The world is re-opening at a dizzying pace, and one of the big "returns to normal" for the country is return of the summer movie season. Hosts Al Mannarino and Bill Bodkin discuss the re-opening of the country (and how they feel about it) and what the summer movie season is going to look like. They discuss the dual streaming and theatrical releases of films like Black Widow and Jungle Cruise, the opt for Dune to go to theaters only, if Space Jam 2 will have the cultural resonance of the original...
May 27, 2021•1 hr 27 min
Welcome to the first-ever all sports episode of The Socially Distanced Podcast! Hosts Al Mannarino and Bill Bodkin are joined by podcast producer Lucas P. Jones, Pop Break staff writer Ben Murchison and longtime Pop Break staff writer and the winner of the site's fantasy football league Megan LaBruna (host of the My Ovaries Made Do It podcast). As the title suggests, it's way too early but the gang is talking about football! In the episode this all-star lineup discusses clutch football snacks, T...
May 20, 2021•2 hr 7 min
Acclaimed comic book and TV writer Pornsak Pichetshote joins the podcast this week to discuss his brand news Image Comics series, The Good Asian . The podcast discusses into the creative process behind the creation of The Good Asian -- which just hit comic book stands. Pornsak discusses why he chose to work with Image Comics once again, how he chose the team to create the book and how the title is being released to the public. The interview also deep dives into discuss the history that the serie...
May 14, 2021•1 hr 5 min
Nerf herders unite! The Socially Distanced Podcast celebrates Star Wars week by gathering a Galactic Senate sized panel to discuss our favorites movies, TV shows, books, comics, rides and weird memorabilia that come from a galaxy far, far away. Hosts Al Mannarino and Bill Bodkin are joined by podcast engineer Lucas P. Jones, Pop Break music editor Kat Manos, former WandaVision resident guest Cole Rothacker and former Mandalorian resident guest Ken Grand-Pierre to talk about all things Star Wars....
May 07, 2021•2 hr 34 min
The world's most terribly named review series comes to an end with the season (series?) finale of the Falcon and The Winter Soldier. Hosts Bill Bodkin and Al Mannarino are once again joined by comedian Ryan Barry and special guest Matt Kelly (Nando v Movies) to discuss the final episode of the hit Disney+ series. They also review the entire season and break down what the future of these characters might look like through Phase 4 of the MCU and beyond all while getting increasingly more inebriate...
Apr 29, 2021•2 hr 22 min
It wouldn't be a penultimate review episode without our special guest this week -- Pop Break's podcast guru, Alex Marcus. Alex joins your hosts Al Mannarino and Bill Bodkin and series resident Ryan Barry to discuss The Falcon and the Winter Soldier Episode 5, 'Truth.' There's plenty of laughs in this one, especially when Ryan refers to John Carter as "America's Shiniest Boy." When the laughs subside they dive headfirst into the brilliant performance by Carl Lumbly as Isaiah Bradley and how the e...
Apr 22, 2021•1 hr 55 min
The Socially Distanced Podcast's third installment of its Falcon and The Winter Soldier looks at Episode 4 of the Disney+ series titled, 'The Whole World if Watching.' This week hosts Al Mannarino and Bill Bodkin are joined by series resident Ryan Barry and special guest Nick Porcaro. In the episode they discuss the continuing mystery of The Power Broker and how Marvel is tempting us to have wild theories, the "evolution" of John Walker, the involvement of Wakanda in the series (and how awesome ...
Apr 15, 2021•1 hr 36 min
The third installment of our Falcon and The Winter Soldier review series 'Socially & The Winterdistanced' takes a deep dive in on the third episode of the Disney+ series, 'The Power Broker.' Your hosts Al Mannarino and Bill Bodkin are joined this episode by the newly minted resident guest for the review series, comedian Ryan Barry! Al, Bill and Ryan talk about the identity of the power broker, where Sharon "Agent 13" Carter's alliances really lie, the glory of Baron Zemo's dance moves and wi...
Apr 08, 2021•1 hr 35 min
It's a new Disney+ review series on the Socially Distanced Podcast! The Socially and the WinterDistanced mini-series reviews the latest MCU series to hit the mega-streaming platform -- The Falcon and The Winter Soldier. On this episode, your hosts Al Mannarino and Bill Bodkin are joined by comedians Ryan Barry (making his Socially Distanced debut) and Taylor Allen (who you last heard in our Mando & Music mini-series). In this laugh-filled romp they discuss the first two episodes of the serie...
Apr 01, 2021•1 hr 15 min
We celebrate the one-year anniversary of the podcast on this landmark (sorta) episode of The Socially Distanced Podcast. This episode it's just your hosts Al Mannarino and Bill Bodkin talking about the last 365 days of the Socially Distanced. In the episode they look back at the initial Episode 0 which Bill somehow managed turning into a 90 minute episode. They discuss the trends of the last year, how the podcast was not only a great hang but also highly therapeutic especially during the tumultu...
Mar 25, 2021•1 hr 32 min
It's a very special of the Socially Distanced Podcast as hosts Al Mannarino and Bill Bodkin are joined by the rear admiral of The Ralph Report, stand-up comedian and actor Eddie Pence! Eddie joins the guys discuss the world of the Ralph Report (hosted by Ralph Garman of Kevin Smith's Hollywood Babble On Podcast) -- including Eddie's aversion to certain foods, live shows and more. They also discuss Eddie's first standup special "(Un)Special" live from his hometown of Washington D.C. They also tal...
Mar 19, 2021•1 hr 21 min
It's the end of road for The Socially Distanced Podcast's "WandaDistanced" mini-series. Your hosts Al Mannarino and Bill Bodkin are joined by special guest Ken Grand-Pierre (host of The New Exchange with Ken Grand-Pierre) and resident guests Kat Manos (Pop Break Music Editor) and Cole Rothacker. This episode focuses on the WandaVision Finale, 'The Series Finale.' In the episode the panel discusses the future of the series, the future of the MCU, the brilliance of Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany...
Mar 11, 2021•2 hr 6 min
The penultimate episode of The Socially Distanced Podcast's "WandaDistanced" mini-series looks at the penultimate episode of the Disney+ series WandaVision entitled, 'Previously On.' Hosts Al Mannarino and Bill Bodkin are joined by resident guests of the WandaDistanced series -- Pop Break Music Editor Kat Manos and Cole Rothacker -- along with special guest, Rob Crowther IV, senior editor on Pop Break and the host of The Bob Culture Podcast. In the episode they discuss 'Previously On' and its ba...
Mar 04, 2021•1 hr 34 min
The 'WandaDistanced' miniseries continues with a deep dive on Episode 7 of Marvel's Disney+ series entitled, 'Breaking the Fourth Wall.' Your hosts Al Mannarino and Bill Bodkin are joined by series regular Cole Rothacker and special guest Alex Marcus (Pop Break's podcast editor + host of The Cinema Joes Podcast, Good Bye to All That Podcast and TV Break). In the episode the guys talk about the episode's inspirations from Modern Family and The Office , the origin story of Monica Rambeau's new pow...
Feb 25, 2021•1 hr 26 min
Ghouls and goblins! The sixth part of the Socially Distanced Podcast's "WandaDistanced" Mini-Series is here and we are talking about that absolutely wild Halloween Spooktacular. This week your hosts Al Mannarino and Bill Bodkin are joined by very special guest Ken Grand-Pierre, host of The New Exchange with Ken Grand-Pierre as well as series residents Cole Rothacker and Pop Break's music editor Kat Manos. The five person squadron talk about Pietro's motivations, if Agnes is a red herring or in o...
Feb 18, 2021•2 hr 6 min
It's a "full house" on the Socially Distanced Podcast's "WandaDistanced" mini-series as we've got five people discussing the latest installment of Disney+'s MCU series, 'On a Very Episode.' Your hosts Al Mannarino and Bill Bodkin are joined by Pop Break comic book and anime editor Rachel Freeman, Pop Break music editor Kat Manos and podcast resident analyst Cole Rothacker to deep dive into this wild episode of WandaVision. Discussed on the episode are the debut and recast of Pietro as Evan Peter...
Feb 11, 2021•1 hr 52 min
This week on the "WandaDistanced" mini-series of The Socially Distanced Podcast hosts Al Mannarino and Bill Bodkin are joined by series resident Cole Rothacker and special guest and #1 fan of the pod Nick Porcaro to discuss WandaVision Episode 4, 'We Interrupt This Program.' They discuss the episode's "interruption" from the sitcom world of the series and if this move was an effective piece of storytelling or just a way to placate grumpy fanboys. Also debated is the hot button issue if WandaVisi...
Feb 04, 2021•1 hr 45 min
The WandaDistanced Miniseries of The Socially Distanced Podcast returns to discuss Episode 3 of the Marvel series 'Now in Color.' Your hosts Al Mannarino and Bill Bodkin are joined once again by series resident Cole Rothacker and Pop Break music editor Kat Manos to discuss the explosive new episode. Discussed is the Hydra Soak commercial, the stork, the sitcom influences on the show, the mysterious identity of Agnes, the story behind Billy and Tommy and those final, fantastic five minutes. The e...
Jan 28, 2021•1 hr 26 min
The holiday hiatus is over and The Socially Distanced Podcast has returned for its second season. Hosts Al Mannarino and Bill Bodkin are joined by longtime friend of the show, Cole Rothacker to discuss the two-episode premiere of Disney+'s WandaVision. The trio discusses their anticipation levels heading into the first fictionalized live action Marvel series for Disney's streaming service as well as a whole lot of background steeped in the MCU and comic books for the series and the characters we...
Jan 21, 2021•1 hr 53 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Season 1 of The Socially Distanced Podcast comes to an end as your hosts Al Mannarino and Bill Bodkin are joined by Ken Grand-Pierre (live from the U.K.), Pop Break Music Editor Kat Manos and longtime friend of the pod, Cole Rothracker. The final episode is a review of The Mandalorian Chapter 16, 'The Rescue' aka T he Mandalorian's Season 2 Finale. The gang discusses the appearance of Luke Skywalker, The Book of Boba Fett , the final tear-filled scene between Mando and Grogu and all the action o...
Dec 23, 2020•2 hr 37 min
It's the penultimate episode of our Mando & Music ... because we're talking the penultimate episode of The Mandalorian aka Chapter 15, "The Believer." Hosts Al Mannarino and Bill Bodkin are rejoined by Ken Grand-Pierre as well as special guest Pop Break Television Editor Alex Marcus and Pop Break Comic Book Editor Rachel Freeman to discuss the episode .. which feature no Baby Yoda. In the episode they discuss the decision to give a side character a major redemption arc instead of a jailbreak...
Dec 17, 2020•1 hr 50 min
The 38th (holy smokes) episode of The Socially Distanced Podcast is the continuation of our "Mando & Music" mini-series where the gang reviews the latest episodes of Disney+'s The Mandalorian. On this episode Ken Grand-Pierre rejoins Al Mannarino and Bill Bodkin's rogue squadron to discuss Chapter 14 "The Tragedy." The trio delve into the deep labyrinth of Star Wars mythology, discuss Robert Rodriguez's direction of the episode, and discuss the re-introduction (and salvation?) of one of the ...
Dec 11, 2020•1 hr 22 min
Welcome to the most crowded edition of the Socially Distanced Podcast! Your hosts Al Mannarino and Bill Bodkin are rejoined by Kat Manos, Ken Grand-Pierre and Lucas P. Jones for another edition of the "Mando & Music" Series. This week they're talking about "The Jedi" aka Chapter 13. This chapter features the long-awaited debut of Ahsoka Tano (played by Rosario Dawson) and the gang discusses this character's debut as well her future in the Star Wars Universe. There's a lot of deep, deep dives...
Dec 04, 2020•2 hr 1 min
We celebrate 9 months of the Socially Distanced Podcast with special guest -- comedian Taylor Allen (host of Callin' the Shots and Hon, Take My Side podcasts). Taylor joins Al Mannarino, Bill Bodkin and returning guest -- our producer Lucas P. Jones for a most beardy episode of the show. We talk Thanksgiving food, Metallica "infused" whiskey and of course, The Mandalorian ! In this episode, we discuss the Carl Weathers-starring and directed Chapter 12 of The Mandalorian entitled "The Siege." Thi...
Nov 26, 2020•1 hr 51 min
Welcome to the third week of our weekly reviews of Disney+'s The Mandalorian . This week we discuss "Chapter 11 -- The Heiress" along with Pop Break comic book and anime editor Rachel Freeman and the returning Ken Grand-Pierre, the host of The New Exchange with Ken Grand-Pierre . In this episode we talk about the star-studded episode. The episode does stray a little from Star Wars as the foursome give their music picks for the week which include: Al Mannarino: "chinatown" by Bleachers featuring ...
Nov 20, 2020•1 hr 39 min
Welcome to the second week of our weekly reviews of Disney+'s The Mandalorian. This week we discuss "Chapter 10 -- The Passenger" along with Pop Break staff writer and podcaster engineer Lucas P. Jones and the returning Ken Grand-Pierre, the host of The New Exchange with Ken Grand-Pierre . In this episode we talk about Baby Yoda eating eggs, space spiders, The Frog Lady, Star Wars Squadrons and more. The episode does stray a little from Star Wars as the foursome give their music picks for the we...
Nov 13, 2020•1 hr 32 min
The Socially Distanced Podcast is ushering a new concept for the remainder of 2020 -- weekly reviews of the second season of Disney+'s The Mandalorian . Each week Al Mannarino and Bill Bodkin welcome in guests to review the latest episode. This week the unofficial/official third host of the show, Pop Break music editor Kat Manos rejoins the guys to talk about Mando. But she's not alone! Her partner Cole Rothracker makes an amazing cameo in the episode giving us his best Werner Herzog impression....
Nov 06, 2020•2 hr 3 min
Longtime Pop Break staff writer and Comic-Con correspondent, Ryan DeMarco joins Al and Bill on the podcast this week. This week's "Seriously WTF" segment focuses on the announcement that San Diego Comic-Con will be honoring all 2020 passes for the 2021 event. The obvious discussions of "can this happen?" pop up as well as virtual alternatives the con may have to consider in order to stay solvent for years to come. They also discuss the potential and probable halting of pop up events at the con a...
Oct 30, 2020•2 hr 9 min
Comedian and Pop Break Staff Writer Melissa Jouben joins Al Mannarino and Bill Bodkin on the latest episode of The Socially Distanced Podcast. On this episode they discuss the idea of comedy in a quarantine -- how the pandemic has changed their thoughts on what's funny and what's not, how it's been difficult to find humor in what they used to, the future of sketch and stand-up as well as comedians they turn to for laughs during this time. They also discuss the hot Twitter question "if you had a ...
Oct 23, 2020•1 hr 45 min
The spooky season is upon us and the gang heads to the Black Lodge in Twin Peaks, Oregon to speak with one of their favorite past guests, Kelly McGovern. Kelly joins Al and Bill to talk about Disney's news that they're putting a major focus on streaming content and what that means for not only their own future in regards to movies, but how this will impact the entire movie theater industry in general. They also discuss the brilliant trailer for Hulu's revival of Animaniacs as well as the absolut...
Oct 17, 2020•1 hr 56 min
