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Life With AlthaarWhat, No New Episode? Another Word from Ian & BeritOnce again, there is a delay in the release of the next episode of Life With Althaar.
Sorry about that, listeners.
Ian & Berit have some words on the subject here, with the help of some unexpected visitors to the Gemini CollisionWorks Radiophonic Workshop.
Episode 34 will be out and in your ears as soon as we can finish it to our standards.
Thank you for understanding, and as always, for your attention; it is a pleasure working for you,
Ian W. Hill & Beri...2021-10-2206 minLife With AlthaarEpisode 33: Two Plants and a BoosterIn which John B finds himself in apparent danger, and for once, it's actually unexpected. Dinorbiax and Fracottiverx, the strange-talking Fugulnari enforcers, have dragged him into an interrogation room to discuss some of his recent behavior, which, despite John's actions as a double-agent for the Resistance, are mostly explainable. Mostly. Meanwhile, life goes on at The Fairgrounds, as thought is given by Dee and Xtopps to future plans for after the conflict is over (one way or another), Stella and H.F. consider a rescue mission, Frall and Torianna discuss garbage and less-appealing things, and Frondrinax, in an attempt to...2021-10-082h 50
The Audio Verse Awards Nominee Showcase Podcast2021 Showcase: Life With AlthaarIANHi folks, this is Ian W. Hill, the co-creator and sound designer of the science-fiction sitcom for your ears, LIFE WITH ALTHAAR, currently in the middle of its third and final season, and I’m here with co-creator and showrunner, Berit Johnson—BERITHello!IANWe also both write, act, and do almost all the other jobs on the show—BERITAlong with the other 23 members of the Gemini CollisionWorks theater company.IANAnd we’re coming to you, as always, from the Gemini CollisionWorks Radiopho...2021-09-272h 01Life With AlthaarMidseason Check-In with Ian & Berit - No New Episode This WeekIn which Ian & Berit, the co-creators of LIFE WITH ALTHAAR announce the postponement of episode 33, and make a polite request for donations (and tell you how to do that).
So, as announced in the audio here, for those who didn't find out on social media last week, episode 33 of Life With Althaar - "Two Plants and a Booster" - will be uploaded on October 8, 2021.
And also, we would very much appreciate donations to the company, if it is possible for you, as also discussed in the audio.
Her...2021-09-2408 minLife With AlthaarEpisode 32: Luck of the DrewIn which we meet Drew, who is full of hate. Drew hates the Fugulnari, with very good reason. Drew hates John B, for what appears to be good reason. Drew is full of hate because he has had his love taken away from him, and is now on a journey of revenge and discovery across the Fairgrounds that might be far more dangerous to his allies than to their common enemy.
EPISODE THIRTY-TWO
“Luck of the Drew“
written by Linus Gelber
featuring
Eli Ganias as Hardyfox "H.F." Fornes, Glottulix, Ward
Derrick Peterson as Xtopps, HECNET Customer Service, Soothing PSA Narrator...2021-09-102h 23Life With AlthaarEpisode 31: The Xybidont with the Golden CarapaceIn which, for the good of his friends, Xtopps decides he has to kick his peanut butter habit, and we experience the horrors of a Xybidont in withdrawal from the cursed legume. Meanwhile, Vert accidentally stumbles upon the Resistance's secret domain, and must choose between joining them, or probably being blown out an airlock, if you call that a choice.
EPISODE THIRTY-ONE
"The Xybidont with the Golden Carapace"
written by Philip Cruise and Christopher Lee
featuring
Chris Lee as Chip Frinkel
Derrick Peterson as Xtopps
Amanda LaPergola as Mrs. Frondrinax, Vert, Passageways Spokesperson
Zuri Washington as Delilah "Dee" Mall...2021-08-272h 01Life With AlthaarEpisode 30: The Union ForeverIn which the various groups and people of the Fairgrounds opposed to the authoritarian rule of the Fugulnari over the Humans seek out alliances with other species to aid their cause. For Torianna, this means a most-unanticipated meeting with the Dilurians. For John, it means a history lesson on Robot/Human Labor Relations. For Xtopps, it means a slight return to his aristocratic roots. And for Althaar, it means a surprise visit from some Gendarans.
