Socially Distanced

Socially Distanced heads to the Arctic Circle for this week's episode as we review the first two episodes of HBO's True Detective: Night Country -- the fourth season of the critically acclaimed crime drama.

Pop Break's Editor-in-Chief Bill Bodkin is in the host seat for this in-depth review of this fantastic new installment of the decade-long anthology series. "The Human Star Wars Encyclopedia" Amanda Rivas is aboard to provide her thoughts on frozen corpsicles and thirst traps and special guest Kelly McGovern brings hot takes about the series' sex scenes and the awesomeness of Jodie Foster. They also discuss the use of darkness throughout the premieres, the performance of boxer turned actress Kali Reis, various theories about this season's ties to season one, cults, frozen dudes, ghosts and more.

In the pre-game segment, the news of a new Jurassic World film is discussed. Can this new film work without any of the Jurassic Park or original Jurassic World characters? Do we really even need this film? Are films about dinosaurs stale?

The Socially Distanced Podcast steps into the Snyderverse with a review of Zach Snyder’s Rebel Moon Part One: A Child of Fire. Dan Cohen, host of Pop Breaks Batman by the Numbers podcast, joins Bill Bodkin and Amanda Rivas on the episode.

They talk about their hype for the film, their love for Charlie Hunnam in the film, the films Star Wars origins and it’s less than subtle homages, the bad writing that deep sixes most of the film and just how much the film lacked Snyder’s trademark ambition and flare.

In the pre-game segment they discuss NBC’s decision to put the Chiefs vs Dolphins playoff game on Peacock and is this going to be a savior for struggling streamers or a case of robbing Peter to pay Paul.

Socially Distanced returns to the Marvel Cinematic Universe with a review of its latest miniseries, Echo starring Alayna Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio.

Amanda Rivas is in the host seat and is joined by Bill Bodkin and special guest Matt from Face 4 Wrestling. In the episode they discuss the evolution of Echo’s powers, the Daredevil “hot shotting,” the MCU implications, the brilliance of the show and the severe under use of Devery Jacobs.

In the pre-game segment they discuss the recent announcement of the Mandalorian and Grogu movie, Matt admitting he hasn’t seen the series, speculation on Season 4 of the series and more.

Happy New Year and welcome to the kick-off of the fifth season of the Socially Distanced Podcast --  the official podcast of ThePopBreak.com

We've got a special split episode for y'all this week, Hosts Amanda Rivas and Bill Bodkin are joined by Pop Break Podcast Director Alex Marcus and two special guests to discuss Marvel's What If...? Season 2 and the Doctor Who Christmas Special.Matt Widdis of The Pop Break and The Bob Culture Podcast joins the episode to discuss WhatIf...? Season 2.

As a huge fan of the original comic series Matt discusses the introduction of Kahorri with the group. They also discuss the Happy Hogan centric holiday episode, wild theories and wishes for Season 3 & more.

In the second half of the episode Pop Break's resident Whovian Randy Allain joins the show -- which goes completely off the rails -- to discuss the Doctor Who Christmas special. In this part of the episode they discuss the farewell to David Tennant, bi-generation, Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor, Ruby Sunday and more.

It's the final episode of Socially Distanced for 2023, so what better to close out the year than give out the second annual Socially Distanced Awards! 

Pop Break's Editor-in-Chief Bill Bodkin is in the host seat and is joined by a cavalcade of guests! Returning for the first time in forever from the quantum realm it's Pop Break's sorta kinda maybe Managing Editor Al Mannarino! "The Human Star Wars Encyclopedia" Amanda Rivas is here as well and she's joined by "The Commander of our Hearts" Ben "Ellis" Murchison and the Pop Break's Podcasting Director, Alex Marcus.

In the episode they dole out awards for the best television show of 2023, the biggest pop culture problem they had this year, the most underrated thing you all should be watching, their pop culture resolutions and so much more!

In the Pre-Game, the team ponders whether or not Netflix has definitively won the streaming wars after its killer 2023.

Check out all the award categories below, and we’ll see you in 2024 with a review of the Doctor Who Christmas Special and Marvel’s What If…? Season 2!

Merry Christmas from the Socially Distanced Podcast! In this episode, we  pass through the seven levels of the candy cane forest, through the sea of swirly-twirly gumdrops, and we walk through the Lincoln Tunnel to discuss the 20th Anniversary of ELF.

"The Human Star Wars Christmas Special" Amanda Rivas sits in Santa's sleigh (the host chair) and has a wild, definitely not kid friendly conversation about the film with "DJ Father Christmas" Bill Bodkin, Ben "Video Spectrum" Murchison, and the guest of honor Alex Marcus who has not watched ELF since it was released in theaters 20 years ago.

In this episode they discuss how Will Ferrell gives an incredible, honest and timeless performance as Buddy the Elf, the complications and impracticalities of Buddy and Jovie's relationships, they debate over James Caan's performance, they talk about whether the film is a Christmas classic and more.

In the pre-game segment the group discusses Jonathan Majors' departure from Marvel, and whether Kevin Feige and company should either recast the role or scrap Kang altogether.

Socially Distanced kicks off its holiday special mini-series with a look at the 1990 holiday classic -- Home Alone.

Pop Break's Editor-in-Chief Bill Bodkin (who's seen the film at least 100 times) hosts the episode and is joined by Ben Murchison (the holiday special resident guest), along with Tyler McCarthy and Allie Nelson of the Not Couple Goals Podcast.

The episode kicks off with Tyler's theory about watching Home Alone outside of the holiday season and oh boy does that go places. The group then dives into their favorite and least favorite parts of the original film, their favorite quotes, conspiracy theories about John Candy's character and Kevin's dad's employment, Scarlett Johansson's Home Alone connection, the unfortunate sequels and is Home Alone 2: Lost in New York essential Christmas viewing.

Allons-y! Socially Distanced returns to the TARDIS as we discuss the second Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Special entitled 'Wild Blue Yonder.'

Pop Break's editor-in-chief Bill Bodkin is joined by "The Human Star Wars Encyclopedia" Amanda Rivas and "The Doctor" Randy Allain to discuss the second foray into the Disney+/BBC joint venture of Doctor Who. They discuss the stage-play throwback style of the episode, the intimacy and horror of the episode, David Tennant and Catherine Tate pulling dramatic double duty, the implications of The Doctor's actions, plus Neil Patrick Harris, Ncuti Gatwa and more.

Also in the pre-game segment they discuss the trailers for House of the Dragon Season 2 on HBO and the first season of Amazon Prime Video's adaptation of the Fallout video game series. They also discuss the rest of 2023 for the podcast and preview 2024.

ALLONS-Y! The Socially Distanced Podcast jumps back into the TARDIS to discuss the first Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Special - The Star Beast. Join host Amanda Rivas aka The Human Star Wars Encyclopedia, Bill Bodkin aka The David Tennant of The Pop Break and resident Whovian Randy Allain of Every Pod You Cast as they discuss all the timey whimeyness of the reunion of The Doctor and Donna Noble. They discuss the significance of this reunion, the mystery of The Doctor's face, the new supporting cast, how Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor factors into all this and more!

In the pre-game segment they discuss Dave Filoni's ascension into the role of Chief Creative Officer for LucasFilm and what this means for the Star Wars Universe going forward as well as the Indiana Jones and Willow franchises.

Football is back on Socially Distanced! Pop Break's editor-in-chief and long-suffering NY Giants fan Bill Bodkin hosts the show and is joined by Amanda Rivas (repping the Dallas Cowboys), Ben Murchison (our resident Washington Commanders fan) and Marshall Stevenson (as always representing The Philadelphia Eagles). In the episode they discuss their grievances with their teams, their hopes for their teams, what NFL team makes them roll their eyes, the Taylor Swift/Travis Kelce romance, and football food!

They also discuss the rumors of Pedro Pascal being cast as Mr. Fantastic and who'd they'd all stunt cast as Dr. Doom and the rest of Marvel's legendary team.