recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

**The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo** is episode 450 focusing on the 2011 film of the same name as part of the The Curious Pod of Benjamin Buttcast miniseries on the films of David Fincher. Posted November 5, 2023.

## Summary

> The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo? More like The Girl Who Go On Computer! The Girl with the Fruit Tattoo - Fran Hoepfner - joins us as we dive into Fincher’s 2011 Nordic noir. How does Fincher’s take on Stieg Larsson’s international best-seller compare with the original Swedish version? What does Rooney Mara as Lisbeth Salander have in common with ET? Does Christopher Plummer have the greatest octogenarian acting decade of all time? WHEN WILL BEN HOSLEY MAKE HIS WITCH HACKER MOVIE?
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> Guest Links:
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> Subscribe to Fran Magazine
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> Follow Fran on social
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### Milestones and Ephemera

* Griffin's been Aloha-pilled. Is it a secret masterpiece?
* Yorick van Wageningen (Blackhat, The Chronicles of Riddick) joins the Blank Check Scumbag Hall of Fame alongside David 'Puss' Dencik.
* For the record: David insisted on an early morning record so he could see *Saw X.*
* Box Office Game: Weekend of December 23, 2011
	+ Same box office game as The Adventures of Tintin, We Bought a Zoo and Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol.

## Quotes

Intro:

> "*You will be listening to thieves, misers, bullies. The most detestable collection of people that you will ever meet - my podcast.*"
>
>
>

After some bullying about it being too short, Griffin offered this:

> "*Let me ask you something? Why don't people trust their instincts? They sense something is wrong, someone is walking too close behind them... You knew something was wrong but you came back into the house. Did I force you, did I drag you in? No. All I had to do was offer you a drink. It's hard to believe that the fear of offending can be stronger than the fear of pain. But you know what? It is. And they always come willingly. And then they sit there. They know it's all over just like you do but somehow they still think they have a chance. Maybe if I say the right thing? Maybe if I'm polite. If I cry, if i beg. And when I see the hope draining from their face like it is from yours right now. I can feel myself getting hard. You know, We're not that different, you and I. We both have urges, satisfying mine requires more podcasts.*"
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## References

1. ↑ Blank Check Podcast. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Audioboom. Retrieved on November 5, 2023.
Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance

**Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance** is episode 432 focusing on the 2002 film of the same name as part of the I'm a Podcast, But That's OK miniseries on the films of Park Chan-wook. Posted July 2, 2023.

## Summary

> Park Chan-Wook kicks off his famous “Vengeance” trilogy and we kick off another episode where we talk about Ted Danson’s late 90s sitcom BECKER! Critic, friend of the pod, and Crystal Skull-apologist David Ehrlich joins us to chat about Park’s “Sympathy for Mister Vengeance” - a film that shows that revenge is not a dish best served cold, but is actually kind of sad and futile. Come for Ehrlich’s story about his teen trip to Seoul (when he had lunch with Director Park!), stay for the throwback memories of ordering imported DVDs from YesAsia-dot-com and the often misleading branding of the Tartan Asian EXTREME label.
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> Guest Links:
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> Read Ehrlich’s writing at IndieWire
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> Listen to Fighting in The War Room
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> Watch Ehrlich’s Best of Videos
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### Milestones and Ephemera

* The most *Becker* chat since Star 80!
* David E. recants his previous Harrison Ford comments.
* The referenced Top 10 list from America's creepiest creep.
* An excellent article about the history and marketing of Tartan Asia Extreme
* Box Office Game: Weekend of August 19, 2005

## References

1. ↑ Blank Check Podcast. Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance. Audioboom. Retrieved on July 2, 2023.
2. ↑ Chi-Yun Shin. Art of branding: Tartan "Asia Extreme" films. Jump Cut. Retrieved on July 3, 2023.
Pods Wide Cast

**Pods Wide Cast** is a miniseries covering the films of Stanley Kubrick beginning in August 2022.

## Summary

Heeeere's Poddy! The miniseries was announced on twitter and was picked by the Blankies during March Madness 2022.

Kubrick has only once appeared in March Madness, defeating Orson Welles in the finals of March Madness 2022.

The titular inspiration is the film *Eyes Wide Shut*. The miniseries art by the great Pat Reynolds features David as Jack Torrance, Ben as a droog, and Griffin as Dr. David Bowman.

The series was preceded by Pod That Jazzcast on the films of Bob Fosse. The series was succeeded by The Podmare Before Castmas on the films of Henry Selick.

### Milestones and Ephemera

* Ben nickname: **HOS-9000**
* Griffin says “Koo-brick”, David says “Kyū-brick” — you just gotta deal with it.

## Ranking His Filmography

At the conclusion of the miniseries, the Blankies' rankings will be compiled from a voting thread found on the r/Blankies sub-reddit.

## References

1. ↑ @blankcheckpod. Tweet Jul 29, 2022. Twitter. Retrieved on July 29, 2022. “Heeeere's Poddy! Presenting the schedule for our series on the films of Stanley Kubrick - PODS WIDE CAST:”
2. ↑ u/mi-16evil. What is you Stanley Kubrick ranking?. reddit. Retrieved on December 15, 2022.
3. ↑ u/Bubbatino. Kubrick rankings. reddit. Retrieved on December 15, 2022.
Sense8

**Sense8** is episode 60 focusing on the Netflix original series of the same name, as part of the The Podchowski Casters miniseries covering the filmography of the Wachowskis. Posted June 3, 2016.

## Summary

>
> Nearing the end of the Wachowski mini series, this week Griffin and David discuss the most recent project by the prolific filmmakers, 2015’s Netflix series Sense8. But is it worth binging all twelve hour long episodes in a few days? What are the hosts thoughts on peak TV? Who doesn’t like a good Jean-Claude Van Damme pun? Together #thetwofriends examine season one’s major plot points, breakdown all the eight sensates different skills, appreciate the convenience of science bombs and try to make sense of the villain “Whispers.”
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## References

1. ↑ Sense8 on Audioboom. Retrieved August 28, 2021.
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

**Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street** is episode 209 focusing on the movie of the same name, as part of the Podward Scissorcast miniseries covering the films of Tim Burton. Posted March 24, 2019.

