Needless Things

Dave West and Chad J. Shonk join forces to discuss the newest Spider-Man flick, Far From Home! Listen in as this dynamic duo break down the good and the bad of Peter Parker's international adventures! “Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com  Interstitial music provided by The Mystery Men?  Be sure to join the Needless Things Podcast Facebook Group and get in on the conversation for this week’s episode! Let us know what you think! You can follow Phantom Troublemaker on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest on pop culture! Hungry for more movies, music, and pop culture? Visit the Needless Things Archives for a decade of dorkery!

The dynamite team of Dave West, Beth V, Rad Ranger, and Chris DePetrillo reunite to look thirty years into the past! 1989 was a remarkable year for pop culture, most notably thanks to the Summer of the Bat! But that conversation will happen at another Bat-time in another Bat-venue. In this episode we’re looking at everything in 1989 other than Tim Burton’s film phenomenon. As part of an annual tradition, Dave gathered some of the Needless Things Irregulars to reflect on the pop culture that made us who we are today. From Zack Morris to Joan Collins to Mike Patton, this week’s episode travels back to a time when things were far more awesome! Listen in as Beth, Dave, Sean, and Chris discuss their favorite – and not-so-favorite – pop culture from 1989! “Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com  Interstitial music provided by The Mystery Men?  Be sure to join the Needless Things Podcast Facebook Group and get in on the conversation for this week’s episode! Let us know what you think! You can follow Phantom Troub

Part of an ongoing series – the Needless Things Irregulars gather in the Phantom Zone to provide their own unique commentary on classic genre films! What better way to kick off another Needless Summer than with a trip to the ocean with Steve Zissou? This month’s Commentary was chosen by Ryan Cadaver, but is mutually adored throughout the team. Bill Murray leads one of the most remarkable casts ever assembled in what might be Wes Anderson’s most mainstream and watchable film. While the trademark unique, quirky style is present in abundance, The Life Aquatic’s narrative is fast-paced and perhaps more of a standard cinematic storytelling experience than any other Anderson film. Listen in as Dave, Arian, Ryan, and Nicole raid the Hennessey Sea Lab for this month’s Needless Commentary! Be sure to join the Needless Things Podcast Facebook Group and get in on the conversation for this week’s episode! Let us know what you think! “Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com  Interstitial music provided by The Mystery Me

Dave is joined by his son, Phantom, Jr., for a review of the Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 demo! After a trek to Best Buy to try out the newest Marvel video game, Dave and his son share their thoughts on this all-new minicast! Be sure to join the Needless Things Podcast Facebook Group and get in on the conversation for this week’s episode! Let us know what you think! “Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com You can follow Dave as Phantom Troublemaker on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!  

Award-winning author and friend of the show Bobby Nash drops by to talk ‘toons! From the golden age of Saturday mornings and weekday afternoons to the modern era of on-demand animated delight, cartoons have come a very long way! The last four decades have seen amazing changes in animation. Movies, television, and now the internet have proven to be fertile ground for the medium to evolve. Listen in as Dave and Bobby talk about Tom & Jerry, The Simpsons, and everything in-between on the newest episode of the Needless Things Podcast!   PLUS! Find out who won a digital copy of Award-Winning Bobby Nash's The Snow Series 1, Vol. 1! Be sure to join the Needless Things Podcast Facebook Group and get in on the conversation for this week’s episode! Let us know what you think! “Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com  Interstitial music provided by The Mystery Men?  You can follow Phantom Troublemaker on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the best pop culture news!

On this week’s episode Dave talks to writer Dan Kozuh! Dan Kozuh is a recent transplant to Atlanta who has written screenplays and numerous articles for The Hard Times. His new novel, Lingeria: Book One of One is currently available on Amazon in both digital and print editions. Listen in as Dave and Dan talk movies, writing, and humor on the newest episode of the Needless Things Podcast! PLUS! Find out how to win a digital copy of Award-Winning Bobby Nash's The Snow Series 1, Vol. 1! Be sure to join the Needless Things Podcast Facebook Group and get in on the conversation for this week’s episode! Let us know what you think! “Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com  Interstitial music provided by The Mystery Men?  You can follow Phantom Troublemaker on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the best pop culture news!

