The Wicked Off-Topic Historian: Recent Episodes
Zachary
The Wicked Off-Topic Historian is a podcast hosted by me, Zachary, a Historian and forty-something-year-old guy from Massachusetts with a subtle Bill Burr accent. A lighthearted podcast where I discuss, most often alone, sometimes with a guest, unique tales from history, “wicked” awesome TV shows and movies, musings about the past, present and future, and anything, and everything, I find enticing. This is not a podcast solely about history because that’s my day job, although I do chat about the entertaining side of history. I’m off the clock and ready to get off topic. Join the fun!
Welcome to Must (re)Watch TV! On this episode, your host, Zachary, searches for extraterrestrial life but doesn’t need the help of the US Congress to investigate their existence. Nope, he joins Special Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully as they tackle the monster of the week storylines and alien conspiracies. But he stays clear of the Cigarette Smoking Man and, like the Lone Gunman, stays off the grid. In doing so, Zach rewatched the important “X-Files” episode that started it all. That’s right; Zach watched the pilot. Sure, he could have chosen many episodes, but there is only one that he nostalgically and emotionally wanted to dive into. Chris Carter’s show is a classic and deserves far more credit than it often gets. It is the gold standard for episodic monster episodes, season-long arcs, and cliffhangers that leave you feeling drained. When it comes to science fiction television shows, “The X-Files” is easily his favorite. So, save a spot by the “bubblah” and join the (re)Watch!
Welcome to Must (re)Watch TV! On this episode, your host, Zachary, mixes cola and grenadine to make a Roy Rogers and lifts his glass to toast this 2nd Animation on the 10s! For this adult animated adventure, Zach takes on the TBS series created by Seth MacFarlane, “American Dad.” Going strong since 2005, this animated sitcom is wicked consistent, incredibly funny, and includes a rude, flamboyant, and selfish Alien named Roger, the best character of any adult animated series. When considering his episode watch options, Zach knew it needed to be a Roger-centric plot, and the entire Smith family needed to get caught up in his persona tornado. That is why Zach rewatched “Vision: Impossible” and laughed at the mix of science fiction, animated stupidity, and scribbled down his favorite Roger one-liners. So, save a spot by the “bubblah” and join the (re)Watch!
Welcome to Must (re)Watch TV! On this episode, your host, Zachary, goes on an emotional journey to California by way of Oklahoma. With news that Sterlin Harjo’s brilliant FX series “Reservation Dogs” is ending with its upcoming third season, Zach needed to revisit the show immediately. As one of the most original shows on television today, “Reservation Dogs” will be missed. Zach wants to celebrate its return and honor its incredible impact, focusing on Indigenous Americans and featuring groundbreaking Native American representation. Today, Zach is, once again, going back to the beginning. He rewatched the pilot episode, “F*ckin’ Rez Dogs.” The pilot perfectly encapsulates the emotional power and depth of the series, with use of wonderful characters, storytelling, and outstanding comedy. So, save a spot by the “bubblah” and join the (re)Watch!
Welcome to Must (re)Watch TV! On this episode, your host, Zachary, honors America by rewatching a series and exploring a topic close to his professional heart. As a Historian, Zach’s spent decades researching the Civil War era. During that time, one person’s name always seemed to appear and leave a profound mark constantly; Abolitionist John Brown. It made sense that in 2013 when James McBride wrote a Historical Fiction Drama, “The Good Lord Bird,” he read it. Then, in 2020, when Ethan Hawke took on the title role and created a masterpiece of filmmaking for SHOWTIME with a mini-series based on McBride’s book, you better believe Zach watched! A series filled with powerful imagery, fantastic music and cinematography, and Ethan Hawke becoming John Brown, the “.44 Caliber Abolitionist,” this series was outstanding. Zach rewatched the finale, “Last Words,” because, as Zach argues, it’s so emotional. So, save a spot by the “bubble” and join the (re)Watch!
Welcome to Must (re)Watch TV! On this episode, your host, Zachary, visits Staten Island and becomes a familiar. Still, unlike Guillermo, he has no interest in joining the Vampiric ranks unless it’s Nadja doing the biting! Zach rewatched the horror/comedy “What We Do in the Shadows,” an FX show created by Jemaine Clement and an extension of the wicked awesome movie he made alongside Taika Waititi. Yet, it’s one of those rare occasions, Zach argues, when the show surpassed its predecessor. His opinion; It’s downright hilarious and one of the best comedies on television today! Zach chose “The Escape” because it is a comedic masterpiece. With Nadja front and center, one ancient vampire missing and another returning, the rest of our lead vampires all together, and one familiar, Guillermo, included in a vampiric adventure, Zach believes this is the best episode of the show, hands down. Lightning-fast comedy, a mockumentary style that works perfectly, and a fantastic opening song. You’ll be singing it until the next episode! So, save a spot by the “bubble” and join the (re)Watch!
Welcome to Must (re)Watch TV! On this episode, your host, Zachary, learns how to swear from Butcher and tells Hughie to grab another band t-shirt. That’s right; Zach joins team Butcher, and like-minded anti-heroes, to understand those objectionable Vought superheroes, or “Supes,” in the Amazon Prime series, “The Boys.” Today isn’t the first time Zach’s taken on a tv adaptation of a comic book, but this may be the wildest show he rewatched. Violence, sex, villainous heroes, and a vigilante who swears more than Bill Burr on his worst day! Zach rewatched the pilot, “The Name of the Game,” because the beginning is wicked awesome and has some incredible tv moments he has never forgotten. Yes, he’s still in shock about “that” one particular death involving A-Train! Zach might have gone into the episode seeking lightheaded fun, but he certainly got a lot of blood and mayhem. So, save a spot by the “bubble” and join the (re)Watch!
Welcome to Must (re)Watch TV! On this episode, your host, Zachary, unplugs all his technology. WHY? Well, he rewatched an episode from his favorite anthology series, “Black Mirror,” which he says he watched before it became a worldwide phenomenon. Created by Charlie Brooker, “Black Mirror” has terrified audiences about the dangers of technology. Yet, he sidestepped the more horror/sci-fi plot-based episodes. Zach rewatched “San Junipero.” Beautifully composed, written, and directed, with stunning performances by Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Mackenzie Davis, it’s an episode that mixes science fiction, nostalgia, romance, and the afterlife to absolute perfection. An anthology series that is often pessimistic, “San Junipero” adds a dash of optimism to the world of “Black Mirror.” Our host has a ton of commentary and can’t, or won’t, stop humming along to “Heaven is a Place on Earth.” So, save a spot by the “bubble” and join the (re)Watch!
Welcome to Must (re)Watch TV! On this episode, your host, Zachary, sings without pause but allows his inner Narrator to offer a compelling monologue. That’s right; Zach steps outside his comfort zone and chats musicals and crosses the bridge to “Schmigadoon!,” but like Cecily Strong (Melissa) and Keegan-Michael Key (Josh), he finds Schmicago! has an energy far surpassing its predecessor. Paying homage to 60s & 70s musicals, the second season entertained. With emotional musical numbers, outstanding choreography, stellar performances, and Tituss Burgess as the Narrator, Zach couldn’t wait to rewatch “Something Real.” Get ready for some sweet moments, hippie dance sequences, and a doozy of an earworm! So, save a spot by the “bubblah” and join the (re)Watch!
Welcome to Must (re)Watch TV! On this episode, your host, Zachary, grabs his JanSport backpack and Trapper Keeper and heads to class, but Miss Bliss is not his teacher. As an elder millennial, and a name like Zach, three things were certain for our host when he was growing up in the 80s & 90s; he would build LEGO sets like a maniac, kick around the BalZac, and emulate Zack Morris! It’s an episode filled with wonderful nostalgia and teachable moments from one of Zach’s favorite early shows, “Saved by the Bell.” Yet, with so many good episodes, which one got the call? Sure, he could have chosen the famous “Jessie” episode or Zack & Kelly dancing under the stars at the prom, but the history teacher in Zach wanted to go to one he always admired. “The Fabulous Belding Boys,” where Zack and the gang plan a school trip to go white water rafting, but put their faith in the wrong Belding and learn that sometimes what you perceive as boring might be what you need. So, save a spot by the “bubblah” and join the (re)Watch!
Welcome to Must (re)Watch TV! On this episode, your host, Zachary, feels “groovy” but holds off on the “pillow talk” or the “sugar,” but he does shop smart, “S-Mart.” Zach is exploring the world of “Ash vs. Evil Dead” and Bruce Campbell is the talk of the town. His role as Ash Williams spanned three movies and this fantastic series. Ash needs no introduction, so Zach rewatched his favorite episode, “El Jefe,” the pilot episode. Zach loved seeing those first moments of Campbell as Ash after thirty years. There are plenty of comedic moments, incredible fight sequences, and mayhem and gore. “Primitive screwheads, listen up,” it’s time to read from the Necronomicon and unleash some Deadite hell, but do so with some Sam Raimi humor. Please, leave the “boomstick” at home; Zach’s use of puns is only fun for him! So, save a spot by the “bubblah” and join the (re)Watch!
Welcome to Must (re)Watch TV! On this episode, your host, Zachary, voyages to Crockett Island, but he does so with a nod to the “slow burn.” A show with sweeping themes, brilliantly written and executed dialogues, and spectacular cinematography, “Midnight Mass” is elevated horror at its best. From the mind of one of horror’s leading directors/writers, Mike Flanagan, this is a show everyone should and must watch. This was a rewatch long overdue but now seemed like the best time for Zach to explore and discuss one of his favorite limited series. Which episode? Well, to understand “Midnight Mass,” Flanagan, and the critical themes of the series, it is essential to start at the beginning with “Book I: Genesis.” There won’t be a lot of jump scares, but feeling uncomfortable and unnerved is undoubtedly on the menu. So, save a spot by the “bubblah” and join the (re)Watch!
Welcome to Must (re)Watch TV! On this episode, your host, Zachary, celebrates Animation on the 10s! That’s right; every tenth episode, Zach takes on the world of adult animation, and he is starting with a bang; or is it a burger? An episode from the hit Fox show, “Bob’s Burgers,” is on the schedule, and Zach can’t stop laughing. An episode from the third season, “Broadcast Wagstaff School News,” deals with Tina investigating a little “potty” humor, Louise using her nefarious ways to get to the bottom of a dirty conspiracy, and one of the best subplots of the entire series, Gene becoming “Muppet Baby Bobby.” This “gag” might annoy Bob and excite Linda, but Zach finds no middle ground; it’s wicked amazing! Order the burger of the day and avoid Mr. Fischoeder because you know you don’t have the rent check. So, save a spot by the “bubblah” and join the (re)Watch!
Welcome to Must (re)Watch TV! On this episode, your host, Zachary, enters the world of “Mythic Quest.” Still, instead of enjoying the absolute absurdity of Ian, Poppy, Jo, or other critical cast members, he decided to watch a standalone episode from season one, “A Dark, Quiet Death.” An episode with zero connection to the rest of the series, Zach argues that this episode is simply brilliant. Its emotional impact, dialogue, character development, and cinematography were incredible. He may be taking on “Mythic Quest,” but he’s avoiding the office antics for a more poignant tone and deep cinematic experience. He explores the dark, quiet deaths associated with love lost, dreams dashed, and loneliness expressed in a somber tone. So, save a spot by the “bubblah” and join the (re)Watch! *This M(re)WTV episode is dedicated to my best buddy & most excellent companion, Mr. Tuttles, my 16-year-old senior rescue pup, who, sadly, I had to say goodbye to recently. He was my life’s joy for 15 years and my constant.
