It’s time to return to the music of the early 1990s … and I’m bringing Amanda along for the ride as well! This time around, we take a look at ten albums that influenced us as teenagers. You’ll hear us talk about Seattle icons such as Nirvana and Pearl Jam; legendary Nineties recording artists like Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, Green Day, Stone Temple Pilots, and Mary J. Blige; as well as everyone from Madonna and Queen to the Dixie Chicks and Denis Leary.
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Origin Story Episode Fifteen
This time around, I have three … that’s right, THREE comics in ONE episode! I start off with the last of my FCTC-era Superman books for this show, which is Superman #7, then head over to Marvel for some military-grade violence! First, there’s the first issue in an UNLIMITED series with The Punisher #1 followed by the start of my all-time favorite G.I. Joe storyline with G.I. Joe #61.
You can listen here:
Pop Culture Affidavit podcast page
And here are this episode’s covers, complete with a scan of my copy of G.I. Joe #61, which is signed by both Larry Hama and Mike Zeck.
Origin Story Episode Fourteen
Different distributors in the 1980s means different release dates for comics means that I’m putting this episode out two days before the last one. This time around, I take a look at The Adventures of Superman #429 by Marv Wolfman and Jerry Ordway, which puts the spotlight on Cat Grant in a sense, or at least gives us more insight into her relationship with her son Adam and his father. Plus, I walk down WWF memory lane by talking about Wrestlemania III and the legendary match between Randy “Macho Man” Savage and Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat.
You can listen here:
Pop Culture Affidavit podcast page
And as promised in the show, here is a link to ESPN’s “Oral History” of the Macho Man-Steamboat match: “Oral History: Savage vs. Ricky Steamboat, 30 Years Later”
Pop Culture Affidavit Episode 72: The One With Tom and Stella Talking About Friends
So no one told you this podcast was gonna be this way … although someone told me and Stella when we sat down to dinner to talk about the iconic 1990s sitcom Friends. We spend a couple of hours talking about the show, its characters, and our favorite moments. Plus, there are tons of clips for your ears and Stella sings “Smelly Cat.” Repeatedly. But don’t worry, dear listener, because we’ll be there for you when the rain starts to pour.
Okay, I’ll stop.
Pop Culture Affidavit podcast page
As a bonus, here are links to times I’ve already covered Friends on the blog …
“The Routine,” a blog post about myself and my sister and Ross/Monica.
“So no one told you life was gonna be this way,” a blog post about the theme song.
Pop Culture Affidavit Episode 39: Must See TV!, where Amanda and I do a commentary over the first Thanksgiving episode.
My 50-word commentary about the finale on “The Black List,” a weekly column on the late, lamented Black Table site.
And a YouTube playlist of some of the clips that I used in this episode
In Country: Marvel Comics’ “The ‘Nam” — Episode 77
Chuck Dixon, Kevin Kobasic, and Jimmy Palmiotti take us through the second part of a three-part Punisher storyline with “The Walking Dead.” Frank has made his way back to his firebase and has uncovered the nefarious deeds of his C.O. Will he confront him or will he perish in a firefight before he can dole out … PUNISHMENT?! Oh, stop laughing. Anyway, I cover the issue and give a very brief review (I’m saving it for the finale, I guess), cover letters and ads, and take a look at the rest of 1971.
You can download the episode via iTunes or listen directly at the Two True Freaks website
In Country Episode 77 direct link
As an added bonus, here is a scan of my copy of The ‘Nam #68, which is signed by Jimmy Palmiotti.
Pop Culture Affidavit Episode 71: The Legend of Wonder Woman
For the past 75 years, she’s been a hero and role model, and this summer she is getting her own feature film. I’m talking, of course, about Wonder Woman. To honor the mighty Amazon, I’m taking a look at two series entitled The Legend of Wonder Woman. The first, from 1986, is by Kurt Busiek and Trina Robbins and takes place right after Crisis on Infinite Earths, closing the door on the pre-Crisis incarnation of Diana while opening the door for the landmark George Perez run. The second, from 2016, is by Renae De Liz and Ray Dillon, and is an all-ages, out-of-continuity retelling of WW’s origin story.
Pop Culture Affidavit podcast page
As a bonus, here are scans of the text pieces from the 1986 Legend of Wonder Woman series.
By Kurt Busiek (from issue #1):
By Trina Robbins (from issue #2):
Origin Story Episode Seven
In the seventh episode of Origin Story, I delve into my first of several regular series Transformers comics from 1987, starting with issue #27, where in the recently departed Optimus Prime’s absence, Grimlock seizes command of the Autobots. Plus, I talk a little about my kind of sort of discovering music on the radio in January 1987, which means Bruce Hornsby and the Range.
Please dont forget to leave feedback at the Pop Culture Affidavit Facebook page and check out Pop Culture Affidavit for the show notes.
Pop Culture Affidavit podcast page
ORIGIN STORY EPISODE SIX
In the sixth episode of Origin Story, I wrap up my coverage of the ultimate Hasbro crossover by taking a look at G.I. Joe and the Transformers #4. Do the Joes and Cobras save the world with the help of the Autobots? Will Hawk and Barbara get back together? Does anyone care about the Anthony storyline? Plus, Bumblebee becomes Goldbug! And I ponder the nature of nostalgia.
Please dont forget to leave feedback at the Pop Culture Affidavit Facebook page and check out Pop Culture Affidavit for the show notes.
Pop Culture Affidavit podcast page
Pop Culture Affidavit Episode 70: It’s a Festivus Miracle!
Many Christmases ago, Frank Costanza, fed up with the commercialism of Christmas and upset at how it caused him to reign blows upon another man who also wanted the same doll he was about to buy for his son, decided to create a new holiday–a Festivus for the rest of us. In the spirit of Frank and this holiday, Michael Bailey joins me for a very special Festivus episode.
We begin by exploring the origins of Festivus, both through its appearance on Seinfeld and its real-life history …
And then carry on the traditions of the holiday with the airing of grievances, where we talk about what’s bothering us in pop culture this year as well as the feats of strength, wherein we take a look at the 1992-1993 Image Comics miniseries Brigade.
So get out the aluminum pole and get your family around the table so you can tell them all the ways you’ve disappointed them before they try to pin you because it’s time to celebrate!
In Country: Marvel Comics’ “The ‘Nam” — Episode 75
It’s our 75th episode and that means it’s time for another look at another movie about the Vietnam War. This time around, I’m joined by fellow TTF podcaster Luke Jaconetti (Earth Destruction Directive) to talk about the 1982 Sylvester Stallone movie First Blood as well as its 1985 sequel, Rambo: First Blood Part II. We talk about each movie’s plot and characters as well as the novel First Blood by David Morell, and then talk about the pop culture phenomenon that was Rambo in the mid-1980s.
CONTENT WARNING: THIS EPISODE CONTAINS EXPLICIT LANGUAGE.
You can download the episode via iTunes or listen directly at the Two True Freaks website
In Country Episode 75 direct link
Here are some extras for you (as featured in the episode):
