Episode 104 - STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI

This is not going to go the way you think! Ok, maybe it will--certain things are to be expected when you gather a bunch of Star Wars fanatics to discuss the film that many believe ranks among the franchise's best. Still, there's no lack of passionate opinions in this sprawling crossover episode featuring all your favorite podcasters from Reopening the Wormhole and Marvel Star Wars Explorers.

We're joined by Sam Stovold, Jack Stovold, Kev Young, and Brian Rudloff as they weigh in on the chemistry of Rey and Kylo Ren, the many misfortunes of General Hux, and THE SACRED JEDI TEXTS! And how about those achingly adorable porgs, huh?

Fair warning to all you spacers: this is our longest episode ever, but nothing else would do for the weirdest, jokiest, and most divisive installment of the Star Wars saga to date. Godspeed, you rebels.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Written and directed by Rian Johnson
Produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Ram Bergman
Based on characters created by George Lucas
Starring Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Laura Dern, Kelly Marie Tran, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, and Benicio del Toro

Check out the rest of our series on the Star Wars saga:
Episode I: The Phantom Menace
Episode II: Attack of the Clones
Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
Episode IV: A New Hope
Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
Episode VII: The Force Awakens
Episode VIII: The Last Jedi

Solo: A Star Wars Story
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Star Wars: Clone Wars
Star Wars Holiday Special
Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire
Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure

Episode 103 - MEMORABLE TOY COMMERCIALS

All work and no play makes Cam and Eric dull boys, so we're looking back at a bunch of our most memorable playthings in this well-deserved commercial break. Whether they showcased one of our prized possessions or gave us a tantalizing glimpse of a coveted item, these extremely effective ads stuck in our heads well past childhood.

In this 30-second-spot barrage, we revisit fads like POGs and virtual pets, submit dispatches from the Nerf wars, and vehemently dispute the nomenclature of Socker (Sock 'Em?) Boppers. This episode is more fun than a pillow fight!

Ads featured in this episode:
Super Crocodile Mile
Crossfire
Sega Genesis
Nano Pets
My Pal 2
McDonald's Power Rangers Power Coin Packs
Nerf Max Force
Socker/Sock 'Em Boppers

Episode 102 - WINTER WONDER-THON 2017

Much like a delicious holiday fruitcake, our second-annual Winter Wonder-Thon showcases a hodgepodge of festive treats that also benefit from an infusion of adult libations. This year, our selections focus on a wide range of traditions both cultural and commercial, and feature two separate attempts to besmirch the reputation of jolly old Saint Nick.

Pull on your favorite sweater and pour yourself some eggnog as we come a-wassailing into your ears with a very special holiday podcast!

Featured in this episode:

Clips and Shorts
Animaniacs - "Noel" (aired September 7, 1996)
Hess Toy Truck commercials (1993, 1997, 1999)

TV Episodes and Specials
Inspector Gadget Saves Christmas (aired December 4, 1992)
The Tick - "The Tick Loves Santa!" (aired November 25, 1995)
Power Rangers Zeo - "A Season to Remember" (aired November 27, 1996)
Seinfeld - "The Strike" (aired December 18, 1997)

Episode 101 - STAR WARS: CLONE WARS

Star Wars: Clone Wars is an adrenaline shot to the arm of the prequel saga. Genndy Tartakovsky's micro-series is a lesson in atmospheric storytelling, not to mention creative redemption. Each taut installment amps up the cool factor on many a prequel staple, while trimming the fat of plot and dialogue down to a prime cut of kinetic Star Wars action.

Brian Rudloff and Sam Stovold, co-hosts of the brand new Marvel Star Wars Explorers podcast, return to follow up on our Shadows of the Empire discussion with another between-episodes diversion from the Star Wars franchise. (Fingers crossed that the narrative between Episodes VIII and IX provides us with more fodder for debate!) In this massive podcast, they help us take account of all the ass-kicking in a galaxy far, far away and weigh in on the thirstiest droid in the universe.

Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003-2005)
Created and directed by Genndy Tartakovsky
Based on Star Wars by George Lucas
Starring Mat Lucas, James Arnold Taylor, Tom Kane, Grey DeLisle, Richard McGonagle, T.C. Carson, André Sogliuzzo, Corey Burton, and Anthony Daniels

Check out the rest of our series on the Star Wars saga:
Episode I: The Phantom Menace
Episode II: Attack of the Clones
Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
Episode IV: A New Hope
Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
Episode VII: The Force Awakens
Episode VIII: The Last Jedi

Solo: A Star Wars Story
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Star Wars: Clone Wars
Star Wars Holiday Special
Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire
Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure

Episode 100 - TOY STORY

What Were We Watching has finally made it to episode 100, and we're celebrating with another kind of milestone: Pixar's revolutionary computer-animated feature Toy Story. Part of a groundbreaking series that grapples with the inevitability of change and the functions of nostalgia, this movie provides the perfect framework for self-reflection. Our special extra-long discussion is all about storytelling, imagination, and the life-changing power of podcasting.

A big thank you to all the listeners and guests who have accompanied us on our journey thus far. We hope you enjoy the next 100 episodes!

Toy Story (1995)
Directed by John Lasseter
Produced by Bonnie Arnold, Ralph Guggenheim, Ed Catmull, and Steve Jobs
Screenplay by Joss Whedon, Andrew Stanton, Joel Cohen, and Alec Sokolow
Story by John Lasseter, Pete Docter, Andrew Stanton, and Joe Ranft
Starring Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, Jim Varney, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Annie Potts, R. Lee Ermey, John Morris, and Erik von Detten

Episode 99 - BATMAN FOREVER

Riddle me this, riddle me that, who's excited for more Batman chit-chat? Joel Schumacher's exuberant take on the Caped Crusader marks a crucial turning point for the character's onscreen legacy, in a film that dips the remnants of Tim Burton's moody vision in neon and scatters them across an exaggerated comic book fantasyland. As Batman Forever's title suggests, the ripple effects of its stylistic swerve would continue for decades to come.

The dynamic duo of Gensho Tasaka and Eric Wheeler joins us for a freewheeling free-for-all on this pivotal moment in Bat-history. Joygasm!

Batman Forever (1995)
Directed by Joel Schumacher
Produced by Tim Burton and Peter MacGregor-Scott
Written by Lee & Janet Scott Batchler and Akiva Goldsman
Based on characters created by Bob Kane
Starring Val Kilmer, Tommy Lee Jones, Jim Carrey, Nicole Kidman, Chris O'Donnell, Michael Gough, Pat Hingle, and Ed Begley Jr.

Check out all current episodes in our Batman series:
Batman
Batman Returns
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm
Batman Forever
Batman & Robin

Episode 98 - MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL

We're knights of the round table
We pod when ere we're able
About our pick of older flicks
With talent debatable
The only trick that we've got
Is to quote these films a lot

We're knights of the round table
With opinions disposable
We have more fun with Kev Young
Whose style's inimitable
So give this episode a shot
We promise you'll enjoy a lot!

Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
Directed by Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam
Produced by Mark Forstater and Michael White
Written by Monty Python
Starring Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin