The name “science fiction” is a pretty good descriptor of the genre, if you want to think of it as two big buckets for a writer to fill. Bucket 1: science! Fun tech and gizmos to entertain and inspire. Bucket 2: fiction! Narrative and story and other engaging ideas that make us laugh, cry, and consider what it means to be human. It’s amazing that one genre can bring us all that. But have you ever noticed some sci-fi does an incredible job of the “fi” part — and thanks to that brilliant “fi”, we let a lot of weird “sci” whoosh right past us?

On this week’s episode of The Cracked Podcast, Alex Schmidt is joined by Dan Hopper (Cracked) and Moujan Zolfaghari (Mission To Zyxx) for a trip down memory lane, into the future, where everybody WISHES they had tech half as great as WiFi. They’ll examine everything from ‘Minority Report’ to ‘Blade Runner’ to all generations of ‘Star Trek’, finding gizmo after gizmo that’s lower-tech than what we have in real life, and dig into why sci-fi stories where things are supposed to be more advanced than today ignore the actual ways technology advances.

Footnotes: http://www.cracked.com/podcast/12-sci-fi-movie-technologies-that-went-stupidly-backwards/

Oscar and Tony-winning actor Joel Grey drops by the studio to have a bit of fun at the co-hosts’ expense, to share amusing anecdotes about Bob Fosse, Buck Henry, Larry Hagman and Lana Turner and to discuss his new Yiddish language version of “Fiddler on the Roof.” Also, Rita Hayworth breaks hearts, Pat McCormick plays Grover Cleveland, Gilbert pulls out his George Jessel impression and Joel shares the stage with the late, great Eddie Cantor. PLUS: “Man on a Swing”! Loving Jack Gilford! (and James Garner)! Hal Prince saves the day! The genius of Will Jordan! And Joel remembers his dad, the legendary Mickey Katz!

This one involves a lot of eggs… oh, and Baron Ragoon.

Credits:

Arnie: Arnie Niekamp

Chunt: Adal Rifai

Usidore: Matt Young

Baron Ragoon: Chris Rathjen

Craig: Ryan DiGiorgi

Producers: Arnie Niekamp, Ryan DiGiorgi, Evan Jacover

Editor: Ryan DiGiorgi

Theme Music: Andy Poland

Magic Tavern Logo: Allard Laban

Audio Assistance: Jason Knox

Production Assistance: Garrett Schultz

This episode is brought to you by Squarespace.

Paul F. Tompkins pleases theme song rippers on this week’s Spontaneanation! This time out, Paul’s very special guest is Spontaneanation’s own Eban Schletter! Then, they are joined by improvisers Sarah Burns, Nyima Funk, and Victor Yerrid, to improvise a story set in The Jail Underneath Disneyland. And as always, Eban (only the best) Schletter scores it all on piano!

This episode is brought to you by Leesa (www.leesa.com/PFT).

Comedian and actor Adam Sandler feels stunned to be Conan O’Brien’s friend.

Adam and Conan sit down this week to talk about their early shared SNL experiences, getting mad at the audience, letting their kids be their conscience, remembering Chris Farley, and their comedy inspirations. Plus, Conan addresses a fruit-related incident with his assistant during the segment “True or False with Sona Movsesian.”

Got a question for Conan? Call our voicemail: (323) 451-2821.

For Conan videos, tour dates and more visit TeamCoco.com.

This episode is sponsored by Campaign Monitor (www.campaignmonitor.com/CONAN), Hotel Tonight (www.hoteltonight.com), Simple Contacts (www.simplecontacts.com/CONAN code: CONAN), ZipRecruiter (www.ziprecruiter.com/CONAN), tasc Performance (www.tascperformance.com code: CONAN), Capterra (www.capterra.com/CONAN), Away (www.awaytravel.com/conan20 code: CONAN20), and Hair Club (www.hairclub.com/CONAN).

Writer Fran Tirado sits down with Cameron to discuss increasing Out Magazine’s intersectionality as Deputy Editor, queer icons, and leaning into your queerness.

This episode is sponsored by Care/of (www.takecareof.com code: QUEERY50) and Zola (www.zola.com/QUEERY).

Psychotherapist, sex therapist, host and author of the new book Rebel Love, Dr. Chris Donaghue joins Dave and Matt this week for an open conversation about his sexually explorative upbringing, being “non-labeled” and getting into a pornogamous relationship. Plus, Dave and Matt talk about their holiday breaks with hometown gay bars and watching The Favourite with their moms!

This episode is sponsored by Phlur (www.phlur.com code: HOMO) and Candid Co (www.candidco.com/HOMO).

Sue reveals her true self to Jude, and Michael has an epiphany about why this book is considered a classic.

Where does Holiday in Handcuffs take place? What is Paul’s best movie of 2018? All this and more is covered on this week’s minisode! Paul goes through Corrections and Omissions for Holiday in Handcuffs, opens up the Mail Bag, and reveals which movie will be covered next week! Plus, the Movie Bitches review Princess Switch.

This episode is brought to you by Skittles and I’m Sorry on truTV.

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Guest host Kaitlin Fontana (Full Frontal with Samantha Bee) chats with Michael Cruz Kayne and Catie Lazarus about the ongoing government shutdown and who its real victims are. Then, the trio looks ahead to the looming 2020 election and back at 2018 as a whole. Plus, an update from Negin!

Joe Wengert, Mary Holland, Lauren Lapkus, Betsy Sodaro, and Jon Gabrus join Matt Besser for a LIVE improv4humans from UCB Sunset! They’ll take audience suggestions that inspire scenes about a teacher with an extreme case of senioritis, a bunch of undergrads trying to score a Tesla coil for their party, and a haunted house that fails to impress its guests. Plus, a Sweet 16 attracts a visit from a great white shark, a cubicle worker explains his sleepy meditations, and the first ever space tourism expedition goes horribly wrong.

Danielle is joined by hilarious writer and undercover housewives reporter Nicole Shabtai who brings us an (old) boot on the hallowed ground of New Jersey. Plus she asks the biggest most important question of our time “why weren’t cameras at Todd Tucker’s Micheal Jordan bday party?!!!” They are also joined by empath to the stars Jamie Stein who goes deep on the dark soul of Vanderpump Rules and Casey’s birthday Cameos to Danielle finally arrive, each one more glorious and “cutting” than the next. 

This episode is brought to you by BHLDN Wedding Dresses (www.bhldn.com code: HOUSEWIVES), Leesa (www.leesa.com/housewives code: HOUSEWIVES), The Real Real (www.therealreal.com code: REAL), Quip (www.getquip.com/HOUSEWIVES), and Article (www.article.com/HOUSEWIVES).

Amy & Paul saddle up for Clint Eastwood’s revisionist 1992 Western Unforgiven! They ask if Gene Hackman is truly the villain of the piece, put the film in the context of Eastwood’s career, and praise the script’s comic touches. Plus: Screenwriter David Webb Peoples discusses Unforgiven’s origins, and Saul Rubinek (W.W. Beauchamp) tells stories from the set that shed light on Eastwood’s directing style.

If you’ve never seen The Last Picture Show, what do you think it’s about? Call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 with your answer! Follow us on Twitter @Unspooled, get more info at unspooledpod.com, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts. Photo credit: Kim Troxall

This episode is brought to you by On the Basis of Sex and Black Tux (www.blacktux.com code: UNSPOOLED).

Scott, Paul and Lauren discuss siblings, carrots on sandwiches and play Carnelli.

This episode is brought to you by Palm (www.palm.com), Stitch Fix (www.stitchfix.com/THREEDOM), and Candid Co (www.candidco.com/THREEDOM).

Cam and Rhea talk drip coffee, Harry Potter and phone calls. Sets from Andy Iwancio, Jamel Johnson, Solomon Georgio and Mo Welch, and a chat with Bob Odenkirk.

This episode is brought to you by Roast Battle Podcast.

Erin is back from Houston to share a spontaneous moment of positivity on this week’s Throwing Shade! She and Bryan give their Golden Globes retrospective before diving into the latest stories. Erin discusses the horrifying report about a woman at an Arizona hospice center who was repeatedly raped and gave birth while in a vegetative state and the resulting investigation and resignation of CEO Bill Timmons. Then, Bryan shines a light on the immediate action by the new Democratic House to introduce rules providing job security to LGBTQ staff on Capitol Hill.

This episode is sponsored by Squarespace (www.squarespace.com/SHADE code: SHADE), Miss Grass (www.missgrass.com code: SHADE), and ThirdLove (www.thirdlove.com/SHADE).

And make sure to check out Deeper Shade of Shade on Stitcher Premium, where Bryan and Erin interview their favorite friends of the show. For a free month of listening, go to stitcherpremium.com/shade and use promo code ‘SHADE’.

Lighting the fuse with Alfred Molina.

This episode is brought to you by SeatGeek, Harry’s (www.harrys.com/pardo), and ZipRecruiter (www.ziprecruiter.com/PARDO).

Writer and comedian Lucas Brown Eyes joins Andrew and Tawny to discuss the original mascot of the Atlanta Braves “Chief Noc-A-Homa,” which ethnicity you identify as if you are mixed-race, and much more. As always, leave us a message about anything you think is racist at (323) 389-RACE.

Syllabus: Elizabeth Warren Cherokee Citizenship, and DNA Testing:

http://www.criticalethnicstudiesjournal.org/blog/2018/12/19/syllabus-elizabeth-warren-cherokee-citizenship-and-dna-testing [criticalethnicstudiesjournal.org]

This episode is brought to you by Flatiron School (www.flatironschool.com/YO).

This week Gabrus & Lapkus are in studio with the creators of HBO’s Animals, Phil Matarese and Mike Luciano! After explaining how they developed Animals and where they want the show to go from here, they dive into the TV that influenced them, from how cool it was that Tommy Pickles’ family celebrated Hanukkah on Rugrats, to how weird it was when Jerry Seinfeld dated a 17 year old.

Jodi Picoult is an American writer who currently has approximately 14 million copies of her books in print worldwide, translated into 34 languages. She joins Jonathan to talk the process of writing, what goes into being a successful author, tackling tough subjects, and more.

Find Jodi’s work at https://www.jodipicoult.com. She’s on Twitter and Instagram @jodipicoult.

Find out what today’s guest and former guests are up to by following us on Instagram and Twitter @CuriousWithJVN.

Transcripts for each episode are available at JonathanVanNess.com.

Check out Getting Curious merch at PodSwag.com.

Listen to more music from Quiñ by heading over to TheQuinCat.com.

Jonathan is on Instagram and Twitter @JVN and @Jonathan.Vanness on Facebook.

Comedian and chart captain Steven Brody Stevens joins Howard and Young Kev to dissect the modern comedy special on a brand new Who Charted! Brody helps count down Shazam’s Top 5 Songs while he and Howard plan a trip down under and spill the beans on lost podcast episodes. Then, we’ll hear about the John Cena element plus a very special Transformers Trapper Keeper during the Movie Chart, and Howard soliloquizes on the divergences between the rap and rock scenes as they count down their Hot Picks.

This episode is sponsored by Squarespace (www.squarespace.com/CHARTED code: CHARTED) and Robinhood (CHARTED.Robinhood.com).

Chef Kevin “accidentally” leaks Sean’s audition to join the cast of Saturday Night Live.

This episode is sponsored by Mack Weldon (www.mackweldon.com code: THEBOYS) and Quip (www.getquip.com/THEBOYS).

Award-winning actor Alfred Molina shares tales, from being shown the ropes by Harrison Ford for his first gig on Raiders of the Lost Ark, to improvising in Boogie Nights, “That’s Cosmo. He’s Chinese.” And much, much more…

In 90 minutes, a graphic design student will have her first-ever job interview. Luckily, Gethard is on the phone to help her get calmed down and psyched up.

Uh oh! Jess and Zach are locked out of the studio this week while Every Place I Cry, the emo band with 4 lead singers including Neal Nocturne (Ross Bryant) and Moshe Black (Nick Mandernach), plus Aloysius Moody (Scott Passarella), And You Will Know Me By My Trail of Picks (Brett Morris) and Pain A’wiccans (Dana Wickens) record a doc of their latest studio session. With tear inducing tunes like “I Wanna Be Infotained”, “Rattlesnake Dick”, and “You’re Rubbish! (Back Off!)” you won’t be ashamed to release your true emotions after listening to this special ep.

This episode is brought to you by Squarespace (www.squarespace.com/OFFBOOK) and The Real Real (www.therealreal.com code: REAL).

Welcome all WOMPsters to the new year! Marissa and Listler ring in 2019 with child psychologist Dr. Bill Doyle (Ben Rodgers of Ghosted, Workaholics, Comedy Bang! Bang!). Dr. Doyle talks about why he said no to Oprah, what caused his PTSD, and which kid at Marina Del Rey High has the most complicated problems. Plus, Dr. Doyle provides semi-professional insight for “Listler’s Love Lockdown” before reflecting on a foray into the music biz and his biggest missed opportunities during “Spotlight On.”

Due to some unfortunate real life stuff, we had to take one more week off without an episode but here’s a fun scene set in Arnie’s bedroom. And we’ll be back Jan 14 with new episodes.

Credits:

Arnie: Arnie Niekamp
Chunt: Adal Rifai
Usidore: Matt Young
Craig: Ryan DiGiorgi

Producers: Arnie Niekamp, Ryan DiGiorgi, Evan Jacover
Editor: Tim Joyce
Theme Music: Andy Poland
Magic Tavern Logo: Allard Laban
Audio Assistance: Jason Knox
Production Assistance: Garrett Schultz

Gilbert and Frank kick off 2019 by welcoming back the legendary Dick Cavett, who shares delightful anecdotes about Jack Benny, Stan Laurel, Truman Capote and Walter Winchell (among others) and looks back on memorable interviews with Orson Welles, John Lennon, Frank Capra, George Harrison and Laurence Olivier. Also, Peter Lorre fails an audition, Lily Tomlin storms off the stage, Bob Hope comes to Lincoln, Nebraska and Jack Paar sabotages “Fat Jack” Leonard. PLUS: Oskar Homolka! “Chuckles Bites the Dust”! The return of Richard Loo! Johnny Carson disses Jerry Lewis! And Dick introduces Groucho at Carnegie Hall!

This episode is brought to you by BlueChew (www.bluechew.com code: GILBERT).

Ben Schwartz and Horatio Sanz join Scott to ring in the New Year and share what they want to achieve in 2019. Then, professional baseball player Johnny Salese stops by to share the story of the birth of Mr. Met. Later, storyteller Chris Grezlik stops by to play a game of Riddle Me This. Plus, the debut of a brand new Closing Up the Plugs Bag Theme Song!

This episode is brought to you by I’m Sorry on truTV and Stamps.com (www.stamps.com code: BANGBANG).

How well do you read Latin? Because if you’re not all that good at reading Latin or other dead languages, good news: you could have still had a job as an 1800s historian. Fun example: there’s a story claiming the Roman emperor Caligula was SO CRAZY, he sent a whole army to a beach to pick up seashells for him. However, the Latin word ‘musculi’ means both “shells” and “military huts”, so he likely actually told his troops to pack up their campsite. Which is normal. That’s a completely different kind of emperor, right? And here’s a fun thing: your pop cultural understanding of the Roman Empire is approximately that far off of the truth, in a lot of fascinating ways.

On this week’s episode of The Cracked Podcast, Alex Schmidt is joined by Siobhan Thompson (CollegeHumor, BBC America) and Patrick Wyman (Tides Of History, ‘Jeopardy!’) for a trip through the inaccurate lies you’ve been fed about the ancient Romans, and also the much more interesting true things you never knew about them. Get your head straight about everything from mighty gladiators to ancient fast food to the stunning economic benefits of living near a former Roman road.

Footnotes: http://www.cracked.com/podcast/overrated-myths-and-underrated-facts-about-ancient-rome/