Watchmen (HBO)
We tackle the race massacre of 1921, the lead-up of the Red Summer of 1919, and the hidden history uncovered in modern times. Watchmen is created by Damon Lindelof, based on the book by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. The Burning is written by Tim Madigan.
Extras:
Watchmen (HBO) trailer // 2 min https://bit.ly/watchmenhbotrail
interview with Damon Lindelof on writing // 10 min https://bit.ly/damonlinterview
Tim Madigan’s book, The Burning // book https://bit.ly/theburningbook
WEB DuBois essay, “Returning Soldiers” // essay https://bit.ly/returnsoldiers
the history of the Tulsa Race Massacre // article https://bit.ly/tulsarm
the history of the Rosewood Massacre // article https://bit.ly/rosewdmassacre
press during 1919 massacres // article https://bit.ly/1919press
1921 Tulsa article after the massacre // article https://bit.ly/tulsajune2
Donald Byrd’s dance “Greenwood” // 38 min https://bit.ly/greenwooddance
Teaching for Black Lives materials // resource https://www.teachingforblacklives.org
Rosewood (1997) trailer // 3 min https://bit.ly/rosewoodtrailer
interview with Olivia Hooker, a survivor // article https://bit.ly/oliviahint
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Da 5 Bloods (by Wallace Terry)
Let’s talk about our history. We learn about the black veterans of the Vietnam War, and hear the stories of military service of African Americans in the United States. Da 5 Bloods is co-written and directed by Spike Lee (now on Netflix), based on the book Bloods by Wallace Terry.
Extras:
Da 5 Bloods trailer // 3 min https://bit.ly/da5bloodstrailer
Bloods In ‘Nam PBS Frontline doc // 45 min https://bit.ly/bloodsinnam
audio from the front lines recording // 45 min https://bit.ly/cominghomevietnam
Bloods: Black Veterans of the Vietnam War: An Oral History // bookhttps://bit.ly/bloodsbook
Missing Pages: Black Journalists of Modern America: An Oral History // bookhttps://bit.ly/missingpgs
on the ending of Do The Right Thing // 15 min https://bit.ly/dtrtending
Wallace Terry greeting the segregationist governor // photohttps://bit.ly/wallaceterryphoto
on racism during the Vietnam War // article https://bit.ly/vietwarracism
military history of African Americans // article https://bit.ly/uswarhistory
statistics on Black Americans in Vietnam // book https://bit.ly/ussoldierbook
every movie reference in Da 5 Bloods // article https://bit.ly/da5bloodsrefs
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Harry Potter (part 3) (by JK Rowling)
How so many parts of our world have been touched by the magic.
Extras:
how Harry Potter changed books // article https://bit.ly/hpbooklegacy
the problem with translating HP // video https://bit.ly/translatinghp
Harry Potter Voldemort name translations // article https://bit.ly/voldemortname
a Harry and the Potters song // video https://bit.ly/handthep
My Immortal, the worst fanfiction // article https://bit.ly/myimmortalff
the Quidditch World Cup // video https://bit.ly/quidditchvid
book lengths over time // article https://bit.ly/yabooklength
the misquoted Onion Satanism piece // article https://bit.ly/hponion
Hogwarts beats a real school in rankings // article https://bit.ly/loretto1
the demand for pet owls // article https://bit.ly/owlpotter1
JK Rowling’s essay on gender issues // article https://bit.ly/jkessay1
the infamous Harry Potter Puppet Pals // video https://bit.ly/hppuppet
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Harry Potter (part 2) (by JK Rowling)
The magical cinematic journey from book to screen.
Extras:
the first screen test with Harry, Hermione, and Ron // 12 min https://bit.ly/hpscreentest
Diagon Alley on Google Maps street view // link https://bit.ly/diagonmaps
JK Rowling’s new free book, The Ickabog // link https://bit.ly/ickabogbook
the terrible NY Times review // article https://bit.ly/hpnytreview
a conversation between Rowling and Radcliffe // 53 min https://bit.ly/rowlingradcliffe
a conversation between Rowling and Kloves // 47 min https://bit.ly/rowlingkloves
why Harry’s eyes aren’t green // article https://bit.ly/hpgreeneyes
Robin Williams as Hagrid // article https://bit.ly/robinwilliamshagrid
Eight-part Entertainment Weekly reporting // article https://bit.ly/ewharrypotter
How Daniel became Harry Potter // article https://bit.ly/danielpotter
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Bad Education
How does 11 million dollars go missing from the best school system in the nation? And what does Charles Dickens have to do with it? Bad Education is a film on HBO starring Hugh Jackman, written by Mark Makowsky and directed by Cory Finley. The story is based on the New York Magazine article on Frank Tassone, written by Robert Kolker.
