All Episodes - Year 2000 Fix
Y2K didn't destroy the world but that didn't make the 21st Century any more predictable. Host Jordan and his band of millennial pals aim to recount the news, films, TV shows, politics, music, and societal trends from the year 2000 onward and assess their lasting effect today.
View Podcast Details26 Episodes
A Lifetime of Academy Awards (Part II)
Just in time for the 93rd Academy Awards, Jordan continues this Hollywood-themed podcast with cinephile friend, Claire. For Part II, Jordan and Claire give the Academy credit where credit is due and list off their favorite Award wins and nominations. Following that, the conversation gets meta! Jordan and Claire observe the behind-the-scenes politics of the 74th Academy Awards Ceremony (the first ceremony to air after the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks) as well as the 75th (the show that aired days after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq). They also work in a few jabs at other Academy controversies because there have been plenty of ‘em in the years since! It remains to be seen whether Jordan or Claire will ever win their own Academy Awards in this lifetime, so they instead conclude by asking the age-old question, “Do the Awards even matter?” (The answer being…maybe?) Listen to Part I here Message Year2000Fix on Anchor! WORKS CITED: Then-Academy President Frank Pierson’s 2001 Open Letter “The Terrorists Won’t Be Allowed to Hijack Oscar” Review from TIME Magazine of 74th Academy Awards Excerpts from Steve Pond’s 2005 Book “The Big Show: High Times and Dirty Dealings Backstage at the Academy Awards” – Includes info on the influence of the Iraq War on the Oscars The LA TIMES on the Iraq War and the Buildup to the 75th Academy Awards Michael Moore’s Oscar Acceptance Speech (Presented by Diane Lane) Transcript of Michael Moore’s speech with commentary Roger Ebert’s criticism of Moore’s public statements and BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE. Quoted article criticizing Michael Moore getting booed while Roman Polanski was cheered. Meryl Streep was one of those people standing! Only recently did certain celebrities express remorse for signing a petition to exonerate Polanski. Polanski would win again in 2020! LIFE OF PI’s VFX Team Laughed off Stage. See More Info Here. LIFE AFTER PI – Full Doc Backlash to CATS Visual Effects Joke Info on Writer’s Strike of 2007-2008 and its Effect on the Oscars Good video on DO THE OSCARS MATTER?
A Lifetime of Academy Awards (Part I)
With another Academy Awards Ceremony on the way, Jordan is joined by his cinephile friend, Claire, to talk about Hollywood’s biggest night! Together, they explore their first experiences watching the Oscars, their thoughts on the movies nominated this year, and their least favorite nominees and winners from the last 20 years. They also go over the shady politics that determine who goes home with a golden statue and the now-disgraced man who dominated the awards circuit for most of the 21st century. This episode is mostly Spoiler-Free and where there are spoilers…well, look you probably weren’t going to see the movie anyway. Stay tuned for Part II! Message YEAR 2000 FIX on Anchor here! Works Cited: The Union-Busting Origin of the Oscars The Confusing Way Votes are Tallied The Effect of Having 10 Best Pictures Nominees The Academy’s Proposed 2024 Rules for Nominees Experiences of Academy Voters Critique on Oscar Movies on Race Relations Why did CRASH Win Best Picture?! Yes, GREEN BOOK was that bad (and racist). Any Music Critic Will Tell You…the Music in 2012’s LES MISERABLES is BAD! The Ominous Influence of the Monster-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named on the Oscars
The 2003 California Recall - PART III: Arnold the President of KALLIE-FOR-NI-YA
The villainous plan of America’s energy pirates worked! They humiliated California Governor Gray Davis with their manufactured blackouts and made sure the Federal Government allowed them to bankrupt states with their obscene energy prices. Just as they planned, California’s voters were fed up with Gray Davis and the number of grievances they had with the governor would only grow. While Gray Davis narrowly won his 2002 re-election, he’d soon learn that his job was about to be (wait for it) TERMINATED! In the Part III conclusion of YEAR 2000 FIX’s Recall mini-series, Jordan explains how California’s 2003 Gubernatorial Recall became a reality, how Arnold Schwarzenegger (a movie star with no political experience) booted Gray Davis out of office, and the legacy of California under Schwarzenegger. Links to Part I and Part II Message YEAR 2000 FIX on Anchor here! SELECTED WORKS CITED: Arnold JibJab Video Jay Leno Announcement Video LA TIMES on 2003 Recall Election Results Article on leadup to the Recall. See also here. CNN on Walnut Creek Debate and CNN on Long Beach Rally Anderson Cooper-hosted debate on Recall The debate Schwarzenegger actually attended. See also here. Info on the 100+ candidates who ran. See New York Times report here. Info on Schwarzenegger’s accusations Arnie and Hitler. The allegations are mostly correct. Arnold’s Platform. See here on energy. Also here. Arnold’s F-YOU Letter 10-year overview on the Recall The unfortunate end to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s terms. See also here. And here. Could history repeat itself with Gavin Newsom? See what Gray Davis has to say about that!
The 2003 California Recall - PART II: Gray Davis’ Judgment Day and the Rolling Blackouts
The plot thickens in the story of California’s 2003 Gubernatorial Recall and ENRON has plenty to contribute! For Part II, Jordan rewinds to 2000 – the year a series of blackouts hit California. Was it at all suspicious that these blackouts occurred at the same time ENRON (and several other energy companies) made obscene profits selling high-priced energy back to California? Governor Gray Davis struggled to prove this, so the energy-deprived public blamed him! Explored in this episode: ENRON’s shameless energy trading schemes, the Bush Administration’s complicity, and the day Enron Chairman Ken Lay courted a certain action movie-star to take over the Golden State. Stay tuned for Part III, where YEAR 2000 FIX will exclusively analyze the 2003 Recall and Arnold Schwarzenegger’s successful gubernatorial campaign. Message YEAR 2000 FIX on Anchor here! SELECTED WORKS CITED: Part I on ENRON’s bankruptcy and ties to the Bush Administration Info on the 2005 Documentary ENRON: THE SMARTEST GUYS IN THE ROOM. I’m sure you can find this on Netflix. National Geographic Study on CA Blackouts Timeline of Blackouts Gray Davis’ advisor, David Freeman, testimony on the energy crisis World Socialist Website on ENRON’s schemes. Also, see here. CBS News Report on ENRON’s schemes Selected audio of Enron’s traders. See here for “Grandma Millie” call. PROJECT CENSORED on Arnold Schwarzenegger meeting Ken Lay. Also, see here. And here. And here. Aftermath of “Honest” Tim Belden Governor Gray Davis’ interview with FRONTLINE Article on the current state of CA Energy Policy Legacy of 2003 Recall
The 2003 California Recall - PART I: The ENRON States of America
ENRON: the energy and commodities company that proves that when you have enough money, power, influence, and sheer cockiness, you’re free to destroy the career of a state’s governor and install a cheesy action movie-star to succeed them. That sentence sounds ridiculous and yet, ENRON is a big reason Arnold Schwarzenegger took hold of California! In this three-part series covering the 2003 California Gubernatorial Recall, Jordan starts with something of a “villain backstory” and fulfills a lifelong goal of understanding what in the hell the ENRON scandal even was! Here, you will learn how ENRON’s Chairman/CEO Ken Lay and CEO/COO Jeffrey Skilling thrived in the deregulated energy market of the 90s & 2000s and how the company’s execs almost got away with all their crimes. You’ll also learn why, despite what the administration of President George W. Bush said, ENRON’s business scandal was ALSO an unexplored political scandal. Stay tuned for Part II, where Jordan will go over ENRON’s special relationship to California, and Part III, where Jordan will go over Arnold’s “machine-like” rise to governership. Message YEAR 2000 FIX on Anchor here! SELECTED WORKS CITED: Info on the 2005 Documentary ENRON: THE SMARTEST GUYS IN THE ROOM – a vital source for everything I say here. I wish I had a voice as smooth as Peter Coyote’s! The You’re Wrong About podcast episode on ENRON. *I credit this episode for educating me on the whole “there was barely a whistleblower” angle to the scandal.* Anderson Advisors on Mark to Market Accounting NBC NEWS on Sherron Watkins the “Whistleblower” Bethany McClean’s original FORTUNE article on ENRON 20/20 Hindsight from Bethany McClean and Others - 2002 John Olson takes on ENRON Pre-Scandal George W. Bush and ENRON. See more here. And here. And here. And here. And here. And nope, not done. Does Bush ever stop? OK, one more.
Guitar Hero & Rock Band – The Titans of Music Rhythm Games
In the mid-2000s, hardcore gamers and people whose knowledge of video games didn’t go beyond Pac-Man, had one thing in common: they had a GUITAR HERO controller in their living room! Or maybe, it was the ROCK BAND faux-drum kit. Either way, from 2005-2009, people loved video games that let them pretend to be rock-stars. Performing this week as a solo act, Jordan explains the origins of the GUITAR HERO and ROCK BAND franchises, why people enjoyed playing the games so much, and the probable reasons fans soon grew tired of them. Jordan also goes over how GUITAR HERO and ROCK BAND may have even influenced the way real musicians learn their craft. While many of us spent more time than we’d like to admit playing these games (instead of playing a real instrument), at least we didn’t drop out of school to do so full-time! Message Jordan on Anchor! WORKS CITED: The Daily Iowan by Bren Johnson – “While their guitars gently screech “ – August 30, 2007Next Venue for Guitar HERO III” PCs, Macs – PC MAG – September 12, 2007 Details on Activision partnering with NeverSoft Activision's GH release strategy 2009 News of Decreased GH and ROCK BAND sales Activision-Blizzard CEO, Bobby Kotick’s assessment on why Guitar Hero’s bubble popped Nathan Grayson of PC World Explains the once appeal: Financial News for GH and Rock Band See more here. – IGN in 2011 on ACTIVISION killing the GH franchise IGN Editorial: The Year the Music Games Died GuitarFreaks and Origins of Music Rhythm Games David Edery FREAKONOMICS Guest Post Thank You, Reddit for providing info on GH and Rock Band Music Licensing in Video Games Prince on GH The Romantics really sued Activision! IGN Interview with Alex Rigopoulos of Harmonix ROCK Band the Stars was a thing on VH1 Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr at E3 GH Metallica Ad
The Invasion of TV Psychics
When people like John Edward, Allison Dubois, or the Long Island Medium appear on TV and expose the intimate life details of a person they never met, are they able to do so because they are "psychic" or because they're really good at guessing? Jordan is rejoined by his brother (and host of the Tube Circuit podcast), Dylan, in an effort to assess the dark details of alleged psychics and why their tricks are so dangerous. They also discuss the possible reasons "psychics" invaded the media in the 2000s. Skip to the 37-minute mark to hear our commentary on the person most worthy of their criticism. We predict you will enjoy this episode! NOTE: We seriously hold nothing against people with supernatural beliefs. As stated, our criticism is towards people who exploit others and meddle in crime investigations. If you are a fan of any of the aforementioned people (or psychics in general), we do not mind if you skip this episode. Follow Year2000Fix on Instagram! Message Jordan on Anchor! WORKS CITED: Poll of who believes psychics. Also, see here. Psychic detectives and their harm. John Edward. What a guy! He predicted 9/11. The worst of Allison Dubois. The Pet Psychic Lisa Williams on Studio 10. Wrong Sylvia Browne on Larry King. Sylvia was wrong about Amanda Berry. Not that this was the first time she screwed with the relatives of missing kids. Few were kind when she died. Stop Sylvia Website and the story of the critic who met her!
AT THE MOVIES, Roger Ebert, & the Current State of Film Criticism
Jordan is joined by Miles, a person who equally loves movies and the people who review them. Together, they discuss their exposure to arguably the most famous critic of all-time, Roger Ebert, and AT THE MOVIES, the movie-review show Ebert appeared on for over twenty years. They also compare Ebert’s co-hosts (Gene Siskel and Richard Roeper), explain his influence on other film critics, and make sense of film critic circles today. Here’s hoping you give this episode a “Thumbs Up”! Follow Year2000Fix on Instagram! Message Jordan on Anchor! WORKS CITED: YouTube playlist that archives many Siskel & Ebert and Ebert & Roeper reviews Brief history of Roger Ebert and AT THE MOVIES Siskel and Ebert’s influence on modern film critics Ebert and Roeper's Last Show Hollywood Reporter on the end of Ebert and Roeper’s tenure on AT THE MOVIES Amazon Prime Video link to the 2014 Roger Ebert doc LIFE ITSELF The Ringer article on the Rotten Tomatoes effect Ebert Takes Down Rob Schneider (This was cut for time but the epilogue to this is that two years later, Schneider kindly delivered flowers to Ebert in the hospital, joking they were from his “least favorite movie star”. Ebert gave thanks and stated that while he still hated DEUCE BIGALOW, he hoped that he’d see a good Rob Schneider movie. Well, so much for that!) USA Today on the lack of diversity in film critic circles Profile of SF Chronicle’s Mick LaSalle – the critic cited at the end of this episode!
Steroids in Baseball - Barry Bonds, BALCO & Bud
Jordan is rejoined by friend, Grace, to understand the era of steroids scandals in America’s favorite sport! Together, they explore the role performance-enhancing drugs played in Major League Baseball during the early 2000s. Key to this episode: San Francisco Giants star-player, Barry Bonds, Victor Conte, and the Bay Area Lab Co-Operative Scandal, and MLB Commissioner Bud Selig's supposed attempts to gain control of the league and its players. Message Jordan on Anchor! Works Cited Effect of Steroids in baseball can be found in these links. Info on Barry Bonds and Greg Anderson’s legal proceedings can be found in these links. Then the Federal Government got involved! Bud Selig’s Legacy and his book. NBC SPORTS says he doesn’t deserve your sympathy! Victor Conte and BALCO – Now & Then SF CHRONICLE on Bonds, BALCO, and Steroids. More info on PEDs here. BALCO Fast Facts and Timelines. See also the MLB’s wonky efforts to curb the problem.
10 Years of Rebecca Black's “FRIDAY” / Early 2000s Nickelodeon
Jordan and Alyssa collectively scratch their heads as they try to understand “fellow kids”. First, they flashback to 2011 to discuss the history of Rebecca Black’s “Friday” and its relation to other “So Bad, It’s Good” media. Then, they dig even further into their childhoods to talk about their love of Nickelodeon - both Nicktoons and live-action titles. Youth is not something to be taken for granted. Message Jordan on Anchor! WORKS CITED: ORAL HISTORY OF FRIDAY Rebecca Black on BUZZFEED VIDEO Video on YouTubers who shill to kids! Listen to Dylan's podcast TUBE CIRCUIT - This guy is with it!
THE ROOM and BIRDEMIC: SHOCK AND TERROR - Analyzing the "So Bad, It's Good" Movie Genre
How can a movie reach the level of being so terrible that you actually like it, instead of attempting to permanently erase it from your memory? Jordan is rejoined by his very good friend, Alyssa, to answer that question and explain how 21st century-era technology, the internet, and modern irony improved the experience of seeing the world’s most laughable cinematic disasters. WORKS CITED: Message YEAR 2000 FIX here! Vox on "Paracinema" New Yorker on THE ROOM How THE ROOM became a surprise hit! BIRDEMIC IMDB Trivia San Jose Mercury on BIRDEMIC Info on James Nguyen James Nguyen Interview VICE on Making of BIRDEMIC Tommy Wiseau & Greg Sestero BEST F(R)IENDS Q&A from 2018 NY TIMES on Watching Bad Movies. Also, see here.
Even More on WONDER BOYS, HIGH FIDELITY, ALMOST FAMOUS, and O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU – Part II
Jordan and Cody continue their deep look into WONDER BOYS, HIGH FIDELITY, ALMOST FAMOUS, and O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU-the year 2000’s best films. To cap things off, Jordan’s music journalist/author godfather, Kent, shares his personal connections to all four films. Off that, Jordan and Cody delve into the films' soundtracks and their shared themes. Listen to Part I here. SPOILER WARNING obviously. Message YEAR 2000 FIX here! Additional Links: Cameron Crowe unboxing ALMOST FAMOUS archive See archives of the Gavin Report featuring work by Kent and Keith Zimmerman and Oren Harari *We bleeped the name and location of the record store mentioned at the 35-minute mark, as not to harm a guy’s small business. There’s nothing wrong with your speakers.*
20 Years of WONDER BOYS, HIGH FIDELITY, ALMOST FAMOUS, and O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU – Part I
Jordan is joined by Cody to celebrate the 20-year anniversaries of WONDER BOYS, HIGH FIDELITY, ALMOST FAMOUS, and O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU, and to intensely analyze the films’ legacies. Expect a few SPOILERS here and there. In Part I, they explore the box office gross and original critical reception of each film, the films’ views on race, gender, and sexuality (both the progressive and regressive views), as well as the general commonalities of all four classics. Look out for Part II, where Jordan and Cody delve into the films’ very memorable soundtracks and powerful themes. Message YEAR 2000 FIX here! WORKS CITED: 1999 was the best year for film ever. WONDER BOYS’ marketing “mishandling” Daily Nebraskan WONDER BOYS review and Roger Ebert’s take HIGH FIDELITY Hollywood Reporter review NY TIMES here. ALMOST FAMOUS’ box office woes. Also, see here. Peter Travers ALMOST FAMOUS review. Roger Ebert’s take here. O BROTHER Hollywood Reporter review. O BROTHER 20 Year Reunion. GLAAD’s glossary. Oral history of HIGH FIDELITY. The real Penny Lane HIGH FIDELITY’s author on Fresh Air WONDER BOYS retrospective. Also see hereand here. John Cusack on co-writing HIGH FIDELITY. Info on O BROTHER soundtrack here and here. ALMOST FAMOUS soundtrack facts here.
STAR WARS Episode II: Revenge of the Original Trilogy Purists
Picking up from last week, Jordan and co-host, Alyssa, continue their conversation about the most powerful and influential science fiction movie franchise of all time. Discussed are their experience watching the STAR WARS “Special Edition” movies, the STAR WARS “Despecialized” films and Mr. Plinkett reviews, and what they make of all that recently happened with the STAR WARS brand. By the end of the episode, one will truly understand what it means to be a STAR WARS fan. Send me a message here! SHOW NOTES · This episode is dedicated to Tom Forster – The late Marin County fire chief who was “instrumental to the development of Skywalker Ranch.” God Bless and Rest in Peace. · Story on George Lucas and the National Film Registry. I wasn’t aware at the time of recording that a cut of the original STAR WARS can be viewed at the Library of Congress. HOWEVER, this version submitted for copyright over forty years ago is gradually fading and Lucas still resisted handing over a proper version for preservation. · Info on HARMY’S DESPECIALIZED · Mr. Plinkett’s Phantom Menace Review · Clip from SOUTH PARK “Free Hat” episode. · Clip from CLERKS about STAR WARS.
STAR WARS Episode I: Attack of the Prequel Menace
When people accuse the STAR WARS prequel movies of “pandering to little kids”, no one stops to ask, “Who were those kids anyway?” Well, those kids were Jordan and special guest, Alyssa, who once found themselves brainwashed by Lucasfilm in their childhood. In order to free themselves from the delusion that the prequels were good (because they were NOT), Jordan and Alyssa recount their first exposure to STAR WARS, why they were attracted to the marketing of Episodes I-III, and how over the years, they came to see the prequels for what they really were. In other words, Jar Jar Binks was never “key” to anything! Episode Notes: Star Wars Impact on Economy Lucasfilm and Hasbro's Licensing Agreement Episode II Marketing Details I can’t find the article with the “Kashyyyk Fighter Chewbacca” joke I quote but it was from Cracked.com DO NOT WANT!
Birth of Xbox, HALO, & the Modern American Gamer
Would Microsoft have become obsolete in the 21st century, had the tech giant NOT taken on Japanese video game heavyweights, Nintendo and Sony? Microsoft seemed to think they would and that’s why in November 2001, America got the Xbox. Jordan is educated by returning co-host, Grace, on the Xbox’s appeal to mature American gamers, the innovations of Xbox games, and the lore of HALO, the console’s flagship franchise. Find Grace on Twitch: twitch.tv/grac3g Email year2000fix@gmail.com to share your 21st-century memories! WORKS CITED: The Making of the Xbox Also, see here, and here, and here. What is the Xbox anyway? Here’s another retrospective. Original Microsoft Press Release for the Xbox. CNBC Report on XBOX's lack of intl. appeal. Also, see here. VICE Untold History of Halo Microsoft on their future in the 2020 gaming and tech world
The 2004 Election
An inoffensive, centrist represents the Democratic Party in their fight to take down the worst Republican president in recent memory. Will the Democrat prevail in making the Republican incumbent a one-term leader, or is the Republican’s reelection inevitable? That depends on whether you’re talking about Trump and Biden in the 2020 Election or George W. Bush and John Kerry in the 2004 Election. Jordan is joined by Cody (from episode #4) to discuss the tail-end of Bush’s first term, the Democratic primaries, John Kerry’s campaign, and why Kerry lost to Bush. They also ponder: what would have happened to the nation had Kerry WON and sign off with VOTE 2020! Email year2000fix@gmail.com if you’d like to be on the show or share your 21st Century nostalgia memories. Also, VOTE! WORKS CITED: Bush Approval Ratings UVA Miller Center on Bush Presidency Timeline Bush “No WMDs” joke at 5:21 mark. Hilarious, right? 2004 Election Results Political Cartoon Cited Here Howard Dean's 2004 Run and Scream. Also see here. And here. Presidential Debates and the Mary Cheney moment. Voter Disenfranchisement Returns in 2004. Or does it? Kerry’s uphill battle (including Swift Boaters). More here. Why Kerry Lost – Flip-Flopper! More info is here. Negative Kerry Ads What if Kerry had won? Also, see here for 2004’s similarities to 2020. Electoral College would’ve been abolished had Gore or Kerry won. PEW and other research studies on Voters
Uber, Lyft, & the 21st Century Gig Economy Battlefield (Vote NO on CA Prop 22)
