The PIXELS trailer was the most popular conversation topic on the RubberOnion facebook page this week, so we lead with that. At the end we discuss the internet as a creative spawning ground and how traditional media fits in AS WELL AS addressing a question to me (Stephen) about being a freelance animator. We also talk about the ATTACK ON TITAN live-action teaser, INCREDIBLES 2 plot, and the announcements of a California Raisins movie as well as Joseph Gordon-Levitt starring in and producing a Fraggle Rock film. Also Rob went to an underwear party in Williamsburg (which, as a sentence, isn't that weird because it ends with "in Williamsburg"). So enjoy the discussion and feel free to join in below in the comments section![audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/rubberonion/the_rubber_onion-ep73-pixel_dust.mp3|titles=The Rubber Onion - #73: "Pixel Dust"]

Are you ready for this?! Biiiiig week! Stephen gives a crash course in understanding the basics of character design while discussing a viral post about how all Pixar women look the same, the crew talks about Bob Iger's choice to "absolutely prohibit" smoking in Disney films rated PG-13 and below, Genndy Tartakovski announced his departure from the "Popeye" movie, Tim Burton is named as the director for an upcoming live-action "Dumbo" remake, and a healthy selection of brand new trailers! With nine stories to cover coming in UNDER 1hr 30min we move a brisk pace this week. Enjoy and let us know what you thought in the comments section![audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/rubberonion/the_rubber_onion-ep72-koala_de_vil.mp3|titles=The Rubber Onion - #72: "Koala De Vil"]

"Toy Story 4" is a romantic comedy, "The Secret of NIMH" gets a hybrid 3d/live-action family comedy reboot, Viacom sues NickReboot for selling their stuff, and we learn what a Puerto Rican Babyshower is... kind of.[audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/rubberonion/the_rubber_onion-ep71-the_secret_of_nin.mp3|titles=The Rubber Onion - #71: "The Secret of NIN"]

This is the most nostalgic episode we've done yet! Power Rangers bootleg film, Leonard Nimoy's career, Inspector Gadget reboot, DuckTales reboot, Adventure Time movie, and Pat is officially back! We also talk about that crazy "Mystery Dress Color" fiasco that happened last week which fascinated artists and annoyed everyone else... that's kind of nostalgic. So curl up with a bowl of Cap'n Crunch and let us deliver the dulcet tones of nostalgia into your brain.[audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/rubberonion/the_rubber_onion-ep70-go_go_gadget_rangers.mp3|titles=The Rubber Onion - #70: "Go Go Gadget Rangers"]

This week we cover a broad range of subjects. The Oscars and the strange voters, Jorge Gutierrez and why Stephen likes him so much, software going subscription based into "the cloud," and a fan-game BURGERBOSS from "Bob's Burgers!" There's some analysis and some inspiration and a skit, in true RubberOnion fashion. You won't want to miss this episode... because, whatever.[audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/rubberonion/the_rubber_onion-ep69-because_whatever.mp3|titles=The Rubber Onion - #69: "Because Whatever"]

Though on other sides of an ocean, Stephen and Rob are going to animation events and talking about it to you fine people. There's also a lot of discussion about animation as a whole prompted by the excellent opening title sequence for 'Star vs the Forces of Evil' and a not-as-controversial-as-I-would-have-thought list of the Best Animated Series.[audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/rubberonion/the_rubber_onion-ep68-ac_douche_pumps.mp3|titles=The Rubber Onion - #68: "AC/DouChe Pumps"]

Did you know that Mel Brooks' "Blazing Saddles" is getting remade as a family friendly Samurai film with cartoon cats and dogs? That's pretty much all we talk about. Well we also talk about the amazing fanimation "Simpsons Pixels" as well as what's REALLY going on with the Power Rangers. We also dissect rap. That happened.[audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/rubberonion/the_rubber_onion-ep67-supercalifragilisticnecrotizingfasciitis.mp3|titles=The Rubber Onion - #67: "Supercalifragilisticnecrotizingfasciitis"]

Stephen has his desktop computer back, so this episode sounds normal again! Stephen and Rob teach you how not to make sounds when you drink, talk about the Annie Awards, Disney's first Latina princess and what it might mean, and Rob did some animation for a new YouTube channel (embedded in this post). Enjoy the crisp, cool sound of a normal microphone![audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/rubberonion/the_rubber_onion-ep66-the_fanny_awards.mp3|titles=The Rubber Onion - #66: "The Fanny Awards"]

Layoffs, lawsuits, and cats -- OH MY! Stephen and Rob talk about the tough subjects of foreign VFX subsidies and the troubles fighting them, the abrupt closing of PDI/Dreamworks Redwood City campus, and a Kickstarter campaign so ridiculously popular it brings up the topic of how democratic is the internet really. But with all the negative subjects, we also got a few questions from you listeners so we end on some positive thoughts! Oh also, it's my (Stephen) birthday and we totally didn't mention it once... so there's that. Enjoy![audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/rubberonion/the_rubber_onion-ep65-mo_money_mo_cats.mp3|titles=The Rubber Onion - #65: "Mo Money Mo Cats"]

Stephen and Rob are back again to talk about the creepy "Thunderbirds" character designs, the Oscar nominations AND those left out in the cold. A stop-mo animator rigged the Nintendo Power Glove for use in animation and "Underdogs" (Argentina's "Metagol") gets an English language trailer thanks to the Weinsteins... and it's... a thing.[audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/rubberonion/the_rubber_onion-ep64-oscar_nom_nom_noms.mp3|titles=The Rubber Onion - #64: "Oscar Nom Nom Noms"]

For the first episode of 2015, we have absolutely no plan or organization. Pat is busy with life and Rob and Stephen talk about their own animated shorts before moving on to talking about the brilliant "Song of the Sea"[audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/rubberonion/the_rubber_onion-ep62-the_big_crumpet.mp3|titles=The Rubber Onion - #62: "The Big Crumpet"]

Merry Christmas Eve! This week we're visited by 3 ghosts that ask us what our favorite past, present, and possible future animated Christmas movies, specials, and episodes are! AND... you can check out the specials mentioned in the episode embedded below! Merry Christmas all[audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/rubberonion/the_rubber_onion-ep60-christmas_episode_2.mp3|titles=The Rubber Onion - #60: "Christmas Episode 2"]

The Pixar INSIDE OUT trailer dropped, Smaug was on The Colbert Report, and Spider-Man's future is in question. Also, Birdbox Studios made the holiday card to end all cards! As you finish up work this week for the holiday break next week, enjoy our soothing voices... and singing. There was a little problem with Pat's audio somehow making him absent for about 20 minutes in the middle of the episode -- listen for that foghorn! OK, enjoy the episode. Go listen now. NOW[audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/rubberonion/the_rubber_onion-ep59-plungebob_spiderman.mp3|titles=The Rubber Onion - #59: "Plungebob Spiderman"]

This weeks should just be called RAPID FIRE week because half of the show is devoted to questions and topics you listeners asked us on my Facebook page... they're all awesoRARAPID FIRRRREEEeeee! A new character gets introduced whose only interested in one thing, French animation astounds us, and we talk about a documentary on Studio Ghibli/Hayao Miyazaki that Rob and I saw.[audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/rubberonion/the_rubber_onion-ep58-da_shareholdahs.mp3|titles=The Rubber Onion - #58: "Da Shareholdahs"]

STAR WARS! TOY STORY! MEL BROOKS! FROZEN! NEW YOUTUBE SERIES FROM PAT! NEW ANIMATION FROM ROB! RAPID FIRE!!!!!!! Seriously, we have a lot of amazing topics to talk about this week. There's not any more introduction needed. Enjoy the episode![audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/rubberonion/the_rubber_onion-ep57-idina_denzel_washington.mp3|titles=The Rubber Onion - #57: "Idina Denzel Washington"]

We have so many trailers to talk about this week! CINDERELLA, PEANUTS, and LucasFilm's STRANGE MAGIC which was dropped on our unsuspecting laps. The question is... does it hurt or feel just right? Speaking of feeling just right, we interview the last of the three winners of our #RubberOnionFanArt competition, Ronald Chaparro. And I bring back the Rapid Fire segment so we can adjust the stories you listeners submitted that we didn't have enough time/thought to address as a full story segment. Also, Stephen went to the CTN ANimation Expo 2014 and talks about that experience. Enjoy![audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/rubberonion/the_rubber_onion-ep56-sugar_pie_honey_butt.mp3|titles=The Rubber Onion - #56: "Sugar Pie Honey Butt"]

I like to call these episodes "classic." We've got news from the animation world and an interview with one of our #RubberOnionFanArt competition winners (Andrew Kaiko)! Lucasfilm surprised us with a new movie coming out in 2 months, new point-and-click game by The Neverhood creators is coming soon, and we talk a whole bunch about the PEANUTS hi-res images (this was one-day before the trailer leak!)... and we have a new segment: RAPID FIRE! Here we take the stories that you suggested which we didn't have too much to say about and we blast through them with out little derisive or supportive comments.[audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/rubberonion/the_rubber_onion-ep55-hasbrony.mp3|titles=The Rubber Onion - #55: "Hasbrony"]

This week, Stephen & Rob saw BIG HERO 6 and give their review on it as well as Disney's new animated short FEAST. We also talk to one of the three #RubberOnionFanArt October competition winners, Chris McEwan! But also... Stephen's computer decided to test his patience during the podcast recording by crashing multiple times -- which makes more work for him (me) but a more entertaining episode for you![audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/rubberonion/the_rubber_onion-ep54-three_two_one_go.mp3|titles=The Rubber Onion - #54: "3... 2... 1... GO!"]