This weekly podcast finds two friends who are constantly at odds coming together to talk all things pop culture. With a quirky sense of humor (and a complete lack of humility), Shelby and Matt put their fingers on the pulse of social media’s zeitgeist as they discuss, dissect, and dismantle current…
Shelby and Matt try and make their way through an episode on Renfield, the modern Dracula dark comedy that’s more just alright than actual bite. Even with Nicolas Cage and maybe cuz Nicholas Hoult, they slog through the blood and the bits to decide if there’s anything more to sink their teeth into.
Taylor is still single but swifties have something else to talk about (0:45). Shawn Mendes is kissing Camilla Cabello again (22:50). There's always more streaming drama (25:45). For love it or hate it (42:55), Shelby watched Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields and Matt catches us up on Super Mario Bros.
It's Taylor Swift's breakup and we're just reeling from it in this Pop Culture Roundup (Taylor's Version). From stan denial to Gaylor truthers, there are conspiracies and theories galore as Shelby and matt try to suss out what exactly went down - and what comes next.
Shelby and Matt get lost in the weeds talking about remakes and live actions but eventually get to the point in this episode about Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. It’ the little fantasy comedy that could…get past horrible trailers, make D&D cool, and prove once again that Chris Pine is the superior Chris.
Shelby and Matt catch up on all of the things. From TV show, to movies, and a book, they walk you through the things to watch — and to skip.
Matt is back so Shelby catches him up on Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (8:40). So beware of spoilers!! Then it’s Gwyneth Paltrow’s trial (29:40). Jonathan Majors turn for the worse (31:30). And Donald Glover’s new show (40:30).
Shelby brings her sister back to the pod so they can talk about their feelings around video games, zombies, and Pedro Pascal's mustache in their riotous review of HBO Max's The Last of Us. It's a lot of laughs for a dark, post-apocalytic, fungi trip of the flesh eating variety, but that's just how some of us cope. Listen for all their thoughts on the show, the reviews, and the episode by episode recounting two sisters can't always agree on. And yes there is no Pop Culture Roundup this week entirely because Shelby is avoiding spoilers for Taylor Swift's tour. We'll be back to our regularly scheduled programming next week!
Shelby brings in reinforcements with friend of the pod and newly named industry maven, Mairen (@mairenpolo). Together they break down this year's oscars as they talk about the show, the hosts, and the wins
Shelby and Matt have infinite takes on this episode as they break down the quantumverse, Marvel’s introduction of a new big baddie, and just how zany our comedic hero can get before we draw the line. With more Ant-Man then the Wasp, this lukewarm received launch into phase 5 might leave a little more to be desired
The Little Mermaid might be bad (4:05). Her sister Chloe partners with Chris Brown (9:05). Penn Badgley is talking fidelity (23:30). Shelby can’t get over the @noitsashley13 drama on Taylor swift tok (33:05). For love it or hate it (40:50), Shelby talks the Fleishman effect with Fleishman is in Trouble and Matt recommends the documentary Navalny.
This is what you get when two movie obsessed podcasters with very different takes attempt to rank every single movie they saw last year. Five years in and these are just getting longer. You have been warned.
Shelby and Matt go apocalyptic in their dislike for M. Night Shyamalan's very untwisty movie, Knock at the Cabin. Looking for depth where there is none, and wishing the nuance wasn’t quite so homophobic a flavor, there’s more to hate than love in this divisive faith adjacent film.
Matt is battling for Beyoncé tickets (0:35) and they’ve got the Grammys to discuss (12:25). For love it or hate it (28:05), Shelby read a book and Matt saw 80 for Brady.
Shelby and Matt come in with the final word on Oscar nominations as they discuss this year’s reactions and then break down their predictions for the main categories.
Hilary Duff might be down to bring back Lizzie McGuire (4:35). Nicole Kidman is promising another limited series (10:30). Michael Jackson is getting a biopic (12:30). And Taylor Swift finally found a reason to release Lavender Haze (18:30). For love it or hate it (28:15), Shelby watched You People and Matt went to a monster truck rally.
Shelby and Matt continue their bonkers tradition of predicting their favorites/least of the year to come. It’s a preview episode where they talk about all the major releases and maybe bombs (of the atomic variety) coming out this year.
The Oscar nominations might be out but we’re still guessing (2:30). Beyoncé is doing private concerts in Dubai (9:45). Todrick Hall is ranting about pay equity (17:35). And Selena Gomez might be in a throuple (29:50). For love it or hate it (35:30), Matt talks about The Traitors and Shelby has questions about The Last of Us.
Prince Harry has some things to (over)share (1:35). Hailey Bieber wants to be queen nepo bae (11:10). Paul Mescal got some job security (12:55). Leonardo DiCaprio is definitely NOT dating anyone (15:02). Rolling Stones attracts a crowd (17:30). And Jen Shah of RHOSLC gets her dues (18:55). For love it or hate it (24:15), Shelby’s not into The Whale and Matt is out of his War and Peace era.
Shelby and Matt talk Benoit Blanc and Netflix as they peel back the layers on Glass Onion, the latest from Rian Johnson. From the first Knives Out to the sequel, it’s all about how the cast compares, the mystery pays off, and that accent makes sense.
Nepo babies speaking out on Nepo babies (7:25). Taylor Swift making an Oscar shortlist (14:40). Rolling Stone getting dragged for their best singer list (21:00). James Cordon thinking of what could have been (26:45). For love it or hate it (31:10), Matt gives a sneak peak on The Pale Blue Eye and Shelby reviews Matilda the Musical.
Shelby and Matt break open Pandora’s box with an episode all about Avatar: The Way of Water. It’s a push and pull on what works, what doesn’t, and what was intentional as they break down the plot of a film praised mostly for its visual effects. With hints of appropriation, too many dreadlocks, and other general icks, it may not be a good movie…but is it a great one?
AI art is a thing now (7:00). Elon Musk continues to lose the popular vote (12:45). Henry Cavill is the latest victim in the DCEU shakeup (15:00). And the golden globes are trying to make the golden globes happen again (23:32). For love it or hate it (26:47), Matt loves Babylon and Shelby can’t get enough of Meghan and Harry.
Shelby and Matt check in with the thots of Seaon Two's The White Lotus as they talk about toxic masculinity, making sex dirty again, and why Shelby's vindicated about Meghann Fany's rise to fame
Shelby and Matt serve up a tasty review as they talk about the dark comedy, maybe horror foodie film starring Anya Taylor-Joy and Ralph Fiennes, The Menu. It’s mountains of food puns and spicy takes as they discuss the eat-the-rich entrant that might spoil the appetite but also beg for a second serving. Spoilers abound but that's half the fun
We are back and we are loud: about Matilda the Musical (1:15), Twitter’s demise (9:20), the definition of a movie bomb (14:15) and eventually some news about Keke Palmer (28:55) and Harry and Meghan (30:30). For love it or hate it (35:35) we break from tradition and make our predictions for this season of The White Lotus ahead of the finale.
Move over pilgrims, there's a new "it" factor in town this Thanksgiving as we celebrate gay icon Mattieu Huff and his cause célèbre, Timothée Chalamet. Has he saved men's fashion? Is his personal life that uninteresting? Will he ever let himself have fun in a movie? Idk but we sure have thoughts!
Shelby and Matt spend the first half talking about the war that is getting Taylor Swift tickets. In these trying times at least one of them is definitely trying. But then it’s onto Wakanda Forever, as they discuss how Ryan Coogler et al we’re able to make art out of the tragedy. With a discussion on how this plays into the larger MCU, it might be all over the place but hey the movie is too.
Nobody asked but we deliver on this SPECIAL episode commemorating our milestone of 200 episodes! So here is every single movie we've talked about over the 4+ years of PSYW, ranked from trash to barely stomachable to -- omg what have we done?
Shelby and Matt are joined by Swiftish's Ashley Hancock for a long walk through Taylor Swift's Midnights. With opinions on Taylor and her trajectory after being ten albums deep, they break down every track -- from 12am to 3pm -- to see if this will be the tune that melts Matt's cold, dead heart.
James Cordon is not getting served (2:35). Matt is missing Leslie Jordan (8:50). Kanye West is not worth platforming (10:10). Olivia Wilde gets shady (17:15). And Star Wars has a new movie on the books (21:30). For love it or hate it (28:00), Shelby can’t find the words to discuss Black Adam and Matt sat through Amsterdam.
Shelby and Matt bring their best feminist rants to this double feature as they talk about Mila Kunis in The Luckiest Girl then pivot to Lena Dunham’s wisdom in Catherine Called Birdy (28:45). It might be a weird mashup but, hey, #girlpower
There is talk of Negronis and drinking (1:10). Taylor Swift and lavender (5:35). The Try Guys and infidelity (11:48). TwitchCon and broken backs (20:05). And Knives Out coming to a screen near you. For love it or hate it (25:45), Matt stans for Tar and Shelby gives a mini fall TV roundup.
