Pop For Thought: Recent Episodes
Paulina & Shannon
Welcome to Pop for Thought. A fun and informal approach to pop culture discussion. Join hosts Shannon and Paulina each week as they raise the burning questions we didn’t even know needed to be asked - on influential movies, tv shows, and actors, from the past, present, and everything in between.
The "A League of their Own" series aired this August on Amazon Prime, and we've got a lot to say. We get into the original true story, comparisons to the 1992 film, and let's face it, the "gayness" of it all. Plus, what the heck is going on with "Don't Worry, Darling"? We have some thoughts on that too.
We’re back from our summer hiatus for a very special episode dedicated to the one and only, Alanis Morissette. We were lucky enough to see Alanis Morissette live in Toronto for the Jagged Little Pill tour, and were inspired to dive into the life and career of the Canadian icon, including the cultural impact of the 1995 JLP album, her romance with “Uncle Joey” and fellow Canadian Ryan Reynolds, and more.
It's time to talk about "The King". With the release of Baz Luhrman's musical biopic "Elvis", we are taking a bit of a deep dive into the life of the icon. Plus, exclusive clips from Shannon's interview with Austin Butler, our thoughts on the movie, musical biopics in general and some discussion on the recent Madonna movie casting.
Your hosts are out to get each other once again, by forcing the other person to watch a movie of our own choosing. This time, the assignment is LGBTQ themed for Pride Month. Shannon is making Paulina watch the 2018 indie, Duck Butter, and Paulina's homework for Shannon is the psychological erotic drama, Benedetta. Are we still friends after this? TBD.
Top Gun was released in 1986 and became a cultural mainstay, and now, 36 years later, we finally get a sequel - Top Gun: Maverick. How do we feel about the newest edition? Does it hold up to the original? Plus, what reviews and audiences seem to be saying so far. We also discuss the parallels between the two movies, why Kelly McGillis was excluded, our thoughts on the new character additions, and of course, Lady Gaga's ballad for the film.
Spoilers ahead!
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On the 30th anniversary of Sister Act, we decided to do a deep dive into the life and career of its renowned star, Whoopi Goldberg, whose career has spanned nearly 40 years. We get into some of the career highs, lows, and the incredible fateful moments that led to her success. We also weigh in on some of Whoopi's past controversies and where we'd like to see her career go from here. Plus, "are we a sports podcast now?", and our thoughts on the recent SNL news.
We're talking about the movies that were not overtly gay but had big sapphic energy. Can you guess which ones are on our list?
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It's our favourite episode series - Drunk Trivia! Join us and guest host, Jordan Miller, as we test our pop culture knowledge. Grab a beverage and play along with us!
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We're breaking down the tumultuous Johnny Depp/Amber Heard trial and going over everything that has happened so far. We also get into the relationship history and timeline of Johnny and Amber and the shift in media (and social media) coverage.
In 2007, film critic Nathan Rabin coined the term "Manic Pixie Dream Girl", pointing out the inherently misogynistic trope that had become especially prevalent during the 2000s hipster indie film era. From there, the term's actual definition became murky, and was eventually viewed as a problematic cliche. This week we're exploring some of the classic examples of the "manic pixie" (*cough, Garden State), some incorrectly labeled MPDG's, and the trope's relevance today.
This week is all about the bizarre, mysterious world of Nicolas Cage. With the release of his recent film, "The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent", it feels like we are entering an "age of Cage", so we're doing a deep dive into the life and career of the man behind the iconic onscreen outbursts - from his unique acting methods and unusual personal life - which includes doing psychedelics with his cat and collecting shrunken human heads.
Join us as we delve into the world of low rise jeans, layered polos, and Von Dutch trucker hats. We’re talking about some of the most iconic reality television to come out of the 2000s, including Laguna Beach, the Simple Life, America’s next Top Model and Newlyweds. We’ll be reminiscing on some of the most memorable episode moments and whether the Y2K era was in fact, the golden age of reality.
We're breaking down some of the most bizarre and ridiculous celebrity conspiracy theories on the internet, from political cover ups with Britney Spears to Stanley Kubrick's involvement with the moon landing.
The Oscars are this Sunday so we’re giving you the run down on all the best picture nominees, some of the controversies leading up to the big night, and a few predictions.
