Every cheesy soap opera gives it away from the start– the dashing Dr. Iago Montana is back from the dead…with a goatee. We as the audience know: IT’S NOT HIM, IT’S HIS EVIL TWIN! SEND HIM BACK FROM WHENCE HE CAME!

Again, it’s easy to spot this from a mile away when you see it on a soap opera or a children’s cartoon. The crazy thing is, whether you know it or not, every movie and TV show uses a special shorthand to convey if a character is good, evil, happy, sad, trustworthy or complicated. And more often than not, this shorthand is baked into how a character presents themselves. You just need to know what to look for.

That’s why in our new podcast mini-series sponsored by Dollar Shave Club, Cracked senior editor Soren Bowie and head of video Daniel O’Brien will dissect how characters’ grooming habits, costumes and make-up are the biggest spoilers of all. This week on episode one, the guys will take a look at Superman’s dueling hair styles, what different types of facial hair say and what it means when a character chooses to be bald.

This episode is sponsored by Dollar Shave Club. For a limited time, new members get their 1st month along with the Executive Razor and a tube of their Dr. Carver’s Shave Butter for ONLY $5 with FREE shipping.  That’s a $15 value for only $5 bucks! After that, razors are just a few bucks a month. This offer is exclusively available at  www.dollarshaveclub.com/cracked .

Welcome back to Hot Lunch with Taran Creamer and Shirley Winsome (Kimmy Gatewood, Rebekka Johnson)! Join Taran and Shirley at the high school lunch table where they host a podcast in hopes to get someone else to sit with them. This week the most popular girl at school Britney Sloane, the school nurse, lunch lady Nancy, and more sit at the lunch table to talk about what’s for lunch today. Plus, Traci Reardon stops by to offer her Twitter followers high school advice in another edition of “Help Me, Rhonda.”

This episode is brought to you by Sun Basket (www.sunbasket.com/LAPKUS), Dollar Shave Club (www.dollarshaveclub.com/LAPKUS), and Modcloth (www.modcloth.com code: LAPKUS).

Alien pool floaties, Nic Cage, and what’s next for Charlie Sheen’s movie brother is covered on this week’s mini-sode! Paul goes through Corrections and Omissions for The Wraith, Paul goes through the mail bag, and the Movie Bitches review Power Rangers. Plus, you’ll find out which ninja film we’ll be covering next week!

This episode is brought to you by SKYN condoms (www.buycondoms.online code: BONKERS).

LA: Come check out the HDTGM Art Show over at Gallery 1988 (www.gallery1988.com) and come see Paul in Hanging Out with Paul Scheer at Largo at the Coronet, June 27th at 7pm. Get tix at www.largo-la.com!

Check out new HDTGM merch over at https://www.teepublic.com/user/howdidthisgetmade

Where to Find Jason, June & Paul:

Paul’s new comedy Drive Share is available on Go90. Paul can be seen on Veep. You can see June and Paul on NTSF:SD:SUV:: on HULU. June stars in Grace and Frankie on Netflix, as well as Lady Dynamite alongside with Jason.

Jason can be seen in The House, The Lego Batman Movie, How to Be Single, Sleeping with Other People, and is still indeed in The Dictator.

This week Bryan shares the importance of rehearsed speeches while Erin shares about the Arizona jaywalking epidemic. Also, Theresa May may have lost her Conservative party hold but she’s still sticking around to try and bulldoze through more social safety nets, and the Trump administration still has yet to acknowledge LGBT Pride Month but manages to talk about literally anything else. Plus guest Dave Holmes is here to discuss Cher’s reggae medley, cheese-themed rating scales, and his book Party of One: A Memoir in 21 Songs. Follow Dave on Twitter @daveholmes

Casey and Danielle are joined by the utter delight that is Margee Magee. They discuss the loneliness that radiates under and throughout every RHONY scene this week and the alcohol that permeates every scene of Southern Charm. The girls are distressed that Luanne’s wedding isn’t its own special and Danielle asks listeners to take a VERY important pledge.

This episode is brought to you by Better Help (www.betterhelp.com/housewives), Dailylook (www.dailylook.com/elite code: HOUSEWIVES), and Nudu (www.nudu.com/housewives).

This week: Uma Thurman does the Batusi! Adam teams with the Three Stooges! The genius of Neal Hefti! And the unsung brilliance of “Lookwell.”

It usually takes Naomi Klein five years to write a book. This time, it took her less than five months. The journalist, author, and activist’s latest work _No Is Not Enough_ is all about Trump, the dark trends that have led to his presidency, and the urgent need for intersectional action right now – not later. In this episode of Politically Re-Active, we dig into the “capitalist burlesque” that has taken over the White House and explain how Trump’s scandals only reinforce his corporate brand (“impunity through wealth”). With so many crises unfolding around the globe, Naomi says, it’s time to band together to revive our own idea of utopia. So tweet us yours: @politicreactive.

