This episode uses music by Kevin MacLeod:

"The Escalation" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Dylan and Phil celebrate the 50th episode of Hop On Pop Culture, and the third year anniversary of the podcast with a special episode recorded LIVE AND IN PERSON at Phil’s basement. They did it up Hobbit style, with some pipe-weed, a bottle of red wine, and rustic bread and cheese as they talk about The Lord of The Rings and its impact on their lives and the lives of their heirs. Thanks for listening along so far- one does not simply walk into 50 episodes.

It is a universally known fact that children love dragons- conversely, dragons love children (especially with ketchup). Dylan and Phil have used this fact to start getting their kids into some classic fantasy literature- namely, The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. Grab your walking stick, forget your handkerchief, and come along on an adventure through the books, movies (extended editions of course), and cartoons that have been shaping kids imaginations for decades. Phil and Dylan debate if they are, in fact, the same person, and uncover a shared buried memory of having seen Gandalf's full uncensored staff in a production of King Lear. Yeah, they went there. And back again.

Phil gives his pitch for Toy Story 5: TOYtal Recall, an idea he had before learning that there will be an actual Toy Story 5. Enjoy what is certain to be a whimsical take on the world of Toy Story!*

*Content Warning: Human on toy violence, toy on Human violence, genocide, firearms (two ways), torture, choking hazards, and adult language. Rated PG, in theatres June 19th.

Happy Holidays! Dylan and Phil get into the seasonal spirit by introducing their kids to the 2003 instant classic Christmas movie ELF starring Will Ferrell and James Caan. Phil makes a controversial list of favorite Christmas movies, Dylan denigrates an all time Christmas classic, and the two of them engage in battling Jimmy Stuart impressions. They also answer the greatest question of this, or any other generation- is Will Ferrell twee? You should give it a listen, listening is our favorite!

Yeah yeah, they watched and talked about the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving special from 1973, sure, but the REAL draw of this episode is just how tired both Dylan and Phil were when they recorded it. Things go from Snoopy to loopy real quick as they get lost in the sauce over brines, mistake jazz for chocolate, and Phil tells the dirtiest joke about geese you’ve ever heard. We’re thankful to be such good friends who can share these sleep deprived moments, and we’re thankful to you for sharing them with us. Now, eat up!

While Dylan’s away, the at-home dads will play! A lone Phil welcomes Danny and Brock from Home Dad Chat, the official podcast of the National At Home Dad Network, to talk about all the autumnal family traditions we get to share with our families. We get into rustic soups, break out the power tools for some pumpkin carving, and ask “How you like them apples?” We like them a lot. They’re Macintosh. Pop on a light jacket, grab a bushel, and take a walk through the orchard of fatherhood!

Phil subjects Dylan to a “blind react” of the K-Pop Demon Hunters soundtrack, and the two have a conversation about expanding their worldviews and helping their kids connect to other cultures. A quiz is popped, a secret family is revealed (or is it?), and we pop a record onto the good sound system in the basement- tune in, it’s gonna be golden!

If you are a listener, come in.

If you are a dreamer, a wisher, a liar,

A parent, a friend, a J.K Rowling supporter,Wait. 

Screw that. We support trans rights.

If you’re a defender, come sit by our fire.

For we have some parental tales to spin.

Come in!

Come in!

Grab your towel and stick out that thumb, Dylan and Phil are taking a cue from Douglas Adams and reflecting on life, their kids’ expanding view of the universe, and what it all means. Learn how, in Evanston, trees (much like petunias) just fall from the sky. Be in awe as the kids befriend the most alien creatures Museum Campus has to offer. And reflect on the deep, philosophical questions only a 6 year old could ask. And whatever you do- DON’T PANIC!