Pretty Much Pop: A Culture Podcast

Mark, Erica, and Brian discuss the function of super-hero films and how this new one fits in. Do we need "realism" in such stories? When does a premise like this get too old to keep recycling? For more, visit prettymuchpop.com . Hear bonus content for this episode, and more episodes in advance, at  patreon.com/prettymuchpop . This podcast is part of the Partially Examined Life podcast network and...

Jonathan built his career playing 19th century Indians on horseback, was John Redcorn III in  King of the Hill , Chief Ken Hotate in Parks and Recreation , was featured in  The Magnificent Seven and  True Grit , and is currently playing Sitting Bull in Annie Get Your Gun (also featuring Erica) in Sag Harbor.  He talks about Hollywood's record portraying indigenous Americans, his own struggles to g...

Ian Maio (who's worked in e-sports marketing) joins Erica, Brian and Mark to talk about why adults play video games, types of gamers, gaming disorders, gamer shaming, inclusivity, and more. For more, visit prettymuchpop.com . Hear bonus content for this episode, and more episodes in advance, at  patreon.com/prettymuchpop . This podcast is part of the Partially Examined Life podcast network and is...

Lucy Lawless (Xena the Warrior Princess, currently starring in My Life Is Murder) joins Mark, Erica, and Brian to think about the true crime genre, of both the documentary and dramatized variety. What's the appeal? Why do women in particular gravitate to it? For more, visit prettymuchpop.com . Hear bonus content for this episode, and more episodes in advance, at  patreon.com/prettymuchpop . This p...

Mark, Erica, and Brian consider the HBO mini-series, plus "based on a true story" and why do we enjoy witnessing suffering? For more, visit prettymuchpop.com . Hear bonus content for this episode, and more episodes in advance, at  patreon.com/prettymuchpop . This podcast is part of the Partially Examined Life podcast network and is curated by  openculture.com .

Is media trying to brainwash us into being ALL THE SAME? Are the excesses of the mob scaring us into conformity? Mark, Erica, and Brian muse on cultural homogenization and are joined by comedian Dr. Yakov Smirnoff to talk about growing up in a repressive society and the shadow of political correctness over comedy. For more about this podcast, see  prettymuchpop.com . Hear bonus content for this ep...

What counts as binge watching? Why do we do it? Is it bad for us? Mark, Erica, and Brian think about what we get out of binge watching, whether it’s bad for us, what kind of shows taste better in bulk than others, and much more. For more about this podcast, see prettymuchpop.com . Hear bonus content for this episode,and more episodes in advance, at patreon.com/prettymuchpop . Check out our friends...

What is pop culture? Does it make sense to distinguish it from high culture, or can something be both? Welcome to this new pop culture podcast hosted by Mark Linsenmayer, Erica Spyres, and Brian Hirt. This episode also features Tyler Hislop, our editor. For more, see prettymuchpop.com . End song: "High Rollin' Cult" written by Mark just for this release, featuring Erica. Theme music by Mark and Er...