Unjustly Maligned

"Loom" - Ask him about it! Yes, it’s time to turn the tables again, and for his birthday this year, Antony hands the reins to Tony Sindelar. Together they weave an appreciation for the videogame so good, it made Antony want to write them for a living — the classic 1990 Lucasarts adventure “Loom”. Host Tony Sindelar with Antony Johnston.

"Ringo Starr" - Is Ringo the best drummer in the world? Ho ho, he’s not even the best drummer in… no, let’s not go there (Lennon never actually said it anyway). Instead, Andy Ihnatko joins Antony to bang a drum for Ringo Starr’s innovation, charisma, and — yes — talent on the skins. Host Antony Johnston with Andy Ihnatko.

"Sherlock Holmes (2009 movie)" - Was making Sherlock Holmes cool really a good idea? Is Robert Downey Jr simply playing himself? And shouldn’t Watson be a bumbling lapdog? Devoted Sherlockian Eddy Webb joins Antony to discuss all this and more in Guy Ritchie’s 2009 “Sherlock Holmes” movie. Host Antony Johnston with Eddy Webb.

"The Fast & The Furious" - Fast cars, impossibly skilled drivers, champagne groupies, loud explosions, and a complete disregard for the laws of physics. Sounds like hell? Jessica Sliwinski once thought so, but now she joins Antony to shift her appreciation for the “Fast & Furious” movies up a gear. Host Antony Johnston with Jessica Sliwinski.

"Pluto" - When is a planet not a planet? When it gets downgraded after 75 years, apparently. But was Pluto’s fate a mistake by the IAU, or an example of science in action? Marcos Huerta joins Antony to talk Kuiper belt objects, the New Horizons probe, and arbitrary astronomical definitions. Host Antony Johnston with Marcos Huerta.

"Predator 2" - After the success of its gung-ho predecessor, “Predator 2” — which expanded the mythology of the alien hunters, like “Aliens” did for its predecessor — felt like a sure thing, not the flop it turned out to be. Ed Brisson joins Antony to explain why second chances are his specialty. Host Antony Johnston with Ed Brisson.

"Tapeheads" - Was it a “Blues Brothers” for the MTV generation, or just a nonsensical movie strung together with songs and bizarre cameos? Or… both?! Kelly Guimont joins Antony to lay down some tape talking about cult movie “Tapeheads”. Host Antony Johnston with Kelly Guimont.

"No Man's Sky" - It promised the Earth — and an almost-infinite universe to play in — but the videogame “No Man’s Sky” launched to scathing criticism and disappointment. Matt Johnston joins Antony to explain why expectations were misguided, why players who quit early are missing out, and why being a space hobo is so relaxing. Host Antony Johnston with Matt Johnston.

"Star Trek: Enterprise" - The spirit of Star Trek has seen the franchise reinvented, revisited, and even rebooted, for more than 50 years — but of all its incarnations, perhaps none is so maligned as “Enterprise”. Pete Mele joins Antony to defend Captain Archer from threats on all sides. Host Antony Johnston with Pete Mele.

"Eyes Wide Shut" - Sold as an erotic thriller, Stanley Kubrick’s least popular film “Eyes Wide Shut” is neither erotic, nor much of a thriller. But Richard Rouse III joins Antony to argue that it wasn’t just mis-sold, it was misunderstood — and has only gotten better with age. Host Antony Johnston with Richard Rouse III.

"Eurovision Song Contest 2017" - Dust off your sequins, because once again the Eurovision Song Contest is almost upon us! Rachel Donner, David Loehr, and Liz Myles join Antony to marvel at this year’s contenders and catastrophes, and wonder if a post-Brexit UK will be left with nul points… Host Antony Johnston with Rachel Donner, David J. Loehr and Lizbeth Myles.

"Krull" - Every kid who came out of the theater from “Krull” wanted a glaive… even if they were in no rush to see the movie itself again. Carrie Patel joins Antony to explain why that’s a shame, as they reminisce about this charming, naive fantasy/sci-fi mashup — plot holes and all. Host Antony Johnston with Carrie Patel.

"Killer Robots" - We all know it’s only a matter of time before the military builds Terminator-style robots, and from there a small leap to Welcoming Our New Robot Overlords… or is it? Robotics engineer Kent Massey joins Antony to ask, what’s the difference between a plant and a rock? Host Antony Johnston with Kent Massey.

"The Matrix Reloaded" - “The Matrix Reloaded” wasn’t the sequel people were expecting, but was swapping bullets for brains really such a bad idea? Filip Selldén joins Antony to explain why making a modern Superman movie was the Wachowski’s best option. Host Antony Johnston with Filip Selldén.

"V For Vendetta" (the film) - Podcasts should not be afraid of their listeners; listeners should be… wait, that makes no sense. Much like the “V for Vendetta” movie! Or so some fanboys would have you believe. Not Amal El-Mohtar, who joins Antony to ensure England Prevails in the face of such authoritarian opinions. Host Antony Johnston with Amal El-Mohtar.

"Babe: Pig in the City" - Is “Babe: Pig in the City” really a tour de force of magical realism? Or “A New Yorker cartoon on mescaline”? Warren Frey joins Antony to explain why this kids’ movie from George “Mad Max” Miller deserves your renewed attention. Host Antony Johnston with Warren Frey.

"GURPS" - In what must surely be our thinnest premise yet, Monty Ashley joins Antony to ostensibly defend GURPS from its detractors. But it’s basically two old RPG nerds chatting and reminiscing about games for an hour. Roll 3D6 to listen! Host Antony Johnston with Monty Ashley.

"Masters of the Universe" - They said it would be bigger than Star Wars. Instead it bankrupted a studio and sank without trace. Yes, in another instalment of our Dolph Lundgren love here on UMP, Liz Myles joins Antony to reassess “Masters of the Universe”, the well-known, uh, Christmas movie. Wait, what? Host Antony Johnston with Lizbeth Myles.

"Batman Returns" - After making Batman palatable to the mainstream again with the first movie, Tim Burton’s sequel “Batman Returns” went all-in with his signature fairytale gothic style. Michael Molcher joins Antony to explain why it totally works, and disses the Nolan Batverse along the way. Happy new year! Host Antony Johnston with Michael Molcher.

"Micronauts" - Regular Incomparable Network listeners will know of Jason Snell’s oft-thwarted desire to talk about his lifelong love of “Micronauts”; a series of comics, starring characters based on American toys, which were based on Japanese toys. At last, this is our gift to him… and to you. Happy holidays! Host Antony Johnston with Jason Snell.

"Clue" - Was it John Cecil, in the loft, with the microphone? Actually, yes — and that’s more straightforward than anything in the puzzling murder-mystery-comedy-movie-of-the-board-game “Clue”, which John’s here to defend. Would anyone care for fruit, or dessert? Host Antony Johnston with John Cecil.

"General Hospital" - Mah stories are on! And when they include aliens, vampires, weather machines, movement suits, and more, how can you resist? Rachael Noel Fox can’t, and says those of us who appreciate wild creative imaginations should be watching that soapiest of soaps, “General Hospital.” Host Antony Johnston with Rachael Noel Fox.

"Alien 3" - Forget corny spooks and campy monsters; for this Halloween edition, Moisés Chiullan joins Antony to delve into the murky horror of “Alien 3”, and explain why this most maligned entry in the movie franchise deserves a chance at parole. Host Antony Johnston with Moisés Chiullan.

"Pretty Woman" - Let’s be honest; it’s not every day you hear a middle-aged cis/het man tell you “Pretty Woman” is his favourite movie ever. Meet Regie Rigby, who’s here to explain why he thinks Garry Marshall’s quintessential ’80s rom-com deserves another look. Host Antony Johnston with Regie Rigby.

"Armageddon" - Drills! In! Spaaaaaace! Alison Baker throws scientific accuracy to the (solar) wind, jumps a canyon in low-g, and revels in NASA’s afterburn as she rockets through the joys of Michael Bay’s “Armageddon”. Host Antony Johnston with Alison Baker.

"BioShock 2" - “BioShock” is widely regarded as one of the best video games of all time. “BioShock 2”, though… not so much. Podcaster Shaline Lopez joins Antony to discuss Big and Little Sisters, story twists, feminist gaming, and more. Host Antony Johnston with Shaline Lopez.

It’s Antony’s birthday again, and this time he’s gatecrashing his own podcast to enthuse about “Dark City”, Alex Proyas’ cult noir sci-fi movie filled with twists, turns, and Richard O’Brien. Host Moisés Chiullan with Antony Johnston.

"The Punisher (1989)" - He punishes the guilty… when he’s not meditating naked in the sewers, that is. Clay McCormack joins Antony to defend the first movie of Frank castle, starring Dolph Lundgren. Is it the best version? Maybe. Is it the most batcrap insane? Oh, definitely. Host Antony Johnston with Clayton McCormack.

"Hard listening" - Reich. Stockhausen. Zorn. Anderson. Glass. Weill. Henze. Stravinsky! Johnston, Fleishman, digressions. Aural : oral : visual : performance. Art? Host Antony Johnston with Glenn Fleishman.

"Cars" - It’s not as bad as “Cars 2”, but Pixar’s original “Cars” gets a bad rap from fans for being too childish, too simple, too boring. Educator Brian Ashe joins Antony to signal his objections, and drive home its virtues. Host Antony Johnston with Brian Ashe.

"Superman III" - It’s the Fourth of July! And what could be more American than Big Blue himself? Jonathan Penn joins Antony to defend “Superman III”, famously derided as a slapstick comedy, and argue that beneath the surface it’s full of heart, humanity, and hope. Up, up, and away! Host Antony Johnston with Jonathan Penn.

"The Avengers (1998)" - Mrs Peel, we’re needed — to defend what some critics called “the worst movie ever” from… a spot of bad weather? Hey, it makes about as much sense as the film. Writer and musician Cecilee Linke joins Antony to judo chop her way through the 1998 flop “The Avengers”. Host Antony Johnston with Cecilee Linke.

