TV

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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You can also find us at MaximumFun.org

 

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

Game Of Thrones: The Spoils of War, Queen Sugar mid-season 2 finale, Detroit reactions, The Suffers – IP 86

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This week, we have a spoiler FILLED discussion about the latest episode of Game of Thrones (You’ve been warned!) Reunions, Deaths (?) and Dragons- oh my!

Plus, we discuss the mid-season finale of one of our favorite shows- Queen Sugar and talk about how the series is taking it up a notch in its 2nd Season.

And we read some listener feedback to our discussion last week about the portrayal of South Asian relationships in Film and TV.

Then, we talk about the lackluster box office for the film Detroit and our thoughts on why audiences may not have embraced the film as expected.

And of course, we have another brand new Big Sell! Sean gives his thoughts on last week’s suggestion- the band, The Suffers, and sells Amita on a playlist that features artists from the upcoming AfroPunk music festival.

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

You can also find us at MaximumFun.org

Links:

Den of Geek Game of Thrones Death prediction article
Spotify AfroPunk Playlist

New Music Videos; South Asian Interracial Relationships in TV & Film – IP 85

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This week we discuss the film, television, music AND music videos that have grabbed our attention!

First up, we highlight some of our favorite new music videos from Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar and Grimes featuring Janelle Monae. These artists are creating work that’s thought provoking and gorgeous.

Then, we discuss the depiction of South Asian interracial relationships on television and in film. Our conversation is inspired by a recent article that critiques the lack of Asian love interests in the works of South Asian creators like Aziz Ansari, Mindy Kaling, Kumail Nanjiani and Hasan Minhaj. We tackle the issues of personal expression, cultural responsibility and the need to see Brown Love on the screen.

Finally in The Big Sell, Amita rates Sam Dew’s cover of the Bill Withers song “Use Me” and then she gives what Sean calls, “the greatest big sell in the history of the show!” It’s not because of what she sells – but how she sells it. Let’s just say Sean likes it when Amita shares personal info.

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Links:

Jay-Z – The Story of OJ

Jay-Z – 4:44

Kendrick Lamar – ELEMENT

Kendrick Lamar ft Rihanna – LOYALTY

Images in ELEMENT pay homage photographer Gordon Parks.

Comic-Con Trailers, Insecure Season 2, An Inconvenient Sequel, Way Into Idris Elba, Atlanta – IP 84

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We’ve had a busy pop culture filled week- starting with an exclusive screening of An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power followed by a Q&A with Former Vice President Al Gore! We weren’t sure if we should bow or curtsy upon seeing him on stage.

Then, we analyze some of the most talked about trailers featured at San Diego Comic Con- including The Defenders, Thor: Ragnarok, Justice League and Star Trek: Discovery. Do they stir up excitement or fall flat?

Plus, we chat about the season two premiere of Insecure – guess how many times Amita mentions Lawrence?

And we bring you another installment of “Way Into . . .” with our guide to get way into one of our favorite Brits- Idris Elba.

And Amita gets her wish- Sean FINALLY watches one of her favorite episodes of the critically acclaimed Donald Glover FX series- Atlanta in The Big Sell.

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And you can also find us at Maximum Fun

Links:

Comic Con Trailers

Idris on The Big C

Idris on The Wire Clip #1

Idris on The Wire Clip #2

Luther Trailer

Beasts of No Nation Trailer

Idris in Pacific Rim

Bastille Day Trailer