All Pop, No Culture

This episode of All Pop, No Culture is a wide-ranging pop-culture hang: upcoming shows and movies, comfort-TV nostalgia, and a surprisingly deep dive into the Predator/Aliens franchise evolution. In a rare look into the pre-show discussions, Kevin and Andrew talk what’s coming next on their watchlists and reflect on how modern viewing habits changed the way we experience TV.  The back half becomes a full franchise conversation: character-driven storytelling, found-family energy, and what makes modern entries work beyond action. They debate whether Predator should remain a relentless hunter or evolve into something more complex, while agreeing the Alien universe still delivers the cleanest “pure villain” DNA in sci-fi horror. Andrew then quickly sells Kevin on Season 3 of Invincible. The episode ends on nostalgic notes with thoughts on a classic family-friendly reboot and what it means to bring comfort TV back in a chaotic era.

This episode of All Pop, No Culture is a deep dive into Wonder Man, the Marvel series that sidesteps traditional superhero tropes in favor of a character-first story about passion, vulnerability, and artistic identity. Kevin and Andrew discuss why the show works as a meta character study, praising Yahya Abdul-Mateen II’s performance as Simon and Ben Kingsley’s return as Trevor Slattery. They break down Simon’s transformation, the authenticity of the Los Angeles acting world, and the standout “Doorman” episode as a sharp metaphor for the actor/agent grind. The conversation expands into MCU future talk—how the universe evolves after its biggest legacy stars, which characters could carry the next era, and where Wonder Man might appear next. They wrap with thoughts on upcoming live-action adaptations and a candid discussion about AI’s growing impact on creativity and entertainment.

This episode of All Pop, No Culture covers three wildly different stories with one common thread: power, vulnerability, and what people become under pressure. Kevin and Lauren review Send Help, a Sam Raimi-directed survival thriller starring Dylan O’Brien and Rachel McAdams. They break down its shifting power dynamic, corporate toxicity bleeding into personal relationships, and how the film turns trust, gender roles, and emotional manipulation into its real danger. They then shift to Broadway with Maybe Happy Ending, a warm, kid-friendly musical about two retired helper robots in Seoul that explores AI, emotion, and what it means for something “programmed” to still feel real. Finally, they discuss If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, led by Rose Byrne, a dark and potentially triggering film about a mother coping with a sick child. Kevin shares personal perspective on parenting through medical uncertainty and the importance of support communities.

This episode of All Pop, No Culture kicks off with a quick look at what drove a spike in views last week, then launches into a packed review lineup. Andrew shares his reaction to 28 Years Later, including what makes it feel gritty, intense, and true to the franchise’s DNA. Kevin and Lauren discuss People You Meet on Vacation, a romantic drama about a relationship that evolves over multiple summers while life complicates the timing. The crew then jumps into Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, debating the reception of a newer series while still appreciating its characters, tone, and chemistry. Andrew checks in on his progress with Star Trek: Discovery, and Kevin explains the context behind The Burn. Lauren spotlights The Pitt, a medical drama structured around a single long ER shift, and closes with an off-Broadway review of Data, a tech-and-surveillance story that taps into current conversations about AI, morality, and privacy.

This episode of All Pop, No Culture packs in big TV finales, under-the-radar films, and a surprisingly thoughtful conversation about addiction stories and why some of them hit like a truck. Kevin and Andrew react to the Stranger Things series finale with an 8/10, breaking down what worked, what felt underpowered, and why fan expectations make ending a beloved show nearly impossible. Lauren spotlights the 2016 film Being Charlie, an addiction drama directed by Rob Reiner and starring Nick Robinson and Cary Elwes, which sparks a wider discussion about realism in addiction films (Requiem for a Dream, The Basketball Diaries, Trainspotting) and the real-world dangers of prescription drug culture. The crew also touches on remote work life, recommends Silo, debates the new season of Fallout (including release strategy and pacing), and closes with Lauren’s rundown of Heated Rivalry, a queer hockey romance about rivals navigating pressure, identity, and ambition. As always, thank you for watching. If you haven't alrea

This episode of All Pop, No Culture is fully dedicated to Stranger Things Season 5 — the final chapter of one of the biggest shows of the decade. Kevin, Mia, Dillon, Andrew, and Salony share their reactions to the season, examining the highs, lows, and emotional beats that defined the finale. The team discusses the acting, pacing, and visual changes that shaped the final stretch of episodes, as well as the climactic confrontation with Vecna. They explore each character’s ending, including Hopper’s emotional shift, Will and Mike’s evolving dynamic, Nancy and Robin’s arcs, and Eleven’s mysterious fate. The group tackles theories about whether Eleven survived, the deeper symbolism of Mike’s final monologue, and the possibility of future spin-offs. They also reflect on the cultural experience of watching the finale in theaters, Netflix’s hybrid release strategy, and how Season 5 fits into the larger legacy of the series. Whether you’re a longtime fan or diving in for the finale, this episode delivers a thought

This episode of All Pop, No Culture is packed with movies, TV finales, Broadway shows, comedy specials, and heartfelt moments. The crew begins with reactions to the new Avatar film before moving into a full breakdown of the Welcome to Derry season finale—covering its emotional storytelling, character development, and how it expands the IT universe. Lauren reviews Is This Thing On, reflecting on its themes of divorce, self-rediscovery, and stand-up comedy. The discussion includes a tribute to the late Rob Reiner, whose impact on film and television shaped generations of storytelling. Andrew shares his thoughts on Dave Chappelle: The Unstoppable, a politically charged and introspective comedy special. Kevin follows with a review of J. Kelly, George Clooney’s new Netflix dramedy exploring fame, regret, and family. The episode wraps with two Broadway reviews—Marjorie Prime and Bug—before Kevin spotlights Landman, a gripping Taylor Sheridan drama about oil, power, and personal redemption. If you enjoy thoughtful p

This episode of All Pop, No Culture spans prestige cinema, teen horror, Broadway, and one of the most controversial documentaries of the year. Lauren shares her thoughts on Hamnet, a beautifully crafted period drama receiving awards buzz, while Kevin reviews Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, a chaotic but entertaining entry in the video-game franchise. They discuss upcoming game adaptations, the emotional depth of Hulu’s Normal People, and the rising careers of Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones. Kevin breaks down the new documentaries about Sean Combs, exploring their depiction of his early life, legal troubles, music-industry conflicts, and the long-standing tensions between Diddy, Suge Knight, and Biggie Smalls. The episode wraps with Broadway impressions of Art, plus a strong recommendation for Peacock’s All Her Fault, a gripping thriller led by standout performances from Sarah Snook and Dakota Fanning. If you're into film, TV, true-crime docs, or culture-heavy discussions, this episode has something for everyone

This week on All Pop, No Culture, we dig into a wide spread of movies, musicals, podcasts, and horror TV—basically everything lighting up your feed (or should be). Kevin kicks things off with a review of One Battle After Another, a character-driven drama with sharp performances and a slow-burn emotional core. Andrew throws in director deep cuts, trivia, and a few wild personal stories to round out the discussion. We shift gears into true-crime meets Hollywood with a breakdown of Allison Mack’s vulnerable, complicated interview on Michael Rosenbaum’s podcast. The group looks at her time in the Nxivm cult, her prison experience, the contradictions in her public story, and the surprising relationship she formed after her release. Lauren brings the energy back up with her trip to see the Broadway musical Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York—a quirky, heartfelt rom-com on stage that sparks a full-scale debate on why musical adaptations either soar (Wicked, Hamilton) or crash spectacularly (Cats, West Side St

This week on All Pop, No Culture, we dive into a loaded mix of TV, film, and comedy—breaking down everything from nostalgic favorites to brand-new premieres shaking up the streaming world. We kick things off with the new Eddie Murphy Netflix documentary and the legacy of one of comedy’s most influential performers. We jump into the anthology series Soulmates, compare it to Black Mirror, and unpack two new mystery thrillers: Malice and All Her Fault. Lauren covers the Dancing with the Stars 20th anniversary special, while Kevin and Andrew swap stories about comedy shows, reality TV, and a pair of standout pilots. We close with a deep look at Welcome to Derry, exploring its scares, character work, and surprising historical layers. If you love TV breakdowns, movie reviews, comedy deep dives, and off-the-rails pop culture banter, you’re in the right place. What We Cover Eddie Murphy’s documentary & career legacy ’80s classics vs. modern Eddie Soulmates and tech-driven storytelling Black Mirror ratings + epis

The gang’s all here, for the second week in a row! This week they cover Bugonia, Plur1bus, Oh, Mary!, Frankenstein, and the Stranger Things Season 5 sneak peek.   As the show starts, Kevin immediately passes off the reins to Lauren, who saw Bugonia in theaters this week. It’s another Yorgos Lanthimos/Emma Stone joint and it’s as weird as you’d expect. And if Lauren is to be believed, possibly weirder. The story follows two less than brilliant men who kidnap a powerful CEO, played by Stone. They are convinced she’s an alien and the madness ensues from there. It’s a bizarre premise that flirts with Sci-Fi in new and interesting ways. It may not be a “must watch” but it sounds like a fascinating watch nonetheless.    Kevin and Andrew use the sci-fi bit to transition into the new, very hyped, show, Plur1bus on Apple TV+. This is from Vince Gilligan, creator of X-Files, Breaking Bad, and Better Call Saul fame and it stars Rhea Seahorn from BCS. The show has released to incredible reviews nearly across the board, s

The gang’s all here, and this week they cover IT: Welcome to Derry, Nobody Wants This Season 2, A return to A House of Dynamite, Regretting You, and The Perfect Neighbor. We open the show jumping right into the hottest new series, IT: Welcome to Derry. Kevin and Andrew have both watched the first episode, and Kevin’s seen the second. Both guys have enjoyed the show so far, and Kevin keeps the second episode talk pretty spoiler-free. But the show itself is BRUTAL. It is like Stranger Things dialed up to (pun intended) Eleven. If horror is your thing, this is an absolute must-watch. Taking a break from the absolute massacre that is the opening of IT, Lauren talks about the latest season of Nobody Wants This on Netflix. It stars Adam Brody and Kristen Bell as an on-again, off-again couple dealing with the strains of a potential interfaith relationship. That makes it sound very dramatic, but it really is a lot of fun. The leads are great, but a lot of credit goes to the supporting cast, too. It’s a well-rounded s

It’s just Kevin and Andrew this week and they have a tight and shockingly relevant episode. They cover the finale of Gen V, A House of Dynamite, and The Hand That Rocks The Cradle (2025). The guys jump right into it this episode the series finale of Gen V. This season was an improvement over an already solid first season and a great lead in to the final season of The Boys. They discuss the big reveals, as well as listener Mike’s great catch early in the season. The season had a ton of great character growth and great twists. It will be very interesting to see who shows up in The Boys (probably everyone, at least for a bit?) and who can actually go toe to toe with Homelander. This season left us very hungry for what comes next! Next up, Kevin talks about the new Netflix movie, A House of Dynamite. This is very strong political thriller starring seemingly everyone. The plot, the story of an unknown missile launched at the US, feels far too gritty and plausible. The guys discuss Kathryn Bigelow’s body of work an

It’s a weird one this week. Lauren is here for a quick rundown of Roofman, but her technical difficulties cute her a hair short. Then Kevin and Andrew run with Tron: Ares, The Conjuring: Last Rites, Black Phone 2, and I Like Me. Lauren had a chance to get out to the theater this week and, despite needing to hop off the podcast early this week, gives us a pretty great rundown of the movie. It’s based on a true story and stars Channing Tatum as an almost lovable criminal sho makes camp inside a Toys R Us while on the run from the police. As you’d expectm the film takes some liberties with true events, but it’s very close to fact and Tatum gives what might be the performance of his career. It seems to deserve all of the praise it’s been getting, so get out there and catch it if you can! After the internet deems Lauren’s time done for the evening, the mic is passed to Andrew who reviews Tron: Ares. Here’s the thing… it’s really not as bad as it is being made out to be. Is it perfect? No. Is it better than Legacy?

It’s just Kevin and Lauren this week and, despite Andrew being a big fibber and not showing up, they manage a solid episode. They talk about Alice in Borderland, Monster: The Ed Gein Story,  The Four Seasons, Peacemaker Season 2, and The Queen of Versailles.   Much like you, we thought that a week off would give Andrew time to come back to us, but oh no… So Lauren is left to kick off the show to talk about the latest season of Alice in Borderland. In a way, it’s more of the same, but that’s not necessarily a good thing, based on how the previous season ended. There are some fun games, but this feels like a cash grab by Netflix, which leaves a bad taste in Lauren’s mouth.   Speaking of things on Netflix that aren’t delicious… Kevin watched Monster: The Ed Gein Story, so you don’t have to. If you don’t know, Ed Gein is the inspiration for characters like Norman Bates, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Hannibal Lecter. Unfortunately, this telling of his story is so over the top and over-sensationalized, that it’s

It’s just Kevin and Andrew this week, and it’s a fun one. The guys talk Marvel Zombies, the Alien: Earth finale, the season premiere of Gen V and Wayward, with all of that book ended by some wonderful tangents!!   We give you a rare look into what happens before we start recording a show, which is usually just senseless babbling. This time, though, the conversation was productive so it went into the show! Talking about a show that is well over 20 years old could come across as dated, but Battlestar Galactica is a master class in storytelling, character building, and budget management. Honestly, if you haven’t seen it before, you owe it to yourself to give it a watch. Get past the sci-fi-ness of it and settle into the DEEP social story. You will not be disappointed.   Getting into more current content, Kevin talks about the first two episodes of the animated series, Marvel Zombies. It’s a big swing to take, and it could be argued that they whiffed a bit. It’s beautiful and gory, but a lot of the voice acting m

In this episode, the gang discusse Twinless, the Emmys, the Pitt, The Long Walk, 28 Years Later, The Man Who Killed Hitler And Then The Bigfoot, Alien Earth, Friendship, and Upload. This episode kicks off with just Kevin and Lauren. They discuss the new film Twinless, starring Dylan O'Brien. It's a low-budget affair that should have had a better release. Despite its less-than-stellar advertising, the film is excellent, getting great reviews on both Rotten Tomatoes and IMDB. It's a film about two men who meet in a group for those who have lost their twins, and the emotional journey they take together. It's definitely worth watching in the theater if you can find it, but otherwise catch it as soon as it streams somewhere!  Andrew joins the call, and when Lauren finishes, the gang discusses the 2025 Emmys. While they generally agreed with the victors, some of the nominees were questionable. Many shows had too many nominations, whereas some more deserving had none. But overall, the Emmys got it right.  The Emmy d