The Afternoon Special artwork

The Afternoon Special

100 episodes - English - Latest episode: 7 months ago - ★★★★★ - 14 ratings

Your friend who knows just a little bit too much about pop culture. Each week, join Bobbi Miller as she takes deep dives into everything in pop culture that you never knew to ask about, but now need the answer to.
“I started The Afternoon Special as a series of videos on TikTok to keep me sane in the beginning of the pandemic. Soon, I decided to take my pop culture love to podcasts and The Afternoon Special Podcast was born,” says Bobbi Miller, host and creator of the show, which was chosen as the Apple Podcasts' Spotlight pick for March 2023.
Bobbi, who describes herself on the show as “your friend who know just a little bit too much about pop culture” takes her audience on an eclectic deep dive of topics that range from adult animation to vampires in media, and what makes the perfect holiday special. 
“The main approach I have when deciding topics for the show begins with the question of ‘What’s a pop culture question that you didn’t know to ask, but now you’re dying for the answer to?’ and then the episode is born from there,” she says.
Bobbi has great ambitions for the show, but ultimately, she wants to keep it enjoyable for both herself and the audience. “I hope the show will continue to expand into other formats like listen-alongs or live shows,” she says. “No matter what, I just want to make sure the show remains fun. I hope the audience always walks away from each episode either having learned something new or just having had a good time.”

TV & Film
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Episodes

2000's How The Grinch Stole Christmas is a Year Round Film

December 20, 2023 08:12 - 39 minutes

This week's episode is The Afternoon Special podcast's midseason finale and we're spending it by pleading with you for 30 minutes that you should watch 2000's How The Grinch Stole Christmas year round. Perhaps the best episode yet. See you in February 2024 for the second half of season 5! Happy New Year! ~~ Follow the show on  Instagram: @theafternoonspecial Tik Tok: @theafternoonspecial Twitter: @hiimbobbi Email the show at [email protected] ~~ Afternoon Special is brought to y...

Snoopy: Gen Z's Animated Antidepressant

December 13, 2023 07:18 - 29 minutes

The days are getting shorter. The wind is getting a biting chill to it. Life can start feeling bleak around the holiday season and being frank, I know Seasonal Affective Disorder is kicking major ass right now.  In this dark hour, we need a hero. A hero to save us all. And who know that hero would come in a little black and white mute beagle with the alias Joe Cool, or more commonly known as Snoopy. If you’ve been on any social media site, there’s been a bit of a uptick in Snoopy related cont...

Why May December is the Sleeper Hit of the Year

December 06, 2023 07:41 - 59 minutes

Last Friday, one of the best films of the year dropped on Netflix. From director Todd Haynes and starring Julianne Moore, Nathalie Portman, and Charles Melton, MAY DECEMBER was a film that was only somewhat on my radar and now I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. It's easily in the top 3 films of the year. This will be a spoiler review so if you’re remotely interested in seeing the film, GO WATCH IT and then come back here to listen.  ~~ Follow the show on  Instagram: @theafternoons...

Irony is Killing Rom Coms

November 29, 2023 06:24 - 44 minutes

This week’s episode was born out of conversation being had on Twitter. The topic at hand was around why rom coms don’t really feel like rom coms anymore with our irony obsessed culture being the main culprit. We yearn for the days of classic films like When Harry Met Sally or even newer picks like To All The Boys I've Loved Before, an earnest rom com that didn't need to wink and nod to the audience that it was rom com. And that got the wheels of my brain turning. Has irony killed our ability ...

Scott Pilgrim is a Loser and I Can Prove It (Missed Connections)

November 22, 2023 06:22 - 37 minutes

With the newest edition to the Scott Pilgrimverse, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, premiering on Netflix, I thought I'd finally right a wrong and watch 2010's Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (I know). This week, in a new series (that may only have one episode, you know me) that I'm calling Missed Connections, I look back on Scott Pilgrim with fresh 25 year old eyes and give you my thoughts! ~~ Follow the show on  Instagram: @theafternoonspecial Tik Tok: @theafternoonspecial Twitter: @hiimbobbi Email the...

