Explore every episode of the podcast Worth Watching
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doctor Who 58: The Colony in Space | 15 Jun 2025 | 02:07:26 | |
The Dr is freed from Earth at last! Also, an extended digression on the Population Bomb… We liked this one! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| Doctor Who 57: The Claws of Axos | 26 May 2025 | 01:16:25 | |
Yes, the Master is back, whether he should be or not…in any case, we liked ONE of the episodes and ONE of the guest actors, so that’s something, right? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| Doctor Who 52: Doctor Who and the Silurians | 26 Feb 2025 | 01:45:22 | |
The invasion is coming from inside the house! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| Guest's Choice: Ghostbusters (with Matt Brown) | 26 Sep 2022 | 01:08:49 | |
Today is a delightful discussion about one of the few perfect movies ever made, Ghostbusters! Learn how Sherlock author Arthur Conan Doyle directly impact this film, the ins and out of the ethics of psychological testing, and the secrets that make this film work. No matter how much you know about Ghostbusters, you are guaranteed to learn something new! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| Rage 5: Nine to Five (with rebecca christiansen) | 19 Sep 2022 | 01:48:27 | |
1974: Banks can deny single women bank accounts. 1977: Sexual harassment is recognized as a legal claim. 1980: The movie Nine to Five is released. 2022: We do an episode on it with rebecca christiansen (Twitter: @rebeccarightnow). This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| Rage 4: Thelma & Louise (with Sarah Rose Siskind) | 12 Sep 2022 | 02:08:31 | |
Sort of a feminist remake of Bonnie & Clyde, this week we have Thelma & Louise! We're joined by the incomparable Sarah Rose Siskind to talk about the various ways men treat women, whether the initiating event was murder or self defense, the different ways women have found justice through time, and a whole lot of joking along the way. Just a plain old fun romp. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| Rage 3: Bonnie & Clyde (with Katherine Mangu-Ward) | 22 Aug 2022 | 02:52:31 | |
Next up in our Rage Against the Machine season is Bonnie & Clyde, the outlaws who embodied the myth of sexy bank robbers and captured the hearts of the nation (who were all just waiting to see how they'd die; it was the reality TV of the time). Katherine Mangu-Ward, Editor in Chief of Reason, joins us to provide her unique and anarchy-tinged take on this story, and we have a great conversation. Was Clyde really impotent? When they finally did do it, was Bonnie telling the truth about how good it was? Only one way to find out: Listen to this episode! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| Rage 2: A Face in the Crowd (with Maura Spiegel) | 15 Aug 2022 | 02:45:31 | |
We continue our exploration of films that rage against the machine with perhaps one of the earliest to do so, and what might be essentially a prequel for Network, A Face in the Crowd. Film Professor Maura Spiegel helps guide us through this amazingly modern and relevant film, with a particularly surprising performance by Andy Griffith in his very first movie. This film is a treat, and it we had a very enjoyable discussion -- check it out! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| Rage 1: Network (with Nick Gillespie) | 08 Aug 2022 | 03:09:32 | |
Welcome to our first rage-filled film, Network! We have a fascinating and wide-ranging discussion with Nick Gillespie about media past and future, whether corporations really rule the world, did Walter Cronkite end Vietnam, do people have agency or are they slaves to the boob tube? And much, much more -- buckle in folks, it's a ride! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| Rage Against the Machine season intro (with Maura Spiegel) | 01 Aug 2022 | 01:20:54 | |
Rage Against the Machine! We're kicking off a season of rage-filled films with a fascinating and wide-ranging discussion with Professor Maura Spiegel, who teaches film and wrote the biography of director Sidney Lumet. We discuss the purpose of and approaches to teaching film, the career of Lumet, and finally we do a walk-thru of the films we'll be discussing this season. This is one really worth checking out. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| Hartnell Special 2: The Mouse that Roared | 26 Jul 2022 | 01:33:59 | |
Another comedy with William Hartnell! And Leo McKern whom we last saw in The Prisoner! And with Peter Sellers in multiple roles! How does this compare to our previous Hartnell film, Carry On Sergeant, which launched the longest running British movie series ever? Which one would we rather show a loved one that we dragged to the couch? Listen in to find out! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| Doctor Who Special: Season 2 recap (with Toby Hadoke) | 18 Jul 2022 | 01:50:27 | |
One of our best episodes ever -- a delightful discussion with Toby Hadoke in which we discuss Season 2 all over again. Who was the best/worst villain? What was the best Dr moment of the season? Which was the most impactful companion departure? You'll never know unless you listen to this episode! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| Doctor Who 17: The Time Meddler | 04 Jul 2022 | 01:32:52 | |
We've reached the final story of Season 2! This is a delightful romp, only marred by the absence of Ian and Barbara, and we have yet to learn most of the secrets of the story...check it out with us! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| Doctor Who 51: Spearhead From Space | 10 Feb 2025 | 01:09:30 | |
Jon Pertwee’s first story as the Doctor! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| Doctor Who 16: The Chase | 20 Jun 2022 | 02:17:48 | |
It's another Terry Nation Dalek story directed by Richard Martin -- so how well does it turn out this time? How many Nationisms can we spot? And what's the Worth Watching official solution to the Mary Celeste mystery? Listen to find out! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| Doctor Who 15: The Space Museum | 05 Jun 2022 | 01:41:47 | |
We sobered up enough after the bizarre experience that is The Web Planet to check out this latest outing. It's a bit of whiplash going between these two stories...don't forget to go through the gift shop on the way out of the Space Museum! (This was originally broadcast as two episodes.) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| Guest’s Choice: Buffy the Vampire Slayer & Marvel comics (with Greg Lukianoff) | 30 May 2022 | 00:47:26 | |
This is our most wide-ranging episode ever! We have a wonderful conversation with Greg Lukianoff, co-author of Coddling of the American Mind, a hugely important book, and he's the head of FIRE, the org that fights for free speech for professors and students. But being the podcast we are, instead of talking about important stuff in the real world, we do deep dives into Buffy and Marvel comics. Greg is a true geek, and it shows. We just thoroughly enjoyed this one. Coddling of the American Mind This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| Guest's Choice: Tremors (with Ray Greer) | 23 May 2022 | 01:54:03 | |
Ray Greer is the kindest, humblest person I know, and the only person I know who worked on Tremors! He shares his wonderful stories with us about how this classic B-horror film came to be. This is a must-listen episode! (This episode was recorded long before the great Fred Ward died...thankfully we had some very nice things to say about him!) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| Guest's Choice: Quatermass & The Pit (with Toby Hadoke) | 16 May 2022 | 02:48:31 | |
This is such a special episode...Toby Hadoke is well-known as a foremost Dr Who scholar, but he is also probably the world's expert on Quatermass, a massively influential series of TV shows (and later Hammer films) that laid the foundations for all science fiction TV and movies, yet is unfortunately largely unknown in the US. In addition to an insanely in-depth discussion with Toby on all things Quatermass, Guy and Ron do a thorough walk-thru of Quatermass and the Pit, so you can experience what it's all about if you don't want to go to the effort of digging up ancient BBC series not sold or streamed in the US. Is it worth watching for a modern audience? Are you kidding us -- a thousand times yes, already! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| Doctor Who 14: The Crusade | 09 May 2022 | 01:42:04 | |
This story came after Web Planet, and the contrast couldn't be more stark. This one has great writing, great acting, and a distinct lack of dancing bees. But is great writing and acting enough to make it a proper Doctor Who story? Join us as we wrestle with this question! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| Doctor Who 13: The Web Planet | 02 May 2022 | 02:01:32 | |
Strap in, boys and girls, we're heading into one of the most controversial classic Who stories, and our newbie has no idea what's coming his way! It's certainly a...unique...story. But is it worth watching for a modern audience? There's only one way to find out! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| Doctor Who 12: The Romans | 18 Apr 2022 | 01:50:42 | |
A strangely humorous romp thru Rome in the time of slavery and murder all around...does it work for a modern audience? Does Zero Mostel get a solo? Who inevitably ends up facing the lions in the arena? Listen in to find out! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| Doctor Who 11: The Rescue | 11 Apr 2022 | 00:56:29 | |
One of the shortest Dr Who stories ever! But does that mean it isn't good? And what do we think of the new companion replacing Susan? There's only one way to find out! Us This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| Doctor Who 10: The Dalek Invasion of Earth | 28 Mar 2022 | 02:03:49 | |
We cover the story that was *supposed* to kick off season 2 with a bang, the return of the Daleks, the one that Ron loves unconditionally and that convinced him to watch Dr Who from the beginning, and see how it holds up. Ron is pulling every emotional trick in the book to get Guy to recognize this for the gem that it is -- will he succeed? Listen to find out! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| Doctor Who 50: The War Games | 03 Feb 2025 | 02:19:39 | |
This 10 episode epic ends the Troughton era, and it’s an amazing way to go out! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| Doctor Who 9: Planet of Giants | 21 Mar 2022 | 01:12:54 | |
We're back to Dr Who, with the first story of season 2, a rare three episode story. Join the jaded Dr Who guy and the now not-so-newbie as we discover the meaning of the title and determine whether this one is worth watching for a modern audience!
