The Cooler

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The Cooler is a weekly podcast from KQED Pop that tackles popular culture in a smart, fun and personal way.


    • Feb 1, 2020 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 34m AVG DURATION
    • 178 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Cooler

    Stay Cool

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2020 56:28


    After a five-year run, The Cooler says goodbye with a finale jam-packed with the voices of its beloved listeners.

    We Need A Resolution

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 2020 56:21


    This month, we resolve to upgrade ourselves in 2020, go down a retcon K hole, and make a pilgrimage to visit one of Jennifer Aniston's exes.

    The Great Unliking

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2019 60:37


    This month, we analyze why Instagram is taking away likes, unpack what "emotional labor" means, discuss three runaway princesses and share our peaks and pits of the decade.

    Coldplay Will Tear Us Apart

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2019 58:34


    This month, we fight over the decade's best songs, learn all about WAGs and summarize 'Star Wars' in just a few minutes.

    Since We’ve Been Gone

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2019 48:11


    The Cooler is back (!!!) and weighing in on the chicken sandwich wars of 2019, the return of Jennifer Aniston's ex, impeachment drama and more.

    Queer Eye’s Tan France On How Gays Will Save The World

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2019 58:34


    A special bonus episode featuring Tan France chatting about what it was like growing up gay in a traditional Muslim family, how 9/11 still affects his life to this day, how he ended up partying with Victoria Beckham, why he hates Olive Garden and whether he loves *NSYNC or the Backstreet Boys more.

    Hotline Bling

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2019 44:46


    This week, we're handing over control of our finale to you, the listeners! We're handing out advice about dating coworkers, sharing our Real Housewives taglines, shagging marrying and killing our way through Disney princesses, and so much more!

    Bay Bye: Breaking Up With San Francisco

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2019 28:13


    Is San Francisco rotten or still full of soul? We discuss the ways the city has won our hearts and broken them. We're also shaking our heads over John Cusack's anti-Semitism and sharing some ~*personal news*~ about the future of the podcast.

    The Bops Of Summer

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2019 40:47


    This week, we'll be listening to a few Song of the Summer contenders (that aren't "Old Town Road") and deciding which summer anthem gets The Cooler's official seal of approval. Also, inspired by Justin Bieber challenging Tom Cruise to a fight, we're handing out tips on how to host a duel of your own.

    Natalie Portman Is Out Of Your League

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2019 37:57


    We're wondering why Moby lied about dating Natalie Portman, handing out tips on how to survive burnout and sharing more than a few words for the dudes who want to make a Straight Pride Parade happen (*Regina George voice* "It's not going to happen!").

    Black To The Future

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2019 28:52


    We're going black to the future with a crash course in Afrofuturism, handing out financial tips and explaining the strange connection between dinosaur eggs and ball sacks (yes, you read that correctly).

    Give Grace Jones The Iron Throne

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2019 37:38


    Did 'Game of Thrones' stick the landing or break both of its legs, fall on its ass and require medical attention? We've got opinions! Also, we hand out some tips based on the life of Grace Jones, first of her name, breaker of the gender binary.

    To Be Or Not To Be Humble

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2019 35:15


    What can Constance Wu's Twitter tantrum teach us about humility? What can Ayesha Curry teach us about breaking archaic relationship rules? And what can Joe Biden learn from Bill Nye about talking to Millennials? Also, we take sides in the Aperol Spritz Wars and decide to stan Kacey Musgraves.

    Eurovision Is The Campy Fun We Need Right Now

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2019 36:38


    We're giving a crash course in Eurovision, the wildly popular international music competition, and ranking the 2019 entries, including Icelandic BDSM anti-capitalist scream rock and an Italian song that'll make your booty bounce. Also, we share our feelings on spoiler culture and Meghan Markle's new baby.

    But Her Hieroglyphs: Meet The Cersei Of Ancient Egypt

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2019 38:24


    We tell the story of a bearded female Egyptian Pharaoh some salty dudes didn't want us to know about. We'll also be unpacking the recent wave of stars hating on critics (et tu, Lizzo?) and celebrating a burkini-wearing model in Sports Illustrated and the career of John Singleton.

    Hamilton: A Field Trip with Two Thousand Teens

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2019 19:45


    The Cooler RSVPs “Hell yes!” to seeing 'Hamilton' with thousands of Bay Area teens.

    #BeyonceToo: Not Even The Queen Is Safe

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2019 37:46


    If Beyonce is not safe from unwanted physical attention, then who among us is? We also dig into the 'Game of Thrones' pilot that was so bad the show almost didn't get made at all. And we share our thoughts on Elon Musk's rap single about Harambe, Florida men up to no good and Gen Z darling Billie Eilish.

    It’s Not Right But It’s Okurrrrrr

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2019 37:01


    We trace okurrr's complicated history, scratch our heads over the weirdest things celebs have tried to trademark, reveal why hot tea might kill us all, and share our feelings on the new Bill and Ted movie and Lizzo.

    That’s Ms. Maya Angelou To You!

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2019 36:46


    What are the most banned wedding songs? What can a 30-year-old Maya Angelou clip teach us about intergenerational respect? And how in love are we with #EggBoy? All will be revealed!

    Les Miserables, Now Less Miserably White

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2019 37:00


    Newsflash: brunettes don't count as diversity and period pieces need to do better. Also, we chat with 'Orange Is The New Black' star Lauren Lapkus, dig into the college admission scam and try to make sense of the Britney Spears musical.

    We Need to Talk About Michael Jackson

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2019 35:54


    We try to make sense of 'Leaving Neverland,' find out what the Khloe Kardashian cheating drama says about shaming women, and share our feelings on Solange's new album.

    BD Wong on Coming Out in Hollywood and the Power in Being Yourself

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2019 31:01


    BD Wong chats about how he learned to love his Asian-American and gay identities, how he felt about his 'Law & Order: SVU' character's coming out storyline, and so much more!

    Got Oat Milk?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2019 35:03


    We taste-test all the alternative milks—oat! pea! hemp!—to find out what all the fuss is about.

    What Are Dating Shows Doing to Our Brains?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2019 30:57


    How have shows like 'Flavor of Love' molded the way we think about dating? Also, we share strong feelings on candy hearts and which new song might be the 'No Scrubs' of our time.

    Excellent Coats on Irritated Women (with Sara Benincasa)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2019 34:43


    We get deep with Sara Benincasa about mental health battles and then get very shallow by talking about sexy ghosts! Also, thoughts on Liam Neeson because WTF!

    Best Frenemies Forever

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2019 39:44


    How can you spot the frenemies in your life? Why are we so obsessed with scammers? WTF is gender reveal lasagna? We'll tell you.

    Boys Don’t Cry (But They Totally Should!)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2019 32:28


    This episode covers a lot: toxic masculinity, predictive technology, Oscar noms, political analysis by Cardi B, and the rap stylings of Timothée Chalamet.

    Forgotten ’90s Stars: Where Are They Now?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2019 14:48


    Where has that intense British woman from 'The Weakest Link' gone? What about Ashley from 'Fresh Prince of Bel Air' and Screech from 'Saved By The Bell'? We've got the answers!

    A Buffet of Bullsh*t

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2019 10:04


    The Cooler crew revisits some of our favorite peaks and pits, including a rough demo of our jingle, an offensively bad French accent, which the French government is still pissed about, and even a conversation about ball sacks (yes, you read that correctly). 

    Resolutions: Learn a Foreign Language and Say Thank You Next to Anxiety

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2019 9:00


    Find out whether we kept our 2018 resolutions and what we hope to do in 2019.

    How Well Do You Remember 2018?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2018 9:17


    How severe is our collective trauma-induced amnesia? Let's find out with this 2018 quiz! 

    The Sexiest and Weirdest Christmas Songs You’ve Never Heard

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2018 13:07


    Because 2018 was so wacky, to put it mildly, we're digging up some of the most unconventional holiday songs we could find.

    Coolio Awards: The Best and Worst of 2018 Pop Culture

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2018 14:05


    We're honoring 2018 with an (off-kilter) awards ceremony, including an In Memoriam for all the people canceled this year.

    Cringeolences, Teatox and Cardi Banks

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2018 29:32


    RIP selfies, flat poopless tummies, Kid Rock v. Joy Behar, and Tyra Banks' new trap single you have to hear to believe. This week's episode has it all!

    Early Aughts Nostalgia Already?! (With Nish Kumar)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2018 34:09


    Is being nostalgic for the aughts bad for us? Also, a convo with Nish Kumar about Brexit and the dark side of the Spice Girls.

    Chani Nicholas on Healing Astrology, Mercury Retrograde and What Our Future Holds

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2018 27:12


    Cosmic goddess Chani Nicholas chats about what many of us misunderstand about Mercury retrograde and what the stars might be able to tell us about our country's future.

    Victoria’s Secret Is That She Doesn’t Have Any Trans Friends

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2018 15:58


    Why do brands like Victoria's Secret find it so hard to get woke? Why is Stormy Daniels more of a saint than you might think? And we have some bad news for anyone still crushing on Leonardo DiCaprio.

    The Walrus-Penis-Wielding Congressman

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2018 25:57


    What does a walrus penis have to do with our democracy? We find the answer in Alaska. Also, a look at the pettiest celebrities and why you should never doubt the persistence of fecal matter.

    Vote for a Good Time!

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2018 26:28


    Why do young people historically not vote? We try to get to the bottom of it. Also, we chat with Aisha Wahab, an Afghan-American Millennial running for office. Her motto: "If you don't see the woman, be the woman."

    Are You Afraid of ASMR?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2018 28:01


    To celebrate Halloween, we explore the creepy world of ASMR videos, share the scariest stories we could find on the internet and send a heavy dose of side-eye to Megyn "I Don't Get Why People Think Blackface Is Racist" Kelly.

    Oops!…My Hacker Did It Again

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2018 30:23


    People who act badly and then blame hackers! The saddest song, according to technology! Ariana Grande's breakup and the Elizabeth Warren DNA drama! It's all in this week's episode!

    Will ‘A Star Is Born’ Make You Scream ‘Yaas Gaga Yaas’ or ‘Nah Gaga Nah’?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2018 38:05


    We unpack the good, the bad and the ugly from 'A Star Is Born,' sit down with Sara Bareilles to chat about her Broadway adaptation of 'Waitress' and debate Taylor Swift finally dipping her toe into politics.

    Boys Will Be Held Accountable

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2018 34:56


    Who is afforded the luxury of a "boys will be boys" defense? Why is Lindsay Lohan getting punched on Instagram Live important? Is Beyoncé a witch? And what's the perfect song to drown out the sound of raging, entitled men?

    Back 2 Stars Hollow (with Gilmore Girls’ Keiko Agena)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2018 31:20


    'Gilmore Girls' star Keiko Agena (that's Rory's BFF Lane Kim!) joins us for a chat about how she truly feels about what the writers did to her character and why being a screw-up can actually be a good thing! Also, are we doomed to sequels forevermore?

    The 26-Year-Old Virgin

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2018 31:53


    Inspired by the new Bachelor, we talk virgins in pop culture, share which countries hit the sack earliest, and reveal way too much info about our own V cards.

    Put Some Respeck on Serena Williams’ Name

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2018 33:35


    We tackle the backlash to Colin Kaepernick's Nike ad, the double standard on display at Serena's US Open match, and all the summertime mess we missed (spoiler: the phrase 'penis tattoo' comes up).

    DeRay Mckesson on Black Lives Matter, the X-Men and That Blue Vest

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2018 29:52


    We're back for Season 4! Because we're extra, our comeback ep features DeRay Mckesson, who speaks on what it was like to spend 400 days protesting in the streets, everything he's learned from the X-Men, and why that blue vest means so much to him.

    Crazy in Love with This Summer Preview

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2018 34:30


    A peek at the pop culture we're most looking forward to this summer. Plus, we're giving The Cooler Seal of Approval™ to what we think should be the Song of the Summer!

    A Review of Beyoncé and Her Husband’s “EVERYTHING IS LOVE”

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2018 17:03


    Two of us went on live radio to air out our feelings about Bey and Stedman's new joint album.

    We Couldn’t Help But Wonder How ‘Sex and the City’ Is Already 20

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2018 40:19


    Does the SATC pilot hold up? Can sweat-coated apples get you a date? Should a 12-year-old Meghan Markle teach a class in being woke? (Spoiler: the answer to all of these questions is yes.)

    Putting the Cult in Pop Culture

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2018 40:28


    Inspired by 'Wild Wild Country,' we're talking cults with a special guest expert. Plus, we find out which songs define our entire lives, share some 'The Americans' feels, and nominate someone for Worst Human Alive.

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