EPISODE THIRTY
"The Union Forever"
written by John Amir and Lex Friedman
featuring
John Amir as John B, Awkward Fugulnari Teenage Intern, Factotum
Beri...2021-08-132h 32Life With AlthaarEpisode 29: And That's the Way It IsIn which the documentary on the Fugulnari occupation of the Fairgrounds is broadcast, and all of the residents who hoped it would show the truth of what is happening there are indeed amazed at what can be done in post. Meanwhile, with most of the station distracted by the documentary, the Resistance attempts to take advantage of a temporary glitch in security to install monitoring devices in the brig, allowing them more direct access to the political prisoner, Dee.
EPISODE TWENTY-NINE
"And That's the Way It Is"
written by Linus Gelber
featuring
Zuri Washington as Delilah "Dee" Mal...2021-07-301h 59Life With AlthaarEpisode 28: False Faces, True ColorsIn which tension, apprehension, and dissension have, if not begun, continued apace. As Frondrinax attempts to secretly guide an official fact-finding mission around the Fairgrounds, doing all she can to avoid showing the Fugulnari oppression of Humans, the Resistance and Commander Torianna do all they can to subvert her efforts, being aided in this by the sudden arrival of a delegation of surprisingly-disturbing aliens. Meanwhile, Althaar receives advice on his concerns about John B from a noted, if exceptionally drunk, actor.
EPISODE TWENTY-EIGHT
"False Faces, True Colors"
written by Amanda LaPergola
featuring
Amanda LaPergola as Mrs. Frondrinax, Ver...2021-07-161h 56Life With AlthaarEpisode 27: Life Under the Spreading GreenIn which we return after six months to a Fairgrounds both very different, and somehow much the same. Life under the Fugulnari Occupation has become a nightmare of new restrictions and bureaucracy, but somehow the Human Exchange Concourse remains running in the same dilapidated way it always has. As Torianna, Frall, and Althaar attempt to thwart the Fugulnari through diplomatic means, Stella Reyes's Resistance fights them on the ground. And John B, caught in the middle as a secret double-agent, must seek out information to help the Resistance while being publicly hated as a Fugulnari collaborator. And how is...2021-07-023h 03Life With AlthaarEpisode 26: And You Turn Yourself AroundIn which the kettle boils over. As the Fugulnari's repressive "suggestions" are given the force of law by the occupied League of Humans, making life on the Fairgrounds even more unpleasant than before, the Human residents and their allies try to find ways around, under, over, or through the edicts, believing still that the occupation may just fail on its own. But it becomes clear the Fugulnari are not stopping. And then the violence comes. And everyone on the Human Exchange Concourse -- John, H.F., Stella, the command staff on the Bridge, the denizens of The Electric Egg...2021-01-012h 24Life With AlthaarEpisode 25: A Special Very Merry Fairgrounds Miracle Wish for the Holidays: A Christmas FableIn which Christmas comes again to the Fairgrounds in the form of dueling parties from two of the station's least-likely proponents of the holiday, Mrs. Frondrinax the Fugulnari and Althaar the Iltorian. While everyone wishes, or at least would prefer, to got to the lovable Althaar's party, most of the crew is mandatorily required to attend Frondrinax's - one of the benefits to being part of a fascist take over of the station. However Althaar and Chip Frinkel have a plan to steal Christmas back, or at least, destroy the Fugulnari's Christmas plans. Meanwhile, new Ensign Candy Cameron lives...2020-12-182h 24Life With AlthaarEpisode 24: Benefits of a Classical EducationIn which the Fugulnari "advisors" impose strict restrictions on movement for all Humans on The Fairgrounds. Very literally. To increase efficiency and decrease unnecessary movement, all Humans must wear pedometers and walk no more than 4,000 steps per day. However, between shortening the length of the "day" to not quite four hours, and also increasing the amount of alcohol that must be in the drinks at The Electric Egg, their efficiency campaign proves hideously misguided. Meanwhile, after a group of Fugulnari bullies dognap Miss Sophie, H.F. and John B attempt what should be a classic daring vent-crawl rescue, as long...2020-12-042h 16Life With AlthaarEpisode 23: Trade Test TransmissionsIn which the citizens of the Fairgrounds try to figure out the rules and limits of living under the new "suggestions" from the Fugulnari Advisory Committee. While Fugulnari agent Mrs. Frondrinax has her own problems in a new assignment creating a trade deal with the Bee People, Commander Torianna finds herself in a now mostly formal position, John B and Stella rarely get to see each other because of interference in their work schedules by the new management, drunk and arrogant Fugulnari cause problems at The Electric Egg, and H.F. searches desperately to find a safe place where Miss...2020-11-201h 54Life With AlthaarEpisode 22: The Secret Life of PlantsIn which the Day of the Fugulnari Ascension arrives.
