It's Kind of a Funny Story

On Correspondent Dinners, Mayoral Campaigns, and her emails.

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On Greek puzzles and human failures

TW/CW: In this week's episode, Mariam and Aisha discuss topics concerning murder, sexual assault and trauma caused by racist violence, particularly anti-Asian violence.

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On soft power and vaccine diplomacy

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On female superstardom and public scrutiny. Plus our (late) thoughts on the Golden Globes, the farmers' protest in India, and Framing Britney Spears.

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On Scientology and Taxation

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• who is goop?
• what is goop?
• should we be scared of goop?

Listen to this week's episode to find out! 

Happy New Year! We're back with an episode focused on one of our faves - Nora Ephron. We discuss her legacy as a journalist, screenwriter, and director, as well as her connection to the infamous Watergate scandal. We also share a podcast update at the beginning of the episode ❤️

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Welcome back! Today's episode is about one of our favourite movie stars: the one and only Jackie Chan! We discuss his biography, our favourite Jackie Chan films, and his legacy in both Hong Kong and Chinese cinema. We also dig into Hong Kong’s relationship with China, and how Jackie, who is from Hong Kong, has distanced himself from his home city.

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This week, we're going Back...to the 80s. We delve into Ronald Reagan's legacy, our favourite 80s movies, and the ways in which nostalgia can be used as a manipulative tool in popular culture. Was Ronald Reagan just a B-list actor and a C-list president? Are all John Hughes movies covertly about conservative values? Did Mathew Broderick kill someone in Ireland? Listen to the episode to find out! 

Next week, we're taking a break for Thanksgiving, but we'll be back with a new episode on December 7. Stay safe, and happy holidays!

In 1985, American artist Paul Simon travelled to South Africa to record his groundbreaking album "Graceland" - in the middle of a UN cultural boycott. The album was a resounding success for Paul and the South African artists involved, but it raises questions about the meaning of art and collaboration in the midst of a struggle for civil rights. We get into his biography, his relationship with Art Garfunkel, and the legacy of apartheid in South Africa. 

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Following last week's conversation, we spend today's episode discussing the use of Orientalism as a political tool. We also share our #MuslimRage on the topics of otherisation, representation, and Riz Ahmed. Enjoy!

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Our next two episodes are all about Orientalism! We start off with a quick biography of the late Palestinian public intellectual, Edward Said. Then we discuss the history of Orientalism and its relevance in popular culture today. Join us for a conversation about the Enlightenment period, Aladdin [1992], and the Met Gala.

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We're back! This week we're delving into the life and times of Stephen Tyrone Colbert. We talk about his comedy background, his relationship with Nicki Minaj, and that one time he starred in a Nora Ephron movie. We also narrate a short history of campaign finance reform in the US, and how Colbert, through his Super PAC (Americans for a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow), gave America a civics lesson that was worthy of a Peabody Award. 

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This week's episode is all about Naomi Campbell, who has been an icon for decades. Mariam and Aisha discuss her legacy as a supermodel, an icon, and a witness at the Special Court for Sierra Leone. Please stay tuned for news/updates on our upcoming film, Ryan (Murphy) & Alfred (Hitchcock)!

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On today's episode, we focus on the unique relationship between Indian celebrities (especially Bollywood stars) and Indian politicians, including Prime Minister Modi. Aisha gives an overview of the political system in India while Mariam walks us through a history of Bollywood. Be prepared to add a ton of new movies to your watchlist! 

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This week, we're learning about Afrofuturism: its origins, its purpose, and its use in contemporary Black cinema. We watched "Dirty Computer" by Janelle Monae and "Black Panther" by Ryan Coogler and discussed both films' efforts to imagine a different reality for Black people in the US and around the world. Come for our takes on both films, and stay for Mariam's passionate feelings about Lovecraft Country!

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This week, Mariam and Aisha are all about vaccines - why we get them, how they protect communities, and why so many celebrities oppose vaccination. We also touch on the Kamala Harris VP news and give our reviews of Steven Soderbergh's Contagion [2011]. 

On August 4, 2020, the city of Beirut in Lebanon witnessed two catastrophic explosions, and the city and its citizens are raising money to rebuild. If you have the means, please donate to any one of these organisations:

This week, Mariam and Aisha flash back to the highs and lows of 2012. We discuss #Kony2012 and the relevance of the social justice movement to people from Uganda and surrounding countries. Is #Kony2012 the most egregious form of #slacktivism that exists? Did Invisible Children (the company behind the movement) make a difference or reach their goals? In what ways did #Kony2012 play into the "White-Saviour Industrial Complex", and how can one learn from its mistakes? Listen to our episode to find out! 

On August 4, 2020, the city of Beirut in Lebanon witnessed two catastrophic explosions, and the city and its citizens are raising money to rebuild. If you have the means, please donate to any one of these organisations:

Meghan Markle, Barack Hussein Obama, Beyoncé, and Sima from Mumbai.

On this episode, Mariam and Aisha discuss what it means to be 'First, Only Different'. We explain how racism and misogyny work in tandem to distract and detract from the most pressing issues at hand.  Expect tangents on the meaning of 'intersectionality', racist tabloid headlines, the tan suit™ and why Princess Anne is our favourite royal. 

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Leo Season is here! This week, Mariam and Aisha chat about one of the most iconic Leos - Jennifer Lopez. When did she become such an icon? Is that really Ashanti singing on the track? Why did JLo perform for the President of Turkmenistan? And finally, what part do fans play in conversations about "cancel culture"?

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In November 2014, hackers began releasing confidential data that was stolen from Sony Pictures Entertainment. During the hack, the perpetrators demanded that Sony halt the release of the Seth Rogen and James Franco assassination comedy, "The Interview", and they also threatened attacks at any cinemas screening the film. 

In this episode, Mariam and Aisha dig in to the controversy surrounding the film (spoilers ahead!), North Korean politics and history, and their favourite Seth Rogen films! 

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On North Korea:

• The Girl with Seven Names: A North Korean Defector’s Story, by Hyeonseo Lee
• Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea, by Barbara Demick
• The Orphan Master’s Son, by Adam Johnson

On Cyberwarfare:

In March 2003, during a London concert and just before the US invasion of Iraq, the lead vocalist of The (Dixie) Chicks, Natalie Maines, told the audience: "We don't want this war, this violence, and we're ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas." Her statement led to radio boycotts, public protests, and corporate blacklisting of the group that lasted for the remainder of the Bush years.

In this episode, Mariam and Aisha share the story of The (Dixie) Chicks, as they discuss their relationship with country music, their thoughts on “cancel culture”, and their Chris rankings.

In May 2017, Director Bong Joon Ho’s film “Okja” was met with boos at the Cannes Film Festival in France. In February 2020, he won three Oscars for “Parasite”. In this episode, Mariam and Aisha dive into the reasons for the film’s dismissal at Cannes, the tension between streaming services and the film industry, and the future of film in general. We also touch on Hamilton, Greek mythology, and #Kanye2020.

What if your favourite pop star performed for a dictator? How do you feel about movie stars commenting about global affairs on Twitter? Did you know a top supermodel has testified at The Hague? Each week, Mariam and Aisha jump on long-distance calls to discuss the moments in history where pop culture and politics collide, and what it means for fans everywhere.