When It Was Cool Pop Culture Podcast

When It Was Cool Pop Culture Podcast looks at pop culture and history from a fun and family friendly perspective. TV, movies, video games, sports, pro wrestling, comic books, true crime, and historic events. When It Was Cool examines the things that have made your life better. We aren't about living in the past, we're about celebrating the things we love. Visit WhenItWasCool.com

Geddy Lee My Effin Life (2023) Book Review Podcast 11/30/2023

Geddy Lee My Effin Life (2023) Book Review Podcast Karl, who is a huge fan of the rock band Rush, reviews Geddy Lee's new memoire My Effin' Life which dropped a couple of weeks ago. Geddy Lee's book takes a detailed look at the history of the band, his parent's incredible story as holocaust survivors, their musical variety over the course of their 40 plus year career, induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Alex Lifeson's infamous speech, and the final days of Neil Peart. A fantastic and fun biography! /episode/index/show/whenitwascool/id/28867553

Johnny Cash - Redemption of an American Icon Review 11/16/2023

Johnny Cash - Redemption of an American Icon Review Recently, Karl and Tonya from When It Was Cool visited the gravesite of American music legend Johnny Cash. We recently had watched an amazing documentary about the life, faith, and career of Johnny Cash and this episode of the When It Was Cool Podcast takes a look at that documentary. From the highest of highs and incredible success to literally crawling into the depths of a cave and laying down to die, the Redemption of an American Icon is a fascinating documentary film. /episode/index/show/whenitwascool/id/28674368

The Exorcist Believer (2023) Movie Review 10/19/2023

The Exorcist Believer (2023) Movie Review Karl and Tonya take a trip to the movie theater this week to see the new movie The Exorcist: Believer which is a sequel to The Exorcist 50 years later. And it is a sequel, following the mother of Regan from the original as she hopes to help solve a modern-day demonic possession of two schoolgirls who disappeared for three days only to reemerge in an altered state. Does this movie stand up to the original which was one of the greatest horror films ever? Let's talk about it. /episode/index/show/whenitwascool/id/28367012

04 Friday the 13th Part 4 (1984) - The Final Chapter Retro Movie Review 10/13/2023

04 Friday the 13th Part 4 (1984) - The Final Chapter Retro Movie Review Join Karl and Tonya for a new Friday the 13th movie review podcast. Every time the real calendar hits Friday the 13th, When It Was Cool reviews another chapter in the supernatural / slasher / killer franchise featuring the hockey masked monster Jason Voorhees. This one, sad to say, is another dud with very little Jason and very little plot. Still, we have fun with it so come and join us! /episode/index/show/whenitwascool/id/28310030

Ted (2012) Movie Review 10/12/2023

Ted (2012) Movie Review Today Karl and Tonya review the 2012 Mark Wahlberg stoner comedy Ted. Ted is a Teddy Ruxpin inspired stuffed bear who magically comes to life and becomes best friend with his human owner. The problem is, neither ever grow up. This is a buddy comedy movie hit from a decade ago which includes a cool guest star from a crazy retro movie! /episode/index/show/whenitwascool/id/28297160

Jem and The Holograms (1985) Retro Review 10/05/2023

Jem and The Holograms (1985) Retro Review By Patreon request, Karl and Tonya watch and discuss an episode of Jem from 1985. Tonya remembers the Jem dolls but not the cartoon and for 1985 standards this cartoon wasn't bad at all. Too bad there was no G.I. Joe crossover for Karl because they happen in the same Hasbro/Sunbow/Marvel universe. This was as fun a show as a show about rudimentary computers and synth-pop music can be. It was outrageous. Truly, truly outrageous. /episode/index/show/whenitwascool/id/28234697

Road House (1989) Retro Movie Review 09/28/2023

Road House (1989) Retro Movie Review Karl and Tonya take a look back at this 1980s classic starring Patrick Swayze, Sam Elliott, with guest star Terry Funk! I remember liking this movie back in the day, it had all the things I liked: Fightin', drinkin', bullshido, Sam Elliott, and Terry Funk. I mean, it's almost impossible to mess that up, right? Well, sadly, Road House doesn't hold up too well but we take a look back at it and I trying not to rip out anyone's throat with my karate. /episode/index/show/whenitwascool/id/28166534

