Best Mystery Science Theater 3000 Podcasts (2025)

Appetizers: Kev's album corner, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Narnia: The Magician's Apprentice, Jon's video game corner Main Course: Howl's Moving Castle (1986) Next Time: Florence + The Machine - Ceremonials (2011)By Kev, MB, and Jon

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Word of Telly Episode 11: The Mad Death 46:52

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14d ago46:52

46:52

Join John and Neil as they watch The Mad DeathBy World of Telly

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The Robo-Therapist Will See You Now (with Maggie Harrison Dupré), 2025.08.18 55:07

13d ago55:07

55:07

Talking to chatbots can have serious mental health consequences — fueling delusions and leading users away from consensus reality. Futurism writer Maggie Harrison Dupré joins us to unpack the hype around AI therapists, based on her groundbreaking reporting on "AI psychosis." Maggie Harrison Dupré is an award-winning tech journalist at Futurism who’…

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Nichijou - My Ordinary Life 1:58:26

18d ago1:58:26

1:58:26

Appetizers: Saturday Night Live casting updates, Netflix releasing movies theatrically, 2025 Oscars speculation, Weapons, Dexter: Resurrection, Twisted Metal, The Paper, Long Story Short, Peacemaker, Dropout TV Main Course: Nichijou - My Ordinary Life - Episodes 6 and 16 (2011) Next Time: Howl's Moving Castle (1986)…

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Winning the Race to Hell (with Sarah Myers West and Kate Brennan), 2025.08.04 57:51

29d ago57:51

57:51

Trump’s “AI Action Plan” is his latest attempt to turn AI hype into official national policy. Kate Brennan and Sarah Myers West, of the AI Now Institute, join us to dig through this pile of deregulatory gifts to Big Tech. Dr. Sarah Myers West is co-executive director of the AI Now Institute, and a former senior advisor on AI for the FTC. Dr. Kate B…

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Mystery Science Theater 3000 - "Space Mutiny" 2:04:52

1M ago2:04:52

2:04:52

Appetizers: The Naked Gun (2025), KPop Demon Hunters, Dexter: Resurrection, King of the Hill, CITY: The Animation, UFO 50, Donkey Kong Bananza, Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail Main Course: Mystery Science Theater 3000 - "Space Mutiny" (1997) Next Time: Nichijou - "Episode 6" and "Episode 16" (2011)By Kev, MB, and Jon

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World of Telly Episode 10: Out 49:16

1M ago49:16

49:16

Join John and Neil as they watch OutBy World of Telly

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Vibe Coding: Four Security Nightmares in a Trenchcoat (with Susanna Cox), 2025.07.21 59:00

1M ago59:00

59:00

After many months of making fun of the term "vibe coding," Emily and Alex tackle the LLMs-as-coders fad head-on, with help from security researcher Susanna Cox. From one person's screed that proclaims everyone not on the vibe-coding bandwagon to be crazy, to the grandiose claim that LLMs could be the "opposable thumb" of the entire world of computi…

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Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? 2:08:17

2M ago2:08:17

2:08:17

Appetizers: Dune Part Three, And Just Like That, Buffy reboot, Superman, Fantastic Four: First Steps, The Sandman, Dan Da Dan, Twisted Metal, moisturizer - Wet Leg, Jesus Christ Superstar at the Hollywood Bowl Main Course: Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? (various) Next time: Mystery Science Theater 3000 - "Space Mutiny" (1997)…

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World of Telly Episode 9: Nathan Barley 40:00

2M ago40:00

40:00

Join John and Neil as they watch Nathan BarleyBy World of Telly

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Et Tu, American Federation of Teachers? (with Charles Logan), 2025.07.14 1:00:58

2M ago1:00:58

1:00:58

The chatbot boosters are looking for educators to play brand ambassador for more intrusion of so-called "AI" into the classroom. From the American Federation of Teachers' new partnership with OpenAI and Microsoft for a "national academy for AI instruction" to yet more articles extolling the alleged time-saving and future-proofing virtues of LLM-pow…

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Public Access TV (Science Fiction Edition) 48:45

2M ago48:45

48:45

It's our season finale episode and I'm excited to be chatting about the glory days of public access television with two folks who have first-hand experience in that world. Writer Keith DeCandido is best known these days for his novels and comics but back in the early 90s he was one of the hosts of the New York City science fiction public access sho…

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World of Telly Episode 8: Killer Net 40:18

2M ago40:18

40:18

Join John and Neil as they watch Killer NetBy World of Telly

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Prime Force Directive (with Luke MacPherson) 43:04

3M ago43:04

43:04

I’m excited to talk to writer and musician Luke MacPherson! Luke’s work explores the connections between music, film and philosophy and one of his most recent books, PRIME FORCE DIRECTIVE, draws connections between four cultural forces that shaped his life - the science fiction franchise Star Wars and Star Trek and the heavy metal bands Metallica a…

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Why "AI" Is a Con: Our Book Launch! (with Vauhini Vara), 2025.05.08 1:16:52

3M ago1:16:52

1:16:52

It's finally here! The AI Con: How to Fight Big Tech's Hype and Create the Future We Want hit the shelves in May. In this special bonus episode, Alex and Emily speak to tech journalist Vauhini Vara at one of the book's online launch events, where they covered the misleading nature of the term "artificial intelligence," why the use of tools like Cha…

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Looking - "Looking for the Future" 1:31:40

3M ago1:31:40

1:31:40

Appetizers: James Bond news, Wake Up Dead Man, The Bear, Virgin - Lorde, Crying the Neck - Patrick Wolf, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Main Course: Looking - "Looking for the Future" (2014) Next Time: Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? (videogame, 1996)By Kev, MB, and Jon

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World of Telly Episode 7: Artemis 81 44:14

3M ago44:14

44:14

Join John and Neil as they watch Artemis 81By World of Telly

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Portishead - Dummy (This Record Changed My Life) 33:21

3M ago33:21

33:21

The second installment of our series of episodes focusing on a single album - I put out the call on social media for folks to get in touch with albums that changed their lives to possibly discuss on the show (with the caveat that I have to like the record as well) and the redoubtable Gary Mitchel (of A Podcask of Amontillado) suggested we discuss P…

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Next to Normal 1:59:38

3M ago1:59:38

1:59:38

Appetizers: The 2024 Nebula Awards, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Elden Ring Nightreign, 28 Years Later, I quit - HAIM, Taskmaster, I Kissed a Boy, Dropout TV Main Course: Next to Normal (2008, plus the 2025 Great Performances recording) Next Time: Looking - "Looking to the Future" (2014)By Kev, MB, and Jon

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"Like Magic Intelligence in the Cloud", 2025.05.26 59:50

3M ago59:50

59:50

Because Sam Altman hates opening his laptop, OpenAI is merging with iPhone guy Jony Ive's design firm in the name of some mysterious new ChatGPT-enabled consumer products: Alex and Emily go full Mystery Science Theater and dissect the announcement video. Plus how tech billionaires like Sam Altman mythologize San Francisco while their money makes it…

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World of Telly Episode 6: Andor 47:52

3M ago47:52

47:52

Join John and Neil as they watch AndorBy World of Telly

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John Waters and the Filthy Formal / Trash Talent Show (with Identical Cousins) 30:18

3M ago30:18

30:18

We are talking to Emily Arkin and Bridget Duggan from Identical Cousins about their upcoming event THE FILTY FORMAL AND TRASH TALENT SHOW, an immersive tribute to the work of the film director John Waters! The Filthy Formal is a dance party / variety show / excuse to wear your most vile, stupid, and repulsive formal fashions and it’s Saturday night…

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ER - "Hell and High Water" 2:22:22

4M ago2:22:22

2:22:22

Appetizers: Étoile's cancellation, Psycho Killer music video, Friendship, The Phoenician Scheme, Ballerina, Doctor Who, Hacks, Adults, Overcompensating, The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy, the state of Final Fantasy Main course: ER - "Hell and High Water" (1995) Next time: Next to Normal (2008) (plus the 2025 Great Performances episode showcasi…

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World of Telly Episode 5: The Fantastic Journey 41:48

4M ago41:48

41:48

Join Neil and John as they watch The Fantastic JourneyBy World of Telly

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Raiders of the Lost Ark 52:06

4M ago52:06

52:06

We are discussing one of the most famous and successful movies of all time - Raiders of the Lost Ark! Do I even need to go into a little intro spiel about Raiders? Producer George Lucas, director Steven Spielberg, and star Harrison Ford team up to create one of the most iconic characters in the history of cinema - a swashbuckling archeologist named…

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The Musicals of Stephen Sondheim 54:46

4M ago54:46

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We're discussing the musicals of lyricist and composer Stephen Sondheim and also talking about the current state of musicals on Broadway - has the supermusical killed the chance for smart shows like Sondheim's to find an audience? Where can his influence be found today? Where should you start with such a vast and acclaimed body of work? I'm joined …

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The "AI"-Enabled Immigration Panopticon (with Petra Molnar), 2025.05.05 1:01:58

4M ago1:01:58

1:01:58

This week, Alex and Emily talk with anthropologist and immigration lawyer Petra Molnar about the dehumanizing hype of border-enforcement tech. From hoovering up data to hunt anyone of ambiguous citizenship status, to running surveillance of physical borders themselves, "AI" tech is everywhere in the enforcement of national borders. And as companies…

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Life is Strange 2:40:24

4M ago2:40:24

2:40:24

Appetizers: Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning, Thunderbolts*, Andor season 2, Murderbot, Poker Face season 2, Elsbeth season 2, Ghosts season 4, Duster, Taskmaster season 19, The Blue Prince, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Main Course: Life is Strange (2015) Next Time: ER - "Hell and High Water" (1995)…

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World of Telly Episode 4: Don't Drink The Water 41:52

4M ago41:52

41:52

Join Neil and John as they watch Don't Drink The WaterBy World of Telly

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7 Seconds - The Crew (This Record Changed My Life) 45:42

4M ago45:42

45:42

Our first in a possible series of sporadic episodes focusing on a single album - I put out the call on social media for folks to get in touch with albums that changed their lives to possibly discuss on the show (with the caveat that I have to like the record as well) and the first response I got was from Christian Campagna of the Talk About the Pas…

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AGI: "Imminent", "Inevitable", and Inane, 2025.04.21 1:05:02

4M ago1:05:02

1:05:02

Emily and Alex pore through an elaborate science fiction scenario about the "inevitability" of Artificial General Intelligence or AGI by the year 2027 - which rests atop a foundation of TESCREAL nonsense, and Sinophobia to boot. References: AI 2027 Fresh AI Hell: AI persona bots for undercover cops Palantir heart eyes Keir Starmer Anti-vaxxers are …

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World of Telly Episode 3: Mystery Science Theater 3000 53:11

5M ago53:11

53:11

Join Neil and John as they watch Mystery Science Theater 3000By World of Telly

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The Amazing Royal Crowns (with Jason "King" Kendall) 1:07:44

5M ago1:07:44

1:07:44

I’m excited to be talking to the frontman of one of Providence, RI’s greatest bands, Jason “King” Kendall from the Amazing Royal Crowns! The Royal Crowns managed to combine rockabilly, garage, and punk rock energy into something that sounded both familiar and new and they recorded *great* songs - DO THE DEVIL is probably the most well-known one sin…

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Étoile - Season 1 1:51:15

5M ago1:51:15

1:51:15

Appetizers: A Eulogy for Polygon, Greta Gerwig's The Magician's Nephew, Lena Dunham and Carly Rae Jepsen's 10 Things I Hate About You musical, Sinners, Andor season 2, The Rehearsal season 2 Main Course: Étoile - Season 1 (2025) Next Time: Life is Strange (2015)By Kev, MB, and Jon

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AI Hell in a Handbasket, 2025.04.14 1:00:25

5M ago1:00:25

1:00:25

It's been 4 months since we've cleared the backlog of Fresh AI Hell and the bullshit is coming in almost too fast to keep up with. But between a page full of awkward unicorns and a seeming slowdown in data center demand, Alex and Emily have more good news than usual to accompany this round of catharsis. AI Hell: LLM processing like human language p…

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Cthulhu Luau (with Kellian Adams Pletcher) 56:01

5M ago56:01

56:01

Our guest Kellian Adams Pletcher joins to discuss the new interactive, immersive tiki show she has written, Cthulhu Luau, in advance of its sold-out run! We also discuss Kellian's origin in the swing music scene, her long-running seasonal show Club Drosselmeyer, the immersive theater scene in the Boston area, and why she doesn't like Sleep No More …

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World of Telly Episode 2: Edge of Darkness 51:19

5M ago51:19

51:19

Join Neil and John as they watch Edge of DarknessBy World of Telly

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The X-Files - "Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose" 1:26:43

5M ago1:26:43

1:26:43

Appetizers: Mythic Quest's cancellation, Hacks, Yellowjackets, Doctor Who, Dying for Sex, The Pitt Main Course: The X-Files - "Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose" (1995) Next time: Étoile (2025)By Kev, MB, and Jon

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"AI" Agents, A Single Point of Failure (with Margaret Mitchell), 2025.03.31 1:03:02

5M ago1:03:02

1:03:02

After "AI" stopped meaning anything, the hype salesmen moved on to "AI" "agents", those allegedly indefatigable assistants, allegedly capable of operating your software for you -- whether you need to make a restaurant reservation, book a flight, or book a flight to a restaurant reservation. Hugging Face's Margaret Mitchell joins Emily and Alex to h…

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Mystery Science Theater 3000 1:04:18

5M ago1:04:18

1:04:18

Mystery Science Theater 3000 (or MST3K) can be a difficult show to explain to people who haven’t seen it. Wisecracking robot puppets making fun of cheesy movies, mad scientists, invention exchanges, and more. I could not believe something as smart and funny and silly as this show existed when I discovered it. I’m joined to discuss MST3k by two peop…

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The Death of Rasputin (with Ashley Brett Chipman and Hope Youngblood) 36:35

6M ago36:35

36:35

We're talking to a couple of the talented folks behind the new immersive theatrical company Artemis is Burning about their upcoming show The Death of Rasputin, which will begin performances at LMCC’s Arts Center at Governors Island on April 17, 2025, for a limited run. Ashley Brett Chipman, who conceived of the show, and her co-director Hope Youngb…

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Doctor Who - The Romans 1:51:10

6M ago1:51:10

1:51:10

Appetizers: Avengers: Doomsday, Nintendo Switch 2, Mayhem - Lady Gaga, Severance, The Studio, Mythic Quest, Assassin's Creed: Shadows Main Course: Doctor Who - "The Romans" (1965) Next time: The X-Files - "Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose" (1995)By Kev, MB, and Jon

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World of Telly Episode 1: Moonbase 3 42:03

6M ago42:03

42:03

Join Neil and John as they watch Moonbase 3By World of Telly

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Red Sox Organist Josh Kantor Talks Music and Baseball 56:52

6M ago56:52

56:52

Fenway Park organist Josh Kantor joins Kevin to discuss his experience as a baseball organist for a team as beloved for the Boston Red Sox, the origins of his interest in both music and baseball, taking social media requests from fans, Stevie Wonder's "Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants" album, his pandemic-era streaming show "The Seventh In…

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Linguists Versus 'AI' Speech Analysis (with Nicole Holliday), 2025.03.17 1:00:28

6M ago1:00:28

1:00:28

Measuring your talk time? Counting your filler words? What about "analyzing" your "emotions"? Companies that push LLM technology to surveil and summarize video meetings are increasingly offering to (purportedly) analyze your participation and assign your speech some metrics, all in the name of "productivity". Sociolinguist Nicole Holliday joins Ale…

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Locas (The Maggie and Hopey stories in Love & Rockets) 52:32

6M ago52:32

52:32

We're discussing the work of someone who may be America’s greatest living cartoonist - YEAH I SAID IT - Jaime Hernandez! Jaime is best known for his groundbreaking work in the Love and Rockets comic book series and the LOCAS stories which are contained therein. LOCAS follows the tangled lives of a group of primarily chicano characters, from their t…

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer - "Band Candy" 1:41:45

6M ago1:41:45

1:41:45

Appetizers: Mickey 17, Righteous Gemstones season 4 premiere, The Pitt, Watson, Ameku M.D.: Doctor Detective, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Main Course: Buffy the Vampire Slayer - "Band Candy" (1998) Next time: Doctor Who - "The Romans" (1965)By Kev, MB, and Jon

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Thotbot Implantation Center (with Rebecca Kopycinski) 50:11

6M ago50:11

50:11

Musician/filmmaker/artist Rebecca Kopycinski joins Kevin to talk about her recent installation/performance The Thotbot Implantation Center, which is one piece of a larger multimedia narrative. Rebecca has created an entire dystopian storyworld through podcasts, installation art, immersive theater and performance. As she explains on her website, the…

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The Anti-Bookclub Tackles 'Superagency', 2025.03.03 1:00:00

6M ago1:00:00

1:00:00

Emily and Alex read a terrible book so you don't have to! Come for a quick overview of LinkedIn co-founder and venture capitalist Reid Hoffman's opus of magical thinking, 'Superagency: What could possibly go right with our AI future' -- stay for the ridicule as praxis. Plus, why even this tortuous read offers a bit of comfort about the desperate st…