Ka-pow!

We use this week to catch up on some of the huge stories everyone has been talking about in the new year, including the self-inflicted wound suffered by the world's most beloved role playing game, Warner Brothers continuing to nickel and dime the fans and the return of the Golden Globes.  Then it's a Ka-Pow the Pop Cultured Podcast road trip recap as we recount the fun we had traveling to a recent comic con! Length - 01:05:05 Language - PG-13.  (Contains mild adult language.) - 0:02:20 - GAMING Wizards of the Coast plan to end its Open Gaming License causes Dungeons & Dragons fan uprising. - 0:24:45 - MOVIE NEWS Warner Brothers removes original content from HBOMax, Henry Cavill ousting from Superman role turns Snyder Bros against James Gunn, Mike Flanagan has plans to adapt "The Dark Tower" and the results of this year's Golden Globes. - 0:47:20 - COMIC BOOK NEWS Reminiscing about our first trip to Galaxy Con in Columbus.

Happy New Year!  As is our tradition here at Ka-Pow the Pop Cultured Podcast, we celebrate by looking forward at all of the movies we expect to enjoy over the next 12 months.  Joined by special guest Neither Coach Nor Mayor Jared Lowe, we tease all of the films set for release this year and then compile a Top Ten list of our most anticipated flicks. Length - 01:22:13 Language - PG-13.  (Contains mild adult language.)

Two things we love here at Ka-Pow the Pop Cultured Podcast are anecdotes about Cliff's butthole cat and Star Wars, and we've got both aplenty this week with a new adoption and the finale of "Andor." Length - 01:22:11 Language - PG-13.  (Contains adult language.) - 0:08:10 - TV RECAPS & REVIEWS New fantasy series "Willow" continues the story of the charming 80s film, a phenomenal first season of "Andor" ends with a bang, animated "Tales of the Jedi" fills in some interesting character lore, Disney+ livestreams Elton John's "Farewell From Dodger Stadium" concert, "Mickey: The Story of a Mouse" documentary about the evolution of the icon over the years, Tim Allen looks for a successor in holiday series "The Santa Clauses," "Atlanta" concludes its groundbreaking run on a high note, HBO cancels "Westworld" before planned final season, "Yellowstone" built itself into the most watched show on TV and finally getting around to finishing "Locke & Key."

The holiday season is here whether we're ready or not, so this week Ka-Pow the Pop Cultured Podcast kicks off by playing The Feud!  Somebody somewhere surveyed 100 people and we try our best to guess their answers on a wide array of seasonal silliness.  Then it's a year-end barrage of movie trailers that have us hyped for what's on tap for 2023! Length - 01:18:03 Language - PG-13.  (Contains mild adult language.) - 0:03:15 - GAMING We play a hastily constructed - but still holly jolly - round of Christmas "Family Feud." - 0:29:20 - MOVIE NEWS "The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special" injects the Christmas spirit into the MCU, the trailer for "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" sets our expectations sky high for James Gunn's franchise swan song, more than meets the eye in the "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" teaser, our first peek at "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny," a more in-depth trailer for "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" and end-of-the-year screenings of some recent films like "Don't Worry Darli

Ka-Pow the Pop Cultured Podcast kicks off this movie-centered episode with a brand new trivia game, then bids farewell to a legendary voice actor and reviews the two biggest superhero movies of the season.  Whether you're from Wakanda, Kahndaq or Cleveland, KPP has got you covered! Length - 01:24:16 Language - PG-13.  (Contains adult language.) - 0:00:52 - GAMING We try to stay "Culturally Relevant" with a new game guessing the influential films from their references in other works and cope with the passing of Kevin Conroy by diving into "Batman: Arkham City" a decade too late. - 0:24:20 - BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER Our SPOILER-y review of Marvel's long-anticipated return to Wakanda and its somber big screen goodbye to Chadwick Boseman. - 0:48:30 - BLACK ADAM The Rock finally gets to play superhero in DC's latest, and we have SPOILER-ish thoughts. - 1:00:05 - MOVIE NEWS The retro-flavored thriller "Don't Worry Darling" arrives on HBO, a new holiday family favorite with "A Christmas Story Christmas" an

Cliff has (reluctantly) returned from his most recent vacation with the family to Walt Disney World Resort in sunny, hurricane-y Florida and is ready to share all his adventures with our Ka-Pow the Pop Cultured Podcast listeners. The many positives, the few negatives, the food, the attractions, the lines, the price gouging, the weather... you'll hear about it all! [Note: this episode was recorded a few days before the recent CEO shakeup.] Length - 00:50:56 Language - PG-13.  (Contains mild adult language.)

It's way past time for an episode all about comic books, so that's what Ka-Pow the Pop Cultured Podcast is giving you this week.  We've got some reviews for books we've been enjoying lately, a few news items and a bit of industry dirt.  Plus - because no one demanded it - the return of our "One Job" segment! Length - 01:22:54 Language - PG-13.  (Contains mild adult language.) - 0:04:27 - ONE JOB Deciding the single most iconic role for the Queen of Halloween, Jamie Lee Curtis.  (Spoiler: It's not "Halloween.") - 0:39:55 - COMIC BOOK NEWS Solving puzzles in the pages of two current "Captain America" books, Dark Horse becomes the fourth major publisher to leave Diamond Comic Distributors, a funny gimmick for the 20th anniversary of "Invincible," cancellation of "Superman" title provides food for trolls, DC hints at 13 new Golden Age characters and more "Watchmen" ties, Alan Moore definitely for sure done with comics and a sample of some recent releases including "Batman: One Bad Day," "Miracleman: The Silver

Ka-Pow the Pop Cultured Podcast may not be the most advanced entertainment algorithm in the world but we've got a pretty good idea of what's got people talking, so join J.O.R.D.A.N., C.L.I.F.F. and S.E.T.H. as we discuss the latest Disney+ content, a new teen-targeted horror anthology and more. Length - 00:57:52 Language - PG-13.  (Contains mild adult language.) - 0:01:30 - TV RECAPS & REVIEWS Marvel releases retro Halloween special "Werewolf by Night," the conclusion of "She-Hulk: Attorney at Law" pulls the rug out from under us, trying to build enthusiasm for "House of the Dragon," "The Midnight Club" provides more Mike Flanagan spookiness on Netflix, "Andor" keeps building on its complex and nuanced corner of the "Star Wars" universe, "Quantum Leap" expands its sci-fi scope, reality game show "The Mole" returns and season one of "Welcome to Wrexham" concludes with a pulse-pounding final match.

Like fanboy sultans being fed nerdy grapes by the fistful, we are living in a pop culture utopia.  Therefore Ka-Pow the Pop Cultured Podcast tries to never feel ungrateful for the abundance of content crafted specifically to pander to us and our increasingly fickle tastes.  Even when something is terrible, we just move on to the next thing.  So here are all the "next things" on our list this week! Length - 00:59:37 Language - PG-13.  (Contains adult language.) - 0:00:45 - MOVIE NEWS Netflix's "Father Stu" plummets to the bottom of our yearly lists, dark and divisive "Blonde" explores the fame and objectification of Marilyn Monroe and Tom Hanks goes all out for "Elvis." - 0:11:05 - CROSSING THE STREAMS Two competing series "House of the Dragon" and "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power" each offer quality fantasy television, NBC's reboot of "Quantum Leap" honors the original with a compelling central mystery, season five of "Cobra Kai" keeps giving us what we want from this show, the first trailer for "

Anecdotes abound as Ka-Pow the Pop Cultured Podcast reminisces about all the places we've traveled in the past month, including the world-famous Mothman Festival, meeting a legend at the Cincinnati Comic Expo and taking in a one-of-a-kind concert.  Then stay tuned as we dive into the recent Disney+ Star Wars and Marvel offerings! Length - 00:59:18 Language - PG-13.  (Contains adult language.) - 0:28:20 - ANDOR Our first impressions of the deliberately-paced "Star Wars" prequel spinoff starring Diego Luna. - 0:44:05 - SHE-HULK: ATTORNEY AT LAW The divisive superhero sitcom nears its end with a long-awaited cameo and a savage last-minute twist.

New shirts.  Twerking superheroes.  Pooping statues.  Calls to overthrow capitalism.  This episode takes a few turns.  The "why" isn't always where you think, but the most incisive and irreverent television reviews are always right here at Ka-Pow the Pop Cultured Podcast.  Pop some popcorn and enjoy it with your bestie. Length - 01:08:38 Language - PG-13.  (Contains mild adult language.) - 0:06:33 - DISNEY DOINGS Cliff highlights all the early D23 Expo announcements, including an awkward new statue of Walt. - 0:22:48 - CROSSING THE STREAMS Jordan's subscriptions to Paramount+ and Showtime come to an end just as he finished "The Offer" and "Yellowjackets," "Beavis and Butt-Head" continues its run of great new episodes, Prime cancels comic adaptation "Paper Girls," true life prison drama "Black Bird" on Apple TV+, celebrity-adjacent game show "Claim to Fame" wraps up its first season, "Untold" Netflix documentaries tackle fascinating recent subjects, soccer docuseries "Welcome to Wrexham" leaves us wanting m

After a week of internet problems, Ka-Pow the Pop Cultured Podcast is back and way behind on our favorite shows as usual.  So join us for recommendations and reviews on some of the latest small screen offerings, as well as a piece of major gaming news and a few terrifying tales of childhood trauma at the movies! Length - 01:36:26 Language - PG-13.  (Contains mild adult language.) - 0:07:10 - YEAH YOU KNOW ME Deciding the perfect songs we'd use as our "entrance music" and the first movies we remember scaring us out of our wits. - 0:25:35 - TV RECAPS & REVIEWS "Better Call Saul" concludes its run with a masterful final season, Prime's "A League of Their Own" series addresses race and sexuality in ways the movie never could, sports docuseries "Welcome to Wrexham" an underdog soccer story, "TMZ Investigates: What Really Happened to Richard Simmons" delves into the rumors surrounding the fitness icon, AMC's "Dark Winds" depicts a 70s-era murder mystery within a Navajo population, subversive sitcom-skewering

Don't leave your television viewing choices up to a cold, mysterious algorithm.  Leave them to Ka-Pow the Pop Cultured Podcast!  We have tons of shows to catch up on this week and several of them are even pretty good, so listen in as we swing from sex rooms to sitcoms, dark dreams to dumb-ass duos, animation, reality, documentary and at least one that completely defies description. Length - 01:25:01 Language - PG-13.  (Contains mild adult language.) - 0:01:00 - TV RECAPS & REVIEWS Netflix teaches us the ins and outs of "How to Build a Sex Room," Neil Gaiman's dark fantasy series "The Sandman" makes its long-awaited TV debut, 80s teens take a trip through time in comic adaptation "Paper Girls," discovering mother / daughter dramedy "Better Things" after its run on FX, "The Old Man" sends Jeff Bridges on the run from his past, "Claim to Fame" a guessing game with relatives of big stars, backstabbing and blindsides on the 24th season of "Big Brother," "The Offer" chronicles the complicated production of "Th

We've been going places!  Specifically, North America's largest gaming convention, Gen Con and America's mightiest toy show, Power-Con.  After detailing all the excitement of these recent road trips, Ka-Pow the Pop Cultured Podcast dives into movie news, gauging our anticipation for a ton of Comic-Con Marvel reveals, streaming some animated comedies, catching a handful of terrific indies in the theater and reviewing the biggest monosyllabic sci-fi flicks of the summer, "Nope" and "Prey." Length - 01:25:09 Language - PG-13.  (Contains mild adult language.) - 0:30:55 - MOVIE NEWS Recapping the biggest news and trailers revealed at this year's Comic Con International San Diego, mapping out Marvel's "Phase Five" timeline, "Predator" prequel "Prey" has everyone talking, Jordan Peele's "Nope" is a sci-fi cinema spectacle, "Bullet Train" is a fun action film packed with familiar faces, B.J. Novak writes and directs comedic murder mystery "Vengeance," "Marcel the Shell with Shoes On" adapts Jenny Slate's heartwarmin

