Stuck In The Middle - A Gen X Podcast cover art

Stuck In The Middle - A Gen X Podcast

Stuck In The Middle - A Gen X Podcast

Written by: Jason Ek
Listen for free

About this listen

 Welcome to Stuck in the Middle - the podcast about the music, movies, and culture of Generation X.Copyright Jason Ek Art Music Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Sci-Fi TV of the 70's & 80's

    Sci-Fi TV of the 70's & 80's
    Jan 14 2026
    Nanu nanu, Slackers!

    This week is all about classic sci-fi and fantasy TV shows from the 1970s and 1980s. There was prime-time epics with space fleets on the run, bionic agents taking down threats, aliens settling into family life, talking cars outsmarting crooks, lizard-like invaders, starship crews solving cosmic problems, mysterious islands granting wishes with a catch, and anthology stories full of wonder.

    The conversation centers on the American series that dominated screens during those decades, in particular in the world of syndicated programming. Plus, there are several BBC productions included - seriously, what the heck is Blake's 7 or Doomwatch!? Admittedly, the British do sci-fi pretty well.

    These shows combined practical effects, ambitious ideas squeezed into weekly episodes, and characters that felt grounded even amid the extraordinary. Many of these were essential viewing at the time, but would they be as engaging and rewatchable today?
    Show More Show Less
    41 mins
  • Variety Shows - A Lost Form of Entertainment

    Variety Shows - A Lost Form of Entertainment
    Jan 7 2026
    It's 2026, Slackers!

    This episode kicks off with the usual New Year's Eve roundup - flipping between Dick Clark's countdown and the Nashville show, while my daughter belts out every word to today's country hits but shrugs off Dwight Yoakam like he's ancient history. My oldest came home early from Boston's First Night, which is basically a senior-citizen version of Times Square. We toasted anyway with sparkling grape juice and cider, all together before midnight, even if he wasn't home for the Stranger Things finale.

    Quick side note on Stranger Things: those classic 80s kid movies - Goonies, Stand by Me, Lost Boys, even Stephen King's IT—the kids always make it home safe, no matter the adventure. Stranger Things has always been an homage to those stories - something online critics should keep in mind.

    The main part of the show is all about those old-school variety shows from the 60s, 70s, and 80s, the ones that packed everything into one hour: comedy sketches, big musical numbers, dancers, surprise guests, the whole deal. Back then, a major star or family would anchor the night and give you this glorious mix of entertainment. Simpler times.

    The Carol Burnett Show is the gold standard - those wild characters, the way she'd lose it laughing with Tim Conway or Harvey Korman, the bits that still crack me up thinking about them. My personal favorites were the Mandrell Sisters! A little steel guitar, a little fiddle, and plenty of comedy, what's not to love?

    As the years went on, things started to change: music drifted off to MTV, comedy got sharper (meaner?) on SNL, and the talent-search format took over with shows like the original Star Search. It's a fun walk through when television variety meant anything could happen on any given week.
    Show More Show Less
    34 mins
  • Looking Back At 2025

    Looking Back At 2025
    Dec 31 2025
    Happy (Almost) New Year, Slackers!

    This episode is still about looking back, but much more recent events! 2025 was a year of extremes, surprises, and seismic shifts across the globe and in culture.

    Political headlines dominated with a high-profile return to the White House, sweeping policy changes, ongoing international conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, fragile ceasefires, and Gen Z-fueled protests toppling governments in unexpected places. Natural disasters, historic leadership firsts, and bold geopolitical moves kept the world on edge.

    Entertainment delivered record-breaking moments: a Chinese animated sequel shattered global box office records, Disney sequels and live-action remakes crossed billion-dollar milestones, while viral sensations, creepy-cute collectibles, and chaotic theater experiences lit up social feeds. Music saw Latin urban dominance, major Grammy wins, and streaming milestones, with some epic series finales and new hits.

    Sports brought dynasties, breakthroughs, and drama - back-to-back titles in hockey and baseball, first championships for rising basketball powers, and even some Premier League history with Liverpool claiming the crown in commanding fashion. Gaming thrived too, with critically acclaimed RPGs, metroidvanias (exploration games, who knew?), and massive sales from shooters and remasters.

    From global resets to pop culture moments, 2025 proved anything but predictable. I am really looking forward to 2026!
    Show More Show Less
    36 mins
No reviews yet