Culture Vacuum

Follow Culture Vacuum
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

The Culture Vacuum Podcast is hosted by Culture Vaccum Editor Samuel Polay and contributor Michael Watts. New episodes uploaded weekly include commentaries in the world of movies and Television, and discussions and reviews of the latest releases. Also look forward to special segments highlighting mo…

Samuel Polay


    • Apr 19, 2021 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 11m AVG DURATION
    • 84 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from Culture Vacuum with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from Culture Vacuum

    Paramount+ Launch Plus

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2021 36:37


    Hoooo boy we took a break but streaming news sure didn’t. Samuel talks about the Paramount+ (soft) launch and then he and Calvin dive into all the streaming news they’ve missed. Also you, lovely listener, can look forward to a new episode this week touching on the world of gaming as well as a sorry for being gone so long/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    2021 Streaming Wars Preview

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2021 72:41


    Samuel and Calvin give a (belated) preview of what to expect in 2021’s stage of the streaming wars. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    HBO Max Changes the Game

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2020 50:51


    Every Warner bros movie is heading to HBO Max and Samuel and Calvin are here to break down why this is a game changing action from the studio. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    The PS5 is Here!

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2020 76:25


    Samuel and Calvin are joined by Michael Watts to discuss the PS5 launch! Next-gen gaming is here! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    A Phone and A President

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2020 72:08


    Joe Biden is the next President. Trump is trying to do a coup. Also, Calvin got an iPhone 12. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    Apple iPhone Event (2020)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2020 86:48


    Samuel and Calvin discuss recent restructuring at Disney and then go deep into the new products announced at Apple’s October iPhone Event. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    Ep. 69: Apple and Epic enter the Fandome

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2020 60:33


    Samuel and Calvin break down the lawsuit between Apple and Epic Games and discuss DC Fandome. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    68: Peacock and Xbox

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2020 40:06


    Samuel gives a brief review of Peacock, the worst streaming launch of the year, and then him and Calvin discuss Microsoft's Exclusive Games event. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    Ep. 67: WWDC 2020

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2020 60:16


    Samuel and Calvin break down all the big announcements from Apple’s WWDC 2020. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    Ep.66: PS5 Launch and the State of Next Gen Consoles

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2020 88:32


    Sony has now revealed a ton more information about the PlayStation 5, including what games to expect as well as the design. So this week, we take a lot of time to break down where both next-gen consoles from Sony and Microsoft are leading up to their launches this holiday season, as well as speculate about what customers can expect. Also, Samuel breaks down why most console buyers may want to buy a new TV to take advantage of the new hardware. And, of course, we give our guesses as to what the consoles will cost. Please support the bail project If you can, we’d appreciate your support on Patreon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    Ep. 65: HBO Max Launch (Black Lives Matter)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2020 80:36


    Total honesty, it felt weird talking about the atrocious behavior of violent cops and how they abuse the black community in the same hour we talked about HBO Max, but we felt we’d be doing a disservice not talking about the change in our country that has followed the murder of George Floyd. So yes, we spend a lot of time talking about something you may not want to hear about, and then awkwardly pivot to talking about a streaming service. We understand if you may not be along for that ride. Please donate to the bail project or a similar organization fighting for true justice. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    Ep. 64: Joe Rogan’s Snyder Cut

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2020 91:52


    Joe Rogan sold out to Spotify, the Snyder Cut is actually happening, and Avatar (the good avatar) is a thing you can watch on Netflix. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    Ep. 63: Mostly Tech Stuff

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2020 68:41


    The media world is still shut down so we take time to focus on the developments in the world of technology. We discuss the Unreal Engine 5 demo for PS5, an update on Quibi, and much more! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    Ep. 62: A Hodge Podge

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2020 77:08


    There’s still nothing new to talk about so Samuel and Calvin talk everything from QAnon to new iPad Keyboards, and end with a brief discussion on the FX show “Dave.” --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    Ep. 61: Devs Review

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2020 101:32


    Samuel and Calvin talk about rumors of a customer processor for Pixel phones as well as the launch of the Oneplus 8 series phones and the 2020 iPhone SE. Later they are joined by Eliot Dewberry of the Youtube Channel “Internet Today” to discuss the season finale of ‘Devs.’ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    Ep. 60: The Quibis have Landed

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2020 70:03


    Samuel and Calvin are joined by Ricky Hayberg of the youtube channel “Internet Today” to discuss the launch of Quibi as Culture Vacuum’s coverage of the streaming wars continues. Recode Interview with Quibi founder Jeffrey Katzenberg Please support us on Patreon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    Ep. 59: Tiger King

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2020 45:04


    Samuel and Calvin may be late to the Tiger King train but they sure aren’t gonna let that stop them from talking about it as blissful distraction in these trying times. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    Ep. 58: The Bidet Apocalypse

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2020 67:45


    The Coronavirus is still happening so we’re still going to talk about it. But to keep you entertained we also discuss new details on Next Gen Consoles, the death of E3, and new iPads. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    Ep.57: We've Gone Viral (Season 4 Premiere)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2020 57:41


    What better way to start the new season than with a global pandemic. Hold on to your butts and wash your hands. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    The 2020 Oscar Nominees are In...!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2020 49:05


    Tune in for the results of our Oscar Nomination predictions and our thoughts on the nominees as a whole in this little bonus episode. Season 4 coming in February --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    Ep. 56: Season 3 Finale-The Best (and Worst) of 2019

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2020 81:26


    Samuel and Michael discuss their favorite and least favorite movies and TV shows of the year ahead of the Oscar Nominations next week. Thank you for an incredible season 3! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    Ep. 55: The Year in Gaming (2019)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2019 68:40


    Samuel and Calvin break down the year in gaming: notable titles, big industry shifts and trends, and what to look forward to with the next generation of home consoles just around the corner. They also talk about Apple's new Mac Pro and the importance of it to a very specific set of people. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    Ep. 54: Predicting the Oscars Nominations

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2019 50:00


    Michael is back in the guest seat as he and Samuel try to predict the nominees for the 2020 Academy Awards. Plus! An open letter to Star Wars Fans. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    Ep.53 Disney+ Launch and Parasite

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2019 84:29


    Samuel is joined by Michael this week to run through some of Samuel’s predictions that have come to pass, the launch of Disney+ and the Mandalorian, and review Bong Joon-Ho’s latest masterpiece “Parasite”. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    Ep. 52: Apple TV+ Launch Review

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2019 68:33


    Samuel and Calvin talk about the AirPods Pro and PC gaming before reviewing the launch lineup of Apple TV+ as the streaming wars start. Is Dickinson the hot new teen dramedy? Is See the next Game of Thrones? Will For All Mankind set a new standard for historical fiction? Will the Morning Show score Apple the Emmy gold they seek? Are these questions hyperbolic and miss the real importance of what this service means? Tune in! Find out! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    Ep.51: The Politician

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2019 59:56


    Michael joins us again to fill in for Calvin this week to talk Netflix's The Politician and revive he and Samuel's usual brand of disorganized wonder. Support the show on Patreon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    Ep.50: Joker's Society Movie

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2019 63:51


    It's the Joker review. It's the fiftieth episode. It's an episode with Michael as a guest. It's the one where there is indeed a society that is discussed to figure out if people live in it. And also all the bad Joker impressions are saved for the end. Thanks for listening fellow society members. Support the Show on Patreon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    Ep.49: The One Where Kevin Feige Had a Good Week

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2019 62:19


    This is more of a rambling episode in which Samuel and Calvin talk about the new iPhone cameras, Kevin Feige's announced Star Wars project, and Spider-Man's reentry into the MCU. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    Ep.48: Apple TV+ and Carnival Row

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2019 92:00


    Apple has more details on their forthcoming streaming service that may just make it worth checking out, and Amazon has the first of many forthcoming expensive fantasy shows out now with "Carnival Row." Come and see if they're worth your time on an all new Culture Vacuum. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    Ep.47: D23 and Mindhunter Season 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2019 72:47


    Samuel and Calvin break down all the spicy Disney+ news out of the D23 convention and review the second season of Netflix's Mindhunter. Support the show on Patreon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    Ep.46: BIG SPIDER-MAN NEWS!?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2019 69:44


    OHHHHHHHHH boy do we have stuff to talk about this week. Disney sabotaged their Spider-man deal with Sony like they were trying to win a Chinese Trade War, Apple TV+ has a price and rumored release date, 20th Century Fox is likely shut down because Dark Phoenix bombed so hard. It's an all news episode of Culture Vacuum, and Samuel and Calvin are here to help you digest. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    Ep. 45: Me and Hobbs and Shaw and THE BOYS!

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2019 66:01


    Samuel and Calvin jump deep into the stupid with "Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shaw" but climb out into the lightening with Amazon Prime's "The Boys." I don't know if you know, but those super heroes sure do live in a society. Support the show on Patreon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    Ep. 44: Once Upon A Time In Hollywood

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2019 70:13


    There's a mix of rambling regarding Comic-con, the Lion King, and cults before Samuel and Calvin get into their conversation around Quentin Tarantino's latest opus "Once Upon A Time In Hollywood" (spoilers they loved it). You should know the drill at this point though. Support the show on Patreon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    Bonus Interview: The Snyder Cut

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2019 79:30


    Samuel sits down to talk with an organizer of the online "Release the Snyder Cut" campaign. Support the Show on Patreon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    Ep. 43: San Diego Comic Con 2019 but Mostly Marvel

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2019 36:29


    Shorter episode this week. Samuel sat down with his friend Andrew to discuss the Marvel panel and Comic Con this year and the show and movie announcements they felt were the standouts this year. Lady Thor! WandaVision! And much more. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    Ep. 42: Chernobyl