EPISODE TWENTY-TWO
"The Secret Life of Plants"
written by Ian W. Hill and Berit Johnson
featuring
John Amir as John B, Hydroponics Recruiter
Berit Johnson as Althaar, Sopon, Alien Barfly, Sharon, Cpl. Ness
Eli Ganias as Hardyfox "H.F." Fornes, Fugulnari 3, Mackalocka
Amanda La Pergola as Mrs. Frondrinax, Vert
Alyssa Simon as Lieutenant-Commander Frallen-Br'ar, PSA Announcer
Zuri Washington as Delilah "Dee" Mallory, Tess
Ivanna Cullinan as Commander Mindy Torianna
Chris Lee as Chip Frinkel
Derrick Peterson as Xtopps
with
David Arthur Bachrach: Fugulnari 1, Angry Bronsonian
Lex Friedman: Bubbles, Fugulnari 2, Drunk Fugulnari
Ian W. Hill: An...2020-11-062h 45Life With AlthaarEpisode 21: They're Coming to Get You, AlthaarIn which John tries to share the Halloween tradition of watching scary movies with Althaar, and only succeeds in truly terrifying his friend with the mere idea that Humans could rise from the grave, as zombies are a completely and literally alien idea to all non-Human species. Meanwhile, controversial broadcaster Beaux Several arrives on the Fairgrounds after damaging several other civilizations by "just asking questions," and promptly charms and angers the locals in roughly equal amounts, while causing more trouble by promoting the Mrs. Frondrinax-created rumor that Humans actually can control the dead. And the other species on the Fairgrounds...2020-10-232h 12Life With AlthaarEpisode 20: Dial 'O' for BigelowIn which A Murder Is Announced. A homicide in a cheap lodging turns out to have important and personal ramifications for Commander Torianna, who takes on the investigation personally. Meanwhile, Althaar, having binge-watched hours of 20th-Century Earth mystery TV shows, on discovering that Mrs. Frondrinax is implicated in the crime, decides to do his own sleuthing, dragging the hapless John B along on what may or may not be a wild goose chase. At the same time, a redecoration of The Electric Egg makes everyone uncomfortable for undefinable reasons, Sherlock HolmesBot is disabled, evidence is stolen by a dog, and...2020-10-091h 58Life With AlthaarEpisode 19: Eight Ways of Looking at a Bar FightIn which Chip returns to The Electric Egg after a quick errand to find an immense booze fight in progress among just about everyone we know on The Fairgrounds. In attempting to sort out how the fight began, we are presented with eight flashbacks from amongst the crew, none of which actually in themselves do much to illuminate how the fight happened, but all of them revealing much about each character and how they see everyone else on The Fairgrounds and how they believe they are see and treated by all the others.
EPISODE NINETEEN
"Eight Ways of Lo...2020-09-251h 13
The Audio Verse Awards Nominee Showcase Podcast2020 Showcase: Life with AlthaarHi folks, this is Ian W. Hill, the co-creator and sound designer of the science-fiction sitcom for your ears, Life With Althaar, and I’m here with co-creator and showrunner, Berit Johnson — Hello! — We also both write, act, and do almost all the other jobs on the show
— Along with the other 22 members of the Gemini CollisionWorks theater company
— And we’re coming to you, as always, from the Gemini CollisionWorks Radiophonic Workshop deep below South Brooklyn, an audio wonderland where anything can happen — Duckling stamp...2020-09-191h 23Life With AlthaarEpisode 18: Space Hat with AirIn which John B, on yet another boring and routine EVA mission to fix a very small wire on the outside of The Fairgrounds, is sent hurling away from the space station by a chance explosion. As John and the bridge crew attempt in vain to find a way to bring him back (that won't kill him), all of his other friends on The Fairgrounds show up on the bridge to say hello (for no logical reason), and John suspects that, despite their assurances, it's really to say a very final goodbye. And for some reason or reasons, neither Frall...2020-09-111h 20Life With AlthaarEpisode 17: The Sweet Smell of the FairgroundsIn which the "Steves" from an annoying but highly motivated and skilled capitalist species, the Dilurians, come to The Fairgrounds, renting a downshifted and unused level, from which they proceed to wreak havoc across the entire space station. As their new business, Cadabra, expands rapidly from selling personalized smells, they begin, in less than a day, to gentrify across the station, wiping out all the beloved homegrown businesses and replacing them with more-convenient apps providing far worse service. On top of it, Commander Torianna discovers she will have to avert an actual massacre as the Dilurians attempt to expand into...2020-08-282h 15Life With AlthaarEpisode 16: Big Numbers and Little ScienceIn which Drop Time comes again to The Fairgrounds, though several newcomers to the station have no idea what this period -- when the station drops a certain amount of days from the calendar to get in line with Earth's -- means for them. For John B, it means his birthday is getting skipped, for Dee, it means a cruel prank regarding a non-binding contract, for the energy being Lt. Frall, it means trying to drink coffee and pouring it on the floor, and for most of the crew, it means a time to slack off and ignore all rules...2020-08-141h 50Life With AlthaarEpisode 15: A Simple Game of SuperNovaIn which The Syndicate comes to The Fairgrounds to make Chip Frinkel an offer he can't refuse concerning his bar, The Electric Egg: a seemingly innocent offer of a pool table. However, more turns out to be riding on the table, and a game of SuperNova on it, than first appears. Meanwhile, Althaar becomes addicted to binge-watching 21st-Century television shows.
EPISODE FIFTEEN
"A Simple Game of SuperNova"
written by Chris Lee
featuring
Berit Johnson as Althaar, Sopon, Cpl. Ness, Commerical Bro 2, Alien Barfly
Zuri Washington as Delilah "Dee" Mallory, Commercial Sexy Robot
Derrick Peterson as Xtopps, Commercial Bro
Chris Lee as C...2020-07-311h 58Life With AlthaarEpisode 14: The Other ShoeIn which we return to The Fairgrounds after six months to find the crew apparently happier and in considerably less danger, with no life-threatening incidents having happened for many weeks, which of course means that no one is comfortable, everyone is bored or suspicious, and, given the normally disaster-prone station, all the residents are just waiting for the other shoe to drop. And during one work cycle, a number of crew members, worried about this strange lack of turmoil, individually take extra precautions against anything going wrong, resulting, of course, in an unexpected domino effect to an unpleasant conclusion.
EPISODE FO...2020-07-171h 37Life With AlthaarAlthaar's Very-Special First-Season Musical EP!ALTHAAR'S VERY-SPECIAL FIRST-SEASON MUSICAL EP!
music, lyrics, and dialogue by Ian W. Hill and Berit Johnson
for Gemini CollisionWorks
except "Credit Music," composed by Anna Stefanic
and "Surfin' Bee," original music by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
all arrangements by Berit Johnson
produced, mixed, and engineered by Ian W. Hill
1. Althaar Welcomes You!
2. "Life With Althaar opening credit music (instrumental)"
3. Althaar on Dee and Xtopps!
4. "Danube Planum"
5. Althaar on Xtopps's Audition!
6. "Surfin' Bee"
7. Alt...2020-07-1032 minLife With AlthaarA Between-Season Word from Gemini CollisionWorksHi folks.
We just wanted to say hello before Season 2 of Life With Althaar begins next week.
And also to be sure you're aware of where to find us online. So here are all the links...
TWITTER:
Life With Althaar Account
Althaar's Personal Account!
FACEBOOK:
Gemini CollisionWorks Page
INSTAGRAM:
Ian/CollisionWorks Account
TUMBLR:
A Secret I'll Tell Nobody Never
PODBEAN PATRON ACCOUNT:
Donate to Life With Althaar here!
FULL SHOW...2020-07-1007 minLife With AlthaarEpisode 13: Mars Flies in a Klein BottleIn which all the main characters are trapped in the disreputable bar The Electric Egg after their Christmas party when the security doors seal as several station-threatening disasters suddenly rampage. Between all of their various skills, and while stuck where they are, they must come up with a solution that will repair the tiny loose wire behind it all, which is on the other side of the station, before the Fairgrounds explodes or the residents are all eaten by the predatory xenomorphs that have emerged from their usual home in the vents. Meanwhile, the bar regulars are getting stir-crazy, and...2019-12-271h 30Life With AlthaarEpisode 12: A Very Althaar ChristmasIn which is essayed A Very Special holiday episode, as Althaar wanders The Fairgrounds attempting to learn the True Meaning of Christmas so he can help his human friend John B, who is homesick for Earth. Along the way he learns about some of the many beliefs (or lack thereof) of the humans, robots, aliens, and energy beings of the station, while John sits in their apartment unsuccessfully trying to avoid Christmas media (except for making an alcohol-heavy holiday dessert).
EPISODE TWELVE
"A Very Althaar Christmas"
written by Berit Johnson
featuring
John Amir as John B
Berit Johnson as Althaa...2019-12-131h 20Life With AlthaarEpisode 11: The Merciless ErrandIn which John B attempts a simple errand: returning the talking (and annoying) 3-headed "Cockathreece" that he was sent instead of the goldfish he wanted from one side of a station level to the other in under an hour. But of course, it's The Fairgrounds, which means a complicated set of detours around a scavenger hunt, broken elevators, threats from cookie-selling ScoutBots, a full-on battle between Sanitation Fusiliers and the deadly Vent Biters, an anti-gravity Twister match, and a rowboat trip to The Old Mill (who puts a lake in a space station?). All while enduring the insults of the...2019-11-291h 06Life With AlthaarEpisode 10: Our Man in the FairgroundsIn which The Inspector calls and throws The Fairgrounds into (even more) chaos, StalinBot covets a jetpack, Althaar disguises himself as a nitrogen-fixing coolant processor, Mrs. Frondrinax amuses herself with gossip (and beats up a trash can), Cole Porter lyrics continue to offend or terminally confuse alien races, energy-being Lieutenant-Commander Frall tries out a new look (Stetson!), and we discover why you really, REALLY don't want to order the special at Sammy's Wiches.
EPISODE TEN
"Our Man in the Fairgrounds"
written by Linus Gelber
featuring
Ivanna Cullinan as Commander Torianna, Check-This-Out Vendor
Zuri Washington as Delilah "Dee" Mallory, Total...2019-11-151h 54Life With AlthaarEpisode 9: Everything Althaar Always Wanted to Know About SexIn which we discover WHO is responsible for the pineapple juice that's filling up The Fairgrounds, WHAT Robots do for "tension relief," WHERE the zero-gravity Twister competition will be held if the pineapple juice can't be removed, WHEN the painfully shy Magnosians are able to mate, and HOW Althaar will learn about the "human sexing!" Answers involve weightless SCUBA diving among said pineapple juice, the exchange of vital internal parts, a lot of incredibly potent alcohol, and a much regretted favor.
EPISODE NINE
"Everything Althaar Always Wanted to Know About Sex
(but Humans Keep Running Away Before He Can Ask)"
wr...2019-11-011h 26Life With AlthaarEpisode 8: Robot's Rules of OrderIn which the Robot Union goes on strike, leaving The Fairgrounds in chaos, with, on top of it, most of the doors and panels saying insulting things about Commander Torianna in various Earth languages. John B, as a bridge between Humans and Robots, is conscripted by both sides to convince the other of the error of their ways. Meanwhile, with the power out and no access to more booze in The Electric Egg, adorable Fugulnari retiree plant-being Mrs. Frondrinax attempts to create a beer-brewing collective.
EPISODE EIGHT
"Robot's Rules of Order"
written by John Amir
featuring
Chris Lee as Chip Frin...2019-10-181h 05Life With AlthaarEpisode 7: The Infinity ContagionIn which disaster strikes The Fairgrounds (but doesn't it always?) when a mysterious incapacitating disease strikes every non-Human on the station - including the Robots - leaving a skeleton crew to try and run the HEC and cure the disease before life-support functions totally fail. Will the Humans do it before time runs out? What disgusting things does Human comfort food do to a sick lltorian? Will John B get a date with the amazonian Sanitation Fusilier of his dreams? And why is Andrew McCarthyBot not affected by the disease?
