Prodigious Saps

Chad Smalley and Brendan Jones (friends for more than 30 years) reflect on movies, TV, music and comics… with a special focus on their shared love of Superman.

Episode 49: Down the Love Hole

Prodigious Saps No. 49: "Down the Love Hole" Nitpicks & praise for SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE (1978) SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/@prodigioussaps?sub_confirmation=1 JOIN: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJaU6rw754l-Z0HQ4SB3gwA/join PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ProdigiousSaps This week we have a long, critical discussion about Richard Donner's SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE, a movie we both love dearly... in part to demonstrate that we don't think of it as completely flawless. We did find it hard to only concentrate on nitpicks, because despite all its flaws it is STILL such an amazing film, even after all this time. Next we'll be talking about SUPERMAN II, something we both have many more major quibbles with, and comparing it to the DONNER CUT. Prodigious Saps: profusive nerdery from Chad Smalley of Blaggards and Brendan Jones of Tesla City Stories. https://linktr.ee/prodigioussaps RELATED LINKS: Blaggards https://blaggards.com/ SlapperCast: a weekly podcast/road diary from Blaggards: https://linktr.ee/slappercast Tesla City Stories https://www.teslacitystories.com Breakfast of the Gods https://www.indyplanet.com/breakfast-of-the-gods Campbell & Jones Meet the Monsters https://meetthemonsters.podbean.com/

09-21
01:29:02

Episode 48: The International Fund for Interesting Directors

At long last, here is our piece on Terry Gilliam's masterpiece BRAZIL. This was well over a year in the making... not because it literally took that long to finish it, but just in that I was so hellbent on not half-assing the edit that I kept kicking it down the road. It's still not perfect, but tonight, I'm letting it go. If you dig Gilliam's work I think you'll find this to be a fun watch. Please let us know what you think. And Brendan, thank you contributing so much heart to this discussion, and for being patient with my obsessive, perfectionist video editing ass. πŸ™ CHEERS ALL Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/iRhmr7wbtjI There is also a completely UNCUT version of this episode on our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/p-saps-no-48-110854269 and available to YouTube channel members as part of the P-Saplings tier: https://youtu.be/kcIaQgmEtcU?si=TQCj7lLU0wI90beh Prodigious Saps: profusive nerdery from Chad Smalley of Blaggards and Brendan Jones of Tesla City Stories. https://linktr.ee/prodigioussaps RELATED LINKS: Blaggards https://blaggards.com/ SlapperCast: a weekly podcast/road diary from Blaggards: https://linktr.ee/slappercast Tesla City Stories https://www.teslacitystories.com Breakfast of the Gods https://www.indyplanet.com/breakfast-of-the-gods Campbell & Jones Meet the Monsters https://meetthemonsters.podbean.com/

08-27
39:15

Episode 47: Lois Lane in a Nutshell

This one is all about the acclaimed Prime Video series "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel", which completed its fifth and final season last year. SPOILERS ABOUND in this episode about all five seasons of Mrs. Maisel (particularly the last one), so if you've never watched the show you may want to hit pause on this one and come back to it later. You have been warned. Why is this show P-Saps worthy? Well, not only is it EXCELLENT television about an aspiring female stand-up comic in the early 1960s, but the lead role is played by none other than RACHEL BROSNAHAN.... who is also playing LOIS LANE in James Gunn's upcoming SUPERMAN. ALSO the supporting cast in Mrs. Maisel is absolutely stellar across the board, terrific writing, direction, music, set and costume design, the whole shebang. If you're familiar with Brosnahan's performance as Midge Maisel and you remember the great Lois Lanes of the past like Phyllis Coates, Noel Neill and Margot Kidder, you'll know why we're so excited about this casting choice. Prodigious Saps: profusive nerdery from Chad Smalley of Blaggards and Brendan Jones of Tesla City Stories. https://linktr.ee/prodigioussaps RELATED LINKS: Blaggards https://blaggards.com/ SlapperCast: a weekly podcast/road diary from Blaggards: https://linktr.ee/slappercast Tesla City Stories https://www.teslacitystories.com Breakfast of the Gods https://www.indyplanet.com/breakfast-of-the-gods Campbell & Jones Meet the Monsters https://meetthemonsters.podbean.com/

08-17
59:44

Episode 46: My Zing-Zang Heart

Prodigious Saps No. 46: "My Zing-Zang Heart" PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ProdigiousSaps PODCAST: https://prodigioussaps.fireside.fm/ We've both seen the highly anticipated DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE. We will be spoiling the bejesus out of this movie today. You've been warned. BUT FIRST... we react to the big bombshell from SDCC. The bombshell that has shocked and befuddled the nerd world, raising nerd eyebrows, gaping nerd jaws and curling nerd toes across the globe. We are of course referring to the deeply weird news that none other than ROBERT DOWNEY JR. will be returning to the MCU to portray Victor von Doom, a.k.a. DR. DOOM, in the upcoming AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY. What does this mean? Should we be excited or concerned? More importantly: what do YOU think? ALSO, guess what? We just hit 1000 subscribers on YouTube! We couldn't do it without you, so as always THANK YOU so much for your support, lovely P-Saplings! 00:00:00 β€” Intro 00:00:18 β€” Goodbye Kang 00:02:18 β€” RDJ as Doom?! 00:17:14 β€” DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE (SPOILERS) 00:33:11 β€” Fantastic Four: First Steps 00:38:01 β€” Secret Wars 00:39:55 β€” Young Avengers? 00:41:33 β€” THE PENGUIN trailer 00:42:23 β€” Hall of Justice in SUPERMAN? 00:47:19 β€” Retro-futuristic esthetic in SUPERMAN 00:53:35 β€” SUPERMAN saving a squirrel? 00:55:42 β€” More on DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE Prodigious Saps: profusive nerdery from Chad Smalley of @Blaggards and Brendan Jones of Tesla Ciity Stories (@theteslacitystories7337). https://linktr.ee/prodigioussaps RELATED LINKS: Blaggards https://blaggards.com/ SlapperCast: a weekly podcast/road diary from Blaggards: https://linktr.ee/slappercast Tesla City Stories https://www.teslacitystories.com Breakfast of the Gods https://www.indyplanet.com/breakfast-of-the-gods Campbell & Jones Meet the Monsters https://meetthemonsters.podbean.com/

08-02
01:02:35

Episode 45: STOP! Superman Time

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7DSH7Jc6cjs?si=lu1mP40Sa0FR6RFD You'll have to excuse our rampant enthusiasm for these SUPERMAN set photos, because there is still quite a bit to talk about. This time we geek out about the potential reveals of Krypto, Ultraman, and Supergirl, and try valiantly to piece together bits of storyline from everything we've seen unfolding on streets of Cleveland, Ohio. 00:00:00 β€” Intro 00:00:17 β€” Overview 00:00:52 β€” Final thoughts on Clark's hair 00:04:05 β€” Krypto theories 00:09:20 β€” Krypto's classic origin 00:10:45 β€” Supergirl's classic origin 00:12:07 β€” Krypto's intelligence 00:13:22 β€” A proposal for Mr. Gunn 00:13:57 β€” Gunn's statement on potential spoilers 00:14:33 β€” Ultraman? 00:15:33 β€” The Engineer 00:16:37 β€” Metropolis retro style 00:20:47 β€” Different Superman suits? 00:21:32 β€” Superman & Lois flying together? 00:22:15 β€” Superman suit design influences 00:24:21 β€” Superman flying effects 00:25:41 β€” MAN OF STEEL flying effects & suit design 00:27:16 β€” How will Superman change into his suit? 00:29:52 β€” Justice Society in DCU? 00:31:04 β€” Multiverse in DCU? 00:33:24 β€” Captain Carrot & He-Man 00:34:31 β€” Channel updates Prodigious Saps: profusive nerdery from Chad Smalley of Blaggards and Brendan Jones of Tesla City Stories. https://linktr.ee/prodigioussaps RELATED LINKS: Blaggards https://blaggards.com/ SlapperCast: a weekly podcast/road diary from Blaggards: https://linktr.ee/slappercast Tesla City Stories https://www.teslacitystories.com Breakfast of the Gods https://www.indyplanet.com/breakfast-of-the-gods Campbell & Jones Meet the Monsters https://meetthemonsters.podbean.com/

