Watch Pop Innovators

Pop Innovators is a television show from E! that highlights individuals who have made a significant impact on pop culture. Produced in a straightforward documentary style, each episode focusses on a specific individual and looks back at their life, career, and influence.

One of the most interesting aspects of this show is how it takes a deep dive into the subjects' backgrounds and early experiences, exploring how these factors may have informed their later successes. For example, the episode on Jay-Z delves into his upbringing in Brooklyn, his early struggles to make it as a rapper, and the personal and professional obstacles he faced along the way.

What's great about Pop Innovators is that it doesn't limit itself to a particular genre or facet of pop culture. Instead, it casts a wide net and covers people from across the entertainment industry (although it does lean heavily towards musicians). Some of the other subjects featured include Lady Gaga, Will Smith, Ryan Murphy, and Kim Kardashian.

One episode that stands out is the one dedicated to Lin-Manuel Miranda. It offers a fascinating look at how Miranda developed his unique theatrical style and how he went about writing the blockbuster hit Hamilton. The episode features interviews with other performers and collaborators, along with footage from early productions of Miranda's shows.

Another episode that offers great insights is the one about Britney Spears. While her life and career have been extensively covered in the media, this episode manages to offer a fresh perspective on what made Spears such a cultural phenomenon. It traces her trajectory from childhood performer to megastar and looks at how her music and public persona evolved over time.

Throughout the series, there are plenty of juicy anecdotes and tidbits of trivia that will no doubt delight fans of the various subjects. For example, did you know that Lady Gaga was dumped by Def Jam Records early in her career? Or that Ryan Murphy pitched Glee to the network as "a dark comedy about a dysfunctional family, set in a high school choir room"?

One criticism of the show is that it can sometimes feel a bit formulaic. Each episode follows a similar structure, with biographical information interspersed with talking-head interviews and archival footage. There's a sense that the producers are more interested in presenting a polished, straightforward narrative than in really digging deep into their subjects' psyches.

However, there are moments when the show does break free from this formula and offers something truly unique. For example, the episode on Ryan Murphy features a segment where Murphy himself takes the camera crew on a tour of his office and points out various items that hold personal meaning for him. It's a small but powerful moment that offers a glimpse into the mind of a creator who has revolutionized television.

All in all, Pop Innovators is a compelling series that pays tribute to some of the most influential figures in pop culture. While not every episode is equally strong, there's enough insight and entertainment value here to make it worth checking out for anyone interested in the behind-the-scenes workings of the entertainment industry.