Extras:
Bad Education trailer // 2 min https://bit.ly/badedtrailer
the original New York Magazine piece // article https://bit.ly/badsup
interview with director Cory Finley // article https://bit.ly/cfinley
interview with writer Mike Makowsky // article https://bit.ly/mmakowsky
podcast interview with Frank Tassone // 33 min https://bit.ly/ftassone
interview with actor Hugh Jackman // article https://bit.ly/hjackmanbadsup
aftermath of the embezzlement // article https://bit.ly/pgluckin
on the film’s creation // article https://bit.ly/badedfilm
history of Charles Dickens’ book, Martin Chuzzlewit // articlehttps://bit.ly/dickenschuzzlewit
clipping regarding Dicken’s book // article https://bit.ly/chuzzlewit
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Harry Potter (part 1) (by JK Rowling)
How it all began, with the woman who made the best-selling book series of all time.
Extras:
JK Rowling on her extensive notes // 5 min https://bit.ly/harrypnotes
interview with the publisher on accepting JK Rowling // 4 min https://bit.ly/hppublisher
documentary spotlight on JK Rowling // 24 min https://bit.ly/JKspotlight
Oprah interview with JK Rowling // 40 min https://bit.ly/jkoprah
radio interview with JK Rowling, 1999 // article https://bit.ly/1999jkint
Harry Potter in Ancient Greek // article https://bit.ly/hpgreek
New Yorker piece on JK Rowling // article https://bit.ly/mugglemarch
book on the origins of Harry Potter // book https://bit.ly/hporiginsbook
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Defending Jacob (by William Landay)
We tackle the history of legal thrillers, the journey of a lawyer-turned-author, and if violence is hereditary. Defending Jacob is a miniseries on Apple TV, based on the book by William Landay.
Extras:
interview with show creator Mark Bomback // article https://bit.ly/bombackinterview
talk at Google with author William Landay // 45 min https://bit.ly/landayint1
interview with author William Landay // 7 min https://bit.ly/landayint2
Abraham Lincoln’s true crime writing // article https://bit.ly/attorneyabe
LA Times reporting on the “murder gene” // article https://bit.ly/murdergene1
1997 Esquire article about the “murder gene” // article https://bit.ly/murdergene2
Italian court case with reduced sentence due to gene // articlehttps://bit.ly/courtcasegene
the science behind MAOA gene // article https://bit.ly/MAOAgene
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
The comedic sci-fi series you wish you understood, and now, you can! Learn about Douglas Adams, the number 42, and why you shouldn’t panic. It’s the 15th anniversary of the film, and the 42nd anniversary of the original work.
Extras:
the trailer // 2 min https://bit.ly/hhgttgtrailer
Elon Musk’s love of HG2G // article https://bit.ly/elonmuskhitch
Douglas Adams on Letterman // 7 min https://bit.ly/daletterman
original radio play (episode 1) // 24 min https://bit.ly/hg2gradio
Douglas Adams TED talk // 1hr 30 min https://bit.ly/datedtalk
Douglas Adams rhino costume dance // 4 min https://bit.ly/darhinocostume
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Mrs. America
Learn about one of the most important women of the 20th century, how amendments work, and a college sophomore who uncovered a 202-year-old loophole in the constitution. We dive into Mrs. America, a miniseries on Hulu, and the books The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan, and A Choice not an Echo, by Phyllis Schlafly.
Extras:
Mrs. America trailer // 3 min https://bit.ly/mrsamericatrailer
the debate on Good Morning America // 24 min https://bit.ly/gmadebate
writer Dahvi Waller on creation // 13 min https://bit.ly/dahviwaller
the historical accuracy of the show // article https://bit.ly/mrsamericafactvfiction
the 27th amendment that was found by a 19-year-old // articlehttps://bit.ly/27amendment
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Westworld (by Michael Crichton)
We uncover the origins of the hit TV show on HBO, the beginning of computer effects in film, and the life of the author of Jurassic Park. Westworld is a show on HBO, and a movie (and novel) from 1973.
