IT'S AWARD SEASON! This means that some form of controversy is bound to arise. This week's Culture of Controversy will differ from other episodes as we will be counting down the Top 10 award show controversies of all time. We're covering controversial moments from the VMA's, Brit Awards, the Grammys, and the Oscars.

Glee premiered in 2009 and became an overnight cultural phenomenon. The show dominated television ratings and the music charts, transforming the cast members from virtual unknowns to household names. However, with this newfound fame came a daunting darkness, with cast members lives being tragically cut short in what is now known as 'The Glee Curse'. This, along with allegations of on set bullying and backlash from regressive conservatives made the show a hotbed for controversy which we will explore in the first episode of 2025. @meilinesilva joins us to discuss the scandals affiliated with the show and how it would be perceived if it were released today.

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This week's episode will look at Britain's post office scandal that led to the wrongful conviction of hundreds of sub-postmasters between 1999 and 2015. Sub-postmasters were falsely accused of theft and false accounting due to malfunctions in the IT systems provided by tech company, Fujitsu. The scandal was met with a rightful public backlash and exposed the dangers of over-reliance on technology, as well as the lengths that companies will go to protect their reputation. Federica Margarella joins us as co-host this week to discuss this scandal which is still ongoing today.

Charlie Sheen is one of the most controversial pop culture figures of all time. His public struggles with substance abuse have been well documented over the years, as have his tumultuous relationships with women. This week's episode will look back on Sheen's many scandals and examine how his issues also impacted the career of ex-wife, Denise Richards. We will also delve into how his scandals are dark and sinister - not simply someone with a 'bad boy' reputation being 'bad'.

This week I am joined by Brandon Bethune to discuss Vince McMahon and the culture of fear he created throughout his four decade chokehold on WWE. Brandon hosts the YouTube Channel, @bsbethune. You can find links to his work below.

Brandon Bethune - YouTube

BRANDON BETHUNE - Blog

Vince McMahon turned professional wrestling into a Billion dollar empire. The former Chairman of WWE has a chokehold on the industry for decades until allegations of sex trafficking and hush money came to light last year, forcing him to resign and sell his shares in the business. @b.sbethune joins us to discuss the culture of silence and fear that permeated Vince McMahon's WWE from his takeover of local wrestling territories right up until the aforementioned allegations became public. We look at earlier instances of abuse and corruption that McMahon walked away unscathed from, leading to him feeling like he was untouchable for around 4 decades. We also look at how the signs were there all along through some of the storylines that aired on WWE television.

Sky Ferreira, the indie-pop singer and actress known for her raw and edgy aesthetic, has faced a variety of controversies and shocking moments throughout her career. Her journey has been punctuated by conflicts with record labels, canceled shows, personal struggles, and outspoken moments that have led to a dedicated, if tumultuous, fan following. Sky Ferreira’s career has been anything but conventional, with her blend of candidness, frustration with the industry, and raw artistic talent. Her fans have stayed loyal despite the delays, controversies, and sparse music releases. This week I am joined by ⁠@caatberserk to dive into Sky's fascinating career.

Madonna is a cultural icon and one of the most accomplished artists and entertainers in history. Her illustrious career spans over four decades, and her influence on popular culture is profound, particularly in her advocacy for LGBTQ rights. Often referred to as the Queen of Pop, she is both a legend and a phenomenon, yet her journey has not been without significant backlash and scrutiny. Controversy has been a defining aspect of her career. Part 2 of the Madonna episode is here. We start from her infamous 'Sex' book and 'Erotica' album right up to the sexist controversy she attracts today simply for sticking around in her 60s. Join us as we dissect the string of controversies she has generated in the later half of her career when she had already fully established herself as a pop culture phenomenon and icon in the industry.

Madonna is a cultural icon and one of the most accomplished artists and entertainers in history. Her illustrious career spans over four decades, and her influence on popular culture is profound, particularly in her advocacy for LGBTQ rights. Often referred to as the Queen of Pop, she is both a legend and a phenomenon, yet her journey has not been without significant backlash and scrutiny. Controversy has been a defining aspect of her career.

Join us as we explore Madonna’s early controversies, beginning with her groundbreaking 'Like a Virgin' performance at the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards and continuing through her influential 1991 documentary, 'Truth or Dare,' which provided an intimate look at her 'Blonde Ambition' tour. Welcome to Part 1 of our Madonna episode.