What the Hype?! Pop Culture Podcasting

What the Hype?! Pop Culture Podcasting

What The Hype?! is the class you always wanted, but were never offered in school! Each week, a panel of pop culture junkies educate each other on today’s biggest books, shows, movies, and more. No matter your experience, there’s something for everyone. Total Noob? We'll educate you on why the fandom took off and what makes someone a true fan! Already an expert? We’ll just see about that! Our subsequent episodes will take you on a deep dive and really test your stan-hood! And, if you’re somewhere in the middle, teetering on the edge of fandom, we’ll show you What The Hype is all about!

Episodes

June 9, 2025 107 mins
Happy Pride, y’all! The topic for this week’s “What the Hype?!” discussion is, Pop Culture Pride! How do movies and TVs handle representation of LGBTQIA+ individuals, and historically what has changed since the film industry started? Join Eric, Laura, Pamela and special guest Robert for their insights, opinions and laughs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mark as Played
Season 2 of HBO Max's 'The Last of Us' is proving controversial for fans of the game and show alike. We break down the season and highlight the areas we loved, but don't shy away from talking about what the show was missing. Should the Ellie/Abby dynamic have been more front and center this season to help viewers understand why they need to care about Abby? Or was it important to give Ellie a full season to cover her emotional arc?...
Mark as Played
Welcome back to What The Hype! This week, the gang’s all here to break down the most exciting tidbits of television news to come out of the 2025 Upfront Presentations. Don’t know what the Upfronts are? Don’t worry– we’ll clue you in! Fandoms and television news discussed on this week’s episode include: Mike Schur’s ‘The Dig,’ ‘Game of Thrones’ spinoff ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,’ ‘Bridgerton’ season 4, ‘The Pitt,’ ‘Spider-Man ...
Mark as Played
We asked for feedback, and you provided! Join Laura, Pam, Eric and Micah for a very special What the Hype?!! mailbag episode, featuring feedback from you, the listener, regarding any of the pop culture properties we’ve covered on the show! And ones you love that you want us to chat about! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mark as Played
In time for Mother's Day, we’re diving deep into the beloved world of Gilmore Girls! From the fast-talking charm of Lorelai and Rory to the quirky, cozy vibe of Stars Hollow, we’re celebrating everything that made the series a fan favorite. We break down our favorite Gilmore Girls characters, debate the ultimate question—Dean, Jess, or Logan?—and revisit unforgettable side characters like Kirk, Paris, and Miss Patty. Plus, we share...
Mark as Played
Hello again, you! Join Micah, Pam and Laura as they recap the fifth and final season of Netflix’s hit psychological thriller ‘You’! What in the world is going on with the Lockwood family? Is Kate to blame for “activating” Joe? On the scale of Beck to Love, where does Bronte fall? Were the ghosts of girlfriends past too much for Joe? And were we satisfied with the ending? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoice...
Mark as Played
Hello you. This week on What The Hype we’re taking a dive into Netflix’s ‘You’ ahead of the premiere of the psychological thriller’s fifth and final season. Join. Pam, Laura and Micah as they reminisce on the past four seasons of the series and get to the bottom of just what makes Netflix’s ‘You’ so addicting. Plus, we’re sharing what tops our list as the wildest thing Joe Goldberg has done on the show! Learn more about your ad cho...
Mark as Played
Join us this week to hear our panel's instant reaction to the premiere episode of 'The Last of Us' season 2. We're fresh off the first episode of the first season, so check out our immediate impressions for how the second season is shaping up! We talk about changes from the game story so far, as well as what to expect in the weeks ahead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mark as Played
HEAVY SPOILER WARNING for the upcoming events of season 2. Eric, Laura, and Chelsea are back to theorize about how the next season may change up the order of events presented in the game to strategically ingratiate the audience with certain... complex characters. Will we get another departure episode that fits perfectly in the original story like 'Long, Long Time' in season 1? And where oh where will they cut the story to make us w...
Mark as Played
Micah and Laura come together after having a couple of days to take in the finale. We're doing a deep dive analysis of each principal character, and trying to draw theories and interpretations from the mind of Mike White. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mark as Played
Micah and Laura hop on late this Sunday evening to react to the season 3 finale of Max's 'The White Lotus.' Who lives, who dies, and who is transformed at the end of their stay in Thailand? Listen to hear which of our theories panned out, which didn't, and be sure to tune in for our deep dive analysis of season 3 coming soon! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mark as Played
SPOILER WARNING! When you’re lost in the darkness… tune in to What the Hype?! Today’s episode will begin our coverage of MAX’s “The Last of Us,” which has its Season 2 premiere on Sunday April 13. In this episode, the hosts recap the events of Season 1, as well as the video game on which it’s based. Excitingly, hosts Laura and Eric are joined by Chelsea Hopkins, and the whole panel has a lot to say. Chelsea and Eric previously cov...
Mark as Played
In our third and final Hunger Games episode (for now!), Andrew, Pam, and Eric review the second prequel in The Hunger Games series, 'Sunrise on the Reaping' starring Haymitch Abernathy. All of us are very impressed by how Suzanne Collins wove together a compelling new story that adds a lot to the characters who we adore. We breakdown the overall arc of the book, the new and old characters we're introduced to, what else we would li...
Mark as Played
March 21, 2025 52 mins
In this week's What the Hype?!, we continue to celebrate the release of the second Hunger Games spinoff, Sunrise on the Reaping(Don't worry, no spoilers until next week)! Andrew, Pam, and Eric chat about how they would fare if they were reaped for one of the Games, and what they would do in order to survive. Then, we take a look at who fans want to see portray a younger Haymitch, and do some fancasting of our own. Next week will ...
Mark as Played
With the release of the second Hunger Games spinoff Sunrise on the Reaping on the way, What the Hype?! looks back on the original trilogy by Suzanne Collins! What made the series work in the first place, and can readers still tolerate dystopian fiction given all that's going on in the world? We also share what we'd like to see in the Haymitch-led spinoff which arrives March 18, and look back on the first spinoff, The Ballad of Song...
Mark as Played
Hear no evil. See no evil. Speak no evil. Well, we're a podcast, so no dice on that last one. On this week's episode of What They Hype?!, Micah and Laura are dodging monkeys and monitor lizards, as they dive deep into Season 3 of the hit HBO TV series, The White Lotus. Join them as they explore the intricate dynamics and relationships of the hotel's guests and its staff. Micah and Laura discuss popular fan theories around who the f...
Mark as Played
As the Nintendo Switch turns 8 years old, Andrew, Laura, and friend of the show Marc discuss what has made Nintendo's latest console its best selling home system ever! From our favorite games to its unique features, we share what's made it special, and what Nintendo needs to do with the Switch 2 when it releases later in 2025. Plus, we look at the Nintendo Switch's top-selling games, which we would bring to a desert island, and why...
Mark as Played
We’re heading back to the Valley for our second episode of ‘Cobra Kai!’ Join hosts Micah and Pam as they break down their thoughts on the final four episodes of ‘Cobra Kai’ season 6. How did we feel about the overarching theme of redemption? Are we satisfied with the way the series left things off for all our favorite characters? Plus, where does the ‘Karate Kid’ franchise go from here? All that and more is discussed on the latest ...
Mark as Played
Kick back and relax during these crazy times with cozy video games! Eric, Andrew, Micah, and guest co-host Meg discuss their favorite video games that they can play and relax with for hours and hours. The panel introduce each other to Animal Crossing, Stardew Valley, Mini Motorways, A Link to the Past, The Sims, and more! We discuss the elements in them that help us lower our blood pressure, and what we look for in these types of g...
Mark as Played
The third book in the Fourth Wing series, 'Onyx Storm,' is also the fastest-selling adult novel in 20 years! Andrew, Laura, and Pam discuss the threequel's biggest twists and turns, including what we learn about Andarna, Xaden's family, the Isles, and what those cliffhangers at the end might really mean! Later in the episode we talk about the highly-anticipated Fourth Wing TV show, and when we can expect Rebecca Yarros to publish B...
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    Crime Junkie

    Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.

    True Crime Tonight

    If you eat, sleep, and breathe true crime, TRUE CRIME TONIGHT is serving up your nightly fix. Five nights a week, KT STUDIOS & iHEART RADIO invite listeners to pull up a seat for an unfiltered look at the biggest cases making headlines, celebrity scandals, and the trials everyone is watching. With a mix of expert analysis, hot takes, and listener call-ins, TRUE CRIME TONIGHT goes beyond the headlines to uncover the twists, turns, and unanswered questions that keep us all obsessed—because, at TRUE CRIME TONIGHT, there’s a seat for everyone. Whether breaking down crime scene forensics, scrutinizing serial killers, or debating the most binge-worthy true crime docs, True Crime Tonight is the fresh, fast-paced, and slightly addictive home for true crime lovers.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.