Total Party Kill 507: The Thumbs-Up Crew

With the guiding hand of Prof. Siracusa choosing the curriculum, we watch select animated shorts from the Netflix series “Love, Death + Robots.” John’s quest to find the perfect photorealistic CGI animation continues. Tony does his companions a solid if he’s ever killed on a moon. The others debate if they represent love, death, or robots. We try to reconnect with our inner pool-polishing robots. It’s a real team effort. Jason Snell with John Siracusa, Annette Wierstra, Brian Hamilton and Tony Sindelar.

In this finale episode, the party takes a lot of damage and finds a chew toy. Mikah Sargent with Aleen Simms, Annette Wierstra, James Thomson, Jason Snell and Kathy Campbell.

Listener Christian, your time has come. Is an AI Lock the same as a Smart Lock? Or a Fuzzy Logic Lock? When bicycle gear shifters are called “AI”, how do we define what any of this means? I know—let’s ask John. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

Listener Lorne asks what makes a spacesuit a spacesuit, and it gets complicated in a hurry. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

Our Awards Book Club continues its run through the roses with a tougher than expected review of Vajra Chandrasekera’s “Raksefall,” Adrian Tchaikovsky’s “Alien Clay,” and Kelly Link’s “The Book of Love.” Jason Snell with Scott McNulty, Aleen Simms and Erika Ensign.

Live on stage at the Ohio Theatre in Madison, Indiana, it’s the Incomparable Radio Theater Live, with part one of the Adventures of Slim Skinner and the Cowhands of the Range! it’s a change of pace as we go behind the scenes to learn the true story of Slim, his wife Charlie, and the band they made famous, the Cowhands of the Range. Stay tuned, we’ll be performing some more live shows this fall and winter… David J. Loehr.

An actor performing as an alternate Scrooge at a regional theatre discovers the true meaning of “A Christmas Carol” through the help of a few spirits and a plucky little dog in this holiday special. We also learn—to no one’s surprise—that Chris Breen can do an impressive Vince Guaraldi impression. With Austin Tichenor as Carl, with Ele Matelan, Travis Bedard, Moises Chiullan, Liz Carman, Chip Sudderth, Shannon Sudderth, and Steve Lutz David J. Loehr.

[Crossposted from Downstream on Relay FM.] Down the chimney comes Tim Goodman, reuniting with Jason to discuss his super-secret insider TV reviews, streaming’s influence in the rise of international TV here in the U.S., and Jason’s top TV shows of the year. Tim Goodman and Jason Snell.

Listener Patrick is concerned about taxonomy, most particularly involving fans that are also lights. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.