Culture on My Mind – Canadian Comedy Takeover: 50 Years of SCTV

July 20, 2026July 2, 2026 Michael FalknerLeave a comment

Culture on My Mind
Canadian Comedy Takeover: 50 Years of SCTV
July 20, 2026

It’s been fifty years since SCTV graced the airwaves, and the Dragon Con American Sci-Fi Classics Track is gonna talk about it.

SCTV, known in the long-form as Second City Television, was a Canadian sketch comedy television show that ran from 1976 to 1984. It was an off-shoot of the Second City comedy troupe from Toronto, which has showcased the talents of so many writers, performers, stage managers, directors, producers, and musicians. Think John Belushi, John Candy, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, Shelley Long… the list goes on and on.

SCTV presented sketches as though they were a typical broadcast day at a fictitious television station in the town of Melonville, including news broadcasts, sitcoms, talk shows, and advertisements. Over six seasons, the cast included comedians John Candy, Joe Flaherty, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Catherine O’Hara, Harold Ramis, Davis Thomas, Robin Duke, Rick Moranis, Tony Rosato, and Martin Short, along with a recurring cast of talent. SCTV is the birthplace of Bob and Doug McKenzie, originally a throwaway filler piece that spawned a very popular segment called Great White North and eventually grew into the 1983 cult film Strange Brew.

The show moved to NBC as SCTV Network 90 (1981-1983) and Superchannel/Cinemax as SCTV Channel (1983-1984). NBC didn’t place a high priority on the show despite its popularity with younger audiences, and Superchannel (in Canada) and Cinemax (in the US) are both premium cable channels so the audience was limited.

On April 1st, Joe Crowe, Gary Mitchel, and Deanna Toxopeus staged a RevolutionSF reunion as they celebrated the legacy of SCTV and talked all about the influences, the skits, and their memories of the show.

These Classic Track Quarantine Panels are hosted by Gary Mitchel and Joe Crowe, the diabolical masterminds behind the Dragon Con American Sci-Fi Classics Track. If you want to play along at home, grab your internet-capable device of choice and navigate the world wide webs to the track’s YouTube channel and/or the group on Facebook. If you join in live, you can also leave comments and participate in the discussion using StreamYard connected through Facebook, YouTube, and Twitch.

Gary can also be found on A Podcask of Amontillado, a horror-themed podcast that he co-hosts with Erin McGourn.

If you want to connect with the track, Joe, and/or Gary on the socials, you can find them on Twitter (ClassicTrack, JoeCroweShow, and sneezythesquid) and Instagram (SciFiClassicTrack, JoeCroweShow, and Gary_Mitchel). And, of course, to celebrate more pop culture awesomeness, you can find Dragon Con all year round on the internet, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

You can find those discussions and more every other Thursday as the American Sci-Fi Classics Track explores the vast reaches of classic American science fiction.

The episode art each week is generously provided by the talented Sue Kisenwether. You can find her (among other places) on her website Subspace Sue.

Culture on My Mind is inspired by the weekly Can’t Let It Go segment on the NPR Politics Podcast where each host brings one thing to the table that they just can’t stop thinking about.

For more creativity with a critical eye, visit Creative Criticality.

Culture on My Mind – Dragon Con Report 2026 #5: It’s the Puppetry Track

July 16, 2026July 2, 2026 Michael FalknerLeave a comment

Culture on My Mind
Dragon Con Report 2026 #5: It’s the Puppetry Track
July 16, 2026

I’m playing catch-up with the Dragon Con Report after being out of the loop since January.

One of the ways that I like to prep for Dragon Con is by listening to the Dragon Con Report podcast. Brought to you by the ESO Network, the podcast is a monthly discussion on all things Dragon Con that counts down to the big event over Labor Day weekend in Atlanta, Georgia.

The show is hosted by Michael Gordon, Jennifer Schleusner, and Channing Sherman, and it delivers news, notes, tips, and tricks for newbies and veterans alike. The Dragon Con Newbies community has a great relationship with the show and the network.

In the fifth episode for 2026, this team pulls some strings.

From felt to foam and beyond, if you’re into puppetry, this track is for you. Join Mike, Jennifer, and Channing as they chat with Beau and believe in the magic.

The show can be found in video form on YouTube and in audio on the official website and wherever fine podcasts are fed. The Dragon Con Report channels can be found on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. You can catch their shows live on those platforms or on demand on their website.

Culture on My Mind is inspired by the weekly Can’t Let It Go segment on the NPR Politics Podcast where each host brings one thing to the table that they just can’t stop thinking about.

For more creativity with a critical eye, visit Creative Criticality.

