Share

cover art for 52. The Playbook On The Oscars: Scandals, Snubs & 2026 Predictions ft. Liz Duff

The Pop Culture Playbook

52. The Playbook On The Oscars: Scandals, Snubs & 2026 Predictions ft. Liz Duff

Season 2, Ep. 52
•

Tatyana & Simone are joined by Canadian pop culture expert Liz Duff aka Producer Liz (Late Night Scrolling) for a no-holds-barred Oscars deep dive.


We're breaking down how awards season ACTUALLY works, the biggest scandals in Oscar history (Will Smith, Moonlight vs La La Land, Chadwick's snub), and why the Academy keeps getting it wrong.


Plus: our honest takes on Sinners vs One Battle After Another, Michael B. Jordan's confusing campaign, the Wuthering Heights controversy, and who's REALLY winning Best Picture, Actor, and Actress in 2026.


If you love the Oscars or love to hate them, this one's for you. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube & TikTok: @ThePopCulturePlaybook Leave us a 5-star review if you loved this episode!



📲 Follow us:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/thepopcultureplaybook

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThePopCulturePlaybook

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thepopcultureplaybook

More episodes

View all episodes

  • 56. 56. The Playbook on Chappell Roan, Usher vs Justin, Latto & More!!!

    01:02:56||Season 2, Ep. 56
    THIS WEEK WAS CHAOS 🚨 The tea is PIPING HOT this week. Tatyana & Simone break down Taylor Frankie Paul's leaked DV video (the one that got The Bachelorette canceled), Chappell Roan getting banned from São Paulo after her security allegedly was rude to Jude Law's daughter, Quinn's iconic Tyriq episode, and so much more. This episode is sponsored by The Nagel Law Firm. If you've been in a car accident, call 844-GA-WRECK or visit gawreck.com for a free consultation! Link here: https://gawreck.com/Follow us on Instagram, YouTube & TikTok: @ThePopCulturePlaybookLeave us a 5-star review - we're begging!#TheBachelor #TaylorFrankiePaul #ChapelRoan #Quinn #TyreekMuller #PopCulture #WeeklyRundown #PopCulturePlaybook
  • 55. 55. The Playbook on The Oscars: Michael B. Jordan, Timothee, Sinners & More!!

    51:53||Season 2, Ep. 55
    Tatyana & Simone are back in studio for the FULL 2026 Oscars debrief! We're breaking down Michael B. Jordan's historic Best Actor win, the Sinners performance with Misty Copeland coming out of retirement, Teyana Taylor getting shoved by security, why we're mad One Battle won Best Picture, Timothy Chalamet's campaign missteps, and so much more. Plus: Red carpet fashion, Conan's opening, Jesse Buckley's Best Actress win, Paul Thomas Anderson's problematic comments, Leo DiCaprio thirst tweets, and our 2027 awards season preview. This episode is sponsored by The Nagel Law Firm. If you've been in a car accident, call 844-GA-WRECK or visit gawreck.com for a free consultation! Link here: https://gawreck.com/Follow us on Instagram, YouTube & TikTok: @ThePopCulturePlaybook Leave us a 5-star review - we're begging!
  • 54. 54. MINISODE: The Playbook On Timothee, Damson, Lori, Britney & More!!!

    35:47||Season 2, Ep. 54
    Tatyana & Simone break down Timothee Chalamet's controversial ballet/opera comments (and why the arts community is PISSED), Britney Spears' DUI arrest, the Oscars recreating the Sinners bar fire scene with Misty Copeland performing ballet, Michael B. Jordan potentially shooting his shot with Yerin Ha, and Tatyana's Ready or Not 2 early screening review. This is a short & sweet minisode, full Oscars debrief coming next week after the ceremony! Follow us on Instagram, YouTube & TikTok: @ThePopCulturePlaybook Leave us a 5-star review (we're begging 😭)
  • 53. 53. The Playbook on Michael B. Jordan, Zendaya, Scream 7 & More!!!

