The Massive Attack Podcast

We go back to the 70's this month for our A to Z, and everyone's favourite TV show about a cruise liner (maybe the only one, we're not sure, we didn't research that)... The Love Boat!

We discuss the show, our memories, and spend a bit of time going over the plethora of guest stars that graced the show over it's 250 episode plus run.

As the A to Z continues, this episode we look at the activity that makes every person who can't hold a note think they are a singing superstar, Karaoke!

We discuss the history, our experiences doing it ourselves, some favourite songs to belt out and the dangerous side including Karaoke Rage and the "My Way Killings".

We've reached the letter J, which as Mitch correctly points out is not in fact the half way point of the alphabet, and this month we look at the movie that is often referred to as the one that started the idea of the summer blockbuster, 1975's "Jaws".

We discuss the film, it's difficulties in the actual filming, the sequels, the copycat "deadly animal" genre that it spawned, and Mitch even goes off on Steven Spielberg and "Ready Player One".

For our I episode we go back to the 1980's again, and another of one of the cartoons that had a run in the prestigious ABC TV early evening timeslot, "Inspector Gadget".

We discuss our memories of the cartoon, including it's iconic theme song, as well as the two live action movies that tried to re-spark interest in the character, and the 2015 CGI re-boot.

It's the letter H this month, and after dismissing the idea of covering He-Man, we choose the iconic toy brand, Hot Wheels.

In what started as a discussion of their origins and our own history of having them as kids, turned into an epic confession session with Mitch going in-depth about his current buying obsession. Be warned, they may seem like innocent little toy cars, but they are so much more.

It's back to the 80s toy-cartoon crossovers this episode as we look at the craze of robots changing into vehicles, but it's not the one you instantly though of. No, not Transformers, but the bastard step-child of the transforming robot genre, The Go-Bots, or as it was known here in Australia, Machine Men.

We talk toys, the "Challenge of the Go-Bots" TV series, the absurdity of the Rock Lords, and Mitch gets a little off topic to discuss why Mekaneck is his favourite He-man charactor.

For our F episode of the A to Z we go back to a time when a brave, young adventurer could enter a dungeon or a misty forest, armed only with his trusty sword, and slay dragons and monsters in his quest for treasure...

That's right, 1982. However, that adventurer was actually a spotty-faced teen, and the slaying was with the aid of a pencil, two six-sided dice and a Fighting Fantasy gamebook.

Back when we were young in the 80's, its an understatement to say Star Wars was huge. So, in 1984 when they released an Ewok movie it meant more quality Star Wars content, right? Maybe not so much.

As the a to Z continues, for our episode this time around we're reached the letter E, so we go back and watch the two Ewok spin-off films, "Caravan of Courage" and "A Battle For Endor", plus a little bit of the 1985 Ewok Cartoon series.

We must be gluttons for punishment!

For the letter D we go back to the swinging 60's, with the Dino De Laurentiis produced "Danger: Diabolik" from 1968.

Based on the Italian comic series "Diabolik" it revolves around a spy and his girlfriend pulling off three spectacular heists, and features some very funky tunes, great cinematography and some very familiar scenes if your a fan of 90's Beastie Boys video clips.

As the A to Z continues, this episode we've reached the letter C, so that means its time to look at an example of one of our favourite genres, 80's cartoon/toy tie-ins, and the 1986 series "Centurions: Power Xtreme".

The show itself didn't really hold up, but man do we want to get our hands on some of those sweet figures!

As we continue the A to Z, this episode we look at the 1968 sci-fi classic "Barbarella" staring the very attractive Jane Fonda.

We discuss our connections to the film, how it works when viewed through 2021 eyes, and some of the crazy costumes and design featured in the film.

* B is also for Bad Internet, as we had some skype issues for part of this recording, so  apologies for the sound quality at some stages. *

For the podcast in 2021 we have decided to go back to the A to Z formula we tried a few years ago, so for the letter A we went back to the icon 80's and a show that we both have fond memories of, "The A-Team".

We discuss the history of the show, what worked and what didn't, the awesome van, the equally awesome toy tie-in, and the not so awesome re-boot movie.

Mitch also discusses a doco he found on Youtube called "Bringing back...The A-Team" that is worth checking out too!