Vote NO on California Proposition 22. That’s the bare bones of this special 2020 election-themed episode. Prop 22's result will set a precedent for worker rights nationwide and will still be relevant, even if you're hearing this podcast in 2030. Jordan is joined by longtime friend, Grace, to discuss the importance of California Assembly Bill 5; the 2020 law requiring app-based companies to classify workers as “full-time employees”. They then explain why voters need to vote NO on Prop. 22 (the state measure that would exempt tech companies from AB-5’s regulations) and how the late 2000s/early 2010s created a new form of labor injustice. Email year2000fix@gmail.com if you’d like to be on the show. YEAR 2000 FIX will return Wednesday, October 28th, following a one week break. NO ON PROP 22 Website – Complete with news and data reports! Objective Summary of Prop 22 and CA AB-5 Rise of Gig Economy Uber’s lifelong worker controversy ThatVeganBitch Tweet Debunking Uber and Lyft’s Prop 22 Propaganda LA TIMES assessment on Prop 22 UC Hasting’s Veena Dubal on the history of the Gig Economy TUBE CIRCUIT is a good podcast
THE APPRENTICE and Donald Trump's Reality TV Rehabilitation
“Donald J. Trump is New York’s largest real estate developer whose lucrative brand made successful properties, casinos, golf courses, modeling agencies, and shuttles”…is a phrase easily disproven with a Google search. By the early 2000s, Trump had already faced multiple business failures, bankruptcies, sexual assault allegations, labor violation lawsuits, and he already made many abhorrent public statements. Whatta guy! Despite this, famed reality TV show producer, Mark Burnett had no issue making Trump the host of his new program, THE APPRENTICE. The show premiered on NBC in 2004 and became a rating’s hit for NBC. Overnight, Trump went from “bigoted man who can’t keep a business afloat” to that lovable host who says “Ya fired!” The big question is, if we had applied a little bit of scrutiny to Trump’s public scandals or at the very least, prevented him from becoming a reality TV show host, would we have been spared a Trump presidency? Jordan is joined by two-time SURVIVOR contestant, Erik Reichenbach, to discuss Trump’s early career scandals, THE APPRENTICE’s rehabilitating portrayal of Trump, and how THE APPRENTICE influenced Trump’s 2016 election victory. Also, Erik and Jordan describe their brief encounters with Mark Burnett. Go to www.dabudoodles.com to see Erik’s phenomenal art and graphic design work. Email year2000fix@gmail.com if you’d like to be on the show. WORKS CITED: New Yorker Piece on Mark Burnett and his relationship with Trump. Also, see here. Burnett defending Trump post-election THE APPRENTICES Influence on Trump’s campaign Trump Business Failures and the people he doesn’t pay Trump and the Mob Tony Schwartz’s writing process for THE ART OF THE DEAL Also see here. Info on alleged secret APPRENTICE tapes Trump’s history of evicting tenants in the 80s. Trump-Central Park 5. Also discussed here. Trump is not the “biggest New York real estate developer”. THE APPRENTICE was a lie! But it gave us his campaign! NPR – What THE APPRENTICE taught us about Trump. Also see here. And here. Read here for info on what it’s like to be an APPRENTICE winner. Trump is a good source of COVID misinformation Remember Trump Airlines? NBC and Trump
SPECIAL ENCORE EPISODE: THE O.C. Fan Retrospective
It was quite the challenge making the last podcast on THE O.C. enjoyable for those who never had seen the show. That’s why the episode focused only a little on THE O.C.’s basic premise and plotlines, and more on the show’s pop-culture influence and 21st-century relevancy. A lot of esoteric O.C. references were cut from Jordan and Ariel’s near two hour conversation, as to avoid alienating non-fans. This time though, Jordan and Ariel hold nothing back! Oliver Trask? Marissa’s tragic downfall? The “where are they now?” of the characters? They go there! Get ready to analyze THE O.C.’s most memorable lines, scenes, and moments, in a way only true fans know how. Email year2000fix@gmail.com to share your 21st-century memories and if you’d like to be on the show. Our regular scheduled programming will resume very soon! Mischa Barton and Season 3 Finale Spoilers. Also see here on that. THE OC BEHIND THE SCENES SECRETS MORE BEHIND THE SCENES SECRETS Tate Donovan on THE OC VH1’s I LOVE THE NEW MILLENNIUM “2003” segment on THE OC Interview with Josh Schwartz on THE O.C. and GOSSIP GIRL. Josh Schwartz: THE OC WHERE ARE THEY NOW PLUG from journalist Tony Ortega! (it’s at the bottom section that says “Your Proprietor on the Airwaves”). Mad Magazine with THE O.C. Parody
THE O.C.'s Pop Culture Domination
California: Here We Come! THE O.C. – the primetime soap opera created by Josh Schwartz about a troubled kid from Chino, adopted by a wealthy Newport Beach family – aired for only four seasons (2003-2007) on FOX. Yet, in practically no time, the TV-viewing public latched on and made THE O.C. an inescapable pop culture property. Jordan is joined by Ariel, an OG O.C. fan from back when the show originally aired. Together, they cover THE O.C.’s popularity, the show’s immediate influence on the 2000’s TV landscape, the show’s commentary on 2000’s politics, and its genius integration of music in its episodes. COMING VERY SOON - A bonus episode where Jordan and Ariel cover THE O.C.’s unforgettable TV moments. A must-listen for super-fans! Email year2000fix@gmail.com to share your 21st-century memories and if you’d like to be on the show. EPISODE NOTES: TV Guide Article on THE O.C.’s Influence Show’s That Wouldn’t Exist Without THE O.C. METRO’s O.C. Retrospective How THE O.C. Changed Soundtracks FULL version of THE DUBS by Tom Cohen (The team's no longer in Oakland, but they're the best and we're not jokin'!) THE O.C. Musical
The 21st Century Scientology Media Powder Keg (feat. Tony Ortega)
The Church of Scientology presents itself as a humanitarian organization with the answers to life and a membership of 8 million people. Yet, CoS likely has less than 30,000 members (with more leaving) and the Average Joe stopped taking them seriously the second they heard the Xenu story from SOUTH PARK. Since the mid-2000s, we’ve seen the media cover accusations against the Church of Scientology and leader, David Miscavige, that range from abuse, false imprisonment, slave labor, forced abortions, separation of families, and harassment of enemies. Can the increase in this type of reporting be attributed to one very famous movie star, who also is a devoted Scientologist? Jordan and Dylan interview journalist, Tony Ortega, to find out and also discuss the history of the Church (from the L. Ron Hubbard days to now), what it’s like to be a Church member, and the current state of Scientology journalism. Our interview was recorded via Skype. Pardon the choppy sound and background noise. We assure you you’ll still enjoy this conversation. NOTES: 1. Thank you so much to Tony Ortega for coming on the show. Please check out his blog, The Underground Bunker to get the latest news on Scientology. 2. See here for a history of press coverage on CoS (including the 1991 Time Magazine story) 3. GOING CLEAR is on YouTube for the time being. This documentary will answer any lingering questions you have after listening to this podcast. 4. The LA Times' “incurious” nature towards CoS 5. Leah Remini is my hero! Her podcast is "Fair Game" 6. Cracked article describing “Snow White” 7. MOST IMPORTANT SOURCE HERE: THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THE MODERN DAY SCIENTOLOGY REPORTING 8. How did Tom join the Church? 9. Info on the “Tom Cruise black turtleneck” video. 10. Ever wonder why Tom and Nicole broke up and what CoS may have had to do with it? 11. Tom Cruise and tough questions the press doesn’t ask him 12. Tom Cruise and “girlfriend auditions”. 13. Troublesome tabloid reporting. Also see here. 14. Dax and his celeb pals
The Final Year of Schulz & The Peanuts Gang
“Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus, Lucy, how can I ever forget them…” These were the final words from PEANUTS creator Charles M. Schulz (aka “Sparky”) in his last comic strip ever. As it so happened, the strip, announcing Sparky’s retirement, appeared in papers less than 24 hours after he passed away. Jordan is joined by friend and PEANUTS aficionado, Cody, to discuss the final year of the PEANUTS comic strip, the universal appeal of Charlie Brown and the gang, and the many emotional memories the franchise provided the world. GOOD GRIEF! See https://anchor.fm/year2000fix if you have trouble viewing the links below. Email year2000fix@gmail.com to share your memories and if you’d like to be on the podcast. · The Final PEANUTS Strip EVER · The “Peggy Jean” Strip Referenced in the 18-minute mark – My FAVORITE STRIP · Info on Rerun and his role in Peanuts · Backstory on Charlie Brown’s gf, Peggy Jean · ABC Nightline on Peanuts – This special aired the night before Sparky’s death (not the night of as mistakenly stated in this episode). · The Legacy of PEANUTS reviewed by Vox’s Emily VanDerWerff · The Peanuts Licensing Deal with MetLife · Details on the end of Peanuts · Legacy Overview and Criticisms of Peanuts from Kotaku’s Kevin Wong · Peanuts and American Culture · Charles M. Schulz Museum Website · Strip Cody Mentions (sorry it’s so small) · Anyone want to buy me one of these paintings?
Pets.Com & The 2000 Dot-Com Bubble
The Silicon Valley Tech Industry is taking over the new millennium…with a loquacious sock puppet dog? Jordan is joined by Dylan to go over Pets.com, their infamous mascot, and the Dot-Com Bubble. Together, they ponder Pets.com’s marketing, business plan, the bizarre lawsuit against Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, and whether the company was actually ahead of its time. Email year2000fix@gmail.com to share your 21st-century memories and if you’d like to be on the show. SOURCES: · Former Pets CEO Julie Wainwright defending company in 2011 · Pets.Com’s History · WIRED article assessing Pets.Com’s legacy · TED Article on the legacy of Dot-Com companies · BarNone Ad with Sock Puppet · 2000 Article on Pets’ Demise · Pets.Com in “10 Big Dot.Com Flops” · Pets.Com’s Quarter Earnings Profile · Pets.Com / Triumph Lawsuit on Conan · PETS.COM Ads · Me by Me is a real book · What Went Wrong? · PETS Super Bowl Ad · More Downfall Info · Textbook Example of a Failure. Also see here
The 2000 Election - Part Two
Ignominious presidential candidates, voter disenfranchisement, ignored laws, news media failure, tarnished principles of American Democracy - it all leads to the wrong guy ending up in the White House. Are Jordan and George (@instageorgious) talking about the 2000 U.S. Presidential Election or the upcoming one in 2020? Well, frankly, they’re not so sure themselves. Picking up from Part I, Part II covers the Bush v. Gore Supreme Court case, the dismantling of voting rights in the 21st century, what kind of hell to prepare for in November 2020, and why the Nancy Pelosis of the world can’t save us. Go to https://anchor.fm/year2000fix if you can't view the links below. WORKS CITED: Link to sources used for Part One. Timeline of 2000 Vote Recount and Court Cases. Swarthmore review of Bush V. Gore Supreme Court Case. “The 2000 Presidential Election: Why Gore Lost” – Political Science Quarterly Miami Herald Report: Democracy Held Hostage (Details Database Technologies injustices towards Black voters. See here for more.) Articles from 2018and 2020 on Florida’s voting rights. This pie chart (explaining who didn’t vote at all in 2016) doesn’t have a gray slice but DOES spell out the same point. European report on U.S. Elections and current setbacks for American voters. Summary of 2018 Midterm, including Georgia’s Governor Race. Also, see here. Trump’s campaigns of voter intimidation are cited here and here. He might do worse with DHS in 2020. FAHRENHEIT 9/11 Sources: Fahrenheit 9.11 Notes. This is the film’s opening.
The 2000 Election - Part One
In the very first episode of Year 2000 Fix, Jordan and actor-writer-poet George (@instageorgious), discuss the unpredictable event that was the 2000 U.S. Presidential Election. We uncover the Al Gore and George W. Bush campaigns (with a little Nader too!), the media scrambling, the Florida Vote Recount, and the drastically different strategies both candidates used in their attempt to claim the presidency. Social media coming soon! Email year2000fix@gmail.com to share your thoughts and be part of the show. SOURCES USED: 1. The Florida Recount Of 2000: A Nightmare That Goes On Haunting by Ron Elving – NPR 2. The Brookings Institute Study on the 2000 Election by Thomas E. Mann 3. So, Who Really Won? What the Bush V. Gore Studies Showed by Wade Payson-Denney - CNN (Article summarizes the results of four Florida recount strategies, with a handy glossary). 4. CNN Special Report: The Endless Election (2015) – Doc featuring those who lived the events of the 2000 Election. (This is where you’ll find that Joe Liberman story about “Bush’s little brother”). 5. Maddow & Scarborough: Two Views Of The 'Brooks Brothers Riot' Of 2000 – MSNBC (Host Rachel Maddow and Joe Scarborough discuss the Brooks Brothers Riot and the fate of the rioters). 6. Dispelling the Myth of the Election 2000: Did Nader Cost Gore the Election? - By Irene Dieter of the CA Green Party debunking the myth that Ralph Nader “stole” votes from Gore and cost him the election. 7. Please see here for corroborating information on why Nader did NOT cost Gore the election. 8. Reconsidering Ralph (Feat. Ralph Nader) - Rumble with Michael Moore Episode 10 (Host Michael Moore and Ralph Nader discuss specifics of Nader’s 2000 campaign) 9. 9. DEMOCRATS SHOULD REMEMBER AL GORE WON FLORIDA IN 2000 — BUT LOST THE PRESIDENCY WITH A PRE-EMPTIVE SURRENDER by Jon Schwarz – The Intercept (November 10, 2018 – Jon Schwarz discusses the failure of Gore’s campaign to convince the public he was the victor of the election. He cites the 2012 book of activist and author, Jane McAlevey, entitled RAISING HELL (AND RAISING EXPECTATIONS). 10. BUSH’S COUSIN CALLED THE ELECTION IN HIS FAVOR 11. FIASCO – The first season of Leon Neyfakh’s multiple-part Luminary podcast series covering the 2000 Election.