Pop Rocket

Latest Episodes:

Oscar 2017 Snubs and Predictions Feb 02, 2017

Show notes

Jordan Morris sits in for Guy and is joined by Margaret, Wynter, and Karen to talk about the Oscar nominations announced last week. Guy Branum calls in to discuss Annette Bening’s performance in 20th Century Women. All that, plus everyone’s jams. It's a jam-packed show this week, friends.

With

Revisiting Childhood Jan 25, 2017

Show notes

This week, Jordan Morris fills in for Guy Branum while he’s away filming his new Tru TV program, Talk Show The Game Show. The gang talks about what pop culture from their childhood has withstood the test of time (and political and social advances) and what hasn’t. Margaret brings up late 90’s bands that make her smile and some that make her cringe. Wynter talks about why horror films from her childhood still hold up, and Karen discusses the manifestation of her baby feminism in relation to Dolly Parton and Jane Fonda. We find out what the panel is all about this week, and what jams they are listening to. **PLUs** Guy Branum calls in to tell us about his new show and what show he’s all about (*hint* Rita Moreno features heavily in this segment).

With Jordan Morris, Karen Tongson, Wynter Mitchell, and Margaret Wappler

Jams:

Jordan Morris - 1988 Crystal Light National Aerobic Opening 1979 World Disco Dancing Finals

Margaret Wappler - Goldfrapp - Anymore

Wynter Mitchell - Sampha - No One Knows Me (Like The Piano)

Karen Tongson - Donny Hathaway - Someday We’ll All Be Free

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 & Peele - Aerobics Meltdown

Aziz Ansari’s SNL monologue

Produced by Christian Dueñas and Kara Hart for MaximumFun.org

Inauguration with Jordan Morris Jan 19, 2017

Show notes

This episode, Jordan Morris of @midnight and Jordan Jesse Go! sits in for Guy while he is away. Jordan and the gang discuss the upcoming Inauguration, the President elect’s difficulty in securing entertainment, and the different media choices that people from different parts of the country consume. They talk about the red/blue divide in terms of the reality TV choices of particular zip codes around the country. Karen tells us why she’s all about "Blackish” this week, and Wynter sets the record straight about the Golden Globes. And as with every week, the panel tells us what their latest jams are.

With Jordan Morris, Karen Tongson, Wynter Mitchell, and Margaret Wappler

Jams:

Jordan Morris - Love In A Void

Margaret Wappler - In Glendale

Wynter Mitchell - Caroline

Karen Tongson - Overkill

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:

Do Gay People Care About John Oliver?

SNL Inauguration

‘Duck Dynasty’ vs. ‘Modern Family’:50 Maps of the U.S. Cultural Divide

Produced by Christian Dueñas and Kara Hart for MaximumFun.org

2017 Pop Culture Resolutions Jan 05, 2017

Show notes

It’s finally 2017, Rocketeers! Guy, Wynter, and Karen sit down to discuss their new year resolutions for pop culture. Should we be watching less Housewives and more musicals? Who is reupping their subscription to THR this year? What kind of books should we try to read this year? Plus, the gang remember George Michael, Carrie Fisher, and Debbie Reynolds.

That’s My Jam:

Guy Branum - Good Morning

Wynter Mitchell - Love is a Losing Game

Karen Tongson - If You Were There

With Guy Branum, Wynter Mitchell, and Karen Tongson

Produced by Christian Dueñas and Kara Hart for MaximumFun.org

The Second Annual Pop Tart Awards Dec 28, 2016

Show notes

It's that time of year again! Guy, Wynter, Karen, and Margaret are all dressed in their most fabulous attire to award Pop Tarts to the greatest things in pop culture. Movies, music, artists, even iTunes reviewer names. Plus, who will take the coveted Tart d'Or this year? All that and more in this jam-packed episode of Pop Rocket.

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

Produced by Christian Dueñas and Kara Hart for MaximumFun.org

Reboots Dec 21, 2016

Show notes

On this week’s episode, Guy sits down with the newly assembled Pop Rocket gang and welcomes Karen Tongson to the team! In honor of her arrival, they discuss reboots; and the conversation gets heated! We find out the differences between reboots, remakes, and reimaginings. We also find out what everyone’s favorite reboot is, who has done it best, and why Americans aren’t good at making versions of British shows. And we find out, as we do every week, what everyone’s current jam is, and what they’re all about.

That’s My Jam:

Margaret Wappler - Your Best American Girl

Guy Branum - Christmas Is Coming

Wynter Mitchell - Randy

Karen Tongson - Babe

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:

Ricki Lake’s Roach Dress

Randy Rainbow Interviews Donald

One Day At A Time

Produced by Christian Dueñas, Kara Hart, and Laura Swisher for MaximumFun.org

Farewell Dec 14, 2016

Show notes

This week, Margaret hosts a very bittersweet episode with the whole gang present (Guy via phone). This is Oliver Wang’s last show as a co-host, and the gang is talking about pop culture farewells. They talk about the departure of which characters affected them most growing up, good and bad series finale’s, and the most recent pop culture departures that really got to them. And later, Guy joins the conversation to talk about their latest jams and to say his own farewell.

P.S. because this show is about **farewells** please note that there will be many spoilers

That’s My Jam:

Margaret Wappler - Ragged Wood

Oliver Wang - Always In My Heart

Wynter Mitchell - A Solid Wall Of Sound

Guy Branum - Adventures in Paradise

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

The Crown with Karen Tongson and Chris Schleicher Dec 08, 2016

Show notes

This episode, Guy and Margaret are joined by two very special guests to talk about Netflix’s most expensive series to date, The Crown. They talk about Queen Elizabeth II, her sister Margaret, whether Prince Phillip is hot or not, and who has played the best Elizabeth on screen. And as always, the panel discuss what they’re all about this week and what their latest jams are.

That’s My Jam:

Margaret Wappler - Playing Elevator

Guy Branum - Am I The Same Girl

Chris Schleicher - Camelot Finale

Karen Tongson - All Time Low

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 ourFacebook group or via @PopRocket on Twitter.

Pop Culture Families Dec 01, 2016

Show notes

This is our 100th episode! In honor of this, Guy, Margaret (via skype), Oliver, and Wynter talk about pop culture families as a way of paying tribute to the Pop Rocket family that has formed over the past two years. Guy finds out which pop culture family the gang wishes they were a part of, and which TV and movie families represented their own. Then, they talk about the best pop culture families composed of friends (**Spoiler: Friends isn’t one of them**). Then, as always, we find out what the panel’s current Jams are and what their individual pop culture obsessions are.

That’s My Jam:

Margaret Wappler - Plastic

Oliver Wang - Better Things

Wynter Mitchell - Looking Up Through You

Guy Branum - The Andy Cohen Diaries

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