It’s been a while since I pimped the pop culture goodness on The Chronic Rift Network. Here’s what’s happened in the last two months.
May 18 to May 31
May 18 – The Dan & Travis Show: Episode 025 – Planecars, Baby Names, Rush to Judgment, and the All New Dan The Man
The journey continues through the new Cosmos TV show, prog rock pride is looked at in “Rush to Judgment”, and a discussion on least popular baby names are all here in addition to Travis with the news and another round of Impossible Travia.
May 19 – The Cardboard Jungle: Episode 33 – Why So Serious?
Matt & Anthony talk about what gaming is all about. FUN! Hear about some of the games they like to play just for the laughs.
May 20 – SciFi Diner Podcast: Ep. 205 – Ender’s Game: A Morality Tale and the Development of an Innocent Killer
The Diner staff of Scott, Miles, David and Jim discusses Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card.
May 21 – The Weekly Podioplex: May 20, 2014
May 23 – The Cinefantastique Spotlight: GODZILLA, part 1
Godzilla has stormed into theatres, and he’s too big to fit into one podcast! The first part features regulars Lawrence French and Steve Biodrowski, along with special guest Steve Ryfle (author of Japan’s Favorite Mon-Star: The Unauthorized Biograph of the Big G). Listen in for insightful commentary about the new film version of GODZILLA, from Warner Brothers Pictures and Legendary Pictures, which has crushed the box office competition flatter than its titular monster razing a skyscraper to the ground.
May 23 – The Cinefantastique Spotlight: GODZILLA, part 2
The Cinefantastique Spotlight Podcast returns with Part 2 of their look at the new GODZILLA film, this time with guest Joe Sena and host Steve Biodrowski leaving the heavy thematic discussions behind to focus on the film’s strengths as joyful genre entertainment.
May 23 – Mighty Movie’s Temple of Bad: ATTACK OF THE CRAB MONSTERS
The Temple of Bad team of Andrea Lipinski, Kevin Lauderdale, Orenthal Hawkins, and Dan Persons welcome their special guest, Cinefantastique Online’s Steve Biodrowski, to giggle along at the silliness, praise the kind of good-bad film that’s all too rare but always welcome, and make far too many references to drawn butter.
May 24 – The Dan & Travis Show: Episode Zero-Two-Six – Mental Fleecing, Webster’s Words, Marriage Laws, and Jules on Dumb Ol’ Dads
Dr. J weighs in on bumbling TV dads, the marriage laws are checked in time for Travis’ nuptials, and there’s a look in the Pirate Ship archives, in addition to Travis with the news and another look at Dan the Man.
May 25 – The Cardboard Jungle: Episode 34 – Look Ma! Top of the World!
Anthony, Matt & Paul answer the one question they get asked the most: What are your Top 10 games?
May 26 – Cyborgs – A Bionic Podcast: Case File 04 – Robbie Rist
This time the Case File opens for actor and musician Robbie Rist. Robbie talks with John and Paul about his career, his love of music, and his voiceover work. He speaks fondly of working with Lindsay Wagner in The Bionic Woman, comments on “The Cousin Oliver” factor, and says why Doc McStuffins is one of the best gigs he’s ever worked on.
May 26 – Doctor of the Dead #11: THE WALKING DEAD Webisodes – “COLD STORAGE” and “THE OATH”
The Rift’s resident Ph.Z returns to THE WALKING DEAD webisodes with a look at the last two stories to date, 2012′s “Cold Storage” and 2013′s “The Oath!” Join “Doctor of the Dead” Dr. Arnold T. Blumberg and co-host Scott Alan Woodard as they venture into the shadowy realm of pinup mags and bowling trophies then head for some much-needed medical attention at an almost but not quite familiar enough hospital.
May 27 – Presenting the Transcription Feature: FIBBER McGEE AND MOLLY/INFORMATION PLEASE
This time on Presenting the Transcription Feature, Kevin Lauderdale starts off in the middle of World War II. The classic sit-com Fibber McGee and Molly paints a portrait of life on the Home Front when its stars decide to go to the movies. Between rationing and price controls, just getting inside the theater proves quite the challenge. Then we return to the world of quiz shows with another episode of Information Please, with guests newspaper columnist Franklin P. Adams; sportswriter John Kieran; and pianist, comedian, actor, and raconteur Oscar Levant.
May 29 – The Weekly Podioplex: May 27, 2014
May 29 – The G2V Podcast: Planet 21, 2nd Galaxy: Documenting Horror – With Special Guest Anthony Masi!
