Death of Hulk Hogan (2025) Podcast Special
When It Was Cool Retro Pop Culture
Release Date: 07/24/2025
Update on the future of this podcast feed
When It Was Cool Retro Pop Culture
Important changes could be coming to this show. Listen to find out how to keep this free show feed alive in 2026. http://www.whenitwascool.com
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Dark Shadows (1966) TV Review
When It Was Cool Retro Pop Culture
This is a review of the run of Dark Shadows television shows which featured the character Barnabas Collins who maybe, possibly, perhaps was a vampire. This is a really unique TV show/soap opera unlike anything else I've ever seen on television. With all the melodrama of a soap opera but with vampires, ghosts, and a mystery! Join host Karl Stern as he discusses Dark Shadows.
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Lost in Space (1965) TV Review
When It Was Cool Retro Pop Culture
Karl takes a look back at the classic sci-fi series Lost in Space! After watching the first episode of this series I finally understand it a lot better than just seeing the random sporadic episode as a kid. This is a great and exciting sci-fi series with an iconic robot, an evil heel saboteur, and an interesting space adventure! Danger Will Robinson, let's take a look back at Lost in Space!
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King Kong vs Godzilla (1962) Review
When It Was Cool Retro Pop Culture
There have been multiple King Kong vs Godzilla movies in the modern era... but this isn't the first time. All the way back in 1962 Godzilla fought King Kong. Karl and Tonya watch this masterpiece and review it. This episode features the worst looking King Kong in cinematic history, frantic arm waving Godzilla, a volcano (of course), and much more. Join us for King Kong vs Godzilla!
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Psycho (1960) Movie Review
When It Was Cool Retro Pop Culture
Psycho changed everything in 1960. Alfred Hitchcock's horror masterpiece reinvented fear cinema. Our Patreon supporters at When It Was Cool have had access to this show for a long time but with the recent plot of Monster: The Ed Gein Story heavily featuring Psycho (based on Ed Gein) this is a great time to remember the horror movie classic.
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First! Star Wars Comic Issue 1 (Marvel) (1977)
When It Was Cool Retro Pop Culture
In 1977 Star Wars debuted in theaters and my pop culture life would never be the same. I was in second grade and went with a friend. It was a true blockbuster with lines around the corner for multiple showings. Life was great. I also read and collected comic books at the time, imagine my little mind being blown when I got issue 1 of Star Wars comics from Marvel off the old spinner rack and discovered scenes and people and who weren't even in the movie! Let's look at issue 1 of Marvel Comics Star Wars!
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Hercules Unchained (1959) Review
When It Was Cool Retro Pop Culture
The second and final of the Steve Reeves' Hercules movies. Similar to the first film, Hercules Unchained is bolstered by a solid opening and closing but again is labored (see what I did there?) by a largely boring and unnecessary middle. Still, Steve Reeves' portrayal of the Greco-Roman mythological hero Hercules is fantastic, and Hercules Unchained even features an appearance by former World Boxing and World Wrestling champion Primo Carnera! Grab your sword and sandals and let's go fight some monsters!
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First! Godzilla Saturday Morning Cartoon Episode 1 (1978)
When It Was Cool Retro Pop Culture
Up from the depths. 30 stories high. Beathing fire. He stands in the sky! Godzilla! Godzilla! Godzilla! Oh, yeah and Godzuki too unfortunatly. Still, in 1978, kids everywhere in the United States sat in front of their TV set with their Shogun Warriors Godzilla toy in hand to thrill to the adventures of the giant Toho monster! Today on First! we look back at the first episode of the Godzilla Saturday morning cartoon show!
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2025 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame Ballot Discussion!
When It Was Cool Retro Pop Culture
Generally speaking, this is my most listened to show of the year, so thank you and strap in. Over the past several months this podcast has focused on many of the people who had not yet made the ballot. That gives me much more latitude on today's show to dive into the people and process of the Hall of Fame, examine the ballot, and on the second half of the show I throw a curveball to the process which makes for a very interesting segment. Also, I am preparing a suggestion for Dave Meltzer about how to handle the .
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Hercules (1958) Movie Review
When It Was Cool Retro Pop Culture
I am a sucker for Greco-Roman mythology, so I thought I’d check out the much lauded performance of bodybuilder Steve Reeves in the first of his two appearances as Hercules in the 1958 movie of the same name. Obviously, as far as special effects goes, this movie was seriously limited by it’s era, but I have to say, Steve Reeves made a pretty darn impressive Hercules. The story took an unneeded detour in the middle which drug things down, but overall, this was a pretty solid movie.
info_outlineJoin pro wrestling historian and author Karl Stern as he talks about the complicated history and legacy of pro wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, who passed away on July 24, 2025, at his home in Florida. Hulk Hogan, who began his pro wrestling career in the late 1970s, became one of the most famous pro wrestlers in history and a major pop culture star as well. From his movies to his reality show, Hulk Hogan was one of the biggest media stars pro wrestling ever produced.