OTR Debate

C2E2 is this weekend in Chicago, and we're starting our duo of special C2E2 episodes with a face-off of sidekicks from video games and other nerdy media! Huy and Lando present their balanced teams of characters that represent brains, muscle, and loyalty. Will Lando's team of Falco Lombardi, Diddy Kong, and the dog from the Fable series win out? Or will Huy's squad of Knuckles, Pikachu, and Aku Aku knock us out (with a Falcon punch)? Listen to find out!

We're debating Tim and Eric, but not the ones you might be thinking of...That's right, we're pitting two alternative comedy titans against one another: Tim Robinson and Eric Andre! Lando discusses Tim Robinson's beginnings with his buddy Sam Richardson, and his time on Saturday Night Live and Detroiters before coming out with Netflix's biggest meme-able sketch show, I Think You Should Leave. Huy represents Eric Andre through his early stand-up career and with the Geico cavemen before starting the absurd talk show on Adult Swim, The Eric Andre Show. Which of these comedians' funniest moments will sway Mucci? Or is he a biased judge that our debaters will find difficult to sway one way or the other?

In light of the upcoming new blockbuster movie Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, what better time for a MonsterVerse debate to determine who is the true king of the monsters? Lando takes us from Skull Island to the Empire State Building, as he draws upon King Kong's humanity and the lawsuit against Nintendo's Donkey Kong, with an ironically-named lawyer in the proceedings. Mucci argues for the historical and political themes of the Godzilla movies, with the country of Japan reckoning with the atomic bomb through its art -- and the butchering of that art for American audiences. Godzilla is also super-strong with that atomic breath and superhuman (?) strength. What kind of roller coaster ride will Judge Huy's decision take us on this time?

Music: "Rock Pattern Key of E 120 BPM B" by BaDoink; "ゴジラ/Godzilla" by famian_lm; and "Jungle tribal hut" by szegvari, all on freesound.org. OTR Theme by Lando and Mucci.

Mucci walks in on his cohosts playing Fortnite on a Switch by Lake Michigan. He insists that Super Smash Bros. is better and that they should all be playing that. Lando disagrees, and what follows is a lively discussion, judged by Huy, in which Mucci and Lando argue that their crossover game is the better one. Which has the better selection of characters? Better multiplayer experience and gameplay? And will Mucci's reference to Nintendo's notorious litigiousness sway Huy, or blow him off the debate stage? Listen to find out!

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OTR returns to ring in 2024 with a young adult novel series face-off: The Hunger Games against Percy Jackson! As our witness this week, we have acclaimed fantasy author Danielle M. Orsino, who discusses writing female characters with strength and complexity and designing fight scenes to be comprehensible and believable for the reader. With Lando representing Katniss Everdeen and her crew, will his witness give him the edge this week? Or will Huy impress Judge Mucci with the demigods and Greek mythological creatures of the Percy Jackson series?

Be sure to check out Danielle M. Orsino's Birth of the Fae series! Find more information at her Instagram: @birthofthefae_novel

OTR theme music by Lando and Mucci.

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OTR returns to one of its favorite Chicago neighborhoods, Lincoln Square, as we sit down for a bookish debate at The Book Cellar! This time, Huy and Mucci debate manga versus American comic books, for Lando to decide which is better. Mucci thinks manga needs anime to really come to life, whereas Huy argues for the greater diversity in topics and demographics of manga. Along the way, some Book Cellar employees share some of their great insights and recommendations on comics, manga, and beyond -- be sure to check out their lovely bookstore/cafe/bar in Chicago!

Follow us on our socials: IG: @otr_debate Twitter: @OTRdebate FB: @otrdebate or on YouTube!

You can also email topics you think we should cover at OTRdebate@gmail.com! 

While Pat is away, Lando and Mucci decided to resurrect some topics from a live discussion OTR had regarding legal misconceptions in pop culture. Lando demonstrates how TV shows and movies often get the actual work of a lawyer completely wrong, always depicting them in a courtroom and, in that setting, getting to do whatever they want without objection. Mucci discusses misconceptions about immigration topics such as "green card marriages" and the nebulous concept of a visa, as well as some personal injury inaccuracies in TV shows and movies (such as the McDonald's coffee lawsuit).

Back on Museum Campus in Chicago, IL, OTR debates their favorite classic Nicktoons! Pat takes the side of Hey Arnold! while Mucci advocates for Rugrats (#babymucci). With Lando judging, how big a role will Reptar play in his decision? Is Stoop Kid a more sympathetic character than Chuckie Finster? Is Rugrats a show for babies, or just a show about babies? Listen to find out -- and let us know what your favorite Nicktoon is!

Mucci and Pat are sandwich fans, but they disagree on which one is best. However, they believe there are two heavyweight contenders that should duke it out: the Monte Cristo and the Reuben. They put their culinary skills to the test for Lando, who judges this week based on flavor and presentation. Will he go for the heavy, sweet-and-savory, kinda-carnival-food Monte Cristo? Or will the balance of salty meat, tangy Thousand Island dressing, mild Swiss, and sauerkraut give the -- admittedly simpler in construction -- Reuben the win? Listen to find out -- or better yet, watch this episode on YouTube to see us trying the sandwiches!

LIVE from Chicago's Garden of the Phoenix, Pat and Lando face off with their choices of the best depictions in the media of our future AI overlords. Pat's picks, including Halo's Cortana and 2001's HAL, emphasize the attempts for connection between AI and human beings. Meanwhile, Lando's choices emphasize the journeys that AI beings have taken in such movies as Wall-E and Ex Machina, and the implications for humanity.

Sound off with your favorite examples of AI in pop culture! Is there anything huge we missed? Let us know on our socials (IG: @otr_debate, Twitter: @OTRdebate, FB: @otrdebate) or email topics you think we should cover at OTRdebate@gmail.com! 

At C2E2 on 4/1/23, Matt Murdock (Lando) and Phoenix Wright (Mucci) joined forces (what is this, a crossover episode?) to debate superheroes and comics as they relate to legal concepts. Among cosplayers whose time and money put into their extravagant costumes causes them to rise like Galactus above Mucci's and Lando's efforts, famous trials in comic books are dissected, real-world concepts are explored through the lens of comics, and vigilantism is lambasted as highly unhelpful to the prosecution.

OTR gets ready for its first tournament of fictional attorneys by drafting the lawyers who will compete in the upcoming March Malice Aforethought: Barrister’s Battle. After Commissioner Derek lays out the ground rules, Mucci, Lando, Pat, and special guest Huy snake-draft their fantasy team of fictional lawyers from movies, TV, video games, and literature.

Lando's appeal of the ruling in episode 2 of season 1 is finally heard, with Judge Pat again moderating as Lando continues his steadfast advocacy for the belief in alien life. Mucci, on the other hand, finally brings an actual argument on the side of ghosts. Both are determined to be more well-researched in this episode -- and in this season. Will this episode finally put the nail in the coffin of the controversial aliens v. ghosts debate?

Follow us (IG: @otr_debate, Twitter: @OTRdebate, FB: @otrdebate) or email topics you think we should cover at OTRdebate@gmail.com!

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OTR theme song by Lando and Mucci, all other music by Victor_Natas (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA8O46_WrQZEhSdZuwFQ3rQ) and Audiomirage (https://freesound.org/people/audiomirage).

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