Episode 290

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Published on:

2nd Aug 2025

#290 "Spoof There It Is" Naked Gun and The Parody Comedy

Nice Beaver

This week on The Reel Debaters, we break down The Naked Gun Series—a masterclass in chaos that still sets the gold standard for spoof comedy. We’re talking best moments, why Leslie Nielsen is the GOAT of deadpan, and what makes this series so damn good decades later.

Plus: with a reboot on the horizon, can it rescue modern comedy, or is lightning too weird to strike twice?

Frank Drebin never aimed straight, but the laughs always hit.

This Week’s Debate: Who could solve the Zodiac murders, Inspector Clouseau, Vs Ace Ventura, Vs Frank Drebin?

Also in This Episode:

Parody Comedy as a Genre

O.J. Simpson gets dragged

What Other Lelie Nielsen movies slap

Hosts/Michael Petrow, Emily Clark, Jimmy Skinner

Recorded at

Sick Bad Panda Podcast Studios, Winnipeg, MB

Michael Petrow Recording Engineer | Sound Designer | Audio Editor | Mixing Engineer

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About the Podcast

The Reel Debaters

Where the Art Of Cinema Meets The Power Of "Debate"

The Reel Debaters is what happens when unapologetic movie nerds, sharp minds, and pure love for cinema collide, all from the heart of Manitoba's vibrant and ever-growing film industry

Each week, this crew of cinephiles and industry insiders sits down to explore film and television through a lens that’s equal parts irreverent and insightful. It’s where deep respect for storytelling meets a sense of humour that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Oh, they go off the rails in the best way.

Could James Bond hold down a job as a nanny?
What kind of wedding would Indiana Jones and Lara Croft have, and who’s surviving it?
Could Conan the Barbarian handle a high school sex-ed class...yeah, we asked that too.

But behind the laughs and the ludicrous hypotheticals is a genuine curiosity about how we connect to the stories we tell, the characters we create, and the impact film has on who we are.

Outside of the debates, their Reel Talk sessions and industry interviews dive into rich conversations with creators from Winnipeg to Hollywood — actors, producers, directors, and the voices shaping the screen, right now.

This is more than a movie podcast.
It’s a cultural jam session, a celebration of film, and a tribute to the joy of asking, "What if?"

New episodes weekly. Welcome to where the art of cinema meets the power of debate.

Meet your cast:

Micheal Petrow Film And Entertainment Sales/Executive Producer/Host

Martin Navarro Comedian/Host

Jimmy Skinner Comedian/Host

Rob Strachan Home Theatre Expert/Host

Ian Bawa Filmmaker/Host

Mark Cowell String Bean Comics/Host

Charles Fernandes The Nerdgasm Show/Host

Emily Clark Dodge baller/Host

Recorded at Sick Bad Panda Studios
Engineered, mastered, and produced by Micheal Petrow

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About your hosts

Micheal Petrow

Name: Micheal Petrow

Genres: Drama, Independent, Obscure Comedies

Tropes: Meet Cutes, The Heroes Journey, Superhero Entrance

Favorite actors: Cate Blanchett, Kate Winslet, Sandra Bullock, Leonardo DiCaprio, Christian Bale and Brad Pitt

Guilty pleasures: Cooking Shows, Cheeseburgers in the Movie Theater

Must see: I Melt With You, Wristcutters: A Love Story, Exit Through The Gift Shop

Childhood classic: Return to Oz

Favorite directors: Christopher Nolan, David Fincher, Tim Burton

Worst movie ever: Freddy Got Fingered

Favorite TV show: LOST, Westworld, Severance, Succession, Barry

5 TV Characters I love: Hank Moody, Don Draper, HOUSE, Elaine Bennes

Movie snacks: Cheeseburgers, Popcorn, Peanut Butter M and M’s

Movie crush: Kate Winslet in The Holiday

Emily Clark

Name: Emily Clark

Genres: horror, sci-fi, musical/ theatrical, comedy

Tropes: Having sex means you die

Favourite actors: give me the unknown

Guilty pleasures: reality tv, F1 racing.

Must see: The Menu

Best childhood classic: Now and Then

Favourite directors: Cohen Brothers

Worst movie ever: Matrix Reloaded

Favourite TV show: Buffy the Vampire Slayer

5 TV characters I love: Captain Holt, Spike, Emily Gilmore, Winston Bishop, Linda Belcher

Movie snacks: popcorn with salt and vinegar seasoning

Movie crush: Flynn Ryder, Jack Dawson, Johnny Castle

Martin Navarro

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Jimmy Skinner

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Mark Cowell

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Rob Strachan

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Ian Bawa

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Charles Fernandes

Name: Charles Fernandes

Genres: Comedy, Kung Fu, Sci-Fi, Superhero, Horror

Tropes: “Juliet is the sun!” says Romeo. This is a trope.

Favorite actors: Robin Williams, Judy Greer, Sam Rockwell, Christina Ricci

Guilty pleasures: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie and first 3 seasons, Hell’s Kitchen.

Must see: Dumb and Dumber, Old Boy

Best childhood classic: Back to the Future

Favorite directors: David Fincher, Taika Waititi, Steven Spielberg, Mike Judge, Spike Lee

Worst movie ever: Jupiter Ascending

Favorite TV show: It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Rescue Me, Stranger Things

5 TV characters I love: Charlie Kelly/Greenman Tony Soprano
Connie the Hormone Monstress Gob Bluth Larry David

Movie snacks: Popcorn, Sweet Tarts, Sour Jollyranchers, good ol’ greasy Hot Dog and/or Cheeseburger

Movie crush: Emma Stone Without movies or tv I would: probably be living in a van DOWN BY THE RIVER!