The Macademia Nuts

The Macademia Nuts

We’re media academics who chat about pop culture, media industries, news, and pretty much all things media

Episodes

February 28, 2024 75 mins

David saw the Sony “Spiderverse” movie Madame Web so you don’t have to. It is as bad as you’ve heard. The Nuts discuss the new X-Men ‘97 series and David’s subsequent watching of the original X-Men series. A discussion of the popularity of Stanley cups leads to a discussion of marketing and viral trends, and how Alec was mocked for his Member’s Only jacket in middle school. The Nuts extensively discuss home entertainment technology...

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This week was the Super Bowl, so of course Alec starts the episode by ranting about his difficulties getting a new iPhone from AT&T and UPS. Somehow this leads to a discussion of Super Bowl advertiser Temu and their unique business model. The Nuts do get around to talking about the enormous ratings of the Super Bowl, the halftime show, favorite commercials, and - not surprisingly - Taylor Swift. Other Super Bowl-related topics ...

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The Nuts have a spoiler-filled discussion of the Netflix true-crime documentary American Nightmare. Also, somehow David was unaware that there have been multiple seasons of the broadcast television show The Conners. The Nuts discuss the Grammys, including Taylor Swift and Beyonce. David has a favorite Taylor Swift album. Finally, the Nuts discuss people walking around with Apple Vision Pro.

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For some reason, butter keeps coming up in this episode. We’re sorry. Other observations include the world is cruel to night owls, and true Southerners like grits. Topics include the usual television recommendations, Alec’s new video game obsession, and the implications of the ongoing Swift/Kelce relationship. The Nuts question statistics about the most popular soft drink in each state, including the Coke vs. Pepsi debate, and they...

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Alec is very proud of his recent video game conquests on his new Nintendo Switch; however, Lindsey has no idea about any of it, and David doesn’t play Switch that much. The Nuts discuss the history of the gender divide in video gaming. Other topics include NBC’s decision to broadcast an NFL playoff game on their streaming platform Peacock, the Emmy Awards, and whether Lindsey would choose to save Amy Winehouse or Taylor Swift. Fina...

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From good to disturbing, the Nuts watched the worst (and best) so you don’t have to - unless you want to. Lindsey and David discuss the good movie that is also disturbing, Saltburn, and they convince Alec not to watch it. Alec and David don’t have to work very hard to convince Lindsey not to watch Rebel Moon, which some people out there actually enjoyed, apparently. Alec proposes his u-shaped model of movie badness and enjoyability...

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Netflix has finally released a detailed report of their hourly viewership of over 18,000 shows, and the Nuts are giddy about it. The Nuts discuss the implications of these numbers for television production and streaming products moving forward. Taylor Sheridan is suing one of his Yellowstone stars, Cole Hauser, over coffee, and the Nuts decide if they are Team Sheridan or Team Costner. The Nuts discuss their holiday viewing plans. ...

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Alec is very upset about FSU not making the college football playoff, and he takes it out on Bama graduate Lindsey. In fact, he takes it out on a lot of people, including the entire Southeast region and husky owners. The Nuts discuss the financial interests and media organizations involved in college football. Other topics include the new Indiana Jones, Brie Larson, and the MCU.

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David and Lindsey watched the Love Has Won documentary on HBO Max, and it has taken over their lives. They discuss the documentary, its shocking subject matter, and why Alec shouldn’t watch it. The Nuts then discuss cognitive dissonance and why people stay in cults, as well as how they could form their own cult. Other topics include college football,  Thanksgiving horror, the Eras Tour on streaming, and the failure of F1 in Vegas. ...

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Of course, the Nuts are excited about Thanksgiving Break, and they have strong opinions about last-minute class meeting times. The main conversation covers the end of the SAG-AFTRA strike, and what it means for the future of streaming. David and Alec went to see The Marvels so you don’t have to. The Nuts try to figure out where the MCU goes from here (the answer may be Deadpool). The rest of the conversation focuses on Letterkenny,...

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November 16, 2023 76 mins

Lindsey has read the Britney Spears biography, and David and Alec need the scoop. The Nuts then wrap up October by discussing The Exorcist and Monster Squad, which leads to a discussion of favorite movies the Nuts missed in the theaters - Lindsey and Alec discover they both have an appreciation for Kingdom of Heaven. Other topics include Marvel’s box office panic over The Marvels, the success of Five Nights at Freddie’s, and the en...

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Not only is Lindsey’s no-movie-theater streak broken, but this weekend she took her daughters to their very first movie in the theater. David and Alec interrogate her about the experience, and the Nuts discuss their first movie theater experiences (as well as what movies are appropriate for kids). The highlight of this week’s spooky Halloween episode is a discussion of scary movies, why we like them, and their enduring box office s...

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The streak is broken! Lindsey finally ended her almost decade-long ban on seeing movies in the theater for the Taylor Swift concert film. A discussion of her children’s soon-to-be first trip to the movies turned to the lies we tell children. Of course, the Eras Tour movie’s box office and implications are discussed, as is a disturbing Reddit post involving unhealthy fandom. Other topics include Beyonce’s successful tour, Nicholas C...

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The Nuts begin this week’s podcast with a debate about which was a better outreach for the NFL: the game played in London, the Toy Story broadcast, or the Swift/Kelce relationship. Other debates include Mark Rober vs. Bill Nye as the greatest kids science host, superhero fatigue, and Halloween costumes. David leads the group in a game of guess-the-movie based on quirky taglines, Alec has a theory about the Toy Story universe’s time...

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This week’s hot story is the potential relationship between Taylor Swift and NFL player Travis Kelce, dubbed “Traylor.” The Nuts discuss the gossip, the social metrics, the ratings, and the lonely lives of superstars. Alec and Lindsey make bold predictions about the length of the relationship. Other topics include Cameo, comic cons, and the price of interacting with a celebrity, other parasocial interactions, and the rise of creato...

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The Nuts discuss recent celebrity apologies from Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, and Drew Barrymore as well as the ongoing Hollywood writer’s strike. They then imagine a shared cinematic universe of animals on cocaine. Finally, Alec encourages David and Lindsey to subject themselves to the 80s Disney 3D attraction film Captain Eo starring Michael Jackson. Other topics include college football and physiometric measurement in research.

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With the weather-induced difficulties at the Blue Ridge Rock Festival, the Nuts discuss whether the culprit in outdoor festival drama is God or capitalism. Speaking of capitalism, the Nuts discuss the tense negotiations between Disney and cable provider Charter Spectrum, and what this portends for the future of television. On a related note, the Nuts have difficulty recognizing current network television shows. Other discussions in...

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September 6, 2023 75 mins

Burning Man turned into a watery mess, and the Nuts have strong opinions. Specifically, David and Linsey are committed to attending Fyre Fest II for reasons only they can explain. In other concert news, the Nuts extensively discuss Taylor Swift’s concert strategy and upcoming concert film. The Nuts discuss concert films, in general, including Alec’s love for U2 and David’s love for Tool. Finally, viewing discussions focus on Ahsoka...

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August 31, 2023 77 mins

Let’s just say the Nuts sing in this episode, and leave it at that. Other topics include Barbenheimer and the box office for the movie events of the summer, excellent basic cable shows, and NCAA conference expansion and upheaval in the entertainment industry. Finally, the Nuts end the episode by discussing the top television theme songs of all time.

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It’s the Macademia Nuts’ 50th Episode Extravaganza! To celebrate, Alec pitches a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles spinoff podcast idea that is promptly rejected by his colleagues. In turn, David plans an adventure to see Oppenheimer in IMAX. The Nuts discuss the difference between actual 70mm IMAX screens and the “Liemax” format used in most theaters. A planned battle about the show The Bear turns out to be a huge disappointment, espec...

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