Supercontext: an autopsy of media

Addicted to Bad Ideas: Peter Lorre's Twentieth Century

This 2007 concept album by The World/Inferno Friendship Society [https://www.worldinferno.com], inspired by screen actor Peter Lorre, is just one piece of the larger performative project that was the life of Jack Terricloth. We talk about the band, the album, the lifestyle, and the limits of the World/Inferno Friendship Society's punk cabaret spectacle. Sources * https://coilhouse.net/2009/12/jack-terricloth-is-alive-and-at-large-in-gotham/ [https://coilhouse.net/2009/12/jack-terricloth-is-alive-and-at-large-in-gotham/] * https://www.theaquarian.com/2012/12/03/the-worldinferno-friendship-societys-hallowmas-warsaw/ [https://www.theaquarian.com/2012/12/03/the-worldinferno-friendship-societys-hallowmas-warsaw/] * https://www.punknews.org/article/38826/interviews-jack-terricloth-world-inferno-friendship-society [https://www.punknews.org/article/38826/interviews-jack-terricloth-world-inferno-friendship-society] * https://www.treblezine.com/worldinferno-friendship-society-addicted-to-bad-ideas/ [https://www.treblezine.com/worldinferno-friendship-society-addicted-to-bad-ideas/] * Jordan, Chris. "Jack Terricloth, from Jersey Suburbs to World/Inferno Friendship Society, has Died." TCA Regional News, 14 May 2021, ProQuest. Web. 26 Mar. 2026 . * https://www.popmatters.com/the-world-inferno-friendship-society-addicted-to-bad-ideaspeter-lorres-20th-2496212229.html [https://www.popmatters.com/the-world-inferno-friendship-society-addicted-to-bad-ideaspeter-lorres-20th-2496212229.html] * https://imposemagazine.com/reviews/addicted-to-bad-ideas-world-in [https://imposemagazine.com/reviews/addicted-to-bad-ideas-world-in] * Sisario, Ben. "Jack Terricloth, 50, Smarmy Vocalist And Key to Punk Cabaret Movement." New York Times, 18 May 2021, p. A21(L). Gale Academic OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A662078840/AONE?u=mlin_b_umass&sid=bookmark-AONE&xid=7aa0e86b. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026. * Sisario, Ben. "Addicted to Peter Lorre (that voice, those eyes)." New York Times, 8 Jan. 2009, p. C1(L). Gale Academic OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A191744194/AONE?u=mlin_b_umass&sid=bookmark-AONE&xid=8ae3a733. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026. * https://www.punknews.org/review/6660/world-inferno-friendship-society-addicted-to-bad-ideas [https://www.punknews.org/review/6660/world-inferno-friendship-society-addicted-to-bad-ideas] * https://thephoenix.com/boston/music/120801-world-inferno-friendship-society-lead-a-punk-c/ [https://thephoenix.com/boston/music/120801-world-inferno-friendship-society-lead-a-punk-c/] * https://www.threepennyreview.com/burning-up/ [https://www.threepennyreview.com/burning-up/] * https://www.vice.com/en/article/rank-your-records-the-world-inferno-friendship-society-jack-terricloth/ [https://www.vice.com/en/article/rank-your-records-the-world-inferno-friendship-society-jack-terricloth/] * https://youtu.be/iADNLE7H5qE?si=JiGng9YlENpMFX-d [https://youtu.be/iADNLE7H5qE?si=JiGng9YlENpMFX-d]

