Shows
The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast71: The Time Traveler’s Wife (2022) Season 1 Apparently?Glenn and Scott complete their coverage of The Time Traveler's Wife with a review of the new HBO series adaptation. They discuss how the characters changed between the book and the screen, how the story fares in a visual format, how the series relates to Moffat Discourse (TM), the performances of the actors, the technological aspects of the historical setting, the choice to replace half of Episode 6 with a trailer for an as-yet-unannounced Season 2, and how this series made Scott doubt his own judgement.
Content note: One of the storylines from the show that we discuss in...2022-07-071h 09The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast70: The Many Failings of The Time Traveler’s Wife (2009)In anticipation of the new Time Traveler's Wife series on HBO, Glenn & Scott take a look at the 2009 movie adaptation. They discuss the tightrope walked by the novel's main love story and how the movie fails to maintain that balance, how the main characters feel different in the movie versus the book, how the secondary characters mostly disappear, and how everybody has their idiosyncrasies filed off.
(This episode contains SPOILERS for the entire novel and the 2009 movie, so for anyone experiencing the story for the first time via the new show, listener beware.)
You can...2022-06-0239 minThe Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast69: National Film Score Day 2022: Our Favorite Scores of 2021Glenn & Scott once again celebrate National Film Score Day by talking exclusively about scores they actually like. This year's recommendations include a Finnish nature documentary, a French score that's seven minutes long, and of course the new Giacchino Spider-Man, which was surprisingly *not* Scott's favorite MCU score of the year. Along the way they also discuss cassingles, ASMR, the virtues of brevity, and this weird circumstance where the MCU has good scores now.
You can support the show on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/nontoxicfanboys. On this month's patron-exclusive show, Glenn & Scott try to figure out...2022-04-0337 minThe Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast68: Seventh Annual Oscar Preview: Best Original Score 2021It is Oscar season, and despite the Academy banning the category from the telecast the Best Original Score award still exists, and Glenn & Scott are here to cover the nominees. After already examining Hans Zimmer's Dune score in the previous episode, now they review Encanto by Germaine Franco, The Power of the Dog by Jonny Greenwood, Don't Look Up by Nicholas Britell, and Parallel Mothers by Alberto Iglesias. Along the way they discuss how each score is helped or limited by its film, how french horns represent toxic masculinity, whether the Academy should rethink how it awards scores all...2022-03-211h 11The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast67: Dune Scores, Part 2Glenn & Scott close out DuneWatch by reviewing the final two adaptation scores, Dune (1984) by Toto and Dune (2021) by Hans Zimmer. They discuss the drastically different takes on the source material offered by the two scores and which, if either, feels appropriate. Scott shocks the world by actually enjoying a Zimmer score, and Glenn shocks no one by inferring story resonances that may actually be too abstract to express in music. Glenn struggles with how to describe the orchestration of a score made without an orchestra, while Scott struggles with his limited attention. Finally, they compare all four Dune scores...2022-02-0848 minThe Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast66: Dune Scores, Part 1In honor of Dune (2020) finally opening in 2021, DuneWatch 2021 rolls on into 2022 with a transition to DuneListen, where Glenn & Scott review the scores from the Dune adaptations they’ve been watching lately. First up are the two miniseries scores, Frank Herbert’s Dune by Graeme Revell, and Frank Herbert’s Children of Dune by Brian Tyler. They cover the major themes of each score, discuss how the music relates to the setting and character drama in each series, and take a whirlwind tour of Brian Tyler's greatest hit. Plus, stay tuned at the end for a special guest review!
You...2022-01-141h 00The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast65: The Golden Path - Children of Dune (2003)DuneWatch continues as Glenn & Scott review the 2003 miniseries Frank Herbert’s Children of Dune, adapting the novels Dune Messiah and, well, Children of Dune. How well does this miniseries translate the story of the books to a television audience? What changes worked, and which didn’t? Is enjoyment of an adaptation helped or hindered by how well you remember the source material? What is the legal status of gholas? Who was this miniseries’ Celebrity Stunt Casting Who Was Featured In All Of The Ads? And is it even possible to explain the world of Dune without the benefit of three...2022-01-071h 12The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast64: So Far, So Good? - Dune (2020) (2021)DuneWatch continues as Glenn & Scott review the newest Dune movie. They discuss what aspects of the story this movie emphasizes and what it leaves out all together, what it handles better than any previous adaptation and what it handles arguably even worse than the 1984 film. They evaluate the performances, the characterization, the production design, the color grading, and the relative importance of Duncan Idaho. Glenn has an estimate of when it might be safe to go back to movie theaters, while Scott has an update about his craw. Then they close the show by musing on the difficulties of...2021-12-061h 01The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast63: The Saga of Dune (2000)DuneWatch continues as Glenn & Scott review the 2000 Sci-Fi Channel miniseries Frank Herbert's Dune. How does this series compare to the 1984 movie, how does it compare to the 1965 novel, and which one does it draw more inspiration from? They discuss how the miniseries handles the prophecy storyline, explore changes it made to the book story and whether or not they work, evaluate the acting performances, and Scott names two random products that were for sale in 2000. Glenn compares the Baron Harkonnen to Professor X, and has far too much interest in his intimate apparel. But remember, the saga of DuneWatch...2021-11-0741 minThe Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast62: Dune (1984) Is A Terrible, Terrible MovieGlenn & Scott prepare for the upcoming release of the new Dune movie by reviewing the first Dune movie. They evaluate it as a movie and as a Dune adaptation, and find it severely lacking on both counts. Along the way they discuss the various versions of the movie, what story elements survived the adaptation process and what story elements did not, the pitfalls that many book adaptations fall into, the use and appropriate placement of camp, the sexual politics of the Baron Harkonnen, and whether or not the writers of Dune (1984) understood the point of the novel Dune (1965).
