The Worst of All Possible Worlds

THIS IS A PREVIEW. FOR THE FULL EPISODE, GO TO Patreon.com/worstofall Jake from the I Hate James Dobson podcast and the lads return to Odyssey for further adventures in trust funds, marriage counseling, and the next mayor of Odyssey: Margaret Faye. Topics include the never ending Eugene and Katrina will they/won’t they, the effects of bingeing 400 episodes of AiO in an incredibly short amount of time, and the ingrained sexism at the heart of both the evangelical project and John Avery Whittaker. I Hate James Dobson: Join therapists Jake (a former Evangelical) and Brooke (who knows almost nothing about Evangelical culture) as they read and tear apart Dobson’s works. Get ready to laugh, cry, and rip your hair out as we explore the very many reasons why I Hate James Dobson. SpotifyApple PodcastsBlueskyInstagram Media Referenced in this Episode: TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com Interstitial: “25 Keys” // Written by A.J. Ditty // Feat. Eliza Martin Simpson as “Mary Mulligan” and A.J. Ditty as “Melvin Mulligan”

Mattie Lubchansky (Boys Weekend, Simplicity) and the lads grab their cow as white as milk, their cape as red as blood, their hair as yellow as corn, their slipper as pure as gold, and feed a potion to a rapping witch as they cover Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s 1986 fairy tale musical: Into the Woods. Topics include the massive reworking of the second act, the many allegations against the Big Bad Wolf, and how Sondheim’s most lucrative musical might also be his best. Mattie Lubchansky: Website // Bluesky // Instagram // Patreon Boys Weekend: A hilarious trans-“final girl” horror graphic novel about a bachelor party gone very, very wrong. A witty, tender romp through the cosmic horror of being alive In the Land of…Simplicity: An Account of the Unusual Peoples of the Former United States & A Sojourn Through the Exurb Zones And Other Unsecured Territories By An Intrepid Explorer From the Coalition of Secured City-States: a vibrant new graphic novel about a timid academic sent out from the walled dystopian security territory of New York City to investigate a cult in the wilds of the Catskill Mountains. No Gods No Mayors: Municipal government: a trap that catches those too incompetent, too corrupt, too strange even for national politics. And the greatest of these, the mayor - the highest political office one can hope to reach with a truly oppositional personality or a crack addiction. Mattie Lubchansky, Riley Quinn and November Kelly are teaming up to make a podcast investigating these mayors. From petty Bonapartes to flagrant mafiosi, these are their stories. Available on Spotify // Apple Podcasts // RSS Feed Temporal Culture War: Mattie Lubchansky and Clayton Ashley figure out what the hell was going on in culture in the early 2000s while they wade through episodes of Star Trek Enterprise. Available on Spotify // Apple Podcasts // RSS Feed Media Referenced in this Episode: Bernadette Peters and Original Into the Woods Cast Recall Untold Stories, Backstage Memories and Standouts With SondheimFrom "Boom Crunch" to "The Last Midnight": How Into the Woods Transformed Throughout the YearsLook, I Made a Hat: Collected Lyrics (1981-2011) with Attendant Comments, Amplifications, Dogmas, Harangues, Digressions, Anecdotes and MiscellanyInto the Woods: A conversation with Sondheim and Lapine – 1991 PBS TVInto the Woods - MTI Conversation Piece with Stephen Sondheim and James LapineInto the Woods SR. at Lenox Hill TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com Interstitial: “There’s a Chance You Might Be Bi” // Music by Stephen Sondheim // Lyrics by A.J. Ditty // Featuring A.J. Ditty as “Himself”

THIS IS A PREVIEW. FOR THE FULL EPISODE, GO TO Patreon.com/worstofall The lads hop in their 1964 metallic mint-green Buick Skylarks and get arrested for murder as they cover Jonathan Lynn’s 1992 legal comedy: My Cousin Vinny. Topics include the Era of the Screenplay, the film’s dedication to legal procedure, and the unspeakable cinematic power of having Marisa Tomei talk about tire-tracks. Media Referenced in this Episode: Abnormal Interviews: “My Cousin Vinny Director Jonathan Lynn” by Nick Farr.Dale Launer’s Incredible Website‘WHAT IS A YUTE?’: AN ORAL HISTORY OF ‘MY COUSIN VINNY’ by Andy Greene TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com Interstitial: “A Phone Call From The Southern Baptist Correctional Facility” // Written by A.J. Ditty and Tony Ditty // feat. A.J. Ditty as “A.J. Ditty”, Eleanor Philips as “Denise”, and Tony Ditty as “Tony Ditty: Lawyer and A.J.’s Actual Father”

THIS IS A PREVIEW. FOR THE FULL EPISODE, GO TO Patreon.com/worstofall On this episode of Fancy Movie Time with Brian and A.J., the Fancy Lads head to Taipei and dance with the pigeon man as they cover Edward Yang's coming-of-age drama Yi Yi (2000). Do the film's novelistic approach and impeccable characterizations make it a Fancy Feast? Or does its vibes-based tone and myriad of plots make it a Failure to Fancy? One thing's for sure: Mr. Fancymovietime DEFINITELY got his union card. On the next episode of Fancy Movie Time with Brian and A.J.: The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920)

Slowpuke (SlowpukeLIVE) and the lads stake out a bar and scream in the faces of undiagnosed alcoholics as we cover Jon Taffer’s hit reality-television show: Bar Rescue. Topics include Taffer’s self-aggrandized past, the ethics of robot performers, and what it means to watch a man transform a bar from terrible to an entirely different kind of terrible. Slowpuke: Twitch // Bluesky // Instagram Media Referenced in this Episode: Bar 702 (Sand Dollar) From Bar Rescue Has Been Sold by Matt. Barrescueupdates.com. June 22nd, 2014.Breaking News - Spike TV Picks Up New Original Series, "Bar Rescue" and "Repo Games" | TheFutonCritic.comCouncil Bluffs police investigating shooting at O'Face BarDomestic Violence Case Dismissed by Staff Consortium. The Virgin Islands Consortium. March 19th, 2021.How "Bar Rescue" host Jon Taffer helped changed the way we watch the NFL by Aaron Torres. Fox Sports. January 7th, 2014.jon taffer spaceship robot storySecond arrest made in connection to weekend shooting outside Council Bluffs barWilkes Assault Lawsuit TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com Interstitial: “Bar Rescue Jr.” // Written by A.J. Ditty // Feat. Josh Boerman as “Aggressive Narrator”, Slowpuke as “Mrs. Cunningham/Molly Cunningham”, and A.J. Ditty as “Jon Taffer/Customer”

THIS IS A PREVIEW. FOR THE FULL EPISODE, GO TO Patreon.com/worstofall The lads boot up Newgrounds and take The Impossible Quiz as they dive into the bizarre and labyrinthine world of the bread and butter of the Web 2.0: Flash Games. Topics include the origins of Newgrounds, the boundless creativity (and trolling) of the flash scene, and what it means to be the lead gay technician of one of the most influential flash games of all time. Media Referenced in this Episode: Pico’s School by Tom FulpSimGirls by sim-manN by Metanet SoftwareThe Crimson Room by Toshimitsu TakagiThe Impossible Quiz by Splapp-me-doNanaca Crash! By UnknownCanabalt by Adam SaltsmanRobot Unicorn Attack by Spititonin Media GamesNewgrounds Wiki - TomFulpFrom the IAmA community on RedditTom FulpNewgrounds Wiki - HistoryHow Flash games shaped the video game industry by Jonas Richner. Flashgamehistory.com.Flashpoint Archive TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com Interstitial: “Pages 13-21 of ‘The Hidden Enemy’” // Written and Performed by Josh Boerman // Music by Wendy Carlos

Joe Kassabian (Lions Led By Donkeys) joins the lads in Odyssey for further adventures in monastic life, missionary work, and the dreaded attraction between cousins. Topics include evangelical views of Catholicism, the blatantly political work of missionaries, and why cruelty begetting cruelty is at the heart of the Evangelical project. Joe Kassabian: Bluesky // Twitter Lions Led by Donkeys: The Lions Led By Donkeys podcast is a military history podcast for laughing at the worst military failures, inept commanders, and crazy stories from throughout the history of human conflict. Patreon // Youtube // Spotify // Apple Podcasts // Instagram STREAMING TICKETS FOR LIONS LED BY DONKEYS LIVE FROM GLASGOW Media Referenced in Episode: TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com Interstitial: “Thirteen Madmen for Twenty-One Monks on the Nineteenth of April at the End of the 20th Century” // Written by A.J. Ditty // Feat. A.J. Ditty as “Estragon Estragonov/Melvin Mulligan/Phoebear”

THIS IS A PREVIEW. FOR THE FULL EPISODE, GO TO Patreon.com/worstofall The lads take a walk through this beautiful world and feel the cool rain on their shoulders as they cover Anthony Bourdain’s award-winning CNN travelogue: Parts Unknown. Topics include Bourdain’s rise to prominence, his successes and failures as a documentarian, and the complex legacy of one of the most prolific observers of the modern world. Media Referenced in this Episode: “Anthony Bourdain obituary” by Tim Hayward. The Guardian. June 9th, 2018.Bourdain’s Tumblr Post “Fighting Mad”“Don’t Eat Before Reading This” by Anthony Bourdain. New Yorker. April 19th, 1999.“New Yorker Editor David Remnick on Anthony Bourdain” by Matt Buchanan. Eater. June 8th, 2018. TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com Interstitial: “Anthony Ditty: Parts Known: Escondido, CA” // Written by A.J. Ditty // Featuring A.J. Ditty as “Anthony Ditty/Producer/Dustin Bendin”

The lads throw back some drinks and bray the night away as they cover Edward Albee’s 1962 nightcap from hell: Who’s Afraid of Virignia Woolf? Topics include Albee’s traumatizing childhood, the music of his dialogue, and the boomer mentality of being afraid of Virginia Woolf. Want more TWOAPW? Get access to our full back catalogue of premium/bonus episodes by subscribing for $5/month at Patreon.com/worstofall! Media Referenced in this Episode: “Edward Albee, The Art of Theater No. 4” Interviewed by William Flanagan. The Paris Review. Issue 39. Fall 1966.Edward Albee: A Singular Journey by Mel Gussow. Applause Books. 2000.Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? The Original Cast Recording. Columbia Records. 1963. TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com Interstitial: “The Autograph Theatre Company’s Season Announcement: The Unproduced Plays of Edward Albee” // Written by A.J. Ditty // Feat. Josh Boerman as “Daddy/Albee”, Anne Huston as “Mommy”, David Armstrong as “Irish Priest”, Eleanor Philips as “Mrs. Wife/Sea Monster”, and A.J. Ditty as “Announcer/Tiniest Alice/Mr. Husband”

THIS IS A PREVIEW. FOR THE FULL EPISODE, GO TO Patreon.com/worstofall Well, the dude croaked. https://jamesdobsonmemorial.com

THIS IS A PREVIEW. FOR THE FULL EPISODE, GO TO Patreon.com/worstofall The lads grab their pencils and go back to the drawing board as they cover the never released behind-the-scenes documentary on the making of The Emperor’s New Groove: The Sweatbox. Topics include the history of Disney animation, the similarities between the animating and acting life, and what it means to make art while walking the llama-llama and taking in the panorama. Media Referenced in this Episode: “An Oral History of Disney’s ‘The Emperor’s New Groove’” by Bilge Ebiri. Vulture. July 26th, 2024. TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com Interstitial: “Sting: The Kingdom of the Sun Sessions” // Written by A.J. Ditty // Featuring A.J. Ditty as “Sting/Announcer”

The lads grab their engraved rods and play with some loose bones as they cover the LucasArts’ 1995 xenoarchaeologist point-and-click adventure: The Dig. Topics include the gaming prowess of Steven Spielberg, the incredibly fraught production process, and what it means to have have a point and click adventure imprint upon you as a child that requires you to turn a turtle into a bomb. Want more TWOAPW? Get access to our full back catalogue of premium/bonus episodes by subscribing for $5/month at Patreon.com/worstofall! Media Referenced in this Episode: A Conversation with Gary Brubaker. Tech Talk with Daniel Albu. April 6th, 2025.“The Dig is a weird LucasArts adventure dreamed up by Steven Spielberg” by Andy Kelly. PC Gamer. May 15th, 2020.The Dig by Jimmy Maher. Digital Antiquarian. July 23rd. 2021.“Exclusive Interview with Noah Falstein” by Santiago Mendez. The Dig Museum. December 27th, 2004.“Interview with Brian Moriarty” by Paco García. Aventura y CÍA. March 2006.“LucasArts Secret History #11: The Dig Bills Tiller and Eaken”. The International House of Mojo.“LucasArts Secret History #11: The Dig Sean Clark’s Recollections of Joy”. The International House of Mojo.Original Design Document for The Dig“So, a Giant Asteroid is Heading for Earth…Again…” by Luke Plunkett. Kotaku. November 2nd, 2011.“Steven Spielberg Apparently Won’t Play Uncharted Because He’s a Big PC Gamer and Only Likes Mouse and Keyboard” by Kat Bailey. IGN. October 2nd, 2024. TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com Interstitial: “Brink” // Written by A.J. Ditty // Featuring A.J. Ditty as “Professor Ludger Brink”

