Shows
COTUS (Culture of the United States) RadioEpisode 22: Dishing on Networks2012-06-221h 07COTUS (Culture of the United States) RadioEpisode 21: Who Criticizes the Critics?2012-06-091h 10COTUS (Culture of the United States) RadioEpisode 20: Memorializing the Masters2012-06-021h 06COTUS (Culture of the United States) RadioEpisode 19: Literal RamblingsMovies, television -- and books! This week, Shawn and Brien unload the full weight of their cultural insight by bringing BOOKS into the mix. Sure, there's the usual stuff: Avengers, Finder, Haywire, Community, Cougar Town... but now we throw Christopher Moore's new book in the mix and discuss the finer points of Fifty Shades of Grey. 2012-05-251h 00COTUS (Culture of the United States) RadioEpisode 18: Expendable AvengingIn this week's episode, Shawn and Brien dissect the success of The Avengers, stack that movie up against The Expendables 2, inexplicably transition to Chris Christie and education, somehow "lighten things up" with a discussion of meth addiction, and talk about things that have already past as if they haven't happened yet. Confused? Well, that's our thing.2012-05-111h 02COTUS (Culture of the United States) RadioEpisode 17: Conventional IdiocyIn this week's episode, Shawn takes a trip to Chiller Theater to interact with the nearly famous. We debate the merits of New Girl, lament the lack of actual news in the world, and generally do nothing else to aid the progress of humanity.2012-05-021h 01COTUS (Culture of the United States) RadioEpisode 16: An Arrow to the Groin ComplexThis week's episode is particularly meandering as Shawn and Brien's initial discussion of Hawkeye's uselessness in The Avengers wanders into discussions of the improbability of zombies, the futility of arguing the constitution, and several other inane soundbites. 2012-04-261h 12COTUS (Culture of the United States) RadioEpisode 15: In Which the Cancellation Bunny Brings Us Back to Reality[Rated Explicit for Language]
After a short hiatus to regroup, the boys are back with a discussion of - what else - television. Now that the traditional television season is starting to wrap up, it's time to take a look at which shows are coming back next year and which will fall victim to the Cancellation Bunny.
Following that, Shawn and Brien start editorializing on the nature of remakes but are quickly distracted by a bright shiny object. General chaos follows.
2012-04-1435 minCOTUS (Culture of the United States) RadioEpisode 14: Fare Thee Well, Walking Dead...And so the second season closes on The Walking Dead and Shawn and Brien spend the hour wringing every little bit they can out of the season finale. We reflect on the overall success of the season and give you a spoiler filled blow by blow of every blood drenched second of the final episode. Rick's transformation into the Rick-Tator, Carol's new Lady Macbeth persona, and Lori's inevitable "Mother of the Year" award are all given their due. Plus, we offer up some juicy bits about what to expect next season and our own hopes and fears for what l...2012-03-211h 02COTUS (Culture of the United States) RadioEpisode 13: The Undead Viral SyndromeThis week's episode of The Walking Dead was so incredible that we've added an extra thirty minutes to this week's episode!
0:00-23:00 We begin with a discussion of the KONY 2012 viral campaign that has drawn both praise and criticism from the voices of the Interwebs.
24:00-37:00 - Sidekick Shawn takes a trip to Kevin Smith's Secret Stash comic book shop for an exclusive interview with manager and Comic Book Men star Walt Flanagan.
38:00 - 90:00 - Our extra long Walking Dead discussion picks up with the fallout of last week's devastating events. We debate Lori...2012-03-131h 24COTUS (Culture of the United States) RadioEpisode 12: The Rushing Dead PrincipleIn this week's episode, Shawn and Brien talk about the only pill Rush Limbaugh isn't willing to pop and why the general state of discourse in America is so crap-tastic. After opening the show with a well reasoned, insightful interview clip from Yale University law professor Stephen Carter, your hosts dissect Limbaugh's inflammatory comments against law student Sandra Fluke and digress into a long winding tour of politics and media in America, until finally they set their sights on a target they can handle: Kirk Cameron.
