Every generation thinks this is the moment pop culture goes too far. From Elvis’s hip-shaking to Madonna’s boundary-pushing performances, from Marilyn Manson’s media-fueled controversies to Lady Gaga’s infamous meat dress—music has always been at the center of moral outrage.

In this episode of Even Line, we break down the biggest moral panics in pop music history, from the 1950s to today. Why do artists keep sparking outrage? Who fuels these panics? And why does society always seem to move on?

🎤 Topics Covered:

• The 1950s Elvis Presley scandal & why his hip movements were seen as a threat to American values

• The Satanic Panic & the PMRC’s Filthy Fifteen – when rock music was accused of corrupting the youth

• Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, & modern outrage cycles – why pop stars continue to push boundaries

• Lil Nas X, Doja Cat, & today’s controversies – how social media accelerates moral panics

📢 Join the Conversation! What’s the most ridiculous music-related moral panic you remember? Find @EvenLinePod on TikTok or drop a comment on Instagram! Episode sources:

Below is a concise list of sources you can include in your show notes:

1. Cohen, Stanley

Folk Devils and Moral Panics (1972) – Seminal sociological work on how moral panics arise.

2. Florida NewsLine (Scott A. Grant)

“Elvis ‘the Pelvis’ comes to Jacksonville” – Article detailing Elvis’s 1956 Jacksonville performance and its controversy.

3. Newsweek

“An Oral History: Tipper Gore’s War on Explicit Rock Lyrics” (2015) – Examination of the PMRC, the “Filthy Fifteen,” and the 1985 Senate hearings.

4. U.S. Senate Recordings/Transcripts (1985)

Testimony from musicians Dee Snider, Frank Zappa, and John Denver during hearings on rock music lyrics.

5. MTV Video Music Awards Archives

Coverage of Lady Gaga’s 2010 meat dress appearance and Miley Cyrus’s 2013 performance.

6. Rolling Stone

Articles documenting key pop culture controversies, including the PMRC era and modern-day moral panics.

7. BBC Culture / The Guardian

Various pieces analyzing moral panics and controversies surrounding artists like Lil Nas X and Doja Cat.

In this episode of Even Line, host Chase dives into the slow, painful demise of common sense in our modern world. From the infamous McDonald’s hot coffee lawsuit to viral social media challenges that should never have gone viral, each story illustrates just how far we’ve strayed from basic logic. Chase explores the roots of this epidemic—looking at everything from excessive warning labels (because apparently, ‘Caution: Coffee is Hot’ wasn’t obvious) to the dangerous stunts people pull for online clout.

Whether you’re a skeptic of humanity’s current trajectory or simply someone who enjoys facepalm-worthy anecdotes, this episode offers a humorous, in-depth look at why we might need a refresher course on critical thinking. Plus, you’ll hear about some truly outrageous incidents—from microwaving socks to attempting to open airplane doors at cruising altitude. It’s all here, served with a healthy dose of wit and a plea for a little more common sense in everyday life.

Tune in now to learn, laugh, and maybe question the fate of human intelligence—while remembering to avoid trying any of the stunts we mention!

Episode Links & Sources:

• McDonald’s Hot Coffee Case (Liebeck v. McDonald’s):

Hot Coffee (2011) Documentary

Court Documents Overview

• American Airlines Flight 1915 Incident (passenger opening plane door):

NBC News Article

• Tide Pod Challenge:

CNN Coverage, January 2018

• NyQuil Chicken Challenge:

FDA Consumer Update, September 2022

• Skullbreaker Challenge:

CBS News, February 2020

• Gorilla Glue Hair Incident:

BBC Coverage, February 2021

TMZ Coverage (Surgical Procedure)

• Microwave Sock Incident (Weymouth, UK):

Dorset Echo Local Report

• Urban Legend (Microwaved Pet):

Snopes - Microwaved Pet

For centuries, people have gone to extreme—and sometimes downright disturbing—lengths to shed a few pounds. From sleeping off the weight with heavy sedatives to sewing plastic onto their tongues to make eating unbearable, the history of weight loss is filled with some truly bizarre choices.

In this episode of Evenline, Chase dives into the strangest weight-loss fads of all time, breaking down why they existed, what they promised, and why they (thankfully) faded away. We’ll also talk about how modern weight-loss drugs like Ozempic compare to these historical oddities, and Chase shares his personal experience with the medication.

Was the past just one long, misguided diet plan? And are we still falling for the same tricks today? Let’s find out.

🚨 DISCLAIMER: This episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before making any health-related decisions.

🎧 Subscribe to Evenline on your favorite podcast platform, and don’t forget to share your strangest weight-loss attempts with us on social media!

📌 Sources & References:

1. BBC News, “Elvis Presley’s weight woes” – Rumors about the Sleeping Beauty Diet

🔗 https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-30696622

2. ABC News, “Doctor Stitches Tongue to Help Patients Lose Weight” – The Tongue Patch Diet

🔗 https://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/lagreatweight/story?id=10863043

3. Kathleen Thompson, “A Beautiful Fraud: Obesity Soap” – A pamphlet debunking slimming soaps

🔗 https://archive.org/details/abeautifulfraud00thomgoog/page/n5/mode/2up

4. Dr. A.T.W. Simeons, “Pounds & Inches: A New Approach to Obesity” – The origins of the HCG Diet

🔗 https://hcgdietinfo.com/Dr-Simeons-Pounds-and-Inches.htm

5. U.S. Food & Drug Administration, “HCG Diet Products Are Illegal” – FDA warnings against HCG injections for weight loss

🔗 https://www.fda.gov/drugs/questions-answers/hcg-questions-and-answers

6. Edzard Ernst, “Acupuncture – A Systematic Review of Systematic Reviews” – Ear Stapling & Weight Loss

🔗 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2058447/

7. The Guardian, “Living off air: the quest to prove that Breatharianism can work” – The extreme case of Breatharianism

🔗 https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2012/jul/14/breatharian-inedia-jasmuheen-nutrition-interview

💬 Have you tried a weight-loss trend that, in hindsight, seems absolutely wild? Share your story with us on social media or email us at [your podcast email or website]. You might just inspire a future episode.

🔔 New episodes drop every Wednesday and Sunday! Hit subscribe so you don’t miss out.