Us This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| Host's Choice: King Kong (1976) | 14 Mar 2022 | 01:40:24 | |
This is the earliest movie Guy can remember watching that he wanted to revisit (other than "The Apple Dumpling Gang"). We had a blast talking thru this movie about a horny giant ape. We discussed important topics like why you should always take the clothes off a woman before giving her CPR, how to juggle multiple boyfriends when one is human and one is not, and what Peter Jackson got wrong in his later remake of this story. Listen to discover the answers! Us This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| Host's Choice: Escape to Witch Mountain (1975) | 07 Mar 2022 | 00:59:21 | |
This is the earliest movie Ron can remember watching, and he has a huge (and totally objective) fondness for it, since it's (objectively) the best film ever made. Listen to the jet-lagged Ron recording from a NY hotel room and his podcasting partner Guy as we explore this unexpectedly high-quality Disney kids romp! Us This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| McGoohan Special: Ice Station Zebra | 27 Feb 2022 | 01:51:50 | |
Released at the same time as 2001, how does this Cold War classic starring Patrick McGoohan hold up for modern audiences? The movie was not commercially successful, but that's okay, because we rewrite it for you to come up with an approach that would have been a big hit! Also, should this movie be considered a part of The Prisoner canon? Listen to hear our surprising conclusion! Us This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| Prisoner 15: The Ones We Didn't Include: Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling & The Girl Who Was Death | 21 Feb 2022 | 01:19:09 | |
Here are the final two of the four episodes Ron cruelly left out of his ordering. Was he wrong to do so? Only Guy can decide! Also, our epic discussion about re-ordering the episodes based on this listening experience. The resulting order:
Us This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| Prisoner 14: The Ones We Didn't Include: Dance of the Dead & A Change of Mind | 14 Feb 2022 | 01:22:23 | |
Here are the first two of the four episodes Ron cruelly left out of his ordering. Was he wrong to do so? Only Guy can decide! Listen as your co-hosts try to navigate the shoals of disagreement to come up with the perfect ordering (or as Guy says, eh, he doesn't really care about the perfect ordering...) Hint: Ron has a change of mind about at least one of them!... Us This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| Prisoner 13: Once Upon a Time & Fallout (with Andrew Heaton) | 06 Feb 2022 | 01:09:12 | |
Wow, we made it to the final two episodes of The Prisoner, which, let's face it, are the definition of controversial. What made the British so angry that Patrick McGoohan had to flee into the mountains and disappear? Who is #1, after all? A rocket or a monkey? Andrew Heaton, of Alienating the Audience, helps us figure it all out. Listen to the very end for a very special coda... Us This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| Prisoner 12: Many Happy Returns | 31 Jan 2022 | 01:29:02 | |
Ron describes this as the "last narrative episode", whatever that means. But there's no question this is an amazing story, half of it being silent, the other half very consequential. Why is the milkman the most significant character in The Prisoner? Can #6 ever come closer to escaping than this? Also, listen to the very end for some very personal stories, involving actual death, and, believe it or not, one of our hosts possibly saving the other from being robbed. We're almost at the end, folks! Us This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| Prisoner 11: It's Your Funeral | 24 Jan 2022 | 01:15:31 | |
What's a Jammer? How much can you trust your underlings? Just who is out to get you, and why do they want you to wear that shiny medal? You can only find out by listening to this episode! Us This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| Prisoner 10: Hammer into Anvil | 17 Jan 2022 | 01:01:05 | |
This is a dark one! It starts with suicide and ends with a career shattered. Whose suicide and whose career? Listen on to find out! Us This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| Doctor Who 49: The Space Pirates | 19 Jan 2025 | 01:24:55 | |
This is the last reconstruction we’ll ever have to watch — yay! For a story no one ever talks about and that we knew nothing about, we were pleasantly surprised! It’s a damn shame only one episode of this survived. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| Prisoner 9: Living in Harmony | 09 Jan 2022 | 01:02:41 | |
It's the Prisoner episode that exists because Patrick McGoohan had always wanted to do a Western... Is a fast gun or a fast horse more important in the Wild West? Can you change a man's soul without changing your own? Is refusing to wear a gun equivalent to protesting the Vietnam war? As always, all the answers are contained within! Us This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| Prisoner 8: Checkmate | 02 Jan 2022 | 01:33:07 | |
Who are the black pieces, who are the white? Who are the guardians, who are the prisoners? Listen to this episode if you want to learn how to win against a chess master (satisfaction not guaranteed) or how not to treat your employees if you'd like to escape The Village! We had a really fun discussion with this episode -- join us! Us This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| Guest's Choice: The Social Network (with Robby Soave) | 27 Dec 2021 | 02:26:15 | |
Wow, turns out The Social Network is not the movie anyone would make about Facebook these days. But is it Worth Watching for a modern audience? Robby Soave, Senior Editor at Reason and guest host of the YouTube channel for The Hill, and author of Tech Panic, helps us sort it out. Is Jesse Eisenberg's portrayal of Zuckerberg fair and accurate? Did the Winklevoss twins deserve their windfall? Is Larry Summers an upstanding guy? For answers to these questions and a hilarious disagreement about the ending, with proposed alternate endings, check this episode out! Stay to the very end for a fascinating little bonus bit from Robby. Robby: @robbysoave Tech Panic: Amazon Us: @WorthWatching4 and Facebook
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| Guest's Choice: Altered States (with Sarah Rose Siskind) | 19 Dec 2021 | 02:00:32 | |
Want to hear lots about psychedelics in general and Altered States in particular? Want to know what to think of Hippies, the surprising true story of Woodstock, and the one shocking thing George Harrison refused to do on film? Intrigued yet? Listen to get all life's answers! Sarah is an expert on psychedelics, a comedian, and an all around great person. We had a blast talking to her. Sarah: @srsiskind Us: @WorthWatching4 & Facebook
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| Prisoner 7: The Schizoid Man | 12 Dec 2021 | 01:19:19 | |
When is a man not a man, but instead is his twin? How important is the choice between a white and black jacket? If you see two versions of your friend in a fight, which one would you shoot? These and other philosophical questions are answered (or not answered) in this episode! Us This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| Prisoner 6: Free For All | 05 Dec 2021 | 01:23:35 | |
Nothing is more important in The Village than the democratic process! If you want to know who to vote for, join us as we discuss the most important election of our times. (Warning: Candidates may make promises they can't actually keep once in office...) Us This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| Prisoner 5: The Chimes of Big Ben | 28 Nov 2021 | 01:30:16 | |
Per Ron, this is a foundational episode, really what people think of when they think of The Prisoner. Is Leo McKern the bestest #2 ever? Can art represent both the profundity of the religious experience and a rickety boat at the same time? Is it ever a good idea to allow for illegal weaponish items in the Village? Can a woman ever be trusted? You won't know the answer to any of these questions if you don't listen to this episode! Us This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| Prisoner 4: A. B. and C. | 21 Nov 2021 | 01:40:57 | |
It's the episode that dares to ask, "Who the heck is C?" -- and does that mean this story is based on algebra? As we'll discover, the world is but #6's dream, and we're all just players on his sleepy stage. Join us to discover whether this is a worthy entry in the series, and don't forget to bring your bow tie! Us This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| Prisoner 3: The General (with Andrew Heaton) | 14 Nov 2021 | 01:14:43 | |
We're joined by our very first guest, Andrew Heaton! We had a great conversation covering a wide range of topics like... Is Speed Learning the next big fad? Who the heck is The General? How did Napoleon accidentally shape modern education in the US? And most importantly, what kinds of logic questions can you use to short out your computer? Check out Heaton's podcast, Alienating the Audience! Us This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| Prisoner 2: Arrival, part 2 | 07 Nov 2021 | 00:54:38 | |
Join us for the conclusion of our discussion of the first episode of The Prisoner. Is one of the most influential TV shows in history actually Worth Watching? Only one podcast is qualified to tell you! Stay for the very end for a bit of a treat... Us This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| Katherine Mangu-Ward on The Seeds of Death | 03 Jan 2025 | 00:47:47 | |
Over the years Katherine — Editor in Chief at Reason Magazine — and I have had numerous late night conversations at bars across the country, and this podcast is pretty much a recording of one of those discussions. The starting point is the Dr Who story The Seeds of Death, but the discussion is wide-ranging, philosophical, and funny. Just the way I like it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| Prisoner 1: Arrival, part 1 | 31 Oct 2021 | 00:57:57 | |
And so it begins! The mysterious spy is kidnapped to The Village and renamed to #6. Has Guy figured out who #1 is yet? Will #6 escape in the first episode? There's only one way to find out! Us This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| Prisoner 0: Intro & Danger Man/Secret Agent pilot | 24 Oct 2021 | 00:49:37 | |
Why did we choose The Prisoner? What's the secret to the perfect episode order? How did the first episode of Danger Man/Secret Agent lead directly to the most iconic aspect of The Prisoner, and is that earlier show that made Patrick McGoohan famous worth watching for a modern audience? The answers can only be found here! Us This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||
| Hartnell Special 1: Carry On Sergeant | 17 Oct 2021 | 01:20:08 | |
SEE the movie that kicked off the classic British series of Carry On Films! EXPERIENCE William Hartnell playing the kind of military role that stereotyped him and drove him to risk playing Dr Who! HEAR two very American blokes try to puzzle through Britishisms! Is this William Hartnell film Worth Watching for a modern audience? There's only one way to find out! Us This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit betterangels1.substack.com | |||