2021-10-0756 minThe Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast61: "Raising" the "Stakes" - U.S. MarshalsGlenn & Scott close out their journey through the The Fugitive Cinematic Universe with a look at the 1998 film U.S. Marshals. Tommy Lee Jones is back, and so is special guest Alanna Kelly to help us decide if this movie is as careful and intelligent as its predecessor. Does it copy the previous film, does it grow and evolve from the previous film, or does it merely try to one-up the previous film? And does it succeed at whichever of those it attempts? Along the way they also discuss Samuel Gerard’s manliness and it’s relative toxicity, the… myster...2021-08-0852 minThe Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast60: The Fugitive (1993) - Much Better Decisions!In a tradition going back to Episode 4 of this podcast, friend of the show Alanna Kelly has demanded a follow-up to our last episode. So after our review of the 2020 Quibi series The Fugitive, Glenn, Scott, and Alanna gather to review the 1993 Harrison Ford movie The Fugitive. They cover the film’s plot structure, the mystery at the heart of the film, its four major action sequences, and Glenn & Scott spend perhaps too much time disparaging the series some more. Scott compliments how awful the final fight in the film is, Glenn shares a charming story from his innocent yo...2021-07-221h 19The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast59: Extremely Poor Decisions - A Review of The Fugitive (2020) and of Quibi (Sort Of)The 2020 streaming series The Fugitive, and the Quibi streaming service it was produced for, are both stories of people making the worst possible decisions at every turn. Series protagonist Not Richard Kimble tries to prove his innocence by going on a violent crime spree, while Quibi founders Jeffery Katzenberg and Meg Whitman launched a streaming television service that people couldn't watch on their televisions.
Now that Quibi content is resurfacing on Roku, Glenn & Scott follow up on their previous discussion of the 2020 The Fugitive series in Episode 55 of the podcast by actually watching the show. They seek...2021-07-0843 minThe Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast58: The Confused Messaging of The Falcon and the Winter SoldierIs Karli Morgenthau a young idealist forced into a desperate situation by the heartless decisions of detached multinational elites? Or is she the chief architect of an escalating campaign of terror who disturbs even her staunchest allies with her thirst for mass murder? Is John Walker an unhinged menace with an inferiority complex the size of Steve Rogers's pecs, whose violent outbursts lead to the escape of his enemy, the death of his best friend, and literal blood on his hands? Or is he an exemplary soldier who only wants to do the right thing and one little mistake...2021-06-081h 28The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast57: The Horrors of WandaVisionNow that they’re not on a podcast feed full of people with actual knowledge of comic books, Glenn & Scott branch out to examine the Disney Marvel MCU miniseries WandaVison. They examine issues like grief and selfishness, when metatext becomes too textual, and the pressure exerted by audience expectations and the ways creators respond to it. They do their best to determine who exactly the villain of this show is (is anybody on this show NOT the villain?), plus they review the show's score, because there haven’t been enough score reviews on this podcast lately.
You can...2021-05-1545 minThe Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast56: Sixth Annual Oscar Preview: Best Original Score 2020It's that time of year again, and Glenn & Scott are here to review the five Oscar-nominated scores: Da 5 Bloods by Terence Blanchard, Mank by Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross, Minari by Emile Mosseri, News of the World by James Newton Howard, and Soul by Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, and Jon Batiste. Listen as Scott decides which of these scores counts as music, marvel as Glenn tries to define jazz, be amazed when Scott actually has positive things to say about Oscar nominees! Plus, find out who they pick to win the award: Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, or Trent Reznor...2021-04-191h 06The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast55: National Film Score Day 2021: Our Favorite Scores of 2020As is rapidly becoming tradition, Glenn & Scott celebrate National Film Score Day by reviewing scores they actually like. After a surprisingly long discussion of endorsement opportunities for the Quibi reboot of The Fugitive, they present their favorite scores of 2020. Glenn reviews a score written by the film’s director, Scott reviews a composer he discovered (within certain very specific contexts), and of course we can’t do a score show without talking about the Great Satan Zimmer.
You can support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/nontoxicfanboys.
The theme music used in this podcast is D...2021-04-0357 minThe Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast54: The Podcast is RebornWhen in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the bands which have connected them with another, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. So in this first episode under the Non-Toxic Fanboys banner, Glenn & Scott talk about why the show is under a new banner, why they've decided to strike out on their own, what exactly the show’s gender is, and what their plans are for the next 8 years of the show.
