Podcast Portal: Franchise Shmanchise

Welcome to Podcast Portal: a spontaneous column that will highlight podcasts of all genres that are lesser known or new shows that are worth giving a listen. With the medium continuing to grow, it is hard to acknowledge all of them. However, I am going to try and find as many noteworthy titles as possible to share and hopefully expand your mind to the greatest growing medium out there. If you have any podcast that you feel is worth adding to the Podcast Portal, please make sure to inform me whether through the comments or through an e-mail (information in sidebar). 

SHOW: Franchise Shmanchise
HOSTS: Jeff Bell, T.C. De Witt
NETWORK: Ghost Hat Media
EPISODE BEING DISCUSSED: "The Die Hard Franchise: 1. Die Hard"

In the modern era, it's quite easy to think that the only way to make money off of a movie is with a sequel to something popular. The logic is already there, especially with both Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Jurassic World dominating 2015's overall box office grosses. There's something to it that should make you wonder what all of these franchises are really about. What makes one more successful than the other, especially when the sequels are rarely as good as the first one out? Well, entering the game is the latest from Ghost Hat Media called Franchise Shmanchise, which will attempt to answer the dilemmas of the modern trend by dissecting each film at length.

Up first is the Die Hard franchise. It seems like an appropriate starting point for many reasons, including its strange relationship with Christmas movies; and the unfortunate death of Alan Rickman, whose role in this film is one of his most beloved. While the podcast may seem like a tribute of sorts when they discuss Rickman's involvement, the episode is said to have been recorded almost a month ago. Still, the idea of starting with Die Hard is itself an intriguing idea solely because it was meant to be the anti-Rambo, with the ordinary man rescuing the day. Despite this, the series only got crazier and crazier, and it is likely that the two hosts will be discussing the highs and lows with each passing entry.
Co-host Jeff Bell has been commonplace on Ghost Hat Media's fine programming, notably on the A.F.I. Top 100 countdown show Top Shelf. His chemistry with T.C. De Witt and deconstructing knowledge of this film makes the running time a breeze and its overall commentary enjoyable. He's thankfully grown in his podcast personality since the early Top Shelf episodes and is definitely a welcomed reason to give this new show a chance. Considering how passionately various topics are explored within the film, one can only wonder what things will be nitpicked with the inferior sequels finally show up.
What does the show offer beyond insightful commentary? According to Jeff, he claims that they will attempt to make better sense of the franchise. Why did the films need to exist in the first place? While we've only gotten a peak into the original Die Hard, there's some intriguing commentary regarding John McClain's origin as a Frank Sinatra film that gives it some context. I am unsure how deep they'll go into continuity, but it'll be intriguing to see where the show goes, especially during the lengthier franchises. The one thing that's known is that every episode will end with the best question a show like this could have: "Did this film need a sequel?" It's a loaded question, but it does lead to some interesting personal opinions among the two hosts, especially when dissecting a logical reasoning behind it.
As a whole, Franchise Shmanchise is definitely a worthwhile show for those who enjoy talking about movies and their problematic legacies. From the inaugural episode alone, there's a lot of interesting potential in things to come (they plan to cover the Look Who's Talking franchise in about 600 episodes, so watch out). Beyond that, the hosts are just two good friends who really know how to make for compelling banter. It's a solid debut with a lot to offer, and hopefully will feature a lot of interesting gimmicks when they get to the awful sequels ahead. Fingers crossed that they can make it as fun and informative as Top Shelf and the other Ghost Hat line-up (which if you haven't listened to, check them out).



OVERALL RATING: 4 out of 5
WORTH A SECOND GO?: If you're into podcasts that go in depth about franchise movies, I don't see why you wouldn't. It's informative and entertaining in all of the right ways with two hosts that at least sound like they know what they're doing.

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