Shows
Inside PopInside the World of a TV Casting Director: A Conversation with Evan Majors (Rhythm + Flow, The Real World) In honor of the premiere of the Netflix series Rhythm + Flow we bring you an encore of our interview with the producer who worked to find the amazing talent featured on this show. In this episode, we chat with Casting Director Evan Majors to find out his approach to finding talent worthy of TV screens and pop culture obsessions. He shares how he approaches meeting and interviewing talent, the need for more representation in film and TV and a little insider info on his latest project, Rhythm + Flow for Netflix featuring Cardi B, Ch...2019-10-0900 minInside PopThe Genius of Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Costume Designer Marci Rodgers Fresh off of the multiple Emmy wins for Fleabag and Killing Eve, we discuss our love of one of the smartest writer/director/actors in TV - Phoebe Waller-Bridge. We discuss the second seasons of Killing Eve and Fleabag, two creations of this absurdly talented multi-hyphenate (ok – and maybe we go on a teeny tiny tangent and discuss how some series are better than others at concluding). Then, Amita interviews costume designer Marci Rodgers about her work on Spike Lee’s She’s Gotta Have it and BlacKkKlansman. Finally...2019-09-2600 minInside PopInside the mind of a Hollywood Production Designer and Casting Disabled ActorsIn this episode we speak to Warren Alan Young, the production designer of some of the most visually captivating television shows and films. From Fargo to Strange Angel to American Crime to the upcoming film Harriet, Warren has been responsible for creating, designing and executing a look that propels the plot, illuminates the characters and elevates the overall storytelling of all of his projects. He discusses his process to approach each unique project and shares his thoughts on being one of the only production designers of color in Hollywood. And in this week’s Big Sell, Sean ra...2019-09-1100 minInside PopInside the Mind of a Music Supervisor: A Conversation with Matthew Hearon-SmithIf you've ever admired the soundtrack to a film or TV show and wondered who was behind the music, we've got you covered! Sean sat down with Music Supervisor Matthew Hearon-Smith, who has selected songs for the award winning films Tangerine and The Florida Project and also has curated the soundtracks for various television shows including Viceland’s My House. We discuss his process for finding the right song for the right moment and how he collaborates with directors and showrunners to create the mood for specific scenes. Then, we share some of our top picks for po...2019-08-1400 minInside PopInterracial Relationships in Pop Culture Why is it still rare to see a romantic relationship between a black man and a white woman on TV? Is Netflix more progressive depicting interracial relationships than other networks? How did the casting of a Cheerios commercial ignite a racist backlash? In this week’s episode, we chat with Lori Tharps, a former Entertainment Weekly and Vibe Magazine writer, novelist and Associate Professor of Journalism at Temple University about how interracial relationships are portrayed on film and TV. Lori breaks down the positive and negative aspects about the depicti...2019-07-3100 minInside PopMovie Trailers: An Insider's Guide to How They're MadeSummer movie blockbuster season is well underway and there's no better time to revisit our episode that focuses on what goes in to making movie trailers. Have you ever wondered how a movie trailer is created? Have you ever questioned why you see a shot in a trailer that doesn't exist in the film or fretted over the amount of plot detail a trailer reveals? Well wonder no more! This week, we speak to Nati Braunstein, Co-President and Creative Director at the Creative Advertising agency, Aspect, and get a look inside the process of making memorable movie trailers. 2019-07-1800 minInside PopOther Boys NYC: Queer Men of Color doc series, Andre 3000 We continue our celebration of Pride Month with an interview with Adam Vazquez - the co-creator and co-producer of Other Boys NYC - a 50 part documentary series that explores and celebrates the lives of queer and transgender men of color living in the big apple. We discuss why Adam and his producing partner, Abdool Corlette, felt the need to create the series and we also talk about the current state of life for queer men of color on the eve of the 50th anniversary of Stonewall. Plus, Amita reviews Sean's Big Sell from...2019-06-2600 minInside PopRebellion! Stonewall on MSNBC, Split Screens Festival, Handmaid's Tale, Queen Sugar, When They See Us & Late NightJune is bursting at the seams with pop culture and we are here for it! We're celebrating Pride month with a conversation with the producers behind the MSNBC documentary special- Rebellion! Stonewall. Katherine Linton & Joe Danisi share their journey to making this important and timely film, the queer history surrounding the Stonewall Riots and how it directly connects to present day politics and our future. The documentary premieres on MSNBC on Sunday, June 16th at 10pm, but can also be found on demand and will have multiple airings throughout the month- Tune In! Then, Amita shares some...2019-06-1200 minInside PopKilling Eve & Fleabag: The Worlds of Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Costume Design of She's Gotta Have It, Netflix's Special If you're tired of hearing about the collective disappointment of a certain dragon-centric TV show - have no fear - in this episode we celebrate successful achievement of some of the most satisfying shows on television! First up, Sean and Amita discuss the second seasons of Killing Eve and Fleabag, two creations of the absurdly talented Phoebe Waller-Bridge (ok - and maybe we go on a teeny tiny tangent and discuss how some series are better than others at concluding). Then Amita interviews costume designer Marci Rodgers about her w...2019-05-2900 minInside PopGame of Thrones: The Bells, Tribeca Film Festival premiere of ‘Only’ Fan anticipation is at a fever pitch as Game of Thrones races towards its final episode. This week we review the show's penultimate episode, "The Bells" which may go down as one of the series' most divisive episodes. We breakdown why so many fans of the show were disappointed and also highlight what worked well. Then we present a one-on-one interview with Takashi Doscher, the writer and director of the film Only which premiered this month at the Tribeca Film Festival. The film stars Freida Pinto and Leslie Odom Jr. as a couple fighting to su...2019-05-1500 minInside PopGame Of Thrones: The Long Night, Avengers: Endgame, Tribeca Film Festival It's official- good things happen in April and this past weekend was proof positive with two of the most anticipated pop culture events of the year- the Game of Thrones epic white walker showdown and Avengers: Endgame. Somehow, we handled (survived) all of the epic pop culture offerings this weekend and have thoughts, questions and predictions! (Warning: This episode contains spoilers for Game of Thrones, but NOT Avengers) We start off with our reactions to the epic third episode of Game of Thrones and one of the most surprising and satisfying Stark moves of...2019-05-0100 minInside PopGame of Thrones Season 8 Premiere, Guava Island The wait is over and the end is also near. The season premiere of the final season of Game of Thrones has arrived and we have oh so many thoughts! [Do we need to say there are spoilers ahead? Cause there are.] We dissect the record-breaking premiere episode - the call backs to the very first episode, our favorite lines, which moments gave us joy and also which ones left us asking questions. We also share some bold predictions for the rest of the season including who we think will claim the Iron...2019-04-1700 minInside PopInside the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony This week we interview music journalist Brian Ives who shares everything that went down at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony last Friday night. We discuss the history of the RRHOF, the controversies surrounding voting, memorable moments from the past, and the class of 2019 including The Cure, Stevie Nicks, Def Leppard, Roxy Music, and Janet Jackson. Brian discusses who showed up, who showed out and who pulled a no-show. Plus we discuss the artists Brian thinks should be inducted in future years and which artists don’t make the grade. And in...2019-04-0300 minInside PopA Conversation with the director of American Horror Story, Mayans M.C., and Raising Dion This week, we are excited to bring you our conversation with Rachel Goldberg, a successful TV and Film director who has worked on episodes of American Horror Story, Mayans M.C., and the upcoming Netflix series Raising Dion. Rachel discusses how she approaches directing in different genres, the recent shift in Hollywood when it comes to hiring female directors and gives some sage advice on how to be successful in the industry. We are also in the midst of the Max Fun Drive! Take the time right now to head over to maximumfun...2019-03-2000 minInside PopThe Hollywood Apology Trend & Inside Pop Quiz: Oscars Edition This week, we bring you another installment of the Inside Pop Quiz - but this time, Sean quizzes Amita on her Academy Award History knowledge and also gets a few predictions for the upcoming awards ceremony. Then, we discuss the increasing amount of apologies in Hollywood - from Aziz Ansari or Kevin Hart, it feels like every day a celebrity is apologizing, or *not* apologizing for suggestive behavior, comments, tweets or actions. The sheer number of mea culpas these days makes it hard to tell who is being genuine and who is trying to get ahead of...2019-02-2000 minInside PopInside the Production Design of Fargo, American Crime, Strange Angel + Casting Disabled Actors In this episode we speak to Warren Alan Young, the production designer of some of the most beautiful television shows and films we've ever watched. From Fargo to Strange Angel to American Crime to the upcoming film Harriet, Warren has been responsible for creating, designing and executing a look that propels the plot, illuminates the characters and elevates the overall storytelling of all of his projects. He shares the secrets of the craft of production design and reveals his journey as one of the only production designers of color in Hollywood. And in thi...2019-02-0600 minInside PopOscar NominationsAnd the nominees are... In this episode, we share our immediate reaction to the 2019 Academy Award Nominations- what films we think might win Best Picture, what documentaries were snubbed and Sean shares his secret adoration for one of the Supporting Actor Nominees! Plus, Amita gives her rating and review of the Actors on Actors conversation between Mahershala Ali and John David Washington. Then, she sells a thought piece about Hollywood's Disability problem. Follow us on Twitter & Instagram @PopInsiders Visit our site www.insidepoppodcast.com Like us on Facebook And...2019-01-2300 minInside PopWinter 2019 Pop Culture PreviewWe kick off the new year with a special Winter Preview edition of the Inside Pop Quiz! Sean tests Amita's knowledge of major upcoming releases in TV, Music and Movie. Play along and see how much you know (and how much you find out) about some of the most anticipated offerings of the season. Plus - the Big Sell returns in a big way! Find out why Amita's Big Sell of a conversation between Gina Rodriguez, Gabrielle Union, Ellen Pompeo and Emma Roberts gets four stars! Plus hear all about Sean's Oscar campaign season influenced Big Sell - a...2019-01-0900 minInside Pop2018 Best Movie Moments and Entertainers of the YearIf it's the end of December, then it's time for our last episode of the year- our round up of the best movie moments of 2018! This year, Action, Horror, Indie, Drama, Foreign and Documentary films make up our lists. From the blockbuster Black Panther to the silent thriller A Quiet Place to the indie darling, Eighth Grade, we break down which moments moved us to tears, made us laugh and kept us on the edge of our seats. But wait, there's more! For the first time ever- we are sharing our picks for Entertainer of the Year. W...2018-12-2600 minInside PopThe Best Television & Music of 2018Inside Pop presents our year end special highlighting the very best Television and Music of 2018! That's right - this one episode brings you our picks for the most binge-worthy TV shows ( including Atlanta, Dear White People, Barry, The Haunting of Hill House, Killing Eve, Queer Eye, Sense8) and most addictive music (including Janelle Monae, Cardi B, Meek Mill, Florence and the Machine, Ella Mai, Jacob Banks, Chloe X Halle) of the past 12 months. Listen to hear new insights into the shows that sit on top of the TV peak, plus we'll celebrate our favorite albums and each declare our S...2018-12-1200 minInside PopInside the World of a TV Casting Director: A Conversation with Evan Majors (Rhythm + Flow, The Real World)Have you ever wondered what minds were behind the casting of your favorite unscripted TV shows and how they found the personalities who've grown to feel like family? In this episode, we chat with Casting Director Evan Majors to find out his approach to finding talent worthy of TV screens and pop culture obsessions. He shares how he approaches meeting and interviewing talent, the need for more representation in film and TV and a little insider info on his latest project, the recently announced Hip Hop reality competition show, Rhythm + Flow for Netflix featuring Cardi B, Chance th...2018-11-2800 minInside PopMovie Trailers: An Insider’s Guide to How They’re MadeHave you ever wondered how a movie trailer is created? Have you ever questioned why you see a shot in a trailer that doesn't exist in the film or fretted over the amount of plot detail a trailer reveals? Well wonder no more! This week, we speak to Nati Braunstein, Co-President and Creative Director at the Creative Advertising agency, Aspect, and get a look inside the process of making memorable movie trailers. Nati discusses the collaborative effort behind the production of trailers and reveals some inside info about the trailers and TV spots for the highly anticipated Aq...2018-11-1400 minInside PopInterracial Relationships in Pop CultureWhy is it still rare to see a romantic relationship between a black man and a white woman on TV? Is Netflix more progressive depicting interracial relationships than other networks? How did the casting of a Cheerios commercial ignite a racist backlash? In this week's episode, we chat with Lori Tharps, a former Entertainment Weekly and Vibe Magazine writer, novelist and Associate Professor of Journalism at Temple University about how interracial relationships are portrayed on film and TV. Lori breaks down the positive and negative aspects about the depiction of some of the more memorable i...2018-10-3100 minInside PopWomen in the Director’s Chair: A Conversation with Queen Sugar’s DeMane DavisIn this encore episode, we speak with DeMane Davis, the director of the hit OWN series Queen Sugar. We chat with DeMane about the unique way she connected with Ava DuVernay to get the opportunity to work on the series and also discuss how she approached directing the premiere episode of the most recent season. DeMane also discusses her new role as the series Producing Director and the responsibilities and creative challenges that come with the job. And she also dissects one of the most emotionally impactful moments of Season 3 - of course we're talking about that in...2018-10-1700 minInside PopNetflix Goes for the Oscar, How to Watch a Movie, Jose James Covers Bill WithersThis week we tackle the age old, innuendo laced question – 'Does size matter?' Our resounding answer is – ‘yes!’ - especially when it comes to the size of the screen on which one watches feature films. This week news broke that Netflix is considering releasing Alfonso Cuaron’s Roma and the Coen Brother’s The Ballad of Buster Scruggs in movie theaters before these films play on its streaming service. This would be an unprecedented move by the media behemoth that might give these movies a much better chance of getting some awards love. Is a movie stil...2018-10-0300 minInside PopMusic Matters: An Interview with Music Supervisor Matthew Hearon-SmithEver wonder how some of your favorite songs in films and TV shows are chosen? This week, Sean sits down with Music Supervisor Matthew Hearon-Smith, who has selected songs for the award winning films Tangerine and The Florida Project and also has curated the soundtracks for various television shows including Viceland's My House. We discuss his process for finding the right song for the right moment and how he collaborates with directors and showrunners to create the mood for specific scenes. Then, we share some of our top picks for popular songs that have been featured in...2018-09-1900 minInside PopFall TV Preview & Primetime Emmy Predictions with Norman BakerSeptember has arrived and Fall is right around the corner! (Yeah, we said it, FALL! Where does the time go!?) So, we're getting you ready for the Fall TV season with special guest Norman Baker- who, as a self-proclaimed 'Pop Culture Genius', utilizes his entertainment prowess every day as a Senior Producer on The Wendy Williams Show. We find out what it takes to put together the Hot Topics segment of the popular daytime talk show and what inspired Norman to get into television production. Then, Norman shares which new Fall TV shows he is l...2018-09-0500 minInside PopShining a Light on Cinematography: A Conversation with Graham WilloughbyIf you've ever been struck by the beauty that fills the screen while watching a particular film or television show you have the cinematographer to thank. The cinematographer - or Director of Photography - is responsible for helping the director achieve their vision; and whether the goal is to create an eye catching effect or to simply make natural light look 'natural' on film, the cinematographer commands a unique combination of creative intuition and technical expertise to achieve success. This week- Amita and Sean speak with Graham Willoughby, the cinematographer of a number of incredible documentaries including...2018-08-2200 minInside PopThe (Immediate) Future of Television: Highlights from the TCA Press TourIf you love Television, our report on the 2018 TCA Summer Press Tour is a must! This week, the TCA (Television Critics Association) gathered to hear all of the major networks break news with casting announcements, plot line revelations and promises that their new and returning shows will be the peak-iest in this era of Peak TV. We discuss the highlights of the TCA tour and breakdown what all of this news means for the television industry, and for fans of the medium. We'll answer all of your binge-worthy burning questions including: What are the...2018-08-0800 minInside PopHighlights from San Diego Comic Con, Aquaman, Jacob BanksSan Diego Comic Con is the epicenter of genre fandom, the 'make it or break it' launching pad of potential box office blockbusters and the most intensely overwhelming adventure a fan of pop culture can experience. In this episode, we bring you a report straight from the convention with entertainment journalist and Editor-in-Chief at Den of Geek US- Mike Cecchini. No matter what you're interest- Mike has you covered with inside info and insight including: His interview with the star of Aquaman, Jason Momoa and the director of the film, James Wan A report on which tr...2018-07-2500 minInside PopBehind the Scenes at DreamWorks with Tony Ducret, The Handmaid's Tale, Barry, Love Is ___This week, we speak with Tony Ducret who works in the story department at DreamWorks Studios / Amblin Partners. Tony speaks with us about the path that brought him to DreamWorks via a an early career as a producer and showrunner in unscripted programming; a writer and director in the independent film world and a student at the prestigious Peter Stark Producing Program at USC. Tony talks to us about how he uses his diverse background to contribute to the story department at one of the most successful studios in Hollywood. We chat about the current state of...2018-07-1100 minInside PopStrong Black Lead, Sense8 Series FinalePlease note that this episode of Inside Pop is NOT sponsored by Netflix despite the fact that we're celebrating the network's content throughout the half hour! First up - we examine the Strong Black Lead promo Netflix released at the beginning of the week. We discuss its impact, what iconic photo inspired it, who created it and yes - how it caused some controversy. Then, Sean says good-bye to one of his favorite series of all time in a completely non-objective review of the Sense8 series finale. Sean will answer the following questions: ...2018-06-2700 minInside PopLuke Cage Season 2, Won't You Be My NeighborWe're heading straight to Harlem for this special Luke Cage edition of Inside Pop. We've seen the second season of Marvel's Luke Cage and we're bringing you an exclusive preview of the first two episodes. We'll also provide some fascinating behind the scenes info about the show's music and production crew and theorize why vocal fans of the first season may have inspired the more volatile Season 2 Luke Cage. Plus, we question why we're anti-shipping Mariah and Shades. Then, Amita reviews the new documentary, Won't You Be My Neighbor, about legendary children's TV host Fred Rogers. 2018-06-2000 minInside PopQueer Eye Season 2, LGBTQ Pop CultureWe're celebrating Pride Month in this episode by highlighting some of our favorite queer pop culture. First up, we've had an advanced look at the second season of Queer Eye on Netflix and we're giving you an exclusive preview of the series that consistently gives everyone the feels. We'll tell you how the series is breaking even more new ground than ever before. And then we bring you a special rainbow colored Big Sell in which we recommend some under the radar pop culture with an LGBTQ focus that you will definitely want to put...2018-06-1300 minInside PopPose, Kanye West, Roseanne CancellationThis week, we are serving all sorts of pop culture realness - starting with our first impressions of the new Ryan Murphy series, Pose, on FX. Amita shares how Viceland's My House influenced her viewing experience of Pose and Sean comments on why both shows are helping bring a piece of LGBTQ culture to the masses. Then, Amita shares her thoughts and honest critique about Kanye West's new 7 song album, Ye, and revealing that he is bipolar. Plus, we discuss if the idea of a Roseanne spinoff is smart or problematic. And Sean...2018-06-0600 minInside PopQueen Sugar Season 3 PremiereWe've been waiting for months and it's finally here! The Queen Sugar Season 3 Premiere aired on Tuesday night and we have an exclusive interview with the director of the hit OWN series- DeMane Davis. We had the privilege of watching the Season Premiere in advance of our interview with DeMane so be warned, there will be spoilers in this podcast! We chatted with DeMane about the unique way she connected with Ava DuVernay to get the opportunity to work on the series, her approach to directing the premiere episode, being the newly appointed Producing Director and learned...2018-05-3000 minInside PopDeadpool 2, Janet Jackson at the Billboard Awards, Vulture Festival – IP 124We have an embarrassment of pop culture riches this week! First up, Amita provides a spoiler free review of the box office record breaking Deadpool 2. Sean hasn't seen the film yet, but it doesn't stop him from asking deep probing questions (you guessed it - Josh Brolin's physique is a point of discussion!). Then, Sean and Amita discuss Janet Jackson's appearance at the Billboard Music Awards. They rate her red carpet look and give what may be considered a surprisingly objective review of her performance. The Pop Insiders also discuss their time at...2018-05-2300 minInside PopTV Cancellations, Andre 3000, Florence + The Machine, AggretsukoThis week, we're talking about the recent announcement of TV cancellations and renewals- which shows were chopped (Quantico, Rise) and which ones were surprisingly revived by another network (Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Last Man Standing?!) and the one show that Sean may just start a Twitter campaign to save. Then, we discuss the two unique songs that Andre 3000 recently released that are dedicated to his late mother and father and what we think of his new sound. And Sean shares his experience at a recent Florence + The Machine concert. Plus, Amita reviews and rates last...2018-05-1600 minInside PopChildish Gambino's "This Is America", Big Screen vs Living Room filmsFrom the visceral imagery to our initial reactions- we discuss and try to decode the video that everyone is talking about- Childish Gambino's "This Is America". We give our thoughts and praise to Donald Glover's latest music video/artistic statement. Then, we discuss what films are big screen worthy and which films you can watch at home. Amita shares her thought process on how she determines which films pass the big screen test. And finally, Sean gets brutally honest about last week's Big Sell and suggests a new Netflix Japanese anime series, Agretsuko. ...2018-05-0900 minInside PopAvengers: Infinity War, Janelle Monae's Dirty Computer, Tribeca Film Festival, Kanye WestWe've witnessed and survived a huge week in pop culture and are here to tell the tale! First, we share our SPOILER FREE thoughts about the latest chapter in Marvel's Avengers series- Avengers: Infinity War, and find out if the superhero filled sequel succeeded in meeting our expectations Then, we're all about Janelle Monae's latest album, Dirty Computer, and the accompanying emotion picture. We predict the songs we want to be the next single and chat about her musical evolution from her first album to this new offering. Plus, we had the privilege to...2018-05-0200 minInside PopWestworld Season 2, My House on Viceland, Tribeca Film Festival 2018, RhyeOn this episode, Sean discusses his thoughts and predictions about Westworld Season 2 and shares a helpful NYTimes Season 1 recap to refresh Amita's memory on the sci-fi fantasy series. Then, Amita has an exclusive sit down with Sean about his latest project, the new Viceland follow doc series, My House which chronicles the lives of performers in the NYC vogue ballroom scene. And the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival has started and we had the privilege to watch a couple of music focused documentaries- Howard and Blue Note Records: Beyond the Notes. Plus, Sean