All Pop, No Culture

This episode of All Pop, No Culture kicks off with a quick look at what drove a spike in views last week, then launches into a packed review lineup. Andrew shares his reaction to 28 Years Later, including what makes it feel gritty, intense, and true to the franchise's DNA. Kevin and Lauren discuss People You Meet on Vacation, a romantic drama about a relationship that evolves over multiple summers while life complicates the timing.

The crew then jumps into Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, debating the reception of a newer series while still appreciating its characters, tone, and chemistry. Andrew checks in on his progress with Star Trek: Discovery, and Kevin explains the context behind The Burn. Lauren spotlights The Pitt, a medical drama structured around a single long ER shift, and closes with an off-Broadway review of Data, a tech-and-surveillance story that taps into current conversations about AI, morality, and privacy.

This episode of All Pop, No Culture packs in big TV finales, under-the-radar films, and a surprisingly thoughtful conversation about addiction stories and why some of them hit like a truck.

Kevin and Andrew react to the Stranger Things series finale with an 8/10, breaking down what worked, what felt underpowered, and why fan expectations make ending a beloved show nearly impossible. Lauren spotlights the 2016 film Being Charlie, an addiction drama directed by Rob Reiner and starring Nick Robinson and Cary Elwes, which sparks a wider discussion about realism in addiction films (Requiem for a Dream, The Basketball Diaries, Trainspotting) and the real-world dangers of prescription drug culture.

The crew also touches on remote work life, recommends Silo, debates the new season of Fallout (including release strategy and pacing), and closes with Lauren's rundown of Heated Rivalry, a queer hockey romance about rivals navigating pressure, identity, and ambition.

As always, thank you for watching. If you haven't already, don't forget to Like & Subscribe. We love new viewers! Also, leave us comments and let us know how we are doing and what we can be doing better. Enjoy the episode and have a great week!

Facebook: @apncpodcast Twitter: @APNCPodcast Instagram: AllPopNoCulture

This episode of All Pop, No Culture is fully dedicated to Stranger Things Season 5 — the final chapter of one of the biggest shows of the decade. Kevin, Mia, Dillon, Andrew, and Salony share their reactions to the season, examining the highs, lows, and emotional beats that defined the finale.

The team discusses the acting, pacing, and visual changes that shaped the final stretch of episodes, as well as the climactic confrontation with Vecna. They explore each character's ending, including Hopper's emotional shift, Will and Mike's evolving dynamic, Nancy and Robin's arcs, and Eleven's mysterious fate.

The group tackles theories about whether Eleven survived, the deeper symbolism of Mike's final monologue, and the possibility of future spin-offs. They also reflect on the cultural experience of watching the finale in theaters, Netflix's hybrid release strategy, and how Season 5 fits into the larger legacy of the series.

Whether you're a longtime fan or diving in for the finale, this episode delivers a thoughtful, detailed, and emotional discussion of how Stranger Things brought its era-defining story to a close.

As always, thank you for watching. If you haven't already, don't forget to Like & Subscribe. We love new viewers! Also, leave us comments and let us know how we are doing and what we can be doing better. Enjoy the episode and have a great week!

Facebook: @apncpodcast Twitter: @APNCPodcast Instagram: AllPopNoCulture

This episode of All Pop, No Culture is packed with movies, TV finales, Broadway shows, comedy specials, and heartfelt moments. The crew begins with reactions to the new Avatar film before moving into a full breakdown of the Welcome to Derry season finale—covering its emotional storytelling, character development, and how it expands the IT universe.

Lauren reviews Is This Thing On, reflecting on its themes of divorce, self-rediscovery, and stand-up comedy. The discussion includes a tribute to the late Rob Reiner, whose impact on film and television shaped generations of storytelling.

Andrew shares his thoughts on Dave Chappelle: The Unstoppable, a politically charged and introspective comedy special. Kevin follows with a review of J. Kelly, George Clooney's new Netflix dramedy exploring fame, regret, and family.

The episode wraps with two Broadway reviews—Marjorie Prime and Bug—before Kevin spotlights Landman, a gripping Taylor Sheridan drama about oil, power, and personal redemption.

