Tag: Media

DNA Podcast 071 – Fake News

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DNA Podcast 071 - Fake News
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In this episode, Don and Rob discuss The News, exploring the past, present and future of our primary source of knowledge about the world around us. In the process, they discuss the relationship between the news makers and the audience, how the news has evolved to meet the needs of different eras, and how the democratic nature of the news actually works against itself. All this, and Ben Franklin’s tips on choosing a mistress, is waiting for you in this episode of the Department of Nerdly Affairs.

Closing Music:

Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt

Things Discussed:

Steal this Book! (Still available on Amazon.)
Amusing Ourselves to Death
Bards
Benjamin Franklin
Advice to a Friend in Choosing a Mistress by Ben Franklin
The Golden Age of Cinema
Milton Berle
Texaco Star Theatre
Watergate
Don Henley Dirty Laundry
Kennedy Nixon Debate
Vampire LARP
CNN First Broadcast
Culture War Profiteering Episode
Pundits
Citizen Journalism 
NHK World

 

DNA Podcast 69 – Retro TV Recycle Bin with Jack Ward

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DNA Podcast 69 - Retro TV Recycle Bin with Jack Ward
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In this episode, Rob and Don sit down with their friend Jack Ward to talk about the TV shows that might have died too soon (or not soon enough!). The trio leave no unfinished stone unturned as they delve into shows about science fiction, fantasy, comedy and cartoons that never made it past their freshman year. From Logan’s Run to Manimal, It’s Your Move to Madam’s Place, the three rummage through the recycle bin of TV history to see if there’s anything worth salvaging in there.

Note: Due to some technical difficulties, the audio quality on this episode is a bit dodgy. Our apologies.

Closing Music:

Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt

Things Discussed

The Incredible Hulk (TV Show)
Man in a Suitcase
Megas XLR
Sym-Bionic Titan
Firefly
Gene L. Coon
Battlestar Galactica (1978)
Battlestar Galactica Documentary YouTube
Kings (Tv Series)
Ian McShane
Cupid (1994)
Brimstone
Galactica 1980 (I thought we weren’t talking about this?)
Max Headroom
Matt Frewer
Dwight Schultz
The Lexx
Logan’s Run TV
Planet of the Apes TV
UFO
Space 1999
Captain Scarlett and the Mysterons
X-COM:UFO DEFENSE
It’s Your Move
Otherworld
The Fantastic Journey 1977
Voyagers!
The Sonic Society
The Starlost
Dark Skies
The First Wave
John Doe
Memento
I Need a Hero by Bonnie Tyler
Alien Nation
Robert J. Sawyer
Highwayman
Space: Below and Behind
Peversions of Science
Babylon 5:Crusade
Roughnecks: The Starship Troopers Chronicles
Manimal
Earth 2
Automan
Time Tunnel
Land of the Giants
Far Out Space Nuts
The Phoenix
Chariots of the Gods
The Powers of Matthew Starr
Benji and the Alien Prince
Madame’s Place
The Duck Factory
The George Carlin Show
MAD TV
Jericho
ROME
Space Academy
The Invaders
Tekwar
Under the Mountain
Outlaws
Starcops
Star Maidens
Saphire and Steel
Quatermass
Salvage One
Cliffhangers: The Secret Empire
The Time Express
It’s About Time
Time Trax
Space Precinct
Hypernauts
Crime Traveller
Mercy Point
Prey
Code Name:Eternity
The Last Train
Now and Again
Strange Luck
Threshold
Supertrain
The Man From Atlantis
The Invisible Man
The Gemini Man
Ancient Warriors
NHK World
Ninja Truth NHK/YouTube
Spicy City
Cool World
Roswell Conspiracies
The Wonderful World of Disney
Swamp Fox
Stranger Things

DNA Podcast 068 – Super Sentai with Squall Charlson

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DNA Podcast 068 - Super Sentai with Squall Charlson
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In this episode…everybody say HAI! Because Rob and Don sit down with YouTuber and Tokusatsu fan Squall Charlson to discuss the history of Japan’s Super Sentai genre. Donning the colours of Red, Blue and Yellow, the three heroes discuss the genre’s origins, how it evolved over time, and the highlights of Super Sentai’s 43 year history! All this, and how Dynaman is the greatest thing ever, is waiting for you in this episode of the Department of Nerdly Affairs.

Closing Music:

Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt

Things Discussed

List of Sentai Series
IT’S HENSHIN TIME! The History of Super Sentai & Power Rangers (a YouTube documentary on the history of Sentai and Power Rangers)
Squall’s YouTube Channel
Dynaman Comedy Dub Episodes
Kamen Rider
Metal Hero Shows
Himistu Sentai GoRanger
JAKQ
Joss Whedon
Japanese Spiderman
Battle Fever J
TNT Ultra 7
Squall’s Video on Reused Sentai Locations
Bioman
Liveman
Jetman
Keita Amemiya
Zyuranger
Dairanger
Megaranger
Kakuranger
Gingaman
Gogo Five
Timeranger
Kamen Rider Kuuga
Magiranger
Hurrikenger
Boukenger
Kamen Rider Faiz
Dekaranger
V-Cinema
Go-Onger
Shinkenger
Gokaiger
Go-Busters
ToQger
Failed Megazord (ToQger Mecha Boner!)
Lupinranger vs. Patoranger
Kamen Rider Dragon Knight
Kamen Rider Ryuki
Kamen Rider The First
Kamen Rider The Next

DNA Podcast 059 – Portrayals of Strength in the Media

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DNA Podcast 059 - Portrayals of Strength in the Media
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In this episode, Don and Rob look at cultural views of strength in the media. The pair explore why lead characters being strong is so important to North American audiences, how views of strength have changed over time, and what a strong female fighter really means. All this, and how Free to Be You and Me destroyed a generation, is waiting for you in this episode of the Department of Nerdly Affairs.

Closing Music:

Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt

Things Discussed

Dynaman
1950’s Education Films and PSAs
Bob Dobbs
Self Actulization
Free To Be You and Me
1970’s Exploitation Films
John Carpenter
Slasher Films
Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Mystery Science Theatre Industrial Arts Film
Dirty Harry
Charles Bronson
Dragnet
Adam 12
Kojak
Baretta
Death Wish
Commando
Cobra (Stallone)
The Hills Have Eyes
Silver Bullet
Nightbreed
Spider Baby
Married with Children
Fight Club
1980’s Action Films
The Rock (movie)
Con Air (movie)
Hippy Movement
90s Milk Ads
Conan the Barbarian
Broadchurch
Twin Peaks
Star Trek: Discovery
Surf Nazis Must Die

DNA Podcast 030 – Interview with Dr. R.N. Shukul

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DNA Podcast 030 - Interview with Dr. R.N. Shukul
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rnshukul

Rob and Don sit down with Journalist and TV Producer Dr. Rashid Narain (R.N.) Shukul to discuss Television and Media in India. Along the way, they touch on RN’s career as a cameraman and war correspondent, his time as TV game show producer in India, his time producing documentaries for Fremantle Media, and some of the political figures he’s encountered. Are Indians into Scifi? What is their preferred style of heroic fiction? And what’s up with all the singing and dancing? All of these questions and more will be answered in this episode of the Department of Nerdly Affairs.

    Closing Music:

Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt 

Things Discussed:

Fremantle Media
Press Trust of India
Indira Gandhi
$64,000 Dollar Question Scandal
Margaret Atwood
Media Convergence
Marshal McLuhan

 

DNA Podcast 019 – Ghosts of Saturday Mornings Past

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DNA Podcast 019 - Ghosts of Saturday Mornings Past
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Crusader Rabbit

In this episode, Don and Rob discuss North American TV animation, tracing it from its roots in the 1950s to the rise of Saturday morning television and its eventual evolution in the age of Netflix. Along the way, they spend time with Huckleberry Hound, The Flintstones, Josie the Pussycats, the Micronauts, and Goober and the Ghost Chasers. All this, and why Fred and Barney sold cigarettes on air is waiting for you in this, the 19th episode of the Department of Nerdly Affairs.

Closing Music: Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt 

Things Discussed:

Crusader Rabbit Episode 1
Huckleberry Hound Show Intro
Rough and Ready
The Flintstones
DuMont TV Network
Mutual Broadcasting System (MBS)
1948 TV Freeze
Hanna-Barbera Productions
Wait til your Father Gets Home
The Barkleys
The Roman Holidays
Saturday Morning Cartoons
Action for Children’s Television Advocacy Group (note Don was wrong during the episode, Tipper Gore was in fact not involved with this organization that I could find, it was run by Peggy Charren and Judith “Judy” Chalfen)
Josie and the Pussycats
Filmation
Animated Star Trek
Return to the Planet of the Apes (animated)
Rocket Robin Hood
Battle of the Planets Episode 1
The Micronauts
Thundarr the Barbarian Clips
Larry Hama
Mighty Orbots Episode 1
Galaxy High Episodes
The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers Episode 1
Jem and the Holograms
Sunbow Entertainment
Batman the Animated Series
Japanese X-men Openings
Netflix Voltron Trailer

DNA Podcast 009 – Clap if you Love Gamera!

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DNA Podcast 009 - Clap if you Love Gamera!
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gameralegion1

In this episode, Rob and Don are joined by their friend Chad to discuss all things Giant Monster! They discuss why the genre has an enduring popularity, and then delve into their favorite Giant Monster films and guilty Daikaiju pleasures. Finally, they talk about the future of Giant Monster movies and what it would take to revitalize the genre in the 21st century. All this and Moby Dick helping teens solve crimes at sea are discussed in this episode of the Department of Nerdly Affairs.

Closing Music: Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt 

Things Discussed:
Godzilla
Gamera
Saint George and the Dragon
Repitilicus (trailer)
The Giant Claw (trailer)
Island Claws
Nature Gone Amok, aka Natural Horror Films
The Giant Behemoth (trailer)
Gorgo (aka The British Godzilla) (trailer)
Troll Hunter (trailer)
20 Million Miles to Earth (trailer)
Professor Quatermass
Food of the Gods (trailer)
King Kong
Destroy all Monsters (trailer)
Monster Island
Godzilla (98): the Series (intro)
King Kong 60’s Cartoon (episode)
Moby Dick 60’s Cartoon (episode)
Frankenstein Jr. Cartoon (clip)
Godzilla vs. Cattle Rustlers (Marvel’s Godzilla Comics)
Ultraman (original series, episode one, English Dubbed)
Ultra Q (Episode one, English Subbed)
Gamera vs. Legion (Japanese Trailer, because the dubbed one is crap!)
The X from Outer Space (trailer)
King Kong Escapes (trailer)
The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (trailer)
Godzilla’s Revenge (trailer)
The Monolith Monsters (trailer)
THEM (1954, trailer)
Godzilla vs. Megalon (Japanese trailer)
MST3K Jet Jaguar Theme
Inframan (full film, English subbed)
War of the Gargantuas (trailer)
Godzilla vs. The Devil (which turned out to be a myth, sorry Don!)

DNA Podcast 005 – Star Wars Memories

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star wars meco

Greetings Operatives and welcome to the Department of Nerdly Affairs. In this episode, Rob and Don explore the effects that Star Wars has had on their lives, and the culture around them, as they’ve grown up. Comics, cards, toys and the origins of Don’s Beilert Valance action figure are all explored in this episode of the Department of Nerdly Affairs.

Closing Music: Ode to Joy performed by Oliver Eckelt 

Episode Show Notes:
Star Wars Novelization
NPR’s Star Wars Radio Plays
Star Wars Trading Cards
ET Trading Cards
Photonovels
Marvel’s Star Wars Comics
Howard Chaykin
Beilert Valance
Walt Simonson
Star Wars Newspaper Strips (read them here!)
Roy Thomas
Star Wars: Republic (the Dark Horse comic I couldn’t remember the name of)
John Ostrander
Radio Controlled Sand Crawler
Cracked on why R2-D2 is a Murderer
Mobile Suit Gundam
Gatchaman/Battle of the Planets (video opening)
Space Cruiser Yamato/ Star Blazers (first season videos)
George Lucas and The Hidden Fortress
Throne of Blood
The Lensmen Novels of E.E. Doc Smith (eBooks)
Star Wars and Lensmen
The Star Wars comic (adapting Lucas’ original script)
WuXia
Video Game Crash of 1983
Star Wars Disco Theme Song by Meeco