Now that the traditional broadcast television season is over, the USTownhall RoundTable podcast series will delve into topics of a more general nature from the worlds of pop culture and current events.
Click on the triangular "Play" button to listen to the podcast. After a few minutes, the file should be fully scannable backwards & forwards. You can pause and resume at any time as long as this page is not refreshed.
Sun, September 8, 2013: Pop Culture podcast topics - In what we hope is our final discussion on the American Idol judges, the panel discusses the addition of Harry Connick, Jr. to the show after talks with Dr. Luke fell through at the last minute. Also, more of Adam Lambert and Avicii, and we reveal the celebrities and professionals due to perform on this cycle of Dancing with the Stars. Then, we finish things off by giving our take on the MTV VMA Awards and Miley Cyrus's twerk heard 'round the world. Was she unfairly slammed by the media or did she take her image makeover too far?
Sun, August 25, 2013: Pop Culture podcast topics - American Idol selects Dr. Luke as final judge? Randy Jackson returns in Jimmy Iovine's mentor role? Also, more about Adam Lambert and Avicii, and the panel discusses Justin Guarini and his recent blog post about his hard times since his Idol days. Plus, the panel tries to figure out – with little success – exactly how Dancing with the Stars' once-a-week format will work in terms of the voting.
Current Events podcast topic - The panel pays tribute and discusses the recent death of Gale Chester Whittington, one of the flashpoints of the gay civil rights movement in the late 1960s and author of the memoir Beyond Normal: The Birth of Gay Pride.
You can learn more about Mr. Whittington at the following websites:
Sun, August 4, 2013: Pop Culture podcast topics - Adam Lambert joins forces with legendary music producer Nile Rodgers and Swedish producer and DJ, Avicii. Latest Hollywood casting news: Ellen DeGeneres hosts the Oscars; Derek Hough returns to Dancing with the Stars (along with Maxim Chmerkovskiy?); Keith Urban returns to American Idol (along with Jennifer Lopez and will.i.am?) — and much, much more!
Sun, July 14, 2013: Pop Culture podcast topics - Actor Cory Monteith of Glee dies, Adam Lambert joins cast and departs from record label.
Current Events podcast topic - George Zimmerman acquitted in Trayvon Martin case. Full analysis of events, evidence, verdict, and the handling of the case by the prosecution and defense. (Note that the date of the shooting incident is incorrectly stated during the podcast. It actually occurred on February 26, 2012).
Sun, July 7, 2013: Topics - Adam Lambert concerts in California and Florida / US Supreme Court decisions regarding California's Prop 8 and the Federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).
Sun, June 23, 2013: Topics - Summer Movies / Exodus International closes its doors / Mormon mom Prop 8 supporter discovers her son is gay
Wednesday, June 12, 2013: Topics - Adam Lambert receives "Hope of Los Angeles" award / Update on American Idol behind-the-scenes turnoil / Mariah Carey's #Beautiful song and video / changes in the music industry in the IPod age / Our suggestions as to how American Idol can be fixed re: theme nights, judges, mentors