Pop Culture Tournaments

Patrick DeSpain, Rob Matthews, and Bruce "Slat" Veach
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Hobbies

A podcast devoted to the Facebook group "Pop Culture Tournaments" - come join us and vote on the best of the best of pop culture! '80s songs, movie villains, cereal mascots, TV theme songs - anything pop culture, we will host a tournament and you decide which is the best! In this podcast, the hosts discuss past results and upcoming tournaments.

  1. 06/09/2021

    Hair Metal and Muppets with Nate Downs

    We welcome our friend and Muppet expert, Nate Downs, to the podcast to preview the "Greatest Muppet" tournament. Nate laid down some impressive Muppet knowledge and trivia, from the origins and cultural significance of Miss Piggy to Veggie Monster (a real thing? Find out!). We also review the results of the "Greatest Hair Metal Group/Artist" tournament.

    Hair Metal and Muppets with Nate Downs

  2. 05/30/2021

    MLB Player and Hair Metal with Jef Westbrook

    With Slat absent this week, Dan and Rob welcome Jef Westbrook to the episode to discuss the results of the "Greatest Major League Baseball Player of All Time" tournament and we cover the results to date in our tourney-in-progress, "Greatest Hair Metal Group/Artist".

  3. 05/09/2021

    Greatest MLB Player of All Time with Tim Wiles, former Baseball Hall of Fame Director of Research

    In preparation for our "Greatest Major League Baseball Player of All Time" tournament, we have a fascinating conversation with Tim Wiles, who served as Director of Research for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum for over 19 years. Tim has authored or co-authored several books, articles, exhibits, and essays about baseball. He also has traveled all over the United States and Canada as Casey in performances of "Casey at the Bat," portraying the legendary character over 2,500 times. We discuss how player performance and public perception are affected by steroid and amphetamine use; who Tim thinks should be in the Hall, but isn't; well-rounded players vs. players with exceptional skill in one area of the game; his interactions with other sports' halls of fame; how the Hall verifies artifacts in their collection; Babe Ruth calling his shot; and we get his thoughts on the first-round match-ups in our upcoming tournament, including his opinion on who the "Greatest MLB Player of All Time" actually is. We also review our past two tournaments, the "Greatest Fast Food Restaurant" and the "Greatest Broadway Musical." Join us in voting for the "Greatest MLB Player of All Time" by joining our Facebook group, Pop Culture Tournaments!

    Greatest MLB Player of All Time with Tim Wiles, former Baseball Hall of Fame Director of Research

  4. 04/13/2021

    Cocktails and Fast Food Restaurants

    Dan, Rob, and Slat welcome a fellow member of the seeding committee and architect of the "Greatest Fast Food Restaurants" tournament, Nancy Reese, as a guest on the podcast this week!  We talk about the recently-concluded "Greatest Cocktail" tournament. The final standings were: 4th place: Tequila Sunrise 3rd place: Long Island Iced Tea 2nd place: Rum and Coke Which cocktail do you think won the "Greatest Cocktail" title? Listen in to find out if you're right! We also preview the first-round restaurant matchups. We have many national chain restaurants in the tournament, some regional favorites, some we think are in Iowa but aren't, and 11 (by Dan's count) that make us ask, "How do you define 'fast food restaurant'?"  What is the greatest fast food restaurant? Listen and find out if our seeding committee agreed with you! Better yet, join us in the Facebook group "Pop Culture Tournaments" and make your voice heard where it really counts - in the ballot box!

  5. 03/30/2021

    TV Game Shows and Cocktails

    Slat couldn't join us for this episode, unfortunately, but Dan and Rob welcome special guest Ann Marie Nordby to the podcast. Ann is a working actress, a member of our permanent seeding committee, and spearheaded the "Greatest Cocktail" tournament. She and Dan share a wealth of knowledge about the drinks in our field of 64.  We also review the results of the "Greatest TV Game Show" tournament. Which shows made it to the Final Four? Would you like to use a lifeline? Join the "Pop Culture Tournament" Facebook group to vote on your favorite cocktails! Also, check out Dan's other podcast, "Another Bourbon Show," on your podcast app or visit their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/309193193723007

    TV Game Shows and Cocktails

  6. 03/14/2021

    The Greatest TV Game Show with Willie Tyler and Lester

    Dan, Rob, and Slat discuss the upcoming "Greatest TV Game Show" tournament hosted in the Facebook group "Pop Culture Tournaments".  Special guests Willie Tyler and Lester stopped by to talk about their frequent appearances on the classic game shows "Match Game" and "Hollywood Squares". You'll also hear about a game show pilot they shot, BB King's drummer falling off of a stage, "Family Feud", and a few of Lester's famous cousins! We also review the results of our previous tournament, the "Greatest Marvel Superhero". The results were heavily influenced, as expected, by the Marvel Cinematic Universe.  You can join in the voting for the "Greatest TV Game Show" and all of our tournaments covering all facets of pop culture at www.facebook.com/groups/popculturetournaments  Willie Tyler and Lester are on Cameo! Get a personal message from them here: https://www.cameo.com/willieandlester Check out the documentary in production about Willie and Lester! Find it here: https://www.hello-dummy.com/

    The Greatest TV Game Show with Willie Tyler and Lester

  7. 02/28/2021

    Marvel Superheroes and Love Songs with Comic Book Artist John "Joltin' Johnny" Lucas

    Rob and Slat welcome new co-host Dan Schmidt to the podcast and chat with comic book artist John "Joltin' Johnny" Lucas! In preparation for PCT's "Greatest Marvel Superhero" tournament, which starts Monday, March 1st, we talk with John about his experiences in the comic book industry, his favorite comics, characters, and artists, and he helps us break down the first-round matchups.  You can join in the fun of voting for "Greatest Marvel Superhero" here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/popculturetournaments We had such a blast talking with John, who has worked on such titles as "Detective Comics," "Superman: The Man of Steel," "Batman: Streets of Gotham," "Before Houdini," "Fantastic Four," "X-Men Unlimited," "Ghost Rider," "Punisher", "Wolverine," and "Deadpool". He also has a story in "Slow Death Zero," which ships March 15!  Rob, Slat, and Dan also review the results of the "Greatest Love Song" tournament. Journey became a two-time PCT champion, much to the chagrin of some in the group (including Slat). They also had the 3rd place song! The King and REO rounded out the top 4.  We'd like to thank John again for spending over an hour with us and sharing his tales, thoughts, and quite a few laughs! You can find John at the following places: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnjoltinJohnnyLucas Twitter: https://twitter.com/himwhatjolts Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joltinjohnnylucas/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JOLTINJOHNNYLUCAS/posts

    Marvel Superheroes and Love Songs with Comic Book Artist John "Joltin' Johnny" Lucas

  8. 01/24/2021

    Saturday Morning Cartoons and Saturday Night Live

    A review of the completed "Greatest Saturday Morning Cartoon" tournament and preview of the first-round matchups in the upcoming "Greatest Saturday Night Live Cast Member" event, plus Deep Dive segments on Jan Hooks and Phil Hartman. We cover the gamut of cast members through 46 seasons, pitting the best 64 against one another in a battle to claim the title of the Greatest.  Will it be an old school cast member, such as Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, Dan Aykroyd, Jane Curtin, John Belushi, or Chevy Chase?  Next generation stars, like Martin Short, Joe Piscopo, Eddie Murphy, or Billy Crystal?  Adam Sandler, Dana Carvey, Mike Myers, Tina Fey, or Chris Farley?  Will the voters send Dennis Miller, Cheri Oteri, Cecily Strong, David Spade, Jon Lovitz, Darrell Hammond, Kevin Nealon, Tracy Morgan, Kate McKinnon into the second round or beyond?  A fun and funny conversation, as well as some history and trivia.  We'd like to invite you to the Facebook group "Pop Culture Tournaments" to cast your votes and join in the conversation! No politics, no drama, just a daily dose of fun!

    Saturday Morning Cartoons and Saturday Night Live
See All (21)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

A podcast devoted to the Facebook group "Pop Culture Tournaments" - come join us and vote on the best of the best of pop culture! '80s songs, movie villains, cereal mascots, TV theme songs - anything pop culture, we will host a tournament and you decide which is the best! In this podcast, the hosts discuss past results and upcoming tournaments.

Information

  • Creator
    Patrick DeSpain, Rob Matthews, and Bruce "Slat" Veach
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2021
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Patrick DeSpain, Rob Matthews, and Bruce "Slat" Veach
  • Show Website
    Pop Culture Tournaments