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2019 62:07


    Samuel and Calvin cover the other likely winner of Best Limited Series at the Emmys this year, HBO's Chernobyl. They discuss the history around the show, the creators...interesting career path, and the way the show highlights the dangers of fanaticism for any ideology. Tune in and be sure to watch Chernobyl if you haven't because it's a good one. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    Ep. 41: Spider-Man Far From Home

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2019 56:01


    Samuel and Calvin get right down to business to share their thoughts on Spider-Man: Far From Home, what it means for the MCU, how it further highlights the dynamics of the Marvel/Sony relationship, and of course if it was any good. Support the Show on Culture Vacuum --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    Ep. 40: Toy Story 4

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2019 69:04


    Samuel and Calvin discuss the terrible year at the box office being had by every studio not named Disney and then review the latest Pixar film, Toy Story 4. Tears were shed, goodbyes were made, and lots of money was fed to the terrifying conglomerate slowly devouring the world. Everything is fine on the latest episode of Culture Vacuum. Support the Show on Patreon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    Ep. 39: When They See Us

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2019 73:17


    This episode deals with more serious subject matter towards the end. In the first half, Samuel and Calvin talk about more details that have come to light for the Warner Media streaming service and touch on some of the updates for the upcoming crop of game streaming services out of E3 like Google Stadia and Microsoft's Project xCloud. They then discuss Ava DuVernay's Netflix miniseries "When They See Us" about the Central Park five. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    Special: A Series of Correct Opinions Regarding 'Game of Thrones'

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2019 78:44


    Michael's here to talk about Game of Thrones with Samuel. Come for the large amounts of rambling disappointment, stay for the perfect analogy with which to analyze all further media you consume: SMOOTHIES! Support the show on Patreon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    Ep. 38: Rocketman

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2019 62:04


    The Elton John Musical biopic "Rocketman" is in theaters. Is it better than "Bohemian Rhapsody"? Yes. This and many more hot takes in this episode of the Culture Vacuum Podcast. Support this show on Patreon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    Ep. 37: Alladin and John Wick

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2019 90:03


    We start, of course with your regular update about the fast movie world of streaming media. Afterwards Samuel and Calvin rant about the very bad 'Alladin' remake and rave about John Wick 3. Support the show on Patreon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    Ep. 36: Detective Pikachu

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2019 61:50


    Disney sheds light on their Star Wars and Avatar plans, including release dates for the trilogy being helmed by Game of Thrones show runners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss. Samuel and Calvin also discuss Detective Pikachu, the first video game movie that may not be a complete pile of garbage. Support the show on Patreon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    Ep. 35: More Like Sonic the BAD-hog

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2019 72:38


    Samuel and Calvin break down the phenomenal financial success of Endgame, the disastrous reception of the new Sonic the Hedgehog trailer, and the actual sequel to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory that not enough people talk about.  Support the Show on Patreon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    Ep. 34: Avengers Endgame

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2019 88:09


    Samuel and Calvin are here with a spoiler filled conversation about Avengers: Endgame. It's the biggest movie ever so you've either seen it or don't care. Oh yeah, also Michael is back! Support the show on Patreon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    Ep. 33: Disney+ and Shazam!

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2019 75:47


    Samuel and Calvin followup their Disney episode with recent news about their upcoming streaming service Disney+ and discuss Shazam and its impact on the DC Universe. Support the Show on Patreon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    Ep. 32: We All Fear the Mouse

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2019 81:26


    Disney has now completed their acquisition of Fox Studios, ushering in a new age of Hollywood. Samuel and Calvin break down the problems with Disney as a studio creatively as well as the many issues raised by the Fox merger. If you've found yourself at all concerned or curious with the state of the Mouse House, this is the place to be. Support Culture Vacuum on Patreon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    Ep. 31: James Gunn, Google Stadia, and Jordan Peele's "Us"

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2019 95:33


    Samuel and Calvin discuss James Gunn getting rehired by Marvel for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 as well as the importance and potential of Google's recently announced Stadia cloud gaming platform. They also break down some of the meaning behind Jordan Peele's latest hit, "Us", including the social message and many, many layered metaphors within it. Support Culture Vacuum on Patreon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    Ep. 30: Captain Marvel

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2019 58:27


    Samuel and new co-host Calvin sit down to discuss "Captain Marvel", its place in the MCU, and the weird nerds who somehow made it controversial. Support the show on Patreon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    Ep. 29: F@#k the Academy

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2019 88:23


    Michael returns as a special guest. It was DC's year, the academy did some bad things, and a long and drawn out rant about why the world is burning. Enjoy, I guess. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    Season 3 Premiere! Venom and Cinematic Universes

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2018 500:01


    Season 3 has a new vibe. We'll be producing a small batch of episodes that are hyper-focused on specific topics in entertainment. Release schedule will also be a bit more erratic, but we hope you'll enjoy them anyways. This episode reviews "Venom" and the brief and messy history of connected Universes in Hollywood. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/culturevacuum/support

    Claim Culture Vacuum

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel