Writer R. Eric Thomas discusses controversies surrounding white saviors in 'The Blind Side,' reality TV mistreatment, and the debate over Bradley Cooper's prosthetic nose. They also touch on Eric's new book and how pop culture allows for emotional expression.

The CBS reality show Big Brother just entered its 25th season, making it one of the longest-running reality TV shows in history. But it's also one of the genre's weirdest: There are the edited episodes that air on CBS proper, but viewers are encouraged to creep on contestants via 24/7 live feeds; seasons almost always involve racism or misogyny (or both!); and the show often features games involving... slime? And yet the show gets killer ratings. To pin down the enduring appeal of Big Brother, Sam talks with Taylor Hale, the first Black woman to win the show, and Taran Armstrong, a man who literally watches the show for a living. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A classic piece of American film dropped recently. It has everything: an epic battle, a giant boat, lawn furniture repurposed as weapons... and everyone's talking about it, including our guests this week Jonquilyn Hill, host of Vox's The Weeds podcast, and Alex Abad-Santos, culture writer at Vox. They debate with Sam about who should direct an actual big screen version of the brawl. They also check in on how Jeopardy is dealing with the writers' strike (What is: The show is using old questions during tapings?) and pour one out for the creator of the "Cha Cha Slide" (RIP DJ Casper). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

VFX artist Ryan Laney talks about digitally replacing human faces in Hollywood. Josh Glick from Bard College highlights AI's integral role in Hollywood, from de-aging actors to language translation. The podcast explores the use of AI in CGI, concerns of actors and writers, and its impact on storytelling.

Three of Lizzo’s former dancers sued her for alleged sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment. How does this change how we feel about Lizzo — especially those inspired by her joyful, unapologetic persona and empowerment of plus-sized women of color? Sam welcomes his Vibe Check co-hosts Saeed Jones and Zach Stafford to talk it out. Then, as a palette cleanser: A game of Into It / Not Into It where they break down Cardi B’s mic throw, Justin Trudeau’s separation, and the resurrection of Bed Bath & Beyond from beyond the grave. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

At the end of Britney Spears’s conservatorship in November of 2021, most of her fans rejoiced. But conspiracy theories have a subset of #FreeBritney fans convinced she’s still not really free. They focus on what they see as oddities or glitches in some of her Instagram posts. Vox reporter Rebecca Jennings says there are even theories that Britney has been replaced with AI or a body double. Rebecca and Sam talk about her current piece for New York Magazine and get into the TikTok sleuthing of this extreme set of Britney fans, how the conspiracy theories mirror QAnon, and what Britney herself thinks about her fans’ actions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What is up right now with country music and race? There’s the controversy over Jason Aldean’s “Try That in a Small Town,” Morgan Wallen topping the charts despite previously being canceled for saying the n-word, and Luke Combs’ country cover of Tracy Chapman’s Fast Car – which is doing better than the original. Sam talks with writer, sociologist, and country fan Tressie McMillan Cottom. Tressie unpacks why mainstream country music is so, so white, how Black artists built the genre, and the gulf between the vibrant city of Nashville and the regressive politics of the “Nashville” music industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Discover why Teresa Giudice, Bethenny Frankel, NeNe Leakes, and Kyle Richards are considered the Mount Rushmore of 'Real Housewives'. They discuss the enduring impact of the Housewives on reality TV, scandals and low-stakes fights, the criteria for their selection, and Andy Cohen's role in creating the franchise.

Hosts Bobby Finger and Lindsey Weber join Sam to discuss Barbie merch collabs, ABC's 'The Golden Bachelor', and the popular TikTok trend of NPC livestreams. They also chat about social media influencers during Hollywood strikes and express their excitement for the unique choice of 'The Golden Bachelor' star.

Barbie (the doll) is more than 60 years old. But Barbie (the idea, the aesthetic, the cultural artifact) feels more current than ever. And yes, the highly anticipated Barbie movie is definitely a big part of that, but Barbiecore has been around way before the film was even a sparkle in Greta Gerwig's eye. Sam chats with The Cut's Danya Issawi about her first Barbie memories and the inescapable way that blonde hair, blue eyes, and pink outfits could define American girlhood. And we learn about the fashion history and influence of Barbie from historian Darnell Jamal Lisby: From Legally Blonde to Paris Hilton to Nicki Minaj, we're all just Barbie girls living in a Barbie world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices