The Ringer-Verse
The Ringer-Verse is a podcast feed dedicated to nerd culture and fandom, featuring multiple shows like 'The Midnight Boys', 'Mint Edition', 'Button Mash', and 'Splash Page'. Hosts include Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, Steve Ahlman, Jessica Clemons, and Ben Lindbergh, who discuss movies, TV shows, video games, and fan theories. The feed also promotes the House of R feed for deeper dives.
Episodes
‘X-Men ’97’ Season 2 Premiere Instant Reactions | The Midnight Boys
The Boys are back, and they’re ready to talk all things ‘X-Men ’97’! They dive into how Season 2 of the highly anticipated show has started off and discuss what we might expect from the rest of it.
(0:00) Intro
(5:04) Spoilers ahead
(7:05) ‘X-Men ’97’ Season 2 premiere reactions
(1:03:48) Outro
Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman
Producers: Aleya Zenieris,
Ringer-Verse Recommends: June 2026 (Featuring an Animation Recommendation Roundup)
It’s an animated TV spree! Ben brings on Jomi Adeniran, Steve Ahlman, and Daniel Chin to talk about several animated shows that premiered or concluded in June, including ‘My Adventures With Superman,’ ‘The Legend of Vox Machina,’ ‘Adventure Time: Side Quests,’ and ‘Among Us.’ They break down DC’s animation expansion, preview a bunch of Batman shows, and compare and contrast DC and Marvel’s animate
‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3, Episode 2 Instant Reactions | The Midnight Boys
The Boys are back and they’re returning to the Red Keep! They give you all of their thoughts on ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3, Episode 2 and go over where all of our main players stand by the end of it.
(0:00) Intro
(7:34) Spoilers ahead
(9:52) ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3, Episode 2 reactions
(58:33) Outro
Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman
Producers:
‘Supergirl’ Instant Reactions | The Midnight Boys
The Boys are back and ready to dive into the DCU. They discuss their reactions to DC’s newest film: ‘Supergirl.’
(0:00) Intro
(12:50) Spoilers ahead
(14:24) Instant reactions to ‘Supergirl’
(1:17:36) ‘Supergirl’ Midnight Meter
(1:19:13) Outro
(1:20:14) Post credits
Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman
Producers: Aleya Zenieris and Devon Baroldi
Additional
Pricing Puzzles, 'Star Fox,' and the N64 30th-Anniversary Draft | Button Mash
Ben, Matt James, Steve Ahlman, and Rob Mahoney plug in their trident controllers for a four-player, 30th-anniversary celebration of a classic console from their youth, the Nintendo 64. First, in Patch Notes, they play a guessing game about what 'Grand Theft Auto VI' will cost as preorders begin, discuss whether the price is wrong for Valve's Steam Machine, and react to reports about upcoming Xbox
‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3 Premiere Instant Reactions | The Midnight Boys
The Boys are back and they’re returning to Westeros! They give you all of their thoughts on the long-awaited Season 3 premiere and get into the pluck we’re already seeing this season.
(0:00) Intro
(8:01) Spoilers ahead
(11:21) ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3 premiere reactions
(1:20:49) Outro
Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman
Producers: Aleya Zenieris and
‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ Trailer No. 2 Instant Reactions | The Midnight Boys
The Boys are back, and so is Peter Parker! They give their takes on the newest ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ trailer and speculate on who we might be seeing from the larger MCU come late July.
(0:00) Intro
(19:51) Trailer Midnight Meter
Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman
Producers: Aleya Zenieris and Devon Baroldi
Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopo
The ‘Game of Thrones’ Draft | The Midnight Boys
The Boys are back, and to prepare for the premiere of Season 3 of ‘House of the Dragon,’ they’re bringing you their ‘Game of Thrones’ Draft, featuring five categories: hero, villain, dragon, episode, and wild card.
(0:00) Intro
(14:13) ‘Game of Thrones’ Draft
(1:21:56) Outro
Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman
Producers: Aleya Zenieris and Devon Baroldi
Add
‘Disclosure Day’ Reactions | The Midnight Boys
The Boys are back, and they’re here to discuss Steven Spielberg’s highly anticipated new film. They dive into how Spielberg chose to personify extraterrestrials, Emily Blunt’s performance, and the state of working in Hollywood today.
(0:00) Intro
(6:57) Spoilers ahead
(13:20) ‘Disclosure Day’ reactions
(1:12:30) Disclosure Day’ Midnight Meter
(1:13:49) Outro
(1:14:57) Post Credits
Hosts
Summer Gaming Showcase Reactions! | Button Mash
After being bombarded by gaming news at Sony's PlayStation State of Play, Summer Game Fest, the Xbox Games Showcase, and beyond, Ben, Steve Ahlman, and Matt James get together to analyze the biggest game announcements and trailers. First, they discuss some major themes and takeaways from the week, including the onslaught of releases in store before 'GTA VI' and the industry's about-face on live-se
'Masters of the Universe’ Reactions | Midnight Boys
The Boys are back, and this time they’re giving their reactions to the newest movie iteration of Van’s most beloved IP: ‘Masters of the Universe.' Then, they jump into the latest nerd news, breaking down Tom Holland’s recent comments about making 'Spider-Man' after working with Christopher Nolan.
(00:00) Intro
(10:03) Spoilers ahead
(11:30) ‘Masters of the Universe’ reactions
(1:12:32) Nerd Ne
Ringer-Verse Recommends: May 2026 (Featuring ‘Outlander,' 'For All Mankind,' and 'Star City')
In a departure from the typical "Recommends" format, Ben Lindbergh brings on 'Vulture' TV critic and 'TV Is Good' cohost Kathryn VanArendonk for a wide-ranging discussion centered on a sci-fi/fantasy pairing of 'Outlander' (which just concluded an eight-season Starz run), 'For All Mankind' (which just wrapped its fifth season of six on Apple TV), and their respective spinoffs (especially 'Star Cit
'007: First Light' and 'Mina the Hollower' Reactions | Button Mash
Ben, Matt James, and Steve Ahlman earn a license to podcast about two early Game of the Year candidates: '007: First Light' and 'Mina the Hollower.' First, in Patch Notes, they discuss the future of 'Destiny' and Bungie after the end of development on the almost decade-old 'Destiny 2,' and what the huge hikes in the price of Valve's Steam Deck portend for the Steam Machine, the current console gen
‘Spider-Noir’ Premiere Reactions | The Midnight Boys
The Boys are back, and they’re here to discuss Amazon Prime’s newest show: ‘Spider-Noir’! Then, they spend some time brainstorming what other Spider-verse characters they’d like to see have their own show.
(0:00) Intro
(15:04) Spoilers ahead
(19:40) ‘Spider-Noir’ premiere reactions
(1:01:57) Brainstorming Spider-Man shows
(1:15:22) Outro
Hosts: Van Lathan, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman
‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’ Reactions | The Midnight Boys
The Boys are back, and they’re here to discuss the newest addition to the Disney+ ‘Star Wars’ universe: ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’! Then they give you their thoughts on where the movie ranks among other ‘Star Wars’ films.
(0:00) Intro
(5:39) Spoilers ahead
(7:21) ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’ reactions
(1:21:38) Midnight Meter: ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’
(1:28:50) ‘Star Wars’ film rankings
'Lego Batman,' 'Forza Horizon,' 'Mixtape,' 'Subnautica,' and 'Yoshi' Reactions | Button Mash
No 'GTA' trailer? No problem! Ben Lindbergh, Matt James, and Steve Ahlman dissect five big games you can play today. While steering clear of spoilers, they explore how ‘Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight’ expands on the Lego gaming formula and draws on decades of the Caped Crusader’s past; whether ‘Forza Horizon 6’ delivers on the hype surrounding the series’ visit to Japan; why ‘Mixtape’ touc
‘The Boys’ Series Finale Reactions | The Midnight Boys
The Boys are back, and this time they’re saying goodbye to one of the most iconic comic book adaptations of the past decade, Prime Video’s ‘The Boys.’ They debate whether the show’s finale stuck the landing and share their thoughts on the ending of each beloved character. Then, to wrap up the podcast, the guys share their reactions to the recent ‘Lanterns’ trailer and discuss whether this newest e
‘The Boys’ Penultimate Episode Reactions | The Midnight Boys
The Boys are back, and they’re here to talk about the penultimate episode of the five-season long show ‘The Boys.’ They dive into how this episode is setting up the finale and what it might mean for the characters we’ve spent so much time with.
(0:00) Intro
(6:23) Spoilers ahead
(7:49) ‘The Boys’ Season 5 Episode 7 reactions
(1:04:42) Nerd News: ‘The Odyssey’ and Lupita Nyong'o
(1:09:50) Ou
‘The Punisher: One Last Kill’ and ‘Mortal Kombat II’ Reactions | The Midnight Boys
The Boys are back, and they’re here to talk about the newest addition to the Disney+ MCU, ‘The Punisher: One Last Kill.’ Then they dive into ‘Mortal Kombat II’ with a surprise guest, ESPN’s David Dennis Jr., making an appearance to comment on #CookieGate.
