Robot or Not? 354: Tennis Robot (Derogatory)

Just in time for Wimbledon, Listener Muhammad provides a “tennis robot” for us to judge. We issue a judgment, but we’re not particularly happy about it. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

This season finale features a good plan, a janky blankie, a lot of running, and some Gunk in the mix. Tony Sindelar with Aleen Simms, Dan Moren, Erika Ensign, Steve Lutz and Tiff Arment.

Time travel! We’re going back to ‘97 to rejoin our X-Men, who find themselves separated and trapped in the past and in the future. In ancient Egypt a nacent Apocalypse is just starting to find his strength while in the future his grip on the world is cemented. Meanwhile, in the ’90s, X-Force and X-Factor are being dicks to each other and to everyone else. Can nostalgia carry the day? Read along to find out! Dan Moren, John Moltz and Guy English.

Get out your PowerBooks and prepare to punch an alien in patriotic fashion! We celebrate Independence Day with a 30-year-old film, “Independence Day”! It’s a lot of movie. Is Jason ready to forgive it? Jason Snell with Moisés Chiullán, David J. Loehr, Aleen Simms and Tony Sindelar.

Everyone is sad in 1971. Belicova is sad about Sasha. The engineers are sad about the Chief Designer. Lyudmilla is sad about Petrovsky. Sergei is sad about his career prospects, but never about math. The Chief Designer is sad about certain people interrupting him from pulling beets. Irina is sad about a lot of stuff. And then, in the last moments… is that a flash of hope? Maybe, but it’s probably just gonna make people sad next week. Dan Moren and Jason Snell.

This summer we celebrate the intersection of classic film and Star Trek. And Lions, Towers & Trek begins with a big one. John Ford’s classic western is an uncomfortable masterpiece. There, that takes in those who admire the film, and those who don’t like what it seems to represent, or how women and natives fare in the hands of this director. Also, how do you feel about John Wayne, eh? We’re also here to speak about Jeffrey Hunter, Star Trek’s original Captain Pike. None of this was his fault! Shelly Brisbin with Jason Snell, Philip Michaels and Randy Dotinga.

Brian’s not a fan of the name of this episode, but that doesn’t mean the episode is bad. Lex and Brian do agree that Landry is the best and Coach Taylor was being a butt. Note: Lex’s audio is a little weird in this ep, which is perhaps the biggest accidente. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

Magnum was the star quarterback in the Army-Navy game, but that won’t help him get to Pasadena(!) in time for this year’s game. It’s all Carol’s fault. But don’t worry, he’ll surely have time to recline at home and watch the game on TV accompanied by an Old Dusseldorf… or is it Duesenberg? Stay out of the infrared beams! Jason Snell, Philip Michaels and David J. Loehr.

Steven and Erika finish off the Canada Day marathon with Canada chat, follow-up, food talk, and eventually, discussion of this Doctor Who episode. Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky.

Erika and Steven continue the Canada Day celebration with great praise for Lis Sladen, as is right and proper. Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky.