Episode Details
Back to EpisodesBoybands and Performative Masculinity- Episode #830
Description
Cathy and Todd look at how groups like Backstreet Boys, *NSYNC, Boyz II Men, and One Direction shaped pop culture and redefined what young men were allowed to sing about. They created space for emotion, love, and vulnerability on stage, but always within a carefully controlled, marketable image. From Lou Pearlman’s factory-style boyband empire to Simon Cowell’s reality TV machine, they explore the rise, the nostalgia, and why boy bands are both cringe and classic at the same time, with Cathy offering deeper reflections from a longtime fan’s perspective.
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- Avid Co DuPage County Area Decorating, Painting, Remodeling by Avid Co includes kitchens, basements, bathrooms, flooring, tiling, fire and flood restoration.
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AI Summary
Todd and Kathy discussed their upcoming podcast episode on boy bands, which will focus on their cultural impact and personal favorites. They promoted their Zen Pop Parenting podcast and related offerings, including a book, newsletter, and virtual community. Todd shared a personal story about his daughter’s experience with sorority rush at Alabama, and they briefly discussed a documentary on boy bands. They also considered whether to bleep an F-bomb in their podcast and reflected on their evolving perceptions of boy bands.
Evolution of Boy Bands
Todd discussed the evolution of boy bands, tracing their history from the 1950s to the 1980s. He highlighted influential bands like the B