Cosmopolitics
Hosted by managing editor Deb Kwon and copy editor Abi Lee, “Cosmopolitics” loves and hates the films, shows, music, celebrities, and everything else that’s “in” right now. This is a show here to honestly dissect, criticize, and love all things pop culture.
Fri, February 03, 2023
New York, New York, it’s a helluva town
New York City. Even just that name sparked an idea in your head, didn’t it? Freshly back from her short trip in Manhattan, Deb sits with Abi to talk all about the position and meaning of New York in the public consciousness — and, naturally, they talk some about the dating app experiences in New York vs. Seattle (one has more rizz, you could say).
Fri, January 06, 2023
Spotify Wrapped and 9/11
Deb and Abi get *serious* and talk about post-9/11 culture when it comes to trends, but not before they both go through their Spotify Wrapped and have revelations about themselves and their listening habits.
Fri, November 11, 2022
Swipe right, plan a date, get cuffed
Happy cuffing season! Deb and Abi talk Tinder, Hinge, Bumble, Yik Yak, and Chicago: the big 5 dating apps.
Mon, October 24, 2022
In or out: Wife guys
Welcome back to Cosmopolitics! Deb is here with new co-host Abi Lee to talk all about the Try Guys and create a certified unsafe space for wife guys, with tangents about Asian identity on the side.
Sat, June 11, 2022
A Gay Finale
For the spring quarter finale of Cosmopolitics, Deb and Sarah watched (binged) the new Netflix series “Heartstopper.” They talk queer joy, high school reflection, representation, and tons more, while raving about “Heartstopper.”
Sat, May 21, 2022
Diversity Is Good, Actually
This week, Deb and Sarah talk about casting, retconning, and the casting update in the upcoming Percy Jackson series.
Thu, April 21, 2022
‘Don’t Look Up’ Could Have Been 30 Minutes Long
This week, Deb and Sarah decided to simply waste time. AKA, they watched “Don’t Look Up,” which is apparently almost two and a half hours long. This movie could have been really good for the climate change discussion, but instead it was literally everything else — and Deb and Sarah have tons to say.
Thu, April 07, 2022
Talking ‘Turning Red’
Deb and Sarah are back for another quarter of Cosmopolitics, and they finally watched “Turning Red” (like 10 minutes before they recorded this episode). Check this for their instant thoughts on the 2000s vibes, youth cringe moments, AAVE, and the mother-daughter relationship seen in “Turning Red”.
Thu, January 06, 2022
Squid Game (Featuring the Arts Editors)
Deb sits down with The Daily's Arts + Culture editors Josh and Anna to talk all things Squid Game. Is it good? Is it bad? Is it even still relevant? Find out all this and more on a special episode of Cosmopolitics!
Fri, November 19, 2021
Queering the Straights’ Movies
You’ve heard of Top 10 Worst LGBTQ+ Films and Top 10 Best LGBTQ+ Films, but today, Deb and Sarah bring you a ranking of the most queer straight films. Listen for their takes on everything from “Cars” to “Thor: Ragnarok” to “Mean Girls.”
Fri, November 05, 2021
How To Have A Relationship With ‘Harry Potter’ & ‘Percy Jackson’ in 2021
This week, Deb & Sarah talk “Harry Potter” and “Percy Jackson.” There’s a lot to love and hate — especially with the series written by she-who-shall-not-be-named. Listen on to get the scoop on the merits and messiness of both series and how to enjoy (or not enjoy) problematic entertainment.
Sun, October 24, 2021
Shang-Chi, Montero, and the Politician-Celebrity Complex
Happy irl fall quarter! We’re so excited to be back and release our first episode of the quarter — which actually took place with both of us in the same room, instead of a tech issue-heavy Facetime call. This week, we talk all about Marvel’s “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” Lil Nas X’s new album “Montero,” and share our thoughts on The AOC Dress of September’s Met Gala.
Thu, June 03, 2021
Copaganda
To finish off spring quarter, Deb & Sarah take a deeper dive into cop propaganda, a.k.a copaganda, exploring the presence of cops beyond just the cop and true crime genres, and copaganda's impacts on real world perceptions of cops.
Thu, May 20, 2021
Diversity Dissonance in Hollywood
Deb & Sarah pass the Bechdel test, but what about most movies and TV shows? They talk all the good and bad of diversity in entertainment. Also, why is Kevin Costner in all the white savior movies? Fair warning, this is a spoiler-heavy episode: The Good Place, Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Get Out, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
Wed, May 05, 2021
And the Award for Putting the Cult in Culture Goes To…
We’re breathing in the fading, sort of rancid Oscars air this week to talk all things celebrities and stan cult(ure). From a throwback to that cringe “Imagine” cover last year to celebrity worship syndrome, join Deb & Sarah for a conversation about it all. Recommendation for stans: take a deep breath before listening.
Thu, April 22, 2021
Marvel Characters: Where They Are Now
With Wandavision, Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and more coming out this year, Deb and Sarah have fun this week assigning superlatives and politics to various Marvel characters, while reminiscing on past films.
Thu, April 08, 2021
Girl Power in Children’s Shows: Empowering or Subtly Sexist?
Spring is the season of new beginnings, and what better way to celebrate than Cosmopolitics being back? This week, Deb is joined by her new co-host Sarah Kahle, and they talk all about sexism in our fave Disney shows and how a lot of it might not have actually been “feminist AF.”
Wed, November 25, 2020
What’s Something That Feels Like A Villain But Isn’t A Villain?
After spending a bit too much time on Disney+, Deb has a bone to pick with the way villains are portrayed in children’s shows, as well as how this fits into the national discussion of systemic issues and injustices.
Thu, November 12, 2020
Inclusive Representation Includes Relationships
Representation in entertainment and politics is always a hot topic. Particularly with books, movies, and shows, what’s also relevant is the dynamics of relationships. This week, Deb talks to Daily writer Tiasha Datta about their favorite (and least favorite) representations of identities in popular shows and movies.
Tue, November 03, 2020
Celebrities Say “Vote”
The general election has finally arrived and is semi-over. This week, Deb has some thoughts on voting, the celebrity advocacy for voting, and community care.
Tue, October 27, 2020
So You Want To Talk About Pretty Politics
In an age of heightened social consciousness & aesthetically-pleasing infographics, how much meaning do terms like “BLM” & “ACAB” truly have? In this episode, Deb talks to fellow "pretty-online" UW sophomore Em Dickson about dating apps, social media, and the politics of being “woke.”
Thu, October 22, 2020
The Week’s Highlights & Megan Thee Stallion
Deb is joined by the dead silence of her room as she talks about a few highlights in the last week from the world of pop culture and entertainment. She also digs into why “Protect Black Women” isn’t just a slogan.
Thu, October 15, 2020
Okay, I'll bite: What's Avatar: The Last Airbender?
Deb is joined by freshman Ava Lim to rave and dig into the pandemic fan-favorite “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” and what’s a discussion about Avatar without also poking at its ugly stepsister: the live action Avatar movie.
Thu, October 08, 2020
On the State of LGBTQ+ Representation in Entertainment
Deb introduces what Cosmopolitics is all about, and in the spirit of October being LGBT History Month, she talks queer entertainment and representation with senior Angie Ngo.
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