XYZ with Yike and Zak

We're back at it again, having another quarantine discussion about a long running film franchise and splitting into multiple parts! We're talkin' Trek. Mostly covering the even numbered entries, but we couldn't help but talk the odds as well. Star Trek movies discussed in this episode: The Motion Picture, The Wrath of Khan, The Search for Spock, The Undiscovered Country, and Generations.

This is the way the X-Men movie franchise ends. This is the way the X-Men movie franchise ends. This is the way the X-Men movie franchise ends. Not with a bang, but with a whimper. In the wake of Avengers: Endgame, Fox released their last entry in the X-Men franchise, Dark PhoeniX to almost no fanfare. In this episode, we finally get around to talk Dark Phoenix and Logan, two movies that present different directions and different ends for the franchise, as we discuss our feelings on the franchise at large.

Part 2 of our ongoing series on the X-Men! Today's episode covers a whole half of the franchise out there: X-Men Origins: Wolverine, X-Men: First Class, The Wolverine, X-Men: Days of Future Past

Stuck in quarantine, we took it upon ourselves to invite the most literal X-factor possible on to the podcast: The X-Men! We watched all 10 movies in the franchise (Sorry, Deadpool, our podcast needs the structural integrity of a fourth wall!), and we will be discussing them over a 3 episode miniseries that was recorded all at once. We also discuss current events, and would like to continue to amplify the message that Black Lives Matter. Today's episode: the original trilogy! X-Men, X2: X-Men United, and X-Men: The Last Stand.

The 'rona got you down? XYZ is here to talk Yike and Zak's favorite shows, games, and podcasts during this troubling time. Note, this episode was live streamed last Thursday, this is an audio-only repost.

Happy New Year everybody! Zak and Yike discuss all things Star Wars, starting with Episode 9: The Rise of Skywalker. Spoilers, neither of us love it. After getting our dislikes out of the way, we dive into the wider world of Star Wars and our individual experiences with the franchise, from X-Wing to the comics. We also talk some Succession and Kiernan Caulkin's Roman Roy.

In this episode of the XYZ podcast, Yike and Zak dive really deep into the Watchmen TV Series, covering the major plot points and themes. Spoiler warning ... do not listen to this if you're not caught up to the end of season 1. Also we tangent into the MCU because we're us.

In a world with masked vigilantes, Nixon as a 4 term president, and a blue dude who can bend space and time, Yike and Zak discuss the artistic merits of a giant alien squid. Join us as we discuss the Watchmen Movie, comic, and the early episodes of the new HBO TV show!

Join Yike and Zak as they talk about different depictions of the life and times of King Henry V of England. After a solid 20 minutes of discussing Martin Scorses's MCU comments, they dive into a compare and contrast of Hollow Crown Henry V and The King (2019 Netflix movie), as well as other productions of Shakespeare's Henry V. Join us in this epic conversation, for there will be trebuchets and there will be a douchey Dauphin who steals the show!

Yike and Zak decide to watch the first episode of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and mostly just gush about their feelings on it and it helps them ascend - and then they talk about spooky Halloween movies, musicals, and film in general.

Zak finally gets his deepest, darkest wish: a guest comes on the podcast to talk comics! Alex Kempsell comes on the podcast to talk about his deep dive into recent Marvel comics, as well as others. Can Yike keep up? Tune in to find out!

Zak and Yike invite on two episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as their X-Factor this week. Specifically, episodes 3 and 4 of Season 1 ("Past Prologue" and "A Man Alone"). The greatest Star Trek character is introduced, as well as a regular character who Zak decides is not good at his job. Also discussed - Justice League (2017)

This week, Yike and Zak watch the 2009 Quentin Tarantino film "The Inglourious Basterds" - and then immediately launch into the podcast! Listen to their immediate reactions! Yike has never seen it. Also - Y and Z talk Spider-Man 3 and Spider-Man Far From Home!

It's been a busy summer, but finally, the stars (and our schedules) align so that Caitlin Safiran can finally make her appearance on the podcast! We talk about the various HBO shows that Caitlin has been obsessed with lately (Chernobyl, Years and Years), how Twin Peaks boggled our minds (and how Riverdale sometimes does as well), and then we get real with how improv can be odd. Plus, get ready to laugh, as we introduce the second installment of the Steve Israel Memorial Joke!

In this episode, Yike and Zak discuss Spider Man, recent MCU news, and Macbeth. Additionally, we touch upon Mahershala Ali, Zak's recent Maryland escapades (and resulting feud), and the new Steve Israel Memorial Joke!

In this installment of the XYZ Podcast, we go deep into a discussion of BBC's Hollow Crown production of Henry IV Pt 1. We also touch on lots of random other Shakespeare, as well as the always discussable Game of Thrones, plus a touch of Kurosawa! Discover the tragedy of Falstaff, the daddy issues of Prince Hal, and the kiddie issues of Henry IV!

