The Incomparable Superfeed

Listener Jason used ChatGPT to find information that answered a colleague’s question. But did he “look it up?” John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

We have Predator armor at home. Joe Rosensteel and Dan Sturm.

By request, we take on this late-50s musical, directed by Stanley Donan. Our stars are Fred Astaire, Audrey Hepburn and Kay Thompson. (I’ll have lots to say about Kay.) Revolving, as it does around the fashion industry in Paris, Funny Face is pretty to look at, including many great costumes. It also features songs by the Gershwins and some better ones that are not by them. Shelly Brisbin with Davi...

A special Book Club panel provides an overview of Lois McMaster Bujold’s excellent Penric & Desdemona series of fantasy novellas (plus one novel). This series gives its characters time to learn, grow, and age. It’s got some perspectives you don’t see very often in fantasy fiction. We love it and think you will, too. Jason Snell with Aleen Simms, Erika Ensign, Kat Benesh and Dan Moren.

After a brief prelude in a Soviet gulag just to remind us how scary Irinia is (she’s not locked in here with, you, comrade, you’re locked in here with her!), the story moves back to Mars. The reveal of the secret plan to create Automation has led to civil unrest. Miles, Alex, and Lilly are feeling the pressure. Aleida feels betrayed by Dev… again. We are a bit puzzled by what Dev’s plan is. But it...

Matt Saracen has a grandma. And a job. Oh, and he’s now officially QB1, after Jason Street learns he will never walk again. Lyla can’t stop visiting Jason, but Tim won’t even start. And Coach Taylor has a lot of pressure. But with the clear eyes of Lex and Brian guiding you through, dear listener, you can’t lose. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

The Keys are sent on another mission - this time for a heist in the Big City! The planning is … chaotic. Tony Sindelar with Annette Wierstra, Chip Sudderth, Kathy Campbell and Monty Ashley.

On this episode of Daredevil we interleave flashbacks with the ongoing story to learn a little more about our characters and what is motivating them to make the choices they’re making. Is Daredevil a better Arrow than Arrow? Dan Moren, John Moltz and Guy English.

Live from Estes Park, Colorado, listener Kyle has eaten at a pizza place where his food was delivered via a robot! But… is it a robot, or not? After a swift verdict, John and Jason then spend far more time digging deep on Antonio’s Pizza and what sort of pizza it provides to the people of Colorado. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

We complete our run through blades with “Blade Runner 2049,” a late sequel in which Ryan Gosling plays a replicant detective searching for an explosive secret that could change everything… and is unsurprisingly tied to characters from “Blade Runner.” We discuss why a replicant might need a holographic girlfriend, Jared Leto’s eyes, and once again, if Deckard is a replicant or not and why that real...

It’s time for a new generation to take charge. Back on Earth, we meet a surprising new character with a deep “For All Mankind” lineage. On Mars, Dev gives Alex a pep talk that goes rapidly awry. Aleida deals with a serious Mars hangover. And when he discovers a nefarious plan that might change Mars forever, Alex puts his vending machine hacking skills to use. Dan Moren and Jason Snell.

Fritz Lang directed a pair of noirs in the mid-40s, starring Edward G. Robinson, Joan Bennett and Dan Duryea. The other is Woman in the Window. In Scarlet Street Eddie G. Is a mild-mannered cashier who meets Kitty, a beauty who might not mean him well. And then Dan Duryea gets involved. Like any self-respecting noir classic, this one is nice to look at, and even features twelve paintings created f...

It’s space cops, Sith Lords, and shockball this week as your Star Wars pals Dan, Kat, and Tony discuss the latest pair of Maul - Shadow Lord episodes. Plus, moral quandaries, a call for listener mail, and more than you wanted to know about copyright law. Lucasfilm Dan Moren, Tony Sindelar and Kat Benesh.

A new game! Each round, players are presented with an assortment of letters. They must retcon the best initialism for the round’s category and hope that everyone else votes for theirs. And since each round is drawn at random, host Lex gets to play, too! Will someone beat Lex at what is literally his own game? Lex Friedman with Kathy Campbell, Brian Warren, Tony Sindelar, Dan Moren and Brian Hamilt...

boss these podcasts are getting out of hand the other day i heard dan mccoy and his much older brother discussing archy and mehitabel by which i mean the column by don marquis that started in 1916 and then was collected into a book if you could call it that in 1927 John McCoy with Dan McCoy.

In this thrilling conclusion, someone unexpected pays a visit to the final battle, someone expected performs a ritual, and (almost) everyone gets nicknames. Tony Sindelar with Bryan Guffey, Erika Ensign, Jason Snell, Mikah Sargent and Sarah Hendrica Bickerton.

The gloves come off this week as Fisk steps into the ring to do some heavy hitting charity work, Matt does some detective work to track down Dex, and Dex steals the show. Put on your bibs because this one we’re dining out on diner lobster. Dan Moren, John Moltz and Guy English.

Listener Joshua is really focused on the grammar of Superhero and Supervillain names. Is Batman a bat? Does Doctor Doom have an advanced degree? Can Rogue keep her name while joining the X-Men? Are there any rules at all? John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

Your Star Wars pals Dan, Kat, and Tony are back to cover a brand new show: Maul - Shadow Lord (not to be confused with other Mauls, accept no substitutes). We discuss the long strange charisma of this Sith Lord/crime boss/suspect mentor, mixing crime tropes with our sci-fi, and a frankly surprising amount about ska. Lucasfilm Dan Moren, Tony Sindelar and Kat Benesh.

Someone suggested we honor the films of 1926 — 100 years ago — and so we shall. Beau Geste has been remade often, but here is the original, starring Ronald Colman in his matinee idol period. S recent massive restoration of the film has the film looking great, with lots of footage restored. It’s a silent film, if that affects your interest, but it’s quite compelling. Shelly Brisbin with Micheline M...

No voiceovers! More unicorns! Our journey deep into the futuristic world of 2019 Los Angeles continues with another look at “Blade Runner” — this time, it’s “The Final Cut” edition. Deckard’s identity revealed, sort of? Voiceovers removed! Superfans and sort-of-fans compare, contrast, and discuss. Jason Snell with John Siracusa, Antony Johnston, Erika Ensign and Moisés Chiullán.

Young Ed! Old Ed! Hi Bob! Bye Ed! There’s so much to ponder in this special episode of “For All Mankind,” including Lee on the lam, Boyd’s Mars dating advice, Dev bonding with Alex over motorcycle maintenance, memories of Shane, and some surprise cameos. Dan Moren and Jason Snell.

Listener Jack seeks a true definition of what it means when we say “humans will live on the Moon (or Mars).” Does a brief visit count? Do you need to grow your own potatoes? John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

The battle with the Mummy Lord begins! Will the adventurers prevail? Or will the eyes have it? Tony Sindelar with Bryan Guffey, Erika Ensign, Jason Snell, Mikah Sargent and Sarah Hendrica Bickerton.

With the second season of Daredevil underway things start to fall into place. The efforts to remove the Northern Star from the harbour collide with our gang’s efforts to spring the people the Anti-Vigilante Task Force has taken into custody. Meanwhile, Dex is going around Dexing people. Did these episodes have the flurish of a Jack Duquense or the ungainly handling of an armoured car? Dan Moren, J...