Television

Cover Songs, Fall TV Mid-Season Check, #BigSell30 – IP 96

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Why not take a break from re-watching the Black Panther trailer and listen to this brand new episode of Inside Pop!

First up, we discuss some of our favorite cover songs. What makes a great cover song and what are some of the best? We discuss covers and originals performed by Prince, Adele, Joni Mitchell, Johnny Cash, Bob Marley, Whitney Houston, Annie Lennox and more!

Remember the sense of optimism you felt at the beginning of the TV season? That belief that you’d be bowled over by a ton of new amazing shows and that all of your favorite returning shows would continue to be your favorites? Well, we felt that way too and now it’s time to face the music (or the should we say ‘the flat screen’). We’re doing a mid-season check in to see which shows are must-see and which are about to be deleted from the DVR. We discuss This is Us, The Deuce, Queen Sugar, The Defenders, The Exorcist, Wisdom of the Crowd and more!

And we’ll also check in on the #BigSell30 Challenge and discuss how our lives have improved while experiencing one new piece of pop culture every day this month.

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Favorite Pop Culture Families, Queen Sugar Interview Part 2, Tom Petty, Big Sell 30 – IP 94

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It’s a family Affair this week on Inside Pop!

We start off with a discussion of our favorite pop culture families – both real and fictional including The Jacksons, The Fischers, The Pearsons and The Knowles Sisters (Beyonce AND Solange).

Then we bring you the second part of our interview with Kat Candler, the producing director of Queen Sugar. We dive into the mid season premiere and illuminate the character development, storylines and memorable scenes from the episode which was directed by film legend Julie Dash (Daughters of the Dust).

Then Amita shares her favorite Tom Petty songs in tribute to the recently deceased singer.

And finally we check in on the Big Sell 30 Day Challenge and discuss how our daily intake of new pop culture is changing our lives for the better. And Sean shares the Big Sell Day 4 of 30 – Middle of Nowhere by Ava DuVernay!

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The Big Sell 30 Day Challenge 2017!

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Each week on Inside Pop, hosts Amita Patel and Sean David Johnson take turns recommending something new in the world of pop culture for the other to check out in a segment called “The Big Sell”.

During the month of October, join Sean and Amita in their commitment to try one new piece of pop culture every day, for 30 days with the Big Sell 30 Day Challenge- a new song, TV episode, movie, viral video, app – anything goes!

Follow Inside Pop on Twitter (@PopInsiders) and Facebook for daily big sells and share your suggestions using #BigSell30

And of course listen to Inside Pop every Wednesday for some special Big Sells from some very special guests.

**Participation in the Big Sell 30 Day Challenge guarantees increased muscle tone, a shinier aura and a head jam packed with the very best pop culture.

Star Trek: Discovery premiere, Battle of the Sexes, Queen Sugar Interview – IP 93

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The Fall season is already delivering on its promise of bringing us prestige, platinum perfect pop culture and we’re all over it!

First up, Sean reviews the premiere of Star Trek: Discovery while teaching Amita some Trek etiquette in the process.

Then, Amita talks about the special screening of Battle of the Sexes she attended, which has made her a huge fan of one of the legends of tennis (Billie Jean IS her girl!).

Plus, we’re ecstatic to share our interview with Queen Sugar Producing Director, Kat Candler about her work on Ava DuVernay’s acclaimed series. Kat discusses the experience of working with an all female directing crew; the job of helping multiple creative visions coalesce into one consistent series; and the indie film vibe that  permeates the set. Sadly, Kat refused our pleas to reassure us that Aunt Vi is going to be okay. This is an illuminating discussion on what goes into creating one of the great shows on TV right now and the perfect thing to listen to for Queen Sugar fans (like ourselves) who are excited for the show’s mid season premiere on Tuesday, October 3rd. But have no fear  – – our discussion is spoiler free!

Sean also shares details about seeing Queen Sugar on the big screen and the Bordelon siblings in the flesh at the Tribeca TV Festival.

Also, the Big Sell 30 Day Challenge – #BigSell30 –  begins October 1st. Listen to hear how you can participate in the pop culture event guaranteed to fill your brain with the very best TV, music, film, comics and more!

And in this week’s Big Sell, Amita rates Haaz Sleiman’s coming out video. For weeks Sean has been unendingly intrigued by the unconventional way the actor (Nurse Jackie, The Visitor) announced his sexuality to the world. But how does Amita feel?

And finally, in the spirit of paying tribute –  Amita Big Sells Sean an album by the recently deceased musician Charles Bradley.

Best New Music, Emmy Awards Recap, Big Sell 30 Announcement – IP 92

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We’re donning our imaginary capes to bring you the very best of a very busy Pop Culture week!

First, we chat new music from Sam Smith, Miguel and Mavis Staples.

Then, the Emmy Awards were awarded on Sunday night and we discuss how overwhelmed and overjoyed we were by how many of our favorite shows and actors won! Amita gives her Red Carpet Fashion Slay or Nay and we discuss all of the ‘firsts’ of the evening. Were we rooting for the Black and Brown people? Listen to find out!

Plus, we announce the return of The Big Sell 30 Day Challenge! Find out what #BigSell30 is all about, why we need you to be part of it and hear about some of our favorite Big Sells from last year’s challenge.

And in this week’s Big Sell, Sean reviews the Glamour article written by Reese Witherspoon about ambition and sells Amita on an interesting coming out video by actor Haaz Sleiman.

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You can also find us at MaximumFun.org

Emmy Predictions, Insecure Finale Recap, It Review – IP 91

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This episode is hella full with the very best of a great week in pop culture!

Don’t hand in that Emmy office pool ballot until you listen to our ‘100% guaranteed to be right’ Emmy predictions. We’ll let you know the actors and series that will win television’s big night.

We also pick our jaws up from the floor in time to recap the Season 2 Finale of Issa Rae’s Insecure (Issa, the couch – REALLY?!).

Also, Sean reviews the box office monster (pun most definitely intended) It and tells you if It lands in his Top 9 Stephen King Adaptations of all time.

Finally, Amita rates Sean’s photo focused Big Sell from last week, and then sells Sean on an article written by an Oscar-winning and Emmy nominated actress.

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You can also find us at MaximumFun.org

Fall TV, Movie & Music Preview – IP 90

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We put away our white shoes and are previewing some of the upcoming Film, TV and Music we’re looking forward to this Fall! There’s an overwhelming amount of pop culture coming out in the next few months, but we’ll help you select the best of the best that cannot be missed.

Which television shows in the era of Peak TV have caught our attention and demand us to check them out? Which films could be awards contenders AND crowd pleasers? And what albums and concerts do we plan to line up to listen to and experience? We reveal all!

And Sean reviews last week’s Big Sell, the Game of Thrones behind the scenes series, “Game Revealed,” and gives Amita a unique Big Sell – a multi-media article featuring Issa Rae, James Davis, Rachel Bloom, Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson.

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You can also find us at MaximumFun.org

Game of Thrones Finale: The Dragon and the Wolf; Pop Culture in NYC, Miguel’s ‘Sky Walker’ – IP 89

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It’s all about our two favorite places on this week’s episode; New York City and . . .Westeros!

We recap the Game of Thrones season seven finale, “The Dragon and the Wolf,” and celebrate the Stark Siblings’ team work, analyze the Kings Landing Meet-Up Royale and question the ramifications of Jon and Dany’s union (and when we say ‘union’ we mean they SMASHED!) We also tell you where we think this season ranks compared to others and let you know how long you’ll have to wait for the 8th and final season of this epic series.

We also talk about the jam packed week of pop culture consumption we experienced in our hometown of NYC ( the greatest city in the world – just ask the Schuyler Sisters!). Our 7 days of being out and about include:

  • AfroPunk – where we saw live performances from Solange, Sampha, Soul II Soul, Raphael Saddiq, Michael Kiwanuka, Macy Gray, Nao, Blitz the Ambassador and hung out with hundreds of people representing Black Girl Magic and Black Boy Joy!
  • Dave Chappelle & Solange at the iconic Radio City Music Hall.
  • An exclusive screening of the new doc, A Suitable Girl, that explores arranged marriages in India.
  • Fellow Max Fun podcasters The Greatest Generation’s live Show (and after the live show there was the after party!).
  • Kendrick Lamar live!

And Amita Big Sells Sean something to help him – and you – deal with Game of Thrones withdrawal.

Plus – we review the new single and music video, “Sky Walker,” by singer, songwriter and mutual object of Pop Insiders’ affection -Miguel.

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You can also find us at MaximumFun.org

Links

Check out the Youtube channel of Nao, one of our favorite discoveries at AfroPunk.

Game of Thrones: Beyond the Wall, The Defenders Ep 1 Review, Bosco – IP 88

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Faster than you can sail from Dragonstone to Winterfell – another week has gone by, and another epic Game of Thrones episode has arrived that can NOT be overlooked! We discuss the penultimate episode, Beyond the Wall, of this fast paced season and talk Dragons and Zombie Polar Bears and White Walkers and oh so much more! Be warned again – spoilers ahead!
Then, Sean shares his initial thoughts on Netflix’s The Defenders – and you may be surprised to hear his reaction.
And of course, there is no Inside Pop without the Big Sell.  Sean reviews last week’s ‘soft ball’ musical recommendation from Amita (a song by Bosco featuring St. Beauty) and recommends a politically charged Big Sell that involves Kal Penn, Jhumpa Lahiri, Chuck Close and ‘he who shall not be named’ (but who SHALL be protested).

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Game of Thrones “Eastwatch” recap; Marvel’s Luke Cage Executive Producer Cheo Hodari Coker interview – IP 87

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We look forward and backward and completely nerd out this week!

First up, we recap the latest Game of Thrones episode, “Eastwatch” and look ahead to how these tangled plot lines may play out. Is Cersei Lannister with child? Will Lord Baelish put his little finger between the recently reunited Stark sister act?

Then Amita completely surprises Sean with a Game of Thrones Inside Pop Quiz! Does Sean know a Tully from a Tarly? Can he name all three of Daenerys’ dragons? Listen to find out!

Then, in anticipation of this week’s premiere of The Defenders on Netflix, we revisit our conversation with Marvel’s Luke Cage Creator and Executive Producer Cheo Hodari Coker who discusses his future plans for the Luke Cage character.

And in the Big Sell, Amita shares her reaction to an Afropunk 2017 playlist and she big sells Sean a new song by BOSCO featuring St. Beauty.

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and Instagram @PopInsiders

You can also find us at MaximumFun.org

Links:

HBO Viewers Guide

For our full interview with Cheo Hodari Coker- check out Inside Pop Episode 54