"Great White Sharks" - Great white sharks are feared the world over, with shark attacks on humans still guaranteed to make the news. As “Finding Dory“‘s release approaches, writer and scuba diver Chris Mitchell joins Antony to dive into the churning waters around this widely misunderstood predator. Host Antony Johnston with Chris Mitchell.

"The Village" - Roger Ebert gave it one star, and called it one of his ‘most hated’ movies. But was he just expecting the wrong kind of story? Georgia Dow joins Antony to stay within the boundaries of M Night Shyamalan’s “The Village”. Host Antony Johnston with Georgia Dow.

"The Eurovision Song Contest" - Every year, millions of Americans are baffled by an outburst of snarky comments about cheesy European pop music on Twitter. Eurovision Song Contest uberfan Rachel Donner joins Antony to explain what on earth is going on, and why they should tune in. Host Antony Johnston with Rachel Donner.

"Reed Richards" - He can stretch and change his body in “Fantastic” ways, but to many comic readers, he’s anything but a role model. Journalist Andy Ihnatko joins Antony to defend the honor of the Fantastic Four’s Reed Richards. Host Antony Johnston with Andy Ihnatko.

"Cricket" - As St George’s Day approaches, gentlemen in England’s green and pleasant land take to the field for a game that can last five days, yet still somehow end in a draw…! Author Paul Cornell goes to bat to spread the good word of cricket. Host Antony Johnston with Paul Cornell.

"Pretty Little Liars" - What happens when a show with a ridiculous premise, created by management, and aimed firmly at young girls… actually takes its female characters seriously? Katy Rex joins Antony to divulge all the secrets of “Pretty Little Liars”. Host Antony Johnston with Katy Rex.

"Big Trouble in Little China" - It should have been the biggest action movie of 1986… instead, it was the flop that drove John Carpenter out of Hollywood. Michael Palmer joins Antony to explain how it’s all in the reflexes. Host Antony Johnston with Michael Palmer.

"R.E.M., early" - On a day that shouldn’t exist comes a podcast equally paradoxical. Merlin Mann joins Antony to sit still, garden at night, and talk about the passion of rock band R.E.M.’s early work. Host Antony Johnston with Merlin Mann.

"True Detective Season 2" - Everybody loved “True Detective” Season 1… but not so much Season 2. Musician and LA native Erik Aho joins Antony to stand up for the show, and elaborate on its appeal to noir lovers everywhere. Host Antony Johnston with Erik Aho.

"Lady in the Water" - Few directors divide opinion so much as M Night Shyamalan, but writer Dan Moren dives in headfirst to attempt a rescue of his fairy-tale movie “Lady in the Water”. Host Antony Johnston with Dan Moren.

David Bowie's "Tin Machine" - To celebrate the late David Bowie’s extraordinary life and body of work, writer Chris Mitchell joins Antony to defend the artist’s short-lived and drastically misunderstood “Tin Machine” project. Host Antony Johnston with Chris Mitchell.

"Andromeda" - Happy new year! And to begin 2016, writer and SF lover Lisa Schmeiser joins Antony to discuss the all-but-forgotten “Andromeda”, and wonder just how much of it actually came from Gene Roddenberry’s pen… Host Antony Johnston with Lisa Schmeiser.

"On Her Majesty's Secret Service" - Ho Ho Seven! For Brits, Christmas means a traditional dose of 007 on the TV. So in this festive episode, playwright David J Loehr joins Antony to talk about the most misunderstood Bond movie of all, “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”. Host Antony Johnston with David J. Loehr.

"Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith" - Just ahead of “The Force Awakens” release, game designer and podcaster Brianna Wu joins Antony to round off our very own “prequel trilogy” with a defense of “Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith”! Host Antony Johnston with Brianna Wu.

"Robotech" - Sci-fi podcaster Chip Sudderth joins Antony to defend (though not three times)”Robotech”, the 1980s anime series maligned by purists everywhere. Host Antony Johnston with Chip Sudderth.

"Napoleon" - Veteran and Napoleon buff Nick Friederich joins Antony to explain why the Emperor is unjustly maligned, why his military genius is overlooked, and how this complex figure birthed modern Europe. Host Antony Johnston with Nick Friederich.

"Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" - NYU game professor Clara Fernández-Vara joins Antony to confess her love of all things Indiana Jones, even including the infamous fridge contained within the Crystal Skulls. Host Antony Johnston with Clara Fernandez-Vara.

"Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again" - Podcaster and comic aficionado Moisés Chiullan joins Antony on the eve of “Dark Knight 3“‘s release to stand up for the iconoclastic Frank Miller’s Batman sequel, “The Dark Knight Strikes Again”. Host Antony Johnston with Moisés Chiullan.

"Dune" - Musician and writer Meredith Yayanos joins Antony to walk (without rhythm) through her love of David Lynch’s “Dune”, from weirding modules to suggestive navigators to heart plugs, and so much more. Host Antony Johnston with Meredith Yayanos.