Jonathan Larson’s Rent premiered at the New York Theatre Workshop on January 26, 1996. The modern rock-opera take on Puccini’s La Boheme instantly captivated critics and audiences alike, bringing much-needed attention to the devastating AIDS crisis, inner-city class warfare, drug addition, and featuring bold and unabashed queer characters and storylines. While Larson tragically died the night before the show debuted, his masterpiece would go on to run on Broadway for 12 years, win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Musical, gross hundreds of millions of dollars, and create a whole new crop of Broadway stars out of much of its original cast. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the ground-breaking show, so join the Great Pop Culture Debate as we attempt to name the Best Song from Rent.

Songs discussed: “La Vie Boheme,” “Will I?” “Today 4 U,” “Out Tonight,” “Rent,” “One Song Glory,” “Goodbye Love” “What You Own,” “Take Me Or Leave Me,” “Santa Fe,” “Without You,” “Tango: Maureen,” “Seasons of Love,” “Another Day,” “Light My Candle,” “I’ll Cover You”

Join host Eric Rezsnyak and GPCD panelists Bob Erlenback, Curtis Creekmore, and Joelle Boedecker as they discuss and debate 16 of the most powerful songs from this modern Broadway classic.

For the warm-up, in which the panel discusses every song from Rent that did NOT make the bracket, become a Patreon supporter of the podcast.

To see a video version of the debate, subscribe to our page on YouTube.

EPISODE CREDITS:

Host: Eric Rezsnyak

Panelists: Bob Erlenback, Curtis Creekmore, Joelle Boedecker

Edtor: Bob Erlenback

Intro/Outro Music: "Dance to My Tune" by Marc Torch

#rent #rentbroadway #rentmusical #musicals #broadway #broadwaymusicals #seasonsoflove #outtonight #lavieboheme #laboheme #idinamenzel #anthonyrapp #tayediggs #jesselmartin #adampascal #jonathanlarson #tonyaward #pulitzerprize #dramadesk

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Great Pop Culture Debate host Eric Rezsnyak explains how we created the bracket for our Winter 2026 special devoted to the best songs from the award-winning Broadway musical, "Rent," will will celebrate its 30th anniversary this week. Walk through the Round 1 match-ups and see which songs made the cut. The main episode will release on Tuesday, January 20, wherever you listen to podcasts.

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

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

While many reality TV competitions become stale as the years go on, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” has continually reinvented itself and raised the bar on next-level drag. That’s especially true of its lipync battles, which often determine which queen stays and which sashays away. Since 2020 there have been, conservatively, more than 100 lipsyncs between “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Original Recipe seasons 12 through 17, and “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” seasons 5 through 10. And some of those have become truly iconic. So join the Great Pop Culture Debate for this special Patreon-sponsored episode as we attempt to name the Best Drag Race Lipsync from 2020 to 2025.

Lipsyncs discussed: “Boss Bitch” (Anetra v. Marcia Marcia Marcia,” “APT” (Suzie Toot v. Kori King), “Firework” (Jackie Cox v. Widow Von’Du), “Physical” (Laganja Estranja v. Trinity K. Bonet), “Padam Padam” (Nymphia Wind v. Sapphira Cristal), “Designing Women” (Monet X Change v. Jinkx Monsoon), “100% Pure Love” (Denali v. Kahmora Hall), “Barbie Girl” (Silky Nutmeg Ganache v. Herself), “Phone” (Ginger Minj v. Mayhem Miller), “Body” (Morphine Love Dion v. Dawn), “Dirrrty” (Kylie Sonique Love v. Manila Luzon), “Starships” (Widow Von’Du v. Gigi Goode), “I’m in Love with a Monster” (Sasha Colby v. Anetra), “Old MacDonald” (Shea Coulee vs. Monet X Change), “Radio” (Angeria Paris VanMichaels v. Jorgeous v. Lady Camden), “Knock On Wood” (Sasha Colby v. Anetra)

Join host Eric Rezsnyak, Patreon sponsor Kathy Kingsley, and GPCD panelists Curtis Creekmore and Karissa Kloss as they discuss and debate 16 of the most jaw-dropping lipsync battles in “Drag Race” herstory. To listen to the panelists discuss even more "Drag Race" lipsyncs, become a Patreon sponsor of the podcast today.

EPISODE CREDITS

Host: Eric Rezsnyak

Panelists: Curtis Creekmore, Karissa Kloss

Patreon Sponsor & Guest Panelist: Kathy Kingsley

Producer: Bob Erlenback

Editor: Bob Erlenback

Intro & Outro Music: "Dance to My Tune" by Marc Torch

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Great Pop Culture Debate host Eric Rezsnyak explains how we created the bracket for our episode devoted to the best RuPaul's Drag Race lipsync that aired between 2020 and 2025, covering U.S. seasons 12-17 and U.S. All Stars seasons 5-10. Walk through the Round 1 match-ups and see which battles made the cut. The main episode will release on Tuesday, January 13, wherever you listen to podcasts.

