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!"]

We have a lot of great stories this week about new animation based on existing properties like the "Dredd" fanimation, a stop-mo "Elf" holiday special & Todd McFarlane making a new "Spawn" animated series... and new stuff like the "Over the Garden Wall" miniseries! We LOVED doing the special episodes but it's great to talk about animation news stories again and we want to know what YOU think about them too! Leave a comment below and share your thoughts on what we talked about[audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/rubberonion/the_rubber_onion-ep53-princess_kabooya.mp3|titles=The Rubber Onion - #53: "Princess KaBOOYA"]

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!! This week we reached out to other animators and creatives to give us their worst experiences in freelance that they could share with us like ghost stories around a campfire. Spooooooky! The idea is that if you're thinking of getting into freelance or can relate to some of these stories, they can serve as a heads-up on what you might encounter and/or how to prevent them. See? It's fun AND educational. I'm very proud of this episode so I hope you enjoy it and get lots of great information out of it![audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/rubberonion/the_rubber_onion-ep52-freelance_horror_stories.mp3|titles=The Rubber Onion - #52: "Freelance Horror Stories"]

Alan Becker, creator of the hit 'Animator vs Animation' stick-fight series joins us to talk about his experience with Kickstarter, virality, and his process!

Stephen teaches food chemistry, a video of Pat is unearthed, Rob & Pat flirt over text message, a couple fans get in a Facebook fight on our page, and we all do impressions of Ray Romano. We also talk about Alan Becker's new short "Animator vs Animation IV," the strangely infamous new "Rocky & Bullwinkle" clip, and much more! We're getting close to our one-year anniversary and things are starting to ramp up. Enjoy the insanity![audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/rubberonion/the_rubber_onion-ep49-stackin_books.mp3|titles=The Rubber Onion - #49: "Stackin' Books"]

Speed round! Pat and Stephen had to get to trivia night because who else's going to know what year Space Jam was released (ahem 1996)? We all watched the Simpsons/Family Guy crossover episode and have some words. Don Hertzfeldt's Simpsons couch gag made people confused and intrigued. Also, the CW cancelled its Saturday morning cartoon lineup, the last of its kind on network TV, and you might be surprised what we think about that. And finally, we have clips and trailers to talk about![audio:http://traffic.libsyn.com/rubberonion/the_rubber_onion-ep48-we_just_gave_up.mp3|titles=The Rubber Onion - #48: "We Just Gave Up"]

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"]