The Drop

Camp Cope are one of the most influential Australian bands of the past decade. Their music and their activism forced the industry to confront its history of sexism and discrimination. Now the band is breaking up. Today on The Drop, Georgia Maq, Sarah Thompson and Kelly-Dawn Helmrich talk about the origins of Camp Cope, the impact they made, and why they are breaking up.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back to The O.C. b—ch! It's been twenty years since The O.C. hit screens and the time has come to revisit Newport, California. On this episode of The Drop Osman, Mel and Thomas discuss the hit series, examining its cultural impact at the time, the importance of its legacy today and how the shows sound track influenced the musical taste of a generation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wes Anderson is back with his 11th feature film, the star-studded Asteroid City. On this episode of The Drop, Osman, Thomas and Mel review the film, discuss how it compares to the rest of Anderson's filmography, and talk about the director's aesthetic and how it's influenced social media and the broader culture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After one of the most controversial Logies in recent memory, Osman, Thomas and Mel discuss whether Australian TV's night-of-nights still matters, and what it tells us about the state of the industry. They also unpack what Sonia Kruger winning the Gold Logie means, given her controversial comments about Muslim immigration. Plus, a discussion about the second half of The Bear season two, which Thomas and Osman think could be better than Succession.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Barbie and Oppenheimer have smashed box office records around the world, including in Australia. Osman, Thomas and Mel unpack the Barbenheimer phenomenon and what it means for the future of cinema. Also, The Bear season two has finally arrived, and The Drop team dive into the first five episodes of the second season and debate whether the show maintained the quality of it's brilliant first season.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Colombian pop sensation J Balvin has sold 35 million albums, worked with Beyonce on his iconic track Mi Gente and gone to number one with Cardi B on I Like It. On this episode of The Drop, he drops by the studio on his first Australian tour to talk about his new album (featuring Usher), his upcoming collaboration with Ed Sheeran and the rise and rise of reggaeton.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After months of hype, the two biggest releases of the year are finally here. Osman, Thomas and Mel have seen Barbie and Oppenheimer and lived to tell the tale. Today on The Drop, spoiler-free reviews and analysis of both films, plus a special sealed section full of spoilers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the first time since 1960 actors and writers are on strike, shutting down film and TV productions across the world, including here in Australia. The Hollywood strike could go on for months and will shape the future of the entertainment industry. On this episode of The Drop, Osman, Thomas and Mel unpack the background to the strike, what the key issues are, the debate over AI and streaming, and what the end game could look like.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The highly anticipated second season of The Bear is nearly here. Osman, Thomas and Mel discuss why it hasn't aired in Australia, despite being available in the US for weeks, what the second season has in store, and why the show became such a massive hit. They also breakdown this year's Emmy nominations and talk about what they're watching right now.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh (Ocean's 11, Magic Mike) is back with a new HBO series, Full Circle. The tense crime thriller stars Claire Danes and Timothy Olyphant and looks at the aftermath of a botched kidnapping in New York City. Steven is back on The Drop to talk about Full Circle and share his thoughts on the current TV landscape and the state of Hollywood more broadly.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Barbie's world and Osman, Thomas and Mel are just living in it. On today's episode of The Drop, a conversation about Thomas' interview with Tom Cruise and a deep dive into the marketing hype around Margot Robbie's upcoming Barbie film, which has taken over the culture. Plus, a recap of the season finale of The Idol.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jennifer Lawrence is back! The Oscar-winner is the star of new sex comedy No Hard Feelings, about a 32-year-old woman who attempts to seduce a 19-year-old. Osman, Thomas and Mel dig into J-Law's career, her pivot to comedy, and discuss what happened to the great comedy movies of the 2000s.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Osman, Thomas and Mel discuss the new season of And Just Like That and debate the show's merits compared to Sex and the City. They unpack the show's attempts to diversity to the cast and whether it works, and whether it's worth watching. Plus, they discuss episode three of the The Idol and the news that The Bear will be delayed by nearly a month in Australia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Osman Faruqi, Thomas Mitchell and Rob Moran break down the success of Kylie Minogue's latest hit Padam Padam and how a hit song is created in 2023. They look back at Kylie's career and her longevity and discuss her best songs. Plus, a look at The Idol episode two, and Osman recommends his favourite film of the year so far.