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About The Pop Culture Professors
Analysis of popular culture and how it shapes society, with an emphasis on film and television. Features in-depth discussion, interviews with prominent scholars, and recordings of live shows. Hosted by Stephen Dyson, the associate director of the University of Connecticut Humanities Institute, and a professor of political science, and Jeffrey R. Dudas, professor of political science and affiliate faculty of American Studies at the University of Connecticut.
Analysis of popular culture and how it shapes society, with an emphasis on film and television. Features in-depth discussion, interviews with prominent scholars, and recordings of live shows. Hosted by Stephen Dyson, the associate director of the University of Connecticut Humanities Institute, and a professor of political science, and Jeffrey R. Dudas, professor of political science and affiliate faculty of American Studies at the University of Connecticut.
NBN Episodes hosted by The:
March 22, 2026
Michael Mann Reconsidered
It’s the Pop Culture Professors, and in this show we start a series on the films of Michael Mann. Structured as a knock-out tournament, we set his eig…
March 17, 2026
Michael Mann Reconsidered
It’s the Pop Culture Professors, and in this show we start a series on the films of Michael Mann. Structured as a knock-out tournament, we set his eig…
February 11, 2026
What Went Wrong with The Night Manager?
It’s The Pop Culture Professors, and we consider the final three episodes of The Night Manager, season two. We ask what went wrong with the second s…
January 21, 2026
Is 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple the Most Important Movie of the Year?
It’s The Pop Culture Professors, and today we analyze the new movie 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. A parable of humanism and dehumanization center…
January 16, 2026
The Night Manager Episodes 1—3 Analysis: It Never Ends!
It’s The Pop Culture Professors, and we analyze the first three episodes of The Night Manager, season two. We consider the season as a continuation of…
January 3, 2026
Pluribus Episodes 8 & 9 Analysis: It’s Over!
It’s The Pop Culture Professors, and we continue our analysis of Pluribus, with our thoughts on episode 8, “Charm Offensive” and episode 9, “La Chico …
December 24, 2025
Pluribus Episodes 6 & 7 Analysis: I Feel Fine!
It’s The Pop Culture Professors, and we continue our analysis of Pluribus, with our thoughts on episode 6, “HDP” an episode 7, “The Gap.” …
December 5, 2025
Pluribus Episodes 4&5 Analysis: We Need a Little Space
It’s The Pop Culture Professors, and we analyze the fourth and fifth episodes of Vince Gilligan’s new series Pluribus. …
November 16, 2025
Pluribus Episode 3 Analysis
It’s The Pop Culture Professors, and we analyze the third episode of Vince Gilligan’s new series Pluribus. We talk through this episode as a literaliz…
November 10, 2025
In “Pluribus” An America Without Division, But At What Price?
It’s The Pop Culture Professors, and we analyze the first two episodes of Vince Gilligan’s new series Pluribus. The show posits an extraordinary inter…
November 5, 2025
Springsteen’s "Nebraska" as a Political, Sonic, and Personal Document
It’s The Pop Culture Professors, and we consider Bruce Springsteen’s 1982 album Nebraska as personal and political document. With the release of the N…
October 7, 2025
In The Life of a Showgirl, Taylor Swift Addresses Love, Glamour, and Grit
It’s The Pop Culture Professors, and we review Taylor Swift’s new album “The Life of a Showgirl.” We consider the album’s themes: love, nostalgia, how…
September 29, 2025
Alien: Earth Episode Analysis
It’s The Pop Culture Professors, and we conclude our analysis of the FX series Alien: Earth with episode 7, “Emergence” and episode 8, “The Real Monst…
September 15, 2025
Alien: Earth Episode Analysis: In Space, No One… and The Fly
It’s The Pop Culture Professors, and we continue our analysis of the FX series Alien: Earth with episode 5, “In Space, No One…” and episode 6, “The Fl…
September 4, 2025
Alien: Earth Episode Analysis: Metamorphosis and Observation
It’s The Pop Culture Professors, and we continue our analysis of the FX series Alien: Earth with episode 3, “Metamorphosis” and episode 4, “Observatio…
August 16, 2025
Transhuman Horror in Alien: Earth
It’s The Pop Culture Professors, and today we react to the first two episodes of Alien: Earth. We break down the themes and ideas in the series, focus…
August 11, 2025
Horror and Humanism in "28 Years Later"
We break down the themes and ideas in 28 Years Later, with a particular focus on the politics of this Danny Boyle / Alex Garland sequel to 28 Days Lat…
June 25, 2025
Is Sinners a New Classic of Political Utopianism?
It’s the UConn Popcast, and we analyze the movie Sinners, starring Michael B. Jordan, just released on streaming. We address the political themes of t…
May 18, 2025
The Politics of Andor (Season 2, Episodes 10-12): Freedom and Order
It’s the UConn Popcast, and we continue our analysis of Andor season 2 with the conclusion to the series. We break down, analyze, and explain the poli…
May 11, 2025
The Politics of Andor (Season 2 Episodes 7-9): Truth and Discipline
It’s the UConn Popcast, and we continue our analysis of Andor season 2 with episodes 7-9. We break down the politics of these episodes, focusing on …
May 3, 2025
The Politics of Andor (Season 2 Episodes 4-6): Too Much Information
It’s the UConn Popcast, and we continue our analysis of Andor season 2 with episodes 4-6. We break down the politics of these episodes, focusing on th…
April 26, 2025
The Politics of Andor (Season 2 Episodes 1-3): The Personal is Political
It’s the UConn Popcast, and today we react to Andor Season 2, episodes 1-3. We break down the politics of these episodes, focusing on the motives and …
April 19, 2025
Will AI Transform What it Means to be Human in the Next Ten Years?
It’s the UConn Popcast, and what impact will AI have on being human in the next decade? Elon University’s Center for Imagining the Digital Future just…
April 11, 2025
The Great Gatsby is an American Dystopia
It’s the UConn Popcast, and on the 100th anniversary of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel, we explore what The Great Gatsby means in America today. …