(0:00) Intro
(7:58) Spoilers ahead
(10:48) ‘The Punisher: One Last Kill’ reactions
(37:57) Midnight Meter: ‘The Punisher: One Last Kill’
'Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight' Gameplay Preview | Button Mash
Ben Lindbergh and Steve Ahlman sit down and chat about the extended sneak preview they got of the latest from TT Games, 'Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight'! They touch on and highlight its mix of classic Lego humor and Arkham-inspired gameplay, open-world Gotham, character-driven mechanics, and the celebration of Batman lore.
Host: Ben Lindbergh
Guest: Steve Ahlman
Producers: Devon Renal
‘Mortal Kombat II’ Reactions | Button Mash
It has begun! Ben brings back OG cohost Jessica Clemons for a flawless game adaptation discussion. First they react to Nintendo’s announcement of a ‘Star Fox 64’ remake for Switch 2 and the internet’s notes on the game’s character redesigns. Then they talk ‘MKII’: their disagreement about the 2021 reboot, their overall impressions of the sequel, their takes on what worked well and what didn’t, the
‘Daredevil: Born Again’ S2 Finale and ‘The Odyssey’ Trailer Reactions | The Midnight Boys
The Boys are back, and they are filling you in on their final thoughts on ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Season 2. Then they dive into the penultimate episode of ‘The Boys’ and discuss how fans are reacting to the new ‘The Odyssey’ trailer.
(0:00) Intro
(27:56) Spoilers ahead
(29:22) ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Season 2 finale reactions
(1:11:14) ‘The Boys’ Season 5, Episode 6 reactions
(1:23:21) ‘Dar
‘Saros’ Review, ‘Resident Evil’ Trailer Reactions, and a Recent Release Roundup | Button Mash
Ben Lindbergh, Steve Ahlman, and Matt James assess their hype levels for several recently announced release dates for upcoming games and video game movies, react to the ‘Resident Evil’ teaser, and share their thoughts on Microsoft’s Game Pass price cut and Xbox brand rehabilitation. Then they review Sony’s new PS5-exclusive rogue-like shooter ‘Saros’ and compare it to its predecessor ‘Returnal.’ F
Ringer-Verse Recommends: April 2026 (Featuring ‘Invincible' Season 4)
In a one-month deviation from the typical "Recommends" format, Ben Lindbergh forms a coalition of co-hosts with Jomi Adeniran and Daniel Chin for a full-episode discussion of ‘Invincible’ Season 4: the overall arc of the show, the season’s lows and lofty highs, the audience's enthusiasm, deviations from the source material, favorite moments and casting decisions, the spoiler-free long-term outlook
'HOTD' S3 trailer, 'The Boys' S5 E5, and Cheyenne Ewulu from ‘The Comic Shop’ | The Midnight Boys
The Boys are back, and they’re here to talk about the newest trailer of the highly anticipated trailer of ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3.' Then they give you all of their thoughts on Season 5, Episode 5 of ‘The Boys,’ and finally they bring you an interview with the creator of 'The Comic Shop’ web series, Cheyenne Ewulu.
(0:00) Intro
(1:27) Midnight Mud
(19:27) ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3
‘Michael’ Reactions | The Midnight Boys
The Boys are back, and they’re here to talk about the new musical biopic ‘Michael.' Then, they jump into the latest nerd news: The release of the ’Clayface’ trailer and their reactions to the ‘Mando & Grogu’ clip.
(0:00) Intro
(5:23) ‘Michael’ Reactions
(59:50) ‘Michael’ Midnight Meter
(1:04:43) ‘Clayface’ Trailer Reactions
(1:11:40) ‘Mando & Grogu’ Clip Reactions
(1:18:34) Outro
Hosts:
‘The Boys’ Season 5, Episode 4 Reactions and ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Season 2 Check-In | The Midnight Boys
The Boys are back, and they’re diving straight into ‘The Boys’ Season 5, Episode 4, discussing the political elements of the season, speculating about characters we may see again down the road, and talking about Homelander’s god complex. Then they check in on ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ and catch up with Matt Murdock and Jessica Jones, who makes a surprise cameo in Episode 6.
(0:00) Intro
(8:50) ‘
Can Capcom's Incredible Streak Continue? | Button Mash
Ben Lindbergh, Matt James, and Joshua Rivera join forces to share their spoiler-free reviews of three hot new IPs from international game developers: Capcom's sci-fi thriller 'Pragmata,' and indie debuts 'Mouse: P.I. for Hire' and 'Replaced.' They play "Mash or Pass?" and provide their ratings for each game on the Mash Meter, while marveling at Capcom's comeback, lamenting the decline of single-pl
’The Boys’ Season 5, Episode 3 Reactions | The Midnight Boys
Our boys return to break down The Boys, Season 5, Episode 3. They discuss the incredible coincidence of Homeland’s godly hallucinations happening this week of all weeks, and break down the nuances of his epic father-son face-off with Ryan. Then, the guys share their instant reactions to Kristoffer Borgli’s 'The Drama.'(0:00) Intro(7:25) Spoilers ahead(8:37) ‘The Boys’ Season 5, Episode 3 instant r
’The Boys’ Season 5 Premiere Reactions | The Midnight Boys
The boys are back to talk about… ‘The Boys!’ They dive into the premiere of the final season and discuss the pursuit to finally kill Homelander. Then they give you a little Nerd News and talk about the ‘The Punisher: One Last Kill’ trailer.