In this week's episode we are talking about the Oprah Winfrey Show - an iconic weekday staple for 25 seasons, hosted by one of the most influential people on this earth, Oprah Winfrey (obviously). Throughout the run of the show, Oprah exemplified her "midas touch" whether it was "favourite things", the massively successful book club, or the careers she launched of regularly featured guests. We are also getting into some of the most memorable moments from the show, its controversies and of course, the life of Oprah herself.
HBO's "Girls" premiered 10 years ago and was met with critical acclaim for its honest, raw, funny, albeit cringeworthy, depiction of mid 20's millennials. Over the years the show has been criticized for a number of issues and blind spots, and a lack of fondness for its head writer and star, Lena Dunham has caused a hit to its lasting reputation. We are examining the impact of Girls, how the show has aged, and diving into some of the controversies around Lena Dunham.
Join us on our journey to Gotham city through the ages, as we highlight some of the most notable eras in the Batman film franchise, from the Tim Burton years to the newest version of the caped crusader in Matt Reeves' "The Batman". We'll get into some of the most influential portrayals, moments, and our thoughts on where Batman can go from here. Plus, Sam Elliott's recent "review" of Power of the Dog and why it's making us laugh.
Corey Feldman and Corey Haim were at the height of their fame in the late 80s. After starring in the iconic Vampire hit "The Lost Boys" the pair went on to appear in several more films together and developed into a brand, labeled “The Two Coreys”. However, their success declined, leading to tragic events, rumours, and bizarre new ventures.
Euphoria is taking the world, and in particular, the internet, by storm. The show is known for its distinct aesthetic and intense storylines, so we are examining its continued rise in popularity, it's influence, the show's controversial moments, and whether we've seen something like it before. Plus, some fan theories and predictions for season 3.
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Ok, so, we need to talk about Licorice Pizza. The acclaimed Director, Paul Thomas Anderson's latest story returns to "the valley" with the tried and true backdrop of the 1970s, but this time he's garnering some controversy. We're getting into all the talk around Licorice Pizza - the good, the bad, and the strange web of coincidences that tie into it.
We are back, and rebranded! We decided to expand what was topics about Film & TV, and dive back deeper into pop culture, getting into conversations about the past and the effect it has on today.
Now that the Sex and the City reboot, And Just Like That, has officially wrapped up, we couldn’t help but wonder…was it worth it? This week we’re talking about the legacy of the original show, and how the somewhat controversial reboot holds up in that legacy. Plus: Smash or Pass: new characters edition. Follow us on Instagram: @popforthoughtpod
Join us as we discuss some of our favourite movies and TV shows of 2021, and of course, some of the not-so-favourites. Can you guess what made our lists?
The controversial Golden Globe awards are back for another year, and they're attempting a "relaunch". With the announcement of this year's nominations, we're discussing whether it's a step in the right direction. Plus, some of the surprises and snubs in the list and early predictions.
This week, we're doing our favourite "Overrated/Underrated" segment, but we're making it a whole episode long, AND it's entirely holiday movie themed - it's the (Christmas) gift that keeps on giving. Join us as we talk about some of our personal favourite movies of the season that we hope will become yours too...and of course, a few season regulars that we think should be retired. Plus, that Will Ferrell/Adam Mckay feud, and a new Magic Mike coming to theatres.
The Daniel Craig era have bond has come to an end. We’re talking about the final instalment, No Time to Die, where the franchise can go from here, our favourite versions of 007 and who should be next. Plus, what we’re watching this week.
The much anticipated "not exactly a biopic", Spencer, is out in theatres and we have some thoughts. We're discussing whether the Pablo Larrain film about the late Princess of Wales is worth the attention and Oscar buzz it's been getting. Of course we have some opinions on Kristen Stewart's performance in the lead role as well. Plus, the new "Pam and Tommy" trailer and what we're watching this week.
Tampa Baes is the most recent contribution to queer reality tv - if you hadn't guessed by the name, it focuses on the dramatic friendships and love lives of lesbians (the baes) in Tampa Bay, Florida. We're giving our thoughts on whether this is "trash" television worth bingeing, or just simply "trash" and skipping. Plus, our ideas for the Canadian version of Tampa Baes, the new "Being the Ricardo's" trailer, and what we're watching this week.
