Pop Culture

In the summer of 1998, John Slagel received an assignment: Give gamers unprecedented power to blow stuff up. Slagel was a programmer at Volition, a Champaign, Illinois-based video game developer known for the Descent series of fully 3D, flight-based, first-person shooters, which had started at Volition’s precursor studio, Parallax Software. When Descent 4 was canceled,

Sean is joined by actor and physical media enthusiast Tim Simons to refresh their conversation on the state of physical media in the world of cinema Photo credit should read TORU YAMANAKA/AFP via Getty Images Sean is joined by actor and physical media enthusiast Tim Simons to refresh their conversation on the state of Blu-rays

The linebacker turned actor who died this week at age 76 was famous for playing Apollo Creed in ‘Rocky,’ Chubbs Peterson in ‘Happy Gilmore,’ and Greef Karga on ‘The Mandalorian.’ But he was the embodiment of charisma and charm—in victory or defeat. Getty Images/Ringer illustration I heard the news, and my face fell, but then

Rachel Lindsay and Jodi Walker kick off today’s pod by recapping Tom Sandoval and Tom Schwartz’s recent chaotic ‘Viall Files’ episode Bravo Finally reunited after a brief hiatus, Rachel Lindsay and Jodi Walker kick off today’s Morally Corrupt by recapping Tom Sandoval and Tom Schwartz’s chaotic Viall Files episode (1:58), before diving into the Season

Plus, Jo and Mal talk about book spoilers to see what may happen next in a potential Season 2! Disney+ The Gods are among us as Joanna and Mal return to dive deep into the season finale of Percy Jackson and the Olympians (08:10). They take an extended look at the season’s final episode and

Nora and Nathan also preview the Grammy’s and make some predictions on what awards Taylor might be bringing home with her Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images Nora and Nathan are here to walk you through everything you need to know before two big Taylor Swift events: the Super Bowl and the Grammy’s. They give a

Donald Glover’s new Amazon show isn’t ‘Atlanta.’ But as “peak TV” dies, we aren’t getting any more shows like ‘Atlanta,’ anyway. What does ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ say about the era we’re leaving—and the one we’re entering? Prime Video/Ringer illustration Perhaps the most telling—if cynical—part of Amazon’s new Mr. & Mrs. Smith series occurs in

Juliet, of course, goes over what’s up in Bachelor Nation and on ‘Bachelor’ Reddit, ‘Traitors,’ ‘Love Is Blind,’ and more Photo by Greg Doherty/Getty Images for Netflix © 2023 Juliet is back with What’s Up Thursday, where she goes over what’s up in Bachelor Nation, on Bachelor Reddit, and in the broader world of reality

Plus, Andy and Joanna preview the next episode of ‘True Detective’ Amazon Prime Andy is joined by Joanna Robinson to talk about the strength of various big IP franchises like Marvel, Star Wars, and Harry Potter (1:00), and what upcoming projects, if any, to look out for from these properties (19:47). Then, they talk about

In its first season, the Disney+ series stuck closer to the books than the misbegotten movie did, but it picked smart spots to deviate from the text Disney+/Ringer illustration When it premiered in late December, new Disney+ show Percy Jackson and the Olympians was most notable for its fidelity to its source material. Many critics

Heading into its 12th and final season, ‘Curb’ has long been a beacon for the humor that makes you recoil first and laugh second. And its impact is only being expanded by other cringe artists. HBO/Ringer Illustration In the opening episode of the 12th and allegedly-for-realsies-this-time final season of Curb Your Enthusiasm, which returns Sunday

Andy Greenwald is joined by Rembert Browne to discuss “Finale,” the series finale of ‘The Office’ NBC Andy Greenwald is joined by Rembert Browne to discuss “Finale,” the series finale of The Office. They open by describing their relationships with the beloved NBC sitcom and how impressive it is that The Office has remained a

The Midnight Boys are back to induct some of the best TV shows in all of fandom into the Midnight Meter Hall of Fame: TV Edition DC/Cartoon Network The Midnight Boys are back to induct some of the best TV shows in all of fandom into the Midnight Meter Hall of Fame: TV Edition (07:52).

The Season 43 contestant joins the pod to talk about the secret to creating a ‘Survivor’ audition tape, why he donated all of his winnings, and more! CBS Tyson and Riley are back with another offseason episode! For today’s new-era “game changer,” they are joined by Mike Gabler from Season 43. They expand on the

Have you heard the story of Truman Capote’s downfall? That elaborate yarn about one of the 20th century’s literary lions double-crossing his closest friends, developing a terminal case of writer’s block, and slowly drinking himself to death? It’s the postscript in Capote, the 2005 film about the writing of In Cold Blood that’s drawn from

The comedian, writer, and actor joins Bill to talk about a wide variety of topics, including movies, sports, TV, and more! HBO The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Larry David to discuss sports, movies, Seinfeld, 25 years of Curb Your Enthusiasm, and more! Host: Bill SimmonsGuest: Larry DavidProducer: Kyle Crichton Subscribe: Spotify / Apple

Peter Rosenberg, Stat Guy Greg, and Bryan Diperstein talk fun moments from the Royal Rumble, the possible return of babyface Bayley, and more WWE Rosenberg, SGG, and Dip are back after an eventful Royal Rumble weekend. They discuss the following: CM Punk’s tricep injury in the Royal Rumble (14:36) Seth Rollins calls out Cody Rhodes

Jo and Rob discuss the vast use of teal and what it might symbolize, why the flashback sequences are so effective, and Danvers’s (at times misguided) maternal instincts HBO Jo and Rob return to break down the third episode of True Detective: Night Country. They discuss the vast use of teal and what it might

A month before her latest solo effort, ‘Untame the Tiger,’ releases, Mary Timony drops by the show to discuss her father’s late-in-life discovery of Leonard Cohen, unlocking aspects of herself through profound grief, the joy of creating a community with fellow musicians, and more Chris Grady Singer-songwriter and guitar powerhouse Mary Timony has been making

Juliet and Callie get together to discuss the ridiculous game of capture the flag, Joey’s chemistry with Daisy, and more! ABC Join Juliet and Callie as they break down the Maria vs. Sydney confrontation (8:46), admire Joey’s ability to handle drama and tears (15:00), and laugh at the ridiculous yet entertaining game of capture the