Pop Culture Debate Club with Ronald Young Jr.

Which is the best movie soundtrack: Trainspotting or Purple Rain? The co-hosts of the One Song podcast square off this week with Diallo Riddle taking the side of Trainspotting and LUXXURY representing Purple Rain. However, the planned debate gets derailed immediately when host Ronald Young Jr. admits he’s “neutral” on Prince. In a PCDC first, the guests join forces and try to convince Ronald to give Prince another shot. Will they succeed?

Pop Culture Debate Club will be back with a brand new episode next week. This week, we wanted to share an episode of another great podcast from the BBC that you might enjoy – Central Intelligence, a major new audio drama series starring Kim Cattrall, Ed Harris and Johnny Flynn.  

Central Intelligence tells the inside story of the CIA from the perspective of Eloise Page (Kim Cattrall), who joined on the Agency’s first day in 1947 and, in a 40-year career, became one of its most powerful women. Eloise takes the listener on a journey through the highs and lows of US foreign policy, spanning the staggering world events that shaped her career, as well as portraying her relationships with early CIA leaders, Allen Dulles and Richard Helms. 

New episodes available on Fridays. Listen first on BBC Sounds.

In Episode 1, tensions with Russia in war-torn Europe, and a letter found in Hitler’s safe…

Who is the better filmmaker: Spike Lee or Tyler Perry? Jonquilyn Hill, the host of Explain It to Me, is Team Spike while Nichole Hill, the host of The Secret Adventures of Black People, is Team Tyler. And the neutral arbiter – until the end – is Ronald Young Jr. Jonquilyn argues that Spike Lee is a true artist who has made biopics, documentaries, music videos, and TV shows. Nichole says that Tyler Perry is an entertainer who makes films that are more broadly accessible. Which side will Ronald ultimately join this week? 

Which comic book publisher is superior: DC or Marvel? The co-hosts of the X-Ray Vision podcast duke it out this week with Rosie Knight on the side of DC and Jason Concepcion arguing for Marvel. And Ronald Young Jr. has the near-impossible task of picking a winner. Jason argues that Marvel is a more modern type of comic book experience and the characters are more grounded in reality. Rosie says that DC is arguably the originator of superhero comics whose characters have become cultural figureheads. Which way will Ronald rule this week?

Which mass transit action film is better: Speed or Passenger 57? Comedian Wyatt Cenac is here to represent Passenger 57, while comedian Chris Duffy argues in favor of Speed. And Ronald Young Jr. will cast the deciding vote. On the one hand, Speed launched Keanu Reeves’s action movie career and Chris says its legacy is undeniable. On the other hand, Passenger 57 did the same for Wesley Snipes and Wyatt says it holds up better. Which movie will Ronald select as this week’s winner?