Uber CEO Travis Kalanick (Christine Nangle) joins the boys of HARD NATION this week to explain the current controversy surrounding Uber. Travis has trouble breaking out of speaking in ride-share lingo, reveals details about the WEE MAT app, and shares his deep appreciation of the OWN Network, and more. 

Writers Ethel Lung and Tiffany Lo join Andrew this week to talk about diversity on television, if you witness what you believe is child abuse but the family is a different ethnicity should you back off, is it racist for a white person to sing a karaoke song associated with the Civil Rights movement, and more. As always, leave us a message about anything you think is racist at (323) 389-RACE.

This episode is brought to you by Seeso (www.seeso.com code: YO).

What’s the best way for white parents to talk to their kids about race? We called in Dr. Brigitte Vittrup, who studies children’s racial attitudes, to help us out—and to answer questions about cringeworthy moments with your own kids. To join the conversation, go to longestshortesttime.com!

This episode is brought to you by Total Wireless, Squarespace, Sun Basket and Kopari.

Shauna McGarry (Bajillion Dollar Propertie$, 24) joins Howard and Kulap on this week’s Who Charted! She gives the inside scoop on writing for “Take My Wife” and what it was like to be schoolmates with Katy Perry before they count down Stereogum’s Top 5 Songs of the Week. They discuss prime Russian streams and Coffee Bean heroism during the TV Chart, and we hear listener questions and tales of the good and bad folks Howard met this week while the gang counts down Kevin’s Hot Picks on Two Charted.

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

A chance encounter at a coffee shop unearthed difficult experiences from this caller’s high school years. The troublesome nature of the call brings out Chris’s anger and rarely-seen “North-Jersey-guy-ready-to-break-bones” side.

This episode is brought to you by Mailchimp (www.mailchimp.com), Squarespace (www.squarespace.com code: CG), Seeso (www.seeso.com code: BEAUTIFUL), and Talkspace (www.talkspace.com/beautiful).

Join Kevin as he sits down with actor and musician Billy Bob Thornton (Sling Blade, Goliath). Billy Bob spins captivating yarns from all aspects of his multifaceted career while challenging Kevin to a hat duel.

On a very special Get Up OFF This, Ryan (communications director for Halo Top Creamery) joins Jensen and Matty this week to talk about the origin of the Robinson Halo Top bump and go to the Pepsi Live Corner to find out why Matt wasn’t ever thanked. They also get you up OFF conspiracy theories, The Chainsmokers, taking the elevator if you don’t need to, and much more.

Midwife-in-training Safara Qadesh joins Emily and Deanna this week to talk about her doula duties, the inspiration for her midwifery, and how to get the best upgrades for your tattoos. Plus, Safara helps the girls answer Instagram questions about rain drop drop tops and fist bumps.

Sean and Hayes discuss the big snafu. Then IKE BARINHOLTZ comes in to talk about the major spoof movies he’s done and to read one written by the hosts.

This episode is brought to you by ZipRecruiter (www.ziprecruiter.com/first) and MVMT Watches (www.mvmtwatches.com/hollywood).

It’s not something that you consciously notice, but movies speak to us in a secret language. They use a special shorthand to convey ideas or explain plot in the most efficient way possible. There’s one problem though: they do it in the same couple dozen ways and recycle them over and over. And they need to stop. Or at least invent some new ones.

Is someone’s life crumbling away after a break-up? Just give them a beard and litter their apartment with Chinese food cartons. Want to show someone has a house or apartment, but no possessions? How about some well-placed Chinese food cartons? Is someone pulling an all-nighter with their work? More Chinese food cartons!

If you’re a person who even casually watches movies, you’ll know so many of these the instant we bring them up and you’ll never unsee them in any film going forward. To break down 25 of the biggest offenders, Jack O’Brien is joined by Cracked’s Carmen Angelica, Soren Bowie and Daniel O’Brien. They talk about how people brush their teeth in movies, how men try to steal kisses and why you can never trust a fictional male nurse.

Remember to buy tickets to our next live taping of The Cracked Podcast on this Saturday, March 11th at 7pm at the UCB Sunset Theatre in Los Angeles. Jack and the gang are going to talk about Amity Island, Jurassic World and movies where vacations go awry in an attempt to figure out the best spring break you should take while vacationing in a fictional universe.

Tickets are $7 and available here: https://goo.gl/Li0ocH

Footnotes:

Podcast: Cracked: Dumb Movie Tropes That Need to Die Already: https://goo.gl/oMk0jv

Video: Cracked: 6 Bizarrely Specific Scenes  Hollywood Won’t Quit Using: https://goo.gl/i1Bll2

Video: Cracked: 4 Movie Straw Men Characters That Keep Showing Up: https://goo.gl/17JVkG

Video: Cracked: 7 Bizarrely Specific Ways Movies Get Normal Jobs Wrong: https://goo.gl/lvqPpo

Article: Cracked: 4 Bizarrely Specific Rules That Exist in Movie Universes: https://goo.gl/Hs9iGT

Article: Cracked: 3 Bizarrely Specific Job Trends in Movies: https://goo.gl/a4NL9

Article: Cracked 4 Products That Only Exist in Movies: https://goo.gl/q4RAF

Cracked Photoplasties About Movie Tropes: https://goo.gl/2BsDGG, https://goo.gl/x4QfQ, https://goo.gl/qnQZQr, https://goo.gl/gYZfr

Article: The New Yorker: What Did Jesus Do? (Actual Logic vs. Narrative Logic): https://goo.gl/4c126Q

Article: The Hathor Legacy: Why Film Schools Teach Screenwriters Not To Pass The Bechdel Test: https://goo.gl/MMdcbt

This episode is brought to you by Casper Mattresses (www.casper.com/cracked) and Squarespace (www.squarespace.com code: CRACKED).

Comedian Riley Silverman joins Travon to revisit “Your Obedient Servant” and explain how her journey with gender has reinforced her belief that, at heart, she’s more of a Burr than a Hamilton. She also confesses the unorthodox way she watched Hamilton for the first time. Plus, they go on a Harry Potter tangent or two. 

This episode is brought to you by Squarespace (www.squarespace.com code: HAMILTON) and Today Tix (www.todaytix.com code: HAMILTON).

Hello from the Dusty Saloon! Let’s check in with the town of Hogswood.

Arnie: Arnie Niekamp
Ulysses the Cowboy: Matt Young
Champ the Horse: Adal Rifai
Miss Quibbert: Sarah Shockey
Mysterious Man: Tim Sniffen
Craig: Ryan DiGiorgi

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

Paul F. Tompkins welcomes everyone for some tough love time on Spontaneanation! This week, Paul’s special guest is actor Merrin Dungey of Conviction and HBO’s Big Little Lies! They chat about Merrin’s last great meal (and who she was with and what they talked about), murderer sharks, and inevitably ending up at Cheesecake Factory. Paul is then joined by Colleen Smith, Shaun Diston, and Nyima Funk, to improvise a story set at The Red Carpet at the Oscars. And as always, Eban (only the best) Schletter scores it all on piano!

This episode is brought to you by Seeso (www.seeso.com code: PFT).

Emmy-winning writer-director Bill Persky returns to weigh in on topics not covered in his previous appearances, including the physicality of Tim Conway, the irritability of Joey Bishop, the professionalism of Don Ameche and the star power of Sandy Koufax. Also, Jack Palance tells a joke, Harvey Korman treads the boards, Joe Namath turns heads and George Carlin takes a powder. PLUS: Burt Mustin! Gene Kelly unmasked! Super Dave goes to Tahiti! Remembering Garry Marshall! And Eva Gabor replaces Sgt. Bilko!

“Love”-ers Gillian Jacobs and Paul Rust join Scott to talk about grilling auditionees for their show and why fire hydrants belong in the New No-Nos. Plus, children’s entertainer Big Chunky Bubbles returns to discuss his favorite chowders and the proper methods of meat sculpting. Finally, the gang plays the Comedy Bang Bang Dating Game to see which of the lucky men makes the perfect husband for Gillian.

This episode is sponsored by HBO’s “Jerrod Carmichael: 8,” Seeso (www.seeso.com code: BANGBANG), Stamps.com (www.stamps.com code: BANGBANG), ZipRecruiter (www.ziprecruiter.com/cbb), and JackThreads.

HDTGM All-stars Rob Huebel, Nicole Byer, and Gil Ozeri join Paul to discuss the 1993 film Surf Ninjas. Recorded live from Largo at the Coronet in Los Angeles, they cover everything from moto surfing to Leslie Nielsen’s bulge in the final fight scene. Plus, we hear from someone very close to the film during Audience Q&A! Kwantsu!

This episode is brought to you Squarespace (www.squarespace.com code: BONKERS), SKYN condoms (www.buycondom.online code: BONKERS), Sonos (www.sonos.com), and Casper Mattresses (www.casper.com/how code: how).

Where to Find Jason, June & Paul:

Paul’s new comedy Drive Share is available on Go90. 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.

Sarah Pappalardo (The Reductress) and John Fugelsang (Tell Me Everything) join Negin to talk about Jeff Sessions, Trump’s first address to a joint session of Congress, his habit of attacking the press, and a gun-related ruling in Florida. Plus, John explains some NRA basics.

This episode is brought to you by Credo Mobile (www.credomobile.com/fakethenation) and Hello Fresh (www.hellofresh.com code: FAKE35).

Comedian Kurt Braunohler joins Randy and Jason this week to catch some Country waves! We hear about a naked track team drop-in and an NHL player who tussles with teens before the Sklars dive in deep with Kurt. They chat about his shift from alt-comedy to a more traditional style, upcoming prospects of parenthood, Kurt’s passion for surf, and his new comedy special “Trust Me.” During Quick Hits, they get into James Winston’s elementary school pep talk and a case of mistaken bus identity, and finally, the clone of Nicole Cage pops by to offer clarification on the Best Picture mix-up.

This episode is sponsored by Blue Apron (www.blueapron.com/sklar).

This week Bryan shares his latest Postmates trauma, while Erin shares her DVR mishap from the Oscars. Also, Dr. Daniel Dopps a Chiropractor in Kansas created a new vagina “lipstick” to help stop menstrual leakage and rid the embarrassment of menstruation! Plus, out actors and actresses in Hollywood are consistently overlooked for awards while straight actors and actresses are often awarded for playing LGBT characters. March 8th is National Day Without A Women!

Please enjoy this week’s episode of The Black List Table Reads with Franklin Leonard with screenwriter Sean Geraghty known for The Hounds of House Rearden which will receive the ear movie treatment.

Marjoe Gortner! “Humanoids from the Deep”! Henry Fonda goes slumming! And Elvis’ favorite Christmas flick!

Writer/producer Richard Kramer (Thirtysomething, My So-Called Life, Nashville) joins Sarah and Susan to talk about Keith Carradine’s “I’m Easy” from Nashville, DogTown Pit bull rescue, a moment of testimony from his recent stint as a juror that made him cry, “The Dead” by James Joyce, Tennessee Williams’ Baby Doll, and “I Happen To Like New York” by Judy Garland.

This episode is brought to you by Lola (www.mylola.com code: CRYBABIES) and Spring (www.shopspring.com code: CRYBABY).

Feeding a cold with Jimmy and the gang.

This episode is brought to you by Crashing on HBO, Harry’s (www.harrys.com/pardo), and Blue Apron (www.blueapron.com/NEVER).

Rapper and comedian Zach Sherwin joins Kevin this week to discuss the 1995 Denzel flick, “Devil in a Blue Dress.” They cover the most recent Denzel news, share celebrity grocery store sightings, and swap their first rhymes. Then they get deep into “Devil in a Blue Dress,” touching on Denzel’s chemistry with Don Cheadle and the best Mouse traits, and finally, the pair launches into a freestyle session inspired by the film.

This episode is sponsored by Seeso (www.seeso.com code: DENZEL) and Blue Apron (www.blueapron.com/denzel).

Dan Lippert and Drew Tarver join Matt Besser for this week’s improv4humans! They perform scenes about an impressive Japanese Starbucks, hiring a homeless man for entertainment, and getting matching airplanes for your anniversary. Plus, they jazz up the Olympic Pentathalon for a modern audience, search for the least offensive mascot name, and play “fuck, marry, kill” with the three stages of Jesus.

This episode is sponsored by HBO’s “Crashing.”

Casey and Danielle go as guestless as Eileen went braless at Carnie Wilson’s dessert party. Casey discusses her fathers overly caffeinated emails, Danielle likens the Oscar mishap to the end of World War 2 and the girls reenact the now famous scene between Kandi and Porshia. Toodles, Bitch! 

This episode is brought to you by Lyft (www.lyft.com/housewives) and Kapulet.

Surf Ninjas screenwriter Dan Gordon chats with Blake about breaking into the business, getting blackballed by Hollywood and the unique horror of slowly discovering that his directorial debut was actually a meant-to-fail, money-laundering scheme for the mob.

Dr. Pratima Gupta is a mom with the rare job combo of both delivering babies and terminating pregnancies. And in the year since we last talked to her, her job description has gotten even more interesting! To join the conversation, go to longestshortesttime.com!

This episode is brought to you by Total Wireless, Squarespace, Sun Basket and Kopari.

Actor Jeffrey Weissman joins Matt this week to discuss his unique experience of playing George McFly in Back to the Future Part II and III after Crispin Glover left the films. Jeffrey tells us about the mix of acting and impression that went along with playing the role, being in a weird place as the new replacement on set, and hearing Crispin’s thoughts using his likeness. We also hear about Jeffrey’s other roles in Clint Eastwood’s Pale Rider, Johnny Dangerously, Twilight Zone: The Movie, and Saved by the Bell. Plus, writers Ben Acker and Ben Blacker of The Thrilling Adventure Hour join Matt to talk about their novel, ‘Star Wars Join the Resistance,’ what it’s like to work with the Lucasfilm story group, and Matt becoming part of the Star Wars canon.

This episode is brought to you by Hullo (www.hullopillow.com/IWTT).

Secretary Of Education Betsy DeVos (Lauren Adams) brings a crow named “Jim” and a binder full of Earth facts to Hard Nation. She explains to Mark & Pete why even elephants deserve vouchers, and enthuses about her Black-History-Month-themed topiary. Plus: Pete performs an excerpt from his rap single.

LA: See Hard Nation live at UCB Sunset on 3/6/17 with special guests Paul F. Tompkins, Colton Dunn, and Nicole Byer! Get tickets here: https://sunset.ucbtheatre.com/performance/52329