Back of the Theater Podcast

Film, TV & Pop Culture

About

Hans Charles and Menelek Lumumba discuss film and culture.

Episodes

  • WHAT ABOUT YOUR FRIENDS?

    In this episode, we managed to talk about W.E.B. DuBois and Bane from Batman in the same minute. Hold tight, folks.

  • THE A BUILDING IS OUT TODAY!!1

    https://podcasts.apple.com/xk/podcast/the-a-building-39-years-old/id1692268936?i=1000748497802 We talk about our new podcast "The A Building". We also talk about Trump and his bullshit. Please listen to the podcast and give us a rating. Th…

  • The New Show Bizz

    Our new Audio Documentary "The A. Building" comes out on February 6th on iHeartradio podcasts, Apple Podcasts, or where you get your podcasts. We talk about the current state of Show Bizz and the oscar nominations.

  • Netflix vs The World

    We breakdown the latest attack on Cinema. Netflix has purchased WB and all hell has broken loose in the business.

  • Mamdani's World

    Mamdani's historic win in NYC is our main discussion. Is this the end of Neoliberalism? Was Lumumba right this ENTIRE TIME? (The Answer is Yes)

  • You Don't Know What's Good (We'll tell you)

    We breakdown Spike's New joint Highest to Lowest. Ignore the internet hacks. It's a good flick. We also talk about the NYC election.

  • DC IN LOCKDOWN! Is Hans In Danger?

    Hans is fine. It's We breakdown some news stories. And Boots Riley gets some smoke.

  • Dog Days of Summer

    The World Continues to Burn. Hans and Menelek are trying to keep it from burning.

  • LeBron James & WW3

    We tried to talk about the War in the Middle East, but we got sidetracked by yet another argument about LeBron James. Our Bad.

  • RIP to Sacha Jenkins

    We pay tribute to Director and Producer Sacha Jenkins. Elon and Trump are fighting as well...

  • Sinners

    We break down Ryan Coogler's masterpiece, "Sinners". We talk about other stuff too.

  • Let It Burn

    As the empire starts to crumble. Menelek and Hans try to make sense of it.

  • Say Drake...

    We breakdown the historic Superbowl Halftime show and talk about Kendrick and hip-hop. Bye Drake... Also...Menelek is providing script coverage at Fiverr.com. A list of services can be found here... https://www.fiverr.com/s/m53BDXR

  • Trump is Back (Part 2)

    and we continue...

  • Trump is Back and on a Rampage (Part One)

    Trump wants to destroy the country. Mumba's computer died. So we had to break this up in two parts.

  • Breaking Down The Tape

    Hans and Menelek go over the tough results from the 2024 Presidential Election. Brace yourselves, folks. It's three hours.

  • Election Eve

    Menelek and Hans breakdown the election. Get out and vote, gang!

  • The Debate

    We discuss the debate and catch up on some news.

  • The Karate Kid to Into The Spider Verse

    Hey, Gang! We break down some politics and the importance of texture in film.

  • Menelek is a Nicholl Fellowship Quarter-Finalist (He's far too humble to care)

    Menelek was named a Quarter-Finalist in the prestigious Nicholl Screenwriting Fellowship. (Run By the Academy) 5% of 5,5000 applicants make it to the QF round. (But again, Mumba is too humble to care about any of this) Enoy the 3 hours of…

  • Game 7 Blues

    We recorded this right after the Nuggets lost game 7. Menelek is a touch angry. Having said that, Lebron James has no moral courage.

  • Bye, Drake

    We break down the great beef. Who won? IT WAS CLEARLY KENDRICK!!

  • Get off My Lawn

    We talk about getting older. Menelek, as always, is angry.

  • Dave Chapelle & Katt Williams set the world on fire

    Dave Chappelle starts the new year on fire. BUT THEN...Katt Williams says, "Hold my drink, Bitch." Buckle Up and Happy New Year!

