Digital Dissection: A Nerd Podcast

What is this? We are reviewing something that isn't from the late 20th Century? Have we lost our minds? Nah, we just got really excited about the new Fallout series on Amazon. Be sure to download today's episode to hear a mostly spoiler-free review of Fallout Season One!

All music written and performed by Chris Lott. Follow us on:

Thought up in the early 1980's and reworked while locked in a bomb shelter, Ghostbusters became a household name for comedy and special effects. Since 1984, the franchise has expanded to five movies, two cartoons, and a handful of video games. Today, our hosts rank the five movies from worst to best and discuss if this franchise is ready for the grave or if bustin' still makes them feel good.

All music written and performed by Chris Lott

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That's a wrap on season three everyone! Thank you so much to all of our special guests, friends, subscribers, and listeners for helping us make another great season! Download this episode to hear our hosts discuss some of their favorite parts from season three and we'll see you all again in season four!

Welcome to Season 3, Episode 129 of Digital Dissection: Pop Culture Nerdity!

On this episode the Dissectors welcome back Noah Falstein! You might remember Noah from last season, as he returns to catch us up on all that has happened since last year! Be sure to download this episode to hear about his work with VR, which of his games he would like to see get a sequel, and what direction he thinks video games are steering toward!

Gordan Ramsay is a household name these days because in 2007 he came bursting onto our TV's swearing his way through some of the most disgusting kitchens we had ever seen.

Welcome to Season 3, Episode 128 of Digital Dissection: Pop Culture Nerdity! On this episode, Mark and Joe revisit Gordan Ramsay's first run of Kitchen Nightmare! From rotting food to rotten restaurateurs, Gordan Ramsay set out to fix America one hellish kitchen at a time. However, was it all a fool's errand? Download this episode to find out what we think!

Welcome to season three, episode 127 of Digital Dissection: Pop Culture Nerdity! This episode is another retro review and this time we revisit the N64 classic, Paper Mario! Our hosts are once again joined by friend of the podcast, and brother to Mark, Nate! Download this episode to relive some simple RPG goodness, find out the proper use of the term "body pillow", and get up-to-date on the current used video game market!

Video games becoming movies will likely always have a rotten stigma to them, but when one of them gets five sequels it must have done something right... right?

Welcome to Season 3 Episode 126 of Digital Dissection: Pop Culture Nerdity!

On this episode our hosts are joined by the Daily Dad himself, Nick! By their powers combined they recall 2002's cinematic attempt at Resident Evil!

Join us for a fantastic conversation and download this episode today!

Welcome to Season 3, Episode 125 of Digital Dissection: Pop Culture Nerdity!

You have likely heard the work of this episode's guest several times before. His songs have come into our homes during the Super Bowl and a beloved anime... and much more.

The Dissectors get to have a special interview with Jason Paige!

His body of work also includes commercials for Mountain Dew, Coca Cola, Subway, and Pepto Bismol. Hear about stories from his performances on stage with Aerosmith, Michael Jackson, and Steve Aoki!

Be sure to download today's episode to hear more about Jason's incredible career!

Reality TV believe it or not has evolved somewhat over the years.

From social group experiments, to competition; reality TV eventually created the subgenre... hidden camera TV.

Often it was a joke or prank being carried out on an individual who would be able to laugh at themselves upon reveal. One show however, was no laughing matter for individuals who ended up being face to face with a network television anchor.

Welcome to Season 3 Episode 124 of Digital Dissection: Pop Culture Nerdity! On this episode, our hosts discuss the hidden camera segment turned show, To Catch a Predator. Be sure to download this episode to hear and relive Chris Hansen's surprise attack on would-be child predators.

Welcome to season three, episode 123 of Digital Dissection: Pop Culture Nerdity! If you know anything about this podcast, you know that bustin' makes us feel good!...In a spiritual sense of course...with your minds out of the gutter, come join us as we do a retro review of Ghostbusters The Videogame 2009! While the previous attempts at making a Ghostbusters videogame fell short, Terminal Reality's game brought back the original cast to voice the game, expanded on the lore with a well developed story, and gave us a bangin' multiplayer to boot! Download this episode to hear more about what we loved about this game!

We live in a cinematic era of sequels and reboots and Hollywood seems to be too afraid to step out of the comfort zone of their successful properties.

Meanwhile audiences and critics alike are starting to get pretty tired of it, but what if there was a time when a reboot was good?

Welcome to Season 3, Episode 122 of Digital Dissection: Pop Culture Nerdity! On this episode, hosts Mark and Joe discuss the 2004 reboot of Dawn of the Dead! While this remake may not have the same social commentary of the original, we think this is still a great film to re-watch this spooky season!

Be sure to download this episode to relive what it was like the first time zombies decided to sprint!

Welcome to Season 3, Episode 121 of Digital Dissection: Pop Culture Nerdity!

We are absolutely honored to have the incredibly talented actor, musician, and season two guest Noah Watts back on the podcast!

Noah is known for his role in Assassin's Creed 3 as Ratonhnhaké:ton (Connor) Kenway as well as for his musical work with Nickels & Bones and his solo work; but today he stops by the podcast to talk about Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade!

Be sure to download this episode to hear how this movie impacted us and what we think keeps everyone coming back to watch it!

Noah's Socials

The concept may have been a hard sell but now the property is hard to keep down!

Welcome to Season 3 Episode 120 of Digital Dissection: Pop Culture Nerdity! On this episode, our hosts welcome back long time friend of the podcast Doug Eberle!

Together they look back on the original 1987 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated series! Come back with the Dissectors as they recall some of our favorite episodes, obscure characters, and the series eventual journey into the red sky...

Welcome to Season 3, Episode 119 of Digital Dissection: Pop Culture Nerdity!

Today, Mark and Joe do a retro review of the 2015 game Rocket League! This game continues to keep players in front of screens today with over 91 million active players!

Download this episode to hear about what keeps people coming back to rocket powered cars playing soccer!

Japan's influence on global pop culture is staggering. In the recent decade, anime has found its way to TV's everywhere and has been embraced globally.

Unfortunately in the recent past, many questionable anime dubs tried to "localize" content. It didn't only begin there however, as bad live action dubs humorously added voiceover despite its actors mouths not even moving.

Between these two timeframes however, one film tried it's own thing in 1998.

Welcome to Season 3, Episode 119 of Digital Dissection: Pop Culture Nerdity! Mark and Joe break down Colombia Tristar's attempt to completely overhaul and Americanize one of Japan's film giants, Godzilla!

Godzilla 1998 had one of the biggest ad campaigns of any movie of its decade, and for film goers of the time, it didn't exactly live up to it. 25 years later, was this movie all that bad?

Download today to hear if we think this film deserves another shot!

Welcome to Season 3 Episode 117 of Digital Dissection: Pop Culture Nerdity! On this episode, our hosts get to have a chat with actor Adrian Hough!

Adrian's impressive acting career includes being part of many iconic properties! You may remember him for his roles in Assassin's Creed III (Haytham Kenway), X-Men: The Animated Series (Nightcrawler), Home Before Dark (Jack Fife), and The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (Farmer Putnam)!

Be sure to download today's episode to hear how Adrian honed his many accents over the years as well as his passion for preserving the last 1% of British Colombia's old growth forests!

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Adrian's Links:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realadrianhough/

X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/Adey800

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While nerd culture is synonymous with pop culture these days, that certainly wasn't always the case. Some beloved series chose to show the grittier and harsher side of growing up nerdy while a vast majority of movies in the 80's depicted nerds as either lovable oddities or perverse computer junkies.

Nearly a decade into the new millennium, a sitcom helped transition the perception of nerds into an area of acceptance not seen before.

Welcome to Season 3, Episode 116 of Digital Dissection: Pop Culture Nerdity! On this episode, Mark and Joe discuss Chuck Lorre's wildly popular series "The Big Bang Theory!" Love it or hate it, this show had nerds on full display as they navigated through their lives and became a part of ours for 12 seasons!

Some games make us push ourselves until we want to throw our controllers. Others pit us against each other in PvP combat to see which of our friends is superior.

Then there is a third category of video game that brings everyone together to have a good time, laugh, and forget about everything else.

Welcome to Season 3 Episode 115 of Digital Dissection: Pop Culture Nerdity! On this episode we welcome back Season 1 host Chelsea as we rate and reminisce about Little Big Planet!

This PS3 title was full of good times and whimsy, but how does it hold up? Download today to find out!

In 2007 millennials got a chance to see something they hadn't seen before. While comic book superheroes had come off the page and onto the big screen in the world of live action movies, the same couldn't really be said for our beloved Saturday morning cartoons.

That is... until one explosive director attempted to prove he was more than meets the eye.

Welcome to Season 3 Episode 114 of Digital Dissection: Pop Culture Nerdity! On this episode, our hosts Mark and Joe welcome back friend of the podcast Chris to talk about Michael Bay's first crack at Transformers! Love it, or hate it, this movie brought one of our favorite cartoons to life! Download this episode now to relive this movie's successes... and stumbles.

Fighting demons, taking down mechs, and solving crime through forensic science is all second nature for today's guest!

Welcome to Season 3 Episode 113 of Digital Dissection: Pop Culture Nerdity! On this episode, our hosts are joined by actor Samantha Ferris! She is known for her roles in Supernatural, Gundam Wing, and the New Tales from the Borderlands!

Be sure to download this episode to here more about her incredible career, and some fascinating stories along the way!

Few if any TV series can boast the effect they had on pop culture like Game of Thornes. It had warm protagonists, villains we loved to hate, and not a single character we were comfortable getting too attached to.

After eight seasons we stopped talking about it virtually over night.

Welcome to Season 3 Episode 112 of Digital Dissection: Pop Culture Nerdity! Download today's episode to hear more about this landmark series from Mark and Joe!

So, Joe makes quite a few mistakes with character names. Bare with him...

2012 was a monster of a year for video games, and today Mark and Joe do a retro review of one that outshined the original!

Welcome to Season 3 Episode 111 of Digital Dissection: Pop Culture Nerdity! On this episode, Borderlands 2 is put through the wringer to see if this classic holds up to the test of time! Be sure to download today's episode and let us know if you thought this sequel surpassed the original!

In 2004 few coming of age movies dared to be different or try new things.

They were often filled with stereotypes, forced emotional moments, and the "transformation" of a beautiful, misunderstood person wearing glasses into a beautiful person without glasses. There is one movie that made us look at what we should do with our lives after college, analyze racial issues, and the importance of putting yourself out there.

All while on the way to get something to eat.

Welcome to Season 3, Episode 110 of Digital Dissection: Pop Culture Nerdity! Today, Mark and Joe break down every cameo, and every scene they loved from Harold and Kumar go to White Castle! Be sure to download today's episode to relive this modern classic!

Welcome to Season 3, Episode 109 of Digital Dissection: Pop Culture Nerdity!

Today our hosts chat with actor and fellow gamer Mitchell Whitfield! Mitchell's talents extend to the stage, screen, and voice acting!

You probably know him for his appearances in My Cousin Vinny, "Friends" as Rachel's fiance Barry, or lending his voice to Donatello in the 2007 movie TMNT! Be sure to download today's episode to hear more about his career, love for tabletop gaming, and to find out if his Seaman is still alive.

Let's face it, while we generally love our parents there are plenty of things we don't need to know about them...

...especially if those things take nine years to explain.

Welcome to Season 3, Episode 108 of Digital Dissection: Pop Culture Nerdity! Today Mark and Joe discuss the early 2000's hit sitcom "How I Met Your Mother!"

From it's unforgettable characters to all the ridiculous situations they found themselves in, this show had it all! Be sure to download today's episode to hear more about Ted, Marshall, Lilly, Barney, and Robin and how they changed over 9 seasons!

Far Cry 3 was a significant improvement over its predecessors. Offering an even richer and more expansive world to explore like previous entries, but trailblazing down a path still followed by the series today.

Welcome to season three episode 107 of Digital Dissection: Pop Culture Nerdity! Today's retro review looks back on a very well received game for its time. Critics and fans alike raved over game that would earn Ubisoft a Game of the Year award.

However, if you picked up today, would it still hold up? Download today and listen to what our hosts have to think!

What is a revolution without a good symbol?

A figure that can be used by its people to rally around and draw strength from that may or may not be a good source of alliteration.

Welcome to Season 3 Episode 106 of Digital Dissection: Pop Culture Nerdity! Today, our hosts Mark and Joe dissect the 2005 film V for Vendetta! The DC/Vertigo movie that created a lasting impact on pop culture and whose protagonist has become synonymous with modern revolution. Be sure to download today's episode to hear how this movie left its mark on society!

Welcome to Season 3 Episode 105 of Digital Dissection: Pop Culture Nerdity! On this episode we welcome Erik Todd Dellums to the podcast!

Erik extensive experience as an actor stretches over several decades, evolving from TV to Film, and eventually across major video game properties. You might recognize him as Arcann in Star Wars: The Old Republic, Koh the Face Stealer in Avatar the Last Air Bender, and as Three Dog in Fallout!

Join the Dissectors as they explore his creative process, and his critically acclaimed performance as Aaravos on The Dragon Prince!

Download today's episode to hear more about his incredible career!

In 2003, most of us didn't know what goes into the jobs that keep the world running... admittedly, most of us didn't want to know.

However, one man dared to do those jobs; ALL of those jobs, and he brought every single, dirty one onto our TV's each week.

Welcome to Season 3 Episode 104 of Digital Dissection: Pop Culture Nerdity! This week Mark and Joe discuss Mike Rowe and his hit reality TV series "Dirty Jobs!" Come with us as we relive some of Mike's dusty, muddy, filthy, and often poop-filled jobs! You might be surprised to learn that the show's concept has been around a VERY long time.

2001 was quite the year for video games. The big three (Nintendo, Playstation, and Xbox) were pushing out hits for their console exclusive titles like Super Smash Bros. Melee, Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy, and Halo: Combat Evolved.

However, one game would outsell them all and keep us all playing for hours upon hours, thanks in part to its glorious radio. Welcome to Season 3 Episode 103 of Digital Dissection: Pop Culture Nerdity! Today the Dissectors review Grand Theft Auto 3! Long before the PS4/PS5 remaster this game had us running jobs for mafia members, getting full health with the help of certain workers, staying one step ahead of the cops, and of course... stealing cars.

What do you remember most about GTA3? Download today's episode to reminisce about it with Mark and Joe!

Making the jump from TV to the big screen can be met with challenges, even if it you've done it six times before.

Welcome to Season 3 Episode 102 of Digital Dissection: Pop Culture Nerdity! Today Mark and Joe talk about the the starship Enterprise's seventh go at a feature film; Star Trek Generations!

A film that was widely disliked by its 1994 audience, but are its narratives on passing the torch and one's mortality worth another watch nearly 30 years later? Download today's episode to hear what our hosts think and make the decision on that second chance yourself.

Welcome to Season 3 Episode 101 of Digital Dissection: Pop Culture Nerdity! On this week's episode our hosts sit down and speak with Programmer, Designer, and Engineer... SEAN CALLAHAN!

Callahan has experience creating games for MECC, Rocket Science Games, and Microsoft! Most notably you'll recognize his work on iconic games such as The Oregon Trail and Rocket Jockey!

He even lent a hand in creating one of Joe's favorite pieces of outdated tech... the Zune! Be sure to download today's episode to find out more about Sean and his fascinating career!

Joe and Mark live several hours away from each other. For years, this meant sharing conversations over the phone, discussing movies, TV, video games, and anything pop culture wanted to throw at them.

That idea became a podcast, the conversations expanded to friends, celebrities, and digital creators.

100 episodes later, the Dissectors are joined by former host Chelsea Yonke, Seinfeld Soupposting creator Doug Eberle, and Mark's older brother Nate Behncke to talk THE GAMES THAT MADE US.

A throwback from season 1, this topic is a combination of nostalgia, personal stories, and celebrating classic video games that impacted each dissector in a unique way. A big thank you to the panel helping us celebrate this milestone, and to everyone who has joined us along the way.

Thank you to everyone who has made this 3 year journey memorable. It has been an incredible ride so far.

-- Joe & Mark

An anime that has managed to stay under the radar in the West finds its way to a Digital Dissection!

Welcome to Season 3 Episode 99 of Digital Dissection: Pop Culture Nerdity! Download today's episode to learn more about Guyver: The BioBoosted Armor; a 2005 attempt to bring the successful manga to the small screen!

This series has a little bit of everything; monsters, an evil shadow organization, awkward teen romance, and one really badass suit of armor! We hope you enjoy this season's anime choice, as Joe relives a classic and Mark tries to... as well!

When you've been a plumber, an artist, a driving instructor, a typing teacher, pro carter, and a doctor; you begin to wonder what's next for yourself?

You gather your best friends, and you build yourself an RPG.

Welcome to Season 3, Episode 98 of Digital Dissection: Pop Culture Nerdity! Today's retro review is the love child of Square and Nintendo joining forces to make one of the greatest RPGs in the waning days of the Super Nintendo.

How does it stack up against the Dissectors all-time reviews? Download today and find out!

While Marvel has become synonymous with higher quality superhero cinema since 2008, the years leading up to the MCU had mixed results.

Some gave us typical leather clad heroes thwarting extremist villains and others had performances so memorable they would be reprised in the modern movies...THIS was not one of those films.

Welcome to Season 3, Episode 97 of Digital Dissection: Pop Culture Nerdity! On this week's podcast our hosts Mark and Joe discuss Marvel's 2004 movie starring Thomas Jane, John Travolta, and Rebecca Romijn; The Punisher!

A film that polarized critics and audiences alike with its casting, violence, and oddly placed humor. Where do Joe and Mark lie with this movie? What did you think about 2004's attempt at Marvel's most infamous anti-hero? Listen today's episode and let us know what you think!

Welcome to Season 3 Episode 96 of Digital Dissection: Pop Culture Nerdity! Today hosts Joe, Mark, and returning guest host Chris get to sit down with writer and experienced pug blogger, Baron Destructo himself... Joseph Mallozzi!

Join us today to hear about Mallozzi's experience getting started, the kinds of stories he likes to tell, his favorite and not so favorite characters to write, as well as his interactions working with some of our beloved sci-fi actors and actresses!

Before the True Crime genre swept the world it existed as a half hour of our lives each week on the network of our choice.

Before we had COPS and America's Most Wanted giving us either real footage of law enforcement in the streets or updates on the worst of society, the soothing yet chilling voice of Robert Stack came on our television.

It was then followed by some of the creepiest music you've ever heard.

Welcome to Season 3 Episode 95 of Digital Dissection: Pop Culture Nerdity! On this episode, Mark and Joe discuss the original broadcast run of Unsolved Mysteries with Robert Stack and its rerun with Dennis Farina! Join us as we talk about its hosts, music, varied stories, and questionable reenactments!

Deep in the lands of Zaron, the humans of Kupa Keep struggle to stay alive as they are attacked by the wicked Drow Elves of Larnion.

They seek the humanity's most treasured relic: The Stick of Truth.

Welcome to Season 3 Episode 94 of Digital Dissection: Pop Culture Nerdity! Today, Mark and Joe are joined by good friend of the podcast Doug Eberle, to review the modern classic RPG South Park: The Stick of Truth!

Is this perhaps the finest example of South Park video games? How will it stack up against our three reviewers? Download today to find out!

As the weather begins to warm and magical feeling of spring is in the air, we all hope that someone special will pull us in close and say those seven little words we all want to hear..."I'm gonna steal the Declaration of Independence."

Welcome to Season 3, Episode 93 of Digital Dissection: Pop Culture Nerdity! Our hosts are excited to once again bring Nic Cage back into the fold as they discuss the 2004 hit National Treasure! From templars to the Trinity Church, join us as we rediscover everything we loved about this movie starring Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha, Sean Bean, and Jon Voight!