After years of hearing from censors that violent media images cause harm, David Cronenberg made a movie... in which violent media images cause harm. We discuss VIDEODROME (1983) - its media satire, its sexual/gender politics, and its vision of how technology influences reality. PLUS: the Prime Minister enters the Barbieheimer discourse, and further thoughts on Sound of Freedom.See Will introduce Glen or Glenda?at the Fox Theatre on August 15 - https://www.foxtheatre.ca/movies/the-important-cinema-club-masterpiece-classics-glen-or-glenda/Join us on Patreon for an extra episode every week -https://www.patreon.com/michaelandus

After years of hearing from censors that violent media images cause harm, David Cronenberg made a movie... in which violent media images cause harm. We discuss VIDEODROME (1983) - its media satire, its sexual/gender politics, and its vision of how technology influences reality. PLUS: the Prime Minister enters the Barbieheimer discourse, and further thoughts on Sound of Freedom. See Will introduce Glen or Glenda?at the Fox Theatre on August 15 - <a href="https://www.foxtheatre.ca/movies/the-important-cinema-club-masterpiece-classics-glen-or-glenda/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.foxtheatre.ca/movies/the-important-cinema-club-masterpiece-classics-glen-or-glenda/</a> Join us on Patreon for an extra episode every week -<a href="https://www.patreon.com/michaelandus" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/michaelandus</a>

#451 - Long Live the New Flesh

PATREON-EXCLUSIVE EPISODE - https://www.patreon.com/posts/450-echo-of-87439056Luke has been a Trekkie (or perhaps he's a Trekker - sound off in the comments!) for all his life. Will has spent very little time with Star Trek. Now, the boys confront STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE (1979) to see if its middling reputation is correct. The answer may or may not surprise you.

PATREON-EXCLUSIVE EPISODE - <a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/450-echo-of-87439056" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/posts/450-echo-of-87439056</a> Luke has been a Trekkie (or perhaps he's a Trekker - sound off in the comments!) for all his life. Will has spent very little time with Star Trek. Now, the boys confront STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE (1979) to see if its middling reputation is correct. The answer may or may not surprise you.

PREVIEW - #450 - Echo of Forgotten Laughter

PATREON-EXCLUSIVE EPISODE - https://www.patreon.com/posts/449-popcorn-87204143In this nice-n-chill ep, the boys invite you to pull up a chair and sit beside them as they hash over a variety of topics of mutual interest. Will pays tribute to the late, great Paul “Pee-wee Herman” Reubens, and the lads discuss such films as Dave, Memento, The Dark Knight, Oppenheimer, Die Another Day, Match Point, and more.

PATREON-EXCLUSIVE EPISODE - <a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/449-popcorn-87204143" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/posts/449-popcorn-87204143</a> In this nice-n-chill ep, the boys invite you to pull up a chair and sit beside them as they hash over a variety of topics of mutual interest. Will pays tribute to the late, great Paul “Pee-wee Herman” Reubens, and the lads discuss such films as Dave, Memento, The Dark Knight, Oppenheimer, Die Another Day, Match Point, and more.

PREVIEW - #449 - Popcorn Potpourri

Unfortunately, there was no avoiding it. We finally went to see the right-wing human-trafficking blockbuster SOUND OF FREEDOM (2023) and had one of our more unpleasant viewing experiences. We discuss the film's astroturfed box office, as well as the reasons for its very real cultural resonance."Tim Ballard Has ‘Stepped Away’ From Operation Underground Railroad, Org Says" by Anna Merlan - https://www.vice.com/en/article/k7z74x/tim-ballard-sound-of-freedom-operation-underground-railroad-stepped-awayJoin us on Patreon for an extra episode every week - https://www.patreon.com/michaelandus

Unfortunately, there was no avoiding it. We finally went to see the right-wing human-trafficking blockbuster SOUND OF FREEDOM (2023) and had one of our more unpleasant viewing experiences. We discuss the film's astroturfed box office, as well as the reasons for its very real cultural resonance. "Tim Ballard Has ‘Stepped Away’ From Operation Underground Railroad, Org Says" by Anna Merlan - <a href="https://www.vice.com/en/article/k7z74x/tim-ballard-sound-of-freedom-operation-underground-railroad-stepped-away" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.vice.com/en/article/k7z74x/tim-ballard-sound-of-freedom-operation-underground-railroad-stepped-away</a> Join us on Patreon for an extra episode every week - <a href="https://www.patreon.com/michaelandus" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/michaelandus</a>