Returning to Dragon Con as an Attending Pro for 2026

July 15, 2026July 7, 2026 Michael FalknerLeave a comment

Returning to Dragon Con as an Attending Pro for 2026
Atlanta, GA – September 3 through September 7, 2026

Boldy celebrating the convention’s 40th show, we’re gonna do Dragon Con again!

I am pleased to be selected as an Attending Professional for Dragon Con 2026. This will be my eighteenth year at the con (participating in various capacities since 2009) and my ninth year as an AP (since 2016, excluding 2020 and 2023). Dragon Con is a pop culture convention spanning five days, hundreds of programming hours, and countless fan passions. It is one of the largest pop culture conventions in the world, and it remains a ton of fun both as an attendee and as a contributor. It’s also a fantastic nerd party to close out the summer.

From Dragon Con Newbies events to sci-fi classics, modern SF and fantasy, Doctor Who, military SF, and so much more, I’m excited to see what 2025 brings.

Dragon Con takes place in Atlanta, Georgia during Labor Day weekend. For more information, visit the official site. For more information about Dragon Con Newbies, visit the group on Facebook.

50 days until Dragon Con.

The Convention Report is a semi-regular series that announces and discusses my convention appearances. For more creativity with a critical eye, visit Creative Criticality.

Culture on My Mind – Bonnie Tyler

July 14, 2026July 10, 2026 Michael FalknerLeave a comment

Culture on My Mind
Bonnie Tyler
July 14, 2026

On July 8, 2026, Gen Xers were rocked with bad news about an incredibly talented influence in their lives: Bonnie Tyler, the First Lady of Rock, was dead at the age of 75.

Tyler was a Welsh singer and songwriter who started recording in 1975. Before that, she worked as a backup singer for Bobby Wayne & the Dixies and formed the band Imagination. Her career was inspired by a second place win during a 1969 local talent show. She chose her stage name after compiling a list of names from a newspaper.

She was known for her trademark husky vocals which were a result of a surgery in the mid-’70s to remove nodules from her vocal cords. Her biggest influences were Janis Joplin and Tina Turner, and she had a list of other influences and artists whom she admired. Her style was an eclectic mix of country, rock, pop, blues, and Celtic music. Her distinct voice drove her popularity.

She was also a huge philanthropist, donating time and money to numerous causes.

Bonnie Tyler published 18 albums (not counting compilations). Her work and talent are extensive, and over those 44 years there are three tracks that really stand out as influences in my life. “It’s a Heartache” from 1977 comes from her country and folk rock roots and was among the first recordings she made after her vocal surgery.

Part of my childhood was spent on the rodeo circuits in Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado. My parents first met on the rodeo circuit – Mom was a barrel racer and Dad was a bullrider and rodeo clown – and their love of the sport spun off a photography business focused on shooting professional and amateur rodeo events. One of my childhood aspirations was to be a professional bull rider, and I competed in a handful of events until one of the pros I knew was killed by the sport.

I remember hearing “Bonnie Tyler’s “It’s a Heartache” several times at various arenas and fairgrounds, echoing around the dusty venues that smelled of earth and livestock. Hearing the song again now brings back the feeling of the summer sun and the core memories of boots and cowboy hats. It’s also where I first started to dabble in fiction writing, though those early works are thankfully now lost to time.

The second song is Bonnie Tyler’s biggest career hit. “Total Eclipse of the Heart” from 1983 sold over 13 million copies and was actually shortened from 7:02 to 4:30 for radio play.

The song is a power ballad and it shows through Tyler’s vocals as she pours emotion and passion into her delivery. The song was written by Jim Steinman “to be a showpiece for her voice” and Tyler has said that it was a challenge to sing. It’s a song that moves you and is a joy to listen to, though that music video showcasing Surrey’s Holloway Sanatorium is a mental trip.

The third song came into my life through various soundtracks. As a result, “Holding Out for a Hero” from 1984 is a core part of my childhood and pop culture-loving life.

The song was written for 1984’s Footloose, showcased in the scene where the boys play chicken with tractors. Footloose was filmed in Utah County, Utah, and is closely linked to my family. Several of the scenes feature my grandfather working in the background, and the church and preacher’s house were both next door to his home. When working one weekend at his home, I had the opportunity to walk around the house that served as the preacher’s residence. It was abandoned by that point, but it was amazing to see the scenes playing in my head as I stood where the movie was filmed.

Sadly, that house and my grandfather’s home have since been demolished to make way for a Macey’s supermarket and a strip mall.

The song was also used in 1988’s Short Circuit 2, specifically during the sequence when a critically injured Johnny 5 heroically races to stop Oscar from getting away. Between these two movies, which got a lot of airtime in my home, “Holding Out For a Hero” became an integral part of my life. It’s a toe-tapper (at a minimum) with heavy synths and cheesy piano riffs accompanied by Tyler’s heartfelt pleas for a knight in shining armor. On the surface, it represents the overblown excesses of ’80s entertainment, but the song is so catchy that it digs into your soul and refuses to let go.

