This week, Guy Branum, Karen Tongson, Margaret Wappler discuss the finale of the Shonda Rhimes led show, Scandal. The ABC series wrapped up last week and it stirred up all sorts of thoughts from the team on the female anti-heroes on television.
Karen is all about the upcoming Pixar short Bao, which she says is an important addition to Asian representation in popular media (which, let’s face it, is limited). Margaret is all about a recent article about parents raising their children as “Theybies”</a>. Guy is all about the new film I Feel Pretty, a comedy that, while not without a slightly problematic message, shines through with plenty of laughs from Amy Schumer.
The panel will their discuss what they think of Scandal; everything from the finale, how closely they’ve watched the show since it started and where Olivia Pope fits in with the pantheon of women anti-heroes on TV.
With Guy Branum, Karen Tongson and Margaret Wappler.
That’s My Jam:
Karen Tongson - Joe Jackson - Steppin’ Out.
Margaret Wappler - Sampha - (No One Knows Me) Like the Piano.
Guy Branum - Kacey Musgraves - High Horse.
Each week we’ll add everyone’s jams to our Spotify playlists.
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 Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.
This week, Guy Branum, Karen Tongson and Wynter Mitchell are joined by Riley Silverman. She’s the lead writer of the Max Fun podcast, International Waters. They discuss A Quiet Place, John Krasinski’s horror film about a family trying to survive a post-apocalyptic world where monsters kill anything that makes a sound.
Karen is all about the video for Janelle Monáe’s new music video for the track PYNK, which she says may have established her as a force in queer performance and art. Guy and Wynter are all about Beyonce’s Coachella performance, which may have single-handedly made the music festival relevant again. Riley is all about the movie Blockers, a comedy that she says feels refreshingly scripted.
The panel will their discuss what they think of A Quiet Place, including whether it has a positive portrayal of a character with a disability and explain their theories about what the film’s sub-text could be.
With Karen Tongson, Guy Branum ,Wynter Mitchell and Riley Silverman.
That’s My Jam:
Riley Silverman - Jeremy Jordan - She Used to be Mine
Karen Tongson - Windy - The Association
Margaret Wappler - Nat King Cole - Nature Boy
Wynter Mitchell - Prince - Purple Music
Guy Branum - Mel Tormé - Stardust
Each week we’ll add everyone’s jams to our Spotify playlists.
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 Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.
This week, Guy Branum, Karen Tongson, Margaret Wappler and Wynter Mitchell are joined by LA-based artist Akina Cox to discuss the Netflix documentary series Wild Wild Country and cults in pop culture.
Karen Tongson is all about Killing Eve on BBC America, which features the return to TV of the beloved Sandra Oh. Wynter is all about The Zen Diaries of Gary Shandling on HBO, Judd Apatow’s love letter to one of the best and most complex comics in history. Akina is all about Ron Chernow’s biography of Ulysses Grant, which is guaranteed to NOT have not be adapted into a musical. Margaret is all about Junot Diaz’s New Yorker article about the trauma he experienced as a child. Guy is all about John Sherman’s Buzzfeed article about Love Simon’s shortcomings as a movie featuring queer characters.
The panel will their why cults have become such a fascinating subject in entertainment, including Far Cry 5, Wild, Wild Country and more. Plus, Akin will share her experience of growing up in an actual cult and her thoughts on some of the modern famous charismatic religious figures.
With Karen Tongson, Guy Branum, Margaret Wappler, Wynter Mitchell and Akina Cox.
That’s My Jam:
Akina Cox - SASAMI - Callous
Karen Tongson - Jens Lekman -To Know Your Mission
Margaret Wappler - Nat King Cole - Nature Boy
Guy Branum Rex Orange County - Loving is Easy
Each week we’ll add everyone’s jams to our Spotify playlists.
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 Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.
This week, Guy Branum, Margaret Wappler and Karen Tongson watched the Roseanne reboot and they have feelings about it. Strong feelings.
Margaret Wappler is all about Glynn Washington’s podcast Heaven’s Gate which features interviews and stories of surviving members of the deadly cult. The final season of The Americans
kicked off last week with the episode Dead Hand and Karen savors the way it used music. Guy is all about the Netflix show On the Block.
With the Roseanne reboot smashing all kinds of viewing records, the panel weighs in on what it is about the show that gives it such a broad appeal. They also look at why Roseanne is problematic and why the show’s take on gender non-conformity may not be as culturally relevant as the show’s setting would have audiences believe.
With
Guy Branum
Karen Tongson
Margaret Wappler
That’s My Jam:
Margaret Wappler - Vacationer - Magnetism
Karen Tongson - Indigo Girls - Everything’s Alright
Guy Branum - Dem Beats - Todrick Hall
Each week we’ll add everyone’s jams to our Spotify playlists.
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 Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org.