Socially Distanced

Welcome to the third week of our weekly reviews of Disney+'s The Mandalorian. This week we discuss "Chapter 11 -- The Heiress" along with Pop Break comic book and anime editor Rachel Freeman and the returning Ken Grand-Pierre, the host of The New Exchange  with Ken Grand-Pierre. In this episode we talk about the star-studded episode. 

The episode does stray a little from Star Wars as the foursome give their music picks for the week which include:

Al Mannarino: "chinatown" by Bleachers featuring Bruce Springsteen

Bill Bodkin: "No Save Point" by Run the Jewels

Rachel Freeman: "Wolf Totem" by The Hu

Ken Grand-Pierre: "A Hero's Death" by Fontaines D.C.

Welcome to the second week of our weekly reviews of Disney+'s The Mandalorian. This week we discuss "Chapter 10 -- The Passenger" along with Pop Break staff writer and podcaster engineer Lucas P. Jones and the returning Ken Grand-Pierre, the host of The New Exchange  with Ken Grand-Pierre. In this episode we talk about Baby Yoda eating eggs, space spiders, The Frog Lady, Star Wars Squadrons and more. 

 The episode does stray a little from Star Wars as the foursome give their music picks for the week which include:

Al Mannarino: "Shame, Shame" by The Foo Fighters

Bill Bodkin: "Home" by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

Ken Grand-Pierre: "Losers" by Balthazar

Lucas P. Jones : "Protect the Land / Genocidal Humanoidz" by System of a Down

The Socially Distanced Podcast is ushering a new concept for the remainder of 2020 -- weekly reviews of the second season of Disney+'s The Mandalorian. Each week Al Mannarino and Bill Bodkin welcome in guests to review the latest episode. This week the unofficial/official third host of the show, Pop Break music editor Kat Manos rejoins the guys to talk about Mando. But she's not alone! Her partner Cole Rothracker makes an amazing cameo in the episode giving us his best Werner Herzog impression. However, still not done with guests! Making his Socially Distanced debut is Ken Grand-Pierre -- concert photographer extraordinaire and host of The New Exchange  with Ken Grand-Pierre. Ken joins the gang to talk about all things Mando! The episode does stray a little from Star Wars as the foursome give their music picks for the week which include:

Al Mannarino: Phoenix Live at Brooklyn Steel

Bill Bodkin: "Trouble's Coming" by Royal Blood

Ken Grand-Pierre: "TRY JESUS" by Tobe Nwigwe

Kat Manos: "Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino" by Arctic Monkey

Longtime Pop Break staff writer and Comic-Con correspondent, Ryan DeMarco joins Al and Bill on the podcast this week. This week's "Seriously WTF" segment focuses on the announcement that San Diego Comic-Con will be honoring all 2020 passes for the 2021 event. The obvious discussions of "can this happen?" pop up as well as virtual alternatives the con may have to consider in order to stay solvent for years to come. They also discuss the potential and probable halting of pop up events at the con as well. This week's "Glimmer of Hope" segment looks at the trailer for George Clooney's Netflix film The Midnight Sky and why his polar bear beard is magnificent. They conclude the episode with a "Glimmer of Hope" where they discuss Oscar Isaac's potential casting as Moon Knight and who'd they cast in a potential Fantastic Four film.

The Watchlist This Week:

Al Mannarino: Anna & The Apocalypse, What We Do in the Shadows

Bill Bodkin: The Nightmare Before Christmas, Bruce Springsteen's Letter to You

Ryan DeMarco: Stranger Things Season 2 

Music in a Time of Quarantine:

Al Mannarino: "Last Man Standing" by Bruce Springsteen

Bill Bodkin: "Power of Prayer" by Bruce Springsteen

Ryan DeMarco: "The Adults are Talking" by The Strokes

Comedian and Pop Break Staff Writer Melissa Jouben joins Al Mannarino and Bill Bodkin on the latest episode of The Socially Distanced Podcast. On this episode they discuss the idea of comedy in a quarantine -- how the pandemic has changed their thoughts on what's funny and what's not, how it's been difficult to find humor in what they used to, the future of sketch and stand-up as well as comedians they turn to for laughs during this time. They also discuss the hot Twitter question "if you had a billion dollars and could create a theme park based on a film - what would it be?" Bill's choice is ridiculously obvious. They also discuss the return of Dexter to Showtime. However, the big talking point is Melissa's impassioned sales pitch to Al, Bill and the world on why they should watch Adam Sandler's new Netflix special Hubie Halloween.

The spooky season is upon us and the gang heads to the Black Lodge in Twin Peaks, Oregon to speak with one of their favorite past guests, Kelly McGovern. Kelly joins Al and Bill to talk about Disney's news that they're putting a major focus on streaming content and what that means for not only their own future in regards to movies, but how this will impact the entire movie theater industry in general. They also discuss the brilliant trailer for Hulu's revival of Animaniacs as well as the absolutely bonkers cast for the Mad Max: Fury Road prequel, Furiosa...and why one the gang feels this movie will never get made.

In the recommendations section this week, Kelly drops a number of Halloween movies to watch including: Scare Me starring Aya Cash (The Boys) now streaming on Shudder as well as Bram Stoker's Dracula (Directed Francis Ford Coppola), Twin Peaks, and for the non-spooky fun,  the FX series You're the Worst. Meanwhile, Al choses Shaun of the Dead and Tucker & Dale versus Evil  and Bill recommends Netflix's The Haunting of Bly Manor.

Music in a Time of Quarantine:

Al Mannarino: "I Know The End" by Phoebe Bridgers

Bill Bodkin: "Haunted Sea" by The Budos Band

Kelly McGovern: "Halloween" by Phoebe Bridgers

Note: If you're not into politics and you don't want to hear people being angry about the current political situation, this probably isn't the episode for you.

Episode 29 of The Socially Distanced Podcast sees the monthly return of Pop Break's music editor Kat Manos and Pop Break contributor Cole Rothacker aka The California Connection.  In this episode, our favorite Californians join Al and Bill to talk about the news of Regal Cinemas shutting down in the U.S. and the future of movie theaters throughout the country as a result of the pandemic. The gang also talks about SNL's cold opener for the season premiere and they delve into why the political jokes might not be as funny as they once were.  And yes, the conversation does get more political than anyone wanted. They also talk about the new Ryan Reynolds film Free Guy, give a bunch of really good Halloween film and TV suggestions and recommend the following music:

Al Mannarino's Pick:  'forget me too' by Machine Gun Kelly featuring Halsey

Bill Bodkin's Pick: 'Eruption' by Van Halen

Kat Manos' Pick: Disintegration by The Cure

This is a special episode of the podcast as the guys celebrate the 11th Anniversary of ThePopBreak.com! Your hosts Al Mannarino and Bill Bodkin are joined by the original co-founder of the site, Brent Johnson, to discuss the humble and odd beginnings of the site. The trio reminisce about Pop Break live shows, covering concerts, New Brunswick vs. Asbury Park and the legacy of the site. After the nostalgia-fest, they discuss the trailer for the Simon Pegg/Nick Frost Amazon Prime series, Truth Seekers and the "hot" new single by Vin Diesel (not a typo). Of course there's television recommendations and ...

Music in a Time of Quarantine:

Al: 'The Great Divide' by The Shins

Bill: 'Ghosts' by Bruce Springsteen

Brent: 'Illicit Affairs' by Taylor Swift

A special mid-week episode of The Socially Distanced podcast focuses on the 2020 Emmy Awards. Al and Bill are joined this week by Pop Break's television editor and Emmy expert Alex Marcus. Alex deftly breaks down the history Schitt's Creek made with all its Emmy wins, as well as the not-so surprising win for Billy Crudup (The Morning Show). The gang goes onto wax poetic about HBO's Watchmen once again while also discussing the big wins for Zendaya and Succession -- while not forgetting the Emmys' bad habits when it comes to picking winners. In the "Glimmer of Hope" segment, the trio discuss the trailers for two new exciting Disney+ series, The Mandalorian Season 2 and WandaVision. For the Watchlist, they discuss I May Destroy You, LOST, Ducktales, and the return of the NFL.

Music in a Time of Quarantine:

Al Mannarino:  "Come & Go" by Juice WRLD & Marshmello

Bill Bodkin: "Half Light" by Jackson Pines

The 26th Episode of The Socially Distanced Podcast goes to SPACE! Well, technically Al Mannarino, Bill Bodkin and special guest Alisha Weinberger (Social Media Manager of ThePopBreak.com) are all in New Jersey but we're talking a ton of science fiction.

The episode begins with a brief discussion of the second DC Fandome and how it failed to live up to the hype of the first. From there, the bulk of the episode discusses the trailer for Denis Villeneuve's adaptation of Frank Herbert's Dune. Al, Alisha and Bill compare the trailer to what they've seen of the much-maligned David Lynch version and Bill reveals a few celebrities who starred in the late 90s/early 00s TV remake. Alisha wonders if audiences are expecting a YA film from this trailer and the gang gushes over Villeneuve's under-appreciated masterwork Blade Runner 2049. They also recommend Lovecraft Country, Hannibal (including Alisha's nickname for Madds Mikkelsen) and more

Afterwords, the gang discussed Fast & Furious 9...which part of will take place IN SPACE. 

Music in a Time of Quarantine:

Al Mannarino: "Identical" by Phoenix

Alisha Weinberger: "Lonely World" by Moses Sumney

Bill Bodkin: "Letter to You" by Bruce Springsteen