This year started off a little crazy but the crew is here to let you know what you can look forward to in this upcoming year. Each host picks one thing they are most excited about in their area of expertise and let us know when they will hopefully debut. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy Inauguration week! America has begun a new term of presidential leadership and the staff at USA TODAY is hard at work covering every pressing angle. So unfortunately, the crew didn't have time to record a new episode this week. But we hope you will enjoy this political, pop culture -themed rerun from 2019 featuring Emily Brandwin & Philippe Reines, hosts of the podcast "Unredacted". See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How is Marvel handling their television debut of "WandaVision" on Disney Plus? TV Critic Kelly Lawler and Film Critic Brian Truitt let you know in this week's episode. Kelly, loves the sitcom tropes and enjoys watching the chemistry between Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany and Brian finds the show lacking in its ties to the Marvel universe. But the biggest question yet to be answered is whether or not Vision is alive. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy New Year from the crew! We're hoping this year brings better prospects both health & culture-wise, so to start off this new year we're celebrating and reviewing  our Film Critic Brian Truitt's favorite show, season three of "Cobra Kai". Brian and Tech Reporter Brett  Molina gush over how well the characters are developed, and joke about the fun absurdity of karate shenanigans that ensue. But warning, we do visit spoilertown.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most of the crew is away for the holiday, so Brian Truitt hosts this week's episode along with three special guests, and warning they take us deep into Spoilertown! Listen to three interviews with Felicity Jones, David Oyelowo and Kyle Chandler as they discuss their new Netflix film "The Midnight Sky", how it relates to the current state of society and what it was like to work with George Clooney who directed and produced the film as well as starred in it. See omnystudio.com/listener for...

This week we celebrate the good TV, movies and video games that came out of this terrible, horrible, no good, very bad year that was 2020. Each host will pick one of their favorite things that came out of 2020 and one wild card pick which is anything they loved that is outside their area of expertise.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Brett Molina ponders whether he will live to see all the 'Star Wars' and Marvel movies and the myriad shows slated to premier on Disney Plus. With so many promises and so little time the crew discusses 'Star Wars: Rouge Squadron' and which shows they are most looking forward to, if they all come to fruition. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe Manganiello discusses his new film, 'Archenemy,' where he plays an alcoholic, former superhero who has fallen far from grace. Joe also talks about his love of comics as a kid and his childhood dream, (now reality) of working for Dungeons & Dragons, which is owned by Hasbro. Brett and Joe attempt to predict the outcome of Monday night's football game, Pittsburgh Steelers versus Washington Football Team — spoiler, they were wrong.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we head to Spoiler Town as the crew reviews season 2 of "The Mandalorian" and attempts to predict how the season will end and what future iterations may hold. Brett critiques the repetitive plot lines of season two and Brian hopes the show continues to introduce new characters rather than familiar characters from the Star Wars universe. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week founding member of the Mothership Carly Mandelbaum comes aboard and says farewell as she prepares to leave USAToday. Carly as well as Brett, Brian and Kelly reminisce about their favorite things that got through the pandemic and explain why they are thankful for each of the distractions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kelly Lawler hosts this week's episode of The Mothership and interviews Tech Reporter Brett Molina on the new video game consoles Xbox Series X & PlayStation 5. Brett shares his takes and rates each console in the following categories: user experience, load times, and unique upgrades. He also tells us which console was actually worth the wait.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week the crew gets freaky! Brian Truitt interviews Christopher Landon, director of the new slasher-comedy "Freaky." Landon tells us how, at first, he thought Vince Vaughn would say "no" to the role of the serial killer. Landon also proudly discusses his favorite death scene from the film, which he fought to keep. And USA TODAY Business Reporter and friend of the podcast Nathan Bomey comes aboard the Mothership to discuss the current financial state of movie theaters and how they plan to...

Robert Yowell, former Flight Controller for the NASA Space Shuttle comes aboard the Mothership to discuss his role as a Tech Consultant for Disney's historical drama series "The Right Stuff." Yowell also chats with Tech Reporter Brett Molina about working closely with Brad Pitt on the set of "Ad Astra," the complications of using the restroom in zero gravity and how the privatization of space travel is making earth orbital flight more accessible.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

Director and screenwriter Brandon Cronenberg guests in this week's episode of The Mothership. Brandon discusses his new sci-fi/horror film "Possessor" and the real life event that inspired it. And Brett and Brian chat with Brandon about his family legacy in film, his favorite movies for the Halloween season, and how he is surviving social distancing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week the crew reviews Netflix's "Enola Holmes" and its star-studded cast. Brian gushes on how the new film remains true to the Sherlock legacy while establishing a fresh take with a new character. Kelly and Brett discuss their favorite portrayals of Sherlock and Watson and why they love them. See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.

Antony Starr aka Homelander comes aboard the Mothership and discusses what fans can expect from season two of "The Boys." Antony gives us spoiler-free details about a new villain on "The Seven" and the loss of stability for any characters from season one. The gang also chats about the difference between an American and New Zealand barbecue.

Happy Friday! And boy does the crew have a show for you. This week is a double feature, with special interviews from HBO's "Watchmen" and the upcoming film "Bill and Ted face the Music". Director Steph Green talks about "Watchmen," helming the Emmy-nominated episode “Little Fear of Lightning,” and how she wanted to portray the origin of key character Looking Glass. And William Sadler comes aboard to discuss reprising his role as Death in "Bill & Ted Face Music," and his method for...

This week Film Critic Brian Truitt and Tech Reporter Brett Molina chat DC FanDome and what fans can expect to see from the Comic-Con-esque, virtual experience streaming August 22nd. Brett discusses his dismay over comments about the upcoming film "The Batman," and Brian goes over details of what may or may not be teased during the FanDome stream. Our hosts also talk about current issues involving stans, how their behavior became acceptable and what can be done to discourage it.

Disney announced it will release the live-action version of "Mulan" through it's streaming platform Disney Plus on September 4th. But there is a catch—a $30.00 purchase fee to be exact. This week, Film Critic Brian Truitt & Tech Reporter Brett Molina discuss whether this release is worth the price tag on top of regular subscription costs and how the outcome might affect future film releases as movie theaters start to reopen during the pandemic.

We missed a few episodes here & there. But we’re back, and not with a bang but a rumor. Emmy Raver-Lampman comes aboard the Mothership and chats with the crew about “Umbrella Academy” and the heavy, universal themes it handles in season two. Emmy also describes what an honor it was to be part of the original cast of “Hamilton” on Broadway and dotes on her pandemic garden.

This week we beg the question: Is it actually good or is it quarantine good? Join us as our Technology Reporter Brett Molina and TV Critic Kelly Lawler examine whether they are actually enjoying the television series they are watching or are they settling to fill endless hours of quarantine. And Film Critic Brian Truitt discusses how the constant availability of streaming paired with social distancing may have lowered the standards to truly judge films.

Sheila Vand chats with the crew about her role in the horror film, "Rental" and how she uses her work in the horror genre to confront and conquer her worst fears. Sheila gushes to our Film Critic Brian Truitt about her character, Zarah Ferami on TNT's "Snowpiercer" and talks with Brett Molina about her Corona anxiety and her plans to continue working in film post-social distancing. 

This week the fireworks fly as the crew shares their favorite ways to geek out over the fourth of July! Brett likes the oldie but goodie film, "Independence Day", Brian offers other not so on the nose ideas for entertainment. And Kelly tells listeners how to view fireworks and social distance on this peculiar Independence Day.

Film Critic Brian Truitt chats with Timothy Dalton about his role as The Chief in HBO's "Doom Patrol" and what fans can look forward to in its second season. Brian names the first movie he saw in a theater and Dalton reflects on how the film was received by American audiences who didn't understand camp at the time.

This week pop culture and current events collide as our hosts speak with NPR TV Critic Eric Deggans about the current racial movement taking place in our country and how TV shows about cops and the justice system pass along derogatory and discriminative messages regarding race, specifically African-Americans. Deggans also discusses the desire among white Americans to fight systemic racism and suggests they "find one thing that may support white supremacy or passes along racist ideas and...