It’s the song I play when I need motivation, either at the gym or while crafting plans to take over the world.

These three songs are anchors in my life, and they’re why the news of Bonnie Tyler’s passing hit so hard. She was a fantastic talent, and I’d love the opportunity to thank her for sharing it with the world and my generation in particular.

May she rest well.

Culture on My Mind is inspired by the weekly Can’t Let It Go segment on the NPR Politics Podcast where each host brings one thing to the table that they just can’t stop thinking about.

For more creativity with a critical eye, visit Creative Criticality.

Culture on My Mind – Battle of the Fictional Bands! (Again!)

July 13, 2026July 2, 2026 Michael FalknerLeave a comment

Culture on My Mind
Battle of the Fictional Bands! (Again!)
July 13, 2026

One of the staples of the Dragon Con American Sci-Fi Classics Track is the Battle of the Fictional Bands. Consider March Madness brackets, but filled with fictional musical groups from classic sci-fi that battle to the death.

On March 18th, Gary Mitchel, Joe Crowe, Amy Chandler, Shaun Rosado, Kevin Cafferty, and Kyle McCraw hosted a musical throw-down of competitors drawn from the KISS CUP OF DESTINY to decide once and for all (?) which act gets top billing.

Gary can also be found on A Podcask of Amontillado, a horror-themed podcast that he co-hosts with Erin McGourn.

You can find those discussions and more every other Thursday as the American Sci-Fi Classics Track explores the vast reaches of classic American science fiction.

The episode art each week is generously provided by the talented Sue Kisenwether. You can find her (among other places) on her website Subspace Sue.

Culture on My Mind is inspired by the weekly Can’t Let It Go segment on the NPR Politics Podcast where each host brings one thing to the table that they just can’t stop thinking about.

For more creativity with a critical eye, visit Creative Criticality.

Culture on My Mind – Dragon Con Report 2026 #4: Tracks of Horror & Urban Fantasy

July 9, 2026July 2, 2026 Michael FalknerLeave a comment

Culture on My Mind
Dragon Con Report 2026 #4: Tracks of Horror & Urban Fantasy
July 9, 2026

I’m playing catch-up with the Dragon Con Report after being out of the loop since January.

In the fourth episode for 2026, the team explores something wicked and weird with guests from the Horror Track and the Urban Fantasy Track.

Mike, Jennifer, and Channing are joined by Derek Tatum, Carol Malcolm, and DJ Icabod to chat about the scary and the strange fun you can find on these wonderful tracks this Labor Day Weekend!

Culture on My Mind is inspired by the weekly Can’t Let It Go segment on the NPR Politics Podcast where each host brings one thing to the table that they just can’t stop thinking about.

For more creativity with a critical eye, visit Creative Criticality.

Culture on My Mind – We Were There – Representation in Classic Media

July 6, 2026July 2, 2026 Michael FalknerLeave a comment

Culture on My Mind
We Were There – Representation in Classic Media
July 6, 2026

Representation is important in speculative fiction. Part of the power in television, movies, print, and art overall rests in being able to see yourself in the roles you enjoy. The classic era of science fiction is particularly challenging for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) representation. So for this installment of the American Sci-Fi Classics Track virtual panels, the Fandom Hybrid Podcast team take over to discuss the need for representation and some of their favorites across the years.

This presentation aired on March 4th, and features Hanako, Michael, and Anthony, all hailing from the Fandom Hybrid Podcast, alongside Gary Mitchel.

Gary can also be found on A Podcask of Amontillado, a horror-themed podcast that he co-hosts with Erin McGourn.

You can find those discussions and more every other Thursday as the American Sci-Fi Classics Track explores the vast reaches of classic American science fiction.

The episode art each week is generously provided by the talented Sue Kisenwether. You can find her (among other places) on her website Subspace Sue.

Culture on My Mind is inspired by the weekly Can’t Let It Go segment on the NPR Politics Podcast where each host brings one thing to the table that they just can’t stop thinking about.

For more creativity with a critical eye, visit Creative Criticality.

Culture on My Mind – Dragon Con Report 2026 #3: It’s the Brit Track

June 29, 2026June 14, 2026 Michael FalknerLeave a comment

Culture on My Mind
Dragon Con Report 2026 #3: It’s the Brit Track
June 29, 2026

I’m playing catch-up with the Dragon Con Report after being out of the loop since January.

In the third episode for 2026, the hosts go British.

If you’re a die-hard Anglophile or a fair-weather fan from PBS, the BritTrack is for you. Mike, Jennifer, and Channing are joined by Caro and Rob to discuss the tea-fueled panels and cutting wit they keep hidden in the Hilton’s basement just minutes from Trader Vic’s.

Culture on My Mind is inspired by the weekly Can’t Let It Go segment on the NPR Politics Podcast where each host brings one thing to the table that they just can’t stop thinking about.

For more creativity with a critical eye, visit Creative Criticality.

Culture on My Mind – The Power of Admitting You’re Wrong

June 25, 2026June 14, 2026 Michael FalknerLeave a comment

Culture on My Mind
The Power of Admitting You’re Wrong
June 25, 2026

On February 11, 2026, a sheriff’s deputy in Palm Beach County, Florida cited a driver for using her mobile phone while driving. The state’s distracted driving laws allow phone use for navigation and voice calls, but prohibit active texting or typing while driving and ban use completely in school zones and construction zones.

Katie Thomas is an adaptive athlete who documents her life via social media. She was born without a right hand, which is the hand she was accused of using to violate the distracted driving law. When Thomas confronted the deputy with this fact, he still issued the citation. When the error went viral and the nation saw the absurdity on their phones, computers, and televisions, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office formally dropped the charge and dismissed the ticket.

Here’s the thing: The entire affair could have ended right there on North Dixie Highway had the sheriff’s deputy admitted his mistake and walked away. Instead, because of what I can only imagine was pride and fear of personal embarrassment, the citation blossomed into national news.

We’re living in an age of immense distrust in law enforcement. It’s a complex social issue influenced by high-profile misconduct cases, racial and social inequities, and authoritarianism. Events like the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Freddie Gray, policies like “stop-and-frisk” and racial profiling, and recent collaborations with overly militarized immigration enforcement agencies compound over time. The fallout is perceived illegitimacy of police agencies, discouragement of community cooperation, and demands for transparency and reductions in force.

Personally, my family grew up with a great deal of respect for police, but our confidence has been shaken by altercations with corrupt cops while doing nothing more than obeying the law, the very thing policing proponents say will stop people from getting hurt during police encounters. Long story short: Just doing what you’re told is not the absolute right answer.

Events that foment distrust, like the Palm Beach citation, can be defused by admitting errors. It was an obvious error to accuse a woman of operating a phone with a hand she does not possess. Consider that level of power: A simple admission of humanity, exchanging a moment of control for a moment of humility, can touch millions.

One of my favorite book quotes comes from 1991’s Star Wars: Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn:

“Do you know the difference between an error and a mistake, Ensign? Anyone can make an error. But that error doesn’t become a mistake until you refuse to correct it.”

When I was in the United States Navy’s nuclear power program, we addressed errors and oversights through a formal critique program. The methodology uncovered root causes for failures and developed corrective actions, often in an attempt to prevent errors from evolving into mistakes. The process wasn’t easy, especially on the egos of intelligent nuclear operators who thrive on a culture of perfection, but it was highly effective at maintaining the standards and growing the culture.

I know from personal experience how tiny errors can grow into mistakes that threaten peoples’ lives. Those are sea stories for a different day.

But the error made by one sheriff’s deputy can be a lesson learned for all of us. There is immense power in admitting when you’re wrong. We all need to have the integrity and fortitude to take that step.

Culture on My Mind is inspired by the weekly Can’t Let It Go segment on the NPR Politics Podcast where each host brings one thing to the table that they just can’t stop thinking about.

For more creativity with a critical eye, visit Creative Criticality.

Culture on My Mind – Playing Remote Control

June 22, 2026June 14, 2026 Michael FalknerLeave a comment

Culture on My Mind
Playing Remote Control
June 22, 2026

Once upon a time, MTV meant music on television. It was in the name: Music Television. In the late 1980s, however, MTV branched out with their first original non-musical program and game show. Thus, Remote Control was born.

The game show ran from 1987 to 1990 and showcased trivia questions based on movies, music, and television presented in skit format. The show hosted by Ken Ober playing a character who grew up on television and really wanted to host a game show, so he set up a makeshift studio in his basement.

On January 28th, Joe Crowe, Gary Mitchel, and Kyle McCraw played a live instance of the Remote Control board game to celebrate the legacy of this pop culture phenomenon.

Gary can also be found on A Podcask of Amontillado, a horror-themed podcast that he co-hosts with Erin McGourn.

You can find those discussions and more every other Thursday as the American Sci-Fi Classics Track explores the vast reaches of classic American science fiction.

The episode art each week is generously provided by the talented Sue Kisenwether. You can find her (among other places) on her website Subspace Sue.

Culture on My Mind is inspired by the weekly Can’t Let It Go segment on the NPR Politics Podcast where each host brings one thing to the table that they just can’t stop thinking about.

For more creativity with a critical eye, visit Creative Criticality.

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