Sophomore Lit

Love of wisdom means never having to say you’re sorry. Professor Marina McCoy joins her husband to discuss Plato’s The Apology (c. 399-90 BCE). John McCoy with Marina McCoy Show Notes & Links Greece is the word Companion post on my blog detailing Marina’s and John’s trip to Athens and to its Plato-related sites. Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

First-time co-host Daniel Heddendorf joins in to discuss clocks and jellybeans in Harlan Ellison’s short story, “‘Repent, Harlequin!’ Said the Ticktockman” (1965). John McCoy with Daniel Heddendorf Show Notes & Links 2000X: "Repent Harlequin!" Said the Ticktockman | By the Waters of Babylon The radio adaptation of the story directed by Yuri Rasovky and starring Robin Williams and Harlan Ellison. Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride it where I like. Shaenon K. Garrity returns to discuss Flan O’Brien’s enigmatic The Third Policeman (written 1940, published 1967). John McCoy Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

Hope you’re not lactose intolerant! Matt Skuta returns to discuss John Cormier’s I am the Cheese (1977). John McCoy with Matt Skuta Show Notes & Links I am the Cheese The 1983 film adaptation. Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

What, the one as big as me? Marina McCoy makes her holiday return to discuss Mário de Andrade’s sweet-and-salty “A Christmas Turkey” (1956). John McCoy with Marina McCoy Show Notes & Links Mario de Andrade - Brazil School A dubbed introduction to the life and work of Brazilian poet and author Mário de Andrade Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

Who watches the Watch House? Not us, the book is better. Ross Cleaver returns to discuss Robert Westall’s The Watch House (1977). John McCoy with Ross Cleaver Show Notes & Links *Pathetic Fallacy* post to accompany this episode The 1988 BBC adaptation (if you must) Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

The answer, my friend…is not a lyric in the any of the songs the McCoy Brothers discuss. For this annual drunk Thanksgiving Special, Rob, Dan, and John talk about Where Have All the Flowers Gone?, One Tin Soldier, and Alice’s Restaurant. John McCoy with Rob McCoy and Dan McCoy Show Notes & Links Pathetic Fallacy: Hurrah for the Pumpkin Pie A companion essay for this episode on my blog about Thanksgiving specials and protest songs. The Kingston Trio: Where Have All the Flowers Gone? (1961) One of the most successful covers of this song, originally by Pete Seeger. The Original Caste: One Tin Soldier (1969) In the episode I don’t remember who wrote this song, but it was Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter. Arlo Guthrie: Alice's Restaurant Massacree (1967) Here it is in all its 18 1/2 minute glory. Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

Podcasts could happen to anyone. David Loehr discusses exits and entrances in Tom Stoppard’s Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead (first performed 1966, published 1967). John McCoy with David J. Loehr Show Notes & Links Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead Trailer for 1990 movie. Björk: Bachelorette That Björk video John references, if anyone cares. Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

Don’t it allways seem to go, you don’t know what unicorns you got til they’re gone. Kathy Campbell discusses Peter S. Beagle’s 1968 The Last Unicorn. John McCoy with Kathy Campbell Show Notes & Links I'm Aliiiiiiive My Pathetic Fallacy blogpost about theme song for the movie version of The Last Unicorn. Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

BEEP boop what is… love? Well, we don’t figure this out, but John Siracusa does return to Sophomore Lit to discuss Karel Čapek’s play R.U.R. (1920), the origin of the word “robot.” John McCoy with John Siracusa Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.