Robot or Not? 326: Spiders and Other Bugs

Will the team steal a magic painting and get away scott free with zero consequences to return to accolades and riches? Not without generous dollops of magic, violence, and a grab bag of foes in our thrilling conclusion! Tony Sindelar with Aleen Simms, Annette Wierstra, Kathy Campbell and Monty Ashley.

Listener Kev needs us to unpack John’s comment about “spiders and other bugs.” Does that mean spiders are bugs? And what are the other bugs? Spooky! John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

We celebrate the 50th anniversary of the longest-running theatrical run of all time—“The Rocky Horror Picture Show”! It’s an unapologetic musical about being yourself (and giving yourself over to pleasure). It spawned a cultural phenomenon that’s still evolving, and making some of us feel old! If you’re a weirdo, you’re welcome here. Erika Ensign with Monty Ashley, Shelly Brisbin, Antony Johnston and Brian Hamilton.

Each season has its quota of film noir. So here we go. “A former boxer turned taxi driver earns the scorn of his nagging wife and gets mixed up with jewel thieves.” It’s a B picture with fun performances, one of my favorite things. Meet John Payne, Evelyn Keyes and Brad Dexter, a non-superstar lineup that nonetheless pops off the screen. Shelly Brisbin with Philip Michaels, Randy Dotinga and Nathan Alderman.

Style and subterfuge intermingle as our heroes sweet-talk a gang of thieves into letting them infiltrate their headquarters and abscond with a painting that may or may not have magical properties. Tony Sindelar with Aleen Simms, Annette Wierstra, Kathy Campbell and Monty Ashley.

On this episode we pull a bit of a Time Travelling Dad and jump way back thousands of years to learn the stories of some Wakanda’s famous War Dogs. From the Sea Peoples to the 20th century each episode takes a slice of history and explores through the eyes of a Wakandan agent out to keep the secret and power of vibranium from falling into the wrong hands. Dan Moren, John Moltz and Guy English.

We’re back on the Marvel movies with “Thunderbolts*”, a film that (to our surprise?) is not a nihilistic story about villains pretending to be heroes (see: Suicide Squad), but instead a story about some troubled not-quite-heroes learning that they can be better if they connect to other people and work on their own issues. But also with explosions and fights and stuff. Jason Snell with Lisa Schmeiser, Erika Ensign, Moisés Chiullán and Glenn Fleishman.

Fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a bumpy podcast. Bette Davis in her most iconic role, attempts to fend off the usurping Anne Baxter. The drama plays out in the New York theatre. There’s a witty script and a delightful supporting cast, along with many legends about how this film came together. Come and feast with us around the camp fire. Shelly Brisbin with Micheline Maynard, Nathan Alderman and Randy Dotinga.

Lex and Brian are back, and certainly missed you, dear listener. Sam’s back too, and Dana’s a bit “psyched out”. Meanwhile, the team lands an interview with Michael Jordan, but turns out there are strings attached; and Casey has to figure out how to talk to a bunch of 5th graders. What could go wrong? We’ll let you know as we do what we do: Sorkin’ In It. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

It’s the return of Mind Meld, but this time it’s a spoooOOOooky edition, just in time for Halloween, autumn, leaves falling, pumpkins, and so on. Let’s hope everyone agrees on enough stuff to get points. Tony Sindelar and Kathy Campbell with Annette Wierstra, Brian Warren, Dan Moren, Erika Ensign and Shelly Brisbin.