Pop Culture Historians
Two friends explore the origins and evolution of their favorite pop culture topics, starting from the very beginning. They are currently working through a chronological watch of Classic Doctor Who and examining the history of American superhero movies. Expect deep dives, nostalgia, and lively discussions about the cultural impact of these beloved franchises.
Episodes
Universal Monster Double Feature: THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (1925) and THE MAN WHO LAUGHS (1928)
This week, we continue our seasonal look at the vast Universal Monster film library by going back 100 years to the very beginnings of the franchise in order to review two silent features! Lon Chaney stars in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA! Conrad Veidt stars in THE MAN WHO LAUGHS! Mary Philbin stars in both! Did these two movies hold up? Also, we break down our favorite haunted houses in our Intermi
Universal Monster Double Feature: DRACULA (Spanish Version) (1931) and THE OLD DARK HOUSE (1932)!
Welcome back, boos and ghouls! This week, we launch right back into our dive into the depths of the Universal Monster canon with a pair of lesser known entries. First up, the 1931 Spanish edition of DRACULA. Then we enter THE OLD DARK HOUSE, a James Whale 1932 classic. In between, we ask….is purple a Halloween color?
Another Superhero Season Review and Awards!
It’s time to look back yet again at the superhero season that was! We hand out some final awards to the twelve movies from 2006 to 2008 we reviewed over the last few months, including Best Villain, Most Dated Moment, Best Use of Superpowers and the all-important Season MVP!
THE DARK KNIGHT! (2008)
This week, the Pop Culture Historians get so serious with their breakdown of the Batman sequel THE DARK KNIGHT, the movie that broke the Oscars. We spend over two hours gushing over a performance so beloved, so memorable, so iconic that you already know it by heart. That’s right, Eric Roberts as Sal Maroni.
HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY (2008)!
This week, we return to the wonderful world of Guillermo del Toro, as we break down his superhero sequel HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY! The gang from the first one is back (Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, Doug Jones), with a couple of newcomers, Seth MacFarlane chief among them. But, can it top the original? Well, let’s just say we couldn’t smile without this movie….
HANCOCK (2008)
This week, the Pop Culture Historians watch two half-movies stitched together called HANCOCK! Will Smith and Jason Bateman shine in this comedy about a drunk vagrant superhero, at least at first, but…I mean, what happens here halfway through? We did a whole episode on it and we still don’t know.
THE INCREDIBLE HULK (2008)
This week, we dig back into the lean, green early days of the MCU with THE INCREDIBLE HULK! The 2008 Ed Norton-led movie has it all: William Hurt! Tim Roth! Martin Starr! Michael K. Williams for like one second! But, how does it compare to the 2003 Ang Lee movie, and how does it set the character of the Hulk up for his adventures ahead? Listen and find out!
IRON MAN (2008) w/ Seth Vargas!
This week, we cover a movie so big, two Pop Culture Historians weren’t enough! From the Movie Friends podcast, Seth Vargas joins us to discuss the first MCU movie, IRON MAN! A crucial Robert Downey Jr. performance essentially changed Hollywood forever at the time. But how does it hold up nearly twenty years later? How great is Jeff Bridges’ facial hair? How big is Clark Gregg’s suit? All this
UNDERDOG! (2007)
This week, look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s…UNDERDOG, a charming classic cartoon from the 60s that became a confounding monstrosity from the 00s. A ton of people are in this (Jason Lee, Amy Adams, Jim Belushi, Samantha Bee, John Slattery, Peter Dinklage), but can any of them keep this movie from being a total dog?
FANTASTIC FOUR: RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER! (2007)
This week, the Pop Culture Historians attend the biggest wedding in town with FANTASTIC FOUR: RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER! In this sequel, Reed Richards and Sue Storm are getting married! But what will happen when the Silver Surfer arrives to warn of impending cloud-shaped doom? Well, a lot of nonsense, apparently.
SPIDER-MAN 3 (2007) w/ Katie Stebbins!
This week, the Pop Culture Historians tackle a movie so big, we needed a third to help us out! Katie Stebbins joins us to break down SPIDER-MAN 3, a much-maligned movie that still has a lot to offer (beautiful performances from Kirsten Dunst and Thomas Hayden Church), even when it’s deeply weird (all the Venom stuff). Is the pie still so good? Listen and find out!
TMNT (2007)
This week, the Pop Culture Historians return to the sewers to review the 2007 animated feature TMNT! Can an all-star voice cast (Sarah Michelle Gellar, Chris Evans, Patrick Stewart, Laurence Fishburne, an uncredited Kevin Smith) keep this from feeling like a TV movie? Listen and find out!
GHOST RIDER (2007)
This week, the Pop Culture Historians light their skulls on fire with 2007’s GHOST RIDER! Our first Nicolas Cage movie for this podcast has it all. Death-defying stunts! Peter Fonda and Sam Elliot! Donal Logue! Nick Cage watching weird monkey movies! If only this movie were good.
ZOOM (2006)
This week, our journey through the superhero films of the 2000s continues with 2006’s ZOOM! Tim Allen stars in this bottom-of-the-barrel family-friendly X-Men riff that also stars Courteney Cox, Chevy Chase and about a million Smash Mouth songs. Insert the Home Improvement grunt here?
MY SUPER EX-GIRLFRIEND! (2006)
This week, we return to the world of capes and cowls with 2006’s MY SUPER EX-GIRLFRIEND! What happens when your crazy ex-girlfriend ends up having superpowers? Well, we watched this Uma Thurman-Luke Wilson rom-com to find out. Turns out…nothing all that funny?
Classic Doctor Who Bonus: The Recovered Episodes of THE DALEKS’ MASTER PLAN!
This week, as we tinker away at our upcoming season, we emerge from the depths to cover the recent Doctor Who news. Let’s take a few minutes to review the recovered Episodes 1 and 3 of THE DALEKS’ MASTER PLAN! How is the viewing experience now? What’s it like dipping back into the Hartnell era? Is there any hope for more found episodes? Listen along and find out!
Classic Doctor Who Season 7 and 8 Season Review!
This week, let’s take a final look back at Classic Doctor Who Season 7 and 8! We hand out some awards to the nine serials that made up the first two years of the Jon Pertwee era. Best Guest Star! Best Episode! MVP! Worst Special Effect! All are up for grabs this week!
THE DAEMONS: Classic Doctor Who Season 8 Concludes!
This week, the Pop Culture Historians battle THE DAEMONS! The Master has come to town to conjure the evil daemon Azal, and the only ones who can stop him are the Doctor, Jo and the Brigadier’s UNIT team! Celebrate May Day with us!
COLONY IN SPACE: Classic Doctor Who Season 8
This week, the Pop Culture Historians break exile to go to the COLONY IN SPACE! This six-part serial has it all: the TARDIS interior in color, a sinister mining company, a weird robot, and an insane looking guy named The Primitive! You simply can’t miss this one!
THE CLAWS OF AXOS: Classic Doctor Who Season Eight
This week, the Pop Culture Historians get caught in THE CLAWS OF AXOS! As a mysterious alien race arrives on Earth with an offer, the Doctor and Zoe must uncover the truth behind Axonite. Oh, and the Master’s back. Will the Doctor make the ultimate betrayal to gain his freedom? Listen along to find out!
Classic Doctor Who Season Eight: THE MIND OF EVIL
This week, the Pop Culture Historians go to prison with THE MIND OF EVIL! As they explore this six-part Third Doctor serial, many questions arise. What is the Master’s plan here, exactly? What other classic Doctor Who villains should the Keller Machine have made the Doctor see? Most importantly, how does this story rank among the Jon Pertwee era thus far?
Classic Doctor Who Season Eight: TERROR OF THE AUTONS!
This week, we roll right into Year Two of the Jon Pertwee era with the four part Season Eight serial TERROR OF THE AUTONS! We meet the Master and Jo Grant! We get the return of the Autons! We also…discuss whether the phrase is “close to the chest” or “close to the vest”!
INFERNO: Classic Doctor Who Season 7!
This week, we close out our coverage of Classic Doctor Who Season 7 with the seven-part parallel universe story INFERNO! The world is in danger of ending! The Brig has a eyepatch! The Doctor might just have the TARDIS working again! All this, plus…project management issues! This story has it all!
AMBASSADORS OF DEATH: Classic Doctor Who Season 7!
This week, our journey through Classic Doctor Who Season 7 continues as we meet THE AMBASSADORS OF DEATH! Missing astronauts! Liz hanging off a bridge! British guys in rubber suits with goofy voices! This seven-part Jon Pertwee-led serial has it all!
DOCTOR WHO AND THE SILURIANS: Classic Doctor Who Season 7
This week, our travels through Classic Doctor Who Season 7 continues with the oddly-titled DOCTOR WHO AND THE SILURIANS! This fantastic seven-part serial brings the Third Doctor at odds with a subterranean race, another Doctor and, eventually, the Brigadier himself. How it will all end? Listen and find out!
SPEARHEAD FROM SPACE: Classic Doctor Who Season 7!
We’re back traveling through space and time! Classic Doctor Who Season 7 coverage begins this week, as we begin the color era AND the Third Doctor Era! How does new lead Jon Pertwee assert himself in this four-part serial? How cool is it to have the Brig back as a major character? What exactly is the Spearhead in Space? All this is discussed and more!
ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET THE INVISIBLE MAN (1952) and THE MUMMY (1955)!
This week, the Pop Culture Historians dive back into the World of Abbott and Costello! Just in time for Halloween, let’s explore their meetings with Universal monsters The Invisible Man and The Mummy. Topics include: favorite jokes, an insane INVISIBLE MAN ending, what constitutes a character actor and…would A&C newcomer Jimmy dive into their work again?
ABBOTT & COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN (1948) and THE KILLER, BORIS KARLOFF (1949)!
This week, the Pop Culture Historians dive into the world of Abbott and Costello. First, they tackle perhaps the most famous of their films, where the comedy duo MEET FRANKENSTEIN! Is..is this the best Universal monster crossover ever made? Then, A&C move on to meet THE KILLER, BORIS KARLOFF! Is Boris Karloff the killer? You’ll just have to listen and find out
HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN (1944) & HOUSE OF DRACULA (1945) w/Felicia Maroni
This week, the Pop Culture Historians take a haunted house tour with a special guest! Felicia Maroni from the Seeing Faces in Movies podcast joins us to help break down 1944’s HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN and 1945’s HOUSE OF DRACULA! All your favorite monsters are here, even if they’re maybe not all here at the same time (or, if you’re Frankenstein, barely there at all). Will Boris Karloff be enough to
Universal Monster Double Feature: THE MUMMY’S GHOST and THE MUMMY’S CURSE (1944)!
This week, we unwrap two more installments in the original Mummy movie franchise! Lon Chaney’s final turns as the titular Mummy feels like a missed opportunity, but he’s easily the best thing about these quick, uninspired horror flicks that should have stayed in their graves.
Universal Monsters Double Feature: INVISIBLE AGENT (1942) & THE INVISIBLE MAN’S REVENGE (1944)!
We have returned from the dead to continue our look at the spooky world of Universal Monsters! We begin with a pair of Jon Hall vehicles. First up, the Invisible Man fights the Nazis in INVISIBLE AGENT, a movie that also stars Peter Lorre as an agent of an Axis power (it may not be the one you think!). Next, the Invisible Man gets his revenge in….well, THE INVISIBLE MAN’S REVENGE! Hopefully, af
Classic Doctor Who Labor Day Special: Revisiting THE SAVAGES!
This week, a quick bonus episode reviewing the recent animation of the missing Classic Doctor Who serial THE SAVAGES! What did we think of the animation quality? How was this story the second time around? Which missing serial do we want to see animated next? All this and more will be discussed!
Superhero Season Roundup and Awards!
This week, it’s awards time again as we take a look back at our latest season of superhero flicks from 2004-06! What was the most dated moment from the ten movies we looked at this past season? Who were our best and worst villains? Best and worst actors? Finally, who was our MVP? Find out in another thrilling edition of the Blinkie Awards!
SUPERMAN RETURNS! (2006)
This week, we conclude another round of chronological superhero film retrospectives with the original Superman reboot, 2006’s SUPERMAN RETURNS! Topics include: Jon Peters, the long road to this movie getting made, Jon Peters, the unfortunate excellence of Kevin Spacey, and Jon Peters.
X-MEN: THE LAST STAND! (2006)
This week, the (then) final battle for the X-Men commences! The Pop Culture Historians break down 2006’s X-MEN: THE LAST STAND, and it’s a doozy. Can its two half-stories coalesce into a whole? Just how many directors were attached to this thing, anyway? Hey, remember that Juggernaut YouTube video? All this and more in this week’s episode!
SKY HIGH! (2005)
This week, the Pop Culture Historians go back to school with SKY HIGH, a Disney superhero adventure that features cover of classic 80s tunes, a winning Kurt Russell performance and a cavalcade of stars! Bruce Campbell, Lynda Carter, and Dave Foley to name just a few. Did we give this movie a passing grade, or did it make us want to cut class?
FANTASTIC FOUR! (2005)
This week, it’s time to clobber 2005’s FANTASTIC FOUR! Just in time for their MCU relaunch in a few weeks, let’s go back twenty years when Chris Evans was Johnny Storm instead of Captain America, and TV stars filled the cast list (Michael Chilklis! Julian McMahon!). Is this movie as bad as its reputation? How misguided is that “Sue Storm in her underwear” scene? Will Ryan determine how to prono
BATMAN BEGINS (2005)
This week, a new day dawns for a certain caped crusader. We’ve reached BATMAN BEGINS, Christopher Nolan’s initial foray into the superhero genre. The influence it’s had in the twenty years since speaks for itself, but does it still have the same impact now as it did then? Listen along and remember a time when a “gritty superhero movie” was a novel concept!
CONSTANTINE! (2005)
This week, we go back twenty years to catch some bad-time religion with CONSTANTINE! This Keanu Reeves/starring superhero action era was an international success, and has snagged a cult following, but…what is its real legacy? Will this be heaven or hell? Listen along and find out!
ELEKTRA (2005)
This week, we return to the world of DAREDEVIL by reviewing the 2005 spin-off ELEKTRA! Jennifer Garner! Terence Stamp! The guy from ER! All the stars are in this one.
BLADE: TRINITY (2004)
This week…have you ever watched a BLADE movie and went “this is good, but I wish Ryan Reynolds and Jessica Biel were in it”? Well, we have just the movie for you! It’s not very good, but we definitely have it.
CATWOMAN (2004)
This week, a movie about cats that is truly for the dogs! We’ve finally reached it: the 2004 CATWOMAN movie. It’s about as good as you think it might be.
THE INCREDIBLES (2004)
This week, we pick back up our chronological review of the superhero film genre. As we work through the mire of the 2000’s, let’s kick things off with a classic. It’s THE INCREDIBLES! Is this the best Pixar movie? Heck, is this the best movie we’ve reviewed in this project so far? How great is the Michael Giacchino score? All this and more will be answered!
Classic Doctor Who Season 6 in Review!
This week, before we change topic gears, let’s take one more look back at Classic Doctor Who Season 6! This season ended up being monumental, with many highs (The Invasion!), a few lows (The Space Pirates!), and the ending of several eras. What were our favorite moments? Who was the best guest star? Who was the season MVP? All this and more will be decided!
Classic Doctor Who Bonus: A Look Back at the 1960’s!
This week, we have yet another bonus episode for you all! This time, we take a look back at the 1960’s era of classic Doctor Who! What were our general takeaways? Did the low production values help or hurt the viewing experience? What were our favorite TARDIS teams? Most importantly, what were our best and worst stories from the first two Doctor eras? Listen along and find out!
Classic Doctor Who Bonus: A Look Back at the Patrick Troughton Era!
This week, we take a look back at the Second Doctor era in its totality. Topics include: what defined Patrick Troughton’s era? What was the Second Doctor’s ultimate TARDIS crew? What were the top five serials of the era? And finally…who do you got? Troughton or William Hartnell?
The War Games (Part 2): Classic Doctor Who Season Six
This week, we continue our coverage of the monumental Classic Doctor Who story, THE WAR GAMES! We break down our best and worst moments of episodes 4 through 10 before previewing what lies ahead.
The War Games (Part 1): Classic Doctor Who Season Six!
This week, the Pop Culture Historians hit a major milestone in their Classic Doctor Who coverage with THE WAR GAMES! It’s the end of several eras all at once: the end of black and white episodes, the end of Jamie and Zoe’s tenure and, of course, the end of Patrick Troughton’s run on the show. There’s so much to cover that we had to split this episode in two! This week, we provide initial thoughts
THE SPACE PIRATES: Classic Doctor Who Season Six!
This week, we need a bottle of rum to get through THE SPACE PIRATES! A difficult Classic Doctor Who Season Six serial to get through, are there any positives to be gleaned from this mostly-missing story? Kind of! But not really. Arrrr!
THE SEEDS OF DEATH: Classic Doctor Who Season Six!
This week, the Ice Warriors return to unleash THE SEEDS OF DEATH! This exciting serial marks somewhat of a return to form, with solid cliffhangers, imposing villains, and decent special effects ( y’know, for the most part). And foam! Lots of foam!
The Krotons: Classic Doctor Who
This week, the Pop Culture Historians meet THE KROTONS! This Second Doctor story is short, it’s efficient, it’s competent…so why aren’t we more excited about it? Join us as we explore why.
Stocking Stuffer: THE CELESTIAL TOYMAKER Revisited!
This week, the Pop Culture Historians return to THE CELESTIAL TOYMAKER and evaluate the new animation of the four-part story. Does having a visualization improve our experience? Is the 3D animation as bad as people feared? How great is it to be back in the First Doctor era? All this and more will be discussed in this special holiday episode!
THE INVASION: Classic Doctor Who Season Six!
This week, the Pop Culture Historians find themselves in the middle of THE INVASION! The Cybermen make their dramatic return to the show, as does the recently promoted Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart. A mythology is beginning to form in this mostly-found eight-part story. How does it hold up after all this time? Listen along and find out!
THE MIND ROBBER: Classic Doctor Who Season 6!
This week, the Pop Culture Historians visit the Land of Fiction to meet THE MIND ROBBER! All of your favorite literary characters are here: Gulliver, Rapunzel, Sir Lancelot, The Karkus. Listen along as we break down this somewhat brief Second Doctor story.
THE DOMINATORS: Classic Doctor Who Season Six!
This week, the Pop Culture Historians hop back into the TARDIS to begin their coverage of Classic Doctor Who Season Six! THE DOMINATORS raises some interesting themes regarding pacifism vs. aggression, and the chemistry amongst our companions is as strong as ever. But is it enough to overcome the story’s lack of personality? Listen along and find out!
2000 - 2004 Superhero Season Wrap Up!
This week, let’s take a look back at our season all about the superhero movies of the 2000’s (or at least 2000 - 2004) and hand out some awards! It’s our semi-annual Blinkie Awards! Topics include: Best and Worst Villain, Most Dated Moment and of course our season MVP. Also, why are our awards called the Blinkies anyway? Listen along and find out!
SPIDER-MAN 2! (2004)
This week, the Pop Culture Historians wield great power responsibly once again by breaking down Sam Raimi’s superhero follow-up, SPIDER-MAN 2! Topics include: whether this is the greatest superhero movie of all time, the near replacement of Tobey Maguire by Jake Gyllenhaal, and Ryan’s review of the movie from his 2004 LiveJournal. Suit up and listen along with us!
