Cool Kids Lunch Table with P.J. & Mike

Episode 144: A Conversation with Carl Paolino: From Celebrity Deathmatch to Graphic Novels

Today, PJ and Mike are joined by producer, director, screenwriter, and production designer Carl Paolino. Carl talks about his experience working on Celebrity Deathmatch, including how he created the show’s iconic puppets, and shares some behind-the-scenes stories from the series. He also discusses how he began collaborating with Mark Hamill, and gives us a look into his upcoming middle-grade graphic novel Penny Poisonberry and the Gothic Kingdom. The Cool Kids dive deep into Carl’s creative journey, his career, and what fuels his storytelling process—and more!

Episode 143: The 3rd Annual Brown Paper Bag Awards 🥴 (Part 2)

Today’s episode is all about the BROWN PAPER BAG AWARDS 🥴 — the awards nobody wants… but some definitely deserve.

We’re calling out the biggest disappointments and most questionable moments across everything from Windows 11, the final season of Stranger Things, healthcare, fast food, and more.

Who takes home the most embarrassing honors? 👀

Tune in to find out—and let us know your picks.

Episode 142: The 3rd Annual Golden Lunch Box Awards 🏆 (Part 1)

Today we’re celebrating the 3rd Annual Cool Kids Lunch Table Golden Lunch Box & Brown Paper Bag Awards! Each year, we honor the absolute best—and call out the worst—of pop culture and our own personal lives. Think the Oscars meets the Razzies with a little Howard Stern energy mixed in.

And this year, we’re going bigger than ever: two separate episodes—one dedicated to the Golden Lunch Box Awards, and one for the Brown Paper Bag Awards.

Today’s episode is all about the GOLDEN LUNCH BOX AWARDS 🏆 Tune in to find out who takes home the wins—from local businesses to YouTube channels, and yes… even Taylor Swift winning again...

Episode 141: From MTV to YouTube: Our Favorite Music Videos

Today at the lunch table, PJ and Mike dive into their favorite music videos from the ‘80s, ‘90s, early 2000s, and today. The boys talk about how watching music videos used to be an event—waiting for them to premiere on MTV—and how that experience compares to discovering videos instantly on YouTube today. From iconic videos by Michael Jackson and Green Day to modern hits from Taylor Swift, they break down the videos that stuck with them and why music videos still matter.

Episode 140: What’s Next for the Toy Industry? Toy Fair 2026 at the Javits Center NYC

Today at the lunch table, Mike interviews PJ about his trip to Toy Fair 2026 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City! PJ gives us an inside look at the hottest upcoming toys, board games, and collectibles straight from the show floor. From nostalgic throwbacks to next-gen must-haves, we break down what’s about to take over toy shelves everywhere. Plus, Mike builds his ultimate Toy Fair wish list — because let’s be honest, we’re all just big kids at heart.  

Episode 139: THE RIP Review – Netflix Does It The Old School Way

Today at the lunch table, PJ and Mike review the new The Rip on Netflix, starring Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. The guys break down how it feels like a throwback to those gritty, mid-budget crime dramas of the early 2000s — the kind of movie you’d see in theaters and then head straight to a diner to dissect for two hours. They also spotlight strong performances from Steven Yeun (yes, Glenn from The Walking Dead) and Teyana Taylor (Leo’s wife in One Battle After Another), and close it out by saying they hope Netflix keeps backing films like this  and projects like Frankenstein — where the quality, tone, and filmmaking feel legit and built for the big screen.

Episode 138: The 2026 Winter Olympics: Cold Takes, Curling Drama & Olympic Nostalgia

Today at the lunch table, PJ and Mike break down the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. The boys debate the ultimate question: Which is better — the Winter or Summer Olympics? From the intensity of women’s hockey to the strategy and drama of curling (including Canada’s latest controversy), plus biathlon grit and speed skating chaos. Mike also takes a nostalgic trip back to grade school Olympics lessons and classic Olympic video games like Nagano Winter Olympics '98.

Episode 137: Batman, Superman & True Detective S1: TV Done Right

Today at the lunch table, PJ and Mike celebrate three TV masterpieces: Batman: The Animated Series, Superman: The Animated Series, and True Detective Season 1. They dive into the lasting impact these series have had on television and break down the surprising similarities between Batman, Superman, Rust Cohle, and Marty Hart — and why they might have more in common than you’d expect.