The Drunken Odyssey with John King: A Podcast About the Writing Life

Episode 422 of The Drunken Odyssey, your favorite podcast about creative writing and literature is available on Apple podcasts, stitcher, spotify, or click here to stream (right click to download, if that’s your thing).

Michael Merriam

This week, Michael Merriam and I discuss the 2010 cult film, Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World, and in this conversation we address the classic structure of film; the importance of the perfect flaw for a protagonist and antagonist; Joseph Campbell (naturally); the Bible; why Reality Bites bites; video games and the psychological logic of true boss fights; the abundance of super hero actors in this film; comic book adaptations; tropes in anime; and how comedies can house tales with deeply serious content, for those who can look past the jokes.

 


 

Direct download: The_Drunken_Odyssey_Episode_422.mp3
Category:Arts/Culture/Writing -- posted at: 4:26pm EDT

Didier_Ghez

This week I talk with Disney historian Didier Ghez about the joys of research and forging one's own path as a historian.

Direct download: The_Drunken_Odyssey_Episode_421.mp3
Category:Arts/Culture/Writing -- posted at: 3:35pm EDT

Tom Papa_credit Sam Jones
This week I talk with comedian, actor, sourdough aficionado, and essay writer, Tom Papa!

TEXTS DISCUSSED

Cover.You're Doing GreatYour Dad Stole My RakeEl Superbeasto

 

Direct download: The_Drunken_Odyssey_Episode_420.mp3
Category:Arts/Culture/Writing -- posted at: 11:01pm EDT

 

Mike Onorato

On this week's show, I speak with Mike Onorato, Vice President of Publicity at Smith Publicity, about how publicity works behind the scenes for writers, and how COVID-19 is affecting the books business.

Direct download: The_Drunken_Odyssey_Episode_419.mp3
Category:Arts/Culture/Writing -- posted at: 2:26pm EDT

 

The Hero With a Thousand Faces JV

Vanessa Blakeslee and I discuss the classic of comparative mythology, Joseph Campbell’s The Hero with a Thousand Faces. While this is a work of scholarship not directly intended for creative writers, its lessons are of immense value to anyone writing adventure, fantasy, or science fiction. We reference Star Wars, The Matrix, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, The Bible, and Pinocchio, among other works, and mention the trials of academic discourse that are meant to be confused with the belly of the beast.

Direct download: The_Drunken_Odyssey_Episode_418.mp3
Category:Arts/Culture/Writing -- posted at: 10:19pm EDT

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