THIS IS A PREVIEW. FOR THE FULL EPISODE, GO TO Patreon.com/worstofall The lads return once again to Odyssey for further adventures in jet-lag, cyber security, and the long awaited return of the godking of Odyssey: John Avery Whittaker. Topics include the interminable will-they/won’t-they of Eugene and Katrina, the logistics of proposing in the year 1996, and what it means to grow up in a religion that asks you to actively throw your feelings through the No-No Door. Media Referenced in this Episode: TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com Interstitial: “Evidence #381914: Camcorder Belonging to Chester A. Chandler, Found at the Scene of the Lakeshore Lodge Incident on June 22nd, 1996" // Written by A.J. Ditty // Featuring Brian Alford as “Chester A. Chandler” // “The Chain Piano Cover” by GleesinnPiano

In 1998, Looking Glass Studios released THIEF: THE DARK PROJECT, an unprecedentedly immersive and technically impressive first-person stealth simulator. Two years later, they followed it up with their masterpiece, THIEF 2: THE METAL AGE. After hounding Brian and A.J. to talk about this one for years, Josh finally got his wish. Plus, we got Jay Anthony Franke back to voice JC Denton for the interstitial. Thanks for sticking with us for 200 episodes and here’s to 200 more. Jay Anthony Franke - Cameo // Instagram Media Referenced in the Episode: Ahead of its time: The history of Looking GlassHow Thief's Stealth System Almost Didn't Work | War StoriesThe Story of Thief & Looking Glass StudiosThief-TheCircle.com --- Thief II: The Metal Age Strategy IndexThief II - The Metal Age Walkthrough by Orgulo. Gamefaqs. July 5th, 2025Thief vs. AAA GamingThrough the Looking Glass Forums TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com Interstitial: “The Pigeon Job” // Written by A.J. Ditty // Feat. Josh Boerman as “Garrett”, Brian Alford as “Benny”, A.J. Ditty as “Karras”, and Jay Anthony Franke as “Cramble Grenton.”

THIS IS A PREVIEW. FOR THE FULL EPISODE, GO TO Patreon.com/worstofall Aysha U. Farah (All My Maidens) and Lenore (The Socialist Shelf) return to the pod to take the lads on a heartfelt journey of death and birds as they cover Giant Sparrow’s 2017 walking sim megahit: What Remains of Edith Finch. Topics include games about death, the importance of twee in the face of tragedy, and what remains of both the walking sim genre and the titular Edith Finch. Aysha U. Farah: Website // Bluesky // Instagram Lenore: Bluesky BUY AMPLITUDES HERE PREORDER JACOB’S BOOK HERE The Socialist Shelf: A podcast where we care about two things: good fiction and changing the world. From your favorite pseudointellectuals, Jacob Dallas-Main and Lenore Olson. SpotifyApple PodcastsInstagramYoutubeBluesky All My Maidens: Welcome to All My Maidens, an Elden Ring lore podcast. Have you ever played 100 hours of Elden Ring and then thought, wow. I have no idea what the heck this game is about? Well, join award winning game writer Aysha U. Farah as she invites various friends and confidants to come on and Explain Elden Ring to her. What is an Elden Ring, anyway? What makes it elden? Who are the Tarnished? Why do a bunch of guys have weird horns on their faces? Who is that dude made of roots? Answer all these questions and more, right here! Spotify Apple Podcasts Media Referenced in this Episode: “The making of What Remains of Edith Finch” by Chris Schilling. PC GAMER. June 2nd, 2018.“Whitespace: The man behind ‘The Unfinished Swan’” by Evan Shamoon. Polygon. October 9th, 2012. TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com Interstitial: “What Remains of Joshua Boerman” // Written by A.J. Ditty // Featuring A.J. Ditty as “AJ Ditty”, Brian Alford as “Brian Alflord”, Josh Boerman as “Joshua Boerman”

Andrew Law (Boonta Vista) and the lads make for the Pacific Northwest and set up little traps in the woods as they cover Ted Kotcheff’s 1982 debut of Rambo: First Blood. Topics include the joys of practical stunts, the brilliance of Brian Dennehy, and the reactionary politics at the center of both the film and the Italian Stallion himself: Sylvester Stallone. Boonta Vista: The least consequential news from around the world from the least informed minds in Australia. Andrew, Theo, Lucy and Ben bring you the week’s stories that conveniently fit into one of their countless, concerningly specific segments. Keep up with the latest news from Nature Corner, Paging Dr. Lucy, Planely Speaking, Omens and Portents, The Hole Report and many, many more. PatreonWebsiteMerchSpotifyApple Podcasts Media Referenced in the Episode: My First Thriller: David Morrell TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com Interstitial: “Rambo: Last Blood Part II” // Written by A.J. Ditty // Feat. A.J. Ditty as “Sly/Sico”

THIS IS A PREVIEW. FOR THE FULL EPISODE, GO TO Patreon.com/worstofall Josiah Sutton (Fruitless) joins a lads-less Brian as he revisits the inspiration for his first video essay: Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s Pulse. Topics include revisiting old work, breadtube, and what we can learn from the ghosts from internet eras long past. Josiah Sutton: Twitter // Substack // Instagram Fruitless Podcast: A show about history, politics, faith, media, and the internet hosted by Josiah Sutton. PatreonApple PodcastsSpotify Fruitless video essays: “A Brief History of Zombie Films”Why You Should Watch Motern Media (feat. Will Sloan)”“Everyone Else is an NPC” Media Referenced in the Episode: The Tunnel by Friedrich DurrenmattPulse (2001): How J-Horror Predicted 2020” by Brian Alford. 2020.“I Can’t Stop Watching Contagion” by Folding Ideas. March 31st, 2020.“Massacre on Martin and 3rd” by Jack Saint. October 20th, 2018.Mike D’Angelo’s Scenic Routes: Pulse“The Problem With Video Essays” by Philosophy Tube. June 27th, 2025.“Steve Bannon” by Philosophy Tube. February 4th, 2019.“Wo Ich Wohne” by Ilsa Aichinger. The Dedalus Book of Austrian Fantasy 1890-2000. Translated by Mike Mitchell. Dedalus Limited. 2003. TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com Interstitial: “A Little Ditty” // written and performed by A.J. Ditty

The lads hop on their choppers and make for the 4077th as they return to Korea for another installment in their ongoing coverage of the most critically acclaimed sitcoms of all time: MASH. Topics include the evolution of Margaret O’Houlihan, the zaniness of Frank Burns, and how losing some of your best cast members can transform your show into the best version of itself. GOATMAN: Tickets // Gofundme 2002: Tickets Media Referenced in this Episode: MASH Season Four, Episode One: “Welcome to Korea” Season Four, Episode Two: “Change in Command” Season Five, Episode Two: “Margaret’s Engagement” Season Five, Episode Seven: “Dear Sigmund” Season Five, Episode Twenty-Four: “Margaret’s Marriage” Have You Seen This? Episode 135 “It!” feat. Josh Boerman and Brian Alford TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com Interstitial: “Another Brief Message from Alan Alda” // Written by A.J. Ditty // Feat. Eleanor Philips as “Ellie Philips” and A.J. Ditty as “Alan Alda”

We hope you've enjoyed Beast Week. To conclude the week in style, we went on Western Kabuki to observe Mr Beast, learn from Mr Beast, and love Mr Beast. We watched some of Mr Beast's videos and diagnose the Beast and what he means for the world. Part 2, where we talk about what he's been up to this year specifically, will be released to the Western Kabuki Patreon this weekend. Make sure to subscribe: https://www.patreon.com/c/westernkabuki/posts

THIS IS A PREVIEW. FOR THE FULL EPISODE, GO TO Patreon.com/worstofall Juniper (Western Kabuki, Ill Conceived) and the lads grab their blue jerseys and throw coconuts down a hill as they cover the first season of MrBeast’s nightmare of a game show: Beast Games. Topics include the horrific filming conditions, the so-called “games”, and what it means to watch the full-villain arc of one Jimmy Donaldson. Juniper: Twitch // Patreon // Bluesky Western Kabuki: Juniper and Caleb with their trusty producer Alex delve into internet topics du jour. SpotifyApple PodcastsBluesky Ill Conceived: A podcast about natalism. Hosted by Josh Boerman (The Worst of All Possible Worlds, Traditional Scrench) and June Sternbach (Western Kabuki, The Onion) SpotifyApple Podcasts Media Referenced in this Episode: 2,000 People Fight For $5,000,000Beast Games is the Average Mid Show on TV'Beast Games' Is the Biggest Competition Show Ever. Crew Claims Behind the Scenes Was ChaosFrom the BeastGames community on Reddit: Akira has won money in 5 previous Mr. Beast challenges going back 5+ yearsLas Vegas staff say MrBeast should be 'blacklisted,' cite OSHA, medics set for failureMrBeast’s ‘Beast Games’ Hits 50 Million Viewers in 25 Days, Amazon’s Biggest Unscripted Show Ever"Player 991 - Jeremy AMA!"State Of New York v Moneylion Complaint 2025 TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com Interstitial: “1,000 People Play Go-Fish for $1,000,000" // Written by A.J. Ditty // feat. David Armstrong as “Mr. Beast/Mister Beast/Confused Contestant #1”, Eleanor Philips as “Karl/Confused Contestant #2", and A.J. Ditty as “The Man in the Trench Coat/Confused Contestant #3/Overworked Crew Member”