What the Hype?! WTF Edition

Baby, let the games begin! This week on What The Hype, Pam (our resident Swiftie) is joined by Andrew, Eric, and special guest, Meg, to talk about Taylor Swift’s ‘Reputation!’ In an effort to better understand Swift’s sixth studio album, Pam takes us through a brief history of the events that lead to the birth of ‘Reputation.’ Armed with a crash course in Swiftie history, our panel wraps things up by discussing the album on the whole, in addition to detailing some of their favorite and least favorite moments on the record.

Plus, Pam predicts when Reputation (Taylor's Version) will finally be released!

Visit our YouTube channel to see Pam's presentation on Reputation!

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The supernatural comedy from 1984 starring Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis has stood the test of time. While some things (the proton pack) aged more well than others (Dr. Pete Venkman), this episode is devoted to exploring the movie as a whole. Have we learned everything we need to know about New York from the movie? What does each ghostbuster bring to the group? Is Dana Barrett such a cool character because she reminds us of Margaret Dumont?

In this episode of What the Hype?! Micah and Eric are joined again by Ivan Guerrero, Ghostbusters (and LEGO) super fan! We discuss our favorite ghosts, themes of the movie and why its anti-establishment characters are further grounded in heart once Winston joins the team.

Check out Ivan’s vintage movie trailer for ‘The Ghost Busters’ (1954)! https://youtu.be/kAboGO9MDsQ?si=yZhXSe5pxqz3Gm-2

Ivan can be found on YouTube at @WhoIsEyevan (https://www.youtube.com/@whoiseyevan) and on Instagram at @bulldoozerbricks (https://www.instagram.com/bulldoozerbricks/)

Don't forget to follow us in your favorite podcast app, leave us a review, and tell a friend about the show! We're also releasing full video episodes on YouTube!

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Dragons, Magic, Romance, oh Gods! Andrew and Pam introduce the Fourth Wing series to fandom newbies Laura and Eric, and the panel discuss why the first two books in the Empyrean series have gone viral online. We catch those who haven't read up to speed, look at what makes the books unique, and take on readers who've claimed that the story is unoriginal.

If you haven't checked out Fourth Wing yet, let us show you what the hype is all about! This episode is a spoiler-free look, except for mild spoilers about the first dozen chapters.

Stay tuned for another episode in which we take a deeper dive into Fourth Wing and the Empyrean series from Rebecca Yarros!

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Pam and Andrew welcome special guest and fellow podcaster Kaylan (host of Long Live Taylor Podcast) to talk about the annual pop cultural event that is the Song of the Summer. Together, they run through the history of the concept, break down the key components a contending single must have to qualify for the coveted title, and reminisce over past hits that ruled the airwaves between the months of May and August. Plus, Kaylan chats with us about working at a major record label in Nashville, and offers up some insight with regards to how TikTok is changing the game when it comes to solidifying hit singles. Finally, we predict which hit single will be crowned Song of the Summer 2024.

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On this week’s episode, Micah, Eric and Laura return to Westeros to discuss the hype around Season 2 of House of the Dragon. We connect the threads between the first two seasons of Game of Thrones and the first two seasons of House of the Dragon, share our favorite Season 2 storylines and characters and discuss whether or not the finale lived up to expectations. From rolls in the mud to dragonrider issues to weirwood edibles, join us as we break down the finale of HBO's hit series!

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Turn on your favorite lamp and keep an eye on your favorite toys, because this week we're discussing the wonderful world of Pixar! 'Toy Story' was the very first feature-length computed animated film, and it changed Hollywood forever. Nearly 30 years later, Pixar is still blowing our minds. We trace the origins of Pixar and discuss what makes these films unique, plus we dive into the studio's incredible storytelling power through movies like 'Inside Out' and the new sequel. Elsewhere, we discuss the studio's countless easter eggs and each of our favorite Pixar films!

Don't forget to follow What the Hype?! in your favorite podcast app, and engage with us on YouTube! We love seeing your feedback. Let us know what YOUR favorite Pixar movie is!

Check out our friends at Shaken and Disturbed for a great true crime podcast!

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Now that season 4 of ‘The Boys’ has wrapped, Laura, Eric, and Andrew come together to recap, review, analyze, and make season 5 predictions! Is Butcher still in there, or has he gone full Kessler? Will Ambrosius see her revenge? How will the team finally defeat Homelander once and for all? Get ready for ‘Generation V’ season 2 before the 5th and final season of ‘The Boys’ - we think Gen V is set up to have an even greater impact on the 5th season! We also plug some fun easter eggs to look into if you want to get more out of ‘The Boys’ universe.

Whether Ashley becomes a Hulk-esque supe next season or not, she will henceforth be known as Smashley.

Don’t forget to follow us in your favorite podcasting app and leave us a review! Let us know in the comments below what you thought of season 4 of ‘The Boys,’ and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

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Things are heating up on What The Hype as we dive into the world of smut in romance and romantasy! This week, Laura and Pam are joined by special guest and romance author, Jennifer Hennessy (‘Degrees of Engagement’), to discuss spicy scenes in romance and romantasy reads. There’s no denying that there’s been an uptick in interest in spicy reads thanks to BookTok, but what makes for a good steamy moment while reading? And more importantly, what gives us the ick and automatically takes us out of the moment? Plus, Jen offers up some insider insight into the world of publishing, the use of euphemisms, and why she thinks smut can be hit or miss for readers.Keep up with Jennifer Hennessy online via Twitter (X) and Instagram, and check out her books right here on her website!

https://x.com/jennifercarolyn

https://www.instagram.com/jennifercarolyn/

https://www.jennifer-hennessy.com

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On this week’s episode, Micah, Eric and Laura soar into Westeros to discuss the hype around HBO’s hit series House of the Dragon. Taking place 100 years after the unification of the Seven Kingdoms but nearly 200 years before Game of Thrones, does House of the Dragon have what it takes to live up to its predecessor? Are dragons alone enough of a sell? On this primer episode, the hosts discuss their relationship to the original series, what drew them back in and share the storylines and characters they believe will make House of the Dragon a roaring success.

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Hey, has anyone seen a ghost?! Just over 40 years since its theatrical debut, the firmly adult comedy ‘Ghostbusters’ (1984) that spawned 2 animated television series and 4 film sequels has stood the test of time. Just what is it about this working-class underdog story set in grubby New York City (back when the city still had, Micah says, “some big problems”), why was it the second-highest grossing film of 1984 (launching on the same day as ‘Gremlins’), and is it even relevant today?

In this episode of What the Hype?! Micah and Eric are joined by Ivan Guerrero, Ghostbusters (and LEGO) super fan! This is the first part of a multi-part series which will explore the cultural legacy of Ghostbusters and unpack all that it has to offer. So join us for this so-called Slimer primer and get ready to bust some ghosts! (Because, of course, bustin’ makes us feel good!)

Check out Ivan’s vintage movie trailer for ‘The Ghost Busters’ (1954)! https://youtu.be/kAboGO9MDsQ?si=yZhXSe5pxqz3Gm-2

Ivan can be found on YouTube at @WhoIsEyevan (https://www.youtube.com/@whoiseyevan) and on Instagram at @bulldoozerbricks (https://www.instagram.com/bulldoozerbricks/)

Don't forget to follow us in your favorite podcast app, leave us a review, and tell a friend about the show! We're also releasing full video episodes on YouTube!

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‘Heartstopper’ is a queer, British coming-of-age romantic dramedy series based on Alice Oseman’s webcomic and graphic novel of the same name. The story was loyally adapted by Netflix and became an instant hit thanks to its feel-good and unique LGBTQ storytelling. In this episode of What the Hype?!, Pam, Andrew, and Eric are joined by Andrew's boyfriend and Heartstopper superfan Pat to celebrate Pride Month and share why the novels and show are worth watching!

What makes it unique compared to other queer shows and movies, and what are its contributions to the LGBTQ+ community? Plus, we discuss some ridiculous drama in the fandom and share what we hope to see for future novels and seasons.

Make sure you're following us in your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode! Visit WhatTheHypePodcast.com for more, and check out full video episodes on YouTube!

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Part two of our ‘Bridgerton’ series finds Pam, Laura, Micah, and special guest, Morgan (That Nerd Thing Podcast) taking a deep dive into ‘Bridgerton’ season 3. This time around, we aren’t holding back— spoilers for all season of ‘Bridgerton’ are fair game and run rampant! So consider this your official warning, dearest gentle listeners!

• We kick things off by checking in with Laura and Micah to see if they feel compelled to update their fan status from the last time we recorded.
• ‘Bridgerton’ season 3 marks the first time in the series’ history that Netflix has felt compelled to split the season into two parts. Did this work well for them? Did it play well for us?
• How about all those subplots? Were we intrigued or fatigued by how much they packed into this season? And more importantly, did it come at the expense of Polin?
• Speaking of Colin and Penelope, do we feel satisfied with the way their story played out or were we left wanting more?
• The topic of redemption as an overarching theme comes up in relation to Cressida, Lady Featherington, and even Penelope.
• We dive into the Lady Whistledown reveals, beginning with the shocking moment when Colin finds out it’s been his beloved Pen all along. Was Colin justified in his feelings, and did the show give him enough breathing room to explore the complexity of his emotions?
• Were we expecting Penelope to come clean to the entire Ton? The group makes some predictions with regards to what that means for the future of her gossip column
• Listener submitted questions find us ruminating over the Polin sex scenes and whether this season was spicy enough, Eloise’s ultimatum, and the shocking twist the show chose to make with regards to gender bending a beloved character from the books.

Still thirsty for more ‘Bridgerton’ season 3 content? Be sure to head on over to our YouTube channel where Laura and Pam recorded their initial reactions to this season right after they finished binge watching!

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What's the Hype about Audiobook listening? This week we have the full panel on board to discuss the pro's and con's of listening to audiobooks, and we compare it to reading a normal book. Some on the panel are a little rude when it comes to the idea of listening to an audiobook versus traditional reading, but we try to convince them otherwise. Elsewhere, we share the state of audiobook listenership (It's growing!). Later, we try our hand at narrating an audiobook and share the best ways to listening to audiobooks for free or cheap!

Make sure you're following us in your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode! Visit WhatTheHypePodcast.com for more.

Follow us now in your favorite podcast app so that you never miss an episode, and check out full video episodes on YouTube!

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Bridgerton is a television show based on the bestselling book series by Julia Quinn. Its first season premiered on Netflix in December 2020, and is produced by Shonda Rhimes’ production banner, Shondaland. In this episode of What the Hype?!, Pam, Micah, and Laura are joined by special guest Natasha Polis of the podcast Those Forking Fangirls to discuss this book-to-TV adaptation! We discuss who the show is for, why it's so damn good, the show's diversity, and much more!

Don't forget to follow us in your favorite podcast app, leave us a review, and tell a friend about the show! We're also releasing full video episodes on YouTube!

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With so much going on in our day to day lives, how do we manage to stay on top of the fandoms, shows, movies, and books we love? Andrew, Laura, and Eric take out some time to discuss strategies, and how to tell our friends NO when they suggest a new show.

Plus: Would we ever miss an important personal event to catch big pop culture moments like a TV series finale airing live? These topics and more are discussed in this episode of What the Hype?!

Don't forget to follow us in your favorite podcast app, leave us a review, and tell a friend about the show! We're also releasing full video episodes on YouTube!

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Amazon's comic-to-TV adaptation 'The Boys' is anything but your typical Marvel or DC tale -- It's gritty, gross, funny, heartwarming, AND outrageous! In this episode of What the Hype?!, Laura, Andrew, Eric, and Pam discuss why the show is so popular, who the show is for, what you should know before going into watching, and more!

Damn, Vought SUCKS.

Don't forget to follow us in your favorite podcast app, leave us a review, and tell a friend about the show! We're also releasing full video episodes on YouTube!

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Welcome to a brand new podcast from the creators of MuggleCast and #Millennial, called What the Hype?!

What The Hype?! is the class you always wanted, but were never offered in school! Each week, a panel of pop culture junkies educate each other on today’s biggest books, shows, movies, and more. No matter your experience, there’s something for everyone. Total Noob? We'll educate you on why the fandom took off and what makes someone a true fan! Already an expert? We’ll just see about that! Our subsequent episodes will take you on a deep dive and really test your stan-hood! And, if you’re somewhere in the middle, teetering on the edge of fandom, we’ll show you What The Hype is all about!

What The Hype?! is from the creators of MuggleCast (the original Harry Potter podcast diving deep into the books, movies, and Wizarding World fandom) and #Millennial (featuring pretend adulting and real talk about the Gen Y lifestyle).

Follow us now in your favorite podcast app so that you never miss an episode, and check out full video episodes on YouTube!

Our album art was designed by Emily Kardamis, and our theme song was created by Riley Horbacio.

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