THE PUNISHER!
This week, the Pop Culture Historians exact revenge on 2004’s THE PUNISHER! Topics include: John Travolta’s career, a surprisingly well-done fight sequence, and the Drowning Pool song that closes THE PUNISHER out.
The Pop Culture Historians Halloween Spectacular!
This Halloween, the Pop Culture Historians return from the dead to review 1984’s GHOSTBUSTERS and 1988’s BEETLEJUICE! We first explain where we’ve been this whole time before diving into these two seminal 80’s classics (that both had legacy sequels this year). Topics include: is Michael Keaton annoying? How great is Rick Moranis? What’s the difference between a bodega and a convenience store? I
X2! (2003)
Just in time for DEADPOOL AND WOLVERINE, it’s our episode all about X2! Marvel at the increased scope from Part 1, revel in the pulpy performance from Brian Cox, and be astounded at the in-costume fight the cast had with director Bryan Singer. Be a god among insects and listen along with us!
HELLBOY! (2004)
This week, the Pop Culture Historians are seeing red! We dive back into the filmography of Guillermo del Toro and break down 2004’s HELLBOY! We discuss how well Ron Perlman’s first round in the horns holds up after two decades. We also, somehow, discuss Star Trek: Nemesis and Arrested Development. Listen along with us as we march forth through our chronological look at the superhero film genre!
THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN! (2003)
This week, the Pop Culture Historians get booksmart with 2003’s THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN! Also known as LXG, this 2003 Sean Connery vehicle raises an interesting question: what happens when a movie is less interesting than the chaos that created it? Topics include: the feud between Connery and director Stephen Norrington, the horrible Dorian Gray one-liners and the filmography of Sam
HULK (2003)!
This week, we dive right into one of the more divisive superhero flicks of the 21st century. Ang Lee’s 2003 HULK movie is of the wildest swings the genre has ever offered, but is Eric Bana’s lone turn in the purple pants a boom or a bust? Listen and find out what we thought! Hint: we’re split!
DAREDEVIL (2003)
This week, we cook in Hell’s Kitchen. It’s time to dive into 2003’s DAREDEVIL! Marvel as we compare the theatrical and director’s cut! Awe at the multiple Evanescence needle drops! Be mystified at the chemistry between Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner!
SPIDER-MAN (2002)!
This week, we reach new heights with Sam Raimi’s 2002 SPIDER-MAN! It broke box-office records in 2002 and set the stage for superhero cultural dominance for decades to come, but how does Tobey Maguire’s first run in the suit stack up in 2024? Spoilers: SPIDER-MAN is still spectacular. Listen along as we break down the winding production history as well as explore the question: has anybody done it
BLADE II (2002)
This week, our favorite half-vampire returns in BLADE II and he’s brought Ron Perlman and Guillermo del Toro with him! Topics in this episode include: del Toro’s approach to guiding this sequel, the pros and cons of the action-first ethos, and the Crystal Method.
UNBREAKABLE (2000)
This week, we begin our next season by diving into the superhero movies of the 2000’s. We start with M. Night Shyamalan’s UNBREAKABLE, a movie that seemed like a relatively big deal in 2000, and somewhat forgotten now. Topics include: the weird peaks and valleys of Shyamalan’s career, the legacy of Bruce Willis and the weird power of the twist ending.
Classic Doctor Who Season Five Awards!
It’s award season over on the Pop Culture Historians this week! Let’s take a look back at Classic Doctor Who Season Five and determine the best and worst it had to offer. Best Guest Star, Worst Special Effect, Best Villain, Season MVP…they’re all up for grabs. Who will win? Listen and find out!
Classic Doctor Who Season Five: THE WHEEL IN SPACE!
This week, the Pop Culture Historians watch as Classic Doctor Who Season Five ends not with a bang, but with a whimper. Is THE WHEEL IN SPACE as bad as its reputation? Why do the Cybermen hatch from eggs now? Why don’t people just drop-kick those Cybermats? All these questions and more will be explored in this episode!
Classic Doctor Who Season Five: FURY FROM THE DEEP!
This week, the Pop Culture Historians find themselves underwater with FURY FROM THE DEEP! Topics include: the relatively recent animation and how the serial loses something in the translation, the departure of a companion and Jimmy’s 2012 Halloween costume.
Classic Doctor Who Season Five: THE WEB OF FEAR!
This week, the Yeti return in THE WEB OF FEAR! Topics include: the awful animation of the missing Episode 3, the joy of seeing Deborah Watling reunite with her father, and the emotionally complicated resolution. Plus…Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart enters the chat!
Classic Doctor Who Season Five: THE ENEMY OF THE WORLD!
This week…no, you’re not seeing double. That’s TWO Patrick Troughtons in the six-part THE ENEMY OF THE WORLD. Topics discussed include: Troughton’s double role as the Doctor and the villainous Ramon Salamander, the chilling ending, and the serial’s overall re-evaluation since its episode recovery.
Classic Doctor Who Season Five: THE ICE WARRIORS!
This week, the Pop Culture Historians keep their snow suits on to review THE ICE WARRIORS! Topics include: Peter Barkworth’s incredible guest role, the thematic pull between man and machine, and the serial’s weird cliffhangers.
Classic Doctor Who Season Five: THE ABOMINABLE SNOWMEN!
This week, bundle up because we’re breaking down THE ABOMINABLE SNOWMEN! Is this mostly-missing six-part story better or worse in animation form? How many ways can we mispronounce the name Padmasambhava? Also, can some great stuff at the end mask the fact that much of this serial is…kind of boring? Listen along and find out!
Classic Doctor Who Season Five: THE TOMB OF THE CYBERMEN!
It’s been a bit, but finally the Patrick Troughton Era continues on Pop Culture Historians! We’ve finally reached Season Five, which begins with a classic: the Cybermen have returned! What did we think of this well-regarded four part serial? What makes a Cybermen story different from the Daleks? Did Frazer Hines hit on the producer’s wife? Listen along and find out the answers!
Return to THE UNDERWATER MENACE!
We’re back! Before we dive into Classic Doctor Who Season Five, let’s take a look back at one of the most unique stories of Season Four, THE UNDERWATER MENACE! Topics include: the pros and cons of the new animation, what we can glean from a second watch, the campy brilliance of Joseph Furst, and which version of the story we would recommend to a first time viewer.
90’s Superhero Movie Wrap-Up and Awards!
This week, we return to reflect on the season that was and hand out awards for our favorite and least favorite moments from the superhero movies of 1996 to 2000! Topics include: the best villain, the most dated reference, the MVP of the back half of the 90’s and…is Pamela Anderson dead? Who are we thinking of?
X-MEN (2000)!
This week, we conclude our walk through the superhero movies of the 90’s by entering the new millennium! The original X-MEN is lean and narrow in focus, but the themes it explores might be even more relevant now than they were twenty-five years ago. What music star really wanted to be Professor X? Also, who else would have wanted to see a Kathryn Bigelow directed version of this starring Bob Hosk
MYSTERY MEN! (1999)
This week, we’ve reached 1999’s superhero comedy MYSTERY MEN! A bomb upon its release, this Ben Stiller-led ensemble has become somewhat of a cult classic. But how good is it? Is it too long? Does its mix of comedic styles help or hurt? Who’s the real MVP of this movie? All this and more will be discussed on this week’s episode! Remember: all that glitters is gold.
BLADE! (1998)
This week, the Pop Culture Historians reach the top of the fuckin’ food chain! We have reached 1998’s BLADE, arguably the movie that kicked off the current wave of superhero movies that is only now beginning to crest. We discuss Wesley Snipes’ input in the role, some alternate castings for Blade, the show Terriers, as well as the state of vampires in the late 90’s. We promise we don’t even make o
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