Top Ten lists captivate. They are the magic number. Forget about the Top 100 lists...and don't even get us started on those Top 40 lists. The Top Ten Men Podcast commits to throwing all subjects on the table and using the 'short and sweet' formula of ten to entertain, educate, evoke nostalgia, and offer the opinions of a couple of blue-collar New England guys.
Best Network Television Shows of All-Time
Valentine's Day Gifts for Your Hugger
....an assay of the coolest frontwomen (both solo and members of band) in town as we celebrate 2021 National Women's History Month. Coolness. Most want it, few command it. It’s that combination of method, style, and substance and we vow to honor ten epic women and their approach to music-making. These innovative songstresses have a common denominator: Authenticity. They are current and past beacons of musical excellence of a bygone age, and their “coolness influence” can be measured by the stylistic copyists that follow. Some are effortlessly cool. Some don’t obey the basic rules of the industry. Respect. Some are culty. Some are cool to the teeth. Some are Academy Award Winners. Some are faddish. Some are hype-beasts. Some are majestic. Some are bewitching. Some are understated. Some are switched on. Some are tuned in. Some are trend-setting. Some are easy on the eye. Some are in the know. Some are all the go. Some are up to the minute. Some are all the rage. Some are state-of-the-art. Yeah, they’re that cool.And so here we tell you, definitively, ten frontwomen/lead singers that we certify as HEPPEST OF THE HEP…bing, bang, boom, BOP!
....an audit of the most iconic movie villains to ever hit the big screen. We guarantee dominance in this roster as we pay homage to ten of the most important exercises in cinematic antagonism. Oh - and spoiler alert - good does not always triumph bad in this list. Many elements are associated with pure psychopathy and our catalog of bad eggs has it all. Our goals are two-fold in this episode: 1) To proudly present the most cold, calculating movie evildoers of all-time...the ones who make us question which side we are on; and 2). To identify the fact that, while we may cower at their capacity for mayhem and chaos, more often than not we prefer them. These complex characters have their own agenda and clearly reveal that their heinous exploits are the engines that drive the movie. Some are cunning. Some are conflicted. Some are ultraviolent. Some have imposing voices. Some have calmative voices. Some are immovable forces of nature. Some are prophetic. Some show just how far their ideologies go. Some are exemplars of a very different struggle: the one inside our heads. Some are unstoppable. Some are effectively hidden from the audience for a vast majority of the film, making their presence more chilling. Some give us nightmares. Some prove that even the rational can look insane when outnumbered. Some cannot find peace. Some are great counterpoints to corporatism. Some are great counterpoints to consumerism. Some give Oscar winning performances. Some we won’t forget anytime soon. Yeah, they’re that good at being bad.And so here we tell you, definitively, ten movie mischief-makers that we certify as THE VILLAINS THAT OTHER VILLAINS WORRY ABOUT...bing, bang, boom, BOP!
...a reminisce of 80's love songs that people CAN and WILL NEVER stop listening to. We have a special guest in studio for this episode as we explore a kaleidoscope of big power ballads from this incredible decade. Our goal: To present heartfelt songs that meant the world to others (at some point but were forgotten along the way) for reintroduce; and to present these same songs to others for introduce (to hear for the very first time). There are many stages to love, and our list of unfeigned chart-toppers from the 80's have you covered. You will hear elements of romance, psychology, history, and philosophy presented in a blend of musical genres. These songs should never be a guilty pleasure. Just a pleasure. Some are soppy. Some sappy. Some earnest. Some honest. Some ardent. Some fervent. Some vehement. Some sentimental. Some oversentimental. Some sophisticated. Some pragmatic. Some poetic. Some dramatic. Some atmospheric. Some unhurried. Some set to an upbeat tempo. Some noble. Some bona fide. Some sublime. Some anthems. Some eternal. Some transcend all generations. Yeah, they're that good.And so here we tell you, definitively, ten love songs from the 80's that we certify as LOVEY-DOVEY LEGENDS...bing, bang, boom, BOP!
...a whole-hearted list of romantic Valentine's Day Gifts for YOUR HUGGER (a.k.a. your boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, wife, steady, old-lady, girlff, partner, life-partner, part-time partner, domestic partner, partner on the side, side piece, crush, inamorato, admirer, consort, better half, bae, baeff, baeby, ultimate bae, bae in training, bae material, holibae, yesterbae, snugglebae, husbae, baezelnuts, bae to be, soon to bae, husbae, etc. Is February 14 a Hallmark Holiday? We say, "nope." Is the fourteenth of February cliche? We say, "nah." That's why we have your back with this gift guide that goes inside the mind of your above-mentioned hugger (and if you are alone this year, we implore you to treat yo-self to any and all on the list). Despite the pandemic we are all currently brawling with, you can still create that incredibly memorable Saint Valentine experience. We have plenty of options that are affordable, personalized, and most importantly, guaranteed to put a smile on the face of your quarantine mate. In short, we proudly announce that Valentine's Day is worth it for people of all stripes and sports...single, couples, new or seasoned, healthy or fractured. Effort is all we ask.And so here we tell you, definitively, the ten Valentine's Day gifts that we certify as "Relationship Goals." ...bing, bang, boom, BOP!
...an emotive look back at some of the most unforgettable lunchbox snacks that got us through the K-12 grind. We are taking a trip down memory lane by celebrating our cherished childhood sweet and savory staples that were part of those throwback lunchboxes. As we've seen before on this podcast, looking back at the past can be a whole lotta fun, and this episode was no different as we harked back on those classic snacks that took us back to our school days. They complemented whatever sandwich we had that day, brought everything satisfying about dessert into a single, handheld package, and were oh so memorable. Some were flavorful, sometimes garish. Some have been discontinued. Some are still fairly popular among the youth today. Some supremely fruity. Some were practically mainline sugar. Some were best eaten while not thinking about the name. Some were a little messy to eat but worth it. Some were eaten first because one could not possibly wait until the end of the lunch period to have dessert. Some we still think about every single day. Yeah, they were that good.And so here we tell you, definitively, the ten lunchbox snacks from back in the day that we certify as MOST DELECTABLE.
...a head-on reveal of first class, hall-of-fame ways to make 2021 YOUR YEAR. We have something for everyone as we bring you the tips you need to safeguard your expectations and prepare yourself to smash the new year. After a pensive audit of the last 365 days (ones that presented death, disease, unemployment, and isolation on an extraordinary scale), we declare that 2020 was not the worst year ever. After a year that asked us to stay together by staying six feet apart, we "sound our barbaric yawp over the roofs of the world" to proclaim that there was an abundance of kindness, resilience, and a remarkable sense of community. We are in favor of people moving forward with hope. We are in favor of using a thinking-style that forms the foundation of optimism. We are in favor of carrying a different tone into the new year with flexibility on a Teflon mindset. We are in favor of focusing on the controllable.And so here we tell you, definitively, the ten ways to approach 2021 that we certify as Heavyweight Champion. Facta, non verba.
...a fulfilling recollection of esteemed badass movie characters over the years (the characters themselves and not the films they star in). We are guaranteeing quality in this list as we pay tribute to some of our favorite exercises in cinematic street justice. The common-parallel with these certified badass characters is resilience. The Art of War is in their DNA. They stand back up. When they want answers, they grab collars until they get them. They bring pathos to their roles/characters. They have an interesting back story and are a shining example of person pushed too far. They make badass fashion choices. Some have high body counts. Some have good one-liners. Some are cool-blooded. Some are cold-blooded. Yeah, they're that good.And so here we tell you, definitively, the ten badass movie characters that we certify as THE REAL DEAL.
...an absolute celebration of Television Game Shows (both classic and current). These are the best of the best, the standouts, the influential, the top of the heap, the pan-cultural, and at times, the backbone of network morning lineups. Hosted by the most dynamic, affable, and unique individuals in the industry, these game shows touched upon in this episode have aligned themselves with popular culture, tested the intellectual, challenged the physical, mental, social-emotional, and truly have one common denominator: Originality.And so here we tell you, definitively, the ten television game shows that we certify as ALPHAS.
...a first-hand recollection of nicknames (of people from our past). These nicknames were nurtured from personal history that controlled the narrative in our every day lives. They were earned epithets that stood as informal tokens of affection, carried messages, and were bestowed upon our besties and our rivals. They were attention-grabbers and conveyed something special about a person. They were used as a way to bond with individuals. Through wordplay or rhyme, they added flair and connected the named and the name user to a simpler past...and whether they liked 'em or not, these nicknames were known better than the names on their birth certificates.
...a much-admired muse on the "inner circle" of network television HALL OF FAMERS. There are a million ways to break down the anatomy of a great network TV show and ranking the best of all time is, as we've encountered, a complicated task, but some runs just stand out from others. Since the rush for cable networks, the rise for streaming services, and the 24-hour news flooding our screens to bombard us with misery and fear, network television was comforting and awesome. What made these shows special was their casting, scripts, and most importantly, their heart. And so here we tell you, definitively, what the greatest network TV shows are...this isn't the end of the conversation - just the beginning.
....a retrospective look at some of our ALL-TIME favorite musical album covers. There is no better artistic expression than the vinyl jacket. Before we spin that black circle, we will show some love and respect for the vinyl covers that made us go round and round. Whether you like to bang your head, scratch the needle, or sing your favorite love song in the shower, this list has it all. Sit back and enjoy this look at the vinyl covers that made us want to buy the record before we even heard the music.
...when it comes to holiday shopping, it's easy to get carried away with big gifts under the tree and you can never be sure that they'll go over like you hope. In short, stocking stuffers are the true winners of this 2020 season. Completely underrated and tough to do right, there's a stocking stuffer for every guy and often times the most thoughtful gifts from our perspective. They're random, sometimes cute, sometimes practical, sometimes should be wrapped, sometimes bridge the gap between the two peeps involved, and sometimes an add-on to a larger gift to name a few. So, hedge your bets and go ALL IN with the best stocking stuffer ideas of the holiday season.
...a trip down memory lane that examines the classic, hilarious, and vintage quotes our parents used to say to us when we were growing up. Not much sympathy given in these mantras, and the more inexplicable the better; some used to reprimand, some used as sarcastic questions, and some meant as encouragement. In short, our parents got great mileage out of these snippets of wisdom and they pretty much sum up everything you need to know.
...a ranking of the best fictional dynamic duos of all-time. That said, absolutely no side-kicks allowed on this list. We've got notable partners, unforgettable best buddies, and love-hate relationships to name a few. Whatever you want to call them, our list proves that 'two works better than one' while working really well together and/or making dysfunction look good.
...hometown perspectives that celebrate the most influential, most monumental, and most controversial moments in Beantown sports history that DO NOT involve a championship. Whether you are with us or against us, put on that sweet track jacket and acknowledge some great moments from the #1 sports city EVAH.
...a hearty, wholesome, and substantial discussion related to the TOP TEN sandwiches, both locally and globally. Clean your palate and bring your appetite for this one.
...a "deep dive" into the TOP TEN reasons why we are doing this podcast, followed up by a healthy discussion about the TOP TEN 1980's comedies. Peg your acid washed pants and dust off those VHS tapes.
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