Pop Rocket

This week, it's Pop Rocket's Halloween Spooktacular! Louis and the gang talk about the things that scared them as children. Aliens, Muppets, weird logo jingles, and everything in between. Louis finally gives us some moderns jams, Karen tells us a spooky Halloween story, Wynter has a few words for Justin Timberlake, and Alonso discusses Harvey Fierstein's infamous Barbara Walters interview.

With Louis Virtel, Wynter Mitchell, Karen Tongson and Alonso Duralde.

That’s My Jam:

Alonso Duralde - Hayley Kiyoko - Feelings
Karen Tongson - Etta James - One for My Baby and One More for the Road
Wynter Mitchell - Janet Jackson - You
Louis Virtel - Alice Merton - No Roots

Each week we’ll add everyone’s jams to this handy Spotify playlist.

You can let us know what you think of Pop Rocket and suggest topics in our Facebook group or via @PopRocket on Twitter.

Produced by Christian Dueñas for MaximumFun.org.

This week, Louis and the gang sit down to discuss celebrities and death. What deaths affected them the most? Does every newspaper really have an obit for Tom Hanks ready to go? Plus, Alonso gets back into Riverdale, Karen has beef with Klingons, Wynter tells us about her journey with Spencer Pratt, and Louis has some concerns about the new Mamma Mia.

With Louis Virtel, Wynter Mitchell, Karen Tongson and Alonso Duralde.

That’s My Jam:

Alonso Duralde - Bleu - DDBDD 

Karen Tongson - St. Vincent - Pills

Wynter Mitchell - Da Brat - That's What I'm Looking For

Louis Virtel - Klymaxx - The Men All Pause

Each week we’ll add everyone’s jams to this handy Spotify playlist.

You can let us know what you think of Pop Rocket and suggest topics in our Facebook group or via @PopRocket on Twitter.

Produced by Christian Dueñas for MaximumFun.org.

This week, Louis and the gang sit down to discuss athletes and protests in the wide world of sports throughout the years. The 1968 Olympics, Beyonce's Super Bowl halftime show, Colin Kaepernick, even Louis' high school, the panel covers it all. Plus, Louis rediscovers Project Runway, Karen started watching 90's House, Alonso can't get enough cupcakes, and a lengthy discussion on the ongoing Weinstein debacle.

With Louis Virtel, Wynter Mitchell, Karen Tongson and Alonso Duralde.

That’s My Jam:

Alonso Duralde - Prince - Good Love
Karen Tongson - Yaz - Only You
Wynter Mitchell - Alt-J - Hunger of the Pine
Louis Virtel - Baby - I Want It All

Each week we’ll add everyone’s jams to this handy Spotify playlist.

You can let us know what you think of Pop Rocket and suggest topics in our Facebook group or via @PopRocket on Twitter.

Produced by Christian Dueñas for MaximumFun.org.

This week, Louis and the gang chat about dystopias and how the future is the worst. They chat about the weirdly prescient Back to the Future 2, Octavia Butler's Parable series, and why utopias are so boring. Karen tells us how she stayed calm during an active shooter scare at USC, Wynter is all about the newest season of You're the Worst, Alonso needs you to listen to KEOM, and Louis can't wait for the First Wives Club TV show.

With Louis Virtel, Wynter Mitchell, Karen Tongson and Alonso Duralde.

That’s My Jam:

Alonso Duralde - Bruce Springsteen - Viva Las Vegas
Karen Tongson - Color Me Badd - All 4 Love
Wynter Mitchell - Tom Petty - I Won't Back Down
Louis Virtel - Half the Way - Crystal Gale

Each week we’ll add everyone’s jams to this handy Spotify playlist.

You can let us know what you think of Pop Rocket and suggest topics in our Facebook group or via @PopRocket on Twitter.

Produced by Christian Dueñas and Casey O'Brienfor MaximumFun.org.

