The Pop Culture Pundit

Kate’s Greats are awards given to movies, TV shows, and music that the author has viewed and/or listened to over the past month. These awards may celebrate underrated, overlooked, or obscure moments of pop culture that may not otherwise get the attention they deserve. Other times, they will celebrate the buzziest pop culture–but will always have a fresh take. Award categories may include, but are not limited to, ‘Goofiest Thriller’ and ‘Tiniest Moustache’ (the latter of which Timothée Chalamet wins by a landslide). May the best, worst, boldest, and weirdest win. 

Goofiest Thriller: Prime Target (Apple TV+)

^{Apple TV+ via YouTube}

In Prime Target, Leo Woodhall plays a hot math nerd who figures out a formula for prime numbers that would cause every single password on the planet to become available for anyone. (This is a huge problem for cybersecurity in general). If it sounds silly, that’s because it is, but it’s sort of fun to watch Woodhall play an unhinged genius who writes math formulas with Sharpies on tablecloths during dinners with other important people (did the man not learn etiquette?) and bike around town while trying to grapple with the fact evil people want to kill him for the numbers he crunches. If you ever need a break from Apple TV+’s incredible but dark thriller Severance, grab  a bowl of popcorn and let the nonsensical numerical formulas wash over you on Prime Target. 

Best TV Episode: “50 cc’s of Kindness ,” St. Denis Medical (NBC)

What could go wrong trying to fake donating blood? Only everything. St. Denis Medical is like if Superstore and The Office had a baby (which makes sense, considering creator Justin Spitzer worked on both shows) with its humor coming from the incredible cast chemistry between co-stars, including the likes of Wendi McLendon-Covey, Mekki Leeper, and David Alan Grier. This episode sees Bruce (Josh Lawson) attempting to cover-up the fact he’s afraid of needles during a hospital blood drive by using a fake arm to donate blood (this whole situation is hilarious considering he’s a surgeon but is terrified of sharp things). It doesn’t end well, which is unfortunate for Joyce (McLendon-Covey), who was trying to get 100% participation in the drive–but it’s great for the audience, because the laughs never stop. In fact, it’s just what the doctor ordered. 

Most Unexpected Movie Ending: Conclave (streaming on Peacock) 

Conclave is a crazy movie. You wouldn’t think a movie about electing the next pope would be filled with insane levels of pettiness and hundreds of tiny white umbrellas, but here we are. Conclave could be compared to The Real Housewives franchise–in fact, it already has been, dozens of times–but the out-of-left-field reveal at the end makes the movie not just fun, but also philosophical. No spoilers here–you just have to watch it. In fact, maybe you can have a conclave to view Conclave. 

Best Academy Awards Campaign: Timothée Chalamet’s Musical Guest Performance on SNL 

^{SNL via YouTube}

When it was first announced Timothee Chalamet was going to be both the host and musical guest on Saturday Night Live, many people were surprised–maybe even scared–because the last non-professional musician to do the same thing was Gary Busey, forty years ago, and history has not been kind. 

Well, I am happy to report that Timmy Tim’s gamble paid off–and may have even elevated him to projected frontrunner for Best Actor at the Oscars for his portrayal of Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown (this would also make him the youngest Best Actor winner ever). Singing in character as Dylan, Chalamet’s first song was “Outlaw Blues”–and it did not disappoint. Wearing a giant parka and sunglasses, Chalamet crooned almost as if he was Harry Styles on debut album favorite “Kiwi”–which is surprising considering Styles is a former boy band member-turned-British rockstar and Bob Dylan is basically the complete opposite of that. In any case, it’s a good thing that Chalamet took a risk for his movie promotion, maybe even changing how campaigns look for future actors–if only Austin Butler had sung as Elvis rather than keep the accent for the entire press tour. 

Best Y2K sound: “Sports Car,” Tate McRae

^{Tate McRae via YouTube}

We’re 25 years into the 21st century now, so what’s better than a little nostalgia? Invoking the Pussycat Dolls’ 2006 hit “Buttons,” Tate McRae understood the assignment in her new banger, whisper-singing the chorus in the likes of Britney Spears while donning couture fashion that has been compared to late-2000s music video icons Beyoncé and Lady Gaga. 2025 will likely keep the trend of Y2K core going strong with Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis’ Freaky Friday follow-up Freakier Friday coming in August. The only thing that’s scarier just might be how long we have to wait for the movie to premiere.