Robot or Not? 317: AI Hype

In our second of two Uncanny Magazine Kickstarter Backer editions, we visit the world of places, learn about baseball, and do not learn about the U.S. Constitution. Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky with Fred Paffhausen, Jason Snell, Laura Majerus, Peter Jones and Seb Pollard.

Revelle spends a lot of time thinking about toilets. J’osh has a (very) bright idea. K’ronng is both a small and a large creature. Jasper doesn’t want to go in there. Tony decides Gnomish beer tastes like Mountain Dew. Tony Sindelar with Aleen Simms, Chip Sudderth, Jason Snell and Monty Ashley.

Meet us down at the crossroads but put yourself in a circle of salt first because we’re coving the last three episodes of Ironheart. An intriguing show that you’d thnik whould puts magic up against technology but, instead, goes full Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups with it. It even adds a bit of spice in the charming form of Sacha Baron Cohen. Dan Moren, John Moltz and Guy English.

This time, Stanwyck is an invalid, who’s having trouble with her phone. I would call it a straight-up female victim tale, but Babs is not what you’d call sympathetic as a character. Even so, should her husband (Burt Lancaster) be plotting her death? Shelly Brisbin with David J. Loehr, Micheline Maynard, Nathan Alderman and Randy Dotinga.

Listener Eric really needs his kids to differentiate between charger blocks and charging cables. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

A little late due to travel and holiday plans but we’re here with our coverage of the first three episode of Marvel’s Ironheart. We pick up with Riri Williams at MIT and things go off the rails from there as she finds herself embroiled in a life of “fun crime with whacky characters” which, it turns out, isn’t all fun and games. There’s some interesting themes brewing under the sufrace here, some highs and lows, and we’re prompted to ask the question—is Han Solo a weenie? Dan Moren, John Moltz and Guy English.

The summer of submarines kicks off with 1995’s “Crimson Tide,” a taut character drama that pits a captain (Gene Hackman) against his XO (Denzel Washington) in a conflict that escalates as global tensions rise outside their nuclear submarine. Jason Snell with Philip Michaels, Lisa Schmeiser, Dan Moren, Casey Liss and Erika Ensign.

Good news, friends, this podcast is Y2K compliant, and so are Brian and Lex, as they break down the quite possibly mis-titled episode of Sports Night, “Kafelnikov”. Jeremy’s pretty sure he’s got everything prepped for the new millennium, but does he? Meanwhile, Dan meets a woman in bar who says he really should call her, but maybe for reasons he doesn’t suspect. Don’t hit that panic button, just stay tuned for Sorkin’ In It. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

Now lissen up, Pilgrim, there’s a fake Christopher Cross version of the Magnum Theme and a dead body in a trunk in this episode. We play a game of Bad Cop/No Cop with guest star Clyde Kusatsu! But… does it have the island vibes? Jason Snell, Philip Michaels and David J. Loehr.

Erika and Steven wrap up the Canada Day extravaganza by dipping their toes into “Genesis of the Daleks” — will Erika love it? like it? hate it? Nobody knows yet, not even Erika! Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky.