Episodes

  • Best Dolly Parton Song
    Sep 30 2025
    Dolly Rebecca Parton grew up in extreme poverty in Appalachian Tennessee, and over the course of a legendary 60-year-and-counting career, would become one of the most important artists in country music. A singer, a songwriter, an actor, a producer, an entrepreneur, and a philanthropist, Dolly has basically done it all – and she’s done it all better than almost anyone. Dolly has released 50 albums, and more than 200 singles, dating back to 1959’s “Puppy Love” to 2025’s “If You Hadn’t Been There.” So join the Great Pop Culture Debate as we pay tribute to a genuine American icon as we attempt to name the Best Dolly Parton Single. Songs discussed: “Jolene,” “My Tennessee Mountain Home,” “Two Doors Down,” “Why’d You Come In Here Lookin’ Like That,” “Baby I’m Burnin’,” “Islands in the Stream,” “I Will Always Love You,” “Backwoods Barbie,” “9 to 5,” “Straight Talk,” “Eagle When She Flies,” “Hard Candy Christmas,” “Here You Come Again,” “Joshua,” “Light of a Clear Blue Morning,” “Coat of Many Colors” Join host Eric Rezsnyak, GPCD panelists Curtis Creekmore and Jonny Minogue, and special guest Kevin Rice as they discuss 16 of Dolly’s most beloved singles. Play along at home by finding the listener bracket here. Make a copy for yourself, fill it out, and see if your picks match up with ours! For the warm-up to this episode, in which we discuss even more Dolly songs we love that didn’t make the bracket, become a Patreon supporter of the podcast today. Looking for more reasons to become a Patreon supporter? Check out our Top 10 Patreon Perks. Want to watch the episode instead? As of Season 12, we now have full video episodes up on YouTube. Subscribe to our channel for even more original, exclusive episodes! Sign up for our weekly newsletter! Subscribe to find out what’s new in pop culture each week right in your inbox! Vote in more pop culture polls! Check out our Open Polls. Your votes determine our future debates! Then, vote in our Future Topic Polls to have a say in what episodes we tackle next. Episode Credits Host: Eric Rezsnyak Panelist: Curtis Creekmore, Jonny Minogue Special Guest: Kevin Rice Producer: Derek Mekita Editor: Bob Erlenback Theme Music: “Dance to My Tune” by Marc Torch IG: https://www.instagram.com/greatpopculturedebate/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/gpcd.bsky.social Website: https://www.greatpopculturedebate.com/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/greatpopculturedebate #dollyparton #dolly #countrymusic #music #dollywood #iwillalwaysloveyou #9to5 #jolene #hereyoucomeagain #twodoorsdown #backwoodsbarbie #straighttalk #joshua #islandsinthestream #coatofmanycolors #hardcandychristmas #babyimburnin #tennessee #grandoleopry #popculture #podcast #popculture #debate #bestof #podcasts #music #movies #film #books #comics #television #tv #lgbtq #lgbt #nostalgia #geek #nerd #culture #greatest Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    59 mins
  • PREVIEW: Best Dolly Parton Song
    Sep 29 2025
    Here we come again! Great Pop Culture Debate host Eric Rezsnyak explains how we created the bracket for our episode devoted to the best Dolly Parton song (specifically, her officially released singles). He also walks you through the Round 1 match-ups. The main episode will release on Tuesday, September 30, wherever you listen to podcasts. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Make sure to subscribe to the podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ so you don't miss any upcoming episodes. And subscribe to our YouTube Channel to check out VIDEO versions of the podcast, starting with Season 12. And if you love pop culture, ⁠sign up for our weekly newsletter⁠ to keep up on all the new movies, music, and TV shows dropping every week! CREDITS: Intro/outro music: "Dance to My Tune" by Marc Torch IG: https://www.instagram.com/greatpopculturedebate/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/gpcd.bsky.social Website: https://www.greatpopculturedebate.com/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/greatpopculturedebate #podcast #popculture #debate #bestof #podcasts #music #movies #film #books #comics #television #tv #lgbtq #lgbt #nostalgia #geek #nerd #culture #greatest Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    4 mins
  • Best "X-Files" Episode
    Sep 23 2025
    “The X-Files” premiered on the Fox network in September 1993. While the sci-fi mystery show was inspired by earlier series like “The Twilight Zone,” “Twin Peaks,” and “Kolchak: The Night Stalker,” creator Chris Carter tapped into a unique moment in the cultural zeitgeist to produce something even more resonant. The adventures of two outcast FBI agents investigating aliens, monsters, and unexplained phenomena clicked with a burgeoning interest in the paranormal and conspiracy theories, and a growing mistrust in government authority. What began as a cult classic quickly became a pop-culture phenomenon that defined the 1990s, and which continues to hold serious cultural cache. The truth is out there, and we intend to find it as the Great Pop Culture Debate attempts to name the best episode of “The X-Files.” Episodes discussed: “Clyde Bruckman’s Final Repose,” “How the Ghosts Stole Christmas,” “Small Potatoes,” “Tooms,” “Squeeze,” “Leonard Betts,” “Quagmire,” “Ice,” “Home,” “Beyond the Sea,” “Humbug,” “Die Hand Die Verletz,” “Bad Blood,” “Mulder and Scully Meet the Were-Monster,” “Syzygy,” “The Host” Join host Eric Rezsnyak, GPCD panelists Bob Erlenback and Kate Racculia, and special guest author Victor Manibo as they discuss 16 of the very best episodes of “The X-Files,” both from the original run and the 2010s reboot. Play along at home by finding the listener bracket here. Make a copy for yourself, fill it out, and see if your picks match up with ours! For the warm-up to this episode, in which we discuss even more "X-Files" episodes we love that didn’t make the bracket, become a Patreon supporter of the podcast today. Looking for more reasons to become a Patreon supporter? Check out our Top 10 Patreon Perks. Want to play along at home? Download the Listener Bracket and see if your picks match up with ours! Sign up for our weekly newsletter! Subscribe to find out what’s new in pop culture each week right in your inbox! Vote in more pop culture polls! Check out our Open Polls. Your votes determine our future debates! Then, vote in our Future Topic Polls to have a say in what episodes we tackle next. Episode Credits Host: Eric Rezsnyak Panelists: Bob Erlenback, Kate Racculia Special Guest: Victor Manibo Producer: Derek Mekita Editor: Bob Erlenback Theme Music: “Dance to My Tune” by Marc Torch #xfiles #thexfiles #scifi #horror #90s #1990s #90stv #mulder #scully #gilliananderson #davidduchovny #chriscarter #supernatural #drama #television #tvshows #popculture #thetruthisout there Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    58 mins
  • PREVIEW: Best "X-Files" Episode
    Sep 22 2025
    The truth is out there! Great Pop Culture Debate host Eric Rezsnyak explains how we created the bracket for our episode devoted to the best episode of "The X-Files." He also walks you through the Round 1 match-ups. The main episode will release on Tuesday, September 23, wherever you listen to podcasts. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Make sure to subscribe to the podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ so you don't miss any upcoming episodes. And subscribe to this channel to check out VIDEO versions of the podcast, starting with Season 12. And if you love pop culture, sign up for our weekly newsletter to keep up on all the new movies, music, and TV shows dropping every week! CREDITS: Intro/outro music: "Dance to My Tune" by Marc Torch IG: https://www.instagram.com/greatpopculturedebate/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/gpcd.bsky.social Website: https://www.greatpopculturedebate.com/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/greatpopculturedebate #podcast #popculture #debate #bestof #podcasts #music #movies #film #books #comics #television #tv #lgbtq #lgbt #nostalgia #geek #nerd #culture #greatest Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    4 mins
  • Best Mariah Carey Song
    Sep 16 2025
    In May 1990, then-unknown 21-year-old Mariah Carey released her debut single, “Vision of Love.” Within a handful of weeks, the song would hit No. 1 on the Billboard charts, and it would be followed by four additional No. 1 tracks, setting records and making it clear: Mariah Carey and her five-octave vocal range were here, and pop music would never sound the same. Mariah had No. 1 singles every year for the entire 1990s. She would go on to win numerous Grammys, be named Artist of the Decade by Billboard, and receive other accolades. Her career has had peaks and valleys, scandals and rebrandings, but there is no denying: Mariah Carey is one of the most important recording artists of the last 40 years, and one of the most incredible voices in the history of popular music. So join the Great Pop Culture Debate as we hit the highest of the highs as we determine the Best Mariah Carey Song – at least until mid-2025, when we’re recording this. Songs discussed: “Always Be My Baby,” “Shake It Off,” “Love Takes Time,” “My All,” “Emotions,” “When You Believe” (w/Whitney Houston), “Obsessed,” “Hero,” “Fantasy,” “Honey,” “Dreamlover,” “One Sweet Day” (w/Boyz II Men), “Vision of Love,” “Heartbreaker” (w/Jay-Z), “Make It Happen,” “We Belong Together” Join host Eric Rezsnyak, GPCD panelist Kevin Dillon, returning guest Nick Everage, and special guest Steven Salvatore — author and Mariah superfan — as they discuss 16 of Mariah’s most notable tracks. Play along at home by finding the listener bracket here. Make a copy for yourself, fill it out, and see if your picks match up with ours! For the warm-up to this episode, in which we discuss even more Mariah songs we love that didn’t make the bracket, become a Patreon supporter of the podcast today. Looking for more reasons to become a Patreon supporter? Check out our Top 10 Patreon Perks. Sign up for our weekly newsletter! Subscribe to find out what’s new in pop culture each week right in your inbox! Vote in more pop culture polls! Check out our Open Polls. Your votes determine our future debates! Then, vote in our Future Topic Polls to have a say in what episodes we tackle next. Episode Credits Host: Eric Rezsnyak Panelist: Kevin Dillon Special Guests: Nick Everage, Steven Salvatore Producer: Curtis Creekmore Editor: Bob Erlenback Theme Music: “Dance to My Tune” by Marc Torch #mariahcarey #mariah #popmusic #rnb #hiphop #90smusic #00smusic #2010smusic #2020smusic #bestsongs #music Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    56 mins
  • PREVIEW: Best Mariah Carey Song
    Sep 15 2025
    Season 12 begins! Great Pop Culture Debate host Eric Rezsnyak explains how we created the bracket for our episode devoted to the best Mariah Carey Song. He also walks you through the Round 1 match-ups. The main episode will release on Tuesday, September 16, wherever you listen to podcasts. ⁠⁠⁠Make sure to subscribe to the podcast⁠⁠⁠ so you don't miss any upcoming episodes. And if you love pop culture, sign up for our weekly newsletter to keep up on all the new movies, music, and TV shows dropping every week! ⁠⁠⁠Click here to learn about all the great perks our Patreon subscribers receive!⁠⁠⁠ CREDITS: Intro/outro music: "Dance to My Tune" by Marc Torch https://www.greatpopculturedebate.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    4 mins
  • HOT TAKE: Best "Golden Girls" Episode "Grab That Dough" vs. "To Catch a Neighbor"
    Sep 9 2025
    We’re taking a short break from new episodes this week, but we’d never leave you stranded at Shady Pines without some company. And what better time than now? We’re celebrating the 40th Anniversary of "The Golden Girls" on September 14th with this Hot Take from our Season 6 episode, Best "Golden Girls" Episode. Want to hear more form this episode (originally released in September 26, 2022)? ⁠Click here to listen to the full episode.⁠ For more episodes, blogs, Top 10s, and more, ⁠⁠⁠visit our website by clicking here. ⁠⁠⁠Make sure to ⁠⁠⁠SUBSCRIBE to the show⁠⁠⁠ so you don't miss any upcoming episode. CREDITS: Editor: Bob Erlenback Intro/Outro Music: "Dance to My Tune" by Marc Torch #goldengirls #thegoldengirls #80s #1980s #sitcom #comedy #grabthatdough #tocatchaneighbor #beaarthur #bettywhite #ruemclanahan #estellegetty #dorothy #rose #sophia #blanche #nbc #classictv #classictelevision Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    9 mins
  • HOT TAKE: Best Baby-Sitters Club Book "Keep Out, Claudia" vs. "Dawn and the Impossible Three"
    Sep 2 2025
    We’re taking a break from new episodes this week, but we didn’t want to leave you without something to watch over you. So consider us your trusty babysitters, keeping you entertained while you flip through your reading list. In honor of National Read a Book Day on September 6, we’re giving you a Hot Take from our Season 9 episode, Best Baby-sitters Club Book. Want to hear more form this episode (originally released in August 25, 2024)? Click here to listen to the full episode. For more episodes, blogs, Top 10s, and more, ⁠⁠visit our website by clicking here. ⁠⁠Make sure to ⁠⁠SUBSCRIBE to the show⁠⁠ so you don't miss any upcoming episode. CREDITS: Editor: Bob Erlenback Intro/Outro Music: "Dance to My Tune" by Marc Torch #books #babysittersclub #bsc #annmmartin #youngreaders #80sbooks #90sbooks #teenbooks #keepoutclaudia #dawnandtheimpossiblethree #bscclaudia #bscdawn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    7 mins