Death by Multimedia

On today’s episode of the podcast, we go forth with another in our series of The Casual Mankadder, where we concentrate on the world of cricket, and discuss the items of interest from around the globe. The World Cup is in its second week, and after upset victories for Afghanistan and Netherlands, we talk about whether the possible repercussions for England and South Africa are tournament destroyin...

What would happen if you didn’t watch the news every night? If you were sick of the fact that it only made you angry and upset, and to avoid those emotions you gave up on the overhyped and politically skewed information the news networks threw at you? And what if, instead, you relied on hearsay and social media ridiculousness for your entertainment? Well, what you would get is this, the Metal Cave...

On today’s cricketing episode, Australia has completed its five match ODI series in South Africa, losing 3-2 after winning the first two matches. Despite the Australian squad being weakened by injuries it was a disappointing finish to what has been a solid opening couple of weeks. On this episode we will discuss how the missing senior players allowed the squad to show most depth, and give several...

What would happen if you didn’t watch the news every night? If you were sick of the fact that it only made you angry and upset, and to avoid those emotions you gave up on the overhyped and politically skewed information the news networks threw at you? And what if, instead, you relied on hearsay and social media ridiculousness for your entertainment? Well, what you would get is this, the Metal Cave...

On today's episode of The Casual Mankadder, we discuss some of the major talking points in world cricket that you may have missed. Firstly we talk about the England squad for the upcoming ODI World Cup in India, and in particular about the decision to cast aside the up-and-coming prodigy Harry Brook, who has been all the English media have been able to talk about in 2023, in order to resurrect...

It has been 25 years since Seinfeld concluded with one of the worst ever concluding episodes in the history of television. For a show that had changed pop culture, and introduced so many new catchphrases into our lexicon, it was a disappointing conclusion. Over the past 12 months I have fastidiously worked my way through the whole nine series once again and revelled in the joy that is their best m...

It has been 25 years since Seinfeld concluded with one of the worst ever concluding episodes in the history of television. For a show that had changed pop culture, and introduced so many new catchphrases into our lexicon, it was a disappointing conclusion. Over the past 12 months I have fastidiously worked my way through the whole nine series once again and revelled in the joy that is their best m...

It has been 25 years since Seinfeld concluded with one of the worst ever concluding episodes in the history of television. For a show that had changed pop culture, and introduced so many new catchphrases into our lexicon, it was a disappointing conclusion. Over the past 12 months I have fastidiously worked my way through the whole nine series once again and revelled in the joy that is their best m...

In recent years, July in Australia has become the arid wasteland for tens of thousands of drinkers as they undertake the Dry July campaign, a 31 day stretch where they raise funds to support cancer sufferers by saying no to alcohol consumption. It is an honorable ideal for an excellent cause. Why then, supposedly flying in the face of this, have I set out some years ago to go in an opposite direct...

On today's edition of The Casual Mankadder, we take a look at the start of the Women's Ashes series between England and Australia, and the success of the one-off Test match between the two that has started the series in style, focusing on a couple of wonderful batting performances and the showcase of spin bowling from Sophie Eccleston and Ashleigh Gardner. We also check in on the Cricket World Cup...

Welcome to this week's edition of The Hindsight Report, the show where we discuss sports and other world affairs with the benefit of knowing the result, or just ignoring the blindingly obvious, and proving just what a powerful tool that hindsight is. This is where opinions can be expressed based on an infinitesimal amount of knowledge and expert opinion, all with the likelihood that it comes crash...

On today's edition of The Casual Mankadder, we look back over the highs and lows of the 1st Ashes Test from Edgbaston, once called England's Fortress, which was once again breached by those damn convicts who showed up and refused to be bashed up by Bazball. We'll discuss Australia's recent history in close contest Test matches before delving into the state of play in the 1st Test, and look at all...

Welcome to the first edition of The Hindsight Report, the show where we discuss sports and other world affairs with the benefit of knowing the result, or just ignoring the blindingly obvious, and proving just what a powerful tool that hindsight is. It is also where opinions can be expressed based on an infinitesimal amount of knowledge and expert opinion, all with the likelihood that it comes cras...

The World Test Championship Final has been played out at The Oval in London, with a match between the so-called two best Test teams in the world at present. On today's program, we will look back at the match in full - the scores, the drama, the good, the bad and the ugly. We cast our eye over the match details, and where the game was won and lost. We also take a more detailed look at each team...

Welcome to the next enthralling installment of Helen & Bill Do Retro Cinema! Taking on the task of watching every Academy Award nominated film from each year, and then dissecting it for the pleasure of the listening audience, giving them a rating, and then tearing into each other giving their own opinions of who the awards should have gone to, this modern day 'David and Margaret' try to keep thing...

On today's episode of In League with the NRL: We take a glance at the selections of both teams for the first match in this year's State of Origin series, and ponder over whether New South Wales has once again given Queensland a free kick with the team they have selected. Is form now not a pre-requisite for being picked, but merely a happy coincidence if the players chosen are also the best...

On a brand new segment on the Thoughts from the Metal Cavern podcast, welcome to... Helen & Bill Do Retro Cinema! Taking on the task of watching every Academy Award nominated film from each year, and then dissecting it for the pleasure of the listening audience, giving them a rating, and then tearing into each other giving their own opinions of who the awards should have gone to, this modern day '...

On today's first episode of our winter series of The Casual Mankadder, we delve into the hot topics that current in the world of cricket. The states have begun their recruiting drive for next season's Sheffield Shield, with a number of players already having made big moves across the border, and we discuss what may be behind those moves. We then have a deeper look at the problems that bese...

On today's episode of In League with the NRL, we have a change of format to try and streamline exactly where we are going with this part of the podcast. Today we discuss the hip drop tackle and just what direction the lawmakers what to take with it, and also discuss other rules that have had a rush of rulings in a four week period before being dismissed without a thought forever again. Then we hav...

The Australian Test squad for the World Test Championship final and the first two Tests of the 2023 Ashes series has been announced, and as expected there were the usual couple of talking points. Once again, somehow, a Marsh from Western Australia has managed to be named in the Test arena, despite almost zero form on the board to back his claims for selection. We discuss just what it is that gives...

Most poeple with any sort of taste in comedy and movies have seen the classic Monty Python film, Life of Brian. Now well over 40 years old, it is still one of the best and most cutting and humorous films ever made, with scenes and lines that are still quoted today. At some stage in the last 25 years, it became a tradition in my household to rewatch it every Easter, while others instead go to churc...

On this week's episode of In League With the NRL, we take a look back on the results of Round 5, and discuss whether teams such as the Sharks and the Cowboys and the Raiders are already in serious trouble in regards to playing finals in 2023, and how much longer they can go before it becomes a real issue. On today's Talking Point, I attended two games in last weekend's round - a first in the past...

On today's episode, we check out once again WHAT'S ON THE BOX? Our semi-regular look at what I've been watching on TV and hopefully on occasions at the cinema. Firstly we discuss the show "Shrinking" that has just completed Season 1 on Apple TV, and discuss who is behind its creation, the amazing cast that has been assembled to be in it, and how the storylines come together in order to create a wa...

Yes it’s that time of the week again, where we have a look back at the weekend in the NRL and sort out the men from the other men. After we discuss what happened over the weekend, the Talking Point this week focuses on several refereeing decisions that cropped up again, and we’ll wonder if they can ever been adjudicated in a correct fashion. Finally you get my awesome tips for next weekend, which...

On today's episode of 'What's on the Box?', we have look at some films that were nominated for the Academy Award for Best Motion Picture at the recent awards night. And no, there is little chance of me watching "Top Gun: Maverick" or "Avatar: The Way of Water" any time soon, so you can forget all about them. But I have managed to have seen three of those eight movies nominated. The eventual winner...