We discuss high school drama TV shows and films in light of the genre-breaking, star-birthing teen drama Euphoria (3 seasons, 2019-2026), created by Sam Levinson after HBO got the rights to an Israeli drama that provided the basic situation. Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn and Al touch on Riverdale, Skins, Degrassi, John Hughes films, Buffy, Saved By the Bell, Less Than Zero, … [Read more...] about PMP#231: Euphoric Teens
Drama
PMP#230: Gettin’ Furious
To begin our new season, we're up to the moment covering the first season of Elizabeth Meriwether's Hulu crime drama Furious, about an abused detective pursuing, and ultimately relating to, an abused revenge killer. Note that the first half of this is spoiler-free, so curious folks who haven't yet seen the show are welcome on this one. How does this relate to other revenge … [Read more...] about PMP#230: Gettin’ Furious
PMP#216: Oscars So Black?
In light of the now-completed black history month and the upcoming Oscars, we consider the "Oscars So White" issue that was a hot topic about a decade ago. We all tried to watch some of the Oscar-nominated films by black creators, like Twelve Years a Slave, Moonlight, Judas and the Black Messiah, Boyz in Da Hood, et al. What makes for a critically lauded drama in this … [Read more...] about PMP#216: Oscars So Black?
PMP#215: Hamnet Dramatizes Shakespeare
When we don't know much about some genius playwright's life, why not make up some things based on the contents of his plays? Maybe put Shakespearean dialogue right in character's mouths, so the audience will say, "hey, I remember that line!" Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al talk through the Chloe Zhao Oscar-bait historical drama, Hamnet, and its source, the 2020 novel by … [Read more...] about PMP#215: Hamnet Dramatizes Shakespeare
PMP#197: Medically Dramatic
Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al discuss The Pitt and other medical dramas back to St. Elsewhere, ER, and Gray's Anatomy. Doctors and patients grappling with life and death stakes seems a strong premise for drama, but how many of these shows do we need? We talk about the gore, the pacing, the characters, the politics, and the other considerations that make The Pitt a great … [Read more...] about PMP#197: Medically Dramatic
PMP#194: Adolescence Wrecks Us
Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al watched the 4-part British crime series that's become #1 in 80 countries, breaking Netflix's records for an original series. And man, was it a bummer. But important! We reflect on the purpose of the show, its one-take-per-episode format, the choice of whose perspectives to show, the crazy good acting by such a young person, and we get a … [Read more...] about PMP#194: Adolescence Wrecks Us
PMP#167: “May December” and Other Docudramas
When we've already heard about someone's personal scandal in the news, do we need to also see it dramatized with A-list actors? We discuss Todd Haynes' 2023 film fictionalizing the long-aftermath of the Mary Kay Letourneau story. The main events of May December are fictional (based on a story by screenwriter Samy Burch along with Alex Mechanik): An actress (Natalie Portman) … [Read more...] about PMP#167: “May December” and Other Docudramas
PMP#127: You Down with Downton Abbey?
We discuss the appeal of this Julian-Fellowes-penned British historical drama in light of the new film. Is this really "a new era" or just more of the same, and is that bad? Mark is joined by returning guest Jon Lamoreaux (host of The Hustle music podcast), plus a couple: former newscaster Corrinne MacLeod (whom Mark SCANDOLOUSLY went on one date with at age 12) and her … [Read more...] about PMP#127: You Down with Downton Abbey?
PMP#125: The Dramatics of “This Is Us”
Mark is joined by rhetorician/educator Michelle Parrinello-Cason, Chris Sunami (The Pop Culture Philosopher), and award-winning former journalist Kera Mashek to discuss the recently concluded NBC drama created by Dan Fogelman. What's the message of the show, and is it a good one? Is this comfort food, or a stark portrayal of a diverse array of struggles with death, guilt, … [Read more...] about PMP#125: The Dramatics of “This Is Us”