Episode 237 - SHREK

Somebody once told us the world was gonna roll us, but that was before we found the irreverent inspiration of Shrek. Kevin Chu stops by our swamp to discuss how an ugly ogre underdog turned the tables on Disney-fied fairy tales and launched a massively popular animated franchise/meme factory. Hey now, you're an all-star, so cue this 'cast up and push play!

Shrek (2001)
Directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson
Written by Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio, Joe Stillman, and Roger S. H. Schulman
Based on the book by William Steig
Starring Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Vincent Cassel, and John Lithgow

Episode 230 - THE SIMPSONS

Ay caramba! It's ten years to the day since we launched WWWW, and we're celebrating our milestone anniversary with a look back at the golden age of The Simpsons. We're diving into memories, music, merchandise, and all the things make us go "mmm" in our painstakingly-crafted lists of the top ten installments across the show's first ten seasons. It may just be our best...episode...ever. Woo hoo!

The Simpsons
Seasons 1-10 (1989 - 1999)
Created by Matt Groening

Episode 222 - IT'S THE PEANUTS HOLIDAY BRACKET, CHARLIE BROWN!

'Tis the season for giving, and this year we're gifting listeners an entire bracket of Peanuts holiday specials! Charles Schulz's pals have celebrated a lot since their first iconic Christmas special. But has that initial outing ever been surpassed? Can elaborate paper valentines or dancing Easter beagles hold a candle to sadly slumping Christmas trees? And what the heck is a "Great Pumpkin" anyway?

And after we unpack these questions with special guest Brian Rudloff, we'll also unwrap real presents in this jam-packed, carefully-wrapped, ho ho holly, multi-holiday smorgasbord. Good grief!

Peanuts TV specials featured in this episode:

A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966)
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973)
It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown (1974)
Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown (1975)
It's Arbor Day, Charlie Brown (1976)
Happy New Year, Charlie Brown! (1986)
It's Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown (1992)

Episode 201 - TITAN A.E.

Don Bluth's directorial swan song Titan A.E. straddles the line between two eras of animation, merging  hand-drawn and computer-generated visuals to create a look befitting its extremely-Y2K style, soundtrack, and overall attitude.

We blast off with John Parton and Ace Cordova to chart a course for the future of humanity...or at least the future of big-budget epics from animation auteurs!

Titan A.E. (2000)
Directed by Don Bluth and Gary Goldman
Written by Ben Edlund, John August, and Joss Whedon
Story by Hans Bauer and Randall McCormick
Starring Matt Damon, Drew Barrymore, Bill Pullman, Nathan Lane, Janeane Garofalo, Ron Perlman, Tone Loc, and John Leguizamo

Episode 184 - THE TRANSFORMERS: THE MOVIE

Before Michael Bay, before Beast Wars, there was...The Transformers: The Movie. Dismissed in its time as a toyetic cog in a corporate moneymaking machine (which it is, to a certain extent), the film endures as a cult classic for many reasons: its anime-influenced visuals, an over-the-top rock soundtrack, and an emotional ruthlessness you don't expect from a cartoon about alien robots that fold into boomboxes.

That being said, The Transformers is still peak 1980s in all its loud, colorful excess. John Parton returns to discuss one of his prime cinematic passions, and transforms our perspective on this keystone of '80s nostalgia. Let's roll out!

The Transformers: The Movie (1986)
Directed by Nelson Shin
Written by Ron Friedman
Based on The Transformers TV series
Starring Peter Cullen, Judd Nelson, Robert Stack, Lionel Stander, Leonard Nimoy, Eric Idle, Frank Welker, and Orson Welles

Episode 178 - THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS

What's this? A macabre and moving musical classic? A gracefully ghoulish gem of gobsmacking animation? The mother of all modern mashups? The Nightmare Before Christmas has been all this and more for nearly three decades, as it transcends labels to illustrate the importance of being true to yourself.

Kev Young brings us dual-holiday delight in this screamingly fun episode that'll speak to anyone who loves to get their creep on at Christmastime. 

