I talk to Kirsten Innes about UK politics, message board friendships, and what makes a Proper Stalk. Plus, our first guest-created rule is introduced.

This episode does not feature Connor Ratliff.

Edited by J.D. Amato, June 13, 2026

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this introductory episode, I'm laying the groundwork for the show to come, and expressing gratitude for those who helped it happen.

This episode does not feature Connor Ratliff.

Edited by J.D. Amato, June 13, 2026

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I hope you will join me in messing around with The Rules of the Show.

This episode does not feature Connor Ratliff.

Edited by J.D. Amato, June 13, 2026

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Missi Information joins the show to discuss the many ways to start a game. Plus, an opportunity to reflect on what we've learned (in rule form).

You can find Missi's podcasts on The Missi Information Superhighway and see her stream on Twitch with RadioFreeMultiverse.

Hello everyone, I'm invoking rule 23 using this edit. If you're curious about it, just stay tuned.

Edited by Missi Information on May 23, 2026

This episode does not feature Connor Ratliff.

Edited by J.D. Amato, June 13, 2026

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Graeme Peters joins the show to talk Monopoly, Star Wars Monopoly, and a panoply of different -opolies. Plus, we trip over the rule introduced last week, and craft a new rule that theoretically won't come up so often. Find Graeme's drag persona Arkade on Instagram or streaming on Twitch at ArkadeHorror.

This episode does not feature Connor Ratliff.

Edited by J.D. Amato, June 13, 2026

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Elisabeth Skjærvold joins the show to discuss dance, schoolwork, and standardized tests. Plus, we introduce a new rule that risks Elisabeth's cancellation and/or our show becoming much more appealing to Canadian arts funding organizations. Maybe both!

This episode does not feature Connor Ratliff.

Edited by J.D. Amato, June 13, 2026

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fans of mysterious beeping: rejoice! This week's episode we are joined by Bryan Da Silva, who is reporting on location from Vancouver General Hospital. Bryan and I discuss committing to the bit, and some very silly games including Blaseball and True American and one nameless game to make a workday more exciting. Plus a new rule is introduced that demands a new tab on the ol' Rules of the Show spreadsheet.

Follow @babyyagabakeshop for Bryan's wife's delicious baking.

At the time of episode release Bryan is in remission and awaiting stem cell transplant. While it will be a while longer of treatment and recovery, everything is progressing well.

You can support Bryan's expensive new lifestyle by contributing to the fundraiser here.

And please consider registering to donate blood and stem cells at www.blood.ca.

Please consider signing up to be a stem cell donor at blood.ca, or the equivalent in your country. You could save lives! Email andrew@therulesoftheshow.com with proof of participation and Bryan Da Silva will compose and record a bespoke ~15sec ringtone just for you!

Edited by Bryan Da Silva, May 23, 2026

This episode does not feature Connor Ratliff.

Edited by J.D. Amato, June 13, 2026

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Forrest Phillips and Emily Pineapple from Radio Free Multiverse join the show to discuss the unfeasible managerial structure of the Sith in Star Wars. Plus we ponder the sacred texts, both serious and ridiculous, and discuss world-building and language in fictional universes. Plus, a new rule is added to the game, and our first rule comes up, like, a lot. Find Forrest and Emily online at Live.RadioFreeMultiverse.com.

This episode does not feature Connor Ratliff.

Edited by J.D. Amato, June 13, 2026

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Maddy Wilde (Born Ruffians, No Frills, Alvin and the Chipmunks Adventure Band) joins the show to talk about important self-care staples of being an adult, like breakfast, flossing, and driving a car. We also talk about being a messy little kid, parking tickets, Hanson's ballad, and three dimensional circles. We also play a solid rally of Good Question (feat. music by Bryan Da Silva) and add an alarming new rule to the show.

You can find Maddy Wilde online @maddyweshrunkthekids and check out new albums from Born Ruffians and No Frills coming later this year. If you're in Toronto, check out Alvin and the Chipmunks Adventure Band live February 13th at BSMT254.

You can find us online @therulesoftheshow and email comments or feedback to andrew@therulesoftheshow.com.

This episode does not feature Connor Ratliff.

Edited by J.D. Amato, June 13, 2026

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jake Roels joins the show to talk about cooperation parameters, role playing games, audience interaction, Homestar Runner, and The Fourth Wall.

Thanks to Bryan Da Silva for the Good Question music.

You can find Jake on instagram at @j4k3r0e7s, and you can join his upcoming livestream on February 2nd (and see other great video content) at https://www.youtube.com/alphabotisreal

And as always you can cooperatively heckle me on instagram at @therulesoftheshow or by emailing andrew@therulesoftheshow.com.

This episode does not feature Connor Ratliff.

Edited by J.D. Amato, June 13, 2026

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alie Lavoie joins the show to talk about fashion, style, and being a Nice Little Guy. Chops remain largely unbusted as we discuss Bart Cubbins and dressing for your brain chemistry. Plus we participate in a show within a show and create (another) game within a game.

Thanks to Bryan Da Silva for the Good Question music. You can find the show on instagram @therulesoftheshow and by email at andrew@therulesoftheshow.com.

This episode does not feature Connor Ratliff.

Edited by J.D. Amato, June 13, 2026

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Del Stephen joins the royal rumble that is this show to discuss teaching language, improvised music, and the rules of professional wrestling. Plus we give credit where credit is due.

You can find Del Stephen online @todayversions and listen to his music at delstephen.bandcamp.com.

Speaking of music and credit due, the Good Question music was created by Bryan Da Silva.

The Rules of the Show is now onlin(er)! You can find us on instagram @therulesoftheshow, or email me any comments or feedback to andrew@therulesoftheshow.com.

This episode does not feature Connor Ratliff.

Edited by J.D. Amato, June 13, 2026

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Stacey co-host of the Single Serving Cinema podcast joins me to talk about driving etiquette, non-verbal communication, and living in a society. Plus he brings a rule that establishes a new shibboleth for the show, and we get into some New Business.

Tim's podcast Single Serving Cinema can be found wherever you're listening to this, or on instagram at @sscpod. You can find us there @therulesoftheshow and on Bluesky @therulesoftheshow.com

There's a particular piece of homework for listeners in this episodes, if you have any thoughts about the gesture in question, email me at andrew@therulesoftheshow.com please!

This episode does not feature Connor Ratliff.

Edited by J.D. Amato, June 13, 2026

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anna Horvath joins the only show brave enough to include extended sequences of typing on mic to talk about Dutch Blitz, going to camp, and mandatory instances of spontaneous song. Plus stick around at the end of the show for a little extra bit-commitment. Wherever. Whenever.

Anna's excellent music can be found under the name Merival on all music platforms, especially at https://merival.bandcamp.com and @mmmerival on instagram.

Thanks to Bryan Da Silva for the Good Question music. You can find the show on instagram @therulesoftheshow and bluesky @therulesoftheshow.com, and email at andrew@therulesoftheshow.com. Tell your friends about the show! They're weirdos like you, aren't they?

This episode does not feature Connor Ratliff.

Edited by J.D. Amato, June 13, 2026

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kit Sekelsky joins the show to talk about dress codes, trivia, and the secret rules of Jeopardy (from a former champion). Plus, she brings a surprising fan theory about the podcast. Take a break. Get some water, pet a dog.

Kit's mail-based trivia competition can be found at InklingTrivia.com, and her art is on instagram @piper.valley.

Thanks to Bryan Da Silva for the Good Question music. You can find the show on instagram @therulesoftheshow and bluesky @therulesoftheshow.com, and email at andrew@therulesoftheshow.com.

This episode does not feature Connor Ratliff.

Edited by J.D. Amato, June 13, 2026

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Missi Information makes a triumphant return to the podcast* to conduct a thorough auditing of the existing rules, and review how well we've been following them. We get into the weeds and look at what we've learned, and how it applies to our lives today. Plus, Missi brings an award-worthy audio demonstration of the Monty Hall Problem, with unprecedented audio production value, and we take the typical detours into international Taskmaster variants and silly voices.

You can find Missi's podcasts on The Missi Information Superhighway and see her stream on Twitch with RadioFreeMultiverse.

You can find this show on instagram @therules of the show, bluesky @therulesoftheshow.com, and email me your comments and feedback to andrew@therulesoftheshow.com

*I'm personally referring to this episode as "Miss Ⅱ nformation" which if you can't tell on the small type is a roman numeral 2 which is a joke that only works in print and not audio (and even in print it's belaboured) so that one's a special treat just for you reading this.

This episode does not feature Connor Ratliff.

Edited by J.D. Amato, June 13, 2026

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Timothea Armour (artist, friend) joins the show to discuss 3-(no win no fee)-sided football, being contrarian, and playing/appreciating the heraldic aesthetics of sports. Plus we get into the arts of table tennis and sound design, and the show is forever changed (as usual).

Timothea's radio art collective Radiophrenia is broadcasting from the 7th-20th of April, and you can listen online at Radiophrenia.scot or 87.9FM if you are in Glasgow. You can also order her pamphlet Roy Orbison in Ruins: A script for anywhere that has a karaoke night.

Thanks to Bryan Da Silva for the Good Question music. You can find the show on instagram @therulesoftheshow and bluesky @therulesoftheshow.com, and email at andrew@therulesoftheshow.com.

This episode does not feature Connor Ratliff.

Edited by J.D. Amato, June 13, 2026

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mathieu Blanchette joins the lineup to talk about the culture of queuing, as well as Magic cards, chess, and how long it's worth waiting for a good sandwich. Plus, we answer a listener question about tiebreakers, and the wrath of god is invoked in a groundbreaking new rule.

You can see Mathieu's work on The Coding Train on Youtube.

Thanks to Bryan Da Silva for the Good Question music. You can find the show on instagram and bluesky @therulesoftheshow and by email at andrew@therulesoftheshow.com.

This episode does not feature Connor Ratliff.

Edited by J.D. Amato, June 13, 2026

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connor Ratliff (Dead Eyes, The George Lucas Talk Show, Tiny Dinos, Connor Ratliff presents The Acting Class, and so much more) joins the show to go deep on the rules guidelines of Wile E. Coyote and The Road Runner, and by extension the complex relationship dynamics of Ralph Wolf and Sam Sheepdog. Plus we talk the rule of three, marathon performances, and the particular automotive best-practice espoused by both a David Lynch character and Goofy. And finally Connor adds a refreshing new rule to the show for everyone to follow.

You can find Connor on instagram @ConnorRatliff and live in New York City performing in RaaaatScraps, ASSSSCAT, and Connor Ratliff presents The Acting Class (which is also available as a live-steam and on Youtube), and you can subscribe to his mailing list to find out about live shows and new projects.

And of course you can always find this show on instagram and bluesky, and email me at Andrew@therulesoftheshow.com. We're still looking for messages to read on the show, and I'd especially love to hear from any new listeners, so please reach out. While you're at it, why not pour yourself a glass of water and share this episode with a friend who would be into this kinda thing? You know the one. Cheers.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Musician Jon Jasper-Lawless of Swim Good Now joins us to talk all things some things Bylaws, including sidewalks, signage, and being chicken-curious. Plus we shout out lots of our friends, get into the theology of the wind and get inspired by Who Wants To Be A Millionaire (for Game Boy Colour).

You can find Jon's lovely music at swimgoodnow.bandcamp.com and jonlawless.bandcamp.com, and you can follow The Rules of the Show on instagram and bluesky.

...and while you're on the internet, why not send me an email at andrew@therulesoftheshow.com?

This episode does not feature Connor Ratliff.

Edited by J.D. Amato, June 13, 2026

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mike Lau joins us to talk about being a prop, wrapping gifts in record time, and updating the rules for professional sports leagues. Plus we get a mandate for how sorry to be, and spend some time calibrating the silly meter to get things just right.

You can see Mike's work onscreen on the new season of The Gilded Age, and find him on social media @singlewalkrun.

You can follow this show on instagram and bluesky, and email me at andrew@therulesoftheshow.com. I dare ya.

This episode does not feature Connor Ratliff.

Edited by J.D. Amato, June 13, 2026

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Rev'd Martha Riddell joins me to indulge in some Old Testament trivia, talk about a particular New Testament magician, and get into some Pope Facts both fresh and historical. We talk about getting simoniacal, the rules of games as secular theology, the near occasion of sin, Cardinal fashion, The Borgias and other baddies, and do it all in the language understanded by the people. Plus: perhaps the first time a guest has actually learned something that can apply to their lives today!

You can follow the show on instagram and bluesky, and email me at andrew@therulesoftheshow.com! I bet you know a friend who would be into this nonsense we're up to over here, why not share an episode with them?

This episode does not feature Connor Ratliff.

Edited by J.D. Amato, June 13, 2026

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Susie Hunt takes a break from table tennis consultancy to discuss the Code of the Comics Magazine Association of America, ghost characters, and a frightening new "-ism". Plus, Susie adds a subtle and flavourful new rule to the show.

Correction: At minute 37 I incorrectly claim that The Joker once stole the Eiffel Tower. That is false.

It was in fact an evil Kryptonian named Mala who stole the Eiffel Tower, in Action Comics #194, July 1954.

You can find Susie on instagram @susiejgh and on Youtube, and follow her bands Teethache and Bad Data and go and see her do live comedy in New York City.

You can follow this show on instagram and bluesky as well, and send us an email at andrew@therulesoftheshow.com

This episode does not feature Connor Ratliff.

Edited by J.D. Amato, June 13, 2026

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I welcome acclaimed TV showrunner, podcaster, author, and colourblock icon J.D. Amato to the show sandbox hypercube theatre of rules to discuss his new graphic novel The Endless Game.

We talk shop about making cult art, get into sports, video games, and get a 'sclusie about an upcoming project. Plus: J.D. consciously chooses not to ruin the podcast!

You can order The Endless Game here or purchase it from your local bookstore. (I read it, it's really good!). J.D. Amato can be found online here.

You can follow the show @TheRulesOfTheShow on Instagram and Bluesky (while still acknowledging that social media makes us unhappy) and email me at andrew@therulesoftheshow.com (which honestly makes me quite happy).

This episode does not feature Connor Ratliff.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Returning champions Missi Information and Bryan Da Silva join forces to midwife a new rule into the world.

We get our hands dirty mixing metaphors and workshopping the best new rule for the show, the game grows a new vestigial appendix along the way. We introduce a fundamentally new mechanic to Good Question, embrace the must, and interrogate some of the foundations of the show.

You can find Missi's podcasts on The Missi Information Superhighway and see her stream on Twitch on Tuesdays and Wednesdays with RadioFreeMultiverse.

You can find Bryan @dbdasilva on instagram and please consider signing up to be a stem cell donor.

You can follow this show on instagram and bluesky as well, and send us an email at andrew@therulesoftheshow.com.

Please consider signing up to be a stem cell donor at blood.ca, or the equivalent in your country. You could save lives! Email andrew@therulesoftheshow.com with proof of participation and Bryan Da Silva will compose and record a bespoke ~15sec ringtone just for you!

Edited by Bryan Da Silva, May 23, 2026

This episode does not feature Connor Ratliff.

Edited by J.D. Amato, June 13, 2026

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marie Sotto joins the show to discuss different types of performance, we bring a never-previously-used rule off the bench to stretch its legs, and everyone agrees that stealing bread from Loblaws isn't so bad. Plus, a new rule is added that challenges the foundation of being funny on a podcast.

You can find Marie's podcast After Life wherever you get your podcasts.

Thanks to Bryan Da Silva for the Good Question music, and Jon Jasper Lawless for the phone a friend music. You can follow this show on instagram and bluesky as well, and now would be a great time to send us an email at andrew@therulesoftheshow.com

This episode does not feature Connor Ratliff.

Edited by J.D. Amato, June 13, 2026

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While I prepare new episodes of The Rules of the Show, here's a little bonus: an episode of Single Serving Cinema I guested on earlier this year.

Enjoy!

This episode does not feature Connor Ratliff.

Edited by J.D. Amato, June 13, 2026

---

Inside Llewyn Davis is a melancholic drama set in the 1960s folk music scene, following a struggling musician navigating the unforgiving New York winter in pursuit of artistic success.  

Starring Oscar Isaac and directed by Joel & Ethan Coen, Inside Llewyn Davis was released December 6, 2013.  

Where to watch Inside Llewyn Davis

Recommendations

Andrew: Sprout Wings and Fly (Blank, 1983) — where to watch

Tim: Amadeus (Forman, 1984) — where to watch

Tay: Eden (Løve, 2014) — where to watch

Follow:

  SSC on Instagram

  Tim on Letterboxd

The Rules of the show on Instagram

Andrew on Letterboxd

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