## Summary

>
> Tony award winning actor, Michael Cerveris, joins Griffin and David to discuss 2007's film adaption of the renowned Stephen Sondheim musical, *Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street*. Why did Tim Burton cut The Ballad of Sweeney Todd? Does Michael have a take on *National Treasure: Book of Secrets*? Timothy Spall goes big? Together they examine how the film holds up against the live production, the trailer lacking singing, letter writing with Sondheim and Michael's experience portraying Sweeney Todd in the 2005 Broadway revival.
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### Milestones and Ephemera

* Bonus audio from this episode appears in Special Features episode The U.K. Bit
* Box office game: Weekend of December 21, 2007
	+ Same game as National Treasure: Book of Secrets

## References

1. ↑ Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street on Audioboom. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
Spartacus

**Spartacus** is episode 390 focusing on the 1960 film of the same name as part of Pods Wide Cast miniseries on the films of Stanley Kubrick. Posted August 28, 2022.

## Summary

>
> I am Spartacus! I am Spartacus! Heck, we’re \*all\* Spartacus today as we talk about the “sword-and-sandals” epic that solidified Stanley Kubrick’s hit-making potential…and soured him on Hollywood forever. Vanity Fair’s Richard Lawson returns to the pod and we’re covering all the major topics: How did a young Kubrick manage all the different stars on set - many of whom were accomplished directors in their own right? Was Kirk Douglas’ chin cleft real? Did Dalton Trumbo write the script for this in a bathtub? Why does Tony Curtis always sound like he’s ordering something from a deli?
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### Milestones and Ephemera

* The new longest film ever covered on the podcast at 3:17, beating Titanic at 3:14.
* Griffin continues to bang on about being Offer-pilled.
* Richard’s James Marsden interview and his Ben Hur (2016) review
* Arliss Howard: is in Full Metal Jacket, is David’s boyfriend.
* Stony Curtis
* Contrary to what they said, Lolita will *not* be released on 9/11. That episode will be Three Thousand Years of Longing.

#### Box Office Game

Weekend of October 7, 1960

1. Ben Hur
2. Midnight Lace
3. Spartacus
4. The Magnificent Seven
5. The Alamo

* Other movies in the top 10: Song Without End, Let No Man Write My Epitaph, The Dark at the Top of the Stairs, Surprise Package

### Sponsors

* David-less ad reads!
* Ben recommends “Scenes with Beans” on MUBI.

## References

1. ↑ Blank Check Podcast. Spartacus. Audioboom. Retrieved on August 28, 2022.
2. ↑ Richard Lawson. James Marsden Is Everywhere and Wants to Do Everything. Vanity Fair. Retrieved on August 28, 2022.
3. ↑ Richard Lawson. Ben-Hur Richly Revives an Old Story, and a Director’s Career. Vanity Fair. Retrieved on August 29, 2022.
Podcast Jr.

**Podcast Jr.** is a miniseries on the films of Buster Keaton that began in May 2023.

## Summary

After David went home with Boyle, this one's a Griff pick: Blank Check Presents the Films of Buster Keaton! Try Silence!

The miniseries was announced on Twitter on April 21, 2023. Keaton has appeared three times in March Madness: 2019, 2021, and 2022. In 2019, he was seeded 18th and lost in Round 1 to 15th seed John McTiernan. In 2021, he was featured in the Griff region of the Hosts v. Guests bracket. In Round 1 he lost to 5 seed Martin Brest. In 2022 he was the number 2 seed in the 1920's to 1930's Region, defeating Sergei Eisenstein in round 1 but losing to number 6 seed Fritz Lang in round 2.

The titular inspiration is the films *Sherlock Jr.* and *Steamboat Bill Jr.* The miniseries art by the great Pat Reynolds, features David in *Battling Butler*, Ben in *The Cameraman*, and Griffin in *Go West*.

The series was preceded by Trainspodcasting on the films of Danny Boyle. The series was succeeded by I'm a Podcast, But That's OK on the films of Park Chan-wook.

### Milestones and Ephemera

* Ben nickname: **Scumbum Jr.**
* Due to the short running time of most of Keaton's films, each episode will double up and focus on two films.
* Keaton is the earliest filmography covered and he is the first director covered whose work primarily took place before the 1960's and 70's.

## Ranking His Filmography

At the conclusion of the miniseries, the Blankies' rankings will be compiled from a voting thread found on the r/Blankies sub-reddit.

## References

1. ↑ @blankcheckpod. Tweet Apr 21, 2023. Twitter. Retrieved on April 21, 2023. “Announcing our next miniseries, and it's a @GriffLightning passion pick: PODCAST JR: Blank Check Presents the Films of Buster Keaton Kicking off May 7 with THREE AGES & OUR HOSPITALITY...that's right, folks - we'll be doubling up on this series!”
The BFG

**The BFG** is episode 109 focusing on the movie of the same name, as part of the Pod Me If You Cast miniseries covering the filmography of Steven Spielberg's Dreamworks era.

## Summary

>
> In the final episode of our mini series devoted to Spielberg’s DreamWorks years, Blank Check reviews 2016’s animated giant adventure, the BFG. But why is saying ‘BFG’ so satisfying? Does this film have a plot? What podcasts does the Queen listen to? Together hosts Griffin and David discuss Spielberg directing the farts, Melissa Mathison’s last screenplay, being ‘mum’ and announce their next mini series!
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The Force Awakens Commentary

*For the main feed episode about Star Wars, Episode VII: The Force Awakens, see The Podcast Awakens and The Podcast Reawakens.*

## The Force Awakens

### Unlisted Guest(s)

Ben Hosley
Angela Ferraguto

### Reddit thread

Link

**The Force Awakens** is episode 51 of the Blank Check: Special Features, and a commentary episode as part of the continuing coverage of the Star Wars Sequels. Posted March 21, 2020 and released from behind the paywall on March 21, 2023.

