Our finale finds us talking about actor/musicians with lasting pop careers: Oscar-winners (Jamie Foxx), Grammy-winners (Childish Gambino), former child stars (Hailee Steinfeld), and Jokers (Jared Leto). After discussing contemporary stank, the competent/memorable axis, music for coffee shops, and the R&B version of that Top Chef challenge where they have to elevate gas-station snacks, we talk about what we've learned about the drive to create art. Grab Ludacris and have a listen.

Intro and outro by David Gregory Byrne; special thanks to Amanda. For more information/to become a patron of the show, visit patreon.com/mastas.

SHOW NOTES

• Record Of The Year Showdown, Episode 4: 2007-2022
• Episode 68: "Stay" Title Bout
• SDB's review of House of Gucci at Best Evidence
• Episode 73: Jamie Foxx feat. Guru & Common, "Any Given Sunday"
• MB on "Life Is A Rock (But The Radio Rolled Me)" at The Lost Songs Project

This week's crop of actor-musician hyphenates got their thespian starts in films of the 1980s: Corey Feldman, Keanu Reeves (Dogstar), Kevin Bacon (the Bacon Brothers), and Kiefer Sutherland. Copyright-compliant Gin Blossoms tracks and workout-cooldown music prompted thoughts about perfectly good outdoor-restaurant entertainment, the artistic practice that capitalism tries to stifle, and whether pretty boys want to be told they're smart (and vice versa). Strange things are afoot at the Circle MASTAS, so grab one of Kiefer's hats and have a listen.

Intro and outro by Andrew Byrne; special thanks to Amanda. For more information/to become a patron of the show, visit patreon.com/mastas.

SHOW NOTES

• Harsh but fair, Discogs commenter TwoOneFive
• "Comeback King" by Corey Feldman
• '90s Soundtrack Flashback, Episode 04: Romeo + Juliet
• River's Edge

Do you love to laugh? Then fall down the ha-ha hole that is Pop Goes The Actor's third episode! This week, we're looking at comedians who tested the pop waters, including a Blues Brother, Eddie Murphy, Tracey Ullman, and Jack Black. Acting range, the cult of mid-'70s SNL, finding unexpected IQ points in a song you've heard a dozen times, and which instrument is the creme fraiche of blues tracks -- and much more. Someone here is from Jersey, so order your minimum two drinks and listen!

Intro and outro by Laura Barger and Jack Baldelli; special thanks to Amanda, and to Terri. For more information/to become a patron of the show, visit patreon.com/mastas.

SHOW NOTES

• The "limberjack dolls" SDB was trying to think of the name for
• Daphne Merkin goes deep for the Times on "jolie-laide" (gift link)
• The Dragnet rap, a staple of morning drive-time radio at that time
• This Had Oscar Buzz on Bernie
• Our Weird Al vs. Everybody season
• "Whatzupwitu"'s Wikipedia page