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

The Protagonist Podcast #181: Amaar Rashid and Rayyan Hamoudi in Little Mosque on the Prairie (TV 2007) “We will blow the competition away!” 04.06.2018 1:01:18

Description Joe and Todd are talking about Amaar Rashid and Rayyan Hamoudi from the Canadian sitcom Little Mosque on the Prairie. They discuss why being a fairly normal sitcom makes this a pretty special show, problems of prejudice, and issues … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #180: Liesel Meminger in The Book Thief (Novel 2006) “I am haunted by humans.” 29.05.2018 1:14:08

Description This week, Joe and Todd are talking about Liesel from the instant classic: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. They discuss the novel’s unique narrator, the trauma of war, and the great characters that surround Liesel. Support the Show … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #179: Raj/Kaali, Meera, Veer, and Ishita in Dilwale (Film 2015) “In big countries these small things sometimes happen. “ 22.05.2018 1:16:21

Description Joe and Todd are talking about the cast of the film Dilwale. They discuss Bollywood films, the accepted ethics in the narrative world of the film, and revel in the anything-can-happen nature of the film. Support the Show SUPPORT … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #178: Special: Anime Truth or Lie “There are way more puns going around than I expected, guys, and I must say: I approve.” 15.05.2018 1:12:35

Description This week, Todd and Joe are joined by returning guest Norman Mitchell to play a game we’re calling Anime Truth and Lie. We take turns sharing the title of a Japanese Anime series, then reading off one real and … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #177: Edward and Alphonse Elric in Fullmetal Alchemist (Comic 2001-2010) “YOU’RE ALL PICKING ON ME!!!” 08.05.2018 1:16:33

Description This week, Joe and Todd are joined by special guest Norman Mitchell to discuss Edward and Alphonse Elric from the Manga series Fullmetal Alchemist. They talk about the balance between the brothers’ personalities, the creativity of the series’ creator … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #176: Vincent Van Gogh in “Vincent and the Doctor” (S05E10 of Dr. Who) (TV 2010) “Every life is a pile of good things and bad things.” 01.05.2018 1:05:31

Description This week, Dr. Who expert and friend of the show Cassandra Fredrickson joins Todd and Joe to discuss the amazing Dr. Who episode “Vincent and the Doctor.” Topics include: reactions to the chicken monster, the especially timey-wimey handwaviness of … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #175: The Narrator in “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman (Short Story 1892) and Emilio in “The Man Who Buried Himself” by Miguel de Unamuno (Short Story 1908) “Poor, crazy fools!” 24.04.2018 1:07:22

Description This week Todd and Joe tackle a couple of eerily similar short stories: “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman and “The Man Who Buried Himself” by Miguel de Unamuno. Topics include doppelgängers, the uncanny, and how literature can … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #174: Alfred Borden and Robert Angier in The Prestige (Film 2006) “Are you watching closely?” 17.04.2018 1:22:12

Description Joe and Todd are joined by special guest Jeff Dumas to discuss the 2006 film The Prestige. In this episode you’ll hear one of the most difficult summaries ever attempted and a discussion of how perfectly plotted this film … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #173: Snoopy in Peanuts by Charles Schulz (Comic 1950) “Life is full of rude awakenings.” 09.04.2018 55:40

Description This week Joe and Todd tackle Snoopy from Charles Shulz’s comic strip Peanuts. Topics include Shulz’s amazing consistency, Snoopy’s universal appeal, and the ways the imaginative cartoon dog infuses a dark world with hope. Support the Show SUPPORT US … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #172: Rob and Laura Petrie (played by Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore) in “It May Look Like a Walnut” S02E20, “Never Bathe on Saturday” S04E27, and “Coast to Coast Big Mouth” S05E01 (TV 1961) “I lost my sense of humor and my thu 03.04.2018 55:55

Description Joe and a Todd are talking about Rob and Laura Petrie from The Dick Van Dyke Show, one of the greatest sitcoms of all-time. They discuss the different kinds of comedy on the show, the brilliance of the cast, … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #171: Cather in Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell (Novel 2013) “To really be a nerd, she’d decided, you had to prefer fictional worlds to the real one.” 26.03.2018 1:16:41

Description This week we return to the world of fan fiction as we discuss Cather in the novel Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. Topics include PG-13 rated snuggling, the reasons we write fiction, autism in literature, Cather’s satisfying victories, and her … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #170: Troy Bolton and Gabriela Montez in High School Musical (Film 2006) “We’re all in this together!” 20.03.2018 1:24:29

Description Todd and Joe are talking about a pop culture phenomenon from a decade ago: High School Musical. How does it hold up for a first time viewer? Can a VERY close reading of a ninety second scene yield insights … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #169: The Immigrant in The Arrival by Shaun Tan (Comic 2006) “…” 13.03.2018 58:23

