Superfeed! from The Incomparable

J’osh is in the jaws of defeat. Jasper finds a new favourite bell. K’ronng is doing all the work. Revelle is a Triton again. Tony likes to use robot dogs to hurt his friends. Tony Sindelar with Aleen Simms, Chip Sudderth, Jason Snell and Monty Ashley.

Summer is in full swing, so Listener Ken has asked us to differentiate between umbrellas and parasols. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

2025 Awards Book Club nears the end with award nominees “Asunder,” “The Ministry of Time,” and “The Tainted Cup.” Plus: What else are we reading? Jason Snell with Scott McNulty, Erika Ensign, Aleen Simms and Heather Berberet.

This week’s “Strange New Worlds” is an homage to 1960s Star Trek, 1970s murder mysteries, and all murderous holodeck stories throughout Trek history. Also, Paul Wesley gets to do his best Shatner. It’s called acting! Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.

ere is one of the greatest ensembles of the classic era - or any era, for that matter. Katharine Hepburn, Ginger Rogers, Lucile Ball, Ann Miller, Eve Arden (and cat), Gail Patrick, Andrea Leads. Constance Collier, all sharing a theatrical boarding house in New York, and struggling to become big stars. Kate says something about calla lilies, and also snipes with Ginger. It’s so much fun!, Shelly Brisbin with Micheline Maynard, David J. Loehr, Nathan Alderman and Randy Dotinga.

Dana’s excited about a fresh NFL steroids scandal… until she realizes her own brother is caught up in the mix. Also, Jeremy eventually fires an intern who absolutely should be fired, even if maybe Jeremy’s motivation for the firing isn’t perfect. You know what IS perfect, though? Our analysis. Join Brian and Lex. Let’s Sorkin’ In It together. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

Sun, surf, and fake Beach Boys muzak can only mean one thing: It’s time for flashbacks! In this episode, we see Magnum, T.C., and Rick as they were before the pilot episode. Magnum’s a struggling P.I. on his first case. T.C.’s flying someone else’s helicopter. Rick is still doing that weird not-Bogart impression. Unfortunately there’s also a plot in the present day, and they’re connected, and neither of them makes a lot of sense, and it’s kind of a disaster all around. But: One of the all-time great Higgins speeches! Also, Jason almost forgets the blockbuster segment he introduced to the show last time! Jason Snell, Philip Michaels and David J. Loehr.

In this installment of the 1955 edition of Careers, one player is a slick politician, one player is a business tycoon, and one player…gets hit by a karma. Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky with Dan Moren, Deborah Stanish and Shelly Brisbin.

K’ronng opens Slonk’s eyes. Jasper doesn’t want to beat up the robot dogs. J’osh checks the potty. Revelle likes a man with smooth hands. Tony has feelings about numbers. Tony Sindelar with Aleen Simms, Chip Sudderth, Jason Snell and Monty Ashley.

This week we’re balancing Moss Zombies with Gorn Consumption as Pike and M’Benga take a “Shuttle to Kenfori!” It’s a character episode with some zombies in the background, and also one particularly grumpy Klingon. Jason looks up the Klingon word for “redshirts.” Also: Paramount finally gets bought, and there are new pictures from “Starfleet Academy!” Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.

You’ll believe a man can be good. Superman is back, Lois! And this time he’s not Space Jesus. He’s a good man trying to do the best he can in a world more complicated than this hero was created to address. Still, he perseveres and inspires others to do their best too. This version of Superman isn’t without flaws. Neither in the character nor the film. But, gosh, is it sincere. Can’t get much more punk than sincerity. Dan Moren, John Moltz and Guy English.

If you can quote from “Casablanca” or “Gone with the Wind,” you can probably quote from “Now Voyager.” Or you could, with a little reminder. “Don’t let’s ask for the moon, when we have the stars.” And the Paul Henreid/Bette Davis cigarette-lighting move is here, too. Tis a stone cold classic of the romantic, weepy canon. Shelly Brisbin with Micheline Maynard, Randy Dotinga and Nathan Alderman.

We went to the theater to see James Gunn’s “Superman” (2025) and are back to report about the pleasant experience. Gunn sets a new direction for DC superheroes, and fans of Zack Snyder may want to look elsewhere. From Krypto the Superdog to a surprising squirrel save, from The Marvelous Miss Lane to that Elemento guy, we’ll break the whole thing down. Jason Snell with Tony Sindelar, Dan Moren, Shannon Sudderth, Chip Sudderth and Brian Warren.

Norman Fell menaces in hallucinatory flashbacks, a centipede bite causes mayhem, a spider steals Herman the Shark’s valor, and there’s some guy named Michaels. Unfortunately, this episode wants to be “Home from the Sea”, and even re-uses footage from that episode, which just reminds us that we’d rather be watching that episode. Jason Snell, Philip Michaels and David J. Loehr.

J’osh is nursing a headache. K’ronng has thumbs. Revelle noses around. Jasper wants to go to jail. Tony doesn’t have a castle (he’s a renter). Perhaps most importantly, D&D Beyond is down! Tony Sindelar with Aleen Simms, Chip Sudderth, Jason Snell and Monty Ashley.

Hey fellow nerds!! Welcome to Episode 18, our summer episode! We dish on what is real (or not!) in reality tv (think: The Ultimatum, The World’s Toughest Race, Naked Attraction) and talk about all the things we’re excited about for summertime! Comic Con, anyone?? Head to the Drive-In with Heather, take a dip in our TBR pool (on your seating of choice!), and chat Bechdel, Eames and Moms Who Write. Check out our Instagram at free_the_squee_podcast for more content and join The Incomparable Membership program to chat with us on Discord! Happy summer, nerds! Stacy Watnick and Heather Berberet.

A nigh-omnipotent wedding planner threatens the Enterprise crew with a good time! We’re here to talk about the second new “Strange New Worlds” episode of the premiere week, in which Spock and his romantic rival must unite to find a way to bring back reality, or become dogs trying. Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.

Listener Marc ponders the “VR headset market” and wants to know what makes a market a market. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

We bring Stanwyck Summer (but not the LTS season) to a close with a draft-ish episode. Each panelist has brought us a Barbara Stanwyck film - one we haven’t talked about before on the show. Somehow, there are a number of cats. Shelly Brisbin with Micheline Maynard, Nathan Alderman and Randy Dotinga.

If you’re suffering from Quiet Desparation, why not listen to the not-so-quiet voices of Dan Daughhetee and me discussing Henrey David Thoreau’s Walden, or Life in the Woods (1854)? John McCoy with Daniel Daughetee.

We remain submerged for a very long time to watch a very long film, 1981’s “Das Boot.” This certifiable classic is certainly long and German, encompassing almost everything you might expect in the genre. There’s action, suspense, a lot of character moments, and long periods of tedium spent listening for bad sounds, punctuated by moments of terror as the boat goes to eleven (and beyond). Jason Snell with Erika Ensign, Brian Warren, Casey Liss, Dan Moren and Philip Michaels.

And now, the conclusion! “Strange New Worlds” returns with the resolution of the season 2-ending storyline involving the Gorn, including Chris Pike’s very bad day. We dive into the action after a discussion of the precarious position Paramount and Star Trek are in right now. Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.

This earliest non-pilot episode of Magnum features weird music, dogs, shots from the opening credits, an unfortunate Chinese food joke, fast dialogue, and a kung-fu assassin with one fatal flaw: blinking. Jason Snell, Philip Michaels and David J. Loehr.

In our second of two Uncanny Magazine Kickstarter Backer editions, we visit the world of places, learn about baseball, and do not learn about the U.S. Constitution. Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky with Fred Paffhausen, Jason Snell, Laura Majerus, Peter Jones and Seb Pollard.

Revelle spends a lot of time thinking about toilets. J’osh has a (very) bright idea. K’ronng is both a small and a large creature. Jasper doesn’t want to go in there. Tony decides Gnomish beer tastes like Mountain Dew. Tony Sindelar with Aleen Simms, Chip Sudderth, Jason Snell and Monty Ashley.

How much of a fortress can you really hide? Your Star Wars pals Dan, Kat, and Tony return to discuss Akira Kurosawa’s 1958 epic, The Hidden Fortress, a film which had a significant influence on George Lucas’s work. We discuss rich people buying the horse out from under you, the unquestionably most successful Fire Festival, and who exactly the three villains are. Dan Moren, Tony Sindelar and Kat Benesh.

Meet us down at the crossroads but put yourself in a circle of salt first because we’re coving the last three episodes of Ironheart. An intriguing show that you’d thnik whould puts magic up against technology but, instead, goes full Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups with it. It even adds a bit of spice in the charming form of Sacha Baron Cohen. Dan Moren, John Moltz and Guy English.

The Summer of Submarines joins forces with Old Movie Club to take on 1958’s “Run Silent, Run Deep,” starring Clark Gable and Burt Lancaster. It’s a tense thriller that has inspired sub and sci-fi movies for many decades. Erika’s gleeful reaction to the film’s abrupt ending may surprise you! Jason Snell with Erika Ensign, Philip Michaels, Shelly Brisbin, Dan Moren and Casey Liss.

This time, Stanwyck is an invalid, who’s having trouble with her phone. I would call it a straight-up female victim tale, but Babs is not what you’d call sympathetic as a character. Even so, should her husband (Burt Lancaster) be plotting her death? Shelly Brisbin with David J. Loehr, Micheline Maynard, Nathan Alderman and Randy Dotinga.

Back to the early days of “Magnum” with this episode featuring dual Ferrers and dual Lockharts along with a single Scatman. This episode really sets the stage for what this show will be able to do, even with the unnecessarily complicated plot. But don’t hold it against the screenwriter—after all, he is a novelist. Jason Snell, Philip Michaels and David J. Loehr.

How far would you go for a friend? Or, maybe an acquaintance who helped you that one time? Casey asks himself this same question as he considers re-editing an interview to make the guest look not terrible. Meanwhile Dan can’t seem to say the name “Kafelnikov”, and we roll our eyes at a very throwaway subplot about Natalie disagreeing with the pope. Lex and Brian get into it with their patent-pending banter and always-good vibes so you can keep smiling while you Sorkin’ In It. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

Jasper is sorry and has a sorry short sword. J’osh wonders how melty this metal is. K’ronng would never murder a dog. Revelle is always second bucket. Tony is confused when the players are mission-oriented. Tony Sindelar with Aleen Simms, Chip Sudderth, Jason Snell and Monty Ashley.

Listener Eric really needs his kids to differentiate between charger blocks and charging cables. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

A little late due to travel and holiday plans but we’re here with our coverage of the first three episode of Marvel’s Ironheart. We pick up with Riri Williams at MIT and things go off the rails from there as she finds herself embroiled in a life of “fun crime with whacky characters” which, it turns out, isn’t all fun and games. There’s some interesting themes brewing under the sufrace here, some highs and lows, and we’re prompted to ask the question—is Han Solo a weenie? Dan Moren, John Moltz and Guy English.

Stanwyck Summer continues with a “noir tragedy.” She finds herself involved with Kirk Douglas (his film debut), Van Heflin and Lizbeth Scott. Did Missy kill her very mean aunt, many years ago? Let’s find out, shall we? Shelly Brisbin with Nathan Alderman, Micheline Maynard and Randy Dotinga.

The summer of submarines kicks off with 1995’s “Crimson Tide,” a taut character drama that pits a captain (Gene Hackman) against his XO (Denzel Washington) in a conflict that escalates as global tensions rise outside their nuclear submarine. Jason Snell with Philip Michaels, Lisa Schmeiser, Dan Moren, Casey Liss and Erika Ensign.

Good news, friends, this podcast is Y2K compliant, and so are Brian and Lex, as they break down the quite possibly mis-titled episode of Sports Night, “Kafelnikov”. Jeremy’s pretty sure he’s got everything prepped for the new millennium, but does he? Meanwhile, Dan meets a woman in bar who says he really should call her, but maybe for reasons he doesn’t suspect. Don’t hit that panic button, just stay tuned for Sorkin’ In It. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

Now lissen up, Pilgrim, there’s a fake Christopher Cross version of the Magnum Theme and a dead body in a trunk in this episode. We play a game of Bad Cop/No Cop with guest star Clyde Kusatsu! But… does it have the island vibes? Jason Snell, Philip Michaels and David J. Loehr.

It’s time once again to salute Uncanny Magazine Kickstarter Backers, and salute them we do, with questions! Difficult, specific, mostly-American questions! Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky with Daniel Ryan, Joe Veneracion, Mikah Sargent, Pinky and Thomas Wouters.

Erika and Steven wrap up the Canada Day extravaganza by dipping their toes into “Genesis of the Daleks” — will Erika love it? like it? hate it? Nobody knows yet, not even Erika! Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky.

Steven and Erika finish off a rare (for this era) two-part story as the Canada Day fun continues! Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky.

Erika and Steven wax poetic about OB video and Sarah Jane Smith, as the Canada Day marathon continues. And Erika shares a partial list of favourite Doctor Who stories over the years. The stories on that list might surprise you! Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky.