If you’re already an Alpha member, you may have fallen head over heels for RPG shows like Critical Role and VAST, the live chat discussions on Bizarre States and Alpha Book Club, or the shenanigans on Mothership. You may watch episodes of your favorite Nerdist shows like Because Science and The Dan Cave a full 48 hours early, or you may have even had a chance to check out one of our exclusive member events at The Magic Castle in Hollywood! Whether you’ve joined Alpha or not, now is the best time to be a part of our community, because we have a bunch of exciting new series to announce that we’re sure you’re going to love.
Premiering throughout June and July, these shows cover the gamut of everything Nerdist and Geek & Sundry fans dig, from exploring the real world science of pop culture planets with Kyle Hill to learning more about voice over from Rob Paulsen (Animaniacs, Rick and Morty, TMNT) and his pals. We’ll be gathering ’round the camp fire a la Are You Afraid of the Dark with Critical Role‘s Matt Mercer and other familiar Geek & Sundry faces, taking on the Dominion in a Star Trek RPG, diving deep into short filmmaking and being in a TV writers’ room, and bringing back a few old favorites as well!
We’ve got the full scoop on all our new and returning shows below, but first, make sure you’re signed up for Alpha — either online or our iOS app — to get full access. If you sign up today, use the promo code SHIPMATES to extend your 30-day free trial to 60 days, so you have plenty of time to check out everything Alpha has to offer. (Promo offer ends Friday, June 30 at 11:59p PDT.)
Let us know which show you’re most excited to see in the comments below, or chat with us about it on Twitter!
New Shows
The S.P.A.A.C.E. Program
Science fiction stories often take place here on Earth, but many times they traverse to new and unfamiliar places such as Tatooine, Krypton, Westeros, and more. Kyle Hill takes us on a journey of exploration to some these famous locations and gives us a look at them through the lens of real world science.
Premieres June 22 and airs Thursdays on Alpha.
Talkin’ Toons
Rob Paulsen, one of the most accomplished and well-known voice actors of our time (voicing Animaniacs, TMNT, Rick and Morty, and many more), sits down with fellow voice actors like Maurice LaMarche (Pinky and the Brain, Futurama), Kevin Conroy (Batman: The Animated Series), and many others to discuss their experiences! And yes, of course, there’ll be plenty of voice acting games from script-reading to re-enacting famous film scenes with cartoon character voices.
Premieres June 23 and airs Fridays on Alpha.
Short EndsÂ
Short films often don’t get the exposure they deserve, no matter how brilliant they are. We want to resolve that. Hosts André Gower and Ryan Lambert lead us on a journey of short filmmakers and the process behind these films. Each episode focuses on themes like inner demons, dark comedy, and science fiction, a perfect fit for the duo who grew up in the horror comedy cult film, The Monster Squad!
Premieres June 26 and airs Mondays on Alpha.
Roundtable Season 2Â
Comic books have the power to put you in the shoes of a superhero, villain, bystander, or whomever it is you wish to be, and that level of immersion requires brilliant comic book creators. Roundtable season 2 invites comic book creators in to discuss the ever-changing, ever-expanding world of one of the most popular forms of media – comic books. Guests include: Spike Trotman, Jody Houser, Scott McCloud, Cecil Castellucci, Marv Wolfman, Collin Kelly, Kurtis Wiebe, Jackson Lanzing, Chip Zdarsky, Ed Brubaker, Chris Burnham, Judd Winick, Geoff Thorne, Marguerite Bennett, Gail Simone, and James Tynion IV.
Premieres June 28 and airs Wednesdays on Alpha.
Sagas of Sundry: DreadÂ
For your initiation into the Sagas of Sundry, we present DREAD. Turn down the lights and turn up the campfire audio because you’re about to experience an original macabre tale hosted by Ivan Van Norman. Among this delicate atmosphere is the ultimate twist: cast members Amy Vorpahl, Matthew Mercer, Satine Phoenix, Taliesin Jaffe, and Amy Dallen are playing a giant puzzle while the story develops, and you don’t want to know what happens if it collapses.
Premieres June 29 and airs Thursdays on Alpha.
Shield of TomorrowÂ
The Federation is on the brink of war with the Dominion. In the shadow of this cold war, the crew members of the USS Sally Ride (consisting of Amy Dallen, Hector Navarro, Sam De Leve, Bonnie Gordon, and Aliza Pearl) must work together to not only protect the Federation, but protect its soul as well. This story, hosted by Eric Campbell, is an epic return to the Star Trek universe that you know and love.
