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

Protagonist Podcast #206: Harry and friends in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (novel 2008) “Remember Cedric Diggory” 27.11.2018 1:05:43

Description Special Guest Sara Santana joins Joe Darowski to talk about Harry Potter and friends in the novel Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. They discuss some plot questions that end up not concerning them too much, then move … Continue reading →

Protagonist Podcast #205: The cast of WKRP in Cincinnati in “Turkeys Away” (TV 1978) “As God as my witness, I thought turkeys could fly.” 20.11.2018 47:11

Description Special guest Todd Petersen joins Joe to talk about the classic Thanksgiving themed episode from WKRP in Cincinnati titled “Turkeys Away.” They talk about the character motivations for the plot, the use of tragedy as a comedic parody, and … Continue reading →

Protagonist Podcast #204: Ayden and Zoe from Return of the Dapper Men (Comic 2010) “But most of all, she continued to inspire him.” 13.11.2018 56:25

Description Special guest John Darowski joins Joe Darowski to discuss the graphic novel Return of the Dapper Men which was written by Jim McCann with art by Janet Lee. While discussing this fairy taleu-esque story of a boy named Ayden … Continue reading →

Protagonist Podcast #203: Dave Kovic in Dave (Film 1993) “We’re walking. We’re walking.” 06.11.2018 1:00:13

Description Special guest Kjerste Christensen joins Joe Darowski to discuss Dave Kovic from the film Dave. They discuss how the film holds up surprisingly well, the quality of Kevin Kline’s performance, and how strong acting, writing, and directing elevate the … Continue reading →

Protagonist Podcast #202: Victor Frankenstein and the Creature in Frankenstein (Novel 1818) “It is true, we shall be monsters…” 29.10.2018 1:15:06

Description Special guest John Darowski joins Joe to discuss Victor Frankenstein and the Creature from Mary Shelley’s classic 1818 novel, Frankenstein. They talk the difference between terror and horror, the nature of monstrosity (spoiler, they’re both monsters), and the philosophy explored … Continue reading →

Protagonist Podcast #201: Gomez and Morticia Addams in The Addams Family (Film 1991) “With God as my witness, I am that fool!” 22.10.2018 59:24

Description Special Guest Kjerste Christensen joins Joe to talk about Gomez and Morticia from The Addams Family film. They discuss the history of The Addams Family in pop culture, how the macabre blends with traditional family portrayals, and also if … Continue reading →

Protagonist Podcast #200: Todd’s Farewell Special 16.10.2018 1:17:00

It’s our 200th episode special and our farewell to Todd special! We are 200 episodes in and Todd is hanging up his podcaster cape. We discuss our podcast origins, some of the episodes that stand out, and respond to listener feedback. … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #199: Halloween Special 2018: Monster Draft! “I know it wasn’t a competition, but Todd won.” 09.10.2018 1:25:47

Description Todd and Joe are joined by returning all-star Todd Petersen for the Halloween Special 2018. Producer Andrew has chosen 13 supernatural or spooky categories, and we each draft a Halloween team. Some very unexpected choices follow. Support the Show … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #198: Suzy Hendrix in Wait Until Dark (Film 1967) “Mr. Roat, are you looking at me?” 01.10.2018 1:20:14

Description Todd and Joe are talking about Suzy Hendrix from the film Wait Until Dark. After getting lost down a rabbit hole of Audrey Hepburn trivia, they discuss convoluted villainous plans, whether or not her husband is a jerk, and … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #197: The Entire Cast in Lark Rise to Candleford S03E03 (TV 2010) “Turbulent spirits can come in many guises.” 25.09.2018 1:15:21

Description This week, Todd and Joe are talking about the cast from Lark Rise to Candleford. They discuss periods of transition, varying interpretations of art, and the universal struggle of parenting an adolescent. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #196: Peter, Susan, Edmond, and Lucy in The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe (Novel 1950) “Once a king or queen of Narnia, always a king or queen of Narnia.” 18.09.2018 1:02:38

Description Todd and Joe are talking about The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. They discuss how much of a jerk Edmund is at the start, which characters have an arc, and whether the story functions without … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #195: Kenton in White Sand by Brandon Sanderson (Comic 2016) “You’re inept enough to make the hundred idiots look brilliant!” 11.09.2018 1:00:27

Description This week Joe and Todd discuss the graphic novel White Sand, by Brandon Sanderson. What makes the world of this story so intriguing? Who is steam punk Beyoncé? How is a character made more interesting by making him weak … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #194: Lucky Day, Dusty Bottoms, and Ned Nederlander in ¡Three Amigos! (Film 1986) “Wherever liberty is threatened you will find, the Three Amigos!” 04.09.2018 1:16:21

Description Joe and Todd discuss the classic 1986 comedy, ¡Three Amigos! Topics include moments when the story goes absurdly off the rails, Ned’s complex character development, and the film’s immense quotability. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON Show Notes … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #193: Desmond Hume and Penny Widmore in Lost S04E05 “The Constant” (TV 2008) “I promise. I love you.” 28.08.2018 1:19:14

Description Joe and Todd are discussing Desmond and Penny from the TV show Lost. In talking about one of the craziest episodes of a crazy tv show, they discuss time travel, literary allusions, and what we’re supposed to think about … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #192: The Narrator and Lettie Hempstock in The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman (Novel 2013) “Monsters come in all shapes and sizes.” 20.08.2018 1:09:58

Description Todd and Joe discuss the outstanding Neil Gaiman novel The Ocean at the End of the Lane. Topics include Gaiman’s skill in writing about children, the power of dynamic characters, and how real life can be more horrible than … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #191: The Little Tramp and the Gamin in Modern Times (Film 1936) “Buck up — never say die! We’ll get along!” 13.08.2018 1:09:12

Description This week, after a big announcement, Joe and Todd discuss The Little Tramp and the Gamin in the classic Charlie Chaplin film Modern Times. Discussion topics include the film’s humanity, tight story structure, and the way Chaplin’s comedy still … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #190: Special: Hitchcock Musical: “I think we got somewhere with this. I am really surprised.” 06.08.2018 1:13:48

Description All-star guest Kjerste Christensen returns to help Joe and Todd and Andrew workshop story ideas based on mashups of iconic creators with genres they are not accustomed to working in. What would a Buster Keaton sports film look like? … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #189: Wirt and Greg in Over the Garden Wall (TV 2014) “Well, welcome to the Unknown, boys. You’re more lost than you realize.” 31.07.2018 1:28:20

Description Joe and Todd are joined by Producer Andrew and special guest Kestra Darowski to discuss the Cartoon Network classic TV series Over the Garden Wall. Topics for discussion include the shows beautiful animation, stunning soundtrack, and what things ought … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #188: Kvothe in The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss (Novel 2007) “You may have heard of me.” 24.07.2018 1:28:31

Description Joe and Todd are talking about Kvothe from Patrick Rothfuss’s novel Name of the Wind. They talk about reliable narrators(?), world building, and classic storytelling. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON Show Notes The Name of the Wind … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #187: Dawn Greenwood and Silver Surfer in Silver Surfer: New Dawn (Comic 2014) “I’m Dawn Greenwood, and I’m gonna save you.” 17.07.2018 1:10:13

Description Joe and Todd are talking about Silver Surfer and Dawn Greenwood from the 2014 Marvel comic book series “Silver Surfer.” Topics of discussion include art styles, grand cosmic comic book weirdness, and tonal similarities with other works. Support the … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #186: Roger Thornhill in North by Northwest (Film 1959) “I’m an advertising man, not a red herring.” 10.07.2018 1:02:10

Description Todd and Joe are talking about Roger Thornhill from the Alfred Hitchcock film North by Northwest. Topics of discussion include what is an everyman, chaotic story writing, and dodging the Hayes Code. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #185: Antigone in Antigone by Sophocles (Play 441 BC) “At long last those blows will teach us wisdom.” 03.07.2018 1:10:01

Description Joe and Todd are joined by returning guest Virginia McAlister to discuss the ancient Greek play Antigone (the oldest text we’ve discussed). Topics include loyalty, obedience, rebellion, and the importance of tradition. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #184: Jim Lake Jr. in Trollhunters (TV 2016) “Destiny is a gift!” 26.06.2018 1:07:06

Description Joe and Todd are talking about Jim Lake Jr. from the Netflix series Trollhunters. They discuss the hero’s journey, all-ages entertainment, and some fantastic voice acting. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON Show Notes Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #183: Don Lockwood, Kathy Selden, and Cosmo Brown in Singin’ in the Rain (Film 1952) “Dignity. Always dignity.” 19.06.2018 1:21:22

Description This week Todd and Joe are joined by special guest Nik English to talk about Don Lockwood, Kathy Selden, and Cosmo Brown from a truly classic film, Singin’ in the Rain. They talk about film history, this movie’s villain, … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #182: Megan and Cue Ball (stick figures) in XKCD Time (Comic 2013) “I don’t know, but we’ll figure it out.” 12.06.2018 1:18:39

Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON Show Notes Time (xkcd) – Wikipedia) xkcd: Attention Span Megan – explain xkcd Cueball – explain xkcd xkcd Time – at your own pace (3102) 1190: “Time” – xkcd Understanding Comics – Wikipedia … Continue reading →