But Why Tho? The Podcast

This week with the arrival of The Last Dance on Netflix, we're talking about His Airness himself, Michael Jordan. In this episode, we dive into the history of the iconic basketball player both on and off the court. We talk about he became the greatest player of all time, his move to baseball, some of his controversies, how he essentially created Nike as a streetwear brand as well as an athletic one. Plus we have a deep conversation about competition, sports, and what it takes to become the GOAT. Press play and learn all about why Michael Jordan Matters. And, we do it all with the help of LaNeysha from So Here's What Happened and Did You Have To? podcasts.

This week, the gang does a podcast and talks about why It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Matters. We dive into the history of the FX Original series, how it picked up where Seinfeld left off and made it darker, and why after all these years it's a series that still holds on tight. In the same vein as our Archer episode, we have a conversation about shows about bad people doing bad things and how it works as a comedy when it's done right.  There is even a little Day Man. 

  This week, we're diving into the life, history, and career of Chicano icon: Danny Trejo. In this episode we break down why Danny Trejo matters to film, fans, and why his status as an icon is not only incredible after his journey but life-changing for those he meets. While this isn't one of our longest episodes, we get the chance to dive into an icon, discuss our favorite movies of his and show just why Danny Trejo Matters. Even if you're unfamiliar with Danny Trejo, you probably know what he looks like. Long hair, thick mustache, brown skin, and a tattoo of a woman in a sombrero on his chest. He began his career consulting on a set to help an actor train as a boxer after he was recognized by Eddie Bunker, who remembered him from his time in San Quentin. This one consultative job led to him starring and consulting Heat, and other films. We walk through parts of his filmography and explain how his role in Rober Rodriguez's Spy Kids opened more doors for him. 

If you've listened to any of the 144 other episodes of But Why Tho? the podcast, then you know we always mention special effects when talking about a long-lasting and impactful film or franchise. After realizing just how many times Industrial Light & Magic has come up, we decided the iconic special effects house created by George Lucas was worthy of its own episode. Here, we discuss the history of the visual effects house, its iconic set pieces, films, and how it continues to revolutionize the industry with the new technology used in The Mandalorian. 

2020 marks the 10th anniversary of the ending of the Fullmetal Alchemist manga, and to celebrate we're talking about why Fullmetal Alchemist matters. From the best selling manga to the TWO anime series and the controversy around them both to the creator, Hiromu Arakawa herself we dive into it all with the help of LaNeysha from the podcasts, Did You Have To? and So Here's What Happened. This episode, we (minus Matt) cover the high notes, the depressing notes, and how the series has some of the best female characters in all of shonen. Plus, we get into the heart of why Fullmetal Alchemist matters by detailing the series' major themes like family, discrimination, imperialism, and the way people find redemption after transgressions. 

It's the 45th anniversary of JAWS this week and to celebrate we're diving into the deep end and breaking down exactly why JAWS matters. We talk about the mishaps on set, the fact that someone wanted to train a real shark, it's status as the very first Summer blockbuster, and even get into the dark side of the film by detailing its detrimental effects on ocean ecosystems and certain sharks nearing extinction, and more. JAWS matters for a lot of reasons, and we take a look at them all and even get into the sillier side of the film and it's subsequent films - one of which winds up ranked lowers critic score-wise lower than Piranha 3D.   Find out exactly why Jaws matters and head on over to our social media channels to enter to win your very own copy of the JAWS 45th Anniversary Limited Edition. In this version, legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg's cinematic masterpiece comes to 4K Ultra HD for the first time ever and it includes over three hours of bonus content. The limited edition Combo Pack with lenticula

This week we're checking diving deep into Alfred Hitchcock's classic Psycho. With the help of our frequent guest Alex, from Frightday.com, we explain the history of this black and white horror masterpiece just in time for its 60th anniversary and explore all the reasons why Psycho matters. If you haven't seen Psycho, here is your spoiler warning because we spoil the film right off the bat.  In this episode we cover how the film made the blueprint for slashers (yes, we mention Peeping Tom, but come on, they're only months a part) and we explain how the iconic shower scene shaped cinema. Additionally we jump into how this one film created new standards for films and shook 1960s audiences with unexpected twists and turns - namely killing off the protagonist half-way through the film.

Serial Box delivers premium audio and reading entertainment for an on-the-go audience that loves immersive storytelling and has recently expanded their titles in partnership with Marvel, featuring Marvel’s Thor: Metal Gods and Marvel’s Black Widow: Bad Blood. Now, the platform is bringing Jessica Jones to audiences with Marvel’s Jessica Jones: Playing with Fire, a 16-episode story narrated by Fryda Wolff and written by a team of accomplished writers. Last week, we got the chance to speak with Ayala on their work on the Serial Box title, their love of the titular character, how they brought Jessica's relationships with others to life, and the differences they've experienced in writing comics, prose, and stories for narration.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Seinfeld (well, depending what date you choose) and to celebrate, we're taking a look at how this 90s series came to define television sitcoms and archetypes for years to come. In this episode we get into all the reasons Seinfeld matters. We walk you through the production history of the show, it's financial success, and of course its tenure in syndication. And we do it all with the help of the most-guested guest, Alex!  But, beyond that we talk about how this series changed how we see comedy and opened the door for a whole host of television shows. From notable moments like the Summer of George to phrases and ideas that took hold in culture beyond the series like double dipping, shrinkage, and more we dive into it all. And of course we get into how Elaine was the blueprint for the women of Sex in the City, Dollface, and beyond.   

This week we're talking all about the Predator matters. From comics to films and the lore that its steeped in - yes, even AVP - we dig into why this film that began with Jean-Claude Van Damme in a read monster suit jumping over logs became one of the cornerstones of action and science fiction in the 1980s, 90s, and today. Adrian leads us through the history of the franchise, its technical effects wonders, and more. 

Friday the 13th turned 40 this year and now, we're going into why one of the founding fathers of slashers matters to horror and beyond. With the help of Mattshotcha, Lead Community Developer for Gun, we take through the history of the franchise, detail the genius of the first movie, and how sparked critic rage only to become a classic and maintain the status as the highest-grossing horror franchise until 2018 when another horror heavyweight Halloween dethroned it. We talk comic crossovers, discuss the best kills in the franchise's history and ultimately break down why Friday the 13th Matters all these years later. Plus, we get the chance to dive into asymmetrical video games, and Friday the 13th's own history in gaming. Now, like many of the huge franchises we cover, we couldn't fit the 12 film franchise and all of the spin-off material into this episode. But, to make up for it, we go in-depth on the first film in the franchise, how Mama Voorhees subverted expectations in Giallo fashion, and note just when t

Serial Box has been a leader in creating original content that offers subscribers the ability to listen to programs. Last month, the platform finished their first Marvel collaboration, Marvel's Thor: Metal Gods, and now this month they've begun a season of a new one: Marvel’s Black Widow: Bad Blood. This story is 14 episodes long and comes from an all-female writing team led by Lindsay Smith (Serial Box's Orphan Black: The Next Chapter), with writers Mikki Kendall (Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot and Amazons, Abolitionists, and Activists), L.L. McKinney (A Blade So Black), and Taylor Stevens (Vanessa Michael Munroe series), and screenwriter Margaret Dunlap (Netflix’s Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance). Additionally, it's narrated by acclaimed voice actress Sarah Natochenny (Ash Ketchum in Pokémon). I got the chance to sit down with Natochenny to discuss her work on the project and voice acting in general. In Marvel's Black Widow: Bad Blood, someone has stolen the Black Widow’s bloo

This week, we're celebrating a master horror: Junji Ito. In this episode, we dive into why Junji Ito matters to the horror genre, manga, and beyond. We go into a history of how he started as a mangaka, who he was inspired by, why he sees himself as an inheritor of horror and not an innovator, and of course how his journey into horror uses common fears. Plus, we do it all with booktuber, writer, and Ito fan, Cidnya!  Keep up with Cidnya's work on Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram as @CidnyaReads on all platforms.  

Red Heaven, an official SXSW 2020 selection, is a  documentary film from filmmakers Lauren DeFilippo and Katherine Gorringe. the documentary follows six people who live for a year on "Mars," a secluded NASA experiment in Hawai'i made to simulate the isolation, terrain, and life that would be expected from a human on Mars. The goal of the experiment? To see what happens to humans when they are isolated from Earth. The subjects film themselves over the course of the mission and capture what happens when people are pushed to their limits in an exploration of our most fundamental needs as human beings. Read Heaven intimately captures the crew as they're pushed to their limits in an exploration of our most fundamental needs as human beings. From near injury to science experiments, physical milestones, and suppressing boredom we get the full details of what happened over the lifetime of the experiment.

Vida is entering its third and final season this weekend. The hit STARZ series focuses on two Mexican-American siblings from East Los Angeles who return home after the death of their mother. While their relationship is the focal point of the show, there is another pair of siblings that showcase different familial and cultural dynamics and are just as vital: Johny and Mari. Played by Carlos Miranda and Chelsea Rendon respectively, the pair have a bond that has been tested over the past two seasons through love and loss. I got the chance to speak with Miranda and Rendon about their roles as siblings, the impact of Vida, and how the series has showcased brown talent behind and in front of the camera. 

It's the long-awaited episode about the one system that gets brought almost every episode: The Dreamcast. As Sega's last console, the Dreamcast had to dig the company out of the financial hole the Sega Saturn had put it in and it aimed to do so with the latest technology and incorporating the internet. As the first console of the sixth generation. In this episode, we talk about why this all mattered, how it created the foundation that Xbox Live was built on. And we do it all with the help of Charles, a friend of the pod with a background in games and love for the Dreamcast and Shenmue. This episode is sponsored by MANSCAPED. Head over to www.manscaped.com and use code: BUTWHYTHO at checkout to get a great deal on a great way to keep yourself clean. 

This week, we're heading to Hyrule to talk all about why The Legend of Zelda matters. For more than 30 years, The Legend of Zelda has over 30 different games, selling over 75 million copies, and has become a pop culture staple. You may not have played the game, but we can bet you know what the triforce symbol is, or you've used a meme like "It's dangerous to go alone." In this episode we break down how the iconic franchise stands the test of time with its multiple timelines, timeless mechanics, and a play-style that pushed players to together to learn more about the game itself. Plus, we do it all with the help of Emory, you know, just a guy who helped write a book on Zelda. Specifically, Emory contributed a chapter in The Psychology of Zelda: Linking Our World to the Legend of Zelda Series.

Published by Cerberus Interactive, Atlas Empires is a location-based multi-player strategy game that takes Augmented Reality (AR) gaming to the next level by fusing the classic strategy experience with location-based technology. Inspired by classics like Civilization, Atlas Empires expands on the beloved empire-building genre by carefully layering AR components. I got the chance to speak with Sami Khan, Cerberus' CEO and Co-Founder about the game, its innovations, and how his company aimed to appeal not just to the gamers already using AR, but the strategy players on PC too. 

This week, we celebrate the release fo the Final Fantasy VII Remake by covering one of the most beloved RPG franchises in history: Final Fantasy. We break down how the original Final Fantasy VII shaped how we think about distribution, talk about best girls, and some of us make the claim that FF XIV is the best of the series. And we do it all with the help of Grant from Gilmore Ball Z.

In honor of the CBS All Access wrapping its first season of Star Trek: Picard, we decided to devote an entire episode to why Jean-Luc Picard matters. In this episode, Kate brings us through the creation of the character and all the red tape and stereotypes that went with it. We break down how the bald British classically trained actor, Sir Patrick Stewart, went from the person likely to play Data, to the man who defined a new kind of masculinity and leadership. To do this, we compare him to the rest of the Captains in the Star Trek pantheon and explain why no one, truly, leads like Picard.  Walking down memory lane and getting in "best captain" debates along the way, we detail why Picard matters with the help of Aaron, host of the Nerd Social Club podcast and writer for our very own butwhythopodcast.com.