But Why Tho? The Podcast

This week, we cover the highest grossing movie franchise of all time and the series that brought comics to life in the grandest of ways: The MCU. They've made us laugh, they've made us cry, they've pretty much made us feel everything and it was a long road to get here. This episode, we cover the production history, the heroes, the controversies, and we talk about all of our favorite heroes. With so many movies to cover, 22 in all, we try our best to get it right. If we missed things, and we know we did, let us know in the comments.

The theme of our podcast is: pop culture matters. On My Block, a show about brown and Black teens in the community of Freeridge coming-of-age, living, and adventuring with the odds against them fits that theme. In this special episode, Kate and Adrian sit down to talk with Julio Macias, one of the show's breakout stars. We discuss the importance of showcasing different Latinx identities on screen, what it's like to play Oscar 'Spooky' Diaz in On My Block, how he brings respect to his role, what Spooky represents, and we even nerd out about comic books. Spoiler: we totally need him in a comic book movie! 

This week, we cover the best-selling boy band of all time: the Backstreet Boys. We talk about their long and still going career, status as 1990s icons, and how they kickstarted the early 2000s boy band craze. We cover all of this with the help of Manny Perez, associate community manager at Bethesda, who relives his own boy band moment and helps the crew prove that BSB is statistically better than *NSYNC.

This week we talk about the 60 year old franchise that is as timeless as it is terrifying: The Twilight Zone. We talk about its social themes, its remakes, and how it has maintained a place in our lives, with same problems, decades after airing. We do it all with the help of Alex, from What We Talk About When We Talk About. Find out why this franchise is still going strong and is in its third reboot this year.

This week, the crew honors ten years since we visited Pawnee, Indiana. That's right, they're covering Parks and Recreation. From the excellent comedy, the careers that the show launched, and the cult following it grew, the crew talks about everything thing they can. But they don't just cover the stuff in the show. From representation to production, they explore everything that Parks and Rec have come to be known for and the impact it's left on viewers 10 years later.

With the 20th anniversary of The Matrix this month, we decided it about time we tackled the One. This week we're joined by special guest Carolyn, from So Here's What Happened. As a freelance journalist, film critic, and lover of martial arts we tackle why this 1999 film bent all the metaphorical pop culture spoons. We talk about Keanu Reeves, the productions of the film, the franchise, and of course, how The Matrix introduced a new standard of action sequences and fight choreography to American cinema. Do you remember all the trenchcoats and backbends in the early 2000s thanks to this franchise? Well, we'll tell you they mattered.

We had the honor of covering the South by Southwest 2019 Film Festival, there Matt saw his favorite film of the year so far, Apollo 11. In this interview, Matt sits down to discuss the film with its director and producer Todd Douglas Miller. They discuss how long assembling 9 days worth of footage from multiple people into one film is, complications with audio, and using Apollo 11 to leave a lasting impact. Using all original footage of the nine-day Apollo 11  mission, Miller retells a story from beginning to end, in a way no one has seen before. Shownotes Todd Douglas Miller Follow the film on Twitter: @apollo11movie | Buy Tickets Here

This week the team takes a look at Matt Groening's Futurama. But why does an adult animated show about the future, science fiction, emotions, and Zoidbergs matter anyway? Adrian leads us through the history fo the show and a rundown of some of the most impactful episodes of the series to find out.

This week, the team dives into Project Apollo. With the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11, Matt leads the crew through the history of the entire Apollo program, they discuss the numerous movies, debates around space exploration, and the future. Tune into this episode for some science, pop culture, and a whole lot of space talk.

SXSW 2019 is in full swing and over the weekend Kate and LaNeysha from So Here's What Happened got a chance to sit down with American Gods' Mousa Kraish and Omid Abtahi, who play the Jinn and Salim respectively. But instead of American Gods, they talk comic books, anime, and everything nerdy in the middle of the American Gods house on Rainey Street in the heart of SXSW festivities. American Gods airs every Sunday on Starz. Shownotes Mousa Kraishwebsite | IMDB | @MousaKraish Omid Abtahi  IMDB | @AbtahiOmid on Twitter LaNeysha From — So Here's What Happened & Did You Have To? Follow her: @La_Ney_sha  Follow her work: @SHWH_Pod & @DYHT_Pod 

This week, we have a Patreon picked episode topic: Naruto. The crew talks about the almost 20-year franchise and how it's become an anime that marks a generation, all with the help of Grant from Gilmore Ball Z. We talk about weird running form, themes throughout the show, the staying power of the show, the big Dragon Ball Z versus Naruto debate, and more. Big shoutout to our Patreon patron Nikko for picking this episode this month! Shownotes Grant From —  Gilmore Ball Z Follow them on Twitter @GilmoreBallZ or like them on Facebook Download Episode Directly from iTunes Want to donate to the Gohan and Rory Bookclub Fund, a fundraiser for Room to Read? Click the link here.

