Pogs were an absolute sensation in the early 1990’s, but why? The Culture Dumps team examines the cardboard discs and their popularity and discover that POGS were kind of bullshit.
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Episode 48: Jethro Tull vs. Metallica
The Grammy Awards have often dealt with a reputation of being out of touch. To some, they represent a huge institution that is always years behind the trends. The 1988 Grammys featured several new categories to keep up with the turning tide of music. The category “Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance Vocal or Instrumental” made its debut that year. Metallica was heavily favored to win with their groundbreaking album …And Justice For All. Metallica was arguably the most popular metal band of the late 80s. However, in a complete upset, the winner went to Jethro Tull. Known for their early 70s song “Aqualung,” Tull was not exactly known as an 80s chart topper. This is one of the most controversial moments in Grammy history.
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Episode 47: Interview with “Dude You’re Getting a Dell” Guy
From 2000 to 2003 it was impossible to avoid seeing a commercial for Dell Computers. The tech market was booming and Dell had a killer spokesperson, Steve. Steve was a stonerish teen who pleaded with parents to get him and his friends a Dell. Well, this episode we got Steve. Ben Curtis played the character and lost the gig over a bullshit scandal. Fascinating stuff with a positive outcome. Dude! You’re getting a Dell!
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Episode 46: Big Dogs vs Big Johnson
This week we have a double dump! Ryan is joined by Eric D of Methsyndicate to discuss the rise of two of the most groan worthy apparel brands of all time, Big Dogs and Big Johnson. What were both once multi-million dollar companies are now all but extinct, but how? But why? This episode is not only packed full of bootlegging, rebranding, and head scratchers, but also tons of dick jokes!
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Episode 45: Girls Gone Wild Part 2
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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Episode 44: Girls Gone Wild Part 1
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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Episode 43: IZ
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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Episode 42: Celebrity Boxing
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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Episode 41: Cabbage Patch Kids
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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Episode 40: Martha Wash vs C + C Music Factory
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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