Pop's And Pop Culture

Another pop culture episode is here! This time, Maya and Luke begin with the big news of the week: Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik are having a child! They review their rocky relationship history, touch on Anderson Cooper's own baby announcement, and then give an update on the potential One Direction reunion. Then they pivot to Bachelor news, including speculation on Tyler C. and Hannah's will-they-or-won't-they situation and the official dating announcement from Pilot Pete and Kelley. Finally, they move on to the Parks & Recreation quarantine special and a debate on whether this formula should extend to other shows.

Maya and Luke are back again with more Riverdale content, this time covering S01:E05 of this teen-drama. They discuss the show's first look at it's darker side—something that they both can appreciate. They get into the mysteries of Thornhill, hard-core music teachers, the murder investigation that is now solely run by teenagers, and new sympathy for Cheryl. The episode is stuffed with blood-feuds, snake-shaped warning signs, and temptations of infidelity, so there's a lot to cover and a lot of opinions to be had.

The hosts are back this week to discuss the show that has managed to top Netflix's charts: 'Too Hot to Handle.' They go into the wild premise and the bizzare workshops. They speculate about producer influence, debate the pros and cons of a robot host, and argue about the value of a snarky, unseen narrator. And they ultimatly agree that the sex-postive cast is what makes this show high-quality trash TV.

Join Maya and Luke as they dive into the fourth episode of Riverdale, complete with their opinions on all of the shady goings-on of this small town. They cover everything from the closure of the supposedly-iconic Twilight drive-in theater, suspicious characters with fake aliases, overbearing parents (per ususal), under-the-table political dealings, and the introduction of the notorious South Side Serpents!

Maya & Luke return for this music-themed episode with a ton to discuss. First, they share a bit of their own music tastes by revealing their top 5 most-listened-to songs of 2020 before giving their thoughts on the One World: Together At Home TV special. Then it is time to dive into the main attraction of this espisode: Fiona Apple and her return with her fifth studio album 'Fetch the Bolt Cutters.' They begin with their own relationship to her discography and a bit of history of her past career, then jump into their thoughts on the unconventional, critically-aclaimed LP!

Maya and Luke are back again, this time to recap S01:E03 of the CW's Riverdale. They get into the ongoing murder investigation - the ways that Cheryl, a boyscout leader, and a suspicous (or not so suspicous) car may play a role. They discuss 'sticky maples' and the high school newspaper's exposé, incuding a steamy locker room scene, the rise of Dark Betty, and of course #JusticeForEthel! And, of course, they cover the music ambitions of the newest rising star in Riverdale: Archie Andrews (that was sarcastic).

Today, Maya and Luke have a lot to get into! They first discus the controversial mugshot trend on Twitter and Tiktok (4:40), Lady Gaga's coronavirus benefit concert (12:45), and a possible One Direction reunion (18:45). Then, its time to talk about the Modern Family series finale and a look back at the show's 11-year run (24:40). They round out the episode by talking about some of the most influential (and their favorite) sitcoms, including Friends (43:45), The Office (49:50), 30 Rock (59:10), Parks & Recreation (1:05:55), and The Middle (1:13:20).

Luke & Maya are back...and this time they are diving into Chapter Two: A Touch of Evil. They go into the teacher-student relationship, overbearing parents, and all of the drama - Betty/Veronica drama, Betty/Archie drama, Betty/Cheryl drama, Archie/Jughead drama, and Kevin/Moose drama (theres a lot of it). They question the effectiveness of the homicide investigation, but are ultimately satisfied with a (somewhat) happy ending.

Maya and Luke leave Riverdale for their first Pop Culture Digest episode. In the style of the game "Two Truths & A Lie," they discuss relationship trouble of Love is Blind costars, the return of Louis C.K., news from TikTok's #QuarantineCrew, a mishap on Jimmy Kimmel's home broadcast, Riverdale stars shaving their heads for charity, and the new online feud between a Kardashian child and 30-year-old beauty influencer. They finish the episode by discussing the shows that they are currently watching and if they're worth the time. Listen to find out which stories are true and which are fake!

In the first official—and admittedly very long—episode of Pop's and Pop Culture, Maya and Luke break down the jam-packed Riverdale series premiere. Join them as they evaluate questionable fashion choices, discuss the show’s overuse of the gay best friend trope, and pick out some truly award-winning screenwriting moments.

Introducing Pop's and Pop Culture: A Riverdale Rewatch Podcast! Hosts Maya and Luke introduce you to themselves, their connection to Riverdale, and what you can expect from this podcast. The first episode will be available on Wednesday, April 1.

Maya and Luke have returned to discuss what happens when unqualified kids in their 20s return to their privatized high school as teachers...and it's a whole lot of strange decisions. I mean, Archie's wearing a sweatshirt that looks like it says "ERROTIC," Veronica's husband is awkardly sitting in on class, Jughead is *still* a grumpy writer, and Betty is going full-steam with the latest potential murder in Riverdale—her sister's. Lot's to discuss & lots to think about.

Maya and Luke are back again with a recap and discourse on the the latest from Riverdale, now our second episode post-time jump. Barchies have FINALLY gotten the shower sex scene they've been waiting for, we get an appearance from our favorite twins who are growing up so fast, school board meetings, faux-FBI drug raids, debt collectors, and the beginnings of this season's mystery.

Maya and Luke are back, here to break down the two latests episodes of Riverdale - before and after the time jump. The main four have all gone their separate ways, with their fair share of strange romantic relationships, taxing professional careers, and new trauma, but they are all back to save Riverdale, which has fallen into disrepair over the past seven years. So, of course, there's a lot to talk about.

This week we have a lot to cover. We begin with our reactions to the Golden Globe nominations announcements (03:12), we give our thoughts on Bughead stans being voted the second-worst group on Twitter (29:30), and then it's time to jump into S05:E02 of Riverdale (31:00). Archie is beating things up (AGAIN!), Cheryl is Zooming/poisoning her family members, Veronica is plotting for a hostile takeover of Lodge industries, and Betty and Jughead are doing what they do best—finally getting to the bottom of a mystery...or do they?

Over the past two weeks, tensions in the Riverdale fandom have been rising over the everlasting question: Which ship is endgame, Barchie or Bughead? Hosts Maya and Luke defend themselves after their Twitter controversy, talk about the unknown fan pretending to be Lili Reinhart in an interview with Seventeen, and then dive into the season premiere of Season 5. Maybe we've been so distracting discussing Archie's love life, that we've missed the newest ship...Kaonica!

Maya and Luke are back to take a look at 2020 - the music, TV, movies, and niche internet content that has been getting them through the pandemic. Listen for their top five movies/TV shows/podcasts (03:00) with honorable mentions (20:47), top five music artists (26:04) with honorable mentions (41:30), favorite rewatch/reread (44:21), favorite new internet obsession (52:17), biggest pop culture disappointment (56:35). And looking forward to 2021, Maya and Luke discuss what they're looking forward to most (1:03:49) and recomendations for each other in the new year (1:08:16).

Season 2 is here! After a many-month hiatus, the podcast is back and better than ever - switching gears on the Riverdale recaps. Maya and Luke dive into the newly released Season 5 trailer and discuss their latest music, TV, YouTube, and TikTok obsessions from over the break, including conversations on Miley Cryus' rebrand, how dumb it was to "cancel" the D'Amelio sisters, and Shawn Mendes' latest late night interviews to promote his new album.

The hosts return to discuss S02:E03 of Riverdale, now deep into the frustrations that this second season has to offer. Of course, Archie is being stupid—but now he is being fueled by a new friendship with Hiram Lodge (which is NEVER good). Meanwhile, Jughead is off at his new school, learning things about Jingle Jangle, the new drug in town, the Black Hood has finally been given a name, Polly is out of the picture, Cheryl clearly has nothing to do, and Kevin is finally given the justice his character deserves—well, kinda.

Maya and Luke pick back up in Riverdale to discuss the latest teenage drama. This episode is backed with familial blackmail, mob-style loyalty, suspicious gang lawyers, and more shady business dealings. We get a musical number - despite a lack of logistical logic. We get our first look at "new Reggie." And we're annoyed at Archie, so is anything really new?

Join Maya and Luke as they break down the last week in wild pop culture. First they give an update on Taylor Swift and the *many* records she broke this week. They then turn to the latest controversy with Ellen, ask the question on everyone's mind - will TikTok really be deleted? - and discuss the strange turn of events on the set of 'The Bachelorette.' Then it's time to talk about 'The Kissing Booth 2,' the latest Netflix teen rom-com. The film is a mess - lackluster attempts at diversity, completely unrealistic narratives about college, and generally annoying leads. But it was fun to watch, and it was even more fun to talk about (if not a bit infuriating)!

On Friday, Taylor Swift surprised the world with the impromptu release of her 8th studio album, 'folklore.' Maya and Luke, who consider themselves fans of Swift, are joined by two more special guests for a long-winded discussion about the addition to her extensive catalogue—first thoughts, immediate favorites (and least favorites), album theories, and speculation on what's next for the iconic star.

Season 2 has begun, and Maya and Luke are here to talk about it all. They dive into the first episode and they get a taste of the wild Riverdale that is to come. Archie is in full grief mode - so we excuse of few of his questionable decisions - and love is in the air. Betty and Jughead are full detective mode again, and it's literally been days since the last investigation wrapped up. Veronica has a lot on her plate - from steamy showers and HIRAM IS HERE. And there's a lot of other things too (suprise murders, incompetent police, and Cheryl's wicked lies)...which we fully dive into as well.

Maya and Luke take one more week off and instead look back on the past three months of pocasting - because they're sorta experts now. They give advice for anyone looking to start their own podcast, share some funny stories from process, and reflect on how they've grown since the beginning. It's causual...and also a fun listen!

Maya and Luke briefly take a break from new Riverdale episodes to look back at the season as a whole. Luke attempts a 60 second recap, they sort the main characters into Hogwarts houses, discuss every possible relationship combonation, give their final thoughts on Season 1, and discuss what they are excited (and not excited) to get into with Season 2.

It's the final episode of the journey that's been season one of Riverdale. Hosts Maya and Luke discuss the culmination of the teen-led investigative work. But that's not the only drama of this episode: we get into Cheryl's reaction to the revelation that her father murdered her brother, Jughead's relocation to the ominous Southside High, a very compelling musical performance and speech at the Jubilee, and of course, the cliffhanger of a century *enter the Black Hood*.

Last week, Hulu dropped the first season of the "Love, Simon" spinoff show, "Love, Victor." Maya and Luke have not discussed their thoughts prior to taping - but they have THOUGHTS!

Maya and Luke are here to talk about S01:E12 of Riverdale, and what a wild ride it is! They, of course, pick right back up with FP's confession to murder—but it's clearly more complicated than that. The hosts discuss overreaching principals, revelations of incest (but not twincest), questionable parenting, Nancy Drew detective skills, what was first a fake relationship to get information from the sheriff that turned out to be crucial to a teenager-led murder investigation, and the real man behind the cold blood killing of Jason Blossom.

The hosts return to recap the eleventh chapter of the CW's Riverdale. And this time, the homecoming dance (and maybe a football game) is all of the rage. But the gang is a bit preoccupied with a murder investigation — and, of course, Alice has managed to manipulate Archie and Veronica to do their bidding against Betty's will. Meanwhile, Jughead is feeling a bit more sentimental than usual (so sweet), and Cheryl is up to some shady things that just don't make sense, which I guess makes sense for her.

They haven't done a pop culture episode in a while, but Maya and Luke have now returned to discuss a bit of the Internet controversy from the past few weeks. They begin with J.K. Rowling—once beloved, now digging her heels in with statements about the trans movement that nobody asked for. Then we move into the latest with Bachelor Nation, the franchise that is trying to make up for their overwhelmingly white history by bringing some diversity to the show, but only after petitions and a potentially losing ties to the only black lead in their 40+ season history.

Maya and Luke, here again to discuss CW's teen drama "Riverdale," this time going into the most teen drama-esk episode yet. They talk about Archie—emotionally tied up in his parent's divorce and turning to alcohol, Betty—grappling with her inner-darkness as she is confronted by a figure of her past, Veronica—caught in the middle of her shady father's legal battles, Jughead—the birthday boy who has to learn to let people in, and Cheryl who, as always, is looking for revenge. This culmination of this? An enormous party with iconic lines and utterly confusing scenes, but all worth the discussion.

Join Maya and Luke as they dive into S01:E09 of Riverdale. They cover all of the new developments with the Blossom Empire, including the sacred tree-tapping (?), a fancy banquet, and the family's strange obsession with Archie Andrews. They also get into Veronica's latest attempt to erase her past while still grappling with her father's actions, ongoing feuding between Cooper parents, sweet moments from Bughead, and poor Fred Andrews who cannot catch a break.

The podcast is back from a brief hiatus, and ready to dive into a new episode of your favorite teen drama. We pick back up in Riverdale, where the kids are planning the most contentious baby shower of the century. But that's not all! Maya and Luke discuss more shady dealings (potentially caused by the Southside Serpents), a new side of Alice Cooper, the same old crap from Archie Andrews, a ton of new couple annoucements, and FP's increasingly-complicated connection to the murder of Jason Blossom.

Hosts Maya and Luke are joined by their first special guest of the podcast - Abigail! Together, they begin by getting into Harry Styles' juicy music video for 'Watermelon Sugar,' discuss Taylor Swift's 'City of Lover' concert video, and then transition to the eventful week it has been in Bachelor Nation. They start their conversation with Hannah B's controversy on Instagram Live including the response from other Bachelor contestants (or lack thereof), and then it is time to finally break down the first season of the new Bachelor spin-off that nobody asked for but somehow became the quarantine content we all needed.

The hosts return to discuss S01:E07 of Riverdale, "Chapter Seven: In a Lonely Place!" They finally get to discuss the latest in neglegent parents from this show - FP Jones, and his shady background. They continue to adore Bughead, get into Veronica's retail therapy tatics, and the ongoing tensions between the Blossom and Cooper families.

Join the hosts this week as they struggle their way through the corners of the internet. They start with even more baby announcements, this time from Elon Musk and Rupert Grint (strange and possible illegal names included). They discuss Chrissy Teigen's latest Twitter feud and Katy Perry's latest music announcement (with all of the Taylor Swift rumors). The hosts then return to the trash TV hit 'Too Hot to Handle' and debate whether the reunion episode was really ever necessary. And finally, they get into the meat of this episode - the second season of Netflix's 'Dead to Me,' in all of its twisted, delightful glory.