February 16, 2021

Episode 254: Diggity D!

This week the word is Delicious. First the nerds spend a lot of time talking about Mr. Delicious, the disastrous spokesman for a fast food chain called Rax. They also discuss deliciousness in general. Then Keith gives a report on the D&D campaign he’s running for his Patreon supporters, and Andy talks about some of the stuff Looney Labs is doing for their 25th anniversary. Then they discuss various media subjects with increasing spoiler-warning levels. They start with the first half of chapter 4 of S., then they discuss episode 3 of WandaVision, and lastly, the film by Derek DelGaudio called In & Of Itself.

SPOILER WARNING: contains spoilers.

February 9, 2021

Episode 253: That’s Not a MacGuffin!

This week the word is MacGuffin. The nerds talk about classic MacGuffins and other literary devices including red herrings and crabgrass. Andy then discusses the design of Get the MacGuffin, and Keith talks about widget hunts in early LARP games. They share a few war stories from those days, in particular about a game called Cafe Casablanca. Andy has more to say about fan edits of The Hobbit, then they discuss chapter 3 of S. Lastly, they lower the spoiler curtain to discuss the first two episodes of WandaVision.

SPOILER WARNING: contains spoilers.

January 27, 2021

Episode 252: Don’t Use the Dream Toilet

This week the word is Unknown. The nerds talk about various unknowns, like hidden information in game design, stories in which characters are thrust into unknown settings, situations in which you don’t know who you are, things that are unknowable, and questions that meant to never be answered. Keith talks about unknowns in Eberron, and also mentions Bridgerton, Dexter, and the D&D campaign he’s run 60 times. This leads to a discussion of unusual adaptations of Shakespeare. Keith reports on finding the answer the “Blah Rhubarb Blah” question he asked last week, and the each talk about issues they’ve been having with mice. Next, Andy gives his final report on The Last Airbender, and Keith talks about obscure candy bars. Moving on to media, they discuss Chapter 2 of S. They also talk about Tolkien stories from the point of view of the eagles. Lastly, they drop the spoiler curtain to discuss the season 3 finale of Star Trek: Discovery.

SPOILER WARNING: contains spoilers.

January 19, 2021

Episode 251: Protection From The Yule Cat

This week the word is Christmas. The nerds talk at length about various holiday memories, favorite Xmas movies, new traditions, etc. Then they discuss chapter one of S, having talked about future candidates for their new book club segment earlier in the show. Keith mentions a radio bit he remembers that went “Blah Rhubarb Blah” which Andy replies to with Arrested Development references. Keith talks about Ted Lasso, then Andy shares a few thoughts about Fargo season 4. Lastly, they drop the spoiler curtain to discuss the newest episodes of Star Trek and Star Wars.

SPOILER WARNING: contains spoilers.

January 12, 2021

Episode 250: The St. Gerbil’s Day Massacre

This week the word is spin-off. The nerds start by discussing the many new Star Wars spin-offs that have been announced, then they discuss other spin-offs through TV history. Next they share some big-picture, non-spoilery thoughts about Star Trek Discovery Season 3, and what they would do to create a truly different distant future if it were up to them. Andy reports on his mouse problem, and Keith tells a story from his youth about a bad day for his gerbils. Next they begin their next “book club” segment, discussing the Introduction of S. Lastly, then drop the spoiler curtain to discuss the Star Trek: Discovery episode, “Terra Firma, part 1.”

SPOILER WARNING: contains spoilers.

December 22, 2020

Episode 249: The Gnome in the Home

This week the word is Elves. The nerds discuss the various types of elves, the drawbacks involving in dealing with elves in storytelling, space elves, and the Elf on the Shelf. Andy gives a report on his mouse problem, then they talk about an unusual and mysterious book called S which is to be the subject of their next on-going “book club” segment. Lastly, they drop the spoiler curtain to discuss the newest episodes of Star Trek and Star Wars.

SPOILER WARNING: contains spoilers.

December 15, 2020

Episode 248: Baby Yoda Gets the Cookies

This week the word is Heroes. The nerds talk about their favorite heroes, what makes for a good hero, etc. As with last week’s discussion of villains, they have a lot to say (including more about villains). Then Keith talks about the Eberron campaign he’s running for his Patreon subscribers. Moving on to media, they talk a little about Schitt’s Creek before dropping the spoiler curtain to discuss the newest episodes of Star Trek Discovery and The Mandalorian.

SPOILER WARNING: contains spoilers.

November 17, 2020

Episode 246: Kindergarten Triceratops

This week the word is dinosaurs. The nerds discuss their favorite dinosaurs (and why the triceratops is the best), depictions of dinosaurs in popular media, other meanings and definitions for the word dinosaur, the inclusion of dinosaurs in D&D, and the Loch Ness Monster. Then they move on to other topics, including Halloween, the extended versions of the LOTR movies, Rick & Morty, and Schitt’s Creek. After dropping the spoiler curtain, they discuss the Mandalorian and Star Trek Discovery.

SPOILER WARNING: contains spoilers.

November 10, 2020

Episode 245: Escaped Genetically Altered Prisoner Guy

This week the word is Heebie-Jeebies. The nerds discuss scary stories, what makes for a creepy tale, and why we enjoy getting the heebie-jeebies. Other topics include Keith’s “killer lightning bugs” campfire story, a recent dream Andy had, obscure characters and secondary plotlines in Star Trek, and the Ray Bradbury Theater. Then they drop the spoiler curtain to talk about Star Trek Lower Decks and Discovery.

SPOILER WARNING: contains spoilers.