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 Mustache’ (the latter of which Timothée Chalamet wins by a landslide). May the best, worst, boldest, and weirdest win. 

Best Birthday Gift: Beyonce Surprise-Dropping a Song on America’s Birthday for Her Own B’Day 

^{Beyoncé via YouTube}

This past Fourth of July was America’s 250th birthday–and what’s a more patriotic way to celebrate than Beyoncé surprise-dropping a new song? In anticipation of the 20th anniversary re-release of the singer’s 2006 album B’Day, which drops on the singer’s actual birthday of September 4, Beyoncé released a cut song from her self-titled 2013 album. “Morning Dew (Donk)” is a sultry, down-tempo R&B jam, with a semi-ridiculous chorus that repeats the word “donkey” so many times it actually works. I can’t wait for the full 20th anniversary release on September 4–surely there will be more unreleased songs in store. 

Most Egregious Emmy Snub: Cailee Spaeny, Beef

Season two of Beef was a fascinating look into general divides and how class differences can drive real conflict. When Emmy nominations were announced, co-leads Carey Mulligan, Oscar Isaac, and Charles Melton were all nominated for their roles, as expected. But one name was left off the list, which truly shocked me: Cailee Spaeny. As Ashley, the fiancée to Austin’s himbo-with-a-confused-heart, Spaeny often drove the emotional stakes of the season. She was ambitious to work her way up the corporate ladder and would stop at nothing to get what she wanted. She spiked orange juice with her blood, buried evidence of illegal activities at the country club she works for, and unintentionally led to the death of her manager’s wife’s dog, all while dealing with the pitfalls of America’s healthcare system–and it was riveting to watch. Hopefully, a nomination will be in the cards for Spaeny in the future. 

Best Reboot: Little House on the Prairie 

^{Netflix via YouTube}

Little House on the Prairie was a big part of my childhood. I read all the books when I was in grade school, and being from Wisconsin, where author Laura Ingalls was born, I feel a special connection to her and her family’s adventures on the prairie. Though I did not watch all nine seasons of the original Michael Landon and Melissa Gilbert-starring series from the 1970s, I’ve seen enough to know that it deviates greatly from the original books. I am happy to report that Netflix’s new reboot is much more faithful to the books and has been one of my favorite series to watch this year. Even in the dead of summer, Little House feels like a warm blanket. It’s comforting and cozy, well-paced and well-acted, and has a healthy balance of tear-jerking emotional stakes and action for intrigue. In the first five minutes of the first episode alone, Laura’s family and their wagon nearly get lost to the river, which is made even scarier when their loyal dog Jack gets swept up in the current and you later learn that the mother, Caroline, is pregnant with her third child (don’t worry, everyone makes it, and the dog comes back). As Pa’s portrayer Luke Bracey said in an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, “[I feel lucky to be a part of a show] that tells a nice story about people trying to be good.” Indeed, Little House on the Prairie is a show about kind and caring people, and it’s simply a joy to watch. 

Worst Spin Off: Stuart Fails to Save the Universe 

Few things in life have rage-baited me more than The Big Bang Theory franchise. The last four seasons of the original show had a massive decline in quality (what were the writers thinking trying to break up Leonard and Penny immediately after their marriage????), and Young Sheldon was centered around the original show’s most annoying character. It brings me no pleasure to report yet another disappointing spin-off with Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, yet here we are. With a truly convoluted plot and barely three-dimensional characters, The Big Bang Theory franchise should stop trying to become the Marvel Cinematic Universe of TV and instead focus on producing quality laughs. Big Bang will always have a special place in my heart; the first five seasons were genuinely great, and one spinoff, Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, is one of my favorite shows currently on network TV. But as the critics at Vulture put it, Stuart Fails to be a good TV show. I really really hope it improves from here. 

Most Y2K vibes: “2007,” Chari XCX

^{Charli XCX via YouTube}

Charli XCX’s new album Music, Fashion, Film continues her streak of excellent music. The standout track for me is “2007,” which genuinely sounds like it was made during that year. Over a fuzzy synth beat, “2007” sounds like it was made while Charli was scrolling through My Space, wearing a cropped black vest and low-rise jeans and listening to Freaky Friday’s Pink Slip on an iPod Shuffle. With 2007, Charli XCX delivers on her promise of taking us to heaven.