This month's selection for Wonder Why may not be the weirdest song we've had on the show but I'm willing to bet it's the weirdest performer (at least by name) we'll have the show.  Who is ? and the Mysterians? Are they Marvel superheroes about to get their own entry into the MCU?  Not that we're aware of at this time. What we do know is ? and the Mysterians originated in Michigan and went on to have two Top 40 hits in 1967. The biggest hit was the #1 song, "96 Tears." Should they have had more success post 1967? How long did they last as a band? What is the longest time between releasing a single and still performing it in concert? Some of these questions are answered on this episode of Wonder Why

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Wonder Why EP. 38: ? And the Mysterians

The #PCPN is launching a new music podcast. Jason Skull (@5150Skull) joins the Positive Cynicism podcast family. He and @chadsmart grew up in the 1980s heavily influenced by the rock scene which of Los Angeles' fabled Sunset Strip.  Jason and Chad will examine different aspects of the famed time period in music history. Whether it's a specific band, trend or cliche, this is sure to be nothing but a good podcast.

Nothing But a Good Podcast EP. 1: Introduction

Continuing the 2021 series of musical artists that aren't really one hit wonders, we go to 1992 for a band who had three songs on the billboard chart for over a year and then nothing.  While hard core or gangsta rap was taking hold in 1992, Arrested Development emerged on the scene as conscious rappers.  

Wonder Why: EP. 37: Arrested Development

While anyone who grew up in the '80s, can't forget the Scottish band, Simple Minds, most American music listeners probably aren't aware the band has a 40+ year career that is still going. On this episode of Wonder Why, the  exploration of artists primarily known for one hit while having multiple hits continues with a enlightening discussion of a band with 20 studio albums. Should Simple Minds be better known in America? How does their latest release compare to their biggest hit? Are they comparable to an world famous Irish band? These questions are raised and addressed on this episode.

Wonder Why EP. 36: Simple Minds

2021 moves rapidly along with the "Not Quite" One Hit Wonder series. This month we examine probably the biggest television theme song of the last 30 years. The Rembrandts' song "I'll Be There For You" became a hit after the breakout success of the NBC sit-com "FRIENDS" in 1995. What most people probably don't know is The Rembrandts had a higher charting song four years earlier. Even more shocking was finding out the history of The Rembrandts goes back to 1978 and has a connection to the Two Coreys (Feldman and Haim).  Join @chadsmart and @MikeDeKalb as they examine the discography of this power pop duo to find out why they are mainly known for a 45 second TV theme song.

Wonder Why EP. 35: The Rembrandts

Continuing the series of mistaken one hit wonder, this month, the Wonder Why series looks at the hip-hop group Digital Underground.  Breaking out in 1990 with the song "The Humpty Dance," it was easy to write off Digital Underground as a gimmicky rap group.  However, upon looking deeper, one finds the DU were carrying on a tradition started by funk legends P-Funk.  The success of "The Humpty Dance" led to a unique opportunity for the band as well as hoping launch the career of one of the biggest rap stars of the nineties.  A minor hit would follow a couple of years later.  

Wonder Why 34: Digital Underground

The unofficial fourth season of Wonder Why kicks off with a new theme for the year. Instead of looking at technical "One Hit Wonders," for 2021, the focus is on Artists that have more than one hit but are primarily known for one hit. The first artist on the list is Englishman, Rupert Holmes. Scoring a number one hit with "Escape (The Pina Colada Song), Rupert had a couple more hits before transitioning to a second (and third) career.  

Wonder Why 33: Rupert Holmes

The Positive Cynicism podcast was launched in January 2017 the same week Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 45th President of the United States. Initially focusing more on politics, the #PCPN was developed with the creation of the shows, "Wonder Why," "Popology101" and "The FANtastic Podcast."  As the election of 2020 comes to a (possible) conclusion, it feels this is the best time to bring Politicalamity to an end as well. After nearly four years of discussing politics, analyzing the hypocrisy and looking to the future of even greater hypocrisy would lead to less positivity and more cynicism. So with that in mind, the time has come to retire Politicalamity unless some major news comes up that deserves our attention. Thank you for listening and hopefully you'll continue to support the Positive Cynicism Podcast Network.

Politicalmity 16: The Last Episode?

How soon is too soon to label a band a one hit wonder? That's the question asked by this episode of Wonder Why as we delve into the success, or lack thereof, for Foster the People. Busting onto the scene in 2011 with "Pumped Up Kicks," a song that reached number three on the Billboard chart, success seemed likely for the Alt-Pop band.  Surprisingly in the following 9 years, Foster the People have had limited success on the main charts. They did come close to another Top 40 hit falling just two spots shy. @chadsmart and @MikeDeKalb examine three studio albums to try and understand the challenges Foster the People have failed to overcome to achieve more hits. Their conclusion puts the blame less on Mark Foster and group and more on the state of the modern day music industry. 

Wonder Why 32: Foster the People

Class is back in session with the latest Popology 101. On this session, @chadsmart and @TheTravisYates look at the proliferation of streaming services. What was once thought to be the alternative to rising cable costs are now becoming just as expensive due to the number of options available. What affect will this have on the output of new content? Will the focus be on quality or quantity?

Popology 101 Episode 15: Streaming Overload

Rising to fame quickly in the late '70s, The Vapors achieved one hit wonder status with their song "Turning Japanese."  After the success of that song and lack of success with a follow up album, the band went their separate ways.  On this edition of Wonder Why, @chadsmart and @MikeDeKalb looking into the history of the band and examine the other songs on their albums to try and discern why long term success eluded The Vapors.

Wonder Why 31: The Vapors

Due to scheduling conflicts, this episode was recorded a week early. Given the amount of political news to come out on a daily basis, we didn't get to comment on the latest news.  Instead, we give brief thoughts on the debates and make final predictions for the election.  @chadsmart also questions why people would vote early knowing that there's going to be "shocking" information to come out before the November 3. 

Politicalamity 15: Home Stretch

As the world continues The Great Shutdown of 2020, Chad and Eric return after a few months off to look at the impact Covid continues to have on the movie industry.  From theaters still being shuttered to studios rescheduling movies over the next two years, what does the future hold for movies?  Chad and Eric discuss where they see the movie industry heading in the next few years. Will there be an increase in streaming and home rentals? Will the megaplex survive? Will budgets continue to rise?  There are no certain answers, just observations.

Chad & Eric's FAN-tastic Podcast 12:Can Theaters Survive Covid

It's October, 2020 which means all podcasts must have a tie in to Halloween. Popology 101 takes a look at the appeal of horror films. Professor @TheTravisYates and @chadsmart are joined by horror film fan, @RobCady1 to discuss what inherent trait attracts us to what scares us.  In addition, Rob gives recommendations on some lesser known horror films and we pitch some crossover horror film mashups. If you like the show, please leave a review.  Then check out Travis and Rob's podcast, @StillUpPodcast.

Popology 101 14: The Appeal of Horror Films

In time to tie in with a popular Google ad, this episode of Wonder Why examines the career of "Return of the Mack" singer, Mark Morrison.  Like other One Hit Wonders, Morrison had a successful career outside of America but only manged to land one song in the Top 40 back in 1997.  Hosts @chadsmart and @MikeDeKalb look at the career and personal life of this British singer to try and decide why he only managed one hit in the USA.  There are similarities to an American R&B singer that may help explain the lack of continued success.

Wonder Why 30: Mark Morrison

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