Superfeed! from The Incomparable

Ever wonder what happened to The Oneders? We celebrate Hanksgiving by discussing Tom Hanks’s love letter to ’60s pop that’s also a clear-eyed look at the machinery of the entertainment business, “That Thing You Do!” Powered by a legitimately classic pop song, a stunning cast (turns out, Tom Hanks knows some people), and scenes of joy, warmth, and kindness, this is a film that we find ourselves revisiting often. Happy Hanksgiving to all! And make it snappy! Jason Snell with Erika Ensign, Lex Friedman, Brian Warren, Kathy Campbell and Dan Moren.

A pitched battle with forest-dwelling medusas, a rock gnome smitten with said medusas, and giant angry birds harassing our heroes as they plummet to certain death are mere morsels of excitement in this installment of our adventurers’ saga inside a painting inside a book inside a house? Confusing? Yes! Tony Sindelar with Aleen Simms, James Thomson, Mikah Sargent, Monty Ashley and Tiff Arment.

Steven and Erika conclude a very good, but very dark story. Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky.

Erika and Steven talk about Davros, mostly. With good reason! Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky.

Steven and Erika talk about Nazis. I mean Daleks. No, I mean Nazis. But yeah, also Daleks. Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky.

Sandra Wong announces a wee addition to The Incomparable network: a weekly(ish) chat show with famous guests, about their not-as-famous (possibly obscure!) geek-outs. Sandra Wong.

If you’ve been thinking of reading Science Fiction and Fantasy but had no idea where to start, we’re here to help. Our panel of longtime SF/F readers has some suggestions just for you! Jason Snell with Aleen Simms, David J. Loehr, Erika Ensign, Heather Berberet and Sandra Wong.

We’ve recently lost the iconic Diane Keaton, and the Agency wanted to do a special mission to honour her work. We chose The First Wives Club with Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler and some amazing power suits. Join us for a celebration of women, friendship, and a good dance scene. Annette Wierstra with Heather Berberet, Shelly Brisbin and Micheline Maynard.

Billy Wilder tells the story of a man’s (Ray Milland) alcoholic weekend, and the lies he tells to family and friends about his drinking. Surprisingly gritty and emotional for the era, and photography that heightens the mood. Also, Jane Wyman, Philip Terry, and Frank Faylen again. Shelly Brisbin with Nathan Alderman and Micheline Maynard.

Casey can’t see. It’s funny, even if it beggars belief. Sam’s leaving the show. That’s sad, even if it was inevitable. And there’s a break up on the show, but don’t worry, it’s not Brian and Lex. By some counts, this is our 100th show, and we’re still together, Sorkin’ In It. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

It’s Random Pursuit, but with a twist! Welcome to the pilot episode of Random Pursuit: Choose Your Own Edition! In this new occasional variant, each contestant chooses their preferred edition of Trivial Pursuit, limiting the pool of questions to five editions. Now, how many players will actually randomly select questions from their preferred editions… Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky with Shelly Brisbin, Monty Ashley, Jason Snell, Kirsten Goruk and Dan Moren.

Our heroes move onward in a land of pixels and paintings as they wrestle with a split party, getting deep, real deep, into a book and a forest full of foes at fractious frame rates! Tony Sindelar with Aleen Simms, James Thomson, Mikah Sargent, Monty Ashley and Tiff Arment.

The Peacemaker gang is back and after having saved the world last season they’re doing about as well as you’d expect. Not great. This week we discuss season two of James Gunn’s Peacemaker. Can his pechant for dancing on a knive’s edge pay off again? Or will we end up with Mirror Universe Gunn? Dan Moren, John Moltz and Guy English.

Podcasts could happen to anyone. David Loehr discusses exits and entrances in Tom Stoppard’s Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead (first performed 1966, published 1967). John McCoy with David J. Loehr.

What’s a blog, and what’s a news outlet? Are Jason and John bloggers? John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

Another tale of evangelicals who use their charisma to con the faithful. Burt Lancaster, Jean Simmons, Shirley Jones and a cast of 50s heavies are all on hand. Based on Sinclair Lewis’ (Dodsworth) story. Shelly Brisbin with Micheline Maynard and Nathan Alderman.

Pixar Club re-forms to discuss “Elio,” the studio’s lowest-grossing feature film of all time. Funny thing, though… it’s a pretty good movie? It’s funny, has some space adventure and gross-but-lovable aliens, and even has a nice message about making connections. Look, we didn’t go see it in the theater either, but we sure had a fun time watching it on Disney+. Jason Snell with Moisés Chiullán, Brian Hamilton and Annette Wierstra.

Things take a turn toward the 8-bit in a new saga for our adventurers, who are tasked with travelling inside a book to…do some murdering? Join them as they venture into a town where everyone answers to “NPC”, the aesthetic leans toward “blocky”, and everyone loves mead! Tony Sindelar with Aleen Simms, James Thomson, Mikah Sargent, Monty Ashley and Tiff Arment.

The Agents are back with a Halloween mission full of magic and glorious 80s hair. Join us for Witches of Eastwick with Cher, Susan Sarandon, Michelle Pfeiffer with the devilish Jack Nicholson. Our coven walks through the important questions. Who is taking care of all those kids? Is Jack Nicholson actually the devil? What is the horniest scene? We can confirm that this movie is fun, campy, and perfect for the season of the witch. Annette Wierstra with Sandra Wong and Shelly Brisbin.

Hello Halloween nerds! Are you ready for an EXTRA long episode?? Heather, Stacy and Chelsea (The Amazing One) have created a super-sized episode covering 125 years of witches! Join us as we walk The Witches Road (hee hee!) and examine the witches of Oz, from the original Frank Baum books to the various shades of Wicked. Wonder with us at silent witch films of the early 1900s and cackle over a cauldron of 1990s witches, like Sabrina, the Charmed sisters, Tara/Willow and The Craft. But wait, there’s more! We HAVE to talk about Black Phillip (yes, the goat) in The Witch, Wandavision and Agatha All Along. Plus, of course, the psychological and social constructs of women, witchcraft and power. Can’t get enough? Good! There might even be some outtakes at the end. Listen through those closing credits and see what happens… Stacy Watnick and Heather Berberet with Chelsea Hackman.

he team behind our previous Spooky Season entry CAT PEOPLE — producer Val Lewton and director Jacques Tourneur — return with the Jane Eyre-inspired tale of a naive nurse summoned to a tropical island to care for a rich nepo baby’s ailing wife. But the patient’s malady may have a sinister, supernatural source. Get ready for an atmospheric, antiracist spookshow that’s a lot smarter than you’d think, subverting cheap voodoo-movie stereotypes in cool and surprising ways. Ah woe! Ah me! Shame and sorrow for the family! With guest host, Nathan Alderman. Nathan Alderman with Shelly Brisbin, Randy Dotinga and Micheline Maynard.

It’s time for another Old Spooky Club, as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Stuart Gordon’s horror-comedy classic, “Re-Animator”, which bears very little resemblance to the works of H.P. Lovecraft. We’ve got notes about severed heads, chomped-on fingers, lobotomized deans, weird character motivations, creepy stalkers, a literal blood bath, and everything Barbara Crampton. Jason Snell with Steve Lutz, Tiff Arment and Monty Ashley.

Dan wants to see Tom Waits, which is hard to explain. (Wait a sec. Lex, did you write this? I happen to like Tom Waits. Anyway…) Dana inherits a gun, which is also strange (OK, we both agree here). William H. Macy’s Sam gets a big storyline and a dramatic moment, and the substitute anchor filling in for Dan is so terrible that it — you guessed it! — beggars belief. We’re Sorkin’ In It all, though, so let’s discuss. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

It’s a spooky special edition of Biff! where we venture forth into a world of zombies and superheroes. In a four episode animated adventure we follow a rag tag band of survivors as they try to find a cure for the zombie plague that has engulfed their world. So, you know, pretty standard fare. Is there meat on these bones? Read along to find out what we think. Dan Moren, John Moltz and Guy English.

Bracket Case “vaaants to suck your bloooood!” New players gather for spooky season to determine who is the greatest of all-time vampire. Will the classics win out, or will the hot, sexy vampires take the day? Join us to find out. Annette Wierstra and Kathy Campbell with Monty Ashley, Jason Snell and Heather Berberet.

Will the team steal a magic painting and get away scott free with zero consequences to return to accolades and riches? Not without generous dollops of magic, violence, and a grab bag of foes in our thrilling conclusion! Tony Sindelar with Aleen Simms, Annette Wierstra, Kathy Campbell and Monty Ashley.

Listener Kev needs us to unpack John’s comment about “spiders and other bugs.” Does that mean spiders are bugs? And what are the other bugs? Spooky! John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

We celebrate the 50th anniversary of the longest-running theatrical run of all time—“The Rocky Horror Picture Show”! It’s an unapologetic musical about being yourself (and giving yourself over to pleasure). It spawned a cultural phenomenon that’s still evolving, and making some of us feel old! If you’re a weirdo, you’re welcome here. Erika Ensign with Monty Ashley, Shelly Brisbin, Antony Johnston and Brian Hamilton.

Each season has its quota of film noir. So here we go. “A former boxer turned taxi driver earns the scorn of his nagging wife and gets mixed up with jewel thieves.” It’s a B picture with fun performances, one of my favorite things. Meet John Payne, Evelyn Keyes and Brad Dexter, a non-superstar lineup that nonetheless pops off the screen. Shelly Brisbin with Philip Michaels, Randy Dotinga and Nathan Alderman.

Style and subterfuge intermingle as our heroes sweet-talk a gang of thieves into letting them infiltrate their headquarters and abscond with a painting that may or may not have magical properties. Tony Sindelar with Aleen Simms, Annette Wierstra, Kathy Campbell and Monty Ashley.

On this episode we pull a bit of a Time Travelling Dad and jump way back thousands of years to learn the stories of some Wakanda’s famous War Dogs. From the Sea Peoples to the 20th century each episode takes a slice of history and explores through the eyes of a Wakandan agent out to keep the secret and power of vibranium from falling into the wrong hands. Dan Moren, John Moltz and Guy English.

We’re back on the Marvel movies with “Thunderbolts*”, a film that (to our surprise?) is not a nihilistic story about villains pretending to be heroes (see: Suicide Squad), but instead a story about some troubled not-quite-heroes learning that they can be better if they connect to other people and work on their own issues. But also with explosions and fights and stuff. Jason Snell with Lisa Schmeiser, Erika Ensign, Moisés Chiullán and Glenn Fleishman.

Fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a bumpy podcast. Bette Davis in her most iconic role, attempts to fend off the usurping Anne Baxter. The drama plays out in the New York theatre. There’s a witty script and a delightful supporting cast, along with many legends about how this film came together. Come and feast with us around the camp fire. Shelly Brisbin with Micheline Maynard, Nathan Alderman and Randy Dotinga.

Lex and Brian are back, and certainly missed you, dear listener. Sam’s back too, and Dana’s a bit “psyched out”. Meanwhile, the team lands an interview with Michael Jordan, but turns out there are strings attached; and Casey has to figure out how to talk to a bunch of 5th graders. What could go wrong? We’ll let you know as we do what we do: Sorkin’ In It. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

It’s the return of Mind Meld, but this time it’s a spoooOOOooky edition, just in time for Halloween, autumn, leaves falling, pumpkins, and so on. Let’s hope everyone agrees on enough stuff to get points. Tony Sindelar and Kathy Campbell with Annette Wierstra, Brian Warren, Dan Moren, Erika Ensign and Shelly Brisbin.

It’s a new adventure for our ragtag heroes as they use their powers of persuasion and keen fashion sense to butter up a vain gang of thieves to get a hold of a very special painting. Tony Sindelar with Aleen Simms, Annette Wierstra, Kathy Campbell and Monty Ashley.

Listener Matt can’t stand it when someone calls a USB cable a wire. But what does John think? John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

It’s autumn, things are turning dark and gray, and that puts us in the mind of… (fictional) murder! Want a mystery novel, or series, to read? Our expert readers have many, many suggestions for you. Jason Snell with Jean MacDonald, Antony Johnston, David J. Loehr, Scott McNulty, Sandra Wong and Annette Wierstra.

Don’t it allways seem to go, you don’t know what unicorns you got til they’re gone. Kathy Campbell discusses Peter S. Beagle’s 1968 The Last Unicorn. John McCoy with Kathy Campbell.

Antony Johnston brings the live event inspired by his latest book, Can You Solve the Murder?, to The Incomparable Game Show! Can our panelists sleuth their way to a solution? Plus: we have three copies of the book to give away to listeners! Get your notebooks at the ready… Antony Johnston with Monty Ashley, Kathy Campbell, Glenn Fleishman and Dan Moren.

The adventure concludes with friendly fire, double-grapples, and a whole lotta rules. Then we close the book on the whole thing. Tony Sindelar with James Thomson, Kathy Campbell, Monty Ashley, Steve Lutz and Tiff Arment.

Grab your cyberspace deck and prepare to jack in—it’s time to discuss William Gibson’s groundbreaking classic novel, “Neuromancer.” We’ve got a panel of experts—and a first-timer!—ready to discuss how 1984’s future looks from the perspective of 2025’s present. Jason Snell with Antony Johnston, Lisa Schmeiser, Glenn Fleishman and Erika Ensign.