High and Mighty - Episode 499: Sci-Fi Timelines (w/ Ben Rodgers & Ryan Stanger aka The ActionBoyz)
Release Date: January 16, 2025

Overview

In this special episode of High and Mighty, hosts Johnny G. and Arthur Gabris are joined by their frequent guests, Ben Rodgers and Ryan Stanger of The ActionBoyz. As the podcast approaches its milestone 500th episode, the team delves into a nostalgic and humorous exploration of science fiction movie timelines. The central theme revolves around analyzing various sci-fi films to determine whether their depicted futures precede or follow the year 2025, the current setting of the podcast.

Tribute to Arthur Gabris

The episode begins with Johnny G. sharing a heartfelt tribute to his nearly silent co-host, Arthur Gabris, who recently passed away. This tribute sets a reflective yet playful tone for the episode, blending humor with genuine appreciation.

Sci-Fi Movie Timeline Challenge

Game Rules and Setup ([03:14] - [04:34])

Ryan Stanger introduces the main activity: a two-hour discussion where the guests name sci-fi movies, and the team debates whether each movie's timeline is set before or after 2025. If they cannot determine the timeline, they opt for the "near future" as a fallback. This segment emphasizes the podcast's signature blend of tangents and lighthearted banter.

Debating Classic Sci-Fi Films

1. Beneath the Planet of the Apes ([04:52] - [05:55])

   • Discussion: The team debates whether the events of Beneath the Planet of the Apes occur before or after 2025.
   • Quote:
     • Ryan: "Be the alpha and omega. Much like the bomb in the Beneath the Planet of the Apes. It feels good to come back to where this show started." ([01:52])

2. TC 2000 ([06:02] - [07:18])

   • Discussion: Clarification that "2000" refers to the model number of the tracker communicator, not the year, leading the team to conclude the movie is set in 2020, placing it before 2025.
   • Quote:
     • Arthur: "I'm going to say after." ([07:17])

3. Westworld (1973) ([07:56] - [09:10])

   • Discussion: They consider whether the events of Westworld occur before or after 2025, ultimately classifying it as the near future due to vague time references.
   • Quote:
     • Ryan: "This is a cop out. It's the near future. They don't give it." ([09:10])

4. Zardoz (1974) ([10:05] - [11:43])

   • Discussion: The group debates the futuristic setting of Zardoz, determining it takes place in the year 2293, thus after 2025.
   • Quote:
     • Ryan: "We are after. It's 2293." ([10:46])

5. Soylent Green (1973) ([12:18] - [14:31])

   • Discussion: Assessing whether the dystopian future of Soylent Green has been reached by 2025.
   • Quote:
     • Ryan: "We are after. It's 2022." ([14:35])

6. Freejack (1992) ([14:45] - [15:44])

   • Discussion: Determining if the bone jacking technology portrayed in Freejack exists before or after 2025, concluding it is after.
   • Quote:
     • Ryan: "We are after." ([14:15])

7. The Fifth Element (1997) ([23:59] - [25:03])

   • Discussion: Evaluating whether the 23rd-century setting of The Fifth Element places it after 2025.
   • Quote:
     • Ryan: "We are before it." ([24:55])

8. Highlander 2 (1991) ([25:12] - [25:55])

   • Discussion: Highlander 2’s futuristic setting is discussed, with the team deciding it occurs in 2024, just before 2025.
   • Quote:
     • Ryan: "We are right after. It's 2024." ([25:32])

9. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) ([35:00] - [36:06])

   • Discussion: The timeline of Terminator 2 is analyzed, with consensus that the present is before the events depicted in the movie.
   • Quote:
     • Johnny: "We are before it." ([21:22])

10. Waterworld (1995) ([37:00] - [39:05])

    • Discussion: The group's humorous take on the distant future of Waterworld, set in the year 2500, confirming it is well beyond 2025.
    • Quote:
      • Ryan: "We are after, folks. It's 2500." ([38:35])

11. Predator 2 (1990) ([39:07] - [40:35])

    • Discussion: Debating the near-future Los Angeles depicted in Predator 2, the team concludes it is slightly before 2025.
    • Quote:
      • Ryan: "We are after." ([49:08])

12. Total Recall (1990) ([50:03] - [50:46])

    • Discussion: Considering the advanced technology in Total Recall, the team agrees it is set after 2025.
    • Quote:
      • Arthur: "We are after." ([50:31])

13. Demolition Man (1993) ([52:06] - [54:56])

    • Discussion: The freezing technology in Demolition Man suggests the events occur after 2025, specifically in 2032.
    • Quote:
      • Ryan: "We are before. So Demolition Man takes place in 2032." ([54:04])

14. Running Man (1987) ([54:36] - [55:57])

    • Discussion: The dystopian future of Running Man is placed well after 2025.
    • Quote:
      • Ryan: "We are after." ([55:24])

15. Additional Films ([56:28] - [64:36])

    • Discussion: The hosts briefly touch upon several other sci-fi films, questioning their timelines but often defaulting to humorously uncertain answers due to lack of concrete dates.
    • Notable Films Mentioned:
      • The Fifth Element
      • Starship Troopers (1997)
      • Johnny Mnemonic (1995)
      • The Running Man (1987)
      • Beastmaster 2
      • Independence Day
      • Face Off
      • Hunter X Hunter
      • Megaforce
      • Tron

Humorous Tangents and Personal Anecdotes

Throughout the episode, the hosts engage in various humorous tangents, recalling personal anecdotes, making playful jabs at each other, and referencing pop culture in a lighthearted manner. These moments include:

• Laptop Troubles ([12:06] - [12:35]):

  • Quote:
    • Johnny: "We got to watch that Action Boys episode because Gabrius is going to Bud Dwyer himself." ([02:31])

• Mattress and VPN Promotions Skipped ([17:00] - [18:04]):

  • Note: Advertisements for Leesa mattresses and NordVPN are present but omitted from the summary as per instructions.

• Character Impressions and Jokes ([30:00] - [43:00]):

  • The hosts mimic movie characters and make jokes about actors’ roles, such as Gene Simmons and Richard Richards, adding a comedic layer to the discussion.

Final Thoughts and Episode Wrap-Up ([67:00] - [70:43])

As the episode nears its conclusion, the team reflects on the journey of High and Mighty, acknowledging the extensive number of episodes and the strong community they've built. They also promote The ActionBoyz podcast, inviting listeners to join their Patreon for exclusive content.

Key Quotes:

• Johnny G.:
  "High and Mighty has been a great experience for me. I met a lot of great people and. But mostly one of the highlights was UFO guy." ([67:40])

• Ryan Stanger:
  "Action Boys is still going strong. We have several hundred episodes of that standalone show at Action Boys Biz." ([68:15])

• Arthur Gabris:
  "Mine's still on the table for some reason. You end up being like, the only way to stop AI. Send in Stanger Bot." ([66:43])

Conclusion

Episode 499 of High and Mighty offers a nostalgic and entertaining deep dive into the timelines of beloved sci-fi films, punctuated by the hosts' characteristic humor and camaraderie. Through their playful debates and shared memories, Johnny G., Arthur Gabris, Ben Rodgers, and Ryan Stanger celebrate both the rich history of science fiction cinema and the enduring spirit of their podcast community.

Note: All timestamps correspond to the provided transcript and are included to highlight notable quotes and moments within the episode.