Socially Distanced

Ghouls and goblins! The sixth part of the Socially Distanced Podcast's "WandaDistanced" Mini-Series is here and we are talking about that absolutely wild Halloween Spooktacular. This week your hosts Al Mannarino and Bill Bodkin are joined by very special guest Ken Grand-Pierre, host of The New Exchange with Ken Grand-Pierre as well as series residents Cole Rothacker and Pop Break's music editor Kat Manos. The five person squadron talk about Pietro's motivations, if Agnes is a red herring or in on this, what are Heyward's motives, who is the mysterious person Monica and Jimmy are going to see and they break down that ghastly new commercials.

Pop Culture Recs in a Time of Quarantine:

Bill Bodkin: Rubber Soulive by Soulive

Cole Rothacker: The Kid Detective on Prime Video and Barb and Star Go to Vista del Mar on Prime Video.

Kat Manos: To All the Boys I Loved Before on Netflix

Ken Grand-Pierre: Across the Universe on YouTube.

It's a "full house" on the Socially Distanced Podcast's "WandaDistanced" mini-series as we've got five people discussing the latest installment of Disney+'s MCU series, 'On a Very Episode.'

Your hosts Al Mannarino and Bill Bodkin are joined by Pop Break comic book and anime editor Rachel Freeman, Pop Break music editor Kat Manos and podcast resident analyst Cole Rothacker to deep dive into this wild episode of WandaVision. Discussed on the episode are the debut and recast of Pietro as Evan Peters', the Lagos paper towel commercial, is Wanda really in control of Westview and Bill's dumb theory the dog is actually the beekeeper.

Pop Culture Recommendations in a Time of Quarantine Segment:

Al Mannarino: 'Okay Human' by Weezer, Kingdom Hearts 3.

Bill Bodkin: The Hightlights by The Weeknd

Cole Rothacker: Ghost Dog starring Forrest Whittaker and FOX's The OC

Kat Manos: 'The Queen's Gambit' by Walter Tevis

Rachel Freeman: 'For Goodness Sake' & 'Plume' by K. Lyn Smith

This week on the "WandaDistanced" mini-series of The Socially Distanced Podcast hosts Al Mannarino and Bill Bodkin are joined by series resident Cole Rothacker and special guest and #1 fan of the pod Nick Porcaro to discuss WandaVision Episode 4, 'We Interrupt This Program.' They discuss the episode's "interruption" from the sitcom world of the series and if this move was an effective piece of storytelling or just a way to placate grumpy fanboys. Also debated is the hot button issue if WandaVision should've been released in batches of episodes, the new binge format or the way it currently is, episodic.

In this week's pop culture in a time of quarantine segment, the guys recommend the following...

Al Mannarino: Justified starring Timothy Olyphant

Bill Bodkin: New Girl starring Zooey Deschanel and "Typhoons" by Royal Blood

Cole Rothacker: What We Do in the Shadows starring Matt Berry, Batman: The Animated Series now streaming on HBO MAX

Nick Porcaro: 'What's Your Pleasure' by Jesse Ware, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2, Showtime's Patrick Melrose starring Benedict Cumberbatch, and 'Higher' by Sleep Token.

The WandaDistanced Miniseries of The Socially Distanced Podcast returns to discuss Episode 3 of the Marvel series 'Now in Color.' Your hosts Al Mannarino and Bill Bodkin are joined once again by series resident Cole Rothacker and Pop Break music editor Kat Manos to discuss the explosive new episode. Discussed is the Hydra Soak commercial, the stork, the sitcom influences on the show, the mysterious identity of Agnes, the story behind Billy and Tommy and those final, fantastic five minutes.

The episode ends with recommendations on the best comic books, movies, TV shows, and music you should be checking out.

The holiday hiatus is over and The Socially Distanced Podcast has returned for its second season. Hosts Al Mannarino and Bill Bodkin are joined by longtime friend of the show, Cole Rothacker to discuss the two-episode premiere of Disney+'s WandaVision.  The trio discusses their anticipation levels heading into the first fictionalized live action Marvel series for Disney's streaming service as well as a whole lot of background steeped in the MCU and comic books for the series and the characters we're seeing, we might be seeing and how the series will be impacting the new phase of the MCU. There's tons of theories, Easter Eggs and analysis of the show, plus a very in-depth debate on the DCEU and MCU.

The episode concludes with a new segment -- pop culture recommendations where everyone gives recommendations on what they're into right now whether it be television, film, music, podcasts, comic books or anything in the realm of pop culture.

Season 1 of The Socially Distanced Podcast comes to an end as your hosts Al Mannarino and Bill Bodkin are joined by Ken Grand-Pierre (live from the U.K.), Pop Break Music Editor Kat Manos and longtime friend of the pod, Cole Rothracker.

The final episode is  a review of The Mandalorian Chapter 16, 'The Rescue' aka The Mandalorian's Season 2 Finale. The gang discusses the appearance of Luke Skywalker, The Book of Boba Fett, the final tear-filled scene between Mando and Grogu and all the action of the Peyton Reed-directed episode. The fate of the Star Wars Universe is discussed as well as the future of The Mandalorian series.

The episode concludes with the gang giving their picks for the best Christmas movies of all-time and stay till the end for special vocal appearances from past guests and friends of the podcast giving their picks for the best Christmas movies of all-time.

Music in a Time of Quarantine:

Al Mannarino: "Christmas Saves the Year" by Twenty One Pilots

Bill Bodkin: "The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You)" by Nat King Cole

Cole Rothracker: The Mandalorian Season 2 Soundtrack by Ludwig Goransson

Kat Manos: The Mandalorian Season 2 Soundtrack by Ludwig Goransson

Ken Grand-Pierre: The Hamilton Soundtrack

It's the penultimate episode of our Mando & Music ... because we're talking the penultimate episode of The Mandalorian aka Chapter 15, "The Believer."  Hosts Al Mannarino and Bill Bodkin are rejoined by Ken Grand-Pierre as well as special guest Pop Break Television Editor Alex Marcus and Pop Break Comic Book Editor Rachel Freeman to discuss the episode .. which feature no Baby Yoda. In the episode they discuss the decision to give a side character a major redemption arc instead of a jailbreak episode as well as what the finale has in store for our heroes. The episode also looks at Disney's announcements of all the new Star Wars properties.

Music in a Time of Quarantine Holiday Edition:

Al Mannarino: "Underneath the Tree" by Kelly Clarkson

Bill Bodkin: "I'll Be Home For Christmas" by Slowey & The Boats

Ken Grand-Pierre: "Merry Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight)" by The Ramones

Rachel Freeman: "What's This?" by Leslie Odom Jr.

The 38th (holy smokes) episode of The Socially Distanced Podcast is the continuation of our "Mando & Music" mini-series where the gang reviews the latest episodes of Disney+'s The Mandalorian. On this episode Ken Grand-Pierre rejoins Al Mannarino and Bill Bodkin's rogue squadron to discuss Chapter 14 "The Tragedy." The trio delve into the deep labyrinth of Star Wars mythology, discuss Robert Rodriguez's direction of the episode, and discuss the re-introduction (and salvation?) of one of the most beloved characters in the Star Wars universe, Boba Fett.

Music in a Time of Quarantine:

Al Mannarino: "4 out of 5 (Live at Royal Albert Hall)" by Arctic Monkeys & "Happy Holidays" by Andy Williams

Bill Bodkin: "Ground Below (Royal Jewels Remix)" by Run the Jewels featuring Royal Blood & "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town (Live C.W. Post College)" by Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band

Ken Grand-Pierre: "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by ALA.NI

Welcome to the most crowded edition of the Socially Distanced Podcast! Your hosts Al Mannarino and Bill Bodkin are rejoined by Kat Manos, Ken Grand-Pierre and Lucas P. Jones for another edition of the "Mando & Music" Series. This week they're talking about "The Jedi" aka Chapter 13. This chapter features the long-awaited debut of Ahsoka Tano (played by Rosario Dawson) and the gang discusses this character's debut as well her future in the Star Wars Universe. There's a lot of deep, deep dives into the mythology brought up in the Dave Filoni directed episode (e.g. Grand Admiral Thrawn). And of course, we talk about the reveal of The Child's name which we will refer to as "Sweet Baby Grogu" going forward.

Music in a Time of Quarantine -- It's Time for Christmas Music...and Lucas' Pick:

Al Mannarino: "Christmas Lights" by Coldplay

Bill Bodkin: "The Season's Upon Us" by Dropkick Murphys

Kat Manos: "Night's Falling" by Andrew Bird

Ken Grand-Pierre: "Zombie Christmas" by Tim Wheeler & Emmy the Great

Lucas P. Jones: "Another World" by Gojira

We celebrate 9 months of the Socially Distanced Podcast with special guest -- comedian Taylor Allen (host of Callin' the Shots and Hon, Take My Side podcasts). Taylor joins Al Mannarino, Bill Bodkin and returning guest -- our producer Lucas P. Jones for a most beardy episode of the show. We talk Thanksgiving food, Metallica "infused" whiskey and of course, The Mandalorian! In this episode, we discuss the Carl Weathers-starring and directed Chapter 12 of The Mandalorian entitled "The Siege." This episode also features the return of Gina Carano's Cara Dune and Horatio Sanz's Mythriol. They talk about the easter eggs of the episode as well as Carano's politics and how that impacted the viewing of the episode.

Music in a Time of Quarantine:

Al Mannarino: "Iris" by Phoebe Bridgers & Maggie Rogers

Bill Bodkin: "Something Salty, Something Sweet" by River City Extension

Lucas P. Jones: "Synthesize Her" by TWRP

Taylor Allen: "Socks" by JD McPherson