The Explosive Alan Podcast

Join Dan, Ash, Gareth and the occasional guest as they talk games, films and TV, answer the community's questions and attempt to outdo each other in weekly challenges.

Ep112: Rebirth 04/20/2024

Ep112: Rebirth Welcome to the world of tomorrow! In this jumbo comeback edition of the show, Ash, Dan and Gareth are back in the saddle and ready to fill you in what they've been up to for the last four years while offering zero explanation for their extended absence. The show itself has emerged from stasis unchanged, so expect the usual answers to your questions, a rundown of what we're playing and a quiz inspired by Gareth's universal currency of choice. Rather embarrassingly, it's been so long since our last recording that we completely forgot that the Great Debate topic is EXACTLY the same as the previous episode's. Whoops. (Also, contrary to Jazz McVoiceover's claims in the intro, Simon Chong doesn't appear in this episode. Sorry.) /episode/index/show/exalpodcast/id/30912938

Ep111: ↑↑↓↓←→←→BA 03/03/2020

Ep111: ↑↑↓↓←→←→BA Simon's back! Sort of. We catch up with our transatlantic absentee Alan via 'live' satellite linkup, and discover how life is for our LA-ex. (Spoiler: enviably great.) We also delve into some excellent Getting To Know Us questions, including casting our dream game-to-TV series. Plus! The world's most successful arcade games form the basis of our quiz Play Your Cabs Right. And, to honour the passing of Konami code creator Kazuhisa Hashimoto, we discuss your--and our--favourite cheats. /episode/index/show/exalpodcast/id/13384769

Ep110: It's Just A Game 02/25/2020

Ep110: It's Just A Game We skirt dangerously close to highbrow territory this week, as we discuss which games introduced you to hitherto unknown periods of history or works of fine art. Hopefully it's only a blip. Elsewhere, Gareth's love of Fortnite is reignited, Ash explores post-apocalyptia on a land boat, and Dan slowly unravels in a quiz custom-built to break him. /episode/index/show/exalpodcast/id/13291457

Ep109: The Free AOL CD Generation 02/18/2020

Ep109: The Free AOL CD Generation Who's your Best Gaming Friend? After last episode's rather downbeat discussion, we bring the mood back up with a chat about those special someones that you can always depend on to be up for a game. We also cover old franchises that we'd love to see revived, including Timesplitters and obscure Sierra gem Manhunter: New York, plus there's a tricky quiz on Academy Award-winning film titles in other languages. Oh, and there's some soup chat. /episode/index/show/exalpodcast/id/13196366

Ep108: Don’t Mention The B Word 02/04/2020

Ep108: Don’t Mention The B Word More hot chat about the games and entertainment we're in thrall to, including Ring Fit Adventure, Griftlands, Borderlands 3, Clash Royale (yes, again), Good Omens and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Plus, an air of melancholy hangs over the team as we discuss our tragic gaming tales, from deleted saves to sad cancellations. It's not all doom and gloom though, as Dan introduces his daughter to the podcast for the first time in his quiz Orlawatch. Can you guess which Overwatch characters she's renaming and describing? /episode/index/show/exalpodcast/id/12996818

Ep107: Welcome to... THE DANGER ZONE 01/28/2020

Ep107: Welcome to... THE DANGER ZONE Do you know your DIMPS from your GIMPS? Your Hipster Whales from your Hipster Fish? Then Gareth has just the quiz for you. Before you test your knowledge of obscure devs, listen to us talk through our favourite--and most hated--games and films of recent weeks, including Clash Royale, My Friend Pedro, Blasphemous, The Endless, Knives Out, Downsizing and the first 20 minutes of Marriage Story! Plus! Gareth's tale of dough woe and your--and our--memories of gamer rage. /episode/index/show/exalpodcast/id/12915146

Ep106: The Shape of Cyberpunk To Come 01/22/2020

Ep106: The Shape of Cyberpunk To Come We'd love to say we've spent the last 12 months painstakingly resculpting and honing our dormant podcast into a resplendent new beast, but, if anything, you should probably consider this a regression. In this unplanned, unscripted and un-unedited new era of ExAlPod, we get up you up to speed on our challenging 2019, gush over games and a great year for TV, and even find room for a quick game of 'Name That Film Score'. It's good to be back. /episode/index/show/exalpodcast/id/12839237

Ep105: The 2019 Christmas Special 01/10/2019

Ep105: The 2019 Christmas Special Our Christmas special isn't late--it's just really, really early. International animation superstar and Alan alumnus (Alanmnus) Simon Chong returned to the UK for the first time since departing for a new life in LA, so we ended our hiatus to find out just how much he regrets leaving us behind. (Spoiler: not at all.) Lots of the usual chat returns, including a fun new game where we gauge SiChong's eligibility for permanent residence in the US. /episode/index/show/exalpodcast/id/8204801

Ep104: Kicking Ass and Taking Dicks 05/31/2018

Ep104: Kicking Ass and Taking Dicks True to form, promises made in the previous show have been broken. This is not the takeover show we teased, but another hot three-way between Dan, Gareth and Nick. So, kind of like being promised a donut, but getting a brownie instead, i.e. you still win. This time, we get exasperated at Battlefield V sexism, excited about a dedicated Switch Pokémon, effervescent in our praise of Cobra Kai and engrossed in debate about the merits of review scores. /episode/index/show/exalpodcast/id/6653177

Ep103: Bew Neginnings 05/24/2018

Ep103: Bew Neginnings Against the soundtrack of a life support machine’s rhythmic beep, ExAlPod’s eyes flicker open. Weakly, it rises from its prolonged slumber, limbs limp, head heavy, throat parched. A passing nurse spots this unexpected recovery and rushes over and guides a nearby cup of water to its cracked lips. It takes a short sip, then mutters something. “Pardon?” ExAlPod motions for the nurse to come closer; he duly obeys. With the nurse’s ear now inches from its mouth, it quietly repeats itself: “We’re ba /episode/index/show/exalpodcast/id/6629975

Special Episode: Word/Play Pilot 05/10/2018

Special Episode: Word/Play Pilot Dan has rustled up a new podcast concept and wants to use you, our neglected listeners, as guinea pigs. It's called Word/Play, features contributions from Noclip's Danny O'Dwyer and Final Games' Liam Edwards and, for this pilot show, tackles the subject of crime. Give it a listen, and let Dan know what you think by dropping him a Tweet or DM @MrPointyHead. /episode/index/show/exalpodcast/id/6576078

Ep102: A Farewell To Chongs 10/20/2017

Ep102: A Farewell To Chongs Reports of our demise might have been slightly exaggerated, but the departure of Simon Chong is 100% true. Sadly, his prodigious animating talents caught the eye of Hollywood bigwigs, and no amount of promises of being paid in real money or upgrading his Etch-a-Sketch could convince him not to flee 5,400 miles across the world to escape our clutches. So, we took our mics out of hibernation for one last huzzah as the awesome foursome and put together this special show. It’s going to get emotional. /episode/index/show/exalpodcast/id/5856611

Ep101: Zelda'nuff of this Sh*t 04/07/2017

Ep101: Zelda'nuff of this Sh*t WE'RE BACK! Again. Again. Yes, after the lofty high that was the 100th live episode, we took a small break from podcasting while we, amongst other things, had surgery, fell ill, travelled to Edinburgh, worked very hard and tried to finish your Mum's 10.000 piece jigsaw she's had round the back for the last 13 years. No, but really, we forgot to get any audience participation this episode, so it's just us rounding up all our love for the Switch and Zelda, as well as a challenge about the Bechdel Test. Finally, as it's episode 101 we have ourselves a lovely rip of section based on TV classic Room 101. Enjoy, friends. It's nice to be back, eh? Wholesome Memes: https://twitter.com/wholesomememe?lang=en /episode/index/show/exalpodcast/id/5243515

Ep100: Keeping It 100! LIVE! 03/03/2017

Ep100: Keeping It 100! LIVE! Well, we made it. 100 episodes. No one thought we could do it, especially us, but here we are! AND we survived it. This episode of the Explosive Alan Podcast was brought to you in front of a live audience complete with more booze than was ever necessary. Who will win in this epic audience VS Alans showdown? If you were there, you know, BUT DON'T RUIN IT FOR THE REST OF THEM! Enjoy, all. And before you start listening. We're sorry. For everything. What Makes Us Happy Links: Freeze Frame Bot: www.twitter.com/freezeframebot Segata Sanshiro: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gc3AK8k90xw Ducktales (Alternate): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmpAx8Z5z40 Where The Water Tastes Like Wine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-F4B5-OsUA /episode/index/show/exalpodcast/id/5127135

Ep99: Flake News 02/24/2017

Ep99: Flake News A 99 ice cream, 99 problems and 99 luftballons. There are many things that have 99 in quantity, but it’s 99th Explosive Alan Podcast that’s really where it’s at. This week, Dan and Simon are talking all things Horizon Zero Dawn, as well as discussing our desert island games, Ubisoft, and oh, THE LIVE EPISODE THAT’S HAPPENING TOMORROW (25/02/17) IN LONDON! Get your tickets if you haven’t right here What Makes Us Happy Links The Sentinel: Radio Garden: 2016: /episode/index/show/exalpodcast/id/5112333

Ep98: Pewdie-Bye 02/17/2017

Ep98: Pewdie-Bye It’s the filler episode of all filler episodes! Episode 98 is a bit manic, but by golly we’re going to make our 100th episode our actual 100th episode! This week it’s just Dan and Simon chatting about absolute nonsense for half an hour, some things about video games, some things about naughty things we’ve done. ENJOY IT! WE DID! What makes us happy link: Halloween finger - Get your tickets to the live show! There aren’t many left now, and it’s happening soon. 25th of February 2017 at 7.30pm (doors open at 7pm) at the Secret Weapon in Stratford. Tickets here: www.bit.ly/exalpod100 /episode/index/show/exalpodcast/id/5091779

Ep97: This Is Turning Into A Switch Hunt 02/10/2017

Ep97: This Is Turning Into A Switch Hunt Episode 97 is here with its hands in the air like it just doesn’t care! This week the fantastic foursome discusses things from Superhot VR to Dandy Dungeon and everything in between. You can’t say we aren’t eclectic on this show! Also, don’t forget, our 100th episode will be in front of a LIVE audience in Stratford, London on the 25th of February at 7.30pm. Get your tickets while you can here (they’re free) www.bit.ly/exalpod100 /episode/index/show/exalpodcast/id/5070882

Ep96: How To Be Awesome At: Dating! 02/03/2017

Ep96: How To Be Awesome At: Dating! Welcome aboard the SS ExAlPod, there’s no getting off now, you’re locked in, sorry ‘bout it! So, get ready for this week’s returning special “How To Be Awesome At…” episode. This time, DATING! Which should be interesting as three of the four Explosive Alan team have been in relationships for a combined 45 years. Fair warning, this gets weird. Very weird. ENJOY! ALSO, don’t forget to get your tickets for our live 100th episode coming up on the 25/02/15. It’s at 7.30pm at the Secret Weapon bar in Stratford, London, and we’d love you to be there. Get your tickets here www.bit.ly/exalpod100 /episode/index/show/exalpodcast/id/5049507

Ep95: President Evil 01/27/2017

Ep95: President Evil It’s episode 95 of the Explosive Alan Podcast! And this week we see the triumphant return of the challenge section thanks to a crafty one devised by our very own Dan Maher… ish. We’ve also got talk of Kingdom Hearts, Resident Evil 7, and OH YEAH, DID WE MENTION WE HAVE A LIVE PODCAST COMING UP ON THE 25/02/17 IN LONDON? Go here to grab your tickets. No, go on, go, we’ll wait… What Makes Us Happy Links Archaeogaming: When Two Worlds Collide - Bad Lip Reading: Seaguls (Stop It Now) - /episode/index/show/exalpodcast/id/5027655

Ep94: The Explosive Alan Podcast 01/20/2017

Ep94: The Explosive Alan Podcast Merry Friday, everyone! It’s the 94th episode of the Explosive Alan Podcast coming atcha, very much like 90s band Cleopatra. This week we’re talking all things Switch, as well as properly announcing our 100th LIVE episode event! COME ON DOWN! It’ll be taking place on 25th of February in Secret Weapon in London. Get your tickets right here What Makes Us Happy Links:Power Rangers Trailer 2: Dank Memes From Outer Space: The Motionographer: One-Screen Mario Maker Puzzles: Good Idea, Bat Idea: GameBlast 2017: /episode/index/show/exalpodcast/id/5008076

Ep93: Scaleboned 01/13/2017

Ep93: Scaleboned The first ‘proper’ podcast of 2017 features our future (now past) selves’ first impressions of Nintendo Switch, recorded directly *does Iwata hand gesture* from the exclusive media hands-on event at the Hammersmith Apollo. If that’s not reason enough to listen, we’ve also got details of our upcoming live show on the 25th of February (Tickets available soon), our conflicting thoughts on The Last Guardian, news of Scalebound’s unfortunate demise and we share your most anticipated games of space year 2017. What Makes Us Happy Links: David S Pumpkins: Yeahboi.me: Man in the High Castle: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1740299/ /episode/index/show/exalpodcast/id/4988490

Ep92: How To Be Awesome At: Surviving the Apocalypse 01/06/2017

Ep92: How To Be Awesome At: Surviving the Apocalypse Happy New Year, everyone! Welcome to 2017! Well, here we are, only 6 days into the year and you already have a lovely new podcast to listen to. But this ain’t your grandma’s ExAlPod, no sir! This week we’re doing something a little different. IT’S A TAKEOVER EPISODE! Gareth has taken the hosting seat and presents to you a potential spin off of sorts in which he’d like to teach you how to be awesome at things. This episode sees him, Dan, Simon and Ash teaching you how to be awesome at surviving the apocalypse! So, from zombies to tsunamis (mostly zombies, to be honest) pull up a broken chair, grab yourself some hot, hot food rationed tea and enjoy this week’s show! /episode/index/show/exalpodcast/id/4965958

Ep91: ExAl's Exmas Special! 12/25/2016

Ep91: ExAl's Exmas Special! Merry Christmas, everyone! You’ve unwrapped all your presents we imagine by this point, but hey, guess what, Santa has brought you one more to open! Simon has chucked together this very short Christmas special where we cover off what you guys will be playing, eating and watching over the festive period. It’s not much, but it’s something! Have a great Christmas and a wonderful New Year, and we’ll see you all in 2017! /episode/index/show/exalpodcast/id/4939965

Ep90: DAY ONE MAXIMUM REGRET EDITION 12/16/2016

Ep90: DAY ONE MAXIMUM REGRET EDITION We’d planned to pull out all the stops for our 90th episode, but all that pulling required far too much effort so Simon and Dan just did the usual (albeit over Skype, so slightly unusual). What we’ve made is still wonderful, obviously, so snuggle into your favourite podcast-listening chair, cuddle up to your pod-blanket, warm yourself with a hot poddy, and enjoy the show. /episode/index/show/exalpodcast/id/4918367

Ep89: Trump 'n Grind 11/18/2016

Ep89: Trump 'n Grind It’s the Halloween episode that never was! We’re back to our old podcast procrastinating (podcrastinating) tricks, but with good reason because we’ve been… well, you’ll just have to listen and find out. Like dwarves in a barrel, we ride the rocky current of gaming news, views and Getting To Know Youse until we’re dragged under and drown in a river of information. Trump, Switch and a fleeting mention of Thomas Middleditch – it’s all here on the not-yet-90th episode of this podcast we call Explosive Alan. /episode/index/show/exalpodcast/id/4840922

