POP! Goes the Kernel

Welcome back to this week’s episode of Pop! Goes the Kernel! This week, your hosts Marissa Armstrong, Gabriella Mercedes and Isabella Lindsey discuss the best and worst celebrity Halloween costumes, the return of holiday drinks, the Hardee’s Rizzwich meal and more.

Welcome back to this week’s episode of Pop! Goes the Kernel! This week, your hosts Marissa Armstrong, Gabriella Mercedes and Isabella Lindsey discuss the new movie “Regretting You,” People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive, Miss USA 2025, 67 being the word of the year and more.

Welcome back to this week’s episode of Pop! Goes the Kernel! This week, your hosts Marissa Armstrong, Gabriella Mercedes, Isabella Lindsey and Jackson Redish discuss the new episodes of “Saturday Night Live,” the Victoria’s Secret fashion show, new albums by Tame Impala and Ty Dolla $ign, the Louvre robbery and more.

Welcome back to this week’s episode of Pop! Goes the Kernel! This week, your hosts Libby Heckert, Marissa Armstrong, Gabriella Mercedes and Isabella Lindsey discuss Bad Bunny headlining the 2026 Super Bowl, fall fashion at Keeneland, controversy within the world of the Miss USA pageants, Kayne West’s list of betrayal and more.

Welcome back to this week’s episode of Pop! Goes the Kernel! This week, your hosts Libby Heckert, Marissa Armstrong, Gabriella Mercedes and Isabella Lindsey discuss “The Summer I Turned Pretty” series finale, the new season of “Dancing with the Stars,” the 2025 Emmy Awards, celebrity couple drama and more.

Welcome back to this week’s episode of Pop! Goes the Kernel! This week, your hosts Libby Heckert, Marissa Armstrong and Gabriella Mercedes discuss “Love Island USA” season seven, current trends regarding Labubus, new summer releases in television, movies and music, Taylor Swift’s engagement to Travis Kelce and more.

We’re back with another episode of Pop! Goes the Kernel, and this week is packed with drama, awards season buzz, and pageant fashion critiques! 🎤✨ Join hosts Gabriella Mercedes, Lauren Smiley, Libby Heckert, and Marissa Armstrong as they break down:

Golden Globes Recap – From Nikki Glaser’s historic hosting debut to Wicked’s surprising snubs, we unpack the biggest wins, shocking upsets, and the viral moments that had everyone talking. Plus, we debate Amelia Perez’s four wins and whether the internet backlash is justified.

Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni Lawsuit – The It Ends With Us co-stars are making headlines for all the wrong reasons. We dive into the allegations, defamation claims, and the behind-the-scenes drama that has fans rethinking the film.

Miss America 2024 – A new queen has been crowned! We discuss Alabama’s win, Texas’ first runner-up placement, and the biggest fashion hits and misses of the night. Are pageant gowns getting too casual? And did Tennessee’s dress cost her the crown?

Beyoncé’s Halftime-Worthy Performance – Queen Bey stunned at the Texans vs. Ravens Christmas game, delivering a Cowboy Carter-themed spectacle complete with a floating stage, denim-wrapped trucks, and a show-stopping entrance on horseback. Was it even better than a Super Bowl performance?

The TikTok Ban Debate – Could TikTok really be banned in the U.S.? We unpack the latest political developments, why people are freaking out, and whether Instagram Reels can ever truly replace it. Plus, is social media ruining childhoods? We get nostalgic about the days of Musical.ly, Vine, and playing outside until the streetlights came on.

And of course, we wrap up with Hot Takes & 2025 Bingo Card Predictions, featuring fan submissions on what they expect in the new year—from Taylor Swift’s Reputation (Taylor’s Version) to wild sports predictions.

As 2024 comes to an end, it’s time to rewind and relive the biggest pop culture moments that defined the year! ✨ From viral sensations to major celebrity drama, this year had no shortage of entertainment. Join us as we break down the trends, scandals, and events that had everyone talking:

Hollywood Highlights – From the Barbie and Challengers craze to Wicked dominating social media, we recap the movies that took over the box office and the performances that had us glued to our screens.

Music Madness – Brat Summer was in full force, Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour became a global phenomenon, and Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter had the world buzzing. Plus, how did TikTok shape this year’s biggest hits?

Award Show Shockers & Fashion Wins – From unforgettable Met Gala looks to the Golden Globe nominations that got everyone talking, we reflect on the most iconic (and questionable) red carpet moments.

The Year in Celebrity Romance & Drama – Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s romance took center stage, the internet had a meltdown over celebrity lookalikes, and Who TF Did I Marry? became the breakup saga of the year.

The Paris Olympics & Sports Moments That Took Over – From viral Olympic controversies to unexpected sports drama (cough Michigan vs. Ohio State), we break down the biggest wins and wildest moments in the world of sports.

TikTok’s Cultural Takeover – From Demure & Mindful to Wait, they don’t love you like I love you, we explore the trends that had everyone participating in the latest challenge or debate.

Get ready for a deep dive into the biggest pop culture shifts, viral moments, and iconic events that made 2024 unforgettable. Grab your popcorn—this is one recap you don’t want to miss! 🍿

As 2024 comes to a close, Pop! Goes the Kernel is here to take you on a trip down memory lane! 🎆✨ Join hosts Libby Heckert, Marissa Armstrong, Lauren Smiley, and Gabby Mercedes as they reflect on the biggest pop culture moments of the year and dive into the latest entertainment buzz:

Golden Globe Nominations – The awards season is heating up, and we’re breaking down the biggest nominees, snubs, and surprises. From Bridgerton’s jaw-dropping hair & makeup nominations to the most talked-about films of the year (Challengers, Twisters, Inside Out 2), we debate who should take home the gold!

The A-list Tour That Took Over the World – After an unforgettable 149-show run, Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour has officially come to an end. We dive into the tour’s insane stats, the cultural phenomenon it became, and why it might be the biggest tour in music history. Plus, did Swift’s final surprise songs live up to the hype?

New Year’s Eve Performances & Controversy – Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve lineup has dropped, and we’re talking all things Jelly Roll, Megan Thee Stallion, Post Malone, and more. But is the show still as iconic as it once was, or is it losing its audience?

2024’s Pop Culture Rewind – We’re unpacking the biggest viral trends, scandals, and unforgettable moments from the past year. From Brat Summer and Demure & Mindful aesthetics to TikTok’s obsession with celebrity lookalikes and Saltburn dominating the internet, we’re covering it all.

DCC’s Historic Moment – Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Armani Latimer made history by performing without a wig, embracing her alopecia and challenging the team’s traditional beauty standards. We discuss the impact of her powerful moment and what it means for the future of the DCC brand.

As always, we wrap up with our Hot Takes of the Week, including the great Christmas debate: colored lights vs. warm white lights.

We’re back with another episode of Pop! Goes the Kernel, and this week, we’ve got a lot to talk about! 🎤✨ Join hosts Gabriella Mercedes, Lauren Smiley, Libby Heckert, and Marissa Armstrong as they break down some of the biggest pop culture moments of the week:

Celebrity Lookalike Contests – From TikTok doppelgängers to A-list resemblances, we dive into the wildest celebrity lookalike contests and who’s fooling fans with their uncanny similarities.

Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade Recap – Rain or shine, the annual holiday tradition brought the magic once again! We discuss the iconic balloons, celebrity performances, and, of course, the moment Santa made his big entrance.

Spotify Wrapped is Here! – The long-awaited Spotify Wrapped has finally dropped, and we’re breaking down our own top artists, most-streamed songs, and the biggest global streaming trends. Is Taylor Swift really the queen of Spotify, or did another artist steal the spotlight?

Drama in Media & Sports – From cheating scandals rocking TikTok influencers to Michigan vs. Ohio State’s post-game chaos (pepper spray included), we unpack the most talked-about controversies making headlines. Plus, what went really wrong at the end of this heated college football rivalry?

Pop Icons & Billboard’s Top 25 – Who truly deserves the title of the greatest pop star of the 21st century? We analyze Billboard’s new ranking, debate Beyoncé’s placement at #1, and discuss some surprising (and missing) names.