We live in an era of permanent reboots. Everything from ‘Superman’ to ‘Archie Comics’ comes roaring back in one form or another, because we entered a handshake agreement with capitalism that we would pay to see it. You may know a few things you like had a weird sequel or two. But did you know almost every franchise has experimented with going completely off the rails, in public, often with added talking animal friends?

On this week’s episode of The Cracked Podcast, Alex Schmidt is joined by Kristi Harrison and Cyriaque Lamar for a trip through the world’s favorite pop culture, and the bizarre mutations it went through without most people noticing. Discover the truly weird true ambitions of the artist behind ‘Garfield’, the movie studio behind ‘Casablanca’, and every cartoonist who tried to make ‘James Bond’ and ‘The Flinstones’ work for modern kids.

Footnotes: https://goo.gl/Fp23hJ

Gilbert and Frank track down Oscar-nominated actor Don Murray, who talks about the thrill of live television, the pros and cons of method acting, his lack of interest in “movie stardom” and the challenges of making his screen debut opposite the legendary Marilyn Monroe. Also, Don teases Otto Preminger, Keir Dullea lights up the screen, James Cagney dances between takes and Charles Laughton helms a filmnoir masterpiece. PLUS: Frankie Five Angels! “Conquest of the Planet of the Apes”! Don remembers Rod Steiger (and Rod Serling)! Jack Warden watches a stag reel! And the mysterious death of Albert Dekker!

This episode is brought to you by Nutrafol (www.nutrafol.com code: GILBERT).

What’s on the other side of the portal in the basement? Castle Nowhere. And Honey Vandershrimp.

Credits:

Arnie: Arnie Niekamp

Chunt: Adal Rifai

Usidore: Matt Young

Honey Vandershrimp: Katie Klein

Mysterious Man: Tim Sniffen

Producers: Arnie Niekamp, Ryan DiGiorgi, Evan Jacover

Editor: Garrett Schultz

Theme Music: Andy Poland

Magic Tavern Logo: Allard Laban

Audio Assistance: Jason Knox

Production Assistance: Garrett Schultz

Live from New York, Paul, June, and Jason discuss the 1982 musical/comedy Yes, Giorgio starring Luciano Pavarotti. They talk about Pavarotti’s impressive breath control, the food fight scene, and whether or not opera is hard. Plus, stick around at the end for some incredible opera inspired 2nd Opinions songs!

This episode is brought to you by Squarespace (www.squarespace.com code: BONKERS) and Sennheiser (www.sennheiser.com code: BONKERS).

Subscribe to Unspooled with Paul Scheer and Amy Nicholson here: http://www.earwolf.com/show/unspooled/

Check out our new website over at www.hdtgminfo.com!

Check out new HDTGM merch over at https://www.teepubli…wdidthisgetmade

Where to Find Jason, June & Paul:

@PaulScheer on Instagram & Twitter 

@Junediane on IG and @MsJuneDiane on Twitter 

Jason is still not on Twitter 

While on a Caribbean cruise, Michael notices how whether on a big boat in the ocean, or a small town in Victorian England, little has changed for those looking for love.

The one and only Dan Savage (Savage Lovecast, Savage Love) joins Matt and Dave this week to dive super deep into non-monogamy and what it means to be monogamish, being a Broadway show queen, and meeting his husband on the dance floor. Plus pot edibles, rimming questions at 8:00am, and Dave “stalks” Grocer Joe!

Comedian Judah Friedlander (30 Rock) and journalist Stephanie Butnick (Unorthodox) join Negin to chat about the legality of Trump’s new claim that collusion is not a crime. The panel also throws out their predictions for the outcome of the Mueller investigation. Then, they dig into the potential government shutdown and Trump’s new tax cut proposal. Plus, is Twitter making everyone a comedian?

This episode is sponsored by Psyonix and SugarBearHair (www.sugarbearhair.com.com/FAKE).

Guest host Solomon Georgio talks breakups, cereal and citizenship. Sets from Heather Thomson, John Roy, Paige Weldon and Casey Ley.

John Gemberling and Gavin Speiller join Matt Besser to get stoked over a piñata at a bachelor party, take lessons in comedy from the Southern Momma, and conduct a crime scene investigation with lurid tactics on a special improv3humans! Plus, Gemberling is back and bestiality is the topic once again. Be warned.

This week Amy & Paul unveil 1933’s seminal monster movie King Kong! They ask if this was the first true blockbuster film, discover how the distinctive animal sounds were made, and wonder what Ann sees in Jack Driscoll. Plus: primatologist Kate Gilmore stops by to explain King Kong is not a gorilla!

What do you think All About Eve is all about? If you haven’t seen it, call the Unspooled voicemail line at 747-666-5824 with your best guesses. Follow us on Twitter @Unspooled, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts.

Harry Nelson, studio manager and producer at Earwolf New York, joins Lex on the Wolf Den. The two discuss the history of The Wolf Den, and how the show evolved over the past seven(!) years on the network. Harry also explains how a post on Reddit got him his job at Earwolf, and finally asks Lex what exactly his job is here at Midroll.

This episode is brought to you by Clockwise.io (www.clockwise.io).

Bust out your party hats! Bryan and Erin celebrate yet another one of Bryan’s birthdays with stories about everything from “comedian” Darren Knight getting booed off the stage at the Just For Laughs festival (and other instances of frustrating straight male comic behavior) to Bradley Kim’s powerful message in coming out as the first openly gay military academy football player. Then, celebrated author Georgia Clark joins to talk about her new book The Bucket List, the importance of queer visibility, Australian reality TV, and much, much more!

And make sure to check out Deeper Shade of Shade on Stitcher Premium, where Bryan and Erin interview their favorite friends of the show. For a free month of listening, go to stitcherpremium.com/shade and use promo code ‘SHADE’.

This episode is sponsored by Away (www.awaytravel.com/shade code: SHADE) and Flex (www.ihatetampons.com code: SHADE).

Calling all the shots with Jason Benetti.

This episode is brought to you by Blue Apron (www.blueapron.com/NEVER), Harry’s (www.harrys.com/PARDO), and Quip Toothbrush (www.getquip.com/PARDO).

Legendary comedian, editor, and Squatmelt fav DJ Douggpound joins Howard and co-host Steven Brody Stevens to catch up ‘round the scene on another Who Charted! They get nostalgic for cereal and brush up on their Twisted Sister history while counting down the Top 5 Emerging Artists. Then, we’ll find out what makes Chicago softball so special during the Movie Chart, and the gang gets a little country and shares their festival plans while running down their Hot Picks.

This episode is sponsored by Squarespace (www.squarespace.com/CHARTED code: CHARTED) and STX Entertainment – The Happytime Murders.

Actor and comedian Helen Hong (Go Fact Yourself) joins Andrew and Tawny to discuss the Donner Party, actors of color playing parts of different backgrounds, sharing weird racist parent stories with friends, and more. As always, leave us a message about anything you think is racist at (323) 389-RACE.

TV personality, writer and co-host of Homophilia, Dave Holmes joins Adam Scott Aukerman as they discuss R.E.M.’s fourteenth studio album, Accelerate. Dave talks about how he got involved with MTV’s first Wanna Be a VJ contest, interviewing Michael Stipe, and his Top 10 R.E.M. songs. Plus, the Scotts open up the ol’ mailbag and debut an episode of “I’m Sorry.”

Comedians Keisha Zollar (The Opposition with Jordan Klepper, Astronomy Club) & Dave Mizzoni (Gayme Show!, The List) join Jo & Manolo to play listener-created games with callers, including a special call from Dave Holmes (Homophilia, Party of One).

Games played: Dr. Cola, Dessert Island Movies, and JoProsal

This episode is brought to you by The Venture Bros on Adult Swim.

Veteran of the Vietnam war, actor, and technical advisor Dale Dye joins Matt to talk about how he became the military technical advisor for Platoon, Saving Private Ryan, Band of Brothers, and more. Dale talks about his mission to meet with Oliver Stone to help bring more realism to Hollywood films, how Oliver Stone helped him get the acting bug, and whether the squibs on Willem Dafoe in Platoon were intended to work or not. Plus, Matt completes a lifelong quest to find out the meaning of one of the Vietnam phrases used in Platoon. Brace yourself!

Hrishikesh Hirway is a musician & host of Song Exploder who joins with Jonathan to talk about about the many elements that go into creating a song, speaking with artists like Solange, Lorde, & Weezer about their creative process & what goes into their songwriting, as well as his own creative process.

Find Hrishi Hirway on Twitter & Instagram @HrishiHirway & visit Song Exploder http://songexploder.net/

Find out what today’s guest and former guests are up to by following us on Instagram and Twitter @CuriousWithJVN.

Transcripts for each episode are available at JonathanVanNess.com.

Check out Getting Curious merch at PodSwag.com.

Listen to more music from Quiñ by heading over to TheQuinCat.com.

Jonathan is on Instagram and Twitter @JVN and @Jonathan.Vanness on Facebook.

Baron Vaughn sits down with guest host Samm Levine to talk about proper acting training, as well as his work on “Grace and Frankie” and “Mystery Science Theater 3000”.

A Cuban refugee met up with Chris in a New York City park. The realities of Jewish life in Cuba, seeing snow for the first time, and falling in love are discussed as flying garbage and passing loud New Yorkers occasionally interrupt.