If you enjoy thoughtful pop culture conversations across genres, this episode delivers a ton to dive into.

As always, thank you for watching. If you haven't already, don't forget to Like & Subscribe. We love new viewers! Also, leave us comments and let us know how we are doing and what we can be doing better. Enjoy the episode and have a great week!

Facebook: @apncpodcast

Twitter: @APNCPodcast

Instagram: AllPopNoCulture

This episode of All Pop, No Culture spans prestige cinema, teen horror, Broadway, and one of the most controversial documentaries of the year. Lauren shares her thoughts on Hamnet, a beautifully crafted period drama receiving awards buzz, while Kevin reviews Five Nights at Freddy's 2, a chaotic but entertaining entry in the video-game franchise.

They discuss upcoming game adaptations, the emotional depth of Hulu's Normal People, and the rising careers of Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones. Kevin breaks down the new documentaries about Sean Combs, exploring their depiction of his early life, legal troubles, music-industry conflicts, and the long-standing tensions between Diddy, Suge Knight, and Biggie Smalls.

The episode wraps with Broadway impressions of Art, plus a strong recommendation for Peacock's All Her Fault, a gripping thriller led by standout performances from Sarah Snook and Dakota Fanning.

If you're into film, TV, true-crime docs, or culture-heavy discussions, this episode has something for everyone.

This week on All Pop, No Culture, we dig into a wide spread of movies, musicals, podcasts, and horror TV—basically everything lighting up your feed (or should be). Kevin kicks things off with a review of One Battle After Another, a character-driven drama with sharp performances and a slow-burn emotional core. Andrew throws in director deep cuts, trivia, and a few wild personal stories to round out the discussion.

We shift gears into true-crime meets Hollywood with a breakdown of Allison Mack's vulnerable, complicated interview on Michael Rosenbaum's podcast. The group looks at her time in the Nxivm cult, her prison experience, the contradictions in her public story, and the surprising relationship she formed after her release.

Lauren brings the energy back up with her trip to see the Broadway musical Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York—a quirky, heartfelt rom-com on stage that sparks a full-scale debate on why musical adaptations either soar (Wicked, Hamilton) or crash spectacularly (Cats, West Side Story). Kevin then reviews the indie horror film Shelby Oaks, breaking down what works (atmosphere) and what really doesn't (genre chaos, FX overload). The crew compares it to classics like Blair Witch and Paranormal Activity while debating whether it's worth a rental or a "wait until streaming" kind of watch.

We wrap with a deep dive into HBO's IT: Welcome to Derry, exploring its historical layers, lore, Pennywise reveals, character arcs, and how it all ties back to Stephen King's universe. With Stranger Things Season 5 on the horizon, the hype is already building for next week's episode. If you're into film analysis, musical theater takes, true-crime commentary, horror reviews, and unfiltered pop-culture conversations—you're in the right place.

What We Cover One Battle After Another movie review Allison Mack interview breakdown (Nxivm + Rosenbaum podcast) Broadway's Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York Why musical adaptations succeed or fail Shelby Oaks horror review Found-footage classics vs. modern indie horror HBO's IT: Welcome to Derry episode 4 Stephen King universe connections Stranger Things Season 5 hype

As always, thank you for watching. If you haven't already, don't forget to Like & Subscribe. We love new viewers! Also, leave us comments and let is know how we are doing and what we can be doing better. Enjoy the episode and have a great week!

Facebook: @apncpodcast Twitter: @APNCPodcast Instagram: AllPopNoCulture

Hashtags #AllPopNoCulture #MovieReview #TVReview #PopCulturePodcast #OneBattleAfterAnother #AllisonMack #MichaelRosenbaum #Nxivm #ShelbyOaks #BroadwayMusicals #TwoStrangersCarryACakeAcrossNewYork #WelcomeToDerry #StephenKing #HBOOriginals #HorrorReview #StreamingRecommendations #MusicalTheatre #FoundFootageHorror #PodcastDiscussion

This week on All Pop, No Culture, we dive into a loaded mix of TV, film, and comedy—breaking down everything from nostalgic favorites to brand-new premieres shaking up the streaming world. We kick things off with the new Eddie Murphy Netflix documentary and the legacy of one of comedy's most influential performers.

We jump into the anthology series Soulmates, compare it to Black Mirror, and unpack two new mystery thrillers: Malice and All Her Fault. Lauren covers the Dancing with the Stars 20th anniversary special, while Kevin and Andrew swap stories about comedy shows, reality TV, and a pair of standout pilots. We close with a deep look at Welcome to Derry, exploring its scares, character work, and surprising historical layers.

If you love TV breakdowns, movie reviews, comedy deep dives, and off-the-rails pop culture banter, you're in the right place.

What We Cover

• Eddie Murphy's documentary & career legacy
• '80s classics vs. modern Eddie
• Soulmates and tech-driven storytelling
• Black Mirror ratings + episode talk
• Reviews: Malice & All Her Fault
• Dancing with the Stars at 20 years
• HBO's Welcome to Derry
• Comedy shows, reality TV, and more

As always, thank you for watching. If you haven't already, don't forget to Like & Subscribe. We love new viewers! Also, leave us comments and let is know how we are doing and what we can be doing better. Enjoy the episode and have a great week!

Facebook: @apncpodcast Twitter: @APNCPodcast Instagram: AllPopNoCulture

Perfect For Fans Of TV recaps, streaming recommendations, pop culture commentary, comedy history, Netflix & HBO discussions, and new-show discovery.

The gang's all here, for the second week in a row! This week they cover Bugonia, Plur1bus, Oh, Mary!, Frankenstein, and the Stranger Things Season 5 sneak peek.

As the show starts, Kevin immediately passes off the reins to Lauren, who saw Bugonia in theaters this week. It's another Yorgos Lanthimos/Emma Stone joint and it's as weird as you'd expect. And if Lauren is to be believed, possibly weirder. The story follows two less than brilliant men who kidnap a powerful CEO, played by Stone. They are convinced she's an alien and the madness ensues from there. It's a bizarre premise that flirts with Sci-Fi in new and interesting ways. It may not be a "must watch" but it sounds like a fascinating watch nonetheless.

Kevin and Andrew use the sci-fi bit to transition into the new, very hyped, show, Plur1bus on Apple TV+. This is from Vince Gilligan, creator of X-Files, Breaking Bad, and Better Call Saul fame and it stars Rhea Seahorn from BCS. The show has released to incredible reviews nearly across the board, so you can just imagine Kevin and Andrew would be loving it… But you'd be wrong… After 2 episodes, the guys are genuinely confused about the hype, finding that the show lacks the character depth early on to equal the hype so far. That being said, they appear to be in the minority, so if you've watched it and loved it, tell us why in the comments. We're dying to understand!

Next up, we start moving towards things the gang really enjoyed. Lauren takes us to Broadway with the show, Oh, Mary!, a very wild what-if story about Mary Todd Lincoln. It's very progressive and at times over the top, but in the best of ways. This show does require a very open mind and imagination, but it is an absolute TON of fun and a must watch if you aren't the overly sensitive type.

Keeping with the trend of things that are fantastic, Kevin watched the new Guillermo del Toro film, Frankenstein, on Netflix. It stars Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth, and Christoph Walz. The genius that he is, Kevin has never read the original book, but he does swear this film feels like it must be a faithful adaptation. As with so much of del Toro's work, it's a visual feast and the acting is magnificent. It's on the longer side, at about 2 and a half hours, but it goes by quick and is absolutely worth the watch.

To close out the show, Andrew brings up the sneak peek at the first 5 minutes of the new season of Stranger Things. They agree that the story looks strong and it will be a great finish to the story, but Kevin finds himself a little let down by the effects in the trailer. Also, it's important to know, some of the discussion around the show centers around Kevin's (losing?) debate with a high school student about the second and third seasons. He's been relentlessly bullied but he's staying strong. (That's not really true, but he's being a baby, so go with it).

As always, thank you for watching. If you haven't already, don't forget to Like & Subscribe. We love new viewers! Also, leave us comments and let us know how we are doing and what we can be doing better. Enjoy the episode and have a great week!

Facebook: @apncpodcast

Twitter: @APNCPodcast

Instagram: AllPopNoCulture