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Pop Rocket

Pop culture discussion with Guy Branum, Wynter Mitchell, Margaret Wappler and Karen Tongson
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Pop Rocket
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Now displaying: May, 2017

A high-octane weekly discussion of the pop culture we all love to love.

Join host Guy Branum and panelists Wynter Mitchell, Karen Tongson and Margaret Wappler for smart, funny, sometimes sweary chat about everything great in entertainment.

Combining comic, journalistic, academic and digital media expertise, the Pop Rocket team will keep you up-to-date on what's most exciting in pop culture this week.

MaximumFun.org

May 31, 2017

Guy, Wynter, and Karen are once again joined by film critic Dave White to talk about medical dramas! How accurate was Doogie Howser? How is the Nurse's Ball on General Hospital a real thing? Was Scrubs secretly genius? Plus, Dave tells us why Getting On was such an important show in his life, Guy tries to defend DNCE again, Wynter is semi-confident she can become a doctor, and Karen reminds us why ER was worth watching even in the later seasons.

With Guy Branum, Wynter Mitchell, Karen Tongson, and guest Dave White.

Each week we'll add everyone's jams to this handy Spotify playlist.

You can let us know what you think of Pop Rocket and suggest topics in our Facebook group or via @PopRocket on Twitter

Produced by Christian Dueñas and Kara Hart for MaximumFun.org

May 24, 2017

On a special mini episode, the gang is joined by film critic Dave White to talk about films that memorialize war, soldiers, and veterans. We get history lesson from Karen about the origins of Memorial Day, and how it spread across America eventually becoming a national holiday. The gang talk about the huge responsibility war films have, in both their messaging and cinematography, and how some miss the mark. Wynter tells us why she doesn't watch war movies, and the panel talks about the one war comedy that was able to pull it off (just barely). And in lieu of all abouts and jams, Dave tells us about a four hour black and white art house film that we must not miss (he promises that it is very watchable).

You can catch Dave on his podcast Linoleum Knife and read his film reviews on The Wrap.

With Guy Branum, Karen Tongson, Wynter Mitchell, and Dave White.

Each week we’ll add everyone’s jams to this handy Spotify playlist.

You can let us know what you think of Pop Rocket and suggest topics in our Facebook group or via @PopRocket on Twitter.

Other Links:
Beau Travail
Gallipoli
Heaven & Earth
Ran
Lawrence of Arabia

Produced by Christian Dueñas and Kara Hart for MaximumFun.org.

May 17, 2017

This week, Karen takes over as host as the gang discusses Summer Blockbusters. They are joined by film critic and writer Alonso Duralde to discuss which summer films they're most excited for, which ones they aren't, and which ones just shouldn't have been made. Margaret tells us what she expects from the perfect Summer blockbuster. We find out what the logistics are for a hit film's international release, and the gang takes on the DC versus Marvel movie debate. Plus the panel discusses summer releases that don't have explosions and muscles but rather heart and wit.

We are treated to some awesome recommendations from the gang, from season two of Master of None (watch out for a few tiny spoilers!) to a biography of Harvey Kurtzman, the creator of Mad Magazine. And as always, the gang tells us what their jam of the week is.

With Guy Branum, Karen Tongson, Margaret Wappler, Wynter Mitchell, and Alonso Duralde.

Each week we’ll add everyone’s jams to this handy Spotify playlist.

You can let us know what you think of Pop Rocket and suggest topics in our Facebook group or via @PopRocket on Twitter.

Other Links:
Yacht Rock
Harvey Kurtzman: The Man Who Created Mad and Revolutionized Humor in America

Produced by Christian Dueñas and Kara Hart for MaximumFun.org

May 10, 2017

This week, we have the gang back together plus celebrity journalist and novelist Abby Stern to talk the evolution and the current disintegration of celebrity journalism. We get a historical outline of celebrity journalism, from Hedda Hopper and Louis B. Mayer to TMZ and Instagram influencers. The gang explores the symbiotic relationship between celebrities and the press, and how that has evolved over time. We find out where each of our panelists' "do not report" line is when covering celebrities, and which era they think is best for celebrity journalism. We get a postmortem from Wynter regarding Phaedra's dramatic exit from Real Housewives of Atlanta and the jealousy of the French people that Margaret feels after their latest election. Karen tells us about why she loves May sweeps and Guy gives us a reason to stop being mad at Susan Sarandon.

Abby's brand new book According To A Source, which will be released May 23rd, can be pre-ordered now!

With Guy Branum, Karen Tongson, Margaret Wappler, Wynter Mitchell, and Abby Stern.

Each week we’ll add everyone’s jams to this handy Spotify playlist.

You can let us know what you think of Pop Rocket and suggest topics in our Facebook group or via @PopRocket on Twitter.

Other Links:
Phaedra's Fall From Grace
Guardian article on the French media not reporting on the Macron leaks

Produced by Christian Dueñas and Kara Hart for MaximumFun.org

May 3, 2017

This week we have an all ladies episode of Pop Rocket! Karen is hosting, and the gang is talking about the new Hulu series of Margaret Atwood's 1985 classic novel The Handmaid's Tale. Margaret tells us about the differences between the series and the book. They explore whether or not Offred's internal dialogue works when portrayed as voice over, and whether the racial make-up of the show was intentional. Does the music work, and does the show reflect anything from our current political climate? Margaret's all about is relishing in the dismantling of Fox News by the hands of its key contributors and Wynter talks about Netflix's Dear White People. Plus, the panel shares some light, vintage jams to help cleanse our palates after a particularly heavy discussion.

Reacd Margaret's interview with Margaret Atwood for the Los Angeles Times and don't forget to listen to Guy's interview with Atwood on Bullseye from 2015.

Karen Tongson, Margaret Wappler, and Wynter Mitchell

Each week we’ll add everyone’s jams to this handy Spotify playlist.

Other Links:
The Smarthmouth Podcast

You can let us know what you think of Pop Rocket and suggest topics in our Facebook group or via @PopRocket on Twitter.

Produced by Christian Dueñas and Kara Hart for MaximumFun.org

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