Cultural Futures Exchange

Ep 66: Joni Mitchell Album War-Blue vs Court & Spark

Prepare for battle because this week CFX is waging another album war episode. And, this time, the stakes are high because we are covering one of the great geniuses of popular music, Joni Mitchell. Joni was already one of the most talented and innovative musicians ever, with her multilayered chords, unprecedented use of alternate tunings, her insane vocal range and brilliant lyricism when, in 1971, she cranked things up a notch and released Blue, which blew (get it!?) everyone away. This album was not only the most personal and raw confessional singer songwriter albums of the time, but it still holds that position today. And, she continued to innovate to the point where in 1974, she released another watershed album, Court and Spark. This album featured a full band, jazz virtuosos, the LA Express, and more elaborate orchestral accompaniment and even more sophisticated arrangements. Lyrically, it was still confessional but expanded on this and continued Joni’s story. Jeff thinks that Blue will never be surpassed and he argues that in this episode, starting with the tumultuous relationships and Joni’s many travels that led to its striking (and now legendary) songs. Slip prefers Court and Spark and he argues that it surpasses Blue in some ways and showcases more of Joni’s talents for composition and arrangement. Slip also tries to fit an extra tribute to The Hissing of Summer Lawns (his favorite Joni album). You can decide who wins after the smoke clears (and because it’s Joni Mitchell, a new inductee into the CFX Super Smoker Hall of Fame, there’s a LOT of smoke!) Of course, we also can’t help but get a bit gossipy since all of these songs are about the various famous relationships that inspired these songs. We go into the history and try to piece together the stories of the songs and, as usual, along the way, we learn… * Why Joni should have titled her third album Dudes of the Canyon * What’s Slip’s beef with Jackson Browne (calm down, man… ) * What John Lennon thought of Court and Spark * What future famous artist and Joni fan was branded a stalker by Joni’s management * What is the massive flaw of Court and Spark * How Jeff managed to get a Steely Dan Easter egg into this episode Check us out on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/culturalfutures/ [https://www.instagram.com/culturalfutures/]) for links and additional content related to this and other episodes as well as clues to upcoming shows or write to us at culutralfuturesexchange@gmail.com [culutralfuturesexchange@gmail.com] All audio clips are used under the "Fair Use" Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act in 1976; Allowance is made for "Fair Use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. All rights and credit go directly to its rightful owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Ep 65: Real Genius

This week CFX takes on one of Jeff’s favorite movies, the 1985 comedy Real Genius. Featuring a very young Val Kilmer, Real Genius does some of the same classic tropes as other teen comedies of the day, and it may break the record for the “most montages in a single film”, but it really is a cut above other similar movies of its time. Not only does it stand out for the way it depicts college life at a very exclusive scientific institution, but also excels in its satirization of the 1980s military industrial complex and its exploitation of science for nefarious ends. The movie is also is full of quotable dialog and memorable scenes and has a twist ending that has to be seen to be believed. We both have a bit of history with the film, which we discuss, and we talk about the whole zeitgeist of 1980s films that deal with science and technology (such as War Games - which we discussed at length in episode 41 - check it out!). We also do a complete walk-through of the film and we might have even got a little too detailed since this is our longest episode ever! And, as usual, along the way we learn… * Who is the real-life Laszlo Hollyfield * What scene has haunted Slip for all these years * What does it mean for a screenplay to get BABALOOED * How does a little known, crackpot philosophy called aesthetic realism lead to one of the most insane moments in CFX history * Why Michelle Meyrink is probably happy she left Hollywood before digital cameras became mainstream * Why it sucked to be a guy at CalTech in the 1980’s * How getting the technical details right really matters * Why math on tape is hard to follow * Why number 2 is one thing we’re not taking * And, finally, we continue the “who else dated Cher” game Check us out on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/culturalfutures/ [https://www.instagram.com/culturalfutures/]) for links and additional content related to this and other episodes as well as clues to upcoming shows or write to us at culutralfuturesexchange@gmail.com [culutralfuturesexchange@gmail.com] All audio clips are used under the "Fair Use" Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act in 1976; Allowance is made for "Fair Use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. All rights and credit go directly to its rightful owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Ep 64: 70's Variety Shows

To celebrate the holidays and ring in the new year CFX is rolling it all out: Songs! Elaborate Dance Routines! Corny Banter! Skits! Sketches! Disco! Ice Skating! Washed up old celebrities! Sid and Marty Kroft! Fred Silverman! Uncle Milty’s schlong! The 70s! That’s right, the CFX Holiday 2025 70s Variety Show Spectacular is here. In this episode, we wipe away the cobwebs on what essentially is an extinct TV show phenomenon, focusing on four shows in particular: two that were very successful and two that were generally recognized as fiascos. We find out why this type of show was at once so popular but then seemed to die at the end of the decade. Where other once popular phenomena such as the Western and the Musical, have come back over the years, the Variety Show, despite some valiant attempts, seems pretty much dead in the dirt. Why the fuck is that? Well, we’ll tell you and, along the way, we’ll learn… * What was the recurring Variety Show sketch that a young Eddie Vedder sang along with every night * Which ‘70s celebrity didn’t date Cher (we still don’t know) * Which ‘80s rock guitarist was too ashamed to admit he played on a Donnie Osmond album * Who made up the cast of the lost, all gay ‘70s Wizard of Oz remake * What 70’s variety show was widely considered to be one of the worst things ever to air on TV * Why Jerry Lewis was even less funny than you remember * The depths of hell Jeff is willing to endure in order to entertain our “fan” in revisiting a reviled and horrific musical duo * And, finally, we have a visit from a wizened special guest who brings some holiday cheer and advice both romantic and hygienic Check us out on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/culturalfutures/ [https://www.instagram.com/culturalfutures/]) for links and additional content related to this and other episodes as well as clues to upcoming shows or write to us at culutralfuturesexchange@gmail.com [culutralfuturesexchange@gmail.com] All audio clips are used under the "Fair Use" Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act in 1976; Allowance is made for "Fair Use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. All rights and credit go directly to its rightful owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Ep 63: Devo

Q: Are we not men? A: We are DEVO! With that simple question, the world was introduced to one of the strangest, most unique, innovative and irreverent music/art projects of all time.. DEVO! So, put on your hazmat suit, monkey mask and don that energy dome, because this week your resident CFX spud boys, Sloppy Slip Tomato and Booji Boy Jeff, immerse themselves into the world of DEVO, covering the band from their humble, suburban beginnings in Akron, Ohio to the shootings at Kent State that first inspired the concept of “De-evolution” and their early experimental electronic years terrifying audiences with sights and sounds no one had ever heard before. We cover the influence that punk had on the band on their first, high energy albums to the streamlining and mainstreaming of their sound that resulted in some commercial success and then their gradual fall from grace. We also cover, in a twist ending that would make M. Night Shyamalan jealous, a very peculiar deviation (DEVO-iation?) late in the band’s career that the recent authorized documentary completely skips (and we’ll tell you why we think that is). We evaluate and rank all the albums and some of our opinions may not be what you expect. In the end, we decide, if all of this evolution and de-evolution will stand the test of time, and, as usual, along the way, we learn… * How many different ways you can pronounce “Casale” and “Mothersbaugh” * What song has Devo made the most money from over the years (it’s not what you think) * Which host had long ago misheard the lyrics to “It’s Not Right” turning an average Devo deep cut into a CFX moment. * What Neil Young, Pee Wee Herman, David Bowie, and movie director PT Anderson all had in common * What is the source of one of the most epic, butthurt rants in CFX history * And, finally if Devo was indeed the sound of sexual frustration set to synth music Check us out on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/culturalfutures/ [https://www.instagram.com/culturalfutures/]) for links and additional content related to this and other episodes as well as clues to upcoming shows or write to us at culutralfuturesexchange@gmail.com [culutralfuturesexchange@gmail.com] All audio clips are used under the "Fair Use" Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act in 1976; Allowance is made for "Fair Use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. All rights and credit go directly to its rightful owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Ep 62: The A-Team

This week CFX goes on the lam riding shotgun with that ragtag squad of noble ex-Special Forces mercenaries, The A-Team. One of the most popular shows of the 1980s, The A-Team combined ridiculously over the top action,broad comedy and larger than life characters into a “must see” TV formula that couldn’t fail…until it did. We go into the backstory of each of the characters and the actors who played them. We talk about the phenomenon that was Mr. T aka B.A. Baracus-–the cartoons, the breakfast cereals, the rapping!  We go into what can only be described as the dark background and questionable character of George Peppard aka Hannibal (aka “Handibal”). We talk about Murdoch and actor Dwight Schultz’s many, often suspiciously mysterious, impersonations. We talk about Dirk Benedict aka Face and how many things the actor and character had in common.  We even take a massive detour down the rabbit hole of creator Steven J. Cannell’s oeuvre - the Cannellverse…B.A. Baracus would say we were really “on the jazz” with this episode. But most importantly, does the A-Team’s plan come together when it comes to standing the test of time or is it just a whole lot of “Jibba Jabba”. We find out and also learn… * Which cast member and his creepy black gloves struck terror into female cast members and guest stars * Which cast member really had something against trees yet was amazingly generous and gentle with seriously ill children * What amazing episode of the series features the most interesting man in the world * Who CJ Mack was, and his list of crimes that were committed while “not on drugs!” * Which 80’s pop icon showed some rowdy hillbillies how to soft rock * Which racist Hannibal Smith disguises amazed Slip the most, and how they rank in the recent cultural history * About Jeff’s best (low bar!) impression since Tattoo in Episode 23: Fantasy Island * And, finally, we hear about how Slip hung out with one of the most ubiquitous, “that guy!” actors in TV and movie history (ok, he just met him at a pizza joint…) Check us out on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/culturalfutures/ [https://www.instagram.com/culturalfutures/]) for links and additional content related to this and other episodes as well as clues to upcoming shows or write to us at culutralfuturesexchange@gmail.com [culutralfuturesexchange@gmail.com] All audio clips are used under the "Fair Use" Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act in 1976; Allowance is made for "Fair Use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. All rights and credit go directly to its rightful owners. No copyright infringement intended.