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Osman, Thomas and Mel are back to break down HBO's controversial new show, The Idol. Starring Lily-Rose Depp and popstar The Weeknd, the show has been panned by critics. But is it as bad as the reviews say? Can The Weeknd actually act? Plus, they share their tips on the best new shows to watch to fill the gap left by Succession.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Osman, Thomas and Mel break down the final ever episode of Succession! Did the ending live up to the hype? What next for the Roys? How does Succession’s ending compare to other great prestige shows? Plus, this final ever discussion of best lines, fun fact corner, and Gerri-watch.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahead of Succession's final ever episode, Osman, Thomas and Mel look back at what made the show such a cultural phenomenon, discuss the best and worst moments from the show's history, talk about underrated characters, predict how the show will end and answer listener questions. Plus, an interview with J. Smith Cameron who plays Gerri.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of The Drop, Osman Faruqi and Today Show's Brooke Boney explore the enduring appeal of the Fast and Furious franchise, from its humble beginnings to the star packed phenomenon it's become. And featuring interviews with Charlize Theron, Brie Larson, Michelle Rodriguez and Helen Mirren. The Drop is a weekly show tackling the latest in the world of pop culture and entertainment. Join host Osman Faruqi and the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age's team of culture writers and critics along with interviews with musicians, actors, film makers and everyone involved in the world of culture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Osman, Thomas and Mel dissect the penultimate episode of Succession, Church and State. While the Roy family patriarch is finally put to rest there's unrest on the streets of New York following the US election. Closer to home, Shiv drops a bombshell, Roman drops the ball and Kendall drops the nice guy act as the sibs fight it out for control. We chat about who delivers the best eulogy, why mausoleums are a terrible idea, and if Mel should be worried that she's dreaming about Roman. Plus, this episode's best lines, fun fact corner, rankings and our final ever predictions ahead of Succession's grand finale.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Osman, Thomas and Mel dissect the highly anticipated election night episode of Succession by exploring the real world comparisons, analysing the games within games the siblings are playing with each other, and debate what the show is trying to tell us about how politics works. Plus, this episode's best lines, fun fact corner, rankings and predictions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Osman, Thomas and Mel discuss whether Shiv and Tom are the real emotional core of Succession and what this episode's emotionally bruising climax means for the future of the show. Plus, an interview with David Rasche who plays Karl, this episode's best lines, rankings and predictions!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Osman, Thomas and Mel discuss their mixed reaction to the latest episode of Succession, and why it feels different to the rest of the season. They unpack Roman's ongoing daddy issues and whether they would choose to live in Living+. Plus, Thomas interviews Peter Friedman about playing "greybeard" Frank and his thoughts on the latest season.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Osman, Thomas and new Mel break down the fifth episode of the final season of Succession, covering the gang as they head to Norway. They unpack the return of Alexander Skarsgård, how the negotiations to sell the company went, and Shiv’s transformation. Plus, the best lines, winners and losers, and predictions for next week!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Osman, Thomas and new co-host Mel break down the fourth episode of the final season of Succession, covering the aftermath of Logan Roy's shock death. They discuss the new alliances and divisions forming, how the show is going without Brian Cox and whether or not the anointed successor will survive at the top for long. Plus, the best lines, winners and losers and predictions for next week!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Osman, Meg and Thomas break down the massive twist that upends Succession's fourth and final season. They discuss that shocking death, how each of the character's reacted, where it leaves the show, and what makes for a memorable TV death. Plus, Thomas interviews Nicholas Braun about playing Cousin Greg and his thoughts on the latest season.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Osman, Meg and Thomas are back to break down the second episode of Succession's fourth and final season. They discuss Logan's return to ATN, the dissolution of Shiv and Tom's marriage, and the different motivations held by the siblings. Plus, winners and losers of the episode, best quotes, fun facts and predictions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is John Wick one of modern cinema's best franchises? Or overrated, ultra-violent garbage? With the fourth instalment of the series in cinemas now, Osman Faruqi and Rob Moran debate the strength of the John Wick universe. Warning: This episode contains spoilers for the John Wick franchise. The Drop is a weekly show tackling the latest in the world of pop culture and entertainment. Join host Osman Faruqi and the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age's team of culture writers and critics along with interviews with musicians, actors, filmmakers and everyone involved in the world of culture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Succession is back for its fourth and final season. Join Osman Faruqi, Meg Watson and Thomas Mitchell as they unpack the season premiere, discuss their favourite lines and analyse who came out on top.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Part satire, part black comedy, part drama, Succession is one of the most critically acclaimed shows in the world. Ahead of the premiere of the fourth and final season of Succession, Thomas Mitchell, Meg Watson and Osman Faruqi unpack what makes the show so great, and refresh us on where the Roy family is at before the stunning show comes to a conclusion.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Artificial intelligence is already being used to make incredible memes, hilarious videos and fascinating art. But what are the downsides, and how will AI challenge the world of art, and society and politics more generally? The Drop is a weekly show tackling the latest in the world of pop culture and entertainment. Join host Osman Faruqi and the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age's team of culture writers and critics along with interviews with musicians, actors, film makers and everyone involved in the world of culture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you noticed a lack of prestige TV on your favourite streaming platforms lately? You're not alone. The good news is, some of the most critically acclaimed shows of the past few years are about to return, including Succession and Ted Lasso. Plus, a whole bunch of brand new series are set to drop in the next couple of months. On today's episode: our guide to best upcoming TV shows. The Drop is a weekly show tackling the latest in the world of pop culture and entertainment. Join host Osman Faruqi and the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age's team of culture writers and critics along with interviews with musicians, actors, film makers and everyone involved in the world of culture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Academy Awards are just two weeks away. Will Everything Everywhere All At Once clean up? Could Top Gun: Maverick sneak ahead? Will Cate Blanchett pick up her third Oscar? Today on The Drop, a deep dive exploring the state of the race, who's likely to win and the potential upsets. Plus, an interview with Mandy Walker, the Oscar-nominated cinematographer behind Elvis. The Drop is a weekly show tackling the latest in the world of pop culture and entertainment. Join host Osman Faruqi and the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age's team of culture writers and critics along with interviews with musicians, actors, film makers and everyone involved in the world of culture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gender neutral Oompa-Loompa's and banning the word "fat" are just some of the changes that will be made to Roald Dahl's classic children's books. The edits have sparked intense debate in the literary world, with Salman Rushdie condemning them as censorship while others have suggested that it's just about keeping up with the times. So what is really behind these changes, and what will their impact be? The Drop is a weekly show tackling the latest in the world of pop culture and entertainment. Join host Osman Faruqi and the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age's team of culture writers and critics along with interviews with musicians, actors, film makers and everyone involved in the world of culture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who is Fred Again? The 29-year-old UK musician sold out his surprise concerts in Australia in just a few seconds, demonstrating how massively popular he has become. But where did he come from, and what explains his meteoric rise? Rob Moran breaks down the Fred Again phenomenon, plus a survey of the pop music landscape in 2023 featuring Caroline Polacheck, Lana Del Rey and up and coming Australian acts. The Drop is a weekly show tackling the latest in the world of pop culture and entertainment. Join host Osman Faruqi and the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age's team of culture writers and critics along with interviews with musicians, actors, film makers and everyone involved in the world of culture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oscar-award winning director Steven Soderbergh is the mastermind behind Ocean's 11 and its sequels, Traffic and Erin Brockovich. His latest film is Magic Mike's Last Dance, starring Channing Tatum and Salma Hayek. On this episode of The Drop, Soderbergh discusses why he returned to the world of male strippers, the upcoming Oscars and his thoughts on Top Gun: Maverick. The Drop is a weekly show tackling the latest in the world of pop culture and entertainment. Join host Osman Faruqi and the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age's team of culture writers and critics along with interviews with musicians, actors, film makers and everyone involved in the world of culture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reality TV shows come and go but one franchise has outlasted pretty much all of the others: Survivor. The series is nearly a quarter of a century old and is undergoing a renaissance. A new season of the Australian version of the franchise kicked off this week and it’s already being called the best ever. Today on The Drop, culture reporter Meg Watson on how Survivor has outlasted other reality TV shows. The Drop is a weekly show tackling the latest in the world of pop culture and entertainment. Join host Osman Faruqi and the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age's team of culture writers and critics along with interviews with musicians, actors, film makers and everyone involved in the world of culture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's biggest music countdown is here, but does it still have the kind of cultural resonance it used to? On today's episode journalist Billie Eder dives into the data to look what it takes to get a winning song, and what we can expect in this year's countdown. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the biggest movies in the world right now is about a robotic doll who goes on a violent rampage. The film is called M3GAN, and it’s part of a new wave of campy, self-aware horror movies that are becoming huge box office success stories. On today's episode, we explore how horror appears to be in the middle of a renaissance right now, thanks to an emphasis on fun, slick marketing, and a healthy dose of social and political satire. The Drop is a weekly show tackling the latest in the world of pop culture and entertainment. Join host Osman Faruqi and the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age's team of culture writers and critics along with interviews with musicians, actors, film makers and everyone involved in the world of culture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Test is a sports documentary series that takes viewers inside the inner sanctum of the Australian men's cricket team, revealing candid conversations and behind-the-scenes tension. One of the show's breakout stars is batter Usman Khawaja. On this episode of The Drop, Usman Khawaja talks about his involvement in the show and why Australian cricket needs to confront its race problem. Also on this episode: The two co-directors of The Test, Adrian Brown and Sheldon Wynne. The Drop is a weekly show tackling the latest in the world of pop culture and entertainment. Join host Osman Faruqi and the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age's team of culture writers and critics along with interviews with musicians, actors, film makers and everyone involved in the world of culture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's hip-hop has never been bigger and more diverse, and it's making waves around the world. But over the past few years police have been waging a battle against some of the most popular musicians in the country, in some cases stopping them from performing live. Last week things escalated, with police threatening to remove their music from streaming platforms like Spotify and YouTube. It's a fight reminiscent of the tension between groups like NWA and Tupac and law enforcement in the 1990s, but it's happening right here in Australia. Today on The Drop, writer and critic Mahmood Fazal unpacks the current state of Australia's hip-hop scene, why it's attracted so much controversy, and who will win: police or hip-hop? The Drop is a weekly show tackling the latest in the world of pop culture and entertainment. Join host Osman Faruqi and the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age's team of culture writers and critics along with interviews with musicians, actors, film makers and everyone involved in the world of culture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In recent years ABC has struggled to reach younger audiences, on TV, radio and online. Lately, a few programming decisions have left many in the entertainment industry scratching their heads, wondering why the broadcaster seems so reluctant to back a new generation of talent, and what that means for the future of entertainment, news, and music. Today on The Drop, culture reporter for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald Meg Watson on the ABC's crisis with young people. The Drop is a weekly show tackling the latest in the world of pop culture and entertainment. Join host Osman Faruqi and the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age's team of culture writers and critics along with interviews with musicians, actors, film makers and everyone involved in the world of culture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everyone's favourite new social media app, BeReal, promises an unfiltered and candid insight into our daily lives. But does it live up to the hype? And is there really such a thing as authenticity on social media? Millennial writer Patrick Lenton and Gen Z journalist Carla Jaeger join The Drop to talk about our current social media landscape. The Drop is a weekly show tackling the latest in the world of pop culture and entertainment. Join host Osman Faruqi and the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age's team of culture writers and critics along with interviews with musicians, actors, film makers and everyone involved in the world of culture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The biggest movie event of the year is finally here. Avatar: The Way of Water, James Cameron’s long awaited follow up to the highest grossing film of all time, has divided critics but audiences are watching it in droves. After 13 years was the wait worth it? Why did Avatar have almost no cultural impact despite breaking box office records? And is the new film worth watching? Culture reporter Meg Watson and Osman Faruqi discuss the good, the bad and the ugly of the new Avatar. The Drop is a weekly show tackling the latest in the world of pop culture and entertainment. Join host Osman Faruqi and the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age's team of culture writers and critics along with interviews with musicians, actors, film makers and everyone involved in the world of culture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some of the biggest movies of the year are about to hit our screens over the next few weeks, including a billion dollar Avatar sequel, a Steven Spielberg drama, and a film starring Cate Blanchett in what is being described as her best ever performance. Today on The Drop comedian and film buff Gen Fricker joins the show to breakdown what to keep out eye out for at the cinema. The Drop is a weekly show tackling the latest in the world of pop culture and entertainment. Join host Osman Faruqi and the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age's team of culture writers and critics along with interviews with musicians, actors, film makers and everyone involved in the world of culture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of TV’s best shows is about to wrap up its second season, and things are taking a dark and chaotic turn. Plus, the best new shows on TV right now - including Colin from Accounts, Slow Horses and Fleischman is in Trouble. The Drop is a weekly show tackling the latest in the world of pop culture and entertainment. Join host Osman Faruqi and the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age's team of culture writers and critics along with interviews with musicians, actors, film makers and everyone involved in the world of culture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Taylor Swift announced her first tour in five years, fans went wild. But when tickets eventually went on sale the tour was plunged into chaos, with millions of fans locked out of the system. Ticketmaster, the company managing the sale, blamed unprecedented demand, but everyone from progressive congresswoman AOC to the US Department of Justice and even Swift herself think there’s something much bigger going on, and her fans are demanding answers. The controversy around this tour has highlighted the amount of uncertainty in the live music industry right now, including here in Australia, and put the focus on the giant corporations that control most of the market. The Drop is a weekly show tackling the latest in the world of pop culture and entertainment. Join host Osman Faruqi and the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age's team of culture writers and critics along with interviews with musicians, actors, film makers and everyone involved in the world of culture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NYT journalists Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey exposed Harvey Weinstein and helped spark the #MeToo movement. Now their story has been turned into a new film, She Said, starring Zoe Kazan and Carey Mulligan. Jodi and Megan are this week's guests on The Drop, and they share what it was like covering one of the biggest news stories in recent history, seeing themselves portrayed on the big screen, the role investigative journalism plays in society, and what it was like being tracked by ex-Israeli spies.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The White Lotus was never supposed to have a second season, but the Emmy-award winning series is back, with a new cast, a new location, and brutally honest read on sex and relationships in the modern age. On this episode of The Drop we dive into what made the show so good, and if its still worth watching. The Drop is a weekly show tackling the latest in the world of pop culture and entertainment. Join host Osman Faruqi and the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age's team of culture writers and critics along with interviews with musicians, actors, film makers and everyone involved in the world of culture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bros is the latest film from Nicholas Stoller, the director of Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Bad Neighbours. It's a gay rom-com starring Billy Eichner, and it's a resurgence of the genre at the cinema. On this episode we dive into how Bros compares to other classic rom-coms, rank our top five of all time, speak to Nicholas Stoller about the film, and the state of cinema more broadly. The Drop is a weekly show tackling the latest in the world of pop culture and entertainment. Join host Osman Faruqi and the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age's team of culture writers and critics along with interviews with musicians, actors, film makers and everyone involved in the world of culture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Taylor Swift's latest album has already broken sales and streaming records, becoming the biggest music release of the year. Midnights, her 10th album, is more an iteration than a radical reinvention of Swift's music, but what does that tell us about this stage of her career and the trajectory of pop music? The Drop is a weekly show tackling the latest in the world of pop culture and entertainment. Join host Osman Faruqi and the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age's team of culture writers and critics along with interviews with musicians, actors, film makers and everyone involved in the world of culture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.