Sam's hottest hot takes

I am constantly pulling myself into conversations where I argue the merits of Janet Jackson. I’m not sure when it started, or why, but I love defending her. And my hottest take about Janet is that she was actually a better artist – holistically – than her brother Michael. She was sexy and sultry in ways he could never be. She could shapeshift visually and sonically more deftly than he could. Janet at her prime could moonwalk, no question. Michael Jackson could never make the music video for “That’s The Way Love Goes.”

Janet > Michael is one of my hottest and most controversial takes. And I love making that take as much as I can because it is so hot. I love the fight. I relish the defense. These types of arguments are my sports.

So this week, we’ve got an entire episode dedicated to my hottest hot takes — and those of my guests. TV writer Kara Brown came in hot with several, one of which is the idea that spoilers aren’t bad. (I know! Spicy). And the show’s own Video Lead (and Famously Nice Man) Beau Delmore came on to make the case that Ryan Gosling is the best comedic actor of the last ten years. Don’t fight me. Fight Beau.

Check out the episode for more of their hot takes. In the meantime, here are a few more of mine:

🔥 All albums should be either 40 minutes or 60 minutes. And they should never have any spoken word interludes. Purple Rain was a little over 40 minutes. Beyonce’s Renaissance, a little over an hour. Stevie’s Innervisions? Right around 40 minutes. I know – there are exceptions to this rule (Songs In The Of Life, of course). Doesn’t mean the rule is bad.

🔥 You should actually be allowed to talk in (some) theaters. Lemme explain. Some movies are made to be screamed at. Some movies are also made to be viewed over and over again, in a communal setting. What if – hear me out – theaters allocated some screening rooms to films like, let’s say, Wicked, with no rules on talking. You could yell at the screen, sing along with the songs, or chat within reason to the person next to you. You’d know this going in. The whole thing would be a happy hour. The cost of the ticket might even be less than normal price. It’d be a beautiful kiki. Something akin to a Halloween screening of Rocky Horror Picture Show, just for other movies and days.

🔥 Awards shows should eliminate in memoriam segments. They never make everyone happy. Someone is always left out. The music rarely matches the mood. The segments drag on too long. And I don’t think I’ve ever seen one that made me feel the way it was intended to make me feel. Get rid of these. If you want to honor the dead in your industry, go to the funeral, or at least send flowers.

Ok. What you got? I’m ready to fight. Reply to this email with your hottest pop culture hot takes, or with your best arguments against mine. And for even more, check out this week’s show on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. Until next week, go listen to Janet Jackson. Start with the music video for “Got Till It’s Gone.”

— Sam