Hold tight as I guide you through a whirlwind tour of the latest hot happenings in the world of science fiction and comic book culture. Celebrating our 200th episode, we've got a smorgasbord of topics guaranteed to satisfy your inner geek. From Star Trek Prodigy's big move to Netflix, Disney's high-tech training droids, to the astonishing discovery of a Star Wars X-Wing Starfighter prop missing for decades, we're just getting started.
Ready for more? Brace yourself for a deep-dive into the heart of DC Comics. Unwrap the mystery behind Batman number 428's alternate version, welcome back John Constantine Hellblazer, and soar with the launch of the Superman Superstars storyline. We'll also honor Phyllis Coates, the first to grace screens as Lois Lane, and spill the beans on two new voices joining Rick and Morty's cast for its seventh season.
Finally, the world of animation and acting has been buzzing too! Netflix has inked an exclusive deal with Skydance Animation, Disney is breathing new life into Gargoyles, and legendary Michael Caine has announced his retirement. Meanwhile, Best Buy is cutting the cord on physical media sales. Concluding on a somber note, we pay homage to industry veteran Keith Giffen and Mark Goddard, who have left us but their influential works continue to inspire. Celebrate, engage, and reminisce with us in our 200th episode!
Thanks for listening! Come visit the podcast at https://www.multiversetonight.com/
Hold tight as I guide you through a whirlwind tour of the latest hot happenings in the world of science fiction and comic book culture. Celebrating our 200th episode, we've got a smorgasbord of topics guaranteed to satisfy your inner geek. From Star Trek Prodigy's big move to Netflix, Disney's high-tech training droids, to the astonishing discovery of a Star Wars X-Wing Starfighter prop missing for decades, we're just getting started.
Ready for more? Brace yourself for a deep-dive into the heart of DC Comics. Unwrap the mystery behind Batman number 428's alternate version, welcome back John Constantine Hellblazer, and soar with the launch of the Superman Superstars storyline. We'll also honor Phyllis Coates, the first to grace screens as Lois Lane, and spill the beans on two new voices joining Rick and Morty's cast for its seventh season.
Finally, the world of animation and acting has been buzzing too! Netflix has inked an exclusive deal with Skydance Animation, Disney is breathing new life into Gargoyles, and legendary Michael Caine has announced his retirement. Meanwhile, Best Buy is cutting the cord on physical media sales. Concluding on a somber note, we pay homage to industry veteran Keith Giffen and Mark Goddard, who have left us but their influential works continue to inspire. Celebrate, engage, and reminisce with us in our 200th episode!
Thanks for listening! Come visit the podcast at https://www.multiversetonight.com/
Tonight, prodigy finds a new home. Disney trains, droids, daredevil goes back to the Ryers room, robin 2, redux and remember Mark Goddard, keith Giffen, piper Laurie and Laura Parker. All and more on this 200th edition of Multiverse tonight.
Speaker 2:Books, sci-fi, fantasy and more. If you're looking for a roundup of geeky news, you're in the right place. This is Multiverse Tonight, and here's our host, thomas Townley.
Speaker 1:Well, hello everyone, and welcome to the 200th episode of Multiverse Tonight. Of course, your host Thomas Townley. And well, 200 episodes, that's pretty big. It's a nice round number. I've been doing this for over five years, so that's around well, there was that short time that I did like two episodes a week, but yeah, that's pretty average.
Speaker 1:Where are our listens? The people listen are growing, the people who let me know how we're doing. No one has done that. So you want to give me a 200th episode? Surprise Write in Multiverse Tonight, at MultiverseTonightcom, at MultiverseTom or at Multiverse Tonight on most social medias.
Speaker 1:Anyway, do some news. I have an upcoming surgery. I'm going to get my hemorrhoid taken care of two weeks from today. So, yeah, well, two weeks from tomorrow. I should say this will be the final surgery I hope to have for a long, long time. This has been a long time in coming and it's been needed for a while, so that's something I look forward to. I'm not looking forward to the after effects of it. Well, there are positive and negative after effects. Negative after effects of here that the first bowel movement is killer, but after that it'll be time off, it'll be recovery. Oh good, it's also starting to be fall here in Kansas. Leaves are changing color, temperatures are getting cooler, so we have that.
Speaker 1:Anyway, let's get on with some Star Trek news, and we begin Star Trek news with Star Trek Prodigy season two warping its way to Netflix. The animated kids series set in the Star Trek universe originally aired on Paramount Plus Nickelodeon back in 2021. And it was renewed for a second season, but Paramount announced that they were just going to scrap the second season and remove the first season from Paramount Plus in June of 2023. Now the first season, prodigy, will debut on Netflix later this year, with the second season slid to mirror on the streaming giant in 2024. With this move, prodigy will be the first new Star Trek series to air domestically outside the Paramount Plus ecosystem since the revamped Star Trek TV universe relaunched with Star Trek Discovery way back in 2017. Alex Kurtzman and the Haguemans said in a joint statement quote Thank you to our incredible Star Trek project fans, who championed not just the show but the community that always has been connected to it by belief that we can build a better future together. We set out to inspire you, but you inspired us. The team is still hard at work on the second season and we can't wait to share it with the amazing fans around the world. So I guess that means that sometime in 2024 I'll have to subscribe to Netflix for a month or two. And just when they raise prices, sneaky, sneaky Netflix.
Speaker 1:Idw's publishing IDW publishing Eisner nominated line of Star Trek comics is expanding in 2023. First off, there is Star Trek Sons of Star Trek, a new four issue mini series announced during the boldly go panel at New York Comic Con. The four issue Star Trek Sons of Star Trek series will spin out of the Star Trek Day of Blood, which is the first ever IDW comic book crossover event which you had the crews of all the IDW Star Trek series and the Star Trek Defiance spin off. Morgan Hampton, who wrote Cyborg for DC, will write Star Trek Sons of Star Trek and veteran Star Trek comics artist Angel Hernandez will draw the book, which will debut in early 2024.
Speaker 1:Now Star Trek Sons of Star Trek. We'll see Jake Cisco, the son of the recently returned Benjamin Cisco, feeling unmoored in the aftermath of Day of Blood. At the same time, alexander Rojenko's, son of Wharf, is recovering from his indoctrination by Klingon and Perkeles' second and subsequent death and resurrection while rekting with his actions on behalf of the Red Path. Their paths will become entangled when they find themselves in an alternate universe where they both follow more explicitly in their father's footsteps, each joining Starfleet and serving aboard the USS Burton. During their time in that universe they will meet other offspring of Star Trek characters, including Nog and Q Junior, and with that we go to the Star Wars News. Roger.
Speaker 1:Roger. Star Wars news begins with Disney imaginary issuing videos that showcase the new technology, allows the free roaming droids, called droids in training, to interact with guests. Moritz Moritz Baccar, associate lab director at Disney Research, said in one of the clips, quote the robots actually learn to imitate artistic motion. That's the secret sauce them to make them work so quickly. They can actually emote and learn to dance. They can get really angry and the eyes turn red. They walk over uneven terrain and they can still bounce. They're really robust. Now what they do. This during a play test mode at at the moment, but that will possibly expand to with more data coming in on their performance. So, yep, we Disney is training droids. Welcome our new robot overlords. This is an interesting story.
Speaker 1:The model of a Star Wars X-wing Starfighter and original prop used in the filming of the original Star Wars movie, a new hope, has sold for a record setting three point one, three, five million dollars. They heritage auction in Delft, texas, over the weekend. The model X-wing was a piece from a collection of the late Oscar nominate VFX specialist and model maker, greg Jean, who, whose works in Star Trek movies after oblivion and near stellar are Pretty vast, which had now, that said they had thought they had lost this for decades and it just turned up in one of the boxes found in Jean's garage following his death in May of 2022. According to specs of the model provided auction, this model X-wing was built by industrial light magic to be flown by red leader in the climactic space dogfight between the Rebel Alliance and the Empire's Death Star. The model is one of just four hero filming majors with articulating, server-controlled wings and lights used for close-up shots of the dogfight During the final battle, including the iconic trench run sequence. That's pretty cool. Now let's go on to the Marvel news, and we begin the Marvel news with Sony's Spider-Man across the spider-verse Having its Netflix premiere date set one of the top grossers of the year at, with a take of over 690 million worldwide.
Speaker 1:The film will debut on Netflix on October 31st. Now details to for other territories have not been disclosed. Now, this was. This is the first of two sequels whose Sony's 2018 best-animate feature, oscar winner Spider-Man into the spider-verse Across the spider-verse, comes to Netflix as part of the studio's five-year pay one licensing deal with the streamer, which has seen myriad Sony titles across arrive at. To top these services, church Pick a joint. The picture joins a false sleave. Titles made for the whole family includes best Christmas ever on November 16th. The new and made Adam Sandler pick Leo on November 21st. Mcgee's family switch on November 30th and Chicken run dawn of the nugget on December 15th.
Speaker 1:Stan Lee's daughter, jc Lee, has filed a lawsuit against POW entertainment, the company that owns the rights to her father's name, likeness and intellectual property.
Speaker 1:The lawsuit Alleges a series of suspicious transactions have deluded miss Lee's Stake in the company that she has not been paid as required under the electric intellectual property agreement.
Speaker 1:Jc Lee is seeking access to POWs and power attainments, power attainments books and records. The lawsuit alleges that so. Stanley and his wife, silly wife Joan Lee, initially owned nearly 45% of the company, which was formed back in 2012. Back in 2001, however, the lawsuit alleges a series of questionable transactions have left the Lee trust, of which JC Lee is the trustee, with only 15% of the company Now. The lawsuit also alleges that camsing international holdings, the parent company of a majority owner of power entertainment, now intends to sell its stake in the company. Upon learning this in August, jc Lee, through her attorneys, requested access to the company's records, but was denied, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit also alleges that JC Lee is owed money for the sale of Stanley merchandise, as well as an annual salary in the amount of $125,000 that was to be paid to her in the event of her father's death. Power attainment did not in me, did not the Respond to any requests for comment. Their devil born again is undergoing a major creative overhaul.
Speaker 1:According to Variety, the Disney plus series for Marvel Studios has recently parted ways with headwriters Chris Ord and Matt Foreman and is currently seeking brand new writers to revamp the show. Ord and Corvin will still be credits as exec producers and with less than half of the series, 18 episode order shot prior to the beginning of the SAG. After strike, marvel has also released the directors from from the remaining episodes of the season. Some elements of the already shot material will be used going forward, but Marvel is looking to take the show in a new creative direction. Their devil is still unable to return to full-scale production as the writers still remain on strike, although they're currently in negotiations with the studios to return to work, which doesn't seem to be going well, by the way. Now, of course, the writers Guild of America Reach third deal with the studios to end their strike and 99% of the guilds membership return to work, or the guilds membership did return work now so this is Big, are you know?
Speaker 1:I wonder what that, what they're thinking? Are they trying to Aim the show more towards the comic book storyline? Are they trying to Make it fit better within the current MCU run? You know that they look at secret invasion and how uneven the television Disney plus TV series are doing right now. And just he said, mmm, let's, you know, tweak this a bit. Who knows? I guess we'll just have to wait. The house of ideas took to New York Comic-Con stage to unveil plans to end the X-Men's Cracow era, while also unveiling the first four titles in the new Ultimate Universe. On top of that, marvel creators were on hand to announce the first major comic book event of 2024 the vampire themed blood hunt, which will feature a vampiric tale. The events main series will be led by Judd McKay, pepe Loras and Marty Garcia, and with other creative teams handling tie-in issues and spin-offs. Mckay said that New York Comic-Con quote we have vampires in our books all the time. There's some bad blood there.
Speaker 1:What happens if the shoe was on the other foot? We've got the Avengers moon nights, midnight mission, doctor, strange miles, morale, so, of course, blade, and there's going to be more vampires than you can shake a stick at Now. According to Marvel, blood hunt will follow vampires as they try to take over the Marvel Universe. According to current Avengers scribe, jed McKay, and the claims and the, and according to the publisher excuse me vampires have always walked amongst the shadows of the Marvel Universe. But in spring, 20 for 24, the long night arrives and these blood sucking tears will enter the spotlight like never before. The main event series will be brought to life by an, a team of Marvel talent in the classic Marvel fashion. Blood hunt will also spill out into a host of tie-in issues in Marvel's host Current series and we'll see launches of all new series, new limited series, one shots redefining these status quo. You know you got to love it when they, when they Trot out the term status quo After being teased and also also Our news also being teased during the lead up to ultimate invasion. Marvel comics has officially revealed its upcoming lineup of comics for its unlimited universe relaunch. It's limited universe originally began as an imprint in the early 2000s and and gave way to Marvel tying updated origin stories for the for your favorite Marvel heroes. It also was the inspiration for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With the ultimate invasion main series by Jonathan Hickman and Brian Hitch Concluded, the publishers revealed which heroes will be starring in new comics launching in the ultimate universe. Marvel announced the first three ultimate universe comics during the Marvel next big thing panel at NYCC. Those three comics are ultimate spire man, number one by artist Jonathan Hickman and artist Marco Marco Cechetto. Ultimate black panther, number one, by writer Art Brian Hill and artist Stefano Casselli. And ultimate X-Men, number one, written and drawn by peach Mamoko. Chachetti recently wrapped up the fan favorite run on Daredevil. Alongside Chip Zadarski, hill is the current writer of the new blade ongoing series and, along with Providing beautiful brain covers from our various Marvel titles, mamoko is also the creative behind the demon Wars mini series.
Speaker 1:Now let's go on to the DC Comics news. Now I'm going to say this comes from an old man, by the way. One of the most famous publishing initiatives that DC Comics ever pulled was when it let readers decide the fate of Batman sidekick Robin back in 1988's Batman number 426. The Death of the Family storyline that started the event that allowed readers to make a choice should Batman's current Robin, jason Todd, live or die in the comic and this was before I started reading comics myself. Two phone numbers were put together along, allowing readers the opportunity to call in and make their voices heard. Now, considering how tight the publishing deadline would be for the series, however, two versions of the comic were prepared for publication and, depending on the votes, one of those went to print and the other one went to the filing cabinet. Now we all know that the version where Jason Todd died was the one that made it to stand back then. Now we finally get to see the other version. That and your Comic Con.
