PopFury

Chicago comedian and actor Kellen Terrett, the Robin Hood of Thrift Stores, classes up the joint when he comes to Studio 1Q to talk about being a foodie, the Academy Awards, Oregon and meeting his girlfriend.

SHOW NOTES:

0:00 Intro

1:00 Kellen snuck his way into the co-hosting gig on the Talking Games podcast. We flashback to the talk show wars of the 90s.

2:20 He is going to Paris  with his girlfriend next month and is an avowed foodie and dives into both topics. Kellen also explains the Foie Gras controversy and his travel plans.

11:10 Sammy would be afraid to go France as he doesn't speak the language. Kellen shares his French accent.

12:45 Kellen is from Oregon and gives Sammy the lowdown on Portland. He almost moved to Toronto instead of Chicago because he likes Canadians. Sammy is delighted to find out Kellen's dad was a cop. We reminisce about haircuts we've had.

21:00 We're excited about the upcoming Mad Max movie, Fury Road. Kellen cried because the ending of one the Lord of the Rings movies was changed.

24:30 The Academy Awards were particularly white this year and we chat about the controversy as well as the movies themselves. Kellen guesses the movies he will share with his son when he grows up.

35:00 Sammy asks Kellen for advice on coffee and regrets it.

39:00 American Sniper used a fake baby. Kellen says the fake baby in Children of Men ruined the movie for him.

42:00 A teenage boy posed as a Gynecologist in a hospital for a month. Kellen shares his days as a Robin Hood of Thrift Stores.

46:25 It is now legal to give cops the finger. Kellen shares tips on how to curse out cops. He explains his issues with “journalism” that is really just storytelling.

51:25 Facebook is implementing a feature to flag false information. People took umbrage that Kellen kept his son's gestation on the downlow and he had to unfriend them. We run down the various social media platforms.

1:00:45 We share the last time we cried at a movie and Kellen talks about how he met his girlfriend on Tinder. Sammy asks what was scary sharing with her about his life. Kellen tells me what the nerdiest shit in his house is. To Sammy's consternation, he recommends a comic book called Sex Criminals.

1:11:40 Kellen talks about what he's been digging lately. Sammy had to Google how to boil an egg.

1:18:48 Outro, during which Sammy pitches a take on a show Kellen is doing.

Second City's Daniel Strauss returns for the 25th episode of Pop Fury! We talk about how he doesn't believe anything on the internet, the Charlie Hebdo attack, the return of Dave Maher and the passing of Jason Chin. He also yells passionately about stuff as he is wont to do.

SHOW NOTES:

0:00 Intro

1:55 Daniel is expecting his first child in March!

5:55 Sammy has fallen out of cheering for Michigan State University while Daniel is a staunch University of Michigan fan...who doesn't know the new incoming coach's name. He feels Penn State was not punished enough.

10:05 Sammy brings up the high school coach who accidentally snapchatted himself masturbating to his girls soccer team.  Daniel believes that's fake since everything on the internet is fake and begins to rant about faux celebrity Instagram accounts (like Banksy)  and internet joke thievery.

22:15 A woman accidentally shot her husband who was making breakfast in bed for her (DANIEL THOUGHT THIS STORY WAS FAKE BUT IT WAS REAL). Sammy shares the story of the girl who beat someone for farting on her.

27:40 The Golden Globes are tonight. Daniel thinks no awards show matters. We talk about one of the nominees, Birdman, in depth. SPOILER WARNING FOR END OF BIRDMAN.

35:55 We talk about the Charlie Hebdo attack, pushing social boundaries, satire and art.

44:15 On a lighter note, we celebrate the return of Dave Maher, a Chicago comedian everyone thought was dead.

47:55 We take a moment to remember the recent loss of Chicago improv mainstay, Jason Chin.

54:20 We talk about the Antman trailer, the latest Justice League movie rumors, Gone Girl, the Hunger Games, Chappie

1:02:40 Daniel loved New Japan's Wrestle Kingdom 9 wrestling event and it highlighted the problems with America's WWE product.

1:05:35 Daniel watched a bunch a movies when his wife was out of town. We touch on Lost In Translation, 500 Days of Summer and a foreign movie I can't spell.

1:12:23 Outro

Chicago actor and improvisor Nnamdi Ngwe visits Studio 1Q to discuss Whiplash, surviving the zombie apocalypse, diversity in TV & movies, and boy bands.

SHOW NOTES:

0:00 Intro with a very special lead-in by Nnamdi (whose name I continually flub). He does not like being called notorious and demands a Three Amigos adjective instead.

2:35 Sammy ran into Nnamdi at Whiplash. We both don't like being coddled when being taught or coached. Nnamdi talks about the Oscar-contending movies he's seen and claims every year of his life is perfect for a movie adaptation. He also refuses to watch a trailer for a trailer.

13:00 Nnamdi is a big fan of So You Think You Can Dance; Sammy only likes the audition rounds. Nnamdi is ready for the zombie apocalypse thanks to Walking Dead and will be the leader of his group of survivors.

18:50 A 7-year-old girl survived a plane crash and walked for help. Nnamdi would not have let her into the house to call 911.

20:40 Nnamdi thinks Colbert's show will be great. Sammy learns not to mess with Nnamdi's family, which is apparently everywhere.

24:52 He thinks we need a black superhero and we run down the current black superheroes. We talk about recasting and diversity in movies and TV. Nnamdi shares his experiences auditioning and how that led to the creation of his improv group Threepeat. We discuss some of the diverse shows on TV.

44:30 Nnamdi is looking forward to the Backstreet Boys documentary. Sammy has lots of questions about various boy bands. We talk about finding new music and not getting stuck listening to the same stuff.  Sammy likes Nikki Minaj's bluntness on American Idol and Nnamdi dislikes participation medals.

57:30 Outro with a very special Nnamdi performance at the very end.

Chicago comedian Ryan Ben giggles his way through the Pop Fury Year In Review. We single out the year's best and worst TV shows, movies and moments from our lives in this special look back. We also talk about upcoming shows and movies we look forward to in 2015.

SHOW NOTES:

0:00 Intro that Ryan giggles through

1:40 We admit we don't play video games the same way any more as we grow up. Ryan professes his love for his lady while looking into Sammy's eyes. Sammy is stunned by how much Ryan reads and explains Byrne-stealing to Ryan. Ryan pounds the table to emphasize how awesome going to Bruce Springsteen's concert was.

8:40 YEAR END REVIEW: TELEVISION – We talk Agents of SHIELD (and the Marvel Universe), Flash, The Knick, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Parks & Rec, VEEP, True Detective, Fargo, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Sons of Anarchy & Gotham. We're looking forward Colbert's Talk Show, Broad City, Review & Game of Thrones...and Sammy discovers that fantasy stuff absolutely pisses Ryan off.

42:20 YEAR END REVIEW: MOVIES – We get into a knock-down, drag-out brawl about Snowpiercer in which Ryan wins ownership of the Pop Fury Podcast. Luckily we find common ground as we both loved Edge of Tomorrow. We then talk about the rumored Men In Black / Jump Street crossover, The Raid 2, Jodorowsky's Dune, Guardians of the Galaxy, Birdman, Fox Catcher & Mark Ruffalo. Ryan was disappointed by Gone Girl but love Fincher's other work, Zodiac. We're looking forward to Mad Max: Fury Road, Pitch Perfect 2, Hunger Games, Jurassic World, Avengers 2 & Mickey Rourke.

1:11:45 YEAR END REVIEW: PERSONAL – Ryan highlight of his year was meeting his girlfriend and Sammy's highlight was seeing indie wrestling with Mark Colomb and starting the podcast. Ryan's lowlight was his tonsillectomy and bleeding out his mouth; Sammy's was realizing this is the biggest he's been. Ryan and Sammy talk about what they're looking forward to and dreading in 2015.

1:35:25 Outro that Ryan almost has no plugs for, but then he gets excited about the fake Buzzfeed articles he writes and trolling Reddit

Danny Groh pitstops in Studio 1Q before heading east to NYC! He tells me about his fight in Crobar, his time in Chicago, why he's moving to NYC and plays the first- and last-ever DANNY'S GIVING SPIRIT GAME.

SHOW NOTES:

0:00 Intro

1:45 Sammy suspects Danny is a serial killer. Danny then describes his first fight in Chicago at the old Crobar.

5:15 Sammy asks Danny point-blank why he's moving to New York City.

9:30 Sammy chides Danny for doing a lovely 2-hour podcast with Mary Beth Smith after Sammy had been trying to book him for 3 months.

10:35 Danny talks about all the pre-move reflecting he's been doing and how it feels like he's leaving his family behind.

14:05 He chats about his highs and lows in Chicago.

22:20 Sammy is stunned by all the jobs and gigs Danny has done. Danny talks about visioning and going out and inviting life into you. He talks about turning around his unhealthy lifestyle. Danny is close to his family but he has to follow his heart.

32:35 We play the newly created DANNY'S GIVING SPIRIT GAME, where Sammy names random people or things and Danny has to name a gift he would give them.

38:30 Danny has been watching Black Mirror and listening to Serial. He only goes to movies alone and thinks people need to learn how to be introverted. Danny talks about what he looks forward to NYC and Sammy tries to make him choose only ONE best friend. He waxes nostalgic about Upstairs Gallery.

49:00 Like a small child, Danny gets distracted by Sammy's podcast set up. Sammy coaxes improv advice from Danny for newer performers.

52:45 Danny gets confused and plugs shows that will be over by the time the podcast airs.

Comedian and scientist Mary Beth Smith drops pop culture knowledge on Sammy when she visits Studio 1Q. She talks about her love of Pizza, the Jeff Dunham special, the birth of her critical movie watching filter, Parks & Rec and The Comeback.

SHOW NOTES

0:00 Intro

1:10 Sammy is impressed that Mary Beth is a scientist and wonders why she doesn't have an accent. Mary Beth used to children's theater with her dad.

6:05 Mary Beth talks about her hometown of Lancaster, South Carolina, which was listed as the most vulnerable town during the recession.

10:58 She explains her job a bit more in detail after Sammy thinks she's helping the bad guy lawyers.

13:25 Mary Beth loves food, especially pizza. She gained a jalapeno allergy from eating too many jalapenos.

18:50 Sammy stuns Mary Beth when he plays the racist ring tone he overheard on the shuttle bus from work. It is still for sale on iTunes. She shares the story of her family watching and enjoying the Jeff Dunham special, All Over the Map .

28:40 Sony pulled the Interview after threats from hackers. Mary Beth talks about the Transformers and the Fast and Furious movies. Sammy tries to convince her of the awesomeness of the Fast and Furious movies. She's enjoyed Birdman, Boyhood and Nightcrawler recently. She admits to becoming a movie lover late in life and talks about the beginning her watching movies critically.

42:15 The trailer for the final season of Parks and Rec came out and Mary Beth professes her love for the show. She is a cornucopia of Parks and Rec knowledge. She also is a big fan of With Special Guest Lauren Lapkus. She also talks about her favorite Brenden Jennings bit.

50:10 Mary Beth read tear-jerking but dark YA books A Fault In Our Stars and Looking for Alaska. She loved SNL's parody of YA film trailers.

53:00 Netflix is making a Wet Hot American Summer series. She absolutely recommends They Came Together and Sammy recommends Obvious Child. On TV, Sammy is looking forward to Agent Carter and The Sing Off. Mary Beth also recommends The One That I Love.

1:02:15 SCCSR—a dating app for lesbians has been released. This leads us to chatting about the wonderful work of Cameron Esposito.

1:06:00 Mary Beth invokes her bookmark and we talk about The Comeback.

1:13:25 During the outro, Sammy reveals their forgotten improv connection.

Chicago actor and troublemaker Michaela Petro sets Studio 1Q ablaze when we talk about Chicago theater, TBOX, dyeing your armpit hair, Layaway Angels and movies.

SHOW NOTES:

00:00 Intro

00:26 Sammy mispronounces Michaela's last name to start the show. She shares the process of determining her SAG name because of her voiceover work.

4:10 Michaela is from Waterbury, Conneticut which is the brass capital of the world. She explains her college trials and tribulations and how she eventually ended up at Columbia College in Chicago.

10:45 She is still figuring things out and finding her creative voice. We talk about the Chicago theater scene. Michaela shares her favorite show she's done over years and why it meant so much to her.

20:25 Sheis an Irish Twin and her mother supports her artistic endeavors. Michaela recently just wrote a horror short piece called The Sirens.

25:35 TBOX was this weekend in Chicago. That's not her style and she explains what her drinking style is.

30:54 Women are dyeing their armpit hair. This leads us to wondering about being in-touch with modern online stuff like Vine, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat (which Sammy 100% believes is for dick pics). We talk about America's sexual puritanism.

44:15 We talk about the IUD and birth control. Michaela talks about breaking up with the guy she moved to Chicago with. She doesn't use Tinder but has friends who do.

48:25 A Layaway Angel paid off everyone's layaway gifts at a Toys R Us.  We talk about money and generosity. I ask her about her ideal life...which involves Tom Hiddleston or a French guy who knows capoeira

57:15 We talk about the Sony hack and the rumored Men In Black / 22 Jump Street crossover movie. Michaela is only on board for ½ of that combo. Sammy saw Bronson and we rave about Tom Hardy. Sammy saw Love Actually right after and Michaela shits all over it.

1:04:50 Sammy segues into the outro to let Michaela plug herself, but she ends up plugging and praising other people.

Tim Dunn visits Pop Fury one last time for a farewell binge of nerdery before shipping off on the high seas. We geek out about the Flash / Arrow crossover, Suicide Squad casting, Star Wars rumors, the Hobbit and Hunger Games.

SHOW NOTES:

(SPOILER WARNING FOR ALL SHOW)

00:00 Intro

00:28 We dive right into talking about the FLASH / ARROW crossover episodes and then delving each of the series.

24:55 Sammy expresses his disappointment in the last season of SONS OF ANARCHY

27:45 We're both big fans of AVATAR: LEGEND OF KORRA, which is also in its last season.

34:15 Tim's musical group, the Shock Ts, recently did their final show but still have a project in the works.

36:30 Movie Production News: Benedict Cumberbatch will be Dr. Strange, the next James Bond movie will be called SPECTRE, and the SUICIDE SQUAD has been cast.

41:45 Sammy interrupts movie news to figure out why Tim is so tired and scatter-brained

42:30 We return to breaking down the SUICIDE SQUAD casting.

44:25 Movie Trailer Talk: Sammy explains the premise of TERMINATOR: GENISYS to Tim then we talk about JURASSIC WORLD.

49:30 We talk about STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS. Sammy discusses the script leaks and outlines the story breakdown. If you want to avoid spoilers, skip to when Tim is singing Semisonic's “Closing Time” at 55:55

55:55 Tim sings Semisonic's “Closing Time” we return to non-spoiler Star Wars talk.

56:30 HOBBIT: BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES is opening soon and we're both looking forward to it despite some questionable story choices in the previous films.

1:00:35 Tim is looking forward to the return of PARKS & REC, is enjoying THE MINDY PROJECT and has been INAYASHA. We briefly talk about the whole Bill Cosby situation and watching old comedy with a new context.

1:07:11 Tim just saw HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY PT 1. Sammy is surprised that Tim has not read the books or even seen the first movie in the series. Sammy culturebullies Tim. Tim then decides Sammy looks like someone who's seen SNOWPIERCER.

1:18:55 Tim performs one last time on 12/9 at the Annoyance Theater at 8 PM. Check out his podcast Talking Games with Tim & Clayton, with sub-host Kellen Terrett.

Ashley Nicole Black invites herself into Studio 1Q and we dig into Scandal, Ferguson, Scandal, moving to LA, Scandal, sitcoms and the new Star Wars trailer! Also: Scandal.

Show Notes:

We talk for a good long while about Scandal—this season, previous seasons, favorite characters, hated characters and bad wigs. Oh, and all the sexy times on it. Along the way, we also talk how Ashley couldn't make it past the Season 2 of The Wire AKA the Dock Season. She couldn't watch True Detective because all the white people looked alike. Ashley is totally in love with Idris Elba and pitches a story angle for him to be on Scandal.

We then talk even more Scandal. Sammy is surprised that Ashley could watch it with her parents in the room.

Rupert Murdoch was a dumb dumb in defending the Caucasian casting of Gods and Kings.

Ashley doesn't like when TV shows change. The upcoming movie adaptation of Into The Woods makes her sad. Her dad is obsessed with Craig Robinson and think Ashley knows all black comedians, like the person Key Peele.

We talk about Dave Maher's recovery and Facebook posting on Thanksgiving.

Ashley and I dig into the online social media turmoil in the wake of Ferguson and Facebook/Twitter drama. We both can't help but read internet comments and discuss the people suffering the consequences of their posts. We talk about the female journalist who contacted the mothers of online trolls who threatened to rape her.

She is flying back on the Red Eye to LA on New Year's Eve. She talks about the differences between Chicago and LA. We delve into modern sitcoms, their failures, their successes and, coincidentally, someone texts about that very topic while we're talking. We wonder what the great sitcoms of our time are, watercooler TV and multicamera sitcoms.

We abort the outro to talk the Star Wars trailer. Ashley has never seen any Star Wars films and offers her thoughts on the teaser. She breaks Sammy's brain. Ashley doesn't get people who don't understand an oppressed group of people fight in real life but support it movies in Star Wars and Hunger Games. Sammy snuck a peek at the leaked Annie movie.

Asher Perlman nerds it up with Sammy in Studio 1Q. We cover everything from his political ambitions and homeschool basketball experiences to Interstellar and Game of Thrones in our laugh-filled time together.

SHOW NOTES:

(as always, spoiler warning for everything we discuss)

Sammy found Asher's OY!Chicago interview online and learned about Asher's funny Rabbi back in Seattle and his PolySci major. Asher wanted to be a Madison city councilman. We then awkwardly discuss politics.

Asher discusses what he would be doing if it wasn't comedy or politics. Sammy doesn't even the know the details of what his ideal life would be. 

A Polish town banned Winnie Pooh from a playground.

A naked man falls from ceiling in a woman's bathroom. Sammy was surprised it was not in Florida. Asher describes South Beach for Sammy. Sammy accidentally calls Panama City Beach in the pan handle South Beach.

Sammy is stunned to learn Asher was home schooled and was on a horrible homeschool basketball team called the Howler Monkeys. Sammy has very specific stereotypes about homeschooled kids.

Asher has worked as both an Apple Genius and in tech support. We talk about some of the people he helped. Sammy loved seeing Asher wander around on the job socializing.

Asher is addicted to Serial and was unaware about any of the backlash.  He runs down his other favorite podcasts.

We both subscribed to the Econonomist and agree it was a dense read.

The major networks didn't carry Obama's speech.

Asher thinks The Flash is atrocious. He is over the friend-suffers-unrequited-love thing and won't pay for Hulu Plus. Asher valiantly tries to discuss shows on HBO that Sammy hasn't seen.

We discuss binge watching and Sammy learns Asher binged Game of Thrones, so Sammy quizzes him on his favorite parts.

While talking about Cheers, alternative TV history, & Night Court we detour into the Cosby rape allegations and fallout.

We dig into the Hunger Games, which Asher hasn't seen, and Interstellar, which he did see. Asher cried at the Annie trailer and we talk about the original horrible Star Wars and Cool Hand Luke trailers before diving back into Insterstellar because we're nerds. Sammy would totally do the one-way trip to Mars.   

Asher will be celebrating Perlgiving instead of Thanksgiving. Sammy will try to work to make some extra money. Asher appreciates bargains but won't be shopping on Black Friday.

During the outro, Sammy reads some comedy nuggets from Asher's twitter.