Superfeed! From The Incomparable

Host John Siracusa asks himself to discuss the difference between Supercars and Hypercars, while Jason looks on. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

Noah Hawley’s TV take on the Alien franchise, “Alien: Earth,” is crashing into a building near us, bringing gross aliens old and new, suspicious synths, terrified (and bloody) humans, and a new class of hybrid life forms with the minds of children and superhuman bodies. Does the show give us enough Xenomorphs? Is the eye alien a breakout fan favorite? Was replaying “Alien” on a different ship a good idea? Why is Trillionaire Island so understaffed? We break it all down. Jason Snell with John Siracusa, Brian Warren, Annette Wierstra and Sandra Wong.

We start the new year with a mission to celebrate one of our favourite Rob Reiner pictures: When Harry Met Sally. Although it’s been a while since our agents last watched this movie, it remains a strong example of a 90s romantic comedy. Join us to celebrate the fashion, the music, the supporting cast, and finally answer the question: can men and women be friends? Annette Wierstra with Shelly Brisbin and Micki Maynard.

Hope you’re not lactose intolerant! Matt Skuta returns to discuss John Cormier’s I am the Cheese (1977). John McCoy with Matt Skuta.

The team’s covering the NFL draft which might take a bit longer due to some cloudy skies. Jeremy says the line “It cannot, it must not rain at Indian Wells” (anybody want to guess whether it starts raining?) Meanwhile, Jeremy is a bit nervous because he invited his new girlfriend to visit the studio. And Dana has an inexplicable bandage on her face? Lex and Brian think some of this makes sense, and some … less so. Either way, all this talk of rain tells me we’ll definitely be Sorkin’ In It! Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

In another experimental Random Pursuit, we bring you the Ghost Points Edition, in which ghost points become REAL! Will knowing another person’s answers help someone claim victory? Only the ghosts know! (And you will, if you listen!) Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky with Annette Wierstra, Kathy Campbell, Mikah Sargent and Tony Sindelar.

The party is now level 3. Will that suddenly make them competent enough to find the slaying stone? Or track a dragon? Ok, maybe not, but they do have some new spells and abilities. Tony Sindelar with Aleen Simms, Annette Wierstra, Chelsea Hackman, Heather Berberet, James Thomson and Jason Snell.

Our most frequent panelists of the year join Jason to talk about their favorite stuff from the year gone by, and we also pause to recall some favorite Incomparable moments. Synergy! Jason Snell with Erika Ensign, Moisés Chiullán, Tony Sindelar, David J. Loehr, Annette Wierstra, Scott McNulty, Dan Moren and Brian Warren.

It’s the new season! Joe Rosensteel and Dan Sturm.

Our adventurers deal with several goblins (and someone who is totally not a goblin) as their search takes them to the library. Tony Sindelar with Aleen Simms, Annette Wierstra, Chelsea Hackman, Heather Berberet, James Thomson and Jason Snell.

The difference between a slegh and a sled. John Siracusa and Jason Snell.

Is the Return of Doctor Mysterio the most romcom episode of Doctor Who? We think so. We’ve got superheroes, secret identities, snooping reporters, and invading aliens. This calls for Doctor Mysterio! Join our Agents for this Boxing Day mission and relish the 12th Doctor as matchmaker while he saves the world again. Annette Wierstra with Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky.

Christmas Trivia returns, and in this year’s celebration we learn about festive broadcasting networks, nondenominational reindeer, who invented gifts, and so many birds. Kathy Campbell and Erika Ensign with Annette Wierstra, Shelly Brisbin, Steven Schapansky and Tony Sindelar.

What, the one as big as me? Marina McCoy makes her holiday return to discuss Mário de Andrade’s sweet-and-salty “A Christmas Turkey” (1956). John McCoy with Marina McCoy.

A paladin learns a valuable lesson about picking things up. Nearly everyone learns a valuable lesson about playing air-guitar. Tony Sindelar with Aleen Simms, Annette Wierstra, Chelsea Hackman, Heather Berberet, James Thomson and Jason Snell.

The Wreath of Khan rolls on with part 3 of 4, as Scott and Jason spend some time discussing one of their favorite movies, “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan,” after having followed Khan from “Space Seed” through “Star Trek: Khan.” We don’t know how many times we can say that we love this movie, but we tried and it seems like we could do it forever. Scott McNulty and Jason Snell.

The Magnum, podcast holiday special is here! We watched the failed 1979 pilot for Boston and Kilbride, “The Chinese Typewriter,” starring Tom Selleck (as Tom Boston) and James Whitmore Jr. (as Jimmy Kilbride). The dubbing! The fake signs! The weird casting! The original Al’s Automotive and Muffler King Tigers! We break down everything that makes this pilot a fitting failure, though with some admiration about how it does a lot with almost zero budget. Also: you, the listeners, introduce many segments. See you next year! Jason Snell, Philip Michaels and David J. Loehr.

Kilmas comes but once a year! This year we’re climbing into the cockpit and revisiting 1986’s “Top Gun,” starring some airplanes, Val Kilmer, and Tom Cruise. It’s a very subtle movie. Were Tony’s parents right in protecting his young mind from it? And most importantly, why do we remember Val Kilmer’s character being the villain when he’s actually the conscience of the entire film? Jason Snell with Annette Wierstra, Katie Mack, Erika Ensign, Tony Sindelar and Brian Warren.

Dan isn’t one of the 100 Most Influential People in Sports, but Casey is. You can bet that goes over like a fart in church. Speaking of church - Dana visits one to get out of the rain… and likes it (the church, not the rain… or the fart). The rain also helps Jeremy continue his flirtation with Jenny. There’s so much Sorkin In It to do. We got you. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

[Cross-posted from Downstream #109 on Relay FM.] Tim Goodman pops down the chimney again to reunite with Jason and discuss the Oscars on YouTube, finding balance in the TV review game, the rise of international content, episode deconstructions, “Pluribus,” and his top shows of the year. Tim Goodman and Jason Snell.