Film maker Anthony Masi talks about telling tales of horror history with the G2V Guys! Through his company MasiMedia, Masi has produced retrospectives on everything from the Halloween and Friday the 13th franchises to his new release, The 50 Best Horror Movies You’ve Never Seen. G2V’s own Arnold T. Blumberg is one of many commentators appearing in this roller coaster ride of a feature that explores Masi’s favorite subject – the macabre magic and misdirection that makes movie monstrosities so mesmerizing!
May 31 – The Dan & Travis Show: Episode Zero-Two-Seven – Bacon!
Hear how it all began as Dan and Travis present a classic Pirate Ship Radio show while Travis is recovering from his recent nuptials.
June 2014
June 1 – The Dome: “Ethics”
A Russian satellite comes crashing down in upstate New York. Its contents hold a special interest to the members of the Dome. A paranormal with electrical manipulation abilities was on board the satellite, sleeping in a cryogenic state for over thirty years. The crew must find him before he found by the U.S. government or the Russian Mafia. In addition, they have to come to terms with their trust of a new administrator who appears very mysterious to them.
June 2 – SciFi Diner Podcast: Ep. 207 – Our Interview with “George Lucas in Love” Creator, Writer, and Director Joe Nussbaum
Scott Hertzog interviews writer and director Joe Nussbaum of George Lucas in Love.
June 2 – The Batcave Podcast: Episode 16 – Death in Slow Motion/The Riddler’s False Notion
The Riddler returns to Gotham and confounds Batman and Robin with a new string of riddles. While the Dynamic Duo race about in response to the riddles, the Prince of Puzzlers is filming the entire thing. What is his ultimate plan? What is the purpose of the film? Will Batman figure it out or misinterpret the clues? Joining John to talk about Frank Gorshin’s last first season turn as The Riddler is author Robert Greenberger.
June 5 – The Weekly Podioplex: June 3, 2014
June 7 – The Dan & Travis Show: Episode Zero-Two-Eight – We Have an Urning for Soccer!
Gabe fills in for Travis on Show 028 and spouts soccer and we urn our keep. Plus, more classic Dan & Travis clips from the days of yore!
June 8 – Dead Kitchen Radio: Episode 40
Keith reads a selection from his recently published, The Klingon Art of War, his first published Star Trek work in recent years.
June 9 – The CFQ Interview: HELLBOY’s Doug Jones
Dan Persons sits down with actor Doug Jones and talks about his diverse roles from FALLING SKIES to DUST OF WAR.
June 9 – Cyborgs – A Bionic Podcast: Case File 05 – Tom Schanley
In this Case File, John and Paul sit down and talk with actor Tom Schanley. To bionic fans, he played Michael Austin in The Return of The Six Million Dollar Man and The Bionic Woman, but there is so much more as John and Paul discover in this interview. We talk about his desire to be an actor and his family support, his first roles, and his Six Million Degrees of Star Trek Separation besides his obvious appearance on Enterprise.
June 11 – The Weekly Podioplex: June 10, 2014
June 11 – Presenting the Transcription Feature: THE GREAT GILDERSLEEVE/HAVE GUN, WILL TRAVEL
This time on Presenting the Transcription Feature, it’s a mixture of comedy and drama. The Great Gildersleeve was a spin-off of Fibber McGee and Molly. Life in the cozy, small town of Summerfield still manages to provide plenty of challenge for Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve. Will Gildy be able to maintain his position as president of the Jolly Boys Social Club, or is he doomed by a combination of his own good intentions and pomposity? Then it’s our first western. On Have Gun Will Travel, mysterious gunslinger-for-hire Paladin gets more than he bargained for when he agrees to transport a prisoner for the Texas Rangers.
June 12 – The Batcave Podcast: Episode 17 – Fine Finny Fiends/Batman Makes the Scenes
The Penguin is back in town and his target is Alfred, the faithful butler of millionaire Bruce Wayne. Batman and Robin are called in to investigate, but a short time later, Alfred is released, safe and sound. What has happened to Alfred as he now has an odd twitch about him? Will Batman and Robin find out before the Penguin is able to execute his entire caper? Joining John to talk about the final episode of the first season is Batman fan, Mike Fichera.
June 12 – Watching the Skies: From “Who Goes There?” to THE THING – Episode 1
Clay Dugger, The Podcast Cowboy, hosts a five episode mini-series called Watching the Skies: From “Who Goes There?” to “The Thing”, exploring “Who Goes There?”, the wonderful story by John W. Campbell, Jr., and all the great entertainment that it has spawned. In this episode, Clay and guest host Dave Robison discuss the original story “Who Goes There?”, published in 1938. This story is arguably the beginning of the modern day Sci-Fi/Horror mashup.
