Television

A Wrinkle in Time, Jessica Jones, Sade, Meshell Ndegeocello, Carousel, Vulfpeck – IP 114

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This week’s episode of Inside Pop has the following Inclusion Rider: Our 114th episode must celebrate the creativity and diversity of women in film, music and television.

The show begins with a review of Ava DuVernay’s epic adaptation of A Wrinkle in Time. Amita discusses what she most loves about the film and Sean questions whether the film’s box office performance and overall reception was affected by the phenomenon that is Black Panther. Amita also shares some of the insight she got from Ava herself at DuVernay’s Times Talk last week.

Then, Amita and Sean rejoice over Sade’s new song, ‘Flowers of the Universe’ (Amita loves this remix of the song).

Next, the Pop Insiders move on to TV and Sean provides a spoiler free review of the second season of Marvel’s Jessica Jones. Will he convince Amita to give the show a try? Stay tuned.

The co-hosts also review Meshell Ndegeocello’s new new album of covers, Ventriloquism, which touches their Gen-X hearts with innovative and emotional covers of songs from the 80’s and 90’s including Prince’s “Sometimes it Snows in April”, Force MD’s “Tender Love” and Janet Jackson’s “Funny How Time Flies (When You’re Having Fun)”.

Plus, Sean talks about seeing the new revival of the musical Carousel on Broadway starring Renée Fleming and Joshua Henry (his Instagram is a must follow if you love soulful acoustic versions of songs from Hamilton and of course you love that) and discusses the challenges of enjoying a musical from the 50’s that has domestic abuse as a main plot point.

And the Big Sell returns from its month long sabbatical with a bang! Hear Sean’s review of Vulfpeck. And guess which new podcast he’s selling to Amita? The answer will NOT surprise you!

As promised – Sean’s favorite Mama tribute song.

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Queer Eye: An Interview with Queer Eye Producer James Barker – IP 112

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In this special Producer to Producer episode, we interview friend of Inside Pop James Barker about one of the most popular shows currently on television, Netflix’s reboot of Queer Eye. James produced multiple episodes of this season and he gives us a behind the scenes look at the making of this pop culture phenomenon.

Listen to hear:

  • How hundreds of hours of footage got edited down into 8 brilliant episodes.
  • The differences between the original Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and this new version.
  • How producers captured the heartfelt moments that have America sobbing
  • An update on fan favorite AJ
  • And James’ tips on a few special things to look for while watching this series.

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Super Bowl, Justin Timberlake, This Is Us – IP 109

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It’s the day when Pop Culture fans and Sports fans join forces to create what feels like a national holiday! In this episode, we dive into the Superbowl and discuss:

  • The pre game turn up in Philly that Sean experienced first hand
  • Justin Timberlake’s Halftime performance (guess which Inside Pop co-host couldn’t even bring himself to watch the entire thing)
  • The Prince tribute that should’ve happened

Then, we seamlessly segue into a review of Timberlake’s latest release, Man of the Woods.

Plus, Amita reviews one of the most heartbreaking hours on television, the post Super Bowl episode of This Is Us.

And finally in the Big Sell, Amita reviews an essay on Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri. And speaking of sports – she pitches a softball to Sean with a Hamilton inspired Big Sell.

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#TimesUp, Golden Globes, Justin Timberlake, Kendrick Lamar, SZA, Cardi B, Bruno Mars – IP 107

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This week, Hollywood flexed its social justice muscle once again when it turned the 75th Golden Globes ceremony into a rally for gender equality. We’ll debate the effectiveness of the black clad ceremony and revel in the glory of Oprah Winfrey’s memorable speech.

Then, we’ll review new songs by some of the biggest stars in music including Bruno Mars and Cardi B’s “Finesse (Remix),” Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s collaboration, “All the Stars,” from the upcoming Black Panther film and Justin Timberlake’s Super Bowl appetizer, “Filthy.”

Plus, Amita reviews last week’s Big Sell, the uplifting new age song by Laraaji, “I Can Only Bliss Out (F’ Days)” and then Big Sells Sean on a new song by Kelela.

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Black Mirror, The Chi, Forgotten Films of 2017 with Dave Karger, Pop Culture Resolutions – IP 106

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Did you resolve to put more time and energy into staying on top of the best pop culture stories of the week? Lucky for you, The Pop Insiders are here to help you keep that resolution with our brand new episode!

First, we give our spoiler free reviews of the new Lena Waithe Showtime drama – The Chi (please feel free to listen and then correct our pronunciation of the title of this show) and the first episode of the new season of Black Mirror.

Then we speak with IMDb special correspondent and frequent Today Show awards commentator – Dave Karger – about the movies of 2017 that may not be front-runners for the big awards, but are definitely worthy of your attention. From Detroit to Wonderstruck to Downsizing, Dave will tell you why you should give these flicks a second – or maybe first chance.

We also share our pop culture resolutions for the new year and hold each other accountable for how successful we were in keeping our 2017 resolutions.

And the Big Sell returns – Sean recommends (wait for it) a new new age song (nope that isn’t a typo) to start Amita’s year off on an optimistic and blissful note.

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Life Defining Music, National African American Museum – IP 102

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This is our final regular episode of the year and we are both sharing AND caring!

First Sean shares his experience visiting the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. He describes what it likes to visit this incredible new museum and discusses some of the amazing pop culture featured in the exhibits.

Then Amita and Sean revisit one of their favorite segments of the past year and share their discussion of the music by some of their favorite female singers that has defined pivotal moments in their lives. Whether grappling with life in the closet, coping with feeling like an outsider, celebrating the joy of a new found independence or discovering a strengthening friendship we highlight the music that has provided an essential soundtrack to our lives. Our “Defining Divas” include Mary J. Blige, Annie Lennox, Mariah Carey, Lauren Hill and BOTH Knowles sisters – Beyonce and Solange.

And then Sean rates the final big sell of the year – the single “Underdog” by singer/songwriter Banks.

And finally Amita and Sean preview their upcoming year end specials! We’re preparing our lists for the best TV, Music and Film of the year and have a few surprising choices in store!

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Janet Jackson State of the World Tour, Top Female Friendships in Pop Culture, John Legend – IP 101

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This week, we bask in the glow of seeing the one and only Janet Jackson (Ms. Jackson if you’re Nasty) in Brooklyn on her State of the World Tour. Find out which one of us puts this show in their Top 3 Concerts of all time.

Then, we discuss our Top Female Friendships in Pop Culture- featuring The Golden Girls, the women of Living Single, Lucy & Ethel, Meredith & Cristina and more. We share how their bonds inspire us and why their relationships are everlasting.

And Amita rates and reviews last week’s Big Sell from Sean- John Legend’s cover of Joni Mitchell’s “Woodstock” and also shares the origin of this song as part of a collection of covers for the new Ken Burns documentary about The Vietnam War. You can find all of the songs and their originals here. And then Amita sells the single “Underdog” by singer/songwriter Banks.

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Interview with Dee Rees & Charles King of Mudbound, 100th Episode, Inside Pop Quiz – IP 100

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After two years, and thousands of hours of tv viewing, music listening and theater attending . . . Inside Pop’s 100th episode has arrived! Join us as we celebrate 100 episodes of pop culture obsession!

First up, we present our interview with director Dee Rees (Pariah, Bessie) and Charles King, Executive Producer, CEO and Founder of Macro. The pair sit down with Sean to discuss their new film, Mudbound; and in addition to sharing a behind the scenes view of their epic new film, they also discuss their unique working relationship; why they both choose to work in film AND television and their future plans to tell diverse stories.

Next, we celebrate our 100th episode with a special edition of the Inside Pop quiz called, ” You Don’t Know Me Inside Pop . . .Quiz!” Sean and Amita quiz each other on how well they know . . . their own podcast. Can you guess who has won the equivalent of the Inside Pop EGOT? Can you name all of the inductees in Sean’s ‘House of Hyperbole’? Play along to see if your attention span and your memory is better than ours.

And we present the 100th edition of the Big Sell. Sean’s rates Amita’s Big Sell from last week, the artist Makoto Azuma, and sells Amita John Legend’s cover of Joni Mitchell’s “Woodstock.”

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Thor: Ragnarok, N.E.R.D & Rihanna “Lemon”, Sexual Harassment in Hollywood – IP 99

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This week, Christmas comes early in the form of the new single “Lemon” from N.E.R.D & Rihanna! We try (and fail) to contain our excitement about the song, video and their upcoming album. We provide an N.E.R.D primer and also bow down to the dancer in the music video- Mette Towley.

Then, Sean gives a review of Thor: Ragnarok he was not expecting to give; and we question whether we’re in the midst of a superhero films and TV overload.

Plus, we have a frank discussion about the recent sexual harassment allegations in Hollywood – our reactions, opinions and a personal story.

And of course- there is no Inside Pop without the Big Sell! Amita gives her thoughts, rating and review on Sean’s suggestion- the music documentary George Michael: Freedom and sells Sean on an innovative floral artist Makoto Azuma.

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LINKS:

If you like the new N.E.R,D video Lemon – check out its ancestor Janet Jackson’s The Pleasure Principle

Read the article Sean references in the discussion about how to handle sexual misconduct in the workplace:

Checking My Male Privilege by Charles M. Blow

 

Stranger Things 2 premieres, 2 Years of Inside Pop, Produced By NY, BigSell30 Wraps – IP 98

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We’ve come along way, baby! This week Inside Pop celebrates two years of weekly pop culture podcasting!

We start with a round-up of the Producers Guild of America’s Produced By NY conference. We attended this event along with 100s of other television and film producers and gathered information about some major upcoming projects including Black Panther, Mudbound, Marshall, The Post, Call Me By Your Name, The Shape of Water and more! And we share some great stories with you!

Then we review the first few episodes of Stranger Things 2. One of us is as happy as Dustin playing Dig Dug to be back with the gang from Hawkins. The other is worried the series may be in danger of repeating itself.

Finally we wrap our #BigSell30 day challenge and discuss some of the pop culture we consumed over the past 30 days. And Sean rates Amita’s Big Sell from last week (a photo project from Stefan Draschan) and Big Sells her on a new documentary about George Michael.

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