The School of Everything Else Archive

Never Mind the BuzzGeeks: 80s Toys

[Digital Gonzo 2011]

The retro quiz show is back and this one is all about toys. 

Flawed Gems

[Digital Gonzo 2011]

This was the return of Digital Gonzo after many months hiatus in mid-2011. It was a discussion show all about video games that aren't great but have some good stuff to be found within. 

Never Mind the BuzzGeeks: 80s Commercials

[Digital Gonzo 2011]

The retro-quiz madness continues with a close look at the TV commercials that aired in Britain throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s. Blue Captain Michael Fox of Joypod returns, as does Red Captain Neil Taylor of GameBurst and the KDS show. Duncan O’ Sullivan of the DC community comes back for the first time since our cartoon show and we finally get on for his first full Gonzo show one Mr Tony Atkins of Digital Cowboys. 

If you remember Britain in the 80’s and 90’s then you will absolutely adore this twisted, bouncing, wild ride down memory lane.

Never Mind the BuzzGeeks: 80s Music

[Digital Gonzo 2011]

Our quiz show based loosely on the BBC TV series returns, this time it's all about 80s music. 

Movie Cliches

[Digital Gonzo 2011]

In this show I'm joined by Neil Taylor and James Batchelor of GameBurst along with regular Gonzo guest Matt Ramsey.

Part of the inspiration for this show came from reading Ebert's Bigger Little Movie Glossary: A Greatly Expanded and Much Improved Compendium of Movie Cliches, Stereotypes, Obligatory Scenes, Hackneyed, Shopworn Conventions and Outdated Archetypes (available from all good book shops or indeed on Amazon)

It is a compilation of multiple submissions from Ebert's own fanbase edited into an alphabetical compendium. For the show today I formed the best of these into four sections; Horror/Action/Rom-Com and Old Hollywood. My guest's job is to listen to the first part of the cliche's I read them and fill in the rest themselves, citing examples and rare exceptions. It's pretty goddamn hilarious. 

Never Mind the BuzzGeeks: 80s Cartoons

[Digital Gonzo 2011]

The first instalment of our pop quiz show episodes based on the winning format of long-running and superb British music quiz; Never mind the Buzzcocks.. This one was centred around 80s cartoons, others include commercials, music, toys and a special episode on the 90s.

If you used to watch Transformers, Thundercats and the Ninja Turtles (or if you still do) you will love this episode. If, however you remember the obscure ones like Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors and Captain N: The Game Master then this will evoke so many memories you may go completely 2D! If you're too young to have been there first time, be prepared for confusion, and learning a thing or two about the old timers.

This was one of the most fun podcasts I've ever had the pleasure to record. I was joined by Michael Fox of Joypod, Neil Taylor of GameBurst and DC forumites Matt Ramsey and Duncan O Sullivan. We laughed so hard it hurt. Stick around for the end for a buffet of Easter Eggs at the end.

Our aim is to have you intermittently laughing, groaning in recognition, going all misty-eyed and shouting at your iPod, so if that happens; job done. 

World War Z

[Digital Gonzo 2011]

The book, not the rubbish movie. This time we tackle 'World War Z', an oral history of the Zombie apocalypse that claimed the lives of the majority of mankind. The show was originally broadcast in early 2011.

The most important word here is "World" and this truly is a globe-spanning, culturally sensitive, intelligent and fearless piece of work. It unexpectedly drops the zombies into the background of the social upheaval and focuses on the people involved in the conflict and the various decisions from individuals and nations that lead to events both catastrophic and life-saving.

Once again, my guests are Neil Taylor of GameBurst and Matt Ramsey, then of the DC forums. Our biggest hope in all of this is that we will encourage as many of you as possible to pick up the superb book and audio book for yourselves. They are available along with the survival guide from Amazon and all other good book stores.

The Zombie Survival Guide

[Digital Gonzo 2011]

This is the first of two review shows based around books about the undead by Max Brooks. It was originally broadcast in early 2011.