June 15 – The Dan & Travis Show: Episode 029 – Aliens or Lizards
Handsome Timmy Davis fills in for Travis this week and speculates on how Travis is living as a married man. The two discuss the sad, late mourning of the late Rue McClanahan. There’s also news from Tim and some archival material from the Pirate Ship days.
June 16 – SciFi Dinette Podcast: Ep. 208 – The Real Nerd Girl Problem – M. Sieiro Garcia, Ann Carey, and Sarah Boyle Take Over The Diner
You know, it’s about time the women took charge. Sieiro Garcia, Ann Carey, and Sarah Boyle take over the Diner and give you a taste of everything.
June 17 – The Batcave Podcast: From the Files of the Batcomputer 01 – Lost Pilot Episode
The Batcave Podcast has completed its look at the first season of the 1966 Batman television series. Over the course of the first 17 episodes, the podcast has taken shape into something John hopes everyone enjoys. But there was a different format John considered before going ahead with the show you are listening to today. He tried out this format by sitting down with author Dayton Ward and the two recorded a commentary on the first episode of the series. Here is the first part, edited in its entirety for your listening pleasure. The Riddler has plans for Batman in the form of a lawsuit claiming false arrest, but Batman knows the Riddler is not as innocent as he seems. Can Batman deduce the Riddler’s scheme from the puzzles he’s hidden inside the lawsuit? Can he figure out that Robin isn’t Robin? And can we find all the ideas that would be repeated throughout the series that first led to its success and would ultimately lead to its downfall?
June 18 – The Weekly Podioplex: June 17, 2014
June 19 – Watching the Skies: From “Who Goes There?” to THE THING – Episode 2
Clay Dugger, The Podcast Cowboy, hosts a five episode mini-series called Watching the Skies: From “Who Goes There?” to “The Thing”, exploring “Who Goes There?”, the wonderful story by John W. Campbell, Jr., and all the great entertainment that it has spawned. In this episode, Clay and guest host Paul K. Bisson discuss the classic 1951 movie, “The Thing from Another World”. This is one of the first “space monster come to Earth” flicks that ruled the 1950s.
June 19 – HG World: S0 E6 – “And Shadows Still Remain”
After receiving strange orders from superiors to keep away from HG World, McInnes and Grant turn their attention to the Happy Valley Militia, a quasi-military government reaching out from north-central Pennsylvania to control large sections of the state. As the public begins turning to these groups for help in the absence of a central government, rumors circulate of the mysterious “Generals” and their carnival-styled camps popping up in the western part of the state. Inside and under cover, Grant and McInnes find every kind of excess imaginable. Everything is for sale or trade. But what’s beneath the surface?
June 22 – SciFi Diner Podcast: Ep. 209 – Changes and an Invitation
The Diner is looking for correspondents to attend conventions, do interviews, and provide book and movie reviews. This and more on a new episode.
June 22 – The Dan & Travis Show: Episode 030 – Trav Returns Married, Peart-inent Drummer Facts, and the All New “May I Suggest”…Oh, and More Freaking Robots
Travis returns and regales us with tales of life as a married man. Plus, there’s a new round of DAN THE MAN, a new RUSH TO JUDGEMENT segment, the news with Travis, and the premiere of a new segment – MAY I SUGGEST.
June 24 – Presenting the Transcription Feature: THE JACK BENNY SHOW/DRAGNET
This time on Presenting the Transcription Feature, we revisit two old favorites. On The Jack Benny Program, Jack and Mary attend a special showing of suave British actor Ronald Colman’s latest movie, A Double Life. Colman and his wife Benita Hume play themselves in this episode. They were frequent guests on Jack’s show. So much so that many people thought they were actually his next door neighbors. On Dragnet, Friday and Romero are up against a criminal armed with a bomb who’s threatening to blow up City Hall unless his convict brother is released.
June 26 – Watching the Skies: From “Who Goes There?” to THE THING – Episode 3
Clay Dugger, The Podcast Cowboy, hosts a five episode mini-series called Watching the Skies: From “Who Goes There?” to “The Thing”, exploring “Who Goes There?”, the wonderful story by John W. Campbell, Jr., and all the great entertainment that it has spawned. In this episode, Clay and guest host Paul Elard Cooley discuss the John Carpenter 1982 movie, “The Thing”. This is one of the modern day Horror classics.
June 26 – Hour of the Wolf Movie Review: HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2
Dan Persons reviews How to Train Your Dragon 2 for the Hour of the Wolf radio show.
June 27 – SciFi Diner Podcast: Ep. 210 – Firefly: Serenity, The Train Job, Bushwacked, and Shindig
The Diner staff of Scott and Miles look at four episodes of Firefly.
June 28 – The Batcave Podcast: Episode 18 – BATMAN: THE MOVIE
Penguin, Joker, Riddler, and Catwoman have all teamed up to hatch a plot that not only threatens Gotham City, not only threatens the country, but rather threatens the entire world. Their objective – the United World Organization main assembly. And only two people stand in their way – Batman and Robin. Can the Dynamic Duo stop the Fearsome Foursome with the aid of their newest entries in their crimefighting arsenal? Stay glued to your seats, Citizens. It’s going to be a bumpy ride as John is joined by Geek Radio Daily‘s Billy Flynn, Cinefantastique Online‘s Dan Person, and Gotham City 14 Miles editor and writer, Jim Beard to discuss the 1966 movie.
June 29 – Generations Geek: Episode 22 – The Making of the Making of 2001
Science fiction writer Scott Pearson (Star Trek: The Original Series: The More Things Change) and his daughter welcome author guest Piers Bizony to discuss his amazing new work from Taschen Books, The Making of Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. Piers was also the associate producer of the Channel Four documentary 2001: The Making of a Myth, which is included in the extras of the 2001 Blu-ray as well as the special edition DVD.
June 29 – The Dan & Travis Show: Episode 031 – New England Know-It-Alls, Classic Computer Call Clips, Trivia and Travia, and a Clutter of Liptonages
Travis rates his fill-ins, we sweep across New England, and check out James Lipton’s list of collective nouns (he’s some kind of authority on them, it seems!) Plus more travia, more news, and some 90-inchers!
June 30 – SciFi Diner Podcast: Ep. 211 – Our Interview with Star Trek Equinox
The Diner staff of Scott and Miles interviews the crew of Star Trek: Equinox.
June 30 – The Cardboard Jungle: Episode 37 – It’s Not What You Think!
Anthony, Paul & Matt talk about games that aren’t very appealing at first glance but are fantastic and vice versa.
July 1 to July 18
July 1 – The Dome: “Requiem”
“Requiem” – It’s the day of Parker’s memorial service and as Anibal says a few words on his former security chief’s behalf, Parker seems to be getting the final word via his discussion with a young paranormal who can talk to the dead. What does he think of his former colleagues and why is he so interested in this one paranormal when he clearly was afraid of them when he was alive?
July 1 – The Weekly Podioplex: July 1, 2014
July 2 – The Batcave Podcast: From the Files of the Batcomputer 02 – Jim Beard on GOTHAM CITY 14 MILES and the Relevance of BATMAN 66
Jim Beard has been on the podcast twice before and will return for an early second season episode review. He is the developer, editor and a contributor to Gotham City 14 Miles, a collection of critical essays on the Batman 66 series. In this interview, Jim talks with John about the development of the book, the planned sequel, the role of race in the TV Batman universe, the sexuality of the three main villains, and the top three episodes to show the doubting viewer of the relevance of the Batman series.
July 3 – The Cinefantastique Spotlight: TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION
165 minutes! That’s two and three-quarter hours! That makes TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION the ultimate epic of explosions, brought to you by director Michael Bay, the man for whom too much is never enough. Is this outrageously elongated toy commercial an audacious triumph of style or substance, or is it indulgent garbage?
July 9 – The Weekly Podioplex: July 8, 2014
July 8 – The Dan & Travis Show: Episode 032 – Tales of Taffy, Special Edition Travia, Handsome Timmy Spoils Spoilers, and Independence Day Eve
Happy 4th America! Go light off some roman candles and grab a lemonade. Handsome Timmy D joins us to discuss !SPOILER ALERT! Spoilers. Plus some Special Edition Impossible Travia, more Dan: The Man, tales of taffy, and more red, white, and blue wholesome family fun. Tell a friend, make them listen! No seriously, force them to, it’s the American way.
July 10 – Watching the Skies: From “Who Goes There?” to THE THING – Episode 4
Clay Dugger, The Podcast Cowboy, hosts a five episode mini-series called Watching the Skies: From “Who Goes There?” to “The Thing”, exploring “Who Goes There?”, the wonderful story by John W. Campbell, Jr., and all the great entertainment that it has spawned. In this episode, Clay and guest host Paul Elard Cooley discuss the 2011 movie, “The Thing”, the prequel to the John Carpenter 1982 movie of the same name.
