Recorded on Facebook Live

July 1, 2018

Longtime friend of the Rift (we're talking all the way back to 1990 and the first season of the public access show) Greg Cox returns to the podcast to talk about his career writing tie-in media fiction which has lead to his receiving the Faust Award (a lifetime achievement award) from the International Association of Media Tie-In Writers.  Greg points out the long history of media tie-in fiction (going back to the silent film era) and tells us about the various elements a media tie-in writer has to juggle in order to make an adaptation happen.

John also talks about the joy of "Tiny Arcade" games.  Pick up one of these by visiting our Amazon store and help support the network.

GREG COX is the New York Times bestselling author of numerous novels and short stories.  He wrote the official movie novelizations of  WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES, GODZILLA, MAN OF STEEL,THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, DAREDEVIL, GHOST RIDER, DEATH DEFYING 
ACTS, and the first three UNDERWORLD films, as well 
the novelizations of four popular DC Comics miniseries, INFINITE CRISIS, 52,  COUNTDOWN and FINAL CRISIS.  
In addition, he has written books and short stories based on such popular series as ALIAS, THE AVENGERS, 
BATMAN, BUFFY, C.S.I., FARSCAPE, FANTASTIC FOUR, THE 4400, THE GREEN HORNET, IRON MAN, LEVERAGE, THE LIBRARIANS, THE PHANTOM, PLANET OF THE APES, ROSWELL, STAR TREK, TERMINATOR, UNDERWORLD, WAREHOUSE 13, XENA, THE X-FILES, X-MEN and ZORRO.  

He has received three Scribe Awards from the International Association of Media Tie-In Writers.

Greg also works as a Consulting Editor for Tor Books, where he has edited such authors as Richard Matheson, Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, Harry Harrison, Tony Daniel, Rosemary Edghill, Graham Joyce, Keith R. A. DeCandido, S.P. Somtow, Christopher Bennett, R.S. Belcher, and many others.

In addition, he has written more jacket and cover copy than he can possibly remember.  ("They stood alone against galactic peril . . . !")

He lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Visit Greg's website to learn more.

Recorded on Facebook Live

June 24, 2018

In 1978, Superman The Movie opened in theaters.  It starred Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman, and an unknown named Christopher Reeve.   The tagline for the film was, "You will believe a man can fly."  And we did as the movie broke the mold in terms of how superheroes were portrayed on the screen and became the benchmark for movies to come.  This year marks the 40th anniversary of the release of the film and we've got a panel of fans to discuss it on the podcast.  We'll take a look at how this movie set the stage for the modern superhero film and how it still holds up to this day. Plus, we'll discuss how the late Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder were the perfect Clark Kent/Superman and Lois Lane.  We'll have a special tribute to Kidder in light of her recent passing.  Joining John to discuss is The Quick and the Dad's Ken Holtzhouser, writer/editor/critic Glenn Greenberg, and Comic Book Central's Joe Stuber.

Our Panel

Joe Stuber is an an Emmy® award-winning producer and lifelong comic book fan who writes, hosts, and produces Comic Book Central.  In his guise as Stuberman, Joe has created the world’s first podcast devoted exclusively to in-depth interviews with the legendary talents (actors, writers, producers, directors and more) who have brought comic book properties to life on TV, Broadway, film, video games, live events and beyond!

Joe’s love of comic books began with the superstars of Marvel and DC. Four color treasury-sized editions of Spidey, Superman, Hulk and Batman were all part of his expanding comic book collection…his favorite being the classic team-up, Superman Vs. The Amazing Spider-Man. But something special happened when those comic book adventures were brought to life on the small screen. The Spider-Man animated series and Adam West’s Batman were after-school syndicated staples in the Stuber household. And when the Richard Donner/Christopher Reeve classic film, Superman: The Movie hit the Act I Theater in downtown Johnstown, PA – the game changed forever. For the first time, a comic book truly came to life…and we all believed a man could fly.

Comic Book Central is a celebration of comic books coming to life. In the modern era of big-budget blockbusters with lifelike digital effects, comic book movies and TV shows are here to stay, and they’ve become a genre unto themselves.

Broadcasting from the Comic Book Central Lair, Stuberman welcomes superheroes (and super craftsmen and craftswomen) to spend some time talking about our favorite subject – comic book adaptations. Comic Book Central premiered November 8, 2013, has been heard in over 130 countries and has been called “the Inside the Actors Studio of Comic Books”. One listen and you’ll realize…you’ve just heard the world’s greatest podcast!

Glenn Greenberg is an award-winning editor/writer whose work has appeared in numerous books, comic books, Web sites, and lifestyle and news magazines, published by top companies such as Time Inc., Simon and Schuster, Scholastic Inc., Marvel Comics, DC Comics, Time Out New York, Lockwood Publications, and TwoMorrows Publishing.

Follow on Twitter

Ken Holtzhouser's bio is forthcoming.  Pick up a copy of The Quick and the Dad by clicking on the link.

Recorded on Facebook Live on June 10, 2018

In the late 80s, British fans of the television show DOCTOR WHO were dismayed to see their beloved series placed on an 18 month hiatus.  There were many who felt the series needed it, especially after what was considered a disaster by many in the casting of Colin Baker in the title role.  And then it was announced that actor Sylvester McCoy would be taking over the role.  Like one of his predecessors, Tom Baker, McCoy didn't have much acting experience.  His biggest claim to fame was his act of stuffing ferrets down his pants.

But in the three years that McCoy held the role, he managed to turn it from what looked to be a comical farce into one of the darkest portrayals of he Time Lord ever.  John is joined by author Julio Angel Ortiz to discuss what worked and what didn't work during those final years of the "classic" series.  They also talk about the "New Adventures" novels and McCoy's appearance in the Paul McGann TV movie.  Plus, Ken Holtzhouser chimes in with the time he met McCoy and the significance of it on his life.

Recorded on Facebook Live

June 3, 2018

Netflix's reboot of the classic TV series has been launched with ten episodes that many say feels more like a long prequel to how the family Robinson becomes lost. Does it work? Did they get it right this time in light of the other attempts that never really got off the ground and became lost in their own right? Join us as we discuss what worked, what didn't work, and what are we looking forward to in a second season of the new Lost in Space. 

Joining John to discuss this are educator and longtime fan Rod Deluca and The Flopcast host Kevin Eldridge.

In 1983, the NBC Network premiered the two-night event, V - the miniseries.  In a time where science fiction television lacked a real substance, V addressed issues of division, trust, and loyalty.  There were clear parallels to Nazi Germany during World War II.  The miniseries was such a massive success, it resulted in a sequel (V: The Final Battle), a year long television series, comic books, novels, and merchandise.  As the miniseries enters its 35th year, there is news that V is in development as a motion picture via Desilu Productions with V creator Kenneth Johnson at the helm.

John is joined by authors Jeremy Brown and Bobby Nash to discuss the cultural impact of the series, the potential for V as a television series rather than a movie, and the scary parallels of the concepts of V with the current political spectrum.

Jeremy K. Brown has authored several biographies for young readers, including books on Stevie Wonder and Ursula K. Le Guin. He has also contributed articles to numerous magazines and newspapers, including special issues for TV Guide and the Discovery Channel, and recently edited a collector’s issue on Pink Floyd for Newsweek. He worked for 10 years for WWE, serving as Deputy Editor of WWE Magazine and as a member of the company's television writing staff. Jeremy published his first novel, Calling Off Christmas, in 2011. This was followed by Ocean of Storms and Zero Limit.  He lives in New York with his wife and sons.

Ocean of Storms Facebook Page

An award-winning author, Bobby Nash writes novels, comic books, short stories, novellas, graphic novels, and the occasional screenplay for a variety of publishers, including: IDW Publishing, Sequential Pulp Comics, Dark Horse Comics, Moonstone Books, Airship 27 Productions, Pro Se Press, Raven’s Head Press, Stark Raving Press, Farragut Films, Dark Oak Press, Radio Archives, Avatar Press, and more.

Bobby is a member of the International Association of Media Tie-in Writers and International Thriller Writers.

He was named Best Author in the 2013 Pulp Ark Awards. Rick Ruby, a character co-created by Bobby and author Sean Taylor also snagged a Pulp Ark Award for Best New Pulp Character of 2013. Bobby has also been nominated for the 2014 New Pulp Awards and Pulp Factory Awards for his work. Bobby's novel, Alexandra Holzer's Ghost Gal: The Wild Hunt won a Paranormal Literary Award in the 2015 Paranormal Awards. The Bobby Nash penned episode of Starship Farragut "Conspiracy of Innocence" won the Silver Award in the 2015 DC Film Festival. Bobby's story in The Ruby Files Vol. 2 "Takedown" was named Best Short Story in the 2018 Pulp Factory Awards, one of five nominations for The Ruby Files Vol. 2 (created by Bobby Nash & Sean Taylor). Bobby's digest novel, Snow Drive was nominated for Best Novel in the 2018 Pulp Factory Awards.

Bobby Nash's Homepage

Recorded on Facebook Live

April 29, 2018

Forty years ago, the BBC premiered a new science fiction show by Terry Nation, the creator of the Daleks.  Nation had quite the record of well received scripts to various television shows and had created and written the previous Survivors.  But then along came Blake's 7.  This dystopian drama dealt with a team of renegade outlaws who followed what many perceived to be a fanatical leader in Roj Blake.  From the opening episode with its dark and disturbing ideas to the concluding episode that was supposed to be a cliffhanger for a new season to follow, fans loved watching the adventures of Blake, Avon, and the rest of the crew of the Liberator and Scorpio.

In this look back, John offers a brief breakdown of the four seasons, choosing scenes from each season to highlight key moments as a means to make the argument that this show is in serious need of a reboot and return to television.  

Recorded on Facebook Live

April 22, 2018

John returns with a new slew of reviews from the various corners of pop culture.  Dan Persons reviews Isle of Dogs.  J. Andrew World takes a retrospective look at the music of Todd Rungren.  Denise Lhamon has mixed feelings about The Terror by Dan Simmons.  Ken Holtzhouser referees the debate over revivals versus reboots.  John is bringing a revamped podcast of his to the table (The OSI Files) and Michael Falkner offers a near complete listing of pop culture conventions around the world for the month of May.  It's all here and more on a new In Review episode of The Chronic Rift.

Content

8:00 - John talks the revamp of his bionic themed podcast, The OSI Files (set to premiere on Facebook Live on May 4 at 9:00PM EST).

11:20 - Michael Falkner presents our Pop Culture Convention Guide.

37:05 - The Batcave Podcast promo

38:07 - The Weekly Podioplex promo

40:00 - Denise has mixed feelings on Dan Simmons' The Terror.  (Purchase your copy and help support the network.)

48:50 - Ken Holtzhouser points out the good and the bad when it comes to Hollywood's obsession with reboots and revivals.

Recorded April 15, 2018 on Facebook Live

We pick up our look at the different eras of the cult British television series, Doctor Who with a discussion on the brief time of Colin Baker.  John is joined by author Julio Angel Ortiz to discuss why Colin Baker does not deserve the reputation of being a poor Doctor.  They break it down looking at the few episodes Baker appeared in from the perspective of those involved in the production. In addition, John also briefly Brings to the Table - a look at one of the oddest complaints about the new Netflix Lost in Space series - the "rabid feminist" approach.

Julio Angel Ortiz is a writer in both print and electronic media. Julio has had an audio drama released for the original sci-fi series The Dome and short stories published in collections by Obverse Books featuring Iris Wildthyme and Señor 105. He also has several eBooks available for Kindle via his Vox Camera imprint. When not banging his head against his notebook in order to string words together, Julio works in Information Technology during the day and is also active blogging, posting on Twitter, and working at his photography.

Follow on Twitter

Recorded on Facebook Live

Sunday, April 8, 2018

One of the most influential science fiction films of all time is celebrating its 50th anniversary and we're talking about it on the podcast.  We look at some of the trivia surrounding the film, the special effects and how they hold up today, Stanley Kubrick's directorial choices and more.  Joining John to chat about the film are movie critic for WBAI Hour of the Wolf Dan Persons, author Julio Angel Ortiz, and writer/editor Glenn Greenberg.

Glenn Greenberg is an award-winning editor/writer whose work has appeared in numerous books, comic books, Web sites, and lifestyle and news magazines, published by top companies such as Time Inc., Simon and Schuster, Scholastic Inc., Marvel Comics, DC Comics, Time Out New York, Lockwood Publications, and TwoMorrows Publishing.

Follow on Twitter

Julio Angel Ortiz is a writer in both print and electronic media. Julio has had an audio drama released for the original sci-fi series The Dome and short stories published in collections by Obverse Books featuring Iris Wildthyme and Señor 105. He also has several eBooks available for Kindle via his Vox Camera imprint. When not banging his head against his notebook in order to string words together, Julio works in Information Technology during the day and is also active blogging, posting on Twitter, and working at his photography.

Follow on Twitter

A long-time figure in the world of genre journalism, Dan Persons'movie reviews can be heard on Hour of the Wolf, every Thursday morning on WBAI 99.5FM in New York (wbai.org), and his coverage of upcoming films can be seen on CFQtv, which airs regularly on the Monster Channel (monsterchannel.tv).

Follow on Twitter

Follow on Facebook

Recorded on Facebook Live

Sunday March 25, 2018

Chuck Harter, author of "Mr. Novak: An Acclaimed Television Series", chats with John about the groundbreaking TV series about high school teachers and their students, the appeal of star James Franciscus, the making of Chuck's book and more.

Get your hands on a copy by clicking on the link and in doing so, you help support the network.

Chuck Harter is a writer and musician, and his previously published books include Superboy & Superpup: The Lost Videos; Superman on Broadway; Johnnie Ray: 1952 The Year of the Atomic Ray; Little Elf: A Celebration of Harry Langdon. He also wrote the television documentary Hey! Hey! We’re the Monkees, and has appeared as a commentator on many TV programs including North Mission Road, Cops: America’s Most Wanted, Places of Infamy, A & E Biography, Mysteries and Scandals, and Unsolved Mysteries.

Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/mrnovakbook/

Publisher's page - http://www.bearmanormedia.com/mr-novak-an-acclaimed-television-series-softcover-edition-by-chuck-harter