Pop culture essayist, critic, and editor KRISTEN LOPEZ join Dan for a witty and lively discussion of their favorite television and streaming series of the past 25 years.

Their choices cover a wide and often surprising array of genres and characters, watched on large, laptop, and phone screens. What a “television show” is exactly continues to be redefined, as the long-time popularity of sitcoms and generic cop shows have given way to epic  storytelling, complex characterizations, and movie-quality production values.

 As always, what might or might not have made Dan and Kristen’s lists might be highly debatable, but it’s all in good fun, as two people who spend way too much time thinking about this stuff cram as much behind-the-scenes trivia, personal recollections, and strongly-held opinions into a one-hour podcast episode.  Plus: Lots of awesome clips!

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Legs McNeil was not only an integral part of the 1970’s downtown New York City “punk” scene – he gave it a name. As one of the founders of Punk magazine, Legs was a fixture at CBGB and Max’s Kansas City, he hung out with Iggy Pop and Lou Reed, and was in the audience for The Ramones, Patti Smith, Talking Heads, Blondie – plus many other bands who never found that level of fame, but were great while they lasted.

With Gillian McCain, Legs wrote PLEASE KILL ME: THE UNCENSORED ORAL HISTORY OF PUNK – the definitive first-hand account of a scene and a cultural movement that continues to inspire (and sell records) to this day. He’s also worked as an editor for Spin magazine and was the author or co-author of “The Other Hollywood: The Uncensored Oral History of the Porn Film Industry”, “Dear Nobody: The True Diary of Mary Rose”, and others.

He’s now the director and co-producer of “Pusherman: Frank Lucas and the True Story of American Gangster”, a documentary which corrects much of the fictionalized narrative of the Denzel Washington-starring 2007 film.

In his conversation with Dan, Legs shared stories about his friendships with Andy Warhol, Debbie Harry, and William S. Burroughs; the Sex Pistols’ final show; a private Rolling Stones concert held inside a volcano – plus, how he got that unusual first name.

 (This episode contains frank language and mature subject matter which might not be appropriate for all listeners.  Discretion is advised.)

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They say that truth is stranger than fiction.  Great documentaries have proven that they can be even more compelling and entertaining than anything your average Hollywood screenwriter could dream up.

 Acclaimed documentary filmmaker and writer/journalist LAURIE GWEN SHAPIRO – whose already-bestselling book “THE AVIATOR AND THE SHOWMAN” has been released to critical raves – joins Dan for an informed, freewheeling conversation about their favorite docs.  From coal mines and rock concerts…to a decaying mansion, the Supreme Court, and way beyond…these are amazing stories told by fascinating people -- and they all really happened.

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Let’s Talk Ten turns TWO, and Dan celebrates the occasion by collecting his favorite moments of the show from the past year – featuring great comments, conversations, and even a few songs with our amazing guests:

Jordan Franklin, John DeNicola, Stacy Widelitz, Ted Bergman, Doug & Emily Momary, Burt Kearns, Bob Bergen, Terry Beatty, Kevin Ladson, Catherin Moore, Tripp Whetsell, Heather Thomas, Gerry Williams, Danny Peary, Kathleen Fisher, Matt Singer, Simone Farber, Mosie Drier, Ed Kalegi, Kerry & Lisa Weeks, Andrew Unterberger, Daniel Persons, Sara Schmidt, Andrew Laposha, Warren Zanes, Eliana Singer, and Simone Elias.  

No need to BYOB nor RSVP: Just click -- and welcome to the party, pal. 

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Podcasters ELIANA SINGER and SIMONE ELIAS join Dan for a fun and enlightening conversation about their favorite movies of the past 25 years.  

Eliana and Simone’s show, “Teenage Golden Age”, chronicles their love of classic cinema of the 1930’s -- 1960’s – but for this episode of “Let’s Talk Ten” the choices are limited strictly to films of the 21st century – though there have been so many genuinely great ones, it was still not easy to narrow down their lists.  

 Besides the movies of this millennium, they also discuss:

 * How an obsession with “old movies” can get in the way of keeping up with what’s currently playing in theaters or on streaming.

* Has the overabundance of entertainment and media choices become a blessing -- or a curse -- for Gen Z audiences?

* Eliana admits that she is not particularly fond of two of Dan’s all-time favorite movies.  

* Simone discusses the book she published at the age of 15.

* Great clips, as always.  And so much more.

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Musician (the Del Fuegos), NYU professor, and writer WARREN ZANES and Dan have a deep-dive conversation about rock-and-roll legends BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN and TOM PETTY.

Warren is the author of the best-selling and critically hailed Petty: The Biography, as well as Deliver Me from Nowhere: The Making of Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska (which has been adapted into an upcoming motion picture, starring Jeremy Allen White as Bruce Springsteen) which, obviously, qualifies him as more than just a fan.  To his credit, Dan holds up his end of the discussion as well.

This one is not a comparison of Top Ten lists – it’s an appreciation of two artists – not just as cultural icons, but as driven, flawed, and extraordinary human beings.

Killer soundtrack, too.

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Hey there! Hi there! Ho there!  You’re as welcome as can be when

ANDREW LAPOSHA returns to the show to hang out with Dan, as they discuss their all-time favorite characters from the House of Mouse.

From the pioneer days of Steamboat Willie to the Pixar era and beyond, these boys-who-never-quite-grew-up compare their lists of talking animals, villains, fairies, princesses, dwarves, and robots.  They have lots of fun, for sure, but they also reveal how these characters -- and their classic films -- would impact each of them, for the rest of their lives. 

And, as always, there'll lots of fascinating trivia (including a few "Disney goofs” from Dan that Andrew has to correct), plus many hilarious and heart-warming clips that just might make you feel like a kid again.

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To celebrate the show's FIFTIETH epsiode, Dan wanted to feature his all-time favorite music group -- so, he invited author, blogger, and Fab Four fan extraordinaire SARA SCHMIDT onto the show, to talk about favorite BEATLES SONGS.  

With so many classics to choose from, listing just ten apiece sometimes felt like it might be…all too much.  But Dan and Sara did manage to include not only plenty of the big hits, but some of the deeper album cuts, and even a few of the more obscure, left-field stuff…because.  

AND OF COURSE:  The personal impact that John, Paul, George, and Ringo had on their lives; fun Beatles trivia and interesting lesser-known history; tangents and jokes; and essential clips that sound as fresh and astounding today as they did…yesterday. 

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Film journalist and critic DANIEL PERSONS beams onto Let’s Talk Ten, joining host Dan Fisher for a fun and thoughtful conversation about their all-time favorite SCIENCE FICTION MOVIES.

 From rocket ships and robots to time travel and existential quandaries – to infinity and beyond – Dan and Daniel discuss some of the greatest films of all time (regardless of genre) as well as some more far-out titles that are definitely worth exploring.

 Live long, prosper, and check out this episode of Let's Talk Ten.

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Billboard editor and podcast host ANDREW UNTERBERGER talks with Dan about their favorite MUSICAL ARTISTS of the past 25 years.  It’s the first of what will be three special “Let’s Talk Ten” episodes devoted exclusively to the music, movies, and TV/streaming shows of this millennium.

 Even though they come from different generations, both Andrew and Dan are passionate about music in every form – pop, rock, country, hip-hop, etc. – from every decade.  And they love to talk about it.

Taylor, Kendrick, and Beyonce will be on their lists, for sure, with at least a few surprises.  Plus:   the occasional tangent and -- obviously -- tons of fantastic music.

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