Ménage Á Pop is a three times a week intimate discussion between two people and a piece of pop culture.
So this podcast streams as part of the NOT A HOLOGRAM network. And while that name elicits neon imagery from the 1980s, it is intended as more than nostalgia. Show host Tim Blevins founded this network in homage to one of the most impactive influences from his childhood. Something that enveloped toys, cartoons and music while simultaneously introducing concepts of identity, gender and artistic pursuits. So today, in lieu of a guest, Tim is infecting your smartphone with the outrageous contagion, JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS.
POP NOTES
JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS first premiered on October 6th 1985 as one of four rotating segments on SUPER SATURDAY, an animated anthology series that also included ROBOTIX, INHUMANOIDS and BIG-FOOT AND THE MUSCLE MACHINES. As the most successful segment on the show, JEM debuted as a proper daily syndicated series on July 5th 1986 and ran for three seasons with a total of 65 episodes.
Series creator CHRISTY MARX developed the intricate back story, complicated personalities and general direction of the series based on the initial HASBRO toyline which consisted of nine dolls and a vehicle. Prior to running the JEM cartoon, Christy Marx had written notable episodes of SPIDER-MAN AND HIS AMAZING FRIENDS, THE TRANSFORMERS and G.I. JOE.
Jem and Jerrica Benton’s speaking voice was provided by then 18 year-old Samantha Newark, a singer since childhood whose music has been featured on SMALLVILLE, GOSSIP GIRL and AMERICA’S TOP MODEL.
Jem’s singing voice was performed by Britta Phillips, a singer in such bands as LUNA and DEAN & BRITTA as well as composer of the film scores for THE SQUID AND THE WHALE and MISTRESS AMERICA.
The vocals on the show’s opening THEME FROM JEM were recorded by Britta Phillips in one take while nursing a cold..
There were originally plans for a big screen animated JEM film to debut at some point in 1988. This project was abandoned following the controversy and box office failure of 1986’s big screen THE TRANSFORMERS: THE MOVIE.
Tune back on Wednesday when Tim guestessly flips through the indie artist impact of CEREBUS ISSUE 91.
This episode of MÉNAGE Á POP was recorded by CAST, an online audio platform that lets you create and record a multi-guest podcast straight from your web-browser. It was then mastered by AUPHONIC, a web-based post-production service. Check out both sights for trial and subscription information.
MUSIC FEATURED IN TODAY’S EPISODE:
“Three Ways To Do That” (opening theme) composed and performed by The Madeline Prior. All rights reserved with Not A Holograms podcasts.
Subscribe to MÉNAGE Á POP on APPLE PODCASTS, SPOTIFY, STITCHER and ANDROID or stream it at www.nahpods.com.
Follow Tim Blevins on TWITTER @subcultist and on INSTAGRAM @subcultist.
Try to understand the present while living in the past with Tim’s weekly podcast 20TH CENTURY POP! at www.nahpods.com/20popcast
For questions, queries or, by random chance, press contact Tim Blevins at subcultist@gmail.com.