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Welcome to Kicking the Seat!

Ian Simmons launched Kicking the Seat in 2009, one week after seeing Nora Ephron’s Julie & Julia. His wife proposed blogging as a healthier outlet for his anger than red-faced, twenty-minute tirades (Ian is no longer allowed to drive home from the movies).

The Kicking the Seat Podcast followed three years later and, despite its “undiscovered gem” status, Ian thoroughly enjoys hosting film critic discussions, creating themed shows, and interviewing such luminaries as Gaspar NoéRachel BrosnahanAmy Seimetz, and Richard Dreyfuss.

Ian is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association. He also has a family, a day job, and conflicted feelings about referring to himself in the third person.

Ep1232: What if He Doesn't Survive? Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026) - Live Roundtable Review

Ep1232: What if He Doesn't Survive? Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026) - Live Roundtable Review

Star Wars is back! Kinda...

This week, Earth's Mightiest Critics resurrect their Mandalorian review series, "What if He Doesn't Survive?", for a live roundtable review of Season 4. Officially, this is a "movie", but who're we kidding? This two-plus-hour Fett quest is writer's strike TV at best, and a case for leaving Star Wars the pop culture rearview at worst.

But will a lone warrior emerge from the pack, willing to stand up for the serialized adventures of Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his wuvvable "Baby Yoda" sidekick? Join us as for a Beskar-bashin', spoiler-sprayin' sound-off--plus your questions, comments, and SuperChats!

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Ep1232: What if He Doesn't Survive: The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026) - Live Roundtable Review
Kicking the Seat
Ep1233: The Backrooms (2026) - Live Roundtable Review

Ep1233: The Backrooms (2026) - Live Roundtable Review

Ep1231: Obsession (2026) - Live Roundtable Review

Ep1231: Obsession (2026) - Live Roundtable Review