After School Special Podcast

Is the "Secret Fanbase" actually Aaron’s biggest untapped demographic? In this episode of the After School Special Podcast, Aaron and Don dive into a wild weekend that started at Pronto in Royal Oak and ended with a deep dive into the dark side of the internet. From being hit on five separate times at a gay bar to discussing the shocking "FBI involvement" in the Governor Whitmer kidnapping plot, t...

Deep in the heart of Bay City, Michigan—a town built on the dark history of the "Hell’s Half Mile"—hosts Aaron and Don explore the chilling intersection of local urban legends and one of the state's most notorious true crime cases. Recorded on-site in an area rumored to be built over a network of secret tunnels used for bootlegging and debauchery, the guys dive into the haunting legacy of the Oakl...

Ever wondered how a kid from the streets of Philly ends up living amongst Hollywood royalty? Get ready to jiggle out some nostalgia as we unravel the beats behind the iconic 90s sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.  From the personal experiences that led Benny Medina to inspire the principal character, to how he ended up under the tutelage of music mogul Barry Gordy, we take you on a ride back in...

Ready for a trip down memory lane? We're throwing it back to the iconic music videos of the early 90s and 2000s that defined our adolescence. Starting with the unforgettable Kylie Minogue's 2001 sensation "Can't Get You Out of My Head". We move to the era of DMX's zenith with "Party Up", and not to forget the revolutionary "Thong song." by Sysque –...

Get ready, Double D and Staffman are about to transport back in time, through the kaleidoscopic journey of music videos, from the humble beginnings of the Illustrated Song in 1894 to the groundbreaking 90s era.  This sonic adventure promises to unravel the intricate layers of the music video evolution and its societal impact.  We pause to marvel at the Beatles' innovation in 1965, when they h...

Ever wondered why the youth camp outside stores, braving the elements just to get their hands on the new Air Jordans? Or why people, even on tight budgets, lust after those designer shoes? Join us as we take you on a journey through the captivating world of sneaker culture - from the back-alley basketball courts to the front rows of fashion weeks. Hear the shocking story of a young boy's trag...

Aaron’s Back! Maybe? 🤷‍♂️ Aaron returns from "cult training" just in time to dive into a chaotic mix of 90s nostalgia, hilarious hypotheticals, and deep reflections. From robot apocalypses to the evolution of body image in pop culture, the guys are firing on all cylinders. Inside this episode: • The Return: Aaron's back (and apparently joined a John Cougar Mellencamp cult). • Hollywood Deep Cuts:...

Have you ever wondered what could happen if artificial intelligence (AI) was given the entire history of Earth? Would it seek to modify us, enhance us, or perhaps even eradicate us?  Dive headfirst with us into this ocean of speculation, as we explore the potential outcomes, inspired by our discussion of William Defoe's 'The Lighthouse' and its intriguing Promethean themes. In addit...

Ever felt the thrill of sneaking an extra episode of a shared show without your significant other knowing? That's what we're confessing to in this episode as we explore the dark side of streaming services. We share our own TV show treasons and talk about the Turkish soap opera, Silk Ottoman Empire, that tested our relationships. It's a hilarious and cringeworthy discussion that&apos...

Ever wonder how a sitcom from the '90s could have a lasting impact on pop culture and open doors for other black comedy shows? Get ready as we stroll down memory lane and dissect the influential Wayans Brothers Show from its 1995 launch to its five-season run. We'll journey through the hilarious antics of Sean and Marlon, and the unforgettable characters brought to life by John Witherspo...

Strap in as we take you on an exhilarating ride through the highs and lows of Dave Chappelle's comedic journey. We pull back the curtain on the crushing weight of expectation that descended upon him after a brazenly successful first season and a $50 million contract with Comedy Central. Unearth how the structure of this deal would shape his career, challenge his ownership of his name and likeness,...

Remember the first time you watched Chappelle's Show and felt the seismic shift in the comedy landscape? We're taking you back to that moment, retracing the footprints of Dave Chappelle's distinctive humor that etched its mark with unforgettable skits like 'Black Racist' and turned Comedy Central into a household name. Join us as we journey back to the early days of '...

Are you ready for a nostalgia-filled journey? Fasten your seatbelts as we take a trip back in time to the 90s, unearthing the origins and exploring the impact of the beloved kids' sketch comedy show "All That". Brought to life by Brian Robbins and Michael Tolton, "All That" wasn't just a show, it was a phenomenon that redefined comedy for kids. With us, you'll st...

