🎙️🔥 In this episode, John suits up for Action Movie Rankings with a deep dive into Shane Black’s Iron Man 3 (2013). The film finds Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) physically and psychologically unglued after the events of The Avengers — battling insomnia, anxiety, and an obsession with building ever-more-sophisticated suits. When the mysterious “Mandarin” terrorizes the U.S. and Stark’s world is literally blown apart, Tony is forced to rely on his wits, not just his armor, to protect Pepper (Gwyneth Paltrow) and take the fight to a new kind of enemy.
John breaks down what makes Iron Man 3 different from its predecessors: Shane Black’s more intimate, buddy-movie-at-heart approach, a tonal mix of dark comedy and action, and a focus on Tony’s PTSD and identity without the suit. The episode also digs into the film’s controversial Mandarin twist and its adaptation of the Extremis plotline — choices that split fans but gave the movie narrative risks you don’t always see in tentpole fare.
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👊😂 John’s back at the Shulman & Associates office for The Mindy Project, Season 3, Episode 2 — “Annette Castellano Is My Nemesis.” In this episode, Mindy (Mindy Kaling) finally meets Danny’s formidable mother, Annette (Rhea Perlman), and her first impression couldn’t be worse — Annette thinks Mindy is Danny’s cleaning lady.
John digs into the comedic and emotional layers of the episode: why Mindy’s over-the-top plan is both funny and revealing, how Annette’s character challenges Danny (and Mindy) in a way few others do, and whether Mindy’s boldness here is a strength or a liability. He also ranks where this episode lands in his Sitcom Rankings — is it a standout for character development, or just classic awkwardness dressed in pastel? Tune in to hear John’s takes, standout lines, and final placement.
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👊🏕️ John’s back with the Bundys for Season 3, Episode 4 — “The Camping Show.” What starts as a guys-only fishing trip for Al and Steve quickly derails when the rest of the family tags along — and then the plot twist no man wants: Peggy, Marcy, and Kelly all hit “that time of the month” at once, turning the outdoor getaway into pure misery for the men. Expect cranky tents, ruined fishing plans, and classic Bundy-level sarcasm as Al tries to salvage a relaxing week away.
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🎙️🌌 John returns to the moral playground in The Good Place — Season 4, Episode 10: “You’ve Changed, Man.” After Chidi wakes with his full memories restored, the gang scrambles — energized and terrified — to hammer out a new afterlife system that might actually pass muster with the Judge and Shawn. As Judge Gen closes in searching Janet’s voids, Michael, Janet, Eleanor, Tahani, Jason and a newly focused Chidi race to build a proposal that proves humans can learn and improve rather than be summarily rebooted.
John breaks down how this episode pivots the season from theory to action: Chidi’s regained clarity sparks big, heartfelt ideas about moral growth, while the rest of the crew scrambles to sell a messy-but-human solution to cold cosmic bureaucracy. Expect talk about the episode’s mix of urgency and warmth, William Jackson Harper’s energized performance, Janet and Michael’s inventive problem-solving, and whether the plan they pitch truly answers the show’s central question about what makes a life worth living. Tune in as John ranks “You’ve Changed, Man” on the Sitcom Rankings — is this a triumphant turning point or just a tense setup for the finale?
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🎙️🔥 In this episode, John tears into Edgar Wright’s 2025 take on The Running Man, a high-octane sci-fi action reimagining of Stephen King’s Richard Bachman novel. Set in a near-future surveillance state where a brutal nationwide “game” turns human survival into mass entertainment, the film follows Ben Richards (Glen Powell) — a wronged man forced into the deadly spectacle — as he fights hunters, dodges propaganda, and becomes a symbol of resistance.
John breaks down how Wright rebuilds the story for a modern audience, incorporating sharper satire on reality TV and media manipulation, kinetic action sequences that push the original’s set-piece ideas into a full-throttle chase movie, and a tonal shift that leans into urgency without losing its dark humor. He also highlights the cast — from Powell’s lean physicality to the layered support players — and why Edgar Wright’s direction and Michael Bacall’s script aim to be much closer to King’s novel than the 1987 Schwarzenegger picture.
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👊😂 John’s back in the Shulman & Associates office for The Mindy Project, Season 3, Episode 1 — “We’re a Couple Now, Haters!” This episode kicks off a new chapter for Mindy (Mindy Kaling) and Danny (Chris Messina) now that they’ve made things official — but their very different ways of dealing with their relationship are already causing friction.
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👊🚕 John’s back at the Sunshine Garage for Season 2, Episode 17 — “Guess Who’s Coming to Brefnish?” In this one, Latka (Andy Kaufman) falls head over heels for Simka Dahblitz (Carol Kane), a woman from his native land. But when she reveals she’s from a despised “mountain people” group — a community Latka was taught to look down on — things get complicated.
As the pair wrestle with their growing feelings, this episode turns into more than a goofy romance: it’s a full-blown exploration of prejudice, identity, and cultural misunderstanding. Latka, ever naive but earnest, learns that love can’t always erase the walls society builds.
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🎬🧠 In this episode, John dives into “The Answer” (The Good Place — Season 4, Episode 9). With humanity’s fate hanging by a thread, Michael (Ted Danson) must resurrect Chidi (William Jackson Harper) and recover the one idea that can change everything. So the episode flashes through Chidi’s life, his memories, and the slow, messy formation of the moral philosopher we think we know. Between childhood classrooms, awkward first loves, and pivotal ethical lessons, we witness the small, human moments that shaped Chidi's character, and why Michael and Janet risk everything to bring those memories back.
John breaks down the episode’s structure (a tight, Chidi-centered string of flashbacks framed by a desperate race to save humanity), the emotional beats that land thanks to William Jackson Harper and Kristen Bell, and how the show uses memory, ethics, and comedy to answer big questions without losing its warmth.
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🎙️🌌 In this episode, John tears into the 1987 sci-fi action satire The Running Man. Set in a near-future dystopia where televised violence is national entertainment, the film follows framed ex-cop Ben Richards (Arnold Schwarzenegger) — sentenced after refusing to fire on unarmed civilians — who’s forced to fight for his life on a brutal game show run by the gleefully menacing host Damon Killian (Richard Dawson). Along the way Richards teams up with Amber Mendez (María Conchita Alonso), survives encounters with lethal “stalkers” (think Fireball, Dynamo, and Buzzsaw), and becomes a lightning rod for resistance against the state’s propaganda machine.
John breaks down how the movie balances pulpy, high-adrenaline action with a thinner layer of media satire, why Schwarzenegger’s tough guy charisma reshaped the story from Stephen King’s darker Richard Bachman novel, and which set-piece fights and stalker designs still land decades later. He also asks the big question for Action Movie Rankings: does The Running Man work better as an ‘80s action spectacle or as a biting dystopian critique — and where should it sit on the leaderboard? Tune in to hear scene reactions, standout moments, and John’s final placement on the Action Movie Rankings.
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👊🚕 John’s back at the Sunshine Garage for Season 2, Episode 16 — “Tony and Brian.” This time, Tony Banta’s tough-guy exterior softens when he meets Brian, an eight-year-old orphan who wanders into the cab company. What starts as a simple act of kindness quickly turns into something deeper, as Tony bonds with the boy and considers adopting him, a dream that seems just out of reach.
When a wealthy couple shows interest in taking Brian in, Tony’s heart and hopes are put to the test. The episode blends humor and heartbreak as Tony wrestles with the idea of what makes a real family, and whether love can outweigh circumstance.
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🎙️💘 John takes a look at one of The Mindy Project’s most iconic episodes — the Season 2 finale, “Danny and Mindy.” This rom-com–infused closer finds Mindy Lahiri (Mindy Kaling) chasing love in true cinematic fashion when a missed connection on the subway leads to a mysterious admirer named “Andy.” What starts as a dreamy, modern romance twist quickly unravels when it’s revealed that “Andy” is actually Danny Castellano (Chris Messina) — pulling off a grand, slightly misguided gesture to win Mindy back.
As Mindy heads for a fateful meeting atop the Empire State Building, Danny races to stop her, leading to an unforgettable mix of comedy, heartbreak, and 104 flights of stair-climbing determination. Along the way, the Shulman & Associates crew adds plenty of chaos and commentary, making the finale both hilarious and heartfelt.
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🏈📣 Al’s high school glory days come rushing back when a Polk High football prodigy threatens to break his long-standing touchdown record. Determined to defend his legacy, Al dusts off his cleats — while Kelly joins the cheer squad to chase the new star player for entirely different reasons.
As nostalgia, ego, and teenage hormones collide, the Bundys turn a simple school rivalry into full-blown family chaos. John breaks down the episode’s biting look at pride, aging, and the absurdity of living in the past — plus where “Poke High” stacks up in the Sitcom Rankings.
Tune in to find out: is Al’s record still worth cheering for, or is it time to blow the final whistle on his Polk High legend?
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🎬🧠 John dives into one of the series’ pivotal hours, where the Soul Squad literally throws their own funerals while waiting for Judge Gen’s verdict on Michael’s neighborhood experiment. Tahani gets a first-class send-off (in a private jet), Jason goes full Jacksonville poolside, and a frozen Chidi is wheeled around Weekend at Bernie’s–style as Eleanor struggles to find the words he deserves. Meanwhile, in chambers, Michael spars with Shawn when the results reveal Simone, Chidi, and John improved…but Brent got worse—until a late spike suggests even the “worst” humans can change. The Judge agrees the points system is flawed—then decides to reboot existence and “cancel Earth.” Cue a Janet heist: Bad Janet flips sides, the Janets hide the doomsday clicker across their voids, and Eleanor orders the only move left—“Wake. Him. Up.” to help design a fairer afterlife.
John breaks down the mock-memorial gags, the ethics debate that tips the scales, Bad Janet’s face turn, and why this endgame twist sets up the final stretch so perfectly. Where does this episode land in our Sitcom Rankings—and does the emotional gut punch boost its score?
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In this episode of The Rank Podcast, John dives into the dark and gritty 2025 Action/Horror thriller Sinners. Blending brutal combat with psychological horror, the film follows a group of fallen mercenaries trapped in a cursed city where every violent act brings them closer to eternal damnation. As the body count rises, so does the tension—forcing each character to face the sins that got them there.
John breaks down the film’s relentless pacing, stunning visuals, and standout performances, while debating if Sinners deserves its spot among 2025’s Best Picture contenders.
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🎙️😇 John dives into Season 4’s tense midseason turn with “Help Is Other People,” the final day of Eleanor and Michael’s year-long experiment. Simone nearly pieces together that she and the other residents are being studied, and her discoveries kick off a chain reaction that threatens to undo everything the team has built.
With hours left on the clock the group scrambles to pull off last-minute good deeds while Michael pulls desperate stunts (including an elaborate plan to force a rescue that goes sideways). Chidi faces a brutal moral test over whether to save Brent, and Jason delivers some surprisingly sharp analogies about strategy and risk as the gang debates whether to play it safe or go for a dramatic win.
The episode ends on a gut-punch cliffhanger as Eleanor figures out the truth and—shocking everyone—declares, “This is the Bad Place,” flipping the experiment on its head and leaving the stakes higher than ever. John breaks down the episode’s mix of comedy, ethical drama, and suspense, then ranks where it lands in his Sitcom Rankings.
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🏡💔 John wraps Season 2 with a bittersweet, rom-com–style episode as Mindy considers buying the condo next door to Danny — a move toward independence that suddenly feels loaded when she starts seeing Officer Charlie (guest star Tim Daly). Danny’s good-guy swagger slips into thinly veiled jealousy, forcing both of them to confront what friendship vs. something more actually looks like. Meanwhile, Peter tentatively dates a brain surgeon and worries she might be “too mature” for his nonsense, providing classic awkward B-plot comedy. John breaks down the chemistry, the “will they/won’t they” tension, and whether this season-near finale lands high in his sitcom rankings.
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⚖️🎥 In this episode of The Rank Podcast, John dives into the 1957 courtroom thriller Witness for the Prosecution, directed by Billy Wilder and based on Agatha Christie’s classic short story and play. Starring Charles Laughton, Tyrone Power, and Marlene Dietrich, this gripping film follows a veteran British barrister who takes on the defense of a charming man accused of murder—only for the case to unravel with shocking twists and betrayals.
John breaks down the film’s razor-sharp dialogue, powerhouse performances, and one of cinema’s most legendary surprise endings. Does this Oscar-nominated masterpiece still hold up against modern courtroom dramas? Tune in to find out where Witness for the Prosecution lands in his Best Picture Rankings.
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🚓💊 John tackles Season 2, Episode 20 of The Mindy Project, a sharp, topical installment where Mindy steps in to help an 18-year-old patient get birth control—only to have the girl’s overprotective cop father (guest star Tim Daly) storm into the clinic and accuse Mindy of wrongdoing. The confrontation escalates into a chaotic night that includes the teen crashing at Mindy’s place and a party that spirals out of control.
Meanwhile, Danny strikes up an unlikely friendship with a rabbi who mistakes him for Jewish and starts referring members of his congregation to Shulman & Associates—giving the practice a surprising (and awkward) new client pipeline. John breaks down how the episode balances cringe comedy, social commentary about access to contraception, and classic workplace hijinks.
Tune in as John ranks where “An Officer and a Gynecologist” lands in his Sitcom Rankings—does the episode score for daring topical satire and character work, or does the chaos knock it down the list?
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🎽🎸 Peggy is convinced she spotted Elvis at the mall — and when Marcy notices a sweat stain on one of Al’s shirts that eerily looks like The King’s silhouette, the Bundy house becomes an instant roadside attraction for Elvis fans and impersonators.
Chaos follows as tourists and devotees swarm the Bundys, forcing Al to hole up at the shoe store while Peggy tries to cash in on the sudden fame. John breaks down the episode’s gag-packed premise, the show’s trademark humiliation humor, and whether this sweaty sighting still holds up in the sitcom rankings.
Tune in to hear where “I’m Going to Sweatland” lands in John’s Sitcom Rankings — holy grail or rank it and regret it?
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🎙️📚 John digs into Season 4, Episode 6 — a story framed by Michael telling Bad Janet about a crisis in the neighborhood that threatens the whole experiment. The trouble starts when Brent publishes a hilariously awful spy-golf novel, Six Feet Under Par: A Chip Driver Mystery, whose tone and content (racist/misogynistic passages and terrible prose) spark a backlash that exposes how fragile the group’s rehabilitation plan really is.
Simone refuses to lie and praise Brent at his book event, Brent lashes out, and Chidi becomes existentially rattled after seeing himself skewered on the page — while John learns Jason isn’t actually a monk, a secret that creates new complications for keeping the experiment intact.
Framed with Michael’s comic attempts to entertain Bad Janet, the episode mixes sharp satire, character fallout, and genuine jeopardy for Eleanor and Michael’s approach to “fixing” people. John breaks down the humor, the ethical stakes, and where this fraught, funny outing ranks in his Sitcom Rankings. Tune in to hear whether “A Chip Driver Mystery” is a clever course correction — or a catastrophic failure.
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