Shelby and Matt bring the straight and gay perspective to their discussion on the multi-hyphenate landmark romcom Bros. With a tireless campaign by Billy Eichner to be THE most important thing an ally could do, liking yelling is a real litmus test on how you’ll feel with the laughs, love, and representation.
Lena Dunham has her funeral planned (1:05). Lizzo is destroying America via flute (9:35). The golden globes want a second chance (15:40). And Netflix is facing fleck for their LGBT title Dahmer (20:05). For love it or hate it (25:55), Shelby watched Ambulance and Matt raves about Hocus Pocus 2.
After approximately 500 years of promotion, it’s time to worry darling. Shelby and Matt finally get to talk about Olivia Wilde’s second film, from start to finish — and all the bad press in between.
Rihanna is headlining the Super Bowl halftime show (1:23). Bachelor Nation is racist again (7:10). Ellen Degeneres has more bad press (17:50). And Brad Pitt has a skin care line (24:30). For love it or hate it (29:10), Shelby goes literary with Notes on an Execution and Matt gets scared with Barbarian
Shelby and Matt share their thoughts on the new — and controversial — warrior epic The Woman King. With lots to love and more to discuss, is it really the place of these two white kids to decide if this has value or not? Probably not but here we are anyway!
There’s more discourse on The Little Mermaid (4:10). Taylor Swift has some Easter eggs (8:20). JVN and Antoni announce a new partnership (18:35). And Zac Efron explains his new face (23:50). For love it or hate it (29:45), Shelby can’t get enough of Do Revenge and Matt does not get Blonde.
Breaking with tradition, Shelby and Matt do an Emmy predictions episode as they talk all about their thoughts ahead of next week’s award show and the prime time nominees they’re hoping — and theorizing — come out victorious.
Taylor Swift goes threat level midnight with her new album announcement (1:30). Olivia Wilde has us all worried darling (15:50). Harry is struggling with the press. Shia LaBeouf stumbles on his redemption tour. And Lea Michelle still might not be able to read (26:15). For love it or hate it (32:10), Matt sings praises to The 1975 and Shelby is enraptured by LOTR The Rings of Power.
Shelby and Matt couldn’t decide what to cover so here’s a mini roundup of the most talked about streaming premieres. They first talk about the M-she-U controversy with Marvel’s new show, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. Then it’s a return to westeros with the Game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragon.
Shelby and Matt come together to talk about bodies bodies bodies, the Gen Z horror comedy that might hit a little too close to home. With wealth and murder and buzzwords galore, they break down their trauma response as the deaths pile up.
No news is still news on this pop culture roundup featuring Bryce Dallas Howard’s pay gap fix (0:50), Jennette McCurdy’s perfect book title (4:15), Biden’s do-gooder attempt to stop Penguin Randomhouse from absorbing another publishing house (14:25), and just who’s watching the CW (20:50). For Love it or Hate it (25:50), Shelby stumbles over her love for Prey and Matt throws it back to The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.
Shelby and Matt put their best brit forward as they talk about Brad Pitt’s new action comedy Bullet Train.
Pete Davidson says goodbye to Kim K (4:18). Hamilton gets the Bible school treatment (6:15). James Franco is back in the news (13:40). And the Discovery+HBO Max merger causes some panic (19:05). For love it or hate it (31:10), Matt is building interest for Five Days at Memorial and Shelby is begging people to listen to Sabrina Carpenter’s new album emails I can’t send.
Shelby and Matt channel their inner NPR gods to pick apart the themes of humanity in B. J. Novak's new film Vengeance. Dead white girls and douchebags galore, it's time to see if this indie film is taking hits or pulling punches
Taylor Swift is a climate criminal (0:35). Will Smith is finally apologetic (18:10). Bridgerton the musical is officially on thin ice (23:45). And Shakira might be going to prison (29:10). For love it or hate it (31:50), Shelby liked Not Okay and Matt explains Beyoncé’s Renaissance.
It’s a yes and a maybe for Jordan Peele’s Nope. This sci-fi/horror/allegory/monster blockbuster is breaking records and blowing minds — but can it live up to scrutiny or is it jsut a dish best served twice?