Premieres July 5 and airs live on Alpha and G&S Twitch Wednesdays at 9:30pm PDT.
INT. Writers RoomÂ
Behind every great story is a great writer, or a great team of writers. On Int. Writers Room, Molly Dworsky and Dave Reynolds take you behind the scenes to help ideate and produce a written piece of work. The only rule is that it must be complete by the end of the show! Afterwards, we have a week to produce what has been developed. Let’s see how it turns out!
Premieres July 10 and airs live on Alpha and G&S Twitch Mondays at 4pm PDT.
Current Shows
Nerdist News Talks Back
Did you see the most recent trailer for that super cool epic movie coming out soon? Want to see it broken down, frame by frame, and explained? Jessica Chobot hosts the official Nerdist News discussion show along with various members of the team. Keep up on all the latest in the world of TV and movie news, science and tech, and everything related!
Airs Monday through Friday at 1pm PDT on Alpha and YouTube.
VASTÂ Season 2
What happens when esteemed comic book creator Jackson Lanzing plays Game Master to an intrepid space exploration crew in a completely original science fiction role-playing game? VAST! Lanzing guides two crews through the sprawling universe of VAST, navigating this space opera with countless unique stories to tell.
Airs Mondays at 7pm PDT, season one available on G&S Twitch.
Game Engine
This gaming and tech news show features plenty of audience interaction, special guests from the gaming and tech worlds, and insightful coverage of all the hottest tabletop and video games. Hosted by Erika Iishi, starting July 5 she will be joined by a new co-host, Trisha Hershberger!
Airs Tuesdays on Alpha and G&S Twitch at 4pm PDT.
Talks Machina & Talks Machina After Dark
After Critical Role each week, everyone needs to take a second to breathe and process. Talks Machina brings Critical Role cast members together with host Brian Wayne Foster to chat about the latest happenings on the hit show, answer audience questions, and more.
Airs Tuesdays on Alpha and G&S Twitch at 7pm PDT (After Dark available only on Alpha).
Bizarre States
Hosts Jessica Chobot and Andrew Bowser probe the mysteries of the weird, supernatural and occult, dragging into the light current and historical paranormal activities and personal experiences, plus guest stories and expert opinion.
Airs Wednesdays at 4pm PDT.
Alpha Book Club
Hosted by Nerdist’s Rachel Heine, Geek & Sundry’s Hector Navarro, and Geekbomb’s Maude Garrett, Alpha Book Club is a weekly live show where the chosen book of the month is discussed with you, the readers! You can join in the conversation in the chat, dial in to video chat with the hosts directly, and even vote on which book you’d like to read next.
Airs Wednesdays at 6:30pm PDT.
The Wednesday Club
Join Taliesin Jaffe, Amy Dallen, and Matt Key on The Wednesday Club, your source for everything comics! The three discuss the latest, show off their favorites, chat with various guests, and more! Why Wednesday? That’s when comics are released!
Airs lWednesdays at 7pm PDT (beginning July 5) on G&S Twitch and Alpha.
Mothership
Mothership is a variety show hosted by Jessica Chobot and Hector Navarro that pulls together the personalities, topics, and interests across Nerdist and Geek & Sundry into one glorious package! It’s live, interactive and extra awesome because the community is a big part of the show!
Airs Thursdays at 5:30pm PDT on G&S Twitch and Alpha.
Critical Role Enhanced
Dungeon Master Matthew Mercer guides a party of fellow voice actors on a Dungeons & Dragons campaign, using their acting and improv skills to create an immersive story. Critical Role on Alpha features exclusive visual and informational enhancements.
Airs Thursdays at 7pm PDT on G&S Twitch and Alpha.
Game the Game
Ivan Van Norman and Becca Scott break out some of the best board games the industry has to offer, with new guests each week!
Airs Fridays at 4pm PDT (beginning July 7) on G&S Twitch and Alpha.
Public Access
Public Access puts the power in your hands, literally! Every Sunday, Alpha lets you, the viewers, watch or even host your own shows! Whether it be a little standup comedy, an arm-wrestling competition, or a round of a homemade board game, Public Access is your new home!
Airs Saturdays at 4pm PDT on Alpha.