This week, Louis and the gang talk about biopics and what makes them great. They discuss Battle of the Sexes, Billie Jean King's haircut, Selena, and what biopics NEED to be made already. Plus, Alonso is in love with Bojack Horseman, Karen thinks you should give Transparent season 4 a chance, Wynter talks up Lady Gaga's documentary, and Louis wants more genuine "73 Question" interviews like Tracee Ellis Ross.

With Louis Virtel, Wynter Mitchell, Karen Tongson and Alonso Duralde.

That’s My Jam:

Alonso Duralde - Curtis Mayfield - Don't Worry If There's a Hell Below We're All Going to Go
Karen Tongson - Melissa Etheridge - I'm the Only One
Wynter Mitchell - Debbie Deb - Funky Lil Beat
Louis Virtel - Teena Marie - Behind the Groove

Each week we’ll add everyone’s jams to this handy Spotify playlist.

You can let us know what you think of Pop Rocket and suggest topics in our Facebook group or via @PopRocket on Twitter.

Produced by Christian Dueñas and Casey O'Brienfor MaximumFun.org.

This week, we reside in Paris, France and it's our annual Fall TV preview! Louis, Karen and Alonso give us the lowdown on all the new shows they're excited about (Star Trek: Discovery, Will & Grace, 9JKL, 90's House), the shows they don't really want to see (Young Sheldon, Dynasty), and returning faves (The Good Wife, Grey's Anatomy, American Housewife, This Is Us).

Plus, Margaret Wappler calls in to tell us about the pop culture she's been taking in since she's become a mom (hey Silas!) Alonso can't stop talking about Ex Libris Karen is all about the sapphic/sapphic-adjacent content on the Emmy's, and Louis reads a bit of Olivia de Havilland's letter to Ryan Murphy.

That’s My Jam:

Karen Tongson - The Carpenters - Maybe It's You
Alonso Duralde - Liza Minnelli - Don't Drop Bombs
Louis Virtel - The Dixie Chicks - Don't Let Me Die in Florida

Each week we’ll add everyone’s jams to this handy Spotify playlist.

You can let us know what you think of Pop Rocket and suggest topics in our Facebook group or via @PopRocket on Twitter.

Produced by Christian Dueñas and Casey O'Brienfor MaximumFun.org.

This week on Pop Rocket, comedian, writer and performer Louis Virtel sits in for Guy while he is away. Louis and the gang discuss 9/11 and the immediate and long term impacts it had on pop culture. Have we yet to chronicle 9/11 in a meaningful way? How has new consumption changed since 2001?

Plus, Wynter discusses the new season of American Horror Story, Karen is rewatching The L-Word, Louis can't stop watching British game shows, and Alonso wants to let us all know that Episodes is still on and still pretty great.

With Louis Virtel, Wynter Mitchell, Karen Tongson and Alonso Duralde.

That’s My Jam:

Alonso Duralde - Roger Joseph Manning Jr. - Too Late for Us Now
Karen Tongson - Earth, Wind and Fire - In The Stone
Wynter Mitchell- 24hrs - What You Like
Louis Virtel - Fergie - You Already Know

Each week we’ll add everyone’s jams to this handy Spotify playlist.

You can let us know what you think of Pop Rocket and suggest topics in our Facebook group or via @PopRocket on Twitter.

Produced by Christian Dueñas and Casey O'Brien for MaximumFun.org.

At long last, it's the Pop Rocket Summer Jam! Guy, Karen, Wynter and Alonso each pitch their favorite songs, yet only one song can be named Song of the Summer. Will it be Selena Gomez's Bad Liar"? or "Despacito", featuring her ex's vocals? This episode is loaded with songs and strong opinions.

Plus, Alonso is all about the Hallmark Drama channel, Wynter is keeping a close eye on Taylor and Katy, and Guy finally threw in the towel and watched NBC's "This Is Us". He's now convinced one of the actors on the show can survive a nuclear attack.

Summer jam contenders:

Alonso - Amelia Airhorn - Miracle
Wynter - Calvin Harris - Feels
Karen - Carly Rae Jepsen - Cut To The Feeling

With Guy Branum, Wynter Mitchell, Karen Tongson and Alonso Duralde.

Superfan Beth made a Spotyify playlist featuring EVERY song nominated for Summer Jam.

We also made a Spotify playlist for the songs we talked about during this episode.

You can let us know what you think of Pop Rocket and suggest topics in our Facebook group or via @PopRocket on Twitter.

Produced by Christian Dueñas and Casey O'Brien for MaximumFun.org.

This week on Pop Rocket Karen hosts and the gang is joined by film critic Dave White as they remember the life and death of Princess Diana. The crew trades stories of where they were when they first learned the news of her death, as well as what Princess Diana meant to each of them. Wynter details Princess Diana as the trendy jet-setter, while Karen explains the lasting effects of the People's Princess on the throne and the world at large. Dave reveals what he learned from the most recent Princess Diana documentary, the conspiracy filled TLC docu-drama, Princess Diana: Tragedy of Treason?. Plus, the gang discusses Queen Elizabeth's salty relationship with Princess Di.

This week Karen is all about the recent GQ article by Rachel KaadziI Ghansah, A Most American Terrorist: The Making of Dylann Roof. While Wynter is all about the Ryan Reynold's vehicle The Hitman's Bodyguard. Plus, Dave recommends another Michael Almereyda film, the soulful, futuristic drama Marjorie Prime.

With Wynter Mitchell, Dave White, and Karen Tongson.

Jams:

Dave - Earth is a Cage - The Body & Full of Hell
Wynter - Bitter Sweet Symphony - The Verve
Karen - Last Chance On The Stairway - Duran Duran

Each week we’ll add everyone’s jams to this handy August Spotify playlist.

You can let us know what you think of Pop Rocket and suggest topics in our Facebook group or via @PopRocket on Twitter.

Produced by Christian Dueñas and Casey O'Brien for MaximumFun.org.

This week on Pop Rocket Karen hosts and the gang goes back to school. It's that time of year again and the crew looks back on the quintessential school movies that taught them about life. Wynter shares her desire to have a Sixteen Candles high school experience, and Alonso discusses his relation to Tom Cruise in the film Risky Business. The gang also dives into adult education, discussing the films and TV where adults go back to school. Karen shares with us the lessons learned from Will Smith's character in the film Six Degrees of Separation. Plus, the crew explores the current lack of value placed upon education and how that may be the death knell for future classic movies about the school experience.

This week Karen reveals some *SPOILERS* for the show Insecure and is also all about it. While Alonso is all about Netflix's The Defenders. Plus, Wynter gets her popcorn ready as she is all about Taylor Swift's social media scrubbing and her ongoing feud with Katy Perry.

With Wynter Mitchell, Alonso Duralde, and Karen Tongson.

Jams:

Alonso - Axolotl - The Veils
Wynter - Mediate - INXS
Karen - Haim - Little of Your Love

Each week we’ll add everyone’s jams to this handy August Spotify playlist.

You can let us know what you think of Pop Rocket and suggest topics in our Facebook group or via @PopRocket on Twitter.

Produced by Christian Dueñas and Casey O'Brien for MaximumFun.org.

This week on Pop Rocket Guy and the gang are joined by film critic Dave White as they do some serious netflix-ing and chilling. The group dives deep on their favorite titles available on the platform, and also discuss the highs and lows of cutting the cable cord. Guy dissects the reasons behind Shonda Rhimes jumping from the ABC ship, and Dave discusses his need from Netflix for more sugary reality TV shows, like Chasing Cameron. The gang compares and contrasts all the streaming services from Hulu to Crackle. Plus we also discover that Guy has a great affinity for the theme song to the Patti Lupone vehicle Life Goes On .

Guy and Karen have a semi-shared What We're All About in discussing their love for Difficult People. But Guy is all about a lot this week as he also shares his passion for Big Brother. Dave and Alonso are both all about documentaries, but they couldn't more different films. Alonso talks about the new Ferguson documentary Whose Streets?, and Dave is all about Escapes, a film chronicling the life of Blade Runner writer and actor Hampton Fancher.

