Licence to Spiel
Carl Wonders and Thad Hait
Subscribe
Hosts Carl Wonders and Thad Hait discuss movies in and around the James Bond franchise, as well as anything else that pops into their heads.
Available episodes
Newest first
Oldest first
May 27, 2023
Disavow Everything!
It’s all about Brad Bird’s entry in the franchise, Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol. We discuss Ethan Hunt’s habit of being disavowed, mourn the loss of the IMF Director (served from Dec. 2011 – Dec. 2011), and realize how large screen bezels were back in 2011.
playlist_add
May 20, 2023
Shockingly Last-Minute Transit Conferences
Much like the series itself, Thad and Carl return after an unexpectedly long hiatus to talk about the third installment of the Mission: Impossible franchise, creatively titled Mission: Impossible III. As always, we ask the important questions like, what exactly IS the Rabbit’s Foot? How much current does it take to kill you? And how … Continue reading Shockingly Last-Minute Transit Conferences
playlist_add
Mar 30, 2023
Slo-Mo Pigeons In Styrofoam Lairs
We continue our look at the Mission: Impossible films with Mission: Impossible 2—a movie that we can certainly say is part of the franchise. But this overblown action film’s effect on early 2000s cinema is much greater than you might think. #ReleaseTheWooCut
playlist_add
Mar 9, 2023
I’ve Seen PRIMER…This Movie Is Not Complicated
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to find all Dutch angles, split diopter shots, and humorous computer/tech choices made in this film. Should you fail, the Secretary will disavow all knowledge of your existence. Your download will self-destruct in five seconds. Don’t forget to like and subscribe.
playlist_add
Mar 2, 2023
The Unnecessarily Extended Version
On this normal-length episode, we discuss the Extended Edition of Spy (2015), a film that despite some unfortunate choices at times, we both enjoyed quite a bit. However, when the Extended Edition mainly involves literal dick jokes and five punchlines for the same scene, maybe just go with the theatrical version.
playlist_add
Feb 10, 2023
SHERBET F
A full seven years after the previous entry, the Johnny English franchise concludes (for now) with Johnny English Strikes Again (2018). We discuss whether the series has run its course (it has), bad mobile phone and submarine missile security, and spitball a British version of R.E.D.
playlist_add
Feb 2, 2023
Jimmy McNulty and Mr. Rhubarb
This week it’s Johnny English Reborn (2011), a fun if not entirely necessary continuation of the Johnny English franchise. Even though Dominic West has a name, and so does his character in this film (it’s Simon Ambrose), we refer to him as McNulty throughout.
playlist_add
Jan 27, 2023
Sometimes You Just Wanna Feel Gouda
In this episode, we talk about 2003’s Johnny English, the first entry in the occasional film series that has a release schedule comparable to some BBC shows. We also discuss the merits of Mr. Bean and the line of succession to the British throne, and we pour one out for LightScribe.
playlist_add
Jan 17, 2023
Entertainment that Costs Less than Your House
Licence to Spiel returns, ostensibly to talk about the 1954 TV adaptation of “Casino Royale.” While we do talk about this interesting time capsule of entertainment, we also fall down several rabbit holes, including a long discussion of the 90s cartoon “James Bond, Jr.” Watch Casino Royale (1954) Normally, we would assume anyone listening to … Continue reading Entertainment that Costs Less than Your House
playlist_add
Dec 15, 2022
Hey, It’s Better Than Spy Hard
In this episode we discuss Austin Powers in Goldmember from 2002, a film that helps reinforce the Law of Diminishing Returns. is it good? No it’s not at all. But it’s not the worst film we’ve watched so far…
playlist_add
Nov 15, 2022
Way To Go There, Norway
This episode, we talk about Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999), a film that is absolutely hilarious if you are a thirteen-year-old boy. Sadly, Thad and (especially) Carl are much older…
playlist_add
Nov 7, 2022
Chekhov’s Penis Pump
Groovy baby! Join us (briefly) in 1960s En-ga-land as we talk about Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997). It’s a film that has certainly dated since it came out but is one we still enjoyed.
playlist_add
Oct 29, 2022
The Matlock Cinematic Universe
In this episode, we watched 1996’s Spy Hard, so you don’t have to. While occasionally funny, this movie mostly made us question its casting choices, acting choices, and random non sequitur movie references. We also make a comment that you would only ever hear on this podcast.
playlist_add
Oct 8, 2022
When Fandoms Collide
Normally we have to go out of our way to find opportunities to talk about Star Trek in our Bond podcast. This week though, we are talking about the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode “Our Man Bashir.” So if you thought we’ve gotten overly nerdy before… Embarrassing correction: Carl erroneously referred to the episode … Continue reading When Fandoms Collide
playlist_add
Sep 30, 2022
Kevin Costner Is Not In This Movie
Remember when James Cameron made movies you wanted to see? We leave the world of James Bond for the first time to talk about True Lies (1994), a movie we feel safe in predicting will be more fun than Avatar 17.
playlist_add
Sep 16, 2022
I Don’t Understand This At All!
The year 1967 saw two James Bond films hit theaters. One involved a plot to steal space capsules from a secret volcano lair and yet was somehow the less insane of the two. Sadly, we watched Casino Royale (1967) this week instead.
playlist_add
Sep 10, 2022
So Many Ass Shots
We discuss Thunderb…er…Never Say Never Again (1983): Kevin McClory’s answer to Octopussy. While neither film is very good, this one at least has Sean Connery, that glorious early 80s aesthetic, and yes, a whole lot of ass shots.
playlist_add
Sep 2, 2022
You Only Podcast Twice
The Daniel Craig era of James Bond ends with a bang, quite literally, with No Time To Die—a film so delayed we’ve actually talked about it two separate times now. We now eagerly await the follow up: The Return of Dou Dou.
playlist_add
Aug 26, 2022
They Should Have Cut Off Christoph Waltz’s Earlobes
Several times in this episode we complain about a certain Bond movie not coming out. The same movie we talked about back in Episode 4. And the one we will also talk about next time. It’s almost as inexplicable as Bond’s lack of brain damage, Mr. White’s secret room hidden behind a plaster wall, or … Continue reading They Should Have Cut Off Christoph Waltz’s Earlobes
playlist_add
Aug 2, 2022
I Heard About It On ZNN
In this 50th Anniversary outing, James Bond must contend with the looming spectre of old age. It’s still more nefarious than the villain’s so-called plot. Did we mention that this is only Daniel Craig’s third film?
playlist_add
Jul 18, 2022
The Bond Ultimatum
In his first-ever direct sequel, James Bond must contend with dubious alternative fuels, questionable editorial decisions, and David Harbour’s mustache.
playlist_add
Jun 26, 2022
Product Placement Royale
Daniel Craig is here to save the day and the franchise with a plethora of Sony gadgets!
playlist_add
Jun 9, 2022
Explicit Fig and Diamond Boolooloop
Pierce Brosnan returns to Die Another Day, but first he has to make a lot of double entendres.
playlist_add
May 27, 2022
#ReleaseTheAptedCut
Despite some overlong action scenes and an ending stuffed with Christmas puns, we can’t help but wonder if this one might have actually benefitted from a longer runtime. This episode might not make up for a rather long and unexpected hiatus, but it’s such a perfect place to start.
playlist_add
Apr 29, 2022
Where in the Movie Is Hugh Bonneville?
What do Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Pryce, Julian Fellowes, Geoffrey Palmer, and Teri Hatcher have in common? They all starred in Tomorrow Never Dies with Hugh Bonneville. Or is that just fake news?
playlist_add
Mar 31, 2022
The Film Based on the N64 Video Game
James Bond enters the 90s with new actors and a new tone to the franchise, and we’re here for it.
playlist_add
Mar 10, 2022
Recovering from an Acute Case of Being John Terry
Our licence to spiel has been revoked, but we’ve gone rogue and released this episode anyway.
playlist_add
Feb 17, 2022
That’s a Really Bad Wax Hitler
We finally watch a good movie again, Joe Don Baker notwithstanding.
playlist_add
Feb 10, 2022
Single Entendre
Dance into the fire with us this week as we meet you with A View to a Kill.
playlist_add
Feb 2, 2022
They Stole Their Seats from the Enterprise-D
This film is a high point in the franchise, if your metric is escape methods disguised as animals.
playlist_add
Jan 27, 2022
Eating Opium with Margaret Thatcher
If you listen to our episode about For Your Eyes Only, we may just buy you a delicatessen in stainless steel.
playlist_add
Jan 19, 2022
The Worst Spy in the History of Spies
007 goes to space, Jaws falls in love, and we are inexplicably thirsty for 7up.
playlist_add
Jan 13, 2022
Requiem for Dead Technology
Roger Moore has finally hit his stride with The Spy Who Loved Me, and we’re here to talk about.
playlist_add
Dec 15, 2021
Recycled Fake Nipples
Join us as we talk about the second installment in the JW Pepper cinematic universe!
playlist_add
Dec 8, 2021
A Whole Different Kind of Racist
Roger Moore makes his franchise debut in a film that that we should perhaps let die.
playlist_add
Nov 17, 2021
Maybe It‘s a Dutch Thing
Richard Nixon (ahem, we mean Sean Connery) is living it up in Las Vegas this week.
playlist_add
Nov 9, 2021
There Are No Bears in Zurich
This never happened to the other guys. Actually, it’s still just Carl and Thad. We couldn’t find Australian replacements to talk about On Her Majesty’s Secret Service for us.
playlist_add
Nov 2, 2021
Little Debbie
You only hear us talking about the fifth James Bond film twice, or so it would seem.
playlist_add
Oct 26, 2021
How the Heck Did I Forget the Jetpack?
This week—for real this time—Licence to Spiel strikes like Thunderball! Thad and Carl discuss the fourth James Bond film and draw their attention to many things in this (perhaps overlong) movie, including Largo’s several fashion faux pas, the introduction of Kevin McClory, how NOT to be secret, and of course, that jetpack.
playlist_add
Oct 19, 2021
We‘re Really Bad at Podcasting
At long last, No Time to Die is finally here, and so are our thoughts on it, fresh from the theater.
playlist_add
Oct 12, 2021
Regional Authenticity
The Bond series hits its stride with Goldfinger, where we learn how not to smuggle gold, discover that Kentucky Fried Chicken may not be in Kentucky after all, and help Thad with his aversion to unnecessary hydraulic lifts.
playlist_add
Oct 5, 2021
Does James Bond Shave His Back?
From Russia with Love turns this into a full-fledged franchise and adds some elements that will become staples of the series. Join us as we talk about Sean Connery’s second Bond film.
playlist_add
Sep 28, 2021
Making Boolooloop with the Duke of Wellington
In our first episode, we cover the film that started it all: Dr. No.
playlist_add