Welcome to Must (re)Watch TV! On this episode, your host, Zachary, is getting a job at Cloud 9. Instead, maybe he will stop by and pick up a few sundries to refresh his memory about two of his favorite episodes from the hit NBC sitcom, “Superstore.” That’s right, Zach rewatched two episodes, “All-Nighter” from Season 1 and “Black Friday” from Season 2. Today, he breaks down those two hilarious episodes that cover a ton of ground while continuing character development yet standing firm on their own as comedic masterpieces. One episode includes some heart, humor, and Cheyenne dancing to “True Colors,” while the other offers absolute mayhem and food poisoning. It doesn’t get much better than this! So, save a spot by the “bubblah” and join the (re)Watch!
“Welcome to Must (re)Watch TV! On this episode, your host, Zachary, seizes the moment and boldly expresses his Trekkie status. He wants to celebrate the premiere of Season 3 “Picard.” To do so, Zach rewatched his favorite episode from “The Next Generation (TNG).” Still, how does one select a favorite when there are dozens? Well, he chose the episode that gives him the feels. That means Zach stayed grounded and rewatched a “Star Trek” episode with little space action but tons of emotional capital. Zach talks about “The Inner Light” and remembers that “TNG” is more than holodecks, or dare I say, Q! So, save a spot by the “bubblah” and join the (re)Watch!”
Welcome to Must (re)Watch TV! On this episode, your host, Zachary, falls into his usual trope, enjoying a show with death as a significant plot. While that’s not surprising, Zach does become emotional as he explains how much “Being Human” meant to him. He chats about how its rich storylines, narrative, dialogue, excellent ensemble, and impeccable consistency made this a show to remember. He rewatched “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Me Killing You,” the premier season finale. Reconnecting with Aiden, Sally, and Josh proved excellent for Zach, whose appreciation for the show hasn’t waned. A ghost, vampire, and a werewolf living together might seem like an odd concept, but Zach argues, give it a chance, or in the least enjoy this episodes discussion of unusual friendships, vampire fights, origin stories, and the perfect use of an Oasis song. So, save a spot by the “bubblah” and join the (re)Watch!
Welcome to Must (re)Watch TV! On this episode, your host, Zachary, adds hot sauce to his noodles, but he skips the brains, unlike Olivia “Liv” Moore. He is rewatching “iZOMBiE” and falling back in love with Rose McIver’s stellar performance as a young woman/medical resident turned brain-eating zombie and assistant medical examiner who solves crimes and takes on the personality of the dead after eating brains. A show with heart, humor, and a penchant for twists, “iZOMBiE” was a series that was simply too good. Zach rewatched “The Pilot” because only the beginning will suffice. Oh, and how fantastic is Rahul Kohli in this? Answer; wicked awesome! So, save a spot by the “bubblah” and join the (re)Watch!
Welcome to Must (re)Watch TV! On this episode, your host, Zachary, joins team Jack and agrees, “we have to go back.” That’s right; Zach is returning to “Lost,” but how can he choose merely one episode to rewatch? Well, he promises to return to the show again in the future, but for now, he has to select an episode that, most agree, is one of the best of the 2004-2010 series. He is rewatching “The Constant” and enjoying the time jumps while praising Michael Giacchino’s score and applauding his favorite character, Desmond. “Lost” was a remarkable show from beginning to end, and this episode is a testament to that fact. So, save a spot by the “bubblah” and join the (re)Watch!
Welcome to Must (re)Watch TV! On this episode, your host, Zachary, takes you back to May of 2000 when the hit BBC comedy "Coupling” was the talk of the town on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. This rewatch is long overdue for Zach, because this show was his favorite of the era, although he was weary it might not have aged well. Fret not, Zach is rewatching “Sex, Death & Nudity” and he asks, could this be one of the cleaner episodes of the four-season UK series? No matter, Zach can’t wait to relearn the “giggle loop.” There is no better time than the present to return to this classic comedy about six best friends who drink, chat about sex, and seem never to understand “love.” So, save a spot by the “bubblah” and join the (re)Watch!
Welcome to Must (re)Watch TV! On this episode, your host, Zachary, yells, “YES, Chef!” and elaborates on his rewatch of the seventh episode of “The Bear.” One of the best new shows of 2022 on FX, or anywhere, Zach dishes how this Golden Globe winning series made him forget how to breathe. No pilot this week; nope, he is watching the penultimate episode, “Review,” and submitting himself to a filmmaking masterclass. Zach gets wicked specific, understandably emotional, and jokes about his culinary skills and various fictional chefs while getting animated about “that” 18-minute long take. He’s not a film expert, but he loves cinematography and visual mediums involving food or restaurants. So, save a spot by the “bubblah” and join the (re)Watch!
Welcome to Must (re)Watch TV! On this episode, your host, Zachary, chats about his rewatch of the pilot episode of “Dead Like Me.” Zach chose one of his all-time favorites for this premier show and giddily described his appreciation for the series, especially Brian Fuller, Mandy Patinkin, and fellow New Englander Ellen Muth. He breaks the episode down while fuming, and dropping some “f-bombs” about the show’s premature cancelation nearly two decades ago. Why the pilot? Well, it seemed a perfect place to start, but this won’t be the last time “Dead Like Me” appears on the show. So, save a spot by the “bubblah” and join the (re)Watch!
Welcome to Must (re)Watch TV! An entertaining podcast from your host Zachary. This podcast is for anyone, and everyone, who enjoys chatting about POP! Culture, the awesomeness of Frank Grillo, or simply musing about the best TV shows on television today, yesterday, and some wishful thinking about tomorrow. Selecting various episodes from some of his favorite series, Zachary rewatches one or two for each show. New and old, animated and live-action, including several genres (comedy, drama, horror), no show is off limits! How does he select shows and their episodes? Each biweekly episode is different, but some series will get additional treatments as the weeks and months move along! Ultimately, Zachary picks the shows he loves and the episodes he can’t stop thinking about and must watch, rewatch, and discuss! Who knows, maybe he will even throw in a movie from time to time. So, save a spot by the “bubblah” and join the (re)Watch!
Welcome to The Wicked Off-Topic Historian! On today’s episode, your host, Zachary, is pumping up the volume and pressing play on his music playlist. He will chat about his favorite musicians, fond memories of listening to ‘50s music on his Sony cassette Walkman, and those live music performances that changed his life and his musical tastes. Aslyn, Pat McGee Band, Will Hoge, Bryan Adams, Alanis Morissette, and more get proper attention. The first concert he ever attended was Gordon Lightfoot; his most recent was Elton John. Between those two is a random collection of artists and memories he is eager to share. Join the off-topic fun!
Welcome to The Wicked Off-Topic Historian! On today’s episode, your host, Zachary, talks about travel. No, he isn’t taking you someplace gorgeous, like Hawai‘i or San Diego. Instead, he celebrates Thanksgiving by briefly chatting about some traditions and then narrating his “Planes, Trains & Automobiles” travel nightmare! Yes, the movie, and John Candy, get discussed! Still, that glorious film redirected Zach to recall one specific trip to Florida nearly two decades ago. Like the film, that trip ran into travel mishaps and annoying people, but no Casio watches. While retelling this story, he has a question: Could he be Neal and not Del? Join the off-topic fun!
Welcome to The Wicked Off-Topic Historian! On today’s episode, your host Zachary introduces you to some of his favorite local Massachusetts dishes. It might be too early for lunch, but nostalgia is on the menu and Zach has plenty of food related stories. Favorite cuisines and movies/tv shows with food as a central theme - Zach shares it all. Yes, Bourdain gets a shout-out, so does “The Bear,” and of course Nicolas Cage’s masterful acting in “Pig.” Zach argues about pronouncing “scallops,” wishes he had a stuffed quahog, and gets wicked distracted by his empty stomach. You might get hungry, so don’t fight it and dive in. Join the off-topic fun!
Welcome to The Wicked Off-Topic Historian! On today’s episode, your host Zachary muses about his favorite historical places. Some of those discussed come from a nostalgic place, while others are those he argues offer history in its most truthful light. So, get ready to hear Zachary chat about childhood field trips and reminisce about visits to historical places near and far. The type of museum may change, but his accent will get worse with his giddiness about public history. Join the off-topic fun!
Welcome to The Wicked Off-Topic Historian! On today’s episode, your host Zachary introduces you to his haunted bookshelf. With Halloween less than a week away, Zachary uses his last episode in October, his final chance before trick-or-treating commences, to dust off his bookshelf and share the scary, frightening, and terrifying novels he has read the last year. New and old, spine-tingling scary and comedic horror, and suspenseful and disturbing thrillers - the collection is fantastic, and he can’t wait to share it with you all. He has a hot cup of coffee and maybe, just maybe, will introduce a book you will want to read on Halloween. Don’t worry; no spoilers! Join the off-topic fun!
Welcome to The Wicked Off-Topic Historian! On today’s episode, your host Zachary reflects on playing the “survival horror” video game Resident Evil, released by Capcom for PlayStation. He recalls late-night game sessions and nostalgically mentions his “gamer inspiration.” Still, it’s not Zachary’s podcast if he doesn’t go way off-topic, and today, he tries to keep calm and maintain his quest for spooky fun for October, but too much coffee veers him towards a board game from 1991 with a VHS “gatekeeper” that makes him shudder. Join the off-topic fun!
Welcome to The Wicked Off-Topic Historian! On today’s episode, your host Zachary gives a little background about his historical research. Reflecting on his dissertation, he uses this opportunity, the month of October, to “spin a yarn” about one historical individual, a young sailor in the 1820s from Wiscasset, Maine. A spoiler, his mentor had nightmares after reading this historical account of pirate savagery. Enjoy the start of the Wicked Spooky History series of podcast episodes, where Zachary puts forth his version of campfire tales and channels his inner “Are You Afraid of the Dark?”. Zachary does offer a clear WARNING; this is a disturbing story, “abandon hope all ye who enter here.” Join the off-topic fun!
Welcome to The Wicked Off-Topic Historian! On today’s episode, your host Zachary takes you into his past, using the haunt season as a springboard to chat about Halloween’s past and present. He tried to cover too much ground, but that doesn’t stop him from constantly getting off-topic as he recalls Halloween traditions from the 80s and 90s, his favorite scary movies, and those years he called Salem home and regularly joined the Haunted Happenings festivities. Join the off-topic fun!
Welcome to The Wicked Off-Topic Historian! On today’s episode, your host Zachary talks history, but you can leave the boring facts at the car door. Today it’s time to turn on the television, replay, and reminisce about some fantastic scenes from historical films and a few television series. Zachary is talking about his area of expertise but doing so with an eye towards the fictionalized dramatic. His historian hat is tightly affixed to his head, but it’s time to observe some of “his” favorite history movie/tv moments. Listen to find out if any of your go-to history films/shows get a shoutout. Certainly, Ethan Hawk as Abolitionist John Brown is at the top of the list. Join the off-topic fun!
Welcome to The Wicked Off-Topic Historian! On today’s episode, your host Zachary discusses growing up a New York Yankees fan while living in New England. He shares some nostalgic recollections of watching the Yankees in the 80s & 90s and bonding with his dad over their shared love of those pinstripes. Along the way, he chats about seeing the Yankees win the World Series for the first time, how it’s 100% alright to meet your “heroes,” and being a fan of a New York team with a Massachusetts accent didn’t get him a lot of local “second” dates during college. That’s perfectly fine; his wife is from New York! Join the off-topic fun!
Welcome to The Wicked Off-Topic Historian! On today’s episode, your host Zachary chats about returning to the college classroom. He confesses to having back-to-school jitters and a few first-day fumbles. Then, looking back to POP! Culture, he muses about professors represented in cinema, which means he recalls and can’t stop laughing at the late comedian Sam Kinison and his most famous moment from the 1986 film “Back to School!” Join the off-topic fun!
Welcome to The Wicked Off-Topic Historian! An entertaining podcast from your host Zachary. This podcast is for anyone, and everyone, who enjoys chatting about history, POP! Culture, the awesomeness of Frank Grillo, or simply musing about the past, present and future. Still, this podcast is not solely about history because that’s what Zachary does for his day job. He is off the clock and ready to get off-topic! Tune in soon for the premiere episode, and join the off-topic fun!