Best of 2015! Part 1

It's been a while! But we're finally back with our recap of 2015 -- this week, Movies and TV Shows. Next week, Books, Podcasts, and Music!

Your New Favorite Podcast alert: Mystery Show!

While the Billy and Bryan Show is on
the run from the law, not to mention our creditors who seem to believe we cashed their sponsorship check and spent it all on beer and cookieshiatus, we know that your ears are definitely looking for some new podcasts to listen to until we put out another "classic ep" [classic episode]. You're in luck!

Mystery Show is the brand new offering from Gimlet Media, producers of StartUp and Reply All. It's like Serial, but without the due diligence, each mystery lasts for one episode rather than a whole season, and -- at least so far -- each case gives you some measure of closure. It's hosted by Starlee Kine, who you should know from This American Life.

So far, Starlee has investigated a video store that went out of business overnight, with no warning; an obscure book sighted in the possession of a major pop star; and a belt buckle. Each episode has thrilled and delighted me, thanks to Starlee's quirky investigative style that follows any lead -- no matter how tangential -- and knack for interviewing persons of interest. I can't believe the sudden surges of surprise, pathos, and delight that spring up with each plot twist -- this is truly a must-listen. And once you've started listening, add to your experience with my Mystery Show magazine on Flipboard, which is full of extra links to content about and inspired by the show.

And in true BABS fashion, the Top 5 Reasons You Must Listen to Mystery Show:
5. So that once everyone starts talking about it, a la Serial, you'll know exactly what they're talking about.
4. To get context for this video.
3. To find out just how long someone can talk to customer service at a bookstore while checking on the status of a book.
2. Mystery Show host Starlee Kine was responsible for perhaps the greatest story in the history of This American Life: "Break-Up", featuring Phil Collins!
1. You really need the experience of being delighted by the story of a belt buckle.

So find it on iTunes, or read more at Flipboard!

Episode 31: Best of 2014 Part 2

We are forever finished with 2014 after this recap of those things that we appreciated with our eyes: Top 5 movies, TV shows, and books!

Episode 30: Best of 2014 Part 1

We begin our year-end two-parter by looking back at the best Songs, Albums, and Podcasts to hit our earballs in 2014. Check back next week for Part 2 when we focus on eyeballs! (That's moving pictures, televisual stories, and word books!)

Top 5 New Podcasts from 2014

We like to end each year with an episode counting down all of our pop culture Top 5's: books, television, film, music, and -- naturally -- podcasts. But with so many great new podcasts popping up recently, I started to fear that our new favorites might not fit into a Top 5 list competing against the classics of the medium, so we decided to share this blog-only (no podcast this time -- is that meta? or ironic? I just don't know anymore if Alanis isn't singing about it) list. We don't have time to listen to everything (slackers!) so let us know in the comments what we're missing! 

And before you jump in with any of these that are new to you, don't forget to listen to our latest episode, our discussion of the Serial podcast and the Top 5 questions we still have (or subscribe to The Billy and Bryan Show on iTunes).

Top 5 New Podcasts from 2014

Episode 29: Serial

Thanks to Thanksgiving, Serial is taking this week off -- but have no fear, The Billy and Bryan Show is here to fill that turkey-sized hole in your listening schedule with our take on the first nine episodes of Serial, as well as our Top 5 Questions from the show that are gnawing at us like a giant drumstick. What other questions or theories do you have? Share them on the blog comments, in my Serial magazine on Flipboard, or at our Facebook page.

Happy Thanksgiving!

To ease the sting of having to wait TWO WHOLE WEEKS for a new episode of Serial, we'll be casting a pod this Thursday look back at the first nine episodes, and ahead at what may be to come. Until then, let us know in the comments or on our Facebook page: What do YOU think? Whodunnit? How? Why? Mail...kimp?

We'll be running down our Top Five Questions about Serial so far: what are your biggest questions, and what do you think the biggest mysteries are?

See you Thursday with the full episode! If you need something to tide you over for the next four days, you can check out my Serial magazine on Flipboard for a bunch of articles about the show.