EPISODE SEVEN
"The Infinity Contagion"
written by Amanda La Pergola
fea...2019-10-041h 12Life With AlthaarEpisode 6: Blood Is Thicker Than VacuumIn which family problems come to The Fairgrounds, as Xtopps turns out to have a surprising background, and duties he is expected to take on, peanut butter junkie or not, and John's estranged sister Susan is part of the diplomatic corps sent to handle the tricky Xbidont/League of Humans situation that is developing. Meanwhile, 3-D cribbage is played, Dee, with her backing band distracted, has to sing public domain karaoke, and MC Magnetopause takes over the egg with the old sounds of the 24th Century's hottest music craze, Dubwaltz.
EPISODE SIX
"Blood Is Thicker Than Vacuum"
written by Berit Jo...2019-09-201h 20Life With AlthaarEpisode 5: The Luck NavigatorsIn which an unfamiliar ship lands on The Fairgrounds, turning out to contain two "scien-technicians" from the species known as "The Luck Navigators," whose entire technology is based on riding waves of Luck and it's opposite, which they refer to by the technical term "Suck." Unfortunately, the extreme amount of suck on the station has trapped them, and chaos descends as The Fairgrounds is beset by events, large and small, of extreme good and bad fortune, which the Luck Navigators predict will end in a disastrous singularity, the Suckhole. Is John B actually at the center of it all, and...2019-09-061h 01Life With AlthaarEpisode 4: B, RobotIn which a disaster strikes that threatens the entire station, but the robots morally won't fix it because of union rules, and humans legally can't fix it because it will kill them. Unfortunately, it turns out that John B, due to his mysterious past, falls under neither of these categories fully, and is required to perform the repair even though it will kill him. Can he figure out a solution that will keep him alive and get the repair fixed in time? And will Althaar's attempts to relax him through massage and a new Jacuzzi have any effect on his...2019-08-2353 minLife With AlthaarEpisode 3: Such Stuff as DreamsIn which the omnipresent (and possibly omnipotent), multidimensional Lt. Frall chooses to finally take some time off, but sends a future version of themself back in time to take their place and be present again when The Fairgrounds' senior staff is visited by The Fidorians, a friendly, dog-like species that turns out to have a surprisingly dark side, as the demand the return of an unknown item known to be on the station. Perhaps Sherlock HolmesBot and his associate Veronica Gardens can help find the mysterious mcguffin. Meanwhile, The Electric Egg runs afoul of the all-powerful Musicians Union, and must...2019-08-091h 42Life With AlthaarEpisode 2: Asymmetry in Band Structure TheoryIn which Dee's backup band at The Electric Egg leaves The Fairgrounds, and Dee learns to her horror why you should always sign a contract based on local time. Althaar attempts to get closer to his new roommate John B through meditation, with disastrous results. And a new Xbidont musician, a 12-armed virtuoso on 5 instruments at once, arrives on station, and may be the answer to at least one of Dee's problems, if only he weren't, like so many of his species, a peanut butter junkie.
EPISODE TWO
"Asymmetry in Band Structure Theory"
written by Philip Cruise
featuring
Ivanna Cullinan as C...2019-07-261h 03Life With AlthaarEpisode 1: Welcome to The FairgroundsIn which John B. arrives at The Fairgrounds, a space station in the Teegarden's System commonly known as the unluckiest place in Human space, and finds himself living with Althaar, the nicest being you'd ever want to meet, from a species whose very presence in any way causes Humans to react instinctively with fear, panic, and nausea. As John goes about his new day and job on the Fairgrounds, he meets many of the other beings who have wound up there, and discovers that even the simplest day-to-day existence on the station is basically a death-defying act.
EPISODE ONE
"Welcome to...2019-07-1256 min
No, YOU Tell It!Episode 30 – NotedFirst up from our “Noted” show is a story about accepting your accomplishments and honoring your failures. Of gratitude in the face of disappointment. Of learning to take the note as they say in the theatre – when to wear the mask and when to let it fall away. Here is Jim Cairl performing Stephanie Willing’s “Anybodies Came From a Small How Town.”
“Noted” Artwork by Allison Gazdik – read about her inspiration below.
In this story of freshman year of college, newfound freedom, and the history of the Roman Empire, our narrator learns the importance of pr...2016-12-1332 min