Explaining a bunch of random American things

Using Funko Pops to tell ten stories about American culture. This video was sponsored by Nebula. Get Nebula for just $2.50 a month: go.nebula.tv/jjmccullough
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HASHTAGS: #usa #culture #history #america

[@gregoryhunter7413]

So I finally caved and bought a nebula subscription, and in his explanation of a Frank Zappa Uncle Sam funko, he's actually able to play EXTENDED MUSICAL EXCERPTS from various points in Zappa's career. As someone who watches a lot of musical analysis content on youtube, and had become fully accustomed to creators having to skate around playing examples of the music being discussed (seemingly a very essential part of music analysis) it was so refreshing to see a video where the creator didn't have to make sure the clip was being talked over, or was under 2 seconds, or was recreated in a copyright safe midi arrangement etc.

[@JJMcCullough]

I appreciate you coming here to make this comment

[@elusivemayfly7534]

I’m thinking of swapping out my KZbin Premium for Nebula. Would you recommend making the switch?

[@bearcubdaycare]

I subscribe to both, as not everything I want is on nebula. And there's lots of niche stuff that comes out on KZbin long before the creator possibly also goes to Nebula. But nebula is cheap enough relative to KZbin Premium that it doesn't add that much to get it as well I find.

[@EvanRustMakes]

@@elusivemayfly7534 I would get both

[@KPM355]

​@@elusivemayfly7534i would recommend it since you probably watch these type of videos (explainer/educational type). I'm not sure how much it is now but I subscribed last year with the curiosity bundle for 14$ for a whole year of nebula. Definitely worth it!

[@OptimusPhillip]

Fun fact: the reason Darth Vader and Captain America are both done as bobbleheads rather than standard pops is because Star Wars and Marvel are among the few franchises that they can't get standard toy licenses for. Hasbro has had exclusive toy rights to those brands for decades now, and have kept a tight stranglehold on them ever since. But bobbleheads operate under a different licensing category, so Funko can get the license for Marvel and Star Wars bobbleheads without having to go through Hasbro.

[@JJMcCullough]

Wild!

[@ronramen5827]

Same reason Lego can’t sell Star Wars minifigures on their own outside of a play set.

[@joeyhoy1995]

Well both companies did buy the original rights holders

[@lairdofpawblins]

I was going to mention the thing about only Disney pops getting bobbleheads, but I didn't even know the full reason, so that's interesting to learn about today!

[@caseyjones5145]

That was a funfact, thank you!

[@Maxime_K-G]

Halloween is one of the strongest vestiges of American culture IMO. Almost all modern Halloween culture in Europe has just been imported from America.

[@dstinnettmusic]

@@andrina118that is basically the story of what America _is_

[@bruhbutwhytho2301]

@@dstinnettmusicyeah basically

[@Maxime_K-G]

@@andrina118 From a historical perspective, it makes a ton of sense that the holiday falls just around All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day which we are very familiar with here. But specifically talking about the modern bells and whistles like dressing up for Halloween parties, trick or treating, and carving a pumpkin before watching a horror movie on a sleepover, those are all relatively new things. The holiday itself didn't even exist here in Belgium when my parents were young. Like not at all, not even some old folkloric tradition. That might be different in other countries though.

[@JamesMacPh]

Loved seeing Halloween stuff when I was in China some years ago as well .. more affluent trendy quarters of course .. but amazing to see how American culture spreads. Also I love all things Halloween.

[@joeyhoy1995]

​@@dstinnettmusicyeah we are exceptionally great at stealing ideas, modifying them and making them available the world over.

[@iammrbeat]

lol you filling up the wine rack with Funko Pops is one of the most J.J. things to do ever

[@matthew-dq8vk]

Jj sniffing a males butthole is probably one of the most jj things to do ever

[@randallcraft4071]

Gotta love how so much of the American Cultural canon is also the Canadian canon as well but most Canadians will deny it like crazy, except JJ.

[@JJMcCullough]

It seems so pointless. I like the culture of Canada. It also happens to be the culture of the United States. Who cares?

[@judgesaturn507]

Because Canada's entire history is based on 'not being the United States'.

[@deirdregibbons5609]

I think it shows how Canada and the USA have a good interaction with each other. They each have a unique culture, but they also are good partners sharing ideas and projects.

[@EnigmaticLucas]

As an America, I feel like Canadian culture is in uncanny valley territory. Like, most things are the same, but the few differences that do exist are quite jarring.

[@bas3q]

@@EnigmaticLucas It's what makes Canada fascinating for me as an American...as Vincent said in Pulp Fiction, "It's the little differences..."

[@Kami_P_8000]

As an American I can say that J.J. is pretty educated on American culture.. probably moreso than some Americans 😅 love his videos!

[@wergthy6392]

well yeah. some americans are babies

[@beastminer147]

Its because as an outsider he can see what actually originates within the US. Its much harder for someone who lives within a culture to define strictly what it is especially if you are either over-exposed (Like most Americans) or underexposed to different cultures.

