"I'll Be a Mummy's Uncle"

Aired February 22, 1968

We come to the last King Tut episode of the Batman 66 series and out of all the characters in the series, John has always struggled with his view of the Mad Monarch.  There is much to praise in this stand alone story, but there is also much to note as simply bad.  Tut manages to confirm that Bruce and Batman are one in the same and it's a battle royale in the Batcave to stop him from revealing it to the world.

​

Joining John to discuss the good and the bad of this episode, to lament the last appearance of the Batman fight theme, and to discuss the possibilities of a fourth season are writers/editors Robert Greenberger and Jim Beard of Gotham City 14 Miles.

Comment on the episode here or write thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

 

Robert Greenberger (born July 24, 1958) is a writer and editor.

Greenberger was born in Brooklyn in New York City, the son of Edwin L. Greenberger and Joan Greenberger. A lifelong fan of comic books, comic strips, science fiction and Star Trek, he drifted towards writing and editing, encouraged by his father and inspired by Superman’s alter ego, Clark Kent.

While at SUNY-Binghamton, Greenberger wrote and edited for the college newspaper, Pipe Dream, moving from general assignment writer to Arts Editor, Managing Editor and ultimately Editor-in-Chief.  He served an internship at Gannett’s Binghamton Sun-Bulletin as a feature writer and reviewer.

Upon graduation, he worked for Starlog Press as Managing Editor ofFangoria.  He was also an Associate Editor for Starlog and while there, created Comics Scene, the first nationally distributed magazine to focus on comic books, comic strips and animation.  The magazine lasted 11 issues before its first cancellation at which time Greenberger went to work on their sports magazines.

In 1984, he joined DC Comics as an Assistant Editor, working with Len Wein and Marv Wolfman on DC’s Golden Anniversary projects Who’s WhoandCrisis on Infinite Earths.  He went on to act as assistant editor to numerous titles for each editor until he was promoted to editor.  During his tenure, his titles included Star Trek, Suicide Squad, Warlord, Doom Patrol, Lois Lane, Action Comics Weekly, Time Masters, Secret Origins, The Hacker Files and others.

By 1990, he had given up editing to become the company’s Editorial Coordinator, helping grow the Editorial Administration department.  When he left the company, he was Manager-Editorial Operations.

In March 2000, he left DC to become a Producer for Gist Communications, television news and listings web site. After ten months there, he learned some new skills and got out before the dotcom bubble burst.

In January 2001, he joined Marvel Comics as Director-Publishing Operations.  During his year with the company, he oversaw editorial schedules, Production, Manufacturing, the Print Library, and other departments.

In January 2002, he left Marvel and rejoined DC in May 2002 as a Senior Editor-Collected Editions.  He helped grow that department, introducing new formats and improving the editions’ editorial content. He also managed DC’s ElfQuest publishing program.

He left DC in January 2006, becoming a freelance writer and editor.  His clients included Weekly World News, Platinum Studios, scifi.com, DC and Marvel. By June, he was offered the post of Managing Editor at Weekly World News where he helped transition the newspaper from being produced jointly in Florida and New York to just NYC.

When the paper folded in August 2007, he resumed his freelance career which continues to this date.  Along the way, he helped revitalize Famous Monsters of Filmland and served as News Editor at ComicMix from August through December 2008.

He is a member of the Science Fiction Writers of America and the International Association of Media Tie-In Writers.  He served on the final Nebula Short Fiction Jury.

 

A native of Toledo, Ohio, Jim Beard was introduced to comic books at an early age by his father, who passed on to him a love for the medium and the pulp characters who preceded it. After decades of reading, collecting and dissecting comics, Jim became a published writer when he sold a story to DC Comics in 2002. Since that time he's written official Star Wars and Ghostbusters comic stories and contributed articles and essays to several volumes of comic book history.

His prose work includes GOTHAM CITY 14 MILES, a book of essays on the 1966 Batman TV series; SGT. JANUS, SPIRIT-BREAKER, a collection of pulp ghost stories featuring an Edwardian occult detective; MONSTER EARTH, a giant monster anthology; and CAPTAIN ACTION: RIDDLE OF THE GLOWING MEN, the first pulp prose novel based on the classic 1960s action figure.

Currently, Jim provides regular content for Marvel.com, the official Marvel Comics website, and is a regular columnist for Toledo Free Press.

Websites

http://www.facebook.com/thebeardjimbeard

http://www.sgtjanus.blogspot.com

"DEADLINE FOR DEATH"

AIRED: DECEMBER 2, 1966

John and Jim are back to being at odds with this episode.  Mike Axford is accused of a murder he didn't commit and the Hornet has to prove his innocence.  John found that the episode was slow to start, but picked up in pace greatly as it moved along.  Plus, it has another challenge for the Black Beauty and Kato gets to use the Hornet's Sting.

The Green Hornet: A History of Radio, Motion Pictures, Comics and Television by Martin Grams and Terry Salomonson is a reference work we're consulting as we move through the series.  Pick up your copy by clicking on the link and getting it today.

Take a listen and then let us know what you think of the episode by writing us here or at thebatcavepodcast@gmail.com.

For New Year’s, we sum up all of 1939.  First it’s “Information Please” from January of that year.  The guest is Alexander Wolcott, the inspiration for the titular character in our previous episode, “The Man Who Came to Dinner.”  The panelists take questions from columnist Walter Winchell, make up poker hands from Mother Goose, and identify famous generals.  Then on the “The Jack Benny Show” it’s New Year’s Eve.  Jack has a date, but forces conspire to prevent him from keeping it.  Western star Andy Devine drops by to talk about taking his parents to Phil Harris’ wild late show.

Episodes

Information Please

January 10 1939

Guest:  Alexander Wolcott

2:22

The Jack Benny Show

December 31,1939

“Gladys Zybisco Disappoints Jack on New Year’s Eve”

33:19

On this week's edition of The Weekly Podioplex, we close out the year with a triple header and the return of the Jedi. Star Wars: The Last Jedi set a lot of second place records... and a lot of fanboy teeth on edge. Whichever way the lightsaber cuts, it's a win for Disney. This week's premieres, including the third outing for Pitch Perfect's bellas and a remake of Jumanji, will try to unseat the box office champ, but will the Force be with them?

Home entertainment brings several big titles home in time for the holidays, including Dunkirk, LEGO Ninjago, Blade Runner 2049, and The Mountain Between Us. TV on DVD visits Duckburg with the new DuckTales, as well as the last season of Dirk Gently. After that, Denise gives you news of Night Vale on TV, Watergate on Netflix, The Rock on the walk, and Sir Ian McKellan on the prowl.

From your friends at The Weekly Podioplex and The Chronic Rift Network,

have a happy, warm, and safe holiday season. We'll see you in 2018!

Weekly Podioplex Notes for December 19, 2017

Introduction

Opening Clip: Pitch Perfect 3

Box Office Report

Top Ten

#1 – Star Wars: The Last Jedi – [New Release]
#2 – Ferdinand – [New Release]
#3 – Coco – [-2]
#4 – Wonder – [-1]
#5 – Justice League – [-3]
#6 – Daddy’s Home 2 – [Even]

#7 – Thor: Ragnarok – [-2]
#8 – The Disaster Artist – [-4]
#9 – Murder on the Orient Express – [-2]
#10 – Lady Bird – [-1]

Tops From the Past

2012 – The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
2007 – National Treasure: Book of Secrets
1997 – Titanic
1987 – Eddie Murphy Raw
1977 – Saturday Night Fever
 

Box Office Premieres

December 22, 2017: Wide

Pitch Perfect 3 – [PG-13]
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle – [PG-13]
Downsizing – [R]
Father Figures – [R]

December 22, 2017: Limited

The Post – [PG-13]
Happy End – [R]

December 29, 2017: Wide

The Greatest Showman – [PG]
All the Money in the World – [R]

December 29, 2017: Limited

Molly’s Game – [R]
Phantom Thread – [R]
Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool – [R]

January 5, 2018: Wide

Insidious: The Last Key – [PG-13]

January 5, 2018: Limited

None

Home Entertainment

December 19, 2017: New Releases on DVD and Blu-Ray 

Dunkirk – [PG-13]

mother! – [R]

The LEGO Ninjago Movie – [PG]

Stronger – [R]

December 26, 2017: New Releases on DVD and Blu-Ray 

The Mountain Between Us – [PG-13]

Flatliners – [PG-13]

Manhunt: Unabomber – [TV-14]

January 2, 2018: New Releases on DVD and Blu-Ray 

American Made – [R]

December 19, 2017: New Releases on Digital Video

American Made – [R]

December 26, 2017: New Releases on Digital Video

Blade Runner 2049 – [R]

January 2, 2018: New Releases on Digital Video

Geostorm – [PG-13]

December 19, 2017: TV on DVD and Blu-Ray

Ducktales: Volume One – Woo-Oo!  (2017)

Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency: Season Two (2017)

December 26, 2017: TV on DVD and Blu-Ray

Acceptable Risk: Series One (2017)

January 2, 2018: TV on DVD and Blu-Ray

None

December 19, 2017: Blu-Rays From the Past 

The Kentuckian (1955) – [NR]

December 26, 2017: Blu-Rays From the Past 

Fletch Lives (1989) – [PG]

January 2, 2018: Blu-Rays From the Past 

The Tuskegee Airmen (1995) – [PG-13]

Podcast Promos

Full of Sith

The Full of Sith Podcast is a show dedicated to bringing the most interesting Star Wars conversations in the galaxy with hosts Bryan Young, Tha Mike Pilot, and Holly Frey.

Earth Station Who
Earth Station Who is a show dedicated to the culture around the BBC icon Doctor Who. Join Mike F, Mike G, and Mary Ogle as we explore the 50-year history and fandom surrounding the Doctor with reviews, interviews, and general discussions about the show. Be prepared for surprises, though; you never know WHO might pop up as a guest on Earth Station Who!

Quick Flicks

Welcome to Night Vale moves from podcast to television
George Clooney and Netflix ponder Watergate
The Rock gets a Hollywood star
Sir Ian McKellen is possessive of Gandalf

Links

Visit the Chronic Rift site
Send us an e-mail
Tweet on Twitter:  The Chronic Rift, The Weekly Podioplex, Denise, and Michael
Listen on Stitcher Radio

Leave a review on iTunes:  The Chronic Rift

Shop the Rift’s Best Bets or search our Amazon Store. 

Michael’s blog at Creative Criticality

Denise’s blog at Accessories Not Included

We present two Christmas-themed comedy programs this time.  First up, on “The Bob Hope Show,” guest Gregory Peck debates with Bob about who’s the handsomer.  Then Bob tries to buy a cheap Christmas tree.  On “The Great Gildersleeve,” Gildy spends considerable time and effort selecting just the right present for his old pal Fibber McGee.  Enjoy these broadcasts – which aired exactly seven years apart, as it happens – while trimming your tree or wrapping your gifts.

Episodes

The Bob Hope Show

December 21, 1948

Guest:  Gregory Peck

4:15

The Great Gildersleeve

December 21, 1941

 “Christmas Gift for Fibber McGee”

 35:51

On this week's edition of The Weekly Podioplex, destiny is coming. Coco scored a box office turkey (just like Moana) and is about to hand the crown to a new Star Wars story (just like Moana). It's a Disney month, but that isn't stopping Warner Bros. and the limited release The Disaster Artist from making their respective marks on 2017. In home entertainment, the Kingsmen come home, as does a plethora of televised entertainment including Game of Thrones, Fuller House, Luke Cage, and Viper. Yes, I said Viper. It's like a low budget Knight Rider and it's delightfully '90s kitsch. 

Denise puts the stamp on the envelope with news of 2019's coming attractions, including The Witcher, The Twilight Zone, and The Phantom Tollbooth. Also, will you please leave David Harbour and Ron Perlman alone? All of that and a bit more make up a brand new edition of The Weekly Podioplex, brought to you on The Chronic Rift Network.

Isis

"Rockhound's Roost"

October 11, 1975

Kevin is a young student who tries to avoid any of his responsibilities at any cost.  But he goes too far when forges his father's name on a permission slip to avoid a cleanup job at home.  On the trip, Kevin continues to shirk his responsibilities and decides to run away before getting caught.  The problem is he brings along a fellow student named Fabian.  Will the two become lost or even worse or can Isis find them in time?

John and Richard discuss this episode in detail and also talk about how the episode is important for today's youth who many do not accept their responsibilities.  Plus, what is the deal with the bear?  It's pretty bad, even for Isis/Shazam standards.

 It's all here and we want to hear from you on what you think of the episode.  Write us as ShazamIsisPodcast@gmail.com.

Moral: "Being responsible means knowing the right thing to do an doing it."

​

Guest Cast

Steven Paul as Kevin McCauley

Thomas Carter as Fabian

Bill DeLand as Mr. McCauley

On this week's edition of The Weekly Podioplex, it's all quiet before the return of the Jedi. Coco is your champion once again with the limited newbies making a decent but not Top Ten worthy showing. This week, Coco faces off against The Shape of Water and Just Getting Started in one last bid for box office superiority. In home entertainment, Despicable Me returns alongside The Simpsons, Fargo, and Twin Peaks. After another holiday horror from the past, Denise brings it all to a close with news of Tarantino, Abrams, and Meyer on Trek, Johnson on Wars, and House of Cards without Spacey.

It's another short release list, but it's still here for you on a brand new edition of The Weekly Podioplex, brought to you on The Chronic Rift Network.

Weekly Podioplex Notes for December 5, 2017

Introduction

Opening Clip: The Shape of Water

Box Office Report

Top Ten

#1 – Coco – [Second Week]
#2 – Justice League – [Even]
#3 – Wonder – [Even]
#4 – Thor: Ragnarok – [Even]
#5 – Daddy’s Home 2 – [Even]
#6 – Murder on the Orient Express – [Even]

#7 – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri – [+3]
#8 – Lady Bird – [+3]
#9 – The Star – [-2]
#10 – A Bad Moms Christmas – [-2]

Tops From the Past

2012 – Skyfall
2007 – The Golden Compass
1997 – Flubber
1987 – Three Men and a Baby
1977 – The Goodbye Girl
 

Box Office Premieres

December 1, 2017: Wide

The Shape of Water – [R]
Just Getting Started – [PG-13]

December 1, 2017: Limited

I, Tonya – [R]
November Criminals – [PG-13]
Big Sonia – [NR]

Home Entertainment

December 5, 2017: New Releases on DVD and Blu-Ray 

Despicable Me 3 – [PG]

December 5, 2017: New Releases on Digital Video

Stronger – [R]

December 5, 2017: TV on DVD and Blu-Ray

The Simpsons: Season Eighteen (2006)

Fargo: Season Three (2017)

Twin Peaks: Season Three – A Limited Event Series (2017)

December 5, 2017: Blu-Rays From the Past 

Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984) – [R]

Podcast Promos

The Dead Robots Society

The Dead Robots’ Society was created by Justin Macumber in an effort to offer advice and support to other aspiring writers. All the hosts, current and former, have writing experience of some kind. They gather on a weekly basis to share stories of their individual journeys and discuss topics important to the world of writing. Occasional forays into the territories of brown dragons, taco eating cowboy space ninjas, or random discussions involving monkeys are all considered rumor at best and none of the hosts are willing to admit any of that actually happened.

Quick Flicks

Quentin Tarantino meets Star Trek?
Nicholas Meyer is actively pursuing a new Star Trek project
Rian Johnson’s new Star Wars trilogy not the Knights of the Old Republic
Bryan Singer fired from Bohemian Rhapsody
House of Cards continues, but without Kevin Spacey

Links

Visit the Chronic Rift site
Send us an e-mail
Tweet on Twitter:  The Chronic Rift, The Weekly Podioplex, Denise, and Michael
Listen on Stitcher Radio

Leave a review on iTunes:  The Chronic Rift

Shop the Rift’s Best Bets or search our Amazon Store. 

