Original Geek

Original Geek Creative

Original Geek is a weekly geek culture podcast hosted by Gen X nerd veterans and stand-up comic Steve Scarfo with co-host Jeff Shaw. We dive deep into Star Wars, Marvel, DC, Dungeons & Dragons, sci-fi, fantasy, comic books, tabletop gaming, retro video games, classic horror, and modern pop culture—all served with sarcasm, nostalgia, and zero gatekeeping. We’re the geeks who rolled our first D20 before the internet could tell us we were playing it wrong. From MCU debates and Star Trek canon wars to the resurgence of ’80s nostalgia and today’s fandom controversies, we break down what still matters, what doesn’t, and why people are way too mad about fictional universes. This podcast is for Gen X geeks, millennial nerds, and anyone who loves movies, TV shows, gaming, comics, cosplay, sci-fi, fantasy, and fandom culture. Whether you’re a tabletop beginner, a lifelong dungeon master, a horror movie junkie, or someone who still knows Han shot first, Original Geek explores the evolution of geek culture—from VHS to streaming, Atari to next-gen consoles, Dragonlance to Baldur’s Gate 3. If you’re looking for a funny, opinionated geek podcast with real personality, heated debates, and unapologetic nostalgia, you’re in the right basement. 🎙️ New episodes weekly.  Subscribe, roll initiative, and embrace your inner geek.

  1. 5D AGO

    Fallout & the End of the World - Why We Can’t Stop Watching Apocalypse Stories | Original Geek | S1E22

    Connect with us! What’s the worst apocalypse to survive? In this episode of Original Geek, we head straight into the wasteland to talk Fallout — the hit TV series, the video games that inspired it, and why post-apocalyptic stories refuse to leave our brains alone. From nuclear wastelands and underground vaults to dystopian societies that pretend everything’s fine, we break down why worlds like Fallout, Mad Max, The Matrix, Hunger Games, Divergent, Silo, and more keep pulling us back in. Is it the spectacle? The fear? Or the uncomfortable truth that these stories don’t feel as far-fetched as they used to? We debate which post-apocalyptic world would be the absolute worst to live in, put Fallout Season 2 on trial in a dice-decided Random Review, and argue whether humanity ever actually learns from the end of the world. No gatekeeping. No homework. Just smart geek talk, sharp opinions, and a few critical hits along the way. 🎲 Random Review included ☢️ Fallout • Post-Apocalypse • Dystopia 🎙️ New episodes weekly Welcome to Original Geek—the podcast for anyone who rolled their first d20 on shag carpet, waited hours for a comic book JPEG to load on dial-up, and wore the label “geek” back when it got you mocked, not monetized. Hosted by stand-up comic Steve Scarfo and Forever DM Jeff Shaw, we dive deep into what it meant to be a geek in the '70s and '80s—and how that underground culture became the mainstream multiverse we live in today. 🎙️ Subscribe for weekly episodes on Dungeons & Dragons, Star Wars, comic book chaos, geek court debates, and critical hits from your childhood basement. 👾 Follow us @OriginalGeekPodcast on socials and visit OriginalGeekPodcast.com for merch, extras, and to send us your own geeky tales. If you ever hid a Monster Manual like it was porn, you’re not alone. You’re an Original Geek. Welcome home.

    1 hr
  2. JAN 20

    Predator: Badlands — How It Changes the Predator Franchise | Original Geek | S1E21

    Connect with us! Predator: Badlands didn’t just land as another sequel — it cracked open a much bigger conversation about what the Predator franchise actually is, where it’s been, and where it might be going next. In this episode of Original Geek, we use Badlands as a jumping-off point to explore the entire Predator timeline — from the 1987 original and its slasher-movie roots, through Predator 2, Predators, The Predator, Prey, and the long, messy crossover history with the Alien franchise. Along the way, we dig into how tone, humor, mythology, and even the Predator itself have evolved over the decades. We talk about why Badlands feels different, what it reveals about Yautja culture, why the introduction of synthetics and Weyland-Yutani matters, and how this movie quietly reinforces that Predator and Alien have always shared a universe — even when the films didn’t fully commit to it. The episode also tackles real-world fandom friction: the growing frustration with premium streaming charges, early access pricing, and whether paying extra to watch a movie you already “subscribe” for is the future of genre entertainment or a breaking point for fans. This isn’t a spoiler-heavy breakdown or a surface-level review. It’s a franchise-wide conversation about lore, canon, creative risks, misfires, surprising wins, and why Predator has survived while so many other 80s action icons faded out. If you’re a longtime fan, a casual viewer, or someone trying to figure out whether the Predator franchise still has teeth — this episode connects the dots. Welcome to Original Geek—the podcast for anyone who rolled their first d20 on shag carpet, waited hours for a comic book JPEG to load on dial-up, and wore the label “geek” back when it got you mocked, not monetized. Hosted by stand-up comic Steve Scarfo and Forever DM Jeff Shaw, we dive deep into what it meant to be a geek in the '70s and '80s—and how that underground culture became the mainstream multiverse we live in today. 🎙️ Subscribe for weekly episodes on Dungeons & Dragons, Star Wars, comic book chaos, geek court debates, and critical hits from your childhood basement. 👾 Follow us @OriginalGeekPodcast on socials and visit OriginalGeekPodcast.com for merch, extras, and to send us your own geeky tales. If you ever hid a Monster Manual like it was porn, you’re not alone. You’re an Original Geek. Welcome home.

    57 min
  3. JAN 5

    What Actually Makes a Disaster Movie? (Explosions Aren’t Enough) | Original Geek | S1E19

    Connect with us! What actually makes a disaster movie? Is it explosions? CGI destruction? Cities getting wiped off the map? Or is it something smaller—and a lot more human? In this episode of Original Geek, we break down what defines a true disaster movie, why the best ones still work decades later, and why so many modern films miss the point entirely. From the golden age classics like The Poseidon Adventure and The Towering Inferno to modern, grounded survival stories like Greenland, we explore the core formula that makes disaster movies resonate: ordinary people, impossible choices, and society under pressure. We also debate whether superhero movies, sci-fi epics, and “disaster-adjacent” films really belong in the genre—and why bigger destruction doesn’t always mean better storytelling. If you love disaster movies, grew up watching them, or just want to understand why some stick with you long after the credits roll, this one’s for you. Welcome back to the basement. Welcome to Original Geek—the podcast for anyone who rolled their first d20 on shag carpet, waited hours for a comic book JPEG to load on dial-up, and wore the label “geek” back when it got you mocked, not monetized. Hosted by stand-up comic Steve Scarfo and Forever DM Jeff Shaw, we dive deep into what it meant to be a geek in the '70s and '80s—and how that underground culture became the mainstream multiverse we live in today. 🎙️ Subscribe for weekly episodes on Dungeons & Dragons, Star Wars, comic book chaos, geek court debates, and critical hits from your childhood basement. 👾 Follow us @OriginalGeekPodcast on socials and visit OriginalGeekPodcast.com for merch, extras, and to send us your own geeky tales. If you ever hid a Monster Manual like it was porn, you’re not alone. You’re an Original Geek. Welcome home.

    1 hr
  4. 12/30/2025

    Stranger Things Season 5 Random Review - Eps 5, 6, & 7: Wormholes, Mr. Clark, and Finale Predictions | Original Geek

