The Cooler: Recent Episodes
KQED
After a five-year run, The Cooler says goodbye with a finale jam-packed with the voices of its beloved listeners.
This month, we resolve to upgrade ourselves in 2020, go down a retcon K hole, and make a pilgrimage to visit one of Jennifer Aniston's exes.
This month, we analyze why Instagram is taking away likes, unpack what "emotional labor" means, discuss three runaway princesses and share our peaks and pits of the decade.
This month, we fight over the decade's best songs, learn all about WAGs and summarize 'Star Wars' in just a few minutes.
The Cooler is back (!!!) and weighing in on the chicken sandwich wars of 2019, the return of Jennifer Aniston's ex, impeachment drama and more.
A special bonus episode featuring Tan France chatting about what it was like growing up gay in a traditional Muslim family, how 9/11 still affects his life to this day, how he ended up partying with Victoria Beckham, why he hates Olive Garden and whether he loves *NSYNC or the Backstreet Boys more.
This week, we’re handing over control of our finale to you, the listeners! We’re handing out advice about dating coworkers, sharing our Real Housewives taglines, shagging marrying and killing our way through Disney princesses, and so much more!
Is San Francisco rotten or still full of soul? We discuss the ways the city has won our hearts and broken them. We're also shaking our heads over John Cusack's anti-Semitism and sharing some ~personal news~ about the future of the podcast.
This week, we’ll be listening to a few Song of the Summer contenders (that aren't "Old Town Road") and deciding which summer anthem gets The Cooler’s official seal of approval. Also, inspired by Justin Bieber challenging Tom Cruise to a fight, we're handing out tips on how to host a duel of your own.
We're wondering why Moby lied about dating Natalie Portman, handing out tips on how to survive burnout and sharing more than a few words for the dudes who want to make a Straight Pride Parade happen (Regina George voice "It's not going to happen!").
We're going black to the future with a crash course in Afrofuturism, handing out financial tips and explaining the strange connection between dinosaur eggs and ball sacks (yes, you read that correctly).
Did 'Game of Thrones' stick the landing or break both of its legs, fall on its ass and require medical attention? We’ve got opinions! Also, we hand out some tips based on the life of Grace Jones, first of her name, breaker of the gender binary.
What can Constance Wu's Twitter tantrum teach us about humility? What can Ayesha Curry teach us about breaking archaic relationship rules? And what can Joe Biden learn from Bill Nye about talking to Millennials? Also, we take sides in the Aperol Spritz Wars and decide to stan Kacey Musgraves.
We're giving a crash course in Eurovision, the wildly popular international music competition, and ranking the 2019 entries, including Icelandic BDSM anti-capitalist scream rock and an Italian song that’ll make your booty bounce. Also, we share our feelings on spoiler culture and Meghan Markle's new baby.
We tell the story of a bearded female Egyptian Pharaoh some salty dudes didn't want us to know about. We'll also be unpacking the recent wave of stars hating on critics (et tu, Lizzo?) and celebrating a burkini-wearing model in Sports Illustrated and the career of John Singleton.
If Beyonce is not safe from unwanted physical attention, then who among us is? We also dig into the 'Game of Thrones' pilot that was so bad the show almost didn't get made at all. And we share our thoughts on Elon Musk's rap single about Harambe, Florida men up to no good and Gen Z darling Billie Eilish.
We trace okurrr's complicated history, scratch our heads over the weirdest things celebs have tried to trademark, reveal why hot tea might kill us all, and share our feelings on the new Bill and Ted movie and Lizzo.
What are the most banned wedding songs? What can a 30-year-old Maya Angelou clip teach us about intergenerational respect? And how in love are we with #EggBoy? All will be revealed!
Newsflash: brunettes don't count as diversity and period pieces need to do better. Also, we chat with 'Orange Is The New Black' star Lauren Lapkus, dig into the college admission scam and try to make sense of the Britney Spears musical.
We try to make sense of 'Leaving Neverland,' find out what the Khloe Kardashian cheating drama says about shaming women, and share our feelings on Solange's new album.
BD Wong chats about how he learned to love his Asian-American and gay identities, how he felt about his 'Law & Order: SVU' character's coming out storyline, and so much more!
We taste-test all the alternative milks—oat! pea! hemp!—to find out what all the fuss is about.
How have shows like 'Flavor of Love' molded the way we think about dating? Also, we share strong feelings on candy hearts and which new song might be the 'No Scrubs' of our time.
We get deep with Sara Benincasa about mental health battles and then get very shallow by talking about sexy ghosts! Also, thoughts on Liam Neeson because WTF!
How can you spot the frenemies in your life? Why are we so obsessed with scammers? WTF is gender reveal lasagna? We'll tell you.
This episode covers a lot: toxic masculinity, predictive technology, Oscar noms, political analysis by Cardi B, and the rap stylings of Timothée Chalamet.
Where has that intense British woman from 'The Weakest Link' gone? What about Ashley from 'Fresh Prince of Bel Air' and Screech from 'Saved By The Bell'? We've got the answers!
The Cooler crew revisits some of our favorite peaks and pits, including a rough demo of our jingle, an offensively bad French accent, which the French government is still pissed about, and even a conversation about ball sacks (yes, you read that correctly).
How severe is our collective trauma-induced amnesia? Let's find out with this 2018 quiz!
Because 2018 was so wacky, to put it mildly, we're digging up some of the most unconventional holiday songs we could find.
We're honoring 2018 with an (off-kilter) awards ceremony, including an In Memoriam for all the people canceled this year.
RIP selfies, flat poopless tummies, Kid Rock v. Joy Behar, and Tyra Banks' new trap single you have to hear to believe. This week's episode has it all!
Is being nostalgic for the aughts bad for us? Also, a convo with Nish Kumar about Brexit and the dark side of the Spice Girls.
Cosmic goddess Chani Nicholas chats about what many of us misunderstand about Mercury retrograde and what the stars might be able to tell us about our country's future.
Why do brands like Victoria's Secret find it so hard to get woke? Why is Stormy Daniels more of a saint than you might think? And we have some bad news for anyone still crushing on Leonardo DiCaprio.
What does a walrus penis have to do with our democracy? We find the answer in Alaska. Also, a look at the pettiest celebrities and why you should never doubt the persistence of fecal matter.
Why do young people historically not vote? We try to get to the bottom of it. Also, we chat with Aisha Wahab, an Afghan-American Millennial running for office. Her motto: "If you don't see the woman, be the woman."
To celebrate Halloween, we explore the creepy world of ASMR videos, share the scariest stories we could find on the internet and send a heavy dose of side-eye to Megyn "I Don't Get Why People Think Blackface Is Racist" Kelly.
People who act badly and then blame hackers! The saddest song, according to technology! Ariana Grande's breakup and the Elizabeth Warren DNA drama! It's all in this week's episode!
We unpack the good, the bad and the ugly from 'A Star Is Born,' sit down with Sara Bareilles to chat about her Broadway adaptation of 'Waitress' and debate Taylor Swift finally dipping her toe into politics.
Who is afforded the luxury of a "boys will be boys" defense? Why is Lindsay Lohan getting punched on Instagram Live important? Is Beyoncé a witch? And what's the perfect song to drown out the sound of raging, entitled men?
'Gilmore Girls' star Keiko Agena (that's Rory's BFF Lane Kim!) joins us for a chat about how she truly feels about what the writers did to her character and why being a screw-up can actually be a good thing! Also, are we doomed to sequels forevermore?
Inspired by the new Bachelor, we talk virgins in pop culture, share which countries hit the sack earliest, and reveal way too much info about our own V cards.
We tackle the backlash to Colin Kaepernick's Nike ad, the double standard on display at Serena's US Open match, and all the summertime mess we missed (spoiler: the phrase 'penis tattoo' comes up).
We're back for Season 4! Because we're extra, our comeback ep features DeRay Mckesson, who speaks on what it was like to spend 400 days protesting in the streets, everything he's learned from the X-Men, and why that blue vest means so much to him.
A peek at the pop culture we're most looking forward to this summer. Plus, we're giving The Cooler Seal of Approval™ to what we think should be the Song of the Summer!
Two of us went on live radio to air out our feelings about Bey and Stedman's new joint album.
Does the SATC pilot hold up? Can sweat-coated apples get you a date? Should a 12-year-old Meghan Markle teach a class in being woke? (Spoiler: the answer to all of these questions is yes.)
Inspired by 'Wild Wild Country,' we're talking cults with a special guest expert. Plus, we find out which songs define our entire lives, share some 'The Americans' feels, and nominate someone for Worst Human Alive.
Did you know you can be sued over a Yelp review? Be afraid! Also, a juicy sex scandal that involves state secrets and a naked masked waiter, and we're picking sides in the Drake / Pusha T feud.
We get real nerdy and chat about our fave books (and the ones we think are overrated). Plus, we revisit some of TV's worst jump-the-shark moments, tell off the dudes of 'Arrested Development,' revel in hilarious yearbook quotes, swoon over a little-known prince, and more!
Inspired by Kanye's liposuction confession, we investigate how many men get plastic surgery (spoiler: A LOT!). We also look into the science behind the Yanny vs. Laurel phenomenon. And one of us gets possessed by a demon at a Taylor Swift concert.
Fresh off serving as a juror in a three-week trial, one of us spills all the beans and hands out jury duty survival tips! Also, what do we do about the Matt Lauers of the world trying to stage comebacks? And a few words for those who think a black person can't be woke if they have a white partner.
A look at the phenomenon of white people using black emojis, which celebs almost sang your favorite songs, how two people finally stood up to Kanye, and why Xtina's resurrection from pop star extinction is worth celebrating.
What is it like when a cathedral hosts a Beyonce-themed worship service? We went to find out.
The youths are taking over the show! We chat with teens about the biggest misconception about their generation, what the deal is with vaping, what life is like post-Parkland, and what exactly is wrong with Kanye.
Hop in the car with us for a road trip to chase down the true origin of the term 420. Then stick around for reflections on pregnant Cardi B, and a drowning squirrel story that proves watching a ton of TV can actually save lives!
We gab with Brontez Purnell about being a gay punk in rural Alabama, the boy situation in Germany, #WhoBitBeyonce theories, being BFF with Kathleen Hanna, and hitchhiking advice (hint: crop tops!).
We recently got gussied up in 'Clueless' cosplay and relived the '90s for a night live on stage with 'RuPaul's Drag Race' winner Bob the Drag Queen, comedian Zahra Noorbakhsh, and musician Kendra McKinley!
This is basically our episode of Behind the Music. You'll learn how we met, what goes into making the show, and what kind of sandwich we'd all be.
We gab with Queer Eye's breakout star about the most f*ckable 'Game of Thrones' characters, the fiercest figure skaters of yore, not letting trolls be your truth, and other really important stuff you need to hear!
Advertisements celebrities hoped we’d never find, blood-thirsty robots, and a she-who-must-be-named.
Ayo, sis! It's Women's History Month! What better way to celebrate than with stories of badass women who were left out of our history books? Also, we look back on Iggy Azalea, and give props to a cis straight white dude for a change (surprise!).
Also, we hand out drag names to Russia and America (because why not?) and question whether 'Titanic' is secretly a queer film.
This week, we're gushing about 'Black Panther' (DUH) and 'Call Me By Your Name' (DOUBLE DUH), and getting into why representation matters so much.
Dirty Shakespearean Mad Libs! Awkward sex scenes! Jokes about Diego Rivera's armpit! This Valentine's Day episode has it all.
We explore the "fauxmo" phenomenon, ruin your childhood with bad news on a beloved movie, and roll our eyes as hard as we can at Justin Timberlake.
The flu tried to kill two of us, so we're sharing family remedies. We're also exploring how Minnie Mouse is finally getting her due, why Jessica Chastain is a true ally, and why Paul Rudd deserves even more of our love.
We ditch the studio to crash a Tom Hardy / Michelle Williams movie set. Drinking, fantasies, and games ensue.
Take a walk down memory lane with us as we revisit some of our most popular weird history segments.
Find out whether we kept our 2017 resolutions and what we hope to do in 2018 in this bite-sized episode.
Our holiday gift to you: this clip of Patti LaBelle not knowing the words to "This Christmas."
We enlist one of our moms to offer insights about the royal engagement, dig up bizarre medieval death records, and feel disappointed in Lena Dunham, Gwen Stefani, and basically everyone else.
