Cultural Futures Exchange

Ep 31: Whatever Happened to Billy Squier?

This week on CFX we explore the career of singer, guitarist, songwriter and “fancy dancer” Billy Squier. Most importantly, we try to find out whether what seemed destined to be a successful career was prematurely ended by what many claim is the most notoriously bad music video of all time, or if his style of keyboard heavy album oriented rock had just run its course. We decide if Squier’s music will stand the time and, along the way we learn…
Why Prince and Paul Stanley could get away with things Billy Squier couldn’t 
What fire will do to a 45 RPM single
Why the Billboard AOR chart should of been called the B.S. chart for more than one reason
If Billy was trying to tell the world something about himself
Why Nagel sucks
How fragile being a "good looking and sexy guy" actually is...
How Billy keeps Central Park clean
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 30: Midsomer Murders

Well, if you’ve ever had any doubt that we’re a couple of old chaps, then I think this episode will put that to rest. We are! That’s right, this week, on CFX, we are talking about the favorite television show of not only the late Queen Elizabeth II but every British pensioner, Midsomer Murders! Unlike most of what we have covered in the past, this show is still on the air and shows no sign of slowing down even though, like us, the majority of its audience and cast, has gotten on in years. This week we get into detective mode to answer the question of whether this ludicrously over the top and lascivious mystery show will stand the test of time and along the way we learn..
How to survive in Midsomer even though your odds of getting killed are quite high
Why sometimes the best replacement for a retiring police inspector is his/her own first cousin
What is the difference between craft beer and “real ale” (actually we still don’t know)
Why you should never underestimate the strength of an elderly person if you’re in the greater Causton area
What being “rat-assed” means and the best remedy for the condition
How many hobby clubs and groups a small town in England can support
Why you should probably keep it in your pants around Midsomer way….
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 29: SIMON & garfunkel

Hello podcast listeners, our old friends, it’s time for CFX again! This week we take on that dynamic duo, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel. We know what you’re thinking… How boring! Well, nothing could be further from the truth. We take you through the ups and downs of what has been a sometimes tense and rancorous musical marriage in a way that has seldom been done before. We decide if this music stands the test of time like a “fortress deep and mighty” or is it just a “pocketful of mumbles”. Along the way we learn…
Why Art Garfunkel should be named Art Grudge-funkel 
How Paul Simon liked to watch girls sleep when he wasn’t busy robbing liquor stores
Why Art should have donned a cape and joined a progressive rock band
Why that Nicaraguan lobster dinner may not leave you “feelin’ groovy”
How pettiness and jealousy were basically 3rd and 4th members of the band
Why a line about toast is one of Beavis and Butthead’s favorite lyrics
How Paul Simon *should* have reunited with Garfunkel
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 28: WKRP in Cincinnati

This week CFX heads back into the world of ‘70s AM radio, heading up and down the dial, to tackle one of the most beloved sitcoms of all time: WKRP in Cincinnati. We go into the backstory, cast, and characters of this groundbreaking show and then we try to decide if its ability to stand the test of time is really meant to be or if we’ll only think of it once in a while. Along the way we learn…
Which of the cast members once had a “thing” with Janis Joplin
What a Leprechaun is and why you’ll need to know that in order to graduate from DJ school
What famous actor could have played Andy Travis in a WKRP movie
Why you might want to be careful about using a prop poster with “Welcome Scum” written on it
Why you should ONLY watch this show on DVD (do not stream)
What the lyrics are to that end title theme
How Richard Nixon played a prominent role in the plot of a famous episode
What having a monkey on your foot actually means
And we almost forgot, fellow babies….BOOGER!!!
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 27: Donna Summer

Thank God it’s our 27th Episode and this week we talk about the Queen of Disco, Donna Summer. We decide if she’s an under-appreciated diva who broke new musical ground or if, well, Disco sucks! We take you through not only through the very interesting and unexpected twists and turns of her career, but also delve into the origins, downfall and rebirth of the disco genre itself and, along the way, we learn…
What disco cover version of a cornball classic contains what may be the gayest musical moment of all time
How Donna sold more albums than you might even fathom…
Why Georgio Moroder wasn’t paying very close attention when he watched Star Wars
What three videos should have been merged into one giant MTV classic
Who Harold Faltermeyer is and why this week was not Jeff’s favorite
How long Donna Summer can hold a note (it’s a long time!)
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 26: Meatballs

