Robot or Not? 340: Out of Pocket

Listener Tom really wants us to explain what it means if someone is “out of pocket.” This leads to some existential questions about the pocket and the people who may not be in it. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

Steven and Erika finish off “Revenge of the Cybermen” — and Season 12 of Doctor Who! And no need to email us — immediately after recording, Steven discovered the “heartbeat” music cue was Peter Howell, not Carey Blyton. Erika regrets her incorrect guess! (Ok not really. No actual regrets. Everyone is wrong sometimes!) Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky.

Erika and Steven discuss what makes a good Cybermen story, and whether this is that. Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky.

Steven and Erika issue corrections, then talk about direction, music, and other assorted nonsense. Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky.

Erika and Steven (finally) dive into the first Cybermen story they’ve covered in ages! Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky.

The son of a man convicted of murder faces bullying, then suspicion when he is accused of a crime, too. Directed by Frank Borzage, the film is moody, dark and a bit gothic. Dane Clark and Gail Russell are your leads, with a late-film appearance by Ethel Barrymore. And you’ll hate young Lloyd Bridges. Noir czar Eddie Muller calls Borzage ‘relentlessly romantic,” which is a huge contrast to this film, which Muller ranks it among his top 25 noir films. Shelly Brisbin with Randy Dotinga, Nathan Alderman and Micheline Maynard.

The team is clearly eyeing their future while the fate of the network lies in the balance. Rebecca returns, Natalie and Jeremy are back with full hearts in orbit around each other, and Clark Gregg is there with his inexplicable sideburns. It’s the final episode of Sports Night; but, don’t worry friends, it’s not the final episode of Sorkin’ In It. Want to know what we’re doing next? Stick around. This episode is can’t miss. The future? Can’t lose. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

Jason was on “Jeopardy!” Now he breaks the experience down with the help of two former “Jeopardy!” champions, Glenn Fleishman and Dan Moren. Jason Snell with Dan Moren and Glenn Fleishman.

Welcome back to “Inconceivable!”, the show that tests two teams’ knowledge of the nerdy, the useless, and the obscure. This time around, our panelists must divine means of telling the future, identify portrayers of the world’s greatest detective not named Batman, and untangle mashed-up superhero song titles. Kathy Campbell, Chip Sudderth, and Shelly Brisbin take on Monty Ashley, Annette Wierstra, and Tony Sindelar in a battle of wits to the pain as host Dan Moren and scorekeeper Lex Friedman keep order. Dan Moren and Lex Friedman with Kathy Campbell, Chip Sudderth, Shelly Brisbin, Monty Ashley, Annette Wierstra and Tony Sindelar.

Only the worst battles are followed by an autopsy. Tony Sindelar with Bryan Guffey, Erika Ensign, Jason Snell, Mikah Sargent and Sarah Hendrica Bickerton.