Blowback | |
---|---|
Presentation | |
Hosted by | |
Genre |
|
Language | American English |
Updates | Annually |
Length | 30-60 Minutes |
Production | |
No. of seasons | 5 |
No. of episodes | 50 |
Publication | |
Original release | March 16, 2020 |
Related | |
Website | blowback |
Blowback is a podcast about American history and foreign policy hosted by Noah Kulwin and Brendan James, former producer, and frequent guest of Chapo Trap House. [2] [3]
The first season of the show was a ten part series dedicated to the Iraq War. [4] Throughout the show audio clips from MSNBC and CNN and readings of news reports are provided as well as satirical skits performed by H. Jon Benjamin. [5] The second season of the show focuses on U.S. intervention before and after the Cuban revolution, and includes more interviews with those who experienced the events discussed first hand. [6] The third season of the show released in July 2022 and covers the events surrounding the Korean War. [7] The fourth season of the show began its release in August 2023, discussing the American involvement in Afghanistan, touching on subjects which mainly focus on Operation Cyclone and its consequences. Season five released in September 2024 and covers the United States bombing campaign in Cambodia known as Operation Menu, the subsequent rise of the Khmer Rouge and the establishment of Democratic Kampuchea. [8]
While focused on the Iraq War, season 1 begins by examining the early relationship between the United States and Iraq. This includes the United States support for Iraq during the Iran–Iraq War and the Gulf War. In an interview with Gizmodo when asked about the reasons for the United States invasion of Iraq James responded "to what extent the war was to profit off of a newly acquired Iraqi oil industry is a more of an interesting question. It certainly was the main reason why we targeted Iraq, not even just with the Iraq War in 2003 but in 1991. The reason that Iraq could even be in the position to piss America off was because we had made friends with it due to its status as a strong oil producer and its strategic position against Iran, another very strong oil producer". [9]
No. | Title | Running time | Original release date | |
---|---|---|---|---|
0 | "Iraqnophobia" | 37:19 | March 16, 2020 | |
An introduction to the podcast and a look at the George W. Bush administration and family of Saddam Hussein. Featuring guests H. Jon Benjamin & James Adomian | ||||
1 | "Rosebud" | 59:39 | June 15, 2020 | |
Taking a look at the origins of the United State's relationship with Iraq before and during the Cold War, the Iran-Iraq War, and Saddam Hussein's consolidation of power. | ||||
2 | "American Psycho" | 62:42 | June 22, 2020 | |
Focuses on the presidential administrations of George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton as well as the Gulf War. | ||||
3 | "Curveball" | 62:42 | June 29, 2020 | |
This episode discusses the transition from Osama bin Laden and Afghanistan to Iraq and weapons of mass destruction. [4] Examines the September 11 Attacks as justification for war in Iraq. | ||||
4 | "Mars Attacks" | 31:38 | July 6, 2020 | |
Secretary of State Colin Powell vists the United Nations to accuse Iraq and Saddam Hussein to have weapons of mass destruction | ||||
5 | "Dead Links" | 61:49 | July 13, 2020 | |
Breaking down the media's coverage of the Iraq war. Featuring guest Will Menaker | ||||
6 | "Year Zero" | 63:56 | July 20, 2020 | |
The fall of Saddam Hussein and the beginnings of the United States' occupation of Iraq. | ||||
7 | "#Resistance" | 60:36 | July 27, 2020 | |
Anti-American resistance by both Sunni and Shi'a militants in response to operations in Fallujah and Sadr City as well as war crimes commuted in Abu Ghraib. | ||||
8 | "Electioneering" | 59:09 | August 3, 2020 | |
The episode discusses the second presidential election of George W. Bush and an election in Iraq. [2] | ||||
9 | "How Do You Fuck That Up?" | 62:25 | August 10, 2020 | |
10 | "The Iraq War Did Not Take Place" | 65:26 | August 3, 2020 | |
Examining the end of the George W. Busch administration, the continuation and end of the Iraq war under Barack Obama, the rise of ISIL, and the presidency of Donald Trump. |
