We're taking another short break from a new episode this week, but we're pulling a Hot Take from our Best Tim Burton Film episode from Season 4!

In this clip, our panelists are going head-to-head over two very different entries in the Burtonverse: 1985's Pee-Wee's Big Adventure versus 2010's Alice in Wonderland.

In one corner, we've got Pee-Wee Herman on a quest to recover his beloved bicycle, complete with dinosaurs, biker bars and a search for the Alamo's basement. In the other, we're falling down the rabbit hole into Burton's fantastical take on Wonderland, filled with the Mad Hatter, the Jabberwocky, and enough eccentric costumes to fill an entire season of Project Runway.

So grab your red bow tie, pour yourself a big cup of tea, and whatever you do, don't say Large Marge sent you...it's time for the debate!

We hope this Hot Take sent you down a wonderfully weird cinematic rabbit hole. If you enjoyed what you heard, be sure to check out the full Best Tim Burton Film episode from Season 4 in our podcast feed for even more Burton-esque debates, or visit greatpopculturedebate.com for dozens of other pop culture showdowns.

We'll be back September 15 for Season 14, featuring 10 all-new debates. Make sure you've subscribed to the show so you don't miss any new episodes!

CREDITS:

Editor: Bob Erlenback

Intro/Outro Music: "Dance to My Tune" by Marc Torch

#timburton #peeweeherman #peeweesbigadventure #aliceinwonderland #timburtonfilm #movies #films

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We're taking a break from a new episode this week, but don't worry, we'd never leave you hanging like a boy toy at the altar. Instead, we're pulling a Hot Take from our Best Madonna Music Video episode from Season 9!

In this clip, our panelists go head-to-head over two of Madge's most iconic videos:

In one corner, we've got "Like a Prayer," complete with religious imagery, burning crosses, stigmata, and enough controversy to make the Vatican reach for the remote. In the other, "Express Yourself," where Madonna basically told the world that bigger budgets, sharper suits, and industrial-chic choreography were all she needed to take over the planet.

So strike a pose and put on your cone bra, it's time for the debate!

If you enjoyed what you heard, be sure to check out the full Best Madonna Music Video episode in our podcast feed for even more pop culture showdowns, or visit greatpopculturedebate.com for dozens of other debates.

Now we want to hear from you. Does "Like a Prayer" have the spiritual power to take the crown? Or does "Express Yourself" demand that Madonna's message—and her music video—be heard loud and clear?

You can find us on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube at @greatpopculturedebate, and on Bluesky at @gpcd.bsky.social. And don't forget to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss another debate.

We'll be back 9/15 with Season 14, featuring 10 all-new debates. Until then, remember: Everyone's entitled to their wrong opinion. Vogue accordingly.

IG: https://www.instagram.com/greatpopculturedebate/

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/gpcd.bsky.social

Website: https://www.greatpopculturedebate.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/greatpopculturedebate

EPISODE CREDITS

Editor: Bob Erlenback

Intro/Outro Song: "Dance to My Tune" by Marc Torc

#madonna #musicvideo #madonnavideo #likeaprayer #expressyourself #podcastclips #podcast #popculture #debate #bestof #podcasts #music #movies #film #books #comics #television #tv #lgbtq #lgbt #nostalgia #geek #nerd #culture #greatesthits

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DC Comics introduced the Legion of Super-Heroes in 1958’s Adventure Comics #247. What initially started out as a trio of super-powered alien teens from the 30th Century quickly expanded into a dozens of members having wild, retro-futuristic adventures across the galaxy. The property would have huge bursts of popularity every decade from the 1960s through the early 2000s, as well as devastating lulls that led to reboot after reboot. The Legion remains a nostalgic favorite for longtime comic fans, and younger viewers introduced via the 2006 animated series — an a new comic-book reboot is about to arrive. So join the Great Pop Culture Debate as we attempt to name the Best Legion of Super-Heroes member!

Characters discussed: Brainiac 5, Lightning Lad/Live Wire, Cosmic Boy, Mon-El/Valor, Gates, Dream Girl, Chameleon Boy/Chameleon, Lightning Lass/Light Lass/Gossamer, Timber Wolf, Shadow Lass/Umbra, Element Lad, Wildfire, Matter-Eater Lad, Phantom Girl/Apparition, Ultra Boy, Saturn Girl

Join host Eric Rezsnyak, GPCD Panelist Bob Erlenback, and special guests, LOSH Super-Fan Kevin Wesley and artist and animator Jess Cuffe, as they discuss and debate 16 of the most memorable Legionnaires from the team’s many incarnations.

For the warm-up to this episode, in which we discuss additional Legion members that didn’t make the bracket, become a Patreon supporter of the podcast today.

Episode Credits

Host: Eric Rezsnyak

Panelist: Bob Erlenback

Special Guests: Kevin Wesley, Jess Cuffe

Producer: Derek Mekita

Editor: Bob Erlenback

Theme Music: “Dance to My Tune” by Marc Torch

IG: https://www.instagram.com/greatpopculturedebate/

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/gpcd.bsky.social

Website: https://www.greatpopculturedebate.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/greatpopculturedebate

#losh #legionofsuperheroes #dccomics #legion #scifi #comicbooks #comics #superheroes #saturngirl #cosmicboy #lightninglad #podcast #popculture #debate #bestof #podcasts #music #movies #film #books #comics #television #tv #lgbtq #lgbt #nostalgia #geek #nerd #culture #greatest

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Hey Great Pop Culture Debate audience! We're taking a short break from new episodes this week, but don't worry—we'd never treat you like fashion roadkill. Instead, we're pulling a Hot Take from our Best Project Runway Design episode from Season 7.

In this clip, our panelists are debating two unforgettable creations that prove fashion can be wearable art. In one corner, it's Christian Siriano and Chris March's unforgettable Avant Garde couture gown, a design that redefined what was possible on the Project Runway runway. In the other, it's Coral Castillo's breathtaking final runway look, a masterclass in craftsmanship, creativity, and signature style.

If you enjoyed what you heard, be sure to check out the full Best Project Runway Design episode in our podcast feed for even more fierce fashion debates, or visit greatpopculturedebate.com for dozens of other pop culture showdowns.

We'll be back next week with an all-new episode. Until then, remember: Everyone's entitled to their wrong opinion.

EDITOR: Bob Erlenback

INTRO/OUTRO MUSIC: "Dance to My Tune" by Marc Torch

#projectrunway #christiansiriano #chrismarch #coralcastillo #fashion #bravo #bravotv #realitytv #avantagarde #fashionweek #podcast #podcastclips

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If you were lucky enough, or privileged enough, to experience summer camp as a kid or teenager, the experience likely made a lasting impression on you. Sleepaway camps have certainly inspired filmmakers over the years, as the rustic settings and wide-eyed young people experiencing their first taste of freedom have proven fertile creative ground for numerous genres, from coming-of-age films to comedies to horror films to sex romps. So for one of our 2026 Summer Specials, the Great Pop Culture Debate wants to go wild as we attempt to name the best summer camp movie.

Movies discussed: Dirty Dancing (1987), Little Darlings, Ernest Goes to Camp, The Great Outdoors, Friday the 13th (1980), Camp Rock, Space Camp, Wet Hot American Summer, Addams Family Values, Daddy Day Camp, Meatballs, Moonrise Kingdom, The Parent Trap (1998), Sleepaway Camp (1983), Camp (2003), Troop Beverly Hills

Join host Eric Rezsnyak and GPCD Panelists Amma Marfo, Amy Pilott, and Trey Radu-Blackburn as they discuss and debate 16 of the most memorable films set at summer camps.

For the warm-up to this episode, in which we discuss additional movies set at summer camps that didn’t make the bracket, become a Patreon supporter of the podcast today.

EPISODE CREDITS

Host: Eric Rezsnyak

Panelists: Amma Marfo, Amy Pilott, Trey Radu-Blackburn

Producer: Derek Mekita

Editor: Eric Rezsnyak

Theme Music: “Dance to My Tune” by Marc Torch

#summer #summercamp #camp #camping #fridaythe13th #meatballs #wethotamericansummer #sleepawaycamp #theparenttrap #parenttrap #spacecamp #troopbeverlyhills #moonrisekingdom #addamsfamily #camprock

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We're taking a short break from brand-new episodes this week, but we couldn't leave you hanging like an umbrella in a hurricane. Instead, we're bringing you a Hot Take from our Best One-Hit Wonder Song episode.

In this clip, our panel squares off over two iconic songs that prove sometimes you only need one massive hit to make music history: "It's Raining Men" by The Weather Girls and "Relax" by Frankie Goes to Hollywood.

One is a joyful, over-the-top anthem that forecasted a downpour of eligible bachelors and became an LGBTQ+ classic. The other is a provocative synth-pop smash that shocked parents, got banned by the BBC, and somehow only became even more popular because of it. It's a battle of high-energy disco versus irresistible '80s new wave, and enough camp to fill an entire Pride parade. But only one song can weather the storm and move on in the bracket.

Listen to the full episode from Season 3 by clicking here.

CREDITS:

Editor: Bob Erlenback

Intro/Outro Song: "Dance to My Tune" by Marc Torch

#80smusic #70smusic #music #popmusic #onehitwonder #frankiegoestohollywood #relax #weathergirls #itsrainingmen

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“Yacht rock” as a term dates to the early 2000s, but the music it describes lives squarely in the late 1970s and early 80s. We’re talking the smooth sounds of summer, a little bit jazz, a touch of funk, a generous dollop of soulful crooning, all undercut by rock instrumentation by some of the grooviest white guys in the biz. You don’t have to be on a boat to enjoy yacht rock. It’s the perfect summer soundtrack no matter where you are. So join the Great Pop Culture Debate for one of our 2026 Summer Specials as we say ALL ABOARD and attempt to name the best Yacht Rock Song of all time.

Songs discussed: “Africa” by TOTO, “Peg” by Steely Dan, “How Long” by Ace, “Ride Like the Wind” by Christopher Cross, “This Is It” by Kenny Loggins, “Steal Away” by Robbie Dupree, “Lido Shuffle” by Boz Scaggs, “All Out of Love” by Air Supply, “What a Fool Believes” by The Doobie Brothers, “Escape (The Pina Colada Song)” by Rupert Holmes, “Baker Street” by Gerry Rafferty, “Saturday in the Park” by Chicago, “Can’t Fight This Feeling” by REO Speedwagon, “I Keep Forgettin’” by Michael McDonald, “You Make My Dreams (Come True)” by Hall & Oates, “Baby Come Back” by Player

Join host Eric Rezsnyak and GPCD Panelists Derek Mekita, Jonny Minogue, and Kate Racculia as they discuss and debate 16 of the smoothest jazz-rock jams from the 70s and 80s.

For the warm-up to this episode, in which we discuss additional yacht-rock gems that didn’t make the bracket, become a Patreon supporter of the podcast today.

IG: https://www.instagram.com/greatpopculturedebate/

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/gpcd.bsky.social

Website: https://www.greatpopculturedebate.com/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/greatpopculturedebate

EPISODE CREDITS:

Host: Eric Rezsnyak

Panelists: Derek Mekita, Jonny Minogue, Kate Racculia

Producer: Bob Erlenback

Editor: Bob Erlenback

Intro/Outro Music: "Dance to My Tune" by Marc Torch

#yachtrock #yacht #70smusic #80smusic #jazz #softrock #jazzrockfusion #toto #chicago #kennyloggins #doobiebrothers #michaelmcdonald #reospeedwagon #steelydan #christophercross #gerryrafferty #hallandoates #bozscaggs #podcast #popculture #debate #bestof #podcasts #music #movies #film #books #comics #television #tv #lgbtq #lgbt #nostalgia #geek #nerd #culture #greatest

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We're breaking again from new episodes this week, but don't worry, we'd never leave our fellow mutants stranded without a Cerebro signal to follow. Instead, we're dusting off a Hot Take from our Best X-Men Team Line-Up episode, originally released on May 13, 2025 as part of our Season 11.

This argument features a very special guest, AJ LoCascio, the voice of Gambit in X-Men '97 on Disney+, joining our panel for a debate that's more heated than the Dark Phoenix Saga. In this clip, two legendary mutant squads enter the Danger Room, but only one survives the bracket: Grant Morrison's New X-Men versus the Outback X-Men.

It's evolution versus revolution, psychic power versus sheer grit, and enough mutant mayhem to make Professor X ask everyone to please stop using their powers indoors. So grab your favorite yellow spandex, or black leather, if that's more your vibe, because it's time to find out which roster is truly uncanny.

If you enjoyed what you heard, be sure to check out the full Best X-Men Team Line-Up episode in our podcast feed for even more mutant-sized debates, or visit greatpopculturedebate.com for dozens of other pop culture showdowns.

We'll be back next week with an all-new, all-difference summer episode!

EPISODE CREDITS

Editor: Bob Erlenback

Intro/Outro Song: "Dance to My Tune" by Marc Torch

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Heists have been a part of cinema since at least 1903, when The Great Train Robbery became one of the most successful movies of its time. There’s something intrinsically compelling about people stealing things – the thrill of transgression, the desperation that leads to the act, the anxiety of getting caught. Heist films have changed tremendously over the intervening 120-plus years, but the best of them still retain that sense of excitement and danger, and in many cases have us actively rooting for the thief to win. So join the Great Pop Culture Debate as we attempt to name the Best Heist Film of all time – at least until mid-2026, when we’re recording this.

Movies discussed: Ocean’s 11 (2001), Baby Driver, Reservoir Dogs, The Thomas Crown Affair (1999), Heat, Inception, The Italian Job (2003), Point Break (1991), Three Kings, The Great Muppet Caper, Inside Man, Jackie Brown, Dog Day Afternoon, Now You See Me, A Fish Called Wanda, The Town

Join host Eric Rezsnyak, GPCD Panelists Karissa Kloss and Kevin Dillon, and special guest panelist Paul Caiola from the That Aged Well Podcast as they discuss and debate 16 of cinema’s most memorable heist films.

For the warm-up to this episode, in which we discuss additional movies featuring robberies that didn’t make the bracket, become a Patreon supporter of the podcast today.

EPISODE CREDITS

Host: Eric Rezsnyak

Panelists: Karissa Kloss, Kevin Dillon

Special Guest: Paul Caiola, That Aged Well Podcast

Producer: Bob Erlenback

Editor: Bob Erlenback

Intro/Outro Music: "Dance to My Tune" by Marc Torch

#movies #film #heistfilms #heistmovies #oceans11 #thetown #jackiebrown #reservoirdogs #theitalianjob #thomascrownaffair #babydriver #heat #inception #nowyouseeme #dogdayafternoon #insideman #greatmuppetcaper #threekings #afishcalledwanda #podast #popculture

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We’re taking a short break from new episodes this week, but we didn’t want to leave you without a little something to listen to. Instead, we’re bringing you a Hot Take from our Season 4 Best Disco Song episode, initially released in September 2021.

In this clip, panelists Eric Rezsnyak, Karissa Kloss, Gary Jackson and Derek Mekita square off over two dance floor classics: ABBA's "Dancing Queen" and Chic's "Le Freak." One is an irresistible pop masterpiece withstanding generations, while the other is a funky, bass-driven anthem that helped define the disco era. BUT only one can move forward in the bracket.

If this clip leaves you wanting more, check out the full episode in our podcast feed—or head over to greatpopculturedebate.com for more pop culture showdowns. 

We’ll be back next week with an all new debate, but until next time, remember, everyone’s entitled to their wrong opinion.

EPISODE CREDITS:

Editor: Bob Erlenback

Intro/Outro Song: "Dance to My Tune" by Marc Torch

#podcast #podcastclips #disco #discomusic #music #abba #lefreak #chic #dancingqueen #70smusic

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