EPISODE · Feb 23, 2026 · 1H 48M
Freakazoid!
from Nostalgium Arcanum · host Doug Lief
He's here to save the nation, so stay tuned to this station. Freakazoid! was unlike any cartoon before or since. Superficially a superhero parody, Paul Rugg and company used their cache and platform to create this satirical fever dream populated with outdated impressions, inexplicable bits, unforgettable characters, and writing wholly untethered to reailty and the rules of comedy. Guest super-dude extraordinaire, comedian and filmmaker Tarik Davis (@tarikrdavis, tarikrdavis.com) joins us to celebrate a show that broke the fourth wall, every convention, and quite possibly, our brains. You can find Tarik on NBC's The Amber Ruffin Show, and on his essential podcast, Brothers From Another Planet, see him perform live with Freestyle Love Soupreme. More importantly, Tarik's short film "Doc - Race, Revolution, Relativity, and the Confessions of a Time Travelling Terrorist" is now out and you can (and should) watch it here: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-uBvVgBTIY) The trailer for his new short film, "We're Not In Harlem Anymore", is available here: (https://youtu.be/M6KTil92tX8?si=p1emxuYOa8c7ZQJa) Be sure to also check out our monthy musical podcast, "Playing By Ear" (https://playingbyear.fireside.fm) and our limited-run Jim Henson Series, "Still Muppeting" (patreon.com/stillloadingpod). If you have feedback, find us on the socials here: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/265036650022926/ The symbol formerly known as Twitter: @nostalgiumpod BlueSky: @nostalgiumpod.bsky.social Threads: https://www.threads.net/@_nostalgium_arcanum_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_nostalgium_arcanum_/ You can also use YouTube, if that's your thing: https://www.youtube.com/@NostalgiumArcanum/podcasts Be sure to follow us on Instagram in particular since that's where we post bonus content, and on TikTok (@nostalgiumarcanum) for Doug's impressions. Musical Credits: Intro - Dark Flute (Jim Guthrie) Theme to A Summer Place - Percy Faith Freakazoid! Theme - Richard Stone We'll Meet Again - Ross Parker and Hughie Charles, as sung by the cast of Freakazoid! All score from Freakazoid! by Richard Stone, Steven Bernstein, Julie Bernstein, Gordon Goodwin, Tim Kelly, Carl Johnson All score from Teens Titans Go! by Armen Chakmakian and Jason Brandt
What this episode covers
He's here to save the nation, so stay tuned to this station. Freakazoid! was unlike any cartoon before or since. Superficially a superhero parody, Paul Rugg and company used their cache and platform to create this satirical fever dream populated with outdated impressions, inexplicable bits, unforgettable characters, and writing wholly untethered to reailty and the rules of comedy. Guest super-dude extraordinaire, comedian and filmmaker Tarik Davis (@tarikrdavis, tarikrdavis.com) joins us to celebrate a show that broke the fourth wall, every convention, and quite possibly, our brains. You can find Tarik on NBC's The Amber Ruffin Show, and on his essential podcast, Brothers From Another Planet, see him perform live with Freestyle Love Soupreme. More importantly, Tarik's short film "Doc - Race, Revolution, Relativity, and the Confessions of a Time Travelling Terrorist" is now out and you can (and should) watch it here: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-uBvVgBTIY) The trailer for his new short film, "We're Not In Harlem Anymore", is available here: (https://youtu.be/M6KTil92tX8?si=p1emxuYOa8c7ZQJa) Be sure to also check out our monthy musical podcast, "Playing By Ear" (https://playingbyear.fireside.fm) and our limited-run Jim Henson Series, "Still Muppeting" (patreon.com/stillloadingpod). If you have feedback, find us on the socials here: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/265036650022926/ The symbol formerly known as Twitter: @nostalgiumpod BlueSky: @nostalgiumpod.bsky.social Threads: https://www.threads.net/@_nostalgium_arcanum_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_nostalgium_arcanum_/ You can also use YouTube, if that's your thing: https://www.youtube.com/@NostalgiumArcanum/podcasts Be sure to follow us on Instagram in particular since that's where we post bonus content, and on TikTok (@nostalgiumarcanum) for Doug's impressions. Musical Credits: Intro - Dark Flute (Jim Guthrie) Theme to A Summer Place - Percy Faith Freakazoid! Theme - Richard Stone We'll Meet Again - Ross Parker and Hughie Charles, as sung by the cast of Freakazoid! All score from Freakazoid! by Richard Stone, Steven Bernstein, Julie Bernstein, Gordon Goodwin, Tim Kelly, Carl Johnson All score from Teens Titans Go! by Armen Chakmakian and Jason Brandt
NOW PLAYING
Freakazoid!
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
Jul 15, 2026 ·70m
Jun 10, 2026 ·61m
May 27, 2026 ·97m