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Directed by Henry Selick
Screenplay by Caroline Thompson
Adaptation by Michael McDowell
Based on a story by Tim Burton
Starring Chris Sarandon, Catherine O’Hara, Ken Page, William Hickey, Glenn Shadix, Ed Ivory, and Danny Elfman 

Episode 165 - ALL DOGS GO TO HEAVEN

Arriving to mixed reception upon release and with stiff competition from a juggernaut of the Disney canon, All Dogs Go to Heaven is a film whose dark sensibilities nonetheless left an indelible mark on young minds of a certain age. But you can't keep these good dogs down, as further examination unearths the occasional moments of haunting beauty contained in this uneven exploration of life, death and resurrection.

Does an intersection between the strong creative voice of Don Bluth and comedic stylings of Burt Reynolds and Dom De Luise make any kind of sense on screen? What exactly are the religious implications of Charlie's ascent to, and rejection of, heaven? And why in the world is there a singing alligator in this movie? Guest hosts Brian Rudloff and Sam Stovold make music together in tackling these questions and more in a very special episode that could only release on April 1st! Treasure it now, because after this you can never come baaaaack.

All Dogs Go to Heaven (1989)
Directed by Don Bluth
Produced by Don Bluth, Gary Goldman, and John Pomeroy
Written by David N. Weiss
Starring Burt Reynolds, Dom DeLuise, Judith Barsi, Vic Tayback, Loni Anderson, Ken Page, and Charles Nelson Reilly

Episode 159 - WINTER WARS-A-THON

Happy Hoth-idays, everyone! We're spending our holiday vacation in a galaxy far, far away, and turning our traditional yuletide clip collection into a Star Wars celebration. In this very special Winter Wars-A-Thon, we tackle '80s cartoons, novelty records, fan-created art, and anything with the slightest connection to this festive season.

Marvel Star Wars Explorers co-host Brian Rudloff climbs into our toasty Tauntaun carcass with some special unboxing surprises, and joins us in a final round of Star Wars hot takes before we witness the big-screen conclusion to the Skywalker saga. Merry Christmas to all, and may the Force be with you!

Featured in this episode:

TV Episodes
Star Wars: Droids - "The Frozen Citadel" (aired 11/30/85)
Star Wars: Ewoks - "The Season Scepter" (aired 11/1/86)

Music
Mark Jonathan Davis and the X-Swing Fighters - "The Phantom Medley/Star Wars Cantina" from Naboo Road (1999)
Meco - Christmas in the Stars (1980)

Fan Films
Park Wars - "O Holy Night" (1999)
"How the Sith Stole Christmas, Pt. 1" and the trailer for unfinished parts 2-3 (2002)

Episode 156 - THE SUPER LONG 'WEEN-A-THON

This year, our annual 'Ween-A-Thon gets Super Long...and we mean it! Prepare yourself for two-plus hours of festive frights with a superhero twist. It's also the culmination of Joke-tober, as the Clown Prince of Crime's maniacal tricks make a special appearance among our platter of pop culture treats. 

With the help of fellow 'weener Sam Stovold, we've engineered a holiday tribute that nature never intended, bursting with one-of-a-kind features and an extended discussion of our favorite Halloween candy. We're holding nothing back on this episode, so get the funk up and don't stop dancing: it's the Super Long 'Ween-A-Thon!

Featured in this episode:

Batman: The Animated Series - "Almost Got 'Im" (aired November 10, 1992)
Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends - "The Bride of Dracula!" (aired September 24, 1983)
Prince - "Batdance" (1989)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - "Super Irma" (aired September 26, 1992)
U2 - "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me" (1995)
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman - "Ghosts" (aired November 24, 1996)

Episode 155 - BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES

In the midst of the Caped Crusader's first silver screen renaissance, Batman: The Animated Series reinvented the hero yet again, this time on television. Equally steeped in the worlds of a morally grounded crime-fighter and his menagerie of flamboyant adversaries, the show developed a reputation for turning standard villain-of-the-week stories into thoughtful, emotionally bracing mini-dramas. Its timelessness was enhanced by brooding Art Deco visuals and elegant character designs, and helped launch an animated superhero universe that would endure until the Dark Knight's next cinematic reimagining.