The Magic Christian

This 1969 anarchic film comedy was based on a Terry Southern novel and championed by Peter Sellers, but it seemed to mark the start of a decline for both their fortunes. We take on Chris's favorite movie, and try to get to the bottom of why he likes it, Charlie doesn't, and everybody agrees with both of us. Sources: * https://www.thespinningimage.co.uk/cultfilms/displaycultfilm.asp?reviewid=145 [https://www.thespinningimage.co.uk/cultfilms/displaycultfilm.asp?reviewid=145] * https://web.archive.org/web/20080115004058/http://www.filmcritic.com/misc/emporium.nsf/ddb5490109a79f598625623d0015f1e4/0c63a2560495532008256cbb00826ca3?OpenDocument [https://web.archive.org/web/20080115004058/http://www.filmcritic.com/misc/emporium.nsf/ddb5490109a79f598625623d0015f1e4/0c63a2560495532008256cbb00826ca3?OpenDocument] * http://www.visual-memory.co.uk/amk/doc/0081.html [http://www.visual-memory.co.uk/amk/doc/0081.html] * https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/books/01/06/17/specials/southern-magicfilm.html [https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/books/01/06/17/specials/southern-magicfilm.html] * https://lecinemadreams.blogspot.com/2022/07/the-magic-christian-1969.html [https://lecinemadreams.blogspot.com/2022/07/the-magic-christian-1969.html] * https://www.genxculture.com/the-magic-christian-the-most-60s-film-ever-made/20/04/2020/ [https://www.genxculture.com/the-magic-christian-the-most-60s-film-ever-made/20/04/2020/] * Flanagan, K. The Road to Excess Leads to THE MAGIC CHRISTIAN: Comedy, Excess, and the Limits of the Body. * Dassanowsky-Harris, R. (1992). The Southern Journey: "Candy" and "The Magic" Christian as Cinematic Picaresques. Studies in Popular Culture, 15(1), 95–111.

Something Is Killing The Children

This horror comic has achieved surprising success despite its gore and all the dead kids. We talk about the comic's creation and promotion, and we ask "Is this all about trauma? Why aren't people talking about that?" Interested in the media we discussed this episode? Please support the show by purchasing it through our affiliate store: Something is Killing the Children [https://amzn.to/4r5kDv4] Sources * https://youtu.be/-CpVx-BDBK0?si=by5gNx6RpKVKB4cF [https://youtu.be/-CpVx-BDBK0?si=by5gNx6RpKVKB4cF] * https://thecreativeindependent.com/people/comic-book-artist-james-tynion-iv-on-leaning-into-inspiration/ [https://thecreativeindependent.com/people/comic-book-artist-james-tynion-iv-on-leaning-into-inspiration/] * https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/something-is-killing-the-children-movie-blumhouse-1236409897/ [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/something-is-killing-the-children-movie-blumhouse-1236409897/] * https://www.horrordna.com/features/james-tynion-iv-talks-something-is-killing-the-children-2 [https://www.horrordna.com/features/james-tynion-iv-talks-something-is-killing-the-children-2] * https://aiptcomics.com/2019/10/10/nycc-james-tynion-iv-boom-studios-something-is-killing-the-children-interview/ [https://aiptcomics.com/2019/10/10/nycc-james-tynion-iv-boom-studios-something-is-killing-the-children-interview/] * http://www.multiversitycomics.com/interviews/tynion-iv-harburn-something-is-killing-the-children/#google_vignette [http://www.multiversitycomics.com/interviews/tynion-iv-harburn-something-is-killing-the-children/#google_vignette] * https://www.cbr.com/james-tynion-iv-on-the-horrors-of-something-is-killing-the-children/ [https://www.cbr.com/james-tynion-iv-on-the-horrors-of-something-is-killing-the-children/] * https://www.cbr.com/something-is-killing-the-children-horror-halloween-reading/ [https://www.cbr.com/something-is-killing-the-children-horror-halloween-reading/] * https://sktchd.com/interview/sktchdxtinyonion-part-two-how-to-build-a-comic/ [https://sktchd.com/interview/sktchdxtinyonion-part-two-how-to-build-a-comic/] * https://bleedingcool.com/comics/james-tynion-iv-teases-a-something-is-killing-the-children-spin-off/ [https://bleedingcool.com/comics/james-tynion-iv-teases-a-something-is-killing-the-children-spin-off/] * https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/boom-studios-penguin-random-house-1235945405/ [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/boom-studios-penguin-random-house-1235945405/] * https://waywordsstudio.com/general/reviews/something-is-killing-the-children-v-1-3-by-james-tynion-iv/ [https://waywordsstudio.com/general/reviews/something-is-killing-the-children-v-1-3-by-james-tynion-iv/] * https://www.pages-and-panels.com/articles-and-interviews/werther-dell-edera [https://www.pages-and-panels.com/articles-and-interviews/werther-dell-edera] * https://www.businessinsider.com/comic-artist-drawing-process-something-is-killing-the-children-creator-2022-11?op=1 [https://www.businessinsider.com/comic-artist-drawing-process-something-is-killing-the-children-creator-2022-11?op=1] * https://www.howtolovecomics.com/2023/07/05/something-is-killing-the-children/ [https://www.howtolovecomics.com/2023/07/05/something-is-killing-the-children/] * Panel X Panel #32 [https://panelxpanel.gumroad.com/l/PXPNO32?layout=profile]

