In the age of digital media, podcasts have become a cultural mainstay, shaping conversations around everything from politics to pop culture. With a range of topics and formats, they have carved a unique space in the entertainment industry, fostering intimate connections between hosts and listeners and shaping public discourse. When it comes to pop culture, few mediums have been as influential as the podcast.
One podcast that embodied the intersection of podcasts and pop culture was Cancelled, hosted by Tana Mongeau and Brooke Schofield. However, its run was not without its fair share of drama, particularly as they tackled controversial issues and invited discussions about internet personalities. Additionally, a recent public feud involving musician Clinton Kane, who was formerly dating co-host Brook Schofield, further highlighted how intertwined pop culture figures can become in podcast-based discussions and how this influences public perception.
In this blog, we’ll explore the unique role of podcasts like Cancelled in the pop culture landscape and how the recent Clinton Kane drama underscores the potency of this medium.
The Rise of Podcasts and Their Influence on Pop Culture
Podcasts have a long-standing reputation for being raw, real, and unfiltered. Unlike traditional media, they allow creators to speak freely on various subjects, breaking down the walls between celebrity and fan. Pop culture podcasts, in particular, provide a platform where hosts delve into trending topics, comment on celebrity controversies, and influence the direction of social conversations.
With podcasts, listeners get direct access to the thoughts, personalities, and private experiences of public figures. Unlike social media, where content is highly curated, podcast conversations are often more candid and unfiltered, letting audiences in on what feels like insider information. As a result, fans have developed a strong affinity for podcast hosts, treating their insights and perspectives as if they’re coming from a close friend.
Podcasts also are usually an hour long, so viewers aren’t just seeing little clips of someone’s life. Tuning into an hour long episode can be quite the time investment so tuning into the whole thing can create stronger parasocial relationships. For example, Alix Earle usually just posts “Get Ready With Me” videos and we aren’t seeing other aspects of her life. During her podcasts, she brings her long-term friends on and they talk about fun stories they have. It can really make the audience feel like they know her like a friend.
Another engaging aspect of podcasts is that you don’t actually have to sit down and watch them. They are easy to listen to! I listen to them when I do chores, walking to class, and especially when I’m driving. When I am doing a long drive, a podcast is essential because it makes time go by much faster than it would if you listened to music.
Tana and Brooke’s Cancelled: A New Kind of Pop Culture Commentary
The Canceled podcast, hosted by YouTube personality Tana Mongeau and influencer Brooke Schofield, quickly became a pop culture staple. Known for their bold, irreverent style, Tana and Brooke didn’t shy away from discussing controversial topics and dissecting the personal lives of celebrities and influencers alike. This is what made Canceled so popular — listeners were drawn in by the raw commentary on trending news, celebrity mishaps, and personal stories, giving them a front-row seat to the chaos of internet culture. With Tana having a big social media presence and following since 2015, which was around the time where youtubers and influencers really became popular, her fan base then followed her to her podcast which originally started with just her as the host and her close friends rotating as guests on the show. Not too long after Brooke and Tana started to collaborate more, not only the fans but also themselves realized their banter and chemistry as co-host was undeniable, causing Brooke to quickly become Tana’s co-host.
Canceling isn’t just about discussing pop culture but what is a part of it. Tana and Brooke’s podcast helps define what was considered “in” or “out” in the influencer world, as well as keeping their listeners up to date on relevant drama in the influencer world as well as young Hollywood in general. They have a thing for touching on hot topics while interweaving their personal experiences with unfiltered humor, making their show relatable to fans who are often part of the same social media circles, and have the same unfiltered and unapologetic standards.
However, like any show that deals with hot takes on celebrity culture, Canceled had its share of controversies. Fans loved their openness, but it often put them in the hot seat, and not everyone appreciated their style of calling things out as they saw fit. But as with any show that relies on controversy, this only heightened its appeal, drawing in a loyal audience and sparking countless discussions on social media.
Clinton Kane and Podcast Drama: When Pop Culture Icons Clash
In the world of pop culture podcasts, it’s not uncommon for conversations to spill over into the public sphere, creating real-world drama. A recent example involves Clinton Kane, a musician who found himself embroiled in online controversy after the end of Canceled co-host Brooke Schofeild and his toxic relationship. After over a year of keeping things under wraps, Brooke finally let the public know the truth about their relationship, which then snowballed into her making a multiple-part series on her TikTok explaining the in depth turmoil that Cliton Kane put her through while in a relationship. Kane’s response to the drama unfolded on his social media, with accusations, counterclaims, and a storm of Cancelled fans’ responses amplifying the situation.
Podcasts played a role in circulating and analyzing the drama, helping it gain traction and engaging fans across platforms. Kane’s situation is a perfect example of how a podcast can act as both a medium of information and a stage for public opinion. Listeners became not only spectators but active participants, weighing in on Kane’s behavior and the ethics of airing grievances in such a public way. This drama was analyzed by numerous pop culture and commentary podcasts, including those that take the lens of influencer culture to provide a critical perspective on events like this one.
For many, podcasts are the modern gossip column, only much more interactive and with a broader reach. The Clinton Kane drama shows that with a few viral podcast episodes, the boundaries between celebrities’ private lives and their public personas can blur rapidly. This ability to shape public opinion, especially with matters of personal and professional controversies, adds another layer to the power podcasts have over pop culture.
The Power of Podcasts in Shaping Modern Pop Culture
The success of Cancelled and the intrigue surrounding the Clinton Kane drama underscore podcasts’ relevance in today’s entertainment world. They’re more than just a way to consume information; they’re a tool for engagement, an influencer in themselves. From Tana and Brooke to Clinton Kane, podcasts have shown that their reach extends beyond digital platforms, embedding themselves in the broader pop culture narrative.
These cases also highlight how podcast audiences are deeply invested in the personalities of the hosts. Whether it’s loyalty to Tana and Brooke or fascination with a controversial figure like Clinton Kane, fans tend to feel emotionally invested in the stories shared on these platforms. This isn’t just a one-way street — hosts like Tana, Brooke, and the countless others in the podcast world also interact with fan feedback, allowing the relationship to go both ways. The result is a community that feels close-knit, even if it’s on a global scale.
Conclusion: The Future of Pop Culture in the Podcasting World
As podcasts continue to rise in popularity, their impact on pop culture will only deepen. Shows like Cancelled reveal the potential of podcasts to shape trends, influence public opinion, and create shared experiences among listeners. The Clinton Kane drama further shows how podcasts can fuel public conversations, adding to the complex web of pop culture.
For fans of pop culture, podcasts offer a chance to stay connected to the latest happenings and feel part of the larger cultural conversation. Whether discussing celebrity scandals, dissecting internet drama, or simply reflecting on shared experiences, podcasts have created a unique space where fans and influencers can connect on a meaningful level.
So, as podcast culture continues to grow, the impact on pop culture will be one to watch. Shows like Cancelled may have come and gone, but their influence remains — and as for the next wave of podcasts? They’re bound to take pop culture by storm in ways we can’t yet imagine.
