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Pod-Fascination: The Fogelnest Files And Baby Geniuses

Each week, I recommend two podcasts that you should listen to. Go here to find out how podcasts changed my life.

The Fogelnest Files
With only thirteen episodes so far, The Fogelnest Files is still but a nascent enterprise on the highly popular Earwolf Podcast Network. However, those twelve episodes have made me smile more than most long-running podcasts. My smile is not just from the humor (for which there is plenty), but for the appreciation of host Jake Fogelnest's deep love and amazing ability to curate some of the best gems of pop culture past. Each week, he picks several YouTube videos to watch based on a theme (politics, rock music) and he and the guest comment on them. Watching videos with someone may not be your first pitch for a podcast, but it works (and he posts the list of videos for each week to watch before/during/after listening to the podcast).

The clips are sublime. Whether it's watching obscure band Manakin, watching Hilary Clinton attack sexist remarks, or introducing folks to the Beaver trilogy, they are always lead to great conversation with the guests. A favorite episode of mine so far is with '90s MTV star Julie Brown, talking about her career and showing the best clips of her career. How great is "Homecoming Queen's Got a Gun?"

Bizarre Television Moments: Shangri-La Plaza

When you think of failed musical TV series of the nineties, most people are quick to ridicule Cop Rock. (Hey, I personally thought it was a good idea.) Most people don't know about the the short-lived, ill-conceived Shangri-La Plaza. It took place in a fantastical strip mall, where the employees sing their feelings. After just watching the opening credits, I'm certain that this was conceived while under the influence of some strong psychotropic drugs. Or perhaps it was some drama geek trying to live out some regional theater fantasy.

Savion Glover, we forgive you because you were young. Melora Hardin, you should know better. At least a decade later she would land the role of Jan on The Office. I'm pretty sure this isn't on her acting reel.

Short Changed

According to an ad I got from Forever 21 a couple weeks ago (Forever 21: the height of the fashion industry), the '90s are back! But when you walk into the store there is still '80s neon everywhere so I'm not holding out that '90s grunge is being embraced into the fashion pool just yet. Maybe it has a toe in. Maybe. (Enough for a series on dainty florals and plaid? Hmmm.)

Anywho, apparently shorts that are so short the pockets are hanging out are being laid on the '90s doorstep. Now I don't remember this being exclusively a '90s fashion trend, but it could be that I was so horrified by the pockets in general that I blocked all memories of their birth. (I've also blocked out huge amounts of butt crack, boxers showing above baggy jeans, and that whole "let me show off my cute thong" trend. Do you see an area theme here?)

The new shorts-with-pockets-showing have been "updated" to include pockets of contrasting fabrics. It's so very fashion forward of Daisy Duke. Here an example in plaid, just to really carry out the '90s theme: