Sean Patrick and Jeff Lasser host I Hate Critics, a film criticism and pop culture discussion podcast. The episode opens with housekeeping about where to find their work (Facebook, Twitter, Medium, Patreon) and transitions into Jeff's artwork promotions and upcoming convention appearances (Quad City Toy Show with Star Wars actors). Jeff shares extensive anecdotes about his experiences meeting Friday 13th franchise actors at Days of the Dead in Chicago, noting their exceptional professionalism and friendliness compared to other film actors. The hosts then discuss a GoFundMe for respected film writer Nathan Raven, who was severely injured in a car accident, and Sean critiques the American healthcare system's failures. Moving to critical work, Sean discusses his Critics Choice Awards ballot strategy, specifically voting for underrated films like Life of Chuck while acknowledging they won't get recognized. The bulk of the episode is dedicated to an enthusiastic review of Wicked For Good, directed by John M. Chu and starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. Sean and Jeff praise the film's spectacular music, cinematography, direction, and performances. Sean compares it to Powell and Pressburger classics and predicts Academy Award success for Ariana Grande. The hosts explore the phenomenon of backlash against consensus blockbuster films, attributing it to contrarian criticism and the saturation bombing of marketing campaigns.