This week CFX heads back to Camp Northstar to evaluate Bill Murray’s 1979 big screen debut, Meatballs. While this film was very influential on teen movies of the ‘80s and made Murray a star, does its story of a camp full of loser underdogs pitted against the snobby rich kids of Camp Mohawk, stand the test of time? We attempt to find out and along the way, we learn…
How the real kids of Camp White Pine nearly sabotaged the entire production
How a porn actress played one of the major roles in this family, PG rated films
How two 30 year old teens and a former casting director wearing a pair of taped glasses created one of the most influential scenes of the decade
Why Bill Murray should probably hang up his amateur wrestling career
What Camp Mohawk kids get for $1000 a week…
Exactly how many counselors in training (CITs) a camp probably needs
Why IT JUST DOESN’T MATTER!
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 25: Rumours

Being that this is our 25th Episode, we decided to cover a major blockbuster album, Fleetwood Mac’s 1977 album Rumours. Now, while it might seem a little pointless to ask whether this album will stand the test of time given that it’s more popular now, nearly fifty years after the fact, than it has ever been, we figured what the hell, let’s do it anyway. Besides, this drops pretty close to Valentine’s Day and what could be more appropriate? The emotional turmoil, the devastated relationships, and the marathon drug abuse that fueled this landmark album are legendary. In this episode:
Find out how the history of Fleetwood Mac is even crazier than you think
We world premiere a never heard before “making of” documentary where we:
Learn why Stevie sounds like she has a cold on “Dreams” 
Hear the original version of “Never Going Back Again”
Learn what the song “The Chain” is actually about
Learn the true motivation behind Gold Dust Woman (hint, it was blow)
Why drugs made rock and roll great
Learn about the inspiration behind “You Make Lovin’ Fun”
Find out how to put the finishing touch on a Stevie Nicks Halloween costume
Who in the band was most likely to choke the shit out of someone
Exactly how many of Mick Fleetwood’s friends had an affair with his wife Jenny
*Special Note*: This episode was recorded before the death of Christine McVie. She will be missed. We have even more respect for her amazing career and legacy after researching this episode, which is dedicated to her memory. RIP Songbird.
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 24: Bugsy Malone

This week CFX examines one of the strangest children’s films of all time, renowned filmmaker Alan Parker’s debut, Bugsy Malone. Does this eccentric and artful alternate universe gangster film, with its whip cream-powered “splurge” guns, sarsaparilla-serving speakeasies and Flintstone-like pedal cars, stand the test of time? We attempt to find out and along the way, we learn…
How the actor who played an arch criminal in the film grew up to become one in real life (well, sort of…)
Why the singing voices of the child actors sound strangely mature
What universally acclaimed classic gangster film was improbably influenced by this film
Who Paul Williams is and why he is and will always be a diminutive ‘70s music god
How the art direction of this film remains one of the best of all time
Why Jodie Foster’s performance was preternaturally mature and maybe a bit sad
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 23: Fantasy Island

“De Plane! De Plane”, “Smiles, everyone smiles”… welcome to Fantasy Island, episode 23 of the CFX podcast. This week we take on one of the bat-shit craziest shows ever made. A show that featured everything from ESP-powered sasquatches to psychedelic ventriloquist dummies while churning through a seemingly endless supply of D and E rate Hollywood “celebrities”, putting them through the most bizarre and unbelievable (and yes, comical!) scenarios. It’s a show that got unbelievably dark and twisted at times and at other times was crushingly repetitive and mundane. We answer the question, once and for all, of whether Mr. Roarke and Tattoo stand the test of time and along the way we learn…
How Roarke faced off with the devil himself
Why Ricardo Montalban needed a bigger trailer in order to take a dump
Of the extremely limited vocal talents of your hosts as we explore another edition of Reenactment Theater
What is Corinthian leather anyway?
Why amusement park rides, air balloons and even llamas were used to expand the shows audience
How much cocaine was snorted in the writers’ room (actually, we don’t learn that but isn’t it obvious??) 
What the “most dangerous game” is and how many times you can milk that same trope
And how many times Mrs Brady can be leveraged to play in a sexually suggestive plot (answer…a lot!)
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 22: 70’s AM Radio Gold

On this special holiday episode of CFX (Ok, it just happens to come out on Xmas Day…) we take on ‘70s AM hit radio, also known as ‘70s AM Gold. Like we did on our Game Show episode (Episode 18: https://apple.co/3WebSzL), we explore the hits and misses, the long and short of this classic era. We celebrate the one-hit wonders that have stood the test of time and bemoan the songs we hated (and still hate) that we can’t get out of our heads. In doing so, we also learn…
How a street gang attack helped to create the happiest song ever written
Which “disco action” star was the victim of identity theft
What England Dan is actually singing in that song (you know the one) and why we wish John Ford Coley would retire already
Why the Slip-child liked his 70’s songs as filthy and gross as possible
What awful song from the ‘70s spawned a million YouTube parodies during the lockdown
Why you can’t stop staring into Darryl Dragon’s eyes
Why Jeff owes the Glen Campbell estate a huge apology (but will never deliver it)
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.