James Bond & Friends

What will be the impact of yet another delay to No Time To Die? For this episode, the panel examines the unsurprising news that MGM issued yet another delay to No Time To Die, pushing the film back to October 2021. Will this hold with Bond being the first big film out this year, or should we really expect it in 2022? What other curve balls could we see between now and then, and will Ana de Armas be back dating Ben Affleck by the time Daniel Craig turns 60? The recording took place on January 22nd, 2021 in the USA, UK, and Spain.  James Page is co-founder of MI6-HQ.com and the magazine MI6 Confidential Calvin Dyson Reviews Bond channel can be enjoyed at youtube.com/calvindyson Lisa Funnell (@DrLisaFunnell) is Associate Professor at the University of Oklahoma Phil Nobile Jr is editor of Fangoria and shares his expertise at @PhilNobileJr Bill Koenig runs the Spy Command at hmssweblog.wordpress.com David Leigh runs thejamesbonddossier.com Ben Williams writes for MI6-HQ.com and MI6 Confidential This podcast is cop

The alternative side of Bond’s sound.  This week we interview four musicians who together contributed to the 2020 album of James Bond cover songs, 'Not From Where I’m Standing'. Organised by David Gedge of The Wedding Present, the new album involves Gedge’s colleagues and friends from 35 years in the music business.  Join us as Gedge and friends recount the origins of the album, some challenges of covering the Barry songs of the ‘60s, how they recorded some of these tracks in low-tech lockdown, why they chose mental health advocates CALM to receive the profits of this charity album, and what they’re looking forward to post-pandemic.  Listeners can win a vinyl or CD copy of the album - be sure to listen for how to enter. The recording took place on January 4th, 2021 in the UK, USA, Spain, and New Zealand.  Paul Atkinson is a co-founder of MI6-HQ.com and the magazine MI6 Confidential  David Leigh runs thejamesbonddossier.com  David Lewis Gedge is an English musician best known for his work in the influential in

Join us as we watch the first two episodes of James Bond Jr together as a group experience.  For this episode, we resurrect an oft-forgotten relic of the canon - James Bond Jr - as it celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Whether you grew up seeing it on TV, or have never watched it before, we recap the history of the project before diving in at the deep end with the first two episodes: 'The Beginning' and 'Earth Cracker'. You can watchalong with us via these YouTube videos: Episode 01: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVkNZ7mvcNc  Episode 02: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQ7WeKCUHH0  The recording took place on December 4th, 2020 in the USA, UK, and Spain.  James Page is a co-founder of MI6-HQ.com and the magazine MI6 Confidential Lisa Funnell (@DrLisaFunnell) is Associate Professor at the University of Oklahoma Calvin Dyson Reviews Bond channel can be enjoyed at youtube.com/calvindyson Bill Koenig runs the Spy Command at hmssweblog.wordpress.com David Leigh runs thejamesbonddossier.com 'Pierce Brosna

What were our Bondian highlights of 2020 and what are we looking forward to in 2021? For this episode, we pull up our armchairs in front of the fire and chat about the year that has passed, trying to pick out some Bond-themed highlights in a 2020 that was challenging for almost everyone on the planet. Which film would we each pick to celebrate the holidays? And as we get ready to ring in a new year, what are we each looking forward to in Bond's world in 2021? The recording took place on December 23rd, 2020 in the USA and Spain.  James Page is a co-founder of MI6-HQ.com and the magazine MI6 Confidential Lisa Funnell (@DrLisaFunnell) is Associate Professor at the University of Oklahoma Ben Williams writes for MI6-HQ.com and MI6 Confidential Bill Koenig runs the Spy Command at hmssweblog.wordpress.com David Leigh runs thejamesbonddossier.com This podcast is copyright Pretitles LLC © 2020 

We asked 100 James Bond fans...  Taking a break from our usual discussion & watchalong format, we play Family Feud (or Family Fortunes, depending on where you're from) with returning champions Lisa Funnell and Ben Williams battling Bill Koenig and David Leigh in the grand final for the 2020 title. The peanut gallery is joined by Phil Nobile Jr. and Paul Atkinson to chip in answers they miss. Who can best guess the results of the top 100 answers from an MI6 survey of James Bond fans? Play along and see how many you can get. Who will walk off with the star prize and who gets a bus fare home? The recording took place on December 18th in the USA, UK, Spain, New Zealand.  James Page and Paul Atkinson are co-founders of MI6-HQ.com and the magazine MI6 Confidential Lisa Funnell (@DrLisaFunnell) is Associate Professor at the University of Oklahoma Ben Williams writes for MI6-HQ.com and MI6 Confidential Bill Koenig runs the Spy Command at hmssweblog.wordpress.com David Leigh runs thejamesbonddossier.com Phil Nobil

