Jerry Seinfeld ignited a fire when he blamed "the extreme left and PC crap" for ruining comedy in a recent interview with The New Yorker. But is comedy really dead, and if so, who is to blame?
In this week's episode Thomas, Osman, and a fresh-from-her-holiday Mel dissect comedy and cancel culture, before turning to their attention to the claim that we're in the era of so-called "Mid TV". Does Amazon Prime's new rom-com, The Idea of You, starring Anne Hathaway, show the demise or potential of television in 2024?
Plus, our pop culture recommendations for the week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did 'woke culture' really kill the sitcom? Plus, the era of 'Mid TV'

The Drop is a weekly show tackling the latest in the world of pop culture and entertainment. Why does it seem like everything on television is based on a true story? Why is Kate Bush back in the charts? How did Pete Davidson get so popular? Join host Osman Faruqi and The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age's team of culture writers and critics as they answer these questions and more along with interviews with musicians, actors, film makers and everyone involved in the world of culture.

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Film Interviews

Join Mel, Thomas and Os as they travel 25 years back into the past, to revisit one of the greatest years in movie history: 1999. From Fight Club and American Beauty, to Magnolia and Cruel Intentions, they discuss the highs and lows of the ground breaking year, and determine what has (and has not) stood the test of time.
Plus, the trio unpack the new generation of Hollywood stars, and a great third act performance from Robert De Niro. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 1999 Movie Hall of Fame

From The Age and Sydney Morning Herald, Trial by Water is a new investigative podcast series about Robert Farquharson, who has been locked up for decades for an unthinkable crime: murdering his three sons in a dam on Father’s Day, 2005.
Now scientists and lawyers are asking the question: did we get it wrong? And is this man in prison for a crime he didn’t commit?
Episode 1 will arrive on Saturday, June 1. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Introducing: Trial by Water

The fifth instalment in George Miller's Mad Max franchise drives us back into the wasteland with Anya Taylor Joy at the wheel as Furiosa, alongside Chris Hemsworth.
In this week's episode, Osman, Thomas and Mel discuss the action-packed blockbuster, how it compares to 2015's Fury Road and examine Mad Max's place in Australian cinematic history. Plus, they debate Taylor Swift's chart battle with Billie Eilish and unpack Scarlett Johansson's fight with artificial intelligence. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The breathtaking 'Furiosa'. Plus Taylor vs. Billie and ScarJo vs. AI

As Baby Reindeer remains one of the most-watched shows globally, Mel and Osman discuss the consequences of drawing on real-life experiences for television, the “real” Martha’s interview with Piers Morgan and why audiences are obsessed with sleuthing. 
They also discuss Donald Trump’s attempt at film podcasting, the Beyonce led takeover of the country charts and the aftermath of the Drake-Kendrick beef.
Finally, they review Such Brave Girls and reveal why it might prove to be the year's best new comedy show. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Netflix created 2024's biggest TV controversy, plus our new favourite comedy

The simmering feud between hip hop's biggest stars, Kendrick Lamar and Drake, reached boiling point this week with both artists dropping intensely personal diss tracks that included accusations of child abuse and violence against women. Mel, Thomas and Osman discuss the winners, the losers and the consequences of what could be rap's biggest battle in years.
Plus, pop princess Dua Lipa risks her crown with new release Radical Optimism and Ryan Gosling takes an explosive turn in new action romcom The Fall Guy.

Links: https://www.smh.com.au/culture/music/anatomy-of-a-rap-feud-the-real-winner-of-the-kendrick-and-drake-beef-20240506-p5fp6a.htmlhttps://www.smh.com.au/culture/movies/inside-the-stunt-that-saw-ryan-gosling-shut-down-the-harbour-bridge-20240416-p5fk2y.htmlhttps://www.smh.com.au/culture/movies/we-wanted-someone-funny-we-called-ryan-gosling-hollywood-s-most-hilarious-leading-man-20231101-p5egui.htmlhttps://www.smh.com.au/culture/movies/ryan-gosling-and-emily-blunt-all-fizzle-and-no-sizzle-in-the-fall-guy-20240422-p5flt0.html
 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did 'woke culture' really kill the sitcom? Plus, the era of 'Mid TV'

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