James Bond & Friends – Details, episodes & analysis

What has been going on with James Bond this year?

You wait around for news for months and then... well, nothing much happens. It has been a very quiet year so far in terms of 007 big screen developments, but there has been Bond content flowing elsewhere in the literary, comics, and gaming wings of the franchise. We take a close look at the state of the box-office and ask if the movie business being in such flux may cause significant delays for EON, and also reveal some production news about a former 007 and how his next project may have knock-on consequences.

Digitally restored Casino Royale 1954: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNp6-qTWYvo

The recording took place on June 6th, 2024 in the USA and Spain. 

James Page is a co-founder of MI6-HQ.com and the magazine MI6 Confidential

David Leigh runs thejamesbonddossier.com

Bill Koenig runs the Spy Command at hmssweblog.wordpress.com

This podcast is copyright Pretitles LLC © 2024

Where in the world should Bond travel next?

This epsiode we dip into the MI6 archives to play an interview with Black Tomato co-founder, Tom Marchant. Regular Bond followers might remember that mid-last year Black Tomato - a UK-based travel company - came out with a unique European Bond themed travel experience. 'The Assignment' is a twelve day mission across UK, France, and Italy, stopping in at key landmarks from the Bond films. 

Just recently Black Tomato announce a second tranche of travel adventures with a Bond twist. These now include tours to Chile, Mexico, Thailand and Japan. 

Tom Marchant was speaking with MI6-HQ.com and MI6 Confidential co-founder Vipul Patel.

This podcast is copyright Pretitles LLC © 2024.

What treasures have we dragged out of the archive?

Pull up a comfy chair in front of the fireplace, pour yourself a drink, and sit back and enjoy this 1987 production of The Living Daylights as we ring in the festive season and wish everyone a happy new year. Originally performed by The Rainbow Theatre in the UK for an audio cassette and read-along book, the story of the film is condensed to just 17 minutes. Who played James Bond? If you know - drop us a line.

You can email the show at contact@jamesbondandfriends.com

This podcast is copyright Pretitles LLC © 2022

Join us as we watch 1997's Tomorrow Never Dies together as a group experience.

For this episode, don your HALO suit, grab a heavy motorcycle, and cue up your copy of Tomorrow Never Dies as the panel chats over the film in real-time with observations, trivia, insights, and irreverence. Along the way, we learn how to type one-handed, wonder where the internet went, and discover Maxwell connections, hair semi-colons, a hungry Bond, bad parking, a surprising sequel, and Carver's private collection of jam jars.

The recording took place on July 3rd, 2020 in the USA, UK, and Spain.

James Page is a co-founder of MI6-HQ.com and the magazine MI6 Confidential

Calvin Dyson Reviews Bond channel can be enjoyed at youtube.com/calvindyson

Lisa Funnell (@DrLisaFunnell) is Associate Professor at the University of Oklahoma

Ben Williams writes for MI6-HQ.com and MI6 Confidential

Bill Koenig runs the Spy Command at hmssweblog.wordpress.com

David Leigh runs thejamesbonddossier.com

This podcast is copyright Pretitles LLC © 2020

Join us as we watch 1971's Diamonds Are Forever together as a group experience.

For this episode, don your pink kipper tie, grab a radiation shield, and cue up your copy of Diamonds Are Forever as the panel chats over the film in real-time with observations, trivia, insights, and irreverence. Along the way, we discover romantic trips to mausoleums, a real-life murder mystery, CGI panties, death trap trikes, and a one of a kind swivel toilet. At no point do we ever discuss real-life mafia connections to this production...

The recording took place on June 26th, 2020 in the USA and UK.

James Page is a co-founder of MI6-HQ.com and the magazine MI6 Confidential

Calvin Dyson Reviews Bond channel can be enjoyed at youtube.com/calvindyson

Lisa Funnell (@DrLisaFunnell) is Associate Professor at the University of Oklahoma

Phil Nobile Jr shares his expertise at @PhilNobileJr

Ben Williams writes for MI6-HQ.com and MI6 Confidential

Bill Koenig runs the Spy Command at hmssweblog.wordpress.com

This podcast is copyright Pretitles LLC © 2020

Join us as we watch 1999's The World Is Not Enough together as a group experience.

For this episode, don your x-ray specs, grab some sour cream, and cue up your copy of The World Is Not Enough as the panel chats over the film in real-time with observations, trivia, insights, and irreverence. Along the way, we discover helium balloons, paramilitary napkins, a newfound appreciation of Denise Richards, Bond's amazing mental arithmetic, question Renard's virility, and spot some familiar faces on a submarine. We also try and play the infamous TWINE drinking game in real-time which you can join in at home.

The recording took place on June 19th, 2020 in the USA, UK, and Spain.

James Page is a co-founder of MI6-HQ.com and the magazine MI6 Confidential

Calvin Dyson Reviews Bond channel can be enjoyed at youtube.com/calvindyson

Lisa Funnell (@DrLisaFunnell) is Associate Professor at the University of Oklahoma

Ben Williams writes for MI6-HQ.com and MI6 Confidential

Bill Koenig runs the Spy Command at hmssweblog.wordpress.com

David Leigh runs thejamesbonddossier.com

This podcast is copyright Pretitles LLC © 2020

Join us as we watch 1969's On Her Majesty's Secret Service together as a group experience.

For this episode, don your frilly shirt, grab some caviar (from north of the Caspian), and cue up your copy of On Her Majesty's Secret Service as the panel chats over the film in real-time with observations, trivia, insights, and irreverence. Along the way, we discover an unfilmed screenplay, ponder the prevalence of purple, recount other ill-fated weddings, and get stuck in an elevator with George Lazenby (then buy him socks and eat his bacon).

The recording took place on June 12th, 2020 in the USA, UK, and Spain.

James Page is a co-founder of MI6-HQ.com and the magazine MI6 Confidential

Calvin Dyson Reviews Bond channel can be enjoyed at youtube.com/calvindyson

Lisa Funnell (@DrLisaFunnell) is Associate Professor at the University of Oklahoma

Ben Williams writes for MI6-HQ.com and MI6 Confidential

Bill Koenig runs the Spy Command at hmssweblog.wordpress.com

David Leigh runs thejamesbonddossier.com

This podcast is copyright Pretitles LLC © 2020

Join us as we watch 1963's From Russia With Love together as a group experience.

For this episode, don your best suit ever, grab some yoghurt and figs, and cue up your copy of From Russia With Love as the panel chats over the film in real-time with observations, trivia, insights, and irreverence. Along the way, we mourn another Canada loss, identify the many cameos, discover an over-indulged horse, spot not Ian Fleming, ponder what Red Grant says in the toilet, and reveal a surprising connection to No Time To Die.

The recording took place on June 5th, 2020 in the USA and UK.

James Page is a co-founder of MI6-HQ.com and the magazine MI6 Confidential

Calvin Dyson Reviews Bond channel can be enjoyed at youtube.com/calvindyson

Lisa Funnell (@DrLisaFunnell) is Associate Professor at the University of Oklahoma

Phil Nobile Jr shares his expertise at @PhilNobileJr

Ben Williams writes for MI6-HQ.com and MI6 Confidential

Bill Koenig runs the Spy Command at hmssweblog.wordpress.com

This podcast is copyright Pretitles LLC © 2020

Join us as we watch 2012's Skyfall together as a group experience.

For this episode, don your leather gloves, grab some Union Jack bunting, and cue up your copy of Skyfall as the panel chats over the film in real-time with observations, trivia, insights, and irreverence. Along the way, we try and keep track of Bond's leather gloves, ponder stolen paintings, and wonder what happened to Kincaid's dogs. In an extended epilogue, we discuss the issues the film raises between producers and product.

The recording took place on May 29th, 2020 in the USA, UK, and Spain.

James Page is a co-founder of MI6-HQ.com and the magazine MI6 Confidential

Calvin Dyson Reviews Bond channel can be enjoyed at youtube.com/calvindyson

Lisa Funnell (@DrLisaFunnell) is Associate Professor at the University of Oklahoma

Ben Williams writes for MI6-HQ.com and MI6 Confidential

Bill Koenig runs the Spy Command at hmssweblog.wordpress.com

David Leigh runs thejamesbonddossier.com

This podcast is copyright Pretitles LLC © 2020

Join us as we watch 1987's The Living Daylights together as a group experience.

For this episode, don your leather jacket, grab a key fob, and cue up your copy of The Living Daylights as the panel chats over the film in real-time with observations, trivia, insights, and irreverence. Along the way, we discover baddies leaving their babies with the neighbours, disruptive monkeys, pig fingers, Harrier jump jets cleaning ears, fixing a missing Bond, a lazy 008, conveniently large jackets, a field oculist exam, Felix's budget liquor cabinet, robe abuse, MI6's drug testing policy, and Bill goes in to hiding.

The recording took place on May 22nd, 2020 in the USA and UK.

James Page is a co-founder of MI6-HQ.com and the magazine MI6 Confidential

Calvin Dyson Reviews Bond channel can be enjoyed at youtube.com/calvindyson

Lisa Funnell (@DrLisaFunnell) is Associate Professor at the University of Oklahoma

Ben Williams writes for MI6-HQ.com and MI6 Confidential

Bill Koenig runs the Spy Command at hmssweblog.wordpress.com

This podcast is copyright Pretitles LLC © 2020