We asked 100 James Bond fans...  Taking a break from our usual discussion & watchalong format, we play Family Feud (or Family Fortunes, depending on where you're from) with Calvin Dyson, Phil Nobile Jr, Lisa Funnell, and Ben Williams in two teams hoping to make it through to the grand final. Who can best guess the results of the top 100 answers from an MI6 survey of James Bond fans? Play along and see how many you can get. Who will walk off with the star prize and who gets a bus fare home? The recording took place on December 11th in the USA, UK, and Spain.  James Page is a co-founder of MI6-HQ.com and the magazine MI6 Confidential Calvin Dyson Reviews Bond channel can be enjoyed at youtube.com/calvindyson Phil Nobile Jr is editor of Fangoria and shares his expertise at @PhilNobileJr Lisa Funnell (@DrLisaFunnell) is Associate Professor at the University of Oklahoma Ben Williams writes for MI6-HQ.com and MI6 Confidential This podcast is copyright Pretitles LLC © 2020 

We asked 100 James Bond fans...  Taking a break from our usual discussion & watchalong format, we play Family Feud (or Family Fortunes, depending on where you're from) with Mark O'Connell, Sean Longmore, David Leigh, and Bill Koenig in two teams hoping to make it through to the grand final. Who can best guess the results of the top 100 answers from an MI6 survey of James Bond fans? Play along and see how many you can get. Who will walk off with the star prize and who gets a bus fare home? The recording took place on December 10th in the USA, UK, and Spain.  James Page is a co-founder of MI6-HQ.com and the magazine MI6 Confidential Mark O'Connell's home base is markoconnell.co.uk  Sean Longmore shares his artwork @ThatTallGinger  Bill Koenig runs the Spy Command at hmssweblog.wordpress.com David Leigh runs thejamesbonddossier.com This podcast is copyright Pretitles LLC © 2020 

Join us as we watch 1964's Goldfinger together as a group experience.  Is the iconic film still the gold standard or are parts of it due for smelting down? Along the way, we discover Oddjob's bad fridge habits, effective grannies, why Gillette's not the best a man can get, nerve gas sponsorships, deckchairs for nuke watching, a suspicious Walgreens photo order, questions from insurance agents, the legacy of a serial number, and how Gary Marshall IS in Goldfinger despite Bill's insistence to the contrary. * The audio quality is not up to our usual standard for this episode. Unfortunately, there were several production and technical hitches that plagued the post process and caused an untimely delay to release, but we wanted to keep the order of the episodes intact. The recording took place on September 4th, 2020 in the USA, UK, and Spain.  James Page is a co-founder of MI6-HQ.com and the magazine MI6 Confidential Calvin Dyson Reviews Bond channel can be enjoyed at youtube.com/calvindyson Lisa Funnell (@DrLisaFu

Were the 1980s a golden era for independent women in the Bond film series?  For this episode, we reflect on the Bond Women of the 1980s, who were far from the gun-arm hanging damsels in distress the series had been criticized for in earlier decades. From the crossbow-wielding Melina set out on a mission of revenge, and ending with Pam’s strong-willed CIA pilot, we pick over the characters of the '80s, choose our favourites and shine a spotlight on some of the less-celebrated individuals. We also take a detour to chat about how the '80s saw a shift in the balance of power on Bond posters.  The companion issue to this episode #57 of MI6 Confidential is now shipping around the world from mi6confidential.com  The recording took place on November 25th, 2020 in the USA.  James Page is a co-founder of MI6-HQ.com and the magazine MI6 Confidential Dr. Lisa Funnell (@DrLisaFunnell) is Associate Professor at the University of Oklahoma Phil Nobile Jr is editor of Fangoria and shares his expertise at @PhilNobileJr Mark O'

For this episode, the panel remembers the life and career of the original big-screen James Bond - Sir Sean Connery - who died on this day at the age of 90 at his home in the Bahamas. We are joined for the first time by author Lee Pfeiffer who wrote the book on Connery's films and shares personal stories of meeting the man. We also dive into Connery's lesser-known film catalogue to recommend some movies to watch in honor of Big Tam. The recording took place on October 31st, 2020 in the USA. James Page is a co-founder of MI6-HQ.com and the magazine MI6 Confidential Lee Pfeiffer is co-founder of Cinema Retro magazine and author of The Essential Bond - the best selling 007 film book of all time Lisa Funnell (@DrLisaFunnell) is Associate Professor at the University of Oklahoma Bill Koenig runs the Spy Command at hmssweblog.wordpress.com Ben Williams writes for MI6-HQ.com and MI6 Confidential This podcast is copyright Pretitles LLC © 2020 

Join us as we watch 1965's Thunderball together as a group experience.  For this episode, don your orange wetsuit, grab a spear gun, and cue up your copy of Thunderball as the panel chats over the film in real-time with observations, trivia, insights, and irreverence. Along the way, we discover grieving orphans, personalized hotel doors, a sweaty Vargas, Pinder's woodworking, and wonder where the dance floor is on the Disco Volante.  The recording took place on August 28th, 2020 in the USA, UK, and Spain.  James Page is a co-founder of MI6-HQ.com and the magazine MI6 Confidential Calvin Dyson Reviews Bond channel can be enjoyed at youtube.com/calvindyson Lisa Funnell (@DrLisaFunnell) is Associate Professor at the University of Oklahoma Ben Williams writes for MI6-HQ.com and MI6 Confidential Bill Koenig runs the Spy Command at hmssweblog.wordpress.com Phil Nobile Jr is editor of Fangoria and shares his expertise at @PhilNobileJr David Leigh runs thejamesbonddossier.com This podcast is copyright Pretitles LLC ©

It just happened again. How do we feel about the latest news of another delay? For this episode, the panel dives into the breaking news that No Time To Die has been delayed again, this time to April 2nd, 2020. When was this decision made? How has MGM handled the ill-fated campaign reboot? Given the big marketing push over the past week, how will this go down with the fan base? Is April next year even a viable target? The recording took place on October 2nd, 2020 in the USA, UK, Spain, and New Zealand. James Page and Paul Atkinson are co-founders of MI6-HQ.com and the magazine MI6 Confidential Lisa Funnell (@DrLisaFunnell) is Associate Professor at the University of Oklahoma Ben Williams writes for MI6-HQ.com and MI6 Confidential Bill Koenig runs the Spy Command at hmssweblog.wordpress.com Phil Nobile Jr shares his expertise at @PhilNobileJr David Leigh runs thejamesbonddossier.com This podcast is copyright Pretitles LLC © 2020 

If you apply the 'Death of the Author' theory to the James Bond books, what are you left with? For this episode, the panel delves into the concept of 'Death of the Author' in the context of Ian Fleming's James Bond novels. Is it now practically impossible to read the books independent of the bias created by the reader's knowledge of Fleming? If you remove the author from the reading of the text, is there any objective meaning left? Has Fleming become Bond rather than Bond being based on Fleming? Why did the literary estate start with this concept and then double-down on a reversal in 2008? Warning: the feelings of some continuation authors may be at risk. James Page is a co-founder of MI6-HQ.com and the magazine MI6 Confidential Calvin Dyson Reviews Bond channel can be enjoyed at youtube.com/calvindyson Lisa Funnell (@DrLisaFunnell) is Associate Professor at the University of Oklahoma. Her new podcast 'Licence To Critique' can be found at licencetocritique.buzzsprout.com Phil Nobile Jr shares his expertise at

Join us as we watch 1973's Live And Let Die together as a group experience.  For this episode, don your tactical turtleneck, grab a bourbon (no ice), and cue up your copy of Live And Let Die as the panel chats over the film in real-time with observations, trivia, insights, and irreverence. Along the way, we discover suspicious grapes, bad grouting, Calvin's disapproval of psychics, Linda McCartney crocodile, JW's off-screen promotion, a very lucky dog, Lisa's robe rankings, and wonder if Kananga hired his heavies from Target. The recording took place on August 21st, 2020 in the USA, UK, and Spain. James Page is a co-founder of MI6-HQ.com and the magazine MI6 Confidential Calvin Dyson Reviews Bond channel can be enjoyed at youtube.com/calvindyson Lisa Funnell (@DrLisaFunnell) is Associate Professor at the University of Oklahoma Ben Williams writes for MI6-HQ.com and MI6 Confidential Bill Koenig runs the Spy Command at hmssweblog.wordpress.com Phil Nobile Jr shares his expertise at @PhilNobileJr David Leigh run

What do we think of the new No Time To Die trailer and relaunched marketing campaign? For this episode, the super-panel shares their views on 'Trailer 2' and how the film is being re-positioned after the delay from April to November. We also tackle the sticky issue of the push to release in an uncertain world, a new poster, and a big clanger from Universal in Europe. The recording took place on September 3rd, 2020 in the USA, UK, and Spain. James Page is a co-founder of MI6-HQ.com and the magazine MI6 Confidential Ajay Chowdhury (co-author with Matthew Field) of Some Kind of Hero: The Remarkable Story of the James Bond Films Calvin Dyson Reviews Bond channel can be enjoyed at youtube.com/calvindyson Lisa Funnell (@DrLisaFunnell) is Associate Professor at the University of Oklahoma Ben Williams writes for MI6-HQ.com and MI6 Confidential Bill Koenig runs the Spy Command at hmssweblog.wordpress.com Phil Nobile Jr shares his expertise at @PhilNobileJr David Leigh runs thejamesbonddossier.com This podcast is copyr

Join us as we watch 1983's Octopussy together as a group experience.  For this episode, don your floppy shoes, grab a red nose, and cue up your copy of Octopussy as the panel chats over the film in real-time with observations, trivia, insights, and irreverence. Along the way, we discover underage drivers, a gameshow set, zooming boobs, Brian Blessed's pirate brother, two-dozen Star Wars cast members, Calvin's super attack-mode crocodile, Chekhov's pineapple, and wonder about Bond's exfoliated perineum. The recording took place on August 14th, 2020 in the USA, UK, and Spain. James Page is a co-founder of MI6-HQ.com and the magazine MI6 Confidential Calvin Dyson Reviews Bond channel can be enjoyed at youtube.com/calvindyson Lisa Funnell (@DrLisaFunnell) is Associate Professor at the University of Oklahoma Ben Williams writes for MI6-HQ.com and MI6 Confidential Bill Koenig runs the Spy Command at hmssweblog.wordpress.com Phil Nobile Jr shares his expertise at @PhilNobileJr David Leigh runs thejamesbonddossier.co

Join us as we watch 1985's A View To A Kill together as a group experience.  For this episode, don your velour tracksuit, grab a quiche, and cue up your copy of A View To A Kill as the panel chats over the film in real-time with observations, trivia, insights, and irreverence. Along the way, we discover Bavarian factory guards, a model maker massacre, a hot tub dipping chair, creepy kids bedrooms, a quiche serial killer, and subliminally channel Stacey Sutton. In an extended after-show we discuss the absurdist elements of Ian Fleming and wonder what happened to the budget. The recording took place on July 31st, 2020 in the USA, UK, and Spain. James Page is a co-founder of MI6-HQ.com and the magazine MI6 Confidential Calvin Dyson Reviews Bond channel can be enjoyed at youtube.com/calvindyson Lisa Funnell (@DrLisaFunnell) is Associate Professor at the University of Oklahoma Ben Williams writes for MI6-HQ.com and MI6 Confidential Bill Koenig runs the Spy Command at hmssweblog.wordpress.com Phil Nobile Jr shares

Join us as we watch 1977's The Spy Who Loved Me together as a group experience.  For this episode, don your flared trousers, grab some fish food, and cue up your copy of The Spy Who Loved Me as the panel chats over the film in real-time with observations, trivia, insights, and irreverence. Along the way, we discover MI6's bring your own phone policy, camel fanciers, speculate on Blofeld's budget, spot Marks & Spencer's CCTV, remember when Sir Ken Adam patented the wheel, raise an eyebrow at submarinal erections, and ponder the fate of cod stocks. The recording took place on July 17th, 2020 in the USA, UK, and Spain. James Page is a co-founder of MI6-HQ.com and the magazine MI6 Confidential Calvin Dyson Reviews Bond channel can be enjoyed at youtube.com/calvindyson Lisa Funnell (@DrLisaFunnell) is Associate Professor at the University of Oklahoma Ben Williams writes for MI6-HQ.com and MI6 Confidential Bill Koenig runs the Spy Command at hmssweblog.wordpress.com David Leigh runs thejamesbonddossier.com This

Join us as we watch 2006's Casino Royale together as a group experience.  For this episode, don your tailored tuxedo, grab a properly made Vesper martini, and cue up your copy of Casino Royale as the panel chats over the film in real-time with observations, trivia, insights, and irreverence. Spoiler alert: everyone loves this film. As well as dropping some lesser-known behind-the-scenes facts, we discuss some of the bold creative decisions that made this reboot of the franchise one of the most beloved films of the entire series. The recording took place on July 10th, 2020 in the USA, UK, and Spain. James Page is a co-founder of MI6-HQ.com and the magazine MI6 Confidential Calvin Dyson Reviews Bond channel can be enjoyed at youtube.com/calvindyson Lisa Funnell (@DrLisaFunnell) is Associate Professor at the University of Oklahoma Ben Williams writes for MI6-HQ.com and MI6 Confidential Bill Koenig runs the Spy Command at hmssweblog.wordpress.com David Leigh runs thejamesbonddossier.com This podcast is copyright

If you missed the live video stream, you can now catch up with the first-ever James Bond & Friends podcast video panel.  The 'watchalong' regular crew of James Page, Calvin Dayson, Dr. Lisa Funnell, Bill Koenig, David Leigh, and Ben Williams take a break this week from commentary on a film and instead discuss the latest 'No Time To Die' developments, theorize what will become of Bond in the future, take questions from the live chat, debunk some Bond myths, and - as ever - drift off into a few tangents.  Head on over to YouTube to watch the recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TG-BTGNWk0