Comedian Hasan Minhaj's fabrication in his standup specials is discussed, along with the line between comedic embellishment and lying. They also talk about Disney's $60 billion bet on theme parks, Taylor Swift's underwhelming marketing strategy, and the controversy over Ryan Murphy's promised all-black season of American Horror Story.

This podcast explores the accuracy of the Billboard Hot 100 chart and how it measures popular music. It discusses the manipulation of rankings through streaming apps, fandoms, and political activism. The tactics of remixing songs and boosting chart rankings are also explored. The podcast reflects on controversial practices like boosting sales and announces the TikTok Billboard Top 50 chart.

Drew Barrymore faces backlash for announcing her talk show's return during the writers' strike. The speakers discuss the lack of solidarity, other hosts taping without writers, and celebrities' attention-seeking behavior. They reflect on the VMAs, question its relevance in the social media era, and mention funny moments from past shows. They also talk about controversial job postings for Beyonce and Taylor Swift beat reporters and discuss online scam protection.

Rotten Tomatoes is the place you go when you want to figure out whether or not to see a movie. It aggregates reviews on its “Tomatometer” and tells you whether a film is “fresh” or “rotten.” But its math formula sucks, and it’s easily manipulated. New York Magazine’s Lane Brown did a deep investigation into how Rotten Tomatoes works and tells Sam all the ways studios game the ratings on Rotten Tomatoes, how Hollywood publicity now revolves around the site, and highlights how the whole system has incentivized one company to pay critics and apparently withhold their negative reviews from Rotten Tomato counts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Olivia Rodrigo, surprise breakout artist of 2021, is discussed by Sam and Lindsay Zoladz. Topics include Olivia's dualities, inspirations from Alanis Morisette to Taylor Swift, and the strong presence of women and girls in pop culture this year.

The podcast discusses allegations and investigations into mistreatment, poor working conditions, and cover-ups in reality TV. It explores the experiences of contestants, including isolation and strict schedules. Participants expose the dark side of reality TV, including producer manipulation and unrealistic contracts. The limited access to basic necessities and constant availability of alcohol are also addressed. The podcast emphasizes the need for change in the industry, including fair contracts and mental health support.

Guests Jen Chaney, Chris Lee, Brie Larson, Julianne Moore, and Natalie Portman discuss upcoming fall TV shows and movies, including Lessons In Chemistry, May December, and Killers at the Flower Moon. They also recommend underrated summer content like Project Greenlight and explore its evolution towards inclusivity and diversity. The podcast concludes with hints about upcoming episodes and a shoutout to Sam Fragoso's Talk Easy podcast.

Author Brandon Taylor discusses his latest novel 'The Late Americans' which follows a group in Iowa City navigating art, love, sex, and graduate school. They also explore the changing discourse around books and the expectations placed on authors in the digital age.

Guest Scooter Braun, one of the biggest players in the music industry, discusses Taylor Swift's battle over her master recordings. The podcast also touches on the return of the Fyre Festival and the popularity of the TV show Suits on streaming platforms.

Rapper Chance the Rapper reflects on the impact of his mixtape 'Acid Rap' 10 years later, touring with Mac Miller, Donald Glover, Eminem, and Macklemore, his relationship with Kanye West, and the evolution of hip-hop and his own perspective on politics.