[@arrowslinger2460]

@@beastminer147do Canadians count as outsiders? They are sort of stuck in a position where they will always be dominated by American culture

[@lufax]

What J.J. call American should always read as "Anglo-American". He has explained it before. Because of the overwhelming pressure of US culture that influences Canada as well

[@beastminer147]

@@arrowslinger2460 I think it makes him an especially good candidate to say what is American culture. He is very familiar with it but also distant enough to see what is distinct about it

[@thedukeofchutney468]

I’ve gotta be honest it’s kinda nice seeing someone from another country stick up for American culture and treat it with interest and some amount of respect. Thanks JJ!

[@p.c8281]

I think Canada could be considered part of American culture, not in the way that they are identical, they’re obviously not, but Canadians and Americans are very close culturally speaking, especially if compared to latin america and the caribbean

[@p.c8281]

I think it’s kinda the same as we latin americans regard each other, not the same but part of the same family

[@mononeo]

Canada is part of the Venn diagram of American culture.

[@landrypierce9942]

@@p.c8281I would say there is much more diversity between the Latin American nations. Eastern Canada is a lot like New England, and Western Canada is much like the midwestern US. At least that’s my take. Let me know if I’m an ignorant fool.

[@p.c8281]

@@landrypierce9942 i agree, what i mean is that on this side of the world there are mainly two great “cultural families”, north and latin americans, there’s a lot of diversity the more you dive into each group but i’d say they’re the two biggest in the region

[@Shatterverse]

I love how Blockbuster _botched_ the chance to buy Netflix and thus signed their own death warrant.

[@corey2232]

Didn't Hollywood Video do the same thing? Or were they the ones that botched Redbox? I can't remember anymore lol

[@korakys]

Truly a Kodak moment.

[@stevethepocket]

Blockbuster made a number of boneheaded mistakes. There's a reason the lesser-known Family Video outlived them by over a decade.

[@lainiwakura1776]

@@DuncanBacker And it's all Clinton's fault for getting rid of the Glass-Steagall Act, the law keeping banks from purchasing debt and treating it like a stock. On top of the push to give mortgages to minorities, even if their credit was bad or their income wasn't enough.

[@KasumiKenshirou]

They drove all the mom and pop video rental stores out of business, so I don't feel sorry for Blockbuster at all.

[@tomasmondragon883]

Canadian artifacts are definitely part of Americana. Even if you define Americana as strictly United States culture, Canada, our neighbor to the north, and Mexico, our neighbor to the south, both loom large in the US culture and consciousness.

[@germanbrandeburgo5925]

Here in Argentina, we tried to emulate the American beaver fur trade in the mid to late 1940's by importing and introducing the Canadian beaver into the lands of Tierra del Fuego. Unfortunately, due to the climate being so different here, beaver pelts were not really sought-after, which didn't encourage trappers to go after them. In addition, a lack of of the beaver's natural predators made their population truly spiral out of control, causing tremendous damage to the local ecosystem. Despite numerous government attempts to cull their numbers, the beaver is still considered a plague in southern Argentina to this very day.

[@katherineelmore9919]

As a person from Atlanta, if JJ ever goes to The World of Coke he's going to have a religious experience. I always call it a "pop culture and pop art museum."

[@dawert2667]

My time in the world of coke was surreal… it was like briefly living INSIDE a commercial. It crossed some boundaries of reality for me. 10/10 abrupt existential fear abounds

[@TheAlexSchmidt]

Yeah the ad they forced me to watch at the start 10 years ago was a bit much but maybe worth visiting once unless you prefer Pepsi.

[@anon6000]

Fun fact: Steamboat Willie passes out of copyright in about 5 months, as Disney has finally given up on perpetual copyright extensions.

[@PaulGaither]

Yes and no. Yes, it will. Yes, they have given up on perpetual extensions. "No", Disney hasn't really given up. They have very intentionally used the Steamboat Willie (SbW) as part of their branding because of other legal loop holes, and so they can sue anyone even attempting to use a derivative of SbW as a strike against their more modern interpretations which remain under copyright. You can only use it as appears in the original cartoon and something about resolution/definition/sharpness of the image and other bull shit. Disney has not given up on anything, they just failed to get what they wanted.

[@anon6000]

@@PaulGaither Yes, you can't borrow from a derivative work which was based on a public domain work. You can't stream the Sherlock TV show on KZbin either.

[@PaulGaither]

@@anon6000 - What I understand is that, even if you just try to draw SbW in some modern setting doing whatever you want in your own art style, Disney likely can and will say that you aren't using the original SbW, but instead some more modern version of their that is still under copyright.

[@themoviedealers]

​@@PaulGaitherIt is still under trademark, not copyright.

[@themoviedealers]

You might be able to get away with selling or broadcasting a straight copy of SbW from 1928, but there's no money in it, someone will probably just post it on KZbin.

[@gothenix]

What's notable and probably not incidental in the creation of the Beholder, was the clear influence of HP Lovecraft's literature. The Beholder's type in the game is Aberration, which comprises of monsters one would often find in Lovecraft's stories, all sort of related to the great unknown, the monsters deep below the ground, and high above in the cosmos. The Beholder, however, was notable in that its personality was defined by its unique xenophobia of any and every creature around it (including other Beholders). They were known for living reclusive lifestyles, plotting against and fearing their neighbours. They didn't reproduce, so instead new Beholders came into the world through the nightmares of their parents. They were the most Lovecraftian monster out there, and their personality was the same as that of HP Lovecraft himself.

[@majedal-baghl4917]

You can't overlook Tolkien's Watcher in the Water, a many tentacled creature guarding the West Gate to the Mines of Moria. D&D had Rangers and Halflings, both clearly adapted from Tolkien (note that the name Beholder resembles Watcher). Mind you, Tolkien might have been influenced by Lovecraft, but I don't think there is much evidence Tolkien was familiar with his writing.

[@1perspective286]

They actually had a whole book for aberrations back in 3rd edition, Lords of Madness. My personal favorite where the Mind Flayers, also called Illithids. In that book they are described as being creatures from the future, with humanoid bodies and cephalapod faces, who traveled back in time to ensure the creation of their inter-dimensional empire. They reproduce by placing a tadpole in the brains of other sapient species and the tadpole eats the brains and takes over the body, transforming them into new Mind Flayers. When they die, their brains are taken to be merged with the Elder Brains that run their society, but in actuality the Elder Brain just eats them.

[@MSP_aviation]

I don’t know how JJ is so good at turning a trip to the store into award winning videos.

[@KAPTAINmORGANnWo4eva]

I always assumed that the sterile, homogenized look of Funko Pops was a result of being some massive corporate brand. So despite how much I don't like the things I can at least appreciate that they put a bit of a dent in a quasi-oligopolistic market sector.

[@ToyInsanity]

The homogenized look provides consistency across thousands of licensed products.

[@KAPTAINmORGANnWo4eva]

@@ToyInsanity Yeah, but it doesn't make them look good.

[@WatchVidsMakeLists]

​@@ToyInsanityLEGO Minifigures, as one example, do this much more successfully and appealingly than Funko Pops.

[@riversidepark4107]

Weekly reminder that regardless of topic or even if I agree with his take, JJ doesn’t make bloated multi-hour long video essays about how aging shows for children are about late capitalism.

[@JJMcCullough]

lol

[@andybearchan]

I mean, they are. But it's apparent to anyone paying attention. A 3 minute video will do.

[@Lucas-sk5iy]

@@andybearchan you might have a point if "late capitalism" actually existed

[@readjordan2257]

To me, i feel like its just the result of americans (whether they go to a "church" or not) being less religious in some general sense. That pent up energy has to go somewhere. So its either in walkable cities, or video essays about capitalism. Edit: to be clear, this isnt advocating being religious, its merely stating we havent evolved socially yet with what to do with the leftover energy now that people happen to be less so.

[@ueblay]

@@readjordan2257 I don't wholly agree with you but this is one of the funniest things I've read about Americans, thank you

[@EpicgamerwinXD6669]

The beholder was the main inspiration for the Cacodemon in the Doom games. As an aside, the design of the Cacodemon itself is however based on Astral Dreadnought, which is also from Dungeons and Dragons.

[@JJMcCullough]

Ooh that's a great fact

[@flackoflongo2698]

@@JJMcCullough I'd absolutely love if you did a "fantasy canon" video at some point! Would love to hear you talk about which creatures came from D&D, Tolkein, folklore, and etc, and how they evolved over time (elves for example having lots of variety until we've roughly settled into the tolkein-esque graceful, stately variant).

[@JJMcCullough]

@@flackoflongo2698 I’m planning on it!

[@GarisonC]

When JJ explains something, he explains every single detail. I love it.

[@benjaminwatt2436]

It is a great summary, but not detailed. you can read books and books on these topics

[@Will0398]

Fun fact about Blockbuster: there is only one store left in the world: in Bend, Oregon. I’ve been there and it was an amazing experience!

[@jake2011rt]

Video idea: The American Cultural Bread Canon Bread is often one of the cornerstones of the food culture of a people group. While there is bread from around the world in NA, there are definitely a few uniquely American breads like corn-bread, the American biscuit, super-soft sliced bread, and banana bread.

[@selahanany5645]

Interestingly, franklin did not, in fact, want a turkey to be the symbol of the United States. That myth seems to come from one of his letters, when he was satirizing a society at the time known as the society of the Cincinnati. Whilst we lost some of the context, it appears he was joking about their symbol, which looked to him like a turkey, whilst lampooning the idea of a national bird at all.

[@TheAlexSchmidt]

Yeah he disliked the bald eagle more than he ever promoted the turkey. His preferred seal IIRC would have showed Moses parting the Red Swa with the motto "Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to God." Feel like that would've been fairly controversial if the disputes between the North and South had continued the way they did in our timeline, either Northerners would see it as encouraging secession, or more likely Southerners would see it as encouraging slaves to run away.

[@chiefmonrovia6691]

As a native to Wisconsin, I feel the need to say that Gary Gygax, coinventor of dnd, was not only from Lake Geneva, but even has his own holiday. July 27th, Gary Gygax day, to celebrate his accomplishments in both the foundation of Dungeons and Dragons and GenCon! Go Gygax!!

[@BehindTheMustche]

Main reason I miss Blockbuster as a younger millennial is the ability to talk to people my age irl about the games we were renting. Like learning Mewtwo was playable in Melee was so insane it lead to it being the first thing in my Christmas list that year. Part of it deff less internet, but still feeling that reaction while someone else is hype about it is something nostalgically significant I’d want others to feel too

[@JJMcCullough]

It’s weird that people just have to buy games without trying them now

[@gsilverfish]

I applied for a sales job at Funko shortly before the Pops really exploded in popularity. They were operating out of a small office with a lobby was completely full of bobble heads, like a little museum showing off everything they'd made over the years (IDK how complete it was). The Pops were kept in the back, on boring warehouse-type shelves. I didn't get the job but in retrospect it was really neat to get that look at a time when it must have seemed to them as if the Pops were just a little diversion to compliment their bobble business. (Their current HQ in Everett is incredibly ostentatious and looks entirely Pop-focused)

[@overthecounterbeanie]

How does JJ consistently manage to make me love videos about things I couldn't care less about?

[@DCAdamB]

Another fantastic vid! I appreciate the synergy between these various brands, especially Disney, McDonald’s and Coca-Cola. All three were major sponsors of the two most recent summer Olympic Games in the US (in fact, Coke’s HQ in Atl and Disney’s roots in Southern California were factors in those cities being selected). Beyond that, Disney and McDs collaborate with restaurants in the theme park and happy meal toys branded for upcoming films; Disney has exclusive Coke products in its theme park (and even free giveaways at EPCOT); and Coke and McDs have a long-standing exclusive agreement, which permeates pop culture with the “McDonald’s Sprite” meme. These three iconic American brands not only have continuity between the three of them, but arguably are stronger thru their combined partnerships

[@seanolaocha940]

The suspense has been unbearable waiting for this, and as usual you didn't disappoint, JJ!

[@DavidBennettPiano]

13:53 perhaps you could do a video on brand names that have turned into generic names, like VCR, Hoover, Marmite… you could even say “podcast” is an example as it was originally exclusive to iPod’s. It would be interesting to see regional differences as well, for example, in the U.K. where I am I don’t think people use “Kleenex” as a generic term and instead would just say “tissue”

[@wilhelmdutchie1]

Thanks again! I am currently living in Bangkok, Thailand. I didn't notice it until you pointed it out but you are correct. Thai Ronald McDonalds are ubiquitous in Thailand and tourists are constantly stopping in front of them to take their photos. I may have to get my first Funko Pop.

[@SnowBalling]

I love how detailed you went into the background of these toys. A lot of this stuff we take for granted. This is a great reminder.

[@benjaminwatt2436]

It is a great summary, but not detailed. you can read books and books on these topics

[@knutthompson7879]

It is remarkable how much Americana you covered with that collection. Well done.

[@TooDarnEasy]

note: while the first FRANCHISED McDonalds was in Des Plaines, the actual first McDonalds owned by the McDonald brothers was (and is now a mcdonalds museum) in San Bernardino, California

[@monkeytube138]

Yeah, that fact stuck out as questionable to me too, I knew McDs started in Cali.

[@patricklippert8345]

The Funko Pop design is based off vinyl art toys like Dunny. They had their own designs, but also had blanks that artists could decorate and sell. They were usually limited edition or only exclusive to the artist's studio, and Funko realized they could buy rights to licensed properties and design them around a base model.

[@AdamYJ]

Really? I thought they might have been influenced by Hello Kitty (similar proportions) and Japanese sofubi figures (similar material).

[@BeefinOut]

J.J., would you ever write a book on the American Cultural Canon? I know I'd buy it in a heartbeat, especially if it were a coffe-table book full of illustrations.

[@JJMcCullough]

I have been thinking about this. I just need a plan of how to organize the information. Any thoughts?

[@sempersuffragium9951]

@@JJMcCullough This could just be my non-creative brain talking, but the best way might be chronologically. Describing concepts as they were added to the cultural canon. Maybe identify various eras (I believe you already spoke of the Victorian era and post WW2 era as having been most influential). Another way would be by actors that introduced things (The government, religions, the corporations, various immigrant communities... etc)

[@pent2]

​@@JJMcCulloughAmerica-mon?

[@corey2232]

@@JJMcCullough Have you read any of Stephen Colbert's books, released around the time of his Comedy Central show? "I am America, and so can you!" was one of them, and organizing your information in a similar way could be great (though admittedly, it's been a while since I read it). It doesn't need to follow a particular linear route, but a collection of "chapters" that fit a certain theme, then detailing the progression of those themes could be one way to help.

[@benjaminwatt2436]

@@JJMcCullough my suggestion would be a slightly scholarly approach with your theory of American culture coming chiefly from victorian and post WWII cultual Icons. It seems to be an interesting theory that merrits historical consideration.

[@benb2794]

The blue jay in the hand of the Mountie pop beats mentioning - I believe it’s a nod to the Toronto Blue Jays, Canada’s only team in MLB. Baseball certainly has a place in America’s cultural cannon, although that could be its own video

[@marcello7781]

Thanks to these videos I have been able to collect many interesting anecdotes on the American and Canadian pop culture that I like to use for short stories I write. I'm even thinking about adding at a certain point a J.J. McCullough-like character.

[@serpentax]

as someone born and raised in everett wa i was so confused when the funko pop hq opened up and why it was so popular. it just made parking by my bank harder. hopefully it boosted sales at karl's bakery. i had no idea this whole bobble head thing started in wa.

[@CalGLazer]

I’m from Everett, WA! So glad to see my hometown represented in a JJ video! We’re very proud of Funko down here and it’s a prominent part of our downtown area with giant Funko Pops decorating the street nearby

[@AlexBowenPrime]

The fact that I can be this entertained by JJ explaining my own culture to me proves how great his style really is 😂

[@dr.r.roberts9048]

JJ just gets cuter and cuter every week. It’s nice to have an adorable Canadian w/smarts in my feed each week. Keep it up buddy! 😃❤️

[@ricofilm]

I was just about to cancel my Nebula subscription since I don’t use it much anymore, but if my favorite Award Winning KZbinr is going to be posting weekly extended cuts there, I’m definitely keeping it!

[@seafx]

You fit in so well with Nebula. So many of my favorite creators are apart of Nebula. I love it for you.

[@JamesOKeefe-US]

6:42 the Micky laugh over the star wars logo is just one of the pieces of attention to detail we love so much about your videos JJ. Had me cracking up :) Wonderful video as always! Happy Saturday everyone!!

[@AdamYJ]

Interesting stuff about the origins of Funko. However, despite their origins making bobbleheads, I always felt the Pops owed something of a debt to Japanese pop culture as well. The distinctive proportions and simple black eyes of Funko Pops hold a lot of similarity to those of the Sanrio character Hello Kitty. Also, the vinyl they’re made of, despite being more rigid, feels like a nod to the soft vinyl or “sofubi” figures that were made (and in some cases still are made) of various monsters and heroes both from Toho kaiju films and the Ultraman TV series. I don’t have any proof any of that was intentional though.

[@andybearchan]

As an American my first and only experience with mounties was Duddly Do-Right from rocky and bull winkle.

[@16.chapel]

Awesome video JJ! I'm always seriously impressed that you're able to put out these highly edited and stylized videos every week, just wanted to say thank you for sharing.

[@JJMcCullough]

Thank YOU for watching!

[@BeIlG]

I am so glad you are on nebula now!!

[@TheAirborneKite]

Fun fact, that d20 isn't for rolling, it's for using as a counter, probably in Magic: the Gathering. You can tell because consecutive numbers are beside each other - it's easier to increment the value, but having all of the high numbers clustered together means it would be easy for the die to be unfair if it's not perfectly balanced.

[@halfsourlizard9319]

Citation required.

[@sawyerlachance1300]

@@halfsourlizard9319 I play both D&D and Magic and this is true

[@CriticalEatsJapan]

The spindown variant is not a standard d20.

[@jlpack62]

As someone born in the 60s, that 1971 Coke commercial is a core memory.

[@pohiena2666]

Here in Brazil when someone think they are more important that they really are it is said "you are not all these coca-colas".

[@timothycreech7977]

12:50 The reason Frankenstein's monster is portrayed as green is because someone given behind the scenes access during filming mistook the makeup used for filming as the official look for the creature. The creature's intended color was a pale greyish yellow like in the novel but green had to be used for the Black & white cameras. Early promotional materials still show the yellow huge but later materials would adopt the green pigment and the rest is history.

[@bjarkusmcfarkus6737]

Speaking of cultural canon, I’d be interested in examining the stock images of certain subcultures and stereotypes. For instance, we think of nerds as wearing big glasses, high waisted pants kept up by suspenders, and sometimes bow ties. I can’t help but think this is a highly outdated image, but it’s seemingly stuck around.

[@GacPrime]

Props for using the marginally more obscure Legends of Avantris over Critical Role for the D&D reference. Really ups the nerd cred!

[@JJMcCullough]

They are great eh

[@smashingpandora]

Love all of your content but I REALLY enjoyed this video😊 How the funkos(&their designs) led you through so many topics was fantastically captivating!

[@wordytoed9887]

JJ, PLEASE know that your use of music (e.g. 14:20) is appreciated. You honestly have such a knack for tone and timing, I’m surprised your channel isn’t full of music. Do you play? How do you know how to utilize music so thoughtfully in your work?? I live for it. Keep up the phenomenal output. Nice job on this one!

[@vitormelomedeiros]

Fantastic video, totally worth the wait! Now I'm hungry for some McDonald's tbh. And an ice cold Coke. Btw, as a Brazilian very much interested in the American cultural canon, I'd be interested to know: what do you think of a more pan-American perspective on it? Most of my friends are usually pretty anti-American, and you probably know the thousands of reasons Latin American people (btw, here in Brazil everybody considers Brazil to be "Latin America," I'm aware some people seem only to consider spanish speaking countries to be part of it?) dislike the USA, but I'm pretty sympathetic towards it in general (while remaining critical, obv), at least in the sense you usually talk about. But North Americans don't seem to consider Latin America to be relevant to their understanding of "America," seeing it as just as foreign as some place like East Asia. What's your take on this issue? Would be really curious to see you talking about it!

[@JJMcCullough]

I mean it's a complex topic. I sometimes feel like the southern United States is very influenced by Latin American culture in a way the northern US and Canada are not, but northern US culture is also more influential overall, so Latin American culture feels more "regional" in terms of general continental cultural influence. But in other ways, even Canada has a political culture that I think is quite Latin American in character in a lot of ways. I could talk about the culture of "the AmericaS" but that is kind of beyond my comfort zone.

[@DiviAugusti]

Why wouldn’t the Portuguese speaking parts of the Americas also be considered Latin?

[@sempersuffragium9951]

@@JJMcCullough I think (mostly from watching the Simpsons and the like), that Americans get a lot of their ideas about Catholicism from Latin America. But other than that Latin America did seem to evolve quite separately from the USA, with little to no interaction or cultural exchange. There was however a time when the USA and the Empire of Brazil were seen as almost equals - the two heads of the American continent. If that political reality were to endure, things might well have turned out different

[@vitormelomedeiros]

@@sempersuffragium9951 America was a huge influence in the early development of the Brazilian republic too. Most notably, for a very short period of time after the Republic was proclaimed, the flag was actually a stars and stripes type of design which was basically a recolored version of the American flag, and the country was called the United States of Brazil for a few years. But American political culture is definitely an influence still felt today. When it comes to culture, however, it's hard to say to which extent American influence is due to the ongoing cultural ties established in the 19th century or a reflection of broader, global American influence which really consolidated during the 20th century -- and I don't think it's a binary thing either, it's probably both, but I couldn't really claim either is the dominant factor in this case. What I can say is that Brazilians I usually talk to really underestimate the extent North America, and the US in particular, shaped our own culture during the 20th century and beyond, and even portray every perceivable 'Americanism' as a bad thing that needs to be eradicated. Oh well

[@purplemist7]

​@@JJMcCulloughThough on the West Coast as opposed to the North, I would count California as one of the biggest components of the American influence, seeing as how it's the richest state and Los Angeles is the entertainment capital of the world.

[@channelsurfing]

I respect your passion and dedication towards America as a country. I am proud to be an American, but not so proud of things that happened here. That applies to most anywhere though. Thank you for such great content, J.J.!

[@samf.8705]

I need more of this.

[@Jaysin412]

Niceeee!!! Glad to see ya JJ!!

[@darreljones8645]

Little-known fact about the beaver: one of its glands has been used as a source of imitation vanilla.

[@evanc.1591]

The thing I really appreciate about this is your detailed focus on the human origins and stories of these cultural megaliths. In the 21st century, it's hard to remember that these inescapable, perpetually recycled 20th century cultural touchstones weren't always around, and came into existence at a specific time, in a specific place, as a result of the actions of a great many real people. It's comforting to me, for two reasons I think. One, as a human, it's nice to hear about the stories of other people, the real details of their lives. Two, more importantly I think, it's a healthy reminder that these idols aren't gods - they're the handiwork of men. Sometimes its easy to think of the corporate powers that these icons represent as independent forces, outside and above the control of any person. The natural religious impulse of humans is to first anthropomorphize, and then to deify that which we cannot control, which seems outside of our grasp. In a hunter-gatherer world, that would be animals, the weather, the earth, etc. In an agricultural world, that would be the harvest, fertility, evolving into a cognizant culture deifying wisdom, craftiness, war, etc. To a political and imperial culture, deifying the emperor and the empire itself. In the age of more strictly defined nation-states, and increased travel, the nation was deified. With the increase of scientific understanding and industrial mechanization, progress was deified. And now in our age of neocapitalist corporate hegemony, and the omnipresent digital world, the corporation and the computer are deified. We perceive them as forces above our control, beyond our reckoning, so we begin to attribute divinity to them. But they are not gods. The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They have mouths, but speak not; they have eyes, but see not, They have ears, but hear not, nor is there breath in their mouths. Their makers shall become like them, and all who put their trust in them.

[@elusivemayfly7534]

What a cool framing concept for a video! I always learn a lot from JJ’s vids

[@josephbilderback4549]

I loved seeing the Universal Horror appreciation, ive always been a fan of them!

[@tomdebevoise]

If you're discussing the cultural influences of North America, it's important to include Mexico alongside Canada. Funko offers a collection of figures inspired by Mexican culture, such as El Diablito.

[@hes_alive]

A certain type of Canadian conservative (of which JJ is considered) likes to call “America” as being both Canada and the US. And this is on brand for him. It remains one of the most pointless borders in the world as Northern American states and Canadian provinces outside of Quebec are practically indistinguishable.

[@tomdebevoise]

@@hes_alive Then you are excluding California, Texas, Arizona and more

[@Jabberwockybird]

He is more focusing on "American" culture rather than North American. Because that is the culture he knows and loves. Nothing against Mexican or "southwesten" cultures, it's just not his topic. He mightn't know them that well.

[@purplemist7]

​@@JabberwockybirdExcept he mentions in the video that he considers Canada to be a "component part of a larger continental American cultural civilization."

[@purplemist7]

​@@hes_aliveI wouldn't say they're practically indistinguishable as there are some pretty big differences, such as Canada being a Commonwealth country, having provinces, universal healthcare and strict gun control laws.

[@simmi5646]

If you'll ever visit Germany you should definitely get a Wackeldackel. It would be a fine addition to your collection.

[@Nazrininator]

Great video, JJ! I'm already a Nebula subscriber, so I'll watch the extended version.

[@UpliftedCapybara]

I just saw your extended video on Nebula! If I could make one suggestion about that, I think most people would prefer if the extended portions of videos be separate bonus videos on Nebula instead of being attached to the back end of the KZbin version. It makes it easier to see the bonus portion that way instead of having to scroll through the whole video just to find where the extended part starts. Another KZbinr, Isaac Arthur, started doing his videos like that and almost everyone in his community now prefers that approach.

[@megatronfilms315]

Im happy i get to wake up to another video by jj mccullough. These videos educate me alot

[@PrawnAddiction]

It's 2:07 am in New Zealand right now and I love this guy so sacrifices must be made

[@JJMcCullough]

@@PrawnAddiction Thank you kind Kiwi

[@dsxa918]

Kiwi: it's better than "ol pumpkinhead"

[@PrawnAddiction]

@@JJMcCullough You're welcome kind Canadian

[@hal0hal0mc]

I really do appreciate your take on a greater shared culture between Canada and the usa. I would add Mexico ofc to our our NA family of misfits (esp southwest American culture). A lot is shaped by geography, so i would say that our 3 countries can relate to one another more than their colonial powers of the UK, France and Spain. In a similar way that you mention Canada identifying with the UK monarchy to distance itself from the USA, I think the usa is more similar to France... both aided each other in their respective revolutions, and there is a decidedly skeptical attitude towards authority and centralized power.

[@jakwieci]

Excited that you've joined Nebula! Following you there now!

[@riiitch]

Mate. Love the paint style Memphis T-shirt. Need this in my life

[@GoveaWorks]

6:30 Fun Fact: All Star Wars themed Funko pops are bobble heads because Hasbro has the exclusive rights to make Star Wars action figures. Funko got around this by making all their Star Wars toys bobble heads.

[@JJMcCullough]

That's fascinating!

[@dreaming_caiman]

The name Blockbuster I believe originates from movies that were so popular they had people lining up around a whole city block to buy movie tickets. And the first movie to be considered a blockbuster was Jaws directed by Steven Spielberg, who himself is big contributor to american popular culture.

[@Colyde25]

JJ thanks for another awesome vid! Always enjoy your videos & what you have to say. Keep it up man!

[@oliverrainer5771]

one of your best videos no doubt

[@InquisitorThomas]

1:02 HOW DARE YOU?! He’s clearly a T Tier celebrity.

[@cloutfisher7714]

A Canadian guy has taught me more about my country’s culture than any American could ever dream to

[@bighillraft]

Most people say that Americans dont have culture lol, obviously it's impossible, everyone on Earth has culture

[@Weezerand...]

Hey JJ, staying up late in Australia to watch this, keep up the great work 👍

[@welovemrp00]

I am absolutely in love with the way he's describing these things as if the viewer will be unfamiliar

[@vico7727]

What happened to your latest video on predictions of the future from 1978? It just vanished from your channel? Was it taken down by You Tube, or did you have an issue with it and took it down yourself?

[@NathanSaor1798]

Damn my favourite KZbinr is a rentoid funko pop collector. 🤦‍♂️

[@jeremybaker195]

I had no idea Funko was right up the road from me in Everett Wa. Thanks JJ. I always learn something new from your videos.

[@BrandenBrashear]

The flow of this script is amazing.

[@StephanieJeanne]

Great fun video. J.J.! A lot of nostalgia in there, like Ronald McDonald, Darth Vader, and Frankenstein. Something I thought I read a long time ago and just verified is that Frankenstein is depicted with green skin because when the movie was made in black and white, they found that a greenish makeup showed up better and made him look more distinct from the pale skin of the other actors. It made him look ghostly white. Thanks so much! 😊

[@JJMcCullough]

I've heard this, but I don't think it is true. Because how would anyone know that?

[@frankjennings4489]

JJ has gone from an 18-year old TikTokker to a wise, middle-aged uncle in the span of 1 year.

[@JimmyThaJam]

Love this video! It is amazing how much culture is bound up in these few small objects. Also, now we need a video about the American Fantasy Canon you mentioned at 15:56. 👀

[@ceebs7263]

Hey JJ, I always get excited when I see youtubers mention Blockbuster because it means I get to flex the fact that I live in the city with the last one in the world, Bend Oregon! I used to go there all the time as a kid before it was the last one, but now I usually just stream movies like most people do. I still drive by there pretty often though, and I’ve been wanting to go back lately. I don’t know how long it’ll be open for so I don’t wanna miss out.

[@JJMcCullough]

I’m thinking I should go and visit… is it just a very normal blockbuster?

[@ceebs7263]

@@JJMcCullough sorry for the late response, I just visited yesterday! It's about how you'd remember it, just with more tourist-y stuff, 90's memorabilia, merchandise, and things of that nature. It's kinda crazy seeing completely new movies on the shelves. They have a couple little areas set up with lots of cool knicknacks that represent that era, it reminded me of the background of your videos.

[@juliegolick]

I find it delightful that you explain Coca-Cola, Mickey Mouse, and Ronald McDonald with the same care and attention you use for the Canadian fur trade, as though just waiting for a future archaeologist to discover this award-winning video!

[@Catokawaii]

If we ever want to educate Aliens on American or even human culture, I nominate JJ to take a creative or leading role.

[@halfsourlizard9319]

That presupposes that aliens should / would give any shits about that.

[@JRay.R]

J.J. continues to be (and has been, for years) my main and most reliable source of knowledge about American culture and history. Thanks J.J.

[@grengrenhuskey]

I like these types of videos

[@LAK_770]

JJ is the rare non-American who actually has a nuanced and deep understanding of US culture. Due to the global saturation of US media, many outside observers have a deluded sense of their own understanding and familiarity, even though their knowledge barely surpasses the crudest stereotypes. This is especially ironic when the observer fancies themselves worldly and cultured and their criticism is specifically about Americans’ ignorance of other cultures

[@andrewlessig7061]

First comment

[@GenZRemnant9748]

Congratulations you have brought nothing to the conversation

[@dsxa918]

Shit

[@Diphenhydra]

@@GenZRemnant9748he did bring a comment that boosts this video in the algorithm, even if it is a not significant amount.

[@GenZRemnant9748]

@@Diphenhydra fair point

[@chasm4787]

Most civil comment section on KZbin

[@bes03c]

JJ's pitch for Nebula is the most enticing I have heard so far.

[@wiktiktik]

Love your shirt!

[@canuckguy0313]

I started following you for your takes on Canadian politics and flags and Canada in general (still my favourite topics of yours don’t get me wrong) but I’m really enjoying your pop culture and culture in general videos, it’s well done and we’ll explained. If there’s such a thing as a pop culturologist you can claim it! I have a couple funko pops of my own, never saw myself starting a collection of them but here I am. As a huge fan of trivia and Jeopardy! I got two Alex Trebek funkos the same Christmas from two different people - one of which was a limited edition! (Either the older or younger Alex, don’t remember which is limited edition as I got them both basically at the same time). I also got an Angus Young funko from a friend due to my love of 80s metal, a c3po bobble head funko due to my love of sci fi and a Zorro funko from my kids because they thought I really liked zorro for some reason (so I think of my kids sincere love for me when I see it) - curiously have yet to buy one for myself even though there’s a funko store ten minutes from our house. Finally congrats on joining nebula! I think everyone I subscribe to on KZbin is on nebula so i know it’s stuff I’ll like, maybe seeing you on there will finally make me pull the trigger on subscribing.

[@zlataisawsome]

The first McDonald’s actually opened in 1948 in San Bernardino, CA by the McDonald brothers. It was originally in Monrovia by the name of The Airdrome, which was later moved (like, they took the entire building from the ground and moved it to the place) to San Bernardino and renamed to McDonald’s Barbecue, which then was renamed to McDonald’s because there were too many food options in their menu. The one opened in Des Moines Illinois was opened by Ray Kroc, the guy who basically made McDonald’s a global thing. McDonald’s is also the reason why we have Weinerschnitzel and Taco Bell, as well as many other fast food restaurants today. Edit- you can visit the first McDonald’s today, however it’s now a museum thanks to the founder of Juan Pollo. Pretty great place (at least according to me, a local.), it’s worth a visit.

[@MrCheshireify]

If I remember right, Frankenstien was green because he wore green makeup, as it showed up better on black and white film (look at the Adam's Family set, which was bright pink and obnoxious colors, but gave a stark black and white look on camera.) In the books, he was depicted as a yellowish color.

[@iEcilpse]

i always thought that your collection of cultural items was an interesting thing, so this video of some of your newer items is very nice :)

[@mugi4949]

I just got Nebula after years of avoiding to do so just because more J.J. content is hard to pass on. However, there is the benefit of more videos from Tier Zoo and Extra History which are also great. Thank you for the promo link J.J.!