Pop Culture Debate Club with Ronald Young Jr.

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Episodes

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Being a pop culture fan naturally comes with a lot of opinions. You’ve got your favorites and you’re ready to defend your picks at a moment’s notice. But who’s right, and who’s just plain wrong? That’s what Pop Culture Debate Club is here to decide. Each week, two notable mega-fans square off, ready to convince host Ronald Young Jr. that their opinion on TV, movies, music, and more is the only one that matters. And after carefully considering all the arguments, Ronald picks a winner. Will you agree with him? From Lemonada and the BBC.

Episodes

On-Screen Portrayal of Motherhood: Better Things x Auntie Mame

What is the best on-screen depiction of motherhood? Parenting columnist Amil Niazi picks the TV show Better Things and journalist Jane Marie chooses the 1958 movie Auntie Mame, leaving Aminatou Sow with the unenviable task of selecting a winner. Which of the two better captures the highs and lows of motherhood? How do you compare someone who chose to be a mom with someone who had motherhood thrust upon them? And how will Amil’s baby attending the recording affect Aminatou’s choice? As ever, it’s...

Aug 01, 2024•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Lifetime Movie: Jackie’s Back! x Mother, May I Sleep with Danger?

Which made-for-TV movie on the Lifetime Network is the best of all time? The co-hosts of The Deep Dive take sides, with Jessica St. Clair choosing Jackie’s Back! (1999) and June Diane Raphael picking the 2016 remake of Mother, May I Sleep with Danger? But, how do you compare a shockingly star-studded mockumentary with a sexy vampire thriller? That’s Aminatou Sow’s challenge this week! She does her best to weigh the pros and cons of each pick and also puts June and Jess’s love of Lifetime movies ...

Jul 25, 2024•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Real Housewives: RHONY x Beverly Hills

Which Real Housewives franchise is the best of all time: New York or Beverly Hills? The Watch What Crappens podcast co-hosts square off – Ben Mandelker is team RHONY while Ronnie Karam is repping Beverly Hills – to try and get Aminatou Sow to select their respective installment as the winner. Who’s the bigger villain, Ramona Singer or Camille Grammer? How does Yolanda Foster’s “almond mom” moment compare to Bethenny Frankel’s Skinnygirl empire? And what do we even do with the RHONY reboot? Amina...

Jul 18, 2024•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Movie Feast: In the Mood for Love x The Menu

Which feast from a film would you most want to eat? Podcaster Hrishikesh Hirway would like to slurp up the noodles from In the Mood for Love (2000) while podcaster and cookbook author Dan Pashman craves the cheeseburger from The Menu (2022). And their task in today’s episode is to do their best to convince Aminatou Sow that their dish should reign supreme. Which is more compelling, the comfort of the noodles or the creative spark of the cheeseburger? Which food plays a more pivotal role in its r...

Jul 11, 2024•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Hip Hop Movie: CB4 x House Party

What is the most important hip hop movie of all time? Journalist Bomani Jones says it’s House Party (1990), while rapper Fat Tony picks CB4 (1993). After hearing from both sides, Aminatou Sow must choose one as the winner, and it’s not an easy pick! How does CB4’s look at the fetishization of gangsta rappers by the music industry compare to House Party’s subtle examination of class and Blackness in American society? Which is more damning, the early-90s-era homophobia in CB4 or the old actors pla...

Jul 04, 2024•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast

TV Cast Hang: Community x New Girl

Which TV ensemble would make for a better hang: journalist Candice Lim’s choice of New Girl or audio producer Ronald Young Jr.’s pick of Community? That’s up to Aminatou Sow to decide! Would you rather spend time with a crew who are all at the prime TV cool age (aka late 20s/early 30s), or with people of all ages and backgrounds? Which show had the better guest stars … and the better hijinks? And how does Jess’s quirkiness compare with Pierce’s problematic ways? Aminatou weighs the answers to th...

Jun 27, 2024•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Sports Movie: Space Jam x D2: The Mighty Ducks

Aminatou Sow must pick between actor Carl Tart’s choice of the original Space Jam (1996) and TV writer Lamar Woods’s selection of D2: The Mighty Ducks (1994). Which is a more fearsome opponent, aliens or Iceland? Who is a better coach, Michael Jordan or Gordon Bombay? How realistic is the sports action in each film? Which one better stands up to the test of time? Aminatou asks these questions and more in order to crown the best sports film of all time. Follow Carl Tart @dammitcarl and Lamar Wood...

Jun 27, 2024•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Coming Soon: Pop Culture Debate Club (Official Trailer)

Get ready for some pop culture hot takes! Each week, two notable pop culture aficionados do their best to convince host Aminatou Sow that their pick should win in a variety of creative face-offs between unlikely adversaries. Which TV cast would you most want to hang out with? What’s the best sports movie ever made? Who’s the best mother in media? And what fictional film feast is the one you most want to eat? Who will prevail? Find out starting on June 27. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy ...

May 31, 2024•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast