Pop Culture Affidavit

“Mindhole Blowers: Cameron Crowe’s Singles Inspired NBC’s Friends and 14 Other Facts That Might Explode Your Head” (Pajiba.com)

Also, here’s a few great extras. First, the theatrical poster for Better Off Dead … (more…)

In Country: Marvel Comics’ “The ‘Nam” Episode 3

It’s episode 3 of “In Country” and time for a little R&R for Ed Marks and his friends as they take a long weekend in Saigon but wind up getting more than they bargained for in The ‘Nam #3: “Three Day Pass.” The issue was written by Doug Murray, pencilled by Michael Golden, inked by Armando Gil and features events from April 1966. As always, in addition to the summary and review of the issue I’ll be talking about the story’s historical context as well as taking a look at the letters, ‘Nam Notes, and ads.

You can listen to it on iTunes or right here: In Country, Episode 3

Pop Culture Affidavit, Episode 14 — Life is a game. Easy to start. Hard to finish.

This time around in the podcast I take a look at the 1992 Cameron Crowe-directed film Singles, a romantic comedy whose soundtrack became one of the definitive albums from the 1990s. Starring Campbell Scott, Kyra Sedgwick, Bridget Fonda, and Matt Dillon and set in 1991 Seattle, Singles follows several characters in their twenties as they go through the complexities of trying to date and find love.

But of course, many people remember it for its music: Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, Mudhoney, Smashing Pumpkins, and other bands important to the era make appearances on the soundtrack and even in the film, which is a great snapshot of a particular moment in our cultural history.

I spend the episode discussing the movie as well as my opinion of it and then spend a little bit of time on the soundtrack as well as a bit on its lasting legacy.

You can listen to the podcast via iTunes, or here: Pop Culture Affidavit Episode 14

Also, if you’re interested, here is some extra reading–articles and blog posts that I used for research this episode …

“Singles Turns 20: Who Would be on the Soundtrack in 2012?” (Spin)

“Singles: 25 Things You Didn’t Know About the Cameron Crowe Flick” (Moviefone)

“Where’s the Cast of Singles Now?” (NY Daily News)

“Singles Soundtrack Turns 20″ (Stereogum)

Singles Production Notes (“The Uncool”: The Official Website for Everything Cameron Crowe)

“Five Ways Singles Ruined My Life” (Hello Giggles)

And as mentioned in the podcast, I have some pictures of my VHS copy, which was bought from the late, lamented Sayville’s Video Empire …

In Country: Marvel Comics’ “The ‘Nam,” Episode 2

An issue-by-issue recap of The ‘Nam continues with issue #2 of the Marvel Comics series. We continue to follow the tour of duty of Ed Marks in “Dustoff,” written by Doug Murray, pencilled by Michael Golden, and inked by Armando Gil, which takes place in March of 1966. And as always, in addition to the summary and review of the issue I’ll be talking about the story’s historical context as well as taking a look at the letters, ‘Nam Notes, and ads.

You can download the episode via iTunes or listen directly at the Two True Freaks website

In Country iTunes feed

In Country Episode 2 direct link

This time around, in addition to all of the usual podcast features and show notes, I’ve got the video clip that I talk about toward the end of the episode, which Jim Shooter discussed in that month’s Bullpen Bulletins. Below is the 20/20 report about Marvel’s 25th Anniversary, courtesy of YouTube, which rarely lets you down.

Part One:

Part Two:

Protected: Pop Culture Affidavit, Episode 13 — Wait, I Wrote a Novel?

In Country: Marvel Comics’ “The ‘Nam,” Episode 1

Introducing a brand-new podcast about “The ‘Nam,” Marvel Comics’ Vietnam War comic book that ran from 1986-1993. Over the course of the next 100 episodes, I will cover every single issue of the series as well as some unpublished stories and other pop culture featuring the Vietnam War.

This episode features issue #1 of “The ‘Nam,” where Doug Murray and Michael Golden introduce us to Ed Marks, a newly drafted G.I. who is about to start serving in the Vietnam War in 1966. I’ll take you through the issue’s events, give my opinion/critique and will also provide some historical and cultural context for the month when the story takes place (in this case, February 1966). I’ll also cover the issue’s lettercolumn as well as ads. So join me as I take my first step into … The ‘Nam.

You can download the episode via iTunes or listen directly at the Two True Freaks website

In Country iTunes feed

In Country Episode 1 direct link

Pop Culture Affidavit, Episode 12 — A Lloyd Meets Girl Story

In 1989, Cameron Crowe wrote and directed one of the seminal movies of the teen film genre. Starring John Cusack, Ione Skye, and John Mahoney, it’s Say Anything …, one of my favorite movies of all time.

Join me as I take a look back at the movie, talk about my favorite scenes and also take a look at the soundtrack.

You can listen here:

Pop Culture Affidavit Episode 11 — The Columbia House Thirteen

Hey everyone, take advantage of this special offer where you will get a ton of CDs for JUST ONE PENNY!

Does that sound familiar? If it does, then you’re familiar with Columbia House, the record, tape, CD, and video club that flourished in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s and provided mail-order entertainment for America, one person at a time (or at least that’s what the commercial says).

So, this time around, I not only take a look at Columbia House but at my personal experience with Columbia House, as I got my very first CD player when I was sixteen years old (twenty years ago!) and also signed up, eventually starting my music collection with thirteen CDs.

I had very different tastes in music back then.

You can listen here:

The following is a list of albums and songs mentioned in the podcast in case you’re interested in actually checking out the music (and if you are interested in purchasing some, use the Amazon link at Two True Freaks) …

Alice in Chains, Dirt (“Would?”)
Guns N’ Roses, Appetite for Destruction (“Think About You”)
Guns N’ Roses, Use Your Illusion I and II (“Breakdown,” “You Ain’t the First,” “Estranged,” “Pretty Tied Up”)
Elton John, Greatest Hits 1976-1986 (“I’m Still Standing,” “I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues”)
Last Action Hero Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (AC/DC, “Big Gun;” Def Leppard, “Two Steps Behind;” Aerosmith, “Dream On;” Cypress Hill, “Cock the Hammer”)
Denis Leary, No Cure for Cancer (“Asshole”)
Megadeth, Countdown to Extniction (“Symphony of Destruction”)
Nine Inch Nails, Broken (“Wish,” “Physical [You’re So],” as well as the remixes of “Wish” and “Happiness in Slavery” on Fixed)
Say Anything … Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Peter Gabriel, “In Your Eyes”)
Singles Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Paul Westerberg, “Waiting for Somebody”)
Stone Temple Pilots, Core (“Plush,” “Wicked Garden”)
Wayne’s World Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (“Wayne’s World Theme [Extended Version];” Queen, “Bohemian Rhapsody;” Jimi Hendrix, “Foxy Lady;” Gary Wright, “Dream Weaver;” Tia Carerre, “Ballroom Blitz;” Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Skiamikanico”)

Pop Culture Affidavit Episode 10 — Remembering Bayside High

Saved by the Bell Cover

Do you know it’s been twenty years since Zack Morris graduated high school? Take a look back at the crew from Bayside High as I talk about Saved By The Bell–its history, its characters, my favorite episodes, and its legacy. Plus, a look at “Graduation,” the final episode to feature the original cast.

You can listen here: