At the start of 2025, we made a list. A very confident list. A list full of pop culture hopes, expectations, and bold predictions about what the year had in store. Now that 2025 is officially in the rearview mirror, we’re back to see how that list actually held up… and spoiler alert: some takes aged better than others.

In this episode, we revisit what we were most excited for across movies, TV, and other corners of pop culture, break down what lived up to the hype (and what absolutely didn’t), and talk through how our opinions shifted once we actually sat down and watched everything. Along the way, we also call out a few surprises, disappointments, and pop culture moments that weren’t even on our radar when we first made that list.

Plus, because this is Pop Culture Roulette, we couldn’t resist adding in some things we completely missed the first time around and giving 2025 one last spin before moving on. Hit play, see what we got right, what we got wrong, and let us know how your pop culture expectations compared. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the episode — and tell us what 2025 moments you’re still thinking about.

#PopCultureRoulette #Smashland #PCR #PopCulture #2025InReview #Movies #Television #ExpectationsVsReality #Podcast

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… and also the season when Christmas music becomes completely unavoidable. 🎄🎶

This week on Pop Culture Roulette, we take a deep dive into the wide (and often exhausting) world of holiday songs. We debate the Christmas tracks we flat-out can’t stand, call out the specific versions that somehow managed to make perfectly good songs worse, and talk through the tunes we don’t necessarily hate—but also wouldn’t care if we never heard again.

Of course, it’s not all negativity. We also make time for the Christmas songs we genuinely enjoy and highlight artists who went the extra mile by creating original holiday music instead of relying on endless covers and recycled classics. Because even in a season packed with overplayed hits, there are still festive songs that feel fresh, fun, or worth defending year after year.

From shopping-mall staples to radio staples that have long overstayed their welcome, we break down what makes certain Christmas songs wear out faster than others. Are some tracks simply victims of overexposure? Are certain covers truly unforgivable? And is there a difference between a holiday classic and a song that just won’t stop playing?

Whether you’re building the perfect holiday playlist or aggressively reaching for the skip button, this episode is for anyone with strong opinions about Christmas music. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, and let us know which songs are holiday hits, which ones are misses, and which are full-on hard passes.

#PopCultureRoulette #Smashland #PCR #ChristmasMusic #HolidaySongs #HolidayDebates #SeasonalHotTakes #OriginalChristmasSongs #MusicDiscussion #ChristmasClassics

Ho ho hold on — because this week on Pop Culture Roulette, we’re tackling one of the biggest holiday questions of all time: who played Santa Claus the best in live-action film or television? And to be clear, we’re not talking about characters who put on the suit — we’re talking about actors who were Santa. The real deal. North Pole credentials required.

From warm and wholesome to sarcastic, intimidating, magical, or downright unhinged, Santa has taken many forms on screen. We dig into what actually makes a great Santa performance: is it heart, humor, screen presence, belief, intimidation factor, or pure Christmas magic? Along the way, we debate our favorites, defend controversial picks, and try (key word: try) to agree on who truly deserves the title of the One True Santa.

As always, the rules are loose, the opinions are strong, and the arguments are festive. Whether you’re here for nostalgia, laughs, or to yell at us about who we forgot, grab some milk and cookies and join the debate. Listen now, then let us know: who do you think is the definitive Santa?

#PopCultureRoulette #Smashland #PCR #SantaClaus #MovieSanta #TVSanta #KrisKringle #TimAllen #EdmundGwenn #RichardAttenborough #DavidHarbour #JKSimmonns #ChristmasMovies #HolidaySpecial #HolidayMovies