    01:29:01||Season 2, Ep. 53
    WE'RE BACK! Tatyana & Simone catch you up on everything: Michael B. Jordan's SAG win just flipped the Oscar race, the BAFTAs disrespected Sinners, Tom Holland & Zendaya got married (?!), Scream 7 was HORRIBLE, America's Next Top Model abuse allegations, and the industry tea on how Black media gets treated on red carpets. Plus: Tatyana met Tyriq Withers and he's genuinely the kindest human ever. If you've been waiting for the full pop culture download, this is it. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube & TikTok: @ThePopCulturePlaybook Leave us a 5-star review if you loved this episode!
  • 51. 51. The Playbook on Bad Bunny Concert

    51:54||Season 2, Ep. 51
    This week, we are recovering from Super Bowl LX. We break down Benito’s historic halftime show (and that Lady Gaga cameo), the "Dirty Jew" ad controversy, and Chris Brown’s shady reaction to the performance. Plus, we discuss why Cardi B and Stefon Diggs unfollowing each other might mean the end of their era.Also on the docket:The Breakup: Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes are done (again), but Kelsea was spotted linking up with... Madelyn Cline?Bianca Censori: She finally speaks. We react to her Vanity Fair cover and what she really thinks about Ye.TV & Film: Gossip Girl is getting a sequel (Justice for Blair!), Sherri gets cancelled, and we prepare for the new BTS movie.Follow us: @thepopcultureplaybook | Leave a 5-star review!📲 Follow us:Instagram: https://instagram.com/thepopcultureplaybookYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThePopCulturePlaybookTik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thepopcultureplaybook
  • 50. 50. The Playbook The Playbook on The Grammys, Nicki's Downfall & Owning Manhattan ft. Tricia Lee & Jeffrey St. Arromand

    02:00:58||Season 2, Ep. 50
    Episode 50! Tatyana and Simone are breaking down the 2026 Grammys — the looks, the performances, the wins, and everything the internet won't stop talking about. From the Glambot controversy to Chappell Roan splitting opinions, Bad Bunny's iconic speech, and Nicki Minaj finally being done for good.We're also getting into the Josh Safdie scandal, the Epstein files, the Latino casting backlash, Sabrina Carpenter's shutout, and a tribute to Catherine O'Hara.Plus we sat down with Jeffrey St. Arromand & Tricia Lee from Netflix's Owning Manhattan to talk real estate, the show, and the deals behind the cameras.50 episodes in. We're just getting started.Follow us: @thepopcultureplaybook | Leave a 5-star review!📲 Follow us:Instagram: https://instagram.com/thepopcultureplaybookYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThePopCulturePlaybookTik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thepopcultureplaybook
  • 49. 49. The Playbook on The Beckham’s, Taylor Swift’s Texts, Concerts & More!!!

    57:08||Season 2, Ep. 49
    This week, we’re breaking down Brooklyn Beckham’s 6-page letter exposing his family, the unsealed texts between Taylor Swift and Blake Lively, and why Kyle and Amanda’s Summer House split was inevitable. Plus, we scream about the Wicked Oscar snubs, rant about Harry Styles’ $1,000 "dynamic" ticket prices, and debate if Ye’s WSJ apology is real growth or just an album rollout.Abolish ICE!!! Resources: https://www.immigrationadvocates.org/https://www.icemap.dev/https://www.standwithminnesota.com/📲 Follow us:Instagram: https://instagram.com/thepopcultureplaybookYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThePopCulturePlaybookTik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thepopcultureplaybook
  • 48. 48. The Playbook to 2016: Kim vs Taylor, The Death of Vine & The Year of Lemonade

    52:55||Season 2, Ep. 48
    Tatyana and Simone rewind to 2016, the year pop culture peaked. From Lemonade and viral memes to Vine’s shutdown and the Kim vs. Taylor feud, they unpack why it still feels like the last “shared” internet era and what’s changed since.📲 Follow us:Instagram: https://instagram.com/thepopcultureplaybookYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThePopCulturePlaybookTik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thepopcultureplaybook