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The Basement — Arts
The Basement

A Ready Player One podcast for people who love things! The Basement is your companion to the Ready Player One novel. Join Albert and his cohosts each episode as they breakdown the novel and dive into the plethora of pop culture references through a series of homework assignments and challenges.

Latest Episodes:

Episode 0002: Never Had One Lesson! May 08, 2018

Show notes

In Episode 0002, we break down chapter 0002 and Albert is joined by long time friend, former World of Warcraft guild-mate, and all around great looking guy, Bill Alewine. We're talking Princess Leia, Monty Python, The Terminator, World of Warcraft and of course, "The John Hughes Blues": Sixteen Candles, Pretty In Pink, Some Kind of Wonderful, The Breakfast Club, Weird Science, and Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Full show notes here:

News from the front lines!

Ready Player One DOES break $500 million worldwide!
The Art of Ready Player One is out!

Wade's Locker

Princess Leia pinup
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) cast photo

Time Magazine

Still a big deal?
We talk memorable covers

World of Warcraft (2004)

Shoutout to all the homies still over at Netherguard!
Similarities between The OASIS and MMO's in general
Being a n00b sucks!

The Terminators

"I need your clothes, your boots and your motorcycle"
The T800 (1984), T1000 (1991), and the franchise legacy
Ready Player One movie Easter Egg

Bulletin Board Systems (BBS) (1978 - 1990s)

The Hatchery
How well do we remember the golden age of 300 baud?
"LEEEEEEEEROY JENKINS!!!!"

McGuffins

NOT a breakfast sandwich from McDonalds
We list our movie favorites!

Dorky Girl Fantasties

Sixteen Candles (1984)
Pretty In Pink (1986)
Some Kind of Wonderful (1987)

Dorky Boy Fantasies

The Breakfast Club (1985)
Weird Science (1985)
Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)

Final thoughts on 80's movies and the John Hughes influence…

Hosts:

Albert "Sindril" Padilla
Bill "Nycterun" Alewine

Like us, follow us, pay us here:

Instagram: @TheBasementRPO
Twitter: @TheBasementRPO
Facebook: /TheBasementRPO
Patreon: patreon.com/TheBasementRPO
TeePublic:http://tee.pub/lic/mjtTM-nrguo

Be kind, rewind!

Episode 0001: We Die! Apr 25, 2018

Show notes

Episode 0001: We Die!

Our powers have doubled (recording time) since the last time we met so get ready! Albert and Mike return along with help from Cantina Cast co-host Jonesy and Cantina Cast Discord's Veteran Joe to cover the woolly mammoth that is Chapter 1! There's a crap ton of stuff to cover so stop reading this and just jump on in:

News from the front lines!

Ready Player One should break $500 million worldwide!
Host reactions to the movie adaption
Armada is a GO!

Galaga (1981)

It has a lot of sequels
New Retro Arcade: Neon version seems to be the way to go
Jonesy plays a LOT of Galaga

Defender (1981)

Fun game, crazy controls, not for the feint of heart
Choplifter comparison
Defender 2 (Stargate)

Asteroids (1979)

Flipping game scores - this is not a thing
Albert is NOT good at everything…trust me
Vector graphics, simplistic game play, but boring?!

Robotron 2084 (1982)

Eugene Jarvis was behind this one as well as Defender
Twin sticks, fast paced, lots of action
Joe liked this one…he's going back for more

Family Ties (1982 - 1989)

Every season is on Amazon Prime
Alex Keaton was a fashion inspiration
Feel good family of the early 80's
Horny Hippie Parents or just crazy in love?
"Say Uncle" with Tom Hanks
Episodes covered a lot of sensitive and controversial topics for its time

The Amazing Spiderman (1962)

Who was the best? Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, or Tom Holland?
Answer: Neil Patrick Harris
The Ramones' cover

X-Men (1963 - present)

Favorite X-Man (or woman)?
Least favorite?

Green Lantern (1940)

Who was your favorite Green Lantern?
We love The Justice League cartoon and now you can too!

Sesame Street (1969)

Favorite character?
"Hey, Bert!"
Mr. Snuffleeupaugus, Mr. Hooper, Yip Yip Martians

Cosmos (1980)

"Billions of billions of billions…"
Nova vs . Cosmos
"Professor Wear"
Mike wakes up around this point…

Donkey Kong (1981)

Cut scenes were cool but more on the game later in later episode
Billy Mitchell was stripped??

BurgerTime (1982)

Mr. Hot Dog, Mr. Pickle, and Mr. Egg

Pitfall (1982)

Released by Activision
Editor's Note: We should have spent more time here

"Jedi building his first lightsaber"

Jonesy built his own lightsaber - and it works!
Return of the Jedi deleted scene
Right of passage for anyone

The Bat Cave (1942)

NOT where Batman goes to the bathroom
Ben Batfleck vs. Adam West

Fortress of Solitude (1958?)

Didn't originate with Superman
Visually synonymous with Reeves movies

Fruity Pebbles (1971) vs. Off Brands

Fruity Pebbles VS. Cocoa Pebbles!
Fruity Milk VS. Cocoa Milk!
The Redemption of Mr. Post
The People (Barney and Fred) vs. Hulk Hogan

Lunch Boxes

Plastic vs. Metal
Our favorites growing up
Ninja Rap is a good rap

The Last Starfighter (1984)

Does the CG hold up?
Anyone can be a hero storyline resonates
Parallels between TLS and RPO
Wil Wheaton cameo!
"Video Game Available from Atari Inc."
Final thoughts on the FUN that is TLS
"We Die."

