Jo is joined by Hrishikesh Hirway and Jessica McKenna to celebrate the greatest fictional musical acts in movies and TV. They hand out awards for the best songs, performances, band names, and more, plus a quick check-in on the upcoming season of ‘The Vampire Lestat.’
(00:00) Intro
(05:45) Lestat Lestat Lestat Lestat
(25:03) Fictional Bands Hall of Fame
(01:30:26) The Potential Nominees
Explore the exclusive collection at Target.com
Host: Joanna Robinson
Guest: Hrishikesh Hirway and Jessica McKenna
Producers: Cameron Dinwiddie and Scott Lee
Studio Production: Jacob Cornett
Social: Jomi Adeniran
Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The 2026 Summer Hype Meter
06/02/2026 | 1h 30 mins.
Mal and Jo are here again to get you hyped for the things they are most looking forward to this summer season!(00:00) Intro(06:44) Rules refresher(13:46) 2026 Summer Hype Meter(15:35) ‘Heartstopper Forever’(17:42) 'Coyote vs. Acme'(20:59) Assorted Books Roundup(23:40) ‘Toy Story 5’(30:53) ‘Supergirl’(36:43) 'Disclosure Day'(42:06) 'The Death of Robin Hood'(47:08) 'Lanterns'(50:46) 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day'(55:13) 'House of the Dragon' Season 3(01:00:12) 'The Vampire Lestat'(01:07:37) 'The Odyssey'(01:15:56) Honorable mentionsExplore the exclusive collection at Target.comHosts: Joanna Robinson and Mallory RubinProducers: Carlos Chiriboga and Scott LeeStudio Production: Jacob CornettSocial: Jomi AdeniranAdditional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
‘Spider-Noir’ Season 1 and Mantzoukas Recommends With Jason Mantzoukas!
05/30/2026 | 2h 15 mins.
Mal and Jo are joined by Jason Mantzoukas to talk about Season 1 of ‘Spider-Noir.’ Plus, Jason talks about ‘Frieren: Beyond Journey's End’ and ‘The Apothecary Diaries’ as well as some other recommendations he has for Mal and Jo!(00:00) Intro(16:48) ‘Spider-Noir’(01:24:07) Mantzoukas RecommendsExplore the exclusive collection at Target.comHosts: Joanna Robinson and Mallory RubinGuest: Jason MantzoukasProducers: Carlos Chiriboga and Scott LeeStudio Production: Jacob CornettSocial: Jomi AdeniranAdditional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
‘Tenet’ With R. F. Kuang | Nolan Revisited
05/28/2026 | 2h 10 mins.
A Dream of Nolan Spring continues! As ‘The Odyssey’ approaches, Mal and Jo are joined by author R. F. Kuang to continue their journey through Christopher Nolan’s filmography with ‘Tenet.' They discuss their original experiences with the movie, debate where it stands among the rest of Nolan’s films, and more! Plus, they take a more in-depth look at what to expect from ‘The Odyssey.’
Hosts: Joanna Robinson and Mallory RubinGuest: R. F. KuangProducers: Carlos Chiriboga and Scott LeeStudio Production: Jacob CornettSocial: Jomi AdeniranAdditional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’ Deep Dive
05/23/2026 | 1h 27 mins.
‘Star Wars’ is back in theaters and Mal and Jo are here to dive deep into the newest installment of the franchise, ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu!’ They break down what worked, what didn’t work, and—of course—all things Grogu! Plus, they try some of Grogu’s favorite blue cookies!(00:00) Intro(07:25) Opening Snapshot(43:35) Deep Dive(01:23:09) Blue Cookie Taste TestHosts: Joanna Robinson and Mallory RubinProducers: Carlos Chiriboga and Scott LeeStudio Production: Jacob CornettSocial: Jomi AdeniranAdditional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Welcome to ‘House of R,’ where Mallory Rubin and Joanna Robinson explore your favorite fictional universes with their signature Deep Dives into everything from ‘Game of Thrones’ to ‘Star Wars,’ ‘The Lord of the Rings’ to Marvel, and beyond. Whether they’re parsing mythology, story themes, and character arcs or tracing influences across decades of fantasy and sci-fi stories, Jo and Mal will be here weekly with Deep Dives into new nerd culture releases, nostalgic revisitations of their favorite tales in fandom, Tropes Course examinations, Hall of Fame inductions, Hype Meters, drafts, mailbags, watch lists, top moments countdowns, recommendations, and more.
USA