Description This week all-star guest Kjerste Christensen joins Todd and Joe to talk about the outstanding 2006 graphic novel The Arrival, by Shaun Tan. Discussion topics include the power of a wordless novel, Tan’s unique style, and the story’s compassionate … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #168: Olivia Pope in Scandal S01E01 “Sweet Baby” and S02E22 “White Hats Back On” (TV 2012) “I want to be a gladiator in a suit.” 06.03.2018 1:19:12

Description This week, we enter the Shondaverse to talk about Olivia Pope from the tv show Scandal. We talk about the tone of the show, quality writing and acting, and wonder about Olivia’s blind spot. Support the Show SUPPORT US … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #167: Christopher Rowe in The Blackthorn Key (Novel 2015) “Things you have to light from far away probably shouldn’t be lit at all.” 26.02.2018 1:00:18

Description Novelist Frank Cole joins Todd and Joe as they discuss Christopher Rowe in the The Blackthorn Key. This middle grade novel by Kevin Sands is a bit like The Da Vinci Code meets Shakespeare (but for kids), and in … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #166: Derice, Sanka, Yul Brenner, Junior, and Irving in Cool Runnings (Film 1993) “Feel the rhythm! Feel the rhyme!” 20.02.2018 1:20:29

Description In the spirit of the Winter Olympics, Joe and Todd are joined by special guest Chris Maverick to discuss the film Cool Runnings. They talk about family film expectations, current attitudes toward this film, and what character arcs the … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #165: Valentine’s day Special 2018 “Kenneth Branagh to Kenneth Branagh in Harry Potter.” 13.02.2018 1:20:29

Description Todd, Joe, and Producer Andrew play a new Valentine’s Day game. They try to build the longest chain of actors they can by saying “Actor A dated Actress B in Movie X, and Actress B dated Actor C in … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #164: Mary Jane Watson in Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane (Comic 2007) “What would you say to going out some time?” 06.02.2018 59:42

Description Todd and Joe talk about Mary Jane from the comic book Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane. They discuss the significance of high school emotions, the blending of superheroes and adolescent drama, and one of a Todd’s favorite artistic portrayals in … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #163: Granny, Nanny, and Magrat in Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pritchett (Novel 1999) “Things that try to look like things often do look more like things than things.” 30.01.2018 1:03:50

Description We’re joined by special guest Karissa Evensen to discuss the novel Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett. We talk about his Discworld series, the three witches, and the relationship between truth and story. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #162: Special Episode on Fan Fiction “Ron’s Ron shirt was just as bad as Ron himself.” 22.01.2018 1:13:55

Description This week, inspired by a patron request, Todd and Joe dip a toe into the world of fan fiction. They talk about what it is, it’s gray areas, and Producer Andrew points out some iconic works of fan fiction. … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #161: Kubo in Kubo and the Two Strings (Film 2016) “If you must blink, do it now.” 16.01.2018 1:10:56

Description This week, Todd and Joe are joined by returning guest Branden Ushio to discuss Kubo and the Two Strings. They talk about the Hero’s Journey, the beautiful stop motion, and issues of representation on the film. Support the Show … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #160: Fantasy Box Office 2018 “So many bad films to choose from.” 08.01.2018 1:12:38

Description It’s time to look back at the 2017 Fantasy Box Office and look ahead to 2018. Find out who won last year’s event, then listen to Todd and Joe make their picks for their unique spin on a Guess … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #159: The Entire Cast in The Importance of Being Earnest (Theater 1895) “The truth is rarely pure and never simple.” 02.01.2018 55:31

Description This week, Joe and Todd are going old school, as they discuss The Importance of Being Earnest. They talk about silly seriousness, the importance of the era to understanding some of the critiques, and Wilde’s tightly controlled farce. Support … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #158: Elise and Nick in The Mistletoe Promise (Film 2016) “Christmas rarely goes well for me.” 26.12.2017 50:34

Description Joe and Todd are talking about the movie The Mistletoe Promise. They’ve had enough fun with the formula that it was time to talk about an actual Hallmark Christmas movie. They talk about what characters they like, what doesn’t … Continue reading →

The Protagonist Podcast #157: Jo March in Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (Novel 1869) “Women work a great many miracles” 19.12.2017 1:05:14

Description Todd and Joe are discussing a classic novel, Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women. They discuss parenting, realistic character, and audience expectations. Support the Show SUPPORT US ON PATREON SIGN UP FOR A 30-DAY FREE TRIAL OF AUDIBLE.COM Show Notes … Continue reading →