Pop Culture Persephone

After a lengthy hiatus, Persephone is back and thrilled to be joined by first time guest and NYC-based artist extraordinaire Anna Meyer to discuss the mythos of Woody Allen and specifically the 4-part HBO Max documentary Allen V. Farrow.  On this episode, we talk specifically about the documentary - which Allen did  not participate in - and the legacy of his filmmaking, his abysmal history as a husband, and the accusations of him as a child abuser. We also discuss the biggest question - can you separate the art from the artist if the artist might is a monster?

Persephone kicks off the new year with a “watch” and discussion of Fox’s newest addition to the “masked universe” The Masked Dancer.  Virtually the same exact show as The Masked Singer but the masked celebrities are dancing (although this is subjective) and not singing.  Along with host Craig Robinson, the show is anchored with judges Ken Jeong, Ashley Tisdale, Brian Austin Green and Paula Abdul - sadly, the most qualified of the lot.  Persephone welcomes first time guest host and confidante Kristy Cruz - a former Brian Austin Green superfan - to dish on this hilarious episode!

It's time to marinate in the utter acting prestige that is Netflix's The Crown.  Yes, better late than never but Persephone could not allow the popsters to walk into 2021 without celebrating this series (especially Season 4) alongside return guest Devon Turchan!  Join Persephone and Devon as we discuss our favorite family across the pond - steeped in manners, decorum, and horsemanship and how history continues to repeat itself - even today!  Admittedly, we get in pretty deep with our collective fascination around young Diana Spencer while having fantasies of wigmakers fashioning a Diana wig for us!  This is a can't miss episode for any fans of the series or the podcast in general!

In a season of despair (aka 2020) when Persephone almost gave up on any true holiday cheer, Ryan Murphy performed some black magic and provided us with the sequin-dipped bonanza “The Prom” adapted from the 2018 Broadway musical of the same name.  Special first time guest Susan Sandberg joins Persephone to dish about this fantastical romp that could have gone wrong in so many ways, but didn’t.  I mean, they had us at Meryl Streep and we STAYED for the delightful Keegan Michael Key!  Yes, that’s right. Go ahead and check it out on Netflix now and come back and listen to two theatre geeks emote all about it!

Just when I thought I was almost done with the nonstop assaultive nature that this year has inflicted upon us, NBC delivered the not-so-live musical no one was asking for - Dr. Seuss’ Grinch the Musical Live featuring “Glee” alum (TV’s most inappropriate show choir director) Matthew Morrison.  Persephone welcomes Grinch expert and old friend Luke Wehner to dissect the who’s, why’s and how’s of this experience and how this stacks up against other “Grinches” in Seuss-story!  This is a rousing and hilarious conversation you don’t want to miss!

This week on the PCP, Persephone and special first-time guest Tia Hawkins discuss Matthew McConaughey and Greenlights, his best-selling memoir based on 36 years of journaling.  Join us as we discuss the unmistakable charisma and talent of this Texas native, his expansive 32 year career, and surprising life lessons revealed in Greenlights.  Welcome to the World According to McConaughey - filled with introspective journeys, naked bongo playing and an unquenchable curiosity and penchant for adventure!  Alright, alright, alright!

On this week's PCP, we welcome back special holiday hostesses Rachel Drotar and Hannah Storch to discuss the much anticipated The Happiest Season - a gay romantic comedy that just premiered on Hulu.  Does this movie deserve to be added to the beloved pantheon of holiday classics such as Home Alone, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and The Family Stone, is it merely a light confection that misses the mark, or something in between?  Packed with star power and chock full of comedians-a-plenty, there is a lot to discuss this week.  Spoiler warning so it might make sense to check this out before tuning in!

Welcome to the November Purge where Persephone dishes on some favorite TV shows you've either seen too many advertisements for or are hearing about for the first time! A teacher/student romance on the verge of imploding is the subject of the FX for Hulu's mini-series A Teacher starring House of Card's Rooney Mara and Love, Victor/Love, Simon star Nick Robinson.  This is not some Lifetime movie treatment of a tawdry subject, but a well-paced exploration of the ramifications of student/teacher breaches of trust. A must see! On a much lighter note, Persephone explores the premiere episode of Bravo's Real Housewives of Salt Lake City where the world is introduced to six bedazzled, botoxed and injected "pillars of the community" thirsty for some attention.  Andy Cohen might save my sense of humor in 2020, yet.  

It's part 2 of this episode where Persephone and Madonna expert - and friend Aaron Morrow - discuss even more of our problematic queen's hits, misses, and general pervasive influence over popular culture.  Not one for humility, Madonna will be the first to tell you that she was there first!  Welcome to this very boozy episode filled with so many Madonna factoids, the biggest hater might have to recognize the queen!  Keep bowing!

Bow down!  Persephone is joined by fellow Madonna superfan and old friend Aaron Morrow to discuss our problematic queen, her many incarnations, her triumphs, missteps, partnerships, and musical and cultural journey. As Madonna holes up in a non-descript location with a writer Diablo Cody to develop the script/story for her biopic (I’m not feeling great about this) it’s a fitting time to look back and see how we got to this place.  I recommend this drunken podcast to even those Madonna haters out there - learn why two 40-somethings just can’t quit our material girl!  Also, Aaron consistently corrects me throughout these episodes!  Bow down, indeed!