The Las Culturistas Awards brought a nostalgic moment to Bravo on June 17 when podcast hosts Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers performed the classic American Pokémon theme song "Gotta Catch 'em All."

The performance featured more than just the comedians belting out the iconic tune. Backup dancers dressed as Pokémon trainers joined Yang and Rogers on stage, and Pikachu himself made an appearance to round out the tribute. It's the kind of unexpected crossover that reminds longtime fans why Pokémon's cultural reach extends far beyond the anime and games.

Las Culturistas, the comedy podcast Yang and Rogers launched in March 2016, has grown into a multi-platform presence. Produced through Will Ferrell's Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio, the show's annual awards ceremony has become a fixture on Bravo since 2022. The parody awards format gives the hosts room to celebrate pop culture moments like this one—blending comedy with affectionate nostalgia.

The Pokémon anime itself remains a global phenomenon nearly 30 years after its debut. The series first aired in Japan in April 1997 on TV Tokyo, arriving in North America just a year later in September 1998. Since then, it's become one of the longest-running animated franchises, spawning countless episodes, films, and cultural touchstones that resonate across generations.

Moments like the Las Culturistas performance show how deeply embedded Pokémon remains in entertainment culture. Whether it's indie comedians or major networks, the franchise continues to inspire tributes and references that connect with audiences who grew up catching Pokémon and those discovering the series today.

The fact that a major comedy podcast could dedicate prime Bravo airtime to a Pokémon performance speaks to the enduring appeal of the property and its cultural weight in the entertainment landscape.