You can support th...2021-01-2518 minThe Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast53: National Film Score Day 2020In their latest episode, Glenn and Scott try to wash the taste of another disappointing slate of Oscar scores out of their mouths. In honor of National Film Score Day, they review ten scores they’ve never covered on the show before, selected for no reason other than that they’re good. These aren’t legendary scores or universally-acknowledged classics - one of the selection criteria was “Scott can’t just pick Superman” - but they make the case for why these ten scores deserve a listen from any film score fan, or anyone interested in becoming one. Come for the 1950...2020-04-031h 54The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast52: Fifth Annual Oscar Preview: Best Original Score 2019In this year's Oscar preview Glenn & Scott cover the distinctly different moods expressed in the scores for Joker, Marriage Story, 1917, Little Women, and The Rise of Skywalker — a Star Wars score by John Williams, something never before discussed on this podcast. In part 2 they discuss the one 2019 score Scott actually liked, some highlights Glenn found noteworthy, and the best single track from any score in the last five years. Glenn feels the joy of eucatastrophe, while Scott searches desperately for melodies.
You can support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/nontoxicfanboys.
Musical Selections:
“Defe...2020-02-031h 37The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast51: Star Wars Scores: The Final ChapterStar Wars Month (observed) comes to an end as Glenn and Scott finish their examination of the franchise’s scores. First, they review the new score for The Rise of Skywalker, examining the use of new themes and old, as John Williams takes his final bow as a Star Wars composer for the third time. After the ad break, discussion turns to the franchise as a whole, as Glenn & Scott rank all 11 scores and cover topics like the best end title suite and the three best tracks from each score. Glenn discusses other composers who should be candidates to sc...2020-01-052h 10The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast50: The Skywalker Is RisenThe Star Wars sequel trilogy has come to an end with The Rise of Skywalker, and we are ON IT. Podcast diad Glenn & Scott welcome Alanna Kelly back to the show to cover all aspects of the new film, starting with a non-spoiler review to open the show. After that, they discuss how this movie treats its many characters, which storylines worked and which ones didn’t, and whether or not this is a satisfying conclusion to The Skywalker Saga. Don’t miss Alanna’s reaction to certain character developments, Glenn’s desperate search for hope, and Scott’s favorite p...2019-12-292h 02The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast49: Star Wars Scores: And the RestIn the latest installment of Star Wars Month on The Glenn Butler Podcast Spectacular, Glenn & Scott take a whirlwind tour of the musical landscape of the Star Wars franchise outside of the first two trilogies, starting with the Disney era as John Williams returns for the sequel trilogy and other composers start to make their mark on the film franchise. Then they move on to other media from the breadth and depth of the Star Wars musical legacy, including television projects from the Caravan of Courage to Rebels, and even the original score to a book. How much do...2019-12-152h 01The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast48: Star Wars Scores: The Prequel TrilogyStar Wars Month continues as Glenn & Scott examine the epistemological quagmire that is John Williams’ scores for the Star Wars prequels. How hard was Williams trying to replicate the magic of his older Star Wars scores, and did he succeed? How did the music editing in The Phantom Menace affect his work on Attack of the Clones? Does Williams’ Revenge of the Sith score carry the emotional weight of that story, even when the movie largely fails to do so? What is the backbone of each score? What do the themes stand for? And can Glenn & Scott resist the temp...2019-12-082h 08The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast47: Star Wars Scores: The Original TrilogyGlenn and Scott kick off Star Wars Month on PTBN Pop by examining John Williams’ scores for the original Star Wars trilogy the only way they know how: at great length. They take in three of the most widely beloved and influential scores of the past 40 years, and find more to say about them than they expected. Topics include the semiotics of thematic usage, temp-tracking, which themes lived beyond their introductions and which ones didn’t, and which themes introduced in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi belong in A New Hope. Also, strap in for some...2019-12-013h 16The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast46: Stranger Things 3Glenn and Alanna are back for another season of Stranger Things, as The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular examines all of your favorite characters in an effort to decide who was well served and who wasn’t, who got their look right, rhymes that keep their secrets, and much more!
You can support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/nontoxicfanboys.
Musical Selections:
“Stranger Things” from Stranger Things by Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein
“Land Deeds” from Stranger Things 3 by Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein
“Roundball Rock” by John Tesh
“The NeverEnding Story” – music by Giorgio Moroder...2019-07-161h 17The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast45: Despair on the Eve of a DebateGlenn and Scott attempt to examine the wide array of yahoos contending for the Democratic presidential nomination, but keep getting sidetracked by the garbage fire our political system has become and whether or not capitalism should be thrown onto the pyre. Which candidate serves at the mercy of Twitter teens? Which candidate has a plan for first contact with space aliens? All of the biggest candidates are covered, including Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Randy Steve Bullock, John McAfee, and Vermin Supreme.
