Pop Rocket

Latest Episodes:

1997 in Music Mar 30, 2017

Show notes

This week the gang is here to talk about the year 1997 in music and culture. There are a surprising number of 20 year old infallible pop hits that were influenced by a number of factors; the internet, CD-R's, Princess Diana passing, the death of Gianni Versace, the 24-hour news cycle, and of course Tupac and Biggies deaths. Wynter and Karen make it clear that they had the best 1997 as they were living in the city of possibilities (San Francisco), Margaret tells us why she doesn't know any Spice Girls songs, and we find out which panelist played sax in a ska band. Plus, in lieu of jams, we hear from each of the panelists what podcasts they are listening to lately.

And remember, if you haven't yet become a member or upgraded your membership, please do it before the end of #MaxFunDrive. Margaret Wappler has vowed to send every new person that joins a denim jacket w/ a celebrity inside, Karen Tongson will eat weird vending machine food for you and Guy Branum will share his family's fruit cobbler recipe. And his family is from Arkansas!

Guy Branum, Karen Tongson, Wynter Mitchell, and Margaret Wappler

Podcast Recommendations:

Margaret Wappler - Baby Geniuses Karen Tongson - Minority Korner Guy Branum - Las Culturistasr

We made a special playlist with all of the songs we talked about in this week's episode (plus some other gems).

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

Bonus! Jesse Thorn Interviews Guy Mar 24, 2017

Show notes

This week we have a bonus Pop Rocket episode for all of you Rocketeers! Jesse Thorn, our boss and creator of Pop Rocket, interviewed Guy for Pop Rocket's sister show Bullseye with Jesse Thorn about his new truTV show Talk Show the Game Show. Although the Bullseye interview won't air for a couple of weeks, Jesse wanted to release this episode to you, our beloved listeners, as a thank you for your continued support. As I'm sure you know by now, it is the MaxFun Drive, the 2 weeks out of the year where we ask you, our listeners, to give back in whatever way possible. You can go to the MaxFun website to donate at whatever level you can. You can also pick up some awesome thank you gifts, among which is the INCREDIBLE Pop Rocket enamel pin designed by Megan Lynn Kott. We really can't make this show without you and we so appreciate anything that you can give. Make sure to make some noise about your contribution to Maximum Fun by using the hashtag #MaxFunDrive.

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

Ladies Loving Ladies Mar 22, 2017

Show notes

Guy, Wynter, and Karen are joined by comedian and actress Tara Jepsen to examine Hollywood’s depiction of lady love on the big screen, and TV. The panel delves into what gets them all hot and bothered, and what just gets them bothered. Plus, Tara throws down for her sapphic sister Rachel Maddow, Guy discusses the wonder that is Throwing Shade the TV show, Wynter reports back from SXSW, and Karen is all about drunk Asians on Fresh Off the Boat. But there’s more!, Pop Rocket debuts our newest segment, 4 Questions, with our first guest Lisa Loeb! It's a jam-packed show, Rocketeers!

It's MaxFunDrive folks! If you enjoy listening to Pop Rocket, why don't you join the Maximum Fun family and become a donor. We'd really appreciate it.

But there’s more! Pop Rocket debuts our newest segment, 4 Questions, with our first guest Lisa Loeb! Everyone should check out her new album Feel What U Feel. It's a jam-packed show, Rocketeers!

With Guy Branum, Wynter Mitchell, Karen Tongson, and guest Tara Jepsen

That's My Jam:

Tara Jepsen - Herb Alpert - Spanish Flea

Karen Tongson - Maria Katindig Dykes - Triste

Wynter Mitchell - Drake - Teenage Fever

Guy Branum - Las Culturistas Podcast

Lisa Loeb feat. Craig Robinson - Feel What U Feel

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

FX's Feud with Karen Kilgariff and April Wolfe Mar 15, 2017

Show notes

This week, Guy and Margaret are joined by the host of My Favorite Murder, Karen Kilgariff, as well as LA Weekly film critic April Wolfe to talk FX's Feud, the Ryan Murphy miniseries Guy describes as "the most important story in the gay canon". Also, GUY BRANUM KNOWS WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN GAME OF THRONES SEASON SEVEN!!! Like, for real. No joke.

With Guy Branum, Margaret Wappler, Karen Kilgariff, and April Wolfe.

That's My Jam:

Margaret Wappler - Elliott Smith - Say Yes

Karen Kilgariff - Rihanna - Desperado

April Wolfe - Orties - Putes Que Toutes Les Poutes

Guy Branum - Nicki Minaj - No Frauds

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

Get Out Mar 09, 2017

Show notes

This week, Guy, Wynter, Margaret, and Karen talk about Jordan Peele's newest horror film Get Out*. They discuss the racial and political implications of the film, Wynter contextualizes the role of black people within the horror genre, and the gang discuss their favorite scenes from the movie. As always,the panel tells us what they are all about this week. Karen talks about 45 eating America's meat of choice with ketchup, Margaret recommends a mémoire and Wynter talks about Feud. Plus Guy keeps us up to date on his latest obsession with Calypso, and the rest of the gang provide their latest jams.

*Please note that this episode is rife with spoilers, so if you haven't seen the movie yet, please keep this in mind!

With Guy Branum, Karen Tongson, Wynter Mitchell, and Margaret Wappler,

Jams:

Guy Branum - Calypso Rose - Leave Me Alone

Margaret Wappler - Sharon Van Etton - End of the World

Wynter Mitchell - Phonte - Something

Karen Tongson - Go West - King of Wishful Thinking

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:

Key and Peele's "Shining" Sketch

Helen Rosner "Actually, How Donald Trump Eats His Steak Does Matter"

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

Facebook Grab Bag with Chris Schleicher Mar 02, 2017

Show notes

We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming. After the craziness of the Oscars on Sunday, we needed to calm down and talk about our favorite Facebook discussions from the official Pop Rocket Facebook group! Guy, Karen, Margaret, and special guest Chris Schleicher are here to talk about traumatizing movie scenes, TV shows that made them cry, and films that are better than the books they're based on. Plus, perhaps the best Jams so far in the history of Pop Rocket (imho)!

By the way, if you want to hear the panel's thoughts on the 2017 Oscars ceremony, check out our bonus episode released earlier this week!

With Guy Branum, Karen Tongson, Margaret Wappler, and special guest Chris Schleicher.

That's My Jam:

Margaret Wappler - Intro - Mica Levi (from "Jackie")

Karen Tongson - Hello Stranger - Barbara Lewis

Chris Schleicher - Ne Me Quitte Pas - Michel Legrand (from "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg")

Guy Branum - Someone in the Crowd - Justin Hurwitz (from "La La Land")

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

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

Produced by Christian Dueñas and Kara Hart for MaximumFun.org

Oscars Special with Chris Schleicher Feb 28, 2017

Show notes

This is a rush edition of Pop Rocket focusing on The Oscars. Guy Branum, Margaret Wappler, Karen Tongson and special guest Chris Schleicher waste no time in dishing on cinema's biggest night. They skip the "all abouts" and jams and get right to the WTF of it all--the best picture debacle, Casey Affleck and Brie Larson, bad hair, bad clapping and Hacksaw Ridge. Plus, we'll get to the bottom of why Margaret Wappler wants to be Taraji P. Henson's eyebrows when she grows up. Guy Branum explains why he has a problem with standing ovations, and reveals a fact about director Ezra Edelman (OJ Made in America) that blew him away. Margaret Wappler hearts Natalie Portman's performance in Jackie and, apparently, Taraji P. Henson's eyebrows. Karen Tongson analyzes the ways Moonlight was successful in moving the lens away from gay white people. And Chris Schleicher gets all Zapruder film in breaking down the Best Picture fiasco and gives us his theory about Faye Dunaway. Dive in! Guy Branum, Karen Tongson, Margaret Wappler, and Chris Schleicher You can let us know what you think of Pop Rocket and sug.gest topics in our Facebook group or via @PopRocket on Twitter. Other Links: Viola Davis' acceptance speech for Best Supporting Actress Elaine Stritch's 2004 Emmy's Speech Produced by Christian Dueñas and

Legal Dramas Feb 23, 2017

Show notes

This week Guy has returned from New York and the gang is back together to talk about legal dramas! They talk about the new CBS All-Access series The Good Fight, their favorite legal dramas of all time, and they get real about which TV or movie lawyer they would want to represent them in court. Wynter talks about her love for true crime, Margaret tells us what The Accused got right, and Karen talks about a Barbara Streisand classic. Plus we learn why Guy is currently obsessed with Calypso music and which documentaries you should be seeing this weekend. As with every week, we find out what the panel is all about and why jams they cannot stop listening to.

Guy Branum, Karen Tongson, Wynter Mitchell, and Margaret Wappler

Jams:

Margaret Wappler - Room 29 - Jarvis Cocker and Chilly Gonzalez

Wynter Mitchell - I Feel It Comin' - The Weeknd

Karen Tongson - It Ain't Me - Kygo, Selena Gomez

Guy Branum - No Wuk For Carnival - Lord Kitchener

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.