Podcast Summary: BroadwayRadio – Some Like It Pop Patreon Exclusive: Best of June 2025
Episode Date: November 7, 2025
Hosts: Matt Timine (B), Jennifer McHugh (C)
Theme: The hosts share their top three pop culture experiences from June 2025, spanning books, theater, television, classic film, and a personal bucket list trip. They offer heartfelt recommendations, reflect on recent New York and Las Vegas adventures, and preview July’s most anticipated releases.
Episode Overview
This episode of "Some Like It Pop" is all about celebrating the best of June 2025. Matt and Jennifer each spotlight three standout experiences from their recent pop culture consumption—including novels, Broadway shows, new seasons of hit TV, and more. Their engaging conversation is full of laughs, candid opinions, and genuine enthusiasm, serving up a range of recommendations for listeners’ own pop culture diets.
Key Discussion Points and Recommendations
1. Book Picks: “My Friends” by Fredrik Backman & “The Wedding People” by Alison Espach
[02:11–07:39]
Jennifer: “My Friends” by Fredrik Backman
- Jennifer highlights her love for Backman’s storytelling. She describes "My Friends" as a multigenerational coming-of-age narrative set over two time periods, centering on nostalgia, friendship, and the magic of youthful summers.
- Notable Quote ([03:13]):
“It's just a really sweet and exquisite written story about coming of age in the summertime and where life takes you and...the people you miss, even if you only knew them for a little while. Very had a stand by me kind of vibe and without the dead bodies.” – Jennifer - She praises Backman's ability to capture the poignancy of memory, recommending the book for those who appreciate literary fiction and emotional depth.
Matt: “The Wedding People” by Alison Espach
- Matt shares his appreciation for character-driven contemporary fiction, discussing “The Wedding People,” which follows Phoebe, an outsider at a luxury wedding event, and her unexpected friendship with the bride, Lila.
- He applauds the emotional journeys and nuanced characterizations, noting the richness and realism of both leads.
- Notable Quote ([05:18]):
“I just found it to be a lovely book where you saw real characters...both of the main characters, Lila the bride and Phoebe, the main character, were pretty deep and nuanced and well rounded and had a lot of different levels to them.” – Matt
2. Broadway Highlights: “Oh, Mary!” and “Just in Time”
[07:44–10:43]
Jennifer’s New York Theater Tour
- Jennifer recounts her trip to NYC, spotlighting two standout performances:
- Cole Escola in “Oh, Mary!”
She describes the laughter as “non-stop” and the communal experience as magical.
Quote ([09:07]):
“I laughed until the curtain call. It's just non stop. I don't think I've ever been in that much pain laughing at a play.” - Jonathan Groff in “Just In Time”
She lauds Groff’s performance and the palpable joy within the production, calling it a career highlight to witness his artistry and the vibrant supporting cast, including Gracie Lawrence and Emily Bergl.
Quote ([09:53]):
“I feel like I'm going to be proud to say in years to come that I got to see Jonathan Groff in his prime, doing his best because that show, it's just again filled with joy.”
- Cole Escola in “Oh, Mary!”
- She thanks Matt for the recommendations and expresses gratitude for two of her best-ever theater experiences.
3. TV Deep Dive: “The Bear” (Season 4) & “Ironheart”
[10:43–16:53]
Matt: “The Bear” Season 4
- Matt provides a passionate and detailed review of "The Bear" Season 4, explaining his lifelong connection to the show’s characters while critiquing pacing and story momentum compared to earlier, near-perfect seasons.
- Season 4 marks a return to some form, with improvements over a lackluster Season 3. While some plots felt drawn out, the heart of the series—the characters—remains its biggest strength.
- He offers insight into the production schedule and speculates about the series’ future (confirmed for Season 5).
- Notable Quote ([12:32]):
“What really remains the joy for me is just spending time with these characters...I love them all and I want nothing but good things for them and they are all generally just wonderful people, like struggling through life and just trying to do their best and trying to be good at their job and trying to help each other.” – Matt
Marvel’s “Ironheart”
- Matt and Jennifer briefly discuss their viewing habits—Matt binges, while Jennifer prefers weekly viewing.
- Both recognize the risk of Marvel spoilers and acknowledge strong plot movements, especially in the finale.
- Quote ([16:53]):
“Big spoilers in the finale...if you are trying to avoid spoilers, watch that as quickly as you can.” – Matt
4. Classic Film Discovery: “Come September” (1961)
[17:05–19:07]
Jennifer’s 60s Rom Com Recommendation
- Inspired by seeing “Just in Time,” Jennifer watches the rom-com “Come September,” starring Bobby Darin and Sandra Dee.
- She praises the film for its vintage charm, beautiful Italian setting, and as a window into Bobby Darin's real-life charisma beyond his musical persona.
- Quote ([18:37]):
“They're just such a great snapshot of the period...it was just a really nice break to watch something really sweet and innocent as we try and tune out the world around us.” – Jennifer
5. Personal Adventure: World Series of Poker in Las Vegas
[19:10–24:11]
Matt’s Poker Milestone
- Matt recounts fulfilling a bucket-list dream: playing in—and cashing at—the 2025 World Series of Poker “Gladiators of Poker” event on his birthday.
- He shares the thrill of lasting 11 hours at the table among a field of 24,629 players and the satisfaction of “cashing” (winning back and doubling his entry).
- Matt emphasizes his long-standing love of poker and the significance of this achievement.
- Notable Quote ([21:53]):
“Just to be able to be in those rooms and to play and to say like in history now I have cast in the World Series is a huge major thing for me. And I'm still just kind of giddy and beside myself that it happened.” – Matt
Looking Ahead: July 2025 Anticipations
[25:36–29:46]
Shows & Movies on the Horizon
- Both hosts look forward to the final seasons of “The Sandman” and “The Summer I Turned Pretty.”
- Major anticipation for upcoming blockbuster superhero films: “Superman” and “The Fantastic Four.”
- Matt is especially nostalgic and hopeful for a return to fun and optimism in superhero films, referencing the classic Christopher Reeve Superman movies.
- Both discuss the legacy and significance of “Fantastic Four” and its place in Marvel’s history, including pointed comments about comic book accuracy and modern fan reactions.
- Quote ([28:15]):
“No, that just shows me that one, you are trying to pretend that you are a comic book nerd and purist, but you're not because there are multiple Silver Surfers and the one that is this movie has always been a woman in the comic books. So take that and shove it up your incel ass as far as I'm concerned.” – Matt
Memorable Quotes & Moments
-
On book recommendations
“It’s just a really good straightforward literary fiction. There’s no, you know, thriller twists or anything. It’s just a really good storytelling.” – Jennifer ([03:37]) -
On theater laughter
“I laughed until the curtain call. It's just non stop. I don't think I've ever been in that much pain laughing at a play.” – Jennifer ([09:07]) -
On communal joy
“The energy is just palpable with the joy and the happiness inside the theater compared to outside.” – Jennifer ([09:03]) -
On poker dreams fulfilled
“To be there for that was incredible. So an absolute highlight that far exceeded all my expectations for a birthday bucket list trip.” – Matt ([23:15])
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |------------|-----------------------------------------| | 02:11 | Jennifer: “My Friends” book review | | 04:50 | Matt: “The Wedding People” book review | | 07:44 | Jennifer’s Broadway trip recap | | 10:43 | Matt: “The Bear” Season 4 review | | 16:22 | Marvel’s “Ironheart” discussion | | 17:05 | Jennifer: “Come September” film review | | 19:10 | Matt’s World Series of Poker story | | 25:36 | July 2025 pop culture preview | | 29:05 | Superhero movie discourse |
Episode Tone
- Warm, conversational, and enthusiastic.
- Honest critiques, sincere recommendations, and good-natured banter.
- Occasional salty language when addressing toxic fandom.
Conclusion
This episode is a celebration of summer pop culture at its best—offering variety, heart, and a genuine sense of discovery, all wrapped in the lively back-and-forth of two friends who clearly love sharing their passions. Whether you're looking for your next read, a reason to venture to the theater (literal or cinematic), or just want to vicariously enjoy a World Series of Poker experience, this episode delivers thoughtful recommendations and joyful anecdotes in spades.