Extras:
Westworld (2020) trailer // 2 min: https://bit.ly/westworldhbotrail
Westworld (1973) trailer // 3 min: https://bit.ly/westworld1973trail
interview with Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy on the show // article:https://bit.ly/jnolanljoyinterview
the history of the original Westworld’s SFX // article: https://bit.ly/westworldsfx
clip of the 1973 Westworld’s first computer effect // 2 min: https://bit.ly/gunslingersfx
Arnold Schwarzenegger citing Westworld as his influence for the Terminator // articlehttps://bit.ly/arnoldwestworld
the life of Michael Crichton // article: https://bit.ly/mcrichtonlife
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Emma (by Jane Austen)
Journey with us into Regency England, Beverly Hills in the ’90’s, and what Jane Austen invented that changed literature.
Extras:
Emma. (2020) trailer // 2 min: https://bit.ly/emma2020trailer
Clueless (1995) trailer // 2 min: https://bit.ly/cluelesstrailer
interview with the writer (Eleanor Catton) // article: https://bit.ly/emmawriterinterview
interview with the director of Clueless // 10 min: https://bit.ly/amyheckerlingint
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Little Fires Everywhere (by Celeste Ng)
The odd (and real!) town of Shaker Heights, baby adoption in the 1990’s, and Evan and Taylor’s earnest attempt to understand motherhood. This week, we cover Little Fires Everywhere, the show on Hulu and the book by Celeste Ng.
ALERT: We also made another podcast as an April Fool’s joke!
- Judge a Book (our April Fool’s podcast!)
https://lists.pocketcasts.com/catpockets
Extras:
trailer, Little Fires Everywhere (Hulu) // 2 min: www.bit.ly/lfetrailer
interview with showrunner Liz Tigelaar // article: www.bit.ly/liztiginterview
interview with Reese Witherspoon // article: www.bit.ly/reeseinterview
Captioning Emily by Celeste Ng // article: www.bit.ly/captioningemily
essay by Celeste on fiction writing // article: www.bit.ly/needfiction
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
The Plot Against America (by Philip Roth)
We give you the imaginary presidency of Charles Lindbergh, the cycles of human history, and what the heck was really going on in 1940. This week, “The Plot Against America”, a limited series on HBO, and a novel by Philip Roth.
Extras:
The Plot Against America trailer // 3 min https://bit.ly/plotagainsttrailer
interview with author Philip Roth // 5 min https://bit.ly/prothinterview
interview with author Philip Roth // article https://bit.ly/nytrothinterview
the 1939 opinion poll on Jewish population // article https://bit.ly/1939poll
Charles Lindbergh’s anti-Semitic speech // audiohttps://bit.ly/lindberghspeech
the 1936 poll about FDR becoming a dictator // articlehttps://bit.ly/fdrdictator
the history of quotas on Jewish students at Ivy Leagues // articlehttps://bit.ly/ivyleaguedisc
the Howe-Strauss generational cycle theory // articlehttps://bit.ly/generationaltheory
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Pandemics
Stay safe, wash your hands, socially distance, and call your parents! This week, we cover pandemics in history, and some old movies that are now popular again.
Extras:
CDC reviews pandemic movies // 22 min https://bit.ly/cdcreviewmovies
1918 outbreak, Philly vs. St. Louis // article https://bit.ly/phillystlouispandemic
1885 cholera map data in London // article https://bit.ly/jonsnowmap
interview with expert Ian Lipkin // 17 min https://bit.ly/ianlapkinint
Outbreak trailer // 2 min https://bit.ly/outbreaktrailer
Contagion trailer // 2 min https://bit.ly/contagiontrail
The Hot Zone book // full book https://bit.ly/hotzonebook
the history of pandemics // article https://bit.ly/pandemichistory
Frank Snowden, epidemics and society // article https://bit.ly/franksnowden
The End of October book // book https://bit.ly/endofoctober
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Peter Pan (by JM Barrie)
The new, artistic film “Wendy” by Benh Zeitlin, the odd life of author JM Barrie, and the largest covert operation to fly children across the world. We’re giving you everything you need to know about Peter Pan.