With Dave White, Alonso Duralde, Karen Tongson, and Guy Branum.

Jams:

Alonso - The Summer Knows - Laura Fygi
Dave - Polegnala e Todora - Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares
Karen - Matthew Morrison - You've Got to Be Carefully Taught

Each week we’ll add everyone’s jams to this handy August Spotify playlist.

You can let us know what you think of Pop Rocket and suggest topics in our Facebook group or via @PopRocket on Twitter.

Produced by Christian Dueñas and Casey O'Brien for MaximumFun.org.

This week on Pop Rocket Karen hosts and the gang considers unpopular pop culture opinions. Sparked by a conversation in the Pop Rocket Facebook group, the panel talks about the opinions that they hold that run counter to the collective cultural narrative. In this episode no opinion is too unpopular to air, not even one concerning the Queen Bey herself. We learn about Wynter's love for Desus & Mero, and Karen tells us about the drama in Kentucky surrounding the bourbon heiress Hollis Bulleit who is claiming her family is shafting her since she came out. Plus, Wynter throws down the gauntlet when it comes to the song of the summer, and Karen serves us music that pays tribute to Margaret Wappler.

With Wynter Mitchell, Alonso Duralde, and Karen Tongson.

Jams:

Alonso - In the Cool Cool Cool of the Evening - Rosemary Clooney
Wynter - Creature Comfort - Arcade Fire
Karen - Haley - Big Thief

Each week we’ll add everyone’s jams to this handy August Spotify playlist.

You can let us know what you think of Pop Rocket and suggest topics in our Facebook group or via @PopRocket on Twitter.

Produced by Christian Dueñas and Kara Hart for MaximumFun.org.

This week, we are joined by film critic and host of the Linoleum Knife podcast Alonso Duralde! Alonso will be with us for the next couple of months while Margaret is on maternity leave, bringing his particular knowledge of film and the industry to the show. But this week: Girls Trip. The movie stars Regina Hall, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Queen Latifah, and breakout star Tiffany Haddish. They discuss Tiffany Haddish's hilarious performance in this movie, but does Hollywood know what to do with her next? They talk about the role of blackness and black female friendship in this movie, and why it's important more of these films get made. And finally, and probably most importantly, they talk about the role that black hair plays in the movie, and what each of the character's hair styles tells you about their personality.

Guy is all about The Beaverton, which is Canada's answer to The Onion News Network, and Wynter is all about the Jason Bateman led Netflix series Ozark. Plus, Karen catches up on Queen Sugarand Alonso is still watching Degrassi. Plus, we hear what each of the panelists is listening to this week.

With Guy Branum, Wynter Mitchell, Alonso Duralde, and Karen Tongson.

Jams:

Guy - Cars That Go Boom - L'Trimm
Alonso - Better The Devil You Know - Kylie Mynogue
Wynter - Idolize Me - Yellow Alex
Karen - Way Back - TLCand

Each week we’ll add everyone’s jams to this handy August Spotify playlist.

You can let us know what you think of Pop Rocket and suggest topics in our Facebook group or via @PopRocket on Twitter.

Produced by Christian Dueñas and Kara Hart for MaximumFun.org.

It’s a very special episode of Pop Rocket. We throw Margaret Wappler a baby shower before she takes an extended leave of absence to become a mother. There were games, tears, laughter, joy and even a guest appearance by One Bad Mother’s Biz Ellis.

The gang talk about their favorite lullabies, share what tv shows affected them the most as a child, and Margaret reveals how she would stage her pregnant photo shoot. Plus, Karen brings in an old school Summer Jam, Guy and Margaret are still gaga for Game of Thrones (no spoilers), and Wynter is in love with Ready Player One.

We all love you and wish you the best, Margaret!

