Robot or Not? 315: 10th Anniversary Episode

This episode of Agents of SMOOCH is a spoiler-light mission to convince you to watch the most Canadian of mystery shows: Murdoch Mysteries. This series, set in the 1890s to 1910s, is 18 seasons long and still going. We discuss the series’ ability to be serious and light-hearted, tackle social issues and zombies while staying true to itself. And - of course - we delve into the many romantic entanglements. We give no mysteries away and hope that by the end, you will be drawn into the world of Detective Murdoch with us. AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT! This is the last episode before we go into the summer break. We will be back in the fall. Until then, stay safe, Agents! Annette Wierstra with Amanda-Rae Prescott.

Lex and Brian don’t know if women have special powers, but maybe Aaron Sorkin does. Season two of Sports Night kicks off with a killer montage as Casey tries to work up the courage to ask Dana out. Jeremy and Natalie are fighting. Isaac’s back. There’s a lot to unpack - and a lot to love. You’re listening to Sorkin’ In It on the Incomparable podcast network, so stick around. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

Let’s get back to basics. We celebrate our improbable 10th anniversary with a letter from Listener Scott, who has a lot of questions about his son’s book “Science Comics: Robots and Drones.” John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

Once again, it’s “Inestimable,” a show that answers the question: how many? how big? and, never, why???? On this episode, host Glenn Fleishman tortures guests Brian Hamilton, Liz Myles, Jason Snell, and Annette Wierstra about how many things fit inside other things, the Top 100 Billboard chart, sewage, movie math madness, and which came first. Scorekeeper Tony Sindelar abetted. Glenn Fleishman and Tony Sindelar with Brian Hamilton, Lizbeth Myles, Jason Snell and Annette Wierstra.

Listener Paul doubts the efficacy of the Bay Leaf. Host John ponders the longevity of Spices. Host Jason admits to keeping spices 15 years past their expiration dates. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

Who’s ready for a nice calm break from the chaos of Seattle? Casey Liss joins Ben and Brian for an all-flashback episode where we finally get the context for Joel and Ellie’s falling out that we’ve been missing up until now. Grab your Walkman and a cassette, we recommend listening to this one with your eyes closed in a lunar module. Ben Rice McCarthy and Brian Hamilton with Casey Liss.

Time is ticking away, and our heroes don’t have much time to save Candlekeep from certain destruktion by … rocket ship tower? Will they make it? Tony Sindelar with Annette Wierstra, Dan Moren, James Thomson, Jason Snell and Nick Scott.

We’re back with another Giant Sized Superhero Sweep. On the docket this week is the new trailer for Superman, Peacemaker seaon 2, Ironheart, and Spider-Noir. It’s chock full of superheroes! Dan Moren, John Moltz and Guy English.

This is it: the end of the road. Andor comes to a close, and your Star Wars pals Dan, Tony, and Kat are here to cover the final episodes and discuss how we really feel about ziggurats, whether #KatWasRight, and what exactly Star Trek IV is remembered for. Lucasfilm Dan Moren, Tony Sindelar and Kat Benesh.

This week Eurovision meets Doctor Who as the Doctor and Belinda steal the luxury box of our new favorite couple, Gary and Mike, and stumble into a scheme to avenge a planetary crime with a galaxy-spanning crime. Also: some surprise guest characters appear who are never, ever supposed to appear, but somehow have! And we gird ourselves for the inevitable RTD Finale Fireworks. Jason Snell and Erika Ensign.