Dueling Genre Productions

The Protagonist Podcast

Arts EN ↓ 606 episodes

Each week we discuss a great character in a great story. Hosted by Joseph J. Darowski.

Author

Dueling Genre Productions

Episodes

Hi and Ed McDunnough from Raising Arizona (film 1987) 19.04.2021 1:13:23

“Maybe it was Utah.” Description All-Star guest Todd Petersen joins Joe to discuss one of the early Coen Brothers films, Raising Arizona. This off-beat comedy sees an ex-con named Hi (Nicolas Cage) and an ex-cop named Ed (Holly Hunter) who … Continue reading →

Vash and Wolfwood in Trigun (TV 1998) 12.04.2021 54:44

Description “I’m like a hunter of peace.” Returning all-star guest Norman Mitchell joins Joe to discuss Vash and Wolfwood from the anime series Trigun. The anime is based on the popular manga series created by Yasuhiro Nightow. Topics of discussion … Continue reading →

“Circular Ruins” and “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” (Short stories, 1890 and 1940) 05.04.2021 59:02

Description Protagonist Podcast co-founder Todd Mack is back to discuss two short stories. “Circular Ruins” is by Jorge Luis Borges and tells the story of a wizard conjuring a being from his dreams. “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge is … Continue reading →

Aspirational Entertainment (special 2021) 29.03.2021 1:18:17

Description All-Star guest Kjerste Christensen joins Joe to talk about aspirational media. We have a free-flowing conversation about the topic, and touch on issues of cultural literacy, what media is good for us to consume, and what media we still … Continue reading →

Protagonist Podcast: Ben from Night of the Living Dead (film 1968) “The unburied dead are coming back to life…” 22.03.2021 1:00:31

Description Joe and Producer Andrew are talking about Ben from the 1968 film Night of the Living Dead. This classic film is often cited as the first zombie film, and we talk about its place in pop culture history, its … Continue reading →

Protagonist Podcast: Roberta and Superman from Superman Smashes the Klan (comic 2019) “If you might be able to help another person, you ought to at least try.” 15.03.2021 56:59

Description First time guest Gene Luen Yang joins Joe to discuss the graphic novel Superman Smashes the Klan by Gene Luen Yang and Gurihiru. This comic book story is an updated tale inspired by a classic storyline from the Adventures … Continue reading →

Protagonist Podcast: Yoon Seri and Captain Ri Jeong-hyeok from Crash Landing on You (TV 2019) “This is really urgent.” 08.03.2021 1:17:32

Description First-time guest Rachel Armstrong is joining us to discuss the Korean drama Crash Landing on You. This tv series tells the story of Yoon Seri, a South Korean woman who has a paragliding accident and lands in North Korea, … Continue reading →

Protagonist Podcast: Kaladin, Shallan, and Dalinar from The Way of Kings (novel 2010) “Life before Death. Strength before Weakness. Journey before Destination.” 01.03.2021 1:39:04

Description Joe is joined by returning guest Tianna Homer to discuss the first book in Brandon Sanderson’s Starlight Archive series. The Way of Kings tells the stories of a slave named Kaladin, a desperate ward named Shallan, and a troubled … Continue reading →

Protagonist Podcast: Pop Culture Franchise Trivia (special 2021) 22.02.2021 1:06:22

Description There are a LOT of pop culture franchises, but how well do you actually know them? Returning guest Chris “Mav” Maverick joins Joe in a trivia contest. Can you name all the subtitles of Transformers films? How many franchises … Continue reading →

Protagonist Podcast: Sam Baldwin and Annie Reed in Sleepless in Seattle (film 1993) “It was…magic.” 15.02.2021 1:00:06

Description Returning guest Virginia McAlister joins Joe to discuss Sam Baldwin (Tom Hanks) and Annie Reed (Meg Ryan) in the 1993 film Sleepless in Seattle. We talk about Nora Ephron’s career, the film’s unique spin on romantic comedies, and the … Continue reading →

Protagonist Podcast: The midwives from Call the Midwife (TV 2012) “Midwifery is the very stuff of life.” 08.02.2021 1:04:39

Description Returning guest Kjerste Christensen joins Joe to discuss the BBC series Call the Midwife. We’re primarily focusing on Jenny Lee (played by Jessica Raine) and Chummy Noakes (played by Miranda Hart). The series tells the story of a group … Continue reading →

Harry Houdini in Houdini: The Handcuff King (comic 2007) “Will anyone even remember me a hundred years from now?” 01.02.2021 51:37

Description Joe and Producer Andrew are discussing the graphic novel Houdini: The Handcuff King by Jason Lutes and Nick Bertozzi. This graphic novel tells a day-in-the-life story of Houdini performing one of his classic escapes. We discuss Houdini’s reputation, the … Continue reading →

Protagonist Podcast: Characters from Good Country People (short story 1955) “I’m as good as you any day in the week.” 25.01.2021 47:47

Description Joe and Producer Andrew are discussing a classic American short story by Flannery O’Connor. “Good Country People” tells the story of a couple rumor-mongers, an atheist, a con-man Bible salesman, and a stolen prosthetic leg. Support Patreon Show Notes … Continue reading →

Protagonist Podcast: Miles Morales in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse “Okay, let’s do this one last time.” 18.01.2021 1:12:00

Description Scott Carelli joins Joe and Producer Andrew to discuss Miles Morales and other spider-people from Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. This animated film broke a lot of new ground in terms of animation style and also narrative style for a … Continue reading →

Protagonist Podcast Special Announcement 2021 05.01.2021 6:33

Description The Protagonist Podcast is taking a very brief hiatus. We’ll be back on January 18th with our regular episodes!

Protagonist Podcast #316: Jerry Travers and Dale Tremont from Top Hat (film 1935) “How could I have ever fallen in love with a man like you?” 28.12.2020 59:55

Description Returning guest Kyra Hunting joins Joe to discuss a golden age Hollywood musical. Top Hat stars the classic pairing of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in a screwball comedy with all the singing and dancing you would expect. This … Continue reading →

Protagonist Podcast #315: Christmas Special 2020 21.12.2020 1:14:57

Description It’s that time of year again! Todd Mack is back to join Joe for our annual Christmas Special. Producer Andrew has selected eight Christmas movies we’ve never seen, and base don the titles alone Todd and Joe each make … Continue reading →

Protagonist Podcast #314: Kevin and Kate McCallister from Home Alone (film 1990) “Kevin!” 14.12.2020 57:29

Description Joe and Producer Andrew are tackling a Christmas classic. We discuss the behind-the-scenes drama that occurred while making the film, the long-term success it has enjoyed, and also the comedy style that led to it becoming one of the … Continue reading →

Protagonist Podcast #313: The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society from The Goes Wrong Show (TV 2019) “Who’s the real winner at Christmas? Amazon.” 07.12.2020 55:01

Description This week, returning guest John Darowski joins Joe and Andrew to discuss “The Spirit of Christmas” from The Goes Wrong Show. When a small troupe of actors attempt to stage a Christmas play, everything that can go wrong does. … Continue reading →

Protagonist Podcast #312: Jack in Samurai Jack (TV 2001) “I tore open a portal in time and flung him into the future…” 30.11.2020 1:16:21

Description All-Star guest Nik English returns to discuss the animated series Samurai Jack. Joe and Nik talk about the unique style of the series, the strengths it demonstrates in visual storytelling, and the unexpected world that is built within the … Continue reading →

Protagonist Podcast #311: Thanksgiving Special 2020 24.11.2020 1:34:58

Description He’s back! Protagonist Podcast co-founder Todd Mack joins returning guest Todd Petersen, Joe, and Producer Andrew for a Thanksgiving 2020 special. Enjoy the listen, show gratitude, and be safe this week!

Protagonist Podcast #310: Arthur Dent in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (novel 1979) “Don’t panic.” 17.11.2020 49:56

Description It’s the 42nd anniversary of the publication of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, so naturally we needed to cover it on the podcast. Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe to discuss the classic sci-fi comedy by Douglas Adams. … Continue reading →

Protagonist Podcast #309: Luke Skywalker in Return of the Jedi (film 1983) “I am a Jedi, like my father before me.” 09.11.2020 1:19:14

Description Returning guest Branden Ushio joins Joe to discuss the final film of the original Star Wars trilogy. We talk about trivia, great moments in the film, and discuss the film’s status in the Star Wars film series. Support Patreon … Continue reading →

Protagonist Podcast #308: Kurt Wagner in Nightcrawler (comic 2004) “…the X-Men’s resident paranormal investigator.” 03.11.2020 1:08:06

Description New guest Anna Peppard joins Joe to discuss one of the most popular characters from the X-Men franchise: Nightcrawler. A mutant with a demonic appearance and the power to teleport, Nightcrawler has most often been a part of team-oriented … Continue reading →

Protagonist Podcast #307: Halloween Special 2020 26.10.2020 1:18:13

Description They’re back! Todd Mack and Todd Petersen join Joe and Andrew for the annual Halloween Special. This year, we’re drafting teams to go back in time to fix 2020. What fixing 2020 actually means, well, we’re leaving that up … Continue reading →