Agents of SMOOCH 133: Always Be the Colonel Brandon

The highest-grossing film of all time is straight-up sci-fi and yet in 15 years at this place we’ve never talked about it. That ends now, as we put on our oxygen masks and venture out into the moon of Pandora to meet the local Na’vi and the interloper Sky People and discuss why James Cameron’s “Avatar” became an enormous hit and then disappeared entirely (other than the theme-park attactions) until re-emerging with a sequel that was also an enormous hit. Jason Snell with Erika Ensign, Brian Warren, Brian Hamilton and Chip Sudderth.

The Austenheads return. For today’s mission, we return to Austen with the 1995 adaptation of Sense and Sensibility. This movie is packed with stars, beautiful scenery, and romance…and add in a flatulent horse. But we must also delve into inheritance laws and what is wrong with Mansfield Park. Annette Wierstra with Amanda-Rae Prescott, Sandra Wong, Shelly Brisbin and Moisés Chiullán.

It’s the penultimate episode of Season 1 of Sports Night, and we learn that Casey’s “plan” isn’t as much of a plan… or is it? Meanwhile the fellas can’t seem to find their pants, Dana confronts Gordon, and Jeremy can’t stop talking about blood. That all may sound a bit weird, but don’t worry, Lex and Brian have your back. Let’s go Sorkin’ In It. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

Welcome back to “Inconceivable!”, the show that tests two teams’ knowledge of the nerdy, the useless, and the obscure. In this battle for the ages, our panelists try to figure out which item doesn’t belong, consider some superhero recasting, and suss out some popular movies from bad reviews. It’s Brian Hamilton, Kelly Guimont, and Mikah Sargent versus Glenn Fleishman, Shelly Brisbin, and Jason Snell as host Dan Moren and guest scorekeeper Kat Benesh oversee proceedings. Dan Moren and Kat Benesh with Brian Hamilton, Kelly Guimont, Mikah Sargent, Glenn Fleishman, Shelly Brisbin and Jason Snell.

To celebrate our 500th episode, we bring you the only TPK recorded entirely in person! It’s an extra-long session recorded around a table, complete with the sounds of dice rolling, soda-pop cans opening, and chairs scraping the floor as people move around. The only way to feel more like you’re there is to watch the 360° version on a VR headset! This episode kicks off another Candlekeep mystery in which N’iss, Naiasa, Valenthe, Merdri, and Quewaris investigate a trembling tower. Tony Sindelar with Annette Wierstra, Dan Moren, James Thomson, Jason Snell and Nick Scott.

We didn’t forget about Comic Books so this week we’re doing a Book Club. We cover the run of New Avengers that reintroduces The Sentry to the Marvel comic universe. A celebrated comic run of a hero lost to all history and then remembered and reborn. Dan Moren, John Moltz and Guy English.

Seattle, Day One. It’s time for a pretty big conversation about the Seraphites and the WLF, but we also get some incredible recreations of jaw-dropping moments from the video game. Plus, how warped are the records in the record store? Does U-Haul still exist in the apocalypse? How will the rest of the season be structured? Ben Rice McCarthy and Brian Hamilton.

Listener Jason (not host Jason) wants to know if “non-tech items” are really tech items. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

Grab a penny, pick it up, and all day long you’ll have good luck. This episode hit us like a bad penny, though, and the more we think about it the more we’re bothered. We lament the lack of Doctor and Belinda, but welcome back Ruby Sunday and her family. And just remember: podcasters are the real villains. Jason Snell, Erika Ensign and Chip Sudderth.

A rebellion is afoot! Your Star Wars pals Dan, Tony, and Kat return to discuss this second triptych of Andor season 2, including revenge as therapy, the tension of talking about art, and the importance of cake—especially because it’s our 100th episode! Lucasfilm Dan Moren, Tony Sindelar and Kat Benesh.