Ka-pow!

Fans have had a scrumptious superhero smorgasbord to choose from over the past few weeks, and Ka-Pow the Pop Cultured Podcast is here to fill our plates on the four biggest properties currently wetting our whistles.  Marvel's "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier" launched on Disney+, the animated "Invincible" debuted on Prime, the red band trailer for James Gunn's "The Suicide Squad" dropped and "Zach Snyder's Justice League" finally exists thanks to HBO Max, and we've got light-on-spoilers reviews for them all! Length - 01:36:32 Language - PG-13.  (Contains mild adult language.)

The comic book industry is a tumultuous place, constantly changing and evolving.  Luckily, you have Ka-Pow the Pop Cultured Podcast to help explain it all, whether it's Marvel's seismic shift from their distributor of more than three decades to digital sales of "non-fungible tokens" about to change the collecting landscape as we know it. "No, you're thinking of Ethereum, the decentralized, open-source blockchain cryptocurrency.  Easy mistake!" Length - 01:24:16 Language - PG-13.  (Contains some adult language.) - 0:01:55 - COMIC BOOK NEWS Marvel rocks the industry by leaving Diamond Comic Distributors, "Infinite Frontier" lays the groundwork for the modern day DC Universe, digital sales of NFTs making artists millions, unpublished Alan Moore script auctioned for charity, "Heroes Reborn" to be Marvel's next big event, catching up on the latest releases (including the other-dimensional arrival "Solid Blood") and revisiting a classic storyline when the New X-Men were introduced in 1975's "Giant-Size X-M

This episode, we look back to the beginning of the pandemic, what sort of entertainment we were discussing back then and mark the one year anniversary of recording Ka-Pow the Pop Cultured Podcast remotely.  We've also got new recommendations for some of the excellent shows we've been streaming lately, so we hope you'll join us! Length - 00:52:08 Language - PG-13.  (Contains mild adult language.) - 0:11:18 - CROSSING THE STREAMS The dark comedy "Search Party" is an under-the-radar gem, classic British series "The Prisoner" an influence for lots of modern sci-fi, Soleil Moon Frye's footage of young Hollywood the basis for Hulu's documentary "Kid 90," "Coming 2 America" follows up beloved comedy decades later, "South Park" adds to its "Pandemic Special" with a "Vaccination Special," getting reacquainted with "The Muppets" via Disney+, "The Real World" reunites its original cast on Paramount+ and excitement for the "Yellowstone" prequel "Y: 1883."

Is it possible this fifth season of Riverdale is its wildest yet?  Ka-Pow the Pop Cultured Podcast submits for your approval Chapter 83 "Fire in the Sky," the episode that somehow squeezes in a by proxy dance off, fire department training montages, serial killers, alien autopsies, regular autopsies, syrup barrels, muddy bogs, River Bucks and stray dogs... HIRAM STARTED THE FIRE! Length - 00:57:47 Language - PG-13. (Contains mild adult language.)

The finale of WandaVision has arrived and like a lot of fans... we request elaboration.  Our expectations were sky high and our fan theories were ridiculous, so listen along with Ka-Pow the Pop Cultured Podcast to hear if Marvel's first Disney+ series made more magic or seriously missed the mark.  Plus, we've got explanations and conjecture over those puzzling post-credit scenes and a look at the "Marvel Studios Assembled" making-of documentary that goes behind the scenes on it all. Length - 01:25:09 Language - PG-13.  (Contains mild adult language.)

Open up a fresh, delicious bag of Doritos and tune in to Ka-Pow the Pop Cultured Podcast as we break down the most recent Riverdale revelations to be found in Chapter 81 "The Homecoming" and Chapter 82 "Back to School."  Maybe you can't go home again (especially if your town is unincorporated), but you can certainly sing karaoke, forge paintings, rumble with some Ghoulies and... investigate the Mothman!? Length - 01:13:11 Language - PG-13. (Contains mild adult language.)

Believe it or not, there are television shows on right now not called "WandaVision" and Ka-Pow the Pop Cultured Podcast is going to spend this episode catching up on them, as the CW adds more DC content to its lineup with a strong pilot for "Superman & Lois," sitcoms go retro with premiers of "Punky Brewster" and "Young Rock" and more! Length - 01:06:59 Language - PG-13.  (Contains mild adult language.) - 0:03:30 - TV RECAPS & REVIEWS The CW debuts a warm and hopeful version of "Superman & Lois," no Arrow-verse crossover on the schedule this year, a new star of "Batwoman" leaves ratings down in season two, Peacock brings back "Punky Brewster," finally getting on the bandwagon for Prime's sci-fi series "The Expanse," new NBC sitcoms "Young Rock" and "Kenan," another comic book documentary on Disney+ with "Marvel's Behind the Mask" and last year's forgotten comedy "Jexi."

The buzzed-about Marvel series from Disney+ is almost over, but there are still plenty of mysteries to crack, easter eggs to dissect, comic book references to explain and wild theories to bandy about before the finale of WandaVision. And thanks again for marking your ballot for Ka-Pow the Pop Cultured Podcast as "best local podcast" in this year's Clutch MOV's "Best of the Mid-Ohio Valley" readers' choice contest! Length - 01:14:14 Language - PG-13.  (Contains mild adult language.)

After a seven year time jump, Archie returns to the Town with No Pep in this landmark episode of Riverdale.  All our favorite teens are now adults, but their movie references are still as on-the-nose as always in Chapter 80 "Purgatorio," and Ka-Pow the Pop Cultured Podcast goes on the record early with a theory about The Accident so preposterous it has to be true.  Nobody does The 'Dale like us! Length - 00:51:31 Language - PG-13. (Contains mild adult language.)

The final episode of Riverdale featuring the gang still in high school is a momentous occasion, and Ka-Pow the Pop Cultured Podcast is here to give them the sendoff they all deserve.  So tune in to our in-depth discussion of Chapter 79 "Graduation" to enjoy all the time capsules, yearbooks and army recruiters before the show jumps forward in time seven years into boring old adult life. Length - 00:46:12 Language - PG-13. (Contains mild adult language.)

Nothing on television right now is as entertaining and addictive as WandaVision on Disney+, and Ka-Pow the Pop Cultured Podcast returns to break down episodes 5 & 6 of the mesmerizing Marvel series.  Plus, Jordan recounts his recent guest spot on the Late Night Cage Fight podcast and we share our hopes and fears regarding the upcoming "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier." Length - 01:04:10 Language - PG-13.  (Contains mild adult language.)

And now, the finale of our debate to determine the number one television game show of all time!  A winner from "The Trebek Region" of our March Madness-style bracket will emerge to face our previous Final Four entries and Ka-Pow the Pop Cultured Podcast will crown the victor.  Will it be one of this episode's topics like "Jeopardy!," "The Gong Show," "The Dating Game," "Cash Cab," "Card Sharks," "Win Ben Stein's Money" or "The Newlywed Game?"  Tune in to find out! Length - 01:22:37 Language - PG-13.  (Contains mild adult language.)

After its fourth year was cut short by Covid, Riverdale returns for season five!  Chapter 77 "Climax" and Chapter 78 "The Preppy Murders" cover the final days of high school for our favorite traumatized teens, and all those familiar senior year milestones like prom, the boxing match that determines if you get into the Naval Academy and making a snuff film.  Whether you've got a Native Nana behind a secret bookcase or a mercenary uncle in Man Prison, Ka-Pow the Pop Cultured Podcast couldn't be happier to be back celebrating the 'Dale! Length - 01:27:31 Language - PG-13. (Contains mild adult language.)

Our wires get a little crossed in this TV-centric episode of Ka-Pow the Pop Cultured Podcast, so forgive us if you hear Lady Whistledown whispering stock tips or the disembodied voice of RuPaul.  We blame Wanda Maximoff and whatever hex she's spun to keep us glued to our sets enjoying "WandaVision," which we continue to dissect in great detail! Length - 01:29:11 Language - PG-13.  (Contains mild adult language.) - 0:03:23 - WANDAVISION Puzzling out episodes 3 & 4 of the mystifying Marvel series from Disney+. - 0:36:05 - TV RECAPS & REVIEWS The phenomenon of Netflix's "Bridgerton," rediscovering 80s animated musical "Rock & Rule," Robert Rodriguez's El Rey Network goes off the air, "A Very Special G4 Reunion Special" readies relaunch for niche channel, the moving magic of Derek DelGaudio's "In & Of Itself" on Hulu, a mother box meal kit inspired by "Justice League" and a release date for the Snyder Cut, lots of fun callbacks in "Transformers: War for Cybertron - Earthrise" and French

Ka-Pow the Pop Cultured Podcast continues our March Madness-style bracket to determine the best television game show of all time!  In Part Three, we tackle "The Dawson Region," including all-stars like "Family Feud," "Name That Tune" and "Love Connection," along with more modern classics like "Remote Control," "Deal or No Deal" and "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?"  So phone a friend and let them know the debate is almost settled! Length - 01:00:49 Language - PG-13.  (Contains mild adult language.)

As the calendar flipped over to 2021, several new television shows premiered, including some promising sitcoms and more primetime game shows than we can ever remember.  Allow Ka-Pow the Pop Cultured Podcast to sample what's available and recommend which ones are worth your time, with this all-TV episode. Length - 00:40:23 Language - PG-13.  (Contains mild adult language.) - 0:05:20 - TV RECAPS & REVIEWS A slew of recent game shows include Ken Jennings guest hosting "Jeopardy!," a new incarnation of trivia game "The Chase," Craig Ferguson sniffing out "The Hustler," more of MTV's "The Challenge" and former "Big Brother" contestant's "Sequester," new show premiers include Ted Danson as "Mr. Mayor," "Call Me Kat" starring Mayim Bialik and "The Great North" from "Bob's Burgers" producers, a soft reboot for "Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist," more surprises from "This is Us," prepping for brand new episodes of "Riverdale" and "Star Trek: Discovery" builds to the end of its season.

The first Marvel Studios content in over a year arrives with the unpredictable stylized sitcom that is "WandaVision" episodes 1 & 2 on Disney+.  All those years watching Nick at Nite has prepared Ka-Pow the Pop Cultured Podcast to spot the classic TV references among the dinner parties and talent shows.  Plus, stay tuned for a hilarious Zoom tech support call and a sign-out taken a little too literally. Length - 00:35:50 Language - PG-13. (Contains mild adult language.)

The comic book industry is a mess as usual, but we have some cold, hard numbers that DC probably doesn't want to hear about where the fault doesn't lie for once.  And our nostalgia crane-kicks into overdrive with the returns of "Cobra Kai" and "Saved by the Bell" in the latest episode of Ka-Pow the Pop Cultured Podcast. Length - 00:52:43 Language - PG-13.  (Contains mild adult language.) - 0:00:45 - TV RECAPS & REVIEWS Season three of karate-fueled favorite "Cobra Kai" drops on Netflix, "Saved by the Bell" reboot is self-aware fun, one-season wonder "Roadies" from Cameron Crowe, "The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend A Broken Heart" documentary on HBO Max, "How To with John Wilson" ends on incredibly high note and digging deeper into the behind-the-scenes "Marvel's 616" vignettes from Disney+. - 0:36:02 - COMIC BOOK NEWS Free Comic Book Day arriving in August this year and sales data doesn't support the current strategy from DC Comics without the Direct Market.

Our debate to determine the best game show in the history of television continues!  In Part Two, "The Sajak Region" of our bracket sets 90s favorites like "Legends of the Hidden Temple" and "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?" against vintage classics like "Wheel of Fortune," "Match Game," "Password" and "Hollywood Squares" until we crown another member of our Final Four.  Passions run high this episode, and not everyone makes it to the end, so tune in to hear the first rage quit in Ka-Pow the Pop Cultured Podcast history! Length - 01:16:25 Language - PG-13.  (Contains mild adult language.)

Ka-Pow the Pop Cultured Podcast returns to review the two biggest Christmas Day streaming releases from Disney+ and HBO Max, "Soul" and "Wonder Woman 1984."  SPOILERS abound, as we discuss what we liked about each film and where they fell short in this movie year unlike any other. Length - 00:52:12 Language - PG-13.  (Contains adult language.) - 0:01:38 - MOVIE NEWS Prepping the Poobah's best of 2020 list and lukewarm opinions and problematic story elements from Pixar's "Soul." - 0:23:10 - WONDER WOMAN 1984 The long-delayed follow-up to our favorite DCEU film splits us into two very different critical camps.