Shows
The Happiest Animal ShowMisunderstood Animals (with comedian Alex Falcone)What animals do you like that other people don’t like? What animal is covered in spots and makes a whooping sound? Laura and Rob chat about misunderstood animals that make them happy, plus you’ll hear a song about hyenas and vultures, a game show about animal sounds, awesome animal clues from fan Jack and an interview with special guest, comedian Alex Falcone. What animal is making Alex happy? It’s an animal that throws up its food when it gets scared.The Happiest Animal Show (on Planet Earth) is a comedy podcast for kids and...
2025-06-2125 min
The Best Thing EverMummy Minute #03 - Warm BodiesAlex Falcone and Ezra Fox accidentally became mummy romance experts when they wrote their best-selling young adult novel (http://unwrapmyheart.com). For Spooktober they're reviewing three classic pieces of mummy pop culture and analyzing how good the mummies are if they can get it. Today they dive into a young-adult romance that is close to mummies but crucially different: zombies. With Warm Bodies (2016) we find out why zombies bit the love bug before mummies did. It's the gooshy bois vs the bony bois on the finale of the Mummy Minute.
2023-11-0147 min
The Best Thing EverMummy Minute #01 - The Mummy (1932)Alex and Ezra accidentally became mummy romance experts when they wrote their best-selling young adult novel (http://unwrapmyheart.com). For Spooktober they're reviewing three classic pieces of mummy pop culture and analyzing how good the mummies are if they can get it.
2023-10-1357 minThe Best Thing EverZELDA is the best thing ever | BTE 1.19The world has seen many heros over the years. But it has never seen a puzzle-solving sword-wielding short king constantly dressed for a night at a gay dance club until Link came along. We discuss a little history of the Zelda franchise, the different ways we each approached Tears of the Kingdom, and Alex's conspiracy theory about princess Zelda. 📊 Follow along with the Figma 📡 Subscribe to the show 💵 Support the Patreon
2023-06-281h 13The Best Thing EverPOWERLIFTING is the best thing ever | BTE 1.11What do you bench, bro? Can you dead lift me? If I'm dead? It's powerlifting and it's good for you body and mind, apparently. At least Rachel likes it, and she's here to tell us why. Learn the history of powerlifting, learn about a few cool powerlifters including a nine year old who can lift 3x her body weight, and learn about our new funding idea: a brain supplement called Triple Blind where you don't know if you're getting the real supplement or a placebo and we don't know if we own the company or not. Triple...
2023-04-271h 17The Best Thing EverWAFFLE HOUSE is the best thing ever | BTE 1.10It's our first ever Hunter episode and he takes things in a slightly different direction, deeply personal journey across state lines to his favorite late night eatery, the one and only Waffle House. He teaches you how to order properly, the traps to avoid, and whether or not you should start anything with your server. Plus he calls out David. Seriously, David. What the hell man. 💸 Get Alex's new shirt/poster: Fauxchella 2023 💻 Follow along with the Figma 📺 Watch this episode on YouTube
2023-04-211h 15The Best Thing EverSTANDUP COMEDY is the best thing ever BTE 1.08If there's one thing that's a shoe-in for Best Thing Ever it's the thing that our hosts have pursued for a combine 20+ years. But after a great history of standup comedy from Anthony, we prove that we're a lot more conflicted about our careers than even we knew. Is standup the best or is it stinky? If you're enjoying the show please give us an honest 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and tell us if we're right or wrong in our placement of standup comedy. Get Alex's standup record "Vanilla" Follow along on...
2023-04-061h 12The Best Thing EverTREES are the best thing ever BTE 1.07Trees. They're everywhere. Watching. Biding their time. Providing us everything we need to live but always threatening to take it away. They're the beauty and the danger, but are they the best thing ever? Alex gives a presentation on his 15 favorite trees in an effort to convince people they are but where do they end up? Find out. Follow along on the Figma here Please take a second and leave us an honest 5 Star Review on Apple Podcast and tell us which tree got overlooked in this episode.
2023-03-231h 03
Read it and WeepRiaW 5.41 – Magnolia (1992)After much controversy, we travel back to PT Anderson's 1992 epic about chance and fate, Magnolia. It earns a pretty high place on our list of best films of all time.
Plus in the news, Alex's video finally worked.
Next up: Controversy continues and that ends in the weirdest way possible, and we're traveling through the Cruise Missile and watching Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
2022-12-1730 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 5.40 – Batman Returns (1992)Our second Batman movie of season 5 is also our third time visiting the 90s Batman series and it's probably our best stop on the bat train.
Plus in the news, Alex is performing in Austin, TX next week and Santa is a conspiracy.
Next up: After a LOT of rules lawyering, we're watching Magnolia (1999)
2022-12-0830 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 5.39 – The Virgin Suicides (1999)Alex chooses Anthony's movie and Anthony chooses violence.
Plus in the news, a very important month is over, Alex posts a video, and the Wall Safe Wallsafe is on sale now.
Next up: Ezra moves through Danny DeVito to Batman Returns.
Plus: if you want to not know if a woman is Anastasia, Hannah recommends I Was Anastasia by Ariel Lawhon
2022-12-0130 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 5.b – Andor (Disney+)Hunter had to leave for the Holidays early so we did a special bonus about the just-wrapped Disney+ Star Wars series Andor. Alex is less enthusiastic than the others would like but it's always nice to talk about how George Lucas sucks.
Plus in the news, Disney switches Bobs and donuts get real.
Next up: We finally watch Virgin Suicides (1999).
2022-11-2330 minRead it and WeepRiaW 5.b – Andor (Disney+)Hunter had to leave for the Holidays early so we did a special bonus about the just-wrapped Disney+ Star Wars series Andor. Alex is less enthusiastic than the others would like but it's always nice to talk about how George Lucas sucks.
Plus in the news, Disney switches Bobs and donuts get real.
Next up: We finally watch Virgin Suicides (1999).
2022-11-2330 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 5.38 – Anastasia (1997)From a princess who wants to be a wolf to a princess who just wants to know her own name, we watch another 90s animated film not made by Disney, this one the oddly a-historical Bluth joint Anastasia. The panel isn't thrilled but it has its supporter(s).
Plus in the news, Alex gives a Zelda update and talks about his new project Fauxcella.
Next up: Ezra's gambit backfires as Alex steers us to Anthony's movie and everybody scores but Ez. It's Virgin Suicides (1999).
2022-11-1130 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 5.37 – Princess Mononoke (1997)Alex comes roaring back onto the score board with a complete 5-point play as we watch the Miyazaki film Princess Mononoke and talk about it's greater meaning about how many bullets it takes to kill god and when to date a wolf girl.
Plus in the news, Alex is haunted by Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
h/t Caleb for making sure I watched this video first so I didn't look like a complete idiot.
Next up: Ezra sets himself and Anthony up with Anastasia (1997)
2022-11-0330 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 5.36 – Lost Highway (1997)Hunter's back in tiptop so we can finish our journey down the Lost Highway to spooky David Lynchville. Plus a long discussion of Halloween decorations and the long-awaited exercise update.
Next up: Alex power-cards his way to points with a double move that lands at Princess Mononoke.
2022-10-2730 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 5.34 – But I’m a Cheerleader (1999)Alex comes roaring back onto the leaderboard with his third target movie, the 1999 classic of queer cinema, But I'm A Cheerleader. It's funny and heart warming and maybe we don't talk about it as much as it deserves because we just kinda loved it and didn't have many jokes about it. But we loved it.
Next up: Anthony wins the draw YET AGAIN and takes a bonus point for moving us to the spoopy movie Casper (1995), available to stream on Peacock.
2022-10-0630 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 5.33 – Happy Together (1997)After what feels like ages, Hunter scores his second points movie of the year with the Wong Kar-wai movie Happy Together. Anthony loves it but Alex and Ezra both feel like they're not smart enough to like it all the way. But they do love the cinematography and waterfall. Plus big news from Alex's TikTok and his newest video from his YouTube series about the future.
Next up: Alex joins the scoring bonanza as he power cards his way to But I'm a Cheerleader
2022-09-2930 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 5.32 – Hero (2002)I need a hero. He's gotta be brave, and he's gotta be bold, and he's gotta be sponsored by the propaganda arm of the Chinese Government. That's right, after 2 weeks of strategic slogging we finally got to a target movie, Ezra's 5th! And it's a good one, so long as you focus on the visuals and not the message.
Next up: the good movies (and bad news for Alex) continues with Happy Together (1997)
2022-09-2230 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 5.31 – Rush Hour 2 (2001)A guy who's good at fighting and a horny guy go on a racially insensitive journey across the world. There are two Jackie Chan stunts that briefly make the movie watchable but overall, it's clearly the worst movie we've seen all year.
Next up: the scoring bonanza (for everybody but Alex) kicks off with Ezra's 5th successful score, Hero (2002)
2022-09-1530 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 5.30 – Chances Are (1989)Chances are you haven't seen this 80s reincarnation rom-com that's like if Old Boy was an uplifting comedy. It's WILD. Ghost dad is in a random kid's body and he's in love with his former-wife but his daughter is in love with him and so he gets concussed and ends up with his daughter and his wife is just COMPLETELY COOL WITH IT.
Plus more donut news and a conversation about table top games.
Next up: everybody wins but Alex this month after his terrible draw. Part 1 of the strategy is watching Rush Hour 2 (2001).
2022-09-0830 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 5.29 – Shrek (2001)Shrek is the most important movie of all time, there's no denying that. But is it good? Who knows. It's impossible to tell. But it is farty, that part is known.
Alex forced everybody to travel via Eddie Murphy to figure out why people are so horny for Shrek and he didn't learn anything but it was still an interesting outing.
Next up: Hunter moves strategically via Kathleen Freeman to the 1989 romcom with a bonkers premise, "Chances Are" just because he's reincarnated doesn't mean he can't hit on his daughter, apparently? Weird. Weird one coming...
2022-09-0130 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 5.28 – Bowfinger (1999)We're all kindof having a Steve Martin reawakening right now because of Only Murders in the Building, so we traveled through him to a film he wrote and Ms. Piggy Herself directed (Frank Oz). It's the 1999 Hollywood-skewering heartfelt comedy Bowfinger about a group of misfits trying to make a movie. It's got one of Eddie Murphy's best double roles and some great set pieces. And some cringey 90s stuff. You might like it though.
Also this was a real brief episode because Anthony had a brand spanking new PS5 waiting for him downstairs that got delivered minutes...
2022-08-2530 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 5.26 – Avengers: Endgame (2019)It finally happened. Ezra's clever play and good partnerships helped him bring the game around to Alex's nightmare superhero clusterfest that is the last (for now) Avengers movie. Although nobody thinks it's a top-10 film, they still pile on Alex for not liking it.
Next up: CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS WE DON'T KNOW
2022-08-1130 min
Read it and WeepStill Processing: Nope (2022)Ezra and Hunter are away for the week so Alex and Anthony sat down to discuss a movie they just watched in a new segment we're calling "Still Processing". They puzzled through several theories about Nope and what it means, gave awards to the best part of the movie, and talked more about Jordan Peele's filmography including the unveiling of Anthony's Grand Unified Theory of Us. Listen now, you will leave changed.
Next up: We're going to (ugh) watch Avengers: End Game. You can watch us watch it live Tuesday 8/2 at 4pm PST and then listen to...
2022-07-2830 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 5.25 – The Iron Giant (1999)We've got another scoring update as Ezra carries Alex along to his 2nd movie, the Brad Bird animated feature about a Jesus-gun-robot.
In the news: Alex is back from the Netherlands and has some thought.
Next up: while Ezra is away we're taking a week to watch the new Jordan Peele movie Nope.
2022-07-2130 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 5.24 – The Lion King (1994)From oogie and tense to adorable and triumphant, we may be the first people to ever watch Dead Ringers and The Lion King back to back. But both feature terrific performances from Jeremy Irons.
In the news: you can see our first few Teeny Tiny Grant recipients here.
Next up: we're taking a week off while Alex is abroad but he'll come back to some points as Ezra picks The Iron Giant (1999) via Brian Tochi.
2022-07-0730 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 5.23 – Dead Ringers (1988)We take our first dip into Cronenberg with his movie about twin guy-necologists. It's divisive like black licorice.
In the news: Alex has a new web series about futurism plus our very own feature on Oracle of Bacon.
Next up: Alex travels via Jeremy Irons (either one) to the 1994 classic from the Golden age of Disney Animation: The Lion King.
2022-06-2930 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 5.22 – Unforgiven (1992)Anthony convinces Alex to travel via one Clinton Eastwood to his 1992 revisionist western Unforgiven.
Next up: Anthony uses a power card to ruin our lives with Cronenberg's Dead Ringers (1988)
2022-06-2330 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 5.21 – The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly (1966)It's Spaghetti Night on the podcast as the boys visit Sergio Leone's classic movie about three shit heads doing crimes in the old west. And we argue mostly about how hot they are.
Next up: Alex travels via Clint Eastwood to Unforgiven (1992)
2022-06-1730 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 5.20 – Out of Sight (1998)Before he made Ocean's 11, Steven Soderbergh made another rom-comy caper film starring George Clooney. This one had Jennifer Lopez and as soon as you don't look at it, it's out of mind. Plus Anthony explains Morbin time and Alex and Ezra announce the Teeny Tiny Grant.
Next up: CHAOS ERUPTS and next week is a spaghetti night.
2022-06-1030 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 5.19 – Batman (1989)Despite Alex's very clear and public dislike for comic book movies, he seems pretty amenable to this Tim Burton vision with all the dirty sets and matte paintings and Jack Nicholson having a ton of fun and making a ton of money.
Next up: Ezra moves toward the darkest timeline where we have to watch Avengers by taking the Michael Keaton route to Out of Sight (1998).
2022-05-2730 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 5.16 – The Cable Guy (1996)After weeks of dry spells, the points keep coming as Alex crosses out his first point movie. The panel is split on this cult 90s comedy but somehow the episode turned out really good. Also you can watch it on YouTube now!
Next up: the points keep coming as we travel via Jeff Michalski to Ezra's 2nd movie, The Princess Diaries (2001).
2022-05-0630 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 5.15 – Michael Clayton (2007)Anthony's evil plan to make us watch pretty good movies instead of helping people score points. So we watched Ocean's Zero, the George Clooney joint Michael Clayton about the fixer who is broken inside.
Next up: Ezra used a special power card to go back and a week and move via Jim Carrey to Alex's movie The Cable Guy! Justice!
2022-04-2930 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 5.bonus – To Tell The TruthAlex was on TV this week! And since Ezra was sick, we sat down and did a little bonus about Alex's chance to lie to Steve Urkel.
Next up: Ezra scores again with Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. For real this time.
2022-04-1530 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 5.11 – Battleship Potemkin (1925)It took 11 episodes but Hunter blew the scoring wide open by achieving his impossible movie before anybody else. Also there was that thing with the baby on the staircase.
Next up: Alex resets to a Kevin Bacon movie with In The Cut (2003)
2022-03-2530 min
Read it and WeepBonus – Sex and the City of the DeadFor some strange reason, Alex wrote an episode of Sex and the City where Carrie Dates a Mummy. You can read the whole script here but here on this bonus episode, we've got a table read of the script featuring an awesome voice cast of RiaW faves. It's weird. It's dirty. It's kinda funny. Check it out now!
Carrie - Sarah Hatheway
Nesmin - Omar El Akkad
Samantha - Bri Pruett
Dirk/Mark Wahlberg - Dru Johnston
Miranda - Katie Nguyen
Steve - Stephen Carter
...
2022-02-2830 minRead it and WeepBonus – Sex and the City of the DeadFor some strange reason, Alex wrote an episode of Sex and the City where Carrie Dates a Mummy. You can read the whole script here but here on this bonus episode, we've got a table read of the script featuring an awesome voice cast of RiaW faves. It's weird. It's dirty. It's kinda funny. Check it out now!
Carrie - Sarah Hatheway
Nesmin - Omar El Akkad
Samantha - Bri Pruett
Dirk/Mark Wahlberg - Dru Johnston
Miranda - Katie Nguyen
Steve - Stephen Carter
...
2022-02-2830 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 5.06 – The Third Man (1949)We take another big jump back in time this week as Anthony travels via Orson Welles to the British noir film The Third Man. We talked a bit about this back in our Secret Santa episode because Hunter gifted it to Alex but now everybody's seen it so we can all get excited about Alex's references.
Next up: Alex travels via Joseph Cotten to the 1973 movie that everybody knows the ending to but none of us have seen Soylent Green.
2022-02-1830 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 5.05 – The Transformers: The Movie (1986)With his first pick of the Season Hunter travels via the Scatman to the absolutely unwatcheable 80s animated toy commercial The Transformers: The Movie. It's a headache-inducing mind-dumbing pinball machine of a movie and I'm mad at him for picking it.