Learn more about _No Is Not Enough_ at https://www.noisnotenough.org/ and follow Naomi Klein on Twitter: @NaomiAKlein.

Kamau’s on TV! And on stage! And so is Hari! Find their tour dates, albums, and latest works at http://www.wkamaubell.com/ and http://www.harikondabolu.com/. Thanks!

This episode is sponsored by Queen Sugar, Hulu, The Hate U Give, Helix Sleep (www.helixsleep.com/REACTIVE), and Texture (www.texture.com/REACTIVE).

Eugene Cordero, Jessica McKenna, Jon Gabrus, Dan Lippert, and Zach Reino join Matt Besser for part one of a new improvisational saga! Join wealthy twin heirs Jess and Jon along with personal assistant Gene as they attempt to inherit billionaire Sanford Micheal’s fortune by performing fifty jobs in fifty weeks. Will they succeed in their tasks as orca sperm harvesters? Can they recall all Fifteen Commandments of working in a fondue restaurant? What happens when an entire GPS factory assembly line goes on break? Find out on this edition of The Mopes Trilogy!

This episode is sponsored by HBO’s TJ Miller: Meticulously Ridiculous.

Calling Cusacks with Tami Sagher.

The Shrimps take on the Shecago Bulls at Pan Pacific North. Matt and Mark really call the action.

The Shrimps on Twitter: pistolshrimpsbb
The Shrimps on Instagram: @thepistolshrimps
Pistol Shrimps Radio on Twitter: @shrimpsradio
Pistol Shrimps Radio on Instagram: @pistolshrimpsradio

Matt Gourley on Twitter and IG: @mattgourley
Mark McConville on Twitter and Instagram: @markmcconville

Comedian and actor Erik Griffin (I’m Dying Up Here, Workaholics) joins Andrew to discuss the Anti-Sharia law rally, Ice Cube on Bill Maher, supporting Black Lives Matter, and much more. As always, leave us a message about anything you think is racist at (323) 389-RACE.

On a very special Hard Nation, Pete’s father Ruth (Nate Smith) comes to visit his son, along with a rough gentleman (Jim Santangeli) who knows Mark suspiciously well. Painful memories are unearthed, white wine flows copiously, new podcasts are started, and it’s all very Game of Thrones.

Writer, actress, and producer Laura Krafft (The Colbert Report, Bajillion Dollar Propertie$) joins Howard and Kulap this week to share cultural pockets of knowledge! They draw battle lines on the Katy Perry/Taylor Swift stream war while counting down the Top 5 Songs on iTunes, and Laura reviews Kevin Spacey’s set at the Tony Awards during the TV Chart. Then, we hear of motorcycle brigades and space shaming while they listen to Kevin’s Hot Picks during Two Charted.

This episode is sponsored by Squarespace (www.squarespace.com code: CHARTED).

April Richardson joins Jensen and Matty for the 300th episode of Get Up On This! They talk about Morrissey’s recent rant, “Not Enough” ft. THEY. by Lido, The Long Blondes, Huck, how we were late on Fargo season 3, and many more things you should know about.

This week’s caller is a somewhat unconventional podcast fan. He loves Beautiful/Anonymous even though he’s never technically heard an episode. Hmmm. Mysterious. He shares his unique experience with the medium, his outlook on life, and his best party tricks.

This episode is brought to you by Talkspace (www.talkspace.com/beautiful), Hulu Plus, ZipRecruiter (www.ziprecruiter.com/BEAUTIFUL), Casper Mattresses (www.casper.com/BEAUTIFUL), Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel (www.audible.com/Esther), and Detour (www.detour.com/BEAUTIFUL).

DeafListener

Join Kevin as he sits down with actress Michaela Watkins (Casual, The House). Michaela chats about Sundance Institute boot camp, her love of poker chips, and what her parents consider to be “real show business.”

Sean and Hayes are joined by aspiring actor Bang Rodgeman for a sneak peek sample of Hollywood Masterclass, his spinoff show with just Sean and not Hayes.

This episode is sponsored by ZipRecruiter (www.ziprecruiter.com/first) and Casper Mattresses (www.casper.com/HANDBOOK).

Comedian Jo Koy makes his Earwolf debut this week to share lessons of youth he’s learned from his son. He tells the girls about discovering what parts of his brain he passed on, creating father/son Vines, and what it’s like to meet his son’s friends’ celebrity dads. Plus, Emily and Deanna help Jo pick out a name for his next child, and Jo explains what trends like the RompHim say about the state of the industry.

This episode is brought to you by ThirdLove (www.thirdlove.com/omfg).

Checking the news right now, things are a little, how do you say…fucked. But there is some hope. As one of our guests puts it, “Rome wasn’t burnt down in a day.” Despite your Richard Spencers, your animated frog avatars and the whole extended cast of characters hell-bent on returning America to its pre-civil rights glory (“a hot dog cost a nickel and you could physically assault any person of color you saw! “) there are still people fighting for good in this country.

That’s why this week we’re chatting with comedians/podcasters/activists and all-around cool dudes W. Kamau Bell and Hari Kondabolu. Their podcast “Politically Reactive” is the modern guide to surviving in the age of Trump– from how to be an active part of the resistance to just how to stay happy and not let the whole dumpster fire weigh you down on a day-to-day basis. First, Jack O’Brien and Daniel O’Brien chat with W. Kamau Bell about his show “United Shades of America,” what it was like interviewing Richard Spencer and a KKK leader and how he would go about fixing the violence in Chicago. Later, Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin speak with Hari Kondabolu about #covfefe, how being a touring comedian gives you a different view of America and an absolutely crazy video of Malcom X on a Canadian Game show.

If you need some hot new threads for the summer, be sure to check out our new Cracked Podcast Merch. And for a limited time, get 20% off your order when you use the code CRACKED at checkout: https://goo.gl/2J8Nh3

Also, make sure to stay tuned to the Cracked Podcast feed for a special three-part miniseries hosted by Soren Bowie starting this Friday, June 17th. Soren and Daniel O’Brien are dissecting movie make-up and costumes to show that how a character appears is the biggest spoiler of them all.

Footnotes:

Podcast: Politically Reactive: https://goo.gl/Nxh4Iv

Website: W. Kamau Bell: https://goo.gl/zHt0Y3

Website: Hari Kondabolu: https://goo.gl/WAFZFH

Website: United Shades of America on CNN: https://goo.gl/JV0kde

Book: The Awkward Thoughts of W. Kamau Bell: https://goo.gl/HTjbXk

Album: Hari Kondabolu’s New Material Night Volume One: https://goo.gl/945WUm

Video: Malcom X on Canadian Game Show: https://goo.gl/eJEn3W

Paul F. Tompkins welcomes everyone to the valley of the great time we are about to have on Spontaneanation! This week, Paul’s special guest is Alison Brie of GLOW, BoJack Horseman, and Community! They chat about what is the worst or best travel injury Alison has sustained, a stranger telling her that she avoids confrontation, and we learn about her new show. Paul is then joined by Rebekka Johnson, Kimmy Gatewood, and Jackie Tohn of GLOW, to improvise a story set Backstage at the Grand Ole Opry. And as always, Eban (only the best) Schletter scores it all on piano!

New York! There are still tickets left to see Spontaneation Live at The Bell House in Brooklyn! November 12, 10pm: bit.ly/SPONTHOUSE1710PM

If you’d like to provide a location for the improv on a future episode, follow @Spontaneanation on Twitter so you won/t miss the prompt!

This episode is brought to you by Leesa (www.leesa.com code: PFT), RiffTrax (www.fathomevents.com/RifftraxShorts), and Dollar Shave Club (www.dollarshaveclub.com/PFT).

We meet a female gargoyle and get yelled at more by Daphne.

Arnie: Arnie Niekamp
Chunt: Adal Rifai
Usidore: Matt Young
Hergle the Gargoyle: Liz Kirkwood
Daphne the Unwed Mother: Sarah Shockey
Mysterious Man: Tim Sniffen
Craig: Ryan DiGiorgi

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

This episode is brought to you by Wag (https://app.adjust.com/fntm6o) and Sock Fancy (www.sockfancy.com code: MAGIC)

Man of a thousand talents — singer, songwriter, record producer, playwright and novelist Rupert Holmes joins Gilbert and Frank to discuss the lost art of “story songs,” the visual allure of Hammer films, the mimicry gifts of Peter Bogdanovich and the unsung musicianship of the Wrecking Crew. Also, Rupert lunches with Groucho (and Frank Capra!), pens tunes for Barbra Streisand, joins forces with Jerry Lewis and reveals the origin of “The Pina Colada Song.” PLUS: “The Indestructible Man”! The magic of Orson Welles! Gene Pitney makes a note! Darren McGavin takes a steam! And Rupert hangs with the Jackson 5!  

Stand-up comedian Rory Scovel returns to join Scott to talk about his new Netflix special “Rory Scovel Tries Stand-Up for the First Time,” what exactly is funny, blindfolded babysitting, and the farthest he’s ever walked. Then, salesman Justin Hoffman stops by to talk about his time as a songwriter for Aladdin and his last failed business. Plus, educator Caroline BelindaCarlisle arrives to tell us about her time teaching preschool through an audition process.

