

House of R
The Ringer
Welcome to ‘House of R,’ where Mallory Rubin and Joanna Robinson explore your favorite fictional universes with their signature Deep Dives into everything from ‘Game of Thrones’ to ‘Star Wars,’ ‘The Lord of the Rings’ to Marvel, and beyond. Whether they’re parsing mythology, story themes, and character arcs or tracing influences across decades of fantasy and sci-fi stories, Jo and Mal will be here weekly with Deep Dives into new nerd culture releases, nostalgic revisitations of their favorite tales in fandom, Tropes Course examinations, Hall of Fame inductions, Hype Meters, drafts, mailbags, watch lists, top moments countdowns, recommendations, and more.
Episodes
Mentioned books

7 snips
Aug 27, 2025 • 2h
'Alien: Earth' Episode 4 Deep Dive
Dive into chilling themes as the hosts explore the eerie imagery and complex character dynamics in the latest episode of ‘Alien: Earth.’ Discover Wendy’s new skills alongside the tense interactions between Morrow and Slightly. The discussion spans from the intriguing concept of the xenolung to heartfelt character revelations and the emotional struggles of hybrid beings. With humor and insight, they reflect on the haunting implications of technological existence and the balance of power in a monitored world. Get ready for a blend of nostalgia, horror, and deep dives into identity!

Aug 23, 2025 • 1h 57min
‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 Premiere Deep Dive. Plus: James Gunn!
Mike Golic Jr., co-host of 'Golic and Golic' and former college football player, joins the conversation for a lively exploration of 'Peacemaker' Season 2. They delve into the show's fascinating character dynamics, the comedic twists of an unexpected orgy, and the emotional growth of figures like Economos. Golic and the host also discuss the film's commentary on loyalty, vulnerability, and the complexities of alternate dimensions. The chat wraps with exciting theories about future plot developments, blending humor and deep insights into the DC Universe.

Aug 20, 2025 • 2h 7min
‘Alien: Earth’ Episode 3 Deep Dive
Mal is once again joined by Rob Mahoney to dive deep(ish) into the third episode of ‘Alien: Earth.’ They talk about Wendy and Hermit’s relationship, Boy Kavalier’s motivations, the lost boys starting to turn on each other, and more!
(00:00) Intro(09:31) Opening Snapshot(11:55) Wendy and Hermit(38:13) Creatures(48:32) The Lost Boys(01:26:58) The Prodigy Braintrust(01:48:50) Morrow
Hosts: Mallory Rubin and Rob MahoneyProducers: Carlos Chiriboga and John RichterSocial: Jomi AdeniranAdditional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 15, 2025 • 2h 48min
2025 Stock Watch: DCU, MCU, and More Buys, Sells, and Holds
Mal is joined by many of your favorite Ringer hosts to talk about what stocks they’re buying, selling, or holding in the world of fandom. From the MCU and DCU to video game adaptations and ‘KPop Demon Hunters,’ they talk about it all!
(00:00) Intro(01:57) Sean: Video game adaptations(15:57) Van: The MCU(01:00:01) Charles: Tom Holland(01:14:16) Daniel: The DCU(01:22:08) Ben: Warner Bros. Pictures(01:32:29) Meg: ‘Brimstone’(01:41:57) Jomi: ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’(01:52:27) Steve: ‘Battle Beast’(02:00:41) Kate: Cute animal merch(02:10:28) Jodi: Survival stories(02:23:05) Andy: Whimsy
Host: Mallory RubinGuests: Sean Fennessey, Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Daniel Chin, Ben Lindbergh, Meg Schuster, Jomi Adeniran, Steve Ahlman, Kate Halliwell, Jodi Walker, and Andy Greenwald
Producers: Carlos Chiriboga and John RichterAdditional Production Support: Arjuna RamgopowellSocial: Jomi Adeniran Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 13, 2025 • 2h 32min
‘Alien: Earth’ Episodes 1-2 Deep Dive, Plus Noah Hawley and Alex Lawther!
Mal is joined by Rob Mahoney to dive deep into the first two episodes of ‘Alien: Earth’! They talk about everything from the Xenomorph to the tech overlords to some unexpected ‘Peter Pan’ references. Later, you can listen to an interview with Noah Hawley and Alex Lawther that Mal and Jo did at Comic-Con!
(00:00) Intro(14:23) Opening snapshot(30:42) The Maginot(01:02:02) Tech overlords(01:33:29) The Lost Boys(01:47:35) Hermit and Wendy(02:13:09) Odds and ends(02:17:33) Noah Hawley and Alex Lawther
Hosts: Mallory Rubin, Rob Mahoney, and Joanna RobinsonGuests: Noah Hawley and Alex LawtherProducers: Carlos Chiriboga and John RichterSocial: Jomi AdeniranAdditional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

