The guys (Kareem, Ken, and Pat) start 2024 reviewing 2023 and its biggest cultural moments from the martyred Pop Tart to strike hero Fran Drescher. Tangents include Pedro Pascal being the world’s daddy, unhelpful AI, new Superman comics, and more.
Show Notes
- Today we’re going to look back at the year 2023 and highlight some of the most memorable moments and stories that shaped pop culture.
- First, let’s talk about the phenomenon that took the internet by storm: Barbenheimer. For those who don’t know, Barbenheimer is the name given to the simultaneous release of two movies on July 21, 2023: Barbie, a fantasy comedy starring Margot Robbie as the iconic doll, and Oppenheimer, a biographical thriller starring Cillian Murphy as the father of the atomic bomb. The contrast between the two films sparked a wave of memes, jokes, and fan art, as well as a debate over which one to watch first or as a double feature.
- Barbenheimer also became a cultural phenomenon that transcended the movies themselves. Celebrities, politicians, and even the cast and crew of both films joined in on the fun, expressing their support and enthusiasm for both projects. Tom Cruise, for example, bought tickets to watch both films while his own movie, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, was still in theaters. 5 Both films also received critical acclaim and commercial success, earning a combined 21 nominations at the 96th Academy Awards, including Best Picture for both.
- Next, let’s talk about ChatGPT, the AI-powered language model that revolutionized the way we communicate, create, and learn. ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, is capable of generating human-like text based on context and past conversations, as well as creating images, voice, and custom GPTs for various purposes.
- ChatGPT became a popular tool for people to ask questions, find creative inspiration, learn new skills, and have fun. Some of the most common uses of ChatGPT were to help with writing, coding, planning, translating, teaching, and entertaining. ChatGPT also spawned a number of viral trends, such as rapping, storytelling, gaming, and prank calling. ChatGPT was praised for its versatility, intelligence, and humor, but also faced some criticism for its ethical, social, and legal implications.
- Moving on, let’s talk about some of the actors who dominated the screen in 2023: Chris Pratt and Pedro Pascal. Both actors had multiple starring roles in blockbuster films and TV shows, showcasing their range, charisma, and talent. Chris Pratt played Star-Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Owen Grady in Jurassic World: Dominion, Mario in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and Dieter Bravo in The Bubble. Pedro Pascal played Joel Miller in The Last of Us, The Mandalorian in The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett, Clint in Freaky Tales, and Silva in Strange Way of Life.
- Both actors received critical and fan acclaim for their performances, as well as nominations and awards for their work. Chris Pratt was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy for The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and Pedro Pascal won a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series for The Last of Us. Both actors also used their fame and influence to support various causes and charities, such as environmental conservation, mental health awareness, and social justice.
- Finally, let’s talk about some of the other pop culture highlights of 2023, such as:
- SAG-AFTRA
- Pop Tart death
- The death of the MCU.
- New Comics
- Ghostbusters: Frozen Kingdom
- Madem Web
- Civil War
The Podcasts
CAPES, CHOAS, AND COLLECTIBLES – Reviwing content for our 2025 Comic-Con panel – Tangential Giants Podcast
Tangential Giants gear up for their July 2025 Comic-Con panel with a mix of sharp insights and chaotic detours. Expect candid talk on how the comics industry still struggles with writing full female characters, irreverent tangents about X-rated Golden Girls t-shirts, and the kind of catchy jingles that once sold knockoff Transformers toys. Equal parts Comic-Con preview, pop culture critique, and toy nostalgia, this episode proves that the tangents are the real headline.#comiccon #comicbookculture #comicbookpodcast #butterflyeffect #chaostheory #goldengirls #toyculture #podcastlife #nerdculture
Images from the show
tangentialgiants.com 