As Baby Reindeer remains one of the most-watched shows globally, Mel and Osman discuss the consequences of drawing on real-life experiences for television, the “real” Martha’s interview with Piers Morgan and why audiences are obsessed with sleuthing.  They also discuss Donald Trump’s attempt at film podcasting, the Beyonce led takeover of the country charts and the aftermath of the Drake-Kendrick beer. Finally, they review Such Brave Girls and reveal why it might prove to be the year's best new comedy show.

The simmering feud between hip hop's biggest stars, Kendrick Lamar and Drake, reached boiling point this week with both artists dropping intensely personal diss tracks that included accusations of child abuse and violence against women. Mel, Thomas and Osman discuss the winners, the losers and the consequences of what could be rap's biggest battle in years. Plus, pop princess Dua Lipa risks her crown with new release Radical Optimism and Ryan Gosling takes an explosive turn in new action romcom The Fall Guy. Links: https://www.smh.com.au/culture/music/anatomy-of-a-rap-feud-the-real-winner-of-the-kendrick-and-drake-beef-20240506-p5fp6a.htmlhttps://www.smh.com.au/culture/movies/inside-the-stunt-that-saw-ryan-gosling-shut-down-the-harbour-bridge-20240416-p5fk2y.htmlhttps://www.smh.com.au/culture/movies/we-wanted-someone-funny-we-called-ryan-gosling-hollywood-s-most-hilarious-leading-man-20231101-p5egui.htmlhttps://www.smh.com.au/culture/movies/ryan-gosling-and-emily-blunt-all-fizzle-and-no-sizzle-in-the-fall-guy-20240422-p5flt0.html

Jerry Seinfeld ignited a fire when he blamed "the extreme left and PC crap" for ruining comedy in a recent interview with The New Yorker. But is comedy really dead, and if so, who is to blame? In this week's episode Thomas, Osman, and a fresh-from-her-holiday Mel dissect comedy and cancel culture, before turning to their attention to the claim that we're in the era of so-called "Mid TV". Does Amazon Prime's new rom-com, The Idea of You, starring Anne Hathaway, show the demise or potential of television in 2024? Plus, our pop culture recommendations for the week.

Is it possible to have an honest and blunt conversation about peak Taylor Swift and her sprawling, sometimes self-indulgent 31 track double album, The Tortured Poets Department? That's what Osman and Thomas try to do, discussing how the album sounds, the themes Swift covers, the reaction from critics and fans, and what a rare misstep could mean for her future projects. Plus, they discuss Arj Barker ejecting a woman and her crying baby from a recent comedy show, unpack the massive success of Netflix's Baby Reindeer and talk about the end of Shogun.

Two of the most hyped films of the year have been released in cinemas this week: Alex Garland's Civil War, starring Kirsten Dunst and Luca Gaudignino's Challengers, starring Zendaya. Civil War is a bracing, incendiary and controversial look at a future, war-torn America and the role journalists play in covering conflict. Challengers is a throwback to erotic thrillers of the 90s, a tennis film that is really about sex, power and relationships. Osman and Thomas discuss the movies, the complicated reaction to Civil War and how Challengers confirms Zendaya's star power.

After 12 seasons and 25 years Curb Your Enthusiasm has finally bowed out, and paid homage to one of the most controversial TV finales of all time. Osman and Thomas discuss the best and worst TV finales, from The Sopranos and Mad Men to Lost and Game of Thrones, and what makes some work while others fall flat. They also discuss two of the most elegant shows on TV right now, Ripley and Shogun, and what makes them transcend other shows.

Beyoncé’s latest album, Cowboy Carter, is a sprawling ode to the black roots of country as well as being a critique of America and the music industry at large. Osman and Thomas review the album and discuss how it’s been received, by those who love it and those who don’t. They discuss the new Netflix series Ripley and how it comes to the film starring Matt Damon and Jude Law before unpacking Monkey Man, the wild debut film from actor Dev Patel. Then Dev joins the show the talk about making the movie, his influences and the political message of the story.

