Star Wars

Watched ‘em, read ‘em: May 2025

/ Ian Casselberry / Leave a comment

These posts are inspired by Steven Soderbergh’s annual “Seen/Read” list. At the beginning of every year, Soderbergh shares his chronicle of all the media he consumed during the prior 365 days.

Yet my choices of movies, TV shows and books likely aren’t interesting enough to keep people scrolling through a long list. So I’m doing it month by month, which keeps it fresh for me as a writer and is easier to track.

Most notably, I finally got back to a movie theater. Thanks, Marvel! And thanks to spoiler culture for getting me to watch The Last of Us every Sunday, even though Season 2 was rather unsatisfying. (I know; I should write about that.)

05/01 – Andor; Season 2, Episodes 5 & 6: “I Have Friends Everywhere,” “What a Festive Evening”

05/02 – Your Friends & Neighbors; S1, Ep. 5: “This Tourist Has Balls”

05/04 – Thunderbolts* (2025), Jake Schreier

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Watched ‘em, read ‘em: April 2025

/ Ian Casselberry / Leave a comment

If this is your first time seeing one of these posts on the blog, they’re inspired by Steven Soderbergh’s annual “Seen/Read” list.

Every January, Soderbergh posts his chronicle of all the media he consumed during the previous year. I don’t expect my choices of movies, TV shows and books to be nearly as compelling for a year-long list. So I’m doing it month by month, which is more engaging to write and easier to track.

April was a really good month for TV. The Pitt and Daredevil: Born Again were both nearing the end of their seasons, while Andor and The Last of Us were beginning their second turns. Your Friends & Neighbors was also intriguing, but I might not have been interested if not for Jonathan Tropper running the show. He’ll always get my attention because of Banshee and Warrior.

Then there’s Andor, which isn’t reinventing TV but may be reinventing Star Wars. Tony Gilroy is telling adult stories that may take place in another galaxy, but aren’t space fantasy. No Jedi, no Force. And maybe the best definition of “rebellion” that ever could have been created in this universe.

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WISE Sports Radio MLB hit: Dec. 30, 2019

/ Ian Casselberry / Leave a comment

Is this really my last radio hit for 2019? I wish I’d been more aware of that while recording, though I did make sure to wish Pat Ryan and the WISE Guys crew a Happy New Year.

Catching up on some baseball news after Christmas week, Pat and I cover former Asheville Tourists star Corey Dickerson signing with the Miami Marlins, and the Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago White Sox taking big steps toward building playoff contenders for 2020. Oh, and some Star Wars!

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The Podcass 007: Endgame’s endings, Def Leppard fame, and Miguel Cabrera complaints

/ Ian Casselberry / Leave a comment

After a one-week hiccup, it’s a catch-up Podcass!

Getting back on track, we clean up on topics from the previous week including Avengers: Endgame and its many endings for beloved characters, Def Leppard’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction and redemption, the Detroit Tigers’ Miguel Cabrera blaming others for his lack of home runs, and the passing of the legend inside the Chewbacca suit, Peter Mayhew. 

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1JTArnQlcdvFuT5eMWAPM1

1:55 – May the Force be with Peter Mayhew

4:58 – Avengers: Endgame endings – WITH SPOILERS

18:19 – Def Leppard in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

25:19 – Miguel Cabrera shivs his Detroit Tigers teammates

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Overzealous Recycling 016: I like that Wookiee

/ Ian Casselberry / Leave a comment

Sad to hear that Peter Mayhew, known largely as the actor who portrayed Chewbacca in five Star Wars films, passed away this week at the age of 71. Yet Mayhew’s death occurring two days before “Star Wars Day” (May the 4th be with you) probably resulted in even more attention and appreciation for his career than it otherwise may have received.

But maybe not. Chewbacca was a beloved, iconic character in the most famous movie franchise of all time (well, until Marvel and the Avengers came along). Mayhew’s death was going to be news. But a community came together online and in person, due to social media and Star Wars Day, to express their affection, which made it just that much more special.

— If you missed the last Overzealous Recycling, you can read it here —

Growing up with Star Wars (though I often recap my love of comic books and superheroes more), Han Solo was the coolest character for me. Roguish, charming, a little bit unethical, but ultimately noble. He wore a slick vest and piloted the best starship in the galaxy. Yet as I got older (and old), I developed more affection for Chewbacca. And not just because I often express myself with roars and grunts too.

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