24 snips
Jul 31, 2025 • 2h 6min
‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Deep Dive
Mal and Jo travel across the multiverse to Earth-828 to break down the latest entry in the MCU, ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’! They dive deep into each character, discuss the visuals and the story, and break down what it all means going forward.
(00:00) Intro(08:18) Opening Snapshot(18:05) Box Office(23:58) State of the MCU(28:21) How We Got Here(48:49) Reed Richards(01:22:02) Sue Storm(01:31:43) Ben Grimm(01:39:06) Johnny Storm(01:41:15) Silver Surfer(01:49:57) Galactus(01:53:24) Franklin Richards(01:55:21) Stinger
Hosts: Mallory Rubin and Joanna RobinsonProducers: Carlos Chiriboga and Jonathan FriasSocial: Jomi AdeniranAdditional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

8 snips
Jul 28, 2025 • 46min
Our Top 5 Moments from San Diego Comic-Con 2025
Join Mal and Jo as they share their top highlights from San Diego Comic-Con 2025! They discuss the thrilling moments from the ‘Alien Earth’ panel, featuring a nod to Buffy. Emotional reactions and exciting teasers are unveiled at the ‘Interview with the Vampire’ panel. The joy of meeting fans and engaging with cosplayers adds to the vibrant atmosphere. Tune in for reflections on adaptations, camaraderie, and the magic of fandom, packed into their unforgettable adventure at the convention!

Jul 23, 2025 • 2h 43min
'Inception' Turns 15 | Hot Nolan Summer
The hosts dive deep into the 15th anniversary of Christopher Nolan's 'Inception,' celebrating its intricate storytelling and emotional depth. They humorously debate the film's baffling accents and iconic set pieces while exploring complex character dynamics. Key themes of love and existential philosophy are analyzed, along with personal anecdotes related to dreaming. They dissect memorable moments, including the most satisfying twist and the hardest-hitting lines, leaving listeners nostalgic for this cinematic masterpiece.

Jul 13, 2025 • 2h 19min
The ‘Superman’ Deep Dive
In this engaging discussion, Van Lathan, a media personality known for his sharp cultural insights, and Sean Fennessey, a film critic with deep industry ties, dive into the new vision for Superman under James Gunn. They explore David Corenswet's portrayal of Superman, the complexities of Lex Luthor's character, and the film's thematic depth. The duo reflects on Superman's heritage and emotional struggles while connecting the iconic hero to modern societal issues. Their chemistry and expertise make for a lively analysis filled with intriguing insights!

18 snips
Jul 9, 2025 • 2h 51min
'Back to the Future' Turns 40, and Our Top Time-Travel Moments
Celebrating 40 years of a beloved classic, the hosts dive into the cultural impact of the franchise and the casting saga involving Marty McFly, from Eric Stoltz to Michael J. Fox. They reflect on memorable quotes, fashion choices, and the film's unique blend of humor and emotional depth. Listeners are treated to a discussion on the most iconic time travel moments in cinema, with plenty of nostalgia thrown in. Plus, they tackle quirky character dynamics and even cheeky themes related to the movie's legacy!