Pop Culture Warriors: Alex Stein

Pop Culture Warriors is an interview column that features Lisa De Pasquale and discusses the significant work of freedom loving people who choose to resist. Not only are these pop culture warriors fighting the predominant groupthink in entertainment, but also the predominant groupthink on the right side of politics that entertainment doesn’t matter or that the pop culture war is lost. This column highlights their efforts to expand freedom in innovative, exciting, and countercultural ways.  

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This week’s guest on Pop Culture Warriors with Lisa De Pasquale: Alex Stein
 

Comedy is one the most powerful tools in pop culture war. Regardless of someone’s political beliefs, he or she can’t stifle a genuine laugh. Comedy has been the first line against the woke mobs and cancel culture since the Woke Wars began. This includes comedians like Andrew Schulz and Joe Rogan, Ricky Gervais and Dave Chapelle, as well as many other brave and amazing people. In that same vein, this week’s guest, Alex Stein, is a worthy pop culture warrior.

Ann Coulter was the reason I met Stein last November at Texas A&M’s Leadership Institute-sponsored lecture. There is nothing like seeing people’s faces in the first few seconds of a Stein viral moment in the making as they wonder, “Wait, is he serious?” Often their conclusion is “Maybe?”

Stein’s first TV appearance was on the reality show, The Glass House, in which he set his mind on becoming “the most epic villain” He won the first episode of the show. He was the first person to be kicked out of the house. Stein has been a popular figure in recent years due to his hilarious townhall appearances and viral moments featuring Eric Swalwell, Dan Crenshaw, and Alexandria Ocasio­Cortez. He has also appeared on Tucker Carlson Tonight TimCastIRL, The Political InsiderAmong many other outlets, 

He’s not just “baby Tucker” and a “pimp on a blimp,” he’s the Andy Kaufman of Pop Culture Warriors. 

Q: What do YOU think Andrew Breitbart meant? “politics is downstream from culture”?

Stein: It’s funny that you asked me about Andrew Breitbart because he was a genius. He was among the first to create the Internet. bring up the fact that John Podesta was allegedly involved in some sort of child sex trafficking rumors that didn’t come to light until Jeffrey Epstein was exposed. Andrew was a legend, and he was extremely insightful. I believe political figures are the nerdy children trying to fit in among the cool kids. Political figures are downstream from culture which is why Donald Trump was elected. He was also known as a “zeitgeist”, or a major figure in the collective consciousness and society. 

Q: Who inspires and motivates you?

Stein: I’m really inspired by my dad. Growing up in a bail bond company, I can see the hard work my dad put into it. Although we differ on most issues politically, Andy Kaufman and Sacha Baron Cohen are both inspiring me creatively. The other thing that inspires me is that it wasn’t very long ago that I was selling cars in the hot Texas sun to make a living. It’s not a great way to live. I would rather make no money doing something that I love, but luckily for me, I’ve been able to figure a way to monetize the content I create for the masses.

Q: Which was your favorite pop culture era?

Stein: I was a huge fan of pop culture as a child. I loved it! Ghostbusters And Teenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesAnd MTVThe grocery stores also carry celebrity gossip magazines. I’ve always loved the idea of a Hollywood era during the golden age of television and media, so I grew up indoctrinated by all things pop culture. Now that I’m all right, I kind of look at all that stuff like materialistic garbage, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not interesting or still fun to talk about. 

Q: Tell me about the last film, TV show, or book you viewed for entertainment.

Stein: Unfortunately, most entertainment today is just Hollywood junk. I find it difficult to keep up with the latest water cooler movie or TV show. I do, however, go back almost every day to watch Howard Stern clips. E! The show was in the late 1990s and early2000s. I just kind of look at the footage. It makes me feel nostalgic, as I think back to the topics they were talking about. My opinion was that the world was in an even better place. That said, I haven’t seen a movie in the theater in over a year, probably two years, but I’m thinking about seeing the new Brendan Fraser movie, The Whale, because Brendan Fraser is a great actor. I loved everything about The Whale. Encino ManAs well as The Mummy You can also find many other Brendan Fraser Classics.

Q: What would you say to readers who say they’ve opted out of the pop culture war?
 

Stein: Honestly, I don’t blame any reader for wanting to opt out of a pop culture war because in my opinion, all war is bad. Pop culture is what entertains. It’s what’s popular. It’s what people are talking about, so unless you truly want to disconnect and go live in the woods with no Internet or TV, then you can’t hide from popular culture. You can’t avoid it in your everyday life. Think of the Gangnam Style or Macarena or Gangnam Style, or the Ice Bucket Challenge. Or the Johnny Depp trial. Simpson trial. Some things in pop culture are so big that your life can’t help but be affected by it. However, you can choose to ignore the drama, get enough serotonin, dopamine, and have a fun, pop-culture life.

Q: How can readers support your projects and you?
 

Stein: Support me by simply watching and sharing my videos. YouTube, InstagramAnd Twitter. If you truly want to help me, please share my content. I believe that this is the most important thing at end of the day. When I create content, I want people to be able to see it and maybe ask questions about the world we live in. Please feel free to share it!