Next up: Anthony sends us via Orson Welles to The Third Man (1949). Previously discussed as a Christmas present Hunter gave to Alex, now the whole team is going to watch it.
2022-02-1130 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 5.03 – The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)Season 5's second move: Alex swims through Noah Taylor to the 2004 Wes Anderson flick The Life Aquatic that is stylistic as hell but doesn't quite come together for us, landing it as only the 3rd best movie of the new season.
Next up: Anthony flies via Anjelica Huston to One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, depriving Alex of a scoring opportunity.
What do you think? Should we add a deck of special powers? What powers do you think should be available?
Mentioned in this episode
Vegan haggis! What? Why? Apparently it's very...
2022-01-2730 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 5.02 – Edge of Tomorrow (2014)For the first move of the game, Ezra chose to move via Bill Paxton to the 2014 Cruise Missile movie Edge of Tomorrow AKA Live. Die. Repeat if you like spoilers in your title. The movie is great but it ends up in a somewhat controversial place in our Season 5 masterlist. What are your thoughts?
Next up: Alex moves via Noah Taylor to the 2004 Wes Anderson (more like WET Anderson, am I right?) flick The Life Aquatic. Anthony has the ability to give Alex the first points of the year, but will he do the right thing? Find...
2022-01-1930 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 4.38 – That Thing You Do (1996)Alex is in Portland this week recording his debut comedy album (Saturday Oct. 2nd at Mississippi Studios) so the boys talked about what it takes to make a hit and keep the band together with Thomas The Hank Engine's directorial debut about a group of one-hit one-ders.
2021-10-0130 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 4.37 – Abbott and Costello Meet The Mummy (1955) Dark Universe 5 of 3In our final installment of our series on the Universal Monsterverse, we dig up the one real gem in mummy movie history, the one with Abbott and Costello. It's so completely weird and bonkers that I think I love it? I might love it? Who knows. My brain has been removed through my nose with a straw at this point. Do you know of a franchise that needs saving? A universe that needs creating? A mummy that needs meeting? Email us.
And next week we're talking about That Thing You Do to celebrate Alex recording his debut...
2021-09-2430 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 4.36 – The Mummy (1999) Dark Universe 4 of 3It's a bonus episode in our continued search for a good answer to the Universal Monsters Universe problem. We went all the way back to 1999 when Brendan Fraser and battled the mummy and everybody (but Alex) seemed to like it.
Mentioned In This Episode
They're bringing back mammoths.
2021-09-1630 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 4.34 – The Mummy (2017) Dark Universe 2 of 3As part of our continued excevation of the corpse of the Dark Universe, we re-watched Alex Kurtzman's 2017 Mummy remake starring the Cruise missile as a sexless action puppet.
Mentioned in this episode:
Our previous review
The Green Brothers discuss Irn-Bru (minute 25)
Hannah's Rec: The Collector’s Daughter by Gill Paul
2021-09-0330 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 4.30 – Robocop (1987) Verhoeven 1 of 3It's a horrible dystopian future that's somehow less bad than the present. But at least the murder robots work!
Mentioned in this Episode
All the squibs Alex missed:
2021-08-0330 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 4.29 – Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021)Space Jam is back and they've replaced Michael Jordan with LeBron James and the alien villians with a new, more sinistar evil to contend with: Warner Brothers themselves. That's right, it's a weird choice for WB to make themselves the villian but they're absolutely right, they did BAD.
Mentioned in this Episode
Alex's celebrity doppelgangers (according to some dumb website).
Book recommendations:
King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo (Anthony)In The Woods by Tana French (Alex)What Strange Paradise by Omar El Akkad (Alex)Why Fish Don't Exist by Lulu Miller (Ez)Maniac Of...
2021-07-2900 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 4.28 – Star Trek: TNG Part 2We're back for the second half of our TNG discussion as Alex wrestles with all the enemies he made last week. This time we watched:
S04 E01 - The Best of Both Worlds Part 2
S04 E21 - The Drumhead
S05 E18 - Cause and Effect
S06 E15 - Tapestry
Mentioned in this Episode
Riker sitting down weird to protect his balls(?).
2021-07-2300 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 4.19 – Josie and the Pussycats (2001)We take our turn as trend pimps as we talk about a comic book adaptation that never seems to get enough credit. Plus, did we bring down the Golden Globes and Alex gives away a t-shirt business.
2021-05-1330 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 4.13 – BattleBotsAfter suffering through a month of comic books, Alex gets a treat. He talks way too much about his favorite zport BatteBots. Plus the boys play a really fun game of hypothetical BattleBots featuring robots from movie history.
Mentioned in this episode
Anthony mentioned this brilliant moment from esports history:
2021-04-0130 min
Read it and WeepEztra Credit 05 – MeditationAlex and Ezra took on another challenge this month, this time to meditate every night for two weeks. As usual, Ez did a bit better than Alex. Join us and relax (or just worry about your waddle the whole time).
2021-03-2630 minRead it and WeepEztra Credit 05 – MeditationAlex and Ezra took on another challenge this month, this time to meditate every night for two weeks. As usual, Ez did a bit better than Alex. Join us and relax (or just worry about your waddle the whole time).
2021-03-2630 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 4.12 – Zack Snyder’s Justice LeagueWe committed ourselves to watching the entire unconscionably long re-edit of Justice League from AT&T this weekend so you could get the inside scoop. It's BONKERS. And Anthony kinda liked it, so that's a little weird.
Mentioned in this episode
Anthony recommends this glowing review of the film. Alex does not.
Anthony recommends this interview with Nick Cave and Billy Corgan.
2021-03-2330 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 4.10 – Watchmen Part 1It's time for the super adventures of Alex, Anthony, and Hunter. Just a group of guys who like to hang out and save the day. Anthony's picked our topic for these next few weeks so we're starting with books 1 - 6 of Watchmen, the graphic novel by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons about good guys gone bad. Plus in The Argument, what superhero would you actually like to exist in the real world?
2021-03-1030 min
Read it and WeepEztra Credit #4: BreadEzra started baking sourdough over the pandemic (he's the only one) and he wanted to share the joy with Alex. Alex, on the other hand, thinks bread is a lie.
2021-02-2330 minRead it and WeepEztra Credit #4: BreadEzra started baking sourdough over the pandemic (he's the only one) and he wanted to share the joy with Alex. Alex, on the other hand, thinks bread is a lie.
2021-02-2330 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 4.06 – The Magic Special ft Billy KiddFor our first ever magic special we've got world-traveling magician Billy Kidd to help us talk about the new special from Derek DelGaudio, In and Of Itself, which is a magic show but also kinda not. It's on Hulu and definitely worth a watch. We talk about what parts worked for us and which landed like a ton of golden bricks. Plus magic news, the best magic movies, and more than a little talk about the differences between comedians and magicians. Check it out before it disappears!
Mentioned in this episode
Siegfried Faschbacher of Siegfried...
2021-02-1130 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 4.03 – Wizard of Oz, Buckets, Menu MistakesWe've got another fun pile of topics as season 4 crawls on.
Tell & Tell: Alex opens his wikihole for La Secchia Rapita and Hunter talks about the unfortunate journey of Pepe the Frog.
The Homework: I know you've heard about The Wizard of Oz (1939) so we tried to find a few new ways to think about it.
The Argument: Do you try to pronounce menu items you're not sure about?
The Business: Alex's mom responds to "all that dick talk."
2021-01-2030 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 3.49 – The 2020 WeepiesEverybody's doing a year-end wrap up, but since the year was pretty crap, we each compiled a list of our 10 favorite things WE consumed this year, regardless of what year it was released.
Anthony's Lists
First, a list of the top 10 things Anthony's mind palace thinks he WOULD HAVE enjoyed if they'd actually come out this year as they were supposed to.
10: Spiral
9: Shang Chi and the ten rings
8: the French Dispatch
7:WW 84
6: No Time to Die
5: Candyman
4:the Green Knight/ the Personal History of David Copperfield
3: Top Gun Maverick
2: Promising Young Woman
1...
2020-12-1730 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 3.48 – Slightly Condescending Final ExamAnd with that we've come to the end of season three of the podcast! What a condescending journey it's been. We lived. We laughed. We learned. And now it's time for the final exam. I hope you've studied!
Mentioned in this episode
Anthony recommends the new David Fincher movie Mank.
Alex watched the Failed Film Festival: Lost in La Mancha (2002), Lost Soul: The Doomed Journey of Richard Stanley’s “Island of Dr. Moreau” (2014), and Jodorowsky's Dune (2013).
Hunter (but also very much Anthony) recommends The Leftovers.
2020-12-1030 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 3.45 – Apocalypse Now (1979)It's part one of our slog through the Vietnam War, the payoff of Alex's joke, and a very fun conversation about Finland.
Recommendations
BUY @grantlyon1's new board game of silly insults Curmudgeon!
Alex's feelings on the movie are entirely stolen from this Guardian article by Linh Dinh: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2001/nov/02/artsfeatures.londonfilmfestival2001
Hunter spent too much money on the Ingmar Bergman Criterion collection
Anthony watched Broadcast News and The Insider
Grant likes The Alienist (CAUTION: NO ALIENS)
Alex recommends Malcolm Gladwell's...
2020-11-2030 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 3.44 – Stargate: AtlantisIt's part two of our Stargate sponsorship. This time, it's wet! Featuring Phoebe Bottoms who watched... almost the right show.
Recommendations
Hunter likes Longmont Potion Castle's prank calls with Alex Trebek
Hunter also likes the game Geoguessr
Next up
Finally talking about the Vietnam War with Apocalypse Now (1979)
2020-11-1230 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 3.43 – Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)We're celebrating the Internet's favorite man, Keanu Reeves, by watching him in probably his least appropriate roll: British Gentleman. Still, the weirdness of this version of the vampire world makes it a fun watch.
Recommendations
Anthony really likes Schitt's Creek.
Alex likes The Thing, especially the head spider.
Hunter is keeping it Keanu with John Wick 2 (and recommends watching them out of order).
Next up
Heading back through the Stargate with SG: Atlantis
2020-11-0630 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 3.42 – Suspiria (1977)It's our Spooktober Spooktacular Slightly Condescending Film Spook episode. We watched the 1970s Italian horror movie about the intersection of ballet dancing and witches. It's a hoot. A spooky hoot!
Recommendations
Anthony feels okay about Dr. Who.
Alex thinks you should give up and join the Evil Dead.
Hunter thinks you should play Paradise Killer and run around the Internet solving crimes.
Next up
Keanovember is here and we're watching Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)
2020-10-2930 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 3.41 – Stargate (1994)If you're in the mood for some intergalactic colonialism, then you're going to love Stargate. Just make sure you cover your tummy!
Thanks to Shannon for sponsoring this wild ride!
Recommendations
Anthony wants you to look at the makeup for Colin Ferrell as Penguin.
Phoebe thinks you should RSVP to the film Muriel's Wedding
Alex liked Cabin in the Woods and will not tell you anything about the movie.
Anthony and Phoebe suggest watching The Sixth Sense even though you already know the ending.
Next...
2020-10-2230 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 3.40 – Jumanji: The Next Level (2019)Happy #TheRocktober, everybody. Ezra's back to chat about the sequel to the Jumanji sequel. Oops, we're all Jumanji-ed again!
Recommendations
Ez recommends Zathura: Space Jumanji
Hunter likes The Exorcist as a movie
Alex went to Stranger Things: The Parking Garage Haunted House
Which Arbitrary Cinematic Universe Would You Prefer?
Marmaduke / Lost / The Daily podcast
Chuck E Cheese / Great British Bake-off / Law & Order
Back to the Future / Can't Hardly Wait / The Muppets
Next up
Stargate (1994)
2020-10-1630 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 3.39 – Wild Nights With Emily (2018)Amandable is back to help set the record straight about Emily Dickenson in this hilariously low-budget revisionist comedy. They can't afford a real cat but they've got the real story.
Recommendations
Hunter still likes the game Disco Elysium
Amanda likes Star Trek: TNG (but it's better if you start in the third season or you're 10).
Alex loves the commercial-turned-sitcom Ted Lasso on Apple TV.
Anthony suggests getting a kitten:
Next up
Jumanji: The Next Level (2019)
2020-10-0830 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 3.38 – The Secret of NIMH (1982)Another new guest Dalia Malek brought us the first movie she ever saw, the Don Bluth animated film about smart and sometimes magical rats. Alex doesn't like it and bullying ensues.
Recommendations
Hunter likes the game Disco Elysium
Anthony finds The Great Pottery Throw Down to be soothing
Dalia thinks Pen15 is cringe but great
Alex needs you to watch live streams of Fat Bear Week
Listener Hannah recommends the book "Anxious People" by Fredrik Backman about a Swedish bank robbery.
Listener Alethea recommends this...
2020-10-0230 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 3.29 – Clifford (1994)The Summer of Friends continues with pod favorite Phoebe Bottoms. She takes us on a journey of one of her favorite comedies from her childhood, the strange flop Clifford. It stars Martin Short as an old guy AND a 10-year-old. In a strange turn of events, Hunter and Alex are kinda on the same page!
2020-07-3130 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 3.25 – Lawrence of Arabia (1962)And now an epic episode of RiaW.
We talk about the almost 4-hour movie about a problematic guy in a beautiful desert. Also Alex reads from his nightmare diary for some reason and we invent the "sten-dog-rapher".
2020-07-0230 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 3.23 – Repo Man (1984)There's an alien in a Chevy Malibu and the coach of the Mighty Ducks is the only one who can find it.
Our surprising favorite movies
Hunter: It's Hard to Be A GodAlex: The Fantastic Mr. FoxAnthony: Primer & American Movie
2020-06-1830 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 3.21 – Brazil (1985)We watched two different versions of the film to discuss the power of editing. The 2.25 hour director's cut and the 90 minute "Love Conquers All Cut." Alex in his infinite trollness, liked the shorter one.
Mentioned in this episode
If you want to watch Terry Gilliam having a bad time, Anthony Reccomends Lost in Lamancha.Here's Christopher Lee's metal band covering "My Way" h/t Katie
2020-06-0430 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 3.18 – Barry Lyndon (1975)A first-time attempt at analysis. Many duels are fought. Lenses are discussed. Alex shows the boys his Wikihole.
Mentioned in this episode
Anthony recommends the documentary Stanley Kubrick's BoxesAnthony kinda recommends (but isn't quite sure if it's good or not) This Film Is Not Yet Rated.
2020-05-1430 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 3.bonus – Final Fantasy VII RemakeAnthony hosts a special bonus that could be called Slightly Condescending Video Game School. Him and Hunter dive deep into the new remake of the game Final Fantasy VII. Alex sometimes seems like he's paying attention.
Here is, for some reason, a dog with tattoos:
2020-04-2830 minRead it and WeepRiaW 3.bonus – Final Fantasy VII RemakeAnthony hosts a special bonus that could be called Slightly Condescending Video Game School. Him and Hunter dive deep into the new remake of the game Final Fantasy VII. Alex sometimes seems like he's paying attention.
Here is, for some reason, a dog with tattoos:
2020-04-2830 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 3.15 – Meshes of the Afternoon (1943)We sit down to discuss the very short but very strong coffee that is Maya Dern's 1940s experimental short film. Has Alex learned enough to say something interesting about it? Almost certainly not!
Mentioned in the episode
Watch the film here (but ignore the sound track, it was added later)Follow Hunter and Alex on Letterbxd to keep up with their latest movie watchingHunter recommends video game person Tim Rogers and his new project Action ButtonStar Wars stop motionEd Harris hates WestWorld 3Marcia Lucas saved Star Wars
2020-04-2230 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 3.08 – Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse (2018)I don't really get comic book movies. So in this special Office Hours episode, I sat down with Professor Lopez to discuss why these films have taken over and what makes them good. We also had an interesting talk about studios and how the same one that made The Emoji Movie made this.
Mentioned in this episode
Learn about Donald Trump's (unsurprisingly) bad taste in movies:
An Oral History of Trump's Love of BloodsportTrump is mad Parasite won best pictureTrump misses the point of Citizen Kain
Anthony recommends They Shall Not Grow Old...
2020-03-0430 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 3.07 – Knives Out (2019)This week on Slightly Condescending Film School, Alex brought a movie that he really enjoyed, and was a huge box office hit, but also doesn't fit the patterns of box office hits. It's not a sequel, it's not an adaptation, and nobody in it has magical powers. So how could something so good also be popular?
We talk more about writer/director Rian Johnson and in our new segment Employee of the Month we talk (a little bit at least) about the role of the production designer. Plus we recommend you follow the cinematographer Steve Yedlin on...
