A years long investigation into Russell Brand has seen the actor, comedian and controversial commentator accused of sexual assault by multiple women. Brand denies the allegations, but this week a number of examples of him acting inappropriately towards women have resurfaced. Osman, Thomas and Mel unpack Brand's rise to fame, why his behaviour was never reined in and what his career, and the allegations against him, reveal about celebrity culture.
Plus, we introduce a new segment: Impress Your Friends, featuring pop culture recommendations from each of the hosts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Russell Brand allegations and the cult of celebrity

The Drop is a weekly show tackling the latest in the world of pop culture and entertainment. Why does it seem like everything on television is based on a true story? Why is Kate Bush back in the charts? How did Pete Davidson get so popular? Join host Osman Faruqi and The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age's team of culture writers and critics as they answer these questions and more along with interviews with musicians, actors, film makers and everyone involved in the world of culture.

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As Baby Reindeer remains one of the most-watched shows globally, Mel and Osman discuss the consequences of drawing on real-life experiences for television, the “real” Martha’s interview with Piers Morgan and why audiences are obsessed with sleuthing. 
They also discuss Donald Trump’s attempt at film podcasting, the Beyonce led takeover of the country charts and the aftermath of the Drake-Kendrick beer.
Finally, they review Such Brave Girls and reveal why it might prove to be the year's best new comedy show. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Netflix created 2024's biggest TV controversy, plus our new favourite comedy

The simmering feud between hip hop's biggest stars, Kendrick Lamar and Drake, reached boiling point this week with both artists dropping intensely personal diss tracks that included accusations of child abuse and violence against women. Mel, Thomas and Osman discuss the winners, the losers and the consequences of what could be rap's biggest battle in years.
Plus, pop princess Dua Lipa risks her crown with new release Radical Optimism and Ryan Gosling takes an explosive turn in new action romcom The Fall Guy.

Links: https://www.smh.com.au/culture/music/anatomy-of-a-rap-feud-the-real-winner-of-the-kendrick-and-drake-beef-20240506-p5fp6a.htmlhttps://www.smh.com.au/culture/movies/inside-the-stunt-that-saw-ryan-gosling-shut-down-the-harbour-bridge-20240416-p5fk2y.htmlhttps://www.smh.com.au/culture/movies/we-wanted-someone-funny-we-called-ryan-gosling-hollywood-s-most-hilarious-leading-man-20231101-p5egui.htmlhttps://www.smh.com.au/culture/movies/ryan-gosling-and-emily-blunt-all-fizzle-and-no-sizzle-in-the-fall-guy-20240422-p5flt0.html
 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who really won the Kendrick-Drake feud? Plus, The Fall Guy debate

Jerry Seinfeld ignited a fire when he blamed "the extreme left and PC crap" for ruining comedy in a recent interview with The New Yorker. But is comedy really dead, and if so, who is to blame?
In this week's episode Thomas, Osman, and a fresh-from-her-holiday Mel dissect comedy and cancel culture, before turning to their attention to the claim that we're in the era of so-called "Mid TV". Does Amazon Prime's new rom-com, The Idea of You, starring Anne Hathaway, show the demise or potential of television in 2024?
Plus, our pop culture recommendations for the week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did 'woke culture' really kill the sitcom? Plus, the era of 'Mid TV'

Is it possible to have an honest and blunt conversation about peak Taylor Swift and her sprawling, sometimes self-indulgent 31 track double album, The Tortured Poets Department? That's what Osman and Thomas try to do, discussing how the album sounds, the themes Swift covers, the reaction from critics and fans, and what a rare misstep could mean for her future projects.
Plus, they discuss Arj Barker ejecting a woman and her crying baby from a recent comedy show, unpack the massive success of Netflix's Baby Reindeer and talk about the end of Shogun. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is Taylor Swift too big to fail? Plus, Baby Reindeer and our true crime obsession

Two of the most hyped films of the year have been released in cinemas this week: Alex Garland's Civil War, starring Kirsten Dunst and Luca Gaudignino's Challengers, starring Zendaya.
Civil War is a bracing, incendiary and controversial look at a future, war-torn America and the role journalists play in covering conflict. Challengers is a throwback to erotic thrillers of the 90s, a tennis film that is really about sex, power and relationships.
Osman and Thomas discuss the movies, the complicated reaction to Civil War and how Challengers confirms Zendaya's star power. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Russell Brand allegations and the cult of celebrity

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