gives his 2 cents and rates l...2018-04-2500 minInside PopBeyonce at Coachella, Kendrick Lamar wins the Pulitzer, Scandal Signs OffThis week it's all about Black (Overachieving) Excellence! Beyonce Knowles Carter descended from the uppermost level of Heaven and bestowed us with the gift of her life changing performance at Coachella - or as it shall now be forever known . . . BEYCHELLA. We'll share our reactions to the performance and our reactions to the reactions of her performance. Kendrick Lamar made history this week by becoming the first Hip Hop artist to win the Pulitzer Prize. We'll discuss why this is a huge deal for hip hop and the culture at large. Shonda Rhimes an...2018-04-1800 minInside PopCardi B’s Invasion of Privacy, A Quiet Place, Saturday Night Live, PinkThis week we have a proverbial pop culture hat trick with a trifecta of TV, Film and Music covered in our episode. It may seem like there was not a time before you knew Cardi B existed - but she's just released her debut album, Invasion of Privacy, and we're telling you what we think of it- plus sharing our thoughts on her SNL performance (and her SNL 'announcement'). We review the number one movie of the week, A Quiet Place and the broadway revival of Children of a Lesser God and discuss how each po...2018-04-1100 minInside PopSpring Preview 2018, Max Fun DriveIn honor of the Max Fun Drive- we are proud to present our Spring Pop Culture Preview! We'll share some inside info on the highly anticipated TV, Film and Music due out this Spring. And to help us out- our special guests - the hosts of Long Distance POPcast and JoJCast also share their picks! Spring is no longer the season to bide your time while you await the big summer blockbusters and concert tours. Some of the most innovative and surprising pieces of pop culture are about to slide into your earbuds and onto your television a...2018-04-0400 minInside PopRuPaul's Drag Race, Deadpool 2 Trailer, Lena Waithe in Vanity FairWe have more pop culture stuffed into this episode than RuPaul has catchphrases. Almost! This week we sashay our way into the world of RuPaul's Drag Race. We discuss the show's increasing popularity and shed some light on the surprising demographic that has made the show bigger than ever after ten seasons on the air. Then, we react to the new Deadpool 2 trailer - Amita's here for the humor and action; Sean's here for the MCU's first openly bisexual hero (and the ensuant fantasies he provokes). Plus, we preview the new Vanity Fair p...2018-03-2800 minInside PopAtlanta Season 2, Avengers: Infinity War trailer, Saturday Night Live, Wolverine PodcastThis episode is the ultimate pop culture to do list for the week! DO listen to our review of the second season of Donald Glover's series, Atlanta. We discuss whether the show overcomes the dreaded sophomore season slump. DO hear our reaction to the latest trailer for Marvel's Avengers: Infinity War. Who will live and who will die? We share our guesses and also estimate how much screen time Doctor Strange will get since he is sharing the screen with 8,000 other heroes. DO NOT feel any jealousy as Sean tells you what it w...2018-03-2100 minInside PopA Wrinkle in Time, Jessica Jones, Sade, Meshell Ndegeocello, Carousel, VulfpeckThis 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 S...2018-03-1400 minInside PopOscars 2018 SpecialInside Pop's annual Oscars wrap up is here! Listen to get our take on the fashion, the snubs, the rightful victories, the highlights and the awkward moments. We'll rate Jimmy Kimmel's performance as host and also discuss our favorite musical performances of the night. Who was the presenter that left Sean speechless? Which acceptance speech made Amita stand-up and cheer? Listen to this special Oscars episode to find out! Follow us on Twitter & Instagram @PopInsiders www.insidepoppodcast.com Like us on Facebook You can also find us on MaximumFun.org2018-03-0600 minInside PopQueer Eye: An Interview with Queer Eye Producer James BarkerIn 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...2018-02-2800 minInside PopBlack Panther Box Office records, Janelle Monae, Musicians turned Actors, VulfpeckWe can't help but discuss Black Panther again- from the shattered box office records to the worldwide reaction- Wakanda Forever! Plus, Christmas came early with the 30 second teaser trailer for Janelle Monae's latest 'emotion picture' Dirty Computer. We speculate on when we'll get new music from Monae, and some of the themes in the trailer. Then, we discuss musicians who became actors- some successfully and some...not so much. And Amita gives her review of the Atlantic article about Black Panther Costume Designer Ruth Carter and sells Sean on a feel good...2018-02-2100 minInside PopBlack Panther Special, Hamilton's HamildropsFrom the moment the Black Panther cast took a group selfie at Comic Con the anticipation and expectations for this film began to grow; and over the past year the buzz has reached a fever pitch (especially for these two podcast hosts). Well, the film has arrived and Inside Pop is devoting this episode to everything Wakanda! We share our review of the film (just moments after seeing a special screening) and discuss the highlights and the themes that most resonated with us. Then we review the soundtrack for the film which is curated by...2018-02-1600 minInside PopSuper Bowl, Justin Timberlake, This Is UsIt'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 B...2018-02-0700 minInside PopOscar Nominations, Black Panther, KelelaIt's been a long, strange, sometimes underwhelming trip to the Oscar Nominations but we're here to share our immediate reactions. We give you our thoughts on why certain movies are heading to the red carpet and others got snubbed and we also try to make sense of why the film Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri has become a frontrunner. We celebrate nominations for Get Out, The Big Sick, Logan, Mudbound and Lady Bird and share our gratitude to whomever was genius enough to book Tiffany Haddish to announce the nominations. Plus Sean makes his case for w...2018-01-2400 minInside Pop#TimesUp, Golden Globes, Justin Timberlake, Kendrick Lamar, Sza, Cardi B, Bruno MarsThis 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 a...2018-01-1000 minInside PopBlack Mirror, The Chi, Forgotten Films of 2017 with Dave Karger, Pop Culture ResolutionsDid 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...2018-01-0300 minInside PopBest Movie Performances of 2017We have spent hours upon hours sitting in dark theaters watching some of the most talked about films of the year and are ready to share our final "Best of" list of 2017! This year, we're focusing on the performances that captivated us, made us laugh, cry and gave us all the feels. From Daniel Kaluuya's portrayal as a boyfriend slowly awakening to the horrors of his girlfriend's family in Get Out to Saoirse Ronan playing a emotional teenager in Lady Bird, to the complex relationship between Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart in Logan, 2017 has gifted us with...2017-12-2000 minInside PopBest Music of 2017This year we've listened to countless hours of new albums and songs and attended dozens of concerts and are now ready to declare our favorite music of 2017! Listen to this very special year-end episode to hear us discuss the artists who delivered music that inspired us, informed us, entertained us, made us want to dance and put us in that special mood! We also discuss our favorite singles of the year, our most memorable concerts and the new music we're craving in 2018. Our favorite albums list includes: Kendrick Lamar - DAMN ...2017-12-1300 minInside PopBest of TV 2017The time has come...we've watched countless hours of television and have narrowed them down to our top 10 favorite TV shows of the year! And to kick things up a notch- we are sharing the scenes from the exceptional shows that inspired us, made us laugh out loud, brought us to tears and made our hearts flutter. From network to cable to streaming platforms, horror to comedy to sci-fi, this year has given us unique story lines, captivating visuals and incredible characters. We also take time to mention the TV shows we wished we checked out and...2017-12-0600 minInside PopLife Defining Music, National African American MuseumThis 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...2017-11-2900 minInside PopJanet Jackson State of the World Tour, Top Female Friendships in Pop Culture, John LegendThis 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, Lucy & Ethel, Meredith & Cristina, the women of Living Single and more. We share how their bonds inspire us and why they're their relationships are everlasting. And Amita rates and reviews last week's Big Sell from Sean...2017-11-2200 minInside PopInterview with Dee Rees & Charles King of Mudbound, 100th Episode, Inside Pop QuizAfter 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 t...2017-11-1500 minInside PopThor: Ragnarok, N.E.R.D & Rihanna “Lemon”, Sexual Harassment in HollywoodThis 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 hara...2017-11-0700 minInside PopStranger Things 2 premieres, 2 Years of Inside Pop, Produced By NY, BigSell30 WrapsWe'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...2017-11-0100 minInside PopBest Fall Movies, Big Sell 30The falling leaves, the crisp chill in the air, the smell of a distant fireplace burning - all of those signs of Fall compel us to do one thing - head into a dark theater and watch as many movies as possible! This week we discuss four new movies we've seen that we want you to know all about. Hear our thoughts on Call Me By Your Name, Wonderstruck, The Florida Project and Suburbicon. Within our discussion Sean reveals why you're not going to hear him use the 'O' word (Oscar) until 2018 and Amita shares why she's p...2017-10-2500 minInside PopCover Songs, Fall TV mid-season Check, #BigSell30Why 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 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 re...2017-10-1800 minInside PopBlade Runner 2049, Riz Ahmed, Vegas Baby documentary, Big Sell 30This week we dive inside Box Office Busts, a bold new doc and #BigSell30 is underway! First up, Sean and Amita examine why the highly anticipated, sure fire hit Blade Runner 2049 actually failed at the box office. Why did the masses stay away from Denis Villeneuve's artistry and Ryan Gosling's baby blues? And are the masses actually missing out on a great film? We'll discuss! Also, Amita was in the same room with her celebrity husband, Riz Ahmed, and didn't faint! Find out how she got to see him in person and what happened. T...2017-10-1100 minInside PopFavorite Pop Culture Families, Queen Sugar Interview Part 2, Tom Petty, Big Sell 30 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 Am...2017-10-0400 minInside PopStar Trek: Discovery premieres, Battle of the Sexes, Queen Sugar InterviewThe 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 Av...2017-09-2700 minInside PopBest New Music, Emmy Awards Recap, Big Sell 30 AnnouncementWe'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...2017-09-2000 minInside PopEmmy Predictions, Insecure Finale Recap, It Review - IP 91This 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...2017-09-1300 minInside PopFall TV, Movie & Music PreviewWe 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...2017-09-0600 minInside PopGame of Thrones Finale: The Dragon and the Wolf; Pop Culture in NYC, Miguel’s ‘Sky Walker’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...2017-08-3000 minInside PopGame of Thrones: Beyond the Wall, The Defenders Ep 1 Review, BoscoFaster 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...2017-08-2300 minInside PopGame of Thrones: Eastwatch recap; Luke Cage Showrunner Cheo Hoadari Coker interview – IP 87We 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...2017-08-1600 minInside PopGame Of Thrones: The Spoils of War, Queen Sugar mid-season 2 finale, Detroit reactions, The Suffers – IP 86This 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...2017-08-0900 minInside PopNew Music Videos; South Asian Interracial Relationships in TV & Film - IP 85This 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...2017-08-0200 minInside PopComic-Con Trailers, Insecure Season 2, An Inconvenient Sequel, Way Into Idris Elba, Atlanta - IP 84We'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 A...2017-07-2600 minInside PopGame of Thrones Returns, Emmy Nominations, A Wrinkle in Time, Best Music of 2017 – IP 83Join us and raise a glass to toast the return of Game of Thrones - but before you take a swig just make sure you're not on Arya's sh*t list! On this episode of Inside Pop, we dissect the Season 7 premiere of Game of Thrones which has us talking about everything from filthy chamber pots to Ed Sheeran cameos to Vermeer paintings to the one thing Daenerys has in common with Prince and the Revolution! (There are Spoilers in this conversation- you've been warned) Then - we give you many reasons why you should...2017-07-1900 minInside PopJay Z's 4:44, Best TV of 2017, Bishop Briggs - IP 82This week, Inside Pop dives into Jay-Z's new album 4:44- we discuss some of the personal issues he revealed in his lyrics along with his evolution from his first album to now. We then discuss other artists who have bared their soul