With Guy Branum, Wynter Mitchell, Karen Tongson, and Margaret Wappler

That's My Jam:

Margaret Wappler - REM - Untitled (Track 11)

Karen Tongson - Flo Rida - My House

Wynter Mitchell - Brandy - Baby

Guy Branum - Demi Lovato - Sorry Not Sorry

Each week we'll add everyone's jams to this handy Spotify playlist

You can let us know what you think of Pop Rocket and suggest topics in our Facebook group or via @PopRocket on Twitter

Produced by Christian Dueñas and Kara Hart for MaximumFun.org

Other Links:

Charlotte: no no no

Ready Player One trailer

Cindy Crawford on W Magazine

This week the gang talks about body diversity, and fatness in particular, in the media. The idea for this show came from a thread in the Pop Rocket Facebook group, and because there were so many varying opinions on the topic, they knew that they had to cover it on the show. The gang gets real about their personal experiences with weight, and how that has affected how they see weight in the media. They talk about how race, class, and weight intersect, and how the media moralizes fat people in order to make them redeemable in the media consumers mind. They also talk about weight in the age of Instagram, the Kardashians, and unattainable body standards, which Wynter thinks is worse now than ever. Karen pseudo-recommends the new Naomi Watts led Netflix series Gypsy, Wynter talks about the new Marti Noxon film To The Bone and Guy and Margaret talk about the return of Game of Thrones. Plus we hear what the panel is listening to this week.

With Guy Branum, Wynter Mitchell, Margaret Wappler, and Karen Tongson.

Jams:

Wynter Mitchell - Calvin Harris feat. Future and Khalid
Margaret Wappler - Belinda Carlisle - Heaven is a Place on Earth
Karen Tongson - Icona Pop - Girls Girls
Guy Branum - Olivia Gatwood - Ode to the Women on Long Island

Each week we’ll add everyone’s jams to this handy Spotify playlist.

You can let us know what you think of Pop Rocket and suggest topics in our Facebook group or via @PopRocket on Twitter.

Produced by Christian Dueñas and Kara Hart for MaximumFun.org.

**This episode contains spoilers**

This week Guy, Margaret, and Wynter talk about The Big Sick, the new romantic comedy from Emily V. Gordon and Kumail Nanjiani which tells the story of how they met and fell in love. Because because the film is based in tragedy, with Emily falling into a coma in the middle of the film, some people are hesitant to call it a romantic comedy. But not our panel! They discuss how the usual tropes of a romantic comedy get flipped around, and how those changes allow for a more candid and interesting story. They also discuss why brown men falling for white women on screen is problematic, but maybe not in the case of The Big Sick. Guy talks about why he's all about this season of Big Brother, and Wynter tells us why we should forget about all of the other iterations of Peter Parker and go see the Tom Holland led Spider-Man: Homecoming. Plus, the "Song of the Summer" thread is live in the Facebook group and the panelists aren't too happy with the nominations.

With Guy Branum, Wynter Mitchell, and Margaret Wappler

Jams:

Guy Branum - Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber - Despacito
Margaret Wappler - Toro Y Moi - Girl Like You
Wynter Mitchell - Rockell - In A Dream

Each week we’ll add everyone’s jams to this handy Spotify playlist.

You can let us know what you think of Pop Rocket and suggest topics in our Facebook group or via @PopRocket on Twitter.

Other Links:
I'm Tired of Watching Brown Me Fall In Love With White Women Onscreen

Produced by Christian Dueñas and Kara Hart for MaximumFun.org.

The gang's all here (in a special early episode) to celebrate artists who have declared their independence from the man! We're talking Lemonade, Thelma and Louise, Sofia Coppola, Salman Rushdie, and more! Plus, Guy has a special surprise Jam for you Rocketeers, Wynter can't get enough of Claws, Karen's Dying Up Here, and Margaret talks Kerry Washington in Confirmation

With Guy Branum, Wynter Mitchell, Karen Tongson and Margaret Wappler.

That’s My Jam:

Margaret Wappler - Cat Powers - Lived in Bars
Karen Tongson - The Killers - The Man
Wynter Mitchell - Ice Cube - My Summer Vacation
Guy Branum - Katy Perry - Firework

Each week we’ll add everyone’s jams to this handy Spotify playlist.

You can let us know what you think of Pop Rocket and suggest topics in our Facebook group or via @PopRocket on Twitter.

Produced by Christian Dueñas and Kara Hart for MaximumFun.org.

Hello Rocketeers! Charge up your Kindles, rewind your audiobook cassette tapes, or dust off your book and come join Guy, Karen, and Margaret for the annual Pop Rocket Summer Book Club Special! This week, the gang discuss Octavia Butler's Parable of the Sower. They also take some of YOUR questions and comments from the Pop Rocket Facebook group. Plus, Karen is super into Ken dolls, Margaret is in full summertime jam mode, and Guy has a few words on The Beguiled.

With Guy Branum, Karen Tongson, and Margaret Wappler

That's My Jam:

Margaret Wappler - The Magic Numbers - Love Me Like You

Karen Tongson - SWV - Right Here (Human Nature Remix)

Guy Branum - Ricky Martin - Vente Pa' Ca

Each week we'll add everyone's jams to this handy Spotify playlist 

You can let us know what you think of Pop Rocket and suggest topics in our Facebook group or via @PopRocket on Twitter

Produced by Christian Dueñas and Kara Hart for MaximumFun.org

This week, the gang sits down with LA Times film critic, Tre'vell Anderson to talk about the LGBTQ film festival, Outfest! Guy, Margaret, and Karen discuss the documentary Chavela, Wynter gives her take on the sci-fi horror(?) film Rift, and Tre'vell talks about the Ferguson documentary Whose Streets.

Plus, a special announcement for you Rocketeers! We're opening up Jumbotrons for Pop Rocket. If you ever wanted to have YOUR message read on the show, well now is your chance! Just go to maximumfun.org/jumbotron and click on Pop Rocket.

Next week is the Pop Rocket Summer Book Club episode so if you haven't purchased your copy of Parable of the Sower, you can get it HERE

With Guy Branum, Wynter Mitchell, Karen Tongson, Margaret Wappler, and special guest Tre'vell Anderson.

That's My Jam:

Margaret Wappler - Imperial Teen - Our Time

Guy Branum - The Walker Brothers - The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore

Wynter Mitchell - Katy Perry - Tsunami

Karen Tongson - Carly Rae Jepsen - Cut to the Feeling

Tre'vell Anderson - Todrick Hall ft. Bob the Drag Queen - Wrong Bitch

Each week we'll add everyone's jams to this handy Spotify playlist

You can let us know what you think of Pop Rocket and suggest topics in our Facebook group or via @PopRocket on Twitter

Produced by Christian Dueñas and Kara Hart for MaximumFun.org

This week on Pop Rocket, the gang talks about the lazy hazy days of summer. The amount of content that is released during the spring months slows down as summer moves on. But what shows did we miss when we were devouring the big springtime hits like The Handmaid's Tale, Big Little Lies and Master of None? Guy talks about the Oprah network soap opera Greenleaf, and his obsession with past seasons of Survivor. Margaret is diving into the true crime genre and watching The Keepers, a 7 part docuseries on Netflix. Karen's love of everything 80's comes through in her recommendation of AMC's Halt and Catch Fire. At the top of the show, Margaret brings up the latest Bill Maher controversy, and the panel have a conversation about gender, race, and the inability for some comedians to create respectful content in 2017. Plus, we get some solid jam recommendations from the gang, just in time for summer.

Guy Branum, Karen Tongson, and Margaret Wappler

Jams:

Margaret Wappler - Inara George - Genius
Karen Tongson - Erasure - Chains of Love
Guy Branum - Little Mix - Shout Out To My Ex

Each week we’ll add everyone’s jams to this handy Spotify playlist.

You can let us know what you think of Pop Rocket and suggest topics in our Facebook group or via @PopRocket on Twitter.

Other Links:
Symone Sanders and Ice Cube on Real Time with Bill Maher

Produced by Christian Dueñas and Kara Hart for MaximumFun.org.