As a rule, I’m not a fan of “repurposed” podcasts – the kind where a broadcaster takes a radio program and makes it available in downloadable form. This type of podcast is rarely more than TiVo for your radio. There’s nothing unique or special about it.

There is, however, one very notable exception: The BBC Five Live’s Simon Mayo program, which once a week features movie critic Mark Kermode, Ph.D. Kermode successfully combines the sensibilities of an auteur with a deep love of B movies and the talent to eviscerate a film with uncanny charm. Dr. Kermode, whose Ph.D. thesis was on horror fiction, never fails to be energetically entertaining, whether he is declaring the death of narrative cinema (something he often encourages his listeners to yell in a crowded a theater) or claiming that it’s okay to be a vegetarian and eat fish because, “fish deserve to die for failing to evolve out of the oceans.” (more…)

This artist deserves – something. I’m not sure what. A prize? A job? Extensive therapy? Her ability to emulate Matt Groening’s drawing style is eclipsed only by her ability to capture The Simpsons writers’ classic wit (back when The Simpsons was, you know, funny.)

The only problem having seen these is I now need Groening to make a Battlestar Galactica-themed episode. Wait, scratch that. Sci Fi Channel needs to make a new mini-series, only in cartoon form! Mmmmm…. animated….

To see the entire Battlestar Galactisimpsons banner, click here (warning, contains spoilers.)

Dylan Meconis’ (do check out her other works; she’s got style) Battlestar homage reminded me of another franchise-bending effort of a few years ago – this time mixing up Joss Whedon’s Firefly and South Park. Lux Lucre hasn’t updated his South Park Firefly page in ages, but I still get a chuckle out of Jayne Cobb as Cartman. Respect my chain ‘o command, gorrammit!

Charlie Brooker of Guardian Unlimited, we’ve never met. In fact, I’ve never read your work before today. But, mate, next time I’m in the U.K. I want to buy you a pint. Your “I Hate Macs” column is an absolutely brilliant summation of what’s wrong with those Mac versus PC commercials.

I just want you to know many of us Mac users are terribly embarrassed by Apple’s current promotional strategy, and don’t appreciate being portrayed as arrogant “poseurs,” anymore than you obviously appreciate being portrayed as a pompous, bumbling git. So, thanks for demonstrating what’s wrong with the approach so eloquently, and for appreciating as I do that winning a debate by demeaning your opponent is an empty victory at best.

To read Charlie’s “I hate Macs” column, click here.

Okay, it’s not the “I’d Like To Give The World a Coke” holiday commercial, but it’s still good to end off our round-up of the best and worst ads from Super Bowl XLI with something a little upbeat. The folks at Coca-Cola get special kudos (and a 10 on the Geek-o-Meter) for using one of the uglier trends to come out of gaming in recent years and turn it into a Broadway show tune. All the while still staying true to the genre the ad is sending up. Nicely done.

Coca-Cola Grand Theft Auto

I don’t like trucks and I like big trucks even less. But this slickly done Ford commercial almost had me interested in an F-Series Super Duty. Almost.

Really nice special effects get this truck commercial a 9 on the Geek-o-Meter.

Ford F-Series Super Duty