Are The Looney Tunes Going to Save Hollywood?

November 15, 2023 06:29 - 45 minutes

When you think about Hollywood royalty, you may think about legacy studios or starlets of yesteryear, but when I think about Hollywood royalty, I think about characters and one group of characters that are the epitome of tinseltown nobility is the Looney Tunes.  The Tunes of Loon have been in the news a lot recently with the shelving of the live action/animation hybrid film, Coyote vs. Acme by Warner Bros. and this week, we are taking a brief walk through the history of the Looney Tunes, why ...

The Curious Case of Betty Boop

November 01, 2023 09:49 - 35 minutes

Betty Boop. She’s a pop culture icon. She’s recognized the world over for either her signature curls, her signature catchphrase (boop oop be doop), or the fact that she can be found on merch for almost every roadside attraction in America. No matter where from, you know Betty. But who is she? Well, she is the subject of a bit of controversy in recent years on her origins and this week, we’re going to dive into it. ~~ Follow the show on  Instagram: @theafternoonspecial Tik Tok: @theafternoonsp...

It's Alive!: A Brief-ish History of the Movie Monster

October 25, 2023 08:51 - 36 minutes

Not too long after the invention of film, filmmakers began finding ways to put common emotions to the big screen. Happiness in comedies, sadness in dramas, love in romance. And of course, fear in horror.  Horror films hold an important space in film history and is a genre that oftentimes uses a disguised placed mirror to society to source scares. And one disguise used is the movie monster. Creature features, if you will.  Beasts, mummies, lab grown monsters, aliens, and vampires have been ter...

A Dish Best Served Scary: A Look At How Food Can Scare Us in Film

October 18, 2023 04:35 - 28 minutes

A lot of what scares is centered around consumption, especially in horror movies. Zombies eating our brains. Demons eating our souls. Werewolves eating our flesh. Vampires drinking our blood. So it makes sense that food holds a really interesting place in films intended to terrify us.  This week, we’re taking a look into how food is used to scare us in film. Unlike previous food episodes we’ve done, you might want to listen to this one on an empty stomach.  ~~ Follow the show on  Instagram: ...

The Kids Don’t Know Their Pop Culture History

October 11, 2023 06:02 - 36 minutes

Across social media, there have been discussions of Gen Z's pop culture knowledge (or according to some, lack thereof). Thousands of videos and posts claiming that the young generation is not aware of pop culture history and this week, we're going to unpack these claims, decide if they're true, and understand where they come from. WARNING: millennial slander may be heard in episode. ~~ Follow the show on  Instagram: @theafternoonspecial Tik Tok: @theafternoonspecial Twitter: @hiimbobbi Email...

Please Stop Asking Martin Scorsese About The MCU (or Thoughts On Franchises in Hollywood)

October 04, 2023 05:28 - 54 minutes

Your friend who knows just a little bit too much about pop culture is back and for the season premiere, we're tackling Film Twitter's favorite discourse: Martin Scorsese vs. The MCU (or more broadly, franchises). Now before you start sharpening your pitchforks and placing a plague onto my house, this is not an episode to say whether he's right or wrong, is more so meant to provide context for what this discourse is getting at and how we can expand this conversation. Scorsese cinephiles, I com...

Welcome to The Afternoon Special!

September 27, 2023 04:00 - 2 minutes

Bobbi Miller, your friend who knows just a little bit too much about pop culture, is here to take you on your weekly pop culture deep dive. You may recognize her voice from The Afternoon Special on TikTok and Instagram, and she's so excited to continue to explore pop culture's most random topics with you and have a ton of fun along the way!  ~~ Follow the show on  Instagram: @theafternoonspecial Tik Tok: @theafternoonspecial Twitter: @hiimbobbi Email the show at theafternoonspecialtv@gma...

A message from The Afternoon Special!

