The Protagonist Podcast
601 episodes — Page 5 of 13
Jack Kelly from Newsies (film 1992)
Description Protagonist Podcast co-founder Todd Mack returns for our 400th episode. Joe and Todd are talking about a Kenny Ortega directed cult classic, Newsies. Despite being a terrible flop when it was first released, Newsies found an audience on home … Continue reading →
Joe Versus the A.I. (special 2022)
Description In this week’s special episode, returning guest Branden Ushio joins Joe for a new game. Branden used an artificial intelligence text generator to create several random names for potential stories. Branden and Joe have each written summaries based on … Continue reading →
Bruce Wayne/Batman from Batman: The Animated Series
Description Returning guest Kjerste Christensen joins Joe to talk about two episodes from Batman: The Animated Series: “Zatanna” and “Beware the Gray Ghost.” Batman: The Animated Series is an iconic interpretation of the classic character, and—it must be said—it absolutely holds … Continue reading →
Doctor Faustus from The Tragical History of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus (play 1588ish)
Description Joe is joined by first-time guest Brice Peterson to discuss Christopher Marlowe’s classic play The Tragical History of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus. It has been well-established that on The Protagonist Podcast we love a good Faustus story, so … Continue reading →
Riri Williams in Ironheart (comic 2018)
Description First-time guest Ravynn Stringfield joins Joe to discuss the Marvel comic book character Riri Williams who goes by the superhero name Ironheart. Ironheart is a fairly new character—having been co-created by Brian Michael Bendis and Mike Deodato in 2016—but … Continue reading →
Abe and Aaron from Primer (film 2004)
Description Returning guest Jon Bell joins Joe to discuss the trippy time-travel film Primer. This very low-budget film seems straightforward at the beginning, but throws multiple curveballs at the audience as the plot progresses. This is an example of a … Continue reading →
Gone Too Soon TV Revivals Draft (Special 2022)
Description Returning guest Branden Ushio joins Joe for a game about tv shows that were canceled too soon. We each draft a team of tv shows that we feel should have had a longer life, and then Producer Andrew gets … Continue reading →
Vi, Powder/Jinx, Jayce, Viktor, Silko and others from Arcane (TV 2021)
Description Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe to talk about the Netflix action-adventure-steampunk-fantasy animated series that is based on the League of Legends video game. We know, there is not a great track record for “based on video game” tv … Continue reading →
Kim and Ilian from Sunrise (short story 1973)
Description Returning guest Jon Bell joins Joe to discuss a short story by Glen Cook titled “Sunrise.” Set on a world with a slow orbital rotation, the story explores what happens as a city is about to cross onto the … Continue reading →
Max and Goofy in A Goofy Movie (film 1995)
Description Joe and Producer Andrew are talking about one of the greatest films about fathers and sons that has ever been made: A Goofy Movie. We talk about the unique production history for the film, why the story works so … Continue reading →
Classic Comic Book Artists (special 2022)
Description In recent months two legendary comic book artists, Neal Adams and George Perez, have passed away. Returning guest Christopher “Mav” Maverick joins Joe and Producer Andrew to discuss the legacy of Perez and Adams, and then also talk about … Continue reading →
Understanding the “Popular” in Popular Culture (special 2022)
Description Returning guest Kjerste Christense joins Joe to talk about what becomes popular in terms of books, television, and movies. Inspired in part by Matthew Claxton’s newsletter issue “Unsettling Futures – Brandon Sanderson, fane, and the failure of the long … Continue reading →
Lois Lane and Clark Kent from Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (TV 1993)
Description Returning guest Kjerste Christensen joins Joe to discuss the tv show Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. Lois Lane was played by Teri Hatcher and Clark Kent/Superman was played by Dean Cain. We discuss the show’s historical … Continue reading →
Reginald Jeeves and Bertram Wooster from Jeeves and Wooster stories (short stories 1915-1974)
Description Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe to discuss two classic characters from an iconic series of stories by P.G. Wodehouse. Jeeves is the platonic ideal of an English butler, and his interactions with the lovable but hapless Wooster have … Continue reading →
Andrea Sachs and Miranda Priestly from The Devil Wears Prada (film 2006)
Description Returning guest Virginia McAlister joins Joe to talk about the film The Devil Wears Prada. We talk about Meryl Streep’s amazing performance (obviously), the moral and ethical questions raised by the film, and also the boyfriend. Support Patreon Show … Continue reading →
Cozy Reality Television (Special 2022)
Description Producer Andrew and Joe have a discussion about Cozy Reality Television and why it’s so appealing. We talk about season-long shows like The Great British Baking Show (Bake-Off), The Great Pottery Throw Down, or Making It, and also episodic … Continue reading →
Emily Hayes from Amulet: The Stonekeeper (comic 2008)
Description Protagonist Podcast co-founder Todd Mack is back to discuss the first volume in the graphic novel series Amulet by Kazu Kibuishi. Volume 1: The Stonekeeper, tells the story of Emily Hayes and her brother Navin as they enter a … Continue reading →
Richard Poole from Death in Paradise (television 2011)
Description Returning guest Rachel Armstrong joins Joe to discuss Richard Poole from Death in Paradise. This BBC series sees a British detective assigned to a Caribbean island where he solves a murder each episode. We’re discussing the pilot episode, “Arriving … Continue reading →
Valancy Stirling from The Blue Castle (novel 1926)
Description Returning guest Rachel Armstrong and first-time guest Sarah Brinton join Joe to discuss The Blue Castle, a 1926 novel by L.M. Montgomery. Most famous for her Anne of Green Gables novels, The Blue Castle is a Montgomery story about … Continue reading →
Veer Pratap Singh and Zaara Hayaat Khan from Veer-Zaara (film 2004)
Description First-time guest James Goldberg joins Joe to discuss the Bollywood film Veer-Zaara. The film stars Shah Rukh Khan as Veer and Preity Zinta as Zaara. It tells the story of star-crossed lovers, one who is Indian and who is … Continue reading →
Forge and Storm from Uncanny X-Men #186 “Lifedeath” (comic 1984)
Description First time guest Andrew Deman joins Joe to discuss Forge and Storm from Uncanny X-Men #186. Andrew is the project lead of The Claremont Run, a project exploring Chris Claremont’s sixteen year run on Uncanny X-Men, its impact on … Continue reading →
Elevator Pitches (special 2022)
Description Protagonist Podcast co-founder Todd Mack joins Joe to play a game of Elevator Pitches. Producer Andrew draws elements from hats, and then Todd and Joe must a quick pitch for a story based on those elements.
Menolly from Dragonsong (novel 1976)
Description Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe to discuss Menolly from Dragonsong. Dragonsong is a science-fantasy novel by Anne McCaffrey. It is part of a very large series of novels set on the world of Pern, where a acidic fungus … Continue reading →
Vasyl Petrovych Goloborodko from Servant of the People (TV 2015)
Description First time guest Jacob Olson joins Joe to discuss Vasyl Petrovych Globorodko from Servant of the People. This Ukrainian television series starred Volodomyr Zelenskyy as a high school teacher who, rather unintentionally, gets elected president of Ukraine. In real … Continue reading →
Santiago from The Old Man and the Sea (novel 1952)
Description Joe and Producer Andrew are discussing a class novel by Ernest Hemingway, The Old Man and the Sea. After discussing Hemingway’s surprising life (and multiple brushes with death), we talk about his most famous work and its modernist themes. … Continue reading →
Folke Nilsson and Isak Bjorvik in Kitchen Stories (film 2003)
Description Returning guest Rachel Armstrong joins Joe to discuss the film Kitchen Stories. Kitchen Stories is a 2003 Norwegian film. The director, Bent Hamer, came across Cold War era research that was performed tracking the movement of Swedish housewives in … Continue reading →
Douglas Wolk discusses All of the Marvels
Description Author Douglas Wolk joins Joe to discuss his book All of the Marvels: A Journey to the Ends of the Biggest Story Ever Told. Wolk read more than 27,000 Marvel comics and in his book he attempts to make sense … Continue reading →
Beth Harmon in The Queen’s Gambit (Television 2020)
Description Returning guest Virginia McAlister joins Joe to talk about Beth Harmon from The Queen’s Gambit. Anya-Taylor Joy’s performance as a chess prodigy won immediate (well-deserved) praise, and provides plenty of areas of discussion in this episode. Support Patreon Show … Continue reading →
Special Episode: Comic Book Casting
Description Returning guest Christopher “Mav” Maverick joins Joe to play a game of Comic Book Casting. We’re taking well-known works, and assigning comic book characters to play the various roles, sort of like a Muppets-style adaptation of a classic work. … Continue reading →
Miri Larendaughter from The Princess Academy (novel 2005)
Description Returning guest Rachel Armstrong joins Joe to discuss Shannon Hale’s 2005 novel The Princess Academy. The novel tells the story of a group of girls from a small mountain town who are all recruited to attend a royal academy with … Continue reading →
Benoit Blanc and Marta Cabrera from Knives Out (film 2019)
Description Returning guest Kestra Darowski joins Joe and Producer Andrew to discuss Knives Out, the 2019 murder mystery film from writer and director Rian Johnson. Starring Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc and Ana de Armas as Marta Cabrera, the film … Continue reading →
The Epimetheus Suit from Sledgehammer 44 (comic 2013)
Description Producer Andrew joins Joe to discuss the Sledgehammer 44 comic book mini-series that are set in the Hellboy universe. These were written by Mike Mignola and John Arcudi, with art by Jason Later and Lawrence Campbell. Support Patreon Show … Continue reading →
Troy and Abed from Community (TV 2010)
Description Returning guest Ben Phillips joins Joe to discuss Troy and Abed from the sitcom Community. We discuss the iconic friendship as we dissect the episodes “Epidemiology” and “Geothermal Escapism.” Support Patreon Show Notes Community – IMDB Community – Wikipedia … Continue reading →
Fantasy Box Office 2022 (special 2022)
Description In what may be an overly optimistic decision, Producer Andrew and Joe have decided to bring back the Fantasy Box Office game for 2022. They each pick films, and the films final box office is multiplied by its Rotten … Continue reading →
Waxillium Ladrian and Wayne from The Alloy of Law (novel 2011)
Description Protagonist Podcast co-founder Todd Mack is back with Joe to discuss Wax and Wayne from The Alloy of Law. This Brandon Sanderson novel is set on the same planet as his Mistborn Trilogy, but several hundred years in the … Continue reading →
Ebeneezer Scrooge and the Muppets from The Muppet Christmas Carol (film 1992)
Description Returning guest Charly Kuecks joins Joe to discuss the classic holiday film, The Muppet Christmas Carol. Written by Jerry Juhl and directed by Brian Henson, this adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol sees the muppets inserted into key … Continue reading →
Christmas Special 2021
Protagonist Podcast co-founder Todd Mack is back for our seventh annual Christmas Special. Producer Andrew has supplied Todd and Joe with the names of several Christmas films that they have never watched. They have prepared a plot summary inspired by … Continue reading →
Jesper and Klaus from Klaus (film 2019)
Description Returning guest John Darowski joins Joe and Producer Andrew to discuss the animated film Klaus. This film, available on Netflix, tells an origin story for Santa Claus as seen through the experiences of a cynical mailman named Jesper. Featuring … Continue reading →
Ted Lasso and friends from Ted Lasso (TV 2020)
Description Returning guest Ben Phillips joins Joe to discuss Ted Lasso. The hit series stars Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso, an American football (not soccer) coach who is hired to manage a English football (yes soccer) team in the Premiere … Continue reading →
Thanksgiving Special (2021)
Description Returning guests Kjerste Christensen and Chris “Mav” Maverick join Joe to talk about the stories that they’re grateful for this year. Support Patreon
Franklin Richards and H.E.R.B.I.E. in Franklin Richards: Son of a Genius (comic 2005)
Description Joe and Producer Andrew are discussing this delightful comic book series, chronicling the mischeivous adventures of Franklin Richards. As the son of Mr. Fantastic and Invisible Woman, the opportunity for trouble abounds for Franklin, and he takes full advantage. … Continue reading →
Paddington Bear from Paddington 2 (film 2017)
Description Returning guest Scott Carelli joins Joe to discuss Paddington Bear from Paddington 2. We discuss why this a perfect film (and we’re not doing a bit or making a joke when we say that). Support Patreon Show Notes Paddington … Continue reading →
Princess Amethyst Alexandra Augusta Araminta Adelaide Aurelia Anne of Phantasmorania from The Ordinary Princess (novel 1980)
Description Returning guest Kjerste Christensen joins Joe to discuss The Ordinary Princess by M.M. Kaye. For November, we’re trying to cover stories that just feel nice to the audience, and this was Kjerste’s selection. The novel tells the story of … Continue reading →
Halloween Special 2021
Description Protagonist Podcast co-founder Todd Mack and returning guest Todd Petersen join Joe for their annual Halloween special. They’re each choosing creepy stories and updating them with new genres, settings, or storytelling twists. Support Patreon
Linus, Snoopy, and the Peanuts gang in It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
Description Protagonist Podcast co-founder Todd Mack is back to talk about It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. We talk about faith, cynicism, and what makes this a classic tv special to watch in the Fall. Support Patreon Show Notes It’s … Continue reading →
Steve Rogers from Captain America #402-409 (comic 1992)
Description It’s Cap-Wolf! Yes, in honor of the monster stories we tell around Halloween, we’re talking about the time that Captain America was turned into a werewolf. John Darowski joins Joe to discuss the “Man and Wolf” storyline, written by … Continue reading →
Dr. Miles Bennell and Becky Driscoll from Invasion of the Body Snatchers
Description Joe and Producer Andrew are tackling a classic sci-fi film, Invasion of the Body Snatchers. We’re talking about pod people, paranoia, and alien invasions in 1950’s America as we discuss Don Siegel’s film starring Kevin McCarthy as Miles Bennell … Continue reading →
Dr. Impossible and Fatale from Soon I Will Be Invincible (novel 2007)
Description All-star guest Nik English joins Joe to discuss Austin Grossman’s debut novel Soon I Will Be Invincible. It tells the story of Dr. Impossible trying to take over the planet, while Fatale joins a team of superheroes to try … Continue reading →
Casting Emma (special 2021)
Description Returning guest Kjerste Christensen joins Joe to play a game called Casting Emma. There are certain texts that have been adapted so many times, you could imagine swapping out actors and actresses from each version to build the ultimate … Continue reading →
Liz Lemon on 30 Rock (TV 2006)
Description Retuning guest Cavan Helps joins Joe to discussi Liz Lemon from the NBC sitcom 30 Rock. 30 Rock, created by Tina Fey, is set behind the scenes at a sketch comedy show and is inspired by Tina Fey’s time writing … Continue reading →