Cultural Futures Exchange

Ep 47: The Catcher in the Rye

This week CFX tackles one of the most popular and controversial books of all time, J.D. Salinger’s 1951 coming of age novel The Catcher in the Rye. This is a book that nearly everyone has read and we talk about how the book affected us when we read it as teenagers and how we view it now. We got into Salinger’s incredible life story, including his harrowing experiences in World War 2 and how his experiences influenced his writing and his difficult relationship with success  eventually led him to live life as a recluse and to stop publishing altogether. And, more importantly, we decide if this novel really knocks us out, really kills us, if you know what we mean, or is just phony and corny.  And, as usual, along the way, we also learn…
Why Jeff’s favorite character in the novel is (good ol’) Edgar Marsala  
Why Salinger might have identified with the more perverted residents at the Edmont Hotel
What famous actor wanted to adapt the book and play Holden himself even though he was a 40 year old man (actually, we forget to include this fact but it’s JERRY LEWIS!) 
What a butt-twitcher is and why we care
How Paul Stanley’s hairy chest plays into the story
And finally, will we be able to get past all that David Copperfield shit and channel our inner Stradlater to give Jane Gallagher the time or will we regress to our outer Ackley kid and get punched in the gut by Maurice the pimp?
 
Check us out on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/culturalfutures/) for links and additional content related to this and other episodes as well as clues to upcoming shows or write to us at culutralfuturesexchange@gmail.com
All audio clips are used under the "Fair Use" Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act in 1976; Allowance is made for "Fair Use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.
Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
All rights and credit go directly to its rightful owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Ep 46: Thin Lizzy

This week CFX celebrates St. Patrick’s Day by covering the greatest Irish band in history, Thin Lizzy! And if you consider that to be a controversial statement, we understand because as great as Thin Lizzy were, they weren’t nearly as popular as they should have been. Why weren’t they absolutely huge? Why wasn’t Phil Lynott, their charismatic leader and brilliant songwriter and bassist, a household name? Why did American FM radio barely play them? We dig into the band’s troubled history and do an analysis of their very interesting discography. We talk about the innovative twin guitar attack that spawned a thousand bands, Lynott’s poetic lyrics and brilliant storytelling, and what’s got to be the most under-appreciated drumming of all time. We talk about all the sex and we talk about all the drugs. This is a tragic story, but is there a happy CFX evaluation in the end? We decide that, and, as usual, along the way, we also learn…
How tough does a town have to be to have more than one jail?
What the deal is with ‘70s rock stars and their obsession with buffaloes?
Why Dean Martin may be the new Steely Dan of CFX
How does one get chocolate stains on one’s pants?
Why Phil Lynott missed his chance to write 70’s sitcom theme songs
Finally, are there any “gurls” who want a little more Irish in them? (Asking for a friend)
Check us out on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/culturalfutures/) for links and additional content related to this and other episodes as well as clues to upcoming shows or write to us at culutralfuturesexchange@gmail.com
All audio clips are used under the "Fair Use" Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act in 1976; Allowance is made for "Fair Use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.
Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
All rights and credit go directly to its rightful owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Ep 45: The Exorcist

This week, the power of CFX compels you to listen to our second Satanic episode in a row! That’s right, for Episode 45, we take on 1973 horror classic, The Exorcist! Is this the greatest, most shocking horror film ever made or just a pile of pea soup colored puke? We answer this by digging into every detail of the incredible story of how this film was made, its impact at then and whether it still stands the test of time. And, as always, along the way, we also learn….
Which CFX host has something creepy in common with Rick Springfield, Rick James and CFX alumnus Neil Giraldo.
What William Friedkin would do on set to get the best performances from his cast
How Mercedes McCambridge prepared for her role as Pazuzu
What words Jeff used to make the Ouija board spell out back in the day (and no it wasn’t Steely Dan Rules!)
Check us out on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/culturalfutures/) for links and additional content related to this and other episodes as well as clues to upcoming shows or write to us at culutralfuturesexchange@gmail.com
All audio clips are used under the "Fair Use" Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act in 1976; Allowance is made for "Fair Use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.
Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
All rights and credit go directly to its rightful owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Ep 44: Here’s to My Sweet Satan

This week CFX takes on the whole idea of Satanic music and the phenomenon of backmasking. Are rock artists intentionally hiding secret Satanic messages that are only revealed when the record is played backwards? And can our subconscious minds pick up on these messages somehow when the records are played forwards? We do a deep dive into the whole history of backmasking, the origins of Satan and God and all that and, of course, we got all the facts right because “we did our own research”! At any rate, join us for a fun, stupid episode where we make fun of some seriously stupid shit and, as usual, along the way, we learn…
How batshit crazy legendary heavy metal musician Dave Mustaine is now
Why you should never go near your fundamentalist Christian neighbor’s tool shed
What Satan has in common with Perry Mason
How the Satanic metal band Venom once outdid Weird Al Yankovic at musical comedy
How Iron Maiden contributed to fun with a Rasta spoof about Idi Amin...
 