#448 - The Sound of Freedom Episode

PATREON-EXCLUSIVE EPISODE - https://www.patreon.com/posts/86802421In a special solo documentary episode, Will looks at the 1946 radio broadcasts in which Orson Welles advocated for justice in the case of Isaac Woodard Jr., a black war veteran who was beaten and blinded by a police officer in the American south.Listen to the full Orson Welles Commentaries broadcasts here - https://orsonwelles.indiana.edu/collections/show/9

PATREON-EXCLUSIVE EPISODE - <a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/86802421" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/posts/86802421</a> In a special solo documentary episode, Will looks at the 1946 radio broadcasts in which Orson Welles advocated for justice in the case of Isaac Woodard Jr., a black war veteran who was beaten and blinded by a police officer in the American south. Listen to the full Orson Welles Commentaries broadcasts here - <a href="https://orsonwelles.indiana.edu/collections/show/9" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://orsonwelles.indiana.edu/collections/show/9</a>

PREVIEW - #447 - Your Obedient Servant

Adam Nayman

So, why do they call it "the little death"? Will is joined by film critic Adam Nayman to discuss Claire Denis's transgressive masterpiece TROUBLE EVERY DAY (2001) and how it scandalized film culture circa 2001. PLUS: What is it like to teach the history of satire at a university?Adam Nayman on Twitter - https://twitter.com/brofromanotherAdam's books - https://www.abramsbooks.com/contributor/adam-nayman_19289396/

So, why do they call it "the little death"? Will is joined by film critic Adam Nayman to discuss Claire Denis's transgressive masterpiece TROUBLE EVERY DAY (2001) and how it scandalized film culture circa 2001. PLUS: What is it like to teach the history of satire at a university? Adam Nayman on Twitter - <a href="https://twitter.com/brofromanother" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/brofromanother</a> Adam's books - <a href="https://www.abramsbooks.com/contributor/adam-nayman_19289396/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.abramsbooks.com/contributor/adam-nayman_19289396/</a>

#446 - Le petite mort (w/ Adam Nayman)

PATREON-EXCLUSIVE EPISODE - https://www.patreon.com/posts/445-hollywood-86422479With the winds of change (and a couple of major strikes) hitting the movie industry, we look back on a document from an earlier time when the tectonic plates shifted in Hollywood. Shot throughout the 1970s, Orson Welles' posthumously completed THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WIND (2018) looked at the New Hollywood from the jaundiced perspective of an industry veteran. PLUS: Fiery hot takes on Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Vivek Ramaswamy

PATREON-EXCLUSIVE EPISODE - <a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/445-hollywood-86422479" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/posts/445-hollywood-86422479</a> With the winds of change (and a couple of major strikes) hitting the movie industry, we look back on a document from an earlier time when the tectonic plates shifted in Hollywood. Shot throughout the 1970s, Orson Welles' posthumously completed THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WIND (2018) looked at the New Hollywood from the jaundiced perspective of an industry veteran. PLUS: Fiery hot takes on Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Vivek Ramaswamy

PREVIEW - #445 - Hollywood Crackup

Alex Shephard

Reports of God's death remain greatly exaggerated in GOD'S NOT DEAD 2 (2016), in which Evangelical Christianity is put literally on trial. We welcome back Alex Shephard (staff writer for The New Republic and expert in the blockbuster Christian film franchise), and discuss how this instalment's relentless focus on Facts and Logic situates it in a recent but very different era of the culture war. PLUS: Ron DeSantis continues to have no juice."Ron DeSantis Has a Ron DeSantis Problem" by Alex Shephard - https://newrepublic.com/article/174327/ron-desantis-ron-desantis-problemJoin us on Patreon for an extra episode every week - https://www.patreon.com/michaelandus

Reports of God's death remain greatly exaggerated in GOD'S NOT DEAD 2 (2016), in which Evangelical Christianity is put literally on trial. We welcome back Alex Shephard (staff writer for The New Republic and expert in the blockbuster Christian film franchise), and discuss how this instalment's relentless focus on Facts and Logic situates it in a recent but very different era of the culture war. PLUS: Ron DeSantis continues to have no juice. "Ron DeSantis Has a Ron DeSantis Problem" by Alex Shephard - <a href="https://newrepublic.com/article/174327/ron-desantis-ron-desantis-problem" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://newrepublic.com/article/174327/ron-desantis-ron-desantis-problem</a> Join us on Patreon for an extra episode every week - <a href="https://www.patreon.com/michaelandus" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/michaelandus</a>

#444 - He's Surely Alive (w/ Alex Shephard)

PATREON-EXCLUSIVE EPISODE - https://www.patreon.com/posts/443-comfortably-86096994Many have called NOSTALGIA CRITIC: THE WALL (2019) the worst movie review of all time. But upon viewing this infamous YouTube video, we're forced to ponder: is it even worse than that? We cap our recent run of Pink Floyd content by revisiting one of the lowest moments in the history of the internet.

PATREON-EXCLUSIVE EPISODE - <a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/443-comfortably-86096994" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/posts/443-comfortably-86096994</a> Many have called NOSTALGIA CRITIC: THE WALL (2019) the worst movie review of all time. But upon viewing this infamous YouTube video, we're forced to ponder: is it even worse than that? We cap our recent run of Pink Floyd content by revisiting one of the lowest moments in the history of the internet.

PREVIEW - #443 - Comfortably Dumb

Nick Mason

PATREON EXCLUSIVE - https://www.patreon.com/posts/bonus-podcastful-86089621In a very special interview, Luke talks to Pink Floyd's drummer Nick Mason about reviving the band's early music, their legendary 1975 Hamilton show, and why they're experiencing a renaissance.

PATREON EXCLUSIVE - <a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/bonus-podcastful-86089621" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/posts/bonus-podcastful-86089621</a> In a very special interview, Luke talks to Pink Floyd's drummer Nick Mason about reviving the band's early music, their legendary 1975 Hamilton show, and why they're experiencing a renaissance.

PREVIEW - BONUS: A Podcastful of Secrets (w/ Nick Mason)

A podcast about political cinema and our crumbling world. Hosted by Will Sloan and Luke Savage.Exclusive subscriber-only episodes: https://www.patreon.com/michaelandus/overview

Great podcast. They cover politics with a great left pov but also cover interesting movies.

Smart, fun & cultured

Now, watch this drive

A podcast about political cinema and our crumbling world. Hosted by Will Sloan and Luke Savage. Exclusive subscriber-only episodes: <a href="https://www.patreon.com/michaelandus/overview" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/michaelandus/overview</a>

Michael and Us

Before he was the President's attorney, he was America's Mayor. Made not long after 9/11 briefly turned Giuliani into one of the most beloved men in America, RUDY: THE RUDY GIULIANI STORY (2003) still can't hide the stone cold fact that its subject (played by James Woods!) is a complete piece of shit. We discuss Giuliani's long and sordid career, up to and including his recent hijinx. PLUS: learning to love the Snyder Cut, remembering Obama's 2009 message to David Brooks, and the loss of a beloved Toronto landmark.

#187 - RudyLeaks

In our Halloween spooktacular, we look back at the Reagan/Bush era via the Bush/Cheney era via DONNIE DARKO (2001).

#75 - Donnie Darko

Terry Gilliam sought to update George Orwell for the 1980s with his career-defining film BRAZIL (1985), but his future dystopia isn't animated by an ideology like Oceania's. We attempt to untangle the satire of a movie where bureaucracy itself is the problem. PLUS: we hash out our thoughts on Netflix's The Crown and the travails of Johnny Depp.

#191 - The Ministry of 1984 ½

Two years before 9/11, and nine years before the financial collapse, AMERICAN BEAUTY gazed upon the End of History and said: "...is that all there is?" And then it also asked, "Isn't that wife a real shrew, huh??" We revisit this painfully dated Best Picture winner and discover beauty all around us. PLUS: "The Squad" vs the Dem establishment, and the decline of Netroots Nation."Nancy Pelosi Has Lost Control" by Zach Carter - https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/nancy-pelosi-has-lost-control_n_5d2cb605e4b032ea741220ad"How the Democratic Netroots Died" by Bill Scher - https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/07/17/democratic-netroots-markos-moulitsas-227363

Two years before 9/11, and nine years before the financial collapse, AMERICAN BEAUTY gazed upon the End of History and said: "...is that all there is?" And then it also asked, "Isn't that wife a real shrew, huh??" We revisit this painfully dated Best Picture winner and discover beauty all around us. PLUS: "The Squad" vs the Dem establishment, and the decline of Netroots Nation. "Nancy Pelosi Has Lost Control" by Zach Carter - <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/nancy-pelosi-has-lost-control_n_5d2cb605e4b032ea741220ad" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/nancy-pelosi-has-lost-control_n_5d2cb605e4b032ea741220ad</a> "How the Democratic Netroots Died" by Bill Scher - <a href="https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/07/17/democratic-netroots-markos-moulitsas-227363" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/07/17/democratic-netroots-markos-moulitsas-227363</a>

#111 - Our Shared Values

After the upheaval of 1968, Jean-Luc Godard said goodbye to commercial cinema to create a new kind of radical Marxist filmmaking. With TOUT VA BIEN (1972), Godard and his filmmaking partner Jean-Pierre Gorin tried to meet the audience halfway. Taking place in a moment when the student protests, the French New Wave, and even Godard's own militant phase were receding from view, this fascinating Brechtian exercise starring Jane Fonda and Yves Montand may or may not have room for optimism. PLUS: bold predictions about the incoming Biden administration, and the politics of another cinematic legend: James Bond.Check out our Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/michaelandus

After the upheaval of 1968, Jean-Luc Godard said goodbye to commercial cinema to create a new kind of radical Marxist filmmaking. With TOUT VA BIEN (1972), Godard and his filmmaking partner Jean-Pierre Gorin tried to meet the audience halfway. Taking place in a moment when the student protests, the French New Wave, and even Godard's own militant phase were receding from view, this fascinating Brechtian exercise starring Jane Fonda and Yves Montand may or may not have room for optimism. PLUS: bold predictions about the incoming Biden administration, and the politics of another cinematic legend: James Bond. Check out our Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes: <a href="https://www.patreon.com/michaelandus" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/michaelandus</a>

#203 - Everything's Just Great

Michael Moore

Every hero has a journey. Every journey has an end. As if anticipating the FINAL EPISODE of this podcast, Michael Moore dropped a brand new film about Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, and America on the eve of an election. Will and Luke watched MICHAEL MOORE IN TRUMPLAND, and feverishly debate whether it was better or worse than SLACKER UPRISING.

#19 - Michael Moore in TrumpLand

John Kerry

Released shortly before the 2004 election, GOING UPRIVER: THE LONG WAR OF JOHN KERRY was both a rebuttal to the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, and an attempt to position the Democratic Party nominee as a symbol of the Boomer generation. It had, shall we say, a short shelf life. PLUS: we offer fiery hot takes about Canada's most sinister institution, the Munk Debates.

#67 - Going Upriver: The Long War of John Kerry

You know it. You love. You hate it. You love to hate it, and vice versa. It's THE WEST WING, the show that helped set the limits of the liberal imagination for a generation. Luke works through his long and complicated relationship to Aaron Sorkin's world by subjecting Will to three seminal Season 4 episodes: "Debate Camp," "Game On," and "Election Night." PLUS: Will considers the life and legacy of the late film critic John Simon, and Luke tells horrifying tales of seeing David Brooks at a recent instalment of the Munk Debate."The Obamanauts" by Corey Robin - https://www.dissentmagazine.org/article/the-obamanauts"How Liberals Fell in Love with The West Wing" by Luke Savage - https://www.currentaffairs.org/2017/04/how-liberals-fell-in-love-with-the-west-wing"On John Simon" by Christopher Bonanos - https://www.vulture.com/2019/11/obituary-critic-john-simon-1925-2019.html

You know it. You love. You hate it. You love to hate it, and vice versa. It's THE WEST WING, the show that helped set the limits of the liberal imagination for a generation. Luke works through his long and complicated relationship to Aaron Sorkin's world by subjecting Will to three seminal Season 4 episodes: "Debate Camp," "Game On," and "Election Night." PLUS: Will considers the life and legacy of the late film critic John Simon, and Luke tells horrifying tales of seeing David Brooks at a recent instalment of the Munk Debate. "The Obamanauts" by Corey Robin - <a href="https://www.dissentmagazine.org/article/the-obamanauts" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.dissentmagazine.org/article/the-obamanauts</a> "How Liberals Fell in Love with The West Wing" by Luke Savage - <a href="https://www.currentaffairs.org/2017/04/how-liberals-fell-in-love-with-the-west-wing" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.currentaffairs.org/2017/04/how-liberals-fell-in-love-with-the-west-wing</a> "On John Simon" by Christopher Bonanos - <a href="https://www.vulture.com/2019/11/obituary-critic-john-simon-1925-2019.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.vulture.com/2019/11/obituary-critic-john-simon-1925-2019.html</a>

#131 - The Worst Wing

In his 2013 documentary THE UNKNOWN KNOWN, legendary filmmaker Errol Morris tried to do to Donald Rumsfeld what he did to Robert McNamara in THE FOG OF WAR. Unfortunately, there's no penetrating this empty shell.

#71 - The Unknown Known

Between the collapse of the Soviet Union and the War on Terror, James Bond went on a mission to find... relevance. We watched GOLDENEYE (1995), the first end-of-history Bond film, to find how 007 fit into the New World Order. PLUS: reflections on the inauguration, Canada's wacky system of governance, and the passing of Larry King.

#205 - Dustbin of History

With Biden's victory all but confirmed, we discuss the aftermath of the U.S. presidential election: the narratives being spun to explain the results, Trump's response, why four years of Biden/McConnell will almost certainly be bad, and why there still may be cause of optimism. Then we discuss a movie for times like this: Charlie Chaplin's career-destroying anti-capitalist black MONSIEUR VERDOUX (1947), a film that told America, "Things are bad, and have always been bad."

#183 - Back to Brunch

Henry Gilbert

Bob Mackey

An environmental catastrophe has hit Springfield! This week we're joined by Henry Gilbert and Bob Mackey of the TALKING SIMPSONS podcast to discuss the Simpson family's sole foray into cinema, THE SIMPSONS MOVIE (2007). We discuss the vaguely anti-authoritarian politics of the long-running show; the distinctly mid-2000s politics of the movie; and the way The Simpsons' unique perspective was eventually flattened.Talking Simpsons free feed: https://talkingsimpsons.libsyn.com/Talking Simpsons Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/talkingsimpsonsFollow our guests @bobservo @hEnereyG

An environmental catastrophe has hit Springfield! This week we're joined by Henry Gilbert and Bob Mackey of the TALKING SIMPSONS podcast to discuss the Simpson family's sole foray into cinema, THE SIMPSONS MOVIE (2007). We discuss the vaguely anti-authoritarian politics of the long-running show; the distinctly mid-2000s politics of the movie; and the way The Simpsons' unique perspective was eventually flattened. Talking Simpsons free feed: <a href="https://talkingsimpsons.libsyn.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://talkingsimpsons.libsyn.com/</a> Talking Simpsons Patreon: <a href="https://www.patreon.com/talkingsimpsons" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/talkingsimpsons</a> Follow our guests @bobservo @hEnereyG

#141 - Mr. Simpson Goes to Alaska (w/ Henry Gilbert and Bob Mackey)

Alex Ross

Luke and Will welcome back conspiracy expert Alex Ross to discuss the Citizen Kane of 9/11 Truther documentaries, and why it's bad.

#49 - Loose Change w/ Alex Ross

In 1968, right-wing William F. Buckley and left-wing Gore Vidal feuded for 10 nights on TV. The 2015 documentary BEST OF ENEMIES suggests these broadcasts led to a coarsening of the culture. The Michael &amp; Us boys interrogate the thesis. PLUS: analyzing the right-wing perspective of the left-wing intellectual tradition; Luke's feud with Peter Hitchens; and tales from the Columbia Journalism School.

#85 - Best of Enemies

John Semley

What is "good" conservative art? And does it even matter when the result is a movie that turned Chris Kyle into a right-wing saint? Will and Luke welcome writer John Semley to discuss the complicated artistry of Clint Eastwood. Plus: the lads discuss superstar billionaire Elon Musk and Canada's most visible public intellectual.John Semley on Clint Eastwood -https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/film/understanding-the-art-and-politics-of-clinteastwood/article37767417/"Democratize the Universe" - https://www.jacobinmag.com/2015/03/space-industry-extraction-levine

What is "good" conservative art? And does it even matter when the result is a movie that turned Chris Kyle into a right-wing saint? Will and Luke welcome writer John Semley to discuss the complicated artistry of Clint Eastwood. Plus: the lads discuss superstar billionaire Elon Musk and Canada's most visible public intellectual. John Semley on Clint Eastwood - <a href="https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/film/understanding-the-art-and-politics-of-clinteastwood/article37767417/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/film/understanding-the-art-and-politics-of-clinteastwood/article37767417/</a> "Democratize the Universe" - <a href="https://www.jacobinmag.com/2015/03/space-industry-extraction-levine" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.jacobinmag.com/2015/03/space-industry-extraction-levine</a>

#48 - American Sniper w/ John Semley

Past guest Alex Ross returns to the podcast to discuss the "1984" of the Bush era, V FOR VENDETTA. Plus: our heroes analyze the McDonalds/Szechuan sauce controversy

#40 - V for Vendetta w/ Alex Ross

Gavin McInnes

After departing Vice Media, but before becoming an alt-right superstar, ageing provocateur Gavin McInnes tried his hand at filmmaking. Will and Luke examine 2013's HOW TO BE A MAN (co-written by and starring McInnes) for seeds of the alt-right, and try to account for this dreary goofball's appeal.

#27 - Gavin McInnes's How To Be A Man

Rick Mercer

In the early 2000s, Rick Mercer -- Canada's own Jon Stewart -- travelled to the United States to ask them about Canada. The resulting comedy special, "Talking to Americans," because a bona fide national phenomenon. We look back at this cultural relic, and Mercer's long-running weekly show "The Mercer Report," to find out what they teach us about our home and native land. Bundle up, folks -- it's our most Canadian episode yet!ANNOUNCEMENT: the MICHAEL AND US podcast is doing a FAN EPISODE. Do YOU have burning questions for Luke and Will? Send your questions to michaelanduspodcast@gmail.com by Tuesday, February 5. Questions will be read on a Patreon-exclusive episode of this podcast: https://www.patreon.com/michaelandus

In the early 2000s, Rick Mercer -- Canada's own Jon Stewart -- travelled to the United States to ask them about Canada. The resulting comedy special, "Talking to Americans," because a bona fide national phenomenon. We look back at this cultural relic, and Mercer's long-running weekly show "The Mercer Report," to find out what they teach us about our home and native land. Bundle up, folks -- it's our most Canadian episode yet! ANNOUNCEMENT: the MICHAEL AND US podcast is doing a FAN EPISODE. Do YOU have burning questions for Luke and Will? Send your questions to michaelanduspodcast@gmail.com by Tuesday, February 5. Questions will be read on a Patreon-exclusive episode of this podcast: <a href="https://www.patreon.com/michaelandus" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/michaelandus</a>

#87 - "Congratulations Canada On Your National Igloo!" (Rick Mercer's Talking to Americans)

Tim Allen

Every generation gets the Archie Bunker it deserves, folks. The recent cancellation of Tim Allen's right-wing sitcom LAST MAN STANDING sent shockwaves through the conservative blogosphere. Will and Luke take a many tour through the most popular TV show you've never heard of.

#35 - Tim Allen's Last Man Standing

John Rambo

Micah Uetricht

Before he became a conservative warrior, John Rambo was just a mixed-up vet. We're joined by Jacobin deputy editor Micah Uetricht to parse the ambiguous politics of FIRST BLOOD (1982), where Sylvester Stallone is just as frazzled by right-wing cops as he is by left-wing protestors. We also situate the film among other Vietnam War movies, and compare the Vietnam canon to Iraq War cinema. PLUS: Luke has been reading Obama's autobiography and has some thoughts.Check out Micah's podcast The Vast Majority - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-vast-majority/id1462787412Check out Bigger Than Bernie: How We Go from the Sanders Campaign to Democratic Socialism, by Micah and Meagan Day - https://www.versobooks.com/books/3167-bigger-than-bernie

Before he became a conservative warrior, John Rambo was just a mixed-up vet. We're joined by Jacobin deputy editor Micah Uetricht to parse the ambiguous politics of FIRST BLOOD (1982), where Sylvester Stallone is just as frazzled by right-wing cops as he is by left-wing protestors. We also situate the film among other Vietnam War movies, and compare the Vietnam canon to Iraq War cinema. PLUS: Luke has been reading Obama's autobiography and has some thoughts. Check out Micah's podcast The Vast Majority - <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-vast-majority/id1462787412" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-vast-majority/id1462787412</a> Check out Bigger Than Bernie: How We Go from the Sanders Campaign to Democratic Socialism, by Micah and Meagan Day - <a href="https://www.versobooks.com/books/3167-bigger-than-bernie" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.versobooks.com/books/3167-bigger-than-bernie</a>

#189 - JOHN RAMBO INNOCENT!!! (w/ Micah Uetricht)

The best self improvement podcast episodes. From improving productivity, to finding purpose in your life to what constitutes freedom, this topic is on anything and everything that can help people to improve their lives. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best Episodes on Self Improvement, Growth & Development

The best podcast episodes about true crime. For any thrill seeking podcast listeners who just can't get enough of the captivating stories of murderers and criminals. This topic has all the best episodes from many different true crime podcasts.  Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!