## Summary

> Now in the final stretch of our Star Wars commentary series, Griffin, David, Ben AND Ang together watched *Episode VII - The Force Awakens*. Enjoy and be safe Checkmates!
>
>

### Milestones and Ephemera

* **Movie starts at 0:02:05**
* Ang, David, & Griff all saw this 4 times in theaters. Ben saw it once.
* The original Force Awakens ep before she interviewed with Ben.
* THIS MOVIE HONKS. At least the first 40 minutes, which is always JJ at his best.
* David: hard as a diamond for General Hugs.
* Ben is getting more and more into dry stuff.
* Everyone is hot in this movie! But there's also lots of "pasta dinner" talk which gets everyone cancelled.
* Proposed Rathtar fixes
	+ David: make them gelatinous cubes
	+ Ben: floating cones
* On Ben's bucket list: go to an *actual* shady bar in space.
* Box-Office Game: Weekend of December 18, 2015
The Host

**The Host** is episode 103 of Blank Check: Special Features about 2013 film of the same. While it is technically a standalone episode, it is also a semi-related bonus for The Twilight Saga commentaries. Posted July 11, 2021.

## Summary

>
> For this month’s bonus ep Griffin, David, and Ben reviewed the 2013 film, *The Host*, adapted from the Stephenie Meyer novel. They are very sorry.
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### Milestones and Ephemera

* Genuinely the first movie Griffin would not under any circumstances recommend that Checkmates watch.
* This ep moves at a really frenetic pace because the movie was so awful. Truly the opposite of a main feed ep, but in a fun way??
* Classic BBP (Boring Boy Problem)
* Ben life goal: live in a cool cave
* The last review Roger Ebert ever published.
* The referenced Randall Emmett Vulture piece. Hungry hungry hippos, baby!
* Happy Birthday Benny! He rode a dang horse!!!
* Box office game: Weekend of March 29, 2013

## References

1. ↑ Blank Check Podcast. The Host. Patreon. Retrieved on July 17, 2021.
2. ↑ Roger Ebert. Don't listen to inner voices from other planets. rogerebert.com. Retrieved on November 30, 2022.
3. ↑ Joshua Hunt. The King of the Geezer Teasers: Inside Randall Emmett’s direct-to-video empire, where many Hollywood stars have found lucrative early retirement. Vulture. Retrieved on November 30, 2022.
Talking Fanfare

**Talking Fanfare** is episode 73 of Blank Check: Special Features. Posted October 11, 2020 and released from behind the paywall on October 11, 2023.

## Summary

> This one has long been in demand - we're talkin' fanfare! Once, long ago we passed some great goals thanks to you lovely listeners. And unfortunately, they're not possible just yet so as a thank you in the meantime, we're deep diving into some real nerdy film shit. As especially requested by the fans, #thetwofriends discussed their favorite eras and variants of studio logos from the Big Six! Plus, Ben reveals some original fanfare concepts for Blank Check Pictures.
>
>
> Reference this companion playlist and listen along.
>
>

### Milestones and Ephemera

* Ben has moved to a new place (Hyper Good) and it is across the street from a church that plays the same drop as the Big Ben Chimes. Karma!
* In the Warner Brothers section, they talk about logo variants for a lot of movies featured on the podcast: Tenet, Contact, The Iron Giant, The Polar Express, Speed Racer, Batman, Batman Returns, Mars Attacks!, You've Got Mail, The Matrix, Batman Begins, Mad Max: Fury Road. Plus THX 1138, Batman Forever , Batman & Robin which were covered on Patreon.
* The 20th Century Fox portion features a variant from Edward Scissorhands, plus Alien³ (Patreon).
* The Paramount segment features Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and The Avengers (Patreon).
* The Columbia Pictures has only a variant from Hotel Transylvania.
* The final minutes of the podcast include four genius ideas for Blank Check Pictures' fanfare.
* There will be another edition of Talking Fanfare!

## References

1. ↑ Talking Fanfare on Patreon. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
Sonia Saraiya

**Sonia Saraiya** (on Twitter @soniasaraiya) is a culture and television critic for *Variety*.

## Biography

Sonia was a guest on the A Broken Heart episode of Revenge of the Podcast. She was also a guest on The Hurt Locker episode of Blank Check, where she chose that movie because it was the first-ever instance of a female-directed movie winning Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Director.
Signs

**Signs** is episode 43 focusing on the movie of the same name, as part of the Pod Night Shyamacast miniseries covering the filmography of M. Night Shyamalan.

## Summary

> This week’s guests on the Shyamacast are ‘real life lovers’ Murf Meyer (The Chris Gethard Show) and Diana Kolsky (Above Average), hosts in their own right of Ménage à Trois Radio, also on the UCB Comedy podcast network! And for Blank Check’s ongoing investigative mini-series of Shyamalan’s films, together with #thetwofriends they discuss 2002’s faith biased, alien invasion movie, *Signs*. Was it fate that it was poorly received? Was Shyamalan smart in casting himself for a role that required some real acting? How does Mel Gibson’s filmography hold up to the numerous terrible things he been quoted in public saying? Well, Blankies rejoice because this in-depth analysis leaves no glasses half empty nor half full! Also, Griffin professes his love for *Chicken Run* numerous times, Diana receives 7 comedy points and Murf recalls a summer of Austin Powers references.
>
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Space Jam: A New Legacy

Space Jam: A Pod Legcastcy

**Space Jam: A New Legacy**, also known as **Space Jam: A Pod Legcastcy**, is episode 334 focusing on the 2021 film of the same name and a sequel to the previous Family Choice episode Space Jam. Posted July 25, 2021.

## Summary

>
> Welcome to the slam, it’s time to jam - it’s our first in-person recording since the pandemic! Griffin’s brother James Newman returns to the pod to chat BASKETBALL, a topic that Griffin now knows slightly more about after watching *The Last Dance*. Is LeBron a bad actor? Does anyone really understand the complicated metaphysics of the Warner Bros Serververse? Join us as we discuss!
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### Milestones and Ephemera

* Al-G Rhythm at the Villains Wiki.
* Possible nickname for Ben's new apartment: Good Fine? They'll workshop it.
* The Banana Boat Crew picture.
* Klay Thompson talking about scaffolding
* Ben cried multiple times during the movie, as confirmed by his girlfriend on mic. He didn't like when Don Cheadle was mean to the son ("I don't like when algorithms are mean!"). He also cried at the father/son embrace.
* Words Griffin mispronounces in this ep: recollection, adaptation, lil (as in Lil Rel Howery).
* Griffin thinks David's baby looks like the Boss Baby.
* The end of the episode has a few minutes of Griffin talking about animated movies while Griffin and David talk about the NBA Finals. And this episode came out the week of the Milwaukee Bucks' victory!
* Space Jam: A New Legacy was David's first review back from paternity leave! The Real Reason Another *Space Jam* Movie Exists
* Box Office: Weekend of July 16-18, 2021

## Quotes

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## References

1. ↑ Blank Check Podcast. Space Jam: A New Legacy with James Newman. Audioboom. Retrieved on July 25, 2021.
The Matrix Revolutions Commentary

**The Matrix Revolutions** is episode 132 of Blank Check: Special Features and about 2003 film of the same name as part of the The Matrix commentary miniseries and a supplement to The Podchowski Casters. Posted April 1, 2022.

## Summary

>
> BC:SF kicks off April with the third installment in the Matrix franchise. Topics include: more Merv, Hugo with the good teeth, the new word 'stunks' and more!
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> **Movie starts at...1:22**
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### Milestones and Ephemera

* Box-office game: Weekend of November 7, 2003

## References

1. ↑ Blank Check Podcast. The Matrix Revolutions. Patreon. Retrieved on April 1, 2022.
Sarah-Violet Bliss

**Sarah-Violet Bliss** (@SVBliss on Twitter and also Instagram) is a filmmaker, writer, and director. She has directed films like *Fort Tilden*, created and showruns *Search Party* on TBS, and written for *Wet Hot American Summer* on Netflix.

## Biography

And she tremendously enjoys appearing on podcasts, which is one reason she gladly accepted the Blank Check invitation to talk about It's Complicated during the Nancy Meyers miniseries Something's Podda Cast. All the orange-bronze people! All the shades of off-white decor! She attempts to puzzle out what Steve Martin is doing both in and out of character, and also whether it is a) weird, or b) *super*-weird, to see adult siblings cuddle in a bed.

As is his wont to do, Griffin Newman seems to have given Sarah-Violet the nickname of SV or SVU. Griffin has appeared in multiple projects of hers, including *Fort Tilden* in which he managed to severely sunburn his knees on the beach during the shoot.
Pierce Brosnan Bonds

**Pierce Brosnan Bonds** or just **Brosnan Bonds** is a commentary miniseries as part of the Blank Check: Special Features covering the four *James Bond* films starring Pierce Brosnan.

## Summary

Brosnan Bonds have never appeared in March Madness but follow in the (now yearly?) tradition of covering a Bond actor after the Roger Moore Bonds.

## Ranking The Franchise

At the conclusion of the miniseries, the Blankies rankings will compiled from a voting thread found on the r/Blankies sub-reddit.
Spider-Man: Far From Home Commentary

*This article is about the Patreon commentary on the Jon Watts Spider-Man movie, part of the MCU. For other episodes about the friendly neighborhood superhero, see Spider-Man.*

## Spider-Man: Far From Home

### Reddit thread

Link

**Spider-Man: Far From Home** is episode 37 of Blank Check: Special Features and a commentary episode on the Marvel Cinematic Universe film of the same name. Posted December 1, 2019 and was released from behind the paywall on December 1, 2022.

## Summary

>
> After 22 films, Griffin, David and Ben discussed *Spider-Man: Far From Home* for our final installment of the BC:SF MCU commentary series!
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### Milestones and Ephemera

* **Movie starts at 0:02:59**, but due to some technical difficulties
	+ Pause at 1:13:53 and resume at 1:14:08.
	+ Pause at 1:15:34 and resume at 1:17:58 when they switch to a different app.
* They might cover a batch of new Marvel movies in the future. They also might not!
* Ben still hasn’t seen *Venom* or *The Lighthouse*!
* Lots of Wet Content™️ for Ben, including some talk of the upcoming wet fight in The Rise of Skywalker and Darth Stupid Idiot
* Max Minghella: confirmed Blankie, unconfirmed Checkmate
* Ben *wants* to weigh in on Griffin’s fashion, but there’s been a lot of that lately so he’s not gonna.
* Griff tells some stories about getting negged by fans at Rhode Island Comic Con.
* Box office game: Weekend of July 5, 2019

## References

1. ↑ Blank Check Podcast. Spider-Man: Far From Home. Patreon. Retrieved on December 27, 2022.
The Moon Is...the Sun's Dream/Trio

**The Moon Is...the Sun's Dream/Trio** is episode 430 focusing on the 1992 and 1997 films of the same names as part of the I'm a Podcast, But That's OK miniseries on the films of Park Chan-wook. Posted June 18, 2023.

## Summary

> It’s a brand new era for Blank Check - Griffin is in his “arriving early to work” era. Ben is in his “Bad Boy 2.0” era. And we’re all in our WORLD CINEMA era as we kick off our series on South Korean master (and March Madness champion!) Park Chan-Wook. Join us as we offer a brief overview of the evolution of Korean cinema - from 1960’s landmark THE HOUSEMAID up through decades of government censorship - and introduce the career of one of our finest filmmakers. However - we’re gonna be real with you all. Park’s first two movies are NOT GOOD. He has actively tried to erase them from the cultural consciousness. So - do things get really silly as we dance around talking about how bad these movies are? YES. Do we use this episode as an excuse to catch up with several series worth of Ben Nicknames? ABSOLUTELY.
>
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### Milestones and Ephemera

* Ben has an earring now!!
* Box Office Game: Since they don't have Korean box office results, they do the same weekend for the US box office.
	+ *The Moon is...*:Weekend of February 28, 1992, same box office game as Memoirs of an Invisible Man.
	+ *Trio*: Weekend of May 23, 1997, same game as The Lost World: Jurassic Park
* Ben nickname backlog!!
	+ **All That Hozz**
	+ **Bone Sound Daddy**
	+ **HOS-9000**
	+ **B2 Benspotting**
	+ **Scumbum Jr.**
	+ **Ben to the Hosley Part III**
	+ Multiple purpose nickname **The Beneral** can apply to either the Keaton or Boyle miniseries.
	+ In honor of the new earring: **Bad Boy 2.0, Mr. Earring, and Lord Studlington**
* Speaking of nicknames, Ben's close personal friend was spotted recently.
* Teases for a possible John McTiernan miniseries and The Terminator on Patreon.

## References

1. ↑ Blank Check Podcast. The Moon Is...the Sun's Dream/Trio. Audioboom. Retrieved on June 19, 2023.
2. ↑ Brenton Blanchet. Daniel Day-Lewis Seen in Rare Appearance 6 Years After Announcing His Retirement from Acting. People. Retrieved on June 20, 2023.
Star 80

**Star 80** is episode 386 focusing on the 1983 film of the same name as part of Pod That Jazzcast miniseries on the films of Bob Fosse. Posted July 31 2022.

## Summary

>
> Oof - this is a tough one. Incredibly divisive, is “STAR 80” a darkly cynical triumph about the perils of Hollywood and the failings of men? Or is it a too-sympathetic “Portrait of An Incel as a who cares?!” per our guest Julie Klausner? Join us for a very spirited discussion about Fosse’s difficult last film, where we touch upon the dangers of the true crime genre, the tendency for male creatives to prioritize the male perspective, and the ways in which this film complicates the fascinating legacy of Fosse’s collaborative relationships with women. Plus, we offer our final Fosse rankings, and we ponder several tantalizing “what ifs?” about the unrealized projects lost to history after his death in 1987.
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### Milestones and Ephemera

* Julie's New Yorker Bob Fosse piece: A Bob Fosse Film-Festival Diary
* The original article the movie's based on: Death of a Playmate by Teresa Carpenter
* Peter Bogdanovich's book: The killing of the unicorn : Dorothy Stratton (1960-1980); but, I mean, read one of Julie's amazing books instead.
* Ed Glosser, Trivial Psychic
* Griffin has previously discussed this film on *Pulp: The Podcast, Based on a True Story*.
* Box office game: Weekend of November 11, 1983

## References

1. ↑ Blank Check Podcast. Star 80. Audioboom. Retrieved on July 31, 2022.
2. ↑ Klausner, Julie (2018-08-20). A Bob Fosse Film-Festival Diary. The New Yorker. Archived from the original on 2022-07-11. Retrieved on July 31, 2022.
3. ↑ Carpenter, Teresa (1980-11-05). Death of a Playmate. Village Voice. Retrieved on July 31, 2022.
The Matrix Resurrections Commentary

**The Matrix Resurrections** is episode 134 of Blank Check: Special Features and about 2021 film of the same name as part of the The Matrix commentary miniseries and a supplement to The Podchowski Casters. Posted April 21, 2022.

## Summary

>
> The final entry in the Matrix franchise commentary series! Topics include: Philly cheesesteaks, MPH's career, Griffin's 3 best friends, Jada Pinkett Smith as Niobe and more.
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### Milestones and Ephemera

* **Movie starts at 0:01:39**
* Definitely recorded pre-slap. There is Red Table talk, but not slap-talk.
* Lotta dick talk.
* The second consecutive episode to goof on the Calm app, although it was recorded before Evil Dead (2013).
* Box-office game: Weekend of December 24, 2021. The same box office game as... The Matrix Resurrections.

## References

1. ↑ Blank Check Podcast. The Matrix Resurrections. Patreon. Retrieved on April 21, 2022.
Sherlock Jr./The Navigator

**Sherlock Jr./The Navigator** is episode 425 focusing on the 1924 films of the same names as part of Podcast Jr. miniseries on the films of Buster Keaton. Posted May 14, 2023.

## Summary

>
> Buster Keaton released two features in 1924 - “Sherlock Jr.”, a film that was considered a commercial disappointment at the time but has grown in stature over the past century, and “The Navigator", a colossal box office hit that hasn’t aged nearly as well. Actor and lover of old-timey things James Urbaniak makes his long-awaited debut on the pod (originally promised back in our Shyamalan days!) and we’re getting into the billiards bits, boat gags, razor puns, and movie magic that make this double feature so special.
>
>
> Guest Links:
> See James in The Country Club as well as Venture Bros: Radiant is the Blood of the Baboon Heart when they come out.
>
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### Milestones and Ephemera

* Griffin offers that *Sherlock Jr.* might be in the running for best film covered on the podcast.
* Corridor Crew React to Sherlock Jr.

### Box Office Game

**Sherlock Jr.**

Week of April 23, 1924

1. The Confidence Man
2. Girl Shy
3. The Ten Commandments
4. The White Sister
5. America

**The Navigator**

Week of October 13, 1924

1. The Red Lily
2. His Hour
3. The Navigator
4. The Thief of Bagdad
5. Feet of Clay

## Films

-FULL MOVIE- Sherlock Jr (1924) - Buster Keaton - Silent Movie in 4KFull MovieThe Navigator (1924) Buster KeatonFull Movie

## References

1. ↑ Blank Check Podcast. Sherlock Jr./The Navigator. Audioboom. Retrieved on May 14, 2023.
The Boy and the Heron

**The Boy and the Heron** is episode 455 focusing on the film of the same name and is the first revisit of the Howl's Moving Podcastle miniseries. Posted December 10, 2023.

## Summary

> It took seven years for Hayao Miyazaki and the artists at Studio Ghibli to make THE BOY AND THE HERON. What better way to honor that lengthy process than to invite JD Amato back for another clockbusting, context-loaded episode?! For a rather bit-free THREE-AND-A-HALF HOURS, we are diving into Miyazaki’s personal history, his creative process, the differing animation styles between the Ghibli greats, and the thematic implications of this beautiful new film. Because this is Blank Check, we’ve also got lots of thoughts on Robert Pattinson’s vocal performance, and a lot to say about some other, less-successful animated films released this year.
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### Milestones and Ephemera

* David's abandoned Tumblr
* Kishōtenketsu story structure
* Box Office Game: Weekend of November 24, 2023

## Quotes

Intro:

> "*Your podcast - she's awaiting your rescue. I'll be your guide.*"
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Quotes:

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> | Ben: | [The dynamic with the boy and the heron] is sort of reminding me of another dynamic: Spawn and Violator.
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## References

1. ↑ Blank Check Podcast. The Boy and the Heron. Audioboom. Retrieved on December 10, 2023.
2. ↑ @ 2:12:00
Richard Lawson

**Richard Lawson** (@rilaws on Twitter) is a film critic and author, and currently writes for Vanity Fair. He is also the co-host of the awards podcast Little Gold Men, with fellow film critics and awards obsessives Katey Rich, Mike Hogan, and Joanna Robinson.

## Biography

Lawson is one of the most frequent guests on the Blank Check podcast and has now joined the Blank Check Double Digits Club, having been featured on the Lady in the Water, Vanilla Sky, Saving Private Ryan, K-19: The Widowmaker, Spanglish, Home Again, Big Eyes, Philadelphia, The Witches, and The Power of the Dog episodes. He refers to many of the actors in the films they cover—particularly Saving Private Ryan—as "his boys" due to his current or former infatuation with them (though he does not brand them as such like other past and future guest Karen Han.)

Lawson is the creator, owner, and impresario of the *Trolls* multimedia empire. In April 2020 he appeared to discuss what he had wrought on the world in the Trolls: The Experience quarantine episode. As of the recording of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Lawson was in a protracted labor dispute with the trolls.

His first novel, *All We Can Do Is Wait*, was published by Razorbill (an imprint of Penguin) in 2018.

Lawson claimed the Campion film The Power of the Dog "for gay reasons." He is openly gay.

### March Madness

Lawson was included in the March Madness 2021 Guest Bracket, choosing the number 5 seed Wolfgang Peterson. He won his first round against JD Amato's pick Jacques Tati, but was absolutely trounced in round 2 by Karen Han's number 1 seed Gore Verbinski. After his defeat, his Little Gold Men cohost (and round 1 Guest Bracket loser) Katey Rich tweeted her sympathies, asking if their listeners would appreciate "a 5- month Wolfgang Petersen/Kelly Reichardt tribute."  He responded simply: "Air First Cow."

## Appearances

Lawson is the second most frequent guest on the main feed behind Emily Yoshida, and is second only to her in the total number of appearances. On his 10th appearance, Griffin gave him the nickname Richard "Bo Derek" Lawson. His first and tenth appearances were released exactly six years apart.

## References

1. ↑ @rilaws (2016-10-16). "It's crazy that I wrote and directed TROLLS". Twitter. Retrieved on October 23, 2023.
2. ↑ @rilaws (2018-03-20). "It is my dream to have one of those Wikipedia entries where the last line is "He is openly gay". Twitter. Retrieved on March 6, 2022.
3. ↑ @kateyrich. "My deepest sympathies Richard, how do you think the Little Gold Men listeners will feel when we announce a 5- month Wolfgang Petersen/Kelly Reichardt tribute". Twitter. Retrieved on March 25, 2021.
4. ↑ @rilaws. "Air First Cow". Twitter. Retrieved on March 25, 2021.
Rogue One Commentary

*For the main feed episode, see Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.*
*This article is a stub. You can help Blank Check with Griffin and David Wiki by expanding it.*

## Rogue One

### Reddit thread

Link

**Rogue One** is episode 42 of the Blank Check: Special Features, and a commentary episode as part of the continuing coverage of the Star Wars Sequels. Posted January 21, 2020 and released from behind the paywall on January 21, 2023.

## Summary

>
> Back in June of 2019, Chris Weitz stopped by Big Nice studios (RIP) to discuss 2016’s *Rogue One: A Star Wars Story*, a movie that Chris was a writer on. Plus a special surprise guest!
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### Milestones and Ephemera

* **The movie starts at 0:29:50.**
* The Corridor Crew Star Wars Prequels video

## References

1. ↑ Rogue One on Patreon. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
The Last Jedi Commentary

*For the main feed episode, see The Last Jedi.*

**The Last Jedi** is episode 53 of the Blank Check: Special Features, and a commentary episode as part of the continuing coverage of the Star Wars Sequels. Posted April 1, 2020 and released from behind the paywall on April 1, 2023.

## Summary

> Enjoy another Star Wars commentary recorded at Little Nicer studios in New York City! Griffin, David, Ben and Ang together watched *Episode VIII – The Last Jedi*.
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### Milestones and Ephemera

* **Movie starts at about 0:03:23.**
* New patreon goal? They rent a private plane, they fly to southern France, they're adorned head to toe in silk, they rent a chateau called le Petit Nice. The caveat? They're eating caviar.
* Lots of Try silence chat
* Griff drops a Thor and clogged David's toilet?!
* New clothing pitch from Ben: collect saltwater from Jersey, distill out the salt, salt some jeans. Brine jeans.
* Box office game: Weekend of December 15, 2017
The Force Awakens

**This article is a disambiguation page for The Force Awakens**

The following is a list of links to pages that might share the same title.

Please follow one of the disambiguation links below or search to find the page you were looking for if it is not listed. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article.

**The Force Awakens** may refer to:

* The Podcast Awakens, episode 37 of the main feed covering *Star Wars: The Force Awakens* as part of the Star Wars Sequels.
* The Podcast Reawakens, episode 39 of the main feed covering *Star Wars: The Force Awakens* again.
* The Force Awakens Commentary, episode 53 of Blank Check: Special Features.
The Blankies

The Watto-themed episode art from the 2023 8th annual episode

**The Blankies** (also known as **The Annual Blank Check Awards** are a yearly awards episode.

## Summary

Griffin and David have an annual show with guest Joe Reid, film critic and fellow awards enthusiast, where they each announce and discuss their nominees and winners for several film categories in the past year. This yearly episode is usually posted in February shortly before the Academy Awards are given.

The Blankies, as the episode's awards are referred to, are given in several categories, including ones that match up well to typical film awards and others which are more... idiosyncratic. Plus there are Ben's awards!

### Episodes

The speaker symbol (🔊) provides a link to the audio. Special features episodes with the check symbol (✔️) have been released from behind the paywall.

## Episode Art

Many years of Blankies award art features Watto, notable slave-owning Toydarian space-Jew and roommate of Griffin Newman.

The first, second, and third annual BlankiesThe fourth annual BlankiesThe fifth annual BlankiesThe sixth annual BlankiesThe seventh annual BlankiesThe eighth annual Blankies
Say Anything…

**Say Anything...** is episode 63 focusing on the movie of the same name, as part of the We Pod A Cast miniseries covering the filmography of Cameron Crowe. Posted 23 Jun 2016.

## Summary

>
> In the debut episode of a new mini-series examining the filmography of Cameron Crowe, Griffin and David discuss the iconic 1989 romcom: *Say Anything…* What is Crowe’s origin story? How was he involved with Fast Times at Ridgemont High? Is this John Cusack’s career defining performance? Together, the BC crew talks romcom troupes, a young Fraiser’s Dad (John Mahoney) progressive father-daughter relationship, marrying the cast of Friends and singing Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes.” Plus, a merch spotlight, a terrible Humphrey Bogart impression and please tweet #playitagainsam to @GriffLightning, @davidlsims and @BarackObama.
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What a lovely little movie, and unlike most other Blank Check directors' first efforts it actually had a bit of success in the industry and in the culture. Already Cameron Crowe is standing out as an unusual subject for this podcast.

So why does this movie hold up today? It's a teen movie - it's uncommon for those to age well. Moreover it's a teen romance movie, and those hardly *ever* age well. Is Cameron Crowe's trademark empathy with his actors the key? His lack of cynicism? His apparent gift for hiring talent all around the production, or his talent in the editing room?

Griffin and David examine and discuss the performances of the two leads, Ione Skye and John Cusack; the magnificent turn from John Mahoney; and a number of supporting performances from the likes of Lili Taylor, Joan Cusack, Jeremy Piven, and the wonderful Philip Baker Hall that today look almost like one-scene cameos but make an impact.

#TheTwoFriends also compare this movie to *High Fidelity*, another romantic comedy/drama with an older John Cusack that turned out to be a work of genius, mostly for what it reveals about the less picturesque (and yet inherent) aspects of romance. *Say Anything...* kind of has that too - it's a weird thing of looking at romance in an unromantic way.

Stay tuned for an in-studio singalong of the iconic Peter Gabriel song, "In Your Eyes."

### Milestones and Ephemera

* The brief discussion of Woody Allen, more than a year before Griffin's brouhaha on Twitter, is a bit disorienting to hear in early 2018.
* "It would be pretty cool to go through the episodes ... and find the first mention of every dumb fuckin' nickname." I totally agree, David.
* Eating on-mic: yes sir (in a double twist, it's David with a muffin!)
* Box office: Weekend of April 14, 1989.

## References

1. ↑ Say Anything on Audioboom. Retrieved August 28, 2021.
Slow Xmas 2

"Vape it up"

**Slow Xmas 2** is a holiday vaporwave compilation album produced by Ben Hosley. Released on December 18, 2022.

## Background

The album was released on December 18, 2022 with the final main feed episode of 2022, Avatar: The Way of Water. Like the second Slow Xmas album, this contains mostly slow covers of Christmas songs.

### Contributors

* Nicky Francis: Spotify | Apple Music | Soundcloud
* Greeensleeves: Spotify | Apple Music | Bandcamp | Instagram
* Roman Mars
THX 1138/American Graffiti

**THX 1138/American Graffiti** is episode 49 of Blank Check: Special Features focusing on the 1971 and 1973 (respectively) films of the same name directed by George Lucas. Posted March 11, 2020 and released from behind the paywall on March 11, 2023.

## Summary

> We’re settling a outstanding balance on this podcast and are \*finallly\* covering the only 2 George Lucas directed films we’ve never discussed! Together Griffin, David and Ben examine *THX 1138* and *American Graffiti*!
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## References

1. ↑ THX 1138/American Graffiti on Patreon
The Fifth Blank Check Mailbag

**The Fifth Blank Check Mailbag** is episode 82 of Blank Check: Special Features and a standalone  Blank Check Mailbag episode. Posted January 11, 2021 and released from behind the paywall on January 11, 2024.

## Summary

> Griffin, David and Ben return to the ol’ mailbag for Checkmate submitted questions! Does director Steve McQueen like David’s DVD collection? Will we see a return of the burger hotline? What are #thetwofriends Mandalorian takes? Tune in for these answers and so much more!
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### Milestones and Ephemera

* David interviewed Steve McQueen where he outed himself as a physical media king, no word on steelbooks
* Ben gave David a Clueless steelbook for Christmas, Casper for Griffin
	+ Ben's revelation - steelbooks are just like his vinyl collection
* Griffin binged The Santa Clause series all in a row while waiting for *Soul* to go up on Disney+ and then proceeds to sell David on doing them on Patreon
* Ben's rezzies (New Year's resolutions):
	+ ride a dang horse (carried over)
	+ wanted to make a new philosophy but... it's too hard
	+ starting a rock club (minerals not music)
	+ write a book on dream interpretations

## Mailbag

Creeeeeak.......

* What's the best film score to own on vinyl?
* What are the burgers that have been getting you through quarantine?
* Overall thoughts of *Mandalorian* season 2 and the upcoming onslaught of Star Wars content
* What's Ben's Mount Chainmore?
* Impressions and thoughts on quarantine animation binge watches?
* In the T2 episode Ben says "he loves a good vat", why not more vat talk?
* Would you guys ever consider returning to anime?
* What video games have you been playing in quarantine?
* Have you ever considered film trends rather than franchises for Patreon? Examples: 90's teen literature adaptations, 2000s dance movies
* Is Disney World still gonna happen once the pandemic is over?
* On the Crocodile Dundee episode Ben discussed drinking a Foster's on the ferry, is Ben a frequent ferry rider or is it an occasional jaunt?
* If Griffin could greenlight a new Muppet movie based on classic literature what would it be?
* Is David's spreadsheet set in stone or does it change around?
* David: how do you decide who to interview for your articles? Would you just reach out to Paul Reiser for a career overview?
* Did Ben see *Possessor* or *Ema*?
* Do you plan on blind watching Patreon commentaries again or is Crocodile Dundee an outlier?
* Who is David's favorite 90's Premier League Player?
* In *Airplane* is the joke A) that the famous basketball player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is moonlighting as a co-pilot or is it B) or he is co-pilot Roger Murdock and the kid is breaking the 4th wall?
* Is there a trivia question from your Videology days you got wrong and it still haunts you?
* Please do Alien series rankings.
* How did you meet Ayo and Olivia from *Iconography*? Griff just liked the show
* Are you a Jesse or Celine?

## References

1. ↑ The Fifth Blank Check Mailbag on Patreon. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home Commentary

**Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home** is episode 93 of Blank Check: Special Features, and is a commentary track for the 1986 film of the same. Posted April 1, 2021.

## Summary

>
> The gang dives back into Trek commentary with 1986's *Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home*. Topics include: Eddie Murphy's lost role, time travel tropes, celebrity age comparisons and more!
>
> **The movie starts at...14:32**
>
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### Milestones and Ephemera

* Just three dudes, totally healthy and at the peak of their powers.
* Trek is vaporwave now?!?
* David was the adopted father of a WHALE named SOD (which stood for “scars on dorsal [fin]”) and he has *never* mentioned it until now.
	+ Apparently Sod is a female humpback whale, and was last spotted in 2003.
* Ben’s bullying: steal your own bike.
* Box-office game: Weekend of November 28, 1986

## References

1. ↑ Blank Check Podcast. Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. Patreon. Retrieved on May 12, 2021.
2. ↑ Whale with names. Sod the Humpback Whale. The Whale Video Co.. Retrieved on May 8, 2022.
The Love Guru Commentary

**The Love Guru** is episode 199 of Blank Check: Special Features and a commentary for the 2008 feature film of the same name. Posted January 1, 2024.

## Summary

> Mariska Hargitay and a Happy New Year to all Blankies!
>
>
> BC:SF wraps up the Mike Myers series and kicks off 2024 with 2008's The Love Guru. Topics include: The epic conclusion of the Austin Powers Collectible Card Game saga, Jessica Alba and Romany Malco's filmography and the logistics of a chastity belt.
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> Movie Starts at 13:59
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### Milestones and Ephemera

* Box office game: Weekend of June 20, 2008

## References

1. ↑ Blank Check Podcast. The Love Guru. Patreon. Retrieved on January 1, 2024.
Revenge of The Podcast

**Revenge of the Podcast** is a miniseries covering George Lucas' film Revenge of the Sith. This miniseries ostensibly serves to investigate a single central question: "Is this a good conclusion to the story in the "Phantom Menace trilogy?"

## Summary

Griffin and David yet again continued to use their running bit about the Star Wars movies: that in terms of the movie under discussion, this was the last Star Wars movie (in order of the episode numbers) that George Lucas got to make. Functionally this meant that the hosts pretended that they had seen Episode I, Episode II, and now Episode III to complete the saga, and never even heard of any other Star Wars movies

In this miniseries, #TheTwoFriends mostly investigated the character arcs of several notables in the Phantom Menace trilogy, tracing the stories of Anakin Skywalker & Padmé Amidala, Obi-wan Kenobi, and Chancellor Palpatine, as well as zooming out to examine the many twists and turns for the Jedi, Sith, and the governmental structure of the galaxy. The show also devoted an episode to discussion of the Gendy Tartovsky-animated Clone Wars TV show (later assembled into a feature-length movie), which is especially notable for being the first time the co-hosts got to discuss something on the podcast that they truly liked! The miniseries wrapped up with the extraordinary coup of getting the man himself, director George Lucas, to record a podcast in the broom-closet-sized studio with Griffin and David and Ben.

This miniseries was preceded by the Attack Of The Podcast miniseries. It was followed by the initial installments of The Star Wars Sequels miniseries.

## References

1. ↑ May not have been the actual George Lucas.