This week the gang is here to talk about the year 1997 in music and culture. There are a surprising number of 20 year old infallible pop hits that were influenced by a number of factors; the internet, CD-R's, Princess Diana passing, the death of Gianni Versace, the 24-hour news cycle, and of course Tupac and Biggies deaths. Wynter and Karen make it clear that they had the best 1997 as they were living in the city of possibilities (San Francisco), Margaret tells us why she doesn't know any Spice Girls songs, and we find out which panelist played sax in a ska band. Plus, in lieu of jams, we hear from each of the panelists what podcasts they are listening to lately.

And remember, if you haven't yet become a member or upgraded your membership, please do it before the end of #MaxFunDrive. Margaret Wappler has vowed to send every new person that joins a denim jacket w/ a celebrity inside, Karen Tongson will eat weird vending machine food for you and Guy Branum will share his family's fruit cobbler recipe. And his family is from Arkansas!

Guy Branum, Karen Tongson, Wynter Mitchell, and Margaret Wappler

Podcast Recommendations:

Margaret Wappler - Baby Geniuses
Karen Tongson - Minority Korner
Guy Branum - Las Culturistasr

We made a special playlist with all of the songs we talked about in this week's episode (plus some other gems).

You can let us know what you think of Pop Rocket and suggest topics in our Facebook group or via @PopRocket on Twitter.

Produced by Christian Dueñas and Kara Hart for MaximumFun.org

Jordan Morris sits in for Guy and is joined by Margaret, Wynter, and Karen to talk about the Oscar nominations announced last week. Guy Branum calls in to discuss Annette Bening’s performance in 20th Century Women. All that, plus everyone’s jams. It’s a jam-packed show this week, friends.

With Jordan Morris, Wynter Mitchell, Karen Tongson and Margaret Wappler.

That’s My Jam:

Margaret Wappler - Laura Marling - Soothing
Karen Tongson - india.arie - Heart of the Matter
Wynter Mitchell - Thundercat - Show Me the Way
Jordan Morris - Masked Intruder - Crime Spree

Each week we’ll add everyone’s jams to this handy Spotify playlist.

You can let us know what you think of Pop Rocket and suggest topics in our Facebook group or via @PopRocket on Twitter.

Produced by Christian Dueñas and Kara Hartfor MaximumFun.org.

It’s finally 2017, Rocketeers! Guy, Wynter, and Karen sit down to discuss their new year resolutions for pop culture. Should we be watching less Housewives and more musicals? Who is reupping their subscription to THR this year? What kind of books should we try to read this year? Plus, the gang remember George Michael, Carrie Fisher, and Debbie Reynolds.

With Guy Branum, Wynter Mitchell, and Karen Tongson.

That’s My Jam:

Karen Tongson - If You Were There
Wynter Mitchell - Love is a Losing Game
Guy Branum - Good Morning

Each week we’ll add everyone’s jams to this handy Spotify playlist.

You can let us know what you think of Pop Rocket and suggest topics in our Facebook group or via @PopRocket on Twitter.

Produced by Christian Dueñas and Kara Hartfor MaximumFun.org.

Wynter takes over hosting duties this week and is joined by comedian and writer Sara Benincasa to talk about fall TV shows! Atlanta, Frequency, Designated Survivor, and more! What’s going to make it to season 2 and what will fall flat on its dumb face? Plus, Oliver is finally able to talk about Stranger Things, Sara is surprised by Joe Swanberg’s hotness, and Wynter has a few words to say on Rob Lowe’s roast.

With Wynter Mitchell, Oliver Wang and guest Sara Benincasa.

That’s My Jam:

Sara Benincasa - Basia Bulat - Let Me In
Oliver Wang - Five Starsteps – Don’t Change Your Love
Wynter Mitchell - Slum Village - Players

Each week we’ll add everyone’s jams to this handy Spotify playlist.

You can let us know what you think of Pop Rocket and suggest topics in our Facebook group or via @PopRocket on Twitter.

Produced by Colin Anderson & Christian Dueñas for MaximumFun.org.

