Pat's back! Feels so good to have the gang together for this one because we've got some great stories suggested by YOU. "Popeye", "Where Are They Now" animated short, "Deadpool" greenlit, "Rick and Morty" co-creator Justin Roiland fighting the Union, The Hub dies, Stephen updated an animation from 2010, and we inspire people apparently... seriously. And we have another submitted question! You will enjoy this one. You will. I promise. Kinda.[audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/rubberonion/the_rubber_onion-ep47-two_and_a_half_men.mp3|titles=The Rubber Onion - #47: "Two and a Half Men"]

With a slow news week, Rob and Stephen settle down and talk about something bugging Rob lately: "how to be an animator AND have a life." We talk about productivity methods, past experiences, full time VS freelance, and of course -- stories! And also... VIEWER QUESTIONS!! But we start it all off with a clip from earlier in the week when Rob called Stephen to practice his telephone script he had to read on behalf of the Brooklyn Bourough president. And you all know what happens when Rob tries to read aloud... under pressure.[audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/rubberonion/the_rubber_onion-ep46-hot_cocoa_show.mp3|titles=The Rubber Onion - #46: "Hot Cocoa Show"]

While Pat's off being all married and stuff, Rob and I talk about Signe Baumane's "Rocks in My Pockets," Bento Box keeping jobs in the US, and the "Hullabaloo" IndieGoGo campaign and why 2D ISN'T DEAD YOU GUYS jeez! I can't WAIT for the comments on THIS episode[audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/rubberonion/the_rubber_onion-ep45-butterfly_mcbeebee.mp3|titles=The Rubber Onion - #45: "Butterfly McBeeBee"]

Is "Hello Kitty" a cat or isn't she?! Is "Bojack Horseman" any good? Is Marvel actually making a "Guardians of the Galaxy" animated series? She is, it is, and they aren't. There, now you don't need to listen to the episode. But if you didn't you'd miss our soothing voices and witty quips! Rob has some major technical issues and it made for an Intro that made me laugh so hard while I was cutting it together I had to take a break to wipe the tears from my eyes. How's THAT for raising your expectations too high?! Also, do YOU know why we named this episode "Purse on Vacation?" I'll give you a hint: say it fast. I'll give you another hint: Rob can't pronounce words.[audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/rubberonion/the_rubber_onion-ep44-purse_on_vacation.mp3|titles=The Rubber Onion - #44: "Purse on Vacation"]

The Emmys happened! They're a thing! We talk about the winners and our love for "Bob's Burgers" as well as the Every Simpsons Ever marathon happening on FXX (whatever THAT channel is...). The great Lord/Sir/Mr. Amazing Richard Attenborough passed away and we honor him, but then he honors us right back by giving us maybe the greatest transition we've ever done (divined through Pat, who's back this episode)! And don't say we never did anything for you, because we read another email exchange between a major company asking for free work and an artist who just won't take it anymore (emphasis mine)![audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/rubberonion/the_rubber_onion-ep43-emmy_nom_noms.mp3|titles=The Rubber Onion - #43: "Emmy Nom Noms"]

Stephen and Rob talk about the new TMNT (2014) movie and compare to the Indie 1990 movie

Robin Williams, long-time friend to and lover of animation and a comedic and dramatic role model for many left us this week. We talk about what impact his life and career had on us and the field of animation as a whole. Other stories we cover in this episode are a survey which shows that YouTube stars are more popular than mainstream celebs among US teens, Golden Globes changing the animation rules, and what's going on with the Legend of Korra.[audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/rubberonion/the_rubber_onion-ep41-supermoon_nanu_nanu.mp3|titles=The Rubber Onion - #41: "Supermoon Nanu Nanu"]

This week we talk about the new Spongebob Squarepants movie, Studio Ghibli might be closing, and Ross "rubberNinja" O'Donovan breaks down why YouTube's algorithm is hurting Indie Animators. Oh also, guess what? We made it to 40 episodes! Not a traditional milestone but who cares... we haven't completely fallen on our faces yet and that's something. Thanks for listening and discussing the episodes and all the stuff we say -- means a lot to us, or something.[audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/rubberonion/the_rubber_onion-ep40-aladdin_in_space.mp3|titles=The Rubber Onion - #40: "Aladdin in Space"]

We're back! Last week's podcast was an awesome (if I do say so myself) old-timey radio show style episode... but this week we're back on animation stories from the week. We saw 5 minutes of the Simpsons/Family Guy crossover, the Mike Tyson Mysteries trailer, the Smiley face is getting its own show, and LAIKA's CEO wants to make hand-drawn animated films. Also, what happens when a huge Kickstart campaign (*cough* Yogscast *cough*) fails. Enjoy![audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/rubberonion/the_rubber_onion-ep39-the_face_of_the_arms.mp3|titles=The Rubber Onion - #39: "The Face of the Arms"]

This week we shake things up by recording one of Pat's stories as an adventure radio show! It was enormous fun to do and we hope you get as much joy as we did from it... and it's under 20 minutes![audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/rubberonion/the_rubber_onion-ep38-city_of_monsters.mp3|titles=The Rubber Onion - #38: "City of Monsters"]