Michael’s blog at Creative Criticality

Denise’s blog at Accessories Not Included

“The Man Who Came to Dinner” was a 1939 Broadway comedy written by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart.  It has since become a classic.  When radio commentator and professional wit Sheridan Whiteside is visiting a prominent family in a small town in Ohio a few weeks before Christmas, he injures himself and is confined to their house for a month.  He may be stuck but the show must go on.  “Sherry,” as his friends call him, continues to run his business, see friends and associates, and drive his nice suburban hosts crazy.  This one-hour adaptation stars Clifton Webb and Lucille Ball.

Episodes

Lux Radio Theater

March 27 1950

“The Man Who Came to Dinner”

5:58

On a this week's edition of The Weekly Podioplex, we return to a world where the Justice League almost made it two for two, but the superior power of Disney and Pixar is hard to beat. Coco is your champion, and with only limited releases on the slate for this week's newbies, there's hardly any stopping a repeat performance. Home entertainment is equally sparse, highlighting Logan Lucky, Get Out, the second installment of the Kingsman adventures, and the return of the Gilmore Girls.

To wrap it all up, Denise talks Tolkien in a Lord of the Rings-apalooza! It's a short slate, but it's still a brand new edition of The Weekly Podioplex, brought to you on The Chronic Rift Network.

Weekly Podioplex Notes for November 28, 2017

Introduction

Opening Clip: The Disaster Artist

Box Office Report

Top Ten

#1 – Coco – [New Release]
#2 – Justice League – [-1]
#3 – Wonder – [-1]
#4 – Thor: Ragnarok – [-1]
#5 – Daddy’s Home 2 – [-1]
#6 – Murder on the Orient Express – [-1]

#7 – The Star – [-1]
#8 – A Bad Moms Christmas – [-1]
#9 – Roman J. Israel, Esq. – [+28]
#10 – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri – [-1]

Tops From the Past

2012 – The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2
2007 – Enchanted
1997 – Flubber
1987 – Three Men and a Baby
1977 – Close Encounters of the Third Kind
 

Box Office Premieres

December 1, 2017: Wide

None

December 1, 2017: Limited

The Disaster Artist – [R]
Wonder Wheel – [PG-13]
Padmavati – [NR]
The Shape of Water – [R]
The Tribes of Palos Verdes – [R]
Love Beats Rhymes – [R]
Gangster Land – [NR]
Another WolfCop – [NR]

Naples ‘44 – [NR]

Slumber – [R]
Drawing Home – [NR]

Shadowman – [NR]

Home Entertainment

November 28, 2017: New Releases on DVD and Blu-Ray 

Logan Lucky – [PG-13]

Get Out – [R]

November 28, 2017: New Releases on Digital Video

Kingsman: The Golden Circle – [R]

November 28, 2017: TV on DVD and Blu-Ray

Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life (2016)

November 28, 2017: Blu-Rays From the Past 

Misery (1990) – [R]

Podcast Promos

Geek Radio Daily

Geek Radio Daily is a place for geeks and stealth geeks alike to hang out and talk about a variety of geeky topics. Check out the somtimes weekly podcast…..sWeekly, if you will.  The GRD sWeekly ‘cast is usually available on Mondays, and if you are new to the show, just jump right in!

Quick Flicks

The Lord of the Rings-apalooza!

Links

Visit the Chronic Rift site
Send us an e-mail
Tweet on Twitter:  The Chronic Rift, The Weekly Podioplex, Denise, and Michael
Listen on Stitcher Radio

Leave a review on iTunes:  The Chronic Rift

Shop the Rift’s Best Bets or search our Amazon Store. 

Michael’s blog at Creative Criticality

Denise’s blog at Accessories Not Included