(0:00) Intro
(12:06) Spoilers ahead
(13:47) ‘The Boys’ Season 5 premiere instant reactions
(49:23) ‘The Punisher: One Last Kill’ trailer reactions
Hos
’The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ Instant Reactions | The Midnight Boys
The Boys are back with guest Rob Mahoney and they’re diving into the newest Nintendo film, ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.’ They then bring you the latest in nerd news and discuss the trailer for ‘Supergirl.’ And if you stay until the end, we have a treat: a lively debate on the philosophy of the ‘Star Wars’ universe.
(0:00) Intro
(11:01) Spoilers Ahead
(11:33) ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ I
Is ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ More Than a Moneymaker? | Button Mash
Ben and Charles Pulliam-Moore of The Verge hop in the warp pipe to discuss the latest Mario movie: how the sequel compares to its predecessor, how it does and doesn’t adapt the ‘Galaxy’ games, the divide between critical reaction and popular appeal, Nintendo’s cinematic ambitions and the prospect of an NCU, how the movie connects to the Switch 2’s lineup, and a few observations (in a special spoil
Ringer-Verse Recommends: March 2026 (Featuring ‘Paradise')
Spring has arrived, and with it, a bounty of nerd-culture content! First, Ben Lindbergh and Van Lathan explain the compulsive appeal of 'Paradise,' first in a general, high-level, non-spoilery sense, and then in a (clearly indicated) spoiler section on the series' just-concluded second season. After that, other Ringer-Verse hosts, friends, and listeners salute unsung releases to top off another mo
'Daredevil: Born Again' Season 2 Premiere Instant Reactions | The Midnight Boys
The Boys are back and they’re diving into Disney+’s ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Season 2 premiere! They discuss Fisk’s role in the new season, compare the Disney+ Daredevil to the Netflix Daredevil, and debate Daredevil’s ability to rival other MCU characters.
(0:00) Intro
(7:28) Spoilers ahead
(9:03) ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Season 2 premiere reactions
(1:17:28) Outro
Hosts: Van Lathan, Charl
‘Project Hail Mary’ Instant Reactions | The Midnight Boys
The Boys are back and excited to talk about all things ‘Project Hail Mary’! Come for the film review, but stay for the great food debate of 2026!
(0:00) Intro
(9:11) Spoilers Ahead
(11:34) ‘Project Hail Mary’ Instant Reactions
Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman
Producers: Aleya Zenieris and Devon Baroldi
Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell
Le
‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ and ‘Dune: Part Three’ Trailer Reactions! | The Midnight Boys
The Boys are back, and boy, are they excited about the recent trailer drops! First, they dive into the trailer for the next installment of Tom Holland’s 'Spider-Man' series: ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day.’ Then, they discuss the ‘Dune: Part Three’ trailer and go over all of the new additions to the cast. Plus, they look at plot changes from the books in the first two parts of the ‘Dune’ series.
(0
‘Crimson Desert’ Is Like Everything Else and Nothing Else | Button Mash
It’s real … but is it spectacular? Ben, Matt James, and Steve Ahlman gather to discuss one of the most ambitious, most anticipated, and most enigmatic games of the year, open-world action-adventure epic ‘Crimson Desert.’ They begin by breaking down why the game remained mysterious until its release, whether it lives up to the huge hype, how it incorporates some of the best aspects of other open-wo
The 2026 Versies Awards | House of Midnight
House of R and The Midnight Boys team up to bring you the 2026 Versies Awards and celebrate all the highs and lows of fandom content from 2025.
Intro (00:00)
Best Visuals (04:52)
Best Line (12:35)
Best Character (19:19)
Saddest Moment (26:10)
Best Music (34:15)
Best New Character (42:35)
Best Director (49:03)
Best Showrunner (53:28)
Best Movie Performance (56:48)
Best Show Performance (
‘Sinners’ Recast and ‘Lanterns’ Trailer Reactions | The Midnight Boys
The Boys are back, and they’re recasting ‘Sinners’! But before they dive into that, they’re giving you their thoughts on the new trailer for HBO Max’s ‘Lanterns.’
(0:00) Intro
(10:16) Nerd News: ‘Lanterns’ trailer
(30:27) ‘Sinners’ recast
Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman
Producers: Aleya Zenieris and Devon Baroldi
Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ra
Are 'Marathon' and 'Pokémon Pokopia' What Sony and Nintendo Needed? | Button Mash
Gotta ’cast ’em all! First, Ben, Matt James, and Steve Ahlman form a fireteam to discuss Bungie’s long-awaited extraction shooter ‘Marathon.’ They forecast whether it’ll fare more like hit ‘ARC Raiders’ or flop ‘Highguard,’ examine the stakes for Sony’s big bets on Bungie and live-service games, and react to a possible revival of the PlayStation/Xbox console wars, followed by a “Rage Quit” rant ab
Armchair CEO: Paramount and Warner Bros. | The Midnight Boys
The Boys are back, and this time they’re stepping into the role of CEO to discuss the projects they’d be green-lighting and IP moves they’d be making if they were at the helm of the Paramount–Warner Bros. megadeal.
(00:05) Intro(12:45) Armchair CEO(1:16:48) Outro
Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve AhlmanProducers: Jamie and Devon BaroldiAdditional Production Support: Arj
Ringer-Verse Recommends: February 2026 (Featuring ‘Frieren’ and a Massive Month for Anime)
Short month, long episode! First, Ben Lindbergh and Charles Holmes extoll the virtues of one of their favorite fantasy stories, the anime series ‘Frieren: Beyond Journey's End,’ touching on its themes, influences, and characters, as well as why it makes a great gateway show for non-anime fans. They also discuss some other highlights of a peak period for anime (including ‘Journal With Witch’ and ‘J
'Resident Evil Requiem' Reactions | Button Mash
Ben, Matt James, and Joshua Rivera team up to take on one of the most anticipated video games of the year: 'Resident Evil Requiem,' the ninth mainline entry in the 30-year-old survival-horror franchise. First, they analyze the significance of Sony's shocking closure of Bluepoint Games, and an Xbox leadership shake-up. Then they compare their 'Resident Evil' histories, have an in-depth (but spoiler
The Black TV Draft | The Midnight Boys
The Boys are back and drafting the best Black TV shows of all time! From 'A Different World' to 'In Living Color' to 'Scandal,' they build their teams across five categories: sitcom, pre-'90s classic, UPN, Shondaland, and wild card. Who will come out on top?
(00:00) Intro(14:48) The Black TV Draft(1:50:00) Outro
Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve AhlmanProducers: Jamie Y
‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Season 1 Finale Instant Reactions | The Midnight Boys
The Boys are back, and they’re ready to dive into the highly anticipated Season 1 finale of ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’!
(0:00) Intro
(8:09) Spoilers ahead
(9:50) ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Season 1 finale reactions
(41:14) Midnight Meter
(1:00:39) Outro
Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman
Producers: Aleya Zenieris and Devon Baroldi
Additional
'The Legend of Zelda' 40th Anniversary Draft | Button Mash
Hey! Listen! Ben Lindbergh gets together with three fellow 'Legend of Zelda' lovers—Mothership co-founder Maddy Myers, The Guardian games editor Keza MacDonald, and New York Times reporter Zachary Small—to celebrate the franchise’s 40th birthday. First, Ben, Zachary, and Maddy ask Keza questions about Nintendo and ‘Zelda’ inspired by her new book about the history of Nintendo, ‘Super Nintendo.’ Th
‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3 and ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’ Trailer Reactions | The Midnight Boys
The Boys are back and they’re giving you a mid-week surprise pod on two trailers that the nerd-verse is buzzing about: ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3, and ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu.' They sneak a bit of ‘Toy Story 5’ in there, too.
(0:00) Intro
(00:59) ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’ Trailer
(18:05) ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3 Trailer
(22:09) ‘Toy Story 5’ Trailer
(28:07) Post-credits
Hosts:
‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Episode 5 Instant Reactions | The Midnight Boys
The Boys are back, and they’re ready to dive into the most recent episode of ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’! They discuss Dunk’s character evolution so far, draw comparisons to other ‘Game of Thrones’ shows, and contemplate who is worthy of wielding Mjolnir.
(0:00) Intro
(5:09) Spoilers ahead
(7:30) ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Episode 5 reactions
(1:05:59) Outro
(1:12:36) Post-credit
February Games Blowout, Plus State of Play Reactions | Button Mash
Ben Lindbergh, Matt James, and Steve Ahlman speedrun the month's major gaming news and releases. In Patch Notes, they break down HBO's 'Baldur's Gate' adaptation, layoffs for developers of struggling free-to-play games 'Highguard' and '2XKO,' Sony's latest bid for live-service success with 'Horizon Hunters Gathering,' and the highlights of February's PS5 State of Play. Then, in the Minigames secti
‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Episode 4 Instant Reactions | The Midnight Boys
The Boys are back, and they start off the episode by jumping back into the great lightsaber debate. Then they dive into ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Episode 4, starting with a look at Baelor as a character.
(0:00) Intro
(18:52) Spoilers ahead
(20:44) ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Episode 4 reactions
(1:21:32) Outro
(1:24:29) Post Credits
Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Ade
‘Fallout’ Season 2 Finale Reactions (and Interviews!) | Button Mash
Welcome to the Wasteland—and farewell, for now! Ben Lindbergh and Van Lathan reunite, hug, and hold hands as they discuss the eighth and last episode of 'Fallout' Season 2, "The Strip." First, they share their thoughts on what a season finale should accomplish and whether they found "The Strip" satisfying. Then they catch up with the core characters one more time, break down the hardest-hitting em
‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Episode 3 Instant Reactions | The Midnight Boys
The Boys are back, and they’re diving into ‘Game of Thrones’ lore in this episode!
They touch on Egg’s family lineage while also contemplating what each of them would’ve done if they were in Dunk’s shoes.
(0:00) Intro
(6:16) Spoilers ahead
(8:10) ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Episode 3 reactions
(1:09:12) Outro
(1:13:11) Post Credits
Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran,
Ringer-Verse Recommends: January 2026 (Featuring ‘28 Years Later: The Bone Temple’)
New year, new recommendations! First, Ben and Daniel Chin suppress their rage and bloodlust long enough to discuss the sequel to '28 Years Later,' focusing on the franchise's unpredictable appeal, what makes the new movie so special, and (in a clearly indicated closing spoiler section) what they'd be excited to see in the final film of the trilogy. After that, other Ringer-Verse hosts, friends, an
January Gems and Horror Adaptations (With Markiplier!) | Button Mash
Who says the year is starting slowly? In Patch Notes, Ben and Matt break down the release of hot-button free-to-play shooter 'Highguard,' the latest signs of decline at Ubisoft, and highlights from Microsoft's Xbox Developer Direct. Then they go on a Side Quest to discuss Matt's panic purchase of a gaming PC before reaching their Main Quest: spoiler-free recommendations for four indie gems from Ja
‘Fallout’ Season 2, Episode 7 Reactions | Button Mash
You always end up back where you started … and this week Van Lathan ends up back on Button Mash as he and Ben Lindbergh break down the penultimate episode of ‘Fallout’ Season 2, “The Handoff.” After sharing their overall review, they consider Steph’s backstory, catch up with the core characters, and assess how several storylines could come together in the finale. Along the way, they contemplate Ca
'Wonder Man’ Season 1 Reactions & Trailers Nerd News | The Midnight Boys
The Boys are back, and they’re excited to talk about Marvel’s newest installment in the MCU, ‘Wonder Man.’ Then they dive into several of the newest nerd-verse trailers including ‘Odyssey’, ‘Super Mario’, ’Supergirl’, and ‘Masters of the Universe.’
(0:00) Intro
(1:54) Trailers Nerd News
(40:49) Spoilers Ahead
(43:04) Instant reactions to ‘Wonder Man’ Season 1
(1:41:24) Midnight Meter
(1:45
‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Episode 2 Reactions | The Midnight Boys
The Boys are back, and they’re excited to talk about all things Dunk and Egg! They dive into Episode 2 of 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,' explore character dynamics so far in the show, and maybe even hit a few tangents along the way.
(0:00) Intro
(5:46) Spoilers Ahead
(7:45) ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Episode 2 Reactions
(1:09:13) Outro
Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Aden
Fallout’ Season 2, Episode 6 Reactions | Button Mash
Sharpened pencils down! Ben Lindbergh and Daniel Chin discuss the momentous, if somewhat scattered, sixth episode of the second season of 'Fallout,' "The Other Player." After sharing their overall review, they recap and dissect each of the (many!) main plot threads and character developments, break down the story revelations, and greet a new guest star with a crucial connection to ‘Fallout’ lore.
‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Premiere Reactions | The Midnight Boys
The Boys are back, and they’re here to dive back into the ‘Game of Thrones’ universe. They discuss the highly anticipated first episode of the new series ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.’ Then they jump into a little Nerd News from George R. R. Martin himself.
(0:00) Intro
(5:54) Spoilers Ahead
(7:28) ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Episode 1 Reactions
(1:12:34) Nerd News
(1:27:47) Outro
‘Fallout’ Season 2, Episode 5 Reactions | Button Mash
We need to talk! Ben Lindbergh and Daniel Chin discuss the strong fifth episode of the second season of 'Fallout,' "The Wrangler." After sharing their overall review, they recap and dissect each of the main plot threads and character developments, break down the story revelations, and assess the connections to ‘Fallout’ lore. They also examine the mystery of who ended the world and probe that puzz
Top ‘Game of Thrones' Crash-Outs | The Midnight Boys
The Boys are back, and they’re here to give you the best primer for 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms': the best ‘Game of Thrones’ crash-outs. But before they get to that, they give you a bit of Nerd News, with Sebastian Stan joining ‘The Batman Part II.’
(0:00) Intro
(16:58) Nerd News
(37:23) ‘Game of Thrones’ crash-outs
(1:28:21) Outro
Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and
‘Fallout’ Season 2, Episode 4 Reactions | Button Mash
Viva New Vegas! Ben Lindbergh and Daniel Chin climb into their T-45 armor to analyze the fourth episode of the second season of 'Fallout,' "The Demon in the Snow." After sharing their overall takes on the episode, they check in on the Vault dwellers, Maximus and the Brotherhood, and Coop/the Ghoul and Lucy and examine how the show's core characters and factions are reacting to the stress of wastel
Avengers Doomsday Teasers + Over/Unders of 2026 | The Midnight Boys
It’s 2026 and the Midnight Boys are back! The guys react to the Avengers: Doomsday teasers before getting into their predictions for the box office, critical success and more on all things fandom in 2026. Intro (0:00)
Nerd News - Avengers: Doomsday Teasers (03:15)
Over/Unders of 2026 (13:41)
Outro (01:47:11)Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve AhlmanProducers: Jon Jones
Our Most Anticipated Video Games of 2026 | Button Mash
Ben, Matt James, and Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier start a new save file for 2026! First they sum up the subjects they think will define the year, from 'Grand Theft Auto VI' to the Steam Machine to rising prices to anti-AI sentiments. Then they select their most anticipated games of 2026 in several categories and wrap up with big-picture predictions.
Intro (0:00)Big questions about the year (
‘Fallout’ Season 2, Episode 3 Reactions | Button Mash
Hot dawg! Ben and Van Lathan suit up to discuss the lore-stuffed third episode of the second season of 'Fallout,' "The Profligate." After sharing their overall review, they check in on Lucy, Coop/The Ghoul, and Maximus, and examine how the episode's themes and plot lines tie together. They also reflect on the merits of talking to dogs, compare and contrast crucifixion methods, break down bathroom
Best Movies and TV of 2025: Midnight Mulligans | The Midnight Boys
The Boys are back for their end-of-the-year review of all things nerd-verse and their Midnight Mulligans rankings!
(10:13) 'Star Wars: Skeleton Crew'
(13:56) 'Wicked' Part 1
(18:04) 'Captain America: Brave New World'
(34:17) 'Daredevil: Born Again'
(34:58) 'Sinners'
(38:34) 'Thunderbolts*'
(40:22) 'Andor' Season 2
(40:53) 'The Last of Us' Season 2
(55:43) 'Mission: Impossible—The Final
Ringer-Verse Recommends: December 2025 (Featuring ‘Pluribus’)
With various hosts scattered or taking time off for the holidays, Ben Lindbergh and Van Lathan toss out the typical Recommends format for this month and devote the whole episode to one show that hasn't been covered on The Ringer-Verse or ‘House of R’: ‘Pluribus.’ Ben and Van explore what made Vince Gilligan's Apple TV series a challenging yet fulfilling watch, discuss what sets the series apart fr
‘Fallout’ Season 2, Episode 2 Reactions | Button Mash
Ben and Daniel Chin patrol the Mojave and discuss the literally mind-blowing second episode of the second season of 'Fallout,' "The Golden Rule." After sharing their overall review, they assess each of the episode’s four main settings and story lines, point out the parallels between characters, and wrestle with this season’s accelerated world-building. They also consider whether becoming a ghoul i
2025 Games of the Year Draft | Button Mash
Ben, Matt, Steve, and Joshua Rivera recap an eventful year in video games by summing up the overall quantity and quality of games released in 2025, identifying both naughty and nice trends in the industry, and drafting their favorite titles across several categories.
(00:00) Intro(3:35) Overall Quality of 2025 Games(8:35) Naughty and Nice Industry Trends(43:32) Games of the Year Draft
Host:
‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ Reactions | The Midnight Boys
The Boys are back to give you all of their thoughts on the newest installment of James Cameron’s ‘Avatar’ universe: ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash.’
(0:00) Intro
(22:15) Spoilers Ahead
(23:54) ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ Reactions
(1:25:06) Midnight Meter
(1:27:32) Outro
Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman
Producers: Chris Thomas, Devon Baroldi, Aleya Zenieris, and Sara
‘Fallout’ Season 2 Premiere Reactions (Plus Justin Theroux!) | Button Mash
Ben Lindbergh and Van Lathan return to the Wasteland for the first weekly Button Mash breakdown of ‘Fallout’ Season 2. First, they recap the premiere and discuss how it sets up the season. Then, Ben talks to Justin Theroux about joining the show in the role of Robert House. Finally, Ben brings on Polygon senior editor Chris Hayner for a primer on the game that inspired much of this season, ‘Fallou
Our Top 10 Highlights From the Game Awards | Button Mash
Ben Lindbergh and Matt James share their instant reactions to gaming's annual awards show/trailer fest! First they discuss the dominance of ‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33,’ Matt’s experience attending the show in person, and the award winners that made them happiest and saltiest. Then they count down their respective top 10 lists of exciting announcements about upcoming games.
Intro (0:00)Reactions
Christmas Movies Draft | The Midnight Boys
The Boys are back and here to bring you their very merry Christmas movies draft! Five categories of holly jolly fun, from Comedy to Wild Card!
(0:00) Intro
(7:44) Christmas Movies Draft
(1:39:06) Outro
Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman
Producers: Aleya Zenieris, Devon Baroldi, and Jacob Cornett
Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell
Learn more
‘Metroid Prime 4,’ ‘Marvel Cosmic Invasion,’ and ‘Five Nights at Freddy's 2’ Reactions | Button Mash
After stepping inside Samus’s visor for the first time in years, Ben and Polygon's Giovanni Colantonio compare notes on the much-anticipated ‘Metroid Prime 4: Beyond,’ a great game grafted onto parts of other, less-good games. In their spoiler-lite chat, they puzzle over the game’s discordant elements, praise its strengths, and analyze how it fits into the franchise’s lineage before assessing the
Wakandans at Thanksgiving? It’s Time for a Midnight Mailbag! | The Midnight Boys
The Boys are back and they’re asking the Midnight Riders for their most burning questions about the nerd-verse! From Yoda to Jomi-cookie-gate, they’re here to give you all the answers.
(0:00) Intro
(9:04) Midnight Mailbag
(1:39:09) Outro
Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman
Producers: Aleya Zenieris and Devon Baroldi
Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ram
'Zootopia 2' and Disney Sequels | Mint Edition
Spoilers ahead! Jomi, Steve, and Jess dive into the long-awaited 'Zootopia 2,' sharing their full review and exploring how the sequel expands the world of the original. They discuss the franchise’s cultural impact and what Disney got right (and wrong) this time around and look ahead to a potential 'Zootopia 3,' discussing where Judy, Nick, and the rest of the city could go next. Finally, they zoom
White Girl Movies Draft | The Midnight Boys
The Boys are back, and they’re drafting white girl movies! From Meg Ryan to Lindsay Lohan, they draft in five categories: Fantasy/Action, Romantic Comedy, Musical, Drama, and Wild Card.
(0:00) Intro
(9:29) White Girl Movies Draft
(1:27:05) Outro
Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman
Producers: Aleya Zenieris, Devon Baroldi, and Devon Renaldo
Additional Produc
Ringer-Verse Recommends: November 2025 (Featuring 'It: Welcome to Derry')
We all pod down here. You'll pod, too. Recommends returns for a Thanksgiving feast! First, Ben brings on Zach Dionne to talk about 'It: Welcome to Derry,' Hollywood's obsession with Stephen King (including several new adaptations in 2025), the dos and don'ts of adapting King, the historical highs and lows, and the future of King's work on-screen. After that, other Ringer-Verse hosts and friends sa
Speedrunning the Surprise Steam Sensations of 2025 | Button Mash
Ben brings on Simon Carless of GameDiscoverCo and Morgan Park of PC Gamer to explain the success of some of the most popular games released this year that haven’t previously been discussed on the podcast: surprise Steam sensations ‘R.E.P.O.,’ ‘Schedule I,’ ‘Peak,’ ‘Megabonk,’ ‘Escape From Duckov,’ and ‘RV There Yet?’ They break down how unknown PC games go viral, how long their time in the spotlig
'Wicked: For Good' Reactions | The Midnight Boys
The Boys are back for good! They unpack all things ‘Wicked: For Good,’ including the highly anticipated musical numbers, the interweaving of the original ‘Wizard of Oz’ story, and the depiction of animals in the movie.
(0:00) Intro
(9:27) Spoilers ahead
(11:11) ‘Wicked: For Good’ reactions
(1:02:35) Midnight Meter
(1:21:46) Outro
Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Stev