Ep88: An Apple A Day Keeps Samsung Away 10/21/2016

Ep88: An Apple A Day Keeps Samsung Away We waited until just after the Nintendo Switch and Red Dead Redemption 2 reveal trailers to bring you this most topical of ExAlPods. Well, unless you're listening to this any time after 21st October, in which case it's practically an historical artefact. Adding to that tasty zeitgeistiness is a chat about Palmer Luckey's political contributions, and our reactions to Westworld, the first Logan trailer and the Pokemon Sun & Moon demo. If it was any more current, it'd be a sultana. What Makes Us Happy Links: Westworld: Pokemon Sun and Moon Demo: Logan: Legion: /episode/index/show/exalpodcast/id/4760810

Ep87: Universe May Differ From That Pictured 10/04/2016

Ep87: Universe May Differ From That Pictured The Fabbest Four are reunited after a staggering 22-episode gap, in which time three of them have had children, and one of them has successfully avoided having children. Have our new lifestyles transformed ExAlPod into a preachy parentcast full of nappy-changing advice and weaning tips? Only partially! There’s still a little bit of time set aside to discuss the No Man’s Sky advertising controversy and Resident Evil’s new direction, and for Gareth to viciously dissect KSI’s foray into mobile gaming. /episode/index/show/exalpodcast/id/4717969

Ep86: Sitges Bitges 09/16/2016

Ep86: Sitges Bitges HOLA! Welcome to this week’s #ExAlPod coming at you directly from Sitges (that’s in Spain, don’t you know!). This week we’ve got returning LGBT episode guest Andy Grier. He was lead audio designer on Guitar Hero Live! That’s pretty cool, right? So, join Simon and Andy as they recap this week’s news, what they’ve been playing, as well as a lovely challenge about video game holiday destinations! We’ve really got it all this week, WE REALLY HAVE! Enjoy it, friends! /episode/index/show/exalpodcast/id/4671250

Ep85: Time Waits For No Dan (And Simon) 08/26/2016

Ep85: Time Waits For No Dan (And Simon) SolittletimetowriteapodcastdescriptionbecauseDanandSimonarereallybusyandreallyreallyhotsojustgiveitalistenmaybewhileyouarerunningordrivingsuperfasttoreflecttheinsanelyrapidpaceofthisshownormalservicewillhopefullyresumenextweekthankyoubyevideogames Kickstarter: What Makes Us Happy Mr. Robot: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01HDODNBS/ref=atv_hm_hom_3_c_s9ptrea_5_1?_encoding=UTF8&pf_rd_i=home&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_p=1059812927&pf_rd_r=W1E0Y3DJ91Q39NBCMNRF&pf_rd_s=center-12&pf_rd_t=12401 Mr. Robot Game: Insert Coin Pokémon Store: Cattle Auctioneer, The New Rap God: Subscribe To Our Newsletter: http://explosivealan.us5.list-manage1.com/subscribe?u=9902aa40bde68c114104d19b1&id=7e5f41b0d9 /episode/index/show/exalpodcast/id/4620197

Ep84: The Stench of Cologne 08/18/2016

Ep84: The Stench of Cologne Didn't manage to make it to Gamescom? Neither did we, so we replicated the atmosphere by filling the office with strangers and queuing for three hours to use our own computers while eating overpriced currywurst. You won't hear any of that in this week's podcast (illegal fire hazard my arse), but you will hear two attractive-sounding men discussing their reignited love affair with GoldenEye, the new Metal Gear game that nobody asked for, fantasy sports and the possible (mis?)fortunes of Nintendo's NX. LINKS! () /episode/index/show/exalpodcast/id/4601700

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