Note: This episode was recorded before former Representative Joe Sestak announced, for reasons passing understanding, that...2019-06-252h 18The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast44: Fight the Future — Star Trek: Discovery Season TwoGlenn & Scott are back to discuss Star Trek: Discovery’s second season, including the show’s new old characters, its whirlwind tour of Original Series episodes & concepts, and the priorities of the show’s writers. How did the show shift its focus from the first season, and how do its plot developments impact the bumper crop of spinoff shows on the horizon? Scott has things to say about the finale; Glenn has things to say about character deaths.
Should you want bare-bones thoughts on the show without plot details, the traditional non-spoiler segment of the show ends at the...2019-05-131h 48The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast43: Fourth Annual Oscar Preview – Best Original Score 2018Glenn and Scott are back in the Oscar vault, on time and as expected! They're breaking down the nominees for the Best Original Score Oscar: Black Panther by Ludwig Göransson, If Beale Street Could Talk by Nicholas Britell, BlacKkKlansman by Terence Blanchard, Isle of Dogs by Alexandre Desplat, and Mary Poppins Returns by Marc Shaiman. Best Original Score is one of the categories that's actually being awarded on the broadcast this year, so you know it's a big one. There are major digressions aplenty in this outing, including your dose of Hamilton hot takes!
You can s...2019-02-121h 05The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast42: Negative-15th Annual Oscar Preview – Best Original Score 2000In the midst of Oscar season, Glenn & Scott take a detour to discuss the Best Original Score nominees from the year 2000! On the docket are Gladiator by Hans Zimmer, Malèna by Ennio Morricone, The Patriot by John Williams, Chocolat by Rachel Portman, and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon by Tan Dun. Come for the celebrity guest star, stay for the Butler Brothers’ amazement at a genuinely compelling Zimmer score! This edition also boasts a discussion of when the last couple of decades ended, and ends with Glenn getting the most shocking news of the year.
You can sup...2019-02-041h 23The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast41: Third Annual Oscar Preview – Best Original Score 2017At long last, Glenn & Scott return to the Oscar vault to run down the nominees for best score of 2017! They discuss Phantom Thread by Jonny Greenwood, Dunkirk by Hans Zimmer, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri by Carter Burwell, The Shape of Water by Alexandre Desplat, Star Wars: The Last Jedi by John Williams, and the definition of music. Stay after the break for their thoughts on selected non-nominated scores from 2017 as well.
You can support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/nontoxicfanboys.
Musical Selections:
WWE Hall of Fame Intro Theme
“Barbara Rose” from Phan...2019-01-141h 18The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast40: Tell Me Something GoodGlenn Butler and Steve Wille focus on the positive and tell each other some things that are good. Along the way they touch on the legend of Cat Grandpa, the This Old House Cinematic Universe, other low-stakes TV, and butter cheese cheese. If you have something good you want to tell us about, reach out!
You can support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/nontoxicfanboys.
Musical Selections:
“Louisiana Fairy Tale” by Haven Gillespie, Mitchell Parish, and J. Fred Coots, performed by Fats Waller
“Happy Pizza” from The Great British Bake Off by Tom Howe
“Sp...2018-10-2230 minThe Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast39: Are We Klingon, Or Are We Dancer? — Star Trek: Discovery Season OneGlenn and Scott are back with a somewhat belated discussion of the first season of Star Trek: Discovery. They discuss what worked for them and what didn’t, why the show went too fast and felt too slow, and whether anyone was buried. They each have opinions, and Scott thinks you should ignore one of them.
You can support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/nontoxicfanboys.
Musical Selections:
“I Can’t Dance” from Star Trek: Discovery, “Magic to Make the Sanest Man Go Mad” by Jeff Russo
“Torchbearer” from Star Trek: Discovery, “The Vulcan Hello” by J...2018-07-301h 45The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast38: Duo: A Glenn Butler Podcast Hour SpectacularSolo: A Star Wars Story is the subject of the latest Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular, as we still want that sweet sweet search engine optimization despite not putting the name of the movie in the title. Glenn & Scott convene to break down their expectations for the newest Star War and how they were greatly exceeded, plus Solo‘s characterization, the Han-Chewie dynamic, gratuitous sequel-bait, the qualities of scoundrels, droid liberation theology, and much more. Come for the analysis of where John Powell’s score fits in the Star Wars corpus, stay for the pilot episode of the hit new...2018-06-212h 24The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast37: More Spectacular AdviceSteve Wille joins Glenn & Scott for another dip into the Spectacular Advice email, which you can reach right now at spectacularadvice@gmail.com! This time the three discuss family planning, privacy vs. secrecy, and grilled cheese sandwiches.
You can support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/nontoxicfanboys.
Musical selections:
“Perspectives” from Star Trek: The Next Generation, “A Matter of Perspective” by Ron Jones
“Baba Yetu” from Civilization IV by Christopher Tin, solo piano version performed by Peter Johnston
“I Need You” from The Hunger Games: Catching Fire by James Newton Howard
“Sandwiches Are Beautiful” by Bob...2018-06-1158 minThe Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast36: The Force’s Biggest Secrets Finally RevealedHaving seen The Last Jedi again, Glenn, Scott, and Alanna are retreating to the far-off island known as The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular to discuss the movie some more! Glenn is embarrassed about omissions in the score segment from last time, Scott is upset about Canto Bight, and Alanna is still yelling about Kylo. Other topics discussed include what it means to be Somebody, Objectivism, and…yes, love triangles. Are you a theme lumper or a theme splitter? Is “willingness to be evil” a make-or-break issue in your relationships? All this and more awaits you!
You can su...2018-01-101h 40The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast35: Spectacular AdviceSteve Wille joins Glenn & Scott to answer YOUR questions for the first Spectacular Advice edition of The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular — big or small, we’ll consider them all! Email us at spectacularadvice@gmail.com or go to our Ask.fm page to send your questions today.
In their first foray into advice podcasting, the three have a headier-than-expected discussion of personal growth and shifting perspectives.
You can support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/nontoxicfanboys.
Musical selections:
“Perspectives” from Star Trek: The Next Generation, “A Matter of Perspective” by Ron Jones
“M...2017-12-2633 minThe Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast34: The Last (Spoilers)Star Wars: The Last Jedi has been chased down by the latest episode of The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular, as Alanna Kelly joins Glenn & Scott to dissect the latest addition to the Star Wars saga. A brief spoiler-free discussion on their expectations for and impressions of the film (taking up the first twelve minutes of the show) is followed by a longer discussion of the depth and breadth of The Last Jedi. How does the movie carry everyone’s favorite characters forward? How does it play with preconceived notions of what a trilogy’s middle chapter does? Why does...2017-12-212h 16The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast33: Easy-Peasy - Stranger Things 2Spoilers for the second season of Stranger Things abound when The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular heads back to the Upside Down. Glenn is joined by Alanna Kelly to break down the differences in emphasis between the first and second seasons, how our beloved characters are being developed, and what the new ones bring to the show. Also…is Stranger Things over?
You can support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/nontoxicfanboys.
Musical selections from Stranger Things 2 by Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein:
“Stranger Things”
“Soldiers”
“Rescue”
“The First Lie”
Buy the Stranger Things 2...2017-11-051h 23The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast32: Blood and Screams and Funerals – Star Trek: DiscoveryAs Star Trek: Discovery brings Trek back to your TV screen, so too does it herald the return of The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular to the podcatcher of your choice. Glenn & Scott are back to discuss Discovery‘s two-part pilot, “The Vulcan Hello” and “Battle at the Binary Stars,” and a bevy of related issues. In the spoiler-free opening section, Scott tells a tale of his misbegotten youth…also they talk about the show. After that, SPOILERS abound as they break down Discovery‘s characters, plot, score, design aesthetic, and the surprising status of its eponymous starship.
You can supp...2017-09-281h 25The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast31: Second Annual Oscar Preview – Best Original Score 2016It’s Oscar season on The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular! Glenn & Scott examine the Best Original Score category, noting the mildly pleasant, the bad, and the ugly, before also giving a brief rundown of the Best Original Song category and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s chances of achieving the coveted MacPEGOT. Along the way the Brothers Butler desperately try to remember which year The Full Monty came out and wonder when exactly white people took over jazz, before finishing with an impassioned rundown of 2016 scores they enjoyed more than any of the Academy’s nominees.
You can support the sh...2017-02-201h 19The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast30: Sherlock Series 4Glenn and Alanna are back in the podcast mind palace to examine Sherlock on the occasion of its latest series. The takes flow as they move from appreciation to trepidation to disappointment and despair, stopping along the way to discuss the precise definition of fridging. Alanna identifies some plot holes while Glenn reflects on what this means for the upcoming season of Doctor Who. SPOILERS ABOUND for all of the deep dark secrets revealed.
Also, could it be that there’s a seeeeeeeeecret extra mini-podcast at the end???
You can support the show on Patreon at...2017-01-291h 14The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast29: Rogue OneRogue One: A Star Wars Story has arrived, and The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular is ON IT. Glenn & Scott are joined by Alanna Kelly for a wide-ranging discussion on the value & uses of fanservice, the right & wrong ways to change the tone of a Star Wars movie, and much more. Are the new characters worth caring about? What does it mean for Our Heroes to live under a fascist regime? What can you really build on hope? How does everything from the graphic design of the film to Michael Giacchino’s score contribute to making this feel like a...2016-12-272h 12The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast28: Reflection, Surprise, Terror…for the FutureGlenn & Scott return from a medical hiatus to consider the course of human events. Their conclusion: we are so fucked.
You can support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/nontoxicfanboys.