Joined by guest Zach Gray, XYZ strolls through a winding conversation about diverse topics ranging from all kinds of history, classic Disney animation, to Star Wars. It's a lot. Of everything.

This week's X-Factor......Game of Thrones! Yike and Zak talk about the often slept-on, little known HBO fantasy series that, honestly, not enough people are talking about. They decompress about the latest season, the finale, and just the series in general. BUT FIRST, they've got to talk Avengers Endgame, Zak hypes up Detective Pikachu, and Yike hypes up the Netflix Punisher show.

This week's X-Factor, Jacinda Ratcliffe, talks to us about how people are good, actually. We also discuss Dance, immersive theater, class rankings, and the weird ways we like to make our Spotify playlists. Also, we all might be hitting our quarter life crises - UH OH.

The Thrifty joins us this week for a discussion on the dilemmas of keeping a stable job vs pursuing art. Somewhere in that discussion, we veer into TruckNutz, Game of Thrones (spoilers 41:00-45:15), and whether anybody cares about Star Wars anymore.

There will be spoilers! Yike and Zak dive headlong into a winding discussion of the Marvel Cinematic Universe! So much MCU! But before they do that, they catch up on Yike's C2E2 experience, talk some Borderlands, and prep for the return of Game of Thrones. Will Zak reveal his tier list for the MCU movies? Will Zak go on a 5 minute tangent about the comic book versions of MCU characters? Will Yike say that Thor: Ragnorak is a weird movie? GoT discussion starts at 16:00 and MCU discussion starts at 27:50.

Chicago podcast mogul Eric Scull visits the podcast this week as the X-Factor. He lets us know about the podcasts he's been doing lately. He tells us about his various fandoms, including his love for Harry Potter. We discuss our Star Wars Episode 8 thoughts. Also, we talk about Star Trek. A lot. If you're into that, let us know who your favorite captain is, and your favorite character. If you're not into that, skip to 43:50 as soon as you lose interest in Star Trek talk.

This week's X-factor, Kelsey Fehlberg, gushes to us about Treasure Planet (the greatest Disney film ever made?) and the virtues of Emma Thompson. What are our origin stories? Should we be scared of Smart Homes? What is a love language? Who is Zak's favorite Bond? Will we ask the Steve Israel Memorial Question too early? Tune in to find out!

In this polar vortex edition of the XYZ podcast, we talk to Josh Cahlik, a Chicago based writer and comedian, about poker, VR, his experience leaving Facebook, TV show backlogs, Star Trek, and his Oscar takes!

Join Yike, Zak, and Juan in a nerdtastic episode. We discuss the new Spiderman Movie, Borderlands addiction, trading card games, exponential power scaling in fictional universes, and Star Wars!

This edition of the XYZ Podcast comes full circle with our friend Rick Sunderman, the man who planted the seed in our heads to do a podcast! Join us in our longest episode yet, as we wind through topics including - How difficult it is to find silence in the modern world. - Sleep hacks. - Chicago drinking culture. - Different approaches to improv. - FOOD. - Metallica history.

In this week's episode, a guest snafu and general tiredness make for loopy ranty tangential weirdness! Yike and Zak talk about their experiences voting in midterms, realize that the podcast is #mumblecore, then wind their way through a conversation about musical theater, James Bond, Humphrey Bogart, The Last Jedi, Beast Wars, and Grant Morrison comics!

In this special not very spooky Halloween episode, Yike and Zak talk to Alexa, who they learn has been alive for 100 years. She teaches them the secrets to looking great in your old age, and she explains how she has been cursed to watch Mad Men for eternity.

Join Yike, Zak, and guest Carlos Cerutti as we wind our way through a conversation about Dr Who, spoilers, biking on the sidewalk, bad rideshare manners, and aliens!

Join us as we talk to the awesome Rebecca Shrom about reality TV, politics in art, and visual novels! Rebecca gets us talking with great insights into cultural attitudes surrounding reality TV and the gender oriented biases therein.

Darrell Monti joins the program to talk about Musical Improv, Halloween costumes, the Loudness Wars, and why the world kind of sucks. Plus, the secret history of the Noid!

We have a guest for the first time! Liz Cohn is a Chicago based comedian/actor/writer and wonderful personal in general. We talk about how to get more out of your practice, food, and the pitfalls of politeness.

3 - Video Games and Conspiracy Theories by Yike Lu and Zak Goldberger

2 - Improv Theaters Meet The Crown by Yike Lu and Zak Goldberger

This is XYZ and we're not telling you to check your zipper. We're here to alienate all of our Las Vegas listeners before we have any listeners. We're here to talk about the meta game of Super Smash Bros. We're gonna talk your ear off about the importance of classic television, like Sliders, and whatever else is on our minds. Buckle up, Y and Z are here.