I Think You Should Leave With Tim Robinson

This sketch show mixes surreal humor, cringe comedy, and an everyman lead performer to craft an exploration of anxiety, status, and societal fear that still manages to make its audience laugh with joy. We talk about how and why the show was created, and whether it quiets or riles up our own anxieties. Interested in the media we discussed this episode? Find it here on Netflix: I Think You Should Leave [https://www.netflix.com/watch/80986854?source=35] Sources: * https://www.cracked.com/article_40892_is-i-think-you-should-leave-the-best-representation-of-anxiety-on-tv.html [https://www.cracked.com/article_40892_is-i-think-you-should-leave-the-best-representation-of-anxiety-on-tv.html] * "Is Tim Robinson the funniest man alive?" Independent [Online], 21 Oct. 2025. * "'I try to be repulsive': comedian Patti Harrison on why she likes to bait liberal audiences; The Ohio-raised star of movies and TV shows such as Shrill and I Think You Should Leave says comedy is a refuge from the impacts of being trans and that, right now, she's happy to be in the UK." Guardian [London, England], 16 Sept. 2022. * Anderson, Sam. "The Virtuoso of Cringe." The New York Times Magazine, 11 June 2023, p. 20(L). Gale General OneFile, * https://www.wired.com/story/i-think-you-should-leave-was-right/ [https://www.wired.com/story/i-think-you-should-leave-was-right/] * https://www.vulture.com/2019/12/i-think-you-should-leave-focus-group-oral-history.html [https://www.vulture.com/2019/12/i-think-you-should-leave-focus-group-oral-history.html] * https://collider.com/i-think-you-should-leave-tim-robinson-netflix-reddit-obsession/ [https://collider.com/i-think-you-should-leave-tim-robinson-netflix-reddit-obsession/] *

The VALIS Trilogy

The novels VALIS, The Divine Invasion, and The Transmigration of Timothy Archer by legendary science-fiction author Philip K. Dick comprise the unofficial VALIS trilogy. Published between 1978 and 1982, these books use psychedelic imagery, religious history, and psychological inquiry to create a portrait of American culture in the late 70s and early 80s. We try to unpack them against the backdrop of our contemporary situation to gain a little clarity on our middle age and growing paranoia. Interested in the media we discussed this episode? Please support the show by purchasing it through our affiliate store: The VALIS Trilogy [https://amzn.to/44EAmrG] Sources: * https://philipdick.com/literary-criticism/interviews/horselover-fat-and-the-new-messiah/ [https://philipdick.com/literary-criticism/interviews/horselover-fat-and-the-new-messiah/] * https://muse.jhu.edu/article/237538 [https://muse.jhu.edu/article/237538] * https://web.archive.org/web/20130528112644/http://www.philipkdick.com/media_twilightzone.html [https://web.archive.org/web/20130528112644/http://www.philipkdick.com/media_twilightzone.html] * https://www.salon.com/2022/07/23/8-facts-about-philip-k-dick_partner/ [https://www.salon.com/2022/07/23/8-facts-about-philip-k-dick_partner/] * https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/film/just-because-you-re-paranoid-philip-k-dick-s-troubled-life-1.3243976 [https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/film/just-because-you-re-paranoid-philip-k-dick-s-troubled-life-1.3243976] * Masculinity in the Novels of Philip K. Dick [https://doi.org/10.3828/extr.2006.47.2.8]. * Endopsychic Allegories [https://www.pomoculture.org/2013/09/05/endopsychic-allegories/] * John Boonstra: "Horselover Fat and The New Messiah" (Hartford Advocate April 22, 1981, p. 24 * THE PSYCHEDELIC REINTERPRETATION OF CORPUS CHRISTI BY PHILIP K. DICK, Bogdan Trocha Dr. hab., Professor, University of Zielona Góra, Poland, Zielona Góra