2020-02-2630 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 3.05 – Citizen Kane (1949)Alex and Hunter meet alone for a special Office Hours edition of Slightly Condescending Film School. They talk about Citizen Kane, yes, but they talk a lot more about pizza boxes, the role of directors, and listener emails. It's a really good episode.
2020-02-1430 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 3.01 – Mulholland Drive (2001)We're back! Kicking off a brand new season of Read it and Weep. We're calling the 3rd season "Back To School". Trying to understand pop culture has always been a mission of the show but now we're making it more explicit.
And our first theme of Back To School is learning a bit more about film. I know, it's overdue. For the next couple of months, professor Anthony Lopez and associate professor Hunter Donaldson are going to give Alex the education he really already should have had.
2020-01-1630 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 2.34 – Hawaii #SummerOfFunAloha!
It's the official end of the #SummerOfFun. We ate lollies, caught a baseball game, hung out at the mall, and lots more. We've got a bunch of great episodes and even more great memories. But it all has to come to an end. For our final episode of the summer, we talked to comedian and writer for Full Frontal w/ Samantha Bee, Mohanad Elshieky, about his recent trip to Hawaii. It's not the kind of thing everybody can do for the summer, but Ezra's been a couple times so the two of them talk about it...
2019-09-1830 min
Read it and WeepRiaW 2.11 – American Psycho (2000)In the second of two super sponsorships, we investigate the 2000 satire/horror Wallstreet Murder comedy. Does it hold up? And can Anthony convince Alex he's wrong?
2019-03-2730 min
Read it and WeepRiaW #426: Gods of Egypt (2016)It’s big. It’s shiny. There are snakes. It feels like every other scene was removed for no reason. And it barely made back it’s budget. But boy is it interesting. We had lots to say about Gods of Egypt, the white-washed cheap-looking CGI adventure by Alex Proyas. Especially about the snakes. We really talked a lot about the snakes. Thanks to our newest Meat Buddy, Daniel from Chapel Hill, NC. And thank you all for a great Jantiquity! See you in Sponsuary.
This episode was recorded at Helium Comedy Club in Portland, OR.
Mention...
2018-01-3100 min
Read it and WeepRiaW #422: Special! New Year’s Q&A EpisodeIt’s a very special party episode where we talked about what we’re enjoying in our lives and answer a ton of pop culture questions from our listeners. It’s very fun. Enjoy!
Recommendations In Order
Alex recommends making a confetti cannon out of a hair dryer and recycled Christmas wrapping.
Caitlin recommends adding a panade to your meatloaf.
Anthony recommends The Shape of Water.
Anthony dis-recommends the Netflix film Bright.
Stephen recommends the Netflix show Dark.
Anthony recommends the HBO show The Leftovers.
Alex recommends Law & Order UK.
Alex dis-recommends 5 Hour Energy.
Caitlin recommends 5 Hour Energy.
C...
2018-01-041h 15
Read it and WeepBonus! The Last Jedi (and a bit of Coco)We didn't want to leave you high and dry over the holidays, so here's a little bonus episode, a long conversation about Star Wars between Alex and Anthony. We're currently the only people on the Internet talking about Star Wars, so you're very fortunate to be subscribed to this feed.
Obviously this is HEAVILY spoilerful, so probably watch The Last Jedi before you listen. We also talk about Coco briefly (with spoilers), but there's plenty of time to bail when we get to that part. Enjoy. Happy Grizzmass to you and yours, and I hope you have a terrific New...
2017-12-271h 06
Read it and WeepRiaW #409: Country Strong (2010) – SPONSTEMBERWe’re strong. Sure, we’re not rap strong or pop punk strong, but we’re strong. But then this movie shook us to our very core.
Nah, that’s not really true. But if Country Strong means putting up with a sloppy plot, lackluster acting, and some of the worst fake guitar playing in movie history, than we are weak. Fortunately we assembled a panel with plenty of musical experience to tackle this dissonant movie. Angela Webber is half of the nerd-folk sensation The Double Clicks and Tess Falcone works for bands like Weezer and Ben Folds (i...
2017-09-271h 26
Read it and WeepRiaW #391: Reefer Madness (1936) reviewAlex is in Denver for the final ever Crom Fest, and given his love for cheezy civic stereotypes, he decided to make his all star festival panel watch Reefer Madness, the 1936 explotation film designed to scare children away from using marihuana because it’ll turn them into homicidal maniacs.
Alex is not a partaker of marihuana, so his panel included comics with a variety of experience levels from “twice a day” to “twice ever.” It was a fun time!
Thanks to Sexpot Comedy for letting us use their studio space!
2017-05-251h 18
Read it and WeepRiaW #382: 1984 by George Orwell1984 popped back onto everybody’s radar after the election. We dive back to our high school reading list to see what lessons we can learn for today.
Plus we have dystopia-aficionado Amanda Leinbaugh and comedian Nariko Ott here to help us break down Big Brother and to discuss what scary thing would be strapped to our faces.
Featuring
Alex Falcone
Ezra Fox
Amanda Leinbaugh
Nariko Ott
2017-03-151h 09
Read it and WeepRiaW #358: Sherlock Holmes (The Asylum)Just like the cereal aisle has Frosted Mini Spooners and Tootie Fruities, so do movies have cheap imitations. A company called Asylum is the Malt-o-Meal of the film industry, pumping out straight-to-dvd knock-offs of big budget films and leaching off the advertising budgets of big studios.
Sherlock Holmes is one such copy, of the Robert Downey Jr action-movie version of 2010. But unlike Rice Crispness, this movie does have an original story, one that nobody has ever attempted before because… it’s stupid. Sherlock Holmes, played punchably by Ben Syder, has to fight a dragon, kracken, and t-rex (albe...
