Peaks
By Peaks
Peaks is a show hosted by Jon Koppel in which comedians have lively discussions about the most memorable “peak” periods in the lives of the actors, musicians, and athletes that dominated pop culture. Every episode is packed with entertaining clips, interesting facts, and passionate opinions.
PeaksSep 10, 2021
00:00
01:16
Introducing Their Stories!
Their Stories is a podcast that interviews murdered person's friends and families to tell their full life stories, other than their murders. We also talk about what the families are currently advocating for and how listeners can get involved.
Sep 10, 202101:16
Season 3, Episode 8: Ghost Movies
Alyssa Truszkowski and Megan Goetz, co-hosts of the Real Chills Podcast, faced off to decide the best ghost movie: Beetlejuice or The Sixth Sense. We debated our favorite ghosts, whether it’s better to haunt douchey New Yorkers or to help a scared kid, and which flick made you feel better about potentially being a ghost someday. We also touched on some of the parallels between the movies, the underrated Geena Davis peak, and which ghost pulled off the most impressive trick.
Jul 07, 202101:17:28
Season 3, Episode 7: Quentin Tarantino
Dan Scully and Dave Primiano go head to head to decide which is the peak of Quentin Tarantino's career, Once Upon a Time... In Hollywood or Pulp Fiction. Topics include the best dialogue, coolest scenes, most memorable side characters, the best bromance, and more.
Jun 30, 202101:16:08
Season 3, Episode 6: Woody Harrelson
When we first met him, he was a bartender. Then he became a cop, a cowboy, a president, a porn kingpin, a boxer, a teacher, a mob boss, a soldier, a conman, and more. He’s battled zombies, apes, and depression. But when was he at his best? CG says it’s White Men Can’t Jump. Kate says it’s Natural Born Killers. Let’s see who wins and who gets Munsoned. On Peaks: Woody Harrelson.
Jun 23, 202101:24:02
Season 3, Episode 5: Alt Rock
Jared Bilski and Marc Staudenmaier battle to decide which alt rock band is superior: Stone Temple Pilots or Green Day. We open by remembering the incredibly stacked music year 1994 was and the way music was consumed at the time. Then we touch on topics like best signature lyrics, videos, cover songs, rockstar mystique, and the coolest side projects.
Jun 16, 202101:12:41
Season 3, Episode 4: Brendan Fraser
George Brudermann and Jeff Roser had an epic battle over which movie was the peak of the Brendan Fraser era: The Mummy or Airheads. There are passionate arguments over whether it would be more fun to be a 1920’s adventurer or a 1990’s metal frontman, which flick had the better sibling rivalry, and whether record executives are more evil than mummies. We also mostly resist the temptation to veer into a podcast about Chris Farley.
Jun 09, 202101:10:44
Season 3, Episode 3: Adam Sandler
John Deary and Fenris make their cases for which movie represents the peak of Adam Sandler’s insanely successful career: Happy Gilmore or The Wedding Singer. Would you rather hang with Happy or Robbie Hart? Are we sure Shooter McGavin was more evil than Glenn Gulia? Was Glenn actually awesome? Did you prefer the cameo by Bob Barker or Billy Idol? We also provide some hot takes about Drew Barrymore and consider some of the perfect roles Chris Farley should’ve had.
Jun 02, 202101:07:25
Season 3, Episode 2: Patrick Swayze
Kate Wolff and CG Erickson have a verbal dance-off to determine which graceful, charismatic version of Patrick Swayze was the best: Dirty Dancing or Road House. Arguments are made for the best quote, most ridiculous fight, superior soundtrack, and best love interest. You’ll have the time of your life with this one.
May 26, 202101:23:47
Season 3, Episode 1: Rocky
For the season 3 premiere, Sylis P and LaTice Mitchell get in the ring to decide which Rocky sequel is the best, Rocky III or Rocky V. They debate head-to-head which flick has the better fight, the baddest villain, and the best soundtrack. We also cover the worst parenting moments (quietly a Rocky staple) and whether they got Rocky’s financial situation right.
May 19, 202101:12:31
Season 3 Preview: It’s All Fun and Games
Jon and his producer Danny Getz are back, and better than ever! This season will be the most exciting yet!
May 12, 202106:00
Season 2, Episode 8: Jamie Foxx (1999-2004) w/Aston Wallace
For the season 2 finale, Aston Wallace joins me to run through the wildly underrated peak of Jamie Foxx. We remember some of the positives and negatives of Any Given Sunday, the highlights of his multi-platinum standup special, his collaborations with Kanye, his valiant attempt to rescue the Ali movie, and his ridiculously successful 2004 (Collateral and Ray). We toast the The Jamie Foxx show, Booty Call, the time he eviscerated Doug Williams, and the strange legacy of his naked basketball games. We also try to fix the 2005 Oscars and we debate the best cast members of In Living Color.
Jan 13, 202101:49:23
Season 2, Episode 7: Jean-Claude Van Damme (1988-1992) w/Kate Wolff and CG Erickson
Kate Wolff and CG Erickson from the Invasion of Privacy podcast help to break down the strange and exciting peak of Jean Claude Van Damme. We reminisce about his unique charm, his legendary flexibility, his odd fashion choices, and his awesome accent. We also explore why he lost the predator role in Predator, whether his best friend in Bloodsport was a good person, the awful things that happened to his fictional brothers, and whether Dolph Lundgren should have had his career.
Jan 06, 202101:44:19
Season 2, Episode 5: Leonardo DiCaprio (2010-2013) w/Dave Primiano
Leonardo DiCaprio has arguably been peaking for about 30 years. Dave Primiano and I look back at his third wave, when he ascended to a new level of Hollywood royalty. We talk Shutter Island, Inception, Django Unchained, and Wolf of Wall Street. We don’t weigh you down with too much J Edgar or Great Gatsby, but those were in there too. Then we consider the Mount Rushmore of greatest Leo roles and whether he’ll be in our lives forever.
Dec 23, 202001:45:50
Season 2, Episode 4: Christmas Flicks (1988-1990) w/Nick Kupsey
The great Nick Kupsey and I have a spirited conversation about four top-notch Christmas movies, the merits of Bill Murray, and the holiday movie themes we love and hate. We also ask some important questions: what happened in the limo at the end of Die Hard? What if we switched around the 4-lead actors from these Christmas classics? Where do the love interests rank? Which fictional police force did the worst job? Topics Discussed:
Die Hard (1988)
Scrooged (1988)
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
Home Alone (1990)
Die Hard (1988)
Scrooged (1988)
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
Home Alone (1990)
Dec 16, 202001:25:28
Season 2, Episode 3: Mike Myers (1997-2001) w/Justin Uretz
Justin Uretz and I look back at the unique and hilarious heyday of Mike Myers. We celebrate his best characters and try to figure out how he got so many catchphrases catch on, whether he held the championship belt as the biggest comedy star in the world, and why he disappeared.
Dec 09, 202001:52:49
Season 2, Episode 2: John Candy (1987-1989) w/Mark Riccadonna
Marc Riccadonna returns to reminisce about the great John Candy. We talk about how he became everybody’s uncle, his amazing creative chemistry with John Hughes, and why we appreciate him so much more over the holiday season. Pour yourself a rum and Coke and smoke ‘em if you got ‘em. This look back at Johnny Toronto is a fun ride.
Dec 02, 202002:07:28
Season 2, Episode 1: Mike Tyson (1987-1990) w/Buddy Harris
Comedian Buddy Harris and I break down the terrifying and bizarre reign of Iron Mike Tyson. We look back at some of his greatest fights, the intimidating way he carried himself, the awesome Nintendo game, and the time he wanted to fight a gorilla. We also play clips of some of the best Tyson impressions.
Nov 25, 202001:16:52
Season 2 Preview: This Time It’s Personal
We look back before we move forward into season 2! We're not going to take credit for how many of our first season subjects found their way back into the public eye since the season started airing, but if you want to give it to us we will graciously accept it. After a quick update of our season 1 subjects, we get into what's ahead. Remember that time Mike Tyson wanted to fight a gorilla? Remember in Wolf of Wall Street when Leo taught us the phases you go through on Quaaludes? Remember when John Candy became everybody’s uncle? It’s all coming up in Season 2 of Peaks.
Nov 18, 202024:20
Episode 8: Jim Carrey (1994-1997) w/Danny Getz
For the season one finale, Danny Getz and I discuss Jim Carrey’s legendary breakout year and the massive success that followed. Topics include the stacked cast of In Living Color, Carrey’s greatest impressions, the actors that nearly had his roles in Ace Ventura and Dumb & Dumber, and his characters’ bizarre ability to predict the future.
Sep 02, 202002:01:19
Episode 7: John Cusack (1997-2000) w/Marc Staudenmaier
Marc Staudenmaier and I remember the best years of a unique leading man who somehow made it cool to be a neurotic, self-sabotaging mess. People need to hear Marc’s hot takes about Woody Allen, Al Pacino, Nicolas Cage, and Charlie Kaufman. We also discuss the parallels between Cusack’s characters in Say Anything and Grosse Pointe Blank, we toast his pantheon performance in High Fidelity, and we celebrate the badass silliness of Con Air.
Aug 26, 202001:35:05
Episode 6: Prince (1982-1987) w/Erika McNichol
Erika McNichol and I take a look back at the wonderful heyday of The Purple One, Prince. We try to decide what was the best song he gave to someone else, how real his rivalry was with Michael Jackson, whether or not he was a good actor, and if he was the most versatile frontman ever.
Aug 19, 202001:27:45
Episode 5: Allen Iverson (1996-2001) w/Eddie Finn
Eddie Finn and I talked about Allen Iverson’s wildly influential, often maddening, and ridiculously entertaining first five seasons with the Philadelphia Sixers. Topics include the cultural impact of his style, his fearless approach to the game, and the way he’s viewed by the current generation of NBA players. You’ll also hear about the spectacular Jordon crossover, the tumultuous relationship with Larry Brown, and the respectful rivalry with Kobe.
Aug 12, 202001:22:29
Episode 4: Eddie Murphy (1982-1988) w/Aston Wallace
Nobody’s peak was bigger than Eddie Murphy’s immortal run from 1982-1988, and nobody is better at talking Eddie than Aston Wallace.
We look back at his greatest SNL characters, his 48 Hours breakout, the connections he had with Richard Pryor and Bill Cosby, his perfect balance of action and humor in Beverly Hills Cop, and his legendary comedy specials. Aston also tells us where Trading Places ranks among great Philly movies, what makes Harlem Nights an underrated gem, and why Eddie is the GOAT.
We look back at his greatest SNL characters, his 48 Hours breakout, the connections he had with Richard Pryor and Bill Cosby, his perfect balance of action and humor in Beverly Hills Cop, and his legendary comedy specials. Aston also tells us where Trading Places ranks among great Philly movies, what makes Harlem Nights an underrated gem, and why Eddie is the GOAT.
Aug 05, 202001:46:43
Episode 2: Macaulay Culkin (1990-1993) w/Sylis P
Sylis P and Jon celebrate the amazing four year run of the greatest child actor of all-time. Topics include the unique charisma that made us all root for the wiseass kid in Home Alone, the transcendent lip-syncing skills he showed off in Michael Jackson’s “Black or White” video, and the disturbing dark side he displayed in The Good Son. Get in the Christmas spirit and listen now!
You can find other Wasted Robot Network shows here
You can find other Wasted Robot Network shows here
Jul 22, 202001:15:32
Episode 1: Ben Stiller (1998-2001) w/Mark Riccadonna
For the premiere episode of Peaks, Mark Riccadonna joins Jon to discuss Ben Stiller’s huge run from 1998-2001. They celebrate the perfect casting of There’s Something About Mary, life lessons learned from Meet the Parents, and the insane plot of Zoolander. They also size up his comedic competition from the era and remember the best moments from The Ben Stiller Show.
You can find other Wasted Robot Network shows here
You can find other Wasted Robot Network shows here
Jul 15, 202001:22:37
Episode 0: Welcome to Peaks
Peaks is a show in which comedians have lively discussions about the most memorable “peak” periods of the actors, musicians, and athletes that dominated pop culture in recent history. Jon Koppel and a guest break down what each celebrity accomplished, why that person’s work resonated with so many of us, who was the toughest competition, what caused the peak to end, and so much more.
Early subjects include Ben Stiller, Britney Spears, Macaulay Culkin, and John Candy.
Subscribe to Peaks wherever you listen to your podcasts.
You can find other shows on the Wasted Robot Network here.
Jul 08, 202001:07