  • Maybe God Is Trying to Tell You Something (End of Year Review)

    Hans and Menelek breakdown all of the amazing radio we have done this year. Listen, we promise to do more radio this year. We talk about the historic opening of The Color Purple and we find a way to make fun of Boots Riley again. (Hack)

  • Does Jada Hate Will (Part Two)

    The answer is "Yes, she does".

  • Does Jada actually hate Will? (Part One)

    We break down the press tour of Jada "Smith". Menelek is angry. And well, so is Hans.

  • Mumba returns to the Show

    Menelek is back. And guess what? He's still angry. At everyone.

  • Hans only wants to do radio alone

    Hans has officially hijacked the show.

  • Hans Goes Solo

    Hans has some things to get off his chest.

  • TWO SHOWS IN THREE WEEKS

    Hans and Menelek return. We break down Dear Mama. Ja Morant. Classism. Ebony K. Williams. And Menelek keeps singing gospel music for some reason.

  • Stephanie Malson

    Stephanie Malson is a multi-hyphenate filmmaker and producer. She is currently a BlackStar 2023 Philadelphia Filmmaker Lab Producing Fellow. OURIKA!, a short film Stephanie produced was an official selection of the 2023 Sundance Film Festi…

  • The Return of Real Radio

    We're back to give you the radio you deserve and need.

  • How is This a Show?

    Hans and Menelek fight over who is committed to the podcast. We talk about Wakanda Forever and Black Adam. Hans falls asleep at one point.

  • Black Adam & Kanye West

    Menelek and Hans disagree about Black Adam. Menelek actually liked it. Hans very much did not. We also talk about the latest Kanye West meltdown. "Bye, Ye."

  • Conspiracy Talk

    Hans and Menelek breakdown some of their favorite internet conspiracies. JFK? Moon Landing? Is Space real?

  • Camera Talk

    Hans and Menelek breakdown the innovations of camera tech. Cinema has changed and we are here for it. We almost get through the show without a fight. Almost.

  • Will Smith Is Very Sorry

    Will had the moral courage to step out of his mansion and address the public. We talk about his apology with the upmost respect and care. Just kidding.

  • How's your summer?

    Menelek and Hans catch up on the news and more!

  • Uvalde, Texas Shooting.

    Hans and Menelek talk about yet another mass shooting and the lack of police response. This somehow leads to a conversation about Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song. Oh, and Boots Riley. Sorry, boots.

  • Happy Birthday Menelek

    Menelek turned 41 last week and he's very excited about it. (not really) Hans and Menelek talk news and Ozark.

  • Burnout

    Menelek feels like he may have written all that he has to write. Hans does not agree. At All.

  • A Little More Will Smith and Chris Rock Talk. (Then we are done, we promise)

    We can't stop talking about Will Smith slapping the hell out of Chris Rock at the Oscars.

  • Does Will Smith have to Slap a B*tch?

    Will Smith assaulted Chris Rock because of a joke. Hans and Menelek talk about it.

  • Angry Mumba & LA Hans

    A little Tension this week. What else is new?

  • Hans has Omarion

    Two weeks in a row? Is this a real podcast? Thoughts and prayers to brother Hans he fights Covid-19. We debate Will Smith's rap career. And Menelek, as always, is angry.

  • HAPPY NEW YEAR

    Menelek and Hans start the show with a battle for who really wants to do the show. That leads to a discussion of Stanley Kubrick and other random topics. Enjoy! Happy New Year!

  • The End of The Podcast?

    Hans wants to leave the show. He just lacks the moral courage to admit it. The guys talk about the future of the show, Will Smith, Kanye, and Aaron Rodgers. Enjoy the show while you can. Hans wants to leave. Please let him know how you fee…

  • On Dave Chappelle

    Menelek and Hans are in person! We break down the backlash of Dave Chapelle's latest Netflix special "The Closer". What does free speech mean in 2021? Let's break it down.

  • Nicki Minaj Has a Few Thoughts

    Nicki Minaj set twitter on fire with some some comments on the Covid-19 vaccine. We talk about the passing of Norm McDonald and old stories from Menelek's wedding.