The Non-Toxic Fanboys Podcast

The Star Trek film vault continues with Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, as The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular takes a turn towards the meditative. Glenn & Scott welcome Tim Capel from PTBN Comics to an in-depth discussion of the third Star Trek movie’s place in an ongoing story, its theatricality, Klingon linguistics, Christopher Lloyd & Mark Lenard’s differing approaches to gravitas, how death can be turned into a fighting chance to live, the inability of Commander Kruge to see past his own worldview, the film’s distinct lack of Kirstie Alley & Bibi Besch, and finger-sex versus finger-foreplay. Glenn sings the praises of James Horner’s lyrical score, Tim gives a brief rundown of the state of Trek comics in the early 80’s, and Scott explains why the film’s finale might be the best single scene in Star Trek history. Get yourself an Altair water, hit the antimatter inducer, and enjoy the latest episode of The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular! You can support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/nontoxicfanboys. Music selections: “Main Title” from Star Trek III: The Search for Spock by James Horner “Bird of Prey Decloaks” from Star Trek III: The Search for Spock by James Horner “I Need You” from The Hunger Games: Catching Fire by James Newton Howard “Returning to Vulcan” from Star Trek III: The Search for Spock by James Horner Purchase the music excerpted in this episode: Star Trek III: The Search for Spock score by James Horner The Hunger Games: Catching Fire score by James Newton Howard

The X-Files have been closed once again, and Glenn & Scott welcome Andy Halleen back to The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular to follow up on their discussion at the beginning of season ten now that the miniseries has fully taken shape. They discuss the return of various styles of X-Files episodes, whether the limited six-episode run hurt or helped the show, the value and quality of cliffhangers, the launch of The X-Files: The Next Generation with Agents Einstein and M-Something, a drug trip to remember, X-Files as viewed through the lens of sports announcers, terrorism, and much more. Also, Scott lists all (and we mean ALL) of the people who could possibly be on the ship. Spoilers abound in the latest episode of The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular! You can support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/nontoxicfanboys. Musical Selections: “X-Files (Variation on a Theme)” from The X-Files: I Want to Believe by Mark Snow (remixed by UNKLE) “Crater Hug” from The X-Files: Fight the Future by Mark Snow “I Need You” from The Hunger Games: Catching Fire by James Newton Howard The PCR Song Purchase the scores excerpted in this episode: The X-Files: Fight the Future, original score by Mark Snow The X-Files: I Want to Believe, original score by Mark Snow The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, original score by James Newton Howard

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is the subject of The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular’s latest dive into the Star Trek vault, as Glenn & Scott welcome Todd Weber from PTBN’s comics contingent to break down the Trek movie with what is probably the best reputation. They discuss how & why Star Trek II differed from Star Trek I, check in on the movie’s characters, examine the pull it exerted on all future Trek movies, sing the praises of actors from Ricardo Montalbán to William Shatner to Bibi Besch, lament the absence of Madeline Kahn, and much more! You can support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/nontoxicfanboys. Musical selections from Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan by James Horner: “Main Title” “Amazing Grace” “Surprise Attack” “Epilogue” Purchase the 2-disc expanded score to Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.

Oscar season is here, and The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular is ON IT. Glenn & Scott cover this year’s Oscars the only way they know how: by running down the five nominees for Best Original Score! They discuss Jóhann Jóhannsson’s score for Sicario, Ennio Morricone’s The Hateful Eight, Thomas Newman’s Bridge of Spies, Carter Burwell’s Carol, and last but not least, John Williams’ Star Wars: The Force Awakens. They discuss their reactions to the commercial albums for all five scores, the differences between those and what Academy voters have received, some other scores by the nominated composers, which score they think will win, the political decision-making that goes into an actual Academy vote for Best Score, and more! For an extended discussion of The Force Awakens‘ score, check out episode three of the ol’ Podcast Hour Spectacular. You can support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/nontoxicfanboys. Musical selections: “Desert Music” from Sicario by Jóhann Jóhannsson “L’Ultima Diligenza di Red Rock (#2)” from The Hateful Eight by Ennio Morricone “La Lettera di Lincoln (Strumentale)” from The Hateful Eight by Ennio Morricone “Homecoming” from Bridge of Spies by Thomas Newman “Opening” from Carol by Carter Burwell “Christmas Trees” from Carol by Carter Burwell Purchase the scores discussed in this episode: Sicario, original score by Jóhann Jóhannsson The Hateful Eight, original score by Ennio Morricone Bridge of Spies, original score by Thomas Newman Carol, original score by Carter Burwell Star Wars: The Force Awakens, original score by John Williams

To mark Star Trek’s 50th-anniversary year, The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular launches a special rewind series examining the twelve Trek films, leading up to the release of the thirteenth this July! In this installment, the journey begins with a dive into Star Trek: The Motion Picture. Glenn & Scott Butler look at the first Star Trek movie’s development, its pacing issues, its iconic score, its relationship with fandom as it existed in the 70’s, which pieces of the original series are retained and which are discarded, new characters that are introduced and done away with in short order, beloved characters whose actual characterization might be considered thin, the effect the film had on the franchise’s development heading into the eighties, and whether it deserves its poor reputation. Tune in to find out how many times Scott can say the phrase “dreadfully dull” in eighty-four minutes! You can support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/nontoxicfanboys. Musical selections: “Main Title” from Star Trek: The Motion Picture by Jerry Goldsmith “Overture” (Ilia’s Theme) from Star Trek: The Motion Picture by Jerry Goldsmith “I Need You” from The Hunger Games: Catching Fire by James Newton Howard “The Enterprise” from Star Trek: The Motion Picture by Jerry Goldsmith Purchase the music excerpted in this episode: Star Trek: The Motion Picture, original score by Jerry Goldsmith The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, original score by James Newton Howard

The truth is still out there, and The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular is all over the return of The X-Files in pursuit of it. Glenn & Scott welcome special guest Andy Halleen to the podcast to talk about some of their favorite episodes & moments over the course of The X-Files‘ long run, the way that the first two episodes of the new miniseries reintroduce both the larger mythology and case-of-the-week styles of the series, Gillian Anderson having to hold out for equal pay, the relationship between real-world conspiracy theories and TV conspiracy theories, and AD Skinner’s stalled career. You don’t have to register an account on MindQuad to listen to this brand-new episode of The Glenn Butler Podcast Spectacular! You can support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/nontoxicfanboys. Musical selections: “Threnody in X” from The X-Files: Fight the Future by Mark Snow “Crossroads” from The X-Files: Fight the Future by Mark Snow “Big Happening” from The X-Files, “This Is Not Happening” by Mark Snow The X-Files Theme in a Major Key Buy the music excerpted in this episode: The X-Files: Fight the Future, original score by Mark Snow The X-Files, Volume 1, original score by Mark Snow (Special thanks to Andy for the radio-style intro.)

With the long hard slog of the US presidential campaign slogging along, The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular is back with a despairing and at times contemptuous look at all of the people who for some reason are still running for President on the eve of the Iowa caucus. Then, considering the ascendancy of Donald Trump, Glenn & Scott contemplate other WWE Hall of Famers who might make better Presidents of the United States. Finally, there’s a brief look at the 2016 US Senate race in Connecticut and the idea of Linda McMahon joining the fray once again. You can support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/nontoxicfanboys. Musical selections: “America (Fuck Yeah)” by Marc Shaiman and Trey Parker, from Team America: World Police “I Got a Crush…on Obama” by Leah Kauffman, Ben Relles, and Rick Friedrich “Let’s Go Joe” by Cody Harris “I’m Afraid of Americans” by David Bowie and Brian Eno Purchase the music excerpted in this episode: Team America: World Police original soundtrack Earthling by David Bowie

In a blockbuster new episode of The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular, Glenn & Scott are joined by special guest and friend of the show Alanna Kelly to dive just a little deeper into Star Wars: The Force Awakens than the last episode did. The three discuss their histories of Star Wars fandom and expectations going into Episode VII before getting into the marketing of this new movie as a return to the old and beloved tropes of Star Wars, as well as the development of the new characters, including their motivations and costuming (are you on #TeamCape?). Glenn accidentally winds up engaging in a little more prequel apologia than expected, Scott shares a story about an Empire Strikes Back bootleg video tape, and hosts & guest alike desperately try to remember Alfred Molina’s name. After the break, Glenn, Scott, and Alanna examine the aesthetic construction of The Force Awakens, the Star Wars universe’s newfound diversity, and how this film fits in JJ Abrams’ career. The show closes with a new segment on various other media the participants have been consuming lately, including Another Round and extensive discussions about the recent Sherlock special and season two of the Serial podcast. You can support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/nontoxicfanboys. Musical selections from Star Wars: The Force Awakens by John Williams: “Finale” (Finn’s Theme/Poe’s Theme excerpt) “The March of the Resistance” “Finale” (Force Theme/Rey’s Theme counterpoint) “Finale” (Rey’s Theme excerpt) Buy the original score album from Star Wars: The Force Awakens by John Williams.

The month’s humongous sci-fi premiere has arrived with the big-screen debut of the Star Trek: Beyond trailer, and Glenn & Scott are ON IT. What is there to look forward to, or not, in Star Trek (X)III? Other topics covered include the balance of action and ideas in Star Trek movies, Kirk’s characterization, the new uniforms, and the Hater Brigade. Following that, the hosts give their thoughts on John Williams’ new score to Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Where does it lie on the spectrum between the trilogy and prequel scores? Does every Williams action score from the last fifteen years sound the same? How do the new themes measure up? The actual movie might come up as well. A blanket SPOILER WARNING applies to all topics of discussion. You can support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/nontoxicfanboys. Musical selections: “Trekking Down the Narada” from Star Trek by Michael Giacchino “End Credits” from Star Trek by Michael Giacchino “The Jedi Steps” from Star Wars: The Force Awakens by John Williams “Rey’s Theme” from Star Wars: The Force Awakens by John Williams Purchase the music excerpted in this episode: Star Trek, original score by Michael Giacchino Star Wars: The Force Awakens, original score by John Williams

This installment of The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular sees Glenn & Scott Butler welcome Steve Wille to a discussion of another Spectacular, PTBN’s Holiday Tournament Spectacular, coming to The Place to Be at the stroke of midnight as Thanksgiving turns to Black Friday and the holiday season blasts off. The three men run down all four regions of the tournament and break down 128 different holiday movies, TV episodes, songs, albums, foods, and experiences…and, we like to think, learn a little bit about each other in the process. After all, isn’t that what the holidays are all about? You can support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/nontoxicfanboys. Musical selections come from 8-Bit Jesus by Doctor Octoroc: “We Three Konami” “The Legend of Noel” “Super Jingle Bros.” “Have Yourself a Final Little Fantasy” Purchase the album 8-Bit Jesus by Doctor Octoroc.

The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular kicks off when the now-titular Glenn Butler welcomes his brother Scott to the land of podcasts and welcomes listeners to a deep dive into The Hunger Games series. They discuss the hugely successful film franchise along the following criteria: 1. Did Glenn understand the story despite never reading any of the books, or did the movies leave out too many details in favor of flash and explosions? 2. Was Scott satisfied that the books and the movies are telling the same story, or was it garbled beyond recognition in the transition from novel to screenplay? Other topics covered include the construction of competing mythologies, the mechanisms of soft vs. hard population control, Capitol Couture, personal agency, a Love Triangle of Doom, depictions of trauma, whether it’s possible to depict war without ennobling it, and pairs of actors that Glenn can’t tell apart. A BLANKET SPOILER WARNING for the new movie applies to the last section. Each section has spoilers for the movie & book being covered as well as the previous entries. Chapters: 0:00:23 – Intro 0:08:30 – The Hunger Games 1:14:26 – Catching Fire 2:11:56 – Mockingjay Part 1 2:56:03 – Mockingjay Part 2 You can support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/nontoxicfanboys. Musical selections: “Horn of Plenty” by Arcade Fire, from The Hunger Games “I Need You” by James Newton Howard, from Catching Fire “The Hanging Tree” by Jeremiah Fraites, Wesley Schultz, Suzanne Collins, and James Newton Howard, performed by Jennifer Lawrence, from Mockingjay Part 1 “Air Raid Drill” by James Newton Howard, from Mockingjay Part 1 “Returning Home” by James Newton Howard, from The Hunger Games Buy the music excerpted in this episode: The Hunger Games, original score by James Newton Howard The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, original score by James Newton Howard The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1, original score by James Newton Howard The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2, original score by James Newton Howard