PODCAST · society
The Drop
by The Age and Sydney Morning Herald
The Drop is a weekly show tackling the latest in the world of pop culture and entertainment. Why does it seem like everything on television is based on a true story? Why is Kate Bush back in the charts? How did Pete Davidson get so popular? Join host Osman Faruqi and The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age's team of culture writers and critics as they answer these questions and more along with interviews with musicians, actors, film makers and everyone involved in the world of culture.
Episodes
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The Drop is on hiatus
The Drop is on hiatus. We'll post any updates here, but in the meantime, keep following our entertainment culture news and analysis at The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Be back soon
The Drop is taking a short break. Check back soon with the latest from The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age's culture writers and critics from the world of pop culture and entertainment. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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The stylish, divisive 'Blink Twice', Oasis is back, and 'Industry' gets even better
Blink Twice, Zoe Kravitz's directorial debut, is the latest #MeToo thriller designed to skewer the rich. In this episode, Meg, Thomas and Osman discuss whether Kravitz adds anything new the conversation or just rehashes films like Don't Worry Darling, Promising Young Woman and Get Out. Plus…
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Our annual Australian TV check-in, the end of 'Bennifer' and 'Industry' S3E2 (Plus, some big news)
Another year, another marathon-length Logies. But this year’s ceremony showed a massive shift in Australian TV with Netflix’s Boy Swallows Universe swallowing the whole event. Osman, Thomas and returning guest Meg discuss the state of Aussie drama and comedy on commercial TV and whether the...
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The 'It Ends With Us' controversy, Raygun culture wars and Industry's triumphant return
The film adaptation of Colleen Hoover's wildly popular book It Ends With Us is having it's Don't Worry Darling moment, with behind-the-scenes drama between co-stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni overshadowing the film's release. Osman, Thomas and special guest Meg discuss the film, it's...
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Can the Olympics save us? Plus, 'Deadpool & Wolverine', 'Twisters' and the state of cinema
We're in the midst of the biggest TV event that comes around every four years: the Olympics. Osman, Thomas and Mel have Olympics fever, and they share their favourite moments so far - from emotional victories, to funny highlights and best celebrity encounters. Then they turn their attention to…
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The rise and fall of Brat culture. Plus, 'Entourage' turns 20
Are you having a Brat summer? Presidential candidate Kamala Harris is, according to singer Charli XCX. In this episode, Mel, Thomas and Os consider whether the Brat movement has reached its peak, and what happens when pop culture and presidential elections collide. Plus, 20 years ago Vince, E…
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Does 'Longlegs' live up to the hype? Plus, Katy Perry tries feminism, and the ABC vs young people
In a culture-packed episode, Osman, Thomas and Mel discuss Shaun Micallef's return to the ABC and what it says about the broadcaster's failure to invest in younger creatives, and try to attract young audiences. They unpack Katy Perry's disastrous attempt at a comeback, why Woman's World fails as…
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The crisis in Australian music. Plus, did 'The Bear' redeem itself?
The most popular Australian song in this year was released 11 years ago. The dominance of Vance Joy's Riptide, as well the command 40-year-old tracks by AC/DC have on the charts have highlighted a massive problem in Australian music: It's never been harder for Australian artists to break through,...
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What went wrong with 'The Bear'? Plus, our recent TV highlights
One of our most highly anticipated shows of the year, The Bear, is back. Os, Thomas and Mel break down the good and the bad of season three and discuss why it doesn't feel as tight and polished as earlier seasons. They discuss where they show is heading, if it can redeem itself and what it's…
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What's behind the rise of pop's new stars? Plus, Austin Butler (!) and the state of Australian TV
Artists like Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX have been making music for years, but it's only in the last few weeks they've achieved mainstream commercial success. Their rise marks a radical shift in the pop music landscape, and a new sound that contrasts to titans like Taylor…
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'Under the Bridge', 'Presumed Innocent' and our obsession with crime shows
Mel, Thomas and Meg discuss why we're so bloodthirsty for crime series and documentaries, and the genre's prestige glow-up. We discuss the ethics of the genre, why its attracting big name celebrities, and some of our favourite shows from recent years. Plus, David Sedaris' New Yorker essay and...
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The bratty, brash brilliance of Charli XCX. Plus, 'Clipped' and 'Ren Faire' capture the dark side of America
Brat is Charli XCX's best album yet, and one of the best pop records of the year. It's a throwback to 2000's club culture mixed with avant-garde production and lyrics about loss, love and the state of the world. Osman, Mel and special guest Meg Watson discuss why Brat feels so different to other...