On this episode of the Needless Things Podcast your host Dave talks about the history of music in his life. This will be an ongoing series, with each installment focusing on a specific era or medium of music. In the first part of the Phantom Music series Dave talks about the beginnings of his passion for music. Family road trips with oldies soundtracks and records of Michael Jackson and the Muppets laid the foundation for a lifelong love of music. MTV and the proliferation of cassette tapes changed not only how people listened to music, but where and when. Listen in as Dave reflects on his first decade of being a music fan – the cassette era! Be sure to join the Needless Things Podcast Facebook Group and get in on the conversation for this week’s episode! Let us know what you think! Featuring “Psycho Beach Party” by The KBK “Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com  Interstitial music provided by The Mystery Men?  You can follow Phantom Troublemaker on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the best pop cu

Recorded LIVE at Dragon Con 2018 for the American Sci-Fi Classics Track! Listen in as some of the contributors to The Joy of Joe – a book celebrating GI Joe fandom – share their memories of America's movable fighting man with a capacity live audience at the greatest con around! Featured panelists include Jim Beard, James Palmer, Award-Winning Bobby Nash, Michael D. French, Andrew E.C. Gaska, and of course our own Dave West. Be sure to join the Needless Things Podcast Facebook Group and get in on the conversation for this week’s episode! Let us know what you think! “Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com  Interstitial music provided by The Mystery Men?  You can follow Phantom Troublemaker on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the best pop culture news!

Dave talks to Mr. Beau Brown about (performance) life, (masters of) the universe, and everything (including a Target trip and spiteful toy buying)! Plus – hear about Dave's shameful and guilty Dragon Con secret! Check out the Atlanta Fringe Festival where Beau and Dave, along with Beau's fellow Sci-Fi Janitor Matt Nitchie will be performing the final fifth of The Princess Bride using puppetry and live action tomfoolery! Here's the Facebook event – get your tickets now! Be sure to join the Needless Things Podcast Facebook Group and get in on the conversation for this week’s episode! Let us know what you think! “Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com  Interstitial music provided by The Mystery Men?  You can follow Phantom Troublemaker on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the best pop culture news!

Dave and special guest Chad J. Shonk break down, dissect, and interpret Jordan Peele's new masterpiece, Us. Be sure to join the Needless Things Podcast Facebook Group and get in on the conversation for this week’s episode! Let us know what you think! “Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com  Interstitial music provided by The Mystery Men?  You can follow Phantom Troublemaker on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the best pop culture news!

SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS and SPOILERS Listen in as Dave, Head of Research Ryan Schweck, and Arian SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER on the newest episode of the Needless Things Podcast. SPOILER. Follow Victoria’s Cantina on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube! Be sure to join the Needless Things Podcast Facebook Group and get in on the conversation for this week’s episode! Let us know what you think! Check out this week's special musical selection - The KBK! The KBK Bandcamp The KBK Facebook The KBK CD Baby “Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com  Interstitial music provided by The Mystery Men?  You can follow Phantom Troublemaker on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the best pop culture news!

Dave talks to writer, director, and puppeteer Raymond Carr about his new upcoming project, Joyriders. JoyridersMovie.com Support Joyriders Joyriders on Facebook Raymond Carr on Instagram Be sure to join the Needless Things Podcast Facebook Group and get in on the conversation for this week’s episode! Let us know what you think! “Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com You can follow Dave as Phantom Troublemaker on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!  

Hasbro – one of the most prolific toy companies in the business – blew minds when it announced an all-new experiment called HasLab at Toy Fair 2018. It was to be a place where Hasbro could communicate and solicit funds directly from customers and deliver very special products that would be impossible to market through normal retail. The first announced project was one of the most ambitious toys ever produced – Jabba the Hutt’s sail barge, The Khetanna from Return of the Jedi. Hasbro immediately revealed an unprecedented amount of detail, for an as-yet unproduced toy and soon after opened preorders. The hefty $500 price tag (which included shipping) was intimidating to some, but for stalwart collectors who had forty years of Star Wars toys on their shelves, it was impossible to imagine a collection that didn’t include this monolithic vehicle/playset. One year later the true believers who invested in this dream have The Khetanna in their homes. Was it worth it? Listen in as Dave and our special guest Vic

Part of an ongoing series – the Needless Things Irregulars gather in the Phantom Zone to provide their own unique commentary on classic genre films! It’s Lady’s Night in the Phantom Zone! For this month’s selection Nicole Ghouled picked the legendary gross-out flick Dead Alive! As many older horror fans’ first experience with Oscar-winning director Peter Jackson, Dead Alive sets a very different tone for his career than King Kong or Lord of the Rings. Chock full of innovation and complimented by brilliant yet classic storytelling, this New Zealand gorefest displayed Jackson’s ingenuity and creative spirit. Listen in as Dave, Nicole, Ryan, and Sean get covered in red pudding for this month’s Needless Commentary! Be sure to join the Needless Things Podcast Facebook Group and get in on the conversation for this week’s episode! Let us know what you think! “Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com  Interstitial music provided by The Mystery Men?  You can follow Dave as Phantom Troublemaker on Facebook, Twitter,

Dave and Needless Things' resident Star Wars expert Chad J. Shonk break down the teaser trailer for Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker! Be sure to join the Needless Things Podcast Facebook Group and get in on the conversation for this week’s episode! Let us know what you think! “Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com Interstitial music provided by The Mystery Men? You can follow Dave as Phantom Troublemaker on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!  

Game of Thrones is one of the highest-rated, critically-acclaimed, and genuinely engrossing television shows of all time. It’s eighth and final season begins Sunday, April 14th. Spring has just arrived, but Winter is here. Join Dave and Beth as they look back at the past seven seasons of HBO’s crown jewel. Listen in as Dave and Beth discuss the drama, action, and unforgettable characters of the greatest television show of all time on the newest episode of the Needless Things Podcast. Be sure to join the Needless Things Podcast Facebook Group and get in on the conversation for this week’s episode! Let us know what you think! “Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com  Interstitial music provided by The Mystery Men?  You can follow Phantom Troublemaker on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest on pop culture!

WrestleMania XXXV is this Sunday and the Needless Things Irregulars are gonna cut some promos about it! Dave talks to our pals Arian “The Saltmaster” Gulick and “Howdymania” Mike Gordon about the upcoming Showcase of the Immortals! What are they excited about? What looks terrible? How successfully has WWE booked and promoted this event versus previous years? Listen in as Dave, Mike, and Arian grapple with WrestleMania on the newest episode of the Needless Things Podcast. Be sure to join the Needless Things Podcast Facebook Group and get in on the conversation for this week’s episode! Let us know what you think! “Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com  Interstitial music provided by The Mystery Men?  You can follow Phantom Troublemaker on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest on pop culture!

We are on the Road to WrestleMania and it’s high time the Needless Things Irregulars talked about their favorite wrestling toys, brother! From LJN to Hasbro to San Francisco Toymakers and beyond, there have been a huge number of popular toy lines based on the greatest sports personalities of all time. Most of the best-known wrestling federations from the last four decades have had toy lines that have seen some level of success. In today’s episode Dave talks to Rich from Nerdy Laser and Chris from Figures Toy Company about the history of wrestling toys in their lives. Which line will go down as the best in the history of Our Great Sport? Listen in as Dave, Rich, and Chris throw their toys into the squared circle on the newest episode of the Needless Things Podcast. Be sure to join the Needless Things Podcast Facebook Group and get in on the conversation for this week’s episode! Let us know what you think! “Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com  Interstitial music provided by The Mystery Men?  You can foll

Part of an ongoing series – the Needless Things Irregulars gather in the Phantom Zone to provide their own unique commentary on classic genre films! We’re on the Road to WrestleMania, so it’s time for a wrestling-adjacent Commentary! Stone Cold Steve Austin is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, so it seemed right to choose one of his films – Hunt to Kill! Part Commando, part The Most Dangerous Game, and all whoop-ass action, this 2010 action flick pits the Rattlesnake against a motley crew of criminals. Among the supporting cast are Michael Eklund, Eric Roberts, and a scenery-chewing Gil Bellows of Ally McBeal fame! Listen in as Dave, Battle Cougar, Ryan Cadaver, Rad Ranger, and Arian head out to the woods for this month’s Needless Commentary! Be sure to join the Needless Things Podcast Facebook Group and get in on the conversation for this week’s episode! Let us know what you think! “Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com  Interstitial music provided by The Myst

Our dear friend Dana Swanson is bidding Buttlanta farewell and flying off to the City of Angels to pursue bigger and better things. This episode is the conversation Dave and Dana shared as they packed for the move. It is at times raw and frank and is unlike any episode of the Needless Things Podcast that has come before. There are jokes, tears, and the sounds of packing tape. Listen to two friends sharing their growth and outlook from the last seven years on this special episode of the Needless Things Podcast. Until next time, Dana. We love you. Be sure to join the Needless Things Podcast Facebook Group and get in on the conversation for this week’s episode! Let us know what you think! “Procrastibate” by LeSexoflex.com  Interstitial music provided by The Mystery Men?  You can follow Phantom Troublemaker on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest on pop culture!