How do you manage your kids' pop culture obsession?

Hm... It's hard for me to paint all childhood obsessions with the same broad brush because some are just cute harmless infatuations with funny or endearing characters, while others are reflexions on how our disfunctional society affects all of us, specially our kids. For me, it depends on the effect(s) the given 'obsession' has on my son. I don't see anything wrong with a childhood obsession that, while annoying on the surface, has no negative behavioral impact or does not go against the values I am trying to teach my son. If he wants to talk all day about cool looking cars racing and winning, or crashing and loosing, tough competition and the different competitive advantages of the cars, the importance of friendship/loyalty and sticking by your team, not giving up, and always trying one's best (he was obsessed with "Hot Wheels Acceleraces"), I let him play and watch the videos, and I even encourage him to keep watching and engaging because he is drawing positive messages. And even though I am not really a "cars" guy and could not care less about the "Teku" or the "MetalManiacs", I made an effort to learn who was who and how they related to my son's experience. It went a long way in our bonding. On the other hand, however, when he start to "talk-back" at me with sarcastic one-liners, or starts emulating Patrick (from "Sponge Bob Square Pants") just to try get attention or a laugh, I make sure to explain to him that we don't appreciate that type behavior: In our house there is no room for rude sarcasm or belittling. Idiocy or mediocrity are simply NOT funny. That alone usually slows down the speed of 'obsessive' effect of the show and soon enough he looses that type of interest. So, as long as the messages that the kid is internalizing and the lessons he or she is drawing from the 'obsession' are not inappropriate, I say let him/her be and watch, and - if you can stomach it - join in!. But if the effects are not appropriate in your view make sure to speak up and say, in no uncertain terms, how you feel about the behavior you don't like or the messaging you find inappropriate. Remember: Your kids *are* listening to everything you say, even if they seem not to be. In my experience they will curb the obsession all on their own if they understand clearly why you don't like it.