Whose Line is it Anyway? - The Plot 09/25/2023

Whose Line is it Anyway? - The Plot On this episode, The Plot Podcast sends a digital valentine to the original, British version of Whose Line Is It Anyway?, which just celebrated its 35th anniversary. We look at the show's creation on BBC Radio 4. its move to television to Channel 4 and then discussing how the show evolved over the years. And some clips featuring folks like Josie Lawrence, Paul Merton, Ryan, Stiles, Greg Propps and my favorite, Tony Slattery. /episode/index/show/whenitwascool/id/28138829

Adventures of Hercules (1985) Retro Review 09/21/2023

Adventures of Hercules (1985) Retro Review In the last of our sword and sandal reviews for a while we revisit the 1985 abomination of the Adventures of Hercules (or Hercules II) starring Lou Ferrigno. Is this one as bad as the first? Yes, in fact worse, much worse. They somehow resurrect the miserable heel from the first movie and reuse footage from the first film as well. This movie was made in 1985... let that sink in when watching this movie with special effects like it was 1955. A disgrace of a movie, let's talk about it. Support for access to over 2000 podcasts on pop culture and retro pop culture! /episode/index/show/whenitwascool/id/28103657

Robo Vampire (1988) Retro Movie Review 09/14/2023

Robo Vampire (1988) Retro Movie Review Sweet Dollar General knock-offs! This is the most amazing monstrosity of a movie I have ever seen! Robocop verses Hopping Vampires! Also, the cover is a complete bait and switch the actual "Robocop" in this movie looks nothing like that. He's a dude in a tin foil suit whose gun doesn't work like guns are supposed to. Did I mention hopping Vampires? This "movie" I understand, is actually TWO unfinished movies mashed together. This is something else. /episode/index/show/whenitwascool/id/28030137

Thor Almighty (2011) Movie Review 09/07/2023

Thor Almighty (2011) Movie Review This is a Patreon requested movie review. A knock-off of Marvel Comic's Thor franchise but this one features Kevin Nash in the role of Odin... and it is terrible. Look, this movie is beyond terrible. Most of the action takes place off screen due to the lack of actors, the special effects are terrible, and Kevin Nash is honestly beyond awful as an actor. This movie is bad on every level. An obvious cash grab for the video store (remember them?) And the dude who played Thor? Oh, brother. There's a reason he never appeared in anything else. /episode/index/show/whenitwascool/id/27968592

Green Acres - The Plot Podcast 08/31/2023

Green Acres - The Plot Podcast The pod is happy to welcome for the first time author Daniel Budnik, author of "From Beverly Hills to Hooterville" as we discuss the surrealistic hidden gem that is Green Acres. We talk about the creation of the Hooterville Trilogy, of which Green Acres is the third part after the creation of The Beverly Hillbillies and Petticoat Junction. We discuss how the show's root lie in a 1950 radio show and how it was adapted and updated by Jay Sommers. We go through the premise and cast of characters, from Oliver and Lisa Douglas to Eb, Mr. Haney and Sam Drucker, to the breakout star of the show, Arnold the Pig. And then we go though many of the episodes' plot, just how absurdist they were, es[ecially for 1960s network TV. Naturally, we go into all the metatext on the show, including the cast interacting with the show's credits. We close with CBS and the "rural purge" of their schedule, making way for the new era of TV lead by All in the Family. This was a fun episode to discuss, and we hope to have Daniel back on the show in the future for more popular culture chat. /episode/index/show/whenitwascool/id/27900363

The Ultimate Weapon (1998) Retro Movie Review (Starring Hulk Hogan) 08/24/2023

The Ultimate Weapon (1998) Retro Movie Review (Starring Hulk Hogan) Let's be honest, Hulk Hogan has made some really good bad movies in his life. In the late 1990s as Hollywood Hulk Hogan he had a pro wrestling career resurgence in WCW and he also made some really, really good bad movies. Hogan wanted a deal with TBS/TNT to make some terrible similarly themed Commando style action movies where he wore a hair piece and played an anti-hero. Many of these went straight to video including this one. The Ultimate Weapon is one of the most cliched action movies ever and Hogan looks awful in a toupee. Let's talk about it. (A hilariously terrible special appearance by BRUTUS BEEFCAKE as well). /episode/index/show/whenitwascool/id/27840813

Gilligan's Island (1964) Retro TV Review 08/17/2023

Gilligan's Island (1964) Retro TV Review The classic television series Gilligan's Island (1964) is the topic of this episode of the When It Was Cool Podcast. I loved this show as a kid but watching it as an adult I realize that these geeks are exactly where they deserve to be. What a bunch of idiots. I had forgotten how infuriating Gilligan and The Skipper were. This is also another of those classic TV shows which tells you everything you need to know upfront in the theme song. /episode/index/show/whenitwascool/id/27778857

Harley Davidson - Stuck in the Desert Podcast 08/14/2023

Harley Davidson - Stuck in the Desert Podcast Join the Arkansas Hellbender this week as we try to pop a wheelie over the front handlebars. Tons of fun for everyone in the world that is Harley Davidson! /episode/index/show/whenitwascool/id/27746652

Master of the Flying Guillotine (1976) Retro Movie Review 08/10/2023

Master of the Flying Guillotine (1976) Retro Movie Review Bullshido at it's finest! The 1976 post-Bruce Lee era Master of the Flying Guillotine is one of my favorite Kung-Fu movies. It is utterly ridiculous. Featuring a one armed Kung Fu master who is the target of an evil Kung Fu master. The evil Kung Fu matches shows up at an incredibly ridiculous Kung Fu tournament and starts killing every one armed person there! This movie features everything you love about wacky Kung Fu movies: bizarre tournament to the death, evil Kung Fu heels, traps, and more! Prepare to be destroyed! /episode/index/show/whenitwascool/id/27713268

Enola Gay - The Plot 08/08/2023

Enola Gay - The Plot On the 78th anniversary of the atomic bomb being dropped on Hiroshima, we look at the 1980 song Enola Gay by the British band OMD. And, with the box office success of Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer, we look at some of the older films that tackled the historical topic, including "Fat Man and Little Boy," where Oppenheimer was played by ... Dwight Schultz from the A-Team and Star Trek: The Next Generation? /episode/index/show/whenitwascool/id/27690141

Barbie (2023) Movie Review 08/04/2023

Barbie (2023) Movie Review Tonya and Karl went to see the 2023 blockbuster movie Barbie starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. Bringing the iconic Mattel toy property to a live action movie seemed like a challenge and this movie isn't really sure what it is. Part bizarre pink fantasy and part feminist manifesto the Barbie movie has still managed to strike a chord with a large audience catapulting it to becoming 2023's biggest hit so far. Tonya and Karl give you their thoughts on this strange, yet memorable film. /episode/index/show/whenitwascool/id/27654999

Hercules (1983) Retro Movie Review 07/27/2023

Hercules (1983) Retro Movie Review A more modern take on Hercules starring Lou Ferrigno in the lead role. This movie is terrible. I think it regressed from the Steve Reeves movies despite the fact that Lou Ferrigno (yes, the Hulk guy) looks like he literally stepped off of Mount Olympus. You may or may not know that Lou Ferrigno is mostly deaf and has a speech impediment so his lines were actually dubbed pretty well but the special effects are horrible beyond words. This, however, is one of those movies that is so bad it's kind of good. Hercules! /episode/index/show/whenitwascool/id/27582384

Hercules Unchained (1959) Retro Movie Review 07/20/2023

Hercules Unchained (1959) Retro Movie Review 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! /episode/index/show/whenitwascool/id/27518712

Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey (2023) Movie Review 07/13/2023

Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey (2023) Movie Review What happens when Winnie the Pooh and friends ends up in the public domain? Somebody makes a horror movie about them of course. Oh, bother. Anyway, Karl and Tonya watched this abomination so you wouldn't have to. It is every slasher movie you've ever seen only with one of your favorite fictional characters as the antagonist. Please don't ask what happened to Eeyore. You thank us for helping you avoid this wreck of a movie. /episode/index/show/whenitwascool/id/27460860

RIP Alan Arkin - The Plot Podcast 07/06/2023

RIP Alan Arkin - The Plot Podcast The Plot Podcast, brought to you by When It Was Cool, pays tribute to the late actor Alan Arkin, who passed away recently at the age of 89. The Plot Podcast plays some clips from some of our favorite films in which he starred, and not the usual candidates. Join us for this celebration of Alan Arkin. /episode/index/show/whenitwascool/id/27386517

Hercules (1958) Retro Movie Review 06/29/2023

Hercules (1958) Retro Movie Review 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. /episode/index/show/whenitwascool/id/27322746

Child's Play - Movie Franchise Review 06/22/2023

Child's Play - Movie Franchise Review Today Karl and Tonya discuss the Child's Play (Chucky!) movie franchise which includes the films: Child's Play, Child's Play 2, Child's Play 3, Bride of Chucky, Seed of Chucky, Curse of Chucky, and the rebooted Child's Play. We look at the horror movie character Chucky, a possessed serial killer doll, and how the franchise went from horror to comedy and back to horror again. /episode/index/show/whenitwascool/id/27233889

Silver Age DC Comics and More - The Plot 06/21/2023

Silver Age DC Comics and More - The Plot Inspired by our friends at the Longbox Heroes podcast doing a Sandman read-though, we take a look at the Silver Age DC Comics duo Stanley and his Monster, specifically their 1993 mini-series by Phil Foglio. We look at the characters’ creation in the mid 1960s, how the mini-series is loosely connected to the Sandman story Season of Mists and the two showing up in one of the best DC books of the last few years, Scooby Doo Team Up. /episode/index/show/whenitwascool/id/27223017

Defenders of the Earth (1986) Retro TV Review 06/15/2023

Defenders of the Earth (1986) Retro TV Review Flash Gordon, The Phantom, and Mandrake the Magician are joined by their children in this Avengers / Justice League style team up series from the mid-1980s that drove everyone mild. Yes, you read that right. Despite having a Saturday morning cartoon series, a comic book series, and action figures, this dull series of heroes battling Ming the Merciless fell to little reception then and is utterly forgettable now. /episode/index/show/whenitwascool/id/27160086

They Live (1988) Retro Movie Review 06/07/2023

They Live (1988) Retro Movie Review I'm all out of bubblegum. This 1988 John Carpenter cult classic starring Rowdy Roddy Piper is actually a pretty solid little movie. Join Karl from When It Was Cool as I look back on Roddy Piper's biggest film, the cult movie VHS era, and wonder if, in fact, any of you are aliens. Cause, I'd say there is cause to wonder. Also, I swear, the longest fight scene in history. /episode/index/show/whenitwascool/id/27069207

Abraxas (1990) Retro Movie Review 05/31/2023

Abraxas (1990) Retro Movie Review Jesse "The Body" Ventura stars in the leading role in this VHS era space cop movie. Jesse Ventura is Abraxas, a 10,000 year old space cop who is charged with tracking down his former partner gone rogue. The duo ends up on Earth where his former partner has created a child with special powers and it's up to Abraxas to solve the problem! A fairly fun VHS era straight to tape sci-fi adventure. /episode/index/show/whenitwascool/id/27001902

Death of Classic Rock 05/25/2023

Death of Classic Rock Classic rock music has been a staple of Americana for decades. The sound track of our lives. Artists like Bruce Springsteen, Aerosmith, Journey, John Mellencamp, The Rolling Stones, Styx, the Doobie Brothers, REO Speedwagon, Foreigner, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and many more have helped us through growing up and growing old. Sadly, many of these iconic acts are going away and few from the following era remain to take their place. Join Karl from WhenItWasCool.com to look at the aging end of classic rock and what happens next? /episode/index/show/whenitwascool/id/26947002

Anything Possumble - Stuck in the Ozarks 05/24/2023

Anything Possumble - Stuck in the Ozarks oin the Arkansas Hellbender today as we seek out the elusive Possum Pie! Somewhere under a Red Oak, someone is rolling out a pie crust and its almost Dinner time! Support the platform that houses this podcast: Support my tag team partner: dirtydawgmes on Patreon. Stop killing each other! /episode/index/show/whenitwascool/id/26936049

When It Was Cool Pop Culture Podcast

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