Bond and Banter

Host Jack Lugo welcomes friend and musician Sean Faust to the podcast to rank and discuss the Eon James Bond theme songs. Sean and Jack discuss some of the challenges involved in this exercise given the perameters they agreed upon beforehand, not to mention the plethora of outstanding music to sort through and rank. We also discuss Sean's music playing a clip from his song "Who Are You, Anyway?" and his upcoming performances in the tri-state area. Sean and Jack discuss James Bond, music, Howard Stern, and more in this ALL NEW episode of Bond and Banter!

Host Jack Lugo welcomes back friend and editor Michael Kirwan for a discussion on some of the latest Bond rumors along with some fascinating topics that Michael has explored on his YouTube channel including his ranking of the Bond films and the prospect of AI playing a role in the future of the franchise. Jack and Michael do a fun little exercise utilizing ChatGPT to write the next Bond film. Find out what results the came up with and enjoy some fun banter about all things Bond in this ALL NEW episode of Bond and Banter.

In this all new episode of BOND AND BANTER, host Jack Lugo welcomes Spencer Draper (aka @DamnFoolCrusade on Twitter / X) to the podcast for an in depth discussion on the state of the James Bond films on physical media. Spencer's expertise on the technical specifications of the Bond physical media releases offers many fascinating insights into the current condition of these films, which previous releases offer the best video and audio quality, and what needs to be done to properly preserve the Bond films so that future generations can continue to enjoy them. Spencer also put together a fun editing project utilzing his Sean Connery impression to insert a "Connery voiceover" into non-Bond characters in other films such as GoldenEye. Look for a link to his Connery VO project on Vimeo as all as Spener's YouTube Channel: Damn Fool Idealistic Crusader.

After a long hiatus, the Bond and Banter podcast has returned with a BRAND NEW episode in 2024! Host Jack Lugo welcomes Bill Koenig to talk about where things stand with the James Bond franchise as well as the latest Bond 26 rumors. Bill and Jack also discuss The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Mission Impossible, Argylle, the new Dynamite Bond comics, and towards the end a Bond musical that never happened.

"Barbara & Michael" make their return to Bond And Banter to mark the end of awards season for No Time To Die and what should be the end of the Daniel Craig era in the Bond franchise even if Barbara isn't ready to say goodbye. Afterwards Shayla Miller, Bill Koenig, and Jack Lugo have a wide-ranging discussion about the latest Bond news, The Oscars, The Slap, and some of our own suggestions as to what Amazon could do with the Bond franchise now that they're acquired MGM. All this and more!!

Bond And Banter returns for our first episode of 2022! "Dikko Henderson" turns up just as he was about to tell James Bond some vital information. Unfortunately he's been killed, but this gives host Jack Lugo an opportunity to ask him fun questions! Afterwards, Jon Auty of Behind The Stunts joins the podcast to talk to Jack about the stunts of the James Bond franchise as well as other film industry topics. Along the way, Jon gives us his top 5 fight stunts and top 5 car stunts of the Bond franchise! You don't want to miss this fascinating discussion!

It's the Christmas / Holiday Bond And Banter special episode! For the final episode of the year, Jack speaks with "Michael G. Wilson"(played by Bill Koenig) & "Barbara Broccoli" (played by Shayla Miller). The 2 Eon producers are confronted with inconvenient truths about the financial performance of No Time To Die. Plus find out what kind of gifts the half-siblings get each other for the Holidays! Afterwards, Bill & Shayla join the podcast (as themselves) for some banter about Bond, an impromptu version of The Price Is Right (Bond Cameo Edition), Diana The Musical, Holiday plans, & More!

On the 29th episode of Bond And Banter, "The Havelocks" drop in on the podcast just after being tragically gunned down by Gonzalez. They both open up about the events that led to their premature deaths as well as their hopes for their daughter Melina. Afterwards, writers Alan & Gillian Porter join host Jack Lugo for a discussion about their book The James Bond Lexicon, their thoughts on No Time To Die, Alan's new Beatles podcast Before They Were Beatles, and much more!

For the 28th episode of Bond And Banter, host Jack Lugo welcomes guests Linda Zhu (James Bond Radio) & Ben Haworth (Movie Gang Podcast) to discuss the latest film entry in the James Bond franchise, No Time To Die. The group dives into a SPOILER-filled conversation all about the film taking a look at the film's strengths and weaknesses. They also talk about what might be next for the Bond franchise and where they would like the franchise to do moving forward.

On the 27th episode of Bond And Banter, host Jack Lugo invites a panel of Bond fans to discuss No Time To Die. Word of warning -This is very much a SPOILER-filled conversation. Joining the panel are: Bill Koenig of the Spy Command blog, David Lowbridge-Ellis of the Licence To Queer blog, Bond fan & YouTube host Shayla Miller, & master Bond character impressionist Justin Valero. We discuss our thoughts, opinions, and observations on the latest entry in the Eon James Bond series. Find out what we thought were the film's strengths & weaknesses, our thoughts on this conclusion of the Daniel Craig era, and various other observations.

On this all new episode of Bond and Banter, "Barbara Broccoli" is surprised to find host Jack Lugo on the press junket as she promotes the highly anticipated North American release of NO TIME TO DIE. "Barbara" reluctantly answers questions about letting go of Daniel Craig and whether some of the previous Bond actors deserve as much praise as she heaps on Daniel. "Barbara" is of course the highly talented Shayla Miller who returns to the podcasts this time to discuss her encounter with Pierce Brosnan, her Vargas t-shirt design, Halloween plans, favorite horror films, and more! Listen as Jack and Shayla anticipate the release of a new James Bond film!

With the release of No Time To Die finally happening, it's time to talk to recurring Bond and Banter guest "Michael G. Wilson" as host Jack Lugo somehow got himself on the press junket. Jack asks a bunch of tough questions that usually don't get asked by typical entertainment media. Find out how Michael G. Wilson navigates his way through questions about the future of Bond and whether or not Steve Mazzaro deserves most of the credit for writing the Hans Zimmer score. Afterwards, Bill Koenig joins Jack once again for a wide ranging discussion about No Time To Die, the Bond franchise, and even about mortality itself. All this & more in the latest ep of Bond and Banter!

An unrepentant Elekra King joins the podcast shortly after having been shot and killed by James Bond. We attempt to learn more about what led the daughter of an oil tycoon down such a destructive path & make sense of the choices she made to become the criminal mastermind who 007 was forced to stop at all cost. Afterwards, Jack speaks to Bond fan and YouTube host Shayla Miller. They have a fun conversation about James Bond as well their mutual love of Tango & Cash and the TV series Hannibal. Find out Shayla's answers to the JBR Quickfire Questions & how she started her YouTube channel with her friend Chelsea!

On the 23rd episode of Bond and Banter, Willard Whyte tells us how he became such a successful yet reclusive billionaire business magnate. Find out about his ordeal having been kidnapped and replaced by Ernst Stavro Blofeld in a devious plot involving diamonds and a dangerous satellite! How were Bambi and Thumper as prison guards? What was it like to witness the destruction of the oil rig? All this & more! Afterwards, Greg Probst of the Baseball And Whatever podcast joins host Jack Lugo for a fun-filled chat about Bond and baseball.

Host Jack Lugo recounts part of his summer vacation visiting Orlando's Dezerland Park. Then Bond's tailor (seen in Live aand Let Die) stops by for a visit. Jack asks him all about what it's like having 007 as a steady customer. Afterwards, Jack chats with Matt Spaiser who has co-authored a new book From Tailors With Love all about the clothes of Bond and the people who made 007 look iconic on the silver screen for almost 60 years.

On the 21st episode of Bond and Banter, French Detective Achille Aubergine joins the podcast after having been killed by a poisoned paper butterfly during his supper with James Bond at the Eiffel Tower. Host Jack Lugo queries the affable fallen detective about how he feels given his grave set of circumstances. Here's your opportunity to find out more about Detective Aubergine! Afterwards, Quantum of Silliness author Robbie Sims joins the podcast for a wide ranging discussion on Bond including his thoughts on the recent MGM / Amazon merger and what kind of absurd spin-off projects he'll wish to trademark. All this and more!

It's a From Russia With Love extravaganza! Col. Rosa Klebb & Red Grant join the podcast after their fatal encounters with James Bond. Find out why Spectre appealed to each of them as well as inside details about their mission to kill & embarass 007 using a Lektor decoder as bait. Shockingly, they dispel the myth of Bond's sexual prowess! Afterwards, Linda Zhu (James Bond Radio) & Ben Haworth (Movie Gang Podcast) join Jack for some entertaining Bond talk, JBR Quickfire Questions, thoughts on FRWL, & more!

On episode 19 of Bond and Banter, host Jack Lugo interviews Elliot Carver about the events of Tomorrow Never Dies. Find out if the media baron would've done anything differently now that his ambitions have cost him his life at the hands of 007. Hear Carver's insights on the power of the media! Afterwards, Jack speaks with Bond fan Justin Valero about Justin's knack for impressions, his thoughts on the recent Amazon / MGM deal, what to expect from No Time To Die, and more!

It's a very special episode of Bond and Banter! A number of previous guests return to celebrate host Jack Lugo's Birthday Party! Bill Koenig, David Lowbridge-Ellis, Christopher Wood, Michael Kirwan, & Linda Zhu join the festivities for some fantastic Bond talk, musical performances by Chris Wood, & even a full game of Bond Jeopardy over Zoom. The party guests start off chatting about Bond alumni on the Cameo app. Jack plays a number Birthday voicemails from previous podcast guest characters. Chris Wood brilliantly performs 2 songs, and then it's on to Bond Jeopardy! Who will win? Help Jack celebrate his birthday by listening to this special episode!

On the 17th episode of Bond and Banter, host Jack Lugo speaks with Melina Havelock who kindly answers all his questions about her recent quest to avenge the murder of her parents as well as her time with James Bond. Afterwards, Jack interviews Belgian James Bond fan Kathleen Andries. The two of them have a wide ranging conversation about several topics including growing up as a Bond fan in Belgium, visiting Bond locations during her holidays, what certain famous Bond quotes translate to in Dutch, and finally whereabouts should Bond location scouts look if they ever consider shooting a future Bond film in Belgium.