07-12
38:47

Episode 44: Super Twirly Powers

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/TA9jIpDek8k Last week, James Gunn's SUPERMAN began shooting on location in Superman's birthplace of Cleveland, Ohio. And as many people predicted, the leaked photos are JUMPIN' and the nerddom is high. So in this episode, we excitedly discuss the absolutely thrilling photos that appeared on Twitter during the first two days of shooting. We have now a REALLY great look at Superman's new costume, as well as characters like Mr. Terrific, Lois Lane, Perry White, Jimmy Olsen, Ron Troupe, Cat Grant etc. But possibly the most surprising reveal we saw those first two days of shooting was Clark Kent's hair. We've never seen Clark sport a curly hairstyle like this before, which is dramatically different from his Superman hairstyle. What's up with that? Is this really Clark's normal hairstyle? And how will Clark make his hair-transition to Superman the movie? 00:00:00 β€” Intro 00:00:29 β€” Overview of leaked set photos 00:07:34 β€” Mr. Terrific 00:13:50 β€” Theories about what we saw (days 1 & 2) 00:18:39 β€” Superman's suit 00:23:00 β€” Clark's hair 00:25:06 β€” Theory about Clark's hair 00:27:18 β€” Does Lois know Clark is Superman already? 00:32:49 β€” Will Jimmy have a signal watch? 00:33:31 β€” Kryptonian visual esthetic? 00:36:16 β€” Mr. Terrific's dynamic with Superman 00:39:27 β€” Captain Marvel (Shazam)? 00:42:35 β€” Batman? Prodigious Saps: profusive nerdery from Chad Smalley of @Blaggards and Brendan Jones of Tesla Ciity Stories (@theteslacitystories7337). https://linktr.ee/prodigioussaps RELATED LINKS: Blaggards https://blaggards.com/ SlapperCast: a weekly podcast/road diary from Blaggards: https://linktr.ee/slappercast Tesla City Stories https://www.teslacitystories.com Breakfast of the Gods https://www.indyplanet.com/breakfast-of-the-gods Campbell & Jones Meet the Monsters https://meetthemonsters.podbean.com/

07-01
43:59

Episode 43: Aping Out

Here is the EXTENDED version of our nitpicky deep dive into a classic nerdy franchise (made before Hollywood really had any idea how to handle nerdy franchises), which has inspired a truly remarkable reimagining in the newer films. A shorter version focusing on the original films is on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2UTXOZPjabQ Are you familiar with the original PLANET OF THE APES? The four sequels that followed? And are you a fan of the recent films (featuring Andy Serkis)? Let's talk about it! Prodigious Saps: profusive nerdery from Chad Smalley of Blaggards and Brendan Jones of Tesla City Stories. https://linktr.ee/prodigioussaps RELATED LINKS: Blaggards https://blaggards.com/ SlapperCast: a weekly podcast/road diary from Blaggards: https://linktr.ee/slappercast Tesla City Stories https://www.teslacitystories.com Breakfast of the Gods https://www.indyplanet.com/breakfast-of-the-gods Campbell & Jones Meet the Monsters https://meetthemonsters.podbean.com/

06-10
01:01:18

Episode 42: Where's My Spider?

Prodigious Saps No. 42: "Where's my Spider?" (Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/k9heUvea93Q) In this episode: the phenomenal failure of MADAME WEB... will Sony ever get their shit together? ALSO: * FANTASTIC FOUR casting and plot speculation * Excitement for DEADPOOL 3 * James Gunn's visual esthetic for SUPERMAN 00:00:00 β€” Preview 00:00:30 β€” It’s bad 00:02:30 β€” Madame Web in the comics 00:03:00 β€” Madame Web origin in movie 00:04:41 β€” The problem at SONY 00:15:11 β€” Sam Raimi's Spider-Man movies 00:16:00 β€” What went wrong with SPIDER-MAN 3 00:18:09 β€” What went wrong with AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 00:20:16 β€” SONY's lack of quality control 00:22:33 β€” FANTASTIC FOUR casting 00:23:21 β€” Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing 00:24:29 β€” Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/The Human Torch 00:24:59 β€” Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/The Invisible Woman 00:25:40 β€” Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic 00:27:45 β€” Revisiting 2005's Fantastic Four movie 00:30:49 β€” Theories about FF villains 00:31:51 β€” Theories about new FF continuity 00:36:52 β€” Galactus 00:38:38 β€” MCU "Cosmic" stuff 00:40:12 β€” Savage Land 00:41:41 β€” Deadpool 3 00:43:15 β€” Similarity between Deadpool 2 and The Suicide Squad 00:43:51 β€” James Gunn's visual esthetic for the DCU? Prodigious Saps: profusive nerdery from Chad Smalley of Blaggards and Brendan Jones of Tesla City Stories. https://linktr.ee/prodigioussaps RELATED LINKS: Blaggards https://blaggards.com/ SlapperCast: a weekly podcast/road diary from Blaggards: https://linktr.ee/slappercast Tesla City Stories https://www.teslacitystories.com Breakfast of the Gods https://www.indyplanet.com/breakfast-of-the-gods Campbell & Jones Meet the Monsters https://meetthemonsters.podbean.com/

04-18
50:14

Episode 41: Elsewords

An extended version of this episode is available on our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ProdigiousSaps This is a very Superman-heavy episode of P-Saps... so much news has been dropping about James Gunn's upcoming SUPERMAN (previously titled SUPERMAN: LEGACY) that it's hard to keep up with, and we couldn't be more excited. Lots of other stuff to talk about as well.. SUPERGIRL casting news SUPERMAN casting and plot speculation Why a Superman "Elseworlds" story set during WWII is probably not a good idea What TED LASSO might have in common with James Gunn's Superman STOP MAKING SENSE Collector's 4K Blu-Ray announcement RIP Carl Weathers and Marty Krofft THE GREATEST NIGHT IN POP (Netflix documentary) Brendan Recommendans: POOR THINGS and MONSIEUR SPADE Prodigious Saps: profusive nerdery from Chad Smalley of Blaggards and Brendan Jones of Tesla City Stories. https://linktr.ee/prodigioussaps Join us on PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ProdigiousSaps RELATED LINKS: Blaggards https://blaggards.com/ SlapperCast: a weekly podcast/road diary from Blaggards: https://linktr.ee/slappercast Tesla City Stories https://www.teslacitystories.com Breakfast of the Gods https://www.indyplanet.com/breakfast-of-the-gods Campbell & Jones Meet the Monsters https://meetthemonsters.podbean.com/

04-10
51:19

Episode 40: I Want a Wookiee Pal

Prodigious Saps No. 40: "I Want a Wookiee Pal" Star Wars Fandom: the First Generation FINALLY, as long promised, today we're joined by our friend Jerry Chrisman to talk STAR WARS... our memories of seeing it for the first time, the seismic impact it had on us and the world around us, and what it was like growing up while the Original Trilogy was unfolding. We also talk a bit about the Special Editions and Prequels. Just to give a little bit of context... Brendan and Jerry went to high school together, were in the band Zsu-Zsu's Petals together (which is when I met them both), and they now run Tesla City Stories together. The three of us have known each other for a very long time (30+ plus years), so the chemistry here is pretty damn special. Jerry is also a graphic designer, multimedia artist and web developer... as well as an extremely talented keyboardist and composer. And like Brendan and I, he is also a huge nerd. There will be more of this in the pipeline very soon, as there's still TONS more to talk about. We still have to get to the sequels and the Disney Plus era of Star Wars. What about y'all? What was your first Star Wars experience? Prodigious Saps: profusive nerdery from Chad Smalley of Blaggards and Brendan Jones of Tesla City Stories. https://linktr.ee/prodigioussaps RELATED LINKS: Blaggards https://blaggards.com/ SlapperCast: a weekly podcast/road diary from Blaggards: https://linktr.ee/slappercast Tesla City Stories https://www.teslacitystories.com Breakfast of the Gods https://www.indyplanet.com/breakfast-of-the-gods Campbell & Jones Meet the Monsters https://meetthemonsters.podbean.com/

03-22
01:02:46

Episode 39: Less Soap Opera, More Giant Monsters, Please

This week on P-Saps: * Marvel's ECHO series and the reaffirmed Netflix Daredevil canon * Elvis Presley was a cosplay nerd * Fantastic Four casting ...and lots of other wacky crap. 00:00:00 β€” Intro 00:00:19 β€” Monarch: Legacy of Monsters 00:01:27 β€” Elvis Presley & Captain Marvel Jr. 00:03:36 β€” Marvel's ECHO 00:17:20 β€” Netflix Daredevil is officially canon 00:22:04 β€” 3 examples of PERFECT casting in MCU 00:23:11 β€” Hopes for Daredevil: Born Again 00:28:25 β€” Paste Pot Pete 00:29:41 β€” Tomb of Dracula 00:31:58 β€” Fantastic Four Casting? 00:34:40 β€” Rebel Moon vs Star Wars 00:37:57 β€” Ghost Busters: Frozen Empire 00:39:49 β€” Brendan Recommendans 00:44:13 β€” Next episode: Old School STAR WARS memories Prodigious Saps: profusive nerdery from Chad Smalley of Blaggards and Brendan Jones of Tesla City Stories. https://linktr.ee/prodigioussaps RELATED LINKS: Blaggards https://blaggards.com/ SlapperCast: a weekly podcast/road diary from Blaggards: https://linktr.ee/slappercast Tesla City Stories https://www.teslacitystories.com Breakfast of the Gods https://www.indyplanet.com/breakfast-of-the-gods Campbell & Jones Meet the Monsters https://meetthemonsters.podbean.com/

01-29
46:18

Episode 38: AQUABRO

Brendan's disappointment in Aquaman II prompts a discussion of why it's often a problem when studios wind up "bending the character around the actor". Also look back at the failed DCEU and the incoming DCU. Also: the Doctor Who Christmas Special, Slow Horses Season 3, Batman... and more! Our Patreon has an uncut version of this episode containing 20 minutes of extra material, including Netflix's "Cunk on Earth", season 2 of Marvel's "What If?", and the recent news about Marvel embracing Netflix's Daredevil continuity: https://www.patreon.com/posts/prodigious-saps-96203780 00:00:26 β€” AQUAMAN 2 and Why the DCEU failed 00:18:51 β€” Solo: A Star Wars Story 00:22:23 β€” Doctor Who 00:33:51 β€” Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor 00:35:19 β€” Batman 00:41:12 β€” Superman (David Corenswet geeking out to Star Wars) 00:43:28 β€” SLOW HORSES Season 3 00:45:58 β€” Jack Lowden is the new Harrison Ford 00:48:59 β€” SuperFriends Prodigious Saps: profusive nerdery from Chad Smalley of Blaggards and Brendan Jones of Tesla City Stories. https://linktr.ee/prodigioussaps RELATED LINKS: Blaggards https://blaggards.com/ SlapperCast: a weekly podcast/road diary from Blaggards: https://linktr.ee/slappercast Tesla City Stories https://www.teslacitystories.com Breakfast of the Gods https://www.indyplanet.com/breakfast-of-the-gods Campbell & Jones Meet the Monsters https://meetthemonsters.podbean.com/

01-21
52:07

Episode 37: Maybe He Just Never Puts on Pants

In this one we talk about the 60th Anniversary DOCTOR WHO specials featuring the return of David Tennant and show runner Russell T. Davies, and the introduction of Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor. ALSO: SUPERMAN: LEGACY casting news, GODZILLA: MINUS ONE, AQUAMAN, and BLUE BEETLE. Available on Patreon NOW: our review of Ncuti Gatwa's first full episode as the Doctor, the Christmas special "The Church on Ruby Road": https://www.patreon.com/posts/prodigious-saps-96203780 00:00:00 β€” Intro 00:00:51 β€” SUPERMAN: LEGACY casting 00:03:28 β€” "MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios" 00:04:32 β€” BLUE EYE SAMURAI 00:05:04 β€” GODZILLA MINUS ONE and MONARCH 00:15:46 β€” More on SUPERMAN: LEGACY 00:19:44 β€” AQUAMAN (1st movie) 00:28:22 β€” BLUE BEETLE 00:36:16 β€” DOCTOR WHO (David Tennant Specials) Prodigious Saps: profusive nerdery from Chad Smalley of Blaggards and Brendan Jones of Tesla City Stories. https://linktr.ee/prodigioussaps RELATED LINKS: Blaggards https://blaggards.com/ SlapperCast: a weekly podcast/road diary from Blaggards: https://linktr.ee/slappercast Tesla City Stories https://www.teslacitystories.com Breakfast of the Gods https://www.indyplanet.com/breakfast-of-the-gods Campbell & Jones Meet the Monsters https://meetthemonsters.podbean.com/

01-16
01:26:55

Episode 36: All My Loki Needs

As promised last week, in this episode we dig deep into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. We review THE MARVELS and LOKI Season 2, and talk about the recent wild news about the upcoming Disney Plus series DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN. Also discussed: Madame Web, Spider-Man, Juggernaut, Fantastic Four, X-Men, and a few vintage selections from Chad's comic book collection. Beyond Marvel, we talk about recent trailers for AQUAMAN II and GHOSTBUSTERS: FROZEN EMPIRE... the latter prompting a belated review of 2021's GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE. Prodigious Saps: profusive nerdery from Chad Smalley of Blaggards and Brendan Jones of Tesla City Stories. https://linktr.ee/prodigioussaps RELATED LINKS: Blaggards https://blaggards.com/ SlapperCast: a weekly podcast/road diary from Blaggards: https://linktr.ee/slappercast Tesla City Stories https://www.teslacitystories.com Breakfast of the Gods https://www.indyplanet.com/breakfast-of-the-gods Campbell & Jones Meet the Monsters https://meetthemonsters.podbean.com/

11-24
01:32:45

Episode 35: This Little Portal to an Alternate Universe

We are both huge Beatles fans, so with the recent release of their new single "Now and Then" (advertised as "the last Beatles song"), we decided to do a whole episode about the Beatles. Among the topics discussed: what the Beatles mean to us how we first were introduced to the Beatles as kids, memories of the two of us geeking out over them in our early 20s, why they're so important historically, and of course... what we think of the new song. Also, towards the end we touch on some of the recent Marvel (MCU) news, but decide to put in a pin in that for a future episode. 00:00:00 β€” Intro 00:00:14 β€” Why we're talking about the Beatles 00:03:57 β€” Why the Beatles are important to us 00:28:31 β€” A Hard Day's Night & HELP! 00:30:06 β€” Magical Mystery Tour 00:33:03 β€” Beatles vs Rolling Stones 00:34:59 β€” Why the Beatles are uniquely eclectic 00:37:32 β€” Now and Then 00:38:30 β€” Peter Jackson's video for "Now and Then" 00:44:31 β€” How important "Now and Then" is to Paul 00:46:16 β€” Now and Then compared to original demo 00:47:10 β€” How it sounds like John and Paul collaborating again 00:54:37 β€” Paul's aging voice 00:56:02 β€” This is essentially Paul producing John 00:57:05 β€” Free as a Bird and Real Love 01:00:24 β€” Is it really the last Beatles song? 01:02:58 β€” It's like a song fell out of an alternate universe 01:04:10 β€” The Rutles 01:07:07 β€” The Marvels and the state of the MCU 01:12:27 β€” DCEU movies Prodigious Saps: profusive nerdery from Chad Smalley of Blaggards and Brendan Jones of Tesla City Stories. https://linktr.ee/prodigioussaps RELATED LINKS: Blaggards https://blaggards.com/ SlapperCast: a weekly podcast/road diary from Blaggards: https://linktr.ee/slappercast Tesla City Stories https://www.teslacitystories.com Breakfast of the Gods https://www.indyplanet.com/breakfast-of-the-gods Campbell & Jones Meet the Monsters https://meetthemonsters.podbean.com/

11-16
01:15:05

Episode 34: Into the Fonzie-Verse

This week we weave an odd but surprisingly coherent path from Happy Days and Mork & Mindy through to Jerry Lewis, Walter Matthau, Jerry Reed and Jackie Gleason... eventually winding up talking about the Marx Brothers again, because OF COURSE. The highlight of this episode, though, is Brendan's passionate solo vocal performance that followed Chad's computer suddenly shutting off (the full performance and more bonus material is available on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ProdigiousSaps). 00:00:00 β€” The Fonzie-Verse 00:01:27 β€” Out of the Blue 00:02:35 β€” Love: American Style 00:05:05 β€” AfterMASH 00:06:06 β€” More on OUT OF THE BLUE 00:07:11 β€” MORK & MINDY 00:12:35 β€” HAPPY DAYS 00:15:50 β€” BOB ROBERTS 00:17:48 β€” VISIT TO A SMALL PLANET (1960) 00:25:07 β€” Movies based on Kurt Vonnegut novels 00:28:38 β€” THE SURVIVORS (1983) 00:32:56 β€” The Marx Brothers and their supporting cast 00:48:53 β€” DOCTOR STRANGELOVE (1964) 00:49:55 β€” LOONEY TUNES Find the audio-only podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Pandora, Pocket Casts, etc. * https://slappercast.fireside.fm​ Blaggards main channel * https://www.youtube.com/blaggards Join our MAILING LIST * https://blaggards.com/mailinglist/​ Show dates * https://blaggards.com/shows/​ * https://www.facebook.com/blaggards/ev...​ * https://www.bandsintown.com/blaggards​ Follow us * https://www.facebook.com/blaggards/​ * https://twitter.com/blaggards/​ * https://www.instagram.com/blaggards/​

10-28
01:03:32

Episode 33: The Sculler (Kolchak: the original Sculley & Mulder)

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/1eO2ufT4Vuo This week we welcome our very first guest JOHN CAMPBELL, Brendan's fellow cast member of Tesla City Stories and also a very prolific podcaster himself. Among many other shows, John does two podcasts with Brendan: the ongoing "Campbell & Jones Meet the Monsters" and the patron-exclusive "Nights Talking" about the cult classic 1970s tv show KOLCHAK: THE NIGHT STALKER, which was famoustly a direct influence on THE X-FILES. We talk about KOLCHAK quite a bit, and also do a rundown of all the major summer "blockbusters" of 2023, while also talking about upcoming things like James Gunn's SUPERMAN: LEGACY. Check the chapter markers for full list of topics. It was GREAT fun having John on and we'll definitely be doing this again. Punch Up Entertainment: https://www.instagram.com/punchupen https://twitter.com/punchupen https://meetthemonsters.podbean.com/ https://panelsonpanels.podbean.com/ https://actionshelf.podbean.com/ Tesla City Stories https://www.teslacitystories.com 00:00:00 β€” Funny moment from THE NIGHT STALKER 00:00:28 β€” Meet John Campbell 00:02:07 β€” The legacy of KOLCHAK: THE NIGHT STALKER 00:12:00 β€” "Gill Man" (CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON) 00:12:46 β€” More on KOLCHAK 00:20:45 β€” ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN (1952–58) 00:22:21 β€” HOLLYWOODLAND (2006) 00:24:44 β€” SPEECHLESS (1994) 00:25:25 β€” THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES (1980) 00:32:00 β€” THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN (comics) 00:36:28 β€” Kim Newman (novelist) 00:37:10 β€” Kim Newman's ANGEL OF MUSIC 00:38:26 β€” Kim Newman's ANNO DRACULA 00:39:44 β€” Kim Newman's SOMETHING MORE THAN NIGHT 00:42:00 β€” 2023 Summer Movies 00:42:27 β€” INDY 5 00:47:15 β€” A diversion into STAR TREK 00:53:21 β€” MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE: DEAD RECKONING PT 1 00:57:56 β€” GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3 01:04:19 β€” OPPENHEIMER 01:09:42 β€” GARY OLDMAN 01:10:08 β€” SLOW HORSES 01:10:46 β€” COLUMBO 01:11:24 β€” BARBIE 01:15:03 β€” BREAKFAST OF THE GODS (Brendan's graphic novel) 01:16:12 β€” More on BARBIE 01:18:20 β€” THE FLASH 01:19:22 β€” BLUE BEETLE 01:25:09 β€” SUPERMAN: LEGACY 01:32:46 β€” Plugs, wrap-up and THANK YOU! ––– Prodigious Saps: profusive nerdery from Chad Smalley of Blaggards and Brendan Jones of Tesla City Stories. https://linktr.ee/prodigioussaps RELATED LINKS: Blaggards https://blaggards.com/ SlapperCast: a weekly podcast/road diary from Blaggards: https://linktr.ee/slappercast Tesla City Stories https://www.teslacitystories.com Breakfast of the Gods https://www.indyplanet.com/breakfast-of-the-gods Campbell & Jones Meet the Monsters https://meetthemonsters.podbean.com/

09-25
01:37:13

Episode 32: David Byrne Stepping on Jabba the Hut's Tail

On the docket this week: Chad's rant about the remixed soundtrack of STOP MAKING SENSE (the legendary Talking Heads concert film directed by Jonathan Demme) with comparisons to the original 1984 mix and how it reminds him of George Lucas's revisions to his original Star Wars trilogy. Brendan's discovery of a deeply weird and hilarious SUPERMAN comic strip in his copy of SUPERMAN: THE SILVER AGE DAILIES, 1959–1961 Chad's review of THE CENTER SEAT: 55 YEARS OF STAR TREK, a really engaging documentary series currently available to stream on Amazon Prime Video. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/vJyB9_CMReU?si=gpYH8O9tkCxzTJRs 00:00:00 β€” Preview 00:00:30 β€” Chad's rant on STOP MAKING SENSE 2023 remix 00:07:26 β€” Lucas vs Spielberg on "Special Editions" 00:10:36 β€” Frank Frazetta and the problem of endless revisions 00:14:15 β€” Lucas vs. Spielberg on revisionism 00:17:44 β€” Harmy's De-specialized Editions of Star Wars 00:19:29 β€” Summer movies we have or haven't seen 00:20:42 β€” Blue Beetle 00:22:54 β€” 2023 summer blockbuster bombs 00:27:28 β€” Superman Silver Age Dailies 00:37:26 β€” Golden & Silver Age Comics and baldness 00:40:12 β€” How we've outgrown he old timey stigma of baldness 00:48:14 β€” Brendan's favorite Lex Luthor origin stories 00:55:56 β€” THE CENTER SEAT: Star Trek Documentary series 00:58:47 β€” THE FIFTY YEAR MISSION: book series on the history of Star Trek 01:11:52 β€” Strange New Worlds Season 2 01:12:59 β€” The Kirk retcon problem on Strange New Worlds 01:15:48 β€” Wrap-up Also a side note, I've been having fun with our TikTok account lately: https://www.tiktok.com/@prodigioussaps Join us Patreon for early releases and additional content: https://www.patreon.com/ProdigiousSaps Cheers y'all! And as always THANK YOU SO MUCH for your support. Prodigious Saps: profusive nerdery from Chad Smalley of Blaggards and Brendan Jones of Tesla City Stories. https://linktr.ee/prodigioussaps RELATED LINKS: Blaggards https://blaggards.com/ SlapperCast: a weekly podcast/road diary from Blaggards: https://linktr.ee/slappercast Tesla City Stories https://www.teslacitystories.com Breakfast of the Gods https://www.indyplanet.com/breakfast-of-the-gods Campbell & Jones Meet the Monsters https://meetthemonsters.podbean.com/

