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Clutch Power: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Eric Crittenden
A Show about the Ways We Love LEGO. In-depth conversations about LEGO. Hosted by Emmy-nominated reporter Eric Crittenden.
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- Yesterday34 min
What Race is a LEGO Minifig?
WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE LEGO says yellow represents every person. LEGO fans of color disagree. On this episode, a deep dive into the origins of the “yellow everyman” and the consequences that’s had on the LEGO fandom. Today’s guests are numerous and wide-ranging, from philosophers to LEGO Masters contestants. In order of appearance: Randall Wilson - LEGO Masters Contestant and Brick Artist Wes Royer - founder of BLACKLUG Levi Knighten - LEGO fan and writer Roy T. Cook - Professor of Philosophy, University of Minnesota Corey D. Samuels - LEGO Masters Contestant and LEGO STEM Teacher Christine “Tacos” Blandino - LEGO Masters Contestant and LEGO STEM Teacher This episode is the culmination of months of work, research, and feedback - not just from those six guests. I want to shout-out a few others for working with me on this episode: Harrison White BrickContractor brick5cape Syreeta Gates Jerry Shannon Olivia Sheane (my girlfriend!) If you’re a Clutch Power supporter, you get a bonus act between Parts 2 and 3 called “The Yellow Option”, where I jump back to 2015 when LEGO’s “yellow minifig myth” was stretched to its limits. I also talk to LEGO fans of color who do use the yellow minifig to represent them. It’s $2 / month to become a Patron, and you’ll get bonus content + a MOC for every episode! Join the Patreon! Sources: Hollywood’s Racism Exposed…by LEGO (Wired) Everything is Racist (Wyatt Cenac) Why are Emojis Yellow? (Lily Alexandre) The Smiley Face was Invented for Corporate America (Smithsonian Channel) The Yellow LEGO Minifigure. Is it Black is it White? View from the kids eye. (Iceberg Bricks) Inside the AC360 doll study (CNN) The First and Last Time I Experienced Racism (Grindr) People Tell The Stories Of The First Time They Experienced Racism! (Yours Truly) BILLY DEE WILLIAMS: Lando’s Significance to Star Wars, Chemistry with Diana Ross & Innate Smoothness (Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum) George Lucas talks STAR WARS, Coppola, gender/race + more from Cannes 2024 (That Shelf) LEGO Booth Comic-Con 2015 (TrolleyTimeSD) San Diego Comic-Con 2015: LEGO Booth Tour (GamesRadar) DC & Lego Steal the Show at Comic-Con 2015! (fanlalatv) <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTxTPz-bnuw" target="_blan
- 2 weeks ago31 min
Copy of The Heat Death of LEGO Universe
There are over 250 Bricks & Minifigs stores that claim to be independent. But what kind of control does the corporate office have over its franchises? BAM (Bricks & Minifigs) is entrenched in Internet outrage, at least one lawsuit, and allegations flying around. Many BAM locations have come out with statements saying they are “locally owned and operated small business.” On this episode, I sit down with a franchise attorney to examine BAM’s Franchise Agreement, how it compares to its Operations Manual, and some of the more uncommon aspects of that agreement. I also take those questions to Ammon McNeff, CEO of Bricks & Minifigs. In the spirit of transparency, I’ve put up the full, unedited interview with Ammon on my Patreon. You can view it for $2. Join the Patreon! Also, to address claims that I’m working with BAM or I’m in their camp, let me say: I have shared the full interview with Reckless Ben, the YouTuber who put these allegations into the spotlight. I am more than willing to share any information I have with relevant parties. My loyalty is, and will always be, to the truth. All I ask is that these parties share in that loyalty to the truth. All music by Nihilore (www.nihilore.com): Alter Ego Nonexistent Building Nests in the Ruins
- 4 weeks ago46 min
The Blight of the Boring Black Boxes
If you have even a passing interest in LEGO’s larger sets, you’re gonna run into the black boxes. And I, quite frankly, am sick of it. Today’s guest: Graham E. Hancock, writer and editor of Blocks Magazine. Blocks really carries on the spirit of mid-2000s LEGO Magazine with designer interviews, MOC showcases, and reviews of old LEGO themes. Each issue is massive and I can’t imagine the amount of work that goes into it behind the scenes. Graham’s actually been on Clutch Power before! In Episode 7: Just How Smart IS This Brick?, we talked about his hands-on experience with the LEGO Smart Brick the day it was announced. Although if you recognize his name, it’s probably from the thick tome LEGO Star Wars - The Force of Creativity. It’s everything you want to know about LEGO Star Wars up to 2024. If you want newer LEGO Star Wars news, I’ll point you to a special issue of Blocks Magazine: LEGO Star Wars Special Magazine. If you’re a Clutch Power supporter, you get a bonus act called “Fast Times at Mos Eisley High”. LEGO’s original Mos Eisley Cantina - from 2004 - actually has two box variants, which is the only example I can find of this. Graham talks me through why this happened, which put to rest a 22-year-old mystery. You’ll also get access to a special MOC just for this episode! I re-created the LEGO black box with a stud for you to put…whatever you want on display! If LEGO’s gonna do it, I’m gonna do it, too! It’s $2 / month to become a Clutch Power supporter, and you’ll get bonus content + a MOC for every episode! Join the Patreon! All music by Nihilore (www.nihilore.com): Alter Ego Are You Happy Diving Violence Laissez Faire Throne of the Soul apeiros Violence
- May 4, 202642 min
LEGO's Secret Language
Welcome to the world of AFOLs, MOCs, BURPs, SNOT, greebles, and a bunch of other nonsense words LEGO fans use. Wondering where to begin? The author of a LEGO glossary can help. Today's guest: the charming Jim Winslett! Jim is what I would describe as a hobbyist, and his website shows that: LEGOs, roller coasters, handbells, and his most recent obsession: British hip hop group Pete & Bas. This is the most philosophical episode I've done so far (but I have many more planned), and it was so fun to dive into the why behind hobby-speak. I'd love to hear from you about your favorite LEGO-isms, and what you've found difficult about getting into the LEGO hobby? I mention this in the episode, but if you're as deep into LEGO fandom as I am, you'll want to check out Disturbing the Piece podcast. It is about a niche as a LEGO podcast can get (even more than this one, somehow) and it is so entertaining. If you’re a Patreon supporter, you’ll get a bonus act called: “Pete and Bas and Jim." Jim tells me about his cancer diagnosis and how that hip hop group saved his life (his words - not mine). It's a genuinely great story. You’ll also get access to a special MOC just for this episode! For this one it is the long-lost LEGO dictionary. I found it deep within the LEGO vaults and am proud to share it with the wide world. Just don't go broadcasting about it or I could get into trouble. It’s $2 / month to become a Patron, and you’ll get bonus content + a MOC for every episode! Join the Patreon! All music by Nihilore (www.nihilore.com): Alter Ego Against the Indifference Black Light Find Me in the Future Consequences Monolithic Bones
- Apr 20, 202647 min
That Time Minifigs Had Noses
LEGO Western may not be the shortest-lasting, the strangest, or the most problematic LEGO theme, but it’s up there. On this episode, a look back at the good, the bad, and the ugly legacy of these 24 sets with one of the people who knows it best. Today’s guests include the one and only TrikBrix! Jamie has huge Clutch Power guest energy with his deep dives into 80s and 90s LEGO themes, and I’m so happy I got to talk about LEGO Western with him. You can really tell how much he loves this theme - if his masterful retrospectives didn’t give it away: The Gold Rush of 1996 LEGO 6746 Chief’s Tepee LEGO 6718 Raindance Ridge (& Friends!) But honestly you can’t go wrong with any of his videos. Jamie has some of the highest quality LEGO content you’ll find, period, end of sentence. Every frame of his videos is a masterpiece. I’m also honored to introduce you to two scholars in Part 2 of this episode: James Mackay, Associate Professor of Literature and Digital Cultures at European University Cyprus Gregory Smithers, Ph.D., author, professor of History at Virginia Commonwealth University, and researcher Both of these men are absolute gems and gave me so much to ponder about Native American representation. I grew up in Alabama and my school didn’t give Native Americans a lot of focus - at least, not in the way you’d want in 2026. I can’t get over something James said - about how a “Native American LEGO set” is the same as a “white person LEGO set” or “black person LEGO set” which obviously would not fly. If you want to read more about LEGO and Native American representation, here are some great articles: Native American Heritage and LEGO Representation (BrickNerd) Disappointing action behind LEGOLAND disappearing act (The Copenhagen Post) If you’re a Patreon supporter, you’ll get a bonus act called: “The Music of 90s LEGO”. Jamie writes all the music for his videos, so I wanted to chat with him about his process, as well as throwing some curveball LEGO themes at him to see what kind of music he’d think up. Also - hot takes on Time Cruisers! You’ll also get access to a special MOC just for this episode! I love this one: a classic Western standoff, with a sunset, silhouette, revolver. Man I love the Wild West. It’s $2 / month to become a Patron, and you’ll get bonus content + a MOC for every episode! Join the Patreon! Songs from: Nihilore (www.nihilore.com): A way WombatNoisesAudio: Song: Cesare Rides Again Website: https://soundcloud.com/user-734462061 License: Creative Commons (BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Music powered by BreakingCopyright: https://breakingcopyright.com And TrikBricks: Wild West Background Wild West Intro Wild West Theme Wild West - The Tribe
- Apr 6, 202644 min
We Cheated on LEGO (with jtsandman45!)
