Zeitgeist by Pulp Culture

Mar 16 2025 18 ep. 97 mins

Zeitgeist by Pulp Culture Podcast artwork

Jordan and Niv dive into the latest TV and movie releases, alongside the latest entertainment news and a roster of hand-curated music.

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How Games Make a World, with 'Fallout' and 'Arcane'

Mar 16 2025 134 mins

Jordan and Niv, in their second conversation about video games, discuss how the medium allows for total immersion (1:10) before discussing 'Fallout.' (12:30) They touch on character (21:40) and tone (39:59) before moving onto Netflix's 'Arcane.' (1:02:23) They discuss the modern transition of video game adaptations to film and television, and debate on how 'Arcane' fares, similarly

The 2024 State of Marvel with 'X Men 97' and 'Deadpool & Wolverine'

Sep 08 2024 106 mins

First they talk about how X Men 97 makes an exemplary water cooler show (2:05) and its origins as a Saturday morning cartoon (04:50). They discuss what makes X Men eternal (11:07), and how was previously portrayed onscreen (12:55) in the early 2000s. Then, they delve into the cast list (16:21), the pacing (19:21), and they touch on intertextuality (25:47) within the show. After, th

The Historical Dramas That Win Awards, with 'Mary & George' & 'Shogun'

Jul 01 2024 91 mins

As the Emmy window closes, Jordan and Niv recall two historically-based dramas from this year on TV. They discuss 'Mary and George' on Starz, how homosexuality plays a role in the show (8:50) and overall how seriously the show takes its execution (19:01). They touch briefly on some spoilers for the final moments of the sensational program (22:17) before moving on to 'Shogun' on Hul

Adult Animation Redux with 'Blue Eyed Samurai' and 'Scavengers Reign'

Jun 10 2024 77 mins

For its second year, Zeitgeist checks in on the state of the animation industry. In the first half, Jordan and Niv talk about 'Blue Eyed Samurai'. They Tackle race and identity (06:30), break down the talents behind the series (11:29), animation style (17:48), and tone (26:40). Then, they touch base on 'Scavengers Reign' on Max (now also Netflix). They investigate the state of the

The Darker Themes in 'Priscilla' and 'May December'

Mar 06 2024 95 mins

[Editorial Note: You'll hear some pops and clicks near the front of the episode today from an unresolved recording issue.] Niv and Jordan discuss the 2024 Oscars in relation to a snub, Sofia Coppola's 'Priscilla.' Then, they're joined by Sam (9:00), who lays the foundation for the work at hand through providing context in our world today. They discuss how Priscilla inspired Lana De

Commercial vs. Cultural Media with 'One Piece' and 'Beef'

Dec 31 2023 87 mins

Jordan and Niv discuss two forays into Asian-American led TV on Netflix, first in regard to the recently settled SAG/AFRA and WGA strikes. Then, they set the scene for the Emmy nominated 'Beef' (7:36), investigate whether the series could have been a film (11:48), and highlight a cast on the rise (13:12). They debate the class struggles inherent in 'Beef' (16:52), and examine the w

The Barbenheimer Podcast

Aug 17 2023 110 mins

Niv and Jordan talk about the act of counterprogramming as it relates to Barbie and Oppenheimer (1:20) before they discuss how Barbie rose from the cloud of smoke Oppenheimer left behind (11:58), and the rocky path to get there. Jordan dissects the acting in Barbie (21:45), and Niv designates the different ways to develop a household item into a fully realized film (28:31). They ta

The End of Peak TV.. Or Is It? with 'Succession' and 'Ted Lasso'

Jul 20 2023 115 mins

Jordan and Niv discuss the two buzziest Emmy contenders: Succession and Ted Lasso. First, they dissect the full series of Succession beginning with the characters, moving towards their status and situation and ending with the implications the series finale leaves us with, and what the takeaways are for such a complicated piece of media. Then, they discuss Ted Lasso in the broader c

Pitch-Perfect Prestige, Drama and Discord with 'Up Here' and 'Daisy Jones and the Six'

May 21 2023 91 mins

Jordan and Niv discuss two streaming limited series that'll leave you with a story and a tune to hum. First, they discuss 'Up Here' on Hulu, a little-known musical series about two lost souls who find themselves in New York City. They discuss how the city plays a character in the show, how musical TV may differ from musicals onstage, and whether 'Up Here' is worth your time. In the

The Art of the Video Game Adaptation, with 'The Last of Us' and 'The Super Mario Bros. Movie'

Apr 23 2023 108 mins

In the first section, Jordan and Niv over-analyze 'The Super Mario Bros. Movie.' They discuss the cast, the potential of a property of this scale and the ways in which the film meets and misses that potential. Then, in the second section they analyse 'The Last of Us.' They discuss the difference between the video game and the HBO series, the differences and similarties, how video g