09-13
01:17:32

Episode 31: Can of Rabbit Hole

SUBSCRIBE on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@prodigioussaps?sub_confirmation=1 PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/ProdigiousSaps An extended, unedited version of this episode is available on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/prodigious-saps-87922804 In this episode: * QUARK, the short-lived 1977 sci-fi comedy series starring Richard Benjamin, created by Buck Henry * DARK STAR, John Carpenter's cult classic 1974 sci-fi comedy film * Our favorite war films (thank you Manasven for the question!) * Jerry Lewis's THE DAY THE CLOWN CRIED * The Marx Brothers 00:00:00 β€” Intro 00:00:22 β€” QUARK 00:16:42 β€” DARK STAR & HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY 00:19:02 β€” MEMOIRS OF AN INVISIBLE MAN 00:22:09 β€” More on QUARK 00:25:20 β€” PLANETFALL & STARSHIP TITANIC 00:27:40 β€” BILL THE GALACTIC HERO 00:29:40 β€” Favorite war films 00:32:31 β€” DR. STRANGELOVE 00:33:53 β€” WARGAMES (1983) 00:35:15 β€” THE DAY AFTER and SPECIAL BULLETIN (1983) 00:36:40 β€” More on WARGAMES and QUARK 00:41:20 β€” LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL (1997) 00:43:20 β€” THE DAY THE CLOWN CRIED 00:47:28 β€” JERRY LEWIS 00:48:47 β€” THE LADIES MAN (1961) 00:53:14 β€” THE MARX BROTHERS 00:54:55 β€” Visible gaffes in ELECTRA WOMAN & DYNA GIRL 00:56:58 β€” Wrap up Prodigious Saps: profusive nerdery from Chad Smalley of Blaggards and Brendan Jones of Tesla City Stories. https://linktr.ee/prodigioussaps RELATED LINKS: Blaggards https://blaggards.com/ SlapperCast: a weekly podcast/road diary from Blaggards: https://linktr.ee/slappercast Tesla City Stories https://www.teslacitystories.com Breakfast of the Gods https://www.indyplanet.com/breakfast-of-the-gods Campbell & Jones Meet the Monsters https://meetthemonsters.podbean.com/

08-25
58:57

Episode 30: She-Wee Hulkwoman

This week we celebrate the life of our recently departed hero of comedy: PAUL REUBENS (a.k.a. Pee Wee Herman), and pay our respects to and the late great ALAN ARKIN. ALSO: Marvel's Secret Invasion and the status of the MCU in general right now Superman II and "the Donner Cut" Our favorite superhero origin story movies Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/UNqAA91Ui30 An extended version of this episode is available on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ProdigiousSaps 00:00:00 β€” Intro 00:00:15 β€” Paul Reubens 00:16:28 β€” Alan Arkin 00:22:40 β€” Other heroes we don't want to lose 00:23:59 β€” Marvel's SECRET INVASION 00:34:36 β€” LOKI Season 2 and the Jonathan Majors issue 00:35:55 β€” Is the MCU "dying"? 00:37:08 β€” Why do the last episodes of all the Disney Plus shows feel rushed? 00:39:10 β€” When are fan expectations reasonable? 00:39:48 β€” Problems with SHE-HULK series 00:42:53 β€” SUPERMAN II and "the Donner Cut" 00:51:13 β€” SUPERMAN & LOIS - what it does well 00:53:23 β€” SMALLVILLE - where it went wrong 00:54:41 β€” SUPERMAN & LOIS - where it's gone wrong 00:56:08 β€” Great MCU origin stories: IRON MAN, CAPTAIN AMERICA, and THE HULK Prodigious Saps: profusive nerdery from Chad Smalley of Blaggards and Brendan Jones of Tesla City Stories. https://linktr.ee/prodigioussaps RELATED LINKS: Blaggards https://blaggards.com/ SlapperCast: a weekly podcast/road diary from Blaggards: https://linktr.ee/slappercast Tesla City Stories https://www.teslacitystories.com Breakfast of the Gods https://www.indyplanet.com/breakfast-of-the-gods Campbell & Jones Meet the Monsters https://meetthemonsters.podbean.com/

08-16
01:03:04

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