Can 'Stranger Things' evolve like Mary J. Blige did? What are sex rehabs frequented by Harvey Weinstein types like? How bad was the Norwegian butter crisis of 2011? All will be revealed.
Gratitude for Rihanna helps us fight the darkness, and we take a trip through the Bible Belt with a bunch of gays.
Anthony Murphy, the Genie from Broadway's 'Aladdin,' on what it's like to fill Robin Williams' shoes, what people don't realize about the life of a stage actor, and which Real Housewife he's related to.
We try to keep up with the constant flow of sexual abuse revelations, reexamine the word 'allegedly,' and dig into a bonkers dating story with a happy ending.
Why are debutante balls making a comeback? Where did words like "woke" and "meme" come from? And why is the intern who runs KFC's Twitter such a genius? All will be revealed!
We page through a guide on which "hot discs" from the '90s are full of sin, dream up fantasy musical adaptations, and honor Oprah for living her best life.
We dissect Lady Gaga's new documentary, find out which country is most awkward about hugs, wade through the Weinstein mess, and learn to never mess with Miss Piggy on Twitter.
What really happens inside the Playboy mansion? What are the actual rules of the flag code? Why is "the world's grumpiest royal" such a prick? All will be revealed.
A dramatic queer reading of 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,' tips on how to glow up, and a look at all the culture 1997 gave us.
How a bunch of scandalous gay drama in the 1600s still affects us to this day. Also, we explore why scientists believe Instagram is making us anxiety-ridden messes.
How our love of avocado is hurting Mexico. Also, we crash the American Idol auditions and get angry over the live-action Aladdin movie disrespecting Agrabah by adding a white prince.
OMG, we're back again! We're talking Taylor Swift's divisive comeback, hairless butts on Game of Thrones, an IRL run-in with Lindsay Lohan, and all the celebs who are still trash.
We share the music, movies, and shows we can't wait for, revisit some of our favorite moments from the podcast, and praise the Lorde.
A look at hexes floating around Hollywood, a twisted tale from the 1700s, a warning about catacombs, and an ode to onion rings and fries to lighten the mood.
Get ready for televised death matches, cyborg babies, and lots o' dragons! Also, we investigate the Song of the Summer phenomenon and share a few 2017 contenders.
Beyond Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix, we uncover the 1967 jams that failed to stand the test of time. Also, a guide on how to do wedding season right and not be an a-hole.
Fast and furious life advice, the 10th anniversary of Rosie O'Donnell vs. Elisabeth Hasselbeck on The View, and our favorite viral infants.
We share summer travel tips, recent findings on tequila's effect on your body, and the story of a Brazilian conman who tricked an entire country into believing he was a famous soccer player (despite not being good at soccer).
The yoga star shares her thoughts on the power of solitude, growing up Baha'i, what the media gets wrong about yoga, why Kylie Jenner might be a low-key genius, and which Harry Potter star she most wants to sleep with.
Bowie’s history of being brutally honest, cringe-y passages from Ivanka Trump’s book, and the pain of late comebacks.
Join us for a shade-trospective of all the ruthless things Aretha Franklin has said about her contemporaries, a look at the Shea Moisture controversy, a remembrance of a dearly departed giant bunny, and a new ballsy beauty trend that will haunt your dreams.
We process the end of Girls, share our best and worst TV finales, discuss whether it’s smarter for celebs to speak out politically or stay silent, and freak out over what’s actually in certain kinds of wine.
We're taking it to church by confessing some shameful sins, discussing the alleged Millennial migration away from cities, and investigating the cure for depression Gwyneth Paltrow wants to sell you for $200.
No one is talking about a specific facet of S-Town... until now. Also, a peek into the world of professional whistling, gay thievery, and a spoken-word piece by Sharon Stone.
You'll never think of tickling the same way again. Also, a look at the dangers of being a know-it-all, the glory of Keanu Reeves, and the story of a badass four-year-old Siberian girl.
'Get Out' fangirling, the secret language of twins, and recently discovered Spice Girls footage that'll make you love them even more than you already do.
Dreamy presidential tickets, the racist history behind the term 'Caucasian,' animal-created chaos, and some necessary worship of Robyn Rihanna Fenty.
This jam-packed ep features a first-person dispatch from Standing Rock, a look at problematic dating manuals from the '90s, an exploration of the time Amber Tamblyn catfished Tyrese, a quiz on bizarre celebrity baby names, and a list of reasons why Bill Maher is terrible.
Netflix jeeping, texting pet peeves, the worst award show upsets, and why we should be keep it cute like Norway and Finland.
The 'Good Muslim, Bad Muslim' host shares how Trump's election inspired her to return to prayer, what it's like to be a comedian of color in the current political climate, and how she feels about Lindsay Lohan flirting with Islam.
Has comedy lost its power? Also, a mother of twins gives Beyonce advice, and we try to understand Trump better by learning about his fave president, Andrew Jackson.
We revisit bright music moments from past protest movements, debate whether self-care is good or bad for us, and give props to candy-stealing Canadian squirrels and a judgmental British cat.
If Mandy Moore can transform from an under-appreciated pop singer into a respected actress, who says we can't turn our lives around?
Did 'The Little Mermaid' predict Ms. Spears' entire life? Does cursing make you more trustworthy? Find out!
Also, we test our fashion IQs, taste-test sparkling water brands, and figure out where Rachel Dolezal ended up.
Find out whether we kept our 2016 resolutions and what we hope to do in 2017 in this bite-sized episode.
Who will win Best Survivor Against All Odds, Ye Giver of Life, and Worst Comeback No One Asked For?
Get an earful of these less conventional, highly amusing, and sometimes disturbingly sexual songs about Santa, baby Jesus, and diamond belly rings.
We get into all things Gilmore, from why we're still obsessed with Paris to why we're still sad about Lane to how we feel about the final four words.
Also, why we're mad at Kate Bush, Harrison Ford, and Nate Parker, and how Toni Morrison more than makes up for it.
A crash course in Canadian history, slang, celebrities, and Celine jams, for those mulling a move.
Gratitude for Solange helps us fight the darkness, and we share tips on how to survive your family, long flights and bad food this holiday season.
We’re paying homage to Lindsay Lohan’s new accent, processing our feelings about Lil Wayne's anti-Black Lives Matter rant, and discussing why we should care more about asses.
One of us comes out as a Mel Gibson fan. Also, we mourn Vine, celebrate a 100-year-old who has six gin and tonics a day, and share our self-care routines.
What are 2016's most popular (and most problematic) costumes? What's the perfect horror flick? Are ghosts real? All will be revealed!
The mastermind behind the wildly popular 'You Must Remember This' podcast shares her love of Old Hollywood, her distaste for Captain America, and more!
People have gross reactions to the Kim Kardashian robbery. Also, how much do you miss meeting strangers from AOL Instant Messenger? A LOT = the only answer we'll accept.
Also, why was Evelyn Waugh such a jerk? And how petty can the office get? All will be revealed.
The 'Mrs. Doubtfire' star shares what Robin Williams was really like, why Hufflepuffs make great significant others, and how she ended up elbowing Jonathan Taylor Thomas in the crotch.
We get to the bottom of the crazes. Also, why are people in SF paying $1,800 to sleep in a bunk bed?
We celebrate one year of The Cooler with convos about how we first met, our experiences with trolls, and some behind-the-scenes scoop from Vogue HQ.
One of us comes forward as the only person on Earth who hates Stranger Things. Fighting ensues.
This week, we're talking Taylor Swift's downfall, Britney's comeback, why certain white men are like Teflon and the history behind the no-white-after-Labor-Day rule.
This week, we share a controversial Brexit theory, what we hope happens in pop culture this summer, and figure out who is America's Next Top Superfan of The Cooler!
The Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs author talks Kanye 2020, Hamilton, the Kardashians and what he did to piss off Neil deGrasse Tyson.
This week, we’re talking about self-care post Orlando, surprising celeb pairings and a married woman who hid her secret lover in her attic for a decade!
YouTube astrologists provide answers to this crazy election cycle, racists are mad about black Hermione, and we play a game of Would You Rather?
A selfie history lesson, fun facts about our hometown boys, and how one man's love of pizza saved his life.
Fascinating sayings from around the world, things Hamilton taught us, and why Solange's Snapchat is better than an art museum.
From political activism and self-care to why he's cool with Paula Deen and why Barbara Walters is a gangsta.
Plus, why we're not coming to your birthday dinner and updates on Jamie Foxx and Brandy.
A dispatch from a run-in with Gwyneth at a Goop pop-up shop, a look at imposter syndrome and our phone addictions, and the story of a 17-year-old who was revealed to be an almost 30-year-old.
A look back at some of the most memorable celebrity apologies, a crash course in Cinco de Mayo's origins, and a take on the sad implications of Lil Kim's facial transformation.
A fond rememberence of Carmen, a crash course in Kate Bush, and a look at what's next for '90s true crime TV.
Things we learned from Nancy Jo: social media is scarier than you realize and Donald Trump used to be chill.
Also, the gross double standard surrounding Kehlani's cheating scandal and why superhero movies are super annoying.
The EquiTable app creator chats with us about everything from racism in the Bay Area to why playing Bone Thugs-N-Harmony will not get you to second base.
This week, it's all about an animated animal allegory for race relations, Britney Spears' feminist film and money money money.
Freelancing maestro Ann Friedman weighs in on Hillary Clinton, feminism, and Rihanna on yachts. Also, she takes a Kardashians quiz because why not.
An examination of all the WTF moments from Fuller House, a defense of pretentiousness, and breaking up with reality television.
We celebrate the end of 'Downton Abbey' with a quiz, discuss why more men aren't supporting Kesha, and come to terms with Snapchat not being for us.
We took a field trip to Pixar HQ to chat with Sanjay Patel and Nicole Grindle about their Oscar-nominated short, as well as Aziz Ansari's 'Master of None' and the Bhagavad Gita.
Oscars dos and don'ts, a Kendrick Lamar / Beyonce double standard, and why we've met Kanye a millennium ago.
From weird presidential facts your history teacher really should have taught you to why Beyoncé was almost banned from Canada.
We chat about how The Bachelor franchise is kind of like a modern gothic novel, explore the weird history behind Valentine's Day, and share the key to turning a first date into a second.
We revisit Nipplegate and a 1998 profile of bratty prince Leonardo DiCaprio, followed by a game of Who Said It? Stacey Dash or Ann Coulter.
What does Bowie have in common with Tupac? Does Serial Season 2 suck? And can you guess the X-Files plot?
Huge ants, a cat dog hybrid and Krystal South Kardashian West, coming to a future near you!
Who will win Best Clap Back, Best Mother-Daughter Display of Passive Aggression, and Most Consistent Foot-in-Mouth?
The game is "Say What Now??" The goal is to make sense of music's most confusing lyrics.
We chat with Joshua Johnson about everything from race and NPR's "white voice" to why we should be talking about Kim Kardashian.
We chat with an 8-year-old about everything from feminism and global warming to why Zayn quit One Direction.
We chat with 'Project Runway' finalist Candice Cuoco about her dark past, motherhood and what Tim Gunn is really like.
A guide on avoiding problematic costumes, a map of most popular candy by state, and a Goosebumps / Fear Street quiz!
We chat with Aminatou about everything from the wage gap and how to negotiate a competitive salary to Adnan, Solange and butt selfies.
Why do critics only care about Taylor Swift's album when a man sings it? Can the word "snob" be rebranded as a good thing? And what's behind American Apparel's downfall?
This week, we're talking about celebs who say they're not feminists, Zendaya's Barbie, and an odd tale of a woman successfully suing her coworker for unfriending her.
More from our first live show! This time, we're talking to voguing maestro Jocquese Whitfield and queer punk rocker Brontez Purnell.
Our first live show! Featuring high school dance horror stories and a laugh-out-loud conversation with W. Kamau Bell.
This week, we're talking about James Franco heading back to high school, the history of the Tipper sticker, and think pieces on Millennials.
For our debut episode, we're talking about some drama around Benedict Cumberbatch's 'Hamlet' production, the origins of the word "hella" and sharing a riddle that will rock your world.
Surprise! We've been secretly working on a podcast all summer and we're finally ready for you to hear it!