The Geek Agenda

In which Thom and Andru are joined by Chris Jackson and Robbie Rist of The Spoon for a conversational preponderance of pop culture potpourri, bemoaning the devolution of geek culture into empty hipsterism, even as they themselves play to the back of the room relentlessly. Other topics include EVERYTHING. This is about as ADD as we’ve ever been folks... strap in and hang on!

In which Thom & Andru begin the new year with a flurry of film reviews, a bevy of book talk, a recounting of their holiday recreations, and an overage of obstinate opinions on everything from mo-cap to online vigilantism to pie. Also, the debut "4th Week Favorites", Andru cautions on the dangers of the Netflix Wall, and Thom pays tribute to talk host Rick Emerson, without whose influence this show would not exist.

In which Thom & Andru celebrate Boxing Day with a present comprised of conversations passed. Included in this best-of episode are interviews with Kielen King, Michele Ivey, Robbie Rist, and Brian Peck. Thanks for listening, we'll be back with brand new nerdery in 2012!

In which Thom & Andru battle capricious cinema catalogs, flummoxing font-snobbery, mis-aimed marketing decisions, and rebellious radio gear in their attempt to sum up the best and worst of 2011's genre entertainment. Also, the new Mission Impossible is improbably good, the Dark Knight Rises teaser is visually beautiful and verbally muffled, and Thom finally jumps on the Netflix train, just as it may be pulling out of the station for good.

In which Thom & Andru chew over new releases and old obsessions, and twist themselves into merit badge-worthy knots trying to segue between them. The socialization of video gaming, the proud tradition of alternate universes, the sweet spot between honoring and subverting storytelling tropes, the reasons why some remakes work better than others, and the fine line between expressing dislike and protesting too much are all on the conversational menu, as well as trailers priming us for 2012’s summer movies, Andru schooling Thom on the proper context of Hi-Def technology, and George Takei schooling everyone on the art of steering into the skid.

In which Thom & Andru bob and weave, joust and parry, and barrel with reckless abandon through a rambling conversation concerning all manner of pop-cultureminutia with guests Julie Kroll and Shaked Berenson. On tap: the monkey interlopers of Angry Birds, the shirtless crazy of True Blood, the not-quite-full glass that is Hugo, the oddly similar genre rules for horror movies and chick flicks, and the awkwardness of drawing a blank on favorite films of 2011, all presented in glorious mono sound. Enjoy!

In which Thom & Andru analyze the filters through which we perceive art and entertainment, concluding that being dated doesn’t make something bad, being novel doesn’t make something good, not everything that’s slow is a burn, and not everything that’s broke needs to be fixed. Plus, video game reviews, and our last recap of The Walking Dead... for now.

In which Thom & Andru invite Robbie Rist and Chris Jackson from The Spoon back for this week’s Walking Dead recap, which is then nearly left out of the show amid a flood of shipper snark, box office jousting, animation academia, and pitches for new reality TV concepts. Plus, bonding over a surprisingly strong Simpsons season, career rehab advice for Danny Elfman, and lots of disgruntled ranting about Star Wars (‘cause, y’know… nerds.) Music by Sons Of Nothing

In which Andru returns to the show in feisty form after atwo-week hiatus at the American Film Market, Thom offers mea culpas to his Stygian compadres and hosannas to the genius of Weird Al, andspecial guest Emma Jacobs, though no slouch in the nerd department herself, still has to restrain herself from some eye-rolling over the hardcore dorkitudeon display this week: Tron weather patterns, Hans Gruber as a giant spider, disproportionate joy over video game repair… you get the idea. Plus, reviews of Insidious, a recap of The Walking Dead, and please to note: Ray Harryhausen is still alive. Music by The Wonderstrucks.

In which Thom & Ingrid Oliansky brave the dangers of rebellious furniture, treacherous fruit, and several TV shows which teeter on the knife-edge between ending too soon and overstaying their welcome (semi-spoilers for the end of LOST, if you're twitchy about that sort of thing.) Also, a review of In Time, a plea for Buckarooo Banzai sequels, a view of the world through zombie-colored glasses, and the show now has a Twitter account, for to communicate better with the peoples. Or something. Music by Kielen King.

In which Thom struggles vainly to prevent the proceedings from mutating into an ad hoc episode of The Spoon, with Robbie Rist and Chris Jackson sitting in and NDR's dark whimsical overlord Johnny Dam making his debut on the show. Appropriate to Halloween, the show is concerned largely with the method and madness of horror movies, with brief excursions into xenomorph fan-fiction, Klingon metal bands, and Rob's unholy adoration of Fairuza Balk. Also, this week's Wakling Dead recap, and many more swears than usual...if you're concerned with that sort of thing. Music by Paul & Storm

In which Thom & Andru get excited about Joss Whedon's new Shakespeare project and the possibilities of the coming micro-studio age, while special correspondent Dayle Dermatis reports from the Nathan Fillion book signing at Golden Apple Comics. Also, a recap of this week's Walking Dead, Ben Affleck might direct The Stand, Weird Al turns 53, the Chronicle trailer looks pretty awesome, and Thom unleashes his inner dungeon master after a crash course in silly villains.

In which Thom & Andru use their review of The Walking Dead's season premiere as a conversational springboard into an ocean of disaster tropes, character etymology, collaborative chemistry, spoiler navigation, medium adaptation, the nasty business of how TV sausages are made, and the inescapable truth that a disgruntled fan is still a fan. Also, the fallacy of auteur theory, the silliness of geek machismo, and a plan to render the Happy Feet movies watchable by scoring them with Hatebeak songs. You're welcome.

In which Thom & Andru enumerate the many differing types of personal bond that humans develop to technology, while swapping stories of home computer evolution, trying to make sense of the latest Netflix weirdness, speculating on the future of The House That Steve Built, and reviewing Real Steel. Also, the latest in Andru's Trek Revisited, and Thom is drowning in TiVo-land. Again. Still. Whatever.

In which Thom & Andru spend a wibbly wobbly timey wimey hour with Ingrid Oliansky and Joshua Friedman, talking all things Whovian. With the sixth season of the current series wrapped up and the show's 50th anniversary on the way, what does the future (or the past, or present, for that matter) hold for our dear Doctor? Also, thoughts on sci-fi growing up with its audience, a semi-review of Terra Nova, and the iPhone incident that inspired tonight's show title.