Pop Literacy

22/12/2022

Don't miss our excellent behind-the-scenes interview with Michael Ausiello, the author of Spoiler Alert—his beautiful memoir that is now a movie you should absolutely see!

‎Show Pop Literacy, Ep Michael Ausiello and the Making of Spoiler Alert - Dec 21, 2022

06/05/2022

The mystery of the man who invented movies, then disappeared: We talk about this fascinating story, and one of our favorite recent books, with author Paul Fischer on our latest episode. Listen now! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mystery-of-the-man-who-invented-movies/id1437009014?i=1000559480530

‎Show Pop Literacy, Ep The Mystery of the Man Who Invented Movies, Then Disappeared, with Paul Fischer - May 3, 2022

20/04/2022

We talk the history of Netflix and bingewatching with BINGE TIMES co-author Dade Hayes on our latest episode. Listen now! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-history-of-netflix-and-bingewatching/id1437009014?i=1000558051227

‎Show Pop Literacy, Ep The History of Netflix and Bingewatching - Apr 19, 2022

13/10/2021

For the latest Pop Literacy, we had a very fun conversation with Lynette Rice about her new book HOW TO SAVE A LIFE, the backstage drama at Grey's Anatomy, and how the hell long this thing can go on (18 seasons and counting!). Listen now: https://soundcloud.com/writers-bone/pop-literacy-lynette-rice-on-the-backstage-drama-at-greys-anatomy-and-why-we-keep-watching?utm_source=clipboard&utm_campaign=wtshare&utm_medium=widget&utm_content=https%253A%252F%252Fsoundcloud.com%252Fwriters-bone%252Fpop-literacy-lynette-rice-on-the-backstage-drama-at-greys-anatomy-and-why-we-keep-watching

Lynette Rice has covered Grey’s Anatomy from the beginning: as it became a culture-defining phenomenon in the 2000s, as it faced cast meltdowns and blowups, as it cycled through stars, as it killed of

29/09/2021

On the latest Pop Literacy, we talk with Nichole Perkins, author of the terrific essay collection SOMETIMES I TRIP ON HOW HAPPY WE COULD BE. Topics include the healing power of Frasier, the exclusive whiteness of Brat Pack movies, and the complications of one Miss Piggy. Give it a listen! https://soundcloud.com/writers-bone/pop-literacy-nichole-perkins-on-the-healing-power-of-frasier?utm_source=clipboard&utm_campaign=wtshare&utm_medium=widget&utm_content=https%253A%252F%252Fsoundcloud.com%252Fwriters-bone%252Fpop-literacy-nichole-perkins-on-the-healing-power-of-frasier

Nichole Perkins knows the power of pop culture: She has seen how Frasier’s Niles Crane inspired her to overcome her own professional hang-ups, how Prince taught her critical lessons about s*x, and how

15/09/2021

We had a fascinating conversation with longtime ghostwriter Daniel Paisner, host of the new podcast As Told To, about how celebrity memoirs are born. Listen now! https://soundcloud.com/writers-bone/pop-literacy-chatting-with-daniel-paisner-the-author-who-the-stars-share-all-their-secrets-with?utm_source=clipboard&utm_campaign=wtshare&utm_medium=widget&utm_content=https%253A%252F%252Fsoundcloud.com%252Fwriters-bone%252Fpop-literacy-chatting-with-daniel-paisner-the-author-who-the-stars-share-all-their-secrets-with

Denzel Washington, Serena Williams, Shark Tank star Daymond John, Mets World Series champ Ron Darling … those are but a few famous names who have entrusted author Daniel Paisner to help tell their per

17/08/2021

On our latest episode, we get super-nostalgic about '70s, '80s, and '90s TV—only four channels! nightly schedules! Square Pegs and Cheers and MTV!—with television scholar Kathleen Collins while talking about her lovely book FROM RABBIT EARS TO THE RABBIT HOLE. Listen now: https://soundcloud.com/writers-bone/pop-literacy-kathleen-collins-on-growing-up-a-tv-junkie-in-the-70s-80s-and-90s?utm_source=clipboard&utm_campaign=wtshare&utm_medium=widget&utm_content=https%253A%252F%252Fsoundcloud.com%252Fwriters-bone%252Fpop-literacy-kathleen-collins-on-growing-up-a-tv-junkie-in-the-70s-80s-and-90s

TV scholar Kathleen Collins grew up loving television before it was cool—while others fancied themselves sophisticated for digging film and music, she was unapologetically obsessing over Square Pegs.

29/06/2021

For our latest, we got to talk to one of our longtime idols, the legendary screenwriting guru Robert McKee. If you don't have his opus STORY on your bookshelf already, remedy that immediately. And while you're at it, pick up his new one, CHARACTER, because it is just as essential and wise. It will help you whether you're writing fiction or non, screenplay or novel. The interview consists mainly of us reading incredible passages of his work back to him, because it is all just that good. He made me realize that creating and appreciating great characters is nothing more or less than appreciating humanity in all its forms. Give it a listen, and subscribe and rate us while you're at it. It really helps. https://soundcloud.com/writers-bone/pop-literacy-robert-mckee-talking-character-with-the-master-of-storytelling?utm_source=clipboard&utm_campaign=wtshare&utm_medium=widget&utm_content=https%253A%252F%252Fsoundcloud.com%252Fwriters-bone%252Fpop-literacy-robert-mckee-talking-character-with-the-master-of-storytelling

His books and lectures on storytelling are so iconic that he was portrayed by Brian Cox in the Oscar-winning film Adaptation, and guest starred as himself in an episode of The Simpsons. This week we’r

09/06/2021

We're talking about how Jeff Goldblum keeps up the Goldblum mystique on our latest episode with author Travis M. Andrews. Listen now! https://soundcloud.com/writers-bone/pop-literacy-because-hes-jeff-goldblum-with-travis-m-andrews?utm_source=clipboard&utm_campaign=wtshare&utm_medium=widget&utm_content=https%253A%252F%252Fsoundcloud.com%252Fwriters-bone%252Fpop-literacy-because-hes-jeff-goldblum-with-travis-m-andrews

Jeff Goldblum’s career is a unique reflection of our times: He’s a character actor who eschews attention outside of his films, yet he’s more popular than ever, thanks to a quality that can only be des

25/05/2021

Tovah Feldshuh always gives a stellar performance, and her interview with us on our latest episode is no exception: Come for her spectacular Dr. Ruth impression—she's playing the icon in a one-woman show—and stay for her wisdom on mother-daughter relationships, also shared in her new memoir. This is not to be missed! https://soundcloud.com/writers-bone/pop-literacy-a-trip-to-lilyville-with-the-great-tovah-feldshuh?in=writers-bone/sets/pop-literacy

Prepare to be entertained, enlightened, and entranced in this week’s episode of Pop Literacy, as we welcome Tony and Emmy-nominated actress and singer Tovah Feldshuh, who talks to us about her engross

11/05/2021

We're so thrilled to have Dawnie Walton on our latest episode to talk about her fantastic book The Final Revival of Opal & Nev. Listen now! https://soundcloud.com/writers-bone/pop-literacy-dawnie-waltons-the-final-revival-of-opal-nev?in=writers-bone/sets/pop-literacy

Dawnie Walton’s debut novel The Final Revival of Opal & Nev is getting terrific reviews: “Feels truer and more mesmerizing than some true stories. It’s a packed time capsule that doubles as a stick of

27/04/2021

We had the actual best time talking to Caroline Kepnes about the latest in her YOU series, YOU LOVE ME, on our new episode. Listen now, you won't regret it! https://soundcloud.com/writers-bone/pop-literacy-caroline-kepnes-you-love-me

She’s a Pop Literacy returning guest. And though fans of her delicious, Netflix drama-inspiring thriller series of books about handsome stalker Joe Goldberg might not think it possible, we’re telling

13/04/2021

1974 was the year when pop culture got serious and started reflecting the politics of the time, a transformation that still resonates through our TV, music, and movies today. On this week's episode, we talk to bestselling author Ronald Brownstein about this turning point, documented in his new book ROCK ME ON THE WATER. Listen now! https://soundcloud.com/writers-bone/pop-literacy-rock-me-on-the-water-with-ronald-brownstein?in=writers-bone/sets/pop-literacy

In 1974, Los Angeles crackled with astonishing creative output: movies such as Chinatown, The Godfather Part II, Shampoo, and Nashville; seminal albums from Joni Mitchell, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Brow

16/03/2021

What an honor to talk shop with Mark Harris about his extraordinary biography MIKE NICHOLS: A LIFE for the latest episode of Pop Literacy! Please give it a listen: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/from-immigrant-to-graduate-to-hollywood-legend-mike/id1437009014?i=1000513253800

‎Show Pop Literacy, Ep From Immigrant to the Graduate to Hollywood Legend: Mike Nichols, With Mark Harris - Mar 16, 2021

03/03/2021

We're talking The Real World with MILLENNIALS KILLED THE VIDEO STAR author Amanda Ann Klein on this week's episode: the show's fascinating history, its staggering influence, and our hopes for the upcoming reunion of the first-season cast. Listen now! https://soundcloud.com/writers-bone/pop-literacy-what-happens-when-people-stop-being-polite-the-real-world

“Video Killed the Radio Star,” as the song and video that launched MTV in 1981 told us, and Millennials, among other pop culture deaths they have been accused of, killed the music video star at the en

18/02/2021

We learned so much about the history of pro women's wrestling on this week's episode with Scarlett Harris, author of A DIVA WAS A FEMALE VERSION OF A WRESTLER. Listen now! https://soundcloud.com/writers-bone/pop-literacy-the-history-and-future-of-pro-womens-wrestling-with-scarlett-harris

“To be a women’s wrestling fan, particularly one who patronizes WWE … is to be constantly disappointed,” Scarlett Harris writes in her book-length critical essay A Diva Was a Female Version of a Wrest

04/02/2021

Are there any pop culture books you'd like to hear us cover on an upcoming episode of Pop Literacy? Let us know!

02/02/2021

We're back! We'll be focusing only on the best in pop culture books from now on. First up: We talk with Pete Croatto about his fascinating new book FROM HANG TIME TO PRIME TIME, which chronicles the rise of the NBA from afterthought to major pop cultural force (all thanks to Marvin Gaye's pivotal National Anthem performance at the All-Star Game). Listen now: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hoopin-it-up-pete-croatto-history-modern-nba/id1437009014?i=1000507425876

‎Show Pop Literacy, Ep Hoopin’ It Up with Pete Croatto and the History of the Modern NBA - Feb 1, 2021