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The first and only podcast bringing you weekly case studies in the pop culture of a dying empire. Every Wednesday, co-hosts Josh, Brian, and A.J. dissect an artifact of popular culture, breaking down how its narrative choices reflect or subvert the reactionary political project. From video games to movies to theater to an apparently infinite supply of evangelical Christian radio drama, we expose the machinations of the worst of all possible worlds in order to figure out how to build a better one. Also, we have bits.
Episodes

Wednesday Jun 04, 2025
192 - As Is: The First AIDS Play
Wednesday Jun 04, 2025
Wednesday Jun 04, 2025
This lads kick off pride month by revisiting an oft-forgotten but foundational play in the queer canon: William M. Hoffman’s As Is. Topics include the history of the AIDS play, Hoffman’s exquisite weaponization of comedy in the face of overwhelming tragedy, and the legacy of a 90 minute play that inspired an entire genre of theater.
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Media Referenced in this Episode:
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As Is by William M. Hoffman. 1985.
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AIDS-Involved Drama Syndrome by William M. Hoffman. Poz Magazine. February 1st, 1997.
TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com
Interstitial: “Writer’s Block” // Written by A.J. Ditty // Feat. A.J. Ditty as “A.J. Ditty”
Additional Voices for As Is Excerpts: Anne Huston, Eleanor Philips, Dara Swisher and Brent Shultz
2 months ago
please shine a light on these gems of history. give us reasons to survive and fight back