POP CULTURE MONDAYS...ON THURSDAYS

Latest Episodes:

Dumpling Dreams and Summer House Heartbreak Apr 09, 2026

Show notes

Happy Thursday you darling pop culture junkies!

This week, Brooke dives into the delightful chaos of the "viral toy" cycle. She breaks down the absolute frenzy surrounding The Dumplings—specifically those elusive glitter dumplings that have everyone losing their minds. To put this obsession into perspective, Brooke takes a trip down memory lane to revisit the vintage madness of Cabbage Patch Kids and why we as a society never seem to change.

Then we go to the Hamps. Brooke breaks down the Summer House drama, explaining the alliances, the blowups, and exactly why this season has managed to take over every single corner of the internet and the country really.

Finally, we look to the stars and back to the heart. Brooke discusses the astronauts currently trending, with a deep dive into Victor the pilot’s viral moment—from his powerful statement to that incredible physique. Brooke wraps things up with a much-needed dose of joy: Love on the Spectrum is back. Brooke shares why this show remains the perfect, heartwarming antidote to the rest of the world right now.

In This Episode:

• The Glitter Dumpling Fever: Why these toys are the new "it" item and a look back at the Cabbage Patch Kids craze.

• Summer House Breakdown: Brooke dissects the drama that has everyone talking.

• Space & Style: Victor the pilot’s viral statement (and his viral workout results).

• Pure Joy: Why the return of Love on the Spectrum is exactly what Brooke thinks we need right now.

Face Bowl:
https://a.co/d/0elyC8mn

This week’s newsletter:
https://popculturemondays.com/2026/04/06/dumplings-are-the-new-labubu/

Kit Kats, K-9s, and Cosmic Cardigans Apr 02, 2026

Show notes

Happy Thursday, my darling pop culture junkies!

We are back with another episode of Pop Culture Mondays on Thursdays, and honestly? The vibes are shifting. From a major mascot overhaul to some of the wildest viral news we’ve seen all year, we are diving deep into the zeitgeist today.

Inside This Episode:

• The Passing of the Torch: Out with the old, in with the... wrinkly. We discuss why Potato the French Bulldog is officially replacing Baby Yoda as the Pop Culture Mondays mascot.

• The Project Hail Mary Phenomenon: It’s more than just a hit movie; it’s a fashion movement. We’re breaking down the film's success and why everyone is obsessed with Ryan Gosling’s sweater (and how to get the look).

• The Great Kit Kat Heist: Someone has a serious sweet tooth. We look into the baffling disappearance of 435,000 Kit Kat bars. Where did they go? Why? And how do you even hide that much chocolate?

• Debunking the Great Escape: You’ve seen the video of the dogs "escaping" in China. We set the record straight—the footage is real, but the narrative you’re reading in the captions is pure fiction.

• The No Kings March: Breaking down the cultural impact and the noise surrounding the latest movement hitting the streets.

• Druski’s Latest Controversy: We’re talking about Druski’s whiteface impression of Erika Kirk. Was it satire or did it cross the line? The internet is divided, we want your thoughts.

This week’s PCM:
https://popculturemondays.com/2026/03/30/holy-hail-mary/

No Rose, No Rules: The Bachelorette Cancellation, Afroman’s Victory, & Marc’s No-Deep Thought Policy Mar 26, 2026

Show notes

We are back! It has only been one week, but in the world of pop culture, it feels like an entire decade has passed.

In This Episode:

• The "Year-Long" Week & Oscar Leftovers: We touch on the lingering vibes from the Oscars before diving into why the news cycle felt like it was on steroids this week.

• The Bachelorette’s Historic Cancellation: ABC has officially scrapped the upcoming season of The Bachelorette. We discuss the unprecedented drama behind the scenes, the investigations, and why the network decided to walk away from an entire finished season.

• Afroman’s Major Legal Win: In a victory for the ages, Afroman has won the lawsuit brought against him by the Ohio sheriff’s deputies who raided his home. We break down the judge’s ruling and why the "Lemon Pound Cake" songwriter came out on top after being sued for using his own security footage.

• Marc Andreessen’s No-Introspection Policy: The tech billionaire is trending after claiming he has "zero introspection" and that "the unexamined life is the only one worth living." Is it a visionary mindset or just a refusal to take accountability?

• The Erewhon Viral Food Craze: We wrap things up with the latest high-priced item from Erewhon taking socials by storm.

Afroman videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeYsTmIzjkw

https://youtu.be/9xxK5yyecRo

Kara Swisher Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/on-with-kara-swisher/id1643307527?i=1000756110216

PCM:
https://popculturemondays.com/2026/03/23/and-we-are-back-baby/

Pirouettes, Patties, and Polished ‘90s Icons Mar 12, 2026

Show notes

Happy Thursday, you pop culture junkies.

This week, we dive into the Timothée Chalamet "high art" discourse, the ongoing beef between fast-food giants, and a ten-year-old taking Paris by storm. Plus, we’re revisiting the ‘90s through the lens of modern TV and questionable finance interviews.

On This Week’s Menu:

• The Chalamet Controversy: We break down Timothée’s recent comments regarding the ballet and opera. Was it a sincere and rare misstep or a moment where his true colors truly come out? We look at how the internet turned his low-brow take into a high-brow meme.

• The Burger Wars Heat Up: Following the McDonald’s CEO’s "faux pas" last week, the "Burger CEOs" have entered the chat. We analyze their strategic responses and the surprising consumer trends emerging from the corporate shade.

• The 4th Grade Prodigy: Meet Max Alexander. At just 10 years old, this Los Angeles native is the youngest designer at Paris Fashion Week. We discuss his meteoric rise and why the fashion elite are actually taking him seriously.

• Interview Magazine’s Finance Bro Era: We take a peek into the recent feature on "Finance Bros" and the... interesting fashion choices they showcased. Is it satire, or just a stark look at a certain tax bracket?

• 90s Nostalgia & Love Story: The aesthetic of JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy is back in a big way. We also discuss Daryl Hannah’s candid response to how she was portrayed in the hit show Love Story and why we can't stop looking backward.

Daryl Hannah’s OpEd in the NYT (gifted article):
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/06/opinion/daryl-hannah-love-story-jfk-jr.html?unlocked_article_code=1.SVA.j39h.--K5DMnOXB7i&smid=nytcore-ios-share

This week’s newsletter:
https://popculturemondays.com/2026/03/09/arias-on-pointe/

Sandstorms, Boy Kibble, and the Golden Arches Mar 05, 2026

Show notes

Welcome back to Pop Culture Mondays on Thursdays, you pop culture junkies. This week, we are diving into the bizarre intersection of geopolitical crisis and "aesthetic" content. From the luxury high-rises of Dubai to the depths of the looksmaxxing subculture, we’re unpacking a week that felt more like a fever dream than a news cycle.

What’s In This Episode:

• The Dubai "Frontline": We look at how influencers in the UAE are reacting to the escalating war in Iran. While the world watches in tension, the "Dubai Crew" is providing a very different perspective.

• The Tate Factor: Speaking of questionable content, we analyze the latest social media outbursts from Andrew Tate. Gross.

• Move Over, Girl Dinner: Remember when a plate of cheese and crackers was the peak of internet relatability? Enter Boy Kibble. We explore the newest trend in the looksmaxxing community where men are optimizing their "fuel" in the most unappetizing ways possible.

• The McUnboxing: In a move that absolutely no one asked for, McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski has entered the influencer ring. We break down the "astonishing" footage of a corporate titan doing a taste unboxing. Is it authentic, or just a really expensive "How do you do, fellow kids?" moment?

This week’s newsletter:
https://popculturemondays.com/2026/03/02/war-through-the-eyes-of-creators/

Monkeys, Medals, and Model Mayhem Feb 26, 2026

Show notes

Grab your tissues and your skates—this week, we’re oscillating between "crying in the club" and "main character energy." From a tiny monkey seeking maternal warmth in a plush toy to an Olympic icon reclaiming her narrative, we are dissecting the high highs and the messy lows of the zeitgeist.

In This Episode:

• The Gospel of Pan-kun (Punch): We’re breaking down the story of the Japanese baby monkey rejected by his mother who found solace in an IKEA stuffed orangutan. Why did this hit us all so hard? We discuss the social commentary on loneliness, our collective "inner child" triggers, and why we’re all just looking for our own version of a plushie to hold onto.

• Alysa Liu’s Rebirth: At 20, Alysa Liu is doing the unthinkable: actually enjoying her life. We dive into her journey from early burnout and retirement to her defiant comeback. She’s eating the food, picking the music, and wearing the fits she wants. We crown her the world’s first IDGAF Olympic Champion and talk about why her "agency" is the most radical thing in sports right now.

• The Tyra Effect: The new docuseries on America’s Next Top Model is here, and the internet is in a tailspin. We break down the most unhinged Tyra Banks memes, the questionable "smize" ethics of the mid-2000s, and whether the show was a fashion boot camp or just beautiful chaos.

This week’s newsletter:
https://popculturemondays.com/2026/02/23/we-ride-at-dawn-for-punch/

Alyssa Liu's full performance:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCrFaRsezGo

From Pam Bondi Memes to Brontë Dreams Feb 19, 2026

Show notes

Happy Thursday, you pop culture junkies.

In this episode of Pop Culture Mondays on Thursdays, we’re breaking our usual "no-politics" rule because the internet simply wouldn’t let us look away. From viral memes to heavy hearts, here is everything moving the needle this week.

• The Pam Bondi Meme-fication: Normally, we skip the Sunday shows, but the "50,000 memes" spawned by Pam Bondi’s latest media appearances were too creative to ignore. We dive into how digital creators turned a political moment into a masterclass in internet humor.

• Clavicular Goes Mainstream: Following up on last week’s deep dive into the "looksmaxxing" trend, the movement’s poster child, Clavicular, has officially hit the big leagues with a feature in The New York Times. We discuss whether this profile helps or hurts the community’s controversial reputation.

• Remembering James Van Der Beek: A somber look at the passing of a TV icon. We discuss the heartbreakingly intimate photos shared by his inner circle and address the growing online controversy surrounding the GoFundMe organized for his family.

• Wisdom from Kuwait: On a lighter note, we’re obsessed with the two young boys from Kuwait currently dropping life lessons and accidental philosophy across social media. It’s the wholesome content we all needed.

• Wuthering Heights Discourse: The internet has thoughts on the latest adaptation of the Brontë classic. Is it a cinematic triumph or a gothic miss? We round up the best (and snarkiest) takes.

• The Watch List: Stick around for a quick-fire round of the new trailers, drops, and hidden gems you need to have on your radar for the weekend.

NYT article on Clavicular:
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/style/clavicular-looksmaxxing-braden-peters.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share

This week’s newsletter:
https://popculturemondays.com/2026/02/16/but-50000/

The Benito Bowl, Olympics Hauls, The Clavicular Cult and Baby Jane Doe Feb 12, 2026

Show notes

Happy Thursday, you pop culture junkies.

This week, Brooke is dissecting the cultural reset that was the "Benito Bowl"—a halftime show that managed to be a celebration, a protest, and a meme-factory all in one 13-minute set.

And from high-fashion Olympic hauls to the increasingly bizarre world of looksmaxxing, we’re covering it all. AND…Baby Jane Doe!

This week’s newsletter:
https://popculturemondays.com/2026/02/09/bravo-benito%f0%9f%87%b5%f0%9f%87%b7/

Fake Hits & Real Tears: The Melania Discourse, Dr. Attia, & Remembering Catherine O’Hara Feb 05, 2026

Show notes

Happy Thursday, you pop culture junkies.

This week, Brooke navigates the strange disconnect between media narratives and reality, starting with the Melania documentary. We look at the "social discourse" (read: the jokes) surrounding the film, the defaced billboards, and the media trying to convince us it was a massive hit. (Spoiler Alert: Brooke did the math. It was not.)

Also in this episode:

• The Grammys & The Moment: It wasn't just about the music this year. Brooke breaks down the night’s heavy political undertones, specifically what artists like Bad Bunny and Billie Eilish had to say about ICE, immigration, and the current state of the country.

• Best New Artist Breakdown: We look at the crowded field of nominees—from the internet-famous (Addison Rae, Alex Warren) to the critically acclaimed—and discuss Olivia Dean’s emotional win.

• Who is Dr. Peter Attia? You’ve seen his name in the headlines, but why is the famous longevity expert suddenly the center of a major controversy? Brooke explains the "Epstein emails" scandal that SHOULD cost him his CBS contributor role and why everyone is talking about "low carb" in the worst possible context.

• A Tribute to Moira Rose: Finally, we end with a tearful homage to the legendary Catherine O’Hara. We celebrate the life of our favorite TV mom, from Beetlejuice to Home Alone to the icon that was Moira Rose.

This week’s newsletter:
https://popculturemondays.com/2026/02/02/no-i-did-not-see-melania-did-you/

The Great Escape (feat. Posh Spice & Harry Styles) Jan 29, 2026

Show notes

Happy Thursday, you pop culture junkies.

This week, the world feels heavy. Brooke opens the show by acknowledging the heartache coming out of Minneapolis and sets the stage for why, right now, we all need a brief, necessary escape. We’re taking a deep breath and diving into the distractions that are keeping us afloat.

In this episode:

• The Beckham Saga Continues: We are back on the Beckham beat. Brooke breaks down the incredible memes surrounding Victoria Beckham dancing at her son’s wedding. Is Posh Spice the relatable icon we didn’t know we needed?

• The Dr Pepper Miracle: We discuss the power of TikTok and the creator who created a viral jingle that became a national ad campaign. Proof that posting your drafts actually pays off.

• The Drama & The Random: A quick touch on the Blake Lively / Taylor Swift chatter, followed by a chaotic roundup of things living in Brooke’s brain: exploding trees, Mamdani, Heated Rivalry, and yes... Lego Crocs.

• Harry’s House in NYC: Harry Styles is doing 30 nights in New York City. We process the logistics, the stamina, and the absolute hysteria.

• A Final Word: Shame on you, Tim Cook. Just... shame.

This week’s newsletter:
https://popculturemondays.com/2026/01/26/%F0%9F%92%94-in-minneapolis/

The Daily episode on Pretti shooting:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Y7GCHmt2SkaLptlDav51N?si=0TRwj94zSJee8kjencOZag

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