Hosts:

Albert "Hey, Bert!" Padilla
Mike "Get Of My Lawn" Rondeau
Jonesy aka "Mr. Cocoa Pebbles"
Joe "Dystopia" Kane

Like us, follow us, pay us here:

Instagram: @TheBasementRPO
Twitter: @TheBasementRPO
Facebook: /TheBasementRPO
Patreon: patreon.com/TheBasementRPO
TeePublic:http://tee.pub/lic/mjtTM-nrguo

Be kind, rewind!

Episode 0000, Part 2: Electric Boogaloo! Apr 10, 2018

Show notes

We're back! Albert, Mike, and Will pick up right where we left off in the prologue and bring you more talk on the pop culture references you love and some you may have missed! Here's what we have lined up:

News from the front lines!

Who bought tickets and are you excited about the movie?
Is Albert stalking Ernie?
Star Wars will be in RPO…but to what extent?
SXSW reviews are in and they're (were) great!
"Oasis" title track is out…thoughts?
Bonus Stage episode is in the works

Clash of the Titans (1981)

Insert Coin to cross the river Styx
Mrs. Will and her petition to get this classic released on DVD
Mike "misremembers" The Beastmaster

Heathers (1988)

Intriguing or weird?
Christian Slater vs. Jack Nicholson
Parallels between Wade Watts and Veronica Sawyer
Heathers is coming as television series…maybe

SSI (1979 - 1994)

GGS and SSI
SSI, the Apple IIe, TRS-80, NES, and their gaming legacy
Other old skool software companies

You Can't Take It With You (1938)

Albert and Will acted a scene from this years ago (Ahem, NOT in 1938)
That 70's Movie
Okay, so maybe this was a stretch as a pop culture reference…

Muppets (1976 - 1981)

Mike goes straight to the Luke
Does it hold up?
Who is/was our favorite character?
How does it stack up against other variety shows at the time?
The Barbara Mandrell show was lit at one time.
Favorite segments from the show
Sequels, The Muppet Babies, and The Muppets legacy

That 70's House (70's)

Burnt orange carpet…sign of the times or ode to The University of Texas? HOOK 'EM HORNS!
Corduroy pants, Hush Puppies, and a sweet iron on shirt
Zenith…where are they now?

Atari 2600 (Part 1)

When did we get our first 2600?
What were our favorite games growing up?
Fast Eddie: GOAT
The changing of cartridge types
2600 cover art and The Art of Atari
Starshipcover art

Adventure (1979)

Did we ever play this game back in the day?
Did you find the Easter Egg?
RTFM, man
The Easter Egg and the first Hunt
Warren Robinett: Where is he now?

80's Fashion (80's)

We didn't have any.
Spiked hair, acid and stone wash jeans, shredded clothing, bandanas around the neck and legs, and rolled up jeans
Feathered clips…WHY?!
Feathered haircuts and Ralph Macchio
Product branded clothing…again, WHY?!
Members Only Jacket and 80's textiles

Hosts:

Albert "Lew Zealand" Padilla
Mike "Breaking News" Rondeau
Will "80's Fasionista" Wilkins

Like us, follow us, pay us here:

Instagram: @TheBasementRPO
Twitter: @TheBasementRPO
Facebook: /TheBasementRPO
Patreon: patreon.com/TheBasementRPO
TeePublic: http://tee.pub/lic/mjtTM-nrguo

Be kind, rewind!

Episode 0000, Part 1: Showtime, Synergy! Mar 27, 2018

Show notes

Welcome to the premiere episode of The Basement, a Ready Player One podcast for people who love things!

In this episode, Albert, Mike, and Will come together like the REAL Ghostbusters (sans Ernie Hudson) to discuss the first half of the prologue and break down the following pop culture references:

Ghostbusters (1984)

Too many great lines to count
The Dream Team of comedy
Visual effects
Huey Lewis vs. Ray Parker Jr.

Corn Flakes (1894)

The Godfather of Breakfast Cereals or Crap Cereal King?
Kellogg vs Post and the significance of sanitariums
Greatest Cereal Of All Time (GCOAT): Boo Berry
"I pity the fool who don't eat my cereal!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOptQ0Ye1NU

Zapruder Film (1963)

A brief history of the footage
Why was it so painstakingly analyzed?
Secret Word of the Day: Model 414 PD Bell & Howell Zoomatic Director Series Camera

Space Invaders (1978)

THE arcade game of '78
Japanese School Children
Santa Claus
Space Aliens

80's Dance Moves (Duh, the 80s)

Break Dancing, Backspins, Windmills, Ozone, and Turbo
Poppin' and Lockin' and Pantomime
Moonwalk, The Worm, The Robot, The Prep, The Cabbage Patch, and Lenny Kravitz
Dance Party USA, American Bandstand, Solid Gold, and FAME

Dead Man's Party, Oingo Boingo (1985)

ALBERT LOVES OINGO BOINGO
Mike and Will do NOT
(Halliday loves them too)
Danny Elfman, Pee Wee's Big Adventure, and his soundtrack legacy
Jenna Elfman is Danny Elman's niece?! (ANSWER: Yes, through marriage)

Hosts and Gentlemen:

Albert "Ready One Player" Padilla
Mike "I Can Read" Rondeau
Will "Ongo Bongo" Wilkins

Like us, follow us, pay us here:

Instagram: @TheBasementRPO
Twitter: @TheBasementRPO
Facebook: /TheBasementRPO
Patreon: patreon.com/TheBasementRPO
TeePublic: http://tee.pub/lic/mjtTM-nrguo

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