2016-09-141h 06
Read it and WeepRiaW #319: Smallville ReviewIn the early 2000s, the WB finally answered the question, “What would Superman be like as an annoying teenager?” They gave us Smallville, the overwrought but not entirely un-fun comic book soap opera starring Tom Welling and a variety of colorful rocks.
Little baby Superman goes through such troubling events as football tryouts, asking girls out, getting a motorcycle, and talking ACTUALLY SANTA CLAUSE out of suicide. All this makes Tanya very angry, while Ezra only liked it when it was silly. But at least we get both opinions on this Superhost episode.
Thanks to Mery...
2015-12-021h 11
Read it and WeepRiaW #312: #TheRocktober: Race to Witch MountainWhen The Rock, a Las Vegas cab driver, picks up two adorable blond alien children THE RACE IS ON. Where? To Witch Mountain. The one with no witches? That one.
The Rock is at his best when he’s got a heart of gold and something to punch and the combination of Men In Black (but not nice ones) and aliens (murdery ones) gives him that exact opportunity. They race, he wins, it’s all good in the hood.
We’re joined by Xua who’s got a new record out, synthesizers + field recordings from his trip...
2015-10-161h 09
Read it and WeepRiaW #311: #TheRocktober: San Andreas (2015) ReviewThe biggest disaster that could ever befall Hollywood is The Rock leaving. The 2nd biggest would be an earthquake that killed everybody.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson stars in a by-the-book disaster movie. California experiences a huge earthquake, a nerdy scientist predicts it but not in time, and The Rock has to save his family. Sure, he lets tons of people die in the mean time, but he’s really into his family.
It’s not great, and it’s certainly not The Rock’s most The Rocking movie, but it’s got plenty of fun stuff and the...
2015-10-071h 00
Read it and WeepRiaW #290: Mamma Mia!Happy mom month, everybody. To celebrate, we’re letting our favorite moms (our own) pick some of their favorite topics. This week, Alex’s mom selected the thoroughly appropriate Mamma Mia! movie starring Meryl Streep and a bunch of hot guys who can’t sing. Good news, Mamma Falcone, at least one of us liked it!
The rest of us had a hard time with a jukebox musical, Abba, cheesy cheesiness, and Pierce Brosnan’s singing. Mostly that last one. His voice is as ugly as his eyes are beautiful.
2015-05-071h 06
Read it and WeepRiaW #217: Catching Fire (Hunger Games p2)After the success of The Hunger Games, author Suzanne Collins knew exactly what to do. Put out the exact same book with a slightly different prologue. And that idea caught fire.
Katniss Everdeen is a formerly bad ass woman from District 12, the lazily numbered region of Panam, the lazily named country controlled by The Capitol, the lazily named capitol. She’s a former winner of The Hunger Games, a TV game show where kids fight to the death against their will. Surprise! Like all reality shows, there’s an All Star’s episode.
Now Kat is thr...
2013-11-2156 min
Read it and WeepRiaW #214: Hocus Pocus ReviewedHappy Halloween, everybody. What is that? Trick or treat? How about a treat, our favorite Halloween-themed Disney movie from the early 90s starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and a talking cat!
Hocus Pocus is the 1993 feature film (promoted from straight-to-Disney-channel at the last minute) that defined Halloween for many of our childhoods. It’s basically a witchy take on the Three Stooges and no effort whatsover is taken to have a logical plot.
The witches could win at any moment by simply USING YOUR SUPER POWER, IDIOTS! But we’re lucky they didn’t becaus...
2013-10-3149 min
Read it and WeepRiaW #205: The Wedding SpecialAlex just got married, for his bachelor party we made him watch 3 terrible wedding movies. We’re great friends!
Brider Wars is about two supposed friends who care more about their childhood wedding fantasies than eachother. My Best Friend’s Wedding is about a woman trying to ruin the wedding of her supposed friend because she wants to marry him. 27 Dresses is about a woman who… actually I have no idea what that movie was about. It was far too stupid to pay attention. Suffice it to say, romantic comedies don’t have a high view of weddings...
2013-08-291h 05
Read it and WeepRiaW #180: Deadliest Catch ReviewedSomewhere on the world’s most violent and dangerous ocean, brave men fight for their lives while pulling a bounty of red gold out of the icy cold water. They’re crab fisherman and holy hell are they cool.
In our third Guilty Pleasure episode, Alex exposes us to one of his favorite shows, Deadliest Catch. It’s the finest example of the genre “Reality TV about people working hard that you can watch while you’re sitting at home wearing slippers.” Alex loves it, and everybody else… thinks it’s fine.
Alex takes the roll of Clairezr...
2013-02-2055 min
Read it and WeepRiaW #89: Betsy Bird and the Search for the Lost AlexSomething very strange is going on in Read it and Weep land. When Alex goes missing, Ezra, Chris, and Stephen have to call in celebrity blogger/ children’s librarian Betsy Bird to try and find him. The most likely answer is that he’s lost somewhere inside one of the most overrated kids’ books of all time, so that’s where this journey takes our heroes.
The Giving Tree, Love You Forever, and The Rainbow Fish are all terrible, but which book is Alex stuck in? Will our intrepid trekkers save him in time? How do you say Rainbow...
2011-04-1340 min
Read it and WeepRiaW #58: The Overton Window Reviewed – Part 2Another week, another reason to throw Glenn Beck out of an Overton Window. It’s not possible for a thriller to be less thrilling or writing to be less well written. We take the middle third of the book down with Hate-o Polo, More Things Glenn Beck Doesn’t Understand, and a game called “When God Closes A Door He Opens An Overton Window.” Other episode highlights include:
Space Shark: friend or foe.
Alex wants to get shot in the face with cookie bullets.
Get down to some jail funk.
Really, really, really don’t tease the panther. He’s got s...
2010-09-0244 min