There are a lot of sexy alt-bricks brands out there. Lumibricks. Bluebrixx. Pantasy. I made a lifelong commitment to LEGO, but I’ll be honest…the temptation is strong. Today’s guest: Jackson Sandler of LEGO YouTube fame. Jackson burst into the scene about a year ago with his phenomenal video Building All 36 Minikits from Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga. Since then, it’s been banger after banger of mid-2000s LEGO themes. As someone who grew up in that time, I am loving the content. 2008 LEGO City Police was PEAK Building the LEGENDARY 2008 Death Star And of course his video that inspired the episode: LEGO: The Rise of Alt-Bricks I know these alt-bricks can be controversial with us LEGO purists, but Jackson and I ranked some brands that you might want to check out: Lumibricks Pantasy Mattel Brick Shop (formerly Mega) If you’re a Patreon supporter, you’ll get a bonus act called: “My Hero” talking about his passion for Guitar Hero. Jackson will occasionally post a video on social media, playing Guitar Hero to some meme LEGO sounds. His video on the LEGO Star Wars Video Game death sounds is particularly good. You’ll also get access to a special MOC just for this episode! There’s an underground movement of anti-LEGO fans, and here’s some of their graffiti. Just don’t tell LEGO I built this… It’s $2 / month to become a Patron, and you’ll get bonus content + a MOC for every episode! Join the Patreon! All music by Nihilore (www.nihilore.com): Alter Ego Mendel Hypercube A Vision of Light The Mountains, My Home Whispers Invoke Paranoia
- Mar 23, 202645 min
LEGOLAND's Lost Potential
If you’re over 10 years old going to a LEGOLAND park, something will feel off. The parks are…barren. Low attendance, badly-maintained attractions, and limited entertainment staff. LEGO is obsessed with high quality, so why are LEGOLANDs so shoddy? I’m proud to declare this Clutch Power’s first two-person interview! Dan Ibbertson of Slope’s Game Room and Slope’s Adventures, and his buddy Andrew Dalton (who’s appeared on many Slope’s Adventures videos). Both these guys are theme park mega-fans, and they’ve done some great coverage on UK theme parks, specifically Merlin Entertainments, who owns every LEGOLAND. A few LEGO-centric episodes: The Sad State of Merlin Entertainment Former LEGOLAND Performer Interview Is LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester worth it??? A ton of theme park discussion in this episode, and if you want to dip your toe into theme park YouTube, I cannot recommend Defunctland enough. The quality on these videos is unbelievable. Here’s the specific video I reference in this episode: The History of Coney Island If you’re a Patreon supporter, you’ll get a bonus act called: “This Park’s Theme? Nightmare!” Dan and Andrew share tales from Merlin parks, a really bevy of horror stories. The Peppa Pig park story in particular (4 P’s!) is my favorite. You’ll also get access to a special MOC just for this episode! I built LEGOLAND Windsor’s front gate (before the renovation). Yet even this small build conveys that feeling of emptiness. It’s just $5 / month to become a Patron, and you’ll get bonus content + a MOC for all episodes! Join the Patreon! All music by Nihilore (www.nihilore.com): Alter Ego Facticity The Dweller on the Threshold Hailstorm Noctivagant Artifice Something Beautiful is Going to Happen
- Mar 9, 202630 min
The Rise of the Bricks & Minifigs Empire
WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE If you don’t live near a Bricks & Minifigs store, you will soon. These secondhand LEGO stores are expanding incredibly quickly, and I swung by a grand opening to chat with locals, management, and LEGO Masters about what makes these stores so special. YES, this is a video and YES it was a lot of fun to put together. I talked to so many wonderful people but I want to highlight a couple: Jake Faust - Owner of Bricks & Minifigs Brentwood and Bricks & Minifigs Bellevue. I can’t believe this guy is only 26! Which means he opened the BAM in Bellevue at 23 / 24…absolutely incredible. He’s such a warm guy and if you want to see more from him, Beyond the Brick did an interview with him a few years ago. Brittain Edison and Niki Loheit - Sisters and LEGO Masters competitors. Brittain and Niki have done several BAM openings and I am in awe of how approachable and friendly they are - even after hours of doing meet and greets! If you’re a Patreon supporter, you’ll get a bonus segment in Part 2, where I search for the most expensive LEGO set at BAM Bellevue. Even now, a week later, I’m still confused as to why it’s that set that costs that much. This is normally where I’d put a picture of the special MOC built for this episode, but…I don’t want to spoil it! If you become a Patron, you’ll get access to that extra content, along with bonus content + a MOC for every episode! Join the Patreon! All music by Nihilore (www.nihilore.com): Alter Ego Bush Week Garden Untitled
About Clutch Power
A Show about the Ways We Love LEGO. In-depth conversations about LEGO. Hosted by Emmy-nominated reporter Eric Crittenden.
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