Sit-coms have been a mainstay of television since its inception.  The sit-com has evolved over that time and while there are many creative and thoughtful shows today, there is something to be said for the classic sit-com.  Kevin takes a look at these shows, relagated to late nights on Nick by recreating one of his favorite comedy bits, a scene from Welcome Back, Kotter.

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Kevin Lauderdale brings a new fantasy author to our attention in Patrick Rothfuss. The second book in Rothfuss's King's Killer series, The Wise Man's Fear was recently released and Kevin is very impressed with the magic system used in this fantasy setting. Comment on this episode by visiting the forums, writing john@chronicrift.com, or calling 888-866-9010.

You can purchase both volumes in the series through our Amazon store. In doing so, you not only support Patrick, but you also support the Rift. Thank you.

From Rothfuss's website:

Told in Kvothe's own voice, this is the tale of the magically gifted young man who grows to be the most notorious wizard his world has ever seen.The intimate narrative of his childhood in a troupe of traveling players, his years spent as a near-feral orphan in a crime-ridden city, his daringly brazen yet successful bid to enter a legendary school of magic, and his life as a fugitive after the murder of a king form a gripping coming-of-age story unrivaled in recent literature. A high-action story written with a poet's hand, The Name of the Wind is a masterpiece that will transport readers into the body and mind of a wizard.

Kevin Lauderdale brings to your attention, something he almost missed, Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame.  In this 2011 Chinese film, an exiled detective is recruited to solve a series of mysterious deaths that threaten to delay the inauguration of Empress Wu.

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It Has Come to My Attention
Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame
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Kevin Lauderdale returns with a look at the multi-volume autobiography of the late Isaac Asimov on the eve of the twentieth anniversary of his death.  He looks at Asimov's past and the availability of the works.

It's one of those overlooked gems, like The Phantom or The Shadow.  Bill Campbell starred in this 1992 feature film about a man who discovered the means to propel himself with the use of a rocket pack. The Rocketeernever really gets the love it deserves, but it's a cult classic and it's come to Kevin's attention that the movie is out on Blu-Ray,  Kevin looks back at the movie and discusses what one can expect in a Blu-Ray edition.

You can purchase a copy of The Rocketeer through our Amazon store.  In doing so, you'll experience strange, new worlds while supporting the Rift Network.  Thank you.

It's one of those overlooked gems, like The Phantom or The Shadow.  Bill Campbell starred in this 1992 feature film about a man who discovered the means to propel himself with the use of a rocket pack. The Rocketeernever really gets the love it deserves, but it's a cult classic and it's come to Kevin's attention that the movie is out on Blu-Ray,  Kevin looks back at the movie and discusses what one can expect in a Blu-Ray edition.

You can purchase a copy of The Rocketeer through our Amazon store.  In doing so, you'll experience strange, new worlds while supporting the Rift Network.  Thank you.

Are you a fan of Star Trek?  It's been inspired by many elements of literature and pop culture and in return it has inspired other works.  Kevin Lauderdale discusses two such works in The Mote in God's Eye by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle and the Aubrey-Maturin series by Patrick O'Brian.  Comment on this episode by visiting the website

Kevin Lauderdale takes a look at the worldwide Tintin phenomenon in light of the new Spielberg/Jackson movie.  Please comment on this episode here at the end of the listing, writing john@chronicrift.com or calling 888-866-9010.  Please also rate the episode at the end of this listing.

Everything old is new again, at least when it comes to Kevin Lauderdale.  With Thanksgiving right around the corner, he introduces you to what may become a holiday tradition in your family, The Cinnamon Bear.  According to Kevin, the best copies of this old time radio series can be purchased through Radio Archivies.

Please take a moment to comment on this episode by visiting the forums, writing john@chronicrift.com, or calling 888-866-9010.

Twins Judy and Jimmy Barton crawled into their attic one December day and found a passageway to a place called Maybeland. They looked in all the dusty corners for any sign of the silver star that always sat atop their Christmas tree. Their search crossed the path of little Paddy O'Cinnamon, "The Cinnamon Bear," who had shoe-button eyes and a ferocious growl. He showed them a small hole through which the Crazy Quilt dragon had absconded with their star and invited Judy and Jimmy to pursue the rascal. Paddy would function as a guide and they'd chase the dragon throughout Maybeland. Paddy magically "de-grew" the twins so they'd fit through the attic tunnel, fired up a miniature airplane powered by soda pop, and flew the Barton kids into a startling and wondrous adventure.

So begins "The Cinnamon Bear," a delightful, one-of-a-kind children's series produced in 1937 by TRANSCO, the Transcription Company of America. Intended to be heard between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the series features twenty-six fifteen-minute cliffhanger installments. The program immediately hooks children because suspenseful fun is always present as each episode concludes with yet another obstacle for Paddy and the twins to overcome. The dragon eventually joins up with the trio but remains unpredictable and mischievous. Named "Crazy Quilt," he succumbs time and time again to his obsession with the shiny silver star.

It's been approved by the Lucas estate and now it's got a sequel.  Kevin Lauderdale takes a look at the newest installment in the "Origami Yoda" series, Darth Paper Strikes Back.  Please take a moment to comment on this episode by visiting the forums, writing john@chronicrift.com, or calling 888-866-9010.

You can purchase copies of The Strange Case of Origami Yoda and Darth Paper Strikes Back via our Amazon store and in doing so, you support The Chronic Rift, thank you.

It Has Come to My Attention - Origami Yoda

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It is a dark time at Ralph McQuarrie Middle School. After suffering several Origami Yoda–related humiliations, Harvey manages to get Dwight suspended from school for being a “troublemaker.” Origami Yoda pleads with Tommy and Kellen to save Dwight by making a new case file—one that will show how Dwight’s presence benefits McQuarrie. With the help of their friends, Tommy and Kellen record cases such as “Origami Yoda and the Pre-eaten Wiener,” “Origami Yoda and the Exploding Pizza Bagels,” and “Origami Yoda and Wonderland: The Musical.” But Harvey and his Darth Paper puppet have a secret plan that could make Dwight’s suspension permanent . . .