Secret Histories of Nerd Mysteries

Hosts Austin and Brenda connect with their inner child by watching the newest Paramount + release  “Blues Clues Big City Adventure”.  It's a movie for kids!  But it also has a lot of heart and a lot of nostalgia.  Also, Warner Bros Discovery is getting sued by the state of Ohio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week your host Brenda takes you on a deep dive into the history of the second highest selling children's book franchises in history:  Goosebumps, the brainchild of writer RL Stein.  This episode features haunted masks, childhood traumas, lost media, and yes, another heated legal battle.  Listener beware, you're in for a scare! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Full disclosure, this episode was so much fun for your host Brenda to edit. And if that wasn't enough of an incentive to listen, it's about Harley Quinn! We promise it's good, so please listen. Thanks! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Since we took a week off, there is LOT of news to cover...but fear not...we're here to weigh in on Lesbian Velma, Try Guys and Adult Happy Meal News.  After that hosts Brenda and Austin talk about the 2022 Predator Prequel “Prey”.  What did your host Austin, self-professed "big-fan-of-the-Predator-franchise" think of it? Listen and find out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Buckle in for a fairly long news segment this week, Mystorians!  We had the Emmys!   We had D23!  We had the passing of a prolific world leader!   Wowie!  To cool things down a bit, your host Brenda brought a shorter topic this week, Hallmark's answer to Strawberry Shortcake...Rainbow Brite! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After sharing one tiny scrap of good news, and talking about the latest Pokémon updates, your host Austin shares the story behind one of their guilty pleasure franchises:  The Predator.  Have you ever wanted to know how they achieved that invisible cloaking effect?  Or what the experience was like for the actor inside the iconic Predator suit? Perhaps you've lost sleep agonizing over what the Predator's glowing blood was made of? If you answered "Yes!" to any of the above (or even if you didn't) this is the podcast episode for you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this very special return episode, hosts Austin and Brenda try to make sense of exactly what Warner Bros. Discovery is doing these days; from canceling almost completely finished projects, to pulling dozens of cartoons from HBO Max with little warning,  things seem pretty dire. To lighten the mood a bit, Austin and Brenda answer a couple of questions from, you, the audience! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brenda is here to talk about the 1999 virtual pet website, Neopets, a subject that is near and dear to their heart.  Austin, meanwhile, knows very little about Neopets.  This is a story of controversial advertising and even more controversial religion.  It's about what happens when a website's existence is stretched out too long.  NFTs, black market scams, and sweet Armaldo Lewis (Brenda's starving Neopet) who just really wants a bit of jelly from the jelly world that may or may not exist. If this sounds inscrutable, it's because it really is. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You voted and we delivered.  Hosts Austin and Brenda are here to talk about the 2022 box office hit, Sonic the Hedgehog 2.  Has the curse of video game movies finally been broken?  Do video game movies just get to be good now?  And what do our hosts think the future of the franchise holds? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, Austin is here to talk about arcades and to answer the age-old question, just what is an arcade anyway?  Is it a state of being, a laundromat?  What was the first arcade machine, and what is the highest selling arcade machine of all time?  What city in the United States declared itself the “gaming capital of the world”?  Find out the answers to these questions and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we're talking about McDonaldland, the wacky world that McDonald mascot Ronald McDonald and his friends inhabit.  Learn about the evolution of the Hamburgler from "Lone Jogger" to weirdly sexy dad.  Witness the details of yet another corporate lawsuit.  And once again fear the unhinged visage of Ronald McDonald's terrifying clown dog Sundae. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode sure is a big one, so hang in there.  Your host Brenda is also incredibly caffeinated, don't worry about it, it's fine. On this episode, Hosts Austin and Brenda talk about Pixar's latest feature length film, Turning Red, a coming-of-age story about a preteen girl named Meilin who, upon the onset of furry puberty, starts turning into a Red Panda when her emotions get charged. It's a story about growing up, and love, and so much more.  Join us as we talk about this groundbreaking film. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What's up gamers!? After a news segment where hosts Austin and Brenda try to parse the existence of furry Xbox controllers to promote Sonic 2,  Austin has prepared an episode about Toonami! This late '90's action programming block ran on Cartoon Network, where it brought animation to an older audience and introduced a whole generation to Gundam, Dragonball Z and…Hamtaro? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we have a special treat for you, Mystorians!  Heather Antos, senior editor at IDW and professional penguin enthusiast joins us today to talk about how a little story that takes place in a galaxy far, far away has changed the landscape of pop culture, and society forever. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Goes to the Movies" is back, and Austin and Brenda are here to talk about the 2010 Dreamworks animated movie, Megamind.  While overshadowed by the releases of How to Train Your Dragon and Shrek Forever After in the same year, Megamind delivers an incredibly poignant, clever, witty, and funny take on the superhero genre, and makes a powerful statement about what it means to be a hero.  It's good.  Please watch it.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brenda is here with the topic today, and the topic is the Walt Disney Company's massive indoor interactive adventure flop...Disney Quest.  Once the pillar of Disney's regional entertainment division, Disney Quest was opened in Orlando with very little fanfare, and was left to rot for most of its lifetime.  What was considered cutting edge in 1998, was definitely not cutting edge in 2017. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Austin is here to talk about the rise and fall of the “toy store in the mall” KB Toys.  While Toys R Us was just a twinkle in its founder's eye, KB toys was creating the modern toy store, moving into malls and developing unique strategies to make it stand out.  But after several business mishaps and a stinky leveraged buyout, KB Toys would find itself struggling to make it through the 2000s.  Does this story have a happy ending?  No!  Does Brenda bring up Mitt Romney an obnoxious number of times?  Absolutely! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hello everyone!  What a long break we had.  This episode has a couple announcements about the podcast going forward, and then Brenda and Ausin answer more user submitted questions?  What is the wildest comic storyline we've read?  What color unicorn would we have, and would we be able to eat it?  Who would win, Ash Ketchum, or Tai from Digimon?  All these questions answered, and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a shorter episode this week, but is no less jam packed.  This week, Austin and Brenda cover We're Back: A Dinosaur's Story, a 1993 animated movie produced by Steven Spielberg and animated by Amblimation.  This is a movie that hits the ground running and doesn't let up.  Whether that's good or bad, you decide.  Brenda's fake crying in this episode really worried her parents.  Oops! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 69 (nice) sees Brenda dive into the history of fanfiction, an often maligned and misunderstood art form.  How did fanfiction get its start?  What writer is notorious for sending DMCAs to their fans for creating fan works? Find out the connection between fanfiction and Russian journalists trying to find a place where they express themselves freely. And finally, are all fanfics really just horny wish-fulfillment?   All this and more on a very special episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

He's a little dog with a big imagination and a thirst for knowledge.  Childhood friend or undefeated eldritch creature?  Find out, on this week's episode featuring the 90's PBS kids show:  Wishbone! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you know that there was a movie based on the Disney ride Tower of Terror?  Host Brenda knew (because of course she did).  This month on Goes to the Movies, Host Austin and Host Brenda talk about two Disney Halloween movies, Tower of Terror and Hocus Pocus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Animal crossing fans, thou are eating well.  Hope you are having fun on your island.  Brenda is here to talk about once prolific animation studio Hanna-Barbera, who not only created beloved characters like Scooby Doo and the Flintstones (and Brenda's favorite Top Cat) but revolutionized television animation as we know it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode starts off with Brenda and Austin workshopping a revolutionary new kind of beer, “Possum Pee”, a warm apply concoction with notes of dead leaves.  After that we dive into Disney's first foray into serious gritty cartoon world-building with “Gargoyles” a cartoon about ancient gargoyles that are cursed to be stone by day and alive at night, and also, they're in New York now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey everyone, we are BACK.  First off, we have to talk about Crisp Rat as Mario, and then Brenda deep dives right into the history of one of Jim Henson's final projects:  The Disney Hollywood Studios attraction Muppet Vision 3D.  We talk about Pizza Rats (not the one you're thinking), have many references to undisclosed amounts of money, and how kind of weird it is that we all just accept that Muppets are real, and they interact with people now.  It's fine.  Don't worry about it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Austin has returned and is here to talk about the Jim Henson film Labyrinth with Diana and Avalon of Femsplained!  Gaslight, Girlboss, Goblin King! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brenda had surgery, but before that happened, she sat down with Michael (Doc) and talked about the murder mystery whodunnit from 1985, Clue, a massive financial flop that has managed to gain a cult following. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brenda is still flying solo, and this time she's brought fellow podcaster Colton from Manga Mavericks and One Podcast Prevails to talk about Yu-Gi-Oh The Dark Side of Dimensions, a movie released in 2016 to celebrate twenty years of Yu-Gi-Oh.  Colton knows a lot about Yu-Gi-Oh.  Brenda knows a little about Yu-Gi-Oh and originally thought this was a crossover movie.  Brenda also thought this was episode 62, so there's that. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Austin is out on baby leave, so Brenda has been given free rein to do whatever she pleases, and that involves inviting her good friend Paloma to talk about “Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop” a 2020 anime movie that both hosts give 11 out of 10. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey everyone!  How do you like that new intro for “Goes to the Movies”?  We think it's pretty swell.  Once Brenda's done dunking on Wendy's breakfast, our two intrepid hosts tackle Space Jam 2, trying to unravel its complex lore, trying to figure out if Don Cheadle exists as a person in this universe, trying to forget that Rick & Morty have spoken lines in this film.  Following that is THE Suicide Squad.  We talk about Shark.  We talk about Rat.  We talk about the other rat (Weasel).  It's a wild time to be had. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brenda has it out with her mic while Austin talks about the origins of the Magical Girl, a subgenre of Japanese anime that got its start in the 60's, and has blossomed into a worldwide phenomenon, influencing modern-day cartoons outside of Japan.  We've got Cutie Honey, Creamy Mami (okaaaay..), Minky Momo (along with the origins of the Isekai Truck) and much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a slow news week, so Austin and Brenda talk about stinky celebrities and Jeopardy hosts for a while, and then dive into the week's topic: Care Bears.   Created by American Greetings in 1981, Care Bears were created as a simple way to copyright the Teddy Bear, but they went on to inspire numerous theatrical films, toy lines, and cartoon series.  Bonus:  We discuss our favorite care bears, so if you were dying to know what those are, this is an episode you can't miss! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What a wild break (no goes to the movies for July, sorry), but Brenda and Austin are BACK.   Nerd news comes in hot with Scarlet Johansson suing Disney over breaking her contract, and beloved children's cartoon Arthur announcing that it's ending its run after 25 years.  That leads into the topic that Austin has brought for us this week:  A deep dive into a Canadian entertainment company Cookie Jar that was once one of the largest creators and distributors of children's media in the world.  If you don't think you've heard of them, yes you have. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brenda and Austin come to you this week still riding the high of seeing each other face-to-face for more than a couple of hours.  It was glorious, and now they're feeling both replenished and renewed. ready to bring you the news!  And that news is Paddington 3! Also, the new OLED Nintendo Switch AND new trailers for Disney's Encanto and Marvel's animated What If series. Finally, Brenda talks about Discovery Zone, a defunct children's birthday party destination that is near and dear to her heart.  Chuck E. Cheese makes a return as well. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this disjointed episode, we talk about Klasky Csupo and the unknowable nature of Rocket Power. This episode also features more unexpected Detective Conan talk, a discussion about training wheels, training bras, and even a guest spot from Brenda's Mom's Pitt Bull, Kevin. It's a lot, so thanks for being here!

This week on “SHoNM Goes to the Movies” we finally stop talking about Dora the Explorer the live-action movie and watch it (and tell you about it.) ::Spoilers:: it's good.  Then, we take a quick swim into sea monster territory by watching Pixar's Luca, a movie that director Enrico Casarosa assures us is not a gay romance, but we definitely beg to differ. (also it's good, so please watch it).

With 90% of the American market in their grasp, Nintendo was on top of the world.  Until the plucky upstart Sega came to town.  Armed with a hedgehog and a little-known console called the “Sega Genesis” Sega is in it to win it, or die trying. Brace yourselves; eelings will be hurt, hedgehog shaped balloons will be popped, and Austin will learn what a bandicoot is (because apparently, they don't know.)

Strap in for an absolutely wild ride into the history of Nintendo!  But first, an update on the Chuck E. Cheese Summer Tour, the Powerpuff Girls pilot is getting a rewrite, also Brenda and Austin try to untangle the complicated Space Jam 2 timeline.

On this monumental episode milestone, we kickstart a new three-part series on the console wars of the 90's.  Up first this week:  Sega.  Where did this prolific video game company get its start?  What was Sega's first console release?  And what does Chuck E. Cheese have to do with any of this?  Please tune in, and we promise​ Shigeru Miyamoto's name is not forgotten at any point in this episode.

We begin this episode with a dramatic reading and critical discussion about the now canceled Powerpuff Girls live-action reboot, along with Sonic’s 30th anniversary, which leads us into this week’s main topic; Austin is here to talk about the E3 video game convention and all its highs and lows. Has E3 always been in LA? Do some gaming companies think they’re too good for E3?  Does E3 even want people to go? All this and more, you’re in for a treat, Mystorians!

It’s time to break out the marmalade, and a fake British accent.  This month Brenda and Austin are talking about Paddingtons 1 and 2!  Just what is it that makes this bear so endearing?  Why is Nichole Kidman’s character so scary? (Did she really need that taxidermy class for the part?)  Also, what is a “popping book"?? All these answers and more!

First off, Nerd News dives into the nature of speculators and how their toxicity destroys the very industries they’re trying to profit from. Next, a deep dive into something completely unrelated; Nickelodeon Studios at Universal Studios in Orlando Florida, a working film studio where live-action nickelodeon shows were filmed from 1991 to 2004.  Brenda shares what it feels like to be completely doused in green slime.  Also, just where is the Nickelodeon time capsule now?  You’ll find out, we promise!

Austin is here to talk about the most successful French anime isekai cartoon “Code Lyoko”, and let me assure you, this is a wild one.  From one of the creators dropping off the face of the earth, to a failed live-action sequel and subsequent bankruptcy, this is an episode that is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat!

This week, we skip nerd news to have a spontaneous conversation about anime, and while that doesn’t have anything to do with our topic of the week, we felt it in our hearts.  The real topic is Indoor Theme Parks.  Learn about the world’s longest freestanding escalator, marvel at the massive pink dome at Circus Cirus, hear Brenda talk about an obscure car-themed theme park in Flint Michigan, and much more! Guest-starring two phone calls from Brenda’s boss, and one cameo from Brenda’s Dad’s cat, Lucky.

This week Austin and Brenda dive into the 2007 Direct to Video sequel to Cinderella; Cinderella 3 "A Twist in Time" and find a movie that is surprisingly action-oriented, poignant and fun!  After that, we follow up last week’s episode by watching the new Mortal Kombat!

It’s a slow news week Mystorians. Will Mojo Jojo be a himbo in the new Powerpuff Girls Live-action series? ...That’s really all the news we’ve got. The topic of the week is Mortal Kombat, one of Austin’s favorite gaming franchises. How did this over-the-top fighting game manage to withstand the test of time, despite so much controversy?  How did the Mortal Kombat movie manage to break the "Video Game Movie Curse" all the way back in 1995?  We’re here to tell you!

Welcome back Mystorians, we missed you! In this episode Hosts Austin and Brenda cover the 90’s Millennial cult classic:  A Goofy Movie (and the sequel too). Get ready for a discussion about a hellish nonexistent Mickey Mouse-shaped hotel, Brenda’s absolutely deplorable Goofy impression, and more information about Jeffery Katzenberg than you were probably expecting. (Insert witty Powerline reference here).

Welcome back mystorians.  I missed you.  I hope you are well.  In this episode Hosts Austin and Brenda cover the 90's Millenial cult classic:  A Goofy Movie...and the sequel too I guess.  Get ready for a discussion about a hellish nonexistent Mickey Mouse-shaped hotel, Host Brenda's absolutely deplorable Goofy impression, and more infor about Jeffery Katzenberg than you were probably expecting.  (Insert witty Powerline reference here).  

This week, Hosts Austin and Brenda try something new:  answering questions from listeners! Why do Neopets look like they're stuck in 1999?  What is a TTRPG?  Our favorite Sailor Moon villains?  All these questions answered, and probably a little bit too much ranting about Batman’s wedding.

Dear Mystorians, Austin and Brenda watched a four-hour-long movie, to tell you all about it, so maybe you won’t have to suffer as they did.  In this episode you’ll get Cyborg doing his best, Brenda dwelling on Aquaman’s tight wet jeans a little too much, and Austin trying to figure out just what happened in this four-hour-long train-wreck of a Director’s Cut.  Come-along for this super-sized (Snyder-sized?) episode.

News this week includes a lot of talk about the Tom and Jerry the movie.  Austin just finished their re-watch of “Static Shock”, the fifth animated addition to the DC animated universe, and one of the most successful WB cartoons of all time.  We talk about the history of Milestone Comics, Dwayne McDuffie’s legacy, and how it’s definitely time for HBO Max to bring us more Static Shock.