The Incomparable Mothership

For Halloween we watched a… not particularly spooky movie. It’s the 30-year-old supernatural comedy “The Frighteners,” starring Michael J. Fox and directed by Peter Jackson, who was about to embark on making many “Lord of the Rings” movies. We are not sure we see the connection! But this movie… is not normal. Who is the target audience? Why does Jeffrey Combs appear, mid-film, combing it up at 100%? How many ghosts of loved ones would you want at your hot date at the Medieval Times? We have lots of questions, but very few answers! Host Jason Snell with Monty Ashley, Tiff Arment, and Steve Lutz.

Put on your shin guards and get out on the pitch, because we’re tackling the return of “Ted Lasso” for a fourth season after it seemingly ended with season 3! What did we think of the new story arcs? Was the villain obvious and did it matter? Is Roy Kent the Fonzie of “Ted Lasso?” Follow the money. Host Jason Snell with Chip Sudderth, Erika Ensign, Kathy Campbell, Moisés Chiullán, Casey Liss, and Brian Warren.

In Jason’s absence, Shelly indulges her fondness for disaster movies, a genre that peaked in the 1970s. And what better way to revel in disaster than with a draft? From shipwrecks to nuclear war to runaway planes and trains, we’ve got you covered in cinematic mayhem. There’s even a zeppelin. Host Shelly Brisbin with David J. Loehr, Monty Ashley, and Micheline Maynard.

Inhale deeply of the intoxicating gases and get ready to discuss the “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” season gone by. Our panel of puppets, “Casablanca” characters, badmirals, and high fantasy types have opinions on the genre-shifting penultimate season. Too much Kirk, or just enough? What’s up with La’an’s journey? Beam us up, Scotty, but only if you’re not still experimenting with the transporter… Host Jason Snell with Dan Moren, Erika Ensign, Moisés Chiullán, and Shelly Brisbin.

Helene Wecker’s third Golem and Jinni novel, The Gates of Midnight, is now available! Jason asks her about her multi-decade journey to get to the end of the trilogy, how research has changed along the way, the themes of the three books, and what she might do next. Host Jason Snell with Helene Wecker.