July 26, 2023 07:11 - 4 minutes

This season has been my favorite thus far and I can't tell you how much I appreciate you listening along. The show will be back in the fall with the same pop culture shenanigans that you know and love. See you soon! SAG/WGA strike resources: SAG fund WGA strike resources ~~ Follow the show on  Instagram: @theafternoonspecial Tik Tok: @theafternoonspecial Twitter: @hiimbobbi Email the show at [email protected] ~~ Afternoon Special is brought to you by QCODE.  To advertise on t...

The Wonderful Wardrobe of Barbie: The Fashion History of a The World's Tiniest Model

July 19, 2023 07:33 - 36 minutes

For the entire month of July, we’ve been covering the world of Barbie and arguably one of the most important and most visible pieces in Barbie decorated history is her impeccable style. In her tenure, Barbie has managed to straddle being styled by some of the biggest fashion houses on the planet while also slaying in simple, chic designs. This week, we’re diving into the fashion history of Barbie. ~~ Follow the show on  Instagram: @theafternoonspecial Tik Tok: @theafternoonspecial Twitter: @h...

The Good, The Bad, and The Complicated World of Barbie

July 12, 2023 09:28 - 36 minutes

Barbie. What a contentious doll. To one group of people she is THE representation of female empowerment. A girl boss, if you will. And to others she’s the opposite and ultimately both are true. This week, we’re diving into the good, the bad, and the complicated of Barbie and seeking to dissect our perception of her.  ~~ Follow the show on  Instagram: @theafternoonspecial Tik Tok: @theafternoonspecial Twitter: @hiimbobbi Email the show at [email protected] ~~ Afternoon Special is...

Plastic It Girl: A History of America’s Favorite Blonde, Barbie

July 05, 2023 09:25 - 44 minutes

Unless you’ve been sleeping under a rock, you’ll know that one of the year’s most anticipated films, Greta Gerwig’s Barbie starring Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, America Ferrera, Issa Rae, and dozens more, releases this month in theatres. And needless to say, the world is tickled pink with excitement.  With the excitement of the movie, all of our eyes are on the doll herself, Barbie. Full name Barbara Millicent Roberts. Now if you can tell from the fact that I just casually dropped Barbie’s go...

The Afternoon Special News Hour - Superman: Legacy, Barbie and Ken's Malibu Dreamhouse, and SAG Strike Looms

June 30, 2023 06:27 - 37 minutes

In the very first edition of The Afternoon Special News Hour, we're covering all the biggest pop culture stories from this week, including a major casting announcement for DC's Superman: Legacy, all the details on how you can stay at Ken and Barbie's real life Malibu Dreamhouse, and the letter signed over 1000 A-List actors to SAG-AFTRA and what it means for the ongoing WGA strike. Later in the episode, we say goodbye to Riverdale and Bobbi shares a potentially damning revelation on her exper...

A Special Announcement from The Afternoon Special!

June 28, 2023 05:49 - 3 minutes

No new normal episode this week but, join me on Friday for the first edition of The Afternoon Special News Hour! This will be the perfect way to kick off your weekend by recapping all of pop culture's biggest moments from this week with me! ~~ Follow the show on  Instagram: @theafternoonspecial Tik Tok: @theafternoonspecial Twitter: @hiimbobbi Email the show at [email protected] ~~ Afternoon Special is brought to you by QCODE.  To advertise on the show, contact us! Learn more a...

Top 5 Best Spider-Man Films (with Emily Uribe!)

June 21, 2023 06:23 - 1 hour

Our celebration of all things Spider-Man continues this week with what I’m calling a definitive and absolute correct ranking of top 5 best Spider-Man movies as decided by me and my very special guest this week. My guest is actress, fashion icon in the making, and TikTok extraordinaire, Emily Uribe. ~~ Follow the show on  Instagram: @theafternoonspecial Tik Tok: @theafternoonspecial Twitter: @hiimbobbi Email the show at [email protected] ~~ Afternoon Special is brought to you by ...

The Greatest Comic Book Movie Ever Is Full of Spiders

June 14, 2023 04:00 - 36 minutes

This month, we’re doing a little mini series on our favorite masked web slinger, Spider-Man! However, unlike most months where we start with a history lesson, we’re starting this month with a review.  I had the privilege of attending the premiere for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-verse and I would be remiss if I didn’t kick this series off gushing about one of the most important films released in recent history. (And don't worry, this is a spoiler AND non-spoiler review!) ~~ Follow the show o...

The Afternoon Special Movie Club Episode 1: Jurassic Park

June 09, 2023 06:59 - 2 hours

We're kicking off the inaugural episode of The Afternoon Special Movie Club with an absolute classic, Jurassic Park! This is a full listen along/watch along episode with Bobbi's commentary (and general nonsense), that's perfect to throw on while watching the 1993 film. ~~ Follow the show on  Instagram: @theafternoonspecial Tik Tok: @theafternoonspecial Twitter: @hiimbobbi Email the show at [email protected] ~~ Afternoon Special is brought to you by QCODE.  To advertise on the s...

A Special Announcement from The Afternoon Special!

June 07, 2023 04:00 - 2 minutes

No new normal episode this week but, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of a cinematic classic and one of my favorite films of all time, Jurassic Park, we’ll be doing a special listen-along style episode where you can watch the movie along with me.  So, it may not be the best episode for a commute, but it’s the perfect episode if you’re looking for some plans this weekend and you don’t mind watching a movie with someone who is a chronic fun fact sharer (AKA Bobbi). Listen-along episode will b...

Disney Princess Tournament (with Cinema Joe!)

May 31, 2023 09:39 - 1 hour

To cap off a fun month of waxing poetic about Disney Princesses, we're bringing in the host of the House of Cinema podcast and friend of the show, Joe to engage in a hilarious Disney Princess tournament! Joe's socials: Instagram: @cinema.joe_ Tik Tok: @cinemajoe Twitter: @cinema_joe23 Podcast: House of Cinema ~~ Follow the show on  Instagram: @theafternoonspecial Tik Tok: @theafternoonspecial Twitter: @hiimbobbi Email the show at [email protected] ~~ Afternoon Special is brought...

In Defense and Opposition of Disney Princesses

May 24, 2023 04:00 - 37 minutes

When talking about Disney Princess for the last few weeks, I’ve highlighted briefly how complex they are. Depending on who you ask, they can be beacons for female representation and the power of dreaming or they are anti-women figures used only to hock Disney merchandise at young impressionable viewers.  This week, in our penultimate episode on a month long deep dive into the world of Disney Princesses, we’re assessing the good, the bad, and the misunderstood about them. ~~ Follow the show on...

The Story of The (little) Mermaid Who Saved Disney

May 17, 2023 04:00 - 47 minutes

For the past few weeks, we’ve been exploring the history and music of the Disney Princess and we discovered that at many key points in history, they have been the guiding light for Disney.  However, you’ll also remember that for a time, Disney was in a really bad place as a studio and a company in general. The studio needed something new and who do you turn to? A mermaid, of course. This week, we're taking a look at the production history of 1989's The Little Mermaid. ~~ Follow the show on  I...

Adventure in the Great Wide Somewhere: Exploring the Music of the Disney Princess

May 10, 2023 04:00 - 37 minutes

The songs of Disney Princess films have this prevailing nature to them about the power of love, the power of a wish, and the power of a dream. These expertly composed songs almost take on a life of their own and in some ways transcend the movies they’re from. This week, we’re taking a deep dive into the musical world of the Disney Princesses, exploring the songs they have on their hearts and how they came to be. (Warning: this episode might make you want to sing like a Disney Princess.)  ~~ F...

Disney Princesses Have Always Saved Disney

May 03, 2023 04:00 - 33 minutes

For almost 100 years, Disney Princesses have been a pillar of pop culture. They have a musical style, a fashion, and even a way of speaking that’s all their own. For the month of May and in celebration of the live action release of The Little Mermaid, we're talking about all things Disney Princesses and we're kicking this month off with a deep dive into the history of these princess films (and how they often were the financial saving graces for Disney as a company.)  ~~ Follow the show on  In...