    Connect with us! This episode of Original Geek Random Review focuses exclusively on Stranger Things Season 5 Episodes 5, 6, and 7 — and what they’re setting up for the finale. Using a D20 dice roll, we let fate decide which topics come up for debate, including the biggest questions fans are arguing about after Part 2. We break down: The wormhole vs. time travel debate and why the show avoids a resetWhy the wormhole functions as a bridge, not a timeline fixMr. Clark’s return and his quiet but crucial role in the endgameDungeons & Dragons shifting from metaphor to shared languageWhy restraint and consequences matter more than spectaclePredictions for the finale, including music choices, possible betrayals, and major character deathsWe also dig into fan expectations, red herrings, and why Episodes 5–7 slow the pace on purpose to build emotional weight instead of nonstop action. This is not a recap of the season.  This is a focused analysis of Part 2 and what comes next. 🎲 No prep. No safety net.  🎧 Roll for review. Welcome to Original Geek—the podcast for anyone who rolled their first d20 on shag carpet, waited hours for a comic book JPEG to load on dial-up, and wore the label “geek” back when it got you mocked, not monetized. Hosted by stand-up comic Steve Scarfo and Forever DM Jeff Shaw, we dive deep into what it meant to be a geek in the '70s and '80s—and how that underground culture became the mainstream multiverse we live in today. 🎙️ Subscribe for weekly episodes on Dungeons & Dragons, Star Wars, comic book chaos, geek court debates, and critical hits from your childhood basement. 👾 Follow us @OriginalGeekPodcast on socials and visit OriginalGeekPodcast.com for merch, extras, and to send us your own geeky tales. If you ever hid a Monster Manual like it was porn, you’re not alone. You’re an Original Geek. Welcome home.

    17 min
  5. 12/29/2025

    How Bruce Willis Changed Action Movies Forever (It Started With Die Hard) | Original Geek | S1E18

    Connect with us! Before he was an action legend, Bruce Willis was a wisecracking TV star from Moonlighting. Then Die Hard happened—and John McClane changed action movies forever. In this episode of Original Geek, we use Die Hard as the entry point to talk about Bruce Willis’ true legacy: the rise of the vulnerable, everyman action hero. We break down why John McClane worked when muscle-bound, invincible heroes dominated the screen, and how villains like **Alan Rickman’s Hans Gruber elevated the genre. We also look at why modern heroes—from James Bond to John Wick—owe everything to this shift. Yes, we debate whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie. But this episode is really about how Bruce Willis changed action movies forever—and why Hollywood still hasn’t replaced him. Original Geek Podcast | Bruce Willis | Die Hard Welcome to Original Geek—the podcast for anyone who rolled their first d20 on shag carpet, waited hours for a comic book JPEG to load on dial-up, and wore the label “geek” back when it got you mocked, not monetized. Hosted by stand-up comic Steve Scarfo and Forever DM Jeff Shaw, we dive deep into what it meant to be a geek in the '70s and '80s—and how that underground culture became the mainstream multiverse we live in today. 🎙️ Subscribe for weekly episodes on Dungeons & Dragons, Star Wars, comic book chaos, geek court debates, and critical hits from your childhood basement. 👾 Follow us @OriginalGeekPodcast on socials and visit OriginalGeekPodcast.com for merch, extras, and to send us your own geeky tales. If you ever hid a Monster Manual like it was porn, you’re not alone. You’re an Original Geek. Welcome home.

    58 min
  6. 12/24/2025

    Stranger Things Season 5 Random Review (Part 1b): Max, Vecna, and the Turning Point | Original Geek

    Connect with us! In Part 2 of our Stranger Things Season 5 Random Review of the first four episodes, the dice take us straight into the emotional and structural heart of the season. We roll a successful Sense Motive check and land on one of the most debated arcs of the series so far: Max’s coma, Vecna’s memory trap, and whether the show is flirting with a storytelling risk it can’t afford to miss. We break down: Why Max’s storyline is powerful and dangerous if mishandledLucas as the emotional anchor of the arcThe Wrinkle in Time parallels and why they matter more than people thinkHow Episode 4’s spectacle marks the true turning point of the seasonWhy the military presence was never real protection to begin withWill’s connection, Vecna’s control, and the moment the show flips the tableThis isn’t nitpicking.  It’s a deep-cut, Gen X–grounded conversation about stakes, structure, and payoff. 🎲 This is Part 2 of our Stranger Things Random Review. If you haven’t listened to Part 1 yet, start there—then roll back in. Welcome to Original Geek—the podcast for anyone who rolled their first d20 on shag carpet, waited hours for a comic book JPEG to load on dial-up, and wore the label “geek” back when it got you mocked, not monetized. Hosted by stand-up comic Steve Scarfo and Forever DM Jeff Shaw, we dive deep into what it meant to be a geek in the '70s and '80s—and how that underground culture became the mainstream multiverse we live in today. 🎙️ Subscribe for weekly episodes on Dungeons & Dragons, Star Wars, comic book chaos, geek court debates, and critical hits from your childhood basement. 👾 Follow us @OriginalGeekPodcast on socials and visit OriginalGeekPodcast.com for merch, extras, and to send us your own geeky tales. If you ever hid a Monster Manual like it was porn, you’re not alone. You’re an Original Geek. Welcome home.

    15 min
  7. 12/24/2025

    Stranger Things Season 5 Random Review (Part 1): The Hawkins Problem Nobody Wants to Talk About | Original Geek

    Connect with us! You don’t hate Stranger Things Season 5… but something definitely feels off. In Part 1 of our Stranger Things Season 5 Random Review, we roll the dice and let chaos decide what we talk about—because that’s the only honest way to review a show this big. We dig into: Why the Season 5 timeline is starting to strain credibilityThe Vecna Retcon and does it workThe difference between bigger stakes and better storytellingThis isn’t a recap.  It’s not a hate-watch.  And it’s definitely not blind fandom. It’s a Gen X–powered, dice-rolled breakdown of what’s working, what’s wobbling, and what Season 5 needs to land the plane. 🎲 This is Part 1 of our Random Review—Part 2 drops next. Grab your Eggos. Welcome back to the basement. Welcome to Original Geek—the podcast for anyone who rolled their first d20 on shag carpet, waited hours for a comic book JPEG to load on dial-up, and wore the label “geek” back when it got you mocked, not monetized. Hosted by stand-up comic Steve Scarfo and Forever DM Jeff Shaw, we dive deep into what it meant to be a geek in the '70s and '80s—and how that underground culture became the mainstream multiverse we live in today. 🎙️ Subscribe for weekly episodes on Dungeons & Dragons, Star Wars, comic book chaos, geek court debates, and critical hits from your childhood basement. 👾 Follow us @OriginalGeekPodcast on socials and visit OriginalGeekPodcast.com for merch, extras, and to send us your own geeky tales. If you ever hid a Monster Manual like it was porn, you’re not alone. You’re an Original Geek. Welcome home.

    14 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Original Geek is a weekly geek culture podcast hosted by Gen X nerd veterans and stand-up comic Steve Scarfo with co-host Jeff Shaw. We dive deep into Star Wars, Marvel, DC, Dungeons & Dragons, sci-fi, fantasy, comic books, tabletop gaming, retro video games, classic horror, and modern pop culture—all served with sarcasm, nostalgia, and zero gatekeeping. We’re the geeks who rolled our first D20 before the internet could tell us we were playing it wrong. From MCU debates and Star Trek canon wars to the resurgence of ’80s nostalgia and today’s fandom controversies, we break down what still matters, what doesn’t, and why people are way too mad about fictional universes. This podcast is for Gen X geeks, millennial nerds, and anyone who loves movies, TV shows, gaming, comics, cosplay, sci-fi, fantasy, and fandom culture. Whether you’re a tabletop beginner, a lifelong dungeon master, a horror movie junkie, or someone who still knows Han shot first, Original Geek explores the evolution of geek culture—from VHS to streaming, Atari to next-gen consoles, Dragonlance to Baldur’s Gate 3. If you’re looking for a funny, opinionated geek podcast with real personality, heated debates, and unapologetic nostalgia, you’re in the right basement. 🎙️ New episodes weekly.  Subscribe, roll initiative, and embrace your inner geek.