One more podcast shout-out to my ol’ pal @tedprice3.bsky.social what made “The Completists” such a joy. (And you can still listen to the complete catalog on Spotify, oddly enough.) Thank you, Mr. Price. We’ll finish the Prince series someday. #Podsgiving

No salute to podcasts would be complete without a tip of the pilgrim hat to my colleagues at @366weirdmovies.bsky.social, who come back week after week to preview all the new frontiers on stranger cinema coming your way. Throw off your chains, skip Tron: Ares! Onward and weirdward! #Podsgiving

Blame accepted! Celebrate Thanksgiving with this bonkers corporate shill/children’s time-filler, and learn just how terrifying an inflatable balloon can be. Leave the side dishes in the oven, it’s time to grab a seat in front of the Franklin Institute and wave at the Marrying Turkey, kids!

History can make you cry, and @natedimeo.bsky.social does it all the time with “The Memory Palace.” Robert Smalls, Washington’s dance hall, and once I had to pull the car over because of a dog named Christmas. So many stories, little bite sizes of historical heft. #Podsgiving

This is another not-a-podcast, but Star Trek: Lower Decks is probably my my favorite TV show of any kind of the past 10 years, and all praise to @mikemcmahan.bsky.social for creating it and his whole team for bringing it to life. So sad it’s gone, so grateful it exists. LOWER DECKS! #Podsgiving

I’ve only just dipped my toe into actual play podcasts, and @hellorhighrollers.bsky.social leads the way. The minds behind Mischief Theatre make terrific plots and rich characters, their laughter is infectious. The whole thing makes me want to buy a set of dice. #Podsgiving

“Imaginary Worlds” by @emolinsky.bsky.social is the NPR-style review of science fiction that we’ve always needed, and he digs deep into topics like game books or Afrofuturism. His explanation of the alignment grid is the best I’ve ever heard. When’s the Magic Tavern episode, Eric? #Podsgiving

Not that they need a good word from me, but @magictavern.bsky.social is still killing it after 10 years, which is a relief, because if it weren’t, I’d have to lie to my friends about how much I enjoy listening. Thank you for sparing me that burden, guys. #Podsgiving

Since I’m shouting out friends, @arnieniekamp.bsky.social has a new show called “No-Skip Christmas” which has made me love Christmas music after stores and radio stations tried to ruin it for me. It fills a need that I didn’t even know existed, and shows off conversation at its best. #Podsgiving

My friend @steev.bsky.social made a podcast out of his old “Frying Pan” segments in WGN, and they’re the funniest damn things. I know he’s only got a couple episodes left, which breaks my heart, but they are so joyfully silly that I want them anyway. #Podsgiving

I started listening to @escapepod.org years ago, back when it was my regular listening on the train ride to work, and it still provides some of the best new science fiction stories to be heard. The one audio fiction podcast that has stuck around all this time. Kudos, gang. #Podsgiving

Desert Island Discs has been a BBC mainstay for 8 decades, so does it need a shout-out from me? You bet. @laurenlaverne.bsky.social is a delightful host and proves week-in, week-out, regardless of whether I know the guest, that music is a superb way to get to know a person. #Podsgiving

Not a podcast, but for me, @tombreihan.bsky.social does the best music writing on the internet today, especially his Coachella poster breakdown and the unrivaled “Number Ones” column. My best writing pales next to his gift for a turn-of-phrase. Must read. #Podsgiving

One of my must-listen podcasts has always been Hit Parade by @cmolanphy.bsky.social, which is still finding amazing stories in the Billboard charts after several years. I recommend regularly. Someday he’ll explain what was up with Cashbox, and when he does, it will be a terrific listen. #Podsgiving

One of the most intriguing podcasts around is Cautionary Tales with @timharford.ft.com. At a time when leadership is characterized almost exclusively by mistakes, it’s valuable to remember that to err is human, and the only sin is to not learn from our missteps. #Podsgiving

Also, Thanksgiving kudos to the only MLB teams brave enough to be active on Bluesky: @pirates.com @redsox.com @sfgiants.com @royals.com @nationals.com @mets.com You other teams: get with the times, guys.

While I’m handing out baseball gratitude, @notmrtibbs.com is back to count HOF ballots, and @jayjaffe.bsky.social is providing expert analysis of the candidates. So glad to have them doing their thing every year. #Podsgiving

The Poscast is the best of good-natured guys shooting the breeze about sports, acknowledging that it’s not important and discussing it like it’s war strategy. The Christmas drafts are wonderfully insane. One plea to @joeposnanski.com: PLEASE check the “make public” box on your HOF ballot this year.

You know what podcast made my jaw drop JUST TODAY? @sidedoorpod.bsky.social, with a killer episode about Lincoln’s pocketwatch. A fantastic showcase for the Smithsonian, which is one of America’s greatest treasures and needs to be protected from our current moment. And Lizzie is great. #Podsgiving

The world is, of course, a trash fire, so @epmcool.bsky.social is vital for leavening all the crap with skylines, bird calls, and guitar pedals. Bringing much needed humor to increasingly awful situations. And probably too much UNC stuff, but, you know, let ‘em have their fun. #Podsgiving

And while I’m mentioning 99% Invisible, let’s hear it for alum @trufelman.bsky.social and “Articles of Interest,” which proves conclusively that fashion is not superfluous but actually essential to understanding society. #Podsgiving

It may be cliché by now to observe that @99pi.org is one of the great podcasts of all time. Well, let’s hear it for clichés, because it’s still the best, one of the only podcasts that I put on the second it comes out. There’s no one who explores problems AND solutions quite like them. #Podsgiving

2025 is the year that I sucked it up and started listening to @blankcheck.bsky.social, and I’m glad I did. So much fun to reconnect with the works of Spielberg, Lynch, Zemeckis, Musker & Clements, and Nolan through two guys who love movies. Next up? Who knows; it’s a buffet. #Podsgiving

When it comes to sound, @20k.bsky.social has no peer. They just did an episode about Wicked, and I’m thinking, “Oh, great, Wicked.” Because I forgot they’ve never done a boring episode, and I learned so much about how they recorded that movie, just like I learn something every episode. #Podsgiving

For years, the gold standard for Beatles podcasts was @beatlespod.bsky.social, and their recent reposts have proven that it still is. Their exegesis on why the Beatles don’t own their songs is a must-listen for fans. They don’t owe me new episodes, but I sure wouldn’t mind. #Podsgiving

Another amazing podcast that dives deep into how music does what it does is Strong Songs by @kirkhamilton.com. The most recent season was amazing, including a brilliant deconstruction of the Muppets and a deep dive into “All the Things You Are” and the very notion of a jazz standard. #Podsgiving

While I’m handing out praise to great podcasts that take apart songs piece by piece, I have to offer my thanks to @songexplorer.bsky.social for yet another year of fascinating backstories, for even songs I don’t expect to like. Did I choke up during a discussion of a Clipse song? Yep. #Podsgiving

Do I listen to too much Beatles? Not a thing. So the return of @ptbeatles.bsky.social is incredibly exciting. Taking apart these songs and hearing the components is revelatory. So nice to have it back in the feed. #Podsgiving

Always have to shout out @coverville.com for providing the Thanksgiving roasting soundtrack. Turns out other people singing Beatles songs is the perfect accompaniment for peeling carrots. And a delightful show all year long, too. #Podsgiving

I tried doing my annual #Podsgiving posts last year, and kinda got sidetracked by, you know, cooking. But the bird is in the oven, so I think I’ve got time to hand out some gratitude. So let’s get to saluting the podcasts that have made the year tolerable.

Twice now, I have reviewed a Peter Greenaway film, and twice I have not chosen to give it Candidate status. I’m a little self-conscious about it, since he’s one of the legends of weird cinema and who the heck am I? Still, he’s got 7 films enshrined on our lists, so he’s not hurting for recognition.

Things I’ve learned following a surprise binge over the last few days: 1) No show benefits more from the “Skip Intro” button than Star Trek: Enterprise. 2) Season 4 is leagues better that everything preceding it. 3) Travis Mayweather is the most inessential character in 60 years of the franchise.

@suboptimaldad.gobirds.online Very glad to see that we’ll be getting our head-to-head out of the way this week. I’ve already kicked off with a 5/6 that I expect to be a crushing loss.

The tragic story of a man who gets a job immediately after getting out of the hospital, drinks high-end wine, and immediately has two stunningly beautiful women fall in love with him. The poor bastard.

I like to think that we’re about to start the 46th inning of Game 3 of the World Series.

@slangsonsports.bsky.social Sarah, is this only the second time that the World Series has gone to November? The only other time I can recall is in 2001. Also, with Opening Day back on March 27, is this the longest baseball season ever? And the first to go from March to November?

I think the first time I ever encountered a golem was in a Commodore 64 game. Then it was an X-Files episode. But now, it’s time to wrap up my month-long Halloween extravaganza by unveiling this double dose of highly entertaining golem-themed motion pictures. Get that candy, kids.

Well, that blows. Although, when you strand that many runners, you kind of don’t deserve the win.

The Dodger Stadium organist playing “The Neverending Story” is high-level shade.

I usually wait until the Series ends to say that it’s time for @notmrtibbs.com to get started on the Tracker, but at this point in the game, I think he may already be good to go.

Mariners players are screaming at their TVs about how they’d have won this by now.

It can be a real curse when a movie’s title manages to capture the entire plot AND the whole tone of the piece. After that, where else is there to go? Happily for FRANKENHOOKER, there’s plenty of room for silliness, gross-out spectacle, and excellent physical comedy from a former Pet of the Month.

@bluejays.com You’re AL champs. You’re in the World Series. Why aren’t you here? You’ve already got the account, and several of your fellow teams are on board. Come on in!

Sure, your horror anthology might have Stephen King and Clive Barker. But does it have the Chattering Teeth of Death? Matt Frewer doing murderous hand puppetry? Christopher Lloyd in skintight leather and a lace choker? Then my friend, you’re not QUICKSILVER HIGHWAY. Try again next time.

Pablo Larraín sets aside Jackie Kennedy and Princess Di to focus his attention on a much more intriguing subject: how Chilean strongman Augusto Pinochet was a vampire. A cautionary tale for any public servants out there who maybe don’t want to be remembered by history as literal monsters.

This is notable as a zombie film where there are so many little pieces of satire to squeeze in that the zombie part feels like almost an afterthought. Still, I’m pretty sure the zombies are in the right, so you can’t say the filmmakers didn’t take a stance.

Things I expect this idiot administration to announce before 2025 is over: - Pearl Milling Co. is ordered to restore the name of Aunt Jemina - Tomatoes are from the deadly nightshade family, and no one must eat them - US embassy in China being moved from Beijing back to its original home in Peking

Really loving the new Duolingo mechanic wherein you get punished for right answers. Savvy. Real motivator to continue. Enjoy that sweet Woodoku ad money, guys.

You know, you write a review hoping to reference the unsettling trend toward censorship and authoritarianism as reflected in the arts, and then the despot goes and makes things even worse prior to publication. So just know that while I’d love to take credit for my insight, fascism is just too fast.