Pop Ranks

Pop Ranks

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Each week Eric Wickstrom and Scott Carroll take a deep dive into various pop culture topics to discuss, debate, and rank them from worst to first. Be it the films of director John Hughes, the best of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Heroes & Villains, or Candy Bars, each weekly episode will be a fun and spirited look at the things we all love, hate, and love to hate.

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    • May 23, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 58m AVG DURATION
    • 57 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Pop Ranks

    Best War Movies

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2025 59:18


    Memorial Day is almost upon us, a time to honor those brave men & women, past and present, serving our country. Hollywood has certainly been no stranger to producing films about war and giving us insight into the darkest of times. This week on "Pop Ranks" Eric Wickstrom & Scott Carroll rank the all time best "War Films." Will you agree with their picks? Tune in to find out.

    Best of Robin Williams

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2025 47:17


    He's been a teacher, a DJ, a magical genie, a lovable alien and so more. A beloved Oscar winning actor known as much for his rapid fire improvisational comedic skills as well as his endearing dramatic performances across television, film, and stand up comedy. We're of course talking about the one and only Robin Williams! This week on "Pop Ranks"  Eric & Scott discuss his legendary career and break down his best films. Will you agree with their picks? Tune in to find out.

    One Hit Wonders of the 90's

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2025 69:07


    They came, they shined brightly, and they fizzled out. This week actress Jaime Lamchick returns to join Eric and Scott as they revisit those One Hit Wonders from the 1990s whose songs shot up the charts and then promptly faded away. Do they deserve another chance in the spotlight?

    Best HBO Original Series

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2025 66:03


    As the slogan says, "It's not TV. It's HBO!" One of the world's original & most popular cable services, HBO has been a pioneer in original programming for decades producing such popular shows such as "The Sopranos," "Game of Thrones," "Sex & the City," and much more. This week on pop ranks, Eric, Scott, & returning guest Jamie Landsman give their hot take on the very best "Original Series" that HBO has to offer. Will your favorites match up with theirs? Tune in to find out.

    Best of Eddie Murphy

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2025 59:50


    A comedy legend who burst onto the scene on SNL and quickly lauched to box office superstardom with such popular films as "48 Hrs.," "Trading Places," & "Beverly Hills Cop" among many others. This week on "Pop Ranks"  Eric, Scott, and special guest Jamie Landsman delve into filmography of the one and only Eddie Murphy and rank his all time best films. Will they all agree? Will you agree? Tune in to find out.

    Christopher Nolan Movies

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2025 59:40


    His films are both epic & prolific and he's responsible for some of Hollywood's biggest blockbusters including "The Dark Knight," "Inception," and last year's Best Picture winner, "Oppenheimer." This week, Eric, Scott, and special guest Paul Levin rank the films of the one and only Christopher Nolan! Where do your favorites stack up? Tune in to this week's "Pop Ranks" to find out.  

    Best of Robert De Niro

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2025 58:17


    He's considered one of the greatest actors of all time and revered by critics and audiences worldwide. A two time Oscar winner with a career spanning over five decades, his notable credits include roles in Raging Bull, The Deer Hunter, The Godfather Part II, and Taxi Driver. This week Eric aand Scott discuss the esteemed filmography of Mr. Robert De Niro.

    2010's Comedy Movies

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2025 48:16


    Eric & Scott close out thier look at comedy films as they delve into the 2010's, the decade of silly bandz, fidget spinners, gangham style, and the ice bucket challenge!  Are any of their picks destined to become new classics or will they end up erased altogether from your favorite streaming service? Tune in to find out on this week's episode of "Pop Ranks."

    Best of Al Pacino

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2025 58:10


    A beloved actor whose captivated stage and screen with an iconic career spanning over five decades, his resume includes bonafide classics like Dog Day Afternoon, Serpico, Scarface, and of course, The Godfather. This week on Pop Ranks Eric and Scott delve into the filmography of the one and only, Al Pacino. Join us as we celebrate this Hollywood legend and rundown his best films.

    2000's Comedy Movies

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2025 56:17


    We leave the 90's behind and dive into a brand new century (without Y2K killing us all). This week Eric & Scott continue their discussion of comedy films into the decade of cargo pants, ipods and reality TV!" Which films kept the laughs going and which faded faster than the latest boy band? Tune in to find out on this week's episode of "Pop Ranks."

    Actors Who Died Too Young

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2025 56:51


    A poignant bookend to a prior episode about musicians, this week on "Pop Ranks," Eric & Scott discuss some of their favorite "actors" whose lives & careers were cut tragically short. Some left an indelible mark in TV & Cinema. Some became Hollywood legends. Join us on this week's episode to celebrate those shining lights lost to us, but fondly remembered.

    90's Comedy Movies

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2025 48:30


    This week Eric & Scott keep the laughs going as they move on from the 70's & 80s and fast forward (or is it a rewind?) back to the decade of grunge, Pogs, 90210, & dial up internet to rank the best "Comedy Movies from the 90s!." Will they close out the millenium on a fun filled high note or will their picks fade faster than beanie babies, butterfly clips, & the Macarena? Tune in to find out on this week's episode of "Pop Ranks."

    Musicians Who Died Too Young

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2025 65:10


    A quiet remembrance this week on "Pop Ranks" as Eric & Scott discuss some of their favorite musicians whose lives & careers were cut tragically short. Some left an indelible mark in music world. Others rose to legend. Join us on this week's episode to celebrate those shining lights lost to us, but forever fondly remembered. 

    Best Horror Comedies

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2025 48:51


    Not many films can both terrify you and make you laugh. But which ones are successful at both? This week Eric, Scott, & returning guest Alex Kuciw rank the best Horror Comedies of all time! Will their picks get your heart pounding & tickle your funny bone or fail to do either and make you reach for the remote?

    Comedies of the 70s and 80s

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2025 42:20


    They were the decades of polyester, disco, big hair, shoulder pads, & MTV. They also delivered some of the most memorable comedy movies ever made! This week Eric and Scott re-visit their youth to rank the best comedy movies from the 1970s and 80s." Will their picks bring back a smile to your face or is it best not to dwell on the past?

    Vampire Films

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2025 50:18


    The lure of immortality. The thirst for blood. Those pearly white fangs! Vampires have been scaring & fascinating us for years through film, literature, art, & legend. This week Eric, Scott, & returning guest Alex Kuciw rank the best "Vampire Films" of all time! Will their picks satisfy your bloodlust or make you long for the sunrise?

    Cover Songs

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2025 62:46


    You just can't beat the original they say. Well, maybe sometimes you can! This week Eric, Scott, & special guest Paul Levin cue up their playlists to celebrate the very best "Cover Songs!" Are their picks worthy of their predecessors or do they deserve to be scrapped altogether? Tune in to find out on this week's episode of "Pop Ranks."

    Best Action Movies

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2025 50:19


    They thrill us. They excite us. They keep us on the edge of our seats. But what are the ingredients that make a great action film? Car chases? Explosions? Fight scenes? Death defying stuntwork? Will you be excited by Scott and Eric's picks or will they make you run towards the comedy and drama section? 

    Best Power Ballads

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2025 67:29


    Who doesn't love a big, loud, & emotional power ballad? Those iconic rock songs designed to simultaneously woo your lover and blow out your speakers. This week Eric, Scott, & returning guest Robyn Albohn countdown their favorite "Power Ballads" from the 80's. Will their passionate picks land on your next mix tape or leave you sleeping alone on the couch? 

    Best Hair Bands

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2024 70:27


    The music of the 80's defined a generation. Who can forget the fashion...the music videos...THE HAIR! This week Eric, Scott, and special guest Robyn Albohn rewind their tape decks back to the decade of excess to celebrate the very best Hair Bands! Will their picks warrant a rewind or a badly needed haircut?

    Best Christmas Movies

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2024 40:31


    Tis the Season to be Jolly! Who doesn't love to gather with friends and family and watch your favorite Christmas movies? But what makes a good one? This week, Eric and Scott rank their favorite Christmas films! Will their picks warm your heart or leave coal in your stocking?

    NYC Films

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2024 65:43


    "Start spreadin' the news...," Eric and Scott are taking their unique bite out of the Big Apple as they rundown their list of the best films set in New York! Will their picks make you want to book your next trip or just "get the f*@k outta here?"

    Favorite All-Time Films

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2024 64:48


    We all love going to the movies and everyone's got their favorites. We're of course no exceptions, so this week Eric and Scott rundown their favorite films of all time! Will their picks match up with each other? Will they match up with yours?

    TV Comedies

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2024 70:17


    What makes great television comedy? The writing, the performances your own funny bone? This week Eric and Scott rundown their all time favorite TV comedies! Will you find the same things as funny as they do or will you think their sense of humor is way out of whack?

    Best TV Cops

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2024 63:30


    They may be good. They may be bad. But they're always compelling. One of TV's most popular and enduring genres, Eric & Scott rundown their all time favorite TV Cops! Will they get a commendation or thrown in the clink?

    Best Stand Up Comedians

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2024 90:34


    What makes a great Standup Comedian? Timing? Delivery? This week on Pop Ranks, Jamie Lamchick returns to join Eric and Scott to discuss their all time favorites. Do any of their picks tickle your funny bone or would you boo them off the stage?

    Best of John Carpenter

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2024 53:57


    His movies are genre classics. His style unmistakable. His film scores instantly recognizable. This week on Pop Ranks, Eric, Scott, and special guest Alex Kuciw rundown the very best of the legendary master of horror, John Carpenter. Tune in to this week's episode to find out if their favorites match up with yours.

    Best of Tom Hanks

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2024 70:34


    You never know what you're gonna get. He's great at drama. He's great at comedy. He writes, produces, directs, and he's one of the world's most beloved actors. This week, Eric and Scott discuss the career of the one and only Tom Hanks. Did the favorite Hanks movies line up yours or Houston, are we gonna have a problem?

    Friday the 13th Movies

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2024 67:06


    Ch-ch-ch, ah-ah-ah. Friday the 13th is typically synonymous with two things....bad luck & the hockey masked cinematic slasher, "Jason Vorhees." In honor of the notorious day, this week on Pop Ranks, Eric & Scott take a deep dive into the entire "Friday the 13th" horror franchise from the 1980 original to the 2009 remake. Which chapters are the best and which ones deserve to sink to the bottom of Crystal Lake? 

    Best High School Movies

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2024 58:14


    The new school year is upon us: textbooks, lockers, pop quizzes, and prom! This week, Eric and Scott venture back to the classroom to discuss their favorite films set in High School. Will their picks get extra credit or land them in detention?

    Game Night

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2024 49:57


    Roll the dice & draw a card, it's time to gather up friends and family for a good old fashioned Game Night! This week Eric and Scott rundown their top choices to make your next gathering a blast. Did their selections win the night or will they gather dust in the closet?

    Best Horror Movies

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2024 67:13


    "What's your favority scary movie?" For over 100 years, Hollywoood has loved terrifying audiences with all types of monsters, ghosts, madmen, and things that go bump in the night. This week on Pop Ranks, Eric, Scott, & returning guest Alex Kuciw rundown the very best Horror films of all time! Tune in to this week's episode to find out if their frightening favorites match up with yours.

    Best Sports Movies

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2024 78:29


    They thrill us. They move us. They inspire us. This week on Pop Ranks, Eric, Scott, and special guest Ren Leach compare their rosters on the very best Sports Movies! Will their choices knock it out of the park or strike out completely?

    Entertainers from New Jersey

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2024 51:31


    The great state of New Jersey has given us many great inventions including the phonograph, FM radio, and saltwater taffy. It's also the birthplace of some of the world's greatest entertainers! This week on Pop Ranks, Eric and Scott celebrate some of the best performers from the Garden State.

    Martin Scorsese Movies

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2024 62:24


    He's considered one of the greatest filmmakers of all time with a career spanning over 50 years. He's an Oscar winning director who's resume includes classic films such as Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, and Raging Bull. This week, Eric and Scott delve into the impeccable career of the one and only Martin Scorsese! Do their favorites match up with yours?

    Sweet Snacks

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2024 66:48


    This week Eric and Scott join guests Liz Gutman and Jamie Landsman to bookend their prior savory snack episode and this time rundown their sweet favorites. Will their sweet tooth choices satisfy your cravings?

    Savory Snacks

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2024 61:39


    It's three hours past dinner and you've got the hungries again. What's your favorite savory snack food to tide you over? This week Eric, Scott and special guests Liz Gutman and Jamie Landsman rundown their favorites. Will their tasty selections match up with yours?

    Best of Tom Cruise

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2024 50:13


    Eric and Scott feel the need for speed as they break down the career of the world's biggest movie star, the legendary Tom Cruise! For over 40 years, he's worked with formidable actors and top notch directors across countless memorable films. Did your favorites make the list?

    Great Actors at Both Comedy and Drama

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2024 65:01


    They can make you laugh till you cry or just plain weep. It takes a great actor to be truly skilled at both comedy and drama. This week Eric and Scott discuss their favorite thespians who are masters of both. Tune in and find out if your favorites made the list on this week's Pop Ranks.

    Best of Monty Python

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2024 52:36


    And now for something completely different....  Eric and Scott are on hand with special guest Greg Longin to discuss the career and legacy of the one and only Monty Python! Tune in this week to see how it all stacks up

    Best Breakfast Cereals

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2024 44:11


    Breakfast is considered the most important meal of the day. So, this week Eric, Scott, and special guest Jamie Landsman take a deep bite into their favorite cereals! Did your crunchy favorites make the list or get left on the shelf? 

    Nightmare on Elm Street Movies

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2024 53:48


    Eric and Scott do a deep slice & dice into Freddy Kreuger, the beloved madman of the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise on this week's episode. Which entry in the series was a dream and which was a nightmare you couldn't wake up from?

    James Cameron Movies

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2024 50:37


    Eric and Scott break down the career of one of the most popular and prolific film directors of all time, James Cameron. Is the man behind some of Hollywood's biggest blockbusters including Titanic, Avatar, and Aliens really the king of the world?

    Best Candies

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2024 53:56


    What makes a great candy? Is it sweetness? Chocolate? Caramel? No nutritional value whatsoever? On this week's Pop Ranks, Eric and Scott review a lifetime of confectionery indulgence and discuss their favorites with special guest Jamie Landsman. Did yours make the list?

    Best 80's Sitcoms

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2024 81:03


    Special guest and Wonder Years alum Michael Tricario joins the guys to rewind back to the 80's and take a nostalgic look at a decade that produced some of funniest and most beloved sitcoms of all time! Did your funny faves make the list?

    Best Rom Coms

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2024 84:36


    It's the genre that has brought couples together for decades. A cinematic celebration of life, love, and complicated relationships. This week actress Jaime Lamchick joins the Pop Ranks duo to discuss their favorite Romantic Comedies. Will you be Moonstruck by their choices or find them totally Clueless?

    Best Teachers in Film and TV

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2024 59:18


    They've taught us, guided us, and continued to inspire us. In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, Eric and Scott discuss their favorite teachers in film and TV. Do our picks deserve an apple or detention?

    Best 80's Albums

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2024 70:09


    Come on feel the noise as we travel back to the the decade of big hair, colorful clothing, and MTV! That's right, we're ranking the top 10 best 80s Albums. Did your favorites make the list?

    Steven Spielberg Movies

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2024 59:59


    He's one of the most popular and acclaimed filmmakers of all time with Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Jurassic Park, and Schindler's List on his vast resume - this week Eric and Scott countdown their favorite films from the one and only Steven Spielberg!

    Physical Media & The Criterion Collection

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2024 35:26


    Taking a break from the ranks this week, we discuss the current state of Physical Media and spotlight some great home video picks from The Criterion Collection that you should check out.

    Movie Villains

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2024 39:07


    What makes a good hero? Why a dastardly villain of course! Eric and Scott bookend last week's Heroes episode with a look at cinema's most legendary baddies. Tune in to find out if your sinister favorites made the list

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