Franchise Detours – Details, episodes & analysis

1984’s Supergirl attempted to expand the Superman cinematic universe with a new hero, fresh mythology, and a bold new direction. But did it live up to its promise?
 
On this episode of Franchise Detours, Robert Yaniz Jr. welcomes The Vern from Cinema Recall to discuss Helen Slater’s debut as Kara Zor-El, the film’s campy villain turn from Faye Dunaway, and where this underrated entry fits into the legacy of superhero cinema.

Subscribe to Crooked Table on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@crookedtable
 
Follow Crooked Table on Social Media: https://linktr.ee/crookedtable

It’s a bird, it’s a plane… it’s a tonal shift! Robert is joined by Sandro Falce of Oldie But a Goodie to discuss Superman III, the movie that trades high-stakes heroics for slapstick hijinks.

From Richard Pryor’s chaotic tech wizardry to Clark Kent’s trip down memory lane, the third Christopher Reeve Superman film is as infamous as it is fascinating. We talk evil Superman, high school reunions, synthetic kryptonite (with… tar?), and why this sequel's weirdest legacy might be inspiring Office Space.

The final entry in the franchise to definitively turn a profit, Superman III also marked the beginning of the end for the Donnerverse. But how does it play decades later?

Subscribe to Crooked Table on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@crookedtable
 
Follow Crooked Table on Social Media: https://linktr.ee/crookedtable

Franchise Detours is back on the case with a brand-new mega-series on the hilariously offbeat journey of The Naked Gun trilogy. Of course, we’re starting with the David Zucker-directed 1988 original that turned Leslie Nielsen’s Frank Drebin into a slapstick legend.
 
Lauren Robinson of the Beer’d Al Podcast returns to the show to break down why this deadpan detective remains one of comedy’s greatest characters and how his absurd antics helped shape the comedic sensibilities of a generation.

From banana peels to baseball games, The Naked Gun is packed with quotable one-liners, ridiculous sight gags, and wall-to-wall parody that redefined spoof comedy. And of course, we’ll touch on The Naked Gun’s connection to another comedy icon: Weird Al Yankovic.

Whether you’re a lifelong Zucker-Abrahams-Zucker fan or just discovering Frank Drebin for the first time ahead of the 2025 edition starring Liam Neeson, this episode delivers all the chaos, charm, and unyielding silliness you could ask for.

Follow Crooked Table on Social Media: https://linktr.ee/crookedtable

Bride of Chucky introduced the first major detour in the Child's Play franchise. Adding Jennifer Tilly as Tiffany Valentine injected more comedy and self-awareness to series writer Don Mancini's macabre tale. But as audiences discovered in 2004, Chucky's world would get a lot wilder. In Mancini's directorial debut, Seed of Chucky, the killer duo become parents. In the fifth episode of our Child's Play/Chucky mega-series, Matt Donato of Certified Forgotten joins the show to help us break down how Seed of Chucky changed the series forever. We'll discuss its handling of gender identity, how it marks a dramatic turning point for Chucky (Brad Dourif), and why its release led Mancini to take the franchise back to basics. Listen in as we bid farewell to the "Chucky and Tiffany" section of the Child's Play franchise. Next up: Curse of Chucky marks a new era for the franchise, as Fiona Dourif joins the series as Nica Pierce. SYNOPSIS
Glen (Billy Boyd) is the offspring of evil doll Chucky (Brad Dourif) and his bride (Jennifer Tilly). When Glen hears that a film is being made about his parents, he goes to Hollywood and resurrects them. But Glen is horrified when Chucky and Tiffany embark on a new killing spree. Meanwhile, Glen must decide whether to follow in his parent's footsteps. Connect with Crooked Table Productions on social media: Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram

After seven years, 1998's Bride of Chucky revived the Child's Play franchise in a most surprising way. But is the movie the series' apex or a weird step in the wrong direction. In any case, director Ronny Yu's film notably unites Chucky (voiced by Brad Dourif) with his blushing bride, Tiffany Valentine (Jennifer Tilly). In the fourth episode of our Child's Play/Chucky mega-series, Pablo Saldana helps us discuss why Bride of Chucky is such a pivotal turning point for the series. We'll discuss the movie's introduction of Tiffany, how it anoints Chucky as a top-tier horror villain, and how series writer Don Mancini takes creative control of Chucky's cinematic shenanigans. Listen in as we enter the "Chucky and Tiffany" section of the Child's Play franchise. And prepare to meet Chucky's seed with Mancini's directorial debut in our next episode. SYNOPSIS
Killer doll Chucky (Brad Dourif) is resurrected by ex-girlfriend Tiffany (Jennifer Tilly). But following an argument, Chucky kills Tiffany and transfers her soul into a bride doll. The pair of murderous playthings embark on a quest to return to human form. And Chucky and Tiffany turn to Jesse (Nick Stabile) and Jade (Katherine Heigl), who are unaware that their cargo is alive. Connect with Crooked Table Productions on social media: Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram

Franchise Detours partly kicked off with a Chucky-centric mini-series because of how the horror franchise continually mutates over time. And with this episode, we bid farewell to the first permutation of the killer doll's wild exploits. It's time for one last chapter of the Chucky and Andy story as we discuss 1991's Child's Play 3. In the third episode of our Child's Play/Chucky mega-series, Brandon Stanwyck of Fearsome Queer breaks down Child's Play 3, often considered the black sheep of the franchise. We'll discuss why some fans discount this installment, the film's notable steps toward queer themes, and the breadcrumbs series writer Don Mancini sets up for the future. Listen in as we close the book on the Child's Play trilogy. And prepare to meet Chucky's bride in our very next episode. Then be sure to check out Brandon's ranking of every single kill in the franchise over on FearsomeQueer.net. SYNOPSIS
It's been years since Chucky (voiced by Brad Dourif) was apparently destroyed in a fire at a doll factory. Now Chucky's manufacturer is remaking the same line of toys with the old, still haunted materials. This resurrects Chucky, who goes after Andy (Justin Whalin), his former owner, who now attends military school. Chucky slashes his way through a string of grotesque murders as Andy tries to stop the homicidal doll and the spirit within it. Connect with Crooked Table Productions on social media: Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram

Child's Play is the simple story of a boy and his favorite doll, albeit one imbued with the soul of a notorious serial killer. But with Chucky (voiced by Brad Dourif) destroyed, where could a sequel go? 1990's Child's Play 2 answers that question with a more traditional approach to continuing the original film's story. But does it keep the series' momentum going? In the second episode of our Child's Play/Chucky mega-series, Kevin Smith of MST3K Motivation addresses whether director John Lafia's sequel does justice to Andy (Alex Vincent) and Chucky's story from the original film. We'll discuss how Child's Play 2 ratchets up the comedy and gore, the introduction of Christine Elise as Kyle, and that finale at the toy factory. Child's Play 2 might not boast the novelty of its predecessor. But is this a classic horror sequel or the first misfire on Chucky's big-screen resume? Listen in as we continue down the road of the Child's Play franchise. Playtime is officially back in session. SYNOPSIS
Two years after serial killer Charles Lee Ray (Brad Dourif) inserted his soul into a Chucky doll, a toy company attempts to recreate the doll, bringing Ray back in the process. The possessed doll -- intent on claiming a human body -- kills his way toward former owner Andy (Alex Vincent), who now lives in a foster home. Andy's foster sister, Kyle (Christine Elise), tries to protect him, but his foster parents believe Andy is just a troubled kid -- and Chucky's murderous path continues. Connect with Crooked Table Productions on social media: Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram

Only seven years before Pixar would introduce a young boy named Andy and his room full of living toys, Chucky was born. The killer doll, of course, made his debut in 1988's Child's Play, voiced to perfection by Brad Dourif. And for more than 30 years, Dourif and writer-turned-director Don Mancini have kept the horror icon alive. But how does Charles Lee Ray's story start? In this first episode of our Child's Play/Chucky mega-series, Bri Azmoudeh of The Geeky Waffle joins the show to discuss that original film. We'll discuss how it lays the foundation for all the wild twists to come, why Andy Barclay's (Alex Vincent) arc is so heartbreaking, and where the upcoming USA/Syfy series could build on untapped potential in this first movie. Child's Play might be a classic, but in many ways, it's not the movie some viewers might remember it as. Join us as we dive into it. Want to play? Connect with Crooked Table Productions on social media: Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram

Test your might with episode 2 of Franchise Detours. From the 1992 debut of the video game series, Mortal Kombat has given fans the over-the-top violence, wild characters, and button-mashing gameplay they crave. Oh, yeah, and Hollywood made a few movies based on it too. This episode, David Rosen of Piecing It Together helps us break down the Mortal Kombat movie franchise. We'll discuss how the games were adapted into the 1995 movie, its notorious sequel, and even the 2021 reboot. How have the movies changed their approach to the property over the years? And ultimately, which best captures the experience of delivering those sweet fatalities? Time to blast that iconic theme music.

He's not just the best there is. He's the only one there is. But who, really is Ace Ventura? In a pair of 1990s comedies, Jim Carrey introduced the world to the famed pet detective. But those two films present seemingly completely different takes on the character. What do they each teach us about the popular comedy lead, and how do they hold up in 2021? On Franchise Detours episode 1, guest Lauren Carey of the Beer'd Al Podcast and I try to uncover whether Ace is a hero or a looo-hooo-zuh-her. We'll cover both Carrey-led vehicles and the shuddering-inducing 2009 spin-off Ace Ventura: Pet Detective Jr. Lastly, we'll share what we hope to see from a new Ace Ventura film, following reports the franchise might return. Connect with Crooked Table Productions on social media: Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram