Media Mothership

WrestleMania 41 shook the WWE universe—but has The Rock gone too far? Craig, Taylor, and special guest Marcus dive into the fallout of John Cena’s heel turn, unravel the deep storytelling driving the feud with Cody and The Rock, and debate whether this shift is good for WWE. Listen live to “Media Mothership” every week (Australian Eastern Standard Time) via  YouTube ,...

Why do many Star Wars villains have British accents? In this episode, we break down the significance of this choice using cultural theory and storytelling frameworks. Drawing from John Fiske’s Textual Poaching , we explore how audiences interpret and reframe these portrayals. Stuart Hall’s theories on representation, identity, and ideology help explain how accent and villainy intersect...

How do historical perceptions of pigs shape modern food safety in Australia? We talk with PhD candidate Evelyn Lambeth about the fascinating world of pigs and pork in Australia. Drawing upon her current thesis research, “Pork Problems: Cultural Attitudes Toward Pigs Through History and Their Effects on Modern Food Safety in Australia,” Evelyn uncovers the rich historical context and co...

Join hosts Craig, Taylor, and special guest Marcus as they navigate the twists and turns from politics to wrestling. Unpacking Jon Stewart’s fiery commentary on Trump’s heel turn on Zelenskyy in terms of the aftermath of John Cena’s epic heel turn that sent shockwaves through the WWE. And don’t miss our predictions for what’s next at WrestleMania 41. Listen...

Join us as we delve into the latest trends in media culture and spotlight a classic gem from the golden age of radio—'Nothing Behind the Door' (1947) from the Quiet, Please series. We analyze its storytelling beats using Blake Snyder's Save the Cat theory, uncovering what makes this episode a timeless piece of eerie radio drama. Inspired by the release of  Black Mirror Season 7, we expl...

Delving deeper into the world of radio drama to uncover the layers beneath the stories, we explore an intriguing episode from X Minus One, “Mars is Heaven” by Ray Bradbury. There are some interesting deeper meanings in this story, which I’ll explore by looking into its historical context and seeing how the ideas of some theories and ideas can help explain these. Liniks: X Minus O...

Explore the intriguing themes of ideology and power in the latest Marvel film, "Captain America: Brave New World." Dr. Craig guides us on a thought-provoking journey into the darker side of American power, as depicted through characters like the Red Hulk. We delve into the broader implications of interpreting superhero films through heroic symbolism, revealing how these narratives reflect and chal...

We explore the intriguing parallels between WWE and Donald Trump's theatrical flamboyancy in the 'hair vs hair' event. We dissect the art of performance, charisma, and spectacle that both figures embody. We'll also break down Watch Mojo's Top 10 WWE Royal Rumble 2025 Moments , analyzing the highlights and the impact they have on fans and the wrestling community. First Broadcast on Edge Radio , 7 F...

Join us for an engaging conversation with Dr. Emerald King as we dive into the world of cosplay! We'll explore the upcoming Wellington Cosplay Photo Festival in New Zealand, discuss the vibrant cosplay scenes in Australia and New Zealand, and examine the unique differences and influences between the two cultures. Plus, we'll share tips for creating costumes that can withstand international travel...

We dive deeper into Eric R. Williams' "How to View and Appreciate Great Movies," focusing on the intricate layers of genre and the expectations they set for audiences. We then apply these insights to the fascinating Absolute Universe, a bold reimagining within the DC Multiverse. Join us as we explore how Absolute Batman, Absolute Superman, and Absolute Wonder Woman both meet and subvert traditiona...

In this episode, we delve into the concept of film genre through the lens of Eric R. Williams' theories, as presented in his work, "How to View and Appreciate Great Movies". Professor Williams, an M.F.A. from Ohio University, offers a compelling lecture on movie critics and the art of appreciating great films. We apply Williams' genre framework to both classic and contemporary films, demonstrating...

Join host Craig Norris, PhD research student Ashley Remminga, and Kentaro as they dive into the fascinating world of semiotics. Originally broadcast on Edge Radio on January 10, 2025, this episode explores how semiotics can help us decode the world around us. Plus, we tackle the weirdest movie moment of 2024 from "Kraven the Hunter." Don't miss this engaging discussion on popular culture and theor...

Episode 94 - With host Craig Norris and guest Kentaro. First Broadcast on Edge Radio , 20 December 2024. Dive into the latest buzz in media and pop culture! We then unravel Joseph Campbell’s Hero Journey and its cinematic influence, drawing upon Eric R. Williams' "How to View and Appreciate Great Movies." Discover how this timeless storytelling blueprint shapes modern cinema and why it still...

Episode 93 - With host Craig Norris and Taylor Lidstone. First Broadcast on Edge Radio , 6 Dec 2024. We explore the latest unusual media culture fails, then discuss the art of the "reversal" in storytelling, as explained in Jim Mercurio's "The Craft of Scene Writing: Beat by Beat to a Better Script." Join us as we dissect iconic movie scenes, revealing how a well-crafted reversal can turn the tide...

Episode 92 - With host Craig Norris and Taylor Lidstone. First Broadcast on Edge Radio , 29 November 2024. Have you ever wondered how video games shaped our understanding of the Cold War? Today, we dive into the apocalyptic worlds of the past with William Knoblauch's 2015 chapter "Game Over? A Cold War Kid Reflects On Apocalyptic Video Games" from the book  The State of Play: Creators and Cri...

Episode 91 - With host Craig Norris and guest Ashley Remminga & Taylor Lidstone. First Broadcast on Edge Radio , 22nd November 2024. Dive into the world of moe in manga and anime. Discover the key issues behind this concept as we break down character design and the emotional journeys of fans. We'll also explore how moe can be applied to popular Western TV shows and films. Plus, we tackle the m...

In this week's episode, we are joined by PhD candidate Ashley Remminga to delve into the fascinating world of Godzilla. As we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the iconic monster's debut in the 1954 film "Gojira," we uncover lesser-known facts and intriguing commentary about Godzilla. Join us for an in-depth exploration of the legendary kaiju and its enduring impact on pop culture. First Broadcast...

This episode examines the significant properties that will become part of the public domain in 2025, with a spotlight on "SHIVER ME TIMBERS," the upcoming horror movie adaptation of Popeye. Additionally, we analyze Ian “Always Black” Shanahan’s critique of "Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast" (2002) in his 2004 piece "Bow, N*" and its role in shaping New Games Journalism, with discussions on r...

In this episode, we consider some cultural studies perspectives on several intriguing stories. We explore how an Australian voice actor channels her 'inner Cate Blanchett' for Japan's high-speed train announcements. We also analyze Prime Video’s adaptation of “Like a Dragon: Yakuza,” focusing on the omission of the iconic song “Baka Mitai” and the subsequent clip of Kiryu singing it. We discuss th...

Interview with Ashley Remminga, a PhD research student from the University of Tasmania's School of Global Cultures and Languages. We delve into Ashley's completed MA thesis from La Trobe University, titled “Gendered Speech in the Inclusive Fandom: How Gendered Terms and Transmisogyny Shape the Experience of Gender-Diverse Cosplayers.” Our conversation covers the nuances of gendered speech, the imp...

In today's episode, we dive into a variety of intriguing topics including Digital Content Ownership. We explore a new California law that mandates companies to disclose that consumers don't actually own digital content, as reported by Engadget. The Big Bird Incident. We apply postmodern theory to analyze the near-disaster involving Big Bird on live television, examining the narrative through the l...

In today's episode, Dr Craig discusses some unusual, quirky media culture stories, including Guillermo del Toro’s live-tweeted adventure with a ghost in a haunted Scottish hotel, the reaction to Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis trailer, the story behind a German warship cruising down the Thames while blasting Darth Vader’s iconic Imperial March theme, and some awkward meltdowns in DVD commentari...

In this episode of Media Mothership, we highlight key developments in media culture. Escape From Tarkov now rewards players for reporting cheaters, enhancing community integrity. The Death Note musical addresses significant narrative challenges from the anime. Scientists have created a Dune-inspired stillsuit to help astronauts recycle urine in space. Sci-fi writer Robert J. Sawyer has made the cu...

Special guest Marty Clode (Zeitgeist_Studios), a talented figure sculptor, shares the story behind his recent award-winning entry in a local Warhammer 40K Space Marine Painting contest. Discover his approach to custom sculpting faces, creating captivating plinth scenes, and effectively telling a story through his art. Links: Martin Clode (@zeitgeist_studios) • Instagram photos and videos Top Model...

We delve into a strange 'new' urban legend making the rounds about a 'haunted house' in 1980's West Hobart. We'll unpack its social media origins and discuss other local myths, including the tale of Old Zincy. Plus, we’ll cover the latest news, such as Deadpool & Wolverine propelling NSYNC’s ‘Bye Bye Bye’ into Spotify’s Global Top 20, and the rise of virtual pop stars aiming to revive Australi...