Flushed Away From Memory
We pick up from last week on the salacious sensation from the early 2000’s. This episode focuses mainly on the numerous lawsuits involving Joe Francis, the infamous creator of Girls Gone Wild. This dude has managed to get himself into court for a cornucopia of offenses. Turns out the guy making millions by filming naked drunk college girls is a bit of a scumbag! Also stick around as the Dumpy Boys dip into tabloid sphere with the Kardashian Konnection.
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Culture Dumps examines one of the most controversial success stories of all time. Girls Gone Wild rose to fame in the late 90s, with their infamous advertisements littering late night TV. The phase “___ Gone Wild” became something of a meme. In the era of celebrity sex tapes, GGW perfectly fit into the burgeoning genre of reality porn. There is an undeniably exploitative theme to the entire franchise. There are so many problems with the video series and its millionaire creator, Joe Francis, we had to break this topic up into two episodes.
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Israel Kamakawiwoʻole is one of most successful Hawai’ian singers of all time. His ukulele cover of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” sold millions worldwide and appeared in over 50 movies. His huge physical presence made him instantly recognizable. His death at the age of 38 was mourned by all of Hawai’i. The irony of IZ was the success of his version of “Rainbow.” Here was an artist who spent most of his life and career dedicated towards the culture and traditions of Hawai’i, only to become incredibly famous with a cover song. The boys pay tribute to a true legend.
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Celebrity boxing is a catch all of bad taste and primal desires. You got violence, seeing successful people fall from grace, endless jokes at the expense of celebrities, it’s got it all. In 2002 Fox aired two nights of celebrity boxing that forever lowered the morality of everyone who watched and participated.
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Cabbage Patch Kids was like the Beanie Babies of the 80s, a children’s toy craze that led to a series of infamous in-store riots in the winter of 1983. However, the iconic doll started as folk art not even intended for mass manufacturing. Along the way we have intellectual property theft, multiple lawsuits, concept albums, and a bizarre pretend hospital where these “babies” are born. Cabbage always makes for a good dump
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This is a true Culture Dump right here folks! Martha Wash is a music legend, in 1990 anyone would have been lucky to work with her, but some producers felt that due to her appearance she couldn’t represent herself and models were hired to be the face of her voice. This total diss led to a series of landmark trials that changed the way artists are credited from then on. EVERYBODY DANCE NOW!
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As the world becomes consumed with Britneymania once again the Culture Dumps team shines a light on the all but forgotten ex-husband of one of the biggest stars of all time, Kevin Federline. While he is mostly known as the less-than-savory love interest of Britney Spears there is a lot more to K-Fed. Professional dancer, rapper, wrestler, actor, model, and father, he has kind of done it all, which might come as a surprise. While the boys make jokes, they realize he isn’t all that bad.
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The phrase “Jumping the Shark” refers to a moment in a television show, film, book, or any other form of entertainment where the established rules, characters, and plot points are tossed aside to make room for a ridiculous moment. To jump the shark is to create a culture dump. While the phrase comes from a notorious episode of “Happy Days,” there are hundreds of examples of shark jumping throughout entertainment history. Ryan is joined by Adam Papagan to discuss this phenomenon.
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Celebrity sex tapes are a phenomenon. Whether they were stolen and leaked to the public or purposefully released for financial gain, the public cannot get enough. Our fascination with the private lives of the famous can reach some uncomfortably invasive places. In this episode we track the dark history of celeb sex tapes and highlight the most influential of the bunch. From Pam and Tommy to Verne Troyer, this episode has it all!
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This week we go behind the iron curtain to discuss the Russian pseudo-lesbian powerpop group TATU. TATU took the world by storm with their school girl outfits and french kisses but there was so much more to the story than two girls in love navigating their emotions through song. It was all a hoax, there was no way one of the most anti-LGBT countries in the world would allow a real lesbian couple to become super stars. Ryan is joined once again by Audra Isadora who lends a unique perspective on this early 2000’s phenomenon.
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