Struggle Session

Support the show and get hundreds of bonus episodes ad free at http://patreon.com/strugglesessionRoss Benes joins us to discuss his book 1999: The Year Low Culture Conquered America and Kickstarted Our Bizarre Times. We explore the cultural landscape of the late 90s including the impact of The Jerry Springer Show on reality TV, the influence of Vince McMahon on politics, how Juggalos defined outsider culture, Nu metal's MTV-sponsored angst, and the rise of video games from kiddie hobby to big business.Guest Link:https://www.rossbenes.com/Chapters00:00 Introduction02:46 What is Low Culture?05:28 The Impact of Jerry Springer on Modern Culture08:27 Kayfabe and Professional Wrestling's Influence17:34 Trump's Pro Wrestling Persona and Kayfabe25:27 The Insane Clown Posse28:09 The Evolution of Fan Culture in Music36:05 Video Games: From Low Culture to Mainstream41:37 Was 1999 The Peak?Upcoming episodes:Fetishized: A Reckoning with Yellow Fever, Feminism, and Beauty w/ Kaila YuLeave us a 5 star review at Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/struggle-session/id1265384284Check out our friends: https://www.instagram.com/loudoun_palestine/Check out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@StruggleSessionpodcastSend an email or voicemail to thestrugglesession@gmail.comMy GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/lleeiiiStay safe and mask up: https://maskbloc.org/Keep up with and contact Leslie: https://msha.ke/lleeiiiBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/struggle-session--5842028/support.

Hear the full episode at http://patreon.com/strugglesessionOn today's patron exclusive bonus episode Leslie and Aaron jack in to Strange Days, an underappreciated sci fi cult classic directed by Kathryn Bigelow and co-written by James Cameron.Chapters00:00 Intro00:59 Strange Days Review04:49 Character Analysis and Performances07:51 Exploring Squid Technology11:44 Would You Jack In?15:57 Racial Commentary22:29 Soundtrack Discussion27:02 Visual Style32:08 Angela Bassett as Mace35:53 LAPD Death Squads56:36 Cyberpunk Reading RecommendationsUpcoming episodes:1999: The Year Low Culture Conquered America and Kickstarted Our Bizarre Times w/ Ross BenesFetishized: A Reckoning with Yellow Fever, Feminism, and Beauty w/ Kaila YuLeave us a 5 star review at Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/struggle-session/id1265384284Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thestrugglesessionCheck out our friends: https://www.instagram.com/loudoun_palestine/Check out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@StruggleSessionpodcastSend an email or voicemail to thestrugglesession@gmail.comMy GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/lleeiiiStay safe and mask up: https://maskbloc.org/Keep up with and contact Leslie: https://msha.ke/lleeiiiBeats by King Koeth: linktr.ee/andrewkoethBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/struggle-session--5842028/support.

Subscribe at http://patreon.com/strugglesessionIs Ed Wood worst director of all time? Not a chance says our guest. On today's Struggle Session writer WIll Sloan joins us to discuss is new book Ed Wood: Made In Hollywood USA. We talk about the infamous director’s artistic legacy, how his films challenge the concept of “bad” movies, the enduring charm of Plan 9 from Outer Space, and the shockingly progressive Glen or Glenda.Plus voicemails on brand movies, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Sam Raimi.Guest Links: https://www.willsloan.ca/Upcoming episodes:Strange Days with Aaron Thorpe1999: The Year Low Culture Conquered America and Kickstarted Our Bizarre Times w/ Ross BenesFetishized: A Reckoning with Yellow Fever, Feminism, and Beauty w/ Kyla YuLeave us a 5 star review at Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/struggle-session/id1265384284Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thestrugglesessionCheck out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@StruggleSessionpodcastSend an email or voicemail to thestrugglesession@gmail.comMy GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/lleeiiiKeep up with and contact Leslie: https://msha.ke/lleeiiiStruggle Session Theme by Brendan James: https://thegreatvorelli.bandcamp.com/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/struggle-session--5842028/support.

Subscribe at http://patreon.com/strugglesessionOn today's Struggle Session Joshua Gooch joins us to talk his new book Capitalism Hates You: Marxism and The New Horror Film. We discuss what modern horror has to offer horror, and vice versa. We also analyze some recent horror films including Hereditary, Gaia, The Witch and more._______________________Guest Links: https://joshuagooch.com/Leave us a 5 star review at Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/struggle-session/id1265384284Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thestrugglesessionCheck out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@StruggleSessionpodcastSend an email or voicemail to thestrugglesession@gmail.comMy GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/lleeiiiKeep up with and contact Leslie: https://msha.ke/lleeiiiStruggle Session Theme by Brendan James: https://thegreatvorelli.bandcamp.com/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/struggle-session--5842028/support.

This episode is a special crossover with Briahna's podcast Bad Faith. Enjoy!Get the full episode at http://patreon.com/strugglesession------------------------------------------A Brief History of Violence screenwriter & co-host of The Movies that Made Me Josh Olson and Struggle Session co-host Leslie Lee III join the show to discuss the movie everyone's talking about: Ryan Coogler's Jim Crow vampire film Sinners. In a spoiler-filled episode (you are warned), the trio debate what the movie is trying to say about race, freedom, religion, and vampirism before delving into the media controversy surrounding Variety's coverage of the film's box office earnings.Produced by Armand Aviram.Bad Faith Theme by Nick Thorburn (@nickfromislands).Visit our website at http://sesh.showPlease leave us a 5 star review at Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/struggle-session/id1265384284Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thestrugglesessionCheck out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@StruggleSessionpodcastSend an email or voicemail to thestrugglesession@gmail.comKeep up with and contact Leslie: https://msha.ke/lleeiiiStruggle Session Theme by Brendan James: https://thegreatvorelli.bandcamp.com/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/struggle-session--5842028/support.

Support the show by subscribing at http://patreon.com/strugglesessionListen to the complete Bug Mane Commentaries: https://www.patreon.com/collection/539866In honor of the theatrical re-release, here's a re-release of this fan-favorite episode!09/24/19 - On today's special commentary episode Bug Mane joins us before the tour to complete our rewatch of the Star Wars prequels. 30 years of epic space-faring fantasy comes down to this, the last Star Wars film ever made. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/struggle-session--5842028/support.

Subscribe at http://www.patreon.com/strugglesessionL*vecraft Country - Episode 1/The OutsiderOn this special mini-series Jack and Leslie discuss the first episode of HBO's Lovecraft Country as well as H.P. Lovecraft's short story "The Outsider."Tune: S U R V I V E - Other [ https://survive.bandcamp.com/album/rr7349 ]L*vecraft Country - Episode 2 / "The Doom That Came to Sarnath"On this episode of our special mini-series on Lovecraft Country Jack, Leslie, and Emma discuss the second episode and the H.P. Lovecraft short story The Doom That Came to Sarnath.Tune: S U R V I V E - Other [ https://survive.bandcamp.com/album/rr7349 ]L*vecraft Country - Episode 03 - "Dreams in the Witch House" w/ Joe HartzlerOn this episode of our special mini-series on Lovecraft Country Leslie and Emma are joined by comedian and actor Joe Hartzler to discuss the third episode and the H.P. Lovecraft short story "Dreams in the Witch House."  Jack is turned into a ghost. See Joe Live at 5PM PST weekdays at https://twitch.tv/fartzler Tune: Florescent Grey - New McCarthyism [https://fluorescent-grey.bandcamp.com/album/a-very-heavy-agenda-ost-vl1-edition-2019]L*vecraft Country - Episodes 4&5 w/ Briahna Joy Gray ("The Thing on the Doorstep")On this episode of our special mini-series on Lovecraft Country Leslie and Emma are joined by Briahna Joy Gray to discuss the fourth and fifth episodes and the H.P. Lovecraft short story "The Thing on the Doorstep."Check out Brie's new show at www.patreon.com/badfaithpodcast Check out Gretchen Felker-Martin: https://www.patreon.com/scumbelievable Tune: Florescent Grey - New McCarthyism [https://fluorescent-grey.bandcamp.com/album/a-very-heavy-agenda-ost-vl1-edition-2019]L*vecraft Country Episodes 6-8 and "The Call of Cthulhu" w/ Ashley RayOn this episode of our special mini-series on Lovecraft Country Leslie and Jack are joined by writer and comedian Ashley Ray to discuss episodes six through eight and the H.P. Lovecraft short story "The Call of Cthulhu."Check out Ashley and support her new show at https://twitter.com/theashleyrayTune: Florescent Grey - New McCarthyism [https://fluorescent-grey.bandcamp.com/album/a-very-heavy-agenda-ost-vl1-edition-2019]"The Dunwich Horror" and Lovecraft Country 9 & 10On this episode Jack and Leslie discuss H.P. Lovecraft's "The Dunwich Horror" and episodes 9 and 10 of Lovecraft Country!Read "The Dunwich Horror" here: https://www.hplovecraft.com/writings/texts/fiction/dh.aspx Tune: Florescent Grey - New McCarthyism [https://fluorescent-grey.bandcamp.com/album/a-very-heavy-agenda-ost-vl1-edition-2019]Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/struggle-session--5842028/support.

Support the show by subscribing at http://patreon.com/strugglesessionOn today's action-packed episode Trevor Beaulieu of Champagne Sharks joins Leslie to discuss Captain America: Brave New World! From the reshoots to the surprisingly radical comic series that inspired it, we cover it all. We also talk about Sam Raimi's M.A.N.T.I.S. starring Carl Lumbly, a Black superhero show so far ahead of it's time that the studio destroyed it.Guest Links: http://champagnesharks.blubrry.net/M.A.N.T.I.S. TV Movie: https://youtu.be/L9WivO9ga-0?si=DUlk03_BoD4bcsWj‘M.A.N.T.I.S.’ Undergoes Pilot-to-Series Changes : New Producers of TV Series About an African American Super-Hero Cite Creative Reasons; Others Claim Racism https://archive.ph/ACaqgVisit our website at http://sesh.showPlease leave us a 5 star review at Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/struggle-session/id126538428Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thestrugglesessionCheck out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@StruggleSessionpodcastSend an email or voicemail to thestrugglesession@gmail.comKeep up with and contact Leslie: https://msha.ke/lleeiiiStruggle Session Theme by Brendan James: https://thegreatvorelli.bandcamp.com/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/struggle-session--5842028/support.

Support the show and get hundreds of bonus episodes and brand new video episodes by subscribing at http://patreon.com/strugglesessionOn today's episode journalist Taylor Lorenz joins us to discuss current events including the Rachel Zegler/Gal Gadot Snow White Controversy, Jeffrey Goldberg's war crime text chat saga, and the dismantling of public health measures amidst the ongoing pandemic.Taylor is the founder of User Mag which covers the intersection of internet culture, politics, and free speech.Guest Links: https://www.usermag.co/Visit our website at http://sesh.showPlease leave us a 5 star review at Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/struggle-session/id1265384284Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thestrugglesessionCheck out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@StruggleSessionpodcastSend an email or voicemail to thestrugglesession@gmail.comKeep up with and contact Leslie: https://msha.ke/lleeiiiStruggle Session Theme by Brendan James: https://thegreatvorelli.bandcamp.com/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/struggle-session--5842028/support.

See the video version of this episode for free on Patreon or Substack.Support the show get the full archives along with hundreds of bonus episodes ad free by subscribing: http://patreon.com/strugglesessionOn today's terrifying episode, Leslie is joined by Alexander Chatziioannou for a deep dive into the world of horror video games. We discuss Alex's book From Ants to Zombies: Six Decades of Video Game Horror, the evolution of horror games, the significance of iconic titles like Resident Evil, and the impact of remakes and indie games on the genre.Guest Links: https://www.bitmapbooks.com/products/from-ants-to-zombies-six-decades-of-video-game-horror | https://bsky.app/profile/alexanderhad1.bsky.socialVisit our website at http://sesh.showPlease leave us a 5 star review at Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/struggle-session/id1265384284Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thestrugglesessionCheck out our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@StruggleSessionpodcastSend an email or voicemail to thestrugglesession@gmail.com Keep up with and contact Leslie : https://msha.ke/lleeiiiStruggle Session Theme by Brendan James: https://thegreatvorelli.bandcamp.com/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/struggle-session--5842028/support.