In this episode of Altered Geek, host Steve "Megatron" Phillips and TFG1Mike dive into the shifting sands of the tech and entertainment world. First, Steve catches us up on his massive Studio Desk Upgrade—because every geek needs a command center that actually fits the mission.

In the news, we discuss the "Walmart-ification" of your living room as Vizio TVs prepare to require Walmart accounts just to function. We also look at the massive geographic shift for J.J. Abrams, as Bad Robot prepares to downsize and move its headquarters from the glitz of L.A. to New York City. Finally, we break down a brilliant take from actor Sterling K. Brown (of Person of Interest) on why the 22-episode TV season is a relic of the past. Why do streamers prefer "new and shiny" over long-running favorites? We follow the money from advertisers to subscribers to find out.

What you’ll get out of this episode:

• A look at the new Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker Funko Pop reveals.
• The privacy and convenience implications of Walmart’s new requirements for Vizio hardware.
• Insight into why streaming platforms prioritize short seasons over the classic network model.
• The impact of Bad Robot’s move on the future of film and TV production.

Get Altered, Get Geeky, with the Altered Geeks!

Keywords (Comma Separated)

Altered Geek, Steve Phillips, TFG1Mike, Vizio, Walmart, J.J. Abrams, Bad Robot, Sterling K. Brown, This Is Us, Person of Interest, Streaming Wars, Funko Pop, Batman Beyond, Joker, TV Production, Podcast Studio, Studio Setup, Network Television, Ad-Supported Video, Subscriber Growth.

The final frontier just got a lot smaller, and the walk to the movie theater just got a lot longer. In Episode 461, host Steve "Megatron" Phillips and TFG1Mike react to the massive news that Star Trek: Starfleet Academy has been cancelled after only two seasons. With Season 1 barely in the rearview and Season 2 still in post-production, we discuss the "Nielsen math" that doomed the 32nd-century YA series and what this means for the future of Trek under the new Paramount-Skydance regime.

Switching from the small screen to the silver screen, we dive into Universal Studios' new plan to extend theatrical windows to seven weekends by 2027. Universal thinks exclusivity is the secret to getting you back in seats—but Steve explains exactly why they’re dreaming. We also break down the landmark $6 million verdict against Meta and YouTube for social media addiction, Ben Affleck’s surprisingly sharp take on the AI takeover in Hollywood, and first looks at Lego Batman 2 and Guy Ritchie's In The Grey.

What you’ll get out of this episode:

• The deep dive on why Starfleet Academy was "expelled" and the uncertain future of Trek TV.
• A heated debate on Universal’s theatrical exclusivity vs. the reality of modern audience habits.
• Legal analysis of the $6M landmark ruling against Big Tech for addictive design.
• Reactions to the latest trailers, including Lego Batman 2 and In The Grey.

Get Altered, Get Geeky, with the Altered Geeks!

Topic Keywords

Star Trek Starfleet Academy Cancelled, Star Trek News 2026, Universal Studios Theatrical Windows, Meta YouTube $6M Verdict, Social Media Addiction Trial, Lego Batman 2 Trailer, Henry Cavill In The Grey, Ben Affleck AI Interview, Paramount Plus Cancellations, Theater Exclusivity vs Streaming,

The landscape of Geekdom is shifting beneath our feet! In Episode 460, host Steve "Megatron" Phillips and TFG1Mike break down the massive industry-shaking news that HBO Max and Paramount+ are officially merging into a single streaming titan. We discuss what this means for your wallet and Paramount’s promise to let the HBO brand "operate with independence."

We also dive into a serious local and national issue: Colorado’s proposed law that could force surveillance on 3D printers to regulate digital files. Is this a necessary safety measure, or are we officially living in a surveillance state? Plus, we cover SAG-AFTRA’s move to organize the booming video podcast industry, the Supreme Court’s major ruling on AI copyrights, and the bizarre news of a Funko-inspired cinematic universe in the works. From "Book Meets World" nostalgia to cleaning up messy news headlines regarding Tubi and Cartoon Network, we’ve got it all.

What you’ll get out of this episode:

• Critical analysis of the Paramount+ and Max merger and its impact on subscribers.
• A deep dive into the legal battle over 3D printing rights and digital privacy.
• The latest on AI copyright laws and what the Supreme Court's refusal to hear the case means for creators.
• A look at the future of video podcasting under SAG-AFTRA labor rules.

Get Altered, Get Geeky, with the Altered Geeks!

Altered Geek, Steve Phillips, TFG1Mike, Paramount Plus, HBO Max, Streaming Merger, 3D Printing, Colorado Law, Surveillance State, AI Copyright, SAG-AFTRA, Funko Pop, Rideback, Cartoon Network, Tubi, Boy Meets World, Tech News, Podcast Industry, Intellectual Property, Digital Rights,

Welcome to another high-octane adventure into Geekdom! In Episode 459, host Steve "Megatron" Phillips is joined by TFG1Mike to tackle a week filled with massive industry shifts and somber goodbyes. We start by honoring the legacies of several legends, including Robert Duvall, and James Van Der Beek, as we reflect on their impact on entertainment and culture.

The tech world is on fire this week as we discuss YouTube’s latest war on ad blockers—new hurdles have arrived, and the workarounds are disappearing fast. Plus, we look into the recent massive YouTube outage that left over a quarter-million users in the dark. In a move straight out of science fiction, Meta is "raising the dead" with new AI developments, while Cartoon Network finds a surprising new home on Tubi. Finally, we vent some frustration over the "subscription-pocalypse" affecting everything from Instagram video quality to the very PCs we buy—remember when Microsoft Word just came with the computer?

What you’ll get out of this episode:

• The latest updates on YouTube’s aggressive stance against ad-blocking software.
• A deep dive into the ethics and technology behind Meta’s AI "resurrection" projects.
• Nostalgic and critical commentary on the shift from physical ownership to "PC subscriptions."
• A rundown of why Cartoon Network on Tubi is a win for animation fans.

Get Altered, Get Geeky, with the Altered Geeks!

Keywords

Altered Geek, Steve Phillips, TFG1Mike, YouTube, Ad Blockers, Meta, AI, Cartoon Network, Tubi, Robert Duvall, James Van Der Beek, Brad Arnold, Jesse Jackson, Scott Adams, Instagram, PC Hardware, Software Subscriptions, Geekdom, Pop Culture, Tech News.

In this action-packed episode of Altered Geek, host Steve "Megatron" Phillips is joined by the legendary TFG1Mike to navigate the highs and lows of modern Geekdom. We kick things off with a heartfelt tribute to the iconic Catherine O’Hara, reflecting on her incredible legacy and passing.

Then, strap in for a massive Trailer Roundup as we break down the first looks at Masters of the Universe, the return of Maul, the next Mario adventure, and the gritty revival of Daredevil. Finally, we dive deep into the most polarizing topic of the decade: AI—The Good and The Bad. We explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping our world, for better or worse.

What you’ll get out of this episode:

• A deep dive into the latest blockbusters and gaming trailers.
• Nuanced perspectives on the ethical and creative impact of AI.
• Insightful commentary on the week’s biggest headlines in pop culture.

Get Altered, Get Geeky, with the Altered Geeks!

Topic Keywords

Altered Geek, Steve Phillips, TFG1Mike, Catherine O’Hara, Masters of the Universe, Maul, Mario, Daredevil, AI, Artificial Intelligence, Trailer Roundup, Geekdom, Tech News, Pop Culture, Podcast, Sci-Fi, Gaming, MCU, Disney Plus, Nintendo.

Two weeks into the New Year, host Steve Megatron Phillips and TFG1Mike dive deep into the biggest stories in Geekdom! This week on Altered Geek, we recap the 7 Biggest News Stories from CES 2026 across TVs, laptops, and weird new gadgets. Plus, we break down the controversial news that DISNEY+ is adding vertical video—WHY?! And finally, join us for "The Christmas Leftovers" segment, where we share what we got and our holiday recaps. Don't miss this adventure into Geekdom! Get Altered, Get Geeky, with the Altered Geeks!

Dive into a massive Geek News Smorgasboard with Altered Geek host Steve Phillips! We break down the biggest pop culture headlines of the week, including the historic news of the Original Power Rangers (Super Sentai) officially ending after 50 years. Get the scoop on the surprising Gremlins 3 announcement, the cosmic teaser for the new Supergirl DCU movie, and Brendan Fraser's latest comments on his potential return in The Mummy 4. Plus, we cover the mysterious Sonic the Hedgehog Spinoff Movie, the latest on Nicolas Cage's Spider-Man variant, a Terminator 7 script update from James Cameron, and the status of a new Men In Black sequel. You'll get all the essential details and discussion on these top stories in one place. Don't miss this massive adventure into Geekdom! Get Altered, Get Geeky, with the Altered Geeks!

Join host Steve Megatron Phillips and guest TFG1Mike on a brand new adventure into Geekdom! This week, we dive into the biggest stories and topics, including a breakdown of iHeartMedia's new "Guaranteed Human" branding and what it means for audio marketing. We also discuss why the Black Friday shopping weekend felt underwhelming, check out the incredible Macfarlane Batman Batcave, and sound off on the frustrating way YouTube handles their YT Collabs feature. You'll get all the essential geek news and discussions to keep you up-to-date on everything in the world of pop culture. Get Altered, Get Geeky, with the Altered Geeks!

Update: This episode was recorded BEFORE the Warner Bros Discovery purchase by Netflix. We'll cover that next week!

Dive into the latest geekdom with Steve Megatron Phillips! This week, we explore the surprising shift in streaming, where old movies are becoming major moneymakers for platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and Max. Discover why licensed library titles are generating two-thirds of movie revenue and how streamers are prioritizing classic films over expensive original series. Plus, we tackle the burning question: Do you really want a computer in your mattress? Get all the insights, discussions, and geeky takes you crave. Get Altered, Get Geeky, with the Altered Geeks!

Join Steve Megatron Phillips on Altered Geek as he dives into the latest in Geekdom! This week, we're talking about California's stance on noisy streamer ads, Instagram's new PG-13 rating, the end of an era as MTV shuts down its music channels, and the new "Pause the Feed" feature on YouTube Shorts. Plus, we explore how old movies are becoming streamers' biggest moneymakers. Get Altered, Get Geeky, with the Altered Geeks!

In this week's Altered Geek, join Steve Megatron Phillips and TFG1Mike as they dive into the latest geek news! They'll discuss Amazon MGM's controversial decision to remove guns from James Bond art, the rising costs and confusion in the video game market, Emily Blunt's reaction to AI actresses, and Disney+'s plans to integrate Hulu globally. Plus, listener feedback and more! Get Altered, Get Geeky, with the Altered Geeks!