Thanksgiving: what a great time to start a diet.

James Lileks’ The Ramble returns. No Politics, no punditry — just palaver.

You might not be watching the new Twin Peaks, or care that it ever existed. But it changed TV, and one of the reasons that made it so unique was the music. Let’s go beyond the theme and explore the compositions of Angelo Badalamenti.

What do you do in Reno? Yes, yes, besides that. But here’s the more pressing issue for modern times: what does Reno do with Reno?

What makes a city or a country sound familiar? When the music sounds like we think it’s supposed to sound like. But what if our preconceptions are wrong? (Hint: they’re probably not)

What does monophonic sound have to do with the moral turpitude of electric shavers? Let’s find out.

James Lileks’ The Ramble is brought to you by Harry’s Shave. For a great shave at an even greater price, go to Harrys.com and enter the coupon code RAMBLE

As another anniversary of the Titanic’s sinking draws nigh, Lileks wonders: are we finished with this titanicstory? Perhaps. But even if we’ve exhausted Titanic nostalgia, we can still consider how other eras looked at the catastrophe. The Ramble examines five Titanic movies – not so much for their storytelling, but their backstories and musical contributions. Bonus: Nazis. Double bonus: A Star Trek connection.

A trip to Sin City prompts thoughts of the one thing people usually don’t think about when they think of Games, but something absolutely essential: sound. Music. Melody. The burbles of the casinos to the chimes of pinball to the soundtracks of computer games – it’s an essential part of losing yourself in another world.

Did you ever think you believed the innocence of the subject of “Making a Murderer” because the theme music said you should? The Ramble takes a look at documentary soundtracks, and veers off into something you might not have considered: the Golden Age of Objective News Fanfares.

How much Fargo was in the TV show “Fargo”? Let’s listen to a true Fargoan explain. Don’t worry – it’s not a recap of a show you didn’t see. It’s something quite different. How did eminent domain affect the Mary Tyler Moore show? Why did a one-hit-wonder rocker end up dead in his car smelling of gasoline? Why do I think of the seven hills of Rome when someone mentions Wild Bill Hickok? The Ramble explains all.

Prepare to geek out: Lileks monologues Star Wars past and present.

(No spoilers herein!)

Welcome to our newest occasional podcast, The Ramble with James Lileks. 

This week, let’s Tiptoe past the Yoo Lips, as James and John Yoo —yes, that John Yoo— discuss the Walking Dead, dystopian sci-fi, why Minnesota would be zombie-free, and what 80s hair-metal band’s hit song would be perfect for a zombie show.