Get ready for a deep dive into a forgotten element of your childhood – the DARE program. Remember the workbook, the lessons, and that profound promise to stay off drugs? We do too, and let’s just say; we were more into cracking jokes in the workbook than taking the lessons to heart. High on nostalgia and low on sobriety, we take a trip down memory lane to analyze the effectiveness of this well-mea...

Ever wondered why the 90's sitcom, Martin, was a game-changer and how it carved out a fresh perspective of black culture on television? Get ready to unravel these mysteries as we journey through the comedic brilliance of Martin Lawrence that charmed the world from 1992 to 1997. Starting from his roots in the Washington DC comedy scene to his impact on fellow comedians like Dave Chappelle, we...

Ever thought about the correlation between sports and pop culture? Well, tune in as we explore this exciting intersection, with a trip down the memory-lane to our unforgettable Super Bowl moments. We kick off with a candid chat about our favorite players, from the iconic Emmett Smith to the legendary Dallas Cowboys. The discussion gets spicier as we dive into the conjectures around Rihanna's pregn...

Are you ready for a thrilling journey back to the 80s? Hold onto your hats as we rewind time and revisit the animated show 'Inhumanoids,' a unique series that dared to place villains at the helm. Unearth the fascinating origin story of this show, born from a toy line by Hasbro and animated by Sunbow Entertainment. We unpack the captivating plot, complete with monstrous villains sealed un...

Are JNCO Jeans making a comeback? This week, Aaron goes solo to take a deep dive into the history of JNCO, the 90s fashion trend that defined a generation. From the skateboarding culture of Los Angeles to the global rave scene and the eventual downfall at JC Penney, we explore how two brothers built a denim empire from the ground up. In this retrospective, Aaron breaks down the JNCO impact on vint...

What's that smell? It's enchiladas, questionable 80s business decisions, and pure Midwest nostalgia. In this episode, the guys track the chaotic history of Chi-Chi's—the dominant suburban Mexican restaurant chain that practically defined family nights and Tex-Mex dining for a generation of Midwest latchkey kids before completely vanishing from the United States. We dive into the bizarre origins of...

What really led to the sudden bankruptcy of the 90s indoor playground giant, Discovery Zone? Dispel the myths and journey with us through the intriguing rise and fall of this childhood wonderland. Be prepared to have your assumptions shattered as we uncover the truth behind its downfall, debunking rumors about poor sanitation and instead spotlighting its hasty expansion, financial mishaps, and the...

Ever wondered how the laughter and light shared by Robin Williams shaped our childhoods? Or how '90s toy stores and the best '80s comedy movies influenced our sense of humor? We've compiled our top 10 episodes of 2022 for you, starting with a tribute to Robin Williams, followed by a sentimental journey to the age of '90s toy stores. Buckle up for a joyous ride into yesteryears...

Hello Latchkey kids and Broken homies 😎 Get ready to unwrap the complexities of holiday parties, where festive cheer and awkward moments share the spotlight! We're throwing the ultimate holiday bash on-air, talking about everything from rambunctious office gatherings to intimate family celebrations. Aaron and Double D unravel the enigma of why office holiday parties are notoriously spirited...

Was the "Blue & Yellow" empire destined to fail, or was it killed by a $50 million ego trip? In this episode, we’re deep-diving into the nostalgia of the video rental era. We explore the massive impact of Blockbuster Video on 90s culture, their failed partnership with Enron, and the real reason they turned down a chance to buy Netflix. 👉 Tap the "Follow" button and hit the 🔔 to get every Friday...

What if you could turn back time to the golden era of TV talk shows? This episode is a time capsule, unearthing the unforgettable moments and iconic hosts of '90s daytime TV. From the controversies of Jenny Jones and Montel Williams to the scandal that enveloped Maury Povich, we give you an all-access pass to the behind-the-scenes drama that defined a television generation. We unravel the tragic s...

Do you remember who was in your MySpace Top 8? 💻 In this episode of the After School Special Podcast, we’re taking a nostalgic deep dive into the digital graveyard. From the iconic "door-slam" sound of AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) to the custom HTML layouts of MySpace, we trace the evolution of how we connect online. We explore the early days of BlackPlanet—the blueprint for modern social networki...