MULTIMEDIOCRITY: The Broadcast!

On this installment of MULTIMEDIOCRITY: The Broadcast!, Talley and Doofin discuss some bad foods they've eaten way too much of, the lack of real tearjerker endings in Disney's modern catalog, ways theyre staying sane during this time of social distancing, a few alarming stats about COVID-19, and how Florida can't help but go full-Florida, even during a pandemic.The gents also talk a good bit about the Star Wars and X-Men film franchises, as well as HOBBS & SHAW, TEAM AMERICA, BACK TO THE FUTURE, and INDIANA JONES AND THE  KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL (the latter of which Talley finally watched). Things get predictably stupid, as the hosts end up arguing over, among other nonsense, the Russian-ness of the movie version of a comic book character Tim Roth once portrayed. See what all the rumpus is about on Episode 50!For show notes and more on this and past episodes, please visit multimediocrity.com.

On this installment of MULTIMEDIOCRITY: The Broadcast!, Doofin and Talley are back from yet another long hiatus, and we find them at their most empathic, most crass, and most rusty. Talley (the Clarion) and Doofin (the Contrarian) touch on everything from NBC’s ‘The Good Place’ to a bus crash almost sending Matthew to The Bad Place, as well as takes on film franchises like Star Trek, James Bond, Mission: Impossible and The Fast and Furious.The gents also discuss some of the top Oscar nominees, some of which bounced off of them in unexpected ways (sorry, Netflix movies), as well as the complicated legacies of our celebrities and heroes. They wonder why Americans are obsessed with the idea of the flawed hero in our books and movies, but can’t seem to accept them in real life (see: the reactions from all sides after the passing of Kobe Bryant). This is not the dudes’ finest hour, but it is a memorable installment for a few reasons. Come(on man) for the porn pun riffing, stay for the blasphemy on Episode 49!For show notes and more on this episode and others, please visit multimediocrity.com. 

On this installment of MULTIMEDIOCRITY: The Broadcast!, Talley and Doofin talk babies, Baby Boomers, and Baby Yoda! This episode might as well be sponsored by Disney, considering how much the gents talk up the company's new streaming service, and a particular program on it. They discuss the first two episodes of The Mandalorian: its western motifs, that big reveal, and how the series has put a spotlight back on, of all things, the Star Wars Holiday Special. Plus, some thoughts on George Lucas tinkering with the Han and Greedo scene yet again, and creating a new word (and several memes) in the process.The guys also touch on JOKER, bad lines from otherwise great films, comedy bits and movies that informed their humor, and a pair of solid new HBO shows, His Dark Materials and Watchmen, lamenting how the latter, along with several other recent shows and movies, are being dismissed by some as "woke garbage" for daring to include social commentary in their storytelling. Talley gets a (Disney)plus for the effort, but a minus for his scratchy Muppet voice, while Doofin gives a resounding "meh" to James McAvoy (more like James 'Meh'cAvoy, amirite?). Celebrate Life Day with the scruffy-looking nerf herders on episode 48!For show notes and more on this episode and others, please visit multimediocrity.com.

On this installment of MULTIMEDIOCRITY: The Broadcast!, Doofin finds joy in, uh, relieving himself, while finding ire in an upcoming holiday, and at least on one Nightmarish Halloween movie. The guys discuss the goodness of Neil Gaiman adaptations, the overexposure of Disney’s FROZEN, and the passing of Eddie Money and The Cars frontman Ric Ocasek, with Talley predicting which rock star will eat it next (it didn’t happen, but--ahem--two out of three ain’t bad).The gents also ponder which Hollywood actor totally murdered a woman, question the hype (and fear) about the JOKER movie, recall some of their favorite passing lines and jokes from movies, and talk up shows like Scrubs, Sports Night, and Seinfeld... and talk down Netflix’s The I-Land, Friends, and Jerry Seinfeld the man. Shakespeare, Taco Bell, cancel culture, Bob Dylan impressions, a random political rant, and more: urine for a good time on Episode 47!For show notes and more on this episode and others, please visit multimediocrity.com. 

On this installment of MULTIMEDIOCRITY: The Broadcast!, Talley and Doofin weigh in on the great chicken sandwich debate that, like many things, only seems to exist on Twitter. They discuss whether Popeye’s fried chicken between a bun bests Chick-fil-A’s, people’s extreme loyalty to restaurant and corporate brands, the frightening implications of Netflix’s Cambridge Analytica documentary The Great Hack, and the slow babyface turn of Fleabag actor Andrew Scott. Also, as the episode recording was coming to a close, news broke that Sony and Disney were fighting over Spider-Man, so you’ll hear the guys speculate blindly on the hows and whys of that ongoing rift.Is Alan Ruck the secret weapon of SPEED? Has a Keanu accent attempt ever fully ruined a movie? Should KILL BILL always remain two movies? Do Tampa morning zoo DJs only have two options in life? What would a Woody Allen adult film sound like? Which film franchise has the most jacked continuity? How many viewings does it take for Doofin to notice a long take? Won’t someone please think of the white people?! Drink some lingonberry tea and butcher Jimmy Ray’s “Are You Jimmy Ray?” with the gents on episode 46!For show notes and more on this episode and others, please visit multimediocrity.com.

On this installment of MULTIMEDIOCRITY: The Broadcast!, Talley is joined by friend of the program Nick Pratt, co-host of fellow State-Lines Network podcast Films We've Watched, to talk all things ONCE UPON A TIME... IN HOLLYWOOD, the latest feature from director Quentin Tarantino! This is a single-topic show that should only be listened to if you have seen the film, as there are spoilers abound. So, again, don't be "a has-been, old buddy," and [ONLY LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE AFTER YOU HAVE SEEN THE MOVIE].The gents dive deep into the groovy, funny, dusty, culty, and (whole) bloody affair, discussing the film's stellar cast, its influences and homages, some of the real life people and events included in the story, Tarantino's prior filmography, and more! If—and only IF—you have seen ONCE UPON A TIME... IN HOLLYWOOD, check this one out. And let them know what you thought of the film, too, by leaving a comment on the MULTIMEDIOCRITY Instagram or the MULTIMEDIOCRITY.com episode page, where you can also find show notes and more on this episode and others.

On this installment of MULTIMEDIOCRITY: The Broadcast!, Talley and Doofin return from an extended summer hiatus a little older, a little slower, and clearly, no less serious… or professional, as Talley’s mic cord fell out a few minutes in and he didn’t notice (apologies for his poor audio from minute 6 onward) The gents do touch on some of the news and trailers that dropped at Comic-Con, HEREDITARY director Ari Aster’s followup feature MIDSOMMAR, as well as a couple of recent moon landing flicks, FIRST MAN and APOLLO 11. Doofin also shares some harrowing tales of his day job and recent foster care duties, while Talley makes some of the worst puns, ever... and for him and this program, that’s saying something.What album by '90s alt-rock band Live holds up the least? Which Spielberg movie poster(s) should be hidden in a closet? What the heck was that CATS trailer? Who is James Dory? What death scene scarred us the most as a child? What are cinema’s greatest jump scares? And can a person sing the Family Matters theme song without it morphing into the Full House theme? Some of these questions will be answered, but many more will be raised… or abandoned… or drowned in the Swamp of Sadness. Forget all the Beatles songs, remember some '90s one-hit wonders, and sing an Andrew Lloyd Webber number with the guys on episode 44!For show notes and more on this episode and others, please visit multimediocrity.com.

On this installment of MULTIMEDIOCRITY: The Broadcast!, Doofin is away on assignment doing some classified business, or washing his hair, or rearing a living thing... or something weird. He'll explain his absence upon his return on the next one, but in the meantime, Talley is joined in-person by his pal Beatrice Longshore to talk Game of Thrones' final episodes and the varied reactions to them, and the series as a whole.Breaking down the HBO show's controversial finale leads to a greater discussion of other major genre franchises' "endings," including AVENGERS: Endgame and STAR WARS: The Rise of Skywalker, and the always passionate, sometimes entitled fandoms of each, as well as those of Lost, Battlestar Galactica, the DCEU, and more. Share your L.A. shortcuts, ignore the bells, and burn it down with them on episode 43!For show notes and more on this episode and others, please visit multimediocrity.com.

On this installment of MULTIMEDIOCRITY: The Broadcast!, Doofin and Talley, fresh off of their previous recording, come in a little hot, a little punchy, and a little sappy. They discuss a litany of topics, including director Nicholas Stoller's three movie run out of the gate, some better-than-average romantic comedies, and a few of unsung guitar greats. The gents also look back at Disney Afternoon's great early cartoon block and rapper Skee-Lo's 15 minutes of fame, and look forward to Game of Thrones' final season and Amazon's The Lord of the Rings series.Talley wishes people would stop genetically engineering pocket animals, Doofin returns to Queer Eye to give him the shot of hope he often needs, and neither mind the 3-hour runtime for AVENGERS: Endgame. Is James Gunn enough to make you show up for SUICIDE SQUAD 2? What woman's name that ends with an "anna" got the best song treatment? Have we not come a long way if we're able to argue the gayness of a gay movie or TV show? These questions and much more await you in the answer to life, the universe, and everything: episode 42!

On this installment of MULTIMEDIOCRITY: The Broadcast!, Talley and Doofin are joined by their pal Aaron Koontz, back with a vengeance… and a clear head, to discuss all things US, the new film from GET OUT writer/director Jordan Peele! This is a single-topic episode that should only be listened to if you have seen the movie, as there are spoilers abound, so again: [DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE UNTIL AFTER YOU HAVE SEEN US]The gents dive deep, talking theories on the film's greater meaning and intent, its subtle and not-so-subtle allegories, small details you might have missed on an initial viewing, and how it’s closer in spirit to a MAGNOLIA or THE PRESTIGE than Peele’s previous film. If you’ve seen US, let them know what you thought of it (via a comment on the site’s episode page, at the State-Lines.com episode page, or at the MULTIMEDIOCRITY Instagram), and if they missed anything you caught.For show notes and more on this episode and others, please visit multimediocrity.com.

On this installment of MULTIMEDIOCRITY: The Broadcast!, Doofin and Talley talk—in a spoiler-free manner—about the latest MCU entry, CAPTAIN MARVEL, discussing the film's merits (Ben Mendelsohn), shortcomings (Matthew's expectations), and its charming "feline" co-star, as well as the increasingly-angry army of bitter bros that tried (and failed) to make a dent in its box office.The gents also discuss late-90s/early-2000s pop-punk and how wide a net that genre label casts, wonder if Michael Jackson will be the abuser who makes or brakes America's willingness to separate the art from the artist, and reflect on the films and roles of John Candy, who is being remembered fondly online this month, the 25th anniversary of his death.Are people who use Uber Eats to order ice cream sociopaths? Will Tiger Woods ever catch Jack Nicklaus' majors record? How much empathy should you have for people who die trying to take a selfie? Is it way too early to anoint Jordan Peele as the next Hitchcock? Tune in to episode 40 for answers, sort of, to these questions and more!For show notes and more on this episode and others, please visit multimediocrity.com.

On this installment of MULTIMEDIOCRITY: The Broadcast!, Talley and Doofin find themselves discussing everything from the bad and worse of SPIDER-MAN soundtrack songs to the great and greater of R.E.M.'s run of 90s albums. The gents then dive deep into some Oscar history, examining 1998's Best Picture winner and losers; take a random phone call from their pal and frequent guest, Cameron Burns; recommend an all-star audiobook and a couple of new TV shows; and threaten to give up on social media… and humanity.Also on the program: is JJ Abrams better than we give him credit for? Will we ever be able to separate the art and the artist again? Is The Office America's favorite "warm blanket"? What is Spielberg's worst film? What is Terrence Malick's best film? Is "Vindicated" Dashboard Confessional's worst song? Was that the lamest Super Bowl Halftime Show ever? Is this the guys' most rambling show to date? Tune in to episode 39 to find out! Come for Doofin's theater tears, stay for Talley's correct Best Picture prediction.For show notes and more on this episode and others, please visit multimediocrityshow.com.

After a longer hiatus than usual, MULTIMEDIOCRITY: The Broadcast! returns in the new year... with a look back at last year! Unlike their 'Favorite Stuff from 2017' episode, the guys play a little looser with the format this go-round. While they do touch on several of their top films, television shows, and more, they still fall into their usual rambling about life, the universe, and everything, per usual.Inbetween gushing over a couple of Netflix series and a certain superhero origin movie, Doofin and Talley also discuss the 2018 Oscar nominations (including the snubs and some arguably-undeserving nominees), JK Rowling maybe saying *way* too much, the worst of erotic fan fiction, and if Mr. Pine is the best of the “4 Chris’s.”Talley loves early-90s adventure films, Doofin loves choosing his own adventure, they both love John Mulaney, and neither will ever find themselves looking for love on cheating websites, or so they say! Be the Third Musketeer of the gents on the "balls out" ride that is Episode 38, heard via the State Lines Network! 

On this “very special” episode of MULTIMEDIOCRITY: The Broadcast! – an ABK Production, Talley and Doofin are in the same room for the first time (and likely last time) ever, and they’re joined by a special guest, filmmaker and longtime mutual friend Aaron Koontz. Tired, punchy, and enhanced to varying degrees, the gents go off on tangents from their tangents, which ranged from Carman to Eric Carmen, “bro” movies to slow burn movies, and Saved by the Bellto South American capitals.Around a shared microphone at Doofin’s dining room table, they also discuss the rise and fall of the band Weezer, and the rise and fall (and possible rise again?) of director M. Night Shyamalan; Aaron returning to his and Talley’s alma mater, Full Sail University, to make some current students squirm; a curious list of the most influential films and directors of all time; and the inconsistent naming conventions of franchises like THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS and RAMBO.In between the usual scattershot nonsense, Mr. Koontz interjects with random lines from TITANIC, fond memories of Seinfeld episodes, and some mime work. Featuring a game of ‘F Marry Kill’ with fictional movie teddy bears, this beautiful disaster is, to quote their guest, “the dumbest version of them.” Sing along to a few Dave Matthews Band tunes with the gang on Episode 37, heard via the State Lines Network! For more on this and previous episodes, please visit State-Lines.com.

On this 36th installment of MULTIMEDIOCRITY: The Broadcast!, Doofin tells two different tales of being stuck in waiting pools, each with a different result. First, he recounts a long day of jury duty selection, but not without Talley tangenting into hot takes on DIE HARD sequels and The Walking Dead. Mister Hevey also tells his frustrating saga of attempting to buy Hamilton tickets for the bulk of their on-sale date, but again, is sidelined by tangents into poor Eddie Vedder impressions and poorer renditions of a couple Hamilton tunes.In-between all of it, the gents also discuss the good and bad of Adam Sandler, judging comedy and entertainment through the ever-changing modern lens, The Hardy Boys vs. Encyclopedia Brown, baby boomers vs. millennials, skiers vs. snowboarders, and the State-Lines hierarchy, or lack thereof. Bobby Brown, character actor Cliff Curtis, the *other* movie that used one-hit wonder Yello's "Oh Yeah," and plenty more await you in episode 36, heard via the State Lines Network!For show notes and more on this and other episodes, please visit www.state-lines.com 

On this installment of 'MULTIMEDIOCRITY: The Broadcast!', Doofin and Talley break into song… like, more than usual, in between discussions about everything from the best movie musical numbers and worst comedy sequels to ROAD TO PERDITION and Hamilton. Your trusty hosts also discuss the devastating, ongoing California wildfires; lament the lack of praise for prolific composer Jerry Goldsmith; and eulogize Marvel Comics figurehead and pop culture icon, the late, great Stan Lee.On the back half, the show gets a special appearance by the often mentioned, but to-date-unheard Lady (Mc)Doofin, who needed a very important question to be answered. The gents end things with a serious case of the giggles, riffing on adult contemporary artists and song lyrics (hope you had Sade and Amy Grant on your bingo board), soap opera puns, and the theme to RUDY. Who’s the wild man now? Find out with them on Episode 35, heard via the State Lines Network![for show notes and more info on this episode and others, please visit www.state-lines.com]

On this installment of MULTIMEDIOCRITY: The Broadcast!, Talley and Doofin (aka “the supinators”) go soup to nuts on all things Halloween… well, most things. Before the guys get to the hallowed holiday at hand, they manage to bounce between a litany of topics, including '80s bands and '80s covers, filmmakers like Alejandro Iñárritu and Tim Burton, and the latter director’s great early run. After a recap of Talley’s excursion to Telluride, Colorado, they do jump into some scary movie talk, discussing the new HALLOWEEN movie, as well as WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS and AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON, both of which Doofin just watched for the first time.Your trusty hosts are then joined by smart cookie and MULTIMEDIOCRITY veteran, mister Cameron Burns, for some horror-themed movie trivia, and to help them determine what should be the essential one or two films to watch for each of Talley’s flawed list of 31 scare-inducing sub-genres. What are the best horror flicks of this millennium? How broad or narrow should the horror genre be? What franchise has a screwier continuity than HALLOWEEN? These questions and more go mostly unanswered on episode 34![for show notes and more info on this episode and others, please visit www.state-lines.com]