through music and some of the confessional - like songs with which we have connected - including Beyonce, Lauryn Hill, Prince, Mary J. Blige and more. Plus, we revel in the abundance of programming that Peak TV has given us in 2017 with our Best of TV picks of the last 6 months. Find out which shows m...2017-07-1200 minInside PopSpiderman: Homecoming, Best Movies of 2017 (So Far), Summer Blockbusters, Miguel - IP 81The holiday weekend is over but the fun is just about to begin! Take a deep dive inside the world of pop culture and join Sean David Johnson and Amita Patel as they celebrate their debut episode on Maximum Fun! Who are Amita and Sean? I mean who are they REALLY?: The co-hosts of Inside Pop (aka The Pop Insiders) give you a quick (re)introduction. Inside Pop Quiz: Summer Blockbuster Movie Edition. Sean quizzes Amita on everything from which Spielberg summer flick has made the most money to which of Rihanna's lines of dialogue from Battleship are the...2017-07-0500 minInside PopThe Big Sick, Top LGBT TV Characters, TLC - IP 80This week, Amita discusses the new film, The Big Sick, written and starring Kumail Nanjiani. Will it be the sleeper hit of the summer? Then, in honor of Pride Month, we revisit one of our favorite countdowns- our Top 3 LGBT Television Characters - with special guest Kevyn Fairchild. And Sean gives his review of TLC's new single "Way Back" in the Big Sell and suggests a Viceland show featuring IP favorite, Miguel. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @PopInsiders www.insidepoppodcast.com 2017-06-2800 minInside PopBig Announcement, Alabama Shakes - IP 79This week we've got a big announcement in a short episode. After we share some exciting news about our podcast, we bring you Amita's review of Sean's last Big Sell, Alabama Shakes new/old song, "Killer Diller Blues." After her review, Amita big sells Sean on a new joint by an older group. And Sean also gives a bonus big sell and tells Amita about the fantastic Georgia O'Keefe exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @PopInsiders www.insidepoppodcast.com 2017-06-2100 minInside PopWonder Woman, Master of None, Tickling Giants, Sense8 - IP 78This week- we dive into the world of pop culture with: Wonder Woman - Amita gives her reaction and we discuss the film's record breaking box office. Master of None - We can't get enough of the Season 2 and talk about Aziz Ansari and Alan Yang's decision to hold off on Season 3...for now. Sean pours some out for the final season of one of his favorite Netflix series, Sense8. We share an excerpt of our interview with Sara Taksler, the writer/director/producer of the documentary, Tickling Giants. And Sean rates and reviews last week's Big Sell, the sou...2017-06-0700 minInside PopGame of Thrones, Spiderman: Homecoming, Cannes Film Festival, Wonder Woman, American Gods, Hype Songs - IP 77This week, we are jam packed with everything you need to know about the latest in pop culture! We start off with a roundup of new trailers for Game of Thrones and Spiderman: Homecoming- do they live up to the hype? And speaking of hype- we discuss our "Hype Songs" - the tracks that make us turnt up, get us energized and keep us in a good mood to conquer the day or rule the night. Then, we discuss Sofia Coppola's win at Cannes Film Festival for Best Director of the upcoming film The Beguiled...2017-05-3100 minInside PopTwin Peaks, Chris Cornell, Alien Covenant, Black Mirror – IP 76It is happening again! That's right - we are back with another episode covering the most interesting pop culture of the week. Our topics this episode include: Twin Peaks returns and Sean attempts to make sense of David Lynch and Mark Frosts' deep, dark, inscrutable work. Does it live up to the immense hype and Sean's great expectations? Listen to find out! Chris Cornell died last week and Amita Patel shares her feelings and memories of the singer and also provides a guide to finding some of his best work online. Alien: Covenant is the latest...2017-05-2400 minInside PopMaster of None S2, Twin Peaks, Scandal Ends - IP 75Let's Rock! This week we react to the first four masterful episodes of Aziz Ansari and Alan Yang's, Master of None. Amita shares the particular joy that comes with watching this South Asian auteur do his his thing! Then we explain why watching the current season of Scandal is the equivalent to having Pity Sex! Next we introduce a new segment, Way Into, in which we present a guide for you to become as 'Way Into" a piece of pop culture as we are. In this inaugural segment, Sean presents a Way Into...2017-05-1700 minInside PopGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Sense8, The Dark Tower, The Defenders, South Asians on TV & Film, Broadway, Game of Thrones – IP 74The May pop culture hot streak continues so we discuss the release of the trailers for the highly anticipated film adaptation of the Stephen King series, The Dark Tower; and The Defenders on Netflix. Then, Amita gives her immediate (and spoiler free) reaction to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and also shares her exciting experience winning a Broadway Lottery. Meanwhile Sean is incapable of containing his excitement over the premiere of the 2nd season of Sense8. The Pop Insiders also share the details of the recently announced Game of Thrones spin-offs and share which GoT char...2017-05-1000 minInside PopDJ Khaled, Chance the Rapper, The Handmaid’s Tale, Mary J. Blige, Prince & The Revolution, Jonathan Demme, Gorillaz - IP 73The Pop Insiders never lie! As promised - May is lit and in this episode we dive into the unbearable 'litness' of pop culture in its first week. We discuss: DJ Khaled's new song of the summer contender, "I'm the One". We review the song and focus on Chance the Rapper's provocative verse. Mary J. Blige's new album, Strength of a Woman. The Handmaid's Tale on Hulu. Our ecstatic experience seeing The Revolution live in NYC. The passing of the great director, Jonathan Demme. And of course we end with the Big Sell. Amita reviews Sean's pick fro...2017-05-0300 minInside PopMay Pop Culture Preview, Tribeca Film Festival, DJ Spinna - IP 72This week, we preview the upcoming pop culture that we're most looking forward to in May. From Master of None to Twin Peaks, Alien: Covenant to Guardians of the Galaxy, Gorillaz and The Billboard Music Awards- we'll tell you why this is the pop culture you cannot miss next Month! We also share our experiences at the Tribeca Film Festival and our night out at the DJ Spinna Soul Slam party. Plus, Sean gives his rating and review of a special episode of The Mindy Project and sells Amita on a music focused podcast. F...2017-04-2600 minInside PopThe Last Jedi, Kendrick Lamar, MTV Movie & TV Awards, A Tribe Called Quest - IP 71In this episode we're focusing on some of the major pop culture releases of the month! The trailer for the latest installment of the Star Wars series- The Last Jedi- was released and Sean gives an in depth analysis of the themes of this teaser and theories on the film. Then, there is no containing our adoration for the incomparable Kendrick Lamar and his latest album, DAMN. We review and reflect on the rap genius and share our initial reactions. Plus, MTV revamped and expanded their Movie Awards to include television and also rem...2017-04-1900 minInside PopThe Walking Dead, Big Little Lies, Prince, Kendrick Lamar - IP 70This week, we achieve the impossible- we discuss the finales of The Walking Dead and Big Little Lies without spoiling a thing! Our discussion focuses on the appropriate length of a season and the pros and cons of producing a series with an end in sight. Then, Sean takes a purple moment to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Prince's seminal album, Sign O The Times. And the Big Sell gets super sized thanks to Kendrick Lamar's single "The Heart Part 4" and the new music video for "Humble". Listen now and let us know w...2017-04-0500 minInside PopTop Fashionable Females on TV, March Madness Bracket Winner, The White Helmets - IP 69We conclude our pop culture themed Women's History Month segments with an interview with Esta Fiesta, host of the Poised N Polished podcast! We talk to Esta about her top 3 fashionable female characters on TV and discuss fashion and feminism. Next, the conclusion of our inaugural March Madness bracket dedicated to Amita's celebrity husbands contains a surprising finale. Wait until you hear who she chooses to be her ultimate celeb husband. And we discuss Sean's Big Sell from last week, the Oscar winning documentary short, The White Helmets. Tweet us who you would...2017-03-2900 minInside PopInside Pop Quiz, Amita's Celebrity Husbands Bracket, Jorja Smith - IP 68This week, we continue our special Women's History Month segments with a female themed Inside Pop Quiz and Amita starts to narrow down her celebrity husbands in the Inaugural Inside Pop March Madness Bracket! You won't believe who she picked. (And neither does Sean!) And Sean gives his review of last week's Big Sell, British singer/songwriter Jorja Smith.2017-03-2200 minInside PopOur Life Defining Divas, Fleabag, Preview of Amita's Celeb Husband Bracket - IP 67This time the Pop Insiders get up close and personal! In the second installment of our series celebrating Women's History Month, we each share how three femalke musicians defined different periods of our lives. We discuss music from artists like Annie Lennox, Mary J. Blige, Lauryn Hill, Beyoncé and others that gave us comfort, motivation and inspiration when we needed them the most. Also, Amita reviews Sean's Big Sell of the Amazon series Fleabag. Sean was iffy on whether Amita would really like this Big Sell- listen to hear her verdict. And Amita's Big Sell involved a new...2017-03-1500 minInside PopFavorite Pop Culture Female Friendships, Tickling Giants Interview, Seinabo Sey - IP 66In honor of Women's History Month we're kicking off a series celebrating some of our favorite depictions of women in pop culture. We start off in this episode with our countdown of each of our 3 Favorite Female Friendships. From Meredith and Christina in Grey's Anatomy to Maxine, Khadijah, Regine and Sinclair in Living Single we discuss how many of the bonds between women depicted in film and TV are inspirational and aspirational. And we have a very special interview with Sara Taksler, the writer, producer and director of the independent documentary, Tickling Giants. This film tells the inc...2017-03-0800 minInside PopOscars 2017 Recap, Get Out, Sampha - IP 65Dozens of hours spent in the dark have all lead to TONIGHT. Listen to hear our immediate reaction to Hollywood's Biggest Night as we help you figure out WTF happened during the last minutes of the show!!! Bonnie & Clyde give La La Land the award for Best Picture ( no surprise to anyone) but then a producer for La la Land declares that Moonlight is the actual winner. Huh? Are you confused? Elated? Concerned for Faye Dunaway? So are we! Listen to hear us make sense of it all! Plus red carpet moments, rating Jimmy Kimmel as host, and declaring...2017-02-2600 minInside PopGrammy Awards 2017, Beyoncé, Adele, Prince, 24: Legacy, August Wilson's Jitney - IP 63We couldn't wait until our usual Wednesday release to drop this special episode with our immediate reaction to the Grammy Awards! We pick out the real winners of the evening- from Adele and her impressive recovery during her tribute to George Michael to the props she gave Beyoncé when she won Album of the Year; Queen Bey's stunning performance and inspiring acceptance speech; the perfection of Bruno Mars during his tribute to Prince and the troublesome audio issues on 'Music's Biggest Night.' Then, Sean shares his thoughts on the spinoff series, 24: Legacy, and we share our experien...2017-02-1400 minInside PopSuper Bowl, Lady Gaga, Kristen Stewart on SNL, DGA Awards, Abbey Lincoln - IP 62Ok- so the Patriots won the Super Bowl, but the real headliner was the high flying halftime show by Lady Gaga! We give you our Super Bowl Recap including some of our favorite commercials, the amazing rendition of "America The Beautiful" by the original Schuyler Sisters from Hamilton and of course Lady Gaga's halftime show! Then, we have your latest awards update with the winners of the Director's Guild Awards. Listen to find out how the DGA winners will predict who gets to take home an Oscar! Plus we give props to Kristen Stewart for h...2017-02-0800 minInside PopSAG and PGA Awards, Black Mirror, Loving, Missy Elliott, Nile Rodgers, MILCK - IP 61Awards season is in high gear and we have the latest winners from the Screen Actors Guild Awards and the Producers Guild Awards! We discuss the outspoken SAG winners who took the opportunity to speak out on current events in unique and inspirational ways and Sean gets on his soap box about appreciating films regardless of awards recognition. Then, we bring back our Late to the Party segment and talk about our delayed appreciation of Black Mirror and the films Loving and Kubo and the Two Strings. Amita also shares why Hell or High Water was not...2017-02-0100 min
The Perfect PodcastThe Perfect Podcast . . . TrailerThe creator and host of The Perfect Podcast, Sean David Johnson, sits down with Amita Patel to discuss the launch of his upcoming project. The two discuss the premise of this new culture podcast and tease upcoming episodes.2016-07-1909 min