Speaker 1:Dc Comics confirmed that the alternate version of Batman number 428 will be published later this year. Dc made the announcement during the Gotham City Confidential, revealing that the version of Batman 428 prepared by writer Jim Starling, penciller Jim Apparo and Inker Mike Decarlo colors, adrien Droy and Leroy John Costanza will be released in a faux smile edition of Batman number 428. Alongside other publishers, dc had previously released facsimile editions of Noble Issues from the past, but a fac smile is a new one Now. This alternate version of Batman number 428 will be published on December 12th of this year, just two months from now. So that would be kind of an interesting thing to read. What would have happened if Jason Todd had lived? I would definitely would have changed the entire course of Batman. You wouldn't have the Red Hood later, or maybe you would have, I don't know. It's kind of an interesting. What if? To other.
Speaker 1:DC Comics news. John Constantine the Hellblazer is headed back to pages of DC Comics with a catch On the coming up. In DC Multiverse Panel at NYCC, the publisher announced the first details surrounding John Constantine Hellblazer. Dead in America. The new 8 issue mini series, which arrives in January of 2024, will be published under DC's black label imprint and will continue to the narrative of Cy Spurrier and Aaron Campbell's previous John Constantine Hellblazer series. In Dead in America, spurrier, campbell and the colors Jordy Belair will partner for what is being called the second act of Constantine's saga. Also, action Comics has remained a crown jewel in DC's comics, with the Dawn of DC initiative helping introduce it to a whole new audience.
Speaker 1:Dc revealed during the Metropolis All-Stars panel at NYCC the action will be kicking off a brand new storyline initiative in 2024. Dc announced Superman Superstars, a year-long string of stories that will be told in the pages of Action Comics From January through December of 2024, the book will feature a rotating array of writers and artists who will team up on mini-arcs. Superman Superstars will begin with I Bizarro, a three-issue arc from Jason Aaron and artist John Timbs. I Bizarro will stretch from January's Action Comics number 1061 through March's Action Comics number 1063. So interesting things with Action Comics. Now to something else.
Speaker 1:Dc is officially bringing back its fan-favorite Elseworlds banner At the Elsewhere. In the DC Multiverse panel, the publisher announced that it will officially relaunch the banner in early 2024. The initial line of book books will follow the mission statement of the original Elseworlds line, which launched in 1991 and offered stories that took place outside of DC's main continuity, including Kingdom Come, superman, ritz Sun and Justice League of the Nail. This time around, dc will be using the Elseworlds banner on sequels to establish titles like the Six-issue Deathstroke-centric mini-series, dark Knights of Steel all winter, the 12-issue DC vs Vampires, world War V. The initial launch will also include Green Lantern Dark, following the tangent iteration of the character, and Gotham by Gaslight, the Kryptonian Age, a 12-issue series from Andy Diggle and Larandra Fernandez, following up on the beloved Gotham by Gaslight. Elseworlds will also be the home of original works such as Batman the Barbarian from Greg Smallwood and Batman Night Fire by Clay, but with the Sef man. Now, to close out the DC news, we have a little sad, a little bit sad news.
Speaker 1:Tv's first Lois Lane, phyllis Coates, has passed away at the age of 96 years old Coates played the iconic Daily Planet reporter in Lois Lane in Adventures of Superman for one season which told 24 episodes in 1952-53. Coates' daughter, lori Press, told the Haldre Reporter that her mother died Wednesday of natural causes at the Motion Picture Intelligent Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills. Now, before playing Lois Lane in Adventures of Superman, coates portrayed the heroine opposite George Reeves in 1951 Superman and the Mole Men, which led to the creation of Adventures of Superman. Now, superman and the Mole Men was the man of steel's first successful full-length theatrical film.
Speaker 1:Phyllis Coates, documented in Tom Weaver's 2006 book Science Fiction Stars and Horror Hopes, told that she was paid about $350 for each episode of Adventures of Superman, with some episodes being shot, four or five at one time. She told the author of the book quote we are nearly blown up, beaten up, exploited, exploited. I guess it was because we were young and dumb, but we put up with a lot of stuff. Not too long ago, I saw an episode Night of Terror where I got knocked out, unquote. Now Coates was invited back for Adventures of Superman, season two. However, she passed on the opportunity after she signed up for another series starring Jack Carson and Alan Jenkins. That show never made it to air.
Speaker 1:Now Noel Neal would, of course, replace Coates as Lois Lane and played the role for the remaining five seasons. Phyllis Coates was born Gypsy Anne Everett-Stell. On January 15, 1927 in Wichita Falls, Texas. She was discovered in Ken Murray's comedy show. Along with acting, Coates also had part of USO tours. Movie credits also include Jungle Drums of Africa, Gun Fires of the Northwest and Panther Girl of the Congo. As for other TV works, she also starred in the Lone Ranger, Perry Mason, Rawhide, Gunsmoke and more. Phyllis Coates was 96 years old.
Speaker 1:Now let's go on to the geek news. Rick and Morty has announced the new voice actors who are replacing Justin Royland for season seven of the Ann-Made series. They both swim and now had announced their parting ways with Rick and Morty co-creator Justin Royland ahead of season seven's release, but also confirmed that they were committed to releasing the new episodes due to the work of the rest of the team being behind it. Now, laying to the premiere of Rick and Morty season seven, this ends up being one of the biggest mysteries as to how the Rick and Morty team would be handling the replacement of the two title characters Now, after previously revealing their intention to cast sound-like actors to replace Royland as Rick and Morty. The first trailer had revealed their voices for the first time and they're pretty good matches, but they'll swim had been holding back an announcement of who the new actors were until the premiere of the first episode. With an interview with the Hall of the Reporter, they revealed that Ian Cardone will be the new voice for Rick Sanchez and Harry Belden will be the new voice for Morty Smith for season seven and the seasons after that, and they sound pretty good. I mean, they're a little different, but for sound likes they're doing a good job so far and I think it'll be really easy to get used to the new way they sound.
Speaker 1:David Elton's Skydance Animation has found a new home at Netflix. Let's see. We're getting a lot of Netflix news today. Ending a lucrative distribution pack with Apple Studios, Skydance Animation, which is run by John Lasseter with President Holly Edwards, will now exclusively release its animated movies directly to Netflix in an arrangement that will span multiple years, with the Studios' existing slate also moving exclusively to the streamer. First up will be Spellbound, which was previously going to be released to Apple. The film starring Rachel Zegler and Titus Burgess is now set for release on Netflix in 2024, followed by Pukku in 2025. Other films include Ray Gunn, directed by Brad Bird, and an untitled Jack and the Beanstalk project directed by Rich Moore. Now, theatrical releases do not seem to be part of the new Netflix Skydance Animation agreement.
Speaker 1:Disney branded Telgene is in early development on a live action reboot of the mid-90s animated Telgene series Gargoyles for Disney+. This is confirmed by Deadlinecom. The project hails from Annabelle writer Gary Dobberman and James Wan's Atomic Monster. Based on the classic cult Disney animated series, the reboot centers around Goliath, the last of a heroic race of Gargoyle warriors who once lived among mankind, Free from centuries-long curse that turned them into stone. Goliath struggles to solve the mystery of his past while watching over Marenday New York City alongside police detective Lisa Moussa, Directed by Greg Wiseman. The original Walt Disney Telgene animated series aired from 1994 to 1997 and revolved around nocturnal creatures known as Gargoyles that turned to stone during the day. They were awakened after being trapped in stone form after a thousand years in medieval Scotland, when they were brought above the clouds to the modern-day New York City. Michael Cain has decided to retire from the world of acting. Bbc Radio 4 spoke to the actor and he said he's done.
Speaker 1:I keep saying I'm going to retire. Well, I am now. The Academy Award winner has been acting for decades. With his run coming to an end, the great escape will be the final film featuring Cain, and he's the leading man in that picture. Now it's staggering to think about his 160 credits in movies and the sheer number of actors who've worked alongside him in some capacity. His performance in the great escape is already drawing praise from various critics, but that's not enough for him to stay around, most likely because he can't be the leading actor anymore, by his own estimation. So we wish Michael Cain the best in his retirement.
Speaker 1:Best Buy has confirmed its ending sales of most physical media following reports surfacing claiming exactly that If you play video games on Nintendo, playstation or Xbox, don't worry, you're not impacted by this change in strategy. As Best Buy has confirmed, it will continue to sell physical video games, both online and in stores. What won't be selling going forward will be physical media of TVs and movies, including Blu-ray and DVD. This will apply to both in-store and online purchases. According to an official statement from Best Buy, the change will give the retailer more space and opportunity to bring customers new and innovative tech what exactly that means.
Speaker 1:Who knows? Best Buy hasn't provided any details about what that tech is, but say that customers will learn more about it in the future. Prime Video on this past Saturday unveiled the main cast for its upcoming adult animated series has Been the Hotel, season 1. Series regulars include Erica Hennigstin as Charlie, stephanie Beatrice as Vad Vaji, alex Breitman as Sir Penteas, keith David as Husk, kymiko Glenn as Nifty, blake Roman as Angel Dust and Amir Tully as Alastor, with Christian Borley and Joel Perez also joining the cast as noble demons of Hell, vox and Valentino respectively. The announcement was made at New York Comic Con, where has Been the Hotel creator and exec producer, vivian Modrino, debuted a portion of the original song Happy Day in Hell. Prime Video last month announced a two-season order of has Been the Hotel from A24 and Bento Box Entertainment, which originated as an animated pilot released on YouTube in 2019 that quickly gained over 8-9 million viewers when a rabid worldwide fanbase. Some of the actors of the series video cast have also been on a fan dream cast list circulating online. The eight-issue season 1 of has Been the Hotel is set to premiere January of 2024.
Speaker 1:The show follows Charlie, the Princess of Hell, as she pursues her seemingly impossible goal of rehabilitating demons to peacefully reduce overpopulation in the kingdom. After a yearly extermination imposed by angels, she opens a hotel in the hopes that patrons will be checking out into heaven, while most of Hell mocks her goal. Her devote partner Vaggie and their first test signet, the adult film star Angel Dust, stick by her side, with a powerful entity known as the Radio Demon reaching out to assist Charlie in her endeavors. Her crazy dream is given a chance to become a reality. Microsoft has closed a $68.7 billion deal to acquire Activision Blizzard on Friday, after getting the green light from regulators in the United Kingdom nearly two years after it was first announced. The finished deal was disclosed in an SEC filing as well as a press release sent out by Microsoft Quote. Together, we'll create new worlds and stories, bringing fan favorite games to more places so more players can join in, and they'll engage with enthylite players in a new innovative wave in the places they love to play, including mobile cloud streaming and more Quote. Now the UK's Competition and Market Authority announced the approval of the Microsoft Activision Blizzard acquisition. The regulatory agency cited Microsoft's concession in August 2023 to transfer Activision's cloud gaming rights to Ubisoft Entertainment for current and new titles released over the next 15 years.
Speaker 1:As a game changer that will promote competition, fox will utilize its NFL double header on Sunday, january 7th, to help launch the network's latest animated comedy, grimsburg. The show, starring John Hamm, who also execs producers, will air immediately following the second game in all time zones Now. The scheduling strategy was set to be announced on Saturday at New York Comic Con, where Fox held panels for both Grimsburg and its new animated comedy, crapopolis. At the event, grimsburg showrunner Chad Ginden planned to discuss the new series and introduce an early screening of the show's first episode. Both Grimsburg and Crapopolis are produced by Pinto Box and are wholly owned by Fox.
Speaker 1:Grimsburg censors on Marvin Flute, played by John Hamm, described as maybe the greatest detective to ever catch a cannibal clown and correctly identify a mid-century modern amour. But there's one mystery he still can't crack himself the date. To do that, he must return to Grimsburg, a town where everyone has a secret or three, and redeem himself in the eyes of his fellow detective, his ferocious ex-wife and his lovely, unstable son. The show also stars Aaron Hayes, rachel Dratch, alan Tudyk, kevin Michael Richardson and Craig Chun. As always, we close out with those who have gone on before Laura Parker, who found the role of a lifetime at just 28 years old, when she was cast by Dark Shell's producer, dan Curtis, as a beautiful, vengeful and altogether evil witch. Angelene Bouchard Collins died October 12th in her sleep in Los Angeles following a battle with cancer. She was 84 years old. Her death was announced by producer Jim Pearson of Dan Curtis Productions on behalf of Parker's family.
Speaker 1:Parker, who also authorized four popular Dark Shellers-related novels from 1998 to 2016, arrived on the supernatural soap opera in 1967, not long after Canadian actor John Freed had been cast as vampire Barnabas Collins. Freed's storyline changed the show from a moody gothic Jane-era type serial to a flat-out horror show. When Curtis and the show's writers decided to do a six-month story arc, set in 1795, to show how Barnabas had become a bloodsucker, they set about finding an actress who would play the witch who'd set the curse on him. Although some cast members had imagined a raven-haired sorceress, producer and creator Curtis apparently saw something in the blonde blue eye and, in some lights, green. Some of the acts had Parker that screamed Martinique Witch. As with most of his gut instincts, curtis was exactly right. No sooner had she arrived on the show in autumn of 1967 as an unassuming servant girl to Barnabas' fiancé, josette Dupree, when she began casting spells, othering incantations, turning one foe into a cat and, by the end of the flashback arc, something in the bat that would curse Barnabas for eternity, all while filling the small screen with her stunning blue-green eyes, widened to a maniacal, effective extent. Parker became an instantiation at the time, rivaling only by Barnabas among the show's useful fandom. So popular was Parker that she appeared on the Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson and bit the host on the neck after putting in her specially made vampire fangs.
Speaker 1:Parker, who would stay with the series until its cancellation in 1971, played multiple characters, but nearly all of them Alesis of the Diplosis, angelique. Now she'd briefly play Angelique as a vampire and for several months donned a short-ish black wig and very 60s lime-green mini-starts to disguise herself as Cassandra Blair who, with a little spell-casting magic, quickly married into the wealthy Collins family. But sooner or later Angelique proper will return to make trouble for the Collins clan, as fans demanded, no less, leaving New York City where a shower was taped, for Los Angeles with her then-husband and two small sons. Parker often would say in interviews and many at the many Dark Shows conventions she attended, that she expected the four-year phenomenon, to have been Daytime's first supernatural soap to open Hollywood's doors, but being the subject of countless fan articles, interviews and promotional events, could not weigh Hollywood's antipathy to soaps, especially one that had been as campy as Dark Shadows. Parker would say that she thought Angelique would have been a springboard to movie roles, but would realize late in life that the witch had been her greatest and most enduring part.
Speaker 1:And Laura Parker passed away at the age of 84 years old. Piper Laurie, who achieved success as an actress after breaking free from the studio system, had passed away at the age of 91. The talented actress garnered three Oscar nominations during her career. Marian Rosenberg, laurie's manager, confirmed her passing to Variety and described her as quote, a beautiful human being and one of the greatest talents of our time. Laurie received her first Oscar nomination for her role alongside Paul Newman in the 1961 classic the Hustler, where she portrayed an alcoholic character who famously said to Newman's character, quote look, I've got troubles. I think maybe you've got troubles. Maybe it'd be better if we'd just leave each other alone Now, after taking an informal break from the entertainment industry to raise a family for a decade, she made her successful return to film and television in the mid 1970s, delivering remarkable performances, including her Oscar nominated roles in Carrie and Children of a Lesser God, where she portrayed the icy mother of Marley Matlin's character.
Speaker 1:Now, her portrayal in Carrie was particularly chilling as she portrayed the mother of the titular shy, telekinetic girl who was twisted personal fixation on what was suppressing sexuality. Her roles in the scheming and power hungry Catherine Martell and David Lynch's iconic TV series Twin Peaks earned her two of her nine Emmy nominations. Laurie won her only Emmy for her part in the powerful 1986 Hallmark Hall of Fame production of Promises, where she offered help to James Woods's schizophrenic character and James Garner's brother. In 1999, laurie received her final Emmy nomination for a guest role on Frasier, where she played the role of Dr Laura Slesinger, portrayed by the mother of Dr Laura Slesinger, which was portrayed by Christine Baransky. She was cast as a law mother. What can we say Now? She had a lot more roles than that, including St Elsewhere, the Thorn Birds and plenty of other shows. Her more recent appearances include ER Diagnosis, murder Touched by an Angel, will and Grace and Law and Order SVU. Her final film appearances included LG in 2004,. The Dead Girl, where she portrayed another harsh mother and hound dog, where she portrayed the stern grandmother of rape victim Dakota Fanning. She also appeared in Hesher, in which she shared a memorable scene with Joseph Gordon Levitt. She was born in 1932 and had her debut in 1950's film Louisa. She was married and she was survived by her daughter, annie Grace. Again, piper Laurie was 91 years old.
Speaker 1:Keith Giffen, a legendary comic creator known for his work on Justice League International and Leech on Superheroes, as well as co-creating characters like Rocket Raccoon, lobo and Jamie Reese, the Blue Beetle, has passed away at the age of 70 years old. Giffen reportedly suffered a stroke on Sunday, october 9th, before passing away one day later on October 10th. In accordance to his family wishes, giffen's Facebook page broke the news with the statement reading quote I told them I was sick. Anything not to go to New York Comic Con. Thanks, keith Giffen. 1952 to 2023. Boah-ha-ha-ha-ha. Unquote. Born in Queens, new York, on November 30th 1952, giffen first broke into comics with a tech story the Sword and the Star, in 1976's Marvel Preview no 4. That same year, giffen and Mantello co-created the now-famous Guardians of the Galaxy member Rocket Raccoon in Marvel Preview no 7.
Speaker 1:Over at DC, giffen had a lengthy tenure writing and a string legend of superheroes, which included co-creating the Great Darkness Sogna storyline with Paul Levitts. Across the early and mid-1980s, giffen worked on characters like Dr Fate, amethyst, aquaman, lobo and Ambush Bug. Giffen explained in a 2000 interview with the Jack Kirby collector quote comic books are such a small, incestuous and bread-loved business I mean that in a good way we take this job so seriously. All the time I was doing Justice League, even when I was number one and outselling everything Justice League, even when I was outselling everything DC had there was not a day that went by that I was not pressured to take the humor out. It's destroying the book.
Speaker 1:People would yank their characters out of the book. I don't like Keith getting them. He'll make fun of them. And the deal I had with people was when they'd walk in the door of the embassy their, mine. When they'd walk out I would return them to you in the same shape they were when they came in.
Speaker 1:But some people couldn't handle the idea that Batman had a rise since humor or that beetle and booster could be bumpkins. They totally missed the point of the book which Ambush Bug was basically a comic book canade innocent but broad, maybe pointing out things the companies didn't want you to know, like when we did our spoof of crisis. We told the truth Crisis on the only earth we're allowed to use. It didn't go over big. There were a lot of people who got their feathers ruffled. Lobo was originally meant as an indictment of the Grimm and Gritty hero with a gun. To me, there were villains who were doing the right thing for the wrong reason. But boy, so many people missed the joke.
Speaker 1:Now, in 1987, he, jm Dematis and Kevin McQuire began their run on Justice League, which became known as Justice League International. The run filled the iconic super team with lesser known superheroes, spawning beloved elements like Maxwell Ward, as well as the iconic one punch moment In Larry Ears. Giffin's work included being the breakdown artist on DC's 52 and countdown to Final Crisis, as well as the writer on Marvel's Annihilation event. He was also involved with the first solo series for Jamie Reese's Blue Beetle, as well as Green Arrow, justice League, 300, invent man and the Forever People. Keith Kevin was 70 years old and he will be missed.
Speaker 1:Then, finally, tonight, mark Goddard, known for playing Major Don West on the CBS series Lost in Space, passed away in Hingham, massachusetts, on October 10th of the Pulmonary Fibrosis. He was 87 years old. As Stegma posted on Facebook, goddard's wife, evelyn Pizzozulik, confirmed that the actor was hospitalized with pneumonia and then transferred to a rehabilitation center, where doctors discovered he was in the final stages of the Pulmonary Fibrosis. Goddard's Lost in Space co-star, bill Moomey, also confirmed his death in a Facebook statement. Quote RIP to Mark Goddard, a truly beloved friend and brother to me for 59 years. I knew this was coming for the past few months. Shortly after a great phone chat we had at his 87th birthday in late July, I became aware that I would most likely never see or speak with him again. The last words we exchanged were I love you. Unquote Now.
Speaker 1:Lost in Space was created and produced by Irwin Allen and lost only three seasons and spanned 83 episodes from 1965 to 1968. The series followed a Robinson family Space colonists aboard the Jupiter II, in a ship piloted by Goddard's character, major Don West. His character was played by Matt LeBlanc in the 1998 feature adaptation and Inato's Siratio in Netflix's recent reboot of the series. Bill Moomey continued in his statement, quote Mark was a truly fine actor, naturally gifted as well as trained. I know he sometimes felt constrained by the campy frame that LIS constrained him within, but he also embraced it and loved it.
Speaker 1:Born July 24th 1936, as Charles Harvey Goddard was raised in the coastal town of Situate, massachusetts, and attended Holy Cross, but left in 1958 his junior year of college to pursue acting. He went on to study at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts before moving to Hollywood in 1959, where he appeared in four Star Telgens projects the Rifleman and TV movie Women on the Run. He continued working on four star projects, taking roles in Johnny Ringo and the Detectives, and after appearing on numerous episodes of other TV shows, he then joined Lost in Space. During his time on Lost in Space, goddard also appeared in films the Monkey's Uncle and I Raged to Live in 1965, as well as the Lovens in 1967. Following the series' end, goddard went to work on Soap Opera's One Life to Live in General Hospital and was featured in 1977's film Blue Sunshine.
Speaker 1:After complying his college education and earning his master's degree, goddard taught children with special educational needs for over 20 years in Massachusetts. He was survived by his wife Evelyn, and daughter producer Melissa Goddard. And again, goddard was 87 years old and a big salute to him becoming a teacher. That's an excellent profession. Now, that brings us to the end of this episode.
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Speaker 1:Check out our show notes at our T-Bubble store and so much more at the brand new Multiverse Tonight dot com. Why say brand new? It's just a way of writing a script. If you're a subscriber, be sure to share us with your friends, and if you're brand new to the show, thank you very much. You don't have to buy listening to the previous 200 episodes if you don't want to, but thank you very much. I'll leave some feedback. Let me know how we're doing. Special thanks to Shane Ivers for the intro music and Lobo Loco for the outro theme music. Thanks for watching this edition of Multiverse Tonight. We'll be back in two weeks with more sci-fi and comic book news. Now please exit the universe in an orderly fashion. Good night. Multiverse Tonight is a production of half-big genre productions. Copyright 2023. All rights reserved. This podcast is part of the Pop Goes the Culture podcast network. Find out more about our other podcasts at popgoestheculturecom.