Pop Culture Affidavit – Two True Freaks: Recent Episodes
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It’s part two of a two-part crossover with Required Reading With Tom and Stella. In part one, we looked at Homer’s The Odyssey. Here, we take another look at The Odyssey, this time looking at the recently released blockbuster movie directed by Christopher Nolan. What did we think of the film? What did we think of the film as an adaptation of The Odyssey? Listen and find out!
https://twotruefreaks.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Pop-Culture-Affidavit-Episode-174.mp3
Synchronize Swatches!
In 1990, Fox debuted Parker Lewis Can’t Lose, a show about a charming teenager who always seems to get his way. Comparisons to Ferris Bueller abounded, but the show went beyond that and made the idea its own. For three seasons, the antics of Parker and his Buds–Mikey and Jerry–along with Kubiak, Shelley, and Principal Musso were unlike any other sitcom. Join me as a I take a walk through the show by talking about its history, its cast and characters, and some of my favorite moments.
https://twotruefreaks.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Pop-Culture-Affidavit-Episode-173.mp3
90210, The X-Files, The Simpsons, In Living Color, 21 Jump Street, and … Herman’s Head? Join me this episode as I take a trip back into the late 1980s and the first decade of the Fox network. I go into the network’s origins as well as its early programming (some of which were hits and many of which were not), and then will talk about some of my favorite or most-remembered shows in various genres.
It’s the early ’90s. It’s my adolesence. And yes … it’s on Fox!
https://twotruefreaks.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Pop-Culture-Affidavit-Episode-172.mp3
It’s the most rewritten and confusing backstory in the history of comics. No, not Hawkman. Not The Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver. Not even Jean Grey. It’s Donna Troy.
For this episode, I return to the topic of the Wonder Girl herself by taking a quick look at how her origin has been told and retold, and then do a deep dive into the 2025 Titans annual by Phil Jimenez, which reveals the identity of her father and lays to rest the question of who she really is.
For now, anyway.
https://twotruefreaks.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Pop-Culture-Affidavit-Episode-171.mp3
In the 1990s and 2000s, VH-1 declared itself “Music First” and began airing original programming. It began with music-related shows and eventually went fully into reality television. But during that time, it was appointment television. For this episode, Amanda joins me to talk about those glory days of VH-1. From Pop Up Video to Behind the Music to Hindsight, we go through the shows we watched, what we remember, and why we miss true music television.
https://twotruefreaks.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Pop-Culture-Affidavit-Episode-170.mp3
From the DC Vault, it’s the “What If” story that Batman fans had wondered about for years (even though What If is a Marvel book): What if Jason Todd had lived? Join me as I take a look at the alternate version of Batman #428 by Jim Starlin, Jim Aparo, and Mike DeCarlo, and then dive into the miniseries A Death in the Family: Robin Lives! by J.M. DeMatteis and Rick Leonardi.
https://twotruefreaks.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Pop-Culture-Affidavit-Episode-169.mp3
In 1987, White Water Summer, starring Kevin Bacon and Sean Astin, was released. The movie did poorly in theaters but gained a following on cable and video, becoming a coming-of-age cult classic. This episode, I’m joined by Mark Ray, one of the film’s stuntmen. He talks to me about the movie and his experience filming it.
https://twotruefreaks.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Pop-Culture-Affidavit-Episode-168.mp3
It’s time for the fifth annual Uncollecting episode. This time around, I take a look at an episode of the A&E show Hoarders that features a couple named Claire and Vance, whose enormous book collection has taken over their house and their lives. Then, I look at the “Where are they now” update episode from 13 years later.
https://twotruefreaks.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Pop-Culture-Affidavit-Episode-167.mp3
At long last, I’m back! And it’s time for the annual coverage of the Baltimore Comic-Con! Join me as I talk about the con experience, meeting up with a number of geek friends, getting signatures from comics creators and actors, and take a walk down artists alley. Plus: listener feedback!
https://twotruefreaks.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Pop-Culture-Affidavit-Episode-166.mp3
“You May Be Right,” “Allentown,” “Tell Her About It” … all of these are found on the seminal compilation album Billy Joel Greatest Hits Vol 1 and 2, which came out 40 years ago. Join me as I take a look at the Piano Man’s music throughout the decade of the Eighties.
https://twotruefreaks.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Pop-Culture-Affidavit-Episode-165.mp3
He-Man and the forces of good fight Skeletor for the freedom of Eternia! Cannon Films presents … MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE! This time around, I’m going to take a look at the 1987 live-action adaptation of the popular toy line, Masters of the Universe, which starred Dolph Lundgern as He-Man, Frank Langella as Skeletor, and Courteney Cox as Julie. I’ll give my review as well as my history with the entire Masters of the Universe franchise. Plus, listener feedback!
https://twotruefreaks.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Pop-Culture-Affidavit-episode-164.mp3
It’s JSApril! All this month, comics podcasts and blogs are celebrating the original super-hero team, the Justice Society of America. For this episode, I’ll be talking about one of the JSA’s darkest hours, their battle with Extant in Zero Hour, followed by their re-match/redemption in “The Hunt for Extant”. I’ll also talk about Extant’s origins and the Impulse One-Shot “Bart Saves the Universe.”
For more JSApril content, look for #JSApril on social media or check out JSApril: Celebrating 85 Years of the JSA (Fire and Water Podcast Network)
https://twotruefreaks.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Pop-Culture-Affidavit-Episode-163.mp3
Return with me to a galaxy far, far away! My occasional miniseries “Following the Force” is back with a look at Attack of the Clones! In this episode, I’m going to cover four novels that take place between the first two prequels and then look at the film itself along with its comic book adaptation and novelization. Plus, listener feedback!
Note: I have a new Apple Podcasts feed and am on Spotify! Just search for Pop Culture Affidavit!
https://twotruefreaks.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Pop-Culture-Affidavit-Episode-162.mp3
It’s become an annual tradition at this point to spend my first episode of the year talking about The Uncollecting, which is my effort to downsize my geek stuff. This time around, I’m joined by Relatively Geeky’s own Professor Alan to talk about various aspects of “uncollecting”, from the economics to the personal.
Note: I have a new Apple Podcasts feed and am on Spotify! Just search for Pop Culture Affidavit!
https://twotruefreaks.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Pop-Culture-Affidavit-Episode-161.mp3
Beginning a new feature! I’m setting down a path that may or may not dominate my destiny: working my way through Star Wars. With this episode, I begin a reading and watching project that will cover the entire nine-movie Star Wars cycle plus television shows and spin-off films. First up are three novels that lead into Episode I and the film itself, The Phantom Menace.
https://twotruefreaks.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Pop-Culture-Affidavit-Episode-160.mp3
Just in time for Halloween, it’s mutants vs. vampire courtesy of Chris Claremont and Bill Sienkiewicz! I’m joined by Coffee and Comics’ Clinton Robison to talk about Uncanny X-Men #159 and X-Men Annual #6 where Storm becomes a vampire and the team faces off against Dracula!
https://twotruefreaks.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Pop-Culture-Affidavit-Episode-159.mp3
It’s time for my annual look at the Baltimore Comic-Con. This year, the convention was held from September 20-22 and as usual, I went to the show on Saturday. It’s a special one this year because it might be Brett’s last convention since they’re a senior in high school So, join us as we buy VIP passes for our day at the con, hang out with Stella, talk to artists in Artists Alley, and buy a bunch of stuff!
Music for this episode is “Pop Rock” by Scott Holmes music and has been used under Creative Commons via the Free Music Archive.
Check out the blog — popcultureaffidavit.com — for show notes and pics!
https://twotruefreaks.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Pop-Culture-Affidavit-Episode-158.mp3
In A Death in the Family, Jason Todd died. In A Lonely Place of Dying, we got our first look at Tim Drake. But what happened between? This episode, I take a look at some of the issues in the very brief set of issues following Robin’s death but before Batman: Year 3 and A Lonely Place of Dying. It’s the end of the Jim Starlin run in Batman #430 and two great fill-in issues written by Christopher Priest in #432 and #433.
https://twotruefreaks.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Pop-Culture-Affidavit-Episode-157.mp3
As the 2024 Summer Olympics gets set to begin in Paris, I got together with Professor Alan to talk about our Olympics fandom. Join us as we discuss our love of the Games, my favorite moments, and what makes them so great.
https://twotruefreaks.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Pop-Culture-Affidavit-Episode-156.mp3
It’s the 40th anniversary of one of the biggest albums of the Eighties, Bruce Springsteen’s Born in the U.S.A. Join me as I go through the album song by song, look at a few of my favorite B-sides, and talk about why it’s one of my favorite albums of all time.
https://twotruefreaks.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Pop-Culture-Affidavit-Episode-155.mp3
In 1984, DC Comics published a Robotech miniseries as a tie-in with the Revell model company. But Rick Hunter, Lisa Hayes, Lynn Minmei, the SDF-1 or anything else we know and love from Robotech was nowhere to be seen. Titled Robotech Defenders, it was a three-part miniseries that became a two-part miniseries and that lack of success meant it faded into obscurity pretty quickly.