Check us out on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/culturalfutures/) for links and additional content related to this and other episodes as well as clues to upcoming shows or write to us at culutralfuturesexchange@gmail.com
All audio clips are used under the "Fair Use" Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act in 1976; Allowance is made for "Fair Use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.
Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
All rights and credit go directly to its rightful owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Ep 43: Strangers with Candy

We’re back! And, this week, we take on the short-lived landmark cult comedy show, Strangers With Candy. This is an episode that really demonstrates, perhaps more than any other we have done, how the prospects of a CFX artifact can change so quickly. This show is only just a little over 20 years old and yet times have changed so dramatically, we can’t imagine it being made today. This is dark satire that crosses more than a few lines, but it also was ahead of its time in a way that makes it relevant today. It’s gross, edgy, provocative, controversial, full of memorable performances and at times, extremely funny. But does it stand the test of time? We find out and along the way, we also learn…
About the true story of a reformed junkie and hooker that inspired this show
Why you wouldn’t want to be stranded in the desert with Amy Sedaris
Who Roberto Gari is and why he might be the best silent comedian since Charlie Chaplin
How Arnold Schwarzenegger welcomed Chris Pratt to the family.
How it must be nice to hope for the thing you wish to want
Why you’ll never think of the “liberty bell” in the same way after listening to this episode
Why does your finger smell like his ass?
What poetry should really be about
About what could have been one of the best "presidential" video games ever…

Ep 42: Creedence Clearwater Revival

 
Proud Mary! Lodi! Bayous! Prince Valiant Hairdos! Flannel! Lawsuits! Self-plagiarism! That’s right, this week, there’s a whole lotta chooglin’ goin’ on as CFX takes on Creedence Clearwater Revival, the short-lived, but critically and popularly acclaimed rock band helmed by American icon, John Fogerty. Is this band really all that great and does their music stand the test of time? Can we even call CCR a band? We get to the bottom of all that, diving into the history, the myth, the zeitgeist and our personal CCR stories. And, as always, along the way, we also learn…
What was that noise coming from Doug Clifford’s hotel room
How John Fogerty financed three best picture winners and the most successful film trilogy of all time and yet has nothing to show for it
Why Ike Turner was even scarier than you might think
How CCR inspired Jeff's first Dr Demento parody submission
What John Fogerty thought of hippie bands like the Grateful Dead
What poignant advice Jeff has for Stephen Stills
How John Fogerty showed his a-hole bandmates what’s up at the HOF
Check us out on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/culturalfutures/) for links and additional content related to this and other episodes as well as clues to upcoming shows or write to us at culutralfuturesexchange@gmail.com
All audio clips are used under the "Fair Use" Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act in 1976; Allowance is made for "Fair Use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.
Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
All rights and credit go directly to its rightful owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Ep 41:War Games

Do you want to play a game? Let’s play… Global… Thermonuclear… War. That’s right, this week CFX takes on the classic 1983 technological thriller, WarGames, the film that introduced most of the world to a new kind of hero/villain, the “hacker”. But we put kind of a different spin on things as we also include quite a bit of discussion of a real life case of hacking as described in Cliff Stoll’s 1989 best seller, The Cuckoo’s Egg. We talk about our favorite and least favorite aspects of the film, how well it not only mirrors reality but how well it has stood the test of time, and also our personal histories with not only the film but with computers in the time period in which the film takes place. And, along the way, we also learn…
How to tell the difference between a “super” nerd, a “weird” nerd and a standard nerd.
How to properly butter a raw ear of corn.
What real life computer guru appeared in the nude in is his own biopic.
About another extremely dumb password cracking trope
Why it’s a poor idea to bring an alleged spy into the command center for the US nuclear arsenal
What pissing on a spark plug actually did to one shocked farm boy
And of course…who first suggested the idea of asexual reproduction….
Check us out on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/culturalfutures/) for links and additional content related to this and other episodes as well as clues to upcoming shows or write to us at culutralfuturesexchange@gmail.com
All audio clips are used under the "Fair Use" Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act in 1976; Allowance is made for "Fair Use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.
Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
All rights and credit go directly to its rightful owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Ep 40: Ratt’s Out of the Cellar

This week CFX takes on Out of the Cellar, the 1984 debut of hair metal icons Ratt. We do our usual dive into band history, influences, our personal histories, but then we take on this would be classic track by track and decide whether you should come “back for more” or flee the “scene of the crime”. Does the album stand the test of time or the band as a whole or neither or both? And, of course, as usual, along the way, we learn…
Why… well, we’ll tell you why… DIG.
How Stephen Pearcy went from Prince-like “new wave pirate” to washed up piece of beef jerky
Whether Warren DeMartini is a underappreciated guitar god or a faceless Eddie Van Halen clone
How many adverbs you can shove into a single line of a song
What sort of trees Ratt spent a lot of time shaking
Why Robin Crosby should not give lessons on making PSAs
What the Bobby Blotzer’s Ratt Experience is about, and how it’s one of the worst things ever
Check us out on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/culturalfutures/) for links and additional content related to this and other episodes as well as clues to upcoming shows or write to us at culutralfuturesexchange@gmail.com
All audio clips are used under the "Fair Use" Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act in 1976; Allowance is made for "Fair Use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.
Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
All rights and credit go directly to its rightful owners. No copyright infringement intended.

CFX Special Episode: In Memoriam-A Tribute to Don (Slip’s Dad)

He is known by many names: Don, Slip’s dad, Uncle Donnie, Brother, Papa Don, HB Ol’ Dude and Mr. Bitchin’ to name a few, but to all who knew him he was known as one of the smartest, funniest and friendliest guys ever. He passed away this year and instantly the world became a less awesome place. We couldn’t NOT do a show on Don, so this week CFX pays tribute to this great man by going over his life, specifically highlighting the pop cultural artifacts that meant a lot to him but also his son, who wouldn’t be co-hosting this show if not for his father’s influence and guidance. If you want to skip this one, that’s up to you. If you knew him, then you should know this isn’t some stolid, reverent kind of obituary, but we get lewd and as “not safe for work” as Don’s legacy merits. I think you’ll agree, he stands the test of time and is the best dad a kid could ever hope to have… but you’ll also learn…
Who was Don’s childhood idol 
How Don, the ‘70s wild man, celebrated his 30th birthday by engaging in a popular fad
What Saturday Night Live character Don impersonated at parties
How little Slip knows about sports (oh it’s sad…)
Why this episode was almost called “Fart Side of the Moon”
How when the family played a popular board game and Don was so good, no one else even got a turn
Which OC punk rock icon was Don’s neighbor and friend
Why Don was the best dad ever…
Check us out on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/culturalfutures/) for links and additional content related to this and other episodes as well as clues to upcoming shows or write to us at culutralfuturesexchange@gmail.com
All audio clips are used under the "Fair Use" Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act in 1976; Allowance is made for "Fair Use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.
Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
All rights and credit go directly to its rightful owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Ep 39: The Twilight Zone

Imagine if you would, a podcast—one of style and taste, and intellectual insight…Instead, however, you’re here with us! On this episode of CFX we’re going into a dimension not of sight or sound, but of mind to examine one of the most iconic TV shows in history: The Twilight Zone. We go over the history of the show, the one-of-a-kind, iconic TV genius who created it, and we pick some of our favorite (and not so favorite) episodes. As usual, we assess whether we think it stands the test of time, and while you make think you know what to expect, stay tuned because you never know where things are going to end up in the “CFX Zone” as we learn…
How Rod Serling served and survived some of the deadliest situations in World War II only to work and smoke himself to death by age 50
What iconic episodes were remade into horrible sequels in various reboots
What dangerous side gig Serling undertook to support his family in his early career
How some of the most profound historical events of the 20th century were direct influences on the show
Why one of our evaluations is kind of a crazy twist ending
How some previous stars in the CFX universe might fare in their own Twilight Zone episodes
 
Check us out on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/culturalfutures/) for links and additional content related to this and other episodes as well as clues to upcoming shows or write to us at culutralfuturesexchange@gmail.com
All audio clips are used under the "Fair Use" Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act in 1976; Allowance is made for "Fair Use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.
Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
All rights and credit go directly to its rightful owners. No copyright infringement intended.