Popspotting show

Popspotting

Summary: Popspotting is a pop-culture blog and show by Jen and Ryan, long-time podcasters based in Hawaii. Popspotting covers movies, television, music, books, art, tech, and pop culture news. Reader and listener participation are a key part of the show, with regular and special segments, including contests and trivia.

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Podcasts:

 Popspotting #187: “Once Upon a Horror Story” (Jan. 3, 2011) | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:24:38

In November, we gave our first impressions of several new fantasy shows, including ABC's fairytale drama "Once Upon a Time." We liked it, but didn't love it... but many of our listeners urged us to give it more time. We're happy to say that we stuck with the series, and now, we're pretty smitten. Then, we discuss the season finale of "American Horror Story" on FX. The last time we checked in on the Harmons and the Murder House, we were looking forward to how the show would wrap up its deliciously dark first year.

 Popspotting #186: “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” (Jan. 2, 2012) | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:23:43

Our first podcast of the New Year takes us back to Stieg Larsson's tale of murder and intrigue with American director David Fincher's remake of "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo." The story was already capably depicted by Larsson's fellow Swedes, so can Fincher's distinct style bring something new and compelling to the big screen? This time, Daniel Craig (Casino Royale) and Rooney Mara (The Social Network) portray the embattled journalist and mysterious hacker. The film also features Christopher Plummer, Stellan Skarsgard, and Robin Wright.

 Popspotting #185: “New Tube” (Dec. 23, 2011) | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:08:07

The greatest gift we receive each week is listener feedback. We love hearing from you, and this week you sound off on the Swedish "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," movie matchups from Flickchart, and the mid-season finale of "The Walking Dead." Finally, we feature some recommendations for new television shows, from the critically acclaimed "Homeland" to coming attractions like "Touch," "The Firm," and "Longmire."

 Popspotting #184: “Lego Rico” (Dec. 22, 2011) | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:22:46

Today's guest is Chris Weddle, head of a geeky household in Franklin, Indiana. This married father of two knows his LEGO, knows his gadgets, and enjoys a rich library of media without having to suffer the indignity of cable television service. He brings us up to speed on "Farscape," adds his endorsement of "Farscape," and introduces the board game "Puerto Rico." Then, in trivia, we test his knowledge of island-born actors and silly walks.

 Popspotting #183: “Favorite Holiday Tunes” (Dec. 21, 2011) | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:22:20

Everybody else is doing it, so why can't we? Yes, it's the first Popspotting holiday special. While Jimmy in Georgia suggested we count down our favorite Christmas movies or TV specials, we decided to go down the musical route with five picks each of holiday songs that don't drive us crazy. These aren't our all-time favorites (and could very well be on your musical blacklist), but as we wrap presents and wrap up 2011, these ten songs are in high rotation in our household.

 Popspotting #182: “Sons of Chuck” (Dec. 20, 2011) | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:21:04

For TV Tuesday, we first visit with our old friends at Carmichael Industries. We've been watching "Chuck" on NBC since the beginning, and the geek-positive show's Comic-Con panels are always a high point. But this season will be its last. Is the series making the most of the time it has left? Then we jump over to FX, and weigh in on the season finale of "Sons of Anarchy." This fourth season is one of the strongest yet, but how well did Kurt Sutter and friends both wrap things up, and set the stage for next year?

 Popspotting #181: “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows” (Dec. 19, 2011) | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:20:05

Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law reprise their big-screen turns as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in this second Guy Ritchie-helmed outing, “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.” Once again, this classic, brainy crime-fighting pair are dropped into a noisy world of fistfights, explosions, and slo-mo bullet-time shots. There’s no intellectual pretense in this winter blockbuster, but this sequel at least delivers a smarter story and a better bad guy: Dr. Moriarty, played by Jarred Harris.

 Popspotting #180: “Musical Descendants” (Dec. 16, 2011) | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:22:49

Many of you still have musicals on your mind, and we're glad to feature your voices as you share more favorites. We get schooled on "the letters" on "Sons of Anarchy," we get more measured reactions to "The Descendants," and we get our first video game review from Al, who introduces us to "Skyrim." Still to come, your take on "The Walking Dead," "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," and new (or at least new to us) TV shows.

 Popspotting #179: “Making Of: And Joel Spoke” (Dec. 15, 2011) | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:22:40

Today’s guest is Joel Robertson, producer and co-host of The Forgotten Flix Podcast (along with Jason Grooms). Joel spent most of his youth as an aspiring movie maker, idolizing folks like Raimi, Carpenter, Dante, Spielberg, Craven, et al. He loves talking movies with other movie fans, supporting indie filmmakers, and, when the time is right, will once again subject the world to one of his movie making endeavors.

 Popspotting #178: “Flickchart Face-Off” (Dec. 14, 2011) | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:23:54

About a month ago, we counted down our favorite ways to waste time online. One of Jen's picks was Flickchart, a virtual battleground for movie lovers. The concept is simple: pit two movies against each other, and choose the one you like best (or dislike the least). So today, we decided to the Flickchart challenge together.

 Popspotting #177: “The Layover Dead” (Dec. 13, 2011) | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:23:02

While “No Reservations” was a travelogue of his distinctly Tony-flavored adventures, “The Layover” tries to highlight things everyday people could experience. Then, we weigh in on the fall half-season finale of "The Walking Dead" on AMC. We're still fans... but we're worried

 Popspotting #176: “The 2009 Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” (Dec. 12, 2011) | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:23:01

As excited as we are to see David Fincher's adaptation of "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," we know the Swedes did it first. Before seeing what Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara do with Stieg Larsson's international bestseller, we decided to take in Niels Arden Oplev's interpretation, starring Mikael Blomkvist and Noomi Rapace. Although we've not read the books (we plan to!), we were curious whether the well-received Swedish version leaves any room for an American remake.

 Popspotting #175: “Wicked Muppets” (Dec. 2, 2011) | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:24:48

Our show about musicals stirred up some great memories among you. We're not the only ones worried about where "Fringe" is headed. And both kids and kids at heart affirm the draw of "The Muppets."

 Popspotting #174: “High Def Greg” (Dec. 1, 2011) | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:21:54

Joining us to kick off the month of December is Greg Mariotti, owner and editor of Pixar Talk and the geek behind The Uncool, the official site of acclaimed filmmaker Cameron Crowe. Before tackling the trivia, Greg shares his love of “Downton Abbey,” a British television period drama, the 2008 Australian thriller “The Square” from the Edgerton brothers, and Blu-Ray, the successor to the trusty DVD.

 Popspotting #173: “David & Amy Sedaris” (Nov. 30, 2011) | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:21:02

Author and humorist David Sedaris was in Honolulu last week, wrapping up his latest book tour. His live performance at the Blaisdell Concert Hall left us in stitches. We review his body of work, as well as the two books published by his sister, Amy Sedaris.

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