Extras:
Wendy trailer // 2 min http://bit.ly/wendytrail
history of the name Wendy // article http://bit.ly/wendyname
the life of JM Barrie // article http://bit.ly/jmbarriebio
interview with director Benh Zeitlin // article http://bit.ly/wendydirector
Operation Pedro Pan documentary // 4 mins http://bit.ly/operationpedro
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
The Invisible Man (by HG Wells)
We tackle the father of science fiction, the odd 2000’s Kevin Bacon adaptation, predicting the future, and even the One Ring from Lord of the Rings. The Invisible Man (2020) is by Leigh Whannell, the original book by HG Wells.
Extras:
The Invisible Man (2020) trailer // 3 min http://bit.ly/inv2020trailer
interview with writer/director // article http://bit.ly/leighwhannellint
the silly poem the book is based on // poem http://bit.ly/ogpoemhgwells
modern tech’s invisibility cloak // 8 min http://bit.ly/inviscloakvid
Hollow Man (2000) trailer // 2 min http://bit.ly/hollowmantrail
The Invisible Man (1933) special effects // 2 min http://bit.ly/invis1933sfx
HG Wells’ futurist predictions // 5 min http://bit.ly/hgprophet
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
The Call of the Wild (by Jack London)
We explain the history behind the madman Jack London, his iconic work, the bizarre Disney adaptation, and a lesser known, live-action dog tale. The Call of the Wild is by Jack London, and also Togo with Willem Dafoe, out on Disney Plus.
Extras:
Jack London by Alex Kershaw / book http://bit.ly/jacklondonbook
What A Nightmare, Charlie Brown! / 5 min. http://bit.ly/charliebrownwild
interview with Togo director / article http://bit.ly/togoint
Chris Sanders storybook about what’s wrong with Disney / article http://bit.ly/disneybearbook
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
High Flying Bird (Revolt of the Black Athlete)
An under-the-radar film shot on iPhone, the 1968 Olympic protests, and The Revolt of the Black Athlete. The book is by Harry Edwards, and High Flying Bird is directed by Steven Soderbergh on Netflix.
Extras:
High Flying Bird trailer / 2 min. http://bit.ly/hfbtrailer
Unsane trailer / 2 min. http://bit.ly/unsanetrail
Tarell Alvin McCraney (writer) interview / article http://bit.ly/writerinhfb
High Flying Bird historical context / article http://bit.ly/historicalhfb
Harry Edwards story / article http://bit.ly/hedwards
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Parasite
The South Korean film that swept the Oscars this year, and the meaning behind the big film and literature prizes.
Extras:
Parasite trailer / 2 min: http://bit.ly/parasitetrail
interview with Bong Joon Ho / article: http://bit.ly/bongint
interview about set design / article: http://bit.ly/architectureparasite
interview about editing / article: http://bit.ly/editorparasite
video about the french sisters / 10 min: http://bit.ly/papinsisters
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Color Out of Space (by HP Lovecraft)
How the 24-year-missing director of this film is a Nazi-hunting Indiana Jones, the unfortunate life of H.P. Lovecraft, and what makes these spooky stories different from Stephen King. Color Out of Space by Richard Stanley is based on “The Colour Out of Space” by H.P. Lovecraft.
Extras:
- Color Out of Space trailer / 2 min: http://bit.ly/color2019trailer
- The Colour Out of Space short story / 1.5 hr: http://bit.ly/coloraudiobook
- Annihilation trailer / 2 min: http://bit.ly/annihilationtrail
- Voice of the Moon (Afghan War) doc / 30 min: http://bit.ly/voiceofthemoon
- Lost Soul (career-ending film) doc trailer / 2 min: http://bit.ly/lostsoultrailer
- The Secret Glory (Nazi-hunting) doc / 1.5 hr: http://bit.ly/secretglorydoc
- Lovecraft Country (HBO) teaser / 6 min: http://bit.ly/lovecraftcountry
- Richard Stanley interview / article: http://bit.ly/stanleylainterview
- Massive life of Richard Stanley interview / article: http://bit.ly/stanleyinterview2
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod