As the end of 2021 draws near, we at Fanbase Press want to thank the talented and hard-working individuals who host, edit, and create the various podcasts available as part of the Fanbase Press Podcast Network. Running the gamut from humorous and snarky to serious and sincere, the podcasts hosted at Fanbase Press celebrate fandoms in their own unique fashion. Below, readers will find the Fanbase Press podcast episodes that were most popular with our fans and listeners over the course of 2021.
The Fanbase Weekly
When it comes to Fanbase Press’ flagship podcast, The Fanbase Weekly, co-hosts Barbra Dillon, Bryant Dillon, Claire Thorne, and Drew Siragusa are joined by an assortment of special guests from across the pop culture spectrum to discuss the top geek stories of the week! During 2021, the show also featured two additional co-hosts, Justin Peniston and Phillip Kelly. The three most popular episodes of the year can be found below.
1. Episode #161 – The Fanbase Weekly
The co-hosts welcome special guest Richard Fairgray (writer/illustrator – Blastosaurus, Black Sand Beach, Tales from Black Sand Beach) to discuss the latest geek news stories of the week, including the allegations against Joss Whedon, the firing of Gina Carano from The Mandalorian, why Christopher Plummer is one of the greatest Star Trek villains, and our first look at Jared Leto’s Joker in the “Snyder Cut” of the Justice League movie.
2. Episode #160 – The Fanbase Weekly
In the Season 6 premiere episode, the co-hosts welcome special guest David Pepose (Scout’s Honor, Spencer & Locke, The O.Z., Going to the Chapel) to discuss the latest geek news stories of the week, including how Star Wars: The High Republic changed what we know about Jedi sex, *that* surprise cameo in WandaVision Episode 5, how Harry Potter fans are dealing with J.K. Rowling, and celebrating the 25th anniversary of DC Comics’ Kingdom Come.
3. Episode #166 – The Fanbase Weekly (NASA Extracts Breathable Air on Mars & More)
The co-hosts welcome special guest Tasha Huo (writer/showrunner – Netflix’s Tomb Raider, writer – Red Sonja) to discuss the latest geek news stories of the week, including NASA’s extraction of breathable air from Mars, reactions to The Falcon and the Winter Soldier finale, NYCC moving forward with a 2021 in-person con, and our weekly trailer roundup featuring Shang-Chi, Camp Cretaceous: Season 3, and Oxygen.
Fanbase Features
As a special feature of The Fanbase Weekly podcast, the Fanbase Feature focuses on and celebrates a specific element of geek culture in the form of long-form interviews, panel discussions, and more! The three most popular Fanbase Feature episodes of the year can be found below.
1. Fanbase Feature: Through the Ring 01 – A Focus on The Expanse TV Series
This 12-episode Fanbase Feature mini-series provides an in-depth analysis of the hit sci-fi television series, The Expanse. Hosted by the POPSKL Podcasters, this analysis not only explores the themes of the show, but also the overall impact that sci-fi stories can impart on their audiences. In this first discussion, they tackle episodes 1-5 of the first season of the hit Amazon science fiction TV show.
2. Fanbase Feature: Dream Journal 11 – A Focus on Neil Gaiman’s ‘The Sandman’
This Fanbase Feature mini-series provides an in-depth analysis of Neil Gaiman’s iconic comic book series, The Sandman. In this special episode, the podcast group POPSKL invites award-winning special guest Dirk Maggs to discuss his work as writer, director, and producer on The Sandman Audio Drama. Dirk talks about his history in the audio drama business, his working with Neil Gaiman and how he became involved in adapting The Sandman, and how he approaches the craft of bringing these worlds to cinematic life.
3. Fanbase Feature: Through the Ring 05 – A Focus on The Expanse TV Series
This 12-episode Fanbase Feature mini-series provides an in-depth analysis of the hit sci-fi television series, The Expanse. Hosted by the POPSKL Podcasters, this analysis not only explores the themes of the show, but also the overall impact that sci-fi stories can impart on their audiences. In this discussion they tackle episodes 1-6 of the third season.
The Arkham Sessions
Since early 2014, Dr. Drea Letamendi and Brian Ward have revisited Batman: The Animated Series through the analytical eyes of a clinical psychologist. Heralded as one of the greatest storytelling vehicles of all time, the television show’s tone, subject matter, and depth in storytelling and character development are exemplary and undergo the psychological analysis it deserves in The Arkham Sessions. Each week, the co-hosts watch the series, in production order, with a keen eye toward revealing the very real psychology behind its characters and then put Batman and his “Rogues Gallery” on the couch for a fun, insightful weekly session. In the past year, The Arkham Sessions has focused on content beyond Batman: The Animated Series, including analysis of the many entries of the Steven Universe, the Christopher Nolan Batman films, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The three most popular episodes of the year can be found below.
1. The Arkham Sessions, Ep. 155: ‘Steven Universe 1-5’
The podcast embarks on a brand-new chapter, as we begin the journey of exploring the beloved animated show, Steven Universe!
Using the Big 5 Personality Traits as a model, we discuss Steven’s strengths and features, taking into account how much of his personality may have been shaped by his environment and past life events. Given his eagerness to help others, his consistently positive outlook–even in the face of danger, his emotional expressiveness, and his active imagination, Steven’s strongest personality traits include agreeableness, openness, and social dominance (extraversion). Nothing seems too threatening to Steven’s carefree mind.
2. The Arkham Sessions, Ep. 156: ‘Steven Universe 6-15’
As Drea and Brian continue their Steven Universe mini-marathon viewings, they become more familiar with the Gem characters: Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl.
Drea and Brian discuss the importance of belongingness as it relates to our identity development, pointing out that even when we experience the rejection of a part of ourselves (personality traits, preferences, lifestyle), we are robbed of our dignity, humanity, and wholeness. Their discussion is about accepting one another and not selectively appreciating only the parts we are comfortable with.
3. The Arkham Sessions, Ep. 154: ‘The Dark Knight Rises’
In our coverage of the third and final film in the Nolan trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises, we connect the events surrounding Bane’s violent coup to the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol that took place on January 6, 2021. With a focus on explaining the fundamental causes of real-world terrorism, Drea outlines the psychological mechanisms involved in political radicalization and extremism and clarifies widely held myths about the role of mental illness as a factor.
Tread Perilously
Tread Perilously is a podcast in which hosts Erik Amaya (Editor-in-Chief of Comicon.com) and author Justin Robinson (City of Devils, Wolfman Confidential) watch the “worst” episodes of popular TV shows, attempting to determine if they would continue to watch the series based on the most off-key moments. TV shows regularly tread upon include Doctor Who, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, and 7th Heaven. From family dramas to well-loved, but brief, sci-fi series, each hour-long episode examines how a show sustains itself even in its worst moments. The three most popular episodes of the year can be found below.
1. Tread Perilously – ‘Blue-Eyed Butcher’
Tread Perilously closes out the year with a special Lifetime TV Movie event: Blue-Eyed Butcher.
2. Tread Perilously – Dawson’s Creek – “Lovelines”
Tread Perilously’s New Class continues with a final season episode of Dawson’s Creek called “Lovelines.”
3. Tread Perilously – Buck Rogers in the 25th Century – “Cruise Ship to the Stars”
It’s Total Request Live 3! Once again, Tread Perilously hands the choice of what Erik and Justin watch to the Patreon subscribers! This week: an episode of Buck Rogers in the 25th Century called “Cruise Ship to the Stars.”
Paul and Corey Cross the Streams
Paul and Corey Cross the Streams is a bi-monthly podcast in which hosts Paul Pakler and Corey Pepper watch and review streaming content. It’s the Great American Podcast where two friends learn about life as they float down the river of streaming services. The three most popular episodes of 2021 can be found below.
Paul and Corey are back! It’s 2021! It’s Season 3! Paul’s an uncle! HOORAY…for Hollywood? This month, Paul and Corey are looking at “The Movies in the Movies (Films About Hollywood).” Get ready for a dark night because all the stars are in this film! The Player (1992).
Paul and Corey are back! It’s 2021! It’s Season 3! Paul’s an uncle! HOORAY…for Hollywood? This month, Paul and Corey are looking at “The Movies in the Movies (Films About Hollywood).” And today’s film is a biggie. Sunset Boulevard (1950). A beautiful, brilliant film from beginning to end. There’s a lot to discuss, so fire up the private orchestra, open some $13,000 wine, and enjoy.
3. Paul and Corey Cross the Streams: S3E3 [Meryl Streep – Meryl Streep]
This month, Paul and Corey have chosen the iconic and brilliant actor Meryl Streep on which to focus; however, due to a communication error, Paul and Corey watched each other’s films in advance of today’s episode. So, in a moment of equally iconic and brilliant improvisation, the boys decided to spend this episode just talkin’ Meryl. Tune in to Season 3, Episode 4 for the joint discussion of Doubt and Death Becomes Her.