CONSPIRACY! CONTROVERSY! A wage-fixing cartel was exposed in Silicon Valley with top animation studios at the center, so we discuss it... as best we can. Or as best as Stephen can explain it to Rob and Pat. We also talk Emmy noms, a new animation program, Andrew Kaiko's new fanimation using Toon Boom Animate, and Pat created a character![audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/rubberonion/the_rubber_onion-ep37-zeus_is_loose.mp3|titles=The Rubber Onion - #37: "Zeus is Loose"]

We have a monster of an episode this week! Two weeks of stories jam packed into one awesome episode with the entire crew: Stephen, Rob, & Pat. We talk about an email exchange between a writer and a producer, Glen Keane's new animated short "Duet," and some kid made a Kickstarter campaign to make potato salad and for some reason has earned $70,000+ (as of this post). Oh also, Rob met Shaggy and made a new animated short (not related)! Enjoy this delicious 2 hour episode... we hope it's as fun to listen to as it was to record![audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/rubberonion/the_rubber_onion-ep36-diergo_kattora.mp3|titles=The Rubber Onion - #36: "Diergo Kattora"]

This week saw the release of a new TMNT (2014) trailer... so we talk about that. But in other less upsetting news, Genndy Tartakovsky's "Popeye" (2016) CGI film has a new image associated with it and it looks great! Finally, we talk about Colin Firth dropping out as the voice of Paddington... and coin #Firf in the process.[audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/rubberonion/the_rubber_onion-ep34-tmnt_burn_victims.mp3|titles=The Rubber Onion - #34: "T.M.N.T. Burn Victims"]

We have singing... we have stories... we have animation stories (this being an "animation podcast," it seemed appropriate)... what DON'T we have?! Listen as Stephen watches the World Cup and Rob & Pat try to keep him on topic. A lot of great tangents in this episode which are too numerous to put in the annotations so just... listen. And enjoy. Listen and enjoy! Also... SHAGGY WAS A THING[audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/rubberonion/the_rubber_onion-ep33-wrapped_up_in_a_jock.mp3|titles=The Rubber Onion - #33: "Wrapped Up in a Jock"]

It's Rob's Birthday!! It was Pat's Birthday last week!! And I still make them talk to me about cartoons! This week, we actually start the discussion with the Angry Video Game Nerd movie, because as Indie creators ourselves we're happy when one of our own (same medium or not) breaks ground on a huge development like this. And you know what? It doesn't stop there, Signe Baumane is another Indie creator who is making her first feature length animated film, "Rocks in my Pockets" and it's got a trailer! Ari Folman is making a jump to a western screen wide release with his hybrid movie and it's got a trailer too... and "Bojack Horseman" is the first original adult animated programming on Netflix and it's got a trailer. Oh and Rocky & Bullwinkle disappoint us. But before all of that... we must sing to you one of the great 90s cartoon anthems. Behold.[audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/rubberonion/the_rubber_onion-ep32-birthday_birthday_something_something.mp3|titles=The Rubber Onion - #32: "Birthday Birthday Something Something"]

We kicked off June with another LIVE episode of the podcast! We talked about Reading Rainbow, gushed over Mukpuddy's work, loved the "Song of the Sea" trailer, and discussed Sony VFX house Imageworks leaving the US for greener tax credit pastures of the great north in Vancouver. But not before we could talk about Godzilla and Maleficent, however... two movies on opposite ends of the spectrum in numerous ways. Thanks to everyone who showed up for the live taping and joined us in the chat room... you're all awesome! This week's title comes courtesy of Andrew Kaiko in the chat, Pat Ryan simultaneously coming up with it in the podcast, and all off Rob's weird, periodic ramblings. Oh, and we finished with some limericks and Pat serenades us with an original song after the music at the end.[audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/rubberonion/the_rubber_onion-ep31-diamond_in_the_mouth.mp3|titles=The Rubber Onion - #31: "Diamond in the Mouth"]

This week we have listener submitted questions (!!) but not before talking about the "Big Hero 6" trailer, "Happy" the happy meal mascot, and a couple other stories. Also, what would The Rubber Onion podcast be without some weird tangents? Behold as we talk about music we don't like and discuss the merits of the Michael Bay opus, "Pain & Gain." And on a serious note, thanks to everyone who's been listening and supporting this podcast! You're awesome and really have made doing this fun and worthwhile week in and week out, through travel, tech issues, and diseases. We started with a little episode "zero," still going strong at 30 and don't intend on slowing down! We're here to stay! Insert Drake reference![audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/rubberonion/the_rubber_onion-ep30-speaking_of_30.mp3|titles=The Rubber Onion - #30: "Speaking of 30..."]

Stephen was traveling to and from the UK this week, and thus is sick and jet-lagged. We recorded this after midnight so Pat is attempting to be quiet. That leaves Rob to be the energetic & most eloquent of the three. So we talk about the Simpsons/Family Guy crossover, new "Big Hero 6" stills, and by popular demand we talk through the story behind the financial failure of "Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Return." Enjoy our sleepy drunk, low, and sickly sensual voices speak to the tune of animation stories.[audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/rubberonion/the_rubber_onion-ep29-q_v_cinderella.mp3|titles=The Rubber Onion - #29: "QVCinderella"]

Andy Serkis insults all animators, Mike Tyson get's a cartoon, and Pat is the comment fairy.