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Netflix’s 'Hit Man' is 2024's best film. Plus, a Richard Linklater deep dive
Movies are back! Hit Man is a stylish, twisty romantic thriller from acclaimed director Richard Linklater and stars Glen Powell (Anyone But You, Top Gun: Maverick). It hits Netflix on Friday and might just be our favourite film of the year. Osman, Thomas and Mel talk about how the film subverts...
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The 1999 Movie Hall of Fame
Join Mel, Thomas and Os as they travel 25 years back into the past, to revisit one of the greatest years in movie history: 1999. From Fight Club and American Beauty, to Magnolia and Cruel Intentions, they discuss the highs and lows of the ground breaking year, and determine what has (and has not)...
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The breathtaking 'Furiosa'. Plus Taylor vs. Billie and ScarJo vs. AI
The fifth instalment in George Miller's Mad Max franchise drives us back into the wasteland with Anya Taylor Joy at the wheel as Furiosa, alongside Chris Hemsworth. In this week's episode, Osman, Thomas and Mel discuss the action-packed blockbuster, how it compares to 2015's Fury Road and examine...
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How Netflix created 2024's biggest TV controversy, plus our new favourite comedy
As Baby Reindeer remains one of the most-watched shows globally, Mel and Osman discuss the consequences of drawing on real-life experiences for television, the “real” Martha’s interview with Piers Morgan and why audiences are obsessed with sleuthing. They also discuss Donald Trump’s attempt at…
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Who really won the Kendrick-Drake feud? Plus, The Fall Guy debate
The simmering feud between hip hop's biggest stars, Kendrick Lamar and Drake, reached boiling point this week with both artists dropping intensely personal diss tracks that included accusations of child abuse and violence against women. Mel, Thomas and Osman discuss the winners, the losers and…
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Did 'woke culture' really kill the sitcom? Plus, the era of 'Mid TV'
Jerry Seinfeld ignited a fire when he blamed "the extreme left and PC crap" for ruining comedy in a recent interview with The New Yorker. But is comedy really dead, and if so, who is to blame? In this week's episode Thomas, Osman, and a fresh-from-her-holiday Mel dissect comedy and cancel…
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Is Taylor Swift too big to fail? Plus, Baby Reindeer and our true crime obsession
Is it possible to have an honest and blunt conversation about peak Taylor Swift and her sprawling, sometimes self-indulgent 31 track double album, The Tortured Poets Department? That's what Osman and Thomas try to do, discussing how the album sounds, the themes Swift covers, the reaction from...
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The divisive Civil War, the sexy Challengers, and the return of buzzy films
Two of the most hyped films of the year have been released in cinemas this week: Alex Garland's Civil War, starring Kirsten Dunst and Luca Gaudignino's Challengers, starring Zendaya. Civil War is a bracing, incendiary and controversial look at a future, war-torn America and the role journalists...
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What makes a great (and terrible) TV finale? Plus, why Ripley and Shogun shouldn't be missed
After 12 seasons and 25 years Curb Your Enthusiasm has finally bowed out, and paid homage to one of the most controversial TV finales of all time. Osman and Thomas discuss the best and worst TV finales, from The Sopranos and Mad Men to Lost and Game of Thrones, and what makes some work while…
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The fast and fierce reaction to Beyoncé’s new album (Plus, special guest Dev Patel!)
Beyoncé’s latest album, Cowboy Carter, is a sprawling ode to the black roots of country as well as being a critique of America and the music industry at large. Osman and Thomas review the album and discuss how it’s been received, by those who love it and those who don’t. They discuss the new...
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The best (and most hyped) new music of 2024, so far
From pop to RnB, hip-hop to country, Osman, Thomas and Mel survey some of the biggest releases of the year. They discuss new albums from Waxahatchee, Kacey Musgraves, Ariana Grande, Tyla, Future and more, unpacking the continued dominance of country and the malaise mainstream hip-hop seems to be...
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The epic 'Three Body Problem', a brutal review of 'Irish Wish', and the great Netflix debate
What do a new rom-com starring Lindsay Lohan and an epic mystery show by the creators of Game of Thrones have in common? They both debuted on Netflix this week. Irish Wish (the number film on Netflix right now) and Three Body Problem sit at both ends of streamer's content strategy: Light, easy to...
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Celebrity, conspiracy and a Royal photo scandal (Plus, the most hyped films of 2024)
What's driving the obsession and conspiracy theories over the Royal photo scandal? Osman, Thomas and Mel explain how the situation unfolding, discuss why it lit a cultural flare, and how it fits into our contemporary understanding of celebrity culture. They discuss their favourite Royal-themed...
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The 2024 Oscars: All the winners and losers, from Oppenheimer to Barbie
Osman, Thomas and Mel react to the 2024 Academy Awards. They review the ceremony and discuss the Oppenheimer sweep, Barbie's near shut-out, the surprising moments and hand out their own prizes for winners and losers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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The 2024 Oscars deep dive (Plus, Shogun, Fred Again... and more Dune)
The 96th Academy Awards are nearly here. Osman, Thomas and Mel unpack the state of the race, share their favourite moments from recent Oscars history, breakdown how the awards are actually chosen and share who they think should, and will, win the major categories. Plus, they talk about the…
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Does Dune: Part Two deserve the hype? Plus, a TV and film news round-up
Dune: Part Two is the biggest movie event of 2024 so far. Osman, Thomas and Mel unpack whether this epic, weird and overwhelming movie lives up to the hype it's generated, and if casual movie-goers will enjoy it as much as serious fans. They also discuss the news that Netflix's Beef will be back...
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Could 'American Fiction' upset the Oscar race? Plus Australia's Taylor Swift meltdown
While Oppenheimer looks set to dominate the Academy Awards, another film is quietly gaining momentum. Based on the best-selling novel Erasure by Percival Everett, American Fiction is a literary comedy that confronts our culture's obsession with reducing people to outrageous stereotypes. Osman,...
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How reality TV became Australia's biggest export, and Beyonce's country turn
Married At First Sight, Australian Idol, Survivor, The Block... even the ABC's Muster Dogs. They're the most popular shows in the country, attracting millions of viewers every night. So how did Australia become a country dominated by reality TV? And why do Australian reality TV shows get such a...
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The Taylor Swift backlash is here. Plus, does awards season still matter?
Osman, Thomas and Mel are back for 2024 and kick things off with a discussion about the the entertainment industry's awards season, and what role the Emmys, Grammys and Oscars play in our cultural conversation. Then they turn their attention to Taylor Swift's dominance and if she's reached...
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2023 pop culture awards, plus what's coming in 2024
Mel and Thomas along with special guest host, Spectrum deputy editor Robert Moran look back at all the big pop culture moments in 2023 - from the Barbenheimer phenomenon to the Hollywood actor's strike and more. Plus films, TV and books to look forward to in 2024. And the very last Impress your...
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The best TV, films, books and music of 2023
From Succession to Oppenheimer to Fast Car, Mel and Thomas give their top picks of the best of culture from 2023. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Have streaming platforms ruined Christmas movies?
The arrival of the festive season brings the excuse to finally watch Christmas movies on repeat for an entire month. Mel and Thomas take a look at some of the classics like Home Alone and Love Actually, but also at the rise of bad Hallmark Christmas films that have inundated our streaming…
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A small update from The Drop ahead of a big few weeks
Mel and Thomas preview what's to come on The Drop over the next few weeks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Is Saltburn the most divisive film of the year? Plus, the best (and weirdest) show on TV right now
Saltburn, the dark psychological thriller starring Barry Keoghan and Jacob Elordi, is the second feature film from writer/director Emerald Fennell after her Oscar-nominated debut, Promising Young Women. It's one of the most divisive films of the year, with some critics describing it as a funny,...
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The Killer is a stylish, thrilling hit. Plus, Nathan Fielder is back with the wildest show of the year
David Fincher's The Killer is deservedly the most popular film on Netflix right now. Osman, Thomas and Mel unpack this stylish, cold-blooded thriller starring Michael Fassbender and discuss how it compares to other Fincher classics like The Social Network, Gone Girl, Fight Club and Zodiac. They...
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Is this really the end of prestige TV? Plus, Dumb Money and The Kardashians
What do The Wire, The Sopranos, Game of Thrones and Succession have in common? They're commonly regarded as examples of "prestige TV": high quality dramas, that push the medium forward and create plenty of buzz. But there's a growing sense that we be living in a post-prestige world. Osman, Thomas...
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The Hasan Minhaj controversy, Netflix’s OneFour doco, and a new fine-dining TV drama
They say never let the truth get in the way of a good story, but what about a funny joke? Following on from the New Yorker’s allegations that comedian Hasan Minhaj fabricated stories in his Netflix specials, Osman, Mel and Thomas discuss how much comedians should be allowed to embellish on stage,...
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Britney Spears, the ethics of celebrity memoirs and Taylor Swift v Martin Scorcese
Britney Spears is the latest celebrity to release a tell-all memoir, covering her rise to fame, relationships and controversial conservatorship. With the increasing popularity of celebrity memoirs, Julia Fox and Jada Pinkett Smith have also recently released much-hyped books, Osman, Thomas and…
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Why Killers of the Flower Moon is Martin Scorcese's most important film
From Goodfellas to Taxi Driver, The Wolf of Wall Street to The Departed, Martin Scorcese has made some of the biggest and best films in Hollywood history. But his latest film, Killers of the Flowers Moon, which focuses on a series of murders in the US in the 1920s could be the director at his…
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Why are Australia's biggest celebrities silent on the Voice?
Back in 2017 some of Australia's biggest stars, including Margot Robbie, Chris Hemsworth, Russell Crowe and Kylie Minogue, publicly backed the same-sex marriage campaign. But in the lead-up to the Voice referendum most celebrities have been silent. Osman, Thomas and Mel look at who is weighing…
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'Beckham', the problem with celebrity docos, and a hidden prestige TV gem
Netflix's latest blockbuster sports documentary, directed by Succession's Fisher Stevens, is about the life and career of David Beckham, and his relationship with Victoria (aka Posh Spice), Osman, Thomas and Mel review Beckham, discuss what makes a sports documentary and talk about whether...
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How Taylor Swift conquered... everything
Taylor Swift has already dominated the cultural conversation in 2023 and now she's turning her attention to professional sports, with a surprise appearance at an NFL match leading to a global meltdown. Osman, Thomas and Mel break down what exactly this crossover event means for pop culture and...
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The Russell Brand allegations and the cult of celebrity
A years long investigation into Russell Brand has seen the actor, comedian and controversial commentator accused of sexual assault by multiple women. Brand denies the allegations, but this week a number of examples of him acting inappropriately towards women have resurfaced. Osman, Thomas and Mel...
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Has Olivia Rodrigo really dropped the album of the year? Plus, celeb relationship chaos season is here
Pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo is back with her second album Guts, and it’s receiving rave reviews. Osman, Thomas and Mel discuss reaction to the album, the drama surrounding it, and what it says about the state of pop music right now. Plus, some of the insane celebrity relationship drama making...
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From Kylie to Leo: Everything to watch, listen to and read this spring
Osman, Thomas and Mel share what films, television, books and music they are most looking forward to over the next few months. From Martin Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon to Olivia Rodrigo's Guts and Britney Spears memoir The Woman in Me, here's the pop culture you don't want to miss. See...
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The wild story behind the No. 1 hit polarising the world
The biggest song in the world right now is Rich Men North of Richmond, a controversial country anthem. But is it's success really organic, or is it part of a right-wing plot to take over the charts? Osman, Thomas and Mel discuss the song's popularity and its politics amid the massive surge…
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Camp Cope on changing Australian music and why they're breaking up
Camp Cope are one of the most influential Australian bands of the past decade. Their music and their activism forced the industry to confront its history of sexism and discrimination. Now the band is breaking up. Today on The Drop, Georgia Maq, Sarah Thompson and Kelly-Dawn Helmrich talk about…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Drop is a weekly show tackling the latest in the world of pop culture and entertainment. Why does it seem like everything on television is based on a true story? Why is Kate Bush back in the charts? How did Pete Davidson get so popular? Join host Osman Faruqi and The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age's team of culture writers and critics as they answer these questions and more along with interviews with musicians, actors, film makers and everyone involved in the world of culture.
HOSTED BY
The Age and Sydney Morning Herald
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Drop have?
The Drop currently has 100 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Drop about?
The Drop is a weekly show tackling the latest in the world of pop culture and entertainment. Why does it seem like everything on television is based on a true story? Why is Kate Bush back in the charts? How did Pete Davidson get so popular? Join host Osman Faruqi and The Sydney Morning Herald and...
How often does The Drop release new episodes?
The Drop has 100 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Drop?
You can listen to The Drop on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Drop?
The Drop is created and hosted by The Age and Sydney Morning Herald.
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