Author: The Ringer

Rob contemplates the art of making an ironic cover song sincere as he enters the dark realm of the 2000s hit TV show, ‘American Idol’. He follows the inevitable success of Season 1 winner Kelly Clarkson, who proves with her impossible-to-sing hit song, “Since U Been Gone,” that she is more than just a pop princess. Later, he is joined by ‘Breakaway’ tour-goer and Clarkson connoisseur Jodi Walker to discuss Clarkson's vocal capabilities and what her discography did for 2000s TV culture.

Host: Rob Harvilla

Guest: Jodi Walker

Producers: Chris Sutton, Olivia Crerie, and Justin Sayles

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This week, Rob examines the hallowed art of employing songs within the soundtrack of a crucial TV scene to emotionally manipulate the viewing audience. Along the way, he evokes classic moments from ‘General Hospital’ , 'ER', and ‘Scrubs’ before ultimately expounding on the highly effective use of the Fray’s “How to Save a Life” in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ to tug on the proverbial heart strings. He’s then joined by The Ringer’s own Yasi Salek to shine a light on how the Fray’s hit song shaped her experiences while watching the dramatic events unfold at the fictional Seattle Grace Hospital.

Host: Rob Harvilla
Guest: Yasi Salek
Producers: Chris Sutton, Jonathan Kermah, Olivia Crerie, and Justin Sayles

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This week, we’re breaking down the Nas vs. Jay-Z feud, and Rob has to argue, which makes him deeply uncomfortable. After he breaks down the basic contents of a diss track, he is joined by The Ringer’s Joel Anderson to discuss the history of rap beef and his thoughts on Nas’s career after 'Illmatic.'

Host: Rob Harvilla

Guest: Joel Anderson

Producers: Bobby Wagner, Jonathan Kermah, and Justin Sayles

Additional Production Support: Olivia Crerie

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It’s Queens of the Stone Age Day here at 60 Songs! Listen as Rob finds a way to juxtapose heavy metal and stand-up comedy like only he can on his journey to celebrate the song “No One Knows.” Later, Rob is joined by The Ringer’s head of content and host of The Big Picture, Sean Fennessey, to further discuss the greatness of Queens of the Stone Age.

Host: Rob Harvilla

Guest: Sean Fennessey

Producers: Bobby Wagner, Jonathan Kermah, and Justin Sayles

Additional Production Support: Olivia Crerie

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Rob peruses the limelight love story of Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck while celebrating J.Lo’s 2002 smash hit, “Jenny From the Block.” Later, he is joined by writer Julianne Escobedo Shepherd to discuss the music and the drama that came with J.Lo in the 2000s.

Host: Rob Harvilla
Guest: Julianne Escobedo Shepherd
Producers: Bobby Wagner, Jonathan Kermah, and Justin Sayles
Additional Production Support: Olivia Crerie

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Rob homes in on the specific and strange political moment in which Toby Keith made "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue." Then, he’s joined by New Yorker music writer Kelefa Sanneh to discuss the song’s themes, cultural reception, and musical merit and the state of how we talk about Keith’s career.

Host: Rob Harvilla

Guest: Kelefa Sanneh

Producers: Bobby Wagner, Jonathan Kermah, and Justin Sayles

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Rob heads back to Brooklyn to explore the 2003 indie-rock staple “Maps” and the history of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Later, he is joined by Niko Stratis to further explore the indie jam’s success.

Host: Rob Harvilla
Guest: Niko Stratis
Producers: Bobby Wagner, Jonathan Kermah, and Justin Sayles

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Rob is back from hiatus with a loaded episode! Join him as he straddles the line between real life and virtual reality when discussing the virtual band Gorillaz and the career of its creator, Damon Albarn. Later, Rob is joined by Jeremy Gordon, the author of 'See Friendship' and senior editor at The Atlantic, to get to the bottom of how Gorillaz became so popular (1:07:00).

Host: Rob Harvilla

Guest: Jeremy Gordon

Producers: Bobby Wagner, Jonathan Kermah, and Justin Sayles

Additional Production Support: Olivia Crerie

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We know, it's been a while. But, Rob and his producer pals are working hard on the show. See you in two weeks!

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Ahead of Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime performance, Ringer senior staff writer Justin Charity explores some of the critical moments of Kendrick’s story: from a legendary come-up in the rap blog era of the late 2000s to his early stardom in the 2010s to his fiery resurgence in the past several months as he takes a never-ending victory lap after winning his war against Drake.

Host: Justin Charity

Producers: Vikram Patel, Justin Sayles, Chelsea Stark-Jones, and Bobby Wagner

Story Editing: Aric Jenkins

Sound Design, Mixing, and Mastering: Bobby Wagner

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