Sixty years ago today, rock and roll lost three of its earliest stars when Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper died in a plane crash. In this episode, I take a look back at that event by focusing on how I learned about it as a kid in the 1980s and teenager in the 1990s. I begin by talking about my history with each of the artists and that era of music and then spend time going through the event via the 1999 episode of VH-1’s Behind the Music. Finally, I look at the song that gave “The Day the Music Died” its name: Don McLean’s “American Pie”.
You can listen here:
Pop Culture Affidavit podcast page
Also, here is a playlist I created that consists of the entire Behind the Music episode:
Ed Marks finds himself on an aircraft carrrier and we hear the story of a fellow soldier’s bombing run, plus we go “Stateside” to see Rob Little reunite with Sarge. It’s all in issue #77 of The ‘Nam, which is written by Don Lomax with art by Wayne Vansant, Mike Harris, and Frank Percy.
In what is now an annual Pop Culture Affidavit tradition, it’s time for us to celebrate Festivus, the holiday that is for the rest of us! This year, I’m joined for the airing of grievances and the feats of strength by The Irredeemable Shag. We complain about fandom and other things that irritate us and then follow that up by looking at War Dancer #4, which was published in 1994 by Defiant Comics.
Blank VHS tapes. So many of us had them. So many of us still have them. But what happens when you unearth a pile of vaguely labeled blank tapes in your parents’ basement and you pop them into your VCR? Well, that’s exactly what I did. In this episode, I talk about my personal history with VCRs and VHS tapes as well as what I found in a pretty large pile of tapes that I grabbed on a trip to Long Island back in April. It’s an hour of me rambling about Seinfeld, Baywatch, holiday cartoon specials, and anything else I taped in the 1980s and 1990s.
I’m back to the classic format of the show and back to some classic characters as I take a look at issue #76 of The ‘Nam, a story titled “Brothers” that stars Rob Little. It’s June 1972 and while standing at the grave of his brother Eugene, Rob flashes back to a story from 1967 where he and Ed Marks help a paymaster complete his job of getting back pay to GIs in the field.
With the new Titans show availble through DC’s streaming service, it’s time to take a look at some of my all-time favorite issues of The New Teen Titans! Join me as I cash in on this brand new show and look at issues #28, 29, 30, and 31 of the original Wolfman-Perez series. You’ll hear me talk about my Titans fandom, my opinions on the relationship of Donna Troy and Terry Long, and how this all ties into “The Judas Conntract.” Plus, I have listener feedback and the most ’80s-tastic soundtrack that anyone could ask for!
It’s that time of year again! I go back to Baltimore for the 2018 Baltimore Comic-Con. And this time, I’m not alone! Join me and Brett as we meet Tom Grummett, Karl Kesel, Mike Zeck, and Terry Moore. Plus, we get to talk with author Andrea Rose Washington, author and artist Javier Cruz Winnik, artist Luke Daab, and spend the day with fellow comics podcasters Gene Hendricks, Stella, and the Irredeemable Shagg! It’s one of the most jam-packed convention episodes yet and it’s here just for you!
Andrea Rose Washington, sci-fi/fantasy author:
Luke Daab, artist:
Thom Zahler, writer and artist:
Javier Cruz Winnik, writer and artist:
It is an extra-sized episode and an extra-sized issue as The ‘Nam hits issue #75. In four different stories that take us in country and back again, we look at events and perspectives surrounding the My Lai massacre. Creators in this one include original ‘Nam writer Doug Murray, Scott Lobdell, Don Lomax, Mike Harris, Jimmy Palmiotti, and Herb Trimpe.
Its the SEVENTH AND FINAL EPISODE of the seven-part miniseries IT CAME FROM SYNDICATION! This time around, I wrap up my look at syndicated television of the 1980s and early 1990s with a look at a show that was a worldwide phenomenon and one of the ultimate examples of a syndicated television series. It’s the legendary David Hasselhoff series BAYWATCH. I take a look at a few episodes from the show’s third season, where Nicole Eggert, Pamela Anderson, and David Charvet joined the cast. It’s lifeguards making rescues and trying to navigate a high school where the queen bee is … Jessie Spano? Oh yes. It’s amazing.
It’s the sixth episode of the seven-part miniseries IT CAME FROM SYNDICATION! This time around, I continue my look at syndicated television from the 1980s and 1990s with a look at the “drama” category, which encompasses action, science fiction, and horror. I’m joined by friend and fellow podcaster Michael Bailey (Views from the Longbox) to talk about everything from Friday the 13th: The Series to Highlander.
Pop Culture Affidavit 