From pop to RnB, hip-hop to country, Osman, Thomas and Mel survey some of the biggest releases of the year. They discuss new albums from Waxahatchee, Kacey Musgraves, Ariana Grande, Tyla, Future and more, unpacking the continued dominance of country and the malaise mainstream hip-hop seems to be in. Plus, the best in TV and books out this week.

What do a new rom-com starring Lindsay Lohan and an epic mystery show by the creators of Game of Thrones have in common? They both debuted on Netflix this week. Irish Wish (the number film on Netflix right now) and Three Body Problem sit at both ends of streamer's content strategy: Light, easy to digest fluff and high-budget, high-concept prestige. Osman, Thomas and Mel review both releases and discuss the current streaming landscape and Netflix's role in it. Plus, they share their film, TV and book recommendations of the week.

What's driving the obsession and conspiracy theories over the Royal photo scandal? Osman, Thomas and Mel explain how the situation unfolding, discuss why it lit a cultural flare, and how it fits into our contemporary understanding of celebrity culture. They discuss their favourite Royal-themed movies, likely Oscar contenders for 2025 and share their pop culture recommendations on Impress Your Friends.

Osman, Thomas and Mel react to the 2024 Academy Awards. They review the ceremony and discuss the Oppenheimer sweep, Barbie's near shut-out, the surprising moments and hand out their own prizes for winners and losers.

The 96th Academy Awards are nearly here. Osman, Thomas and Mel unpack the state of the race, share their favourite moments from recent Oscars history, breakdown how the awards are actually chosen and share who they think should, and will, win the major categories. Plus, they talk about the growing buzz around the new prestige TV series Shogun, debate the hype around Fred Again... and cover the reaction to Dune: Part Two.

Dune: Part Two is the biggest movie event of 2024 so far. Osman, Thomas and Mel unpack whether this epic, weird and overwhelming movie lives up to the hype it's generated, and if casual movie-goers will enjoy it as much as serious fans. They also discuss the news that Netflix's Beef will be back with an exciting new cast, the massive success of Anyone But You, changes to the Logies, and share their recommendations in Impress Your Friends.

While Oppenheimer looks set to dominate the Academy Awards, another film is quietly gaining momentum. Based on the best-selling novel Erasure by Percival Everett, American Fiction is a literary comedy that confronts our culture's obsession with reducing people to outrageous stereotypes. Osman, Thomas and Mel review the film (spoiler-free), discuss the rise of cultural gatekeepers and how American Fiction successfully challenges the ideas of representation in film, publishing and the arts. Plus, Taylor Swift is (still) in town, and everyone has lost their minds, but that’s a good thing, right? And of course, Impress Your Friends is back, but this time we’re also rating previous reccs. Fun!

Married At First Sight, Australian Idol, Survivor, The Block... even the ABC's Muster Dogs. They're the most popular shows in the country, attracting millions of viewers every night. So how did Australia become a country dominated by reality TV? And why do Australian reality TV shows get such a massive reception overseas? Is it good for our culture, or does is it happening at the detriment of drama and other more expensive genres? Plus, Osman, Thomas and Mel look at the winners and losers out of the Super Bowl and share their weekly recommendations.

Osman, Thomas and Mel are back for 2024 and kick things off with a discussion about the the entertainment industry's awards season, and what role the Emmys, Grammys and Oscars play in our cultural conversation. Then they turn their attention to Taylor Swift's dominance and if she's reached saturation point. Did she fumble her album announcement? Is the backlash unfair? Or is it time to re-interrogate the most powerful person in the business? Finally, a bumper Impress Your Friends segment where the hosts share their favourite summer watches, what they are streaming right now, and what they're excited about in 2024.

Mel and Thomas along with special guest host, Spectrum deputy editor Robert Moran look back at all the big pop culture moments in 2023 - from the Barbenheimer phenomenon to the Hollywood actor's strike and more. Plus films, TV and books to look forward to in 2024. And the very last Impress your friends segment for the year.

From Succession to Oppenheimer to Fast Car, Mel and Thomas give their top picks of the best of culture from 2023.

The arrival of the festive season brings the excuse to finally watch Christmas movies on repeat for an entire month. Mel and Thomas take a look at some of the classics like Home Alone and Love Actually, but also at the rise of bad Hallmark Christmas films that have inundated our streaming platforms over the past 10 years.

Mel and Thomas preview what's to come on The Drop over the next few weeks.

Saltburn, the dark psychological thriller starring Barry Keoghan and Jacob Elordi, is the second feature film from writer/director Emerald Fennell after her Oscar-nominated debut, Promising Young Women. It's one of the most divisive films of the year, with some critics describing it as a funny, sharp satire of the rich while others have dismissed it as derivative and messy. Osman, Thomas and Mel review the film (spoiler-free) and discuss the most controversial moments, what works and what doesn't, and how it compares to classics like BridesheadRevisited and The Talented Mr Ripley. Then they talk about the second episode of The Curse, which is fast becoming one of the best and strangest shows of the year. Plus, the latest season of The Crown and Jim Chalmers' obsession with 90s hip-hop.

David Fincher's The Killer is deservedly the most popular film on Netflix right now. Osman, Thomas and Mel unpack this stylish, cold-blooded thriller starring Michael Fassbender and discuss how it compares to other Fincher classics like The Social Network, Gone Girl, Fight Club and Zodiac. They also review the first episode of Nathan Fielder's new show The Curse, starring Emma Stone. Plus, a conversation about Robbie Williams' documentary, The Buccaneers and a new book about Marvel.

What do The Wire, The Sopranos, Game of Thrones and Succession have in common? They're commonly regarded as examples of "prestige TV": high quality dramas, that push the medium forward and create plenty of buzz. But there's a growing sense that we be living in a post-prestige world. Osman, Thomas and Mel try to define what exactly makes a show prestige, debate if we will ever have a show as good as Succession again and share some of their favourite, lesser-known TV dramas from the past few years. Plus, a conversation about the new film, Dumb Money and the latest season of The Kardashians.

They say never let the truth get in the way of a good story, but what about a funny joke? Following on from the New Yorker’s allegations that comedian Hasan Minhaj fabricated stories in his Netflix specials, Osman, Mel and Thomas discuss how much comedians should be allowed to embellish on stage, why Minhaj was fact-checked when other stand-ups aren’t, and where the line is when it comes to “emotional truth.” Plus, Mel learns about drill rap via the OneFour doco on Netflix, and there’s a new fine-dining drama that might just be better than The Bear.

Britney Spears is the latest celebrity to release a tell-all memoir, covering her rise to fame, relationships and controversial conservatorship. With the increasing popularity of celebrity memoirs, Julia Fox and Jada Pinkett Smith have also recently released much-hyped books, Osman, Thomas and Mel unpack what role they play in our understanding of pop culture and the ethics of telling one-side of the story. Plus, they cover the battle between Taylor Swift and Martin Scorcese at the box office and share their culture recommendations for the week.

From Goodfellas to Taxi Driver, The Wolf of Wall Street to The Departed, Martin Scorcese has made some of the biggest and best films in Hollywood history. But his latest film, Killers of the Flowers Moon, which focuses on a series of murders in the US in the 1920s  could be the director at his very best. Osman, Thomas and Mel discuss (spoiler-free) the Killers of the Flower Moon, and why it feels so important in this current moment. They compare notes on Scorsese's body of work, talk about their favourite films and zero in on his long running relationship with his two leads: Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro. Plus, Mel gives the thumbs up to Green Dot, a buzzy literary debut from a young Australian author and Osman talks about why he is into Netflix's The Fall of the House of Usher. 

Back in 2017 some of Australia's biggest stars, including Margot Robbie, Chris Hemsworth, Russell Crowe and Kylie Minogue, publicly backed the same-sex marriage campaign. But in the lead-up to the Voice referendum most celebrities have been silent. Osman, Thomas and Mel look at who is weighing into the Voice debate, who is staying quiet and unpack what role celebrity endorsements play in modern culture. Plus, they talk about Netflix's new film Fair Play, the Oscar-worthy romance Past Lives and the gripping new novel Bright Young Women.

Netflix's latest blockbuster sports documentary, directed by Succession's Fisher Stevens, is about the life and career of David Beckham, and his relationship with Victoria (aka Posh Spice), Osman, Thomas and Mel review Beckham, discuss what makes a sports documentary and talk about whether celebrities have too much control when it comes to telling the story of their lives before sharing their favourite sports docos of all time. Then they dig into The Gold, a gripping heist drama that deserves more buzz, before sharing their recommendations in Impress Your Friends.

Taylor Swift has already dominated the cultural conversation in 2023 and now she's turning her attention to professional sports, with a surprise appearance at an NFL match leading to a global meltdown. Osman, Thomas and Mel break down what exactly this crossover event means for pop culture and Swift, and why everyone is obsessed with Travis Kelce. Plus, they discuss the end of the Hollywood writers' strike, and share their recommendations in Impress Your Friends.

A years long investigation into Russell Brand has seen the actor, comedian and controversial commentator accused of sexual assault by multiple women. Brand denies the allegations, but this week a number of examples of him acting inappropriately towards women have resurfaced. Osman, Thomas and Mel unpack Brand's rise to fame, why his behaviour was never reined in and what his career, and the allegations against him, reveal about celebrity culture. Plus, we introduce a new segment: Impress Your Friends, featuring pop culture recommendations from each of the hosts.

Pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo is back with her second album Guts, and it’s receiving rave reviews. Osman, Thomas and Mel discuss reaction to the album, the drama surrounding it, and what it says about the state of pop music right now. Plus, some of the insane celebrity relationship drama making headlines recently, and what it tells us about the state of humanity and our own brains.

Osman, Thomas and Mel share what films, television, books and music they are most looking forward to over the next few months. From Martin Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon to Olivia Rodrigo's Guts and Britney Spears memoir The Woman in Me, here's the pop culture you don't want to miss.

The biggest song in the world right now is Rich Men North of Richmond, a controversial country anthem. But is it's success really organic, or is it part of a right-wing plot to take over the charts? Osman, Thomas and Mel discuss the song's popularity and its politics amid the massive surge country music is experiencing. Songs from Morgan Wallen and Luke Combs are dominating the charts, representing a significant shift away from pop and hip-hop. So why is country so popular right now, and what does it mean about how we consume music?

Camp Cope are one of the most influential Australian bands of the past decade. Their music and their activism forced the industry to confront its history of sexism and discrimination. Now the band is breaking up. Today on The Drop, Georgia Maq, Sarah Thompson and Kelly-Dawn Helmrich talk about the origins of Camp Cope, the impact they made, and why they are breaking up.

Welcome back to The O.C. b—ch! It's been twenty years since The O.C. hit screens and the time has come to revisit Newport, California. On this episode of The Drop Osman, Mel and Thomas discuss the hit series, examining its cultural impact at the time, the importance of its legacy today and how the shows sound track influenced the musical taste of a generation.

Wes Anderson is back with his 11th feature film, the star-studded Asteroid City. On this episode of The Drop, Osman, Thomas and Mel review the film, discuss how it compares to the rest of Anderson's filmography, and talk about the director's aesthetic and how it's influenced social media and the broader culture.

After one of the most controversial Logies in recent memory, Osman, Thomas and Mel discuss whether Australian TV's night-of-nights still matters, and what it tells us about the state of the industry. They also unpack what Sonia Kruger winning the Gold Logie means, given her controversial comments about Muslim immigration. Plus, a discussion about the second half of The Bear season two, which Thomas and Osman think could be better than Succession.

Barbie and Oppenheimer have smashed box office records around the world, including in Australia. Osman, Thomas and Mel unpack the Barbenheimer phenomenon and what it means for the future of cinema. Also, The Bear season two has finally arrived, and The Drop team dive into the first five episodes of the second season and debate whether the show maintained the quality of it's brilliant first season.

Colombian pop sensation J Balvin has sold 35 million albums, worked with Beyonce on his iconic track Mi Gente and gone to number one with Cardi B on I Like It. On this episode of The Drop, he drops by the studio on his first Australian tour to talk about his new album (featuring Usher), his upcoming collaboration with Ed Sheeran and the rise and rise of reggaeton.

After months of hype, the two biggest releases of the year are finally here. Osman, Thomas and Mel have seen Barbie and Oppenheimer and lived to tell the tale. Today on The Drop, spoiler-free reviews and analysis of both films, plus a special sealed section full of spoilers.

For the first time since 1960 actors and writers are on strike, shutting down film and TV productions across the world, including here in Australia. The Hollywood strike could go on for months and will shape the future of the entertainment industry. On this episode of The Drop, Osman, Thomas and Mel unpack the background to the strike, what the key issues are, the debate over AI and streaming, and what the end game could look like.

The highly anticipated second season of The Bear is nearly here. Osman, Thomas and Mel discuss why it hasn't aired in Australia, despite being available in the US for weeks, what the second season has in store, and why the show became such a massive hit. They also breakdown this year's Emmy nominations and talk about what they're watching right now.

Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh (Ocean's 11, Magic Mike) is back with a new HBO series, Full Circle. The tense crime thriller stars Claire Danes and Timothy Olyphant and looks at the aftermath of a botched kidnapping in New York City. Steven is back on The Drop to talk about Full Circle and share his thoughts on the current TV landscape and the state of Hollywood more broadly.

It's Barbie's world and Osman, Thomas and Mel are just living in it. On today's episode of The Drop, a conversation about Thomas' interview with Tom Cruise and a deep dive into the marketing hype around Margot Robbie's upcoming Barbie film, which has taken over the culture. Plus, a recap of the season finale of The Idol.

Jennifer Lawrence is back! The Oscar-winner is the star of new sex comedy No Hard Feelings, about a 32-year-old woman who attempts to seduce a 19-year-old. Osman, Thomas and Mel dig into J-Law's career, her pivot to comedy, and discuss what happened to the great comedy movies of the 2000s.

Osman, Thomas and Mel discuss the new season of And Just Like That and debate the show's merits compared to Sex and the City. They unpack the show's attempts to diversity to the cast and whether it works, and whether it's worth watching. Plus, they discuss episode three of the The Idol and the news that The Bear will be delayed by nearly a month in Australia.

Osman Faruqi, Thomas Mitchell and Rob Moran break down the success of Kylie Minogue's latest hit Padam Padam and how a hit song is created in 2023. They look back at Kylie's career and her longevity and discuss her best songs. Plus, a look at The Idol episode two, and Osman recommends his favourite film of the year so far.

Osman, Thomas and Mel are back to break down HBO's controversial new show, The Idol. Starring Lily-Rose Depp and popstar The Weeknd, the show has been panned by critics. But is it as bad as the reviews say? Can The Weeknd actually act? Plus, they share their tips on the best new shows to watch to fill the gap left by Succession.

Osman, Thomas and Mel break down the final ever episode of Succession! Did the ending live up to the hype? What next for the Roys? How does Succession’s ending compare to other great prestige shows?  Plus, this final ever discussion of best lines, fun fact corner, and Gerri-watch.

Ahead of Succession's final ever episode, Osman, Thomas and Mel look back at what made the show such a cultural phenomenon, discuss the best and worst moments from the show's history, talk about underrated characters, predict how the show will end and answer listener questions. Plus, an interview with J. Smith Cameron who plays Gerri.