Pop This!

Summary:   Encore presentation. This week we go way back in the vaults and discover that in 2017 our main preoccupation was arguing over whether Eat Pray Love or Under the Tuscan Sun was the better/worse mid-life crisis movie. Part 2 of a 2-part series (Part 1 re-aired on Sept. 7).     Show notes:   The Rabbit Hole, Seattle   GeekGirlCon Eat. Pray. Love. Market. (Fast Company)   Recommendations: L...

Summary:   "Jenny from the block." Lisa is back and this week we're talking about Jennifer Lopez's Halftime , a non-fiction feature that follows her career leading up to her legendary performance with Shakira at the Super Bowl. Also discussed: Shania Twain, hotel TV, and the new album from Living Hours.     Show notes:   Bran Van 3000 greatest hits (Apple Music)   Recommendations: Andrea W:  Livin...

Summary:   Encore presentation.  For this week's replay, we go way back in the vaults and discover that in 2017 our main preoccupation was arguing over whether Eat Pray Love or Under the Tuscan Sun was the better/worse mid-life crisis movie. Part 1 of a 2-part series (!)     Show notes: Why doing nothing is scary and so important (WSJ) Under the Crushing Weight of the Tuscan Sun (New Yorker) Eliza...

Summary:   "You are gonna kill it out there." We invite author and educator Kerry Clare on the podcast to talk about the Jenny Slate film Obvious Child . Also discussed: Pachinko , Patrick Swayze, and rose wine popsicles.     Show notes:   Kerry Clare on Instagram   Kerry Clare's website   Recommendations:   Andrea G.: Pachinko (AppleTV+)   Andrea W.:  The Time of My Life by Patrick Swayze and Lis...

Summary:   Encore presentation. "Jesus loves winners." This week we invite comedian Katie-Ellen Humphries on the podcast to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the cult classic Drop Dead Gorgeous , a movie both Andrea and Lisa have somehow never seen until now. Also discussed: Pamela Des Barres, open water swimming and Ronan Farrow.     Show notes:   WTF with Marc Maron: Episode 1065 - Pamela Des Ba...

Summary:   "She looks too pure to be pink!" This week our resident musicals expert Steven Schelling joins us and we have all the feelings watching Olivia Newton-John in Grease . Also discussed: Ted Lasso , Kelly McMichael's Waves , and Rory's journalism career in Gilmore Girls .     Show notes:   Steven Schelling on Instagram     Chloe Lattanzi & Olivia Newton-John "Rock the Cradle" (Daily Motion)...

Summer is here and we are moving to a holiday schedule! This means that from now until the end of September we'll be alternating between classics from the vaults and new episodes every week.   The summer heat has inspired us to hit replay on our 2018 recording with journalist Dannielle Piper about the classic vacation movie The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants  in which Rory Gilmore travels to Gr...

Summary:   "Tooth butter." This week we talk about our new favourite superhero: Ms. Marvel. Also discussed: Five Little Indians , the music of Ombiigizi, and the proper way to eat a croissant (according to Lisa).      Show notes:   Tooth butter (Scandi Kitchen)   Recommendations:   Andrea G.:  Sewn Back Together by Ombiigizi (music)   Andrea W.:  Westworld , Season 4 (TV)   Lisa: Five Little India...

Summary:   "Nothing matters." This week we have our minds blown by the spectacular film Everything Everywhere All At Once. Also discussed: caftans, Lizzo's new album, and Yuzuru Hanyu's retirement.      Show notes:   Taiwanese laundry-modeling grandparents are surprise Instagram hit (BBC)   ' Everything Everywhere All At Once' Getting Theatrical Re-Release With Eight Extra Minutes (Deadline)   Rec...

Summary:   "Shrimp Queen." This week we talk about the weird and wacky Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar and agree that it's a movie made to appeal to a select few. Also discussed: favourite bags, the new Iron Chef , and Jennifer Grey's new book Out of the Corner .      Show notes:   AW by Andrea Wong (accessories)   Recommendations:   Andrea G.:  Iron Chef: Quest For An Iron Legend   (Netflix)   An...

Summary:   "You're as selfish and cruel as I am." We've invited Morgan Brayton back on the podcast to talk about how much we love season 2 of Hacks and she is ready for it. Also discussed: How to Keep House While Drowning , Son of Elsewhere , and outdoor freezers.        Show notes:   Hacks season two review: the most vile – and pleasurable – comedy on TV (The Guardian)    Recommendations:   Andre...

Summary:   "In and out." Resident gadabout Steven Schelling is back and ready to give us his thoughts on the new rom-com Fire Island . Also discussed: Inside No. 9 , falconry, and Steven's passion for the music of Kelly Rowland.     Show notes:   Steven Schelling on Instagram   Fire Island' and the Bechdel Test: Turning the Debacle Into a Learning Opportunity (Hollywood Reporter)   Recommendations...

Summary:   "The peacocks are not dancing." We end the Pop This! wedding season on a high note with Mira Nair's joyful and cathartic Monsoon Wedding . Also discussed: Buffy Sainte Marie's new children's book, the new Stars album, and Countess Luann's Cabaret tour.      Show notes:   Countess Cabaret   Pop This! Episode 37: Indian weddings, big business and Bal Brach      Recommendations:   Andrea G...

Summary:   "Church tongue." Cynara Geissler is back on the podcast with us this week to talk about one of her all-time favourite rom-coms: The Wedding Singer . Also discussed: Ziwe , Ms. Marvel , and the internet's advice about how long you should wear underwear.    Show notes:   TikTokers Are Wondering Whether It's "Gross" to Keep Underwear Longer Than 6 Months (Shape)    The Wedding Singer revie...

Summary:   "Welcome to the nineties." After a rough beginning to wedding month, we continue on our merry way and watch the 1991 movie Father of the Bride . Also discussed: Father of the Bride 2 , Father of the Bride 3 (ish), and the upcoming 2022 film Father of the Bride .     Show notes:   Plufl, the dog bed for humans     Father of the Bride Part 3 (ish) (YouTube)   Recommendations:   Andrea G.:...

Summary:   "Spilled airplane wine on someone's crotch." Wedding month takes a dark turn this week as we watch the anti-romcom Destination Wedding starring Keanu Reeves and Wynona Ryder. Also discussed: Madonna Inn, The Kids in the Hall , and a new book about Tegan and Sara.   Show notes:   Madonna Inn: World Famous San Louis Obispo hotel     Moses Ingram talking about the racism she's endured sinc...

Summary:   "Love is about sacrifice and the day-to-day." This week we're discussing Jennifer Lopez's return to the rom-com genre with her latest film Marry Me . Also discussed: Bennifer, Newcomers podcast, and our tentative steps towards summer.     Show notes:   Ben Affleck Smoking iPad case & skin     Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck: 'Bennifer' 2.0 Has Risen (Elle)    Recommendations:   Andrea G....

Summary:   "It's Like A Xanax." This we're talking about the show everyone loves: Abbott Elementary .  Also discussed:  Escape to the Country , Raufikat's Better Bake Along , and the never-ending quest for the perfect lip colour.   Show notes:   The Comedies That Understand What Peak Scammer TV Does Not by Shirley Li (The Atlantic)    Recommendations:   Andrea G.:  Doug and the Slugs and Me (Docum...

Summary:   "Only time travel will tell." This week we learn a new word and become a bit unhinged discussing Season 2 of Russian Doll . Also discussed: realistic agendas for time travel, the new season of You Must Remember This , and I Love That For You .    Show notes:   Definition of "squicky"     Russian Doll and accepting the things you can't change (Vox)   Recommendations:   Andrea G.:  Scam G...

Summary:   "Imagine the worst date ever, and then set it on fire." This week we happily dive into season 2 of one of favourite shows from the past year: The Flight Attendant. Also discussed: shower steamers, Heidi World , and Godless .   Show notes:   How to make shower steamers     Recommendations:   Andrea G.:  Godless (Netflix)   Andrea W.:  1st-time Indigenous Juno nominees reflect on their mu...

Summary:    "Every time you find yourself here, it's because you chose to come back." This week we're talking about Severance, a deeply unsettling and thought-provoking show. Also discussed: coastal grandmother style, Slow Horses and Barry Season 3.      Show notes:   The Severance Season Finale Leaves More Questions Than Answers (Paste)    Recommendations:   Andrea G.:  Slow Horses (Apple TV+)  ...

Summary:    "Live your life." This week we almost can't get over how good Sort Of is and want to keep talking about it forever. Also discussed: Top Chef , Anatomy of a Scandal , and celebrations of life.    Show notes:   The Best Shows of 2021   (Time)   Sort Of: big-hearted Canadian show puts diverse, non-binary characters front and centre (The Guardian)     Recommendations:   Andrea G.:  Milk Ba...

Summary:    "Unnecessary." We watched The Eyes of Tammy Faye because it won Oscars and we're not happy about it. Also discussed: DOXA Documentary Film Festival, Severence and Dead Still .     Show notes:   You're Wrong About: Tammy Faye Bakker and Jessica Hahn (podcast)   The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2000 documentary)   Recommendations:   Andrea G.:  DOXA Documentary Film Festival     Andrea W.:  Grown...

Summary:    "Did the red peony bloom?" Dr. Florence Chee joins us this week to help us break down why we love Turning Red so much. Also discussed: spring haircuts, unwanted dental procedures, and Big Trouble in Little China .   Show notes:   There Is More Than One Way to Be Exhausted by "Turning Red" (New Yorker)   After 500 roles,  James Hong still connects most with Big Trouble in Little China (...

Summary:    "Unbecoming." This week, we dive into our latest TV obsession: Bridget Everett's brilliant, beautiful smalltown comedy-drama Somebody Somewhere. Also discussed: spring fever, the excellent podcast Everything is Fine , and season four of Killing Eve .    Show notes:   Zumba appreciation for Justin Lambchop on Twitter   Girls of a Certain Age     Recommendations:   Andrea G.: Everything...