Gobbledygeek

You ever have that dream where Paul and AJ are discussing the greatest comic book of all time in ten spoiler-free monthly installments? Yeah, us too: beginning with this episode, the boys bring the Four-Color Flashback feature to the show, dissecting Neil Gaiman's The Sandman through the rest of the year. Friend of the show (at this point, he's more of a lover) Eric Sipple joins us for a discussion of The Sandman: Vol. I - Preludes & Nocturnes. The great tale of Morpheus, lord of dreams, gets its start in a fashion that's not always representative of what it would become (DC superheroes), but the gang is on hand to point out all the ways in which it is uniquely Sandman (a horror story about stories). Plus, Amazon's a little icky and Marvel has a prime opportunity for diversity with Iron Fist. Next: despite the words that come out of AJ's idiot mouth, Winter Soldier is not next week's episode. We'll force him to come up with something.

Koko the Showfucker is back and he's prepared to fuck the show right into--well, okay, a little of that happens, but for the most part, Jason Tabrys' return to Gobbledygeek is a little more focused than normal. Among the topics discussed are the Veronica Mars movie and its abundance of fan-service, the Cosmos controversy, and the fact that Captain America 3 and Batman & Superman: Friendship Is Magic opening on the same day is going to keep the idiotic flames of the Marvel/DC fan war raging long into the night. Then there's the big one: When you hate something--say, oh, The Big Bang Theory--is it fair to continue harshly criticizing it on social media even when you know someone who likes it? The (different, conflicting) answer(s) may surprise you (or not)! Next: you might remember the Four Color Flashback series AJ did on the blog about the Claremont/Byrne Uncanny X-Men, or he and Paul dissecting Preacher. Well, we're bringing that feature to the show starting next week. At the end of each month, we'll b

First, The Gentlemen's Guide to Midnite Cinema discussed Three Colors: Blue. Then, The Debatable Podcast talked about Three Colors: White. Now, as the last stop on this epic pod crawl, Paul and AJ discuss the final film of Krzysztof Kieslowski's Three Colors trilogy--and his final film, period--Red. The boys dig deep on this one, discussing the nature of relationships, the hidden connections in our lives, and time itself in the context of one of the most beautiful movies ever made. What does it all mean? Maybe it doesn't mean anything, and that's okay. Plus, Paul loves Cosmos and AJ has complicated feelings on the True Detective finale. Next: this has been such a thoughtful, focused year of the sho--NOOOOO IT'S KOKO THE SHOWFUCKER RUN!!!! Jason Tabrys and Jeremy R! Hudson of The BastardCast return to...to have some fun?

If you were a sentient human being at any point in the last 30-some-odd years, Harold Ramis made some sort of impact on your life. When Ramis passed away last week at the age of 69, Paul and AJ knew they had to pay homage to him in some way. This week, the boys discuss four of Ramis' films: Meatballs (which he co-wrote), Stripes (which he co-wrote and starred opposite Bill Murray in), Ghostbusters (which he co-wrote and starred in), and Groundhog Day (which he directed, co-wrote, and if you look at it from a certain angle, played the crucial role in). Ramis made a lot of people laugh, including us. Here we do our best to pay him back. Plus, Paul and AJ suffer through the Oscars. Next week: as part of an epic pod crawl (check the show notes for more information!), Paul and AJ will be discussing the final film of Krzysztof Kieslowski's Three Colors trilogy, Red.

The long and winding road of the Gobbledy-Book Club has led us here, through factories and caves and cellars, to the final two chapters of J.J. Abrams and Doug Dorst's S. Paul and AJ host an all-star jam band reunion of their co-readers: Paul's better half Pam Smith, whom we have to thank for just about everything; The Debatable Podcast host and Ukrainian royal Greg Sahadachny; and Kenn Edwards of So Let's Get to the Point and Project Batman, who might just be recording your entire existence as a podcast. Believe it or not, the show is (mostly) able to contain all five of them as they get to the important business of discussing the conclusions of both Ship of Theseus and the Jen/Eric marginalia, the importance of endings, and the open-ended nature of many of the tale's mysteries (sound familiar, Lost fans?). Plus, the gang says goodbye to the late, great Harold Ramis. Next: the boys are on their own again to pay tribute to the work of Harold Ramis. They'll be watching Meatballs, Stripes, Ghostbusters, and Gr

The penultimate installment of the Gobbledy-Book Club is here, as Kenn Edwards of So Let's Get to the Point and Project Batman joins Paul and AJ to discuss chapters 7-8 of J.J. Abrams and Doug Dorst's S. The book--both books!--is heading toward its conclusion, so of course, things only get more complicated. S. becomes the assassin he was destined to be, Jen and Eric draw closer and closer, and major headway is made in the pair's investigation. Oh, and there's a napkin. We talk a lot about the napkin. Plus, the gang talks about Funko's incredibly expansive 2014 toy line. Next: discussion of S. draws to a close with an all-star jam band reunion of our co-readers.

Shifting identities. Confessions of love. Chases in the dark. Names. Lots of names. These things and more can be found in chapters 4-6 of J.J. Abrams and Doug Dorst's S., here discussed by your learned and astute co-readers. The Debatable Podcast's Greg Sahadachny joins Paul and AJ for the second week of the Gobbledy-Book Club, talking about the unique way he started reading the book, whether Eric and Jen's marginalia or Ship of Theseus itself is more captivating, and what a "second" is. If the boys scratched the surface last week, this time they plunge headfirst into the dark, mysterious world of S. Come on in, the water's fine.     Next: discussion of S. continues as Kenn Edwards of So Let's Get to the Point and Project Batman helps explore chapters 7 and 8.

This week marks the beginning of our very first Gobbledy-Book Club, in which we’ll be discussing the J.J. Abrams/Doug Dorst novel S. every week of February. For our first discussion, Paul and AJ talk the book’s first three chapters with the lovely Pam Smith, who may or may not be married to one of your dashing hosts. The gang discusses the book’s seriously ingenious book-within-a-book structure, the pervasive concept of multiple identities, the numerous thematic/stylistic ties to Abrams’ Lost, all those cool little inserts, and how exactly you’re supposed to read the damn thing. Plus, we pay our respects to the late, great Philip Seymour Hoffman. Next: the Gobbledy-Book Club continues with a discussion of chapters 4-6, pp. 111-259.

The exceedingly British Wesley "Wezzo" Mead makes his triumphant return to Gobbledygeek, where he regales Paul and AJ with the triumphant story of his triumphantly watching five terrible movies (well, one of them wasn't bad) in one triumphant day. It's all very triumphal. Paul also recounts how Alabama went post-apocalyptic wasteland after a few inches of snow, there's a far too thorough discussion of the leaked Ninja Turtles designs, and to cap it all off, there's some Breaking British News. Next: our first-ever Gobbledy-Book Club begins! We'll be having a month-long discussion of S by J.J. Abrams and Doug Dorst. If you'd like to read along, we're starting with the first three chapters, up through page 110.

Gobbleydgeek has regenerated for a fifth season; no new hosts, alas, but faithful companion Eric Sipple is on hand to guide Paul and AJ through a discussion of the first five seasons of Doctor Who. Yes, the boys have finally succumbed to curiosity, exploring one of their major geek blindspots, starting with the Russell T. Davies "reboot" of the age-old tale of a strange man in a box who travels through time. They discuss the surprising greatness of Christopher Eccleston's Doctor, the many highs of the David Tennant era, and the very beginning of Matt Smith's tenure, not to mention just how freaking annoying Dalek voices are. Oh, and AJ tells some wonderful jokes. Plus, the gang updates you on The Deli Counter of Justice and talks about whatever passes for New Year's resolutions. Next: lovely young Britisher Wesley "Wezzo" Mead makes his triumphant return.

It's all come down to this. A year of rambling, raging, and running off at the mouth has led to this one final episode of 2013. And, you know, finales are difficult things. How do you encapsulate the year that come's before, to pay homage and tribute to everyone and everything that has made this such a good year of the show? Well, you do two things: you disrespect the American flag and you pray for Kanye West to be whisked off to another dimension. Those are only two of the many things Paul and AJ do in the season 4 finale of Gobbledygeek, which include but are not limited to: singing the praises of The Americans, discussing the drunk girl at the P!nk concert, and talking about a tense year in social media. It's been a good one. Thanks for listening! Next: the boys will return a month from now to discuss nerd territory they've never before broached: Doctor Who.

Remember that present you always wanted for Christmas but never got? Well, Arnold Schwarzenegger is ready to strap on a jetpack to put it in your hot little hands, as your merry Gobbledy-elves ring in the holiday with a discussion of the 1996 "classic" Jingle All the Way. On hand is Elf King Jason Tabrys, who once more degrades the show with his unique brand of festive chaos, er, cheer. This lively band of Santa's helpers marvel at the fact that Ahnuld could ever pass for a weathered everyman, express amazement that Sinbad was a person who existed, and reveal the true nature of Elf on the Shelf (it ain't pretty). Plus, Paul and AJ become more estranged than ever before, which is saying something. Next: this is the end, my only friends, the end (of season 4, that is).

Bat-Turkey having sated his thirst for human blood on that most terrible of nights, Thanksgiving, Paul and AJ are free and clear to return to their regular podcasting duties. Joining them again is Joseph Lewis, here to talk about his new pilot Nowheresville, about a college student having an existential crisis about the static life he leads (not to mention girl problems). Joe discusses how the project came to be, what shooting was like, how awful it is to make two actors jog and bicycle for six pages of dialogue, and what the future holds for the potential series. Plus, the gang talks about The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (not to be confused with the Bob Marley album Catch a Fire), Americans beating one another to death over Rachael Ray cookware, and some good old-fashioned college football. Next: doesn't every holiday deserve a Schwarzenegger/Sinbad vehicle? We think so. Twisted Christmas returns with Jingle All the Way.

This week, Paul and AJ lack a plan. As always, when they lack a plan, they tend to just talk a whole bunch. Like, a whole bunch. First up, AJ gives the audience what he knows they want: an update on his health. (Here at Gobbledygeek, we want to make you feel like you're part of the family.) Then there's talk of music, with the 50th anniversary of The Beatles' second album coinciding with the release of On Air: Live at the BBC - Vol. 2, along with Paul McCartney's New. On the movie front, Paul falls in love with About Time while AJ falls decidedly out of love with Robert Rodriguez after witnessing Machete Kills. Then they talk about comics. Boy, do they talk about comics. Next: the boys take the week off, while Bat-Turkey sharpens his claws for the annual killing season known as Thanksgiving. The week after, Gobbledygeek returns to talk with friend of the show Joseph Lewis about his upcoming pilot, Nowheresville.

In this super-sized episode, Joseph Lewis, original Gobbler and writer/director of the forthcoming pilot Nowheresville, reunites with Paul and AJ to...well, to sort of act as a referee. You see, Paul and AJ disagree on things sometimes. Actually kind of frequently. And anyway, well, one of them is a kilt-wearing cyclone of rage prone to slaughter, and one of them just so happens to be a pre-pubescent hipster who sparks his ire at every turn. Which is a problem when Paul loves Thor: The Dark World and AJ...doesn't. Despite shifting alliances, Joe does his best to keep the slaughter at bay as the three of them debate the human characters' relevance, criticize Heimdall's watchman abilities, and trip all over themselves praising Tom Hiddleston. Plus, the gang talks comics (The Sandman: Overture and Amazing X-Men) and AJ raves about 12 Years a Slave. Next: more attempted slaughter.

It has long been foretold by mad prophets clinging to their tattered robes, wild eyes staring at the heavens: "HE WILL RETURN!" As blood-red clouds gather on the horizon and lightning cracks the sky in two, he descends on his rainbow death unicorn. Jason Tabrys licks a lollipop made of skulls, dragging behind him Jeremy R! Hudson, who claws at the earth in a futile attempt to avoid his fate. That's right: the BastardCast duo lays siege to Gobbledygeek this week, gods of mischief exploding chaos all over what is normally such a tight, well-ordered show. Ahem. Jason and Jeremy join Paul and AJ to talk angry badgers (whom AJ is the victim of), The Walking Dead (which AJ is insufferable about), and the state of the comic book industry (wherein AJ is not particularly victimized or offensive, rather they all have a thoughtful, fascinating conversation sure to enrich your understanding of the quintessentially American business of show). Plus, badgers, did I mention badgers? There are badgers. Next: badgers. Or, alt

THE END IS NIGH! Of Gobbledyween 2013, that is. And possibly of the world, if Big Haagen has its way in The Stuff. That's right, the final film of this year's horror movie marathon is none other than 1985's The Stuff, about a sentient yogurt-like substance that wants to turn you into a zombified consumer. Or, if you believe guest Greg Sahadachny, it's all about gay panic and the AIDS crisis, man. Which, I mean, if you've seen the Stuff in The Stuff...well, enough is enough. Plus, Paul went to a So You Think You Can Dance show and the gang pours out a pint of the Stuff for Lou Reed. Next: JASON TABRYS RETURNS.

The penultimate week of Gobbledyween has arrived, and while that is indeed cause for national (nay, international) mourning, don't worry: to make the most of it, Paul and AJ have two movies for you this week. Well, okay, they're really kind of the same movie, but don't look a gift vampire in the fangs or whatever. This week, the boys take a look at what they both agree is the best vampire movie ever made, the 2008 Swedish film Let the Right One In. Five years on, the film has lost none of its haunting beauty. They've also got some love for its 2010 American remake Let Me In, which is very similar but also with some significant differences which change the story entirely. It's a vampiric twofer, and hey, you know what? You deserve it. Next: Gobbledyween comes to its thrilling conclusion with--wait for it--The Stuff. The Debatable Podcast host and friend of the show Greg Sahadachny joins and probably doesn't know what he's getting himself into.

Gobbledyween week three is here, and I hope you've got an empty stomach, because we're about to load you up on barbecue, sausages, and yes, headcheese. Paul and AJ take a look back at Tobe Hooper's 1974 endurance test The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. As usual, they have a difference of opinion. What they can agree on that there's a lot of screaming, the wackiest bunch of hillbillies this side of Beverly Hills, and actually not a lot of onscreen violence. Oh, and Ed Gein was a pretty messed-up guy. Plus, Paul is chilled and delighted by the first issue of Afterlife with Archie. Next: Gobbledyween takes a turn toward the vampiric with Let the Right One In.

You may have heard that AJ, Paul, and Eric have been cooking up a special project. That project is the forthcoming superhero short story anthology The Deli Counter of Justice, and they are thrilled to finally star talking about. In this first behind-the-scenes podcast, they discuss the project's silly Twitter genesis, its overall concept (superhero hangs up his cape and opens a deli, as you do), and what you can expect from the book. Also, they're still looking for an author or two! If you're interested, or have any questions, please shoot 'em an e-mail at delicounterofjustice@gmail.com.