The Incomparable Mothership 797: Iceman Was Right

The Magnum, podcast holiday special is here! We watched the failed 1979 pilot for Boston and Kilbride, “The Chinese Typewriter,” starring Tom Selleck (as Tom Boston) and James Whitmore Jr. (as Jimmy Kilbride). The dubbing! The fake signs! The weird casting! The original Al’s Automotive and Muffler King Tigers! We break down everything that makes this pilot a fitting failure, though with some admiration about how it does a lot with almost zero budget. Also: you, the listeners, introduce many segments. See you next year! Jason Snell, Philip Michaels and David J. Loehr.

Kilmas comes but once a year! This year we’re climbing into the cockpit and revisiting 1986’s “Top Gun,” starring some airplanes, Val Kilmer, and Tom Cruise. It’s a very subtle movie. Were Tony’s parents right in protecting his young mind from it? And most importantly, why do we remember Val Kilmer’s character being the villain when he’s actually the conscience of the entire film? Jason Snell with Annette Wierstra, Katie Mack, Erika Ensign, Tony Sindelar and Brian Warren.

Dan isn’t one of the 100 Most Influential People in Sports, but Casey is. You can bet that goes over like a fart in church. Speaking of church - Dana visits one to get out of the rain… and likes it (the church, not the rain… or the fart). The rain also helps Jeremy continue his flirtation with Jenny. There’s so much Sorkin In It to do. We got you. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

[Cross-posted from Downstream #109 on Relay FM.] Tim Goodman pops down the chimney again to reunite with Jason and discuss the Oscars on YouTube, finding balance in the TV review game, the rise of international content, episode deconstructions, “Pluribus,” and his top shows of the year. Tim Goodman and Jason Snell.

A broken bridge and a buncha wolves, what could go wrong? Many things, apparently. Tony Sindelar with Aleen Simms, Annette Wierstra, Chelsea Hackman, Heather Berberet, James Thomson and Jason Snell.

Up up and away to the bars amoung the stars! A teaser trailer for Supergirl was recently released and Team Biff is here to chat about it. We also get into some superhero sweep and try to remember how to do the show. Dan Moren, John Moltz and Guy English.

Listener William challenges our ruling about chargers and we get deep into the weeds of car charging. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

The Wreath of Khan continues with our review of the “Star Trek: Khan” audio drama—available where you get podcasts. Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.

Our Ape Club reconvenes to celebrate the holidays with a viewing of 1971’s “Escape from the Planet of the Apes!” Is this an ape movie or an episode of “Mannix”? What happens when you change lanes on the Freeway of Time? Why is Zira the smartest of all creatures, ape or human? And was Dr. Cornelius framed by big government? Apes smart, humans dumb! Jason Snell with John Moltz, Annette Wierstra, Brian Warren and David J. Loehr.

This year is our 5th annual Holiday Movie Bingo Marathon. For this mission, our Agents watch three Christmas movies, including An Alpine Holiday, Merry Christmas Ted Cooper!, and A Keller Christmas Vacation. We unintentionally chose the theme of siblings, but there are still miscommunications, almost smooches, and European settings. And we learn that just about anyone can climb mountains in the Alps if you carry your yoga mat. Grab your Bingo Cards and get ready to play with us. Annette Wierstra with Erika Ensign, Steven Schapansky, Kirsten Goruk and Sandra Wong.