Pop Rocket

1,471

Pop culture discussion with Guy Branum, Wynter Mitchell, Margaret Wappler and Karen Tongson

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Recent Reviews
  • DevHarryC
    :sigh:
    A gem that I enjoyed. Yeah, eventually Gai got checked-out with his other projects, and it became a little too much Karen T. But this show had legs, and was a good way to keep a pulse on pop culture with a west-coast flavor. And occasionally Wynter would just bust out with a turn of phrase that had me ROLLING
  • Twocatsintheyard
    Love.... from Vermont
    Gang, I will miss you all. Thanks for the great conversations. Give em' hell. Happy trails.
  • eastcoast desertgirl
    Sad to see this end
    Thank you so much
  • shelovespods
    I miss you already
    Looking forward to the new projects but devastated to lose one of my faves. All the best!
  • TaraTalley
    Happy Tears
    This will leave a hole in my heart and a hole in my week, but please know that your voices were LOVED and you brought so much joy to the masses. I am sure you could not do this show forever, and I have no idea why it’s ending, but us loyal fans cried those tears with you, I promise. Thank you for such a great, fun, funny podcast.
  • kels_leesi
    Sad to see this show end
    I always loved this show and am sad to see it go :( This show was a great weekly does of pop culture with a diverse, intelligent, and engaging group of hosts! The last episode and tarot card episode had me in tears as I have come to really care about he hosts as their voices always brightened my commute to work. I hope they all find other ways to channel their love for pop culture in way that works for them.
  • Coldbear76
    What a great ride
    Just wanted to say how much I Appreciated this podcast. I’m not good at saying goodbyes but had to send you all well wishes for your future endeavors and hopefully there is a chance that our ears will be graced with your podcast presence once again. Thanks and Good Luck Coldbear76
  • SurferKitty
    I like love it so like much!??!!!
    Sad and sorry that it’s over. In my top 5 favorite podcasts of all time. (Bye MaxFun, buh bye). Guy, Wynter, Margaret, Oliver and KT...thank you ❤️ Always late to the party, I only recently started listening to PR and love it. I'm too often loopless and appreciate being clued in. Also enjoy the personal anecdotes and think you guys are all so insightful and smart. My only like teeny little like quibble?? All the like likes and the extraordinary amount of vocal fry??? Like is that like an LA like thing??? Still love youse here in NY!
  • dark_violet
    The perfect blend for your pop culture fix
    This is my first time writing a review for any media, podcasts included. I have been a happy pop-rocketeer for over 2 years and am heartbroken to learn that this perfect mix of personality, perspective, heart, and humor will no longer echo through my headphones. Pop rocket provides in-depth takes on pop culture that I can't find in my everyday life. The panel's diversity begets conversations with the context that is not present on other podcasts of the same ilk, which is very important to me as a queer black latina. I have consistently gotten the best music, movies, and shows recommendations which I would have not discovered otherwise. Also, as a 20-year old, I'm constantly playing catch up when trying to consume media that came before my time. Pop Rocket has been an invaluable tool in helping me close my knowledge gap. I wish everyone all the best luck and success in your careers as well as peace and happiness at home. Much love from a forever fan who will replay the backlogs.
  • Where The Funny Matters
    I Cried at the Tarot Reading
    I know this review comes too late. And I will forever regret that. Still, this podcast has been a welcome breath of fresh air to my Bro heavy podcast diet. This show has introduced me to a feast of new ideas, books and music. More importantly the crew expertly does what I think every panel show podcast should do which is to blend interesting topics with their own sparkling personalities and unique interpersonal chemistry to make truly fun and enlightening conversations. Jesus, I know that reads like a 10th grade AP English student writing about their favorite NPR show, but time is too short for me to process my love for this show into better prose. Please forgive me. Love, Your worst fan.
  • PecanTree
    Gone too soon
    Imagine if you got a pink slip and instead of packing up, flipping HR the bird, and leaving right then, you worked 3 more weeks and actually cared about your work product. Yeah, I’m not that good of a person, but the Pop Rocket team are. This show is consistently my favorite part of the week as the team balances pop culture fandom and cultural criticism in a way that feels effortless.
  • Bookishandi
    An Archive to Treasure
    Pop Rocket might be going away, but it's a treasure. If you love pop culture, go back and listen to old episodes! The "all abouts" might not age as seamlessly, but the discussions are always worth listening to.
  • lianacgs1003
    Smart and engaging
    The pop rocket crew are incredible at thoughtfully breaking down anything and everything in pop culture.
  • doe,j
    My favorite podcast
    Smart, varied, and informed points of view. Love all the contributors! PLEASE DON’T CANCEL IT!!!
  • Curling in Canada
    Academic, hilarious, QPOC pop culture podcast
    I LOVE this podcast. It offers an in-depth look at some aspect of pop culture, with both queer and POC representation. It’s great and I’m sad it’s going!
  • Katalyst4Wonder
    Hello, hello Rocketeers
    Can’t tell you how saddened I was to hear about this podcast ending. I will miss listening to you all every week. Karen, Winter, Guy, and Margaret, thanks for sharing yourselves with us! Can’t wait to see what you do next!
  • berg haagdorf fruit wines
    moira rose from schitts creek
    is having a meltdown because maximum fun is cancelling this show
  • Stuff is neat!
    Smart and fabulous
    I have been listening since the beginning and am so sad to hear that the show is coming to an end. The hosts provide fresh insights on pop culture that can be regurgitated later to sound smart. Save Pop Rocket!
  • High Valyrian
    We who are about to cry, salute you
    I didn’t realize how much I depended on this show to get me through the week until I heard that Maximum Fun decided to cancel it. The news makes me so very sad, but before it ends I wanted to say how much it has meant to me to listen to such a learned, invested, and diverse group of people talk about pop culture. It’s been informative, amusing, and utterly charming. I will miss the show, and I look forward to what the hosts move on to. I have immense affection for each of them individually and as a group. Thank you for everything.
  • Spring Birdie
    My jam
    This podcast, the brilliant hosts and generous guests provide me with all the party conversation that I could ever want! Thank you!
  • listenup1969
    Yummy
    Thank you!
  • Pooshay-shay
    Love it!
    I love the intellectual conversations about pop culture and making silly things smart. I also like Karen’s POV and her voice. I melt every time she say, “Hello Rockteers”
  • QueSieraSiera
    Killin the game
    Day One listener here! I don’t know why I’ve held out on y’all for so long with this (my bad) but your voices spark joy! You always deliver on serving pop culture takes that I feel in my soul or takes I didn’t even know I needed with spunk, humor, frankness and intelligence. And ‘deeply’ is now deeply embedded in my daily vocabulary, so thanks for that too?!
  • Ben Kuebrich
    Keep it up!
    Enjoyed this latest episode, finally giving you guys the stars you've long deserved!
  • dork about town
    Why Karen Tongson Matters
    Congrats on your new book Karen! Everyone go buy it now! (I love everyone else too and I miss Oliver)
  • MrCharlieSalazar
    Pop Culture Matters!
    Pop culture is drives the economy, politics, and sex more than we care to admit, and this podcast keeps me up-to-date. They are doing the Lord’s work, and it’s very funny too! Enjoy 😊
  • Colorado Gen X
    Kinkyknitter
    This show makes me so happy. The amazing Guy Branum, the erudite Wynter Mitchell-Rohrbaugh, the efferevescent Margaret Wappler, the brilliant Karen Tongson and an amazing roster of 5th beatles make this show so much more than just a weekly update on pop culture. I have laughed and cried listening to this show, have been introduced to so much culture. It is truly a highlight of my week when this show pops up in my feeds. Love y'all.
  • ChrisWT123
    Laugh out loud funny!
    I listen every week in hopes of hearing Guy’s deep laugh but soon realized I loved everyone’s laugh!
  • jphelps676
    Rocketeer 4 life
    I’m so grateful to the Pop Rocket crew for always brightening my week. They always bring the right amount of wit, humor, self awareness and snark to my life. Hope your feeling better now Margaret!
  • takerooot
    I love this crew!
    I want to be more like Guy Branum and Karen Tongson. I want their amazing communication skills. Guy is an excellent host and I want him to moderate everything! So smart + great book.
  • Ella Karen's Mom
    New mom gratitude
    Like Margaret, I’m the mother of a one year old human and, as a result, feel as though I’ve lost touch with pop culture. Enter Pop Rocket. These passionate, brilliant, cutting (when appropriate!), and hilarious Rocketeers have brought me back from cultural Siberia. Shout out to Sam Sanders for introducing me to the amazing Guy!
  • Sarahhhhhhhhliz
    Best Pop Show!
    I really enjoy this show and Guy is the best!!!
  • Ally0009
    Why Haven’t I Had This Sooner?!
    I’ve been a big fan of Guy Branum since listening to him on DYNAR, then indulging in Talk Show the Game Show (RIP), and being thrilled seeing him bless our screens on the Mindy Project. I was aware of this podcast, but for some insane reason only started listening and subscribing last week. Now all my days are delightful, being able to go all the way back and binge listening to all the back episodes. Love all of y’all and what y’all do. Forever grateful, Ally
  • Uncreative Pop Tart Fan
    I made an iTune account to rate
    I love this podcast so much I created an itunes account just to show the love. There should be a better rating option for Android. The hosts provide funny and smart commentary on pop culture that makes me laugh and think. Love it.
  • chanestyle
    My favorite rotating pop culture panel
    For the closeness the group projects. For Karen’s vocal timbre, academic paintbrush and 80’s granularity, Wynter’s vocal side eye & social media observations, for Margaret’s health and literary recommendations. For Guy’s hosting, asides & all abouts Thank you for being you!
  • dilly-dally-doo
    Meet me in the middle
    I like it like that
  • Hannah Banana 303
    Pop Rocket is full of amazing humans and earworm conversations
    What I want all my pop culture conversations to be. The jams and ‘whatimallabout’s are so helpful for someone who is always to broaden my media consumption. I HIGHLY recommend. P.S. I hope your husband’s car is ok, Margaret. P.P.S. My Life As a Goddess was amazing and I’m looking forward to Karen’s book so so much. P.P.P.S. What do I have to do to get invited your Passover Seder this year, Guy?
  • A Pop Tart for Loren
    Pop Couture
    If you're looking for a podcast where you can find real (but not pessimistic) conversations about the state of journalism in America, recommendations for strategy games about the Electoral College, behind-the-scenes looks at digital strategy, casual nods to English common law, in-depth analyses of the latest Twitter beefs, and academic explorations of the latest pop baubles, this is it. It is a real-time deconstruction of high and low culture distinctions. It makes me laugh while making me question my assumptions. It's the best of the best. God save Margaret Wappler!
  • Cinepunx
    The most engaging pop culture conversation online
    No other podcast manages both the depth of analysis and the entertaining and witty conversation that Pop Rocket does. This panel is magic, and even when I disagree with them, I find it totally helpful and interesting to listen to!
  • wp668855
    Enchanting
    The Pop Rocket crew seduces you in with laughter for the first 15 minutes, then helps you grow with a deeper discussion involving pop culture issues until finally they wrap it all up with more laughter. It is good for the soul.
  • mpweinman
    Smart,Funny, Woke
    One of my favorite podcasts. Never fails to give me a new perspective or take me deeper into Pop culture.
  • DanielSven
    Another reason to look forward to Fridays
    Look forward to every episode drop on Friday. I've been listenting to the podcast for a while now and always thought Karen Tongson's name and voice were familiar. Finally remembered that she was my professor during my freshman semester at USC in 2005 before transferring cause I hated LA. She taught a class called Fanatic and we read a book about lesbian male impersonators at the turn of the century. My final project was on the Victoria Secret Angels (I got an A). Pop Rocket is a lot like that class, fun, kinda weird and always informative.
  • Bunny Von Tail
    Used to be a fan until
    Winter took over and particularly when she insulted the pentatonics and everyone who likes them acting like this is so much better than anyone under the age of 32. Come back Guy!!! The shows are awful with out you.
  • Cc crow
    Irreverent, fun, smart, amusing commentary
    This show is consistently funny, with a great balance of fun and punchy assessments of pop culture, along with more serious intellectual reflections about important topics. I am a long time listener of Pop Culture Happy Hour and I started listening to this after hearing Guy’s interview with Linda Holmes. The hosts have great chemistry, with Karen Tongsen bringing some intellectual weight to the conversations, Wynter bringing incredible energy, Margaret bringing a reflective hipster spirit, and Guy being the glue that holds everyone together. The hosts don’t always agree yet they respect and genuinely seem to like each other, and that’s what makes it such a joy to listen to. I’ve discovered some great songs, shows and movies thanks to this podcast! Yay!
  • DrewInLA
    Smart, funny - love it!
    This is just a wonderful group of smart, funny, very woke people who are a joy to listen to each week as they deconstruct elements of pop culture. I listen to this right away each week and love hearing their recommendations of TV shows, music, movies, etc. as well as comparing notes on stuff I’ve already consumed. This is totally one of my favorite podcasts.
  • Pamalama S
    Joining the chorus...
    ...of reviewers who can’t stand Wynter Mitchell. She is aggressively vapid. She brings down the whole show. Guy and his other delightful companions often have really insightful comments and then Wynter comes barging in and makes me want to turn off the episode. Listen to this podcast with your finger on the skip button!
  • Honey Bunches of Whatever
    😘
    My feelings of love for this podcast would best be conveyed with an interpretive dance. Since that wouldn't translate in a review I'm giving Pop Rocket 5 stars. I would give it more if it was possible. Kisses.
  • TheRealTavie
    Came for Guy, stayed for the pop culture education
    I came into this because I’ve been a Twitter fan of Guy Branam’s since my friend Scott Thompson started retweeting him into my feed. I read and adored his book and started seeking out more Guy- and found this podcast. I actually was born an old lady, chronological age notwithstanding, and my pop culture tastes have always been 20-30 years out of step. So this show fascinated me- started opening my eyes to (gasp) CURRENT music and songs that WEREN’T WRITTEN BY STEPHEN SONDHEIM! I had to consume more and more, quickly falling in love with the other panelists, and before I knew it, I was adding Anohni and Cardi B to my Spotify playlists. I’m still not pop-culture-savvy enough to consider myself a full-fledged Rocketeer, but I am a happy Rocketeer-in-training.
  • CattyPaw$
    Just what I needed
    Smart, witty conversation about all things pop culture. I needed a new podcast to add to my feed, and this fits right into the line up. I really like the diversity of the panel, and I like podcasts that have a friendly tone and are comfortable, but focused. Subscribed!
  • Singsuburbian
    Ugh
    PopRocket has really gone downhill in my opinion...they had an episode about new fall tv but could only come up with about 4 shows they collectively had watched. It’s not really Pop Culture, it’s just Whatever They Happened To Pay Attention To, and it’s not all great. Also, they have a big fan community but don’t care enough to actually say people’s names to acknowledge them. Just disorganized and annoying these days, it was better when Oliver Wang was there for sure to keep some kind of order.
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