Musical selections:
"War" by Edwin Starr
"For What It's Worth" by Buffalo Springfield
"Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There is a Season)" by the Byrds
"Get Together" by the Youngbloods
Purchase the music used in this episode:
"War" by Edwin Starr
Buffalo Springfield by Buffalo Springfield
"Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There is a Season)" by the Byrds
The Youngbloods by...2016-12-1649 minThe Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast27: Stranger ThingsStranger Things has made a splash as the newest blockbuster Netflix original series, and The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular is ON IT. Glenn is joined by Alanna Kelly to talk about the pacing concerns of streaming shows, a shared love of damaged people doing their best, Stranger Things‘ various models of parenting, and much more. So tune in on your walkie-talkie, make sure your compass is pointing in the right direction, and check out the latest episode of The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular!
(Mentioned in the show: the Hyperbole and a Half post “Adventures in Depr...2016-09-131h 18The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast26: Life Is But a Dream - The Star Trek MailbagYou sent in your Star Trek questions, and The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular is ON THEM. Glenn & Scott reflect on their Star Trek film vault series with a short list of topics they missed, such as horsies and dreams, followed by questions sent in by listeners, friends of the show, and past guests. The mailbag leads the ol’ Spectacular on a journey through Shakespearean Klingons, the meaning of family, the future of the franchise, and much more. In the jingle-jangle morning, listen to the latest episode of The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular!
You can support th...2016-09-022h 25The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast25: Happy Birthday – Star Trek BeyondStar Trek: Beyond has arrived, and The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular is ON IT. In this reaction show, Glenn & Scott follow their Star Trek vault series with their take on the fiftieth-anniversary film offering, including a spoiler-free section to start. After that they discuss the villain’s motivations, Starfleet’s mission, Kirk’s journey, the nature of family, and much more. The occasion of Rihanna’s contribution brings up the history of Star Trek movies’ engagement with the pop music. Also, of course, the film must deal with the losses of Leonard Nimoy and Anton Yelchin.
The spoile...2016-07-242h 14The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast24: It’s Nice to Have a Family – Star Trek: Into DarknessStar Trek: Into Darkness crashes into the Star Trek film vault as The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular’s archival journey reaches the most recent installment. Glenn & Scott are joined by Alanna Kelly to discuss warmongering, the rule of law, Admiral RoboCop’s A Few Good Men moment, the meaning of role-reversal in terms of the new Trek movies’ engagement with AU fanfic, Sassy Spock, more love triangles, Leonard Nimoy’s final appearance, Scotty’s tenure as the movie’s conscience, Kirk’s merry-go-round of ranks & jobs, Klingons who’re into body modification, and the movie’s issues with race & gender — pa...2016-07-092h 52The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast23: It’s Exciting! – Star Trek (2009) ScoreMichael Giacchino arrives in the pantheon of Star Trek composers as The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular follows up on its discussion of the 2009 movie with a separate discussion just about its score. Glenn & Scott briefly summarize Giacchino’s career heading into Star Trek before breaking down the new themes he brought to bear, the plethora of alternate cues considered for the main title card, how a rare fully-original end credits sequence aids the musical storytelling of a film, what story is told by the return of Alexander Courage’s TOS theme in its entirety, and how Giacchino’s talent...2016-06-2550 minThe Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast22: Captain of the Enterprise – Star Trek (2009)JJ Abrams arrives in the Star Trek film vault as The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular hits the 2009 movie. Glenn & Scott welcome special guest Greg Phillips for an extensive discussion of how Trek was rejuvenated for its eleventh film outing, what was involved in bringing the original series to the big screen in a way it had never been before, the different takes the new cast has on their roles, new designs for familiar objects & environments, how the movie has its cake and eats it too by moving the action to an alternate universe, Fratboy Dudebro Jim Kirk, and...2016-06-253h 23The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast21: On the Orlando ShootingFeeling the need to explore some issues around the mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando this past Sunday, Glenn & Scott convene again on The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular. They discuss the nature of hate crimes, the widespread marginalization and dehumanization of LGBTQIAP+ people, easy access to guns, and the ubiquity of “thoughts and prayers.”
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Musical Selections:
“Fade To…” from Anonymous Rejected Filmscore by John Murphy
“A Warm Place” (string quartet version) written by Trent Reznor, performed by Melissa Dunphy
“Weather Storm” from The...2016-06-1437 minThe Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast20: This Is All a Damned Inconvenience – Star Trek: NemesisA generation comes to its end as Star Trek: Nemesis takes its place in the latest Star Trek film vault edition of The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular. Glenn & Scott are joined by Steven Graham to try to figure out just what Shinzon’s plan is and how it’s supposed to work, what it means to seize the means of production on Romulus, how well the movie explores its ideas about mirroring and nature vs. nurture, action scenes that feel like they’re there to be used in a video game, and how the final voyage of The Next G...2016-06-102h 33The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast19: It Becomes Wrong – Star Trek: InsurrectionStar Trek: Insurrection threatens to cause an insurrection of its own in the newest dive into the Star Trek film vault on The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular. Glenn & Scott are joined by Scott Criscuolo to break down the fountain of youth, how a family feud becomes a parable about imperialism, F. Murray Abraham, what could have been done with Data in this movie that would actually have been interesting, the late stage of Jerry Goldsmith’s career, what insights can be gleaned from Michael Piller’s book about the writing of the film, and how The Next Generation deal...2016-06-012h 32The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast18: Where Was Your Evolved Sensibility – Star Trek: First ContactStar Trek: First Contact tries to add The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular’s distinctiveness to its own, as the Star Trek vintage vault series continues. Glenn & Scott discuss genre drift as First Contact lurches from horror film to action thriller to something more akin to a Star Trek story, and as the Borg lurch from zombies to vampires to insects. They also discuss the meaning of the Borg (and how that changes now that they have a queen), why Captain Picard invites the whole collective to the gun show, the bizarre eroticism of the Borg Queen, the beginning of...2016-05-142h 13The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast17: What’s So Civil About War Anyway?Captain America: Civil War is here, and Glenn & company are ON IT. The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular convenes its panel of Glenn, Scott, and special guest Tim Capel to take sides in this evitable conflict and break down Marvel’s latest marvel, including a spoiler-laden look at the causes and uses of the movie’s central conflict, how Our Heroes are used, the ways that Civil War changes the landscape of the MCU, and the Stan Lee solo movie we all really want to see. Scott gets bogged down in the physics of Ant-Man, while Tim provides the cruc...2016-05-072h 03The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast16: To Live Forever – Star Trek: GenerationsThe generations meet as Star Trek: Generations arrives in The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular’s Star Trek film vault series. Glenn & Scott break down The Next Generation‘s arrival on the big screen, including all the ways and all the times the torch was passed, how Captain Picard is like Tom Bombadil, what it means to have a TV production staff making a movie, aging, regret, the pull of duty, the dual symbolism of the Nexus, James T. Kirk: Existentialist, Data & Picard’s feels, symbolic sacrifices, normality, and what we leave behind. You don’t have to wait until Tu...2016-04-302h 26The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast15: Goy VeyIt’s time for a quick Campaign 2016 update on The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular, as Glenn & Scott welcome Steve Wille back to the podcast to examine how some of the candidates are campaigning among Jews in the lead-up to the New York primary. Candidates are rolling out matzah, quizzing Yeshiva students, listing their favorite figures from the Tanakh, bragging about their grandkids, and much more — and the ol’ Spectacular is ON IT. By the end of the show Scott hardly has any face left to palm. So get a bagel, try to parlay it into some votes, and enjoy...2016-04-1654 minThe Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast14: Don’t Let it End This Way – Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered CountryIt’s the end of an era, as Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country comes under the watchful eye of The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular. Glenn & Scott examine the final voyage of the collected Original Series cast, including its story’s parallels to the end of the Cold War, the celebration of Star Trek‘s 25th anniversary from the perspective of its 50th, the crew’s abruptly increased space-racism, the return of Nicholas Meyer, things and supplies, logic as the beginning of wisdom, and more adventures in budgetary restrictions. There’s also no small amount of debate as to what ex...2016-04-162h 01The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast13: What Does God Need with a Starship? – Star Trek V: The Final FrontierStar Trek V: The Final Frontier is the latest entry into the Star Trek film vault series, as The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular investigates one of the most derided entries in the franchise. Glenn & Scott welcome special guest Erik Amundsen for an in-depth discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of Star Trek V, the character dynamics, William Shatner’s turn in the director’s chair, how the film also reflects Shatner’s interests as an artist, the film’s place in the development of the Star Trek franchise, the meaning of Uhura’s nude fan dance, Doctor McCoy’s stance on...2016-04-092h 43The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast12: There Be Whales Here! – Star Trek IV: The Voyage HomeThe Star Trek film vault continues with Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home in the latest Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular, when Glenn & Scott welcome Andy Halleen back to the show for a laid-back discussion of one of the most aesthetically and financially successful entries in the series. The three discuss The Voyage Home‘s shift into comedy, the ongoing transformation of William Shatner, colorful metaphors, orbital mechanics, the whale prime directive, and how each of the movie’s characters are used & developed. Also, Scott does his impression of whale song, because of course he does.
We won’...2016-03-191h 43The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast11: A Fighting Chance to Live – Star Trek III: The Search for SpockThe Star Trek film vault continues with Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, as The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular takes a turn towards the meditative. Glenn & Scott welcome Tim Capel from PTBN Comics to an in-depth discussion of the third Star Trek movie’s place in an ongoing story, its theatricality, Klingon linguistics, Christopher Lloyd & Mark Lenard’s differing approaches to gravitas, how death can be turned into a fighting chance to live, the inability of Commander Kruge to see past his own worldview, the film’s distinct lack of Kirstie Alley & Bibi Besch, and finger-sex versus finger...2016-03-052h 23The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast10: Re-Closing the X-FilesThe X-Files have been closed once again, and Glenn & Scott welcome Andy Halleen back to The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular to follow up on their discussion at the beginning of season ten now that the miniseries has fully taken shape. They discuss the return of various styles of X-Files episodes, whether the limited six-episode run hurt or helped the show, the value and quality of cliffhangers, the launch of The X-Files: The Next Generation with Agents Einstein and M-Something, a drug trip to remember, X-Files as viewed through the lens of sports announcers, terrorism, and much more. Also...2016-02-271h 30The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast09: Madness and Death – Star Trek II: The Wrath of KhanStar Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is the subject of The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular’s latest dive into the Star Trek vault, as Glenn & Scott welcome Todd Weber from PTBN’s comics contingent to break down the Trek movie with what is probably the best reputation. They discuss how & why Star Trek II differed from Star Trek I, check in on the movie’s characters, examine the pull it exerted on all future Trek movies, sing the praises of actors from Ricardo Montalbán to William Shatner to Bibi Besch, lament the absence of Madeline Kahn, and muc...2016-02-201h 40The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast08: First Annual Oscar Preview – Best Original Score 2015Oscar season is here, and The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular is ON IT. Glenn & Scott cover this year’s Oscars the only way they know how: by running down the five nominees for Best Original Score! They discuss Jóhann Jóhannsson’s score for Sicario, Ennio Morricone’s The Hateful Eight, Thomas Newman’s Bridge of Spies, Carter Burwell’s Carol, and last but not least, John Williams’ Star Wars: The Force Awakens. They discuss their reactions to the commercial albums for all five scores, the differences between those and what Academy voters have received, some other scores by the...2016-02-1357 minThe Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast07: Where No One’s Ever Flown – Star Trek: The Motion PictureTo mark Star Trek’s 50th-anniversary year, The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular launches a special rewind series examining the twelve Trek films, leading up to the release of the thirteenth this July! In this installment, the journey begins with a dive into Star Trek: The Motion Picture. Glenn & Scott Butler look at the first Star Trek movie’s development, its pacing issues, its iconic score, its relationship with fandom as it existed in the 70’s, which pieces of the original series are retained and which are discarded, new characters that are introduced and done away with in short order...2016-02-091h 24The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast06: Re-Opening the X-FilesThe truth is still out there, and The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular is all over the return of The X-Files in pursuit of it. Glenn & Scott welcome special guest Andy Halleen to the podcast to talk about some of their favorite episodes & moments over the course of The X-Files‘ long run, the way that the first two episodes of the new miniseries reintroduce both the larger mythology and case-of-the-week styles of the series, Gillian Anderson having to hold out for equal pay, the relationship between real-world conspiracy theories and TV conspiracy theories, and AD Skinner’s stalled career.
2016-01-291h 37The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast05: Despair on the Eve of IowaWith the long hard slog of the US presidential campaign slogging along, The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular is back with a despairing and at times contemptuous look at all of the people who for some reason are still running for President on the eve of the Iowa caucus. Then, considering the ascendancy of Donald Trump, Glenn & Scott contemplate other WWE Hall of Famers who might make better Presidents of the United States. Finally, there’s a brief look at the 2016 US Senate race in Connecticut and the idea of Linda McMahon joining the fray once again.
Yo...2016-01-231h 20The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast04: Didn’t We Already Talk About Star Wars?In a blockbuster new episode of The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular, Glenn & Scott are joined by special guest and friend of the show Alanna Kelly to dive just a little deeper into Star Wars: The Force Awakens than the last episode did. The three discuss their histories of Star Wars fandom and expectations going into Episode VII before getting into the marketing of this new movie as a return to the old and beloved tropes of Star Wars, as well as the development of the new characters, including their motivations and costuming (are you on #TeamCape?). Glenn accidentally...2016-01-202h 16The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast03: Star Trek: Beyond Trailer & Star Wars: The Force Awakens ScoreThe month’s humongous sci-fi premiere has arrived with the big-screen debut of the Star Trek: Beyond trailer, and Glenn & Scott are ON IT. What is there to look forward to, or not, in Star Trek (X)III? Other topics covered include the balance of action and ideas in Star Trek movies, Kirk’s characterization, the new uniforms, and the Hater Brigade.
Following that, the hosts give their thoughts on John Williams’ new score to Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Where does it lie on the spectrum between the trilogy and prequel scores? Does every Williams action score...2015-12-231h 43The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast02: PTBN’s Holiday Tournament SpectacularThis installment of The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular sees Glenn & Scott Butler welcome Steve Wille to a discussion of another Spectacular, PTBN’s Holiday Tournament Spectacular, coming to The Place to Be at the stroke of midnight as Thanksgiving turns to Black Friday and the holiday season blasts off. The three men run down all four regions of the tournament and break down 128 different holiday movies, TV episodes, songs, albums, foods, and experiences…and, we like to think, learn a little bit about each other in the process. After all, isn’t that what the holidays are all about...2015-11-263h 09The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast01: The Hunger GamesThe Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular kicks off when the now-titular Glenn Butler welcomes his brother Scott to the land of podcasts and welcomes listeners to a deep dive into The Hunger Games series. They discuss the hugely successful film franchise along the following criteria: 1. Did Glenn understand the story despite never reading any of the books, or did the movies leave out too many details in favor of flash and explosions? 2. Was Scott satisfied that the books and the movies are telling the same story, or was it garbled beyond recognition in the transition from novel to screenplay...2015-11-233h 58