.c...​ • You Can't Handle The Review! - A Film Review Podcast: https://open.spotify.c...​ • Email: [email protected]. • Thistle Podcasts Facebook page: https://www.facebook.c...​ • ThistlePodcasts Instagram Page: https://www.instagram....​ • Dr Who Pod Facebook: https://m.facebook.com...​ • Dr Who Pod Instagram: / adventuresintimeandspa... ​ Follow Mike and the podcasts all over the internet via linktr.ee/mikespods Follow Mike on Discord: MikeOfSteel#2913 Follow D.K everywhere via linktr.ee/dannykingdom Hosted and written by Michael Wilson Co-hosted and additional material by D.K Editor & Producer - Michael K. Wilson Created by Michael K. Wilson Based on a format by Will Templar "I did like Sheridan Smith in "Two Packets of Lager" and stuff like that."

Episode 164 - "Do you know that hawks and wolves mate for life? The Bishop didn't even leave us that... not even that." The 80s Fantasy Season may have ridden off into the sunset some time ago, but apparently the quest wasn't quite over yet... We're finally bringing you our planned-but-delayed review of Richard Donner's medieval fantasy adventure Ladyhawke! Joining host Michael for this long-awaited return to the world of knights, curses and animal transformations are Sandy, stepping into the breach once again, and Adrienne, the very person responsible for putting Ladyhawke on our original 80s Fantasy Season list! Before we get into our verdict, we're taking a look behind the scenes at how Ladyhawke came together, Richard Donner's long struggle to get the film made, the inspirations behind the story, its unusual casting history, and the rather infamous decision to give a medieval fantasy film a synthesiser-heavy, progressive-rock-inspired soundtrack. We also look at the performances, direction, locations, production design and visual effects, and why Ladyhawke can sometimes look considerably more convincing than it feels narratively. Finally, we reveal our scores and ask the all-important question: does Ladyhawke deserve its cult reputation? Or is there more magic here to be found? Links: ​ Find Mike and the podcast all over the internet via https://linktr.ee/mikespods Follow Mike on Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/g479 Follow the podcast on Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/3xH6 Music Composed and Performed by Al Trotter • Follow Al on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Dap8b58TT/ • Follow Al on YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCENf_17-Bi8HitVg7w5rd9Q?si=3_7ZCmLXLAp4-f3F Join the Silver Screen Podcast Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/329752622011042/?ref=share E-mail us at [email protected] The Silver Screen Podcast is also available WHEREVER you get your audio podcasts. Created, Hosted and Written by Michael Wilson. Edited and Produced by Mike Wilson. "I told the truth, Lord. How can I learn any moral lessons when you keep confusing me this way?"