It’s finally going to happen, people. Many songs enter, but only one jam can be crowned the Song of the Summer. Guy, Oliver, Margaret, and Wynter bring their picks and some suggestions from the Facebook group and discuss what really makes a summer jam. Writer and analyst Chris Molanphy comes in with hard data to see what is objectively the Song of the Summer. Sia, Calvin Harris, DNCE, Lizzo, and so many more are brought into the fight. Who wins? The answer may shock you.

With Guy Branum, Wynter Mitchell, Oliver Wang and Margaret Wappler.

That’s My [Podcast] Jam:

Wynter Mitchell - Mother May I Sleep with Podcast?
Oliver Wang - Dear Prudence
Guy Branum - The Rex Factor
Margaret Wappler - 2 Dope Queens

You can let us know what you think of Pop Rocket and suggest topics in our Facebook group or via @PopRocket on Twitter.

Produced by Colin Anderson & Christian Dueñas for MaximumFun.org.

The Pop Rocket team sits down to discuss RuPaul’s Drag Race and drag culture in general! Oliver is in love with the newest season of Veep, Wynter finds another song that hits all four quadrants, and Margaret has an announcement for everyone about Pop Rocket’s summer reading book club. Plus, Guy explains why Chris Evans is one of the greatest people alive.

With Guy Branum, Wynter Mitchell, Oliver Wang and Margaret Wappler.

That’s My Jam:

Wynter Mitchell - The Range – Copper Wire
Oliver Wang - The Jack Moves – Being with You
Margaret Wappler - Tegan and Sara - Boyfriend
Guy Branum - Ariana Grande – Be Alright

Each week we’ll add everyone’s jams to this handy Spotify playlist.

You can let us know what you think of Pop Rocket and suggest topics in our Facebook group or via @PopRocket on Twitter.

Produced by Colin Anderson & Christian Dueñas for MaximumFun.org.

A whole episode devoted to the new Star Wars movie, The Force Awakens.

With Oliver Wang, Josh Greenberg, Karen Tongson and host Guy Branum.

You can let us know what you think of Pop Rocket and suggest topics in our Facebook group or via @PopRocket on Twitter.

The team celebrate 50 episodes together by going back in time to the year 1965. They share some of their favorite pop culture moments in music, film and television of that year

With Guy Branum, Wynter Mitchell, Margaret Wappler and Oliver Wang.

Jams

Wynter Mitchell - Wooly Bully by Sam the Sham and the Pharaos and California Girls by The Beach Boys.
Oliver Wang - A Change is Gonna to Comel by Sam Cooke.
Margaret Wappler - It’s Not Unusual by Tom Jones.
Guy Branum - I’m Looking Through You by The Beatles.

Each week we'll add everyone's jams to this handy Spotify PlayList

You can let us know the media you consume when faced with difficult times in our Facebook or via @PopRocket on Twitter.

Based on Courtney Kelly's suggestion, Mark & Hal step into the middle of the Great Cola Turf War to sift through all the rhetoric and determine once and for all what we should call our carbonated drinks!

Topics include:

- The South

- Onomatopoeia

- The Smithsonian & America's Funniest Home Videos

The spectacle, the magnificence, the sh*t show that was the 2015 Academy Awards. Why did Neil Patrick Harris miss the mark as host? What was with all those political speeches? And John Travolta… Plus everyone’s first gigs and music recommendations.

With Guy Branum, Wynter Mitchell, Oliver Wang and Margaret Wappler.

That’s My Jam:

Wynter Mitchell - Gnarls Barkley Who’s Gonna Save My Soul
Oliver Wang - Just Blaze Moleskine Conclusion
Margaret Wappler - Courtney Barnett’s Pedestrian at Best
Guy Branum - A joke from the latest Fresh Off The Boat

Each week we’ll add everyone’s jams to this handy Spotify playlist.

You can let us know what you think of Pop Rocket and suggest topics on the MaxFun forum, our Facebook group or via @PRPod on Twitter.