Pop Life

In recent entertainment news, NBC announced that it would not broadcast the Golden Globes in 2022 because of reports of loose financial practices and lack of effort to diversify its membership. ABC announced a reboot of its 1980’s hit show The Wonder Years reimagined through the eyes of a young Black boy growing up in the turbulent 60’s in Montgomery, Alabama. Syracuse University S.I. Newhouse School professor of television history and popular culture, Bob Thompson, joins Joe Lee to discuss the impact and expectations of both.

Rap artist Earl Simmons, better known as DMX, whose music dominated the charts in the 1990’s and early 2000’s passed away after spending days on life support. On this episode of Pop Life, host Joe Lee reflects on the artist's career and the impact of his music had on the hip-hop genre.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences presents the 93rd Academy Awards on April 25, 2021. Is your favorite feature film of 2020 on the list? Don’t fret if you haven’t seen all or most of them because on this episode of Pop Life, Joe Lee sits with Kendall R. Phillips, professor in the department of Communications and Rhetorical Studies in the College of Visual & Performing Arts at Syracuse University and author of the books Controversial Cinema: The Films that Outraged America and Projected Fears: Horror Films and American Culture to discuss this year’s slate of nominated films. The two chat about the films within the context of diversity and inclusion, the global pandemic, and video streaming platforms.

If you have ever suffered the loss of a pet and felt that people did not truly understand your grief, then actress, singer Reagan Pasternak (HBO’s “Sharp Objects”, Netflix “Being Erica”, BET’s “Ms. Pat”) wants you to know that you are not alone. In her new book, Griffin’s Heart, Pasternak provides readers with interactive tools, healing exercises, and encouragement to help them navigate grief and honor the life of their beloved family pet.

There's been a lot of hype surrounding the Marvel/Disney+ original show Wandavision. Comic book enthusiasts have been soaking up ever episode filled with "easter eggs" and throwbacks to the original Marvel comics. But, for casual fans of the MCU, they've been left asking a lot of questions and unsure of where to turn for answers.

A beekeeper discovers that 60,000 of his bees are dead and have been beheaded and a race against time to track and eradicate the killer ensues. The new documentary film, Attack of the Murder Hornets, chronicles the search for the newly arrived invasive insect known as the Murder Hornet. The film’s director, Michael Paul Stephenson chats with Pop Life host, Joe Lee, about the movie, its non-traditional treatment of nature films, and the thrill of tracking down the Asian Giant Hornet.

Legendary American Actress, Cicely Tyson passed away on January 28, 2021 leaving behind a body of work that represents a significant part of groundbreaking productions important to Black television history. On this Black History episode of Pop Life, television historian Bob Thompson of Syracuse University, joins host Joe Lee in exploring Ms. Tyson’s career and the two discuss other notable Black television shows that have made important contributions to the growth and development of Black images on the small screen.

Media historian Bob Thompson says of the late Cloris Leachman’s role as Phyllis on the Mary Tyler Moore show, “She was the best 3rd banana in all of American comedy.” Bob joins host Joe Lee on the latest episode of Pop Life to pay tribute to one of America’s favorite comedic actors.

Few American families have skyrocketed from relative obscurity to the highest levels of fame and fortune the way the Jenner-Kardashian clan has. Arguably, the person most responsible for the family’s success is matriarch Kris Jenner.

Supernatural, the WB network television series about two brothers who follow in their father’s footsteps as hunters fighting evil supernatural beings, has developed one of the most devoted fanbases of any popular American TV show. For 15 seasons, Supernatural offered its fans compelling storylines, riveting characters, and an abundance of demon hunting.