Congress Killed The Saturday Morning Cartoon

April 26, 2023 04:00 - 33 minutes

For the month of April, we've explored what made the Saturday morning cartoon great. However, there was one key question that we haven't fully been able to answer which is...what happened to the Saturday morning cartoon? This week, we're going to answer that question and the journey to get there is a lot more complicated than it may seem.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

They’re Ani-many, Totally Insane-y: A Retrospective on Warner Bros' TV Animation of the 1990s

April 19, 2023 04:00 - 29 minutes

In the early 90s, there was one studio that seemed to have an unassuming dominance on the saturday morning cartoon space and that’s Warner Brothers. From Tiny Toons Adventures to Freakazoid to Animaniacs, Warner Bros. was responsible for a golden age of animation that came at the tail end of the Saturday morning cartoon as an institution. This week, we're discussing this amazing crop of animated shows and how we partially have Steven Spielberg to thank for them.   ~~ Follow the show on  Insta...

The Afternoon Special Superhero Friends Hour

April 12, 2023 04:00 - 40 minutes

Before the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Before the DC Entertainment Universe. Superheroes reigned supreme on the smaller screen. If you didn’t have access to their stories in comic books, saturday morning cartoons were the best place to hang with your super friends and this week, we’re going to talk about where this superhero fever started and focus in on perhaps the best of the bunch. (And I’ll give you a hint: X is going to mark the spot for that one). ~~ Follow the show on  Instagram: @theaf...

The History of the Saturday Morning Cartoon

April 05, 2023 04:00 - 41 minutes

For decades, it was a weekly tradition for almost every child in America to wake up at the crack of dawn, make themselves a bowl of sugariest cereal they could find, and plop down on the couch for a morning of cartoons. The Saturday morning cartoon was pillar of the first half of television's history. This week, we're taking a walk down memory lane and discussing the constitution that is (was) the Saturday Morning Cartoon.  ~~ Follow the show on  Instagram: @theafternoonspecial Tik Tok: @thea...

For The Girlies: The Films and TV Shows That Made Us

March 29, 2023 07:02 - 51 minutes

This one's for girlies. For the entire month of March, we've been celebrating and deconstructing the societal concept of the teenage girl, examining how other see her and how she sees herself. In this episode, we're wrapping things up by chatting about the films and TV shows that we felt were tailor made for us. This episode also could double as Bobbi fangirling about formative media for 30 minutes straight. ~~ Follow the show on  Instagram: @theafternoonspecial Tik Tok: @theafternoonspecial ...

The Care and Keeping of You: Puberty as Told By Pop Culture

March 22, 2023 04:00 - 50 minutes

Growing up sucks. Like a lot. Puberty is a journey with no map. When you're experiencing this massive change in your life, who you have to run to? Your parents? Your 9th grade health class? No! You turn to pop culture of course. In this week's episode, we're going to be taking a look at the glimpses of puberty we get in pop culture and what that told us (or didn't tell us) about growing up.  ~~ Follow the show on  Instagram: @theafternoonspecial Tik Tok: @theafternoonspecial Twitter: @hiimbob...

The Anatomy (And Defense) of the Fangirl

March 15, 2023 04:00 - 48 minutes

Fandom is often seen as a male dominated activity, but the group that is the foundation for modern fandom is the teenage girl. Teen girls are often the group that informs us of what's new and next and ultimately are the pioneers of what it means to be a fan. In this episode, we're taking a deep dive into fandom via the lens of teenage girls and we'll finally prove that fangirl is not a bad word.  ~~ Follow the show on  Instagram: @theafternoonspecial Tik Tok: @theafternoonspecial Twitter: @hi...

The History of the Teenage Girl

March 08, 2023 05:00 - 35 minutes

The teenage girl has existed since the dawn of time, but the idea of being a teen girl was invented in the late 1800s. To kick off our Women's History Month series, we're charting the history of the teenage girl and where our perception of them comes from.  ~~ Follow the show on  Instagram: @theafternoonspecial Tik Tok: @theafternoonspecial Twitter: @hiimbobbi Email the show at [email protected] ~~ Afternoon Special is brought to you by QCODE.  To advertise on the show, contact ...

The Science of Preschool TV: Part 2

January 18, 2023 05:00 - 40 minutes

From Sesame Street to Bluey, some of first interactions with television come in the form of children's educational programming. They teach us shapes, numbers, and colors, and provide us with some necessary life lessons. This week, we're talking to Emmy Award-winning showrunner, writer, and director, Kristen McGregor about all things children's education programming.  ~~ Follow the show on  Instagram: @theafternoonspecial Tik Tok: @theafternoonspecial Twitter: @hiimbobbi Email the show at thea...

The Science of Preschool TV: Part 1

January 11, 2023 05:00 - 55 minutes

From Sesame Street to Bluey, some of first interactions with television come in the form of children's educational programming. They teach us shapes, numbers, and colors, and provide us with some necessary life lessons. This week, we're taking a deep dive into just how some of favorite preschool shows were created and the process that goes into creating curriculum for television's youngest viewers.  ~~ Follow the show on  Instagram: @theafternoonspecial Tik Tok: @theafternoonspecial Twitter: ...

Happy Holidays From The Afternoon Special

December 21, 2022 23:43 - 2 minutes

Special Holiday Message from Bobbi. ~~ Follow the show on  Instagram: @theafternoonspecial Tik Tok: @theafternoonspecial Twitter: @hiimbobbi Email the show at [email protected] ~~ Afternoon Special is brought to you by QCODE.  To advertise on the show, contact us! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We Wish You A Very Grinchmas: Exploring The Grinch in Pop Culture

December 14, 2022 05:00 - 49 minutes

He's a mean one. His heart's an empty hole. For almost as long as we've had jolly old Santa Claus, we've had a figure exhibits the exact opposite of holiday cheer. With books, films, and TV specials about him galore, this week, we're taking a look at the pop culture journey of one of the holiday season's most notable figures, The Grinch.  ~~ Follow the show on  Instagram: @theafternoonspecial Tik Tok: @theafternoonspecial Twitter: @hiimbobbi Email the show at [email protected] ~...

What Makes The Perfect Holiday Special?

December 07, 2022 05:00 - 39 minutes

What makes a perfect holiday special? There are countless holiday themed films and TV specials that we watch every year, but what makes them so memorable? This week, we're taking a look at a few of the most beloved holiday films and TV specials and dissecting why they're so good.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The (un) Official History of DreamWorks Animation

November 30, 2022 05:00 - 49 minutes

DreamWorks Animation has always been seen as a formidable and entertaining contender to the animated films of Disney. However, while many know the studio for its biggest hits, many don't know its very insane history behind the scenes. This week, we're chronicling the wild ride of the studio that began with the mission of making "animation for adults" to being one of the biggest producers of kid-focused franchises with the unofficial history of DreamWorks Animation.  ~~ Follow the show on  Ins...

Happy Thanksgiving Afternooners!

November 23, 2022 05:00 - 2 minutes

Wanted to drop a line that we’re enjoying a little break for Thanksgiving but we’ll be right back next week with new episodes of The Afternoon Special.  ~~ Follow the show on  Instagram: @theafternoonspecial Tik Tok: @theafternoonspecial Twitter: @hiimbobbi Email the show at [email protected] ~~ Afternoon Special is brought to you by QCODE.  To advertise on the show, contact us! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Story of Television's Greatest Primetime Cartoon

November 16, 2022 05:00 - 1 hour

Premiering in a rare primetime slot in September of 1992, Batman: The Animated Series quickly cemented itself as one of television's greatest animated programs. Between gripping narratives and memorable characters, the series opened the door for superhero craze that we currently are finding ourselves in. This week, we're taking a deep dive into the story of how TV's greatest version of the Caped Crusader came to be.  ~~ Follow the show on  Instagram: @theafternoonspecial Tik Tok: @theafternoo...

The Curious Case of Anastasia (1997)

November 09, 2022 05:00 - 45 minutes

The 90s was a wonderful, strange time for animation. One of the strangest aspect was the trend of animated films retelling historical events and one example of this is Anastasia (1997). The film, often considered to be a Disney Princess film never made by Disney, chose a unique subject in Anastasia Romanov, an alleged sole survivor of The Romanovs. This week, we're taking a look into the film, its reception, and its impact.  ~~ Follow the show on  Instagram: @theafternoonspecial Tik Tok: @the...

The Coke Can is There On Purpose: Diving into the (Funny) World of Movie Product Placement

November 02, 2022 04:00 - 47 minutes

Born from a semi viral tweet about Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, this week's episode is taking a look into the stories behind classic product placement moments in film. Product placement is a constant in pop culture and while it is blatant advertising, it can also be a pretty effective tool for storytelling too.  ~~ Follow the show on  Instagram: @theafternoonspecial Tik Tok: @theafternoonspecial Twitter: @hiimbobbi Email the show at [email protected] ~~ Afternoon Special is...

Crazy, Vampy, Cool: Exploring Our Endless Love Affair With The Vampire - Part 2 (ft. Michael McMillian)

October 26, 2022 04:00 - 1 hour

We're back with vampire business. This is part 2 of our exploration into our endless pop culture love affair with the vampire. This week, we're going into what the vampire means as a reflection of humanity. Later in the episode, I'm joined by Michael McMillian — actor/writer/star of HBO's True Blood and host of podcasts Bigfoot Collectors Club and Slate Your Name — to discuss his time on the show, vampires in the South, and the finally answering the question of why we love vampires.  ~~ Follo...

Crazy, Vampy, Cool: Exploring Our Endless Love Affair With The Vampire - Part 1

October 19, 2022 04:00 - 56 minutes

Vampires. Mysterious. Alluring. Chaotic. And very very hot. Pop culture loves itself a good vampire story and we, as spectators, do too. From film to television to books to the stage, these bloodsuckers are everywhere and this week, we're taking a peek at some of the most iconic pieces of vampire media. This is part 1 of our exploration into our love affair with the vampire and we'll pick up with the rest of our journey next week!  ~~ Follow the show on  Instagram: @theafternoonspecial Tik T...

The One Where They Wear Costumes: A History of The Sitcom Halloween Special

October 12, 2022 04:00 - 57 minutes

We're officially in the spooky season and that means grabbing your favorite Halloween candy, getting cozy on the couch with your favorite sitcom Halloween special.The TV Halloween special is a mainstay and this week, we're taking a look into TV's greatest Halloween special, including "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" and the slasher inspired classic episode of "Boy Meets World."   Link to my vampy playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1KSKD7bDhqbVLWu2cuMJYu?si=2uELKkjgQeStdKPg0dx...

Can You Quote It?: Investigating How We Define Pop Culture Impact

October 04, 2022 07:00 - 47 minutes

What separates the pop culturally evergreen and the pop culturally forgotten? Does high box office or ratings automatically determine cultural relevance? There are a million and one different metrics for how we determine how impactful a piece of media is and this week, we're unpacking a few of the ways we determine a piece of media pop culture footprint.  ~~ Follow the show on  Instagram: @theafternoonspecial Tik Tok: @theafternoonspecial Twitter: @hiimbobbi Email the show at theafternoonspec...

Armchair Detective: An Exploration into True Crime Media

September 28, 2022 05:00 - 51 minutes

True crime is one of guiltiest pop culture pleasures. From documentaries to fictional series to more podcasts than you can count, we have a morbid curiosity with some of history's most heinous crimes. The upcoming release of Netflix's Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, which features re-enactments of the events and court proceedings of the victims of Jeffrey Dahmer has caused social media uproar, with many questioning the ethics of "murder media." This week, we are taking a deep dive into wha...

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