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The Worst of All Possible Worlds
Josh Boerman, A.J. Ditty, and Brian Alford
246 episodes
3 days ago
The first and only podcast bringing you weekly case studies in the pop culture of a dying empire. Every Wednesday, co-hosts Josh, Brian, and A.J. dissect an artifact of popular culture, breaking down how its narrative choices reflect or subvert the reactionary political project. From video games to movies to theater to an apparently infinite supply of evangelical Christian radio drama, we expose the machinations of the worst of all possible worlds in order to figure out how to build a better one. Also, we have bits.
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All content for The Worst of All Possible Worlds is the property of Josh Boerman, A.J. Ditty, and Brian Alford and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
The first and only podcast bringing you weekly case studies in the pop culture of a dying empire. Every Wednesday, co-hosts Josh, Brian, and A.J. dissect an artifact of popular culture, breaking down how its narrative choices reflect or subvert the reactionary political project. From video games to movies to theater to an apparently infinite supply of evangelical Christian radio drama, we expose the machinations of the worst of all possible worlds in order to figure out how to build a better one. Also, we have bits.
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Society & Culture
Arts,
Leisure,
Video Games
Episodes (20/246)
The Worst of All Possible Worlds
187 UNLOCKED - Sky King: The Story of Richard Russell (feat. Caleb from Kill The Computer)
Caleb @BirdRespecter (Kill The Computer, 60 Minute Drill) joins Brian and Josh to tell the story of Richard “Beebo” Russell, a man who walked off his job as a baggage handler at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport one day in 2018 to steal an airplane. Russell and his ill-fated flight quickly became a cause célèbre among some of the darkest corners of the internet, continuing to this day. This episode tries to figure out how and why that happened. Note: This episode deals with suicide and racist extremism. Caleb: Bluesky // Twitter // Linktree Kill The Computer: June and Caleb talk about the ways in which internet culture spills out into the real world; good and bad. Patreon // Spotify // Apple Podcasts // Bluesky // YouTube Media referenced this episode: “The Sky Thief: Beebo Russell’s Last Flight” by Tim Dickinson. Rolling Stone, June 24, 2021. “I Worked With Richard Russell at Horizon Air, and I Understand Why He Did What He Did” by Todd Bunker. The Stranger, August 17, 2018. “‘Airplane of opportunity’? Richard Russell raised pilot’s suspicions a year before Sea-Tac plane heist” by Lewis Kamb. The Seattle Times, September 12, 2018. “Sea-Tac air traffic controller faced ‘one in a million’ scenario with stolen plane” by Daniel Beekman and Michelle Baruchman. The Seattle Times, August 11, 2018. “FBI: Richard Russell, who stole plane from Sea-Tac, acted alone, crashed on purpose; motive a mystery” by Lewis Kamb. The Seattle Times, November 9, 2018. “Human remains, flight data recorder found among wreckage of stolen plane on Ketron Island” by Stacia Glenn. The News Tribune, August 13, 2018. “Airline job was way for man who crashed stolen plane to visit Alaska” by Adam Lynn, Alexis Krell, Sue Kidd, Lauren Smith and Craig Sailor. The News Tribune, August 12, 2018. “White nationalists and the ‘Sky King’” by Martin McKenzie-Murray. The Saturday Paper, August 18, 2018. FBI press release on investigation from November 2018 Redacted FBI report from the investigation Music used in this episode: Anticipation by Drill Folly Lookin’ For That Orca (Beebo’s Song) by Johny Maudlin TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com Interstitial: The first seven pages of “The Hidden Enemy,” written and performed by Josh Boerman with music by Sean Callery from 24
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3 days ago
2 hours 10 minutes

The Worst of All Possible Worlds
222 - 2025: A Year In Review
It is time once again for our cherished annual tradition: taking calls from listeners and guests, then stitching them together with your favorite moments from the year. (Plus, very special messages from A.J., Brian, and Josh starting at the 1:51:02 mark.) Thanks to everyone who called in, and hold on for 2026. We will find a way.
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1 week ago
2 hours

The Worst of All Possible Worlds
221 - The Muppet Christmas Carol
MERCHANDISE NOW ON SALE THROUGH 12/31 ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE THROUGH 12/31 The lads grab their tiny red scarves and head for Fozziwig’s Rubber Chicken Factory as they cover Brian Henson’s 1992 holiday classic: The Muppet Christmas Carol. Topics include the arch prose of Dickens, the cutting of “When Love is Gone”, and what it means to create a staple of the holiday season that involves Michael Caine throwing a wreath at a tiny puppet.   Media Referenced in this Episode: The Muppet Christmas Carol. Dir. Brian Henson. 1992. “Michael Caine Loves The Muppet Christmas Carol as Much as You Do” by Laruen Larson. GQ. December 15th, 2016. “Brian Henson on What Makes ‘A Muppet Christmas Carol’ So Special and His Father’s legacy” by Alyssa Fikse. Uproxx. December 23rd, 2015. “How we made: The Muppet Christmas Carol” by Ben Beaumont-Thomas. The Guardian. December 21st, 2015.   TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com   Interstitial: “A Letter from Charles Dickens to His Son, Edward ‘Plorn’ Dickens, on the Day of His Departure to Australia, September 26th, 1868" // Written by A.J. Ditty // Feat. Brian Alford as “Charles Dickens” // Additional Text by Charles Dickens in a Letter to his son, Plorn
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2 weeks ago
30 minutes

The Worst of All Possible Worlds
220 - Death Stranding 2 (feat. Workers’ Lit)
MERCHANDISE NOW ON SALE THROUGH 12/31 ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE THROUGH 12/31 Jacob and Lenore of Workers’ Lit join the lads down under for some ghost busting and coffin surfing as they cover Hideo Kojima’s 2025 delivery simulator: Death Stranding 2. Topics include the unmatchable gameplay loop, the polarity of Dollman, and the horrors lurking under the surface of a game where evil is defeated through the power of dance. BUY JACOB’S BOOK HERE Workers’ Lit: A podcast about books and the news with Lenore, Aysha, Jen, and Jacob. Books/Culture episodes on Mondays! News/Politics episodes on Wednesdays! Read good books, tell bad jokes, and fight for a better future! Spotify // Apple Podcasts // Youtube // Bluesky Media Referenced in the Episode: Death Stranding 2. Kojima Productions. 2025. TWOAPW #104: Death Stranding (feat. Drew Toothpaste) Ladscast 13: Somehow, More Death Stranding Workers’ Lit: “On The Beach, ft. Brian Alford” Hideo Kojima presents Brain Structure #15 Hideo Kojima x TGA Special: DEATH STRANDING [ENGLISH] “Hideo Kojima on ‘Death Stranding 2,’ the Sequel’s Big Changes and Improvements Post-Pandemic, and How He Hoped to Cast David Lynch in a Game” by Nick Newman. Indiewire. August 7th, 2025. “Hideo Kojima on How His Illness Affected ‘Death Stranding 2,’ Developing A24 Film Adaptation and Why His Collaboration With GU Is About More Than Fashion” by Jennifer Maas. Variety. June 19th, 2025. “Hideo Kojima Says Death Stranding’s Now Had Over 20 Million Players and The Fact Folk Are Still Playing ‘Makes Me the Happiest’” by Rich Stanton. PC Gamer. April 2025. https://liberationnews.org/child-labor-in-alabamas-hyundai-supply-plants/ TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com Interstitial: “A Message from Tobogganman, Prime Minister of the Canadian Autonomous Network of Underground Cities” // Written by A.J. Ditty // Feat. David Armstrong as “Tobogganman”
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3 weeks ago
2 hours 28 minutes

The Worst of All Possible Worlds
219 - Bram Stoker’s Dracula (feat. Scott Benson and Bethany Hockenberry)
THIS IS A PREVIEW. FOR THE FULL EPISODE, GO TOPatreon.com/worstofall MERCHANDISE NOW ON SALE THROUGH 12/31 ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE THROUGH 12/31 Scott Benson and Bethany Hockenberry (Night in the Woods) join the lads aboard the Demeter and double back to Transylvania as they cover Francis Ford Coppola’s vampiric 1992 fever dream: Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Topics include the gorgeous aesthetics, the terrors of Gary Oldman, and what it means to create a movie that can only be described as CINNNEEEMMMMAAAA!!!! Scott Benson: Bluesky // Instagram Bethany Hockenberry: Bluesky // Instagram Night in the Woods Night in the Woods Merch Media Referenced in this Episode: Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Dir. Francis Ford Coppola. 1992.Bram Stoker's Dracula (published 1897)Bram Stoker's Dracula. Williams. Designer Barry Oursler. 1993 TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com Interstitial: “Tom Waits” // Written and Performed by A.J. Ditty // Music: “Grapefruit Moon” by Tom Waits.
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4 weeks ago
30 minutes

The Worst of All Possible Worlds
Fancy Movie Time #35: Broadcast News (1987)
THIS IS A PREVIEW. FOR THE FULL EPISODE, GO TO Patreon.com/worstofallOn this episode of Fancy Movie Time with Brian and A.J., the Fancy Lads unplug their phones and have a good cry as they cover James L. Brooks' 1987 ode to the joys of work: Broadcast News. Does the electric chemistry of the three leads make this movie a Fancy Feast? Or does its overlong runtime make it a Failure to Fancy? One thing's for sure: that Gracie Films' tune sure is catchy.   Next episode: Ordet (1955).
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1 month ago
13 minutes

The Worst of All Possible Worlds
EMERGENCY POD - Remembering Tom Stoppard (feat. Abigail Thorn)
MERCHANDISE NOW ON SALE THROUGH 12/31 ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE THROUGH 12/31   Tom Stoppard, the acclaimed, prolific playwright behind Arcadia, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, Rock 'n' Roll and so many other plays, along with the screenplays to Shakespeare in Love, Brazil, and Anna Karenina, has died. He leaves behind a staggering, inspiring, often frustrating body of work that will continue to be seen long after we are gone. We are joined today by Abigail Thorn (The Acolyte, House of the Dragon) to look at the corners of his oeuvre that have spoken to us over the years, and discuss what we can learn from him going forward.   Abigail Thorn: Bluesky // Instagram The Prince: A transformative new play that has everything: sword fighting, lesbianism, Hamlet, and disappointed parents. Available on Nebula.   Philosophy Tube: Giving away philosophy degrees for free! Youtube // Nebula // Patreon   Kill James Bond! is a comedy film review/ pop culture commentary podcast about the portrayal of masculinity in cinema. November Kelly, Abigail Thorn, and Devon have watched Bond movies, War on Terror movies, Eurospy movies, and now they take on their biggest task yet: Heist Movies. What can Heat, Oceans’ 11, and the Fast and Furious movies teach us about how masculinity was imagined by the people who created them? What does that say about Society? Free episodes are released every fortnight on all major podcast platforms and bonus episodes are released for supporters on Patreon on the interstitial weeks. Website / Twitter / Patreon Listen on Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcast
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1 month ago
1 hour 4 minutes

The Worst of All Possible Worlds
218 - Steven Spielberg’s 1941 (1979)
MERCHANDISE NOW ON SALE THROUGH 12/31 ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE THROUGH 12/31   On their fourth annual remembrance of Pearl Harbor, the lads hop in their B-17’s and throw Los Angeles into chaos as they cover Steven Spielberg’s notorious 1979 WWII flop: 1941. Topics include the duality of Jon Belushi, the real-life horror of the Zoot Suit Riots, and the difficulties of delivering a punchline when everyone around you is screaming.   Media Referenced in this Episode: 1941. Dir. Steven Spielberg. 1979 “Civilian Casualties: Pearl Harbor”. National Park Service. Last updated September 18th, 2024. “How Pearl Harbor created a climate of fear” by Daniel Greene. CNN. December 7th, 2016. “Inn Owner Tells of Shelling; SUBMARINE SHELLS A CALIFORNIA PLANT U.S. MAINLAND SHELLED” by The New York Times. February 24th, 1942. Remember Pearl Harbor! By Thomas Blake Clark. Modern age books. 1942. Steven Spielberg’s 1941 | The Making Of. “The 1942 Battle of L.A.” by Scott Harrison. The Los Angeles Times. February 23rd, 2017.   TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com   Interstitial: “Something Special” // Written and performed by A.J. Ditty // Music: “Inkwell Hell” by Kristopher Maddigan
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1 month ago
2 hours 6 minutes

The Worst of All Possible Worlds
ANNOUNCEMENT: Annual memberships & merchandise on sale now!
A very special message from Josh.  https://store.worstpossible.worldhttps://www.patreon.com/worstofall
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1 month ago
1 minute

The Worst of All Possible Worlds
217 - Waiting for Godot
THIS IS A PREVIEW. FOR THE FULL EPISODE, GO TO Patreon.com/worstofall The lads throw on their bowler hats and blame on their shoes the faults of their feet as they cover Samuel Beckett’s tragicomic masterpiece: Waiting for Godot. Topics include the origins of Godot, the benefits of being stabbed in the chest, and the enduring legacy of a stage play where nothing happens twice. Media Referenced in this Episode: Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett. 1953. Damned to Fame: The Life of Samuel Beckett by James Knowlson. Simon and Schuster. 1996. Panic Attack by John Lahr. The New Yorker. May 11th, 2009. SAMUEL BECKETT: Waiting for Godot : Bert Lahr / E. G. Marshall The 1957 All-Black Broadway Cast of 'Waiting For Godot' in the Archives | The New York Public Library TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com Interstitial: “A Message from Mr. Godot” // Written by A.J. Ditty // Featuring A.J. DItty as “Mr. Godot” and Eleanor Philips as “The Weird Brother”.
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1 month ago
30 minutes

The Worst of All Possible Worlds
BOBUS 14 - Bloodborne: The Old Hunters DLC (feat. What's all This Then?)
THIS IS A PREVIEW. FOR THE FULL EPISODE, GO TO Patreon.com/worstofall We've done it. Charlotte and Libby are back to join us in the Hunter's Nightmare, a blood-drenched valhalla where no one's having a good time. What’s All This Then?: A podcast about Britain, hosted by Charlotte McDonnell and Libby Watson. Patreon // Spotify // Apple Podcasts Libby Watson: Twitch // Bluesky Charlotte McDonnell: Twitch // Bluesky TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com
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1 month ago
31 minutes

The Worst of All Possible Worlds
216 - Odyssey: Origins (feat. Kevin T. Porter) [Whit’s Endless Summer 48]
The godfather of Christian media podcasts Kevin T. Porter (Good Christian Fun) joins the lads in Odyssey as they cover three episodes from the series that would one day become Adventures in Odyssey: Family Portraits. Topics include the dangers of yokel discrimination, the bizarro world of pre-Odyssey Odyssey, and what it means to have your mail delivered by a man named George Poindexter.   Kevin T. Porter: Instagram // Website Good Christian Fun: Good Christian Fun is a podcast delving into the strange upside-down world of Christian pop culture. Hosts Kevin T. Porter and Caroline Ely are your tour guides through the weird and hilarious world of faith-based entertainment. GCF is a show for skeptics and believers alike, all are welcome. Don’t worry, they won’t make you go to church ;) Patreon // Apple Podcasts // Website Listen to Josh’s episode of GCF about Mary Rice Hopkins Media Referenced in this Episode Family Portraits S01E01: “Whit’s Visitor” S01E03: “The New Kid in Town” S01E09: “A New Kind of Peer Pressure” TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com Interstitial: “J2o18h15n th11e Fi5rs14t” // Written by A.J. Ditty // feat. Brian Alford as “John/Jimmy/Michael”, A.J. Ditty as “Dr. Oswald Oliver”, and Jessie Cannizzaro as “Dr. Christina Cavalcante” // Violin Cover of “The Chain” by Steve Bingham, Arranged by Rowan Marshall
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1 month ago
1 hour 51 minutes

The Worst of All Possible Worlds
215 - Columbo (feat. Donovan Eyre)
THIS IS A PREVIEW. FOR THE FULL EPISODE, GO TO Patreon.com/worstofall Donovan Eyre (Radio Free Tote Bag, DonoHell) and the lads throw on their trenchcoats and putter around some crime scenes as they cover the hit NBC/ABC mystery sensation: Columbo. Topics include the genius of Peter Falk, the many crimes of the Kong family, and what we can learn from watching a working class detective one more thing his way towards bringing justice to the bourgeois. Donovan Eyre: Bluesky  // Instagram // SoundCloud DonoHell: Streaming Wednesdays 8-10 Radio Free Tote Bag: A weekly relationship advice podcast hosted by Audrey and Donovan. Patreon // Spotify // Apple Podcasts // Twitter // Instagram Media Referenced in this Episode: Columbo. Created by Richard Levinson and William Link. S02E01: “Étude in Black” S05E05: “Now You See Him” S10E01:“Columbo Goes to College” Columbo, Romania and the Communist Party by Radu Pericol Tiganas. How Columbo Influenced the Cinematographers of Poker Face by Iain Marks. American Cinematographer. May 21st, 2025. “How We Created Columbo and How He Nearly Killed Us” by Richard Levinson and William Link. American Film Magazine. March 1981. TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com Interstitial: “Columbo Kong” // Written by A.J. Ditty // feat. Brian Alford as “Bluster Kong/Mainer Kong/Werner”, Josh Boerman as “DK”, and A.J. Ditty as “Columbo Kong”
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1 month ago
23 minutes

The Worst of All Possible Worlds
214 - The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (feat. Jolenta Greenberg)
Jolenta Greenberg (Hot Mess-Terpiece Theatre) and the lads attend the dinner party from hell and down goblets of cocktails as they cover season one of the hit-Bravo reality show: The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Topics include the origins of the Real Housewives, the art of the talking head one-liner, and what we can learn from the horrifying darkness that comes with being married to Frasier Crane.   Jolenta Greenberg: Website // Instagram   Hot Mess-Terpiece Theatre: Comedian & pop culture critic Jolenta Greenberg has a theory: reality TV isn’t ruining culture - it is culture. Join her and a cast of sharp, funny guests as they dig into the details behind the drama and unpack why we can’t get enough of those iconic scenes and unforgettable characters. This is the place for highbrow conversations about “lowbrow” TV. Spotify // Apple Podcasts // Podbean // Instagram   Media Referenced in this Episode: The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills S1 E4: “It’s My Party and I’ll Spend If I Want To” S1 E5: “I Would Never Say That” S1 E9: “The Dinner Party From Hell” S1 E13: “Unforgivable” “Bravo Adds Fifth Night of Programming, Boosting Original Hours by 20%” by Bill Gorman. Bravo TV Press Release. March 10th, 2010. “Bravo’s ‘The Real Housewives of Orange County’ to premiere March 21st” by Reality Tv World staff. Reality TV World. January 6th, 2006. How Andy Cohen Became Famous Enough To End Up On "Riverdale" by Rebecca Farley. Refinery 29. March 22nd, 2018. MEDIA; “Bravo Learns to Make Noise and Have Fun” by Abby Ellin. The New York Times. July 5th, 2004. “NBC Puts Its Stamp on Bravo” by Allison Romano. Broadcasting and Cable. February 17th, 2003.   TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com   Edited by: Brian Alford   Interstitial: “The Real Housewives of Carmel-By-The-Sea” // Written by A.J. Ditty // feat. Josh Boerman as “Bravo Announcer”, Eleanor Philips as “Chloe”, Anne Boerman as “Kathy”, and Madeleine Bundy as “Kim”.
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2 months ago
2 hours 15 minutes

The Worst of All Possible Worlds
213 - Midnight Mass
THIS IS A PREVIEW. FOR THE FULL EPISODE, GO TO Patreon.com/worstofall   The lads take the Breeze to Crockett island and drink the blood of the angels as they attend Mike Flanagan’s 2021 Catholic horrorfest: Midnight Mass. Topics include the origins of Mike Flanagan, the banal evil of Hamish Linklater, and what it means to try to fight addiction while doing battle with Nosferatu-worshipping vampire-priests.   Media Referenced in this Episode: Midnight Mass. Dir. Mike Flanagan. 2021. “The Deeply Personal Horror of Midnight Mass” by Mike Flanagan. Bloody Disgusting. September 27th, 2021.   TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com   Interstitial: “James the Lesser” // Written by A.J. Ditty // Feat. Dono Eyre as “Da Pope” // Music: Pipe Organ of Keane’s “Somewhere Only We Know” by Reductio
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2 months ago
30 minutes

The Worst of All Possible Worlds
212 - Bloodborne (feat. What’s All This Then?)
Charlotte and Libby from the What’s All This Then podcast join the lads in Yharnam as they cover the nightmare that is FromSoftware’s 2015 gothic horror opus: Bloodborne. Topics include the steep learning curve, the masterful escalation of horror, and what it means to conquer your anxieties in the greatest Britain simulator ever made. What’s All This Then?: A podcast about Britain, hosted by Charlotte McDonnell and Libby Watson. Patreon // Spotify // Apple Podcasts Libby Watson: Twitch // Bluesky Charlotte McDonnell: Twitch // Bluesky Media Referenced in this Episode: Bloodborne. Dir. Hidetaka Miyazaki. FromSoftware. 2015. Bloodborne Is Genius, And Here’s Why by Hbomberguy The Paleblood Hunt by “Redgrave” TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com Interstitial: “The Lads of Yharnam” // Written by A.J. Ditty // Feat. A.J. Ditty as “Claude Pitchfork/The Lads” // Music: “Screaming at the Wailing Wall” by Flogging Molly
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2 months ago
2 hours 39 minutes

The Worst of All Possible Worlds
211 - Faye Anything (feat. I Hate James Dobson) [Whit’s Endless Summer 47]
THIS IS A PREVIEW. FOR THE FULL EPISODE, GO TO Patreon.com/worstofall Jake from the I Hate James Dobson podcast and the lads return to Odyssey for further adventures in trust funds, marriage counseling, and the next mayor of Odyssey: Margaret Faye. Topics include the never ending Eugene and Katrina will they/won’t they, the effects of bingeing 400 episodes of AiO in an incredibly short amount of time, and the ingrained sexism at the heart of both the evangelical project and John Avery Whittaker. I Hate James Dobson: Join therapists Jake (a former Evangelical) and Brooke (who knows almost nothing about Evangelical culture) as they read and tear apart Dobson’s works. Get ready to laugh, cry, and rip your hair out as we explore the very many reasons why I Hate James Dobson. Spotify // Apple Podcasts // Bluesky // Instagram Media Referenced in this Episode: Adventures in Odyssey #372-374: “For Whom the Wedding Bell Tolls Parts 1-3” #380-381: “The One About Trust Parts 1 and 2" TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com Interstitial: “25 Keys” // Written by A.J. Ditty // Feat. Eliza Martin Simpson as “Mary Mulligan” and A.J. Ditty as “Melvin Mulligan”
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2 months ago
30 minutes

The Worst of All Possible Worlds
210 - Into the Woods (feat. Mattie Lubchansky)
Mattie Lubchansky (Boys Weekend, Simplicity) and the lads grab their cow as white as milk, their cape as red as blood, their hair as yellow as corn, their slipper as pure as gold, and feed a potion to a rapping witch as they cover Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s 1986 fairy tale musical: Into the Woods. Topics include the massive reworking of the second act, the many allegations against the Big Bad Wolf, and how Sondheim’s most lucrative musical might also be his best. Mattie Lubchansky: Website // Bluesky // Instagram // Patreon BUY MATTIE'S BOOKS: In the Land of…Simplicity: An Account of the Unusual Peoples of the Former United States & A Sojourn Through the Exurb Zones And Other Unsecured Territories By An Intrepid Explorer From the Coalition of Secured City-States: a vibrant new graphic novel about a timid academic sent out from the walled dystopian security territory of New York City to investigate a cult in the wilds of the Catskill Mountains. Boys Weekend: A hilarious trans-“final girl” horror graphic novel about a bachelor party gone very, very wrong. A witty, tender romp through the cosmic horror of being alive LISTEN TO MATTIE'S PODCASTS: No Gods No Mayors: Municipal government: a trap that catches those too incompetent, too corrupt, too strange even for national politics. And the greatest of these, the mayor - the highest political office one can hope to reach with a truly oppositional personality or a crack addiction. Mattie Lubchansky, Riley Quinn and November Kelly are teaming up to make a podcast investigating these mayors. From petty Bonapartes to flagrant mafiosi, these are their stories. Available on Spotify // Apple Podcasts // RSS Feed Temporal Culture War: Mattie Lubchansky and Clayton Ashley figure out what the hell was going on in culture in the early 2000s while they wade through episodes of Star Trek Enterprise. Available on Spotify // Apple Podcasts // RSS Feed Media Referenced in this Episode: Into the Woods. Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Book by James Lapine. 1986. Bernadette Peters and Original Into the Woods Cast Recall Untold Stories, Backstage Memories and Standouts With Sondheim by Adam Hetrick. Playbill. November 25th, 2014. From "Boom Crunch" to "The Last Midnight": How Into the Woods Transformed Throughout the Years by Logan Culwell-Block. Playbill. November 19th, 2014. Look, I Made a Hat: Collected Lyrics (1981-2011) with Attendant Comments, Amplifications, Dogmas, Harangues, Digressions, Anecdotes and Miscellany by Stephen Sondheim. Penguin Random House. 2011. Into the Woods: A conversation with Sondheim and Lapine – 1991 PBS TV Into the Woods - MTI Conversation Piece with Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine Into the Woods SR. at Lenox Hill TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com Interstitial: “There’s a Chance You Might Be Bi” // Music by Stephen Sondheim // Lyrics by A.J. Ditty // Featuring A.J. Ditty as “Himself”
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3 months ago
2 hours 57 minutes

The Worst of All Possible Worlds
209 - My Cousin Vinny
THIS IS A PREVIEW. FOR THE FULL EPISODE, GO TO Patreon.com/worstofall The lads hop in their 1964 metallic mint-green Buick Skylarks and get arrested for murder as they cover Jonathan Lynn’s 1992 legal comedy: My Cousin Vinny. Topics include the Era of the Screenplay, the film’s dedication to legal procedure, and the unspeakable cinematic power of having Marisa Tomei talk about tire-tracks. Media Referenced in this Episode: My Cousin Vinny. Dir. Jonathan Lynn. 1992. Abnormal Interviews: “My Cousin Vinny Director Jonathan Lynn” by Nick Farr. March 13th, 2012. Dale Launer’s Incredible Website ‘WHAT IS A YUTE?’: AN ORAL HISTORY OF ‘MY COUSIN VINNY’ by Andy Greene. Rolling Stone. March 7th, 2022. TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com Interstitial: “A Phone Call From The Southern Baptist Correctional Facility” // Written by A.J. Ditty and Tony Ditty // feat. A.J. Ditty as “A.J. Ditty”, Eleanor Philips as “Denise”, and Tony Ditty as “Tony Ditty: Lawyer and A.J.’s Actual Father”
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3 months ago
25 minutes

The Worst of All Possible Worlds
Fancy Movie Time #33: Yi Yi
THIS IS A PREVIEW. FOR THE FULL EPISODE, GO TO Patreon.com/worstofallOn this episode of Fancy Movie Time with Brian and A.J., the Fancy Lads head to Taipei and dance with the pigeon man as they cover Edward Yang's coming-of-age drama Yi Yi (2000). Do the film's novelistic approach and impeccable characterizations make it a Fancy Feast? Or does its vibes-based tone and myriad of plots make it a Failure to Fancy? One thing's for sure: Mr. Fancymovietime DEFINITELY got his union card. On the next episode of Fancy Movie Time with Brian and A.J.: The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920)
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3 months ago
14 minutes

The Worst of All Possible Worlds
The first and only podcast bringing you weekly case studies in the pop culture of a dying empire. Every Wednesday, co-hosts Josh, Brian, and A.J. dissect an artifact of popular culture, breaking down how its narrative choices reflect or subvert the reactionary political project. From video games to movies to theater to an apparently infinite supply of evangelical Christian radio drama, we expose the machinations of the worst of all possible worlds in order to figure out how to build a better one. Also, we have bits.