Popstuff
By HowStuffWorks.com
To listen to an audio podcast, mouse over the title and click Play. Open iTunes to download and subscribe to podcasts.
Podcast Description
Why are so many people obsessed with the British royal family? What is the culture of smoking? Join Tracy and Holly explore the science behind pop culture in PopStuff, a podcast by HowStuffWorks.com.
| Name | Description | Released | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
The Culture of Smoking | Everyone knows that smoking is bad for your health. As smoking bans and legislation have become more restrictive, have smokers become societal pariahs? Tracy shares her experiences of growing up in the tobacco belt as PopStuff examines the social implicat | 5/30/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
2 |
Royal Family Obsession | Millions of people watched William and Kate’s wedding. Diana still has devoted fans. What is it about royalty, that so captures our attention and imagination? And why does Holly love Queen Victoria so much? | 5/28/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
3 |
Weddings | Love them or hate them, weddings are a part of our lives. But why are they so expensive, and why does everyone feel entitled to judge everyone else’s nuptials? | 5/23/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
4 |
Perfume: The Culture of Scent | Have you ever wondered what Tracy and Holly smell like? They’ll tell you! They’re also eager to talk about how people use and perceive perfume, and why cottage-industry perfumeries attract such devoted followings. | 5/21/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
5 |
Astrology: What’s PopStuff’s sign? | Tracy and Holly both have some embarrassing confessions to kick this one off. What is it about astrology and horoscopes that makes even non-believers check their sign’s daily predictions? Is there really science that validates astrology? | 5/16/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
6 |
Collecting: Popstuff’s Cabinet of Curiosities | Is it true that everyone collects something? Many of us feel compelled to acquire and curate our hearts’ desires, but why are we so attached to this idea? Which one of the PopStuff gals is most likely to be a hoarder? | 5/14/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
7 |
Tracy and Holly's Running Playlist Episode | Good tunes can make the difference between a mediocre run and a great one. What music moves Tracy and Holly to run, and why are they drawn to their favorite workout songs? Tune in to find out. | 5/9/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
8 |
Franchise Reboots | How long should something exist before it’s remade, and what’s the difference between a reboot and a remake? Tracy and Holly dish on the good, the bad and the groan-worthy movie, television, comics and video game do-overs. | 5/7/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
9 |
Comic Book Movies: PopStuff Smash! | Since comic books are a visual medium, it seems natural to translate them to the silver screen. Why then, do so many adaptations of comic books flop as movies? Tracy and Holly ponder this matter, and share their lists of favorites and not-so-favorites. | 5/2/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
10 |
Diamonds are whose best friend? | Is a diamond really a girl’s best friend? Tracy and Holly aren’t so sure. They’ll hash out the history of the diamond engagement ring, and debate over the merits of the whole concept. | 4/30/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
11 |
The PAX East Episode | Concerts, exhibits, panels -- the Penny Arcade Expo has become a huge show for all things geek, but it remains a gaming paradise. Tracy shares her experiences from this year’s PAX East, and her enchantment with the many independent games she saw there. | 4/25/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
12 |
Crazy Pet People | Some people think of pets as their children, while others think that’s ridiculous. Spending on pets has dipped slightly in the recent past, but why? There’s also talk of rescue organizations and whether or not it’s OK to put clothes on your furry fr | 4/23/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
13 |
The Art of the T-shirt | Is a T-shirt just a thing to keep you from being naked, or is it art? How do graphics on T-shirts represent you, and how are Web sites opening the door to cottage industry? How do Tracy and Holly categorize their shirts, and do they own any crass ones? | 4/18/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
14 |
When Trendy Foods Attack | Cupcakes, bacon, sriracha. Food has trends, just like fashion. Why do some edibles garner nearly cult-like followings? Tracy and Holly talk about their favorite fashionable treats, and touch on a few that are on the way out of the spotlight. | 4/16/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
15 |
Joss Whedon | He creates worlds and characters that fans fall in love with, but what is it, really, about Joss Whedon’s work that’s so engaging? Can the soon-to-be-released film projects “Cabin in the Woods” and “The Avengers” draw us in with that same Whed | 4/11/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
16 |
The Culture of Running | Running continues to grow in popularity, but are all runners happy about that? Holly and Tracy talk about their experiences at races, their training, their gear and yes, their injuries, all while debating the merits of this hobby/sport/fitness regimen. | 4/9/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
17 |
Swearing | Swearing promotes group bonding, but does it also rob you of your class? We know it’s not for best princess behavior, but when is cursing appropriate? Can Tracy and Holly keep it clean while weighing the merits of “bad” words? (The answer is yes.) | 4/4/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
18 |
Bugs vs. Mickey | One’s a wisecracking rabbit and the other’s a giggling mouse. Both have devoted fans. How did these famous animated rodents get their starts and nestle into their niches, and why has only one reached juggernaut status? | 4/2/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
19 |
Manic Pixie Dreamgirls | She’s quirky, nutty and totally unfettered. She shows brooding screen heroes that life is full of fun and wonder. She’s Manic Pixie Dream Girl, and her roots as a cinema archetype go back further than you probably suspect. | 3/28/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
20 |
Wanna go to prom? | It’s exciting, it’s a rite of passage, it’s expensive and often a letdown. Few people look back on their proms and think “That was one of the greatest nights of my life!” Tracy and Holly relay memories of their proms and the origins of this trad | 3/26/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
21 |
Guilty Pleasures | Psychologists agree: Guilt is actually good for you. So go ahead and indulge your love of “Weekend at Bernie’s” and other low-brow entertainment. Tracy and Holly will get you started by confessing what trashy things they love. | 3/21/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
22 |
Violence in Children's Books | It’s natural to want to shield kids from evil and darkness, but could there be a place for such themes in media aimed at young people? Tracy and Holly have researched the value of violence, and noticed how much of it there is in well-loved children’s | 3/19/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
23 |
Saint Patrick's Day | In the U.S., we tend to think of St. Patrick’s Day as a green-tinted street party with loads of drinking and leprechauns. But what are the holiday’s real roots, and how did they get lost in a sea of plastic pots of gold and green beer? | 3/14/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
24 |
All of the Snow Whites | The Snow White story has always been popular, but lately, everyone seems to have a version of it to tell. Which ones are Tracy and Holly excited about, which ones make them cringe and why are we all so fascinated by this story? | 3/12/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
25 |
Making Books into Movies | Adapting a book into a film is no easy task, and fans of books are often disappointed by the versions of their favorite stories that end up on the big screen. What literature-inspired films do Tracy and Holly love and loathe? | 3/7/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
26 |
Great Films Fail the Bechdel Test | The Bechdel test is a basic set of rules to gauge the representation of women in films. While it’s an interesting tool, Tracy and Holly think there are a lot of incredible films that completely fail this test (and many bombs that pass with flying colors | 3/5/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
27 |
Release the hounds! | If you were an online celeb, would you use your power for good or for evil? Join Tracy and Holly as they discuss those Internet moments when influential people mobilize their followers, sometimes with ill intent. | 2/29/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
28 |
Internet Friends: True or False? | Are the friends you make online the real deal? Tracy and Holly say they are, but the research is divided. Is the Internet the ideal place for shy people to reach out, or is online socializing just creating a world of detached, lonely people? | 2/27/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
29 |
PopStuff's Oscar Episode | It’s Oscar time, and we have costume nominees on the brain. Tracy and Holly talk about the 2012 contenders and give their thoughts on the costumes in each of the films. There’s also some ranting about bodices. | 2/22/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
30 |
Drag Queens: You Better Work! | Glittery, glamorous drag queens – Holly and Tracy love them. But what is drag, exactly? What social trends cause the popularity of queens to wax and wane? And why do straight girls love RuPaul and his tribe so much? | 2/20/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
31 |
Road Trips | Get in the car! Why does the thought of hitting the open road conjure up a sense of freedom for some, and dread for others? Tracy and Holly are ready to pack their bags and floor it on an adventure through the rules and thrills of the road trip. | 2/15/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
32 |
Celebrity Couples | Being famous puts a unique spin on romance, and a level of pressure non-celebs never have to deal with. Beyond nicknames like Brangelina, what is it that fascinates us about the loves of the famous, and which celebrity couples do Tracy and Holly love? | 2/13/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
33 |
Did Movies Ruin Love? | Do you believe in love at first sight? How about soul mates? Movies and TV shows certainly seem to. Holly and Tracy talk about whether movies are setting us up for failed romance, and about Tracy's complicated relationship with the romantic comedy. | 2/8/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
34 |
Urban Legends | Razor-bladed apples, hooks dangling from car doors, alligators in the sewer ... if you believe in urban legends, the world is overrun with danger. Tracy and Holly get to the bottom of where these stories come from and why we can't stop sharing them. | 2/6/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
35 |
Defending Disney Princesses? | Many critics feel that the Disney princesses are setting poor examples for young girls and are setting the women’s movement back by decades. Tracy and (admittedly biased) Holly point out what’s good about these animated silver-screened heroines. | 2/1/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
36 |
An Introduction to Studio Ghibli | It’s the Japanese film studio where magic seems to come from. From "Totoro" to "Ponyo" and all points in between, why are Studio Ghibli’s films so mesmerizing to Western audiences, and what’s a radish spirit? | 1/30/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
37 |
Now Available in 3-D | Is 3-D just a gimmick, or is it really a valid tool for film makers? Tracy and Holly both saw “Hugo” and loved it, and now they can’t stop talking about the merits and perils of 3-D cinema (and Holly’s crush on Sacha Baron Cohen). | 1/25/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
38 |
Let's Do Brunch | It’s a social meal and often involves ham and adult beverages. What’s not to love? In this episode, Tracy and Holly deconstruct brunch and discuss whether it’s the ultimate hipster repast. | 1/23/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
39 |
Play it Again, Sam | Do you have a movie that may as well be permanently implanted in your DVD player? Or a game that you have to play over and over? Tracy and Holly share their fave replayables, and discuss what makes some media so very addictive. | 1/18/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
40 |
Gossip | OMG, did you hear the dirt on Tracy and Holly? Oh, for real – they are totally talking smack about gossip and acting like it’s totally OK to talk about other people. Seriously! | 1/16/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
41 |
Breaking Superstition | Why do rational people believe in things like lucky numbers and good luck charms? Knocking on wood can’t possibly keep bad things from happening, can it? Holly’s openly superstitious. Tracy is less so. But nobody in the podcast wants to hex anything. | 1/11/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
42 |
What's in a baby name? | What’s in a name? Everything, apparently. Everyone has an opinion about baby names, even if they’re not parents. Tracy and Holly also have opinions, and they’re wondering why we all get so wrapped up in what other people decide to call their offspri | 1/9/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
43 |
Culture of Dieting | Odds are good you know someone who is on a diet right now. Tracy and Holly traverse the ins and outs of diet fads, healthy eating and finding ways to be realistic and sensible while still enjoying delicious favorites. Also, Holly praises Tracy a lot. | 1/4/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
44 |
New Year’s Resolutions | It’s that magical time when many people set the goals for the year that they fully expect to abandon by mid-January. Tracy and Holly share their resolutions for 2012, and dig through the research to find out why some people stick to resolutions while ot | 1/2/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
45 |
How to Build a Southerner for Your TV Show or Movie | Every region gets misrepresented in television and film, but it seems the South gets the lion’s share of stereotyping. Because Tracy and Holly live in the South, they’re experts on Southerners, and they’re ready to educate film and television indust | 12/28/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
46 |
TV Bosses We Love (and Love to Hate) | They can’t all be Michael Scott. (We wouldn’t want them to be.) What makes a television boss endearing or upsetting? As a boss of things, Tracy has different criteria than Holly, but they’ve talked it out, and you’re invited to eavesdrop. | 12/26/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
47 |
PopStuff's Pop Culture Wishlist | Are you wracking your brain trying to come up with the perfect gift for the PopStuff gals? Tracy and Holly have compiled fairly comprehensive lists of what geeks are hoping to find under the tree Christmas morning. | 12/21/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
48 |
PopStuff's Holiday Favorites | It’s the most wonderful time of the year … for entertainment! The Oscar contenders come out to play, and the television schedule is full of holiday programming. What are Tracy and Holly eager to watch this year? | 12/19/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
49 |
December Movie Deluge | As the Oscar hopefuls and family movies are opening en masse, the box office choices can be overwhelming. Don’t sweat it. Tracy and Holly are sharing their lists of films they’re looking forward to this holiday season to help you sort it all out. | 12/14/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
50 |
Why do we watch what's hard to watch? | It’s the entertainment equivalent of rubbernecking as you pass by a car accident. Sometimes, something is incredibly difficult to watch, but we seek it out just the same. Tracy and Holly have some theories about painful entertainment. | 12/12/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
51 |
Are Cheat Codes Cheating? | If a cheat code is built into a game, are you really cheating? Lots of gamers use cheats, but there's a wide range of justifications for them. Find out where Tracy and Holly stand on cheating in video games (one of them is a Cheaty McCheaterson). | 12/7/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
52 |
Holiday Foods: Get Your Pumpkin On! | Do you live for pumpkin coffee, peppermint cheesecake and Cadbury crème eggs? Grab some eggnog and listen as Tracy and Holly work their way through all the holidays on the calendar in a drool-worthy discussion of their favorite treats. | 12/5/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
53 |
Thinking about Ink | It’s an art, it’s a form of self expression and it also can be painful. Tracy and Holly discuss the fascinating world of tattoos, Tracy’s maybe possible secret ink and why Holly’s still too chicken to go under the needle. | 11/30/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
54 |
Zombies: Why did it have to be Zombies? | The undead are all the rage. No longer relegated to cult films, they’ve now got their own shows, merchandise and even 5k races. Tracy and Holly wonder what’s behind the zombie craze, and how long it will last. | 11/28/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
55 |
Why are there no Thanksgiving movies? | Tracy and Holly originally thought there weren't many Thanksgiving movies, but it turned out, they just didn't remember there were. Listen in as the ladies ponder why most films about this holiday are all about family awkwardness. | 11/23/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
56 |
Muppets: Yay! | Everyone loves the Muppets! (Seriously, it's suspicious if you don't.) In this episode, Tracy and Holly discuss the new movie, as well as what makes Jim Henson's creations so very special. | 11/21/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
57 |
Should it be hard to be a geek? | With media outlets hosting their own geek blogs, the idea that geek culture is mainstream is making news (and dredging up its own backlash). Has geek culture become exclusionary? Has it been co-opted by hipsters? Tracy and Holly wax pensive about geekdom. | 11/16/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
58 |
Blah Blah Twilight | The "Twilight" series is wildly popular, but why? Join Tracy and Holly as they examine just what makes people love (and loathe) Stephanie Meyer's vampire romance novels. | 11/14/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
59 |
Single Player MMOs | Why do some people play multiplayer online games, only to work through all their missions solo? Join Tracy and Holly as they share their reasons for going lone wolf in social games. (Hint: It’s not an antisocial thing.) | 11/9/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
60 |
Why are we friends? | Most of your friends probably like the same things you do and have similar views on religion and politics. In this episode, Tracy and Holly discuss the benefits and challenges of diversifying your pal portfolio, and why sloganism is bad. | 11/7/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
61 |
Spoiler Alert | Does knowing how a movie or book will end ruin it for you? Yes. No. Maybe. But probably not. Tracy and Holly talk about spoilers and whether they ruin or enhance the entertainment experience. | 11/2/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
62 |
Movies That Scare Us Silly | Slasher films, psychological thrillers and ghost mysteries have a certain appeal during Halloween. Join Tracy and Holly as they discuss scary movies, and how your body can't differentiate between movie-generated fright and fear of a real threat. | 10/31/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
63 |
TV's Worst Parents | The parents on this list of fictional moms and dads aren’t the Huxtables, that’s for sure. In this episode, Tracy and Holly have chosen the best examples of bad parenting to be found on television. | 10/26/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
64 |
Steampunk: Put a Gear On It! | It’s an incredibly popular genre of speculative fiction, but what is steampunk, exactly? Tracy and Holly beg you: Please do not put goggles on your hat and call yourself steampunk. | 10/24/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
65 |
Don't Kill Your Television | There’s a lot of garbage on television, but there’s plenty of quality programming, too. And really, even the garbage has its place. Tracy and Holly promise you that television won’t rot your brain. Tune in to learn why. | 10/19/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
66 |
The Tyranny of Accessible Celebrities | Celebrities are more connected to their fans than ever, thanks to conventions and social media. Join Tracy and Holly as they hash out the benefits and drawbacks of knowing what your favorite famous people are doing every minute of the day. | 10/17/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
67 |
When Pop Culture Doesn't Pop | Taste is a subjective field, and no show can be universally loved by every viewer. But why do personal opinions differ to such extreme degrees? Join Tracy and Holly as they look at popular shows and films that -- in their opinion -- just don't pop. | 10/12/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
68 |
An Embarrassment of Riches | Whether it's a queue of podcasts, a pile of unread books or hours of content languishing on your DVR, odds are that you may find yourself inundated with loads of content. So how can we handle this constant stream of new stuff? Tune in to find out. | 10/11/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
69 |
PopStuff Goes To the Movies | Whether you're at the opening night of a musical or just checking out a film, an audience can make -- or break -- your experience. Listen in as Tracy and Holly give you the best tips for watching movies without the caterwauls of a ruinous audience. | 10/5/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
70 |
The Entitled World of Fandom | How do you know when you have crossed into the world of uberfandom? Join Tracy and Holly as they discuss the good and the bad of super fans. | 10/3/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
71 |
Disney World's 40th Birthday | Join Disneyphile Holly as she and Tracy gush over the 40th anniversary of Disney World. What are the tips to having the best visit to Disney World? And what secrets is Holly going to spill about her many Disney World adventures? | 10/3/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
72 |
Time Traveling Through Fall TV (PopStuff's Fall TV Picks) | Join Tracy and Holly as they laugh and snark their way through the 2011 Fall TV line-up. | 10/3/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| Total: 72 Episodes |
Customer Reviews
Hoping for More
I'm a little disappointed with this podcast so far. I'm used to the more research/fact driven podcasts from How Stuff Works, but this seems more like the podcasters' opinions. Hopefully the podcast develops and matures over time.
A major let down
I WANT to like this podcast. I'm a big fan of geek culture and The many podcasts I downloaded of them I selected because the titles were of things I like or want to know more about. However, unlike the other amazing Howstuffworks podcasts, I DON'T LEARN ANYTHING! This is just two middle aged women rambling subjectively about random stuff. I was really let down. I tried time and time again and I just heard more of them complaining about how they don't have enough time to watch all the tv, play all the games, and go to Disney World as many times a year as they wish they could. Whoop-dee-friggin-doo. I am a geek girl myself and I find this podcast completely unrelatable.
Yes!
Please keep them coming. This podcast was made for this geek girl tech event specialist who deserves a break from the serious techie and social media eat race. I rarely get to hear women who love the same things as I do...fab podcast. Thanks.
Listeners also subscribed to
- Yeah, It's That Bad - Movie Review Podcast
- Yeah, It's That Bad
- View In iTunes
- Extra Hot Great
- Tara Ariano and Joe Reid and David T. Cole
- View In iTunes
- Free
- Category: TV & Film
- Language: English
- © Copyright 2012 Discovery Communications LLC