So what was Robotech Defenders?
Join me as I take a look at the Revell models, the DC Comics miniseries and what, if any, ties it has to the classic Harmony Gold-produced cartoon.
https://twotruefreaks.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Pop-Culture-Affidavit-Episode-154.mp3
Maybe it’s a lyric. Or a guitar solo. Or the bridge. Whatever it may be, there’s always small parts to songs that you remember. Taking inspiration from a 2004 Retrocrush post, I’m giving you a list of some of my favorite song parts. From classic tunes of the 1960s and ’70s to R&B breakdowns of the ’90s, there a lot to listen to. Maybe you’ll think of some of your own!
https://twotruefreaks.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Pop-Culture-Affidavit-Episode-153.mp3
Worlds lived. Worlds died. The universe was never the same. But it took a little while for that universe to never be the same, and in this episode, I take a look at the period between December 1985 and July 1986 where DC’s titles began their post-Crisis eras, wrapped up things leftover from before the Crisis, or ended their eras altogether. From the continuing adventures of the Titans to the Last Days of The Justice Society of America and finding out Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow, it’s a curious bit of DC continuity.
https://twotruefreaks.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Pop-Culture-Affidavit-Episode-152.mp3
It’s time once again to dive into The Uncollecting! In this year’s episode, I take a look at the PBS series Legacy List With Matt Paxton along with articles that explore the “legacies” of our generations’ past, like brown furniture and memorabilia collections that are left behind. I also give my own update on how this now long-running project has been going.
https://twotruefreaks.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Pop-Culture-Affidavit-Episode-151.mp3
It’s episode 150 of the show, and for this episode, I revisit my series of episodes about America: its history, its people, and its culture. After talking about my interest in books about American “stories” (and the many books I’ve read over the years), I return to Peter Jenkins’ A Walk Across America by looking at its newly published “sequels”: Barbara Jenkins’ book So Long As It’s Wild and Jedediah Jenkins’ book Mother, Nature.
https://twotruefreaks.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Pop-Culture-Affidavit-Episode-150.mp3
A corporation is blasting and drilling for oil and if they don’t find it at Site A, they’re going to dynamite a Site B and that means killing Santa! Take a trip back with me to North Pole City in 1984 as I review the TV movie The Night They Saved Christmas starring Jacklyn Smith and Art Carney.
https://twotruefreaks.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Pop-Culture-Affidavit-Episode-149.mp3
Set at the end of the 1980s, Déjà View is a coming of age novel with a supernatural elements, and joining me for this episode is its author, Michael Thomas Perone. We sit down to talk about his novels Déjà View and Danger Peak and the inspirations behind them.
https://twotruefreaks.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Pop-Culture-Affidavit-Episode-148.mp3
My trilogy of nostalgia-fueled movies comes to an end with a look at The Big Chill, Lawrence Kasdan’s iconic 1983 film that was a touchstone for the Baby Boomer generation. Along for the ride with me is Michael Bailey, who talks about the film and its impact on us as children of those Boomers as well as the movie’s best-selling soundtrack.
https://twotruefreaks.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Pop-Culture-Affidavit-Episode-147.mp3
It’s that time of year again!
The Baltimore Comic-Con was held the weekend of September 8-10 and once again Tom and Brett were there. Join us as we talk about what we saw and what we bought; plus, interviews with Joe Staton and John K. Snyder III.
Music in this episode is “Retro Arcade” by Beat Mekanik and is used under Creative Commons via the Free Music Archive.
https://twotruefreaks.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Pop-Culture-Affidavit-Episode-146.mp3
My look at nostalgia-themed movies continues! This time around, Amanda joins me to sit down and talk about a formative movie for the two of us: Dazed and Confused, the 1993 Richard Linklater film that takes place during one night in 1976. We look at the movie, its soundtrack, and the book published alongside it as well as share our memories about watching it many times.
https://twotruefreaks.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Pop-Culture-Affidavit-Episode-145.mp3
It’s the first of three episodes that look at the nostalgia subgenre of films, and I’m starting with the granddaddy of all of them, 1973’s American Graffiti. Directed by George Lucas, this is a seminal film and soundtrack that takes a look back at the teenage years of a generation, [...]
It’s JLMay 2023! Join me as I take a look at issue #10 of the 2007 version of DC’s classic team-up series, The Brave and the Bold. The Challengers of the Unknown! Superman! The Silent Knight! Aquaman! The Teen Titans! It’s some Silver Age DC goodness brought to you by Mark Waid, George Perez, and Bob Wiacek! Plus, listener feedback!
https://twotruefreaks.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Pop-Culture-Affidavit-Episode-143.mp3
It’s the first part of an EXTRA-SIZED CROSSOVER with Fire and Water Records! Ryan and Neil, The Brothers Daly, join me for a look at cover songs. What makes a good cover song? Which covers are iconic? What covers have surpassed the originals? Which ones do we personally love? Join us as we each go through a list of five cover songs and talk about what makes them stand out. Then, in May, go over to Fire and Water Records to listen to part two!
https://twotruefreaks.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Pop-Culture-Affidavit-Episode-142.mp3
It’s been twenty years since the United States invaded Iraq, a key moment of the last two decades. During the lead-up to war, there were controversies over opinions on the war and support for the military. In this episode, I take a look at two of the more well-known of those controversies: “Freedom Fries” in reaction to France’s opposition to the war, and The Chicks’ comments about President George W. Bush.
Content Note: Politics are discussed and my political views are voiced. Listener discretion is advised.
https://twotruefreaks.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Pop-Culture-Affidavit-Episode-141.mp3
If I can point the true origin of my comic book collecting career to one point in time, and especially one character, it’s the spring of 1990 and the character is Batman. For this episode, I’m going to take you through “My Batman Phase,” starting with how I first got to know the character, and walking through my experience with some of the biggest Bat-related events of the 1990s.
https://twotruefreaks.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Pop-Culture-Affidavit-Episode-140.mp3
New Year, New You! At least that’s what they tell ourselves. Back in episode 96, I talked about my efforts to “uncollect” the piles of stuff I own. Well, it’s been a few years, so how is it going?
That’s what this episode is about. I talk about two books I read about hoarding and clutter, the Marie Kondo series Sparking Joy with Marie Kondo, and the “Curiosity Inc.” YouTube series before getting into my own experience with The Uncollecting. So come along and clear the clutter with me!
By the way, if you’re interested in the blog I have set up for The Uncollecting, check out theuncollecting.com.
https://twotruefreaks.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Pop-Culture-Affidavit-Episode-139.mp3
It’s been TEN YEARS since I started this podcast, and it’s time for my TENTH trip to the Baltimore Comic-Con. Once again, Brett cosplays up and joins me to meet creators and buy comics. I’ve got interviews with Bob Hall, Joe Staton, Jill Thompson, and a number of other creators [...]
It’s third and final episode in a series of three episodes about America: its history, its people, and its culture. This time around, I am looking at walking across America through the lens of the seminal travel memoirs A Walk Across America and The Walk West: A Walk Across America [...]
In 1988, NBC produced three television movies starring a gaggle of teenage stars from some of the most popular sitcoms of the day. And for this episode, I sit down and talk about them. So strap in for “Crash Course,” get on the floor for “Dance ’til Dawn” and set [...]
We’re back to the world of Paper Girls with the release of Amazon Prime’s new series. Once again, Stella joins me to talk about the show and we give our takes on the characters, the story, and its faithfulness to its source material. Warning: Spoilers abound! https://twotruefreaks.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Pop-Culture-Affidavit-Episode-135.mp3
It’s second of a series of three episodes about America: its history, its people, and its culture. This time around, I am looking at A Day in the Life of America. My coverage includes a 1968 Department of Defense film called “A Day in America”, the 1986 photo book A [...]
After four years and six films, John Hughes left the teen movie subgenre behind in 1987, but not before producing one last film, Some Kind of Wonderful. Join me as I take a look at the film, its novelization, the soundtrack, and evaluate its place in the teen movie canon [...]
It’s first of a series of three episodes about America: its history, its people, and its culture. And to start us off, I’m looking at how American history is related through the comics medium by looking at the comic book “A Picture Story of the United States,” The Cartoon History [...]
It was generic. It was kind of lame. And it was everywhere. From the late 1970s to the late 1980s, “Corporate Rock” ruled the airwaves. But what, exactly, was “Corporate Rock”? Join me as I plumb the depths of middling rock radio with a playlist of mid-tempo rockers, power ballads, [...]
Corinne Burns is the teen girl who fronts a band who is scraping to make something of themselves. Ellen Aim is a pop star about to soar into the stratosphere until she’s kidnapped by a biker gang. What do they have in common? They were both characters in 1980s films [...]
When you start reading comic books decades into a character or even an entire publisher’s existence, how do you go back and find out all of the stories that got them to that point, especially when it’s 1991, you’re fourteen, and you don’t have money, a car, or the Internet [...]
It’s the second of a two-part crossover with Required Reading With Tom and Stella. Last week, part one was our discussion of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. This time around, we’re looking at a movie that took The Bard’s comedy, updated it, and placed it squarely in the teen comedy genre: [...]
It’s the tenth and final chapter in a podcast miniseries that looks at the fall of the Iron Curtain and the popular culture of the Cold War. To start us off, I look at what happened in Eastern Europe in December 1991 with a special focus on the final days [...]
It’s a holiday-themed follow-up to last episode, as Amanda joins me to talk about what we watch on PBS during the holidays. From European Christmas Markets to Rick Steves to GBBO, we talk about all of the programming that brings us comfort and joy in December. https://twotruefreaks.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Pop-Culture-Affidavit-Episode-127.mp3
It’s the ninth chapter in a podcast miniseries that looks at the fall of the Iron Curtain and the popular culture of the Cold War. To start us off, I look at what happened in Eastern Europe from September 1991 to November 1991 with a special focus on real-life spies [...]
From Big Bird to Antiques Roadshow, PBS has programming that is part of our lives from beginning to end. As a longtime viewer, I have a lot of memories and favorite shows and in this episode, I spend time going through them, looking as far back as my preschool days [...]
Fully vaccinated and masked up, Brett and I returned to the Baltimore Comic-Con for the first time since 2019! Join us as we talk about what we bought, who we saw, and interview creators such as Thom Zahler, Cliff Chiang, Wayne Vansant, Angela McKendrick, and Rod Van Blake. Plus: yet [...]
And while I did answer feedback this episode, I still would love to hear from you, so feel free to leave leave comments on the Pop Culture Affidavit Facebook page, follow me on Twitter, or email me at popcultureaffidavit@gmail.com. I’ll read your feedback on a future Pop Culture Affidavit episode. https://twotruefreaks.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/9-11-and-Popular-Culture-Part-Six.mp3 It’s [...]
It’s the fifth episode of a six-part miniseries that examines the books, movies, music, comics, and other popular culture that directly addresses or is about the attacks of September 11, 2001. In this episode, I look at music, covering the music that was popular on the charts in September 2001, [...]
It’s the fourth episode of a six-part miniseries that examines the books, movies, music, comics, and other popular culture that directly addresses or is about the attacks of September 11, 2001. In this episode, I look at film and television, including the big budget films United 93 and World Trade [...]
It’s the third episode of a six-part miniseries that examines the books, movies, music, comics, and other popular culture that directly addresses or is about the attacks of September 11, 2001. In this episode, I look at literature. Selections include poems by Toni Morrison, Abigail Deutsch, Deborah Garrison, and others; [...]
It’s the second episode of a six-part miniseries that examines the books, movies, music, comics, and other popular culture that directly addresses or is about the attacks of September 11, 2001. In this episode, I look at comic books, starting with The Amazing Spider-Man volume 2 #36, Marvel’s A Moment [...]
It’s the first episode of a six-part miniseries that examines the books, movies, music, comics, and other popular culture that directly addresses or is about the attacks of September 11, 2001. To begin, I take an historical look at the events of the day as well as some nonfiction about [...]
It’s the eighth chapter in a podcast miniseries that looks at the fall of the Iron Curtain and the popular culture of the Cold War. To start us off, I look at what happened in Eastern Europe from June 1991 to August 1991 with a special focus on the attempted [...]
Jean-Claude Van Damme, made his name as “The Muscle from Brussels” off of B-level action flicks that were light on story but chock full of martial arts action. In 1989, coming off the success of Bloodsport, he starred in Cyborg, a post-apocalyptic sci-fi/action thriller about a man bent on revenge and [...]
The Eighties and Nineties were a boom for the baseball card and trading card industry, and since I was a kid, I was right there in the thick of it. Join me as I recount my days collecting baseball cards as well as cards featuring characters from Marvel, DC, Star [...]
It’s the seventh chapter in a podcast miniseries that looks at the fall of the Iron Curtain and the popular culture of the Cold War. To start us off, I look at what happened in Eastern Europe from March 1991 to May 1991 with a special focus on Yugoslavia and [...]
In 1984, Marv Wolfman and George Perez shocked their fans by revealing that the New Teen Titans’ newest member, Terra, was working with Deathstroke: The Terminator. Then, they finished Terra’s story in what is the high-water mark for their run, “The Judas Contract.” This episode, Donovan Grant joins me to [...]
Talk Hard! Steal the air! In 1990, the cult film Pump Up the Volume was released and it proved to be a formative movie experience for many teenagers of the time. So, 31 years after it came out, I sat down with Michael Bailey to take apart the film and [...]
It’s the sixth chapter in a podcast miniseries that looks at the fall of the Iron Curtain and the popular culture of the Cold War. To start us off, I look at what happened in Eastern Europe from December 1990 to February 1991 with a special focus on the role [...]
Thirty years ago, Douglas Coupland published Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture, a novel that would name the generation that came of age in the 1980s and early 1990s. It told of disaffected, misanthropic, self-absorbed twentysomethings who didn’t seem to care about anything that was going on in the [...]
It’s time for another trip down the rabbit hole that is the music of my formative years! This time around, I’m taking a look at B-sides and rarities that are some of my favorites or marked an important moment in my time as a music fan or collector. You’ll hear [...]
Spend this holiday season with some of your favorite families in TV Land! This time around, I take a look at seven sitcom episodes from the 1980s to 2010s that center around or take place around the holidays: Cheers, Married … With Children, Saved by the Bell, Seinfeld, The Simpsons, [...]
In 1990, David Fincher directed one of the most iconic videos of all time, “Freedom ’90” by George Michael. The video featured five supermodels lip synching the song and was a literally explosive deconstruction of the image he had created in his 1987 solo debut, “Faith.” So, on the video’s [...]
High School is over and for the students who went to Degrassi High, that means parties, college, jobs, and sex with Tessa Campinelli. That’s right, it’s time to look back at the wildest summer in Degrassi history, the 1992 movie finale, School’s Out! Over the course of this episode, I [...]
It’s the second chapter in a podcast miniseries that looks at the fall of the Iron Curtain and the popular culture of the Cold War. To start us off, I look at what happened in Eastern Europe after the wall fell, beginning in November 1989 and ending in February 1990 [...]
We came. We saw. We read Wizard. We bought what Wizard recommended. Thirty years later, we can get what Wizard recommended for a quarter. We have regrets. This episode, I celebrate 30 years since the dawn of the Nineties with a look at the decade of comic excess via Wizard: [...]
If you were a high-achieving teenager in the Eighties or early Nineties, there was only one way for you to get through feeling overwhelmed by all the pressure: amphetamines. Or at least it seemed that way on television. Over the course of this episode, I look at four episodes where [...]
It’s the most wonderful time of the year again! Continuing a podcast tradition, I am joined by Rob Kelly of the Fire and Water Podcast Network to celebrate Festivus 2019! We begin, as always, with the airing of grievances where we discuss what has annoyed us in popular culture this [...]
It’s a tale as old as time that has become one of the greatest quests in the history of popular culture and now I’m taking some time to talk about it. This time around, Brett returns to talk about his favorite video game franchise, which happens to be one of [...]
It’s the first chapter in a brand new podcast miniseries that looks at the fall of the Iron Curtain and the popular culture of the Cold War. To start us off, I look at the watershed event from 30 years ago that marked the beginning of the end of four [...]
It’s time for my annual coverage of the Baltimore Comic-Con! This year’s coverage features coverage of what Brett and I bought and what we thought of the convention, plus interviews with comics creators Steve Conley (The Middle Age), Thom Zahler (Love & Capes, Warning Label), Brenden Fletcher (Batgirl, Robotech Remix), [...]
It’s the most self-indulgent, ultra-sized episode of Pop Culture Affidavit EVER!!! Join me as I take a look back at the history of the blog and podcast; giving you its origin story; and respond to both emails and past blog comments on topics such movies, comics, music, and random stuff. [...]
After nine years of blogging and 99 podcast episodes, it’s time to take another look at the movie that started it all: MEGAFORCE! In this episode, I take a look at the 1982 Hal Needham film, which stars Barry Bostwick as Ace Hunter, the commander of a super-elite international military [...]
It’s the second of two “milestone year” episodes as Amanda sits down with me once again for a talk about 1999! Over the course of our (much shorter this time) conversation, we talk music, movies, and television, but also delve into news, politics and culture. We’ll look at the rise [...]
In celebration of the 80th anniversary of Batman and the 30th anniversary of the release of Tim Burton’s first Batman film, I am taking a look at my own Bat-fandom, focusing specifically on Mark Cotta Vaz’s 1989 book Tales of the Dark Knight: Batman’s First Fifty Years, 1939-1989. I cover [...]
They’re the 30-second segments you fast-forwarded through, ignored, or used for a bathroom break, but when you think about it, you know them better than you realize. They are commercials. In this episode, I talk about advertising and commercials that I remember, both fondly and not so fondly. I begin [...]
How much do we accumulate and hold onto? How much of it do we actually need? In this episode, I take you behind my new endeavor and new blog, “The Uncollecting”, which is “One Nerd’s Efforts to Let Things Go.” I talk about what brought me to want to consume [...]
It’s the first of two “milestone year” episodes where Amanda and I sit down and take a pretty thorough look at what was going on in a particular year of the 1990s. First up, 1995. Join us as we talk about where we were in our lives in ’95 and [...]
Sixty years ago today, rock and roll lost three of its earliest stars when Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper died in a plane crash. In this episode, I take a look back at that event by focusing on how I learned about it as a kid in [...]
In what is now an annual Pop Culture Affidavit tradition, it’s time for us to celebrate Festivus, the holiday that is for the rest of us! This year, I’m joined for the airing of grievances and the feats of strength by The Irredeemable Shag. We complain about fandom and other [...]
Blank VHS tapes. So many of us had them. So many of us still have them. But what happens when you unearth a pile of vaguely labeled blank tapes in your parents’ basement and you pop them into your VCR? Well, that’s exactly what I did. In this episode, I [...]
With the new Titans show availble through DC’s streaming service, it’s time to take a look at some of my all-time favorite issues of The New Teen Titans! Join me as I cash in on this brand new show and look at issues #28, 29, 30, and 31 of the [...]
It’s that time of year again! I go back to Baltimore for the 2018 Baltimore Comic-Con. And this time, I’m not alone! Join me and Brett as we meet Tom Grummett, Karl Kesel, Mike Zeck, and Terry Moore. Plus, we get to talk with author Andrea Rose Washington, author and [...]
Its the SEVENTH AND FINAL EPISODE of the seven-part miniseries IT CAME FROM SYNDICATION! This time around, I wrap up my look at syndicated television of the 1980s and early 1990s with a look at a show that was a worldwide phenomenon and one of the ultimate examples of a [...]
Its the sixth episode of the seven-part miniseries IT CAME FROM SYNDICATION! This time around, I continue my look at syndicated television from the 1980s and 1990s with a look at the “drama” category, which encompasses action, science fiction, and horror. Im joined by friend and fellow podcaster Michael Bailey [...]
It’s the fifth episode of the seven-part miniseries IT CAME FROM SYNDICATION! This time around, I continue my look at syndicated television from the 1980s and 1990s with a look at cartoons. Join me and Amanda (for her final appearance on the miniseries) for a look back at our childhoods [...]
It’s the fourth episode of the seven-part miniseries IT CAME FROM SYNDICATION! This time around, I continue my look at syndicated television from the 1980s and 1990s with a look at game shows. Join me and Amanda as we talk about everything from Jeopardy! to the $100,000 Pyramid and take [...]
It’s the third episode of the seven-part miniseries IT CAME FROM SYNDICATION! This time around, I continue my look at syndicated television from the 1980s and 1990s with a look at a category known as “Infotainment,” which includes news programs, sports programs, entertainment journalism, and talk shows. Join me and [...]
It’s the second episode of the seven-part miniseries IT CAME FROM SYNDICATION! This time around, I continue my look at syndicated television from the 1980s and early 1990s with a look at that bastion of American television, sitcoms. From Throb to Out of This World to Small Wonder, I’ll be [...]
It’s the premiere episode of a special seven-part Pop Culture Affidavit miniseries, IT CAME FROM SYNDICATION! Starting with THIS VERY EPISODE, I will be taking a look at syndicated television from the 1980s and the early 1990s, covering a variety of genres and shows. For our first time around, I [...]
Coming July 11, 2018 is a 7-part Pop Culture Affidavit miniseries … IT CAME FROM SYNDICATION! I’ll be spending my time looking at a variety of programming genres that aired in syndication in the 1980s and early 1990s. Complete with special guests along the way! So board the Enterprise, get [...]
It’s the second of a two-part look at police story comics of the late 1980s and early 1990s! This time around, I look at the Marvel comics series Cops: The Job by Larry Hama, Joe Jusko, Mike Harris, and Jimmy Palmiotti from 1992. Check out the blog for show notes, [...]
It’s the first of a two-part look at police story comics of the late 1980s and early 1990s! This time around, I look at the DC Comics four-issue miniseries Underworld by Robert Loren Fleming and Ernie Colon from 1987. Check out the blog for show notes, and don’t forget that [...]
In the Eighties, nobody was more awesome or rocked harder. Join me as I take a look back on this band and its legacy through a top 5 list of what I think are the most memorable songs. Check out the blog for show notes, and don’t forget that you [...]
Join me this episode as I talk about my trip to the Virginia Comic-Con in Richmond on March 4 where I hosted a lecture about “Comics Podcasting 101” and also had the opportunity to interview Gary Cohn (Amethyst, Blue Devil) and comics journalist and writer Bob Sedaro. Plus, I have [...]
Greetings, listener. You have been recruited by the Star League to defend the frontier against Xur and the Ko-Dan armada! That’s right, it’s time to brush up on your video game skills and fly into my coverage of the 1984 sci-fi flick, The Last Starfighter. Over the course of this [...]
Special guest stars keep appearing. A new kid is added to the cast. A major cast member leaves. Two characters hook up. They cast Ted McGinley. The setting changes. There’s yet another very special episode. The Fonz straps on some water skis and JUMPS THE SHARK. Any way you see [...]
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Grab your aluminum poles and get ready to air your grievances and best each other in the feats of strength because it’s Festivus for the Rest of Us yet again! This year, I’m joined by Professor Alan of the Relatively Geeky Network. [...]
Travel back to this past summer as my family and I talk about our trip to Universal Studios Orlando. First up, you’ll hear Brett tell me all about the Wizarding World of Harry Potter; then, Amanda and I give our impressions of the theme park. Check out the blog for [...]
Stella is back and here to talk with me about Nothing Better, the web comic and graphic novel series about freshman year of college by creator Tyler Page. Over the course of our converation, we take a look at the three trade paperback collections he has released and give them [...]
This is it! The big finale! After 14 months, I have finally reached the end of my comic book origin story, having covered the books from 1986 and 1987 that I bought, read, and enjoyed. And for this final episode, I will be taking a look at G.I. Joe: A [...]
In the summer of 2017, two podcasters got on Skype to record a podcast about a horror movie. Three months later, their footage was found. Join me and Michael Bailey as we look at the seminal found footage horror film The Blair Witch Project. In this episode, we talk about [...]
You heard from the kids, now it’s the grown-ups’ turn! Join me and Gene Hendricks (The Hammer Strikes) as we recap our time at the 2017 Baltimore Comic-Con. We talk about creators we met, comics we bought, and our chance meeting with Darren and Ruth Sutherland of the RaD Network. [...]
For the second year in a row, I took Brett to the Baltimore Comic-Con. This time, dressed as Captain America, he once again conquered the Kids Love Comics pavilion as well as sat in on a panel about the Amulet series of graphic novels. Hear what we learned about creating [...]
It’s the penultimate episode of Origin Story! This time around, a huge storyline ends in G.I. Joe #66 and Captain America’s new look get profiled in Marvel Age #57. Check out the blog for show notes, and don’t forget that you can email me at popcultureaffidavit@gmail.com! http://twotruefreaks.com/media/podcasts/popculture/mp3/OriginStoryEpisode32.mp3
When an American computer engineer seems to have gone rogue and started working with the Soviets in Southeast Asia, a select team of Joes have to go in to take care of him. It’s a kinda/sorta crossover with “In Country” in G.I. Joe Special Missions #8. Plus, I … well, [...]
“Is this a kissing podcast?” Travel back to 1987 and the land of Florin as my friend, Amanda Broyles, and I take a look at one of our all-time favorite films, Rob Reiner’s The Princess Bride. We share our respective memories with the film and give it a review. It [...]
In this episode, we say goodbye to Spider-Man and The Transformers as I begin wrapping up this series. First, I look at Peter Parker The Spectacular Spider-Man Annual #7, which is the honeymoon of Peter and Mary Jane. Then, I wrap up “Kraven’s Last Hunt” with Peter Parker The Spectacular [...]
The Joes and Cobras fight high above the Earth in G.I. Joe #65, Frank Castle takes on a cult leader in The Punisher #4 and I look at what’s going on the Marvel Universe with Marvel Age #56. Plus … MEAT LOAF!!! Check out the blog for show notes, and [...]
I dip my toes into the independent comics waters with Robotech: The Macross Saga #21. Join me as I spend time with Rick Hunter and Lisa Hayes as they get stuck in the depths of the SDF-1 for a few hours (bottle epsidoe, anyone?). Then, I talk about teaching podcasting [...]
Kraven meets his end in the penultimate chapter of Kraven’s Last Hunt as I take a look at “Thunder” from The Amazing Spider-Man #294. Plus, I spend 15 minutes talking about ice cream. http://twotruefreaks.com/media/podcasts/popculture/mp3/OriginStoryEpisode27.mp3
In the mid-1980s, one of the seminal anime series to ever cross over to American television was watched by children across the country. Combining mecha with a love story and an intergalactic war, Robotech was a sweeping saga that makes it one of the most memorable series of the decade. [...]
Kraven’s Last Hunt enters its second half as Spidey crawls out of the grave (quite literally) in Web of Spider-Man #32. Plus, I talk about why G.I. Joe Yearbook #3 is so important to me as a comics reader. http://twotruefreaks.com/media/podcasts/popculture/mp3/OriginStoryEpisode26.mp3
“Kraven’s Last Hunt” continues as he heads into the sewers and takes down Vermin. Then, we hop across the pond to read the first part of “Man of Iron.” It’s Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #131 and The Transformers #33. http://twotruefreaks.com/media/podcasts/popculture/mp3/OriginStoryEpisode25.mp3
We know who’s behind Cobra Commander’s armor, but do the Baroness and Serpentor? One of them is going to find out in G.I. Joe #64. Then, we’re going to find out what’s going in the entire Marvel Universe (and the New Universe) in Marvel Age #55. http://twotruefreaks.com/media/podcasts/popculture/mp3/OriginStoryEpisode24.mp3
I go headlong into the Marvel mainstream as Kraven’s Last Hunt continues in The Amazing Spider-Man #293 and Frank Castle takes on a white supremacist militia in The Punisher #3. Plus, since my copy of the Punisher’s book is an actual physical comic book, I get to look at letters [...]
In 1977, one of the biggest phenomenons of the decade was released, a movie that so encapsulated that moment in time that it’s been preserved for being culturally relevant. That movie? Saturday Night Fever. I take a ride to Bay Ridge, Brooklyn 40 years ago to hang out with Tony [...]
After looking at another issue of G.I. Joe Special Missions where a few Joes pull off a perfect A-Team-esque caper, I begin what I consider one of the highlights of the summer of 1987 and that’s “Kraven’s Last Hunt,” which starts in Web of Spider-Man #31. Plus … I strap [...]
Got a job? Got a couple of bucks? Need a car? Come on down to episode 21 of Origin Story where I can sell you some Used Autobots in The Transformers #32. That’s right … it doesn’t matter if you have bad credit or no credit, you’re going to get [...]
Charles and Diana … Luke and Laura … Peter Parker and Mary Jane … all couples whose weddings were the must-see events of the 1980s. This episode, I’ll be taking a look at that last one, as I look at both The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #21 and Marvel Age #54. [...]
Buster Witwicky fights off Ratbat in the Car Wash of Doom and The Punisher takes down a drug cartel in Bolivia! It’s the latest episode of Origin Story where I have a two-fer of Marvel Comics from 1987, starting with The Transformers #31 and ending with The Punisher #2. http://twotruefreaks.com/media/podcasts/popculture/mp3/OriginStoryEpisode19.mp3
Stalker, Quick-Kick, and Snow Job are in the gulag; Outback returns to Joe headquarters; Billy enters the ninja; and I talk about Trivial Pursuit. It’s all here in the latest episode of Origin Story, where I cover G.I. Joe #62. Now with fewer audio glitches! http://twotruefreaks.com/media/podcasts/popculture/mp3/OriginStoryEpisode18.mp3
The “Joes captured behind the Iron Curtain” storyline continues as Outback, the one who got away, escapes and fights his way across the border in G.I. Joe Special Missions #6. As always, I take a look at the comic and give it a review. Then, I spend time talking about [...]
They were cool, they were hip, they were the “in” thing, and they lasted all of three months. They were fads. Slap on a bracelet, flip a water bottle, hug your Beanie Babies tight and join me as I take a look at seven huge youth-driven fads (with some old [...]
I’m back to a single issue and rambling on with an onion on my belt. This time around, I look at the conclusion to the two-part Scraplets story from Transformers in issue #30 of the series. Plus, I wax nostalgic about my VHS copy of the 1986 John Hughes classic [...]
It’s time to return to the music of the early 1990s … and I’m bringing Amanda along for the ride as well! This time around, we take a look at ten albums that influenced us as teenagers. You’ll hear us talk about Seattle icons such as Nirvana and Pearl Jam; [...]
This time around, I have three … that’s right, THREE comics in ONE episode! I start off with the last of my FCTC-era Superman books for this show, which is Superman #7, then head over to Marvel for some military-grade violence! First, there’s the first issue in an UNLIMITED series [...]
Different distributors in the 1980s means different release dates for comics means that I’m putting this episode out two days before the last one. This time around, I take a look at The Adventures of Superman #429 by Marv Wolfman and Jerry Ordway, which puts the spotlight on Cat Grant [...]
In this episode of Origin Story, Bumblebee and Blaster head to Arizona and wind up victims of The Scraplets. Plus, I manage to make an Office Space joke at the expense of the Decepticons! It’s all in Transformers #29. Plus, I ramble about Top Gun even more, complete with Diet [...]
IT’S TIME FOR TODD MCFARLANE! YAY!!! This time around, I take a look at G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #60, the issue that was commanding a pretty good price on the back issue market in the early 1990s because of the art by (then) future Spider-Man artist and Image [...]
Ride into the Danger Zone with the Joes and Cobras as I cover a comic that featues a good old-fashioned mid-1980s dogfight in G.I. Joe: Special Missions #5! I review the comic and also talk about the perfect timing that was my owning at least a few Joe planes and [...]
In the tenth episode of Origin Story, I head on over to Marvel’s Distinguished Competition to check out an early FCTC-era Superman story with Adventures of Superman #428. I review the comic, gush about Jerry Ordway’s art (because you have to), ship Clark Kent and Cat Grant, and reveal that [...]
So no one told you this podcast was gonna be this way … although someone told me and Stella when we sat down to dinner to talk about the iconic 1990s sitcom Friends. We spend a couple of hours talking about the show, its characters, and our favorite moments. Plus, [...]
In the ninth episode of Origin Story, I go back to The Transformers with issue #28 of the series, which is the return of a recurring villain named The Mechanic. Plus, I take a moment to talk about movies that were out at this point in 1987, especially the Sylvester [...]
In the eighth episode of Origin Story, I delve into my first of several regular series G.I. Joe comics from 1987, starting with issue #59, where Cobra Commander, Fred, and Raptor take on a convoy. Plus, I talk about sales tax. Yes, sales tax.Please dont forget to leave feedback at [...]
For the past 75 years, she’s been a hero and role model, and this summer she is getting her own feature film. I’m talking, of course, about Wonder Woman. To honor the mighty Amazon, I’m taking a look at two series entitled The Legend of Wonder Woman. The first, from [...]
In the seventh episode of Origin Story, I delve into my first of several regular series Transformers comics from 1987, starting with issue #27, where in the recently departed Optimus Prime’s absence, Grimlock seizes command of the Autobots. Plus, I talk a little about my kind of sort of discovering [...]
In the sixth episode of Origin Story, I wrap up my coverage of the ultimate Hasbro crossover by taking a look at G.I. Joe and the Transformers #4. Do the Joes and Cobras save the world with the help of the Autobots? Will Hawk and Barbara get back together? Does [...]
Many Christmases ago, Frank Costanza, fed up with the commercialism of Christmas and upset at how it caused him to reign blows upon another man who also wanted the same doll he was about to buy for his son, decided to create a new holiday–a Festivus for the rest of [...]
Shockwave tries to destroy the world! It’s time for another look at G.I. Joe and the Transformers and this time around, I’m looking at issue #3 of the series, which raises the stakes as Cobra has to ally with G.I. Joe and the Autobots. I also share some memories of [...]
It’s Election Day and that means it’s time to talk politics … sort of! This episode, I’m joined by Rob Kelly (The Film and Water Podcast) to talk about the 1976 film All The President’s Men, which stars Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman as Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, the [...]
Thirty years ago, I begn collecting comics for the first time. Now, Im taking you back to those days with “Origin Story,” a comics podcasting miniseries where I will look at all of the comics I bought in 1986-1987 in “real time.” With this episode, I return to the series [...]
Thirty years ago, the New York Mets beat the Boston Red Sox in the 1986 World Series. For those of us who are die-hard Mets fans, it was an experience that we’ll never forget, and one that we have savored since then, as we patiently (and sometimes even painfully) wait [...]
Thirty years ago, I begn collecting comics for the first time. Now, I’m taking you back to those days with “Origin Story,” a comics podcasting miniseries where I will look at all of the comics I bought in 1986-1987 in “real time.” This time, I step away from Marvel and [...]
Thirty years ago, I begn collecting comics for the first time. Now, I’m taking you back to those days with “Origin Story,” a comics podcasting miniseries where I will look at all of the comics I bought in 1986-1987 in “real time.” For episode two, it’s time to dive into [...]
Thirty years ago, I begn collecting comics for the first time. Now, I’m taking you back to those days with “Origin Story,” a comics podcasting miniseries where I will look at all of the comics I bought in 1986-1987 in “real time.” In this first episode, I take a look [...]
More con talk! I wrap up my coverage of the 2016 Baltimore Comic-Con by sitting down with Professor Alan to talk about our experience at this year’s convention. We discuss con prep, creators we met, what we bought, and what we thought. Then, join me, Stella, and The Irredeemable Shag [...]
It’s that time of year again–time for the Baltimore Comic-Con! And this time, I’m not alone! In the first of two episodes covering this year’s convention, I am joined by my son, Brett, as we take a look at the Kids Love Comics portion of the Baltimore Comic-Con and he [...]
Thirty years ago, Rob Reiner directed the seminal coming-of-age film Stand By Me. To celebrate its anniversary, Michael Bailey and I take a look at the film as well as the Stephen King novella “The Body,” upon which it’s based; as well as the music on its soundtrack. We also [...]
It’s time to throw your Sublime CD into the stereo of your teal Mustang and then do the Macarena while downing some Molson Ice because we’re going back to the summer of 1996. Join me and my special guest–my wife, Amanda–as we take a look at the lineup from the [...]
THIS IS IT! THE BIG FINALE! And oh what a good one we’ve got for you! I’m joined by The Irredeemable Shag to talk about a book that not only showcases a plethora of DC superheroes, but characters from just about every DC genre I’ve covered. It’s Showcase #100, a [...]
It’s time to go back to class as I sit down with Professor Alan (The Relatively Geeky Network) to discuss documentaries. We take a look at the genre as a whole, talking about what makes a good documentary and the mistakes that documentarians often make (from our opinions as viewers) [...]
My look at the history of DC Comics through its many genres reaches its penultimate episode with the last non-superhero genre but the very first it published (literally), which is Westerns. While giving an overview of the many cowboys and frontiersmen that DC published since 1935, I take a look [...]
It’s an all-star “live” episode as I get the chance to sit down with Professor Alan and Stella and then Stella herself and talk about topics random and geeky! Enjoy such conversations as the novels of Thomas Hardy, DC Rebirth, the Human League, Bat-splaining, and Mad Men. Plus, LISTENER FEEDBACK!!! [...]
If you were a comics reader in the late Eighties and early Nineties, you probably saw their ads–either a long list of back issues against a yellow background or a striking picture of the latest HOT character advertising what was going to be a RED HOT book. Well in this [...]
This time around, I’m joined by Andrew Leyland (Hey Kids, Comics!, The Palace of Glittering Delights, The Fantasticast, Listen to the Prophets) to discuss what has to be one of the most underrecognized (and maybe even underrated) Batman stories of the late 1980s, perhaps even of all time. Written by [...]
This Friday, Batman and Superman will meet on the big screen for the first time in our lifetimes in the film Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. So, in order to “cash in” on this, I’m taking a look at the beginning and end of the World’s Finest team by [...]
With three episodes to go in the series, I’m joined by Luke Jaconetti from Earth Destruction Directive (among other podcasts) to talk about DC’s long history of war comics. Over the course of our conversation, we take a look at a classic tale starring Sgt. Rock and Easy Company as [...]
It’s time for YET ANOTHER PLAYLIST EPISODE! Inspired by Andrew Leyland’s movie scores episode of “The Palace of Glittering Delights,” I’ve compiled a playlist of songs from movie soundtracks that are both classic and obscure but are in many ways spectacular. I’ve got Simon & Garfunkel, The Bee Gees, Queen, [...]
Well, it’s been a month since Christmas and you’ve all finally listened to all of the holiday-themed episodes that everyone else on the TTF network put out … so why not one more? That’s right, folks–we’ve kept the lights up and drinking egg nog way past its expiration date to [...]
It’s the first episode of 2016 and I’m back from Vegas, baby, so I’ve decided to take a look at one of the biggest independent film success stories of the mid-1990s, Swingers. Directed by Doug Liman and starring Jon Favreau (who also wrote the screenplay) and Vince Vaughn, the film [...]
Be a good citizen! Don’t do drugs! Understand the dangers of unprotected sex and fight the stigma of AIDS. These are all part of various DC Comics public service announcements over the company’s 80-year history. In this episode, I tackle citizenship by looking at a classic one-page Superboy PSA; fight [...]
My look at 80 Years of DC Comics continues with a review of the fantasy genre of comics, one that spans much of the company’s publishing history. I start off in the 1950s with a classic Kanigher-Kubert Viking Prince tale from Brave and the Bold #3 and then fast-foward to [...]
Just in time for Halloween, it’s a look at DC’s horror offerings! I take a look at some classic 1970s horror with stories from Ghosts and Forbidden Tales of Dark Mansion (a story by none other than Jack “King” Kirby himself) and after a very quick look at an issue [...]
If there’s one genre that DC is known for as much as its superheroes, it’s science fiction. A staple of the company since it’s very early days, it has spawned thousands of stories, and in this episode I take a look at 80 years of DC Comics’ science fiction. What’s [...]
My recap of the summer of 2015 concludes with a look at this year’s Baltimore Comic-Con! I take you through all of the tedious prep, talk about the comics I had signed, and gush about what I bought! http://twotruefreaks.com/media/podcasts/popculture/mp3/PopCultureAffidavitEpisode56.mp3
It’s time to beam aboard and join me as I take a brief look at one of DC’s most successful licensed properties comics: Star Trek. In this episode, I take a quick look at Star Trek (1st series) #33, an issue billed as a “Twentieth Anniversary Special” that has the [...]
The summer 2015 recap continues with a Disney World episode! Join me, Amanda, and Brett as we head to Orlando in July and cover past and present vacations, what we loved doing, what we loved to eat, and a little bit of Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure! Show notes and [...]
Our walk through the non-superhero history of DC Comics is back with a look at licensed properties comics. And this one is full of guest stars! Stella! Andy Leyland! Charo! Brett Panarese! The 1972 Miami Dolphins! People who steal other people’s tired bits! This episode starts off with Stella (Batgirl [...]
Stella! Shag! Summer! It’s time for the first of a three-part look at the summer of 2015 and it starts off with a talk about movies between me, Stella (Batgirl to Oracle), and The Irredeemable Shag (The Fire & Water Podcast). Then, it’s time for listener feedback. BUT WAIT … [...]
Remember all of the awesome music we used to jam to growing up in the ’80s and ’90s? Remember all of the important bands that you heard just as they came out and before they became huge? Well, in this episode I’m going to take you on a nostalgic musical [...]
High school reunion month concludes with my all-time favorite reunion movies and one of my all-time favorite John Cusack movies, Grosse Pointe Blank. For this look at the high school reunion of Martin Blank, professional killer, I’m joined by Michael Bailey (From Crisis to Crisis, Tales of the JSA, Views [...]
Everything’s a laugh riot here for this episode of my DC Comics retrospective, as I take a look at books that put the funny in funny books! I start out by taking a very quick look at couple of the short comic strips in New Fun Comics #5, then Brett [...]
High school reunion month kicks off with a look at the 1996 movie Beautiful Girls, which was directed by Ted Demme and has one of those “Everyone from the Nineties” ensemble casts, which includes Timothy Hutton, Matt Dillon, Michael Rappaport, Rosie O’Donnell, Mira Sorvino, Uma Thurman, and Natalie Portman. I [...]
For as long as DC has been publishing, talking animals have been part of their lineup. In this episode, I take a brief look at the history of DC’s funny animal comics with a story from The Fox and the Crow as well as some Looney Tunes stories. Plus, I [...]
It’s the 50th episode of Pop Culture Affidavit! For this special episode, I take a look back twenty years to the year I graduated from high school. Along the way, I look at how senior year of high school is represented in movies. It includes stops at, among other things, [...]
In 1997, Sean McKeever self-published his very first work, The Waiting Place, a story about the ennui that comes with being a young adult trapped in a town that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. It was soon picked up by Slave Labor Graphics and McKeever along with Brendon and [...]
My look at non-superhero comics throughout DC’s 80-year history continues with the crime-drama genre and to represent that, I’ve chosen the 1988 miniseries Cinder and Ashe, which was written by Gerry Conway and drawn by Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez (praise be his name). It’s a story about two private investigators looking [...]
It’s the fifth part of my look at 80 years of DC Comics and I cover not necessarily a type of comic, but a type of character. It’s an all-gorilla episode! Listen as I recap a classic Congo Bill story as well as Secret Origins #40. Comments and feedback are [...]
It’s time for another look back at a classic teen movie and this time I’ve pulled out all the stops for one of the quintessential 1980s teen flicks, Fast Times at Ridgemont High. I’m joined by Todd Liebenow of The Forgotten Filmcast to talk about the film, and its influence. [...]
80 Years of DC Comics rolls on as I take a look at an issue of Legends of the DC Universe starring my all-time favorite superhero team, The New Teen Titans! This episode is part of a mega podcast crossover with the Lantern Cast and I was happy to read [...]
“The Meat Loaf Episode.” Enough said. http://twotruefreaks.com/media/podcasts/popculture/mp3/PopCultureAffidavitEpisode47.mp3
For 77 years, DC Comics has been the home to Superheroes. But for 80 years, it has been the home to action-adventure. Join me as I take a look at action-adventure stories featuring Steve Conrad, Johnny Peril, King Faraday, Nemesis, and Dick Grayson in an episode that spans most of [...]
Riding the coattails of The Palace of Glittering Delights, I’ve got my own TV theme song countdown. There’s comedy! There’s drama! There’s Canadians! There’s Hasselhoff! Join me as I count down twelve of my all-time favorite TV theme songs. Show notes and pictures are available at http://popcultureaffidavit.com, which is also [...]
It’s a coattails-riding self-indulgent trip down comedy memory lane as I spend 30 minutes talking about Saturday Night Live, which just had a huge 40th anniversary special this past Sunday. Here, I look back on another anniversary special from the show, its 15th anniversary special, which aired in the fall [...]
My celebration of 80 Years of DC Comics continues with a genre that was once pretty strong and popular but is no longer around, which is romance comics. I’m joined by Stella from Batgirl to Oracle: A Barbara Gordon Podcast and we take a look at Secret Hearts #153. There’s [...]
It’s literally a literary episode of Pop Culture Affidavit as Professor Alan joins me to talk about books and movies; specifically, adaptation. We get into what makes a good adaptation, what makes a bad adaptation, talk about movies based on books that we love and hate, and even discuss what [...]
Presenting the first episode in an all-new podcast miniseries from Pop Culture Affidavit, 80 Years of DC Comics. Throughout these twelve episodes, I am going to be taking a look at the various genres of comic books that DC Comics has produced in its 80-year history. For my first episode, [...]
So it’s Jaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaanuaaaaaaaaaaaaary. Blah. BUT, thankfully I’m here to bore you all to death … I mean, get you pumped up for another year of pop culture randomness! Join me for 40 minutes of rambling where I talk about Christmas, highlights from last year, and what I’m looking forward to [...]
It’s the end of the year and that means it’s the end of my year-long series, “1994: The Most Important Year of the Nineties!” I close things out with another grab bag that features music, movies, television, politics, and the Internet and then give a final, closing statement about why [...]
BECAUSE NOBODY DEMANDED IT, it’s time for yet another Christmas episode! And this year, I’m saving you from the barrage of crappy Christmas “classics” out there with my own TOP TWELVE COUNTDOWN of CHRISTMAS FAVORITES! Plus, a special long-distance dedication! http://twotruefreaks.com/media/podcasts/popculture/mp3/PopCultureAffidavitEpisode41.mp3
We’re nearing the end of 1994: The Most Important Year of the Nineties and in the penultimate episode of the series, I’m showcasing what is one of the most important television series of the Nineties, The Real World. Specificlally, I take a look at season three: San Francisco, which starred [...]
It’s Thanksgiving time and 1994: The Most Important Year of the Nineties continues with a look at the biggest night of network television that year–NBC’s Thursday night Must See TV lineup! Join me and my wife, Amanda, as we sit and watch the episodes of Mad About You, Friends, and [...]
Save your seat on the couch, throw on some P-Funk, try to figure out the Caine-Hackman theory, work on your thesis, and get really offended because it’s time to take a look at the 1994 college flick PCU! Yeah, while it’s not the most important film of 1994: The Most [...]
With episode 37, I return to 1994: The Most Important Year of the Nineties with the only thing that I could possibly cover for episode 37: CLERKS! And to join me for this discussion of Kevin Smith’s classic debut is Trentus Magnus, the award-winning host of Trentus Magnus Punches Reality. [...]
It’s National Banned Books Week and this time out I take a quick look at censorship, challenged and banned books, challenged and banned comics, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, and why and how censorship of this sort still exists. Show notes and pictures are available at http://popcultureaffidavit.com, which is [...]
Pop Culture Affidavit, the podcast that covers everything random in the world of popular culture has finally arrived at Two True Freaks! To celebrate our big move and the podcast’s third anniversary, it’s time for the third annual Baltimore Comic-Con episode! I take a look at the 2014 convention and [...]
My MSCL two-parter concludes with an extra-sized celebration through conversations with longtime fans of the show. Join me, Sarah Bunting (of TWoP and Previously.tv fame), Cory, Mark, Andrea, and chelle as we talk about MSCL, its impact on our lives, our history as fans, and the show’s legacy twenty years [...]
Twenty years ago, a television show premiered that, while it lasted only one season, had a clear impact on its devoted fans. The show was My So-Called Life. In honor of its twentieth anniversary and its place in 1994: The Most Important Year of the Nineties, here’s the first of [...]
Sit back, relax, drink some of Jimmy’s coffee, give your girl a foot massage and make sure the gimp has a $5 milkshake, it’s time to take a look at the movie of 1994: Pulp Fiction. I take a look at each section of the movie, talk a little bit [...]
What do Beverly Hills, 90210, the 1994 Baseball Strike, and Zima all have in common? They’re all covered in the latest episode of Pop Culture Affidavit! As part of my series of posts and episodes called 1994: The Most Important Year of the Nineties, I take a look at ten [...]
Fifteen years ago this summer, moviegoers were treated to one of the best and most consistent moviegoing experiences in history. Walk with me through ten movies from the summer of 1999, from The Phantom Menace and its ultimate disappointment to The Blair Witch Project and its being the scariest surprise [...]
Twenty years ago, the New York Rangers won their first Stanley Cup since 1940. Join me as I reminisce about that amazing run and talk about my life as a Rangers fan as well as share the memories of some of my friends.Show notes and pictures are available at http://popcultureaffidavit.com, [...]
1994: The Most Important Year of the Nineties continues with a look atThe Crow. Over the course of this episode, I take a look at the comic book by James O’Barr as well as the 1994 film starring Brandon Lee. Does this film hold up after twenty years? Tune in [...]
It’s the big conclusion of my conversation with Michael Bailey about 1994 in comics. Whereas we spent last episode talking about the comics industry, we spend most of this episode talking about what we thought were the most important comics of the year. Show notes and pictures are available at [...]
As my look at 1994: The Most Important Year of the Nineties continues, it’s time to take a look at the comic books. Joining me for this endeavor is Michael Bailey of Views from the Longbox (among other podcasts). In this two-parter, we’re going to talk about the comics industry [...]
“Dear Mr. Vernon …” On March 24, 1984, five students sat through detention in the Shermer High School library. Now, I take a look at my favorite movie of all time, The Breakfast Club. I break down the movie’s plot and give my review, sharing what makes it so special. [...]
1994: The Most Important Year of the Nineties continues with one of the most Nineties of Nineties movies, Reality Bites. I take a look at the Winona Ryder/Ben Stiller/Ethan Hawke classic and also talk about its place in popular culture as well as talk about why it failed at the [...]
Do you have the time to listen to me whine? No? Well, do you have the time to listen to me talk about Green Day’s Dookie, which was released twenty years ago and is one of the most important albums I ever purchased? You do? Great! I’ll give some history [...]
Happy New Year and welcome to the first in a series of posts for this year, “1994: The Most Important Year of the Nineties.” All this year, I’m going to sit down and take a look at what was going on twenty years ago. That means movies, comics, music and [...]
This time out, I present to you Dylan Thomas’s “A Child’s Christmas in Wales,” a literary selection appropriate to the season. Show notes and pictures are available at http://popcultureaffidavit.com, which is also where you can see regular weekly blog entries about the randomness that is pop culture. Feedback can be [...]
The latest episode is a little late but I promise you it’s well worth it. This time around I take a look at one of my absolute favorite rock and roll stories, Eddie and the Cruisers. I delve into P.F. Kluge’s original novel; talk about the 1983 feature film starring [...]
This time around, I have yet another guest on the show and it’s an awesome special guest, my friend chelle who spends about 90 minutes with me talking about the 1993 Counting Crows debut album, “August and Everything After.” We talk about the album’s history and go through it song [...]
This episode, Rob Kelly joins me to talk about his new book, “Hey Kids Comics: True-Life Tales From the Spinner Rack!” Show notes and pictures are available at http://popcultureaffidavit.com, which is also where you can see regular weekly blog entries about the randomness that is pop culture. Feedback can be [...]
It’s the one year anniversary of the Pop Culture Affidavit podcast and I’m celebrating in fine style with coverage from the 2013 Baltimore Comic-Con! I attended on Saturday, September 7 and you’ll get to hear me talk about the con as well as talk to some comics creators I met, [...]
Introducing a brand new occasional feature for the Pop Culture Affidavit Podcast: COMMENTARIES FOR THIGNS THAT DON’T NEED COMMENTARIES! For this first commentary, I take a look at the 1989 Andrew McCarthy/Jonathan Silverman classic, Weekend at Bernie’s. So grab some popcorn, prop your dead boss up on the couch, sit [...]
This time out we have an extra-sized and extra-AWESOME episode of the podcast. Joining me is my friend and fellow podcaster Michael Bailey (of Views From the Longbox and From Crisis to Crisis) and we spend THREE FULL HOURS discussing the films of Savage Steve Holland! Who is Savage Steve [...]
This time around in the podcast I take a look at the 1992 Cameron Crowe-directed film Singles, a romantic comedy whose soundtrack became one of the definitive albums from the 1990s. Starring Campbell Scott, Kyra Sedgwick, Bridget Fonda, and Matt Dillon and set in 1991 Seattle, Singles follows several characters [...]
Turning the lens on myself, it’s been ten years since I wrote and self-published a novel entitled “Sayville.” Was it worth the money I paid to self-publish it? Is it worth the money you might pay to read it? Well, probably not. Is it worth hearing me talk about it [...]
In 1989, Cameron Crowe wrote and directed one of the seminal movies of the teen film genre. Starring John Cusack, Ione Skye, and John Mahoney, it’s Say Anything …, one of my favorite movies of all time. Join me as I take a look back at the movie, talk about [...]
Hey everyone, take advantage of this special offer where you will get a ton of CDs for JUST ONE PENNY! Does that sound familiar? If it does, then you’re familiar with Columbia House, the record, tape, CD, and video club that flourished in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s and provided [...]
Do you know it’s been twenty years since Zack Morris graduated high school? Take a look back at the crew from Bayside High as I talk about Saved By The Bell–its history, its characters, my favorite episodes, and its legacy. Plus, a look at “Graduation,” the final episode to feature [...]
In 1985, Joel Schumacher directed a seminal film that perfectly captures the angst of youth having been unleashed onto the world after graduating from college. Okay, that’s giving this movie too much credit, but St. Elmo’s Fire is still one of the best illustrations of Post-Collegiate Stress Disorder, or PCSD. [...]
This time around, I take a look at Chynna Clugston’s comic series, “Blue Monday,” a teen series with a kickass ’80s soundtrack. Show notes and pictures are available at http://popcultureaffidavit.com, which is also where you can see regular weekly blog entries about the randomness that is pop culture. Feedback can [...]
When you’re a total geek and you’ve got a ton of money to blow, what do you do? Well, you spend it on getting a popular girl to go out with you! At least that’s the premise of “Can’t Buy Me Love,” a 1980s romantic teen comedy if there ever [...]
It’s a new year and that means it’s time to just see what’s going on. Join me as I ramble on for an hour and a half about movies, books, television, and plans for this year. Here we go … “Once More Into the Geek!” Show notes and pictures are [...]
Wait, didn’t we just have an episode of this MONTHLY podcast LAST WEEK? Well, we survived the apocalypse so it’s time to celebrate Christmas! And what am I doing to celebrate Christmas? Well, I’m taking a look at one of my favorite toy lines ever, G.I. Joe! While I am [...]
Hey everyone, it’s time for THE APOCALYPSE!!! And while you’re sitting around wondering if a civilization that’s been dead for the better part of half of a millennium was right about the world ending, I thought I’d supply you with some music. Show notes and pictures are available at http://popcultureaffidavit.com, [...]
Welcome to episode 3 of Pop Culture Affidavit! This time around, I take a rather in-depth (some would say unnecessarily in-depth) look at Guns N’ Roses’ “November Rain,” a song whose video dominated MTV in the summer of 1992. The episode comes complete with a history of the song, commentary [...]
Welcome to episode 2 of Pop Culture Affidavit! Just in time for Halloween, I take a look at Stephen King’s IT, with a review of the 1986 novel as well as the 1990 television movie that tells the tale of a group of childhood friends who set out to destroy [...]
Welcome to the VERY FIRST Pop Culture Affidavit podcast! Once a month, I will take a look at something completely random in the world of popular culture. Sometimes it’ll be movies, sometimes it’ll be music, sometimes it’ll be comics … it’s honestly whatever is catching my attention at that moment. [...]