POP CULTURE MONDAYS...ON THURSDAYS

Brooke Hammerling

A weekly round-up of all the Pop Culture News you’re too embarrassed to admit you don’t know. Or too embarrassed to admit you DO!

  1. 2d ago

    Hamptons Pop-Ups, Dorm Room Glam, & the Great Gen Alpha Clapback

    This week, we are diving straight into the chaos and glamour across our feeds. We kick things off out East with Bethenny Frankel’s Supermodel Cafe pop-up in the Hamptons—and, more importantly, the brutally honest influencer reviews that have taken over TikTok.  From there, we pivot to campus culture: the ever-evolving spectacle of Bama Rush and SEC RushTok, alongside the wild rise of professionally designed, ultra-luxe dorm rooms. Then, the generational warfare heats up as Gen Alpha creators ruthlessly parody Gen Z influencer food reviews (and honestly, we can’t look away).  We’re also breaking down the viral "RATATA" lip-sync craze taking over FYPs, and wrapping up with the rise of the natural birther movement and the ever-expanding world of TikTok granola moms.  Tune in for all the cultural commentary, laughs, and hot takes! This week’s newsletter: https://popculturemondays.com/2026/08/17/rushtok-evolution/

  2. Aug 13

    RIP Syd

    I am officially the last remaining human on Earth who has never seen Rüfüs Du Sol live, and watching everyone's tour footage is testing my spirit. Speaking of wild video, we pivot to the stunning, surreal camera footage captured during the recent earthquake in Colombia that had everyone on social media doing a double-take. We take time to celebrate the incredible life, vibrant legacy, and immense global impact of Syd Towle following her tragic loss, reflecting on the lasting impression she left across the internet and beyond. On a lighter note, we dive into the fun, chaotic trends currently taking over TikTok this week—including the viral, bittersweet moment between a dad and his toddler that has the entire internet in tears because the little guy announced he's officially ready for a "big boy bike." Finally, we hit the screen with Robert Pattinson’s work as Chris Hansen in Primetime, followed by our full breakdown of two major new streaming releases hitting Hulu: the long-awaited adaptation of The Shards and the relentless new drama Furious.   This week’s PCM: https://popculturemondays.com/2026/08/10/rip-syd/   NYT inflammation article (gifted): https://shorturl.at/9olxO   NYT story on Syd (gifted): https://shorturl.at/cdzDf   Syd’s obituary: https://shorturl.at/8QUQu

  3. Aug 6

    The Ick

    This week Brooke breaks down the guys who gave us all the ick: Morgan Wallen, Jonah Hill, Sam Altman, and TikTok’s Viktor. Plus: The Brandy Melville employee dubbed “the most popular girl in SoHo” — fired from her dream job An update on Ariana Grande’s big announcement A hero moment: the 16-year-old lifeguard saving the day This week’s newsletter: https://popculturemondays.com/2026/08/03/the-ick/

  4. Jul 30

    From Instagram Envy & Meta Glasses to Jimothy & Andrew Tate: The Internet Has Lost the Plot

    We are back with another packed episode of Pop Culture Mondays on Thursdays, covering influencer travel, internet surveillance, viral animals, blockbuster movies, and one unforgettable arrest outfit. First, Brooke breaks down how TikTok and Instagram have turned Europe into an overcrowded, overshared backdrop—and why a recent trip to Paris made her rethink how much we share online. Then, we get into Meta AI glasses, the creepy reality of being filmed without knowing it, the Netflix documentary trend, tan-maxxing, and the darker consequences of going viral. We also meet Jimothy, the short-spined raccoon uniting the internet, before diving into The Odyssey, Sheep Detectives, Tom Hiddleston’s Pompeii obsession, and the Andrew Tate memes taking over the timeline.   This week’s newsletter: https://popculturemondays.com/2026/07/27/summer-2026-so-far/

  5. Jul 16

    From Erling & Jude to Hyrox & Lindsey Graham: The Ultimate Chaos Mix

    We are back with another packed episode of Pop Culture Mondays on Thursdays, and this week we are diving headfirst into everything from sports obsession to internet chaos. First up, we are talking about soccer. The world is officially united under the beautiful game, and we need to discuss our collective obsession with Erling Haaland, his incredible bromance with Jude Bellingham, and how the sport is truly bringing everyone together right now. Then, we transition to a different kind of athletic endeavor: Hyrox. It is the fitness obsession taking over the globe, and we are breaking down why absolutely everyone is suddenly obsessed with running and burpees. Next, we shift gears to politics and the internet rumor mill. The shocking, sudden passing of Senator Lindsey Graham has unleashed a wave of conspiracy theories that feel almost too on the nose to ignore, while sparking some very specific celebrations across the internet and the gay community. Finally, we wrap things up with a little candy: the viral mystery of the Zara death trousers and Gen Z’s never-ending obsession with the latest season of Love Island. This week’s newsletter: https://popculturemondays.com/2026/07/13/the-world-unites/

  6. Jul 9

    World Cup Memes, Wedding Mania and the Grocery Store Simulation

    This week, we are unpacking an another massive week in pop culture—from stadium seats to small-town grocery store aisles. What Is In This Episode:   The World Cup Pop Culture Report   Trump and FIFA: The massive political spectacle that took over the tournament. US Team vs. Belgium: Breaking down the vibes and the heartbreak after the US squad's devastating exit. The Striking Viking: Norway’s 6-foot-5 hulking superstar, Erling Haaland, single-handedly winning the internet  Cape Verde’s Moment: The absolute cinematic underdog energy they brought to all of us.    The Swift-Kelce Royal Wedding   We have officially entered the married era. We are breaking down everything from the star-studded Madison Square Garden nuptials.    TikTok Drama: The Grocery Store Simulation   Influencer Catherine Ebs went to a normal regional grocery store on a holiday weekend, called it "so small town," and claimed the entire thing felt like a simulation. We dissect the peak lack of self-awareness, the phantom hunt for 100 percent beef hot dogs, and why the internet is completely roasting her.   This week’s newsletter: https://popculturemondays.com/2026/07/06/romeo-juliet-blah-blah-blah/

  7. Jun 25

    Ranch Dressing, DC Slime, and the "Secret" Society

    Grab your ranch dressing and your tinfoil hats, because this week we are covering it all!  First, the World Cup tourists have officially landed in America, and we’re breaking down their hilarious, unfiltered reactions to our culture—from Texas BBQ and chaotic Boston pubs to their absolute obsession (and confusion) with ranch dressing. We also check out the nation's capital where a mysterious green algae is staging a hostile takeover of DC.  Finally, we deconstruct the internet's latest "top-secret conspiracy": the Dialog tech conference. Spoiler alert: It wasn't a secret society gathering... just a bunch of tech peeps in a room.   This week’s newsletter: https://popculturemondays.com/2026/06/22/green-is-my-favorite-color/ Please like, subscribe and share!

  8. Jun 18

    Championship Energy, German Tourists, & Coastal Blindspots

    This week, we are diving deep into the massive cultural moments dominating your feeds - from historic sports triumphs to viral travel obsessions, coastal blindspots, to the Gen Z reading revolution.  ** New York State of Mind:** We break down the historic New York Knicks championship win, the viral city-wide meltdown, and how the players spent their first 48 hours celebrating.  ** The World Cup & "Freddy from Germany":** America co-hosts a World Cup, and half the country didn't even know we had a soccer team. Plus, our collective obsession with European tourists—specifically Freddy from Germany—documenting their trek across the States.  ** Coastal Blindspots (Buc-ee's & Country Stars):** The things coastal elites completely miss that are absolutely massive in the rest of the country. Yes, we are talking about the cult of Buc-ee's and the country music superstars filling stadiums unnoticed by Hollywood.  ** To the Moon: The SpaceX IPO:** A look at the wildest memes & internet reactions the SpaceX IPO.  ** BookTok Takes Prime Video:** Gen Z is still ruling the publishing world. We look at the unstoppable rise of BookTok and the massive buzz surrounding Amazon Prime’s latest adaptation hit, Every Year After. Listener Note: What’s your ultimate Buc-ee's snack road trip order? Are you team Beaver Nuggets or team jerky? Let us know in the comments! Don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! This week’s PCM.

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A weekly round-up of all the Pop Culture News you’re too embarrassed to admit you don’t know. Or too embarrassed to admit you DO!

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