On today’s podcast, Rob shared some details from his weekend. Turns out there were a fan or two who felt compelled to tell Rob that the original trilogy of Star Wars films were “trash” and the best Star Wars movie was ROGUE ONE. On social media, some people who follow the PGS on Instagram and TikTok felt compelled to call out Rob and his opinions, calling him all kinds of vile things for espousing opinions that were, apparently, different than theirs.

So just what in the wide, wide world of sports is going on here?*

Well, for starters, we have an example of a fan who doesn’t seem to understand the role the original STAR WARS and its two sequels played in building the universe that allowed ROGUE ONE to appear in theaters, nearly forty years later. We’re in a period of time where sequels and prequels to established “franchises” are coming out with greater and greater frequency – and for fans who may not have even been alive when those franchise properties first appeared, it gets more and more difficult to understand each entry’s relative importance from a historical perspective.

Because, you see, if STAR WARS (episode IV) had not been a commercial success, there would be no EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (episode V) or RETURN OF THE JEDI (episode VI). Being able to produce the original trilogy was a long-shot, even as far as George Lucas was concerned. And without that original trilogy’s staying power (remember, it took sixteen years before fans saw another Star Wars movie – and that was THE PHANTOM MENACE), the “franchise” we now call Star Wars would never have existed.

That includes ROGUE ONE.

But while a little historical perspective might help fans develop an appreciation for older films and television shows. In many cases, these same fans tend to conflate criticism of the shows they enjoy with a kind of personal attack and react, sometimes preemptively, and often on a very personal level.

Is that really necessary?

As always, I'll be writing more about all this on the ROADTRIPPIN' blog later today (and will probably post it this evening). You can check it out on our website: https://postgeeksingularity.com/roadtrippin-with-rmb/

And remember, you can always send us a letter. Just click on the "Contact Us" button in the main navigation of our website at postgeeksingularity.com and you'll be able to send us a message to let us know how we're doing and what's on your mind.

We look forward to hearing from you.

I invite you to listen in on my weekday conversations with my friend and business partner, Robert Meyer Burnett, as we talk about the things we love: great movies, inspiring television programming, nostalgic genre entertainment, and pop culture.

This episode was recorded on June 13, 2022.

(* to paraphrase Slim Pickens in Mel Brooks’s BLAZING SADDLES)