The explosive final session of Ka-Pow the Pop Cultured Podcast's "Kids on Bikes" RPG adventure has arrived!  Our GM Seth has steered all the action to this moment, as friend of the show Jesse Starcher of the Source Material Comics Podcast joins noob gamers Cliff and Jordan for the last chapter of "Grave Decisions."  A horde of demons is approaching small town Marietta, Ohio in the early months of 1988, leaving Sam, Robert and Conrad precious little time to assemble an army of their own to face them in the last chapter, Episode Four: "Good Morning, Vietnam" Part Two. Length - 02:32:23 Language - R. (Contains adult language.)  

It's time for a special behind-the-scenes bonus episode of Ka-Pow the Pop Cultured Podcast!  These are the sorts of casual "cutting room floor" extras you normally only get by becoming a Patron, full of uncensored, unedited conversation before and between our recording sessions.  This time, our excitement revolves around Jesse Starcher of the Source Material Comics Podcast finding an amazing auction full of rare vintage toys hiding in our own back yard. For more perks, check out our Patreon page at www.patreon.com/youdownwithkpp Length - 00:25:18 Language - R.  (Contains adult language.)

Ka-Pow the Pop Cultured Podcast's inaugural "Kids on Bikes" RPG adventure is nearing its end.  In this first half of the final session, Sam, Robert and Conrad take a field trip to Fenton Art Glass.  But what they encounter in the sleepy city of Williamstown, West Virginia in 1987 might just scare the pants off of them!  Listen in as our resident GM Seth guides Jesse Starcher of the Source Material Comics Podcast and rookie gamers Cliff and Jordan toward the conclusion of "Grave Decisions" with Episode Three: "Good Morning, Vietnam" Part One. Length - 02:11:15 Language - R. (Contains adult language.)

Remember when all we had all summer were boring old reruns?  No more!  Ka-Pow the Pop Cultured Podcast returns to wrap up our discussions on four of the biggest television series of the season.  And to help, we kept Jesse Starcher of the Source Material Comics Podcast around to add his perspective. Length - 00:52:55 Language - R.  (Contains adult language.) - 0:02:49 - TV RECAPS & REVIEWS A phenomenal fourth season of "Stranger Things" concludes on Netflix, "The Boys" pushes the superhero envelope in season three, engaging family drama makes up for so-so story in Disney+'s "Ms. Marvel" and more apocalyptic time-travel shenanigans on "The Umbrella Academy."

Our latest episode of Ka-Pow the Pop Cultured Podcast involves two epic tales.  In the first, Seth recounts his recent journey to one of the best comic conventions in the country, Heroes Con in Charlotte, North Carolina and the multitude of legends he was able to rub elbows with.  And then we spend the rest of the show reviewing Marvel's space viking action comedy, "Thor: Love & Thunder!" Length - 01:14:58 Language - PG-13.  (Contains adult language.) - 0:29:10 - THOR: LOVE & THUNDER Our SPOILER-heavy thoughts on Taika Waititi's second superhero spectacle, how the villainous Gorr compares to his comic book counterpart and whether we need a concrete "plan" for where the MCU is heading to enjoy these things or not.

Ka-Pow the Pop Cultured Podcast is back for the second session of our "Kids on Bikes" RPG adventure!  This time out, it's the weekend of the Sternwheel Festival in small town Marietta, Ohio in 1987, but with so much supernatural chicanery afoot, Sam, Robert and Conrad may not survive to see the famous fireworks show.  So follow along with "Grave Decisions," Episode Two: "Who Ya Gonna Call?"as GM Seth guides Jesse Starcher of the Source Material Comics Podcast, gaming newbies Cliff and Jordan - and a super surprising guest player! - on the next leg of our nostalgic 80s escapade. Length - 03:28:01 Language - R. (Contains adult language.)