Following that, the boys jump into a lengthy and in-depth discussion...2012-03-061h 02COTUS (Culture of the United States) RadioEpisode 11: The Undead Oscar ConundrumIn this episode, Shawn and Brien dissect the Oscars, uncovering the bowels of this most ancient awards custom. After that, the boys slice open the lastest episodes of The Walking Dead, and engage in a brutal, taut analysis of the best show on television. The show wraps up with a meandering talk of Ricky Gervais's latest shows and some other stuff that's on television. Caution: Do not operate a vehicle when listening to this show, as it may other cause great agitation or extreme drowsiness.
WARNING: This show contains significant spoilers regarding recent episodes of The Walking...2012-02-281h 15COTUS (Culture of the United States) RadioEpisode 10: The Half Mast ManifestoIn this week's episode, the boys debate Governor Christie's decision to order all flags at half mast for Whitney Houston's funeral. Should this be an honor reserved for fallen soldiers and public servants? Do Houston's contributions during her life outweigh the turbulence of the last few years of her life?
Following that, Shawn and Brien take a look at the some of the new pilots currently in development for the new fall season, including new shows from J.J. Abrams, Sarah Silverman, and Jimmy Fallon.
The show wraps up with a discussion of the growing...2012-02-201h 05COTUS (Culture of the United States) RadioEpisode 9: When Media AttacksIn this week's episode, Shawn and Brien come to the defense of a dog who defended himself against the unwanted shmoozing of a Denver reporter. This past week, news reports have circulated about Max, an Argentine Mastiff, who defensively snapped (not "attacked") Denver reporter Kyle Dyer after she unwittingly assumed an aggressive stance over the dog. Once again, mass media takes the sensationalistic stance of dogs "attacking" people rather than using this as an opportunity to teach people how to better deal with dogs.
Following this rant, we delve into the media coverage of the death of...2012-02-131h 08COTUS (Culture of the United States) RadioEpisode 8: The Superbowl SpecialIn a break from the regular format, Shawn and Brien discuss their expectations for the Big Game, its commercials, and its aged half-time show. Following the game, they discuss the realization of those expectations, which include great joy for one host and a great deal of ambivalence from another.2012-02-0653 minCOTUS (Culture of the United States) RadioEpisode 7: Return of the ZombiesIn this week's Zombie Extravaganza, we interview director Jeff Stewart on his new films The Velvet Elvis and The Reunion. We also talk about the return of The Walking Dead, the infuriating "mid-season break", and creative 5K/obstacle course events like the zombie themed Run for Your Lives.2012-01-311h 07COTUS (Culture of the United States) RadioEpisode 6: Who's Got Time for a Revolution?In this week's episode, Shawn and Brien discuss Shawn's succubus obsession, argue over the effectiveness of Joseph Gordon Levitt's hitrecord.org, and praise the return of the ultra-violent action film thanks to Indonesian film THE RAID.2012-01-231h 08COTUS (Culture of the United States) RadioEpisode 5: A Celebration of EndingsThe Death of SOPA, the last call for Tebow Time, and the impending early cancellation of new winter shows - all this and more and we spend an hour celebrating the endings of distasteful things.2012-01-1657 minCOTUS (Culture of the United States) RadioEpisode 4: Santorum, Movies and Other VirusesThe Boys evaluate Rick Santorum's chances for a presidency (and a straight jacket) and take a look at how movies and movie theaters are coping with dropping attendance.2012-01-091h 07
COTUS (Culture of the United States) RadioEpisode 3: Media ResolutionsIn this week's episode, hosts Shawn and Brien suggest New Year's resolutions for the news and film industries. Along the way they discuss the Ron Paul/CNN controversy, new tv in January, and two recycled film franchises coming back this summer.2012-01-031h 11
COTUS (Culture of the United States) RadioCOTUS X-Mas SpecialWarm up the holidays with the first annual COTUS X-Mas Special. Listen as Shawn and Brien gleefully destroy the holiday traditions, music, and specials we all love so dearly. So, put the kids to bed and learn the true meaning of Christmas, courtesy of two very surly Scrooge McDuck's.2011-12-241h 07COTUS (Culture of the United States) RadioCOTUS Episode 1: The Boys Are Back in TownFormerly Virgil's All-Night Podcast, COTUS (Culture of the United States) is a weekly show that examines American culture and media.2011-12-2151 min