This week The Socially Distanced Podcast heads to the golden fields of Iowa as Al and Bill are joined by Pop Break staff writer, Christian Bischoff.  Christian gives us the insight on a phenomenon called The Corn Sweats, and if you thinking we're kidding you're dead wrong.

Once the science lesson ends, we dive into the big story -- Disney's decision to move Mulan to Disney+ at $30 price tag. The trio discuss the ramifications of this -- especially if Mulan is a hit -- on VOD and movie theaters in the future. They also discuss the price point they'd be willing to go on a film on demand and would this VOD model work for concerts and festivals.

Later in the episode Al, Bill and Christian talk about the trailer for the new Charlie Kaufman film I'm Thinking of Leaving You as well as the Duffer Brothers announcement that the Stranger Things story would not end, as originally intended, with Season 4.

Music Recs for This Week Are:

Al: 'Prom Queen' by Beach Bunny

Bill: 'Cheap Regrets' by The Districts

Christian: 'Clenched Teeth' by Okay Kaya

Special guest Tommy Siegel (Jukebox the Ghost) joins Al and Bill to talk about his upcoming book (I Hope This Helps) and debut solo album (Another Century Wasted). 

They also discussed the current state of the music industry, the genesis of his daily comics project, recording music during a pandemic, and much much more. 

This Week's Music in a Time of Quarantine:

Al's Pick: MTV Unplugged, Bleachers 

Bill's Pick: No Instructions, The Happy Fits

Tommy's Pick: Future Teenage Cave Artists, Deerhoof

Pre-0rder I Hope This Helps: Comics and Cures for 21st Century Panic and Another Century Wasted at https://tommysiegel.net/ 

Al and Bill are joined this episode by senior music writer for ThePopBreak.com, Anthony Toto ... and there's a lot to talk about. First, The Rock bought The XFL? Yeah, the XFL. The trio discuss the weird history of the XFL and how Dwayne Johnson's involvement could only mean big things for them. Also, in the world of sports, they discuss the return of baseball, basketball and hockey and how it's been watching them as a fan.

Also on the podcast, the amazing soundtrack to Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1 + 2 gets discussed in great detail as well as the potential greatness of the latest Pixar's (potential) 2021 release, Luca. Anthony also talks about why everyone needs to be listening to the band Protest the Hero and the guys give their recommendations for shows and movies to watch during quarantine.

Our heroes (Bill and Al) are joined by The Pop Break’s Music Editor, Kat Manos and writer Cole Rothacker as they continue their streak of visiting the pod once a month to discuss the lackluster buzz surrounding Comic Con @ Home, the return of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost in Amazon Prime Video’s Truth Seekers, and an Adam McKay produced limited series focusing on the race to cure COVID-19.

In the recommendations sections of the podcast, Al becomes a full on dad with his music pick and they briefly discuss the release of Taylor Swift’s 8th studio, folklore and the wave of hate aimed at online reviewers from some of her more toxic fan base.

The 18th episode of The Socially Distanced Podcast finds Bill and Al talking with longtime senior Pop Break writer, the man who redesigned the site and plays a mean Attack! Attack! cover -- Mr. Nick Porcaro. On this episode - Bill, Al and Nick discuss the very real and very devastating news that (according to a head organizer of Lollapalooza) that live music may not return until 2022. The trio discuss the possibilities of concerts next year and how this news would impact both festivals and concert venues alike. Elsewhere, they talk about the Russo Bros new film - The Gray Man (not Bill Bodkin) - starring Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans and how this is a monstrous move for Netflix. Finally, they talk about BRZRKR the new comic book written and starring (?) Keanu Reeves. On the TV side of things Al talks about his obsession with Rob Riggle narrated mini-golf while Nick extols the virtues of the band Don Broco.

The 17th episode of The Socially Distanced Podcast was a wild one! Al Mannarino and Bill Bodkin are joined, once again, by Pop Break's social media manager, Alisha Weinberger. In the episode, the "WTF" segment deals with the absolutely mind-boggling decision that Disney World made to re-open during the massive increase of COVID-19 cases in the state of Florida. They discuss if they would go to Disney now, or any time soon and how the park can even monitor people adhering to their rules.

Later in the episode, they discuss the trailer for Umbrella Academy Season 2 (and if it could top Season One) as well as the announcement of a Matt Reeves-produced Gotham crime drama -- and how it needs to differentiate itself from Gotham.

Al and Bill celebrate the four-month anniversary of the podcast with a very special guest (and their first non Pop-Break guest), Kelly McGovern. Kelly is a social media ambassador for a number of independent movie houses in New Jersey and is one of Bill and Al's favorite people to pop culture with.

In this episode, the trio talk about Kanye West's announcement via Twitter on July 4 that he will be running for President in the 2020 election. They follow that whole debacle up with their thoughts on the trailer for Seth Rogen's HBO MAX film, An American Pickle plus their thoughts on Florence Pugh's future in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

In the recommendations sections of the podcast Al, Bill and Kelly talk about the phenom that is Hamilton's debut on Disney plus then Al and Kelly go down the Dan Stevens aka DAMN STEVENS rabbit hole when discussing Eurovision. Musically, Dua Lipa's album Future Nostalgia, The White Stripes' record DeStijl and Phoebe Bridgers' new record Punisher get the big recs this episode.

Happy Fourth of July Weekend and Welcome to the 15th Episode of the Socially Distanced Podcast. This week Al and Bill are joined by Pop Break's first-ever intern, former TV editor and current "senior human who does podcasts" -- Matt Taylor.  In this episode the trio talk about the potential of Michael Keaton returning as Batman for the upcoming (maybe?) Flash film. The conversation takes a turn into a retrospective on Batman Forever and Batman and Robin, and Chris O'Donnell's earrings. They also, as the title suggests, speak about Ms. Marvel aka Kamala Khan's role as the lead in the new Avengers video game and her upcoming Disney+ series. Finally, the gang talks about Beyonce's huge announcement that her new visual album Black is King will be premiering on Disney+. 

Musically, Matt and Al speak on The 1975's latest record and where it stands in their catalog and Matt extols the virtues of HBO's Succession.

Pop Break's podcast producer, engineer and editor Lucas P. Jones returns to the Socially Distanced Podcast mostly to talk about meat and beer.

Well, that's not exactly true. Lucas, Al and Bill do talk meat and beer, but they also break down the very important topic of wearing masks in public. The crux of their conversation comes from AMC Movie Theaters initial decision to not require masks when theaters re-open then quickly changing their mind to definitely requiring them. The trio discuss how enforcing mask-wearing would be possible and can movie theaters even survive as a business with restricted capacity.

They also discuss the return of Major League Baseball (which at time of recording was not set in stone) plus James Corden bringing David Tennant and Jodie Whittaker on to judge a DIY Doctor Who costume contest, which is just the guys excuse to talk a lot about Doctor Who.

Pop Break's music editor Kat Manos returns for her third guest appearance on the Socially Distanced podcast -- and she's not alone. Joining Kat once again is Pop Break film contributor, Cole Rothacker.

The duo join Bill and Al to discuss Hollywood (fitting since they live a few minutes north of it) -- in particular the news of the Oscars expanding to 10 Best Picture nominations in 2022 and the Academy's intentions for diversification in its governing body. They also discuss the passing of famed Batman artist Denny O'Neil, David Fincher's Netflix film Mank and the trailer for Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams' Netflix film Eurovision. Bill regales the crew with his famed Harry Potter story.