Michael Simpson
Fools of a Took
Michael and Nick have both viewed the critically acclaimed Peter Jackson films multiple times since their release, but neither of them have read the iconic books from J.R.R. Tolkien! So join them as they rectify this pop culture calamity by engaging in a chapter-by-chapter reaction and discussion of one of the most iconic stories of all time, including characters, events and their similarities/differences to the films, and an odd tangent here and there as well.
Author
Michael Simpson
Category
Podcast website
Latest episode
Oct 12, 2025
Where to listen?
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Episodes
A Knife in the Dark 12.10.2025 55:32
Meet Michael and Nick for the twelfth time as they catch the shining glimmer of A Knife in the Dark. Michael wonders whether the end of the chapter was an appropriate cliff hanger, adores the tale of Tinuviel, and is beyond confused over the whereabouts of Aragorn as Frodo is stabbed by the ringwraith. Nick expresses his dislike for the scene change away from Frodo's perspective, further analy...
Strider 10.08.2025 53:14
Meet Michael and Nick for the eleventh time as they get to know the mysterious man they call Strider.
At the Sign of the Prancing Pony 06.07.2025 51:00
Meet Michael and Nick for the tenth time as they enter the town of Bree and the Inn of the Prancing Pony.
Fog on the Barrow-Downs 06.06.2025 49:30
Meet Michael and Nick for the ninth time as they descend into the haziness that is the Barrow-downs. They quickly recap the hobbit's journey so far before establishing exactly what a barrow-wight is, as well as another perilous situation Frodo finds himself in after a foolish error in judgement.
In the House of Tom Bombadil 10.05.2025 39:55
Meet Michael and Nick for the eighth time as they finally dive into the character whose absence from the films was felt more than any other, Tom Bombadil. His personality is discussed as well as the kind of Airbnb hosts he and Lady Goldberry would be. Other topics include some nightmares for most of the hobbits, and a particular milestone which seems to be overlooked by everyone involved.
The Old Forest 21.02.2025 51:46
Meet Michael and Nick for the seventh time as they dive into a historic war between the hobbits of Buckland and the forest itself, we question Merry's competence as the local guide through the forest and try putting ourselves in his shoes (or hairy feet?). Nick also drops the C-bomb in another attempt to paint Frodo as a broody non-hero protagonist, and we catch a glimpse of this new character...
A Conspiracy Unmasked 04.02.2025 47:13
Meet Michael and Nick for the sixth time as they make their long expected return from their three-year hiatus to finish this story (albeit with some difficulty). Discussions are had about the usefulness of supposed close friend Fredegar Bolger, Frodo's anxiety-inducing build up of courage to tell his friends his true purpose of leaving The Shire, and what the Ringwraiths had been getting up to as...
A Shortcut to Mushrooms 17.01.2025 58:52
Meet Michael and Nick for the fifth time as they discuss the appetite of Hobbits (Pippin especially), Sam pronouncing his loyalty and commitment to Frodo, and the character of Farmer Maggot, is he anything like the farmer we see in the films? Nick also starts a theory of a class dynamic in Middle Earth, and Michael has a go at giving the Ringwraiths new voices with their wealth of speaking lines.
Three is Company 15.01.2025 59:43
Meet Michael and Nick for the fourth time as they observe the first leg of the Hobbit's journey after leaving the Shire. They share their thoughts on Frodo's plan to leave the Shire, as well as the first appearance of the Ringwraiths and Elves. They also react to the songs that Tolkien has added and what part they play in the story, and wonder what the etiquette may be for unexpected visitors to...
The Shadow of the Past 21.12.2024 50:14
Meet Michael and Nick for the third time as they piece together the journey of the Ring, they begin to question Gandalf's decision making and use of time, as well as what we think of Sam as we finally get a good look at his character, and the sheer amount of time that passes in this single chapter.
A Long Expected Party 07.12.2024 1:00:18
Meet Michael and Nick for the second time as they try to find a nickname for JRR Tolkien, they discuss the customs of parties and gift giving in The Shire, note the differences (or similarities) in the coming of age of us and Hobbits, and the seemingly isolated culture of Hobbits.
Prologue 23.11.2024 43:18
Meet Michael and Nick for the first time as they explain the start of their podcasting journey, and begin diving into the book's prologue. They draw parallels between themselves and the hobbits, break down the differences between different types of hobbits and their way of life, and they reflect on Bilbo's story and his finding of the Ring.
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