Pop culture essayist, critic, and editor KRISTEN LOPEZ join Dan for a witty and lively discussion of their favorite television and streaming series of the past 25 years.

Their choices cover a wide and often surprising array of genres and characters, watched on large, laptop, and phone screens. What a “television show” is exactly continues to be redefined, as the long-time popularity of sitcoms and generic cop shows have given way to epic storytelling, complex characterizations, and movie-quality production values.

As always, what might or might not have made Dan and Kristen’s lists might be highly debatable, but it’s all in good fun, as two people who spend way too much time thinking about this stuff cram as much behind-the-scenes trivia, personal recollections, and strongly-held opinions into a one-hour podcast episode. Plus: Lots of awesome clips!

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Legs McNeil was not only an integral part of the 1970’s downtown New York City “punk” scene – he gave it a name. As one of the founders of Punk magazine, Legs was a fixture at CBGB and Max’s Kansas City, he hung out with Iggy Pop and Lou Reed, and was in the audience for The Ramones, Patti Smith, Talking Heads, Blondie – plus many other bands who never found that level of fame, but were great while they lasted.

With Gillian McCain, Legs wrote PLEASE KILL ME: THE UNCENSORED ORAL HISTORY OF PUNK – the definitive first-hand account of a scene and a cultural movement that continues to inspire (and sell records) to this day. He’s also worked as an editor for Spin magazine and was the author or co-author of “The Other Hollywood: The Uncensored Oral History of the Porn Film Industry”, “Dear Nobody: The True Diary of Mary Rose”, and others.

He’s now the director and co-producer of “Pusherman: Frank Lucas and the True Story of American Gangster”, a documentary which corrects much of the fictionalized narrative of the Denzel Washington-starring 2007 film.

In his conversation with Dan, Legs shared stories about his friendships with Andy Warhol, Debbie Harry, and William S. Burroughs; the Sex Pistols’ final show; a private Rolling Stones concert held inside a volcano – plus, how he got that unusual first name.

(This episode contains frank language and mature subject matter which might not be appropriate for all listeners. Discretion is advised.)

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They say that truth is stranger than fiction. Great documentaries have proven that they can be even more compelling and entertaining than anything your average Hollywood screenwriter could dream up.

Acclaimed documentary filmmaker and writer/journalist LAURIE GWEN SHAPIRO – whose already-bestselling book “THE AVIATOR AND THE SHOWMAN” has been released to critical raves – joins Dan for an informed, freewheeling conversation about their favorite docs. From coal mines and rock concerts…to a decaying mansion, the Supreme Court, and way beyond…these are amazing stories told by fascinating people -- and they all really happened.

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