Popspotting
243 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 10 years ago - ★★★★★ - 65 ratingsPop Culture Podcast
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Popspotting Listener Edition: Anna & Wendy
October 11, 2013 08:13 - 20 minutes - 19 MBOver a year since the last podcast, the Popspotting feed crackles to life with a surprise Listener Edition submission from our good friends Anna (@echobase77) and Wendy (@bunnieslrnow). They're fellow podcasters from the golden age of "LOST," and today share their "feel good picks." With Jen quickly recovering from what will hopefully be her last procedure, this show was a very welcome treat.
Popspotting Listener Edition: Maggie Mack
September 10, 2012 06:40 - 11 minutes - 10.9 MBMaggie Mack is a long-time podcasting friend and Thanksgiving Popspotting guest from Northern Virginia. In this Listener Edition, she shares another podcast worth checking out: PodQuiz. PodQuiz is a weekly trivia quiz podcast.
Popspotting Listener Edition: Wendy & Anna
September 02, 2012 18:41 - 46 minutes - 42.8 MBTwo podcasters from the golden age of "LOST" come together to share five post-"LOST" picks in a new Popspotting Listener Edition. Anna (@echobase77) and Wendy (@bunnieslrnow) recommend The Booth at the End (on Hulu), Castaway on the Moon (on Netflix), Twin Peaks (on Netflix), Bone by Jeff Smith (on Amazon), and Five Year Mission.
Popspotting Listener Edition: Heath & Matt
July 09, 2012 05:50 - 20 minutes - 18.9 MBToday, two good friends join forces to bring you yet another episode of "Popspotting Listener Edition." Listen in as Heath Solo (@HeathActor) of "The Film List" and musician Matt Murdick (@musicalconcepts) of the "Musical Concepts Podcast" discuss Aaron Sorkin's new HBO series "The Newsroom" and the BBC reboot of "Sherlock Holmes."
Popspotting Listener Edition: Maggie & Jennifer
July 01, 2012 08:02 - 31 minutes - 28.9 MBMaggie (@ilea02) and Jennifer (@jennielf) discuss both "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter," and the latest Disney/Pixar film, "Brave."
Popspotting Listener Edition: Pete & Laurie
June 04, 2012 05:55 - 25 minutes - 23.6 MBPete in Rockford, Illinois is a long-time contributing member of our podcasting family, and this week he steps forward along with his wife Laurie to contribute a special Popspotting Listener Edition. Today they chime in with their take on board games (Carcassonne, Settlers of Catan, and Ticket to Ride), a book series, and a summer blockbuster movie.
Popspotting Listener Edition: Josva in Norway
April 30, 2012 07:11 - 9 minutes - 9.18 MBWe're thrilled to have another Popspotting Listener Edition come in from overseas. Today, Josva in Norway recommendations three beloved European films. His picks are "District B13," "troubledWATER," and "Troll Hunter." They should be available for American listeners through Amazon.com.
Popspotting Listener Edition: The Geek Generation
April 22, 2012 23:50 - 22 minutes - 20.5 MBThis week's Popspotting Listener Edition comes from Rob Valois and Bryan Lipsitz of "The Geek Generation."
Popspotting Listener Edition: Paul Fox & Kevin Ma
April 15, 2012 08:53 - 17 minutes - 15.6 MBPaul Fox and Kevin Ma of "East Screen / West Screen" bring us our first international Popspotting Listener Edition, in which they each highlight two of their favorite Asian films from 2011 that are now available video in some form that will work in the U.S.
Popspotting Listener Edition: Faith McQuinn
April 07, 2012 22:48 - 10 minutes - 9.5 MBShe's a mom of twins. A teacher of film students. An editor of videos. And a blogger of lots of stuff. She's Faith McQuinn (@fbeemcee), the latest generous contributor to the "Popspotting Listener Edition" series of shows. Her topic for this Easter Sunday? "Top Five Lost Gems of the '80s."
Popspotting Listener Edition: Geek Girl Soup Em City
April 01, 2012 03:50 - 12 minutes - 11.2 MBThis week, the second Popspotting Listener Edition comes from Susan, Amelia and Chris of the Geek Girl Soup Em City podcast. While they usually focus on the TV show "Oz," for this special show they focus on comic book recommendations.
Popspotting Listener Edition: Geoff Gentry
March 25, 2012 04:25 - 10 minutes - 9.73 MBLongtime listener and regular contributor Geoff Gentry (@xforce11 on Twitter) proposed the "Popspotting Listener Edition." For those with the time and energy to share, it would be a fun way to give Popspotting listeners something to listen to: each other. We were touched by his gesture. And we were thrilled when he came through with our very first "Listener Edition" episode. So while Jen and I get cozy in the back seat, here's Geoff taking the wheel, sharing some great music (as usual) he dis...
Popspotting #220: “Mermaid House” (March 9, 2012)
March 09, 2012 06:50 - 23 minutes - 21.3 MBWe kick off Feedback Friday with lots of great movie talk, including "Red Tails," a solid rebuttal of Jen's critique of "The Little Mermaid," and "Leon the Professional." Then we move on to some great book recommendations (including a solid endorsement of Chris Van Allsburg's work), and finally a few TV thoughts, from "Manor House" to "Garth Marenghi's Darkplace."
Popspotting #219: “American Potter Story” (March 8, 2012)
March 08, 2012 15:00 - 21 minutes - 20 MBToday's PopTalk & Trivia Thursday guest is our youngest yet. Sierra (@writergirl2101) hails from Charleston, South Carolina, where she attends Academic Magnet High School, and is working on her senior thesis on supporting students with Asperger syndrome in schools. She's an advocate for LBGT issues and is active in other social causes, but she also indulges her more whimsical side on Tumblr.
Popspotting #218: “Coverspotting†(March 7, 2012)
March 07, 2012 00:30 - 22 minutes - 20.7 MBWe're long overdue for another music show. And it's been over five months since we've shared some of our favorite cover songs. So for Wildcard Wednesday, we count down five more great examples of talented artists reinterpreting the work of their fellow musicmakers.
Popspotting #218: “Coverspotting” (March 7, 2012)
March 07, 2012 00:30 - 22 minutes - 20.7 MBWe're long overdue for another music show. And it's been over five months since we've shared some of our favorite cover songs. So for Wildcard Wednesday, we count down five more great examples of talented artists reinterpreting the work of their fellow musicmakers.
Popspotting #217: “Awake at the End†(March 6, 2012)
March 06, 2012 00:30 - 22 minutes - 20.6 MBFor TV Tuesday we talk about two shows with unique twists. First, we review the pilot of "Awake," the new NBC series starring Jason Isaacs and created by Kyle Killen (Lone Star, The Beaver). Then we confess our love for "The Booth at the End," a web video serial by Christopher Kubasik.
Popspotting #217: “Awake at the End” (March 6, 2012)
March 06, 2012 00:30 - 22 minutes - 20.6 MBFor TV Tuesday we talk about two shows with unique twists. First, we review the pilot of "Awake," the new NBC series starring Jason Isaacs and created by Kyle Killen (Lone Star, The Beaver). Then we confess our love for "The Booth at the End," a web video serial by Christopher Kubasik.
Popspotting #216: “John Carter” (March 5, 2012)
March 04, 2012 18:16 - 22 minutes - 20.7 MBWe're back after an extra week off with a look at Disney's "John Carter," which opens March 9. It was one of the movies we said we were looking forward to in 2012... but one we were also a little worried about, given how ridiculous the trailers were. But with Edgar Rice Burroughs' sci-fi classic as a guide, and with Andrew Stanton at the helm, we were still on board. Add the handsome Taylor Kitsch on screen and the talented Michael Giacchino behind the score, and we simply couldn't miss it.
Popspotting #215: “Breaking Games” (Feb. 17, 2012)
February 17, 2012 07:01 - 23 minutes - 21.3 MBWe wrap up the week with your takes on "Justified," "The River," and "Breaking Bad" on the tube, and "John Carter," "Hunger Games" and "Chronicle" on the big screen.
Popspotting #214: “Jayhawks on The Wall” (Feb. 16, 2012)
February 16, 2012 07:12 - 22 minutes - 20.7 MBToday's PopTalk & Trivia guest is Mike from Virginia, a long-time "LOST" fan (his license plate is "STILOST") and Transmission listener (since October 2005) and a huge TV and music fan. His picks included Roger Waters' "The Wall Live" tour for 2012, "Music From the North Country: Jayhawks Anthology," and several female singer-songwriters: Shelby Lynne, Allison Moorer, Tift Merritt, Brandi Carlile, and Susan Greenbaum, a personal friend who just released her new album, "This Life."
Popspotting #213: “Flickchart 2: Electric Boogaloo” (Feb. 15, 2012)
February 15, 2012 01:47 - 23 minutes - 22 MBFor every good movie, a sequel is soon to follow. (For every bad movie, too, it seems.) So we revisit one of our favorite "Wildcard Wednesday" topics from last year. It's another "Flickchart Faceoff," in which we turn to everyone's favorite dangerously addictive movie site (made in Florida!) to set us up with a series of movie matchups. We then judge which is more worthy, likely revealing more of our ignorance and bad taste in the process. But that's okay. The best part is hearing from you ex...
Popspotting #213: “Flickchart 2: Electric Boogaloo†(Feb. 15, 2012)
February 15, 2012 01:47 - 22 MBFor every good movie, a sequel is soon to follow. (For every bad movie, too, it seems.) So we revisit one of our favorite "Wildcard Wednesday" topics from last year. It's another "Flickchart Faceoff," in which we turn to everyone's favorite dangerously addictive movie site (made in Florida!) to set us up with a series of movie matchups. We then judge which is more worthy, likely revealing more of our ignorance and bad taste in the process. But that's okay. The best part is hearing from you ex...
Popspotting #212: “Justified Archer” (Feb. 14, 2012)
February 14, 2012 01:04 - 22 minutes - 20.2 MBToday for TV Tuesday, we focus on the FX Network. First, we catch up on "Justified," a show we only started watching because of your strong recommendations. We focus on the second season, which we marathoned to be ready for Season 3 (now underway). Then we shift gears to share our love of "Archer," described as "James Bond meets Arrested Development."
Popspotting #211: “Meek’s Copy” (Feb. 13, 2012)
February 12, 2012 18:17 - 21 minutes - 20.1 MBWe shift gears and go a little art house this week as we check out a pair of films that took the film festival circuit by storm. First, "Meek's Cutoff," a sparse exploration of trust and survival off the Oregon Trail in the 1800s, based on a true story. Then, "Certified Copy," a day in the life of a man and a woman who may or may not have a history together.
Popspotting #210: “The Katzenjammer Touch” (Feb. 10, 2012)
February 10, 2012 01:56 - 23 minutes - 21.7 MBWe start Feedback Friday with thoughts on "Touch" on FOX, created by Tim Kring of "Heroes" and starring Kiefer Sutherland. At least a couple of listeners liked it much more than we did. We also touch on "Alcatraz," "Terriers," and "Misfits." And our "Downton Abbey" love prompts a recommendation of the BBC's 2004 miniseries "North & South." We also share feedback on our "Hawaii 101" show, and a pair of music recommendations that could not be more different.
Popspotting #209: “Wresting Mildred” (Feb. 9, 2012)
February 09, 2012 02:14 - 24 minutes - 22.5 MBToday brings an especially memorable entry in our PopTalk & Trivia Thursday series, as guest Megan from Pennsylvania kicks things off with an award-winning rooster crow. Her recommendations range from a book to a television miniseries to a wacky game app. Then we put her top-ranked trivia night talents to the test... with a special guest appearance by our daughter, Katie!
Popspotting #208: “Coming Attractions 2012” (Feb. 8, 2012)
February 08, 2012 01:03 - 23 minutes - 21.9 MBFor Wildcard Wednesday, we survey the year ahead, and share our most-anticipated movies of 2012. Ryan and Jen both share their top five picks, plus a few runners up. They include "The Dark Knight Rises," "Moonrise Kingdom," "Cloud Atlas," "The Hobbit" and "The Master" for Ryan, and "Magic Mike," "Dark Shadows," "Looper," "The Hunger Games" and "Django Unchained" for Jen.
Popspotting #207: “The River” (Feb. 7, 2012)
February 07, 2012 01:31 - 21 minutes - 19.6 MBABC's new paranormal adventure series "The River" premieres tonight on ABC. We weigh in on the first two hours for TV Tuesday. Created by Oren Peli of "Paranormal Activities" fame, the show stars Bruce Greenwood, Joe Anderson, Paul Blackthorne, Paulina Gaitan, Leslie Hope, Eloise Mumford, Shaun Parkes, Thomas Kretschmann, and Daniel Zacapa.
Popspotting #206: “Chronicle” (Feb. 6, 2012)
February 05, 2012 18:14 - 18 minutes - 17.1 MBWe go back to the multiplex to check out a recent release for Movie Monday. We didn't know anything going in, but coming out, we were thoroughly entertained. "Chronicle" comes from the relatively new team of director Josh Trank and writer Max Landis (son of director John Landis) and stars Dane DeHaan, Michael B. Jordan, and Alex Russell as a group of Seattle teens who suddenly find themselves with special powers, and the problems that come with them.
Popspotting #205: “Hunger Giants” (Feb. 3, 2012)
February 03, 2012 08:19 - 21 minutes - 20.2 MBWe kick off Feedback Friday focusing on the written word, with your thoughts on books like "Ready Player One" and "Hunger Games." Then it's onto movie talk, touching on "Midnight in Paris" and "Mission Impossible." Listeners also send in reports of movie theater innovations across the country. Finally, we get to your top songs from 1992.
Popspotting #204: “Breaking Rock Revenge” (Feb. 2, 2012)
February 02, 2012 02:33 - 21 minutes - 19.4 MBToday's guest only moved to New York two months ago, but she manages to share some of the ambiance of city life along with her picks: "30 Rock" on NBC, "Revenge" on ABC, and "Breaking Bad" on AMC. Andrea Zuniga (@iandrea) once had us on her podcast, so we get to turn the tables with music trivia.
Popspotting #203: “An Education at the End” (Feb. 1, 2012)
February 01, 2012 01:33 - 22 minutes - 20.3 MBAs we roll into February, we figured it was time we went back to the books. Today Jen reviews "An Education," a memoir by Lynn Barber, and "John Dies at the End," a web serial by John Wong of Cracked.com fame that became a book and has now become a movie.
Popspotting #202: “Touch of Alcatraz” (Jan. 31, 2012)
January 31, 2012 00:55 - 21 minutes - 20 MBToday for TV Tuesday we focus on FOX, starting with the preview broadcast of "Touch" starring Kiefer Sutherland, and moving on to the long-awaited broadcast premiere of "Alcatraz" starring Sam Neill, Jorge Garcia and Sarah Jones.
Popspotting #201: “Attack the Block” (Jan. 30, 2012)
January 30, 2012 01:08 - 19 minutes - 18.3 MBThis British sci-fi flick charmed nearly everyone who saw it. Alas, too few people saw it. "Attack the Block" came out last May, but apart from making a small splash at SXSW in Austin and getting a very limited North American release, it has relied on word of mouth and DVD/Blu-Ray rentals and sales to find an audience. Thanks to Matt and other Popspotting listeners, you can count us among its fans as well. Written and directed by Joe Cornish, "Attack the Block" stars John Boyega, Jodie Whitta...
Popspotting #200: “2011 and 1912” (Jan. 20, 2012)
January 20, 2012 01:26 - 23 minutes - 21.6 MBOur 200th show is a completely arbitrary milestone (since we didn't relaunch with our daily format until Episode #53), but it feels good, nonetheless. And fittingly, it's you that provide today's conversation topics, from your own "Best of 2011" picks for movies, TV, music and books, to the brilliance of "Downton Abbey." Popspotting wouldn't exist without your suggestions, reactions, and conversations, so we again thank you for sticking with us. And we hope you'll never hesitate to reach out ...
Popspotting #199: “Wars Love Once” (Jan. 19, 2012)
January 19, 2012 01:39 - 22 minutes - 20.4 MBToday's PopTalk & Trivia Guest is Ms. Wright (@TheRealMsWright) from behind the "Lost Mirror Moments" podcast. She grew up and still lives in the Austin, Texas area. She's a cubicle slave during the week and a photographer on the weekend, She loves reality TV and sci-fi, and is perfectly capable of being into "So You Think You Can Dance" and "LOST" at the same time.
Popspotting #198: “Hawaii 101” (Jan. 18, 2012)
January 18, 2012 00:35 - 24 minutes - 22.9 MBtoday, we focused on your questions about the Aloha State. What are the different islands? How do people travel among them? What are the best places to visit with kids? It's "Hawaii 101," a general introduction to the 50th state, plus travel advice for first-time visitors. And it's just the start.
Popspotting #197: “Terriers” (Jan. 17, 2012)
January 17, 2012 00:42 - 23 minutes - 21.8 MBFor TV Tuesday, it's another single series showcase, as we explore the short-lived "Terriers." It lasted only one season on FX, and for all its brilliance, it was the network's lowest-rated new show ever. So even though it made dozens of "Best Show of 2010" lists, almost nobody saw it, and that's a crime. Now "Terriers" can be found on Netflix, and we explain why it's worth checking out.
Popspotting #196: “Midnight In Paris” (Jan. 16, 2012)
January 15, 2012 23:02 - 23 minutes - 22 MBIt's not a new film, but it's one we missed and really wanted to see. "Midnight In Paris" is Woody Allen's 41st film, and by some accounts, one of his best. Even Quentin Tarantino picked it as his favorite film of 2011. We also got to see the re-release of Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" in 3-D, which includes a new animated short, "Tangled Ever After."
Popspotting #195: “Once Upon the Dragon Tattoo” (Jan. 13, 2012)
January 13, 2012 04:23 - 23 minutes - 21.3 MBMost of today's show focuses on David Fincher's "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo." We get thumbs up almost all the way around, whether from newcomers to the story or from people who've read and seen the rest. But we've also got a little bit of TV talk, from "Once Upon a Time" to "Homeland." And Geoff chimes in with another music pick, covering a genre we most definitely don't know very well.
Popspotting #194: “Five Prophets a Day” (Jan. 12, 2012)
January 12, 2012 04:00 - 21 minutes - 19.3 MBToday's guest is radio DJ, blogger, and podcaster Dave "The InterDave" Nelson. Originally from Minneapolis/St. Paul, he now lives in Wausau, Wisconsin. You can find him on Twitter as @TheInterDave and on Google+. He runs the Galactic Netcasts podcast network, which is home tothree shows: the Alien Invasion Podcast, the Sci-Fi Film School podcast, and the Time-Traveling Robots in Space podcast. Today he shares his love of the "Prophets of Science Fiction" series on the Science Channel, the "...
Popspotting #193: “Songs of 1992” (Jan. 11, 2012)
January 11, 2012 02:23 - 24 minutes - 22.4 MBA high school reunion invitation prompts us to recall where we were and what we were listening to twenty years ago. This Wildcard Wednesday features five favorite songs each from 1992. That year, NASA's space shuttle Endeavor saw its first flight, Apple released the the Newton PDA, and Disney's "Aladdin" was tops at the box office. Jen's picks include tracks by U2, Sade, and the Black Crowes, and Ryan highlights songs from the Indigo Girls, Sublime, and The Cure.
Popspotting #192: “Downton Abbey” (Jan. 10, 2012)
January 09, 2012 23:05 - 23 minutes - 22 MBIt's a British period drama that's one of the biggest hits on PBS. But don't let that discourage you from visiting "Downton Abbey." Recommended to us by several listeners, most passionately by Greg Marriotti of PixarTalk, we dove into the first season of this series and devoured every minute in time to catch the U.S. premiere of season two on Sunday. We were surprised at how compelling this super stylish and slightly soapy show turned out to be, following the lives of a noble family and the l...
Popspotting #191: “Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol” (Jan. 9, 2012)
January 08, 2012 23:00 - 20 minutes - 18.6 MBThis fourth installment in the series finds IMF Agent Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) in a dark place, as he's joined by Benji (Simon Pegg), Jane (Paula Patton), and William (Jeremy Renner). The team must face off against Russian baddie Kurt Hendricks (Michael Nyqvist), without the considerable resources of the Impossible Missions Force. "Ghost Protocol" was directed by Brad Bird, and is his first live-action film. It was produced by J.J. Abrams and Bryan Burk, both "LOST" alums. Does this impressive...
Popspotting #190: “Sherlock Sedaris” (Jan. 6, 2012)
January 06, 2012 04:38 - 20 minutes - 19.2 MBThe San Francisco Chronicle crowned "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows" as the worst film of 2011. Would Jen have been more likely to agree were it not for her meddling husband? Also on the movie front, a thumbs up for "The Help," up for several Golden Globe awards. This Feedback Friday also brings a few book reviews, from Bill Bryson to Stephanie Meyer. Then, the last word on musicals... for now.
Popspotting #189: “J.J. Midnight Tobolowsky” (Jan. 5, 2012)
January 05, 2012 01:26 - 22 minutes - 20.9 MBToday's PopTalk & Trivia guest is Jason, the other half of "The Forgotten Flix Podcast." (His co-host Joel was our guest last month.) A resident of Jen's home state of Florida, Jason highlights hometown musician J.J. Grey, the independent thriller flick "Midnight Son," and "The Tobolowsky Files." Jason's day job is as a business trainer, a job that makes surprisingly effective use of his degrees in Anthropology and Primatology. But when at home and out and about, he blogs about his adventur...
Popspotting #188: “Best of 2011†(Jan. 4, 2012)
January 03, 2012 23:00 - 22 MBBefore charging into the new year, we take a look back at the year that was. A "year in review" show is, perhaps, cliche, but 2011 was a good year for pop culture, and most certainly a special year for Popspotting. We recount the best movies and new television shows of 2011 (and touch on the upcoming Golden Globes), as well as share our favorite music, book, and app picks. And we'd really like to hear what you would crown as the "Best of 2011"!
Popspotting #188: “Best of 2011” (Jan. 4, 2012)
January 03, 2012 23:00 - 23 minutes - 22 MBBefore charging into the new year, we take a look back at the year that was. A "year in review" show is, perhaps, cliche, but 2011 was a good year for pop culture, and most certainly a special year for Popspotting. We recount the best movies and new television shows of 2011 (and touch on the upcoming Golden Globes), as well as share our favorite music, book, and app picks. And we'd really like to hear what you would crown as the "Best of 2011"!
Popspotting #187: “Once Upon a Horror Story” (Jan. 3, 2011)
January 02, 2012 23:18 - 24 minutes - 22.6 MBIn November, we gave our first impressions of several new fantasy shows, including ABC's fairytale drama "Once Upon a Time." We liked it, but didn't love it... but many of our listeners urged us to give it more time. We're happy to say that we stuck with the series, and now, we're pretty smitten. Then, we discuss the season finale of "American Horror Story" on FX. The last time we checked in on the Harmons and the Murder House, we were looking forward to how the show would wrap up its delicio...