They are written in a factual style, so we have taken an equally factual approach to discussing their contents. This is effectively a 90-minute primer of need-to-know information in case of an emergency situation (however unlikely it may seem) that involves the walking dead.

Neil Taylor and Matt Ramsey join me for some serious zombie talk. 

The History of Hogwarts

[Digital Gonzo 2012]

Now also attached to the Deathly Hallows Part 1 episode of School of Movies, this is the stand-alone history of the most famous wizarding school ever.

Forty Pounds

[Digital Gonzo 2011]

A list of what you could buy for the same £40 as the average new Triple-A video game in 2011. 

The Ultimates

[Digital Gonzo 2011]

We kick off with a history of the Golden and Silver ages of comics and then move on to Mark Millar's vision of a new version of the Avengers for the 21st century. It's nasty and dated as hell in the wake of the MCU but back then it was all we had. 

Sneering

[Digital Gonzo 2011]

A piece I wrote on people's need to sneer. 

Blue Sun [Audio Drama]

[Digital Gonzo 2011]

My second attempt at audio drama. This was an adaptation of the first few chapters of the book that eventually became New Century. "The Bright Ones" was completed around 2003 and is pretty scrappy and juvenile, slave to my influences like The Matrix and Final Fantasy. But there were some things that eventually made their way into New Century, despite being set at a different time on different planets. This version, Blue Sun introduces new elements including a heavy MCU influence.

 

The Truth About Santa

[Gonzo Gaming 2010]

A piece that once got emailed to me and always made me laugh at Christmas, involving the logistics of getting Santa back and forth to every kid to deliver those toys. 

Noah's Ark

[Gonzo Gaming 2010]

A few words on what it would have taken to put Noah's Ark together. 

Northern Lights [Audio Drama]

[Gonzo Gaming 2010]

This was my first attempt at an audio drama, adapting the opening chapter of Philip Pullman's Northern Lights. 

Surviving Zombieland

[Gonzo Gaming 2010]

Applying the rules of the movie to Dead Rising 2. 

A Warrior's Dilemma

[Gonzo Gaming 2010]

An article about video games, war and warriors. 

Omni-Consumer Products

[Gonzo Gaming 2010]

An interview I conducted on the floor at PAX 2009 with Pete Hottelett, a man who brings products in fictional universes to life.

You can find Omni-Consumer Products here.

 

My Old Friend Nintendo

[Gonzo Gaming 2010]

An article I originally wrote for Platform Nation after the 2008 E3 Nintendo press event.

Hollywood

[Gonzo Gaming 2010]

My take on the state of movies in 2010.

Shadow of the Colossus

[Gonzo Gaming 2010]

A short account of my experience playing this sacred cow of a game. 

Preparing for Real Life

[Gonzo Gaming 2010]

How much have we learned about the world from video games?

Killing Spree

[Gonzo Gaming 2010]

A look at the high percentage of video games that include killing something to achieve. 

Frustration

[Gonzo Gaming 2010]

A bit on how games can drive me stir crazy!

Our Digital Rights

[Gonzo Gaming 2010]

A piece about how they were going to stop piracy many years ago. 

Heavy Rain

[Gonzo Gaming 2010] 

A short account of my experience playing this ambitious, frustrating game. 

The Last One

[Digital Cowboys 2011]

The final episode of Digital Cowboys

E3 2011 - The Dream

[Digital Cowboys 2011]

A largely improvised account of an E3 that never happened (broadcast days before the actual event, just to confuse people).

Portal 2

[Digital Cowboys 2011]

Tony, Paul and I review one of our favourite games of all time. 

World of Warcraft Charity Marathon

[Digital Cowboys 2011]

24 hours solid of playing World of Warcraft for charity. 

You Don't Know Alex & Tony

[Digital Cowboys 2011]

Some questions with revealing answers.

Inside the Minds of the DC

[Digital Cowboys 2011]

Interview questions for the hosts.

Those We Have Left Behind

[Digital Cowboys 2011]

A discussion about the video game deaths that really made an impact on us.

Guest:

Daniel Floyd of Extra Credits

Far Cry 2 / Homefront

[Digital Cowboys 2011]

This was only our second Game Club, and it was a format I really wish mwe'd explored more before parting ways. Far Cry 2 remains my second-favourite in the series, despite its mountainous flaws, outmatched by the often extraordinary Far Cry Primal. 

Look Back 2005

[Digital Cowboys 2011]

A look back on the hallowed year of 2005 when some of the greatest video games ever emerged.

Guest:

 Leon Cox of Cane and Rinse

The 20 Lamest Characters in Gaming

[Digital Cowboys 2011]

Twenty of the very worst. 

Features that Changed the Face of Gaming

[Digital Cowboys 2011]

Various aspects throughout gaming history that have changed the way we play. 

Survival Horror

[Digital Cowboys 2011]

A look at where survival horror stood, some years ago, prior to the evolution of the jump scare Let's Play, Dark Souls, the transformation of Dead Space and Resident Evil's overhaul. 

Time to Crown the New Kings

[Digital Cowboys 2011]

This episode was all about accepting the classics of the past and celebrating their new successors. 

Look Back 1998

[Digital Cowboys 2011]

We travel to a landmark year in video games. 

Have I Got Games for You #2

[Digital Cowboys 2011]

A video gaming quiz in the style of the BBC classic. 

The 50 Greatest Video Game Characters [Part 2]

[Digital Cowboys 2010]

The second part of our epic countdown, as voted for by our community. 

The 50 Greatest Video Game Characters [Part 1]

[Digital Cowboys 2010]

We polled our forum and you guys decided on who your favourite 50 were. This is the first 25. 

Ten Questions for Alex & Tony

[Digital Cowboys 2010]

Ten searching questions with revealing answers. 

Red Dead Redemption / Sandbox Games

[Digital Cowboys 2010]

A discussion on one of the best titles on 360, expanding to the concept of the sandbox game. 

50 Games in 50 Weeks

[Digital Cowboys 2010]

Over the course of the year I undertook to play 50 games to completion. This is my account of that lengthy experience. 

Alternate Reality Gaming / ARGs

[Digital Cowboys 2010]

We discuss with Michael Anderson the concept of games that take the form of a real world puzzle. 

Legends of Zelda

[Digital Cowboys 2010]

Maybe the best of the Digital Cowboys episodes. This is all about Zelda through the years, covering every game and it comprises extracts from many, many interviews with podcasters and the DC community.

What comes across is a very special game series. There is a justified reason why Nintendo releases these games in gold boxes and treats the moment as a major event. It's difficult in fact to imagine many others being recounted with such fondness and with such importance. The frustration is also there; the bad design decisions and the repetitive formula, amid hopes for the future, all underscored by 25 years of incredible music.

A huge thank you to everyone who contributed towards this show, without your submitted rich experiences, it wouldn't have been a fraction as good.

Originally published July 16th 2010.

Guests:

Dan Ilson - Everything is Better with Beer & Gonzo Planet
Adam Capone - Joypod
Leon Cox - Cane and Rinse & GamerDork
Dits Symeou - The Gamerscene & Gonzo Planet
Alex Shaw - Digital Cowboys, Digital Gonzo & Gonzo Planet
Luke Carson - Digital Cowboys community
Mik Phillips - The Fanboys Lunchcast & Gonzo Planet
Ryan Astley - Gonzo Planet
Michelle Smith - Pink & Deadly
Paul Shotton - Digital Cowboys
Tony Atkins - Cane and Rinse & Digital Cowboys
James Batchelor - GameBurst, The WiiDS podcast & Gonzo Planet
Leah Haydu - GamerDork, Some Other Castle & Gonzo Planet
David Turner - Joypod
Roy Fortitude - Digital Cowboys community cast
Chris O'Regan - Superhappyfuntimeshow
Josh Garrity - Cane & Rinse, Digital Cowboys Community cast & Gonzo Planet
Edie Sellers - Gamehounds
Daniel Floyd - Extra Credits

Paul & Storm

[Digital Cowboys 2010]

We got to chat with one of the finest musical geek comedy duos of all time.