Things get very nerdy very quickly this week, as Allen Lulu joins Chris & Thom for a rollicking discussion of sci-fi physics failures, alternative fantasy presents, movie tie-in novels, the latest iPhone shenanigans, sculpting the fandom of children, and the value of turning shuffle off to enjoy full albums again. Plus, tributes to missing family and fallen comrades. Happy belated Rosh Hashanah, everybody! Music by Rich Creamy Paint, The Old Joe Clarks, and Sons Of Nothing.

Robbie is off on tour bringing the rock to the people, so Chris and Thom are joined by special guests Bill Holmes and Dave Berges for this week's excursion into whimsy. Topics include big band adventures, advice column musicals, celebrity mortality, mental assassination, voiceover shenanigans, and more weather talk than you can shake something sharp at. Plus, tequila! Music by Selby Tigers, Pete Krebs & Gossamer Wings, and The Woody James Big Band (featuring Mr Berges himself)

Though battling unusual and disorienting recording times (not to mention time zones) The Men of The Spoon remain doggedly on their game this week, whether taking care of business in the front with the horrors of war and the weirdness of biblical gender politics, or dropping a party in the back with the ranking of rock movies and forays into sci-fi nostalgia. Plus, spoon feeding, 20 points of compatibility, and the dawn of battle tennis! Music by The Little Girls, The Onlymen, and Kenny Howes.