Podcaster extraordinaire Jack Stovold joins us to discuss how the show became a cultural touchstone for Bat-fans, and why it continues to inspire the admiration of cartoon connoisseurs. We are vengeance...we are the night...we are going deep on Batman: The Animated Series!

Batman: The Animated Series (1992-1995)
Developed by Bruce Timm, Paul Dini, and Mitch Brian

Episodes featured in this podcast:

"Heart of Ice" (aired 9/7/92)
"Beware the Gray Ghost" (aired 11/4/92)
"Joker's Favor" (aired 9/11/92)
"Perchance to Dream" (aired 10/19/92)
"Mudslide" (aired 9/15/93)
"Time Out of Joint" (aired 10/8/94)

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

More Jack Stovold:
Reopening the Wormhole
The ApeCast
Jack's Silly Little Friendly Neighborhood Star Trek Discovery Podcast

Episode 152 - ROCKO'S MODERN LIFE

Years before "adult" became a verb, Rocko's Modern Life tried to warn us what was in store outside the bubble of childhood. Younger viewers tuning in to laugh at funny talking animals were surreptitiously served a reality check in tidy 10-minute segments. The cartoon's surreal slapstick punctured the perceived glamour of the grown-up world, while also taking aim at the excesses and absurdities of...well, modern life.

Jake Beal returns in this episode of Conglom-O proportions, as we raise Heck in our raucous appreciation of a Nicktoon that was well ahead of its time. This'll be a hoot!

Rocko's Modern Life (1993-1996)
Created by Joe Murray

Episodes featured in this podcast:

"To Heck and Back" (aired 10/10/93)
"Rocko's Happy Sack" (aired 11/21/93)
"Kiss Me, I'm Foreign" (aired 12/4/94)
"Wacky Delly" (aired 1/26/96)
"Zanzibar" (aired 4/21/96)
"Closet Clown" (aired 7/16/96)

Episode 150 - THE LION KING

From the day we arrived on this podcast, we've done our best to honor the spirit of the pop culture we enjoyed as kids. Even after five years and 150 episodes of heroic overthinking and nostalgia-fueled biases, we're still realizing there is more to see than could ever be seen through our younger eyes, and The Lion King is certainly no exception. It is arguably the alpha of contemporary Disney animation: an artistic and technological landmark that audiences continue to find in its lofty place along the unwinding path of cinema history.

It's the perfect subject for this milestone episode, which includes a look back at some of the other topics that moved us through despair and hope, while you--our wonderful listeners--sustained us with your faith and love. We're psyched to keep digging into the past, often ending up back where we started in a journey that's often wistful and joyous and bittersweet, almost as if we were traversing some kind of life-giving sphere. Remember who you are, and soak in our anniversary celebration!

The Lion King (1994)
Directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff
Produced by Don Hahn
Written by Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts, and Linda Woolverton
Starring Matthew Broderick, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Jeremy Irons, Nathan Lane, Ernie Sabella, Moira Kelly, Rowan Atkinson, Robert Guillaume, Whoopi Goldberg, Cheech Marin, Jim Cummings, Madge Sinclair, and James Earl Jones

Episode 145 - ALADDIN

Aladdin promised a whole new world of narrative possibilities for Disney's resurgent animation division. It expanded the studio's fantastic point of view beyond traditional European folktales while soaring and tumbling with a freewheeling attitude perfectly suited to the '90s. And with no one telling improvisational genius Robin Williams "no," the film had nowhere to go but into the endless diamond sky of our warmest childhood memories.

It's an indescribable feeling as Sean Davis shares his shining, shimmering, splendid insights on this treasured Disney classic. We've got plenty of new horizons to pursue, so come join us on this magic carpet ride!

 

Aladdin (1992)
Directed and produced by Ron Clements and John Musker
Written by Ron Clements & John Musker and Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio
Starring Scott Weinger, Linda Larkin, Jonathan Freeman, Frank Welker, Gilbert Gottfried, Douglas Seale, and Robin Williams

Episode 144 - POKÉMON

While the Pokémon phenomenon has been going strong for more than two decades, there's something especially magical about that first batch of 150-plus pocket monsters. A super effective cocktail of animal cuteness, competitive spirit, and pre-social media FOMO, the franchise conquered America--and the world--like few Japanese imports before or since, and left an evolutionary blueprint for others to follow.

Cartoons, video games, toys, trading cards, novelty raps: we catch 'em all in this episode focused on the Big Bang of a synergistic media universe. While we were recording, a wild Josh Lee appeared to make his WWWW debut, so boot up your Pokédex and join us in our quest to be the very best, like no pod ever was!

Pokémon (1998-present)
Based on the video game created by Satoshi Taijiri

Episodes included in this podcast:

"Pokémon, I Choose You!" (aired 9/8/98)
"Bulbasaur and the Hidden Village" (9/21/98)
"Pikachu's Goodbye" (11/20/98)
"Cyber Soldier Porygon" (unaired in the United States)

Episode 139 - THE ANIMATRIX

Matrix March keeps on scrolling with The Animatrix, an anthology that once bridged the gap between big-screen sequels, and today stands as one of the most unique and ambitious tie-ins of a major Hollywood production. The nine segments featured present an up close and personal view of a technology-fueled dystopia, and offer plenty more philosophical questions for us to debate.

Andrew McNally returns as we shift our focus from massive Australian soundstages to Japanese animation studios and American effects houses. The archives of Zion are open and waiting to be explored. A new world awaits you...

The Animatrix (2003)
Segments directed by Peter Chung, Andrew R. Jones, Yoshiaki Kawajiri, Takeshi Koike, Mahiro Maeda, Koji Morimoto, and Shinichiro Watanabe
Segments written by Peter Chung, Yoshiaki Kawajiri, Koji Morimoto, Shinichiro Watanabe, and the Wachowskis
Starring Kevin Michael Richardson, Pamela Adlon, Hedy Burress, Phil LaMarr, Victor Williams, James Arnold Taylor, John DiMaggio, Melinda Clarke, Clayton Watson, Carrie-Ann Moss, and Keanu Reeves

Follow the white rabbit to our Matrix content:
The Matrix
The Matrix Reloaded
The Animatrix
The Matrix Revolutions

Episode 118 - THE LAND BEFORE TIME

In the 1980s, the partnership of famed animator Don Bluth and cinema wunderkind Steven Spielberg signaled an evolutionary change in the cartoon business. The Land Before Time was perhaps their most moving collaboration, presenting compassion and friendship as the best antidote to bleakness and despair.

Eric Wheeler of Text Before Calling joins us to recount the film's cataclysmic impact on his young mind and its memorable framing of the Darwinian struggle for survival. Whether you're a longneck, a threehorn, or a bigmouth, it's the perfect way to conclude our Jurassic June series, yep yep yep!

*Fun Fact: This episode is just about the exact length of the actual movie! Theoretically, one could press play on both simultaneously for some sort of weird commentary experience... We haven't tested it ourselves, but perhaps a dedicated listener can report back with the results!

The Land Before Time (1988)
Directed by Don Bluth
Produced by Don Bluth, Gary Goldman, John Pomeroy, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, Steven Spielberg, and George Lucas
Written by Stu Krieger
Starring Gabriel Damon, Candace Huston, Judith Barsi, Will Ryan, Helen Shaver, and Pat Hingle

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 97 - 'WEEN-A-THON 2017

Our Halloween "visual playlist" spooktacular returns! This year, our trick-or-treat bag is packed with a variety of ghoulish goodies: commercials, cartoons, and comedies that capture the spirit of the season. Muster up your courage for a not-so-grisly grotesquerie of our Halloween faves in our second annual 'Ween-A-Thon...if you dare!

Featured in this episode:

Clips and Shorts
Coca-Cola "Monsters of the Gridiron" commercials (1993-1994) - Spot 1, Spot 2, Spot 3
Walt Disney World Inside Out - "Twilight Zone Tower of Terror" (1994)

TV Episodes
South Park - "Pinkeye" (aired October 29, 1997)
Rugrats - "Candy Bar Creep Show/Monster in the Garage" (aired January 5, 1992)
The Adventures of Pete & Pete - "Halloweenie" (aired October 9, 1994)
Home Improvement - "I Was A Teenage Taylor" (aired October 29, 1996)