Pop Cult

Welcome to Pop Cult: The Fame FilesWe love her and we thought we knew her but as always, we were left stunned and full of admiration. She’s truly been in the spotlight her ENTIRE life and that’s something few have been able to do. Sure, there were a few bumps along the way but truly no one does is like Drew Barrymore. We already knew she was iconic, but we didn’t know to what extent. We debrief her tumultuous family relationships, shocking childhood, up and down love life and of course all of her extremely impressive career achievements. We’re also DEF going to start watching to her talk show.The Fame Files is part of Pop Cult, where we unpack pop culture’s biggest stories, scandals, and icons.Join us on Tuesday for our next episode of Reality Digest, where we’ll cover the previous weeks’ pop culture chaos and debrief the latest episodes of our favorite reality shows! Follow us on socials!Youtube: @PopCultPodcastInstagram: @pop.cult.podcastTikTok: @pop.cult.podcastDisclaimer: The stories we cover are based on research and publicly available sources. While we strive for accuracy, some details may be disputed or unverified, and this episode is for entertainment and informational purposes only. All research in this episode is based on publicly available reporting and archival interviews and documentaries. Full list of sources available upon request.

We’re light on shows but not on commentary this week. Kicking it off with Summer House where we are actively watching a masterclass in how NOT to communicate with your partner. We’re looking at you Kyle. If there are any other 43 year old DJs out there we would love to hear from you and prove ourselves wrong. We were just starting to get on board with Chef Ben after he SLAYED that 6-course meal but once again we were disappointed at the hands of a man. Justic for Ellie. She may be the only one who knows what she’s doing at this point. Buckle up for our very lengthy discussion of our favorite Mormon Wives. We feel like we personally need therapy after being subjective to the terrible decisions throughout this season. But one thing that never wavered is our love for the three M’s of the group. As far as we’re concerned, Taylor AND Jen are on THIN! ICE! And we never want to see ANY of their husbands again, unless they have duct tape over their mouths. Is that really too much to ask?Reality Digest is part of Pop Cult, where we break down the wildest moments in reality TV and the week’s biggest celebrity stories.Join us on Thursday for The Fame Files! Every week we do an episode on a pop culture moment. Be it a celebrity scandal, court case, deep dive or general pop culture phenomenons throughout the years. We’re always looking for requests, so send them our way!Follow us on socials!Youtube: @PopCultPodcastInstagram: @pop.cult.podcastTikTok: @pop.cult.podcastDisclaimer: The stories we cover are based on research and publicly available sources. While we strive for accuracy, some details may be disputed or unverified, and this episode is for entertainment and informational purposes only. All research in this episode is based on publicly available reporting and archival interviews and documentaries. Full list of sources available upon request.

Welcome to Pop Cult: The Fame FilesWe consider ourselves Bachelor historians since we’ve been watching since before we were even old enough to drive but there were a few things in the episode that were even before our time. Unsurprisingly we dive into SEVERAL instances of men being unable to make an adult decision. Shocking, we know. On the contrary we talk about a Bachelorette who was maybe a bit TOO decisive - although she really dodged a bullet. And in preparation for Taylor Frankie Paul’s season, we wrap it up with one of the most controversial, but iconic Bachelorettes of the franchise.  The Fame Files is part of Pop Cult, where we unpack pop culture’s biggest stories, scandals, and icons.Join us on Tuesday for our next episode of Reality Digest, where we’ll cover the previous weeks’ pop culture chaos and debrief the latest episodes of our favorite reality shows! Follow us on socials!Youtube: @PopCultPodcastInstagram: @pop.cult.podcastTikTok: @pop.cult.podcastDisclaimer: The stories we cover are based on research and publicly available sources. While we strive for accuracy, some details may be disputed or unverified, and this episode is for entertainment and informational purposes only. All research in this episode is based on publicly available reporting and archival interviews and documentaries. Full list of sources available upon request.

Our favorite religious reality stars are back on our screens with their h*sbands begrudgingly in tow. In what episode do they get exiled???? We have to give it to Ohio because honestly they delivered this season. And we are once again left unsurprised but disappointed that men continue to lower the bar. We wrap up Vanderpump with one of the more tame reunions we’ve ever seen and Lisa really threw us off there for a second…..weird. We’re starting to wonder if the Below Deck crew is going to have a single good charter this season…Ben we’re looking at you. And speaking of men named Ben, the rest of the Summer House needs to protect our girl Bailey. Where’s Carl Radke when you need him????/Reality Digest is part of Pop Cult, where we break down the wildest moments in reality TV and the week’s biggest celebrity stories.Join us on Thursday for The Fame Files! Every week we do an episode on a pop culture moment. Be it a celebrity scandal, court case, deep dive or general pop culture phenomenons throughout the years. We’re always looking for requests, so send them our way!Follow us on socials!Youtube: @PopCultPodcastInstagram: @pop.cult.podcastTikTok: @pop.cult.podcastDisclaimer: The stories we cover are based on research and publicly available sources. While we strive for accuracy, some details may be disputed or unverified, and this episode is for entertainment and informational purposes only. All research in this episode is based on publicly available reporting and archival interviews and documentaries. Full list of sources available upon request.

Welcome to Pop Cult: The Fame FilesSince Tiger Woods arrived on the golf scene, he was the one they all aspired to be. I mean he was a child prodigy for god sakes. But one fateful Thanksgiving day, early that morning, everything changed and his life and career would be altered forever. Devastating allegations that turned out to be true shattered the image he’d worked so hard to build. We have a very special guest joining us for this episode to share how shocking this internet-breaking scandal truly was.  The Fame Files is part of Pop Cult, where we unpack pop culture’s biggest stories, scandals, and icons.Join us on Tuesday for our next episode of Reality Digest, where we’ll cover the previous weeks’ pop culture chaos and debrief the latest episodes of our favorite reality shows! Follow us on socials!Youtube: @PopCultPodcastInstagram: @pop.cult.podcastTikTok: @pop.cult.podcastDisclaimer: The stories we cover are based on research and publicly available sources. While we strive for accuracy, some details may be disputed or unverified, and this episode is for entertainment and informational purposes only. All research in this episode is based on publicly available reporting and archival interviews and documentaries. Full list of sources available upon request.

We’re filling the Traitor’s shaped hole in our hearts by ranting about the evil spirited men that these reality TV producers somehow find in the depths of the sewers - Love Is Blind, we’re looking at you…but also Below Deck this week. This is why adults shouldn’t play Truth or Dare. Our first Vanderpump reunion with the new cast and we’re thinking they need to be schooled by Andy for a few seasons before they’ll get the hang of things. Summer House is starting to feel like battle of the veterans vs the newbies and we’re wishing there were some more girly vibes and that the men on this show would take a vow of silence…with the exception of Carl.Reality Digest is part of Pop Cult, where we break down the wildest moments in reality TV and the week’s biggest celebrity stories.Join us on Thursday for The Fame Files! Every week we do an episode on a pop culture moment. Be it a celebrity scandal, court case, deep dive or general pop culture phenomenons throughout the years. We’re always looking for requests, so send them our way!Follow us on socials!Youtube: @PopCultPodcastInstagram: @pop.cult.podcastTikTok: @pop.cult.podcastDisclaimer: The stories we cover are based on research and publicly available sources. While we strive for accuracy, some details may be disputed or unverified, and this episode is for entertainment and informational purposes only. All research in this episode is based on publicly available reporting and archival interviews and documentaries. Full list of sources available upon request.

Welcome to Pop Cult: The Fame FilesIf there’s one thing middle school girls knew well, it was how to create a fandom equivalent to the size of a small army. One Direction was the blueprint. BUT THEN mass devastation swept across the land when a fan favorite announced they were leaving the band, which started a spiral that led to the entire band falling apart at the seams. They may have played nice for the cameras…at first…but soon enough the masks started to fall and the tea was spilt. The Fame Files is part of Pop Cult, where we unpack pop culture’s biggest stories, scandals, and icons.Join us on Tuesday for our next episode of Reality Digest, where we’ll cover the previous weeks’ pop culture chaos and debrief the latest episodes of our favorite reality shows! Follow us on socials!Youtube: @PopCultPodcastInstagram: @pop.cult.podcastTikTok: @pop.cult.podcastDisclaimer: The stories we cover are based on research and publicly available sources. While we strive for accuracy, some details may be disputed or unverified, and this episode is for entertainment and informational purposes only. All research in this episode is based on publicly available reporting and archival interviews and documentaries. Full list of sources available upon request.

We’re officially devastated. Not only because Traitors has ended, but because reigning champ, Rob apparently has a girlfriend. Women everywhere are wondering what we did to deserve this. We’re secretly happy to be rid of the Vanderpump reboot and have some opinions on who should and should not return for the next season. Love Is Blind lowers the bar every episode on male behavior and their editing techniques. This Below Deck crew is nearly as lost at sea as their guest almost was and it seems that half of the Summer House cast has been bodysnatched…with one of them snatching up Shrek’s shoes.Reality Digest is part of Pop Cult, where we break down the wildest moments in reality TV and the week’s biggest celebrity stories.Join us on Thursday for The Fame Files! Every week we do an episode on a pop culture moment. Be it a celebrity scandal, court case, deep dive or general pop culture phenomenons throughout the years. We’re always looking for requests, so send them our way!Follow us on socials!Youtube: @PopCultPodcastInstagram: @pop.cult.podcastTikTok: @pop.cult.podcastDisclaimer: The stories we cover are based on research and publicly available sources. While we strive for accuracy, some details may be disputed or unverified, and this episode is for entertainment and informational purposes only. All research in this episode is based on publicly available reporting and archival interviews and documentaries. Full list of sources available upon request.

Welcome to Pop Cult: The Fame FilesThroughout the 2010s, there were makeup and beauty creators popping up left and right on Youtube. They were putting us all to shame with their razor sharp cut creases and highlighters you could see from space. But as talented as they were at their craft, they just couldn’t seem to help finding themselves in hot water. Today’s episode we are diving into a few different Youtube scandals from your favorite, evidently non-media trained, members of the beauty community.The Fame Files is part of Pop Cult, where we unpack pop culture’s biggest stories, scandals, and icons.Join us on Tuesday for our next episode of Reality Digest, where we’ll cover the previous weeks’ pop culture chaos and debrief the latest episodes of our favorite reality shows! Follow us on socials!Youtube: @PopCultPodcastInstagram: @pop.cult.podcastTikTok: @pop.cult.podcastDisclaimer: The stories we cover are based on research and publicly available sources. While we strive for accuracy, some details may be disputed or unverified, and this episode is for entertainment and informational purposes only. All research in this episode is based on publicly available reporting and archival interviews and documentaries. Full list of sources available upon request.

Our biggest lesson from this weeks lineup is that clearly the Love Is Blind casting department needs to re-evaluate their tactics because WOW - we didn’t think the bar could get any lower. Traitors had us frightened and stressed this week. That round table left us UNCOMFY. We seem to always be asking the same question when it comes to our Bravo shows, which is - how is a 40+ year old man STILL acting like that? We’re looking at you Kyle and Chef Ben. We’re rounding out the Vanderpump reboot and we give our take on who we think should be brought back if it survives the chopping block. Reality Digest is part of Pop Cult, where we break down the wildest moments in reality TV and the week’s biggest celebrity stories.Join us on Thursday for The Fame Files! Every week we do an episode on a pop culture moment. Be it a celebrity scandal, court case, deep dive or general pop culture phenomenons throughout the years. We’re always looking for requests, so send them our way!Follow us on socials!Youtube: @PopCultPodcastInstagram: @pop.cult.podcastTikTok: @pop.cult.podcastDisclaimer: The stories we cover are based on research and publicly available sources. While we strive for accuracy, some details may be disputed or unverified, and this episode is for entertainment and informational purposes only. All research in this episode is based on publicly available reporting and archival interviews and documentaries. Full list of sources available upon request.

Welcome to Pop Cult: The Fame FilesThe UK’s most beloved influencer, Molly Mae Hague and her fiance Tommy Fury shock fans when they called off their engagement out of nowhere. The rumors were running rampant but so were the denials and the retractions. Love Island brought these two together, but what exactly drew them apart? The Fame Files is part of Pop Cult, where we unpack pop culture’s biggest stories, scandals, and icons.Join us on Tuesday for our next episode of Reality Digest, where we’ll cover the previous weeks’ pop culture chaos and debrief the latest episodes of our favorite reality shows! Follow us on socials!Youtube: @PopCultPodcastInstagram: @pop.cult.podcastTikTok: @pop.cult.podcastDisclaimer: The stories we cover are based on research and publicly available sources. While we strive for accuracy, some details may be disputed or unverified, and this episode is for entertainment and informational purposes only. All research in this episode is based on publicly available reporting and archival interviews and documentaries. Full list of sources available upon request.

We never fret too much when Love Is Blind ends, because we know Netflix will hit us with a new season basically instantly. Ohio certainly has not disappointed…yet. We will admit, we had our hesitations but we’re locked in. Traitors is starting to give us serious anxiety, in part due to Eric possibly being the worst Traitor of all time - TBD on that one. The sous chef on Below Deck is making us feel better about our own incompetencies on the job. Summer House is showing that the final answer to the age old question “do men ever change” is in fact, no. VPR was actually our tame show this week with the absence of a certain someone, but we’re sure that won’t last long.Reality Digest is part of Pop Cult, where we break down the wildest moments in reality TV and the week’s biggest celebrity stories.Join us on Thursday for The Fame Files! This week’s episode breaks down the very odd situation between Olympic Figure Skaters, Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan - in honor of the Winter Olympics. Who else only watches Figure Skating and Women’s Gymnastics? Oh, and Equestrian, if you’re Julia. Follow us on socials!Youtube: @PopCultPodcastInstagram: @pop.cult.podcastTikTok: @pop.cult.podcastDisclaimer: The stories we cover are based on research and publicly available sources. While we strive for accuracy, some details may be disputed or unverified, and this episode is for entertainment and informational purposes only. All research in this episode is based on publicly available reporting and archival interviews and documentaries. Full list of sources available upon request.

Welcome to Pop Cult: The Fame FilesTo celebrate the start of the 2026 Winter Olympics we’re bringing you one of the most notorious Olympic scandals and throwing it back to 1994. That one fateful day when an innocent competitor was attacked at practice, figure skating was changed forever…but who would do this to her?The Fame Files is part of Pop Cult, where we unpack pop culture’s biggest stories, scandals, and icons.Join us on Tuesday for our next episode of Reality Digest, where we’ll cover the previous weeks’ pop culture chaos and debrief the latest episodes of our favorite reality shows! Follow us on socials!Youtube: @PopCultPodcastInstagram: @pop.cult.podcastTikTok: @pop.cult.podcastDisclaimer: The stories we cover are based on research and publicly available sources. While we strive for accuracy, some details may be disputed or unverified, and this episode is for entertainment and informational purposes only. All research in this episode is based on publicly available reporting and archival interviews and documentaries. Full list of sources available upon request.

It’s a very big week because we had not one, but TWO premieres!!!! We’re missing our Below Deck Med cast but we’re warming up to Down Under and are wondering if we, too, can become a sous chef without knowing how to cook??? You could cut the tension in the Summer House with a knife….Amanda and Kyle we’re looking at you. Angelica might be the most annoying person on VPR and this is a show where Scheana Shay was a main cast member for 11 seasons. Call us crazy but we seem to be in the minority on our Traitor’s opinions. We’re only human after all and in case anyone needed a reminder: it’s just a game!!!!!!!!!!Reality Digest is part of Pop Cult, where we break down the wildest moments in reality TV and the week’s biggest celebrity stories.Join us on Thursday for The Fame Files! This week’s episode breaks down the very odd situation between Olympic Figure Skaters, Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan - in honor of the Winter Olympics. Who else only watches Figure Skating and Women’s Gymnastics? Oh, and Equestrian, if you’re Julia. Follow us on socials!Youtube: @PopCultPodcastInstagram: @pop.cult.podcastTikTok: @pop.cult.podcastDisclaimer: The stories we cover are based on research and publicly available sources. While we strive for accuracy, some details may be disputed or unverified, and this episode is for entertainment and informational purposes only. All research in this episode is based on publicly available reporting and archival interviews and documentaries. Full list of sources available upon request.

Welcome to Pop Cult: The Fame FilesTyra Banks was the face of the cultural phenomenon that was America’s Next Top Model. Television that truly only rivals that of Vanderpump Rules in our humble opinion. But who is Tyra outside of ANTM? We get into all of it - her upbringing, VERY successful modeling career, her ice cream endeavors, and OFC some of her missteps as a host of nearly 15 years. The Fame Files is part of Pop Cult, where we unpack pop culture’s biggest stories, scandals, and icons.Join us on Tuesday for our next episode of Reality Digest, where we’ll cover the previous weeks’ pop culture chaos and debrief the latest episodes of our favorite reality shows! Follow us on socials!Youtube: @PopCultPodcastInstagram: @pop.cult.podcastTikTok: @pop.cult.podcastDisclaimer: The stories we cover are based on research and publicly available sources. While we strive for accuracy, some details may be disputed or unverified, and this episode is for entertainment and informational purposes only. All research in this episode is based on publicly available reporting and archival interviews and documentaries. Full list of sources available upon request.

The depression is sinking in because we lost two shows this week. Rest in Peace the women of Salt Lake City and our Mediterranean crew…….for now. We debate on whether Rob deserves our grace and forgiveness for his behavior on Traitors and we’re kindly asking that the VPR staff step it up with spreading rumors about each other. That’s what being on reality TV is all about, after all.Reality Digest is part of Pop Cult, where we break down the wildest moments in reality TV and the week’s biggest celebrity stories.Join us on Thursday for The Fame Files! This week’s episode is our very first celebrity deep dive on none other than Tyra Banks - aka the icon that brought us America’s Next Top Model. We get into her career, life, and the many moments throughout her time on our TVs that had our eyebrows raised.Follow us on socials!Youtube: @PopCultPodcastInstagram: @pop.cult.podcastTikTok: @pop.cult.podcastDisclaimer: The stories we cover are based on research and publicly available sources. While we strive for accuracy, some details may be disputed or unverified, and this episode is for entertainment and informational purposes only. All research in this episode is based on publicly available reporting and archival interviews and documentaries. Full list of sources available upon request.

Welcome to Pop Cult: The Fame FilesThe year was 2008. A much simpler time where social media was up and coming and celebrities apparently had zero home security. This was a major flop on their part because a group of troubled teens was able to rob multiple A-list celebs - multiple times - right under their noses.The Fame Files is part of Pop Cult, where we unpack pop culture’s biggest stories, scandals, and icons.Join us on Tuesday for our next episode of Reality Digest, where we’ll cover the previous weeks’ pop culture chaos and debrief the latest episodes of our favorite reality shows! Follow us on socials!Youtube: @PopCultPodcastInstagram: @pop.cult.podcastTikTok: @pop.cult.podcastDisclaimer: The stories we cover are based on research and publicly available sources. While we strive for accuracy, some details may be disputed or unverified, and this episode is for entertainment and informational purposes only. All research in this episode is based on publicly available reporting and archival interviews and documentaries. Full list of sources available upon request.

WAR IS OVER! We’re done covering Mormon Wives….for a month. Pls give the husbands zero screen time next season - we’re begging. Something is in the air in Utah because part 2 of the RHOSLC finale had us gobsmacked and wondering if there might be a housewife switcheroo next season. We’re about to trade our friends in the Mediterranean out for our friend down under but not before we leave Joe and Kizzi with some more choice words. The new Vanderpump cast has us seriously questioning the legality of some of their extra-curriculars. And finally, Traitors has us on the edge of our seats and about ready to fly to the castle to banish C*lton ourselves.Reality Digest is part of Pop Cult, where we break down the wildest moments in reality TV and the week’s biggest celebrity stories.Join us on Thursday for The Fame Files! This week’s episode covers a very niche topic - the millennial mass exodus from Buzzfeed Video and the barrage of “why I left” videos that followed. What on earth was going on at that company? Follow us on socials!Youtube: @PopCultPodcastInstagram: @pop.cult.podcastTikTok: @pop.cult.podcastDisclaimer: The stories we cover are based on research and publicly available sources. While we strive for accuracy, some details may be disputed or unverified, and this episode is for entertainment and informational purposes only. All research in this episode is based on publicly available reporting and archival interviews and documentaries. Full list of sources available upon request.

Welcome to Pop Cult: The Fame FilesIn honor of the year 2016 and all of it’s millennial-powered trends resurface in the internet zeitgeist, we’re throwing it back to the 20-teens to debrief the mass exodus from everyone’s favorite pop culture site - Buzzfeed Video. We discuss the unreal influx of “why I left Buzzfeed” videos that flooded Youtube and spilled the tea on a company that, from the outside, seemed like a dream job. From The Try Guys to Ladylike, and everyone in between, we take a look into the real reasons Buzzfeed lost all of their self-produced internet stars. The Fame Files is part of Pop Cult, where we unpack pop culture’s biggest stories, scandals, and icons.Join us on Tuesday for our next episode of Reality Digest, where we’ll cover the previous weeks’ pop culture chaos and debrief the latest episodes of our favorite reality shows! Follow us on socials!Youtube: @PopCultPodcastInstagram: @pop.cult.podcastTikTok: @pop.cult.podcastDisclaimer: The stories we cover are based on research and publicly available sources. While we strive for accuracy, some details may be disputed or unverified, and this episode is for entertainment and informational purposes only. All research in this episode is based on publicly available reporting and archival interviews and documentaries. Full list of sources available upon request.

The aura of us being done with SLOMW but knowing there’s another season just around the corner is very…threatening to say the least. What’s devastating is Below Deck Med almost being over while Kizzi and Joe simultaneously steal V’s sparkle. OFF WITH THEIR HEADS! Or whatever ppl from the UK say. We still don’t know what Lisa Barlow does for work but we do know that Shayne doesn’t work at SUR so what exactly was he doing at the merch photoshoot? The world may never know. As for our current favorite show, we’re devastated by the loss of Caroline, Monet and Tiffany - but as for Michael? We hope to never lay eyes on him again - especially while he’s eating. GAG!Reality Digest is part of Pop Cult, where we break down the wildest moments in reality TV and the week’s biggest celebrity stories.Join us on Thursday for The Fame Files! This week’s episode covers a very niche topic - the millennial mass exodus from Buzzfeed Video and the barrage of “why I left” videos that followed. What on earth was going on at that company? Follow us on socials!Youtube: @PopCultPodcastInstagram: @pop.cult.podcastTikTok: @pop.cult.podcastDisclaimer: The stories we cover are based on research and publicly available sources. While we strive for accuracy, some details may be disputed or unverified, and this episode is for entertainment and informational purposes only. All research in this episode is based on publicly available reporting and archival interviews and documentaries. Full list of sources available upon request.