Podcast
The Pop Break
Hosted by Alex Marcus · EN
The Pop Break is a collection of podcasts executive produced by Pop Break Director Alex Marcus, featuring the very best conversations about television, film, music, anime, wrestling, and more!
This includes weekly pods like Roses & Rejections on Wednesdays, providing coverage of the best of reality dating, as well as new episodes of monthly podcasts like The Anniversary Bros, TV Break, Not Couple Goals, Blerd Watchers, Anime x Pop, Batman By The Numbers, & Bill vs. The MCU every Monday and Friday!
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Episodes
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The Anniversary Brothers: Superman Returns 20th Anniversary
2d ago01:20:49Tap to summarizeJosh and Aaron Sarnecky are here to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Superman Returns.Superman Returns is a superhero film directed by Bryan Singer, who co-wrote the movie with Michael Dougherty and Dan Harris. It is based on the DC Comics character Superman, created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The film acts as both an alternate sequel to Superman II and a reimagining for the 21st century. The film opened in theaters on June 28, 2006.In the film, Superman/Clark Kent (Brandon Routh) returns to Earth after five years in space looking for the remains of Krypton. He must stop Lex Luthor (Kevin Spacey) from reshaping the map with stolen Kryptonian technology. Lois Lane (Kate Bosworth) now has a husband and son, Richard (James Marsden) and Jason (Tristan Lake Leabu). She has moved on from Superman until he flies back into her life.Other characters include Daily Planet Editor-in-Chief Perry White (Frank Langella), photographer Jimmy Olsen (Sam Huntington), Luthor’s henchwoman Kitty Kowalski (Parker Posey), and Clark’s mother Martha Kent (Eva Marie Saint).Superman Returns received generally positive reviews, though over the years it has been less well-received by fans. The desire to forget the film is due in part to Singer and Spacey’s legal issues. The film was nominated for one Oscar for Best Visual Effects.Superman Returns was the ninth-highest grossing film of 2006 but a commercial disappointment, grossing $391 million on a $204 million budget. No sequel was made and the franchise was rebooted with Man of Steel. Brandon Routh donned the cape again on The CW’s Crisis on Infinite Earths.Josh and Aaron discuss the first time each of them saw Superman Returns before going into the movie’s plot, performances, action, and how the movie ties into previous installments. They also ponder the tricky question of what the movie’s legacy is.For more superheroes, you can listen to Josh and Aaron’s podcast with Kris Ingersoll on Captain America: Civil War.Superman Returns is streaming on HBO Max
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Roses & Rejections: Love Island S8 Premiere with Allie Nelson
3d ago01:37:38Tap to summarizeYour reality TV besties have arrived! Michelle Chapman and Mostly Nitpicking’s DJ Chapman are dishing on all the drama, delusion, and occasionally genuine emotion from your favorite dating and competition shows. Love is Blind? Covered. RuPaul's Drag Race? Absolutely. The entire Bachelor franchise and whatever Netflix dropped this week? Honey, they watched it so you don't have to — but honestly, you should watch it too.This week we’re cracking open the first seven episodes of Love Island USA Season 8 with guest host Allie Nelson from Not Couple Goals — and trust us, the villa is already a beautiful disaster. We roast the Islanders, salute the bombshells who showed up ready to ruin someone’s week, and marvel at the sheer volume of questionable choices being made under the guise of “connection.” If you like romance, chaos, and people confidently making the wrong decision, this episode is your new home.
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Blerd Watchers: The Boys Series Finale; The Punisher: One Last Kill; and Trailer Reactions to X-Men, Avatar, and Lanterns
6d ago01:12:13Tap to summarizeWelcome to Blerd Watchers! ThePopBreak.com's monthly podcast about TV shows with a Blerdy twist! Come hang out with Courtney & Marshall, two married Blerds, as they navigate all the dopeness on TV and share insights and opinions on the monthly show topics!Fresh off the celebrations of Courtney's birthday, she and Marshall return with plenty of news and rumours to discuss! From Alan Ritchman expanding his footprint at Amazon, to the return of a hidden gem anime, the duo cover all the news you need to know this month! From there, its snap trailer reaction time, as they cover the run-down of trailers that have been released since they last recorded. These include, X-men: '97, Avatar the Last Airbender, Lanterns and more! Turning the page on those, the couple then gets into wrapping up the Boys for the final time, reviewing s5 and giving their lasting thoughts on a great show and THAT finale! They then review Punisher: One Last Kill-a Disney+ one shot that lets us know what Frank Castle has been up to, before telling you why you NEED to be watching Man on Fire on Netflix! Finally, a blast from the past returns in the form of Bloodhounds on Netflix, the first season of which Courtney and Marshall finally finished.
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Not Couple Goals: “Obsession” (2025)
1w ago01:50:25Tap to summarizeWelcome to “Not Couple Goals” where co-hosts Allie Nelson and Tyler McCarthy do a deep dive into a different ridiculous romantic thriller from the vantage point of their long-term relationship.Allie, a TV writer/producer and actress, has an affinity for romantic thrillers, the more salacious the better. Tyler, an entertainment reporter and critic, often finds himself drawn in despite his better judgment. Join them as they explore all the ways it’s possible to love too hard… like WAY too hard.It’s a terrifying new release as Allie and Tyler break down the 2025 movie “Obsession” at the height of its theatrical dominance. Join them as they discuss writer/director Curry Barker’s masterpiece and cover everything from Inde Navarrette’s shockingly impeccable and horrifying performance, Barker’s not-so-humble YouTube beginnings and (for some reason) shout out their favorite pasta place in NYC. Is “Obsession” worth the obsession? Listen and find out. Special thanks to Mallory Johns for the introduction music.Please don’t forget to follow our hosts on Twitter @ANelRetentive & @TylerMcCarthy and Instagram @ANelRetentive and to check out Tyler’s writing at USA Insider and Allie’s at Parade and Business Insider!
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TV Break: June 2026 - Reviews of Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed, Margo's Got Money Troubles, Spider-Noir, Hacks, and Maul - Shadow Lord + Stranger Things and CBS Dominate Nielson Ratings
2w ago01:13:48Tap to summarizeWelcome to TV Break, where Pop Break’s Podcasts Editor Alex Marcus is joined by editor-in-chief Bill Bodkin, and TV Columnist Josh Sarnecky to talk about the happenings in television.Here’s the format of the show:The Best Thing I Saw on TV Last Month – Alex, Bill, & Josh talk about a show/episode/event they liked from the last month including Prime Video’s Spider-Noir, HBO’s Rooster, HBO Max’s Hacks, AppleTV’s Margo’s Got Money Troubles and Disney Plus’s Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord. Newsbreak – This month, they are discussing the news that Netflix and CBS/Paramount Plus dominated the Nielsen ratings for the 2025-2026 TV year.Streaming Wars – Alex, Bill, & Josh each selected their top streamer of the month. Josh opted for YouTube after a few YouTube grads who used the platform to build a cult following recently springboarded those humble beginnings into massive box office returns with a pair of hit horror films in Obsession and Backrooms. Alex went all in on AppleTV on the strength of their recent programming slate, their big Peanuts summer, and the recent news of a new spy thriller starring James Marsden on the horizon. Meanwhile, Bill stood up for Prime Video after they earned praise for the final season of the Boys, their new hockey romance Off Campus, Spider-Noir, and lots and lots of sports!New Series Spotlight – This month Alex, Bill, and Josh discuss Apple TV’s Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed created by David J Rosen and starring Tatiana Maslany as a recently divorced mom and professional fact checker who, while in a custody battle with her ex-husband, played by New Girl’s Jake Johnson, she finds herself blackmailed by a camboy, which is only the start of her troubles.
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Batman By The Numbers: Reviewing Absolute Batman Vol 1 with Justin DeVoe
2w ago02:25:13Tap to summarizeThere’s arguably no superhero in existence that has been reimagined, redefined, or reinterpreted more than Batman. No matter how many times he’s been rebooted, audiences are always willing to come back to Gotham City’s greatest defender. With so much Bat content out there, there’s plenty to dissect, analyze, and of course, rank! This podcast is dedicated to a surgical evaluation of Batman’s history, with a focus on ranking several topics in the world of Batman, among other classic Bat themes and characters.Join hosts Daniel Cohen, Pop Break’s former Film Editor, and Kris Ingersoll, co-host of the Media/Lit podcast, as they bring on several guests every month to share their passion for the one and only Dark Knight. From Adam West to Robert Pattinson, no bat stone will be left unturned. Bottom-line: If you’re a Batman fan, this is required listening.If you're a Batman aficionado or a curious newcomer, you're likely asking: What makes the latest "Absolute Batman" series so compelling? How does this reimagined universe differ from the classic Gotham stories we know, and why does it matter now? In this episode, Dan had to take some time this month for his wedding and honeymoon, so Pop Break Director of Podcasting Alex Marcus has returned to his old cohost chair, and he and Kris welcome the fantastic Justin DeVoe aka @reallifelobo for an in depth discussion of Absolute Batman Vol 1: The Zoo. Together, they uncover the innovative storytelling, character redesigns, and the fresh take on familiar characters — all crafted with love for the mythos and a desire to push boundaries. From the towering, terrifying new Batman to the gritty, real-world Gotham, this series offers a bold twist on a beloved universe. They explore how the creative team balances fresh storytelling with respect for tradition, reimagining heroes and villains alike. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to the world of comics, this is the future of Batman that deserves your attention, so let Kris, Alex, and Justin be your guide!
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Roses & Rejections: Drag Race All Stars S11 Episode 4 + Love Island S8 Preview
3w ago00:44:12Tap to summarizeYour reality TV besties have arrived! Michelle Chapman and Mostly Nitpicking’s DJ Chapman are dishing on all the drama, delusion, and occasionally genuine emotion from your favorite dating and competition shows. Love is Blind? Covered. RuPaul's Drag Race? Absolutely. The entire Bachelor franchise and whatever Netflix dropped this week? Honey, they watched it so you don't have to — but honestly, you should watch it too.This week Michelle and DJ cover Ru Paul's Drag Race All Stars 11 Episode 4. They talk about the start of the Pink bracket, which Queens they like and who they think will move forward. They wrap up the pod getting ready for Love Island USA Season 8!
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Bill vs. The MCU: Podding the Spider-Verse Part 5 - Morbius, Madame Web, + Kraven the Hunter
3w ago02:30:29Tap to summarizeHello and welcome to Bill vs the MCU! Each month your hosts Pop Break Podcasting Director Alex Marcus and Pop Break Editor in Chief Bill Bodkin are taking another step into the wider Marvel Multiverse as the MCU dives deeper into their Multiverse Saga.Bill & Alex spent all of 2022 rewatching the first four phases of the MCU, and, in the years since, they have covered the first four seasons of Agents of SHIELD, the entire Netflix Defenders Saga, Fox’s X-Men, Fantastic Four, and Daredevil films, the Blade trilogy, a few Punisher films, Ang Lee’s Hulk, and, most recently, Marvel’s Modern Animation line up of shows.This month, Alex & Bill are wrapping up the Sony Pictures rewatch portion of their season with a deep dive into SPUMC! That’s right they are reviewing Morbius (2022), Madame Web (2024), and Kraven the Hunter (2024) - aka the Sony Pictures Universe of Marvel Characters or SPUMC for short!Come back next month for their biannual check in on the MCU with reviews of Wonder Man Season 1, Daredevil: Born Again Season 2, and The Punisher: One Last Kill, all available to stream on Disney Plus!
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Podelay: Sea Change, 2002
3w ago01:22:30Tap to summarizeThis is Podelay, a podcast dedicated to alternative rock pioneer Beck Hansen! After completing their Pod of Doom series, Randy Allain (Media/Lit) and Justin Mancini (TheCineMaverick.com) are back to take on a whole new genre. Our resident music podcasters are joined by Kris Ingersoll of Batman by the Numbers and the Media/Lit podcast, and this time, Randy steps into the host chair so that Justin can discover something new.In the seventh episode, Justin, Kris, and Randy explore a far more somber outing with the fittingly named Sea Change. They cover the poetry of Elizabeth Bishop, the oscillations in the stages of grief, and what it means to drive all night…even when it’s day. And as always, they recommend other artists for your listening pleasure.In every episode, each host will spotlight the following:· Where It’s At: a track they really like.· It’s A Loser, Baby: a track they don’t.· Sing It Again: a favorite lyric.· Such A Beautiful Way: a favorite musical moment.Join them as they travel to a destination a little up the road from the conversations and the pods you know. Please join us for the show that poses one simple question: I’m a podcast, baby, so why don’t you stream me?Host Picks: Where It’s At (A Song We Think Is Underrated or Just Really Like)Justin – Round the BendKris – The Golden AgeRandy – Lonesome Tears It’s a Loser, Baby (A Song We Don’t Like So Much)Justin – Sunday Sun (qualified)Kris – Side of the Road (qualified)Randy – Already Dead (qualified) Sing It Again (A Favorite Lyric)Justin – Lonesome TearsKris – The Golden AgeRandy – Round the Bend Such a Beautiful Way (A Favorite Musical Moment)Justin – Already DeadKris – Paper TigerRandy – Guess I’m Doing Fine Other Artists We’ve Been Listening To:Justin – YesKris – Punk Rock FactoryRandy – Jocie Adams
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Roses & Rejections: Drag Race All Stars S11 Episode 3 + Love Is Blind S4 Update
4w ago00:43:09Tap to summarizeYour reality TV besties have arrived! Michelle Chapman and Mostly Nitpicking’s DJ Chapman are dishing on all the drama, delusion, and occasionally genuine emotion from your favorite dating and competition shows. Love is Blind? Covered. RuPaul's Drag Race? Absolutely. The entire Bachelor franchise and whatever Netflix dropped this week? Honey, they watched it so you don't have to — but honestly, you should watch it too.This week Michelle and DJ discuss Ru Paul's Drag Race All Stars 11 Episode 3. They discuss their thoughts on the Orange bracket now that we know who the top 2 Queens are and if the right decision was made. They also briefly dish on the news that Kwame and Chelsea from Love Is Blind Season 4 have broken up.
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