On this installment of 'MULTIMEDIOCRITY: The Broadcast!', Doofin and Talley cover a number of pop culture topics: from J.K. Rowling and the endless retconning of I.P.s past, to Bert and Ernie's perceived relationship and if it matters; from recognizable, but unsung character actors like Bruce Greenwood, to The Decemberists and whether or not you should adhere to certain "concert commandments." They also talk a little on Marvel's Phase 4, the not-at-all problematic CAPTAIN MARVEL trailer, and which Avengers character, if any, could be revealed as secret Skrull in the next phase of the MCU. The gents finish things up with a call to their friend, WGN Radio film reviewer and film fan Blake Stubbs, for some too-tough movie trivia, before falling down a rabbit hole of cinema talk.Come to find out what Orlando Bloom is hiding (he must wear big shoes… with wings), stay to find when their guest first saw boobs on the often-censored telly (like Talley, it's a film with "National Lampoon" in its title). The collective nerdiness will leave you color blinded and Third Eye Blinded. Step back from the ledge with them on Episode 33, heard via the State Lines Network![for more information about this episode and others, please visit www.state-lines.com]

“Holy forking shirt balls,” this installment of ‘MULTIMEDIOCRITY: The Broadcast’ finds Talley and Doofin discussing the recent passings of John McCain and Burt Reynolds, the greatness of Adam Scott and director Alfonso Cuarón, and 1989. No, not the T-Swift album -- a few big movies of that year, from BATMAN and INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE to STEEL MAGNOLIAS and DRIVING MISS DAISY.They also talk some lesser ‘Best Picture’ winners, Clint Eastwood’s directing (or lack thereof), their random connections to a couple of boy band members, and the farce that is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and its annual fan vote. The guys even add their buddy Cameron Burns to the mix for a few minutes, and hit him with a handful of impromptu movie trivia questions.Is today’s radio-friendly country music more or less pandering than it was during the ‘90s boom? Are Anne Hathaway’s worst performances when she has to be herself? Are we in The Good Place or The Bad Place? Tune in to hear these questions and more go unanswered by the gents, who recorded on a day that will live in infamy... the day Jessica Tandy died. Never forget Episode 32, heard via the State Lines Network! 

This installment of MULTIMEDIOCRITY: The Broadcast! finds the Two Musketeers (who, in this case, are both Porthos) discussing films they didn’t see, like CHRISTOPHER ROBIN and CRAZY RICH ASIANS, and one Doofin regrettably did, THE MEG (more like THE 'Meh'G, amirite?). He and Talley also reflect on NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN, TROPIC THUNDER, and Daniel Craig's mostly solid run as James Bond, all in-between touching on topics such as STAR WARS, Billy Crystal, Florida's many shortcomings, and fanboys' selective outrage.Things get goofy, as the gents consider the lack of male nudity in American film, ponder the staying power of some pre-Internet celebrity rumors (Richard Gere inserted what?! Rod Stewart ingested what?! Marilyn Manson removed what?!), and repeatedly fall back on impressions of Tom Hardy's Bane. Will Talley ever watch INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL? Will Doofin come around on PADDINGTON? Will Matthew Conaughey’s McConaissance ever end? These questions and more go unanswered on Episode 31, heard via the State Lines Network!

This installment of MULTIMEDIOCRITY: The Broadcast!, should you choose to accept it, finds Doofin and Talley discussing the latest entry of one of cinema's best ever franchises (seriously, 5 out of the 6 have been very good-to-great), MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - Fallout -- the crazy stunts; its director, Christopher McQuarrie; where the film ranks among its predecessors; and how long the series might go.They guys also recap a bit of news from San Diego Comic-Con (a.k.a. DCEU trailer drop 2018); dispel some urban legends of their youth (Ybor City is fine, gang); and tease a few poop their pants stories (they each have more than one, sadly). Plus, thoughts on the ongoing saga that is James Gunn's firing, Harry Potter's on-the-nose naming conventions, "coexist" bumper stickers, The Nutcracker, and more! Enter the Four Realms with the gents on Episode 30, heard via the State Lines Network!

Talley and Doofin are SORRY TO BOTHER YOU, but on this installment of 'MULTIMEDIOCRITY: The Broadcast!', the gents discuss some films currently in theaters, including ANT-MAN AND THE WASP and JURASSIC WORLD: Fallen Kingdom; the masterpiece-iness of some masterpieces, like THE DARK KNIGHT and BLADE RUNNER 2049; and the worthiness of some quotable older flicks, including THE MONSTER SQUAD and SO I MARRIED AN AXE MURDERER.Beyond a predictable, albeit brief, step up onto the soapbox, they also touch on the World Cup (and correctly predict the winner), lament the Internet calling everything that isn’t explained outright onscreen a "plot hole,” and determine the ultimate '90s one-hit wonder (spoiler: it’s not sick, but it’s not well). Plus: Do any stoner comedies stand the test of time? Will Guy Ritchie ever make another good film? What happens at a Croatian lady prison? Will the non-theatrical MCU shows ever address AVENGERS: Infinity War? Tune in to Episode 29, heard via the State Lines Network, to hear none of these questions answered!

On this installment of MULTIMEDIOCRITY: The Broadcast!, Doofin and Talley are... well, frustrated -- at the world, at their fellow man, at the current administration. The usual attempt to dive right into pop culture topics is eschewed for a step onto the ol’ soapbox, where they express their disillusionment over, among other things, the ongoing actions at our southern border, said actions’ apathetic defenders, and the growing entitlement of fanboys.The guys eventually do move on, touching on subjects like the recent passing of Anthony Bourdain, how dudes seem to gauge the greatness of Pixar films on a scale of how many tears they shed, the current World Cup, and soccer fandom in the States, or the lack thereof. It’s a scattershot show that sees the conversation bounce from Chris Hardwick’s recent woes to Viola Davis’ ability to elevate even the subpar-est of material. Wonder where it all went wrong with us on Episode 28, heard via the State Lines Network! 

On this installment of MULTIMEDIOCRITY: The Broadcast!, Talley and Doofin are talking SOLO: A Star Wars Story -- the movie's highs and lows, its canonizing connections to the Expanded Universe, and the franchise's ever-worsening fandom (((there are minor SPOILERS, but they manage to avoid spilling the major one))) -- and dissecting the rather decent filmography of its storied director, Ron Howard, who 30 years later, has come full circle to helm another of George Lucas' ripoffs.They touch on DEADPOOL 2 and their anticipation for upcoming action flicks UPGRADE and MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - Fallout as well, before lambasting the Academy Awards for far-too-often gifting statues to actors who aren't necessarily the most outstanding in a given year, but are "due" or had a long and/or respectable-enough career.Your trusty hosts also show some love for '80s teen idol Phoebe Cates; find a mutual fondness for the "great American diner" and all its kitchy trappings; and converse about the negative, sometimes brainwashing effect that heavy news and social media consumption can have on us. Come for Shawn's random pop culture tidbits about Kevin Kline and Manfred Mann, stay for Matthew's personal anecdotes about his pop's… uhh, "culture." Clutch some pearls with the gents on episode 27, heard via the State Lines Network!

After a few weeks away, MULTIMEDIOCRITY: The Broadcast! is back! On this brisk episode, Doofin and Talley take to the microphones to discuss, in spoilery detail, AVENGERS: Infinity War! They talk about the audience reactions at their respective theaters, some of the finer action and character moments of the ambitious, eventful film, and the giant (Infinity) stones on Marvel Studios for ending the picture the way they did. Also be on the lookout for past podcast guest Shane Domrongchai, who makes a brief Stan Lee-esque cameo on the show.This cannot be stressed enough: ** if you have not yet seen AVENGERS: Infinity War, do not listen to this episode! ** The guys can’t help but return to dissecting, i.e., spoiling it, all throughout the program. They do venture away a time or two, though, diving deep into hair band power ballads, Kenny Rogers songs, and poor audience behavior at live events. Learn when to hold ‘em, fold ‘em, walk away, and run with your trusty co-hosts on this 26th installment, heard via the State Lines Network! "Thanos Will Return."

On this installment of 'MULTIMEDIOCRITY: The Broadcast!,' Talley and Doofin (who's doped up and down a finger) discuss the mostly good nostalgic escapism that is Steven Spielberg's big screen adaptation of Ernest Cline's READY PLAYER ONE, as well as the greatness of both a Spielberg chase sequence and said director's recent secret weapon, Mark Rylance. As is the norm, they also spout off some misinformation, including mistaking actor Derek Luke's roles more than once and referring to Marvel's Secret Wars story arc when they (Talley) meant Secret Invasion. The second half gets a little sopabox-y (which is also par for the course), with the gents choosing not to watch the Roseanne reboot; showing reverence for greats like the reverend, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Mister Fred Rogers, and Roger Ebert; and wondering how America got to a place where empathy and kindness is a political stance that has to be defended. Take the sticky buns, but leave the aioli with them on episode 25, heard via the State Lines Network!

"DO NOT CONGRATULATE" Doofin and Talley on this goofier-than-usual installment of 'MULTIMEDIOCRITY: The Broadcast!' On the program this week, the guys fondly remember being Toys "R" Us kids, Eddie Murphy's R-rated films, and a pre-puffy Vince Vaughn. They manage to discuss Harry Potter, TV spinoffs, and a few awful contributions to the rap game from '80s pop idols and American sports teams as well. After expressing their general indifference to massive data breaches, an argument sillier than a sitting president and former vice president boasting about who could kick whose ass in a fight ensues: that being In-N-Out versus Taco Bell (we've all seen DEMOLITION MAN, so you know who wins in the end). Talley showed up to this one with an arsenal of lame references and "dad jokes," while Doofin came armed with an encyclopedic knowledge of boy bands that would make Lou Pearlman blush. Your trusty co-hosts did not, however, "come here to look for trouble, they just came to do the Super Bowl Shuffle!" The gents also look ahead to AVENGERS: Infinity War and squint cautiously at READY PLAYER ONE, then things get 'phone call scene in SWINGERS' awkward, as they offer reparations to you, the listener, for making it through their nonsense (Hashtag: "DONOTCONGRATULATE"). Take a bribe from them on episode 24, heard via the State Lines Network!

This scattershot installment of ‘MULTIMEDIOCRITY: The Broadcast!’ picks up mid-conversation, and sees your trusty co-hosts run the gamut of pop culture, covering topics like Hamilton, the musical and the man; the Parkland, Florida shooting and its ongoing fallout; BLACK PANTHER and the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe; disaster movies, which are largely disastrous; and a number of fantastic film scores. Plus, Doofin hard sells Netflix’s new version of Queer Eye, but wonders if something’s wrong with the tear ducts in his own eyes, while a tired Talley turns Negative Nelly, poo-pooing on a few well-loved things, including composer Thomas Newman, Steven Spielberg’s HOOK, and the kid who played Charlie Bucket in WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY. The latter also manages to slight elderly people and overweight people, after defending each mere moments before. The gents do end things positively, recalling some fond memories of their favorite bands of adolescence; though, they both find it difficult to say who their favorite working/current bands or artists are. Get nostalgic for the ’80s, ’90s, and today with “Chud and the Beast” on episode 23, heard via the State Lines Network!

Atop their respective stacks of moving boxes, Doofin and Talley return with an installment of 'MULTIMEDIOCRITY' that is heavy on reggaeton air horn drops and Delroy Lindo name drops. Running on fumes, the punchy gents discuss their highs and lows at bar trivia, the recent SpaceX launch that sent Elon Musk’s Tesla Roadster into space, and the staying power of both the MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE franchise and a few iconic radio broadcasters. Plus, some thoughts on Super Bowl LII, why riot-like behavior somehow gets excused when it’s celebratory, and the good and bad of the big game’s commercials and movie trailers. “Chud and the Beast” let all the children boogie on this twenty-second edition of the Tide ad– err, podcast… or... or is it just a Tide ad? Tune in to find out, only on the State Lines Network!

On this week's installment of 'MULTIMEDIOCRITY: The Broadcast!', Doofin and Talley are joined by a mutual friend who gets name-dropped on the show almost as often as 'The Lord of the Rings', the giant breaded chicken wing himself, Cameron Burns! Cammo and the guys start the new year by offering up a handful of their favorite pieces of pop culture from the previous one. Among their 2017 recommendations: television programs, including American Vandal, The Leftovers, and Big Mouth; albums from the likes of Alex Lahey, The Welcome Wagon, and The War on Drugs; and several feature films, including GET OUT, THE SHAPE OF WATER, and THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI. Ride along with the guys on this fond (and almost entirely spoiler-free) look back at what turned out to be a great year in entertainment. Maybe they’ll sell you on something you might have missed. It’s episode 21, heard via the State Lines Network!

On this week's episode of "MULTIMEDIOCRITY: The Broadcast!", Doofin and Talley run through some television goodness, like Stranger Things 2 and Mad About You, and some television badness, like the many swing-and-miss attempts at live television musicals. 'The Lord of the Rings' comes up because of course it does, as does the hesitance to accept soft reboots and sequels of straight-up remakes, OCEAN'S 8 being the latest example. Doofin also touches on the positive side of social media, in particular, Shea Serrano's "guerilla philanthropy." On the back half, it's almost all "laser sword" talk. The gents enjoyed STAR WARS: The Last Jedi a good bit, but end up speaking more on some of the ridiculous reactions and actions by those who didn't. Jump to hyperspace with them on episode 20, their last show of 2017, only on the State Lines Network!

“I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Mountains on fire off the shoulder of Los Angeles. I watched C-yoU Next Tuesdays campaign with no shame for an Alabama snake. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain. Time to die.”This installment of MULTIMEDIOCRITY: The Broadcast! finds the hosts in differing states of sickness, but they’re game enough to give… well, an average amount of effort. Still high on Marvel’s AVENGERS: Infinity War trailer, they discuss the MCU’s bright future, the ramifications of Disney’s possible acquisition of 20th Century Fox (see: the Fantastic Four and X-Men), and JUSTICE LEAGUE’s somewhat successful setting up of the DCEU’s future, but overall middle-of-the-roadness. The guys then go full-film geek when talking about the finer points of directors Sam Mendes and Christopher Nolan, cinematographer Roger Deakins, and the beauty of BLADE RUNNER and its successor. Talley tries to avoid mentioning politics, but Doofin grants him Primae Noctis, or PechaKucha--yeah, that one--to air his grievances on the RNC re-endorsing alleged pedophile Roy Moore while, without irony, calling for their opposition to step down for lesser accusations. They get back on course, sort of, and wrap on Doofin’s in-progress holiday movie watchlist and the inevitable discussion of what is and is not a Christmas movie. Meet them in St. Louie, Louie on episode 19, heard via the State Lines Network! 

 On this installment of MULTIMEDIOCRITY: The Broadcast!, Doofin takes back his co-host chair, but is magnanimous and gives way for State-Lines’ own Daniel Cura to join the program once again. They and Talley can’t help but begin with the litany of new names, some breaking as they recorded, being accused of sexual misconduct. The guys admit to having a hard time processing how to handle consuming art by some of the accused, and wonder where it all ends, if it ever does. Eventually, the gents do pivot, and discuss a number of rock bands that have lost and/or switched up lead singers and the non-existent war between Tampa and Orlando, before ending on their thoughts on the latest MCU entry, THOR: Ragnarok. In short, they all agree it was Rad-narok. No, wait. It Ragna-rocked. It-- just-- they really dug it. Take a trippy ride to Ass-gard with the podcasting Revengers on episode 18, heard on the State Lines Network!And be sure to check out and subscribe to our guest's own show, This Is Everything with Daniel Cura, on Apple Podcasts! 

On this installment of MULTIMEDIOCRITY: The Broadcast!, Talley braves the rocky podcast waters with a fill-in first mate. Don't worry; the Doofin isn't going anywhere. A series of miscommunications on all fronts led Shawn to doing an impromptu episode with fellow State Lines contributor and behind-the-scenes extraordinaire, Daniel Cura. The gents get geeky with a lot of talk about DC Comics' fledgling Cinematic Universe, and share an optimism about the upcoming JUSTICE LEAGUE film that it arguably doesn't deserve. They also discuss Marvel's Cinematic Universe, the unfinished AMAZING SPIDER-MAN story, and Sony's penchant for blowing it. Plus, some takes on Disney, Star Wars, Doctor Who, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; the good and bad of Twitter; and what millennials are killing next. Steal some napkins with the guys on this week's episode, heard via the State Lines Network!And be sure to check out and subscribe to our guest's own show, This Is Everything with Daniel Cura, on Apple Podcasts!

On this week's installment of MULTIMEDIOCRITY: The Broadcast!, your trusty hosts swoon over some melancholy music before Shawn's wifi drops out, wherein hilarity does not ensue. Once they regroup, the guys fall into the familiar pits of "separating the art and the artist," "searching for context and nuance," and "selective outrage." This time around, the rehashing of said topics is born out of the fallout from Harvey Weinstein and others' despicable behavior, and the subsequent #MeToo hashtag. After touching on everything from Chick-fil-A and Guy Fieri to THE LAST JEDI trailer and some Netflix original programming, Doofin gives his slow progress report on his and his lady's underwhelming-to-date horror movie season watch list, while Talley hates on what Chipotle’s trying to pass as edible queso. "We got a fast car" on this sixteenth episode, heard on the State Lines Network! 

Only a few days removed from the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history, Talley and Doofin don't have all the answers, but lament so many shutting down even asking questions pertaining to possible prevention of future massacres. Choosing the "treacherous path of reasonable," they tackle some of the terrible takes on gun control, the lack of context and nuance in public discourse, and America's refusal to face much of its own dark history. The guys also preach on people’s generally poor public behavior and the staggering amount of creeps in positions of power, namely at this moment, in the entertainment industry. But it's not all heavy-handed soapbox-ing. They eventually move onto a lot of music talk, including remembering the late Tom Petty, discussing his impact, as well as venerable rock n’ roll acts like Creedence Clearwater Revival, Electric Light Orchestra and Steely Dan. Episode 15 of MULTIMEDIOCRITY: The Broadcast! is brought to you by the State Lines Network! 

On this installment of MULTIMEDIOCRITY: The Broadcast!, Doofin and Talley discuss the fallout from Hurricane Irma, the impending Hurricane Maria, and the perfect storm of name calling and word salad that is Hurricane Trump. Trying not to fall into the bog of eternal stench that is political talk, the guys tiptoe around it, escaping into a sewer of horror movie talk. They tackle some tired horror hot takes before dropping a few of their own, and answering pressing fright film questions, like is THE WITCH -- or THE VVITCH -- a horror movie? (it is) Is IT a horror movie? (IT is). The scary movie talk gets them nostalgic for the creature features of old, which leads to fond remembrances of slasher movie franchises and their own holiday movie watching traditions. A few anecdotes about Talley’s toddler later, the hosts end on some tv show recommendations (Adam Ruins Everything and Master of None), but not before bashing a couple of others (The Big Bang Theory and most of Seth MacFarlane's catalog). Episode 14, a bunch of Hocus Pocus, is heard exclusively on the State Lines Network! 

Hosts Shawn Talley and Matthew Hevey come to you this week from a world that's equal parts flooding and on fire. The former survived the city of Los Angeles' largest recorded blaze (not that he was ever that close to it), while the latter recorded this shortly before final prep for Hurricane Irma (SPOILER: Doofin also survived). On this episode of MULTIMEDIOCRITY: The Broadcast!, they discuss the then-impending storm, what makes for a good "hunkered down" music playlist, and the current pissy nature of ol’ Mother Nature. The guys also speak highly of Game of Thrones' season 7 finale and a trio of new albums -- LCD Soundsystem, Brand New, and Kesha(?), respectively. After a few poor attempts at Stallone impressions, they pitch their world-mending ideas for CREED II/ROCKY VIII before inducting an inaugural member into "The Awesome Gent Ring of Honor" and one into "The Jeff Hunter Awful Gent Ring of Dishonor." The show ends dirty, but strong with talk of the long, lost HBO series Dream On and the hosts recalling the first boobs they ever saw on television! They have a prediction for episode 13: PAIN.

On this installment of MULTIMEDIOCRITY: The Broadcast, Talley & Doofin discuss Game of Thrones season seven's sixth episode: the divisive, timeline-fudging "Beyond the Wall" and it's major fallout (RIP Visy... well, sort of). The guys also touch on the state of our nation's political discourse, or lack thereof, and the recent public rise of the bad guys we thought Cap and Indy already squashed. They also run the pop culture gamut, bouncing from Rockwell to Harry Potter. From Kurosawa's "easterns" to Leone's spaghetti westerns. From underrated Coen Brothers films to underrated A-list actors. Plus, Talley questions whether several older celebrities are still alive, while Doofin offers a different take on Pontius Pilate. Come for the defense of early-2000s pop-punk, stay for the poor Al Pacino impressions. The awesome gents "take a flamethrower to this place!" on this hodgepodge episode, heard by way of the State Lines Network! 

On this week's episode of MULTIMEDIOCRITY, Doofin and Talley fawn over the first half of Game of Thrones' exhilarating seventh season, and look forward to what prophecies have yet to be fulfilled... and by whom. Their freeform conversation takes them everywhere: from the merits of Kate and Rooney Mara to David Fincher's stellar filmography, from the new season of HBO's Hard Knocks to the kickain-fueled decisions made by '80s filmmakers and musicians. Doofin also recounts catching a revival screening of EXPLORERS and a harrowing experience at the clinic, while Talley threatens to blow up all round earth deniers before being reminded that mass murder is, in fact, wrong. Come for the defense of good-bad movie sequels like GREASE 2 and GREMLINS 2: The New Batch, stay for the discussion on what constitutes "Yacht Rock." The guys double down (You always double down on 11) on this spirited installment, heard exclusively on the State Lines Network! "And you never once paid for drugs! Not once." 

"Apes. Together. Strong." On this installment of MULTIMEDIOCRITY: The Broadcast!, Talley and Doofin are joined by film critic and film lover Blake Stubbs to discuss, dissect, and dispute the masterpieceyness of two of this month's most evocative theatrical releases, Matt Reeves' powerful trilogy-closer WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES and Christopher Nolan's harrowing World War II tale DUNKIRK. The guys also get hyped on a few 1980s-heavy highlights from San Diego Comic-Con, including the trailers for 'Stranger Things' season 2, THOR: RAGNAROK, and the long-awaited Spielberg-helmed adaptation of Ernest Cline's pop culture-soaked novel, READY PLAYER ONE. All that, plus some pondering on the future of Marvel and DC's respective cinematic universes, thoughts on the new lady lead of 'Doctor Who,' the invisible outrage surrounding that casting choice, and more can be heard in episode 10, exclusively on the State Lines Network! 

[featuring Shane Domrongchai] On this installment of MULTIMEDIOCRITY, Doofin and Talley deep dive into the latest entry to Marvel’s shared cinematic universe, SPIDER-MAN: Homecoming. They gush over the great many things the picture got right, look back to the previous franchises and their failings, and look forward to where Marvel Studios and Sony might be going with the character from here. On the back half, they’re joined by a mutual friend and Spider-fan, the spectacular Shane Domrongchai, to talk----get this----all of that over again, but with a bit more enthusiasm. Following their collective fawning over the film, the gang discusses the highs and lows of the amazing wall crawler's storied comic history, and those of the constantly-retconning comic book medium. Episode nine, largely a single-topic show, is heard exclusively on the State Lines Network!

On this eighth installment of "MULTIMEDIOCRITY: The Broadcast!", Talley and Doofin continue their never-ending quest to find the mythical middle ground on topics like politics, outrage culture, and cultural appropriation. The guys apologize for several things, but refuse to apologize for much more, including their unabashed love of pop music and fondness for a few terrible rap-rock tunes. They also review Edgar Wright’s latest, BABY DRIVER, and discuss the filmmaker’s resume, which would be spotless, were it not for that pesky Michael Cera fellow. All that, plus T.J. Miller’s bridge burning, some 'How I Met Your Mother' talk, and more on this mea culpa-heavy episode, heard exclusively on the State Lines Network! 

Hosts Doofin and Talley return to discuss (the previous week’s episode of) 'Silicon Valley' and its lead actor, complement millennials’ choice of toast toppings, and strap on their nostalgia goggles to defend a few lesser '80s movies. From Josh Hartnett to Jeff Goldblum, from Tim Burton to Christopher Nolan, from Grilled Cheese trucks to the Green Flash, the guys traverse the pop culture fire swamp, doing their best to avoid the R.O.U.S. that is politics. They also contemplate the future of Han Solo’s solo film, question the rigidness of fanboy expectations, and express their outrage over outrage culture on this seventh installment of "MULTIMEDIOCRITY: The Broadcast!", heard exclusively on the State Lines Network!

Talley and Doofin hit a technical snag recording this week's episode of "MULTIMEDIOCRITY: The Broadcast!" and, unfortunately, lost a good chunk of the show. That's the bad news. The good news is that the last leg of it was salvaged, and is here for your earhole pleasure! While you won't get their positive review of WONDER WOMAN and subsequent discussion about the state of DC and Marvel's respective cinematic universes, you will hear them talk a good bit of politics (because of course), gush over 'Hamilton: An American Musical', and shed their cynical skins to reveal their true idealistic selves. Check out episode 6 on the State Lines Network!

On this installment of "MULTIMEDIOCRITY: The Broadcast!", Shawn welcomes awesome gent Matthew Hevey (a.k.a. "The Doofin") into the State Lines fold as a regular co-host of the program. They run the gamut of topics: from strong women to cowardly men; from psychedelic rock to grunge; from political talk to... well, more political talk. Really, it's hard to avoid these days. The inevitable Donny T. trashing aside, the guys almost find their groove in this scattershot, but spirited episode, heard via the State Lines Network! "Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."

On this installment of "MULTIMEDIOCRITY: The Broadcast!", host Shawn Talley, back from a sticky sojourn in the Bayou, shares his thoughts on some comic book movies, comic book TV shows, and comic book continuity… or their lack thereof. Listen to him gush over recent Marvel fare like 'Daredevil' season 2 and CAPTAIN AMERICA: Civil War, refuse to acknowledge that controversial Hydra reveal in the latest Cap comic (you could say he did Nazi that one coming), and lament on the endless retcons that muddle an already-convoluted comic book landscape. Check out episode 4 via the State Lines Network!

On this week’s episode of "MULTIMEDIOCRITY: The Broadcast!", host Shawn Talley counts down his fifteen favorite films from 2015, and surprisingly, the Entourage movie is nowhere to be found. Terminator: Genisys didn’t make the cut either, but there is a movie about robots. Jurassic World is also noticeably absent from the list, but there is a creature movie or two in the mix. And while there are no films featuring aliens, there might just be one with a Martian. Check out his brisk countdown of some of the year's best flicks, only on the State Lines Network!

It’s the return of the show that barely began, “MULTIMEDIOCRITY: The Broadcast!” After a few months away tending to a newborn, host Shawn Talley is back… (*in our best trailer guy voice*) and this time, it’s personal! He’s joined on this first full-length episode by State Lines’ own Jarrett Haas, in which they discuss STAR WARS: The Force Awakens, the NFL playoffs, music, child rearing, and more!

Hey now, gang. When State-Lines co-founder Jarrett Haas first talked with me about re-launching this here site of blogs and podcasts, I said I would be glad to contribute some of the former, and had been intending to re-up my own of the latter. The initial recording of said ’cast has been “dropped,” as the kids say, and here we are. It’s a very brief episode--only 15 minutes in length--that serves as more of a “how you doing?” introduction to me and the show. Hope you guys enjoy this first installment of MULTIMEDIOCRITY: The Broadcast!