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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: 2015

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

Dec 30, 2015

A whole episode devoted to the new Star Wars movie, The Force Awakens.

With Oliver Wang, Josh Greenberg, Karen Tongson and host Guy Branum.

Produced by Colin Anderson for MaximumFun.org.

Dec 24, 2015

Karen Tongson joins the team to talk politics in the context of pop culture.

With Wynter Mitchell, Oliver Wang, Karen Tongson and host Guy Branum. Produced by Colin Anderson for MaximumFun.org

Dec 16, 2015

The team celebrate 50 episodes with a look back at the pop culture of 50 years ago. With Guy Branum, Wynter Mitchell, Margaret Wappler and Oliver Wang.

Jams: 

Wynter Mitchell - Wooly Bully by Sam the Sham and the Pharaos and California Girls by The Beach Boys.

Oliver Wang - A Change is Gonna to Comel by Sam Cooke

Margaret Wappler - It’s Not Unusual by Tom Jones

Guy Branum - I’m Looking Through You by The Beatles

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

You can let us know the media you consume when faced with difficult times in our Facebook or via @PopRocket on Twitter.

Dec 8, 2015

The team sits down to share their thoughts on Spike Lee’s new movie Chi-Raq which uses the premise of women withholding sex from their men to stop a gang war. They also touch on their favorite Spike Lee films.

With Guy Branum MaximumFun.org (http://www.guybranum.com), Wynter Mitchell (http://wyntermitchell.com), Margaret Wappler (http://www.margaretwappler.com) and Oliver Wang (http://www.margaretwappler.com)

Favorite Jams

Wynter Mitchell Someone Great by LCD Soundsystem

Oliver Wang TOh Girl by The Chi-Lites

Margaret Wappler Mr. Telephone Man by Erykah Badu

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

You can let us know the media you consume when faced with difficult times in our Facebook or via @PopRocket on Twitter.

Dec 2, 2015

 

The team talks about their favorite holiday jams from traditional to contemporary. .

 

With Guy Branum <a href="http://maximumfun.org">MaximumFun.org</a>(http://www.guybranum.com), Wynter Mitchell (http://wyntermitchell.com), Margaret Wappler (http://www.margaretwappler.com) and Oliver Wang (http://www.margaretwappler.com)

 

Holiday Favorite Tunes

 

Waitresses’ “Christmas Wrapping

 

Vince Guraldi’s “Christmas Time Is Here

 

Fiona Apple’s Frosty the Snowman

 

John Lennon - War Is Over

 

Wham - Last Christmas

 

Barbra Streisand - Jingle Bells

 

The Pogues - Fairytale of New York

 

The Maccabeats - Candlelight

 

Run DMC - Christmas in Hollis

 

Matisyahu - Miracle

 

Wings - Wonderful Christmas Time

 

Juice Crew - Cold Chillin Christmas

 

Rufus Wainwright & Sharon Van Etten - Baby It’s Cold Outside

 

The Temptations - Silent Night

 

Nat King Cole - The Christmas Song

 

Billy Elliot Broadway Soundtrack - Merry Christmas Maggie Thatcher

 

Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings - White Christmas

 

Mariah Carey - All I Want for Christmas is You

 

Destiny’s Child - 8 Days of Christmas



Favorite Piece of Holiday Culture

 

Guy Branum - Avacado Nog, Rug Rats Chanukuh & The Ref

Wynter Mitchell - Surviving Christmas, The Holiday and Bridget Jones Diary

Oliver Wang - The Yule Log on Netflix,

Margaret Wappler - Elf, Smoked Turkey w/ Chutney Sauce & Star Wars

 

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

 

You can let us know the media you consume when faced with difficult times in our Facebook group or via @PopRocket on Twitter.

 

Nov 25, 2015

The team gets together to talk about cooking shows as well as how food is portrayed in film, plus they’ll talk about what’s piqued their interest in pop culture this week

With Guy Branum, Wynter Mitchell, Margaret Wappler and Oliver Wang.

That’s My Jam: Wynter Mitchell - Walking with Thee by Clinic Oliver Wang - Merry Go Round Equatics Margaret Wappler - The Noisy Days Are Over by Commontime Guy Branum - The Co-dependent by Sia.

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 Colin Anderson for MaximumFun.org

 

 

Nov 18, 2015

The team talks about the content they listen or watch during difficult times; plus they share their thoughts on Aziz Ansari's new Netflix comedy series Master of None.

With Guy Branum, Wynter Mitchell, Margaret Wappler and Oliver Wang. That’s My Jam: Wynter Mitchell - That's Life by Shirley Bassey Oliver Wang - Go Back Home by Allen Touissant Margaret Wappler - John Lennon's Imagine by Davide Martelo Guy Branum - Marseillaise by Edith Piaf

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.

Nov 12, 2015

Paul Gilmartin joins the team to help discuss issues around mental health in popular culture and argue why The Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter" is the greatest song of all time.

With Guy Branum, Wynter Mitchell, Margaret Wappler and Paul Gilmartin.

That’s My Jam: Wynter Mitchell - BUFFALO by Tyler, The Creator Paul Gilmartin - Gimme Shelter by Rolling Stones Margaret Wappler - Can't Get Enough Of Myself by Santigold Guy Branum - Come Get It Bae by Pharrell Williams.

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 Colin Anderson at MaximumFun.org

Nov 4, 2015

The team say goodbye to Grantland, consider whether Twitter's business model is broken and discuss the good, bad and ugly of TV's current Late Night offerings.

With Guy Branum, Wynter Mitchell, Oliver Wang and Margaret Wappler.

That’s My Jam: Wynter Mitchell - Kathy Lee by Jessy Lanza Oliver Wang - As One by Low Leaf Margaret Wappler - Feel You by Julia Holter Guy Branum - His interview with Margaret Atwood on this week's Bullseye With Jesse Thorn.

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

Here's the Atlantic article we talked about on The Decay of Twitter.

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 Colin Anderson for MaximumFun.org

Oct 28, 2015

Young Adult fiction, hip hop podcasts and our favorite horror movies. With Guy Branum, Wynter Mitchell, Oliver Wang and Margaret Wappler.

That’s My Jam: Wynter Mitchell - Used To by Mutemath Oliver Wang - Why Can't We Live Together by Timmy Thomas Margaret Wappler - The It Follows Theme by Disasterpeace Each week we’ll add everyone’s jams to this handy Spotify playlist.

Other useful links this week… Margaret recommends Rainbow Rowell's new YA novel Carry On. Oliver's been listening to The Cipher, The Combat Jack Show & The Huffington Post's Love and Sex Podcast.

Horror movies we talk about liking include: The Exorcist, Rosemary's Baby, Attack the Block, The Gate, Monster Squad, The Omen, The Brood, The Dark Crystal, Salem's Lot, The Craft, Fright Night, An American Werewolf in London, Event Horizon, Aliens, Cabin in the Woods, The Blob and Prince of Darkness.

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 Colin Anderson for MaximumFun.org

Oct 21, 2015

Margaret Wappler leads the team in discussing the new Star Wars Trailer, Love and Hip Hop Hollywood, Project Greenlight and the new Fall TV shows.

With Wynter Mitchell and Oliver Wang.

That’s My Jam:

Wynter Mitchell - Angel Tongue by Light Asylum

Oliver Wang - Unbreakable by Janet Jackson

Margaret Wappler - Hot Chip's cover of Dancing in the Dark

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

TV shows we talked about this week: Dr Ken Quantico American Horror Story: Scream Queens The Affair The Grinder.

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 Colin Anderson for MaximumFun.org

Oct 15, 2015

The team gets together to discuss the state of print media including a major change at Playboy and they’ll also share their favorite jams for this week.

With Wynter Mitchell, Oliver Wang, Margaret Wappler and host Guy Branum.

 

That’s My Jam:

Wynter Mitchell - Novacane

Oliver Wang - Hamilton’s Ten Duel Commandments

 

Produced by Ibarionex Perello for MaximumFun.org

 

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

Oct 6, 2015

Throwing Shade's Bryan Safi and Erin Gibson take over Pop Rocket as part of MaxFun's #GreatSwitcheroo.

With Bryan Safi, Erin Gibson, Drew Droege and Jessica Jardine.

Every week we start the show by taking a question from a listener about our own pop culture tastes. This week: What piece of culture (movie, song, TV show) do you most find yourself introducing new people to?

Bryan Safi - Karina Longworth's You Must Remember This podcast. Especially the series of episodes about Charles Manson's Hollywood.

Erin Gibson - Brock O'Hurn on Instagram

Drew Droege - The documentary Finders Keeper

Jessica Jardine - The Russ Meyer / Roger Ebert movie Beyond the Valley of the Dolls

Thanks to Jamie Tyler in the Pop Rocket Facebook group for that question.

That’s My Jam:

Bryan Safi - Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli performing He's Got the Whole World In His Hands

Erin Gibson - Strange Things Happen Everyday by Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Drew Droege - Let's All Chant by The Michael Zager Band

Jessica Jardine - How Deep Is Your Love by Calvin Harris and The Disciples

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 Colin Anderson for MaximumFun.org

Sep 30, 2015

The team share the songs they'll always sing along to, talk about some of their favorite current TV and try to work out what went wrong with the new movie, Stonewall.

With Guy Branum, Wynter Mitchell, Oliver Wang and Margaret Wappler.

This week's jams:

Wynter Mitchell - I Can't Help It by Stevie Wonder (Live in Studio)

Oliver Wang - Two Matches by Mac Miller (Feat. Ab-Soul)

Margaret Wappler - Rollercoaster by Bleachers and Charli XCX

Guy Branum - I Am Woman (Dance Mix) by Jessica Williams

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

Songs we'll always sing along to at the top of our voices…

Oliver - Lorraine Ellison's Stay With Me Babe from the movie The Boat That Rocket (aka Pirate Radio)

Margaret - Foolish Love – Rufus Wainwright

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 Colin Anderson for MaximumFun.org

Sep 23, 2015

Johnny Depp's Black Mass, Fear The Walking Dead, Borgen and Joe Meno's new book, Marvel and a Wonder. Plus the winners, hosting and dresses of this year's Emmys.

With Guy Branum, Wynter Mitchell, Oliver Wang and Margaret Wappler

Jams and Recommendations:

Wynter Mitchell - Recognize (feat. Drake) by Partynextdoor and Fear the Walking Dead

Oliver Wang - We Did It Again by Blackalicious and Johnny Depp's new movie, Black Mass

Margaret Wappler - Leaving The City by Joanna Newsome and Joe Meno's new book, Marvel and a Wonder

Guy Branum - Ryan Adams' cover of Blank Space and the Danish political drama Borgen

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 Colin Anderson for MaximumFun.org

Sep 17, 2015

Comedian Karen Kilgariff joins the team to talk about the Disneyland, Disney movies and Disney-produced celebrities.

With Guy Branum, Wynter Mitchell, Oliver Wang and guest, Karen Kilgariff.

Produced by Colin Anderson for MaximumFun.org

Sep 8, 2015

Donald Trump videos, Muppet raps and Gyno-Star. Plus Oliver's daughter drops in to help discuss Kids TV.

With Wynter Mitchell, Oliver Wang, Margaret Wappler and host Guy Branum.

Produced by Colin Anderson for MaximumFun.org

Sep 2, 2015

Karen Tongson joins the group to help discuss the events of the VMAs (Video Music Awards) and the Ashley Madison Hack.

With Karen Tongson, Oliver Wang, Margaret Wappler and host Guy Branum. Produced by Colin Anderson for MaximumFun.org.

Aug 28, 2015

Comedians Joan Ford and Rye Silverman sit in for Wynter and Margaret to talk about TV shows that were cancelled too soon, whether we'd want to go to Disney's proposed Star Wars Land and what's been going on with the Hugo Awards.

With Guy Branum, Oliver Wang, Joan Ford & Rye Silverman.

Produced by Colin Anderson for MaximumFun.org

Aug 19, 2015

Louis Virtel joins the team to talk about emotional pick-me-ups, Soundcloud takedowns and the comedy world's reaction to an alleged internet plagiarist being signed by a major talent agency.

With Guy Branum, Wynter Mitchell, Oliver Wang and special guest Louis Virtel.

Produced by Colin Anderson for MaximumFun.org

Aug 12, 2015

Linda Holmes (from NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour) stops by to talk about the most exciting upcoming TV shows and to get serious about romantic comedy.

Plus, music to fight to, #periodsarenotaninsult and Wynter’s met all of her teenage crushes.

With Guy Branum, Wynter Mitchell, Margaret Wappler and special guest, Linda Holmes.

Produced by Colin Anderson for MaximumFun.org

Aug 5, 2015

Relationship author and TV writer, Tracy McMillan joins the team to talk #SquadGoals and dating shows – both real and fictional.

With Guy Branum, Wynter Mitchell, Margaret Wappler and special guest Tracy McMillan.

Produced by Colin Anderson for MaximumFun.org

Jul 31, 2015

Which of the Pop Rocket team have tattoos and what are they? Find out this week thanks to a twitter question from our Reddit group. Plus has nerd culture gone mainstream and how do we feel about that?

With Wynter Mitchell, Oliver Wang, Margaret Wappler and host Guy Branum.

Produced by Colin Anderson for MaximumFun.org

Jul 24, 2015

It’s 20 years since the release of Clueless so we talk about the best high school movies and argue over whether Boyz n the Hood counts as one. Plus Trainwreck, Bree Newsome, and Bridget Everett’s “Gynecological Wonder”.

With Wynter Mitchell, Oliver Wang, Margaret Wappler and host Guy Branum.

Produced by Colin Anderson for MaximumFun.org

Jul 17, 2015

The team share their first videogame experiences, debate what should be done with offensive culture (and shoddy critique) and Guy picks his official Summer Jam 2015.

With Wynter Mitchell, Oliver Wang, Margaret Wappler and host Guy Branum. Produced by Colin Anderson for MaximumFun.org

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