“Operation Chicken Lips” continues in issue #71 of The ‘Nam as journalist Ed Marks tries to help out the firebase he escaped in the previous issue. It’s “Return to Brass Hat” by Don Lomax and Wayne Vansant. Plus, I take a look at April 1972 and also review Lynda Van Devanter’s memoir Home Before Morning.
You can download the episode via iTunes or listen directly at the Two True Freaks website
In Country Episode 81 direct link
Here’s a link to Van Devanter’s obituary in the New York Times: “Lynda Van Devanter, Nurse Who Chronicler of Her Wartime Pain, Dies at 55”
A link to buy Van Devanter’s book on Amazon (note: in the episode, I say that a Kindle edition is not available … it has recently become available, as has an audio CD): Home Before Morning
Join me this episode as I talk about my trip to the Virginia Comic-Con in Richmond on March 4 where I hosted a lecture about “Comics Podcasting 101” and also had the opportunity to interview Gary Cohn (Amethyst, Blue Devil) and comics journalist and writer Bob Sedaro. Plus, I have some listener feedback!
Greetings, listener. You have been recruited by the Star League to defend the frontier against Xur and the Ko-Dan armada! That’s right, it’s time to brush up on your video game skills and fly into my coverage of the 1984 sci-fi flick, The Last Starfighter. Over the course of this episode, I recap the movie and give it my review; plus, I take a look at the novelization by Alan Dean Foster, the comics adaptation from Marvel, the aborted toy line, and several attempts at video game adaptations. I also talk about sequel and reboot rumors.
Don Lomax begins his tenure as the regular writer on The ‘Nam with part one of a three-part story called “Operation: Chicken Lips.” This also sees the return of Ed Marks as one of our key characters and puts us in March 1972, which is the subject of our historical context section. Plus, I have a clip of my conversation with Michael Golden, original ‘Nam artist, from the 2017 Baltimore Comic-Con.
Special guest stars keep appearing. A new kid is added to the cast. A major cast member leaves. Two characters hook up. They cast Ted McGinley. The setting changes. There’s yet another very special episode. The Fonz straps on some water skis and JUMPS THE SHARK. Any way you see it, this is the moment when you realize that a show has gone completely downhill. Join me as I take a look back at the late, lamented early 2000s website “Jump the Shark” and use some of its criteria to pinpoint moments of decline in a number of shows, especially 1980s and 1990s sitcoms. Will I jump the shark? Listen to find out!
In Country is back and about to head into its last 20 episodes with a look at yet another Vietnam War-themed movie. This time around, it is the Robin Williams classic Good Morning Vietnam, which tells the story of Army discjockey Adrian Cronauer. I summarize and review the film as well as take a look at the real-life Adrian Cronauer.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Grab your aluminum poles and get ready to air your grievances and best each other in the feats of strength because it’s Festivus for the Rest of Us yet again! This year, I’m joined by Professor Alan of the Relatively Geeky Network. We air our grievances about popular culture in 2017 and then test our mettle in the feats of strength as we review Malibu Comics’ The Ferret #5 and #6!
Travel back to this past summer as my family and I talk about our trip to Universal Studios Orlando. First up, you’ll hear Brett tell me all about the Wizarding World of Harry Potter; then, Amanda and I give our impressions of the theme park.
Stella is back and here to talk with me about Nothing Better, the web comic and graphic novel series about freshman year of college by creator Tyler Page. Over the course of our converation, we take a look at the three trade paperback collections he has released and give them our usual fine-toothed-comb review. Plus, we talk a little bit about our own college experiences as well as the series’ themes of friendship, sex, and religion.
This is it! The big finale!
Pop Culture Affidavit 