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

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Since 1944, the Golden Globes have offered an alternative to the Oscars and the Emmys. Giving us a boozier, looser take on the best in both TV and movies, the Globes have at their best championed less-obvious projects, and given early wins to actors and creators who would go on to be some of the entertainment industry’s biggest stars. Of particular interest is the Best Film Musical or Comedy category, which has celebrated some of the less stodgy, but still incredibly well made, films that might not make the cut for the prestige-obsessed Academy Awards. So join us for one of our 2026 Patreon-sponsored episodes as the Great Pop Culture Debate attempts to name the Best Golden Globe Winner for Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy.

Movies discussed: The Sound of Music (1965), The Lion King (1994), West Side Story (1961), Beauty and the Beast (1991), Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), Chicago (2002), Some Like It Hot (1959), The Graduate (1967), Cabaret (1972), Romancing the Stone (1984), Moulin Rouge! (2001), Almost Famous (2000), My Fair Lady (1964), Tootsie (1982), Working Girl (1988), Lady Bird (2017)

Join host Eric Rezsnyak, Patreon sponsor Steve Nikoloff, and GPCD panelists Karissa Kloss and Kevin Dillon as they discuss and debate 16 of the most celebrated Globe-winning films.

EPISODE CREDITS

Host: Eric Rezsnyak

Panelists: Karissa Kloss, Kevin Dillon

Patreon Sponsor: Stephan Nikloloff

Producer: Bob Erlenback

Editor: Eric Rezsnyak

Theme Music: “Dance to My Tune” by Marc Torch

#goldenglobes #goldenglobe #awards #awardshow #bestfilm #comedy #musical #comedyfilms #musicalfilms #thesoundofmusic #somelikeithot #workinggirl #tootsie #mrsdoubtfire #almostfamous #romancingthestone #beautyandthebeast #thelionking #chicago #cabaret #thegraduate #moulinrouge #ladybird #podcast

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Great Pop Culture Debate host Eric Rezsnyak explains how we created the bracket for our episode devoted to the best Golden Globe-winning films in the comedy/musical category, and walks you through the Round 1 match-ups. The main episode will release on Tuesday, January 6, wherever you listen to podcasts.

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

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’re off this week to ring in the new year, but we still wanted to drop something on your feed. Check out THIS Hot Take argument from our Season 7 episode, 100th Episode Spectacular, in which host Eric Rezsnyak and panelist Kate Racculia revisit some of our earlier, controversial decisions.

Want to hear more from this episode (originally released in September 4, 2023)? ⁠Click here to listen to the full episode.

While you're at it, check out our Best of 2025 lists for our panelists' favorite pop-culture debuts in 2025.⁠

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.

NEW EPISODES COMING JANUARY 6, 2026!

CREDITS:

Editor: Bob Erlenback

Intro/Outro Music: "Dance to My Tune" by Marc Torch

#disney #disneymovie #animation #pixar #toystory #fantasia #podcast #podcastclips

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

While we’re nestled snug in our beds for the Christmas holiday this week, we didn’t want to leave your podcast queue as empty as Santa’s cookie plate. So we’ve joined our friends at one of our sister podcasts, Podcasters Assemble to stuff an episode of their show down your chimney — and trust us, it definitely works for this holly-jolly occasion!

That's right, this week we’re filling your stockings with a crossover delight and instead of debating, we’re simply fa-la-la-la-falling in love with and discussing a true multi-holiday masterpiece: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. We are here to praise, celebrate, and geek out over the stop-motion classic that bridges the gap between Halloween chills and Christmas thrills.

If you sleigh through this episode and want more, be sure to check out the archives from both Great Pop Culture Debate and Podcasters Assembled wherever you get your podcasts. ’Tis the season for binge-listening, after all!

If you want to keep the GPCD cheer going all year, follow us on Bluesky @gpcd.bsky.social, Instagram @greatpopculturedebate, and subscribe to our YouTube channel @greatpopculturedebate.

And be sure to show some love to our friends at Podcasters Assemble — find them on Bluesky @podcastersassemble.bsky.social and on Instagram at @castersassemble.

Feeling extra jolly? Support us on Patreon @greatpopculturedebate — it helps keep the debates merry and bright!

We’ll be back soon with more debates, more delights, and plenty more pop-culture cheer. Until then, stay merry, stay bright, and may your days be filled with cookies, cozy vibes, and killer content. Happy holidays from all of us at GPCD!

CREDITS:

"Nightmare Before Christmas" episode courtesy Podcasters Assemble

Editor: Bob Erlenback

Intro/Outro Music: "Dance to My Tune" by Marc Torch

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.