Should straight actors be allowed to play gay characters in TV and film? It’s a question coming up more and more, but still seems to be somewhat of a gray area. We’ll be getting into it on this week’s episode. Plus, what we’re watching, an update on House of Gucci and Oscar campaigns.
We're talking about the movies that caused us personal emotional damage as children. Warning: memories will be unlocked in this one. Ever seen Watership Down? We feel for you. Do you remember some of the movies that scarred you as a kid? Tune in to see if yours makes our list! Plus, our thoughts on Dune, and what we're watching this week.
Tune into today’s episode to find out who the official screen Queen of Halloween is, as determined by your Screen Queen experts (us), through a very official bracket challenge. The final winner might not be who you think! Plus, Keanu Reeves social media scams and an update on whether Drew Barrymore is really as nice as we think.
Celebrity guests, therapy sessions, Price is Right style games, cooking segments, and…stain removal? These are few things you might see on The Drew Barrymore Show, which is currently in its second season and while we can't deny the absolute chaos that it brings, we also can't deny the heartwarming charm of its popular host. We're talking about the highs and lows of the talk show, plus our thoughts on the new Scream trailer, Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly, AND what we're watching this week.
It's official -"Squid Game" has taken over our televisions and Instagram feeds. This week we are diving into Netflix's latest sensation to determine whether we think it's worth the hype. Plus what we are watching this week, which includes on update on one of our "must-see" Fall prospects.
Drunk Trivia is back in celebration of our 50th episode! Our guest host this time around is our dear friend, Christy Farrell. Grab your beverage and come play with us. Plus, a special bonus round.
Wrapping up a television show comes with a lot of pressure - particularly if it's had a significant run, and is widely loved. Even still, some shows have just really gotten it right. We're talking about some of the best series finales ever made. Will you agree with our takes? Plus, we have some recommendations for what you should be watching this week.
Missed the Emmy’s Sunday? Or just want to shoot the shit with us about the ceremony? No fear - we are recapping the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards, from the highlights, low points and surprises. Plus what we are watching this week.
This week we’re giving our thoughts the new Netflix gender-swapped remake “He’s All That”, starring Addison Rae and Tanner Buchanan, and how it compares to the original 1999 version “She’s All That”. Plus some early thoughts on Dear Evan Hanson and what we’re watching this week (spoiler: we are watching the same thing and we even agree on it).
Is it even a “coming of age” story if kids aren’t actively searching for a dead body and/or attempting to solve a murder? Oh to be twelve again. This week we’re talking about childhood favourites “Stand by Me” and “Now and Then”. Plus, what we’re watching this week.
Brendan Fraser was at the height of his career in the late 90s; a Hollywood Heartthrob, action hero, comedy star...but then, seemingly out of nowhere, he was off the radar. We're talking about what happened to Brendan Fraser, and the apparent revival of his career. Plus, what we're watching this week and our thoughts on the "Spencer" teaser trailer.
We're on the brink of Fall, which means an influx of new viewing material to look forward to. We dive into a few of the most anticipated shows and movies coming to big and small screens over the next couple months.
We couldn’t do an episode on the first half of The White Lotus and not come back to talk about the finale! Despite some apparent mixed feelings about how the series wrapped up, it’s hard to dispute that Mike White’s eerie island satire was the show of the summer. We're recapping the finale, discussing some of it's most memorable moments (yes, this includes THAT scene), the central themes of the show, and who we'd pick to be trapped in the Pineapple Suite with.
What is it about Adam Sandler that we can’t quite shake? Despite a career that is widely critically panned, it’s hard to deny that the often divisive actor has staying power. In today’s episode, we’re talking about the Adam Sandler “effect”, and the formula he has adopted for his movies that has allowed him to maintain success for over 3 decades. Plus, Overrated/Underrated: Adam Sandler edition.
It's Shannon's turn to choose a movie for Paulina to watch, and she chose the 2006 Disney teen musical, "High School Musical".Tune in to find out if Shannon had to come to the defence of Troy and the gang, or if somehow, against all odds, Paulina actually ended up loving it (or at least pleasantly surprised?). Plus we talk about our newest obsession: The House of Gucci, which just dropped its first trailer.
The White Lotus is HBO's newest miniseries mystery, and it packs a whole lot of cringe comedy satire. We're talking about our thoughts on the series so far, some predictions for how the ending plays out, and more. Plus, what we're watching this week.
At one point in time, Anne Hathaway was considered to be one of the most hated actors in Hollywood. This didn't seem to be a result of any particular scandal, role, or "cancellable" offense. People seemed to hate Anne for just existing. We're taking a dive into the history of "Hathahate" to see if there was a root cause of her intense unpopularity. Also, where do we stand on Anne Hathaway today.
It's time for some unpopular opinions. We're here to defend some movies and shows that we think got a little more hate than they deserved. Plus what we're watching this week, including new release "Zola".
We're taking a metaphorical roadtrip back to 2002, to look at the teen drama "Crossroads", starring not-a-girl, not-yet-a-woman, Britney Spears, Taryn Manning and Zoe Saldana. We discuss the popularity of the film with millennial teens, how it holds up present day, and some fun facts and stories you may not have known about. Plus, more on the #FreeBritney movement, and what we're watching this week.
We're giving our top picks for the most unfortunate casting decisions that ruined perfectly some perfectly good movies (and some movies that could not be saved either way). Plus what we're watching this week, which includes an ode to a particular ginger late night host that one of us may or may not be overly attached to.
We're looking at the 1997 cult classic "Spice World". We ask whether we think the comedy-musical aged well, who our favourite Spice Girl was, and whether we would consider "Spice World" a queer movie. Plus, some of the film's most memorable scenes and what we are watching this week.
We're highlighting one of the greats, and "screen queen" in her own right, Viola Davis. Did your favourite Viola performance make our list? Plus, what we're watching this week, and some apologies.
Whether you were hosting weekly watch parties on a school night, or listening to the indie rock soundtrack on your iPod, one thing is clear - The O.C defined the 2000s for a generation of teens. We discuss the impact and influence of the series, the best and worst seasons, Team Summer or Team Anna, and more. Join us on a trip back to our youth! Plus, what we're watching this week.
It's Pride month so we're chatting about some of the most influential LGBTQ+ movies in the past 30 years. Plus, some LGBTQ+ documentaries we think you should watch.
Is the cable sitcom dead? We're exploring the rise and fall of the classic television format. Plus everything we know about the new Friends reunion airing on HBO Max, and what we're watching this week.
We made Shannon watch Mulholland Drive for the first time and as you can imagine, she has some questions. Join us as we revisit David Lynch's iconic 2001 neo noir mystery. Get your theories ready! Plus, what we are watching this week.
Join us for a deep dive into some of our favourite movies based on Shakespeare. Just a warning, things get pretty nostalgic. We're talking about a young, brooding Leo in 1996's "Romeo +Juiet," and some comedic favourites like "She's the Man" and "10 Things I Hate About You". Plus, what we're watching this week.
What's coming to our favourite streaming platforms this spring and which shows we are looking forward to most!
It was the 93rd Academy Awards on Sunday and naturally, we've got some thoughts. We're recapping the best and worst moments of the evening.
Leading up to the Academy Awards, join us as we count down some of the most memorable moments in Oscar history. Did you favourite moment make the list? We also bring back our Overrated/Underrated segment!
We're back with another episode of Drunk Trivia! Grab a beverage and play along with us. AND we've got a special guest host - Shannon's girlfriend, Morgan.
Meryl? For a movie podcast? Groundbreaking. That being said, you can't have "Screen Queens" without the "Queen". This week’s episode is dedicated to one of greatest of our time. Join us as we count down the 10 best Meryl performances of all time. Will you agree with our list?
John Hughes' The Breakfast Club just turned 30. This got us thinking about the elusive filmmaker and some of his most influential works. We're diving into the life of John Hughes and talking about some of our favourite moments from his films.
This week we're sharing some of our opinions on the new HBO documentary, Allen v. Farrow, which examines the sexual abuse allegations against Woody Allen, as well as the subsquent custody battle between the director and actress Mia Farrow. Also, is it possible to separate art from scandal? We discuss.
The nominations for the 93rd Academy Awards were announced yesterday - two months later than usual. Shannon and Paulina are breaking down a few of the big categories, what was surprising, who was snubbed, and a some early predictions. Plus, do we think Jared Leto heard about his Oscar snub, or was he at a yoga retreat in the forest?
We're showing some love for our Canadian film and TV industry. This week we want to highlight a few of our favourite Canadian movies and shows, as well as shoutout some nostalgic favourites. Plus what we're watching these days.
The 78th annual Golden Globe awards were this weekend, and while they were basically just one big, fancy, chaotic zoom call, they did manage to produce some memorable moments. We're recapping the best and worst of the night, some of the biggest surprises, and all that HFPA shadiness that's been in the news recently.
They had us at "Hello". This week we're talking about the rom-coms that have made their way into our hearts forever. We've got all the fun facts, our criteria for what constitutes a "rom-com", plus a pretty intense round of naming the "undisputed Queen" of the genre.
We talk the #FreeBritney movement and the recent FX and The New York TImes documentary "Framing Britney Spears". What we think of Justin Timberlake, media and mental health, plus our favourite Britney song of all time.
It's officially our favourite season - awards! To kick things off, we're diving into the recently announced Golden Globe nominations. What was expected, what surprised us, who was snubbed. Plus, our Golden Globe viewing recommendations (aside from youtube clips of Amy Poehler and Tina Fey's past hosting monologues).
Sex and the City is officially coming back, with a new title and without a Samantha. We talk the Cattrall/SJP drama, what we might could expect from the revival, and take a look back at the iconic HBO series, flaws and all.
In the era of #MeToo, Emerald Fennel’s dark comedy thriller, Promising Young Woman, is a timely revenge tale. We're here for it, and we’ll tell you why - from Carrie Mulligan' perfomance, Fennel's smart, dark, quick-witted dialoague, and...Paris Hilton?? We also talk Oscar buzz AND return with our Overrated/Underrated segment.
TW: content around sexual assault.
Let’s be honest, 2020 was a bit of a dumpster fire. Luckily, we got some pretty great movies and tv out of it. Shannon and Paulina are talking about the good (and maybe some of the bad) of 2020’s released shows. Plus, what they’re excited to see in the New Year!
Ah yes, seaside rocky moors and forbidden lesbian romance. We know it well. This week Shannon and Paulina dive into comparisons between the recently released period drama “Ammonite”, starring Kate Winslet and Soarise Ronan, and Céline Sciamma's “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” released in 2019.
Happiest Season” recently came out and the Screen Queens have some thoughts. Plus some recommendations for the week!
We've got a very special episode today. Friend of the podcast, Ian Mckinnon, is joining as a host for the first ever edition of Screen Queens "Drunk Trivia". It's time to brush up on that movie and television knowledge. Come play along! Please note that the competition gets heated, and there is occasional yelling and excitement, so keep that in mind if you're planning on listening with headphones. Ok, who's ready to play?
Today's episode is all about the new (ish) Netflix series "The Queen's Gambit", which seems to be on everyone's binge list as of late. Is it worth the hype? Shannon and Paulina discuss.
Paulina and Shannon are discussing some of the most memorable breakout perfomances that introduced us to the biggest names in film. Plus, our overrated and underrated picks for the week.
Remakes can be a tough sell. When it comes to movies and tv, it's hard to compete with the originals. They're the classics, the favourites. But sometimes the remakes get it right. This week, Shannon and Paulina are talking about some of the best ones. Also, a positive spin on our usual underrated and overrated segment.
1999 was a banner year for film and tv. We’ll talk about what made that year so memorable, and include a few of our favourite movies to come out ‘99. And of course, we’ll have our usual underrated and overrated picks for the week!
Paulina is the horror movie expert so she takes us through some of her all time favourites ahead of Halloween coming up.
We are two queer women so of course we had to talk about the movies and TV shows that helped us on that journey of discovering our own sexualities. In this week's episode we discuss the movies from our upbringing that made us really start to question things.
We are back for episode 2! We wanted to dive into one of our favourite filmmakers, Nancy Meyers! She is best known for giving you that warm fuzzy feeling that we could all use a little extra of this year.
Welcome to the first episode of the podcast! We are long distance friends who stay connected over endless conversations about movies and TV shows. We don't always agree but that makes for some entertaining and heated conversations. Join us in our first episode as we go through our personal favourite movies and dive into our overrated/underrated segment.