This episode is brought to you by Talkspace (www.talkspace.com/beautiful), Halo Top (www.halotop.com), Stamps.com (www.stamps.com code: BEAUTIFUL), Third Love (www.thirdlove.com/BEAUTIFUL), and Casper Mattresses (www.casper.com/beautiful code: BEAUTIFUL).

Jensen and Matty get into Matty’s new pinball machine, Wu-Tang Clan’s 25th Anniversary of 36 Chambers, BROOKZILL!, Deafheaven’s “Ordinary Corrupt Human Love,” how we were late on Ghost Protocol, and many more things you should know about.

Matt and Matt wrap up season 2 by looking back at the final rankings, playing some Bond guessing games, and discussing the exciting future direction of the podcast. Stay subscribed, more is coming soon.

This episode is brought to you by Mack Weldon (www.mackweldon.com code: BONDING)

This week on OFF BOOK, Mary Sohn (AP Bio) joins Zach and Jess for a teen-aged adventure musical filled with crushes, 7-11, horse girls, S&M and more! With songs like “Clean Your Plate”, “Not Ready to Be A Big Girl”, “Can I Still Like Horses?” and more, you’ll be blasting these tunes out of your Lamborghini for sure. Plus, guest pianist Dan Wessels!

Sean and Hayes do a show with GUY BRANUM, author of his book “My Life as a Goddess,” to help Chef Kevin with something.

Marissa and Listler are back again to welcome Marina Del Rey High’s Home Economics teacher Ms. Suze Sackrider (Beth Dover) to take us through her life’s highest highs and lowest lows on another WOMP It Up! Suze talks about her rough-and-tumble childhood before past hookups come to light on “What’s Cheesing You?”. Then, Marissa and Listler offer advice on dating apps in new countries, initiating intimacy, and the importance of an engagement ring during Listler’s Love Lockdown. Plus, we’ll discover details about Suze’s dream future as she receives her very own Spotlight On.

This episode is sponsored by RXBAR (www.rxbar.com/womp code: WOMP).

Paul F. Tompkins welcomes you, no matter near or far, back to Spontaneanation! This time out, Paul’s special guest is winner of the 2018 Scripps National Spelling Bee, Karthik Nemmani! Karthik chats about whether or not he pretends to like/read famous writers when they die, his love of tennis, and if he sees a time in the future where he doesn’t want to spell words. Then, they are joined by improvisers Matt Gourley and Mark McConville, to improvise a story set in Dallas. And as always, Eban (only the best) Schletter scores it all on piano!

Flower and Momo the mouse with human strength host the show. Their guest is the former sheriff, Gianessa.

Credits:

Flower: Brooke Breit
Momo the Mouse: Erin Keif [ioimprov.com]
Gianessa Relkorus: Dana Quercioli
Tricia: Kate James

Producers: Arnie Niekamp, Ryan DiGiorgi, Evan Jacover
Editor: Tim Joyce
Theme Music: Andy Poland
Magic Tavern Logo: Allard Laban
Audio Assistance: Jason Knox
Production Assistance: Garrett Schultz

This episode is brought to you by LifeProof backpacks (www.lifeproof.com/magic).

Believe it or not, Abe Lincoln was a real person. Oh sure sure, he SEEMS like a kindly freedom-giant of the mythic past, who strode out of the fog and into kicking Robert E. Lee’s butt. But isn’t it more interesting if he was a real guy? Heck, isn’t it more interesting if EVERY past President was an actual human being, with dreams and sicknesses and fixations like anybody else? And strangest of all, what if the elaborate myths we build around POTUSes are both untrue AND the least interesting thing about them? 

On this week’s episode of The Cracked Podcast, Alex Schmidt is joined by Elliott Kalan (MST3K, The Daily Show) for a deep dive into the fake facts you’ve been told about Presidents, and the more incredible real facts you deserve to know. Find out why James K. Polk was like Pinhead from the ‘Hellraiser’ movies. Find out how Calvin Coolidge (a very talkative person) revolutionized Presidential communication. And stick around to discover which POTUS wanted to capture a living woolly mammoth, haul it to D.C., and show it off to the Europeans.

Footnotes: https://goo.gl/NJDAJA

Tony and Emmy-winning actress Andrea Martin drops by the studio to talk about the long-lost era of variety television, the strange world of Internet celebrity, the Martin Scorsese-directed “SCTV” reunion and the origin of classic characters Edith Prickley and Perini Scleroso. Also, Merv Griffin signs off, Bob Dylan overstays his welcome, Lee Grant crushes on Gilbert and Andrea remembers her friends John Candy and Harold Ramis. PLUS: Señor Wences! “Cannibal Girls”! Dueling Floyd the Barbers! The return of Rick Moranis! And Andrea tells the only joke she knows!