No. | Title | Running time | Original release date | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bonus | "Our Man In Baghdad" | 56:56 | June 15, 2020 | |
Featuring guest Dahr Jamail | ||||
Bonus | "Iraqi Horror Picture Show" | 60:56 | July 6, 2020 | |
Featuring guest Matt Christman | ||||
Bonus | "Shock Corridor" | 40:09 | July 13, 2020 | |
Featuring guest Naomi Klein |
No. | Title | Running time | Original release date | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | "The Jupiter Menace" | 80:27 | April 18, 2021 | |
Introducing the historical players of the Cuban Missile Crisis and the United State's fascination with Cuba. | ||||
2 | "Lo Hicimos" | 80:26 | April 18, 2021 | |
A brief history of Cuba–United States relations ending with the success of the Cuban Revolution and the fall of Fulgencio Batista. | ||||
3 | "New Normal" | 76:33 | April 25, 2021 | |
As the new Cuban government takes power, the United States backs Cuban exiles like those in Brigade 2506. | ||||
4 | "Secret Honor" | 75:38 | May 2, 2021 | |
As John F. Kennedy defeats Richard Nixon for the presidency, the CIA begins preparing for the Bay of Pigs Invasion | ||||
5 | "Fish Is Red" | 59:30 | May 9, 2021 | |
The CIA executes the Bay of Pigs Invasion, which ends in failure. | ||||
6 | "Nothing To Lose" | 62:42 | August 8, 2021 | |
After recovering from the failure of the Bay of Pigs Invasion, the CIA begins Operation Mongoose a terror and assassination campaign waged in Cuba. | ||||
7 | "Anadyr" | 72:38 | August 15, 2021 | |
In anticipation for another American invasion, the Cuban and Soviet relations strengthen. | ||||
8 | "We'll All Meet In Hell" | 65:49 | August 22, 2021 | |
The United States makes it public knowledge about the existence of Nuclear weapons in Cuba, beginning the Cuban Missile Crisis. John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev begin negotiations. | ||||
9 | "Cuba Libre" | 82:42 | August 29, 2021 | |
The Cuban Missile Crisis is resolved to the dismay of the CIA and Cuban exiles. | ||||
10 | "Infinite Crisis" | 77:27 | September 5, 2021 | |
Examining Cuban-American relations after the Assassination of John F. Kennedy. |
No. | Title | Running time | Original release date | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bonus | "Lo Distinto Se Parece" | 49:09 | July 4, 2021 | |
Interviews with history professor Michelle Chase and Cuban scholar Marta Nuñez Sarmiento | ||||
Bonus | "Watch Out For That Boy" | 32:07 | July 11, 2021 | |
Discussion with experts about black radicalism and race in relation to Cuba and the revolution | ||||
Bonus | "CIAin't Kiddin'" | 39:10 | July 18, 2021 | |
Interview with Luna Olavarrio Gallegos about a failed US government attempt to infiltrate and co-opt the Cuban hip-hop scene | ||||
Bonus | "Massive Retaliation" | 30:13 | July 25, 2021 | |
Overview of the history of American nuclear weapons strategy at the time of the Cuban missile crisis | ||||
Bonus | "Sweet Dirt Tony's Badasssss Song" | 87:41 | August 8, 2021 | |
Discussion with Bill Corbett about bad depictions of Cuba in film. | ||||
Bonus | "Neverland" | 38:13 | August 1, 2021 | |
Interview with professor Nelson Valdes about Operation Peter Pan | ||||
Bonus | "The Capital Of Terrorism" | 68:15 | August 15, 2021 | |
Interview with immigration attorney José Pertierra about his experiences with Cubans in the Miami judicial system | ||||
Bonus | "The Most Beautiful Cause" | 36:47 | August 22, 2021 | |
Overview of Cuba's involvement in Africa with Cuban diplomat Oscar Oramas-Oliva | ||||
Bonus | "Havana (Derangement) Syndrome" | 44:37 | August 29, 2021 | |
Discussion with guests Helen Yaffe, José Pertierra, and Marta Nuñez Sarmiento about the 2021 Cuban protests | ||||
Bonus | "Red-Handed Sleight of Hand" | 41:56 | September 13, 2021 | |
Overview of the successful CIA orchestrated 1954 Guatemalan coup d'état |
All music is composed by Brendan James as The Great Vorelli
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Jupiter Missiles" | 3:39 |
2. | "Best & Brightest, Pt. I" | 2:01 |
3. | "Bury the Body and Tell No One" | 3:28 |
4. | "The Fireworks" | 2:45 |
5. | "B.O.P" | 2:07 |
6. | "Anadyr (feat. Robin Hatch)" | 3:46 |
7. | "Love Theme" | 4:58 |
8. | "Best & Brightest, Pt. II" | 5:06 |
9. | "Lo Hicimos" | 3:36 |
No. | Title | Running time | Original release date | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | "Stop Me Before I Kill Again" | 41:20 | July 24, 2022 | |
An introduction to the figures during the Korean War | ||||
2 | "The Uninvited" | 71:17 | October 1, 2022 | |
A brief history of the Korean peninsula and its relationship with the United States and the Empire of Japan. | ||||
3 | "The Blue House" | 66:52 | October 10, 2022 | |
A look at the brief moment post World War II that could have led to a unified Korea, but led to the establishment of North Korea and South Korea | ||||
4 | "Red Island" | 57:42 | October 17, 2022 | |
Tensions break out on Jeju Island in South Korea, leading to the Jeju uprising. | ||||
5 | "Train To Busan" | 79:06 | October 24, 2022 | |
The prelude to the Korean war begins with clashes between North and South Korean forces along the 38th parallel. | ||||
6 | "National Smile Week" | 64:13 | October 31, 2022 | |
American General Douglas MacArthur begins a counter offensive. | ||||
7 | "Mao's Poem" | 64:37 | November 7, 2022 | |
As the Korean War rages on, China enters the battlefield. | ||||
8 | "American Caesar" | 82:18 | November 14, 2022 | |
President Harry S. Truman clashes with General Douglas MacArthur over use of nuclear weapons along the boarder between China and North Korea. | ||||
9 | "No More Targets" | 74:13 | November 21, 2022 | |
The Korean War reaches a stalemate. | ||||
10 | "The Host" | 96:32 | November 28, 2022 | |
A temporary ceasefire becomes essentially permanent. No peace treaty between North and South Korea is signed, and the Korean War becomes a dormant war. |
No. | Title | Running time | Original release date | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bonus | "On Cinema With Kim Jong-Il" | 49:33 | July 24, 2022 | |
Discussion with Anna Broinowski about her trip to North Korea, the cinema of the DPRK, and her film "Aim High in Creation" | ||||
Bonus | "Another Country Pt. I" | 29:38 | July 24, 2022 | |
Historian of the Korean War Bruce Cummings on the years of Japanese colonialism and the origins of the Korean War | ||||
Bonus | "The Northmen" | 55:42 | July 24, 2022 | |
Scholar Suzy Kim, on the nature of the DPRK's revolution, the differences between North and South, and women's role in the revolution | ||||
Bonus | "Another Country Pt. II" | 36:24 | July 24, 2022 | |
Discussion with Bruce Cummings on the breakout of the war, Taiwan, and the destruction visited on the North by America | ||||
Bonus | "Might And Right" | 57:24 | July 24, 2022 | |
Michael Brenes tracks the development of the Cold War economy, and how the Korean War helped solidify America’s national security state | ||||
Bonus | "Germinal Pt. I" | 97:34 | July 24, 2022 | |
Thomas Powell, writer and son of journalist John W. Powell, talks about the allegations of US germ warfare and his family’s trials during the Korean War | ||||
Bonus | "Living Memory" | 61:29 | July 24, 2022 | |
Journalist Tim Shorrock on the long history of struggle in South Korea, against dictators, military juntas, and the United States | ||||
Bonus | "Prisoners In Paradise" | 44:21 | July 24, 2022 | |
Scholar Monica Kim talks about the key archetype that came out of the Korean War: the American POW | ||||
Bonus | "Germinal Pt. II" | 110:45 | July 24, 2022 | |
Psychologist and writer Jeff Kaye explains the history of Japan’s Unit 731 and allegations of US germ warfare in Korea | ||||
Bonus | "DMZ meets TMZ" | 52:24 | July 24, 2022 | |
Peace activists and writers Christine Ahn and Elizabeth Beavers talk about more recent US-Korea relations, from the Obama-era to Trump |
All music is composed by Brendan James as The Great Vorelli
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "The Blue House" | 5:21 |
2. | "American Caesar" | 4:29 |
3. | "Mao's Poem" | 2:37 |
4. | "Creep State" | 2:28 |
5. | "Teeth Feel Cold" | 2:22 |
6. | "Beautiful and Tasty" | 3:24 |
7. | "Weird Statistics" | 3:51 |
8. | "Seize the Steel" | 3:20 |
9. | "War Trash" | 3:12 |
10. | "The Uninvited" | 5:39 |
11. | "No More Targets" | 2:17 |
James announced a fourth season on his Twitter account in December 2022, to be released in Summer 2023. Season four covers Operation Cyclone and its consequences, including the creation of al-Qaeda and the September 11, 2001 attacks. [10]
No. | Title | Running time | Original release date | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | "Snake Eater" | 43:34 | August 25, 2023 | |
An introduction to the Soviet–Afghan War and the United States backing of the Afghan mujahideen | ||||
2 | "Bleeders and Dealers" | 70:41 | November 15, 2023 | |
The beginnings of the Soviet-Afghan War. | ||||
3 | "The Trap" | 60:45 | November 22, 2023 | |
After the Soviet Union invades Afghanistan, the Safari Club (a CIA backed intelligence group) begins coordinating with the Afghan mujahideen. | ||||
4 | "They’re Yours Now" | 70:08 | November 29, 2023 | |
Operation Cyclone and its consequences terrorize Afghanistan, and the Soviet-Afghan war ends. | ||||
5 | "We Can Live With That" | 64:12 | December 6, 2023 | |
The rise of the Taliban and their consolidation of power. | ||||
6 | "Ground Zeroes" | 64:23 | December 13, 2023 | |
Terrorists sponsored by the Taliban being spreading their operations across the world | ||||
7 | "Guns of the Patriots" | 65:06 | December 20, 2023 | |
In the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, the United States begins the War in Afghanistan. | ||||
8 | "Sons of Liberty" | 70:20 | December 27, 2023 | |
A deep dive into the use of contractors during the War in Afghanistan and their consequences. | ||||
9 | "Peace Walker" | 70:29 | January 3, 2024 | |
President Barack Obama attempts to end the War in Afghanistan. | ||||
10 | "The Phantom Pain" | 59:24 | January 10, 2024 | |
President Donald Trump begins negotiations with the Taliban and United States armed forces begin their withdrawal. |
No. | Title | Running time | Original release date | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bonus | "Ahmed Rashid part 1" | 32:05 | August 25, 2023 | |
First part of an interview with Pakistani journalist Ahmed Rashid | ||||
Bonus | "Malalai Joya" | 48:44 | August 25, 2023 | |
Interview with Afghan Feminist activist and politician Malalai Joya | ||||
Bonus | "Red Dawn, Red Scorpion" | 146:52 | August 25, 2023 | |
A discussion of the films Red Dawn and Red Scorpion | ||||
Bonus | "Ahmed Rashid part 2" | 23:57 | August 25, 2023 | |
Second part of an interview with Ahmed Rashid | ||||
Bonus | "Fitzgerald and Gould part 1" | 39:02 | August 25, 2023 | |
Interview with journalists Paul Fitzgerald and Elizabeth Gould | ||||
Bonus | "Seymour Hersh" | 37:07 | August 25, 2023 | |
Interview with journalist Seymour Hersh | ||||
Bonus | "Fitzgerald and Gould part 2" | 27:29 | August 25, 2023 | |
Second part of an interview with Paul Fitzgerald and Elizabeth Gould | ||||
Bonus | "Kill ‘Em All, Let God Sort ‘Em Out" | 16:36 | August 25, 2023 | |
Discussion of the magazine Soldier of Fortune | ||||
Bonus | "Anatol Lieven" | 45:44 | August 25, 2023 | |
Interview with scholar Anatol Lieven | ||||
Bonus | "Hassan Abbas" | 50:46 | August 25, 2023 | |
Interview with scholar Hassan Abbas |
All music is composed by Brendan James as The Great Vorelli
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Overworld" | 3:25 |
2. | "Ravager" | 3:17 |
3. | "Box Cutters" | 2:05 |
4. | "The Move" | 3:25 |
5. | "Innerworld" | 1:06 |
6. | "Ouroboros" | 3:08 |
7. | "Safari Club" | 3:07 |
8. | "Bank of Commerce and Credit" | 2:10 |
9. | "Palace Cat" | 4:30 |
10. | "Underworld" | 1:55 |
11. | "The Trap" | 4:23 |
No. | Title | Running time | Original release date | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | "The Wolves Are Closing In" | 44:42 | September 20, 2024 | |
A primer on the United States involvement in Cambodia during the Cold War. | ||||
2 | "The French Connection" | 1:00:56 | To Be Released | |
As World War II comes to a close, French Indochina begins rebelling which contributed to the end of the French colonial empire. | ||||
3 | "Listen to the Thunder" | 1:11:05 | To Be Released | |
Then Prince Norodom Sihanouk works on keeping Cambodia out of the Vietnam War. | ||||
4 | "Mad Men" | 1:12:16 | To Be Released | |
President Richard Nixon and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger begin plans for Operation Menu. | ||||
5 | "The Last Tango In Paris" | 1:06:03 | To Be Released | |
