Altered Geek

A conversation on Geek culture featuring our opinions on, TV, Film, Animation, Gaming and Tech with Steve "Megatron" and a rotating panel of guests released Every Friday!

  • 1 hour 25 minutes
    The Paramount+ Max Merger & 3D Printer Surveillance

    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,

    5 March 2026, 8:00 pm
  • 48 minutes 46 seconds
    The Death of Ad Blockers & Meta’s AI Resurrection

    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.

    20 February 2026, 6:15 pm
  • 56 minutes 27 seconds
    AI Unleashed & Trailer Mania: Remembering Catherine O’Hara

    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.

    5 February 2026, 7:57 pm
  • 59 minutes 23 seconds
    CES 2026 Recap, Disney+ Vertical Video, & Christmas Leftovers!

    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!

    16 January 2026, 7:36 pm
  • 1 hour 2 minutes
    Netflix/Warner Bros. Deal Shakes Hollywood! Franchise Sequels & Theatrical Release Wars

    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!

    19 December 2025, 5:33 pm
  • 1 hour 1 minute
    iHeartMedia's Human Guarantee, Black Friday Meh, Batman Batcave, and YouTube Collabs Frustrations

    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!

    5 December 2025, 5:17 pm
  • 1 hour 20 minutes
    Streaming Wars, Old Movies, & Star Trek Legacy

    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!

    11 November 2025, 6:22 am
  • 52 minutes 25 seconds
    Streamer Ads, Instagram Ratings, MTV's End, and YouTube Shorts!

    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!

    31 October 2025, 10:00 am
  • 1 hour 3 minutes
    Amazon's James Bond Debacle, Increased Gaming Costs & Podcasting Responsibly

    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!

    9 October 2025, 11:26 pm
  • 1 hour 8 minutes
    AI Podcasts, and Warner Bros. Worries

    Tune in to Altered Geek Episode 452 as hosts Steve Megatron Phillips and TFG1Mike dive deep into the world of AI podcasts, Hollywood's AI intellectual property concerns, and the long-awaited return of Tron! Discover why everyone wants Warner Bros. and what media consolidation means for creators and cinema's future. Get the geeky rundown on top stories and topics, listener feedback, and what's next in the world of Altered Geek. Get Altered, Get Geeky, with the Altered Geeks!

    23 September 2025, 5:26 pm
  • 1 hour 48 minutes
    Super Troopers 3, RDJ's Doom, HasCon Canceled, and Pixel 10 Flop!

    Dive into this week's Altered Geek as Steve Megatron Phillips and TFG1Mike tackle the biggest news in geekdom!

    Get the scoop on Super Troopers 3 starting production, the 17-year-old Iron Man clue predicting RDJ's return as Doctor Doom (which Steve has pinned as a prediction from July, 2024. Followed by the unexpected Home Improvement and Last Man Standing reunions.

    We'll also break down the Lego Batman: Legacy Of The Dark Knight trailer, the "bloodletting" in podcast conventions, and the shocking news of NO HasCon!

    Plus, we continue our discussion on the Made by Google Pixel 10 reveal and the frustrating trend of laziness in design language for restaurants and company logo design.

    Don't miss out on all the geeky insights and stay ahead of the curve! Get Altered, Get Geeky, with the Altered Geeks!

    Keywords: Super Troopers 3, RDJ Doctor Doom, Home Improvement reunion, Last Man Standing, Shifting Gears, Lego Batman, Legacy Of The Dark Knight, Podcast Conventions, HasCon canceled, Google Pixel 10, design language, minimalistic logos, Iron Man, Altered Geek, GeekCast Radio Network, TFG1Mike, Steve Megatron Phillips, geek news, pop culture, entertainment, movie news, comic book news, tech news, podcasting!!

    26 August 2025, 10:29 pm
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