Tom Merritt

On the latest @swordandlaser@bookstodon.com Tom and Veronica remember when they read a book. It was called Slow Gods by Claire North. And they're definitely not just reading the latest Dungeon Crawler Carl book instead of that one or the next one, Red Rising.

https://www.swordandlaser.com/home/2026/6/3/sampl-podcast-535-slow-wings

The movie Backroom has upended how Hollywood thinks about filmmaking. Brian and I aren't surprised, but we do have ideas about where this goes next. https://www.cordkillers.com/blog/2026/6/3/cordkillers-603-backroom-boom

I had a great time talking with Andy Beach about why AI is perceived both hyper-negatively AND overly positively, depending on who you ask. Also, why I try not to even use the term AI if I can help it. https://youtu.be/PPUpdm0MQbI?si=kelLbjbrUvttn4MC

YouTube is TV now. Watch Cordkillers.
https://www.cordkillers.com/blog/2026/5/20/cordkillers-601-youtube-is-tv-now

Is Disney right to hold on to its old cable channels and treat them like studio brands? And AMC gambles on live music to bring people to theaters. Watch Cordkillers! https://www.cordkillers.com/blog/2026/5/13/cordkillers-600-linear-thinking

If YouTube is the biggest entertainment company now, what even is TV? Brian and I discuss. Plus, the Oscars make a reasonable decision on AI. https://www.cordkillers.com/blog/2026/5/6/cordkillers-599-no-seriously-what-is-tv

You Never Even Called Me By My Name is an underrated masterpiece. RIP David Allan Coe

This week on Cordkillers, Brian and I dig into what we think of multiview and that leads us to speculate on what the best TV viewing experience would be. Watch Cordkillers! https://www.cordkillers.com/blog/2026/4/29/cordkillers-598-multiview-to-a-kill

On Sword and Laser
Eat zucchini! And Bleu cheese. Also, we didn’t get nominated for a Hugo, but loads of our favorite authors did. We kick off our May read (a little early) and wrap up our spoiler thoughts on The Raven Scholar.

https://www.swordandlaser.com/home/2026/4/22/sampl-podcast-532-chekhovs-dead-body

We do dramatic readings of Cinemcon trailers that weren't released to the public. Plus, Disney had a theater format to take on IMAX. Do we want that?
https://www.cordkillers.com/blog/2026/4/22/cordkillers-597-infinite-doom-loop

Have we reached peak tote bag?

Is Netflix a podcast? Watch Cordkillers! https://www.cordkillers.com/blog/2026/4/14/cordkillers-596-is-netflix-a-podcast

The entire crew of Artemis II were born in the 1970s. Gen X to the core.

On Sword and Laser
We have a hurt Veronica, Cadbury eggs, Nebula Award winners, and Tom Bombadil-lo! Plus, we kick off The Raven Scholar and wrap up Automatic Noodle. Which, of course, leads to Veronica's new business plan for a nacho bar.

https://www.swordandlaser.com/home/2026/4/8/sampl-podcast-531-interesting-nacho

YouTube is testing artist-programmed “Stations” that turn playlists into always-on channel streams, while the watchlist this week ranges from Beef and Dungeon Crawler Carl to Spaceballs and One Piece. Meanwhile, Netflix is playing with object-erasing AI, Tubi is raiding the Sesame Street vault, and the mailbag goes deep on spin-offs, AI remix ethics, and router-level streaming stats.

https://www.cordkillers.com/blog/2026/4/8/cordkillers-595-station-to-stationballs

Why Netflix is still cheaper than every other streamer. Should you be estimating your dollars per minute viewed? Watch Cordkillers https://www.cordkillers.com/blog/2026/3/31/cordkillers-594-streamflation-frustration

Netflix insists it is not turning scripts into dialogue-heavy plot recaps, even as its executives try to laugh off a criticism that keeps sounding familiar. DO WE BELIEVE THEM? Watch Cordkillers!
https://www.cordkillers.com/blog/2026/3/25/cordkillers-593-exposition-impossible

I had my best argument in years with Brian Brushwood about what streaming services are up to with all this 'Vertical video" Did you ask for Verts? Plus Firefly is back! Watch Cordkillers! https://www.cordkillers.com/blog/2026/3/17/cordkillers-592-the-streaming-app-trap

On the latest Cordkillers:
Aegon-y in the Writer's Room. Warner Bros. is eyeing a Game of Thrones movie while streamers keep shuffling premieres, renewals, bundles, and big strategic bets. Also, the mailbag proves old TVs never really die.
https://www.cordkillers.com/blog/2026/3/11/cordkillers-591-aegon-in-the-writers-room

Want @mollywoodpro@mastodon.social talking tech with us more on @dtnsshow@mstdn.social Help get us to 4,000 patrons! https://dailytechnewsshow.com/2023/06/08/want-molly-wood-on-dtns-more-often/