Prince Norodom Sihanouk is overthrown during the 1970 Cambodian coup d'état. The newly established Khmer Republic courts the United States' assistance in fighting the Khmer Rouge. | ||||
6 | "Dream Warriors" | 1:11:09 | To Be Released | |
A brief history of the Khmer Republic and the end of Richard Nixon's presidency. | ||||
7 | "Less Than Zero" | 1:08:02 | To Be Released | |
The Khmer Rouge take control of Cambodia, cutting it off from the outside world. | ||||
8 | "Third World War" | 1:11:05 | To Be Released | |
Tensions between the Khmer Rouge and Vietnam begin to rise, leading to direct conflict. | ||||
9 | "Le Cercle Rouge" | 1:07:36 | To Be Released | |
Vietnam overthrows Democratic Kampuchea, leading the United States to backing the Kehmer Rouge insurgency. | ||||
10 | "The Terrible But Unfinished Story" | 1:07:25 | To Be Released | |
The monarchy of Norodom Sihanouk is restored and Cambodia begins to rebuild. |
No. | Title | Running time | Original release date | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bonus | "Elizabeth Becker Part I" | 31:55 | September 20, 2024 | |
Part one of an interview with journalist Elizabeth Becker author of When the War Was Over | ||||
Bonus | "Syndicates" | 27:15 | September 20, 2024 | |
An overview of drug trafficking in South-East Asia. | ||||
Bonus | "Elizabeth Becker Part II" | 37:39 | September 20, 2024 | |
Part 2 of an interview with journalist Elizabeth Becker. | ||||
Bonus | "National Treasure" | 19:13 | September 20, 2024 | |
Examining the illegal trade of historical artifacts from Cambodia. | ||||
Bonus | "Marv Truhe and Perry Pettus" | 1:07:26 | September 20, 2024 | |
An interview with ex-JAG attorney Marv Truhe and member of the US Air Force Perry Pettus discussing the USS Kitty Hawk riot. | ||||
Bonus | "Vu Minh Hoang" | 1:45:24 | September 20, 2024 | |
An interview with Vu Minh Hoang, professor of history and Vietnam studies at Fulbright University Vietnam and research associate at the Weatherhead East Asian Institute at Columbia University. | ||||
Bonus | "Rep. Elizabeth Holtzman" | 48:59 | September 20, 2024 | |
An interview with former New York Congresswoman Elizabeth Holtzman | ||||
Bonus | "Ben Kiernan Part I" | 36:21 | September 20, 2024 | |
Part one of an interview with professor Ben Kiernan of Yale University | ||||
Bonus | "Sy Hersh" | 34:58 | September 20, 2024 | |
An interview with investigative journalist Seymour Hersh who reported on the My Lai massacre and Operation Menu. | ||||
Bonus | "Ben Kiernan Part II" | 36:21 | September 20, 2024 | |
Part two of an interview with professor Ben Kiernan. |
According to Vince Mancini of UPROXX and Derek Robertson of Politico , Blowback was "painstakingly researched" and didactic in its approach, "bombarding the listener with the host's sturm-und-drang argument about the Iraq War as a portal to hell that directly caused our modern-day political ills". [11] [12] In a comparison of Blowback and Slow Burn, Slate's podcast about the Iraq War, Derek Robertson of Politico described Blowback as "an unapologetically left-wing re-examination of the war’s many causes and ongoing effects". [12] Jake Greenberg of Podcast Review wrote that "Blowback is an excellent piece of history, one that documents the misadventures, deceits, and war crimes" of the Iraq War. [13] Podcast Review called the topic of the second season "a tremendous fit for James and Kulwin's style". [14] In a review from Jacobin , Blowback is described as being "thoroughly contextualized, fully explained, blow-by-blow account of how and why the United States government ginned up a case for war in Iraq — all the junk intelligence, media manipulation, and diplomatic arm-twisting — and what happened when our military got there." [4]
Boing Boing praised season 2, saying "James and Kulwin demonstrate diligent and expansive research, compiling audio interviews and newspaper reports from that time, consulting existing historical monographs, as well as contemporary interviews with participants that shed light on new information as well as complicating the inherited narratives about these wars." [15]
In a review for season 3, James Greig wrote in Jacobin that "Blowback, while interested in excavating history, is ultimately about how these events and strategies still shape politics today and continue to determine which countries the United States positions as villains." [16] Jake Cole, writing for Hyperallergic, emphasizes this, "The voluminous background detail and interest in the far-reaching impacts of foreign policy could easily lend itself to conspiracy-minded extemporization, but James and Kulwin never make an assertion not backed up by considerable evidence. This also armors them against potential backlash to their openly leftist bias. [17]
Benjamin Aaron Shapiro is an American conservative political commentator, media host, and attorney. He writes columns for Creators Syndicate, Newsweek, and Ami Magazine, and serves as editor emeritus for The Daily Wire, which he co-founded in 2015. Shapiro is the host of The Ben Shapiro Show, a daily political podcast and live radio show. He was editor-at-large of Breitbart News from 2012 until his resignation in 2016. Shapiro has also authored sixteen non-fiction books.
Harry Jon Benjamin is an American actor, comedian, writer, producer, and musician. He is known for his voice roles in adult animated series, including Sterling Archer in Archer, Bob Belcher in Bob's Burgers, Ben in Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist, Kevin in O'Grady, Satan in Lucy, the Daughter of the Devil, and Coach McGuirk and Jason Penopolis in Home Movies, starring as the voice of Boy in the film Boy Kills World (2023) and the video game Super Dragon Punch Force 3 (2024). Benjamin was named 2014's male comedy performer of the year at Vulture's TV Awards for his work in Bob's Burgers and Archer. He also appeared in the 2001 satirical comedy film Wet Hot American Summer; its subsequent 2015 television series, Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp; and the final installment of the franchise, the 2017 miniseries Wet Hot American Summer: 10 Years Later.
The Hill, formed in 1994, is an American newspaper and digital media company based in Washington, D.C..
Timothy Richard Heidecker is an American comedian, writer, director, actor, and musician. Along with Eric Wareheim, he is a member of the comedy duo Tim & Eric.
Paul Christian Scheer is an American comedian, actor, filmmaker, and podcaster. Scheer is best known for his roles in FX/FXX's The League and Showtime's comedy series Black Monday. Scheer also co-created and starred in MTV's Human Giant and Adult Swim's series NTSF:SD:SUV::, and has had recurring roles on ABC's Fresh Off the Boat and HBO's Veep. He is also known for voicing Chip Whistler in Disney’s Big City Greens.
Neal Brennan is an American comedian, writer, producer, director, and podcaster. He is best known for co-creating and co-writing the Comedy Central series Chappelle's Show (2003–2006) with Dave Chappelle and for his Netflix stand-up comedy special 3 Mics (2017).
John Kellogg Hodgman is an American author, actor, and humorist. In addition to his published written works, such as his satirical trilogy The Areas of My Expertise, More Information Than You Require, and That Is All, he is known for his personification of a PC in contrast to Justin Long's personification of a Mac in Apple's "Get a Mac" advertising campaign, and for his work as a contributor on Comedy Central's The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.
Survivor: Tocantins – The Brazilian Highlands is the eighteenth season of the American CBS competitive reality television series Survivor. The season was filmed in the microregion of Jalapão in Tocantins, Brazil, and first aired Thursday, February 12, 2009. CBS began casting for Survivor: Tocantins once production for Survivor: Gabon was underway. Applications were due by July 15, 2008, with in-person interviews being conducted in various cities sometime in August 2008, and semi-finalists traveling to Los Angeles, California sometime in September 2008. Sixteen applicants were chosen to compete on the show and were initially divided into two tribes. The season was filmed from November 1, 2008, to December 9, 2008. Exile Island returned this season, but with new twists. Instead of one castaway sent to Exile Island, two were sent. While on Exile Island, each exiled castaway picked from one of two urns. One urn contained a clue to the Hidden Immunity Idol and an option to join the opposing tribe, while the other urn contained nothing.
Jacobin is an American socialist magazine based in New York. As of 2023, the magazine reported a paid print circulation of 75,000 and over 3 million monthly visitors.
The Memory Palace is a monthly historical podcast hosted by Nate DiMeo that debuted in 2008. The program features historical narratives concerning such subjects as the Cardiff Giant and the CIA project Acoustic Kitty. It is currently distributed online by Radiotopia.
Theodor Capitani von KurnatowskiIII, known professionally as Theo Von, is an American stand-up comedian, podcaster, actor, and former reality television personality. He is the host of the This Past Weekend podcast.
Ethan Persoff is an American cartoonist, archivist, and sound artist. His work as an archivist includes a complete digitization of Paul Krassner's counterculture magazine The Realist, and the website Comics with Problems, which has been featured on multiple segments of The Rachel Maddow Show. As a comics artist, he has been published by Fantagraphics, and received media attention for his website projects, including two projects with artist and co-collaborator Scott Marshall; a downloadable Halloween mask based on Senator Larry Craig and a Tijuana Bible based on George W. Bush and John McCain. His late granduncle was Nehemiah Persoff.
Chapo Trap House is an American socialist political comedy podcast launched in March 2016. Chapo Trap House is aligned with the dirtbag left, a style of contentious left-wing political discourse that eschews civility in favor of casual, blunt, often vulgar expression. Since its inception the show has been primarily hosted by Will Menaker along with a rotating cast of cohosts, which currently includes Felix Biederman, Matt Christman, and Amber A'Lee Frost, along with a variety of guest co-hosts. It is produced by Chris Wade.
Slow Burn is a narrative podcast produced by Slate Plus, a division of Slate. The first two seasons of the podcast are hosted by Leon Neyfakh; the third and sixth seasons of the show are hosted by Joel D. Anderson; and the fourth and fifth seasons are hosted by Josh Levin and Noreen Malone, respectively.
The 1619 Project is a long-form journalistic revisionist historiographical work that takes a critical view of traditionally revered figures and events in American history, including the Patriots in the American Revolution, the Founding Fathers, along with Abraham Lincoln and the Union during the Civil War. It was developed by Nikole Hannah-Jones, writers from The New York Times, and The New York Times Magazine. It focused on subjects of slavery and the founding of the United States. The first publication from the project was in The New York Times Magazine of August 2019. The project developed an educational curriculum, supported by the Pulitzer Center, later accompanied by a broadsheet article, live events, and a podcast.
Michael Jamal Brooks was an American talk show host, writer, left-wing political commentator, and comedian. While co-hosting The Majority Report with Sam Seder, he launched The Michael Brooks Show in August 2017 and provided commentary for media outlets, making regular appearances on shows such as The Young Turks. Brooks contributed to various publications, including HuffPost, The Washington Post, Al Jazeera, openDemocracy, and Jacobin. His book Against the Web: A Cosmopolitan Answer to the New Right was published by Zero Books in April 2020.
Archive 81 is an American supernatural horror television series developed by Rebecca Sonnenshine, who was also an executive producer for the show, along with Paul Harris Boardman and James Wan. The series was released on Netflix on January 14, 2022. Between January 9–30, the series was watched for 128.47 million hours globally according to Netflix Top 10s. However, in March 2022, the series was canceled after just one season.
Only Murders in the Building, often abbreviated as OMITB, is an American mystery comedy-drama television series created by Steve Martin and John Hoffman. The main plot focuses on a trio of strangers, all with a shared interest in true crime podcasts, who become friends while investigating a succession of suspicious murders in the Arconia, their affluent Upper West Side apartment building, and producing their own podcast about the cases, titled Only Murders in the Building. Its four ten-episode seasons premiered on Hulu in August 2021, June 2022, August 2023, and August 2024. The series was renewed for a fifth season in September 2024.
The Line is a podcast hosted by Dan Taberski and produced by Apple TV+ and Jigsaw Productions.
Bubble is a scripted science fiction podcast produced by Maximum Fun and created by Jordan Morris and Jesse Thorn. The podcast was later adapted into a graphic novel published by First Second Books.