Media Mothership

We break down SummerSlam 2025 from the big matches and surprises,  controversies, and what succeeded (and didn't) on the night. Join host Craig, co-host Taylor and special guest Marcus as we go over all the main points.

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We discuss the 1995 "What is Anime and Why Is Everybody Talking About It?" article from Comics Interview #148 magazine. What predictions were accurate, as well as the misses and misfires? We'll also explore what the West didn’t understand at that time about the localisation of manga and anime, and compare it to the present.

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Continuing our discussion on Orientalism from last week, where we explored the golden age of the radio series "The Shadow," this episode focuses on techno-orientalism as seen in the video game "Cyberpunk 2077." Craig, Taylor, and Ronan delve into the game's use of Japanese imagery and characters, examining its artistic and narrative intentions. They also discuss how the game utilizes conventions of the cyberpunk genre, highlighting...

The captivating world of "The Shadow," one of the most iconic radio drama series of the Golden Age, which aired from 1937 to 1954. In this episode, we explore the rich history and cultural significance of this early pulp character that left a lasting mark on pop culture. Through exclusive documentary recordings featuring key cast members and creative minds behind the series, we unravel the nostalgia surrounding its legacy. 

We interview Edward Williams, who has recently published his tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) "Kingdoms of Amnesia." This game is set in a post-cataclysmic world where history has been fractured and restarted. We explore Edward's creative process and inspirations, examine the unique aspects of his Game Master (GM) philosophy, delve into his interesting mechanical choices, discuss the rich lore, and address the social and communit...

Why the renewed interest in "Star Wars: Battlefront 2"? What are the ambitious plans from Chinese studios to AI-remake classic kung fu films featuring legends like Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Jet Li. Plus, and why the urgency to recover Marty McFly's lost guitar from "Back to the Future"?

We also take a deep dive into Stephen King's 'interior eye' from "Danse Macabre," tracing its roots back to Stan Freberg's iconic radio sketch, "...

What is the chilling legacy of “Chicken Heart,” a seven-minute radio drama that first aired in 1937 on the iconic show Lights Out? Join us as we explore the eerie world crafted by Arch Oboler and discuss how this seemingly simple tale continues to haunt pop culture today. What makes “Chicken Heart” resonate so strongly in the contemporary era? We’ll delve into the historical context, the media landscap...

Leaked files expose China's efforts to erase the history of the Tiananmen Square massacre. We also take a closer look at Helldivers 2’s epic battle for Super Earth and explore some unusual manga news from Japan.

Plus, we tackle some listener questions, dissecting the political layers and cultural significance of the Andor series. And don’t miss our setup for an in-depth conversation on the mid-90s anime that impacted a ...

Join us for a thrilling episode as we dive into the latest news and intriguing events in media and pop culture! This week, we're continuing our unpacking Film Courage's Guide to Guide to Writing Evil Characters and exploring the fascinating trope of the Karma Deflector. Discover how villains often dodge consequences while their henchmen take the fall—only to face poetic justice in the third act! Tune in to hear us discuss why...

We continue our discussion of Film Courage's "A Guide to Writing Evil Characters." In this segment, we explore the tropes of "Evil Characters We Root For" and "Techniques for Creating Empathy." We take a closer look at characters such as Conquest from the Invincible series, Agent Smith from The Matrix, and Davros from Doctor Who. And, of course, we cover the latest news in media and popular culture.

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How to Write Villainous Characters. Drawing on Film Courage's guide to creating evil characters, we explore the concept of "The Conflict in Every Human Heart" and the idea that "every person has a breaking point." We will discuss this theme through key movies and TV characters, including Colonel Kurtz from Apocalypse Now, Michael Corleone from The Godfather, Harvey Dent from Batman, Walter White from Breaking Bad, and various...

WrestleMania 41 shook the WWE universe—but has The Rock gone too far? Craig, Taylor, and special guest Marcus dive into the fallout of John Cena’s heel turn, unravel the deep storytelling driving the feud with Cody and The Rock, and debate whether this shift is good for WWE.

Listen live to “Media Mothership” every week (Australian Eastern Standard Time) via YouTube, Twitch, and Edge Radio.

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Why do many Star Wars villains have British accents? In this episode, we break down the significance of this choice using cultural theory and storytelling frameworks. Drawing from John Fiske’s Textual Poaching, we explore how audiences interpret and reframe these portrayals. Stuart Hall’s theories on representation, identity, and ideology help explain how accent and villainy intersect in mainstream media. Plus, Blake Sn...

How do historical perceptions of pigs shape modern food safety in Australia? We talk with PhD candidate Evelyn Lambeth about the fascinating world of pigs and pork in Australia. Drawing upon her current thesis research, “Pork Problems: Cultural Attitudes Toward Pigs Through History and Their Effects on Modern Food Safety in Australia,” Evelyn uncovers the rich historical context and colonial influences that have shaped ...

Join hosts Craig, Taylor, and special guest Marcus as they navigate the twists and turns from politics to wrestling. Unpacking Jon Stewart’s fiery commentary on Trump’s heel turn on Zelenskyy in terms of the aftermath of John Cena’s epic heel turn that sent shockwaves through the WWE. And don’t miss our predictions for what’s next at WrestleMania 41.

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Join us as we delve into the latest trends in media culture and spotlight a classic gem from the golden age of radio—'Nothing Behind the Door' (1947) from the Quiet, Please series. We analyze its storytelling beats using Blake Snyder's Save the Cat theory, uncovering what makes this episode a timeless piece of eerie radio drama. Inspired by the release of Black Mirror Season 7, we explore the roots of surreal, grim, and ...

Delving deeper into the world of radio drama to uncover the layers beneath the stories, we explore an intriguing episode from X Minus One, “Mars is Heaven” by Ray Bradbury. There are some interesting deeper meanings in this story, which I’ll explore by looking into its historical context and seeing how the ideas of some theories and ideas can help explain these.

Liniks:

X Minus One - Mars Is Heaven (#3)

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Explore the intriguing themes of ideology and power in the latest Marvel film, "Captain America: Brave New World." Dr. Craig guides us on a thought-provoking journey into the darker side of American power, as depicted through characters like the Red Hulk. We delve into the broader implications of interpreting superhero films through heroic symbolism, revealing how these narratives reflect and challenge our...

We explore the intriguing parallels between WWE and Donald Trump's theatrical flamboyancy in the 'hair vs hair' event. We dissect the art of performance, charisma, and spectacle that both figures embody. We'll also break down Watch Mojo's Top 10 WWE Royal Rumble 2025 Moments, analyzing the highlights and the impact they have on fans and the wrestling community.

First Broadcast on Edge Radio, 7 Feb 2025.