This episode is brought to you by Hulu Plus, I’m Dying Up Here on Showtime, Legal Zoom (www.legalzoom.com code: BANGBANG), and TJ Miller: Meticulously Ridiculous on HBO

Actress Heather Matarazzo joins Amy this week to discuss the 1987 thriller “Fatal Attraction.” They break down Michael Douglas’s tough shell and take familial lessons from the film, focusing especially on director Adrian Lyne’s in-your-face imagery. Then, they examine “Fatal Attraction” from a modern female perspective, noting how drastically the conversation has changed since its release. Finally, Amy and Heather dissect the incredibly complex performance by Glenn Close. Will “Fatal Attraction” find its way into The Canon? Head to the Earwolf forums to vote now!

Welcome back to Money, Boogers, and Stuff with your hosts, Brian O’Dwier and Paul Uzak! It’s the show where rich kids talk to rich kids about what it’s like to get a lot of money from your parents. This week, Brian and Paul welcome on listener friend Rinada Glogine to talk about all the studios her dad owns, dealing with stress over her living room mom, and the illegality of too much farting. Later, Paul’s mom shows up to ruin everything, and Traci Reardon stops by to help her Twitter followers with investment questions on another edition of “Help Me, Rhonda.”

This episode is sponsored by Dollar Shave Club (www.dollarshaveclub.com/LAPKUS) and ModCloth (www.modcloth.com code: LAPKUS).

Comic actresses Kimmy Gatewood and Rebekka Johnson (GLOW) join Randy and Jason for this week’s Sklarbro Country! First, the Bros cover their main story: The Tebow Effect. Then, they talk to Kimmy and Rebekka about their work on the new Netflix series GLOW, including how they were trained by Chavo Guerrero, getting beaten up by the ropes, and writing their own character bits. Then, they discuss a Turkish NBA player involved in political controversy and an MMA fighter who unknowingly fought while pregnant during Quick Hits, and finally, the Sklars talk to Matthew McConaughey about Mo Bamba’s Texas recruitment.

Tim Baltz (Shrink, Bajillion Dollar Propertie$) and Eliza Skinner (The Late Late Show with James Corden, Angry Little Goats) join Paul and Jason to discuss the 1986 action-horror film The Wraith. Recorded live from Largo at the Coronet in Los Angeles, they’ll talk about Charlie Sheen barely being in the movie, Gutter Boy and Skank, lights becoming a Dodge, and much more.

This episode is brought to you by SKYN condoms (www.buycondoms.online), Casper Mattresses (www.casper.com/how), Blue Apron (www.blueapron.com/bonkers), and Hulu Plus (www.hulu.com).

LA: Come check out the HDTGM Art Show over at Gallery 1988 (www.gallery1988.com).

Check out new HDTGM merch over at https://www.teepublic.com/user/howdidthisgetmade

Where to Find Jason, June & Paul:

Paul’s new comedy Drive Share is available on Go90. Paul can be seen on Veep. You can see June and Paul on NTSF:SD:SUV:: on HULU. June stars in Grace and Frankie on Netflix, as well as Lady Dynamite alongside with Jason.

Jason can be seen in The House, The Lego Batman Movie, How to Be Single, Sleeping with Other People, and is still indeed in The Dictator.

Surf’s up! Comedians Myq Kaplan (Last Comic Standing) and Laurie Kilmartin (45 Jokes About My Dead Dad) return to kick off summer with Negin and share stories of dog days past. Sunscreen, camp makeouts and bagpipes (really) factor heavily. Negin wonders why she can’t get anyone in LA to go to the beach with her. Plus, she celebrates her book turning one by jamming out to a song by Earwolf’s own, Casey Holford.

Bryan Safi (Throwing Shade) is back with Casey and Danielle and he deconstructs the new OC trailer with the eye of a surgeon and the heart of a true housewives connoisseur. They also take on PART FOUR of The Berkshires and break it all down, much like Ramona broke down all the wall sconces in her room.

All that plus a new theory on the Caitlyn Jenner/Kris Jenner feud and a thought about Tom that shakes Danielle to her core!

This episode is brought to you by Better Help (www.betterhelp.com/housewives), PreHeels (www.preheels.com code: Bitch Sesh), Texture (www.texture.com/housewives), and Dailylook (www.dailylook.com/elite).

This week Bryan is completely overwhelmed with emotion after seeing Wonder Woman, while Erin has second-degree burns from her curling iron. Also, a gay congregant leaving a service by the Word of Faith Fellowship was beaten to release his homosexual demons, and a man has filed a lawsuit against a movie theater chain due to women-only screenings of Wonder Woman. Plus, guest Michael Blieden is here to discuss divorcing Erin, working with Kanye, and how the Throwing Shade tour doc came to fruition. The Throwing Shade tour doc is out now! Get it at vimeo.com/ondemand/throwingshade