The Reigning Lunatic Podcast: Recent Episodes
Geoffrey Welchman
Music and comedy written & produced at Poison Dart Studios, Baltimore. Songs that say "cover" are covers, the rest are original, with instruments and vocals performed by me.
The Reigning Lunatic podcast (2015-16) was a Parsec Award Finalist. A scripted sitcom in 9 episodes, set in a despotic medieval kingdom plagued by dragons, wizards, and dreadful wifi. Written by GW, created by GW & Betty Welchman, featuring a cast of several.
The Inverse Delirium podcast (2010-14) was a short, sharp satire of public radio in this American Baltimore. Guests included Kevin Pollak, Lewis Black, Paula Poundstone, Wendy Lieberman, and more.
Huzzah, listener-heretic! The NINTH and FINAL episode of our medieval miniseries is upon us!
The Reigning Lunatic must endure the return of his accountant, and is cajoled into a public-relations-inspired Royal Visit.
There is much discussion and even some bonding between our sovereign and the humble Smithy, and a distinct lack of success in magical endeavors.
With: Aaron Henkin (Royal Announcer) Grant Markham (Tin) Davian Dent (Smithy) Tina Rogers (Circe) James Hatfield (Balar)
Written and produced by Geoffrey Welchman, with help from Executive Comedy Consultant Betty Welchman.
Thanks for listening, and thanks to all of our Guest Actors!
Huzzah, listener-heretic! The EIGHTH episode is upon us!
The Reigning Lunatic meets a young scribe and makes light conversation until a CERTAIN SUBJECT is broached, whence the scribe is encouraged to a room in the dungeon.
Whereupon the sovereign is encouraged NOT to walk around the moat, and a magical solution to the vexing security problem is accomplished!
Finally, the fair Griselda re-appears, and is rewarded for her diligence.
With: Aaron Henkin (Royal Announcer) Christina Nicholls (Scribe) Kate Davidson (Griselda)
Written and produced by Geoffrey Welchman, with help from Executive Comedy Consultant Betty Welchman.
This is a production of Poison Dart Studios, Baltimore.
Our ornithological Reigning Lunatic turns his gaze to the heavens!
Yes, listener-peasant, the Royal Astronomer is called upon to discuss the feasibility of certain space-weapons. And clearly, technology is at the center of it, as brief visits from Tech Support and a Foole attest.
But it is the discovery of "Obscure Matter" that really gets a response, although it wasn't the response the Royal Astronomer hoped for.
Thence it is left to the Wizard of the Day to Say the Sooth.
With our special guests: Aaron Henkin as the Royal Announcer Kate Davidson as Morgana Marc Hershon as the Royal Astronomer Tina Rogers as Tech Support Courtney Calkins as the Apprentice Foole Monica Hamburg as Baba Yaga
With Betty Welchman as Rhonda
Written and produced by Geoffrey Welchman, with help from Executive Interior Designer Betty Welchman.
This is a production of Poison Dart Studios, Baltimore.
The Reigning Lunatic demands an explanation of the original title, which was to be "The Case of the Exploding Pillow," but was changed to "Pillows" due to concerns about undercurrents of regicide.
(and because it was too long)
The Royal Scriptwriters are forced to explain themselves, and in so doing, weave a dramatic scene with their winsome words.
Then comes more news of trouble for the Grand Border Wall! Rebels attack the Eastern Border, leaving the Reigning Lunatic in a slough of despond, which is only lifted after a visit from the Learned Professor prompts a new and brilliant idea!
With: * Aaron Henkin (Royal Announcer) * Courtney Calkins (Duke of Phlegmington) * Kate Davidson (Lady Penny) * Mark Miller (General Klang)
With Betty Welchman as "Royal Scriptwriter #1"
Produced by Geoffrey Welchman, co-written by GW with Jeanne Klingler and Betty Welchman!
This is a production of Poison Dart Studios (Baltimore).
There's danger afoot for the Reigning Lunatic when his dreams are darkened by a fatherly warning. After a visit from famed prophet Nostradamus proves unobliging, the Captain of the Guards arrives with frightful news: the Royal Taste Tester is DEAD! Who is behind this fiendish duplicity? Is it Aesthethys, the monarch's brother? Or is it some other culinary culprit?
With: * Aaron Henkin as the Royal Announcer * Jud Niven as Nostradamus
Written and produced by Geoffrey Welchman, with help from Executive Humor Consultant Betty Welchman.
This is a production of Poison Dart Studios, Baltimore.
Welcome listener-peasant!
Our Reigning Lunatic has returned to his castle and immediately vents some spleen at the Royal Blogger! Then, a Saying of the Sooth session with the Enchantress Morgana bogs down in a fearsome debate about gender politics in the world of sorcery.
Finally, the Foole is given his last chance to amuse.
With our special guests: * Aaron Henkin (Royal Announcer) * Patrick Flynn (Royal Blogger) * Kate Davidson (Morgana)
With Betty Welchman as Rhonda.
Written and produced by Geoffrey Welchman, with help from UnderSecretary of Amusement Betty Welchman. Produced at Poison Dart Studios, Baltimore.
Welcome listener-peasant! You've joined us in the midst of a painstaking search of the kingdom's northlands, as our Reigning Lunatic tries to ascertain the whereabouts of a rebellious faction: the Rebels of the Northlands!
With our special guests: * Aaron Henkin (Royal Announcer) * Kate Davidson (Barbra "Bar" Wench) * Jud Niven (Frank Rebel)
Written and produced by Geoffrey Welchman, with help from Executive Muse Betty Welchman. Produced at Poison Dart Studios, Baltimore.
In which our esteemed Lunatic journeys to the Western Border to check on the aftermath of a fearsome dragon attack. Along the way he undertakes to poll a fair maiden, and ultimately enlists the help of a fearsome wizard!
Written and produced by Geoffrey Welchman, with help from Executive Muse, Betty Welchman.
Featuring: * Aaron Henkin as the Royal Announcer * Kate Davison as the fair Ingenue, Griselda * Stephen Bitzelberger as the Foreman
Huzzah!
In which we are introduced to the Reigning Lunatic and his staff.
Thanks for listening to our medieval sitcom, written and produced by Geoffrey Welchman, with Executive Muse Betty Welchman.
Featuring: Aaron Henkin (Announcer) Kymm Zuckert (LaVerne) Marc Hershon (Sir Gerald) Betty Welchman (Rhonda)
Broken crown image by Vu Mai. Goblet image from the British Museum.