July 10 – SciFi Diner Podcast: Ep. 212 – Han Solo: The Bane of Star Wars VII
Diners Scott and Miles discuss the recent genre news, including Harrison Ford’s leg-breaking incident on the set of Star Wars: Episode VII.
July 11 – Cyborgs – A Bionic Podcast: “Target in the Sky”
Steve is sent in to a lumbercamp to investigate the odd report of an OSI agent who has now gone missing. There, he finds a missile launcher targeting an approaching plane carrying VIPs. Joining John and Paul to discuss this episode is The Six Million Dollar Blog author Alex Green.
July 12 – Presenting the Transcription Feature: YOU BET YOUR LIFE/YOURS TRULY, JOHNNY DOLLAR
The latest episode of Presenting the Transcription Feature brings you the one, the only… Groucho Marx! Groucho’s finest turn in the world of radio was as the host of You Bet Your Life. Ostensibly a quiz show, the quiz portion was almost an afterthought. The real fun was in Groucho doing the pre-quiz interviews, during which, if the contestants said the secret word, they could win a little extra cash. Groucho’s whip-smart wit could take the blandest of comments and spin comedy gold from it. Secondly, on Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar, actor Vincent Price guest-stars as himself. In an episode that plays on his public persona as an art aficionado, Price hires freelance insurance investigator Johnny Dollar to track down a painting that’s been stolen from his collection. Price then insists on joining Dollar each step of the way.
July 14 – The CFQ Interview: RIGOR MORTIS Director Juno Mak
Dan Persons talks with director Juno Mak about his latest film, Rigor Mortis.
July 14 – The Dan & Travis Show: Episode 033 – May I Suggest…, Miles Movie Notes, I Dream of Jeets, Extra Impossible Travia, Dan The Man, and More!
Julien stops by to further humiliate the Yankee fan caught sleeping at the rivalry game, PLUS Dan reviews Travis’s recommendation for him and gets a new one, PLUS more games, PLUS the News, PLUS casting scoops for the Miles Davis biopic!
July 15 – SciFi Diner Podcast: Ep. 213 – Michael Schilling on Why You Should Take Shore Leave at Shore Leave 36
Diner Scott talks with Michael Schilling about Shore Leave 36.
July 15 – The Weekly Podioplex: July 15, 2014
July 16 – The Batcave Podcast: From the Files of the Batcomputer 03 – First Season Overview and Lego Ideas Batmobile 66 Designer Sam Gras
We come to the penultimate episode in our weekly run of podcasts between seasons one and two of the Batman 66 series with a look back at the first season. John quickly reviews the first season of episodes, what worked and what didn’t (which was very few as it was a strong season). He then interviews Sam Gras. Sam has submitted a Lego design of the 66 Batmobile for consideration and needs your help to make it a reality. Listen to the interview to learn more.
July 17 – The G2V Podcast: Planet 22, 2nd Galaxy: Storming Syfy and Social Media – With Special Guest Anthony C. Ferrante!
Anthony C. Ferrante, the man at the eye of the SHARKNADO storm (like a doll’s eye), joins G2V for a whirlwind EXCLUSIVE interview that looks at the SHARKNADO phenomenon, the making of the first movie and the sequel SHARKNADO 2: THE SECOND ONE (debuting on the Syfy channel July 30!), the musical contributions to the franchise from the band Quint, and his career as film maker and storyteller. Embrace the ‘Nado with The G2V Guys in this episode, hear some of the music from the new film, and watch out – there’s a storm coming!
July 17 – Watching the Skies: From “Who Goes There?” to THE THING – Episode 5
Clay Dugger, The Podcast Cowboy, hosts a five episode mini-series called Watching the Skies: From “Who Goes There?” to “The Thing”, exploring “Who Goes There?”, the wonderful story by John W. Campbell, Jr., and all the great entertainment that it has spawned. In the final episode, Clay and guest host Peter Watts discuss his Hugo-nominated short story, “The Things.”
July 18 – Doctor of the Dead #14: THE WALKING DEAD Season 5 Preview Special!
THE WALKING DEAD Season 5 debuts in about 90 days… but what do we know? We take you through all the rumors, speculation, and tidbits from cast and crew that offer insight into what might happen when we return to Terminus and that dark train car in October! We also have a shout-out to Doctor’s Horde Twitter member 5,000 (!), recommend an Indiegogo campaign for a zombie film that has one week left to make its funding, and field a question about zombies in academia! It’s a packed episode of Walkers and witty repartee!
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