Altered Geek ®

The Paramount+ Max Merger & 3D Printer Surveillance

The landscape of Geekdom is shifting beneath our feet! In Episode 460, host Steve "Megatron" Phillips and TFG1Mike break down the massive industry-shaking news that HBO Max and Paramount+ are officially merging into a single streaming titan. We discuss what this means for your wallet and Paramount’s promise to let the HBO brand "operate with independence."We also dive into a serious local and national issue: Colorado’s proposed law that could force surveillance on 3D printers to regulate digital files. Is this a necessary safety measure, or are we officially living in a surveillance state? Plus, we cover SAG-AFTRA’s move to organize the booming video podcast industry, the Supreme Court’s major ruling on AI copyrights, and the bizarre news of a Funko-inspired cinematic universe in the works. From "Book Meets World" nostalgia to cleaning up messy news headlines regarding Tubi and Cartoon Network, we’ve got it all.What you’ll get out of this episode:Critical analysis of the Paramount+ and Max merger and its impact on subscribers.A deep dive into the legal battle over 3D printing rights and digital privacy.The latest on AI copyright laws and what the Supreme Court's refusal to hear the case means for creators.A look at the future of video podcasting under SAG-AFTRA labor rules.Get Altered, Get Geeky, with the Altered Geeks!Altered Geek, Steve Phillips, TFG1Mike, Paramount Plus, HBO Max, Streaming Merger, 3D Printing, Colorado Law, Surveillance State, AI Copyright, SAG-AFTRA, Funko Pop, Rideback, Cartoon Network, Tubi, Boy Meets World, Tech News, Podcast Industry, Intellectual Property, Digital Rights,

The Death of Ad Blockers & Meta’s AI Resurrection

Welcome to another high-octane adventure into Geekdom! In Episode 459, host Steve "Megatron" Phillips is joined by TFG1Mike to tackle a week filled with massive industry shifts and somber goodbyes. We start by honoring the legacies of several legends, including Robert Duvall, and James Van Der Beek, as we reflect on their impact on entertainment and culture.The tech world is on fire this week as we discuss YouTube’s latest war on ad blockers—new hurdles have arrived, and the workarounds are disappearing fast. Plus, we look into the recent massive YouTube outage that left over a quarter-million users in the dark. In a move straight out of science fiction, Meta is "raising the dead" with new AI developments, while Cartoon Network finds a surprising new home on Tubi. Finally, we vent some frustration over the "subscription-pocalypse" affecting everything from Instagram video quality to the very PCs we buy—remember when Microsoft Word just came with the computer?What you’ll get out of this episode:The latest updates on YouTube’s aggressive stance against ad-blocking software.A deep dive into the ethics and technology behind Meta’s AI "resurrection" projects.Nostalgic and critical commentary on the shift from physical ownership to "PC subscriptions."A rundown of why Cartoon Network on Tubi is a win for animation fans.Get Altered, Get Geeky, with the Altered Geeks!KeywordsAltered Geek, Steve Phillips, TFG1Mike, YouTube, Ad Blockers, Meta, AI, Cartoon Network, Tubi, Robert Duvall, James Van Der Beek, Brad Arnold, Jesse Jackson, Scott Adams, Instagram, PC Hardware, Software Subscriptions, Geekdom, Pop Culture, Tech News.

AI Unleashed & Trailer Mania: Remembering Catherine O’Hara

In this action-packed episode of Altered Geek, host Steve "Megatron" Phillips is joined by the legendary TFG1Mike to navigate the highs and lows of modern Geekdom. We kick things off with a heartfelt tribute to the iconic Catherine O’Hara, reflecting on her incredible legacy and passing.Then, strap in for a massive Trailer Roundup as we break down the first looks at Masters of the Universe, the return of Maul, the next Mario adventure, and the gritty revival of Daredevil. Finally, we dive deep into the most polarizing topic of the decade: AI—The Good and The Bad. We explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping our world, for better or worse.What you’ll get out of this episode:A deep dive into the latest blockbusters and gaming trailers.Nuanced perspectives on the ethical and creative impact of AI.Insightful commentary on the week’s biggest headlines in pop culture.Get Altered, Get Geeky, with the Altered Geeks!Topic KeywordsAltered Geek, Steve Phillips, TFG1Mike, Catherine O’Hara, Masters of the Universe, Maul, Mario, Daredevil, AI, Artificial Intelligence, Trailer Roundup, Geekdom, Tech News, Pop Culture, Podcast, Sci-Fi, Gaming, MCU, Disney Plus, Nintendo.

CES 2026 Recap, Disney+ Vertical Video, & Christmas Leftovers!

Two weeks into the New Year, host Steve Megatron Phillips and TFG1Mike dive deep into the biggest stories in Geekdom! This week on Altered Geek, we recap the 7 Biggest News Stories from CES 2026 across TVs, laptops, and weird new gadgets. Plus, we break down the controversial news that DISNEY+ is adding vertical video—WHY?! And finally, join us for "The Christmas Leftovers" segment, where we share what we got and our holiday recaps. Don't miss this adventure into Geekdom! Get Altered, Get Geeky, with the Altered Geeks!

Netflix/Warner Bros. Deal Shakes Hollywood! Franchise Sequels & Theatrical Release Wars

Dive into a massive Geek News Smorgasboard with Altered Geek host Steve Phillips! We break down the biggest pop culture headlines of the week, including the historic news of the Original Power Rangers (Super Sentai) officially ending after 50 years. Get the scoop on the surprising Gremlins 3 announcement, the cosmic teaser for the new Supergirl DCU movie, and Brendan Fraser's latest comments on his potential return in The Mummy 4. Plus, we cover the mysterious Sonic the Hedgehog Spinoff Movie, the latest on Nicolas Cage's Spider-Man variant, a Terminator 7 script update from James Cameron, and the status of a new Men In Black sequel. You'll get all the essential details and discussion on these top stories in one place. Don't miss this massive adventure into Geekdom! Get Altered, Get Geeky, with the Altered Geeks!