A podcast about the high-concept, experimental, structure-breaking gimmick episodes of TV! From musicals, to noirs, to bottle episodes and more -- we look at any television episode that breaks from its own formula in some way.
Derek B. Gayle and David Arnold (and occasionally guests!) dig into a different episode of a different show across the entire TV landscape every other Monday!
After our 100th episode, David and Derek dive into submitted questions from listeners about our favorite snacks, what weird episodes look like in the wild, and a bunch of other TV talk.
Check out our new variety podcast feed Glitterjaw Presents! (https://www.glitterjaw.com/glitterjaw-presents)
A proud part of The Glitterjaw Queer Podcast Collective (http://glitterjaw.com/)
Tip us on Ko-Fi (https://ko-fi.com/gimmickspod) | Gimmicks Website (http://gimmickspodcast.com/)
Email: gimmickspodcast@gmail.com | Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/gimmickspod.bsky.social) | Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/gimmickspod/)
Theme song: "Disco Tears" by Raven (https://soundcloud.com/user-893997429) | Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 (http://bit.ly/RFP_CClicense)
8 Jul 2026
RIVERDALE celebrates 100 episodes in the weirdest way (with Chris Cummins)
Riverdale: "The Jughead Paradox"
It's our 100th episode, and we're celebrating with one of TV's wildest and wackiest 100th episodes! Chris Cummins (http://scifiexplosion.com/) returns for a reality-bending Riverdale that goes full sci-fi, using an imploding parallel universe to tackle every 100th episode trope imaginable -- big deaths, kisses, weddings, Archie Comics references, and even recast actors fighting each other, all while lovingly honoring the show's legacy. We get into the history of the 100th episode milestone in radio and television, how covering this show for a third time is full circle for the podcast, and most importantly...David finally watches Riverdale for the first time!
Find more from Chris: scifiexplosion.com (https://scifiexplosion.com/)
Sci-Fi Explosion on Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/scifiexplosion)
Check out our new variety podcast feed Glitterjaw Presents! (https://www.glitterjaw.com/glitterjaw-presents)
A proud part of The Glitterjaw Queer Podcast Collective (http://glitterjaw.com/)
Tip us on Ko-Fi (https://ko-fi.com/gimmickspod) | Gimmicks Website (http://gimmickspodcast.com/)
Email: gimmickspodcast@gmail.com | Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/gimmickspod.bsky.social) | Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/gimmickspod/)
Theme song: "Disco Tears" by Raven (https://soundcloud.com/user-893997429) | Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 (http://bit.ly/RFP_CClicense)
Sources:
Seidman writing for TV by the Numbers “Bubble Watch Season Finale: On Fringe, Chuck, and V One More Time” (Archive Link (https://web.archive.org/web/20110517063611/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/05/14/bubble-watch-season-finale-on-fringe-chuck-and-v-one-more-time/92632/))
The Radio Times archive
Interview with Cole Sprouse on TV Insider (https://www.tvinsider.com/1025705/riverdale-episode-100-rivervale-parallel-universe-jughead-betty-tabitha/)
Variety coverage of Riverdale’s 100th Episode (https://variety.com/2021/tv/features/riverdale-100th-episode-closes-rivervale-comic-love-letter-1235124818/)
Gizmodo on the Time Travel Archie Movie (https://gizmodo.com/for-a-bizarre-moment-riverdale-was-almost-a-time-trave-1790973790)
24 Jun 2026
ER goes live
ER: "Ambush"
What could make a tense hospital drama known for its realism and practical effects be even more challenging? Airing an episode live! We're talking about perhaps the most famous episode of the seminal series ER, where a documentary crew ambushes the doctors on a particularly busy night, and the east and west coasts watched it unfold in real time. We talk about the anxiety of medical dramas, Alex Kingston's very British introduction of Dr. Corday, an awkward HIV scene, and whether it's worth throwing out narrative strengths to deliver on an artistic gimmick.
Check out our new variety podcast feed Glitterjaw Presents! (https://www.glitterjaw.com/glitterjaw-presents)
A proud part of The Glitterjaw Queer Podcast Collective (http://glitterjaw.com/)
Tip us on Ko-Fi (https://ko-fi.com/gimmickspod) | Gimmicks Website (http://gimmickspodcast.com/)
Email: gimmickspodcast@gmail.com | Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/gimmickspod.bsky.social) | Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/gimmickspod/)
Theme song: "Disco Tears" by Raven (https://soundcloud.com/user-893997429) | Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 (http://bit.ly/RFP_CClicense)
Glitterjaw Presents trailer song: “Happiest Days (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKvooN2uD9Q)” by Three Chain Links. Sourced from RoyaltyFreePlanet (https://www.royaltyfreeplanet.com) and used under CC BY 3.0 / Shortened from original
Sources:
Collider Writeup from 2025 (https://collider.com/er-live-episode-ambush/)
ER Season 4 DVD Special Features - BTS “Ambush” pt. 1 & 2
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.8 / 5
12 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
14 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 66 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
85
Social presence
91
YouTube
0
Engagement
71
Contact Gimmicks
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Questions about Gimmicks
Who hosts Gimmicks?
hosts host the show. Published by Glitterjaw Queer Podcast Collective.
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes monthly, based on its RSS feed.
Does Gimmicks take guests?
Yes. Guests have been identified in episode analyses.
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