We have a bonus episode this week! With the help of Lizzy, from Pilots and Petards, and Ash, from the Safari Zone Podcast and Skyhoppers, we sat down to talk with Jeremy Whitley, writer of Marvel's  The Unstoppable Wasp, to talk about everything Wasp. We talk about the representation of mental health in comics, all the work that goes into creating an authentic voice for such a diverse cast of young women around Nadia Pym, how he wanted to respect Janet van Dyne with this legacy character, and more! If you've been wanting to learn more about all that goes into writing The Unstoppable Wasp, take a listen now! Jeremy Whitley | @jrome58 on Twitter Writer: The Unstoppable Wasp, Rainbow Brite, and PrincelessPreorder the eight-issue collection of The Unstoppable Wasp mentioned in the episode here. The Unstoppable Wasp #7 solicit. Lizzy From: Pilots and Petards, Writer here Follow her: @lizzylynngarcia Follow her work: @ButWhyThoPC and @PetardsPilots   Ash From: The Safari Zone and The Skyhoppers Podcast  Follo

This week we have a special crossover episode with Carolyn Hinds, film critic, writer, and podcaster from So Here's What Happened! In this episode, we talk about one Korean dramas (K-Drama) and how we, like much of the US, have connect with them. We talk about one of our favorite K-Drama genres, noona romances, how Korean Dramas handle fantasy and give some recommendations for those looking to start watching these Korean-language shows. 

With the final chapter in the How to Train Your Dragon trilogy coming out this weekend, we decided to tackle why an animated franchise about Vikings and their dragons matters. We talk about the awards, the longevity, disabled representation, and more. Don't worry though, there are no spoilers for How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World -- but there is a lot of talk about dragons. 

This episode we find out what exactly was coming to get Barbara, as we cover George A. Romero's classic horror film, Night of the Living Dead (1968). We cover the creation of horror sub-genres, the creation of social horror, and how the film continues to impact the horror world today. We do it all with special guest Carolyn, writer and podcaster from So Here's What Happened, and host of the #SaturdayNightSciFi live tweets.

This week we revisit the Dragon Ball Z franchise. We may have covered it over a year ago in episode 15, but with Super at 131 episodes, and Dragon Ball Super Broly having an extended run in theaters we needed to dive back into the franchise. With the Help of Paige and Grant from the Gilmore Ball Z podcast, we look at the show's longevity, video games, and how it pushed to faster dubbing. Over 30 years and still going strong and no need of a senzu bean in site.

Audiences have waited over 10 years for Kingdom Hearts 3 and with the game finally launching next week on January 29th, we're covering the entire series. Listen as we explain why Kingdom Hearts matters to audiences with the help of Kingdom Hearts fangirl and expert LaNeysha - from So Here's What Happened and Did You Have To? With 11 games, amazing music, and a story that connects the worlds of Final Fantasy, Disney, and Square Enix's original world, find out why it matters. Shownotes LaNeysha From — So Here's What Happened & Did You Have To? Follow her: @La_Ney_sha  Follow her work: @SHWH_Pod & @DYHT_Pod 

The rebooted Carmen Sandiego series debuts this week on January 18th, but where did this edutainment journey start? This week we talk about the history of Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? and what it meant for children's education, the establishment of edutainment, video games, and representation. Known for teaching kids history, liberal arts, math, and even astronomy, why does Carmen Sandiego still matter? Find out now.

This week we talk about a franchise that has been gone for five years yet still has a thriving and dedicated community fanbase: EA Sports' NCAA Football. In this episode, Matt tracks the history of the game, the mechanics, and of course that lawsuit that ended it all. We also dive into the dedicated community of hackers that keep the game alive, updating rosters and playoff mechanics today.

This month marks the 20th anniversary of everyone's favorite party game-fighter hybrid: Super Smash Bros. With Super Smash Bros. Ultimate already one of the best selling fighters to ever come out, we talk about the impact that Nintendo's game has had for couch co-op, future games, and even the competitive scene. We also welcome back Ash, self-proclaimed Nintendo fangirl and host of The Safari Zone Pokemon podcast back to the pod.